JP6977760B2 - Liquid injection device and maintenance method of liquid injection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid injection device including a line head.

As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a liquid injection device such as an inkjet printer provided with a line head uses a flexible tube as a flow path or ink from a liquid supply source such as a liquid container. There is a structure that supplies the liquid to the line head via a path tube.
Further, the line head may be 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 long in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium. A plurality of nozzles for injecting liquid are provided on the nozzle forming surface of the line head over almost the entire length in the longitudinal direction thereof. The flexible tube constitutes all or part of the liquid supply flow path from the liquid supply source by connecting the connection portion on the tube side to the 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 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. A structure that can be used 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 distance from the medium.

When the line head moves up and down as described above, the joint and the flexible tube connected to the joint also move up and down together. The FFC also moves up and down together.
This up-and-down movement puts stress on the flexible tube, which may cause liquid leakage from the joint portion. When the flexible tube is fixed in position by a fixing portion on the device main body side in the vicinity of the line head, the stress is particularly likely to be applied.
In addition, the FFC may be twisted due to the vertical movement of the line head. Further, the FFC is stressed by the vertical movement of the line head, and there is a possibility that the FFC may be disconnected from the connection portion with the line head or the wire may be disconnected.
Further, 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 length of each flow path from the joint to each nozzle is likely to vary. If the flow path length varies widely, the supply pressure from the liquid supply source varies, which may cause the weight of the droplets ejected from each nozzle to vary.
Further, in the case of a structure in which the flexible tube is removed from the joint of the line head at the time of maintenance or the like, the liquid may drip with the removal. Since there is a medium transport region below the line head, the dripping liquid may fall into the medium transport region.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-11188 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-062851 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-113212

Each of the above patent documents does not describe or suggest the problem that the liquid drips into the lower medium transport region when the liquid supply flow path such as a flexible tube is removed from the line head.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of liquid dripping into the medium transport region when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head.

In order to achieve the above object, the liquid injection device according to the first aspect of the present invention is connected to a medium transport region, a line head that injects liquid into a medium transported through the medium transport region, and the line head. The line head is provided with a liquid supply flow path for supplying the liquid, and the liquid supply flow path is arranged so that the line head is located between the line head and the medium transport region in the vertical direction. And.

According to this aspect, the liquid supply flow path is arranged so that the line head is located between the liquid supply flow path and the medium transport region 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, the possibility that the liquid drips into the medium transport region can be reduced.

In the liquid injection device of the second aspect according to the present invention, in the first aspect, the connection portion connected to the line head of the liquid supply flow path is located on the upper surface of the line head, and the liquid supply flow is provided. The path has an extension 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 is the extension portion and the upper surface of the line head. The portion outside the above is characterized in that it is located outside the medium transport area.

According to this aspect, when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head, the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is removed from the joint of the line head, and the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward while the line head is removed. By moving along the upper surface, even if the liquid drips from the connection portion, the line head is located on the upper side of the medium transport area, so that the risk of the liquid falling directly onto the medium transport area is reduced. be able to. Then, when the connection portion of the line head is lifted to reach the outer region off the upper surface of the line head, the position is out of the range of the medium transport region. Therefore, since the medium transport region does not exist directly under the connection portion, it is possible to similarly reduce the possibility that the liquid will fall directly into the medium transport region.

In the liquid injection device of the third aspect according to the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the liquid supply flow path is composed of a plurality of flow paths, and the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward. It is characterized by including a support mechanism that supports the connection 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 is guided to move along the upper surface of the line head, and has a mechanical structure. Guides by means of guides, arrows, marks and holding parts provided at the target position of the destination, and guides by other indications that serve as landmarks of the 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 by being supported by the support mechanism.

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

According to this aspect, the regulation surface of the regulation portion is along the lifting direction when the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward along the upper surface of the line head. Therefore, when the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward, the connection portion can be guided, that is, supported, to move along the upper surface of the line head.
Further, since the position of the liquid supply flow path on the upper surface of the line head of the plurality of flow paths in the extension portion is regulated by the regulation surface of the regulation portion, it is possible to suppress the variation of the plurality of flow paths. Can be done.

In the third aspect of the liquid injection device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the support mechanism is on a 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. It is characterized by being provided at a position and being a target display indicating the position of the destination.

According to this aspect, since the target display indicating the position of the movement destination is provided at the position on the direction line where the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is lifted upward and moves along the upper surface of the line head, the target is provided. The display can guide, or support, move the connection along the top surface of the line head as it lifts the connection of the liquid supply flow path upwards.

The liquid injection device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the medium transfer region in a state where the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head in any one of the first to fifth aspects. It is characterized by including a holding portion for holding the connection portion upward outside the range.

According to this aspect, since the holding portion for holding the connection portion with the connection portion facing upward is provided with the liquid supply flow path removed from the line head, the liquid supply flow path in the removed state does not get in the way during maintenance. Maintainability is improved.
Further, since the holding portion is located outside the range of the medium transport region, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid drips from the liquid supply flow path held by the holding portion to the medium transport region.

In the sixth aspect of the liquid injection device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the line head is removable from the liquid injection device, and the holding portion is located at a position where the line head is detached from the attachment / detachment path. It is characterized by being provided in.

According to this aspect, since the holding portion is provided at a position away from the attachment / detachment path of the line head, the holding portion is supplied with liquid in a state where it does not get in the way during maintenance such as repair or replacement of the line head. It is possible to hold the flow path.

In the sixth or seventh aspect, the liquid injection device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention includes a liquid container for accommodating the liquid supplied to the line head, and is held by the holding portion. The position of the connection portion in the above is characterized by being above the center position of the liquid outlet of the liquid storage portion.
According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the liquid drips from the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path in the removed state.

In the liquid injection device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the line head is provided with a joint to which the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is connected. It is characterized by having a liquid reservoir portion that collects liquid in the portion where the liquid is formed and stops the outflow to the lower side.
Here, the term "stopping the outflow" in "reserving the liquid and stopping the downward outflow" is not limited to the structure for stopping the liquid from completely flowing downward in the present specification, and the downward outflow is not limited to the structure. It is used in the sense that it also includes a structure that can suppress.

According to this aspect, even if the liquid leaks when the connection portion of the liquid supply flow path is disconnected from the joint of the line head, the liquid reservoir can stop the outflow of the liquid downward. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid will drip into the medium transport area.
Here, since the line head is larger in size and longer in shape than the serial type liquid discharge head that reciprocates in the liquid discharge region, it can be said that it is easy to secure a place for providing a liquid storage portion for temporarily storing the liquid.

An overall perspective view of the appearance of an example of the liquid injection device according to the present invention, (A) is a view from the front direction, and (B) is a view from the rear. Same as above A perspective view of a main part showing a part of a line head, a flexible tube, and a liquid container according to an embodiment of the liquid injection device. Same as above. Same as above, front view of the main part. The schematic block diagram of the liquid injection apparatus shown in FIG. An exploded perspective view of the line head according to the same embodiment (from above). An exploded perspective view of the line head according to the same embodiment (from below). A plan view of the line head according to the same embodiment as viewed from the medium side. Explanatory drawing of the flow path of the line head which concerns on the same embodiment. A side view and a plan view of the flow path structure of the line head according to the same embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII. An explanatory diagram of the relationship between the flow path structure of the line head and the ink and air supply pipes according to the same embodiment. The block diagram focusing on the ink flow path of one system in the flow path control part of the line head which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part showing a part of a line head and an FFC according to an embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. Same as above, side view of the main part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a part of a line head, a flexible tube, and an FFC according to an embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1. The same perspective view showing a state in which a flexible tube is removed from the state of FIG. 16 and lifted. The same perspective view which shows the state which FFC is removed from the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing the positional relationship between the line head and the medium transport path shown in FIG. A perspective view from the front showing a state in which the medium receiving surface of the medium discharging portion is opened, according to the embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1. (A) is the same perspective view showing a state in which a part of the medium transport 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 a state in which the flexible tube is removed from the state of FIG. 21 (A) and held in the holding portion, and (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. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of a line head and a flexible tube according to an embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the flexible tube is removed and held in the holding portion according to the embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1. A partially cutaway perspective view showing a portion of a line head and a flexible tube according to an embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1. The perspective view (from the rear) in which the back cover of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1 was opened so that the sub tank could be accessed. The front side perspective view of the sub tank shown in FIG. 27. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 28. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (from the rear) according to the embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1 in which the back cover is opened so that the wiping unit can be accessed. A plan view (A) of the wiping unit of the same embodiment, a sectional view taken along line AA (B) in the plan view (A), a front view (C), and an enlarged sectional view (D) of a main part. A plan view (A) of the wiping unit of the same embodiment, a sectional view taken along line AA (B) in the plan view (A), a front view (C), and an enlarged sectional view (D) of a main part. An enlarged exploded sectional view of a main part in which the wiping member is removed from the wiping unit of the same embodiment. An enlarged front view of a main part in which the wiping member is removed from the wiping unit of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the line head, the wiping member, and the transport path according to the embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the line head and the wiping member according to the embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the line head and the wiping member according to the embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1, in which (A) is a state in which the support portion is in the support position with the cap member separated. B) is in a sealed state with a cap member and the support part is in a retracted state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a left side surface according to an embodiment of the liquid injection device shown in FIG. 1. The same perspective view showing the state which the cover of the left side surface is removed from the state of FIG. 38. The same perspective view showing the state which the discharge unit was removed from the state of FIG. 39. FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part. The same perspective view showing the state which one end of the 1st tube was removed from a relay flow path from the state of FIG. 40. The front view which showed the state of FIG. 42 by cutting out a part. The same perspective view showing the state which the cap unit was removed from the state of FIG. 42. FIG. 44 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cap member is removed from the state of FIG. 42.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the liquid injection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X direction represents the device width direction (the total width direction of the medium), the Y direction represents the medium transport direction, and the Z direction represents the device height direction. In order to make the explanation easier to understand, the directions of the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the device are shown in some drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an example of a liquid injection device according to the present invention.
This liquid injection device is an inkjet printer 1 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a printer 1), which is one of the recording devices. The printer 1 is configured as a multifunction device with a scanner unit 2 at the top. The scanner unit 2 may not be provided in the present invention.
The printer 1 has a plurality of medium storage cassettes 4 that store paper M (FIG. 5, hereinafter may be referred to as “medium M”) such as plain paper or photographic paper as an example of “medium” in the lower part of the apparatus main body 3. Is arranged, and a recording execution unit 6 having a line head 14 (FIG. 2) inside is provided on the upper side of the medium storage cassette 4. Each medium accommodating cassette 4 is removable from the front side of the apparatus main body 3.

Between the recording execution unit 6 and the scanner unit 2, a discharge tray 7 for ejecting the paper M recorded and executed by the line head 14 is provided on a part of the top surface of the recording execution unit 6. .. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 indicates an outlet from which the paper M is ejected toward the ejection tray 7. Further, the discharge tray 7 is configured to be openable and closable so that the internal line head 14 can be lifted upward and taken out. The take-out structure of the line head 14 will be described later.

(A) ◆◆ Dealing with the problem that the flexible tube receives when raising and lowering the line head ◆◆
An embodiment of dealing with a problem suffered by the flexible tube 9 due to the raising and lowering of the line head 14 will be described below.
The present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13 and 19.

(A-1) Embodiment 1
(A-1-1) Configuration As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the present embodiment, the flexible tube 9 has four first flexible tubes that supply liquid ink to the line head 14. It includes a tube 9a and two second flexible tubes 9b that supply the gaseous air to the line head 14. The number of tubes is not limited to these.
The base end side of the first flexible tube 9a is connected to the liquid container 18 side which is a liquid supply source. In FIGS. 2 to 4, reference numeral 30 is 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 base end side of the second flexible tube 9b is connected to a pump 16 (FIG. 5) which is an air supply source.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the printer 1 has a long line head 14 along the first direction F1 (same as the X direction) and a first flexible line head 14 that supplies ink to the line head 14. It is provided with a 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 first joints 10. It is provided with a plurality of flow paths 11 forming a flow path between the nozzle N and the nozzle N. Further, the line head 14 is moved up and down by an elevating mechanism (not shown) in the second direction F2 (same as the Z direction) orthogonal to the first direction F1.

The first flexible tube 9a includes a first connection portion 13 connected to the first joint 10. Further, the first flexible tube 9a has the first connection portion 13 to one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1 from the first connection portion 13 in a state where the first connection portion 13 is connected to the first joint 10. It is provided with a first extension portion 15 that is extended along the direction F1 of 1 and is not extended to the other side (−X side) and can be moved as the line head 14 moves up and down.
The "plurality of flow paths" will be described in detail in the section of explaining the structure of the line head based on FIGS. 5 to 13 which will be described later.

The first joint 10 is arranged in the central portion 17b of each region 17a, 17b, 17c that divides the line head into three equal parts in the first direction F1.
Here, the "central portion 17b when the line head 14 is divided into three equal parts" in "the first joint 10 is arranged at the central portion 17b when the line head 14 is divided into three equal parts in the first direction F1" is the first. 1 The joint 10 is provided not at the end portion in the longitudinal direction (first direction F1) but at the central portion of the long line head 14, but the range of the central portion in the longitudinal direction is defined. Is. The range of the "central portion 17b" is determined in relation to the problem of reducing the "variation in supply pressure" based on the "variation in flow path length". Therefore, "three equal divisions" does not have to be exact three equal divisions.
Simply, in the line head 14 having a structure in which the nozzle N is provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the line head 14, the region of the line head 14 in the longitudinal direction is divided into three equal parts as a whole. It may be the central part of (Fig. 3).
Alternatively, with respect to the plurality of flow paths 11 provided between the first joint 10 and the plurality of nozzles N (flow paths PI1 (FIG. 9) provided in the flow path structure G1 described later), the first direction F1 thereof. It may be the central part of the region which is divided into three equal parts as a whole from the end to the end of the formation range in.

In the present embodiment, the line head 14 is a region of a nozzle N formed in a first direction F1 which is a direction intersecting a moving direction FM which is a transporting direction of a medium M on which a liquid such as ink is ejected. The entire medium transport area 19 (FIG. 3) in the first direction F1 of the medium M is provided so as to be coverable. The region 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 supported by the liquid injection device.

In the present embodiment, the line head 14 has the first joint 10 located on the upper surface 5 in the elevating direction (second direction F2).
Further, the first flexible tube 9a has four first tubes 9a (C), two arranged so that their positions in the second direction F2 (Z direction) overlap each other, that is, they are located in a substantially horizontal plane. The number tube 9a (M), the number 3 tube 9a (Y) and the number 4 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.
Then, 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). The third joint 10Y and the fourth joint 10K connected to the fourth tube 9a (M) are included (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 the above-mentioned tube for supplying ink of a different color (CMYK), for example, a tube for supplying ink of the same type (color), a tube for supplying ink and a tube for collecting ink, and the like. May be. Further, when the liquid injection device is a device other than the printer, it goes without saying that the liquid passing through the tube is not the ink but the liquid for the device.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the plurality of flow paths 11 communicate with the first joint 10C and have the first flow path 11C having a plurality of branch points along the first direction F1 and the second flow path 11C. The second flow path 11M having a plurality of branch points along the first direction F1 communicating with the joint 10M, and the third flow having a plurality of branch points along the first direction F1 communicating with the third joint 10Y. It includes a road 11Y and a fourth flow path 11K that communicates with the fourth joint 10K and has a plurality of branch points along a 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. Along the third direction F3, the first flow path 11C, the second flow path 11M, the third flow path 11Y, and the fourth flow path 11K are arranged side by side in the same order.

Here, the "plurality of branch points" is a point at which the flow path is branched in order to provide a plurality of outlets for one supply port in one flow path. That is, a branch point is provided according to the number of outlets. This "plurality of branch points" will be described in more detail in the portion of the description of the structure of the line head based on FIGS. 5 to 13 which will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 26 described later, in the present embodiment, the first joint 10 is the first joint 10C, the second joint 10M, the third joint 10Y, and the fourth joint 10K. Each joint is arranged along a 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, 3 and 26 described later, in the present embodiment, the first extending portion 15 of the first flexible tube 9a is separated from the line head 14 in the first direction F1. It has a fulcrum portion 34 for moving up and down together with the line head 14 at the designated position. The fulcrum portion 34 is a fulcrum 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34K for each tube of 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, like the plurality of joints 10C, 10M, 10Y, and 10K of the first joint 10.
Here, the fulcrum portion 34 is composed of an end portion 36 of a support portion 35 that supports the second flexible tube 9a routed in the apparatus main body 3 from below, and the fulcrum portion 34 is formed at this end. 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 air which is a gas to the line head 14, and the line head 14 can be the second. A second joint 27 connected to the flexible tube 9b is provided.
The second flexible tube 9b comprises a second connecting portion 28 that is connected to the second fitting 27. Further, in a state where the second connecting portion 28 is connected to the second joint 27, the second connecting portion 28 is extended along the first direction F1 from the second connecting portion 28 to one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1. A second extending portion 29, which is not extended to the other side (−X side) and can be moved as the line head 14 moves up and down, is provided.
The second joint 27 is arranged on the other side (−X side) in the first direction F1 with respect to 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. 5 to 13 described later.

In the present embodiment, the line head 14 has a second joint 27 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 positioned so that their positions in the second direction F2 (Z direction) overlap each other, that is, they are located in a substantially horizontal plane. Have been placed.

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 27A1,27A2 of the second joint 27 are arranged is parallel to the third direction F3 (Y direction).
Further, in the present embodiment, the second extending portion 29 of the second flexible tube 9b is a fulcrum portion 34 when moving up and down together with the line head 14 at a position separated from the line head 14 in the first direction F1. Has. The fulcrum portion 34 is common to the fulcrum portion 34 for the first extension portion 15, and includes the fulcrums 34A1 and 34A2 for each tube of the first tube 9b (A1) and the second tube 9b (A2). The fulcrums 34A1 and 34A2 are arranged along the third direction F3, like the plurality of joints 27A1,27A2 of the second joint 27.

(A-1-2) Effect (1) According to the above embodiment, the first flexible tube 9a is from the first connection portion 13 connected to the first joint 10 of the line head 14 to the line head 14. It is extended along the first direction F1 to one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1 which is the longitudinal direction, and is not extended to the other side (-X side), and the line head 14 can be moved up and down. It is provided with a movable first extension portion 15. As described above, since 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 central portion 17b, the first extension portion 15 is extended. The portion 15 can flexibly correspond to the elevating operation of the line head 14.
As a result, 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 absorbed and reduced by the first extending portion 15.

Further, since the first joint 10 is arranged in the central portion 17b when the line head 14 is divided into three equal parts in the first direction F1 which is the longitudinal direction of the line head 14, 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 made smaller than that of the structure in which the first joint is arranged at the end portion in the longitudinal direction, and thus to each nozzle N of the line head 14. It is possible to reduce the variation in the supply pressure of the liquid.

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

(3) According to the present 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 first direction. Along the third direction F3 (Y direction) orthogonal to each of the two directions F2, the first 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. I'm out. As a result, 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, and the portion of the structure can be arranged in a different order. Can be miniaturized.
Further, when the first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y), and the fourth tube 9a (K) are made visible from the outside by using a transparent member. , The connection positions of a plurality of tubes (9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y), 9a (K)) are easy to understand, 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 the direction intersecting the third direction F3. Compared to the structure to be constructed, it becomes easier to align the flow path lengths of the liquids supplied from the first tube 9a (C), the second tube 9a (M), the third tube 9a (Y), and the fourth tube 9a (K). ..

(5) Further, according to the present embodiment, the fulcrum portion 34 has the fulcrum 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34K for each of the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K). The first joint 10 is arranged along the third direction F3, and the plurality of joints 10C, 10M, 10Y, and 10K are arranged along the third direction F3. As a result, the first extension portion 15 has the lengths of the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K) located between the first joint 10 and the fulcrum portion 34. Will be about the same. Further, the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K) are arranged so that their positions in the second direction F2 overlap each other.
According to the present embodiment, when the first extending portion 15 swings with the fulcrum portion 34 as the fulcrum due to the vertical movement of the line head 14, the above-mentioned "the lengths of the plurality of tubes are substantially the same" as described above. Due to the existence and the configuration that "the positions of the plurality of tubes overlap each other in the second direction", the swinging posture of the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and each of the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and It becomes almost the same at 9a (K). As a result, the stress based on the swing can be received almost equally in each of the plurality of tubes 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K), and thus based on the swing. It is possible to effectively absorb and reduce stress without bias.
In other words, if the stress applied to each tube 9a (C), 9a (M), 9a (Y) and 9a (K) based on the swing is not uniform, a large stress is applied. There is a risk that problems such as detachment and deterioration will be concentrated on the tube of the portion, but such a risk is small according to the present embodiment.

(6) According to the present embodiment, also for the second flexible tube 9b, the second extending portion 29 is the position of the second joint 27 from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the long line head 14. Is extended along the line head 14. As a result, similarly to the first flexible tube 9a, the second extending portion 29 can flexibly correspond 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 absorbed and reduced by the second extending portion 15.
Further, since the second joint 27 is arranged on the other side (−X side) in the first direction F1 with respect to the first joint 10, the structure of the joint is not complicated.

(7) According to the present embodiment, the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b are positioned so that their positions in the second direction F2 (Z direction) overlap each other, that is, they are located in a substantially horizontal plane. Is located in. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size in the second direction F2 as compared with other structures having different positions in the second direction F2.

Further, the fulcrums 34A1 and 34A2 of the fulcrum portion 34 are arranged along the third direction F3 like the plurality of joints 27A1,27A2 of the second joint 27.
Therefore, when the second extending portion 29 swings with the fulcrum portion 34 as the fulcrum due to the vertical movement of the line head 14, the swinging posture thereof is approximately the same for each of the plurality of tubes 9b (A1) and the second tube 9b (A2). Will be the same. As a result, the stress based on the swing can be received almost equally in each of the plurality of tubes 9b (A1) and 9b (A2), and thus 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. 5 to 13.
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 injection device that injects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a print medium (injection target) M such as printing paper, and is a control device 100, a transfer mechanism 12, and a line head (hereinafter, "liquid injection head"). A 14 and a pump 16 are provided. A liquid container (hereinafter, may be referred to as a “liquid container (ink cartridge)”) 18 for storing inks I of a plurality of colors is mounted on the printer 1. In the present embodiment, the 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 comprehensively controls each element of the printer 1. 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 injection 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 injection head 14. The pump 16 of the present embodiment can pressurize each of the air A1 and the air A2 independently of each other.
The liquid injection head 14 injects the ink I supplied from the liquid container 18 onto the print medium M under the control of the control device 100. The liquid injection head 14 of the present embodiment is a long line head in the X direction intersecting the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane (the plane parallel to the surface of the print medium M) is hereinafter referred to as the Z direction. The injection direction of the ink I by the liquid injection head 14 corresponds to the −Z direction.

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

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

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

The flow path control unit G2 of FIGS. 6 and 7 is an element that controls the flow path of the liquid injection head 14 (for example, opening / closing of the flow path and pressure in the flow path), and corresponds to different liquid injection units U3. It is configured to include the flow path control unit 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 systems of ink I distributed to each liquid injection unit U3 by the flow path structure G1 according to the two systems of air A.

After distribution in the flow path structure G1, four systems of ink I via each flow path control unit U2 are supplied in parallel to the six liquid injection units U3. Each liquid injection unit U3 includes a liquid distribution unit 60. The liquid distribution unit 60 distributes each of the four systems of ink I supplied from the flow path control unit U2 in the previous stage to the six systems corresponding to the different injection head units 70. That is, the four systems of ink I after distribution by the liquid distribution unit 60 are supplied in parallel to each of the six injection head units 70. Each injection head unit 70 injects each of the four inks I from different nozzles N.
Specific examples of each element (flow path structure G1, flow path control unit G2, liquid injection unit G3) of the liquid injection head 14 outlined above will be described in detail below.

<Channel structure G1>
10 is a side view and a plan view of the flow path structure G1, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the 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). It is a flat plate-like structure including. In the plan view of FIG. 10, the 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 material long in the X direction, and includes a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 parallel to an XY plane. In FIG. 10, a plan view of the first surface 21 and a plan view of the second surface 22 are shown together. The first surface 21 is a surface (upper surface) opposite to the flow path control unit G2 and the liquid injection unit G3, and the second surface 22 is a surface opposite to the first surface 21 (flow path control unit G2). Opposite surface). The substrate 20 of this embodiment is made 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 the ink I of each system are formed between the region 31a and the region 31b of the first surface 21, and between the region 31b and the region 31c of the first surface 21. Is formed with two supply ports SA1 corresponding to the air A of each system.

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

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

Each groove portion 341 (341a, 341b, 341c) and each groove portion 342 (342a, 342b, 342c) are generally grooves (front side groove portions) formed so as to extend in the X direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, each groove portion 341 corresponding to the ink I extends substantially linearly along the X direction, and each groove portion 342 corresponding to the air A has a mounting hole formed in the substrate 20. It is formed in a bent shape so as to bypass 23. Each mounting hole 23 is a through hole used for fixing the substrate 20, specifically, 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. be.

As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 10, each region 31 (31a, 31b, 31c) of the first surface 21 is provided with separate sealing portions 25 (25a, 25b, 25c). Specifically, the sealing portion 25a is installed in the region 31a, the sealing portion 25b is installed in the region 31b, and the sealing portion 25c is installed in the region 31c. Each sealing portion 25 is a film-shaped (thickness of about 0.1 mm) member attached to the first surface 21 of the substrate 20, and each groove portion 341 and each groove portion 342 formed on the first surface 21. A flow path is constructed by sealing (closing) the flow.

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 that overlaps 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) in a plan view, and the region 32b is the region 21 of the first surface 21. It is a region that overlaps 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 a plan view.

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

In FIG. 10, the boundary of each liquid injection unit U3 is shown by a broken line. 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 injection units U3. (Each of the six flow path control units U2). Each outlet DI1 and each outlet DA1 are circular tubular portions protruding in the Z direction from the second surface 22.

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

As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 10, sealing portions 26 (26a, 26b) that are separate from each other are installed in each region 32 (32a, 32b) of the second surface 22. Specifically, the sealing portion 26a is installed in the region 32a, and the sealing portion 26b is installed in the region 32b. Each sealing portion 26 is a film-like (thickness of about 0.1 mm) member attached to the second surface 22, and is the same as the sealing portion 25 on the first surface 21 side. A flow path is formed by sealing each groove portion 351 (351a, 351b) and each groove portion 352 (352a, 352b) formed in.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the film-shaped sealing portion 25 and the sealing portion 26 are installed on the substrate 20, so that, for example, a flat plate material having a predetermined thickness can be attached to the substrate 20 to flow. There is an advantage that the dimension (thickness) of the flow path structure G1 in the Z direction can be reduced as compared with the configuration for forming a path.
Further, in the present embodiment, since the plurality of sealing portions 25 are installed on the first surface 21, the sealing portion 25 is compared with the configuration in which the entire first surface 21 is covered with the single sealing portion 25. It has the advantage of being easy to install (it is possible to reduce defective sealing of each groove). The same applies to the sealing portion 26.

Each of the sealing portions 25 and each sealing portion 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 heated on the substrate 20. By pressing, it is welded to the substrate 20. Therefore, there is an advantage that each sealing portion 25 and each sealing portion 26 can be easily installed. For example, the sealing portion 25 and the sealing portion 26 are preferably configured by laminating PET and polypropylene.
Further, in the present embodiment, each sealing portion 25 and each sealing portion 26 are formed as separate bodies from each other. Therefore, there is an advantage that the sealing portion 25 and the sealing portion 26 can be easily installed 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 portion 351a of the second surface 22 communicates with the supply port SI1 of the first surface 21 through the through hole H of the substrate 20. Further, each groove portion 351 (351a, 351b) of the second surface 22 communicates with each groove portion 341 of the first surface 21 through the through hole H of the substrate 20. Specifically, as can be understood from FIG. 10, the groove portion 351a communicates with the groove portion 341a and the groove portion 341b, and the groove portion 351b communicates with the groove portion 341b and the groove portion 341c. That is, the groove portion 341a, the groove portion 341b, and the groove portion 341c of the first surface 21 communicate with each other via the groove portion 351a and the groove portion 351b of the second surface 22.
As can be understood from the above description, the six outlets DI1 of the second surface 22 from any one supply port SI1 via the groove portion 351 of the second surface 22 and each groove portion 341 of the first surface 21. The flow path PI1 of FIG. 9 leading to is formed for each of the four ink systems. That is, the flow path PI1 is a flow path that distributes one system of ink I supplied to the supply port SI1 to the six outlets DI1.

On the other hand, each groove portion 352b of the second surface 22 in FIG. 10 communicates with the supply port SA1 of the first surface 21 through the through hole H of the substrate 20. Further, each groove portion 352 (352a, 352b) of the second surface 22 communicates with each groove portion 342 of the first surface 21 via the through hole H of the substrate 20. Specifically, the groove portion 352a communicates with the groove portion 342a and the groove portion 342b, and the groove portion 352b communicates with the groove portion 342b and the groove portion 342c. That is, the groove portion 342a, the groove portion 342b, and the groove portion 342c of the first surface 21 communicate with each other via the groove portion 352a and the groove portion 352b of the second surface 22.
As can be understood from the above description, the six outlets DA1 of the second surface 22 from any one supply port SA1 via the groove portion 352 of the second surface 22 and each groove portion 342 of the first surface 21. The flow path PA1 of FIG. 9 leading to 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.
The flow path PA1 of the present embodiment bends in the XY plane so as to bypass the mounting hole 23. When the flow path PI1 for supplying ink I is similarly bent, an increase in flow path resistance becomes a problem, but since the fluid flowing through the flow path PA1 is air A, it is caused by the bending of the flow path PA1. The increase in flow path resistance does not pose a particular problem.

As described above, in the flow path structure G1 of the present embodiment, the flow paths (PI1, PA1) from the supply port (SI1, SA1) to the plurality of outlets (DI1, DA1) are the ink I and the air A. It is formed for each of a plurality of fluids including. As can be understood from FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, two four flow paths PI1 for distribution of ink I are located on both sides of two flow paths PA1 for distribution of air A.
The configuration of the flow path 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 seen from the Z direction is reduced as compared with other configurations in which a supply port and an outlet are formed on the side surface of the substrate to connect the pipes. Therefore, the liquid injection head 14 can be miniaturized.

<Flow path control unit 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. To. In a state where the flow path structure G1 and each flow path control unit U2 are mutually fixed, 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. Outlet DA1 is inserted into the supply port SA2 of the flow path control unit U2. Therefore, as can be understood from FIG. 9, ink I of each system is supplied from each outlet DI1 of the flow path structure G1 to each supply port SI2 of the flow path control unit U2, and each of the flow path control units U2. 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. Therefore, for example, the outlet DI1 and the supply port SI2 It is possible to reduce the number of parts and prevent liquid leakage, etc., as compared with the configuration in which the pipes are connected by piping.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 7, four outlets DI2 are formed on the surface of each flow path control unit U2 facing the liquid injection unit 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 inks I supplied to each flow path control unit U2 after being distributed by the flow path structure G1 is connected in parallel from the four outlets DI2 to the liquid injection unit U3 in the subsequent stage via each flow path PI2. Will be supplied.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the flow path control unit U2, a negative pressure generating unit 42, a flow path opening / closing unit 44, and a pressure adjusting unit 46 are installed for each of the four flow paths PI2. Further, the flow path control unit U2 of the present embodiment has a flow path PA2_1 that distributes 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. It includes the flow path PA2_2 distributed to the four systems corresponding to each flow path PI2. The air A1 distributed by 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 by the flow path PA2_2 is the pressure of the four flow paths control unit U2. It is supplied in parallel to the adjusting unit 46.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram focusing on the flow path PI2 of the ink I of any one system of the flow path control unit U2. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the negative pressure generating portion 42 is installed 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 blocked, and when the negative pressure in the flow path PI2 reaches a predetermined value due to the injection (consumption) of ink I by the liquid injection unit U3, the flow autonomously flows. A pressure control valve that opens the path PI2 and introduces the ink I is suitably adopted as the negative pressure generating unit 42.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the flow path opening / closing section 44 is installed on the downstream side of the negative pressure generating section 42 in the flow path PI2, and the pressure adjusting section 46 is installed on the downstream side of the flow path opening / closing section 44. That is, the flow path opening / closing portion 44 is located between the negative pressure generating portion 42 and the pressure adjusting portion 46 on the flow path PI2.

The flow path opening / closing unit 44 is a mechanism (choke valve) that controls opening / closing (blocking / opening) of the flow path PI2 according to the air A1 supplied via the flow path PA2_1. The flow path opening / closing portion 44 illustrated in FIG. 13 urges the flexible member 442 interposed between the flow path PI2 of the ink I and the flow path PA2_1 of the air A1 and the flexible member 442 toward the flow path PA2_1. It is composed of an elastic body 444 and the like. In the normal state (decompressed state) in which the air A1 in the flow path PA2_1 is not pressurized, the flow path PI2 is opened, and when the air A1 is pressurized by the pump 16, the elastic body is shown by the broken line in FIG. The flow path PI2 is blocked by the deformation of the flexible member 442 against the urging by the 444.

The pressure adjusting unit 46 in FIG. 13 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure in the flow path PI2 (volume of the flow path PI2), for example, a negative pressure release valve for releasing the negative pressure of the flow path PI2. Specifically, the pressure adjusting unit 46 in FIG. 13 has 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. It is configured to include a vibrating elastic body 464. In the normal state, when the air A2 in the flow path PA2_2 is set to the atmospheric pressure (open to the atmosphere) and the air A2 is pressurized by the pump 16, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 13, it opposes the urging by the elastic body 464. As a result, the flexible member 462 is deformed toward the flow path PI2 (the volume of the flow path PI2 decreases), so that the pressure in the flow path PI2 increases to the extent that the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generating portion 42 is released.

For example, when cleaning the liquid injection unit U3 (injection head portion 70), the negative pressure in the flow path of the ink I is released, and then the ink I is injected from each nozzle N. However, when the negative pressure generating unit 42 is effective, 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 there is a possibility that air bubbles enter from each nozzle N. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the flow path PI2 is closed by the flow path opening / closing portion 44 by pressurizing the air A1 of the flow path PA2_1, and then the air A2 of the flow path PA2_2 is pressurized to flow by the pressure adjusting unit 46. The negative pressure of the road PI is released.
According to the above operation, the negative pressure generating section 42 and the pressure adjusting section 46 are isolated from each other due to the blockage of the flow path PI2 by the channel opening / closing section 44 (that is, the application of the negative pressure by the negative pressure generating section 42 is invalid. Since the negative pressure is released by the pressure adjusting unit 46 in the above-mentioned state), there is an advantage that the negative pressure of the flow path on the downstream side of the flow path opening / closing unit 44 can be effectively released.

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

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

(A-1-4) Other configurations and effects (2) Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, the first extending portion 15 of the first flexible tube 9a is a line. The line head 14 has a fulcrum portion 34 for ascending and descending together with the line head 14 at a position separated from the head 14 in the first direction F1, and the length L1 on the line head of the first extending portion 15 is attached to the line head 14. It is configured to be longer than the length L2 to the fulcrum portion 34 and the line head 14 on the closest main body 3 side.

The first flexible tube 9a may be restrained in the vicinity of the end portion of the line head 14, and the restraining portion may become a fulcrum portion 34 during the ascending / descending.
According to the present embodiment, the length L1 on the line head 14 of the first extension portion 15 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 absorbed and reduced by the first extending portion 15.

(3) Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the first extending portion 15 of the first flexible tube 9a is within the width of the line head 14 when projected in the second direction F2. Located in. Further, the second extending 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.
As a result, the flexible tubes 9 (9a, 9b) do not become bulky when the line head 14 is raised and lowered, and the device can be miniaturized.

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

According to the present embodiment, the negative pressure generating portion 42 can effectively reduce the variation in the supply pressure of the liquid to each nozzle N of the line head 14, and thus the droplet ejected from the nozzle N. It is possible to reduce the variation in the weight of the.

Further, as a cleaning operation of the nozzle N of the line head 14, there is an operation of injecting a liquid from the nozzle N, but there is a structure in which the negative pressure generating portion 42 is in a non-operating state when the operation is executed. In the case of this structure, if there is a large variation in the flow path length during cleaning, there is a risk that the cleaning flow velocity will vary due to the influence.
However, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first joint 10 is arranged in the central portion 17b in the longitudinal direction of the line head 14 from the first joint 10 which is a liquid supply port to the nozzle N. The variation in the flow path length is reduced as described above. Therefore, effective cleaning can be performed by reducing the possibility of variation in the cleaning flow velocity.

(5) The embodiment corresponding to the eleventh aspect is configured to surround the line head 14 on a plane in which the transport path for transporting the medium M is orthogonal to the first direction F1. A specific description will be described later (FIGS. 19 and 35).

(6) Others (6-1) The second joint 27 may be arranged on 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 is used not only for pressurizing the liquid in the line head but also for dust and the like adhering to the nozzle surface. For example, it is used to blow it away. Of course, it is not limited to this usage.

(B) ◆◆ Dealing with the problem that FFC receives when raising and lowering the line head ◆◆
An embodiment of dealing with the problem that the FFC receives when the line head moves up and down will be described below.
The present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 14 to 19. The components common to the components in the embodiment (A) are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

(B-1) Embodiment 1 (FIGS. 14 and 15)
(B-1-1) Configuration Based on FIGS. 14 and 15, the first embodiment of dealing with the problem that the FFC suffers from when the line head moves up and down will be described.
In these figures, the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b are not shown for the sake of clarity. In the present embodiment, the connection position, extension position, and the like of the flexible tube 9 with respect to the line head 14 are the same as those described in FIGS. 2 to 4.
The connection position, extension position, and the like of the flexible tube 9 with respect to the line head 14 may be different from those described in FIGS. 2 to 4.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a long line head 14 along the first direction F1 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 the first direction F1 and moves up and down in the second direction F2 (same as the Z direction) by an elevating mechanism (not shown).
The FFC 50 includes a cable connection portion 53 connected to the connector 52 at the tip thereof. Further, in the FFC 50, when the cable connecting 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, and the FFC 50 is arranged in the first direction from the cable connecting portion 53 side. A cable extension portion 55 extending along the first direction F1 to one side (+ X side) of F1 and not extending to the other side (−X side) is provided.
A bent portion 56 in which the FFC 50 is bent is provided between the cable connecting portion 53 and the cable extending 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 “descending” 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 extending portion 55, the flat surface 54a is bent from the first bent portion 56a orthogonal to the second direction F2, and the flat surface 54b is bent from the first bent portion 56a. A second bent portion 56b orthogonal to the third direction F3 is provided. It is connected to the connector 52 located below via the second bent portion 56b.
In the above embodiment, the bent portion is bent twice in different directions, but as another embodiment, the connector 52 is arranged on the same plane as the cable extending portion 55 in the second direction F2 and bent. The portion 56 may have a structure of 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 long side of the line head 14 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the connector 52 includes a plurality of connectors 521, 522, 523, 524, 525 arranged along the first direction F1. The FFC 50 also includes a plurality of FFC 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 arranged along the first direction F1. Then, each cable connection portion 53 of the plurality of FFC 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 is connected to each of the plurality of connectors 521, 522, 523, 524, 525.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the cable extension portions 55 of the plurality of FFCCs 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 are arranged so as to overlap each other. In the present embodiment, FFC 501, 502, and 503 are located on one side of the line head 14 and overlap each other, and FFC 504 and 505 are located on the other side of the line head 14 and overlap each other. The number of FFC50s is not limited to the above five, and may be a plurality of other numbers or one.

(B-1-2) Effect According to the above embodiment, the FFC 50 has a cable connection portion 53 connected to the connector 52 of the elongated line head 14 along the first direction F1 and a second direction F2. The flat surface 54 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the cable connecting portion 53, and extends from the cable connection portion 53 side to one side (+ X side) in the first direction F1 along the first direction F1. The −X side) is provided with a cable extension portion 55 that is not extended. Therefore, when the line head 14 moves up and down, the flat surface 54 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the second direction F2 so that the FFC 50 connected to the line head 14 may be twisted due to the up and down movement. It can be reduced by the cable extending portion 55. In addition, the stress applied to the FFC 50 due to the ascent and descent can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the bent portion 56 is bent from the cable extending portion 55, and is bent from the first bent portion 56a whose flat surface 54a is orthogonal to the second direction F1 and the first bent portion 56a. A second bent portion 56b whose flat surface 54b is orthogonal to the third direction F3 is provided. As a result, the size of the liquid injection device can be reduced in the third direction.
Further, since the plurality of FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 are arranged so that the cable extension portions 55 overlap each other, even if the line head 14 moves up and down, the plurality of FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 Not bulky. Therefore, 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. The connectors 523 and 525 are arranged so that their positions in the first direction F1 overlap each other, that is, in a substantially horizontal plane.
As a result, the stress is applied to the FFCs 503 and 504 based on the ascending / descending movement of the line head 14, so that the stress can be effectively reduced. In addition, a plurality of connectors 52 can be arranged at a high density on the line head 14.
Needless to say, the connector 52 arranged so that the positions in the first direction F1 overlap is not limited to the above pair (523, 525).

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

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the cable connection portion 58 on the other end side opposite to the one end side (cable connection portion 53 side) where the FFC 50 is connected to the line head 14 is provided. The main body side connector 57 to be connected is provided in the device main body 3.
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. As a result, the cable connecting portion 58 on the other end side of the FFC 50 is connected to the main body side connector 57 via a rising portion 59 that rises upward from the position of the cable extending portion 55.

≪Removal of line head≫
When the line head 14 is removed from the printer 1, first, the discharge tray 7 that also serves 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 removed from the line head 14, and the FFC 50 is further disconnected from the device main body 3 side. The main body side connector 57 of the FFC 50 is located on the take-out side above the line head 14 when the cover (discharge tray 7) is opened. That is, the main body side connector 57 is provided at a position that can be easily accessed from above. Therefore, the FFC 50 can be easily removed from the main body side connector 57.
Subsequently, the line head 14 is lifted and removed to the outside of the printer 1.
In this way, 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. 16 to 18.
As shown in FIG. 16, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the cable extension portion 55 of the FFC 50 is located adjacent to the long side of the line head 14 in the longitudinal direction, and the five first bent portions 56a are located adjacent to each other. Three of them have a cross section 66 extending to a position opposite to the FFC 50 with respect to the line head 14.
More specifically, the connectors 521, 522, 523, 524, 525 have the same arrangement as in FIG. 14, but the five FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 are all different from the arrangement in FIG. 14, and all of them are line heads. It is arranged on one side of 14 (the side opposite to the connectors 521, 522, 523 and the same side as the connectors 524, 525). Therefore, a crossing portion 66 that crosses the line head 14 is provided in each of the first bent portions 56a of the FFC 501, 502, and 503.
The five FFCs 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 are arranged so that the cable extending portions 55 are vertically overlapped with each other. That is, in a state where the cable connecting portion 53 is connected to the connector 52, each flat surface 54 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the second direction F2, that is, substantially horizontally.
The cable connection portions 58 of the FFC 501, 502, and 503 are connected to the main body side connector 57.
Since the number of the crossing portions 66 is determined according to the arrangement of the plurality of connectors 52, the crossing portions 66 are not limited to the above three.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, the first flexible tube 9a and the 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 have the same connection position (position of the first joint 10) and extension position (position of the first joint 10) as those shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 with respect to the line head 14. It is provided in the arrangement of the first extension portion 15).
Further, in this embodiment, each cross section 66 is arranged under the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b. That is, each crossing portion 66 is arranged between the upper surface 5 of the line head 14, the first flexible tube 9a, and the second flexible tube 9b.

≪Removal of line head≫
A case where the line head 14 is removed from the printer 1 will be described in order of steps with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18.
(1) First, from the state of FIG. 1, the discharge tray 7 which is a cover is opened to bring the line head 14 in the apparatus main body 3 into the state of FIG. 16 which can be accessed from above.
(2) Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b are removed from the line head 14 and lifted, and the holding provided on the device main body 3 side, which will be described later, is performed. The first connection portion 13 is held face up by using the portions 71 and 80 (FIGS. 23 and 25).
(3) Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the FFCs 501, 502, and 503 connected to the main body side connector 57 are removed from the main body side connector 57. Further, the FFC 501, 502, 503 are also removed from the line head 14. As a result, the remaining FFCs 504 and 505 can be accessed.
In the present embodiment, the remaining FFCs 504 and 505 are directly routed and connected to the circuit board side of the control source (electrical member 83, which will be described later, FIG. 30) without going through 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, etc.), it may be greatly affected by noise when a plurality of FFCs are connected by a connector and wired. .. When it is greatly affected by noise, as shown in FIG. 18, it is directly connected to the control source (electrical member 83, FIG. 30) by a single FFC without using a connector.
Therefore, in the remaining FFC 504 and 505, only the connection portion (the portion of the connector 524 and 525) with the line head 14 is removed. As a result, the line head 14 is released from the connection with the flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50 and becomes removable. 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 It has a cross section 66 extending to the other side of the line head 14 opposite to the FFC 50. The cross section 66 increases the degree of freedom in the placement of the FFC 50 with respect to the placement of the connector 52 of the line head 14, facilitating 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 new line head 14 without connecting the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b. There are some that need to drive a predetermined head, such as a discharge operation for discharging the protective liquid.
According to the present embodiment, since the cross section 66 of the FFC 50 is arranged under the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b, only the electrical connection state of the FFC 50 is secured and the above is described. A predetermined head drive can be performed, and then a first flexible tube 9a or the like can be arranged and connected on the cross section 66 of the FFC 50. Therefore, the line head 14 can be easily replaced.

(B-3) Embodiment 3 (FIG. 19)
The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 19, in the present embodiment, the printer 1 includes a transport path 69 for transporting the medium M to which the liquid is discharged by the line head 14. The transport path 69 surrounds the line head 14 on a plane orthogonal to the first direction F1 (X direction). In FIG. 19, the transport path 69 is schematically shown.
The transport path 69 is a transport path 69a for single-sided recording and double-sided recording from the medium storage cassette 4 side to the discharge tray 7 side through the recording execution region (liquid discharge region) facing the nozzle N of the line head 14. Including the inversion path 69b of. That is, the line head 14 is surrounded by a transport path 69a for single-sided recording and an inversion 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. 14 and 15. The flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, the FFC 50 having the structure shown in FIGS. 16 to 18.

According to the present embodiment, since the transport path 69 surrounds 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 transport path 69 can be arranged along the above. Further, the transport path 69 can be arranged along the extended portions 15 and 29 of the flexible tube 9. That is, the transport path 69 can be provided in the vicinity of the line head 14, and the device can be miniaturized.

(C) ◆◆ Addressing the problem of removing the liquid supply flow path from the line head ◆◆
An embodiment of dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described below.
The present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 20 to 29. The components common to the components in each of the above embodiments (A) and (B) are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

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

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 conveyed, and a line head 14 for injecting a liquid onto the medium M conveyed in the medium transfer area 19. The first flexible tube 9a, which is connected to the line head 14 and forms a liquid supply flow path for supplying the liquid to the line head 14, is provided. The first flexible tube 9a is arranged 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 lower medium transport region 19, and the liquid is assumed to be from the first flexible tube 9a. Even if a leak occurs, the presence of the line head 14 in between reduces the possibility that the leaked liquid will drip directly onto the medium transport region 19.

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

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

≪Removal of line head≫
Here, a case where the line head 14 is removed from the printer 1 in the present embodiment will be described in order of steps based on FIGS. 20 to 23.
(1) First, the scanner unit 2 is slightly rotated from the state shown in FIG. 1 to expand the upper space of the discharge tray 7 and facilitate the work. Then, the discharge tray 7 which is 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 so that the line head 14 can be accessed from above (FIG. 21). 2 to 4 show only the parts of the line head 14 and the liquid container 18 in this state.
(2) Next, as shown in FIG. 22, each connection portion (first connection portion 13, second connection) of the flexible tube 9 (first flexible tube 9a and second flexible tube 9b). The portion 28) is removed 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 device main body 3 side, whereby the first connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28 are held in a suspended state.
Next, the FFC 50 (FIGS. 14, 16, etc.) is removed from the line head 14. As a result, the line head 14 is released from the connection with the flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50 and becomes removable.
(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 to the outside. After that, the line head 14 is subjected to necessary maintenance, or is replaced with a new line head 14, and is installed at an installation position in the apparatus main body 3 in the reverse process of the above, and the flexible tube 9 and the FFC 50 are connected.

(C-1-2) Effect According to the present embodiment, the first flexible tube 9a, which is a liquid supply flow path, is arranged so that the line head 14 is located between the first flexible tube 9a and the medium transport region 19 in the vertical direction. Has been done. 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 region 19.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the first flexible tube 9a is removed from the line head 14, the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a is removed 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 when 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 the possibility that the liquid will fall directly into the medium transport region 19. Then, when the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a is lifted to reach the outer region off the upper surface 5 of the line head 14, the position is out of the range of the medium transport region 19. Therefore, since the medium transfer region 19 does not exist directly under the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a, the possibility that the liquid directly drops into the medium transfer region 19 can be similarly reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the holding portion 71 for holding the first flexible tube 9a with the first connecting portion 13 facing upward is provided in a state where the first flexible tube 9a is removed from the line head 14, the line head 14 is removed for maintenance. The first flexible tube 9a in the removed state does not get in the way and the maintainability is improved.
Further, since the holding portion 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 9a held by the holding portion 71 to the medium transport region 19. can.

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

As shown in FIG. 23, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the line head 24 is removable from the printer 1, and the holding portion 71 is provided at a position away from the attachment / detachment path of the line head 14. There is. The attachment / detachment path means a region through which the line head passes when the line head 14 is lifted upward from the installation position in the apparatus main body 3 and taken out.
As described above, since the holding portion 71 is provided at a position away from the attachment / detachment path of the line head 71, the holding portion 71 is taken out of the apparatus main body 3 during maintenance such as repair or replacement of the line head 14, but the holding portion 71 is held. The portion 71 can hold the flexible tube 9 in a state where it does not interfere with the removal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, as described above, the liquid container 18 (FIG. 4) for accommodating the liquid supplied to the line head 14 is above the position of the line head. Prepared for the position. The position 73 (FIG. 4) of the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a while being held by the holding portion 71 is such that the position 73 (FIG. 4) is above the center position of the liquid outlet 72 of the liquid storage portion 18. It is configured in.
As a result, it is possible to suppress the possibility of liquid dripping from the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a in a state of being removed from the line head 14.

(C-3) Embodiment 3 (FIG. 24)
Based on FIG. 24, a third embodiment of dealing with a problem that occurs when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head will be described.
As shown in FIG. 24, the first flexible tube 9a includes a plurality of flow paths (first tube 9a (C), second tube 9a (M), third tube 9a (Y), and fourth tube. It consists of 9a (K)). Further, the second flexible tube 9b is composed of two flow paths (first tube 9b (A1) and second tube 9b (A2)).
In the present embodiment, when the connection portion (first connection portion 13 and second connection portion 28) of the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b is lifted upward, the connection portion (the first connection portion) is lifted. A support mechanism 74 that supports the movement of the 1 connection portion 13 and the second connection portion 28) along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14 is provided.

Here, the "support" by the support mechanism 74 means the connection portion (first connection portion) when the connection portion (first connection portion 13) of the first flexible tube 9a, which is the liquid supply flow path, is lifted upward. 13) means to guide the line head 14 to move along the upper surface of the line head 14, a guide by a mechanical structure, an arrow, a mark provided at a target position of the destination, the holding portion 71, and other destinations. A guide or the like with a display (target display) that serves as a mark of.

The support mechanism 74 of the present 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 extension portion (first extension portion 15, second extension portion 29) of the flexible tube 9. Positioned and lifted when lifting the connection between the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexible tube 9b (first connection portion 13 and second connection portion 28) upward along the top surface 5 of the line head 14. It is a plate-shaped regulation portion 75, 76 having regulation surfaces 75a, 76a along the direction.

According to the present embodiment, when the connection portion (first connection portion 13 and second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 is lifted upward, the connection portion (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 regulation surfaces 75a and 76a of the regulation portions 75 and 76 forming the support mechanism 74 have the connection portions (first connection portion 13 and second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 on the upper surface of the line head 14. It is along the lifting direction when lifting upward along 5. Therefore, the regulation surfaces 75a and 76a of the regulation portion are formed by the connection portion on the upper surface 5 of the line head 14 when the connection portion (first connection portion 13 and second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 is lifted upward. It acts to naturally encourage you to move along. That is, it supports.

Further, the flexible tube 9 includes a plurality of flow paths (four of the first flexible tube 9a and the second flexibility) in the extension portion (first extension portion 15, second extension portion 29). The position of the line head 14 of the two tubes 9b) on the upper surface 5 is regulated from both sides by the regulating surfaces 75a and 76a of the regulating portions 75 and 76. Therefore, the restricting portions 75 and 76 can suppress the plurality of flow path bodies (four 9a and two 9b) from being scattered on the line head 14.

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

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

According to the present embodiment, a position on a direction line 77 that lifts the connection portion (first connection portion 13 and second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 upward and moves along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. Is provided with a target display 78 indicating the position of the destination. Therefore, in the target display 78, when the connection portion (first connection portion 13 and second connection portion 28) of the flexible tube 9 is lifted upward, the connection portion moves along the upper surface 5 of the line head 14. It can naturally encourage, or support, to do so.
Further, since the target display 78 is not a mere mark but a concave groove 79 provided at a corresponding position of the apparatus main body 3 and in which the flexible tube 9 can be accommodated, the flexible tube 9 removed from the line head 14 is a concave groove. It can be held in the state of being housed in 79. This makes it possible to further reduce the possibility of getting in the way when taking out the line head 14.

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

According to the present embodiment, even if a liquid leaks when the first connection portion 13 of the first flexible tube 9a is removed upward from the first joint 10 of the line head 14, the liquid reservoir 181 will be used to describe the liquid. The downward flow of liquid can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid drips into the medium transport region 19.
Here, since the line head 14 is larger in size and longer in shape than the serial type liquid discharge head that reciprocates in the liquid discharge region, it is easy to secure a place for providing the liquid storage portion 181 for temporarily storing the liquid.

(C-6) Other Configuration (1) Sub Tank As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 27 to 29, the liquid supply flow path (first flexible) between the line head 14 and the liquid container 18 The sex tube 9a, etc.) is provided with a liquid in the liquid supply flow path between the liquid container 18 and the line head 14 in order to enable replacement of the liquid container 18 without interrupting recording by the line head 14. A sub tank 33 having a liquid chamber 24 capable of storing the liquid is provided. In FIG. 27, reference numeral 49 is 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 toward the liquid line head 14 and a second sub tank 33B located on the downstream side. include. The sub-tank 33 is formed by joining the first plate 37 and the second plate 38 by tightening the screws 47. Each liquid chamber 24 of each of the sub tanks 33A and 33B has a surface made of a film 39, and the film 39 is pressurized by the urging member 40. The peripheral edge of the film 39 is shielded from the atmosphere by an O-ring 48. In the liquid chamber 24, the space volume for storing the liquid changes due to the displacement of the film 39. The urging member 40 is urged in a direction that reduces the space volume.
The liquid pressurized and sent from the liquid container 18 by the pressurizing pump 109 (see FIG. 36 described later) is introduced into the liquid chamber 24 of the first sub tank 33A from the liquid inlet 41 for the first sub tank 33A. Then, it exits from the liquid outlet 43, passes through the tube 45 (FIG. 28), is introduced again 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 further, the liquid outlet 43. 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 in a state of higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, when the line head 14 is removed from the apparatus main body 3, if the first flexible tube 9a is simply removed from the first joint 10 of the line head 14, the liquid in the first flexible tube 9a is ejected. become. Therefore, the control unit that controls each operation (electrical member 83, which will be described later, FIG. 30) usually includes a pressurization release sequence for releasing the pressurization state in the liquid supply flow path.
However, if this pressurization 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 the printer 1 of the present embodiment, in such a case, the space volume of the liquid chamber 24 can be changed by loosening the screw 47 that joins 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 removed from the first joint 10 of the line head 14, the possibility that the liquid in the first flexible tube 9a is ejected can be reduced.

(2) A flexible tube 9 is used in the above embodiment as a "liquid supply flow path" connected to the line head 14 and supplying a liquid to the line head 14, but the flexible tube 9 has a flexible tube 9. Not limited. At least a part of the "liquid supply flow path" may be composed of a flexible tube. That is, the structure may be such that the "liquid supply flow path" is removed from the line head 14, and the portion of the "partial flexible tube" is 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 flow path. With this cover member, even if the liquid drips when the liquid supply flow path is attached or detached, the possibility that the dripping liquid directly falls on the line head 14 can be reduced.

(4) The details will be described later (FIGS. 35 and 37), but the support portion 105 (platen, conveyor belt, etc.) that supports the medium M facing the nozzle forming surface 81 of the nozzle N of the line head 14 is “the medium”. It is configured so that both the support position 111 and the retracted position 112 can be taken, and when the liquid supply flow path is removed from the line head 14 or when the line head 14 is removed from the apparatus main body 3, the support portion is described. The 105 may be moved to the “evacuation position 112” and retracted from directly below the line head 14 and the liquid supply flow path. Here, the support portion 105 includes a support portion (often referred to as a platen) that statically supports the lower surface of the medium M, and a support portion such as a moving belt that dynamically supports the medium M. ..
Further, after moving the support portion 105 to the retracted position, the cap member 106, which will be described later and is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 and seals the nozzle N, is moved below the line head 14 to be positioned. You may do it.
As a result, damage caused by liquid leakage can be suppressed.

(5) When the line head 14 is removed from the apparatus main body 3 for replacement or repair, a control unit (electrical member 83, FIG. 30 described later) that controls each operation transfers the support portion 105 and the cap member 106. It may be provided with a sequence of automatically moving to a position where the damage caused by the liquid leakage can be suppressed.

(6) The first flexible tube 9a in a state of being removed from the first joint 10 of the line head 14 is closed with the first connection portion 13 by using a clamp or the like in order to avoid sagging and stains. preferable.

(7) As can be understood from the above description, the direction for disconnecting the first flexible tube 9a from the line head 14 is the same direction (up and down) as the direction for accessing the line head 14 when the line head 14 is removed. Direction). Therefore, workability is good.

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

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

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 30 to 37, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, a line head 14 for injecting a liquid from a plurality of nozzles N to a medium M and a nozzle N are formed. An electrical member composed of a wiping unit 91 having a wiping member (sometimes 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 that controls electrical control. It is equipped with 83. The wiping member 82 is configured to be removable from the device main body 3 of the printer 1. The electrical member 83 is arranged at a position different from the lower part of the attachment / detachment path 84 when attaching / detaching the wiping member 82.

As shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, in the present embodiment, the wiping unit 91 includes a wiping member 82, a holding portion 85, a carriage 86, and a motor 89 as main components.
The wiping member 82 is held by the holding portion 85. The holding portion 85 is detachably attached to the carriage 86 with a screw 87 as an example. Thereby, by removing the screw 87, the wiping member 82 can be removed from the carriage 86 while being held by the holding portion 85.
The carriage 86 is movably attached to the screw shaft 88. The rotation of the motor 89 is transmitted to the screw shaft 88 via the worm gear 90 to rotate the screw shaft 88. As the screw shaft 88 rotates, the carriage 86 moves in the first direction F1 (longitudinal direction of the line head 14, the direction intersecting 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 is 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 can move in the direction intersecting the direction FM in which the medium M is conveyed (longitudinal direction of the line head 14). And, it is configured to be removable at at least one position in this movable direction. This removable position is, in this embodiment, the rear side of the printer 1.
That is, as shown in FIG. 30, in the present embodiment, when the back cover 49 on the rear surface of the printer 1 is opened, the moved wiping member 82 can be accessed. Thereby, by opening the back cover 49 and removing the screw 87, the wiping member 82 can be removed to the outside of the apparatus main body 3.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the wiping member 82 is removed from the device main body 3 of the printer 1, the wiping member 82 is automatically moved to a position where the attachment / detachment can be performed by the electrical member 83 which is a control unit that controls the operation of the motor 89. It is configured to do.

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

Here, the attachment / detachment path 84 is a region where the wiping member 82 may pass through the attachment / detachment operation when the wiping member 82 is attached / detached 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 removable from the device main body 3 of the printer 1" is defined in the present specification as the wiping member 82 that comes into contact with and wipes the nozzle forming surface 81. It is used to include both attaching and detaching to replace and repair the part of, and attaching and detaching to replace and repair 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 only the wiping member 82 or the entire wiping unit 91 may be detachably configured.

≪Removal of wiping member≫
Here, a case where the wiping member 82 is removed from the installation position in the printer 1 in the present embodiment will be described in order of steps based on FIGS. 30 to 34.
(1) First, the back cover 49 on the rear surface of the printer 1 is opened (FIG. 30). As a result, the electrical member 83 is automatically retracted from the attachment / detachment path 84 of the wiping member 82.
(2) In the present embodiment, the wiping member 82 automatically moves to a removable position by rotating the screw shaft 88. If it is not configured to move automatically like this, move it 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 that time, since the electrical member 83 is retracted from the attachment / detachment path 84 of the wiping member 82, there is little possibility that the liquid will adhere to the electrical member 83 even if the liquid drips from the wiping member 82.
In the present embodiment, the case where only the wiping member 82 and the holding portion 85 are removed has been described, but in the case of a structure in which the entire wiping unit 91 is removed, the entire wiping unit 91 is removed.

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

Further, 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 wipe. 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, repair, or the like. Will be possible.

According to the present embodiment, the electrical member 83 such as an electronic circuit board is attached to the inner surface of the openable / closable back cover 49 provided in the housing, and the cover 49 is opened to allow the wiping member 82 to be attached / detached from the attachment / detachment path 84. evacuate. As a result, the electrical member 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. can. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of liquid dripping onto the electrical member 83 simply by opening the cover 49 when the wiping member 82 is removed from the installation location.

(D-2) Embodiment 2 (FIGS. 31 to 34, 36)
Based on FIGS. 31 to 34 and 36, a second embodiment for dealing with a problem that occurs when the wiping member is removed from the installation location will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 31 to 34 and 36, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the holding portion 85 that holds the wiping member 82 stores the liquid wiped from the nozzle forming surface 81 by the wiping operation. A unit 92 is provided. The liquid accumulated in the storage unit 92 needs to be discharged from the storage unit 92 before it becomes full.
As the discharging means, an engaging member 93 that engages with the holding portion 85 at the moving end where the wiping member 82 moves is provided. The engaging member 93 of the present embodiment includes a suction needle 97 having a suction path inside as a communication portion 96 communicating with the liquid reservoir portion 92 in an engaged state with the holding portion 85. On the other hand, the holding portion 85 includes a receiving hole 101 for receiving the suction needle 97, and the receiving hole 101 includes a valve 102 that opens and closes the 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 the decompression pump 110 which is a suction portion. By applying this negative pressure, the liquid in the storage unit 92 is discharged and sent to the waste liquid storage unit 98. In FIG. 36, reference numeral 99 is a decompression chamber. As the decompression pump 110, the waste liquid storage unit 98, and the decompression chamber 99, those provided for the cap member 106 (FIGS. 36, 37, 38 and later) described later are also used.
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. It does not have to be for each wiping operation.

The wiping member 82 can be moved from the engagement position 94 with the engagement member 93 (position in FIG. 31) to the attachment / detachment position 95 (position in FIG. 32) when the printer 1 is removed from the device main body 3. be. The movement from the engaging position 94 to the position 95 where the attachment / detachment is possible is configured to be automatically executed by sending a command to remove the wiping member 82 from the printer 1 to the electrical member 83 (control unit). Is desirable.

According to the present embodiment, when the wiping member 82 is removed from the printer 1, the wiping member 82 can be moved from the engaging position 94 at the moving end to the detachable position 95, so that the wiping member 82 can be replaced or repaired. It becomes possible to easily remove the printer.

Further, the liquid is collected by moving the wiping member 82 and wiping it, and the liquid is collected 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 communication portion 96 of the engagement member 93 is inserted into the receiving hole 101 of the liquid reservoir portion 92 to enter the communication state. .. In this communication state, a negative pressure acts on the communication unit 96 from the decompression pump 110 (FIG. 36), which is a suction unit, so that the liquid collected in the liquid reservoir 92 is discharged.
Further, when the wiping member 82 is removed from the printer 1, the wiping member 82 can be moved to a position 95 where the communication state with the communicating portion 96 at the engaging position 94 at the moving end can be released and the attachment / detachment can be performed. The 82 can be easily removed for replacement or repair.

(D-3) Embodiment 3 (FIGS. 31 and 32)
Based on FIGS. 31 and 32, a third embodiment of dealing with a problem that occurs when the wiping member is removed from the installation location will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a cleaning unit 103 for cleaning 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 is lowered and moved to the cleaning position. When not cleaning, it goes up and moves to the evacuation position. Further, the cleaning unit 103 is configured to be removable in the same direction as the wiping member 82.

According to the present embodiment, when the cleaning unit 103 for cleaning the wiping member 82 is removed for repair or replacement, it is possible to similarly reduce the possibility that the liquid drips onto the electrical member 83 such as the electronic circuit board. ..

(D-4) Other Configurations (1) In the above embodiment, the cleaning unit 103 has been described as having the same attachment / detachment direction as the wiping member 81, but may be detachably configured on the opposite side. good.

(2) As shown in FIG. 37, the support portion 105 (platen, conveyor belt, etc.) that supports the medium M facing the forming surface of the nozzle N of the line head 14 is placed at the medium support position 111 (FIG. 37 (A). )) And the retracted position 112 (FIG. 37 (B)), and when the wiping member 82 is removed for repair or replacement, the support portion 105 is retracted to the retracted position 112 (FIG. 37 (B)). It may be configured to move to 37 (B)) and retract from directly below the line head 14 and the liquid supply flow path. Here, the support portion 105 includes a support portion (often referred to as a platen) that statically supports the lower surface of the medium M, and a support portion 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 is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 and seals the nozzle N is also retracted to the retracted position 114 (FIG. 37 (A)) separated from the sealing position 113 (FIG. 37 (B)). You may do so. In the figure, reference numeral 107 is a guide rail for guiding the movement of the cap member 106 between the respective positions, and reference numeral 108 is an atmospheric release mechanism.
As a result, damage caused by liquid dripping from the wiping member 82 can be suppressed.

(3) When the wiping member 82 is removed for repair or replacement, the control unit that controls each operation moves the wiping member 82 to a position 95 where the wiping member 82 can be attached / detached, and the support portion 105 and / or the cap member 106. May be provided with a sequence for automatically moving the evacuation positions to the evacuation 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 on the lower side of the transport path 69.
As a result, since the wiping member 82 can be removed from the lower side of the transport path 69, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the wiping member 82 will fall into the transport path 69 even if the liquid drips when it is removed from the printer 1.

(E) ◆◆ Addressing the problem of removing the cap member for the line head from the installation location ◆◆
An embodiment of dealing with a problem that occurs when the cap member for the line head is removed from the installation location will be described below.
The present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37 and 38 to 46. The components common to the components in each of the embodiments (A), (B), (C), and (D) are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(E-1) Embodiment 1 (FIGS. 35 to 37, 38 to 45)
(E-1-1) Configuration Based on FIGS. 35 to 37 and FIGS. 38 to 45, the 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.

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

As described with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37, the cap member 106 is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 when the line head 14 is not used, and seals the nozzle N. The cap member 106 is guided by the guide rail 107 and moves to the sealing position 113 (FIG. 37 (B)) and the retracted position 114 (FIG. 37 (A)). When a negative pressure is applied to the cap member 106 at the sealing position by the pressure reducing pump 110 which is a suction unit, the liquid is sucked 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 unit 98.

As shown in FIG. 35, the detachable unit 115 is a discharge unit 117 having a curved inversion path 116 and discharging the medium M out of the transport path 69.
The transport path 69 of the medium M may have troubles such as clogging (also referred to as “jam”) during the transport of the medium M. By configuring a part or all of the transport path 69 to be detachable from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1, the trouble handling thereof becomes easy. In the present embodiment, in addition to the discharge unit 117, a portion located directly below the discharge tray 7 is detachably configured so that the line head 14 can be taken out upward (FIGS. 20 and 21). FIG. 35).

In the above structure, "removing" in "the cap member 106 is ... (omitted) ... removable" is, in the present specification, a member that directly contacts and seals the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14. A cap unit 119 (FIG. 44) including a holding portion 126 (FIG. 44) for holding a cap member 106 for replacement or repair, a moving mechanism 121 related to a sealing operation of the cap member 106, and the like. It is used to include both removal to replace or repair part or all of the.

The cap member 106 can be moved between the sealing position 113 (FIG. 37 (B)) and the retracted position 114 (FIG. 37 (A)) with respect to the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 by the moving mechanism 121. It is provided in.
In the present embodiment, the cap unit 119 with the cap member attached can be removed from the apparatus main body 3 of the printer 1. The moving mechanism 121 includes a guide rail 107, a drive mechanism (not shown) for being guided by the guide rail 107, and the like, and its operation is controlled by a control unit (electrical member 83).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 36, 40 and 41, the decompression pump 110, which is a suction unit that sucks the liquid in the line head 14 by applying a negative pressure to the cap member 106, and one of them is on the cap member 106 side. It is provided with a first tube 122 which is connected to and the other is connected to the decompression pump 110 side. The first tube 122 is configured so that the connection with the decompression pump 110 side can be disconnected in the direction in which the cap member 106 is removed.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 41, a relay flow path 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 flow path 130. The relay flow path 130 and the decompression pump 110 are connected by a second tube 123.

≪Removal of cap unit≫
(1) For 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). This makes it possible to access the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) which forms a part of the transport path 69.
(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 device). The detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) can be pulled out by being guided by a rail (not shown) on the device main body 3 side. This drawer makes it possible to access the cap unit 119 located at the back of the drawer.
(3) Next, the connection of the first tube 122 with the relay flow path 130 is released. The release direction is the same as the direction Fc for removing the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) from the device main body 3. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 42 is obtained. Although the first tube 122 is flexible, it has a relatively high rigidity, and when the connection is disconnected, the first tube 122 has a substantially straight line posture as shown in the figure.
In FIG. 42, reference numeral 124 is a connection portion with the relay flow path 130. Reference numeral 125 in FIG. 45 is a joint portion on the relay flow path 130 side to which the connection portion 124 is connected.
As shown in FIG. 43, in the state where the connection of the first tube 122 with the relay flow path 130 is disconnected, the connection portion 124 at the tip of the first tube 122 is located in the apparatus main body 3. As a result, 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 device main body 3. This removal direction is the same as the direction Fc for removing 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 main 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 the state where the detachable unit 115 (discharge unit 117) having the above 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) becomes the 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 by using the space. It is configured in. In this way, the cap member 106 can be removed in the same direction Fc as the detachable unit 115 by utilizing the space created by removing the detachable unit 115, so that maintenance such as repair or replacement of the cap member 106 can be performed easily. Can be done well.
Further, when the cap member 106 is removed, the transport path 69 located in front of the cap member 106 is a detachable unit 115, so that the unit 115 only needs to be removed as a unit and does not need to be disassembled into individual parts. Is good.

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

According to the present embodiment, since the cap member 106 is removed as the entire cap unit 119, the workability of repairing or replacing the cap member 106 is good, and the entire cap unit 119 can be easily repaired or replaced.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the first tube 122 connected to apply a negative pressure to the cap member 106 can be disconnected in the same direction as the direction Fc from which the cap member 106 is removed. Therefore, during maintenance such as repair or replacement of the cap member 106, it is possible to carry out the disconnection process of the first tube 112, which is an obstacle, 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 flow path 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 amount of the relay flow path 130 and the second tube 123, so that the workability of removal can be shortened. Will improve.

(E-2) Embodiment 2 (FIGS. 41 and 45)
Based on 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.
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 range occupied by the movement path is determined by the area occupied by the cap unit 119 including the cap member 106 in the direction (X direction) intersecting with the taking-out direction Fc, and the second tube 123 is located outside the range. It is configured as follows.
As a result, the cap member 106 or the cap unit 119 can be removed while the connection state of the second tube 123 remains unchanged, so that workability is good.

Further, the decompression pump 110, which is a suction unit, is detachable from the printer 1, and the second tube 123 is configured so that the connection can be disconnected in the direction in which the decompression pump 110 is removed. In the present embodiment, the back cover 49 is opened so that the pressure reducing pump 110 can be removed from the rear of the apparatus main body 3.
As a result, the second tube 123 can be disconnected in the direction in which the decompression pump 110 is removed (Y direction behind the device). Therefore, when the decompression pump 110 is removed for repair or replacement, the second tube 123 can be accessed from the removal direction (rear of the device) of the decompression pump 110 and disconnected, so that the workability is good. Become.

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

In the present embodiment, a control unit (electrical member 83) for controlling the movement operation between the sealing position 113 and the retracting position 114 of the cap member 106 is provided, and when the cap member 106 is removed from the printer 1, the control unit (electrical member 83) is provided. The control unit (electrical member 83) receives the signal and is configured to automatically move the cap member 106 to the retracted position 114. It is not limited to the automatic movement structure.
The cap member 106 is configured to be removable from the retracted 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.
As a result, the retracted 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 manufacturing.

(E-4) Other Configurations (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 on the lower side of the transport path 69.
As a result, the cap member 106 can be removed from the lower side of the transport path 69, so that even if the liquid drips when the cap member 106 is removed from the printer 1, the possibility of falling into the transport path 69 can be reduced.

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

(3) The first tube 122 may be disconnected from the connection portion with the cap member 106.

(4) When the cap member 106 is removed for repair or replacement, the control unit (electrical member 83) that controls each operation automatically moves to a position (evacuation position 114, etc.) where the cap member 106 can be attached / detached. It may be provided with a sequence for moving the cap to be moved.

(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 arranged 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 accommodating 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 on the medium storage cassette 4.

(7) As described in each of the above embodiments (A) to (E), in the printer 1, the line head 14 is moved upward by opening the cover (discharge tray 7) from above the apparatus main body 3. The cap member 106, which is configured to be removable and is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 81 of the line head 14 and seals the nozzle N, is configured so that it can be taken out from the side surface of the apparatus main body 3 and sucks the wiping member 82 and the cap member 106. 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 efficiently performed.

1 Inkjet printer, 2 Scanner unit, 3 Device body, 4 Medium storage cassette, 5 Top surface, 6 Recording execution unit, 7 Ejection tray, 8 outlet, 9 Flexible tube, 9a No. flexible tube, 9a (C) 1st tube, 9a (M) 2nd tube, 9a (Y) 3rd tube, 9a (K) 4th tube, 9b 2nd flexible tube, 10th 1st joint, 10C 1st joint, 10M 2nd joint 10Y No. 3 joint, 10K No. 4 joint, 11 Multiple flow paths, 11C No. 1 flow path, 11M No. 2 flow path, 11Y No. 3 flow path, 11K No. 4 flow path, 12 Conveyance mechanism, 13 First connection part , 14 line head (liquid injection head), 15 first extension part, 16 pump (air supply source), 17a, 17b, 17c bisected area, 17b central part, 18 liquid container, 19 medium transfer area, 20 Substrate, 21 1st surface, 22 2nd surface, 23 Mounting hole, 24 Liquid chamber, 25 (25a, 25b, 25c) sealing part, 26 (26a, 26b) sealing part, 27 2nd joint, 28th 2 Connection part, 29 2nd extension part, 30 Liquid container holder, 31a, 31b, 31c area, 32 (32a, 32b) area, 33 sub tank, 33A 1st sub tank, 33B 2nd sub tank, 34 fulcrum, 35 support Part, 36 end, 37 1st plate, 38 2nd plate, 39 film, 40 urging member, 41 liquid inlet, 43 liquid outlet, 48 O-ring, 42 negative pressure generating part, 44 flow path opening / closing part, 46 pressure Adjustment 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 main body Side connector, 58 cable connection part, 66 cross section, 69 transport path, 69a transport path for single-sided recording, 69b reverse path for double-sided recording, 70 injection head section, 71 holding section, 72 liquid outlet of liquid storage section 18. , 73 Position of 1st connection portion 13 of 1st flexible tube 9a, 74 Support mechanism, 75 regulation part, 75a regulation surface, 76 regulation part, 76a regulation surface, 77 Direction line, 78 target display, 79 concave groove, 80 holding part, 81 nozzle forming surface, 82 wiping member, 83 electrical member, 84 attachment / detachment path, 85 holding part, 86 carriage, 87 screw, 88 screw shaft, 89 motor, 90 Worm gear, 91 wiping unit, 92 storage unit, 93 engaging member, 94 engaging position, 95 position where attachment / detachment is possible, 96 communication unit, 97 suction needle, 98 waste liquid storage unit, 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 air release mechanism, 109 pressurizing pump, 110 decompression pump (suction part), 111 medium support position, 112 retracting position, 113 Sealing position, 114 Retracting position, 115 Detachable unit, 116 Curved reversal path, 117 Discharge unit, 118 Cover, 119 Cap unit, 121 Moving mechanism, 122 1st tube, 123 2nd tube, 124 Connection with decompression chamber , 126 Reservoir, 130 Relay Channel, 142 Housing, 181 Liquid Reservoir, 341 (341a, 341b, 341c) Groove, 342 (342a, 342b, 342c) Groove, 351 (351a, 351b) Groove, 352 (352a) , 352b) Groove, 381 connection, 382 connection, 442 flexible member, 444 elastic body, 462 flexible member, 464 elastic body, 501, 502, 503, 504,505 Multiple FFCs, 521,522,523 524,525 Multiple 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, length from L2 fulcrum 34 to line head, M medium (paper), N nozzle.

Claims (10)

A liquid injection head that prints by injecting liquid onto a medium,
A liquid supply flow path having a flexible tube and supplying the liquid to the liquid injection head,
A holding portion capable of holding the liquid supply flow path at a position different from the position where the liquid supply flow path is arranged at the time of printing.
Equipped with
The holding portion is a liquid injection device capable of holding the flexible tube of the liquid supply flow path. A liquid injection head that prints by injecting liquid onto a medium,
A liquid supply flow path having a flexible tube and supplying the liquid to the liquid injection head,
A holding portion capable of holding the flexible tube at a position different from the position where the flexible tube is arranged at the time of printing.
A liquid injection device characterized by comprising. The liquid injection device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the holding portion is provided at a position deviating from the movement path of the liquid injection head. A plurality of the flexible tubes are provided,
The liquid injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holding portion holds a plurality of the flexible tubes together. The liquid injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding portion is provided above the liquid injection head. Further provided with a mounting portion to which a liquid container for accommodating the liquid supplied to the liquid injection head is mounted.
The one according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holding portion is provided above the center position of the liquid outlet of the liquid container mounted on the mounting portion. Liquid injection device. A cover that can be opened and closed to cover the liquid supply flow path is further provided.
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible tube of the liquid supply flow path can be held by the holding portion by opening the cover. Liquid injection device. A liquid injection head that prints by injecting a liquid onto a conveyed medium, a liquid supply flow path that has a flexible tube and supplies the liquid to the liquid injection head, and the printing. It is a maintenance method of a liquid injection device including a holding portion capable of holding the liquid supply flow path at a position different from the position where the liquid supply flow path is sometimes arranged.
The holding portion can hold the flexible tube of the liquid supply flow path, and the holding portion can hold the flexible tube.
A method for maintaining a liquid injection device, in which the flexible tube of the liquid supply flow path is held by the holding portion, and then maintenance of the liquid injection device is performed. A liquid injection head that prints by injecting a liquid onto a conveyed medium, a liquid supply flow path that has a flexible tube and supplies the liquid to the liquid injection head, and the printing. A maintenance method for a liquid injection device comprising a holding portion capable of holding the flexible tube at a position different from the position where the flexible tube is sometimes arranged.
A method for maintaining a liquid injection device, in which the flexible tube of the liquid supply flow path is held by the holding portion, and then maintenance of the liquid injection device is performed. A plurality of the flexible tubes are provided,
The maintenance method for a liquid injection device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of flexible tubes are collectively held in the holding portion.

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