Seiko Epson Corporation

Takayuki Okuda

Masaki Shimomura

Kazuhisa Kawakami

Satoshi Fujioka

Masanori Yoshida

Susumu Murayama

Atsushi Nishizawa

Hidetake Nishizawa

Nobumasa Fukushima

Fujio Akahane

Kohji Watanabe

Yoji Sasai

Yoshikatsu Yamamoto

A gap adjusting device includes a moving mechanism having a first member supported by a first object so as to be movable along a first axis, and capable of moving the first object in one direction and its opposite direction along a second axis intersecting the first axis according to the movement of the first member in one direction along the first axis relative to the first object, thereby adjusting a gap between the first object and a second object.

Gap adjusting device and image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a moving mechanism having a first member supported by a recording section so as to be movable along a first axis, and capable of moving the recording section in one direction and its opposite direction along a second axis intersecting the first axis according to the movement of the first member in one direction along the first axis relative to the recording section, thereby adjusting a gap between the recording section and a target; a first drive mechanism which moves the recording section supporting the first member along the first axis; and an abutting member which is arranged in a position capable of abutting on the first member by the movement of the recording section, and moves the first member in one direction relative to the recording section by the abutment on the first member.

Image forming apparatus

The ink jet printer is provided which eliminates play between a carriage supporting an ink jet head and a guide shaft, allows the ink jet head to be releasably attached to the carriage, and provides reliable electrical connection between the ink jet head and the carriage with a reduced number of parts. An embodiment of the ink jet printer of the invention includes a guide shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which paper is forwarded. A carriage is slidably mounted on the shaft, moving in reciprocal directions while being guided by the guide shaft. An ink jet head, releasably attached to the carriage, prints ink dots on the paper for forming a printed image by jetting ink out of nozzles. A first electrically connecting portion is arranged on the carriage. A second electrically connecting portion is arranged on the ink jet head so as to come in pressure contact with the first electrically connecting portion. A biasing member provides a pressing force between the first electrically connecting portion and the second electrically connecting portion.

Ink jet printer

In an ink jet printer, a recording unit in which an ink cartridge is detachably mounted has a cartridge removal preventing member so that the ink cartridge is prevented from being carelessly removed therefrom, and a moving mechanism is provided which, when the recording unit is mounted on the carriage, moves a first electrical connecting section towards a second electrical connecting section so that the first and second electrical connecting section are connected to each other with the aid of an energizing member under pressure, and, when the recording head is removed from the carriage, moves the first electrical connecting section away from the second electrical connecting section against the elastic force of the energizing member, whereby the recording head is detachably mounted on the carriage, and the former is positively electrically connected to the latter.

Ink jet type recording unit with an improved carriage structure

A printer is provided having a guide shaft positioned substantially parallel with a printing surface. A print head of the printer is supported by the guide shaft, which is in turn supported by at least a first frame. The first frame is formed with an interior wall forming a through hole in the frame. A bearing member is fitted within the through hole. Upon rotation of the bearing member, the guide shaft is moved in a direction orthogonal to the printing surface.

Growing community of inventors

Nagano, Japan

Takayuki Okuda