JPH10193695A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly detect the amount of a move of a printing apparatus and make a printed result immediately after an operation easy to be seen in the apparatus of a constitution wherein a recording head is allowed to oscillate. SOLUTION: A recording head 12, a roller 13, a detection switch 30 and an encoder are constituted in one body. Moreover, the encoder is arranged forward of the recording head 12 in a printing direction. The detection switch 30 is arranged forward of the recording head 12 in the printing direction and behind the recording head 12. Accordingly, a printed result immediately after an operation can be seen easily. Since the detection switch 30 does not come in touch with jetted ink, the printed result is not stained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printing device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for making it easy to recognize a print result immediately after an operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a manual printing apparatus as an apparatus for printing on various recording media at desired locations. Printing by this printer is performed on a recording medium.
The user manually scans the printing device at any speed,
This is performed by the recording head ejecting ink to the recording medium according to the amount of movement of the apparatus. Such a printing device is provided with an encoder or the like as a movement amount detection device for detecting the movement amount of the device, and further, a device having a configuration in which a recording head can swing with respect to the device main body has been proposed. .

[0003]

However, according to the above-described conventional printing apparatus, when the apparatus main body is tilted and the recording head swings, an extra force is applied to the traveling roller portion connected to the encoder. In some cases, the roller was rotated more than the movement amount, and the movement amount of the apparatus could not be accurately detected. Further, when the encoder is arranged near the recording head, there is a problem that it is difficult to see a printing result immediately after the operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is a printing apparatus having a structure in which a recording head can be swung, which can accurately detect a moving amount, and It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing device in which a printing result immediately after an operation is easy to see.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a printing unit that prints on a recording medium by manually scanning the recording medium. A printing device in which the recording means is configured to be swingable with respect to the apparatus main body, wherein a holder member for holding the recording means so as to be capable of swinging with respect to the apparatus body is provided at a lower portion of the holder member. A spacer member for keeping the distance between the recording means and the recording medium constant, and a movement amount detecting means for detecting a movement amount when the apparatus travels on the recording medium by being manually operated, The recording means and the moving amount detecting means are integrally formed, and the moving amount detecting means is arranged in front of the recording means in the scanning direction.

In the above configuration, since the recording means can be swung, printing can be performed regardless of the recording medium or location, and the recording means and the movement amount detecting means are integrally formed. Accordingly, accurate detection of the movement amount can be performed regardless of the swing of the head. Further, since the moving amount detecting means is disposed in front of the recording means in the traveling direction, the ink ejected from the recording means onto the recording medium does not come into contact with the moving amount detecting means, and does not stain the printing result. The recording result becomes easier to see.

A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a recording means for performing printing on the recording medium by manually scanning the recording medium, and the recording means swings with respect to the apparatus main body. A printing device configured to be movable, comprising: a holder member for holding a recording unit in a swingable manner with respect to the apparatus main body; and a lower portion of the holder member, wherein a distance between the recording unit and the recording medium is fixed. And a moving amount detecting means for detecting a moving amount when the apparatus travels on the recording medium by being manually scanned,
The recording means and the movement amount detecting means are integrally configured, and
The moving amount detecting means is arranged behind the recording means when viewed from the operator.

In the above configuration, since the recording means is swingable, printing can be performed regardless of the recording medium or location, and the recording means and the movement amount detecting means are integrally formed. Thus, the movement amount can be accurately detected regardless of the swing of the head. Further, since the moving amount detecting means is arranged behind the recording means as viewed from the operator, the ink immediately after being ejected from the recording means to the recording medium and the moving amount detecting means do not come into contact with the printing result, and the printing result is not stained. In addition, the recorded result immediately after printing becomes easy to see.

A printing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the apparatus main body travels on a moving amount detecting means, a recording means, and a recording medium. And a link mechanism that connects the main body and the holder member, and the holder member and the recording means, respectively, by a link mechanism, and the main body of the main body in a scanning direction of the apparatus and in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. Is configured to be able to swing.

In the above construction, the moving amount detecting means, the recording means, and the traveling means are integrally formed, and these are linked by a link mechanism via a holder member, so that the apparatus main body is moved in the scanning direction of the apparatus and in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. Can be swung, so that the attitude of the recording means with respect to the recording medium is kept constant even when the apparatus main body is tilted. Therefore, since printing can be performed even when the apparatus main body is tilted, operability is improved,
Printing failures are reduced. Further, even when printing is performed in a state where the apparatus main body is tilted, no extra force is applied to the traveling means, so that the movement amount detecting means accurately detects the movement amount of the apparatus based on the rotation amount of the traveling means. Can be.

A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the recording medium is located at a position facing the recording means. Further comprising a recording medium detecting means for detecting whether or not
The recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrally formed, and the recording medium detecting means is arranged forward of the recording means in the running direction.

In the above arrangement, the recording medium detecting means is disposed in front of the recording means in the running direction, and the recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrally formed. The medium can be detected, and the result immediately after printing becomes easy to see. In addition, since the ink immediately after being ejected from the recording means onto the recording medium does not come into contact with the recording medium detection means, the printing result is not stained.

A printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a recording medium is present at a position facing the recording means. Further comprising a recording medium detecting means for detecting whether or not, the recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrally configured,
Further, the recording medium detecting means is disposed behind the recording means when viewed from the operator.

In the above arrangement, the recording medium detecting means is disposed behind the recording means as viewed from the operator, and the recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrally formed. As well as being able to reliably detect the recording medium,
The result immediately after printing becomes easier to see. In addition, since the ink immediately after being ejected from the recording means onto the recording medium does not come into contact with the recording medium detection means, the printing result is not stained.

A printing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means. .

In the above configuration, since the recording means is of the ink jet type, the configuration can be simplified with respect to the recording means of the wire dot type using a print ribbon or the like, so that the entire apparatus can be downsized. Furthermore, printing can be performed more clearly.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state of printing by the printing apparatus according to the present invention. The printing apparatus 1 is an ink jet printing apparatus that performs printing by scanning on a recording medium P such as paper, and a recording head (recording unit) that performs printing by ejecting ink at a lower portion of the main body housing 1a. 12 and rollers (running means) 13 for running the printing apparatus 1 on the recording medium P
Are provided integrally with each other, and a portion of the head unit 14 in contact with the recording medium P is provided with a spacer portion (spacer member) for keeping the distance between the recording head 12 and the recording medium P constant. 141 are formed.

The body housing 1a is swingably connected to the head unit 14 in the scanning direction and in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction by a link mechanism 24 and a link mechanism 21 described later. Thereby, even if the main body housing 1a is in the inclined state, the head unit 14
Is configured so that proper printing can be performed while maintaining a fixed posture with respect to the recording medium P. Details of this configuration will be described later. When printing with the printing device 1,
As shown in the figure, the printing device 1 is placed at a desired printing start position on the recording medium P, and the printing device 1 is scanned in the direction of the arrow. In accordance with the movement of the printing device 1 by this scanning, ink is ejected from the recording head 12 and printing is performed on the recording medium P.

Main body housing 1a and head unit 14
The configuration of the connection portion with the will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the head unit 14,
(B) is a perspective view schematically showing a connection mechanism between the main body housing 1a and the head unit 14, and (c) is a side view of (b). The head unit 14 includes a head holder 14 a that supports the recording head 12, and an encoder unit 14 b that supports the roller 13 and includes an encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the roller 13 therein. The recording head 12 is configured such that a certain gap is maintained between the recording head and the recording medium by the lower portion of the head holder 14a and the rollers 13.

An ink supply pipe 15 for guiding ink from an ink cartridge (not shown) to the recording head 12 is connected to a connection portion 12a provided above the recording head 12, and is connected to the recording head 12 via a manifold 12b. Ink is supplied. Further, the recording head 12 is connected to an FPC (flexible printing circuit) 16 for inputting a control signal from a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the entire printing apparatus 1. Also,
The encoder in the encoder unit 14b is also FPC17
Is connected to the control unit. A shaft 23a for attaching a link mechanism described below is attached to the head holder 14a.
23b is provided.

The head unit 14 includes the head unit 1
4 is connected to the main body housing 1a via a holder 19 provided above. Main body housing 1a and holder 19
Are connected by a link mechanism 21 configured by crossing arms. This link mechanism 2
Reference numeral 1 designates three arms, namely, a pair of arms 21b rotatably provided on shafts 18b and 20b on both sides of the main body housing 1a and the holder 19 facing each other, and a main body housing 1a and a central portion of the upper surface of the holder 19. Axis 18a. 20a.

The holder 19 and the head unit 14 are
A four-node link mechanism where nodes intersect, that is, a link mechanism 24 formed by crossing two arms, is provided with shafts 22a, 22b, 23a, and 23b provided on opposite side surfaces.
Are rotatably provided as a pair. The arms 21b and 21b of the link mechanism 21 for connecting the main body housing 1a and the holder 19 are arranged on the surface in the scanning direction, respectively.
Link mechanism 2 between holder 19 and head unit 14
The two pairs of the four arms 24a and 24b are disposed on the surface at right angles to the scanning direction. With the above configuration,
The main body housing 1a can swing in the Y direction in the figure with respect to the recording medium by the connection by the link mechanism 21, and can swing in the X direction (printing direction) in the figure by the connection by the link mechanism 24.

Next, the swinging of the head unit 14 with respect to the holder 19 by the link mechanism 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the head unit 14 is not swinging, and FIG.
4 is a sectional view showing a state where the head unit 14 swings in the printing direction, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state where the head unit 14 swings in the direction opposite to the printing direction. As described above, the link mechanism 24
Is composed of two crossed arms 24a and 24b. In a normal state, that is, in a state in which no force is applied to the main body housing 1a in the printing direction or in the opposite direction, the arms 24a and 24b move the head unit 14 to the main body housing 1a as shown in FIG. It is set to be parallel to In this state, when a force is applied to the main body housing 1a in the printing direction, the arm 24a is accordingly moved around the shaft 22a.
b rotates counterclockwise in the figure around the shaft 22b. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 4 swings in the printing direction with respect to the holder 19, and the main body housing 1a tilts in the printing direction while maintaining the attitude of the head unit 14 with respect to the recording medium in the same manner as in normal times.

When a force is applied to the main body housing 1a in the direction opposite to the printing direction from the normal state, the arm 24a is moved about the shaft 22a and the arm 24b is moved about the shaft 22b. Rotate clockwise. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 4 swings in the direction opposite to the printing direction with respect to the holder 19, and the main body housing 1a is tilted in the direction opposite to the printing direction while maintaining the attitude of the head unit 14 with respect to the recording medium in the same manner as in normal times. At this time, a force is applied to the link mechanism 21 connecting the holder 19 and the main body housing 1a in a direction perpendicular to the plane on which the arms 21a and 21b rotate, so that the head unit 14 swings by the link mechanism 21. Absent. In order to allow the head unit 14 to swing, a relief portion is provided at a lower portion of the main body housing 1a. That is, the head unit 14 is set to protrude further downward from the lower part of the main body housing 1a.

Next, the swing of the holder 19 and the head unit 14 with respect to the main body housing 1a by the link mechanism 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the holder 19 and the head unit 14 are not swinging, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reference numeral 4 swings forward when viewed from the user. As described above, the link mechanism 21 is composed of three arms set to cross each other, that is, a pair of arms 21 b attached to the side surface of the holder 19 and an arm 21 a attached to the upper surface of the holder 19. In a normal state where no force is applied to the main body housing 1a on the front side or the opposite side when viewed from the user,
The arms 21a and 21b are, as shown in FIG.
The head unit 14 is set so as to be parallel to the main body housing 1a. From this state, when a force is applied to the main body housing 1a in a direction toward the user as viewed from the user, that is, in the right direction in the figure, the arm 21a
The arm 21b rotates counterclockwise in the figure around the shaft 18a and around the shaft 18b. As a result, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the holder 19 and the head unit 14 swing rightward, that is, toward the front as viewed from the user, and the main body housing 1a keeps the posture of the head unit 14 with respect to the recording medium in the same manner as in the normal state. Leaning toward the user as viewed from the user. At this time, the link mechanism 24 connecting the holder 19 and the head unit 14 includes the arm 24
Since a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the plane on which the a and b rotate, the link unit 24 does not swing the head unit 14.

Although not particularly shown, when a force is applied to the main body housing 1a from the normal state in a direction opposite to the front side as viewed from the user, that is, in the left direction in the figure, the arm 21a is accordingly actuated. The arm 21b rotates clockwise about the axis 18a about the axis 18a. As a result, the holder 19 and the head unit 14 swing with respect to the main body housing 1a in a direction opposite to the front direction as viewed from the user, and the main body housing 1a sets the posture of the head unit 14 with respect to the recording medium as in the normal state. And tilt it away from the user. At this time, the head unit 14 does not swing due to the link mechanism 24.
In FIG. 6, on the left side of the head unit 14a,
A detection switch 30 for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium is provided.

Next, a mechanism for vertically moving the head unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 in addition to FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the printing apparatus 1 and the gear mechanism in a state where the head unit 14 is in the non-printing area.
The cap 35 for protecting the head unit 14 is
It is configured to be slidable with respect to the main body housing 1a,
A rack 35a that meshes with the gear 33a of the gear mechanism 33 is formed. A gear mechanism 33 provided in the main body housing 1a is provided integrally with a gear 33a for converting a linear motion of the rack 35a into a rotary motion, and a shaft 31b of the rotary arm 32b, and rotates coaxially with the shaft 31b. Gear 33
b, and a gear 33c for transmitting the rotation of the gear 33a to the gear 33b.

In the rack 35a and the gear mechanism 33 configured as described above, when the cap 35 is moved downward when the head unit 14 is in the printing area (see FIG. 6), the rack 35a moves downward. With gear 3
3a rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The gear 33c meshing with the gear 33a rotates clockwise, and the gear 33b meshing with the gear 33c rotates counterclockwise. This gear 33
Due to the counterclockwise rotation of b, the shaft 31b and the rotating arm 32b also rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Shaft 31b and Shaft 31
Since a is meshed with the gears 31c and 31d, the shaft 31a and the rotating arm 32a rotate clockwise symmetrically with the shaft 31b and the rotating arm 32b. By this rotation, the rotation arms 32a and 32b move the link mechanism 21
The arms 21a and 21b are moved upward to the position shown in FIG. 8, so that the holder 19 and the head unit 14 move upward and are accommodated in the main body housing 1a.
Is located in the non-printing area shown in FIG. Also, the head unit 1
When moving 4 from the non-printing area to the printing area, the cap 35 is moved upward, and the gears of the gear mechanism 33, the rotating arms 32a and 32b, and the shafts 31a and 31b are rotated in the opposite directions. . As a result, the head unit 14 (recording head 12) protrudes from the main housing 1a and becomes ready for printing.

The arrangement of each device in the head unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 is a bottom view of the head unit 14, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the lower part 4 and a lower part of a main housing 1a. The detection switch 30 is provided integrally with the recording head 12 and the roller 13, and the printing direction (running direction) of the recording head 12
It is located at the front and behind the recording head 12 when viewed from the operator. Further, a helical gear 41 which is a part of an encoder for detecting a moving amount of the printing apparatus 1 is provided adjacent to the roller 13. The encoder is provided inside the encoder unit 14b and above the roller 13 and the helical gear 41. The configuration of this encoder will be described later.

The above encoder will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A shows an encoder and a roller 13.
FIG. 4B is a side sectional view of the head unit 14 in a portion, and FIG. Note that FIG.
2, the illustration of the detection switch 30 is omitted. The encoder 40 includes four gears 41 to 44, a disk 45 rotated by these gears, and a photo interrupter 46 for counting the disks 45, and is provided above the rollers 13 in the encoder unit 14b. . The rotation of the roller 13 is controlled by a helical gear 41 and a helical gear 4 provided adjacent to the roller 13.
The direction is changed by a two-stage gear 42 provided on the upper part of the gear 1, and transmitted to the gear 45 a of the disk 45 via the idle gear 43 and the reduction gear 44. When the disk 45 is rotated by the rotation of the gear 45a, the slits formed on the disk 45 are counted by the photo interrupter 46, and the detection result is determined by the FPC.
17 is input to the control unit of the printing apparatus 1 described above.

As described above, according to the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the recording head 12 and the encoder 40 are integrally formed, the encoder 40 is disposed in front of the recording head 12 in the printing direction, and the detection switch 30 is the recording head 12
And is arranged in front of the recording head 12 in the printing direction and behind the recording head 12, so that the printing result immediately after the operation is easy to see. Further, since the detection switch 30 does not come into contact with the ejected ink on the recording medium P, the printing result is not stained. Link mechanism 2
Since the recording head 12 is configured to be swingable by 1 and 24, the printing operation is facilitated. Further, since the learning of the recording head 12 is further improved, no extra force is applied to the roller 12 even when printing is performed with the main body housing 1a inclined. Therefore, since the roller 12 rotates accurately in accordance with the movement amount of the printing apparatus 1, the movement amount of the printing apparatus 1 can be accurately detected by the encoder 40.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the encoder 40 and the encoder unit 14b
At the front of the recording head 12 in the printing direction and the roller 1
3, but is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and may be disposed behind the recording head 12 as viewed from the operator. This is shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows the encoder 40 and the encoder unit 1
4b is a side sectional view of the head unit 14 and the lower portion of the main body housing 1a arranged behind the recording head 12 as viewed from the operator. With this configuration, the print result immediately after the printing operation can be more easily viewed.

[0033]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, since the recording means can swing,
Printing can be performed irrespective of the recording medium and location, and since the recording means and the movement amount detecting means are integrally configured, accurate movement amount detection is possible regardless of the swing of the head. Further, since the moving amount detecting means is disposed in front of the recording means in the traveling direction, the ink ejected from the recording means onto the recording medium does not come into contact with the moving amount detecting means, and does not stain the printing result. The recording result becomes easier to see.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, since the recording means can swing, printing can be performed regardless of the recording medium or location. Since the movement amount detecting means is integrally formed, accurate detection of the movement amount is possible regardless of the swing of the head.
Further, since the moving amount detecting means is arranged behind the recording means as viewed from the operator, the ink immediately after being ejected from the recording means to the recording medium and the moving amount detecting means do not come into contact with the printing result, and the printing result is not stained. In addition, the recorded result immediately after printing becomes easy to see.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the moving amount detecting means, the recording means, and the traveling means, which are integrally formed, are mounted on the apparatus main body so that the apparatus main body can be swung. Since the connection is established, the attitude of the recording means with respect to the recording medium is kept constant even when the apparatus main body is inclined. Therefore, printing can be performed even when the apparatus main body is tilted, operability is improved, and printing failure is reduced. In addition, since the learning of each member during swinging is improved, when the apparatus is run with the apparatus body tilted, no extra force is applied to the running means, and the accuracy is determined according to the amount of movement of the apparatus. , The movement amount of the apparatus can be accurately detected by the movement amount detection means based on the rotation of the traveling means. Therefore, good printing results can be obtained with a simple printing operation.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium detecting means is disposed forward of the recording means in the running direction, and the recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrally formed. In addition, the recording medium can be reliably detected regardless of the swing of the recording means, and the result immediately after printing becomes easy to see. In addition, since the ink immediately after being ejected from the recording means onto the recording medium does not come into contact with the recording medium detection means, the printing result is not stained.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium detecting means is disposed behind the recording means when viewed from the operator, and the recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrated. With this configuration, the recording medium can be reliably detected regardless of the swing of the recording unit, and the result immediately after printing becomes easy to see. In addition, since the ink immediately after being ejected from the recording means onto the recording medium does not come into contact with the recording medium detection means, the printing result is not stained.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the recording means is of the ink jet type, the configuration is simplified with respect to the recording means of the wire dot type using a printing ribbon or the like. Therefore, the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced, and printing can be performed more clearly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printing situation by a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a head unit.
(B) is a perspective view schematically showing a connection mechanism between the main body housing and the head unit, and (c) is a side view of (b).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the head unit is not swinging.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the head unit swings in the printing direction.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the head unit swings in a direction opposite to a printing direction.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the holder and the head unit are not swinging.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holder and the head unit swing toward the user as viewed from the user.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the printing apparatus and the gear mechanism in a state where the head unit is in a non-printing area.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the head unit.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a lower part of a head unit and a main body housing.

11A is a sectional side view of a head unit in an encoder and a roller portion, and FIG. 11B is a sectional side view of the same at a plane orthogonal to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a head unit in which an encoder and an encoder unit are disposed behind a recording head when viewed from an operator, and a lower portion of a main body housing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 1a Main body housing (apparatus main body) 12 Recording head (recording means) 13 Roller (running means) 19 Holder (holder member) 30 Detection switch (recording medium detection means) 40 Encoder (movement amount detection means) 141 Spacer section ( Spacer member)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus, comprising: a recording unit that prints on a recording medium by manually scanning the recording medium, wherein the recording unit is configured to be swingable with respect to an apparatus main body. A holder member for swingably holding the recording medium with respect to the apparatus main body; a spacer member provided below the holder member for maintaining a constant distance between the recording unit and the recording medium; And a moving amount detecting means for detecting a moving amount when the vehicle travels on a recording medium, whereby the recording means and the moving amount detecting means are integrally formed, and the moving amount detection is performed. A printing device, wherein the printing device is disposed forward of the recording device in the running direction. 2. A printing apparatus, comprising: a recording unit that prints on a recording medium by manually scanning the recording medium, wherein the recording unit is configured to be swingable with respect to an apparatus main body. A holder member for swingably holding the recording medium with respect to the apparatus main body; a spacer member provided below the holder member for maintaining a constant distance between the recording unit and the recording medium; And a moving amount detecting means for detecting a moving amount when the vehicle travels on a recording medium, whereby the recording means and the moving amount detecting means are integrally formed, and the moving amount detection is performed. A printing apparatus characterized in that the means is disposed behind the recording means as viewed from an operator. 3. The moving amount detecting means, the recording means, and a traveling means for causing the apparatus main body to travel on a recording medium are integrally formed, and between the apparatus main body and the holder member, and between the holder member and the recording medium. 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means and said means are connected by a link mechanism so that the apparatus main body can be swung in a running direction of said apparatus and in a direction perpendicular to said running direction. Printing device. 4. A recording medium detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording medium is present at a position facing the recording means, wherein the recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrally configured, 4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium detecting means is disposed forward of said recording means in a running direction. 5. A recording medium detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording medium is present at a position facing the recording means, wherein the recording means and the recording medium detecting means are integrally formed, 4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium detecting means is disposed behind said recording means when viewed from an operator. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an ink jet recording means.