Dust collection apparatus

Abstract

To provide a dust collection apparatus that prevents transport failure of a medium transported while being guided by a guide plate and enhances the dust collection performance of mist and paper powder.SOLUTION: A dust collection apparatus 1 includes a duct 10 and a guide plate 20. The duct 10 suctions air from a suction port 10a located on the downstream side of an inkjet head 110 in a transport direction D1 of a medium M. The guide plate 20 includes an opening 20c that has a suction region A1 facing the suction port 10a of the duct 10 and guides a medium M. The suction region A1 of the opening 20c has a width W in a widthwise direction D2 of the medium M orthogonal to the transport direction D1 that becomes narrower toward a downstream side in the transport direction D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dust collecting device having a duct for sucking air and a guide plate for guiding a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an inkjet printing apparatus that collects mist emitted from an inkjet by a duct that sucks in air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-330615 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when air is sucked from a duct that is positioned at a distance from the inkjet head in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium to be printed, if the suction force is set strong to collect the mist of ink ejected from a position far from the duct, the airflow becomes strong against the ink ejected from a position close to the duct, causing image disturbance. Also, if the suction force is set weak to match the ink ejected from a position close to the duct, the mist of ink ejected from a position far from the duct cannot be sufficiently collected.

[0005] Furthermore, when air is sucked from a duct located at a distance from the inkjet head in the width direction, it is not possible to sufficiently collect paper dust generated from the medium to be printed, just like the mist. When the medium is cardboard, the size of the paper dust is significantly larger than that of ordinary paper, and when it adheres to the inkjet head, it tends to cause significant printing defects and image distortion. Also, cardboard has larger projections and recesses than ordinary paper, so when printing with an inkjet, it is necessary to increase the head gap, which increases the amount of mist scattered.

[0006] For this reason, it is desirable to suck air through a duct located downstream of the inkjet head in the transport direction, which also makes it possible to collect mist, paper powder, and the like downwind of the transport air current with respect to the inkjet head.

[0007] Incidentally, a configuration is sometimes used in which the medium, such as a cardboard to be printed, is guided by a guide plate while being transported so that the medium does not collide with the inkjet head or the like. In this configuration, in order to suck air from the duct located downstream of the inkjet head in the transport direction as described above, it is conceivable to provide an opening in the guide plate facing the suction port of the duct. However, in this case, the medium gets caught on the downstream side of the opening of the guide plate in the transport direction, causing transport failure. In addition, although the mist discharged from the inkjet head and paper dust of the medium are more easily sucked in at the upstream end of the opening close to the inkjet head in the transport direction than at the downstream end of the opening in the transport direction, if the width of the opening is constant in the transport direction, the mist and paper dust are more likely to spread, which is a factor that deteriorates the dust collection performance of the mist and paper dust.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a dust collecting device that can prevent transport failure of a medium being transported while being guided by a guide plate, and can improve the performance of collecting mist, paper dust, and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one embodiment, the dust collection device includes a duct that sucks in air from a suction port located downstream of the inkjet head in the transport direction of the medium, and an opening including a suction area facing the suction port of the duct and a guide plate that guides the medium, wherein the suction area of ​​the opening narrows in width in the width direction of the medium perpendicular to the transport direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent transport failure of the medium being transported while being guided by the guide plate, and it is also possible to improve the dust collection performance of mist, paper dust, and the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an inkjet printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the opening of the guide plate in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a bottom view showing the ranges of the suction area and the discharge area of ​​the opening of the guide plate in the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing an opening of a guide plate in a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a bottom view showing an opening of a guide plate in a second modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view showing an opening of a guide plate in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, dust collecting devices according to first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] First Embodiment 1 and 2 are perspective and front views of an inkjet printing apparatus 100. FIG.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the opening 20c of the guide plate 20, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the range of the suction area A1 and the discharge area A2 of the opening 20c.

[0015] With regard to the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions shown in Figures 1 to 4, Figures 5 and 6 described below, and Figures 7 and 8 of the second embodiment, the orientation of the transport direction D1 and width direction D2 of the medium M will change depending on the configuration of the inkjet printing apparatuses 100, 200, but the up-down direction is the vertical direction, and the front-back and left-right directions are horizontal directions.

[0016] The inkjet printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of (for example, four) inkjet heads 110, a belt conveyor unit 120, and a dust collecting device 1. The inkjet printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

[0017] The inkjet heads 110 are arranged in a staggered pattern along a width direction D2 (front-rear direction, which is the main scanning direction) of the medium M that is perpendicular to a transport direction D1 (rightward direction, which is the sub-scanning direction) of the medium M. That is, the inkjet heads 110 arranged along the width direction D2 are arranged in two rows with their positions in the transport direction D1 shifted alternately. The inkjet heads 110 are held, for example, by a single head holder (not shown). The medium M is, for example, cardboard that is thicker than paper, but may also be paper and is not particularly limited.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, each inkjet head 110 has nozzles 111 that eject ink vertically downward. Since the inkjet head 110 ejects two colors of ink, two rows of nozzles 111 that eject ink of the same color are arranged. The number of colors of ink ejected by the inkjet head 110 may be any number equal to or greater than one. The number of inkjet heads 110 arranged may be any number equal to or greater than one. For example, a plurality of sets of inkjet heads 110 may be arranged side by side in the transport direction D1, with the four inkjet heads 110 shown in FIG. 1 forming one set.

[0019] 1, the belt conveyor 120 conveys a medium M on which printing is performed by the multiple inkjet heads 110. The belt conveyor 120 includes a belt 121 and pulleys 122 and 123.

[0020] The belt 121 is an endless belt and is stretched over two pulleys 122 and 123. One of the two pulleys 122 and 123 is a drive pulley and the other is a driven pulley. The drive pulley is rotated by a transport drive unit (e.g., an actuator such as a motor) (not shown), causing the belt 121 to rotate. As a result, the belt 121 transports the medium M in the transport direction D1 while rotating. Note that as the transport unit that transports the medium M, a roller transport unit using rollers may be used instead of the belt transport unit 120.

[0021] 1, the dust collecting device 1 includes four ducts 10 and a guide plate 20. In addition, as shown in FIG.

[0022] For example, four ducts 10 are arranged, which is the same number as the inkjet heads 110, and each of the four ducts 10 is individually located downstream of the inkjet heads 110 in the transport direction D1. It is desirable that the ducts 10 are adjacent to the inkjet heads 110 in the transport direction D1. For example, it is desirable that the ducts 10 are adjacent to the inkjet heads 110 in the transport direction D1 at an interval shorter than the length of the ducts 10 or the inkjet heads 110 in the transport direction D1.

[0023] Since the inkjet heads 110 are arranged in a staggered manner as described above, the duct 10 adjacent to the inkjet heads 110 in the row on the upstream side in the transport direction D1 at least partially overlaps with the inkjet heads 110 in the row on the downstream side in the transport direction D1 in terms of position in the transport direction D1. However, four ducts 10 may be arranged in a row in the width direction D2 downstream of all the inkjet heads 110 in the transport direction D1, or the ducts 10 and the inkjet heads 110 may not overlap in position in the transport direction D1. The number of ducts 10 may be less than the number of inkjet heads 110. For example, a single duct 10 may be provided extending in the width direction D2 so as to be located downstream of the multiple inkjet heads 110 in the transport direction D1.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, each duct 10 has a suction port 10a provided at the bottom end. This suction port 10a is located downstream of the inkjet head 110 in the transport direction D1 and sucks in air. As a result, mist emitted from the inkjet head 110 and paper dust generated by the medium M rubbing against the guide plate 20 are sucked into the duct 10. The amount of paper dust is larger especially when the medium M is cardboard than when the medium M is paper. Note that the duct 10 sucks in mist and paper dust as examples of dust, but also sucks in other types of dust such as dust along with air.

[0025] In Fig. 1, the upper part of the duct 10 is omitted. A filter 30 and a fan 40 shown in Fig. 2 are arranged above the duct 10. The filter 30 adsorbs mist, paper powder, and the like. The filter 30 is fixed to the duct 10 in a replaceable manner, for example. The fan 40 is an example of a suction source that draws air into the duct 10. The filter 30 and the fan 40 may be arranged in each of the four ducts 10, or a single filter 30 and a single fan 40 may be arranged in common to the multiple ducts 10.

[0026] 1, the guide plate 20 has a horizontally extending flat plate shape and is disposed to face the belt conveying unit 120. The guide plate 20 guides the medium M to prevent the medium M from colliding with the inkjet head 110 or the duct 10. The guide plate 20 is provided with an upstream inclined portion 20a at the upstream end in the conveying direction D1 where the distance between the belt 121 and the guide plate 20 is increased in order to receive the medium M between the guide plate 20 and the belt 121. The guide plate 20 is also provided with a downstream inclined portion 20b at the downstream end in the conveying direction D1 where the distance between the belt 121 and the guide plate 20 is increased.

[0027] The guide plate 20 has openings 20c. Although not shown in Fig. 3, for example, four openings 20c are provided, which is the same number as the number of the inkjet heads 110 and the number of the ducts 10.

[0028] The opening 20c includes a suction area A1 facing the suction port 10a of the duct 10, and a discharge area A2 facing the inkjet head 110, where ink is discharged by the inkjet head 110. The suction area A1 and the discharge area A2 are located at a single opening 20c, and therefore can be said to be provided integrally. The flow path shape of the duct 10 is arbitrary, but the example of Fig. 3 shows an example in which the suction port 10a has a triangular shape (a triangular shape with one side parallel to the width direction D2 and one apex located at the downstream end in the transport direction D1).

[0029] In Fig. 3, the opening 20c is shown by a thick solid line to clearly show it (the same applies to openings 20d, 20e, and 60c in Figs. 5, 6, and 8 described later). In Fig. 4, the suction area A1 and the discharge area A2 of the opening 20c are shown by diagonal lines to show their respective ranges, and the duct 10 (suction port 10a) and the inkjet head 110 are shown by imaginary two-dot chain lines.

[0030] The suction area A1 of the opening 20c has a triangular shape in a bottom view (a similar triangular shape oriented in the same direction as the suction port 10a), and the width W in the width direction D2 of the medium M narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1. Note that the suction area A1 may have a width W that narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1 by including a portion where the width W is constant and a portion where the width W narrows.

[0031] The suction area A1 is formed in a triangular shape smaller than the suction port 10a so as not to face the two sides of the lower end of the duct 10 (the end surface around the suction port 10a) except for one side on the inkjet head 110 side. In other words, the suction area A1 faces only one side of the lower end of the duct 10 on the inkjet head 110 side. This makes it difficult for the ink (mist) falling along the duct 10 to fall from the suction area A1 onto the medium M side.

[0032] As described above, the suction area A1 is formed in a triangular shape in a bottom view, and the width W at the downstream end in the transport direction D1 is zero. On the other hand, the discharge area A2 is rectangular in a bottom view. The opening 20c is pentagonal in a bottom view as a whole. The discharge area A2 is shorter in length in the width direction D2 than the entire inkjet head 110, but is provided so as to face all the nozzles 111. Note that, for example, in a configuration in which the guide plate 20 is separated into two parts, one below the inkjet head 110 and the other below the duct 10, the opening 20c does not need to have the discharge area A2, but it is preferable that the suction area A1 and the discharge area A2 are provided integrally from the viewpoint of preventing the medium M from colliding with the inkjet head 110 or the duct 10 and from the viewpoint of simplifying the structure. The number of openings 20c is the same as the number of ducts 10, but a single opening 20c may face the suction ports 10a of multiple ducts 10. Furthermore, a single opening 20c may face a plurality of inkjet heads 110.

[0033] The above-described dust collecting device 1 and the inkjet printing device 100 including this dust collecting device 1 are merely examples. For example, the inkjet printing device 100 may be an inkjet printing device 100 further including a supply unit (loading table, supply rollers, supply belt, etc.) that supplies the medium M to the inkjet head 110, a discharge unit (loading table, discharge rollers, discharge belt, etc.) that discharges the medium M printed by the inkjet head 110, a display that displays various information, an input unit that accepts user operations, etc.

[0034] In the first embodiment described above, the dust collecting device 1 includes a duct 10 and a guide plate 20. The duct 10 sucks in air from a suction port 10a located downstream of the inkjet head 110 in the transport direction D1 of the medium M. The guide plate 20 has an opening 20c including a suction area A1 facing the suction port 10a of the duct 10, and guides the medium M. The suction area A1 of the opening 20c has a width W in a width direction D2 of the medium M perpendicular to the transport direction D1 narrowing toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1.

[0035] In this way, the width W of the suction area A1 of the opening 20c of the guide plate 20 narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1, which can prevent transport problems caused by the medium M getting caught in the opening 20c. Also, compared to an embodiment in which the width W of the suction area A1 is constant toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1, the suction area A1 can suck in more air on the upstream side in the transport direction D1 closer to the inkjet head 110 than on the downstream side, and can prevent mist, paper dust, and the like from spreading in the width direction D2 toward the transport direction D1. This can improve the dust collection performance of the mist, paper dust, and the like.

[0036] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent poor transport of the medium M transported while being guided by the guide plate 20, and to improve the dust collection performance of mist, paper dust, and the like. This also makes it possible to prevent image disturbance caused by paper dust adhering to the inkjet head 110. Furthermore, by sucking air from the suction port 10a located downstream of the inkjet head 110 in the transport direction D1, it is possible to prevent the inkjet head 110 far from the suction position from being unable to sufficiently collect mist or paper dust, or the inkjet head 110 close to the suction position from being unable to sufficiently collect mist or paper dust, or from setting a strong suction force to prioritize the collection of mist or paper dust, thereby preventing image disturbance. In addition, the dust collection performance can also be improved by collecting mist, paper dust, and the like downwind of the transport airflow of the inkjet head 110.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the dust collecting device 1 includes a plurality of ducts 10 located downstream of the respective inkjet heads 110. The guide plate 20 has a plurality of openings 20c facing the respective suction ports 10a of the respective ducts 10.

[0038] This can further improve the dust collection performance of mist, paper dust, and the like, compared to an embodiment in which one duct 10 is provided for multiple inkjet heads 110, or an embodiment in which one opening 20c is provided for multiple ducts 10. Also, mist and paper dust can be collected evenly from each of the multiple inkjet heads 110.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the opening 20d of the guide plate 20 in the first modified example of the first embodiment.

[0040] This first modified example is an example in which the shape of the opening 20d is different from the shape of the opening 20c shown in Fig. 3. Other matters can be similar to those described above, so descriptions other than for the opening 20d will be omitted.

[0041] The opening 20d includes a suction area A11 facing the suction port 10a of the duct 10, and a discharge area A12 facing the inkjet head 110 and from which the inkjet head 110 discharges ink.

[0042] The suction region A11 of the opening 20d has a triangular shape in a bottom view, and the width in the width direction D2 of the medium M narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1. The discharge region A12 has a rectangular shape in a bottom view. The width W11 of the upstream end of the suction region A11 in the transport direction D1 is wider than the width W12 of the discharge region A12. Therefore, the opening 20d has an overall right-pointing arrow shape. Note that the width W11 of the upstream end of the opening 20d in the transport direction D1 only needs to be wider than the width W12 of at least a portion of the discharge region A12.

[0043] In this first modified example, the suction area A11 of the opening 20d has a width W11 at the upstream end in the transport direction D1 that is wider than the width W12 of at least a portion of the ejection area A12 (i.e., the ejection area A12 that is integral with the suction area A11 and faces the inkjet head 110) (W11>W12).

[0044] This allows the suction area A11 of the opening 20d to suck in mist, paper dust, etc. over a wider area than the ejection area A12 at the upstream end in the transport direction D1 close to the inkjet head 110, thereby further improving dust collection performance.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the opening 20e of the guide plate 20 in the second modified example of the first embodiment.

[0046] Similar to the first modified example, the second modified example is an example in which the shape of the opening 20e is different from the shape of the opening 20c shown in Fig. 3. Other matters can be similar to those described above, and therefore descriptions other than for the opening 20e will be omitted.

[0047] The opening 20e includes a suction area A21 facing the suction port 10a of the duct 10, and a discharge area A22 facing the inkjet head 110 and from which the ink is discharged by the inkjet head 110.

[0048] The suction region A21 of the opening 20e has a triangular shape in a bottom view, and the width in the width direction D2 of the medium M narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1. On the other hand, the discharge region A22 has a width in the width direction D2 widening toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1. The opening 20e has a pentagonal shape as a whole in a bottom view. The width of the opening 20e in the width direction D2 is maximum between the discharge region A22 and the suction region A21.

[0049] The width W21 of the upstream end of the suction region A21 in the transport direction D1 is wider than the width W22 of the upstream end of the discharge region A22 in the transport direction D1. Thus, the width W21 of the upstream end of the opening 20e in the transport direction D1 is wider than the width W22 of at least a part of the discharge region A22.

[0050] In this second modified example, as in the first modified example described above, the suction area A21 of the opening 20e has a width W21 at the upstream end in the transport direction D1 that is wider than the width W22 of at least a portion of the ejection area A22 (i.e., the ejection area A22 that is integral with the suction area A21 and faces the inkjet head 110) (W21>W22).

[0051] As a result, similar to the first modified example described above, the suction area A21 of the opening 20e can suck in mist, paper dust, etc. in an area wider than the ejection area A22 at the upstream end in the transport direction D1 close to the inkjet head 110, thereby further improving dust collection performance.

[0052] <Second embodiment> In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the inkjet head 210 ejects ink in the lateral direction (front-rear direction) and one duct 50 and one inkjet head 210 are arranged. Also, a description of matters that can be made the same as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on matters that differ from the first embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inkjet printing apparatus 200. As shown in FIG.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a front view showing the opening 60c of the guide plate 60. As shown in FIG.

[0055] The inkjet printing apparatus 200 shown in FIG.

[0056] The inkjet head 210 has nozzles 211 that eject ink in a lateral direction. Here, the lateral direction may be any direction other than the vertical direction (up-down direction), but the nozzles 211 eject ink in a horizontal lateral direction (forward). Therefore, in the second embodiment, the medium M is not transported horizontally, but in a direction that spreads up, down, left and right. Therefore, the width direction D2 of the medium M that is perpendicular to the transport direction D1 (right direction) of the medium M is a vertical direction, unlike the first embodiment described above. Note that, although a single inkjet head 210 and a single duct 50 are shown in FIG. 7, multiple inkjet heads 210 and multiple ducts 50 (multiple openings 60c) may be arranged as in the first embodiment described above.

[0057] The belt conveying unit 220 is disposed below the inkjet head 210, and conveys the medium M while nipping the lower portion of the medium M on which printing is performed by the inkjet head 210. The belt conveying unit 220 has a pair of front and rear belts 221, 221, and two pulleys 222, 223 disposed on each belt 221.

[0058] The belt 221 is an endless belt and is stretched around two pulleys 222 and 223. One of the two pulleys 222 and 223 is a driving pulley, and the other is a driven pulley.

[0059] It is preferable that a belt conveying unit 220 having a pair of front and rear belts 221, 221 is also disposed above the inkjet head 210, and the medium M is conveyed while being nipped by the belt conveying unit 220 at its upper portion as well.

[0060] The dust collecting device 2 includes a duct 50 and a guide plate 60 (shown by an imaginary two-dot chain line in FIG. 7).

[0061] The duct 50 is located downstream of the inkjet head 210. It is preferable that the duct 50 is adjacent to the inkjet head 210. For example, the duct 50 is preferably adjacent to the inkjet head 210 in the transport direction D1 at a distance shorter than the length of the duct 50 or the inkjet head 210 in the transport direction D1.

[0062] 8, the duct 50 has a suction port 50a provided at the front end. This suction port 50a is located downstream of the inkjet head 210 in the transport direction D1, and sucks in air. As a result, the mist emitted from the inkjet head 210, paper dust of the medium M, and the like are sucked into the duct 50.

[0063] In addition, the rear part of the duct 50 is omitted in Fig. 7. The filter 30 and the fan 40 shown in Fig. 2 may be arranged behind the duct 50. In addition, the flow path shape of the duct 50 is arbitrary, but the example of Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows an example in which the suction port 50a has a rectangular shape.

[0064] The guide plate 60 has a flat plate shape that extends up, down, left, and right, and guides the medium M. As shown in Fig. 8, the guide plate 60 has an upstream inclined portion 60a (not shown in an inclined state) that is inclined backward at the upstream end portion in the transport direction D1. The guide plate 60 also has a downstream inclined portion 60b (not shown in an inclined state) that is inclined backward at the downstream end portion in the transport direction D1.

[0065] The guide plate 60 has an opening 60c. This opening 60c includes a suction area A31 facing the suction port 50a of the duct 50, and a discharge area A32 facing the inkjet head 210 and from which ink is discharged by the inkjet head 210. The suction area A31 and the discharge area A32 are located at the single opening 60c, and therefore can be said to be provided integrally.

[0066] The suction area A31 of the opening 60c has a triangular shape in a bottom view, and a width W3 in the width direction D2 of the medium M narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1. The discharge area A32 has a rectangular shape in a bottom view, and the opening 60c as a whole has a pentagonal shape in a bottom view.

[0067] The suction area A31 is formed in a triangular shape smaller than the suction port 50a so as not to face three sides of the lower end of the duct 50 (the end surface around the suction port 50a) except for one side on the inkjet head 210 side. In other words, the suction area A31 faces only one side of the lower end of the duct 50 on the inkjet head 210 side. This makes it difficult for the ink (mist) falling along the duct 50 to fall from the suction area A31 onto the medium M side.

[0068] In the second embodiment, the width W3 of the suction region A31 of the opening 60c narrows toward the downstream side in the conveying direction D1 such that the downstream end in the conveying direction D1 shifts downward in the vertical direction, which is the width direction D2. That is, the suction region A31 of the opening 60c extends downward from the vertical center C (virtual line) of the opening 60c (suction region A31) in the conveying direction D1. The downstream end of the opening 60c (suction region A31) in the conveying direction D1 is located below the vertical center C of the opening 60c (suction region A31), and the suction region A31 extends downward from above the vertical center C.

[0069] In the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in terms of the same points, namely, the suction area A31 of the opening 60c has a narrower width W in the width direction D2 toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1, thereby preventing poor transport of the medium M being transported while being guided by the guide plate 60, and improving the dust collection performance of mist, paper powder, etc.

[0070] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the inkjet head 210 ejects ink laterally, and the suction area A31 of the opening 60c of the guide plate 60 has a width W3 that narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction D1 so that the downstream end in the transport direction D1 shifts downward in the up-down direction, which is the width direction D2.

[0071] As a result, in a configuration in which printing is performed by ejecting ink in the horizontal direction, even if mist or paper dust (particularly large or heavy paper dust when the medium M is cardboard or the like) moves downward due to gravity, the mist or paper dust can be easily collected. Therefore, the dust collection performance can be further improved.

[0072] In this second embodiment, as in the first variant (Figure 5) and second variant (Figure 6) of the first embodiment described above, the suction area A31 of the opening 60c may be configured so that, at the upstream end in the transport direction D1, the width W3 is wider than at least a portion of the ejection area A32 (i.e., the ejection area A32 that is integral with the suction area A31 and faces the inkjet head 210).

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the gist of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, all the components shown in the embodiment may be appropriately combined. Of course, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention described in the claims at the time of filing of this application is appended below.

[0074] [Appendix 1] a duct that sucks air from a suction port located downstream of the inkjet head in a medium transport direction; a guide plate having an opening including a suction area facing the suction port of the duct and guiding the medium; The suction area of ​​the opening narrows in width in a width direction of the medium perpendicular to the transport direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction. A dust collecting device characterized by:

[0075] [Appendix 2] the opening further includes a discharge region that is integral with the suction region and faces the inkjet head, The suction area of ​​the opening has a width greater than at least a part of the discharge area at an upstream end in the transport direction. 2. The dust collecting device according to claim 1.

[0076] [Appendix 3] The inkjet head ejects ink in a lateral direction, The width of the suction region of the opening narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction such that the downstream end in the transport direction shifts downward in the up-down direction, which is the width direction. 3. The dust collecting device according to claim 1 or 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1,2 Dust collector 10,50 Duct 10a,50a Suction port 20,60 Guide plate 20a, 60a Upstream inclined section 20b,60b Downstream slope 20c,20d,20e,60c opening 30 Filters 40 Fans 100,200 Inkjet Printing Device 110,210 Inkjet head 111,211 Nozzle 120,220 Belt conveyor 121,221 Belts 122,123,222,223 Pulley A1,A11,A21,A31 Suction area A2, A12, A22, A32 spit out area C Up and down center D1 conveying direction D2 width direction M Media W,W11,W12,W21,W22,W3

Claims

1. a duct that sucks air from a suction port located downstream of the inkjet head in a medium transport direction; a guide plate having an opening including a suction area facing the suction port of the duct and guiding the medium; The suction area of ​​the opening narrows in width in a width direction of the medium perpendicular to the transport direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction. A dust collecting device characterized by:

2. the opening further includes a discharge region that is integral with the suction region and faces the inkjet head, The suction area of ​​the opening has a width greater than at least a part of the discharge area at an upstream end in the transport direction.

2. The dust collecting device according to claim 1.

3. The inkjet head ejects ink in a lateral direction, The width of the suction region of the opening narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction such that the downstream end in the transport direction shifts downward in the up-down direction, which is the width direction.

3. The dust collecting device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images