Ink jet recording device

Abstract

To suppress leakage of ink from a waste ink container.SOLUTION: An ink jet recording device includes: a recording head; a waste ink container; and a suction mechanism. The waste ink container has a plurality of receiving ports for receiving ink, a suction port connected to the suction mechanism, and a plurality of suction wind paths which are connected to each of the plurality of receiving ports and communicate with the receiving ports of connection destinations and the suction port so as to pass suction air current generated by driving the suction mechanism. At least one suction wind path has a bent section bent from a first direction to a second direction on the way from the receiving ports of the connection destinations to the suction port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A waste ink container for storing ink to be discarded is attached to a conventional inkjet recording apparatus. A waste ink container attached to an inkjet recording apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-340092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The waste ink container is connected to a suction mechanism. The suction mechanism sucks gas from the waste ink container. The gas sucked by the suction mechanism flows through an air passage provided inside the waste ink container. Note that the gas contains mist-like ink.

[0005] In this configuration, if the ink is not properly separated from the gas flowing through the air passage, the ink will leak from the connection port between the waste ink container and the suction mechanism, resulting in the inconvenience of the ink contaminating the inside of the machine.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an inkjet recording device that is capable of suppressing leakage of ink from a waste ink container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an inkjet recording device of the present invention includes a recording head that records an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium being transported in a first direction, a waste ink container that is disposed opposite the recording head in a second direction across the transport path of the recording medium, has a storage area therein, and stores in the storage area ink that is ejected from the recording head but is not used for recording an image, and a suction mechanism that sucks gas from the waste ink container. The waste ink container has a plurality of receiving ports that receive ink ejected from the recording head, a suction port that is disposed at a distance from each of the plurality of receiving ports as viewed from the second direction and is connected to the suction mechanism, and a plurality of suction air passages that are connected to each of the plurality of receiving ports and communicate the receiving ports to the suction ports to allow the passage of a suction airflow generated by driving the suction mechanism. At least one of the suction air passages has a bent portion that bends from the first direction to the second direction midway from the receiving port to the suction port. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The configuration of the present invention can suppress leakage of ink from the waste ink container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a plan view of a printing unit of an inkjet printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transport belt of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic diagram of the periphery of a conveyor belt of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the periphery of a conveyor belt of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment (a view showing a state in which all waste ink containers are attached). [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the periphery of a conveyor belt of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment (a view showing a state in which a part of a waste ink container is removed). [Figure 8] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of ​​a waste ink container of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic diagram corresponding to a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining inconveniences that occur when the suction air duct is bent on a horizontal plane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An inkjet recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking as an example a printer that records (i.e., prints) an image on a sheet as a recording medium. Paper is mainly used as the sheet. Other sheets such as overhead projector sheets can also be used. Cloth, cardboard, etc. can also be used.

[0011] <Printer configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 100 (corresponding to an "inkjet recording device") of this embodiment includes a first transport unit 1 and a second transport unit 2. The first transport unit 1 feeds a sheet S (corresponding to a "recording medium") set in a paper feed cassette CA, and transports the sheet S toward a recording position. In a print job by the printer 100, an image is recorded (printed) on the sheet S that passes the recording position. The second transport unit 2 transports the sheet S on which recording has been performed. The second transport unit 2 discharges the sheet S on which recording has been performed onto a discharge tray ET.

[0012] The first conveying section 1 includes a plurality of conveying roller members including a registration roller pair 11. In FIG. 1, only the registration roller pair 11 among the plurality of conveying roller members is labeled with a reference symbol. Each of the plurality of conveying roller members conveys the sheet S by rotating. The registration roller pair 11 includes a pair of rollers that are in pressure contact with each other. A registration nip is formed between the pair of rollers. The sheet S fed from a paper feed cassette CA enters the registration nip. The registration roller pair 11 rotates to convey the sheet S that has entered the registration nip toward the belt conveying section 3 described later.

[0013] When the leading edge of the sheet S reaches the registration nip, the registration roller pair 11 stops rotating. On the other hand, the transport roller member upstream of the registration roller pair 11 in the transport direction of the sheet S is rotating. This causes the skew of the sheet S to be corrected.

[0014] The printer 100 includes a belt conveyor 3. The belt conveyor 3 receives and conveys the sheet S from the first conveyor 1. The belt conveyor 3 includes a conveyor belt 30. The conveyor belt 30 is endless and supported so as to be rotatable. The belt conveyor 3 also includes a plurality of tension rollers 301. The plurality of tension rollers 301 are supported so as to be rotatable. The conveyor belt 30 is tensioned by the plurality of tension rollers 301 and rotates. The sheet S conveyed from the first conveyor 1 reaches the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 30.

[0015] One of the multiple tension rollers 301 is connected to a belt motor (not shown) and rotates by transmitting the driving force of the belt motor. When the tension roller 301 connected to the belt motor rotates, the conveyor belt 30 rotates accordingly. At this time, the other tension rollers 301 also rotate accordingly.

[0016] The belt conveying section 3 further includes a suction unit 300. The suction unit 300 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the conveying belt 30. The suction unit 300 sucks the sheet S on the outer circumferential surface of the conveying belt 30.

[0017] Specifically, the conveyor belt 30 has a plurality of suction holes (not shown). The suction holes of the conveyor belt 30 penetrate the conveyor belt 30 in the thickness direction. The suction unit 300 sucks the sheet S through the suction holes of the conveyor belt 30. As a result, the sheet S is adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 30. The conveyor belt 30 rotates while adsorbing and holding the sheet S on its outer peripheral surface. As a result, the sheet S is conveyed. That is, the conveyor belt 30 conveys the sheet S by adsorbing it to its outer peripheral surface.

[0018] The printer 100 includes a recording unit 4. The recording unit 4 is disposed so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 30 in the vertical direction. During conveyance of the sheet S, the sheet S on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 30 and the recording unit 4 face each other at a distance in the vertical direction. As a result, during conveyance of the sheet S, the sheet S passes between the nozzle surface of a recording head 40 (described later) and the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 30. In other words, the space between the nozzle surface of the recording head 40 and the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 30 forms part of the conveyance path of the sheet S. Here, the conveyance direction of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveyor belt 30 is the horizontal direction, which corresponds to the "first direction." The vertical direction corresponds to the "second direction."

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the recording unit 4 includes four line heads 41 respectively corresponding to the colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In Fig. 2, the cyan line head 41 is marked with the symbol "C", the magenta line head 41 is marked with the symbol "M", the yellow line head 41 is marked with the symbol "Y", and the black line head 41 is marked with the symbol "K" to distinguish them from one another. The same is true for Fig. 5, which will be referred to later in the description.

[0020] The line head 41 of each color includes multiple (e.g., three) recording heads 40. For example, the multiple recording heads 40 of each color are arranged in a staggered pattern in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30 is simply referred to as the width direction.

[0021] Each recording head 40 is disposed at an interval in the up-down direction with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 30. In other words, each recording head 40 is disposed at a position facing the sheet S conveyed by the conveyor belt 30 in the up-down direction. In further other words, the conveyor belt 30 adsorbs and conveys the sheet S below each recording head 40. The up-down direction is a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and width direction of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30.

[0022] Each recording head 40 has a nozzle surface that faces the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 30 in the vertical direction. The nozzle surface of each recording head 40 has a plurality of nozzles 4N. The plurality of nozzles 4N of each recording head 40 ejects ink of a corresponding color downward. For example, the number of nozzles 4N of each recording head 40 is the same. The plurality of nozzles 4N of each recording head 40 are arranged along the width direction of the conveyor belt 30. In FIG. 2, the nozzles 4N are indicated by dashed lines. In reality, more nozzles 4N are provided in each recording head 40. For convenience, only some of the nozzles 4N are labeled with reference numerals.

[0023] Each recording head 40 ejects ink from the nozzles 4N toward the sheet S on the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 30 based on image data to be recorded on the sheet S in a print job. The ink ejected from each recording head 40 adheres to the sheet S. This causes an image to be recorded on the sheet S. In other words, the area between each recording head 40 and the conveyor belt 30 is a recording position, and the image is recorded on the sheet S at that recording position.

[0024] Here, the viscosity of ink remaining in the nozzles 4N that eject ink less frequently among the multiple nozzles 4N increases over time. As a result, clogging occurs and image quality deteriorates. To prevent such problems, each recording head 40 performs a flushing process. In the flushing process by each recording head 40, ink remaining in the nozzles 4N is ejected. This prevents clogging. The flushing process will be described in detail later.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes a drying unit 51 and a decurler 52. The drying unit 51 dries the ink adhering to the sheet S while transporting the sheet S toward the decurler 52. The decurler 52 straightens out curls in the sheet S. The decurler 52 transports the sheet S after the curl has been straightened toward the second transport section 2.

[0026] 3, the printer 100 also includes a control unit 6. The control unit 6 includes processing circuits such as a CPU and an ASIC. The control unit 6 controls print jobs. In other words, the control unit 6 controls the operations of the first conveying unit 1, the second conveying unit 2, the belt conveying unit 3, the recording unit 4, the drying unit 51, and the decurler 52. In other words, the control unit 6 controls the conveyance of the sheet S and the ink ejection of each recording head 40. The control unit 6 also controls the flushing process performed by each recording head 40.

[0027] A registration sensor 61, a sheet sensor 62, and a belt sensor 63 are connected to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 controls the conveyance of the sheet S and the recording of an image on the sheet S based on the outputs of the registration sensor 61, the sheet sensor 62, and the belt sensor 63.

[0028] The registration sensor 61 has a detection position that is upstream of the registration nip in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The registration sensor 61 is, for example, a reflective or transmissive optical sensor. The registration sensor 61 changes an output value depending on the presence or absence of the sheet S at the corresponding detection position.

[0029] The control unit 6 detects the arrival of the leading end of the sheet S at the detection position of the registration sensor 61 and the passage of the trailing end thereof based on the output value of the registration sensor 61. In other words, the control unit 6 detects the arrival of the leading end of the sheet S at the registration nip and the passage of the trailing end thereof based on the output value of the registration sensor 61. The control unit 6 measures the timing at which the registration roller pair 11 starts conveying the sheet S (the timing at which the registration roller pair 11 starts rotating) based on the elapsed time after the registration sensor 61 detects the arrival of the leading end of the sheet S at its detection position.

[0030] The sheet sensor 62 has a detection position between the recording position of the line head 41 that is located most upstream in the conveying direction of the sheet S among the multiple line heads 41 and the registration nip. The sheet sensor 62 changes an output value depending on the presence or absence of the sheet S at the corresponding detection position. A CIS (Contact Image Sensor) may be used as the sheet sensor 62. A reflective or transmissive optical sensor may also be used as the sheet sensor 62. For example, a CIS is used as the sheet sensor 62.

[0031] The control unit 6 detects the arrival of the leading end and the passing of the trailing end of the sheet S at the detection position of the sheet sensor 62 based on the output value of the sheet sensor 62. The control unit 6 measures the timing of ejecting ink onto the sheet S transported by the transport belt 30 based on the output value of the sheet sensor 62. Note that the timing of ejecting ink onto the sheet S transported by the transport belt 30 may be measured based on the elapsed time from when the pair of registration rollers 11 starts transporting the sheet S.

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 6 measures the paper passing time taken from when the leading edge of the sheet S reaches the detection position of the sheet sensor 62 until the trailing edge of the same sheet S passes the detection position of the sheet sensor 62. The paper passing time at the detection position of the sheet sensor 62 varies depending on the size of the sheet S in the transport direction. Therefore, the control unit 6 recognizes the size of the sheet S in the transport direction transported by the transport belt 30 based on the paper passing time. This allows the control unit 6 to recognize the size of the sheet S in the transport direction even if the sheet S transported by the transport belt 30 is of an irregular size.

[0033] The belt sensor 63 is a sensor for detecting a predetermined reference position (home position) of the conveyor belt 30. For example, a predetermined mark is provided at the reference position of the conveyor belt 30. This makes it possible to detect the reference position of the conveyor belt 30 based on the output value of the belt sensor 63. A CIS may be used as the belt sensor 63. Also, a transmissive or reflective optical sensor may be used as the belt sensor 63.

[0034] The control unit 6 detects the reference position of the conveyor belt 30 based on the output value of the belt sensor 63. In other words, the control unit 6 detects the position of a flushing area 31 (flushing hole 30a) described later based on the output value of the belt sensor 63.

[0035] The printer 100 also includes a storage unit 601. The storage unit 601 includes storage devices such as a ROM and a RAM. The storage unit 601 is connected to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 reads information from the storage unit 601. The control unit 6 also writes information to the storage unit 601.

[0036] The printer 100 includes an operation unit 602. The operation unit 602 includes, for example, a touch screen. The touch screen displays software buttons and messages, and receives touch operations from the user. The operation unit also includes hardware buttons for receiving settings and instructions. The operation unit 602 is connected to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 controls the display operation of the operation unit 602 (touch screen). The control unit 6 also detects operations performed on the operation unit 602.

[0037] The printer 100 includes a communication unit 603. The communication unit 603 includes a communication circuit and the like. The communication unit 603 is connected to a user terminal PC via a network NT. The user terminal PC is an information processing device such as a personal computer. The control unit 6 communicates with the user terminal PC using the communication unit 603. For example, print data (such as PDL data) including image data to be recorded on a sheet S in a print job is transmitted from the user terminal PC to the printer 100. In other words, a request to execute a print job is transmitted from the user terminal PC to the printer 100. The print data of the print job includes various setting data related to printing, such as the size of the sheet S used in the print job.

[0038] <Flushing process overview> As shown in Fig. 4, the conveyor belt 30 has a flushing area 31. In Fig. 4, the flushing area 31 is surrounded by a dashed line. The flushing area 31 is an area including flushing holes 30a which are through holes penetrating the conveyor belt 30 in the thickness direction. The conveyor belt 30 is provided with a plurality of flushing areas 31. The plurality of flushing areas 31 are arranged at predetermined intervals from each other in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 30 (the conveying direction of the sheet S).

[0039] Each flushing area 31 includes a plurality of flushing holes 30a. The opening shape of the flushing holes 30a (the shape when viewed from the thickness direction of the conveyor belt 30) is not particularly limited. The shape of the flushing holes 30a may be circular, elliptical, oval, or rectangular. Each of the plurality of nozzles 4N faces at least one of the flushing holes 30a in the vertical direction by the rotation of the conveyor belt 30.

[0040] The flushing process involves ejecting ink from the nozzles 4N of each recording head 40. When the flushing process is performed, ink is ejected from each nozzle 4N at a timing that vertically faces the flushing hole 30a. The ink then passes through the flushing hole 30a. As a result, even when the flushing process is performed, ink does not adhere to the conveyor belt 30. In the following description, the ink ejected from each nozzle 4N when the flushing process is performed is referred to as flushing ink, and is distinguished from ink that contributes to image recording on the sheet S. Ink that does not contribute to image recording on the sheet S is called flushing ink.

[0041] During execution of a print job, the control unit 6 controls the flushing process. Specifically, the control unit 6 measures the start timing of conveying the sheet S from the pair of registration rollers 11 to the conveyor belt 30 so that the flushing area 31 appears periodically between the sheets (the interval between the rear end of the preceding sheet S and the front end of the next sheet S). Then, the control unit 6 ejects ink from each nozzle 4N at a timing that vertically faces a flushing hole 30a that is not overlapped with the sheet S. In other words, the control unit 6 ejects ink from each nozzle 4N at a timing different from the timing of recording an image onto the sheet S.

[0042] <Storage of Flushing Ink> The flushing ink is stored in the main body (hereinafter simply referred to as the device main body) of the printer 100. Then, when the amount of stored flushing ink reaches a certain amount, the flushing ink is discarded.

[0043] 5 to 9, the printer 100 includes a waste ink container 7 and a suction mechanism 10 connected to the waste ink container 7. The suction mechanism 10 sucks gas from the waste ink container 7.

[0044] In the flushing process, the flushing ink passes through the flushing holes 30a of the conveyor belt 30, and is sucked by the suction mechanism 10, leading to the waste ink container 7. The waste ink container 7 has a storage area therein. The waste ink container 7 stores the flushing ink in the storage area. Note that the suction by the suction mechanism 10 makes it difficult for the flushing ink mist to come out of the waste ink container 7.

[0045] A plurality of waste ink containers 7 are installed. One waste ink container 7 is assigned to each line head 41. In other words, one waste ink container 7 is assigned to each of the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

[0046] Each waste ink container 7 is attached to the inner periphery of the conveyor belt 30 of the apparatus body. When attached to the apparatus body, each waste ink container 7 is disposed below a recording head 40 that ejects ink of a corresponding color. Each waste ink container 7 is disposed to face the nozzle surface of the corresponding recording head 40 across the conveyor belt 30. In other words, each waste ink container 7 is disposed to face the corresponding recording head 40 in the vertical direction across the conveyor path of the sheet S. As a result, when a flushing process is performed, flushing ink passes through the flushing hole 30a and is stored in the storage area of ​​each waste ink container 7.

[0047] Each waste ink container 7 is removably attached to the device body. Each waste ink container 7 can be removed from the device body by pulling it out from the front of the printer 100 (front in the width direction) to the front (front in the width direction). When the amount of flushing ink stored in any of the waste ink containers 7 reaches a certain amount, that waste ink container 7 is removed from the device body and replaced.

[0048] The suction mechanism 10 generates a suction airflow. One suction mechanism 10 is assigned to each waste ink container 7. Each suction mechanism 10 is connected to the corresponding waste ink container 7 and sucks flushing ink from the corresponding recording head 40 toward the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7. The flushing ink is sucked by the function of each suction mechanism 10, thereby suppressing contamination inside the machine due to the flushing ink. In FIG. 5, the suction direction of the flushing ink is indicated by a solid black arrow. The white arrow indicates the suction direction by the suction unit 300.

[0049] Each waste ink container 7 stores ink to be discarded, such as flushing ink. Ink to be discarded is ink that is ejected from the recording head 40 but is not used to record an image. In other words, each waste ink container 7 stores ink that does not contribute to recording an image. In the following description, for convenience, ink to be discarded, including flushing ink, is collectively referred to as flushing ink.

[0050] <Waste ink container composition> 8 and 9, the configuration of one waste ink container 7 will be described. The waste ink containers 7 have the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the other waste ink containers 7 will not be described below as the following description is incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] In the following description, one of the horizontal directions (corresponding to the "first direction") perpendicular to the up-down direction (corresponding to the "second direction") is referred to as the short side direction D1, and the other direction perpendicular to the one direction is referred to as the longitudinal direction D2. The short side direction D1 is a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30. The longitudinal direction D2 is the width direction of the conveyor belt 30 (a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 30).

[0052] 8 and 9 referred to in the following description are schematic diagrams of the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, and do not directly show the actual dimensions and shape.

[0053] The waste ink container 7 is a container having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The waste ink container 7 is made of, for example, sheet metal. The waste ink container 7 has a ceiling portion 7A and a bottom portion 7B that faces the ceiling portion 7A in the vertical direction. The waste ink container 7 also has a sidewall portion (reference number omitted) that laterally surrounds the area between the ceiling portion 7A and the bottom portion 7B. The waste ink container 7 has an internal area surrounded by the ceiling portion 7A, the bottom portion 7B, and the sidewall portion as a storage area for flushing ink.

[0054] The waste ink container 7 has an absorbing member 8. The absorbing member 8 is disposed in a storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7. The absorbing member 8 is a porous member that absorbs the flushing ink. Melamine sponge can be used as a constituent material of the absorbing member 8. The absorbing member 8 absorbs the flushing ink and holds the flushing ink therein.

[0055] Here, the waste ink container 7 has a suction air passage 70 in the storage area through which the suction air current generated by driving the suction mechanism 10 passes. There are multiple suction air passages 70. The suction air passages 70 are formed by spaces in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 where the absorbing member 8 does not exist (i.e., gaps present in the storage area). For example, the suction air passage 70 is a space obtained by cutting away a part of the absorbing member 8. In other words, the suction air passage 70 is a space surrounded by the absorbing member 8.

[0056] The ceiling portion 7A functions as an ink receiving portion that receives the flushing ink sucked by the suction mechanism 10. Specifically, the ceiling portion 7A has a rectangular receiving opening 710 that penetrates in the vertical direction. There are multiple receiving openings 710. The receiving openings 710 open upward. That is, the opening direction of the receiving openings 710 is the vertical direction.

[0057] One receiving port 710 is assigned to each recording head 40. If there are three recording heads 40, there are three receiving ports 710. Each receiving port 710 faces the corresponding recording head 40 in the vertical direction, with the conveyor belt 30 (i.e., the conveyor path of the sheet S) in between. Therefore, the receiving ports 710 are arranged at intervals from each other when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0058] Each receiving port 710 is an opening for recovering flushing ink ejected from the corresponding recording head 40 into a storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7. The flushing ink of each recording head 40 passes through the corresponding receiving port 710 and reaches the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7.

[0059] A cylindrical duct 73 is disposed in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7. The axis of the duct 73 extends in the vertical direction. The duct 73 has an opening on one end side in the vertical direction as a suction port 730. That is, the waste ink container 7 has the suction port 730.

[0060] The bottom 7B has a connection port (reference number omitted) that penetrates in the vertical direction. The duct 73 extends cylindrically upward from the edge of the connection port of the bottom 7B. The suction mechanism 10 is disposed outside the waste ink container 7 and connected to the connection port of the bottom 7B. In other words, the suction mechanism 10 is connected to the duct 73. The duct 73 may be a hole obtained by perforating a part of the absorbing member 8 in the vertical direction, or a pipe material disposed in the hole may be used as the duct 73.

[0061] The suction air passages 70 are assigned to the three receptacles 710, respectively. That is, the waste ink container 7 has three suction air passages 70 connected to the three receptacles 710, respectively. Each of the three suction air passages 70 communicates with the receptacle 710 to which it is connected and the suction port 730. In FIG. 8, the three receptacles 710 are indicated by dashed lines. The suction port 730 is disposed at a position spaced apart from each of the three receptacles 710 when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

[0062] Of the three sockets 710, one socket 710 is disposed at an interval in the short direction D1 from the suction port 730 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. In the following description, this one socket 710 is referred to as a first socket 711. The opening shape of the first socket 711 when viewed from the top-bottom direction is a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction D2 as the longitudinal direction.

[0063] Of the three sockets 710, the two sockets 710 other than the first socket 711 are disposed at an interval from each other in the longitudinal direction D2 across the suction port 730 when viewed from above and below. In the following description, each of the two sockets 710 will be referred to as a second socket 712. The opening shape of each of the two second sockets 712 when viewed from above and below is a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction D2 as the longer direction.

[0064] In the following description, suction air passage 70 connected to first receiving port 711 is referred to as first air passage 71. Suction air passage 70 connected to one second receiving port 712 and suction air passage 70 connected to the other second receiving port 712 are referred to as second air passage 72.

[0065] Here, first air passage 71 has a different shape from the two second air passages 72. The two second air passages 72 are formed in shapes symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of suction port 730 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. That is, the two second air passages 72 have the same shape.

[0066] When viewed from the top-bottom direction, first air passage 71 extends linearly from first receiving port 711 to suction port 730. That is, first air passage 71 extends without bending when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Two second air passages 72 each bend when viewed from the top-bottom direction. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, two second air passages 72 each extend in short direction D1 from second receiving port 712 to which they are connected, bend midway, and extend in long direction D2 to reach suction port 730.

[0067] <Shape of the suction air duct> The suction airflow contains a mist of flushing ink. If the mist of flushing ink leaks out through the suction port 730, problems such as contamination of the interior of the printer 100 may occur. To prevent such problems from occurring, it is necessary to effectively separate the gas flowing through the suction air passage 70 (i.e., the gas sucked in by the suction mechanism 10) and the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 and to have the absorbing member 8 absorb the flushing ink. In other words, it is necessary to improve the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7.

[0068] In order to improve the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, the inner wall of the suction air passage 70 is made of an absorbing member 8. In this configuration, by increasing the number of bends in the suction air passage 70, the flushing ink contained in the gas flowing through the suction air passage 70 is easily separated by centrifugal force. As a result, the flushing ink is easily absorbed by the absorbing member 8, and the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink is improved.

[0069] For example, it is conceivable to increase the number of bends in the short direction D1 and the long direction D2 of the suction airflow passage 70 as shown in Fig. 10. In other words, it is conceivable to design the path of the suction airflow so that there are many bends on the horizontal plane.

[0070] In this case, however, a portion of the suction air passage 70 protrudes in the horizontal direction, and one suction air passage 70 (first air passage 71 in FIG. 10) may interfere with another suction air passage 70 (second air passage 72 in FIG. 10). Specifically, the gap G between the two suction air passages 70 may become too small when viewed from the top-bottom direction. As a result, problems such as the partition wall between the two suction air passages 70 breaking may occur. In addition, if the gap G is too small in the first place, the suction air passage 70 made of the absorbing member 8 may not be manufactured.

[0071] The position of the suction air passage 70 when viewed from the top-bottom direction depends on the horizontal position of the receiving port 710 (i.e., the horizontal position of the recording head 40). For this reason, it is difficult to take measures such as changing the position of the suction air passage 70 when viewed from the top-bottom direction in order to suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems.

[0072] Therefore, at least one suction airflow duct 70 has a bent portion 9 on the way from the connection destination receiving port 710 to the suction port 730. At least one suction airflow duct 70 has a portion that bends from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction as the bent portion 9. The bent portion 9 bends the suction airflow flowing in the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. In other words, the bent portion 9 causes the suction airflow flowing in the horizontal direction to collide with an inner wall (i.e., an inner wall formed of the absorbing member 8) that stands in the vertical direction.

[0073] As a result, when the suction air current flowing in the horizontal direction bends in the vertical direction, centrifugal force acts and the flushing ink is separated from the gas. The separated flushing ink is absorbed by the absorbing member 8. In other words, the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink is improved without taking the measure shown in FIG.

[0074] In this embodiment, the suction air passage 70 having the bent portion 9 can effectively separate the flushing ink (i.e., waste ink) from the gas flowing through the suction air passage 70 in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, even without having to protrude a portion of it horizontally (i.e., without taking the measure shown in FIG. 10 ). This improves the efficiency of recovering the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7. As a result, leakage of the flushing ink from the waste ink container 7 can be suppressed. If leakage of the flushing ink from the waste ink container 7 can be suppressed, the occurrence of inconveniences such as contamination of the inside of the machine (for example, the suction mechanism 10) with the flushing ink can be suppressed.

[0075] In this embodiment, a single waste ink container 7 is provided with a plurality (three) of receiving ports 710. That is, a single waste ink container 7 is provided with a plurality (three) of suction air passages 70. In this configuration, if a portion of a certain suction air passage 70 protrudes in the horizontal direction, the protruding portion interferes with the other suction air passages 70. That is, the multiple suction air passages 70 interfere with each other.

[0076] On the other hand, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the plurality of suction air passages 70 from interfering with each other, a bent portion 9 is provided in at least one of the suction air passages 70. For the suction air passages 70 having the bent portion 9, flushing ink is efficiently absorbed by the absorbing member 8 at the bent portion 9, so there is no need to protrude a portion of the suction air passages 70 in the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to prevent the plurality of suction air passages 70 from interfering with each other.

[0077] Moreover, in this embodiment, at least one suction air passage 70 has a plurality of bent portions 9. As a result, for the suction air passage 70 having a plurality of bent portions 9, the flushing ink can be separated from the gas flowing therethrough and absorbed by the absorbing member 8 more efficiently.

[0078] When multiple bent portions 9 are provided in a single suction airflow passage 70, the multiple bent portions 9 include a first bent portion 91 and a second bent portion 92 (see FIG. 9). In FIG. 9, the first bent portion 91 and the second bent portion 92 are each surrounded by a dashed line.

[0079] The first bent portion 91 is a portion bent upward from the horizontal direction (corresponding to "one of the vertical directions"), and the second bent portion 92 is a portion connected to the end of the first bent portion 91 on the downstream side in the flow direction of the suction airflow, and bent downward from the horizontal direction (corresponding to "the other of the vertical directions"). That is, the first bent portion 91 and the second bent portion 92 are connected in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the suction airflow. This makes it easy to obtain the suction air passage 70 having a plurality of bent portions 9. Note that in the first bent portion 91, the suction airflow flowing in the horizontal direction is bent upward. In the second bent portion 92, the suction airflow flowing in the horizontal direction is bent downward.

[0080] In this embodiment, two bent portions 9 (i.e., a first bent portion 91 and a second bent portion 92) are provided in a single suction air passage 70. However, this is not limited to this. Three or more bent portions 9 may be provided in a single suction air passage 70. For example, when three bent portions 9 are provided in a single suction air passage 70, the first bent portion 91, the second bent portion 92, and the first bent portion 91 may be connected in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the suction airflow.

[0081] The more bent portions 9 provided in the suction air passage 70, the more efficient the recovery of flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7. On the other hand, the more bent portions 9 provided in the suction air passage 70, the greater the flow path resistance of the suction air passage 70. For this reason, the number of bent portions 9 to be formed is determined based on the size (flow path width and flow path length) of the suction air passage 70, the capacity of the suction mechanism 10, the material of the absorbing member 8, and the like.

[0082] Here, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, the first air passage 71 extends linearly from the first receiving port 711 to the suction port 730. On the other hand, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, each of the two second air passages 72 bends once from the second receiving port 712 to the suction port 730. When only the shape of the suction air passage 70 as viewed from the top-bottom direction is considered, the first air passage 71 has a lower efficiency in collecting flushing ink than the two second air passages 72 due to the fewer number of bends.

[0083] For this reason, in this embodiment, the bent portion 9 is provided at least in the first air passage 71. That is, the bent portion 9 is provided at least in the suction air passage 70 that extends linearly from the connection destination receiving port 710 toward the suction port 730 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. This makes it possible to improve the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink in the first air passage 71 even if the shape of the first air passage 71 when viewed from the top-bottom direction is linear.

[0084] In this embodiment, although not shown, the two second air passages 72 are also provided with bent portions 9. That is, the bent portions 9 are provided in all of the multiple suction air passages 70. This promotes the absorption of flushing ink by the absorbing member 8 in all of the suction air passages 70. This can further improve the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink.

[0085] In this embodiment, the absorbing member 8 is disposed in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, and the multiple suction air passages 70 are formed by the spaces in the storage area where the absorbing member 8 is not present, so that it is possible to easily improve the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink. However, a member that has a lower ink absorption capacity than the absorbing member 8 or does not absorb ink may be disposed in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, and the multiple suction air passages 70 may be formed by the member.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 7 Waste ink container 8 Absorbing material 9 Bend 10 Suction mechanism 40 Recording head 70 Suction air path 91 1st bending part 92 2nd bending part 100 Printers (inkjet recording devices) 710 Underbite 730 Suction port S sheet (recording medium)

Claims

1. a recording head that records an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium being transported in a first direction; a waste ink container disposed opposite the recording head in a second direction across a transport path of the recording medium, the waste ink container having a storage area therein, and configured to store in the storage area the ink that is ejected from the recording head but is not used in recording the image; a suction mechanism for suctioning gas from the waste ink container, The waste ink container is a plurality of receiving ports for receiving the ink ejected from the recording head; a suction port that is disposed at a position spaced apart from each of the plurality of receiving ports when viewed from the second direction and is connected to the suction mechanism; a plurality of suction air passages connected to the plurality of receiving ports, respectively, and communicating the receiving ports to the suction port, thereby allowing a suction airflow generated by driving the suction mechanism to pass therethrough; At least one of the suction air passages has a bent portion that bends from the first direction to the second direction midway from the receiving port to which it is connected to the suction port.

2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the suction air passages has a plurality of the bent portions.

3. The plurality of bent portions include a first bent portion bent from the first direction to one side of the second direction; The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a second bent portion connected to an end of the first bent portion that is downstream in the flow direction of the suction airflow and bent from the first direction to the other side of the second direction.

4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bent portion is provided at least in the suction air passage that extends linearly from the receiving port to the suction port when viewed from the second direction.

5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bent portion is provided in all of the plurality of suction air passages.

6. the waste ink container has an absorbing member in the storage area that absorbs the ink, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of suction air passages are formed by spaces in the storage area where the absorbing member is not present.

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