Patent Description:
A liquid discharge device provided with a mounting portion to which a head is mounted, which discharges liquid from the head, is known. In an image forming device disclosed in <CIT>, a head is mounted on a base frame, and ink is discharged from the head. A reference surface is provided on the head, and a positioning pin is provided on the base frame. The head is mounted on the base frame by abutting the reference surface against the positioning pin. At this time, an operator holds the head with a jig so that the head does not move with respect to the base frame. In this state, the operator fixes the head to the base frame with a screw. Document <CIT> also discloses an inkjet printer in which an ink cartridge can be securely installed.

In the aforementioned image forming device, the operator needs to hold the head with a jig so that the head does not move with respect to the base frame, before fixing the head to the base frame with the screw. Therefore, the work of fixing the head to the base frame was troublesome.

According to the invention, a liquid discharge device in which a head can easily be fixed to a mounting portion is disclosed in claim <NUM>.

A liquid discharge device includes a mounting portion to which a head configured to discharge a liquid is mounted, and an arm configured to move between a fixed position where the head mounted on the mounting portion is fixed in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, all of which are orthogonal to each other, with respect to the mounting portion, and a released position where the head is unfixed from the mounting portion.

According to this aspect, when the arm is moved from the released position to the fixed position while the head is in a state mounted on the mounting portion, the head becomes fixed in all of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction with respect to the mounting portion. Therefore, the liquid discharge device enables the head to be easily fixed to the mounting portion.

The mounting portion may be provided on a plate configured to maintain a distance between the head and a print medium, and one end of the arm may be fixed to the plate. In this case, the arm is fixed to the plate, so the operator can easily operate the arm.

The arm may be configured to move between the fixed position and the released position by rotating around a shaft provided on the plate, and extending in an axial direction that is either one of the first direction and the second direction, and have a first pressing portion configured to press on the head from one direction in the third direction, and a second pressing portion configured to press on the head from one direction in an orthogonal directions, either the other of the first direction and the second direction, when the arm moves from the released position to the fixed position. In this case, the arm can move between the released position and the fixed position just by rotating around the shaft. Thus, the liquid discharge device enables the head to be easily fixed to the mounting portion.

The head may have an inclined surface extending from one direction to the other direction in the axial direction from one direction to the other direction in the orthogonal direction, and the second pressing portion may press on the inclined surface from the one direction in the orthogonal direction when the arm moves from the released position to the fixed position. In this case, the force with which the arm pushes the head in the other direction in the orthogonal direction is divided by the inclined surface into force in the other direction in the orthogonal direction and force in the other direction in the axial direction. Therefore, the arm does not need to be provided with a structure for pressing the head in the other direction in the axial direction other than the second pressing portion. Thus, the liquid discharge device enables the head to be fixed to the mounting portion by a simple structure.

The liquid discharge device may include a cap configured to cover, from the other direction in the third direction, a nozzle surface provided on the head, and an elastic member configured to urge the cap in one direction in the third direction, at a plurality of locations that is three or more locations, wherein the position where the first pressing portion presses on the head when the arm is positioned in the fixed position may be positioned within a region of the head surrounded by the plurality of locations when viewed from the third direction, when the head is positioned in a position overlapping with the cap in the third direction. In this case, when the nozzle surface is covered by the cap from the other direction in the third direction, force is applied to the head in one direction in the third direction by the elastic member, and force is applied to the head in the other direction in the third direction by the arm. The elastic member urges the cap at a plurality of locations, and presses the region of the head surrounded by the plurality of locations when viewed from the third direction when the arm is in the fixed position, so the liquid discharge device can inhibit the cap from coming off of the head when the nozzle surface is covered by the cap.

The liquid discharge device may include a plurality of the mounting portions lined up in the first direction, wherein the axial direction may be the first direction. In this case, the axial direction is the first direction, so even if the arm moves between the fixed position and the released position, the position of the arm in the first direction will not change. Therefore, even if the arm moves between the fixed position and the released position, interference will not likely occur between the arm and another arm.

The liquid discharge device may include a plurality of the mounting portions lined up in the second direction, wherein a pair of the mounting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction may be arranged in positions offset from each other in the first direction, and the axial direction may be the first direction. In this case, the axial direction is the first direction, so the position of the arm in the first direction will not change even if the arm moves between the fixed position and the released position. Moreover, the plurality of mounting portions are offset in the first direction. Therefore, even if one of the arms of the plurality of mounting portions moves between the fixed position and the released position, that arm will not likely interfere with another arm.

The liquid discharge device may include a plurality of the mounting portions in which a plurality of rows of a plurality of the mounting portions lined up in the first direction are lined up in the second direction, wherein the plurality of mounting portions lined up in the first direction in one row, from among a pair of rows of the mounting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction, may be arranged in positions offset in the first direction from the plurality of mounting portions lined up in the first direction in the other row, and the axial direction may be the first direction. In this case, the axial direction is the first direction, so even if the arm moves between the fixed position and the released position, the position of the arm in the first direction will not change. Therefore, even if the arm moves between the fixed position and the released position, the arm will not likely interfere with another arm. The plurality of mounting portions lined up in one of a pair of rows of the mounting portions adjacent to each other are offset in the first direction from the plurality of mounting portions lined up in the other row, so even if an arm from one of the pair of rows of mounting portions adjacent to each other moves between the fixed position and the released position, that arm will not likely interfere with an arm from the other row.

The liquid discharge device may include a tube connected to the head, through which the liquid supplied to the head flows, wherein the tube connected to the head mounted on the mounting portion positioned on one side in the second direction may extend in one direction in the second direction from the head, and the tube connected to the head mounted on the mounting portion positioned on the other side in the second direction may extend in the other direction in the second direction from the head. In this case, the tube connected to the head mounted on the mounting portion on the one side in the second direction will not likely interfere with the head mounted on the mounting portion on the other side in the second direction. Thus, the liquid discharge device enables the head to be easily attached and detached to and from the mounting portion.

The liquid discharge device may include a circuit board configured to control the head, and a cable configured to connect the circuit board to the head, wherein a plurality of the cables, a respective one of the cables corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of the heads, may extend in one direction or the other direction in the second direction and all in the same direction from all of the heads mounted on a plurality of the mounting portions. In this case, the cables extend from the heads in the same direction, so the liquid discharge device enables easy handling of the cables.

Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

A printer <NUM> related to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The directions of up, down, lower left, upper right, lower right, and upper left in <FIG> correspond to the upper side, lower side, front, rear, right, and left, respectively, of the printer <NUM>. The up-down direction in <FIG> is the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the mechanical elements in the drawings are shown at actual scale.

The printer <NUM> shown in <FIG> is an inkjet printer, and performs printing by discharging ink onto a print medium of cloth or paper or the like. The printer <NUM> can print a color image on the print medium using five colors of ink, i.e., white, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta.

Hereinafter, of the five colors of ink, the white-colored ink will be referred to as "white ink", and the other four colors of ink, i.e., black, cyan, yellow, and magenta, will collectively be referred to as "color ink". When collectively referring to the white ink and the color ink, or when neither is specified, they will simply be referred to as "ink". The white ink is used for printing as a white part of an image or as a base for inks of other colors. The color ink is used for printing a color image and is discharged directly onto the print medium or onto a base of white ink.

The outer structure of the printer <NUM> will now be described referring to <FIG>. The printer <NUM> includes a case <NUM> and a lid <NUM>. The case <NUM> is U-shaped when viewed from the front. An opening <NUM> is formed in the case <NUM>. The opening <NUM> extends from the front side of the case <NUM> rearward. The lid <NUM> is provided on the upper side of the case <NUM>, and is able to be opened to a position where the upper side of the case <NUM> is open, and closed to a position where the upper side of the case <NUM> is covered, by being rotated with the rear end of the lid <NUM> as the axis.

Operating buttons <NUM> and a display screen <NUM> are provided on the right side of the opening <NUM> on the front surface of the case <NUM>. The operating buttons <NUM> input various information to the printer <NUM> in accordance with an operation by an operator. The display screen <NUM> displays various information. Therefore, the operator operates the printer <NUM> from the front side of the printer <NUM>. That is, in the present embodiment, the front side of the printer <NUM> is the front of the printer <NUM>.

A platen <NUM> is disposed in the opening <NUM>. The platen <NUM> has a plate shape, and is supported from below by a support portion <NUM> so as to be able to move in the front-rear direction. The support portion <NUM> is fixed to a frame body <NUM> shown in <FIG> inside the opening <NUM>. The platen <NUM> moves in the front-rear direction by the driving of a sub-scanning motor (not shown in the drawings). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the sub-scanning direction.

The platen <NUM> can protrude farther forward than the front surface of the case <NUM>, i.e., forward of a front shaft <NUM>, by moving forward, and can move farther rearward than a rear shaft <NUM> inside the case <NUM> by moving rearward. The operator arranges the print medium on the upper surface of the platen <NUM> while the platen <NUM> is protruding forward from the front of the case <NUM>. An accommodation portion <NUM> is provided on the right side of the case <NUM>. A plurality of cartridges <NUM> are placed in the accommodation portion <NUM> from the front side. The cartridges <NUM> contain various liquids such as ink used for printing.

The internal structure of the printer <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the frame body <NUM> is provided inside the case <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The frame body <NUM> is formed in a lattice shape by a plurality of shafts extending in the front-rear direction, a plurality of shafts extending in the left-right direction, and a plurality of shafts extending in the up-down direction. A guide shaft <NUM> is fixed to the upper end of the frame body <NUM>. The guide shaft <NUM> is formed by the front shaft <NUM>, the rear shaft <NUM>, a left shaft <NUM>, and a right shaft <NUM>.

The front shaft <NUM> is disposed on a front end portion of the frame body <NUM>, and extends in the left-right direction from the left end portion to the right end portion of the frame body <NUM>. The rear shaft <NUM> is disposed in substantially the center in the front-rear direction of the frame body <NUM>, and extends in the left-right direction from the left end portion to the right end portion of the frame body <NUM>. The left shaft <NUM> is disposed on the left end portion of the frame body <NUM>, and extends in the front-rear direction from the left end of the front shaft <NUM> to the left end of the rear shaft <NUM>. The right shaft <NUM> is disposed on the right end portion of the frame body <NUM>, and extends in the front-rear direction from the right end of the front shaft <NUM> to the right end of the rear shaft <NUM>.

The front shaft <NUM> and the rear shaft <NUM> support a carriage <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> is a plate, which extends from the front shaft <NUM> to the rear shaft <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, six mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> are provided on the carriage <NUM>. Each of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> is a region where a head, described later, is to be mounted, and includes both an opening passing through the carriage <NUM> in the up-down direction, and an area around the opening. The shape of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> when viewed from above corresponds to the outer shape of the heads when viewed from above.

The mounting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are disposed on the right side of the carriage <NUM>, and are lined up in a row from the rear side toward the front side in the order of the mounting portion <NUM>, the mounting portion <NUM>, and the mounting portion <NUM>. The mounting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are disposed on the left side of the row of the mounting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and are lined up in a row from the rear side toward the front side in the order of the mounting portion <NUM>, the mounting portion <NUM>, and the mounting portion <NUM>.

A head can be mounted to each of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>. <FIG> shows an example of a state in which heads are mounted to mounting portions, and shows a state in which heads <NUM> to <NUM> are mounted to the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. Below, the state shown in <FIG> is assumed. The front shaft <NUM> and the rear shaft <NUM> are fixed to the frame body <NUM> and support the carriage <NUM>. Therefore, the carriage <NUM> maintains a distance in the up-down direction between the heads <NUM> to <NUM> and the platen <NUM> in a state in which the heads <NUM> to <NUM> are mounted to the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. The distance in the up-down direction is not limited to a specific numerical value as long as the heads <NUM> to <NUM> do not contact the print medium. For example, the distance in the up-down direction between the heads <NUM> to <NUM> and the platen <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> to <NUM>. In this case, even if print mediums of different thicknesses are placed on the platen <NUM>, the carriage <NUM> will maintain a distance in the up-down direction between the heads <NUM> to <NUM> and the print medium of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>.

White ink is supplied to each of the heads <NUM> and <NUM> from a white ink cartridge <NUM>. A discharge agent is supplied from a discharge agent cartridge <NUM> to each of the heads <NUM> and <NUM>. The discharge agent is a liquid for removing the color of the print medium. Color ink is supplied from color ink cartridges <NUM> to each of the heads <NUM> and <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a drive belt <NUM> is connected to a rear end portion of the carriage <NUM>. The drive belt <NUM> is provided on the rear shaft <NUM> and extends in the left-right direction. The left end portion of the drive belt <NUM> is connected to a main scanning motor <NUM>. The main scanning motor <NUM> is provided on the upper side of the left end portion of the rear shaft <NUM>. Driving the main scanning motor <NUM> causes the drive belt <NUM> to move the carriage <NUM> in the left-right direction along the front shaft <NUM> and the rear shaft <NUM>. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the main scanning direction. <FIG> and <FIG> show a state in which the carriage <NUM> is positioned on the right end of the moving range.

According to this structure, the printer <NUM> conveys the print medium in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with respect to the heads <NUM> to <NUM> by causing the platen <NUM> to move in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction) by driving the sub-scanning motor (not shown in the drawings), and causing the carriage <NUM> to move in the left-right direction (main scanning direction) by driving the main scanning motor <NUM>. The printer <NUM> discharges various liquids from the heads <NUM> to <NUM> while conveying the print medium in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with respect to the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. More specifically, the printer <NUM> first discharges the discharge agent from the heads <NUM> and <NUM> to remove color from the print medium. Alternatively, the printer <NUM> first discharges white ink from the heads <NUM> and <NUM> to form a base on the print medium. The printer <NUM> prints a color image by discharging color ink from the heads <NUM> and <NUM> on the portion of the print medium where color was removed or onto the base that was formed. Note that the printer <NUM> may discharge both the white ink and the discharge agent.

One example of the positional relationship between the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. There is a predetermined interval between the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> that are adjacent in the front-rear direction. Similarly, there is a predetermined interval between the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> that are adjacent in the front-rear direction.

The mounting portion <NUM> is offset forward with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>, and overlaps with the front of the mounting portion <NUM> in the left-right direction. That is, the rear end of the mounting portion <NUM> is positioned between the front end of the mounting portion <NUM> and the rear end of the mounting portion <NUM> in the front-rear direction. The positional relationship between the mounting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM>, and the positional relationship between the mounting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM> are also the same as the positional relationship between the mounting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> is offset forward with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>, and does not overlap with the mounting portion <NUM> in the left-right direction. That is, the rear end of the mounting portion <NUM> is positioned farther forward than the front end of the mounting portion <NUM>. The positional relationship between the mounting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM> is also the same as the positional relationship between the mounting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM>.

The specific structure of the heads <NUM> to <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The structures of the heads <NUM> to <NUM> are all the same, so the structure of the head <NUM> will be described and the descriptions of the heads <NUM> to <NUM> will be omitted or simplified.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the head <NUM> is provided with a head body <NUM> and a reference plate <NUM>. The head body <NUM> has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A nozzle surface <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the head body <NUM>. A plurality of rows of a plurality of nozzles lined up in the front-rear direction are lined up in the left-right direction on the nozzle surface <NUM>. The head <NUM> discharges white ink supplied from the cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG> from each nozzle of the nozzle surface <NUM>.

The reference plate <NUM> is provided in substantially the center, in the up-down direction, of the head body <NUM>, and protrudes outward from each side surface, i.e., the front surface, the rear surface, the left surface, and the right surface, of the head body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a contact portion <NUM> is provided on the lower surface of the reference plate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a contact portion <NUM> extends forward and protrudes toward the left from substantially the center in the left-right direction of the front end of the reference plate <NUM>. A contact portion <NUM> extends rearward and protrudes toward the left from substantially the center in the left-right direction of the rear end of the reference plate <NUM>. A contact portion <NUM> protrudes forward from farther toward the right than the contact portion <NUM> of the front end of the reference plate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a notch <NUM> is provided in substantially the center, in the front-rear direction, of the right end of the reference plate <NUM>. The notch <NUM> includes an inclined surface <NUM> and a connecting surface <NUM>. The inclined surface <NUM> extends rearward toward the left from the right end of the reference plate <NUM>, and extends to the right side of the head body <NUM>. The connecting surface <NUM> extends rearward toward the right from the left end of the inclined surface <NUM>, and extends to the right end of the reference plate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, one end of each supply tube <NUM> to <NUM> and one end of each circulation tube <NUM> to <NUM> is connected to the rear end portion of the upper surface of the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. The supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> and the circulation tubes <NUM> to <NUM> extend from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively, toward the right. The supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> and the circulation tubes <NUM> to <NUM> extend from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively, toward the left. The other ends of the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> and the other ends of the circulation tubes <NUM> to <NUM> are connected to the cartridges <NUM> shown in <FIG> via a supply flow passage (not shown in the drawings).

When printing is to be performed, the liquids supplied from the cartridges <NUM> flow through the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> and are supplied to the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. When circulation of the liquids is to be performed, the liquids supplied from the cartridges <NUM> flow through the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> toward the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively, and then flow through the circulation tubes <NUM> to <NUM> and are returned to the cartridges <NUM> instead of being discharged from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. Circulation of the liquids is performed to maintain the fluidity of the ink by eliminating the sedimentation of the components contained in the ink, and the like.

A circuit board box <NUM> is provided on the right side of the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. A circuit board <NUM> is disposed inside the circuit board box <NUM>. In <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> covered by the circuit board box <NUM> is indicated by a broken line. The circuit board <NUM> is provided with a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown in the drawings), and the like, and controls the operation of the heads <NUM> to <NUM>.

One end of each cable <NUM> to <NUM> is connected to the front surface of a corresponding head <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. The cables <NUM> to <NUM> each extend toward the right from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. The other ends of the cables <NUM> to <NUM> connect to the circuit board <NUM>. The cables <NUM> to <NUM> are flexible flat cables (FFC) which transmit control signals from the circuit board <NUM> to the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. The supply tube <NUM> and the cable <NUM> are omitted from <FIG> to simplify the description.

A cap mechanism <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cap mechanism <NUM> is provided on the left portion inside the case <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and is provided with six caps <NUM> to <NUM> and a cap supporting portion <NUM>. The caps <NUM> to <NUM> is provided below the movement path of the carriage <NUM> and to the left of the movement path of the platen <NUM>. The positional relationship of each of the caps <NUM> to <NUM> is the same as the positional relationship of each of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>. The caps <NUM> to <NUM> each have a rectangular shape when viewed from above and are supported from below by the cap supporting portion <NUM>. The cap supporting portion <NUM> can move the caps <NUM> to <NUM> in the up-down direction.

As shown in <FIG>, four springs <NUM> to <NUM> are provided on the lower side of the cap <NUM>. In <FIG>, the four springs <NUM> to <NUM> covered by the cap <NUM> are indicated by broken lines. The four springs <NUM> to <NUM> each urge a different one of the four corners of the cap <NUM> upward from below. Although not shown in the drawings, four springs are also provided on the lower surface of each of the caps <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to this structure, the head <NUM> is disposed above the cap <NUM> when the carriage <NUM> moves to the left end of the moving range, as shown in <FIG> shows a state in which the carriage <NUM> is positioned at the left end of the moving range, with the caps <NUM> covered by the head <NUM>, the four springs <NUM> to <NUM>, and the nozzle surface <NUM> being indicated by broken lines. When the cap supporting portion <NUM> moves upward while the head <NUM> is in a state disposed above the cap <NUM>, the cap <NUM> covers the nozzle surface <NUM> of the head <NUM> from below, thereby capping the nozzle surface <NUM>. Similarly, the caps <NUM> to <NUM> shown in <FIG> cover the nozzle surfaces (not shown in the drawings) of the heads <NUM> to <NUM> shown in <FIG>, respectively, from below, thereby capping those nozzle surfaces.

In this case, the springs <NUM> to <NUM> each urge the cap <NUM> toward the lower surface of the head <NUM>. Similarly, the caps <NUM> to <NUM> are also urged toward the lower surfaces of the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. As a result, the edges of the caps <NUM> to <NUM> closely contact the lower surfaces of the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively, so a gap is inhibited from forming between the edges of the caps <NUM> to <NUM> and the lower surfaces of the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. In the printer <NUM>, capping is performed with the caps <NUM> to <NUM> while printing is not being performed, in order to inhibit the ink and the discharge agent from drying out.

The specific structure around the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The structures around the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> are all the same, as shown in <FIG>, so only the structure around the mounting portion <NUM> will be described; a description of the structures around the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> will be omitted or simplified.

Each mounting portion <NUM> to <NUM> is provided with an engagement plate <NUM> to <NUM> and an arm <NUM> to <NUM>. Each engagement plate <NUM> to <NUM> is positioned in substantially the center, in the front-rear direction, on the left side of the mounting portion <NUM>. The engagement plates <NUM> to <NUM> extend upward from the carriage <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, an engagement hole <NUM> is provided in an upper end portion of the engagement plate <NUM>. The structures of the engagement plates <NUM> to <NUM> are the same as the structure of the engagement plate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the arms <NUM> to <NUM> are each positioned in substantially the center, in the front-rear direction, of the mounting portion <NUM>. The structures of the arms <NUM> to <NUM> are all the same, so only the structure of the arm <NUM> will be described and the description of the arms <NUM> to <NUM> will be omitted. The structure of the arm <NUM> will be described with reference to the arm <NUM> in a released position, which will be described later, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the arm <NUM> is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the back, and is provided with a base end portion <NUM>, an extension portion <NUM>, and a tip end portion <NUM>. The base end portion <NUM> extends diagonally upward to the right from the right end portion of the opening in the mounting portion <NUM>. The lower end portion of the base end portion <NUM> is open to the left, and is fixed to the carriage <NUM>. More specifically, the base end portion <NUM> is supported by a shaft <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is provided on the right end portion of the opening in the mounting portion <NUM>, and extends in the front-rear direction.

A left-right hold down spring <NUM> is mounted on the shaft <NUM>. The left-right hold down spring <NUM> is a torsion coil spring. One end portion <NUM> of the left-right hold down spring <NUM> is exposed to the left from an opening in the lower end portion of the base end portion <NUM>.

The extension portion <NUM> extends diagonally upward to the left from the upper end portion of the base end portion <NUM>. The left end portion and the right end portion of the extension portion <NUM> both open downward. An up-down hold down spring <NUM> is provided inside the extension portion <NUM>. The up-down hold down spring <NUM> is a plate spring having a W-shape when viewed from the front. Hereinafter, the right side of the two bottom portions of the up-down hold down spring <NUM> will be referred to as a right hold down portion <NUM>, and the left side will be referred to as a left hold down portion <NUM>. The right hold down portion <NUM> protrudes downward from an opening in the right end portion of the extension portion <NUM>. The left hold down portion <NUM> protrudes downward from an opening in the left end portion of the extension portion <NUM>. The tip end portion <NUM> extends in a hook shape to the left from the left end portion of the extension portion <NUM>.

According to this structure, the arm <NUM> can move between a fixed position shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and the released position shown in <FIG> and <FIG> by rotating around the shaft <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the fixed position, the arm <NUM> fixes the head <NUM> mounted to the mounting portion <NUM> in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>. In this case, the tip end portion <NUM> engages with the engagement hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the released position, the arm <NUM> unfixes the head <NUM> with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>. In this case, the operator can attach or detach the head <NUM> to or from the mounting portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, three adjustment members <NUM> to <NUM>, a receiving portion <NUM>, and three pins <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are provided around the mounting portion <NUM>. The adjustment member <NUM> is fixed in front and diagonally to the left of the mounting portion <NUM>. A plurality of grooves are formed in the right surface of the adjustment member <NUM>. The plurality of grooves in the adjustment member <NUM> extend in the up-down direction and are lined up in an arc-shape centered around the rotational center of a receiving portion <NUM> that will be described later.

The adjustment member <NUM> is fixed to the rear and diagonally to the left of the mounting portion <NUM>. A plurality of grooves are formed on the right surface of the adjustment member <NUM>. The plurality of grooves on the adjustment member <NUM> extend in the up-down direction, and are lined up in an arc-shape centered around the rotational center of a receiving portion <NUM> that will be described later.

The adjustment member <NUM> is fixed in front and diagonally to the right of the mounting portion <NUM>. A plurality of grooves are formed on the rear surface of the adjustment member <NUM>. The plurality of grooves on the adjustment member <NUM> extend in the up-down direction, and are lined up in an arc-shape centered around the rotational center of the receiving portion <NUM> that will be described later.

The receiving portion <NUM> is the upper surface of the mounting portion <NUM> that is around the opening. The pin <NUM> is provided to the left of the center, in the left-right direction, and in front of the opening in the mounting portion <NUM>, and is provided with the receiving portion <NUM> and a rotation portion <NUM>. The receiving portion <NUM> has a circular shape when viewed from above, and is rotatably supported by the mounting portion <NUM>. The rotational center of the receiving portion <NUM> is offset from the center of the circle of the receiving portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the receiving portion <NUM> rotates, the position of the outer circumference of the receiving portion <NUM> in the radial direction changes. The rotation portion <NUM> is fixed to the receiving portion <NUM> and extends substantially to the left from the receiving portion <NUM>. The front end of the rotation portion <NUM> fits into any one of the plurality of grooves on the adjustment member <NUM>. An operator can cause the receiving portion <NUM> to rotate by operating the rotation portion <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> is provided to the left of the center, in the left-right direction, and to the rear of the opening in the mounting portion <NUM>, and is provided with the receiving portion <NUM> and a rotation portion <NUM>. The pin <NUM> is provided to the right of the pin <NUM>, and in front of the opening in the mounting portion <NUM>, and is provided with the receiving portion <NUM> and a rotation portion <NUM>. The structures of the pins <NUM> and <NUM> are the same as the structure of the pin <NUM>, so a description of the structures of the pins <NUM> and <NUM> will be omitted.

A fixing method for fixing the head <NUM> to the mounting portion <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the operator mounts the head <NUM> to the mounting portion <NUM> by pointing the nozzle surface <NUM> downward and pointing the notch <NUM> to the right, and then inserting the head body <NUM> into the opening in the mounting portion <NUM> while the arm <NUM> is in the released position.

As shown in <FIG>, the portion of the head body <NUM> that is lower than the reference plate <NUM> protrudes downward from the opening in the mounting portion <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> contacts the receiving portion <NUM>. The notch <NUM> faces the opening in the base end portion <NUM> from the left. As shown in <FIG>, the contact portion <NUM> faces the receiving portion <NUM> from the right. The contact portion <NUM> faces the receiving portion <NUM> from the right. The contact portion <NUM> faces the receiving portion <NUM> from the rear.

The operator then rotates the arm <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction, when viewed from the front, around the shaft <NUM> from the released position shown in <FIG> toward the fixed position shown in <FIG>. In this case, the one end portion <NUM> of the left-right hold down spring <NUM> first contacts the right end portion of the inclined surface <NUM>, and then moves toward the left end portion of the inclined surface <NUM> while pushing the inclined surface <NUM> to the left. As a result, the urging force to the left from the left-right hold down spring <NUM> as the arm <NUM> rotates is divided in two directions, i.e., to the left and forward, and acts on the head <NUM>. Consequently, the head <NUM> moves to the left and forward, such that the contact portion <NUM> is pressed against the receiving portion <NUM> from the right, the contact portion <NUM> is pressed against the receiving portion <NUM> from the right, and the contact portion <NUM> is pressed against the receiving portion <NUM> from the rear, as shown in <FIG>. As a result, the head <NUM> is positioned in the left-right direction and the front-rear position with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, after the one end portion <NUM> of the left-right hold down spring <NUM> contacts the inclined surface <NUM>, the right hold down portion <NUM> of the up-down hold down spring <NUM> presses on the upper surface of the head body <NUM> from above in response to the rotation of the arm <NUM>. Then, the left hold down portion <NUM> of the up-down hold down spring <NUM> presses on the upper surface of the head body <NUM> from above. That is, the up-down hold down spring <NUM> presses positions P1 and P2 of the upper surface of the head body <NUM> downward at two locations, i.e., the right hold down portion <NUM> and the left hold down portion <NUM>. The positions P1 and P2 are positions where the right hold down portion <NUM> and the left hold down portion <NUM> press on the head body <NUM>, respectively.

As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the positions P1 and P2 are positioned within a rectangular region D surrounded by the four springs <NUM> to <NUM> in a plan view, in a state in which the head <NUM> is capped by the cap <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the contact portion <NUM> is pressed against the receiving portion <NUM> by the arm <NUM> pressing the head <NUM> downward with the up-down hold down spring <NUM>. As a result, the head <NUM> is positioned in the up-down direction with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>.

With this, movement of the arm <NUM> to the fixed position is completed. That is, the head <NUM> is fixed in all directions, i.e., front-rear, left-right, and up-down, with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>, simply by the operator moving the arm <NUM> from the released position to the fixed position. The operator fixes the arm <NUM> in the fixed position by hooking the tip end portion <NUM> in the engagement hole <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, when the arm <NUM> is in the fixed position shown in <FIG>, the static frictional force between the up-down hold down spring <NUM> and the head <NUM> is smaller than the urging force on the head <NUM> from the left-right hold down spring <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, in this state, when the operator rotates the rotating portion <NUM>, for example, the head <NUM> moves so as to keep the contact portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in contact with the receiving portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as the position of the right end of the receiving portion <NUM> is displaced in the left-right direction. Similarly, when the operator rotates the rotating portions <NUM> and <NUM>, the head <NUM> moves so as to keep the contact portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in contact with the receiving portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Therefore, the operator can finely adjust the position of the head <NUM> in the front-rear and left-right directions and the orientation of the head <NUM> in the horizontal direction while the arm <NUM> is in the fixed position, without moving the arm <NUM> to the released position.

As shown in <FIG>, when the operator removes the tip end portion <NUM> from the engagement hole <NUM> while the arm <NUM> is in the fixed position, the arm <NUM> springs back, rotating in the clockwise direction, when viewed from the front, around the shaft <NUM> by the urging force of the up-down hold down spring <NUM>. Thus, the operator can easily move the arm <NUM> from the fixed position shown in <FIG> to the released position shown in <FIG>.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the arm <NUM> is moved from the released position to the fixed position while the head <NUM> is mounted on the mounting portion <NUM>, the head <NUM> is fixed in all directions, i.e., front-rear, left-right, and up-down with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>. That is, the operator can fix the head <NUM> in all directions, i.e., front-rear, left-right, and up-down, with respect to the mounting portion <NUM> just by moving the arm <NUM> from the released position to the fixed position. Thus, the printer <NUM> enables the head <NUM> to be easily fixed to the mounting portion <NUM>. Moreover, the operator can easily perform work such as maintenance and replacing the head <NUM>, simply by moving the arm <NUM> from the fixed position to the released position.

The arm <NUM> is fixed to the carriage <NUM>, so the operator can easily operate the arm <NUM>. Moreover, both the mounting portion <NUM> and the arm <NUM> are provided on the carriage <NUM>, so the printer <NUM> does not need to be provided with a member to which the arm <NUM> is fixed other than the carriage <NUM>.

When the arm <NUM> rotates around the shaft <NUM> and moves from the released position to the fixed position, the up-down hold down spring <NUM> presses on the head <NUM> from above, and the left-right hold down spring <NUM> presses on the head <NUM> from the right. Therefore, the arm <NUM> can move between the released position and the fixed position simply by rotating around the shaft <NUM>. Therefore, the printer <NUM> enables the head <NUM> to be easily fixed to the mounting portion <NUM>.

When the arm <NUM> moves from the released position to the fixed position, the left-right hold down spring <NUM> presses on the inclined surface <NUM> from the right. As a result, the force with which the arm <NUM> pushes the head <NUM> to the left is divided into a leftward force and a forward force by the inclined surface <NUM>. Therefore, the arm <NUM> does not need to be provided with a structure for pushing the head <NUM> forward other than the left-right hold down spring <NUM>. Thus, the printer <NUM> enables the head <NUM> to be fixed to the mounting portion <NUM> by a simple structure.

When the nozzle surface <NUM> is capped with the cap <NUM> from below, the upward force from the four springs <NUM> to <NUM> and the downward force from the arm <NUM> act on the head <NUM>. The positions P1 and P2 are both located within the rectangular region D, so a rotation moment from the downward force from the arm <NUM> and the upward force from the springs <NUM> to <NUM> is inhibited from being generated. Therefore, with the printer <NUM>, the cap <NUM> can be inhibited from coming off of the head <NUM> when the nozzle surface <NUM> is capped with the cap <NUM>.

The three mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> are lined up in the front-rear direction. The shaft <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction, so even if the arm <NUM> moves between the fixed position and the released position, the position of the arm <NUM> in the front-rear direction will not change. Similarly, the positions of the arms <NUM> and <NUM> in the front-rear direction will also not change even if the arms <NUM> and <NUM> move between the fixed position and the released position. Therefore, the arms <NUM> to <NUM> will not likely interfere with each other even if they move between the fixed position and the released position. As a result, the arms <NUM> to <NUM> are unlikely to impede each other's movement, so with the printer <NUM>, the heads <NUM> to <NUM> can easily be fixed to the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>. Similarly, the arms <NUM> to <NUM> are unlikely to impede each other's movement, so with the printer <NUM>, the heads <NUM> to <NUM> can easily be fixed to the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>.

As described above, even if the arms <NUM> and <NUM> move between the fixed position and the released position, the position of the arms <NUM> and <NUM> in the front-rear direction will not change. Moreover, the two mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM> are offset in the front-rear direction. Therefore, even if one of the arms <NUM> or <NUM> moves between the fixed position and the released position, that arm <NUM> or <NUM> will not likely interfere with the other arm <NUM> or <NUM>. As a result, the arms <NUM> and <NUM> are unlikely to impede each other's movement, so with the printer <NUM>, the heads <NUM> and <NUM> can easily be fixed to the mounting portions <NUM> and <NUM>. Similarly, movement of the arms <NUM> and <NUM> and the arms <NUM> and <NUM> are unlikely to impede each other's movement, so with the printer <NUM>, the heads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can easily be fixed to the mounting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> is offset toward the rear with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>, so there is a region to the right of the mounting portion <NUM> and in front of the mounting portion <NUM>. The printer <NUM> can effectively utilize this region as a movement region for the arm <NUM>.

The heads <NUM> to <NUM> and the heads <NUM> to <NUM> are each lined up in the left-right direction, and the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> extend toward the right from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, and the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> extend toward the left from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. Therefore, the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> are unlikely to interfere with the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, and the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> are unlikely to interfere with the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. As a result, the printer <NUM> enables the heads <NUM> to <NUM> to be easily attached and detached to and from the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>. The circulation tubes <NUM> to <NUM> also extend similarly to the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM>, so the printer <NUM> enables the heads <NUM> to <NUM> to be attached and detached even more easily to and from the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>.

The cables <NUM> to <NUM> extend toward the right from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. The circuit board <NUM> is provided only in one direction in the left-right direction of the carriage <NUM>, and the cables <NUM> to <NUM> extend in the same direction from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, so the operator can easily manage the cables <NUM> to <NUM>. Therefore, the operator can easily perform work such as connecting the cables <NUM> to <NUM> to the heads <NUM> to <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>, and maintaining the cables <NUM> to <NUM>, and the like.

A predetermined interval is provided between the heads <NUM> and <NUM> in the front-rear direction, so the cable <NUM> and the supply tube <NUM> will not likely interfere with each other. Similarly, the cables <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> will not likely interfere with the supply tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. As a result, with the printer <NUM>, the cables <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the supply tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are easy to manage. Similarly, with the printer <NUM>, the circulation tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are easy to manage.

The head <NUM> is offset toward the front with respect to the head <NUM>, so the cables <NUM> and <NUM> will not likely interfere with each other. Similarly, the cables <NUM> and <NUM> will not likely interfere with each other, nor will the cables <NUM> and <NUM> likely interfere with each other. As a result, with the printer <NUM>, the cables <NUM> to <NUM> are easy to manage.

The cable <NUM> connects to the front end portion of the head <NUM>, and the supply tube <NUM> connects to the rear end portion of the head <NUM>. The arm <NUM> is provided between the cable <NUM> and the supply tube <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the head <NUM>. Moreover, the cable <NUM>, the supply tube <NUM>, and the arm <NUM> all extend in the left-right direction. Therefore, the arm <NUM> will not likely interfere with the cable <NUM> or the supply tube <NUM> even if the arm <NUM> rotates around the shaft <NUM>. As a result, with the printer <NUM>, the head <NUM> can easily be fixed to the mounting portion <NUM>. Similarly, with the printer <NUM>, the heads <NUM> to <NUM> can also easily be fixed to the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the above embodiment, the ink and the discharge agent correspond to the "liquid" of the present invention. The heads <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the "head" of the present invention. The mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the "mounting portion" of the present invention. The front-rear direction corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention. The left-right direction corresponds to the "second direction" of the present invention. The up-down direction corresponds to the "third direction" of the present invention. The arms <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the "arm" of the present invention.

The carriage <NUM> corresponds to the "plate" of the present invention. The front-rear direction corresponds to the "axial direction" of the present invention. The shaft <NUM> corresponds to the "shaft" of the present invention. The up direction corresponds to "one direction in the third direction" of the present invention. The up-down hold down spring <NUM> corresponds to the "first pressing portion" of the present invention. The left-right direction corresponds to the "orthogonal direction" of the present invention. The right direction corresponds to "one direction in the orthogonal direction" of the present invention. The left-right hold down spring <NUM> corresponds to the "second pressing portion" of the present invention. The left direction corresponds to the "other direction in the orthogonal direction" of the present invention. The front direction corresponds to "one direction in the axial direction" of the present invention. The rear direction corresponds to the "other direction in the axial direction" of the present invention. The inclined surface <NUM> corresponds to the "inclined surface" of the present invention.

The nozzle surface <NUM> corresponds to the "nozzle surface" of the present invention. The down direction corresponds to the "other direction in the third direction" of the present invention. The caps <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the "cap" of the present invention. The springs <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the "elastic member" of the present invention. The supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the "tubes" of the present invention. The circuit board <NUM> corresponds to the "circuit board" of the present invention. The cables <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the "cable" of the present invention.

The present invention may be modified in various ways from the above embodiment. The various modified examples described below can be combined as long as there are no contradictions. The present invention is not limited to the printer <NUM>, and can also be applied to a pretreatment agent discharge device, for example. The pretreatment agent discharge device is provided with a head for discharging a pretreatment agent. The pretreatment agent is a liquid for improving ink fixing and color development, etc., and is discharged onto a medium before printing.

In the foregoing embodiment, the up-down hold down spring <NUM> presses on the head <NUM> at two locations, but the up-down hold down spring <NUM> may press on the head <NUM> at one location, or may press on the head <NUM> at three or more locations. The up-down hold down spring <NUM> is not limited to a plate spring, and may be a compression coil spring or a disc spring or the like. Similarly, the left-right hold down spring <NUM> is also not limited to a torsion coil spring. Moreover, an elastic member of sponge or rubber or the like may be used in place of the up-down hold down spring <NUM> and the left-right hold down spring <NUM>. The up-down hold down spring <NUM> and the left-right hold down spring <NUM> may be omitted. That is, the arm <NUM> may directly contact the inclined surface <NUM>, instead of contacting the inclined surface <NUM> via the left-right hold down spring <NUM>, and push the head <NUM> to the left and forward, and may directly contact the head body <NUM>, instead of contacting the head body <NUM> via the up-down hold down spring <NUM>, and push the head <NUM> downward.

In the foregoing embodiment, the shaft <NUM> may extend in the left-right direction. In this case, the shaft <NUM> need only be provided to the front or rear of the mounting portion <NUM>, for example. Similarly, the shaft <NUM> may extend at an angle with respect to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, or may extend in the up-down direction. In the foregoing embodiment, the direction in which the shaft extends and the position in which the shaft is arranged is the same for all of the arms <NUM> to <NUM>, but they may be different for each arm <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiment, the shaft <NUM> may be omitted. For example, shafts may be provided that extend in the up-down direction from the four corners of the mounting portions <NUM>, and the arm <NUM> may be supported in a manner able to move in the up-down direction by these four shafts. The arm <NUM> may be fixed to a member other than the carriage <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiment, the number of springs <NUM> to <NUM> is not limited to four, and may be one or two, or the springs <NUM> to <NUM> may be omitted. A plurality of three or more springs are preferably provided in order to stabilize capping. For example, one spring may be provided instead of the springs <NUM> to <NUM>, and this one spring may press on the cap <NUM> at a plurality of locations (for example, three or more locations). An elastic member of sponge or rubber or the like may be used instead of the springs <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiment, the heads <NUM> to <NUM> are mounted on all of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>. Alternatively, any of the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, for example, only the heads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, may be mounted on the mounting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, or one may be mounted on any one of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>. The type of liquid discharged from each of the heads <NUM> to <NUM> is not limited to the foregoing embodiment. For example, the head <NUM> may discharge a color ink, or may discharge a discharge agent. Moreover, the various liquids are not limited to those of the foregoing embodiment; various liquids such as white ink, color ink, ink of special colors such as fluorescent colors, discharge agents, and pretreatment agents and the like are conceivable. The various liquids may be supplied to the heads <NUM> to <NUM> from a tank instead of from the cartridge <NUM>. Nozzles may be lined up in a row on the nozzle surface <NUM>.

The number of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> is not limited to six, as long as there is at least one. For example, the printer <NUM> may be provided with only one row, from among two rows, i.e., the row of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> and the row of mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>, or may be provided with three or more rows. This row does not have to be formed of three mounting portions, and may be formed of two mounting portions or four or more mounting portions. A plurality of the mounting portions may be lined up in only the left-right direction, from among the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The printer <NUM> may be provided with a so-called linehead as the heads <NUM> to <NUM>. In this case, the printer <NUM> is provided with a fixed plate instead of the carriage <NUM>. The fixed plate maintains a distance in the up-down direction between the heads <NUM> to <NUM> and the print medium. The mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM> are provided on the fixed plate.

In the foregoing embodiment, the mounting portion <NUM> is offset forward with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>, and does not overlap with the mounting portion <NUM> in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the mounting portion <NUM> may be offset to the rear with respect to the mounting portion <NUM>, and may overlap with the mounting portion <NUM> in the left-right direction. The positional relationship between the mounting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM> can be modified in the same manner as the positional relationship between the mounting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiment, the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> and the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> extend in opposite directions from the heads <NUM> to <NUM> and the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. Alternatively, the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM> may all extend from the heads <NUM> to <NUM> in the same direction, e.g., to the left or to the right, or may extend in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction. If three or more mounting portions are lined up in the left-right direction, the supply tube connected to the head mounted on the leftmost mounting portion preferably extends to the left, and the supply tube connected to the head mounted on the rightmost mounting portion preferably extends to the right. More specifically, a supply tube connected to the head mounted on a mounting portion to the left of the center in the left-right direction preferably extends to the left, and a supply tube connected to the head mounted on a mounting portion to the right of the center in the left-right direction preferably extends to the right. The circulation tubes <NUM> to <NUM> can also be modified in the same manner as the supply tubes <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiment, the circuit board <NUM> may be provided on the left side, in front of, to the rear of, above, or below the carriage <NUM>, instead of on the right side of the carriage <NUM>. In the foregoing embodiment, there is only one circuit board <NUM>, but a plurality of circuit boards, for example, another circuit board, may be provided. This other circuit board may be provided on the left side of the mounting portions <NUM> to <NUM>, for example. In this case, for example, the cables <NUM> to <NUM> may extend to the left from the heads <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively, and be connected to the other circuit board instead of to the circuit board <NUM>. That is, the cables <NUM> to <NUM> do not need to extend in the same direction. The cables <NUM> to <NUM> may extend in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction.

Claim 1:
A liquid discharge device comprising:
a mounting portion (<NUM> to <NUM>) to which a head (<NUM> to <NUM>) configured to discharge a liquid is mounted, and
an arm (<NUM> to <NUM>) configured to move between a fixed position where the head mounted on the mounting portion is fixed in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, all of which are orthogonal to each other, with respect to the mounting portion, and a released position where the head is unfixed from the mounting portion, wherein
the mounting portion is provided on a plate (<NUM>) configured to maintain a distance between the head and a print medium,
one end of the arm is fixed to the plate,
the arm is configured to move between the fixed position and the released position by rotating around a shaft (<NUM>) provided on the plate, and extending in an axial direction that is either one of the first direction and the second direction,
the arm has a first pressing portion (<NUM>) configured to press on the head from one direction in the third direction, and a second pressing portion (<NUM>) configured to press on the head from one direction in an orthogonal direction that is either the other one of the first direction and the second direction, when the arm moves from the released position to the fixed position, and
the liquid discharge device characterized in that it further comprises:
a cap (<NUM> to <NUM>) configured to cover, from the other direction in the third direction, a nozzle surface (<NUM>) provided on the head, and
an elastic member (<NUM> to <NUM>) configured to urge the cap in one direction in the third direction, at a plurality of locations that is three or more locations,
wherein the position where the first pressing portion presses on the head when the arm is positioned in the fixed position is positioned within a region (D) of the head surrounded by the plurality of locations when viewed from the third direction, when the head is positioned in a position overlapping with the cap in the third direction.