JP5678422B2 - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus.

In a liquid ejection apparatus that forms an image on a medium by ejecting ink while moving the head, a flexible flat cable is generally used between the printer body and the carriage in order to supply power to the carriage side on which the head is provided. Are connected.
On the other hand, in order to eliminate the need for this flexible flat cable, it is considered that print data is wirelessly transmitted to the head and power is supplied using a fuel cell provided on the carriage (Patent Document 1). .

JP 2005-219288 A

However, when the fuel cell is mounted on the carriage to secure electric power, there is a problem that wastewater treatment of water generated from the fuel cell after power generation is required. Therefore, it is desirable to eliminate the need for a power supply line to the moving carriage by a method other than using a fuel cell.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to eliminate the need for a power supply line to the moving carriage.

The main invention for achieving the above object is:
A head for discharging liquid onto the medium;
A carriage that holds the head and moves in a moving direction;
A rotating roller provided on the carriage;
A guide portion that contacts the rotating roller and guides the carriage;
A power generation unit that is connected to the rotating roller and generates electricity by moving the carriage and rotating the rotating roller;
A head control unit that discharges liquid from the head using the power generated by the power generation unit;
It is a liquid discharge apparatus provided with.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

It is explanatory drawing of the whole structure of a printing system. 1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration of a printer. 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a printer. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of a printer. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of a nozzle. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a drive circuit of the head unit 40, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the drive circuit. It is a timing chart for explanation of each signal. It is explanatory drawing of the carriage unit 30 in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of another structure.

  At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A head for discharging liquid onto the medium;
A carriage that holds the head and moves in a moving direction;
A rotating roller provided on the carriage;
A guide portion that contacts the rotating roller and guides the carriage;
A power generation unit that is connected to the rotating roller and generates electricity by moving the carriage and rotating the rotating roller;
A head control unit that discharges liquid from the head using the power generated by the power generation unit;
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising:
In this way, a power supply line to the moving carriage can be eliminated.

In this liquid ejection apparatus, it is preferable that the carriage includes a power storage unit that stores the power generated by the power generation unit. In addition, it is preferable that power supply from the power storage unit to the head control unit is performed via a DC-DC converter. The rotating roller is preferably connected to the power generation unit via a shaft. The power generation unit preferably includes a power generation motor.

The head controller is preferably provided on the carriage. Further, it is preferable that the head ejects the liquid in accordance with a print signal, and the print signal is wirelessly transmitted from the liquid ejecting apparatus main body to the carriage. The head is
The liquid may be ejected in accordance with a print signal, and the print signal may be transmitted to the carriage by a laser beam from a liquid ejecting apparatus main body.
In this way, a power supply line to the moving carriage can be eliminated.

=== Embodiment ===
<Configuration of printing system>
An embodiment of a printing system (computer system) will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the description of the following embodiments includes embodiments relating to a computer program and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a printing system. This printing system 100 includes:
The printer 1, the computer 110, the display device 120, the input device 130, and the recording / reproducing device 140 are provided. The printer 1 is a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium such as paper, cloth, or film. The computer 110 is electrically connected to the printer 1 and outputs print data corresponding to the image to be printed to the printer 1 in order to cause the printer 1 to print an image. The display device 120 has a display and displays a user interface such as an application program or a printer driver. The input device 130 is, for example, a keyboard 13.
0A and mouse 130B, which are used for operation of an application program, setting of a printer driver, and the like along a user interface displayed on the display device 120. As the recording / reproducing device 140, for example, a flexible disk drive device 140A or a CD-ROM drive device 140B is used.

A printer driver is installed in the computer 110. The printer driver is a program for realizing the function of displaying the user interface on the display device 120 and the function of converting the image data output from the application program into print data. This printer driver is a flexible disk FD or C
It is recorded on a recording medium (computer-readable recording medium) such as a D-ROM.
Alternatively, the printer driver can be downloaded to the computer 110 via the Internet. In addition, this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for implement | achieving various functions.

The “printing apparatus” means the printer 1 in a narrow sense, but means a system of the printer 1 and the computer 110 in a broad sense.

<Inkjet printer configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of the printer of this embodiment. Hereinafter, the basic configuration of the printer of this embodiment will be described.

The printer of this embodiment includes a transport unit 20, a carriage unit 30, a head unit 40, a detector group 50, a controller 60, and a wireless unit 80. The printer 1 that has received print data from the computer 110, which is an external device, is controlled by the controller 60 in units (conveyance unit 20, carriage unit 30, head unit 40).
To control. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the print data received from the computer 110 and forms an image on paper. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by a detector group 50, and the detector group 50 outputs a detection result to the controller 60. The controller 60 that receives the detection result from the detector group 50 controls each unit based on the detection result.

The transport unit 20 is for feeding a medium (for example, the paper S) to a printable position and transporting the paper by a predetermined transport amount in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a transport direction) during printing. That is, the transport unit 20 functions as a transport mechanism that transports paper. The transport unit 20 includes a paper feed roller 21, a transport motor 22 (also referred to as a PF motor), a transport roller 23, a platen 24, and a paper discharge roller 25. However, transport unit 2
All of these components are not necessarily required for 0 to function as a transport mechanism. The paper feed roller 21 is a roller for automatically feeding the paper inserted into the paper insertion slot into the printer. The paper feed roller 21 has a D-shaped cross section, and the length of the circumferential portion is set to be longer than the transport distance to the transport roller 23. 23 can be conveyed. The transport motor 22 is a motor for transporting paper in the transport direction, and is configured by a DC motor. The transport roller 23 is a roller that transports the paper S fed by the paper feed roller 21 to a printable region, and is driven by the transport motor 22. The platen 24 supports the paper S being printed. The paper discharge roller 25 is a roller for discharging the printed paper S to the outside of the printer. The paper discharge roller 25 rotates in synchronization with the transport roller 23.

The carriage unit 30 moves the head in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a moving direction) (“
(Also called “scan”). The carriage unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and a carriage motor 32. The carriage 31 can reciprocate in the moving direction. (Thus, the head moves along the moving direction.) Also, the carriage 31
Detachably holds an ink cartridge for containing ink. The carriage motor 32 is a motor for moving the carriage 31 in the movement direction, and is constituted by a DC motor. A gear 34 </ b> A is attached to the output shaft of the carriage motor 32. A pulley 34B is attached to the other end of the carriage 31 in the moving direction. The belt 33 is stretched between the gear 34A and the pulley 34B. Belt 3
3, a carriage 31 is attached. The carriage 31 is slidably held on a guide shaft 35 (corresponding to a guide portion) fixed to the printer main body. When the belt 33 is moved by the carriage motor 31, the carriage 31 can also move in the moving direction.

A rotation roller 302 is provided as a part of the configuration of the carriage unit 30. The rotating roller 302 is connected to a power generation motor 306 via a shaft 305. The rotating roller 302 abuts on the guide shaft 35 and is provided to press against the guide shaft 35 due to the relationship between the power generation motor 306 and the guide shaft 35 and the elasticity of the shaft 305.

Thus, since the rotation roller 302 is provided so as to press against the guide shaft 35, when the carriage 31 moves in the movement direction, the rotation roller 302 that contacts the guide shaft 35 rotates accordingly. Each time the carriage 30 is moved by the carriage motor 32, the rotating roller 302 is rotated and power is generated by the power generation motor 306. The power generated by the power generation motor 306 is used as necessary power in the carriage unit 30 as will be described later.

The head unit 40 is for ejecting ink onto paper. Head unit 40
Has a head 41. The head 41 has a plurality of nozzles that are ink discharge portions, and discharges ink intermittently from each nozzle. The head 41 is provided on the carriage 31. Therefore, when the carriage 31 moves in the movement direction, the head 41 also moves in the movement direction. Then, by intermittently ejecting ink while the head 41 is moving in the moving direction, dot lines (raster lines) along the moving direction are formed on the paper. The head unit 40 acquires data for driving the head from the control unit on the printer body side via the wireless unit 80.

The detector group 50 includes a linear encoder 51, a rotary encoder 52, a paper detection sensor 53, and the like. The linear encoder 51 is for detecting the position of the carriage 31 in the moving direction. The rotary encoder 52 is for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 23. The paper detection sensor 53 is for detecting the position of the leading edge of the paper to be printed. The paper detection sensor 53 is provided at a position where the position of the leading edge of the paper can be detected while the paper feed roller 21 feeds the paper toward the transport roller 23. The paper detection sensor 53 is a mechanical sensor that detects the leading edge of the paper by a mechanical mechanism. More specifically, the paper detection sensor 53 has a lever that can rotate in the transport direction, and this lever is disposed so as to protrude into the paper transport path. For this reason, since the leading edge of the paper comes into contact with the lever and the lever is rotated, the paper detection sensor 53 detects the position of the leading edge of the paper by detecting the movement of the lever.

The controller 60 is a control unit for controlling the printer. The controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, and a unit control circuit 6.
4. The interface unit 61 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 110 which is an external device and the printer 1. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing the program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like, and has storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The CPU 62 controls each unit via the unit control circuit 64 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63.

The wireless unit 80 includes a transmission / reception unit 81 provided on the printer main body side (hereinafter referred to as main body transmission / reception unit 81) and a transmission / reception unit 82 provided on the carriage side (hereinafter referred to as “transmission unit 81”).
Carriage side transmission / reception unit 82). From the main body side transmission / reception unit 81, a print command, a print signal, and other necessary signals from the controller 60 are transmitted. The carriage-side transmitting / receiving unit 82 receives these transmitted signals and sends each signal to the carriage unit 30 and the head unit 40.

The carriage-side transmission / reception unit 82 transmits a request signal and an error signal from the carriage unit 30 and the head unit 40 to the controller 60. The main body side transmission / reception unit 81 sends these signals sent from the carriage side transmission / reception unit 82 to the controller 60.

<About printing operation>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing during printing. Each process described below is performed by the controller 6.
0 is executed by controlling each unit in accordance with a program stored in the memory 63. This program has a code for executing each process.

The controller 60 receives a print command from the computer 110 via the interface unit 61 (S001). This print command is included in the header of print data transmitted from the computer 110. Then, the controller 60 analyzes the contents of various commands included in the received print data, and uses each unit to perform the following paper feed process / convey process /
Ink discharge processing or the like is performed.

First, the controller 60 performs a paper feed process (S002). The paper feed process is a process of supplying paper to be printed into the printer and positioning the paper at a print start position (also referred to as a cue position). The controller 60 rotates the paper feed roller 21 to feed the paper to be printed on the transport roller 2.
Send to 3. The controller 60 rotates the transport roller 23 to position the paper fed from the paper feed roller 21 at the print start position. When the paper is positioned at the print start position, at least some of the nozzles of the head 41 are opposed to the paper.

Next, the controller 60 performs dot formation processing (S003). The dot forming process is a process of forming dots on paper by intermittently ejecting ink from a head that moves in the moving direction. The controller 60 drives the carriage motor 32 and the carriage 3.
1 is moved in the moving direction. Then, the controller 60 ejects ink from the head based on the print data while the carriage 31 is moving. When ink droplets ejected from the head land on the paper, dots are formed on the paper.

Next, the controller 60 performs a conveyance process (S004). The conveyance process is a process of moving the paper relative to the head along the conveyance direction. The controller 60 drives the transport motor and rotates the transport roller to transport the paper in the transport direction. By this carrying process, the head 41 can form dots at positions different from the positions of the dots formed by the previous dot formation process.

Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to discharge the paper being printed (S005). If there is still data to be printed on the paper being printed, no paper is discharged. And the controller 60
Repeats dot formation processing and conveyance processing alternately until there is no more data to print, and gradually prints an image composed of dots on paper. When there is no more data for printing on the paper being printed, the controller 60 discharges the paper. The controller 60 discharges the printed paper to the outside by rotating the paper discharge roller. The determination of whether or not to discharge paper may be based on a paper discharge command included in the print data.

Next, the controller 60 determines whether or not to continue printing (S006). If printing is to be performed on the next paper, printing is continued and the paper feeding process for the next paper is started. If printing is not performed on the next paper, the printing operation is terminated.

<About nozzle>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of nozzles on the lower surface of the head 41. On the lower surface of the head 41, a black ink nozzle group K, a cyan ink nozzle group C, a magenta ink nozzle group M, and a yellow ink nozzle group Y are formed. Each nozzle group includes a plurality of nozzles (180 in this embodiment) that are ejection openings for ejecting ink of each color.

A plurality of nozzles of each nozzle group are arranged at regular intervals (nozzle pitch: k · D) along the transport direction.
). Here, D is the minimum dot pitch in the carrying direction (that is, the interval at the highest resolution of dots formed on the paper S). K is an integer of 1 or more. For example, when the nozzle pitch is 180 dpi (1/180 inch) and the dot pitch in the transport direction is 720 dpi (1/720), k = 4.

The nozzles in each nozzle group are assigned a lower number for the nozzles on the downstream side (# 1 to # 180).
). That is, the nozzle # 1 is located downstream of the nozzle # 180 in the transport direction. Each nozzle is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for driving each nozzle to eject ink droplets.

<About driving the head>
FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a drive circuit of the head unit 40. This drive circuit is provided in the carriage unit 30, and as shown in FIG.
And a drive signal shaping unit 310B. Such a drive circuit for the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is provided for each nozzle group, that is, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (
Y) provided for each color nozzle group. In addition, the piezo elements are individually driven for each nozzle. In the figure, the numbers in parentheses at the end of each signal name indicate the number of the nozzle to which the signal is supplied.

When a voltage having a predetermined time width is applied between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element expands according to the voltage application time and deforms the side wall of the ink flow path. As a result, the volume of the ink flow path contracts in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the piezo element, and the ink amount corresponding to the contraction is ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the respective colors as ink droplets.

The original drive signal generator 310A is an original signal O used in common for the nozzles # 1 to # 180.
Generate DRV. The original signal ODRV is a signal including a plurality of pulses within the main scanning period for one pixel (within the time during which the carriage 41 crosses the interval of one pixel).

The drive signal shaping unit 310B receives the original signal ODRV from the original drive signal generation unit 310A and the print signal PRT as serial data. The print signal PRT is
The circuit as shown in FIG. 7B performs serial / parallel conversion using 360 shift registers, and converts it into PRT (i) indicating ON / OFF of each nozzle. Drive signal shaping unit 31
0B shapes the original signal ODRV according to the level of the print signal PRT (i), and drives the drive signal D
RV (i) is output toward the piezo elements of the nozzles # 1 to # 180. Each nozzle # 1
The piezo elements # 180 are driven based on the drive signal DRV from the drive signal shaping section 310B.

<About the head drive signal>
FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining each signal. In other words, the timing chart of each signal of the original signal ODRV, the print signal PRT (i), and the drive signal DRV (i) is shown in FIG. Here, PRT (i) is formed from PRT.

The original signal ODRV is a signal commonly supplied from the original drive signal generator 310A to the nozzles # 1 to # 180. In the present embodiment, the original signal ODRV is the first pulse W1 and the second pulse W2 in the main scanning period for one pixel (within the time during which the carriage crosses the interval of one pixel).
Includes one pulse. The original signal ODRV is output from the original drive signal generation unit 310A to the drive signal shaping unit 310B.

The print signal PRT (i) is a signal corresponding to the pixel data assigned to one pixel. That is, the print signal PRT (i) is a signal corresponding to the pixel data included in the print data. In the present embodiment, the print signal PRT (i) is a signal having 2-bit information per pixel for the nozzle #i. Note that the drive signal shaping unit 310B shapes the original signal ODRV according to the signal level of the print signal PRT (i) and outputs the drive signal DRV.

The drive signal DRV is a signal obtained by blocking the original signal ODRV according to the level of the print signal PRT. That is, when the print signal PRT (i) is 1 level, the drive signal shaping unit 310B passes the corresponding pulse of the original signal ODRV as it is to drive the drive signal D.
RV. On the other hand, when the print signal PRT is 0 level, the drive signal shaping unit 310B cuts off the pulse of the original signal ODRV. The drive signal shaping unit 310B outputs the drive signal DRV to the piezo element provided for each nozzle. Then, the piezo element receives the drive signal D
It is driven according to RV.

The control signal S1 is input to the latch circuit and the data selector as shown in FIG. 7B.
The control signal S2 is input to the data selector. The control signals S1 and S2 indicate the timing when the print signal PRT (i) changes as shown in FIG.

The serially transmitted print signal PRT is converted into 180 pieces of 2-bit data (parallel data) as described below. First, the print signal PRT is input to 360 shift registers. When the pulse of the control signal S1 is input to the latch circuit, 360 data of each shift register is latched. The data selector selects and outputs the data latched by the latch circuit. When the pulse of the control signal S1 is input to the latch circuit,
The pulse of the control signal S1 is also input to the data selector. The data selector controls the control signal S
When 1 is input, the initial state is entered. The data selector in the initial state selects the data stored in the shift register W2-i before latching, and outputs it as PRT (i). Next, the data selector selects the data stored in the shift register W1-i before being latched by the pulse of the control signal S2, and outputs it as PRT (i). In this way, the serially transmitted print signal PRT is converted into 180 pieces of 2-bit data. Then, ejection / non-ejection relating to the second pulse W2 is determined by the control signal S1, and ejection / non-ejection relating to the first pulse W1 is determined by the control signal S2.

When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “01”, the first pulse W1
Are output in the latter half of one pixel interval. As a result, small ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles, and small dots (small dots) are formed on the paper. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “10”, only the second pulse W2 is output in the first half of one pixel section. As a result, medium-sized ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles, and medium-sized dots (medium dots) are formed on the paper. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “11”, the first pulse W1 and the second pulse W2 are output in one pixel section. Thereby, a large ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle, and a large dot (large dot) is formed on the paper. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit data “00”, neither the first pulse W1 nor the second pulse W2 is output. Thereby, in this section, ink is not ejected and dots are not formed.

As described above, the drive signal DRV (i) in one pixel section is the print signal PRT (
According to the four different values of i), they are shaped to have four different waveforms.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the carriage unit 30 in the present embodiment.
The carriage unit 30 includes the rotary roller 302 and the power generation motor 306 described above. Furthermore, the carriage unit 30 includes a battery module 308 (corresponding to a power storage unit), an original drive signal generating unit 310A, and a drive signal shaping unit 310B (the original drive signal generating unit 310A and the drive signal shaping unit 310B correspond to a head control unit). And a DC-DC converter. The drive signal shaping unit 310B is connected to the head 41. In addition, the original signal generation parameter and the print signal PRT in the figure are transmitted and received via the wireless unit 80 described above.

As described above, the rotating roller 302 contacts the guide shaft 35 so as to be rotatable. The rotating roller 302 is connected to a power generation motor 306 via a shaft 305, and each time the carriage 31 moves, the power generation motor 306 is rotated to generate power.

The electric power generated by the power generation motor 306 is stored in the battery module 308. The battery module 308 supplies the power to the original drive signal generator 310A and the DC-DC converter 312 described above.

The DC-DC converter 312 converts the voltage of 42V supplied from the battery module 308 into a voltage of 3.3V. A voltage of 3.3 V is supplied to each circuit (original drive signal generation unit 310A and drive signal shaping unit 310B) as a drive power supply.

The original drive signal generator 310A generates the original signal ODRV based on the original signal generation parameter using the voltage of 42V supplied from the battery module 308. Here, the original signal generation parameter is a parameter for determining the drive waveform of the original signal ODRV. In the present embodiment, since power is not supplied via a cable, the original signal generation parameter is hardly affected by noise. Therefore, the original drive signal generation unit 310A has an advantage that the original signal ODRV can be accurately generated based on the original signal generation parameter.

The original drive signal generation unit 310A supplies the original signal ODRV to the drive signal shaping unit 310B.
The original signal ODRV and the print signal PRT are input to the drive signal shaping unit 310B. Again, since power is not supplied via the cable, the print signal PRT is hardly affected by noise, and the drive signal shaping unit 310B accurately determines the drive signal DRV based on the print signal PRT.
(I) can be shaped. The drive signal shaping unit 310B supplies the drive signal DRV (i) to the head 41 (nozzle # 1 to nozzle # 180).

Since the rotating roller 302 in contact with the guide shaft 35 is rotated in this way, the power for moving the carriage can be converted into electric power, so that it is not necessary to provide a power supply line to the moving carriage. it can.

=== Other Embodiments ===
A rack gear may be formed on the guide shaft 35, and the rotary roller 302 may be a pinion gear. By doing so, the guide shaft and the rotating roller constitute a rack and pinion mechanism, and power can be generated each time the carriage 31 moves.

According to the above-described embodiment, the carriage is provided with the DC-DC converter. However, this is not essential.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another configuration. In this configuration, the printer includes a laser irradiation unit 81 and a photoelectric conversion unit 82. The laser irradiation unit 81 is provided on the printer main body side, and transfers data such as an original signal generation parameter and a print signal PRT as laser light. The photoelectric conversion unit 82 is provided on the carriage side, and converts the laser beam from the laser irradiation unit 81 into an electrical signal. Laser light from the laser irradiation unit is irradiated in parallel with the moving direction of the carriage 31. As a result, the laser irradiation unit 81 can irradiate the photoelectric conversion unit 82 with laser light over the moving range of the carriage 31.
Even with this configuration, the parameters for generating the original signal and the print signal PRT can be obtained without providing a cable.
Can be transferred to the carriage side.

In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other fluids (liquids, liquids in which particles of functional materials are dispersed, gels, and the like) are not limited thereto. Such a fluid can also be embodied in a liquid ejection device that ejects or ejects the fluid. For example, color filter manufacturing apparatus, dyeing apparatus, fine processing apparatus, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, surface processing apparatus, three-dimensional modeling machine, gas vaporizer, organic EL manufacturing apparatus (especially polymer EL manufacturing apparatus), display manufacturing apparatus, film formation You may apply the technique similar to the above-mentioned embodiment to the various apparatuses which applied inkjet technology, such as an apparatus and a DNA chip manufacturing apparatus. These methods and manufacturing methods are also within the scope of application.

The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

1 printer,
20 transport units, 21 paper feed rollers, 22 transport motors,
23 transport roller, 24 platen, 25 discharge roller,
30 Carriage unit, 31 Carriage,
32 Carriage motor, 40 head units, 41 heads,
50 detector groups, 51 linear encoder, 52 rotary encoder,
53 Paper detection sensor, 60 controller, 61 interface section,
62 CPU, 63 memory, 64 unit control circuit,
81 laser irradiation unit, 82 photoelectric conversion unit,
100 printing system, 110 computer, 120 display device,
130 input device, 130A keyboard, 130B mouse,
140 recording / reproducing apparatus, 140A flexible disk drive apparatus,
140B CD-ROM drive device,
302 rotating roller, 306 motor for power generation,
308 battery module, 310A original drive signal generator,
310B Drive signal shaping unit, 312 DC-DC converter

Claims (7)

A head for discharging liquid onto a medium;
A carriage that holds the head and moves in a moving direction;
A rotating roller provided on the carriage and being a pinion gear;
A guide portion that guides the carriage and in which a rack gear is formed;
A head controller that causes the head to discharge liquid;
A power generation unit for supplying power to the head control unit;
With
The rotating roller and the guide portion constitute a rack and pinion mechanism,
The power generation unit generates power when the carriage moves and the rotating roller rotates ,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating roller is connected to the power generation unit via a resilient shaft .   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carriage includes a power storage unit that stores power generated by the power generation unit.   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein power supply from the power storage unit to the head control unit is performed via a DC-DC converter. The power generation unit includes a motor for power generation, liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3. The head control unit is provided in the carriage, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4. The head discharges the liquid according to a printing signal,
The print signal is wirelessly the liquid ejection apparatus main body is transmitted to the carriage, the liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1-5. The head discharges the liquid according to a printing signal,
The print signal is transmitted to the carriage by a laser beam from the liquid ejection device main body, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1-5.

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