JP2017074747A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device suppressing nozzle omission in a recording head when impact is applied to a carriage.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a recording head discharging liquid and performing recording onto a medium; a carriage being provided with the recording head and movable in a first direction; and a cap section capable of switching between a cap state sealing the recording head and a non-cap state cancelling the cap state. At least in the cap state, the recording device can take a constraint state in which the carriage is constrained with respect to a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The recording device is constituted so as to be able to switch between the constraint state and a non-constraint state being the cap state, the non-constraint state in which displacement of the carriage against biasing is permitted while the cap section is biasing the recording head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium.
In the present application, the recording apparatus includes types such as a serial printer that performs recording while the recording head moves in a predetermined direction, a line printer that does not move the recording head, a copier that includes these printer functions, and a facsimile. .

  Conventionally, when the carriage is in a standby state at the home position, the recording head is sealed by the cap of the cap means. The cap means is provided with a biasing member, and biases the cap to the recording head to maintain the sealed state of the recording head. A meniscus is formed in the ink nozzle of the recording head.

  If an impact is applied to the carriage in the standby state of the carriage, the recording head may drop from the carriage, or the ink may escape from the ink nozzles and the meniscus in the ink nozzles may be broken, which may prevent normal recording operation. .

  Therefore, a recording apparatus has been proposed that can prevent the recording head from being damaged when an impact is applied to the recording apparatus (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-104588 A

  In this recording apparatus, the carriage is configured to be movable in the apparatus width direction along the carriage guide shaft. The carriage home position includes cap means for elastically contacting the recording head to reduce the impact of the apparatus height direction component and protecting the recording head when the carriage is located at the home position, and a side of the carriage. And an impact absorbing means for reducing the impact of the component in the depth direction of the apparatus. When the carriage is about to rotate around the carriage guide shaft due to an impact, the cap means and the impact absorbing means suppress the rotation of the carriage.

  However, when an impact in the apparatus height direction is applied to the recording apparatus with the recording head of the carriage being capped by the capping means, the carriage cannot be held only by the elastic force of the capping means, and the carriage is in the apparatus height direction. Rampage. When the carriage is ramped in the apparatus height direction, the meniscus in the nozzle is broken due to the movement of the carriage, and there is a possibility that nozzle omission occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that suppresses nozzle omission in a recording head when an impact is applied to a carriage.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a recording head that discharges liquid to perform recording on a medium, and a carriage that is provided with the recording head and is movable in a first direction. A cap portion capable of switching between a cap state for sealing the recording head and a non-cap state for canceling the cap state, and at least in the second state intersecting the first direction in the cap state. On the other hand, the carriage can be restrained.

  According to this aspect, the cap state in the cap portion is configured so as to be able to take a restrained state in which the carriage is restrained in the second direction, so that an impact is likely to be applied to the recording apparatus. In a state, for example, when the recording apparatus is transported, the carriage is restrained to prevent the carriage from moving in the second direction when an impact is applied. Thereby, occurrence of nozzle omission in the recording head can be suppressed.

  A recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the carriage is in the restrained state and the cap state, and the cap portion urges the recording head while urging the recording head. It is configured to be able to switch between an unconstrained state in which displacement is allowed.

  According to this aspect, the cap state is the restraint state, and the cap state is a non-restraint state in which the cap portion biases the recording head while allowing the displacement of the carriage to resist the bias. And can be switched. When the cap portion is in the unconstrained state, it is not necessary to determine the high positional accuracy of the cap portion when the recording head is sealed by the cap portion, and the capping operation can be easily performed.

  A recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the housing member accommodates the apparatus main body provided with the carriage, and the open and closed positions with respect to the housing member. An opening / closing body that can be switched, and a pressing portion provided in a region of the opening / closing body facing at least a part of the carriage when the opening / closing body is closed, the opening / closing body from the open position When switched to the closed posture, the pressing portion displaces the carriage to a restraining position against the biasing of the recording head by the cap portion to form the restraining state.

  According to this aspect, when the opening / closing body is switched from the open position to the closed position, the pressing portion displaces the carriage to the restrained position against the bias of the recording head by the cap portion. Since the restraint state is formed, the carriage of the recording head can be more reliably suppressed even when an impact is applied to the carriage when the recording apparatus is carried.

  In a recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the housing member is provided with a hole portion at a position corresponding to the pressing portion in a posture in which the opening / closing body is closed. And entering the inside of the housing member through the hole and engaging with the carriage.

  In this aspect, “engagement” includes not only the state in which the restriction portion presses the upper portion of the carriage but also the state in which the restriction portion is in contact without pressing the upper portion of the carriage. Further, in a posture in which the opening / closing body is closed, a slight gap may be generated between the restricting portion and the upper portion of the carriage.

  According to this aspect, since the pressing portion enters the inside of the housing member through the hole provided in the housing member and engages with the carriage, the opening portion in the housing member can be reduced. This prevents the carriage from being exposed to the outside of the housing member when the opening / closing body is opened, and the user may accidentally touch the carriage in operation, It is possible to suppress dust and dust from entering the vicinity of the recording head.

  The recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the housing member accommodates the apparatus main body provided with the carriage, and the cap in the first direction on the back surface of the housing member. A restricting portion provided at a position corresponding to the portion and engageable with an upper portion of the carriage, wherein the restricting portion forms the restraint state of the carriage.

  According to this aspect, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained.

  A recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the recording member according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the guide member extends in the first direction and supports the carriage and guides the carriage in the first direction. The carriage includes a housing provided with the recording head, and a liquid supply unit that is attached to the housing and supplies liquid to the recording head, and the pressing unit is in the restrained state. The housing is sandwiched between the guide member and the carriage is restrained with respect to the second direction.

  According to this aspect, since the pressing portion sandwiches the casing with the guide member in the restrained state and restrains the carriage with respect to the second direction, the pressing portion in the second direction is The carriage can be restrained more reliably.

  A recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising urging means for urging the cap portion toward the recording head in the second direction, and the guide member includes the first member. A first guide member provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with an interval in the medium transport direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a second guide member provided on the downstream side in the transport direction, The recording head is provided closer to the first guide member of the housing in the medium transport direction, and the pressing portion is engaged with a portion of the housing closer to the first guide member in the medium transport direction. It is characterized by combining.

  According to this aspect, the recording head is provided closer to the first guide member of the casing in the medium conveyance direction, and the pressing portion is the first guide of the casing in the medium conveyance direction. Engage with the part near the member. In other words, the carriage housing is biased in the medium transport direction by the biasing means toward the first guide member. On the other hand, since the pressing portion engages with a portion of the housing close to the first guide member in the medium transport direction, the inclination of the carriage is suppressed and the carriage is lifted with respect to the guide member. Can be suppressed.

  The recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising urging means for urging the cap portion toward the recording head in the second direction. A first guide member provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with an interval in the medium transport direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a second guide member provided on the downstream side in the transport direction, The pressing portion is engaged with a portion near the first guide member and a portion near the second guide member of the housing in the medium transport direction.

  According to this aspect, the pressing portion engages with the portion near the first guide member and the portion near the second guide member of the housing in the medium transport direction, so the biasing force of the biasing means Against this, it is possible to more reliably suppress the inclination of the carriage posture and to prevent the carriage from being lifted with respect to the guide member in a balanced manner.

  A recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising urging means for urging the cap portion toward the recording head in the second direction, wherein the guide member includes the first member. A first guide member provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with an interval in the medium transport direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a second guide member provided on the downstream side in the transport direction, The recording head is provided in a central region of the casing in the first direction, and the pressing portion is engaged with the casing in the central region of the casing in the first direction. Features.

  According to this aspect, the recording head is provided in the central region of the casing in the first direction, and the pressing portion engages with the casing in the central region of the casing. In the first direction, the carriage can be prevented from floating in a well-balanced manner.

  A recording apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, a plurality of the pressing portions are provided, and each pressing portion engages with four corners of the casing.

  According to this aspect, since each of the plurality of pressing portions engages with the four corners of the casing, it can be more reliably engaged with the casing, and the restraint state can be maintained.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state where a cover is opened in the printer according to the invention. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a paper conveyance path of the printer according to the invention. The top view of a printer main body. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view in a state where a carriage is positioned at a home position. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a uncapped state of the carriage in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing an unconstrained state in a carriage cap state according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing a restrained state among the cap states of the carriage in the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the contact state of the carriage and pressing part in a restraint state. The perspective view which shows the contact state of the carriage and pressing part in the example of a change of a 1st Example. The sectional side view which shows the uncapped state of the carriage in 2nd Example. The sectional side view which shows a non-restraining state among the cap states of the carriage in 2nd Example. The sectional side view which shows switching from the non-restraint state to the restraint state among the cap states of the carriage in the second embodiment. The sectional side view which shows a restraint state among the cap states of the carriage in 2nd Example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure in each Example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and it demonstrates only in the first Example, The description of the structure is abbreviate | omitted in a subsequent Example.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cover is opened in the printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sheet conveyance path of the printer according to the present invention. 4 is a side sectional view, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the printer body, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view in a state in which the carriage is located at the home position, and FIG. 6 shows an uncapped state of the carriage in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing an unconstrained state in the cap state of the carriage in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the restrained state in the cap state of the carriage in the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the contact state between the carriage and the pressing portion in the restrained state. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a contact state between the carriage and the pressing portion in a modified example of the first embodiment, FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a non-cap state of the carriage in the second embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing an unconstrained state in the carriage cap state in the second embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a side view showing switching from the unconstrained state to the restrained state in the carriage cap state in the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a sectional side view showing a restrained state in the cap state of the carriage in the second embodiment.

  Further, in the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X direction is the width direction of the recording apparatus, which is the scanning direction of the recording head, the Y direction is the depth direction of the recording apparatus, and the Z direction is between the recording head and the medium. The direction in which the distance (gap) changes, that is, the height direction of the recording apparatus is shown. In each figure, the -X direction side is the home position side, the -Y direction is the device front side, the + Y direction side is the device back side, the + Z axis direction side is the device upper side, and the -Z axis direction side is the device. Lower side. In this embodiment, the “first direction” refers to the apparatus width direction (X-axis direction), and the “second direction” refers to the apparatus height direction (Z-axis direction).

■■■ First Example ■■■■
■■■ Printer Overview ■■■■
Components of an ink jet printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as “printer 10”) as an example of a recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. The printer 10 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 12 (see FIG. 4), a housing 14 as a “housing member” that covers the periphery of the apparatus main body 12 and configures the appearance of the printer 10, and the apparatus main body 12. A cover 16 as an “opening / closing body” and an operation unit 20 exposed at the upper part of the apparatus main body 12 when the cover 16 is in an open posture are provided. The housing 14 includes an upper housing 14 a that covers the upper part of the apparatus body 12 and a lower housing 14 b that covers the lower part of the apparatus body 12.

  The cover 16 constitutes a part of the upper surface and the front surface of the printer 10 in the closed state (see FIG. 1). The cover 16 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 12. When the cover 16 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 2 from the front side of the apparatus (−Y axis direction in FIG. 2) to the rear side of the apparatus (+ Y axis direction in FIG. 2) with respect to the apparatus main body 12, FIG. It becomes the open posture shown in. In this embodiment, when the cover 16 is in an open position with respect to the apparatus main body 12 shown in FIG. 2, the inner surface of the cover 16 functions as a placement surface 16 a for the paper P as “medium”. Further, at least one pressing portion 18 is provided on the mounting surface 16a. In this embodiment, four pressing portions 18 are provided. The pressing portion 18 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the cover 16 changes from a closed position (see FIG. 1) to an open position (see FIG. 2), an operation unit 20 and a paper supply port 22 are formed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 12. The outlet 24 is exposed on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12. The operation unit 20 includes a power button, a print setting button, a display panel, and the like for operating the printer 10.

  The paper supply port 22 supplies the paper P from the placement surface 16 a to the inside of the apparatus main body 12 when the paper P is placed on the placement surface 16 a of the cover 16. Further, the discharge port 24 is arranged on the front side of the apparatus in a state in which the sheet P supplied from the placement surface 16a to the apparatus main body 12 through the sheet supply port 22 is recorded by a recording unit 26 described later (FIG. 2). In the -Y-axis direction side).

  Next, the components on the paper transport path will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, the right side of the paper (the back side of the apparatus) is the upstream of the feeding path, and the left side of the paper (the front side of the apparatus) is the downstream of the feeding path. Also, the broken line with the reference numeral 28 in FIG.

  On the upstream side of the feeding path, a paper feeding unit 30 that feeds the paper to the downstream side of the feeding path from the placement surface 16a of the cover 16 that is open to the housing 14 is provided. The paper supply unit 30 includes a paper supply port 22, a pair of paper guides 32 provided in the paper supply port, a paper support unit 34 that supports at least a part of the paper loaded from the paper supply port 22, A feed roller 36 provided at a position facing the paper support 34 is provided. The cover 16 and the paper support unit 34 support the paper P in an inclined posture.

  The pair of sheet guides 32 includes a sheet guide 32a positioned on the left end side of the apparatus in the apparatus width direction in FIGS. 2 and 4 and a sheet guide 32b positioned on the right end side of the apparatus. The paper guide 32a is configured to be movable with respect to the paper guide 32b located on the right end side of the apparatus so as to be able to approach and separate along the apparatus width direction. That is, the paper guide 32a is provided so that the user can slide in the paper width direction (device width direction) according to the paper size.

  The sheet support portion 34 is formed so as to be inclined toward the front side of the apparatus in FIG. Further, the feeding roller 36 is configured to be swingable in the contact / separation direction with respect to the paper P placed on the paper support portion 34. When the feed roller 36 is displaced in the direction approaching the paper support 34, it contacts the uppermost paper P placed on the paper support 34 and feeds the uppermost paper P downstream of the feed path. To send.

  A transport unit 38 is provided on the downstream side of the paper supply unit 30. The transport unit 38 is provided with a pair of transport rollers 40. The transport roller pair 40 is rotated by a drive source (not shown). The transport unit 38 nips the paper P fed from the paper supply unit 30 by the transport roller pair 40 and transports the paper P downstream in the transport direction. A recording unit 26 is provided on the downstream side of the transport unit 38.

  The recording unit 26 includes a carriage 42, a recording head 44 provided at the bottom of the carriage, and a platen 46 that faces the recording head and supports a medium. The recording head 44 faces the paper P supported by the platen 46. The carriage 42 is driven so as to reciprocate in the apparatus width direction in FIG. 4 by a carriage drive motor 48 (see FIG. 4) controlled by a control unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 12. Further, the platen 46 supports the paper P from below, thereby defining a distance (gap) between the recording surface of the medium and the head surface of the recording head 44.

  In the recording unit 26, when the paper P supported by the platen 46 faces the recording head 44, ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzle holes (not shown) of the recording head 44 toward the paper P, and the ink is ejected from the paper. Recording is performed by landing on the P recording surface (the surface facing the recording head 44).

  A discharge unit 50 is provided on the downstream side of the recording unit 26 in the transport direction. The discharge unit 50 includes a discharge drive roller pair 52. The sheet P on which recording is performed by the recording unit 26 is nipped by the discharge driving roller pair 52 and discharged toward the front of the apparatus from the discharge port 24 formed on the front surface of the apparatus. The discharge drive roller pair 52 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown).

<<< About the movement of the carriage in the apparatus width direction >>>
3 to 5, the carriage 42 includes a box-shaped housing 54 whose upper side is open, and ink cartridges 56 </ b> A and 56 </ b> B as “liquid supply units” that can be attached to and detached from the housing 54 (see FIG. 4). ) And a recording head 44 provided at the lower part of the casing 54. The recording head 44 has a plurality of nozzle holes. Ink is supplied to the plurality of nozzle holes from the ink cartridges 56 </ b> A and 56 </ b> B mounted on the housing 54. The housing 54 includes a first sliding portion 54a provided at an end portion on the upstream side in the transport direction, and a second sliding portion 54b provided at an end portion on the downstream side in the transport direction.

  Further, in the apparatus main body 12, a pair of guide members 58 are extended in the recording section 26 along the apparatus width direction. The pair of guide members 58 includes a first guide member 58a and a second guide member 58b.

  The first guide member 58a is positioned on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction in the recording unit 26 and extends in the apparatus width direction. The second guide member 58b is located on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction in the recording unit 26 and extends in the apparatus width direction. The first guide member 58a and the second guide member 58b are provided at an interval in the apparatus depth direction.

  The first guide member 58 a and the second guide member 58 b support the carriage 42. The upper surfaces of the first guide member 58a and the second guide member 58b are configured as sliding surfaces. Specifically, the upper surface of the first guide member 58a and the first sliding portion 54a of the carriage 42 are in contact with each other, and the upper surface of the second guide member 58b and the second sliding portion 54b of the carriage 42 are in contact with each other. . That is, when the carriage 42 moves in the apparatus width direction, the first sliding portion 54a slides on the upper surface of the first guide member 58a, and the second sliding portion 54b slides on the upper surface of the second guide member 58b. .

  As an example in the present embodiment, a carriage drive motor 48 (see FIG. 4) is provided at the left end of the apparatus main body 12 in the apparatus width direction. In this embodiment, a drive pulley (not shown) is attached to the drive shaft of the carriage drive motor 48. A driven pulley (not shown) is rotatably provided at the right end of the apparatus body 12 in the apparatus width direction. A toothed belt 60 is wound around the driving pulley and the driven pulley. At least a part of the toothed belt 60 is gripped by a gripping portion provided on the casing 54 of the carriage 42. That is, when the carriage drive motor 48 is driven to rotate, the drive pulley is also driven to rotate, and the toothed belt 60 rotates. As a result, the carriage 42 reciprocates in the apparatus width direction.

<< About the cap part >>>>
Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the right end of the apparatus main body 12 in the apparatus width direction is set as the home position of the carriage 42. A cap portion 62 is provided at the home position in the apparatus main body 12. Biasing means 64 (see FIG. 5) is provided at the lower part of the cap part 62. In this embodiment, the urging means 64 is configured as a spring. In this embodiment, the urging force of the urging means 64 urges the cap portion 62 toward the recording head 44.

  The switching means (not shown) can switch between a state in which the cap unit 62 is urged to the recording head 44 and a state in which the cap unit 62 is separated from the recording head 44. In this embodiment, the switching of the state of the urging means 64 and thus the cap part 62 is controlled by the control part. Further, the switching means (not shown) is constituted by a cam member or the like as an example.

  In addition, a pump 66 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the apparatus main body 12 on the apparatus back side (+ Y axis direction side) of the cap 62 in the apparatus depth direction. The pump 66 is connected to the cap portion 62 by a waste ink tube (not shown).

  The cap unit 62 faces the recording head 44 when the carriage 42 is positioned at the home position, and is pressed against a nozzle formation surface (not shown) of the recording head 44 to seal the nozzle formation surface and to supply ink. Drying can be prevented (cap state). The printer 10 can take a cap state in which the cap unit 62 is pressed against the recording head 44 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and an uncapped state in which the cap unit 62 is separated from the recording head 44 (see FIG. 6). It is configured. Further, in the present embodiment, the printer 10 is configured to be further switchable between a non-restrained state (see FIG. 7) and a restrained state (see FIG. 8) in the cap state. The unconstrained state and the restrained state will be described later.

  In addition, when the cap 66 is in a cap state that caps the recording head 44, when the pump 66 is driven, a negative pressure is generated in the cap 62 through the waste ink tube. By this negative pressure, ink is sucked from the nozzles of the recording head 44, and clogging of the nozzles and mixing of bubbles can be eliminated. Further, when the meniscus state in the nozzle of the recording head 44 is broken, the cap portion 62 sucks the nozzle so that the meniscus in the nozzle can be formed again.

  Further, a flushing operation is performed at a fixed timing during execution of a recording operation in the printer 10. This flushing operation is an operation in which the carriage 42 is temporarily moved to the home position, and ink is ejected toward the cap portion 62 to be discarded. Waste ink generated in the cap 62 is sucked by the pump 66 through the waste ink tube. The sucked waste ink is stored in a waste ink cartridge (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 12 and connected to the pump 66.

<<< About Unconstrained State, Restrained State and Uncapped State >>>>
Next, the unconstrained state, the restrained state, and the non-capped state in the cap state will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, the carriage 42, the guide member 58, the cap portion 62 and the like are illustrated in a simplified manner.

  First, the uncapped state will be described with reference to FIG. In this state, the cap unit 62 is separated from the recording head 44 of the carriage 42. That is, the urging force of the urging means 64 does not act on the carriage 42. Since only the weight of the carriage 42 is acting on the carriage 42, the first sliding portion 54a abuts on the upper surface of the first guide member 58a, and the second sliding portion 54b is the second guide member 58b. It is in contact with the upper surface of. In this embodiment, this state is the uncapped state of the carriage 42.

  In the uncapped state, the cap unit 62 is in a state of being separated from the recording head 44, and thus the movement of the carriage 42 is not constrained. Therefore, when the carriage drive motor 48 rotates and drives the toothed belt 60 by the control unit, the carriage 42 can be smoothly moved in the apparatus width direction.

  Next, the unconstrained state will be described with reference to FIG. When the carriage 42 is located at the home position, the control unit switches the state of the urging unit 64 by the switching unit. As a result, the urging means 64 urges the cap portion 62 toward the recording head 44. Then, the cap unit 62 comes into contact with the recording head 44 to bring the recording head 44 into a sealed state.

  At this time, the carriage 42 is urged upward in the apparatus height direction by the urging force of the urging means 64. Since the urging force of the urging means 64 is greater than the weight of the carriage 42, the carriage 42 is lifted upward in the apparatus height direction. That is, the 1st sliding part 54a and the 2nd sliding part 54b will be in the state spaced apart from the 1st guide member 58a and the 2nd guide member 58b, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the engaged portion 68 is provided in the apparatus main body 12 above the second guide member 58b in the apparatus height direction. When the carriage 42 is lifted upward in the apparatus height direction by the urging means 64, the engaging portion 54 c provided above the second sliding portion 54 b of the carriage 42 engages with the engaged portion 68. When the engaging portion 54c and the engaged portion 68 are engaged, the displacement of the carriage 42 in the apparatus height direction is restricted. That is, the engaged portion 68 is urged by the engaging portion 54 c of the carriage 42 by the urging force of the urging means 64. In this embodiment, this state is the unconstrained state of the carriage 42.

  Further, in this state, the carriage 42 is lifted by the biasing means 64 and is only restricted from being displaced upward in the apparatus height direction by the engaged portion 68. The carriage 42 can be displaced downward in the apparatus height direction against the force. That is, in the unconstrained state of the carriage 42, the position where the engaging portion 54c and the engaged portion 68 come into contact from the position where the second sliding portion 54b and the second guide member 58b are in contact in the apparatus height direction. The carriage 42 can be displaced in the period up to.

  Further, when the carriage 42 is in an unrestrained state at the home position, the cap unit 62 is separated from the recording head 44 from a state in which the cap unit 62 urges the recording head 44 by switching means (not shown). The carriage 42 can be switched from the non-restrained state in the cap state to the non-cap state simply by switching to. That is, a series of operations from when the recording head 44 is capped to the cap portion 62 in the carriage 42 to when the carriage 42 starts a recording operation can be made smooth.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the carriage 42 is in an unrestrained state, the engaging portion 54c is engaged with the engaged portion 68, and the upward displacement of the carriage 42 in the apparatus height direction is restricted. Therefore, when the carriage 42 is not restrained, the reference position in the apparatus height direction is the position where the engaged portion 68 is provided. That is, the cap unit 62 may urge the recording head 44 from below in the apparatus height direction to lift the carriage 42 upward in the apparatus height direction and engage the engaging part 54 c with the engaged part 68. Therefore, it is not necessary to determine a high position accuracy in the device height direction in the cap portion 62.

  Further, when the carriage 42 in the unconstrained state is displaced within the range of the restoring force of the biasing means 64 in the apparatus width direction, the lubricant applied to the upper surface of the first guide member 58a and the upper surface of the second guide member 58b. However, when the carriage 42 is switched to the uncapped state, the carriage 42 enters between the first sliding portion 54a and the first guide member 58a, and between the second sliding portion 54b and the second guide member 58b, so that the carriage 42 Improves slidability and durability. In addition, the lubricant in a present Example is grease as an example.

  Next, the restraint state will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a plurality of pressing portions 18 are provided on the side of the mounting surface 16 a of the cover 16. More specifically, when the cover 16 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 12, the pressing portion 18 is located at a position facing at least a part of the carriage 42 in the state where the carriage 42 is positioned at the home position in the apparatus main body 12. (See FIGS. 2 and 5).

  In addition, a plurality of holes 70 are provided in the upper housing 14 a that covers the upper portion of the apparatus main body 12. The plurality of holes 70 are provided in the upper housing 14 a at positions corresponding to the pressing portions 18 of the cover 16 that is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 12. The number of hole portions 70 corresponding to the plurality of pressing portions 18 is provided. Further, the hole 70 is provided through the upper housing 14a.

  In this embodiment, when the cover 16 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 12 after the carriage 42 is moved to the home position and is in the non-restrained state, the pressing portion 18 is brought into the upper housing 14a through the hole 70. It enters and engages with the upper part of the carriage 42, in this embodiment, the upper part of the housing 54 (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the pressing portion 18 is configured to come into contact with and engage with the casing 54 at the four corners of the casing 54.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the recording head 44 is located closer to the first guide member 58a in the apparatus depth direction. The plurality of pressing portions 18 are respectively engaged with a portion near the first guide member 58a and a portion near the second guide member 58b in the housing 54 in the apparatus depth direction.

  Since the weight of the cover 16 acts on the pressing portion 18 that engages with the housing 54, the carriage 42 is attached to the biasing means 64 from the state in which the engaging portion 54 c is engaged with the engaged portion 68. Displaces downward in the height direction of the device against the force. The carriage 42 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 18 and the guide member 58 (the first guide member 58a and the second guide member 58b) in the apparatus height direction by the weight of the cover 16 acting on the pressing portion 18. Become. In this embodiment, this state is the restraint state of the carriage 42.

  Even when an impact in the apparatus height direction is applied to the carriage 42 when the carriage 42 is in a restrained state, the carriage 42 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 18 and the guide member 58 and the displacement in the apparatus height direction is restrained. Therefore, the carriage 42 will not be violated in the apparatus height direction.

  When the cover 16 is switched from the closed state to the open state with respect to the apparatus main body 12, the pressing portion 18 is separated from the carriage 42, and the engagement state between the pressing portion 18 and the carriage 42 is canceled. That is, when the cover 16 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 12, the restrained state is canceled and the state is switched to the unconstrained state.

<<< Modification of the first embodiment >>>
(1) In this embodiment, the restraint state of the carriage 42 is switched from the non-restraint state. However, instead of this configuration, the carriage 42 may be switched from the non-cap state to the restraint state.
In the cap state, the carriage 42 may be configured to take only the restraint state. In addition to the restraint state, the carriage 42 may be in another state (the above example) as in the above-described embodiment. Then, it may be configured to be able to take an unconstrained state.
(2) In this embodiment, the pressing portion 18 is configured to engage with the four corners of the casing 54 of the carriage 42. Instead of this configuration, as shown in FIG. You may comprise so that it may engage with the front side and the back side of the housing | casing 54 in a center area | region. Further, it may be configured to engage with only one of the front side and the back side of the casing 54 in the central region of the casing 54 in the apparatus width direction.
(3) In the present embodiment, the pressing portion 18 is configured to engage with the upper portion of the casing 54 of the carriage 42, but instead of this configuration, the pressing section 18 is associated with the ink cartridges 56 </ b> A and 56 </ b> B attached to the casing 54. You may comprise so that it may match.
(4) In the present embodiment, the recording head 44 is arranged near the first guide member 58a of the casing 54 in the apparatus depth direction. Instead of this configuration, the presser 18 is the first in the casing 54. When engaging with the portion near the guide member 58a and the portion near the second guide member 58b, the recording head 44 may be arranged near the center region of the housing 54 or near the second guide member 58b in the apparatus depth direction. Good.
(5) In this embodiment, the carriage 42 is configured to restrict the upward displacement in the apparatus height direction by the engaged portion 68. Instead of this structure, the upward displacement in the apparatus height direction is used. Even in a configuration that does not regulate, if the cap unit 62 urges the recording head 44, the recording head 44 can be sealed, so that it is not necessary to determine high positional accuracy in the apparatus height direction.

■■■ Second Example ■■■■
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a restricting portion 72 is provided on the back surface of the upper housing 14a instead of providing the pressing portion 18 on the mounting surface 16a of the cover 16.

  In this embodiment, the restricting portion 72 is guided by a guide rail 74 attached to the back surface of the upper housing 14a, and slides between a retracted position (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and an engaging position (see FIG. 14). It is configured to be movable. Switching between the retracted position and the engaged position in the restricting portion 72 is performed by the switching means 76 based on control of a control portion (not shown). In the present embodiment, the switching means 76 is configured as a rack and pinion mechanism as an example. In this embodiment, a rack 78 is attached to one end of the restricting portion 72. The switching means 76 drives the pinion (not shown) that meshes with the rack 78 to move the regulating portion 72 forward and backward along the guide rail 74.

  The restricting portion 72 includes an inclined surface 72a provided on the other end side and an engaging surface 72b. Further, the restricting portion 72 is provided at a position corresponding to the home position of the carriage 42 in the apparatus width direction.

  FIG. 11 shows the uncapped state of the carriage 42 in the second embodiment. In this state, the restricting portion 72 is located at the retracted position and does not restrict the displacement of the carriage 42 in the apparatus height direction.

  Next, FIG. 12 shows an unconstrained state of the carriage 42 in the second embodiment. Even in this state, the restricting portion 72 is located at the retracted position. In this state, the carriage 42 extends from the position where the second sliding portion 54b and the second guide member 58b are in contact with each other in the apparatus height direction to the position where the engaging portion 54c and the engaged portion 68 are in contact. Displacement between them is possible.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, when the carriage 42 is not restrained, the switching means 76 is driven to advance the restricting portion 72 from the retracted position to the front side in the apparatus depth direction (−Y axis direction in FIG. 13). As a result, the inclined surface 72 a of the restricting portion 72 comes into contact with the rear side end portion of the casing 54 of the carriage 42. When the restricting portion 72 is further advanced to the front side in the apparatus depth direction by the switching means 76, the casing 54 is pushed down downward in the apparatus height direction by the restricting portion 72 along the inclined surface 72a.

  And as shown in FIG. 14, the engaging surface 72b of the control part 72 and the upper part of the housing | casing 54 engage. This state is a restraint state of the carriage 42 in the second embodiment. Further, the position of the restricting portion 72 in the apparatus depth direction in this state is the engaging position of the restricting portion 72. In this state, the carriage 42 is sandwiched between the restricting portion 72 and the guide member 58 in the apparatus height direction, and the displacement in the apparatus height direction is restrained.

  In this state, the restricting portion 72 is moved from the engagement position to the retracted position by the switching means 76, so that the restraint state of the carriage 42 is canceled and the carriage 42 shifts to the unconstrained state. Then, by separating the cap portion 62 from the recording head 44, the carriage 42 shifts from the non-restrained state to the non-cap state.

<<< Modified Example of Second Embodiment >>>
(1) In the present embodiment, the restricting portion 72 is configured to be switchable between the retracted position and the engaging position, but may be configured to be fixed to the engaging position instead of this structure. Even in this configuration, by moving the carriage 42 from the home position in the apparatus width direction, it is possible to switch between the uncapped state and the restrained state.
(2) In this embodiment, the switching means 76 is configured as a rack and pinion mechanism, but instead of this configuration, the switching means 76 is a cam member or cylinder member so that the restricting portion 72 is advanced and retracted along the guide rail 74. Alternatively, it may be composed of a link member or the like.

  According to the above description, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes the recording head 44 that performs recording on the paper P by discharging ink, the carriage 42 that is provided with the recording head 44 and is movable in the apparatus width direction, and the recording head. The cap part 62 which can switch between the cap state which seals 44, and the uncapped state which cancels | releases this cap state is provided. At least in the cap state, a restraint state in which the carriage 42 is restrained in the device height direction intersecting the device width direction can be taken.

  According to the above configuration, the cap state in the cap unit 62 is configured so as to be able to take a restrained state in which the carriage 42 is restrained with respect to the apparatus height direction. For example, when the printer 10 is transported, the displacement of the carriage 42 is constrained to prevent the carriage 42 from moving upside down in the apparatus height direction when an impact is applied. Thereby, occurrence of nozzle omission in the recording head 44 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the printer 10, it is possible to switch between a restrained state and a cap state in which the cap unit 62 biases the recording head 44 and allows the displacement of the carriage 42 against the biasing to be allowed. It is configured.

  According to the above configuration, the cap state is switched between the constrained state and the unconstrained state in which the cap unit 62 biases the recording head 44 while allowing the displacement of the carriage 42 against the bias. It is configured to be possible. When the cap unit 62 is in an unconstrained state, when the recording head 44 is sealed by the cap unit 62, it is not necessary to determine the high positional accuracy of the cap unit 62, and the capping operation can be easily performed.

  The printer 10 includes a housing 14 that accommodates the apparatus main body 12 provided with the carriage 42, a cover 16 that can be switched between an open position and a closed position with respect to the housing 14, and a position in which the cover 16 is closed. The cover 16 includes a pressing portion 18 provided in a region facing at least a part of the carriage 42. When the cover 16 is switched from the opened position to the closed position, the pressing unit 18 displaces the carriage 42 to the restrained position against the urging of the recording head 44 by the cap unit 62 to form a restrained state.

  According to the above configuration, when the cover 16 is switched from the opened position to the closed position, the pressing unit 18 displaces the carriage 42 to the restrained position against the urging of the recording head 44 by the cap unit 62 to restrain the restraint. Since the state is formed, when the printer 10 is carried, even if an impact is applied to the carriage 42, the carriage 42 can be more reliably prevented from moving out of the way, so that the nozzles of the recording head 44 can be more reliably suppressed.

  Further, in the printer 10, the housing 14 is provided with a hole 70 at a position corresponding to the pressing portion 18 when the cover 16 is closed. The pressing portion 18 enters the inside of the housing 14 through the hole 70 and engages with the carriage 42.

  According to the above configuration, the pressing portion 18 enters the inside of the housing 14 through the hole 70 provided in the housing 14 and engages with the carriage 42, so that the opening portion in the housing 14 can be reduced. Accordingly, when the cover 16 is opened, the carriage 42 is prevented from being largely exposed to the outside of the housing 14, and the user may accidentally touch the carriage 42 during operation, or the recording head 44. It is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering the vicinity.

  The printer 10 is provided at a position corresponding to the cap portion 62 in the apparatus width direction on the rear surface of the housing 14 that houses the apparatus main body 12 provided with the carriage 42, and can be engaged with the upper part of the carriage 42. A restricting portion 72. The restricting portion 72 forms a restrained state of the carriage 42.

  The printer 10 also includes a guide member 58 that extends in the apparatus width direction, supports the carriage 42, and guides the carriage 42 in the apparatus width direction. The carriage 42 includes a casing 54 provided with a recording head 44, and ink cartridges 56 </ b> A and 56 </ b> B that are attached to the casing 54 and supply ink to the recording head 44. In the restrained state, the pressing portion 18 sandwiches the casing 54 with the guide member 58 and restrains the carriage 42 in the apparatus height direction.

  According to the above configuration, the holding unit 18 holds the casing 54 between the guide member 58 and restrains the carriage 42 with respect to the apparatus height direction in the restrained state, and therefore restrains the carriage 42 in the apparatus height direction. Can be more sure.

In addition, the printer 10 includes a biasing unit 64 that biases the cap unit 62 toward the recording head 44 in the apparatus height direction. The guide member 58 includes a first guide member 58a provided on the upstream side in the transport direction at an interval in the medium transport direction intersecting the apparatus width direction and the apparatus height direction, and a second guide provided on the downstream side in the transport direction. And a member 58b.
The recording head 44 is provided near the first guide member 58a of the housing 54 in the paper transport direction, and the pressing portion 18 engages with a portion of the housing 54 near the first guide member 58a in the paper transport direction. .

  According to the above configuration, the recording head 44 is provided near the first guide member 58a of the housing 54 in the paper transport direction, and the pressing portion 18 is close to the first guide member 58a of the housing 54 in the paper transport direction. Engage with the site. That is, the casing 54 of the carriage 42 is urged by the urging means 64 in the paper conveyance direction at a portion near the first guide member 58a. On the other hand, since the pressing portion 18 engages with a portion of the housing 54 near the first guide member 58a in the sheet conveyance direction, the inclination of the posture of the carriage 42 is suppressed and the carriage 42 is lifted with respect to the guide member 58. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, the printer 10 includes a biasing unit 64 that biases the cap unit 62 toward the recording head 44 in the apparatus height direction. The guide member 58 includes a first guide member 58a provided on the upstream side in the transport direction and a second guide provided on the downstream side in the transport direction with an interval in the paper transport direction intersecting the apparatus width direction and the apparatus height direction. And a member 58b. The pressing portion 18 engages with a portion near the first guide member 58a and a portion near the second guide member 58b of the housing 54 in the paper transport direction.

  According to the above configuration, the pressing portion 18 engages with the portion near the first guide member 58a and the portion near the second guide member 58b of the housing 54 in the paper transport direction, so that the biasing force of the biasing means 64 is applied. Accordingly, the inclination of the posture of the carriage 42 can be more reliably suppressed, and the lift of the carriage 42 with respect to the guide member 58 can be suppressed with a good balance.

  In addition, the printer 10 includes a biasing unit 64 that biases the cap unit 62 toward the recording head 44 in the apparatus height direction. The guide member 58 includes a first guide member 58a provided on the upstream side in the transport direction and a second guide provided on the downstream side in the transport direction with an interval in the paper transport direction intersecting the apparatus width direction and the apparatus height direction. And a member 58b. The recording head 44 is provided in the central region of the casing 54 in the apparatus width direction, and the pressing portion 18 engages with the casing 54 in the central area of the casing 54 in the apparatus width direction.

  According to the above configuration, the recording head 44 is provided in the central region of the housing 54 in the apparatus width direction, and the pressing portion 18 is engaged with the housing 54 corresponding to the central region of the housing 54. The floating of the carriage 42 in the width direction can be suppressed with good balance.

  In the printer 10, a plurality of pressing portions 18 are provided. Each pressing portion 18 engages with four corners of the housing 54.

  According to the above configuration, since the plurality of pressing portions 18 are respectively engaged with the four corners of the casing 54, the casing 54 can be more reliably engaged against the urging force of the urging means 64, and the restraint state is maintained. it can.

In this embodiment, the cap unit 62 according to the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus, but can be applied to other liquid ejecting apparatuses in general.
Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus uses an ink jet recording head, and is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine that discharges ink from the recording head to perform recording on a recording medium. And a device for ejecting a liquid corresponding to the application from a liquid ejecting head corresponding to the ink jet recording head to an ejected medium corresponding to the recording medium, and attaching the liquid to the ejected medium.

  In addition to the recording head, as a liquid ejecting head, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, and an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or a surface emitting display (FED) Examples thereof include an ejection head, a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, and a sample ejection head as a precision pipette.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 12 ... Apparatus main body, 14 ... Housing, 14a ... Upper housing,
14b ... Lower housing, 16 ... Cover, 16a ... Placement surface, 18 ... Holding part,
20 ... operation unit, 22 ... paper supply port, 24 ... discharge port, 26 ... recording unit, 30 ... paper supply unit,
32, 32a, 32b ... paper guide, 34 ... paper support, 36 ... feed roller,
38 ... conveying section, 40 ... conveying roller pair, 42 ... carriage, 44 ... recording head,
46 ... Platen, 48 ... Carriage drive motor, 50 ... Ejector,
52 ... discharge drive roller pair, 54 ... casing, 54a ... first sliding part, 54b ... second sliding part,
54c ... engaging portion, 56A, 56B ... ink cartridge, 58 ... guide member,
58a ... 1st guide member, 58b ... 2nd guide member, 60 ... Toothed belt,
62 ... cap portion, 64 ... biasing means, 66 ... pump, 68 ... engaged portion, 70 ... hole,
72 ... Restricting part, 72a ... Inclined surface, 72b ... Engaging surface, 74 ... Guide rail, 76 ... Switching means, 78 ... Rack, P ... Paper

Claims (10)

A recording head that discharges liquid to record on a medium;
A carriage provided with the recording head and movable in a first direction;
A cap portion capable of switching between a cap state for sealing the recording head and a non-cap state for eliminating the cap state;
With
At least in the cap state, it can take a restraint state in which the carriage is restrained with respect to a second direction intersecting the first direction.
A recording apparatus. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restraint state and the cap state are a non-restraint state in which the cap portion biases the recording head while displacement of the carriage is allowed against the bias. Are configured to be switchable,
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a housing member that accommodates an apparatus main body provided with the carriage;
An opening / closing body capable of switching between an open position and a closed position with respect to the housing member;
In the closed position of the opening / closing body, a pressing portion provided in a region of the opening / closing body facing at least a part of the carriage;
With
When the opening / closing body is switched from the open position to the closed position, the pressing portion displaces the carriage to a restrained position against the bias of the recording head by the cap portion, and the restrained state is changed. Form,
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the housing member is provided with a hole at a position corresponding to the pressing portion when the opening / closing body is closed.
The pressing portion enters the inside of the housing member through the hole and engages with the carriage.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a housing member that accommodates an apparatus main body provided with the carriage;
A regulating portion provided at a position corresponding to the cap portion in the first direction on the back surface of the housing member, and capable of engaging with an upper portion of the carriage;
With
The restricting portion forms the restraint state of the carriage;
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a guide member that extends in the first direction, supports the carriage, and guides the carriage in the first direction.
The carriage includes a housing provided with the recording head, and a liquid supply unit that is attached to the housing and supplies liquid to the recording head.
The pressing portion sandwiches the casing with the guide member in the restrained state and restrains the carriage in the second direction;
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an urging unit that urges the cap portion toward the recording head in the second direction,
The guide member includes a first guide member provided on the upstream side in the transport direction at an interval in the medium transport direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a first guide member provided on the downstream side in the transport direction. 2 guide members,
The recording head is provided closer to the first guide member of the housing in the medium conveyance direction;
The pressing portion engages with a portion of the housing near the first guide member in the medium transport direction.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an urging unit that urges the cap portion toward the recording head in the second direction,
The guide member includes a first guide member provided on the upstream side in the transport direction at an interval in the medium transport direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a first guide member provided on the downstream side in the transport direction. 2 guide members,
The pressing portion engages with a portion near the first guide member and a portion near the second guide member of the housing in the medium conveyance direction.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an urging unit that urges the cap portion toward the recording head in the second direction,
The guide member includes a first guide member provided on the upstream side in the transport direction at an interval in the medium transport direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a first guide member provided on the downstream side in the transport direction. 2 guide members,
The recording head is provided in a central region of the housing in the first direction;
The pressing portion engages with the casing in a central region of the casing in the first direction.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the pressing portions are provided.
Each pressing part engages with the four corners of the housing,
A recording apparatus.

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