JP2021146612A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of suppressing increase of cost.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises: a first head 20 having a plurality of first nozzles 21 which discharges a photo-curing ink; a second head 30 having a plurality of second nozzles 31 which discharges a photo-curing ink, and being arranged at an interval between itself and the first head 20 in a first direction; a scanning mechanism 60 for reciprocating the first and second heads 20, 30 in a second direction crossing the first direction; a first radiation part 40 which is arranged in the second direction so as to be overlapped to the first head 20 in view from the second direction, and has a first light source 41 radiating light; and a second radiation part 50 which is arranged in the second direction so as to be overlapped to the second head 30 in view from the second direction, has a second light source 51 radiating light, and is arranged at an interval with the first radiation part 40 in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

As a conventional printing apparatus, the droplet ejection apparatus of Patent Document 1 below is known. In this droplet ejection device, two recording heads and two light irradiation units are provided in the head unit, and the two recording heads are arranged in a row with a space between them in the Y direction. The two light irradiation units are arranged so as to sandwich the two recording heads between each other in the X direction orthogonal to the Y direction. Each light irradiation unit extends over two recording heads in the Y direction and is provided with a plurality of LEDs.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-166494

In the above printing apparatus, while the head unit moves in the X direction, UV ink is ejected from the recording head to the recording medium, and UV light is emitted from the LED of the light irradiation unit upstream in the moving direction. The UV ink is cured by this UV light and printed on a recording medium.

Therefore, among the LEDs of the light irradiation unit, the LED that overlaps with the recording head in the X direction contributes to the curing of the UV ink. However, among the LEDs of the light irradiation unit, the LEDs in the range overlapping the space between the two recording heads in the X direction are not used for curing the UV ink and are wasted. This leads to an increase in the cost of the droplet ejection device.

In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in cost.

The printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has a first head having a plurality of first nozzles for ejecting photocurable ink and a plurality of second nozzles for ejecting photocurable ink. A second head arranged at a distance from the first head in the direction, a scanning mechanism for reciprocating the first head and the second head in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second head. A first irradiation unit having a first light source that irradiates light and is arranged side by side in the second direction so as to overlap the first head when viewed from a direction, and overlaps the second head when viewed from the second direction. A second light source that is arranged side by side in the second direction and irradiates light, and a second irradiation unit that is arranged at a distance from the first irradiation unit in the first direction. There is.

The present invention has an effect that it is possible to provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in cost.

The above objectives, other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the lid of the housing is opened. It is the figure which looked at the head unit from below. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of a printing apparatus. It is a figure which looked at the head unit in the printing apparatus which concerns on the modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of this invention from the bottom. It is a figure which looked at the head unit in the printing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention from the bottom. It is a figure which looked at the head unit in the printing apparatus which concerns on the modification 2 of Embodiment 2 of this invention from the bottom. FIG. 7A is a view of the head unit in the printing apparatus according to the third modification of the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the printing apparatus of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is a view of the head unit of the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the irradiation portion of FIG. 8A. It is a figure which looked at the head unit in the printing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention from the bottom. It is a figure which looked at the head unit in the printing apparatus which concerns on the modification 4 of Embodiment 4 of this invention from the bottom.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
<Configuration of printing device>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1, the printing apparatus 10 applies ink from the first head 20 and the second head 30 to a sheet-shaped printing medium M such as cloth and paper, and a three-dimensional printing medium M such as a ball and a mug. It is an inkjet printer that ejects and prints. The printing device 10 includes a housing 11, a head unit 12, a scanning mechanism 60, a transport mechanism 70, and a control unit 80 (FIG. 3). The details of the control unit 80 will be described later.

Further, the first direction in which the first head 20 and the second head 30 are lined up is referred to as a front-rear direction, and the second direction in which the first head 20 and the second head 30 are moved by the scanning mechanism 60 is referred to as a left-right direction. The direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is referred to as a vertical direction, but the arrangement of the printing device 10 is not limited to this. The first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other in the vertical direction and intersect (for example, orthogonal to each other) with each other.

The housing 11 has a main body having an opening at the upper end and a lid (not shown) that covers the upper end opening of the main body so as to be openable and closable. The main body has a box shape and has front and rear surfaces facing each other. The supply port 13 is open on the front surface, and the discharge port 14 is open on the rear surface. The housing 11 has an internal space communicating with the supply port 13 and the discharge port 14, and houses the head unit 12, the transport mechanism 70, and the control unit 80.

The scanning mechanism 60 has a pair of scanning rails 61, a carriage 62, a drive belt 63, and a scanning motor 64, and moves the head unit 12 in the left-right direction. The scanning rails 61 are long members extending in the left-right direction, and are arranged in parallel with each other so as to sandwich the head unit 12 between them. The carriage 62 is mounted with a head unit 12 and is supported so as to be able to be conveyed in the left-right direction along the scanning rail 61. The drive belt 63 is laid across in the left-right direction and is connected to the scanning motor 64. When the scanning motor 64 drives the drive belt 63, the carriage 62 reciprocates in the left-right direction along the scanning rail 61.

The transfer mechanism 70 has a stage 71, a pair of transfer rails 72, a stage support base 73, and a transfer motor 74 (FIG. 3), and moves the print medium M in the front-rear direction. The stage 71 has a rectangular flat plate shape, and the print medium M is placed on the upper surface thereof, and the distance between the print medium M and the first head 20 and the second head 30 is defined. The pair of transport rails 72 extend in the front-rear direction, penetrate the housing 11, project forward from the supply port 13, and project rearward from the discharge port 14, and support the stage support base 73 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. do. The stage support base 73 detachably supports the stage 71, for example, and is connected to the transfer motor 74. The transfer motor 74 drives the stage support base 73 to move the stage 71 in the front-rear direction.

In the head unit 12, the first head 20 and the second head 30 are arranged in the front-rear direction and mounted on the carriage 62, and the first head 20, the second head 30, the first irradiation unit 40 (FIG. 2), and the first head unit 12 are mounted. 2 The irradiation unit 50 (FIG. 2) is provided at the bottom. Ink is supplied from the tank to the first head 20 and the second head 30, and the first head 20 and the second head 30 discharge the ink. The details of the head unit 12 will be described later.

<Structure of head unit>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head unit 12 has a plurality of heads and a plurality of irradiation units. The plurality of heads are arranged in a row in the front-rear direction, and have a first head 20 and a second head 30. The plurality of irradiation units are arranged in a row in the front-rear direction, and have a first irradiation unit 40 and a second irradiation unit 50. The number of heads and the number of irradiation units are not limited to two, and may be three or more.

The first head 20 is arranged in front of the second head 30, and the first head 20 and the second head 30 are arranged side by side at intervals in the front-rear direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the front-rear direction. The first irradiation unit 40 is arranged in front of the second irradiation unit 50, and the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 are arranged side by side at intervals in the front-rear direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the front-rear direction. Has been done. The rear end of the first head 20 and the rear end of the first irradiation unit 40 are arranged in the left-right direction, and the front end of the second head 30 and the front end of the second irradiation unit 50 are arranged in the left-right direction. Therefore, the head space Sh between the rear end of the first head 20 and the front end of the second head 30, and the irradiation unit space Si between the rear end of the first irradiation unit 40 and the front end of the second irradiation unit 50 Are arranged side by side in the left-right direction so that the dimensions in the front-rear direction are equal to each other and they overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction.

The first head 20 is arranged on the left side of the first irradiation unit 40, and the first head 20 and the first irradiation unit 40 are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. There is. The second head 30 is arranged on the left side of the second irradiation unit 50, and the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50 are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. There is. The right end of the first head 20 and the right end of the second head 30 are arranged in the front-rear direction, and the left end of the first irradiation unit 40 and the left end of the second irradiation unit 50 are arranged in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the space between the right end of the first head 20 and the left end of the first irradiation unit 40 and the space between the right end of the second head 30 and the left end of the second irradiation unit 50 are dimensions in the left-right direction. Are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction so that they are equal to each other and overlap each other when viewed from the front-back direction.

For example, in unidirectional printing, liquid is discharged when the first head 20 and the second head 30 move to the left side, and liquid is not discharged when the first head 20 and the second head 30 move to the right side. In this case, the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 are arranged upstream (right side) of the first head 20 and the second head 30 in the moving direction (left side) at the time of printing. Then, the first irradiation unit 40 moves following the first head 20, and the second irradiation unit 50 moves following the second head 30.

The first head 20 has a plurality of first nozzles 21, a plurality of first individual flow paths 22, a first common flow path 23, a first flow path forming body 24, and a first drive element 25. The second head 30 has a plurality of second nozzles 31, a plurality of second individual flow paths 32, a second common flow path 33, a second flow path forming body 34, and a second drive element 35. The plurality of first nozzles 21 constitute the first nozzle group 21 g, and the plurality of second nozzles 31 form the second nozzle group 31 g.

In the first nozzle group 21g, the plurality of first nozzles 21 form a nozzle row by forming a row at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. Further, a plurality of such nozzle rows are provided, and the nozzle rows are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. At this time, the nozzle rows adjacent to each other in the left-right direction may be arranged so that the first nozzles 21 are arranged in the left-right direction, or the first nozzles 21 may be arranged so as to be offset in the front-rear direction. The nozzle row may be inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. The second head 30 also has the same configuration as the first head 20 described above.

The first flow path forming body 24 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a first nozzle 21, a first individual flow path 22 and a first common flow path 23 are formed therein, of which the first nozzle 21 is formed. Is open on the underside. The first common flow path 23 extends in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of first individual flow paths 22 branch from the first common flow path 23. The upstream end of the first individual flow path 22 is connected to the first common flow path 23, and the downstream end thereof is connected to the first nozzle 21. A plurality of first nozzles 21 forming the same nozzle row communicate with each other in the same first common flow path 23. Therefore, the ink flowing through the first common flow path 23 is divided into the first individual flow paths 22 while flowing in the front-rear direction, and is supplied to the first nozzle 21. The second nozzle 31, the second individual flow path 32, the second common flow path 33, and the second flow path forming body 34 are the first nozzle 21, the first individual flow path 22, the first common flow path 23, and the first flow. Each of them has the same configuration as the road forming body 24 as described above.

The first drive element 25 is a piezoelectric element or the like, which is provided corresponding to the first individual flow path 22 and drives so as to fluctuate the volume of the first individual flow path 22. As a result, the pressure for ejecting ink from the first nozzle 21 is applied to the liquid in the first individual flow path 22. The second drive element 35 has the same configuration as the first drive element 25 as described above.

The ink is a photocurable liquid. The ink ejected from the first nozzle 21 in the first head 20 (first ink) and the ink ejected from the second nozzle 31 in the second head 30 are photocurable and are photocurable. The inks may be the same or different from each other.

The first irradiation unit 40 has a plurality of first light sources 41 and a first light source substrate 42 on which the first light source 41 is mounted. The first light source 41 is, for example, an LED, which is driven by the control unit 80 and emits light (for example, ultraviolet rays) that cures the ink ejected from the first nozzle 21. Further, the second irradiation unit 50 has a plurality of second light sources 51 and a second light source substrate 52 on which the second light source 51 is mounted. The second light source 51 has the same configuration as the first light source 41 as described above.

The plurality of first light sources 41 constitute the first light source group 41 g. For example, the plurality of first light sources 41 are mounted on the lower surface of the first light source substrate 42 so that the center 41c of the first light source group 41g coincides with the center of the first light source substrate 42 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In the first light source group 41g, a plurality of first light sources 41 are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction to form a light source row, and further, the plurality of light source rows are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. They are lined up in a space. Further, the plurality of second light sources 51 form a second light source group 51g, and the second light source group 51g has the same configuration as the first light source group 41g. The light source row may be inclined with respect to the front-rear direction.

For example, the first nozzle group 21 g of the first head 20 and the first light source group 41 g of the first irradiation unit 40 are arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. Here, the first nozzle 21 and the first light source 41 are arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. Therefore, at least one first light source 41 is arranged so as to line up with respect to one first nozzle 21 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the first light source 41 can efficiently irradiate and cure the first ink ejected from the first nozzle 21 and landed on the print medium M.

For example, the second nozzle group 31 g of the second head 30 and the second light source group 51 g of the second irradiation unit 50 are arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. Here, the second nozzle 31 and the second light source 51 are arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. Therefore, at least one second light source 51 is arranged so as to line up with respect to one second nozzle 31 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the second light source 51 can efficiently irradiate and cure the first ink ejected from the first nozzle 21 and landed on the print medium M.

Here, the rearmost first nozzle 21 arranged on the rearmost side of the first nozzle group 21g is located closest to the second nozzle group 31g. The frontmost second nozzle 31 arranged on the front side of the second nozzle group 31g is located closest to the first nozzle group 21g. Then, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the first nozzle 21 at the rear end and the second nozzle 31 at the front end forms a nozzle group space Sn which is a space between the first nozzle group 21 g and the second nozzle group 31 g. doing.

Further, the rearmost first light source 41 arranged at the rearmost side of the first light source group 41g is located closest to the second light source group 51g. The second light source 51 arranged on the front side in the second light source group 51g is located closest to the first light source group 41g. Then, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the first light source 41 at the rear end and the second light source 51 at the front end forms a light source group space Sl, which is a space between the first light source group 41 g and the second light source group 51 g. doing.

In the left-right direction, the rear-end first nozzle 21 and the rear-end first light source 41 are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction, and the front-end first nozzle 21 and the front-end first light source 41 are viewed from the left-right direction. They are lined up so that they overlap each other. The second nozzle 31 at the front end and the second light source 51 at the front end are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction, and the second nozzle 31 at the rear end and the second light source 51 at the rear end overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. They are lined up. Therefore, the nozzle group space Sn and the light source group space Sl are arranged side by side so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. Therefore, since there is no first light source 41 arranged on the rear side of the first nozzle 21 at the rear end and there is no first light source 41 arranged on the front side of the first nozzle 21 at the front end, the first nozzle It is possible to reduce the useless first light source 41 that does not contribute to the curing of the first ink ejected from the 21. Further, since there is no second light source 51 arranged on the front side of the second nozzle 31 at the front end and there is no second light source 51 arranged on the rear side of the second nozzle 31 at the rear end, the second nozzle It is possible to reduce the useless second light source 51 that does not contribute to the curing of the second ink ejected from 31.

<Structure of control unit>
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, and an ASIC 84. The ASIC 84 is connected to the first drive element 25 via the first head drive circuit 26, and is connected to the second drive element 35 via the second head drive circuit 36. The ASIC 84 is connected to the first light source 41 via the first light source drive circuit 43, and is connected to the second light source 51 via the second light source drive circuit 53. The ASIC 84 is connected to the scanning motor 64 via the scanning drive circuit 65, and is connected to the transport motor 74 via the transport drive circuit 75.

The ROM 82 stores a control program, initial values, and the like for the CPU 81 to control the operation of the printing device 10. Various data used in the control program are temporarily stored in the RAM 83. By executing the control program, the CPU 81 causes at least one of the CPU 81 and the ASIC 84 to drive the first drive element 25, the second drive element 35, the first light source 41, the second light source 51, the scanning motor 64, and the transport motor 74. The print process is performed by controlling based on the print data.

<Printing process>
In the printing process, the control unit 80 controls the scanning motor 64 to execute a moving process of moving the head unit 12 in the left-right direction. Further, the control unit 80 controls the first drive element 25 to eject ink from the first head 20, and controls the second drive element 35 to execute an ejection process of ejecting ink from the second head 30. Further, the control unit 80 controls the first light source 41 to irradiate the light from the first irradiation unit 40, and controls the second light source 51 to irradiate the light from the second irradiation unit 50. The control unit 80 controls the transport motor 74 to execute a transport process for transporting the print medium M backward by a predetermined amount. The image recording process including the movement process, the ejection process, and the irradiation process and the transfer process are alternately repeated to proceed with printing.

In the image recording process, the first ink is ejected from the first nozzle 21 while the first head 20 moves to the left. As a result, the first ink lands on the print medium M facing the lower surface of the first head 20. Further, the first irradiation unit 40 irradiates light from the first light source 41 while moving to the left side following the first head 20. As a result, the print medium M facing the first light source 41 is irradiated with light, and the first ink on the print medium M is cured by the light and fixed on the print medium M.

Further, while the second head 30 moves to the left side, the second ink is ejected from the second nozzle 31. As a result, the second ink lands on the print medium M facing the lower surface of the second head 30. Further, the second irradiation unit 50 irradiates light from the second light source 51 while moving to the left side following the second head 30. As a result, the print medium M facing the second light source 51 is irradiated with light, and the second ink on the print medium M is cured by the light and fixed on the print medium M.

As described above, the first light sources 41 arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap the first nozzle 21 when viewed from the left-right direction contribute to the curing of the first ink ejected from the first nozzle 21. The second light sources 51 arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap the second nozzle 31 when viewed from the left-right direction contribute to curing the second ink ejected from the second nozzle 31. On the other hand, since the head space Sh and the irradiation portion space Si are arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction, the number of the first light source 41 and the second light source 51 that do not contribute to the curing of the ink can be reduced. It is possible to suppress the increase in cost.

Further, when the first ink ejected from the plurality of first nozzles 21 in the first head 20 and the second ink ejected from the plurality of second nozzles 31 in the second head 30 are of the same type, the first ink is second. The product cost and power consumption of the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 can be suppressed. That is, if it is possible to control lighting and extinguishing of each of the plurality of first light sources 41 and the plurality of second light sources 51, the first light source 41 and the second light source 51 are turned on or off according to the print range. , The power consumption of the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 can be suppressed. However, switching elements corresponding to the number of the first light source 41 and the second light source 51 are required, which increases the product cost. On the other hand, by properly using both or one of the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 according to the printing range, the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 can be used without increasing the number of switching elements. Power consumption and product cost can be suppressed.

<Modification example 1>
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the first modification of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of first irradiation units 40 are arranged so as to sandwich the first head 20 in the left-right direction. Further, a pair of second irradiation units 50 are arranged so as to sandwich the second head 30 in the left-right direction. Since the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50 have the same configurations as the first head 20 and the first irradiation unit 40, the description thereof will be omitted.

The first irradiation unit 40 on the left side of the pair of first irradiation units 40 is arranged upstream (left side) in the moving direction from the first head 20 when the head unit 12 moves to the right side. Therefore, the first ink ejected from the first nozzle 21 of the first head 20 can be cured by the light emitted from the first light source 41 of the first irradiation unit 40 on the left side thereof.

Further, the first irradiation unit 40 on the right side of the pair of first irradiation units 40 is arranged upstream (right side) in the moving direction from the first head 20 when the head unit 12 moves to the left side. Therefore, the first ink ejected from the first nozzle 21 of the first head 20 can be cured by the light emitted from the first light source 41 of the first irradiation unit 40 on the right side thereof. Therefore, the printing device 10 can print in both directions.

(Embodiment 2)
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first head 20 has a first flow path forming body 24 in which an ink flow path communicating with a plurality of first nozzles 21 is formed. However, the second head 30 has a second flow path forming body 34 in which an ink flow path communicating with the plurality of second nozzles 31 is formed. In the first direction, the centers 21c of the plurality of first nozzles 21 are arranged closer to the second head 30 side than the centers 24c of the first flow path forming body 24, and the centers 31c of the plurality of second nozzles 31 are second. The flow path forming body 34 is arranged closer to the first head 20 side than the center 34c.

Specifically, the flow path in the first flow path forming body 24 has a first individual flow path 22 and a first common flow path 23, and communicates with the first nozzle 21. Further, the flow path in the second flow path forming body 34 has a second individual flow path 32 and a second common flow path 33, and communicates with the second nozzle 31.

In the front-rear direction, the center 21c of the first nozzle group 21g is arranged on the second head 30 side and on the rear side of the center 24c of the first flow path forming body 24. As a result, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rear end first nozzle 21 and the rear end of the first flow path forming body 24 in the first nozzle group 21g is set between the front end first nozzle 21 and the first flow path forming body 24. It is shorter than the distance from the front end of.

In the front-rear direction, the center 31c of the second nozzle group 31g is arranged on the first head 20 side and on the front side of the center 34c of the second flow path forming body 34. As a result, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the second nozzle 31 at the front end and the front end of the second flow path forming body 34 in the second nozzle group 31g is set between the second nozzle 31 at the rear end and the second flow path forming body 34. It is shorter than the distance from the rear end.

In this way, in the front-rear direction, the first nozzle group 21 g is brought closer to the second nozzle group 31 g side with respect to the first flow path forming body 24, and the second nozzle group 31 g is moved to the second nozzle group 31 g side with respect to the second flow path forming body 34. It is moved to the 21g side of the first nozzle group. Therefore, the first nozzle group 21 g and the second nozzle group 31 g are brought close to each other.

The first nozzle group 21g is arranged on the left side of the first light source group 41g so as to overlap the first light source group 41g when viewed from the left and right. Further, the second nozzle group 31g is arranged on the left side of the second light source group 51g so as to overlap the second light source group 51g when viewed from the left and right direction. Therefore, the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 are brought close to each other so that the first light source group 41g and the second light source group 51g are also brought close to each other. Therefore, the distance between the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 is such that the center 21c of the first nozzle group 21g and the center 24c of the first flow path forming body 24 coincide with each other, and the center of the second nozzle group 31g. It is shorter than the case where the 31c and the center 34c of the second flow path forming body 34 coincide with each other. Therefore, the size of the printing apparatus 10 in the front-rear direction can be reduced.

<Modification 2>
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the second modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the first irradiation unit 40 is equipped with a first light source group 41 g including a plurality of first light sources 41 and a first light source 41. It has a first light source substrate 42 and a first casing 44 for accommodating the first light source substrate 42. The second irradiation unit 50 includes a second light source group 51 g including a plurality of second light sources 51, a second light source substrate 52 on which the second light source 51 is mounted, and a second casing 54 accommodating the second light source substrate 52. Have. In the first direction, the center 41c of the first light source group 41g is arranged closer to the second irradiation unit 50 side than the center 44c of the first casing 44, and the center of the second light source group 51g is the center 54c of the second casing 54. It is arranged closer to the first irradiation unit 40 side than the first irradiation unit 40.

Specifically, the first irradiation unit 40 has a first casing 44 that houses the first light source substrate 42. The first casing 44 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an internal space, and the first light source substrate 42 is attached so that the first light source 41 can irradiate downward. Further, the second irradiation unit 50 has a second casing 54 for accommodating the second light source substrate 52. The second irradiation unit 50, the second light source substrate 52, and the second casing 54 have the same configurations as the first irradiation unit 40, the first light source substrate 42, and the first casing 44, respectively.

In the front-rear direction, the center 41c of the first light source group 41g coincides with the center of the first light source substrate 42, and is arranged on the second irradiation unit 50 side and rear side of the center 44c of the first casing 44. .. As a result, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rear end first light source 41 and the rear end of the first casing 44 in the first light source group 41g is larger than the distance between the front end first light source 41 and the front end of the first casing 44. Is also short.

In the front-rear direction, the center 51c of the second light source group 51g coincides with the center of the second light source substrate 52, and is arranged on the first irradiation unit 40 side and the front side of the center 54c of the second casing 54. As a result, the distance between the second light source 51 at the front end and the front end of the second casing 54 in the second light source group 51g in the front-rear direction is set between the second light source 51 at the rear end and the rear end of the second flow path forming body 34. Shorter than the interval.

In this way, the first light source group 41 g and the second light source group 51 g are brought close to each other in the front-rear direction. As a result, the first light source group 41 g can be moved to the rear side in the first casing 44 and a space can be provided on the front side. Therefore, the first light source drive circuit 43 (FIG. 3) is arranged in this space for printing. The space of the device 10 can be effectively used. Further, since the second light source group 51 g can be moved to the front side and a space can be provided on the rear side in the second casing 54, a printing device such as arranging the second light source drive circuit 53 (FIG. 3) in this space is provided. The 10 spaces can be effectively used.

In the above configuration, the first light source substrate 42 and the second light source substrate 52 are brought closer to each other, so that the first light source group 41 g and the second light source group 51 g are brought closer to each other. However, in the first light source substrate 42, the first light source group 41 g is arranged closer to the second light source group 51 g side, and in the second light source substrate 52, the second light source group 51 g is arranged closer to the first light source group 41 g side. Therefore, the first light source group 41 g and the second light source group 51 g may be brought close to each other.

<Modification example 3>
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the third modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the mist of ink ejected from the plurality of first nozzles 21 and the plurality of second nozzles The mist collecting unit 15 for collecting the mist of the ink ejected from the 31 is provided. The mist collecting unit 15 is arranged between the first head 20 and the first irradiation unit 40, and between the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50.

Specifically, the mist collecting unit 15 is arranged between the first head 20 and the first irradiation unit 40, and between the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50, and is a head when viewed from the left-right direction. They are arranged in the left-right direction so as to overlap the space Sh and the irradiation unit space Si. Therefore, the mist collecting unit 15 is arranged between the first head 20 and the second irradiation unit 50, and between the second head 30 and the first irradiation unit 40.

When viewed from the left-right direction, the front end of the mist collecting unit 15 coincides with or is in front of the first nozzle 21 at the front end and the first light source 41 at the front end, and the rear end is the second nozzle 31 at the rear end. It is arranged so as to coincide with or behind the second light source 51 at the rear end. Therefore, the mist collecting unit 15 is 21 g and 31 g in each group in the left-right direction so as to overlap the first nozzle group 21 g, the second nozzle group 31 g, the first light source group 41 g and the second light source group 51 g when viewed from the left-right direction. , 41 g and 51 g are arranged side by side. The mist collecting unit 15 continuously extends in the front-rear direction over the entire lengths of the nozzle groups 21 g and 31 g and the light source groups 41 g and 51 g, respectively.

The mist collecting unit 15 has an internal space, a suction port 16, a filter 17, and a fan 18, and the internal space communicates with the outside by the suction port 16. The suction port 16 opens on the lower surface of the mist collecting portion 15 and is covered with the filter 17. The fan 18 is arranged on the side opposite to the suction port 16 side of the filter 17 in the internal space, and its drive is controlled by the control unit 80 (FIG. 3).

When the fan 18 is driven, air is sucked into the internal space from the suction port 16 through the filter 17. At this time, the mist collecting unit 15 is arranged upstream of the first head 20 and the second head 30 in the moving direction, and moves thereafter, so that the ink discharged from the first nozzle 21 and the second nozzle 31 Inhale the mist. This mist is sucked from the suction port 16 and captured by the filter 17. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the mist from adhering to the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50 arranged upstream of the mist collection unit 15, and the irradiation light from the first light source 41 and the second light source 51. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the strength of the light source.

Further, the mist collecting unit 15 is arranged between the first head 20 and the second irradiation unit 50, and between the second head 30 and the first irradiation unit 40. Mist from the first head 20 and the second head 30 floats in this range, and the concentration of the mist is higher than the others. Therefore, the mist of the first head 20 and the second head 30 can be efficiently collected.

Further, the first head 20, the second head 30, the first irradiation unit 40, and the second irradiation unit 50 are arranged with the mist collecting unit 15 sandwiched between them. Therefore, the distance between the first head 20 and the first irradiation unit 40 and the distance between the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50 can be made as large as possible while suppressing the increase in size of the printing apparatus 10. Therefore, the light from the first irradiation unit 40 is prevented from being reflected by the print medium M and irradiated to the first head 20, and the light from the second irradiation unit 50 is reflected by the print medium M and is reflected by the second head. In order to prevent the 30 from being irradiated, it is possible to prevent the inks of the first head 20 and the second head 30 from being cured.

Further, the mist collecting unit 15 is continuously arranged between the first head 20 and the first irradiation unit 40 and between the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50. As a result, the mist collecting unit 15 can collect the mist from the first head 20 and the second head 30 without a break over the first head 20 and the second head 30 in the front-rear direction, so that the mist can be collected more reliably. Can be prevented from adhering to the first irradiation unit 40 and the second irradiation unit 50.

(Embodiment 3)
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first irradiation unit 40 includes a first light source group 41g including a plurality of first light sources 41, and a first light source group 40. It has a first light source substrate 42 on which the light source 41 is mounted, and a first casing 44 that houses the first light source substrate 42. The second irradiation unit 50 includes a second light source group 51 g including a plurality of second light sources 51, a second light source substrate 52 on which the second light source 51 is mounted, and a second casing 54 accommodating the second light source substrate 52. Have. In the second direction, the center 41c of the first light source group 41g is arranged closer to the side away from the first head 20 than the center 44c of the first casing 44, and the center 51c of the second light source group 51g is the second casing 54. It is arranged closer to the side away from the second head 30 than the center 54c.

Specifically, in the left-right direction, the center 41c of the first light source group 41g coincides with, for example, the center of the first light source substrate 42, and is on the opposite side of the first casing 44 from the center 44c on the first head 20 side. It is located on the right side. As a result, the distance between the rightmost first light source 41 arranged on the rightmost side in the first light source group 41g and the right end of the first casing 44 is the leftmost first light source arranged on the leftmost side in the first light source group 41g. It is shorter than the distance between the one light source 41 and the left end of the first casing 44.

In the left-right direction, the center 51c of the second light source group 51g coincides with the center of the second light source substrate 52, and is arranged on the right side opposite to the center 54c of the second casing 54 on the second head 30 side. Has been done. As a result, the distance between the rightmost second light source 51 arranged on the rightmost side in the second light source group 51g and the right end of the second casing 54 is the leftmost second light source arranged on the leftmost side in the second light source group 51g. It is shorter than the distance between the two light sources 51 and the left end of the second casing 54.

As described above, the first light source group 41g is separated from the first nozzle group 21g as compared with the case where the center 41c of the first light source group 41g coincides with the center 44c of the first casing 44. Therefore, while suppressing the increase in size of the printing device 10 in the left-right direction, the distance between the first nozzle group 21 g and the first light source group 41 g is widened, and the mist from the first nozzle 21 adheres to the first irradiation unit 40. It is possible to prevent the light from the first irradiation unit 40 from being reflected by the print medium M and being irradiated to the first head 20. Further, the same action and effect can be exerted on the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50.

Further, in the left-right direction, the distance between the first nozzle group 21g and the first light source group 41g is wider than the case where the center 41c of the first light source group 41g coincides with the center 44c of the first casing 44. The first light source group 41 g is moved to the opposite side of the first nozzle group 21 g with respect to one casing 44. Therefore, in the first casing 44, a space can be provided on the 41g side of the first light source group. Therefore, the first light source drive circuit 43 and the like may be accommodated in this space. Further, the same action and effect can be exerted on the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50.

For example, the first casing 44 accommodates a first light source drive board 43b on which a first light source drive circuit 43 that turns on and off the first light source 41 is mounted. Since the first light source drive substrate 43b is electrically connected to the first light source 41 by the lead wire 49, the space of the printing device 10 is effectively utilized while suppressing the increase in size of the printing device 10 in the left-right direction. be able to. Further, the second casing 54 accommodates a second light source drive board 53b on which a second light source drive circuit 53 for turning on and off the second light source 51 is mounted. Therefore, the same actions and effects as those of the first irradiation unit 40 described above can be exhibited in the second irradiation unit 50 as well.

Further, the first casing 44 houses the first heat sink 45 and the first fan 46, and the first cooling opening 45a is opened. A second heat sink 55 and a second fan 56 are housed in the second casing 54, and a second cooling opening 55a is opened. The first heat sink 45 and the second heat sink 55 are made of a metal such as aluminum, and have, for example, a plate-shaped portion and a plurality of fins. Since the second heat sink 55 has the same configuration, action, and effect as the first heat sink 45, the description thereof will be omitted below.

The plate-shaped portion has a flat plate shape, and the upper surface of the first light source substrate 42 is fixed to the lower surface thereof. The fins have a flat plate shape, a rod shape, or the like, and project upward from the plate-shaped portion. The first fan 46 is arranged above the first heat sink 45, and its drive is controlled by the control unit 80 (FIG. 3). The cooling opening 45a opens in the right wall of the first casing 44 and is arranged so as to face the first heat sink 45.

When the first fan 46 is driven, the first fan 46 blows air toward the first heat sink 45 to cool the first heat sink 45. As a result, the first light source 41, which generates a large amount of heat, is absorbed by the first heat sink 45 and cooled, so that it is possible to reduce the shortening of the life of the first light source 41 due to heat.

(Embodiment 4)
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first irradiation unit 40 is connected to a first light source group 41 g including a plurality of first light sources 41 and a plurality of first light sources 41, respectively. It has a first wiring group 47g including a plurality of the first wirings 47. The second irradiation unit 50 has a second light source group 51 g including a plurality of second light sources 51, and a second wiring group 57 g including a plurality of second wires 57 connected to the plurality of second light sources 51, respectively. ing. In the second direction, the first wiring group 47g is arranged closer to the first head 20 side than the first light source group 41g, and the second wiring group 57g is closer to the second head 30 side than the second light source group 51g. Have been placed.

Specifically, the first irradiation unit 40 has a first wiring 47 electrically connected to the first light source 41 and a first connector 48 electrically connected to the first wiring 47. .. The first connector 48 is mounted on the first light source substrate 42, and is arranged on the opposite side (front side) of the first light source group 41 g on the second irradiation unit 50 side. Further, the second irradiation unit 50 has a second wiring 57 electrically connected to the second light source 51 and a second connector 58 electrically connected to the second wiring 57. The second connector 58 is mounted on the second light source substrate 52 and is arranged on the opposite side (rear side) of the first irradiation unit 40 side from the second light source group 51g. The second wiring 57 and the second connector 58 in the second irradiation unit 50 have the same configurations, actions, and effects as those of the first wiring 47 and the first connector 48 in the first irradiation unit 40, respectively. Omit.

In the first light source group 41g, a plurality of first light sources 41 form a light source array in which the first light sources 41 are arranged in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of (for example, four) light source sequences are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. The first wiring 47 extends in the front-rear direction and is connected in series to each of the plurality of first light sources 41 constituting the light source row, and both ends are connected to the first connector 48. Therefore, the first light source 41 of the four light source trains is connected to the same first connector 48 by the four first wires 47, respectively.

One side of the first wiring 47 extends forward from the first light source 41 at the front end and is connected to the first connector 48. Further, the other side of the first wiring 47 extends rearward from the first light source 41 at the rear end, bends behind the first light source group 41g to change the traveling direction, and is forward on the left side of the first light source group 41g. It extends to and is connected to the first connector 48. Therefore, the first wiring group 47g including the four first wirings 47 is arranged on the first head 20 side and on the left side of the first light source group 41g.

As described above, in the left-right direction, the first light source group 41 g is arranged so as to sandwich the first wiring group 47 g with the first nozzle group 21 g. Since the first light source group 41g is arranged away from the first nozzle group 21g by the first wiring group 47g, the first nozzle group 21g and the first light source group 21g and the first light source group are suppressed while suppressing the enlargement of the printing device 10 in the left-right direction. By widening the distance from the group 41 g, the mist from the first nozzle 21 may adhere to the first irradiation unit 40, or the light from the first irradiation unit 40 may be reflected by the print medium M and irradiated to the first head 20. It can be prevented from doing so.

<Modification example 4>
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the fourth modification of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first irradiation unit 40 is electrically connected to the first light source group 41 g including the plurality of first light sources 41 and the first light source 41. It has a first light source board 42 on which a first connector 48, a first light source 41, and a first connector 48 are mounted, and a first casing 44 for accommodating the first light source board 42. The second irradiation unit 50 is equipped with a second light source group 51 g including a plurality of second light sources 51, a second connector 58 electrically connected to the second light source 51, a second light source 51, and a second connector 58. It has a second light source substrate 52 and a second casing 54 that houses the second light source substrate 52. In the first direction, the first connector 48 is arranged closer to the side away from the second irradiation unit 50 than the center 44c of the first casing 44, and the second connector 58 is the first irradiation from the center 54c of the second casing 54. It is arranged closer to the side away from the portion 40.

As described above, the first connector 48 is arranged on the opposite side (front side) of the center 44c of the first casing 44 on the side of the second irradiation unit 50 in the front-rear direction, and is, for example, the first light source 41 at the front end. It is arranged between the first casing 44 and the front end. Therefore, the lead wire connected to the first connector 48 does not extend from the first connector 48 to the second irradiation unit 50 side, so that the lead wire extends beyond the second irradiation unit 50 to the first light source drive circuit 43 ( It is not necessary to connect to the circuit shown in FIG. 3), and it can be easily connected to the circuit.

The second connector 58 is arranged in the front-rear direction on the side opposite to the center 54c of the second casing 54 on the side opposite to the first irradiation unit 40, and is, for example, after the second light source 51 and the second casing 54 at the rear end. It is placed between the edges. Therefore, the lead wire connected to the second connector 58 does not extend from the second connector 58 to the first irradiation unit 40 side, so that the lead wire extends beyond the first irradiation unit 40 to the second light source drive circuit 53 ( It is not necessary to connect to the circuit shown in FIG. 3), and it can be easily connected to the circuit.

(Embodiment 5)
In the printing apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the first irradiation unit 40 is electrically connected to the first light source group 41 g including the plurality of first light sources 41 and the plurality of first light sources 41. It has a first connector 48 connected to. The second irradiation unit 50 has a second light source group 51 g including a plurality of second light sources 51, and a second connector 58 electrically connected to the plurality of second light sources 51. In the second direction, the first connector 48 is arranged closer to the first head 20 side than the first light source group 41 g, and the second connector 58 is arranged closer to the second head 30 side than the second light source group 51 g. ing.

Specifically, the first connector 48 is mounted on the first light source substrate 42, and is arranged on the 21 g side (left side) of the first nozzle group with respect to the first light source group 41 g. Therefore, the first light source group 41g is arranged with the first connector 48 sandwiched between the first light source group 41g and the first nozzle group 21g in the left-right direction. Further, the second connector 58 is mounted on the second light source substrate 52 and is arranged at 31 g (left side) of the second nozzle group rather than 51 g of the second light source group. Therefore, the second light source group 51g is arranged with the second connector 58 sandwiched between the second light source group 51g and the second nozzle group 31g in the left-right direction. The distance between the first irradiation unit 40 and the first irradiation unit 40 can be made as large as possible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the mist from the first nozzle 21 from adhering to the first irradiation unit 40 and the light from the first irradiation unit 40 being reflected by the print medium M and being irradiated to the first head 20. Can be done. Further, the second head 30 and the second irradiation unit 50 can also exert the same action and effect.

In addition, all the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other as long as the other party is not excluded from each other. For example, the second embodiment is described in the first embodiment and the modified example 1, the modified example 2 is described in the first embodiment and the modified example 1, and the modified example 3 is described in the first embodiment and the modified examples 1 and 2. 3 is described in the first and second embodiments and the first and third embodiments, the fourth embodiment is described in the first to third embodiments and the first to third embodiments, and the fourth embodiment is described in the first to fourth embodiments and the first to third embodiments. In 3, the fifth embodiment may be applied to the first to third embodiments and the first to fourth modifications.

Also, from the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as an example only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best aspects of carrying out the present invention. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The printing apparatus of the present invention is useful as a printing apparatus or the like capable of suppressing an increase in cost.

10: Printing device 15: Mist collecting unit 20: First head 21: First nozzle 21c: Center 24: First flow path forming body 24c: Center 30: Second head 31: Second nozzle 31c: Center 34: Second Channel forming body 34c: Center 40: First irradiation unit 41: First light source 41c: Center 41g: First light source group 42: First light source substrate 44: First casing 44a: Center 47: First wiring 47g: First Wiring group 48: First connector 50: Second irradiation unit 51: Second light source 51a: Second light source group 51c: Center 51 g: Light source group 52: Second light source substrate 52c: Center 54: Second casing 57: Second wiring 57g: 2nd wiring group 58: 2nd connector 60: Scanning mechanism

Claims (11)

A first head having a plurality of first nozzles for ejecting photocurable ink,
A second head having a plurality of second nozzles for ejecting photocurable ink and arranged at intervals from the first head in the first direction.
A scanning mechanism that reciprocates the first head and the second head in a second direction intersecting the first direction.
A first irradiation unit having a first light source that is arranged side by side in the second direction and irradiates light so as to overlap the first head when viewed from the second direction.
It has a second light source that is arranged side by side in the second direction so as to overlap the second head when viewed from the second direction and irradiates light, and is spaced from the first irradiation unit in the first direction. A printing apparatus including a second irradiation unit arranged in the same direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink ejected from the plurality of first nozzles and the ink ejected from the plurality of second nozzles are of the same type. The first head has a first flow path forming body in which a flow path of the ink communicating with the plurality of first nozzles is formed.
The second head has a second flow path forming body in which a flow path of the ink communicating with the plurality of second nozzles is formed.
In the first direction, the centers of the plurality of first nozzles are arranged closer to the second head side than the center of the first flow path forming body, and the centers of the plurality of second nozzles are the centers of the second flow. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is arranged closer to the first head side than the center of the road forming body. A mist collecting unit for collecting the mist of the ink ejected from the plurality of first nozzles and the mist of the ink ejected from the plurality of second nozzles is provided.
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mist collecting unit is arranged between the first head and the first irradiation unit and between the second head and the second irradiation unit. The printing apparatus described in the section. The fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the mist collecting unit is continuously arranged between the first head and the first irradiation unit and between the second head and the second irradiation unit. Printing device. The first irradiation unit includes a first light source group including a plurality of the first light sources, a first light source substrate on which the first light source is mounted, and a first casing accommodating the first light source substrate.
The second irradiation unit has a second light source group including a plurality of the second light sources, a second light source substrate on which the second light source is mounted, and a second casing accommodating the second light source substrate.
In the first direction, the center of the first light source group is arranged closer to the second irradiation portion side than the center of the first casing, and the center of the second light source group is closer to the center of the second casing. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is arranged closer to the first irradiation unit side. The first irradiation unit includes a first light source group including a plurality of the first light sources, a first light source substrate on which the first light source is mounted, and a first casing accommodating the first light source substrate.
The second irradiation unit has a second light source group including a plurality of the second light sources, a second light source substrate on which the second light source is mounted, and a second casing accommodating the second light source substrate.
In the second direction, the center of the first light source group is arranged closer to the side away from the first head than the center of the first casing, and the center of the second light source group is closer to the center of the second casing. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the printing apparatus is arranged closer to the side away from the second head. In the first direction, the center of the first light source group is arranged closer to the second irradiation portion side than the center of the first casing, and the center of the second light source group is closer to the center of the second casing. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, which is arranged closer to the first irradiation unit side. The first irradiation unit has a first light source group including a plurality of the first light sources, and a first wiring group including a plurality of first wires connected to the plurality of the first light sources.
The second irradiation unit has a second light source group including the plurality of the second light sources, and a second wiring group including a plurality of second wirings connected to the plurality of the second light sources.
In the second direction, the first wiring group is arranged closer to the first head side than the first light source group, and the second wiring group is closer to the second head side than the second light source group. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the printing apparatus is arranged. The first irradiation unit includes a first light source group including a plurality of the first light sources, a first connector electrically connected to the first light source, the first light source, and a first connector on which the first connector is mounted. It has a light source substrate and a first casing for accommodating the first light source substrate.
The second irradiation unit is equipped with a second light source group including a plurality of the second light sources, a second connector electrically connected to the second light source, the second light source, and the second connector. It has a light source substrate and a second casing for accommodating the second light source substrate.
In the first direction, the first connector is arranged closer to the side away from the second irradiation portion than the center of the first casing, and the second connector is arranged from the center of the second casing to the first irradiation. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is arranged closer to the side away from the unit. The first irradiation unit has a first light source group including a plurality of the first light sources, and a first connector electrically connected to the plurality of the first light sources.
The second irradiation unit has a second light source group including the plurality of the second light sources, and a second connector electrically connected to the plurality of the second light sources.
In the second direction, the first connector is arranged closer to the first head side than the first light source group, and the second connector is arranged closer to the second head side than the second light source group. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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