Inkjet recording device

Abstract

To provide an inkjet recording device that is suppressed from enlarging in size in a height direction and in which a capability of ink discharging of a recording head can be appropriately maintained.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device 1 comprises a recording head 52 and a maintenance unit 11. The maintenance unit 11 comprises a wiper 111, a recovery belt 112, a blade 113 and a recovery tray 114, and recovers residual materials on an ink discharge surface of the recording head 52. The recovery belt 112 is formed in an endless shape, is arranged to oppose to the ink discharge surface, rotates to move relatively with respect to the ink discharge surface, and is configured so that residual materials wiped off from the ink discharge surface by the wiper 111 are made to adhere to a surface thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet recording apparatuses, such as printers and copiers, which record images by ejecting ink onto a recording medium such as paper, are widely used because of their ability to record high-definition images.

[0003] In such inkjet recording devices, the ink in the ink ejection nozzles provided on the ink ejection surface of the recording head may thicken due to drying or other reasons, causing clogging and ejection problems. In response to this, a conventional technique is known in which a purging process is performed to forcibly push the ink out of the nozzles in order to restore the ink ejection performance. The ink purging process makes it possible to expel the thickened ink, air bubbles, impurities, and the like from within the nozzles.

[0004] For example, the conventional inkjet device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a wiper unit having a wiper member and a waste ink tray as an example of a purging means. The wiper unit is disposed below the recording head during maintenance. Waste ink generated during purging processing or cleaning processing by the wiper member is collected in the waste ink tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-24096 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional technology, a waste ink tray large enough to cover the entire ink ejection surface of the recording head is provided. In addition, the waste ink generated by the purging process or the cleaning process using the wiper member is thickened and has poor fluidity. For this reason, the waste ink tray needs to be provided with a large inclination so that the waste ink can flow smoothly, and it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of retention that hinders the flow of the waste ink.

[0007] However, if a large inclination is provided for a waste ink tray large enough to cover the entire ink ejection surface of the recording head, the waste ink tray itself becomes a large member in the height direction. This increases the height of the device, which causes the device to become larger. There is a concern that the increased height of the device, when an operation unit is provided at the top, will make it difficult for the user to operate. In addition, there is a concern that reducing the storage space for recording paper at the bottom of the device in order to prevent the device from becoming too tall, will reduce convenience.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide an inkjet recording device that suppresses an increase in size of the device in the vertical direction and can maintain the ink ejection performance of the recording head in an optimal manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording head and a maintenance unit. The recording head has an ink ejection surface that ejects ink onto a recording medium. The maintenance unit collects residues on the ink ejection surface. The maintenance unit includes a wiper, a recovery belt, a blade, and a recovery tray. The wiper wipes off the residues on the ink ejection surface. The recovery belt is endless and is disposed opposite the ink ejection surface, and rotates so as to move relative to the ink ejection surface, so that the residues wiped off from the ink ejection surface by the wiper adhere to its surface. The blade scrapes off the residues adhering to the surface of the recovery belt. The recovery tray collects the residues scraped off from the recovery belt by the blade. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the configuration of the present invention, the ink-containing residue wiped off from the ink ejection surface can be moved to the location of the blade by the recovery belt, and the residue can be recovered by the recovery tray. This makes it possible to prevent the recovery tray from becoming a large component in the height direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the device from becoming large in the height direction. Furthermore, the maintenance unit, which is prevented from becoming large, can optimally maintain the ink ejection performance of the recording head. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic sectional front view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the periphery of a recording unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the recording head of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the recording head of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the periphery of a recording unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a front view of the recording unit and its periphery in FIG. 5, showing a state in which the maintenance unit has been raised and is disposed facing the lower surface of the recording unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a front view of the recording unit and its periphery in FIG. 5, showing a wiping state. [Figure 8] 8 is a side view of the recording head and the maintenance unit in FIG. 7, showing a state where a wiping operation starts. FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a side view of the recording head and the maintenance unit in FIG. 7, showing a state after a wiping operation has been completed; FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the periphery of a side edge of the recovery belt of FIG. 8. [Figure 11]9 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the periphery of a side edge of the collection belt of FIG. 8, showing the contact portion of the collection blade. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a front view of the periphery of a recording unit of a modified inkjet recording apparatus, illustrating a wiping state. [Figure 13] 13 is a side view of the recording head and the maintenance unit in FIG. 12, showing a state where a wiping operation has been completed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of an inkjet recording device 1 of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the periphery of a recording unit 5 of the inkjet recording device 1 of Fig. 1. The inkjet recording device 1 is, for example, an inkjet recording printer. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the inkjet recording device 1 includes a device main body 2, a paper supply unit 3, a paper transport unit 4, a recording unit 5, a drying unit 6, and a control unit 7.

[0014] The paper supply unit 3 is disposed, for example, at the bottom of the device main body 2. The paper supply unit 3 stores a plurality of sheets of paper (recording media) S, and separates and sends out the sheets of paper S one by one during recording.

[0015] The paper transport section 4 is disposed downstream of the paper supply section 3 in the paper transport direction, and transports the paper S sent out from the paper supply section 3. The paper transport section 4 transports the paper S to the recording section 5 and the drying section 6, and then discharges the paper S after recording and drying to the paper discharge section 21. The paper transport section 4 also has, for example, a reversing transport section 4r. When double-sided recording is performed, the paper transport section 4 distributes the paper S after recording and drying on the first side to the reversing transport section 4r, and then switches the transport direction to transport the paper S, which has been reversed, to the recording section 5 and the drying section 6 again.

[0016] The paper conveying section 4 includes a first belt conveying section 41 and a second belt conveying section 42. The first belt conveying section 41 has a first conveying belt 411 formed in an endless shape. The second belt conveying section 42 has a second conveying belt 421 formed in an endless shape. The first belt conveying section 41 and the second belt conveying section 42 adsorb and hold the paper S on the outer surface (upper surface) of the upper side of the first conveying belt 411 and the second conveying belt 421, respectively, and convey the paper S. The first belt conveying section 41 is disposed below the recording section 5 and conveys the paper S. The second belt conveying section 42 is disposed downstream of the first belt conveying section 41 in the paper conveying direction, and is disposed in the drying section 6 and conveys the paper S.

[0017] The recording unit 5 is located downstream of the paper supply unit 3 in the paper conveying direction, and is disposed opposite the first belt conveying unit 41. The recording unit 5 faces the paper S that is adsorbed and held on the upper surface of the first conveying belt 411 and conveyed, and is disposed above the first conveying belt 411 with a predetermined gap therebetween. In other words, the recording unit 5 faces the paper S conveyed by the paper conveying unit 4.

[0018] 2, the recording unit 5 holds head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y corresponding to the four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. The head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y are arranged side by side along the paper transport direction Dc so that their longitudinal directions are parallel to the paper width direction Dw that is perpendicular to the paper transport direction Dc. Note that the four head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y have the same basic configuration, so in the following explanation, the identification symbols "B", "C", "M", and "Y" representing each color may be omitted unless there is a particular need to limit them.

[0019] Each of the head units 51 for each color has a line-type inkjet recording head 52. In each of the head units 51 for each color, a plurality of recording heads 52 (for example, three (52a, 52b, 52c)) are arranged in a staggered pattern along the paper width direction Dw.

[0020] The recording head 52 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 at its bottom. The plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 are arranged in a row along the paper width direction Dw, and can eject ink over the entire recording area on the paper S. That is, the recording head 52 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 that eject ink onto the paper S. The recording unit 5 sequentially ejects ink from each of the recording heads 52 of the four color head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y toward the paper S transported by the first transport belt 411, and records a full-color image or a monochrome image on the paper S.

[0021] The drying unit 6 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 5 in the paper transport direction, and is provided with a second belt transport unit 42. The paper S on which an ink image has been recorded in the recording unit 5 is adsorbed and held by the second transport belt 421 in the drying unit 6, and the ink is dried while being transported.

[0022] The control unit 7 includes a CPU, a memory unit, and other electronic circuits and electronic components (none of which are shown). The CPU controls the operation of each component provided in the inkjet recording device 1 based on control programs and data stored in the memory unit to perform processing related to the functions of the inkjet recording device 1. The paper supply unit 3, paper transport unit 4, recording unit 5, and drying unit 6 each receive commands individually from the control unit 7 and work together to record on the paper S. The memory unit is composed of a combination of a non-volatile storage device such as a program ROM (Read Only Memory) or a data ROM, and a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0023] Next, the configuration of the recording head 52 and its surroundings of the recording unit 5 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figures 3 and 4 are a side view and a bottom view of the recording head 52 in Figure 2. Note that since the three recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c for each color have the same shape and configuration, the identification symbols (a, b, c) will be omitted in the following description.

[0024] The recording head 52 has an ink ejection surface 52F on its lower surface. The ink ejection surface 52F faces the surface (upper surface) of the paper S transported on the first transport belt 411. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink ejection surface 52F has a nozzle region 52R in which a large number of ink ejection nozzles 521 are arranged. That is, the ink ejection surface 52F has a large number of ink ejection nozzles 521 open therethrough and ejects ink onto the paper S. A water-repellent film (not shown) is formed on the ink ejection surface 52F. The four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) of ink are individually supplied to each of the recording heads 52 of the four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) stored in ink tanks outside the head unit 51.

[0025] The recording head 52 ejects ink from the ink ejection nozzles 521 toward the paper S that is adsorbed and held on the transport surface of the first transport belt 411 and transported, based on a control signal from the control unit 7 and in accordance with image data received from an external computer. In detail, the control unit 7 inputs an ejection drive signal having a predetermined drive voltage and pulse width to the recording head 52 to drive the recording head 52 and eject ink from the ink ejection nozzles 521. As a result, a color image in which four colors of ink, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, are superimposed, or a monochrome image is formed on the paper S on the first transport belt 411.

[0026] 1, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a maintenance unit 11 and a unit moving mechanism (moving mechanism) 12. The maintenance unit 11 and the unit moving mechanism 12 are disposed below the recording section 5.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a front view of the recording unit 5 and its periphery of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a front view of the recording unit 5 and its periphery of Fig. 5, showing a state in which the maintenance unit 11 has been raised and is disposed facing the lower surface of the recording unit 5.

[0028] In the inkjet recording device 1, a maintenance process is performed on the recording head 52 at a predetermined timing. This maintenance process is performed on the recording head 52, for example, when recording starts after a long period of inactivity, or between recording operations. When performing the maintenance process on the recording head 52, the control unit 7 moves the maintenance unit 11 close to the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording section 5 and moves it to the processing position (see FIG. 6).

[0029] During maintenance processing of the recording head 52, the maintenance unit 11 collects residual matter such as ink adhering to the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52. Details of the maintenance unit 11 will be described later.

[0030] The unit moving mechanism 12 is disposed, for example, below the maintenance unit 11. The unit moving mechanism 12 has, for example, a motor as a drive source, a lifting member 121 that contacts the bottom of the maintenance unit 11, and a group of gears connected to the output shaft of the motor and the lifting member 121.

[0031] The lifting member 121 extends, for example, in the paper transport direction Dc, and one end of the extension direction is rotatable about an axis extending in the paper width direction Dw. The other end of the lifting member 121 in the paper transport direction Dc comes into contact with the bottom of the maintenance unit 11. When the motor is driven, the unit movement mechanism 12 rotates the lifting member 121 to push up or pull down the maintenance unit 11, thereby lifting and lowering the maintenance unit 11.

[0032] As described above, the unit movement mechanism 12 moves the maintenance unit 11 closer to or away from the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52. That is, the unit movement mechanism 12 selectively moves the maintenance unit 11 to a processing position close to the ink ejection surface 52F and a retracted position retracted from the ink ejection surface 52F. At this time, the first belt transport unit 41 disposed opposite the lower surface of the recording unit 5 is retracted from below the recording unit 5 by another movement mechanism or the like (see FIG. 6). The operation of the unit movement mechanism 12 is controlled by the control unit 7.

[0033] According to the above configuration, the unit moving mechanism 12 can move the maintenance unit 11 closer to or farther from the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52 as necessary. In other words, the maintenance process for the recording head 52 can be performed at any timing. Therefore, the ink ejection performance of the recording head 52 can be maintained in an optimal manner.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a front view of the recording unit 5 and its periphery in Fig. 5, showing a wiping state. The maintenance unit 11 includes a wiper 111, a collection belt 112, a blade 113, and a collection tray 114.

[0035] The wiper 111 is disposed on the upper part of the maintenance unit 11. When the maintenance unit 11 is disposed at the processing position, the wiper 111 faces the ink ejection surface 52F below the recording section 5. The wiper 111 is disposed individually for each recording head 52 of each color. The wiper 111 is supported by a support member that is movable along the paper width direction Dw. That is, the wiper 111 is movable along the paper width direction Dw.

[0036] The wiper 111 is an elastic member made of rubber such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) and formed into a plate shape. The wiper 111 comes into contact with the ink ejection surface 52F from below with a predetermined pressure as the maintenance unit 11 rises below the recording section 5. The wiper 111 moves in the paper width direction Dw and wipes off any residue on the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52.

[0037] The recovery belt 112 is disposed below the wiper 111. The recovery belt 112 is disposed to face the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52. The recovery belt 112 is endless and is stretched around two rollers 112r disposed on the inside. The recovery belt 112 extends from below the most upstream black head unit 51B to below the most downstream yellow head unit 51Y in the paper transport direction Dc.

[0038] The roller 112r is disposed inside the collection belt 112 and is supported rotatably about a rotation axis extending along the paper width direction Dw. One of the two rollers 112r is a drive roller, and the collection belt 112 is rotated by the drive roller so that the upper side moves from upstream to downstream in the paper transport direction Dc. In other words, the collection belt 112 rotates so as to move relative to the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52. Residues wiped off from the ink ejection surface 52F by the wiper 111 adhere to the surface of the collection belt 112.

[0039] The blade 113 is disposed below the most downstream portion of the collection belt 112 in the paper transport direction Dc. The blade 113 is an elastic member made of, for example, silicone resin or rubber, and formed into a plate shape. The blade 113 is disposed to face the lower surface of the collection belt 112 and contacts the surface with a predetermined pressure. The blade 113 extends along the paper width direction Dw, and is longer than the collection belt 112 in the paper width direction Dw. As the collection belt 112 rotates, the blade 113 scrapes off residue adhering to the surface of the collection belt 112.

[0040] The collection tray 114 is disposed below the blade 113. The collection tray 114 extends along the paper width direction Dw, and is longer than the blade 113 in the paper width direction Dw. The collection tray 114 collects residues scraped off from the collection belt 112 by the blade 113.

[0041] A recovery tube 114t is connected to the bottom of the recovery tray 114. A recovery tank (not shown) that stores the residue recovered from the ink ejection surface 52F via the wiper 111, the recovery belt 112, and the blade 113 is connected to the downstream end of the recovery tube 114t. For example, a pump may be connected to the recovery tube 114t to recover the residue in the recovery tray 114 by suction.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a side view of the recording head 52 and the maintenance unit 11 in Fig. 7, showing the start state of the wiping operation. During the maintenance process of the recording head 52, ink Q is ejected from the ink ejection nozzles 521 onto the ink ejection surface 52F.

[0043] The ink Q includes, for example, ink with high viscosity inside the ink discharge nozzle 521, foreign matter, air bubbles, and the like, and is forcibly pushed out (purged) from the ink discharge nozzle 521. The ink Q is held by surface tension below the ink discharge surface 52F, with a predetermined length in the paper width direction Dw, and spread across the entire area of ​​the ink discharge surface 52F in the paper transport direction Dc (the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 8).

[0044] The wiper 111 is in contact with the ink ejection surface 52F from below with a predetermined pressure at one end of the ink ejection surface 52F in the paper width direction Dw, that is, at the upstream end in the movement direction (paper width direction Dw).

[0045] 9 is a side view of the recording head 52 and the maintenance unit 11 in FIG. 7, showing the end state of the wiping operation. More specifically, it shows the state where the wiping operation is nearing completion. Residues on the ink ejection surface 52F, including the forcibly pushed-out ink Q, are wiped off from the ink ejection surface 52F by the wiper 111 moving in the paper width direction Dw.

[0046] When the wiper 111 reaches the downstream end of the ink ejection surface 52F in the movement direction (paper width direction Dw), the movement is stopped. The wiper 111 is then lowered and separated from the ink ejection surface 52F. Residues on the ink ejection surface 52F, including the ink Q wiped off by the wiper 111, fall onto the upper surface of the collection belt 112. Furthermore, the residues on the collection belt 112 are scraped off from the collection belt 112 by the blade 113, and fall into the collection tray 114 to be collected.

[0047] According to the above configuration, the residue including the ink Q wiped off from the ink ejection surface 52F can be moved to the location of the blade 113 by the recovery belt 112, and the residue can be recovered by the recovery tray 114. This can prevent the recovery tray 114 from becoming a large member in the height direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inkjet recording apparatus 1 from becoming large in the height direction. Furthermore, the maintenance unit 11, which is prevented from becoming large, can optimally maintain the ink ejection performance of the recording head 52.

[0048] Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the periphery of the side edge of the collection belt 112 in Fig. 8. More specifically, it is an enlarged view showing the part surrounded by the circle X in Fig. 8. The endless collection belt 112 is supported by a guide member 115 arranged on its inner side (the lower side in Fig. 10).

[0049] The collection belt 112 has protrusions 112p on the side edges, which are both ends in the paper width direction Dw. The protrusions 112p have a circular cross section when viewed from the paper transport direction Dc, for example, and protrude in the thickness direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 10) of the collection belt 112. In other words, both ends of the collection belt 112 in the paper width direction Dw are thicker than the area between the ends.

[0050] This configuration makes it possible to prevent residues on the ink ejection surface 52F, including ink Q that has fallen onto the collection belt 112, from spilling out in the paper width direction Dw and falling from the collection belt 112. This makes it possible to properly carry the residues on the ink ejection surface 52F to the location of the blade 113, and to prevent the inside of the device from being contaminated by the residues.

[0051] Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the periphery of the side edge of the collection belt 112 in Fig. 8, showing the contact portion of the collection blade 113. More specifically, it is an enlarged view showing the portion surrounded by the circle XI in Fig. 8. The collection belt 112 is made of an elastic material. Therefore, when the blade 113, which is longer than the collection belt 112 in the paper width direction Dw, comes into contact with the collection belt 112, the location of the protrusion 112p elastically deforms toward the inside of the endless collection belt 112 (the upper side in Fig. 11).

[0052] Next, we will explain a modified example of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Fig. 12 is a front view of the recording unit and its periphery of the modified inkjet recording apparatus 1, showing a wiping state. Fig. 13 is a side view of the recording head 52 and the maintenance unit 11 in Fig. 12, showing a state after the wiping operation has ended.

[0053] The maintenance unit 11 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the modified example includes a wiper 111, a collection belt 116, a blade 117, and a collection tray 118.

[0054] The collection belt 116 is endless and is stretched by three rollers 116r arranged on the inside and one roller 116s arranged adjacent to the outside. Of the three rollers 116r, one roller 116r is arranged at the upstream end of the collection belt 116 in the paper transport direction Dc, and the other two rollers 116r are arranged side by side in the vertical direction at the downstream end of the collection belt 116 in the paper transport direction Dc. The roller 116s is arranged adjacent to the lower roller 116r at the downstream end of the collection belt 116 in the paper transport direction Dc, and contacts the collection belt 116 from the outside. The collection belt 116 is stretched by the four rollers 116r and 116s in an L-shape when viewed from the paper width direction Dw (the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 12).

[0055] The recovery belt 116 has a facing portion 116a facing the ink ejection surface 52F and a flat portion 116b extending in the vertical direction. The facing portion 116a of the recovery belt 116 extends from below the most upstream black head unit 51B to below the most downstream yellow head unit 51Y in the paper transport direction Dc, and faces the ink ejection surfaces 52F of the recording heads 52 of the four head units 51 in the vertical direction.

[0056] The flat portion 116b of the collection belt 116 is disposed downstream of the opposing portion 116a in the paper transport direction Dc. The flat portion 116b is formed in a region between two rollers 116r arranged side by side in the vertical direction at the downstream end of the collection belt 116 in the paper transport direction Dc. This allows the flat portion 116b to extend in the vertical direction. Residues on the ink ejection surface 52F that adhere to the surface of the flat portion 116b move downward between the two adjacent rollers 116r.

[0057] The blade 117 is disposed to face the surface of the flat portion 116b of the collection belt 116 and contacts the surface with a predetermined pressure. The blade 117 is disposed with an incline with respect to the rotation direction (paper transport direction Dc) of the collection belt 116. In other words, one end of the blade 117 in the paper width direction Dw is lower than the other end. With reference to FIG. 13, the right end of the blade 117 in the paper width direction Dw is lower than the left end.

[0058] According to this configuration, the residue on the ink ejection surface 52F that is wiped off by the wiper 111 and adheres to the surface of the recovery belt 116 can be collected on one end side of the recovery belt 116 in the paper width direction Dw. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of recovery of the residue on the ink ejection surface 52F.

[0059] The collection tray 118 is disposed below the blade 117. More specifically, the collection tray 118 is disposed below one end of the blade 117 in the paper width direction Dw, which is the lowest end of the blade 117. In other words, the collection tray 118 is disposed opposite the downstream end of the blade 117 with respect to the rotation direction (paper transport direction Dc) of the collection belt 116. The collection tray 118 is shorter (smaller) than the collection belt 116 and the blade 117 in the paper width direction Dw.

[0060] This configuration allows the collection tray 118 to be made smaller. That is, it is possible to enhance the effect of preventing the collection tray 118 from becoming a large component in the height direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inkjet recording apparatus 1 from becoming larger in the height direction. Furthermore, by configuring the collection tray 118 to be smaller in the paper width direction Dw, it is possible to increase the outflow pressure of the residue flowing through the collection tube 118t. This makes it possible to improve the collection efficiency of the residue on the ink ejection surface 52F.

[0061] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0062] 7, 8, and 9, the blade 113 of the maintenance unit 11 may be disposed at an incline with respect to the rotation direction (paper transport direction Dc) of the collection belt 112. This allows the residue of the ink ejection surface 52F that has been wiped off by the wiper 111 and adhered to the surface of the collection belt 112 to be collected on one end side of the collection belt 112 in the paper width direction Dw. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] The present invention can be used in an inkjet recording apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Inkjet recording device 5 Recording section 7 Control section 11 Maintenance Unit 12 Unit movement mechanism 51 Head Unit 52 Recording head 52F Ink ejection surface 111 Wiper 112, 116 Recovery belt 112p Convex 112r Roller 113, 117 Blade 114, 118 Collection tray 116a Opposite part 116b Plane part 116r, 116s roller 521 Ink ejection nozzle S Paper (recording medium)

Claims

1. a recording head having an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink onto a recording medium; a maintenance unit that collects residue from the ink ejection surface; Equipped with The maintenance unit includes: a wiper for wiping off the residue on the ink ejection surface; an endless recovery belt disposed opposite the ink ejection surface and rotating so as to move relative to the ink ejection surface, the recovery belt having a surface on which the residue wiped off from the ink ejection surface by the wiper adheres; a blade for scraping off the residue adhering to the surface of the recovery belt; a collection tray for collecting the residue scraped off the collection belt by the blade; An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade is disposed at an incline with respect to a rotation direction of the recovery belt.

3. 3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the collection tray is disposed opposite to a downstream end of the blade in a rotation direction of the collection belt.

4. The collection belt is stretched over a plurality of rollers and has a flat surface extending in the vertical direction along which the residue adhering to the surface moves downward between adjacent rollers; The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the blade contacts the flat portion.

5. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recovery belt has convex portions protruding in a thickness direction at both ends in a width direction perpendicular to a rotation direction.

6. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a movement mechanism for moving the maintenance unit toward or away from the ink ejection surface.

Images