Printing apparatus

Abstract

Ink mist adhering to the position detection unit may cause the carriage position to be misdetected. [Solution] The housing 100 includes a head 25 housed in the housing 100 that discharges liquid from a nozzle surface 25A, a carriage 26 that supports the head 25 and moves in the scanning direction, a linear scale 29A that extends in the scanning direction and detects the position of the carriage 26, and a suction duct 240 that, in a plan view, is positioned on the opposite side of the linear scale 29A with the head 25 in between, and sucks in gas 300 from inside the housing 100. The carriage 26 has airflow guides 30A and 30B that guide the airflow F toward the suction duct 240.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus including a carriage provided with a guide plate and a diffuser, a guide rail on which the carriage travels, and a duct that sucks ink mist generated with ink ejection. The guide plate and the diffuser guide the ink mist to the duct. The duct sucks the ink mist in the direction of the guide rail with respect to the carriage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in an inkjet recording apparatus, a position detection unit for detecting the position of the carriage is often provided near the guide rail. In this case, the ink mist guided by the guide plate and the diffuser may adhere to the position detection unit, and if the ink mist adheres to the position detection unit, there is a risk that the position of the carriage may be erroneously detected.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The printing apparatus comprises a liquid discharge unit housed in a casing that discharges liquid from a discharge surface, a carriage that supports the liquid discharge unit and moves in the scanning direction, a position detection unit that extends in the scanning direction and detects the position of the carriage, and a suction duct that, in a plan view, is positioned on the opposite side of the liquid discharge unit from the position detection unit and sucks gas from inside the casing, the carriage having an airflow guide that directs the airflow toward the suction duct. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printing device. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the external appearance of a printing device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the opening / closing cover of the printing device in the open position. [Figure 4] A perspective view of the opening / closing cover from the front when the cover is in the open position. [Figure 5] A partial perspective view showing the configuration around the opening / closing cover when the cover is in the open position. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the configuration around the opening / closing cover when the cover is in the closed position. [Figure 7] A partial perspective view showing the configuration around the opening / closing cover when the cover is in the closed position. [Figure 8] A plan view showing the exterior of the carriage. [Figure 9] A side view showing the exterior of the carriage. [Figure 10] A side view showing the appearance of the carriage in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. The printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs onto a medium 2 by, for example, ejecting ink, which is an example of a "liquid," onto the transported medium 2.

[0008] In the following drawings, the scale of each component is shown differently from the actual scale in order to make each component recognizable. In addition, the same reference numeral is used for identical components in each drawing, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, in each drawing, the X, Y, and Z axes are shown as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes as needed. Arrows are attached to the X, Y, and Z axes. For each of the X, Y, and Z axes, the direction of the arrow is the positive direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow is the negative direction. A plane containing the X and Y axes is described as the XY plane, a plane containing the X and Z axes is described as the XZ plane, and a plane containing the Y and Z axes is described as the YZ plane.

[0009] For the sake of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as upward or simply up, and the negative direction as downward or simply down. The positive direction of the X-axis will be referred to as left or simply left, and the negative direction as right or simply right. The positive direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as forward or simply front, and the surface facing the positive direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as the front. The negative direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as backward or simply back, and the surface facing the negative direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as the back.

[0010] The X-axis direction corresponds to the width direction of the printing device 1, the width direction of the medium 2 on which the image is printed, the width direction of the transport path through which the medium 2 is transported, and the scanning direction in which the carriage 26 moves. The Y-axis direction corresponds to the depth direction of the printing device 1 and the transport direction in which the medium 2 is transported below the head 25. Viewing from the +Z direction or -Z direction is referred to as a plan view. In Figures 2 to 4, arrow A indicates the direction in which the printing device 1 is viewed from the front side in the +Y direction towards the -Y direction, and arrow B indicates the direction in which the printing device 1 is viewed from the back side in the -Y direction towards the +Y direction.

[0011] The configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, the printing apparatus 1 comprises a feed shaft 5, an upstream support unit 6, an upstream transport unit 7, a platen 8, a printing unit 3, a downstream transport unit 9, a downstream support unit 10, and a winding shaft 12. The transport path through which the medium 2 is transported is arranged in the following order: the upstream support unit 6, the upstream transport unit 7, the platen 8, the downstream transport unit 9, and the downstream support unit 10. The upstream transport unit 7 and the downstream transport unit 9 are examples of "medium transport units" that transport the medium 2 in the transport direction.

[0012] The printing apparatus 1 further comprises an upstream heating unit 40, a printing heating unit 41, and a downstream heating unit 42. The printing apparatus 1 further comprises an air blower unit 130, a control unit 13, and a housing 100.

[0013] The dispensing shaft 5 is a rod-shaped member that extends along the X-axis direction. The dispensing shaft 5 is supported at both ends in the X-axis direction by a frame or the like (not shown). The dispensing shaft 5 rotatably supports a roll 15 in which a long medium 2 is wound into a cylindrical shape. By rotating, the dispensing shaft 5 dispenses the medium 2 from the roll 15 toward the upstream support section 6.

[0014] The upstream support section 6, platen 8, and downstream support section 10 are members that support a long medium 2 being conveyed in the conveying direction. The medium 2 is conveyed along the surfaces of the upstream support section 6, platen 8, and downstream support section 10 in that order. The conveying direction intersects with the X-axis direction. The upstream support section 6, platen 8, and downstream support section 10 are fixed to a frame (not shown) or the like that supports the entire printing apparatus 1.

[0015] The upstream support unit 6 includes an upstream heating support unit 61 and an upstream guide support unit 62. The upstream heating support unit 61 and the upstream guide support unit 62 support a portion of the medium 2 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction rather than the portion facing the printing unit 3. The upstream heating support unit 61 is heated by an upstream heating unit 40 described later. The upstream guide support unit 62 is located upstream in the conveyance direction from the upstream heating support unit 61. The second support surface 62A of the upstream guide support unit 62 supports the medium 2 fed out from the roll 15. The platen 8 is located downstream in the conveyance direction from the upstream support unit 6. The medium 2 supported by the upstream support unit 6 is conveyed to the platen 8 by the upstream conveyance unit 7.

[0016] The upstream conveyance unit 7 is located downstream in the conveyance direction from the upstream support unit 6. Also, the upstream conveyance unit 7 is located upstream in the conveyance direction from the platen 8. The upstream conveyance unit 7 has a first roller 71 and a second roller 72. The first roller 71 and the second roller 72 each extend along the X-axis direction. The upstream conveyance unit 7 has a motor (not shown). The power from the motor is transmitted to the second roller 72. The second roller 72 is rotatable by the power from the motor.

[0017] The medium 2 is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. By rotating the second roller 72 with the medium 2 sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72, the medium 2 can be conveyed. The upstream conveyance unit 7 conveys the medium 2 toward the platen 8.

[0018] In the printing apparatus 1, the second roller 72 is used as a driving roller and the first roller 71 is used as a driven roller. The driving roller is rotationally driven by the power from the motor. The driven roller follows the rotational drive of the driving roller. Note that the first roller 71 may be used as the driving roller and the second roller 72 may be used as the driven roller.

[0019] The platen 8 is located on the -Z direction side of the printing unit 3. The platen 8 faces the printing unit 3 across the conveyance path. The platen 8 supports the portion of the medium 2 that is printed by the printing unit 3. The support surface 8A, which is the surface of the platen 8 facing the +Z direction, is the surface that supports the medium 2.

[0020] The platen 8 can apply a suction force to the medium 2. The support surface 8A of the platen 8 that faces the printing unit 3 is flat. The support surface 8A of the platen 8 extends over the range where printing by the printing unit 3 is possible. It may be configured to suck air from a plurality of suction holes formed in the support surface 8A of the platen 8 by a suction fan to suck the medium 2 to the support surface 8A of the platen 8.

[0021] The printing unit 3 includes a head 25, a carriage 26, and a guide shaft 27. A plurality of nozzles 28 for discharging ink are formed in the head 25. The plurality of nozzles 28 open to the nozzle surface 25A of the head 25. The nozzle surface 25A is the surface facing the -Z direction and is, for example, located about 0.5 mm in the -Z direction from the lower end 26A of the carriage 26. The guide shaft 27 is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis direction. The guide shaft 27 is supported by a frame (not shown) or the like at both ends in the X-axis direction. The head 25 that discharges ink from the nozzle surface 25A to the medium 2 is an example of a "liquid discharge unit". Also, the nozzle surface 25A is an example of a "discharge surface".

[0022] The printing unit 3 further includes a linear scale 29A and an optical sensor 29B. The linear scale 29A and the optical sensor 29B function as a linear encoder for detecting the position of the carriage 26 in the scanning direction. The linear scale 29A extends in the scanning direction. The linear scale 29A is located above the nozzle surface 25A. A large number of slits are formed in the linear scale 29A at regular intervals. The linear scale 29A is an example of a "position detection unit" for detecting the position of the carriage 26.

[0023] The optical sensor 29B optically reads multiple slits formed on the linear scale 29A and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the number of slits to the control unit 13. The detection signal includes a number of pulse signals proportional to the distance the carriage 26 moves in the scanning direction. Based on the detection signal, the control unit 13 recognizes the position of the carriage 26 as it moves in the scanning direction.

[0024] The carriage 26 supports the head 25 and moves back and forth with the head 25 along the X-axis direction, which is the scanning direction, driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) controlled by the control unit 13. The carriage 26 is guided by a guide axis 27 that extends along the scanning direction. The head 25 prints on the medium 2 by ejecting ink toward the medium 2 as it moves.

[0025] The printing unit 3 in this embodiment is a so-called serial printer that prints while reciprocating in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium 2. The printing unit 3 may also be configured as a so-called line printer, having a head 25 on which nozzles 28 are provided across the width dimension of the medium 2.

[0026] In the printing apparatus 1, printing is performed by ejecting ink from the head 25 toward the area of ​​the medium 2 that is supported by the support surface 8A of the platen 8. The medium 2 supported by the platen 8 is transported to the downstream support section 10 by the downstream transport section 9. The medium 2 is transported in the +Y direction while being supported by the support surface 8A of the platen 8. The downstream transport section 9 is located downstream of the platen 8 in the transport direction. Also, the downstream transport section 9 is located upstream of the downstream support section 10 in the transport direction.

[0027] The downstream conveying section 9 includes a third roller 91 and a fourth roller 92. The third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92 each extend along the X-axis direction. The downstream conveying section 9 has a motor (not shown). Power from the motor is transmitted to the fourth roller 92. The fourth roller 92 is rotatable by the power from the motor.

[0028] The medium 2 is held between the third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92. The downstream conveying unit 9 can convey the medium 2 by rotating the fourth roller 92 while the medium 2 is held between the third roller 91 and the fourth roller 92. The downstream conveying unit 9 conveys the medium 2 toward the downstream support unit 10.

[0029] In the printing apparatus 1, the fourth roller 92 is the drive roller, and the third roller 91 is the driven roller. The drive roller is rotationally driven by power from a motor. The driven roller follows the rotational drive of the drive roller. Alternatively, the third roller 91 may be the drive roller and the fourth roller 92 may be the driven roller.

[0030] The downstream support section 10 is located downstream of the platen 8 in the transport direction. The downstream support section 10 supports the portion of the medium 2 that is downstream in the transport direction from the portion facing the printing section 3.

[0031] The winding shaft 12 is located downstream of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction. The winding shaft 12 winds up the transported medium 2. The winding shaft 12 is located downstream of the downstream support unit 10 in the transport direction. The medium 2 is transported along the downstream support unit 10 and then wound up by the winding shaft 12.

[0032] The upstream heating unit 40 is provided on the upstream heating support unit 61. The upstream heating unit 40 heats the medium 2 supported on the first support surface 61A facing the transport path of the upstream heating support unit 61 via the upstream heating support unit 61. The printing heating unit 41 is provided on the platen 8. The printing heating unit 41 heats the medium 2 supported on the support surface 8A via the platen 8. The downstream heating unit 42 is provided on the downstream support unit 10. The downstream heating unit 42 can dry the medium 2 by heating the medium 2 supported on the downstream support surface 10A facing the transport path of the downstream support unit 10 via the downstream support unit 10.

[0033] The air blower 130 is positioned opposite the downstream support 10. The air blower 130 is capable of blowing air onto the medium 2 supported by the downstream support 10. By blowing air onto the medium 2, the air blower 130 can accelerate the drying of the medium 2.

[0034] The control unit 13 is a controller that controls the printing device 1. For example, the control unit 13 controls the upstream transport unit 7 to transport the medium 2 toward the platen 8. The control unit 13 controls the printing unit 3 to eject ink onto the medium 2 supported by the support surface 8A of the platen 8 to print an image. The control unit 13 controls the winding shaft 12 to wind the medium 2 with the printed image onto the winding shaft 12.

[0035] The housing 100 defines a part of the outer casing of the printing device 1. The housing 100 constitutes a part of the front 100b, which is the side of the printing device 1 in the +Y direction, and a part of the rear, which is the side in the -Y direction. The housing 100 constitutes the right side, which is the side of the printing device 1 in the -X direction, and the left side, which is the side in the +X direction. The housing 100 constitutes the top surface 100a, which is the side of the printing device 1 in the +Z direction.

[0036] The inside of the housing 100 houses the printing unit 3, the upstream transport unit 7, the platen 8, the downstream transport unit 9, and the control unit 13.

[0037] Furthermore, the housing 100 is provided with an inner wall 100c that defines the inside of the housing 100 into two spaces: a front space located in the +Y direction and a rear space located in the -Y direction. The inner wall 100c is provided inside the housing 100, extending from the right side to the left side of the housing 100. The front space inside the housing 100 is defined by the medium 2 or a transport path for transporting the medium 2 and the housing 100. The head 25, carriage 26, guide shaft 27, linear scale 29A and suction duct 240 are housed in the front space inside the housing 100.

[0038] The housing 100 may be composed of multiple components. In this embodiment, a part of the housing 100 is formed by an opening / closing cover 200. The opening / closing cover 200 is provided on the front side of the housing 100, which is the +Y direction side. The opening / closing cover 200 can rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft 250. The opening / closing cover 200 opens and closes a part of the top surface 100a and a part of the front surface 100b of the housing 100. The rotating shaft 250 rotatably connects the opening / closing cover 200 to the top surface 100a that is not opened or closed. The rotating shaft 250 extends in the X-axis direction, and the axis of the rotating shaft 250 is along the X-axis.

[0039] The opening / closing cover 200 is rotatably mounted between a closed position (see Figures 1 and 2) and an open position (see Figure 3) by rotating around the axis of the rotating shaft 250. In the closed position of the opening / closing cover 200, the cover 200 constitutes a part of the top surface 100a and a part of the front surface 100b of the housing 100, covering the inside of the housing 100. In the open position of the opening / closing cover 200, the cover 200 exposes the inside of the housing 100, allowing the user to access the inside of the housing 100.

[0040] The opening / closing cover 200 constitutes the portion of the top surface 100a of the housing 100 that covers the upstream transport section 7, platen 8, downstream transport section 9, etc. The opening / closing cover 200 also constitutes the portion of the front surface 100b of the housing 100 that covers the width direction of the transport path of the medium 2.

[0041] The opening / closing cover 200 has a first partition wall 210 that forms part of the top surface 100a of the housing 100 when in the closed position, and a second partition wall 220 that forms part of the front surface 100b of the housing 100 when in the closed position.

[0042] The first partition wall 210 has a roughly rectangular shape that is elongated in the X-axis direction along the XY plane. The first partition wall 210 has a window 211.

[0043] The window 211 is located on the +Z side, above the support surface 8A of the platen 8. The window 211 is located on the +Z side, above the movement area of ​​the carriage 26 along the X axis. The window 211 is made of a light-transmitting material. As a result, when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the inside of the housing 100 can be seen from the outside of the housing 100 through the window 211.

[0044] The second partition wall 220 is provided on the front side of the first partition wall 210. The second partition wall 220 is provided on the -Z direction side of the first partition wall 210. The second partition wall 220 has a substantially rectangular shape that is elongated in the X-axis direction along the XZ plane. The second partition wall 220 is made of, for example, a light-transmitting resin material.

[0045] The upper end of the second partition wall 220, which is the +Z direction end, is fixed to the -Z direction surface of the first partition wall 210. The lower end of the second partition wall 220, which is the -Z direction end, is located on the +Z direction side of the medium 2 and faces the medium 2 across a gap.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, leg frames 110 are provided near both ends of the housing 100 in the X-axis direction. Below the leg frames 110 are casters 111 and adjusters 112. The user can easily move the printing device 1 by using the casters 111. The user can adjust the height at multiple points by using the adjusters 112 to suitably position the printing device 1 on the installation surface.

[0047] The printing apparatus 1 includes a liquid supply unit 120 that supplies ink to the head 25 of the printing unit 3. The liquid supply unit 120 is configured to supply ink to the head 25 via a liquid supply path (not shown). As the ink, various well-known compositions can be used, such as water-based dye inks or pigment inks, organic solvent-based (eco-solvent) inks with improved weather resistance than these water-based inks, or photocurable inks that harden when exposed to ultraviolet light.

[0048] Incidentally, when ink is ejected from the nozzles 28 of the head 25, ink mist, which is fine ink particles, may be generated. The ink mist generated during printing on the medium 2 is diffused into the front space inside the housing 100 by the turbulence generated as the carriage 26 moves. Therefore, the gas 300 that remains in the front space inside the housing 100 contains ink mist. The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a configuration for sucking up the ink mist.

[0049] Referring to Figures 1 to 7, the configuration for sucking up ink mist will be described. The printing apparatus 1 includes a suction duct 240, a filter 242, an outer duct 231, a connection part 230, an inner duct 232, a vertical duct 233, and an airflow generating part 234 as a configuration for sucking up gas 300 containing ink mist. The gas 300 inside the housing 100 is sucked up by the airflow generating part 234 in the order described above and discharged to the outside of the housing 100.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, two suction ducts 240 for drawing in the gas 300 inside the housing 100 are provided side by side on the inner surface 220b of the second partition wall 220, extending across the width direction of the transport path for the medium 2. As shown in Figure 1, when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the suction ducts 240 are positioned in a plan view on the opposite side of the head 25 from the guide shaft 27.

[0051] The second partition wall 220 extends below the suction duct 240. As described above, the second partition wall 220 is made of a light-transmitting resin material. When the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the portion of the second partition wall 220 located below the suction duct 240 is exposed as the front surface 100b of the housing 100. As a result, when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the inside of the housing 100 is visible from the outside of the housing 100 through the lower part of the second partition wall 220.

[0052] When the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the suction duct 240 is located on the opposite side of the linear scale 29A from the head 25 in a plan view. The suction duct 240 is located above the nozzle surface 25A. The suction duct 240 is located downstream of the carriage 26 in the transport direction. This is preferable because, for example, when printing on the medium 2 using an organic solvent-based ink, the suction duct 240 can suck up the organic solvent volatilizing from the medium 2 inside the housing 100. In this embodiment, the case in which two suction ducts 240 are provided is described, but it is not limited to this. One or more suction ducts 240 are sufficient.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the suction duct 240 has a plurality of suction holes 241 formed along the X-axis direction. As shown in Figure 1, the suction duct 240 draws gas 300 from inside the housing 100 through the suction holes 241. The inner surface 220b on which the suction duct 240 is provided is the surface of the second partition wall 220 that faces the -Y direction, defining the front space inside the housing 100. As a result, a suction space is formed between the suction duct 240 and the second partition wall 220, into which the gas 300 drawn in from the suction holes 241 flows. As shown in Figure 4, each of the plurality of suction holes 241 in the 1 suction duct 240 communicates with the 1 suction space into which the gas 300 flows.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1, the suction duct 240 is provided near the upper end of the second partition wall 220 in the Z-axis direction. The suction duct 240 is made of, for example, a resin material. The lower surface 244, which is the -Z direction end of the suction duct 240, is located on the +Z direction side of the lower end of the second partition wall 220. The lower surface 244 of the suction duct 240 is located on the +Z direction side of the nozzle surface 25A of the head 25. In the Z-axis direction, the distance between the lower surface 244 of the suction duct 240 and the nozzle surface 25A is longer than the distance between the support surface 8A and the nozzle surface 25A.

[0055] The suction holes 241 are located above the nozzle surface 25A. The suction holes 241 are formed on the nozzle surface 25A side of the suction duct 240. Specifically, the suction holes 241 are formed side by side on the lower surface 244 of the suction duct 240 and open toward the -Z direction. The suction holes 241 are also formed along the X-axis direction, which is the scanning direction. In this way, since the suction holes 241 are located above the nozzle surface 25A and formed along the scanning direction, the suction duct 240 sucks up the gas 300 near the nozzle surface 25A in accordance with the movement of the carriage 26. In this embodiment, the case in which multiple suction holes 241 are formed in the suction duct 240 is described, but it is not limited to this. It is sufficient to have one or more suction holes 241 in the suction duct 240. In this case, it is preferable that the suction holes 241 be provided along the X-axis direction of the suction duct 240.

[0056] The suction duct 240 has an inclined surface 243 that overhangs and slopes towards the head 25 above the suction hole 241. The inclined surface 243 includes a +Y direction component and a -Z direction component, and slopes diagonally downward as it moves downstream in the conveying direction. The inclined surface 243 constitutes a part of the side surface of the suction duct 240 on the -Y direction side. The inclined surface 243 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the suction duct 240. The inclined surface 243 is configured to face the forward space so as to face the carriage 26. The inclined surface 243 guides the airflow AF of the gas 300 that was not sucked into the suction duct 240 in a direction that circulates inside the housing 100. In this way, the suction duct 240 generates an airflow AF that flows inside the housing 100 in the order of nozzle surface 25A, suction duct 240, and linear scale 29A.

[0057] The suction duct 240 is formed such that, in order to reduce pressure loss during suction, the cross-sectional area along the XY plane of the suction space into which the gas 300 flows increases from the lower surface 244 of the suction duct 240, where the suction holes 241 are located, upwards. In other words, the internal suction space of the suction duct 240 widens from the lower surface 244 upwards.

[0058] With the above configuration, the gas 300 in the front space inside the housing 100 is drawn upwards from the suction hole 241 towards the suction duct 240 and then towards the filter 242.

[0059] Multiple communication sections 221 are formed in the second partition wall 220. The communication sections 221 are substantially rectangular through-holes that penetrate the second partition wall 220. As shown in Figure 1, filters 242 are provided in the communication sections 221 formed in the second partition wall 220. The communication sections 221 and filters 242 are provided in correspondence with the suction duct 240. The filters 242 are provided to seal the space between them and the communication sections 221. The filters 242 are configured as replaceable cartridges, for example, including a material such as nonwoven fabric.

[0060] The gas 300 drawn in via the suction duct 240 passes through the filter 242. At this time, the filter 242 removes the ink mist contained in the gas 300 by adsorbing it. The gas 300 from which the ink mist has been removed then moves toward the outer duct 231. In this embodiment, the +Y side end of the filter 242 is located in the internal space of the outer duct 231, and the -Y side end of the filter 242 is located in the suction space of the suction duct 240, but the system is not limited to this configuration. It is sufficient that the suction space of the suction duct 240 and the internal space of the outer duct 231 are connected via the filter 242.

[0061] The suction duct 240 and the outer duct 231 are adjacent to each other, with a filter 242 provided in the communication section 221 in between. The communication section 221 is a fluid passage connecting the suction duct 240 and the outer duct 231. One communication section 221 is provided for each of the two suction ducts 240. The communication section 221 may be, for example, a notch formed by cutting out a part of the upper end of the second partition wall 220.

[0062] As shown in Figure 1, an outer duct 231 is provided on the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220 to guide the gas 300 that has passed through the filter 242 to the connection part 230 (see Figure 6). When the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the outer duct 231 is located near the upper end of the second partition wall 220 in the Z-axis direction. When the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the outer duct 231 is located away from the lower end of the second partition wall 220 in the +Z direction. The outer duct 231 is made of, for example, a resin material. When the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the bottom end of the outer duct 231, which is the -Z direction end, is located on the +Z direction side of the nozzle surface 25A of the head 25 and on the +Z direction side of the lower end of the second partition wall 220.

[0063] The outer duct 231 is provided on the +Y direction side of the second partition wall 220. The -Y direction side of the outer duct 231 is fixed to the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220. The outer surface 220f is the surface of the second partition wall 220 on the +Y direction side. The outer duct 231 is provided along the X direction and extends across the X direction of the second partition wall 220.

[0064] The lower end portion of the outer surface 220f of the second partition wall 220, which is located on the -Z side of the bottom of the outer duct 231, constitutes a part of the front surface 100b of the housing 100. As described above, the second partition wall 220 is made of a light-transmitting resin material. This allows the inside of the housing 100 to be seen from the outside of the housing 100 through the lower end portion of the outer surface 220f when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position.

[0065] The outer duct 231 has an outer surface 231f that forms part of the front surface 100b of the housing 100. The outer surface 231f includes a -Y direction component and a -Z direction component, and is inclined diagonally downward as it moves upstream in the conveying direction. That is, the outer surface 231f of the outer duct 231 forms part of the front surface 100b of the housing 100 and is inclined downward.

[0066] The downward inclination of the outer surface 231f increases the space between the outer duct 231 and the air blower 130. As a result, when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the inside of the housing 100 becomes more visible from the outside of the housing 100 through the lower end portion of the outer surface 220f. In addition, the increased space between the outer duct 231 and the air blower 130 makes it easier for the user to access parts upstream of the air blower 130 in the transport direction, improving usability.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, connection portions 230 are provided at both ends of the outer duct 231 in the X-axis direction to guide the gas 300 to the inner duct 232. The connection portions 230 are connected to or disconnected from the inner duct 232 as the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing cover 200 occurs. When the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the connection portion 230 has an outer connection opening 230B that opens in the -Y direction.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, the inner duct 232 is fixed to the vertical duct 233. The inner duct 232 has an opening inner connection opening 230A. When the opening / closing cover 200 is in the open position, the outer connection opening 230B and the inner connection opening 230A are separated from each other. As shown in Figure 6, when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the outer connection opening 230B and the inner connection opening 230A are in close contact with each other, connecting the outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232. The outer duct 231 and the inner duct 232 are in communication with each other via the connection part 230.

[0069] With the above configuration, when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the gas 300 that has passed through the filter 242 is drawn in in the order of the outer duct 231, the connection part 230, and the inner duct 232, and heads towards the vertical duct 233. Since the ink mist is removed by the filter 242, the gas 300 that has passed through the filter 242 contains almost no ink mist.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7, the vertical duct 233 connects the inner duct 232 and the airflow generating unit 234. The vertical duct 233 is positioned on the side of the inner connection opening 230A that is closer to the airflow generating unit 234. In other words, the vertical duct 233 is a flow path connecting the inner connection opening 230A and the airflow generating unit 234. The vertical duct 233 is made of, for example, a hollow rectangular member. The vertical duct 233 also functions as a frame that constitutes the housing 100. Note that in Figure 7, for the sake of explaining the configuration of the inner duct 232, the components provided on the +Y direction side of the second partition wall 220 are omitted from the illustration.

[0071] Gas 300 flows into the upper opening 233a from the inner connection opening 230A. Gas 300 flows out from the lower opening 233b towards the airflow generation section 234. The lower opening 233b is formed above the lower end 233b1 of the vertical duct 233.

[0072] The airflow generating unit 234 includes an exhaust fan and the like for discharging the gas 300 to the outside of the housing 100. The airflow generating unit 234 also functions as a duct having an opening connected to the lower opening 233b and an exhaust port (not shown) facing the -Y direction. In Figure 7, for the sake of explaining the configuration of the lower opening 233b, the components provided on the +Y side of the airflow generating unit 234 are omitted from the illustration.

[0073] The airflow generating unit 234 is controlled by the control unit 13. For example, when the opening / closing cover 200 is in the closed position, the control unit 13 controls the printing unit 3 to print on the medium 2 by ejecting ink from the nozzle 28. At this time, the control unit 13 controls the airflow generating unit 234 to draw in the gas 300 inside the housing 100 through the suction hole 241 of the suction duct 240.

[0074] With the above configuration, the gas 300 that has passed through the vertical duct 233 is drawn into the airflow generating unit 234 and directed outwards from the housing 100. In this way, the printing apparatus 1 is equipped with a configuration for drawing in ink mist.

[0075] As a result, the gas 300 containing ink mist (see Figure 1) sucked in from the suction hole 241 of the suction duct 240 passes through the filter 242 which adsorbs the ink mist contained in the gas 300. The gas 300, with the ink mist removed after passing through the filter 242, then passes through the outer duct 231 and flows into the inner duct 232 via the connection part 230 (see Figure 6). Furthermore, the gas 300 that has flowed into the inner duct 232 passes through the vertical duct 233 (see Figure 7) and is discharged to the outside of the housing 100 via the airflow generating part 234. In this way, the printing apparatus 1 can remove the gas 300 containing ink mist that has accumulated inside the housing 100 to the outside of the housing 100.

[0076] In addition, regarding the configuration of the flow path from the inside of the housing 100 to the outside of the housing 100, the -X direction side of the center in the X-axis direction of the printing device 1 has been mainly described, but the flow path on the +X direction side has substantially the same configuration.

[0077] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a configuration for guiding ink mist, which diffuses into the front space inside the housing 100 due to turbulence generated as the carriage 26 moves, to the suction duct 240.

[0078] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the configuration for guiding the ink mist to the suction duct 240 will be described. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the carriage 26 has a carriage body 26B and a carriage cover 26C. The carriage body 26B supports the head 25. The carriage cover 26C is positioned on the +Z side above the carriage body 26B. The carriage cover 26C is removablely attached to the carriage body 26B by screws or the like. A closed space is formed between the carriage body 26B and the carriage cover 26C.

[0079] As the suction duct 240 draws in the gas 300 containing ink mist from inside the housing 100, an airflow F containing ink mist is generated in the forward space inside the housing 100, directed toward the suction duct 240 (see Figure 9). The airflow F is generated during printing as the suction duct 240 draws in the gas 300 from inside the housing 100, regardless of the direction of movement in which the carriage 26 reciprocates in the scanning direction.

[0080] The carriage body 26B has airflow guides 30A and 30B as a configuration for guiding the airflow F toward the suction duct 240. Airflow guide 30A is provided on the side of the carriage body 26B in the -X direction. Airflow guide 30B is provided on the side of the carriage body 26B in the +X direction. Thus, the airflow guides 30A and 30B are provided on the carriage body 26B which is guided by the guide shaft 27, rather than on the removable carriage cover 26C.

[0081] The airflow guides 30A and 30B are plate-shaped members that are inclined toward the suction duct 240. The airflow guides 30A and 30B are made of materials such as resin or metal. The airflow guides 30A and 30B may be formed integrally with the carriage body 26B, or they may be provided separately on the carriage body 26B.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9, the plate-shaped airflow guide 30A is inclined such that, in the Y-axis direction, the second end 30A2, which is closer to the suction duct 240, is higher in the +Z direction than the first end 30A1, which is further from the suction duct 240.

[0083] The height difference H (see Figure 9) along the Z-axis between the first end 30A1 and the second end 30A2 is greater than the length W (see Figure 8) of the airflow guide 30A in the scanning direction. For example, the height difference H along the Z-axis between the first end 30A1 and the second end 30A2 is 50 mm. For example, the length W of the airflow guide 30A in the scanning direction is 20 mm.

[0084] The first end 30A1 is located at approximately the same height as the lower end 26A, which is the -Z-direction end of the carriage body 26B. This approximately same height includes the distance along the Z-axis between the lower end 26A of the carriage body 26B and the nozzle surface 25A. In other words, the first end 30A1 is located at a height equal to or greater than the nozzle surface 25A in the Z-axis direction. The second end 30A2 is located at the same height as the upper end 26D (see Figure 9), which is the +Z-direction end of the side of the carriage body 26B that intersects the X-axis. It is preferable that the airflow guide 30A is inclined so that the airflow F is directed toward the suction duct 240. In particular, it is ideal that the airflow guide 30A has an inclination angle such that the suction hole 241 is located at the end of the extension toward the suction duct 240, and it is preferable to approach this inclination angle. Therefore, the inclination angle of the airflow guide 30A may be set depending on the position where the suction duct 240 is provided.

[0085] While the airflow guide 30A has been primarily described as the configuration for guiding the ink mist to the suction duct 240, the airflow guide 30B has essentially the same configuration.

[0086] With the above configuration, the airflow guides 30A and 30B can guide the airflow F to the suction duct 240 regardless of the direction of movement of the carriage 26. In particular, one of the airflow guides 30A and 30B located behind the carriage 26 in the direction of movement can guide the airflow F to the suction duct 240 immediately after ink mist is generated.

[0087] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0088] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is housed in a casing 100 and comprises a head 25 that discharges liquid from a nozzle surface 25A, and a carriage 26 that supports the head 25 and moves in the scanning direction. The printing apparatus 1 also comprises a linear scale 29A that extends in the scanning direction and detects the position of the carriage 26. Furthermore, in a plan view, the printing apparatus 1 is located on the opposite side of the linear scale 29A from the head 25 and comprises a suction duct 240 that draws in gas 300 from inside the casing 100. The carriage 26 has airflow guides 30A and 30B that guide the airflow F toward the suction duct 240.

[0089] According to this embodiment, the carriage 26 has airflow guides 30A and 30B that direct the airflow F toward the suction duct 240, so that the airflow F containing ink mist can be directed toward the suction duct 240. This reduces the adhesion of ink mist to the linear scale 29A, thereby reducing the possibility of false detection of the carriage 26's position.

[0090] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the suction duct 240 is located above the nozzle surface 25A, and the airflow guides 30A and 30B are plate-shaped members that are inclined toward the suction duct 240. This allows the ink mist to be guided toward the suction duct 240, which is located above the nozzle surface 25A.

[0091] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the plate-shaped airflow guides 30A and 30B are inclined such that the second ends 30A2 and 30B2, which are closer to the suction duct 240, are higher than the first ends 30A1 and 30B1, which are further from the suction duct 240. This allows the ink mist to be guided towards the suction duct 240 along the inclination of the airflow guides 30A and 30B.

[0092] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the height difference H between the first ends 30A1, 30B1 and the second ends 30A2, 30B2 is greater than the length W of the airflow guides 30A, 30B in the scanning direction, making it easier to guide the ink mist upwards. This reduces the adhesion of ink mist to the medium 2.

[0093] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the first ends 30A1 and 30B1 are located at approximately the same height as the lower end 26A of the carriage 26, the airflow F can be guided from a position close to the nozzle surface 25A, which is the source of ink mist generation. In addition, contact between the first ends 30A1 and 30B1 and the medium 2 can be prevented as the carriage 26 moves.

[0094] Although this embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and may be modified, replaced, or deleted as long as it does not depart from the spirit of this invention. Furthermore, other embodiments described below may also be used.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the airflow guides 30A and 30B are described as plate-shaped members that incline upward, but the plate-shaped members may be composed of flat surfaces or formed as curved surfaces. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the carriage body 26B may have an airflow guide 30C formed as a curved surface instead of the airflow guide 30A. The curved surface of the airflow guide 30C is preferably a curved surface that gradually rises in the +Z direction from the first end 30C1 to the second end 30C2 of the airflow guide 30C. Although not shown, similarly, the carriage body 26B may have a plate-shaped member with substantially the same configuration as the airflow guide 30C instead of the airflow guide 30B.

[0096] In contrast, when a plate-shaped member with a bent portion is used, the change in inclination angle becomes rapidly large at the bent portion, causing the airflow F flowing along the plate-shaped member to become turbulent at the bent portion. According to this embodiment, the airflow guides 30A, 30B, and 30C can guide the airflow F more smoothly toward the suction duct 240 compared to the case in which a plate-shaped member with a bent portion is used.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the first ends 30A1 and 30B1, which are farther from the suction duct 240, are assumed to be at approximately the same height as the lower end 26A of the carriage 26, but the embodiment is not limited to this. As long as the first ends 30A1 and 30B1 do not come into contact with the recording surface of the medium 2, they may be positioned at the same height as the nozzle surface 25A. The same effects as in this embodiment can be obtained in this case as well.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the second ends 30A2, 30B2, and 30C2 may further extend from the upper end 26D of the carriage 26 (see Figure 9) toward the suction duct 240 and be located near the lower surface 244 of the suction duct 240. This also provides the same effects as in this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1…Printing device, 2…Media, 3…Printing section, 5…Feeding shaft, 6…Upstream support section, 7…Upstream transport section, 8…Platen, 8A…Support surface, 9…Downstream transport section, 10…Downstream support section, 10A…Downstream support surface, 12…Winding shaft, 13…Control unit, 15…Roll, 25…Head, 25A…Nozzle surface, 26…Carriage, 26A…Lower end, 26B…Carriage body, 26C…Carriage cover, 26D…Upper end, 27…Guy 28…Nozzle, 29A…Linear scale, 29B…Optical sensor, 30A, 30B, 30C…Airflow guide, 30A1, 30B1, 30C1…First end, 30A2, 30B2, 30C2…Second end, 40…Upstream heating section, 41…Printing heating section, 42…Downstream heating section, 61…Upstream heating support section, 61A…First support surface, 62…Upstream guide support section, 62A…Second support surface, 71…First roller, 72… 2nd roller, 91...3rd roller, 92...4th roller, 100...Housing, 100a...Top surface, 100b...Front, 100c...Inner wall, 110...Leg frame, 111...Caster, 112...Adjuster, 120...Liquid supply section, 130...Air blower, 200...Opening / closing cover, 210...1st partition, 211...Window, 220...2nd partition, 220b...Inner surface, 220f...Outer surface, 221...Communication section, 230...Connection section, 23 0A...Inner connection opening, 230B...Outer connection opening, 231...Outer duct, 231f...Outer surface, 232...Inner duct, 233...Vertical duct, 233a...Upper opening, 233b...Lower opening, 233b1...Lower end, 234...Airflow generation section, 240...Suction duct, 241...Suction hole, 242...Filter, 243...Inclined surface, 244...Bottom surface, 250...Rotation axis, 300...Gas, A,B...Arrows, AF,F...Airflow.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing unit housed in a casing, which dispenses liquid from its dispensing surface, A carriage that supports the liquid discharge unit and moves in the scanning direction, A position detection unit that extends in the scanning direction and detects the position of the carriage, In a plan view, the liquid discharge section is positioned on the opposite side from the position detection section, and a suction duct is provided for drawing in gas from the inside of the housing. Equipped with, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the carriage has an airflow guide that directs airflow toward the suction duct.

2. The suction duct is located above the discharge surface, The airflow guide is a plate-shaped member that is inclined toward the suction duct. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The plate-shaped member is inclined such that the second end, which is closer to the suction duct, is higher than the first end, which is further from the suction duct. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The height difference between the first end and the second end is greater than the length of the plate-shaped member in the scanning direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The first end is located at approximately the same height as the lower end of the carriage. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.

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