JP3862461B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image by ejecting ink onto a recording material, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording apparatus that can remove ink mist generated during ink ejection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Although a conventional inkjet recording apparatus can obtain high image quality, when ink is ejected onto a recording material to record an image, minute ink particles called ink mist are generated, and this minute ink mist is generated. May scatter in the recording device and become dirty. Further, it has been considered that the stain due to the ink mist adversely affects various parts in the recording apparatus. For example, dirt may adhere to the recording material conveying means to cause the recording material to become dirty, dirt may adhere to the optical sensor or the like, resulting in a detection failure, or the carriage guide member of the serial recording device may become dirty. May increase the resistance for driving the carriage and cause a malfunction.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to suppress such scattering of ink mist, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-238784, a configuration is known in which a fan and a filter are attached in an ink jet recording apparatus to remove the generated ink mist. It has been. In this filter, a filter with a fine gap is arranged in a filter with a coarse gap. And this finely-spaced filter is made of a cloth with static electricity applied and is folded like a fan with a ridge or a waveform to increase the mist filtration efficiency while suppressing the influence on the passing air flow. ing.
[0004]
However, in this ink jet recording apparatus, in order to sufficiently collect ink mist, it is necessary to enhance the collecting ability by, for example, narrowing the gap of the filter, and as a result, the air flow passing through the filter is reduced. There is a problem that an increase in the loss of the water and a decrease in the suction efficiency are inevitable. In addition, as a result of long-term use, the filtered ink mist adheres to the filter and closes the gap, so there is a problem that the loss of the passing air flow increases more and more, so the filter must be replaced at regular intervals of use. I had to.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to have an ink mist removing means for efficiently collecting ink mist in an ink jet recording apparatus without increasing the quantitative loss of the air flow passing therethrough, thereby causing contamination of various members in the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which prevents malfunction and the like, can perform stable image recording with a long life, and has excellent reliability.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to collect the ink mist floating in the ink jet recording apparatus by electrostatic force, thereby efficiently sucking the ink mist in the ink jet recording apparatus without increasing the loss of the passing air flow. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink mist removing means capable of collecting.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording material using a recording unit that records an image by discharging ink, and includes a conveying unit that conveys the recording material, and an image recording by the recording unit. An ink mist removing means for causing the ink mist generated sometimes to flow in a certain direction, and an electric field forming member disposed on a wall surface of the path through which the ink mist flows of the ink mist removing means, The filter unit is formed by laminating a filter and a sheet filter. The filter unit is arranged such that the honeycomb filter is positioned upstream of the path through which the ink mist flows and the sheet filter is positioned downstream. Arranged in The recording means has a recording head that discharges ink and records on the recording material, and a carriage that reciprocates the recording head in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the recording material, and removes ink mist. The means is downstream from the recording head in the recording material conveyance direction so as to generate an air flow that forms an ink mist flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in the recording material conveyance direction. A suction fan for sucking air exhausted from the pipe, and the suction fan is connected to the path through which the ink mist flows, and a plurality of air suction ports for sucking air into the path are provided in the moving direction of the carriage. The conveyance means is disposed opposite to the paper discharge roller for holding the recording material on the recording material discharge side, and is opposed to the paper discharge roller and moves in the carriage direction. A plurality of spurs provided at intervals, and a part of the path is provided in a spur base to which the spurs are attached, and a plurality of air suction ports are provided between each spur of the spur base. Is open to It is characterized by this.
[0008]
The electric field forming member may be an electret.
[0010]
Said The ink mist removing unit may include a fan that blows outside air from the upstream side of the recording unit in the conveying direction of the recording material by the conveying unit.
[0012]
Said The air flow path of the honeycomb filter is preferably bent.
[0013]
The honeycomb filter may be made of an electret fiber nonwoven fabric. Moreover, the said sheet-like filter may consist of the nonwoven fabric of electret fiber.
[0015]
Said The filter unit may be arranged on the downstream side of the electric field forming member.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged detail view around the recording portion, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view including the outlet side fan, as viewed from the side opposite to FIGS.
[0017]
First, the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording material, a recording unit that records an image on the recording material, and an ink mist removing unit.
[0018]
The configuration of the recording means will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a recording head 1 that ejects ink is mounted on a carriage 2. As the recording head 1, for example, an ink jet head that obtains ejection energy by heating and foaming ink in a flow path with a heating element is employed. The carriage 2 is supported by a carriage shaft 3 and a guide rail 4, and is driven by a carriage drive motor (DC motor) (not shown) via a belt (timing belt) to reciprocate. The carriage 2 is equipped with a reading sensor 101 (for example, an optical reading sensor), which reads a scale 102 (for example, an optical encoder slit portion) provided in a printer chassis of the ink jet recording apparatus, thereby recording the object. The position of the carriage 2 in the width direction of the material (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) is detected.
[0019]
One side of the printer chassis 20 shown in FIG. 3 in the width direction of the recording material (the direction perpendicular to the recording material conveyance direction) (the right side in FIG. 3) is used as a reference side for positioning the carriage 2 and the like. The other side (the left side in FIG. 3) is the non-reference side. A recovery unit 30 having a suction recovery function for recovering the function and maintaining performance of the recording head 1 and a wiper function for wiping the ink discharge port installation surface of the recording head 1 is located in front of the reference side of the printer chassis. Is arranged.
[0020]
Next, the configuration of the conveying means will be described. An auto sheet feeder 200 and a cassette 300 for storing paper bundles 201 and 301 of recording materials are provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a recording material conveyance path from the auto sheet feeder 200 includes a paper feed roller 202 for separating the recording materials one by one and a paper feed driving motor (not shown). A conveyance roller 11 that is rotationally driven and a pinch roller 12 that presses the recording material against the conveyance roller 11 by an urging spring 13 are provided. In the paper feed path from the cassette 300, a pickup roller 302 that separates the recording materials from the sheet bundle 301 of recording materials one by one, a feeding roller 303 that is driven to rotate, and a feeding roller 303 are covered. A driven roller that presses the recording material is provided, and the recording material is guided to the positions of the conveying roller 11 and the pinch roller 12 described above.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, on the downstream side of the transport roller 11 and the pinch roller 12, the recording material is prevented from floating in the recording unit 10, and the contact between the ink discharge port arrangement surface of the recording head 1 and the recording material is prevented. A paper presser plate 14 is provided for preventing the ink discharge port and maintaining a constant distance between the ink discharge port arrangement surface and the surface of the recording material. Further, on the downstream side of the recording unit 10, a paper discharge roller 15 that is rotationally driven and a spur 16 that presses the recording material against the paper discharge roller 15 are provided.
[0022]
The printer chassis 20 positions and holds the above-described carriage shaft 3 and guide rail 4, auto sheet feeder 200, carriage drive motor (DC motor) (not shown), paper feed drive motor, control device, and the like, and the transport roller 11 The paper discharge roller 15 is rotatably held.
[0023]
Next, the configuration of the ink mist removing unit will be described. In the ink jet recording apparatus, fans 50 and 60 for generating an air flow are provided in order to efficiently remove ink mist generated when the recording means ejects ink for image recording. Specifically, an inlet-side fan 50 for blowing air to the recording unit 10 is provided on the upstream side of the recording unit 10 in the recording material conveyance direction, and from the recording unit 10 on the downstream side of the recording unit 10 in the recording material conveyance direction. An outlet-side fan 60 that sucks in the air and exhausts it to the outside is provided, and as shown by arrows C1 and C2 in FIG.
[0024]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the fan 50 is fixed to the rear side of the reference side (right side in FIG. 3) of the printer chassis 20. An outside air introduction duct 51 is provided inside the ink jet recording apparatus, and the fan 50 introduces air from the outside of the ink jet recording apparatus via the outside air introduction duct 51.
[0025]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a suction port 41 for sucking ink mist into a spur base 40 that holds a spur 16 that is a rotating body that contacts and conveys the ink adhering surface of the recording material after ink jet recording. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction port 41 is provided in the vicinity of the recording unit 10 between the spurs 16. An air flow path is formed inside the spur base 40, and a joint portion 40a for connecting to the fan 60 is provided on the non-reference side. The ink mist suction port 41 is disposed at a position far from the joint portion 40 a of the spur base 40.
[0026]
On the non-reference side of the ink jet recording apparatus, a rubber joint 42 is provided which is inserted into the joint portion 40a of the spur base 40 and closely connected. A relay duct 61 is fixed in front of the printer chassis 20 on the non-reference side, and is closely connected to the joint portion 40a via a rubber joint 42.
[0027]
An opening corresponding to the fan 60 is provided in the relay duct 61 of the printer chassis 20, and the fan 60 is fixed to the rear of the printer chassis 20. Further, a fan duct 62 is provided at the rear of the fan 60, and the air flow from the fan 60 is branched and guided to the rear and the lower side of the ink jet recording apparatus.
[0028]
A first collection sheet 91 that is an electric field forming member is attached to the wall surface (ceiling part) of the air flow path inside the spur base 40. A second collection sheet 92 that is an electric field forming member is attached to the wall surface (bottom surface portion) of the air flow path inside the relay duct 61. These collection sheets 91 and 92 are made of a nonwoven fabric made of electret fibers, and can collect ink mist having a relatively small diameter by electrostatic force. An electret is a substance that semipermanently retains its own electric polarization and forms an electric field around it, and can maintain an electrostatic force semipermanently.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 5, a first filter 71 is disposed on a path of the fan duct 62 that extends downward of the inkjet recording apparatus, and a second filter 81 is disposed on the path of the fan duct 62 that extends rearward of the inkjet recording apparatus. . In this embodiment, the filter unit 180 Are used as the filter 71 and the filter 81. FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view, and FIG. 7 is a plan view seen from above in FIG.
[0030]
The honeycomb-shaped filters 171 and 172 are obtained by bonding the nonwoven fabric made of electret fibers in a honeycomb shape (corrugated cardboard shape). By passing air through the space (air passage hole), dust having electric charges is generated. Adsorb. The two honeycomb filters 171 and 172 are stacked while changing the direction of the passage hole, and the air flow path is bent.
[0031]
The sheet-like filters 173 and 174 are made of a single piece of non-woven fabric of electret fibers, and are arranged so that an air flow penetrates the non-woven fabric. The sheet-like filters 173 and 174 are formed from a nonwoven fabric having a higher density and air permeability than those used for the honeycomb-like filters 171 and 172, but are sufficiently smaller than the air passage holes of the honeycomb-like filters 171 and 172. The collection efficiency due to the inertial collision of the ink mist is greater than that of the honeycomb filters 171 and 172.
[0032]
The spacers 175 and 176 are disposed between the honeycomb filter 172 and the sheet filter 173 and between the sheet filters 173 and 174 to form gaps 177 and 178. The honeycomb filters 171, 172, the sheet filters 173, 174, and the spacers 175, 176 are bonded and fixed in the stacking direction with a double-sided tape or the like in the region where the spacers 175, 176 are provided, for example. Further, a sponge 179 is attached to the side surfaces of the honeycomb-shaped filters 171, 172, the sheet-shaped filters 173, 174, and the spacers 175, 176 to integrate them and prevent air leakage to the side surfaces. Further, the clearance between the mounting portion of the recording apparatus main body to which the filter unit 180 is attached is eliminated, and the air flow is prevented from passing outside the filter unit 180 (in FIG. 6, for the sake of clarity) , The gap around the filter unit 180 is shown).
[0033]
Next, the air flow generated by the fans 50 and 60 will be described.
[0034]
First, the air introduced from the outside through the outside air introduction duct 51 is blown out in the direction of the arrow D shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, that is, upward, to the arc-shaped ceiling portion provided on the exterior cover of the ink jet recording apparatus. The flow direction is changed along the arc shape of the ceiling portion, and air flows in the direction of arrow C1 shown in FIG. This air flow flows in the same direction as the recording material conveyance direction, from the reference side to the non-reference side of the ink jet recording apparatus, and passes through the recording unit 10. The air that has passed through the recording unit 10 enters the spur base 40 from the ink mist suction port 41 and further flows in a direction (arrow F direction) reaching the relay duct 61 via the joint unit 40a and the rubber joint 42. Further, the air passes through the fan 60, passes through the filter unit 80, and is discharged from the fan duct 62 to the rear and the lower side of the ink jet recording apparatus (see FIGS. 3 and 5).
[0035]
Next, the operation of this ink jet recording apparatus will be described.
[0036]
A description will be given along the flow of the recording material (recording paper). In the case of paper feed from the auto sheet feeder 200, the paper feed roller 202 follows the arrow A. In the case of paper feed from the cassette 300, the pickup roller 302, the feed roller 303, and the driven roller 304 follow the arrow B. Thus, each recording material is conveyed to the contact point between the conveying roller 11 and the pinch roller 12. The conveyance roller 11 is driven by a paper feed drive motor (not shown), and the conveyance roller 11 rotates in a state where the recording material is pressed by the urging spring 13 and the pinch roller 12 so that the recording material is recorded. It is conveyed to the part 10.
[0037]
In the recording unit 10, a heating element (not shown) disposed on the recording head is driven in synchronization with the scanning of the carriage 2 in the width direction of the recording material to drive the recording head 1 onto the recording material. Ink is appropriately discharged. When one scan of the carriage 2 is completed, the recording material is conveyed by a predetermined pitch (until the unprinted portion faces the recording head 1). Then, the carriage 2 is re-scanned, and the next row of ink is ejected from the recording head 1. In this way, conveyance of the recording material by a predetermined pitch, movement of the carriage 2 and ink ejection from the recording head 1 are alternately performed, and recording is performed on the entire surface of one recording material.
[0038]
For the reciprocating movement of the carriage 2, the position of the recording material in the width direction (scanning direction of the carriage 2) of the carriage 2 is detected using the reading sensor 101 and the scale 102, and a control device (not shown) is driven according to the position. This is performed while feedback controlling the motor. Since the drive timing (ink ejection timing) of the recording head 1 is also determined based on the position data of the carriage 2 obtained by the reading sensor 101 and the scale 102, the ink ejection of the recording head 1 is synchronized with the scanning of the carriage 2. Is done.
[0039]
In the recording unit 10, the recording material is prevented from floating by the paper pressing plate 14, and the recording medium is kept at a constant interval without contacting the recording medium with the ink discharge port arrangement surface of the recording head 1. The ink landing position on the recording material is highly accurate.
[0040]
A recording material on which an image is recorded by the recording head 1 in the recording unit 10 is discharged to the outside by a discharge roller 15 and a spur 16.
[0041]
In recent years, there has been a demand for higher definition of recorded images. Accordingly, ink particles ejected when the recording head 1 records an image on a recording material in the recording unit 10 are reduced in diameter and increased in density. . Along with this, a large number of fine ink particles (ink mist) generated when ink particles are ejected may be scattered in the ink jet recording apparatus, thereby contaminating the inside of the apparatus. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fans 50 and 60 are provided in the ink jet recording apparatus to generate an air flow that guides ink mist generated in the recording unit 10 in one direction.
[0042]
As described above, in this embodiment, the fan 50 and the fan 60 are used to generate an air flow in the same direction as the recording material conveyance direction and from the reference side to the non-reference side of the ink jet recording apparatus. Yes. Specifically, the air introduced from the outside air introduction duct 51 reaches the recording unit 10 along the exterior cover, and further from the suction fan duct 62 via the spur base 40 and the relay duct 61 to the rear of the inkjet recording apparatus and It is discharged downward (see FIGS. 3 and 5).
[0043]
At the time of reaching the recording unit 10, the air flow is directed from the reference side to the non-reference side, but flows over the entire area in the recording material width direction on the front side of the printer chassis 20 as indicated by an arrow D in FIG. 4. Most of this airflow flows toward the front side of the printer chassis 20, as shown by the arrow C1 in FIG. 1, that is, toward the recording unit 10, but partly behind the printer chassis 20 (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 1). Is also blown to the sheet feeding roller 202 of the auto sheet feeder 200 disposed behind the printer chassis 20. As a result, the ink mist is blown off to prevent the paper feed roller 202 from being soiled by the ink mist. As a result, when the paper feed roller 202 separates and transports the recording material from the paper bundle 201 one by one, the recording material is recorded. It prevents the surface from getting dirty.
[0044]
The air flowing in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. 1 is blown to the recording unit 10 to blow ink mist, and conveying means for the recording material arranged around the recording unit, that is, the conveying roller 11, the pinch roller 12, and the paper pressing plate It is possible to prevent the recording material from being stained by ink mist 14 and the like due to the ink mist being accumulated.
[0045]
Also, the air flowing in the direction of the arrow C1 in FIG. 1 is blown to the carriage shaft 3 and the scale 102 (encoder slit portion) that guides the carriage 2 on which the recording head 1 is mounted, and blows ink mist. It is possible to prevent an increase in the sliding load when the carriage 2 moves due to the adhesion of ink, and it is possible to prevent the scale 102 from reading defectively due to ink mist adhering to the scale 102.
[0046]
Furthermore, the air flowing in the direction of the arrow C1 in FIG. 1 is also blown to the recording head 1 and the carriage 2 to blow the ink mist, and the ink mist adheres to the surface of the recording head 1 where the ink discharge port is provided and gets wet or dirty. In this case, the ejection failure due to the ink mist is prevented, the electrical connection failure due to the ink mist adhering to the electrical connection portion (head contact portion) of the carriage 2 is prevented, and the carriage due to the ink mist adhering to the reading sensor 101 is prevented. 2 position detection failure and operation failure can be prevented.
[0047]
Further, the air flowing in the direction of the arrow C1 in FIG. 1 is also blown to the recovery unit 30, and in order to maintain the discharge performance of the recording head 1, the recording head is placed on a preliminary discharge receiving portion (not shown) provided in the recovery unit 30. The performance of the recording head 1 is caused by the ink mist generated when the ink 1 is preliminarily ejected flowing in the direction of arrow C2 in FIG. 1 and the ink mist adhering to the cap means and wiping means (not shown) provided in the recovery unit 30 Prevent the recovery from becoming inadequate.
[0048]
Further, in this embodiment, by forming an air flow from the reference side to the non-reference side of the ink jet recording apparatus, ink is transferred from the recording head 1 to the recording material while the carriage 2 moves from the reference side to the non-reference side. It is possible to generate an air flow that efficiently blows ink mist generated during ejection. That is, the air flow generated by the fans 50 and 60 cancels out the air flow generated in the direction opposite to the arrow C2 in FIG. It is possible to prevent scattering in the apparatus. In general, when a high-definition and high-precision color image is recorded on a recording material, the carriage 2 moves from the reference side to the non-reference side in order to increase the ink landing accuracy on the recording material. Since ink is often ejected only at times, such a configuration is effective.
[0049]
Further, in order to prevent the air flow path from becoming uneven due to a plurality of members such as pinch rollers 12 provided in the width direction of the recording material, the upstream side of the paper pressing plate 14 extends to cover this portion. Thus, an air flow path without irregularities is formed, and an efficient air flow is formed.
[0050]
The ink flow formed in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. 1 causes the ink mist to flow in the direction of arrow C2 and flow out of the ink jet recording apparatus, but a suction port 41 is provided on the downstream side of the recording unit 10. Therefore, the ink mist is sucked into the suction port 41 by the fan 60 disposed on the non-reference side of the ink jet recording apparatus and is prevented from going outside.
[0051]
Since the fan 60 is provided on the non-reference side, the air flow formed by the fan 50 so as to go from the reference side to the non-reference side is not obstructed.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, among the ink mist suction ports 41, the farther from the joint portion 40a for connecting to the fan 60 of the spur base 40, that is, the closer to the reference side of the ink jet recording apparatus, the more the recording material. Widely formed in the width direction, the flow resistance in the spur base 40 is made uniform, and the air flow rate sucked from the suction ports 41 can be made almost uniform. Moreover, since the suction port 41 on the reference side is large, ink mist generated in the preliminary discharge receiving portion of the recovery unit 30 located on the reference side can be sucked efficiently, and a recording head such as a cap unit or wiping unit (not shown) can be used. It is possible to prevent the ink mist from being scattered in the vicinity of a member important for maintaining the performance of 1.
[0053]
Since the spur base 40 and the relay duct 61 can be connected reliably and easily by inserting the joint portion 40a into the rubber joint 42, the spur base 40 can be easily attached and detached. When an ink jet recording apparatus is used for a long period of time, ink mist accumulates in the spur base 40 and the ink mist suction performance decreases, or ink mist accumulates on the spur 16 and the image on the recording material is stained. When it occurs, only the spur base 40 can be easily replaced or removed for cleaning.
[0054]
Next, the collection sheets 91 and 92 for collecting and removing ink mist will be described in detail.
[0055]
On the wall surface (ceiling portion) of the air flow path inside the spur base 40 and the wall surface (bottom surface portion) of the air flow path inside the relay duct 61, collection sheets 91 and 92 that are electric field forming members are provided. It is pasted. The collection sheets 91 and 92 are made of non-woven fabric of electret fibers and collect fine ink mist in the vicinity by electrostatic force.
[0056]
The collection sheets 91 and 92 can be arranged at any position as long as the airflow is not blocked and used as a filter. If the air is in the airflow path, the nearby ink mist can be collected by electrostatic force. It is. In the present embodiment, the first collection sheet 91 is affixed to the ceiling part of the spur base 40 and the second collection sheet 92 is affixed to the bottom part of the relay duct 61. D, F Hinder In addition, fine ink mist in the vicinity is collected without causing a pressure loss with respect to the air flow generated by the fans 50 and 60.
[0057]
Moreover, the collection sheets 91 and 92 are affixed to the path wall surface where the air flow path changes significantly, in this embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. . Thereby, even if it is the ink mist which floats in the position away from the wall surface, the chance of being collected by the collection sheets 91 and 92 affixed on the wall surface increases due to the turbulence of the air flow accompanying the change of the path.
[0058]
Further, since the collection sheets 91 and 92 are disposed inside the spur base 40 which is a member that can be easily replaced or removed by the operator, a large amount of ink mist is collected on the collection sheets 91 and 92. As a result, even if the ink mist collecting ability of the collection sheets 91 and 92 is lowered, the collection sheets 91 and 92 can be exchanged with the replacement of the spur base 40.
[0059]
In the present embodiment, an electret fiber collection sheet that retains electric polarization semipermanently is used as the electric field forming member, but it is not necessarily a fiber, and other electrets may be used. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to electrets. For example, an electrostatic force generated using a power source may be used, and an electrostatic plate or the like may be used. Alternatively, the wall material forming the air flow path may be directly processed to generate a desired electrostatic force.
[0060]
Ink mist that has not been completely collected by the collection sheets 91 and 92 but has flowed together with the airflows F1 and F2 shown in FIG. 5 is collected by the filter unit 180 that constitutes the filters 71 and 81. By providing the filter unit 180, it is possible to prevent the ink mist from coming out more reliably.
[0061]
The ink mist collection by the filter unit 180 will be described in detail. The honeycomb filters 171 and 172 collect ink mist using inertia. Since the air passes through the air passage hole, the air flow is divided and collected by contact with the wall in a state where pressure loss is small and clogging is difficult. Moreover, since the air flow path is bent, the ink mist easily collides with the wall, and the collection efficiency is further improved.
[0062]
On the other hand, since the sheet-like filters 173 and 174 allow air to pass through a gap sufficiently smaller than the air passage holes of the honeycomb-like filters 171 and 172, the collection efficiency due to the inertial collision of the ink mist is higher than that of the honeycomb-like filters 171 and 172. large. Furthermore, since the ink mist passes through very close to the electret fibers, the collection effect by electrostatic adsorption is high.
[0063]
Since the sheet-like filters 173 and 174 have a high ink mist collecting effect, it is sufficient to provide only this sheet-like filter in terms of performance. Ink mist is likely to be clogged, and air permeation may be insufficient. In this case, ink mist suction from the suction port is not sufficient, and ink mist is scattered inside and outside the recording apparatus. Therefore, the honeycomb filters 171 and 172 that have a smaller collection effect than the sheet filters 173 and 174 but are less likely to be clogged are disposed on the upstream side of the sheet filters 173 and 174, and the pressure loss is further upstream. By providing collection sheets 91 and 92 that can collect ink mist by electrostatic adsorption only, the life of the sheet-like filters 173 and 174 is extended.
[0064]
The generation of ink mist is caused by splashes generated when ink is ejected from the recording head 1 and splashes when the ink droplets collide with the recording material. Therefore, the size of the ink mist is various, but generally, the larger the diameter of the ink mist, the easier it is to collect using the inertia. Honeycomb filters 171 and 172 that mainly collect ink mist using inertia are arranged on the upstream side, and large-diameter ink mist is mostly collected on the upstream side, and passes through the honeycomb filters 171 and 172. By collecting the small-diameter ink mist with the sheet-like filters 173 and 174 having a small gap disposed on the downstream side, the ink mist can be efficiently collected while suppressing clogging of the sheet-like filters 173 and 174. Can be collected.
[0065]
Furthermore, since the larger the airflow velocity, the easier it is for large particles to be collected by inertia. Therefore, inertia is mainly used in the direction closer to the fan 60 outlet where the airflow velocity is high and the wind turbulence is large. It is effective to position the honeycomb filters 171 and 172 that collect ink mist. Note that when the flow resistance is provided in the air flow path by the fan, the pressure loss is smaller when it is on the blowout side than on the suction side, and therefore the filter unit 71 is disposed on the downstream side of the fan 60. .
[0066]
In the present embodiment, since the electret is used as the material for the honeycomb filters 171, 172 and the sheet filters 173, 174, the collection effect is further improved by electrostatic force. That is, since the honeycomb filters 171 and 172 are desired to have a low pressure loss and a high collection effect, it is effective to use electrets so that even a small amount of mist with a small particle diameter can be collected. . Further, since adsorption by electrostatic force is easier for particles having a smaller particle diameter, electrets are used for the sheet-like filters 173 and 174 that collect the small-diameter ink mist that has passed through the honeycomb-like filters 171 and 172 as described above. It is effective. Further, the collection sheet is configured to collect even a small diameter ink mist by using an electret. However, the use of a general non-woven fabric other than the electret as each filter does not depart from the technical idea of the present invention.
[0067]
In the present embodiment, the spacers 175 and 176 provide gaps 177 and 178 between the honeycomb filter 172 and the sheet filter 173 and between the sheet filters 173 and 174. As a result, air wraparound is performed to prevent the use of unusable areas in the sheet filters 173 and 174, and even if the sheet filter 173 is partially clogged, the sheet filter 174 is completely covered. Can be used.
[0068]
As described above, by using the filter unit 180 in which the honeycomb filters 171 and 172, the sheet filters 173 and 174, the spacers 175 and 176, and the sponge 179 are integrated, assembling becomes easy and the air flow filter side Can be prevented from leaking out. Further, the filter can be easily replaced, the filters can be easily shielded, and air can be easily prevented from flowing between the filters and the inner wall of the duct. In such a configuration, as described above, the arrangement order of the honeycomb-shaped filters 171, 172 and the sheet-shaped filters 173, 174 is important in terms of collection efficiency. It can be easily assembled and replaced without making a mistake.
[0069]
Thus, according to the filter unit 180 of the present embodiment, it is easy to assemble and replace a filter that can collect ink mist efficiently and without increasing the pressure loss of the air flow. Further, by preventing air leakage from the filter unit and air leakage between the filter and the mounting portion in the apparatus, it is possible to prevent the inside and outside of the apparatus from being stained with ink mist. Furthermore, it is possible to easily attach the filter to the optimum position during assembly or replacement. In addition, by preventing contamination inside the recording apparatus, and particularly by preventing ink mist accumulation in a portion that may cause malfunction due to accumulation of contamination, a stable image can be recorded over a long period of time, and reliability is improved. .
[0070]
Further, the ink flow path of the honeycomb filter is bent, the honeycomb filter is made of an electret fiber nonwoven fabric, or the sheet filter is made of an electret fiber nonwoven fabric. The collection efficiency can be further improved.
[0071]
In addition, the filter unit may be configured such that the honeycomb filter is positioned upstream of the path through which the ink mist flows and the sheet filter is positioned downstream, or the ink mist removing means includes an ink mist removing unit. An air flow that controls the flow of the ink mist is generated, and the collection efficiency of the ink mist can be further improved by adopting a configuration in which the filter unit is arranged on the downstream side of the ink mist removing means.
[0072]
Further, in the present embodiment, the collection sheets 91 and 92 are arranged on the upstream side of the air flow path as viewed from the filter unit 180.
[0073]
In general, the filter unit 180 attempts to enhance the ink mist collecting effect. Ru As a result, the eyes (gap) of the filters 71 and 81 are reduced, thereby causing a pressure loss of the air and reducing the suction efficiency from the suction port 41. Further, by collecting a large amount of ink mist, the filters 71 and 81 are gradually clogged, and the suction efficiency of the suction port 41 is further reduced.
[0074]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as the first ink mist removing means, the collection sheets 91 and 92 are arranged along the circumference of the air flow path so as not to hinder the movement of the air flow, and the second ink mist removing means is disposed on the downstream side thereof. As the ink mist removing means, a filter unit 180 is disposed so as to face the air flow. Further, since the first ink mist removing means is more soiled by the ink mist adhering than the second ink mist removing means, if the first ink mist removing means is configured to be replaceable, the usable time of the second ink mist removing means is extended. Can be effective. Further, if a fan is arranged as a means for generating an air flow between the first ink mist removing means and the second ink mist removing means, a more efficient air flow is sent to the second ink mist removing means. Can do. Further, when the second ink mist removing unit is a combination of a honeycomb structure filter and a sheet-like filter as viewed from the upstream side of the air flow, more efficient ink mist removal can be performed. Preferably, the replacement work can be easily performed by making the second ink mist removing means a replaceable unit. Even more preferably, the first ink mist removing means and the second ink mist removing means are configured to adsorb mist using electrostatic force to more effectively adsorb and remove ink mist floating in the air. be able to.
[0075]
As described above, in the present embodiment, by using the collection sheets 91 and 92 and the filters 71 and 81 together, it is possible to collect and remove the ink mist while preventing the pressure loss of the air flow and the reduction of the suction efficiency of the fan. Increases the effect.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, the ink mist floating in the air flow path can be collected using the electrostatic force generated by the electric field forming member. This can be collected without increasing the pressure loss of the air flow, and the fine particles of ink scattered in the recording apparatus are efficiently sucked and collected.
[0077]
As a result, it is possible to record stable images over a long period of time and improve reliability by preventing dirt inside the recording device, especially by preventing ink mist from depositing in areas that may cause malfunction due to dirt accumulation. To do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of a recording unit according to the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG.
4 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of an inlet side fan in the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG.
5 is a side cross-sectional view (viewed from the side opposite to FIGS. 1 and 4) showing the periphery of the outlet-side fan of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a filter unit.
7 is a plan view seen from above in FIG. 6. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Recording head (recording means)
2 Carriage (recording means)
3 Carriage shaft
4 Guide rail
10 Recording section
11 Conveying roller (conveying means)
12 Pinch roller (conveying means)
13 Biasing spring (conveying means)
14 Paper holding plate
15 Paper discharge roller
16 spurs
20 Printer chassis
30 recovery units
40 spur base
40a Joint part
41 Suction port
42 Rubber joint
50 fans (ink mist removing means)
51 Outside air introduction duct
60 fan (ink mist removing means)
61 Relay duct
62 Fan duct
71,72 Honeycomb filter
73, 74 Sheet filter
75, 76 spacer
77, 78 Clearance
79 Sponge
80 Filter unit
91 Electret first collection sheet (ink mist removing means)
92 Electret second collection sheet (ink mist removing means)
101 Reading sensor
102 scale
200 Auto sheet feeder
201, 301 paper bundle
202 Paper feed roller
300 cassettes
302 Pickup roller (conveying means)
303 Feeding roller (conveying means)
304 driven roller (conveying means)

Claims (7)

An inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording material using a recording unit that records an image by discharging ink,
Conveying means for conveying the recording material;
Ink mist removing means for causing ink mist generated during image recording by the recording means to flow in a certain direction;
An electric field forming member disposed on the wall surface of the path through which the ink mist flows of the ink mist removing means,
A filter unit in which a honeycomb filter and a sheet filter are laminated is disposed in the path,
The filter unit is disposed such that the honeycomb filter is located upstream of the path through which the ink mist flows, and the sheet filter is located downstream .
The recording means includes a recording head that discharges ink to perform recording on the recording material, and a carriage that reciprocates the recording head in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the recording material,
The transport direction of the recording material is such that the ink mist removing means generates an air flow that forms a flow of the ink mist from the upstream side to the downstream side with respect to the transport direction of the recording material. A suction fan for sucking air discharged from the downstream side of the recording head, and the suction fan is connected to the path through which the ink mist flows,
A plurality of air suction ports for sucking air into the path are opened along the moving direction of the carriage,
The conveying means is disposed opposite to the paper discharge roller for sandwiching the recording material on the discharge side of the recording material, and is disposed opposite to the paper discharge roller and spaced in the moving direction of the carriage. A plurality of spurs,
A part of the path is provided in a spur base to which the spur is attached,
The plurality of air inlets are ink jet recording apparatuses each having an opening between the spurs of the spur base .   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric field forming member is an electret. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink mist removing unit includes a fan that blows outside air from an upstream side of the recording unit with respect to a conveying direction of the recording material by the conveying unit.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an air flow path of the honeycomb filter is bent.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the honeycomb filter is made of a nonwoven fabric of electret fibers.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like filter is made of an electret fiber nonwoven fabric. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter unit is disposed on the downstream side of the electric field forming member.

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