JP2016124167A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce weight of a first housing and suppress breakage of a meniscus and an increase in size in a first direction.SOLUTION: In a recording device, a sub-tank 52 is supported to a second housing 1b, the sub-tank 52 is disposed so as to be aligned to a waste fluid receiving member 40 in a transportation direction instead of disposed downward the waste fluid receiving member 40, and the sub-tank 52 is disposed farther from an axis line 1x1 than a recording head 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a recording apparatus including an upper casing that supports a recording head and a sub tank, and a lower casing that supports a platen and a maintenance unit. The platen is disposed at a position facing the recording head in order to support the recording medium at a position facing the ejection surface where the ejection port of the recording head is formed. The maintenance unit is disposed at a position facing the recording head in order to receive the liquid discharged from the discharge port of the recording head. The sub tank stores the ink supplied from the main tank and supplies the ink to the recording head. Further, the sub tank can be opened to the atmosphere, and an appropriate negative pressure is applied to the meniscus formed at the ejection port of the recording head due to the water head difference between the ink in the sub tank and the ink in the recording head. The recording head is of a line type and is long in a direction (first direction) orthogonal to the paper transport direction and parallel to the ejection surface. The upper casing can move with respect to the lower casing by rotating about the axis of the rotation axis along the first direction, and can take a recordable position and a separated position. When the upper casing rotates, the recording head and the sub tank move together with the upper casing, so that the fluctuation of the water head difference between the ink in the sub tank and the ink in the recording head is suppressed.

JP 2005-81546 A

  In Patent Document 1, since the sub-tank (first storage unit) is supported by the upper casing (first casing), the weight of the first casing is relatively large, and it is difficult to move the first casing. It is. Therefore, the inventors of the present application have examined the adoption of a configuration in which the first housing is supported by the lower housing (second housing) in order to reduce the weight of the first housing. It has been found that depending on the position and the position of the first storage part in the second housing, there may be a problem of meniscus breakage and enlargement in the first direction.

  For example, in the configuration in which the first storage unit is supported by the second casing, the vertical direction of the recording head when the first casing rotates as the recording head is arranged at a position farther from the axis in the transport direction. The amount of movement increases. Therefore, especially when the first housing takes the separated position (second position), the water head difference becomes large, and the meniscus can be damaged.

  When the first storage unit is disposed below the maintenance unit (waste liquid receiving member), the vertical distance between the ejection surface of the recording head and the first storage unit is large, particularly when the first housing takes the second position. The water head difference can increase and the meniscus can be damaged.

  When the first reservoir is arranged in the first direction alongside the waste liquid receiving member, it may be necessary to secure the area of the first reservoir in addition to the area of the waste liquid receiving member (≈the area of the recording head) in the first direction. Therefore, the recording apparatus can be increased in size in the first direction. On the other hand, in the transport direction, it is necessary to secure an area for the transport path. However, if the first storage unit can be disposed in the area of the transport path, the recording apparatus can be prevented from being enlarged in the transport direction.

  Therefore, a configuration in which the first storage unit is arranged along with the waste liquid receiving member in the transport direction will be considered. In this configuration, if it is attempted to reduce the distance between the recording head and the axis in the transport direction, it is difficult to provide a space for disposing the first storage portion between the waste liquid receiving member and the rotation shaft constituting the axis. It becomes.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of reducing the weight of the first housing and suppressing the damage of the meniscus and the enlargement in the first direction.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention is supplied from a transport mechanism that transports a sheet-like recording medium, a first storage section that stores a liquid and has a liquid storage chamber that can communicate with the atmosphere, and the first storage section. This is a direction in which the recording medium is transported when the recording medium transported by the transport mechanism has a discharge surface on which a discharge port for discharging liquid is formed and passes through a position facing the discharge surface. A recording head that is long in a first direction perpendicular to the transport direction and parallel to the ejection surface; a counter member having a counter surface that supports a recording medium at the counter position; and the recording head sandwiching the counter member; A waste liquid receiving member that is disposed on the opposite side and receives the liquid discharged from the discharge port, a first housing that supports the recording head, the first reservoir, the opposing member, and the waste liquid receiving member. Second housing to The first housing has a first position that is a position when recording by the recording head is performed, and a distance between the ejection surface and the facing surface is larger than that at the first position. A second position, which is a position, is movable with respect to the second housing by rotating about an axis along the first direction, and the first reservoir is It is arranged alongside the waste liquid receiving member in the transport direction, and the distance between the recording head and the axis in the transport direction in the state where the first housing is in the first position is the first reservoir and the It is characterized by being smaller than the distance to the axis.

  According to the present invention, the weight of the first casing can be reduced by supporting the first storage portion on the second casing.

  Further, by reducing the distance between the recording head and the axis in the transport direction, the amount of movement of the recording head in the vertical direction when the first housing rotates can be reduced. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the water head difference accompanying rotation of a 1st housing | casing can be suppressed, and the damage of a meniscus can be suppressed.

  In addition, the first reservoir is not arranged below the waste liquid receiving member, but is arranged side by side with the waste liquid receiving member in the transport direction, so that the water head difference is relatively small and the meniscus is prevented from being damaged. it can.

  Furthermore, the 1st storage part is arrange | positioned along with a waste liquid receiving member not in the 1st direction along with a waste liquid receiving member, but the enlargement of a 1st direction can be suppressed by arrange | positioning along with a waste liquid receiving member in the conveyance direction. .

  In addition, since the distance between the recording head and the axis in the transport direction is reduced, the distance between the waste liquid receiving member disposed at the position facing the recording head and the axis is also reduced. It becomes difficult to provide a space for installing the first storage member between the moving shaft. However, in the present invention, since the first storage portion is arranged farther from the axis than the recording head in the transport direction, it is necessary to provide a space for installing the first storage member between the waste liquid receiving member and the rotation shaft. Absent. In other words, according to the present invention, while the space for installing the first storage member is secured, the amount of movement of the recording head in the vertical direction (and hence the fluctuation of the head difference) when the first housing rotates is suppressed. The meniscus can be prevented from being damaged.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention may further include a second storage section for storing the liquid ejected from the recording head, and the second storage section may be supported by the second casing. The second storage section is preferably located below the recording head in order to store the liquid ejected from the recording head, and the weight can vary depending on the amount of the stored liquid. In order to balance the weight, it is preferable to arrange it below.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a first communication pipe that communicates the first reservoir and the recording head, and a second communication pipe that communicates the second reservoir and the opposing member or the waste liquid receiving member. The first storage unit and the second storage unit may be arranged side by side along the first direction, and may be arranged side by side with the opposing member in the transport direction. In this case, the first storage unit and the second storage unit can be disposed near the recording head and the opposing member, respectively. Thereby, both a 1st communicating pipe and a 2nd communicating pipe can be shortened, and generation | occurrence | production of the bubble in each communicating pipe can be suppressed by extension.

  The first communication pipe extends from a side opposite to the side facing the second storage section in the first direction of the first storage section, and the second communication pipe extends from the second storage section to the second storage section. You may extend from the opposite side to the side facing the said 1st storage part in one direction. In this case, both the first communication pipe and the second communication pipe can be shortened more reliably, and as a result, the generation of bubbles in each communication pipe can be more reliably suppressed.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention is provided in the first communication pipe, provided in the first communication pipe, the first pump for supplying the liquid in the first reservoir to the recording head, and the second communication pipe. Or you may further provide the 2nd pump for supplying the liquid received by the said waste-liquid receiving member to a said 2nd storage part. In this case, since the length of each communication pipe provided with each pump is short, the load on each pump is reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  The first reservoir and the second reservoir are arranged side by side along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the transport direction, and the first reservoir is above the second reservoir. It may be. In this case, the water head difference can be reduced more reliably, and the meniscus can be prevented from being damaged.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention further includes a storage unit that can store the recording medium transported by the transport mechanism, and a receiving unit that receives the recording medium transported by the transport mechanism and passed through the facing position. A first curved portion in which a conveyance path of a recording medium conveyed by the conveyance mechanism and passing from the accommodation unit to the receiving unit through the opposing position is convex toward the upstream in the conveyance direction; and the conveyance An S-shape including a linear portion extending along the direction and a second curved portion protruding toward the downstream in the transport direction, and the recording head is located upstream of the axis and in the transport direction. It is arrange | positioned along the said linear part in the said conveyance direction downstream rather than 1 storage part, and the said linear part may be exposed in the state which has the said 1st housing | casing in the said 2nd position. In this case, since the transport path is formed in the S shape as described above, it is possible to reduce the apparatus area as viewed from the second direction. In addition, the first housing can be arranged at the second position to expose the straight line portion, so that jamming can be easily performed. Furthermore, since the recording head is downstream in the transport direction with respect to the first reservoir, the distance between the recording head and the axis can be made smaller than when the recording head is upstream in the transport direction with respect to the first reservoir.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention further includes a storage unit capable of storing a third storage unit for storing the liquid supplied to the first storage unit, and the storage unit is provided in the first housing. The third storage unit may be stored in the storage unit through an opening provided on a side surface that intersects with the discharge surface of the first housing. In this case, since the opening part is formed in the side surface of the first housing, the third storage part can be easily attached to and detached from the storage part via the opening part.

  The first housing has two side surfaces that intersect the ejection surface and are parallel to the axis and that face the transport direction in a state where the first housing is in the first position. Among the side surfaces, the opening may be provided on a side surface having a larger distance from the axis in the transport direction in a state where the first housing is in the first position. The side surface farther from the axis of the first housing is a surface on which the user easily faces during jam processing due to the rotating structure of the housing. According to the said structure, a jam processing operation | work and the attachment or detachment operation | work of a 3rd storage part can be performed from the same side surface, and operativity is good.

  In a state where the first housing is in the first position, a distance between the recording head and the axis in the transport direction may be smaller than a distance between the storage unit and the axis. In this case, since the recording head can be disposed near the axis more reliably, fluctuations in the water head difference due to rotation of the first housing can be suppressed, and damage to the meniscus can be suppressed. Further, by providing the storage unit in the space generated by arranging the recording head near the axis, the space can be effectively used.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit capable of storing a third storage unit for storing the liquid supplied to the first storage unit, and the first housing from the first position to the second position. A first signal output unit that outputs a first signal indicating that a predetermined condition has been satisfied before the movement of the first casing is started and the movement of the first housing is started; The control unit further comprising: a supply mechanism that supplies liquid from a third storage unit to the first storage unit; and a control unit that receives the first signal from the first signal output unit and controls the supply mechanism, When the first signal is received from the first signal output unit, the liquid is supplied from the third storage unit to the first storage unit until a predetermined amount or more of liquid is stored in the first storage unit. The supply mechanism may be controlled in such a manner. In this case, it is possible to more reliably suppress the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the rotation of the first housing.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention further includes a second signal output unit that outputs a second signal indicating that the predetermined amount or more of the liquid is stored in the first storage unit, and the control unit includes the first storage unit. When the first signal is received from one signal output unit, the supply is performed such that liquid is supplied from the third storage unit to the first storage unit until the second signal is received from the second signal output unit. The mechanism may be controlled. In this case, by performing control using the second signal output unit, it is possible to more effectively suppress fluctuations in the water head difference associated with the rotation of the first housing.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention further includes a lock mechanism capable of selectively allowing and prohibiting the movement of the first housing, and the control unit receives the predetermined condition from the first signal output unit. When receiving the first signal indicating that the liquid is satisfied, the lock mechanism is controlled so that the movement of the first housing is prohibited until the predetermined amount of liquid is stored in the first storage part. You may control. In this case, by storing a predetermined amount or more of liquid in the first reservoir before the movement of the first casing is actually performed, the fluctuation of the water head difference due to the rotation of the first casing is more sure. Can be suppressed.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a lock mechanism capable of selectively allowing and prohibiting movement of the first housing from the first position toward the second position, and a predetermined amount in the first storage unit. A second signal output unit that outputs a second signal indicating that the liquid is stored; and a control unit that receives the second signal from the second signal output unit and controls the lock mechanism. The control unit may control the lock mechanism so that the movement of the first casing is allowed only when the second signal is received from the second signal output unit. In this case, it is possible to more reliably suppress the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the rotation of the first housing.

  In the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the first housing starts moving from the first position toward the second position, and a predetermined condition is satisfied before the movement of the first housing is started. A first signal output unit that outputs a first signal indicating any one of the conditions; a moving mechanism that moves the recording head in a direction perpendicular to the ejection surface within a predetermined range; and the first signal output unit. A control unit that receives the first signal from the first control unit and controls the moving mechanism, and the control unit receives the first signal from the first signal output unit, and the discharge surface within the predetermined range. The moving mechanism may be controlled so that the recording head is located at a position where the distance between the head and the facing surface is the smallest. In this case, it is possible to more reliably suppress the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the rotation of the first housing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the weight of the first housing and to prevent the meniscus from being damaged and the first direction from being enlarged.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the first housing is in the first position in the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from a direction different from FIG. 1, showing a state where the first housing is in the first position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the same direction as FIG. 1 and showing a state where the first housing is in the second position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the same direction as FIG. 2 showing a state where the first housing is in the second position. It is a side view showing the state where the 1st case is in the 1st position in the ink jet printer concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where the first housing is in the first position in the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the lock mechanism provided in the ink jet type printer concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is in the state where movement from the 1st position toward the 2nd position of the 1st case is prohibited, (B) shows a state in which movement of the first housing from the first position to the second position is permitted. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine in the ink jet type printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine in the inkjet printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine in the inkjet printer which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine in the inkjet printer which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has a 1st housing | casing in a 1st position in the ink jet type printer which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the direction different from FIG. 13 which shows the state which has the 1st housing | casing in a 1st position in the inkjet printer which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the ink jet printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first housing 1 a and a second housing 1 b each having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first housing 1a has an open bottom surface, and the second housing 1b has an open top surface. The first casing 1a overlaps the second casing 1b, and the first casing 1a and the second casing 1b seal the opening of each other, thereby defining the internal space of the printer 1.

  The first housing 1a is provided with a pair of rotating shafts 1x that extend in a first direction that is parallel to the horizontal direction and are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The second housing 1b is provided with a bearing (not shown) that rotatably supports the pair of rotating shafts 1x. The pair of pivot shafts 1x are support members that support the first housing 1a so as to be movable with respect to the second housing 1b, and are shaft members having an axis 1x1 along the first direction. The first housing 1a is movable with respect to the second housing 1b by rotating about the axis 1x1 while being supported by the rotating shaft 1x, and the first position shown in FIGS. The second position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be taken. When the first housing 1a is in the first position, the first housing 1a and the second housing 1b seal each other's opening. When the first housing 1a is in the second position, the user can access the internal space of the printer 1 through the openings of the first housing 1a and the second housing 1b.

  In the internal space of the printer 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a storage unit 1 c, a recording head 10, a platen 20, a storage unit 51 x, a waste liquid receiving member 40, a sub tank 52, a waste liquid tank 53, a humidification tank 54, a pump 51P1, 51P2, 52P, 53P, 54P, etc. are arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a transport mechanism 30 and a control unit 100 are also arranged in the internal space of the printer 1. A receiving portion 1 d is provided on the upper portion of the printer 1.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory: including a nonvolatile RAM), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an I / F (Interface). ), I / O (Input / Output Port) and the like. The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU, various fixed data, and the like. The RAM temporarily stores data necessary for program execution. The ASIC performs rewriting and rearrangement of image data (for example, signal processing and image processing). The I / F performs data transmission / reception with an external device (for example, a PC connected to the printer 1). I / O inputs / outputs detection signals of various sensors.

  The accommodating portion 1c is a box having an open upper surface that can accommodate a plurality of sheet-like paper P, and is detachable from the second housing 1b.

  The recording head 10 is a line-type inkjet head that is long in the first direction, and has a discharge surface 10x on which a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink are formed. The ink supplied from the sub tank 52 is discharged from the plurality of discharge ports. The recording head 10 is supported by the first housing 1a and is disposed above the accommodating portion 1c.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the recording head 10 can be moved in a vertical direction (second direction) orthogonal to the ejection surface 10 x within a predetermined range by the head lifting mechanism 11. The head lifting mechanism 11 includes a frame 11s that supports the recording head 10 and a head lifting motor 11M (see FIG. 8). When the head lifting motor 11M is driven by the control of the control unit 100, the frame 11s moves up and down while supporting the recording head 10, and the position of the ejection surface 10x in the second direction changes. For example, the recording head 10 is disposed at a recording position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 5 during recording, and is disposed at a wiping position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5 while wiping the ejection surface 10x. The recording position is below the wipe position and is the lowest position within a predetermined range.

  The platen 20 is supported by the second housing 1b and is disposed above the storage portion 1c and below the recording head 10. The platen 20 includes two plates 20a and 20b. Each of the plates 20a and 20b is provided on a side opposite to the side facing each other in the transport direction, and is configured to be rotatable about an axis along the first direction. The platen 20 is driven by a platen rotation motor 20M (see FIG. 8) under the control of the control unit 100, and the plates 20a and 20b are rotated to form a facing surface forming position (see FIGS. 1 to 5) and an open position. (Not shown). At the opposing surface forming position, the opposing sides of the plates 20a and 20b are abutted against each other, and an opposing surface 20x that supports the paper P is formed at the opposing position A that opposes the ejection surface 10x by the surfaces of the plates 20a and 20b. Yes. In the open position, the opposing sides of the plates 20a and 20b are separated from each other, and the discharge surface 10x and the waste liquid receiving member 40 are arranged in the second direction through the space between the plates 20a and 20b formed by the separation of the sides. opposite. The platen 20 is disposed at the facing surface forming position during recording and at the open position during purging. Purge refers to an operation in which ink is pumped from the sub tank 52 to the ink flow path of the recording head 10 and ink is forcibly discharged from all ejection ports.

  When the first housing 1a is in the first position, a predetermined gap suitable for recording is formed between the ejection surface 10x and the facing surface 20x. When the first housing 1a is in the second position, the distance between the ejection surface 10x and the facing surface 20x is greater than when the first housing 1a is in the second position. The first position is a position when recording by the recording head 10 is performed. The second position is a position when jam processing or the like is performed.

  The transport mechanism 30 includes a paper feed roller 31 and roller pairs 32 to 38.

  The paper feed roller 31 is disposed at a position in contact with the uppermost paper P in the accommodating portion 1c. The paper feed roller 31 rotates when the paper feed motor 1cM (see FIG. 8) is driven under the control of the control unit 100. As a result, the uppermost sheet P in the storage portion 1c is sent out from the storage portion 1c.

  Each of the roller pairs 32 to 38 includes two rollers in contact with each other, and is configured to convey the paper P while being sandwiched between the two rollers. One of the two rollers included in each of the roller pairs 32 to 38 is a drive roller, and rotates when the conveyance motor 30M (see FIG. 8) is driven under the control of the control unit 100. The other of the two rollers included in each of the roller pairs 32 to 38 is a driven roller, and rotates in a direction opposite to the driving roller while contacting the driving roller as the driving roller rotates.

  The paper P stored in the storage portion 1c is sent out from the storage portion 1c by the paper feed roller 31, and further passes through the opposite position A along the transport path R by the rotation of the roller pairs 32-38, so that the reception portion 1d. It is conveyed toward. Here, the direction in which the paper P is transported when the paper P transported by the transport mechanism 30 passes the facing position A is referred to as a “transport direction”. The transport direction is a direction parallel to the horizontal direction and orthogonal to the first direction. The conveyance path R is convex toward the downstream in the conveyance direction from the opposing position A to the receiving portion 1d, and the first curved portion R1 is convex toward the upstream in the conveyance direction from the accommodating portion 1c to the opposing position A. And a second curved portion R2 and a straight portion R3 extending along the transport direction.

  The receiving portion 1d receives the paper P that has been transported by the transport mechanism 30 and passed through the facing position A, and is provided on the top plate of the first housing 1a.

  The storage part 51x is a part capable of storing the main tank 51 for storing ink and humidifying liquid, and is provided in the first housing 1a. The storage unit 51x is disposed above the recording head 10 and at a position overlapping the recording head 10 in the transport direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, both ends of the storage unit 51x in the first direction coincide with both ends of the recording head 10 in the first direction, and the storage unit 51x and the recording head 10 are in the transport direction. Almost the whole is overlapping. Further, the center position of the first housing 1a in the first direction, the center position of the recording head 10 in the first direction, and the center position of the storage unit 51x in the first direction match. The humidifying liquid may be pure water, water to which a preservative is added, or the like.

  The main tank 51 can be stored in the storage unit 51x through the opening 1e provided in the side surface 1a1 of the first housing 1a. More specifically, a door 1ex is attached to a portion of the side surface 1a1 that defines the opening 1e so that the door 1ex can be opened and closed, and the user can open and close the door 1ex to attach / detach the main tank 51 to / from the storage 51x. The side surface 1a1 is one of the four side surfaces intersecting the ejection surface 10x in the first housing 1a, and among the four side surfaces, the first housing 1a is parallel to the axis 1x1 and the first housing 1a is the first. It is one of the two side surfaces that face each other in the conveyance direction in the position. The side surface 1a1 has a greater distance from the axis 1x1 in the transport direction when the first housing 1a is in the first position than the other side surface 1a2 of the two side surfaces.

  The waste liquid receiving member 40 is a box-shaped member that receives ink ejected from the ejection port of the recording head 10 at the time of purging, and is disposed on the opposite side of the recording head 10 with the platen 20 interposed therebetween. At the time of purging, the platen 20 is disposed at the open position, and ink is discharged from all the ejection ports of the recording head 10 with the ejection surface 10x and the waste liquid receiving member 40 facing each other through the space between the plates 20a and 20b in the second direction. Are discharged, and the ink is received by the waste liquid receiving member 40.

  The sub tank 52 is for storing the ink supplied from the main tank 51, has an ink storage chamber 52 x that can communicate with the atmosphere, and is disposed on the side of the waste liquid receiving member 40.

  The waste liquid tank 53 is for storing the ink ejected from the recording head 10, and is disposed on the side of the waste liquid receiving member 40 and adjacent to the sub tank 52 in the first direction. The amount of ink that can be stored in the waste liquid tank 53 is larger than the amount of ink that can be stored in the sub tank 52. In other words, the volume of the waste liquid tank 53 is larger than the volume of the sub tank 52. The upper surface of the waste liquid tank 53 is disposed at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the sub tank 52. Further, the lower surface of the waste liquid tank 53 is disposed at a lower height than the lower surface of the sub tank 52. With these configurations, the sub tank 52 is disposed near the recording head 10 in the vertical direction. Further, of the side surfaces of the waste liquid tank 53, the side surface closest to the axis 1x1 in the transport direction is disposed at the same position in the transport direction as the side surface of the sub tank 52 that is closest to the axis 1x1 in the transport direction. With this configuration, the waste liquid tank 53 is disposed near the waste liquid receiving member 40 in the transport direction, and the sub tank 52 is disposed near the recording head 10 in the transport direction.

  The humidifying tank 54 is for storing a humidifying liquid that humidifies the space facing the discharge surface 10x, and is disposed on the opposite side of the waste liquid receiving member 40 with the sub tank 52 interposed therebetween.

  The waste liquid receiving member 40, the sub tank 52, the waste liquid tank 53, and the humidification tank 54 are supported by the second casing 1b, and are disposed above the storage portion 1c and below the recording head 10 and the platen 20. The sub tank 52 and the waste liquid tank 53 are arranged side by side along the first direction, and are arranged side by side with the platen 20 and the waste liquid receiving member 40 in the transport direction.

  The pump 51P1 is provided in a communication pipe 51t1 that allows the main tank 51 and the sub tank 52 to communicate with each other. When the pump 51P1 is turned on under the control of the control unit 100, ink is supplied from the main tank 51 to the sub tank 52.

  The pump 51P2 is provided in a communication pipe 51t2 that allows the main tank 51 and the humidification tank 54 to communicate with each other. When the pump 51P2 is turned on under the control of the control unit 100, the humidifying liquid is supplied from the main tank 51 to the humidifying tank.

  The pump 52P is provided in a communication pipe 52t1 that allows the sub tank 52 and the ink flow path of the recording head 10 to communicate with each other. When the pump 52P is turned on under the control of the control unit 100, ink is supplied from the sub tank 52 to the ink flow path of the recording head 10.

  The pump 53P is provided in a communication pipe 53t that allows the waste liquid tank 53 and the waste liquid receiving member 40 to communicate with each other. When the pump 53P is turned on by the control of the control unit 100, ink is supplied from the waste liquid receiving member 40 to the waste liquid tank 53.

  The pump 54P is provided in a communication pipe 54t1 that allows the humidification tank 54 and the space facing the ejection surface 10x of the recording head 10 to communicate with each other. When the pump 54P is turned on by the control of the control unit 100, the air in the humidification tank 54 is supplied to the space facing the discharge surface 10x.

  The pumps 51P1, 51P2, 52P, 53P, and 54P are supported by the second housing 1b.

  The sub tank 52 and the ink flow path of the recording head 10 are communicated with each other by two communication pipes, a communication pipe 52t1 provided with a pump 52P and a communication pipe 52t2 provided with a valve (not shown). The controller 100 controls opening / closing of the valve and driving of the pump 52P, thereby controlling the ink flow between the sub tank 52 and the ink flow path of the recording head 10 during recording, purging, and circulation purging. The circulation purge is an operation in which ink is circulated between the sub tank 52 and the ink flow path of the recording head 10 and foreign matters such as bubbles accumulated in the ink flow path of the recording head 10 are discharged together with the ink to the sub tank 52.

  The space facing the humidifying tank 54 and the ejection surface 10x of the recording head 10 is formed by two communication pipes, a communication pipe 54t1 provided with a pump 54P and a communication pipe 54t2 provided with a buffer tank (not shown). , Communicated. The buffer tank receives the humidifying liquid before the humidifying liquid stored in the humidifying tank 54 flows into the recording head 10 and prevents the humidifying liquid from flowing into the recording head 10 when the printer 1 falls. It is.

  The communication pipe 52t1 extends from the side opposite to the side facing the waste liquid tank 53 in the first direction in the sub tank 52 (the front side in FIG. 1). The communication pipe 53t extends in the first direction of the waste liquid tank 53 from the side opposite to the side facing the sub tank 52 (the back side in FIG. 1).

  Here, the positional relationship between the components of the printer 1 when viewed from the second direction will be described with reference to FIG. The second direction is a direction orthogonal to a virtual plane (hereinafter simply referred to as “virtual surface”) parallel to the surface of the paper P stored in the storage unit 1c.

  The storage unit projection area 51xA obtained by projecting the storage unit 51x on the virtual plane from the second direction, the sub tank projection area 52A obtained by projecting the sub tank 52 from the second direction on the virtual plane, and the recording head 10 on the virtual plane are secondly displayed. The recording head projection area 10A projected from the direction at least partially overlaps the accommodation section projection area 1cA obtained by projecting the accommodation section 1c from the second direction on the virtual plane. In the present embodiment, the three projection areas 51xA, 52A, and 10A substantially overlap with the accommodating part projection area 1cA, respectively, and are contained in the accommodating part projection area 1cA. Each of the three projection areas 51xA, 52A, 10A and the accommodation part projection area 1cA overlaps with the acceptance part projection area 1dA obtained by projecting the acceptance part 1d on the virtual plane from the second direction. In the present embodiment, approximately half of the storage unit projection area 51xA overlaps with the receiving part projection area 1dA, and substantially the entire sub-tank projection area 52A overlaps with the receiving part projection area 1dA, and substantially the entire recording head projection area 10A. Overlaps the receiving portion projection area 1dA. In addition, the receiving portion projection area 1dA substantially overlaps with the accommodating portion projection area 1cA and falls within the accommodating portion projection area 1cA. The waste liquid tank projection area 53A obtained by projecting the waste liquid tank 53 on the virtual plane from the second direction at least partially overlaps the container portion projection area 1cA. In the present embodiment, the waste liquid tank projection area 53A substantially overlaps with the storage section projection area 1cA and is contained in the storage section projection area 1cA. The humidification tank projection area 54A obtained by projecting the humidification tank 54 on the virtual plane from the second direction and the humidification pump projection area 54PA obtained by projecting the pump 54P on the virtual plane from the second direction are each at least partially contained in the storage unit. It overlaps with the projection area 1cA. In the present embodiment, the humidifying tank projection area 54A and the humidification pump projection area 54PA substantially overlap with the accommodating portion projection area 1cA, respectively, and are contained in the accommodating portion projection area 1cA.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the state where the first housing 1a is at the first position, the distance D10 between the recording head 10 and the axis 1x1 in the transport direction is the distance D51x between the storage unit 51x and the axis 1x1. The distance D52 is smaller than the distance D52 between the sub tank 52 and the axis 1x1, and the distance D52 is smaller than the distance D51x. That is, the relationship D10 <D52 <D51x is established.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the printer 1 further includes a liquid level sensor 52S, an open / close sensor 2S, a lock mechanism 70 including a solenoid 70a, and a lock release sensor 70S.

  The liquid level sensor 52S is provided in the sub tank 52. When the sub tank 52 does not store a predetermined amount or more of ink, the liquid level sensor 52S is turned off. When the sub tank 52 stores a predetermined amount or more of ink, the liquid level sensor 52S is turned on. 2nd signal) is output.

  The open / close sensor 2S is provided below the side surface 1a1 of the first housing 1a (the portion that defines the opening of the first housing 1a). When the first housing 1a is at the first position, An ON signal is output when the first housing 1a starts moving from the first position to the second position.

  The lock mechanism 70 can selectively allow and prohibit the movement of the first housing 1a from the first position to the second position. The lock mechanism 70 has a side surface (for example, on the side surface 1a1). (Below the opening 1e).

  As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the solenoid 70a (see FIG. 8), the lock mechanism 70 includes a columnar rotating member 71, interlocking members 73a and 73b, swinging members 74a and 74b, and springs 76a and 76b. And fixing members 75a and 75b. One end in the longitudinal direction of the interlocking members 73 a and 73 b is connected to the peripheral surface of the rotating member 71. The swinging members 74a and 74b are formed with recesses 74c and 74d that open in a direction away from the rotating member 71, respectively. The fixing members 75a and 75b are provided with shaft members 75c and 75d that can be inserted into the recesses 74c and 74d, respectively. The swing shafts of the swing members 74a and 74b are fixed to the first housing 1a. One ends of the springs 76a and 76b near the rotating member 71 are fixed to the first housing 1a. The fixing members 75a and 75b are fixed to the second housing 1b.

  A rod-like knob 72 that rotates integrally with the rotating member 71 is provided on the front surface of the rotating member 71. The springs 76a and 76b urge the upper ends of the swinging members 74a and 74b in a direction approaching the rotating member 71, respectively. Thereby, in a situation where no external force is applied, each part of the lock mechanism 70 is stationary with the knob 72 extending in the vertical direction as shown in FIG.

  In the state shown in FIG. 7A, the recesses 74c and 74d are engaged with the shaft members 75c and 75d, respectively. By this engagement, the movement of the first housing 1a from the first position to the second position is prohibited. When the user rotates the knob 72 clockwise against the urging force of the springs 76a and 76b, the recesses 74c and 74d are detached from the shaft members 75c and 75d as shown in FIG. Thereby, the movement toward the 2nd position from the 1st position of the 1st case 1a is permitted. When the first housing 1a is returned from the second position to the first position, the engagement between the recesses 74c and 74d and the shaft members 75c and 75d is restored. As a result, the movement of the first housing 1a from the first position to the second position is prohibited again.

  The solenoid 70 a is configured to be engageable with a recess (not shown) formed on the back surface of the rotation member 71, and is a rotation that engages the recess and prohibits rotation of the rotation member 71 under the control of the control unit 100. The prohibition position and the rotation allowable position that allows the rotation of the rotary member 71 by retreating from the concave portion can be taken. Normally, the solenoid 70a is held at the rotation prohibition position (unless it is controlled to take a rotation allowable position in a control routine described later).

  The unlocking sensor 70S is built in a button 72b provided at the center of rotation of the knob 72, and an OFF signal when the button 72b is not pressed, and an ON signal (first signal) when the button 72b is pressed. Is output. The unlock signal indicates that the prohibition of the movement by the lock mechanism 70 is released (that is, the predetermined condition is satisfied before the movement of the first housing 1a from the first position to the second position is started). ).

  Next, a control routine related to opening and closing of the housings 1a and 1b will be described with reference to FIG. The control routine is repeatedly executed by the control unit 100 while the printer 1 is powered on. Further, at the start of the control routine, the solenoid 70a is in the rotation prohibited position.

  First, the controller 100 determines whether or not the unlock sensor 70S has output an ON signal (that is, whether or not the user has pressed the button 72b) (S1). When it is determined that the unlock sensor 70S does not output an ON signal (S1: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the process of S1. When it is determined that the unlock sensor 70S has output the ON signal (S1: YES), the control unit 100 determines whether the liquid level sensor 52S has output the ON signal (that is, a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the sub tank 52). It is determined whether or not (S2).

  When it is determined that the liquid level sensor 52S does not output the ON signal (S2: NO), the control unit 100 switches to the ON state when the pump 51P1 is in the OFF state, and the ON state when the pump 51P1 is in the ON state. Is held (S3). When the pump 51P1 is turned on, ink is supplied from the main tank 51 to the sub tank 52. After S3, the control unit 100 returns the process to S2. When it is determined that the liquid level sensor 52S has output the ON signal (S2: YES), the control unit 100 switches the pump 51P1 from the ON state to the OFF state (S4).

  After S4, the control unit 100 performs control so that the solenoid 70a takes the rotation allowable position (S5). As a result, the solenoid 70a moves from the rotation prohibition position to the rotation permission position, and the rotation member 71 is allowed to rotate. The user rotates the knob 72 to move the first housing 1a from the first position to the second position. It becomes possible to move toward.

  After S5, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the open / close sensor 2S outputs an ON signal (that is, whether the first housing 1a starts moving from the first position toward the second position) (S6). ). When it is determined that the open / close sensor 2S does not output an ON signal (S6: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the process of S6.

  When it is determined that the open / close sensor 2S has output an ON signal (S6: YES), the control unit 100 determines whether the jam processing is completed (S7). For example, the control unit 100 may determine that the jam processing has been completed when a signal indicating the absence of paper is received from a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the paper P at the facing position A. If it is determined that the jam processing has not been completed (S7: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the processing of S7.

  When it is determined that the jam processing has been completed (S7: YES), the control unit 100 determines whether the open / close sensor 2S has output an OFF signal (that is, whether the first housing 1a is in the first position). (S8). When it is determined that the open / close sensor 2S does not output an OFF signal (S8: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the process of S8.

  When it is determined that the open / close sensor 2S has output an OFF signal (S8: YES), the control unit 100 controls the solenoid 70a to take the rotation prohibited position (S9). As a result, the solenoid 70a moves from the rotation permission position to the rotation prohibition position, and the rotation of the rotation member 71 is prohibited. The user rotates the knob 72 to move the first housing 1a from the first position to the second position. It becomes impossible to move it toward. After S9, the control unit 100 ends the routine.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the weight of the first housing 1a can be reduced by supporting the sub tank 52 on the second housing 1b. As a result, the operation of moving the first housing 1a can be facilitated, and the load on the rotating shaft 1x can be reduced.

  Further, by reducing the distance between the recording head 10 and the axis 1x1 in the transport direction, the amount of movement of the recording head 10 in the vertical direction when the first housing 1a rotates can be reduced. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the water head difference accompanying rotation of the 1st housing | casing 1a can be suppressed, and damage to a meniscus can be suppressed.

  In addition, the sub tank 52 is not arranged below the waste liquid receiving member 40, but is arranged side by side with the waste liquid receiving member 40 in the transport direction, so that the water head difference is relatively small and the meniscus is prevented from being damaged. it can. When the liquid level of the sub tank 52 is positioned above the ejection surface 10x of the recording head 10, the meniscus is damaged. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to place the sub tank 52 so that the liquid level of the sub tank 52 is located below the ejection surface 10x of the recording head 10 and apply back pressure to the ink in the recording head 10. However, if the liquid level of the sub tank 52 is positioned below the ejection surface 10x of the recording head 10, the back pressure applied to the ink in the recording head 10 becomes excessive and the meniscus is damaged.

  Furthermore, the sub tank 52 is not arranged in parallel with the waste liquid receiving member 40 in the first direction, but is arranged in parallel with the waste liquid receiving member 40 in the transport direction, so that an increase in size in the first direction can be suppressed. . Further, in the present embodiment, since the sub tank 52 is within the region of the transport path R in the transport direction (see FIG. 5), an increase in the size of the printer 1 in the transport direction can be avoided.

  Further, since the distance between the recording head 10 and the axis 1x1 in the transport direction is reduced, the distance between the waste liquid receiving member 40 disposed at a position facing the recording head 10 and the axis 1x1 is also reduced. It is difficult to provide a space for installing the sub tank 52 between the rotary shaft 1x and the rotary shaft 1x. However, in this embodiment, since the sub tank 52 is arranged farther from the axis 1x1 than the recording head 10 in the transport direction, it is necessary to provide a space for installing the sub tank 52 between the waste liquid receiving member 40 and the rotating shaft 1x. There is no. That is, according to the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the recording head 10 in the vertical direction when the first housing 1a rotates (and the fluctuation of the water head difference) is secured while securing a space for installing the sub tank 52. It is possible to suppress meniscus damage.

  A waste liquid tank 53 is supported by the second casing 1b. The waste liquid tank 53 is preferably located below the recording head 10 in order to store the ink ejected from the recording head 10, and the weight can vary depending on the amount of stored ink. In order to balance the weight of the whole, it is preferable to arrange it below.

  The sub tank 52 and the waste liquid tank 53 are arranged side by side along the first direction, and are arranged side by side with the platen 20 in the transport direction. In this case, the sub tank 52 and the waste liquid tank 53 can be arranged near the recording head 10 and the platen 20, respectively. Thereby, both the communication pipe 52t1 and the communication pipe 53t can be shortened, and the generation | occurrence | production of the bubble in each communication pipe can be suppressed by extension.

  The waste liquid tank 53 is for storing the ink received in the waste liquid receiving member 40, and is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the waste liquid receiving member 40. Here, the location of the waste liquid tank 53 will be examined. When the waste liquid tank 53 is arranged alongside the waste liquid receiving member 40 in the first direction, it is necessary to secure the area of the waste liquid tank 53 in addition to the area of the waste liquid receiving member 40 (≈the area of the recording head 10) in the first direction. As a result, the printer 1 can be enlarged in the first direction. On the other hand, in the transport direction, it is necessary to secure the area of the transport path R. However, if the waste liquid receiving member 40 can be disposed in the area of the transport path R, the printer 1 can be prevented from being enlarged in the transport direction. Next, a configuration in which the waste liquid tank 53 is disposed below the waste liquid receiving member 40 will be considered. In this configuration, although it is possible to avoid the printer 1 from becoming large in the transport direction, it is necessary to provide a space for disposing the waste liquid tank 53 below the waste liquid receiving member 40, and the printer 1 is large in the second direction. Can be Therefore, a configuration in which the waste liquid tank 53 is arranged along with the waste liquid receiving member 40 in the transport direction will be considered. In this configuration, if it is attempted to reduce the distance between the recording head 10 and the axis 1x1 in the transport direction, it becomes difficult to provide a space for disposing the waste liquid tank 53 between the waste liquid receiving member 40 and the axis 1x1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sub tank 52 and the waste liquid tank 53 are arranged side by side along the first direction, and are arranged side by side with the platen 20 in the transport direction. By disposing the waste liquid tank 53 along with the sub tank 52 along the first direction, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the printer 1 in the first direction, the enlargement in the transport direction, and the enlargement in the second direction. It becomes.

  The communication pipe 52t1 extends from the side opposite to the side facing the waste liquid tank 53 (the front side in FIG. 1) in the first direction in the sub tank 52, and the communication pipe 53t extends from the sub tank 52 in the first direction in the waste liquid tank 53. It extends from the opposite side (back side in FIG. 1) to the opposite side. In this case, both the communication pipe 52t1 and the communication pipe 53t can be shortened more reliably, and as a result, the generation of bubbles in each communication pipe can be more reliably suppressed.

  The printer 1 is provided in the communication pipe 52t1 and supplies the ink received in the waste liquid receiving member 40 to the waste liquid tank 53 provided in the communication pipe 53t and the pump 52P for supplying the ink in the sub tank 52 to the recording head 10. And a pump 53P. In this case, since the lengths of the communication pipes 52t1 and 53t in which the pumps 52P and 53P are provided are short, the load on the pumps 52P and 53P is reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  The transport path R includes a first curved portion R1 that is convex toward the upstream in the transport direction, a straight portion R3 that extends along the transport direction, and a second curved portion R2 that is convex toward the downstream in the transport direction. S shape including (refer FIG. 5). The recording head 10 is disposed along the straight line portion R3 upstream of the axis 1x1 in the transport direction and downstream of the sub tank 52 in the transport direction, and the straight section is in a state where the first housing 1a is at the second position. R3 is exposed. In this case, the conveyance path R is formed in the S shape as described above, so that the apparatus area as viewed from the second direction can be reduced. Further, the first housing 1a is disposed at the second position, and the straight line portion R3 is exposed, so that the jam processing can be easily performed. Further, since the recording head 10 is downstream of the sub tank 52 in the transport direction, the distance between the recording head 10 and the axis 1x1 can be made smaller than when the recording head 10 is upstream of the sub tank 52 in the transport direction.

  A storage unit 51x is provided in the first housing 1a, and the main tank 51 can be stored in the storage unit 51x through the opening 1e provided in the side surface 1a1 of the first housing 1a. In this case, since the opening 1e is formed in the side surface 1a1 of the first housing 1a, the main tank 51 can be easily attached to and detached from the storage 51x through the opening 1e.

  Of the two side surfaces 1a1 and 1a2 of the first housing 1a, the main tank 51 is placed on the side surface having the larger distance from the axis 1x1 in the transport direction when the first housing 1a is at the first position. Is provided with an opening 1e which can be stored. The side surface 1a1 farther from the axis 1x1 of the first housing 1a is a surface on which the user can easily face during jam processing due to the rotating structure of the housings 1a and 1b. According to the above configuration, the jam handling work and the attaching / detaching work of the main tank 51 can be performed from the same side surface, and the operability is good.

  In the state where the first housing 1a is at the first position, the distance D10 between the recording head 10 and the axis 1x1 in the transport direction is smaller than the distance D51x between the storage unit 51x and the axis 1x1 (see FIG. 5). In this case, since the recording head 10 can be disposed more reliably near the axis 1x1, fluctuations in the water head difference due to the rotation of the first housing 1a can be suppressed, and meniscus damage can be suppressed. Further, by providing the storage portion 51x in the space generated by arranging the recording head 10 near the axis, the space can be effectively used.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the control unit 100 receives an ON signal from the lock release sensor 70S (S1: YES), the ink is transferred from the main tank 51 to the sub tank 52 until a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the sub tank 52. The pump 51P1 is controlled so as to be supplied (S2 to S4). In this case, the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the movement of the first housing 1a can be more reliably suppressed.

  When the control unit 100 receives the ON signal from the lock release sensor 70S (S1: YES), the ink is supplied from the main tank 51 to the sub tank 52 until the ON signal is received from the liquid level sensor 52S (S2: YES). Thus, the pump 51P1 is controlled. In this case, by performing control using the liquid level sensor 52S, it is possible to more effectively suppress the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the movement of the first housing 1a.

  When receiving the ON signal from the unlock sensor 70S (S1: YES), the controller 100 holds the solenoid 70a in the rotation prohibition position until the predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the sub tank 52, and the first casing 1a. The lock mechanism 70 is controlled so that the movement from the first position to the second position is prohibited. In this case, by preserving a predetermined amount or more of ink in the sub tank 52 before the movement of the first casing 1a is actually performed, the fluctuation of the water head difference due to the movement of the first casing 1a is more reliably achieved. Can be suppressed.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printer according to the second embodiment uses the open / close sensor 2S as the first signal output unit instead of the lock release sensor 70S, and uses the ON signal output from the open / close sensor 2S as the first signal to open / close the housings 1a and 1b. The configuration is the same as that of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment except that a control routine is performed. In the second embodiment, the lock release sensor 70S and the lock mechanism 70 may be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, in the control routine, the control unit 100 first determines whether the open / close sensor 2S has output an ON signal (that is, the first housing 1a starts moving from the first position to the second position). Whether or not) is judged (S21). When it is determined that the open / close sensor 2S is not outputting an ON signal (S21: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the process of S21.

  When it is determined that the open / close sensor 2S has output an ON signal (S21: YES), the control unit 100 determines whether the liquid level sensor 52S has output an ON signal (that is, a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the sub tank 52). Whether or not) is determined (S22).

  When it is determined that the liquid level sensor 52S does not output the ON signal (S22: NO), the control unit 100 drives the pump 51P1 (S23). As a result, ink is supplied from the main tank 51 to the sub tank 52. After S23, the control unit 100 returns the process to S22. When it is determined that the liquid level sensor 52S has output an ON signal (S22: YES), the control unit 100 stops driving the pump 51P1 (S24). After S4, the control unit 100 ends the routine.

  According to the present embodiment, when the control unit 100 receives an ON signal from the open / close sensor 2S (S21: YES), ink from the main tank 51 to the sub tank 52 is stored until a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the sub tank 52. The pump 51P1 is controlled so as to be supplied (S22 to S24). In this case, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to more reliably suppress the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the movement of the first housing 1a.

  Further, when the control unit 100 receives the ON signal from the open / close sensor 2S (S21: YES), the ink is supplied from the main tank 51 to the sub tank 52 until the ON signal is received from the liquid level sensor 52S (S22: YES). Then, the pump 51P1 is controlled. In this case, similarly to the first embodiment, by performing control using the liquid level sensor 52S, it is possible to more effectively suppress the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the movement of the first housing 1a.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printer according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a control routine related to opening / closing of the casings 1a and 1b is performed based on a signal from the liquid level sensor 52S instead of a signal from the unlock sensor 70S and the opening / closing sensor 2S. The configuration is the same as that of the printer 1 according to the embodiment. In the third embodiment, the unlock sensor 70S and the open / close sensor 2S may be omitted.

  In the third embodiment, in the control routine, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not the liquid level sensor 52S outputs an ON signal (that is, whether or not a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the sub tank 52). (S31). When it is determined that the liquid level sensor 52S does not output the ON signal (S31: NO), the control unit 100 controls the solenoid 70a to take the rotation prohibited position (S32). After S32, the control unit 100 returns the process to S31.

  When it is determined that the liquid level sensor 52S has output the ON signal (S31: YES), the control unit 100 performs control so that the solenoid 70a takes the rotation allowable position (S33). After S33, the control unit 100 ends the routine.

  According to the present embodiment, the control unit 100 locks the movement of the first housing 1a from the first position to the second position only when receiving an ON signal from the liquid level sensor 52S. The mechanism 70 is controlled (S31 to S33). In this case, the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the movement of the first housing 1a can be more reliably suppressed.

  Next, an ink jet printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printer according to the fourth embodiment performs control such that a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the sub tank 52 based on a signal from the unlock sensor 70S in a control routine related to opening and closing of the casings 1a and 1b. Instead, the configuration is the same as that of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, except that control for changing the position of the recording head 10 in the second direction is performed. In the fourth embodiment, the open / close sensor 2S and the liquid level sensor 52S may be omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, in the control routine, the control unit 100 first determines whether the unlock sensor 70S has output an ON signal (that is, whether the user has pressed the button 72b) (S41). When determining that the unlock sensor 70S does not output the ON signal (S41: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the process of S41.

  When it is determined that the unlock sensor 70S has output an ON signal (S41: YES), the control unit 100 controls the head lifting mechanism 11 so that the recording head 10 takes a recording position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 5). (S42). After S42, the control unit 100 ends the routine.

  According to the present embodiment, when the control unit 100 receives an ON signal from the lock release sensor 70S (S41: YES), the recording position where the distance between the ejection surface 10x and the facing surface 20x is the smallest within a predetermined range. The head raising / lowering mechanism 11 is controlled so that the recording head 10 is positioned at a position (S42). In this case, the fluctuation of the water head difference accompanying the movement of the first housing 1a can be more reliably suppressed.

  Next, an ink jet printer 501 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The printer 501 has the same configuration as the printer 1 according to the first embodiment except for the arrangement of the sub tank 52 and the waste liquid tank 53. In the fifth embodiment, the sub tank 52 and the waste liquid tank 53 are arranged side by side along the second direction, and the sub tank 52 is located above the waste liquid tank 53. In this case, the water head difference between the sub tank 52 and the recording head 10 can be reduced, and the meniscus can be prevented from being damaged.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims.

The present invention is not limited to a printer but can be applied to a facsimile, a copier, and the like.
The recording medium is not limited to paper, and may be any medium (for example, cloth) as long as it can be recorded in sheet form.
The number of recording heads is arbitrary and is not limited to one, and may be plural.
The recording head may have a form in which a plurality of head elements each having an ejection surface are arranged in a staggered manner.
The transport mechanism has an arbitrary configuration such as a configuration including a roller pair as in the above-described embodiment, a configuration including a belt that travels while supporting a recording medium, and a configuration including both the roller pair and the belt. Good.
-The accommodating part may be non-detachable with respect to the housing | casing of a recording device.
The third storage unit may be either detachable (cartridge type) or non-detachable (fixed type) with respect to the housing of the recording apparatus (the above-described embodiment corresponds to the former).
-The 3rd storage part may store arbitrary liquid, and in the above-mentioned embodiment, it stores two kinds of liquids (ink and humidification liquid), but only one kind or three or more kinds of liquid are stored. You may store.
The supply mechanism may have an arbitrary configuration such as a configuration including a pump as in the above-described embodiment, a configuration including a valve, a configuration including both a pump and a valve, and the like.
The housing part and the receiving part may be supported by either the first housing or the second housing. For example, the housing part is supported by the first housing and the receiving part is supported by the second housing. Also good.
The waste liquid receiving member is not limited to the purge time and may receive the liquid discharged from the discharge port during the flushing.
The waste liquid receiving member is not limited to a box shape, and may have any shape, and may include an absorber that absorbs the received liquid.
Instead of the wipe position, a retracted position (a position for retracting the recording head so as not to contact the wiper passing through the region facing the ejection surface) may be adopted. Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention may not include the head lifting mechanism.
The opposing member includes two plates and is not limited to a configuration that can take the opposing surface forming position and the open position. For example, the opposing member may include a single plate and always take the opposing surface forming position. . In this case, the liquid discharged from the discharge port at the time of purging, flushing, or the like may be received by the facing surface formed by the surface of the one plate. Then, the liquid received on the facing surface may flow down from the side of the facing member, be received by the waste liquid receiving member, and move to the second reservoir through the communication pipe.
The control unit controls the supply mechanism so that the liquid is supplied from the third storage unit to the first storage unit until a predetermined amount or more of liquid is stored in the first storage unit. It is not limited to using the signal from. For example, the control unit calculates the amount (consumption amount) of the liquid ejected from the ejection port based on various data (recording history data or the like), and the amount of liquid corresponding to the consumption amount is the first storage unit. The supply mechanism may be controlled so as to be supplied.
As the “predetermined condition” before the movement of the first housing with respect to the first signal output unit is started, “the button 72b has been pressed” is exemplified in the above-described embodiment, but the “predetermined condition” However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be that the lock by the lock mechanism is released, a jam is detected, or the like.
In S41 of the fourth embodiment, it may be determined whether the opening / closing sensor 2S outputs an ON signal instead of the unlock sensor 70S.
-A control part does not need to perform control based on the signal from each signal output part.

1: 501 Inkjet printer (recording device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a 1st housing | casing 1a1 Side surface 1b 2nd housing | casing 1c Accommodating part 1d Receiving part 1e Opening part 1x Rotating shaft 1x1 Axis 2S Open / close sensor (1st signal output part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Recording head 10x Discharge surface 11 Head raising / lowering mechanism (movement mechanism)
20 Platen (opposing member)
20x Opposing surface 30 Conveying mechanism 40 Waste liquid receiving member 51 Main tank (third reservoir)
51x storage 51P1 pump (supply mechanism)
52 Subtank (first reservoir)
52P pump (first pump)
52t1 communication pipe (first communication pipe)
52S Liquid level sensor (second signal output unit)
52x ink storage chamber (liquid storage chamber)
53 Waste liquid tank (second reservoir)
53P pump (second pump)
53t communication pipe (second communication pipe)
70 lock mechanism 70S unlock sensor (first signal output unit)
100 Control part A Opposite position P Paper (recording medium)

Claims (15)

A transport mechanism for transporting a sheet-like recording medium;
A first reservoir having a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid and communicating with the atmosphere;
When the recording medium having an ejection surface for ejecting the liquid supplied from the first storage portion is formed, and the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance mechanism passes through a position facing the ejection surface. A recording head that is long in a first direction that is orthogonal to the transport direction in which the recording medium is transported and parallel to the ejection surface;
A facing member having a facing surface for supporting the recording medium at the facing position;
A waste liquid receiving member disposed on the opposite side of the recording head across the opposing member and receiving the liquid discharged from the discharge port;
A first housing that supports the recording head;
A second housing that supports the first reservoir, the opposing member, and the waste liquid receiving member;
The first casing is a first position that is a position when recording by the recording head is performed, and a position where the distance between the ejection surface and the facing surface is larger than that at the first position. It is movable with respect to the second housing by rotating around an axis along the first direction so that two positions can be taken.
The first storage unit is arranged alongside the waste liquid receiving member in the transport direction, and the distance between the recording head and the axis in the transport direction is in a state where the first housing is in the first position. The recording apparatus, wherein the recording apparatus is smaller than a distance between the first storage section and the axis. A second storage part for storing the liquid discharged from the recording head;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second storage unit is supported by the second housing. A first communication pipe for communicating the first storage section and the recording head;
A second communication pipe for communicating the second reservoir with the opposing member or the waste liquid receiving member;
The said 1st storage part and the said 2nd storage part are arrange | positioned along with the said 1st direction, and are arrange | positioned along with the said opposing member in the said conveyance direction, respectively. The recording device described in 1. The first communication pipe extends from a side opposite to the side facing the second reservoir in the first direction in the first reservoir.
The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second communication pipe extends from a side opposite to the side facing the first storage unit in the first direction of the second storage unit. A first pump provided in the first communication pipe for supplying the liquid in the first reservoir to the recording head;
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second pump provided in the second communication pipe and configured to supply the liquid stored in the counter member or the waste liquid receiving member to the second reservoir. The recording device described. The first reservoir and the second reservoir are arranged side by side along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the transport direction,
The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first storage unit is located above the second storage unit. An accommodating portion capable of accommodating a recording medium conveyed by the conveying mechanism;
A receiving unit that receives the recording medium that has been transported by the transporting mechanism and passed through the facing position;
A recording medium transport path that is transported by the transport mechanism and passes from the storage section to the receiving section and toward the receiving section has a first curved section that is convex toward the upstream in the transport direction, and the transport direction. An S-shape that includes a linear portion extending along the second curved portion that is convex toward the downstream in the transport direction;
The recording head is disposed along the straight line portion in the transport direction upstream from the axis and in the transport direction downstream from the first reservoir.
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear portion is exposed in a state where the first housing is in the second position. A storage section capable of storing a third storage section for storing the liquid supplied to the first storage section;
The storage unit is provided in the first housing,
The said 3rd storage part can be stored in the said storage part through the opening part provided in the side surface which cross | intersects the said discharge surface of the said 1st housing | casing, The any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. The recording apparatus according to item 1. The first housing has two side surfaces that intersect the discharge surface and are parallel to the axis and that face the transport direction in a state where the first housing is at the first position;
Of the two side surfaces, the opening is provided on a side surface having a larger distance from the axis in the transport direction in a state where the first housing is in the first position. The recording apparatus according to claim 8.   The distance between the recording head and the axis in the transport direction is smaller than the distance between the storage unit and the axis in the state where the first housing is in the first position. The recording device described. A storage section capable of storing a third storage section for storing the liquid supplied to the first storage section;
Either the first housing has started moving from the first position to the second position, or a predetermined condition has been satisfied before the first housing starts moving. A first signal output unit for outputting the first signal shown;
A supply mechanism for supplying liquid from the third reservoir to the first reservoir;
A control unit that receives the first signal from the first signal output unit and controls the supply mechanism;
When the control unit receives the first signal from the first signal output unit, liquid from the third storage unit to the first storage unit until a predetermined amount or more of liquid is stored in the first storage unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply mechanism is controlled so as to be supplied. A second signal output unit that outputs a second signal indicating that the predetermined amount or more of the liquid is stored in the first storage unit;
When the control unit receives the first signal from the first signal output unit, the control unit receives liquid from the third storage unit to the first storage unit until the second signal is received from the second signal output unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the supply mechanism is controlled to be supplied. A lock mechanism capable of selectively allowing and prohibiting the movement of the first housing;
When the control unit receives the first signal indicating that the predetermined condition is satisfied from the first signal output unit, the control unit stores the first storage unit until the predetermined amount of liquid is stored in the first storage unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the lock mechanism is controlled so that the movement of one housing is prohibited. A lock mechanism capable of selectively allowing and prohibiting movement of the first housing from the first position toward the second position;
A second signal output unit that outputs a second signal indicating that a predetermined amount or more of liquid is stored in the first storage unit;
A control unit that receives the second signal from the second signal output unit and controls the lock mechanism;
The control unit controls the lock mechanism so that the movement of the first housing is allowed only when the second signal is received from the second signal output unit. Item 11. The recording apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 10. Either the first housing has started moving from the first position to the second position, or a predetermined condition has been satisfied before the first housing starts moving. A first signal output unit for outputting the first signal shown;
A moving mechanism for moving the recording head in a direction perpendicular to the ejection surface within a predetermined range;
A control unit that receives the first signal from the first signal output unit and controls the moving mechanism;
When the control unit receives the first signal from the first signal output unit, the movement is performed so that the recording head is positioned at a position where the distance between the ejection surface and the facing surface is the smallest within the predetermined range. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mechanism is controlled.

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