Ink jet recording device

Abstract

To suppress insufficient suction of ink into a waste ink container.SOLUTION: An ink jet recording device comprises: a recording head; a waste ink container; and a suction mechanism, the waste ink container has a plurality of receiving ports receiving ink, an absorption member that absorbs ink, a confluent chamber composed of a space in which no absorption member exists in a storage region, and disposed at a position spaced apart from each of the plurality of receiving ports, a suction port that communicates the confluent chamber with the outside of the storage region, and is connected to the suction mechanism, a plurality of suction air passages composed of a space in which no absorption member exists in the storage region, joining together in the confluent chamber, and communicating each of the plurality of receiving ports with the suction port, and a cover disposed in the storage region, having air permeability lower than that of the absorption member. The cover covers the confluent chamber from a direction orthogonal to a predetermined direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional inkjet recording apparatus is equipped with a waste ink container for storing ink to be discarded. A waste ink container equipped with 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 ink (ink that does not contribute to image recording) ejected from the recording head into the waste ink container. The gas containing the ink sucked by the suction mechanism flows through an air passage provided inside the waste ink container.

[0005] In this configuration, if the suction force of the suction mechanism is not as designed, the ink will not be sufficiently suctioned, causing ink to splash inside the machine and increasing contamination inside the machine.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an inkjet recording device that can prevent insufficient suction of ink into 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, a waste ink container that is disposed opposite the recording head in a predetermined direction across a transport path of the recording medium, has a storage area therein, and stores ink that is ejected from the recording head but not used for recording an image in the storage area, 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, an absorbing member that is disposed in the storage area and absorbs ink, a junction chamber that is formed in a space in the storage area where no absorbing member is present and is disposed at a position spaced apart from each of the plurality of receiving ports when viewed from a predetermined direction, a suction port that communicates the junction chamber with the outside of the storage area and is connected to the suction mechanism, a plurality of suction air passages that are formed in a space in the storage area where no absorbing member is present, join the ink in the junction chamber, and communicate each of the plurality of receiving ports with the suction port to allow passage of suction airflow generated by driving the suction mechanism, and a cover that is disposed in the storage area and has lower air permeability than the absorbing member. The cover covers the merging chamber from a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The configuration of the present invention can prevent ink from being insufficiently sucked into 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] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of ​​an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic diagram corresponding to a cross section taken along line AA shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 4 is a perspective view of a cover provided in a storage area of ​​the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 10 cut along a plane perpendicular to the short side direction. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram for explaining the inconvenience that occurs when a cover is not provided on the storage area. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 1 to 11, an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a printer 100 as an example. The printer 100 is installed on a flat floor and used in this state. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the flat floor on which the printer 100 is installed is defined as the up-down direction.

[0011] The printer 100 also records (i.e., prints) an image on a sheet S as a recording medium. Paper is mainly used as the sheet S. Other sheets S such as overhead projector sheets can also be used. Cloth, cardboard, and the like can also be used.

[0012] <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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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 DC of the sheet S is rotating. This causes the skew of the sheet S to be corrected.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The printer 100 includes a recording unit 4. The recording unit 4 is disposed so as to face the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 30 in the vertical direction. During conveyance of the sheet S, the sheet S on the outer circumferential 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 circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 30. In other words, the space between the nozzle surface of the recording head 40 and the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 30 forms part of the conveyance path of the sheet S. In this configuration, the conveyance direction DC of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveyor belt 30 is horizontal.

[0020] 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.

[0021] Each of the four line heads 41 has a plurality of (for example, three) recording heads 40. For example, the plurality of recording heads 40 of each color are arranged in a staggered pattern in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DC of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DC of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30 may be simply referred to as the width direction.

[0022] The four line heads 41 are arranged at intervals in the conveying direction DC of the sheet S. The width direction of each of the four line heads 41 is the longitudinal direction when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

[0023] 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 DC of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30 and the width direction.

[0024] 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. Note that, 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The registration sensor 61 has a detection position that is upstream of the registration nip in the conveying direction DC 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The sheet sensor 62 has a detection position between the recording position of the line head 41 located most upstream in the conveying direction DC 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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 DC. Therefore, the control unit 6 recognizes the size of the sheet S in the transport direction DC transported by the conveyor 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 DC even if the sheet S transported by the conveyor belt 30 is of an irregular size.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] <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 DC of the sheet S).

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] <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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Each waste ink container 7 is attached to the inner periphery of the conveyor belt 30 of the device body. When attached to the device body, each waste ink container 7 is disposed below the recording head 40 that ejects the ink of the 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. That is, each waste ink container 7 is disposed to face the assigned line head 41 (each recording head 40 of the line head 41) in the vertical direction across the conveying path of the sheet S. As a result, when the flushing process is performed, the flushing ink passes through the flushing hole 30a and is stored in the storage area of ​​each waste ink container 7. In this configuration, the vertical direction corresponds to the "predetermined direction". In the vertical direction, the upper side corresponds to "one side of the predetermined direction", and the lower side corresponds to "the other side of the predetermined direction".

[0049] 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 forward (forward in the width direction) from the front of the printer 100. 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] <Waste ink container composition> 8 to 11, the configuration of one waste ink container 7 will be described. The waste ink containers 7 have the same configuration. Therefore, the configurations of the other waste ink containers 7 will not be described below as the following description is incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] When viewed from the top-bottom direction (corresponding to the "predetermined direction"), the waste ink container 7 has a generally rectangular shape that is short in one horizontal direction perpendicular to the top-bottom direction and long in the other horizontal direction perpendicular to the one direction. In the following description, the one horizontal direction perpendicular to the top-bottom direction is referred to as the short side direction DS, and the other horizontal direction perpendicular to the one direction is referred to as the long side direction DL. The short side direction DS is a direction parallel to the conveying direction DC of the sheet S by the conveyor belt 30. The long side direction DL is the width direction of the conveyor belt 30 (a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 30).

[0054] 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, etc. The same is true for FIG.

[0055] The waste ink container 7 is a container having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. 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 numeral omitted) that surrounds the area between the ceiling portion 7A and the bottom portion 7B from the side (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction). 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.

[0056] The waste ink container 7 (i.e., the ceiling portion 7A, the bottom portion 7B and the side walls) is made of an air-impermeable material. The waste ink container 7 is made of a material that is substantially impermeable to mist-like flushing ink (i.e., gas containing flushing ink). The waste ink container 7 has lower air permeability than at least the absorbing member 8 described below. The waste ink container 7 is made of sheet metal, for example. The waste ink container 7 may also be made of resin.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] Of the three receiving ports 710, one receiving port 710 is disposed at an interval in the short direction DS from a suction port 730 described later when viewed from the top-bottom direction. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, this one receiving port 710 is disposed in the center of the waste ink container 7 (specifically, the ceiling portion 7A) in the longitudinal direction DL. In the following description, this one receiving port 710 is referred to as a central receiving port 711. The opening shape of the central receiving port 711 when viewed from the top-bottom direction is a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction DL as the longitudinal direction.

[0061] Of the three sockets 710, two sockets 710 other than the central socket 711 are disposed at an interval from each other in the longitudinal direction DL across a suction port 730 described below when viewed from the top-bottom direction. One of the two sockets 710 is disposed on the rear side (one side in the width direction), and the other is disposed on the front side (the other side in the width direction). In the following description, one of the two sockets 710 is referred to as the rear socket 712, and the other is referred to as the front socket 713. The opening shape of each of the rear socket 712 and the front socket 713 when viewed from the top-bottom direction is a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction DL as the longer direction.

[0062] In addition, the three sockets 710 are indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 8. The same is true in Fig. 12.

[0063] Here, 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.

[0064] The waste ink container 7 has a suction air passage 70 in the storage area, which is partitioned by the absorbing member 8. The suction air passage 70 is formed by a space in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 where the absorbing member 8 is not present (i.e., a gap present in the storage area). The suction air passage 70 is a space obtained by cutting away a part of the absorbing member 8. The suction air passage 70 is a space surrounded by the absorbing member 8. The absorbing member 8 serves as a partition wall that partitions the suction air passage 70. The suction air passage 70 allows the suction air current generated by driving the suction mechanism 10 to pass through.

[0065] The suction air passage 70 is connected to each of the multiple receptacles 710. That is, there are multiple suction air passages 70. In the following description, the suction air passages 70 connected to the central receptacle 711 may be denoted by reference numeral 71, the suction air passages 70 connected to the rear receptacle 712 may be denoted by reference numeral 72, and the suction air passages 70 connected to the front receptacle 713 may be denoted by reference numeral 73, for distinction.

[0066] The waste ink container 7 also has a junction chamber 720 in the storage area, which is partitioned by the absorbing member 8. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the junction chamber 720 is disposed at a distance from each of the multiple receiving ports 710. Similar to the suction air passage 70, the junction chamber 720 is formed by a space in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 where the absorbing member 8 is not present.

[0067] The junction chamber 720 is rectangular when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The junction chamber 720 has a pair of sides parallel to the short-side direction DS and a pair of sides parallel to the long-side direction DL when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The absorbing member 8 divides one side and the other side of the junction chamber 720 in the short-side direction DS and divides one side and the other side of the long-side direction DL of the junction chamber 720. The absorbing member 8 also divides one side (upper side) of the junction chamber 720 in the up-down direction and divides the other side (lower side) of the junction chamber 720 in the up-down direction. In this way, the absorbing member 8 becomes a partition wall that divides the junction chamber 720. The multiple suction air passages 70 merge at the junction chamber 720.

[0068] The waste ink container 7 has a suction port 730 inside the merging chamber 720. That is, the multiple suction air passages 70 are connected to the suction port 730. The multiple suction air passages 70 communicate with each of the multiple receiving ports 710 and the suction port 730. The suction port 730 communicates between the merging chamber 720 and the outside of the storage area. In addition, the suction port 730 is connected to the suction mechanism 10.

[0069] Specifically, the waste ink container 7 has a cylindrical duct 731. The duct 731 corresponds to a "cylindrical body." Furthermore, the absorbing member 8 has a through hole (reference number omitted) that penetrates downward from the merging chamber 720. The duct 731 is inserted into the through hole of the absorbing member 8 so that the axial direction of the duct 731 is the up-down direction. Furthermore, the duct 731 is inserted into the through hole of the absorbing member 8 so that one end of the duct 731 in the up-down direction (i.e., the axial direction of the duct 731) is disposed inside the merging chamber 720. The waste ink container 7 has the hollow of the duct 731 as a suction port 730.

[0070] The bottom 7B has a connection port (reference numeral omitted) that penetrates in the vertical direction. The duct 731 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. That is, the suction mechanism 10 is connected to the other end that is vertically opposite to the one end of the duct 731. When the suction mechanism 10 connected to the duct 731 is driven, a suction airflow flows from each receiving port 710 toward the junction chamber 720 (i.e., the suction port 730).

[0071] <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.

[0072] In order to improve the efficiency of recovery of the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, the inner wall of each suction air duct 70 is made of an absorbing member 8. In this configuration, the efficiency of recovery of the flushing ink is improved by the flushing ink being absorbed by the absorbing member 8. The more bends each suction air duct 70 has, the easier it is for the flushing ink contained in the gas flowing through each suction air duct 70 to be separated by centrifugal force, and the efficiency of recovery of the flushing ink is improved.

[0073] In order to improve the efficiency of recovering the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, the suction air passage 70 has a shape as shown in Fig. 8 when viewed from above and below. This will be specifically described below.

[0074] The suction air passages 72 and 73 each bend multiple times from the connection destination receptacle 710 (i.e., the rear receptacle 712 and the front receptacle 713) to the suction port 730 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The suction air passages 72 and 73 each have a portion that bends from the short side direction DS to the long side direction DL when viewed from the top-bottom direction, and a portion that bends from the long side direction DL to the short side direction DS when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The suction air passages 72 and 73 each have bent portions 72a and 73a that bend in an accordion-like manner when viewed from the top-bottom direction. This makes it easier for flushing ink to be separated from the gas in the suction air passages 72 and 73.

[0075] Also, in order to promote separation of the flushing ink from the gas sucked through the central receiving port 711, the suction air passage 71 is joined to the suction air passage 72 at a predetermined position PP. In FIG. 8, the predetermined position PP is surrounded by a dashed circle. This causes the gas sucked through the central receiving port 711 to pass through the bent portion 72a of the suction air passage 72. As a result, the flushing ink is also easily separated from the gas sucked through the central receiving port 711. Although not shown, the suction air passage 71 may be joined to the suction air passage 73.

[0076] <Uniform suction force> In order to make the suction forces of the multiple receptacles 710 the same, it is necessary to appropriately design the shape of the suction airflow passage 70. By making the shape of the suction airflow passage 70 as viewed from the top-bottom direction the shape shown in Fig. 8, the suction forces of the multiple receptacles 710 will be the same in terms of design.

[0077] However, when the space surrounded by the absorbing member 8 in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 is used as the suction air passage 70, since the absorbing member 8 is a porous member, the pores existing inside the absorbing member 8 from the beginning can become the path of the suction air current. In other words, the suction air current can pass through a location in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 other than the suction air passage 70. If a large amount of suction air current passes inside the absorbing member 8 (i.e., the pores of the absorbing member 8), the suction force will vary greatly between the multiple receiving openings 710 even if the suction air passage 70 is appropriately designed.

[0078] In order to prevent such inconvenience, in this embodiment, the merging chamber 720 is covered with a cover 9 as shown in Figures 10 and 11. That is, the waste ink container 7 has a cover 9 in the storage area. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the merging chamber 720 is covered with the cover 9. On the other hand, in the example shown in Figure 12, the merging chamber 720 is not covered with the cover 9.

[0079] The cover 9 is formed of an air-impermeable material. The cover 9 is formed of a material that is substantially impermeable to mist-like flushing ink (i.e., gas containing flushing ink). The cover 9 has at least lower air permeability than the absorbing member 8. The cover 9 is made of, for example, sheet metal. The cover 9 may also be made of resin.

[0080] By covering the junction chamber 720 with the cover 9, the suction forces of the respective receiving ports 710 can be made uniform. Details will be described later. On the other hand, if the junction chamber 720 is not covered with the cover 9, the suction forces vary greatly among the multiple receiving ports 710. A specific description will be given below with reference to FIG. 12. Note that in FIG. 12, some of the reference symbols in FIG. 8 are omitted, assuming that they are used.

[0081] When the junction chamber 720 is not covered with the cover 9, as shown in Fig. 12, in addition to the gas flowing into the junction chamber 720 from the central receiving port 711 through the suction air passages 71 and 72, gas is generated that flows into the junction chamber 720 from the central receiving port 711 through the pores of the absorbing member 8. The gas that flows into the junction chamber 720 from the central receiving port 711 through the pores of the absorbing member 8 flows in a horizontal direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction) relative to the junction chamber 720. In Fig. 12, the flow path of the gas that flows into the junction chamber 720 from the central receiving port 711 through the pores of the absorbing member 8 is typically indicated by an arrow F1.

[0082] In addition to the gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 through the suction air passage 72, the rear receiving port 712 generates gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 through the pores of the absorbing member 8. In addition to the gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 through the suction air passage 73, the front receiving port 713 generates gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 through the pores of the absorbing member 8. The gases flowing into the merging chamber 720 from the rear receiving port 712 and the front receiving port 713 through the pores of the absorbing member 8 flow in a horizontal direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction) with respect to the merging chamber 720. In FIG. 12, the flow path of the gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 from the rear receiving port 712 through the pores of the absorbing member 8 is typically indicated by an arrow F2, and the flow path of the gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 from the front receiving port 713 through the pores of the absorbing member 8 is typically indicated by an arrow F3.

[0083] 12, a large amount of gas flows into the junction chamber 720 without passing through the suction air passage 70. This causes a large variation in suction force between the multiple sockets 710. Specifically, the difference in suction force between the central socket 711 and the rear socket 712 and the front socket 713 becomes large.

[0084] On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the junction chamber 720 is covered with a cover 9. The cover 9 covers the junction chamber 720 from the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction). Specifically, the cover 9 covers the junction chamber 720 from both sides in the short direction DS, and also covers the junction chamber 720 from both sides in the longitudinal direction DL.

[0085] This makes it possible to prevent the path from each receptacle 710 to the junction chamber 720 via the pores of the absorbing member 8 without passing through the suction airflow passage 70 from becoming a path for the suction airflow. If the suction airflow does not flow through the path from each receptacle 710 to the junction chamber 720 via the pores of the absorbing member 8, the suction force of each receptacle 710 will be as designed. In other words, it is possible to prevent a large difference in suction force from occurring among the multiple receptacles 710.

[0086] For example, if the suction power of some of the receiving ports 710 is weak, the flushing ink will not be sufficiently sucked in those areas, which may result in the interior of the machine being contaminated by the flushing ink.

[0087] Furthermore, if the suction power of some of the receiving ports 710 is weak, the suction of the sheet S in those parts may be insufficient, causing the sheet S to float up and collide with the recording head 40. If the suction power of some of the receiving ports 710 is strong, the suction power of those parts may cause the ink to flow away, causing a deviation in the landing position of the ink on the sheet S, resulting in a deterioration in image quality.

[0088] In this embodiment, by covering the merging chamber 720 with the cover 9, the suction force of each receiving port 710 is made uniform. This makes it possible to prevent the flushing ink from being insufficiently sucked at some of the receiving ports 710. In other words, it is possible to prevent the flushing ink from being insufficiently sucked from the recording head 40 to the waste ink container 7. As a result, it is possible to prevent contamination of the inside of the machine due to the flushing ink. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from floating up (i.e., the sheet S from colliding with the recording head 40) and deterioration of image quality.

[0089] Moreover, in this embodiment, the cover 9 has a base portion 90 that covers the junction chamber 720 from above (i.e., one side in a predetermined direction). That is, the cover 9 covers the junction chamber 720 from above in addition to covering the junction chamber 720 from the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to prevent the path leading to the junction chamber 720 via the pores of the portion of the absorbing member 8 that defines the upper side of the junction chamber 720 from becoming a path for the suction airflow. As a result, the airflow path from each receiving port 710 to the junction chamber 720 via the pores of the absorbing member 8 can be blocked more reliably.

[0090] The cover 9 is integral with the base portion 90 and has a side portion 91 extending downward (i.e., the other side opposite to the one side in the predetermined direction) from the edge of the base portion 90 in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction). The cover 9 covers the junction chamber 720 from the horizontal direction with the side portion 91. This makes it possible to easily cover the junction chamber 720 from the horizontal direction and also to cover the junction chamber 720 from above with a single member.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side portion 91 of the cover 9 seamlessly surrounds the junction chamber 720 when viewed from the top-bottom direction (i.e., the predetermined direction). In other words, the side portion 91 surrounds the entire periphery of the junction chamber 720 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. In other words, the side portion 91 is seamlessly annular when viewed from the top-bottom direction. This more reliably prevents the path from each receiving port 710 to the junction chamber 720 via the pores of the absorbing member 8 without passing through the suction airflow passage 70 from becoming a path for the suction airflow.

[0092] In this embodiment, the suction air passage 70 flows into the junction chamber 720 from the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction). Specifically, the suction air passage 72 connects to the junction chamber 720 from one side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction DL, and the suction air passage 73 connects to the junction chamber 720 from the other side (front side) in the longitudinal direction DL. Thus, the side portion 91 of the cover 9 has an opening 910 penetrating in the longitudinal direction DL as an inlet of the suction air passage 70 to the junction chamber 720. This allows each receiving port 710 and the junction chamber 720 to communicate with each other through the suction air passage 70 even if the junction chamber 720 is covered by the side portion 91 of the cover 9.

[0093] In this embodiment, the cover 9 does not cover the lower side (i.e., the other side in the predetermined direction) of the merging chamber 720. Therefore, the portion 80 of the absorbing member 8 that defines the lower side of the merging chamber 720 is exposed to the inside of the merging chamber 720.

[0094] Although not shown, when the junction chamber 720 is covered from below with the cover 9 (i.e., when a part of the cover 9 is placed on the part 80 of the absorbing member 8), the flushing ink is not absorbed in the part 80 of the absorbing member 8, and the flushing ink accumulates inside the junction chamber 720. When the flushing ink accumulates inside the junction chamber 720, the flushing ink accumulated inside the junction chamber 720 tends to flow out of the waste ink container 7 (i.e., the suction mechanism 10) through the suction port 730. When the flushing ink flows out of the waste ink container 7, the inside of the machine is contaminated. In some cases, the flushing ink may enter the suction mechanism 10, causing the suction mechanism 10 to break down.

[0095] Therefore, in this embodiment, the portion 80 of the absorbing member 8 is exposed to the inside of the merging chamber 720. This makes it possible to prevent flushing ink from accumulating inside the merging chamber 720.

[0096] Moreover, by exposing the portion 80 of the absorbing member 8 (i.e., the lower side of the junction chamber 720 is not covered with the cover 9), one end of the duct 731 extending from the lower side to the upper side can be easily disposed in the junction chamber 720. In other words, a circulation path from the junction chamber 720 to the suction mechanism 10 can be easily secured.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, an absorbing member 8 is placed in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7, and a suction air passage 70 is formed by the space in the storage area where the absorbing member 8 is not present, so that the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink can be easily improved.

[0098] 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]

[0099] 7 Waste ink container 8 Absorbing material 9 Cover 10 Suction mechanism 40 Recording head 70 Suction air path 80 portions 90 Base 91 Side 100 Printers (inkjet recording devices) 710 Underbite 720 Confluence room 730 Suction port 731 Duct (Cylindrical body) 910 Aperture S sheet (recording medium)

Claims

1. a recording head that records an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium being conveyed; a waste ink container disposed opposite the recording head in a predetermined 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; an absorbing member disposed in the storage area and configured to absorb the ink; a confluence chamber that is configured as a space in the storage area where the absorption member is not present and is disposed at a position spaced apart from each of the plurality of receiving ports when viewed from the predetermined direction; A suction port that communicates the merging chamber with the outside of the storage area and is connected to the suction mechanism; a plurality of suction air passages that are formed of a space in the storage area where the absorbing member is not present, and that join together in the joining chamber and communicate with each of the plurality of receiving ports and the suction port, thereby allowing a suction airflow generated by driving the suction mechanism to pass through; a cover disposed in the storage region and having lower air permeability than the absorbent member; The cover covers the merging chamber from a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

2. The cover is A base portion that covers the merging chamber from one side in the predetermined direction; a side portion extending from an edge of the base portion in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction to a side opposite to the one side in the predetermined direction, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cover covers the merging chamber with the side portion from a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the side portion surrounds the merging chamber without interruption when viewed from the predetermined direction.

4. The suction airflow path flows into the merging chamber from a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the side portion has an opening penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction as an inlet of the suction air path to the merging chamber.

5. the cover does not cover the merging chamber from the other side in the predetermined direction, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a portion of the absorbing member that defines the other side of the merging chamber in the predetermined direction is exposed to the inside of the merging chamber.

6. the absorbing member has a through hole penetrating from the merging chamber to the other side in the predetermined direction and into which a cylindrical body is inserted, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the waste ink container has a hollow space in the cylindrical body as the suction port.

Images