JP7099098B2 - Head support mechanism and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a head support mechanism for supporting a head for discharging a liquid or a head array, and an image forming apparatus provided with the head support mechanism.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an inkjet printer, a head that ejects a liquid is positioned and fixed in a state of being tilted with respect to the vertical direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Specifically, in the image forming apparatus, heads of a plurality of colors are arranged radially so as to face the transport drum that transports the sheet. Therefore, among the heads of a plurality of colors, most of the heads are positioned and fixed in an inclined state.
Then, liquids are ejected from the heads of a plurality of colors toward the sheet conveyed by the transfer drum, and a desired color image is formed on the sheet.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for fixing a head by urging the head in the horizontal direction and the width direction by a leaf spring (pressurization means) for the purpose of reducing image quality deterioration due to vibration unevenness. Is disclosed.

In the conventional technique, when the positioning and fixing of the head and head array that are positioned and fixed in an inclined state are released when the position of the head and head array is adjusted or during maintenance, the head and head array fall down and they fall down. Was making the work difficult.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a head support mechanism that can easily perform position adjustment and maintenance of a head or a head array that is positioned and fixed in an inclined state. And to provide an image forming apparatus.

The head position adjusting mechanism in the present invention is a head support mechanism that supports a head that discharges liquid or a head array in which a plurality of the heads are installed, and the head or the head array is predetermined with respect to the vertical direction. The head or the head is the side on which the first support member formed so as to be able to be positioned and fixed in a state of being tilted at the inclination angle of the above and the head or the head array from which the positioning and fixing by the first support member is released are tilted. A second support member installed diagonally downward with respect to the head array, an elastic member installed between the head or the head array and the second support member, and the head or the head or the head array. The position of the elastic member installed between the head array and the second support member in the vertical direction can be adjusted .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a head support mechanism and an image forming apparatus that can easily perform position adjustment and maintenance of a head or a head array that is positioned and fixed in an inclined state.

It is an overall block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the head. It is a figure which shows the head support mechanism and a head. It is a figure which shows the conventional head support mechanism and a head. It is a figure which shows the state which the head is attached to the head support mechanism. It is a figure which shows the head support mechanism and a head as a modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the head support mechanism and a head as a modification 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the head support mechanism and a head as a modification 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing (A) a head support mechanism and a head array, and (B) a diagram of the head array viewed from the discharge surface side as a modification 4. It is a figure which shows the head array as a modification 5.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the overlapping description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, FIG. 1 describes the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an inkjet printer as an image forming apparatus, 2 is a transport drum for transporting a sheet P, 3 is a paper feed cassette on which a sheet P before printing is loaded, and 5 is a transport drum 2 for gripping the sheet P. Indicates a clipper to do.
Further, 6 is a separating member for separating the sheet P from the transport drum 2, 7 is a transport belt for transporting the sheet P separated from the transport drum 2, and 8 is a paper discharge tray on which the printed sheet P is discharged / loaded. , Is shown.
10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 are heads (printing modules) in which an image forming unit for printing and printing by an inkjet method is unitized, and 30 is a beam member 35 and a head support mechanism 20 (see FIG. 3). Indicates a base frame, for holding.

Here, the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is for forming a color image, and as shown in FIG. 1, a head 10K for black and three colors for color (yellow, magenta, and so on). Cyan) heads 10Y, 10M, 10C and two-color heads 10S1 and 10S2 for coating (for special colors) are installed. These six heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 are arranged in parallel with the transport drum 2 so as to face each other with a minute gap and along the rotation direction of the transport drum 2.
The six heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1, and 10S2 have almost the same structure except that the colors (types) of the inks used for printing are different. It is shown by excluding the alphabets (Y, M, C, K, S1, S2) of the attached codes.
As shown in FIG. 2, the head 10 is a substantially rectangular unit, the main portion of which is composed of a piezoelectric actuator, and a nozzle 10a for ejecting ink as a liquid (droplet) and ink. An ink tank 10b filled with ink, a control board (control unit), and the like are provided.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
First, when a print command is input to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 together with image information from a personal computer or the like, the sheet P is fed from the paper feed cassette 3 by the paper feed roller. The sheet P supplied from the paper feed cassette 3 is conveyed toward the transfer drum 2 by the transfer roller 4. On the other hand, the heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 of each color are converted into writing information of each color based on the input image information.
Then, the sheet P conveyed to the transfer drum 2 is positioned on the transfer drum 2 in a state of being gripped by the clipper 5, and is conveyed along the rotation in the counterclockwise direction of the transfer drum 2.
Then, ink as a liquid is sequentially sprayed from the heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 of each color on the sheet P transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotation of the transport drum 2. A desired image is formed on the sheet P.
After that, the sheet P on which the desired image is formed is separated from the transport drum 2 by the separating member 6. Then, the sheet P separated from the transport drum 2 is transported by the transport belt 7 and discharged onto the paper output tray 8.

Hereinafter, in the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, the head support mechanism 20 for supporting the head 10 for ejecting ink (liquid) will be described in detail.
As described above with reference to FIG. 1, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of heads 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1, 10S2) face the transport drum 2. They are arranged in a radial pattern.
Specifically, the plurality of heads 10 are arranged so that the nozzle 10a faces the rotation center of the transport drum 2 so that the ink is ejected from the nozzle 10a perpendicularly to the surface of the sheet P on the transport drum 2. There is. Therefore, most of the plurality of heads 10 are held in the apparatus main body in a state of being tilted with respect to the vertical direction (Z direction). In the present embodiment, the most upstream head 10K and the most downstream head 10S2 are held by the apparatus main body at the largest inclination angle θ, and the two inner heads 10C and 10S1 are held at a smaller inclination angle θ. It is held in the main body of the device, and the two innermost heads 10M and 10Y are held in the main body of the device with the smallest inclination angle θ.

With reference to FIG. 3A, each of the plurality of heads 10 is detachably supported in an inclined state by the head support mechanism 20. The head support mechanism 20 is held by the base frame 30 via the beam member 35.
Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the head support mechanism 20 is composed of a first support member 21, a second support member 22, an elastic member 23, a fixing screw 25, an adjusting pin 27, and the like. On the other hand, the head 10 is provided with a through hole portion for inserting the screw portion of the fixing screw 25 and a seat portion for abutting the head portion of the fixing screw 25.
Since the adjustment pin 27 is used when adjusting the position of the head 10, as will be described later, the adjustment pin 27 is removed from the head support mechanism 20 after the head 10 is positioned and fixed, and is stored by a worker such as a serviceman. You may try to do it.

The first support member 21 is formed so that the head 10 can be positioned and fixed in a state of being tilted at a predetermined tilt angle θ with respect to the vertical direction (Z direction).
Specifically, the first support member 21 is made of sheet metal and is installed on the side of the discharge surface of the head 10 (nozzle 10a) substantially parallel to the discharge surface. Therefore, the first support member 21 is held by the base frame 30 in a state of being inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction (X direction). As described above, the inclination angle θ of each of the plurality of heads 10 will differ depending on the positions arranged radially.

The first support member 21 has an opening formed in the center thereof for inserting the nozzle 10a side of the head 10, and a female screw portion for screwing the fixing screw 25 is formed in the vicinity of the edge portion of the opening. Has been done. The opening of the first support member 21 has a longer diagonal length than that of the head 10 so that the position of the head 10 (nozzle 10a) corresponding to the rotation direction (transport direction) of the transfer drum 2 can be finely adjusted. It has been set for a long time. As shown in FIG. 5, the head 10 is detachably configured in a predetermined direction (direction orthogonal to the facing surface of the first support member 21) with respect to the first support member 21 (head support mechanism 20). ing.
Further, referring to FIG. 3A, a fitting hole for fitting the adjusting pin 27 provided with the columnar abutting portion 27a is formed diagonally above the first support member 21. .. A plurality of adjusting pins 27 having different outer diameters of the abutting portion 27a are prepared depending on a worker such as a worker or a serviceman.

Then, by the operator, the head 10 has a female screw of the first support member 21 in a state where the nozzle 10a side is inserted into the opening of the first support member 21 and is abutted against the abutting portion 27a of the adjustment pin 27. A fixing screw 25 is screwed into the portion and is fixed (positioned and fixed) to the first support member 21 (head support mechanism 20).
Further, in order to accurately adjust the position of the head 10 with respect to the transport drum 2, it was determined that the position of the head 10 needs to be adjusted by transporting the test sheet P (chart) and confirming the image position. In this case, the abutting portion 27a is replaced with another adjusting pin 27 having a different outer diameter, and the same positioning work is repeated. At that time, the fixing screw 25 tightened to the female screw portion of the first support member 21 is temporarily loosened as shown in FIG. 3B when the adjusting pin 27 is replaced. That is, while checking the image position of the chart, the fixing screw 25 is tightened as shown in FIG. 3 (A) or loosened as shown in FIG. 3 (B) to replace the adjusting pin 27. This will optimize the position of the head 10. In other words, the head 10 is positioned and fixed as shown in FIG. 3 (A), and the adjustment pin 27 is replaced while the positioning and fixing are released as shown in FIG. 3 (B). The position of 10 will be finally determined.
Then, by adjusting the position of the head 10 with high accuracy in this way, a good image without positional deviation can be formed on the sheet P. Such position adjustment of the head 10 is performed at the time of manufacturing the image forming apparatus 1, at the time of replacing the head 10, or at the time of maintenance.
In the present embodiment, the position of the head 10 can be adjusted in the direction along the rotation direction of the transport drum 2, but the position of the head 10 can be adjusted in the width direction (Y direction). , It can also be configured so that it can be adjusted in both directions.

Here, in the head support mechanism 20, the second support member 22 is on the side where the head 10 from which the positioning and fixing by the first support member 21 is released falls down as shown in FIG. 3 (B), with respect to the head 10. It is installed diagonally below. In other words, the second support member 22 is installed on the side facing the downward side surface of the head 10 (the side surface facing the center of gravity of the head 10).
Specifically, the second support member 22 is made of sheet metal and is installed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the first support member 21. Therefore, the second support member 22 is held by the base frame 30 in a state of being inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the vertical direction (Z direction). The second support member 22 is installed so as to face the head 10 with a gap so as to prevent the head 10 from which the positioning and fixing by the first support member 21 has been released from falling off. be.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, an elastic member 23 is installed between the head 10 and the second support member 22 in the head support mechanism 20 in the present embodiment.
Specifically, the elastic member 23 is a sponge made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is installed (attached) to the second support member 22 via double-sided tape as shown in FIG. 5 (A). That is, the elastic member 23 is installed on the facing surface of the second support member 22 (the surface facing the head 10).
In this embodiment, a sponge is used as the elastic member 23, but a spring, rubber, or the like can also be used as the elastic member 23.

By providing the elastic member 23 in this way, as shown in FIG. 3B, even if the positioning and fixing of the head 10 that has been positioned and fixed in an inclined state is released (even if the fixing screw 25 is loosened). As shown in FIG. 4, the head 10 is supported by the second support member 22 via the elastic member 23 without significantly tilting toward the side of the second support member 22 (in the direction of the black arrow), and the posture thereof is changed. It will be maintained to some extent.
Therefore, as compared with the case where the head 10 is greatly tilted as shown in FIG. 4, the workability when adjusting the position of the head 10 as described above and the workability when performing maintenance or replacement of the head 10 are performed. However, it will be improved.

Here, in the head support mechanism 20 of the present embodiment, the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 each formed in a plate shape are connected by welding, screw fastening, or the like. On the other hand, the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 can be integrally installed. Specifically, the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 can be integrally provided by subjecting the plate-shaped member to an L-shaped bending process or the like. In such a case, the number of parts in the head support mechanism 20 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the elastic member is installed on the second support member 22. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the elastic member 23 can be installed on the side surface of the head 10 (the surface facing the second support member 22).

<Modification 1>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a head support mechanism 20 and a head 10 as a modification 1.
The head support mechanism 20 in the first modification is set so that the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23 is larger when the inclination angle θ of the head 10 is large than when the inclination angle θ of the head 10 is small.
In other words, a plurality of heads 10 are installed, and a plurality of first support members 21, a plurality of second support members 22, and a plurality of elastic members 23 corresponding to the plurality of heads 10 are installed, respectively. Has been done. The elastic modulus of the elastic member 23A corresponding to the head 10 having a large inclination angle θ1 is set to be larger than the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23B corresponding to the head 10 having a small inclination angle θ2.
Specifically, the tilt angle θ1 of the head 10 shown in FIG. 6 (A) is larger than the tilt angle θ2 of the head 10 shown in FIG. 6 (B) (θ1> θ2). In such a case, the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23A installed in the head support mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 6 (A) is the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23B installed in the head support mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 6 (B). Set to be larger than.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when six heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 are arranged, the head support mechanism 20 that supports the most upstream head 10K and the most downstream head 10S2, respectively. The elastic modulus of the elastic member 23 is set to be the largest, and the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23 of the head support mechanism 20 that supports the two heads 10C and 10S1 inside them is set to be smaller than that, and the two innermost heads 10C and 10S1 are supported. The elastic modulus of the elastic member 23 of the head support mechanism 20 that supports the heads 10M and 10Y, respectively, is set to the minimum. Then, the elastic modulus of each elastic member 23 is set so that the amount of deformation of each elastic member 23 is substantially the same.
With this configuration, the larger the inclination angle θ, the larger the load on the head 10 applied to the elastic member 23 when the fixing screw 25 is loosened and released as shown in FIG. 3 (B). Because. Therefore, as in the first modification, by changing the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23 according to the magnitude of the inclination angle θ, the plurality of heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1, and 10S2 having different inclination angles θ can be used. It is possible to reduce the variation in the posture at the time of releasing the fixing (the posture supported by the second support member 22 via the elastic member 23). Therefore, the workability when performing position adjustment and maintenance of the heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 is further improved.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the head support mechanism 20 and the head 10 as the modification 2, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 in the modification 1.
In the head support mechanism 20 in the second modification, when the inclination angle θ of the head 10 is large, the elastic member 23 is arranged at an obliquely upper position in the second support member 22 as compared with the case where the inclination angle θ of the head 10 is small. It is set to be done.
In other words, a plurality of heads 10 are installed, and a plurality of first support members 21, a plurality of second support members 22, and a plurality of elastic members 23 corresponding to the plurality of heads 10 are installed, respectively. Has been done. Then, the position of the elastic member 23A in the second support member 22 corresponding to the head 10 having a large inclination angle θ1 is compared with the position of the elastic member 23B in the second support member 22 corresponding to the head 10 having a small inclination angle θ2. It is set to be diagonally above.
Specifically, the tilt angle θ1 of the head 10 shown in FIG. 7 (A) is larger than the tilt angle θ2 of the head 10 shown in FIG. 7 (B) (θ1> θ2). In such a case, the relative position of the elastic member 23A in the second support member 22 shown in FIG. 7A is the relative position of the elastic member 23B in the second support member 22 shown in FIG. 7B. Set so that it is diagonally above. That is, the distance H1 from the lower end of the second support member 22 (the connection portion with the first support member 21) of the elastic member 23A shown in FIG. 7 (A) is the elastic member 23B shown in FIG. 7 (B). The distance from the lower end of the second support member 22 is longer than the distance H2 (H1> H2).
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when six heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 are arranged, the head support mechanism 20 that supports the most upstream head 10K and the most downstream head 10S2, respectively. The distance H of the elastic member 23 is set to be the longest, and the distance H of the elastic member 23 of the head support mechanism 20 that supports the two inner heads 10C and 10S1 respectively is set to be shorter than that, and the two innermost heads 10C and 10S1 are supported. The distance H of the elastic member 23 of the head support mechanism 20 that supports the heads 10M and 10Y, respectively, is set to be the shortest.
With this configuration, the larger the inclination angle θ, the larger the load on the head 10 applied to the elastic member 23 when the fixing screw 25 is loosened and released as shown in FIG. 3 (B). At the same time, the direction of the load tends to be directed toward the second support member 22 side. Therefore, as in the second modification, by changing the position (distance H) of the elastic member 23 in the second support member 22 according to the magnitude of the inclination angle θ, a plurality of heads 10Y and 10M having different inclination angles θ It is possible to reduce the variation in the postures of the 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 at the time of releasing the fixation (the postures supported by the second support member 22 via the elastic member 23). Therefore, the workability when performing position adjustment and maintenance of the heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 is further improved.
In the second modification, the position of the elastic member 23 installed between the head 10 and the second support member 22 in the vertical direction can be adjusted to be adjustable. That is, the holding position of the elastic member 23 on the facing surface of the second support member 22 can be freely changed. With such a configuration, the head support mechanism 20 that supports the heads 10 having different inclination angles θ can be shared, and the holding position of the elastic member 23 can be finely adjusted.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the head support mechanism 20 and the head 10 as the modification 3, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 in the modification 2.
The head support mechanism 20 in the third modification is configured so that the facing distance between the head 10 and the second support member 22 decreases as the distance between the head 10 and the second support member 22 decreases diagonally upward (a position away from the transport drum 2). .. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the second support member 22 is such that the facing distance gradually decreases from the lower end (the connection portion with the first support member 21) of the second support member 22 toward the upper end. The facing surface 22a is formed in a tapered shape.
With this configuration, even if the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23A shown in FIG. 8A and the elastic modulus of the elastic member 23B shown in FIG. 8B are the same (elastic members 23A, 23B). By changing the position (distance H) of the elastic member 23 according to the inclination angle θ of the head 10 as shown in FIG. It becomes easier to obtain the effect of.

<Modification example 4>
9 (A) is a diagram showing the head support mechanism 20 and the head array 50 as a modification 4, and FIG. 9 (B) is a diagram of the head array 50 viewed from the side of the discharge surface 50a (FIG. 9 (A)). ) Is a schematic view of the head array 50 as viewed from the direction A.
As shown in FIG. 9B, a plurality of heads 10 are installed in the head array 50 in a substantially staggered manner. Further, the head array 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular cuboid shape.
In the fourth modification, the head support mechanism 20 that supports the head array 50 is a first support member 21 formed so that the head array 50 can be positioned and fixed in a tilted state, and the head array 50 is tilted to the side where the head array 50 is released. It is composed of a second support member 22 installed, an elastic member 23 installed between the head array 50 and the second support member 22, and the like. That is, the head support mechanism 20 is configured to support the head array 50 instead of the head 10 in the embodiment. Therefore, workability when adjusting the position of the head array 50 and performing maintenance is improved.
The head support mechanism 20 may be configured to support the head array 50 instead of the head 10 in the first to third modifications.

<Modification 5>
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a head array 50 as a modification 5.
As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of heads 10A and 10B are installed in the head array 50. The head array 50 in the modified example 5 is provided with a plurality of head support mechanisms 20A and 20B that support the plurality of heads 10A and 10B, respectively. The head support mechanisms 20A and 20B are configured as those of the first embodiment (or the modifications 1 to 3), respectively.
Even when the head array 50 is configured in this way, workability when performing position adjustment, maintenance, and the like of the head 10 is improved.

As described above, the head support mechanism 20 (image forming apparatus 1) in the present embodiment positions and fixes the head 10 (or the head array 50) in a state of being tilted at a predetermined tilt angle θ with respect to the vertical direction. A possibly formed first support member 21 is installed. Further, the second support member is on the side where the head 10 (or the head array 50) whose positioning and fixing by the first support member 21 is released is tilted, and diagonally downward with respect to the head 10 (or the head array 50). 22 is installed. An elastic member 23 is installed between the head 10 (or the head array 50) and the second support member 22.
This makes it possible to easily perform position adjustment and maintenance of the head 10 and the head array 50 that are positioned and fixed in an inclined state.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 in which six heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1 and 10S2 are installed, but the number of heads 10 is limited to this. There is no such thing.
Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the head support mechanism 20 that supports the inkjet head for office or commercial printing, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a living body. The present invention can also be applied to a head support mechanism that supports a head (or head array) that discharges a compatible material or a material for three-dimensional modeling.
And even in those cases, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the present embodiment may be appropriately modified in addition to the suggestions in the present embodiment within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. be. Further, the number, position, shape and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape and the like suitable for carrying out the present invention can be used.

In the specification of the present application and the like, the term "head" is defined to include all functional parts for discharging and injecting liquid from a nozzle. The liquid discharged from the head may have a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited, but has a viscosity of 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, under normal pressure, or by heating or cooling. Is preferable. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, polymerizable compounds, resins, functionalizing materials such as surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids and proteins, and calcium. , Solvents, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing edible materials such as natural pigments, such as inks for inkjets, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used in applications such as liquids and material liquids for three-dimensional modeling.
Further, although a piezoelectric actuator (laminated piezoelectric element and thin film piezoelectric element) is used as an energy generation source for discharging liquid in this embodiment, a thermal actuator using an electric heat conversion element such as a heat generating resistor and vibration. An electrostatic actuator composed of a plate and a counter electrode may be used.

1 Image forming device (inkjet printer),
2 transport drum,
10, 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, 10S1, 10S2 heads,
20 head support mechanism,
21 First support member,
22 Second support member,
22a facing surface,
23 Elastic member,
25 fixing screw,
27 Adjustment pin,
50 head array,
P sheet.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-71473

Claims (11)

A head support mechanism that supports a head that discharges liquid or a head array in which a plurality of the heads are installed.
A first support member formed so that the head or the head array can be positioned and fixed in a state of being tilted at a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the vertical direction.
A second support member installed diagonally downward with respect to the head or the head array on the side where the head or the head array is released from the positioning and fixing by the first support member.
An elastic member installed between the head or the head array and the second support member.
Equipped with
A head support mechanism characterized in that the position of the elastic member installed between the head or the head array and the second support member can be adjusted in the vertical direction . With the plurality of the heads or the plurality of the head arrays,
The plurality of first support members, the plurality of second support members, and the plurality of elastic members corresponding to the plurality of heads or the plurality of head arrays, respectively.
Equipped with
The elastic modulus of the head or the elastic member corresponding to the head array having a large inclination angle is larger than the elastic modulus of the elastic member corresponding to the head or the head array having a small inclination angle. The head support mechanism according to claim 1. With the plurality of the heads or the plurality of the head arrays,
The plurality of first support members, the plurality of second support members, and the plurality of elastic members corresponding to the plurality of heads or the plurality of head arrays, respectively.
Equipped with
The position of the elastic member in the head or the second support member corresponding to the head array having a large inclination angle is the elastic member in the second support member corresponding to the head or the head array having a small inclination angle. The head support mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position is obliquely upward with respect to the position of. The head support mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the facing distance between the head or the head array and the second support member is configured to decrease toward an obliquely upper position. The claim is characterized in that the holding position of the elastic member on the facing surface of the head or the second supporting member facing the head array can be changed in an oblique vertical direction along the facing surface. The head support mechanism according to any one of 1 to 4. The head support mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic member is installed on the second support member. The head support mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic member is installed on the head or the head array. The head support mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first support member and the second support member are integrally installed. The first support member is installed on the side of the discharge surface of the head and substantially parallel to the discharge surface.
The head support mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second support member is installed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the first support member. A head array in which a plurality of the heads are installed.
A head array characterized in that a plurality of head support mechanisms according to any one of claims 1 to 9 are installed, and the plurality of heads are supported by the plurality of head support mechanisms. An image forming apparatus comprising the head support mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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