Printing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a printing apparatus which can be configured with high quality. The printing device is provided with an outer duct (231) fixed to the second partition wall (220) and communicating with the suction unit, and an inner duct (232) fixed to the housing (100) and capable of communicating with the outer duct (231), the inner duct (232) having an inner connection opening (230A) that opens toward the front side (A) and is connected to the outer duct (231), and the inner duct (232) being connected to the outer duct (231). The outer duct (231) has an outer connection opening (230B) configured so as to be capable of being connected to and separated from the inner connection opening (230A) in accordance with the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover (200), and a first end (230A1) of the inner connection opening (230A), which is closer to the top surface (100a), is closer to the rotation shaft (250) than a second end (230A2) farther from the top surface (100a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure of an image forming apparatus that forms a ventilation path within the apparatus by connecting a ventilation duct fixed to an apparatus body and an external duct fixed around a fulcrum.

[0003] However, the method described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the external duct rubs against the ventilation duct when connected to and separated from the ventilation duct, causing wear of the openings of the ducts, thereby reducing gas exhaust performance.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-167322 Summary of the Invention

[0005] A printing device comprises: a head housed in a frame and configured to eject liquid onto a medium; an opening and closing cover having a first partition wall constituting a portion of a top surface of the frame and a second partition wall constituting a portion of a front surface of the frame, and configured to open and close the frame about a rotation axis; a suction unit configured to suck gas from inside the frame; an outer duct fixed to the second partition wall and communicating with the suction unit; and an inner duct fixed to the frame and capable of communicating with the outer duct, the inner duct having an inner connecting opening portion that opens toward the front surface and is connected to the outer duct, the outer duct having an outer connecting opening portion that is configured to be connected to and separated from the inner connecting opening portion as the opening and closing cover is opened and closed, wherein a first end portion of the inner connecting opening portion that is closer to the top surface is closer to the rotation axis than a second end portion that is farther from the top surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a printing device.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printing device.

[0008] Figure 3 To express the Figure 2 The illustrated perspective view shows a printing device with its access cover opened.

[0009] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the structure when the opening and closing cover is closed.

[0010] Figure 5It is a perspective view showing the structure when the opening and closing cover is opened.

[0011] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the inner duct and the longitudinal duct.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the opening and closing cover viewed from the front.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the opening and closing cover viewed from the back.

[0014] Figure 9 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the suction unit and the outer duct.

[0015] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the inner duct and the longitudinal duct.

[0016] Figure 11 It is a side view showing the opening and closing state of the opening and closing cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The structure of the printing device 1 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, three mutually orthogonal axes are referred to as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "X-direction," the direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the "Y-direction," and the direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the "Z-direction." The direction indicated by the arrow is referred to as the "+" direction, and the direction opposite to the "+" direction is referred to as the "-" direction. Viewing from the +Z direction or the -Z direction is referred to as a top view or a plan view.

[0018] First, in reference Figure 1 At the same time, the structure of the printing device 1 is described.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing device 1 includes a printing unit 3 and a control unit 13. The printing unit 3 prints by applying ink to a medium 2. The control unit 13 is a controller that controls the printing device 1. The printing device 1 is an inkjet printer that prints images such as text or photos on a conveyed medium 2, such as paper, by ejecting ink, an example of a liquid, onto the medium 2. The printing unit 3 is a serial type that prints while moving back and forth across the width of the medium 2. The printing unit 3 may also be configured as a line type, extending across the width of the medium 2.

[0020] The printing device 1 includes a printing unit 3, a pay-out shaft 5, an upstream support unit 6, an upstream conveying unit 7, a medium support unit 8, a downstream conveying unit 9, a downstream support unit 10, a take-up shaft 12, and a control unit 13. The upstream support unit 6, the upstream conveying unit 7, the medium support unit 8, the downstream conveying unit 9, and the downstream support unit 10 are located on a conveyance path for conveying the medium 2.

[0021] The unwinding shaft 5 is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis. The unwinding shaft 5 is supported at both ends in the ±X directions by a frame (not shown). The unwinding shaft 5 rotatably supports the reel 15, which winds the long medium 2 into a cylindrical shape. The unwinding shaft 5 rotates to unwind the medium 2 from the reel 15 toward the upstream support portion 6.

[0022] The upstream support section 6, the medium support section 8, and the downstream support section 10 support the long medium 2 being transported in the transport direction. The medium 2 is transported along the surfaces of the upstream support section 6, the medium support section 8, and the downstream support section 10. The direction along the surfaces of the upstream support section 6, the medium support section 8, and the downstream support section 10 is the transport direction of the medium 2. The transport direction intersects the X-axis. The upstream support section 6, the medium support section 8, and the downstream support section 10 are fixed to a frame (not shown) or the like that supports the entire printing device 1.

[0023] The upstream support section 6 includes an upstream heating support section 61, an upstream guide support section 62, and an upstream heating section 40. The upstream support section 6 supports a portion of the medium 2 that is upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the portion facing the printing section 3. The medium support section 8 is located downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the upstream support section 6. The medium 2 supported by the upstream support section 6 is conveyed to the medium support section 8 by the upstream conveying section 7. The upstream conveying section 7 is located downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the upstream support section 6. Furthermore, the upstream conveying section 7 is located upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the medium support section 8.

[0024] The upstream conveying unit 7 includes a first roller 71 and a second roller 72. The first roller 71 and the second roller 72 each extend along the X-axis. The upstream conveying unit 7 includes a motor (not shown). Power from the motor is transmitted to the second roller 72. The second roller 72 is rotated by the power from the motor. The medium 2 is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. By rotating the second roller 72 while the medium 2 is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72, the medium 2 can be conveyed. The upstream conveying unit 7 conveys the medium 2 toward the medium support unit 8.

[0025] In the printing device 1, the second roller 72 is the driving roller, and the first roller 71 is the driven roller. The driving roller is driven by power from a motor. The driven roller is driven by the driving roller's rotation. However, either the first roller 71 or the second roller 72 can be either the driving roller or the driven roller. Furthermore, the situation where the medium 2 is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 is referred to as "nip." In the printing device 1, the clamping of the medium 2 by the first and second rollers 71, 72 can be released by separating the first and second rollers 71, 72.

[0026] In the printing device 1, the clamping can be released by raising the first roller 71 relative to the second roller 72. The clamping state can be changed by lowering the first roller 71 from the released state. The clamping state and the released state are independent of the presence or absence of the medium 2. In other words, the state in which the first roller 71 is raised relative to the second roller 72 regardless of the presence or absence of the medium 2 is the released state. Similarly, the state in which the first roller 71 is lowered from the released state regardless of the presence or absence of the medium 2 is the clamping state. For example, when a new roll 15 is placed on the unwinding shaft 5, the clamping is released so that the tip of the medium 2 unwound from the roll 15 passes between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72.

[0027] The medium support portion 8 is located in the -Z direction of the printing portion 3. The medium support portion 8 is opposite to the printing portion 3 across the conveying path. The medium support portion 8 supports the portion of the medium 2 on which printing is performed by the printing portion 3. The support surface 8A, which is the surface of the medium support portion 8 facing the +Z direction, is the surface that supports the medium 2. The support surface 8A is approximately horizontal. The medium support portion 8 can cause a suction force to act on the medium 2. The surface of the medium support portion 8 that is opposite to the printing portion 3 is a flat surface. The support surface 8A of the medium support portion 8 extends across the range in which printing by the printing portion 3 can be performed. It is also possible to set it as follows, that is, a suction fan sucks air from a plurality of suction holes formed on the support surface 8A of the medium support portion 8, thereby sucking the medium 2 onto the support surface 8A of the medium support portion 8.

[0028] The printing unit 3 includes a head 25, a carriage 26, and a guide shaft 27. The head 25 is formed with a plurality of nozzles 28 for ejecting ink. The plurality of nozzles 28 open on a nozzle surface 25A of the head 25. The guide shaft 27 is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis. Both ends of the guide shaft 27 in the ±X directions are supported by a frame or the like (not shown). The guide shaft 27 guides the movement of the carriage 26.

[0029] The carriage 26 holds the head 25 and is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) to reciprocate along the guide shaft 27 in the ±X directions. The head 25 prints on the medium 2 by ejecting ink toward the medium 2 while moving. In the printing device 1, printing is performed by ejecting ink from the head 25 toward the area of ​​the medium 2 that overlaps the medium support 8.

[0030] The medium 2 supported by the medium support portion 8 is conveyed to the downstream support portion 10 by the downstream conveying portion 9. The medium 2 is conveyed in the +Y direction while being supported by the support surface 8A of the medium support portion 8. The downstream conveying portion 9 is located downstream of the medium support portion 8 in the conveyance direction. Furthermore, the downstream conveying portion 9 is located upstream of the downstream support portion 10 in the conveyance direction.

[0031] The downstream conveying unit 9 includes a third roller 91 and a fourth roller 92. The third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92 each extend along the X-axis. The downstream conveying unit 9 includes a motor (not shown). Power from the motor is transmitted to the fourth roller 92. The fourth roller 92 is capable of rotating using the power from the motor. The medium 2 is sandwiched between the third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92. The downstream conveying unit 9 rotates the fourth roller 92 while the medium 2 is sandwiched between the third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92, thereby conveying the medium 2. The downstream conveying unit 9 conveys the medium 2 toward the downstream support unit 10.

[0032] The downstream support portion 10 is located downstream in the conveyance direction of the medium support portion 8. The downstream support portion 10 supports a portion of the medium 2 that is located downstream in the conveyance direction relative to a portion facing the printing unit 3.

[0033] The take-up shaft 12 is located downstream of the printing unit 3 in the conveying direction. The take-up shaft 12 reels the conveyed medium 2. The take-up shaft 12 is located downstream of the downstream support unit 10 in the conveying direction. After being conveyed along the downstream support unit 10, the medium 2 is reeled by the take-up shaft 12.

[0034] The printing device 1 includes an upstream heating unit 40, a printing heating unit 41, and a downstream heating unit 42. The upstream heating unit 40 is provided on the upstream support unit 6. The upstream heating unit 40 heats the medium 2 supported on the first support surface 61A via the upstream support unit 6. The printing heating unit 41 is provided on the medium support unit 8. The printing heating unit 41 heats the medium 2 supported on the support surface 8A via the medium support unit 8. The downstream heating unit 42 is provided on the downstream support unit 10. The downstream heating unit 42 heats the medium 2 supported on the downstream support surface 10A via the downstream support unit 10.

[0035] Next, in reference Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 At the same time, the structure of the printing device 1 is described.

[0036] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the printing device 1 includes a housing 100. Leg frames 110 are attached to portions near both ends of the housing 100 in the X direction. Casters 111 and adjusters 112 are provided below the leg frames 110. The casters 111 facilitate movement of the printing device 1. The adjusters 112 allow for height adjustments at various locations, allowing the printing device 1 to be positioned appropriately on the installation surface.

[0037] As described above, the housing 100 includes the printing unit 3, the upstream conveying unit 7, the medium supporting unit 8, the downstream conveying unit 9, and the control unit 13. In addition, as described above, the printing device 1 includes the unwinding shaft 5, the upstream supporting unit 6, the downstream supporting unit 10, and the winding shaft 12 (see Figure 1 ).

[0038] The printing device 1 includes a head 25 for ejecting ink (see Figure 1 The head 25 is housed in the housing 100. The printing apparatus 1 includes a liquid supply unit 120 for supplying ink to the head 25. The liquid supply unit 120 and the head 25 are configured to be able to supply ink via a liquid supply channel (not shown).

[0039] The printing device 1 performs printing by ejecting ink onto a conveyed medium 2 while moving the head 25 back and forth in the X direction. An air supply unit 130 is provided on the portion of the printing device 1 that faces the downstream support unit 10. This air supply unit 130 blows air onto the medium 2. The air flow onto the medium 2 dries the ink ejected onto the medium 2.

[0040] An opening and closing cover 200 is provided on the front side A of the frame 100. The opening and closing cover 200 has a first partition wall 210 constituting a portion of the top surface 100a of the frame 100 and a second partition wall 220 constituting a portion of the front side A of the frame 100. The front side A refers to a state in which the printing device 1 is observed from the +Y direction toward the -Y direction. The back side B refers to a state in which the printing device 1 is observed from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction. The opening and closing cover 200 is rotated by a shaft 250 (see Figure 11 ) as the center to open and close a part of the frame 100 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0041] Next, in reference Figures 4 to 10 At the same time, the structure around the opening and closing cover 200 will be described. Figure 4The structure of the housing 100 when the opening and closing cover 200 is closed is shown. Figure 5 The structure of the opening and closing cover 200 and the inner duct 232 when the opening and closing cover 200 is opened is shown. Figure 6 The structure of the inner duct 232 including the vertical duct 233 is shown. Figure 7 The structure of the front side from which the opening and closing cover 200 can be seen is shown. Figure 8 The structure of the inner duct 232 side of the opening and closing cover 200, that is, the back side, is shown. Figure 9 The structure when the first partition wall 210 of the opening and closing cover 200 is removed is shown. Figure 10 The cross-sectional structures of the inner duct 232 and the longitudinal duct 233 are shown.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the opening and closing cover 200 has the first partition wall 210 constituting a portion of the top surface 100a of the frame body 100 and the front side A (see FIG. 1 ) constituting the front side A of the frame body 100 as described above. Figure 3 ). When the opening and closing cover 200 is closed, the conveying path is located in the -Z direction of the second partition wall 220, and a gap required for discharging the medium 2 from the frame body 100 is provided in the -Z direction of the second partition wall 220. The second partition wall 220 may also be formed of a transparent member.

[0043] An outer duct 231 (see Figure 9 ).like Figure 5 As shown, an inner pipe 232 communicating with the outer pipe 231 is fixed to the frame 100. At both ends of the second partition wall 220 in the X direction, a connection portion 230 for connecting the outer pipe 231 and the inner pipe 232 is provided (see FIG. Figure 4 ).

[0044] like Figure 9 As shown, a suction unit 241 is provided on the second partition wall 220 of the opening and closing cover 200 to suck the gas 300 from inside the housing 100. The suction unit 241 is located inside the second partition wall 220, i.e., on one side in the -Y direction. The second partition wall 220 is sandwiched between the suction unit 241 and the outer pipe 231. The gas 300 includes droplets that remain within the housing 100 when ink is ejected from the nozzle 28 onto the medium 2. The suction unit 241 and the outer pipe 231 are connected via a filter 242.

[0045] Specifically, the gas 300 sucked from the suction unit 241 passes through the filter 242 that adsorbs the droplets contained in the gas 300. The gas 300 that has passed through the filter 242 passes through the outer pipe 231 and enters the inner pipe 232 via the connecting portion 230. The gas 300 that has entered the inner pipe 232 is discharged from the inner pipe 232, specifically the vertical pipe 233 (see FIG. Figure 6 ) passes through the airflow generating unit 234 such as an exhaust fan and is discharged to the outside of the housing 100.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the inner duct 232 has an inner connecting opening 230A, which opens toward the front side A and is connected to the outer duct 231. Specifically, the inner connecting opening 230A is inclined toward the front side A and upward, that is, in the +Z direction. In other words, the inner connecting opening 230A is inclined toward obliquely upward. Figure 8 As shown, the outer duct 231 has an outer connection opening portion 230B, and the outer connection opening portion 230B is configured to be connectable to and separable from the inner connection opening portion 320A as the opening and closing cover 200 is opened and closed.

[0047] like Figure 6 As shown, the inner duct 232 includes a longitudinal duct 233. The longitudinal duct 233 communicates with the airflow generating portion 234. Specifically, the longitudinal duct 233 is positioned closer to the airflow generating portion 234 than the inner connecting opening 230A. In other words, the longitudinal duct 233 is positioned midway along the flow path connecting the inner connecting opening 230A and the airflow generating portion 234.

[0048] The vertical duct 233 is formed of, for example, a hollow rectangular member and also functions as a frame constituting the housing 100 .

[0049] Thus, the vertical duct 233 allows the gas 300 passing through the opening and closing cover 200 from the suction unit 241 to be discharged to the lower outside of the housing 100 through the vertical duct 233. Therefore, the gas 300 including the liquid droplets accumulated inside the housing 100 can be removed.

[0050] Furthermore, since the vertical duct 233 is formed of a hollow rectangular member, it can be used as a frame for the housing 100 and can discharge the gas 300 downwardly from the housing 100. Furthermore, since the vertical duct 233 functions as a frame, the amount of material used can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

[0051] like Figure 5 as well as Figure 6As shown, a longitudinal duct 233 formed from a cubical member has an upper opening 233a and a lower opening 233b. The upper opening 233a extends across multiple surfaces, while the lower opening 233b is formed below the upper opening 233a and extends across multiple surfaces. Specifically, the upper opening 233a extends across, for example, two sides of the cubical member extending in the Z direction. The lower opening 233b extends across, for example, two sides of the cubical member extending in the Z direction. Providing openings across multiple surfaces increases the opening area compared to providing an opening on a single surface.

[0052] The upper opening 233a allows the gas 300 flowing in from the inner connecting opening 230A to flow in. The lower opening 233b allows the gas 300 to flow out toward the airflow generating portion 234. The lower opening 233b is formed above the lower end 233b1 of the rectangular member.

[0053] In this manner, by using a rectangular member having an upper opening 233a and a lower opening 233b, the gas 300 inside the housing 100 can be discharged toward the airflow generating unit 234 while changing its flow direction. Furthermore, the lower opening 233b is formed above the lower end 233b1. In other words, the vertical duct 233 extends until it is below the lower opening 233b. Therefore, a lighter substance, such as the gas 300, will flow out of the lower opening 233b midway through the vertical duct 233 toward the airflow generating unit 234 in a changed direction. However, heavier solids, etc., will fall due to gravity within the vertical duct 233 until they are below the lower opening 233b. In this embodiment, although there is a possibility of foreign matter entering through the inner connecting opening 230A due to its upward inclination, when passing through the vertical duct 233, the foreign matter will fall below the lower opening 233b and will not flow out toward the airflow generating portion 234. In other words, the foreign matter can be captured below the lower opening 233b in the vertical duct 233. This reduces the chances of intruding foreign matter coming into contact with the airflow generating portion 234, thereby reducing the occurrence of malfunctions.

[0054] Next, in reference Figure 11 At the same time, the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover 200 will be described.

[0055] like Figure 11As shown, the opening and closing cover 200 is disposed above the front side A of the housing 100 as described above. The opening and closing cover 200 includes a first partition wall 210 and a second partition wall 220. The portion where the opening and closing cover 200 meets the housing 100, namely, the inner connecting opening 230A of the inner duct 232, is inclined toward the front side A and upward. In other words, the inner connecting opening 230A has an inclined surface that faces diagonally upward.

[0056] The opening and closing cover 200 is in the closed state (see Figure 2 、 Figure 11 ) The outer connecting opening 230B of the outer duct 231 and the inner connecting opening 230A of the inner duct 232 are closed together. The opening and closing cover 200 rotates around the rotating shaft 250 to open and close a portion of the housing 100.

[0057] In the connection portion 230 provided on the frame 100, the first end 230A1 of the inner connection opening 230A, which is closer to the top surface 100a, is closer to the rotation axis 250 than the second end 230A2, which is farther from the top surface 100a. Specifically, the distance L1 between the rotation axis 250 and the first end 230A1 is shorter than the distance L2 between the rotation axis 250 and the second end 230A2.

[0058] In the connection portion 230 of the opening and closing cover 200, the first end 230B1 of the outer connection opening 230B, which is closer to the top surface 100a, is closer to the rotation axis 250 than the second end 230B2, which is farther from the top surface 100a. Specifically, the distance L3 between the rotation axis 250 and the first end 230B1 is shorter than the distance L4 between the rotation axis 250 and the second end 230B2.

[0059] Since the inner connecting opening 230A is tilted toward the front side A and upward, in other words, the second ends 230A2 and 230B2 are further away from the rotation axis 250, when the opening and closing cover 200 is opened and closed, the upper end of the opening and closing cover 200, i.e., the first end 230B1, rotates about the rotation axis 250 in a smaller circle (see arrow). Meanwhile, the lower end of the opening and closing cover 200, i.e., the second end 230B2, rotates about the rotation axis 250 in a larger circle (see arrow). The first end 230B1 has a smaller rotation radius about the rotation axis 250 than the second end 230B2.

[0060] Therefore, when connecting and disconnecting the outer duct 231 from the inner duct 232, the second end 230B2 of the outer connection opening 230B has a larger rotation radius than the first end 230B1 of the outer connection opening 230B. Therefore, the rotational paths of the first end 230B1 and the second end 230B2 are different. This prevents friction between the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232, thereby reducing wear on the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232. Furthermore, when disconnecting the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232, the opening and closing cover 200 rotates from the end with the larger rotation radius toward the end with the smaller rotation radius.

[0061] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes: a head 25, which is housed in the frame 100 and ejects liquid onto the medium 2; an opening and closing cover 200, which has a first partition wall 210 constituting a portion of the top surface 100a of the frame 100 and a second partition wall 220 constituting a portion of the front surface of the frame 100, and opens and closes the frame 100 around the rotation axis 250; a suction unit 241, which sucks the gas 300 inside the frame 100; an outer duct 231, which is fixed to the second partition wall 220 and communicates with the suction unit 241; an inner duct 232, which is fixed to the frame 1 00, and can be communicated with the outer pipe 231, the inner pipe 232 has an inner connecting opening portion 230A, the inner connecting opening portion 230A is open to the front and is connected to the outer pipe 231, the outer pipe 231 has an outer connecting opening portion 230B, and the outer connecting opening portion 230B is constructed to be able to connect to and separate from the inner connecting opening portion 230A as the opening and closing cover 200 is opened and closed, and the first end portion 230A1 of the inner connecting opening portion 230A, which is closer to the top surface 100a, is closer to the rotating shaft 250 than the second end portion 230A2, which is farther from the top surface 100a.

[0062] According to this structure, since the first end 230A1 is closer to the rotation axis 250 than the second end 230A2—in other words, the second end 230A2 is farther from the rotation axis 250—when the cover 200 is opened or closed, the second end 230B2 of the outer connection opening 230B of the cover 200 rotates in a relatively large circle. Therefore, when the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232 are connected and disconnected, friction between the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232 is suppressed, thereby reducing wear between the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232. This maintains the tightness of the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232, improving the exhaust performance of the gas 300.

[0063] Furthermore, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the inner connection opening 230A is preferably tilted toward the front and upward. With this configuration, since the inner connection opening 230A is tilted toward the front and upward, the lower end portion of the cover 200, i.e., the second end portion 230B2, rotates in a relatively large circle when the cover 200 is opened or closed. Consequently, friction between the outer and inner pipes 231, 232, can be suppressed when the outer and inner pipes 231, 232 are connected and disconnected.

[0064] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment preferably includes an airflow generating unit 234 that communicates with the inner duct 232 and generates airflow. The inner duct 232 includes a vertical duct 233 on the side of the airflow generating unit 234 closer to the inner connection opening 230A. This configuration, due to the vertical duct 233, allows the gas 300 that has passed from the suction unit 241 through the outer duct 231 of the opening / closing cover 200 to be discharged downward and outward from the housing 100 via the inner duct 232 and the vertical duct 233. This allows the gas 300, including liquid droplets accumulated around the head 25, to be removed.

[0065] In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the vertical duct 233 is preferably a frame constituting the housing 100. With this configuration, since the vertical duct 233 is provided on the frame, the material used can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[0066] In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the vertical duct 233 is preferably formed of a hollow rectangular member. This configuration allows the vertical duct 233 to function as a frame for the housing 100 and to discharge the gas 300 downwardly from the housing 100.

[0067] Furthermore, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the rectangular member preferably has an upper opening 233a and a lower opening 233b. The upper opening 233a is open across multiple surfaces, and the lower opening 233b is formed below the upper opening 233a and is open across multiple surfaces. The upper opening 233a allows gas flowing in from the inner connecting opening 230A to flow in, while the lower opening 233b allows gas 300 to flow out toward the airflow generating portion 234. With this configuration, the use of a rectangular member having the upper opening 233a and the lower opening 233b allows gas 300 sucked from the suction portion 241 to be discharged toward the airflow generating portion 234.

[0068] Furthermore, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the lower opening 233b is preferably formed above the lower end 233b1 of the cuboidal member. With this configuration, the lower opening 233b is formed above the lower end 233b1. In other words, the vertical duct 233 extends until it is below the lower opening 233b. Therefore, foreign matter can be captured below the lower opening 233b in the vertical duct 233.

[0069] Explanation of symbols

[0070] 1…printing device; 2…medium; 3…printing section; 5…unwinding shaft; 6…upstream supporting section; 7…upstream conveying section; 8…medium supporting section; 8A…supporting surface; 9…downstream conveying section; 10…downstream supporting section; 10A…downstream supporting surface; 12…rewinding shaft; 13…control unit; 15…reel; 25…head; 25A…nozzle surface; 26…slide; 27…guide shaft; 28…nozzle; 40…upstream heating section; 41…printing heating section; 42…downstream heating section; 61…upstream heating supporting section; 61A…first supporting surface; 62…upstream guiding supporting section; 71…first roller; 72…second roller; 91…third roller; 92…fourth roller; 100…frame; 100a…top surface; 110…foot frame ;111…castor;112…regulator;120…liquid supply portion;130…air supply portion;200…opening and closing cover;210…first partition wall;220…second partition wall;230…connecting portion;230A…inner connecting opening portion;230A1…first end portion;230A2…second end portion as the lower end portion;230B…outer connecting opening portion;230B1…first end portion;230B2…second end portion;231…outer duct;232…inner duct;233…longitudinal duct;233a…upper opening;233b…lower opening;233b1…lower end;234…air flow generating portion;241…suction portion;242…filter;250…rotating shaft;300…gas.

Claims

1. A printing device comprising: a head housed in the frame and configured to eject liquid toward the medium; an opening and closing cover having a first partition wall constituting a portion of the top surface of the frame body and a second partition wall constituting a portion of the front surface of the frame body, and opening and closing the frame body around a rotation axis; a suction unit for sucking gas from inside the frame; an outer pipe fixed to the second partition wall and communicating with the suction portion; an inner pipe, which is fixed to the frame and can communicate with the outer pipe, The inner duct has an inner connecting opening, which opens toward the front and is connected to the outer duct. The outer duct has an outer connection opening, and the outer connection opening is configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from the inner connection opening as the opening and closing cover is opened and closed. A first end portion of the inner connection opening portion, which is closer to the top surface, is closer to the rotation axis than a second end portion, which is farther from the top surface.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The inner connecting opening is inclined toward the front and upward.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein An airflow generating unit is provided, the airflow generating unit is communicated with the inner duct and generates airflow, The inner duct includes a vertical duct on a side closer to the airflow generating portion than the inner connecting opening.

4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein: The longitudinal pipe is a frame constituting the frame body.

5. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein The longitudinal duct is composed of a hollow cubic member.

6. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein The cube-shaped member has an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is open across multiple surfaces, and the lower opening is formed below the upper opening and is open across multiple surfaces. The upper opening allows the gas flowing from the inner connecting opening to flow in. The lower opening allows the gas to flow out toward the airflow generating portion.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein: The lower opening is formed above the lower end of the cubic member.

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