Recording device

A recording device includes a recording head configured to discharge a liquid as a droplet, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a driving unit that causes the carriage to reciprocate along a guide shaft, and a control board on which a semiconductor element is mounted. In a state in which the carriage is positioned at one end of the guide shaft, the control board is disposed below the carriage.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2020-008950, filed Jan. 23, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a recording device.

2. Related Art

In related art, as illustrated in JP-A-2015-185189, a recording device is known that includes a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid, and a carriage on which the liquid discharge head is mounted and which can reciprocate in a main scanning direction. Further, a control board on which semiconductor elements and the like are mounted is disposed in the recording device.

However, with the recording device described above, if the position at which the control board is disposed is not considered, a problem arises in that a space covering the control board is unnecessarily increased, and a housing and consequently the recording device becomes larger.

SUMMARY

A recording device includes a recording head configured to discharge a liquid as a droplet a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a driving unit configured to reciprocate the carriage along a guide shaft, and a control board on which a semiconductor element is mounted. In a state in which the carriage is positioned at one end of the guide shaft, the control board is disposed below the carriage.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1. First Embodiment

First, a configuration of a recording device10according to a first embodiment will be described.

The recording device10records an image and the like on a medium22by rotatably holding a roll body25, which is formed by winding the medium22around a core member23, and discharging a liquid onto a front surface of the medium22pulled out from the roll body25. The recording device10is, for example, an ink jet-type large format printer that performs printing on a medium such as a sheet by discharging an ink, which is an example of the liquid. The large format printer is a printer capable of performing printing on the medium22having a short-side width of A3 (297 mm) or greater.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the recording device10includes a main body11and a leg unit70. The main body11includes a substantially cuboid housing12. The housing12includes a front wall13, a back wall14, a first side wall15, a second side wall16, and an upper wall17. The housing12is coupled to a base frame20that is supported by the leg unit70. In the recording device10, a direction in which the base frame20and the upper wall17face each other is referred to as a height direction of the recording device10. Further, a direction along a plane orthogonal to the height direction, in which the first side wall15and the second side wall16face each other, is referred to as a width direction of the recording device10. A direction orthogonal to the width direction in the plane orthogonal to the height direction, in which the front wall13and the back wall14face each other, is referred to as a front-back direction of the recording device10. When the recording device10is disposed such that the width direction and the front-back direction are on a horizontal plane, the height direction is a direction parallel to the gravitational direction. Note that inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the width direction of the recording device10is indicated by an X axis, the front-back direction is indicated by a Y-axis, and the height direction is indicated by a Z-axis. In addition, inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, a direction in which an arrow faces is a positive direction, and, for example, one of directions in the width direction X is referred to as a positive X direction or the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the main body11includes a housing unit21. The housing unit21houses the cylindrical roll body25that is formed by winding the medium22, onto which the main body11performs recording, around the core member23. The housing unit21has an opening27provided on the base frame20side of the front wall13of the housing12, and extends from the front wall13toward the back wall14. In the present embodiment, the housing unit21is configured to be able to house a pair of the roll bodies25in a state in which the pair of roll bodies25are arranged side by side in the height direction of the recording device10.

As illustrated inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, a pair of holding units30, which are rotatably mounted on the main body11, are attached to each of the pair of roll bodies25housed in the housing unit21. The holding unit30includes a first holding portion31that holds a first end of the roll body25, and a second holding portion32that holds a second end of the roll body25. The first and second holding portions31and32are removable from the main body11through the opening27. In a state in which the first holding portion31and the second holding portion32are mounted on the main body11, the first holding portion31and the second holding portion32are arranged side by side in the width direction of the recording device10inside the housing unit21. Specifically, when the first holding portions31are attached to the first ends of the roll bodies25, the second holding portions32are attached to the second ends of the roll bodies25, and the roll bodies25are placed in the housing unit21, the posture of the pair of roll bodies25is stabilized in a state in which the first holding portions31and the second holding portions32are arranged side by side in the width direction. The first holding portion31is mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to a first side frame61illustrated inFIG. 3, about an axis that serves as a rotation axis and extends along the width direction. The second holding portion32is mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to a second side frame62illustrated inFIG. 3, about an axis that serves as a rotation axis and extends in the width direction. By holding the roll body25using the first holding portion31and the second holding portion32, the holding unit30holds the roll body25so that the roll body25can rotate about the center axis of the core member23. The roll body25held by the first holding portion31and the second holding portion32is driven to rotate by a driving unit33illustrated inFIG. 3. The driving unit33is positioned further to the first side wall15side than the first holding portion31, and by driving a drive motor (not illustrated) in a forward rotation, the first holding portion31and the second holding portion32are rotated in a direction in which the medium22wound around the roll body25is fed out toward the back wall14side inside the housing12. The first holding portion31need not necessarily be removable with respect to the first side frame61. Further, the second holding portion32need not necessarily be removable with respect to the second side frame62.

The main body11includes a recording unit35inside the housing12. The recording unit35includes a support36, a guide shaft37, a carriage38, and a recording head39.

The support36is positioned further to the upper wall17side than the housing unit21. The support36is a plate-like member extending in the width direction inside the housing12. After being unwound from the roll body25and transported to the support36inside the housing12, the medium22is transported on the support36from the back wall14side toward the front wall13side.

The guide shaft37is positioned further to the upper wall17side than the support36. The guide shaft37is a rod-like or plate-like member extending in the width direction. The guide shaft37supports the carriage38so that the carriage38is movable along the guide shaft37. The carriage38is configured to be able to reciprocate along the guide shaft37by being driven by a carriage motor40illustrated inFIG. 3, which functions as a driving unit.

The recording head39is mounted on the carriage38. The recording head39is positioned on the support36side with respect to the carriage38. The recording head39performs recording on the medium22by discharging the liquid as a droplet onto the medium22supported by the support36.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the main body11includes a transport unit45inside the housing12. The transport unit45transports the medium22unwound from the roll body25in cooperation with the holding unit30. The transport unit45includes transport path forming portions46, an intermediate roller47, and a transport roller48.

The transport path forming portions46are provided so as to correspond to each of the pair of roll bodies25. The transport path forming portions46are positioned on the back wall14side with respect to each of the pair of roll bodies25housed in the housing unit21. Each of the transport path forming units46forms a transport path49that guides a medium22a, which is fed out from the roll body25as a result of the holding unit30being rotationally driven, toward the back wall14side of the housing12.

The intermediate roller47and the transfer roller48transport the medium22athat has passed through the transport path49. Each of the intermediate roller47and the transport roller48is configured by a driving roller and a driven roller, which are a pair of rollers each supported so as to be rotatable about an axis that serves as a rotation axis and extends along the width direction. Using the driving roller and the driven roller, each of the intermediate roller47and the transfer roller48sandwiches and supports the medium22afrom both the front and back sides thereof.

By driving the drive motor (not illustrated) in the forward rotation in order to rotationally drive the intermediate roller47and the transport roller48, the transport unit45transports the medium22ato the support36via the transport path49, and transports the medium22a, on the support36, from the back wall14side toward the front wall13side. Note that inFIG. 2, a state is illustrated in which the medium22ais fed out from both of the pair of roll bodies25. However, during actual recording, the medium22ais fed out from only one of the pair of roll bodies25.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the main body11includes a paper discharge member50and a cutting unit51inside the housing12. The paper discharge member50is positioned on the front wall13side with respect to the support36, supports the medium22athat has passed through the support36, and guides the medium22ato a paper exit53formed in the front wall13. The cutting unit51cuts the medium22a. The medium22acut by the cutting unit51is discharged from the paper exit53.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the main body11includes a mounting unit57on which a cartridge56is mounted that contains the liquid to be supplied to the recording head39. The mounting unit57is positioned further to the second side wall16side than the first holding portions31and the second holding portions32, and is positioned further to the upper wall17side than the first holding portions31and the second holding portions32. The cartridge56is coupled to the recording head39via a flexible tube (not illustrated). When the pressure of the liquid inside the recording head39drops due to the discharge of the liquid by the recording head39, the cartridge56supplies the liquid to the recording head39through the tube.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the main body11includes a maintenance unit58that performs maintenance of the recording head39. The maintenance unit58is positioned further to the second side wall16side than the holding units30. The maintenance unit58is positioned further to the upper wall17side than the first holding portions31and the second holding portions32, and is positioned further to the base frame20side than the recording head39. The maintenance unit58performs a cleaning operation that causes the liquid to be discharged from the recording head39by reducing the pressure inside the recording head39, for example, using a cap and a discharge pump (not illustrated).

A waste liquid storage tank80is disposed below the maintenance unit58. The waste liquid storage tank80is a container that contains the liquid discharged from the recording head39in the maintenance unit58. The maintenance unit58and the waste liquid storage tank80are coupled to each other via a flexible tube (not illustrated). The liquid discharged from the recording head39is stored, via the tube, in the waste liquid storage tank80as waste liquid.

As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 3, the main body11includes an operation unit59. The operating unit59is provided on the upper wall17of the housing12. The operating unit59is positioned at a corner portion that is formed by a section at which the front wall13is coupled to the upper wall17and at which the second side wall16is coupled to the upper wall17. The operation unit59is configured, for example, by a touch panel or the like, and used by a user when they input various types of information.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the main body11includes a frame body60. In addition to the housing12, the frame body60supports various types of members and units mounted on the main body11, such as the holding units30, the recording unit35, the transport unit45, the mounting unit57, and the maintenance unit58, which are described above. The frame body60includes the base frame20, the first side frame61, the second side frame62, a third side frame66, a first coupling frame63, and a second coupling frame64. A direction in which the first side frame61, the second side frame62, and the third side frame66are arranged side by side is the width direction of the recording device10.

The base frame20extends in the width direction inside the housing12so as to form a bottom wall of the housing12. The base frame20is supported by the leg unit70from a side of an installation surface S.

The first side frame61is positioned further to the first side wall15side than the housing unit21. The first side frame61is coupled to the base frame20and extends from the base frame20in the height direction. The first side frame61supports the first holding portions31of the holding units30. The first holding portion31is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis that is the rotation axis and extends along the width direction. Further, the first side frame61supports the driving units33that drive the holding units30. The driving units33are positioned on the opposite side from the second side frame62with respect to the first side frame61.

The second side frame62is positioned further to the second side wall16side than the housing unit21. The second side frame62is coupled to the base frame20and extends from the base frame20in the height direction. The second side frame62supports the second holding portions32of the holding units30. The second holding portion32is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis that serves as the rotation axis and extends along the width direction.

The third side frame66is disposed below the guide shaft37and along the Z axis that is a direction intersecting the extending direction of the guide shaft37. More specifically, the third side frame66is positioned further to the second side wall16side than the second side frame62. The third side frame66is coupled to the base frame20and extends from the base frame20in the height direction.

The first coupling frame63is coupled to the second coupling frame64so as to be suspended from the second coupling frame64. The first coupling frame63is positioned between the second side frame62and the second side wall16. The above-described mounting unit57is supported by the first coupling frame63. In other words, the mounting unit57is located at a position separated from the second side frame62on the opposite side from the first side frame61with respect to the second side frame62, is supported by the first coupling frame63, and is supported by the second side frame62via the second coupling frame64.

The second coupling frame64is a member coupled to the second side frame62and positioned between the second side frame62and the second side wall16. The second coupling frame64is positioned further to the upper wall17side than the first coupling frame63. The above-described maintenance unit58is supported by the second coupling frame64. In other words, the maintenance unit58is positioned on the opposite side from the first side frame61with respect to the second side frame62, and is supported by the second side frame62via the second coupling frame64.

The leg unit70supporting the base frame20from the installation surface S side includes a plurality of casters as support legs each having a contact portion that can come into contact with the installation surface S. The caster includes a wheel that rotates along with the movement of the recording device10, and the orientation of the wheel can be changed by the caster rotating about an axis that serves as a rotation axis and extends along the height direction. Further, each of the casters includes a locking mechanism (not illustrated) that regulates the rotation of the wheel. The installation surface S is a surface on which the main body11(the recording device10) is installed.

Further, the recording device10is provided with a control board54on which semiconductor elements and the like are mounted. The control board54controls various objects for control, such as the transport unit45and the recording unit35.

Here, in a state in which the carriage38is positioned at one end of the guide shaft37, the control board54is disposed below the carriage38. In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 3, in a state in which the carriage38is positioned at an end of the guide shaft37in a negative X direction, the control board54is disposed below the carriage38. Note that the state in which the carriage38is positioned at the end of the guide shaft37in the negative X direction is a state in which the carriage38faces the maintenance unit58. In other words, in a state in which the carriage38is positioned at a limit position of a movable range of the guide shaft37in the negative X direction, the control board54is disposed below the carriage38. Since the control board54is disposed within a movement range of the carriage38, an increase in size of the recording device10in the direction along the guide shaft37can be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control board54is attached to a surface of the third side frame66, which serves as a side frame. Specifically, the control board54is attached to the surface, on the negative X direction side, of the plate-like third side frame66. As a result, the control board54is disposed in a stable state.

Further, the control board54is disposed substantially in the center of the third side frame66in the direction along the Y axis. As a result, the increase in size of the recording device10in the front-back direction can be suppressed.

The control board54is disposed on the third side frame66above the waste liquid storage tank80. As a result, when performing an operation for removing the waste liquid storage tank80from the housing12to the outside, the waste liquid storage tank80can be prevented from coming into contact with the control board54.

Further, the recording device10is provided with a power supply board55on which power supply elements and the like are mounted. The power supply board55is attached to the surface, on the negative X direction side, of the third side frame66. The power supply board55is disposed in close proximity to the control board54and wired to the control board54. As a result, routing of the wiring between the power supply board55and the control board54can be easily performed. Then, the power is supplied from the power supply board55to the various objects for control via the control board54.

2. Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, a recording device10A includes another control board54A in addition to the control board54. As the recording device10A becomes more advanced, the number of parts of driving members increases, and when all of control elements and the like cannot be accommodated on the control board54, the other control board54A is required. The other control board54A and the control board54are respectively responsible for different objects for control, and semiconductor elements and the like for controlling the driving members, excluding the objects for control controlled by the control board54, are mounted on the other control board54A.

The other control board54A is disposed below the carriage38in a state in which the carriage38is positioned at the other end of the guide shaft37. In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the other control board54A is disposed below the carriage38in a state in which the carriage38is positioned at an end of the guide shaft37in the positive X direction. In other words, in a state in which the carriage38is positioned at a limit position of the movable range of the guide shaft37in the positive X direction, the other control board54A is disposed below the carriage38. Since the control board54and the other control board54A are disposed within the movement range of the carriage38in the direction along the X axis of the carriage38, even with a configuration in which a plurality of boards, namely, the control board54and the other control board54A, are provided, the increase in size of the recording device10in the direction along the guide shaft37can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the other control board54A is attached to a surface, on the positive X direction side, of the first side frame61via a mounting frame61a. As a result, the other control board54A is disposed in a stable state.

The other control board54A is disposed substantially in the center of the first side frame61in the direction along the Y axis. As a result, an increase in size of the recording device10A in the front-back direction can be suppressed.

Further, the control board54and the other control board54A are disposed so as to be separated from each other in the direction along the X axis of the recording device10A. As a result, among the plurality of driving members and the like disposed inside the housing12, the driving members disposed at positions closer to the control board54than to the other control board54A are wired to the control board54, and the driving members disposed at positions closer to the other control board54A than to the control board54are wired to the other control board54A, for example. As a result, the length of the wiring that couples each of the driving members with the control board54and the other control board54A, respectively, can be shortened, and an operation for routing the wiring can thus be easily performed. Note that examples of the driving member include various motors, sensors, and the like.

Further, the power supply board55is attached to the same third side frame66as the control board54. Then, in the present embodiment, of the control board54and the other control board54A, the power supply board55is wired to the control board54, which is disposed closer to the power supply board55. Further, the control board54and the other control board54A are wired to the power supply board55. As a result, the control board54, which is coupled to the power supply board55, can adjust the voltage and supply the voltage to the other control board54A. In other words, the routing of the wiring becomes easier than a case in which the wiring is routed from the power supply board55to both the control board54and the other control board54A. Note that the power supply board55may be attached to the first side frame61instead of the third side frame66, and may be wired to the other control board54A.