Printing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a printing apparatus. The subject of the printing device is that the strength of an opening and closing cover arranged on a frame body cannot be sufficiently ensured. A printing device (1) is provided with: a head (25) that is housed in a housing (100) and that ejects ink onto a medium (2); an opening / closing cover (200) that is provided with a first partition wall (210) that constitutes a part of the top surface (100a) of the housing (100) and a second partition wall (220) that constitutes a part of the front surface of the housing (100), and that opens and closes the top surface (100a) on the housing (100); a suction unit (240) that sucks gas inside the housing (100) from the suction hole (241); and a duct (231) communicating with the suction part (240), the duct (231) being fixed to the outer surface (220f) of the second partition wall (220).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an inkjet printer, which is an example of a printing device comprising a medium support portion carrying a recording medium, an ink head, a conveying mechanism, a cover member, a front cover, and an air supply device. The ink head is arranged so as to be movable in a main scanning direction and ejects ink onto the recording medium. The conveying mechanism conveys the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The cover member is arranged above and to the side of the medium support portion, and has an opening formed on the downstream side of the ink head in the sub-scanning direction. The front cover is mounted on the cover member and opens and closes the opening. The air supply device is provided on the front cover.

[0003] In the inkjet printer of Patent Document 1, an air blower made of aluminum is attached to the lower end of a front cover made of transparent acrylic resin. In this case, since the air blower is provided at the lower end of the front cover, sufficient strength of the front cover may not be ensured.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-176455 Summary of the Invention

[0005] A printing device comprises: a head, which is housed in a frame and ejects liquid onto a medium; an opening and closing cover, which has a first partition wall constituting a portion of the top surface of the frame and a second partition wall constituting a portion of the front surface of the frame and opens and closes the top surface on the frame; a suction portion, which sucks gas inside the frame through a suction hole; and a duct, which is connected to the suction portion and is fixed to the outer surface of the second partition wall. 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 Figure 2 The illustrated perspective view shows a state where the opening and closing cover of the printing device is in an open position.

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

[0010] Figure 5It is a partial perspective view showing the structure around the opening and closing cover when the opening and closing cover is in the open position.

[0011] Figure 6 It is a partial perspective view showing the structure around the opening and closing cover when the opening and closing cover is in the closed position.

[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 partial perspective view showing the structure of the suction part and the duct.

[0015] Figure 10 It is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the inner duct and the longitudinal duct.

[0016] Figure 11 It is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the suction unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on the embodiments. In each of the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In this specification, when “same”, “identical” or “simultaneous” is described, it does not necessarily mean that the components are completely identical.

[0018] For example, in this specification, the phrases "identical," "same," and "simultaneous" include situations where they are identical, taking into account measurement errors. For example, in this specification, the phrases "identical," "same," and "simultaneous" include situations where they are identical, taking into account component manufacturing variations. For example, in this specification, the phrases "identical," "same," and "simultaneous" include situations where they are identical to the extent that their functionality is not impaired. Therefore, for example, "two dimensions are identical" means that, taking into account measurement errors and component manufacturing variations, the difference in dimension between the two is within ±5%, particularly preferably within ±3%, of one dimension.

[0019] 1. Implementation Method 1

[0020] The printing device 1 is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints images such as text and photos on a medium 2 such as paper by ejecting ink, which is an example of liquid, onto the medium 2 .

[0021] In the drawings, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. When specifying a direction, the positive direction is designated as "+" and the negative direction is designated as "-." Direction symbols are used, and the direction indicated by the arrow in each drawing is designated as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow is designated as the - direction.

[0022] The Z-axis direction represents the direction of gravity, with the +Z direction pointing vertically upward and the -Z direction pointing vertically downward. The plane containing the X-axis and the Y-axis is referred to as the XY plane, the plane containing the X-axis and the Z-axis is referred to as the XZ plane, and the plane containing the Y-axis and the Z-axis is referred to as the YZ plane. The XY plane is a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the three spatial axes (X, Y, and Z) with no defined positive or negative directions are referred to as the X, Y, and Z axes.

[0023] The X-axis direction is the width direction of the printing device 1, the width direction of the medium 2 on which the image is printed, and the width direction of the transport path along which the medium 2 is transported. When viewed from the front of the printing device 1, the +X direction is on the left, and the -X direction is on the right.

[0024] The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the printing device 1 and is along the direction in which the medium 2 is transported during printing. The +Y direction is from the back to the front of the printing device 1, and the -Y direction is from the front to the back of the printing device 1. In this embodiment, of the side surfaces surrounding the printing device 1, the side surface in the -Y direction is the back of the printing device 1, and the side surface in the +Y direction is the front of the printing device 1.

[0025] Hereinafter, the direction in which the medium 2 is conveyed may be referred to as “downstream,” and the opposite direction may be referred to as “upstream.” Hereinafter, viewing from the +Z direction or the −Z direction may be referred to as top view or plan view.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing device 1 includes a pay-out shaft 5, an upstream support unit 6, an upstream transport unit 7, a medium support unit 8, a printing unit 3, a downstream transport unit 9, a downstream support unit 10, and a take-up shaft 12. The upstream support unit 6, the upstream transport unit 7, the medium support unit 8, the downstream transport unit 9, and the downstream support unit 10 are located on a transport path for transporting the medium 2.

[0027] The printing device 1 further includes an upstream heating unit 40 , a printing heating unit 41 , and a downstream heating unit 42 . The printing device 1 further includes an air blowing unit 130 , a control unit 13 , and a housing 100 .

[0028] The unwinding shaft 5 is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis. Both ends of the unwinding shaft 5 in the X-axis direction are supported by a frame (not shown). The unwinding shaft 5 rotatably supports the reel 15 that 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.

[0029] 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 direction. 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.

[0030] The upstream support section 6 includes an upstream heating support section 61 and an upstream guide support section 62. 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.

[0031] The upstream conveying section 7 is located downstream of the upstream supporting section 6 in the conveying direction. Furthermore, the upstream conveying section 7 is located upstream of the medium supporting section 8 in the conveying direction. The upstream conveying section 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 section 7 includes a motor (not shown). Power from the motor is transmitted to the second roller 72. The second roller 72 is rotatable by the power from the motor.

[0032] The medium 2 is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. The medium 2 is conveyed by rotating the second roller 72 while the medium 2 is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. The upstream conveying unit 7 conveys the medium 2 toward the medium supporting unit 8.

[0033] In the printing device 1, the second roller 72 is a driving roller, and the first roller 71 is a driven roller. The driving roller is driven by power from a motor. The driven roller is driven by the driving roller's rotation. Either the first roller 71 or the second roller 72 can be either a driving roller or a driven roller.

[0034] The medium 2 is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. In the printing device 1, the medium 2 is released by separating the first roller 71 and the second roller 72.

[0035] The clamped state and the clamped released state are independent of the presence or absence of the medium 2. The state in which the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 are separated regardless of the presence or absence of the medium 2 is the clamped released state.

[0036] Similarly, the state in which the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 are in contact from the released state is the clamped state, regardless of the presence or absence of the medium 2. For example, when a new roll 15 is placed on the unwinding shaft 5, the clamp is released so that the leading end of the medium 2 unwound from the roll 15 passes between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72.

[0037] The medium support unit 8 is located on the -Z side of the printing unit 3. The medium support unit 8 faces the printing unit 3 across the conveyance path. The medium support unit 8 supports the portion of the medium 2 where printing has been performed by the printing unit 3. The support surface 8A of the medium support unit 8, which faces the +Z direction, supports the medium 2. The support surface 8A is substantially horizontal.

[0038] The medium support unit 8 can exert a suction force on the medium 2. The surface of the medium support unit 8 facing the printing unit 3 is flat. The supporting surface 8A of the medium support unit 8 extends across the range within which printing by the printing unit 3 is possible. Alternatively, a configuration may be employed in which a suction fan draws air from a plurality of suction holes formed in the supporting surface 8A of the medium support unit 8, thereby drawing the medium 2 onto the supporting surface 8A of the medium support unit 8.

[0039] 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 direction. Both ends of the guide shaft 27 in the X-axis direction are supported by a frame (not shown). The guide shaft 27 guides the movement of the carriage 26.

[0040] The carriage 26 holds the head 25 and is driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) to reciprocate the head 25 in the X-axis direction along the guide shaft 27. The head 25 prints on the medium 2 by ejecting ink toward the medium 2 while moving.

[0041] The printing unit 3 of this embodiment is a so-called serial printer that performs printing while reciprocating in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium 2. The printing unit 3 can also be configured as a so-called line printer having a head 25 with nozzles 28 extending across the width of the medium 2.

[0042] In the printing device 1 , printing is performed by ejecting ink from the head 25 toward a region of the medium 2 supported on the supporting surface 8A of the medium supporting portion 8 .

[0043] 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.

[0044] The downstream conveyor 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 direction. The downstream conveyor 9 includes a motor (not shown). Power from the motor is transmitted to the fourth roller 92. The fourth roller 92 can be rotated by the power from the motor.

[0045] The medium 2 is sandwiched between the third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92. The downstream transport unit 9 rotates the fourth roller 92 while the medium 2 is sandwiched between the third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92, thereby transporting the medium 2. The downstream transport unit 9 transports the medium 2 toward the downstream support unit 10.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The upstream heating unit 40 is provided on the upstream support portion 6. The upstream heating unit 40 heats the medium 2 supported on the first support surface 61A via the upstream support portion 6. The print heating unit 41 is provided on the medium support portion 8. The print heating unit 41 heats the medium 2 supported on the support surface 8A via the medium support portion 8. The downstream heating unit 42 is provided on the downstream support portion 10. The downstream heating unit 42 heats the medium 2 supported on the downstream support surface 10A via the downstream support portion 10.

[0049] The air supply unit 130 is provided at a position facing the downstream support unit 10. The air supply unit 130 can blow air toward the medium 2 supported by the downstream support unit 10. The air supply unit 130 can dry the ink ejected onto the medium 2 by blowing air toward the medium 2.

[0050] The control unit 13 controls the entire printing apparatus 1. The control unit 13 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC that executes at least a part of various processes, or a combination thereof.

[0051] A processor executes various processes according to a computer program. A processor includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), as well as memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory stores program code or instructions configured to enable the CPU to execute processes. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes so-called readable media that can be accessed by general-purpose or specialized computers.

[0052] For example, the control unit 13 controls the upstream conveying unit 7 to convey the medium 2 toward the medium supporting unit 8. The control unit 13 controls the printing unit 3 to eject ink, thereby printing an image on the area of ​​the medium 2 supported on the supporting surface 8A of the medium supporting unit 8. The control unit 13 controls the take-up shaft 12 to cause the take-up roller 12 to take up the medium 2 printed with the image.

[0053] The frame 100 partially defines the outline of the printing device 1. The frame 100 forms a portion of the front surface, which is the side surface on the +Y direction side of the printing device 1, and a portion of the back surface, which is the side surface on the -Y direction side. The frame 100 forms the right side surface, which is the side surface on the -X direction side of the printing device 1, and the left side surface, which is the side surface on the +X direction side. The frame 100 forms a top surface 100a, which is the surface on the +Z direction side of the printing device 1.

[0054] Inside the housing 100 , a printing unit 3 , an upstream conveying unit 7 , a medium supporting unit 8 , a downstream conveying unit 9 , and a control unit 13 are provided.

[0055] The housing 100 may also be composed of multiple components. In this embodiment, a portion of the housing 100 is formed by an opening and closing cover 200. The opening and closing cover 200 opens and closes a portion of the top surface 100a of the housing 100 by rotating about the axis of a rotation axis 250. The axis of the rotation axis 250 is along the X-axis and extends in the X-axis direction.

[0056] The opening and closing cover 200 is provided so as to be able to be in a closed position (see Figure 1 、 Figure 2 ) and open position (refer to Figure 3 ). The closed position of the opening and closing cover 200 is a position where the opening and closing cover 200 covers the inner side of the frame body 100, thereby forming the top surface 100a of the frame body 100. The open position of the opening and closing cover 200 is a position where the opening and closing cover 200 exposes the inner side of the frame body 100, thereby allowing the operator to approach the inner side of the frame body 100.

[0057] The opening and closing cover 200 constitutes a portion of the front surface of the housing 100 that is vertically above the conveyance path of the medium 2. The opening and closing cover 200 constitutes a portion of the top surface 100a of the housing 100 that is vertically above the conveyance path of the medium 2 and is located on the front side in the -Y direction relative to the center in the Y-axis direction.

[0058] The opening and closing cover 200 includes a first partition wall 210 constituting a portion of the top surface 100 a of the housing 100 , and a second partition wall 220 constituting a portion of the front surface of the housing 100 .

[0059] The first partition wall 210 forms the top surface 100a side of the opening and closing cover 200. The first partition wall 210 forms a portion of the top surface 100a of the housing 100. The first partition wall 210 has a rectangular shape extending along the XY plane and across the X-axis direction of the opening and closing cover 200. The first partition wall 210 has a window 211.

[0060] The window 211 is located on the +Z side, vertically above the support surface 8A of the medium support unit 8. The window 211 is located on the +Z side, vertically above the movement area of ​​the carriage 26 along the X-axis. The window 211 is made of a transparent member. This allows the interior of the housing 100 to be visually inspected from the outside through the window 211 when the opening and closing cover 200 is in the closed position.

[0061] The second partition wall 220 is provided on the front side, i.e., the +Y direction side, of the first partition wall 210 relative to the center. The second partition wall 220 is provided on the -Z direction side of the first partition wall 210. The second partition wall 220 has a rectangular shape extending along the XZ plane and across the X-axis direction of the opening and closing cover 200.

[0062] The upper end of the second partition wall 220, which is on the +Z side, is fixed to the -Z side of the first partition wall 210. The lower end of the second partition wall 220, which is on the -Z side, is located on the +Z side, spaced apart from the medium 2 supported on the support surface 8A and the downstream support surface 10A. A duct 231 and a suction unit 240 are attached to the second partition wall 220.

[0063] The suction unit 240 is fixed to the inner surface 220b of the second partition wall 220 so that it can draw gas 300 from inside the housing 100 through the suction hole 241. The inner surface 220b is the surface of the second partition wall 220 facing the -Y direction, defining the space inside the housing 100. Thus, a suction space is formed between the suction unit 240 and the second partition wall 220, into which the gas 300 drawn from inside the housing 100 through the suction hole 241 flows.

[0064] The suction portion 240 is positioned close to the upper end of the second partition wall 220 in the Z-axis direction. The suction portion 240 is formed, for example, from a resin member. The bottom surface of the suction portion 240, which faces the -Z direction, is located closer to the +Z direction than the lower end of the second partition wall 220. The bottom surface of the suction portion 240 is located closer to the +Z direction than the nozzle surface 25A of the head 25. In the Z-axis direction, the distance between the bottom surface of the suction portion 240 and the nozzle surface 25A is longer than the distance between the support surface 8A and the nozzle surface 25A.

[0065] The bottom surface of the suction portion 240 is located closer to the -Z direction side than the upper end on the +Z direction side, which is one end of the downstream side surface of the carriage 26. The downstream side surface of the carriage 26 is the side surface of the carriage 26 on the +Y direction side that is downstream in the conveyance direction of the medium 2.

[0066] The suction unit 240 includes suction holes 241 on its facing surface, which is the side surface on the -Y direction side facing the carriage 26. The facing surface of the suction unit 240 extends in a stepped manner in the +Z direction, continuing from the bottom surface of the suction unit 240. The facing surface of the suction unit 240 includes a lower facing surface and an upper facing surface.

[0067] The lower facing surface of the suction unit 240 is located on the +Z direction side relative to the nozzle surface 25A of the head 25, and is located on the +Y direction side, which is downstream in the conveyance direction, relative to the downstream side surface of the carriage 26. The lower facing surface of the suction unit 240 is opposite to the downstream side surface of the carriage 26. The lower facing surface of the suction unit 240 is located on the +Y direction side, which is downstream in the conveyance direction, relative to the nozzle 28.

[0068] The upper facing surface of the suction unit 240 is located on the +Z direction side relative to the lower facing surface and on the -Y direction side, which is upstream in the conveyance direction, relative to the downstream side surface of the carriage 26. The upper facing surface of the suction unit 240 is located on the +Y direction side, which is downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nozzle 28. The suction unit 240 has suction holes 241 on each of the lower facing surface and the upper facing surface.

[0069] Therefore, when the carriage 26 is not located on the -Y direction side, the opposing surface of the suction portion 240 and the suction hole 241 opened on the opposing surface can be visually confirmed through the window 211. The suction hole 241 is, for example, a through hole having a rectangular shape with the X-axis direction as the longitudinal direction (see Figure 8 、 Figure 9 ).

[0070] The duct 231 is positioned near the upper end of the second partition wall 220 in the Z-axis direction. The duct 231 is positioned at a position spaced apart in the +Z direction from the lower end of the second partition wall 220. The duct 231 is formed, for example, from a resin member. The bottom portion of the duct 231, which is one end on the -Z direction side, is positioned closer to the +Z direction side than the nozzle surface 25A of the head 25. The bottom portion of the duct 231 is positioned closer to the +Z direction side than the lower end of the second partition wall 220.

[0071] The duct 231 is located on the +Y side of the second partition wall 220. The duct 231 is positioned on the +Y side of the second partition wall 220 by securing its -Y side to the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220. The outer surface 220f is the surface of the second partition wall 220 on the +Y side. The outer surface 220f is the surface opposite the inner surface 220b of the second partition wall 220. The duct 231 extends along the X-axis and spans the X-axis of the opening and closing cover 200.

[0072] The duct 231 has an outer surface 231f that forms a portion of the front surface of the housing 100. The outer surface 231f is inclined downward in a direction including a +Y direction component and a -Z direction component.

[0073] The lower end portion of the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220, which is located closer to the -Z direction than the bottom of the duct 231, constitutes a portion of the front surface of the frame body 100. Furthermore, the second partition wall 220 is formed of a transparent resin member. Thus, when the opening and closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the inner side of the frame body 100 can be visually confirmed from the outside of the frame body 100 through the lower end portion of the outer surface 220f.

[0074] Furthermore, the outer surface 231f of the duct 231 located on the +Z direction side of the lower end portion of the outer surface 220f is tilted downward. By tilting the outer surface 231f downward, the space between the duct 231 and the air supply unit 130 is widened. Thus, when the opening and closing cover 200 is in the closed position, it is easier to visually confirm the inside of the frame 100 from the outside of the frame 100 through the lower end portion of the outer surface 220f. Furthermore, by widening the space between the duct 231 and the air supply unit 130, it becomes easier for the user to approach the upstream side of the conveying path relative to the air supply unit 130, thereby improving the operability of the necessary operations.

[0075] The pipe 231 and the suction part 240 are provided on the connecting part 221 (refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 6 ) are sandwiched between the two adjacent parts. The connecting portion 221 is a fluid passage that connects the pipe 231 to the suction part 240. The connecting portion 221 is a rectangular through-hole extending through the second partition wall 220. The connecting portion 221 may also be, for example, a cutout formed by cutting away a portion of the upper end of the second partition wall 220. The internal space of the pipe 231 is connected to the suction space of the suction part 240 via the connecting portion 221.

[0076] A filter 242 is provided on the communication portion 221 of the second partition wall 220 to block the communication portion 221. One end of the filter 242 on the +Y direction side is located in the internal space of the duct 231, and one end of the filter 242 on the -Y direction side is located in the suction space of the suction portion 240.

[0077] like Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, foot frames 110 are attached to the housing 100 near both ends in the X-axis direction. Casters 111 and adjusters 112 are provided below the foot 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 properly positioned on the installation surface.

[0078] The printing apparatus 1 includes a liquid supply unit 120 that supplies ink to the head 25 of the printing unit 3. The liquid supply unit 120 is configured to be able to supply ink to the head 25 via a liquid supply channel (not shown).

[0079] As described above, the opening and closing cover 200 is provided on the front side (+Y direction side) of the housing 100. As described above, the opening and closing cover 200 includes the first partition wall 210 constituting a portion of the top surface 100a of the housing 100 and the second partition wall 220 constituting a portion of the front side of the housing 100.

[0080] Next, in reference Figures 4 to 10 At the same time, the structure around the opening and closing cover 200 will be described. Figure 4 The structure of the opening and closing cover 200 and the inner duct 232 when the opening and closing cover 200 in the housing 100 is in the closed position 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 in the open position is shown.

[0081] Figure 6 The structure of the opening and closing cover 200 when the structural components on the +Y direction side of the second partition wall 220 are removed and the structure of the inner duct 232 including the vertical duct 233 are shown. Figure 7 The structure of the opening and closing cover 200 as viewed from the front side is shown. Figure 8 The structure of the opening and closing cover 200 as viewed from the back side is shown. Figure 9 The first partition wall 210 side of the opening and closing cover 200 is deleted to show the internal structure of the duct 231 and the suction unit 240. Figure 10 The cross-sectional structures of the inner duct 232 and the longitudinal duct 233 are shown.

[0082] like Figure 4 、 Figure 7 As shown, the opening and closing cover 200 includes the first partition wall 210 constituting a portion of the top surface 100 a of the housing 100 and the second partition wall 220 constituting a portion of the front surface of the housing 100 , as described above.

[0083] A duct 231 is fixed to the outside of the second partition wall 220, that is, to the +Y direction side (see Figure 9 ).like Figure 5 As shown, an inner pipe 232 communicating with the pipe 231 is fixed to the frame 100. Figure 4 As shown, at both ends of the second partition wall 220 in the X-axis direction, connection portions 230 for connecting the duct 231 and the inner duct 232 are provided.

[0084] like Figure 8 、 Figure 9As shown, a suction portion 240 for sucking the gas 300 inside the frame 100 is provided on the second partition wall 220 of the opening and closing cover 200. In this embodiment, two suction portions 240 are fixed on the inner surface 220b of the second partition wall 220 in an array along the X-axis direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, a connecting portion 221 is provided at a position on the +X direction side relative to the center and at a position on the -X direction side relative to the center of the second partition wall 220 (see FIG. 2 ). Figure 1 、 Figure 6 ).

[0085] The plurality of suction holes 241 of the suction unit 240 are arranged on the opposing surface of the suction unit 240, extending across the width of the medium 2 supported on the medium support 8 and aligned along the X-axis. In this embodiment, the suction holes 241 are positioned so as not to overlap with the filter 242 when viewed from the front or back. As a result, the plurality of suction holes 241 are arranged on the suction unit 240 so as to sandwich the filter 242 when viewed from the front or back.

[0086] In addition, "when viewed from the front" means that Figure 2 、 Figure 3 The printing device 1 is observed as shown by the arrow mark A, that is, from the front side which is the +Y direction side to the -Y direction. "Observation from the back side" means Figure 2 、 Figure 3 The printing device 1 is viewed as indicated by the arrow B, that is, viewed from the back side, which is the −Y direction side, toward the +Y direction.

[0087] When ink is ejected from the nozzles 28 of the head 25, liquid particles, known as ink mist, are generated. The liquid particles generated during printing on the medium 2 also spread toward the +Z direction relative to the nozzle surface 25A due to the movement of the carriage 26 in the X-axis direction. Consequently, the liquid particles generated during printing on the medium 2 reach a position in the +Z direction relative to the suction hole 241.

[0088] Therefore, the gas 300 sucked from the suction hole 241 of the suction unit 240 contains liquid particles that remain in the housing 100 when the ink is ejected from the nozzle 28 onto the medium 2. As described above, the suction unit 240 and the pipe 231 communicate with each other via the filter 242 provided on the communication portion 221.

[0089] For example, the control unit 13 controls the printing unit 3 when the opening and closing cover 200 is in the closed position, so that the ink is ejected from the nozzle 28 to print on the medium 2. At this time, the control unit 13 controls the airflow generating unit 234 (see FIG. Figure 6 ) is controlled so that the gas 300 inside the frame body 100 is sucked from the suction hole 241 of the suction part 240.

[0090] Thus, the gas 300 sucked from the suction hole 241 of the suction unit 240 passes through the filter 242 that adsorbs the liquid particles contained in the gas 300. The gas 300 that has passed through the filter 242 passes through the pipe 231 and passes through the connecting unit 230 (see Figure 4 ) and flows into the inner pipe 232. The gas 300 flowing into the inner pipe 232 is discharged from the vertical pipe 233 (refer to Figure 6 ) passes through and through the airflow generating portion 234 ( Figure 6 Refer to) and are discharged to the outside of the frame 100.

[0091] like Figure 5 As shown, the inner duct 232 has an inner connecting opening 230A, which opens toward the front side and is connected to the duct 231. Specifically, the inner connecting opening 230A is inclined toward the front side 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 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 230A as the opening and closing cover 200 is opened and closed.

[0092] like Figure 6 、 Figure 10 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.

[0093] The vertical duct 233 is formed of, for example, a hollow rectangular member and also functions as a frame constituting the housing 100 .

[0094] Because the vertical duct 233 is provided, the printing apparatus 1 can discharge the gas 300 that has passed through the duct 231 from the suction hole 241 of the suction unit 240 to the lower outside of the housing 100 via the vertical duct 233. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can remove the gas 300 containing liquid particles accumulated inside the housing 100.

[0095] Furthermore, the vertical duct 233, formed of a hollow, rectangular member, can be used as the frame of the housing 100, and the printing apparatus 1 can exhaust the gas 300 downward from the housing 100. Furthermore, since the vertical duct 233 functions as the frame, the material used can be reduced, and the cost of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the airflow generating unit 234 is located on the side of the vertical duct 233, it is easier to ensure the strength of the opening and closing cover 200 than if the airflow generating unit 234 were located on the opening and closing cover 200.

[0096] like Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As 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. Providing openings across multiple surfaces increases the opening area compared to providing an opening on a single surface.

[0097] The gas 300 flowing from the inner connecting opening 230A flows into the upper opening 233a, and the gas 300 flows out from the lower opening 233b toward the airflow generating portion 234. The lower opening 233b is formed above the lower end 233b1 of the rectangular member.

[0098] In this manner, by using the rectangular member having the upper opening 233 a and the lower opening 233 b , the printing apparatus 1 can discharge the gas 300 inside the housing 100 toward the airflow generating portion 234 while changing the flow direction.

[0099] Lower opening 233b is formed above lower end 233b1. In other words, vertical duct 233 extends until it is below lower opening 233b. Therefore, a relatively light substance, such as gas 300, will flow out of lower opening 233b, located midway in vertical duct 233, changing its direction toward airflow generating portion 234. On the other hand, heavier solids, etc., will fall due to gravity within vertical duct 233 until they are below lower opening 233b.

[0100] In this embodiment, because the inner connecting opening 230A is tilted upward, there is a possibility that foreign matter could enter through the inner connecting opening 230A. However, if foreign matter enters through the inner connecting opening 230A, it will fall below the lower opening 233b as it passes through the vertical duct 233, preventing it from flowing out toward the airflow generating portion 234. In other words, the vertical duct 233 can capture foreign matter below the lower opening 233b. This reduces the chances of intruding foreign matter coming into contact with the airflow generating portion 234, thereby reducing the likelihood of malfunctions.

[0101] The structure of the flow channel that draws gas 300 from inside the housing 100 and discharges it outside the housing 100 also has a substantially similar flow channel structure on the +X side relative to the center of the printing device 1 as on the -X side relative to the center of the printing device 1 described above. Alternatively, separate flow channels may be formed on the -X side and the +X side relative to the center of the printing device 1 to discharge gas 300 from inside the housing 100 to the outside of the housing 100.

[0102] As described above, according to the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0103] The printing device 1 includes a head 25 housed in a housing 100 and configured to eject ink onto a medium 2. The printing device 1 includes an opening and closing cover 200 having a first partition wall 210 forming a portion of the top surface 100a of the housing 100 and a second partition wall 220 forming a portion of the front surface of the housing 100, and opening and closing the top surface 100a of the housing 100. The printing device 1 includes a suction unit 240 for sucking gas 300 from inside the housing 100 through a suction hole 241, and a duct 231 communicating with the suction unit 240. The duct 231 is fixed to the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220.

[0104] According to this, since the duct 231 is fixed to the outer surface 220 f of the second partition wall 220 , it is easier to ensure the strength of the opening and closing cover 200 than when the duct 231 is provided at the lower end of the second partition wall 220 .

[0105] The suction portion 240 is fixed to the inner surface 220b of the second partition wall 220 and communicates with the duct 231 via the communication portion 221 provided on the second partition wall 220. Accordingly, since the suction portion 240, which communicates with the duct 231 via the communication portion 221, is fixed to the inner surface 220b of the second partition wall 220, it is easy to ensure the strength of the opening and closing cover 200.

[0106] The first partition wall 210 has a window 211 through which the inside of the housing 100 can be viewed, and the suction unit 240 is provided so as to be visible through the window 211. Thus, the suction unit 240 can be viewed while the opening and closing cover 200 is closed.

[0107] Printing device 1 includes a filter 242 disposed on duct 231. When viewed from the front, suction hole 241 is positioned so as not to overlap filter 242. Consequently, when cover 200 is in the open position, liquid particles contained in gas 300 inside housing 100 are trapped, making contaminated filter 242 less visible.

[0108] When viewed from the front, a plurality of suction holes 241 are provided across the filter 242. Thus, since a plurality of suction holes 241 are provided, the gas 300 inside the housing 100 can be efficiently sucked.

[0109] The second partition wall 220 is made of a transparent member, and the duct 231 is provided at a position spaced apart from the lower end of the second partition wall 220. Thus, when the opening and closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the inside of the housing 100 can be visually confirmed through the second partition wall 220.

[0110] The duct 231 has an outer surface 231f that forms part of the front surface of the housing 100 and is inclined downward. This makes it easier to visually check the inside of the housing 100 through the second partition wall 220 when the opening and closing cover 200 is in the closed position.

[0111] While the printing device 1 according to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure is based on the structure described above, modifications or omissions of some of the structures are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment and other embodiments described below can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical non-inconsistency. Other embodiments are described below.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the suction hole 241 of the suction portion 240 may be provided at a position overlapping with the filter 242 when viewed from the front. Figure 11 As shown, the plurality of suction holes 241 may be provided not only at positions overlapping with the filter 242 but also across the X-axis direction of the facing surface of the suction portion 240 when viewed from the front.

[0113] In this case, the suction holes 241 having a shape different from that of the suction holes 241 provided at positions not overlapping the filter 242 may be provided at positions overlapping the filter 242 when viewed from the front. Figure 11 As shown, the suction hole 241 may be provided at a position overlapping with the filter 242 when viewed from the front, and may be larger than the suction hole 241 provided at a position not overlapping with the filter 242 .

[0114] In the above embodiment, multiple communicating portions 221 may not be provided on the second partition wall 220. For example, a single communicating portion 221 may be provided at the center of the second partition wall 220 in the X-axis direction. In this case, a single suction portion 240 may be provided across the second partition wall 220 in the X-axis direction.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the suction holes 241 of the suction portion 240 may be provided on the bottom surface of the suction portion 240. In this case, the suction holes 241 may be provided on the opposite surface of the suction portion 240 in addition to the bottom surface of the suction portion 240, or may not be provided on the opposite surface.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the duct 231 may be fixed to the first partition wall 210 on the +Z direction side in addition to having the −Y direction side of the duct 231 fixed to the outer surface 220 f of the second partition wall 220 .

[0117] In the above embodiment, the interior space of the duct 231 may be formed by the duct 231 and the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220. In this case, the duct 231 may be configured such that the side surface on the +Z direction side of the duct 231 is fixed to the first partition wall 210, and the bottom of the duct 231 is fixed to the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220. In this case, the side surface on the -Y direction side of the duct 231 may not be provided.

[0118] Explanation of symbols

[0119] 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; 1 11…castor; 112…regulator; 120…liquid supply portion; 130…air supply portion; 200…opening and closing cover; 210…first partition wall; 211…window; 220…second partition wall; 220b…inner surface; 220f…outer surface; 221…connecting portion; 230…connecting portion; 230A…inner connecting opening; 230B…outer connecting opening; 231…duct; 231f…outer surface; 232…inner duct; 233…vertical duct; 233a…upper opening; 233b…lower opening; 233b1…lower end; 234…air flow generating portion; 240…suction portion; 241…suction hole; 242…filter; 250…rotating shaft; 300…gas; A, B…arrow marks.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that have: a head housed in the frame and configured to eject liquid toward the medium; an opening and closing cover comprising 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 top surface of the frame body; a suction portion for sucking gas from the inside of the frame through the suction hole; a pipe communicating with the suction portion, The pipe is fixed to the outer surface of the second partition wall.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The suction portion is fixed to the inner surface of the second partition wall and communicates with the duct via a communication portion provided on the second partition wall.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein The first partition wall has a window that allows visual confirmation of the inner side of the frame. The suction portion is provided so as to be visible through the window.

4. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein A filter is provided, wherein the filter is arranged in the pipeline, The suction hole is provided at a position not overlapping with the filter when viewed from the front.

5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein When viewed from the front, the plurality of suction holes are provided so as to sandwich the filter.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The second partition wall is made of a transparent member. The duct is provided at a position separated from the lower end of the second partition wall.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein The duct has an outer surface constituting a portion of the front surface of the frame, The outer surface is inclined downward.

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