JP5388637B2 - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a discharge target, and in particular, a liquid that can avoid contamination of a transport guide that guides the discharge target and can transport the discharge target in a stable posture. The present invention relates to a discharge device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, inkjet printers, microdispensers, and the like are widely known as devices that discharge liquid onto discharge objects (hereinafter referred to as liquid discharge devices). In recent years, devices that discharge electrode materials and color materials to flat panel displays have been developed by applying these technologies. A wide variety of apparatuses exist as liquid ejection apparatuses.

  For example, in an inkjet printer, the discharge target is paper, and the liquid discharged onto the discharge target is ink. Here, as the ink, water-based ink containing almost no oil component is mainly used. For this reason, if the state in which the ink is not ejected continues for a long time, the moisture of the ink spontaneously evaporates, resulting in nozzle clogging.

  Therefore, in an ink jet printer, in order to maintain and recover the performance of the ink jet head, an operation of ejecting a certain amount of ink not related to printing (hereinafter referred to as flushing) is performed immediately before printing or between printings. ), An operation of wiping off ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle (hereinafter referred to as wiping), and the like. Further, when printing is not performed, an operation of covering the nozzle surface of the inkjet head with a cap (hereinafter referred to as capping) is performed so that the ink is not dried.

  For example, the following inkjet printers have been proposed for performing maintenance (for example, flushing, wiping, capping, etc.) of the inkjet head.

<First example>
The first is an ink jet printer capable of maintaining / recovering a line ink jet head without reducing the printing speed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the inkjet printer 10 includes a conveyance guide 14 that guides the conveyance of the paper. Even during flushing, the conveyance guide 14 is disposed directly below the line-type inkjet head 15 as during printing. In a state where the conveyance guide 14 is disposed directly under the line type inkjet head 15, a certain amount of ink is ejected from the line type inkjet head 15 toward the opening 14 a formed in the conveyance guide 14.

  Here, the opening 14 a is formed to be elongated in the alignment direction of the nozzle rows in accordance with the size and position of the nozzle (not shown) rows in the line-type inkjet head 15. Further, the conveyance guide 14 is disposed directly below the line-type inkjet head 15 and is positioned directly below the nozzle row.

<Second example>
The second type is an ink jet printer that can be downsized and reduced in price and can realize good print quality (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, in the inkjet printer 20, a line-type inkjet head 25 is disposed on the front side of the conveyance guide 24 with the conveyance guide 24 guiding the conveyance of the paper interposed therebetween. On the back side of the conveyance guide 24, a maintenance unit 26 (for example, a cap 26a, a blade 26b, etc.) is disposed so as to face the line-type inkjet head 25. During maintenance, the maintenance unit 26 comes out from the opening 24a formed in the conveyance guide 24 to the front side of the conveyance guide 24, and various operations (for example, flushing, wiping, etc.) are performed. For example, during wiping, the blade 26b moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the line-type inkjet head 25, and ink attached to the tip of the nozzle (not shown) of the line-type inkjet head 25 is wiped off. Further, at the time of capping, the nozzle surface of the line-type inkjet head 25 is covered with the cap 26a, and the tip of the nozzle (not shown) is moisturized.

  Here, the opening 24 a is formed with a size larger than the lower surface size of the line-type inkjet head 25.

JP 2006-56047 A JP 11-291511 A

However, the above conventional techniques have the following problems.
<The first problem>
First, in the ink jet printer 10 of the first example, ink is ejected toward the opening 14 a formed in the transport guide 14. At this time, a part of the ejected ink becomes countless minute droplets (hereinafter referred to as ink mist). For this reason, at the time of flushing, the ink mist adheres to the transport guide 14 and the transport guide 14 becomes dirty with the ink mist.

  Further, in the ink jet printer 10 of the first example, there is a section where the conveyance guide 14 is not disposed between the upstream conveyance roller 11 and the downstream conveyance roller 13 so that the conveyance guide 14 can be retracted in the sheet conveyance direction. Exists. For this reason, in the section where the conveyance guide 14 is not disposed, the posture of the sheet is likely to be unstable. As a result, paper jam is likely to occur.

<The second problem>
Next, in the second example inkjet printer 20, the maintenance unit 26 enters and exits from the opening 24 a formed in the transport guide 24. For this reason, at the time of flushing, the ink mist adheres to the transport guide 24, and the transport guide 24 becomes dirty with the ink mist.

  Further, in the second example inkjet printer 20, an opening 24 a having an opening width wider than the width of the line-type inkjet head 25 exists between the upstream-side conveyance roller 21 and the downstream-side conveyance roller 23. For this reason, when the width of the conveyed paper is narrower than the width of the line-type inkjet head 25, the leading edge of the paper is rolled by the opening 24a, and the posture of the paper becomes unstable. As a result, paper jam occurs.

  Of course, these problems can occur in the same manner for liquid ejection devices other than inkjet printers. That is, even in the liquid ejecting apparatus, when maintaining the liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto the ejection target, the transport guide that guides the ejection target may become dirty. In addition, when discharging liquid onto the discharge target, the space reserved for maintaining the liquid discharge head may cause problems in the transfer of the discharge target, and the discharge target is not transported in a stable posture. There is.

  Accordingly, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid ejection apparatus that can avoid the conveyance guide that guides the ejection target from becoming dirty and can transport the ejection target in a stable posture. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention has the following characteristics.
(CL1) A liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention is (a) a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects liquid onto an ejection object, and (b) the direction in which the ejection object is conveyed is defined as a first direction, (C) a liquid ejection head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are arranged, and (d) the above, when the direction orthogonal to the first direction on the ejection target surface of the ejection target is the second direction A first transport roller disposed on one side in the first direction across a liquid ejection head; a second transport roller disposed on the other side in the first direction; and (e) the first A conveyance guide for guiding the discharge target object in the first direction between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller, and (f) the conveyance guide is (f1) the first conveyance. Extends from the immediate vicinity of the roller to the immediate vicinity of the second conveying roller A plate, a narrow opening size of the second direction than the dimension of said second direction at the minimum discharge object can be conveyed, and in which the opening portion capable of advancing and retreating in the first direction is formed (F2) It is movable from either a position directly below the liquid ejection head to one of the first direction and the other.

  (CL2) In the liquid ejection device according to (CL1), (a) when ejecting liquid onto the ejection object, the transport guide is disposed directly below the liquid ejection head, and (b) the liquid When maintaining the ejection head, the conveyance guide moves in one of the first directions and the other until the conveyance guide is retracted outside the area below the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head.

  (CL3) In the liquid ejection device according to (CL1) or (CL2), (a) a cap that covers a nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head is disposed immediately below the liquid ejection head, and (b) the transport guide The opening formed in the cap allows the cap to enter and exit.

  (CL4) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to (CL3), when the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head is covered with the cap, the opening portion is in a state in which the transport guide is disposed immediately below the liquid ejecting head. The cap comes out of the nozzle, and the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head is covered with the cap.

  (CL5) In the liquid ejection device according to any one of (CL1) to (CL4), (a) when the ejection object is transported from one to the other in the first direction, (b) The shape of the edge located on the other side of the first direction in the opening is a V-shape in which the opening width decreases along the direction in which the discharge target is conveyed.

  According to the present invention, when the liquid is discharged onto the discharge target, the transport guide is disposed below the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head. Here, an opening having an opening width wider than the second direction dimension of the smallest discharge target that can be conveyed is not formed in the conveyance guide. That is, there is nothing that interferes with the conveyance of the discharge target object between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller. For this reason, a discharge target object can be conveyed with a stable posture.

  When performing maintenance on the liquid discharge head, the transport guide is retracted outside the area below the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head. That is, there is no mist generated due to the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head, liquid that has scattered or leaked from the cap, etc. attached below the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head. For this reason, it can avoid that a conveyance guide gets dirty.

  Further, when the conveyance guide is retracted, the first conveyance roller, the second conveyance roller, and the like do not move. Instead, the transport guide (thin plate) moves to one or the other in the first direction. For this reason, the drive part in a conveyance guide is realizable with simple structures like the mechanism which slides a thin plate. In addition, since the component to be retracted is only the transport guide (thin plate), the retracting operation becomes quick.

Further, even if each cap moves up and down without retracting the transport guide, it is possible to avoid interference with the transport guide, and the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head can be covered with each cap.
Further, even when liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection head, such as when the liquid ejection head is covered with a cap, it is possible to avoid retracting the transport guide and reduce the number of times of withdrawal.

  Moreover, the opening width in the opening part of a conveyance guide becomes narrow along the direction in which a discharge target object is conveyed. For this reason, it becomes easy to guide the discharge target object in a stable posture.

4 is a side view showing the liquid ejection device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printing mechanism in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a printing mechanism in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the printing mechanism in Embodiment 1 along the A1-A1 line | wire and was seen in the arrow direction. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a line type inkjet head in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a conveyance guide unit according to Embodiment 1 is closed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a conveyance guide unit according to Embodiment 1 is open. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a driving unit of a conveyance guide unit in the first embodiment. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation during printing of the printing mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation during flushing of the printing mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation at the time of capping of the printing mechanism according to the first embodiment. (A)-(C) is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of printing of the printing mechanism in the modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a printing mechanism in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a conveyance guide unit according to Embodiment 2 is closed. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a conveyance guide unit in Embodiment 2 is open. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation during capping of a printing mechanism according to a second embodiment. (A) is a side view showing the inside of the first inkjet printer during printing and flushing, and (B) is a side view showing the inside of the first inkjet printer during ink suction. (A) is a side view showing the inside at the time of printing in the second example ink jet printer, and (B) is a side view showing the inside at the time of wiping in the second example ink jet printer.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 according to the present invention will be described below.
<Overview>
The liquid ejection device according to the present embodiment has the features shown in the following (1) to (3).

  (1) The liquid ejection apparatus is (a) an apparatus for ejecting liquid onto an ejection target, and (b) a direction in which the ejection target is conveyed is defined as a first direction on the ejection target surface of the ejection target. In the case where the direction orthogonal to the first direction is the second direction, (c) a liquid discharge head in which a plurality of nozzles that discharge liquid are arranged, and (d) the first A first transport roller disposed on one side in the direction, a second transport roller disposed on the other side in the first direction, and (e) between the first transport roller and the second transport roller. And (f1) the conveyance guide can be conveyed to a thin plate extending from the immediate vicinity of the first conveyance roller to the immediate vicinity of the second conveyance roller. Opening in the second direction rather than the dimension in the second direction on the smallest discharge object. An opening having a small size and allowing the first transport roller to advance and retreat in the first direction is formed. (F2) Either one or the other in the first direction from the position directly below the liquid discharge head It can be moved.

  (2) In the liquid ejection device, (a) when ejecting liquid onto the ejection target, a transport guide is disposed directly below the liquid ejection head, and (b) when maintaining the liquid ejection head, the liquid ejection head The conveyance guide moves in one of the first direction and the other until the conveyance guide retracts outside the area below the nozzle surface.

  (3) In the liquid ejection device, (a) when the ejection object is transported from one side to the other in the first direction, (b) the shape of the edge located on the other side in the first direction in the opening However, it has a V shape in which the opening width becomes narrower along the direction in which the discharge target is conveyed.

  Based on the above points, the liquid ejection apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described using an inkjet printing apparatus as an example. Note that in an inkjet printing apparatus, a discharge target is paper, and a liquid discharged to the discharge target is ink.

<Configuration>
Here, as an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is a printing apparatus that ejects aqueous ink onto a sheet by an inkjet method. One or more sheets 50 stacked on the sheet feeding table 101 are supplied to the printing mechanism 103 by the sheet feeding mechanism 102 one by one. A raster image is printed on the paper 50 supplied to the printing mechanism 103. The paper 50 on which the raster image is printed is discharged to the paper receiving tray 105 via the paper discharge mechanism 104.

Hereinafter, the surface of the paper 50 is referred to as a printing surface. When the printing mechanism 103 is viewed from the paper discharge side, the left side is the front and the right side is the back.
<Printing mechanism 103>
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the printing mechanism 103 includes a first conveying roller unit 110, a second conveying roller unit 120, and a third conveying roller unit 130 in order from the paper feeding side. Installed on the frame 106. A plurality of line-type inkjet heads 150 are installed above the conveyance guide unit 140. A single raster image is printed by a plurality of line-type inkjet heads 150 on a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding side to the sheet discharging side.

<First conveying roller unit 110>
The first transport roller unit 110 includes a first drive roller 111 and a first driven roller 112 that forms a pair with the first drive roller 111. The first drive roller 111 is disposed on the back side of the paper being transported and actively rotates in the direction of feeding the paper in the paper transport direction. The first driven roller 112 is disposed on the front side of the paper being transported, and passively rotates in the direction of feeding the paper in the paper transport direction following the rotation of the first drive roller 111. .

<Second conveying roller unit 120>
The second conveying roller unit 120 includes a second driving roller 121 and a second driven roller 122 that forms a pair with the second driving roller 121. The second drive roller 121 is disposed on the back side of the sheet being conveyed and actively rotates in the direction of feeding the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction. The second driven roller 122 is disposed on the front surface side of the paper being transported, and passively rotates in the direction of feeding the paper in the paper transport direction following the rotation of the second drive roller 121. .

<Third conveying roller unit 130>
The third transport roller unit 130 includes a third drive roller 131 and a third driven roller 132 that forms a pair with the third drive roller 131. The third drive roller 131 is disposed on the back side of the sheet being conveyed, and actively rotates in the direction of feeding the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction. The third driven roller 132 is disposed on the front side of the sheet being conveyed, and passively rotates in the direction of feeding the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction following the rotation of the third drive roller 131. .

<Conveyance guide unit 140>
The conveyance guide unit 140 includes a first conveyance guide 141 and a second conveyance guide 142 that forms a pair with the first conveyance guide 141. The first transport guide 141 guides the paper supplied from the upstream to the second transport roller unit 120. The second conveyance guide 142 guides the sheet sent out from the second conveyance roller unit 120 to the downstream side.

<Line-type inkjet head 150>
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, three printing mechanisms 103 are provided in a portion between the first conveyance roller unit 110 and the second conveyance roller unit 120 (hereinafter referred to as a pre-stage portion). The line-type inkjet head 150 is installed. Three line-type inkjet heads 150 are installed in a portion between the second conveyance roller unit 120 and the third conveyance roller unit 130 (hereinafter referred to as a subsequent portion). The maximum printable range is shared and printed by a total of six line-type inkjet heads 150.

  Here, the maximum printable range is the maximum range that can be printed by the printing mechanism 103. For each of the front part and the rear part, the length (size in the paper conveyance direction) is longer than the length (size in the paper conveyance direction) of the smallest size paper (hereinafter referred to as the smallest paper that can be conveyed). short. The width (size in the paper width direction) is wider than the width (size in the paper width direction) of the maximum size paper that can be carried (hereinafter referred to as the maximum carryable paper).

  Each line type inkjet head 150 ejects a plurality of colors by one. A plurality of nozzles (not shown) of the same color are arranged above the conveyance guide unit 140 so that a plurality of nozzles (not shown) of each color are arranged in the paper conveyance direction. During printing, it is used in a state of being fixed above the conveyance guide section 140. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the maximum printable range is divided in the paper width direction in units of partial print areas as viewed from the paper discharge side.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, three line-type ink jet heads 150 (hereinafter referred to as first head rows 151) installed in the preceding stage are individually arranged above the odd-numbered areas. Responsible for printing odd areas. Three line-type inkjet heads 150 (hereinafter referred to as second head rows 152) installed in the rear stage are individually arranged above the even area and are responsible for printing the even area.

  Here, the partial printing region is a range that can be printed by one line-type inkjet head 150 on the printing surface. The odd area is an odd-numbered partial print area (partial print area 1, partial print area 3, partial print area 5, etc. in the figure) of the maximum printable range counted from the front. The even-numbered area is an even-numbered partial print area (partial print area 2, partial print area 4, partial print area 6, etc. in the figure) of the maximum printable range counted from the front.

<Cap 160>
In the printing mechanism 103, a rectangular opening (hereinafter referred to as a pre-stage opening 106a) is formed in a portion of the frame 106 between the first conveyance roller unit 110 and the second conveyance roller unit 120. Has been. A rectangular opening (hereinafter referred to as a rear-stage opening 106b) is formed in a portion of the frame 106 between the second conveyance roller unit 120 and the third conveyance roller unit 130. Three caps 160 are installed in the front opening 106a. Three caps 160 are installed in the rear opening 106b. At this time, three caps 160 (hereinafter referred to as first cap rows 161) installed in the front opening 106 a are individually provided directly below each line-type inkjet head 150 in the first head row 151. Be placed. Three caps 160 (hereinafter referred to as a second cap row 162) installed in the rear opening 106b are individually arranged directly below each line-type inkjet head 150 in the second head row 152. .

  Here, the front opening 106a has a length (a dimension in the paper conveyance direction) longer than a depth of the line-type inkjet head 150 (a dimension in the paper conveyance direction). The width (size in the paper width direction) is wider than the entire width (size in the paper width direction) of the first head row 151. The rear opening 106b has a length (size in the paper conveyance direction) longer than the depth (size in the paper conveyance direction) of the line-type inkjet head 150. The width (size in the paper width direction) is wider than the entire width (size in the paper width direction) of the second head row 152.

  Each cap 160 fulfills a moisturizing function. At the time of printing, it is arranged below the conveyance guide unit 140 so as to face each line-type inkjet head 150. It is disposed below each line-type inkjet head 150. At the time of flushing and wiping, it rises to the vicinity of the nozzle surface of each line-type inkjet head 150. During capping, the nozzle surface of each line-type inkjet head 150 is covered.

<Specific example of conveyance guide unit 140>
Next, the conveyance guide unit 140 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the transport guide unit 140 has a first transport guide 141 installed in the front part and a second transport guide 142 installed in the rear part.

6 and 7 are shown in a state where a part of the printing mechanism 103 is removed in order to make the structure of the conveyance guide unit 140 easy to see.
<First transport guide 141>
Specifically, the first conveyance guide 141 is a single rectangular thin plate. The width (dimension in the longitudinal direction) is wider than the width of the largest sheet that can be conveyed (dimension in the paper width direction). The length (dimension in the short direction) is equal to or longer than the minimum length of paper that can be conveyed (dimension in the paper conveyance direction). Nine holes 141a extending in the longitudinal direction are formed in the longitudinal direction. A portion between the openings 141a (hereinafter referred to as a bridge portion 141b) extends straight in the short direction, and both sides in the short direction are connected by each bridge portion 141b.

  Here, with respect to the opening 141a located on one side in the longitudinal direction (the front side of the printing mechanism 103), the opening shape is L-shaped, and one side in the short side direction (the upstream side) is the short side direction. The edge portion 141c, which is narrower than the other side (the downstream side) and is recessed on one side in the longitudinal direction, is subjected to gear cutting to form teeth along the short direction. About each opening part 141a except the opening part 141a located in one side of a longitudinal direction, opening shape is a pentagon, one edge shape of a transversal direction is U shape, and the other edge shape of a transversal direction is V-shaped.

  Further, each opening 141 a has a width (longitudinal dimension) wider than a width of the cylindrical ring part 111 b (sheet width dimension) in the first drive roller 111. About each bridge part 141b, the width | variety (longitudinal direction dimension) is narrower than the width | variety (paper width direction dimension) of the annular groove 111a in the 1st drive roller 111. FIG. The length (dimension in the short direction) is longer than the distance from the immediate upstream side of the first driving roller 111 to the immediate downstream side of the front opening 106a.

  Further, the first conveyance guide 141 is arranged in the front stage portion with the short side direction aligned with the sheet conveyance direction and the long side direction aligned with the sheet width direction. It is installed on the frame 106 of the printing mechanism 103 with the surface maintained horizontal. At this time, the opening 141 a located on one side in the longitudinal direction is disposed in front of the printing mechanism 103. Each bridge portion 141b is arranged in accordance with each annular groove 111a in the first drive roller 111 in a state in which the bridge portion 141b can advance and retreat in the paper conveyance direction. Accordingly, the V-shaped edge of the opening 141a is arranged on the downstream side in order to easily guide the sheet to the second conveying roller unit 120.

Here, for the first drive roller 111, eight annular grooves 111a in which the first conveyance guide 141 can advance and retreat in the sheet conveyance direction are formed.
<Second transport guide 142>
On the other hand, the second conveyance guide 142 is a single rectangular thin plate. The width (dimension in the longitudinal direction) is wider than the width of the largest sheet that can be conveyed (dimension in the paper width direction). The length (dimension in the short direction) is equal to or longer than the minimum length of paper that can be conveyed (dimension in the paper conveyance direction). Nine holes 142a are formed in the longitudinal direction so as to extend in the lateral direction. A portion between the openings 142a (hereinafter referred to as a bridge portion 142b) extends straight in the short direction, and both sides in the short direction are connected by each bridge portion 142b.

  Here, with respect to the opening 142a located on one side in the longitudinal direction (the front side of the printing mechanism 103), the opening shape is L-shaped, and one side in the short side direction (the upstream side) is the short side direction. The edge part 142c which is wider than the other side (the downstream side) and is recessed on one side in the longitudinal direction is subjected to gear cutting to form teeth along the short direction. About each opening part 142a except the opening part 142a located in one of a longitudinal direction, opening shape is a rectangle.

  Further, each opening 142 a has a width (longitudinal dimension) wider than a width of the cylindrical ring 131 b (sheet width dimension) in the third driving roller 131. About each bridge part 142b, the width | variety (longitudinal direction dimension) is narrower than the width | variety (paper width direction dimension) of the annular groove 131a in the 3rd drive roller 131. FIG. The length (dimension in the short direction) is longer than the distance from the immediate downstream side of the third drive roller 131 to the immediate upstream side of the rear opening 106b.

  Further, the second conveyance guide 142 is arranged in the rear stage portion with the short side direction aligned with the sheet conveyance direction and the long side direction aligned with the sheet width direction. It is installed on the frame 106 of the printing mechanism 103 with the surface maintained horizontal. At this time, the opening 142 a located on one side in the longitudinal direction is arranged in front of the printing mechanism 103. Each bridge portion 142b is arranged in accordance with each annular groove 131a in the third drive roller 131 in a state where the bridge portion 142b can advance and retreat in the paper conveyance direction.

Here, the third drive roller 131 is formed with eight annular grooves 131a through which the second conveyance guide 142 can advance and retreat in the sheet conveyance direction.
<Drive unit of conveyance guide unit 140>
Next, the drive part of the conveyance guide part 140 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the transport guide unit 140 is provided with a first drive unit 143 near the downstream side of the first drive roller 111 in front of the printing mechanism 103. A second drive unit 144 is installed in front of the printing mechanism 103 and on the upstream side of the third drive roller 131.

<First driving unit 143>
The first drive unit 143 includes a motor 143a controlled by a control unit (not shown) provided in the printing mechanism 103, and a small-diameter circular gear 143b attached to the shaft tip of the motor 143a.

Here, as for the small-diameter circular gear 143b, teeth that mesh with teeth formed on the edge portion 141c of the first conveyance guide 141 are formed on the outer periphery.
The first driving unit 143 has a small-diameter circular gear 143 b disposed near the downstream side of the first driving roller 111 in front of the printing mechanism 103 with the shaft axial direction aligned with the vertical direction. The motor 143a is installed on the frame 106 of the printing mechanism 103 in a state where the teeth formed on the edge portion 141c and the small-diameter circular gear 143b mesh with each other. By driving the motor 143a, the first conveyance guide 141 moves in the paper width direction.

<Second driving unit 144>
The second drive unit 144 includes a motor 144a controlled by a control unit (not shown) provided in the printing mechanism 103, and a small-diameter circular gear 144b attached to the shaft tip of the motor 144a.

Here, as for the small-diameter circular gear 144b, teeth that mesh with teeth formed on the edge 142c of the second conveyance guide 142 are formed on the outer periphery.
In the second drive unit 144, the axial direction of the shaft is aligned with the vertical direction, and a small-diameter circular gear 144 b is disposed on the upstream side of the third drive roller 131 in front of the printing mechanism 103. The motor 144a is installed on the frame 106 of the printing mechanism 103 in a state where the teeth formed on the edge 142c and the small-diameter circular gear 144b mesh with each other. By driving the motor 144a, the second transport guide 142 moves in the paper width direction.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the printing mechanism 103 will be described. Here, operations during printing, operations during flushing, and operations during capping will be described.

  When the first transport guide 141 is retracted outside the area below each nozzle surface in the first head row 151, the discharge side of the first transport guide 141 is directed toward the paper feed side of the printing mechanism 103. Moving. Further, when the first transport guide 141 returns to the area below each nozzle surface in the first head row 151, the discharge side of the first transport guide 141 moves toward the discharge side of the printing mechanism 103. To do.

  Similarly, when the second transport guide 142 is retracted outside the area below each nozzle surface in the second head row 152, the second transport guide 142 feeds toward the paper discharge side of the printing mechanism 103. The side moves. Further, when the second transport guide 142 returns to the area below each nozzle surface in the second head row 152, the paper feed side of the second transport guide 142 moves toward the paper feed side of the printing mechanism 103. To do.

9 to 11 are displayed with the frame 106 removed in order to make the structure of the printing mechanism 103 easier to see.
<When printing>
As shown in FIG. 9, the printing mechanism 103 is arranged below the first head row 151 so as to extend from the immediate upstream side of the first driving roller 111 to the immediate upstream side of the second driving roller 121 during printing. A first transport guide 141 is disposed. The sheet fed from the first drive roller 111 is guided to the second drive roller 121 by the first transport guide 141.

  Similarly, the second transport guide 142 is disposed below the second head row 152 so as to extend from the immediate downstream side of the third drive roller 131 to the immediate downstream side of the second drive roller 121. The sheet fed from the second drive roller 121 is guided to the third drive roller 131 by the second transport guide 142.

<During flushing>
As shown in FIG. 10, the printing mechanism 103 is moved toward the paper feeding side of the printing mechanism 103 to the extent that the motor 143 a is driven during flushing so as not to hinder the raising and lowering of the first cap row 161. The paper discharge side of one conveyance guide 141 moves. A fixed amount of ink is ejected from the first head row 151 toward the first cap row 161.

  Similarly, the paper feed side of the second conveyance guide 142 moves toward the paper discharge side of the printing mechanism 103 to such an extent that the motor 144a is driven and does not hinder the raising and lowering of the second cap row 162. A certain amount of ink is ejected from the second head row 152 toward the second cap row 162.

<When capping>
As shown in FIG. 11, the printing mechanism 103 moves toward the paper feeding side of the printing mechanism 103 to the extent that the motor 143a is driven during capping and does not hinder the raising and lowering of the first cap row 161. The paper discharge side of one conveyance guide 141 moves. The first cap row 161 is raised, and each nozzle surface in the first head row 151 is covered with each cap 160 in the first cap row 161.

  Similarly, feeding of the second conveyance guide 142 toward the paper discharge side of the printing mechanism 103 to the extent that the motor 144a is driven and does not hinder the raising and lowering of the caps 160 in the second cap row 162. The side moves. The second cap row 162 rises and each nozzle surface in the second head row 152 is covered with each cap 160 in the second cap row 162.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first transport guide 141 is disposed below each nozzle surface in the first head row 151 during printing. Here, an opening having an opening width wider than the width of the smallest transportable sheet (the dimension in the sheet width direction) is not formed in the first transport guide 141. That is, there is no obstacle between the first conveyance roller unit 110 and the second conveyance roller unit 120 that interferes with the conveyance of the sheet. For this reason, the leading edge of the sheet does not go from the first conveying roller section 110 to the second conveying roller section 120, and the sheet is guided in a stable posture. As a result, the posture of the paper is stabilized, so that jamming is less likely to occur.

  Further, during maintenance of the line-type inkjet head 150 (for example, during flushing, wiping, capping, etc.), the first conveyance guide 141 is retracted outside the area below each nozzle surface in the first head row 151. . In other words, there is no ink mist or ink scattered or leaked from the cap 160 on the lower surface of each nozzle in the first head row 151. For this reason, it can avoid that the 1st conveyance guide 141 becomes dirty.

  Further, when the first conveyance guide 141 is retracted, the first conveyance roller unit 110, the second conveyance roller unit 120, and the like do not move. Instead, the first transport guide 141 (thin plate) moves to the paper feed side in the paper transport direction. For this reason, the drive part in the 1st conveyance guide 141 is realizable by simple structure like the mechanism which slides a thin plate. In addition, since the component to be retracted is only the first transport guide 141 (thin plate), the retracting operation becomes quick.

The same applies to the second conveyance guide 142.
Note that the opening width of the opening 141a is reduced along the paper transport direction. For this reason, the paper is easily guided in a stable posture, and jamming is less likely to occur.

<Modification>
(1) As shown in FIG. 3, the printing mechanism 103 may include a plurality of guide members 171. Here, each guide member 171 is made of a conductive material, and removes static electricity charged on the paper to prevent the paper from sticking. It is installed above the first conveyance guide 141 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 2 mm) from the surface of the first conveyance guide 141. At this time, the guide members 171 are installed in the even-numbered areas and in front of the printing mechanism 103 so as to extend from the immediate upstream side of the first transport roller unit 110 to the upstream side of the first head row 151. At this time, the guide members 171 are arranged between the line-type inkjet heads 150 in the first head row 151 in a state where the first head row 151 is installed above the first transport guide 141. .

  (2) As shown in FIG. 12A, depending on the size of the paper 50, the posture of the paper 50 becomes unstable because the corners of the paper 50 come into contact with the side edge portion 141d of the opening 141a. , Jam may occur. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12B, the first conveyance guide 141 may be shifted in the paper width direction so that the corner of the paper 50 passes through the bridge portion 141b. Further, as shown in FIG. 12C, the first conveyance guide 141 is arranged in the paper width direction so that the corner of the paper 50 passes through the center of the opening 141a while avoiding the side edge 141d in the opening 141a. It may be displaced.

  (3) Each line-type inkjet head 150 realizes a plurality of colors by combining a plurality of line-type inkjet heads 150 that discharge a single color with a single line-type inkjet head 150 and discharge different colors. It may be. Further, two or more stages may be arranged in the sheet conveyance direction, or three or more stages may be arranged in the sheet width direction. Moreover, it may be arranged in a staggered arrangement.

  (4) The first conveyance guide 141 may be composed of a low friction member. Alternatively, the surface may be coated with a low friction agent. Further, a plurality of ribs along the transport direction may be formed on the surface. Similarly, the second conveyance guide 142 may be formed of a low friction member. Alternatively, the surface may be coated with a low friction agent. Further, a plurality of ribs along the transport direction may be formed on the surface.

(5) In addition to the common water-based ink, examples of the ink include various liquid compositions such as oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot melt ink.
(6) The liquid ejection device 100 may eject other liquids in addition to ink as long as it is a material that can be ejected. For example, as the other liquid, the substance may be in a liquid phase, (a) a liquid having high or low viscosity, (b) liquid crystal, (c) sol, (d) gel water, (e) an inorganic solvent, (F) Organic solvents, (g) solutions, (h) liquid resins, (i) molten metals, and the like. Further, (j) a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles is dissolved in a solvent, (k) a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles is dispersed in a solvent, (l And a mixture of two or more kinds of functional materials made of solid materials such as pigments and metal particles in a solvent.

(7) It should be noted that the liquid may be discharged from the liquid discharge device 100 so as to draw a tail in a drop shape, a granular shape, a tear shape, or a thread shape.
(8) The liquid ejection device 100 may be, for example, (a) a textile printing device, (b) a micro-dispenser, in addition to the ink jet printing device. In addition, (c) as an apparatus for discharging a liquid containing a material in which a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescence display, a surface emitting display, a color filter, or the like is dispersed or dissolved. Also good. Moreover, (d) It is good also as an apparatus which discharges the bioorganic matter used for manufacture of a biochip. Moreover, (e) It is good also as an apparatus which discharges the liquid used as the sample used as a precision pipette. Moreover, (f) It is good also as an apparatus which discharges lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines, such as a timepiece and a camera. (G) In order to form a micro hemispherical optical lens used for an optical communication element or the like, a device that discharges a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin onto a substrate may be used. (H) In order to etch a substrate or the like, an apparatus for discharging an etchant such as acid or alkali may be used.

(9) In addition to the paper, the discharge target includes a substrate, a color filter, a fiber material, a three-dimensional object, and the like.
(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 according to the present invention will be described below.

<Overview>
The liquid ejection device according to the present embodiment is different from the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment in that it has the characteristics shown in the following (1) and (2).

  (1) In the liquid ejection device, (a) a cap that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head is disposed directly below the liquid ejection head, and (b) an opening formed in the transport guide is capable of entering and exiting the cap. It is.

  (2) When the liquid ejection device covers the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head with a cap, the cap comes out from the opening in a state where the transport guide is disposed directly below the liquid ejection head, and the nozzle of the liquid ejection head The surface is covered with a cap.

Based on the above points, the liquid ejection apparatus in the present embodiment will be described. In addition, about the component same as Embodiment 1, the same referential mark is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.
<Configuration>
As shown in FIG. 13, the printing mechanism 203 of the liquid ejection apparatus in the present embodiment is different from the printing mechanism 103 in the first embodiment in that a conveyance guide unit 240 is provided instead of the conveyance guide unit 140. .

<Conveyance guide unit 240>
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the conveyance guide unit 240 is different from the conveyance guide unit 140 in the first embodiment in that the first conveyance guide 141 and the second conveyance guide 142 are replaced with the first conveyance. The difference is that a guide 241 and a second transport guide 242 are provided.

<First transport guide 241>
The first conveyance guide 241 is different from the first conveyance guide 141 in the first embodiment in the following points (a) to (c).

(A) Six openings 241a extending in the short direction are formed in the longitudinal direction.
(B) The width (longitudinal dimension) of each opening 241a located directly below each line-type inkjet head 150 in the first head row 151 is larger than the width (dimension in the sheet width direction) of the line-type inkjet head 150. wide. About each opening part 241a other than these, the width | variety (longitudinal direction dimension) is wider than the width | variety (paper width direction dimension) of the cylindrical ring part 111b in the 1st drive roller 111. FIG.

  (C) The cylindrical ring portions 111b of the first drive roller 111 are arranged in pairs in each opening 241a located immediately below each line-type inkjet head 150 in the first head row 151.

<Second transport guide 242>
The second conveyance guide 242 differs from the second conveyance guide 142 in the first embodiment in the following points (a) to (c).

(A) Six openings 242a extending in the short direction are formed in the longitudinal direction.
(B) The width (longitudinal dimension) of each opening 242a positioned immediately below each line-type inkjet head 150 in the second head row 152 is larger than the width (size in the sheet width direction) of the line-type inkjet head 150. wide. About each opening part 242a other than these, the width | variety (longitudinal direction dimension) is wider than the width | variety (paper width direction dimension) of the cylindrical ring part 131b in the 3rd drive roller 131. FIG.

  (C) In each of the openings 242 a located immediately below each line-type inkjet head 150 in the second head row 152, a pair of cylindrical ring portions 131 b in the third drive roller 131 are arranged.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the printing mechanism 203 will be described. Note that the operation at the time of printing and the operation at the time of flushing are the same as the operation of the printing mechanism 103 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Here, the operation at the time of capping will be described.

<When capping>
As shown in FIG. 16, the printing mechanism 203 is disposed below the first head row 151 so as to extend from immediately upstream of the first driving roller 111 to immediately upstream of the second driving roller 121 during capping. A first conveyance guide 241 is disposed. The first cap row 161 rises, the caps 160 in the first cap row 161 pass through the openings 241 a, and the nozzle surfaces in the first head row 151 are moved to the respective caps in the first cap row 161. Covered with a cap 160.

  Similarly, the second conveyance guide 242 is disposed below the second head row 152 so as to extend from the immediate downstream side of the third drive roller 131 to the immediate downstream side of the second drive roller 121. The second cap row 162 rises, the caps 160 in the second cap row 162 pass through the openings 242 a, and the nozzle surfaces in the second head row 152 are moved to the respective caps in the second cap row 162. Covered with a cap 160.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when each cap 160 in the first cap row 161 moves up and down, it is possible to avoid interference with the first transport guide 241. Each nozzle surface in the first head row 151 can be covered with each cap 160 in the first cap row 161 without retracting the first transport guide 241.

In addition, even when ink mist is not generated as in capping, the first conveyance guide 241 can be avoided from being retracted, and the number of retreats can be reduced.
The same applies to the second transport guide 242.

  The present invention, as a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto an ejection target, can avoid contamination of the transport guide that guides the ejection target, and can transport the ejection target in a stable posture. It can be used as a liquid ejection device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet printer 11 Upstream conveying roller 13 Downstream conveying roller 14 Conveying guide 14a Opening 15 Line type inkjet head 20 Inkjet printer 21 Upstream conveying roller 23 Downstream conveying roller 24 Conveying guide 24a Opening 25 Line type inkjet head 26 Maintenance Unit 26a Cap 26b Blade 50 Paper 100 Liquid discharge device 101 Paper feed base 102 Paper feed mechanism 103 Printing mechanism 104 Paper discharge mechanism 105 Paper receiving base 106 Frame 106a Front stage opening part 106b Rear stage opening part 110 First transport roller part 111 First The first driving roller 112 The first driven roller 120 The second conveying roller part 121 The second driving roller 122 The second driven roller 130 The third conveying roller part 131 The third driving roller 132 The third driven roller Roller 140 Transport guide portion 141 First transport guide 141a Opening portion 141b Bridge portion 141c Edge portion 141d Side edge portion 142 Second transport guide 142a Opening portion 142b Bridge portion 142c Edge portion 143 First drive portion 143a Motor 143b Small Diameter circular gear 144 Second drive portion 144a Motor 144b Small diameter circular gear 150 Line-type inkjet head 151 First head row 152 Second head row 160 Cap 161 First cap row 162 Second cap row 171 Guide member 203 Printing Mechanism 240 Transport Guide 241 First Transport Guide 241a Opening 242 Second Transport Guide 242a Opening

Claims (5)

A liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto an ejection object,
In the case where the direction in which the discharge target is conveyed is a first direction, and the direction orthogonal to the first direction on the discharge target surface of the discharge target is the second direction,
A liquid discharge head in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid are arranged;
A first transport roller disposed on one side in the first direction across the liquid ejection head; a second transport roller disposed on the other side in the first direction;
A conveyance guide for guiding the discharge object in the first direction between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller;
The conveyance direction of the second direction is smaller than the dimension in the second direction of the smallest discharge target that can be conveyed on a thin plate extending from the immediate vicinity of the first conveyance roller to the immediate vicinity of the second conveyance roller. Is formed with an opening that can be moved back and forth in the first direction, and can be moved from one position directly below the liquid discharge head to one or the other in the first direction. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized by that. When discharging the liquid onto the discharge target, the transport guide is disposed directly below the liquid discharge head,
When maintaining the liquid discharge head, the transfer guide moves to one of the first direction and the other until the transfer guide is retracted outside the area below the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A cap that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head is disposed directly below the liquid discharge head,
3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the transport guide allows the cap to enter and exit.   When the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head is covered with the cap, the cap comes out from the opening with the transport guide being disposed directly below the liquid discharge head, and the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the liquid is covered with the cap. When the discharge object is transported from one to the other in the first direction,
The shape of the edge located on the other side of the first direction in the opening is a V-shape in which the opening width decreases along the direction in which the discharge target is conveyed. The liquid ejection device according to any one of 1 to 4.

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