Ink jet recording device

Abstract

To suppress leakage of ink from 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 receiving port that receives ink, a suction port connected to the suction mechanism, a suction air passage, and a partition member that partitions the suction air passage, the suction air passage has a bellows portion, the bellows portion has a first portion, a second portion disposed with a space on one side in a first direction with respect to the first portion, and a third portion disposed adjacent to one side in a second direction with respect to the first portion and the second portion, and causing suction air to flow from the first portion to the second portion, the partition member has a first partition portion that partitions one side in the second direction, of the first portion, a second partition portion that partitions one side in the second direction, of the second portion, and a third partition port that partitions the other side in the second direction, of the third portion, and the first partition portion, the second partition portion and the third partition portion are overlapped each other in the first direction.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, a waste ink container that is disposed opposite the recording head in a predetermined direction across the recording medium transport path, has a storage area therein, and stores in the storage area ink that is ejected from the recording head but not used to record an image, and a suction mechanism that sucks gas from the waste ink container. The waste ink container has a receiving port that receives ink ejected from the recording head, a suction port that is disposed at a distance from the receiving port when viewed from the predetermined direction and is connected to the suction mechanism, a suction air passage that communicates between the receiving port and the suction port to pass a suction airflow generated by driving the suction mechanism, and a partition member that is disposed in the storage area and partitions the suction air passage. The suction air passage has a bellows portion that is a portion folded back in a bellows shape. The bellows portion has a first portion that allows the suction airflow to flow to one side in the first direction, a second portion that is disposed at a distance from the first portion on one side in the first direction and allows the suction airflow to flow to one side in the first direction, and a third portion that is disposed adjacent to one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the first and second portions, is connected to an end of the first portion on one side in the first direction and is connected to an end of the second portion on the other side opposite to the one side in the first direction, and allows the suction airflow to flow from the first portion to the second portion. The partition member has a first partition section that partitions one side of the first portion in the second direction, a second partition section that partitions one side of the second portion in the second direction, and a third partition section that partitions the other side of the third portion opposite to the one side in the second direction. The first partition section, the second partition section, and the third partition section overlap each other in the first direction. 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 shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the absorbing member shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a flow path of a suction airflow passing through the suction airflow passage shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining inconveniences that occur when the bellows portion is not formed with high precision. 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] 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 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] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] <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).

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] <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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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 a recording head 40 that ejects 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 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. In this configuration, the vertical direction corresponds to the "predetermined direction."

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] <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.

[0052] 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 may be referred to as the short side direction DS, and the other horizontal direction perpendicular to the one direction may be 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).

[0053] 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 applies to Figs. 10 to 12.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The ceiling portion 7A functions as an ink receiving portion that receives 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. Note that the receiving openings 710 open upward. In other words, the opening direction of the receiving openings 710 is the vertical direction. Note that the receiving openings 710 are indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 8.

[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] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] The waste ink container 7 has a suction air passage 70 in the storage area, which is partitioned by the absorbing member 8. In other words, the absorbing member 8 corresponds to a "partitioning member." The suction air passage 70 is formed by the space in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 where the absorbing member 8 is not present (i.e., the gaps 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The waste ink container 7 has a suction port 730 inside the merging chamber 720. That is, the suction port 730 is disposed at a position spaced apart from each of the multiple receiving ports 710 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The multiple suction air passages 70 are connected to the suction port 730. The multiple suction air passages 70 communicate each of the multiple receiving ports 710 with the suction port 730. The suction port 730 communicates between the merging chamber 720 and the outside of the storage area. The suction port 730 is also connected to the suction mechanism 10.

[0067] The waste ink container 7 has a cylindrical duct 731. Furthermore, the absorbing member 8 has an opening 80 that penetrates downward from the merging chamber 720. The duct 731 is inserted into the opening 80 of the absorbing member 8 so that its cylindrical axis direction is the up-down direction. Furthermore, the duct 731 is inserted into the opening 80 of the absorbing member 8 so that one end of the duct 731 in the up-down direction (i.e., the cylindrical axis direction) is disposed inside the merging chamber 720. The waste ink container 7 has the hollow of the duct 731 as a suction port 730.

[0068] 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).

[0069] 8 is an example. The shape of each suction air passage 70 as viewed from the top and bottom is not particularly limited. For example, suction air passage 71 may be merged with at least one of suction air passages 72 and 73.

[0070] <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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] In order to improve the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink, as shown in FIG. 9, at least one suction air passage 70 is provided with a bellows portion 9. The bellows portion 9 is a portion folded back in a bellows shape. In order to form the suction air passage 70 having the bellows portion 9 with the absorbing member 8, the absorbing member 8 is configured as a laminated body in which a plurality of layers are laminated. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the suction air passage 71 is illustrated as having the bellows portion 9, but at least one of the suction air passages 72 and 73 may have the bellows portion 9. For example, the bellows portion 9 may be provided in all of the suction air passages 70. Also, the bellows portion 9 may not be provided in any of the suction air passages 70, and the suction air passage 70 having the bellows portion 9 may be merged with the suction air passage 70 without the bellows portion 9.

[0073] The bellows portion 9 is a portion that is folded back so that the up-down direction is the folding direction. In other words, the bellows portion 9 is a portion in which vertical concavities and convexities continue in the direction toward the suction port 730 (i.e., the horizontal direction). In other words, the bellows portion 9 is a portion that is bent in a bellows shape in a cross-sectional view of the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 (i.e., the absorbing member 8) cut along a plane perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0074] In the suction air passage 70 having the bellows portion 9, the suction airflow heading toward the suction port 730 is bent at the bellows portion 9. At this time, centrifugal force acts to separate the flushing ink from the gas. The suction airflow is bent multiple times at the bellows portion 9. By bending the suction airflow multiple times, the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink is improved.

[0075] For example, although not shown, bending the suction air passage 70 in the horizontal direction increases the number of bends of the suction airflow, improving the efficiency of recovering the flushing ink. In this case, however, a part of the suction air passage 70 protrudes in the horizontal direction, and one suction air passage 70 may interfere with another suction air passage 70. As a result, problems such as the partition wall between the two suction air passages 70 being torn may occur. In addition, if the horizontal distance between the two suction air passages 70 is too small in the first place, the suction air passage 70 made of the absorbing member 8 cannot be manufactured.

[0076] 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.

[0077] For this reason, the bellows portion 9 is formed by bending the suction air passage 70 in the vertical direction. As a result, even if there is not enough space in a plan view from the vertical direction, the bellows portion 9 can be provided in the suction air passage 70 without causing interference between the adjacent suction air passages 70.

[0078] Below, we will explain in detail the configuration of the bellows part 9 in a cross-sectional view of the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 (i.e., the absorbing member 8) cut along a plane perpendicular to the horizontal direction. In the following explanation, the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the horizontal direction) is given the symbol D1, and the vertical direction is given the symbol D2. The horizontal direction D1 corresponds to the "first direction," and the vertical direction D2 corresponds to the "second direction."

[0079] The bellows portion 9 has a first portion 91 and a second portion 92. The first portion 91 extends in the horizontal direction D1 and allows the suction airflow to flow on one side in the horizontal direction D1. The second portion 92 extends in the horizontal direction D1 and allows the suction airflow to flow on one side in the horizontal direction D1. The second portion 92 is disposed at a distance from the first portion 91 in the horizontal direction D1.

[0080] In a cross-sectional view of the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 (i.e., the absorbing member 8) cut along a plane perpendicular to the horizontal direction, the flow direction of the suction airflow in the first portion 91 and the second portion 92 is the horizontal direction D1. One side of the horizontal direction D1 is the downstream side of the flow direction of the suction airflow, and the other side of the horizontal direction D1 is the upstream side of the suction airflow.

[0081] The bellows portion 9 has a third portion 93. The third portion 93 extends in the horizontal direction D1 and distributes the suction airflow to one side of the horizontal direction D1. Here, the third portion 93 is disposed adjacent to one side of the vertical direction D2 with respect to the first portion 91 and the second portion 92. The third portion 93 is connected to an end portion of the first portion 91 on one side of the horizontal direction D1 (i.e., downstream side in the flow direction of the suction airflow). The third portion 93 is also connected to an end portion of the second portion 92 on the other side opposite to the one side of the horizontal direction D1 (i.e., upstream side in the flow direction of the suction airflow). As a result, the third portion 93 distributes the suction airflow from the first portion 91 to the second portion 92. The path of the suction airflow from the first portion 91 to the second portion 92 via the third portion 93 is bent in a bellows shape.

[0082] For example, in the vertical direction D2, one side is the upper side and the other side is the lower side. In this case, the third portion 93 is disposed on the upper side with respect to the first portion 91 and the second portion 92. However, this is not limited thereto. The third portion 93 may be disposed on the lower side with respect to the first portion 91 and the second portion 92.

[0083] The absorbing member 8 has a first partitioning portion 81, a second partitioning portion 82, and a third partitioning portion 83 to partition the bellows portion 9. The first partitioning portion 81, the second partitioning portion 82, and the third partitioning portion 83 partition the inside of the bend present in the bellows portion 9. Specifically, the first partitioning portion 81 partitions one side of the first portion 91 in the up-down direction D2. The second partitioning portion 82 partitions one side of the second portion 92 in the up-down direction D2. The third partitioning portion 83 partitions the other side of the third portion 93 opposite to the one side in the up-down direction D2.

[0084] 10, the absorbing member 8 is composed of five layers: a first absorbing layer 801, a second absorbing layer 802, a third absorbing layer 803, a fourth absorbing layer 804, and a fifth absorbing layer 805. The first to fifth absorbing layers 801 to 805 correspond to "layers." The first to fifth absorbing layers 801 to 805 are laminated in this order from the lower side to the upper side. The first to fifth absorbing layers 801 to 805 are all formed of porous members that absorb flushing ink.

[0085] Each of the first to fifth absorbent layers 801-805 has at least one opening 80 penetrating in the up-down direction D2. The first to fifth absorbent layers 801-805 are stacked in this order in the up-down direction D2, and the openings 80 adjacent to each other in the up-down direction D2 communicate with each other in the up-down direction D2, so that a space formed by a combination of the openings 80 of the first to fifth absorbent layers 801-805 extends from the receiving port 710 to the suction port 730. The suction air passage 70 is formed by the space formed by a combination of the openings 80 of the first to fifth absorbent layers 801-805. This makes it easy to form the suction air passage 70 having the bellows portion 9. Specifically, it is only necessary to form the openings 80 in each of the first to fifth absorbent layers 801-805 using a mold or the like, and then stack the first to fifth absorbent layers 801-805.

[0086] The first absorption layer 801 is disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 7B. The first absorption layer 801 has an opening 80 that serves as the suction port 730. In other words, the first absorption layer 801 has an opening 80 into which the duct 731 is inserted. The first absorption layer 801 defines the other side of each of the first portion 91 and the second portion 92 of the bellows portion 9 in the up-down direction D2. The first absorption layer 801 also defines the other side of the junction chamber 720 in the up-down direction D2.

[0087] The second absorbent layer 802 is disposed on the first absorbent layer 801. The second absorbent layer 802 has an opening 80 that becomes the first portion 91 and an opening 80 that becomes the second portion 92. That is, the second absorbent layer 802 corresponds to "one layer." The second absorbent layer 802 also has an opening 80 that becomes the merging chamber 720.

[0088] The third absorption layer 803 is disposed on the second absorption layer 802. The fourth absorption layer 804 is disposed on the third absorption layer 803. The fourth absorption layer 804 has an opening 80 which becomes the third portion 93. That is, the fourth absorption layer 804 corresponds to the "other layer." The fourth absorption layer 804 also has an opening 80 which becomes the merging chamber 720.

[0089] The third absorption layer 803 is disposed between the second absorption layer 802 and the fourth absorption layer 804 in the up-down direction D2. The third absorption layer 803 has an opening 80 that serves as a connection port between the first portion 91 and the third portion 93, and also has an opening 80 that serves as a connection port between the second portion 92 and the third portion 93. As a result, the third absorption layer 803 communicates between the first portion 91 and the third portion 93, and also communicates between the second portion 92 and the third portion 93. In this configuration, the third absorption layer 803 corresponds to the "middle layer". The third absorption layer 803 also has an opening 80 that serves as the merging chamber 720.

[0090] The fifth absorbent layer 805 is disposed on the fourth absorbent layer 804. The opening 80 of the fifth absorbent layer 805 communicates with the suction port 730. The fifth absorbent layer 805 also defines one side of the third portion 93 of the bellows portion 9 in the up-down direction D2. The fifth absorbent layer 805 also defines one side of the merging chamber 720 in the up-down direction D2.

[0091] 11, when the third absorption layer 803 is present, the suction airflow bends in the vertical direction D2 between the second absorption layer 802 and the fourth absorption layer 804. The flow path of the suction airflow in this case is indicated by an arrow F1.

[0092] 12, even if the third absorbing layer 803 is omitted, the bellows portion 9 can be provided in the suction air passage 70. However, there is a limit to the machining accuracy of the absorbing member 8. For this reason, the following inconveniences may occur due to dimensional tolerances.

[0093] For example, in at least one of the second absorbent layer 802 and the fourth absorbent layer 804, the thickness in the up-down direction D2 of the peripheral portion of the opening 80 (i.e., the portion defining the inside of the bend in the bellows portion 9) may become small, and the suction airflow may reach the suction port 730 without bending between the second absorbent layer 802 and the fourth absorbent layer 804 in the up-down direction D2. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the suction airflow may flow through the path indicated by the arrow F2 in the figure. In this case, the flushing ink is not well separated from the gas.

[0094] Therefore, in this embodiment, the third absorption layer 803 is disposed between the second absorption layer 802 and the fourth absorption layer 804 in the up-down direction D2. The third absorption layer 803 is a layer integrally having the first partition 81, the second partition 82, and the third partition 83. Therefore, the first partition 81, the second partition 82, and the third partition 83 overlap each other in the horizontal direction D1 (i.e., the direction toward the suction port 730).

[0095] This can prevent the suction airflow from reaching the suction port 730 without bending even though the bellows portion 9 is provided in the suction air passage 70. The bending of the suction airflow at the bellows portion 9 facilitates separation of the flushing ink from the gas. As a result, the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 is improved. Furthermore, leakage of the flushing ink from the waste ink container 7 is prevented. If leakage of the flushing ink from the waste ink container 7 is prevented, the occurrence of problems such as contamination of the inside of the machine (for example, the suction mechanism 10) with the flushing ink is prevented.

[0096] If the recovery efficiency of the flushing ink in the storage area of ​​the waste ink container 7 is improved, the amount of flushing ink that reaches the suction mechanism 10 will be reduced, which will prevent the fan from breaking down. Furthermore, the reduction in the amount of flushing ink that reaches the suction mechanism 10 will reduce the frequency of replacing the filter disposed in the fan.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first partition 81, the second partition 82, and the third partition 83 are provided in the third absorbent layer 803. This can prevent the inconvenience shown in FIG. 12 from occurring. That is, it can prevent the suction airflow from taking a path between the second absorbent layer 802 and the fourth absorbent layer 804 in the vertical direction D2 from bending and reaching the suction port 730. In addition, since it is only necessary to sandwich the third absorbent layer 803 between the second absorbent layer 802 and the fourth absorbent layer 804 in the vertical direction D2, assembly is simple. The third absorbent layer 803 is a single layer. This can prevent the number of layers (i.e., the number of parts) constituting the absorbent member 8 from increasing.

[0098] In this embodiment, the absorbing member 8 as a "partition member" 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 of ​​the waste ink container 7 where the absorbing member 8 is not present, so that the efficiency of collecting flushing ink can be easily improved. 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 as a "partition member", and the multiple suction air passages 70 may be formed by that member.

[0099] 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]

[0100] 7 Waste ink container 8 Absorbing material 9 Bellows 10 Suction mechanism 70 Suction air path 80 aperture 81 First Section 82 Second Section 83 Third Section 91 Part 1 92 Part 2 93 Part 3 100 Printers (inkjet recording devices) 710 Underbite 730 Suction port 802 Second absorption layer (one layer) 803 Third absorption layer (middle layer) 804 4th absorption layer (other layer) 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 receiving port for receiving the ink ejected from the recording head; a suction port that is disposed at a position spaced apart from the receiving port when viewed from the predetermined direction and is connected to the suction mechanism; a suction air passage that communicates the receiving port and the suction port to allow a suction airflow generated by driving the suction mechanism to pass therethrough; A partition member is disposed in the storage area and partitions the suction air passage, The suction air passage has a bellows portion which is a portion folded back in a bellows shape, The bellows portion is a first portion that allows the suction airflow to flow in one side of a first direction; a second portion disposed on one side in the first direction with a gap therebetween with respect to the first portion and configured to allow the suction airflow to flow on the one side in the first direction; a third portion that is disposed adjacent to one side of the first portion and the second portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, that is connected to an end of the first portion on the one side in the first direction and that is connected to an end of the second portion on the other side opposite to the one side in the first direction, and that distributes the suction airflow from the first portion to the second portion, The partition member is a first partition portion that partitions one side of the first portion in the second direction; a second partition portion that partitions one side of the second portion in the second direction; a third partition portion that partitions the other side of the third portion opposite to the one side in the second direction, The inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the first partitioned portion, the second partitioned portion, and the third partitioned portion overlap each other in the first direction.

2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction.

3. The partition member is made of a plurality of layers stacked in the second direction, Each of the plurality of layers has an opening penetrating in the second direction, the plurality of layers are stacked in the second direction, and the openings adjacent to each other in the second direction are in communication with each other, so that a space formed by a combination of the openings of the plurality of layers extends from the receiving port to the suction port; The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the suction air passage is formed by a space formed by a combination of the openings in each of the plurality of layers.

4. The plurality of layers include one layer having the opening that becomes the first portion and the opening that becomes the second portion; the other layer having the opening that becomes the third portion; an intermediate layer disposed between the one layer and the other layer in the second direction and communicating the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion; The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first partition section, the second partition section and the third partition section are provided in the intermediate layer.

5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the partition member is made of a material that absorbs the ink.

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