JP6727417B2 - Ink jet recording apparatus and cooling method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus and a cooling method, and more particularly, to collecting a substance contained in intake air of a housing in which an electric device is stored.

2. Description of the Related Art As a printing device that prints on paper, an inkjet recording device including an inkjet head is known. In a home-use inkjet recording apparatus, a paper size is small and the amount of paper used is small, so that a substance derived from paper such as paper dust is unlikely to be a problem.

On the other hand, the ink jet recording apparatus used in a printing company or the like consumes a large amount of paper, so that a large amount of paper-borne floating matters such as paper dust are generated, and there is a problem caused by the paper-derived floating matters. It can occur. Note that the floating matter referred to here may be read as foreign matter.

Further, the environment of the inkjet recording apparatus may be subjected to humidification for the purpose of preventing the deformation of the paper. In an environment where the humidification treatment is performed, problems caused by suspended matter derived from the humidified mist may occur.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the expansion of the market for printing a small number of copies and a large number of jobs, digitalization of printing apparatuses is in progress. When the printing apparatus is digitized, it may be possible to realize a larger size of paper and a higher printing speed.

On the other hand, as the size of the paper is increased and the printing speed is increased, the heat generation amount of the electric device such as the power supply device tends to increase. When the amount of heat generated by an electric device increases, it is necessary to take measures such as forced cooling using a fan.

Patent Document 1 describes an inkjet recording apparatus in which a paper feed unit, a transport unit, a scan transport unit, a drawing unit, and a paper discharge unit are provided in a housing. The inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1 includes a filter and a suction fan on the upper surface of the housing. One end of the duct is attached to the exhaust side of the suction fan. The other end of the duct covers the inkjet head and opens toward the paper.

The outside air cleaned by using the filter is supplied to the periphery of the inkjet head through the duct, forms an air curtain, and contributes to the prevention of adhesion of foreign matter to the inkjet head.

The sheet feeding unit in this specification corresponds to the recording medium storage unit in Patent Document 1. The drawing unit in this specification corresponds to the image recording unit in Patent Document 1. The paper discharge unit in this specification corresponds to the tray in Patent Document 1.

Patent Document 2 describes a salt damage prevention structure of a mounting card of an open type electronic device having a forced cooling fan. The salt damage prevention structure for a mounting card described in Patent Document 2 includes a salt damage prevention filter at an intake port for introducing air. The intake port in this specification corresponds to the air inlet port in Patent Document 2.

JP, 2007-21958, A Japanese Patent No. 3656572

In the environment in which the inkjet recording device is installed, various kinds of suspended matter such as suspended matter derived from paper and suspended matter derived from humidified mist may be generated. Further, a floating substance in the environment where the inkjet recording device is installed may include a conductive substance.

It has been found that when a forced cooling using a fan is performed in an environment where various kinds of suspended matter containing a conductive substance may exist, the suspended matter adheres to the inside of the inkjet recording apparatus. In particular, when a conductive substance adheres to electric equipment and causes dew condensation in a high humidity environment, a short circuit may occur in the electric circuit. In particular, a short circuit is likely to occur in the high voltage section.

Further, when the filter that collects the conductive substance collects a substance other than the conductive substance, the cooling efficiency is reduced due to the performance deterioration of the filter that collects the conductive substance, and the conductive substance is collected. The life of the filter may be shortened. Then, there is a concern that the production efficiency of the device may decrease due to the replacement of the filter that collects the conductive material.

The invention described in Patent Document 1 protects the inkjet head from suspended matter around the inkjet head, and does not assume protection of electrical equipment. Further, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is not supposed to include a conductive substance as a suspended matter. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 does not describe or suggest a decrease in cooling efficiency due to a decrease in filter performance and a shortened filter life.

The invention described in Patent Document 2 is intended to protect a switchboard installed in an area near the coast from salt damage, and does not assume various kinds of suspended matter floating inside the inkjet recording apparatus. Further, Patent Document 2 does not describe or suggest a decrease in cooling efficiency due to a decrease in filter performance and a reduction in filter life.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and suppresses foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing in which electrical equipment is stored, and suppresses a decrease in cooling efficiency due to a decrease in filter performance. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and a cooling method capable of achieving a long service life of a filter.

In order to achieve the above object, the following invention modes are provided.

The inkjet recording apparatus according to the first aspect includes an inkjet recording apparatus that includes a sheet transport unit that transports a sheet, an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the sheet that is transported using the sheet transport unit, and a housing that houses electrical equipment. The device is a device, and the housing includes an intake port, an exhaust port formed above the position of the intake port, a first fan attached to the intake port, and an environment in which the housing is arranged. The first fan blows air from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing, and the filter portion is attached to the first fan and collects the conductive material. And a second filter attached to a position on the intake side of the first filter, wherein the second filter is at least one of the first filter, the pressure loss in the initial state, and the collection efficiency in the initial state. Inkjet recording apparatus with different

According to the first aspect, the conductive material is collected using the first filter. This suppresses the entry of the conductive substance and the non-conductive substance into the housing that stores the electric device, and a short circuit of the electric device caused by the conductive substance that exhibits conductivity due to moisture absorption is suppressed. Suppressed.

Further, the second filter attached to the position on the intake side of the first filter is used to collect at least a part of the substance contained in the environment in which the housing is arranged. As a result, the substance collected by using the second filter does not reach the first filter, the decrease in cooling efficiency of the electric device is suppressed, and the life of the first filter can be extended.

The first fan may be attached inside the housing or may be attached outside the housing. The filter unit may be attached outside the casing or inside the casing. From the viewpoint of maintenance of the filter unit, the filter unit is preferably attached to the outside of the housing.

The filter unit may be attached to the intake side of the first fan or may be attached to the exhaust side of the first fan. The second filter may be attached to a position on the intake side of the first fan, and the first filter may be attached to a position on the exhaust side of the first fan.

Both the filter unit and the first fan may be attached outside the housing, or both the filter unit and the first fan may be attached inside the housing. The filter unit may be attached to the outside of the housing and the first fan may be attached to the inside of the housing. The first fan may be attached to the outside of the housing and the filter unit may be attached to the inside of the housing.

The position of the first filter and the position of the second filter are preferably positions that cover at least a part of the first fan. The position of the first filter and the position of the second filter are preferably positions that cover the entire first fan.

Examples of electric devices include a power supply device and a computer. Other examples of electric devices include electromagnetic contactors, electromagnetic switches, fuses, and electric boards.

The housing may have a structure in which, of the wall surfaces forming the housing, the wall surface on which the intake port is formed and the wall surface on which the exhaust port is formed are sealed.

The conductive substance is a substance that exhibits conductivity due to moisture absorption. An example of the conductive substance is a deliquescent substance.

According to a second aspect, in the inkjet recording apparatus of the first aspect, the first filter contains at least one of a conductive substance contained in moisture in an environment where the housing is arranged and a conductive substance contained in a component of paper. It may be configured to collect.

According to the second aspect, by using the first filter, it is possible to collect at least one of the conductive substance contained in the moisture in the environment where the housing is arranged and the conductive substance contained in the component of the paper. is there.

Examples of water in the environment in which the housing is arranged include mist derived from humidification treatment and water in the environment.

A third aspect is the inkjet recording apparatus of the first aspect or the second aspect, in which the second filter has a pressure loss in the initial state equal to or less than the pressure loss in the initial state of the first filter, or a collection efficiency in the initial state is first. It may be configured such that the efficiency is not higher than the collection efficiency in the initial state of the filter.

According to the third aspect, it is possible to collect a substance having a relatively large particle size, a non-conductive substance, and the like by using the second filter.

A non-conductive substance is a substance that does not exhibit conductivity due to moisture absorption. An example of the non-conductive substance is a substance having an insulating property.

A fourth aspect is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, including a second fan arranged inside the housing, and the second fan is directed upward in the inside of the housing. It may be configured to blow air.

According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to generate an upward air flow inside the housing. As a result, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the electric device stored in the housing.

It is preferable that the second fan is arranged at a position below the electric device.

In a fifth aspect, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the electric device may include a third fan that blows air toward the upper side of the housing.

According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to generate an upward air flow inside the housing. As a result, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the electric device stored in the housing.

In a sixth aspect, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the electric device may have a configuration in which the electric substrate is covered with a material having an insulating property.

According to the sixth aspect, even if the conductive material exhibits conductivity due to moisture absorption, the failure of the electric device due to the short circuit of the electric substrate is suppressed.

A seventh aspect is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, including a third filter attached to an exhaust port, the third filter including the first filter and a pressure loss in an initial state. , And at least one of the collection efficiency in the initial state may be different.

According to the seventh aspect, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the housing through the exhaust port while the first fan is stopped.

An eighth aspect is the inkjet recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the third filter has an initial state pressure loss equal to or less than the initial state pressure loss of the first filter, or an initial state collection efficiency of the first filter. The collection efficiency may be less than or equal to.

According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to collect a substance having a relatively large particle size, a non-conductive substance, and the like by using the third filter.

The third filter may apply a filter having the same standard as the second filter.

A ninth aspect is the inkjet recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, wherein a filter replacement time notification unit for notifying the replacement time of at least one of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter, and the housing A temperature measuring unit that measures the internal temperature, and the filter replacement timing notification unit is configured to replace the filter when the internal temperature of the housing measured using the temperature measuring unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. It may be configured to notify that it is time to replace the filter to be notified.

According to the ninth aspect, the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time is notified based on the temperature inside the housing. As a result, it becomes possible to use the filter to be notified of the replacement time until the end of its life.

In the ninth aspect, an external temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature outside the inkjet recording device and a temperature correction unit that corrects the internal temperature of the housing based on the temperature outside the inkjet recording device are provided, and the filter replacement timing The notification unit may compare the temperature inside the housing corrected by the temperature correction unit with the threshold value.

A tenth aspect is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, wherein a filter replacement time notification unit for notifying the replacement time of at least one of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter, A pressure measuring unit for measuring a differential pressure obtained by subtracting a pressure external to the casing from an internal pressure, and the filter replacement timing notification unit is configured such that the differential pressure measured using the pressure measuring unit is predetermined. It may be configured to notify that it is the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time when it is equal to or more than the threshold value.

According to the tenth aspect, the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time is notified based on the differential pressure. As a result, it becomes possible to use the filter to be notified of the replacement time until the end of its life.

The ninth mode and the tenth mode may be combined to notify the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time and the failure of the first fan.

An eleventh aspect is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in which a filter replacement timing notifying unit for notifying replacement timing of at least one of the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter, and an intake port An air volume measuring unit that measures an air volume flowing into the inside of the housing is provided, and the filter replacement timing notification unit is an air volume measured using the air volume measuring unit, when the predetermined first threshold value or less, It may be configured to notify that it is the time to replace the filter of which the replacement time is to be notified.

According to the eleventh aspect, the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time is notified based on the air volume flowing into the housing. As a result, it becomes possible to use the filter to be notified of the replacement time until the end of its life.

In any one of the ninth aspect to the eleventh aspect, it is preferable that the replacement time notification unit determines whether or not the first filter is replacement time, and notifies the replacement time of the first filter.

A twelfth aspect is that, in the inkjet recording apparatus of the eleventh aspect, when the air volume measured using the air volume measuring unit is equal to or less than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value, it is time to replace the first fan. It may be configured to include a fan replacement time notification unit for notification.

According to the twelfth aspect, the replacement time of the first fan is notified based on the air volume flowing into the housing. As a result, a decrease in cooling efficiency inside the housing due to a failure of the first fan is suppressed.

A thirteenth aspect is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, including a fan control unit that controls the air volume of the first fan to generate the air volume necessary for cooling the electric device. It may be configured.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the air volume required for cooling the electric device is secured.

A fourteenth aspect is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, including a plurality of first fans, and operating the number of the first fans during the print non-execution period during the print execution period. The configuration may include a fan control unit that controls the operation of a plurality of fans that is less than the number of the first fans to be operated.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the number of first fans operated during the print non-execution period is less than the number of first fans operated during the print execution period. As a result, the power consumption of the first fan during the non-printing period is reduced.

One or more first fans are preferably operated during the non-printing period. Due to the operation of one or more fans during the non-printing period, entry of foreign matter from the exhaust port into the housing is suppressed.

A fifteenth aspect may be configured such that, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the housing is arranged in an image forming unit that forms an image using an inkjet head.

According to the fifteenth aspect, entry of foreign matter from the image forming unit into the housing is suppressed.

In the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the housing is disposed inside the first cover that covers the image forming unit. The housing may be arranged outside the first cover that covers the image forming unit.

The image forming unit may be located outside the first cover that covers the image forming unit, and may include a position of the housing that allows foreign matter resulting from the operation of the image forming unit to enter the housing.

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the housing is arranged in a sheet stacking unit that stacks sheets on which images are formed using an inkjet head. Good.

According to the sixteenth aspect, entry of foreign matter from the paper stacking unit into the housing is suppressed.

In the sixteenth aspect, it is preferable that the housing is disposed inside the second cover that covers the sheet stacking unit. The housing may be arranged outside the second cover that covers the paper stacking unit.

The sheet stacking unit is outside the second cover that covers the sheet stacking unit, and may include a position of the housing where foreign matter resulting from the operation of the sheet stacking unit can enter the housing.

A seventeenth aspect may be configured such that, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the housing is arranged at a certain distance from the heating element.

According to the seventeenth aspect, a decrease in cooling efficiency of the housing due to the heating element is suppressed.

The fixed distance between the housing and the heating element can be determined from the viewpoint of whether the heat generated by the heating element reduces the influence on the temperature rise inside the housing.

A heat insulating member may be arranged between the housing and the heating element.

A cooling method according to an eighteenth aspect is a case in which an electric device is housed in an inkjet recording apparatus that includes a paper transport unit that transports a paper sheet and an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the paper sheet that is transported using the paper transport unit. A cooling method for cooling the body, which uses a first fan attached to the intake port of the housing to form an intake step of intake from the outside of the housing to the inside and a position above the position of the intake opening. The exhausting step of exhausting from the exhaust port, and the capturing step of capturing a substance contained in the environment in which the housing is placed by using the filter unit attached to the first fan, the capturing step. Includes a first collecting step using a first filter for collecting a conductive substance, and a second collecting step using a second filter attached at a position on the intake side of the first filter, The collecting step is a cooling method using a first filter and a second filter in which at least one of pressure loss in the initial state and collection efficiency in the initial state is different.

According to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first aspect.

In the eighteenth aspect, the same matters as the matters specified in the second to seventeenth aspects can be appropriately combined. In that case, the constituent elements that carry out the processes and functions specified in the inkjet recording apparatus can be understood as the constituent elements of the cooling method that carries out the corresponding processes and functions.

According to the present invention, the conductive material is collected using the first filter. This suppresses the entry of the conductive substance and the non-conductive substance into the housing that stores the electric device, and a short circuit of the electric device caused by the conductive substance that exhibits conductivity due to moisture absorption is suppressed. Suppressed.

Further, the second filter attached to the position on the intake side of the first filter is used to collect at least a part of the substance contained in the environment in which the housing is arranged. As a result, the substance collected by using the second filter does not reach the first filter, the decrease in cooling efficiency of the electric device is suppressed, and the life of the first filter can be extended.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus showing an arrangement example of the first casing and the second casing. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the first housing. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the filter unit. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric device stored in the first housing. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of one side surface of the second housing. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the other side surface of the second housing. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the filter section of the second housing. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric device stored in the second housing. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the first modification. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the first modification. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the second modification. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the second modification. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the third modified example. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the fourth modified example. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the filter management method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the filter management method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the filter management method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the fan control method according to the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the same constituent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description will be omitted.

[Explanation of terms]
The term parallel in the present specification includes substantially parallel although intersecting, but capable of obtaining the same effect as the parallel.

The term “orthogonal” includes substantially orthogonal, although intersecting at an angle of less than 90 degrees or at an angle of more than 90 degrees, but capable of obtaining the same effect as the orthogonality.

The same terms include substantially the same, although there are differences, which can achieve similar effects.

[Explanation of inkjet recording device]
<Overall structure>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus. In the present specification, the ink and the liquid are interchangeable. In addition, ejection is synonymous with droplet ejection, image formation, or image recording.

The inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an inkjet recording apparatus that draws an image on an individual sheet S using ink by an inkjet method.

The inkjet recording apparatus 10 mainly includes a paper feed unit 12, a treatment liquid application unit 14, a treatment liquid drying treatment unit 16, a drawing unit 18, an ink drying treatment unit 20, and a paper ejection unit 24. Hereinafter, each unit will be described in detail.

<Paper feeder>
The paper feed unit 12 includes a paper feed tray 30, a sucker 32, a paper feed roller pair 34, a feeder board 36, a front pad 38, and a paper feed drum 40. The feeder board 36 includes a retainer 36A and a guide roller 36B.

The retainer 36A and the guide roller 36B are arranged on the conveyance surface of the feeder board 36 on which the sheet S is conveyed. The front pad 38 is arranged between the feeder board 36 and the paper feed drum 40.

The paper feed drum 40 has a cylindrical shape whose longitudinal direction is parallel to the rotation axis 40B. The paper feed drum 40 has a length that exceeds the entire length of the paper S in the longitudinal direction. The direction of the rotary shaft 40B of the paper feed drum 40 is a direction that penetrates the paper surface of FIG.

The drum is a transporting member that has a cylindrical shape and that transports the medium along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape by holding at least a part of the medium and rotating the medium about a central axis of the cylindrical shape.

The paper feed drum 40 includes a gripper 40A. The gripper 40A includes a plurality of claws, a claw base, and a gripper shaft. Illustration of the plurality of claws, the claw base, and the gripper shaft is omitted.

The plurality of claws of the gripper 40A are arranged along a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 40B of the paper feed drum 40. The base ends of the plurality of claws are swingably supported by the gripper shaft. The arrangement interval of the plurality of claws and the length of the area where the plurality of claws are arranged are determined according to the size of the paper S.

The claw base is a member whose longitudinal direction is parallel to the rotation axis 40B of the paper feed drum 40. In the longitudinal direction of the paper feed drum 40, the length of the nail base is equal to or longer than the length of the area where the plurality of nails are arranged. The nail base is arranged at a position facing the tips of the plurality of nails.

The sheet feeding unit 12 feeds the sheets S stacked on the sheet feeding table 30 to the processing liquid application unit 14 one by one. The sheets S stacked on the sheet feeding table 30 are sequentially pulled up one by one using the sucker 32 and fed to the pair of sheet feeding rollers 34.

The paper S fed by the paper feed roller pair 34 is placed on the feeder board 36 and is conveyed using the feeder board 36. The sheet S conveyed using the feeder board 36 is pressed against the conveying surface of the feeder board 36 by using the retainer 36A and the guide roller 36B, and the unevenness is corrected.

The inclination of the sheet S conveyed using the feeder board 36 is corrected due to the contact of the leading end with the front pad 38. The paper S conveyed using the feeder board 36 is delivered to the paper feed drum 40.

The leading edge of the paper S delivered to the paper feed drum 40 is gripped by the gripper 40A of the paper feed drum 40. Due to the rotation of the sheet feeding drum 40, the sheet S is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding drum 40. The sheet S conveyed using the sheet feeding drum 40 is delivered to the treatment liquid application unit 14. Note that the paper feed drum 40 may be omitted, and the paper S may be directly delivered from the feeder board 36 to the processing liquid application unit.

<Treatment liquid application part>
The treatment liquid application unit 14 includes a treatment liquid drum 42 and a treatment liquid application device 44. The processing liquid drum 42 includes a gripper 42A. The gripper 42A may have the same configuration as the gripper 40A of the paper feed drum 40.

The processing liquid drum 42 shown in FIG. 1 has a diameter twice that of the paper feeding drum 40. The processing liquid drum 42 has grippers 42A arranged at two positions. The positions where the grippers 42A are arranged at two locations are positions shifted by half a circumference on the outer peripheral surface 42C of the treatment liquid drum 42.

The processing liquid drum 42 has a structure in which the paper S is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 42C that supports the paper S. As an example of the configuration for fixing the paper S to the outer peripheral surface 42C of the processing liquid drum 42, there is a configuration in which the outer peripheral surface 42C of the processing liquid drum 42 is provided with a plurality of suction holes and negative pressure is applied to the plurality of suction holes.

A configuration similar to that of the paper feed drum 40 can be applied to the treatment liquid drum 42 except for the above. Reference numeral 42B is a rotation shaft of the treatment liquid drum 42.

A roller coating method can be applied to the treatment liquid application device 44. As the processing liquid application device 44 of the roller coating type, a structure including a processing liquid tank, a measuring roller, and a coating roller can be adopted.

The treatment liquid tank stores the treatment liquid supplied from the treatment liquid tank via the treatment liquid supply passage. The measuring roller measures the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank. The measuring roller transfers the measured processing liquid to the coating roller. The application roller applies the processing liquid to the paper S.

The sheet S is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface 42C of the treatment liquid drum 42 due to the rotation of the treatment liquid drum 42 while the front end of the sheet S is gripped by the gripper 42A. The processing liquid is applied to the sheet S conveyed along the outer peripheral surface 42C of the processing liquid drum 42 by using the processing liquid applying device 44. The sheet S to which the treatment liquid is applied is sent to the treatment liquid drying processing unit 16.

The treatment liquid applied to the paper S has a function of aggregating the color material in the ink discharged onto the paper S in the drawing unit 18 in the subsequent stage or a function of insolubilizing the color material of the ink. Due to the fact that the treatment liquid is applied to the paper S and the ink is ejected, high-quality image formation can be performed without causing landing interference or the like even if a general-purpose paper is used.

The sheet S to which the treatment liquid is applied by using the treatment liquid application unit 14 is delivered to the treatment liquid drying processing unit 16.

<Treatment liquid drying unit>
The processing liquid drying processing unit 16 includes a processing liquid drying processing drum 46, a sheet conveyance guide 48, and a processing liquid drying processing unit 50. The treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46 includes a gripper 46A. The gripper 46A may have the same configuration as the gripper 40A of the paper feed drum 40.

The processing liquid drying processing drum 46 shown in FIG. 1 has a diameter twice that of the paper feeding drum 40. The processing liquid drying processing drum 46 has grippers 46A arranged at two positions. The positions where the grippers 46A are arranged at two positions are positions that are offset by half a circumference on the outer peripheral surface 46C of the processing liquid drying processing drum 46.

A configuration similar to that of the paper feed drum 40 can be applied to the configuration of the treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46 other than the above. Reference numeral 46B is a rotation shaft of the treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46.

The paper transport guide 48 is arranged at a position facing the outer peripheral surface 46C of the processing liquid drying processing drum 46. The paper transport guide 48 is arranged below the processing liquid drying processing drum 46.

The processing liquid drying processing unit 50 is arranged inside the processing liquid drying processing drum 46. The processing liquid drying processing unit 50 includes an air blowing unit that blows air toward the outside of the processing liquid drying processing drum 46, and a heating unit that heats the air. For convenience of illustration, reference numerals of the blower unit and the heating unit are omitted.

The leading edge of the sheet S transferred from the treatment liquid application unit 14 to the treatment liquid drying processing unit 16 is gripped by the gripper 46A of the treatment liquid drying processing drum 46.

The paper S is supported by the paper transport guide 48 on the surface opposite to the surface coated with the treatment liquid. When the sheet S is supported by the sheet transport guide 48, the surface of the sheet S on which the treatment liquid is applied is directed to the outer peripheral surface 46C of the treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46.

The sheet S is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface 46C of the treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46 due to the rotation of the treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46.

The paper S that is conveyed using the treatment liquid drying processing drum 46 and that is supported by using the paper conveyance guide 48 is subjected to the drying process by being heated by the treatment liquid drying processing unit 50. Is given.

The solvent component in the treatment liquid applied to the paper S is removed due to the drying treatment of the paper S, and a treatment liquid layer is formed on the surface of the paper S to which the treatment liquid is applied. The sheet S that has been dried using the processing liquid drying processing unit 16 is delivered to the drawing unit 18.

<Drawing part>
The drawing unit 18 includes a drawing drum 52, a paper pressing roller 54, an inkjet head 56C, an inkjet head 56M, an inkjet head 56Y, an inkjet head 56K, and an inline sensor 58. The drawing drum 52 includes a gripper 52A.

The gripper 52A is arranged inside a recess provided in the outer peripheral surface 52C of the drawing drum 52. The configuration similar to the gripper 40A of the paper feed drum 40 can be applied to the configuration other than the arrangement of the gripper 52A.

Like the processing liquid drying processing drum 46, the drawing drum 52 has grippers 52A arranged at two positions. The same arrangement as that of the treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46 can be applied to the arrangement of the two grippers 52A.

The drawing drum 52 has suction holes on the outer peripheral surface 52C that supports the paper S. The suction holes are arranged in the medium support area for supporting the paper S by suction. The suction holes and the medium support area are not shown.

A configuration similar to that of the paper feed drum 40 can be applied to the configuration of the drawing drum 52 other than the above. Reference numeral 52B is a rotation axis of the drawing drum 52. The drawing drum 52 is an example of a component of the paper transport unit.

The paper pressing roller 54 has a cylindrical shape. The longitudinal direction of the paper pressing roller 54 is parallel to the rotation shaft 52B of the drawing drum 52. The sheet pressing roller 54 has a length that exceeds the entire length of the sheet S in the longitudinal direction.

The sheet pressing roller 54 is arranged downstream of the delivery position of the sheet S in the conveying direction of the sheet S on the drawing drum 52 and upstream of the inkjet head 56C. In the following description, the conveyance direction of the sheet S may be referred to as a sheet conveyance direction or a medium conveyance direction.

The inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K include a nozzle unit that ejects ink using an inkjet method. The illustration of the nozzle portion is omitted.

Here, the alphabet attached to the code of the liquid ejection head represents the color of the ink. C represents cyan. M represents magenta. Y represents yellow. K represents black.

The inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K are arranged above the drawing drum 52. The inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K are the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K from the upstream side in the paper transport direction along the paper transport direction. They are arranged in order.

The in-line sensor 58 is arranged at a position on the downstream side of the inkjet head 56K in the paper transport direction. The in-line sensor 58 includes an image sensor, a peripheral circuit of the image sensor, and a light source.

As the image pickup device, a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor can be applied. The illustration of the image sensor, the peripheral circuit of the image sensor, and the light source is omitted. CCD is an abbreviation for Charge Coupled Device. CMOS is an abbreviation for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor.

The peripheral circuit of the image sensor includes a processing circuit for processing the output signal of the image sensor. Examples of the processing circuit include a filter circuit that removes noise components from the output signal of the image sensor, an amplifier circuit, or a waveform shaping circuit. Note that illustration of the filter circuit, the amplification circuit, or the waveform shaping circuit is omitted.

The light source is arranged at a position where the object to be read by the in-line sensor can be irradiated with illumination light. An LED, a lamp, or the like can be applied to the light source. LED is an abbreviation for light emitting diode.

The leading edge of the sheet S transferred from the processing liquid drying processing section 16 to the drawing section 18 is gripped by the gripper 52A of the drawing drum 52. The paper S whose front end is gripped by the gripper 52A of the drawing drum 52 is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface 52C of the drawing drum 52 due to the rotation of the drawing drum 52.

When the sheet S passes under the sheet pressing roller 54, it is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 52C of the drawing drum 52. The sheet S that has passed under the sheet pressing roller 54 has the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K immediately below the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K. An image is formed using the color ink ejected from each.

The paper S on which the image is formed by using the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K is read in the reading area of the inline sensor 58 by the inline sensor 58. The read signal of the in-line sensor 58 is sent to the system controller 100 shown in FIG.

The sheet S whose image has been read using the in-line sensor 58 is transferred from the drawing section 18 to the ink drying processing section 20. From the result of image reading using the in-line sensor 58, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a discharge abnormality.

<Ink drying processing section>
The ink drying processing section 20 includes a chain gripper 64, an ink drying processing unit 68, and a guide plate 72. The chain gripper 64 includes a first sprocket 64A, a second sprocket 64B, a chain 64C, and a plurality of grippers 64D.

The chain gripper 64 has a structure in which a pair of endless chains 64C are wound around a pair of first sprockets 64A and second sprockets 64B. In FIG. 1, only one of the pair of first sprockets 64A and the second sprockets 64B and the pair of chains 64C is shown.

The chain gripper 64 has a structure in which a plurality of grippers 64D are arranged between a pair of chains 64C. Further, the chain gripper 64 has a structure in which a plurality of grippers 64D are arranged at a plurality of positions in the paper transport direction. FIG. 1 illustrates only one gripper 64D among the plurality of grippers 64D arranged between the pair of chains 64C.

The chain gripper 64 shown in FIG. 1 includes a horizontal transport area for transporting the paper S along the horizontal direction and an inclined transport area for transporting the paper S diagonally upward.

The ink drying processing unit 68 is arranged at a position above the transport path of the paper S in the chain gripper 64. An example of the configuration of the ink drying processing unit 68 is a configuration including a heat source such as a halogen heater and an infrared heater. As another configuration example of the ink drying processing unit 68, a configuration including a fan that blows air heated by using a heat source onto the paper S is given. The ink drying processing unit 68 may include a heat source and a fan.

Although detailed illustration of the guide plate 72 is omitted, a plate-shaped member is applied to the guide plate 72. The guide plate 72 has a length that exceeds the entire length of the paper S in the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction.

The guide plate 72 is arranged along the transportation path in the horizontal transportation area of the paper S using the chain gripper 64. The guide plate 72 is arranged at a position below the conveyance path of the sheet S using the chain gripper 64. The guide plate 72 has a length corresponding to the length of the processing area of the ink drying processing unit 68 in the paper transport direction.

The length corresponding to the length of the processing area of the ink drying processing unit 68 is the length of the guide plate 72 capable of supporting the paper S on which the guide plate 72 is used during the processing of the ink drying processing unit 68. ..

For example, in the paper transport direction, the length of the processing area of the ink drying processing unit 68 and the length of the guide plate 72 may be the same. The guide plate 72 may have a function of sucking and supporting the sheet S.

The leading edge of the sheet S transferred from the drawing section 18 to the ink drying processing section 20 is gripped by using the gripper 64D. At least one of the first sprocket 64A and the second sprocket 64B is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 to cause the chain 64C to travel, so that the paper S is conveyed along the traveling path of the chain 64C. It

When the paper S passes through the processing area of the ink drying processing unit 68, the ink drying processing is performed on the paper S using the ink drying processing unit 68. The sheet S that has been subjected to the ink drying process using the ink drying process unit 68 is transported using the chain gripper 64 and is sent to the paper discharge unit 24.

The chain gripper 64 shown in FIG. 1 conveys the sheet S diagonally upward to the left in FIG. 1 at a position downstream of the ink drying processing unit 68 in the sheet conveyance direction. A guide plate 73 is arranged in the conveyance path of the inclined conveyance area for conveying the sheet S in the diagonally upper left direction in FIG.

The same member as the guide plate 72 can be applied to the guide plate 73. Here, the description of the structure and function of the guide plate 73 is omitted.

<Paper ejection section>
The paper output unit 24 includes a paper output table 76. A chain gripper 64 is used to convey the paper S in the paper discharge unit 24.

The paper discharge table 76 is arranged at a position below the conveyance path of the paper S using the chain gripper 64. The paper discharge table 76 can be configured to include a lifting mechanism (not shown). The paper discharge tray 76 can be moved up and down according to the increase and decrease of the stacked sheets S, and the height of the uppermost sheet S can be kept constant.

The paper discharge unit 24 collects the paper S that has been subjected to a series of image forming processes. When the paper S reaches the position of the paper discharge tray 76, the gripper 64D releases the grip of the paper S. The paper S is stacked on the paper output tray 76.

Although FIG. 1 shows the inkjet recording device 10 including the treatment liquid deposition unit 14 and the treatment liquid drying treatment unit 16, an aspect in which the treatment liquid deposition unit 14 and the treatment liquid drying treatment unit 16 are omitted is also possible. is there.

Further, in FIG. 1, the chain gripper 64 is illustrated as a configuration for transporting the drawn sheet S, but other transport modes such as belt transport or transport drum transport are applied to the configuration for transporting the drawn sheet S. May be done.

<Electrical equipment storage>
The inkjet recording device 10 includes a first housing 80 and a second housing 82. The first housing 80 and the second housing 82 function as an electric device storage unit that stores electric devices. Examples of electric equipment include a DC power supply device and a computer. In the electric device, the electric circuit board may be stored in the case, or the electric circuit board may not be stored in the case.

The first housing 80 is a position on the downstream side of the drawing unit 18 in the paper transport direction, and is arranged on a position on the upstream side of the paper discharge unit 24. The second housing 82 is arranged at a position above the paper output unit 24. Details of the first housing 80 and the second housing 82 will be described later.

<Arrangement Example of First Case and Second Case>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus showing an arrangement example of the first casing and the second casing. FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the inkjet recording device 10 shown in FIG. Note that in FIG. 2, the illustration of the sheet feeding unit 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is omitted.

The first housing 80 shown in FIG. 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A metal material can be applied to the first housing 80. The first housing 80 is arranged in the drawing unit 18. The drawing unit 18 here includes the inside of the cover 18A. The drawing unit 18 may include the outside of the cover 18A. An example of the outside of the cover 18A is a position of the first housing 80 where foreign matter generated due to the operation of the drawing unit 18 can enter the first housing 80.

The first housing 80 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged inside the cover 18A that covers the drawing unit 18. The drawing unit 18 is an aspect of an image forming unit that forms an image. The cover 18A is an aspect of a first cover that covers the image forming unit.

Although illustration is omitted, the first housing 80 may include an input terminal for an AC power supply and an output terminal for a DC power supply. Electrical wiring (not shown) may be connected to the input terminal of the AC power supply and the output terminal of the DC power supply.

The second housing 82 shown in FIG. 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A metal material can be applied to the second housing 82. The second housing 82 is arranged in the paper output unit 24. The paper discharge unit 24 here includes the inside of the cover 20A. The paper discharge unit 24 may include the outside of the cover 20A. An example of the outside of the cover 20A is a position of the second housing 82 where foreign matter generated due to the operation of the paper discharge unit 24 can enter the second housing 82.

The second housing 82 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged inside the paper discharge unit 24. The paper discharge unit 24 is an aspect of a paper stacking unit that stacks paper. The cover 24A is an aspect of a second cover that covers the sheet stacking unit.

The second housing 82 may include an input terminal for an AC power supply, an output terminal for a DC power supply, and an input/output terminal for an electric signal. Electrical wiring may be connected to the input terminal of the AC power supply, the output terminal of the DC power supply, and the input/output terminal of the electric signal.

The shape and size of the first housing 80 are determined according to the size of the electric devices stored inside the first housing 80, the number of the electric devices, and the like. The same applies to the second housing 82. The first housing 80 is an aspect of a housing in which an electric device is stored. The second housing 82 is an aspect of a housing in which the electric device is stored.

<Explanation of control system>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system. The inkjet recording device 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes a system controller 100. The system controller 100 includes a CPU 105, a ROM 106, and a RAM 107.

The ROM 106 and the RAM 107 shown in FIG. 3 may be arranged outside the CPU 105. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory.

The system controller 100 functions as an overall control unit that comprehensively controls each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 10. The system controller 100 also functions as a calculation unit that performs various calculation processes. The system controller 100 may execute a program to control each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 10.

Further, the system controller 100 functions as a memory controller that controls the reading and writing of data in the memories such as the ROM 106 and the RAM 107.

The inkjet recording apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 102, an image memory 104, a conveyance control unit 110, a paper feed control unit 112, a treatment liquid application control unit 114, a treatment liquid drying control unit 116, a drawing control unit 118, an ink drying control unit 120, A paper discharge control unit 124 and a fan control unit 126 are provided.

The communication unit 102 includes a communication interface (not shown). The communication unit 102 can send and receive data to and from the host computer 103 connected to the communication interface.

The image memory 104 functions as a temporary storage unit for various data including image data. Data is read from and written to the image memory 104 through the system controller 100. The image data captured from the host computer 103 via the communication unit 102 is temporarily stored in the image memory 104.

The transport control unit 110 controls the operation of the transport unit 11 for the paper S in the inkjet recording apparatus 10. The transport unit 11 shown in FIG. 3 includes the processing liquid drum 42, the processing liquid drying processing drum 46, the drawing drum 52, and the chain gripper 64 shown in FIG. The transport unit 11 is an aspect of the medium relative movement unit.

The paper feed control unit 112 illustrated in FIG. 3 controls the operation of the paper feed unit 12 according to a command from the system controller 100. The paper feed control unit 112 controls the supply start operation of the paper S, the supply stop operation of the paper S, and the like.

The treatment liquid application control unit 114 controls the operation of the treatment liquid application unit 14 according to a command from the system controller 100. The treatment liquid application controller 114 controls the application amount of the treatment liquid, the application timing, and the like.

The processing liquid drying control unit 116 operates the processing liquid drying processing unit 16 according to a command from the system controller 100. The treatment liquid drying control unit 116 controls the drying temperature, the flow rate of the dry gas, the injection timing of the dry gas, and the like.

The drawing control unit 118 controls the operation of the drawing unit 18 according to a command from the system controller 100. The drawing controller 118 controls the ink ejection of the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K illustrated in FIG.

The drawing control unit 118 shown in FIG. 3 includes an image processing unit (not shown). The image processing unit forms dot data from the input image data. The image processing unit includes a color separation processing unit, a color conversion processing unit, a correction processing unit, and a halftone processing unit, which are not shown.

The color separation processing unit performs color separation processing on the input image data. For example, when the input image data is represented by RGB, the input image data is separated into data for each of R, G, and B colors. Here, R represents red. G represents green. B represents blue.

The color conversion processing unit converts the image data for each color separated into R, G, and B into C, M, Y, and K corresponding to ink colors. Here, C represents cyan. M represents magenta. Y represents yellow. K represents black.

The correction processing unit performs correction processing on the image data for each color converted into C, M, Y, and K. Examples of the correction processing include gamma correction processing, density unevenness correction processing, abnormal recording element correction processing, and the like.

The halftone processing unit converts, for example, image data represented by a multi-gradation number such as 0 to 255 into binary data or multi-valued dot data represented by three or more values less than the gradation number of the input image data. Convert.

A predetermined halftone processing rule is applied to the halftone processing using the halftone processing unit. Examples of the halftone processing rule include a dither method and an error diffusion method. The halftone processing rule may be changed according to the image recording condition, the content of the image data, or the like.

The drawing control unit 118 includes a waveform generation unit, a waveform storage unit, and a drive circuit, which are not shown. The waveform generator generates a waveform of the driving voltage. The waveform storage unit stores the waveform of the drive voltage. The drive circuit generates a drive voltage having a drive waveform according to the dot data. The drive circuit supplies a drive voltage to the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K shown in FIG.

That is, the ejection timing of each pixel position and the ink ejection amount are determined based on the dot data generated through the processing using the image processing unit, and the ejection timing of each pixel position and the ink ejection amount are determined based on the dot data. A drive voltage according to the ejection amount and a control signal for determining the ejection timing of each pixel are generated.

The drive voltage and the control signal are supplied to the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K. Dots are recorded on the paper S by using the ink ejected from the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K based on the drive voltage and the control signal.

The ink drying control unit 120 controls the operation of the ink drying processing unit 20 according to a command from the system controller 100. The ink drying controller 120 controls the temperature of the dry gas, the flow rate of the dry gas, the injection timing of the dry gas, and the like.

The paper discharge control unit 124 controls the operation of the paper discharge unit 24 according to a command from the system controller 100. When the paper discharge tray 76 shown in FIG. 1 includes an elevating mechanism, the paper ejection control unit 124 controls the operation of the elevating mechanism according to the increase/decrease of the paper S.

The fan control unit 126 controls the operation of the fan 26 according to a command from the system controller 100. The fan control unit 126 controls the operation start timing, operation stop timing, and rotation speed of the fan 26.

The fan 26 shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of fans attached to the first housing 80 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the second housing 82 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 and 2, the illustration of the plurality of fans is omitted. The plurality of fans attached to the first housing 80 are illustrated with reference numeral 220 in FIG. 4. The plurality of fans attached to the second housing 82 are illustrated with reference numeral 320 in FIG. 9.

The inkjet recording device 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes an operation unit 130, a display unit 132, a parameter storage unit 134, and a program storage unit 136.

The operation unit 130 includes operation members such as operation buttons, a keyboard, or a touch panel. The operation unit 130 may include a plurality of types of operation members. Illustration of the operating member is omitted.

The information input via the operation unit 130 is sent to the system controller 100. The system controller 100 executes various processes according to the information sent from the operation unit 130.

The display unit 132 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and a display driver. In FIG. 3, the display device and the display driver are not shown. In response to a command from the system controller 100, the display unit 132 causes the display device to display various information such as various setting information of the device or abnormality information.

The parameter storage unit 134 stores various parameters used in the inkjet recording apparatus 10. Various parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 134 are read out via the system controller 100 and set in each unit of the apparatus.

The program storage unit 136 stores programs used in each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 10. Various programs stored in the program storage unit 136 are read out via the system controller 100 and executed in each unit of the apparatus.

The inkjet recording device 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a detection unit 140. The detection unit 140 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a sensor provided in each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 and a peripheral circuit of the sensor.

Examples of the detection unit 140 include a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a position detection sensor, and the like. Further, the detection unit 140 may include a processing circuit for processing detection signals output from various sensors.

The inkjet recording device 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a filter management unit 142. The filter management unit 142 executes a program of a filter management method described later to manage the filter unit. The filter unit is illustrated with reference numeral 240 in FIG. The filter unit is illustrated in FIG. 7 with reference numeral 340.

In FIG. 3, each unit is listed for each function. The units shown in FIG. 3 can be integrated, separated, shared, or omitted as appropriate.

The hardware-like structures of the various processing units shown in FIG. 3 are the following various processors. Various processors include a CPU, PLD, ASIC, and the like. As an example of the processing unit, the various processing units illustrated in FIG. 3 may be responsible for processing, but the term “processing unit” may not be used in the name. When terms such as a control unit are used, they can be included in the concept of various processing units.

Examples of the various processing units illustrated in FIG. 3 include the transport control unit 110, the paper feed control unit 112, and the drawing control unit 118. The control unit includes a unit described as a processing unit in English. Processors include those described as processors using English notation.

The CPU is a general-purpose processor that executes software and functions as various processing units. Software can be read as a program. The PLD is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing. An FPGA is mentioned as an example of PLD. PLD is an abbreviation for Programmable Logic Device. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array.

The ASIC is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a specific process, or a dedicated electric circuit. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

One processing unit may be composed of one of the various processors described above. One processing unit may be configured by using two or more processors of the same type or two or more processors of different types. Multiple FPGAs are examples of two or more processors of the same type. An example of two or more processors of different types is a combination of CPU and FPGA.

Further, one processor may be used to configure a plurality of processing units. As an example of configuring a plurality of processing units using one processor, there is a mode in which one processor is configured using a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and one processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Can be mentioned. Specific examples include computers such as servers and clients.

As another example of configuring a plurality of processing units with a single processor, there is an aspect in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including the plurality of processing units with a single IC chip is used. A specific example is a system-on-chip. The system-on-chip includes those described as System On Chip or SoC using English notation. Note that IC is an abbreviation for Integrated Circuit.

As described above, the various processing units illustrated in FIG. 3 are configured by using one or more of the various processors described above as a hardware structure.

Further, more specifically, the hardware structure of the various processors described above is an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined. Note that the electric circuit includes a circuit described as a circuit using English notation.

Specific examples of the various storage units illustrated in FIG. 3 include a memory, a storage element, or a storage device. An example of the program storage unit 136 shown in FIG. 3 is a storage device that stores various programs.

[Structure of inkjet head]
The inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K may have the same structure. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the inkjet head 56C, the inkjet head 56M, the inkjet head 56Y, and the inkjet head 56K, the reference numerals are omitted and the inkjet heads are described.

<Overall structure>
The inkjet head may have a structure in which a plurality of head modules are joined together in the width direction of the paper S, which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper S. The same structure may be applied to a plurality of head modules forming the inkjet head. Further, the head module may be capable of functioning as a liquid ejection head alone.

In this specification, the conveyance direction of the sheet S may be referred to as the sheet conveyance direction. The width direction of the paper S may be described as the paper width direction.

The inkjet head may be a line-type liquid ejection head in which a plurality of nozzle portions are arranged over the length of the paper S in the paper width direction or more. The nozzle portion may include a nozzle opening formed on the liquid ejection surface and a nozzle communication path connected to the nozzle opening. The liquid ejection surface is a surface facing the outer peripheral surface 52C of the drawing drum 52 shown in FIG.

<Structure of head module>
The head module may have an ink supply unit including an ink supply chamber and an ink circulation chamber on the upper side opposite to the liquid ejection surface. The ink supply chamber may be connected to the ink tank via the supply-side individual flow path. The ink circulation chamber may be connected to the recovery tank via the recovery-side individual flow path.

A two-dimensional arrangement may be applied to a plurality of nozzle openings on the liquid ejection surface of one head module. The head module has an end face on the long side along the V direction having an inclination of an angle β with respect to the direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction and a short end along the W direction having an inclination of an angle α with respect to the medium conveyance direction. It may be a parallelogram planar shape having an end face on the side.

In the head module, a plurality of nozzle openings may be arranged in a matrix in the row direction along the V direction and the column direction along the W direction.

The nozzle openings may be arranged such that a plurality of nozzle openings are arranged in a row direction along a direction orthogonal to the medium carrying direction and a column direction diagonally intersecting the direction orthogonal to the medium carrying direction.

A matrix arrangement of nozzle openings is a direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction in which a plurality of nozzle openings are projected in a direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction and the plurality of nozzle openings are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction. In the projection nozzle array, the nozzle openings are arranged so that the nozzle openings are arranged at uniform intervals.

<Discharge method>
The head module may employ a piezo jet method in which the ink in the pressure chamber is pressurized using a piezoelectric element and the ink is ejected from the nozzle opening. The head module may employ a thermal system in which the heater is used to heat the ink in the pressure chamber and the film boiling phenomenon is used to eject the ink from the nozzle opening.

The nozzle section in this specification represents a concept including a nozzle opening. In this specification, the nozzle opening and the nozzle portion can be read differently.

[Detailed description of the first housing]
<Overall structure>
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the first housing. The first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. FIG. 4 is a view of the first housing 80 with the back plate removed, viewed from the back surface side.

Hereinafter, the front surface, the back surface, the side surface, the upper surface, and the bottom surface of the first housing 80 are the first housing 80 in the state where the first housing 80 is arranged at the position where the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged. The front, back, side, top, and bottom of the body 80 will be represented. The same applies to the second housing 82.

An intake port 202 and an exhaust port 204 are formed on the side plate 200 of the first housing 80. The exhaust port 204 is formed at a position above the intake port 202. In other words, the intake port 202 is located closer to the bottom plate 206 than the exhaust port 204.

The distance from the intake port 202 to the bottom plate 206 is determined from the viewpoint of suppressing entry of dust and deposits such as dust. The distance from the intake port 202 to the exhaust port 204 is determined from the viewpoint of ensuring a sufficient amount of gas inside the first housing 80. The side surface of the first housing 80 is an aspect of a wall surface on which an intake port and an exhaust port are formed.

A plurality of fans 220 are attached to the intake port 202. The plurality of fans 220 are arranged along the direction from the front plate 210 of the first housing 80 to the back plate. In FIG. 4, the fan 220 closest to the back plate is illustrated by using solid lines, and the other fans 220 are illustrated by using dotted lines.

The plurality of fans 220 are attached to the inner surface of the first housing 80. The plurality of fans 220 may be attached inside the intake port 202, or may be attached to a surface on the outside side of the first housing 80.

The plurality of fans 220 blow air from the outside to the inside of the first housing 80. Then, the pressure inside the first housing 80 exceeds the pressure outside the first housing 80, and the inside of the first housing 80 is positively pressurized. The fan 220 is an aspect of the first fan. The intake of air into the first housing 80 by using the fan 220 is one mode of the intake process that constitutes the cooling method. Exhaust from the exhaust port 204 is one aspect of an exhaust step that constitutes a cooling method.

The filter section 240 is attached to the intake port 202. The filter unit 240 includes a conductive material collection filter 242 and a coarse dust filter 244. A coarse dust filter 250 is attached to the exhaust port 204. The exhaust port 204 may be a combination of the coarse dust filter 250 and the conductive substance collecting filter 242, like the filter unit 240. Details of the filter unit 240 and the coarse dust filter 250 will be described later.

The conductive substance collecting filter 242 is one mode of the first filter. The coarse dust filter 244 is one mode of the second filter. The coarse dust filter 250 is one mode of the third filter. The collection of foreign matter using the filter part 240 is one aspect of a collection step that constitutes a cooling method. The collection of the conductive substance using the conductive substance collection filter 242 is one mode of the first collection process which constitutes the collection process. The collection of foreign matter using the coarse dust filter 244 is one mode of the second collection process which constitutes the collection process.

The inside of the first housing 80 has a three-story structure. A plurality of DC power supply devices 270 are arranged on the first floor 260 of the first housing 80 and the second floor 262 of the first housing 80. A plurality of fuses 272 are arranged on the third floor 264 of the first housing 80.

The DC power supply device 270 is an aspect of electric equipment. The fuse 272 is one mode of an electric device.

The plurality of DC power supply devices 270 and the fuse 272 are forcibly cooled using the flow of air generated inside the first housing 80. The air warmed due to the heat generation of the plurality of DC power supply devices 270 and the fuse 272 moves to the upper side inside the first housing 80.

The air that has moved to the upper side inside the first housing 80 is discharged to the outside of the first housing 80 through the exhaust port 204 due to the flow of air from the inside of the first housing 80 to the outside. .. An arrow line designated by reference numeral 280 in FIG. 4 and shown by a dashed-dotted line indicates the flow of air inside the first housing 80. The reference numeral 208 shown in FIG. 4 represents the top plate of the first housing 80.

<Structure of filter section>
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the filter unit. In the filter part 240, the conductive substance collecting filter 242 and the coarse dust filter 244 are arranged in this order from the side plate 200 side to the conductive substance collecting filter 242 and the coarse dust filter 244.

The filter unit 240 includes a case 246. The conductive substance collecting filter 242 and the coarse dust filter 244 are supported using a case 246. The case 246 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the side surface plate 200 by using a joining member such as a screw.

It is preferable to provide a distance between the conductive material collection filter 242 and the fan 220 so that the wind of the fan 220 spreads over the entire surface of the conductive material collection filter 242. An example of the distance between the conductive material collection filter 242 and the fan 220 is 30 millimeters. The distance between the conductive material collecting filter 242 and the fan 220 may be 15 mm or more and 45 mm.

From the viewpoint of maintenance of the filter part 240, the filter part 240 is preferably attached to the outside of the first housing 80.

<Function of filter section>
The filter unit 240 collects substances derived from the paper S shown in FIG. 1, substances derived from the installation environment of the inkjet recording device 10, substances derived from printing of the inkjet recording device 10, and the like.

Examples of the substance derived from the paper S include paper dust. An example of the substance derived from the installation environment of the inkjet recording device 10 is a substance contained in a humidified mist used when the installation environment of the inkjet recording device 10 is humidified. An example of the substance contained in the humidified mist is calcium hypochlorite. The humidification mist is one mode of water in the environment in which the housing is arranged.

An example of the substance derived from the printing of the inkjet recording device 10 is powder for suppressing stacking of the printed paper S. Examples of substances contained in the powder include talc and calcium carbonate.

In the inkjet recording apparatus 10 in which printing was performed using coated paper, as a result of analyzing the components of the powder collected from the inside of the first housing 80 to which the filter unit 240 shown in FIG. Oxides, nitrates, silicon dioxide, pine resin, hydroxides, and styrene-butadiene rubber were detected. Infrared spectroscopic analysis was used for the component analysis of the powder.

In addition, as a result of analyzing the above powder using X-ray analysis method or X-ray photoelectric analysis method, carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, bromine, tin, And phosphorus was detected.

Furthermore, as a result of analyzing the above powder using ion chromatography, sodium ion, potassium ion, magnesium ion, potassium ion, sulfate ion, nitrate ion, hydrochloric acid ion, chlorine ion, and hydrogen carbonate ion were detected. ..

The filter unit 240 shown in FIG. 5 preferably has a function of collecting more kinds of substances among the substances listed above. In addition, the filter unit 240 preferably has a function of collecting a substance that may be contained in the environment in which the inkjet recording apparatus is used, depending on a liquid such as ink used and a medium such as paper used. ..

<Conductive substance collection filter>
The conductive substance collecting filter 242 shown in FIG. 5 mainly has a function of collecting a conductive substance. The conductive substance is a substance that exhibits conductivity due to moisture absorption. An example of the conductive substance is a deliquescent substance. An example of a deliquescent substance is chloride.

An example of the conductive substance collecting filter 242 is a salt-resistant filter. The salt-resistant filter includes a filter medium that absorbs liquefied chloride. An example of the filter material of the salt-resistant filter is a filter material having a function of suppressing film formation of liquefied chloride and suppressing an increase in pressure loss due to collection of liquefied chloride.

The conductive material collecting filter 242 may collect the material that has passed through the coarse dust filter 244. The conductive substance collecting filter 242 may collect a non-conductive substance.

The conductive substance collecting filter 242 collects the conductive substance, and the conductive substance is prevented from entering the inside of the first housing 80. Then, the failure of the electric device due to the adhesion of the conductive substance that has absorbed moisture and exhibits conductivity to the electric device is suppressed.

<Coarse dust filter>
The coarse dust filter 244 shown in FIG. 5 traps a substance that may cause an increase in pressure loss of the conductive substance trapping filter 242 on the intake side of the conductive substance trapping filter 242. The coarse dust filter 244 functions as a pre-filter for the conductive substance collection filter 242.

This suppresses an increase in the pressure loss of the conductive substance collecting filter 242, and makes it possible to extend the life of the conductive substance collecting filter 242. The conductive material collection filter 242 and the coarse dust filter 244 may be attached inside the first housing 80.

When the conductive substance collecting filter 242 and the coarse dust filter 244 are attached inside the first housing 80, the coarse dust filter 244 is attached at a position on the upstream side of the fan 220 in the air blowing direction, and the fan 220 is provided. The conductive substance collecting filter 242 is attached at a position on the downstream side in the blowing direction.

The coarse dust filter 244 may be attached to the intake side of the fan 220 with the fan 220 sandwiched therebetween, and the conductive substance collecting filter 242 may be attached to the exhaust side of the fan 220. That is, the filter unit 240 may include the fan 220.

An example of the coarse dust filter 244 is an air filter that has a smaller initial pressure loss than the conductive substance collection filter 242. The initial pressure loss is the pressure loss of the filter in the initial state before use.

As a specific example of the coarse dust filter 244, a filter having an initial pressure loss of not less than 5.0 pascals and not more than 20.0 pascals under the condition that the thickness is 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less and the standard wind speed is 1.5 m/sec. ..

The pressure loss can be calculated by applying the standard wind speed or the rated wind speed and subtracting the pressure of the gas on the downstream side from the pressure of the gas on the upstream side in the gas flow direction of the filter. The standard wind speed or the rated wind speed is a wind speed determined in advance as a pressure loss test condition. The pressure loss can be measured using a fine differential pressure gauge. The unit of standard wind speed and rated wind speed is meter per second. The unit of pressure loss is Pascal.

Another example of the coarse dust filter 244 is an air filter in which the size of the substance that can be collected is larger than that of the conductive substance collection filter 242. For example, an air filter in which the diameter of particles used in the test is 10 μm or more and 20 μm or less and the average collection efficiency measured using a mass method is 20% or more and 90% or less can be mentioned.

Examples of the material of the coarse dust filter 244 include vinylidene chloride fiber, aluminum foil, polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane foam, and polyvinylidene chloride plastic.

The coarse filter 244 is one mode of the second filter in which the pressure loss in the initial state is equal to or less than the pressure loss in the initial state of the first filter. The coarse dust filter 244 is one mode of the second filter in which the collection efficiency in the initial state is equal to or lower than the collection efficiency in the initial state of the first filter.

As the coarse dust filter 250 shown in FIG. 4, a filter having the same structure as the coarse dust filter 244 of the filter unit 240, a filter having the same function as the coarse dust filter 244 of the filter unit 240, and the like can be applied. The coarse dust filter 250 collects foreign matter that can enter the inside of the first housing 80 through the exhaust port 204 while the fan 220 is stopped. The foreign matter that can be collected by the coarse dust filter 244 includes at least a substance that can be collected by using the filter unit 240.

The coarse dust filter 250 is supported by using the support frame 251. The coarse dust filter 250 is attached to the inner surface of the side plate 200. The coarse filter 250 may be attached to the outer surface of the side plate 200. The coarse dust filter 250 is one mode of the third filter in which the pressure loss in the initial state is equal to or less than the pressure loss in the initial state of the first filter. The coarse dust filter 250 is an aspect of the third filter in which the collection efficiency in the initial state is equal to or lower than the collection efficiency in the initial state of the first filter.

In the present embodiment, the mode in which one filter unit 240 is provided for the plurality of fans 220 is illustrated, but a mode in which one filter unit 240 is provided for one fan 220 is also possible. Further, the fan 220 and the filter section 240 may be integrally configured.

<Example of configuration of electrical equipment stored in first housing>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric device stored in the first housing. The first housing 80 stores a plurality of DC power supply devices 270 and a plurality of fuses 272. The DC power supply device 270 is an electric device that receives an AC power supply and outputs a DC power supply.

Examples of AC power supplies include three-phase 230 volts, single-phase 200 volts, and single-phase 100 volts. Examples of the output voltage of the DC power supply device 270 include 48 volts, 24 volts, and 5 volts. The standard of the fuse 272 is determined according to the breaking current set in the electric device electrically connected.

The fuse illustrated in the present embodiment can be replaced with another power cutoff member such as a breaker. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of fuses 272 shown in FIG. 4 may be connected to electrical wiring that transmits an AC power source.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first housing 80 functions as a power supply box that is provided with an electric device that supplies electric power to each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Examples of each part of the device include a solenoid valve, a sensor, lighting, and various electric devices.

[Detailed description of the second housing]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of one side surface of the second housing. FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which one side plate of the second housing 82 is removed. The second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7 differs from the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 in a part of the electrical equipment to be stored.

Further, the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7 differs from the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 in the position of the exhaust port 304 shown in FIG. 7. That is, in the second housing 82, the exhaust port 304 is formed in the upper plate 308.

Further, the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7 has two exhaust ports 304. In other words, the second housing 82 is provided with the exhaust ports 304 on one side surface side and the other side surface side shown in FIG. 8, respectively. Reference numeral 350 indicates a coarse dust filter provided in the exhaust port 304. The coarse dust filter 350 has the same function as the coarse dust filter 250 shown in FIG. 7. Like the exhaust port 204, the exhaust port 304 may be a combination of the coarse dust filter 350 and the conductive material collecting filter 242.

The side surface of the second housing 82 is an aspect of a wall surface on which an intake port is formed. The upper surface of the second housing 82 is an aspect of a wall surface on which an exhaust port is formed. The fan 320 is an aspect of the first fan. The conductive substance collecting filter 342 is one mode of the first filter. The coarse dust filter 344 is an aspect of the second filter. The coarse dust filter 350 is one mode of the third filter.

The intake air from the intake port 302 is one aspect of the intake process that constitutes the cooling method. The exhaust from the exhaust port 304 is one aspect of the exhaust step that constitutes the cooling method. The collection of foreign matter using the filter unit 440 is one aspect of a collection step that constitutes a cooling method. The collection of the conductive substance using the conductive substance collection filter 342 is one mode of the first collection process which constitutes the collection process. The collection of foreign matter using the coarse dust filter 344 is one aspect of the second collection process that constitutes the collection process.

A plurality of electromagnetic contactors 374 are stored as electric devices on one side surface of the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7. The electromagnetic contactor 374 is an electric device that switches between a connected state and a disconnected state of an electric circuit. The electromagnetic contactor 374 includes a relay that switches between contact and non-contact of an electric contact based on a control signal.

In the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of electromagnetic contactors 374 are arranged on each of the first floor portion 360, the second floor portion 362, and the third floor portion 364. The electromagnetic contactor 374 switches the electrical signal wiring that transmits the electrical signal. The electromagnetic contactor 374 may transmit switching of power wiring for transmitting power to a power supply device, a motor, and the like.

In the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7, the intake port 302 is formed in the front plate 310. A plurality of fans (not shown in FIG. 7) are attached to the intake port 302. The plurality of fans are indicated by reference numeral 320 in FIG. 9.

In the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7, the filter section 340 is attached to the intake port 302. The filter unit 340 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with the coarse dust filter 344 shown in FIG. 7 and the conductive substance collecting filter not shown in FIG. 7, similarly to the filter unit 240 shown in FIG. The conductive material collection filter is shown in FIG. 9 with reference numeral 344.

An arrow line denoted by reference numeral 380 in FIG. 7 and illustrated by using a dashed-dotted line indicates an internal air flow on the one side surface side of the second housing 82. Reference numeral 306 indicates a bottom plate of the second housing 82. Reference numeral 312 indicates a back plate of the second housing 82.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the other side surface of the second housing. FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which the other side plate of the second housing 82 is removed. The other side surface of the second housing 82 is separated from the one side illustrated in FIG. 7 by using a partition plate 305.

On the other side of the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 8, a DC power supply device 370 and a computer 376 are stored as electrical equipment. An arrow line denoted by reference numeral 382 in FIG. 8 and shown using a dashed-dotted line indicates the flow of the air inside the second housing 82 on the side of the other side surface.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the filter section of the second housing. The filter unit 340 shown in FIG. 9 includes a conductive substance collecting filter 342 and a coarse dust filter 344, similarly to the filter unit 240 shown in FIG.

The arrangement of the conductive substance collecting filter 342 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the arrangement of the conductive substance collecting filter 242 provided in the filter portion 240 of the first housing 80 shown in FIG. Further, the function of the conductive substance collecting filter 342 shown in FIG. 9 is similar to the function of the conductive substance collecting filter 242 provided in the filter portion 240 of the first housing 80 shown in FIG.

The arrangement of the coarse dust filter 344 shown in FIG. 9 is similar to the arrangement of the coarse dust filter 244 provided in the filter portion 240 of the first housing 80 shown in FIG. The function of the coarse dust filter 344 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the function of the coarse dust filter 244 provided in the filter portion 240 of the first housing 80 shown in FIG. Here, the description of the conductive substance collecting filter 342 and the coarse dust filter 344 shown in FIG. 9 is omitted.

The plurality of fans 320 shown in FIG. 9 are attached to the outer surface of the second housing 82. The plurality of fans 320 are covered with the case 346 of the filter unit 340. The plurality of fans 320 may be attached to the inside of the intake port 302 or may be attached to the inner surface of the second housing 82.

The plurality of fans 320 are arranged along the vertical direction from the top plate 308 of the second housing 82 toward the bottom plate 306. Further, the plurality of fans 320 are arranged along the direction from the front plate 310 of the second housing 82 to the back plate 312.

In FIG. 9, the top plate 308, the bottom plate 306, the front plate 310, and the back plate 312 of the second housing 82 are omitted. The top plate 308, bottom plate 306, front plate 310, and back plate 312 of the second housing 82 are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The reference numeral 300 in FIG. 9 indicates a side plate of the second housing 82.

<Example of configuration of electric device stored in second housing>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electric device stored in the second housing. The second housing 82 houses a plurality of DC power supply devices 370, a plurality of electromagnetic contactors 374, and a computer 376. MC shown in FIG. 10 is an abbreviation of Electromagnetic Contact, which is an English notation indicating an electromagnetic contactor.

The computer 376 can function as the host computer 103 shown in FIG. The command signal output from the computer 376 is transmitted to each part of the apparatus through the electric wiring 377 shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the electric wiring 377 connected to the computer 376 is connected to the electromagnetic contactor 374. The electromagnetic contactor 374 shown in FIG. 7 may be connected to the output signal wiring of a control device other than the computer 376.

The electromagnetic contactor 374 functions as a switch that turns on and off the command signal. The electromagnetic contactor 374 switches whether or not to transmit a control signal via each electric wiring 377 based on a control signal input via an electric wiring not shown.

The DC power supply device 370 has the same function as the DC power supply device 270 shown in FIG. Here, illustration of the DC power supply device 370 is omitted. The electric wiring 379 connected to the DC power supply device 370 may be connected to an electric breaker such as a fuse and a breaker.

The configuration of the electric device in the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 6 and the configuration of the electric device in the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 10 are examples, and changes such as addition and deletion can be made.

[Effect]
According to the inkjet recording apparatus 10 configured as described above, the filter unit 240 is provided in the intake port 302 of the first housing 80 in which the electric device is stored. The filter unit 240 includes a conductive material collection filter 242. As a result, it is possible to collect a conductive substance that may cause a failure of the electric device.

A fan 220 is provided at the intake port 302 of the first housing 80 to introduce air outside the first housing 80 into the first housing 80. As a result, the entry of foreign matter into the inside of the first housing 80 is suppressed due to the positive pressure inside the first housing 80.

An exhaust port 204 is provided at a position above the intake port 202. As a result, due to the generation of the air flow from the bottom to the top inside the first housing 80, it is possible to efficiently and forcibly cool the electric device stored inside the first housing 80. is there.

The filter unit 240 includes a coarse dust filter 244 outside the conductive material collection filter 242. Accordingly, the coarse dust filter 244 is used to collect a substance that may cause an increase in the pressure loss of the conductive substance collecting filter 242, and thus the life of the conductive substance collecting filter 242 is extended. Contribute.

Furthermore, it is possible to forcibly cool an electric device in an environment containing a conductive substance. As a result, the highly integrated arrangement of the electric devices can be achieved due to the forced cooling of the electric devices, and the size of the first housing 80 can be reduced.

With the second housing 82 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first housing 80 described above.

[First modification]
Next, a first modified example will be described. In the first modified example described below, the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The first modified example is also applicable to the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7. The same applies to the second to fifth modifications.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the first modification. The first housing 80 shown in FIG. 11 is arranged in a region where there are few foreign matters. The first housing 80 shown in FIG. 11 is arranged at a position separated from the foreign material generation source 402 by using the partition member 400.

Examples of the foreign material generation source 402 include the sheet S transport unit such as the drawing drum 52 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the sheet discharge tray 76. Examples of the area containing a small amount of foreign matter include the outside of the cover 18A that covers the drawing unit 18 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the outside of the cover 24A that covers the paper discharge unit 24 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the first modification. In the first casing 80 shown in FIG. 12, the shielding member 410 is arranged near the intake port 202. The vicinity of the intake port 202 is a range where the effect of suppressing the entry of foreign matter from the intake port 202 can be obtained due to the arrangement of the shielding member 410.

The shielding member 410 is arranged at a certain distance from the intake port 202. A certain distance from the intake port 202 does not hinder intake from the intake port 202 to the inside of the first housing 80, and also suppresses foreign matter from entering the inside of the first housing 80 from the intake port 202. Is the distance that can be obtained.

According to the first modification, foreign matter is prevented from entering the inside of the first housing 80 through the intake port 202. This makes it possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the electric device. In addition, it contributes to prolonging the life of the conductive material collecting filter 242.

[Second modification]
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the second modification. The first housing 80A according to the second modification includes a fan 411 inside the first housing 80A. FIG. 13 illustrates an aspect in which the first housing 80A includes a plurality of fans 411. Note that, in FIG. 13, the blowing direction of the fan 411 is upward. The arrow line with reference numeral 412 in FIG. 13 indicates the blowing direction of the fan 411. The air blowing direction of the fan 411 is an obliquely upward direction with an angle of less than 90 degrees with the vertically upward direction when the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. Good.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the second modification. The first housing 80B shown in FIG. 14 includes a fan 414 and a regulation member 416. The air blowing direction of the fan 414 is a direction orthogonal to the vertically upward direction. The arrow line with the reference numeral 418 represents the air blowing direction of the fan 414.

The restriction member 416 has a function of changing the air blowing direction of the fan 414 from sideways to upward. The regulating member 416 shown in FIG. 14 has a flat plate shape. The regulation member 416 may be a member having a curved surface such as a spherical surface. The regulation member 416 preferably has a shape and arrangement that does not regulate the air flow to the DC power supply device 270 using the fan 220. The fan 414 is one mode of a second fan that blows air upward in the housing.

According to the second modification, an updraft is generated inside the first housing 80A shown in FIG. 13 and the first housing 80B shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency inside the first housing 80A shown in FIG. 13 and the first housing 80B shown in FIG.

[Third Modification]
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the third modified example. The DC power supply device 270A shown in FIG. 15 is provided in the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 and the second housing 82 shown in FIG. The air blowing direction of the fan 420 is upward in the state of being provided in the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 and the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7. The arrow line with the reference numeral 422 in FIG. 15 indicates the blowing direction of the fan 420.

Other electric devices such as the computer 376 shown in FIG. 7 also have an upward blowing direction in a state of being provided in the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 and the second housing 82 shown in FIG. It is preferable to include a fan. The fan 420 is an aspect of a third fan that blows air toward the upper side of the housing.

According to the third modification, an updraft is generated in the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 and the second housing 82 shown in FIG. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the first housing 80 shown in FIG. 4 and the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7 can be improved. It also contributes to the improvement of the cooling efficiency of the DC power supply device 270A itself.

[Fourth Modification]
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the fourth modified example. The first housing 80 shown in FIG. 16 is arranged with a gap 432 between it and the heating element 430. Examples of the heating element 430 include a heat source such as a heater. The gap 432 is an example of a fixed distance from the heating element.

The gap between the first housing 80 and the heating element 430 is determined from the viewpoint of the temperature of the heating element 430 and the cooling efficiency of the first housing 80. In other words, the constant distance between the first housing 80 and the heating element 430 determines whether the heat generated by the heating element 430 has a reduced effect on the temperature rise inside the first housing 80. It is possible to decide from the viewpoint of.

In particular, the intake port 202 is preferably arranged at a position where the influence of heat is small. A heat insulating member 434 may be provided in the gap 432 between the first housing 80 and the heating element 430. The heat insulating member 434 may be arranged at least in the vicinity of the intake port 202. The heat insulating member 434 may be brought into close contact with the heating element 430.

The heat insulating member 434 is arranged at a fixed distance from the intake port 202. The certain distance from the intake port 202 is a distance that does not hinder intake from the intake port 202 into the inside of the first housing 80 and that a heat insulating effect of the first housing 80 is obtained.

According to the fourth modification, the first housing 80 is arranged with a gap from the heat source. Thereby, the cooling efficiency of the first housing 80 can be improved. This modification is also applicable to the second housing 82 shown in FIG. 7.

[Fifth Modification]
Next, a fifth modification will be described. In the fifth modified example, the entire surface of the electric board used for the electric equipment such as the DC power supply device 270 shown in FIG. 4 or the conducting portion is made of an insulating material such as acrylic, urethane, and silicon. Coated. Coating is an aspect of coating.

The electric board includes both a state where electric parts are mounted on the electric circuit board and a state where electric parts are not mounted on the electric circuit board.

According to the fifth modified example, even if the conductive substance adheres to the electric device and the conductivity of the conductive substance develops due to moisture absorption, the failure of the electric device due to a short circuit can be suppressed.

The first modified example to the fifth modified example described above can be appropriately combined.

[Filter management method according to the first embodiment]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the filter management method according to the first embodiment. The filter management method according to the first embodiment described below monitors the temperature of the heat generating part inside the housing, issues a warning and instructs replacement of the filter part when the temperature of the heat generating part is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

The casing is a general term for the first casing 80 shown in FIG. 4 and the second casing 82 shown in FIG. 7. The heat generating portion inside the housing can be the electric equipment having the highest temperature among the electric equipment provided inside the housing.

The filter unit here is a general term for the filter unit 240 shown in FIG. 4 and the filter unit 340 shown in FIG. 7. In the filter management method according to the first embodiment, the filter unit 240 shown in FIG. 4 and the filter unit 340 shown in FIG. 7 may be managed individually or collectively.

In the internal temperature measuring step S10 of FIG. 17, the detecting unit 140 shown in FIG. 3 measures the temperature of the heat generating unit inside the housing. An example of the detection unit 140 is a temperature sensor provided inside the housing. The temperature sensor may be a contact type or a non-contact type. Information of the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing measured in the internal temperature measuring step S10 of FIG. 17 is sent to the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG.

In the external temperature measuring step S12 of FIG. 17, the detecting unit 140 shown in FIG. 3 measures the temperature outside the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. An example of the detection unit 140 shown in FIG. 3 is a temperature sensor provided outside the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Information on the temperature outside the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 measured in the internal temperature measuring step S10 of FIG. 17 is sent to the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG.

The internal temperature measuring step S10 and the external temperature measuring step S12 of FIG. 17 may be executed in parallel. In the internal temperature measuring step S10, the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing is measured, and in the external temperature measuring step S12, the temperature outside the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Proceed to the temperature correction step S14.

In the temperature correction step S14, the filter management section 142 shown in FIG. 3 corrects the temperature of the heat generating section inside the housing using the temperature outside the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. As an example of correcting the temperature of the heat generating part inside the housing, there is a correction of subtracting the temperature outside the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 from the temperature of the heat generating part inside the housing. As another example of correcting the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing, there is a correction of multiplying the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing by a correction coefficient according to the temperature outside the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Can be mentioned.

In the temperature correction step S14 of FIG. 17, after the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing is corrected, the process proceeds to the determination step S16. In the determination step S16, the filter management unit 142 illustrated in FIG. 3 determines whether the corrected temperature of the heat generating unit inside the housing is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature. In this embodiment, 45° C. is applied as the threshold temperature. As the threshold temperature, any temperature determined from the viewpoint of cooling efficiency of the housing can be applied.

In the determination step S16 of FIG. 17, when the corrected temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing is equal to or lower than the threshold temperature, the determination is No. In the case of No determination, the process returns to the internal temperature measuring step S10, and the steps from the internal temperature measuring step S10 to the determining step S16 are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, in the determination step S16, when the corrected temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the determination is Yes. In the case of Yes, it is considered that, as a result of the deterioration of the performance of the filter part, the effect of cooling using the fan becomes weak, and the temperature of the heat generating part inside the housing rises. The fan here is a generic term for the plurality of fans 220 shown in FIG. 4 and the plurality of fans 320 shown in FIG. 7.

Then, it is necessary to replace the filter part to recover the performance of the filter part and to recover the cooling effect using the fan. In the case of Yes determination, the process proceeds to the warning notification step S18.

In the warning notification step S18, the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG. 3 notifies the warning using the display unit 132. The warning here may be a warning for notifying the temperature rise of the heat generating portion inside the housing. It may be a warning notifying the deterioration of the performance of the filter unit. Character information, sound information, etc. can be applied to the warning. The sound information is a concept including voice information and a warning sound.

In the warning notification step S18 of FIG. 17, after the warning is notified, the process proceeds to the filter replacement instruction step S20. In the filter replacement instruction step S20, the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG. 3 uses the display unit 132 to instruct replacement of the filter unit. The replacement instruction of the filter unit may be character information or voice information.

In the warning notification step S18 and the filter replacement instruction step S20 of FIG. 17, the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG. 3 uses the same screen of the display unit 132 to notify the warning and replace the filter unit. You may instruct.

In the filter replacement instruction step S20 of FIG. 17, after the replacement instruction of the filter unit is executed, the filter management unit 142 illustrated in FIG. 3 ends the procedure of the filter management method illustrated in FIG.

The detection unit 140 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a component of the temperature measurement unit. The filter management unit 142 is an example of a constituent element of a filter replacement time notification unit that notifies that it is the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time when the temperature inside the housing is equal to or higher than the threshold value. The display unit 132 is an example of a component of the filter replacement time notification unit.

[Operation and Effect of Filter Management Method According to First Embodiment]
According to the filter management method of the first embodiment, the warning is issued and the replacement of the filter unit is instructed based on the temperature information of the heat generating portion inside the housing. As a result, the filter unit can be used for its life, and the amount of consumption of the filter unit can be reduced.

The filter management method according to the first embodiment may be applied to at least one of the conductive material collection filter 242 and the coarse dust filter 244. The filter management method according to the first embodiment may be applied to the coarse dust filter 250.

The same applies to the modified examples of the filter management method according to the first embodiment, the filter management method according to the second embodiment, the filter management method according to the third embodiment, and the filter management method according to the fourth embodiment described below. Is.

[Modification of the filter management method according to the first embodiment]
Instead of, or in combination with, measuring the temperature of the heat generating part inside the housing, the temperature of the airflow before passing through the exhaust port and/or the temperature of the airflow after passing through the exhaust port are detected. May be. The exhaust port is a generic term for the exhaust port 204 shown in FIG. 4 and the exhaust port 304 shown in FIG. 7.

When measuring the temperature of the air flow after passing through the exhaust port, the external temperature measuring step S12 and the temperature correcting step S14 of FIG. 17 can be omitted.

The threshold temperature in the determination step S16 may be the same as in the case of measuring the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing. The threshold temperature in the determination step S16 may be lower than that in the case of measuring the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the housing.

The modified example of the filter management method according to the first embodiment can obtain the same operational effect as the filter management method according to the first embodiment.

[Filter Management Method According to Second Embodiment]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the filter management method according to the second embodiment. In the filter management method according to the second embodiment, the differential pressure of the housing is monitored, and when the differential pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than the threshold value, a warning is issued and the replacement of the filter unit is instructed. The differential pressure of the housing here may be read as the pressure loss of the housing.

In the differential pressure measuring step S30 of FIG. 18, the detection unit 140 shown in FIG. 3 measures the differential pressure of the housing. The differential pressure of the housing can be calculated by subtracting the pressure outside the housing from the pressure inside the housing. The external pressure in FIG. 18 represents the pressure outside the housing. A pressure sensor is an example of the detection unit 140. Information on the differential pressure measured in the differential pressure measuring step S30 of FIG. 18 is sent to the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG.

In the differential pressure measuring step S30 of FIG. 18, after the differential pressure of the housing is measured, the process proceeds to the determining step S32. In the determination step S32, the filter management unit 142 illustrated in FIG. 3 determines whether the pressure difference between the housings is equal to or higher than the threshold pressure difference. In the present embodiment, twice the differential pressure in the initial state is applied as the threshold differential pressure. The initial differential pressure in FIG. 18 represents the differential pressure in the initial state.

In the determination step S32 of FIG. 18, when the measured differential pressure is less than twice the initial differential pressure, the determination is No. In the case of No determination, the process returns to the differential pressure measuring step S30, and the monitoring of the differential pressure of the housing is continued.

On the other hand, in the determination step S32, when the measured differential pressure is twice or more the initial differential pressure, the determination is Yes. In the case of Yes determination, it is considered that as a result of the performance of the filter unit being lowered, the pressure inside the housing is lowered and the measured value of the differential pressure is lowered. Then, it is necessary to replace the filter unit and restore the performance of the filter unit. In the case of Yes determination, the process proceeds to the warning notification step S34.

The warning notification step S34 is similar to the warning notification step S18 of FIG. The description here is omitted. In the warning notification step S34 of FIG. 18, after the warning is notified, the process proceeds to the filter replacement instruction step S36. The filter replacement instruction step S36 is similar to the filter replacement instruction step S20 of FIG. The description here is omitted.

In the filter replacement instruction step S36 of FIG. 18, after the replacement instruction of the filter unit is executed, the filter management unit 142 illustrated in FIG. 3 ends the procedure of the filter management method illustrated in FIG.

The detector 140 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a component of the pressure measuring unit. The filter management unit 142 is an example of a constituent element of a filter replacement time notification unit that notifies that it is the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time when the differential pressure is equal to or higher than the threshold value. The display unit 132 is an example of a component of the filter replacement time notification unit.

[Operation and effect of filter management method according to second embodiment]
According to the filter management method of the second embodiment, the warning is executed and the replacement of the filter unit is instructed based on the differential pressure of the housing. As a result, the filter unit can be used for its life, and the amount of consumption of the filter unit can be reduced.

When the filter management method according to the first embodiment and the filter management method according to the second embodiment are used together, it is possible to discriminate a filter performance deterioration, a fan failure, and a temperature sensor failure.

When both the determination step S16 of FIG. 17 and the determination step S32 of FIG. 18 are Yes, it is possible to determine that the filter performance has deteriorated. On the other hand, if the determination step S16 of FIG. 17 is Yes and the determination step S32 of FIG. 18 is No, it is possible to determine that the fan has failed.

If the determination step S16 of FIG. 17 is No determination and the determination step S32 of FIG. 18 is Yes determination, it is possible to determine that the temperature sensor is faulty.

[Filter Management Method According to Third Embodiment]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the filter management method according to the third embodiment. In the filter management method according to the third embodiment, the air volume at the intake port is monitored, and when the air volume at the intake port is less than or equal to the threshold value, a warning is issued and an instruction to replace the filter unit is given. The air volume is represented by the volume of air flow generated by the fan per unit time. An example of a unit of air volume is cubic meter per minute.

In addition, the presence or absence of a fan failure is determined based on the air volume of the fan. If there is a fan failure, a warning will be issued and instructions will be given to replace the fan.

The intake port is a general term for the intake port 202 shown in FIG. 4 and the intake port 302 shown in FIG. 7. The air volume at the intake port is the air volume measured inside the housing.

In the air volume measuring step S40 of FIG. 19, the detecting unit 140 shown in FIG. 3 measures the air volume at the intake port. An example of the detection unit 140 is an airflow meter. Information on the air volume at the intake port measured in the air volume measurement step S40 in FIG. 19 is sent to the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG.

In the air volume measurement step S40 of FIG. 19, after the air volume at the intake port is measured, the process proceeds to the first determination step S42. In the first determination step S42, the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG. 3 determines whether the air volume at the intake port is equal to or less than the first threshold value. In the present embodiment, 20% of the air volume in the initial state is applied as the first threshold air volume. The initial air volume in FIG. 19 represents the initial air volume.

In the first determination step S42 of FIG. 19, when the measured air volume at the intake port exceeds 20% of the initial air volume, the determination is No. In the case of No determination, the process returns to the air volume measuring step S40, and the air volume at the intake port is continuously monitored.

On the other hand, in the first determination step S42, when the measured air volume at the intake port is 20% or less of the initial air volume, the determination is Yes. In the case of Yes, it is suspected that the performance of the filter unit or the performance of the fan is degraded. In the case of Yes determination, the process proceeds to the second determination step S44.

In the second determination step S44, the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG. 3 determines whether or not the air volume at the intake port measured in the air volume measurement step S40 is equal to or less than the second threshold value. In the present embodiment, zero is applied as the second threshold air volume. When the air volume is zero, the fan is stopped.

In the second determination step S44 of FIG. 19, when the measured air volume at the intake port is zero, the determination is Yes. In the case of Yes determination, the process proceeds to the fan failure notification step S46.

In the fan failure notification step S46, the fan control unit 126 illustrated in FIG. 3 uses the display unit 132 to notify that the fan has failed. Text information, sound information, etc. can be applied to the notification.

In the fan failure notification step S46, after the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG. 3 notifies the fan failure using the display unit 132, the process proceeds to the fan replacement instruction step S48 in FIG.

In the fan replacement instruction step S48, the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 uses the display unit 132 to instruct replacement of the fan. The fan replacement instruction may be text information or voice information.

In the fan failure notification step S46 and the fan replacement instruction step S48 of FIG. 19, the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 uses the same screen of the display unit 132 to notify a warning and replace the fan. You may instruct.

In the fan replacement instruction step S48 of FIG. 19, after the fan replacement instruction is executed, the filter management unit 142 shown in FIG. 3 ends the procedure of the filter management method shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the second determination step S44, when the measured air volume at the intake port exceeds zero, the determination is Yes. In the case of Yes determination, the process proceeds to the warning notification step S50.

The warning notification step S50 is the same as the warning notification step S18 of FIG. The description here is omitted. In the warning notification step S50 of FIG. 19, after the warning is notified, the process proceeds to the filter replacement instruction step S52. The filter replacement instruction step S52 is similar to the filter replacement instruction step S20 of FIG. The description here is omitted.

In the filter replacement instruction step S52 of FIG. 19, after the replacement instruction of the filter unit is executed, the filter management unit 142 illustrated in FIG. 3 ends the procedure of the filter management method illustrated in FIG.

In this embodiment, zero airflow is exemplified as the second threshold value for determining the presence or absence of a fan failure. From the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in cooling efficiency, the second threshold value may be set to an air volume other than zero. An example of the second threshold that is less than the first threshold is a value obtained by multiplying the first threshold by a coefficient that is greater than 0 and less than 1.

The detection unit 140 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of a constituent element of an air volume measuring unit that measures an air volume flowing into the housing. The filter management unit 142 is an example of a constituent element of a filter replacement time notification unit that notifies that it is the replacement time of the filter of which the replacement time is to be notified when the air volume is less than or equal to the first threshold value. The display unit 132 is an example of a component of the filter replacement time notification unit.

[Operation and effect of filter management method according to third embodiment]
According to the filter management method of the third embodiment, the warning is executed and the replacement of the filter unit is instructed based on the air volume at the intake port. As a result, the filter unit can be used for its life, and the amount of consumption of the filter unit can be reduced.

Further, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a fan failure based on the air volume at the intake port. If a fan is faulty, it will issue a warning and direct you to replace the fan. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in cooling efficiency inside the housing due to the stop of the fan.

[Fan Control Method According to Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the fan control method according to the fourth embodiment. The fan control method according to the fourth embodiment switches the number of driven fans depending on whether the state of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is the print execution period or the print non-execution period.

In the state determination step S60 of FIG. 20, the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 determines whether the state of the inkjet recording device 10 is the print execution period or the print non-execution period. The state of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 may be determined by using the operating state of each unit of the inkjet recording apparatus 10, or may be determined by using the input information of the operator. For example, the determination of the state of the inkjet recording device 10 may refer to a flag that is valid during the print execution period.

When the fan control unit 126 illustrated in FIG. 3 determines in the state determination step S60 in FIG. 20 that the print execution period is in progress, the determination is Yes. In the case of Yes determination, the process proceeds to the first condition setting step S62 of FIG.

In the first condition setting step S62, the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 sets the number of driven fans to the number of driven print execution periods. In FIG. 20, three are illustrated as an example of the print execution period driven number. The fact that the number of driven fans is three corresponds to the total number in the case of the first housing 80 shown in FIG.

In the first condition setting step S62 of FIG. 20, when the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 sets the number of driven fans, the process proceeds to the fan stop command determination step S66 of FIG.

On the other hand, in the state determination step S60, when the fan control unit 126 illustrated in FIG. 3 determines that the print non-execution period is in effect, the determination is No. In the case of No determination, the process proceeds to the second condition setting step S64 of FIG.

In the second condition setting step S64, the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 sets the number of driven fans to the number of driven non-printing period. In FIG. 20, two are illustrated as an example of the print execution period driven number. The fact that the number of driven fans is two corresponds to the number that is equal to or greater than 0 and less than the number of driven print execution periods.

In the second condition setting step S64, when the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 sets the number of driven fans, the process proceeds to the fan stop command determination step S66 of FIG. Examples of the fan stop command include a command to forcibly stop the fan 26 shown in FIG. 3 and a command to stop the power supply to the fan 26 due to the operation stop of the device. The fan stop command may stop a plurality of fans at once or may stop a plurality of fans individually.

In the fan stop command determination step S66, the fan control unit 126 illustrated in FIG. 3 determines whether or not an instruction to stop the fan is acquired.

In the fan stop command determination step S66 of FIG. 20, when the fan control unit 126 illustrated in FIG. 3 acquires a command to stop the fan, the determination result is Yes. In the case of Yes, the fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 ends the procedure of the fan control method shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the fan stop command determination step S66, when the fan control unit 126 illustrated in FIG. 3 has not acquired the instruction to stop the fan, the determination result is No. In No, it progresses to state determination process S60, and fan control part 126 shown in Drawing 3 repeats each process from state determination process S60 of Drawing 20 to fan stop command determination process S66.

The fan control unit 126 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a component of the fan replacement time notification unit. The display unit 132 is an example of a component of the fan replacement time notification unit.

[Operation and effect of fan control method according to fourth embodiment]
According to the fan control method according to the fourth embodiment, the number of driven fans during the print non-execution period is less than the number of driven fans during the print execution period. As a result, entry of foreign matter into the housing due to driving of the fan is suppressed, and the life of the filter section can be extended. Further, it contributes to reduction of power consumption due to driving of the fan.

[Explanation of fan air volume]
The lower limit of the air volume of the fan is determined by the air volume condition necessary for cooling the electric device inside the housing. On the other hand, when the air volume of the fan is relatively increased in order to improve the cooling efficiency, the volume of the air flow passing through the intake port per unit time increases. This increases the probability that foreign matter will enter the inside of the housing. In addition, the life of the filter becomes relatively short.

Therefore, from the viewpoints of the filter foreign matter collection efficiency and the filter life, etc., the upper limit of the air volume of the fan is set and the constant cooling efficiency is observed, and the constant collection efficiency and the constant life are determined. It is good to decide the range of the air flow of the fan that satisfies the condition.

In the present specification, an inkjet recording apparatus is illustrated as an example of the liquid ejection apparatus, but the liquid ejection apparatus is not limited to an inkjet recording apparatus for graphic use, and performs electrical wiring formation and mask pattern formation for industrial use. The present invention can be widely applied to an inkjet type pattern forming device.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to appropriately change, add, or delete the constituent features without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art within the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ink jet recording apparatus 11 Conveying section 12 Paper feeding section 14 Processing liquid applying section 16 Processing liquid drying processing section 18 Drawing sections 18A, 20A, 20B Cover 20 Ink drying processing section 24 Paper discharging section 26 Fan 30 Paper feeding table 32 Soccer device 34 Paper feed roller pair 36 Feeder board 36A Retainer 36B Guide roller 38 Front cover 40 Paper feed drum 40A, 42A, 46A, 52A, 64D Gripper 40B, 42B, 46B, 52B Rotation shaft 42 Treatment liquid drum 42C, 46C, 52C Outer peripheral surface 44 Treatment liquid applying device 46 Treatment liquid drying treatment drum 48 Paper conveyance guide 50 Treatment liquid drying treatment unit 52 Drawing drum 54 Paper pressing rollers 56C, 56M, 56Y, 56K Inkjet head 58 In-line sensor 64 Chain gripper 64A First sprocket 64B Second sprocket 64C Chain 68 Ink drying processing unit 72, 73 Guide plate 76 Paper ejection tray 80, 80A, 80B First casing 82 Second casing 100 System controller 102 Communication unit 103 Host computer 104 Image memory 105 CPU
106 ROM
107 RAM
110 Transport Control Unit 112 Paper Feed Control Unit 114 Treatment Liquid Application Control Unit 116 Treatment Liquid Drying Control Unit 118 Drawing Control Unit 120 Ink Drying Control Unit 124 Paper Discharge Control Unit 126 Fan Control Unit 130 Operation Unit 132 Display Unit 134 Parameter Storage Unit 136 Program storage unit 140 Detection unit 142 Filter management unit 200, 300 Side plate 202, 302 Intake port 204, 304 Exhaust port 206, 306 Bottom plate 208, 308 Top plate 210, 310 Front plate 220, 320, 411, 414, 420 Fan 240, 340 Filter part 242, 342 Conductive substance collection filter 244, 344 Coarse dust filter 246, 346 Case 250, 350 Coarse dust filter 251 Support frame 260, 360 First floor 262, 362 Second floor 264, 364 Third floor 270, 270A, 370 DC power supply device 272 Fuse 280, 380 Air flow 305 Partition plate 374 Electromagnetic contactor 376 Computer 377, 379 Electric wiring 400 Partition member 410 Shielding members 412, 418, 422 Air flow direction 416 Restricting member 430 Heating element 432 Gap 434 Heat insulation members S10 to S52 Filter management method steps S60 to S66 Fan control method steps

Claims (25)

An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a paper transport unit for transporting a paper; an inkjet head for ejecting ink onto the paper transported using the paper transport unit;
The housing has an intake port,
An exhaust port formed at a position higher than the position of the intake port,
A first fan attached to the intake port,
A filter unit that collects a substance contained in the environment in which the housing is arranged;
Equipped with
The first fan blows air from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing,
The filter unit is attached to the first fan, and includes a first filter that collects a conductive substance, and a second filter attached to a position on the intake side of the first filter,
The first filter is a salt-resistant filter,
The second filter is smaller air filter than the pressure loss in the initial states of the first filter pressure loss of initial conditions, and than the trapping efficiency of the collection efficiency the initial state of the first filter in the initial state An ink jet recording apparatus which is at least one of small air filters . The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein the first filter collects at least one of a conductive substance contained in water in an environment in which the housing is arranged and a conductive substance contained in a component of a sheet. .. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first filter is a salt-resistant filter including a filter medium that absorbs liquefied chloride. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of the substance that can be collected by the second filter is larger than a size of the substance that can be collected by the first filter. The material of the second filter is at least any one of vinylidene chloride fiber, aluminum foil, polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane foam, and polyvinylidene chloride plastic. The ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a case including the first filter and the second filter, the case being disposed on an intake side of the first fan. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second filter is arranged at an end of the case opposite to the first fan. A second fan disposed inside the housing,
The second fan, an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for blowing air toward the upper side in the interior of the housing. The electric device is an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the third fan claim 1 with 8 for blowing air toward the upper side of the housing. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the electric device is covered with an electric substrate using an insulating material. A third filter attached to the exhaust port,
Said third filter, said a first filter, the pressure loss in the initial state, and an ink jet recording apparatus according at least one of the collection efficiency of the initial state is different to any one of claims 1 to 10. The third filter, the pressure loss of the initial state is less pressure loss of the initial state of the first filter, or to claim 11 the collection efficiency in the initial state is less than the collection efficiency of the initial state of said first filter The inkjet recording device described. A first filter, a second filter, and a filter replacement time notification unit for notifying the replacement time of at least one of the third filter,
A temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature inside the casing,
Equipped with
The filter replacement time notification unit is the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time when the temperature inside the casing measured using the temperature measurement unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 11 or 12 , for notifying the user. A first filter, a second filter, and a filter replacement time notification unit for notifying the replacement time of at least one of the third filter,
A pressure measuring unit for measuring a differential pressure obtained by subtracting a pressure outside the casing from a pressure inside the casing;
Equipped with
When the differential pressure measured using the pressure measurement unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the filter replacement timing notification unit notifies that the filter replacement time is the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time. Item 11. The inkjet recording device according to item 11 or 12 . A first filter, a second filter, and a filter replacement time notification unit for notifying the replacement time of at least one of the third filter,
An air volume measuring unit for measuring the volume of air flowing into the housing from the intake port,
Equipped with
The filter replacement timing notification unit notifies that the replacement time of the filter to be notified of the replacement time is when the air volume measured using the air volume measurement unit is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value. Item 11. The inkjet recording device according to item 11 or 12 . An air flow rate measured using the air flow rate measurement unit is a second threshold value which is less than the first threshold value and is equal to or less than a second threshold value, a fan replacement time notification unit for notifying that it is time to replace the first fan. Item 16. The inkjet recording device according to item 15 . An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a paper carrying unit for carrying a paper; an inkjet head for ejecting ink onto the paper carried by the paper carrying unit;
The housing has an intake port,
An exhaust port formed at a position higher than the position of the intake port,
A first fan attached to the intake port, which blows air from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing;
A first filter that is a filter unit that collects a substance contained in the environment in which the housing is arranged, is attached to the first fan, and collects a conductive substance, and an intake side of the first filter. A filter unit that is attached to the position of, and has a second filter in which at least one of the pressure loss in the initial state and the collection efficiency in the initial state is different from the first filter,
An air volume measuring unit for measuring the volume of air flowing into the housing from the intake port,
The air volume measured using the air volume measurement unit, a filter replacement time notification unit for notifying that it is the replacement time of the filter of the replacement time notification target when the predetermined first threshold value or less,
An air volume measured using the air volume measuring unit is a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value and is equal to or less than a second threshold value, and a fan replacement time notification unit that notifies that it is the replacement time of the first fan,
Inkjet recording apparatus equipped with. A third filter attached to the exhaust port, the first filter, a pressure loss in the initial state, and a third filter at least one of the collection efficiency of the initial state is different,
The filter replacement time notification unit notifies that the replacement time of the third filter is reached when the air volume measured by the air volume measurement unit is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value. The inkjet recording device described. It said first fan by controlling the flow rate of the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 18 having a fan control unit for generating air flow required for cooling the electrical equipment. A plurality of the first fans,
The number of the first fan to operate in the printing non-execution period, from claim 1, further comprising a fan controller for controlling the operation of said plurality of fan to be less than the number of the first fan to operate in the printing execution period 18 The inkjet recording device according to any one of 1. Wherein the housing, an ink jet recording apparatus according to claims 1, which is arranged in the image forming unit for forming an image on any one of 20 by using the ink jet head. 22. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing is arranged in a paper stacking unit that stacks paper on which images are formed using the inkjet head. Wherein the housing, an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, which is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the heating element. A cooling method for cooling a housing in which an electric device is stored in an inkjet recording apparatus including a paper transport unit that transports a paper and an inkjet head that ejects ink to the paper transported using the paper transport unit. hand,
An intake step of using the first fan attached to the intake port of the housing to intake air from the outside to the inside of the housing;
An exhaust step of exhausting from an exhaust port formed at a position above the position of the intake port;
Using a filter unit attached to the first fan, a collecting step of collecting a substance contained in the environment in which the housing is arranged;
Including
The collecting step is a first collecting step using a first filter for collecting a conductive substance, and a second collecting step using a second filter attached to a position on the intake side of the first filter. Including
The first collecting step collects a conductive substance using a salt-resistant filter as the first filter,
The second absorption step, the pressure loss in the initial state is first smaller air filter than the filter, and the second collection efficiency in the initial state is at least one small air filter than the first filter A cooling method for collecting a substance contained in an environment in which the casing is arranged by using a filter. A cooling method for cooling a housing in which an electric device is stored in an inkjet recording apparatus including a paper transport unit that transports a paper and an inkjet head that ejects ink to the paper transported using the paper transport unit. hand,
An intake step of using the first fan attached to the intake port of the housing to intake air from the outside to the inside of the housing;
An exhaust step of exhausting from an exhaust port formed above the position of the intake port;
A first filter attached to the first fan, a first collecting step using a first filter for collecting a conductive substance, and a pressure in an initial state attached to a position on an intake side of the first filter. At least one of the loss and the collection efficiency in the initial state includes a second collection step using a second filter different from the first filter, using a filter unit including the first filter and the second filter. A collecting step of collecting a substance contained in an environment in which the housing is arranged,
An air volume measuring step of measuring an air volume flowing from the intake port into the inside of the housing;
The air volume measured in the air volume measurement step, a filter replacement time notification step of notifying that it is the replacement time of the filter of which the replacement time is to be notified when the predetermined first threshold value or less,
An air volume measured in the air volume measurement step, when the second threshold value is less than the first threshold value or less, a fan replacement time notification step of notifying that it is the replacement time of the first fan,
Cooling method including.

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