JP2017127978A - Sensor unit and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly perform measurement by a sensor unit while preventing ink mist from adhering to a sensor and the like in a housing.SOLUTION: An imaging device (sensor unit) 17 having an opening portion 171A on a housing 171 includes: a cover unit 175 which can open or close the opening portion 171A; and a gas supply part 174 which supplies gas to an inside of the housing 171.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor unit and a printer including the sensor unit.

In a printer that prints an image by ejecting ink onto a medium (for example, paper), ink mist or dust may be generated by printing or the like, and these may float in the air. For example, if ink mist or dust adheres to a sensor inside the printer, an appropriate result may not be obtained in measurement by the sensor.
For this reason, cover the surroundings of the sensor etc. with the casing, provide the opening for measurement in the casing, and cover the opening to prevent floating ink mist, dust, etc. from adhering to the sensor etc. inside the casing A sensor unit is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, an imaging unit (sensor unit) includes a frame (housing) having an opening and a shutter (cover) that opens and closes the opening with a motor.

JP 2013-217905 A

  However, in the sensor unit described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to perform measurement by the imaging unit in a state where the ink mist is not floating. That is, immediately after printing, since the ink mist is floating, the ink mist adheres to the sensor or the like when the opening is opened. For this reason, there is a problem that the shutter must be opened after waiting for the floating ink mist to disappear.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  [Application Example 1] A sensor unit according to this application example is a sensor unit having an opening in a housing, a cover unit capable of opening and closing the opening, and a gas supply for supplying gas into the housing And a portion.

  In the sensor unit of this application example, when the cover closes the opening, the cover causes ink mist or dust floating around the sensor unit to enter the inside of the housing through the opening. Can be prevented. Further, when the cover has an opening, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the inside of the housing flows out of the housing through the opening, and thus floats around the sensor unit. Ink mist, dust, or the like can be prevented from entering the inside of the housing through the opening. Therefore, even when ink mist or dust is floating around the sensor unit, measurement by the sensor unit can be performed quickly while preventing them from adhering to the sensor or the like inside the housing.

  Application Example 2 The cover unit of the sensor unit according to the application example described above is arranged in a gas supply pipe to which gas is supplied from the gas supply unit, a cylinder connected to the gas supply pipe, and the cylinder. A shaft that moves along the cylinder, a cover that is connected to the shaft and that opens and closes the opening by the movement of the shaft, and is provided in the gas supply pipe or the cylinder. An outflow port for allowing gas to flow out from the inside of the cylinder to the inside of the housing, the cylinder is disposed in a vertical direction, the cover portion is connected to the shaft, and the shaft is moved in a vertical direction. An arm that moves in a vertical direction, and a cover that is connected to the arm and moves to open and close the opening. And butterflies.

In the sensor unit of this application example, when gas is supplied from the gas supply unit via the gas supply pipe, the pressure in the cylinder rises, the shaft rises, and the arm moves in the vertical direction. As a result, the cover moves to open the opening, and measurement is possible. On the other hand, when no gas is supplied, the pressure in the cylinder is lowered to the same pressure as the surroundings, and the shaft is lowered and the arm is moved in the vertical direction by the weight of the shaft and the arm. Thereby, a cover moves and an opening part closes.
Therefore, even if an unexpected situation such as a power failure occurs during measurement by the sensor unit, the cover closes the opening due to the weight of the shaft and arm, so ink mist, dust, etc. Can be prevented.

  Application Example 3 The cover unit of the sensor unit according to the application example described above is arranged in a gas supply pipe to which gas is supplied from the gas supply unit, a cylinder connected to the gas supply pipe, and the cylinder. A shaft that moves along the cylinder, a cover that is connected to the shaft and that opens and closes the opening by the movement of the shaft, and is provided in the gas supply pipe or the cylinder. An outlet for allowing gas to flow out from the inside of the cylinder to the inside of the housing, and the cover portion has a spring connected at one end to the shaft and connected at the other end to the housing; And a cover that is connected to a shaft and moves to open and close the opening as the spring expands and contracts.

In the sensor unit of this application example, when gas is supplied from the gas supply unit via the gas supply pipe, the pressure in the cylinder rises, the shaft moves, the cover moves, and the opening opens. At this time, the spring accumulates elastic energy. On the other hand, when there is no gas supply, the pressure in the cylinder drops to the same pressure as the surroundings, the spring releases the elastic energy, the restoring force, the shaft moves, the cover moves and the opening closes .
Therefore, even if an unexpected situation such as a power failure occurs during measurement by the sensor unit, the cover closes the opening due to the restoring force of the spring, so ink mist, dust, etc. Adhesion can be prevented.

  Application Example 4 The printer according to this application example includes a housing having an opening, a cover unit that can open and close the opening, and a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the inside of the housing. It has a sensor unit and an ink jet head which discharges ink.

In the printer of this application example, when the cover closes the opening of the sensor unit, the cover causes ink mist or dust floating around the sensor unit to pass through the opening. Can be prevented from entering. Further, when the cover has an opening, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the inside of the housing flows out of the housing through the opening, and thus floats around the sensor unit. Ink mist, dust, and the like can be prevented from entering the inside of the housing through the opening.
Therefore, even when ink mist or dust is generated by printing and is floating around the sensor unit, the sensor unit can quickly measure while preventing it from adhering to the sensor inside the housing. It can be carried out.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the carriage according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of nozzles in a printing unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the cover is open with respect to FIG. 5. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the imaging device of Embodiment 2 of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state with which the cover is open with respect to FIG. FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing a state in which the cover is open with respect to FIG. 7. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the imaging device of the modification 1 of this invention.

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

(Embodiment 1)
An embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
[Schematic configuration of printer]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 10 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a supply unit 11, a transport unit 12, a carriage 13, a carriage moving unit 14, and a control unit 15 (see FIG. 2). The printer 10 controls the units 11, 12, 14 and the carriage 13 based on print data input from an external device 20 such as a personal computer, and prints an image on the medium A. Further, the printer 10 of the present embodiment forms a measurement pattern at a predetermined position on the medium A based on measurement pattern image data set in advance according to the purpose. And based on the imaging device 17 (refer FIG. 2) provided in the carriage 13, the pattern for a measurement is imaged.
Hereinafter, each configuration of the printer 10 will be specifically described.

The supply unit 11 is a unit for supplying the medium A (image surface is exemplified in this embodiment) to be image formed to the image forming position. The supply unit 11 includes, for example, a roll body 111 around which the medium A is wound, a roll drive motor (not shown), a roll drive wheel train (not shown), and the like. And based on the command signal from the control unit 15, a roll drive motor is rotationally driven and the rotational force of a roll drive motor is transmitted to the roll body 111 via a roll drive wheel train. Thereby, the roll body 111 rotates, and the paper surface wound around the roll body 111 is supplied to the downstream side (+ Y side) in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction).
In the present embodiment, an example in which the paper surface wound around the roll body 111 is supplied is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the medium A may be supplied by any supply method such as supplying the medium A such as a sheet of paper loaded on a tray or the like one by one with a roller or the like.

The transport unit 12 transports the medium A supplied from the supply unit 11 along the Y direction. The transport unit 12 includes a transport roller 121, a transport roller 121, a driven roller (not shown) that is driven by the transport roller 121, and a platen 122.
The conveyance roller 121 is driven by a conveyance motor (not shown), and when the conveyance motor is driven under the control of the control unit 15, the conveyance roller 121 is rotationally driven by the rotation force, and the medium A is moved between the conveyance roller 121 and the driven roller. It is transported along the Y direction while being sandwiched. A platen 122 facing the carriage 13 is provided on the downstream side (+ Y side) in the Y direction of the transport roller 121 to support the medium A. In the region where the medium A is supported by the platen 122, printing processing, imaging processing, spectroscopic measurement processing, and the like for the medium A are performed.
The transport unit 12 is provided with various sensors such as a feed detection sensor 123 and a tip detection sensor 124. The feed detection sensor 123 is a sensor that detects the transport amount of the medium A. For example, a rotary encoder that detects the rotation amount of the transport roller 121 can be exemplified. The front end detection sensor 124 is a sensor that detects the front end position of the medium A sent to the platen 122. For example, the front end detection sensor 124 can be exemplified by a switching sensor that detects contact of the front end of the conveyed medium A.
Detection signals from these sensors 123 and 124 are output to the control unit 15 as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 13 includes a printing unit 16 that prints an image on the medium A, an imaging device 17 as a sensor unit in the present invention that captures an image on the medium A, and a predetermined on the medium A. And a spectroscope 18 that performs spectroscopic measurement of the colorimetric positions.
The carriage 13 is provided by a carriage moving unit 14 so as to be movable along the X direction (main scanning direction) intersecting the Y direction. In the following description, in the main scanning direction (X direction), the −X side may be referred to as the Home side, and the + X side may be referred to as the Full side. Here, Home is a position where the carriage 13 is retracted in a standby state where no printing process is performed. Full is the opposite side of Home.
The carriage 13 is connected to the control unit 15 by the flexible circuit 13A, and based on a command signal from the control unit 15, printing processing by the printing unit 16 (image forming processing for the medium A), imaging processing by the imaging device 17, And the light quantity measurement process by the spectroscope 18 is performed.
The detailed configuration of the carriage 13 will be described later.

The carriage moving unit 14 reciprocates the carriage 13 along the X direction based on a command signal from the control unit 15.
The carriage moving unit 14 includes, for example, a carriage guide shaft 141, a carriage motor 142 (also referred to as a CR motor), and a timing belt 143.
The carriage guide shaft 141 is disposed along the X direction, and both ends are fixed to, for example, a casing of the printer 10. The carriage motor 142 drives the timing belt 143. The timing belt 143 is supported substantially parallel to the carriage guide shaft 141, and a part of the carriage 13 is fixed. When the carriage motor 142 is driven based on a command signal from the control unit 15, the timing belt 143 travels forward and backward, and the carriage 13 fixed to the timing belt 143 is guided by the carriage guide shaft 141 to reciprocate. To do.
The carriage moving unit 14 is provided with a carriage position sensor 144. The carriage position sensor 144 is a sensor that detects the position of the carriage 13. For example, a linear encoder that detects the amount of movement of the carriage 13 in the X direction can be exemplified. A detection signal from the carriage position sensor 144 is appropriately input to the control unit 15.

[Carriage configuration]
Next, the configuration of the carriage 13 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the carriage 13.
As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 13 includes a base 131, a connecting portion 132 fixed to the base 131, a unit mounting portion 133, a medium detection sensor 134, a control board storage portion 135, and skid plates 136A and 136B. A printing unit 16, an imaging device 17, a spectroscope 18, and a main circuit board 19.
As shown in FIG. 3, the base 131 includes a bottom surface portion 131A and a back surface portion 131B. A unit mounting portion 133 for fixing a plurality of nozzle units 161 (inkjet heads in the present invention) of the printing unit 16 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 131A. The imaging device 17 and the spectroscope 18 are attached to the bottom surface portion 131A. The imaging device 17 and the spectroscope 18 may be detachably attached to the base 131.
Further, the bottom surface portion 131A has openings corresponding to the medium detection sensor 134, each nozzle unit 161 of the printing unit 16, the imaging device 17, and the spectroscope 18 (opening 133A corresponding to the nozzle unit 161 and the imaging device 17). , 131C only).
The bottom surface portion 131A includes a skid plate 136A extending from the −X side end portion to the −X side, and a skid plate 136B extending from the + X side end portion to the + X side. These skid plates 136A and 136B have a plate shape parallel to the XY plane, and prevent the medium A from being clogged when the carriage 13 is moved along the X direction.

  A medium detection sensor 134 is provided on the Home side of the back surface portion 131B and at a position (+ Z side) in contact with the bottom surface portion 131A. The medium detection sensor 134 faces the platen 122 through an opening corresponding to the medium detection sensor 134 provided on the bottom surface portion 131 </ b> A, and detects the conveyance of the medium A to the platen 122. The specific configuration of the medium detection sensor 134 includes, for example, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and the presence or absence of the medium A by receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the medium A by the light receiving unit. An optical sensor for detecting

In addition, a control board storage unit 135 is provided on the back surface part 131B. The control board storage unit 135 stores a plurality of driver boards 162 corresponding to the nozzle units 161 of the printing unit 16. These driver boards 162 are arranged such that the board surface direction is parallel to the YZ plane, and are arranged along the X direction.
Further, a cartridge filter 163 is detachably provided at the end position on the −Z side on the Full side of the back surface portion 131B. The cartridge filter 163 constitutes a part of the printing unit 16 and removes foreign matters and the like contained in the ink supplied to the nozzle unit 161 of the printing unit 16. A supply pipe (not shown) is connected to the cartridge filter 163, and the supply rod is connected to the supply port 161 </ b> B of the nozzle unit 161.
In the present embodiment, an ink cartridge (not shown) is provided in the printer 10 at a position different from the carriage 13, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the carriage 13 by a tube member such as a tube. Is done.

  In addition, the connecting portion 132 is fixed to a part of the back surface portion 131B (in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the −Z side end portion). The connecting portion 132 is connected to the carriage moving unit 14.

[Configuration of Printing Unit 16]
The printing unit 16 forms an image on the medium A by ejecting ink onto the medium A individually at a portion facing the medium A.
The printing unit 16 includes a nozzle unit 161, a driver substrate 162, and a cartridge filter 163.
The nozzle unit 161 is provided corresponding to each color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta, gray, light gray, matte black, photo black, etc.) discharged onto the medium A.
These nozzle units 161 are provided in the opening 133A provided in the unit mounting portion 133 and the bottom surface portion 131A of the base 131, and the bottom surface of the nozzle unit 161 faces the surface of the bottom surface portion 131A facing the platen 122.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the nozzles 161 </ b> A in the printing unit 16.
On the lower surface of each nozzle unit 161, a nozzle group M is formed by nozzles 161A (ink ejection ports) arranged along the Y direction. The plurality of nozzles 161A of each nozzle group M are aligned at a constant interval (nozzle pitch: k · D) along the Y direction (conveyance direction). Here, D is a minimum dot pitch in the Y direction (that is, an interval at the highest resolution of dots formed on the medium A). K is an integer of 1 or more. For example, when the nozzle pitch is 180 dpi (1/180 inch) and the dot pitch in the Y direction is 720 dpi (1/720 inch), k = 4. Each nozzle 161A is provided with an ink ejection mechanism (not shown). As this ink ejection mechanism, for example, a configuration in which an ink chamber and a piezo element are provided, and the ink chamber is expanded and contracted and expanded by driving the piezo element, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 161A can be exemplified.

The nozzle unit 161 includes a supply port 161B to which a supply pipe extending from the cartridge filter 163 is connected, and ink is introduced from the ink cartridge (or ink tank) separately provided in the printer 10 through the cartridge filter 163. .
The nozzle unit 161 is provided with a unit circuit 161C provided with a connector and a control circuit each connected to the driver board 162. The connector of the unit circuit 161C is connected to the driver board 162 by, for example, FPC or the like. Has been.

The driver board 162 is stored in the control board storage part 135 of the carriage 13 as described above. These driver boards 162 are connected to the unit circuit 161C of the corresponding nozzle unit 161 as described above. Each driver board 162 is connected to the control unit 15 of the printer 10 via the main circuit board 19, and controls the ink ejection mechanism of each nozzle unit 161 based on a command signal from the control unit 15. Ink is ejected from the nozzle 161A.
As described above, the cartridge filter 163 removes foreign matter by filtering the ink supplied from the ink cartridge or ink tank provided outside the carriage 13 and supplies the ink to the nozzle unit 161. The cartridge filter 163 is detachable with respect to the carriage 13 and can perform maintenance such as replacement periodically.

[Configuration of Spectrometer 18]
As shown in FIG. 3, the spectroscope 18 is provided on the Home side with respect to the imaging device 17 in the X direction and on the + Y side (downstream side) with respect to the printing unit 16 in the Y direction.
The spectroscope 18 measures a spectroscopic spectrum at a predetermined position in the medium A. Although not shown in the figure, the spectroscope 18 includes, for example, a light source such as an LED, a spectroscopic unit configured by an etalon, and a detector that receives light having a predetermined wavelength dispersed by the spectroscopic unit. The spectroscope 18 is electrically connected to the control unit 15 via the main circuit board 19, and performs spectroscopic measurement processing according to the spectroscopic measurement command signal from the control unit 15.

[Configuration of Main Circuit Board 19]
The main circuit board 19 is electrically connected to each driver board 162, the imaging device 17, the spectroscope 18, and the control unit 15 of the printing unit 16. The main circuit board 19 drives the printing unit 16, the imaging device 17, and the spectroscope 18 based on a command signal from the control unit 15.
For example, in driving the imaging device 17, the main circuit board 19 performs drive control of the image sensor 173 A and drive control of the light source unit 173 based on an imaging command signal from the control unit 15, and performs a predetermined imaging area of the medium A. (See FIG. 5) (imaging process). The main circuit board 19 includes a circuit such as an AD converter or an amplifier that processes an electrical signal input from the main plate 172 and is output from the image sensor 173A. The processed electrical signal is converted into an image signal (imaging data). ) To the control unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main circuit board 19 as described above is arranged, for example, in parallel with the YZ plane so as to intersect (perpendicular in this embodiment) to the opening surface of the opening 171A (opening 131C). The Thereby, for example, the size of the carriage 13 in the X direction and the Y direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the main circuit board 19 is arranged in parallel to the XY plane.
That is, in the printing unit 16 of the carriage 13, nozzle units 161 that are long in the Y direction are arranged in parallel along the X direction. Further, corresponding to these nozzle units 161, on the −Z side, a driver board 162 housed in the control board housing part 135 is arranged in parallel to the X direction. If the main circuit board 19 is arranged with respect to the carriage 13 having such a configuration, for example, such that the board surface is parallel to the XY plane, the size of the carriage 13 in the XY plane direction is increased, and the main circuit board 19 is provided. A useless space is generated in the upper part (−Z side). On the other hand, as described above, the main circuit board 19 is arranged in parallel with the ZY plane, like the nozzle units 161 and the driver boards 162 of the printing unit 16, so that the carriage 13 Therefore, the carriage 13 can be reduced in size.
In this embodiment, the imaging device 17 and the spectroscope 18 are disposed on the + Y side in the Y direction of the carriage 13 and on the + X side (Full side) in the X direction, as will be described in detail later. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the main circuit board 19 is arranged in parallel to the driver board 162 on the Full side of the printing unit 16. In such a configuration, the main circuit board 19 can be disposed at a position close to all of the driver board 162, the imaging device 17, and the spectroscope 18, and the length of each connection line can be shortened. In this case, simplification of the configuration and suppression of signal deterioration due to noise or the like can be achieved.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the wiring 191 that connects the main circuit board 19 and the imaging device 17 is a parallel communication type wiring. In such parallel communication, since each signal line is parallel, crosstalk tends to occur. Here, when the length dimension of the wiring 191 is longer than 200 mm, the influence of crosstalk is large, and it is difficult to obtain highly accurate imaging data. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the length dimension of the wiring 191 is 200 mm or less. In this case, as described above, it is possible to suppress signal deterioration due to crosstalk of signal lines, and it is possible to acquire imaging data with reduced noise.
As the wiring 191, for example, a wiring based on the LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signal) standard may be used. In this case, even when the wiring length is longer than the parallel communication wiring 191, the influence of noise or the like is affected. It becomes possible to reduce. However, in this case, when wiring by LVDS is performed, hardware for processing differential signals is required separately, which increases the cost and complexity of the device itself.

[Arrangement Position of Imaging Device 17 on Carriage 13]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the carriage 13, the printing unit 16 is disposed on the Home side in the X direction, and the imaging device 17 is disposed on the Full side with respect to the printing unit 16.
In the printer 10, a maintenance box 30 (maintenance unit) that performs maintenance of the nozzle unit 161 is provided in order to prevent ink clogging in the nozzle 161 </ b> A of the nozzle unit 161. As shown in FIG. 1, the maintenance box 30 is provided at the Home position of the printer 10. During maintenance, the carriage 13 is moved to the Home position, and then ink is ejected from the nozzle 161A (flushing).
Here, in the carriage 13, when the printing unit 16 is located on the Full side, the maintenance box 30 needs to be shifted to the Full side correspondingly, and the size of the printer 10 itself in the X direction increases. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the printing unit 16 is provided on the Home side of the carriage 13, the maintenance box 30 may be provided at the end position of the printer 10 on the −X side. Can be downsized.

  The imaging device 17 is provided on the Full side of the printing unit 16. Accordingly, the imaging device 17 does not interfere with the maintenance box 30 even when the carriage 13 is moved to the Home position or while the carriage 13 is moving. Therefore, ink smearing or the like of the image pickup device 17 due to the image pickup device 17 passing over the maintenance box 30 can be suppressed, and deterioration of the function of the image pickup device 17 can be suppressed.

Further, the imaging device 17 is provided on the + Y side (downstream side) in the Y direction with respect to the printing unit 16. For this reason, when the measurement pattern printed by the printing unit 16 is conveyed to the downstream side, the measurement pattern can be immediately imaged by the imaging device 17. Therefore, various processes based on the imaging data of the measurement pattern can be performed quickly.
Although it is possible to arrange the imaging device 17 on the upstream side of the printing unit 16, in this case, after printing the measurement pattern by the printing unit 16, it is necessary to transport the medium A to the upstream side. When the medium A is transported upstream, wrinkles or the like may occur in the medium A, and the medium A may not be set at an accurate position. In this case, there is a possibility that various processes based on the imaging data cannot be performed correctly.

[Configuration of Control Unit 15]
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 15 includes an I / F 151, a unit control circuit 152, a memory 153, and an arithmetic circuit unit 154.
The I / F 151 inputs print data input from the external device 20 to the arithmetic circuit unit 154.
The unit control circuit 152 includes control circuits that respectively control the supply unit 11, the transport unit 12, the carriage 13, and the carriage movement unit 14, and controls the operation of each unit based on a command signal from the arithmetic circuit unit 154. Control.

The memory 153 stores various programs and various data for controlling the operation of the printer 10.
The arithmetic circuit unit 154 includes, for example, an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage circuit, and by reading and executing various programs stored in the memory 153, as shown in FIG. It functions as scanning control means 154A, printing control means 154B, and imaging control means 154C.

  The scanning control means 154A outputs a command signal for driving the supply unit 11, the transport unit 12, and the carriage moving unit 14 to the unit control circuit 152. Accordingly, the unit control circuit 152 drives the roll drive motor of the supply unit 11 to supply the medium A to the transport unit 12. Further, the unit control circuit 152 drives the transport motor of the transport unit 12 to transport the predetermined area of the medium A along the Y direction to a position facing the carriage 13 of the platen 122. Further, the unit control circuit 152 drives the carriage motor 142 of the carriage moving unit 14 to move the carriage 13 along the X direction.

The print control unit 154B outputs, to the carriage 13 via the unit control circuit 152, a print command signal for controlling the printing unit 16 based on print data input from the external device 20, for example. The main circuit board 19 of the carriage 13 outputs a command to drive the nozzle unit 161 to the corresponding driver board 162 based on the print command signal. As a result, each driver substrate 162 drives the nozzle drive mechanism (piezo element or the like) of the nozzle unit 161 and causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle 161A to the medium A.
When printing is performed, the carriage 13 is moved along the X direction, and during the movement, a dot forming operation is performed in which ink is ejected from the printing unit 16 to form dots, and the medium A is transported in the Y direction. The conveying operation is alternately repeated to print an image composed of a plurality of dots on the medium A.

  The imaging control unit 154C performs imaging processing by the imaging device 17. Specifically, the imaging control unit 154C outputs an imaging command signal for driving the imaging device 17 to the carriage 13 via the unit control circuit 152. The main circuit board 19 of the carriage 13 outputs a driving command for the gas supply unit 174, a driving command for the light source unit 173, and a driving command for the image sensor 172A to the imaging device 17 based on the imaging command signal. Imaging data of the imaging area is acquired.

  In addition to the above functions, the arithmetic circuit unit 154 is an image measuring unit that performs various processes based on the imaging data of the measurement pattern acquired by the imaging device 17, and a predetermined measurement position of the medium A using the spectroscope 18. Measurement control means for performing spectroscopic measurement processing, color measurement means for calculating chromaticity at a measurement position according to the spectroscopic measurement result, color measurement, calibration means for updating print profile data according to the color measurement result, etc. Also works.

[Configuration of Imaging Device 17]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging device 17.
As described above, the imaging device 17 is provided on the Full side in the X direction with respect to the printing unit 16 and on the + Y side (downstream side) in the Y direction.
And the imaging device 17 is comprised including the housing | casing 171, the imaging part 172, the light source part 173, the gas supply part 174, and the cover unit 175, as shown in FIG.

  The housing 171 houses the imaging unit 172, the light source unit 173, and the like. The casing 171 is made of a material that is lightweight and has high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. The housing 171 has an opening 171A on the lower surface (the surface facing the bottom surface portion 131A). The opening 171A is formed, for example, in the same shape as the opening 131C provided in the bottom surface portion 131A, and is disposed so as to overlap the opening 131C. The housing 171 is provided with a fixing portion (not shown). This fixing portion fixes the lower surface of the housing 171 to the bottom surface portion 131 </ b> A of the carriage 13. The fixing method between the fixing portion and the bottom surface portion 131A is not particularly limited, but a configuration in which the fixing portion and the bottom surface portion 131A are detachable by screwing or the like is preferable.

  The housing 171 has a connector portion (not shown) connected to the main circuit board 19. This connector part is wired to a sensor board (not shown) and the light source part 173. This sensor board includes a circuit for driving the image sensor 172A. Further, this connector portion is connected to the main circuit board 19 by wiring 191.

The imaging unit 172 includes an image sensor 172A and a lens unit 172B.
The image sensor 172A is an RGB image sensor having a plurality of pixels. The image sensor 172A receives light that is reflected from a predetermined imaging region of the medium A, passes through the opening 131C, the opening 171A, and the lens unit 172B, and is received from each pixel. An electrical signal corresponding to the amount is output as imaging data.
The lens unit 172B is a unit that forms an image on the image sensor 172A of light reflected from a predetermined imaging area of the medium A, and is configured by, for example, a combination of a plurality of lenses.
Further, the image sensor 172A and the lens unit 172B are fixed to the aforementioned sensor board. The sensor board is fixed to an imaging unit fixing component (not shown) attached to the housing 171. Here, the image sensor 172A and the lens unit 172B are fixed so that their optical axes coincide. In addition, the light reflected from the imaging region of the medium A is arranged so as to form an image on the image sensor 172A.
The electric signal output from the image sensor 172A is sent to the main circuit board via the circuit provided on the sensor board, the wiring provided inside the housing 171, the connector portion of the housing 171, and the wiring 191. 19 is output.

The light source unit 173 includes a light source 173A and a light source optical unit 173B.
The light source 173A is composed of a light source that is small and consumes little power, such as an LED. As described above, the main circuit board 19 is connected to the main circuit board 19 via the wiring provided inside the casing 171, the connector portion of the casing 171, and the wiring 191. Based on the above, light is emitted.
The light source optical unit 173B is a unit that irradiates the imaging region of the medium A with the light emitted from the light source 173A, and is configured by a lens, for example.
The light source 173A and the light source optical unit 173B are fixed to a light source fixing component (not shown) attached to the housing 171. In addition, the imaging area of the medium A is arranged so as to irradiate from the inside of the housing 171 through the opening 171A.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 171 that houses the light source unit 173 is made of a material having a high heat traditional rate such as aluminum, so that the heat generated by the light source 173A can be released to the housing 171. In addition, it is possible to suppress the functional deterioration due to heat of the image sensor 172A.

The gas supply unit 174 is, for example, a compressor, and supplies compressed air (gas) to the inside of the housing 171. In this embodiment, it is connected to a gas supply pipe 175A, and compressed air is supplied into the housing 171 through the gas supply pipe 175A.
The compressed air to be supplied is generated by taking in air from the outside of the housing 171 through a filter and compressing it using power such as a motor. Further, it is connected to the main circuit board 19 via wiring (not shown), and compressed air is supplied based on a drive signal from the main circuit board 19.

  The cover unit 175 includes a gas supply pipe 175A, a cylinder 175B, a shaft 175C, and a cover portion 175D. The cover unit 175 is configured to be able to open and close the opening 171A. In the present embodiment, when compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174, the opening 171A is opened, and when compressed air is not supplied, the opening 171A is closed.

  The gas supply pipe 175 </ b> A is a metal pipe, for example, and is disposed so as to penetrate the housing 171, and can supply gas from the outside to the inside of the housing 171. In the present embodiment, compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174 outside the housing 171 to the cylinder 175B inside the housing 171.

In addition, an outlet 175A1 is formed in the gas supply pipe 175A.
Outflow port 175A1 is an opening that is sufficiently smaller than the tube diameter of gas supply tube 175A. When compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174, it is inside the casing 171 and outside the gas supply pipe 175A and the cylinder 175B while maintaining the pressure of the compressed air inside the gas supply pipe 175A. Compressed air is supplied to the space.

The cylinder 175B has a cylindrical shape and is arranged in a substantially vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The upper part is opened, and the lower part is connected to the gas supply pipe 175A to supply compressed air.
The shaft 175C is rod-shaped. It is inside the cylinder 175B and can move in a substantially vertical direction along the cylinder. In addition, the cylinder 175B is closed at the bottom.
When compressed air supplied from the gas supply unit 174 is supplied to the cylinder 175B via the gas supply pipe 175A, the pressure in the space blocked by the shaft 175C in the cylinder 175B increases, and the shaft 175C rises.
When the compressed air is not supplied, the air is discharged through the outlet 175A1, the pressure is lowered, and the shaft 175C is lowered by the weight of the shaft 175C and an arm 175D1 described later.

The cover part 175D includes an arm 175D1 and a cover 175D2.
The arm 175D1 is made of a combination of rod-like parts and plate-like parts, and is fixed to the shaft 175C. Therefore, it moves in the substantially vertical direction in accordance with the movement in the almost vertical direction of the shaft 175C. The arm 175D1 and one side of the cover 175D2 are connected so that the connection angle is variable.
The cover 175D2 is a plate having a flat surface. The cover 175D2 is configured to be larger than the opening 171A in plan view. And by moving, the opening 171A is covered and closed, or opened without being covered.
Further, a groove 171C is formed in the housing 171. The groove 171C serves to hold the cover 175D2 within a predetermined range while being movable.
One side to which the arm 175D1 of the cover 175D2 is connected can move in a substantially vertical direction along the groove 171C. Further, the side opposite to the one side can move in the substantially horizontal direction along the groove 171C. Therefore, the cover 175D2 moves in accordance with the substantially vertical movement of the arm 175D1, and opens and closes the opening 171A.

Further, the casing 171 is formed with an outlet 171B.
The outlet 171B is an opening that is sufficiently smaller than the opening 171A, and is formed on the upper portion (−Z side) of the housing 171. Since the outlet 171B is positioned above the bottom surface portion 131A in the housing 171, there is always a low possibility that ink mist will float around the outlet 171B. A filter may be provided so that ink mist, dust, and the like do not pass.
The presence of the outlet 171B prevents the casing 171 from being completely sealed even when the opening 171A is closed. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing 171 due to a change in atmospheric pressure while the opening 171A is closed.

[Opening / Closing Operation of Opening 171A by Cover Unit 175]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging device 17 in a state where the opening 171A is open.
In order to open the opening 171A, compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the gas supply pipe 175A. Then, compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 175B connected to the gas supply pipe 175A, the pressure inside the cylinder 175B increases, the shaft 175C rises, and the arm 175D1 moves in the vertical direction. Then, the cover 175D2 moves along the groove 171C, and the opening 171A is opened. As a result, the imaging device 17 is in a state in which the imaging area of the medium A can be captured using the imaging unit 172 and the light source unit 173.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, compressed air is supplied into the housing 171 from the outlet 175A1. Therefore, in the opening 171A, an air flow is generated from the inside of the housing 171 toward the outside of the housing 171.

  On the other hand, to close the opening 171A, the supply of compressed air from the gas supply unit 174 to the gas supply pipe 175A is stopped. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the air inside the gas supply pipe 175A and the cylinder 175B flows out from the outflow port 175A1, and the pressure drops to the same pressure as the surroundings. At the same time, the shaft 175C descends and the arm 175D1 moves in the vertical direction due to the weight of the shaft 175C and the arm 175D1. Accordingly, the cover 175D2 moves along the groove 171C, and the opening 171A is closed.

  Consider a case where an unexpected situation such as a power failure occurs when the imaging device 17 opens the opening 171A for photographing. In such a case, the gas supply unit 174 can no longer generate compressed air, and stops supplying compressed air. Therefore, similarly to the operation for closing the opening 171A, the shaft 175C and the arm 175D1 are lowered by their own weight, and the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the imaging device 17 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A, the cover 175D2 prevents ink mist or dust floating around the imaging device 17 from entering the housing 171 through the opening 171A. Can be prevented. Further, when the cover 175D2 opens the opening 171A, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the inside of the housing 171 flows out of the housing 171 through the opening 171A. As a result, ink mist, dust, etc. floating around the imaging device 17 can be prevented from entering the housing 171 through the opening 171A.
For this reason, even when ink mist, dust, etc. are floating around the imaging device 17, they are prevented from adhering to the imaging unit 172, the light source unit 173, and the like inside the housing 171, while being controlled by the imaging device 17. Shooting can be done quickly.

Further, when compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174 through the gas supply pipe 175A, the pressure inside the cylinder 175B rises, the shaft 175C rises, and the arm 175D1 moves in the vertical direction. As a result, the cover 175D2 moves to open the opening 171A, and the imaging device 17 can shoot. On the other hand, when there is no supply of compressed air, the pressure inside the cylinder 175B drops to the same pressure as the surroundings, and the shaft 175C moves down and the arm 175D1 moves in the vertical direction due to the weight of the shaft 175C and the arm 175D1. As a result, the cover 175D2 moves and the opening 171A closes.
For this reason, even if an unexpected situation such as a power failure occurs during imaging by the imaging device 17, the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A due to the weight of the shaft 175C and the arm 175D1, and thus the imaging unit 172 inside the housing 171. In addition, it is possible to prevent ink mist and dust from adhering to the light source unit 173 and the like.

Further, as described above, according to the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the imaging device 17, when the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A, the cover 175D2 causes ink mist or dust floating around the imaging device 17 to pass through the opening 171A. Can be prevented from entering. Further, when the cover 175D2 opens the opening 171A, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the inside of the housing 171 flows out of the housing 171 through the opening 171A. As a result, ink mist, dust, etc. floating around the imaging device 17 can be prevented from entering the housing 171 through the opening 171A.
For this reason, even when ink mist, dust, or the like is generated by printing or the like and floats around the imaging device 17, they are attached to the imaging unit 172 or the light source unit 173 inside the housing 171. Shooting by the imaging device 17 can be performed quickly while preventing it.

(Embodiment 2)
An embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In addition, about the component same as Embodiment 1, the same number is used and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Configuration of Cover Unit 175a]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging device 17a.
The cover unit 175a includes a gas supply pipe 175A, a cylinder 175B, a shaft 175C, and a cover portion 175Da, and can open and close the opening 171A. In the present embodiment, when compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174, the opening 171A is opened, and when compressed air is not supplied, the opening 171A is closed.
Here, since the gas supply pipe 175A and the outlet 175A1 formed in the gas supply pipe 175A are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

The cylinder 175B is cylindrical. In this embodiment, they are arranged substantially horizontally in the Y direction. The portion on the −Y side is open, and the portion on the + Y side is connected to the gas supply pipe 175A, and compressed air is supplied.
The shaft 175C is rod-shaped. It is inside the cylinder 175B and can move in a substantially horizontal direction along the cylinder. Further, the cylinder 175B is blocked by the + Y side portion. The operation of the cylinder 175B will be described later.

The cover portion 175Da includes a cover 175D2 and a compression spring 175D3 that is a spring in the present invention.
The cover 175D2 is a plate having a flat surface. By moving, the opening 171A is covered and closed, or opened without being covered. Further, it is fixed to the shaft 175C.
Further, a groove 171C is formed in the housing 171. The groove 171C has a role that allows the cover 175D2 to easily move within a predetermined range.
Therefore, the cover 175D2 can move in the substantially horizontal direction along the groove 171C in accordance with the almost horizontal movement of the shaft 175C, and can open and close the opening 171A.
The compression spring 175D3 has one end fixed to the shaft 175C and the other end fixed to the housing 171.

When the compressed air supplied from the gas supply unit 174 is supplied to the cylinder 175B via the gas supply pipe 175A, the pressure in the space blocked by the shaft 175C in the cylinder 175B rises, and the shaft 175C becomes a compression spring. It moves in the -Y direction against the restoring force of 175D3.
When compressed air is not supplied, air is discharged through the outlet 175A1, the pressure is reduced, and the shaft 175C moves in the + Y direction by the restoring force of the compression spring 175D3.

[Opening / Closing Operation of Opening 171A by Cover Unit 175a]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging device 17a in a state where the opening 171A is open. FIG. 9 is a bottom view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging device 17a in a state where the opening 171A is open.
In the cover unit 175a, in order to open the opening 171A, compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the gas supply pipe 175A. Then, compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 175B connected to the gas supply pipe 175A, and the pressure inside the cylinder 175B increases. Then, the shaft 175C moves in the −Y direction against the restoring force of the compression spring 175D3, and the cover 175D2 moves along the groove 171C to open the opening 171A. As a result, the imaging device 17 is in a state in which the imaging area of the medium A can be captured using the imaging unit 172 and the light source unit 173.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, compressed air is supplied into the housing 171 from the outlet 175 </ b> A <b> 1. Therefore, in the opening 171A, an air flow is generated from the inside of the housing 171 toward the outside of the housing 171.

  On the other hand, to close the opening 171A, the supply of compressed air from the gas supply unit 174 to the gas supply pipe 175A is stopped. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the air inside the gas supply pipe 175A and the cylinder 175B flows out from the outflow port 175A1, and the pressure drops to the same pressure as the surroundings. At the same time, the restoring force of the compression spring 175D3 moves the shaft 175C in the + Y direction, and the cover 175D2 moves along the groove 171C, thereby closing the opening 171A.

  Consider a case where an unexpected situation such as a power failure occurs when the imaging device 17 opens the opening 171A for photographing. In such a case, the gas supply unit 174 can no longer generate compressed air, and stops supplying compressed air. Therefore, similarly to the operation for closing the opening 171A, the shaft 175C moves in the + Y direction by the restoring force of the compression spring 175D3, and the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the imaging device 17a according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A, the cover 175D2 prevents ink mist, dust, etc. floating around the imaging device 17a from entering the housing 171 through the opening 171A. Can be prevented. Further, when the cover 175D2 opens the opening 171A, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the inside of the housing 171 flows out of the housing 171 through the opening 171A. As a result, ink mist, dust, etc. floating around the imaging device 17a can be prevented from entering the housing 171 through the opening 171A.
For this reason, even when ink mist, dust, or the like is floating around the imaging device 17a, the imaging device 17a prevents the ink mist and dust from adhering to the imaging unit 172, the light source unit 173, and the like inside the housing 171. Shooting can be done quickly.

Further, when compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174 through the gas supply pipe 175A, the pressure inside the cylinder 175B rises, and the shaft 175C resists the restoring force of the compression spring 175D3, and the -Y direction. Move to. As a result, the cover 175D2 moves to open the opening 171A, and the imaging device 17 can shoot. On the other hand, when there is no supply of compressed air, the pressure inside the cylinder 175B drops to the same pressure as the surroundings, and the shaft 175C moves in the + Y direction by the restoring force of the compression spring 175D3. As a result, the cover 175D2 moves and the opening 171A closes.
For this reason, even if an unexpected situation such as a power failure occurs during shooting by the imaging device 17a, the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A by the restoring force of the compression spring 175D3, so the imaging unit 172 inside the housing 171 It is possible to prevent ink mist and dust from adhering to the light source unit 173 and the like.

Further, as described above, according to the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the imaging device 17a, when the cover 175D2 closes the opening 171A, the cover 175D2 causes ink mist or dust floating around the imaging device 17 to pass through the opening 171A. Can be prevented from entering. Further, when the cover 175D2 opens the opening 171A, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the inside of the housing 171 flows out of the housing 171 through the opening 171A. As a result, ink mist, dust, etc. floating around the imaging device 17a can be prevented from entering the housing 171 through the opening 171A.
For this reason, even when ink mist, dust, or the like is generated by printing or the like and floats around the imaging device 17, they are attached to the imaging unit 172 or the light source unit 173 inside the housing 171. Shooting by the imaging device 17a can be performed quickly while preventing it.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging device 17b according to the first modification.
In the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the gas supply pipe 175 </ b> A is described as having a configuration in which the outlet 175 </ b> A <b> 1 is formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
Hereinafter, the imaging device 17b according to Modification 1 will be described. In addition, about the component same as Embodiment 1, the same number is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the cover unit 175b of the first modification, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, an outlet 175B1 is formed at the lower portion of the cylinder 175Bb.
Outflow port 175B1 is an opening that is sufficiently smaller than the tube diameter of gas supply tube 175A. When compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the cylinder 175Bb via the gas supply pipe 175A, the pressure of the compressed air inside the cylinder 175Bb is maintained and the gas supply pipe is inside the housing 171. Compressed air is supplied to a space outside 175A and cylinder 175Bb.
However, in a state where the lower end of the shaft 175C is located below the outlet 175B1, the space blocked by the shaft 175C in the cylinder 175Bb and the outlet 175B1 are not directly connected, and the supplied compressed air flows. It does not pass through the exit 175B1.

In order to open the opening 171A, the compressed air is supplied from the gas supply unit 174 to the gas supply pipe 175A as in the first embodiment.
Here, in a state where the lower end of the shaft 175C is located below the outlet 175B1, that is, in a state where the cover 175D2 covers most of the opening 171A, compressed air is supplied from the outlet 175A1 to the inside of the casing 171. To be supplied. In a state where the lower end of the shaft 175C is located above the outlet 175B1, that is, in a state where the cover 175D2 opens the opening 171A more than a certain amount, compressed air is supplied from both the outlet 175A1 and the outlet 175B1. It is supplied to the inside of the housing 171.

As described above, according to the imaging device 17b according to the present modification, in addition to the effects in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the operation of opening the opening 171A, the number of outlets that supply compressed air to the inside of the housing 171 increases stepwise. Therefore, the flow of air generated from the inside of the housing 171 to the outside of the housing in the opening 171A is gentle and does not prevent the cover 175D2 from moving away from the opening 171A.
Therefore, the opening 171A can be opened smoothly.
In addition, when the cover 175D2 has the opening 171A opened for a certain amount or more, compressed air is supplied from the plurality of outlets to the inside of the housing 171. Therefore, the flow of air toward the outside of the housing is more reliably performed. Occur.

(Other variations)
Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the gas supply part 174 was an apparatus which produces | generates compressed air, such as a compressor, for example, it is not restricted to this. It may be a normally closed (open when energized) solenoid valve for controlling compressed air supplied from another device through the pipe. As another device, for example, a compressed air supply device that supplies compressed air to various devices can be used.
Moreover, the gas supply part which stores and supplies the compressed air supplied through piping from another apparatus may be sufficient. This is composed of at least a storage tank, a pressure regulating valve, and a normally closed (open when energized) solenoid valve.
Further, as the power for generating the compressed air, the power of a fan used for drying the medium A after printing by the printer 10 or the power of various motors used for conveying the medium A may be used.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the gas supply unit 174 is disposed on the carriage 13 together with other components of the imaging device 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be arranged at any location in the printer 10.
In this case, the gas supply unit 174 may be electrically connected to the control unit 15 without using the main circuit board 19. Then, compressed air is supplied into the housing 171 based on the drive command from the imaging control means 154C.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 11 ... Supply unit, 12 ... Conveyance unit, 13 ... Carriage, 14 ... Carriage movement unit, 15 ... Control unit, 16 ... Printing part, 17, 17a, 17b ... Imaging device (sensor unit), 19 ... Main Circuit board, 30 ... Maintenance box, 161 ... Nozzle unit (inkjet head), 161A ... Nozzle, 171 ... Housing, 172 ... Imaging unit, 173 ... Light source unit, 174 ... Gas supply unit, 175, 175a, 175b ... Cover unit , 171A ... opening, 171B ... outlet, 171C ... groove, 175A ... gas supply pipe, 175B, 175Bb ... cylinder, 175C ... shaft, 175D, 175Da ... cover part, 175A1 ... outlet, 175B1 ... outlet, 175D1 ... Arm, 175D2 ... Cover, 175D3 Compression spring (spring), A ... media.

Claims (4)

A sensor unit having an opening in a housing,
A cover unit capable of opening and closing the opening;
A sensor unit comprising: a gas supply unit that supplies gas into the housing. The sensor unit of claim 1,
The cover unit is
A gas supply pipe to which gas is supplied from the gas supply unit;
A cylinder connected to the gas supply pipe;
A shaft disposed within the cylinder and moving along the cylinder;
A cover part connected to the shaft and opening and closing the opening part by movement of the shaft;
An outlet that is provided in the gas supply pipe or the cylinder and allows gas to flow out from the inside of the gas supply pipe or the cylinder;
The cylinder is arranged vertically,
The cover part is
An arm connected to the shaft and moving vertically by the vertical movement of the shaft;
A sensor unit comprising: a cover connected to the arm and moving so as to open and close the opening. The sensor unit of claim 1,
The cover unit is
A gas supply pipe to which gas is supplied from the gas supply unit;
A cylinder connected to the gas supply pipe;
A shaft disposed within the cylinder and moving along the cylinder;
A cover part connected to the shaft and opening and closing the opening part by movement of the shaft;
An outlet that is provided in the gas supply pipe or the cylinder and allows gas to flow out from the inside of the gas supply pipe or the cylinder;
The cover part is
A spring having one end connected to the shaft and the other end connected to the housing;
A sensor unit, comprising: a cover connected to the shaft and moving so as to open and close the opening as the spring expands and contracts. A sensor unit having a housing having an opening, a cover unit capable of opening and closing the opening, and a gas supply unit for supplying gas to the inside of the housing;
An ink jet head that ejects ink.

Images