JP2005219256A - Inkjet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily emit a dummy jet, and to form a high-quality image by making a distance between an inkjet recording head and a recording medium to be carried kept constant. <P>SOLUTION: When the image is formed on recording paper P, a pipe 20 is turned in a direction K2, so that a protrusion 24 can abut on a second positioning member 140, and a pipe rib 22 is positioned so as to face a nozzle surface 10A of the inkjet recording head 112. The recording paper P is conveyed by being supported on the pipe rib 22 of the pipe 20. When the dummy jet is emitted, the pipe 20 is turned in a direction K1, so that the protrusion 24 can abut on a first positioning member 138, and an opening 26 is positioned so as to face the nozzle surface 10A of the inkjet recording head 112. An ink droplet is stored in the pipe 20 from the opening 26, and absorbed into an ink absorber 28. Thus, the pipe 20 is turned, and the position of the pipe rib 22 of the pipe 20 and that of the opening 26 are replaced with each other, so that switching to an image forming state can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

  Currently, an ink jet recording apparatus is widely used as a scanning type scanner called serial scan, in which an ink jet recording head is reciprocated while ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle to convey recording paper and perform printing line by line. Inkjet recording apparatus. Although the scanning ink jet recording apparatus is small and low in cost, there is a drawback that the ink jet recording head needs to be scanned a plurality of times in order to form an image over the entire recording paper, and the printing speed is slow. In order to improve the printing speed, it is necessary to reduce the number of scans, and it is essential to lengthen the inkjet recording head. This was pushed to the limit, fixing an ink jet recording head corresponding to the paper width in which a large number of nozzles were arranged over almost the same length as the recording paper width (direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction). This is a non-scanning ink jet recording apparatus in which recording is performed by moving the recording paper with respect to the ink jet recording head.

  Now, in the ink jet recording apparatus, in order to prevent the ink droplet ejection performance from changing due to the change in the viscosity of the ink at the nozzle or the generation of bubbles, the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles of the ink jet recording head during non-image formation. It is necessary to perform a so-called dummy jet. In order to perform this dummy jet, it is necessary to provide an opening facing the nozzle surface and to accommodate ink droplets from this opening.

  In the scanning ink jet recording apparatus described above, since it is easy to retract the ink jet recording head out of the recording paper transport path, an opening for accommodating the ink droplets of the dummy jet is provided outside the transport path. It should have been provided at the retreat position.

  However, in the above-described non-scanning ink jet recording apparatus, the ink jet recording head cannot be easily retracted outside the recording paper transport path, and thus it is necessary to devise to provide an opening for accommodating the ink droplets of the dummy jet. Become.

  For this reason, a configuration has been proposed in which an opening for accommodating ink droplets of a dummy jet is provided on a platen at a position opposite to the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head, and the opening is opened and closed by a shutter. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Or the structure which conveys a recording paper with a conveyance belt and passes this conveyance belt under the opening part for accommodating the ink droplet of a dummy jet is also proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

Also proposed is a configuration in which the recording paper is transported by a transport belt in which holes are formed, and the holes of the transport belt are used as openings for accommodating ink droplets of dummy jets. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).
JP 11-34236 A JP 2000-15835 A JP 2001-113690 A

  In order to achieve high image quality, it is necessary to stabilize the conveyance of the recording paper and to keep the distance between the nozzle surface of the inkjet recording head and the recording paper to be conveyed constant.

  However, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-34236, if a long plate-like shutter is provided over the width of the recording paper, the shutter is bent, and the conveyance of the recording paper becomes unstable. Therefore, since the distance between the nozzle surface of the inkjet recording head and the recording paper is not constant, the image quality is deteriorated.

  Further, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-15835, there is no member that supports the recording paper to be transported at a position facing the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head. Since the distance between the nozzle surface of the head and the recording paper is not constant, the image quality is degraded.

  Furthermore, since the opening remains open after the dummy jet, mist-like ink droplets, so-called ink mist, generated when the dummy jet is carried out, is scattered, for example, adheres to the conveyor belt and is recorded on the recording paper during conveyance. Is dirty. In addition, during the JAM process or the replacement operation of the ink jet recording head, the operator's hand may touch the opening and become dirty. Or there is a possibility of dropping an object into the opening.

  Further, in the configuration of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-113690, stress concentrates on the end of the hole portion of the conveying belt, which may hinder stable running of the conveying belt, and may cause deterioration in print image quality.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to perform a dummy jet easily and to form a high-quality image by making the distance between an inkjet recording head and a recording medium to be conveyed constant. And

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ink jet recording head that records an image on a transported recording medium by ink droplets ejected from a nozzle, and the recording medium at a position facing a nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head. A pipe that is disposed with the direction orthogonal to the transport direction as the axial direction, supports the recording medium on which the outer peripheral surface is transported, and has an opening formed therein that can accommodate ink droplets ejected from the nozzles; Rotating means for rotating the pipe between the position facing the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head and the position not facing the opening of the pipe.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 records an image on a transported recording medium by ink droplets ejected from a nozzle of an ink jet recording head.

  A pipe in which an opening is formed so that ink droplets ejected from the nozzle can be collected inside is disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface of the inkjet recording head, with the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium as the axial direction. Yes.

  Further, the pipe is rotated by the rotating means between a position where the opening is opposed to the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head and a position where the opening is not opposed.

  When an image is formed on the recording medium, the opening of the pipe is positioned so as not to face the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head by the rotating means. Then, the recording medium is conveyed while ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the inkjet recording head, and an image is recorded on the recording medium. At this time, the recording medium is supported and supported by the outer peripheral surface of the pipe at a position where the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head faces.

  Since the pipe has higher rigidity than, for example, a plate-like shutter, the pipe does not bend. For this reason, the posture of the conveyed recording medium is stabilized. Therefore, since the distance between the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head and the recording medium is conveyed, high-quality image formation can be performed.

  Also, the ink jet recording head, for example, ejects ink droplets that do not contribute to image formation during non-image formation, so-called so-called ink droplet ejection performance due to changes in ink viscosity at the nozzles and the generation of bubbles. Need to do a dummy jet.

  When this dummy jet is performed, the opening of the pipe is set to a position facing the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head by the rotating means. Then, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles of the ink jet recording head, and the ink droplets are accommodated in the pipe from the opening.

  In this way, the image forming state can be switched to the dummy jet by rotating the pipe and changing the position of the opening of the pipe. That is, a dummy jet can be easily performed.

  In addition, since the pipe serves both as the role of supporting the recording medium and the role of storing the ink droplets, the cost is lower as compared with, for example, a configuration in which a separate shutter is provided in the opening.

  Furthermore, the image forming state can be switched in a short time from the dummy jet (non-image forming state) and the dummy jet (non-image forming state) to the image forming state. Therefore, the interruption time of image formation for the dummy jet is short. Therefore, image formation on a large number of recording media is possible at high speed.

  Further, the ink droplets of the dummy jet are accommodated in the pipe from the opening, and after the dummy jet is performed, the pipe is rotated and moved through the opening, so that the outer peripheral surface of the pipe is not stained with ink. Therefore, even if the outer peripheral surface of the pipe supports the recording medium to be conveyed, it is not soiled. Furthermore, mist-like minute ink droplets, so-called ink mist, generated when performing the dummy jet, are not scattered on the recording medium conveyance path because the opening moves from the recording medium conveyance path. Therefore, no stain due to ink mist occurs. Therefore, the transported recording medium is not soiled.

  Further, when the operator is working, for example, when performing JAM processing or ink jet recording head replacement, the opening of the pipe is set to a position where the ink jet recording head does not face, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the pipe faces. The operator's hand touches the part and does not get dirty. Also, no objects are dropped into the pipe from the opening.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, a rib is provided in a circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, and the recording medium to be conveyed is supported by the rib.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second aspect, ribs are provided in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, and the recording medium to be conveyed is supported by the ribs.

  Therefore, the recording medium is conveyed on the rib, and the area where the recording medium comes into contact with the recording medium is small, so that the resistance is low. Therefore, it is conveyed smoothly. For this reason, since the recording medium is more stably conveyed, the distance between the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head and the recording medium is constant. Therefore, high quality image formation can be performed.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a third aspect is characterized in that, in the configuration according to the first or second aspect, the rotation angle is restricted so that the opening of the pipe does not face downward.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third aspect, the rotation angle is restricted so that the opening of the pipe does not face downward.

  Therefore, the opening of the pipe faces downward, and the ink stored in the pipe does not spill out of the pipe and stain the interior of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the inkjet recording head device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the position of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe or the rib that supports the recording medium to be conveyed is set to the pipe. It is characterized by being changed according to the rotation angle.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4 adjusts the distance between the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head and the recording medium by changing the position of the outer peripheral surface or rib of the pipe supporting the recording medium to be conveyed according to the rotation angle of the pipe. can do.

  Therefore, for example, even when a recording medium with a different thickness is conveyed, the rotation angle of the pipe is adjusted according to the thickness of the recording medium, and the distance between the ink jet recording head and the recording medium is kept constant, thereby forming a high-quality image. Can be done.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the pipe includes an ink absorber that absorbs ink droplets. It is a feature.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an ink absorber that absorbs ink droplets is provided inside the pipe.

  Therefore, the ink droplets stored in the pipe by performing the dummy jet are absorbed by the ink absorber. Therefore, ink is stored inside the pipe, and, for example, it does not shake when moving the ink jet recording apparatus and spill out from the inside of the pipe, so that the inside of the ink jet recording apparatus is not soiled.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a fan that exhausts air inside the pipe.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6 is provided with a fan that discharges air inside the pipe, so that ink mist (mist-like minute ink droplets) generated at the time of the dummy jet together with the air Discharged from.

  Therefore, the ink mist is scattered from the opening and does not adhere to the conveyance path of the recording medium.

  As described above, according to the present invention, dummy jet can be easily performed, and the distance between the ink jet recording head and the transported recording medium can be made constant, and high-quality image formation can be performed.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feeding unit 126 that stores recording paper P is provided behind the ink jet recording apparatus 102.

  The recording paper P stored in the paper supply unit 126 is unloaded from the paper supply unit 126 by the paper supply mechanism 128, passes over the platen 134, and is discharged to the front surface of the inkjet recording apparatus 102 by the paper discharge mechanism 130. Note that the conveyance direction of the recording paper P on the platen 134 is the S direction.

  A carriage 114 on which the inkjet recording head 112 is mounted is disposed above the platen 134.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the inkjet recording head 112 has nozzles 10 that eject ink droplets on the nozzle surface 10A. Further, the arrangement width L of the nozzles 10 in the T direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper P is wider than the maximum width W of the recording paper P assumed by the ink jet recording apparatus 102 (see FIG. 1).

  6A, the nozzle surface 10A on which the nozzles 10 are formed is mounted on the carriage 114 so as to face the recording paper P.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, ink droplets are ejected while the recording paper P is conveyed, and an image is formed on the entire surface of the recording paper P. Therefore, image formation can be performed at high speed.

  2 to 5 are views in which the carriage 114 (and the ink jet recording head 112) is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 134 is formed with a rectangular pipe hole 132 that is long in a direction T perpendicular to the conveyance direction S of the recording paper P. A plurality of platen ribs 136 are formed in the conveyance direction S of the recording paper P.

  As shown in FIG. 3, at the bottom of the platen 134, a cylindrical pipe 20 that is open at both ends at a position facing the nozzle surface 10A of the ink jet recording head 112 (a position below the pipe hole 132) is a recording paper. The T direction perpendicular to the transport direction S of P is the axial direction and is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, both ends of the pipe 20 are fixed by bearings 30 so as to be freely rotatable.

  The pipe 20 is formed with an opening 26 which is longer than the arrangement width L of the nozzles 10 (see FIG. 8) and is formed in the outer peripheral longitudinal direction (T direction).

  Further, a plurality of crescent-shaped pipe ribs 22 are formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 20 along the circumferential direction. The pipe rib 22 is formed on the same line along the transport direction S of the platen rib 136 and the recording paper P.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the pipe rib 22 is exposed from the pipe hole 132 of the platen 134, and the upper surface of the pipe rib 22, the platen rib 136, and the upper surface are flush with each other.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6A, the recording paper P is supported by the pipe rib 22 and conveyed at a position facing the nozzle surface 10A of the inkjet recording head 112.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, a flange 32 having a flange gear 32 </ b> A formed on the outer periphery is attached to one end side of the pipe 20. The flange gear 32 </ b> A meshes with the motor gear 34 attached to the shaft 37 of the motor 36.

  Therefore, when the motor 36 is driven, the pipe 20 rotates through the motor gear 34 and the flange 32. The motor 36 can rotate forward and backward, and as shown in FIG. 3A, the pipe 20 rotates in both the K1 direction and the K2 direction. (Turns).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, a protrusion 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 20. In addition, a first positioning member 138 is provided on the lower surface of the platen 134 corresponding to the protruding portion 24, and a second positioning member 140 is provided on the casing (not shown) of the inkjet recording apparatus 102 below the pipe 20. Yes.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the pipe 20 is rotated in the K2 direction, the protrusion 24 comes into contact with the second positioning member and stops. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the pipe 20 is rotated in the K1 direction, the protrusion 24 comes into contact with the first positioning member 138 and stops. That is, the pipe 20 rotates at an angle between the first positioning member 138 and the second positioning member 140 with which the protrusion 24 contacts.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 6A, the pipe rib 22 faces the nozzle surface 10A of the ink jet recording head 112 when the protrusion 24 comes into contact with the second positioning member 140 and stops. Position.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the pipe 20 is rotated in the K1 direction and the protrusion 22 comes into contact with the first positioning member 138 and stops, the pipe rib 22 is positioned at a position facing the nozzle surface 10A of the inkjet recording head 112. Move from side to side.

  Now, when the pipe 20 is rotated in this way, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening 26 formed in the longitudinal direction (T direction) of the outer circumference longer than the arrangement width L of the nozzles 10 (see FIG. 8) is shown in FIG. As shown also in (B), it moves to the position facing the nozzle surface 10 </ b> A, and the opening 26 is exposed from the pipe hole 132 of the platen 134.

  In this state, when ink droplets that do not contribute to the image are ejected from the nozzles 10 of the ink jet recording head 112, that is, so-called dummy jets, ink droplets are accommodated in the pipe 20 from the openings 26.

  An ink absorbing member 28 is attached to the inner wall surface of the pipe 20 facing the opening 26. Accordingly, the ink droplets of the dummy jet are absorbed by the ink absorbing member 28.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, a fan 70 is attached to the casing (not shown) of the inkjet recording apparatus 102 on the other end side (the side opposite to the flange 32) of the pipe 20. A filter 72 is provided between the fan 70 and the pipe 20. Therefore, the air inside the pipe 20 is exhausted by the fan 70 via the filter 72 and exhausted to the outside of the inkjet recording apparatus 102 as indicated by an arrow F.

  Accordingly, mist-like minute ink droplets, so-called ink mist, generated when the dummy jet is performed, is also discharged from the pipe 20 together with the air. Note that since the ink mist is captured by the filter 72, the ink mist is not discharged out of the inkjet recording apparatus 102.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the state where the pipe rib 22 is in a position facing the nozzle surface 10A of the ink jet recording head 112, the opening 26 is in the horizontal direction. Further, since the protrusion 24 comes into contact with the second positioning member 140 and stops, it does not rotate further in the K2 direction. That is, the opening 24 does not face downward. Therefore, the ink stored in the pipe 20 is not spilled from the opening 26. Therefore, the inside of the inkjet recording apparatus 102 is not soiled.

  Next, the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 102 of the present embodiment will be described.

  When forming an image on the recording paper P, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 3, the pipe 20 is rotated in the K2 direction so that the projection 24 is brought into contact with the second positioning member 140, and the pipe rib 22 is formed by inkjet. The position is opposed to the nozzle surface 10 </ b> A of the recording head 112. Then, the recording paper P is conveyed while ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles 10 of the ink jet recording head 112, and an image is recorded over the width of the recording paper P. At this time, at a position where the nozzle surface 10 </ b> A of the ink jet recording head 112 faces, the recording paper P is supported while being supported by the pipe rib 22 of the pipe 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pipe 20 has higher rigidity than, for example, a plate-like shutter, so that the outer periphery of the pipe 20 is not bent. That is, the height of the pipe rib 22 is constant over the entire width W. For this reason, the attitude | position of the recording paper P conveyed is stabilized. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the distance between the nozzle surface 10A of the ink jet recording head 112 and the recording paper P is conveyed constant throughout the width W, so that high-quality image formation can be performed.

  The inkjet recording head 112 discharges ink droplets that do not contribute to image formation during non-image formation, for example, to prevent ink droplet discharge performance from changing due to ink viscosity changes at the nozzles 10 or the generation of bubbles. It is necessary to perform a so-called dummy jet.

  When performing this dummy jet, as shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 5, the pipe 20 is rotated in the K1 direction so that the protrusion 24 is brought into contact with the first positioning member 138, and the opening 26 is formed in the ink jet recording head. A position facing the nozzle surface 10A of 112 is set. Then, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 10 of the inkjet recording head 112, and the ink droplets are accommodated in the pipe 20 from the opening 26 and absorbed by the ink absorber 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the pipe 20 is rotated, and the positions of the pipe rib 22 and the opening 26 of the pipe 20 are changed, so that the image forming state (FIG. )) To the dummy jet (FIG. 6B). That is, a dummy jet can be easily performed.

  In addition, since the pipe 20 serves both as the role of supporting the recording paper P and the role of storing ink droplets, for example, an opening is formed in the platen at a position facing the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head, and a separate member shutter is provided. Compared to a configuration that opens and closes at a low cost.

  Further, the dummy jet (non-image forming state) can be switched from the image forming state and the image forming state can be switched from the dummy jet (non-image forming state) in a short time. Therefore, the interruption time of image formation for the dummy jet is short. Therefore, image formation on a large number of recording papers P is possible at high speed.

  Further, since the ink droplets of the dummy jet are accommodated in the pipe 20 from the opening 26 of the pipe 22, the pipe rib 22 of the pipe 20 is not soiled with ink. Accordingly, the transported recording paper P is not soiled.

  Fog-like minute ink droplets generated during the dummy jet, so-called ink mist, are also discharged together with air by the fan 70, and after the dummy jet is finished, the opening 26 moves from the conveyance path of the recording paper P ( 6B to 6A, the ink mist is scattered and does not adhere to the transport path of the recording paper P, for example, the platen 134.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, since the projecting portion 24 comes into contact with the first positioning member 138 and stops, the pipe 20 does not rotate any more. That is, the opening 26 does not face downward. Therefore, the opening 26 faces downward, and the ink stored in the pipe 20 does not spill out from the opening 26 and the inside of the ink jet recording apparatus 102 is not soiled.

  Further, at the time of the operator's work, for example, when performing JAM processing of the recording paper P or replacement of the inkjet recording head 112, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. By setting the pipe rib 22 of the pipe 20 so as not to face the nozzle surface 10A, that is, the position facing the nozzle surface 10A (position where the pipe rib 22 is exposed from the pipe hole 132 of the platen 134), Hands touch and do not get dirty. Further, no object is dropped from the opening 26 into the pipe 20.

  Next, a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the pipe 20 stops and is positioned only at a position where the projecting portion 24 contacts the first positioning member 138 and the second positioning member 140.

  However, the inkjet recording apparatus 104 according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which the rotation angle is arbitrarily determined using, for example, a motor whose rotation angle can be freely controlled, for example, a stepping motor. That is, the rotation angle of the pipe 20 can be freely changed between the first positioning member 138 and the second positioning member 140 where the protruding portion 24 comes into contact and stops. (See FIG. 6).

  Therefore, the distance between the upper surface of the crescent-shaped pipe rib 22 and the nozzle surface 10A of the inkjet recording head 112 is finely adjusted. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the distance can be changed to HA and HB. it can.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 104 of the present embodiment will be described.

  For example, when the recording paper PA having a small thickness is conveyed, the recording paper PA and PB are both ink jetted by using FIG. 7A, and when the recording paper PB having a large thickness is conveyed by FIG. 7B. The distance G from the nozzle surface 10A of the recording head 112 can be made constant. That is, high-quality image formation can be performed with both the recording papers PA and PB having different thicknesses.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the pipe rib 22 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pipe rib 22 may not be formed, and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe may be substantially in the same position as the platen rib, and the recording paper may be supported by the outer peripheral surface of the pipe.

  Further, when supporting the recording paper on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, the position of the outer peripheral surface facing the nozzle surface is changed by shifting the rotation axis of the pipe from the central axis of the pipe and rotating it eccentrically. You may give the same effect.

  For example, in the said embodiment, although the pipe 20 was the cylinder which the both ends opened, it is not limited to this. Any pipe that can accommodate the ink droplets of the dummy jet from the opening to the inside of the pipe may be used.

  For example, the cross-sectional shape may be a polygon, for example, a pipe 220 having a square cross section as shown in FIG. 9, or a pipe 320 having an elliptical cross section as shown in FIG. good. In the case of an elliptical shape, since the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 320 is eccentric when it is rotated, the position of the outer peripheral surface that faces the nozzle surface depending on the rotation angle without providing ribs or shifting the rotation axis. Instead, it has the same action as the second embodiment.

  Further, the pipe 20 is open at both ends, but is not limited thereto. For example, only one side may be opened, or both ends may not be opened (only the opening portion on the outer periphery is opened).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the inkjet recording head, the arrangement width L of the nozzles 10 in the T direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper P is the maximum width W of the recording paper P assumed by the inkjet recording apparatus 102 ( The arrangement is wider than that shown in FIG. 1, but the arrangement is not limited to this.

  The arrangement width of the nozzles may be narrower than the maximum width W. Further, the arrangement direction of the nozzles is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper P, and may be oblique to the conveyance direction. Furthermore, the arrangement of the nozzles may be a plurality of rows. Alternatively, for example, an ink jet recording head composed of a plurality of unit heads as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-302800 may be used.

  And the opening part of the outer periphery of a pipe should just be opened in the shape which can collect | recover an ink droplet (dummy jet) inside a pipe according to the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle of an inkjet recording head.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, there is one pipe, but a plurality of pipes may be provided.

  The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is widely included as long as it can record an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium, and is used as an output device such as a facsimile, a copying machine, a printer complex machine, or a workstation. A recording device is included.

  In addition, the “recording medium” that is the target of image recording in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a wide range of objects as long as the ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink droplets. In addition, the dot pattern on the recording medium obtained by attaching the ink droplets on the recording medium is widely included in the “image” or “recorded image” obtained by the recording apparatus of the present invention. Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to that used for recording characters and images on recording paper. In addition, the recording medium includes recording paper, an OHP sheet, and the like. In addition, for example, a substrate on which a wiring pattern or the like is formed is included. The “image” includes not only general images (characters, pictures, photographs, etc.) but also the above-described wiring patterns, three-dimensional objects, organic thin films, and the like. The liquid to be discharged is not limited to colored ink. For example, production of a color filter for display performed by discharging colored ink on a polymer film or glass, formation of bumps for component mounting performed by discharging molten solder onto the substrate, and organic EL solution on the substrate For general liquid droplet ejecting devices intended for various industrial applications, such as the formation of EL display panels that are ejected onto the substrate and the formation of bumps for electrical mounting that are performed by ejecting molten solder onto the substrate. It is possible to apply the ink jet recording apparatus of the invention.

1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a carriage is omitted and a pipe rib is exposed from a pipe hole of a platen. The carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is omitted, and the pipe rib is exposed from the pipe hole of the platen, (A) is a cross-sectional view, and (B) is a top view. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a carriage is omitted and an opening is exposed from a pipe hole of a platen. The carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is omitted, and the opening is exposed from the pipe hole of the platen, (A) is a cross-sectional view, and (B) is a top view. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is an image forming state and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a dummy jet. FIG. 4 shows an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) shows an image forming state in the case of a thin recording paper, and (B) shows a cross section showing an image forming state in the case of a thin recording paper. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the nozzle surface of an inkjet recording head. It is a figure which shows the inkjet recording device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the inkjet recording device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Nozzle 10A Nozzle surface 20 Pipe 22 Pipe rib (rib)
26 Opening 28 Ink Absorber 32 Flange (Rotating Means)
34 Motor gear (turning means)
36 Motor (turning means)
70 Fan 102 Inkjet recording device 112 Inkjet recording head
P Recording paper (recording medium)
L Nozzle array width
W Width of recording paper (recording medium)

Claims (6)

An ink jet recording head for recording an image on a transported recording medium by ink droplets ejected from a nozzle;
Ink ejected from the nozzles is disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head, with the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium as an axial direction and supporting the recording medium on which the outer peripheral surface is transported. A pipe formed with an opening capable of accommodating a drop therein;
A rotating means for rotating the pipe between the position facing the nozzle surface of the inkjet recording head and the position not facing the opening of the pipe;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rib is provided in a circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface of the pipe, and the recording medium to be conveyed is supported by the rib.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle is regulated so that the opening of the pipe does not face downward.   The inkjet recording according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a position of an outer peripheral surface of the pipe or the rib supporting the recording medium to be conveyed is changed according to a rotation angle of the pipe. apparatus.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ink absorber that absorbs ink droplets is provided inside the pipe.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a fan that discharges air inside the pipe.

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