recording device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that suppresses attachment of ink mist to a scale of a linear encoder. The recording apparatus (1) includes: a medium (M) conveying section (29); a recording head (27) that ejects ink toward the medium (M) to perform recording; a carriage (26) that carries the recording head (27) and reciprocally moves in a scanning direction; an air blowing section (101) that blows air toward the recording head (27); a detection section (110) that is located upstream of the carriage (26) in a conveying direction (A) and is located between the air blowing section (101) and the recording head (27) in an air blowing direction (F) in which air is blown by the air blowing section (101), and that detects a position of the carriage (26) in the scanning direction; a housing (12); and a cover (100) that covers a linear encoder scale (111) of the detection section (110) to shield the blowing by the air blowing section (101).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a recording device. Background Technology

[0002] Various recording devices have been used, including a transport section for conveying media and a carriage that carries a recording head for recording by ejecting ink and reciprocates in the scanning direction. Among these, there are recording devices that include a linear encoder scale and a linear encoder sensor for detecting the position of the carriage. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that includes a transport roller for conveying media, a carriage carrying a recording head and reciprocating in the scanning direction, a linear encoder scale and a linear encoder sensor, as well as an airflow channel for allowing air to flow from a connection port to a vent, and a fan for generating airflow.

[0003] In existing recording devices with linear encoder scales, such as those in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to accurately detect the position of the carriage when the linear encoder scale is contaminated by ink mist. If the carriage position cannot be accurately detected, the quality of the image formed on the medium may be degraded. Therefore, although the image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1 aims to suppress ink mist adhesion to the linear encoder scale by employing a structure with an airflow path and a fan, it is difficult to form the connection port in the desired position in structures where the transport section is integrally arranged across the width direction (scanning direction). Therefore, suppressing ink mist adhesion to the linear encoder scale is particularly difficult in large devices. Furthermore, while a structure is considered that isolates the recording head and the linear encoder scale by placing them in separate chambers, such a structure would increase the size and complexity of the device, making it impractical in many cases.

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-237172. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The recording apparatus of the present invention, which addresses the aforementioned problems, is characterized by comprising: a transport unit that transports a medium in a transport direction; a recording head that records an image by ejecting ink onto the medium transported by the transport unit; a carriage that mounts the recording head and reciprocates in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction; an air supply unit that supplies air toward the recording head; a linear encoder scale and a linear encoder sensor located upstream of the carriage in the transport direction and between the air supply unit and the recording head in the air supply direction provided by the air supply unit, and used to detect the position of the carriage in the scanning direction; a housing that houses the carriage, the linear encoder, and the linear encoder sensor; and a cover that covers the linear encoder scale to shield it from the air supply provided by the air supply unit. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of the recording device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 To indicate Figure 1 A side sectional view of the internal structure of the recording device, which also illustrates the airflow.

[0008] Figure 3 To and Figure 2 The 3D diagram corresponding to region S is shown, and it represents the perimeter of the cover.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the periphery of the cover in the internal structure of the recording device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0010] First, the present invention will be described in a general sense.

[0011] The recording apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: a conveying unit for conveying a medium in a conveying direction; a recording head for recording an image by ejecting ink onto the medium conveyed by the conveying unit; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and reciprocates in a scanning direction that intersects the conveying direction; an air supply unit for supplying air toward the recording head; a linear encoder scale and a linear encoder sensor located upstream of the carriage in the conveying direction and between the air supply unit and the recording head in the air supply direction implemented by the air supply unit, and for detecting the position of the carriage in the scanning direction; a housing housing the carriage, the linear encoder, and the linear encoder sensor; and a cover covering the linear encoder scale to shield the air supply implemented by the air supply unit.

[0012] According to this method, a cover is provided to cover the linear encoder scale and shield the airflow provided by the air supply unit. Such a structure can be applied regardless of the structure and size of the device, and by setting such a structure, the adhesion of ink mist to the linear encoder scale can be suppressed.

[0013] The recording device of the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in a manner subordinate to the first aspect, the cover covers the linear encoder scale in the direction along the conveying direction.

[0014] According to this method, the cover covers the linear encoder scale in the direction along the conveying direction. An air supply unit supplies air towards the recording head, and the linear encoder scale is located between the air supply unit and the recording head in the air supply direction, and is positioned upstream of the carriage in the conveying direction. In this structure, ink mist can flow along the conveying direction. However, because the cover covers the linear encoder scale in the direction along the conveying direction, it can protect the linear encoder scale from the influence of ink mist that can flow in the conveying direction.

[0015] The third-party recording device of the present invention is characterized in that, in a manner subordinate to the first or second method, when viewed from a direction opposite to the air supply direction, the cover does not cover the linear encoder scale.

[0016] According to this method, when viewed from the direction opposite to the airflow direction, the cover does not cover the linear encoder scale. By setting it in this way, the working space can be expanded on the downstream side of the airflow direction, and the linear encoder scale can be easily accessed from the downstream side of the direction in which the ink mist can flow, thereby facilitating the replacement of the linear encoder scale, etc.

[0017] The recording device of the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect belonging to the first or second aspect, when viewed from the scanning direction, the cover is a U-shaped opening facing upwards.

[0018] According to this method, when viewed from the scanning direction, the cover is a U-shaped structure with the opening facing upwards. By setting it in this way, the cover can serve as both a storage section for accumulating ink mist and a channel section for allowing ink mist to flow. In addition, the U-shaped shape with the opening facing upwards is not limited to a shape with a circular bottom, but also includes shapes with a flat bottom, such as a V-shape or a shape with a U-shape rotated 90°.

[0019] The recording device of the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, it has a discharge port, which is disposed downstream of the carriage in the conveying direction of the housing, and discharges the air conveyed by the air supply section to the outside of the housing.

[0020] According to this method, an exhaust port is provided, which is located downstream of the carriage in the conveying direction of the housing, and exhausts the air conveyed through the air supply section to the outside of the housing. By configuring it in this way, ink mist discharged from the exhaust port can be efficiently recovered.

[0021] Example 1 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to... Figure 1 Hereinafter, a summary description of the recording apparatus 1A of Embodiment 1, which is an example of the recording apparatus 1 of the present invention, will be provided. Figure 1 As shown, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a holding section 2 capable of rotatably holding a roll body R1 in which a medium M such as cloth is wound into a cylindrical shape. It also includes a conveying section 29 for conveying the medium M, and a recording head 27 for recording images by ejecting ink onto the medium M conveyed by the conveying section 29. Furthermore, it includes a winding section 3 capable of forming a roll body R2 by winding the recorded medium M into a cylindrical shape.

[0022] The holding part 2 holds the paper tube that forms the rotation axis of the roll body R1, and can rotate in the rotation direction C to unwind the medium M from the roll body R1 to the transport part 29 of the recording device 1A. In addition, although the holding part 2 may be separately configured from the recording device 1A, it may also be part of the components of the recording device 1A.

[0023] The recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment is an inkjet printer capable of ejecting liquid ink in droplet form to form an image on a medium M. The recording apparatus 1A comprises a transport unit 29, including a driven roller 23 located upstream of the transport direction A, which is the transport direction of the medium M; a drive roller 24 located downstream of the transport direction A; and a seamless conveyor belt 25 mounted on the driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24. Here, the conveyor belt 25 is an adhesive belt having an outer peripheral surface 25a coated with adhesive on the supporting surface of the medium M, which is its outer surface.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, in the conveying section 29, the medium M is supported and conveyed by the conveyor belt 25 with the medium M adhered to its outer peripheral surface 25a. In the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment, the medium-supporting region on the conveyor belt 25 that supports the medium M is the upper region bridged by the driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24. Furthermore, the drive roller 24 is a roller that rotates in the rotational direction C by the driving force of a motor (not shown), and the driven roller 23 is a roller that rotates by being driven by the rotation of the conveyor belt 25 that accompanies the rotation of the drive roller 24.

[0025] That is, when conveying medium M, the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 25 is the direction of movement D corresponding to the direction of rotation C, and the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 25 in the medium support area is the conveying direction A. However, in addition to conveying medium M, the drive roller 24 can also be rotated in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation C, so that the conveyor belt 25 moves in the opposite direction to the direction of movement D.

[0026] Furthermore, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a carriage 26 capable of reciprocating along the width direction B of the conveyor belt 25, and a recording head 27 mounted on the carriage 26. The recording head 27 is a recording unit capable of spraying liquid ink onto the medium M being conveyed in the conveying direction A based on the recorded data to form an image. In addition, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment has a cleaning unit 28 for cleaning the conveyor belt 25 downstream of the recording head 27 in the moving direction D of the conveyor belt 25.

[0027] Furthermore, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment is capable of ejecting ink from the recording head 27 onto the transported medium M to form an image while the carriage 26 reciprocates in the width direction B intersecting the transport direction A. With the carriage 26 having this structure, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment can form the desired image on the medium M by repeatedly performing the following operations: transporting the medium M in the transport direction A with a predetermined transport amount, and ejecting ink while moving the carriage 26 in the width direction B with the medium M stopped.

[0028] Furthermore, as described above, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a winding section 3. The medium M, which forms an image by ejecting ink from the recording head 27, is wound into a roll body R2 by the winding section 3. The winding section 3 serves as a rotation axis for forming the roll body R2, holding the paper tube, and winds the medium M onto the paper tube by rotating in the rotation direction C, thereby forming the roll body R2. Although the winding section 3 can be separately configured from the recording apparatus 1A, it can also be part of the components of the recording apparatus 1A. Furthermore, a drying device or similar device for drying the ink ejected onto the medium M can be provided between the winding section 3 and the recording apparatus 1A.

[0029] Here, the medium M is preferably the material to be printed on. The material to be printed on refers to the fabric, clothing, or other apparel products that are the object of printing. Fabrics include textiles, woven fabrics, and non-woven fabrics made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, or chemical fibers such as nylon, or composite fibers blended together. Furthermore, clothing and other apparel products include not only sewn T-shirts, handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, tote bags, cloth bags, curtains, sheets, bedspreads, and other furniture, but also fabric before and after cutting, existing as a part before sewing. However, in addition to the above-mentioned materials to be printed on, ordinary paper, high-quality paper, and glossy paper, as well as special inkjet recording paper, can also be used.

[0030] As described above, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes: a transport unit 29 that transports a medium M in a transport direction A; a recording head 27 that records an image by ejecting ink onto the medium M transported by the transport unit 29; and a carriage 26 that mounts the recording head 27 and reciprocates in a scanning direction corresponding to a width direction B intersecting the transport direction A. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes an air supply section 101 that supplies air toward the recording head 27. It also includes a detection section 110 located upstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction A, and positioned between the air supply section 101 and the recording head 27 in the air supply direction F implemented by the air supply section 101. This detection section includes a linear encoder scale 111 and a linear encoder sensor 112 for detecting the position of the carriage 26 in the scanning direction (width direction B).

[0031] In addition, such as Figure 1 as well as Figure 2As shown, the air supply direction F becomes a downward direction upstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction A, becomes the same direction as the transport direction A within the scanning area of ​​the carriage 26 in the transport direction A, and becomes an upward direction downstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction A. Therefore, the air supply direction F, which includes the area where the detection unit 110 of the linear encoder scale 111 and the linear encoder sensor 112 is located, becomes a downward direction.

[0032] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the recording device 1A of this embodiment includes a housing 12 that houses the carriage 26 and the detection unit 110, which includes a linear encoder scale 111 and a linear encoder sensor 112. Furthermore, the recording device 1A of this embodiment includes an opening 102 located upstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction A of the housing 12, capable of drawing air into the device. Here, the recording device 1A of this embodiment also includes a cover 100 at a position that blocks the airflow provided by the air supply unit 101. Therefore, hereinafter, referring to… Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The details of the cover 100A of this embodiment, which is the cover 100, will now be described.

[0033] As shown Figure 2 Region S Figure 3 As shown, the cover 100A of the recording device 1A in this embodiment is configured to cover the linear encoder scale 111 to block the air supply implemented by the air supply unit 101. Such a structure can be applied regardless of the structure and size of the device, and by setting such a structure, the adhesion of ink mist to the linear encoder scale 111 can be suppressed.

[0034] In particular, although the airflow direction F implemented by the air supply section 101 in the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment almost always flows from the air supply section 101 toward the outlet 103, a circulating airflow that circulates inside the apparatus is also generated, as shown by the airflow direction F1. Although the circulating airflow contains ink mist, by adopting this structure, the adhesion of ink mist from the circulating airflow to the linear encoder scale 111 can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, in order to reduce the circulating airflow inside the device, the recording device 1A of this embodiment provides a fan 104 at the inlet portion of the outlet 103.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recording device 1A stops the air supply provided by the air supply unit 101 after recording is completed, from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption. Therefore, after recording is completed, the air supply provided by the air supply unit 101 is stopped, and the ink mist inside the device falls downwards due to gravity. At this time, although there is also ink mist with circulating airflow above the linear encoder scale 111, since the recording device 1A of this embodiment has a cover 100A, it is also possible to suppress the situation where ink mist adheres to the linear encoder scale 111. Moreover, by having a cover 100A with this structure, it is also possible to suppress the situation where a strong airflow hits the linear encoder scale 111 during the recording operation, causing the linear encoder scale 111 to vibrate.

[0036] Here, as Figure 3 As shown, the cover 100A of this embodiment includes: a lower surface portion 100a, which extends entirely across the width direction B to block the air supply implemented by the air supply unit 101; a wall portion 100b, which is connected to the metal plate portion 13 and extends entirely across the width direction B on the upstream side of the lower surface portion 100a in the conveying direction A; and a wall portion 100c, which extends entirely across the width direction B on the downstream side of the lower surface portion 100a in the conveying direction A. Alternatively, the cover 100A of this embodiment covers the linear encoder scale 111 in the direction along the conveying direction A, in other words, in the direction intersecting the air supply direction F in the area where the linear encoder scale 111 is provided, through the metal plate portion 13 and the wall portion 100c.

[0037] As described above, in the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment, the air supply unit 101 supplies air toward the recording head 27, and the linear encoder scale 111 is located between the air supply unit 101 and the recording head 27 in the air supply direction F, and is positioned upstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction A. With this structure, in the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment, ink mist can flow in the vicinity of the carriage 26 along the transport direction A.

[0038] However, in the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment, when the metal plate portion 13 is also considered as part of the cover 100A, by providing a structure with such a metal plate portion 13 and wall portion 100c, the cover 100A can protect the linear encoder scale 111 from ink mist that can flow in the direction of transport direction A through the metal plate portion 13 and wall portion 100c. Furthermore, although in the recording apparatus 1A of this embodiment, the wall portion 100c only covers a portion of the upper part of the linear encoder scale 111 in the direction of transport direction A, it is also possible to provide a structure that extends further downwards to cover the entire linear encoder scale 111 in the direction of transport direction A.

[0039] On the other hand, such as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the cover 100A does not have a wall portion located on the lower side compared to the linear encoder scale 111, or in other words, on the downstream side of the airflow direction F compared to the linear encoder scale 111. Alternatively, when viewed from the area where the linear encoder scale 111 is located in the direction opposite to the airflow direction F, the cover 100A of this embodiment does not cover the linear encoder scale 111. By providing such a structure, the recording device 1A of this embodiment expands the working space downstream of the lower surface portion 100a in the airflow direction F, allowing the operator to easily access the linear encoder scale 111 from the downstream side in the direction of ink mist flow, and thus easily perform tasks such as replacing the linear encoder scale 111.

[0040] Furthermore, the recording device 1A of this embodiment includes an outlet 103 located downstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction A of the housing 12, which discharges air supplied by the air supply section 101 to the outside of the housing 12. By providing this structure, the recording device 1A of this embodiment can effectively recover ink mist discharged from the outlet 103. Additionally, "downstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction A" means that it only needs to include the area downstream of the carriage 26.

[0041] Example 2 Next, use Figure 4 The recording device 1B of Embodiment 2 will now be described. Furthermore, Figure 4 For use with the recording device 1A of Embodiment 1 Figure 3 The corresponding diagram. Figure 4 In this embodiment, components common to those in Embodiment 1 are represented by the same symbols, and detailed descriptions are omitted. Here, the recording device 1B of this embodiment, except for the structure of the cover 100 described below, is configured to have the same structure as the recording device 1A of Embodiment 1. Therefore, except for the parts described below, the recording device 1 of this embodiment has the same features as the recording device 1A of Embodiment 1.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the recording device 1B of this embodiment includes a cover 100B with a different shape from the cover 100A of the recording device 1A of Embodiment 1, which serves as the cover 100. In detail, the cover 100B of this embodiment has a wall portion 100d provided on the downstream side of the lower surface portion 100a in the transport direction A, and when viewed from the width direction B corresponding to the scanning direction of the carriage 26, the opening is U-shaped facing upwards.

[0043] The recording device 1B of this embodiment, by being configured in this way, serves as both a storage section for storing ink mist in the cover 100B and a flow channel section for directing the stored ink mist in a predetermined direction. Furthermore, a replaceable absorber (not shown) is provided at the destination of the stored ink mist flow, enabling the absorber to absorb the ink mist.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cover 100B is shaped with the U-shaped opening rotated 90° so that the opening faces upwards. In this way, the U-shaped opening facing upwards means that it is not limited to a shape with a circular bottom. For example, in addition to the U-shaped opening rotated 90° as in the cover 100B of this embodiment, which is composed of a flat surface as shown below, it also includes V-shaped shapes, etc.

[0045] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these variations are also included within the scope of the present invention, which is self-evident.

[0046] Symbol Explanation 1…Recording device; 1A…Recording device; 1B…Recording device; 2…Holding part; 3…Take-up part; 11…Control part; 12…Housing; 13…Metal plate part; 23…Driven roller; 24…Drive roller; 25…Conveyor belt; 25a…Outer peripheral surface; 26…Carriage; 27…Recording head; 28…Cleaning part; 100…Cover; 100A…Cover; 100B…Cover; 100a…Lower surface part; 100b…Wall part; 100c…Wall part; 100d…Wall part; 101…Air supply part; 102…Opening part; 103…Exhaust outlet; 104…Fan; 110…Detection part; 111…Linear encoder scale; 112…Linear encoder sensor; M…Media; R1…Roll body; R2…Roll body; S…Area.

Claims

1. A recording device, characterized in that, have: It includes: a conveying unit that conveys the medium in the conveying direction; A recording head that records images by ejecting ink into the medium conveyed by the transport section; The carriage carries the recording head and reciprocates in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction; An air supply unit that supplies air toward the recording head; A linear encoder scale and a linear encoder sensor are located upstream of the carriage in the transport direction and between the air supply unit and the recording head in the air supply direction implemented by the air supply unit, and are used to detect the position of the carriage in the scanning direction. The housing contains the carriage, the linear encoder, and the linear encoder sensor; A cover is provided to shield the linear encoder scale from the air supply provided by the air supply unit.

2. The recording device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The cover covers the linear encoder scale in the direction along the conveying direction.

3. The recording device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from the opposite direction of the airflow, the cover does not cover the linear encoder scale.

4. The recording device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from the scanning direction, the cover is a U-shaped structure with the opening facing upwards.

5. The recording device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It has an outlet located downstream of the carriage in the conveying direction of the housing and discharges the air conveyed through the air supply section to the outside of the housing.

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