JP2012245661A - Liquid ejection apparatus, and liquid ejecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a liquid ejection apparatus to be compact.SOLUTION: The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a conveyance section which conveys a medium to a conveying direction; a head part which moves to an intersecting direction that intersects with the conveying direction and eject a liquid to the medium; a cut section that moves to the intersecting direction and cuts the medium, wherein the head part and the cut section are disposed to line in the intersecting direction, and is characterized in that one portion of the cut section moves to the other portion of the cut section, thereby a place which the one portion of the cut section locates before moving is made a space, the head part relatively moves to the cut section so that both of them approach to the intersecting direction, and at least a portion of the head section is arranged in the space.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and a liquid ejection method.

Liquid ejection devices such as ink jet printers are already well known.
In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, a transport unit that transports a medium in the transport direction, a head unit that moves in a crossing direction that intersects the transporting direction and discharges liquid to the medium, and a head that moves in the crossing direction There is a cut portion for cutting a medium, the head portion and the head portion and the cut portion provided so that the cut portions are arranged in the crossing direction.

JP 2006-281684 A

By the way, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is necessary to increase the width of the liquid ejecting apparatus in the intersecting direction due to the head part and the cut part being arranged in the intersecting direction. In some cases, the discharge device becomes large.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a compact liquid ejection device.

The main present invention includes a transport unit that transports a medium in the transport direction;
A head part that moves in a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction and discharges the liquid onto the medium, and a cut part that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium, the head part and the cutting part crossing the crossing direction. A head portion and a cut portion provided so as to be lined up in a direction;
A liquid ejection device comprising:
By moving a part of the cut part relative to the other part of the cut part, a place where the part of the cut part is located before the movement is a space,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the head portion moves relative to the cut portion so as to approach both in the intersecting direction, at least a part of the head portion is disposed in the space.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of a printer. It is a front schematic diagram in the normal state of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. It is a top surface schematic diagram in the normal state of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. It is a side surface schematic diagram in the normal state of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. It is a front schematic diagram in the state at the time of HP of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. It is a top surface schematic diagram in the state at the time of HP of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. It is a side surface schematic diagram in the state at the time of HP of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of nozzle rows in a head 32.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A transport unit for transporting the medium in the transport direction;
A head part that moves in a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction and discharges the liquid onto the medium, and a cut part that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium, the head part and the cutting part crossing the crossing direction. A head portion and a cut portion provided so as to be lined up in a direction;
A liquid ejection device comprising:
By moving a part of the cut part relative to the other part of the cut part, a place where the part of the cut part is located before the movement is a space,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the head part is disposed in the space when the head part moves relative to the cut part so that both of the head parts approach in the intersecting direction.
In such a case, the liquid discharge device can be made compact.

Moreover, it has a guide rail which guides the movement to the said crossing direction of both the said head part and the said cut part,
The guide rail may be engaged with the other portion of the cut portion.
In such a case, inappropriate engagement of the cut portions can be suppressed.

Further, the cut portion has a cutter and a moving coil for moving the cutter,
The moving coil may be provided in the part of the cut portion.

In such a case, the liquid ejection device can be made more compact.

The cutter may be provided in the part of the cut portion.

In such a case, the liquid ejection device can be made more compact.

Further, the part of the cut part moves above the part where the part of the cut part was located before the movement with respect to the other part of the cut part, so that the part becomes a space. age,
When the head part moves relative to the cut part so as to approach both in the intersecting direction, the at least part of the head part is arranged in the space, and the part of the cut part is arranged in the space. It is good also as being located above the said at least one part of the said head part.
In such a case, the head is released from the fear of being covered with the cutter portion.

Next, a liquid discharge method for discharging liquid onto a medium,
A transport unit that transports the medium in the transport direction; a head unit that moves in a crossing direction that intersects the transporting direction and that discharges liquid to the medium; and a cut unit that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium The head portion and the cut portion are provided so that the head portion and the cut portion are arranged in the crossing direction, and a part of the cut portion moves relative to the other portion of the cut portion. As a result, when the part of the cut part is located in the space before the movement, the head part moves relative to the cut part so that both of them approach the crossing direction. A liquid discharge method, wherein a liquid is discharged onto a medium using a liquid discharge device at least a part of which is disposed in the space.
In such a case, the liquid discharge device can be made compact.

=== Configuration Example of Printer 1 According to the Present Embodiment ===
Inkjet printer as an example of a liquid ejection device (hereinafter referred to as printer 1)
Is an image (for example, a unit image to be cut and used later (an example of a unit image is a seal-like printed matter affixed on a wrap film of fresh food) Can be printed by an inkjet method. Here, the roll paper S is, for example, continuous paper with release paper (that is, the adhesive sheet with the adhesive surface protected by the release paper), and an image that becomes a printed matter in the direction in which the roll paper S continues. Are printed continuously.

Further, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a universal cutter (hereinafter simply referred to as a cutter 4).
2), the printer 1 prints an image on the roll paper S,
The roll paper S is back-feeded, and the roll paper S is cut (in this embodiment, only the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet of the roll paper S and the release paper are cut (the cut is made only on the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet). Put)).

Hereinafter, a configuration example of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment which is an inkjet printer with a universal cutter will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and their peripheral members in a normal state. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and their peripheral members in a normal state. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and their peripheral members in a normal state. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and their peripheral members in a state during HP. FIG. 6 shows the head unit 3
It is a top schematic diagram in the state at the time of HP of 0, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and their peripheral members in the HP state. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of nozzle rows in the head 32.

The “normal state” and the “HP state” are two types of states of the cutter unit 40 (more specifically, the attachment portion 48 of the cutter carriage 44 to which the cutter 42 and the like are attached). Will be described later). Cutter unit 40 is in its home position
The position (posture) of the attachment portion 48 is different between the HP state when it is located at the (cutter unit home position) and the normal state when the cutter unit 40 is located at a position other than the cutter unit home position.

In order to make the drawings easier to understand, in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, the roll paper S is used.
3 and FIG. 6 and the description of the head unit belt 74 and the cutter unit belt 84, etc. Are omitted. 3 and 6, the head 32 that can be seen only from the lower surface is illustrated so as to be observable from the upper portion.
In FIG. 1, the cutter 42 and the moving coil 43, which can be seen only from the lower surface, are illustrated so as to be observable from above. Similarly, in FIG. 8, the head 32 and the nozzle row that can be seen only from the lower surface are illustrated so as to be observable from above. 2 to 7
The peripheral members of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 are, for example, the head unit driving unit 70, the cutter unit driving unit 80, the first guide rail 90, and the second guide rail 92.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a paper transport unit 20 as an example of a transport unit, a head unit 30 as an example of a head unit, a head unit driving unit 70, a cutter unit 40 as an example of a cut unit, and a cutter unit. The driving unit 80, the platen 54, the detector group 50, and the controller 60 are included.

The printer 1 that has received the print data and the cut data from the computer 110 that is an external device uses the controller 60 to transfer each part (paper transport unit 20, head unit 30, head unit driving unit 70, cutter unit 40, cutter unit driving unit 80). Control. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the print data received from the computer 110 and prints an image on the roll paper S. Then, after that, the computer 110
On the basis of the cut data received from, each unit is controlled to cut the roll paper S. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by the detector group 50, and the detector group 50 outputs the detection result to the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the detection result output from the detector group 50.

The paper transport unit 20 is for transporting the roll paper S in the transport direction. This paper transport unit 2
0 has a conveyance motor (not shown), a conveyance roller 23, and a driven roller 26.

The transport roller 23 is a roller that transports the roll paper S. The transport roller 23 is driven by a transport motor. 4 and 7, when the transport roller 23 transports the roll paper S, the roll paper S is sandwiched between the transport roller 23 and the driven roller 26 (that is, the driven roller 26 is transported). It is arranged so as to face the roller 23 across the roll paper S).

When the image is printed on the roll paper S, the transport roller 23 intermittently transports the roll paper S in the forward direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the transport direction. After the printing of the image is completed, the roll paper S is continuously conveyed in the reverse direction of the conveyance direction (see FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7), that is, back-feeded, and then the roll paper. When S is cut, roll paper S
Are transported continuously in the forward and reverse directions. That is, the transport roller 23 is the cutter unit 40.
When the (cutter 42) cuts the roll paper S, the roll paper S is transported in the transport direction (forward direction or reverse direction) to adjust the cut position of the roll paper S.

The head unit 30 intersects with the transport direction (hereinafter also referred to as a movement direction).
The ink as an example of liquid is ejected onto the roll paper S. This head unit 30
As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 8, the two heads 32 (ie, the first head 32a)
And a second head 32b) and a head carriage 34.

The first head 32a and the second head 32b are provided on the head carriage 34 (below), and the lower surfaces of the first head 32a and the second head 32b have nozzles in the transport direction as shown in FIG. Are arranged in a nozzle row. In this embodiment, in any head 32, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K)
For example, ten nozzle rows are provided for each color, and each of the ten nozzle rows is arranged at intervals in the movement direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 8, the first head 32a and the second head 32b are provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the movement direction. That is, the first head 32a is located at a position shifted from the second head 32b when coordinates are taken in the transport direction, and also when the coordinates are taken in the movement direction from the second head 32b. It is located at a shifted position. Then, by arranging the first head 32a and the second head 32b in this way, a part of the nozzle row of the first head 32a (specifically, a part of the downstream side in the forward direction) and the second Part of the nozzle row of the head 32b (specifically, part of the upstream side in the forward direction) can be overlapped in the transport direction (in the overlap part, the first head 32a and It is possible to select and discharge ink from either of the second heads 32b, and it is possible to prevent the image quality from greatly changing at the joints). 4 and 7, the first head 32a is located closer to the transport roller 23 (and the driven roller 26) than the second head 32b in the transport direction.

Each nozzle is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for ejecting ink. When a voltage having a predetermined time width is applied between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element expands according to the voltage application time and deforms the side wall of the ink flow path. As a result, the volume of the ink flow path contracts according to the expansion and contraction of the piezo element, and ink corresponding to the contraction is ejected from each nozzle of each color as an ink droplet.

Note that a valve unit (not shown) is connected to the head 32 via an ink supply tube. The valve unit is for primary storage of ink.

The head carriage 34 supports the head 32, receives a driving force from the head unit driving unit 70, and reciprocates in the movement direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 together with the head 32. For convenience of explanation, a direction from the head unit 30 toward the cutter unit 40 in the moving direction is referred to as a first direction (see FIG. 3 and the like).

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8, the head carriage 34 has a shape in which corners are notched from a rectangle (the shape of the notch 36 is also a rectangle) in a top view. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a cutter unit 40 (specifically, an engaging portion 46 of a cutter carriage 44 described later) can be positioned in the cutout portion 36. That is, the head unit 30 (specifically, the head carriage 34) has a notch 36 for placing the cutter unit 40 therein.

Further, as described above, the first head 32a and the second head 32b are provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the movement direction (in the present embodiment, the first head 32a and the second head 32b are different in the forward direction). Head 32a is located upstream from the second head 32b, and the first head 32a is located upstream from the second head 32b in the first direction).
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the head carriage 34 has two empty portions 35 (head 3
2 will be present without being located). The notch 36 is
It is formed by using one of the two empty portions 35. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the notch 36 is located at a position aligned with the second head 32 b on the upstream side of the second head 32 b in the forward direction, and In the first direction, the first head 32a is positioned downstream of the first head 32a and aligned with the first head 32a.

The head carriage 34 is supported by both guide rails such that the head carriage 34 can reciprocate in the movement direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92. The first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 engage with the head carriage 34 (head unit 30), and guide the movement of the head carriage 34 (head unit 30) in the moving direction. The first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are long rod-like members extending in the moving direction, and the second guide rail 92 is provided so as to be parallel to the first guide rail 90. Further, both the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are provided so as to be aligned in the vertical direction (in the present embodiment, the second guide rail 92 is more vertical than the first guide rail 90). Located in the lower direction). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, one end of the guide rail is at one end 1 a in the moving direction of the casing of the printer 1, and the other end of the guide rail is the other end in the moving direction of the casing of the printer 1. It is being fixed to the part 1b, respectively.

The head unit driving unit 70 drives the head unit 30 to generate the head unit 3.
This is for moving 0 in the moving direction. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 7, the head unit driving unit 70 includes a head unit motor (not shown), two head unit pulleys 72, a head unit belt 74, and a head. A unit driving force applying unit 76.

The head unit motor is connected to one of the two head unit pulleys 72 via a belt (not shown), and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the two head unit pulleys 72 are connected. A head unit belt 74 is stretched over the belt. Also,
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the head unit belt 74 is fixed with a head unit driving force applying portion 76 for applying the driving force of the head unit motor to the head unit 30. The head unit driving force applying unit 76 is the head unit 30.
(Specifically, it is connected to the head carriage 34).

When the head unit motor is actuated, the head unit pulley 72 is rotated, and the head unit belt 74 is also rotated by the rotation of the head unit pulley 72. Then, the rotation of the head unit belt 74 causes the head unit driving force applying portion 76 fixed to the head unit belt 74 to move in the moving direction. When the head unit driving force applying unit 76 moves in the moving direction, the head unit 30 connected to the head unit driving force applying unit 76 also moves in the moving direction.

Thus, the driving force of the head unit motor is the head unit pulley 72,
It is transmitted to the head unit driving force application unit 76 via the head unit belt 74,
The head unit driving force applying unit 76 applies a driving force to the head unit 30. The head unit 30 that has received the driving force from the head unit driving force applying unit 76 is:
It moves in the moving direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92.

2, 4, 5, and 7, the head unit pulley 72, the head unit belt 74, and the head unit driving force applying unit 76 are connected to the second guide rail 90 from the second guide rail 90. It is located between the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 in a predetermined direction toward the guide rail 92 (vertical direction in the present embodiment). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the head unit 30 (specifically, the head carriage 34) that receives a driving force from the head unit driving unit 70 (specifically, the head unit driving force applying unit 76). (For convenience, the head unit driving force receiving portion 34a is also located between the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 in the predetermined direction (the vertical direction).

The cutter unit 40 moves in the moving direction and cuts the roll paper S. The cutter unit 40 and the head unit 30 are, as shown in FIG.
It is provided so that it may line up in the said moving direction. In other words, the cutter unit 40 cannot move beyond the head unit 30 to the opposite side of the head unit 30 in the moving direction. The cutter unit 40 cannot move to the side opposite to the moving direction. The cutter unit 40 includes a cutter 42 and a moving coil 4 as shown in FIG.
3 and a cutter carriage 44. The cutter unit 40 (specifically, the cutter carriage 44) according to the present embodiment has a two-part configuration. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the cutter unit 40 (cutter carriage 44) is
An engagement portion 46 (corresponding to the other portion of the cut portion) that engages with the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92, and the attachment portion 4 to which the cutter 42 and the moving coil 43 are attached.
8 (corresponding to a part of the cut portion), and the attachment portion 48 is movable with respect to the engagement portion 46 (details will be described later).

The cutter 42 is for cutting the roll paper S, and the cutter carriage 44
(Attachment portion 48). Further, the cutter 42 has a cutter carriage 4.
4 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. With this function, the cutter 42 changes the cutting position on the roll paper S without cutting the roll paper S.
When the roll paper S is cut, it is located at a lower position where it is in contact with the roll paper S. The cutter 42 can also rotate with respect to the cutter carriage 44. This is because the direction of the cutting edge of the cutter 42 can be changed.

The moving coil 43 is for moving the cutter 42 in the vertical direction, and is provided in the cutter carriage 44 (attachment portion 48 thereof). The moving coil 43 is a cylindrical member larger than the cutter 42 and is disposed at a position adjacent to the cutter 42. More specifically, the moving coil 43 and the cutter 42 are provided so as to be aligned in the moving direction, and the moving coil 43 is located on the moving direction one end 1a side with respect to the cutter 42.

When the moving coil 43 is energized, the cutter 42 moves downwardly drawn by a fixed magnet (not shown), and when the moving coil 43 is de-energized, the cutter 42
Is moved upward by a biasing force of a coil spring (not shown). Thus, the movement of the cutter 42 in the vertical direction by the moving coil 43 is realized.

As described above, the cutter carriage 44 is divided into the engagement portion 46 that engages with the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 and the attachment portion 48 to which the cutter 42 and the moving coil 43 are attached. The part 48 is movable with respect to the engaging part 46. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a hinge portion 49 is provided at the upper portion in the vertical direction of the cutter carriage 44, and the attachment portion 48 rotates the hinge portion 49 along the moving direction. The shaft 49a can be rotated. In the present embodiment, the mounting portion 48 normally maintains the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 (the state in which the cutter 42 is along the vertical direction, referred to as the normal state for convenience), but the cutter unit. Only when the 40 (cutter carriage 44) is positioned at the cutter unit home position (CUHP, see FIGS. 2 and 5) provided at one end in the moving direction, the state shown in FIGS. A state along the direction (referred to as an HP state for convenience). That is, the attachment portion 48 takes a normal state and an HP state, and the attachment portion 48 is about 90 degrees with respect to the engagement portion 46 when shifting from the normal state to the HP state. When rotating and jumping up (i.e., moving upward where the mounting portion 48 was located before moving), when returning from the HP state to the normal state, the mounting portion 48 is
With respect to the engaging part 46, it reverses about 90 degree | times and returns to the original position.

Further, the cutter carriage 44 receives a driving force from the cutter unit driving unit 80 and reciprocates in the moving direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 integrally with the cutter 42 and the moving coil 43 (this applies). During the reciprocating movement, the attachment portion 48 is maintained in a normal state). The cutter carriage 44 is provided with the first guide rail 90 described above.
And it is supported by both of these guide rails so that it can reciprocate in the moving direction along the second guide rail 92. The first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 engage with the cutter carriage 44 (cutter unit 40), and guide the movement of the cutter carriage 44 (cutter unit 40) in the moving direction. That is, the cutter unit 40 and the head unit 30 are guided by a common guide rail (that is, the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92).

The cutter unit drive unit 80 is for driving the cutter unit 40 to move the cutter unit 40 (cutter carriage 44) in the movement direction. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 7, the cutter unit driving unit 80 includes a cutter unit motor (not shown), two cutter unit pulleys 82, a cutter unit belt 84, and a cutter. Unit driving force applying portion 86.

The cutter unit motor is connected to one of the two cutter unit pulleys 82 via a belt (not shown), and as shown in FIG. A cutter unit belt 84 is stretched over. Also,
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the cutter unit belt 84 is fixed with a cutter unit driving force applying portion 86 for applying the driving force of the cutter unit motor to the cutter unit 40. The cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 is connected to the cutter unit 40 (specifically, the cutter carriage 44).

When the cutter unit motor operates, the cutter unit pulley 82 rotates, and the cutter unit belt 84 also rotates by the rotation of the cutter unit pulley 82. Then, by the rotation of the cutter unit belt 84, the cutter unit driving force applying portion 86 fixed to the cutter unit belt 84 moves in the moving direction. And the cutter unit 40 connected to the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 by moving the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 in the moving direction.
Also move in the direction of movement.

Thus, the driving force of the cutter unit motor is the cutter unit pulley 8.
2. It is transmitted to the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 via the cutter unit belt 84, and the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 applies the driving force to the cutter unit 40. Then, the cutter unit 40 that has received the driving force from the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 moves in the moving direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92.

2 and 4, the cutter unit pulley 82, the cutter unit belt 84, and the cutter unit driving force applying portion 86 are arranged in the predetermined direction (in the present embodiment, the vertical direction). The first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92
(That is, the side opposite to the second guide rail 92 as viewed from the first guide rail 90 or the side opposite to the second guide rail 92 as viewed from the second guide rail 92). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the cutter unit 40 (specifically, the cutter carriage 44
) Of the cutter unit driving unit 80 (specifically, the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86).
) From which the driving force is received (referred to as a cutter unit driving force receiving portion 44a for convenience)
In the predetermined direction (the vertical direction), the side opposite to the second guide rail 92 as viewed from the first guide rail 90 or the side opposite to the first guide rail 90 as viewed from the second guide rail 92 (
In the present embodiment, the former side. That is, it is located on the upper side of the first guide rail 90.

Further, the cutter unit driving unit 80 is provided with an attachment unit 48 of the cutter carriage 44.
In order to realize such a function, a second motor for a cutter unit (not shown) and a known lock mechanism are provided.

The second motor for the cutter unit is connected to the rotation shaft 49a of the hinge portion 49 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear (not shown). And if the 2nd motor for cutter units act | operates, the rotating shaft 49a will rotate and the attaching part 48 will also rotate. In this way, the attachment portion 4
8 shifts between the normal state and the HP state. Further, when the attachment portion 48 is in the HP state, a known lock mechanism maintains the posture of the attachment portion 48 (the state of the attachment portion 48 shown in FIG. 7). That is, when returning the cutter unit 40 to the cutter unit home position, the controller 60 moves the cutter unit 40 along the guide rail in the moving direction, and drives the second motor for cutter unit to attach the attachment unit 48. Is rotated to shift to the HP state and the lock mechanism is activated. Conversely, when the cutter unit 40 is moved from the cutter unit home position, the lock mechanism is released, the cutter unit second motor is driven, and the attachment portion 48 is rotated reversely to shift to the normal state.

The platen 54 is for supporting the roll paper S. This platen 54 is shown in FIG.
And as shown in FIG. 7, it is located in the position facing the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. FIG. The platen 54 also serves as a cutter table when the roll paper S is cut.

The controller 60 is a control unit for controlling the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62,
A memory 63 and a unit control circuit 64 are provided. The interface unit 61
This is for transmitting and receiving data between the host computer 110 which is an external device and the printer 1. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer 1. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like. The CPU 62 controls each unit by a unit control circuit 64 according to a program stored in the memory 63.

The detector group 50 is for monitoring the situation in the printer 1. For example, a rotary encoder used for controlling the conveyance of the roll paper S, a paper detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the roll paper S being conveyed. There are linear encoders for detecting the positions of the head carriage 34 and the cutter carriage 44 in the moving direction.

<<< Operation Example of Head Unit 30 and Cutter Unit 40 >>>
The head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 configured as described above are the roll paper S.
When an image is printed, the following operation is performed. That is, the head unit 30 is
While moving in the moving direction, ink is ejected from the nozzles, and an operation of forming a raster line along the moving direction is executed. Then, an image is printed by repeating such an operation and the operation by the above-described transport roller 23 that intermittently transports the roll paper S in the forward direction. In addition,
When such (the image is printed on the roll paper S), the cutter unit 40 is positioned in a stationary state at the cutter unit home position provided at one end in the moving direction,
Therefore, the attachment portion 48 maintains the HP state.

The head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 operate as follows when the roll paper S is cut (FIGS. 2 to 4 show the head unit 30 and the cutter unit when such an operation is performed). 40). That is, the cutter unit 40 performs an operation of cutting the roll paper S while moving in the movement direction or in a state where it is stationary in the movement direction (cuts the roll paper S while the cutter unit 40 is stationary in the movement direction). In this case, the roll paper S needs to be transported in the transport direction). In this case (when the roll paper S is cut), the head unit 30 remains stationary at the head unit home position (HUHP, see FIGS. 2 and 5) provided at the other end in the moving direction. positioned.

Further, in the head unit 30 (head 32) according to the present embodiment, maintenance of the head 32 (specifically, cleaning of the head 32) can be performed by the user. The maintenance is performed at a head unit maintenance position (HUMP, see FIGS. 2 and 5 provided at one end of the moving direction. As shown in the figure, the head unit maintenance position is substantially the same position as the cutter unit home position. It can be performed only when the head unit 30 is located at the same position. When such cleaning is performed, the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 operate as follows.

That is, when the controller 60 receives a maintenance start instruction from the computer 110 operated by the user when the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 are positioned at the head unit home position and the cutter unit home position, respectively, the controller 60 Control of the head unit 30 is started. With this control, the head unit 30 moves relative to the cutter unit 40 so that both of them approach in the moving direction (specifically, the head unit 30 moves toward the cutter unit 40 located at the cutter unit home position). Move towards). As a result of this movement, the head unit 30 reaches the head unit maintenance position.

Here, since the cutter unit 40 is located at the cutter unit home position, the attachment portion 48 maintains the HP state. That is, the attachment portion 48 is moved above the location (see FIG. 4) where the attachment portion 48 was located before the movement with respect to the engaging portion 46, so that the location becomes a space (see FIG. 7). And the head unit 30
However, when the head unit 30 moves toward the cutter unit 40 and reaches the head unit maintenance position, at least a part of the head unit 30 (in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7). Head unit 30 including second head 32b
Portion 30a) is disposed in the space, and the attachment portion 48 is positioned above the portion 30a disposed in the space (see FIG. 7). That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 partially overlap in the movement direction.

With the head unit 30 stationary at the head unit maintenance position,
When the user completes cleaning of the head 32 (specifically, wipes the nozzle surface of the head 32) and the controller 60 receives a maintenance completion instruction from the computer 110 operated by the user, the controller 60 causes the head unit 30 to Resume control. By such control, the head unit 30 moves relative to the cutter unit 40 so that both are moved away from each other in the moving direction (specifically, the head unit 30 is opposite to the cutter unit 40 located at the cutter unit home position). Move towards). And the head unit 30 will return to a home position by the said movement.

In the present embodiment, when the head unit 30 performs an image forming operation (raster line forming operation), the head unit 30 is not disposed in the space.
Of course, in this case, the head unit 30 may be arranged in the space in order to widen the movable range of the head unit 30 when the image forming operation (raster line forming operation) is executed.

=== Effectiveness of Printer 1 According to the Present Embodiment ===
As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the paper transport unit 20 that transports the roll paper S in the transport direction, and the head unit that moves in the moving direction intersecting the transport direction and ejects ink onto the roll paper S. 30 and a cutter unit 40 that moves in the moving direction and cuts the roll paper S. The head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 are provided so that the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 are arranged in the moving direction. 40. Then, the mounting portion 48 moves with respect to the engaging portion 46, so that the place where the mounting portion 48 was located before moving is used as a space, and both the head unit 30 moves in the moving direction with respect to the cutter unit 40. When the relative movement is made closer, at least a part of the head unit 30 (a part 30a of the head unit 30 including the second head 32b) is arranged in the space. As a result, the printer 1 can be made compact.

That is, in the inkjet printer with a universal cutter provided so that the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 are arranged in the moving direction, the cutter unit 40 is present in comparison with a normal printer without the universal cutter. Only the movable range in the moving direction of the head unit 30 is narrowed. Therefore, in order to obtain the same movable range as that of the normal printer, it is necessary to increase the lateral width (width in the moving direction) of the inkjet printer with a flexible cutter by the amount of the cutter unit 40,
The printer becomes larger.

On the other hand, in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the attachment portion 48 moves relative to the engagement portion 46, so that the place where the attachment portion 48 is located before the movement becomes a space.
When the head unit 30 moves relative to the cutter unit 40 so that both of them approach in the moving direction, at least a part of the head unit 30 (a part 30a of the head unit 30 including the second head 32b) enters the space. Will be placed. In this way, the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 can partially overlap in the moving direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the width of the printer 1 in the moving direction so as to obtain the movable range. Therefore, the printer 1 can be made compact.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiments are mainly described with respect to the liquid discharge apparatus, but also include disclosure of a liquid discharge method and the like. The above-described embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) is embodied as an ink jet printer, but a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink may be employed. The present invention can be used for various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that ejects an amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of a substance, as well as a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus include a liquid crystal display and an EL
(Electroluminescence) Liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting liquid containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of displays, surface-emitting displays, color filters, etc., and bio-organic materials used in biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a microdispenser, or the like. In addition, micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in liquid ejectors and optical communication elements that inject lubricating oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras.
A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin onto a substrate in order to form
You may employ | adopt the liquid injection apparatus which injects etching liquid, such as an acid or an alkali, in order to etch a board | substrate. The present invention can be applied to any one of these injection devices.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although roll paper S was mentioned as an example and demonstrated as a medium, it is not limited to this, A cut paper may be sufficient.
Further, the roll paper S has been described by taking continuous paper with release paper as an example, but is not limited thereto, and may be plain paper without release paper (in this case, roll paper) Unlike the above-described embodiment where only the adhesive sheet of S and the adhesive sheet of the release paper are cut, plain paper is cut).
The medium is not necessarily paper, and may be a film or cloth, for example.

In the above embodiment, the guide rail is engaged with the other portion of the cutter unit 40. That is, the part of the cutter unit 40 that engages with the guide rail is the latter of the part that moves (rotates) and the other part that does not move (rotate). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the portion that engages with the guide rail of the cutter unit 40 may be the part that moves (rotates) (that is, engages with the guide rail of the cutter unit 40). The portion to be moved may be moved (rotated) by moving away from the guide rail). However, inappropriate engagement of the cutter unit 40 can be suppressed by avoiding that the portion of the cutter unit 40 that engages with the guide rail engages or does not engage with the guide rail. Thus, the above embodiment is more desirable.

In the above embodiment, the moving coil 43 is provided in the part of the cutter unit 40. That is, the moving coil 43 is provided in the former of the part that moves (rotates) and the other part that does not move (rotate). However, it is not limited to this, The moving coil 43 is good also as being provided in the said other part which does not move (rotate).

If the moving coil 43 is provided in the part that moves (rotates),
It becomes possible to move (rotate) the moving coil 43 which is a larger member (than the cutter 42). In this case, the space for arranging the head unit 30 can be made larger (in other words, the overlap in the moving direction of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 can be increased). Therefore, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the printer 1 can be made more compact.

In the above embodiment, the cutter 42 is also provided in the part of the cutter unit 40. That is, the cutter 42 is also provided in the former of the part that moves (rotates) and the other part that does not move (rotate). However, it is not limited to this, The cutter 42 is good also as being provided in the said other part which does not move (rotate).

If the cutter 42 is also provided in the part that moves (rotates), the cutter 4
It is also possible to move (rotate) 2. In this case, the head unit 30
The space for placing the head unit 30 can be further increased (in other words, the overlap in the moving direction of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 can be further increased). Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable in that the printer 1 can be made more compact.

On the other hand, if the cutter 42 is provided in the other part that does not move (rotate), it is desirable in the following points. That is, in such a case, since the cutter 42 does not move (rotate), there is an advantage that the cutting accuracy by the cutter 42 is ensured more appropriately.

Further, in the above embodiment, the attachment portion 48 moves with respect to the engaging portion 46 above the place where the attachment portion 48 was located before the movement, so that the place becomes a space, and the head unit When the head 30 is moved relative to the cutter unit 40 in the moving direction, at least a part of the head unit 30 (a part 30a of the head unit 30 including the second head 32b) is disposed in the space and attached. Although the portion 48 is positioned above the portion 30a disposed in the space, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the attachment portion 48 may move to a position below the place where the attachment portion 48 was located before the movement with respect to the engaging portion 46, so that the place may be made a space (in such a case). For example, the hinge part 49 is provided in the lower part of the cutter carriage 44 in the vertical direction, and the attachment part 48 is a rotating shaft 49a of the hinge part 49 along the moving direction.
Can be rotated around). That is, the attachment portion 48 may jump up with respect to the engaging portion 46 instead of jumping up.

When the attachment portion 48 moves (rotates) below the position where the attachment portion 48 was located before the movement with respect to the engaging portion 46, the attachment portion 48 is The head 32 (specifically, the second head 32b) is positioned below and may cover the head 32. Therefore, the above embodiment is more preferable in that it is freed from such fear.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 1a Movement direction one end part, 1b Movement direction other end part, 20 Paper conveyance part, 23
Conveyance roller, 26 driven roller, 30 head unit, 30a part, 32
Head, 32a First head, 32b Second head, 34 Head carriage, 34a
Head unit driving force receiving portion, 35 empty portion, 36 notch portion, 40 cutter unit, 42 cutter, 43 moving coil, 44 cutter carriage, 44a cutter unit driving force receiving portion, 46 engaging portion, 48 mounting portion, 49 hinge Part, 49
a rotation axis, 50 detector group, 54 platen, 60 controller, 61 interface unit, 62 CPU, 63 memory, 64 unit control circuit, 70 head unit driving unit, 72 head unit pulley, 74 head unit belt, 76
Head unit driving force application unit, 80 Cutter unit driving unit, 82 Cutter unit pulley, 84 Cutter unit belt, 86 Cutter unit driving force application unit, 90 First guide rail, 92 Second guide rail, 110 Computer, S
Roll paper

Claims (6)

A transport unit for transporting the medium in the transport direction;
A head part that moves in a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction and discharges the liquid onto the medium, and a cut part that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium, the head part and the cutting part crossing the crossing direction. A head portion and a cut portion provided so as to be lined up in a direction;
A liquid ejection device comprising:
By moving a part of the cut part relative to the other part of the cut part, a place where the part of the cut part is located before the movement is a space,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the head part is disposed in the space when the head part moves relative to the cut part so that both of the head parts approach in the intersecting direction. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1,
A guide rail that guides the movement of both the head portion and the cut portion in the intersecting direction;
The liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the guide rail is engaged with the other portion of the cut portion. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The cut portion has a cutter and a moving coil for moving the cutter,
The liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the moving coil is provided in the part of the cut portion. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutter is provided in the part of the cut portion. The liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The part of the cut part moves above the part where the part of the cut part was located before the movement with respect to the other part of the cut part, thereby making the part a space,
When the head part moves relative to the cut part so as to approach both in the intersecting direction, the at least part of the head part is arranged in the space, and the part of the cut part is arranged in the space. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is located above the at least part of the head portion. A liquid discharge method for discharging a liquid onto a medium,
A transport unit that transports the medium in the transport direction; a head unit that moves in a crossing direction that intersects the transporting direction and that discharges liquid to the medium; and a cut unit that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium The head portion and the cut portion are provided so that the head portion and the cut portion are arranged in the crossing direction, and a part of the cut portion moves relative to the other portion of the cut portion. As a result, when the part of the cut part is located in the space before the movement, the head part moves relative to the cut part so that both of them approach the crossing direction. A liquid discharge method, wherein a liquid is discharged onto a medium using a liquid discharge device at least a part of which is disposed in the space.

Images