JPH11138778A - Ink-jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control efficiently the scattering direction of ink mist generated by the ink jet, and prevent the stain in a recording device and the deposition of ink mist which causes defective operation. SOLUTION: A recording head 1 which jets ink and records on a recording paper is mounted on a carriage 2 supported freely slidably on a carriage shaft 3. The recording paper is carried in the direction vertical to the moving direction of a carriage 2 by a paper feed roller 202 and a carrying roller 102. Air is blown toward the paper feed roller 202 and the carrying roller 102 by a blowing fan 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image by discharging ink onto a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of ink jet recording apparatus includes a serial type and a line type. The serial type ink jet recording apparatus mounts a recording head on a carriage which is reciprocated in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording material, and alternately repeats the conveyance of the recording material at a predetermined pitch and the reciprocating movement of the carriage. While recording, an image is recorded on the recording material. The line type ink jet recording apparatus uses a recording head having a length substantially equal to the width of the recording material, and records an image on the recording material while conveying the recording material. In recent years, for reasons such as high image quality,
The above two types of ink jet recording apparatuses are employed.

[0003]

However, since the ink jet recording apparatus performs recording by discharging ink, when the ink is discharged, minute ink particles called ink mist are generated. However, there is a problem in that the particles are scattered in the recording material and the recording apparatus to contaminate them. In addition, if ink mist scattered in the printing apparatus accumulates in a mechanism for printing operation in the printing apparatus, a means for controlling the same, or the like, an operation failure may be caused. For example, if the ink mist adheres to the recording material conveying means, the ink mist is transferred to the recording material and causes stain on the recording material. In addition, the print head is provided with a discharge port for discharging ink, an electrical connection with the printing apparatus main body, and the like. If a large amount of ink mist adheres or deposits near the discharge port, a discharge failure occurs. When a large amount of ink mist adheres or accumulates on the electrical connection, a problem occurs that the recording head is not driven normally.

In order to prevent this, there is a case where a suction fan is provided in the recording apparatus, and the suction fan collects flying ink mist. However, even if a fan is provided, it is difficult to efficiently collect the ink mist, and the ink mist may be diffused in the opposite direction, and the above-mentioned problem has not yet been solved. is there.

Accordingly, the present invention eliminates dirt in a recording apparatus by efficiently controlling the direction in which ink mist generated by ink ejection is scattered, or removes ink in a portion where malfunction occurs due to the accumulation of dirt. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which prevents mist deposition and records images stably over a long period of time and has excellent reliability.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a conveying means for conveying a recording material, and a recording head for discharging ink to perform recording on the recording material. A carriage for reciprocating in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording material, and an air flow generating means for generating an air flow for controlling the flow of ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head; Wherein the airflow generating means blows air toward the conveying means.

[0007] In the first invention configured as described above,
Air is blown by the airflow generating means toward the conveying means for conveying the recording material. This prevents the ink mist from adhering to the transporting means, so that the ink mist is not transferred from the transporting means to the recording material.
As a conveying means, a supply member for supplying a recording material into an area where the carriage reciprocates, a conveying member for conveying the recording material to a position facing the ink ejection surface of the recording head, a recording member, There is a guide member that guides the recording material conveyed toward the head so that the distance facing the ink ejection surface of the recording head is constant.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording material; and a recording head for discharging ink to perform recording on the recording material in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the recording material. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a carriage for reciprocating; and an air flow generating means for generating an air flow for controlling a flow of an ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head. The generating means blows air toward the means for moving the carriage.

In the second invention configured as described above,
The air is generated by the air flow generating means toward the means for moving the carriage. This prevents the ink mist from adhering to the means for moving the carriage, so that the carriage can operate stably. As means for moving the carriage, there are a shaft member for guiding the carriage slidably in the moving direction, and a carriage position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a conveying means for conveying a recording material, and a recording head for discharging ink to perform recording on the recording material in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the recording material. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a carriage for reciprocating; and an air flow generating means for generating an air flow for controlling a flow of an ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head. The generating means blows air toward the carriage.

[0011] In the third invention configured as described above,
The air flow generating means blows air toward the carriage, thereby preventing ink mist from adhering to the structural members of the carriage and the recording head mounted on the carriage. In an inkjet recording device, the recording head is an important part related to the ejection of ink. In this way, the prevention of ink mist from adhering to the structural members of the carriage and the recording head enables stable ejection of ink. Becomes In this case, it is preferable that the airflow generating means blows air toward an electrical connection between the carriage and the printhead, and an ink discharge surface of the printhead.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, a conveying means for conveying the recording material, and a recording head for discharging ink to perform recording on the recording material may be moved in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the recording material. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a carriage for reciprocating; and an air flow generating means for generating an air flow for controlling a flow of an ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head. The generating means has an air introducing member for taking in air from the outside, and a blowing fan for blowing out the air taken in by the air introducing member into an area where the carriage is reciprocated. It is.

[0013] In the fourth invention configured as described above,
Fresh air introduced from the outside via the air introducing member is blown out by the blowing fan into an area where the carriage is reciprocated. The air blown out by the blower fan removes ink mist generated by the ejection of ink from the recording head outside the area where the carriage reciprocates. In this way, by blowing the fresh air to remove the ink mist, the adhesion of the ink mist in the area where the carriage is reciprocated can be more effectively prevented.

[0014]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment mounts the recording head 1 on a carriage 2 that is reciprocated in a direction perpendicular to the recording material conveyance direction. This is a serial type ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink from the recording head 1 while the recording head 1 is moving and performs recording on the recording material while alternately repeating the feeding of the material at a predetermined pitch. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a conveying direction of the recording material at an intermediate portion in a width direction (a moving direction of the recording head 1) of the recording material.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the recording section of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. less than,
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mechanism related to a printing operation of the inkjet printing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

The carriage 2 is a plate-like chassis 2 serving as a base of a recording operation mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus.
0, a carriage shaft 3 fixed in parallel with each other
And slidably supported by a guide rail 4. A portion of a timing belt (not shown) wrapped around two pulleys (not shown) rotatably provided at intervals in the axial direction of the carriage shaft 3 is fixed to the carriage 2. Is rotated forward and backward by a carriage drive motor (not shown), so that the carriage 2
Is reciprocated along the carriage shaft 3.

The recording head 1 has a plurality of ejection ports (not shown) for ejecting ink. The recording head 1 is detachably mounted on the carriage 2 with the ejection port surface, which is the surface on which these ejection ports are opened, facing downward. The method of discharging ink from the discharge port is roughly divided into two types: a method in which thermal energy is applied to the ink by a heater, and a change in the state of the ink (such as generation of bubbles) due to the thermal energy is used; In some cases, the recording head is applied with a specific energy, thereby instantaneously applying a discharge pressure. In the present invention, any type of recording head can be applied.

The recording head 1 and the carriage 2 are electrically connected to each other when the recording head 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 (head contact portions).
Having. A recording signal is supplied to the recording head 1 from the control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus main body via the electrical connection unit, and thermal energy or mechanical energy is supplied to the ink based on the recording signal.

A scale 32 is attached to the chassis 20 along the direction of movement of the carriage 2 between the carriage 2 and a portion of the carriage 2 facing the chassis. A sensor 31 is attached, and the scale 32 and the reading sensor 31 constitute a linear encoder that detects the position of the carriage 2 in the width direction of the recording material.

As the linear encoder, an optical encoder or a magnetic encoder can be used. For example, in the case of an optical encoder, a large number of slits are formed on the scale 32 at a predetermined pitch in the moving direction of the carriage 2. An optical sensor is used as the reading sensor 31. The position of the carriage 2 detected by the linear encoder is used for feedback control of the above-described carriage drive motor and control of ink ejection timing from the recording head 1. That is, this linear encoder constitutes a means for moving the carriage 2 together with the carriage shaft 3 supporting the carriage 2.

A transport mechanism for transporting a recording material is provided below the carriage 2. In the present embodiment, the recording material can be selectively conveyed from the auto sheet feeder 200 provided behind the carriage 2 or the cassette 300 provided below the carriage 2.

The auto sheet feeder 200 holds a large number of recording sheets 150 as recording materials, and feed rollers 202 provided at the lower end side of the recording sheets 150 are rotated to contact the recording sheets 150. When touched, the recording paper 150 is separated one by one by the action of the separation claw 203 and conveyed in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. Separated recording paper 150
Is transported to the supply path 101 by a recording paper direction regulating plate 204 and is driven by a paper feed drive motor (not shown).
2, is rotatably supported by a pinch roller holding plate 104 urged toward 2, and is pinched by a pinch roller 103 arranged opposite to the transport roller 102. Here, by driving the paper feed drive motor, the recording paper 150 is conveyed to a position below the recording head 1, that is, a position facing the ejection port surface.

A platen 106 is disposed on the downstream side in the direction of conveyance of the recording paper 150 by the conveying roller 102 and the pinch roller 103 so as to face the discharge port surface of the recording head 1. The recording is performed on the recording paper 150 by discharging the ink from No. 1. Platen 1
06, a paper presser plate 107 made of a rigid plate member is provided.
03 is conveyed while being pressed by the platen 106 against the paper holding plate 107. This prevents the recording paper 150 from coming into contact with the ejection port surface of the recording head 1 and keeps the distance between the recording sheet 150 and the ejection port surface constant to raise the landing position of ink on the recording sheet 150. Maintain accuracy.

Recording paper 15 conveyed on platen 106
0 is a paper discharge roller 108 further disposed downstream in the transport direction, and a spur 10 pressed against the paper discharge roller 108.
9 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 120 and stacked. Although the spurs 109 will be described in detail later, a plurality of spurs 109 are provided at intervals in the width direction of the recording paper 150.

The cassette 300 also holds and holds a large number of recording papers 150. The separation of the recording papers 150 loaded on the cassette 300 one by one is performed by the automatic seed feeder 2.
00, the pickup roller 202 and the separation claw 20
3 and is carried in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. The recording paper 150 conveyed in the direction of arrow B is
A feeding roller 204 serving as a driving roller;
Feed roller roller 205, which is a driven roller pressed against
And the supply path 1 through the cassette transfer path 206.
It is led to 01. Subsequent conveyance routes and operations are the same as those of the automatic sheet feeder 200, and thus description thereof is omitted.

The chassis 20 includes the above-described carriage shaft 3, guide rail 4, auto sheet feeder 200,
A carriage drive motor, a paper feed drive motor, and the like are positioned and held.
8 is rotatably held.

As shown in the plan sectional view of FIG. 3, the discharge function of the recording head 1 is maintained or recovered within the reciprocating range of the carriage 2 and on the right end outside the area where the recording paper 150 passes. A suction mechanism for forcibly sucking ink from the ejection ports separately from recording, a wiping mechanism for wiping the ejection port surfaces to clean the ejection port surfaces of the recording head 1, and A head recovery system unit 10 having a capping mechanism and the like for sealing the ejection port surface of the recording head to prevent drying of the ink in the ejection ports is provided.

The recording head 1 is moved to a position facing the head recovery system unit 10 at the time of non-recording and at regular time intervals. At this position, a predetermined operation such as a suction operation by a suction mechanism or a wiping operation by a wiping mechanism is performed. By performing the recovery process, the ejection characteristics are favorably maintained.
The reference position (home position) of the recording operation by the recording head 1 is in the recording area (the carriage 2 during the recording operation).
Is set at the end of the side on which the head recovery system unit 10 is provided (the range in which the head reciprocates). Based on this reference position, the movement of the carriage 2 for printing by the printhead 1 and the movement of the printhead 1 The movement of the carriage 2 for the recovery process is controlled.

In this embodiment, the ink ejection operation from the recording head 1 is performed only when the recording head 1 is moving from the reference position to the non-reference position (from right to left in FIG. 3). Will be This is because the moving direction of the recording head 1 when ejecting ink is always kept constant.
Improves the landing accuracy of ink on the recording paper 150,
This is because a high-precision color image can be recorded.

In recording by the recording head 1, the diameter of the ejection port of the recording head 1 and the density thereof are increased in order to increase the definition of an image. As a result, the size of the ink droplet to be ejected also becomes smaller, and accordingly, a large number of fine ink particles (ink mist) are generated at the time of ejecting the ink and scattered in the ink jet recording apparatus.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to efficiently control the flow of the ink mist, as shown in FIG.
One fan is provided to form a flow of air in a predetermined direction described later in the recording apparatus. Hereinafter, the flow of air by the blowing fan 40 and the suction fan 48 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line HH of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line II of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

The blower fan 40 blows air from the outside of the ink jet recording apparatus to the inside thereof.
The head recovery system unit 10 is located further upstream than the head recovery system unit 10 on the reference position side with respect to the moving direction of the carriage 2. In the region where the carriage 2 inside the ink jet recording apparatus is moved by the blower fan 40, an air flow roughly from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper 150 is formed. As a result, the ink mist generated by the ejection of the ink from the recording head 1 flows in the discharge direction of the recording paper 150, so that the ink mist can be efficiently controlled without diffusing in the ink jet recording apparatus.

The schematic path of the air flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper 150 will be described with reference to FIG.

The air flow generated by the blower fan 40 first strikes the back of the chassis 20 and
It goes upward along 0 and hits the exterior cover 42 that covers the upper part of the chassis 20. Most of the airflow striking the exterior cover 42 goes over the chassis 20 and moves toward the front of the chassis. However, a part of the airflow descends on the back side of the chassis 20 at the non-reference position side (in the direction of the arrow indicated by a broken line). Flow). This downward flow is blown to the paper feed roller 202.

On the other hand, the flow of air flowing toward the front of the chassis 20 descends along the shape of the outer cover 42 and passes between the carriage 2 and the chassis 20 and is blown to the linear encoder, the carriage shaft 3 and the like. . further,
The air flow is generated by the conveying roller 102 and the pinch roller 103.
The recording paper 150 is changed in the direction along the transport direction of the recording paper 150 by hitting the paper pressing plate 107 covering the recording paper 150, and passes through a recording area between the recording head 1 and the recording paper 150, particularly, a recording area which is an area facing the platen 106. Discharge roller 108 and spur 1
09 toward the discharge side.

As described above, the blowing fan 4
Since the airflow generated by the airflow passes through the recording area, the output of the blowing fan 40 is such that the velocity of the airflow in the recording area does not affect the flight of the ink ejected from the recording head 1. You.

Hereinafter, the flow of air by the blowing fan 40 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG.
The blower fan 40 is arranged so as to blow air upward from below, and forms a flow of sending air introduced from outside through the outside air introduction duct 41 upward as shown by an arrow D in FIG.

Since the chassis 20 exists between the blower fan 40 and the carriage 2, the air blown from the blower fan 40 does not directly flow into the carriage 2 as shown in FIG. Entire recording device (chassis 20, carriage 2, transport mechanism, etc.)
Of the exterior cover 42 covering the ceiling. This ceiling portion forms a concave curved surface when viewed from the inside of the exterior cover 42, and the air hitting the ceiling portion is
After crossing zero, it hits an airflow regulating plate 42a formed downward inside the exterior cover 42, and flows downward toward the carriage 2.

As described above, by making the shape of the ceiling portion of the exterior cover 42 a concave surface when viewed from the inside, the air hitting the ceiling portion can be effectively guided to the carriage 2 side. Also, the air flow generated by the blower fan 40 is
Since the outer cover 42 is used to guide the carriage 2 to the side, there is no need to newly form a flow path for this air flow, and the air flow behind the chassis 20 can be transferred to the front of the chassis 20 with a simple structure. Can be led to.

Further, the blowing fan 40 is arranged on the reference position side of the recording head 1, and the space covered by the outer cover 42 is opposite to the reference position with respect to the moving direction of the recording head 1 (non-reference position). Side), there is a large space as compared with the reference position side, so that the air hitting the ceiling portion of the exterior cover 42 also flows from the reference position side to the non-reference position side, and when the air flows downward toward the carriage 2 The air flow from the reference position side to the non-reference position side is formed together with the downward air flow.

The flow of air from the reference position side to the non-reference position side is formed over the entire area of the recording paper 150 in the width direction as shown by the arrow D in FIG. Most of the air flow is directed downstream of the chassis 20 in the transport direction of the recording paper 150 as shown by an arrow C1 in FIG.
As shown by, the recording paper 150 is directed downward as it is upstream of the chassis 20 in the transport direction of the recording paper 150.

The air flowing in the direction of arrow E is
Is blown to the paper feed roller 202 of the auto sheet feeder 200 disposed behind (upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction). This prevents the scattered ink mist from adhering to the paper feed roller 202. As a result, the recording paper 150 is fed by the paper feed roller 202 to the automatic sheet feeder 2.
When the sheet is separated one by one from 00, the surface of the recording paper 150 can be prevented from being stained by the ink mist due to the transfer of the ink mist attached to the paper feed roller 202 to the recording paper 150.

On the other hand, the air flowing in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. 2 is a member for transporting the carriage 2, the scale 32, the carriage shaft 3, and the recording paper 150, that is, the transport roller 102, the pinch roller 103, and the paper pressing plate. 107 and the like.

By blowing air onto the transport roller 102, the pinch roller 103, and the paper pressing plate 107, ink mist is prevented from adhering to these members, and recording is performed in the same manner as in the case of the above-described paper feed roller 202. Paper 1
It is possible to prevent the recording paper 150 from being stained with the ink mist while the recording paper 50 is being conveyed. By the way, a plurality of pinch rollers 103 are provided at intervals in the width direction of the recording paper 150, and unevenness due to each pinch roller 103 is formed in an air flow path in this area. When the air is blown onto the portion where the pinch rollers 103 are arranged in this manner, the air flow is disturbed, and the air flow from the reference position side to the non-reference position side and the upstream of the recording paper 150 in the transport direction. The flow of air from the side to the downstream side is obstructed. Thus, in the present embodiment, the paper holding plate 107 is formed to cover all the pinch rollers 103, and the unevenness of the pinch rollers 103 is eliminated so that an efficient air flow is formed.

The air is blown to the carriage shaft 3 to prevent the ink mist from adhering to the carriage shaft 3 and prevent the sliding load of the carriage 2 from increasing due to the adhesion of the ink mist to the carriage shaft 3. You. Further, the air is blown to the scale 32 to prevent the ink mist from adhering to the scale 32,
Incorrect reading of the scale 32 by the reading sensor 31 can be prevented. Thus, the carriage shaft 3
By preventing ink mist from adhering to the scale 32 and the scale 32, stable operation of the carriage 2 and reliable position control can be performed.

The air blown to the carriage 2 is supplied to the electrical connection portion (head contact portion) between the recording head 1 and the carriage 2, the reading sensor 31, and the recording head 1.
After being sprayed on the discharge port surface of the recording paper 150, it flows between the spurs 109 and toward the discharge side of the recording paper 150 as shown by an arrow C2 in FIG. Thereby, these head contact portions,
Ink mist is prevented from adhering to the reading sensor 31 and the ejection port surface. By preventing the ink mist from adhering to the ejection port surface of the recording head 1, ink ejection failure due to wetness or dirt on the ejection port surface is prevented, and the ink mist is prevented from adhering to the head contact portion. As a result, a poor electrical connection between the recording head 1 and the carriage 2 is prevented, and an ink mist is prevented from adhering to the reading sensor 31, thereby preventing a position detection failure of the carriage 2 and consequently. The operation failure of the carriage 2 can be prevented.

Further, the air flowing in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. 2 is also blown to the head recovery system unit 10, as shown in FIG. At a position facing the head recovery system unit 10, the recording head 1 performs preliminary ejection for ejecting thickened ink or minute dust or the like in the recording head 1 prior to the recording operation or at regular intervals. In some cases, ink mist is generated. By blowing air to the head recovery system unit 10, ink mist generated at the time of preliminary ejection is released in the direction of arrow C2 shown in FIG. 2, and a cap mechanism and a wiping mechanism provided in the head recovery system unit 10 are released. It is possible to prevent the ink mist from adhering and prevent the discharge characteristics of the recording head 1 from deteriorating.

As described above, the ink is ejected from the recording head 1 only when the carriage 2 is moving from the reference position to the non-reference position.
The air flow from the reference position side to the non-reference position side, as indicated by an arrow D, can efficiently control ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head 1.

That is, when the carriage 2 moves from the reference position side to the non-reference position side, a negative pressure is generated behind the carriage 2 in the moving direction. This negative pressure causes an arrow C in FIG.
The air flow in the opposite direction to the two directions, that is, the air flow from the outside of the ink jet recording apparatus toward the reciprocating region of the carriage 2 is generated. Since the air flow is present, the air flow cancels the air flow in the direction opposite to the arrow C2 direction, thereby preventing the ink mist from scattering inside the ink jet recording apparatus.

Further, since the air flow from the blower fan 40 is formed by being introduced from the outside of the ink jet recording apparatus, fresh air is introduced into the inside of the ink jet recording apparatus. As a result, the ink mist generated in the ink jet recording apparatus does not circulate in the ink jet recording apparatus, and the adhesion of the ink mist to the above-described respective parts can be more effectively prevented.

As described above, the blowing fan 40
Finally, the air flow generated in the direction of FIG. 2 passes between the paper discharge roller 108 and the spur 109 and heads in the direction of arrow C2 in FIG. The airflow flowing in the direction of the arrow C <b> 2 is sucked by the airflow generated from the suction fan 48. The outline of this air flow will be described with reference to FIG.

In a recording area where the recording head 1 and the platen 106 are opposed to each other, a discharge unit 110 and an ink having a space for accommodating an ink mist are provided on the downstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction. The mist collection path forming member 111 is arranged. The ink mist collection path forming member 111 has a spur 10
9 (see FIG. 2 etc.) is provided detachably. Also,
The ink mist collection path forming member 111 is provided with a joint portion 111a that is detachably connected to a duct provided with the suction fan 48 (see FIG. 3 and the like) as described later. As a result, the air in the recording area is discharged to the paper discharging unit 110 and the ink mist collecting path forming member 11.
1 will be sucked in. Further, the ink mist collecting path forming member 111 and the paper discharging unit 110
Can be exchanged as a unit or can be exchanged individually.

Hereinafter, the air flow and the air suction path by the suction fan 48 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spur 109 located at the most downstream position in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 150 in the conveyance mechanism of the recording paper 150 is a box-shaped spur having a width substantially equal to the width of the recording paper 150. A plurality of bases 45 are provided at intervals in the width direction of the recording paper 150. Each spur 109 is arranged on the upstream end side of the spur base 45 in the conveying direction of the recording paper 150, and on the lower wall of the spur base 45,
And in the vicinity of each spur 109
5a are formed.

The spur base 45 is one of regular replacement units that are regularly replaced for maintenance of the ink jet recording apparatus. Therefore, spur base 4
5, a joint 45b is integrally provided at the end (non-reference position side end) opposite to the head recovery system unit 10 in the width direction, and the joint 45b is a rubber joint having a sealing function. A relay duct 47 through 46
It is connected detachably. The end of the relay duct 47 is fixed to the chassis 20.
An opening corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the relay duct 47 is provided at a portion where the relay 7 is fixed, and a suction fan 48 that discharges the air in the spur base 45 through the relay duct 47 is attached to the opening. ing. That is, the suction fan 48 is arranged on the rear side of the chassis 20.

As described above, by providing the suction fan 48 and the blowing fan 40 on the rear side (rearward) of the chassis 20, the driving sound of the suction fan 48 and the blowing fan 40 is blocked by the chassis 20. Forward noise can be reduced. In addition, since there are few complicated mechanical parts on the rear side of the chassis 20 and a large space can be secured, the inkjet recording apparatus is not unnecessarily increased in size.
A blow fan 40 and a suction fan 48 can be provided.

Further, a suction fan duct 49 is attached to the discharge side of the suction fan 48.
As shown in FIG. 5, the air discharged from the suction fan 48 is guided downward.

As a result, the air flowing in the direction of arrow C2 passing between the spurs 109 is sucked into the spur base 45 from each suction port 45a as shown by the arrow F in FIGS. The ink is ejected from the back side of the ink jet recording apparatus through 47.

The air flowing in the direction of the arrow C2 shown in FIG. 2 contains ink mist.
By sucking the air flowing in the direction, that is, the conveying direction of the recording paper 150, the recording is completed, and the ink mist is prevented from adhering to the recording paper 150 discharged onto the paper discharge tray 120. Further, by providing the suction port 45a between the spurs 109, the recording head 1 that generates ink mist is provided.
Since the ink mist can be sucked at a position closer to the ink mist, the ink mist can be efficiently sucked.
Further, the suction fan 48 is arranged on the non-reference position side,
By providing the connection portion with the relay duct 47 on the non-reference position side, an air flow from the reference position side to the non-reference position side is formed in the spur base 45, so that the reference position in the movement area of the carriage 2 is formed. The air flow from the side to the non-reference position side is not hindered.

As shown in FIG. 3, each suction port 45a has a larger opening area on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the air flow direction in the spur base 45. It is set to be. Accordingly, a sufficient air suction force is generated on the upstream side with respect to the air flow in the spur base 45, and the flow path resistance in the spur base 45 can be made substantially uniform in the width direction of the spur base 45. Therefore, the flow of air in the spur base 45 is kept substantially uniform. As a result, the ink mist is efficiently sucked over the entire area of the recording paper 150 in the width direction.

Further, by increasing the opening area of the suction port 45a on the upstream side of the flow of air in the spur base 45, that is, on the side of the head recovery system unit 10, the ink mist generated during the recovery processing of the recording head 1 is improved. Can be efficiently sucked, and the ink mist can be prevented from being scattered to important parts such as the capping mechanism and the wiping mechanism of the head recovery system unit 10.

The spur base 45 is connected to the joint 45
b, the ink mist is detachably provided to the ink jet recording apparatus. Therefore, when the ink jet recording apparatus is used for a long period of time, the ink mist accumulates inside the spur base 45, and the suction performance of the ink mist from the suction port 45a decreases. If the ink mist accumulates on the spur 109 and stains are transferred to the recording paper 150, the spur base 45 can be removed, and the spur base 45 can be easily cleaned or replaced. Moreover, since the spur base 45 can be attached to and detached from the ink jet recording apparatus simply by inserting or pulling out the joint portion 45b from the rubber joint 46, the spur base 45 can be easily and reliably attached and detached. As described above, by providing the suction path of the air in which the ink mist is mixed in the spur base 45, which is one of the periodic replacement units, the ink adhering to the suction path can be simultaneously performed with the regular maintenance of the inkjet recording apparatus. The mist is removed. Thus, the ink mist scattered in the ink jet recording apparatus can be efficiently sucked without lowering the suction efficiency of the ink mist in the suction path.

Since the particle size of the ink mist is very small, most of the ink mist sucked from the suction port 45a of the spur base 45 adheres to the spur base 45 and the inner wall surface of the relay duct 47, and the ink mist is removed. Although the ink jet recording device hardly comes out of the ink jet recording device, if the ink jet recording device is used for a long period of time, the ink mist that has come out of the ink jet recording device, albeit very little, is accumulated, and the ink jet recording device May be stained on the outside. Therefore, the relay duct 4
By attaching a filter for capturing ink mist inside at least one of the suction fan duct 7 and the suction fan duct 49, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink mist from flowing out of the inkjet recording apparatus.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the blowing fan 40 and the suction fan 48 are used as the air flow generating means has been described. However, the air flow generated in the reciprocating area of the carriage 2 is in the conveying direction of the recording paper 150. When only the airflow from the upstream side to the downstream side is sufficient, only one of the blower fan 40 and the suction fan 48 may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the member for accommodating the ink mist and the paper discharge unit can be exchanged has been described. However, as shown in FIG. The ink mist collecting path forming member 111 'may be replaceable, provided separately from the sheet discharging roller 108'.

In the above description, a case has been described where ink is ejected from the recording head 1 when the carriage 2 moves from the reference position to the non-reference position (one-way recording). Even when recording is performed when moving from the side to the reference position side (bidirectional recording), the same effect is obtained because the air flow is formed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording material. is there. Further, the above description
Although the serial type ink jet recording apparatus has been described, the present invention is also applicable to an ink jet recording apparatus using a line type recording head.

[0067]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the invention having the air flow generating means for blowing air toward the recording material conveying means, the ink mist is prevented from adhering to the conveying means, and consequently the recording material is contaminated. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly reliable inkjet recording apparatus capable of recording high-quality images for a long period of time.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention having the air flow generating means for blowing air toward the means for moving the carriage, the adhesion of ink mist to the means for moving the carriage is prevented. Since the carriage can be stably operated in a stable manner, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can record high-quality images for a long period and has excellent reliability.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention having the air flow generating means for blowing air toward the carriage, the ink mist to the portion related to the ejection of the ink, such as the recording head and the electrical connection between the recording head and the carriage. Is prevented, and as a result, the ink can be stably ejected. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can record a high-quality image for a long time and has excellent reliability.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention including the air flow generating means having the air introducing member and the blowing fan, fresh air is blown into the area where the carriage is reciprocated, so that the ink mist can be more effectively prevented. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can record high-quality images for a long time and has excellent reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around a recording unit of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an HH of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
It is a line sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
It is a line sectional view.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic path of an air flow from an upstream side to a downstream side in a recording paper transport direction in the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air flow sucked from a recording area in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the like.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an air flow sucked from a recording area when a member that stores ink mist is configured separately from a sheet discharging unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head 2 Carriage 3 Carriage shaft 4 Guide rail 10 Head recovery system unit 20 Chassis 31 Reading sensor 32 Scale 40 Blowing fan 41 Outside air introduction duct 42 Exterior cover 45 Spur base 45a Suction port 45b Joint part 46 Rubber joint 47 Relay duct 48 Suction Fan 49 Suction fan duct 101 Supply path 102 Conveyance roller 103 Pinch roller 106 Platen 107 Paper holding plate 108 Discharge roller 109 Spur 110 Discharge unit 111 Ink mist collection path forming member 120 Discharge tray 200 Auto sheet feeder 300 Cassette

Claims (12)

[Claims] A transport unit configured to transport a recording material; and a carriage configured to reciprocate a recording head that discharges ink to perform recording on the recording material in a direction that intersects a transport direction of the recording material. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an air flow generating unit configured to generate an air flow for controlling a flow of an ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by blowing air toward the apparatus. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means has a feeding member for feeding the recording material into an area where the carriage reciprocates. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means has a conveying member for conveying the recording material to a position facing an ink ejection surface of the recording head. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit includes a guide member that guides the recording material conveyed toward the recording head such that a distance between the recording material and an ink ejection surface of the recording head is constant. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 5. A transport means for transporting a recording material, and a carriage for reciprocating a recording head for discharging ink to perform recording on the recording material in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording material. An air flow generating means for generating an air flow for controlling a flow of ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head, wherein the air flow generating means moves the carriage An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein air is blown toward a means for causing the ink jet recording apparatus to perform the jetting. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for moving the carriage has a shaft member for guiding the carriage slidably in the moving direction. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for moving the carriage includes a carriage position detecting means for detecting a position of the carriage. 8. A transport means for transporting a recording material, and a carriage for reciprocating a recording head for discharging ink to perform recording on the recording material in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording material. And an air flow generating means for generating an air flow for controlling a flow of an ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the recording head, wherein the air flow generating means is directed toward the carriage. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by blowing out air. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the air flow generating means blows air toward an electrical connection between the carriage and the recording head. 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said air flow generating means blows air toward said recording head mounted on said carriage. 11. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said air flow generating means blows air toward an ink ejection surface of said recording head. 12. A transport means for transporting a recording material, and a carriage for reciprocating a recording head for discharging ink to perform recording on the recording material in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording material. An air flow generating means for generating an air flow for controlling the flow of ink mist generated when ink is ejected from the print head, wherein the air flow generating means An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an air introduction member for taking in air; and a blower fan for blowing out air taken in by the air introduction member into a region where the carriage reciprocates.