JP4144371B2 - Inkjet printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink discharge head that discharges ink to an image forming target member, a scanning unit that scans the ink discharge head in a setting direction, and the ink discharge head at a set position within a scanning range of the ink discharge head. The present invention relates to an ink jet printing apparatus provided with an ink removing unit for removing ink ejected from a space near the set position.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In such an ink jet printing apparatus, for example, minute droplets of ink are ejected toward an image forming target member such as recording paper, and various images such as characters, graphics, and photographic images are recorded and formed on the image forming target member. It is a device to do.
In such a type of printing apparatus, an image is recorded and formed on an image forming target member while scanning an ink ejection head for ejecting ink for image formation in a setting direction (main scanning direction) by a scanning unit. .
[0003]
In addition, the ink discharge head is configured to discharge minute droplets of ink from the ink discharge nozzle, and in order to stabilize the droplet shape and the discharge amount of the discharged ink, the ink meniscus state in the ink discharge head is adjusted. There is a need.
For this reason, conventionally, as described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 below, it has been considered to perform a so-called flushing operation for ejecting ink at a set position within the scanning range of the ink ejection head.
If the ink droplets ejected by the flushing operation are left unattended, the ink droplets float and move and adhere to the mechanism part of the apparatus, the image forming target member, etc., and they are contaminated.
[0004]
Therefore, in the following Patent Document 1, a porous sheet is installed at a predetermined position where the flushing operation is performed, and the ink ejected by the flushing operation is adsorbed to the porous sheet.
In Patent Document 2 below, a box sucked by a fan is disposed at a predetermined position where the flushing operation is performed, and ink droplets discharged from the ink discharge head are sucked and discharged.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-153621 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-191557 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, in the configuration in which the ink ejected to the porous sheet is adsorbed, when the ink is ejected from the ink ejection head toward the porous sheet, the ejected ink itself or the porous What has reached the sheet but has been bounced back without being absorbed is wound up by the air flow generated by the high-speed movement of the ink discharge head, floats as ink mist, and adheres to the image forming target member or other mechanism parts. There was a case.
Also, in the type in which minute droplets of ink ejected during the flushing operation are sucked into the box, if the suction force of the fan is sufficiently increased so as to suck the ink reliably, the sucked ink passes through the fan and passes through the box. It will be discharged to the outside of the fan and will adhere to the mechanical parts and the like existing near the fan. Furthermore, if a filter or the like is provided to prevent the suctioned ink from being discharged, a sufficient suction force cannot be obtained and ink suction becomes insufficient.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reliably remove ink ejected during the flushing operation.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
By providing the configuration according to claim 1, an ink ejection head that ejects ink onto an image forming target member, a scanning unit that scans the ink ejection head in a setting direction, and a scanning range of the ink ejection head Ink-jet printing apparatus provided with an ink removing means for removing the ink ejected from the ink ejection head at the set position from the space near the set position, The ink discharge head performs a flushing operation at the set position; The ink removing means includes Corresponding to the set position within the scanning range of the ink discharge head A duct having an opening in the vicinity of the set position; suction means for sucking air in the duct; and an ink absorbing member disposed in the opening. The ink absorbing surface facing the passing space side of the head Bounce ink back in the direction inclined from the ink flying direction It is arranged in an inclined posture, is provided with an air passage hole for allowing ink to pass through the duct, and is configured to form an air flow for capturing ink by the suction means in the vicinity of the ink absorbing surface, The ink discharge head is configured to perform a flushing operation toward the opening of the duct. The ink absorbing member is disposed on both sides of the central axis of the air flow path in the opening, and the side where the ink absorbing member on both sides approaches is the side far from the passage space. ing.
[0008]
In other words, an ink absorbing member is disposed at a set position within the scanning range of the ink ejection head to absorb the ink ejected by the flushing operation. The ink absorbing member is disposed in the opening of the duct to be sucked so that the air flow by the suction means is formed in the vicinity of the ink absorbing surface of the ink absorbing member.
Accordingly, the ink ejected by the flushing operation is wound up by the air flow generated by the ink ejection head that moves at high speed before reaching the ink absorbing member, or the ink that has reached the ink absorbing member is bounced back without being absorbed. It is suppressed by the suction action of the air flow formed by the suction means that the generated one is wound up by the air flow generated by the ink discharge head that moves at high speed.
[0009]
In addition, since a large part of the ink ejected by the flushing operation is absorbed by the ink absorbing member, the amount of ink sucked into the back of the duct is not so large, so the duct is not so large. Even if the suction force by the suction means is increased to some extent, the ink mist can be sufficiently prevented from being discharged out of the duct.
Accordingly, the ink ejected during the flushing operation can be reliably removed.
[0010]
Also, the above Even if the ink that has been ejected by the flushing operation and reaches the ink absorbing surface of the ink absorbing member is bounced back by the ink absorbing surface, the probability of scattering in the direction inclined from the ink flying direction increases. Compared to the case of scattering in the direction, the air flow is more reliably captured by the suction means.
Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress the ink from being wound up by the air flow generated by the high-speed scanning of the ink discharge head.
[0011]
Also, the above Regarding the arrangement of the ink absorbing member, the ink absorbing member is repelled by the ink absorbing surfaces on both sides of the central axis by positioning the ink absorbing member in an inclined posture on both sides of the central axis with the central axis of the air flow path sucked by the suction means interposed therebetween. The collected ink is scattered in a state of being collected at the center of the air flow path.
Accordingly, the scattered ink is efficiently sucked and removed by the suction means, and the ink ejected during the flash operation can be more reliably removed.
[0012]
Also, the above Claim 2 With this configuration, the ink absorbing member is disposed in a pair on both sides of the slit-like air passage hole so as to be symmetrical with respect to the plane along the central axis of the air flow path.
Accordingly, it is possible to reliably remove the ink ejected during the flushing operation with a simple configuration in which the pair of ink absorbing members are disposed slightly apart from each other in the opening, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. .
[0013]
Also, the above Claim 3 Thus, the ink absorbing surfaces of the pair of ink absorbing members are arranged so as to form approximately 90 degrees.
That is, in a state where the size of the air flow path formed between the pair of ink absorbing members and the size of the duct at the opening are constant, the angle formed by the pair of ink absorbing surfaces is changed, As a result of evaluating the ink removal capability of the flushing operation, the ink removal capability tends to improve when the angle formed by the pair of ink absorbing surfaces is changed to the narrow angle side. It has been confirmed by experiments that the removal capability is reduced when the change is made.
Therefore, the ink formed during the flushing operation can be removed very efficiently by setting the optimum angle formed by the pair of ink absorbing surfaces to approximately 90 degrees.
[0014]
Also, the above Claim 4 With this configuration, the support member that supports the ink absorbing member is detachably attached to the opening.
Therefore, when the ink absorbed in the ink absorbing member is saturated and the ink absorbing capacity of the ink absorbing member is reduced, the ink absorbing member can be easily replaced with an unused one, and maintenance of the apparatus can be performed. It can be simplified.
[0015]
Also, the above Claim 5 Thus, the ink absorbing member is composed of a porous member.
That is, as the ink absorbing member, for example, a member entangled with fibers can be configured. However, the volume of the ink absorbing member can be increased by configuring the ink absorbing member with a porous member as described above. Thus, the ink absorption capability can be easily improved.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention is provided in a photo print system will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 5, a photographic print system DP exemplified in the present embodiment includes a photographic film reader FS that reads a frame image of a developed photographic film 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “film 1”). The printer unit EP prints the frame image read by the photographic film reading device FS on the recording paper 2.
[0017]
[Schematic configuration of photographic film reader FS]
In the housing of the photographic film reading device FS, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, a halogen lamp 10, a light guide 11 composed of an optical fiber bundle, and a CCD line sensor for photoelectrically converting a frame image of the film 1 A unit 13, a lens 14 for forming an image of the film 1 on the CCD line sensor unit 13, a mirror 15 for bending the optical path by 90 degrees, and an output signal of the CCD line sensor unit 13 are amplified and A / A signal processing circuit 16 that performs D conversion and the like is provided. Further, a setup filter 17 for device adjustment is disposed between the halogen lamp 10 and the light incident end of the light guide 11 so as to be able to move in and out of the optical path. A motor 18 is provided to drive the setup filter 17 back and forth.
Outside the housing of the photographic film reading device FS, a film transport mechanism, a film mask, etc. (not shown) are provided in a state of being located below the light emitting end of the light guide 11 to bring the film 1 into a predetermined reading position. A film mask unit 12 to be positioned is detachably provided.
[0018]
The CCD line sensor unit 13 includes three lines of CCD line sensors in which about 5000 CCD elements are arranged in the width direction of the film 1, and the light receiving surface of each CCD line sensor has red, green, and blue colors, respectively. A color filter is formed to detect the frame image of the film 1 by color separation.
In the photographic film reader FS, when the film 1 is set in the film mask unit 12, the film transport mechanism starts the transport of the film 1, the frame images are sequentially read, and the red, green, and blue digital images are read. The data is output to the printer unit EP.
[0019]
[Overall configuration of printer unit EP]
As shown in FIG. 5, the printer unit EP is configured separately from the photographic film reading device FS, and an image is printed on the recording paper 2 by ejecting ink to the recording paper 2 inside the housing. The image data input from the signal processing circuit 16 of the photographic film reader FS and the ink jet printing apparatus 20 that forms the image data, and the image data after the image processing is applied to the ink jet printing apparatus 20. A main control device 21 that converts the image data into image data for printing, a data output device 22 that organizes the image data processed by the main control device 21 into image data for sending to the ink jet printing device 20, and a recording A recording paper transport system PT that pulls out and transports the recording paper 2 from the paper roll 23, and a recording paper 2 transported by the recording paper transport system PT. The recording sheet 2 printed by the inkjet printing apparatus 20 is cut to a predetermined print size by the cutter 24 and then provided outside the casing. It is discharged onto the tray 25.
[0020]
The main control device 21 is provided with a monitor 26 for simulating and displaying a print image, and an operator for observing the simulated image displayed on the monitor 26 and inputting a correction amount for image processing. An operation console 27 is connected to an external input / output device 28 such as an MO drive device or a CD-R drive device. By providing the external input / output device 28, in addition to the image data of the film 1 input from the photographic film reader FS, photographic prints can be performed using image data recorded on various recording media such as CD-R media and memory cards. The image data read by the photographic film reader FS can be recorded and stored in those recording media. The main control device 21 also manages the operation of the entire photo print system DP. The monitor 26 is also used for displaying various control information. The control console 27 inputs various control information. be able to.
[0021]
[Schematic Configuration of Inkjet Printing Apparatus 20]
As shown schematically in FIG. 5, the ink jet printing apparatus 20 is arranged so as to perform a printing operation on the recording paper 2 that is lifted and conveyed at approximately 45 degrees, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, The ink ejection head 31 that ejects ink onto the recording paper 2 that is the image formation target member IT in the present embodiment, the head controller 32 that controls the ink ejection head 31, and the ink ejection head 31 are scanned in the set direction. Scanning means SC and ink removing means IR for removing ink ejected when the ink ejection head 31 performs the flushing operation at a predetermined position from a space near the predetermined position are provided.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4 showing the ink discharge head 31 as viewed obliquely from below, a large number of ink discharges are performed at the bottom of the ink discharge head 31 in the conveyance direction (so-called sub-scanning direction) of the recording paper 2 indicated by the arrow B. A nozzle unit 41 provided with an array of nozzles 41a is attached.
The ink discharge nozzles 41a are provided for each ink color to be used, and FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which four rows of ink discharge nozzles 41a are provided for each color of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. is doing.
[0023]
The scanning means SC that scans the ink discharge head 31 in a set direction (so-called main scanning direction) moves and drives the guide rod 31a for supporting and guiding the ink discharge head 31 and the ink discharge head 31, as shown in FIG. And a timing belt 46 wound around a driving pulley 45a and a driven pulley 45b attached to the rotating shaft of the head scanning motor 45. A part of 46 is fixed to the ink discharge head 31.
The ink discharge head 31 moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 31a indicated by the arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 4 while being guided by the guide rod 31a as the head scanning motor 45 rotates.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a case where an image can be printed on the recording paper 2 conveyed in two rows is illustrated, and the ink discharge head 31 has a scanning range thereof. The flushing operation can be performed at two set positions.
Correspondingly, two identical ink removing means IR are provided, and the ink ejected by the flushing operation at each of the two set positions is removed by suction.
[0025]
As shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, each ink removing unit IR is disposed at one end of the duct 51 that forms a substantially V-shaped air flow path, and sucks air in the duct 51. An exhaust fan 52 is provided as the suction means AP, and the openings 51a on the other end side of the duct 51 are disposed at two locations along the main scanning direction of the ink discharge head 31, as shown in FIG. Has been. The arrangement positions of the openings 51a of the two ducts 51 are located in the vicinity of the set positions corresponding to the two set positions where the ink discharge heads 31 perform the flushing operation. A flushing operation is performed toward the opening 51 a of the duct 51.
A plurality of partition plates 56 for capturing the sucked ink mist are provided in the duct 51, and the ink dropped in the duct 51 is discharged to the outside of the duct 51 at the bottom of the substantially V-shaped duct 51. A discharge hole 51b for discharging is formed.
[0026]
In the opening 51 a of the duct 51, the ink absorbing member 53 is disposed in a state where it is supported by the support member 54. In the present embodiment, the ink absorbing member 53 is made of a porous member, more specifically, porous polyethylene, and has a rectangular thin plate shape.
The ink absorbing member 53 is shown in FIG. 2A in which the opening 51a of the duct 51 is viewed in the direction of ink ejection from the ink ejection head 31 and in the sub-scanning direction in the vicinity of the opening 51a of the duct 51 (FIG. 2A). As shown in FIG. 2B, which is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the direction indicated by arrow C), the ink absorption surface 53 a facing the passage space of the ink discharge head 31 in the ink absorption member 53 is the scanning direction of the ink discharge head 31 ( Arranged in a posture inclined from the direction indicated by the arrow A), positioned on both sides of the central axis α of the air flow path in the opening 51a, and the side where the ink absorbing members 53 on both sides approach (FIG. 2B). The lower side of the ink discharge head 31 is disposed on the far side from the passage space of the ink discharge head 31.
More specifically, the air passages 55 are arranged in pairs on both sides of the slit-like air passage hole 55 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the plane along the central axis α of the air flow path.
The ink absorbing surfaces 53a of the pair of ink absorbing members 53 are arranged so as to form approximately 90 degrees, which is an angle at which the ejected ink can be removed most efficiently by experiment.
[0027]
By disposing the ink absorbing member 53 as described above, an air flow by the exhaust fan 52 is formed in the vicinity of the ink absorbing surface 53a.
The support member 54 that supports the ink absorption member 53 is detachable from the opening 51a of the duct 51. When the ink absorption capability of the ink absorption member 53 is reduced, the ink absorption member 53 is replaced together with the support member 54. can do.
[0028]
[Photo print production operation]
Next, a photographic print production operation by the photographic print system DP having the above configuration will be schematically described.
When the operator inputs an instruction to make a photographic print for a photographic film frame image, the main controller 21 instructs the photographic film reading device FS to read the photographic film, and the photographic film reading device FS gives the photograph. The image data of the film is received in sequence, subjected to various image processing and recorded in the built-in memory.
On the other hand, when the operator inputs an instruction to produce a photographic print for image data recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, MO, or CD-R, the main controller 21 controls the corresponding drive of the external input / output device 28. The image data is instructed to be read, and the image data is sequentially received from the drive and recorded in the built-in memory.
[0029]
The main controller 21 calculates a simulated image based on the input image data and displays it on the monitor 26.
The operator observes the simulated image on the monitor 26 and appropriately inputs image correction instruction information from the console 27.
The main control device 21 generates image data for printing in a state where the input image correction instruction information is reflected, and sends the image data to the data output device 22.
The data output device 22 sequentially transmits image data to the head controller 32 in synchronization with the scanning drive of the scanning means SC.
[0030]
The head controller 32 controls the presence / absence of ink ejection and the ink ejection amount for each ink ejection nozzle 41a based on the image data received from the data output device 22 in units of ink ejection nozzles.
A printing operation for moving the ink ejection head 31 in the main scanning direction by the scanning means SC while ejecting ink from the ink ejection nozzle 41a under the control of the head controller 32, and a recording paper conveyance operation for conveying the recording paper 2 for a set length. The image is printed on the recording paper 2 by repeating alternately.
The head controller 32 performs the flushing operation when passing the set position, that is, the vicinity of the opening 51a of the duct 51 at an appropriate timing in the printing operation.
Most of the ink ejected by the flushing operation is absorbed by the ink absorbing member 53, and the remaining portion is sucked by the exhaust fan 52 through the air passage hole 55. The ink mist sucked by the exhaust fan 52 is dropped before reaching the exhaust fan 52 and is discharged from the discharge hole 51b.
[0031]
[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, the pair of ink absorbing members 53 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the slit-like air passage hole 55. For example, the thin plate-like ink absorbing member 53 is formed in a conical shape. The shape and arrangement of the ink absorbing member 53 can be variously changed, for example, an opening communicating with the internal space of the duct 51 is formed at the top thereof.
(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the timing belt 46 is wound and driven by the head scanning motor 45 is illustrated as the scanning means SC that scans the ink discharge head 31 in the main scanning direction. The specific configuration of the scanning means SC can be variously changed, such as driving the ink discharge head 31 with a linear motor.
[0032]
(3) In the above embodiment, the exhaust fan 52 is exemplified as the suction means AP for sucking the air in the duct 51, but various suction means AP such as an intake pump can be used.
(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the ink absorbing member 53 is formed of a porous member is exemplified. However, for example, the ink absorbing member 53 may be formed by twisting various fibers. Various changes can be made to the configuration.
(5) In the above embodiment, the recording paper 2 is exemplified as the image forming target member IT. However, various members such as cloth or resin film can be handled as the image forming target member IT.
(6) In the above embodiment, the case where the flushing operation is performed with the two positions in the scanning range of the ink ejection head 31 as the set position is illustrated, but the set position where the flushing operation is performed is one place. However, it may be three or more.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
According to the configuration of the first aspect, the ink ejected by the flushing operation is wound up by an air flow generated by an ink ejection head that moves at a high speed before reaching the ink absorbing member, or the ink absorbing member It is suppressed by the suction action of the air flow formed by the suction means that the one that has reached the position but is bounced back without being absorbed is wound up by the air flow generated by the ink discharge head that moves at high speed.
[0034]
In addition, since a large part of the ink ejected by the flushing operation is absorbed by the ink absorbing member, the amount of ink sucked into the back of the duct is not so large, so the duct is not so large. Even if the suction force by the suction means is increased to some extent, the ink mist can be sufficiently prevented from being discharged out of the duct.
Accordingly, the ink ejected during the flushing operation can be reliably removed.
[0035]
Also, the above Even if the ink that has been ejected by the flushing operation and reaches the ink absorbing surface of the ink absorbing member is bounced back by the ink absorbing surface, the probability of scattering in the direction inclined from the ink flying direction increases. Compared to the case of scattering in the direction, the air flow is more reliably captured by the suction means.
Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress the ink from being wound up by the air flow generated by the high-speed scanning of the ink discharge head.
[0036]
Also, the above Regarding the arrangement of the ink absorbing member, the ink absorbing member is repelled by the ink absorbing surfaces on both sides of the central axis by positioning the ink absorbing member in an inclined posture on both sides of the central axis with the central axis of the air flow path sucked by the suction means interposed therebetween. The collected ink is scattered in a state of being collected at the center of the air flow path.
Accordingly, the scattered ink is efficiently sucked and removed by the suction means, and the ink ejected during the flash operation can be more reliably removed.
[0037]
Also, the above Claim 2 With this configuration, it is possible to reliably remove the ink ejected during the flushing operation with a simple configuration in which the pair of ink absorbing members are slightly spaced apart and disposed in the opening, thereby reducing the cost of the apparatus. Can be planned.
Also, the above Claim 3 According to the configuration, from the result of the experiment, the ink formed during the flushing operation can be removed very efficiently by setting the angle formed by the pair of ink absorbing surfaces to approximately 90 degrees. .
[0038]
Also, the above Claim 4 According to the configuration, when the ink absorbed by the ink absorbing member is saturated and the ink absorbing ability of the ink absorbing member is reduced, the ink absorbing member can be easily replaced with an unused one. Maintenance of the apparatus can be simplified.
Also, the above Claim 5 According to the configuration, the ink absorbing member can be easily improved by increasing the volume by configuring the ink absorbing member with a porous member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of main parts according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of ink absorbing members according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of main parts according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the lower side of the ink discharge head according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photo print system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
AP suction means
IT image forming target
IR ink removing means
SC scanning means
31 Ink ejection head
51 Duct
51a opening
53 Ink absorbing member
53a Ink absorbing surface
54 Support members
55 Air passage hole

Claims (5)

An ink discharge head that discharges ink to an image forming target member, a scanning unit that scans the ink discharge head in a setting direction, and a discharge position that is discharged from the ink discharge head at a set position within the scanning range of the ink discharge head An ink jet printing apparatus provided with ink removing means for removing ink from a space near the set position,
The ink discharge head performs a flushing operation at the set position;
The ink removing means, the duct having an opening in the vicinity of the set position corresponds to the set position within the scanning range of the ink jet head,
A suction means for sucking air in the duct, and an ink absorbing member disposed in the opening,
In the ink absorbing member, the ink absorbing surface facing the passing space side of the ink ejection head is disposed in an inclined posture so that the ink rebounds in a direction inclined from the ink flying direction ,
An air passage hole through which ink passes is provided in the duct, and an air flow for capturing ink by the suction means is formed in the vicinity of the ink absorption surface,
The ink discharge head is configured to perform a flushing operation toward the opening of the duct ;
The ink absorbing member is disposed on both sides of the central axis of the air flow path in the opening, and the side where the ink absorbing member on both sides approaches is a side far from the passage space. Inkjet printing device. 2. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorbing member is disposed in a pair on both sides of a slit-like air passage hole so as to be symmetrical with respect to a plane along the central axis of the air flow path. . Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink absorbing surface of the pair of the ink absorbing member is arranged so as to form an approximately 90 degrees. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a support member that supports the ink absorbing member is detachably attached to the opening . The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the ink absorbing member is formed of a porous member .

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