Recording device

Abstract

To solve a problem that foreign objects may adhere to a recording unit when a support unit moves.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording unit configured to perform recording on a medium; a support unit capable of supporting the medium; a moving unit configured to move the support unit between a first position facing the recording unit and a second position separated from the recording unit; and an air flow generation unit configured to generate at least ejection air flow in a direction from the recording unit toward a position of the support unit present at the first position in a period in which the support unit moves toward the first position or the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printing device as a recording device is known in which a conveyor belt facing a printing unit as a recording unit rotates by 90 degrees. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-77960 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-described recording apparatus, when the support unit having the conveyor belt moves, foreign matter such as paper dust may adhere to the recording unit, causing a problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device includes a recording unit that records on a medium, a support unit that can support the medium, a moving unit that moves the support unit between a first position facing the recording unit and a second position away from the recording unit, and an airflow generating unit that generates an airflow ejected from the recording unit in a direction toward the position of the support unit when it is in the first position, at least during the period when the support unit moves toward the first position or the second position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording device when recording on a medium. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording apparatus when the maintenance unit covers the liquid ejection surface of the recording unit. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing an airflow generating section according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the airflow generating unit according to the second embodiment when the support unit is moving away from the recording unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the airflow generating unit according to the second embodiment when the support unit approaches the recording unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing an airflow generating section according to the third embodiment during recording. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the airflow generating unit according to the third embodiment when third dust on the belt is sucked. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The recording device 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions in the drawings will be described using a three-dimensional coordinate system. For convenience of description, the positive direction of the Z axis will be referred to as the upward direction, upward, or simply upward; the negative direction will be referred to as the downward direction, downward, or simply downward; the positive direction of the X axis will be referred to as the rightward direction, rightward, or simply right; the negative direction will be referred to as the leftward direction, leftward, or simply left; the positive direction of the Y axis will be referred to as the forward direction, forward, or simply forward; and the negative direction will be referred to as the backward direction, backward, or simply backward.

[0008] 1. Recording device configuration 1, the recording apparatus 1 includes a head 2, which is a recording unit. The head 2 is, for example, a line-type inkjet head extending in the left-right direction. The head 2 is a liquid ejection unit that ejects ink, which is a liquid, from an ink ejection surface 2a, which is a liquid ejection surface. The head 2 ejects ink from above onto a medium M that is supported from below by a support unit 10, thereby performing recording. At this time, as will be described later, the support unit 10 is located at a first position 10A and faces the head 2.

[0009] The recording apparatus 1 has a plurality of paths for transporting the medium M. For convenience of illustration, the medium M transported on each path is omitted in each drawing. The recording device 1 has one path for the medium M, which is a path along the transport direction F of the medium M. The recording device 1 has arranged, from upstream to downstream in the transport direction F of this path, a paper feed tray T1 which is a paper feed unit, a first path P1, a head 2, a duct 20 which is an airflow generating unit, a support unit 10 which can face the head 2 and the duct 20, a second path P2, and a paper discharge tray T2 which is a paper discharge unit. The medium M is transported along the transport direction F, and when it reaches between the head 2 and the support part 10, the head 2 records on one of its surfaces, that is, the front surface.

[0010] The recording device 1 also has a third path P3, which is another path for the medium M, that supplies the medium M from the front of the case 5 in the manual insertion direction F1. The operator inserts the medium M into the third path P3 in the manual insertion direction F1. The third path P3 is connected to the first path P1, and once the medium M is transported from the third path P3 to the first path P1, it is transported along the transport direction F described above.

[0011] A branching section 4 is disposed midway along the second path P2. The branching section 4 is rotatable about a branching axis 4a. The branching section 4 has been rotated clockwise around the branching axis 4a in advance. The clockwise rotation of the branching section 4 allows the medium M, whose surface has been recorded, to pass smoothly, leading edge first, through the branching section 4 of the second path P2 in the transport direction F. When the rear end of the medium M transported along the second path P2 passes through the branching unit 4, the transport of the medium M is temporarily stopped. The branching unit 4 rotates counterclockwise around the branching shaft 4a. In this state, when the medium M is transported in a reverse direction R, which is the opposite direction to the transport direction F, the rear end of the medium M is guided to the branching section 4 and transported along a fourth path P4 that branches upward from the second path P2. Note that the recording device 1 may be configured to transport the medium M in the reverse direction R by including a switchback path that is parallel to the second path P2.

[0012] The fourth path P4 is curved and communicates with the first path P1 below. The medium M transported from the fourth path P4 to the first path P1 is turned over. Thereafter, the medium M is transported along the transport direction F described above. The other side, the back side, of the medium M is recorded on by the head 2. In this way, the medium M can be recorded on both sides by first recording on the front side, then flipping the medium M over and recording on the back side.

[0013] The first path P1, the second path P2, the third path P3, and the fourth path P4 are each provided with a plurality of transport rollers (not shown), and are capable of transporting the medium M. The support unit 10 includes a belt 11 which is a conveyor belt, a first roller 12, a second roller 13, a rotating unit 14 which is a moving unit, and a rotating shaft 14a. The rotating unit 14 can move the support unit 10 between a first position 10A facing the head 2 shown in Fig. 1 and a second position 10B away from the head 2 shown in Fig. 2. The first position 10A is also a transport position where the support unit 10 can transport the medium M, and the second position 10B is also a retracted position where the support unit 10 is retracted from the head 2.

[0014] The support unit 10 also has, for example, a roller motor (not shown) that rotates the first roller 12. In this case, the first roller 12 is a driven roller that is driven by the roller motor, and the second roller 13 is a driven roller that rotates in conjunction with the first roller 12. The support unit 10 rotates the first roller 12 and the second roller 13 using a roller motor. The belt 11, which is an endless belt, is stretched over the first roller 12 and the second roller 13 and is configured to rotate. When the first roller 12 and the second roller 13 rotate counterclockwise and the belt 11 rotates counterclockwise, the support unit 10 can transport the medium M on the belt 11 in the transport direction F.

[0015] The duct 20 includes a fan 22, which is an air blowing section, and an airflow port 21. The duct 20 also has a fan motor (not shown) that rotates the fan 22. Duct 20 can function as a suction unit that is an intake unit that draws air through airflow port 21 by operating fan 22 to rotate in one direction, for example, by rotating fan 22 forward using a fan motor. Duct 20 can also function as a blower that is an exhaust unit that blows air out of airflow port 21 by operating fan 22 to rotate in the other direction, for example, by rotating fan 22 in the opposite direction using a fan motor. In this way, the duct 20 can have the functions of suction and blower by switching the operation of the fan 22 .

[0016] When the head 2 ejects ink to record on the medium M, ink mist K, which is a mist of small liquid particles and small ink particles, may be generated near the ink ejection surface 2a and float in the air. The duct 20 functions as a suction device, generating a first suction airflow S1 to suck in and remove the ink mist K.

[0017] 1, when the support unit 10 is in the first position 10A, the duct 20 is located above the support unit 10. Furthermore, when the support unit 10 is in the first position 10A, the belt 11 on the upper side of the support unit 10 can support the medium M and faces the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 and the air flow port 21 of the duct 20. When the support part 10 is in the first position 10A, the maintenance part 3 is in a position retracted from the head 2 and the support part 10. On the other hand, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, when the support part 10 moves to a second position 10B away from the head 2, the maintenance part 3 can move toward the head 2.

[0018] The support unit 10 can be rotated around a rotation axis 14a by the rotation unit 14. The rotation unit 14 has a rotation unit motor (not shown) and can rotate the support unit 10. The support unit 10 can be rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis 14a by the rotation unit 14, and can move from a first position 10A shown in FIG. 1 to a second position 10B shown in FIG. 2. At this time, the support part 10 moves away from the head 2 and the duct 20. Specifically, the belt 11 of the support part 10 moves away from the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 and the air flow port 21 of the duct 20 that it was facing. Moreover, the support part 10 can be rotated in the opposite direction by the rotating part 14, and can also be moved from the second position 10B to the first position 10A.

[0019] 2, when the support unit 10 moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B, the maintenance unit 3 moves toward the head 2. The maintenance unit 3 has, for example, a link mechanism (not shown). The maintenance unit 3 can move by driving the link mechanism using a maintenance unit movement motor (not shown). Although the medium M is not transported when the support portion 10 moves to the second position 10B, the transport direction F and the reversal direction R are shown in FIG. 2 in the same manner as in FIG. 1 for comparison with FIG.

[0020] The maintenance unit 3 includes at least one of a cap that covers the ink ejection surface 2a, an ink suction mechanism that sucks ink from the ink ejection surface 2a, and a wiper blade that wipes the ink ejection surface 2a. The maintenance unit 3 that has moved toward the head 2 can perform maintenance on the head 2 by operating at least one of these, such as capping, flushing, ink suction, wiping, and the like.

[0021] The maintenance unit 3 enables the head 2 to prevent malfunctions when ejecting ink and to recover from malfunctions. When the support part 10 moves to the second position 10B, an operator can perform maintenance on the support part 10, such as cleaning the belt 11 of the support part 10.

[0022] The recording device 1 includes a control unit 8 mounted on a control board. The control unit 8 comprehensively controls each unit of the recording device 1. The control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). A CPU is also called a processor. The control unit 8 includes memories such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory. The control unit 8 reads out the programs stored in the flash ROM and executes various processes using the RAM as a work area. Specifically, the control unit 8 can also control the ejection of ink from the head 2 and the actuators such as the motors of each part of the recording device 1.

[0023] Incidentally, dust, which is foreign matter such as paper dust resulting from the medium M and dust particles entering from the surroundings of the recording device 1, exists inside the case 5 (not shown in FIGS. 3 to 7) of the recording device 1. If dust adheres to the head 2, problems such as incorrect recording may occur. For ease of explanation, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, first dust D1 floating in the air inside the case 5 and second dust D2 accumulating at the bottom inside the case 5 are shown as examples of typical dust inside the case 5.

[0024] 2. Airflow generating section according to the first embodiment The duct 20 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 shows an example in which the duct 20 functions as a blower that blows away such dust so that the dust does not adhere to the head 2.

[0025] First, a case where the support part 10 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis 14a and moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B will be described. The support part 10 moves away from the head 2 so as to open from the second roller 13 side about the rotation axis 14a. The second roller 13 side of the support part 10 moves downward from an upper position while drawing an arc.

[0026] As the support part 10 moves away from the head 2, a negative air pressure is generated between the support part 10 and the head 2. This negative air pressure draws in the surrounding air, and the first dust D1 near the head 2 may also be drawn in and may fly up and scatter. At this time, the first dust D1 may fly up and scatter toward the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2. If the first dust D1 adheres to the ink ejection surface 2a, problems such as poor ink ejection may occur.

[0027] Therefore, when the support part 10 moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B, the duct 20 functions as a blower. That is, the duct 20 generates a first ejection airflow B1 and ejects air from the airflow port 21 toward the first dust D1. It is preferable that the first ejected airflow B1 is ejected from the head 2 in a direction including at least a direction toward the position of the support part 10 at the first position 10A before the movement. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first ejected airflow B1 is ejected via the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 in a direction including at least a direction toward the position of the belt 11 of the support part 10 at the first position 10A before the movement.

[0028] 3, the first ejected airflow B1 can move the first dust particles D1, which are flying up and scattering toward the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2, away from the ink ejection surface 2a. In this example, the first ejected airflow B1 moves the first dust particles D1 in a forward and downward direction. In this way, during the period when the support part 10 moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B, the duct 20 prevents the first dust D1 from moving to the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 by the first ejected airflow B1, thereby preventing malfunctions of the head 2.

[0029] The duct 20 may be configured to continuously generate the first ejected airflow B1 during the period in which the support unit 10 moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B, even after the support unit 10 reaches the second position 10B. The duct 20 may stop generating the first ejected airflow B1 when the support unit 10 reaches the second position 10B. When the support part 10 moves to the second position 10B, the duct 20 can also prevent the first dust D1 and the second dust D2 from moving to the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 by the first ejected airflow B1. The same applies to dust other than the first dust D1 and the second dust D2.

[0030] Next, a case where the support part 10 rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 14a and moves from the second position 10B to the first position 10A will be described. At this time, the support part 10 approaches the head 2 so as to close from the second roller 13 side around the rotation axis 14a. The second roller 13 side of the support part 10 rises from a lower position while drawing an arc. As the second roller 13 side of the support part 10 rises, the second dust D2 that has accumulated in the lower part of the case 5 is agitated and may fly up and scatter. At this time, the second dust D2 may fly up and scatter toward the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2. If the second dust D2 adheres to the ink ejection surface 2a, problems such as poor ink ejection may occur.

[0031] Therefore, when the support part 10 moves from the second position 10B to the first position 10A, the duct 20 functions as a blower. That is, the duct 20 generates the above-mentioned first ejection airflow B1 and ejects air from the airflow opening 21 toward the second dust D2. The first ejected airflow B1 can move the second dust D2 away from the ink ejection surface 2a, which tends to fly up and scatter toward the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2. In this example, the first ejected airflow B1 moves the second dust D2 downward.

[0032] In this way, during the period when the support part 10 moves from the second position 10B to the first position 10A, the duct 20 prevents the second dust D2 from moving to the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 by the first ejected airflow B1, thereby preventing malfunctions of the head 2. When the support unit 10 moves to the first position 10A, the first ejected airflow B1 is preferably ejected from the head 2 in a direction that includes at least a direction toward the position of the support unit 10 at the first position 10A. Furthermore, the first ejected airflow B1 is preferably ejected via the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 in a direction that includes at least a direction toward the position of the belt 11 of the support unit 10 at the first position 10A.

[0033] When the support part 10 moves to the first position 10A, the duct 20 can prevent the first dust D1 as well as the second dust D2 from moving to the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 due to the first ejected airflow B1. The same applies to dust other than the first dust D1 and the second dust D2.

[0034] The duct 20 may be configured to continuously generate the first ejected airflow B1 during the period in which the support portion 10 moves from the second position 10B to the first position 10A, and even after the support portion 10 reaches the first position 10A. The duct 20 may stop generating the first jetted airflow B1 when the support portion 10 reaches the first position 10A. The duct 20 may stop generating the first jetted airflow B1 immediately before the head 2 starts recording.

[0035] When the support portion 10 is in the first position 10A shown in FIG. 1, the duct 20 generates a first suction airflow S1 to suck in the ink mist K that is generated when the head 2 ejects ink. On the other hand, when the support part 10 moves upward or downward as shown in FIG. 3, the duct 20 switches the operation of the fan 22 to generate a first ejected airflow B1, thereby moving the first dust D1 and the second dust D2 away from the head 2. The duct 20 is capable of switching between generating at least the first suction airflow S1 and the first ejection airflow B1.

[0036] As described above, when the support part 10 moves toward the first position 10A or the second position 10B, the duct 20 generates at least a first ejection airflow B1 in a direction from the head 2 toward the support part 10 at the first position 10A. When the support part 10 moves to the second position 10B and when it moves to the first position 10A, the duct 20 generates the same first ejected airflow B1. When the direction in which the support part 10 moves is changed, the rotation speed of the fan 22 driven by the fan motor may be changed to change the strength of the ejected airflow.

[0037] 3. Airflow generating section according to the second embodiment The duct 20 according to the second embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 functions as a blower that ejects a second ejection airflow B2 and a third ejection airflow B3 from the airflow port 21, respectively, and is shown as an example that can change the wind direction, that is, the direction in which the air is ejected. In the following description of the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Note that although the illustration of the support part 10 at the first position 10A is omitted in Figures 4 and 5, it is in the same position as in Figure 3.

[0038] 4 and 5, the duct 20 includes an airflow port moving part 23, which can rotate around a duct axis 23a. The airflow port moving part 23 rotates the duct 20 around the duct axis 23a using an airflow port moving motor (not shown), thereby changing the orientation of the airflow port 21. The second embodiment will be described below in the same order as the first embodiment.

[0039] First, as shown in FIG. 4, the case where the support part 10 moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B will be described. At this time, the duct 20 rotates counterclockwise by a predetermined angle around the duct axis 23a by the airflow port moving part 23. Compared to the first embodiment described above, the airflow port 21 of the duct 20 is located further forward, toward the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2. At this angle, the duct 20 ejects the second ejection airflow B2 from the airflow port 21. As shown in Figure 4, the direction in which the duct 20 rotates counterclockwise by a predetermined angle to eject the second ejected airflow B2 is also a direction that is relatively forward and toward the upstream side of the conveying direction F with respect to the direction in which the duct 20 ejects the third ejected airflow B3 shown in Figure 5 described below.

[0040] As a result, the second ejected airflow B2 ejected from the airflow port 21 is stronger and can eject more air toward the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 than the first ejected airflow B1 of the first embodiment. The second ejected airflow B2 can blow away the first dust D1 near the head 2 more effectively.

[0041] In this way, during the period when the support part 10 moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B, the duct 20 changes the direction of the second ejected airflow B2 using the airflow port moving part 23, and can more effectively move the first dust D1 away from the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2. That is, the duct 20 can change the direction of the second ejected airflow B2 by the airflow port moving portion 23, and more effectively prevent the first dust D1 from adhering to the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the case where the support part 10 moves from the second position 10B to the first position 10A will be described. At this time, the duct 20 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle around the duct axis 23a by the airflow port moving part 23. Compared to the first embodiment described above, the airflow port 21 of the duct 20 can be positioned further rearward and closer to the second roller 13 of the ascending support part 10. At this angle, the duct 20 ejects the third ejection airflow B3 from the airflow port 21. As shown in Figure 5, the direction in which the duct 20 rotates clockwise by a predetermined angle to eject the third ejected airflow B3 is also a direction that is relatively rearward and toward the downstream side of the conveying direction F with respect to the direction in which the duct 20 shown in Figure 4 above ejects the second ejected airflow B2.

[0043] As a result, the third ejected airflow B3 ejected from the airflow port 21 is stronger toward the second roller 13 of the support part 10 and can eject more air than the first ejected airflow B1 of the first embodiment. The third ejected airflow B3 can more effectively blow away the second dust D2 that tries to fly up from the bottom of the case 5.

[0044] In this way, during the period when the support part 10 moves from the second position 10B to the first position 10A, the duct 20 changes the direction of the third ejected airflow B3 using the airflow port moving part 23, and can more effectively move the second dust D2 away from the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2. That is, the duct 20 can change the direction of the third ejected airflow B3 by the airflow port moving section 23, and more effectively prevent the second dust D2 from adhering to the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2.

[0045] As described above, when the support portion 10 moves to the second position 10B, the airflow port moving portion 23 causes the duct 20 to change the direction of the airflow port 21 toward the head 2 side, forward, upstream in the conveying direction F, thereby generating a second ejected airflow B2. On the other hand, when the support part 10 moves to the first position 10A, the air flow opening moving part 23 causes the duct 20 to change the direction of the air flow opening 21 to the downstream side of the conveying direction F, which is the rear side, on the belt 11 side of the support part 10 when it is in the first position 10A, thereby generating a third ejected air flow B3.

[0046] That is, during the period when the support part 10 moves from the first position 10A to the second position 10B, the air flow opening moving part 23 changes the direction of the air flow opening 21 from the direction toward the position of the support part 10 when it is at the first position 10A to the direction toward the head 2. Meanwhile, during the period when the support part 10 moves from the second position 10B to the first position 10A, the air flow opening moving part 23 changes the direction of the air flow opening 21 from the direction toward the head 2 to the direction toward the position of the support part 10 when it is at the first position 10A.

[0047] When the direction of movement of support part 10 is changed, the direction of airflow port 21 may be changed by airflow port moving part 23, and the rotation speed of fan 22 driven by the fan motor may also be changed to change the strength of the second ejected airflow B2 and the third ejected airflow B3. Note that the strength of the second ejected airflow B2 and the third ejected airflow B3 may be the same. Furthermore, the duct 20 can switch between generating at least the first suction airflow S1 and either the second ejection airflow B2 or the third ejection airflow B3.

[0048] 4. Airflow generating section according to the third embodiment 6 and 7, the recording apparatus 1 includes a charging roller 7 capable of applying an electric charge, and a blade 6 capable of contacting the belt 11. The duct 20 also includes an airflow port lifting section . As described above with reference to Fig. 3, the support part 10 can be rotated around the rotation axis 14a by the rotating part 14, and when the support part 10 moves to the second position 10B and when it moves to the first position 10A, the duct 20 generates the first ejected airflow B1. In Figs. 6 and 7, the support part 10 is at the first position 10A.

[0049] 6, the first roller 12 and the second roller 13 of the support unit 10 rotate counterclockwise, contacting the inner peripheral surface 11b of the belt 11 and causing it to rotate counterclockwise. The medium M is placed on the outer peripheral surface 11a of the belt 11 by the support unit 10 at the first position 10A, and is transported along the transport direction F, where it is recorded by the head 2.

[0050] At this time, the outer peripheral surface 11a of the belt 11 of the rotating support part 10 is charged by the transfer of electric charge while in contact with the rotating charging roller 7. Note that hereinafter, the belt 11 refers to the outer peripheral surface 11a of the belt 11. The charged belt 11 can attract the medium M by static electricity, allowing for accurate transport of the medium M. In addition, the distance between the medium M attracted to the belt 11 and the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 can be kept constant, improving recording quality. Such a charged belt 11 is also called an electrostatic attraction belt. At this time, the duct 20 generates a first suction airflow S1 to suck in the ink mist K.

[0051] The charged belt 11 can attract the above-mentioned first dust D1 and second dust D2 floating in the air by static electricity, and can also prevent these dust particles, which are foreign matter, from adhering to the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2. On the other hand, the dust particles adsorbed to the belt 11 may prevent the medium M from adhering to the belt 11, reducing transport accuracy. Also, the dust particles may change the distance between the medium M and the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2, changing the conditions under which ink lands on the medium M and reducing recording quality.

[0052] 6, the blade 6 comes into contact with the lower belt 11 on which the medium M is not placed, and scrapes off and removes the dust that moves with the belt 11. The removed dust accumulates as third dust D3 on the tip side of the blade 6, which is the side that comes into contact with the belt 11. The blade 6 can move together with the support part 10 by the rotating part 14. Incidentally, the third dust D3 that accumulates on the blade 6 is rubbed by the rotating belt 11. The third dust D3 contains dust particles, paper powder, and the like, and if it solidifies, it may damage and deteriorate the belt 11.

[0053] 7, the duct 20 sucks and removes the third dust D3 on the belt 11. Specifically, the recording apparatus 1 operates as follows. First, the first roller 12 and the second roller 13 of the support unit 10 rotate clockwise to return the belt 11 to the reverse direction R1, which is the opposite direction to the conveying direction F. Note that no medium M is placed on the belt 11. At this time, the third dust D3 adheres to the belt 11 and moves in the reverse direction R1 together with the belt 11. When the position of the belt 11 to which the third dust D3 adheres reaches a position below the air flow opening 21 of the duct 20 and opposite the air flow opening 21, the belt 11 stops. The duct 20 functions as a suction and generates a second suction airflow S2, which can suck and remove the third dust D3 adhering to the belt 11.

[0054] 7, when the duct 20 sucks in the third dust D3, it is preferable that the air flow opening 21 be close to the third dust D3 on the belt 11. Furthermore, it is preferable that the duct 20 position the air flow opening 21 so that it contacts the belt 11. The duct 20 can effectively suck in the third dust D3 on the belt 11 through the air flow opening 21.

[0055] The airflow port lifting / lowering unit 24 can move the position of the airflow port 21 of the duct 20 up and down relative to the position of the belt 11. When the duct 20 sucks in the third dust D3, the airflow port lifting / lowering unit 24 preferably moves the airflow port 21 downward to bring it closer to the belt 11. Alternatively, the airflow port lifting / lowering unit 24 may be moved to a position where the airflow port 21 comes into contact with the belt 11. When the duct 20 and the airflow port 21 are integrally configured, the airflow port elevating section 24 can lower the duct 20, thereby lowering the airflow port 21. The duct 20 can effectively suck the third dust D3 on the belt 11 through the air flow port 21 by the air flow port lifting section 24.

[0056] As a result, the third dust D3 accumulated on the blade 6 is removed, and the belt 11 can be prevented from being damaged and deteriorated. The duct 20 may change the strength of the airflow sucked by the second suction airflow S2 relative to the first suction airflow S1 by changing the rotation speed of the fan 22 driven by the fan motor. For example, the duct 20 may make the airflow of the second suction airflow S2 stronger than the first suction airflow S1.

[0057] Furthermore, the duct 20 can switch between generating at least one of the first suction airflow S1 and the second suction airflow S2 and the first ejection airflow B1. After the duct 20 sucks the third dust D3 on the belt 11 with the second suction airflow S2, the airflow port lifting unit 24 moves the airflow port 21 upward and returns it to its original position.

[0058] As described above, the recording device 1 includes a head 2 that records on a medium M, a support unit 10 that can support the medium M, and a rotating unit 14 that moves the support unit 10 between a first position 10A facing the head 2 and a second position 10B away from the head 2. Furthermore, the recording device 1 is provided with a duct 20 that generates a first ejection airflow B1 from the head 2 in a direction toward the position of the support part 10 when it is at the first position 10A, at least during the period when the support part 10 moves toward the first position 10A or the second position 10B.

[0059] The recording device 1 configured in this manner can use the first ejected airflow B1 to move dust particles such as the first dust D1 and the second dust D2 that fly up and attempt to scatter toward the ink ejection surface 2a of the head 2 away from the ink ejection surface 2a. As a result, when the support part 10 having the belt 11 moves, it is possible to prevent such dust from adhering to the head 2 and causing problems.

[0060] The above describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, etc. as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0061] In the above description, the head 2 is an example of a line-type inkjet head, but it may also be a serial-type inkjet head mounted on a carriage. In the above description, the rotating part 14 and the rotation shaft 14a of the support part 10 are provided on the upstream side of the first roller 12 in the conveying direction F, but they may also be provided on the downstream side of the second roller 13. The support part 10 can be rotated clockwise around the rotation shaft 14a by the rotating part 14, and can move from the first position 10A to the second position 10B.

[0062] In the second embodiment described above, when the duct 20 is made to function as a blower, the wind direction of the second ejected airflow B2 is changed by the airflow port moving unit 23. The second embodiment may also be provided with the airflow port lifting and lowering unit 24 shown in the third embodiment, so that when the duct 20 is made to function as a blower, the vertical position of the airflow port 21 may also be changed.

[0063] In the third embodiment described above, when the third dust D3 adhering to the belt 11 of the support part 10 is sucked by the duct 20, the air flow port lifting part 24 changes the position of the air flow port 21 in the up-down direction. In the third embodiment, the air flow port moving section 23 shown in the second embodiment may be provided instead of the air flow port lifting section 24. The air flow port moving section 23 allows the air flow port 21 to move toward and away from the belt 11 while drawing an arc.

[0064] In the above description, the position of the air flow opening 21 of the duct 20 is above the belt 11 and downstream of the head 2 in the conveying direction F. The position of the air flow opening 21 may be upstream of the head 2, or may be lateral, such as to the left or right of the head 2, or may be below the belt 11 of the support part 10. There may also be multiple air flow openings 21. In this case, the duct 20 may generate a suction airflow to move dust away from the head 2. In the above description, the first dust D1 and the second dust D2 are used as examples of dust, but the same applies to dust other than the first dust D1 and the second dust D2 present in the case 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1...recording device, 2...head, 2a...ink ejection surface, 6...blade, 7...charging roller, 10...support part, 10A...first position, 10B...second position, 11...belt, 14...rotating part, 20...duct, 21...airflow port, 22...fan, 23...airflow port moving part, 24...airflow port lifting part, B1...first ejected airflow, B2...second ejected airflow, B3...third ejected airflow, D1...first dust, D2...second dust, D3...third dust, F...transport direction, K...ink mist, R1...reverse direction, S1...first suction airflow, S2...second suction airflow, M...medium.

Claims

1. a recording unit that records on the medium; a support portion capable of supporting the medium; a moving unit that moves the support unit between a first position facing the recording unit and a second position away from the recording unit; and an airflow generating unit that generates an airflow jet in a direction from the recording unit toward the position of the support unit when it is at the first position during a period in which the support unit moves toward the first position or the second position.

2. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, The recording apparatus, characterized in that the airflow generating unit has a blower and is located above the support unit when the recording apparatus is in the first position.

3. 3. The recording device according to claim 2, the recording unit is a liquid ejection unit, The airflow generating unit is A recording apparatus characterized in that, by switching the operation of the air blowing unit, it is possible to switch between generating at least the ejection airflow and a suction airflow that sucks in mist generated when the liquid ejection unit ejects.

4. 3. The recording device according to claim 2, the airflow generating section has an airflow port through which the ejected airflow is ejected, an airflow port moving unit that changes the direction of the airflow port; The airflow port moving section is changing a direction of the airflow port toward the recording unit during a period in which the support unit moves from the first position to the second position; a direction of the air flow opening being changed to a direction toward the position of the support part when it is in the first position during a period in which the support part is moving from the second position to the first position;

5. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, The recording apparatus, wherein the support unit includes a transport belt that can transport the medium.

6. 6. The recording device according to claim 5, the airflow generating section has an airflow port through which the ejected airflow is ejected, a blade that contacts the conveyor belt to scrape off foreign matter; and an air flow port lifting unit that moves the position of the air flow port of the air flow generating unit up and down, the support unit moves the conveyor belt to which the foreign matter is attached to a position facing the air flow opening, the air flow port lifting unit moves the air flow port closer to the conveyor belt on which the foreign matter is attached, The recording apparatus, wherein the airflow generating unit generates a suction airflow that sucks in the foreign matter adhering to the conveyor belt.

7. 6. The recording device according to claim 5, a charging roller for charging an electric charge; The recording apparatus is characterized in that the conveying belt of the support portion is charged by contacting the rotating charging roller and receiving an electric charge, and is capable of attracting foreign matter in the medium and air.

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