recording device

Abstract

Provided is a recording device in which the height dimension of the recording device is likely to increase when the inclination of a surface through which waste liquid flows is increased. A printer (10) includes a recording unit (14), a platen unit (16), a maintenance tank (22), and a guide portion (24). The recording unit (14) ejects ink (Q) toward a medium (M). The platen unit (16) has a support surface (17) that supports the medium (M) and a disposal portion (18) that disposes waste ink (QW). The maintenance tank (22) recovers the waste ink (QW). The guide portion (24) has a receiving surface (25) and guides the waste ink (QW) toward the maintenance tank (22). In a case where a first surface energy (E1) with respect to the waste ink (QW) at a first position (P1) of the receiving surface (25) and a second surface energy (E2) with respect to the waste ink (QW) at a second position (P2) closer to the maintenance tank (22) than the first position (P1) are set, the second surface energy (E2) is greater than the first surface energy (E1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a recording apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] The inkjet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a waste ink receiving portion formed with a first inclined surface and a waste ink receiving surface. Waste ink that lands on the first inclined surface flows on the waste ink receiving surface due to its own weight, and is absorbed by a porous body sheet that is adhered to the waste ink receiving surface using double-sided tape or the like.

[0003] Since the recording apparatus of Patent Document 1 is a mechanism that recovers waste ink that flows over the inclined surface, in order to reliably cause waste ink that lands on the inclined surface to flow, it is necessary to increase the inclination of the inclined surface.

[0004] However, when the inclination of the inclined surface is increased, it is possible that the height dimension of the recording apparatus will increase.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-86423 SUMMARY

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problem, the recording apparatus according to the present application is characterized by including: a recording portion that performs recording on a medium being transported in a transport direction by ejecting a liquid onto the medium; a support portion that has a support surface that supports the medium and a discard portion that is provided at a position corresponding to an end edge of the medium in a width direction that intersects the transport direction, and that discards waste liquid that is the liquid that is not used in the recording on the medium; a recovery portion that is capable of recovering the waste liquid; and a guide portion that receives the waste liquid that flows from the discard portion, and that guides the waste liquid in such a manner that the waste liquid flows toward the recovery portion, the guide portion having a receiving surface that receives the waste liquid, wherein, in a case where a surface energy with respect to the waste liquid at a first position of the receiving surface is set to a first surface energy, and a surface energy with respect to the waste liquid at a second position of the receiving surface that is closer to the recovery portion than the first position is set to a second surface energy, the second surface energy is greater than the first surface energy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 A perspective view of the printer of Embodiment 1.

[0008] Figure 2 A plan view of the guide portion of Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 3 A schematic view showing the wettability of an ink droplet in the guide portion of Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 4 A graph showing a relationship between a surface energy of an ink droplet traveling position relative to the guide portion of Embodiment 1 and a cumulative UV irradiation time.

[0011] Figure 5 A side view of the guide portion of Embodiment 2.

[0012] Figure 6 A side view of the guide portion involved in a modification example of Embodiment 2.

[0013] Figure 7 A front view showing an outline of the printer of Embodiment 3.

[0014] Figure 8 A plan view of the guide portion of Embodiment 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Hereinafter, the present application will be described schematically.

[0016] The recording device involved in the first aspect of the present application for solving the above problem is characterized by comprising: a recording portion that performs recording on a medium being transported in a transport direction by ejecting a liquid onto the medium; a support portion that has a support surface that supports the medium and a discard portion provided at a position corresponding to an end edge of the medium in a width direction intersecting the transport direction and that discards waste liquid that is the liquid not used in the recording on the medium; a recovery portion that can recover the waste liquid; and a guide portion that receives the waste liquid flowing from the discard portion and guides the waste liquid in a manner that causes the waste liquid to flow toward the recovery portion, the guide portion having a receiving surface that receives the waste liquid, wherein, in a case where a surface energy of the waste liquid at a first position of the receiving surface is set to a first surface energy and a surface energy of the waste liquid at a second position of the receiving surface closer to the recovery portion than the first position is set to a second surface energy, the second surface energy is greater than the first surface energy.

[0017] According to the present aspect, the waste liquid not used in the recording on the medium is discarded to the discard portion. The waste liquid flowing from the discard portion and reaching the receiving surface is acted on by a driving force in a manner that goes from the first position of the receiving surface where the surface energy is small toward the second position of the receiving surface where the surface energy is large, and thus becomes easy to be guided. Thus, since the waste liquid can be guided toward the recovery portion even if the slope of the guide portion with respect to the horizontal direction is reduced, the height dimension of the recording device can be reduced compared to a case where the waste liquid is guided by increasing the inclination angle of the guide portion.

[0018] The recording device according to the second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the guide portion is a first guide portion, the receiving surface is a first receiving surface, and the recording device further includes a second guide portion that has a second receiving surface for receiving the waste liquid, the second guide portion is positioned below the first guide portion in a direction of gravity when a direction of gravity acting on the waste liquid is defined as the direction of gravity, and a distal end of the first guide portion downstream in the direction of guidance overlaps the second receiving surface in a plan view along the direction of gravity when a direction in which the waste liquid is guided from the first position to the second position is defined as the direction of guidance.

[0019] The guiding of the waste liquid by the first guide portion can be weakened by an increase in wettability of the waste liquid.

[0020] According to the present aspect, the waste liquid is guided again by the second guide portion, and thus, the waste liquid can be inhibited from remaining midway through the guide portion.

[0021] The recording device according to the third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the distal end of the first guide portion downstream in the direction of guidance includes a curved portion that curves toward the second receiving surface.

[0022] According to the present aspect, the waste liquid that has reached the distal end of the first guide portion downstream is guided along the curved portion toward the second receiving surface. Thus, the waste liquid from the distal end of the first guide portion downstream in the direction of guidance is easily introduced onto the second receiving surface.

[0023] The recording device according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, a tip of the curved portion is positioned apart from the second receiving surface.

[0024] According to the present aspect, the waste liquid that falls onto the second receiving surface does not come into contact with a plurality of surfaces that intersect each other by separating the curved portion from the second receiving surface. Thus, since movement of the waste liquid that falls onto the second receiving surface is less likely to be inhibited, the waste liquid from the first guide portion in the direction of guidance is easily introduced onto the second receiving surface.

[0025] The recording device according to the fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the wettability of the waste liquid to the receiving surface is improved as the temperature increases, and the recording device includes a heating section that is capable of heating the guide section in such a manner that the temperature of the receiving surface at the second position is higher than the temperature of the receiving surface at the first position.

[0026] According to the present aspect, the waste liquid has a characteristic that the wettability to the receiving surface is improved as the temperature increases. Here, in a case where the guide section is heated by the heating section, the temperature of the second position closer to the recovery section is higher than the temperature of the first position farther from the recovery section, so that the waste liquid becomes more likely to wet the receiving surface as it gets closer to the recovery section, and thus becomes more likely to be guided into the recovery section.

[0027] The recording device according to the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, an electrical equipment section is provided, the electrical equipment section includes a control section that controls the recording section, and the heating section includes an imparting section that imparts at least a part of heat discharged from the electrical equipment section to the guide section.

[0028] According to the present aspect, in the electrical equipment section, the temperature of the electrical equipment section increases due to heat generation of the control section when the control section controls the recording section. Here, at least a part of the heat discharged from the electrical equipment section is imparted to the guide section by the imparting section of the heating section, so that the guide section is heated. Thus, since a heating source is not separately used in the heating of the guide section, it is possible to reduce the energy used in the recording device.

[0029] The recording device according to the seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, when a direction intersecting a direction in which the waste liquid flows is defined as an intersecting direction, the width of the receiving surface in the intersecting direction at the second position is smaller than the width of the receiving surface in the intersecting direction at the first position.

[0030] According to the present aspect, the waste liquid flowing on the receiving surface is more likely to be collected and flow as it gets closer to the downstream end of the receiving surface. Thus, compared to a structure in which the outer shape of the receiving surface is rectangular, it is possible to suppress a case where the waste liquid stagnates at a part of the receiving surface.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] Hereinafter, the printer 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present application will be described specifically.

[0033] In Figure 1 the overall structure of the printer 10 is shown.

[0034] The printer 10 is one example of a recording device, and performs recording on a long medium M in one direction. Cloth or paper is an example of the medium M. In addition, the X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in each drawing is an orthogonal coordinate system.

[0035] The X direction is the device width direction of the printer 10, and is the horizontal direction as one example. The base end side of the arrow mark indicating the direction is set to the -X direction, and the top end side of the arrow mark indicating the direction is set to the +X direction. Further, the X direction is the width direction of the medium M.

[0036] The Y direction is the depth direction of the printer 10, and is the horizontal direction. The top end side of the arrow mark indicating the direction is set to the +Y direction, and the base end side of the arrow mark indicating the direction is set to the -Y direction. The +Y direction is the direction in which the medium M supported on the support surface 17 of the platen unit 16 described later is transported and discharged.

[0037] The Z direction is the direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Y direction. The top end side of the arrow mark indicating the direction is set to the +Z direction, and the base end side of the arrow mark indicating the direction is set to the -Z direction. The +Z direction is the device height direction of the printer 10, and is orthogonal to both the Y direction and the X direction.

[0038] The printer 10 has, as one example, a device main body 12, an ink tank 13, a recording unit 14, a platen unit 16, a maintenance tank 22, a guide portion 24, and a guide portion 28.

[0039] The device main body 12 has a not-shown transport roller pair that moves the medium M in the +Y direction as one example of the transport direction, and a not-shown control portion that controls the operation of each portion of the printer 10.

[0040] The ink tank 13 accommodates ink Q as one example of a liquid. In addition, the ink Q that is discarded to the discard portion 18 described later and is not used for recording is distinguished as waste ink QW as one example of waste liquid. Further, one drop of the waste ink QW is distinguished as an ink drop D( Figure 3 ) from the waste ink QW.

[0041] The recording unit 14 is one example of a recording section. The recording unit 14 is supported in the device main body 12 so as to be movable in the X direction. The recording unit 14 has an unillustrated discharge head including a plurality of nozzles. The recording unit 14 performs recording on the medium M by discharging ink Q from the discharge head to the medium M while moving in the X direction relative to the medium M being conveyed in the +Y direction.

[0042] The platen unit 16 is configured as an elongated member extending in the X direction. The platen unit 16 has a width longer than the length of the medium M in the X direction. The platen unit 16 is one example of a support section, and is disposed along the -Z direction relative to the medium M, and supports the medium M. Specifically, the platen unit 16 has a support surface 17 and a discard section 18.

[0043] The support surface 17 constitutes part of the upper surface in the +Z direction of the platen unit 16, and supports the medium M.

[0044] The discard section 18 is provided at a position corresponding to the end edge of the medium M in the X direction intersecting the +Y direction, which is supported on the support surface 17. Also, in the case of performing borderless recording on the medium M, the discard section 18 receives the waste ink QW discharged from the recording unit 14 at an outer side compared to the end portion of the medium M in the X direction. In other words, the discard section 18 is the site in the platen unit 16 where the waste ink QW is discarded.

[0045] The discard section 18 has a mesh-like structure, and becomes permeable to the waste ink QW in the -Z direction. Further, an unillustrated ink-absorbing material is provided on the discard section 18. The waste ink QW absorbed by the ink-absorbing material is temporarily held by the ink-absorbing material, but flows toward the guide sections 24, 28 described later after a while.

[0046] The maintenance tank 22 is one example of a recovery section, which is capable of recovering the waste ink QW. Specifically, the maintenance tank 22 is formed as a box-shaped case, and is disposed at a position in the -Z direction relative to the end portion in the +X direction of the platen unit 16. A recovery opening 22A opened in the Z direction is formed at the upper end portion in the +Z direction of the maintenance tank 22. The waste ink QW flowing from the guide sections 24, 28 described later passes through the recovery opening 22A and is recovered to the inside of the maintenance tank 22. Note that the recovery section is not limited to the above-described structure. For example, it can also be a tubular member having a bottom portion, which is integrally formed with the end portion in the +X direction of the guide section 24 described later.

[0047] The guide portion 24 is located in the -Z direction relative to the platen unit 16 and in the -X direction relative to the recovery port 22A. The guide portion 24 receives the waste ink QW flowing from the discarding portion 18 and guides the waste ink QW toward the maintenance tank 22.

[0048] The guide portion 28 is located in the -Z direction relative to the platen unit 16 and in the +X direction relative to the recovery port 22A. The guide portion 28 receives the waste ink QW flowing from the discarding portion 18 and guides the waste ink QW toward the maintenance tank 22.

[0049] Although Figure 1 In the figure, guide portions 24 and 28 are slightly inclined relative to the X-direction for ease of understanding. However, guide portions 24 and 28 may also be arranged along the X-direction. As an example, guide portions 24 and 28 have the same structure except for their length in the X-direction. Therefore, in the following description, guide portion 24 will be described, while description of guide portion 28 will be omitted.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the guide portion 24 has a rectangular shape with a dimension in the X direction longer than a dimension in the Y direction as an example. In addition, the guide portion 24 is formed as a plate with a predetermined thickness in the Z direction as an example. Although the guide portion 24 can be arranged along the XY plane, that is, in a substantially horizontal state, it can also be arranged to face the maintenance tank 22 ( Figure 1 ) and the height decreases in a manner that is inclined by about -1° or -2° relative to the X direction.

[0051] As examples of metals, guide portion 24 may be made of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, or the like. As examples of resins, guide portion 24 may be made of acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), or the like. In this embodiment, guide portions 24 and 28 are formed by ABS injection molding as an example. Alternatively, a metal may be used as the base material of guide portion 24, and the surface of the metal may be coated with resin.

[0052] Furthermore, the guide portion 24 has, as an example, a receiving surface 25 as an upper surface located at one end in the +Z direction and two edge surfaces 26 .

[0053] The receiving surface 25 is a surface for receiving the waste ink QW and has a rectangular outer shape in which the dimension in the X direction is longer than the dimension in the Y direction.

[0054] The surface energy of the receiving surface 25 at the first position P1 in the X direction relative to the waste ink QW is defined as the first surface energy E1. Figure 1 The surface energy relative to the waste ink QW at a second position P2 of the receiving surface 25 is defined as the second surface energy E2. In this case, the second surface energy E2 is greater than the first surface energy E1. As an example, the surface energy at each position in the Y direction on the receiving surface 25 is approximately the same. That is, while the surface energy of the receiving surface 25 increases continuously toward the +X direction, it hardly changes in the Y direction. The surface energy of the receiving surface 25 will be discussed later.

[0055] exist Figure 2 In order to show the first position P1 and the second position P2 in an easily understandable manner, the interval ΔL between the first position P1 and the second position P2 in the X direction is magnified and shown. The length of the interval ΔL is set to become the ink droplet D ( Figure 3 ). The range in which the length of the gap ΔL remains less than the length of the ink droplet D in the X direction is defined as the "range in which the surface energy of the receiving surface 25 continuously changes." In this embodiment, as an example, the surface energy of the receiving surface 25 continuously changes over the entire receiving surface 25 in the X direction.

[0056] One of the two edge surfaces 26 is located outward from the receiving surface 25 in the +Y direction, and the other edge surface 26 is located outward from the receiving surface 25 in the -Y direction. In other words, the two edge surfaces 26 constitute the two end portions of the guide portion 24 in the Y direction. Each edge surface 26 has a rectangular shape with its dimension in the X direction longer than its dimension in the Y direction. The length of the edge surface 26 in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the receiving surface 25 in the Y direction. The surface energy of the edge surface 26 is smaller than that of the receiving surface 25.

[0057] exist Figure 3 , the state of the ink droplet D contacting the receiving surface 25 is schematically shown.

[0058] The surface energy of the contact surface 25 refers to the molecular energy possessed by the contact surface 25 itself. Its unit is mN / m. The wetting of an ink droplet D on the contact surface 25 is determined by the balance between the surface energy of the contact surface 25 and the surface tension of the ink droplet D. This is expressed by Young's equation, which includes the contact angle θ.

[0059] At the end point A in the -X direction of the ink droplet D, when the surface energy between the receiving surface 25 and the gas is set as γA, the surface energy between the ink droplet D and the gas is set as γB, the surface energy between the receiving surface 25 and the ink droplet D is set as γC, and the contact angle of the ink droplet D with the receiving surface 25 is set as θA, the following (1) is established.

[0060] γA = γB x cos θA + γC... (1)

[0061] At the end point B in the +X direction of the ink droplet D, when the surface energy between the receiving surface 25 and the gas is set as γD, the surface energy between the ink droplet D and the gas is set as γE, the surface energy between the receiving surface 25 and the ink droplet D is set as γF, and the contact angle of the ink droplet D with the receiving surface 25 is set as θB, the following (2) is established.

[0062] γD = γE x cos θB + γF... (2)

[0063] Here, since the end point B is located at the +X direction side compared to the end point A, the surface energy at the end point B is larger than the surface energy at the end point A. Therefore, the balance of the interface in the ink droplet D is different at the end point A and the end point B. In this case, since γA < γD, a driving force F that moves the ink droplet D in the +X direction acts on the ink droplet D. In addition, although the surface energy γB between the ink droplet D and the gas and the surface energy γE between the ink droplet D and the gas are illustrated as different sizes in FIG. 10 for easy illustration, actually γB = γE is established. Figure 3

[0064] Thus, in the guide portion 24, the difference in the surface energy in the X direction of the receiving surface 25 is used, so that the ink droplet D can be moved in the +X direction. In addition, as one example, the surface energy of each portion of the receiving surface 25 can be changed by changing the UV irradiation time at each portion of the receiving surface 25. In the case where the guide portion 24 is composed of ABS, by adjusting the number density of the hydrophilic group generated on the receiving surface 25 according to the UV irradiation time, the surface energy of each portion of the receiving surface 25 can be changed.

[0065] In Figure 4 , the graphs G1, G2, and G3 are shown.

[0066] The graph G1 shows a case where the surface energy of the receiving surface 25 (A) becomes larger as the advancing position of the ink droplet D changes more toward the +X direction. Figure 3

[0067] The graph G2 shows a case where the cumulative UV irradiation time on the receiving surface 25 becomes longer as the advancing position of the ink droplet D changes more toward the +X direction.

[0068] ​​The graph G3 indicates a case where the contact angle θ of the ink droplet D with the receiving surface 25 becomes smaller as the advancing position of the ink droplet D changes more toward the +X direction.

[0069] Thus, the longer the portion of the UV irradiation time for the receiving surface 25 is, the larger the surface energy becomes, and the smaller the contact angle θ becomes, that is, the higher the wettability becomes.

[0070] Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 The operation of the printer 10 will be described.

[0071] According to the printer 10, the waste ink QW that is not used in recording of the medium M is discarded to the discard portion 18. The waste ink QW that flows out of the discard portion 18 and reaches the receiving surface 25 is acted on by the driving force F on the receiving surface 25 in a manner from the first position PI where the surface energy is small toward the second position P2 where the surface energy is large, and thus becomes easy to be guided in the +X direction. In other words, the waste ink QW is subjected to the driving force F from the end portion of the receiving surface 25 in the -X direction to the end portion in the +X direction. Thus, since the waste ink QW can be guided toward the maintenance tank 22 even if the slope of the guide portion 24 with respect to the X direction is reduced, the size of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the waste ink QW is guided by increasing the inclination angle of the guide portion 24.

[0072] Further, according to the printer 10, the edge surface 26 is located at both outer sides in the Y direction with respect to the receiving surface 25. Also, the surface energy of the edge surface 26 is smaller than that of the receiving surface 25. Here, in the case where the receiving surface 25 is inclined in a direction intersecting the Y direction due to installation error of the guide portion 24 or the like, the waste ink QW on the receiving surface 25 can possibly move in a direction intersecting the +X direction due to the action of the weight. That is, a part of the waste ink QW that moves in the direction intersecting the +X direction can possibly move toward the edge surface 26.

[0073] Here, since the surface energy of the edge surface 26 is smaller than that of the receiving surface 25, only the driving force F across the edge surface 26 will not act in a part of the waste ink QW that has reached the boundary between the receiving surface 25 and the edge surface 26. Thus, even if a rib or the like extending in the +Z direction is not erected at both end portions of the receiving surface 25 in the Y direction, it is possible to suppress the case where the waste ink QW flows down from the guide portion 24 to the outside in the Y direction. Therefore, as compared with the case where a rib or the like extending in the +Z direction from the receiving surface 25 is provided, the size of the guide portion 24 in the Z direction is small, and thus it is possible to further reduce the size of the printer 10 in the Z direction.

[0074] Embodiment 2

[0075] Next, a printer 30 according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. Components common to those of the printer 10 according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0076] The printer 30 of the second embodiment is a printer 10 of the first embodiment that replaces the guide unit 24 ( Figure 1 ) and a guide portion 32 is provided. The structure other than the guide portion 32 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, the guide portion 32 includes, as an example, a first guide member 34 , a second guide member 38 , and a third guide member 44 arranged in the X direction.

[0078] +X direction is from the first position P1 to the second position P2 ( Figure 2 ) is an example of a guiding direction for guiding the waste ink QW. The -Z direction is an example of a direction of gravity acting on the waste ink QW, that is, a direction of gravity.

[0079] The second guide member 38 is located below the first guide member 34 in the Z direction. The third guide member 4 is located below the second guide member 38 in the Z direction.

[0080] The first guide member 34 extends from the discarding portion 18 ( Figure 1 ) receives the waste ink QW. The third guide member 44 moves the waste ink QW toward the maintenance tank 22. As an example, the second guide member 38 and the third guide member 44 have the same structure except for their placement. Therefore, the structures of the first guide member 34 and the second guide member 38 will be described below, and the description of the structure of the third guide member 44 will be omitted.

[0081] The first guide member 34 is an example of a first guide portion and includes a flat portion 34A, a vertical wall portion 34B, and an edge portion 34C.

[0082] The flat portion 34A is formed into a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. The flat portion 34A has a rectangular outer shape with a dimension in the X direction longer than a dimension in the Y direction. A receiving surface 35 is formed at the end portion in the +Z direction of the flat portion 34A.

[0083] The receiving surface 35 is an example of the first receiving surface. In addition, the receiving surface 35 is the same as the receiving surface 25 ( Figure 2 )Same structure.

[0084] The longitudinal wall portion 34B stands along the +Z direction at an end portion in the -X direction of the flat portion 34A. The longitudinal wall portion 34B suppresses a portion of the waste ink QW flowing down the flat portion 34A from flowing out in the -X direction.

[0085] The rim end portion 34C constitutes a downstream end portion in the +X direction of the first guide member 34. Further, the rim end portion 34C is provided with a curved portion 36.

[0086] The curved portion 36 is a site that is curved from an end portion in the +X direction of the flat portion 34A toward the receiving surface 39 described later. As one example, the curved portion 36 extends toward a position in the +X direction and the -Z direction. That is, the curved portion 36 extends in an oblique direction that intersects the Z direction.

[0087] The receiving surface 37 is formed at an end portion in the +Z direction in the curved portion 36. The receiving surface 37 is the same structure as the receiving surface 35 except for the arrangement, and is continuous with the receiving surface 35. Further, the receiving surface 37 is an oblique surface that is inclined with respect to the X direction.

[0088] The tip end 36A of the curved portion 36 is at one end in the -Z direction in the curved portion 36. The tip end 36A is at a position that is separated in the +Z direction from the receiving surface 39. In other words, the first guide member 34 and the second guide member 38 are at positions that are separated by a gap in the Z direction.

[0089] The second guide member 38 is one example of a second guide. The second guide member 38 has a flat portion 38A, a longitudinal wall portion 38B, and a rim end portion 38C.

[0090] The flat portion 38A is formed into a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. The flat portion 38A has an outer shape of a rectangular shape in which the dimension in the X direction is longer than the dimension in the Y direction. The receiving surface 39 is formed at an end portion in the +Z direction in the flat portion 38A.

[0091] The receiving surface 39 is one example of a second receiving surface. Further, the receiving surface 39 is the same structure as the receiving surface 25( Figure 2 ) except for the length in the X direction.

[0092] The longitudinal wall portion 38B stands along the +Z direction at an end portion in the -X direction of the flat portion 38A. The longitudinal wall portion 38B suppresses a portion of the waste ink QW flowing down the flat portion 38A from flowing out in the -X direction.

[0093] The rim end portion 38C constitutes a downstream end portion in the +X direction of the second guide member 38. Further, the rim end portion 38C is provided with a curved portion 42.

[0094] The curved portion 42 is a portion that is curved from an end portion of the flat portion 38A in the +X direction toward the third guide member 44. As one example, the curved portion 42 extends toward a position in the +X direction and the -Z direction. That is, the curved portion 42 extends in an inclined direction that intersects the Z direction.

[0095] The receiving surface 43 is formed at an end portion in the +Z direction in the curved portion 42. The receiving surface 43 is a surface for receiving the waste ink QW. Further, the receiving surface 43 is the same structure as the receiving surface 39 except for the arrangement, and is continuous with the receiving surface 39. Also, the receiving surface 43 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the X direction.

[0096] The tip end 42A of the curved portion 42 is at one end in the -Z direction in the curved portion 42. The tip end 42A is at a position that is separated in the +Z direction from the third guide member 44. In other words, the second guide member 38 and the third guide member 44 are at positions that are separated in the Z direction by a distance.

[0097] The rim end portion 34C overlaps the receiving surface 39 when viewed in the -Z direction. Likewise, the rim end portion 38C overlaps a portion of the third guide member 44 when viewed in the -Z direction.

[0098] In other words, the first guide member 34 and the second guide member 38 overlap in the X direction over a length L1. The second guide member 38 and the third guide member 44 overlap in the X direction over a length L2. As one example, L1 = L2. Further, in the present embodiment, the second guide member 38 and the third guide member 44 overlap in the Y direction over the entire range.

[0099] In this way, the first guide member 34, the second guide member 38, and the third guide member 44 can also be arranged in a stepped shape. Further, the first guide member 34, the second guide member 38, and the third guide member 44 can also not be at positions that are separated in the Z direction by a distance. That is, the first guide member 34, the second guide member 38, and the third guide member 44 can also be integrally formed of the same material.

[0100] Next, the operation of the printer 30 will be described.

[0101] A driving force F( Figure 1 ) in the +X direction acts on the waste ink QW that flows from the disposal portion 18( Figure 3 ) toward the receiving surface 35 based on the difference in surface energy. Thus, the waste ink QW flows toward the maintenance tank 22 through the receiving surfaces 35, 37, 39, 43, 39, 43.

[0102] The receiving surfaces 37, 43 are inclined surfaces extending in a direction intersecting the X direction. Therefore, in the receiving surfaces 37, 43, when the waste ink QW flows, the gravity acting on the waste ink QW is added to the driving force F that moves the waste ink QW.

[0103] According to the printer 30, since the waste ink QW is given a guiding action again by the second guide member 38 and the third guide member 44, it is possible to suppress a case where the waste ink QW stagnates at the middle of the guide 32.

[0104] According to the printer 30, the waste ink QW that has reached the edge end portion 34C downstream of the first guide member 34 flows along the curved portion 36 to the receiving surface 39. Thereby, it becomes easy to introduce the waste ink QW flowing down from the edge end portion 34C downstream of the first guide member 34 in the +X direction onto the receiving surface 39.

[0105] According to the printer 30, by separating the curved portion 36 and the receiving surface 39, the curved portion 42 and the receiving surface 39, the waste ink QW falling onto the receiving surface 39 does not come into contact with a plurality of surfaces intersecting each other. For example, a case where the waste ink QW comes into contact with both the surface along the Z direction of the edge end portion 34C and the receiving surface 39 is suppressed. Specifically, for example, when a capillary force acts on the ink droplet D stagnating at the corner portion formed by the surface along the Z direction of the edge end portion 34C and the receiving surface 39 coming into contact with each other, the capillary force becomes larger than the driving force F, and thus the ink droplet D becomes difficult to move in the +X direction. Or, in a case where the surface including the surface along the Z direction of the edge end portion 34C and the receiving surface 39 is larger in contact area with the ink droplet D than the receiving surface 39 at the instant when the ink droplet D falls on the second guide member 38, the ink droplet D becomes more likely to wet the surface including the surface along the Z direction of the edge end portion 34C and the receiving surface 39 than the receiving surface 39, and thus the ink droplet D becomes difficult to move in the +X direction. Since the movement of the waste ink QW falling onto the receiving surface 39 is made difficult to be suppressed by separating the curved portion 36 and the receiving surface 39, the curved portion 42 and the receiving surface 39, it becomes easy to introduce the waste ink QW flowing down from the first guide member 34 in the +X direction onto the receiving surface 39.

[0106] Modified Example

[0107] Next, the printer 50 of the modified example of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to portions common to the respective portions of the printers 10, 30 of Embodiments 1, 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] The printer 50 of the modified example replaces the guide 32 of the printer 30 of Embodiment 2 with a guide 52. Figure 5) and a guide portion 52 is provided. The structure other than the guide portion 52 is basically the same as that of Embodiment 2.

[0109] As shown in Figure 6 , the guide portion 52 is provided with a first guide member 54, a second guide member 56, and a third guide member 58 arranged in the X direction as one example. The second guide member 568 is located below the first guide member 54 in the Z direction. The third guide member 588 is located below the second guide member 56 in the Z direction.

[0110] The first guide member 54 receives the waste ink QW from the disposal portion 18 Figure 1 ). The third guide member 58 moves the waste ink QW toward the maintenance tank 22. In addition, the second guide member 56 and the third guide member 58 are provided with the same structure as one example except for the arrangement. Therefore, the structure of the first guide member 54 and the structure of the second guide member 56 are described, and the description of the structure of the third guide member 58 is omitted.

[0111] The first guide member 54 is one example of the first guide portion and is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the first guide member 54 has a rectangular shape in which the size in the X direction is longer than the size in the Y direction. A receiving surface 55 is formed at the end portion in the +Z direction in the first guide member 54. The receiving surface 55 is one example of the first receiving surface. In addition, the receiving surface 55 is the same structure as the receiving surface 35 Figure 5 ). The first guide member 54 and the second guide member 56 are located at positions slightly spaced apart in the Z direction.

[0112] The second guide member 56 is one example of the second guide portion and is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the second guide member 56 has a rectangular shape in which the size in the X direction is longer than the size in the Y direction. A receiving surface 57 is formed at the end portion in the +Z direction in the second guide member 56. The receiving surface 57 is one example of the second receiving surface. In addition, the receiving surface 57 is the same structure as the receiving surface 39. The second guide member 56 and the third guide member 58 are located at positions slightly spaced apart in the Z direction.

[0113] The first guide member 54 and the second guide member 56 overlap in the range of the length L1 in the X direction. The second guide member 56 and the third guide member 58 overlap in the range of the length L2 in the X direction. In this way, the flat plate-shaped first guide member 54, the second guide member 56, and the third guide member 58 can be arranged in a stepped shape, respectively.

[0114] According to the printer 50 , since the second guide member 56 and the third guide member 58 provide the waste ink QW with a guiding function again, it is possible to suppress the waste ink QW from stagnating in the middle of the guide portion 52 .

[0115] Furthermore, the first guide member 54 , the second guide member 56 , and the third guide member 58 may not be located at intervals in the Z direction. In other words, the first guide member 54 , the second guide member 56 , and the third guide member 58 may be integrally formed of the same material.

[0116] Implementation 3

[0117] Next, a printer 60 according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. Components common to the components of the printer 10 according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0118] The printer 60 of Embodiment 3 differs from the printer 10 of Embodiment 1 in that it further includes an electrical device 62 and a heater 66. The structure other than the electrical device 62 and heater 66 is essentially the same as that of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the wettability of the waste ink QW on the receiving surface 25 increases as the temperature increases.

[0119] like Figure 7 As shown, as an example, the electrical equipment section 62 is arranged at a position closer to the platen unit 16 and the guide section 24 in the −X direction.

[0120] The control unit 64 electrically controls the operation of various components of the printer 60, including the recording unit 14. The control unit 64 is configured to include electronic components and circuit components (not shown) and generates heat when energized. In other words, the electrical equipment 62 dissipates heat to the outside of the electrical equipment 62 as it operates.

[0121] The heating unit 66 includes a blower 68 and a duct unit 72 as an example.

[0122] The presence or absence of the rotation operation of the blower 68 is controlled by the control unit 64. In addition, as an example, the blower 68 blows air in the -X direction by rotating.

[0123] The duct portion 72 includes a first duct 74 and a second duct 76 .

[0124] The first duct 74 has a guide duct 74A extending in the -X direction from the blower 68 to the control section 64, and a cooling duct 74B extending in the +Z direction from an end of the guide duct 74A in the -X direction and in contact with the control section 64. That is, the first duct 74 guides the air sent in by rotation of the blower 68 toward the control section 64.

[0125] The temperature of the air flowing inside the first duct 74 is lower than the heat generation temperature of the control section 64. Therefore, the control section 64 in contact with the cooling duct 74B is cooled. In other words, the air inside the cooling duct 74B is heated by heat transfer from the control section 64. Here, the air heated is sent to the second duct 76 by making the rotation of the blower 68 continue.

[0126] In addition, in Figure 7 the flow of air cooling the control section 64 is shown by a broken-line arrow mark, and the flow of air heating the guide section 24 is shown by a solid-line arrow mark.

[0127] The second duct 76 is one example of a giving section. Further, the second duct 76 extends from an end of the cooling duct 74B in the +Z direction toward an end of the guide section 24 in the +X direction. As one example, the second duct 76 is inclinedly arranged in a direction intersecting the X direction in a manner that the interval from the guide section 24 in the Z direction becomes narrower as it gets closer to the end of the guide section 24 in the +X direction. An exhaust port 77 is formed at an end of the second duct 76 in the +X direction.

[0128] Although the temperature of the air flowing inside the second duct 76 decreases by natural cooling as it moves in the +X direction, the interval between the second duct 76 and the guide section 24 in the Z direction becomes narrower as it changes in position in the +X direction. Therefore, the guide section 24 is heated by the second duct 76, and the temperature gradually rises from the upstream toward the downstream in the +X direction. In this way, the second duct 76 gives at least a part of the heat exhaust from the electrical equipment section 62 to the guide section 24.

[0129] That is, when the temperature of the receiving surface 25 at the first position P1 is set to a first temperature T1 [°C] and the temperature of the receiving surface 25 at the second position P2 is set to a second temperature T2 [°C], the heating unit 66 can heat the guide portion 24 so that the second temperature T2 is higher than the first temperature T1. Furthermore, the heating unit 66 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, a heating unit including a tubular heater or the like can be provided, and the heating unit can heat the guide portion 24 so that the second temperature T2 is higher than the first temperature T1. Furthermore, the application portion is not limited to the second conduit 76. For example, the electrical equipment unit 62 can be positioned closer to the end of the guide portion 24 in the +X direction in the -Z direction, and a metal heat sink can be provided in the electrical equipment unit 62. In this case, the heat sink can function as the application portion simply by contacting the heat sink from the -Z direction to the end of the guide portion 24 in the +X direction.

[0130] Next, the operation of the printer 60 will be described.

[0131] During operation of the printer 60, the blower 68 rotates to cool the control unit 64. Furthermore, air heated by exhaust heat from the control unit 64 flows through the second duct 76 in the +X direction, gradually heating the receiving surface 25 of the guide portion 24.

[0132] The closer the receiving surface 25 is to the +X direction, the higher the temperature becomes. Figure 3 ), since the surface tension of the portion in the +X direction is lowered compared to the portion in the -X direction, that is, the wettability is increased, the driving force F in the +X direction acting on the ink droplet D is increased. Figure 3 ) increases, and therefore, the waste ink QW becomes easy to flow in the +X direction.

[0133] Thus, according to the printer 60, the waste ink QW has a characteristic in which its wettability with the receiving surface 25 increases as its temperature increases. Here, when the guide portion 24 is heated by the heating unit 66, the second temperature T2 at the second position P2 close to the maintenance tank 22 is set higher than the first temperature T1 at the first position P1 farther from the maintenance tank 22. This makes it easier for the waste ink QW to wet the receiving surface 25 the closer it is to the maintenance tank 22, thereby facilitating the introduction of the waste ink QW into the maintenance tank 22.

[0134] In the printer 60, when the control unit 64 in the electrical equipment section 62 controls the recording unit 14, the temperature of the electrical equipment section 62 rises due to the heat generated by the control unit 64. At least a portion of the exhaust heat from the electrical equipment section 62 is transferred to the guide section 24 via the second duct 76 of the heating section 66, thereby heating the guide section 24. This eliminates the need for a separate heat source to heat the guide section 24, thus reducing the energy used by the printer 60.

[0135] Implementation 4

[0136] Next, a printer 80 according to Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to the drawings. Components common to those of the printer 10 according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0137] The printer 80 of the fourth embodiment differs from the printer 10 of the first embodiment in that a guide unit 82 is provided instead of the guide unit 24. The configuration other than the guide unit 82 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0138] like Figure 8 As shown, as an example, the guide portion 82 is formed into an isosceles trapezoidal shape when viewed from the Z direction. In addition, the guide portion 82 has a receiving surface 84 located at one end in the +Z direction and two edge surfaces 86. In addition, the Y direction is an example of an intersecting direction that intersects the +X direction in which the waste ink QW flows. Specifically, the width of the receiving surface 84 in the Y direction is narrower in the downstream than in the upstream of the +X direction. That is, when the width in the Y direction at the end of the receiving surface 84 in the -X direction is W1 and the width in the Y direction at the end of the receiving surface 84 in the +X direction is W2, W1>W2. The material of the receiving surface 84 is different from that of the receiving surface 25 ( Figure 2 In other words, the width W2 of the receiving surface 25 in the Y direction at the second position P2 is smaller than the width W1 of the receiving surface 25 in the Y direction at the first position P1.

[0139] The two edge surfaces 86 are located outside the receiving surface 84 in the +Y direction and outside the -Y direction. In other words, the two edge surfaces 86 constitute the two ends of the guide portion 82 in the Y direction. The two edge surfaces 86 are each formed into a parallelogram shape when viewed from the Z direction. The width of the edge surface 86 in the Y direction is smaller than the width of the receiving surface 84 in the Y direction. The material of the edge surface 86 is the same as that of the edge surface 26 ( Figure 2 )same.

[0140] Next, the operation of the printer 80 will be described.

[0141] According to the printer 80, since the waste ink QW flowing on the receiving surface 84 is more likely to be collected as a larger aggregate as it approaches the downstream end of the +X direction of the receiving surface 84, the waste ink QW becomes more likely to flow. Thus, compared to a structure in which the outer shape of the receiving surface 84 is a rectangular shape, it is possible to further suppress the occurrence of stagnation of the waste ink QW on a part of the receiving surface 84.

[0142] Although the printers 10, 30, 50, 60, 80 related to the embodiments and modifications of the present application are printers based on the structures described above, of course, partial structural changes or omissions, etc. can be implemented within a range that does not depart from the gist of the present application.

[0143] In the printers 10, 30, 50, 60, 80, the disposal portion 18 is not limited to being provided at two places, but can be provided at three or more places, in the case where the size of the medium M used has a plurality of sizes.

[0144] In the printer 10, in the case where the maintenance tank 22 is located at a position opposite one of the two corners of the +X direction of the guide portion 24, the direction in which the surface energy of the receiving surface 25 is changed can not be set to the +X direction, but can be set to a diagonal direction, for example. Further, the receiving surface 25 is not limited to a flat surface, but can be formed with an inclined surface or a curved surface for collecting the waste ink QW at a part.

[0145] In the printer 30, in the case where the guide portion 32 is divided into a plurality of guide members, the number of guide members is not limited to three, but can be two or four or more. Alternatively, the guide portion 32 can not be divided into a plurality of guide members, but can be configured as one guide member by connecting a plurality of receiving surfaces together via an inclined surface. The vertical wall portions 34B, 38B can be provided at both end portions in the Y direction in the guide portion 32.

[0146] In the printer 60, the heating portion is not limited to a structure that uses heat dissipation, but can be a structure that directly applies heat using a heat conducting sheet or the like.

[0147] An electrode can be provided on the receiving surfaces 25, 35, 37, 39, 43, 55, 57, 74, and an electrostatic force can be generated by applying a voltage from a power source to the electrode, so that the driving force F is increased.

[0148] Explanation of Symbols

[0149] 10… printer; 12… device main body; 13… ink tank; 14… recording unit; 16… platen unit; 17… support surface; 18… disposal section; 22… maintenance tank; 22A… recovery port; 24… guide section; 25… receiving surface; 26… edge surface; 28… guide section; 30… printer; 32… guide section; 34… first guide member; 34A… flat portion; 34B… vertical wall portion; 34C… rim end portion; 35… receiving surface; 36… curved portion; 36A… tip end; 37… receiving surface; 38… second guide member; 38A… flat portion; 38B… vertical wall portion; 38C… rim end portion; 39… receiving surface; 42… curved portion; 42A… tip end; 43… receiving surface; 44… third guide member; 50… printer; 52… guide section; 54… first guide member; 55… receiving surface; 56… second guide member; 57… receiving surface; 58… third guide member; 60… printer; 62… electrical equipment section; 64… control section; 66… heating section; 68… blower; 72… duct section; 74… first duct; 74A… guide duct; 74B… cooling duct; 76… second duct; 77… exhaust port; 80… printer; 82… guide section; 84… receiving surface; 86… edge surface; A… end point; B… end point; D… ink droplet; E1… first surface energy; E2… second surface energy; G1… graph; G2… graph; G3… graph; L1… length; L2… length; P1… first position; P2… second position; Q… ink; QW… waste ink; T1… first temperature; T2… second temperature; W1… width; W2… width; ΔL… interval.

Claims

1. A recording apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a recording section that performs recording on a medium being conveyed in a conveying direction by ejecting a liquid onto the medium; a support section that has a support surface that supports the medium and a discard section that is provided at a position corresponding to an end edge of the medium in a width direction that intersects the conveying direction and that discards waste liquid that is the liquid that is not used in recording on the medium; a recovery section that is capable of recovering the waste liquid; a guide section that receives the waste liquid that flows from the discard section and that guides the waste liquid in a manner that causes the waste liquid to flow toward the recovery section, the guide section has a receiving surface for receiving the waste liquid, in a case where a surface energy of the receiving surface at a first position of the receiving surface with respect to the waste liquid is set to a first surface energy and a surface energy of the receiving surface at a second position of the receiving surface that is closer to the recovery section than the first position is set to a second surface energy, the second surface energy is greater than the first surface energy.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the guide section is set to a first guide section and the receiving surface is set to a first receiving surface, a second guide section is further possessed, the second guide section has a second receiving surface for receiving the waste liquid, in a case where a direction of a gravitational force acting on the waste liquid is set to a gravitational direction, the second guide section is positioned below the first guide section in the gravitational direction, in a case where a direction in which the waste liquid is guided from the first position to the second position is set to a guide direction, a distal end portion of the first guide section downstream in the guide direction overlaps the second receiving surface in a plan view along the gravitational direction.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the distal end portion of the first guide section downstream in the guide direction possesses a curved portion that curves toward the second receiving surface.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a tip end of the curved portion is positioned at a position that is separated from the second receiving surface.

5. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein wettability of the waste liquid with respect to the receiving surface increases as temperature increases, the recording apparatus possesses a heating section that is capable of heating the guide section in a manner that causes a temperature of the receiving surface at the second position to be higher than a temperature of the receiving surface at the first position.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an electrical equipment section is possessed, the electrical equipment section is provided with a control section that controls the recording section, the heating section possesses a giving section that gives at least a portion of heat that is exhausted from the electrical equipment section to the guide section.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The width of the receiving surface in the intersecting direction at the second position is smaller than the width of the receiving surface in the intersecting direction at the first position, when a direction intersecting the direction of flow of the waste liquid is defined as the intersecting direction.

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