JP2006240078A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording device which can effectively reduce ink mist inside of the recording device without leaking the ink mist outside of the recording device and eliminate or extremely reduce the adhesion of the ink mist onto linear encoders, guide rails or carrying rollers or the like. <P>SOLUTION: Introduction ports 14, 16, 23 for introducing air are provided to the covers 11, 12, 13 of the device to form an air flow of flesh air toward the inside of the device from the introduction ports by suction means 7, 8, 31. Linear encoders 5, 6 for detecting the position of a carriage 1 are arranged to the air flow forming portion F1 in the vicinity of the introduction ports 14, 23 or a recording means 2 and the linear encoders 5, 6 or the guide rail 3 are arranged sandwiching the air flow F2 in between. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a serial type ink jet recording apparatus that records an image by ejecting ink from a recording means that moves along a recording medium.

  Recording devices having functions such as printers, copiers and facsimiles, and recording devices used as output devices in composite devices and systems are ink jet recording, laser beam recording, thermal transfer recording, thermal recording, depending on the recording method. Or a wire dot recording method. Among them, an ink jet recording apparatus that uses an ink jet method uses a non-contact recording head (recording means) on a recording medium such as recording paper, and ejects ink while moving the recording head along the recording medium. A serial type that records images by repeating recording and paper feeding for each line is widely used.

  A linear encoder is used as means for detecting the movement and position of the recording head (or the movement of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted) in order to control the recording operation. This linear encoder includes a magnetic detection type and an optical detection type. The optical position detecting type is mounted on a carriage (recording head) and a linear scale having a striped scale in which a light transmitting portion and a light blocking portion are formed at predetermined intervals on the surface of a transparent film. It consists of a linear sensor. The linear scale is installed in the recording head moving area of the recording apparatus main body in parallel with the moving direction. The linear sensor detects the position of the recording head by optically reading the scale of the linear scale in a non-contact manner.

  A carriage on which the recording head is mounted is guided and supported so as to be able to reciprocate along a guide rail installed in the apparatus main body. As the guide rail, a shaft, rod, plate, or belt is used. The carriage is generally moved via a bearing member that slides along the guide rail. In an ink jet recording apparatus, ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port of a recording head and recorded, so that a fine mist-like droplet (hereinafter referred to as ink mist) is accompanied with an ink droplet (main droplet) that forms an image. May occur). The ink mist is a minute droplet and has a remarkably slow moving speed, and most of the ink mist usually does not land (attach) to the recording medium. When a complicated air flow is generated by the movement of the carriage, the ink mist is diffused in a wide area inside the recording apparatus (inside the apparatus) by the air flow and floats in the air.

  The ink mist in the machine collides with the moving carriage and adheres to each part of the carriage, or the air current generated by the carriage collides with other members and adheres to other members. Further, the ink mist settles down due to gravity while the carriage is stopped, and adheres mainly to the horizontal surface portion. Furthermore, if a large amount of ink mist is generated, ink mist that does not adhere to each part in the machine may leak out of the machine from the gap, and the outside of the device (the outer surface of the cover or the exhaust that extends to the outside). Adhering to paper guides, etc.) may contaminate these parts.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic elevation view illustrating a state in which ink mist diffused in the recording apparatus floats around the carriage. FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state where ink mist is diffused in the recording apparatus. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which ink mist adheres to a linear scale in the recording apparatus, and FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which ink mist adheres to a guide rail that guides and supports a carriage in the recording apparatus. . In FIG. 9, when the carriage 1 moves in the direction of arrow A, most of the ink mist 101 generated from the recording head 2 starts to diffuse to the rear of the carriage 1 without reaching the recording medium 201 such as paper. . When the carriage 1 is repeatedly scanned (moved), the ink mist 101 gradually diffuses throughout the apparatus, floats in the air, and fills the apparatus.

  Thereafter, the ink mist 101 becomes an adhesion mist 102 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and unnecessarily soils each part of the recording apparatus. In particular, when adhering to the linear scale 5 or the linear sensor 6 or adhering to the guide rail 3, the following problems may occur. First, if the amount of the attached mist 102 on the transparent portion (light transmitting portion) 5a of the linear scale 5 is increased, the transmitted light cannot be detected, and the reading accuracy of the linear sensor 6 is lowered. For this reason, the operations of the carriage 1 and the recording head 2 become unstable. In addition, 5b in FIG. 11 shows the light-shielding part of the linear scale 5. FIG.

  Secondly, if a large amount of ink mist adheres to the light emitting part and light receiving part of the linear sensor 6 on the carriage 1, the scale of the linear scale 5 cannot be read, and the operation of the carriage unit becomes unstable. Third, the adhering mist 102 adhering to the guide rail 3 is initially liquid, but gradually increases in viscosity and solidifies. Then, the sliding resistance between the guide rail 3 and the carriage 1 increases due to the thickened and solidified adhesion mist, and when the sliding resistance is significantly increased, the operation of the carriage unit becomes unstable.

  Such ink mist is not a problem when printing by ejecting ink to about 10% to 10% of the paper ground area like character printing, but it is a high density image such as an art image on a large size paper. Is printed, the amount of ink mist accumulated in the machine increases, which may cause a serious situation. As means for solving such problems related to ink mist, a technique for sucking ink mist inside the recording apparatus without leaking outside the apparatus or a technique for covering the linear encoder to reduce mist adhering to the linear encoder has been proposed. ing.

Next, an outline of a conventional typical configuration for preventing or reducing the disadvantages caused by the ink mist as described above will be described.
In US Pat. No. 5,589,866 (Patent Document 1), air flows from the paper discharge portion at the most downstream portion in the transport direction to the peripheral portion of the transport roller by a blower, and ink vapor (ink A configuration is disclosed in which air containing mist is sucked by suction means provided in an upper portion of the conveying roller.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-138777 (Patent Document 2), air is blown from a conveying roller side to a paper discharge unit via a recording head unit by a blowing unit, and suction is provided at a peripheral part of the paper discharge roller. A configuration for sucking ink mist by means is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-216474 (Patent Document 3) discloses a configuration in which a cover mainly intended to prevent manual contact with a linear scale is provided, and as a result, ink mist is prevented from adhering to the linear scale.
US Pat. No. 5,589,866 JP 11-138777 A JP-A-8-216474

  However, it is difficult to collect the ink mist diffused inside the recording apparatus simply by providing the recording apparatus with a suction means such as a fan and sucking air. This is because the suction force of the suction fan decreases in inverse proportion to the square of the distance, and it is difficult to exert the suction force widely. In particular, in the case of a recording apparatus using a large-sized recording medium, the number of suction fans is increased or the size is increased unnecessarily, resulting in an increase in cost. Therefore, as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a configuration is conceivable in which air is blown into the machine and the fed air is sucked in order to efficiently collect the ink mist. Technical challenges remain.

  That is, the recording apparatus is provided with a gap that is indispensable in design, such as a gap between a plurality of covers and a paper discharge port for discharging paper. On the other hand, since the air sent out from the air blowing means has a higher positive pressure than the air outside the machine (ambient environment), air containing ink mist is ejected from the gaps of the recording apparatus. In this case, it can be considered that air is not ejected by balancing the pressure in the machine by the negative pressure by the suction means, but in addition to the flow rate, flow velocity and airflow direction in blowing and suction, it is complicated by the movement of the carriage The balance with the airflow is an important factor, and it is required to design them optimally together. However, such a design is extremely difficult in practice and eventually causes the ink mist-containing air to be ejected out of the machine.

Furthermore, the separate arrangement of the fan for suction and the fan for suction in this way is not only significant in addition to the cost increase associated with the increase in the number of fans, but also the increase in power supply capacity for driving the fans. This will increase costs.
In addition, covering the linear scale as in Patent Document 3 is an effective method in itself, but since the ink mist and air are monolithically integrated, it is necessary to make the gap between the covers as narrow as possible until the air can be blocked. Otherwise, sufficient effects cannot be obtained. However, since the linear sensor is a movable member and the linear scale is fixed, it is extremely difficult to cover the linear scale with an extremely narrow gap as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to effectively reduce the ink mist inside the recording apparatus without leaking the ink mist to the outside of the recording apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can prevent or greatly reduce the adhesion of ink mist to a functional member such as a linear encoder.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a recording unit that discharges and records ink on a recording medium, a moving unit that moves the recording unit along the recording medium, and a position for detecting the position of the recording unit. In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising a linear encoder, a suction means for sucking air, and a cover for partitioning the inside and outside of the apparatus, an introduction port for introducing air into the cover is provided, and the suction means removes the air from the introduction port. An air flow is formed toward the inside of the apparatus, and the linear encoder is disposed in the air flow forming portion in the vicinity of the introduction port.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a recording unit that discharges and records ink on a recording medium, a moving unit that moves the recording unit along the recording medium, and a position of the recording unit are detected. In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising a linear encoder for sucking air, a suction means for sucking air, and a cover for partitioning the inside and outside of the apparatus, an introduction port for introducing air into the cover is provided, and the introduction by the suction means An air flow is formed from the mouth toward the inside of the apparatus, and the recording means and the linear encoder are arranged with the air flow interposed therebetween.

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, an inlet for introducing air into the cover is provided, an air flow is formed from the inlet to the inside of the apparatus by suction means, and the linear encoder is located near the inlet. Since it is configured to be arranged in the air flow forming section, it is possible to effectively reduce ink mist inside the recording apparatus without leaking ink mist to the outside of the recording apparatus, and to functional members such as a linear encoder. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of preventing or greatly reducing the adhesion of ink mist is provided.

  According to another ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, an inlet for introducing air is provided in the cover, an air flow is formed from the inlet to the inside of the apparatus by suction means, and recording is performed with the air flow interposed therebetween. Since the apparatus and the linear encoder are arranged, the ink mist inside the recording apparatus can be effectively reduced without leaking the ink mist to the outside of the recording apparatus, and the functional member such as the linear encoder can be obtained. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of preventing or greatly reducing the adhesion of ink mist is provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1 in a direction crossing the moving direction of the carriage. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the recording medium 201 fed to the nip between the conveying roller 4 and the pinch roller 3 is conveyed through the recording unit while being supported by the guide surface of the platen 9 by driving the conveying roller 4. On the other hand, the carriage 1 on which the recording head 2 as recording means is mounted is guided and supported so as to be able to reciprocate in the width direction (left and right direction) of the apparatus main body along the guide rail 3 and the guide portion 33 attached to the chassis. It is reciprocated by moving means such as a carriage motor.

  By driving the recording head 2 based on the image information in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 1 for one line (main scanning) with respect to the recording medium 201 such as paper supported on the platen 9, one line is obtained. An image is recorded. The recording head 2 which is a recording means records an image by ejecting ink from an ejection port (usually an ejection port array formed by arranging a plurality of ejection ports) based on image information. Head. When the recording for one line is completed, the sheet 201 is fed (sub-scanned) by a predetermined pitch by the conveying roller 4, and then the carriage 1 and the recording head 2 are driven again to record the next line. An image is recorded on the entire page by alternately repeating the recording for one line by the main scanning of the recording head 2 and the sub-scanning of the recording medium 201 by the conveying roller 4 as described above. As the recording medium 201, various sheet materials such as a long roll-shaped sheet unwound from a spool or the like, or a cut sheet cut into a predetermined size for each page can be used.

  A suction unit is disposed between the conveyance roller 4 and the guide rail 3. This suction means comprises a suction fan 8 (air flow generating means or air blowing means) and a suction port 7, and a plurality of suction ports 7 are arranged in parallel over a moving direction region corresponding to the scan (main scan) width of the carriage 1. Yes. The suction means is disposed in such a positional relationship that the suction port 7 is located between the transport roller 4 and the guide rail 3, and a filter 7a for trapping (trapping) ink mist inside the suction means. Is loaded. The ink mist 101 sucked in with air from the suction port 7 is captured by the filter 7a in front of the suction fan 8, and only the air that has been cleaned by removing the ink mist 101 is discharged from the rear of the suction fan 8 to the outside of the apparatus. The

  Between the upper cover 12 and the rear cover 13, a first introduction port 14 for taking in air from the outside of the apparatus is provided. The introduction port 14 is provided in the width direction of the recording apparatus over almost the same length range as the linear scale 5. When the suction fan 8 is activated, an air flow from the paper discharge port 17 toward the suction port 7 and an air flow F1 from the introduction port 14 toward the suction port 7 are formed, and these air are taken in from the suction port 7. Along with this, the ink mist 101 inside the recording apparatus (inside the apparatus) also flows toward the suction port 7, and the ink mist is also sucked from the suction port 7.

  A linear scale 5 is disposed in the vicinity of the introduction port 14. The linear scale 5 is stretched in parallel over the moving range of the carriage 1. The carriage 1 is provided with a linear sensor 6 for reading the linear scale 5. The linear encoder including the linear scale 5 and the linear sensor 6 is an optical linear encoder. That is, this linear encoder is provided with striped scales in which light transmitting portions (transparent portions) and light shielding portions are alternately formed as shown in FIG. 11 on the belt-like linear scale 5, and the light emitting elements mounted on the carriage 1 and The scale and the moving speed of the carriage are detected by optically reading the scale without contact by a linear sensor 6 comprising a light receiving element.

  The linear scale 5 and the linear sensor 6 are placed in the air path of the air flow F1 from the introduction port 14, and the introduced fresh air is constantly blown. Therefore, the ink mist 101 generated from the recording head 2 hardly approaches the linear scale 5 and the linear sensor 6 and hardly adheres thereto. With respect to the extrusion of air generated by the reciprocating movement of the carriage 1 (so-called air movement due to the piston action), the suction fan 8 performs suction so that the negative pressure at the suction port 7 exceeds the pressure of the extrusion. The power is set stronger. Therefore, air (including the ink mist 101) sucked by the suction fan 8 does not blow out from the paper discharge port 17 or the introduction port 14.

  A roof for directly guiding the air from the inlet 14 toward the linear encoder 5 and preventing the ink mist 101 that has settled from the floating state from coming into contact with the linear encoder, immediately above the linear encoders 5 and 6. A member 15 is provided. The roof member 15 is preferably formed of a conductor such as metal and is grounded. If a dielectric having a high electrical resistivity exists in the vicinity of the linear encoders 5 and 6, the ink mist may be drawn by electrostatic attraction, so that the roof member 15 is preferably formed of a member that does not carry static electricity and is grounded. . Moreover, it is preferable to introduce outside air (fresh air) from which dust and the like are removed by providing an air filter at the introduction port 14.

  In the embodiment described above, the introduction port 14 is provided over substantially the entire width of the apparatus. However, only the contamination of a specific part of the linear scale 5 becomes a problem, and when the place is known, the part is aimed. The inlet 14 may be arranged so as to apply the air flow F1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a front cover that can be opened and closed in order to access functional components inside the apparatus such as the recording head 2 and an ink tank (not shown). According to the ink jet recording apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first inlet 14 for introducing air is provided in the covers 12 and 13, and the suction means 7 and 8 bring the first inlet into the apparatus. Since the air flow F1 is formed and the linear encoders 5 and 6 are disposed in the air flow forming portion in the vicinity of the first introduction port 14, the ink mist is not leaked to the outside of the recording apparatus, and thus the inside of the recording apparatus. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of effectively reducing ink mist and preventing or greatly reducing the adhesion of ink mist to a functional member such as a linear encoder is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a first modification of the first embodiment in which a part of the configuration is changed in FIG. In FIG. 3, a second inlet 16 for introducing outside air is provided between the front cover 11 and the upper cover 12. In this modification, a second introduction port 16 is provided instead of the first introduction port 14 in the configuration of FIG. 2, and the other configurations are substantially the same as those of FIGS. The second introduction port 16 is provided over substantially the same range as the entire range (scan width) of the main scanning movement of the carriage 1, that is, over a range substantially close to the entire width of the recording apparatus. In the configuration of FIG. 3 as well, a filter 7a for removing ink mist is loaded inside the suction means, and further, an air filter is provided at the inlet port 16 to remove outside air (fresh air) from which dust and the like have been removed. ) Is preferably introduced into the aircraft.

  When the suction fan 8 is activated, an air flow from the paper discharge port 17 toward the suction port 7 and an air flow F2 from the introduction port 16 toward the suction port 7 are formed, and these air are taken in from the suction port 7. Along with this, the ink mist 101 inside the recording apparatus (inside the apparatus) also flows toward the suction port 7, and the ink mist is also sucked from the suction port 7. In particular, the air flow F2 serves as an air curtain that suppresses (partitions) air movement between the recording head 2 and the linear encoder (linear scale 5, linear sensor 6). The ink mist 101 generated from the recording head 2 is blocked by the air flow F2 and cannot approach the linear encoders 5 and 6. Therefore, the ink mist 101 hardly exists in the range indicated by the region S in FIG.

  Further, the air flow F2 also serves as an air curtain that partitions the recording head 2 and the guide rail 3, so that the ink mist 101 generated from the recording head 2 is prevented from diffusing to the guide rail 3. . In the above description, the introduction port 16 is provided over almost the entire width of the apparatus. However, when only a specific portion of the guide rail 3 is contaminated and the location is known, the air is aimed at that portion. You may make it form the air curtain by the flow F2.

  The first modification of the first embodiment in FIG. 3 is different from the first embodiment in FIG. 2 in the points described above, but is substantially the same in other points, and corresponds to each. Parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. According to the ink jet recording apparatus described with reference to FIG. 3, the second introduction port 16 for introducing air into the covers 11, 12 is provided, and the suction means 7, 8 provide the second introduction port from the second introduction port toward the inside of the apparatus. Since the recording means 2 and the linear encoders 5 and 6 are arranged across the second air flow F2, the ink mist is not leaked to the outside of the recording apparatus. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of effectively reducing ink mist and preventing or greatly reducing the adhesion of ink mist to a functional member such as a linear encoder is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a second modification of the first embodiment in which a part of the configuration is changed in FIG. 4, a first introduction port 14 is provided between the upper cover 12 and the rear cover 13 as in FIG. 2, and a second introduction is provided between the front cover 11 and the upper cover 12 as in FIG. A mouth 16 is provided. In other words, the second modification example in FIG. 4 is a combination of the configuration in FIG. 2 and the configuration in FIG. 3, so that the introduction port 14 and the introduction port 16 for introducing outside air described above are provided simultaneously, and the air flow F1 and the air flow F2 are set. It is formed at the same time. The configuration of FIG. 4 differs from the individual configuration of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 in the above points, but has substantially the same configuration in other points, and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, The detailed description of is omitted. Therefore, in addition to the same operational effects as those of FIGS. 2 and 3, the following operational effects are obtained.

  In other words, in the configuration of FIG. 4, the air flow F2 merges with the air flow F1 at the upper portion of the guide rail 3 located near the suction port 7 to form a stronger air curtain than in the case of FIG. . Further, in the rear part inside the apparatus main body, there is formed an area Sa that has a smaller amount of ink mist than the area S shown in FIG. Therefore, ink mist hardly adheres to the linear encoders 5 and 6. Also, the ink mist 101 does not approach the guide rail 3 more than the case shown in FIG. 3, and the contamination due to the adhesion mist of the guide rail can be more reliably prevented.

  Also in the configuration of FIG. 4, a filter 7 a for removing ink mist is loaded inside the suction means, and air is removed from fresh air (fresh) by providing an air filter at the inlets 14 and 16. Air) is preferably introduced into the machine. Similarly to the case of FIG. 2, the air from the inlet 14 is guided to the linear encoder immediately above the linear encoders 5 and 6, and the ink mist 101 that settles from the floating state is supplied to the linear encoder. A roof member 15 for preventing contact is provided.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 5 in a direction crossing the moving direction of the carriage. In the first embodiment described above, the linear encoders 5 and 6 are disposed in the vicinity of the rear cover 13, but when the electric board 20 is disposed along the rear cover 13 from the viewpoint of space saving as shown in FIG. It becomes impossible or very difficult to arrange the linear encoder in the vicinity of the cover 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, a communication port 22 is provided in the right cover 18 of the recording apparatus, and a duct 21 extending in the left-right direction inside the apparatus is connected to the communication port, so that outside air is taken into the apparatus from the side surface of the recording apparatus. (To be introduced).

  5 and 6, an inlet 23 is formed on the front surface of the duct 21 over almost the entire width of the apparatus. Outside air (fresh air) is taken into the inside of the apparatus from the introduction port 23. The introduction port 23 corresponds to the introduction port (first introduction port) 14 of FIG. The linear encoder (linear scale 5 and linear sensor 6) is disposed in a region immediately above the guide rail 3, and the introduction port 23 is disposed in the vicinity of the linear encoder. The configuration of FIG. 6 is different from the configuration of FIG. 2 in the points described above, and the other parts are substantially the same as the configuration of FIG. 2, and the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, Those explanations are omitted.

  Therefore, the other related configurations are the same as those in FIG. 2 such that the suction port 7 of the suction means including the filter 7a is located between the transport roller 4 and the guide rail 3, and therefore, the configuration shown in FIG. According to the configuration, since the linear encoders 5 and 6 and the guide rail 3 are arranged close to each other in addition to the operational effects of the configuration of FIG. 2 described above, the suction force of the suction fan 8 can be weaker than in the case of FIG. The effect that efficiency improves is acquired. In the configuration shown in FIG. 6 as well, a filter 7a for removing ink mist is loaded in the suction means, and dust or the like is removed by providing an air filter at the communication port 22 or the introduction port 23. It is preferable to introduce fresh air into the machine.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the second embodiment in which a part of the configuration is changed in FIG. The configuration of FIG. 7 is obtained by providing a second introduction port 16 similar to that of FIG. 3 between the front cover 11 and the upper cover 12 in the configuration of FIG. 6 described above, and is substantially the same in other respects. have. Accordingly, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to the configuration of FIG. 7, since the second inlet 16 is provided in addition to the inlet 23 described above, the first air flow F1 from the inlet 23 and the air flow F2 from the inlet 16 are simultaneously formed. In addition to the operational effects of the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the following operational effects are obtained.

  That is, according to the configuration of FIG. 7, the air flow F2 merges with the air flow F1 at the upper portion of the guide rail 3 located near the suction port 7, so that a stronger air curtain is formed than in the case of FIG. The ink mist from the recording head 2 as the recording means can be further reduced from approaching the linear encoders 5 and 6 and the guide rail 3, and therefore, contamination due to the adhered mist can be more reliably prevented. it can. Then, the two air flows F1 and F2 can be blown close to each other, and the suction force of the suction fan 8 can be weakened to increase the efficiency. In the configuration of FIG. 7 as well, a filter 7a for removing ink mist is loaded inside the suction means, and further, by providing an air filter at the inlet 16 and the communication port 22 or the inlet 23, It is preferable to introduce outside air (fresh air) from which dust or the like has been removed into the apparatus.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a third embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the suction means (suction fan 8, suction port 7, etc.) is changed in the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, and each of the right cover 18 and the left cover 19 of the recording apparatus is changed. The suction fan 31 is disposed (mounted). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the suction port 7 (suction means) is not positioned between the transport roller 4 and the guide rail 3, but the fans 31 on both sides of the recording apparatus also serve as the suction port as they are. ing. In the configuration of FIG. 8, an air flow (fresh air) is blown from the introduction port 23 of the duct 21 to the linear encoders 5 and 6 regardless of the position of the suction port. This embodiment is different from the above-described second embodiment in the points described above, and has substantially the same configuration in other parts. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment described above, there is an effect that the degree of freedom in design of the arrangement configuration of the suction fan as the suction means is increased (improved). can get.

  According to each embodiment described above, fresh air is taken into the recording apparatus from the outside air by the suction means 7, 8, and 31, and the linear encoders 5 and 6 are arranged in the air flow forming portion of the intake port. Fresh air is constantly supplied around the encoder, preventing the ink mist from coming close to the linear encoder and preventing the occurrence of adhesion mist. By forming an air curtain as the second air flow between the recording head 2 and the linear encoder, diffusion of ink mist generated from the recording head can be suppressed, and mist adhesion to the linear encoders 5 and 6 can be prevented.

  By forming an air curtain between the recording head and the guide rail, diffusion of ink mist generated from the recording head can be suppressed, and adhesion of mist to the guide rail 3 can be prevented. By disposing the suction means (suction port 7) between the conveyance roller 4 in the vicinity of the recording head and the guide rail 3 that guides scanning of the recording head, the ink mist immediately after the occurrence can be removed by suction. . By providing the roof member 15 covering the upper side of the linear encoder, it is possible to spray the linear encoder without weakening the introduced air flow, and it is possible to simultaneously prevent the ink mist from being deposited.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1 in a cross-section in a direction crossing a carriage moving direction. It is a typical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment which changed a part of structure in FIG. It is a typical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment which changed a part of structure in FIG. It is a typical perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the inkjet recording device by this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 5 in a direction crossing a carriage moving direction. It is a typical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the example of a change of 2nd Embodiment which changed a part of structure in FIG. It is a typical perspective view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the inkjet recording device by this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic elevation view illustrating a state in which ink mist diffused in the recording apparatus floats around the carriage. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state where ink mist is diffused in the recording apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where ink mist is attached to a linear scale in the recording apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where ink mist is attached to a guide rail that guides and supports a carriage in the recording apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Carriage 2 Recording means (recording head)
3 Guide rail 4 Transport roller 5 Linear scale 6 Linear sensor 7 Suction port 7a Filter 8, 31 Suction fan 9 Platen 11 Front cover 12 Upper cover 13 Rear cover 14, 16, 23 Inlet port 15 Roof member 17 Outlet port 18 Right cover 19 Left cover 21 Duct 22 Communication port 32 Pinch roller 101 Ink mist 102 Adhering mist 201 Recording medium (recording paper)
F1, F2 Air flow S, Sa Area where ink mist hardly exists

Claims (11)

Recording means for ejecting and recording ink on a recording medium, moving means for moving the recording means along the recording medium, a linear encoder for detecting the position of the recording means, and suction means for sucking air In an inkjet recording apparatus provided with a cover that partitions the inside and outside of the apparatus,
An inlet for introducing air into the cover is provided, an air flow is formed from the inlet to the inside of the apparatus by the suction means, and the linear encoder is placed at a position where the air flow is in the vicinity of the inlet. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet recording apparatus;   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the introduction port is provided in a duct connected to the cover. Recording means for ejecting and recording ink on a recording medium, moving means for moving the recording means along the recording medium, a linear encoder for detecting the position of the recording means, and suction means for sucking air In an inkjet recording apparatus provided with a cover that partitions the inside and outside of the apparatus,
An inlet for introducing air into the cover is provided, an air flow is formed from the inlet to the inside of the apparatus by the suction unit, and the recording unit and the linear encoder are arranged with the air flow interposed therebetween. An ink jet recording apparatus.   A second introduction port for introducing air into the cover is provided, a second air flow is formed from the second introduction port toward the inside of the apparatus by the suction means, and the second air flow is sandwiched between them. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit and the linear encoder are arranged.   5. The inkjet according to claim 1, further comprising a guide rail that guides the movement of the recording unit, wherein the recording unit and the guide rail are arranged with the air flow interposed therebetween. Recording device.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a guide rail that guides the movement of the recording unit, wherein the recording unit and the guide rail are arranged with the air flow interposed therebetween. .   The inkjet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a conveyance roller that conveys the recording medium, wherein the suction port of the suction unit is disposed between the conveyance roller and the guide rail. Recording device.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear encoder is an optical linear encoder.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a roof member is disposed on an upper portion of the linear encoder. A recording unit that discharges and records ink on a recording medium; a moving unit that moves the recording unit along the recording medium; a linear encoder that detects a position of the recording unit; and a cover that partitions the inside and outside of the apparatus. In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising:
An inlet for introducing air into the cover and an airflow generating means for generating an airflow flowing from the inlet to the inside of the apparatus are provided, and the linear encoder is placed at a position where the airflow is in the vicinity of the inlet. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet recording apparatus; A recording unit that discharges and records ink on a recording medium; a moving unit that moves the recording unit along the recording medium; a linear encoder that detects a position of the recording unit; and a cover that partitions the inside and outside of the apparatus. In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising:
An inlet for introducing air into the cover and an airflow generating means for generating an airflow flowing from the inlet into the apparatus are provided, so that the airflow passes between the recording means and the linear encoder. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by comprising.

Images