JP2018069695A - Liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress floating of mist generated from a liquid injection head mounted on a carriage unit moving.SOLUTION: A printer 1 serving as a liquid injection device includes: a recording head 20 having a nozzle array 21 injecting ink onto a medium; and a carriage unit 12 reciprocating in a scanning direction of the recording head 20 while comprising the recording head 20. When one of movement directions of the carriage unit 12 is defined as a first direction and the other one is defined as a second direction, the carriage unit 12 comprises a protrusion portion 31a protruding in the first direction at a portion being at least a side portion in the first direction and an opposite side to a nozzle surface 22 on which the nozzle array 21 is provided in the recording head 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head.

Hereinafter, as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet printer that performs recording by ejecting ink as a liquid onto a medium from a recording head as a liquid ejecting head will be described.
In an ink jet printer, when ink is ejected from a recording head, an ink mist in which the ink is atomized (hereinafter referred to as mist) may occur. If the mist adheres to a member (for example, a paper detection sensor) inside the ink jet printer, there is a possibility that a malfunction may occur in the operation of the printer.

For this reason, some ink jet printers are provided with mist floating suppression means for suppressing the floating of the mist in the vicinity of the recording head. For example, in Patent Document 1, as the mist floating suppressing means, a static elimination member configured to remove the charge of the mist in a non-contact state is attached to one or both of the recording head and the carriage on which the recording head is mounted. It is attached. The mist is a fine ink droplet separated from an ink droplet flying toward the medium from the recording head and is in a floating state with a charge. By providing the charge eliminating member, the charge is easily removed from the charged ink droplet (mist) and easily dropped onto the medium, and the floating of the mist is suppressed.

JP 2014-198452 A

In patent document 1, the static elimination member (the 1st static elimination cloth 71-the 5th static elimination cloth 75) is provided in the immediate vicinity of the print head 22 (refer FIGS. 4-7 of patent document 1).

Here, in a configuration in which recording is performed by moving the carriage including the recording head in the medium width direction intersecting the medium conveyance direction, an air flow is generated by the movement of the carriage.
When the mist floating suppression means is configured to suppress the mist floating by acting on the nearby ink mist as in the charge eliminating member, the carriage may be used when the mist floating suppression means is in the vicinity of the recording head. A part of the mist flows due to the airflow generated by the movement of the mist, and the floating suppression effect by the mist floating suppression means may not be sufficiently obtained.

Further, the mist may be generated near the recording head and may be generated near the medium between the time when ink droplets are ejected from the recording head and the time when the mist reaches the medium.
When the distance (gap) from the head surface of the recording head (the surface of the nozzle plate 80 in Patent Document 1) to the medium to be recorded is long, if mist is generated near the medium, the carriage is positioned at the position when the mist is generated. In this case as well, the floating suppression effect by the mist floating suppression means provided in the vicinity of the recording head cannot be sufficiently obtained.

In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of effectively suppressing floating of mist generated from a liquid ejecting head mounted on a moving carriage unit.

In order to solve the above problem, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects liquid onto a medium, the liquid ejecting head, and a scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head. A carriage unit that reciprocates between the carriage unit, and when one of the movement directions of the carriage unit is a first direction and the other is a second direction, the carriage unit is at least a side portion in the first direction. In the liquid ejecting head, a convex portion projecting in the first direction is provided at a portion opposite to the nozzle surface on which the nozzle is provided.

When the carriage unit moves after the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head, the mist generated by the liquid ejection remains at or near the position where the liquid is ejected and rises. That is, the mist tends to float on the opposite side of the moving direction of the carriage unit that moves after the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head.
According to this aspect, the carriage unit is at least a side portion in the first direction, and a portion on the opposite side to the nozzle surface on which the nozzle is provided in the liquid ejecting head. Since the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head and the carriage unit moves in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the liquid ejecting head moves upward in the first direction. Mist can be suppressed by the convex portion, and diffusion of the mist can be suppressed.

  A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the liquid receiving portion receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head on the end side in the first direction in the movement direction of the carriage unit. Is provided.

The liquid ejecting head may perform a flushing operation for ejecting the liquid to ensure the inside of the nozzle at the position of the liquid receiving portion. In the flushing operation, liquid is ejected from all the nozzles, so that a lot of mist is easily generated.
According to this aspect, since the liquid receiving portion is provided on the end side in the first direction where the convex portion is provided in the movement direction of the carriage unit, the flushing operation of the liquid ejecting head is performed. Mist diffusion toward the first direction of the carriage unit due to subsequent movement of the carriage unit in the second direction can be suppressed by the convex portion.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the convex portion is the first convex portion, and the carriage unit is a side portion in the second direction, The head is provided with a second convex portion projecting in the second direction at a portion opposite to the nozzle surface on which the nozzle is provided.

  According to this aspect, since the convex portions (the first convex portion and the second convex portion) are provided on both sides of the first direction and the second direction, which are moving directions of the carriage unit, Even if the movement direction of the carriage unit after the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head is either the first direction or the second direction, diffusion of the mist can be suppressed.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the first convex portion is projected from the second convex portion in the liquid ejecting direction from the liquid ejecting head. Is wide,
A liquid ejecting apparatus.

  According to this aspect, the first projecting portion provided on the side where the mist is likely to float after the flushing operation performed by the liquid ejecting head in the liquid receiving portion is more effective than the second projecting portion. Since the projected area of the liquid in the jet direction of the liquid is large, it is possible to more effectively suppress the diffusion of mist generated after the flushing operation.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein at least a part of the convex portion intersects the moving direction of the carriage unit. It is located in the arrangement | positioning area | region of the said liquid ejecting head in a certain medium conveyance direction, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the mist floating suppression effect by the convex portion with higher certainty.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the convex portion includes a rectifying rib that adjusts an air flow when the carriage unit moves. It is characterized by that.

  According to this aspect, by providing the flow straightening rib, it is possible to prepare an air flow that is generated when the carriage unit is moved, and to suppress diffusion of the mist.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the rectifying rib is formed in a tapered shape in the protruding direction of the convex portion.

  According to this aspect, the same effect as the sixth aspect can be obtained more effectively.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the convex portion absorbs the mist derived from the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head. It comprises a first member that is at least one of a possible absorbing member, a static eliminating member that can neutralize the mist, or a charging member that can adsorb the mist.

  According to this aspect, at least one of the absorbing member capable of absorbing the mist derived from the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, the neutralizing member capable of neutralizing the mist, or the charging member capable of adsorbing the mist. The first member that is can absorb, neutralize, or adsorb the mist, thereby suppressing floating of the mist.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein at least a part of the first member is ejected in the medium transport direction that is a direction intersecting the moving direction of the carriage unit. It is located in the arrangement | positioning area | region of a head.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the mist floating suppression effect by the absorbing member, the charge eliminating member, or the charging member with higher certainty.

  A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided independently of the carriage unit, and stores the liquid. A relay adapter that is provided in the carriage unit and relays the supply of the liquid that is sent from the liquid storage portion toward the liquid ejecting head, and is connected to a connection portion that is provided in the relay adapter, and the liquid storage portion A tube for supplying the liquid sent from the relay adapter to the relay adapter, and the carriage unit includes a cover member that covers at least the connection portion.

  According to this aspect, since at least the connection part of the relay adapter is covered with the cover member, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the user may inadvertently touch the connection part of the tube in the relay adapter.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the tenth aspect, the convex portion is provided on the cover member.

  According to this aspect, since the convex portion is provided on the cover member, maintenance such as cleaning of the convex portion can be easily performed. In particular, when the absorbing member, the charge eliminating member, the charging member, or the like is provided to be replaceable with respect to the convex portion, the replacement work is facilitated.

  A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the tenth aspect or the eleventh aspect, wherein the cover member is fixed to the carriage unit in a mounted state, and the carriage unit is movable. And a cover portion that covers the fixing member when it is at a predetermined position in the range.

According to this aspect, the fixing member that fixes the cover member to the mounting state with respect to the carriage unit is covered by the cover portion when the carriage unit is at a predetermined position in the movable range. When the unit is in the predetermined position, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the fixing member is released and the cover member is removed.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer in a state where an operation panel is rotated to the front side of the apparatus. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printer when the scanner and the ink tank cover are opened with respect to the apparatus main body. The perspective view explaining the structure of an apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a carriage unit. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the carriage unit as viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. 5. The bottom view of a carriage unit. The principal part expansion perspective view which shows the state which has a carriage unit in a home position in an apparatus main body. The principal part expansion perspective view which shows the state in which a carriage unit does not exist in a home position in an apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a unit main body of the carriage unit. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printer with the scanner removed. The figure explaining the positional relationship of the screw which fixes the cover member of a carriage unit, and a cover part. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a carriage unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a carriage unit according to a third embodiment.

[Example 1]
First, an outline of an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) as an example of the “liquid ejecting apparatus” according to the invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer in a state where the operation panel is rotated to the front side of the apparatus. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printer when the scanner and the ink tank cover are opened with respect to the apparatus main body. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the apparatus main body. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the carriage unit. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the carriage unit as seen from a direction different from that in FIG. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the carriage unit. FIG. 8 is an essential part enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the carriage unit is at the home position in the apparatus main body. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a state where the carriage unit is not at the home position in the apparatus main body. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the unit body of the carriage unit. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the printer with the scanner removed. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the screw for fixing the cover member of the carriage unit and the cover portion.

  In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X-axis direction is the width direction of the recording apparatus, the recording head moving direction, the Y-axis direction is the recording apparatus depth direction, the medium conveyance direction, and the Z-axis direction. Indicates the device height direction. In each figure, the + X axis direction side is the apparatus left side, the -X axis direction side is the apparatus right side, the + Y axis direction is the apparatus front side, the -Y axis direction side is the apparatus rear side, and the + Z axis direction side is the apparatus side. The upper side is the -Z-axis direction side is the lower side of the apparatus.

<Overall configuration of printer>
Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the printer 1 will be outlined with reference mainly to FIGS.
The printer 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 provided with components for executing recording, and a scanner 3 provided to be rotatable with respect to an upper portion of the apparatus main body 2.

  Reference numeral 4 on the front side of the printer 1 in FIG. 1 is an operation configured to include a power button, operation buttons for performing various print settings / recording, a display unit for displaying print setting contents and a preview of a print image, and the like. Panel 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 4 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 so as to be rotatable on the front side of the apparatus.

When the operation panel 4 is turned as shown in FIG. 2, the medium discharge tray 9 stored in the apparatus main body 2 can be advanced. The medium discharge tray 9 advances and retreats between a position stored in the apparatus main body 2 (see the solid line part in FIG. 2) and a position pulled out from the apparatus main body 2 to the front side of the apparatus (see the two-dot chain line part in FIG. 2). It is configured to be possible.
In the apparatus main body 2, a medium accommodating portion 5 capable of accommodating a medium is attached to the apparatus main body 2 on the lower side of the medium discharge tray 9 so as to be insertable / removable from the apparatus front side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the scanner 3 provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 2 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the apparatus main body 2 with the back side of the apparatus as a rotation fulcrum and is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 2. It is possible to switch between the open posture (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and the open posture (see FIG. 3).

  1 to 4, an ink tank 6 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 2 and on the right end of the apparatus. The ink tank unit 6 includes a plurality of ink tanks 10 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) as “liquid storage units” that store ink of each color as “liquid”, and a housing 7 that covers the plurality of ink tanks 10. And an ink tank cover 8 rotatably attached to the housing 7. The ink tank portion 6 including a plurality of ink tanks 10 is provided independently from the carriage unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink tank unit 6 is disposed so as to be positioned below the scanner 3 in a posture in which at least a part is closed in the apparatus width direction (X-axis direction).
When the scanner 3 is in an open position with respect to the apparatus main body 2, the ink tank cover 8 is completely exposed, and the ink tank cover 8 can be opened as shown in FIG. The ink tank cover 8 is attached to the housing 7 so as to be rotatable about the back side (−Y axis direction) of the housing 7 as a rotation fulcrum.

  The ink tank 10 is configured to be able to replenish ink from a replenishing ink bottle (not shown). When the ink tank cover 8 is opened as shown in FIG. 3, the ink inlet (not shown) of the ink tank 10 is sealed. The inlet cover 11 to be stopped is exposed. By opening the inlet cover 11, the replenishment ink bottle can be attached to the ink injection port and ink can be replenished.

  In this embodiment, five ink tanks 10 are provided as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and each ink tank 10 contains, as an example, black, magenta, yellow, cyan, and photo black inks. ing. In addition, on the front side of the ink tank unit 6, a display unit 6 a that can check the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank 26 is provided.

  Each ink tank 10 is connected to a buffer tank 38 provided on the back side of the apparatus by a connection tube 39. For example, when the air temperature around the printer 1 rises, the air pressure in the ink tank 10 increases and the ink cover 10 is accommodated in the ink tank 10 when the ink inlet cover 11 closes the ink inlet (not shown). Ink may be pushed into the buffer tank 38.

  As an example, the ink storage amount in each buffer tank 38 is set to be substantially the same as or more than the ink storage amount of the ink tank 10 connected by the connection tube 39. Therefore, even if the ink stored in the ink tank 10 flows into the buffer tank 38, it is possible to prevent or suppress the ink from leaking out of the buffer tank 38.

  Next, in FIG. 4, a carriage unit 12 is disposed on the back side (−Y axis direction) of the ink tank unit 6. As an example, the carriage unit 12 is configured to reciprocate in the apparatus width direction (X-axis direction) as a scanning direction in the apparatus main body 2. The drive mechanism of the carriage unit 12 will be described more specifically. A drive motor 13 is provided on the back side of the carriage unit 12 in the apparatus depth direction.

  A drive pulley 14 (FIG. 7) is provided on the drive shaft of the drive motor 13. Further, in the apparatus main body 2 shown in FIG. 4, the driven pulley 15 is located at a position spaced in the apparatus width direction with respect to the drive pulley 14 (not visible in FIG. 4, but on the apparatus front side of the drive motor 13). Is provided. The driven pulley 15 is provided so as to be driven to rotate with respect to the driving pulley 14. An endless belt 16 (see also FIG. 7) is wound around the driving pulley 14 and the driven pulley 15.

As shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the endless belt 16 is attached to the carriage unit 12 at an attachment portion 12 a provided on the back side of the carriage unit 12. When the drive motor 13 is rotationally driven, the endless belt 16 is rotationally driven in the same direction as the rotational direction of the drive motor 13 to move the carriage unit 12 in the X-axis direction. As an example, the position of the carriage unit 12 shown in FIG. 4 in the apparatus main body 2 is set as the home position of the carriage unit 12.
That is, the position on the end side on the −X axis direction side of the movement region of the carriage unit 12 is the home position of the carriage unit 12 (see also FIG. 8).

  The carriage unit 12 (FIGS. 5 and 6) includes a unit main body 32 and a cover member 31 that covers the upper portion of the unit main body 32. The carriage unit 12 shown in FIG. A plurality of relay adapters 17 for relaying the supply of ink sent from the ink tank 10 toward the recording head 20 are mounted. Each relay adapter 17 is connected to the ink tank 10 via an ink supply tube 18 that supplies ink sent from the ink tank 10 to the relay adapter 17.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 19 denotes a connection portion 19 of the ink supply tube 18 in the relay adapter 17. In FIG. 8, in order to show the connecting portion 19 in an easy-to-understand manner, the description of the ink supply tube 18 from the portion indicated by reference numeral 18a surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 8 to the connecting portion 19 is omitted. One end of an ink supply tube 18 is connected to 19.

In the carriage unit 12, the cover member 31 is configured to cover at least the connection portion 19, and in this embodiment, the relay adapter 17, the connection portion 19, and a part of the ink supply tube 18 connected to the connection portion 19. Is covered with a cover member 31.
Specifically, in the unit main body 32 shown in FIG. 10, both the relay adapter housing portion 32a in which the relay adapter 17 including the connection portion 19 is housed and the tube housing portion 32b in which the plurality of ink supply tubes 18 are housed are covered. Covered by member 31 (FIG. 6). As described above, since at least the connection portion 19 is covered with the cover member 31, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the user may inadvertently touch the connection portion 19 of the relay adapter 17 and the ink supply tube 18.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a recording head 20 as a “liquid ejecting head” is provided below the carriage unit 12. A plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are provided on the lower surface of the recording head 20. The relay adapter 17 (FIG. 8) is configured to be able to supply ink to the nozzle row 21 (FIG. 5) of the recording head 20.
The configuration of the carriage unit 12 will be further described later.

  Subsequently, in FIG. 4, a medium support member 23 extending in the apparatus width direction is provided below the recording head 20 (not visible in FIG. 4). Further, a transport roller pair 24 is provided on the back side of the medium support member 23.

  Here, the recording operation of the medium of the printer 1 will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 4. The medium accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 5 is fed to the conveying roller pair 24 by a feeding unit (not shown). The conveyance roller pair 24 nips the medium and feeds the medium to a region facing the recording head 20 on the lower side of the recording head 20. The medium supported by the medium support member 23 receives ink ejected from the nozzle array 21 (FIG. 5) of the recording head 20 on the surface facing the recording head 20 (FIG. 5). As a result, recording is performed on the surface of the medium facing the recording head 20. Then, the recorded medium is discharged toward the medium discharge tray 9 (FIG. 2) that protrudes toward the front side of the apparatus main body 2.

  On the apparatus body 2 side of the carriage unit 12 facing the recording head 20 located at the home position (position of the carriage unit 12 in FIG. 8), a cap portion as a “liquid receiving portion” that receives ink ejected from the recording head 20. 25 (FIG. 9) is provided. The recording head 20 can perform a flushing operation for ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzle arrays 21 (FIGS. 5 and 7) to the cap unit 25 at the home position. The cap unit 25 is connected to a suction pump (not shown), and the ejected ink is sucked and stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown).

■■ About the carriage unit ■■
The configuration of the carriage unit 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The carriage unit 12 in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5 when one −X axis direction of the movement direction (X axis direction) of the carriage unit 12 is a first direction and the other + X axis direction is a second direction. As shown in the drawing, the side portion in the −X-axis direction as the “first direction” and the portion on the + Z-axis direction side opposite to the nozzle surface 22 on which the nozzle row 21 is provided in the recording head 20. A feature is that a convex portion 31a (see also FIG. 6) protruding in the −X-axis direction (first direction) is provided.
In the present embodiment, the convex portion 31a is provided on the cover member 31 (FIG. 6).

Here, when ink is ejected from the recording head 20, fine ink may be separated from the ejected ink droplets to become mist (hereinafter simply referred to as mist), which may be in a floating state.
Like the carriage unit 12 according to the present embodiment, the convex portion 31a is provided at a portion opposite to the nozzle surface 22 of the recording head 20, so that the ink is generated when ink is ejected from the recording head 20. The rise of the mist can be suppressed by the convex portion 31a, and the diffusion of the mist can be suppressed.

When the carriage unit 12 moves after ink is ejected from the recording head 20, the mist generated by the ink ejection remains at or near the position where the liquid is ejected. The mist rises and floats on the opposite side of the moving direction.
In the present embodiment, the convex portion 31a protrudes in the −X axis direction as the “first direction”, so that the carriage unit 12 moves when the carriage unit 12 moves in the + X axis direction as the “second direction”. −Mist that remains on the X-axis direction side and rises while floating can be effectively suppressed.

In particular, when the recording head 20 performs the flushing operation at the home position where the cap portion 25 (FIG. 9) is provided, the liquid is ejected from all the nozzles of the nozzle row 21 (FIG. 5) of the recording head 20, A lot of mist is generated.
When the recording head 20 moves in the + X-axis direction from the home position (the position of the end of the carriage unit 12 in the −X-axis direction) after the flushing operation, the carriage unit 12 moves to the home position side, that is, the −X-axis. A lot of mist generated by the flushing operation floats on the direction side.
In the carriage unit 12 according to this embodiment, the protrusion 31a protruding in the −X axis direction of the carriage unit 12 effectively suppresses the mist that diffuses in the −X axis direction side of the carriage unit 12 after the flushing operation. Can

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the casing 7 and the buffer tank 38 of the ink tank 6 are partly located on the −X axis direction side with respect to the carriage unit 12 at the home position. There is a space 37 between the housing 7 and the buffer tank 38 in the Y-axis direction inside the main body 2 and on the −X-axis direction side of the home position of the carriage unit 12 (see also FIG. 4). If there is a space 37 at this position, the mist generated by the flushing operation of the recording head 20 at the home position tends to float in the space 37.
If the convex portion 31 a covers the space 37 when the carriage unit 12 is located at the home position, diffusion of the mist floating in the space 37 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the convex portion 31 a is positioned in the arrangement area of the recording head 20 in the medium conveyance direction that is the Y-axis direction intersecting the movement direction (X-axis direction) of the carriage unit 12. To do. In other words, at least a part of the convex portion 31a overlaps at least a part of the recording head 20 in the medium conveyance direction.
The mist generated separately from the ink ejected from the recording head 20 is likely to float in the arrangement area of the recording head 20 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, since at least a part of the convex portion 31a is located in the arrangement region of the recording head 20 in the Y-axis direction, the mist floating suppressing effect by the convex portion 31a can be obtained with higher certainty.

Further, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 31 a includes a static elimination member 33 (FIGS. 5 and 7) as a “first member” on the surface in the −Z axis direction, that is, the lower surface. The neutralization member 33 is formed in a sheet shape such as a nonwoven fabric, for example, and is configured to be able to neutralize the mist in a contact state or a non-contact state with the mist.
The mist generated from the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 20 is charged and floating. If the charge removal member 33 is provided on the lower surface of the convex portion 31a, the mist that is charged and floated is discharged and easily falls downward. Thereby, floating of the mist can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the charge removal member 33 is located in the arrangement area of the recording head 20 in the medium transport direction that is the Y-axis direction intersecting the movement direction of the carriage unit 12. desirable.
As described above, the mist is likely to float in the arrangement area of the recording head 20 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, at least a part of the static elimination member 33 is located in the arrangement region of the recording head 20 in the Y-axis direction, so that the effect of suppressing mist floating by the static elimination member 33 can be obtained.

  In addition to the charge eliminating member 33, for example, an absorbing member capable of absorbing ink-derived mist ejected from the recording head 20 and a charging member capable of adsorbing the charged mist are used as the “first member”. be able to. Since the absorbing member absorbs the mist, the floating of the mist can be suppressed. Moreover, since the charging member adsorbs the charged mist, the floating of the mist can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the static elimination member 33 is provided to be replaceable with respect to the convex portion 31a.
Since the convex portion 31 a is provided on the cover member 31, the charge removal member 33 can be easily replaced by removing the cover member 31 from the unit main body 32. Even when the static eliminating member 33 is not provided, maintenance such as cleaning of the convex portion 31a is easy.
In addition, the convex part 31a can also be comprised so that attachment or detachment with respect to the cover member 31 is possible other than the case where it forms integrally with the cover member 31 like a present Example. Moreover, the convex part 31a can be integrally formed above the side part of the unit main body 32, or can be configured to be detachable.

In addition to the charge removal member 33 (first member) provided on the convex portion 31a, the carriage unit 12 is, for example, a portion close to the recording head 20 on the side in the −X axis direction or the + X axis direction, that is, the carriage unit. Any one of the static eliminating member, the absorbing member, and the charging member may be provided on the lower side of 12.
As a result, the mist generated near the recording head 20 is suppressed from floating by the neutralizing member provided near the recording head 20 and is not suppressed by the neutralizing member near the recording head 20. The mist that has floated to the upper side can be further prevented from floating by the charge removal member 33 (first member) provided on the convex portion 31a.

Subsequently, in the carriage unit 12, the cover member 31 is fixed to the unit body 32 of the carriage unit 12 in a mounted state by screws 34 a and 34 b (FIG. 6) as “fixing members”.
In the unit main body 32 shown in FIG. 10, reference numerals 35a and 35b are screw holes into which the screws 34a and 34b are fitted.

  In FIG. 11, a cover 36 is provided on the upper housing 2 a among the upper housing 2 a and the lower housing 2 b constituting the apparatus main body 2. The cover portion 36 is provided on the home position side (−X axis direction side) of the carriage unit 12 in the upper housing 2 a, and when the carriage unit 12 is at the home position as a “predetermined position” in the movable range of the carriage unit 12. Further, the cover portion 36 is configured to cover the screws 34a and 34b (upper view of FIG. 12).

In use of the printer 1, normally, when recording is finished, the carriage unit 12 returns to the home position and enters a stop state or a standby state. If the user can access the screws 34a and 34b when the carriage unit 12 is stopped, the user may accidentally remove the screws 34a and 34b.

In this embodiment, when the carriage unit 12 is in the home position as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 12, screws 34 a and 34 b for fixing the cover member 31 to the unit main body 32 are covered by the cover portion 36. Therefore, in the state where the carriage unit 12 is at the home position, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user releases the fixing of the screws 34a and 34b and the cover member 31 is removed.
The screws 34a and 34b do not need to be entirely covered by the cover 36. If the screws 34a and 34b are covered so that hands and fingers or jigs cannot be inserted to remove the screws 34a and 34b, the screws 34a , 34b may protrude outside the cover 36.

On the other hand, as shown in the lower diagram in FIG. 12, the carriage unit 12 is located on the + X-axis direction side of the home position, and the screws 34a and 34b can be removed when the screws 34a and 34b are exposed. Therefore, when removing the cover member 31, the carriage unit 12 can be moved to a position in the + X-axis direction from the home position and stopped, and the screws 34a and 34b can be removed.
Since the carriage unit 12 is moving in the X-axis direction during recording, the user is unlikely to remove the screws 34a and 34b even if the screws 34a and 34b are exposed.

[Example 2]
In this embodiment, another example of the carriage unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the carriage unit according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

The carriage unit 40 described in the second embodiment includes a first convex portion 41a provided in the −X axis direction as the “first direction”, and the carriage unit 40 moves in the moving direction with respect to the first convex portion 41a. The second convex portion 41 b is provided on the side portion in the + X-axis direction as the “second direction” which is the opposite side.
That is, “projections” are provided on both sides of the carriage unit 40 in the moving direction.
Therefore, even if the moving direction of the carriage unit 40 after the liquid is ejected from the recording head 20 is either the −X axis direction or the + X axis direction, the mist diffusion can be suppressed.

The carriage unit 40 includes a unit main body 42 and a cover member 41, and the cover member 41 is fixed to the unit main body 42 with screws 43a and 43b. The first convex portion 41 a and the second convex portion 41 b are provided on the cover member 41.
Moreover, the 1st convex part 41a is formed larger than the 2nd convex part 41b. More specifically, the first projection 41a has a larger projected area in the liquid ejection direction (−Z-axis direction) from the recording head 20 than the second projection 41b.

Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the end of the moving region of the carriage unit 40 on the −X axis direction side is set to the home position.
In the carriage unit 40, the first convex portion 41a, which is the “convex portion” on the home position side, is larger than the second convex portion 41b, so that a large amount of mist generated after the flushing operation performed by the carriage unit 40 at the home position is diffused. Can be more effectively suppressed.

[Example 3]
In the present embodiment, still another example of the carriage unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the carriage unit according to the third embodiment. Also in this embodiment, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the carriage unit 50 described in the third embodiment includes a convex portion 51a on the −X axis direction side as the first direction. The carriage unit 50 includes a unit main body 52 and a cover member 51, and the convex portion 51 a is provided on the cover member 51.
The convex portion 51 a protrudes in a direction (−Z axis direction) intersecting the recording head 20 side surface 53 of the convex portion 51 a and has a rectifying rib 54 extended in the moving direction of the carriage unit 50. There are several.

The rectifying rib 54 plays a role of adjusting the air flow when the carriage unit 50 moves.
More specifically, the rectifying rib 54 allows the air flow to flow in the direction along the moving direction of the carriage unit 50, that is, in the X-axis direction.

When the carriage unit 50 moves, an air flow is generated by the movement. The air flow basically flows in the X-axis direction along the moving direction of the carriage unit 50, and the floating of the mist flowing by the air flow in the X-axis direction is suppressed by the convex portion 51a.
However, for example, the air flow in the X-axis direction when the carriage unit 50 moves due to the influence of the air flow in the Y-axis direction derived from the conveyance of the paper or the convection of air derived from the temperature gradient in the apparatus. May be disturbed.
If the air flow in the X-axis direction is disturbed and the mist flows in a region that does not overlap the convex portion 51a with respect to the Y-axis direction intersecting the moving direction of the carriage unit 50, the effect of suppressing the mist floating by the convex portion 51a is reduced. Resulting in.

  In the present embodiment, the air flow can be made easier to flow in the direction along the moving direction of the carriage unit 50 when the carriage unit 50 is moved by the rectifying rib 54 provided on the convex portion 51a. Thereby, the floating suppression effect of the mist by the convex part 51a can be enhanced.

The rectifying rib 54 of the present embodiment is formed in a tapered shape in the protruding direction of the convex portion 51a. Thereby, the air flow can easily flow in the moving direction of the carriage unit 12.
The rectifying rib 54 is not limited to the tapered shape as in the present embodiment, and may be formed with the same width up to the tip of the protruding portion 51a on the protruding direction side.

In addition, a first member 55 selected from at least one of an absorbing member, a charge eliminating member, a charging member, and the like can be provided between the plurality of rectifying ribs 54 provided.
When the second convex portion is provided on the opposite side of the movement direction of the carriage unit 12 with the convex portion 51a as the first convex portion as in the second embodiment, the same applies to the second convex portion. It is preferable to provide a straightening rib.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 2 ... Apparatus main body 3 ... Scanner,
4 ... operation panel, 5 ... medium accommodating part, 6 ... ink tank part, 7 ... housing,
8 ... Ink tank cover, 9 ... Medium discharge tray, 10 ... Ink tank (liquid container),
11 ... Inlet cover, 12 ... Carriage unit, 13 ... Drive motor,
14 ... Drive pulley, 15 ... Driven pulley, 16 ... Endless belt,
17 ... Relay adapter, 18 ... Ink supply tube, 19 ... Connection part,
20 ... Recording head (liquid jet head), 21 ... Nozzle row, 22 ... Nozzle surface,
23: Medium support member, 24: Transport roller pair, 25: Cap part (liquid receiving part),
31 ... Cover member, 31a ... Projection, 32 ... Unit body,
33 ... Static elimination member (first member), 34a, 34b ... Screw, 35a, 35b ... Screw hole,
36 ... Cover part, 40 ... Carriage unit, 41 ... Cover member,
41a ... 1st convex part, 41b ... 2nd convex part, 42 ... Unit main body,
43a, 43b ... screws, 50 ... carriage unit, 51 ... cover member,
51a ... convex portion, 52 ... unit main body, 54 ... rectifying rib, 55 ... first member

Claims (12)

A liquid ejecting head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid onto a medium;
A carriage unit including the liquid ejecting head and reciprocating in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head,
When one of the moving directions of the carriage unit is the first direction and the other is the second direction, the carriage unit is at least a side portion in the first direction, and the nozzle is provided in the liquid ejecting head. In a portion on the opposite side to the nozzle surface provided with a convex portion protruding in the first direction,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a liquid receiving portion that receives liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head is provided on an end portion side in the first direction in the moving direction of the carriage unit.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion is a first convex portion, the carriage unit is a side portion in the second direction, and the nozzle is provided in the liquid ejecting head. A second convex portion projecting in the second direction is provided in a portion opposite to the surface,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first convex portion has a larger projected area in the liquid ejecting direction from the liquid ejecting head than the second convex portion.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. 5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the convex portion of the liquid ejecting head is in a medium transport direction that is a direction intersecting a moving direction of the carriage unit. Located in the placement area,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The convex portion includes a rectifying rib that adjusts an air flow when the carriage unit moves.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6,
The rectifying rib is formed in a tapered shape in the protruding direction of the convex portion,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The convex portion is at least one of an absorbing member that can absorb the mist derived from the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, a neutralizing member that can neutralize the mist, or a charging member that can adsorb the mist. Comprising a first member,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. 9. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the first member is located in an arrangement region of the liquid ejecting head in a medium transport direction that is a direction intersecting a moving direction of the carriage unit.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A liquid storage section that is provided independently of the carriage unit and stores the liquid;
A relay adapter that is provided in the carriage unit and relays the supply of the liquid that is sent from the liquid container toward the liquid ejecting head;
A tube connected to the connection provided in the relay adapter and supplying the liquid sent from the liquid storage unit to the relay adapter, and
The carriage unit includes a cover member that covers at least the connection portion.
A liquid ejecting apparatus.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the convex portion is provided on the cover member. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
A fixing member for fixing the cover member to the carriage unit in a mounted state;
A cover portion that covers the fixing member when the carriage unit is at a predetermined position in the movable range.
A liquid ejecting apparatus.

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