JP2001191557A5 - - Google Patents

Description

[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention made to achieve the above object is loaded on a carriage that scans in the width direction of a recording sheet, and forms an image on the recording sheet by ejecting ink droplets from nozzle openings. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet recording head, wherein an ink recovery unit that receives ink droplets when a flushing drive signal is supplied to the recording head is disposed on a moving path of the recording head, wherein the ink recovery unit includes Includes a unit box formed in a casing shape and an exhaust unit, and the unit box has a receiving opening through which ink droplets ejected from the nozzle opening of the recording head can be passed by a flushing operation. Fold up and down in the gravitational direction and anti-gravity direction from the receiving opening inside A series of air flow paths are formed so as to return, and the exhaust means is disposed in the air flow path of the unit box or at the end of the air flow path, and from the receiving opening of the unit box to the end of the air flow path An air flow is configured to be formed.

[0024]
In addition, it is desirable that a waste liquid guide hole communicating with the ink droplet collection space is formed in a lower bottom portion of a series of air flow paths formed so as to be folded up and down. Preferably, an air filter is disposed in a part of the air flow path. In this case, it is preferable that the air filter is disposed immediately before the exhaust unit.

[0029]
On the other hand, even if a part of the ink droplet changes into a mist while it is ejected and flies to the receiving opening in the unit box, the mist is arranged in the air flow path in the unit box or at the end thereof. The air flow by the exhaust means is surely taken into the unit box.

[0030]
The ink mist taken into the unit box rides on the air flow by the exhaust means and passes through a series of air flow paths formed so as to be folded up and down in the gravitational direction and anti-gravity direction. Captured in contact with the wall of the air channel.

[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the unit box constituting the ink recovery unit has a receiving opening through which ink droplets ejected from the nozzle opening of the recording head can be passed by the flushing operation. A part is formed, and a series of air flow paths are formed so as to be folded up and down in the gravitational direction and the antigravity direction. Since the air flow is formed by the exhaust means from the receiving opening toward the terminal end of the air flow path, even if the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle opening changes to ink mist, the air flow causes the inside of the unit box to Can be reliably captured. Since the ink mist is captured in a series of air flow paths formed so as to be folded up and down, the problem of contamination of the inside and outside of the apparatus by the ink mist can be solved.

Claims (12)

Ink when an ink jet recording head is mounted on a carriage that scans in the width direction of the recording paper and forms an image on the recording paper by ejecting ink droplets from nozzle openings, and a flushing drive signal is supplied to the recording head An ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink recovery unit that receives droplets is disposed on a moving path of the recording head,
The ink recovery unit is provided with a unit box formed in a casing shape and an exhaust means , and the unit box has a receiving opening through which ink droplets ejected from the nozzle opening of the recording head by a flushing operation can pass. with parts are formed, the inside set of air passages to wrap the receiving openings vertically toward the gravitational direction and the opposite direction to gravity is formed, the air flow channel of the eduction means unit box or air An ink jet recording apparatus that is arranged at a terminal end of a flow path so that an air flow is formed from a receiving opening of the unit box toward a terminal end of the air flow path. Immediately after the receiving opening in the unit box, an ink droplet collection space is formed in the direction of gravity, and the air flow path is formed in the anti-gravity direction immediately after the receiving opening. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a waste liquid discharge port is formed in a lower bottom portion of the ink droplet collection space formed immediately after the receiving opening. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plate-like body that further increases a surface area of the air flow path is disposed in the air flow path. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plate-like bodies are arranged so as to be staggered in the air flow path, and the plate-like bodies are formed so as to meander the air flow path further in the horizontal direction. . 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plate-like bodies arranged so as to be staggered in the air flow path are formed in a state in which a tip portion of each plate-like body is inclined in the direction of gravity. . The ink jet recording according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each plate-like body formed so as to be staggered in the air flow path is disposed in the air flow path toward the antigravity direction. apparatus. The ink jet according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a waste liquid guide hole communicating with the ink droplet collection space is formed in a lower bottom portion of a series of air flow paths formed so as to be folded up and down. Type recording device. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an air filter is disposed in a part of the air flow path. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the air filter is disposed immediately before the exhaust unit . The unit box is integrally formed with one side wall, a peripheral side wall connected to the side wall, and an inner wall body forming a series of air flow passages surrounded by the peripheral side wall, and the other side facing the one side wall is open. 11. The box-shaped member configured as described above, and a sealing member that seals an open end of the box-shaped member to form a casing shape. Inkjet recording device. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sealing member is formed of a heat welding film, and the heat welding film seals an open end portion of the box-shaped member.