Liquid ejection device

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection device that can avoid the risk that the ink mist adheres to the constituent element on the outer side of the device and the risk that the ink mist leaks to the outer side of the device and the ink adheres to other parts in the periphery of the printer, the risks being likely to be caused conventionally in a multifunction peripheral, as a result of that a gaseous body containing ink mist rides an updraft inside the printer main body, and moves to the outside of the device through the gap between the printer main body and the scanner unit.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection device includes: a device main body including a liquid ejection head: a reading unit configured to read an image on a document; and an operation unit on which a user performs an operation. A flow path of a gas flowing in a direction from the liquid ejection head to the operation unit is formed between the device main body and the reading unit. A meandering formation portion narrowing the flow path and causing the flow path to meander is provided in a part of the flow path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto a medium for recording. [Background technology]

[0002] An inkjet printer is an example of a liquid ejection device that ejects a liquid onto a medium to record. As shown in Patent Document 1, it is known that the ejected ink from an inkjet printer does not fall onto the medium but instead floats as a mist, which adheres to components of the device and has adverse effects. The inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1 is a multifunction device equipped with a scanner unit, an example of an image reading device, mounted on top of the printer body. This inkjet printer has a recess in the bottom of the scanner unit, along the carriage movement area. This prevents sudden airflow inside the printer body and reduces the scattering of ink mist inside the printer body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-160689 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In multifunction devices, gas containing ink mist rides on rising air currents inside the printer body and heads toward the outside of the device through the gap between the printer body and the scanner unit, which can result in ink mist adhering to components on the outside of the device or leaking outside the device and adhering to other areas around the printer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the liquid ejection device of the present invention comprises a device main body equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium, and a unit that can be opened and closed at the top of the device main body, which includes a reading unit that reads an image of a document, and an operation unit that is operated by a user, and is characterized in that a flow path for gas that flows from the liquid ejection head in the direction of the operation unit is formed between the device main body and the reading unit, and a serpentine forming section is provided in part of the flow path, which narrows the flow path and causes the flow path to meander.

[0006] The liquid ejection device of the present invention also comprises a device main body equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium, and a reading unit that is a unit that can be opened and closed at the top of the device main body and reads an image of a document, and is characterized in that a flow path for gas flowing from the liquid ejection head in a direction outside the device is formed between the device main body and the reading unit, and a serpentine forming portion is provided in part of the flow path, which narrows the flow path and causes the flow path to meander. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a motor that drives a carriage of the scanner unit. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ground wire that grounds the operation panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connection portion of a ground wire that grounds the operation panel. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer with the scanner unit and cover open. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink storage unit with the front frame and cover open. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the scanner unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the scanner unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit, the apparatus main body, and the ink storage section. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit, the apparatus main body, and the operation panel. [Figure 15] Enlarged view of part A in Figure 12. [Figure 16] Enlarged view of part B in Figure 14. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be briefly described below. The liquid ejection device according to the first aspect comprises a device main body having a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium, and a unit that can be opened and closed at the top of the device main body, which includes a reading unit that reads an image of a document, and an operation unit that is operated by a user. Between the device main body and the reading unit, a flow path is formed for gas that flows from the liquid ejection head in the direction of the operation unit, and a serpentine forming portion is provided in part of the flow path, which narrows the flow path and causes the flow path to meander.

[0009] According to this aspect, a meandering portion that narrows the gas flow path from the liquid ejection head toward the operation unit is provided in a portion of the gas flow path, causing the gas flow to meander, so that the flow of gas from the liquid ejection head toward the operation unit is obstructed by the meandering portion, and liquid mist is more likely to be captured by the meandering portion, thereby preventing the liquid mist from adhering to the operation unit and preventing the user's fingers from being soiled.

[0010] The second aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, and is characterized in that the liquid storage section for storing the liquid to be ejected from the liquid ejection head is arranged on the front side of the device, which is the side of the device body facing the user, and the liquid storage section has a liquid inlet and an opening / closing lever for opening and closing the inlet, and the operating section is the opening / closing lever. According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the operating portion is the opening / closing lever, the effects of the first aspect described above can be obtained.

[0011] The third aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, and is characterized in that the operation panel that accepts various operations is arranged on the front side of the device, which is the side of the device body that faces the user, and the operation unit is the operation panel. According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the operation unit is the operation panel, the effects of the first aspect described above can be obtained.

[0012] A fourth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that it comprises a liquid storage section for storing liquid to be ejected from the liquid ejection head, the liquid storage section being arranged on the front side of the device, which is the side of the device body facing the user, an operation panel for accepting various operations, the operation panel being arranged on the front side of the device, and a plurality of the operation sections, wherein the liquid storage section comprises a liquid injection port and an opening / closing lever for opening and closing the injection port, and the plurality of operation sections include the opening / closing lever and the operation panel. According to this aspect, in a configuration in which a plurality of the operation units are provided, and the plurality of operation units include the operation panel and the opening / closing lever, the effects of the first aspect described above can be obtained.

[0013] A liquid ejection device according to a fifth aspect comprises a device main body having a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium, and a reading unit that is a unit that can be opened and closed at the top of the device main body and reads an image of a document, and is characterized in that a flow path for gas flowing from the liquid ejection head in a direction outside the device is formed between the device main body and the reading unit, and a serpentine forming portion is provided in part of the flow path, which narrows the flow path and causes the flow path to meander.

[0014] According to this aspect, a meandering portion that narrows the gas flow path from the liquid ejection head to the outside of the device and causes the gas flow path to meander is provided in a portion of the gas flow path from the liquid ejection head to the outside of the device, thereby impeding the flow of gas from the liquid ejection head to the outside of the device and making it easier for liquid mist to be captured in the meandering portion, thereby preventing the liquid mist from leaking outside the device.

[0015] A sixth aspect is a aspect dependent on any of the first to fifth aspects, characterized in that the serpentine forming portion comprises a first protrusion protruding from the device main body toward the reading unit and a second protrusion protruding from the reading unit toward the device main body, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion overlap in the vertical direction.

[0016] According to this aspect, the serpentine forming portion is configured to include a first protrusion that protrudes from the device main body to the reading unit, and a second protrusion that protrudes from the reading unit to the device main body, so that the serpentine forming portion can be configured with a simple structure and at low cost. Furthermore, since the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion overlap in the vertical direction, the flow path can be made to meander reliably.

[0017] A seventh aspect is an aspect dependent on the sixth aspect, and is characterized in that the first protrusion is disposed at a position closer to the liquid ejection head than the second protrusion. As the gas containing the liquid mist rides on the rising air current, the liquid mist moves toward the outside of the device through the gap between the reading unit and the device body, making it easier for the liquid mist to be captured by the second protruding portion that protrudes downward from the reading unit toward the device body. According to this aspect, the first protruding portion is disposed closer to the liquid ejection head than the second protruding portion, and therefore the gas containing the liquid mist is guided to the second protruding portion by the first protruding portion, which makes it easier for the second protruding portion to capture the liquid mist and more reliably reduces the amount of liquid mist that travels outside the device.

[0018] An eighth aspect is a mode dependent on the seventh aspect, and is characterized in that the second protruding portion protrudes obliquely toward the liquid ejection head. According to this aspect, the second protrusion protrudes obliquely toward the liquid ejection head, making it easier for the second protrusion to capture the liquid mist, thereby more reliably reducing the liquid mist that flows toward the outside of the device.

[0019] The present invention will be specifically described below. In each figure, the X axis direction is the width direction of the device, the -X direction is the right direction as seen by the user when the front of the device faces the user, and the +X direction is the left direction. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the device, the +Y direction is the direction from the rear side of the device to the front side of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front side of the device to the rear side of the device. In this embodiment, the side of the device on which the operation panel 15 is provided, i.e., the side in the +Y direction, is the front side of the device. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, the +Z direction is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward.

[0020] 1, an inkjet printer 1, which is an example of a liquid ejection device, is a multifunction device equipped with a scanner unit 3, which is an example of a reading unit that reads an image of a document, on top of a device main body 2. Hereinafter, the inkjet printer will be abbreviated to "printer." The device main body 2 is the main body of the printer 1, and has a box-like outer shell overall. The device main body 2 and scanner unit 3 are configured so that the side facing the -X direction (i.e., the right side) and the side facing the +X direction (i.e., the left side) are nearly flush with each other. The right and left sides of the device main body 2 and scanner unit 3 are parallel to the YZ plane.

[0021] The device main body 2 has a function of recording on a medium such as recording paper, and the scanner unit 3 has a function of reading an original. The device main body 2 is equipped with an ink ejection head 17 that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the medium. The ink ejection head 17 is mounted on a carriage 16 that moves in the X-axis direction, i.e., the width direction of the medium. Ink is supplied to the ink ejection head 17 from an ink storage unit 10, which is an example of a liquid storage unit, via an ink tube (not shown).

[0022] The scanner unit 3 has a unit body 3c provided with a document table 6 (see FIG. 12) and a document cover 8 that can open and close the document table 6. The document cover 8 is connected to the unit body 3c of the scanner unit 3 via a hinge (not shown) that is provided at the rear of the device. The axis of rotation of the document cover 8 is parallel to the X-axis direction, and the document cover 8 opens and closes the document table 6 by rotating in the +Y direction, i.e., with the front of the device as its free end. Instead of the document cover 8, a document feeder may be provided to automatically feed the document that has been set.

[0023] The scanner unit 3 also includes a reading sensor 5 in the unit body 3c, which extends in the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG. 2. The reading sensor 5, which is an example of a reading unit that reads an original, is configured with a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) in this embodiment. The reading sensor 5 reads an original placed on a document table 6 (see FIG. 12) while moving in the X-axis direction. The document table 6 is formed of glass, for example. Note that the document table 6 is not shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] The reading sensor 5 is mounted on a carriage 9 that is movable in the X-axis direction. The carriage 9 is mounted so as to be movable in the X-axis direction relative to a lower frame 4 that constitutes the lower part of the scanner unit 3. The upper part of the scanner unit 3 is formed by an upper frame 7. That is, the lower part of the unit main body 3c is formed by the lower frame 4, and the upper part is formed by the upper frame 7. The lower frame 4 and the upper frame 7 are basically connected by screws. However, on the side where the cutout portion 3a (described later) is formed (see FIG. 10), the lower frame 4 and the upper frame 7 are connected by two hooks 7f in addition to the screws 53, as shown in FIG. 10. That is, the lower frame 4 and the upper frame 7 are connected by the hooks 7f formed on the upper frame 7 at two locations being caught on the lower frame 4.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 2, the carriage 9 is equipped with a motor 50, and the carriage 9 is moved in the X-axis direction by the power of the motor 50. 3, the motor 50 is fixed to the carriage 9 via a heat dissipation member 51. The heat dissipation member 51 is made of a metal plate and is in contact with the motor 50. The motor 50 and the heat dissipation member 51 are fixed to the carriage 9 with two screws 52. The heat dissipation member 51 has bent and raised portions 51a, 51b, and 51c formed so as to protrude in the +X direction.

[0026] Because the motor 50 is in contact with the heat dissipation member 51, the heat generated by the motor 50 is transferred to the heat dissipation member 51. The formation of the bent and raised portions 51a, 51b, and 51c causes natural convection as shown by the arrow Ra in Figure 3 when viewed from the +X direction. Also, natural convection as shown by the arrow Rb in Figure 4 when viewed from the -Y direction. This allows the motor 50 to dissipate heat effectively, preventing problems caused by heat generated by the motor 50.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 1, an operation panel 15 for performing various operation settings is provided on the front of the device. The operation panel 15 is tiltable and can be rotated between a first state shown in FIG. 1 and a second state (see FIG. 14) in which a panel surface 15a, which is the front surface, faces vertically upward from the first state. In this embodiment, the panel surface 15a in the second state is slightly inclined downward and forms a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. However, the panel surface 15a in the second state may be parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0028] Since the operation panel 15 is provided on the scanner unit 3, the operation panel 15 is integrated with the scanner unit 3 during the assembly process. 5, reference numeral 55 denotes a first earth wire for grounding, and reference numeral 57 denotes a second earth wire. The first earth wire 55 extends from the operation panel 15, and the second earth wire 57 is wired inside the scanner unit 3. A third terminal 59 is attached to one end of the second earth wire 57, and the third terminal 59 is electrically connected to a connecting portion (not shown) of the device main body 2. When assembling the operation panel 15 to the scanner unit 3, the first terminal 56 provided at the end of the first ground wire 55 is brought into contact with the second terminal 58 provided at the other end of the second ground wire 57, as shown in Fig. 6. Then, in this state, the first terminal 56 and the second terminal 58 can be fixed to the scanner unit 3 with screws (not shown). With the above-described configuration, the operation panel 15 and the scanner unit 3 can be assembled separately, and then the operation panel 15 can be easily grounded.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 1, a front cover 14 is provided below the operation panel 15. The front cover 14 is openable and closable, and can be in a closed state (FIG. 1) or an open state (not shown). When the front cover 14 is opened, an ejection tray 13 (see FIG. 7) is exposed, which receives the medium that has been recorded on and ejected. The front cover 14 is rotatably mounted relative to a media storage cassette (not shown). The media stored in the media storage cassette is fed in the -Y direction by a feed roller (not shown), turned over, and transported in the +Y direction while recording is performed, and then ejected in the +Y direction. The front cover 14 in the closed state and the operation panel 15 in the first state are flush with each other as shown in FIG.

[0030] The scanner unit 3 is connected to the device body 2 via a hinge (not shown) provided at the rear of the device. The rotation axis of the scanner unit 3 is parallel to the X-axis direction, and the scanner unit 3 opens and closes the top of the device body 2 by rotating in the +Y direction, i.e., with the front of the device as its free end. Figure 1 shows the scanner unit 3 in a closed state, while Figure 7 shows the scanner unit 3 in an open state. By opening the scanner unit 3, the internal space 2a of the device main body 2 is exposed, allowing for processing such as removal of jammed media and other maintenance. The scanner unit 3 can be kept open by an arm 29.

[0031] 7, reference numeral 28 denotes a front frame that forms the front of the device main body 2. A locking member 35 is provided in the center of the front frame 28. An elastic holding portion 35a is formed on the locking member 35. A protrusion 4a (see FIGS. 10 and 11) is formed on the underside of the scanner unit 3, and the protrusion 4a fits into the elastic holding portion 35a, thereby holding the scanner unit 3 in a closed state.

[0032] Next, on the front side of the device body 2 in the −X direction, that is, on the right side, an ink storage section 10, which is an example of a liquid storage section, is provided. 13, ink tanks 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D are provided as liquid storage containers inside the ink storage unit 10. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the ink tanks 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D, they will be collectively referred to as ink tanks 18. The ink tanks 18 make up the ink storage unit 10. For example, ink tank 18A contains black ink, and ink tanks 18B, 18C, and 18D contain color inks, for example, yellow, magenta, and cyan inks, respectively.

[0033] The ink tank 18 is provided inside an exterior member 26 shown in Figures 1 and 7. An opening is provided on the front surface of the exterior member 26, which exposes remaining ink visualizing portions 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D at the front of the device for visually checking the remaining ink amount. The remaining ink amount visualizing portions 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D are parts of the ink tanks 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D, respectively. That is, parts of the ink tanks 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D are made transparent or semi-transparent so that the interior can be seen, and these parts become the remaining ink amount visualizing portions 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D. When there is no need to distinguish between the remaining ink amount visualizing portions 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D, they will be collectively referred to as the remaining ink amount visualizing portion 23. The side surface of the exterior member 26 in the −X direction is flush with the side surfaces of the device main body 2 and the scanner unit 3 in the −X direction.

[0034] A cover 25 is provided on the upper part of the exterior member 26. The cover 25 is provided rotatably around a rotation shaft 25a (see FIG. 12) provided on the lower part, and can be placed in a closed state (FIGS. 1 and 12) or a fully open state (FIGS. 7 and 9) by rotating. In this embodiment, the center line of the rotation shaft 25a is parallel to the X-axis. The side surface of the cover 25 in the −X direction is flush with the side surfaces of the apparatus main body 2 and the scanner unit 3 in the −X direction. The side surface of the cover 25 in the +Y direction, i.e., the front surface, is flush with the side surface of the exterior member 26 in the +Y direction, i.e., the front surface.

[0035] 1 and 7, the cover 25 has its upper end as a free end and opens by rotating from the closed state toward the front of the device. The maximum opening angle of the cover 25 is less than 90°, so that the cover 25 does not obstruct the view of the remaining amount visualizing section 23 even when the cover 25 is fully open. When the cover 25 is opened, the opening / closing levers 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are exposed as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows a state in which the opening / closing levers 21B, 21C, and 21D are closed and the opening / closing lever 21A is open. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the opening / closing levers 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, they will be collectively referred to as the opening / closing lever 21.

[0036] For example, a sealing cap 20A is provided on the opening / closing lever 21A. An ink supply port 19A is provided on the ink tank 18A, and the ink supply port 19A is exposed when the opening / closing lever 21A is opened. The sealing cap 20A is made of an elastic material, and closes the ink supply port 19A when the opening / closing lever 21A is closed. The user can refill ink into the ink tank 18A through the ink supply port 19A by operating the opening / closing lever 21A to open it and setting an ink refill bottle (not shown) in the ink supply port 19A. Similarly, the other ink tanks 18B, 18C, and 18D are each provided with ink supply ports 19B, 19C, and 19D, respectively, as shown in Figure 13. Similarly, the opening / closing levers 21B, 21C, and 21D are each provided with sealing caps 20B, 20C, and 20D, respectively.

[0037] When refilling the ink containing section 10 with ink, it is preferable from the viewpoint of workability that the ink containing section 10 be configured so that the top of the ink containing section 10 is widely open. If the scanner unit 3 covers the top of the ink containing section 10, it is necessary to open the scanner unit 3. In order to open the scanner unit 3, a large space is required above the device. To solve this problem, it may be possible to provide the ink reservoir 10 so that it protrudes significantly toward the front or side of the device, but this would result in the device becoming larger overall.

[0038] Therefore, in the printer 1 according to this embodiment, the scanner unit 3 has a cutout 3a at the corner on the front side of the device, as shown in Figure 7. The cover 25, which is part of the ink containing section 10, fits into the cutout 3a, and the top of the ink containing section 10 is opened. With this configuration, the ink containing section 10 can be accessed from above without opening the scanner unit 3, making it easy to refill ink into the ink containing section 10. In addition, because a portion of the ink containing section 10 is recessed into the cutout section 3a, the ink containing section 10 does not protrude significantly forward from the front of the device, which helps prevent the device from becoming larger. In this embodiment, the printer 1 has a cutout portion 3a and an ink storage section 10 at the corner in the -X direction on the front side of the device, but it may also have a cutout portion 3a and an ink storage section 10 at the corner in the +X direction on the front side of the device.

[0039] Furthermore, in a plan view of the device, the shape of the notch 3a follows the outline of the cover 25. This prevents unnecessary space from being formed between the cover 25 and the scanner unit 3, making it possible to prevent the device from becoming larger.

[0040] Incidentally, a cutout portion that follows the outline of the cover 25 is formed not only in the unit main body 3c but also in the document cover 8 as indicated by the reference symbol 8a. This allows access to the ink containing section 10 from above without opening the document cover 8, facilitating the task of refilling ink into the ink containing section 10. Incidentally, the outlines of the cutout portion 3a formed in the unit main body 3c and the cutout portion 8a formed in the document cover 8 roughly match when viewed from above the device, i.e., when viewed from the +Z direction.

[0041] Next, gas containing ink mist may ride an ascending air current in the internal space 2a of the device body 2 and move toward the outside of the device through the gap between the device body 2 and the scanner unit 3. This may result in ink mist adhering to components on the outside of the device, or ink mist may leak outside the device and adhere to other components around the printer. Components to which ink mist may adhere include the opening / closing lever 21 that forms the ink storage unit 10 and the operation panel 15. The opening / closing lever 21 and operation panel 15 are examples of operation units operated by the user. Hereinafter, a method for preventing ink mist from adhering to the opening / closing lever 21 and the operation panel 15 will be described.

[0042] 8 and 9, lower ribs 31a, 31b, and 31c are formed on the upper part of the front frame 28, protruding from the device main body 2 toward the scanner unit 3. The lower ribs 31a and 31b are formed along the X-axis direction, i.e., the width direction of the device. The lower rib 31c is formed along the Y-axis direction, i.e., the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, the locking member 35 is formed with a lower rib 31d that protrudes from the device body 2 toward the scanner unit 3. The lower rib 31d is formed along the X-axis direction, i.e., the device width direction. The lower rib 31d is located between the lower rib 31a and the lower rib 31b.

[0043] Additionally, the upper frame 27 constituting the ink containing section 10 is formed with a lower rib 31e that protrudes from the device body 2 toward the scanner unit 3. The lower rib 31e is formed along the X-axis direction, i.e., the device width direction. The lower ribs 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e are connected together and arranged in front of the device body 2 so as to extend along the width direction of the device as a whole. The lower ribs 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e are an example of a first protrusion that protrudes from the device body 2 toward the scanner unit 3. In the following description, the lower ribs 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e will be collectively referred to as the lower rib 31 when there is no need to distinguish between them.

[0044] 10 and 11, upper ribs 32a and 32b that protrude from the scanner unit 3 toward the device body 2 are formed on the lower part of the lower frame 4 that constitutes the scanner unit 3. The upper rib 32a is formed along the X-axis direction, i.e., the width direction of the device, and the upper rib 32b is formed along the Y-axis direction, i.e., the depth direction of the device. The upper ribs 32a and 32b are connected together and are arranged in front of the scanner unit 3 so as to extend along the width direction of the device as a whole. The upper ribs 32a and 32b are an example of a second protrusion that protrudes from the scanner unit 3 toward the device body 2. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the upper ribs 32a and 33b, they will be collectively referred to as the upper rib 32.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1 cut along the YZ plane at the position of the ink supply port 19A, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 12 and 15, when the scanner unit 3 is closed relative to the apparatus main body 2, the lower rib 31e and the upper rib 32a are arranged alternately along the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the lower rib 31e is arranged in the -Y direction relative to the upper rib 32a. In FIG. 15, the arrow Fa indicated by a broken line indicates the flow path of gas from the ink ejection head 17 arranged in the internal space 2a in the +Y direction, that is, toward the opening / closing lever 21, and this gas contains ink mist. 15, however, the flow path Fa is narrowed and meandered by the lower rib 31e and the upper rib 32a. This obstructs the flow of gas from the ink ejection head 17 toward the opening / closing lever 21, and the lower rib 31e and the upper rib 32a make it easier for ink mist to be captured. As a result, it is possible to prevent ink mist from adhering to the opening / closing lever 21 and to prevent the user's fingers from getting dirty. As a result, the lower rib 31e (31) and the upper rib 32a (32) constitute a meander forming portion 30A that narrows the flow path of the gas from the ink ejection head 17 toward the opening / closing lever 21 and makes it meander. It should be noted that there are a plurality of embodiments of the meander forming portion, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between the individual meander forming portions, they will be collectively referred to as the meander forming portion 30.

[0046] 14 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1 cut along the YZ plane at the position of the operation panel 15, and FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 14 and 16, when the scanner unit 3 is closed relative to the apparatus main body 2, the lower ribs 31a and the upper ribs 32a are arranged alternately along the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the lower ribs 31a are arranged in the -Y direction relative to the upper ribs 32a. In FIG. 16, the dashed arrow Fb indicates the flow path of gas from the ink ejection head 17 located in the internal space 2a in the +Y direction, that is, toward the operation panel 15, and this gas contains ink mist. 16, however, the flow path Fb is narrowed and meandered by the lower rib 31a and the upper rib 32a. This obstructs the flow of gas from the ink ejection head 17 toward the operation panel 15, and the lower rib 31a and the upper rib 32a make it easier for ink mist to be captured. As a result, it is possible to prevent ink mist from adhering to the operation panel 15 and to prevent the user's fingers from getting dirty. As a result, the lower rib 31a (31) and the upper rib 32a (32) constitute a meander forming portion 30B that narrows the flow path of gas from the ink ejection head 17 toward the operation panel 15 and makes it meander.

[0047] When the scanner unit 3 is closed relative to the device main body 2, the upper rib 32a is positioned in the +Y direction relative to the lower rib 31b of the front frame 28. In other words, the lower rib 31b and the upper rib 32a form a meandering forming portion 30 that narrows and meanders the flow path of gas from the ink ejection head 17 toward the operation panel 15. Furthermore, when the scanner unit 3 is closed relative to the device main body 2, the upper rib 32a is positioned in the +Y direction relative to the lower rib 31d of the locking member 35. In other words, the lower rib 31d and the upper rib 32a form the meandering forming portion 30 that narrows and meanders the flow path of gas from the ink ejection head 17 toward the operation panel 15. Furthermore, when the scanner unit 3 is closed relative to the device main body 2, the upper rib 32b is positioned in the -X direction relative to the lower rib 31c of the front frame 28. In other words, the lower rib 31c and the upper rib 32b form a meandering forming portion 30 that narrows and meanders the flow path of gas from the ink ejection head 17 toward the operation panel 15.

[0048] The meandering forming portion 30 can be provided in a location that can prevent ink mist from adhering to the operation portion, and can also be provided in a location that can prevent ink mist from leaking outside the device, thereby preventing ink mist from leaking outside the device. In this embodiment, the operation unit is the opening / closing lever 21 and the operation panel 15, but it goes without saying that other operation units may also be used.

[0049] The meander forming section 30 also includes a lower rib 31 as a first protrusion that protrudes from the device body 2 toward the scanner unit 3, and an upper rib 32 as a second protrusion that protrudes from the scanner unit 3 toward the device body 2. This allows the meander forming section 30 to be constructed with a simple structure at low cost. In this embodiment, the lower ribs 31 and the upper ribs 32 overlap in the vertical direction, which ensures that the ink mist flowing from the ink ejection head 17 to the outside of the device snakes along a meandering path.

[0050] In this embodiment, the lower ribs 31 are disposed closer to the ink ejection head 17 than the upper ribs 32. This provides the following advantageous effects. As the gas containing the ink mist rides on the rising air current, the ink mist heads toward the outside of the device through the gap between the scanner unit 3 and the device body 2. Therefore, the ink mist is easily captured by the upper rib 32 that protrudes downward from the scanner unit 3 toward the device body 2. According to a configuration in which the lower ribs 31 are disposed closer to the ink ejection head 17 than the upper ribs 32, the gas containing the ink mist is guided by the lower ribs 31 to the upper ribs 32. This makes it easier for the upper ribs 32 to capture the ink mist, and more reliably reduces the ink mist heading outside the device.

[0051] The upper rib 32 may be protruded obliquely toward the ink ejection head 17. Fig. 17 shows a meandering portion 35C, which is a modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 15 . The upper rib 32a-1 protrudes obliquely toward the ink ejection head 17. This makes it easier for the upper rib 32a-1 to capture the ink mist, and more reliably reduces the ink mist heading toward the outside of the device.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the meandering forming portion 30 is formed by a first protruding portion that protrudes from the device main body 2 toward the scanner unit 3, and a second protruding portion that protrudes from the scanner unit 3 toward the device main body 2. However, the meandering forming portion 30 may be formed by only either the first protruding portion or the second protruding portion. Alternatively, a protruding portion that protrudes toward the other may be provided on one of the device main body 2 and the scanner unit 3, and a recess into which the protruding portion fits may be provided on the other of the device main body 2 and the scanner unit 3. The protruding portion and the recess may then form the meandering portion 30. That is, the meandering forming section 30 may have any configuration as long as it narrows and meanders the flow path of the gas flowing from the ink ejection head 17 to the outside of the device.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...inkjet printer, 2...device body, 2a...internal space, 3...scanner unit, 3a...cutout portion, 3b...first step portion, 3c...unit body, 4...lower frame, 4a...protrusion, 5...reading sensor, 6...document table, 7...upper frame, 7a..., 7d...hook portion, 8...document cover, 8a...cutout portion, 9...carriage, 10...ink storage section, 13...output tray, 14...front cover, 15...operation panel, 16...carriage, 17...ink ejection head, 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D...ink tank, 19, 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D...ink supply port, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D... Sealing cap, 21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D... Opening / closing lever, 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D... Remaining amount visualizing portion, 25... Cover, 25a... Rotating shaft, 26... Exterior member, 27... Upper frame, 28... Front frame, 29... Arm, 30, 30A, 30B, 30C... Meandering forming portion, 31, 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e... Lower rib, 32, 32a, 32b... Upper rib, 35... Locking member, 51... Heat dissipation member, 51a, 51b, 51c... Bent portion, 52... Screw, 53... Screw, 55... First ground wire, 56... First terminal, 57... Second ground wire, 58... Second terminal, 59... Third terminal

Claims

1. An apparatus body including a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium; a reading unit that is an openable / closable unit at an upper portion of the device body and that reads an image of a document; an operation unit on which operations are performed by a user; Equipped with a flow path for gas flowing from the liquid ejection head toward the operation unit is formed between the device body and the reading unit; a meandering portion that narrows the flow path and causes the flow path to meander is provided in a part of the flow path; A liquid ejection device comprising:

2. 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, a liquid storage section for storing liquid to be ejected from the liquid ejection head, the liquid storage section being disposed on a front side of the device body, the front side being a side facing a user; The liquid storage portion is A liquid inlet; an opening / closing lever for opening and closing the injection port; Equipped with The operation unit is the opening / closing lever. A liquid ejection device comprising:

3. 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, an operation panel for receiving various operations, the operation panel being disposed on a front surface of the device, the front surface being a surface facing a user among the sides of the device body; The operation unit is the operation panel. A liquid ejection device comprising:

4. 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, a liquid storage section that stores liquid to be ejected from the liquid ejection head, the liquid storage section being disposed on a front side of the device body that faces a user; an operation panel that receives various operations and is disposed on a front surface of the device; A plurality of the operation units; Equipped with The liquid storage portion is A liquid inlet; an opening / closing lever for opening and closing the injection port; Equipped with The plurality of operation units include the opening / closing lever and the operation panel. A liquid ejection device comprising:

5. An apparatus body including a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium; a reading unit that is an openable / closable unit at an upper portion of the device body and that reads an image of a document; Equipped with a flow path for gas flowing from the liquid ejection head to the outside of the apparatus is formed between the apparatus main body and the reading unit; a meandering portion that narrows the flow path and causes the flow path to meander is provided in a part of the flow path; A liquid ejection device comprising:

6. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The meandering forming portion is a first protrusion protruding from the device body toward the reading unit; a second protrusion protruding from the reading unit toward the device body; Equipped with The first protrusion and the second protrusion overlap each other in a vertical direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

7. 7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6, the first protrusion is disposed at a position closer to the liquid ejection head than the second protrusion; A liquid ejection device comprising:

8. 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, the second protruding portion protrudes obliquely toward the liquid ejection head; A liquid ejection device comprising:

Images