JP2016221867A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of miniaturizing the whole apparatus even when mounting a large control substrate.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a carriage moving back and forth in the main scanning direction; a recording head mounted on the carriage; a liquid supply pipe holding material arranged on an outside side surface of the carriage; a flexible liquid supply pipe having one end connected to the main body side of the apparatus and having the other end connected to a connection part of the liquid supply pipe holding material; and a control substrate horizontally connected to the carriage. The control substrate is arranged at a position shifting from the carriage in the conveyance direction in parallel to the same. When the carriage is positioned in one side end in the main scanning direction, the liquid supply pipe is extended in the conveyance direction to be disposed at a position where a middle part of the liquid supply pipe passes the under side of the control substrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to the technical field of image forming apparatuses.

  In a serial type ink jet image forming apparatus, an ink cartridge as an ink storage unit is provided on the apparatus main body side, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to a recording head mounted on a carriage via a flexible ink tube. The method is used.

  In the above system, the recording head is arranged by bending the middle portion between the apparatus main body side of the ink tube and the connection portion of the carriage so that the ink tube can move as the carriage moves in the main scanning direction. A technique for downsizing is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, it is necessary to provide an ink tube arrangement space outside the carriage in the main scanning direction in order to maintain the minimum bending radius of the ink tube when the carriage moves to the end in the main scanning direction. is there. Then, it is necessary to enlarge the apparatus main body in the main scanning direction (width direction) of the carriage, leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus main body.

  By the way, in recent years, ink jet image forming apparatuses have a high density of recording heads, and there is a current situation that a control substrate of the recording head is enlarged. However, contrary to the current situation, there is a demand from the market to make the device body thinner in the vertical direction.

  For this reason, there is a need for a configuration that can reduce the overall size of the apparatus by realizing both a reduction in the vertical direction of the apparatus body and a reduction in the main scanning direction of the carriage even when a large control board is mounted. .

  An object of one embodiment of the present invention is made in view of the above points, and is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of downsizing the entire apparatus even when a large control board is mounted.

In view of the above problems, in one embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
A carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium;
A recording head mounted on the carriage and having a liquid tank for supplying liquid;
A liquid supply pipe holding member provided on an outer side surface of the carriage and connected to the liquid tank;
A flexible liquid supply pipe having one end connected to the apparatus main body side and the other end connected to a connection portion of the liquid supply pipe holding member to supply the liquid to the liquid tank;
A flexible flat cable for transmitting an electrical signal between the carriage and the apparatus main body side;
A control board connected horizontally to the carriage and connecting the flexible flat cable and the recording head;
The control board is arranged in parallel at a position shifted in the transport direction with respect to the carriage,
When the carriage is at one end of the main scanning direction,
The liquid supply pipe extends in the transport direction, and is disposed at a position where a midway portion of the liquid supply pipe passes below the control board.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of downsizing the entire apparatus even when a large control board is mounted.

1 is an overall perspective view illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a plan view illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow I-I in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a state in which a carriage constituting the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has moved to one end of a moving range in the main scanning direction. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view for explaining a state in which a carriage constituting the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has moved to one end of a moving range in the main scanning direction. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view for explaining a state in which a carriage constituting the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has moved to one end of a moving range in the main scanning direction. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining a state in which the carriage constituting the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has moved to the other end of the moving range in the main scanning direction. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a state where a carriage constituting the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has moved to the other end of the moving range in the main scanning direction. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows an example of the attachment structure to the control board of a flexible flat cable. It is a side view explaining the structure of the upper cover which comprises the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view explaining a different structure of the upper cover which comprises the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples described below. In the following description, the same or corresponding members or parts described in all the attached drawings are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Also, the drawings are not intended to show the relative ratio between members or parts. Accordingly, specific dimensions can be determined by one skilled in the art in light of the following non-limiting embodiments.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured to effectively reduce the vertical direction of the main body of the apparatus and shorten the main scanning direction of the carriage when a large control board for a recording head is mounted. . Hereinafter, this point will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
First, the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. 1 and 2 show a state in which an exterior such as an upper cover and an attachment member of the image forming apparatus 100 have been removed for the sake of explanation.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a serial type ink jet recording method, and includes a sheet conveying unit therein.

  The paper transport means includes a transport roller 2 and a driven roller 3 that transport the paper in the transport direction (arrow Y1-Y2 direction), a platen 1 that supports the paper, a pressure plate 4 that presses the paper against the platen 1, and a paper machine. The paper discharge roller 5 and the spur holder 6 are conveyed to the discharge port. Of course, a drive source for driving each of the rollers is also mounted.

  The carriage 7 constituting the image forming means is arranged in the paper conveyance direction (arrow Y1-Y2 direction) on the upstream guide member 10 and the downstream guide member 11 in the conveyance direction suspended on the left and right side plates 8 and 9 of the apparatus main body. They are assembled in such a manner that they are slidably guided in the orthogonal main scanning direction (arrow X1-X2 direction). Further, the main scanning motor 12 scans and moves through a timing belt 13 stretched between a driving pulley and a driven pulley. Incidentally, the position of the carriage 7 in the paper conveyance direction (arrow Y1-Y2 direction) is positioned by the upstream guide member 10.

  The carriage 7 has a recording head 14 mounted thereon. The recording head 14 includes a droplet discharge head as an image forming unit that discharges droplets of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), and ink for the droplet discharge head. The head tank to be supplied (corresponding to a liquid tank) is included. The recording head 14 having the above-described configuration is mounted such that a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles is arranged in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y1-Y2 direction) orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and the droplet discharge direction is directed downward. .

  An ink tube holding member 17 is attached to the outer side surface (arrow X1 side) of the carriage 7. The end of the ink tube holding member 17 on the upstream side in the transport direction (arrow Y1 side) is connected to the ink tank described above.

  A flexible ink tube 15 (corresponding to a liquid supply tube) for supplying ink to the recording head 14 is fixed by a tube fixing portion 16 on the apparatus main body side and an ink tube holding material 17 on the carriage 7 side. The end of the ink tube 15 on the apparatus main body side is connected to an ink storage section provided in the apparatus main body. With the ink tube 15 configured as described above, ink can be supplied to the recording head 14 from an ink storage section provided in the apparatus main body.

  The above-described ink tube 15 is arranged so that a midway portion 150 between the tube fixing portion 16 and the ink tube holding member 17 is bent so as to be movable as the carriage 7 moves.

  The ink tube 15 in the illustrated example has a configuration in which four tubes that supply liquid of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) are set as one set.

  Conventionally, four tubes are bundled in two each, divided into two sets, and connected to the right end and left end of the carriage 7 respectively. Then, when a paper jam occurs on the platen 1, at least an ink tube connected to the left side surface of the carriage is disposed on the platen 1, which makes it difficult to remove the paper. In the case of this embodiment, the ink tube 15 is a set of four tubes and is configured to be concentrated on one side (outside) of the carriage 7, so that the carriage 7 moves to the right end (in the main scanning direction) The ink tube 15 is not disposed on the platen 1 when it is on the arrow X1 side. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs, the user can easily remove the paper from the upper part of the apparatus main body.

  Incidentally, the present embodiment has a configuration in which the middle portion 150 of the ink tube 15 can be disposed at a position avoiding from directly above the platen 1 even on the left end side (arrow X2 side) of the movement range of the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction. This point will be described later.

  On the downstream side in the transport direction of the carriage 7 (arrow Y2 side), a recording head control board 18 connected to the recording head 14 is provided horizontally with the carriage 7. As the control board 18 of this embodiment, a large-sized control board with high density is used.

  The end of the control board 18 on the upstream side in the transport direction (arrow Y1 side) is connected to the recording head 14, while the end on the downstream side in the transport direction (arrow Y2 side) is connected to the flexible flat cable 19. . The flexible flat cable 19 has a function of transmitting an electrical signal between the carriage 7 and the apparatus main body side.

  The flexible flat cable 19 includes an upper portion 19a that extends horizontally from the control board 18 in the forward direction of the carriage 7 (the direction of the arrow X2), a folded portion 19b that is folded downward from the upper portion 19a in a U-shape, and the folded portion. A lower portion 19c extending horizontally from 19b in the return path direction (arrow X1 direction) of the carriage 7. The lower portion 19c is connected to a control unit disposed in the apparatus main body via the cable fixing unit 20.

  Therefore, the flexible flat cable 19 transmits electrical signals related to the operation of the carriage 7 and the recording head 14 from the control unit, thereby enabling image formation. The flexible flat cable 19 having the above-described configuration has a simple U-shaped folded portion and is wound around in the apparatus main body, so that there is an advantage that cost reduction can be achieved.

  The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is characterized by a configuration that effectively realizes thinning of the apparatus main body in the vertical direction and reduction of the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction. This point will be specifically described below. First, the structure which implement | achieves thickness reduction of the up-down direction of an apparatus main body is demonstrated.

(Thinning in the vertical direction)
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the carriage 7 constituting the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. This embodiment is particularly characterized by the installation position of the large control board 18.

  A conventional large control board is horizontally disposed on the upper surface of the recording head 14 or vertically disposed on the side surface of the recording head 14. For this reason, the thickness of the apparatus main body in the vertical direction has been increased by an amount corresponding to the control board.

  The control board 18 of the present embodiment is horizontally connected to a position downstream of the carriage 7 in the transport direction (arrow Y2 side). That is, the control board 18 and the carriage 7 are arranged at positions shifted in the transport direction, and the control device 18 is arranged in parallel with the carriage 7 in the horizontal direction.

  Accordingly, the thickness of the apparatus main body in the vertical direction can be reduced because the height of the control board 18 can be reduced as compared with the conventional apparatus.

  The control board 18 of the present embodiment is further arranged so that the upper surface position of the control board 18 is lower than the upper surface position of the recording head 14. Therefore, the height of the carriage 7 can be minimized and contribute to further thinning.

  In the illustrated example, the control device 18 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the carriage 7 (arrow Y2 side), but may be disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction (arrow Y1 side).

(Reduction in main scanning direction)
Next, a configuration for reducing the apparatus main body in the main scanning direction of the carriage 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the carriage 7 has moved to the right end (arrow X1 side) of the moving range in the main scanning direction. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged plan view for explaining a state in which the carriage 7 has moved to the right end (arrow X1 side) of the movement range in the main scanning direction. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view for explaining a state in which the carriage 7 has moved to the right end (arrow X1 side) of the movement range in the main scanning direction.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the ink tube 15 is fixed to the carriage 7 by an ink tube holding member 17 provided on the outer side surface of the carriage 7, and the ink inlet 21 of the recording head 14. Leads to. A connection portion 17 a that connects the end portion of the ink tube 15 on the carriage 7 side is provided at the end portion of the ink tube holding member 17 opposite to the ink inlet 21.

  The mounting height position in the vertical direction (arrow Z1-Z2 direction) on the right side surface of the carriage 7 of the connecting portion 17a is arranged to be lower (arrow Z2 side) than the lower end position of the control board 18.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the carriage 7 is at the right end (the end on the arrow X1 side) of the movement range in the main scanning direction, the connection portion 17a side of the ink tube 15 is in the paper transport direction. The intermediate portion 150 extends toward the downstream side (in the direction of the arrow Y2), and the midway portion 150 is disposed at a position where the intermediate portion 150 enters under the control board 18. The midway portion 150 gradually curves toward the center of the apparatus main body.

By arranging the ink tube 15 as described above, it is possible to reduce the main scanning direction (width direction) of the apparatus main body. This point will be described with reference to FIGS.
That is, when the midway portion 150 of the ink tube 15 cannot enter under the control board 18 mounted on the carriage 7, the curved shape of the ink tube 15 is 15b as shown in FIG. It jumps out (arrow X1 side). On the other hand, if the ink tube 15 is arranged at a position to be under the control board 18, the ink tube 15 has a curved shape 15a and does not bulge outside in the main scanning direction (arrow X1 side). Reduction can be realized.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when the connecting end of the ink tube 15 is extended toward the outside in the main scanning direction (arrow X1 side), the curved shape of the ink tube 15 becomes the shape of 15c. It will squeeze out of the direction. On the other hand, when the connection end portion of the ink tube 15 on the connection portion 17a side is extended along the right side surface of the carriage 7 toward the downstream side in the transport direction (arrow Y2 direction), the curved shape of the ink tube 15 is 15a. It becomes a shape. Then, it does not swell outward (arrow X1 side) in the main scanning direction, and the apparatus main body can be reduced in the main scanning direction.

  Incidentally, the ink tube 15 needs to have a corresponding thickness in order to prevent evaporation of moisture in the ink. Accordingly, when the connection end portion of the ink tube 15 on the connection portion 17a side is bent, the reaction force from the ink tube twists the carriage 7, so that the excessive reaction force may affect the accuracy of the reciprocating movement of the carriage 7. . In addition, as the bending radius of the ink tube 15 decreases, the bending durability of the ink tube decreases.

  In the case of the present embodiment, when the ink tube 15 having the curved shape 15a is extended in the paper conveyance direction, the ink tube is more than when the ink tube 15 is extended outward in the main scanning direction with the curved shape 15c. The ink tube bending radius in the vicinity of the holding member 17 can be increased. Therefore, there is an advantage that the carriage movement accuracy can be ensured and the bending durability of the ink tube 15 can be improved.

  The above-described image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has been described with respect to the state in which the carriage 7 is located at the right end of the movement range in the main scanning direction. Next, a state where the carriage 7 is located at the left end of the moving range in the main scanning direction will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining a state where the carriage 7 has moved to the left end (arrow X2 side) of the moving range in the main scanning direction. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state where the carriage 7 has moved to the left end (arrow X2 side) of the moving range in the main scanning direction.

  As shown in the figure, when the carriage 7 is at the left end (arrow X2 side) of the moving range in the main scanning direction, the middle portion 150 of the ink tube 15 is curvedly arranged in a substantially S shape, and the position just above the platen 1 is set. Arranged to avoid.

  This is because the front end position of the connecting portion 17a of the ink tube holding member 17 is at the position of the center line J (corresponding to the center position) in the transport direction (arrow Y1-Y2 direction) of the platen 1 or the control board 18 from the center line J. One of the factors is that it is arranged at the side position (arrow Y2 side). In the example of illustration, the example arrange | positioned in the position of the center line J was shown.

  In the specific setting of the tip position of the connecting portion 17a, parameters such as the thickness and length of the ink tube 15 and the elastic force are taken into consideration so that the midway portion 150 can be disposed at a position avoiding the platen 1.

  Therefore, when the carriage 7 moves to the left end, the midway portion 150 can be reliably disposed at a position avoiding the platen 1.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the ink tube is moved regardless of whether the carriage 7 moves to the right end side (arrow X1 side) or the left end side (arrow X2 side) in the scanning direction. The midway portion 15 can be arranged at a position avoiding from directly above the platen 1. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs, the user can easily remove the paper from the upper part of the apparatus main body.

  Next, the movement range (space) when the flexible flat cable 19 and the ink tube 15 move according to the reciprocating movement of the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state where the carriage 7 has moved to the left end of the moving range.

  The conventional flexible flat cable is arranged on the upstream side (arrow Y1 side) from the upstream guide member 10 shown in FIG. 7 and is not arranged in the space on the movement range of the ink tube 15. Therefore, there has been a problem that the entire apparatus becomes large.

  In the present embodiment, it is clear from the state of the right end (arrow X1 side) of the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction shown in FIG. 4 and the left end (arrow X2 side) of the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction shown in FIG. As described above, the flexible flat cable 19 having a U-shaped shape is configured to horizontally move the vertical position of the ink tube 15. That is, the movement range of the flexible flat cable 19 that moves as the carriage 7 reciprocates is formed so as to sandwich the upper and lower sides of the ink tube 15. Therefore, the movement range of the flexible flat cable 19 partially overlaps the movement range of the ink tube 15 and shares the same space.

  Therefore, it is possible to contribute to downsizing of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In particular, it can contribute to shortening of the paper transport direction (arrow Y1-Y2 direction).

  In the flexible flat cable 19 shown in FIG. 7, when the carriage 7 moves to the left end (arrow X2 side), the folded portion 19b slightly bends outward from the left end of the apparatus main body. In order to solve the above-described deflection point, the flexible flat cable 19 may be attached to the control board 18 in the form as shown in FIG. The following points will be described.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration for attaching the flexible flat cable 19 to the control board 18, and shows a state in which the carriage 7 has moved to the left end (in the arrow X2 direction) of the movement range in the main scanning direction. FIG.

That is, the upper portion 19 a of the flexible flat cable 19 extends from the connection location of the control board 18 along the upper surface 181 of the control board 18 toward the forward direction of the carriage 7 (arrow X2 direction). It is folded along 182.
Then, a cable holding member that extends in the return path direction (arrow X1 direction) of the carriage 7 along the lower surface 183 of the control board 18 and is provided inward (closer to the arrow X1) of the lower surface 183 of the control board 18. The portion 26 is bent again in the forward direction of the carriage 7 (arrow X2 direction).

  Then, when the carriage 7 moves to the left end of the moving range in the main scanning direction, the folded portion 19b formed on the flexible flat cable 19 is disposed in the lower region of the control board 18 and the control board 18 There is no bending out of the main scanning direction. The “region under the control board” described in the claims and the specification is a region in the width direction of the control board 18 that exists under the control board 18.

  With the above configuration, the movable range of the flexible cable 19 can be further reduced, thereby contributing to the downsizing of the apparatus main body.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a supply pipe guide that is integrally formed with an upper cover 22 (corresponding to an exterior part) on an upper part of a movement region of the ink tube 15 in the main scanning direction. A portion 23 (corresponding to a guide portion) is preferably provided. In addition, it is preferable that a cable guide portion 24 (corresponding to a guide portion) formed integrally with the upper cover 22 is provided on the upper portion of the moving area of the flexible flat cable 19 in the main scanning direction. The supply pipe guide portion 23 and the cable guide portion 24 may be a rail material, a rib material, or the like. In short, any member that suppresses the upper surface portions of the ink tube 15 and the flexible flat cable 19 may be used.

  Since the supply pipe guide portion 23 and the cable guide portion 24 are integrally formed with the upper cover 22, it is possible to ensure the running stability of the ink tube 15 and the flexible cable 19 during carriage movement at low cost. Further, in the illustrated example, the supply pipe guide portion 23 and the cable guide portion 24 are separate members, but may be formed as a single piece.

  The supply pipe guide part 23 and the cable guide part 24 are not limited to the above, and a cushioning member 25 made of a foam material may be provided on the upper surface of the supply pipe guide part 23 and the cable guide part 24 as shown in FIG. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the impact and noise generated when the ink tube 15 and the flexible cable 19 come into contact with the supply tube guide portion 23 and the cable guide portion 24 during the reciprocating movement of the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction. Further, if the buffer member has a small friction coefficient, wear due to contact with the upper cover 22 can be prevented.

(Summary)
As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the large control board 18 is arranged in parallel at a position shifted in the transport direction with respect to the carriage 7. Therefore, the thickness of the apparatus body in the vertical direction can be reduced by the height of the control board 18 as compared with the conventional example in which the control board 18 is horizontally arranged on the recording head 14 or vertically arranged on the side surface of the recording head. Can be realized.

  Further, the upper surface position of the control board 18 is arranged to be lower than the upper surface position of the recording head 14. Therefore, the overall height of the carriage 7 can be minimized to contribute to further thinning.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the carriage 7 is at the right end of the movement range in the main scanning direction, the connection portion 17a side of the ink tube 15 extends toward the downstream side in the transport direction, and the middle portion 150 is arranged at a position passing through the lower side of the control board 18. Therefore, when the carriage 7 is at the right end in the main scanning direction, the ink tube 15 does not swell outside (on the right side) in the main scanning direction, so that the apparatus body can be reduced in the main scanning direction.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the tip position of the connecting portion 17a of the ink tube holding material 17 is arranged at the center position in the transport direction of the platen 1 or at a position closer to the control substrate 18 than the center position. . Then, when the carriage 7 is at the left end portion in the main scanning direction, the bending radius of the connecting end portion on the connecting portion 17a side of the ink tube 15 can be obtained to some extent, so that the midway portion 150 is disposed at a position avoiding the platen 1. it can. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs, the user can easily remove the paper from the upper part of the apparatus main body.

  In short, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size even when a large control board is mounted, and an image forming apparatus that can easily remove paper when a paper jam occurs can be realized.

  As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The present invention can be variously modified or changed in light of the appended claims. Further, it is added that the present invention can be implemented even when a small control board is mounted as the control board for the recording head.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Platen 2 Conveying roller 3 Follow roller 4 Pressure plate 5 Paper discharge roller 6 Spur holder 7 Carriage 8 Left side plate 9 Right side plate 10 Carriage upstream guide member 11 Carriage downstream guide member 12 Main scanning motor 13 Timing belt 14 Recording head 15 Ink tube (liquid supply tube)
16 Tube fixing part 17 Ink tube holding material (liquid supply pipe holding material)
18 Control board 19 Flexible flat cable 20 Cable fixing part 21 Ink inlet 22 Upper cover 23 Supply pipe guide part (guide part)
24 Cable guide (guide)
25 Buffer material 26 Cable holding material 100 Image forming apparatus

JP 2009-83510 A

Claims (9)

A carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium;
A recording head mounted on the carriage and having a liquid tank for supplying liquid;
A liquid supply pipe holding member provided on an outer side surface of the carriage and connected to the liquid tank;
A flexible liquid supply pipe having one end connected to the apparatus main body side and the other end connected to a connection portion of the liquid supply pipe holding member to supply the liquid to the liquid tank;
A flexible flat cable for transmitting an electrical signal between the carriage and the apparatus main body side;
A control board connected horizontally to the carriage and connecting the flexible flat cable and the recording head;
The control board is arranged in parallel at a position shifted in the transport direction with respect to the carriage,
When the carriage is at one end of the main scanning direction,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the liquid supply pipe extends in the transport direction, and a middle portion of the liquid supply pipe passes through a lower side of the control substrate. The midway part of the liquid supply pipe is
When the carriage is at the other end in the main scanning direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed at a position avoiding a platen member that supports the recording medium. The tip position of the connecting portion of the liquid supply pipe holding material is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the platen member is disposed at a central position in the transport direction or at a position closer to the control substrate than the central position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface position of the control substrate is lower than an upper surface position of the recording head. The flexible flat cable includes an upper part extending horizontally from the control board in the forward direction of the carriage, a folded part folded back in a U shape downward from the upper part, and a horizontal part extending from the folded part in the return direction of the carriage. And a lower portion connected to the apparatus main body side,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable horizontally moves the vertical position of the liquid supply pipe according to the reciprocal movement of the carriage. The upper part of the flexible flat cable is folded back along the lower surface through the side surface from the upper surface of the control board, and is held by a cable holding unit installed inward of the lower surface of the control board,
When the carriage is at the other end in the main scanning direction,
The folded portion of the flexible flat cable is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed in the lower region of the control board.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide portion formed integrally with an exterior component is provided on an upper portion of the movement area of the liquid supply pipe in the main scanning direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide portion formed integrally with an exterior component is provided on an upper portion of the moving area of the flexible flat cable in the main scanning direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the guide portion is provided with a buffer member.

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