JP2000255042A - Ink drying mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink drying mechanism in a relativel simple structure for rapidly drying an ink impact on a recording medium. SOLUTION: In the case that a carriage 22 moves in a going direction (arrow B1 direction), an air path switching member 100 is rotated clockwise so as to form an air path 92b between a going direction air intake opening 82 and a going direction air ejection opening 92a. Therefore, the air taken in from the going direction air intake opening 82 according to the movement of the carriage 22 in the going direction is ejected (discharged) from the going direction air ejection opening 92a through the air path 92b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium such as recording paper by discharging ink based on image information.
The present invention relates to an ink drying mechanism for drying ink that has landed on a recording medium in an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of output devices of computers and workstations, there is known an ink jet type image forming apparatus which forms an image on a recording medium such as recording paper by discharging ink. The inkjet type image forming apparatus includes, for example, a print head in which a plurality of ink ejection ports for ejecting ink are formed, a carriage mounted with the print head and reciprocating in a predetermined direction (scanning direction), And a recording medium transport device that transports the recording paper in a direction (recording medium transport direction) perpendicular to the recording medium.

When an image is formed on a recording sheet, the recording sheet being conveyed by the recording medium conveying device is temporarily stopped, and the carriage is reciprocated in the above-described scanning direction to generate an image signal carrying image information. Ink is ejected from the ink ejection port based on the ink ejection port, and an image for one band is formed on a portion of the recording paper located in an image forming area facing the ink ejection port. After that, the recording paper is conveyed by one band and stopped.
Again, while the carriage reciprocates in the scanning direction, ink is ejected from the ink ejection ports based on the image signal, and an image is formed on a portion of the recording paper that is newly located in the image forming area. By repeating such an operation, an image is formed on the recording paper.

When a color image is formed by using the above-described ink jet type image forming apparatus, four types of print heads for discharging, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks on a carriage in the scanning direction of the carriage. They are mounted side by side, and the ink ejected from each print head is overlaid. Thus, a color image is formed on the recording medium. As the ink, an aqueous ink dye or a pigment ink having excellent water resistance is used.

In order to improve image quality when forming an image with color inks and various inks as described above, ink that has landed on (adhered to) a recording medium is dried quickly so that the ink penetrates into the recording medium. It is important to reduce the amount of time you spend. It is also important that the ink that has landed on the recording medium is quickly absorbed by the recording medium in order to prevent the spread of the ink and improve the image quality.

However, it is difficult to achieve both a reduction in the time required for the ink to penetrate into the recording medium and a prompt prevention of the spread of the ink. However, techniques for improving the material of the recording medium, techniques for coating the surface of the recording medium, and coating materials for the same have been studied to achieve both.

As an example of such a technique, a technique has been proposed in which a platen on which a recording medium is placed is heated to speed up drying of the ink. Further, a technique has been proposed in which a fan is arranged in an ink jet type image forming apparatus, and air is blown on ink that has landed on a recording medium to accelerate drying.

[0008]

Among the above techniques, the technique for heating the platen requires a large-scale structure and is expensive. Similarly, the technology for arranging the fans also requires a large-scale structure, which requires a high cost.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink drying mechanism having a relatively simple structure for quickly drying ink that has landed on a recording medium.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ink jet type image forming apparatus comprising: a print head having a plurality of ink discharge ports for discharging ink; and a carriage having the print head mounted thereon. An ink jet image forming method for forming an image by ejecting ink from the ink ejection port to a recording medium located in an image forming area in front of the ink ejection port while moving the carriage in a predetermined scanning direction. In an ink drying mechanism for drying ink that has landed on a recording medium in the apparatus,
(1) an air intake through which air is taken in with the movement of the carriage; and (2) an air spout for discharging the air taken in from the air intake to a portion of the recording medium where ink has landed. An outlet is provided.

Here, the ink drying mechanism may have (3) a wall surface on which the air intake port is formed, the wall surface facing the moving direction of the carriage.

(4) the carriage reciprocates in the scanning direction; and (5) the print head comprises:
The carriage ejects ink when the carriage reciprocates; and (6) the air intake port, which takes in air when the carriage moves in the forward direction,
And a backward air intake for taking in air when the carriage moves in the backward direction.

Further, the ink drying mechanism includes: (7) a forward wall surface in which the forward air intake port is formed, which faces the forward direction of the carriage; and (8) a reverse wall surface which faces in the backward direction of the carriage. And a backward wall surface on which a directional air intake is formed.

Further, the air discharge port is (9) a forward air discharge port from which the air taken in from the forward air intake port is discharged, and (10) the air is taken in from the backward air intake port. And a backward air discharge port from which the discharged air is discharged.

Further, (11) the air intake port and the air discharge port may be formed in the carriage.

Further, the ink drying mechanism includes (12)
Any one of both the forward air path from the outward air intake to the outward air discharge port, and the backward air path from the backward air intake to the backward air discharge port. And a switching means for selectively switching according to the reciprocating motion of the carriage.

Further, the switching means (13) switches to one of both the forward wind path and the backward wind path by moving by the inertia force when the carriage reciprocates. It may be.

Further, (14) the ink drying mechanism comprises:
Direction detecting means for detecting which of the reciprocating directions the carriage is moving; and (15) the switching means, based on the direction detected by the direction detecting means, a forward air path and The air path may be switched to either one of the backward air paths.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink drying mechanism of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an outline of a plotter which is an ink jet type image forming apparatus incorporating the ink drying mechanism of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a plotter in which an ink drying mechanism of the present invention is incorporated.

The plotter 10 has a platen 14 on which the recording paper 12 conveyed in the direction of arrow A is placed. A guide shaft 16 is extended above the platen 14 in parallel with the platen 14. The guide shaft 16 includes a carriage motor 18 and a belt 20.
A carriage 22 that reciprocates freely in the direction of arrow B (an example of a scanning direction according to the present invention and a direction orthogonal to the direction of arrow A) is mounted via a slide bearing (not shown). The carriage 22 has a backward air inlet 78 and a forward air outlet 92 as described later.
a (see FIG. 3) are formed.

A print head 24 is mounted on the carriage 22. The print head 24 has a plurality of ink discharge ports (not shown) for discharging ink. An image forming area 2 where an image is formed is located in front of the ink ejection port.
6. While the carriage 22 reciprocates in the direction of arrow B, ink is ejected from the ink ejection ports at a predetermined timing on a portion of the recording paper 12 located in the image forming area 26 to form an image for one band. After that, the recording paper 12 is conveyed by the width of one band by the conveyance roller 28 which rotates with the rotation of the paper conveyance motor 30 and conveys the recording paper 12. In this state, the recording paper 12 is stopped, and again, while the carriage 22 is reciprocated in the direction of arrow B,
Discharging ink from the ink discharge port based on the image signal,
An image is formed on a portion of the recording paper 12 that is newly located in the image forming area 26. By repeating such an operation, an image is formed on the recording paper.

Referring to FIG. 2, a control system of the plotter of FIG. 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the plotter shown in FIG.

The plotter 10 has a built-in CPU 32 for controlling the entire plotter 10. This CPU 32
Manages the control of the print head 24, the scanning control of the carriage 22, and the transport control of the recording medium 12. When controlling the scanning of the carriage 22, the carriage motor 18 is controlled via the carriage motor control unit 34. When controlling the conveyance of the recording medium 12, the paper conveyance motor 30 is controlled via the paper conveyance motor control unit 36.

A signal carrying the position of the carriage 22 is transmitted to and received from the carriage motor control unit 34 via a scale encoder 40 from a carriage motor control scale 38 for indicating the position of the carriage 22. The carriage motor control unit 34 transmits a carriage direction signal to a solenoid driving circuit 74 that drives a solenoid 72 described later. The carriage direction signal is a signal indicating in which direction the carriage 22 is moving in the arrow B direction (scanning direction). The solenoid 72 is driven based on a carriage direction signal transmitted from the solenoid drive circuit 74 to the solenoid 72, and an air path switching member 100 described below (an example of a switching unit according to the present invention) moves. The carriage motor control scale 38 and the scale encoder 40 constitute an example of a direction detecting unit according to the present invention. Although the carriage direction signal is transmitted from the carriage motor control unit 34 here, the CPU 32
, The carriage direction signal may be transmitted directly to the solenoid 72.

The paper transport motor control unit 36 receives a signal carrying the transport distance of the recording paper 12 from a paper transport motor control scale 42 for indicating the transport distance of the recording paper 12 via a scale encoder 44. Sent and received. The information carrying the image formed on the recording paper 12 is transmitted from the external host computer 48 to the CPU 32 and the address control unit 50 via the interface control unit 46.

The ROM 52 stores a program for reciprocating the carriage 22 and receiving a signal from the scale encoder 40 to control the position of the carriage 22. Further, the ROM 54 stores a program for controlling the position of the recording paper 12 based on a signal from the scale encoder 44, a program for an image forming operation, and the like. In the RAM 52, information carrying an image and the like are temporarily stored.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, a first embodiment of the ink drying mechanism of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a carriage on which the ink drying mechanism of the first embodiment is formed.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the carriage moving in the forward direction, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the carriage moving in the backward direction. In these drawings, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The ink drying mechanism 70 is formed on the carriage 22. The carriage 22 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its inside is hollow. In this cavity,
An air passage switching member 100 described later is housed therein. Side 2
A print head 24 is detachably attached to 2a. Air ejection members 92 and 94 are fixed to the side surface 22a on both left and right sides of the print head 24, respectively. An opening (outward air discharge port) 92a is formed on the lower surface of the air discharge member 92, and an opening (return air discharge port) 94a is formed on the lower surface of the air discharge member 94.

The carriage 22 reciprocates in the direction of arrow B1 (forward direction) in FIG. 4 and in the direction of arrow B2 (backward direction) in FIG. When the carriage 22 moves in the forward direction, an opening (outward air intake) 82 is formed in substantially the upper half of the forward wall surface (which is an example of the wall surface in the present invention) 22b that faces in the forward direction. ing. When the carriage 22 moves in the forward direction, air is taken in from the forward direction air intake 82 with this movement. On the other hand, when the carriage 22 moves in the backward direction, an opening (return air intake) 78 is provided in almost the upper half of the backward wall surface (which is an example of the wall surface in the present invention) 22c which faces in the backward direction. Is formed. When the carriage 22 moves in the backward direction, air is taken in from the backward air intake port 78 with this movement.

As described above, the air passage switching member 100 is housed in the cavity of the carriage 22. The air path switching member 100 has a cylindrical shape, and has an air flow path formed therein. A rotation shaft 10 serving as a rotation center of the air path switching member 100 is provided at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the air path switching member 100.
2 are formed. One end of a coil spring 104 is fixed to a portion of the lower surface of the air path switching member 100 closer to the forward air intake 82 than the rotation shaft 102. The other end of the coil spring 104 is fixed to the bottom of the carriage 22. Therefore, the air path switching member 100
In FIGS. 4 and 5, it is urged in a counterclockwise direction about the rotation shaft 102.

A solenoid 72 is disposed on the upper surface 22d of the carriage 22. The solenoid 72 is connected to a portion of the upper surface of the air path switching member 100 closer to the backward air intake port 78 than the rotation shaft 102. Solenoid 7
2 is the carriage motor control unit 34 as described above.
(See FIG. 2).

The carriage 22 moves in the forward direction (the direction of arrow B1).
When the carriage motor controller 34 moves, the solenoid 72 is driven by the carriage motor control unit 34 to overcome the urging force of the coil spring 104, and the air path switching member 100 is moved around the rotation shaft 102 in FIGS. Rotate clockwise.
By this rotation, an air path (which is an example of a forward air path according to the present invention) 92b is formed between the outward air intake port 82 and the outward air discharge port 92a. Therefore, the air taken in from the forward air intake 82 as the carriage 22 moves in the forward direction is discharged (discharged) from the forward air discharge port 92a through the air path 92b. As a result, the recording medium 12 (FIG.
The ink that has landed on the forward direction is quickly dried by the air discharged from the forward air discharge port 92a. At this time, no air is taken in from the backward air intake 78.

On the other hand, the carriage 22 moves in the backward direction (arrow B2).
Direction), the air path switching member 100 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 102 in FIGS. 4 and 5 by the urging force of the coil spring 104. By this rotation, an air path (an example of a backward air path according to the present invention) 94b is formed between the backward air intake port 78 and the backward air discharge port 94a. Therefore, the carriage 2
2 moves in the backward direction, so that the backward air intake 7
8 is discharged (discharged) from the backward air discharge port 94a through the air passage 94b. As a result,
The ink discharged from the print head 24 and landed on the recording medium 12 (see FIG. 1) is quickly dried by the air discharged from the backward air discharge port 94a.
At this time, no air is taken in from the outward air intake 82.

As described above, the recording medium 12 (see FIG. 1)
The ink that has landed on the surface is quickly dried by the air discharged from the forward air discharge port 92a or the backward air discharge port 94a, thereby preventing image deterioration due to ink bleeding or the like. In addition, in the bidirectional printing in which the print head 24 ejects ink while reciprocating to form an image by forming ink, the ink is dried in the same way in either of the two directions. No difference occurs, and band spots (banding) do not occur.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a second embodiment of the ink drying mechanism of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the carriage moving in the forward direction, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the carriage moving in the backward direction. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the air path switching member housed in the carriage.

The ink drying mechanism according to the second embodiment is formed on the carriage 120. The carriage 120 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its inside is hollow.
An air path switching member 150 described later is housed in this cavity. A print head (not shown) is detachably attached to the center of the side surface 120a of the carriage 120. Air ejection members 92 and 94 (see FIG. 4) are fixed to the left and right sides of the side surface 120a with the print head interposed therebetween, but are not shown here. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an opening (forward air discharge port) 92 a (see FIG. 4) is formed on the lower surface of the air discharge member 92, and the opening ( A backward air discharge port 94a (see FIG. 4) is formed.

The carriage 120 reciprocates in the direction of arrow B1 (forward direction) and the direction of arrow B2 (backward direction). When the carriage 120 moves in the forward direction, the forward direction wall surface (which is an example of the wall surface according to the invention) 12 that faces in the forward direction.
An opening (outward air intake) 122 is provided in almost the upper half of Ob.
Are formed. When the carriage 120 moves in the forward direction, the air is moved in accordance with the movement,
Taken from. On the other hand, when the carriage 120 moves in the backward direction, an opening (return air intake) 124 is provided in substantially the upper half of the backward wall surface (which is an example of the wall surface in the present invention) 120c that faces in the backward direction. Are formed. When the carriage 120 moves in the backward direction, air is taken in from the backward air intake port 124 with this movement.

Openings 126 and 128 are formed in the right and left sides of the side face 120a of the carriage 120 with the print head therebetween. The opening 126 is
It communicates with the outward air intake 122 through the internal space of the air passage switching member 150. On the other hand, the opening 128 is connected to the backward air intake 12 through the internal space of the air path switching member 150.
It communicates with 4.

As described above, the air passage switching member 150 is housed in the cavity of the carriage 120. As shown in FIG. 8, the air path switching member 150 has a shape in which a rectangular parallelepiped in which a plurality of notches are formed is laid down. Carriage 12
Two notches 152 and 154 are formed in the side surface 150a facing the 0 side surface 120a.

When the carriage 120 is moving in the forward direction (the direction of arrow B1), the air passage switching member 150 moves to the right end of the carriage 120 due to its inertia force, and the notch 152 overlaps the opening 126 of the carriage 120. .
In addition, the air passage switching member 150
Are separated, and air is taken in from the forward air intake 122 as the carriage 120 moves. This air is discharged (discharged) from the outward air discharge port 92a (see FIG. 4) through the cutout 152 and the opening 126 through the air passage 162. As a result, the ink discharged from the print head 24 (see FIG. 1) and landed on the recording medium 12 (see FIG. 1) is quickly dried by the air discharged from the forward air discharge port 92a. At this time, the backward air intake 124 is closed by the air passage switching member 150. The opening 128 and the notch 154 do not overlap, and the opening 128 is closed by the air path switching member 150.

On the other hand, when the carriage 120 moves backward (arrow B)
When the air path switching member 150 moves in two directions), the air path switching member 150 moves to the left end of the carriage 120 due to its inertia force, and the notch 154 overlaps the opening 128 of the carriage 120. Further, the air path switching member 150 moves away from the backward air intake 124 and air is taken in from the backward air intake 124 as the carriage 120 moves. This air is discharged (discharged) from the backward air discharge port 94a (see FIG. 4) through the notch 154 and the opening 128 through the air passage 164. As a result, the ink discharged from the print head 24 (see FIG. 1) and landed on the recording medium 12 (see FIG. 1) is quickly dried by the air discharged from the backward air discharge port 94a. At this time, the outward air intake 122 is closed by the air path switching member 150. The opening 126 and the notch 152 do not overlap, and the opening 126 is closed by the air path switching member 150.

As described above, the recording medium 12 (see FIG. 1)
The ink that has landed on the surface is quickly dried by the air discharged from the forward air discharge port 92a or the backward air discharge port 94a, thereby preventing image deterioration due to ink bleeding or the like. In addition, in the bidirectional printing in which the print head 24 ejects ink while reciprocating to form an image by forming ink, the ink is dried in the same way in either of the two directions. No difference occurs, and band spots (banding) do not occur.

The ink drying mechanism of the second embodiment does not require the solenoid 72, the solenoid drive circuit 74, etc. (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the cost can be reduced accordingly. However, the air passage switching member 150 is
It must be configured to be able to move (slide) with an inertial force caused by zero reciprocation.

A third embodiment of the ink drying mechanism of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a third embodiment of the ink drying mechanism. In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

A feature of the ink drying mechanism 170 of the third embodiment is that it does not have an air passage switching member. The outgoing air inlet 82 is connected to the outgoing air outlet 9 through the air passage 172.
2a. The backward air intake 78 is connected to the backward air outlet 94a via the air passage 174.

The carriage 22 moves in the forward direction (the direction of arrow B1).
Then, the air is taken in from the forward air intake 82 with this movement, and is discharged from the forward air discharge port 92a via the air path 172. On the other hand, the carriage 22
Moves in the backward direction (direction of arrow B2), air is taken in from the backward air intake port 78 with this movement, and is discharged from the forward air discharge port 94a through the air path 174.

Even when the air passage switching member is not provided, the ink that has landed on the recording medium 12 (see FIG. 1) is discharged from the forward air discharge port 92a or the backward air discharge port 94a.
Since the ink is quickly dried by the air discharged from the ink, it is possible to prevent image deterioration due to ink bleeding or the like. In addition, in the bidirectional printing in which the print head 24 ejects ink while reciprocating to form an image by forming ink, the ink is dried in the same way in either of the two directions. No difference occurs, and band spots (banding) do not occur. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes modifications due to design changes and the like.

[0054]

As described above, according to the ink drying mechanism of the present invention, the air taken in from the air intake port in accordance with the movement of the carriage receives the portion of the recording medium where the ink has landed from the air discharge port. , The ink in this portion dries quickly. As a result, it is possible to prevent image deterioration due to ink bleeding and the like. In addition, since it is sufficient to provide the air intake port and the air discharge port, a relatively simple structure is sufficient.

Here, when the ink drying mechanism has a wall surface formed with the air intake port facing the moving direction of the carriage, the wall surface formed with the air intake port is moved in the moving direction of the carriage. Since it is oriented, the amount of air taken in with the movement of the carriage is large, and the force of the taken air is also strong. Therefore, the amount of air discharged from the air discharge port increases, and the force of the discharged air also increases. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording medium dries more quickly.

Further, the carriage reciprocates in the scanning direction, the print head discharges ink when the carriage reciprocates, and the air intake port includes When the carriage comprises a forward air intake for taking in air when moving in the forward direction, and a backward air intake for taking in air when the carriage moves in the backward direction, the carriage Is moving in any one of the reciprocating directions, air is taken in from one of the outgoing air intake and the backward air intake, As the air taken in is discharged from the air discharge port,
The ink that has landed on the recording medium can be dried quickly.

Further, an ink drying mechanism includes a forward wall surface on which the forward air intake port is formed, which faces the forward direction of the carriage, and a backward air intake port, which faces the backward direction of the carriage. When the carriage has the formed backward wall, the forward wall faces in the forward direction of the carriage, while the backward wall faces in the backward direction of the carriage. The amount of air taken in is large, and the force of the air taken in is also strong. Therefore, the amount of air discharged from the air discharge port increases, and the force of the discharged air also increases. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording medium dries more quickly.

Further, the air discharge port has a forward air discharge port from which the air taken in from the forward air intake port is discharged, and a backward air discharge port from which the air taken in from the backward air intake port is discharged. In the case of a directional air discharge port, the air taken in from the two air intake ports is respectively discharged from different air discharge ports, so that the taken-in air can be efficiently discharged without waste.

Further, when the air intake port and the air discharge port are formed in the carriage, in forming the air intake port and the air discharge port,
Since members other than the carriage are not required, the number of parts can be reduced and a simple configuration can be achieved.

Further, the ink drying mechanism includes a forward air passage from the forward air intake to the forward air outlet, and an ink drying mechanism from the backward air intake to the backward air outlet. In the case where switching means for selectively switching either one of the backward wind path and the carriage in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the carriage is provided, the forward wind path and the backward wind path are switched in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the carriage. Since the switching can be selectively performed, the air can be efficiently taken in and ejected, and the ink that has landed on the recording medium can be dried quickly.

Further, the switching means is moved by an inertial force when the carriage reciprocates, whereby
In the case of switching to any one of the outgoing air path and the backward air path, the air path is switched using inertial force, so that a driving source and the like are unnecessary,
A simple configuration can be achieved.

Further, the ink drying mechanism includes direction detecting means for detecting in which of the reciprocating directions the carriage is moving, and the switching means is provided in the direction detected by the direction detecting means. If the air path is switched to any one of the forward air path and the backward air path based on the direction, the air path is switched based on the direction detected by the direction detecting means, so that the air path is reliably Can be switched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a plotter in which an ink drying mechanism of the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the plotter of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a carriage on which the ink drying mechanism according to the first embodiment is formed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of a carriage moving in a forward direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the carriage moving in the backward direction.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the carriage moving in the forward direction.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the carriage moving in the backward direction.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the air path switching member housed in the carriage.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a third embodiment of the ink drying mechanism of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 plotter 12 recording paper 22, 120 carriage 34 carriage motor control unit 70, 170 ink drying mechanism 72 solenoid 78, 124 return air intake 82, 122 forward air intake 92, 94 air discharge member 92a forward air Discharge port 94a Incoming air discharge port 100, 150 Air path switching member

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A print head having a plurality of ink ejection ports for ejecting ink, and a carriage on which the print head is mounted, wherein the carriage is moved in a predetermined scanning direction while moving the carriage in a predetermined scanning direction. An ink drying mechanism for drying ink that has landed on a recording medium in an ink jet type image forming apparatus that forms an image by discharging ink from the ink discharge port to a recording medium located in a front image forming area, wherein the movement of the carriage And an air outlet for discharging the air taken in from the air inlet to a portion of the recording medium where ink has landed. Ink drying mechanism. 2. The ink drying mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a wall surface on which the air intake port is formed, the wall surface facing the moving direction of the carriage. 3. The carriage reciprocates in the scanning direction, the print head ejects ink when the carriage reciprocates, and the air intake port includes: A forward air intake for taking in air when moving in the forward direction, and a backward air intake for taking in air when the carriage moves in the backward direction. Item 3. The ink drying mechanism according to Item 1 or 2. 4. A forward wall surface on which the forward air intake port is formed, which faces the forward direction of the carriage, and a backward direction, on which the backward air intake port is formed, which faces the backward direction of the carriage. The ink drying mechanism according to claim 3, further comprising a wall surface. 5. The air discharge port includes: a forward air discharge port from which air taken from the forward air intake port is discharged; and a backward direction from which air taken from the backward air intake port is discharged. 5. The ink drying mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the ink drying mechanism comprises an air discharge port. 6. The air intake port and the air discharge port,
The ink drying mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ink drying mechanism is formed on the carriage. 7. Both a forward air path from the outward air intake to the outward air discharge port and a backward air path from the backward air intake to the backward air discharge port. The ink drying mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a switching unit that selectively switches any one of them according to the reciprocation of the carriage. 8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is configured to switch to either one of the forward wind path and the backward wind path by moving by a force of inertia when the carriage reciprocates. The ink drying mechanism according to claim 7, wherein: 9. A direction detecting means for detecting in which direction the carriage is moving in a reciprocating direction, the switching means comprising: a forward direction wind based on a direction detected by the direction detecting means. The ink drying mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the air drying mechanism is configured to switch to any one of a path and a return path.