Liquid ejection device

Abstract

Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of maintaining high productivity even when a pretreatment liquid containing a polysaccharide is used. A liquid ejecting apparatus is a printing apparatus including: a frame; an ejecting section configured in the frame and ejecting a liquid; a power supply circuit configured in the frame and supplying power to the ejecting section; and a partition configured to separate an ejecting section area in which the ejecting section is configured and a power supply circuit section area in which the power supply circuit is configured, the power supply circuit including a capacitor and a transformer, a fan is not configured in the power supply circuit section area, and the liquid contains a polysaccharide.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] Development of a DTG (Direct to Garment) printer that performs printing on a cloth such as a garment by an inkjet method is being conducted. The DTG printer is, for example, researched for being able to perform direct printing on a T-shirt or the like, and also for being high-speed and large-sized. However, in the case where the printer is made high-speed and large-sized, the power consumption of a power supply circuit provided in a frame of the printer increases, and the heat generated from the electric circuit becomes non-negligible.

[0003] For example, a printer that cools an electric circuit such as a power supply circuit provided in a frame of the printer is disclosed in Patent Literature 1. In the printer, a mechanism that uses a fan to radiate heat generated from the power supply circuit to the outside of the frame is provided.

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-211163

[0005] In the DTG printer, it is required to sufficiently fix the ink used on a medium such as a cloth. Therefore, researches for improving the fixability of the ink are also conducted. For example, it is proposed to improve the fixability of the ink by attaching a pretreatment liquid to a medium before the ink is attached to the medium. Such a pretreatment liquid sometimes contains a thickening component of a polysaccharide such as hydroxyethyl cellulose or guar gum.

[0006] In the case where such a pretreatment liquid is ejected by the DTG printer, the pretreatment liquid is sometimes atomized in the frame of the DTG printer. In the case where the DTG printer is provided with a fan, the wind generated by the fan in the frame sometimes carries the mist of the pretreatment liquid and attaches it to each part in the frame. The solvent component of the pretreatment liquid evaporates at the attached part, and the thickening component solidifies and remains. For example, when the thickening component solidifies at the rotating part of the fan, the rotation of the fan is hindered, which leads to a situation where the frequency of maintenance of the printer increases and the productivity decreases.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a liquid ejection apparatus that is able to maintain high productivity even when a pretreatment liquid containing a polysaccharide is used. SUMMARY

[0008] One embodiment of the liquid ejection apparatus according to the present application is a liquid ejection apparatus that is able to maintain high productivity even when a pretreatment liquid containing a polysaccharide is used.

[0009] The liquid ejection apparatus is a printing apparatus that includes:

[0010] a frame;

[0011] an ejection section that is disposed in the frame and ejects a liquid;

[0012] A power supply circuit, disposed within the frame, supplies power to the ejector section; and

[0013] A partition is configured to separate the ejection section area where the ejection section is located from the power circuit section area where the power circuit is located.

[0014] The power supply circuit includes a capacitor and a transformer.

[0015] No fan is installed in the power supply circuit section area.

[0016] The liquid contains polysaccharides. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the outline of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0019] Figure 3 This is an example of a signal generated by a driving circuit.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the structure within the frame of a liquid ejection device.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a power supply unit including the power supply circuit, viewed from above.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a power supply unit including the power supply circuit, viewed from the side.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 1: Liquid ejection device; 10: Control mechanism; 20: Carriage; 21: Liquid nozzle; 24: Ejection area; 30: Moving mechanism; 31: Carriage motor; 32: Circular belt; 40: Conveying mechanism; 41: Conveying motor; 42: Conveying roller; 50: Drive circuit; 51: Drive signal output circuit; 52: Reference voltage signal output circuit; 55: Power supply circuit; 57: Power supply circuit area; 90: Linear encoder; 100: Control circuit; 200: Drive signal selection circuit; 300: Power supply unit; 301: First unit; 302: Second unit; 310: Substrate; 311: First heat sink; 312: Second heat sink; 312a: Heat sink; 331: Capacitor; 331a, 331b: Terminals; 332: Transformer; 333: Power transistor; 333a, 333b, 333c: Wiring; 600: Ejection section; 1000: Frame. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following describes embodiments of the present application. The embodiments described below are examples of the present application. The present application is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications implemented within the scope of the present application without changing the gist of the present application. Note that the structures described below are not necessarily all essential structures of the present application.

[0026] The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a housing, an ejecting section disposed in the housing and ejecting a liquid, a power supply circuit disposed in the housing and supplying power to the ejecting section, and a partition disposed so as to separate an ejecting section region in which the ejecting section is disposed and a power supply circuit region in which the power supply circuit is disposed. Hereinafter, the description will be given with reference to the drawings.

[0027] 1. Overview of Liquid Ejecting Apparatus

[0028] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a liquid ejecting apparatus 1. The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an inkjet printer of a serial printing type, and forms an image on a medium P by reciprocally moving a carriage 20 on which a liquid ejecting head 21 ejecting ink as an example of a liquid is mounted, to eject ink on the conveyed medium P.

[0029] In the following description, the direction in which the carriage 20 moves is referred to as the X direction, the direction in which the medium P is conveyed is referred to as the Y direction, and the direction in which ink is ejected is referred to as the Z direction. Note that the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are described as directions orthogonal to each other, but are not limited to being orthogonal to each other with respect to various structures constituting the liquid ejecting apparatus 1.

[0030] In addition, as the medium P, any printing object such as a printing paper, a resin film, and a cloth can be used. Note that the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 can also be a structure in which the liquid ejecting heads 21 are arranged in parallel so as to form a nozzle row over the width of the medium P. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 can also be an inkjet printer of a so-called line printing type, and ejects ink from the liquid ejecting head 21 to the conveyed medium P, thereby forming a desired image on the medium P.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1 , the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 includes a housing 1000, a control mechanism 10, the carriage 20, the liquid ejecting head 21, a moving mechanism 30, and a conveying mechanism 40.

[0032] The control mechanism 10 has electric circuits such as a drive circuit 50, a power supply circuit 55, and the like. These electric circuits can also include, for example, a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory, the power supply circuit 55 that connects to a commercial alternating-current power supply and converts the power supplied from the commercial alternating-current power supply into appropriate power to supply to each portion, a drive signal output circuit 51 that drives the liquid head 21, and the like. The control mechanism 10 controls each element of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 including the liquid head 21.

[0033] The liquid head 21 is mounted on the carriage 20. In addition, the carriage 20 is fixed to the endless belt 32 included in the moving mechanism 30. Note that an ink container such as an ink tank or an ink cartridge can also be mounted on the carriage 20. In addition, ink can also be supplied to the liquid head 21 from an ink tank or the like provided at a place other than the carriage 20 through a tube or the like.

[0034] The control signal Ctrl-H for controlling the liquid head 21 and one or more drive signals COM for driving the liquid head 21, which are output from the control mechanism 10, are input to the liquid head 21. In addition, the liquid head 21 ejects ink supplied from the ink container based on the input control signal Ctrl-H and drive signal COM.

[0035] The liquid head 21 is disposed inside the frame 1000, and corresponds to an ejection portion that ejects liquid. The ejection portion is disposed in an ejection portion region 24 inside the frame 1000. The ejection portion region 24 is a region of the range in which the liquid head 21 moves along with the movement of the carriage 20.

[0036] The moving mechanism 30 includes a carriage motor 31 and an endless belt 32. The carriage motor 31 operates based on a control signal Ctrl-C input from the control mechanism 10. The endless belt 32 rotates along with the operation of the carriage motor 31. Thus, the carriage 20 fixed to the endless belt 32 reciprocates in the X direction.

[0037] The conveying mechanism 40 includes a conveying motor 41 and a conveying roller 42. The conveying motor 41 operates based on a control signal Ctrl-T input from the control mechanism 10. The conveying roller 42 rotates along with the operation of the conveying motor 41. Along with the rotation of this conveying roller 42, the medium P is conveyed in the Y direction.

[0038] As described above, the liquid discharge device 1 discharges ink from the liquid head 21 mounted on the carriage 20 toward the Z direction by the association of the conveyance of the medium P by the conveyance mechanism 40 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage 20 by the movement mechanism 30, whereby the ink lands on an arbitrary position of the surface of the medium P, and a desired image can be formed on the medium P.

[0039] 2. Functional configuration of liquid discharge device

[0040] Next, the functional configuration of the liquid discharge device 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a view showing the functional configuration of the liquid discharge device 1. As shown in Figure 2 , the liquid discharge device 1 is provided with a control mechanism 10, a liquid head 21, a carriage motor 31, a conveyance motor 41, and a linear encoder 90.

[0041] The control mechanism 10 includes a drive circuit 50, a power supply circuit 55, and a control circuit 100. The control circuit 100 includes a processor such as a microcontroller. In addition, the control circuit 100 generates various data for controlling the liquid discharge device 1, signals based on the data, and outputs them to the corresponding structures, based on various signals such as image data input from a host or the like communicably connected to the outside.

[0042] A specific example of the operation of the control circuit 100 will be described. The control circuit 100 grasps the scan position of the liquid head 21 mounted on the carriage 20 based on a detection signal input from the linear encoder 90. In addition, the control circuit 100 generates and outputs various signals corresponding to the scan position of the liquid head 21. In detail, the control circuit 100 generates a control signal Ctrl-C for controlling the reciprocating movement of the liquid head 21, and outputs it to the carriage motor 31. In addition, the control circuit 100 generates a control signal Ctrl-T for controlling the conveyance of the medium P, and outputs it to the conveyance motor 41. Note that the control signal Ctrl-C can also be input to the carriage motor 31 after signal conversion via a driver circuit not shown, and similarly, the control signal Ctrl-T can also be input to the conveyance motor 41 after signal conversion via a driver circuit not shown.

[0043] In addition, the control circuit 100 generates a head control signal DI, a change signal CH, a latch signal LAT, and a clock signal SCK as control signals Ctrl-H for controlling the liquid head 21, based on various signals such as image data input from the host and the scan position of the liquid head 21, and outputs them to the liquid head 21.

[0044] In addition, the control circuit 100 outputs a basic drive signal d as a digital signal to the drive circuit 50.

[0045] The drive circuit 50 includes a drive signal output circuit 51 and a reference voltage signal output circuit 52. A base drive signal d is input to the drive signal output circuit 51. The drive signal output circuit 51 generates and outputs a drive signal COM as a drive signal by performing digital / analog signal conversion on the base drive signal d and then performing D-stage amplification on the converted analog signal. That is, the base drive signal d is a digital signal that defines the waveform of the drive signal COM.

[0046] The drive signal output circuit 51 then generates and outputs the drive signal COM by performing D-stage amplification on the waveform defined by the base drive signal d. That is, the drive signal output circuit 51 includes a D-stage amplification circuit. Note that the base drive signal d can be a signal that defines the waveform of the drive signal COM, and can be an analog signal, for example. Also, the drive signal output circuit 51 can be configured to include an A-stage amplification circuit, a B-stage amplification circuit, or an AB-stage amplification circuit, or the like, as long as it can amplify the waveform defined by the base drive signal d.

[0047] The reference voltage signal output circuit 52 outputs a reference voltage signal VBS that indicates the reference potential of the drive signal COM. The reference voltage signal VBS can be a signal of a ground potential with a voltage value of 0 V, or a signal of a direct current voltage with a voltage value of 5.5 V, 6 V, or the like, for example.

[0048] Also, the drive signal COM and the reference voltage signal VBS output by the drive circuit 50 are output to the liquid ejection head 21.

[0049] The liquid ejection head 21 includes a drive signal selection circuit 200 and ejection sections 600[1] to 600[n]. For example, n is 400, 800, 1600, or the like. Note that the ejection sections 600[1] to 600[n] are the same structure, and are sometimes simply referred to as ejection sections 600 when there is no need to distinguish between them.

[0050] The drive signal selection circuit 200 is configured as an integrated circuit device, for example. A clock signal SCK, a latch signal LAT, a change signal CH, a head control signal DI, and the drive signal COM are input to the drive signal selection circuit 200, respectively. The drive signal selection circuit 200 then generates VOUT[1] to VOUT[n] by selecting or not selecting the drive signal COM based on the input clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the change signal CH, and the head control signal DI, and outputs them to the corresponding ejection sections 600[1] to 600[n], respectively. Note that VOUT[1] to VOUT[n] are sometimes simply referred to as VOUT when there is no need to distinguish between them.

[0051] The power supply circuit 55 is, for example, a switching power supply circuit of a flyback system. The power supply circuit 55 is supplied with a voltage AC as an alternating power supply voltage, and generates and outputs a voltage VHV as a direct current voltage based on the supplied voltage AC. Then, the voltage VHV generated by the power supply circuit 55 is supplied to each part of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 including the liquid head 21 and the drive circuit 50, whereby each part of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 performs a required action.

[0052] Here, with reference to Figure 3 , the latch signal LAT, the change signal CH, the clock signal SCK, the head control signal DI, and the drive signal COM inputted from the control mechanism 10 will be described. Figure 3 is a view for describing the latch signal LAT, the change signal CH, the clock signal SCK, the head control signal DI, and the drive signal COM.

[0053] The latch signal LAT is a pulse signal based on a signal outputted from the linear encoder 90 indicating the scanning position of the carriage 20 on which the liquid head 21 is mounted, and outputted from the control circuit 100. The liquid head 21 ejects a droplet of ink for forming a dot on the medium P between the pulses of the latch signal LAT. That is, the liquid head 21 ejects ink to form a dot on the medium P.

[0054] Accordingly, the liquid head 21 can eject a prescribed amount of ink at a desired position of the medium P in the main scanning direction, and thus can form a dot of a desired size at a desired position of the medium P. The period from the rise of the latch signal LAT to the rise of the next latch signal corresponds to a printing period, and corresponds to a dot formation period T for forming a dot on the medium P. That is, the latch signal LAT is a signal indicating the scanning position of the liquid head 21 with respect to the medium P, and is also a signal specifying the dot formation period T for forming a dot on the medium P based on the scanning position of the liquid head 21.

[0055] The change signal CH is a pulse signal specifying the timing at which the drive signal selection circuit 200 switches whether to supply the drive signal COM as VOUT to the ejection section 600. The control circuit 100 outputs the change signal CH in a manner of dividing the dot formation period T into a plurality of periods. For example, the change signal CH is a pulse signal outputted three times in the dot formation period T. That is, the change signal CH specifies the dot formation period T as four periods of a period Tl, a period T2, a period T3, and a period T4.

[0056] Then, the drive signal selection circuit 200 switches whether or not the drive signal COM is supplied as VOUT to the ejection section 600 in the period Tl, and switches whether or not the drive signal COM is supplied as VOUT to the ejection section 600 in the period T2. Similarly, the drive signal selection circuit 200 switches whether or not the drive signal COM is supplied as VOUT to the ejection section 600 in the period T3, and switches whether or not the drive signal COM is supplied as VOUT to the ejection section 600 in the period T4. As a result, on the medium P, the ink ejected in the period Tl, the ink ejected in the period T2, the ink ejected in the period T3, and the ink ejected in the period T4 are combined to form one dot in the dot formation period T.

[0057] As described above, the drive signal selection circuit 200 uses the change signal CH to define the dot formation period T as the period Tl, the period T2, the period T3, and the period T4, and switches whether or not the drive signal COM is supplied as VOUT to the ejection section 600 in each of the period Tl, the period T2, the period T3, and the period T4. Thus, the liquid head 21 can form dots of a plurality of sizes on the medium P. Thus, dots of a plurality of gradations can be formed on the medium P, and a high-definition image can be formed on the medium P. That is, the change signal CH defines the switching timing of the drive signal selection circuit 200.

[0058] The head control signal DI is a signal synchronized with the clock signal SCK, and continuously includes an ejection control signal SI and a setting information signal SP. The ejection control signal SI defines the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 651 of the n ejection sections 600 to the medium P for each of the n ejection sections 600, respectively. The setting information signal SP is used to define the relationship between the logic level of the selection signal S output in each of the period Tl, the period T2, the period T3, and the period T4 defined by the change signal CH and the ejection control signal SI.

[0059] The head control signal DI is supplied to the selection control circuit 210 in synchronization with the clock signal SCK and in the dot formation period T before the rising of the latch signal LAT, and is held in the register included in the selection control circuit 210 in a state corresponding to the n ejection sections 600. Further, the head control signal DI held in the register is latched all at once at the rising of the latch signal LAT, and thus, the logic level of the selection signal S in the dot formation period T defined by the latch signal LAT is defined.

[0060] The drive signal COM includes at least one drive waveform, which is described here. The drive waveform includes the following consecutive waveforms: a drive waveform dp1 configured in a period T1 from the start of the rise of the latch signal LAT to the rise of the first change signal CH; a drive waveform dp2 configured in a period T2 from the start of the rise of the first change signal CH to the rise of the second change signal CH; a drive waveform dp3 configured in a period T3 from the start of the rise of the second change signal CH to the rise of the third change signal CH; and a drive waveform dp4 configured in a period T4 from the start of the rise of the third change signal CH to the rise of the latch signal LAT. Note that the drive waveforms dp1 to dp4 are examples of ejection pulses.

[0061] For example, the drive waveform dp3 is a waveform for ejecting a small amount of ink from the nozzle, and the drive waveform dp2 is a waveform for ejecting a medium amount of ink, which is more than the small amount, from the nozzle. The drive waveform dp1 is a waveform for ejecting a large amount of ink, which is more than the medium amount, from the nozzle. In addition, dp4 is a waveform that does not eject ink from the nozzle, and is a waveform for causing the ink near the orifice of the nozzle to vibrate slightly, preventing an increase in the viscosity of the ink.

[0062] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the voltage at the start time and the voltage at the end time of each of the drive waveforms dp1, dp2, dp3, and dp4 are all the voltage Vc, which is common. That is, the drive waveforms dp1, dp2, dp3, and dp4 each start with the voltage Vc and end with the voltage Vc. Note that in FIG. 1, the drive waveforms dp1, dp2, dp3, and dp4 are illustrated as different waveforms, but can include a plurality of identical waveforms. That is, the waveforms of the drive signal COM are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1, but can be various waveforms combined according to the moving speed of the carriage 20 on which the liquid ejecting head 21 is mounted, the properties of the ink supplied to the liquid ejecting head 21, and the material of the medium P, and the like. Figure 3 Figure 3 Figure 3

[0063] 3. Liquid

[0064] In the present embodiment, the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting head 21 contains a polysaccharide. As the polysaccharide, for example, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, starch, pullulan, carrageenan, agar, curdlan, furcellaran, xanthan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, schizophyllan, hyaluronic acid, alginic acid, sodium alginate, pectin, welan gum, derivatives thereof, and the like can be listed.

[0065] ​​​In addition, as specific examples of the cellulose derivative as a derivative of the cellulose monomer, there can be mentioned methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, acetylcellulose, nitrocellulose, carboxymethyl nitrocellulose, and the like. Further, the cellulose derivative also includes crystalline cellulose.

[0066] The content of the polysaccharide in the liquid is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

[0067] By containing the polysaccharide in the liquid, the polysaccharide functions as a thickening agent. On the other hand, the liquid can contain, in addition to the polysaccharide, water, an organic solvent, a coagulant, a coloring material, a surfactant, and the like. These substances can be appropriately contained in the liquid according to the purpose. In particular, as the coagulant, there can be mentioned an organic acid, an organic acid polyvalent metal salt, a cationic polymer, an inorganic acid, a metal salt of an inorganic acid, and the like. In the case where the liquid contains the coagulant, the liquid is suitable for use as a pretreatment liquid for cloth in printing and dyeing. When such a liquid is used, the color development of a printed and dyed product can be improved.

[0068] Further, an arbitrary additive can be added to the liquid. As the additive, there can be mentioned, for example, a dispersant, a surfactant, a preservative, a mold inhibitor, a coagulant, an antifoaming agent, a leveling agent, a wetting agent, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, a pH adjustor, and the like.

[0069] 4. Configuration of structures in the frame

[0070] Figure 4 is a schematic view showing an example of the configuration of structures in the frame 1000 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1. The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 has at least the power supply circuit portion region 57, the ejecting portion region 24, and the partition 60 in the frame 1000. In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1, the power supply circuit 55 is disposed in the power supply circuit portion region 57. In addition, no fan is disposed in the power supply circuit portion region 57.

[0071] In the frame 1000, structures other than the power supply circuit portion region 57, the ejecting portion region 24, and the partition 60 can also be disposed. In addition, the partition 60 can also be shared with a part of other structures in the frame 1000.

[0072] In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1, in the frame 1000, the power supply circuit portion region 57 is separated from other regions in the frame 1000 by the power supply box 70. In addition, the box forming portion 61 of the partition 60 constitutes one face of the power supply box 70. That is, the power supply box 70 is constituted by the box forming portion 61 of the partition 60 and the cover portion 72 having an opening corresponding to the box forming portion 61.

[0073] In addition, a part of the wall surface of the frame 1000 can also constitute one face of the power supply box 70. That is, the power supply box 70 can also be constituted by the box forming portion 61 of the partition 60 and a part of the inner wall surface of the frame 1000, and the cover portion 72 each having an opening corresponding thereto.

[0074] 5. Power supply circuit

[0075] The power supply circuit includes a capacitor and a transformer. Figure 5 Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a power supply unit 300 as an example of a power supply unit including a power supply circuit, as viewed from above. Figure 5 Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the power supply unit 300 as an example of a power supply unit including a power supply circuit, as viewed from the side.

[0076] The power supply unit 300 includes the power supply circuit 55 housed in the control mechanism 10 in the power supply circuit portion region 57. Similarly, the electric circuit such as the drive circuit 50 can be a structure in which each is housed in a different housing separate from the liquid ejection head 21.

[0077] The power supply unit 300 has a first unit 301 and a second unit 302, and has a structure of a closed case as a whole. Note that, regarding the closed structure of the power supply unit 300, for example, a state in which a hole for introducing a cable into the power supply unit 300, a vent hole, or the like, a hole necessary to the minimum extent, is not completely closed. The second unit 302 can be integrally or detachably attached to the first unit 301.

[0078] The first unit 301 has a substrate 310 and a first heat sink 311. The substrate 310 can also be, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) on which a conductor wiring is implemented on a surface. The substrate 310 is provided with a capacitor 331, a transformer 332, a power transistor 333, and the first heat sink 311. Note that, Figure 6 The wirings 333a, 333b, 333c shown are connected to, for example, the source, gate, and drain of the power transistor 333. In addition, Figure 6 The wirings 331a, 331b shown are, for example, terminals of the capacitor 331.

[0079] The capacitor 331, the transformer 332, and the power transistor 333 are components that constitute the power supply circuit 55. The first heat sink 311 releases heat generated by the power supply circuit 55. In Figure 5 Figure 6 ​In the present embodiment, the first heat sink 311 is arranged on the substrate 310 so as to be in contact with the power transistor 333 having a large amount of heat to be dissipated, but the first heat sink 311 can be arranged so as to be in contact with another component having a large amount of heat to be dissipated, for example, without impairing the function of the power supply circuit 55. Thus, the heat dissipation effect of the power supply circuit 55 is improved.

[0080] The second unit 302 is provided with a second heat sink 312. In the first unit 301, the heat dissipated from the first heat sink 211 is guided to the second heat sink 312 by radiation and / or heat conduction. Then, the second heat sink 312 that has received the heat generated in the first unit 301 is cooled by heat dissipation. That is, the heat dissipated from the first heat sink 311 is absorbed by the second heat sink 312, and dissipated from the fins 312a of the second heat sink 312. In this way, the heat generated from the power supply circuit 55 is dissipated to the outside of the power supply unit 300. In the illustrated example, the fins 312a are provided inside the frame 1000, but the fins 312a can be provided outside the frame 1000 by changing the arrangement of the power supply unit 300, changing the shape of the fins 312a, and / or providing a heat transfer path, so that the heat generated from the power supply circuit 55 is dissipated to the outside of the frame 1000.

[0081] Note that, in the present embodiment, a fan that generates an air current for heat dissipation is not provided in the power supply circuit portion region 57 housed in the power supply unit 300. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 can provide a fan that generates an air current for heat dissipation at a place other than the power supply circuit portion region 57 inside the frame 1000. In addition, the air current generated by the fan sometimes diffuses the mist described later, and therefore it is more preferable that the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 not provide a fan inside the frame 1000.

[0082] As described above, the power supply unit 300 includes the capacitor 331. The capacitor 331 can use an appropriate capacitor, but the capacitor 331 is more preferably an electrolytic capacitor in terms of capacity and characteristics. The shape of the electrolytic capacitor can be arbitrarily selected from a lead shape, a substrate self-standing shape, a chip shape, and the like.

[0083] There are a plurality of types of lead-out structure of the terminal of the electrolytic capacitor, sealing material, sealing structure, and the like. A typical electrolytic capacitor has a structure in which an element in which an anode aluminum foil, an electrolytic paper, a cathode aluminum foil, and an electrode terminal are wound is impregnated with an electrolytic solution, housed in an aluminum case, and sealed with a sealing plate having a shape in which a terminal is led out to the outside, and a structure in which the outside of the aluminum case is covered with a sleeve.

[0084] In the case where the capacitor 331 is an electrolytic capacitor, the sleeve is preferably composed of a polyolefin. As the polyolefin, polyethylene, polypropylene, an ethylene-propylene copolymer, and the like can be exemplified.

[0085] In addition, in the case where the capacitor 331 is an electrolytic capacitor, the electrolytic solution preferably contains water as a main component of ethylene glycol. Such an electrolytic capacitor can suppress an increase in internal pressure of the capacitor, and can improve reliability without deteriorating characteristics.

[0086] In addition, in the case where the capacitor 331 is an electrolytic capacitor, it is preferable to have an aluminum case. Such an electrolytic capacitor can further improve reliability of the device without deteriorating characteristics of the capacitor.

[0087] Further, in the case where the capacitor 331 is an electrolytic capacitor, it is more preferable to select a material in which an EPT rubber layer and a bakelite layer are laminated as a sealing plate. If such an electrolytic capacitor is used, characteristics of the capacitor are less likely to deteriorate, and reliability of the device can be further improved.

[0088] Further, in the case where the capacitor 331 is an electrolytic capacitor, it is more preferable to perform plating processing on a terminal thereof with copper and tin. For example, it is preferable that Figure 6 The capacitor 331 shown in FIG. 1 is an electrolytic capacitor, and one or both of the terminal 331a and the terminal 331b are subjected to plating processing with copper and tin. When such an electrolytic capacitor is used, characteristics of the capacitor are good, and reliability of the device can be further improved.

[0089] 6. Fog and Effects

[0090] The liquid described above sometimes becomes fog and floats when being ejected from the liquid ejection head 21. For example, when the liquid is ejected to become liquid droplets, fog is sometimes generated by minute liquid droplets called satellites. The fog sometimes floats inside the frame 1000 and adheres to the inner wall of the frame 1000 or a component of the structure inside the frame 1000. The fog adhering to the object becomes a state in which the solid component in the liquid adheres to the object by losing the volatile component in the liquid through drying. In the liquid ejection device 1 of the present embodiment, since the liquid contains at least the polysaccharide, at least the polysaccharide adheres to the components inside the frame 1000 in the case where fog is generated.

[0091] The polysaccharide in the liquid functions as a thickening agent, but the concentration of the polysaccharide in the liquid increases if the liquid loses the volatile component. Therefore, in the case where fog is generated, the high-viscosity substance gradually accumulates in the components inside the frame 1000.

[0092] For example, in the case where a fan for heat dissipation is provided in the power supply circuit portion region 57, the fog adheres to the rotating mechanism of the fan to accumulate the high-viscosity substance, and sometimes hinders the rotating action of the fan. Such an adverse situation is more likely to occur in the case where the liquid contains the polysaccharide.

[0093] In addition, as described above, the liquid discharge device 1 of the present embodiment can prevent such a disadvantage because the fan is not disposed in the power supply circuit portion region 57. In addition, in the case where the liquid discharge device 1 does not have a fan inside the frame 1000, it is possible to prevent the hindering of the rotating operation of the fan by the mist and the like.

[0094] In addition, the liquid discharge device 1 of the present embodiment can suppress the short circuit, the electric leakage, and the like of the electric circuit because the fan is not disposed in the power supply circuit portion region 57, and thus the fan is less likely to cause the diffusion of the mist.

[0095] In addition, the liquid discharge device 1 of the present embodiment can suppress the short circuit, the electric leakage, and the like of the power supply circuit 55 because the partition 60 separates the discharge portion region 24 and the power supply circuit portion region 57, and thus the mist that floats is less likely to reach the power supply circuit portion region 57.

[0096] In addition, in the case where the liquid discharge device 1 is a textile printer, the amount of the mist that floats inside the frame 1000 is larger than that of the general household printer. The above-described effects can be sufficiently obtained even in the case where the liquid discharge device 1 is a textile printer. That is, the effects are more remarkably exhibited in the case where the liquid discharge device 1 is a textile printer.

[0097] The above-described embodiments and modified examples are examples, and are not limited thereto. For example, each of the embodiments and the modified examples can be appropriately combined.

[0098] The present application includes a structure that is substantially the same as the structure described in the embodiments, such as a structure that has the same function, method, and result, or a structure that has the same purpose and effect. In addition, the present application includes a structure in which a non-essential part of the structure described in the embodiments is replaced. In addition, the present application includes a structure that has the same function and effect as the structure described in the embodiments or a structure that can achieve the same purpose. In addition, the present application includes a structure in which a publicly known technology is added to the structure described in the embodiments.

[0099] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiments and modified examples.

[0100] A liquid discharge device, wherein

[0101] The liquid discharge device is a printing device, and the printing device includes:

[0102] a frame;

[0103] a discharge portion that is disposed inside the frame and discharges a liquid;

[0104] a power supply circuit that is disposed inside the frame and supplies power to the discharge portion; and

[0105] a partition is provided to separate an ejection section region in which the ejection section is provided and a power supply circuit section region in which the power supply circuit is provided,

[0106] the power supply circuit includes a capacitor and a transformer,

[0107] a fan is not provided in the power supply circuit section region,

[0108] the liquid contains a polysaccharide.

[0109] According to the liquid ejection apparatus, since a fan is not provided in the power supply circuit section region, the polysaccharide is less likely to adhere to the fan, and the frequency of maintenance can be reduced, and high productivity can be maintained.

[0110] Also, in the above-described liquid ejection apparatus,

[0111] in the frame,

[0112] the power supply circuit section region is separated from other regions by a power supply box,

[0113] the partition constitutes one face of the power supply box.

[0114] According to the liquid ejection apparatus, the adhesion of the polysaccharide to the power supply circuit section region can be further reduced.

[0115] Also, in the above-described liquid ejection apparatus,

[0116] the capacitor has a sleeve made of a polyolefin.

[0117] According to the liquid ejection apparatus, the characteristics of the capacitor are less likely to deteriorate, and the reliability of the apparatus can be further improved.

[0118] Also, in the above-described liquid ejection apparatus,

[0119] the capacitor contains an electrolyte,

[0120] the electrolyte contains water as a main component.

[0121] According to the liquid ejection apparatus, the increase in the internal pressure of the capacitor can be reduced, the characteristics of the capacitor are less likely to deteriorate, and the reliability of the apparatus can be further improved.

[0122] Also, in the above-described liquid ejection apparatus,

[0123] the capacitor has an aluminum case.

[0124] According to the liquid ejection apparatus, the characteristics of the capacitor are less likely to deteriorate, and the reliability of the apparatus can be further improved.

[0125] Also, in the liquid discharge apparatus described above,

[0126] The capacitor has a seal plate in which an EPT rubber layer and a bakelite layer are laminated.

[0127] According to the liquid discharge apparatus, the characteristics of the capacitor are less likely to deteriorate, and the reliability of the apparatus can be further improved.

[0128] Also, in the liquid discharge apparatus described above,

[0129] The terminal of the capacitor is subjected to plating treatment with copper and tin.

[0130] According to the liquid discharge apparatus, the characteristics of the capacitor are good, and the reliability of the apparatus can be further improved.

[0131] Also, in the liquid discharge apparatus described above,

[0132] A fan is not disposed in the frame.

[0133] According to the liquid discharge apparatus, since the polysaccharide does not adhere to the fan, the frequency of maintenance can be further suppressed, and the productivity can be more highly maintained.

Claims

1. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by comprising: a frame; a discharge section configured in the frame and discharging a liquid; a power supply circuit configured in the frame and supplying power to the discharge section; and a partition plate configured to partition a discharge section area in which the discharge section is configured and a power supply circuit section area in which the power supply circuit is configured, the power supply circuit includes a capacitor, a transformer, and a power supply unit, a fan is not configured in the power supply circuit section area, the liquid contains a polysaccharide, the power supply unit includes a first heat sink and a second heat sink, and heat dissipated from the first heat sink is guided to the second heat sink by radiation and / or heat conduction.

2. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: in the frame, the power supply circuit section area is partitioned from other areas by a power supply box, the partition plate constitutes one face of the power supply box.

3. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: the capacitor has a sleeve composed of a polyolefin.

4. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: the capacitor contains an electrolyte, the electrolyte has ethylene glycol as a main component and contains water.

5. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: the capacitor has an aluminum case.

6. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: the capacitor has a sealing plate in which an EPT rubber layer and a bakelite layer are laminated.

7. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: terminals of the capacitor are subjected to plating treatment with copper and tin.

8. The liquid discharge apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: a fan is not configured in the frame. ​

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