Patent Publication Number: US-2022234375-A1

Title: Liquid ejecting device

Description:
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2021-010230, filed Jan. 26, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejecting device. 
     2. Related Art 
     JP-A-2017-154452 discloses a liquid ejecting device including a head configured to eject liquid, a holding unit holding the head, a guide unit movably holding the holding unit, the guide unit being configured to guide the holding unit, and a detection unit attached to the holding unit, the detection unit being configured to detect vibration of the holding unit. When guided by the guide unit, the holding unit vibrates with the part where the guide unit is attached as a fulcrum. The detection unit is attached to the holding unit at a position away from the position where the guide unit is attached. The detection unit detects the vibration of the holding unit at a position where the vibration of the holding unit is likely to increase. The liquid ejecting device corrects the landing position of the liquid ejected from the head by detecting the vibration of the holding unit by the detection unit. 
     In such a liquid ejecting device, when the guide unit is deteriorated, the operating load of moving the holding unit increases. As a result, vibration is generated in the holding unit. Since the vibration caused by the deterioration of the guide unit is weak, the detection unit may not be able to detect the vibration when the detection unit is attached to the holding unit at the position away from the position where the guide unit is attached, as in the liquid ejecting device described in JP-A-2017-154452. 
     SUMMARY 
     A liquid ejecting device that solves the above problem includes a head configured to eject liquid, a holding unit holding the head, a base unit holding the holding unit, a guide unit movably holding the base unit, the guide unit being configured to guide the base unit, and a detection unit attached to the base unit, the detection unit being configured to detect vibration of the base unit, in which the base unit includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the guide unit is attached to the first surface, and the detection unit is attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. 
     A liquid ejecting device that solves the above problem includes a head configured to eject liquid, a holding unit holding the head, a guide unit movably holding the holding unit, the guide unit being configured to guide the holding unit, and a detection unit provided at the holding unit, the detection unit being configured to detect vibration of the holding unit, in which the holding unit includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the guide unit is attached to the first surface, and the detection unit is attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating a first embodiment of a liquid ejecting device; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the liquid ejecting device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a control unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of a liquid ejecting device; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including the liquid ejecting device; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating a modified example of the liquid ejecting device. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     A liquid ejecting device according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The liquid ejecting device is, for example, an ink jet-type printer that ejects ink, as an example of liquids, to a medium such as a sheet of paper, fabric, or the like to print images such as characters, photographs, or the like on the medium. 
     First Embodiment 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a liquid ejecting device  11  includes a housing  12 , a support portion  13 , a head  14 , a carriage  15 , a guide unit  16 , a detection unit  17 , and a control unit  18 . 
     The housing  12  accommodates various constituting components provided in the liquid ejecting device  11 . 
     The support portion  13  is configured to support a medium  99 . For example, the support portion  13  supports the medium  99  that is transported. 
     The head  14  is configured to eject liquid. The head  14  includes one or more nozzle  19  that ejects liquid. The head  14  ejects the liquid from the nozzle  19  onto the medium  99  supported by the support portion  13  to print an image on the medium  99 . 
     The head  14  is mounted on the carriage  15 . The carriage  15  is movably attached to the guide unit  16 . The carriage  15  scans over the medium  99  supported on the support portion  13 . Thus, the liquid ejecting device  11  is a so-called serial-type liquid ejecting device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the carriage  15  includes a holding unit  21  that holds the head  14 , and a base unit  22  that holds the holding unit  21 . The holding unit  21  and the base unit  22  are joined by, for example, one or more spring  23 . Thus, the holding unit  21  is held by the base unit  22 . 
     The holding unit  21  is configured such that, for example, a liquid reservoir  24  that stores liquid is mountable. For example, the interior of the holding unit  21  is hollow to allow the liquid reservoir  24  to be mounted therein. The liquid stored in the liquid reservoir  24  is supplied to the head  14  when the liquid reservoir  24  is mounted in the holding unit  21 . 
     The holding unit  21  includes an upstream holding surface  25  and a downstream holding surface  26 . The upstream holding surface  25  is a surface facing upstream in the transport direction which is the direction in which the medium  99  is transported. The upstream holding surface  25  is a surface facing the base unit  22 . The upstream holding surface  25  is an outer surface of the holding unit  21 . The upstream holding surface  25  is a surface to which the spring  23  is attached. The downstream holding surface  26  is a surface facing downstream in the transport direction. The downstream holding surface  26  is a surface facing away from the upstream holding surface  25 . The downstream holding surface  26  is an inner surface of the holding unit  21 . 
     The holding unit  21  includes a protrusion  27  that extends toward the base unit  22 . For example, the protrusion  27  extends from the upstream holding surface  25 . The tip of the protrusion  27  contacts the base unit  22 . 
     For example, the base unit  22  is located upstream of the head  14  in the transport direction. The base unit  22  includes an upstream base surface  31  and a downstream base surface  32 . The upstream base surface  31  is a surface facing upstream in the transport direction. The upstream base surface  31  is an outer surface of the base unit  22 . The upstream base surface  31  is a surface to which the guide unit  16  is attached. The downstream base surface  32  is a surface facing downstream in the transport direction. The downstream base surface  32  is a surface facing away from the upstream base surface  31 . The downstream base surface  32  is a surface facing the holding unit  21 , and more particularly, a surface facing the upstream holding surface  25 . The downstream base surface  32  is an outer surface of the base unit  22 . The downstream base surface  32  is a surface to which the spring  23  is attached. 
     The base unit  22  includes a pin  33  that extends toward the holding unit  21 . The pin  33  extends from the downstream base surface  32 . The tip of the pin  33  contacts the upstream holding surface  25 . The pin  33  contacts the upstream holding surface  25  at a position lower than the position where the protrusion  27  extends. The holding unit  21  joined to the base unit  22  with the spring  23  is supported by the pin  33 . 
     The base unit  22  includes a displacement mechanism  34  that displaces the holding unit  21  relative to the base unit  22 . The displacement mechanism  34  includes, for example, a rotating body  35  that is configured to rotate. The rotating body  35  includes a contact portion  36  that contacts the tip of the protrusion  27 . When the rotating body  35  rotates in a state where the protrusion  27  and the contact portion  36  are in contact with each other, the holding unit  21  is displaced relative to the base unit  22  with the tip of the pin  33  as a fulcrum. 
     Displacement of the holding unit  21  relative to the base unit  22  changes the distance between the head  14  and the support portion  13 . In other words, the distance between the medium  99  supported on the support portion  13  and the head  14  changes. In this way, the displacement mechanism  34  adjusts the distance between the head  14  and the medium  99  to an appropriate distance depending on, for example, the thickness of the medium  99 . 
     The carriage  15  includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is a surface to which the guide unit  16  is attached. The second surface is a surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface is a surface facing away from the first surface. In the first embodiment, the holding unit  21  includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the holding unit  21  is the upstream holding surface  25 , and the second surface of the holding unit  21  is the downstream holding surface  26 . In the first embodiment, the base unit  22  includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the base unit  22  is the upstream base surface  31 , and the second surface of the base unit  22  is the downstream base surface  32 . The upstream holding surface  25  is a surface on which the spring  23  is attached, with which the pin  33  comes into contact, and to which therefore the guide unit  16  is indirectly attached via the base unit  22 . The upstream base surface  31  is a surface to which the guide unit  16  is directly attached. 
     The guide unit  16  is located upstream of the head  14  in the transport direction, for example. The guide unit  16  movably holds the carriage  15 . The guide unit  16  is configured to guide the carriage  15 . In the first embodiment, the guide unit  16  movably holds the base unit  22 . The guide unit  16  is configured to guide the base unit  22 . In the first embodiment, the guide unit  16  movably holds the holding unit  21  via the base unit  22 . The guide unit  16  is configured to guide the holding unit  21  via the base unit  22 . 
     The guide unit  16  includes, for example, a rail  37  and a block  38 . The rail  37  is an elongated member extending across the width of the housing  12 . For example, the rail  37  is fixed to the housing  12 . The block  38  is attached to the rail  37  in a movable manner along the rail  37 . The block  38  is attached to the carriage  15 . In the first embodiment, the block  38  is attached to the upstream base surface  31 . The block  38  is fixed with, for example, a screw to the upstream base surface  31 . As the block  38  moves along the rail  37 , the carriage  15  moves along the rail  37 . In this way, the guide unit  16  guides the carriage  15  while holding the carriage  15 . 
     The block  38  includes, for example, a plurality of rolling elements  39  in the block  38 . As the block  38  moves relative to the rail  37 , the rolling elements  39  roll within the block  38 . This allows the block  38  to move smoothly relative to the rail  37 . The block  38  is filled with lubricant to facilitate rolling of the rolling elements  39 . 
     The guide unit  16  is, for example, an LM guide (trade name). The guide unit  16  may be a ball screw. Any configuration of the guide unit  16  that holds the carriage  15  and guides the carriage  15  can be used. In the case of the ball screw, the guide unit  16  includes a screw corresponding to the rail  37  and a nut corresponding to the block  38 . In this case, for example, the rolling elements  39  are disposed between the screw and the nut. 
     The detection unit  17  is attached to the carriage  15 . The detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. In other words, the detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the upstream holding surface  25 , the downstream holding surface  26 , the upstream base surface  31 , and the downstream base surface  32 . In the first embodiment, the detection unit  17  is attached to the upstream base surface  31  which is the first surface of the base unit  22 . 
     The detection unit  17  detects vibration of the carriage  15 . For example, the detection unit  17  detects the vibration of the carriage  15  when the carriage  15  moves during printing. When the detection unit  17  is attached to the base unit  22 , the detection unit  17  detects the vibration of the base unit  22 . When the detection unit  17  is attached to the holding unit  21 , the detection unit  17  detects the vibration of the holding unit  21 . The detection unit  17  is provided as, for example, an actuator. The detection unit  17  outputs a signal in response to the detected vibration. The signal is an oscillatory waveform representing the detected vibration, and is a result of detection by the detection unit  17 . For example, the detection unit  17  outputs a signal to the control unit  18 . 
     When the guide unit  16  is deteriorated, the operation load, which is a load of moving of the carriage  15 , increases. For example, the degrading of the guide unit  16  is caused by a decrease of the lubricant, trapping or adhesion of a foreign material, or the like. The guide unit  16  is deteriorated, for example, when the lubricant filled in the guide unit  16  decreases. The guide unit  16  is deteriorated when, for example, the foreign material is trapped between the rail  37  and the block  38 , or introduced in the block  38 , and is trapped in the guide unit  16 . The guide unit  16  is deteriorated when, for example, the foreign material adheres to the rail  37 . 
     An increase of the operation load of the carriage  15  causes the vibration to be generated in the carriage  15  when the carriage  15  moves. The detection unit  17  detects this vibration generated when the carriage  15  moves. As the operation load increases, the carriage  15  is ultimately unable to move. 
     Since the base unit  22  is directly attached to the guide unit  16  in the first embodiment, the vibration is generated in the base unit  22  when the carriage  15  moves. Accordingly, the detection unit  17  detects the vibration of the base unit  22  as the vibration of the carriage  15 . 
     The detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. In this case, the detection unit  17  is attached at a position relatively close to the guide unit  16 , for example, compared to a case in which the detection unit  17  is attached to the outer surface of the holding unit  21  that faces downstream in the transport direction. This makes it easier for the detection unit  17  to detect the vibration of the carriage  15 . 
     When the lubricant of the guide unit  16  decreases, periodic vibrations are generated when the block  38  moves in accordance with an arrangement pitch of the rolling elements  39 . In this case, a high-frequency vibration appears as the vibration of the carriage  15 . In the first embodiment, the vibration having a first frequency is generated due to a decrease, for example, of the lubricant. 
     When the foreign material, such as dust in the air or powder generated from the medium  99 , is trapped in the guide unit  16 , periodic vibrations are generated when the block  38  moves. In this case, the vibration having a lower frequency than the first frequency is generated as the vibration of the carriage  15 . In the first embodiment, the trapping of the foreign material generates, for example, vibration having a second frequency. 
     When the foreign material is adhered to the guide unit  16 , for example, at a specific point on the rail  37 , a one-off vibration is generated when the block  38  passes through the point. In this case, therefore, the vibration having a lower frequency than the second frequency is generated as the vibration of the carriage  15 . In the first embodiment, the adhesion of the foreign material generates, for example, the vibration having a third frequency. 
     As described above, the vibration having a specific frequency generated in the carriage  15  is related to the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16 . The specific frequency is, for example, the first frequency, the second frequency, or the third frequency. 
     The vibration having the specific frequency generated in the carriage  15  is related to the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  even when the guide unit  16  is a ball screw, as in the case of the LM guide. For example, in the case of the ball screw, a plurality of vibrations having different frequencies are generated in the carriage  15  due to the decrease of the lubricant between the screw and the nut, the trapping of the foreign material between the screw and the nut, or the adhesion of the foreign material to the screw, respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the control unit  18  is fixed to, for example, the housing  12 . The control unit  18  is configured to comprehensively control the liquid ejecting device  11 . The control unit  18  may be configured as a circuit including α: at least one processor configured to perform various processing according to a computer program, β: at least one dedicated hardware circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which is configured to execute at least part of the various processing, or γ: a combination of α and β. The processor includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM) that stores program code or a command that causes the CPU to execute processing. The memory, or a computer readable medium includes any readable medium accessible by a general purpose or special purpose computer. 
     The control unit  18  analyzes the vibration detected by, for example, the detection unit  17 . By executing the program stored in the control unit  18 , the control unit  18  functions as an analysis unit  41  that analyzes the vibration detected by the detection unit  17 . In this respect, the control unit  18  includes the analysis unit  41 . In other words, the liquid ejecting device  11  includes the analysis unit  41 . 
     The analysis unit  41  may be a circuit provided separately from the control unit  18 . In this case, the control unit  18  transmits the signal received from the detection unit  17  to the analysis unit  41 . After the analysis, the analysis unit  41  transmits the analysis result to the control unit  18 . 
     The analysis unit  41  analyzes the signal by, for example, Fourier transform. The analysis unit  41  may analyze the signal by passing the signal through a filter such as a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, a band-pass filter, or the like. By analyzing the signal, the analysis unit  41  extracts the vibration having a specific frequency from the signal. The vibration having the specific frequency is the analysis result of the analysis unit  41 . 
     The liquid ejecting device  11  may include an application unit  42 . The application unit  42  is configured to provide lubricant to the guide unit  16 . For example, the application unit  42  provides lubricant between the rail  37  and the block  38 . When the guide unit  16  is the LM guide, the block  38  usually formed with a hole in it for the lubricant to be injected. By injecting the lubricant into the hole, the application unit  42  provides the lubricant to the guide unit  16 . 
     The liquid ejecting device  11  may include a wiping unit  43 . The wiping unit  43  is configured to wipe the guide unit  16 . For example, the wiping unit  43  wipes the rail  37 . The wiping unit  43  is, for example, a cloth wiper. By wiping the guide unit  16 , the wiping unit  43  removes the foreign material adhered to the guide unit  16 . 
     The liquid ejecting device  11  includes a display unit  44 . The display unit  44  is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor. For example, the display unit  44  is fixed to the housing  12 . The display unit  44  displays information related to the operating status of the liquid ejecting device  11 . The operating status includes, for example, the operating time, the amount of the remaining liquid, the state of the guide unit  16 , and the like. The display unit  44  may display a message indicating, for example, a deterioration state of the guide unit  16 . 
     Next, the operation of the control unit  18  is described. 
     As printing starts, for example, the control unit  18  starts processing as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, the processing illustrated in  FIG. 3  is executed in parallel with printing. The processing illustrated in  FIG. 3  is the processing to determine the deterioration of the guide unit  16 . The processing illustrated in  FIG. 3  is also the processing to determine the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16 . By determining the deterioration of the guide unit  16 , it is possible to perform maintenance before the carriage  15  becomes unmovable. In other words, a sign that the carriage  15  would become unmovable can be obtained. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the control unit  18  acquires the vibration detected by the detection unit  17  in step S 11 . In other words, the control unit  18  measures the vibration of the base unit  22 . At this time, the control unit  18  may acquire the vibration in a section where the carriage  15  moves from the home position to the opposite anti-home position. The control unit  18  may also acquire the vibration in a section where the carriage  15  moves from the home position to the home position, i.e., a section where the carriage  15  reciprocates. 
     In step S 12 , the control unit  18  causes the analysis unit  41  to analyze the acquired vibration. By doing this, the control unit  18  obtains the analysis result of the signal. 
     In step S 13 , the control unit  18  determines whether the guide unit  16  is deteriorated based on the analysis result. In other words, the control unit  18  determines whether the guide unit  16  is deteriorated based on the detection result of the detection unit  17 . When the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is deteriorated, the control unit  18  shifts the processing to step S 14 . When the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is not deteriorated, the control unit  18  terminates the processing illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this case, the control unit  18  continues printing. 
     In step S 13 , the control unit  18  determines the deterioration of the guide unit  16  by, for example, comparing the analysis result with a threshold. The threshold is stored in, for example, the control unit  18 . 
     In step S 13 , the control unit  18  compares, for example, an intensity of the vibration having a specific frequency provided as the analysis result with the threshold. The control unit  18  compares, for example, the intensity of the vibration having the first frequency with a first threshold. The control unit  18  compares, for example, the intensity of the vibration having the second frequency with a second threshold. The control unit  18  compares, for example, the intensity of the vibration having the third frequency with a third threshold. For example, the first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold have different values. 
     In step S 13 , the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is deteriorated when the intensity of the vibration having the specific frequency exceeds a corresponding threshold. When the intensity of the vibration having the specific frequency does not exceed the corresponding threshold, the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is not deteriorated. In other words, in step S 13 , the control unit  18  determines the deterioration of the guide unit  16  based on the vibration having the specific frequency provided as the analysis result, and also determines the deterioration factor. 
     In step S 13 , when the intensity of the vibration having the first frequency exceeds the first threshold, the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is deteriorated and also determines that the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  is the decrease of the lubricant. When the intensity of the vibration having the second frequency exceeds the second threshold, the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is deteriorated and also determines that the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  is the trapping of the foreign material. When the intensity of the vibration having the third frequency exceeds the third threshold, the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is deteriorated and also determines that the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  is the adhesion of the foreign material. 
     In step S 14 , the control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to display a message indicating the state of the guide unit  16 . The message indicates that the guide unit  16  is deteriorated. The message indicates the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16 . In other words, the control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to indicate the deterioration of the guide unit  16  based on the detection result of the detection unit  17 . The control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to display the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  based on the detection result of the detection unit  17 . For example, the control unit  18  stores a data table as shown in Table 1. The control unit  18  selects a message to be displayed on the display unit  44 , for example, by referring to the data table. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 FLAG 
                 MESSAGE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 FIRST FLAG 
                 FIRST MESSAGE 
               
               
                   
                 SECOND FLAG 
                 SECOND MESSAGE 
               
               
                   
                 THIRD FLAG 
                 THIRD MESSAGE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As shown in Table 1, the data table stores flags and messages in an associated manner. For example, a first flag is associated with a first message. A second flag is associated with a second message. A third flag is associated with a third message. The first flag is a flag that is satisfied when the intensity of the vibration having the first frequency exceeds the first threshold. The second flag is a flag that is satisfied when the intensity of the vibration having the second frequency exceeds the second threshold. The third flag is a flag that is satisfied when the intensity of the vibration having the third frequency exceeds the third threshold. The first message is a message indicating the decrease of the lubricant. The second message is a message indicating the trapping of the foreign material. The third message is a message indicating the adhesion of the foreign material. 
     When the intensity of the vibration having the first frequency exceeds the first threshold, i.e., the first flag is satisfied, the control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to display the first message in step S 14 . When the intensity of the vibration having the second frequency exceeds the second threshold, i.e., the second flag is satisfied, the control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to display the second message. When the intensity of the vibration having the third frequency exceeds the third threshold, i.e., the third flag is satisfied, the control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to display the third message. This allows the user to understand the deterioration of the guide unit  16  and the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16 . Thus, the message displayed in step S 14  is different for each deterioration factor of the guide unit  16 . The display unit  44  may display a plurality of messages. 
     The message displayed on the display unit  44  may include a message indicating a countermeasure for the deterioration factor. In this case, the control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to display a message indicating the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  and the countermeasure for the deterioration factor. The message indicating the countermeasure is, for example, a message urging maintenance or a message urging contact to the support center. For example, the first message may include a message urging provision of the lubricant as the countermeasure. The second message may include a message urging removal of the foreign material trapped in the guide unit  16  as the countermeasure. The third message may include a message urging removal of the foreign material adhered to the guide unit  16  as the countermeasure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the control unit  18  determines, in step S 15 , whether self-repair is possible to deal with the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16 . The self-repair means maintenance performed by the control unit  18  itself relative to the guide unit  16 . In other words, the control unit  18  determines whether the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  is the deterioration factor that is repairable by the application unit  42  or the wiping unit  43 . When the control unit  18  determines that the self-repair is possible, the process shifts to step S 16 . When the control unit  18  determines that the self-repair is not possible, the control unit  18  terminates the processing. In this case, the printing continues with the message displayed on the display unit  44 . 
     In the first embodiment, when the deterioration factor is the decrease of the lubricant or the adhesion of the foreign material, the control unit  18  determines that the self-repair is possible. When the deterioration factor is the trapping of the foreign material, the control unit  18  determines that the self-repair is not possible. In this case, the display unit  44  displays the message indicating, for example, maintenance procedures, contact information to a support center, or the like. 
     The control unit  18  executes the self-repair in step S 16 . For example, when the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  is the decrease of the lubricant, the control unit  18  controls the application unit  42 . In other words, when the control unit  18  determines that the deterioration factor is the decrease of the lubricant in the guide unit  16 , the control unit  18  controls the application unit  42  to provide the lubricant. For example, when the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  is the adhesion of the foreign material, the control unit  18  controls the wiping unit  43 . In other words, the control unit  18  wipes the rail  37  by controlling the wiping unit  43  when the control unit  18  determines that the deterioration factor is the adhesion of the foreign material. 
     In step S 16 , the control unit  18  may execute the self-repair after pausing the printing, or may execute the self-repair after the printing ends. The control unit  18  may request permission from the user before executing the self-repair. When the permission is obtained from the user, the control unit  18  executes the self-repair. When the permission is not obtained from the user, the control unit  18  terminates the processing illustrated in  FIG. 3 . After the self-repair is completed, the control unit  18  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Next, the effects of the first embodiment is described. 
     (1) The detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the first surface of the base unit  22  and the second surface of the base unit  22 . 
     When the guide unit  16  is deteriorated, the vibration is generated in the base unit  22  when the base unit  22  moves. Since this vibration is weak, when the detection unit  17  is attached to the base unit  22  at a position away from the position where the guide unit  16  is attached, there is a possibility that the vibration wave is attenuated and the vibration cannot be detected. In this regard, according to the above-described configuration, the detection unit  17  is attached to the base unit  22  at a position relatively close to the position where the guide unit  16  is attached. Accordingly, the detection unit  17  can detect the vibration generated due to the deterioration of the guide unit  16 . 
     (2) The detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the first surface of the holding unit  21  and the second surface of the holding unit  21 . 
     When the guide unit  16  is deteriorated, the vibration is generated in the holding unit  21  when the holding unit  21  moves. Since this vibration is weak, when the detection unit  17  is attached to the holding unit  21  at a position away from the position where the guide unit  16  is attached, there is a possibility that the vibration cannot be detected. In this regard, according to the above-described configuration, the detection unit  17  is attached to the holding unit  21  at a position relatively close to the position where the guide unit  16  is attached. Accordingly, the detection unit  17  can detect the vibration generated due to the deterioration of the guide unit  16 . 
     (3) When the control unit  18  determines that the guide unit  16  is deteriorated based on the detection result of the detection unit  17 , the control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to indicate the deterioration of the guide unit  16 . 
     The above configuration allows the user to understand the deterioration of the guide unit  16 . 
     (4) The control unit  18  determines the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  based on the vibration having the specific frequency extracted by analyzing the detection result of the detection unit  17 , and causes the display unit  44  to display the deterioration factor. 
     The deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  is related to the frequency of the vibration detected by the detection unit  17 . Accordingly, the control unit  18  can determine the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  based on the vibration having the specific frequency extracted from the detection result of the detection unit  17 . According to the above-described configuration, the user can recognize the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16 . 
     (5) When the control unit  18  determines that the deterioration factor is the decrease of the lubricant in the guide unit  16 , the control unit  18  provides the lubricant by controlling the application unit  42 . 
     According to the configuration described above, when the guide unit  16  is deteriorated due to the decrease of the lubricant in the guide unit  16 , the lubricant is automatically provided between the rail  37  and the block  38  by the application unit  42 . Therefore, the guide unit  16  can be appropriately maintained. 
     (6) The control unit  18  causes the display unit  44  to display the message indicating the deterioration factor and the countermeasure for the deterioration factor. 
     According to the above-described configuration, the user can understand the countermeasure for the deterioration factors of the guide unit  16 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment of the liquid ejecting device  11  will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the carriage  15  differs from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, what differs from the first embodiment will mainly be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the second embodiment, the carriage  15  does not include the base unit  22  and includes the holding unit  21 . Accordingly, in the second embodiment, the holding unit  21  is directly held by the guide unit  16 . 
     In the second embodiment, the detection unit  17  is attached to the holding unit  21 . The detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the holding unit  21 . In other words, the detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the upstream holding surface  25  and the downstream holding surface  26 . In the second embodiment, the detection unit  17  is attached to the upstream holding surface  25 . Accordingly, the detection unit  17  detects the vibration of the holding unit  21  as the vibration of the carriage  15 . 
     The detection unit  17  is attached to at least one of the first surface of the holding unit  21  and the second surface of the holding unit  21 . In this case, the detection unit  17  is disposed at a position relatively close to the guide unit  16 , for example, compared to the case in which the detection unit  17  is attached to the outer surface of the holding unit  21  that faces downstream in the transport direction. This makes it easier for the detection unit  17  to detect the vibration of the carriage  15 . 
     In the second embodiment described above, the effects listed above can be obtained except for the effect (1). 
     The first embodiment and the second embodiment can be implemented with the following changes. The first embodiment, the second embodiment, and a modified example described below can be implemented in combination with each other in a range not to cause technical contradictions.
         As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the liquid ejecting device  11  may be coupled to a server  50  including an analysis unit  41  to provide a printing system  51 . In this case, the liquid ejecting device  11  transmits the detection result of the detection unit  17  to the server  50 . The server  50  causes the analysis unit  41  to analyze the detection result of the detection unit  17 . The server  50  transmits the analysis result of the analysis unit  41  to the liquid ejecting device  11 . The control unit  18  determines the deterioration of the guide unit  16  and the deterioration factor of the guide unit  16  based on the received analysis result.   As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the guide unit  16  may be a guide shaft  55  that supports the carriage  15  and guides the carriage  15 . In the modified example, the carriage  15  includes a mounting unit  56  attached to the guide shaft  55 . The mounting unit  56  is provided on the base unit  22  and protrudes upstream from the upstream base surface  31  in the transport direction. Accordingly, the upstream base surface  31  from which the mounting unit  56  protrudes becomes the surface to which the guide unit  16  is attached, i.e., a first surface of the base unit  22 .       

     The guide shaft  55 , for example, passes through the mounting unit  56 . In the case of the guide shaft  55 , the lubricant provided to the guide shaft  55  may decrease, the foreign material may be trapped between the carriage  15  and the guide shaft  55 , or the foreign material may adhere to a specific location on the guide shaft  55 . In this case, like the case of the LM guide, the frequency of the vibration corresponds to the deterioration factor.
         In the second embodiment, the holding unit  21  may include the mounting unit  56 . In this case, the mounting unit  56  protrudes from, for example, the upstream holding surface  25 .   There may be more than one threshold provided corresponding to the intensity of the vibration having the specific frequency. For example, the control unit  18  may store a first threshold including a plurality of thresholds, a second threshold including a plurality of thresholds, and a third threshold including a plurality of thresholds. In this case, the control unit  18  can make detailed determination about the deterioration state of the guide unit  16  based on the plurality of thresholds. The greater the intensity of the vibration having the specific frequency, the more advanced the deterioration of the guide unit  16  is. By making the detailed determination about the deterioration state, the control unit  18  can estimate the service life of the guide unit  16 .   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the control unit  18  may determine a defect in a coupling element  58  coupled to the carriage  15  based on the detection result of the detection unit  17 . The coupling element  58  is, for example, a cable to which electric power is supplied, a signal line to which signals are supplied, a tube to which liquid is supplied, or the like. The tube is coupled to the liquid reservoir  24  through the carriage  15 .       

     When the coupling element  58  is dislodged or shredded from the carriage  15 , the vibration is generated in the carriage  15 . By detecting the vibration by the detection unit  17 , the control unit  18  determines that the defect has occurred in the coupling element  58 . In particular, since the carriage  15  is configured only by the holding unit  21  in the second embodiment, the coupling element  58  is coupled to the holding unit  21 . When the defect occurs in the coupling element  58 , the holding unit  21  vibrates. In the second embodiment, since the detection unit  17  is attached to the holding unit  21  to which the guide unit  16  is directly attached, it is easy to determine both the deterioration state of the guide unit  16  and the defect of the coupling element  58 .
         The control unit  18  may determine the contact between the head  14  or the carriage  15  and the medium  99  based on the detection result of the detection unit  17 . For example, when the medium  99  supported on the support portion  13  is lifted from the support portion  13 , the medium  99  may contact the head  14  or the carriage  15 . When the head  14  or the carriage  15  contacts the medium  99 , the vibration is generated in the carriage  15 . By detecting the vibration by the detection unit  17 , the control unit  18  determines that the head  14  or the carriage  15  has contacted the medium  99 . In this case, the control unit  18  pauses the printing, and transports and ejects the medium. In the first embodiment, the position of the head  14  may be adjusted by the displacement mechanism  34  after the medium  99  is ejected. In the second embodiment, since the detection unit  17  is attached to the holding unit  21  to which the guide unit  16  is directly attached, it is easy to determine both the deterioration state of the guide unit  16  and the contact with the medium  99 .   When it is determined that the foreign material is adhered to the guide unit  16 , the control unit  18  may identify the location where the foreign material is adhered based on the analysis result. The control unit  18  may cause the display unit  44  to display the location where the foreign material is adhered. In this case, maintainability is improved.   The control unit  18  may determine whether the guide unit  16  is deteriorated based on the detection result of the detection unit  17  without analyzing the detection result in the analysis unit  41 . For example, the control unit  18  may determine about the deterioration of the guide unit  16  by comparing the vibration generated when the guide unit  16  is not deteriorated with the vibration generated when the guide unit  16  is deteriorated.   The liquid ejected from the head  14  may not be ink, and can be, for example, liquid that contains particles of functional materials dispersed or mixed in the liquid. For example, the head  14  may eject liquid containing materials, in the form of dispersion or dissolution, such as electrode materials or pixel materials used in the manufacture of a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescent (EL) display, a surface emitting display, or the like.       

     Hereinafter, technical concepts and effects thereof that are understood from the above-described exemplary embodiments and modified examples will be described. 
     (A) A liquid ejecting device includes a head configured to eject liquid, a holding unit holding the head, a base unit holding the holding unit, a guide unit movably holding the base unit, the guide unit being configured to guide the base unit, and a detection unit attached to the base unit, the detection unit being configured to detect vibration of the base unit, in which the base unit includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the guide unit is attached to the first surface, and the detection unit is attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. 
     When the guide unit is deteriorated, the vibration is generated in the base unit when the base unit moves. Since this vibration is weak, when the detection unit is attached to the base unit at a position away from the position where the guide unit is attached, there is a possibility that the vibration is attenuated and the vibration may not be detected. In this regard, according to the configuration described above, the detection unit is attached to the base unit at a position relatively close to the position where the guide unit is attached. Accordingly, the detection unit can detect the vibration caused by the deterioration of the guide unit. 
     (B) A liquid ejecting device includes a head configured to eject liquid, a holding unit holding the head, a guide unit movably holding the holding unit, the guide unit being configured to guide the holding unit, and a detection unit provided at the holding unit, the detection unit being configured to detect vibration of the holding unit, in which the holding unit includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the guide unit is attached to the first surface, and the detection unit is attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. 
     When the guide unit is deteriorated, the vibration is generated in the holding unit when the holding unit moves. Since this vibration is weak, when the detection unit is attached to the holding unit at a position away from the position where the guide unit is attached, there is a possibility that the vibration may not be detected. In this regard, according to the configuration described above, the detection unit is attached to the holding unit at a position relatively close to the position where the guide unit is attached. Accordingly, the detection unit can detect the vibration caused by the deterioration of the guide unit. 
     (C) The liquid ejecting device may include a display unit and a control unit, in which the control unit may cause the display unit to indicate that the guide unit is deteriorated when the control unit determines the deterioration of the guide unit based on a detection result of the detection unit. 
     The above-described configuration allows the user to understand the deterioration of the guide unit. 
     (D) In the liquid ejecting device, the control unit may determine a deterioration factor of the guide unit based on vibration having a specific frequency extracted by analyzing the detection result of the detection unit, and cause the display unit to display the deterioration factor. 
     The deterioration factor of the guide unit is related to the frequency of the vibration detected by the detection unit. Accordingly, the control unit can determine the deterioration factor of the guide unit based on the vibration of the specific frequency extracted from the detection result of the detection unit. The above-described configuration allows the user to understand the deterioration factor of the guide unit. 
     (E) In the liquid ejecting device described above, the liquid ejecting device may include an application unit, in which the guide unit may include a rail and a block that is attached to the first surface, the block is configured to move along the rail, the application unit is configured to provide lubricant between the rail and the block, and the control unit may control the application unit to provide the lubricant when the control unit determines that the deterioration factor is a decrease of the lubricant in the guide unit. 
     According to the above-described configuration, when the guide unit is deteriorated due to the decrease of the lubricant in the guide unit, the lubricant is automatically provided between the rail and the block by the application unit. Accordingly, the guide unit can be appropriately maintained. 
     (F) In the liquid ejecting device described above, the control unit may cause the display unit to display a message indicating the deterioration factor and a countermeasure for the deterioration factor. 
     The above-described configuration allows the user to understand the countermeasure for the deterioration factor of the guide unit.