JP6642747B2 - Liquid ejecting apparatus and maintenance method for liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a line head.

As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer having a line head is provided with a flexible tube as a flow path from a liquid supply source such as a liquid container or as an ink. There is a structure in which the liquid is supplied to a line head through a channel tube.
In some cases, the line head is connected to an electronic circuit board or the like whose position is fixed by a flexible flat cable (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “FFC”).

The line head is elongated in a direction intersecting with the medium transport direction. A plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are provided on the nozzle forming surface of the line head over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The flexible tube forms all or a part of a liquid supply flow path from a liquid supply source by connecting a connection portion on the tube side to a joint provided on the line head. The liquid supplied from the joint is supplied to each nozzle through a plurality of flow paths provided in the line head.
Further, the line head moves up and down with respect to the support surface for supporting the medium so that the distance between the medium and the nozzle forming surface can be adjusted according to the difference in the thickness of the medium or the curl of the medium. The structure which can be adopted is adopted. Further, there is a structure in which the line head is moved to a maintenance position located below, and in this structure, the moving distance in the vertical direction is larger than the moving distance for adjusting the interval with the medium.

When the line head moves up and down as described above, the joint and the flexible tube connected to the joint move up and down together. The FFC also moves up and down together.
Due to this vertical movement, a stress is applied to the flexible tube, and there is a possibility that liquid leakage may occur from the joint. When the flexible tube is fixed in the vicinity of the line head by the fixing portion on the apparatus main body side, the stress is particularly likely to be applied.
Moreover, there is a possibility that the FFC may be twisted by the vertical movement of the line head. Further, stress is applied to the FFC by the vertical movement of the line head, and there is a possibility that the FFC may come off from a connection portion with the line head or may be disconnected.
The liquid supplied from the joint into the line head is sent to each nozzle through the plurality of flow paths, and each nozzle is provided over the entire length of the long line head. Therefore, the flow path length from the joint to each nozzle tends to vary. If the variation in the flow path length is large, the supply pressure from the liquid supply source varies, which may cause a variation in the weight of the droplet ejected from each nozzle.
In the case of a structure in which the flexible tube is detached from the joint of the line head at the time of maintenance or the like, the liquid may drop along with the detachment. Since there is a medium transport area below the line head, there is a possibility that the dripping liquid may fall into the medium transport area.

JP 2014-11388 A JP 2011-062851A JP 2009-113212 A

There is no description or suggestion in the above-mentioned patent documents about the problem that the liquid drips into the lower medium transport area when the liquid supply channel such as a flexible tube is removed from the line head.
An object of the present invention is to reduce a possibility that liquid may drop into a medium transport area when a liquid supply channel is removed from a line head.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a medium transport area, a line head that ejects a liquid to a medium transported through the medium transport area, and a line head connected to the line head. A liquid supply flow path for supplying the liquid to the line head, wherein the liquid supply flow path is arranged so that the line head is located between the line head and the medium transport area in a vertical direction. And

  According to this aspect, the liquid supply flow path is disposed so that the line head is located between the liquid supply flow path and the medium transport area in the vertical direction. That is, since the line head exists below the liquid supply flow path, even if the liquid leaks from the liquid supply flow path, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid drools into the medium transport area.

  In a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a connection portion of the liquid supply flow path connected to the line head is located on an upper surface of the line head, The path has an extended portion extending from the position of the connection portion through the upper surface of the line head in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium, and the extended portion is an upper surface of the line head. Is located outside the medium transport area.

  According to this aspect, when removing the liquid supply flow path from the line head, disconnect the connection part of the liquid supply flow path from the joint of the line head, and further lift the connection part of the liquid supply flow path upward while removing the connection part of the liquid supply flow path. By moving along the upper surface, even if the liquid drips from the connection portion, the line head is located above the medium transport area, so that the risk that the liquid directly falls into the medium transport area is reduced. be able to. Then, when the connection portion of the line head is lifted and reaches an outer region deviated from the upper surface of the line head, the position is out of the range of the medium transport region. Therefore, since there is no medium transport area immediately below the connection portion, the likelihood that the liquid directly falls into the medium transport area can be reduced.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the liquid supply flow path includes a plurality of flow paths, and lifts a connection portion of the liquid supply flow path upward. In this case, a support mechanism is provided for supporting the connecting portion to move along the upper surface of the line head.
Here, "support" by the support mechanism means that when the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward, the connection portion guides the connection portion to move along the upper surface of the line head. , A guide provided by an arrow, a mark or a holding portion provided at a target position of a destination, or a display serving as a mark of another destination.

  According to this aspect, when the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward, the connection portion can be easily moved along the upper surface of the line head while being supported by the support mechanism.

  In a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the support mechanism is provided on the line head, and is located on both sides along an extending portion of the liquid supply flow path. It is a regulating portion having a regulating surface along a lifting direction when the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward along the upper surface of the line head.

According to this aspect, the restricting surface of the restricting portion extends in a lifting direction when the connecting portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward along the upper surface of the line head. Therefore, when the connection of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward, the connection can be guided, that is, supported, so as to move along the upper surface of the line head.
Further, in the liquid supply flow path, the positions of the plurality of flow paths in the extended portion on the upper surface of the line head are regulated by the regulation surface of the regulation section, so that the dispersion of the plurality of flow paths is suppressed. Can be.

  In a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the support mechanism lifts a connection portion of the liquid supply flow path upward and moves the liquid supply flow path along an upper surface of the line head. A target display is provided at the position and indicates the position of the movement destination.

  According to this aspect, the target display indicating the position of the movement destination is provided at a position on the direction line in which the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward and moves along the upper surface of the line head. The display can guide or support the connection of the liquid supply channel as it is lifted upward, such that the connection moves along the upper surface of the line head.

  A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the liquid supply flow path is separated from the line head in the medium transport area. It is characterized by including a holding portion for holding the connection portion upward outside the range.

According to this aspect, the liquid supply flow path in the detached state does not interfere with the liquid supply flow path in the state where the liquid supply flow path is detached from the line head, and the liquid supply flow path is held during the maintenance. Maintainability is improved.
In addition, since the holding unit is located outside the range of the medium transport region, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the liquid drips from the liquid supply channel held in the holding unit to the medium transport region.

  A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the line head is detachable from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the holding portion is located at a position deviating from the line attaching / detaching path. It is characterized by being provided in.

  According to this aspect, since the holding portion is provided at a position deviating from the attachment / detachment path of the line head, during maintenance such as repair or replacement of the line head, the holding portion supplies the liquid without being in the way. It is possible to hold the channel.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a liquid container that stores the liquid supplied to the line head, and the liquid container is held by the holding unit. Wherein the position of the connection portion is above the center position of the liquid outlet of the liquid storage portion.
According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress a possibility that the liquid drips from the connection portion of the liquid supply channel in the detached state.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the line head is provided with a joint connected to a connection part of the liquid supply flow path. The liquid storage section is provided with a liquid storage section for storing the liquid at the set portion and stopping the liquid from flowing downward.
Here, the term "stopping the outflow" in "stop the outflow downward by storing the liquid" is not limited to a structure in which the liquid is stopped so as to prevent the liquid from flowing completely downward in the specification of the present application. It is used in a sense that also includes structures that can suppress

According to this aspect, even if the liquid leaks when the connection part of the liquid supply flow path is detached from the joint of the line head, the liquid can be prevented from flowing downward by the liquid storage part. Thus, the possibility that the liquid drips into the medium transport area can be reduced.
Here, the line head is larger in size and longer in shape than the serial type liquid ejection head that reciprocates in the liquid ejection area, so it can be said that it is easy to secure a place for providing a liquid reservoir for temporarily storing liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire external appearance of an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention, where (A) is a view from the front and (B) is a view from the back. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a line head, a flexible tube, and a liquid container according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view (from above) of the line head according to the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the line head according to the same embodiment (from below). FIG. 2 is a plan view of the line head according to the embodiment as viewed from a medium side. Explanatory drawing of the flow path of the line head according to the same embodiment. The side view and top view of the flow path structure of the line head according to the same embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 10. Explanatory drawing of the relationship between the flow path structure of the line head and the supply pipes of ink and air according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram focusing on one ink channel in a channel controller of the line head according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part showing a line head and an FFC according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is an essential part perspective view showing a line head, a flexible tube, and an FFC according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The perspective view showing the state which removed the flexible tube from the state of FIG. 16 and lifted it. The perspective view showing the state where FFC was removed from the state of FIG. FIG. 15 is a schematic side view illustrating the positional relationship between the line head and the medium transport path illustrated in FIG. 14. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating a state in which a medium receiving surface of a medium discharge unit is opened according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. (A) is the same perspective view showing a state where a part of the medium conveyance path is removed from the state of FIG. 20, and (B) is the same perspective view seen from above (A). (A) is the same perspective view showing the state which removed the flexible tube from the state of FIG. 21 (A), and was hold | maintained in the holding part, (B) is the same perspective view seen from above (A). (A) is the same perspective view showing the state of FIG. 22 (A) or the state where the line head is removed, and (B) is the same perspective view seen from above (A). FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a line head and a flexible tube according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state immediately before the flexible tube is detached and held by a holding unit according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating a portion of a line head and a flexible tube according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (from the rear) of the liquid ejecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which a back cover is opened to access a sub tank. FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of the sub tank illustrated in FIG. 27. FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 28. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (from the rear) of the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, in which a rear cover is opened and a wiping unit can be accessed. The top view (A) of the wiping unit of the embodiment, the sectional view on the AA line (B), the front view (C), and the principal part enlarged sectional view (D) in the plan view (A). The top view (A) of the wiping unit of the embodiment, the sectional view on the AA line (B), the front view (C), and the principal part enlarged sectional view (D) in the plan view (A). FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded cross-sectional view of a main part of the wiping unit according to the embodiment with a wiping member removed. The principal part enlarged front view which removed the wiping member from the wiping unit of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship among a line head, a wiping member, and a transport path according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a line head and a wiping member according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a line head and a wiping member according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. B) is a sealed state by the cap member, and the support portion is in a retracted state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a left side surface according to the embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 39 is the same perspective view showing a state where a cover on a left side surface is removed from the state of FIG. 38; FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a state in which the discharge unit is removed from the state of FIG. 39. The principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. The perspective view showing the state where one end of the 1st tube was removed from the state of Drawing 40 from the relay channel. FIG. 43 is a front view showing the state of FIG. 42 with a part cut away. FIG. 43 is the same perspective view showing a state where the cap unit is removed from the state of FIG. 42; FIG. 45 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing a state where a cap member is removed from the state of FIG. 42;

Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X direction represents the apparatus width direction (the entire width direction of the medium), the Y direction represents the medium transport direction, and the Z direction represents the apparatus height direction. In order to make the description easy to understand, the directions of the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the apparatus are shown in some drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention.
This liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet printer 1 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a printer 1) which is one of recording apparatuses. The printer 1 is configured as a multifunction machine with a scanner unit 2 provided on an upper part. In the present invention, the scanner unit 2 may not be provided.
The printer 1 includes a plurality of medium storage cassettes 4 which store paper M (FIG. 5; hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “medium M”) such as plain paper or photo paper as an example of “medium” below the apparatus main body 3. The recording execution unit 6 having a line head 14 (FIG. 2) therein is provided above the medium storage cassette 4. Each of the medium storage cassettes 4 is detachable from the front side of the apparatus main body 3.

  A discharge tray 7 from which the paper M recorded by the line head 14 is discharged is provided between the recording execution unit 6 and the scanner unit 2 and at a part of the top surface of the recording execution unit 6. . In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 denotes an outlet from which the paper M is discharged toward the discharge tray 7. The discharge tray 7 is configured to be openable and closable so that the internal line head 14 can be lifted up and taken out. The structure for taking out the line head 14 will be described later.

(A) ◆◆ Dealing with the problem that the flexible tube receives when moving up and down the line head ◆◆
An embodiment for coping with the problem that the flexible tube 9 receives when the line head 14 moves up and down will be described below.
This embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13 and FIG.

(A-1) Embodiment 1
(A-1-1) Configuration As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the present embodiment, the flexible tube 9 is configured by four first flexible tubes that supply liquid ink to the line head 14. It has a tube 9a and two second flexible tubes 9b for supplying air as gas to the line head 14. The number of the tubes is not limited to these.
The proximal end of the first flexible tube 9a is connected to the liquid container 18 serving as a liquid supply source. 2 to 4, reference numeral 30 denotes a liquid container holder, and the liquid container 18 is mounted on the liquid container holder 30. The liquid container 18 is an ink cartridge, an ink pack, or the like. The proximal end of the second flexible tube 9b is connected to a pump 16 (FIG. 5) serving as an air supply source.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the printer 1 has a long line head 14 along a first direction F1 (same as the X direction), and a first flexible head that supplies ink to the line head 14. Sex tube 9a.
The line head 14 includes a plurality of nozzles N (see also FIG. 8) located along the first direction F1, a first joint 10 connected to the first flexible tube 9a, And a plurality of flow paths 11 forming a flow path between the nozzles N. Further, the line head 14 is moved up and down in a second direction F2 (same as the Z direction) orthogonal to the first direction F1 by a lifting mechanism (not shown).

The first flexible tube 9a includes a first connection portion 13 connected to the first joint 10. Further, in a state where the first connection portion 13 is connected to the first joint 10, the first flexible tube 9a moves from the first connection portion 13 to one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1. A first extension portion 15 is provided extending along the first direction F <b> 1, not extending to the other side (−X side), and movable as the line head 14 moves up and down.
The “plurality of flow paths” will be described in detail later in the description of the structure of the line head based on FIGS. 5 to 13.

The first joint 10 is disposed in a central portion 17b of each of the regions 17a, 17b, 17c obtained by dividing the line head into three in the first direction F1.
Here, “the first joint 10 is disposed in the central portion 17b when the line head 14 is divided into three in the first direction F1” and “the central portion 17b when divided into three” The one joint 10 is provided not in the end portion in the longitudinal direction (first direction F1) but in the center portion of the long line head 14, but defines the range of the central portion in the longitudinal direction. It is. The range of the “central portion 17b” is determined in relation to the problem of reducing the “fluctuation in the supply pressure” based on the “fluctuation in the flow path length”. Therefore, "trisection" does not need to be exactly three.
Simply, in the line head 14 having a structure in which the nozzles N are provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the line head 14, the region from the end to the end in the longitudinal direction of the line head 14 is divided into three as a whole. (FIG. 3).
Alternatively, with respect to a plurality of flow paths 11 (a flow path PI1 (FIG. 9) provided in a flow path structure G1 described later) provided between the first joint 10 and the plurality of nozzles N, a first direction F1 is provided. May be a central portion of a region obtained by equally dividing the entire end of the formation range into three.

  In the present embodiment, the area of the nozzle N formed in the first direction F1 which is a direction intersecting with the moving direction FM which is the transport direction of the medium M onto which the liquid such as ink is ejected, The medium M is provided so as to cover the entire medium transport area 19 (FIG. 3) in the first direction F1. Note that the area of the nozzle N in the first direction F1 of the line head 14 may not be able to cover the entire first direction F1 of all the media M to which the liquid ejecting apparatus corresponds.

In the present embodiment, in the line head 14, the first joint 10 is located on the upper surface 5 in the elevating direction (second direction F2).
Further, the first flexible tubes 9a are arranged such that the positions in the second direction F2 (Z direction) overlap each other, that is, the four first tubes 9a (C), The third tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y), and the fourth tube 9a (K) are included. The first tube 9a (C) corresponds to the ink color cyan, the second tube 9a (M) corresponds to magenta, the third tube 9a (Y) corresponds to yellow, and the fourth tube 9a (K) corresponds to black.
The first joint 10 is connected to the first joint 10C connected to the first tube 9a (C), the second joint 10M connected to the second tube 9a (M), and the third tube 9a (Y). And a fourth joint 10K connected to the fourth tube 9a (M) (see also FIG. 26 described later).
The number of tubes is not limited to four. The number of tubes is determined by the type of printer.

  Further, each tube is not limited to a tube for supplying the above-described inks of different colors (CMYK). For example, a tube for supplying the same type (color) of ink, or a tube for supplying ink and a tube for collecting ink. It may be. Further, when the liquid ejecting apparatus is an apparatus other than a printer, the liquid passing through the tube is not ink but of course a liquid for the apparatus.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the plurality of flow paths 11 communicate with the first joint 10C and have the plurality of branch points along the first direction F1 and the second flow path 11C, A second flow path 11M communicating with the joint 10M and having a plurality of branch points along the first direction F1, and a third flow communicating with the third joint 10Y and having a plurality of branch points along the first direction F1. It includes a path 11Y and a fourth flow path 11K communicating with the fourth joint 10K and having a plurality of branch points along the first direction F1.
The first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y), and the fourth tube 9a (K) are orthogonal to each of the first direction F1 and the second direction F2. The third flow path 11C, the second flow path 11M, the third flow path 11Y, and the fourth flow path 11K are arranged in the same order along the third direction F3.

  Here, the “plurality of branch points” is a point where a flow path is branched to provide a plurality of outlets for one supply port in one flow path. That is, a branch point is provided corresponding to the number of outlets. The “plurality of branch points” will be described in more detail in the description of the structure of the line head based on FIGS. 5 to 13 described later.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 26 to be described later, in the present embodiment, the first joint 10 includes the first joint 10C, the second joint 10M, the third joint 10Y, and the fourth joint 10K. Each joint is arranged along the third direction F3 (Y direction). In other words, the direction in which the plurality of joints 10C, 10M, 10Y, and 10K of the first joint 10 are arranged is parallel to the third direction F3 (Y direction).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 26 described later, in the present embodiment, the first extension portion 15 of the first flexible tube 9a is separated from the line head 14 in the first direction F1. And a fulcrum 34 for ascending and descending movement with the line head 14 at the designated position. The fulcrum portion 34 is provided with fulcrums 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34K for the first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y), and the fourth tube 9a (K). including. The fulcrums 34C, 34M, 34Y, and 34K are arranged along the third direction F3, similarly to the plurality of joints 10C, 10M, 10Y, and 10K of the first joint 10.
Here, the fulcrum portion 34 is constituted by an end portion 36 of a support portion 35 that supports the second flexible tube 9a drawn around the inside of the apparatus main body 3 from below. The configuration is not limited by the unit 36.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a second flexible tube 9b for supplying gaseous air to the line head 14, and the line head 14 includes a second flexible tube 9b. It has a second joint 27 connected to the flexible tube 9b.
The second flexible tube 9b includes a second connection portion 28 connected to the second joint 27. Further, in a state where the second connection portion 28 is connected to the second joint 27, the second connection portion 28 extends from the second connection portion 28 to one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1 along the first direction F1. And a second extending portion 29 that is not extended to the other side (−X side) but is movable as the line head 14 moves up and down.
The second joint 27 is disposed on the other side (−X side) in the first direction F1 than the first joint 10.
The flow path and role of the air sent by the second flexible tube 9b in the line head 14 will be described in detail in the description of the structure of the line head based on FIGS.

In the present embodiment, in the line head 14, the second joint 27 is located on the upper surface 5 in the elevating direction (second direction F2).
Then, the four first flexible tubes 9a and the two second flexible tubes 9b are overlapped with each other in the second direction F2 (Z direction), that is, located in a substantially horizontal plane. Are located.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the second joint 27, the first joint 27A1 and the second joint 27A2 are arranged along the third direction F3 (Y direction). In other words, the direction in which the plurality of joints 27A1 and 27A2 of the second joint 27 are arranged is parallel to the third direction F3 (Y direction).
Further, in the present embodiment, the second extension portion 29 of the second flexible tube 9b is provided at a position spaced apart from the line head 14 in the first direction F1 at a fulcrum portion 34 when moving up and down together with the line head 14. Having. The fulcrum portion 34 is common to the fulcrum portion 34 for the first extension portion 15 and includes fulcrums 34A1 and 34A2 for the first tube 9b (A1) and the second tube 9b (A2). And each fulcrum 34A1, 34A2 is arrange | positioned along the 3rd direction F3 similarly to several each joint 27A1, 27A2 of the 2nd joint 27.

(A-1-2) Effect (1) According to the above-described embodiment, the first flexible tube 9a is connected to the first joint 10 of the line head 14 by the first connection portion 13 so that the first flexible tube 9a It extends along one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1 that is the longitudinal direction along the first direction F1 and does not extend along the other side (−X side). Accordingly, a first extension portion 15 that is movable is provided. As described above, the first extension portion 15 extends along the line head 14 from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the long line head 14 to the center portion 17b, so that the first extension portion 15 The portion 15 can flexibly respond to the elevating operation of the line head 14.
Accordingly, the stress applied to the first flexible tube 9a connected to the line head 14 as the line head 14 moves up and down can be reduced by the first extension portion 15.

  In addition, the first joint 10 is disposed at the central portion 17b when the line head 14 is divided into three in the first direction F1, which is the longitudinal direction of the line head 14, so that the first joint 10 serves as a liquid supply port. The variation in the flow path length from the joint 10 to the nozzle N can be reduced as compared with the structure in which the first joint is disposed at the end in the longitudinal direction. Of the supply pressure of the liquid can be reduced.

(2) According to the present embodiment, the first flexible tube 9a is a plurality of tubes, the first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y), and the fourth tube 9a. The tubes 9a (K) are arranged such that the positions in the second direction F2 (Z direction) overlap each other. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size in the second direction F2 (the height direction of the device) with respect to another arrangement such as stacking in the second direction F2.

(3) According to this embodiment, the first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y), and the fourth tube 9a (K) are in the first direction F1 and the fourth direction. The third flow path 11C, the second flow path 11M, the third flow path 11Y, and the fourth flow path 11K are arranged in the same order along a third direction F3 (Y direction) orthogonal to each of the second directions F2. In. Thereby, the communication structure between the plurality of joints (10C, 10M, 10Y, 10K) and the plurality of flow paths (11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K) can be simplified. Can be reduced in size.
Further, when the first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y) and the fourth tube 9a (K) are formed into a flow path that is visible from the outside by using a transparent member. The connection positions of the plurality of tubes (9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y), 9a (K)) can be easily understood, and erroneous connection can be reduced.

(4) According to the present embodiment, since the plurality of joints 10C, 10M, 10Y, and 10K of the first joint 10 are arranged along the third direction F3, they are arranged in a direction intersecting with the third direction F3. Compared with the structure to be performed, it becomes easier to make the flow path length of the liquid supplied from the first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y) and the fourth tube 9a (K) uniform. .

(5) Further, according to the present embodiment, the fulcrum portion 34 includes the fulcrums 34C, 34M, 34Y, and 34K for the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y), and 9a (K). The plurality of joints 10C, 10M, 10Y, and 10K of the first joint 10 are arranged along the third direction F3. As a result, the first extending portion 15 has the length of each of the tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K) located between the first joint 10 and the fulcrum portion 34. Are almost the same. Further, the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K) are arranged such that the positions in the second direction F2 overlap each other.
According to the present embodiment, when the first extension portion 15 swings about the fulcrum portion 34 as the fulcrum by the vertical movement of the line head 14, as described above, the "lengths of the plurality of tubes are substantially the same". Due to the fact that the plurality of tubes overlap each other in the second direction, the swinging posture is determined by the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and It becomes almost the same at 9a (K). This allows the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K) to receive the stress based on the swing substantially equally, and thus, based on the swing. Stress can be effectively absorbed and reduced without bias.
In other words, if the stress applied to each of the tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K) based on the swing is not uniform, a large stress is applied. Problems such as detachment and deterioration may concentrate on the tube of the part, but according to the present embodiment, such a risk is small.

(6) According to the present embodiment, also in the second flexible tube 9b, the second extending portion 29 is located at the position of the second joint 27 from one end side of the long line head 14 in the longitudinal direction. And extends along the line head 14. Thus, similarly to the first flexible tube 9a, the second extension portion 29 can flexibly respond to the elevating operation of the line head 14. Therefore, the stress applied to the second flexible tube 9b connected to the line head 14 as the line head 14 moves up and down can be reduced by absorbing the second extended portion 15.
Further, since the second joint 27 is arranged on the other side (-X side) in the first direction F1 than the first joint 10, the structure of the joint is not complicated.

(7) According to the present embodiment, the positions of the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b in the second direction F2 (Z direction) overlap each other, that is, are located substantially in a horizontal plane. Are located in Thereby, the size in the second direction F2 can be reduced as compared with another structure having a different position in the second direction F2.

Further, the fulcrums 34A1, 34A2 of the fulcrum part 34 are arranged along the third direction F3, similarly to the plurality of joints 27A1, 27A2 of the second joint 27.
Therefore, when the second extension portion 29 swings about the fulcrum portion 34 as the fulcrum by the vertical movement of the line head 14, the swinging posture is substantially the same for each of the plurality of tubes 9b (A1) and the second tube 9b (A2). Will be the same. Thus, the plurality of tubes 9b (A1) and 9b (A2) can receive the stress based on the swing substantially equally, so that the stress based on the swing can be effectively absorbed without bias. Can be reduced.

(A-1-3) Description of Line Head Structure The structure of the line head 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a partial configuration diagram of the printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The printer 1 is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a print medium (ejection target) M such as printing paper. 14) and a pump 16. A liquid container (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a “liquid container (ink cartridge)”) 18 that stores inks I of a plurality of colors is mounted on the printer 1. In the present embodiment, four color inks I of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (B) are stored in the liquid container 18.

The control device 100 controls each element of the printer 1 overall. The transport mechanism 12 transports the print medium M in the Y direction under the control of the control device 100. The pump 16 is an air supply device that supplies two systems of air A (A1, A2) to the liquid ejecting head 14 via the second flexible tube 9b under the control of the control device 100. The air A1 and the air A2 are gases used for controlling the flow path inside the liquid jet head 14. The pump 16 of this embodiment can pressurize each of the air A1 and the air A2 independently of each other.
The liquid ejecting head 14 ejects the ink I supplied from the liquid container 18 onto the print medium M under the control of the control device 100. The liquid ejecting head 14 of the present embodiment is a line head that is long in the X direction that intersects the Y direction. A direction perpendicular to the XY plane (a plane parallel to the surface of the print medium M) is hereinafter referred to as a Z direction. The ejection direction of the ink I by the liquid ejection head 14 corresponds to the -Z direction.

  6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of the liquid jet head 14. FIG. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the liquid ejecting head 14 of the present embodiment includes a flow path structure G1, a flow path control section G2, and a liquid jetting section G3. Schematically, a flow path control unit G2 is provided between the flow path structure G1 and the liquid ejecting unit G3. That is, the flow path structure G1, the flow path control section G2, and the liquid ejecting section G3 overlap each other when viewed from the Z direction. The liquid ejecting unit G3 is a structure in which six liquid ejecting units U3 are accommodated and supported in the housing 142.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of a surface of the liquid ejecting unit G3 facing the print medium M. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the six liquid ejecting units U3 are arranged along the X direction. Each liquid ejecting unit U3 includes a plurality (six in the example of the present embodiment) of ejecting head units 70 arranged in the X direction. Each ejection head unit 70 includes a head chip that ejects ink I from a plurality of nozzles N. The plurality of nozzles N of one ejection head unit 70 are arranged in two rows along the W direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the X direction and the Y direction. Four systems (four colors) of ink I are supplied in parallel to each ejection head unit 70 of the liquid ejection unit U3. The plurality of nozzles N of one ejection head unit 70 are divided into four sets, and eject different inks I for each set.

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the liquid ejecting head 14 focusing on the flow path of the fluid (ink I and air A). As is understood from FIG. 9, four systems of ink I are supplied from the liquid container 18 and two systems of air A (A1, A2) are supplied from the pump 16 to the flow path structure G1. The flow path structure G1 distributes each of the four systems of ink I and each of the two systems of air A to six systems corresponding to different liquid ejecting units U3. That is, the distribution number (6) of one system of ink I by the flow path structure G1 exceeds the number K of types of ink I (K = 4).

  The flow path control unit G2 in FIGS. 6 and 7 is an element that controls the flow path (for example, opening and closing of the flow path and the pressure in the flow path) of the liquid jet head 14, and corresponds to a different liquid jet unit U3. It is configured to include the two flow path control units U2. As illustrated in FIG. 9, four systems of ink I and two systems of air A are supplied in parallel to the six flow path control units U2 by distribution in the flow path structure G1. Each flow path control unit U2 controls the opening / closing and pressure of the flow paths of the four inks I distributed by the flow path structure G1 to each liquid ejecting unit U3 in accordance with the two air streams A.

After the distribution in the flow path structure G1, the four inks I via the respective flow path control units U2 are supplied in parallel to the six liquid ejection units U3. Each liquid ejection unit U3 includes a liquid distribution unit 60. The liquid distributing section 60 distributes each of the four inks I supplied from the previous-stage flow path control unit U2 to six inks corresponding to different ejection heads 70. That is, the four inks I distributed by the liquid distribution unit 60 are supplied in parallel to each of the six ejection head units 70. Each ejection head unit 70 ejects each of the four inks I from different nozzles N.
Specific examples of the components (the flow path structure G1, the flow path control unit G2, and the liquid jetting unit G3) of the liquid jet head 14 outlined above will be described in detail below.

<Channel structure G1>
FIG. 10 is a side view and a plan view of the flow path structure G1, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 10, the flow path structure G1 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 20, a plurality of sealing portions 25 (25a, 25b, 25c), and a plurality of sealing portions 26 (26a, 26b). And a plate-like structure including: In the plan view of FIG. 10, illustration of each sealing portion 25 and each sealing portion 26 is omitted for convenience.

  The substrate 20 of the present embodiment is a flat plate that is long in the X direction, and includes a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 that are parallel to the XY plane. FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the first surface 21 and a plan view of the second surface 22 together. The first surface 21 is a surface (upper surface) on the side opposite to the flow path control unit G2 and the liquid ejecting unit G3, and the second surface 22 is a surface (flow path control unit G2) opposite to the first surface 21. Surface facing). The substrate 20 of the present embodiment is formed of a thermoplastic resin material (for example, polypropylene).

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first surface 21 of the substrate 20 includes a region 31a, a region 31b, and a region 31c. Four supply ports SI1 corresponding to each system of ink I are formed between the region 31a and the region 31b on the first surface 21, and between the region 31b and the region 31c on the first surface 21. Are formed with two supply ports SA1 corresponding to the air A of each system.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the connection state of the flow path structure G1. As illustrated in FIG. 12, each of the four supply ports SI1 is connected to a connection portion (joint) 381 (a portion where the first joint 10 in FIG. 3 is provided) provided on the first surface 21 through The end of the supply pipe TI1 of each ink I formed of the first flexible tube 9a is connected. Each supply pipe TI1 extends along the X direction on the surface of the region 31a, and the end opposite to the supply port SI1 is connected to the liquid container 18.
On the other hand, each of the two supply ports SA1 is formed of a second flexible tube 9b via a connecting portion 382 (a portion where the second joint 27 in FIG. 3 is provided) installed on the first surface 21. The end of the supply pipe TA1 for each air A (A1, A2) is connected. Each supply pipe TA1 extends in the X direction on the surfaces of the region 31b and the region 31a, and the end opposite to the supply port SA1 is connected to the pump 16.
In the above configuration, the four inks I (C, M, Y, K) stored in the liquid container 18 are supplied in parallel to the four supply ports SI1 through the supply pipes TI1, and are supplied from the pump 16 to the four supply ports SI1. The sent out two systems of air A (A1, A2) are supplied in parallel to the two supply ports SA1 through the respective supply pipes TA1.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, four grooves 341 a corresponding to each ink I are formed in the region 31 a of the first surface 21 of the substrate 20. Similarly, four grooves 341b are formed in the region 31b, and four grooves 341c are formed in the region 31c. The groove 341a and the groove 341b are located on opposite sides of the supply port SI1 in plan view (that is, when viewed from the Z direction perpendicular to the substrate 20).
Further, two grooves 342a corresponding to each air A are formed in the region 31a of the first surface 21 of the substrate 20. Similarly, two grooves 342b are formed in the region 31b, and two grooves 342c are formed in the region 31c. The groove 342b and the groove 342c are located on opposite sides of the supply port SA1 in plan view.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, in each region 31 (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) of the first surface 21, the ink I Each corresponding groove 341 (341a, 341b, 341c) is located.

  Each of the groove portions 341 (341a, 341b, 341c) and each of the groove portions 342 (342a, 342b, 342c) are roughly grooves (front side groove portions) formed to extend in the X direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, each groove 341 corresponding to the ink I extends substantially linearly along the X direction, and each groove 342 corresponding to the air A is formed in a mounting hole formed in the substrate 20. 23 is formed in a bent shape so as to detour. Each of the mounting holes 23 is a through hole used for fixing the substrate 20, and specifically, is a screw hole into which a screw (not shown) for fixing the flow path structure G1 to the flow path control unit G2 is inserted. is there.

  As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 10, separate sealing portions 25 (25 a, 25 b, 25 c) are provided in the respective regions 31 (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) of the first surface 21. Specifically, the sealing portion 25a is provided in the region 31a, the sealing portion 25b is provided in the region 31b, and the sealing portion 25c is provided in the region 31c. Each sealing portion 25 is a film-shaped (thickness of about 0.1 mm) member adhered to the first surface 21 of the substrate 20, and each groove 341 and each groove 342 formed on the first surface 21. Is sealed (closed) to form a flow path.

  On the other hand, the second surface 22 of the substrate 20 includes a region 32a and a region 32b as illustrated in FIG. The region 32a is a region overlapping in plan view the region of the gap between the region 31a and the region 31b of the first surface 21 (that is, the region where the four supply ports SI1 are formed). Is a region that overlaps in plan view with the region of the gap between the region 31b and the region 31c (that is, the region where the two supply ports SA1 are formed).

  In the region 32a of the second surface 22, four grooves 351a corresponding to each ink I and two grooves 352a corresponding to each air A are formed. Similarly, four grooves 351b and two grooves 352b are formed in the region 32b. Each of the grooves 351 (351a, 351b) and each of the grooves 352 (352a, 352b) are grooves (backside grooves) formed on the second surface 22. In the region 32b, four grooves 351b are located outside the two grooves 352b, whereas in the region 32a, the grooves 352a are located in the gap between the pair of grooves 351a.

  In FIG. 10, the boundaries between the liquid ejecting units U3 are shown by broken lines. As illustrated in FIG. 10, on the second surface 22, four outlets DI1 corresponding to each ink I and two outlets DA1 corresponding to each air A are provided with six liquid ejecting units U3. (Each of the six flow path control units U2). Each of the outlets DI1 and each of the outlets DA1 is a tubular portion projecting from the second surface 22 in the Z direction.

  The six outlets DI1 corresponding to one arbitrary system of ink I are substantially equally spaced so as to overlap in plan view each groove 341 (341a, 341b, 341c) of the first surface 21 corresponding to the ink I. 11 and is arranged along the X direction, and as can be understood from FIG. 11, communicates with each groove 341 via a through hole H penetrating the substrate 20 in the Z direction. Similarly, the six outlets DA1 corresponding to any one system of air A are overlapped with the respective grooves 342 (342a, 342b, 342c) of the first surface 21 corresponding to the air A in plan view. They are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the X direction, and communicate with the respective groove portions 342 via the through holes H of the substrate 20.

As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 10, separate sealing portions 26 (26 a, 26 b) are installed in the respective regions 32 (32 a, 32 b) of the second surface 22. Specifically, the sealing portion 26a is provided in the region 32a, and the sealing portion 26b is provided in the region 32b. Each sealing portion 26 is a film-like (approximately 0.1 mm thick) member to be adhered to the second surface 22, and, like the sealing portion 25 on the first surface 21 side, the second surface 22. The channels are formed by sealing the respective groove portions 351 (351a, 351b) and the respective groove portions 352 (352a, 352b).
As described above, in the present embodiment, the film-shaped sealing portion 25 and the sealing portion 26 are provided on the substrate 20, and thus, for example, a flat material having a predetermined thickness is adhered to the substrate 20. There is an advantage that the dimension (thickness) in the Z direction of the flow path structure G1 can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the path is formed.
Further, in the present embodiment, since the plurality of sealing portions 25 are provided on the first surface 21, the sealing portion 25 is compared with a configuration in which the entire first surface 21 is covered with the single sealing portion 25. There is an advantage that the installation is easy (the sealing failure of each groove can be reduced). The same applies to the sealing portion 26.

Each of the sealing portions 25 and each of the sealing portions 26 of the present embodiment has a surface layer formed of a material common to the substrate 20 (a thermoplastic resin material such as polypropylene), and the surface of the surface layer is applied to the substrate 20 in a heated state. By pressing, it is welded to the substrate 20. Therefore, there is an advantage that the installation of each sealing portion 25 and each sealing portion 26 is easy. For example, the sealing portion 25 and the sealing portion 26 are preferably formed of a laminate of PET and polypropylene.
In the present embodiment, each sealing portion 25 and each sealing portion 26 are formed separately from each other. Therefore, there is an advantage that the installation of the sealing portion 25 and the sealing portion 26 is easy as compared with the configuration in which the sealing portion 25 and the sealing portion 26 are integrally formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the groove 351 a of the second surface 22 communicates with the supply port SI <b> 1 of the first surface 21 via the through hole H of the substrate 20. Further, each groove 351 (351a, 351b) of the second surface 22 communicates with each groove 341 of the first surface 21 through the through hole H of the substrate 20. Specifically, as understood from FIG. 10, the groove 351a communicates with the groove 341a and the groove 341b, and the groove 351b communicates with the groove 341b and the groove 341c. That is, the groove 341a, the groove 341b, and the groove 341c of the first surface 21 communicate with each other via the groove 351a and the groove 351b of the second surface 22.
As understood from the above description, the six outlets DI1 of the second surface 22 from any one supply port SI1 via the groove 351 of the second surface 22 and each groove 341 of the first surface 21. 9 are formed for each of the four ink systems. That is, the flow path PI1 is a flow path for distributing one system of ink I supplied to the supply port SI1 to the six outlets DI1.

On the other hand, each groove 352 b of the second surface 22 in FIG. 10 communicates with the supply port SA 1 of the first surface 21 via the through hole H of the substrate 20. Further, each groove 352 (352a, 352b) of the second surface 22 communicates with each groove 342 of the first surface 21 via the through hole H of the substrate 20. Specifically, the groove 352a communicates with the groove 342a and the groove 342b, and the groove 352b communicates with the groove 342b and the groove 342c. That is, the groove 342a, the groove 342b, and the groove 342c of the first surface 21 communicate with each other via the groove 352a and the groove 352b of the second surface 22.
As understood from the above description, the six outlets DA1 of the second surface 22 from any one supply port SA1 via the groove 352 of the second surface 22 and each groove 342 of the first surface 21. 9 is formed for each of the two systems of air A. That is, the flow path PA1 is a flow path that distributes one system of air A (A1, A2) supplied to the supply port SA1 to the six outlets DA1.
Note that the flow path PA1 of the present embodiment is bent in the XY plane so as to bypass the mounting hole 23. When the flow path PI1 for supplying the ink I is similarly bent, an increase in the flow path resistance poses a problem. The increased flow path resistance does not pose any particular problem.

As described above, in the flow path structure G1 of the present embodiment, the flow paths (PI1, PA1) from the supply ports (SI1, SA1) to the plurality of outlets (DI1, DA1) include the ink I and the air A. Is formed for each of the plurality of fluids including As can be understood from FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, four flow paths PI1 for distributing the ink I are located on each side of the two flow paths PA1 for distributing the air A.
The configuration of the channel structure G1 according to the present embodiment is as described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, each supply port (SI1, SA1) is formed on the first surface 21 of the substrate 20, and each outlet (DI1, DI2) is formed on the second surface 22 of the substrate 20. Therefore, the size of the flow path structure G1 as viewed in the Z direction is reduced as compared with another configuration in which a supply port and an outflow port are formed on the side surface of the substrate to connect the piping. Therefore, the size of the liquid jet head 14 can be reduced.

<Flow path controller G2>
As illustrated in FIG. 6, four supply ports SI2 and two supply ports SA2 are formed on the surface of each flow path control unit U2 of the flow path control unit G2 facing the flow path structure G1. You. In a state where the flow path structure G1 and each flow path control unit U2 are fixed to each other, the outlet DI1 of the flow path structure G1 is inserted into the supply port SI2 of the flow path control unit U2, and the flow path structure G1 Is inserted into the supply port SA2 of the flow path control unit U2. Therefore, as can be understood from FIG. 9, each supply port SI2 of the flow path control unit U2 is supplied with the ink I of each system from each outlet DI1 of the flow path structure G1, and each of the supply ports SI2 of the flow path control unit U2. The air A of each system is supplied to the supply port SA2 from each outlet DA1 of the flow path structure G1.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the outlet DI1 of the flow path structure G1 and the supply port SI2 of each flow path control unit U2 are directly connected. For example, the outlet DI1 and the supply port SI2 are connected to each other. It is possible to realize a reduction in the number of parts, prevention of liquid leakage, and the like, as compared with a configuration in which are connected by piping.

  On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 7, four outlets DI2 are formed in the surface of each flow path control unit U2 facing the liquid ejecting section G3. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the flow path control unit U2 includes four flow paths PI2 from each supply port SI2 to each outlet DI2. Each of the four systems of ink I supplied to each flow path control unit U2 after distribution by the flow path structure G1 is passed through each flow path PI2 from the four outlets DI2 to the subsequent liquid ejecting unit U3 in parallel. Supplied.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the flow path control unit U2, a negative pressure generating section 42, a flow path opening / closing section 44, and a pressure adjusting section 46 are provided for each of the four flow paths PI2. Further, the flow path control unit U2 of the present embodiment includes a flow path PA2_1 for distributing the air A1 supplied to the supply port SA2 to four systems corresponding to each flow path PI2, and an air A2 supplied to the supply port SA2. And a flow path PA2_2 distributed to four systems corresponding to each flow path PI2. The air A1 distributed in the flow path PA2_1 is supplied in parallel to the four flow path opening / closing portions 44 of the flow path control unit U2, and the air A2 distributed in the flow path PA2_2 is supplied to the four pressures of the flow path control unit U2. The signals are supplied to the adjustment unit 46 in parallel.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram focusing on the flow path PI2 of any one of the inks I of the flow path control unit U2. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the negative pressure generating unit 42 is provided on the flow path PI2 and maintains the inside of the flow path PI2 at a predetermined negative pressure. Specifically, in the normal state, the flow path PI2 is closed, and when the negative pressure in the flow path PI2 reaches a predetermined value due to the ejection (consumption) of the ink I by the liquid ejection unit U3, the flow is autonomously controlled. A pressure control valve that opens the path PI2 and introduces the ink I is preferably employed as the negative pressure generating unit 42.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, a flow path opening / closing section 44 is installed downstream of the negative pressure generating section 42 in the flow path PI2, and a pressure adjusting section 46 is installed downstream of the flow path opening / closing section 44. That is, the flow path opening / closing section 44 is located between the negative pressure generating section 42 and the pressure adjusting section 46 on the flow path PI2.

  The flow path opening / closing section 44 is a mechanism (choke valve) that controls opening / closing (closing / opening) of the flow path PI2 according to the air A1 supplied through the flow path PA2_1. The flow path opening / closing section 44 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a flexible member 442 interposed between the flow path PI2 of the ink I and the flow path PA2_1 of the air A1, and biases the flexible member 442 toward the flow path PA2_1. And an elastic body 444. In a normal state where the air A1 in the flow path PA2_1 is not pressurized (a depressurized state), the flow path PI2 is opened, and when the air A1 is pressurized by the pump 16, as shown by a broken line in FIG. The flow path PI2 is closed by the deformation of the flexible member 442 against the bias by the 444.

  13 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure in the flow path PI2 (the volume of the flow path PI2), and is, for example, a negative pressure release valve for releasing the negative pressure in the flow path PI2. Specifically, the pressure adjusting unit 46 in FIG. 13 includes a flexible member 462 interposed between the flow path PI2 of the ink I and the flow path PA2_2 of the air A2, and the flexible member 462 attached to the flow path PA2_2 side. And a biasing elastic body 464. In the normal state, the air A2 in the flow path PA2_2 is set to the atmospheric pressure (open to the atmosphere), and when the air A2 is pressurized by the pump 16, as shown by the broken line in FIG. As a result, the flexible member 462 is deformed toward the flow path PI2 (the volume of the flow path PI2 is reduced), and the pressure in the flow path PI2 is increased to such an extent that the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generation unit 42 is released.

For example, at the time of cleaning the liquid ejecting unit U3 (ejection head unit 70), the ink I is ejected from each nozzle N after the negative pressure of the ink I flow path is released. However, when the negative pressure generating unit 42 is in an effective state, the release of the negative pressure by the pressure adjusting unit 46 may be hindered. Therefore, there is a possibility that the ink I is not sufficiently discharged from each nozzle N, and that bubbles may enter from each nozzle N. Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the flow path PI2 is closed by the flow path opening / closing section 44 by pressurizing the air A1 in the flow path PA2_1, the flow is controlled by the pressure adjustment section 46 by pressing the air A2 in the flow path PA2_2. Release the negative pressure in the path PI.
According to the above operation, the negative pressure generating section 42 and the pressure adjusting section 46 are isolated from each other by the closing of the flow path PI2 by the flow path opening / closing section 44 (that is, the application of the negative pressure by the negative pressure generating section 42 is invalid). In this state, the negative pressure is released by the pressure adjusting unit 46. Therefore, there is an advantage that the negative pressure in the flow path downstream of the flow path opening / closing unit 44 can be effectively released.

  As understood from the above description, the negative pressure generating section 42, the flow path opening / closing section 44, and the pressure adjusting section 46 of the present embodiment function as elements for controlling the flow path PI2 of each ink I, and The section G2 is comprehensively expressed as an element that controls each flow path PI2 using the air A (A1, A2) of each system after distribution by the flow path structure G1. The configuration of each channel control unit U2 of the channel controller G2 according to the present embodiment is as described above.

<Liquid jet part G3>
The liquid ejecting unit G3 ejects the ink I of each system from the nozzle N via the flow path control unit G2. As illustrated in FIG. 6, four supply ports SI3 are formed on the surface of each liquid ejecting unit U3 of the liquid ejecting unit G3 facing the flow path control unit G2. When the flow path control unit G2 and the liquid ejecting unit G3 (the housing 142) are fixed to each other, each supply port SI3 of each liquid ejecting unit U3 is inserted into each outlet DI2 of the flow path control unit U2. . Therefore, as can be understood from FIG. 9, the inks I of the respective systems are supplied in parallel to the four supply ports SI3 of each liquid ejecting unit U3 from the outlet DI2 of the flow path control unit U2.
A detailed description of the structure of the liquid ejecting unit G3 is omitted.

(A-1-4) Other Configurations and Effects (2) Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, the first extension portion 15 of the first flexible tube 9a is A fulcrum 34 is provided at a position separated from the head 14 in the first direction F1 when moving up and down together with the line head 14. The length L1 of the first extension portion 15 on the line head is It is configured to be longer than the length L2 between the nearest fulcrum 34 on the side of the main body 3 and the line head 14.

The first flexible tube 9a may be constrained near the end of the line head 14, and the constrained portion may become the fulcrum portion 34 when ascending or descending.
According to the present embodiment, the length L1 of the first extension portion 15 on the line head 14 is longer than the length L2 between the fulcrum 34 on the main body 3 side closest to the line head 14 and the line head 14. The stress applied to the first flexible tube 9a connected to the line head 14 as the line head 14 moves up and down can be reduced by the first extension portion 15.

(3) Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the first extended portion 15 of the first flexible tube 9 a is within the width of the line head 14 when projected in the second direction F2. Located in. Further, the second extension portion 29 of the second flexible tube 9b is also located within the width of the line head 14 when projected in the second direction F2.
Thereby, the flexible tubes 9 (9a, 9b) are not bulky when the line head 14 is moved up and down, and the apparatus can be downsized.

(4) Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, a negative pressure generating section 42 is provided in each of the plurality of flow paths up to the nozzle N in the line head 14.
Here, as described above, the negative pressure generating unit 42 maintains the inside of the flow path communicating with the nozzle N at a predetermined negative pressure, and the flow from the negative pressure generating unit 42 to the nozzle N on the downstream side. It has a function of reducing the influence of the variation of the supply pressure on the upstream side of the negative pressure generating section 42 by setting the supply pressure in the passage to a predetermined constant pressure.

  According to the present embodiment, the variation in the supply pressure of the liquid to each of the nozzles N of the line head 14 can be effectively reduced by the negative pressure generating unit 42, so that the droplet ejected from the nozzle N Can be reduced in weight.

Further, as a cleaning operation of the nozzle N of the line head 14, there is an operation of ejecting liquid from the nozzle N. When the operation is performed, there is a structure in which the negative pressure generating unit 42 is in a non-operation state. In the case of this structure, when the cleaning has a large variation in the flow path length, there is a possibility that the cleaning flow velocity varies due to the influence of the variation.
However, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first joint 10 is disposed in the central portion 17b in the longitudinal direction of the line head 14 and extends from the first joint 10 serving as a liquid supply port to the nozzle N. The variation in the flow path length is reduced as described above. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the cleaning flow rate varies, and to execute effective cleaning.

(5) In the embodiment corresponding to the eleventh aspect, the transport path for transporting the medium M surrounds the periphery of the line head 14 on a plane orthogonal to the first direction F1. A specific description will be given later (FIGS. 19 and 35).

(6) Others (6-1) The second joint 27 may be arranged on the one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1 with respect to the first joint 10, contrary to the above arrangement.
(6-2) The "gas" supplied to the line head via the second flexible tube 9b can be used not only to pressurize the liquid in the line head but also to remove dust and the like adhering to the nozzle surface. For example, it is used for blowing off. Of course, it is not limited to this usage.

(B) ◆◆ Dealing with the problem that the FFC receives when moving up and down the line head ◆◆
An embodiment for dealing with the problem that the FFC experiences when the line head moves up and down will be described below.
This embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members as those in the above embodiment (A), and the description thereof will be omitted.

(B-1) Embodiment 1 (FIGS. 14 and 15)
(B-1-1) Configuration A first embodiment for dealing with the problem that the FFC suffers when the line head is moved up and down will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
In these figures, the illustration of the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b is omitted for easy understanding of the drawings. In the present embodiment, the connection position, the extension position, and the like of the flexible tube 9 with respect to the line head 14 are the same as those described with reference to FIGS.
The connection position, the extension position, and the like of the flexible tube 9 with respect to the line head 14 may be different from those described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a line head 14 that is long in the first direction F <b> 1 and an FFC 50 connected to the line head 14. The line head 14 includes a connector 52 in which a plurality of terminals 51 are located along a first direction F1 and moves up and down in a second direction F2 (same as the Z direction) by a lifting mechanism (not shown).
The FFC 50 includes a cable connection portion 53 connected to the connector 52 at the tip. Furthermore, in the FFC 50, in a state where the cable connection portion 53 is connected to the connector 52, the flat surface 54 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the second direction F2, that is, horizontally in the first direction from the cable connection portion 53 side. A cable extension portion 55 is provided extending along the first direction F1 to one side (+ X side) of F1 and not extending to the other side (−X side).
The FFC 50 has a bent portion 56 between the cable connection portion 53 and the cable extension portion 55. That is, the FFC 50 is connected to the connector 52 via the bent portion 56.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, the connector 52 is located on the “down” side (−Z direction), that is, below the position of the cable extension portion 55 in the second direction F2.
The bent portion 56 of the FFC 50 is bent from the cable extension portion 55, and the flat surface 54a is bent from the first bent portion 56a perpendicular to the second direction F2 and the first bent portion 56a, and the flat surface 54b is bent. A second bent portion 56b orthogonal to the third direction F3. The second bent portion 56b is connected to the connector 52 located below.
In the above-described embodiment, the bent portion is bent twice in different directions. However, as another embodiment, the connector 52 is arranged on the same plane as the cable extension portion 55 in the second direction F2, and is bent. The portion 56 may have a structure including only the first bent portion 56a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the cable extension portion 55 of the FFC 50 is located adjacent to the line head 14 along the long side in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the connector 52 includes a plurality of connectors 521, 522, 523, 524, and 525 disposed along the first direction F1. The FFC 50 also includes a plurality of FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 arranged along the first direction F1. Each of the plurality of connectors 521, 522, 523, 524, and 525 is connected to each of the cable connection portions 53 of the plurality of FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the cable extension portions 55 of the plurality of FFCCs 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 are arranged so as to overlap each other. In this embodiment, three FFCs 501, 502, and 503 are located on one side of the line head 14 and overlap, and two FFCs 504 and 505 are located on the other side of the line head 14 and overlap. Note that the number of FFCs 50 is not limited to the above five, and may be another plural number or one.

(B-1-2) Effects According to the above-described embodiment, the FFC 50 includes a cable connection portion 53 connected to the connector 52 of the long line head 14 along the first direction F1 and a second direction F2. The flat surface 54 is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the first direction F1, extends from the cable connection portion 53 side to one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1 along the first direction F1, and extends on the other side ( -X side) and a cable extension portion 55 that is not extended. Therefore, when the line head 14 moves up and down, the flat surface 54 is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the second direction F2 because the FFC 50 connected to the line head 14 may be twisted as the line head 14 moves up and down. This can be reduced by the provided cable extension portion 55. Further, the stress applied to the FFC 50 due to the elevation can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the bent portion 56 is bent from the cable extension portion 55, and the flat surface 54a is bent from the first bent portion 56a orthogonal to the second direction F1 and the first bent portion 56a. , A flat surface 54b includes a second bent portion 56b orthogonal to the third direction F3. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the liquid ejecting apparatus in the third direction.
Further, since the plurality of FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 are arranged so that the cable extension portions 55 overlap, even if the line head 14 moves up and down, the plurality of FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 are Not bulky. Thus, the size of the device can be reduced.

(B-1-3) Other Configurations and Effects (1) Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the line head 14 includes a plurality of connectors 523 and 525 located along the third direction F3. These connectors 523 and 525 are arranged so that the positions in the first direction F1 overlap, that is, substantially in a horizontal plane.
Thus, the stresses applied to the FFCs 503 and 504 based on the vertical movement of the line head 14 are equalized, so that the stresses can be effectively reduced. In addition, a plurality of connectors 52 can be arranged on the line head 14 at high density.
It is needless to say that the connector 52 arranged so that the positions in the first direction F1 overlap each other is not limited to the above pair (523, 525).

(2) As described above with reference to FIG. 1, in the printer 1, the line head 14 is provided on one side (+ Z direction) of the second direction F2, that is, above the line head 14. By opening the discharge tray 7 (FIG. 1) which also serves as a cover, the apparatus can be separated from the apparatus main body 3. That is, the line head 14 can be lifted upward from the installation position in the apparatus main body 3 and taken out by opening the discharge tray 7.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the cable connection portion 58 on the other end opposite to the one end (the cable connection portion 53 side) where the FFC 50 is connected to the line head 14 is provided. The apparatus main body 3 is provided with a main body side connector 57 to be connected.
Further, the main body side connector 57 is provided on one side (+ Z direction) of the second direction F2 with respect to the line head 14, that is, at a position above the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. Thus, the cable connection portion 58 on the other end of the FFC 50 is connected to the main body side connector 57 via the rising portion 59 that rises upward from the position of the cable extension portion 55.

の Removal of the line head≫
When removing the line head 14 from the printer 1, first, the discharge tray 7 also serving as a cover is opened so that the line head 14 in the apparatus main body 3 can be accessed from above.
Next, the flexible tube 9 (not shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) is detached from the line head 14, and further, the connection of the FFC 50 to the apparatus body 3 is disconnected. The main body-side connector 57 of the FFC 50 is located on the takeout side above the line head 14 with the cover (discharge tray 7) opened. That is, the main body side connector 57 is provided at a position where it can be easily accessed from above. Therefore, the FFC 50 can be easily detached from the main body side connector 57.
Subsequently, the line head 14 is lifted and removed outside the printer 1.
Thus, the line head 14 can be easily removed from the printer 1.

(B-2) Embodiment 2 (FIGS. 16 to 18)
(B-2-1) Configuration The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 16, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the cable extension portion 55 of the FFC 50 is positioned adjacent along the long side in the longitudinal direction of the line head 14, and the five first bent portions 56a Three have a cross section 66 extending to a position opposite the FFC 50 with respect to the line head 14.
More specifically, the connectors 521, 522, 523, 524, and 525 have the same arrangement as in FIG. 14, but the five FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 are different from the arrangement in FIG. 14 (the side opposite to the connectors 521, 522, 523 and the same side as the connectors 524, 525). Therefore, a crossing portion 66 crossing the line head 14 is provided in each of the first bent portions 56a of the FFCs 501, 502, and 503.
The five FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 are arranged so that the cable extension portions 55 overlap one another at the top and bottom. That is, when the cable connection portion 53 is connected to the connector 52, the flat surfaces 54 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the second direction F2, that is, substantially horizontally.
Each cable connection portion 58 of the FFCs 501, 502, and 503 is connected to the main body side connector 57.
Note that the number of the crossing portions 66 is determined according to the arrangement of the plurality of connectors 52, and thus the number of the crossing portions 66 is not limited to the above three.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, a first flexible tube 9a and a second flexible tube 9b are provided on the upper surface 5 of the line head 14 in the elevating direction. The first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b are connected to the line head 14 in the same connection position (the position of the first joint 10) and the extension position (the same as those shown in FIGS. 2 to 4). (Disposition of the first extension portion 15).
Further, in the present embodiment, each crossing portion 66 is disposed below the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b. That is, each cross section 66 is disposed between the upper surface 5 of the line head 14 and the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b.

の Removal of the line head≫
A case of removing the line head 14 from the printer 1 will be described in the order of steps with reference to FIGS.
(1) First, the discharge tray 7 serving as a cover is opened from the state of FIG. 1 to a state of FIG. 16 where the line head 14 in the apparatus main body 3 can be accessed from above.
(2) Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b are detached from the line head 14 and lifted, and are held on the apparatus body 3 side, which will be described later. The first connection portion 13 is held with the portions 71 and 80 (FIGS. 23 and 25) facing up.
(3) Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the FFCs 501, 502, and 503 connected to the main body side connector 57 are detached from the main body side connector 57. Further, the FFCs 501, 502, and 503 are also removed from the line head 14. Thus, the remaining FFCs 504 and 505 can be accessed.
In the present embodiment, the remaining FFCs 504 and 505 are routed and connected directly to the circuit board side (the later-described electrical component 83, FIG. 30) without the intervention of the main body side connector 57.
The FFC 50 is used to transmit various signals, but depending on the type of signal to be transmitted (high-speed transfer or the like), when a plurality of FFCs are connected and wired by a connector, the FFC 50 may be greatly affected by noise. . When greatly affected by noise, as shown in FIG. 18, the FFC is directly connected to the control source (the electrical component 83, FIG. 30) by one FFC without using a connector.
Therefore, the remaining FFCs 504 and 505 remove only the connection portions (connector portions 524 and 525) with the line head 14. Thereby, the line head 14 is released from the connection with the flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50, and becomes detachable. Therefore, the line head 14 is lifted and taken out.

(B-2-2) Effect According to the present embodiment, the cable extension portion 55 is located on one side along the long side in the longitudinal direction of the line head 14, and at least one of the first bent portions 56a is The line head 14 has a transverse portion 66 extending on the other side opposite to the FFC 50. The cross section 66 increases the degree of freedom in arranging the FFC 50 with respect to the arrangement of the connector 52 of the line head 14, and facilitates design and manufacture.

When the line head 14 is removed from the printer 1 and replaced with a new one, the line head 14 is filled in the line head 14 without connecting the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b to the new line head 14. In some cases, it is necessary to perform a predetermined head drive, such as an ejection operation for discharging a protective liquid.
According to the present embodiment, since the transverse portion 66 of the FFC 50 is disposed below the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b, only the electrical connection state of the FFC 50 is secured and After performing a predetermined head drive, the first flexible tube 9a and the like can be arranged and connected on the transverse portion 66 of the FFC 50. Therefore, replacement of the line head 14 is easy.

(B-3) Embodiment 3 (FIG. 19)
Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 19, in the present embodiment, the printer 1 includes a transport path 69 that transports the medium M to which the liquid is ejected by the line head 14. The transport path 69 surrounds the periphery of the line head 14 on a plane orthogonal to the first direction F1 (X direction). In FIG. 19, the transport path 69 is schematically illustrated.
The transport path 69 includes a transport path 69a for single-sided recording and a double-sided recording path from the medium storage cassette 4 side to the discharge tray 7 through a recording execution area (liquid ejection area) facing the nozzle N of the line head 14. And an inversion path 69b. That is, the periphery of the line head 14 is surrounded by the transport path 69a for single-sided recording and the reverse path 69b for double-sided recording.
The structure of the transport path 69 will be described in detail in another embodiment (FIG. 35) described later.

  Here, the line head 14 includes the flexible tube 9 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, and the FFC 50 described with reference to FIGS. The flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, an FFC 50 having a structure shown in FIGS.

  According to the present embodiment, since the transport path 69 surrounds the periphery of the line head 14 on a plane orthogonal to the first direction F1 (X direction), the flat surface 54 of the cable extension portion 55 of the FFC 50 The transfer path 69 can be provided along the route. In addition, the transfer path 69 can be provided along each of the extending portions 15 and 29 of the flexible tube 9. That is, the transport path 69 can be provided close to the line head 14, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

(C) ◆◆ Dealing with the problem of removing the liquid supply channel from the line head ◆◆
An embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described below.
This embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 20 to 29. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members as the constituent members in each of the above-described embodiments (A) and (B), and description thereof will be omitted.

(C-1) Embodiment 1 (FIGS. 2 to 4, 20 to 23)
(C-1-1) Configuration A first embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a medium transport area 19 in which the medium M is transported, a line head 14 that ejects a liquid to the medium M transported in the medium transport area 19, , A first flexible tube 9 a connected to the line head 14 and forming a liquid supply flow path for supplying liquid to the line head 14. The first flexible tube 9a is disposed so that the line head 14 is located between the first flexible tube 9a and the medium transport region 19 in the vertical direction (Z direction). That is, when the first flexible tube 9a is connected to the line head 14, the first flexible tube 9a is arranged so as not to directly face the medium transport region 19 below. Even if a leak occurs, the risk that the leaked liquid drips directly to the medium transport area 19 is reduced by the presence of the line head 14 therebetween.

  In the present embodiment, the connection portion (first connection portion 13) of the first flexible tube 9 a connected to the line head 14 is located on the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. Then, in a state where the first connection portion 13 is connected to the first joint 10 of the line head 14, the first flexible tube 9 a moves the line head 14 from the position of the first joint 10 and the first connection portion 13. It has an extension portion (first extension portion 15) extending in a direction (first direction F1) crossing the transport direction FM (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the medium M through the upper surface 5. . Further, the first extended portion 15, which is outside the upper surface 5 of the line head 14, is configured to be located outside the medium transport area 19.

  Further, as shown as an example in FIG. 22, the connection portion (the first connection portion) of the first flexible tube 9 a outside the range of the medium transport region 19 with the first flexible tube 9 a removed from the line head 14. A holding portion 71 for holding the portion 13) upward is provided. Note that the structure of the holding unit 71 is not limited to a specific structure. Any structure is possible as long as the first flexible tube 9a is detached from the line head 14 and the first connection portion 13 can be held upside out of the range of the medium transport region 19.

の Removal of the line head≫
Here, a case of removing the line head 14 from the printer 1 in the present embodiment will be described in the order of steps with reference to FIGS.
(1) First, the scanner unit 2 is slightly rotated from the state of FIG. 1 to enlarge the upper space of the discharge tray 7 to facilitate the work. Then, the discharge tray 7 as a cover is opened (FIG. 20). Further, a part of the transport path 69 (FIG. 19) located above the line head 14 in the apparatus main body 3 is removed to make the line head 14 accessible from above (FIG. 21). FIGS. 2 to 4 show only the line head 14 and the liquid container 18 in this state.
(2) Next, as shown in FIG. 22, each connection portion (the first connection portion 13, the second connection portion) of the flexible tube 9 (the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b). The part 28) is disengaged from each joint (first joint 10, second joint 27) of the line head 14 and lifted. Then, the second connection portion 28 is locked to the holding portion 71 provided on the apparatus main body 3 side, whereby the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28 are held in a suspended state with the second connection portion 28 facing upward.
Next, the FFC 50 (FIG. 14, FIG. 16, etc.) is removed from the line head 14. Thereby, the line head 14 is released from the connection with the flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50, and becomes detachable.
(3) Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the line head 14 is lifted from the installation position in the apparatus main body 3 and taken out. Thereafter, necessary maintenance is performed on the line head 14, or the line head 14 is replaced with a new line head 14, and the line head 14 is installed at the installation position in the apparatus main body 3 in the reverse process to connect the flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50.

(C-1-2) Effect According to the present embodiment, the first flexible tube 9a as the liquid supply flow path is arranged such that the line head 14 is located between the first flexible tube 9a and the medium transport area 19 in the vertical direction. Have been. That is, the line head 14 exists below the first flexible tube 9a. Thereby, even if the liquid leaks from the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid directly drips into the medium transport area 19.

  According to the present embodiment, when the first flexible tube 9a is detached from the line head 14, the first connecting portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a is detached from the first joint 10 of the line head 14, Further, by moving along the upper surface of the line head 14 while lifting the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a upward, even if the liquid drips from the first connection portion 13, the medium transport region 19 Since the line head 14 is located on the upper side, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the liquid directly falls into the medium transport area 19. Then, when the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9 a is lifted and reaches an area outside the upper surface 5 of the line head 14, its position is out of the range of the medium transport area 19. Accordingly, since the medium transport region 19 does not exist directly below the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a, the possibility that the liquid directly falls into the medium transport region 19 can be similarly reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the holding portion 71 for holding the first connection portion 13 upward with the first flexible tube 9a detached from the line head 14 is provided, the line head 14 is detached to perform maintenance. When performing the above, the first flexible tube 9a in the detached state does not become a hindrance, and the maintainability is improved.
Further, since the holding unit 71 is located outside the range of the medium transport region 19, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid drips from the first flexible tube 9 a held by the holder 71 to the medium transport region 19. it can.

(C-2) Embodiment 2 (FIGS. 4 and 23)
A second embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the line head 24 is detachable from the printer 1, and the holding unit 71 is provided at a position outside the attachment / detachment path of the line head 14. I have. The attachment / detachment path means an area where the line head 14 passes when the line head 14 is lifted up from the installation position in the apparatus main body 3 and taken out.
As described above, since the holding unit 71 is provided at a position deviating from the attachment / detachment path of the line head 71, the holding unit 71 is taken out of the apparatus main body 3 at the time of maintenance such as repair or replacement of the line head 14. The portion 71 can hold the flexible tube 9 in a state where it does not hinder the removal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, as described above, the liquid container 18 (FIG. 4) that stores the liquid supplied to the line head 14 is located above the position of the line head. Be prepared for the position. Then, the position 73 (FIG. 4) of the first connecting portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9 a held in the holding portion 71 is higher than the center position of the liquid outlet 72 of the liquid container 18. Is configured.
Thereby, the danger of the liquid dripping from the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a detached from the line head 14 can be suppressed.

(C-3) Embodiment 3 (FIG. 24)
A third embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 24, the first flexible tube 9a includes a plurality of flow passages (first tube 9a (C), second tube 9a (M), third tube 9a (Y), and fourth tube 9a. 9a (K)). Further, the second flexible tube 9b is composed of two flow passages (first tube 9b (A1) and second tube 9b (A2)).
In the present embodiment, when the connection portions (the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) of the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b are lifted upward, the connection portion (the second connection portion 28) is lifted. A support mechanism 74 is provided to support the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) to move along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14.

  Here, the “support” by the support mechanism 74 refers to the connection portion (the first connection portion 13) when the connection portion (the first connection portion 13) of the first flexible tube 9a, which is the liquid supply flow path, is lifted upward. 13) guides to move along the upper surface of the line head 14, which is a guide by a mechanical structure, an arrow, a mark provided at a target position of a destination, the holding unit 71, and other destinations. And a guide by a display (target display) serving as a mark of.

The support mechanism 74 of this embodiment is a guide having a mechanical structure, and is specifically configured as follows.
As shown in FIG. 24, the support mechanism 74 is provided on the line head 14, and is provided on both sides along the extended portions (the first extended portion 15 and the second extended portion 29) of the flexible tube 9. Lifting when the connection portion (the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) of the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b is located and is lifted up along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. These are plate-shaped regulating portions 75 and 76 having regulating surfaces 75a and 76a along the direction.

According to the present embodiment, when the connection portions (the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 are lifted upward, the connection portion (the first connection portion) is supported by the support mechanism 74. 13 and the second connection portion 28) can be easily moved along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14.
Specifically, the regulating surfaces 75a, 76a of the regulating portions 75, 76 forming the support mechanism 74 are used to connect the connecting portions (the first connecting portion 13 and the second connecting portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 to the upper surface of the line head 14. 5 along the lifting direction when lifting upward. Accordingly, when the connecting portions (the first connecting portion 13 and the second connecting portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 are lifted upward, the connecting portions 75a and 76a of the restricting portions are connected to the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. Acts naturally to move along. That is, it supports.

  In addition, the flexible tube 9 includes a plurality of flow passage bodies (four first flexible tubes 9a and second flexible tubes 9) in the extended portions (the first extended portion 15 and the second extended portion 29). The positions of the two tubes 9b) on the upper surface 5 of the line head 14 are regulated from both sides by regulating surfaces 75a, 76a of regulating portions 75, 76. Therefore, the restriction portions 75 and 76 can suppress the plurality of flow path bodies (four 9a and two 9b) from varying on the line head 14.

(C-4) Embodiment 4 (FIGS. 3 and 25)
A fourth embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described with reference to FIGS.
The support mechanism 74 of the present embodiment is configured as follows.
As shown in FIG. 25, the support mechanism 74 lifts up the connection portions (the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 and moves along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. A target display 78 (FIGS. 3 and 25) provided at a position on the direction line 77 (FIG. 3) and indicating the position of the movement destination.

The target display 78 in the present embodiment is not a simple mark but a concave groove 79 provided at a corresponding position of the apparatus main body 3 and in which the flexible tube 9 is accommodated. The target display 78 may of course be a simple mark. The concave groove 79 is also provided with a holding portion 80 in which the first connection portion 13 of the flexible tube 9 is accommodated and held. The holding unit 80 also functions as the target display 78.
FIG. 25 shows a state immediately before the flexible tube 9 and the first connection portion 13 are accommodated in the concave portion 79 and the holding portion 80.

According to the present embodiment, the position on the direction line 77 where the connection portions (the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 are lifted upward and moved along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. Is provided with a target display 78 indicating the position of the destination. Therefore, the target display 78 moves along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14 when the connection portions (the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 are lifted upward. To encourage, or support, nature.
Furthermore, since the target display 78 is not a simple mark but a concave groove 79 provided at a corresponding position of the apparatus main body 3 and accommodating the flexible tube 9, the flexible tube 9 removed from the line head 14 is subjected to the concave groove. 79 can be held. This can further reduce the possibility that the line head 14 may be obstructed when the line head 14 is taken out.

(C-5) Embodiment 5 (FIG. 26)
A fifth embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 26, the line head 14 stores the liquid in the portion of the first flexible tube 9a where the first joint 10 to which the first connection portion 13 is connected is provided, and stops the liquid from flowing downward. A liquid reservoir 181 is provided.
Here, the term "stopping the outflow" in "stop the outflow downward by storing the liquid" is not limited to a structure in which the liquid is stopped so as to prevent the liquid from flowing completely downward in the specification of the present application. It is used in a sense that also includes structures that can suppress

According to the present embodiment, even if the liquid leaks when the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a is detached upward from the first joint 10 of the line head 14, the liquid storage portion 181 allows the liquid to leak. The downward flow of liquid can be stopped. Thus, the possibility that the liquid drips into the medium transport area 19 can be reduced.
Here, the line head 14 is larger in size and longer in shape than a serial type liquid ejection head that reciprocates in the liquid ejection area, so that it is easy to secure a place where a liquid reservoir 181 for temporarily storing liquid is provided.

(C-6) Other Configurations (1) Sub-tank As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 27 to 29, the liquid supply flow path (first flexible) between the line head 14 and the liquid container 18 In order to enable the liquid container 18 to be replaced without interrupting the recording by the line head 14, a liquid supply flow path between the liquid container 18 and the line head 14 Is provided with a sub-tank 33 having a liquid chamber 24 capable of storing the liquid. In FIG. 27, reference numeral 49 denotes a back cover.
As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the sub-tank 33 includes two sets of a first sub-tank 33A located on the upstream side in the flow direction of the liquid toward the line head 14 and a second sub-tank 33B located on the downstream side. Including. The sub tank 33 is formed by joining the first plate 37 and the second plate 38 by tightening the screws 47. Each of the liquid chambers 24 of each of the sub-tanks 33A and 33B has a surface constituted by a film 39, and the film 39 is pressed by an urging member 40. The periphery of the film 39 is isolated from the atmosphere by an O-ring 48. In the liquid chamber 24, the space volume for storing the liquid is changed by the displacement of the film 39. The urging member 40 urges in a direction to decrease the space volume.
The liquid pressurized by the pressurizing pump 109 (see FIG. 36 described later) and sent from inside the liquid container 18 is introduced into the liquid chamber 24 of the first sub-tank 33A from the liquid inlet 41 for the first sub-tank 33A. The liquid further exits from the liquid outlet 43, passes through the tube 45 (FIG. 28), is again introduced from the liquid inlet 41 for the second sub-tank 33B into the liquid chamber 24 of the second sub-tank 33B, and accumulates. And is sent to the line head 14 side.
In the above configuration, the liquid supply flow path from the liquid container 18 to the line head 14 via the sub tank 33 is at a higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, when the line head 14 is detached from the apparatus main body 3, if the first flexible tube 9 a is simply detached from the first joint 10 of the line head 14, the liquid in the first flexible tube 9 a is ejected. become. Therefore, the control unit (an electrical component 83, which will be described later, FIG. 30) that controls each operation usually includes a pressure release sequence for releasing the pressurized state in the liquid supply flow path.
However, when the pressure release sequence does not operate normally, the first flexible tube 9a cannot be removed from the first joint 10 of the line head 14.
In such a case, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the space volume of the liquid chamber 24 can be changed by loosening the screw 47 joining the first plate 37 and the second plate 38 constituting the sub tank 33, Thereby, the pressurized state can be released. That is, when the first flexible tube 9a is detached from the first joint 10 of the line head 14, the possibility that the liquid in the first flexible tube 9a spouts can be reduced.

(2) The flexible tube 9 is used as the “liquid supply channel” connected to the line head 14 and supplying the liquid to the line head 14 in the above embodiment. Not limited. It suffices that at least a part of the “liquid supply channel” is formed of a flexible tube. That is, the "liquid supply flow path" may be detached from the line head 14, and the "part of the flexible tube" may be deformed to be vertically oriented and held by the holding portions 71 and 79.

(3) A cover member may be provided between the upper surface 5 of the line head 14 and the liquid supply channel. With this cover member, even if the liquid drips when the liquid supply flow path is attached or detached, the danger that the dripping liquid falls directly onto the line head 14 can be reduced.

(4) The details will be described later (FIGS. 35 and 37). The support section 111 is configured to be able to take both positions of the "support position 111" and the "retreat position 112". A configuration may be adopted in which the line 105 is moved to the “evacuation position 112” and is retracted from immediately below the line head 14 and the liquid supply flow path. Here, the support portion 105 includes a support portion that statically supports the lower surface of the medium M (often referred to as a platen) and a support portion such as a moving belt that dynamically supports the medium M. .
Further, after the support portion 105 is moved to the retreat position, a cap member 106 described below, which contacts the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 and seals the nozzle N, is moved and positioned below the line head 14. It may be.
Thus, damage due to liquid leakage can be suppressed.

(5) When the line head 14 is detached from the apparatus main body 3 for replacement, repair, or the like, a control unit (an electrical component 83, which will be described later, FIG. 30) that controls each operation removes the support unit 105 and the cap member 106 from each other. A sequence may be provided for automatically moving to a position where damage due to the liquid leakage can be suppressed.

(6) The first flexible tube 9a in a state where the first flexible tube 9a is detached from the first joint 10 of the line head 14 is closed using a clamp or the like to prevent the first flexible tube 9a from dripping or fouling. preferable.

(7) As can be understood from the above description, the direction in which the first flexible tube 9a is disconnected from the line head 14 is the same as the direction in which the line head 14 is accessed when removing the line head 14 (up and down). Direction). Therefore, workability is good.

(D) ◆◆ Dealing with the problem when removing the wiping member from the installation location ◆◆
An embodiment for coping with a problem that occurs when a wiping member for wiping a nozzle forming surface of a line head is removed from an installation location will be described below.
This embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 30 to 37. Components common to the components in the above embodiments (A), (B), and (C) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(D-1) Embodiment 1 (FIGS. 2 to 4, 30 to 37)
(D-1-1) Configuration A first embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the wiping member is removed from the installation location will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 30 to 37.

  As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 30 to FIG. 37, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a line head 14 that ejects a liquid from a plurality of nozzles N to a medium M, and a nozzle N. An electrical component composed of a wiping unit 91 having a wiping member (also referred to as a wiper) 82 capable of wiping the nozzle forming surface 81 (FIGS. 2 and 4), and an electronic circuit board or the like for controlling electrical control 83. The wiping member 82 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1. The electrical component 83 is located at a location different from the location below the attachment / detachment path 84 when the wiping member 82 is attached / detached.

As shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, the wiping unit 91 mainly includes a wiping member 82, a holding unit 85, a carriage 86, and a motor 89 in the present embodiment.
The wiping member 82 is held by the holding section 85. The holding portion 85 is detachably attached to the carriage 86 with a screw 87 as an example. Thus, the wiping member 82 can be removed from the carriage 86 while being held by the holding portion 85 by removing the screw 87.
The carriage 86 is movably attached to the screw shaft 88. The screw shaft 88 rotates when the rotation of the motor 89 is transmitted via the worm gear 90. As the screw shaft 88 rotates, the carriage 86 moves in the first direction F1 (the longitudinal direction of the line head 14, the direction intersecting with the direction FM in which the medium M is conveyed), which is the longitudinal direction of the screw shaft 88, The wiping member 82 wipes the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14.
In the figure, reference numeral 104 denotes a guide, which slidably supports the wiping member 82 and stabilizes the movement of the screw shaft 88 in the longitudinal direction (first direction F1).

As described above, the wiping member 82 is movable in a direction intersecting with the direction FM in which the medium M is transported (the longitudinal direction of the line head 14). And it is comprised so that removal is possible in at least one position of this movable direction. This removable position is the rear side of the printer 1 in the present embodiment.
That is, as shown in FIG. 30, in this embodiment, when the rear cover 49 on the rear surface of the printer 1 is opened, the moved wiping member 82 can be accessed. Thus, the wiping member 82 can be removed outside the apparatus main body 3 by opening the back cover 49 and removing the screw 87.
In the present embodiment, when the wiping member 82 is detached from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1, the wiping member 82 is automatically moved to a position where the attachment and detachment can be performed by the electric component 83 which is a control unit for controlling the operation of the motor 89. It is configured to

As shown in FIG. 30, in the present embodiment, the back cover 49 forming the housing of the apparatus main body 3 is opened and closed as described above on the side where the wiping member 82 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1. It is provided as possible. An electrical component 83 is attached to the inner surface of the back cover 49. When the back cover 49 is opened, the electrical component 83 is retracted from the attachment / detachment path 84 of the wiping member 82.
That is, in a normal state in which the back cover 49 is closed, the electrical component 83 is located in the attachment / detachment path 84. However, when the rear cover 49 is opened to remove the wiping member 82, the electrical component 83 automatically retreats from the attachment / detachment path 84 of the wiping member 82.

Here, the attachment / detachment path 84 is an area where the wiping member 82 may pass by the attachment / detachment operation when attaching / detaching the wiping member 82 to / from the printer 1. In simple terms, it means a work area for attaching and detaching the wiping member 82.
Further, in the above structure, “detachable” in “the wiping member 82 is detachable with respect to the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1” refers to the wiping member 82 that contacts the nozzle forming surface 81 and wipes it. Is used in a sense including both attaching and detaching for replacing and repairing, and attaching and detaching for replacing or repairing a part or all of the wiping unit 91.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the wiping member 82 and the holding portion 85 are detachable, but the wiping member 82 alone or the entire wiping unit 91 may be detachable.

の Removal of wiping member≫
Here, a case of removing the wiping member 82 from the installation position in the printer 1 in the present embodiment will be described in the order of steps with reference to FIGS.
(1) First, the back cover 49 on the rear surface of the printer 1 is opened (FIG. 30). Accordingly, the electrical component 83 is automatically retracted from the attachment / detachment path 84 of the wiping member 82.
(2) In the present embodiment, the screw shaft 88 rotates and the wiping member 82 automatically moves to a removable position. In the case where the automatic movement is not performed as described above, it is moved to a removable position.
(3) Next, by removing the screw 87, the wiping member 82 can be removed from the carriage 86 while being held by the holding portion 85. At this time, since the electric component 83 is retracted from the attachment / detachment path 84 of the wiping member 82, even if the liquid drips from the wiping member 82, there is little possibility that the liquid will adhere to the electric component 83.
In the present embodiment, the case where only the wiping member 82 and the holding portion 85 are removed has been described.

(D-1-2) Effect According to the present embodiment, the electrical component 83 such as the electronic circuit board is located at a location different from the location below the attachment / detachment path 84 when the wiping member 82 is attached / detached (the back cover 49 in the open state). Since the wiping member 82 is disposed on the inner surface), when the wiping member 82 is removed from the installation location for replacement or repair, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the liquid attached to the wiping member 82 drips on the electrical component member 83.

  In the case of a long line head 14, the line head 14 does not move, and the wiping member 82 is often moved along the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 to perform wiping. According to the present embodiment, since the movable wiping member 82 can be removed from at least one of the movable directions, the wiping member 82 can be easily removed for replacement or repair. It becomes possible.

  According to the present embodiment, the electrical component 83 such as an electronic circuit board is attached to the inner surface of the openable and closable rear cover 49 provided in the housing. evacuate. Accordingly, the electrical component 82 located in the attachment / detachment path 84 except when the wiping member 82 is maintained can be retracted from the attachment / detachment path 84 by simply opening the cover 49 when the wiping member 82 is maintained. it can. Accordingly, when the wiping member 82 is removed from the installation location, it is possible to reduce the risk of the liquid dripping onto the electrical component member 83 only by opening the cover 49.

(D-2) Embodiment 2 (FIGS. 31 to 34, 36)
A second embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the wiping member is removed from the installation location will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 34 and 36.
As shown in FIG. 31 to FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the holding portion 85 that holds the wiping member 82 stores the liquid that has been wiped from the nozzle forming surface 81 by the wiping operation. A part 92 is provided. The liquid stored in the storage section 92 needs to be discharged from the storage section 92 before being full.
As the discharging means, an engaging member 93 is provided which engages with the holding portion 85 at the moving end where the wiping member 82 moves. The engagement member 93 of the present embodiment includes a suction needle 97 having a suction passage therein as a communication portion 96 that communicates with the liquid reservoir 92 in an engagement state with the holding portion 85. On the other hand, the holding portion 85 includes a receiving hole 101 that receives the suction needle 97, and the receiving hole 101 includes a valve 102 that opens and closes a flow path by inserting and removing the suction needle 97.

As shown in FIG. 36, a negative pressure is applied to the communication portion 96 by a decompression pump 110 which is a suction portion. By applying the negative pressure, the liquid in the storage 92 is discharged and sent to the waste liquid storage 98. In FIG. 36, reference numeral 99 denotes a decompression chamber. The vacuum pump 110, the waste liquid storage section 98, and the vacuum chamber 99 are also provided for a cap member 106 (FIGS. 36, 37, and 38 and thereafter) which will be described later.
The engagement of the wiping member 82 with the engaging member 93 (the suction needle 97 is inserted into the receiving hole 101) is executed for each wiping operation. In addition, it does not need to be every wiping operation.

  When the wiping member 82 is detached from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1, the wiping member 82 can be moved from an engagement position 94 with the engagement member 93 (the position in FIG. 31) to a position 95 (the position in FIG. 32) where the attachment and detachment can be performed. is there. The movement from the engagement position 94 to the position 95 where the attachment / detachment can be performed is automatically executed when a command to remove the wiping member 82 from the printer 1 is sent to the electrical component 83 (control unit). Is desirable.

  According to the present embodiment, when the wiping member 82 is detached from the printer 1, the wiping member 82 can be moved from the engagement position 94 at the moving end to the position 95 where the wiping member 82 can be attached and detached. Can be easily removed.

The liquid is collected by moving and wiping the wiping member 82, and the liquid is stored in the liquid reservoir 92 of the wiping member 82. When the wiping member 82 moves to the engagement position 94 and engages with the engagement member 93, the engagement causes the communication portion 96 of the engagement member 93 to be inserted into the receiving hole 101 of the liquid reservoir 92 to be in a communication state. . In this communication state, the liquid collected in the liquid reservoir 92 is discharged by applying a negative pressure to the communication part 96 from the pressure reducing pump 110 (FIG. 36) serving as a suction part.
Further, when the wiping member 82 is detached from the printer 1, the wiping member can be moved to a position 95 at which the communication end with the communication portion 96 at the engagement position 94 at the moving end can be released and the attachment / detachment can be performed. It becomes possible to easily remove 82 for replacement or repair.

(D-3) Embodiment 3 (FIGS. 31 and 32)
A third embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the wiping member is removed from the installation location will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32.
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a cleaning unit 103 that cleans the wiping member 82. The cleaning unit 103 is provided on the motor 89 side and can move up and down. When cleaning the wiping member 82, it moves down to the cleaning position. At the time of non-cleaning, it moves up to the evacuation position. The cleaning unit 103 is configured to be detachable in the same direction as the wiping member 82.

  According to the present embodiment, when the cleaning unit 103 that cleans the wiping member 82 is removed for repair or replacement, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of the liquid dripping onto the electrical component 83 such as an electronic circuit board. .

(D-4) Other Configurations (1) In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning unit 103 has been described as being attached and detached in the same direction as the attachment and detachment direction of the wiping member 81, but may be detachably attached to the opposite side. Good.

(2) As shown in FIG. 37, the support portion 105 (platen, transport belt, etc.) that supports the medium M in opposition to the nozzle N forming surface of the line head 14 is moved to the medium support position 111 (FIG. )) And the retreat position 112 (FIG. 37B), and when the wiping member 82 is removed for repair or replacement, the support portion 105 is moved to the retreat position 112 (FIG. 37B). 37 (B)) and may be retracted from directly below the line head 14 and the liquid supply flow path. Here, the support unit 105 includes a support unit that statically supports the lower surface of the medium M (often referred to as a platen) and a support unit such as a moving belt that dynamically supports the medium M. In FIGS. 35 and 37, the support portion is a platen.
Further, the cap member 106 that contacts the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 and seals the nozzle N is also retracted to the retracted position 114 (FIG. 37A) separated from the sealing position 113 (FIG. 37B). You may do so. In the figure, reference numeral 107 denotes a guide rail for guiding the movement of the cap member 106 between the above-described positions, and reference numeral 108 denotes an atmosphere release mechanism.
Thus, damage due to liquid dripping from the wiping member 82 can be suppressed.

(3) When the wiping member 82 is removed for repair or replacement, a control unit that controls each operation moves the wiping member 82 to a position 95 where the wiping member 82 can be attached and detached, and the support unit 105 and / or the cap member 106 are removed. May be automatically provided to the retreat positions 112 and 114.

(4) As shown in FIGS. 35 to 36, the wiping member 83 is provided so that it can be removed from the installation position in the apparatus main body 3 below the transport path 69.
Accordingly, since the wiping member 82 can be removed below the transport path 69, the risk that the wiping member 82 falls into the transport path 69 when the liquid drips when the wiping member 82 is removed from the printer 1 can be reduced.

(E) ◆◆ Dealing with the problem when removing the cap member for the line head from the installation place ◆◆
An embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the cap member for the line head is removed from the installation location will be described below.
This embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37 and FIGS. 38 to 46. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members as the constituent members in each of the above-described embodiments (A), (B), (C), and (D), and description thereof will be omitted.

(E-1) Embodiment 1 (FIGS. 35 to 37 and FIGS. 38 to 45)
(E-1-1) Configuration A first embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the cap member for the line head is removed from the installation location will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37 and FIGS. 38 to 45.

As shown in FIGS. 35 to 37 and FIGS. 38 to 45, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a line head 14 that ejects liquid from a plurality of nozzles N to a medium M to be conveyed, and a line head 14 It has a sealable cap member 106 and a transport path 69 for transporting the medium M. A part of the transport path 69 is a detachable unit 115 that is detachable from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1 (FIG. 40).
The cap member 106 is configured to be detachable in the same direction Fc (FIGS. 35, 40, and 44) as the detachable unit 115 when the detachable unit 115 is detached. This direction Fc is the left direction of the printer 1. A cover 118, which can be opened and closed, is provided on a housing on the left side of the apparatus main body 3 (FIG. 38).

  As described with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37, the cap member 106 contacts the nozzle forming surface 81 and seals the nozzle N when the line head 14 is not used. The cap member 106 is guided by the guide rail 107 and moves to the sealing position 113 (FIG. 37B) and the retracted position 114 (FIG. 37A). When a negative pressure is applied to the cap member 106 at the sealing position by the decompression pump 110 as a suction unit, the liquid is suctioned and discharged from the nozzle N of the line head 14. The liquid discharged into the cap member 106 is sent to the waste liquid storage 98.

As shown in FIG. 35, the attaching / detaching unit 115 is a discharge unit 117 having a curved reversing path 116 and discharging the medium M out of the transport path 69.
During the conveyance of the medium M, troubles such as clogging (also referred to as “jam”) may occur during the conveyance of the medium M. By configuring a part or all of the transport path 69 so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1, the trouble processing can be easily performed. In the present embodiment, in addition to the discharge unit 117, a portion located immediately below the discharge tray 7 is detachably configured so that the line head 14 can be taken out upward (see FIGS. 20 and 21). (FIG. 35).

  In the above structure, “remove” in “the cap member 106 can be (removed) ... removable” is a member that directly contacts and seals the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 in the present specification. A cap unit 119 (FIG. 44) including a cap member 106 to be removed for replacement or repair, a holding unit 126 (FIG. 44) for holding the cap member 106, and a moving mechanism 121 related to the sealing operation of the cap member 106. It is used to mean both the removal of part or all of the device for replacement or repair.

The cap unit 119 is movable by a moving mechanism 121 between a sealing position 113 (FIG. 37B) and a retracted position 114 (FIG. 37A) with respect to the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14. It is provided in.
In the present embodiment, the cap unit 119 with the cap member attached is detachable from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1. The moving mechanism 121 includes a guide rail 107 and a drive mechanism (not shown) for moving while being guided by the guide rail 107, and its operation is controlled by a control unit (electrical member 83).

Further, as shown in FIG. 36, FIG. 40 and FIG. 41, a decompression pump 110 which is a suction part for applying a negative pressure to the cap member 106 to suction the liquid in the line head 14, and one of which is provided on the cap member 106 side. And a first tube 122 connected to the decompression pump 110 on the other side. The first tube 122 is configured so that the connection with the decompression pump 110 side can be released in the direction in which the cap member 106 is removed.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 41, a relay channel 130 is provided between the decompression pump 110 and the first tube 122. That is, the other end of the first tube 122 is connected to the relay channel 130. The relay channel 130 and the decompression pump 110 are connected by a second tube 123.

の Removal of the cap unit≫
(1) With respect to the printer 1 in the state of FIG. 38, first, the cover 118 provided on the housing on the left side is removed (FIG. 39). Thereby, the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) which forms a part of the transport path 69 can be accessed.
(2) As shown in FIG. 40, the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) is pulled out in the direction Fc (to the left of the apparatus). The detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) can be pulled out by being guided by a rail (not shown) on the apparatus main body 3 side. With this drawer, the cap unit 119 located at the back thereof can be accessed.
(3) Next, the connection of the first tube 122 to the relay channel 130 is released. The direction of the release is the same as the direction Fc of removing the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) from the apparatus main body 3. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 42 is obtained. Although the first tube 122 is flexible, it has relatively high rigidity, and assumes a substantially straight posture as shown in the figure when the connection is released.
In FIG. 42, reference numeral 124 denotes a connection portion with the relay channel 130. Reference numeral 125 in FIG. 45 denotes a joint on the relay channel 130 side to which the connection portion 124 is connected.
As shown in FIG. 43, in a state where the connection of the first tube 122 to the relay channel 130 is released, the connection portion 124 at the tip of the first tube 122 is located inside the apparatus main body 3. Thus, even if the liquid drips from the first tube 122, it can be retained in the apparatus main body 3.
(4) Next, as shown in FIG. 44, the cap unit 119 is removed from the apparatus main body 3. This removing direction is the same as the removing direction Fc of the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) from the apparatus main body 3. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 44 is obtained.
In the present embodiment, the cap unit 119 can be pulled out by being guided by a rail (not shown) on the device body 3 side.

(E-1-2) Effect According to the present embodiment, the cap member 106 has the same direction Fc as the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) in a state where the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) having the above-mentioned configuration is removed. It is provided so that it can be removed. That is, the space created by removing the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) is a removal space for removing the cap member 106, and the cap member 106 can be removed in the same direction as the detachable unit 115 using this space. Is configured. As described above, the cap member 106 can be removed in the same direction Fc as the detachable unit 115 by utilizing the space generated by detaching the detachable unit 115, so that maintenance such as repair and replacement of the cap member 106 can be performed easily. Can be implemented well.
Further, when removing the cap member 106, the transport path 69 located in front of the cap member 106 is a detachable unit 115, so that it is only necessary to remove the unit 115 integrally, and there is no need to disassemble the components. Is good.

  According to the present embodiment, the space created by removing the discharge unit 117 which is often configured originally as a detachable structure is used as a removal space for removing the cap member 106. Therefore, in order to make the cap member 106 detachable, there is little need to change a component member in front of the cap member 106 to a detachable structure so that the cap member 106 can be taken out, and there is no waste in design and manufacture. .

According to the present embodiment, since the cap member 106 is removed as the whole cap unit 119, the workability of repair and replacement of the cap member 106 is good, and the repair and replacement of the entire cap unit 119 can be easily performed.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the first tube 122 connected to apply a negative pressure to the cap member 106 can release the connection in the same direction as the direction Fc in which the cap member 106 is removed. Therefore, at the time of maintenance such as repair or replacement of the cap member 106, the disconnection processing of the first tube 112, which becomes an obstacle, can be performed with good workability.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the cap member 106 is configured to be connected to the decompression pump (suction unit) 110 by the first tube 122, the relay channel 130, and the second tube 123. Therefore, the length of the first tube 122, which needs to be disconnected when the cap member 106 is removed, can be shortened by the length of the relay channel 130 and the second tube 123. Will be better.

(E-2) Embodiment 2 (FIGS. 41 and 45)
A second embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the cap member for the line head is removed from the installation location will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 41 and 45, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the second tube 123 is provided outside the movement path when the cap member 106 is removed. That is, the area occupied by the movement path is determined by the area occupied in the direction (X direction) intersecting with the direction Fc of taking out the cap unit 119 including the cap member 106, and the second tube 123 is located outside the area. It is configured as follows.
Thereby, the cap member 106 or the cap unit 119 can be removed while keeping the connection state of the second tube 123, so that the workability is good.

The decompression pump 110 serving as a suction unit is detachable from the printer 1, and the second tube 123 is configured to be able to release the connection in the direction in which the decompression pump 110 is removed. In this embodiment, the rear cover 49 is opened so that the decompression pump 110 can be removed from the rear of the apparatus main body 3.
Thus, the connection of the second tube 123 can be released in the direction in which the decompression pump 110 is removed (Y direction, which is the rear of the device). Therefore, when the decompression pump 110 is removed for repair or replacement, the second tube 123 can be accessed from the direction in which the decompression pump 110 is detached (rear side of the apparatus) to disconnect the connection, thereby improving workability. Become.

(E-3) Embodiment 3 (FIG. 46)
A third embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the cap member for the line head is removed from the installation location will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 46, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the cap member 106 is moved by the moving mechanism 121 to the sealing position 113 (FIG. 37B) with respect to the line head 14 and the retracted position 114 (FIG. 37A). )). The moving mechanism 121 can move the cap member 106 to the retreat position 114 when removing the cap member 106 from the printer 1.

In the present embodiment, a control unit (electrical member 83) for controlling the movement of the cap member 106 between the sealing position 113 and the retreat position 114 is provided. The control unit (the electrical component 83) receives the signal and is configured to automatically move the cap member 106 to the retreat position 114. In addition, it is not limited to an automatic moving structure.
The cap member 106 is configured to be detachable from the retreat position 114 on the cap unit 119 in the direction Fc. The cap unit 119 is not removed and remains in the apparatus main body 3.
Thus, the retreat position 114 of the cap member 106 can be used as a removal position for removing the cap member 106, and there is no waste in design and manufacture.

(E-4) Other Configuration (1) As shown in FIG. 35, the cap member 106 is provided so that it can be removed from the installation position in the apparatus main body 3 below the transport path 69.
Accordingly, since the cap member 106 can be removed below the transport path 69, it is possible to reduce the risk of the liquid dropping onto the transport path 69 even when the liquid drips when the cap member 106 is removed from the printer 1.

(2) The first tube 122 and the second tube 123 may be closed using a clamp or the like so that the liquid does not leak when the connection at one end is released.

(3) The first tube 122 may release the connection of the connection portion with the cap member 106.

(4) When removing the cap member 106 for repair or replacement, the control unit (the electrical component member 83) that controls each operation automatically moves to a position where the cap member 106 can be attached and detached (the retreat position 114 and the like). A sequence for moving the cap may be provided.

(5) In FIG. 44, the moving rail for removing the cap unit 119 from the apparatus main body 3 may have a structure that also serves as a rail for taking out the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117).

(6) As shown in FIG. 35 and the like, the medium accommodating cassette 4 is disposed below the attachment / detachment path of the cap member 106, but is shielded between the attachment / detachment path of the cap member 106 and the medium accommodation cassette 4. A member may be provided. With this shielding member, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid dripping when the cap member is attached or detached directly falls into the medium storage cassette 4.

(7) As described in the above embodiments (A) to (E), in the printer 1, the line head 14 opens the cover (discharge tray 7) from above the apparatus main body 3 and moves upward. The cap member 106 that is configured to be removable and seals the nozzle N in contact with the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 is configured to be able to be taken out from the side surface of the apparatus main body 3, and suction to the wiping member 82 and the cap member 106 is performed. Since the portion 97 and the second tube are configured to be taken out from the back surface of the apparatus main body 3, maintenance can be performed efficiently.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet printer, 2 scanner unit, 3 apparatus main body, 4 medium storage cassette, 5 upper surface, 6 record execution part, 7 discharge tray, 8 outlet, 9 flexible tube, 9a first flexible tube, 9a (C) First tube, 9a (M) Second tube, 9a (Y) Third tube, 9a (K) Fourth tube, 9b Second flexible tube, 10 First joint, 10C First joint, 10M Second joint 10Y third joint, 10K fourth joint, 11 multiple flow paths, 11C first flow path, 11M second flow path, 11Y third flow path, 11K fourth flow path, 12 transport mechanism, 13 first connection part , 14 line head (liquid ejecting head), 15 first extended portion, 16 pump (air supply source), 17a, 17b, 17c divided into three equal parts, 17b central part, 18 liquid storage , 19 medium transport area, 20 substrate, 21 first surface, 22 second surface, 23 mounting hole, 24 liquid chamber, 25 (25a, 25b, 25c) sealing portion, 26 (26a, 26b) sealing portion, 27 2nd joint, 28 2nd connection part, 29 2nd extension part, 30 liquid container holder, 31a, 31b, 31c area, 32 (32a, 32b) area, 33 sub tank, 33A first sub tank, 33B second sub tank , 34 fulcrum, 35 support, 36 end, 37 first plate, 38 second plate, 39 film, 40 urging member, 41 liquid inlet, 43 liquid outlet, 48 O-ring, 42 negative pressure generating part, 44 flow Road opening / closing part, 46 pressure adjusting part, 47 screw, 50 FFC, 51 multiple terminals, 52 connector, 53 cable connection part, 54 flat surface, 55 cable Extension part, 56 bent part, 56a first bent part, 56b second bent part, 57 body side connector, 58 cable connection part, 66 crossing part, 69 transport path, 69a transport path for one side recording, 69b double side recording Reversing path, 70 ejection head section, 71 holding section, 72 liquid outlet of liquid storage section 18, 73 position of first connection portion 13 of first flexible tube 9a, 74 support mechanism, 75 regulating section, 75a Regulating surface, 76 regulating portion, 76a regulating surface, 77 direction line, 78 target display, 79 concave groove, 80 holding portion, 81 nozzle forming surface, 82 wiping member, 83 electrical member, 84 attaching / detaching path, 85 holding portion, 86 carriage , 87 screw, 88 screw shaft, 89 motor, 90 worm gear, 91 wiping unit, 92 storage unit, 93 engaging member, 4 Engagement position, 95 Removable position, 96 communication part, 97 suction needle, 98 waste liquid storage part, 99 decompression chamber, 100 control device, 101 receiving hole, 102 valve, 103 cleaning part, 104 guide, 105 support part, 106 cap member, 107 guide rail, 108 atmosphere release mechanism, 109 pressurizing pump, 110 depressurizing pump (suction unit), 111 medium support position, 112 retreat position, 113 sealing position, 114 retreat position, 115 detachable unit, 116 bending Inversion path, 117 discharge unit, 118 cover, 119 cap unit, 121 moving mechanism, 122 first tube, 123 second tube, 124 connection part with decompression chamber, 126 holding part, 130 relay channel, 142 housing, 181 Liquid reservoir, 341 (341a, 341b, 341c) Part, 342 (342a, 342b, 342c) groove, 351 (351a, 351b) groove, 352 (352a, 352b) groove, 381 connection part, 382 connection part, 442 flexible member, 444 elastic member, 462 flexible member, 464 elastic body, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 plural FFCs, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525 plural connectors, F1 first direction (longitudinal direction of line head), F2 second direction (device Height direction), F3 third direction, movement direction which is the transport direction of Fc FM medium, length on L1 line head, L2 length between fulcrum 34 and line head, M medium (paper), N nozzle .

Claims (7)

A liquid ejecting head that performs printing by ejecting a liquid to a medium to be conveyed,
A liquid supply flow path connected to the liquid ejecting head and supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting head;
A holding portion capable of holding the liquid supply flow path,
  The medium is transported over an area where the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head,
  At the time of the printing, the liquid supply flow path is arranged at a position vertically overlapping with the area, and the liquid supply flow path is horizontally separated from the area when the liquid supply flow path is held by the holding unit. A liquid ejecting apparatus, which is disposed at a position. The liquid supply channel has a deformable deformation portion,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit holds the liquid supply flow path in a state where the deformation unit is deformed. A plurality of the liquid supply flow paths are provided,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit collectively holds a plurality of the liquid supply channels. 4. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit holds the liquid supply channel at a position off a movement path of the liquid ejecting head. 5. . The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is provided above the liquid ejecting head. A liquid ejecting head that performs printing by ejecting a liquid onto a medium to be conveyed, a liquid supply flow path that is connected to the liquid ejecting head and supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting head, and holds the liquid supply flow path And a possible holding unit, wherein the medium is transported over an area where the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head, and the liquid supply flow path is arranged at a position vertically overlapping the area at the time of printing. The method for maintaining a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid supply flow path is disposed at a position horizontally separated from the region when the liquid supply flow path is held by the holding unit,
A maintenance method for the liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid supply path is deformed and held by the holding section, and then the liquid ejecting apparatus is maintained. A plurality of the liquid supply channels are provided,
The maintenance method for the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of liquid supply channels are collectively held by the holding unit.

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