Patent Publication Number: US-9889690-B2

Title: Printing apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a printing apparatus. 
     2. Related Art 
     In the related art, various printing apparatuses are used. Out of such printing apparatuses, there is a printing apparatus which is provided with a support portion that supports a medium and is able to move in an inner portion of a casing portion. 
     For example, JP A-2013-226657 discloses a printing apparatus (ink jet textile printing apparatus) that is able to move a set tray from a set position of the medium outside the casing portion up to a printing region on an inner portion of the casing portion by supporting a textile printing material as the medium using the set tray as the support portion. 
     However, as disclosed in JP A-2013-226657, there is a concern that foreign matter infiltrates inside the casing portion from the opening portion of the casing portion on a movement path of the support portion in a printing apparatus in the related art that is able to move the support portion from the set position of the medium on an outer portion of the casing portion up to the printing region on the inner portion of the casing portion. 
     SUMMARY 
     An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to suppress infiltration of foreign matter inside the casing portion. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing apparatus including a printing portion that performs printing on a medium that is positioned in a printing region, a casing portion that accommodates the printing portion and covers the printing region, a support portion that is able to support the medium and is able to move so as to include the printing region and a set position at which the medium is set that includes at least a position outside the casing portion on a movement path, and a cover portion that is provided so as to protrude to the set position side with respect to the casing portion and cover at least a part of the movement path of the support portion. 
     According to the aspect, the cover portion is provided so as to protrude to the set position side with respect to the casing portion and cover at least a part of the movement path of the support portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress infiltration of foreign matter inside the casing portion from an opening portion of the casing portion in the movement path of the support portion using the cover portion. 
     In the printing apparatus of a second aspect of the invention, according to the first aspect, the set position may be a position at which at least a part of the support portion that is positioned at the set position is covered by the cover portion. 
     According to the aspect, the set position is a position at which at least a part of the support portion that is positioned at the set position is covered by the cover portion. That is, since it is possible to provide the set position at a position that is not greatly separated from the casing portion (it is possible to shorten the movement path of the support portion), it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the printing apparatus. 
     In the printing apparatus of a third aspect of the invention, according to the first or second aspect, the cover portion may be displaceable between a closed position that covers at least a part of the support portion that is positioned at the set position and an open position at which the support portion that is positioned at the set position is further exposed than at the closed position. 
     According to the aspect, the cover portion is displaceable between the closed position and the open position. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a reduction of workability when the medium is set while suppressing an increase of size of the printing apparatus. 
     In the printing apparatus of a fourth aspect of the invention, according to the third aspect, the cover portion may be displaceable between the closed position and the open position by sliding. 
     According to the aspect, the cover portion is displaceable between the closed position and the open position by sliding. Therefore, for example, it is possible for the cover portion to infiltrate inside the casing at the open position by slidably moving the cover portion and it is possible to suppress the cover portion being a hindrance when the operation of the printing apparatus is performed. 
     In the printing apparatus of a fifth aspect of the invention, according to the third aspect, the cover portion may be displaceable between the closed position and the open position by rotating. 
     According to the aspect, the cover portion is displaceable between the closed position and the open position by rotating. By configuring in this manner, it is possible to appropriately displace the cover portion. 
     In the printing apparatus of a sixth aspect of the invention, according to the third aspect, the cover portion may be displaceable between the closed position and the open position by displacing along with the casing portion. 
     According to the aspect, the cover portion is displaceable between the closed position and the open position by displacing along with the casing portion. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously execute displacement of the cover portion and the casing portion, and it is possible to simplify opening and closing work and simplify an opening and closing mechanism of the cover portion and the casing portion. 
     In the printing apparatus of a seventh aspect of the invention, according to the third aspect, the cover portion may be displaceable between the closed position and the open position by being attached and detached. 
     According to the aspect, the cover portion is displaceable between the closed position and the open position by being attached and detached. By configuring in this manner, it is possible to appropriately displace the cover portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a printing apparatus according to Example 1 of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 1 of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic front surface view of the printing apparatus according to Example 1 of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side surface view of the printing apparatus according to Example 1 of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the printing apparatus according to Example 1 of the invention. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are schematic perspective views of the printing apparatus according to Example 1 of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 2 of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 3 of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 4 of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 5 of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 6 of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 7 of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 8 of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus according to Example 9 of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Example 1 (FIGS.  1  to  6 B) 
     A recording apparatus  1  according to Example 1 of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
     The printing apparatus  1  in the example is provided with a cover portion  10  (refer to  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) that is provided so as to protrude to the set position side of a medium with respect to a casing portion  32  and cover at least a part of a movement path of a tray  4  as a support portion of the medium. However, to begin with, since a summary of the printing apparatus  1  in the example is described, description is made in a state in which the cover portion  10  is omitted. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are schematic perspective views of the printing apparatus  1  according to the example, and therein,  FIG. 1  represents a state in which a tray  4  is at a printing start position as a support portion of the medium of the printing apparatus  1  in the example and  FIG. 2  represents a state in which the tray  4  is at a set position of the medium. 
     In addition,  FIG. 3  is a schematic front surface view of the printing apparatus  1  in the example, and  FIG. 4  is a schematic side surface view of the printing apparatus  1  in the example. 
     The printing apparatus  1  in the example is provided with a medium support unit  2  that moves in a movement direction A in a state in which the medium is supported by a support surface  8  of the tray  4 . The medium support unit  2  has the tray  4  that is the support portion of the medium. The printing apparatus  1  is provided with a medium transport portion  3  that transports the medium that is supported in the tray  4  in the movement direction A. The movement direction A is a direction including a direction A 1  and a direction A 2  that is the opposite direction from the direction A 1 . In addition, the tray  4  is mounted on a stage  5 . The tray  4  moves in a height direction C along with the stage  5  by rotating a rotary lever  9 . Note that, as represented in  FIG. 4 , the rotary lever  9  is provided in an arm portion of the medium support unit  2 . In addition, as the medium, it is possible to use various materials such as textiles (fabric, cloth, and the like), paper, and vinyl chloride resin. 
     In addition, a printing head  7  that is able to discharge ink and print on the medium is provided within a main body (inside the casing portion  32 ) of the printing apparatus  1 . Then, the printing apparatus  1  in the example forms a desired image by discharging ink from the printing head  7  on the medium that is supported on the tray  4  while reciprocally moving the printing head  7  in a scanning direction B by reciprocally moving a carriage  6  in which the printing head  7  is provided in the scanning direction B that intersects with the movement direction A. In the example, the carriage  6  in which the printing head  7  is provided is movable in the scanning direction B, and is equivalent to a printing portion that is able to print the image on the medium in a printing region (in other words, a printing portion that performs printing on the medium that is positioned in the printing region). 
     Note that, in the printing apparatus  1  in the example, a front side (left down direction) in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is at a set position (corresponding to  FIG. 2 ) of the medium in the tray  4 . Then, after the tray  4  on which the medium is set is moved in the direction A 1  out of the movement direction A up to the printing start portion (corresponding to  FIG. 1 ) on the depth side (right up direction) in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , printing is performed while the tray  4  moves in the direction A 2  out of the movement direction A. 
     Note that, the printing apparatus  1  in the example is provided with the printing head  7  that prints while reciprocally moving in the scanning direction B, but may be a printing apparatus that is provided with a so-called line head in which a plurality of nozzles that discharge ink are provided in an intersecting direction that intersects with the movement direction of the medium. 
     Here, “line head” is a printing head that is provided such that a nozzle region that is formed in the intersecting direction that intersects with the movement direction of the medium and used in the printing apparatus which forms the image by relatively moving the printing head or the medium. Note that, the nozzle region in the intersecting direction of the line head may not be able to cover the intersecting direction of the entire medium that corresponds to the printing apparatus. 
     In addition, the carriage  6  that is provided with the printing head  7  in the example is a printing portion that is able to print by discharging ink on the medium, but is not limited to such a printing portion, and for example, may use a transfer type printing portion that prints by transferring a color material on the medium. 
     In addition, the casing portion  32  in the example has an opening and closing portion  33 , and is configured to be able to open and close the opening and closing portion  33  during replacement of the ink cartridge which is not illustrated that is able to be set in the carriage  6  and the like. Note that, any of  FIGS. 1 to 4  represent a state in which the opening and closing portion  33  is closed, and the opening and closing portion  33  is configured to rotate in a rotation direction D referencing a rotary shaft  34  that extends in the scanning direction B manually by a user. 
     Next, an electrical configuration in the printing apparatus  1  in the example will be described. 
       FIG. 5  is a block view of the printing apparatus  1  in the example. 
     A CPU  20  which governs overall control of the printing apparatus  1  is provided in a control portion  19 . The CPU  20  is connected to a ROM  22  that stores various control programs and the like that are executed by the CPU  20  and a RAM  23  that is able to temporarily store data via a system bus  21 . 
     In addition, the CPU  20  is connected to a head driving portion  24  for driving the printing head  7  via the system bus  21 . 
     In addition, the CPU  20  is connected to a motor driving portion  25  via the system bus  21 . Then, the motor driving portion  25  is connected to a carriage motor  26  for driving the carriage  6  in which the printing head  7  is provided, a transport motor  27  that is provided in the medium transport portion  3  for transporting the medium (that is, the medium support unit  2  is moved), and a cover portion moving motor  30  for moving the cover portion  10  which will be described later. 
     Furthermore, the CPU  20  is connected to an input and output portion  28  via the system bus  21 . Then, the input and output portion  28  is connected to a sensor S that is able to detect that the opening and closing portion  33  is in the open state (at the open position) and the closed state (at the closed position) and a PC  29  for sending and receiving data and a signal of printing data and the like. 
     When the control portion  19  detects that the opening and closing portion  33  is in the open state, in a case where the carriage  6  such as during printing moves in the scanning direction B, the control portion  19  controls so as to stop movement of the carriage  6 . 
     Next, the cover portion  10  which is a main section in the example will be described in detail. 
     Here,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are schematic perspective views of the printing apparatus  1  in the example. Therein,  FIG. 6A  represents a state in which the cover portion  10  is at the closed position and  FIG. 6B  represents a state in which the cover portion  10  is at the open position. Note that, in the same manner as  FIG. 2 , both of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  represent a state in which the tray  4  is at the set position of the medium. 
     As described above, the printing apparatus  1  in the example is provided with the carriage  6  that performs printing on the medium which is positioned in the printing region, the casing portion  32  that covers the printing region in which the carriage  6  is accommodated, and the tray  4  that is able to support the medium. Here, the tray  4  is configured to be movable so as to include the set position at which the medium is set that includes at least a position outside of the casing portion  32  as represented by  FIGS. 2 and 6  and the printing region that includes the printing start position as represented by  FIG. 1  on the movement path. 
     Then, as represented in  FIG. 6A , the printing apparatus  1  in the example is provided with the cover portion  10  that is provided so as to protrude to the set position side with respect to the casing portion  32  and cover at least a part of the movement path of the tray  4 . Therefore, there is a configuration in which it is possible to suppress infiltration of foreign matter inside the casing portion  32  from the opening portion  35  of the casing portion  32  in the movement path of the tray  4  using the cover portion  10 . 
     In addition, as represented in  FIG. 6A , the set position of the medium in the printing apparatus  1  in the example is a position at which at least a part of the tray  4  that is positioned at the set position is covered by the cover portion  10 . That is, the set position is provided at a position that is not greatly separated from the casing portion  32  and the movement path of the tray  4  is shortened. Then, by configuring in this manner, an increase in size of the printing apparatus  1  is suppressed. 
     Note that, as represented in  FIG. 6A , “a position at which at least a part of the tray  4  that is positioned at the set position is covered by the cover portion  10 ” may be a position at which at least a part of the tray  4  that is positioned at the set position is covered by the cover portion  10  in a state in which the cover portion  10  is at the closed position. However, as represented in  FIG. 6B , in the printing apparatus  1  in the example, even in a state in which the cover portion  10  is at the open position, a part of the tray  4  that is positioned at the set position is covered by the cover portion  10 . Therefore, an increase in size of the printing apparatus  1  is particularly effectively suppressed. 
     In addition, as represented in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the cover portion  10  of the printing apparatus  1  in the example is displaceable between the closed position (refer to  6 A) that covers at least a part of the tray  4  which is positioned at the set position of the medium and an open position (refer to  FIG. 6B ) at which the tray  4  that is positioned at the set position is further exposed than at the closed position. Therefore, reduction of workability is suppressed when the medium is set while suppressing an increase of size of the printing apparatus  1 . 
     Here, there is a configuration in which the cover portion  10  of the printing apparatus  1  in the example retreats to the opening portion  35  of the casing portion  32  by sliding along the movement direction A and is displaceable between the closed portion (refer to  FIG. 6A ) and the open position (refer to  FIG. 6B ). By configuring in this manner, it is possible for the cover portion  10  to infiltrate inside the casing at the open position by slidably moving the cover portion  10  and it is possible to suppress the cover portion  10  being a hindrance when the operation of the printing apparatus  1  is performed. 
     Note that, the cover portion  10  in the example is configured to be displaceable (slidably movable) between the closed position (refer to  FIG. 6A ) and the open position (refer to  FIG. 6B ) automatically corresponding to the printing operation by driving the cover portion moving motor  30  by control of the control portion  19 . However, the cover portion  10  is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured to be displaceable manually by the user between the closed position and the open position. 
     Example 2 (FIG.  7 ) 
     Next, the recording apparatus  1  according to Example 2 of the invention will be described. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view of the recording apparatus  1  in the example, and is a view which corresponds to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  in the recording apparatus  1  of Example 1. 
     Here, in the printing apparatus  1  in the example, the configuration of the cover portion and a configuration other than of presence or absence of the driving mechanism and the size (length in a direction along the movement direction A) of the medium transport portion  3  have the same configuration as the printing apparatus  1  in Example 1. Note that, the configuring members that are the same as the configuring members in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 1 are represented by the same reference numerals. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. 
     The cover portion  10  in Example 1 is configured to be displaceable between the closed portion (refer to  FIG. 6A ) and the open position (refer to  FIG. 6B ). Meanwhile, a cover portion  11  in the example is a fixed configuration that is fixed to the casing portion  32 . Therefore, length in the direction along the movement direction A of the printing apparatus  1  is larger than the printing apparatus  1  in Example 1. However, since the cover portion  11  is the fixed type, it is possible to omit the configuring members of the cover portion moving motor  30  and the like and the apparatus configuration is simplified. In addition, as represented in  FIG. 7 , in the printing apparatus  1  in the example, when the tray  4  is positioned at the set position, the entirety of the tray  4  is exposed from the cover portion  10 . Therefore, there is a configuration in which reduction of workability is able to be suppressed when the medium is particularly effectively set. 
     Example 3 (FIG.  8 ) 
     Next, the recording apparatus  1  according to Example 3 of the invention will be described below. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view of the recording apparatus  1  in the example, and is a view which corresponds to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  (in particular  FIG. 6B ) in the recording apparatus  1  in Example 1. 
     Here, in the printing apparatus  1  in the example, the configuration of the cover portion and a configuration outside of the driving mechanism has the same configuration as the printing apparatus  1  in Example 1. Note that, the configuring members that are the same as the configuring members in the printing apparatus  1  in Examples 1 and 2 are represented by the same reference numerals. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. 
     There is a configuration in which the cover portion  10  in Example 1 is displaceable between the closed position (refer to  FIG. 6A ) and the open position (refer to  FIG. 6B ) by sliding along the movement direction A with respect to the casing portion  32 . Meanwhile, the cover portion  12  in the example is fixed to the opening and closing portion  33  that configures a part of the casing portion  32 . Therefore, the cover portion  12  in the example is displace between the closed position and the open position accompanying rotation of the opening and closing portion  33  in the rotation direction D. 
     That is, the cover portion  12  in the example is configured to be displaced along with the opening and closing portion  33  that configures a part of the casing portion  32 . That is, the cover portion  12  is displaceable between the closed position and the open position by displacing along with the casing portion  32 . Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously execute displacement of the cover portion  12  and the casing portion  32 , and it is possible to simplify opening and closing work and simplify an opening and closing mechanism of the cover portion  12  and the casing portion  32  (opening and closing portion  33 ) (omission of configuring members such as the cover portion moving motor  30  and the like). 
     Note that,  FIG. 8  represents a state in which the cover portion  12  is displaced to the open position by displacing along with the casing portion  32 . 
     Examples 4 to 9 (FIGS.  9  to  14 ) 
     Next, the printing apparatus  1  according to Examples 4 to 9 of the invention will be described. 
       FIGS. 9 to 14  are schematic perspective views of the printing apparatus  1  in the example, and is a view which corresponds to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  (in particular  FIG. 6B ) in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 1. In detail,  FIG. 9  corresponds to the printing apparatus  1  in Example 4,  FIG. 10  corresponds to the printing apparatus  1  in Example 5,  FIG. 11  corresponds to the printing apparatus  1  in Example 6,  FIG. 12  corresponds to the printing apparatus  1  in Example 7,  FIG. 13  corresponds to the printing apparatus  1  in Example 8, and  FIG. 14  corresponds to the printing apparatus  1  in Example 9. 
     Here, in the printing apparatus  1  in the examples, the configuration of the cover portion and a configuration other than of the driving mechanism has the same configuration as the printing apparatus  1  in Example 1. However, the casing portion  32  in Examples 5 to 9 has a different partial shape from the casing portion  32  in Examples 1 to 4 (a part on the set position side is not chamfered), but the casing portion  32  may be such a shape. Note that, the configuring members that are the same as the configuring members in the printing apparatus  1  in Examples 1 to 3 are represented by the same reference numerals. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. 
     There is a configuration in which the cover portion  10  in Example 1 is displaceable between the closed portion (refer to  FIG. 6A ) and the open position (refer to  FIG. 6B ) by sliding along the movement direction A with respect to the casing portion  32 . Meanwhile, there is a configuration in which the cover portions  13  to  18  in Examples 4 to 9 are displaceable between the closed portion and the open position by rotating with respect to the casing portion  32 . 
     In this manner, there is a configuration in which the cover portions  13  to  18  in Examples 4 to 9 are displaceable between the closed portion and the open position by rotating, and by configuring in this manner, it is possible to appropriately displace the respective cover portions. 
     Note that, in the printing apparatus  1  in Examples 4 to 9, the cover portions are configured to able to be manually open and closed (displaceable between the closed position and the open position) by the user. Therefore, it is possible to omit the configuring members of the cover portion moving motor  30  and the like and the apparatus configuration is simplified. However, the cover portions are not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured to be displaceable automatically between the closed position and the open position in the manner of the printing apparatus  1  in Example 1. 
     Examples 4 to 9 will be individually described below in detail. 
     First, as represented in  FIG. 9 , in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 4, the cover portion  13  is connected to the opening and closing portion  33  of the casing portion  32  via the rotary shaft  31  that extends along the scanning direction B. Then, the cover portion  13  is configured to be displaceable between the closed position and the open position along the height direction C by the cover portion  13  rotating in a rotation direction E referencing the rotary shaft  31 . 
     In addition, as represented in  FIG. 10 , in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 5, the cover portion  14  (cover portions  14   a  and  14   b ) is connected to the casing portion  32  via the rotary shaft  40  (rotary shafts  40   a  and  40   b ) that extends along the height direction C. Then, the cover portion  14  is configured to be displaceable between the closed position and the open position along a direction that intersects with the height direction C by the cover portion  14  rotating in a rotation direction F referencing the rotary shaft  40 . 
     In addition, as represented in  FIG. 11 , in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 6, the cover portion  15   a  out of the cover portion  15  is connected to the casing portion  32  via the rotary shaft  36   a  out of the rotary shaft  36  that extends along the scanning direction B. In addition, the cover portion  15   b  out of the cover portion  15  is connected to the cover portion  15   a  via the rotary shaft  36   b  out of the rotary shaft  36  that extends along the scanning direction B. Then, the cover portion  15  is configured to be displaceable between the closed position and the open position in two stages along the height direction C by both cover portions  15  rotating in a rotation direction G referencing both rotary shafts  36 . 
     In addition, as represented in  FIG. 12 , in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 7, the cover portion  16  (cover portions  16   a  and  16   b ) is connected to the end portion of the medium transport portion  3  which configures the casing portion  32  via the rotary shaft  37  (rotary shafts  37   a  and  37   b ) that extends along the movement direction A. Then, the cover portion  16  is configured to be displaceable between the closed position and the open position along a direction that intersects with the movement direction A by the cover portion  16  rotating in a rotation direction H referencing the rotary shaft  37 . 
     In addition, as represented in  FIG. 13 , in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 8, the cover portion  17  is connected to the end portion of the medium transport portion  3  which configures the casing portion  32  via the rotary shaft  38  that extends along the movement direction A. Then, the cover portion  17  is configured to be displaceable between the closed position and the open position along a direction that intersects with the movement direction A by the cover portion  17  rotating in a rotation direction I referencing the rotary shaft  38 . 
     In addition, as represented in  FIG. 14 , in the printing apparatus  1  in Example 9, a double door type of door shape cover portion  18  (cover portions  18   a  and  18   b ) is connected to the casing portion  32  via the rotary shaft  39  (rotary shafts  39   a  and  39   b ) that extends along the height direction C. Then, the cover portion  18  is configured to be displaceable between the closed position and the open position along a direction that intersects with the height direction C by the cover portion  18  rotating in a rotation direction J referencing the rotary shaft  39 . Note that, the rotary shaft  39  is formed in a part that slightly protrudes to the set position side with respect to the casing portion  32 . 
     Note that, the invention is not limited to the examples described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims and can be said to be included in the scope of the invention. 
     For example, the cover portion may be displaceable between the closed position and the open position by being attached and detached from the printing apparatus. Even by configuring in this manner, it is possible to appropriately displace the cover portion. 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-005012, filed Jan. 14, 2016. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-005012 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.