Patent Description:
An ink jet printer as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a wiping mechanism that wipes an ink ejection surface of an ink ejecting head. In the ink jet printer disclosed in <CIT>, a wiper is referred to as a wiping member, and the wiping member is provided in a wiping unit. The wiping unit moves in a direction along the ink ejection surface of the ink ejecting head by obtaining power of a motor, and wipes the ink ejection surface of the ink ejecting head in a process of moving the wiping unit.

A cover is provided on a back surface of the ink jet printer, and the wiping member can be accessed by opening the cover. The wiping member is fixed to the wiping unit using screws, and the wiping member can be taken out of the liquid ejecting apparatus by removing the screws.

In a configuration in which the wiping member moves in the direction along the ink ejection surface of the ink ejecting head as described above, it is also required to secure a moving region of the wiping member outside an ink ejection region, and therefore, a size of the liquid ejecting apparatus is likely to increase in the moving direction of the wiping member.

<CIT> discloses a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a line head which ejects liquid from a plurality of nozzles with respect to a medium, a wiping member that is able to wipe a nozzle forming surface on which the nozzles are formed, and an electronic mounting member that governs an electronic control. The wiping member is attachable and detachable with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the electronic mounting member is disposed at a location which is different from below an attachment/detachment path when the wiping member is attached and detached.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail.

An ink jet printer <NUM> that ejects a liquid represented by ink and performs recording on a medium represented by recording paper will be described by way of example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. Hereinafter, the ink jet printer <NUM> is simply referred to as a printer <NUM>.

In each drawing, an X-Y-Z coordinate system is an orthogonal coordinate system, in which a Y-axis direction represents a width direction intersecting a transport direction of a medium, an apparatus depth direction, and a moving direction of a wiper portion <NUM> to be described later. In the Y-axis direction, a +Y direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow in the Y-axis direction, represents a direction from the front of the apparatus toward the back of the apparatus, and a -Y direction opposite to the +Y direction represents a direction from the back of the apparatus toward the front of the apparatus.

An X-axis direction represents an apparatus width direction, in which a +X direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow, represents the left side, and a -X direction opposite to the +X direction represents the right side, when viewed from an operator of the printer <NUM>. A Z-axis direction represents a vertical direction, that is, an apparatus height direction, in which a +Z direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow, represents an upward direction, and a -Z direction opposite to the +Z direction represents a downward direction. Hereinafter, when used herein, a term "upper" means the +Z direction, and a term "lower" means the -Z direction.

A G-axis direction represents a normal direction with respect to an ink ejection surface <NUM> of a line head <NUM> which will be described later, in which a +G direction, which is a direction to a home position and a wiping region where the liquid ejection surface is wiped, and when the wiper portion is located at the home position, the at least part of the electric portion overlaps at least part of the wiper portion in the moving direction of the wiper portion, the at least part of the power supply portion overlaps the at least part of the wiper portion in the moving direction of the wiper portion, or the at least part of the electric portion and the at least part of the power supply portion overlap the at least part of the wiper portion in the moving direction of the wiper portion.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, the moving direction of the wiper portion is an apparatus depth direction.

According to the aspect, since the moving direction of the wiper portion is the apparatus depth direction, the dimension of the apparatus in the apparatus depth direction can be suppressed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, a back cover forming a back surface of the apparatus is configured to be attached to/detached from or opened/closed with respect to an apparatus main body, and the electric portion and the power supply portion are exposed by removing or opening the back cover.

According to the aspect, since the back cover forming the back surface of the apparatus is configured to be attached to/detached from or opened/closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and the electric portion and the power supply portion are exposed by removing or opening the back cover, maintainability of the electric portion and the power supply portion is improved.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, the electric portion and the power supply portion are configured to be opened/closed with respect to the apparatus main body.

According to the aspect, since the electric portion and the power supply portion are configured to be opened/closed with respect to the apparatus main body, a storage space for the electric portion or the power supply portion is not required during a maintenance operation in comparison to a configuration in which the electric portion or the power supply portion is removed, such that an operation efficiency for the maintenance is improved.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a transport belt transporting the medium and provided at a position facing the liquid ejecting head, and a high-voltage portion handling a higher voltage than the electric portion, the high-voltage portion being a part for controlling charging of the transport belt, in which at least part of the high-voltage portion overlaps the part of the wiping mechanism in the moving direction of the wiper portion.

According to the aspect, since at least part of the high-voltage portion overlaps the part of the wiping mechanism in the moving direction of the wiper portion, the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, the electric portion includes a communication portion for communicating with an external device.

According to the aspect, an effect in any one of the previous aspects can be obtained from a configuration in which the electric portion includes the communication portion for communicating with the external device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a wiper drive motor as a power source for moving the wiper portion, in which when viewed from the moving direction of the wiper portion, a cutout portion is formed in the electric portion, and the wiper drive motor is disposed on the cutout portion.

According to the aspect, since when viewed from the moving direction of the wiper portion, the cutout portion is formed in the electric portion, and the wiper drive motor is disposed on the cutout portion, an increase in size of the apparatus in accordance with installation of the wiper drive motor can be suppressed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a transport unit transporting the medium, and a waste liquid collecting portion collecting a waste liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head.

According to the aspect, an effect in any one of the first to eighth aspects can be obtained from a configuration including the transport unit transporting the medium and the waste liquid collecting portion collecting the waste liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, at least part of the transport unit overlaps at least part of the waste liquid collecting portion in the moving direction of the wiper portion.

According to the aspect, since at least part of the transport unit overlaps at least part of the waste liquid collecting portion in the moving direction of the wiper portion, the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, in the aspects corresponding to claim <NUM> or <NUM>, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a mounting portion on which a liquid container for accommodating the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is configured to be mounted, in which an entirety of the mounting portion and an entirety of the waste liquid collecting portion are within an area of the transport unit in the moving direction of the wiper portion.

According to the aspect, since the entirety of the mounting portion and the entirety of the waste liquid collecting portion are within the area of the transport unit in the moving direction of the wiper portion, the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, in the aspects corresponding to claim <NUM> or <NUM>, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a liquid supply unit supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting head, in which the liquid supply unit includes a mounting portion on which a liquid container for accommodating the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is configured to be mounted, and a liquid storing portion storing the liquid supplied from the liquid container, the liquid storing portion being a part located between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting head in a flow channel of the liquid, at least part of the liquid supply unit and at least part of the waste liquid collecting portion overlap at least part of the transport unit in the moving direction of the wiper portion, and the liquid supply unit and the waste liquid collecting portion are arranged along the moving direction of the wiper portion.

According to the aspect, since at least part of the liquid supply unit and at least part of the waste liquid collecting portion overlap at least part of the transport unit in the moving direction of the wiper portion, the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

In addition, since the liquid supply unit and the waste liquid collecting portion are arranged along the moving direction of the wiper portion, the dimension of the apparatus in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the wiper portion can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim <NUM>, in any of the aspects corresponding to claims <NUM> to <NUM>, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a pair of frames supporting the transport unit and disposed to face each other in the moving direction of the wiper portion with the transport unit interposed between the pair of frames, in which an entirety of the waste liquid collecting portion is provided inside the pair of frames.

According to the aspect, since the entirety of the waste liquid collecting portion is provided inside the pair of frames, it is not necessary to provide a hole passing through the waste liquid collecting portion in the pair of frames, such that deterioration in rigidity of the pair of frames can be prevented.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim14, in any of the aspects corresponding to claims <NUM> to <NUM>, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a transport unit transporting the medium, and a liquid supply unit supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting head, in which the liquid supply unit includes a mounting portion on which a liquid container for accommodating the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is configured to be mounted, and a liquid storing portion storing the liquid supplied from the liquid container, the liquid storing portion being a part located between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting head in a flow channel of the liquid, and at least part of the transport unit overlaps at least part of the liquid supply unit in the moving direction of the wiper portion.

According to the aspect, since at least part of the transport unit overlaps at least part of the liquid supply unit in the moving direction of the wiper portion, the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

A G-axis direction represents a normal direction with respect to an ink ejection surface <NUM> of a line head <NUM> which will be described later, in which a +G direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow, represents a direction in which a head unit <NUM> (described later) is separated from a transport belt <NUM>, and a -G direction opposite to the +G direction represents a direction in which the head unit <NUM> approaches the transport belt <NUM>.

An F-axis direction, which is a direction in parallel to the ink ejection surface <NUM>, represents a medium transport direction at a position facing the ink ejection surface <NUM>, in which a +F direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow, represents a downstream of the transport direction, and a -F direction opposite to the +F direction represents an upstream of the transport direction. Hereinafter, a direction in which the medium is sent may be referred to as a "downstream", and a direction opposite to the direction in which the medium P is sent may be referred to as an "upstream". The F-axis direction represents a moving direction of a cap carriage <NUM> to be described later.

In some of the drawing, an F-G-Y coordinate system is used instead of the X-Y-Z coordinate system.

In <FIG>, a medium transport path is indicated by a broken line. A medium in the printer <NUM> is transported through the medium transport path indicated by the broken line.

An apparatus main body <NUM> of the printer <NUM> includes a first medium cassette <NUM> and a second medium cassette <NUM> for accommodating the medium before feeding. Reference symbol P represents a medium accommodated in each medium cassette. The first medium cassette <NUM> and the second medium cassette <NUM> are provided on the apparatus main body <NUM> so as to be attachable to/detachable from an apparatus front side.

The first medium cassette <NUM> is provided with a pick roller <NUM> for sending out the accommodated medium, and the second medium cassette <NUM> is provided with a pick roller <NUM> for sending out the accommodated medium.

The first medium cassette <NUM> is provided with a pair of feeding rollers <NUM> for feeding the sent-out medium in an obliquely upward direction. The second medium cassette <NUM> is provided with a pair of feeding rollers <NUM> for feeding the sent-out medium in the obliquely upward direction, and a pair of transport rollers <NUM> for transporting the medium in an upward direction.

The term "pair of rollers" herein refers to a pair of rollers including a drive roller that is driven by a motor (not illustrated) and a driven roller that is driven to rotate in contact with the drive roller, unless otherwise described.

The medium sent out from each medium cassette is sent to a pair of transport rollers <NUM> by a pair of transport rollers <NUM> and a pair of transport rollers <NUM>. The medium receiving a sending force from the pair of the transport rollers <NUM> is sent to a position between the line head <NUM> and the transport belt <NUM>, that is, a position facing the line head <NUM>.

The line head <NUM> ejects ink to a surface of the medium and performs recording. The line head <NUM> is an ink ejecting head that is configured such that nozzles (not illustrated) ejecting the ink cover the entire region in a medium width direction, and is configured as an ink ejecting head capable of performing recording on the entire width of the medium without moving in the medium width direction. The line head <NUM> is an example of a liquid ejecting head ejecting the liquid.

Reference numeral <NUM> represents an ink accommodating portion accommodating the ink. The ink ejected from the line head <NUM> is supplied from the ink accommodating portion <NUM> to the line head <NUM> through a tube (not illustrated). The ink accommodating portion <NUM> includes a plurality of ink tanks disposed in the X-axis direction.

The transport belt <NUM> and pulleys 8a and 8b constitute a belt unit <NUM>. The transport belt <NUM> is an endless belt that is wound around the pulley 8a and the pulley 8b disposed in the medium transport direction. The transport belt <NUM> rotates by driving at least one of the pulley 8a and the pulley 8b by a motor (not illustrated).

The medium is transported to a position facing the line head <NUM> while clinging to a surface of the transport belt <NUM>.

The transport belt <NUM> is an endless belt formed of a conductive material that is contained in a base material, such as urethane or rubber, and is applied with a predetermined tension by a tensioner (not illustrated).

A charging roller (not illustrated) is provided at a position facing the pulley 8a with the transport belt <NUM> interposed between the pulley 8a and the charging roller. The charging roller is in contact with an outer surface of the transport belt <NUM>, and is driven to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the transport belt <NUM>. A direct current is applied from a high-voltage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) to the charging roller, and accordingly, the charging roller supplies a charge to a part in contact with the transport belt <NUM>. For example, the charging roller supplies a positive charge to the transport belt <NUM>, and allows the outer surface of the transport belt <NUM> to be charged to positive polarity. As a result, the outer surface of the transport belt <NUM> becomes an attraction surface to which the medium clings.

The medium transport path passing through the position facing the line head <NUM> intersects both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and transports the medium in the obliquely upward direction. The obliquely upward transport direction represents a direction including a -X direction component and a +Z direction component in <FIG>, and with such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a dimension of the printer <NUM> in the horizontal direction.

In the present embodiment, the medium transport path passing through the position facing the line head <NUM> is set to have an inclination angle within a range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°, and more specifically, an inclination angle of <NUM>°.

The medium with a first surface on which recoding is performed by the line head <NUM> is sent in a more obliquely upward direction by a pair of transport rollers <NUM> located on a downstream of the transport belt <NUM>.

A flap <NUM> is provided on a downstream of the pair of transport rollers <NUM>, and the medium transport direction is changed by the flap <NUM>. When discharging the medium as it is, the medium transport direction is changed toward an upper side of a pair of transport rollers <NUM> by the flap <NUM>. A flap <NUM> is further provided on a downstream of the pair of transport rollers <NUM>, the transport path is changed by the flap <NUM> to either a path to discharge the medium from a discharge position A1 or a path to transport the medium to a pair of transport rollers <NUM> located further vertically upward. When the medium is sent to the pair of transport rollers <NUM>, the medium is discharged from a discharge position A2.

The medium discharged from the discharge position A1 is received by a discharge tray <NUM> that is inclined in an obliquely upward direction including the +X direction component and the +Z direction component. The medium discharged from the discharge position A2 is received by an option tray (not illustrated).

When a second surface is further recorded in addition to the first surface of the medium, the medium is sent in the obliquely upward direction including a -X direction component and the +Z direction component by the flap <NUM>, passes through a branching position K1, and is sent to a switch back path above the branching position K1. A pair of transport rollers <NUM> is provided in the switch back path. The medium entering the switch back path is transported in an upward direction by the pair of transport rollers <NUM>, a rear end of the medium passes through the branching position K1, and then a rotating direction of the pair of transport rollers <NUM> is changed, and the medium is thus transported in a downward direction.

The medium transported in the downward direction by the pair of transport rollers <NUM> arrives at the pair of transport rollers <NUM> by receiving the sending force from a pair of transport rollers <NUM>, a pair of transport rollers <NUM>, and the pair of transport rollers <NUM>, and the medium is sent to a position facing the line head <NUM> again by the pair of transport rollers <NUM>.

In the medium sent to the position facing the line head <NUM> again, the second surface opposite to the first surface on which the recording has been already performed faces the line head <NUM>. As a result, the second surface of the medium can be recorded by the line head <NUM>. The medium with the second surface on which recording is performed is discharged from the discharge position A1 or the discharge position A2 described above.

Next, relationships between the head unit <NUM>, the cap carriage <NUM>, and the wiper portion <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The head unit <NUM> is a unit including the line head <NUM>, and is provided to be driven along the G-axis direction by a head lifting motor <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The cap carriage <NUM>, which is an example of a cap unit including a cap <NUM> covering the line head <NUM>, is provided to be driven along the F-axis direction by a motor (not illustrated).

The wiper portion <NUM> is a unit on which a wiper <NUM> wiping the ink ejection surface <NUM> of the line head <NUM> is provided, and is provided to be movable in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction along the ink ejection surface <NUM>. The wiper portion <NUM> is provided to be driven along the Y-axis direction by a wiper drive motor <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The wiper portion <NUM> is located at a home position except during wiping, by setting a position of an end in a movement region in the +Y direction as the home position.

The wiper <NUM> is formed of an elastic material, such as rubber or elastomer, such that the wiper <NUM> can be pressed against the ink ejection surface <NUM> due to elasticity.

As described above, the head unit <NUM>, the cap carriage <NUM>, and the wiper portion <NUM> are provided to be driven by each motor in directions orthogonal to each other.

<FIG> illustrates a position of each unit when the line head <NUM> performs recording on the medium. A position G1 is a position of the ink ejection surface <NUM> in the G-axis direction in a state where the line head <NUM> performs recording on the medium. In this state, the cap carriage <NUM> is at a position where the cap carriage <NUM> is retracted from the head unit <NUM> in the -F direction, and the wiper portion <NUM> is located at the home position set in the +Y direction.

When the cap <NUM> of the cap carriage <NUM> caps the ink ejection surface <NUM> from this state, the head unit <NUM> moves in the +G direction from the position in <FIG>, and the cap carriage <NUM> moves in the +F direction. As a result, the ink ejection surface <NUM> and the cap <NUM> face each other. Once the ink ejection surface <NUM> and the cap <NUM> face each other, the head unit <NUM> moves in the -G direction, and thus the cap <NUM> caps the ink ejection surface <NUM>. A position G2 is a position of the ink ejection surface <NUM> in the G-axis direction when the cap <NUM> caps the ink ejection surface <NUM>.

When the wiper <NUM> of the wiper portion <NUM> wipes the ink ejection surface <NUM>, the head unit <NUM> moves in the +G direction from the state in <FIG>. Then, the wiper portion <NUM> moves from the home position in the +Y direction to the position of the end in the -Y direction. Thereafter, the head unit <NUM> moves slightly in the -G direction, and the wiper portion <NUM> moves toward the +Y direction in a state where the ink ejection surface <NUM> is located at a position G3, the wiper <NUM> thus wipes the ink ejection surface <NUM>.

A coupling unit <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) is disposed at the home position of the wiper portion <NUM>. The coupling unit <NUM> constitutes a wiping mechanism <NUM> together with the wiper portion <NUM>. The apparatus main body <NUM> includes a moving unit (not illustrated) for moving the wiper portion <NUM> along the Y-axis direction. The moving unit (not illustrated) is composed of, for example, a guide rail.

The coupling unit <NUM> is provided in a fixed state different from the wiper portion <NUM>. A suction needle (not illustrated) is provided on the coupling unit <NUM>, and when the wiper portion <NUM> moves to the home position, the suction needle enters a suction hole (not illustrated) on a side of the wiper portion <NUM>. A storage portion (not illustrated) storing the ink is provided in the wiper portion <NUM>. The suction needle communicates with a pump (not illustrated). Therefore, when the wiper portion <NUM> moves to the home position, the pump can suck and collect the ink accumulated inside the wiper portion <NUM>.

Next, an electric system provided on a back side of the apparatus will be described with reference to <FIG> and the drawings thereafter.

A back cover 25A is provided on a back surface, which is one side, of the apparatus main body <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and a back cover 25B is provided on a lower side of the back cover 25A.

Further, a side cover 26A is provided on a side, which is one side of the apparatus main body <NUM>, in the +X direction, and a side cover 26B is provided on a lower side of the side cover 26A.

The back covers 25A and 25B and the side covers 26A and 26B are parts of a housing constituting an outer shell of the apparatus main body <NUM>. Reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG> represents a scanner unit provided on an upper portion of the apparatus main body <NUM>, and reference numeral <NUM> represents an operation panel provided on a front upper portion of the apparatus main body <NUM>.

The back covers 25A and 25B and the side covers 26A and 26B are fixed to the apparatus main body <NUM> with screws (not illustrated), and the back covers 25A and 25B and the side covers 26A and 26B can be removed from the apparatus main body <NUM> by removing the screws. That is, the back covers 25A and 25B and the side covers 26A and 26B are provided so as to be attachable to/detachable from the apparatus main body <NUM>.

A recess 2b is formed on a lower portion of the back surface of the apparatus main body <NUM>. An inlet 61a is provided in the recess 2b, and a power supply cable (not illustrated) is coupled to the inlet 61a. The inlet 61a is provided in a box-shaped inlet unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Next, <FIG> illustrates a state where the back covers 25A and 25B and the side covers 26A and 26B are removed. When the back cover 25A is removed, the electric unit <NUM> as a part related to control of the apparatus, the coupling unit <NUM> constituting the wiping mechanism <NUM>, the wiper drive motor <NUM>, and the head lifting motor <NUM> are exposed. In addition, when the back cover 25B is removed, a power supply unit <NUM>, a high-voltage unit <NUM>, and a main body coupling portion <NUM> are exposed.

The electric unit <NUM> is an example of the electric portion including the substrate, as a part related to control of the apparatus. The power supply unit <NUM> is an example of the power supply portion as a power supply source of the apparatus. The high-voltage unit <NUM> is an example of a high-voltage portion handling a high voltage, as a part for controlling charging of the transport belt <NUM>.

The electric unit <NUM> has an outer shell formed by a metal case, and includes a main substrate <NUM> and a sub-substrate <NUM> formed therein as illustrated in <FIG>.

The power supply unit <NUM> has an outer shell formed by a metal case, and includes a power supply substrate <NUM> formed therein as illustrated in <FIG>.

The high-voltage unit <NUM> has an outer shell formed by a metal case, and includes a high-voltage substrate <NUM> formed therein as illustrated in <FIG>. In all the substrates described above, substrate surfaces thereof are provided in parallel to the back covers 25A and 25b, that is, in parallel to the X-Z plane. In other words, all the substrates are orthogonal to the Y-axis direction which is the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>. However, each substrate is not necessarily orthogonal to the Y-axis direction, and may intersect the Y-axis direction.

Each substrate described above is located at a center position of each unit in the Y-axis direction or located in the -Y direction from the center position.

The main substrate <NUM> of the electric unit <NUM> includes a microcontroller or memory (not illustrated), and controls entire printer <NUM>. The sub-substrate <NUM> of the electric unit <NUM> includes a line circuit or the like for driving each motor, and is electrically coupled to the main substrate <NUM> by a coupling section (not illustrated).

In addition, the electric unit <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) including various modules for facsimile communication or communication with an external network. The communication unit <NUM> is electrically coupled to the main substrate <NUM> by the coupling section (not illustrated).

The power supply substrate <NUM> of the power supply unit <NUM> includes an electric component (not illustrated) adjusting a voltage of power supplied to each constituting parts of the printer <NUM> or a heat sink (not illustrated) promoting heat dissipation.

Further, the high-voltage substrate <NUM> of the high-voltage unit <NUM> includes an electric component for controlling charging of the transport belt <NUM>.

The main body coupling portion <NUM> exposed due to removal of the back cover 25B is a part for electrically coupling to a unit coupling portion 37a that is provided on an extension unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The extension unit <NUM> is attachable to/detachable from the lower portion of the apparatus main body <NUM>, and includes a medium cassette (not illustrated) and a feeding mechanism for sending out the medium from the medium cassette.

The main body coupling portion <NUM> is disposed in a space provided on a left side of the inlet unit <NUM> in a front view as viewed from the back side of the apparatus. As a result, by removing the back cover 25B, it is possible to perform maintenance such as exchange of the main body coupling portion <NUM> without removing other parts.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the electric unit <NUM> is rotatably provided on the apparatus main body <NUM> through hinge portions <NUM> and <NUM>, and opened/closed by the rotation. In the present embodiment, two hinge portions <NUM> and <NUM> are provided in an end of the back surface of the apparatus in the +X direction at an interval in the Z-axis direction. A center of a rotation axis of the electric unit <NUM> is in parallel to the Z-axis direction by the hinge portions <NUM> and <NUM>. When the electric unit <NUM> is opened from a closed state, the electric unit <NUM> is opened in a right direction, when viewed from a user located to face the back surface of the apparatus as illustrated by a change from <FIG>.

The closed state of the electric unit <NUM> is held by the screws (not illustrated).

The center of the rotation axis of the electric unit <NUM> is not limited to being in parallel to the Z-axis direction, and may be, for example, in parallel to the X-axis direction. Further, the electric unit <NUM> may be provided so as to be attachable to/detachable from the apparatus main body <NUM> instead of being provided so as to be openable/closable with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM>.

A support frame <NUM> is provided on a lower portion of the electric unit <NUM>. The support frame <NUM> is rotatably provided through a hinge portion <NUM> that is provided on an end of the apparatus main body <NUM> in the +X direction, and opened/closed by the rotation.

An upper portion of the power supply unit <NUM> is coupled to the support frame <NUM>. The hinge portion <NUM> is provided on the end of the apparatus main body <NUM> in the +X direction, and the power supply unit <NUM> is coupled to the hinge portion <NUM>. When the power supply unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> are integrated with each other to rotate through the hinge portions <NUM> and <NUM>, and opened from the closed state, the power supply unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> are opened in the right direction when viewed from a user located to face the back surface of the apparatus as illustrated by a change from <FIG>. A center of a rotation axis of the power supply unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> is in parallel to the Z-axis direction by the hinge portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The closed state of the power supply unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> are held by the screws (not illustrated).

The center of the rotation axis of the power supply unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> is not limited to being in parallel to the Z-axis direction, and may be, for example, in parallel to the X-axis direction. Further, the power supply unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> may be provided so as to be attachable to/detachable from the apparatus main body <NUM>, instead of being provided so as to be openable/closable with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM>.

Further, the power supply unit <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> may not be coupled to each other.

The high-voltage unit <NUM> is attached to the apparatus main body <NUM> with the screws (not illustrated). However, the high-voltage unit <NUM> may be rotatably provided on the apparatus main body <NUM> in the same manner as the electric unit <NUM> or the power supply unit <NUM>. The center of the rotation axis in this case may be in parallel to the Z-axis direction in the same manner as the electric unit <NUM>, or in parallel to the X-axis direction. When the high-voltage unit <NUM> is rotatably provided on the apparatus main body <NUM>, a configuration that the center of the rotation axis is in parallel to the Z-axis direction and the high-voltage unit <NUM> is opened in a left direction when viewed from the user located to face the back surface of the apparatus is considered.

The electric unit <NUM> is formed in a shape in which a right lower edge is cut out in a front view as viewed from the back side of the apparatus as illustrated in <FIG>, and a portion thereof is hereinafter referred to as a cutout portion 50a. As illustrated in <FIG>, the wiping mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the cutout portion 50a. In addition, at least part of the wiper drive motor <NUM> and at least part of the head lifting motor <NUM> are disposed on the cutout portion 50a. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the apparatus in accordance with installation of the wiper drive motor <NUM> and the head lifting motor <NUM>.

By removing the back cover 25A, the wiping mechanism <NUM>, the wiper drive motor <NUM>, and the head lifting motor <NUM> are exposed. As a result, the back cover 25A is removed, such that it is possible to perform an exchange operation of the wiper drive motor <NUM> or head lifting motor <NUM> without removing other parts.

The coupling unit <NUM> is first exposed from the wiping mechanism <NUM> by removing the back cover 25A. The coupling unit <NUM> can be removed from the apparatus main body <NUM> by removing the screws (not illustrated). The wiper portion <NUM> is exposed by removing the coupling unit <NUM>. The wiper portion <NUM> can be removed from the apparatus main body <NUM> by removing the screws (not illustrated). As a result, it is possible to exchange the wiper <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the coupling unit <NUM> can be removed and then the wiper portion <NUM> can be removed, while the electric unit <NUM> and the power supply unit <NUM> are closed. However, for example, by opening the electric unit <NUM>, the coupling unit <NUM> or the wiper portion <NUM> can be removed.

Next, a configuration for suppressing the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> will be mainly described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. In <FIG>, the electric unit <NUM> is indicated by a solid line, and the power supply unit <NUM> is indicated by an alternate long and two short dashes line. In addition, the wiper portion <NUM> and the coupling unit <NUM>, that is, the wiping mechanism <NUM> are indicated by an alternate long and short dash line. In addition, the high-voltage unit <NUM> is indicated by a broken line.

As illustrated in <FIG>, part of the electric unit <NUM> overlaps part of the power supply unit <NUM> in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>. The part of the electric unit <NUM> and the part of the power supply unit <NUM> overlap part of the wiping mechanism <NUM>. As a result, the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, since the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> is the Y-axis direction, that is, the apparatus depth direction, the dimension in the apparatus depth direction can be suppressed.

More specifically, an area La illustrated in <FIG> represents an area occupied by the wiping mechanism <NUM> in the Y-axis direction. The area La includes an area occupied by the wiper portion <NUM> (an area Lb) in accordance with the movement of the wiper portion <NUM>. In other words, the area Lb corresponds to the movement region of the wiper portion <NUM>. Further, an area Lc is an area occupied by the wiper portion <NUM> in the Y-axis direction when the wiper portion <NUM> is located at the home position. Further, an area Ld is an area occupied by the coupling unit <NUM> constituting the wiping mechanism <NUM> in the Y-axis direction.

Further, an area Le represents an area occupied by the electric unit <NUM> in the Y-axis direction, and an area Lf represents an area occupied by the power supply unit <NUM> in the Y-axis direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, part of the area Le overlaps part of the area Lf. That is, the part of the electric unit <NUM> overlaps the part of the power supply unit <NUM> in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>.

The part of the area Le and the part of the area Lf overlap part of the area La. That is, the part of the electric unit <NUM> and the part of the power supply unit <NUM> overlap part of the wiping mechanism <NUM>. An area in which three of the wiping mechanism <NUM>, the electric unit <NUM>, and the power supply unit <NUM> overlap each other in the Y-axis direction is indicated by reference symbol M1.

In the present embodiment, the part of the electric unit <NUM> overlaps the part of the power supply unit <NUM> in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>. However, at least part of the electric unit <NUM> may overlap at least part of the power supply unit <NUM>.

For example, the part of the electric unit <NUM> may overlap the entirety of the power supply unit <NUM>, or the entirety of the electric unit <NUM> may overlap at least part of the power supply unit <NUM>.

Alternatively, when a dimension of the electric unit <NUM> is the same as a dimension of the power supply unit <NUM> in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>, the entirety of the electric unit <NUM> may overlap the entirety of the power supply unit <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the part of the electric unit <NUM> and the part of the power supply unit <NUM> overlap the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM> in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>. According to the invention, at least part of the electric unit <NUM> and at least part of the power supply unit <NUM> may overlap the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM> in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>.

For example, the entirety of the electric unit <NUM> and the part of the power supply unit <NUM> may overlap the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM>.

Alternatively, the part of the electric unit <NUM> and the entirety of the power supply unit <NUM> may overlap the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM>.

Alternatively, the entirety of the electric unit <NUM> and the entirety of the power supply unit <NUM> may overlap the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM>.

The wiper portion <NUM> can move to the end in the +Y direction, that is, the home position, which is a position where the wiper portion <NUM> is coupled to the coupling unit <NUM>, and to a wiping region where the ink ejection surface <NUM> is wiped. The wiping region corresponds to an area of the line head <NUM> occupied in the Y-axis direction, and is represented by reference symbol Lg in <FIG>.

In the present embodiment, when the wiper portion <NUM> is located at the home position, the part of the electric unit <NUM> and the part of the power supply unit <NUM> overlap part of the wiper portion <NUM>. When the wiper portion <NUM> is located at the home position, an area where the part of the electric unit <NUM> and the part of the power supply unit <NUM> overlap the part of the wiper portion <NUM> is represented by reference symbol M2.

However, not limited to this, when the wiper portion <NUM> is located at the home position, at least part of the electric unit <NUM> may overlap at least part of the wiper portion <NUM>. In this case, the expression "at least part" may mean either "part" or "entirety".

Alternatively, when the wiper portion <NUM> is located at the home position, at least part of the power supply unit <NUM> may overlap at least part of the wiper portion <NUM>. Also in this case, the expression "at least part" may mean either "part" or "entirety".

Alternatively, when the wiper portion <NUM> is located at the home position, at least part of the electric unit <NUM> and at least part of the power supply unit <NUM> may overlap at least part of the wiper portion <NUM>. Also in this case, the expression "at least part" may mean either "part" or "entirety".

The back covers 25A and 25B forming the back surface of the apparatus can be provided so as to be attachable to/detachable from the apparatus main body <NUM>, and the electric unit <NUM> and the power supply unit <NUM> are exposed by removing or opening the back covers 25A and 25B. As a result, the maintainability of the electric unit <NUM> and the power supply unit <NUM> is improved.

The back covers 25A and 25B may be provided so as to be openable/closable with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, since the electric unit <NUM> and the power supply unit <NUM> are provided so as to be openable/closable with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM>, a storage space for the electric unit <NUM> or the power supply unit <NUM> is not required during a maintenance operation in comparison to a configuration in which the electric unit <NUM> or the power supply unit <NUM> is removed, such that an operation efficiency for the maintenance is improved.

In the present embodiment, part of the high-voltage unit <NUM> overlaps the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM> in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, an area where the part of the high-voltage unit <NUM> and the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM> overlap each other in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> is represented by area M3 in <FIG>.

As a result, the dimension of the apparatus in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> can be suppressed in accordance with the disposition of the high-voltage unit <NUM>, and in the present embodiment, a dimension in the apparatus depth direction can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the part of the high-voltage unit <NUM> and the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM> overlap each other in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>. However, the entirety of the high-voltage unit <NUM> and the part of the wiping mechanism <NUM> may overlap each other in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM>.

Next, a configuration of a printer 1A according to another embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The same components as those already described in <FIG> are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. Although the components such as the electric unit <NUM> or power supply unit <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> are not illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the present embodiment also has components described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, and dispositions thereof are also the same as those in <FIG> and <FIG>. However, the components described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> are not necessarily essential in the present embodiment.

Reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG> represents a transport unit. The transport unit <NUM> is a unit including the head unit <NUM>, the belt unit <NUM>, and the cap carriage <NUM>, and is attachable to/detachable from a front frame <NUM> and a rear frame <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) constituting a base body of the apparatus main body <NUM>.

The front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> are a pair of frames, form a frame surface in parallel to the X-Z plane, and are disposed to face each other with the transport unit <NUM> interposed therebetween in the moving direction (Y-axis direction) of the wiper portion <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, an ink supply unit <NUM>, a maintenance box <NUM>, and a maintenance unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) are disposed in the +X direction with respect to the transport unit <NUM>.

The ink supply unit <NUM> includes an ink accommodating portion <NUM> accommodating the ink, a mounting portion <NUM> on which the ink accommodating portion <NUM> can be mounted, and a reservoir tank <NUM> storing the ink supplied from the ink accommodating portion <NUM>, as a part located between the ink accommodating portion <NUM> and the line head <NUM> in an ink flow channel. The reservoir tank <NUM> is an example of a liquid storing portion. The ink accommodating portion <NUM> includes a plurality of ink cartridges as represented by reference symbols 74a, 74b, 74c, and 74d, respectively. Each ink cartridge is an example of a liquid container. The mounting portion <NUM> and the reservoir tank <NUM> are provided to correspond to each of the plurality of ink cartridges. Each ink cartridge can be attached to/detached from the apparatus front side (-Y direction).

The ink stored in the reservoir tank <NUM> is supplied to the line head <NUM> through an ink tube <NUM>. The ink tube <NUM> is also provided to correspond to each of the plurality of ink cartridges. As such, the ink supply unit <NUM> is provided adjacent to the transport unit <NUM>, such that it is possible to shorten a length of the ink tube <NUM>.

The maintenance box <NUM> is provided below the ink supply unit <NUM>. The maintenance box <NUM> is coupled to the cap carriage <NUM> by an ink tube (not illustrated), and the ink (waste ink) ejected from the line head <NUM> to the cap carriage <NUM> is sent to the maintenance box <NUM> and stored. In addition, distilled water is stored in the maintenance box <NUM>, and the distilled water is sent to the cap carriage <NUM> for moisturizing at a necessary timing.

The maintenance box <NUM> can be attached to/detached from the apparatus front side (-Y direction).

The ink accommodating portion <NUM> and the maintenance box <NUM> protrude to the apparatus front side (-Y direction) from the mounting portion <NUM> and the reservoir tank <NUM>. As a result, an attachment/detachment operation of each ink cartridge constituting the ink accommodating portion <NUM> and the maintenance box <NUM> can be facilitated.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the maintenance unit <NUM> is disposed in the +Y direction with respect to the ink supply unit <NUM>, that is, on an apparatus rear side. The maintenance unit <NUM> includes a pump (not illustrated) which is a part where the ink (waste ink) ejected from the line head <NUM> to the cap carriage <NUM> is collected and sent to the maintenance box <NUM>, or a part where the distilled water is sent from the maintenance box <NUM> to the cap carriage <NUM>. The maintenance unit <NUM> is an example of a waste liquid collecting portion.

The maintenance unit <NUM> can be accessed by opening the opening/closing cover (not illustrated) provided on a side of the apparatus main body <NUM> in the +X direction. As a result, even when the side of the apparatus main body <NUM> in the +Y direction is installed close to a wall, the maintenance unit <NUM> can be easily accessed.

In the above configuration, as illustrated in <FIG>, part of the transport unit <NUM> and the entirety of the maintenance unit <NUM> overlap each other in the moving direction (Y-axis direction) of the wiper portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, an area Da represents an area occupied by the transport unit <NUM> in the Y-axis direction, and an area Db represents an area occupied by the maintenance unit <NUM> in the Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the entire area Db belongs to the area Da. As a result, the dimension of the apparatus in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

At least part of the transport unit <NUM> and at least part of the maintenance unit <NUM> may overlap each other, and in this case, the expression "at least part" may mean either "part" or "entirety".

An area Dd illustrated in <FIG> represents an area occupied by the mounting portion <NUM> in the Y-axis direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the entirety of the mounting portion <NUM> and the entirety of the maintenance unit <NUM> are within the area of the transport unit <NUM> in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the dimension of the apparatus in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

An area Dc illustrated in <FIG> represents an area occupied by the ink supply unit <NUM> in the Y-axis direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, part of the ink supply unit <NUM> and the entirety of the maintenance unit <NUM> overlap the part of the transport unit <NUM> in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the dimension of the apparatus in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

Since the ink supply unit <NUM> and the maintenance unit <NUM> are arranged along the Y-axis direction (see also <FIG>), the dimension of the apparatus in the X-axis direction, which is a direction intersecting the Y-axis direction, can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

At least part of the ink supply unit <NUM> and at least part of the maintenance unit <NUM> may overlap at least part of the transport unit <NUM>, and in this case, the expression "at least part" may mean either "part" or "entirety".

The apparatus main body <NUM> includes the front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM> for supporting the transport unit <NUM>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the entirety of the maintenance unit <NUM> is provided inside the front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM>. As a result, it is not necessarily to provide a hole passing through the maintenance unit <NUM> in the front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM>, particularly, the rear frame <NUM>, such that deterioration in rigidity of the front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM> can be prevented.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the part of the transport unit <NUM> and the part of the ink supply unit <NUM> overlap each other in X-axis direction. As a result, the dimension of the apparatus in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the moving direction of the wiper portion <NUM> can be suppressed, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

At least part of the transport unit <NUM> and at least part of the ink supply unit <NUM> may overlap each other, and in this case, the expression "at least part" may mean either "part" or "entirety".

Claim 1:
A liquid ejecting apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a liquid ejecting head (<NUM>) configured to eject a liquid to a medium;
a wiping mechanism (<NUM>) configured to wipe a liquid ejection surface (<NUM>) of the liquid ejecting head and including a wiper portion (<NUM>) configured to wipe the liquid ejection surface by moving in a direction along the liquid ejection surface;
an electric portion (<NUM>) including a substrate (<NUM>) having a surface, the electric portion being a part related to control of the apparatus; and
a power supply portion (<NUM>) configured to function as a power supply source for the liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein
a moving direction (Y) of the wiper portion is a direction along the liquid ejection surface, in use, and intersecting a transport direction of the medium, and an apparatus height direction (Z) is a vertical direction in use of the liquid ejecting apparatus (<NUM>) and is orthogonal to the moving direction (Y) of the wiper portion, characterized in that
at least part of the electric portion (<NUM>) overlaps at least part of the power supply portion (<NUM>) along the moving direction (Y) of the wiper portion, when viewed along the apparatus height direction (Z), and
the at least part of the electric portion and the at least part of the power supply portion overlap part of the wiping mechanism along the moving direction of the wiper portion, when viewed along the apparatus height direction (Z).