JP6520135B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium.
In the present application, the recording apparatus includes types such as a serial printer which performs recording while moving the recording head in a predetermined direction, a copier having these printer functions, a facsimile, and the like.

  In recent years, in a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, in order to improve the recordable number of recording media, it is practiced to provide a large capacity ink storage tank inside or outside the apparatus main body. Patent Document 1 describes an example of a recording apparatus provided with this large-capacity ink storage tank.

JP, 2012-152994, A

  The recording device described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that the carriage inserted into the carriage guide shaft can reciprocate in the device width direction. In the carriage, an upper portion of the carriage is supported by a guide frame extending in the apparatus width direction.

  In the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of large-capacity ink tanks are provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body, and an ink tube is connected to the ink tank. The ink tube connected to the ink tank extends in the apparatus width direction, and has a folded portion on the left side of the carriage in the apparatus width direction with respect to the reciprocating movement of the carriage in the apparatus width direction. Is configured to follow and deform.

  By the way, in recent years, in order to improve the recording quality of the recording medium, the density of nozzles in the recording head provided on the carriage has been increased. Specifically, the number of nozzles for discharging the ink to the recording medium in the recording head is increased.

  However, when the number of nozzles in the recording head is increased, the required supply amount of ink to the recording head is increased. Therefore, the diameter of the ink tube for supplying the ink from the ink tank to the carriage becomes large. When the recording head having the increased number of nozzles is applied to the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the diameter of the ink tube is large, the tube bending reaction force generated at the folded portion becomes large.

  Here, the tube bending reaction force may be larger than the weight of the carriage. As a result, the tube bending reaction acts to separate the carriage from the guide frame, which may cause a deviation in the landing position of the ink ejected from the recording head, which may reduce the recording quality on the recording medium. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which stabilizes the posture of the carriage and improves the recording quality on the recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a recording head that discharges liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording, and the recording head, and moves along a first direction. From the other side in the second direction in the carriage, a first sliding portion provided on one side in the second direction crossing the first direction in the carriage, and the other side in the second direction in the carriage A second sliding portion provided on an arm portion projecting and extending in a second direction; and extending in the first direction and in contact with the first sliding portion to support the carriage; A first guide member for guiding movement, extending in the first direction, spaced apart from the first guide member in the second direction, and in contact with the second sliding portion While supporting the carriage A second guide member for guiding the movement of the carriage, a liquid storage unit for storing the liquid, and a tube for supplying the liquid delivered from the liquid storage unit to the carriage, and extending from the carriage A tube extending in a direction intersecting with the second direction, folded back in the vertical direction and extending in the opposite direction, and provided on the arm portion, restricting the separation of the second sliding portion from the second guide member And means for controlling the

  According to this aspect, the control means for restricting the separation of the second sliding portion from the second guide member is provided on the arm portion which protrudes and extends from the carriage in the second direction. Further, in this aspect, the tube extends from the carriage, extends in a direction intersecting with the second direction, turns back and extends in the opposite direction. Here, a restoring force is generated in the tube in order to make the curve gentle, that is, to restore the tube to a straight extending state. Then, the restoring force acts on the carriage to which the tube is connected, and for example, the carriage is lifted to move the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion to the first guide member. Alternatively, it is intended to separate from the second guide member.

  In addition, this restoring force generates a moment force that rotates the carriage about the first sliding portion. This moment force increases in proportion to the distance from the first slide to the tube.

  In this aspect, since the control means for controlling the separation of the second sliding portion from the second guide member is provided in the arm portion which protrudes and extends from the carriage in the second direction. The distance between the first sliding portion and the restricting means in the two directions is increased, and even a small force can counter the moment force generated on the carriage. Therefore, the restriction means can easily suppress the separation of the second sliding portion from the second guide member. As a result, since the attitude of the recording head and hence the carriage with respect to the recording medium is stabilized, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality of the recording medium.

  Further, according to this aspect, since the second sliding portion is provided on the arm portion, the second sliding portion is formed near the second sliding portion in the restricting means. Separation from the second guide member can be more reliably restricted. Therefore, since the attitude of the recording head and hence the carriage with respect to the recording medium is stabilized, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality of the recording medium.

  According to the recording measure of the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the second guide member is a support portion that contacts and supports the second sliding portion, and a position above the support portion In addition, it is characterized by including a facing portion facing the support portion, and the restricting means is provided with a third sliding portion which is in contact with the facing portion and is slidable.

  According to this aspect, in the restricting means, the third sliding portion is in contact with the opposing portion. That is, with respect to the direction in which the second sliding portion is separated from the second guide member with the first sliding portion as a fulcrum, the restricting means sets the third sliding portion to the opposing portion. By making contact, the displacement of the carriage is regulated. Therefore, since the restricting means can more reliably resist the moment force and stabilizes the posture of the carriage, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality of the recording medium.

  The recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the restricting means includes an urging member for urging the third sliding portion toward the facing portion. Do.

  According to this aspect, the restriction means includes a biasing member that biases the third sliding portion toward the facing portion. That is, since the biasing member biases the third sliding portion toward the opposing portion, the third sliding portion is in the direction opposite to the direction in which the moment force acts from the opposing portion. Receives an acting reaction force. Therefore, since the reaction force acts on the carriage in the direction in which the moment force is reduced, the restricting means can more stably stabilize the attitude of the carriage and can suppress the deterioration of the recording quality of the recording medium.

  In the recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the restriction means includes a magnetic member, and the magnetic member moves the second guide member toward the second sliding portion by magnetic force. It is characterized by sucking.

  According to this aspect, since the restriction means is a magnetic member which attracts the second guide member to the second sliding portion side, the second guide member is moved by the magnetic force of the magnetic member. It is attracted to the sliding part side of. As a result, since the magnetic force of the magnetic member opposes the moment force, the displacement of the second sliding portion in the direction away from the second guiding member is suppressed, and the posture of the carriage is stabilized. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality in the recording medium.

  The recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the tube has the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion in the second direction. Extending in a direction intersecting the second direction.

  According to this aspect, the tube extends in the direction intersecting with the second direction between the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion in the second direction. Therefore, the distance from the first sliding portion to the tube in the second direction is shorter than the distance from the first sliding portion to the restricting means. In other words, the distance from the first sliding portion to the restricting means in the second direction is longer than the radius of the moment force acting on the carriage. Thus, the restricting means can counteract the moment force with a smaller force.

  The recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the tube is bent and folded through the lower side of the arm portion and connected to the carriage above the arm portion. I assume.

  According to this aspect, since the tube is bent and folded through below the arm and connected to the carriage above the arm, the radius of curvature of the tube can be increased. As a result, it is possible to reduce the restoring force that tends to make the curvature generated in the tube gentle. As a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress an attempt to separate the carriage from the first guide member or the second guide member against the restoring force against the weight of the carriage. As a result, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the recording quality of the recording medium.

  The recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the distance between the tube and the first sliding portion in the second direction is the first sliding portion and the first sliding portion. It is characterized in that it is shorter than the distance to the second sliding portion.

  According to this aspect, the distance between the tube and the first sliding portion in the second direction is shorter than the distance between the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion. Therefore, the moment force generated on the carriage can be smaller than the moment force due to the weight of the carriage acting on the second sliding portion. As a result, it is possible to suppress the carriage from trying to separate from the second guide member. As a result, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the recording quality of the recording medium.

  In the recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth or seventh aspect, a plurality of the tubes are provided, and a curved and folded portion of the tube follows the movement of the carriage in the first direction. And a tube diameter conversion member is provided at a position out of the moving region of the folded back portion in the first direction, and a tube diameter from the liquid storage portion to the tube diameter conversion member is the tube diameter conversion member to the tube diameter conversion member. It is characterized in that it is thicker than the tube diameter up to the carriage via the folded back portion.

  According to this aspect, the tube diameter from the one end connected to the liquid storage portion to the tube diameter conversion member is the tube from the tube diameter conversion member to the other end connected to the carriage via the folded back portion Thicker than the diameter. That is, the diameter of the tube from the liquid storage portion to the tube diameter conversion member is large, and the diameter of the tube from the tube diameter conversion member to the carriage is small. Therefore, pressure loss can be reduced by increasing the tube diameter in the path from the liquid storage portion to the tube diameter conversion member, as compared to the case where the tube diameter is reduced in all paths from the liquid storage portion to the carriage. It is possible to reduce the number of nozzles and to suppress the nozzle omission in the recording head.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the diameter of the tube from the tube diameter conversion member to the carriage is thin, that is, the tube diameter of the portion corresponding to the operation of the carriage is thin, the reaction force of the tube transmitted to the carriage can be reduced. The recording quality on the recording medium in the recording head can be maintained.

  The recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, wherein a plurality of the tubes are arranged along the second direction, and the first in the second direction. The diameter of the tube closer to the sliding portion of is larger than the diameter of the other tubes.

  According to this aspect, among the plurality of tubes arranged in the second direction, the tube arranged closest to the first sliding portion is thicker than the other tubes. Here, the restoring force that tends to make the curve in the tube gentler increases as the diameter of the tube increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the tube having the largest restoring force is disposed closer to the first sliding portion, but the distance between the tube having the largest restoring force and the first sliding portion can be shortened. The moment force for rotating the carriage about the first sliding portion can be reduced. Therefore, separation of the carriage from the second guide member can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the recording quality of the recording medium.

  In a recording apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the liquid is ink, and the thickest-diameter tube supplies black ink to the recording head.

  According to this aspect, the largest diameter tube supplies black ink to the recording head. Here, although the recording apparatus uses inks of a plurality of colors such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, the amount of black ink used is the largest. In this aspect, the black ink can be supplied from the liquid storage portion toward the recording head by the largest diameter tube among the plurality of tubes. That is, since the supply amount of the black ink, which is the largest used amount, to the recording head can be increased, the supply of the black ink to the recording head can be stabilized.

  In the recording apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ninth or tenth aspect, a plurality of the liquid storage portions are provided along the second direction, and the plurality of liquid storage portions are provided with the plurality of liquid storage portions. At least a portion of the liquid storage portion positioned closest to the second sliding portion in the second direction and at least a portion of the tube having the largest diameter of the tube are at the same position in the second direction The liquid storage portion located closest to the second sliding portion may be connected to the tube having the largest tube diameter.

  According to this aspect, at least a part of the plurality of liquid storage portions provided in the liquid storage portion closer to the second sliding portion along the second direction and the most tube diameter The at least one portion of the thick tube is at the same position in the second direction, and the liquid storage portion located closest to the second sliding portion is connected to the widest tube. ing. That is, the distance in the second direction between the liquid storage portion located closest to the second sliding portion and the tube with the largest diameter of the tube is the distance between the other liquid storage portion and the other tube It can also be said that it is short. Therefore, the path length from the liquid storage portion located closer to the second sliding portion in the tube with the largest diameter of the tube to the carriage is the length from the other liquid storage portion in the other tube to the carriage It can be shorter than the path length.

  The recording apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, further comprising a tube guiding member extending along the first direction to guide the tube, the tube guiding The member is disposed below the arm portion.

  A recording apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, further comprising: a holding member extending along the first direction to hold an ejection roller for ejecting the recording medium, the tube guiding member And the holding member are separated from each other.

  According to this aspect, since the tube guiding member and the holding member are separated from each other, the tube guiding member is not subjected to a reaction force which tends to gently bend the tube. It can suppress that a holding member receives the said reaction force and bends. As a result, bending of the holding member can be suppressed, and positional deviation of the discharge roller due to bending of the holding member is unlikely to occur, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the dischargeability of the recording medium.

  The recording apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the arm portion is disposed at a lower portion of the carriage from the center of the carriage in the first direction. It is characterized in that it extends in a direction and its tip extends downward.

  According to this aspect, since the second sliding portion is provided on the arm portion extending in the second direction from the carriage, the first sliding member in the second direction is not increased in size. The distance between the second sliding portion and the second sliding portion can be increased. As a result, the increase in size of the carriage can be suppressed, the size of the carriage can be miniaturized, and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carriage according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the path of the ink tube from the ink tank to the tube diameter conversion member. The perspective view which shows a tube diameter conversion member. FIG. 2 is a side view of the carriage according to the first embodiment. (A) is a bottom view which shows a 1st sliding member, (B) is a perspective view which shows a 1st guide member and a 1st sliding member. (A) is a fragmentary sectional view of the control means based on a 1st Example, (B) is a fragmentary sectional view of the control means in the viewpoint different from the figure (A). Sectional drawing which shows the relationship between a tube guide member and a holding member. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a carriage according to a second embodiment. The side view of the carriage concerning a 2nd example. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the relationship between force and moment in the carriage according to the first embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the force in the carriage which concerns on a 2nd Example, and a moment.

    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The same components in the respective embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the components will be omitted in the subsequent embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing an internal structure of the printer according to the present invention 4 is a perspective view of the carriage according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the path of the ink tube from the ink tank to the tube diameter conversion member, and FIG. 6 is a tube diameter conversion member It is a perspective view shown.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of the carriage according to the first embodiment, FIG. 8 (A) is a bottom view showing a first sliding member, and FIG. 8 (B) is a first guide member and a first 9 (A) is a partial cross-sectional view of the restricting means according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 (B) is a restricting means in a different point of view from the (A) view. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the tube guide member and the holding member, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the carriage according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a side view of a carriage according to an example, FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the relationship between force and moment in the carriage according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 14 is force and moment in the carriage according to the second embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship with and.

  Furthermore, in the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X direction (device width direction) as the “first direction” is the scanning direction of the recording head, and the Y direction as the “second direction” is the recording device. The depth direction, the sheet conveyance direction, and the Z direction indicate the “direction in which the distance (gap) changes between the recording head and the sheet”, that is, the apparatus height direction. In each of the drawings, the −Y direction is the front side of the apparatus, and the + Y direction is the rear side of the apparatus.

■ ■ ■ 1st example ■ ■ ■ ■
<<< Overview of Printer >>
An inkjet printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as the printer 10) as an example of a recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The printer 10 is configured as a multifunction peripheral including an apparatus main body 12 and an image reading apparatus 14. The apparatus main body 12 is provided with a recording medium storage cassette 16 for storing a recording medium, and an ink tank 18 as a "liquid storage portion" for storing ink as a "liquid".

  The image reading device 14 is configured as a scanner unit as an example in the present embodiment, and is attached to the upper portion of the device body 12 via a hinge 20 (see FIG. 2) provided on the upper portion of the device body 12. The image reading device 14 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the apparatus main body 12 with the hinge 20 as a fulcrum. In the present embodiment, the hinge 20 can be provided on the back side of the apparatus body 12, and the image reading apparatus 14 pivots from the front side to the back side of the apparatus body 12.

  The recording medium storage cassette 16 is configured to be able to store a plurality of recording media, and is detachably mounted from the front side (the −Y axis direction side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 12. In the present specification, the recording medium refers to paper such as plain paper, thick paper, and photographic paper as an example.

  Also, a plurality of ink tanks 18 are provided as a large capacity tank for storing ink on the right side surface (the side in the -X axis direction in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 12 (see FIG. 5). Further, the plurality of ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d, for example, are provided corresponding to the respective colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the configuration in the apparatus main body 12 will be described. In the apparatus body 12, a carriage 22 movable in the apparatus width direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 2) is provided. The carriage 22 is driven in the apparatus width direction by a carriage drive mechanism 26 driven by a drive motor 24 (see FIG. 2).

  In the present embodiment, the carriage drive mechanism 26 includes a drive pulley (not shown) attached to the drive motor 24, a driven pulley 28 provided at a distance from the drive pulley in the device width direction, and the drive pulley. It has a toothed belt 30 wound around a driven pulley. A part of the toothed belt 30 is gripped by the carriage 22.

  Therefore, when the drive pulley is rotationally driven by the drive motor 24, the toothed belt 30 is driven, and the carriage 22 gripping a part of the toothed belt 30 is moved in the apparatus width direction.

  In addition, a recording head 32 is provided at the bottom of the carriage 22 (see FIG. 7). Further, under the carriage 22, a medium support member 34 extending in the apparatus width direction is provided. At least a part of the medium support member 34 is provided in the movement area of the carriage 22 in the apparatus width direction, and when the carriage 22 moves in the movement area of the carriage 22, the medium support member 34 faces the recording head 32. Do.

  The medium support member 34 supports the recording medium transported from the recording medium storage cassette 16. Then, the recording head 32 faces the sheet supported by the medium support member 34. In addition, the medium support member 34 defines the distance (gap) between the recording surface of the recording medium and the head surface of the recording head 32 by supporting the recording medium from below. Further, a plurality of nozzle holes (not shown) are provided on the surface of the recording head 32 facing the recording medium, and the recording medium is ejected by discharging the ink from the nozzle holes toward the recording surface of the recording medium. Perform recording on

  Further, a conveyance roller pair 36 is provided on the apparatus back side (upstream side in the conveyance path) of the carriage 22 in the apparatus depth direction. The conveyance roller pair 36 includes a conveyance drive roller 36 a and a conveyance driven roller 36 b (see FIG. 2).

  Further, a discharge roller pair 38 is provided on the apparatus front side (downstream side in the conveyance path) of the carriage 22 in the apparatus depth direction. The discharge roller pair 38 includes a discharge drive roller 38a and a discharge driven roller 38b (see FIGS. 3 and 10). In the present embodiment, the discharge driven roller 38 b is configured as a spur and is rotatably held by a holding member 40 attached to the apparatus main body 12.

  Further, a discharge stacker 42 is provided on the apparatus front side (downstream side in the conveyance path) in the apparatus depth direction with respect to the discharge roller pair 38. The ejection stacker 42 can stack the recording media ejected by the ejection roller pair 38.

  Here, the conveyance path of the recording medium will be described. The recording medium accommodated in the recording medium accommodation cassette 16 is positioned downstream of the conveyance path from the recording medium accommodation cassette 16 by the feeding means (not shown). It is transported toward the pair 36. Then, the recording medium is nipped by the conveyance driving roller 36 a and the conveyance driven roller 36 b, and is conveyed toward the medium support member 34 positioned on the downstream side of the conveyance path. Next, the recording medium carried on the medium support member 34 is recorded by the recording head 32. Then, the recording medium on which the recording has been performed is nipped by the discharge driving roller 38 a and the discharge driven roller 38 b, and is discharged to the discharge stacker 42.

<<< Overview of carriage >>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10, the outline of the carriage 22 will be described. The carriage 22 is provided at the bottom of the case 44 with a box-like case 44, an arm 46 projecting to the front of the device in the device depth direction from the case 44, and the carriage 22 as shown in FIGS. And the recording head 32 (see FIG. 7).

  In addition, the carriage 22 is configured to be capable of reciprocating in the apparatus width direction in the apparatus main body 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a first guide member 48 extending in the width direction of the device and a distance on the front side of the device relative to the first guide member 48 in the depth direction of the device are provided in the device body 12. A second guide member 50 which is disposed and extends in the apparatus width direction is attached. In the present embodiment, the first guide member 48 and the second guide member 50 are configured as guide rails.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first guide member 48 includes a flat portion 48a and an inverted portion 48b extending in the apparatus height direction from the flat portion 48a, and the flat portion 48a and the inverted portion Each 48 b extends in the device width direction.

  Further, the case 44 is provided with a gap adjusting means 52 (see FIG. 8B) on the rear side of the apparatus which is “one side” in the apparatus depth direction. Although not shown, the gap adjusting means 52 is configured to be able to adjust the position of the carriage 22 in the apparatus height direction in the apparatus height direction. Further, the gap adjustment means 52 is provided with a first sliding portion 54.

  The first sliding portion 54 includes a horizontal sliding portion 54a sliding in contact with the flat portion 48a of the first guide member 48, and an inverted sliding portion 54b sliding in contact with the inverted portion 48b. (See FIG. 8A). The horizontal sliding portion 54 a is supported by the flat portion 48 a of the first guide member 48 in the apparatus height direction.

  Further, on the device back side of the housing 44, the housing sliding portion 44a is opposed to the inverted sliding portion 54b of the first sliding portion 54 across the inverted portion 48b of the first guide member 48. It is provided. That is, the inverted portion 48 b of the first guide member 48 is sandwiched between the inverted sliding portion 54 b of the first sliding portion 54 and the housing sliding portion 44 a.

  Therefore, when the carriage 22 moves in the apparatus width direction, the carriage 22 is not only guided by the inverted portion 48b of the first guide member 48, but also the displacement of the carriage 22 in the apparatus depth direction is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the recording quality of the recording medium in the printer 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 9A, the second guide member 50 is located above the support portion 50a in the device height direction and a flat support portion 50a extending in the device width direction. An opposing portion 50b opposed to the supporting portion 50a, and a connecting portion 50c extending from the supporting portion 50a in the apparatus height direction to connect the supporting portion 50a and the opposing portion 50b are provided.

<<< Restriction means >>>
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the arm 46 projects from the housing 44 toward the front of the apparatus, and extends downward, that is, toward the second guide member 50, at the tip of the projecting portion. The arm portion 46 is provided with a second sliding portion 56 in contact with the support portion 50 a of the second guide member 50.

  That is, the carriage 22 is supported by the second guide member 50 via the second sliding portion 56. Therefore, the carriage 22 is supported by the first guide member 48 via the first sliding portion 54 in the apparatus height direction and supported by the second guide member 50 via the second sliding portion 56. It is done.

  Further, at the end 46 a on the front side in the apparatus depth direction of the arm unit 46, a restricting means 58 is provided. In the present embodiment, the restricting means 58 includes a slider member 60 as a "third sliding portion" and a spring 62 as a "biasing member".

  The slider member 60 is attached to the end 46 a of the arm 46 so as to be displaceable along the apparatus height direction. In addition, a spring 62 is disposed between the slider member 60 and the end 46 a of the arm 46. The spring 62 biases the slider member 60 upward in the apparatus height direction. Specifically, the spring 62 biases the slider member 60 toward the facing portion 50 b of the second guide member 50. And the slider member 60 is pressing the opposing part 50b.

  That is, the restricting means 58 restricts the second sliding portion 56 of the carriage 22 from separating from the support portion 50 a of the second guide member 50 upward in the device height direction. Therefore, when the spring 62 presses the slider member 60 toward the facing portion 50b, the restricting means 58 can face the moment force with the first sliding portion 54 generated on the carriage 22 described later as a fulcrum. . With regard to the moment force, the relationship with the control means 58 will be described in detail along with the ink tube path described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, for the distance from the first sliding portion 54 to the second sliding portion 56 in the device depth direction, the second sliding portion 56 is provided on the device front side of the housing 44. The distance from the first sliding portion 54 to the second sliding portion 56 in the case is longer. As a result, when the height in the apparatus height direction on the back side of the carriage 22 is displaced by the gap adjusting means 52, the inclination angle of the recording head 32 with respect to the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the medium support member 34 is It becomes smaller. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality in the recording medium.

<<< About ink supply route >>>
Next, the ink supply path will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In the housing 44 of the carriage 22, a plurality of connection adapters 64 are attached. FIG. 5 shows the carriage 22 with the connection adapter 64 removed. Further, in FIG. 5, the illustration of the portion connected to the connection adapter 64 in the ink tube 72 is omitted for the sake of explanation. In the present embodiment, connection adapters 64 a, 64 b, 64 c and 64 d corresponding to the respective colors black, cyan, magenta and yellow are attached to the housing 44. The connection adapters 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d respectively supply the ink of each color supplied from the ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d to the recording head 32.

  Also, the ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d are aligned along the apparatus depth direction. In this embodiment, the ink tank 18a containing black ink is located most on the front side of the apparatus, and the ink tank 18b containing cyan, the ink tank 18c containing magenta, and the ink containing yellow are directed toward the apparatus back side. It arranges in order of tank 18d.

  Further, ink tubes 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d are extended from the ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d toward the front of the apparatus in the apparatus depth direction. Each ink tube 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d extends from the device depth direction in the device depth direction in the device depth direction by changing the direction from the side where the ink tank 18 is provided to the opposite direction in the device width direction. .

  Further, referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7, a tube guide member 68 extending in the device width direction is provided above the support portion 50 a of the second guide member 50 in the device body 12. The tube guide member 68 is disposed in parallel with the facing portion 50b of the second guide member 50 in the device depth direction. In the present embodiment, the tube guiding member 68 is disposed below the arm 46 between the front surface of the housing 44 and the end 46 a of the arm 46 in the device depth direction.

  Further, the tube diameter conversion member 70 is attached to the tube guide member 68. The ink tubes 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, which extend from the ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d in the depth direction of the apparatus and turn in the width direction of the apparatus, are connected to the tube diameter conversion member 70.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the tube diameter conversion member 70 includes a plurality of connectors 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f, 70g, 70h. The plurality of connectors 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d are aligned in the device depth direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 6) and arranged on one side (-X-axis direction side in FIG. 6) of the tube diameter conversion member 70. . Also, the plurality of connectors 70e, 70f, 70g, 70h are aligned in the device depth direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 6) and arranged on the other side (+ X-axis direction side in FIG. 6) of the tube diameter conversion member 70 There is.

  In the present embodiment, the ink tubes 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d are connected to the connectors 70a, 70b, 70c and 70d, respectively. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the connectors 70e, 70f, 70g, 70h are provided at positions corresponding to the connectors 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d in the device depth direction.

  The ink tubes 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d are connected to the connectors 70e, 70f, 70g and 70h, respectively, and the ink tubes 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d are connected to the other one from the tube diameter conversion member 70 in the device width direction. It extends toward the side (the + X axis direction side in FIG. 6). The diameter of the ink tubes 72b, 72c, 72d is set smaller than the diameter of the ink tubes 66b, 66c, 66d.

  Here, the diameters of the connectors 70b, 70c, 70d are set larger than the diameters of the connectors 70f, 70g, 70h. That is, the diameters of the ink tubes 66b, 66c, 66d connected to the connectors 70b, 70c, 70d are larger than the diameters of the ink tubes 72b, 72c, 72d connected to the connectors 70f, 70g, 70h. Therefore, the diameter dimensions of the ink tubes connected to one side and the other side of the tube diameter conversion member 70 are converted.

  The diameter of the ink tube 72a connected to the connector 70e in the present embodiment is set to the same size as the diameter of the ink tube 66a connected to the connector 70a. That is, in the present embodiment, conversion of the tube diameter is not performed between the connector 70a and the connector 70e, and the ink is supplied from the ink tank 18a to the connection adapter 64a by the ink tubes 66a and 72a having the same diameter.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the tube guide member 68 is disposed between the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 in the apparatus depth direction, more specifically, the housing of the carriage 22. It is provided between the end of the device front side 44 and the second sliding portion 56. That is, the ink tube 66 and the ink tube 72 extended from the ink tank 18 pass below the arm portion 46 between the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 in the device depth direction. It extends in the device width direction.

  In the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the first sliding portion 54, the second sliding portion 56, and the ink tube 72 in the device depth direction is the same as the first sliding portion 54 and the ink tube 72 in the device depth direction. Is set to be longer than the distance between the ink tube 72 and the second sliding portion 56.

  Further, the ink tubes 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d extended from the tube diameter conversion member 70 are guided by the tube guiding member 68 and extended on the side opposite to the side where the ink tank 18 is provided in the device width direction, and curved and folded back It extends to the side of the ink tank 18 and is connected to connection adapters 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d attached to the housing 44 of the carriage 22, respectively. That is, the ink tube 72 is curved through the lower side of the arm, folded back, passes through the upper side of the arm, and is connected to the connection adapter 64.

  Therefore, the ink stored in the ink tank 18 is supplied to the recording head 32 through the ink tube 66, the tube diameter conversion member 70, the ink tube 72, and the connection adapter 64.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink tubes 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d are arranged on the tube guide member 68 in the apparatus depth direction. Here, the ink tube 72a having the largest diameter is disposed on the back side in the apparatus depth direction, that is, closer to the first sliding portion 54. Here, the ink tube 72 a is connected to the ink tube 66 a via the tube diameter conversion member 70. The ink tube 66a is connected to an ink tank 18a that contains black ink. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the black ink is sent by the ink tubes 66a and 72a having a large tube diameter in the path from the ink tank 18a to the carriage 22.

<<< Relationship between moment force in the carriage and restriction means >>>
The forces and moments acting on the carriage 22 will now be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic view relating to the force and moment acting on the carriage 22. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, only one ink tube 72 is shown for the purpose of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 13, on the rear side of the carriage 22 in the apparatus depth direction, the inverted portion 48 b of the first guide member 48 is formed by the inverted sliding portion 54 b of the first sliding portion 54 and the housing 44 of the carriage 22. It is in a state of being caught. Since the second sliding portion 56 is supported by the second guide member 50 only from the lower side on the front side of the carriage 22 in the apparatus depth direction, the carriage 22 uses the first sliding portion 54 as a fulcrum. It is easy to turn clockwise in FIG.

  In addition, in the ink tube 72, a restoring force F1 is generated which tries to make the curve gentle, that is, restore the ink tube 72 to a state of extending straight. The restoring force F1 acts on the carriage 22 to which the ink tube 72 is connected. For example, the carriage 22 is lifted to make the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 the first guide member An attempt is made to separate the second guide member 50 from the second guide member 50.

  Since the restoring force F1 acts on the device front side of the housing 44 of the carriage 22, a rotational moment N1 for rotating the carriage 22 clockwise in FIG. 13 about the first sliding portion 54 of the carriage 22 as a fulcrum. Will occur. Here, the rotational moment N1 is the product of the length of the line segment S1 connecting the first sliding portion 54 and the ink tube 72 with a straight line and the component orthogonal to the line segment S1 in the restoring force F1.

  However, since the description becomes complicated, in this embodiment, the product of the distance L1 from the first sliding portion 54 to the ink tube 72 in the apparatus depth direction and the restoring force F1 is defined as the rotational moment N1. Similarly, with regard to the rotational moment N2 in the second sliding portion 56 and the rotational moment N3 in the restricting means 58 described later, the distance of the line segment S2 connecting the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 And not the distance of the line segment S3 connecting the first sliding portion 54 and the restricting means 58, it is determined by the distances L2 and L3 in the device depth direction. The influence of the position of the center of gravity can be reduced by taking the loads (restoring force F1, self weight F2 and reaction force F4) into consideration, and thus the consideration of the position of the center of gravity is omitted.

  Therefore, the rotational moment N1 has a relationship of N1 = F1 × L1. Thus, the rotational moment N1 increases in proportion to the distance L1 from the first sliding portion 54 to the ink tube 72.

  On the other hand, on the second sliding portion 56, the own weight F2 of the carriage 22 acts downward in the apparatus height direction, that is, toward the second guide member 50. That is, the second sliding portion 56 presses the second guide member 50 by the weight F2 of the carriage 22. Here, since the own weight F2 acts on the second sliding portion 56 on the side opposite to the side on which the restoring force F1 acts, the second sliding portion 56 is directed in the direction opposite to the rotational moment N1. A rotational moment N2 acts.

  Here, the rotational moment N2 is represented by the product of the weight F2 of the carriage 22 and the distance L2 from the first sliding portion 54 to the second sliding portion 56 in the device depth direction. That is, they have a relationship of N2 = F2 × L2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the slider member 60 is biased by the spring 62 against the opposing portion 50 b of the second guide member 50 with the biasing force F3. Thereby, the slider member 60 receives the reaction force F4 of the same magnitude as the urging force F3 from the facing portion 50b. That is, the arm 46 of the carriage 22 receives the reaction force F4.

  Here, the distance between the first sliding portion 54 and the slider member 60 in the apparatus depth direction is L3. In addition, since the reaction force F4 acts on the second sliding portion 56 on the opposite side to the side on which the restoring force F1 acts, the end of the slider member 60 and hence the arm portion 46 has a direction opposite to the rotational moment N1. The rotational moment N3 acts on the.

  Here, the rotational moment N3 is represented by the product of the reaction force F4 received by the slider member 60 and the distance L3 from the first sliding portion 54 to the slider member 60. That is, they have a relationship of N3 = F4 × L3.

  In the present embodiment, since the ink tube 72 extends in the apparatus width direction between the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 in the apparatus depth direction, the first slide in the apparatus depth direction The distance L1 from the moving part 54 to the ink tube 72 is shorter than the distance L2 from the first sliding part 54 to the second sliding part 56. That is, the distance L2 from the first sliding portion 54 to the second sliding portion 56 is in the relation of L2> L1 with respect to the distance L1 from the first sliding portion 54 to the ink tube 72.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the slider member 60 is positioned on the front side (the −Y axis direction side in FIG. 13) in the device depth direction with respect to the second sliding portion 56, so the first sliding The distance L3 from the portion 54 to the slider member 60 is in the relation of L3> L2 with respect to the distance L2 from the first sliding portion 54 to the second sliding portion 56. That is, the distances L1, L2, and L3 have a relationship of L3> L2> L1.

  In summary of the above description, a rotational moment N1 acts on the carriage 22 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 13 and rotational moments N2 and N3 act on the carriage 22 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Here, considering the loads (restoring force F1, self weight F2 and reaction force F4), the distances L1, L2 and L3 are in the relationship of L3> L2> L1, and therefore the relationship of N2 + N3> N1 is obtained. As a result, since the rotational moment N2 + N3 is larger than the rotational moment N1, separation of the second sliding portion 56 from the second guide member 50 can be suppressed.

  To summarize the above description, in the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the restricting means 58 for restricting the separation of the second sliding portion 56 from the second guide member 50 protrudes from the carriage 22 to the front side in the apparatus depth direction. It is provided on the extending arm portion 46. Therefore, the distance L3 between the first sliding portion 54 and the restricting means 58 in the apparatus depth direction is increased, and even a small force can counter the rotational moment N1 generated on the carriage 22. Thus, the restricting means 58 can easily suppress the separation of the second sliding portion 56 from the second guide member 50. As a result, since the attitude of the recording head 32 and hence the carriage 22 with respect to the recording medium is stabilized, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality in the recording medium.

  Further, since the second sliding portion 56 is provided on the arm portion 46, the second sliding portion 56 from the second guiding member 50 in the vicinity of the second sliding portion 56 is the restricting means 58. It is possible to control the separation more reliably. Therefore, since the attitude of the recording head 32 and hence the carriage 22 with respect to the recording medium is stabilized, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality in the recording medium.

  Further, in the restricting means 58, the slider member 60 which is the third sliding portion is in contact with the facing portion 50b. That is, with respect to the direction in which the second sliding portion 56 is separated from the supporting portion 50a of the second guiding member 50 with the first sliding portion 54 as a fulcrum, the restricting means 58 sets the slider member 60 to the opposing portion 50b. By contacting them, the displacement of the carriage 22 is regulated. Therefore, the restricting means 58 can more reliably oppose the rotational moment N1 and stabilizes the posture of the carriage 22, so that the deterioration of the recording quality of the recording medium can be suppressed.

  Further, the restricting means 58 is provided with a spring 62 which biases the slider member 60 toward the facing portion 50b. That is, since the spring 62 biases the slider member 60 toward the facing portion 50b, the slider member 60 receives from the facing portion 50b a reaction force F4 acting in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotational moment N1 acts. Therefore, since the reaction force F4 acts on the carriage 22 in the direction in which the rotational moment N1 decreases, the restricting means 58 can more stably stabilize the attitude of the carriage 22 and can suppress the deterioration of the recording quality of the recording medium.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink tube 72 extends in the apparatus width direction between the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 in the apparatus depth direction. Therefore, the distance L1 from the first sliding portion 54 to the ink tube 72 in the device depth direction is shorter than the distance L3 from the first sliding portion 54 to the restricting means 58. In other words, the distance L3 from the first sliding portion 54 to the restricting means 58 in the device depth direction is longer than the radius L1 of the rotational moment N1 acting on the carriage 22. Thus, the restricting means 58 can counteract the rotational moment N1 with a smaller force.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the ink tube 72 is bent and bent through the lower side of the arm 46 and connected to the connection adapter 64 attached to the carriage 22 above the arm 46, the ink tube 72 is folded back. The radius of curvature of the portion 74 can be increased. As a result, it is possible to reduce the restoring force F1 which attempts to make the curvature of the ink tube 72 gentle. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably suppress the recovery force F1 from trying to separate the carriage 22 from the first guide member 48 or the second guide member 50 against the weight F2 of the carriage 22 itself. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality in the recording medium.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the distance L1 from the first sliding portion 54 to the ink tube 72 in the apparatus depth direction is from the distance L2 from the first sliding portion 54 to the second sliding portion 56. Too short. Therefore, the rotational moment N1 generated on the carriage 22 can be smaller than the rotational moment N2 of the carriage 22 acting on the second sliding portion 56 due to its own weight F2. Thus, the carriage 22 can be prevented from separating from the second guide member 50. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality in the recording medium.

  Further, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the portion 74 which curves and turns back in the path from the tube diameter conversion member 70 of the ink tube 72 to the connection adapter 64 of the carriage 22 is accompanied by the movement of the carriage 22 in the apparatus width direction. And move while following and deforming in the device width direction. In the present embodiment, the tube diameter conversion member 70 is provided at a position deviated from the movement region of the folded back portion 74 in the device width direction.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the tube diameter of the ink tube 66 from the ink tank 18 to the tube diameter conversion member 70 is greater than the tube diameter of the ink tube 72 from the tube diameter conversion member 70 to the carriage 22 via the turnback portion 74. thick. That is, the diameter of the tube from the ink tank 18 to the tube diameter conversion member 70 is large, and the diameter of the tube from the tube diameter conversion member 70 to the carriage 22 is small. Therefore, the tube diameter of the ink tube 66 in the path from the ink tank 18 to the tube diameter conversion member 70 is smaller than in the case where the tube diameter of the ink tubes 66 and 72 is reduced in all the paths from the ink tank 18 to the carriage 22. The pressure loss can be reduced by making the thickness of the recording head 32 larger, and the nozzle omission in the recording head 32 can be suppressed.

  Further, since the tube diameter of the ink tube 72 from the tube diameter conversion member 70 to the carriage 22 is thin, that is, the tube diameter of the portion corresponding to the operation of the carriage 22 is thin, the reaction force of the ink tube 72 transmitted to the carriage 22 can be reduced. The recording quality on the recording medium in the recording head 32 can be maintained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink tubes 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d are arranged on the tube guide member 68 in the apparatus depth direction. Here, the ink tube 72a having the largest diameter is disposed on the back side in the apparatus depth direction, that is, closer to the first sliding portion 54. Here, the ink tube 72 a is connected to the ink tube 66 a via the tube diameter conversion member 70. The ink tube 66a is connected to an ink tank 18a that contains black ink. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the black ink is sent by the ink tubes 66a and 72a having a large tube diameter in the path from the ink tank 18a to the carriage 22.

  In the present embodiment, among the plurality of ink tubes 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d arranged in the depth direction of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 7, the ink tubes 72a arranged closest to the first sliding portion 54 are other It is thicker than the ink tubes 72b, 72c, 72d. Here, as the diameter of the ink tube 72 becomes larger, the restoring force F <b> 1 for trying to make the curve generated in the folded back portion 74 of the ink tube 72 loose becomes larger. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ink tube 72a having the largest restoring force F1 is disposed closer to the first sliding portion 54. However, the ink tube 72a having the largest restoring force F1 and the first sliding portion 54 Since the distance L1 can be shortened, the rotational moment N1 for rotating the carriage 22 about the first sliding portion 54 can be reduced. Therefore, the carriage 22 can be prevented from separating from the second guide member 50. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality in the recording medium.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink tube 72 a having the largest diameter supplies black ink to the recording head 32. Here, although the printer 10 uses inks of a plurality of colors, for example, colors such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, the usage amount of the black ink is the largest. In this embodiment, the black ink can be supplied from the ink tank 18a to the recording head 32 by the ink tube 72a having the largest diameter among the plurality of ink tubes 72a, 72b, 72c, and 72d. That is, since the amount of black ink supplied to the recording head 32 which is the largest used amount can be increased, the supply of the black ink to the recording head 32 can be stabilized.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, at least a portion of the ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d, which are positioned closest to the second sliding portion 56 in the apparatus depth direction, and At least a part of the ink tube 72a having the largest tube diameter is at the same position in the apparatus depth direction. The ink tank 18a positioned closest to the second sliding portion 56 is connected via the ink tube 72a having the largest tube diameter, the ink tube 66a, and the tube diameter conversion member 70.

  That is, the distance between the ink tank 18a positioned closest to the second sliding portion 56 and the ink tube 72a having the largest tube diameter in the apparatus depth direction is the other ink tanks 18b, 18c, 18d and the other ink tube 72b. , 72c, 72d and the distance is shorter. Therefore, after extending from the ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d in the apparatus depth direction, the ink tubes 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d connected to the tube diameter conversion member 70 are changed in direction in the apparatus width direction The path length of the tube 66a can be made the shortest.

  As a result, the path length from the ink tank 18a to the carriage 22 located closer to the second sliding portion 56 of the ink tubes 66a and 72a having the largest diameter is the other ink tubes 66b, 66c, 66d and 72b, It can be made shorter than the path length from the other ink tanks 18 b, 18 c, 18 d to the carriage 22 at 72 c, 72 d.

  Further, referring to FIGS. 3 and 10, the tube guide member 68 is provided in a state of being separated in the apparatus height direction with respect to the holding member 40 which holds the discharge driven roller 38b rotatably.

  In the present embodiment, since the tube guide member 68 and the holding member 40 are separated, the tube guide member 68 does not receive the restoring force F1 which tends to gently bend the ink tube 72 via the tube guide member 68. It can suppress that the member 40 receives the restoring force F1 and bends. As a result, bending of the holding member 40 can be suppressed, and positional deviation of the discharge driven roller 38b due to bending of the holding member 40 is unlikely to occur, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the dischargeability of the recording medium.

<<< Modification of First Embodiment >>>
(1) In the present embodiment, the ink tube 72 and the tube guiding member 68 are configured to pass below the arm portion 46, but instead of this configuration, the ink tube 72 and the tube guiding member 68 are provided in the arm portion 46. It may be arranged to pass above.
(2) In the present embodiment, the ink tube 72 passes below the arm 46 projecting from the carriage 22. Instead of this configuration, the end 46a of the arm 46 is provided with the restricting means 58. The second sliding portion 56 is provided at the lower portion of the housing 44 of the carriage 22 on the apparatus front side of the carriage 22, and between the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 at the lower portion of the housing 44. The ink tube 72 may be passed through the
(3) Also, in the present embodiment, the tube diameter of the ink tubes 66 and 72 is converted by the tube diameter conversion member 70, but instead of this configuration, the rigidity of the ink tubes 66 and 72 may be changed.
(4) In the present embodiment, in the first guide member 48 having the flat portion 48a and the inverted portion 48b, the horizontal sliding portion 54a and the inverted sliding portion 54b of the first sliding portion 54 are in contact and slide Although the structure is configured to move, in place of this structure, the first guide member 48 may be an axial member.

■ ■ ■ 2nd embodiment ■ ■ ■ ■
The carriage 76 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the restricting means 78 includes a magnetic member 80 instead of the slider member 60 and the spring 62. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted. In addition, since the influence of the position of the center of gravity can be reduced by considering the loads (restoring force F1, self weight F2 and reaction force F6), consideration of the position of the center of gravity is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the second guide member 82 is configured as a flat member having only the support portion 82a. Further, in the present embodiment, the second guide member 82 is made of a magnetic material. An arm portion 46 is provided on the apparatus front side of the carriage 76, and a restricting means 78 is provided on an end 46a of the tip end side (apparatus front side) of the arm portion 46.

  In the present embodiment, the regulating means 78 comprises a magnetic member 80. The magnetic member 80 is configured as a magnet as an example. As shown in FIG. 12, the arm portion 46 of the carriage 76 is provided with a second sliding portion 56. Also in the present embodiment, the second sliding portion 56 is biased toward the support portion 82 a of the second guide member 82 by the weight of the carriage 76. In the present embodiment, the second sliding portion 56 is in contact with the support portion 82 a of the second guide member 82.

  In the present embodiment, since the magnetic member 80 is provided at the end 46 a of the arm 46 provided with the second sliding portion 56, the magnetic member 80 is located near the second guiding member 82. Thereby, the magnetic member 80 attracts the second guide member 82 toward the magnetic member 80 by the magnetic force. As a result, the second guide member 82 is attracted to the magnetic member 80 side, in this embodiment, to the second sliding portion 56 side by the magnetic force of the magnetic member 80. Therefore, the magnetic force of the magnetic member 80 acts in the direction that hinders the separation of the second sliding portion 56 from the second guide member 82.

  Further, the relationship between the force acting on the carriage 76 and the rotational moment will be described with reference to FIG. The rotational moments N1 and N2 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted. The magnetic member 80 attracts the second guide member 82 toward the second sliding portion 56 by the magnetic force F5. When the second guide member 82 is displaced in a direction away from the magnetic member 80, a reaction force F6 having the same magnitude as that of the magnetic force F5 acts on the magnetic member 80 and hence on the carriage 76.

  Also in this embodiment, the rotational moment N4 in the restricting means 78 is not determined by the distance of the line segment S4 connecting the first sliding portion 54 and the restricting means 78, but by the distance L4 in the device depth direction.

  Here, since the reaction force F6 acts on the second sliding portion 56 on the side opposite to the side on which the restoring force F1 acts, the arm portion 46 and hence the carriage 76 are directed in the direction opposite to the rotational moment N1. Rotation moment N4 acts.

  The rotational moment N4 is represented by the product of a reaction force F6 received by the carriage 76 and a distance L4 from the first sliding portion 54 to the magnetic member 80 in the device depth direction. That is, they have a relationship of N4 = F6 × L4.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the magnetic member 80 is located on the front side (the −Y axis direction side in FIG. 14) in the apparatus depth direction with respect to the second sliding portion 56, so the first sliding The distance L4 from the portion 54 to the magnetic member 80 is in the relation of L4> L2 with respect to the distance L2 from the first sliding portion 54 to the second sliding portion 56. That is, the distances L1, L2, and L4 have a relationship of L4> L2> L1.

  In summary of the above description, a rotational moment N1 acts on the carriage 76 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 14 and rotational moments N2 and N4 act on the carriage 76 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Here, considering the loads (restoring force F1, self weight F2 and reaction force F6), the distances L1, L2 and L4 are in the relationship of L4> L2> L1, and therefore the relationship of N2 + N4> N1 is obtained. As a result, since the rotational moment N2 + N4 is larger than the rotational moment N1, separation of the second sliding portion 56 from the second guide member 50 can be suppressed.

<<< Modification Example of Second Embodiment >>>
(1) In the present embodiment, the magnetic member 80 is attracted to the second guide member 82, but instead of this configuration, the magnetic member 80 and the second guide member 82 have the magnetic force F5 of the magnetic member 80 It may be configured to be separated within the range of acting on the two guide members 82.
(2) In the present embodiment, the magnetic member 80 is disposed on the device front side of the second sliding portion 56 in the device depth direction, but instead of this configuration, the magnetic member 80 is a lower portion of the case 44 of the carriage 76. It is good also as composition provided in.

  To summarize the above description, the printer 10 in the present embodiment is provided with the recording head 32 for performing recording by discharging ink onto the recording medium, and the carriage 22 provided with the recording head 32 and movable along the apparatus width direction, 76, a first sliding portion 54 provided on the rear side of the apparatus in the apparatus depth direction of the carriages 22 and 76, and a projection on the front side of the apparatus in the apparatus depth direction from the apparatus front side in the apparatus depth direction of the carriages 22 and 76 The second sliding portion 56 provided in the arm portion 46 extends in the width direction of the apparatus, contacts the first sliding portion 54 to support the carriages 22 and 76, and guides the movement of the carriages 22 and 76. The first sliding member 56 extends in the width direction of the device and is spaced apart from the first guiding member 48 in the depth direction of the device. Second guide members 50, 82 for supporting the carriages 22, 76 in contact and guiding the movement of the carriages 22, 76, an ink tank 18 containing ink, and a carriage for the ink delivered from the ink tank 18 22, the ink tubes 66, 72 for supplying the ink, which extend from the carriages 22, 76, extend in the width direction of the apparatus, fold back in the vertical direction and extend in the opposite direction, and are provided in the arm portion 46 And regulating means 58, 78 for regulating the separation of the second sliding portion 56 from the second guiding members 50, 82.

  The second guide member 50 includes a support portion 50a that contacts and supports the second sliding portion 56, and an opposing portion 50b located above the support portion 50a and facing the support portion 50a. . The restricting means 58 includes a slider member 60 which is in contact with the facing portion 50b and can slide. The restricting means 58 includes a spring 62 for biasing the slider member 60 toward the facing portion 50b.

  The regulating means 78 comprises a magnetic member 80. The magnetic member 80 attracts the second guide member 82 toward the second sliding portion 56 by the magnetic force.

  The ink tubes 66 and 72 extend in the apparatus width direction between the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56 in the apparatus depth direction. The ink tubes 66 and 72 are bent and folded downward below the arm 46 and connected to the carriages 22 and 76 above the arm 46. The distance L1 between the ink tube 72 and the first sliding portion 54 in the device depth direction is shorter than the distance L2 between the first sliding portion 54 and the second sliding portion 56.

  A plurality of ink tubes 66 and 72 are provided, and the curved and folded portion 74 of the ink tube follows the movement of the carriages 22 and 76 in the apparatus width direction. The tube diameter conversion member 70 is provided at a position out of the movement area of the folded back portion 74 in the device width direction. The tube diameter from the ink tank 18 to the tube diameter conversion member 70 is larger than the tube diameter from the tube diameter conversion member 70 to the carriages 22 and 76 via the folded back portion 74.

  In the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, a plurality of ink tubes 72 are arranged along the apparatus depth direction, and the ink tube 66a closest to the first sliding portion 54 in the apparatus depth direction. , 72a are thicker than the diameters of the other ink tubes 66b, 66c, 66d, 72b, 72c, 72d. The liquid is ink, and the thickest ink tubes 66a and 72a supply black ink to the recording head 32. A plurality of ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d are provided along the apparatus depth direction. Among the plurality of ink tanks 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, at least a portion of the ink tank 18a positioned closest to the second sliding portion 56 in the apparatus depth direction and the ink tubes 66a, 72a having the largest tube diameter. Are at the same position in the device depth direction. The ink tank 18a positioned closest to the second sliding portion 56 is connected to the ink tube 66a having the largest tube diameter.

  The printer 10 has a tube guide member 68 which extends along the apparatus width direction and guides the ink tubes 66 and 72. The tube guide member 68 is disposed below the arm 46. The printer 10 has a holding member 40 which holds a discharge driven roller 38 b which extends along the apparatus width direction and discharges the recording medium. The tube guide member 68 and the holding member 40 are separated in the apparatus height direction.

  The arm 46 projects from the center of the carriage 22 in the width direction of the apparatus at the lower part of the carriage 22 in the depth direction of the apparatus, and its tip extends downward.

Further, in the present embodiment, the carriages 22 and 76 according to the present invention are applied to an ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus, but it is also possible to apply to other liquid jet apparatuses in general.
Here, an ink jet recording head is used as the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile machine, etc., which ejects ink from the recording head to perform recording on a recording medium. The apparatus includes an apparatus which ejects a liquid corresponding to the application from a liquid jet head corresponding to the ink jet recording head to a jet receiving medium corresponding to a recording medium, and causes the liquid to adhere to the jet medium.

  As a liquid jet head, in addition to the recording head, a color material jet head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or a surface emission display (FED) A jet head, a bioorganic jet head used for producing a biochip, a sample jet head as a precision pipette, and the like can be mentioned.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and they are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

10 printers, 12 devices, 14 image reading devices,
16 recording medium storage cassette 18, 18, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d ink tank, 20 hinge, 22, 76 carriage, 24 drive motor,
26 Carriage drive mechanism, 28 driven pulley, 30 toothed belt,
32 recording head, 34 medium support member, 36 conveyance roller pair,
36a transport drive roller, 36b transport driven roller, 38 discharge roller pair,
38a discharge drive roller, 38b discharge driven roller, 40 holding members,
42 Eject stacker, 44 case, 44a case sliding portion, 46 arm portion,
46a end portion, 48 first guide member, 48a flat portion, 48b inverted portion,
50 second guide member, 50a support portion, 50b opposite portion, 50c connection portion,
52 gap adjusting means, 54 first sliding portion, 54 a horizontal sliding portion,
54b inverted sliding part, 56 second sliding part, 58, 78 regulation means,
60 slider member, 62 spring, 64, 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d connection adapter,
66, 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, 72, 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d ink tubes, 68 tube guiding members, 70 tube diameter converting members,
70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f, 70g, 70h connectors,
74 turnback portion, 80 magnetic member, 82 second guide member, 82a support portion,
F1 restoring force, F2 weight, F3 biasing force, F4, F6 reaction force, F5 magnetic force,
L1, L2, L3, L4 distance, N1, N2, N3, N4 rotational moment,
S1, S2, S3, S4 line segment

Claims (13)

A recording head that discharges liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording;
A carriage provided with the recording head and movable along a first direction;
A first sliding portion provided on one side in a second direction intersecting with the first direction in the carriage;
A second sliding portion provided on an arm portion extending in the second direction so as to project from the other side in the second direction in the carriage;
A first guide member extending in the first direction, supporting the carriage in contact with the first sliding portion and guiding movement of the carriage;
It extends in the first direction, is spaced apart from the first guide member in the second direction, contacts the second sliding portion to support the carriage, and moves the carriage. A second guide member for guiding;
A liquid storage unit for storing the liquid;
A tube for supplying the liquid delivered from the liquid storage portion to the carriage, the tube extending from the carriage and being between the second sliding portion and the carriage in the second direction. A tube extending in a direction intersecting with the direction of the vertical direction and folded back in the vertical direction and extending in the opposite direction;
Restricting means provided on the arm portion to restrict separation of the second sliding portion from the second guiding member;
Equipped with
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second guide member is a support portion that contacts and supports the second sliding portion, and is located above the support portion and faces the support portion. Equipped with the opposite part,
The restricting means is provided with a third sliding portion capable of sliding in contact with the opposite portion.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the restricting unit includes a biasing member that biases the third sliding portion toward the facing portion.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a magnetic member.
The magnetic member sucks the second guide member toward the second sliding portion by magnetic force.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tube is bent and folded through the lower side of the arm and connected to the carriage above the arm.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the distance between the tube and the first sliding portion in the second direction is the distance between the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion. Shorter than the distance to the sliding part,
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of the tubes are provided, and a curved and folded portion of the tube follows the movement of the carriage in the first direction,
A tube diameter conversion member is provided at a position out of the movement region of the folded back portion in the first direction,
The tube diameter from the liquid storage portion to the tube diameter conversion member is thicker than the tube diameter from the tube diameter conversion member to the carriage via the turnback portion.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of the tubes are arranged along the second direction, and the tubes are closest to the first sliding portion in the second direction. The diameter of the tube is thicker than the diameter of other tubes,
A recording device characterized by 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the liquid is ink, and the thickest-diameter tube supplies black ink to the recording head.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of the liquid storage portions are provided along the second direction,
At least a portion of the liquid storage portion positioned closest to the second sliding portion in the second direction among the plurality of liquid storage portions provided, and at least a portion of the tube having the largest tube diameter Are at the same position in the second direction,
The liquid storage portion positioned closest to the second sliding portion is connected to the tube having the largest tube diameter.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a tube guiding member extending along the first direction to guide the tube,
The tube guiding member is disposed below the arm portion.
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the holding member holds a discharge roller which extends along the first direction and discharges the recording medium.
Equipped with
The tube guiding member and the holding member are separated from each other,
A recording device characterized by The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the arm portion protrudes from the center of the carriage in the first direction in the lower portion of the carriage and extends in the second direction, And its tip extends downward,
A recording device characterized by

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