Duct system, airflow generator, and recording device

Abstract

To keep the device size down while making it easy to attach and detach the fan. [Solution] A duct device 110 is equipped with a fan section 100 having a fan 100a, and gas flows through the fan 100a, comprising a first mounting section 1011 on which the fan section 100 is mounted in an arrangement facing each other in a direction along a first direction, and a fixing section 107 on which the fan section 100 is fixed by a fixing member 106, the fixing member 106 fixing the fan section 100 and the fixing section 107 along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a duct device, an air flow generating device, and a recording device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various duct devices in which a gas flows through a duct by a fan have been used. Among these, there is a duct device in which a fan is fixed to the duct by a fixing member such as a screw. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus including a duct and a fan fixed to the duct by a screw.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a duct device in which a fan is fixed to a duct by a fixing member such as a screw, the fan may need to be cleaned or replaced. Therefore, the fan is configured to be detachable from the duct. Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when attaching the fan to the mouth of the duct, a screw is inserted parallel to the attachment direction of the fan and screwed. In other words, the attachment direction of the fan and the screwing direction are the same direction. However, in a conventional duct device in which a fan is fixed to a duct by a fixing member such as a screw, like the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, if there is no space for removing the screw in the attachment direction of the fan, the operation of detaching the fan from the duct is difficult. That is, in order to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the fan, the size of the device has been increased.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a duct device equipped with a fan section having a fan, wherein gas flows through the fan, and comprising: a first mounting section in which the fan section is mounted in an arrangement facing each other in a direction along a first direction; and a fixing section in which the fan section is fixed by a fixing member, wherein the fixing member fixes the fan section and the fixing section along a second direction intersecting the first direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a recording device equipped with a duct device (airflow generator) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram, viewed from the front, showing the transport path of the recording device in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view from the rear, showing the internal configuration of the recording device. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a magnified view of a portion of the recording device, showing the area around the mist collection unit, which functions as an airflow generator. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the intermediate state when removing the fan unit from the state shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the mist collection section, which acts as an airflow generator for the recording device in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the fan section of the mist collection unit. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the area around the restricting section that restricts the vertical movement of the fan section of the mist collection unit relative to the mounting portion of the fan section. [Figure 9] Figure 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the area around the restricting section that restricts the vertical movement of the fan section relative to the mounting portion of the fan section in the mist collection unit. [Figure 10] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the fan section and its mounting part within the mist collection unit. [Figure 11] This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 10, a perspective view showing the area around the limiting part that restricts the vertical movement of the fan part of the mist collection unit in Figure 6 relative to the mounting portion of the fan part. [Figure 12]This is a cross-sectional view from the rear, showing the internal configuration of the recording device in Figure 1 with some components removed, and representing the area around the head drive board. [Figure 13] This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the recording device shown in Figure 1 with some components removed, and represents the area around the head drive board. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present invention will be described in general terms below. A duct device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a duct device on which a fan section having a fan is attached and gas flows by the fan, comprising: a first mounting section on which the fan section is attached in an arrangement facing each other in a direction along a first direction; and a fixing section on which the fan section is fixed by a fixing member, wherein the fixing member fixes the fan section and the fixing section along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the fan unit is mounted in a first mounting section that is positioned opposite to the fan unit in a direction along the first direction, and the fan unit is fixed to a fixing section by a fixing member, the fixing member fixing the fan unit and the fixing section along a second direction that intersects the first direction, that is, the direction in which the mounting direction of the fan unit and the fixing direction of the fan unit intersect. Therefore, even if there is no space in the first direction, the fan can be accessed from the second direction and attached to and detached from the duct. Thus, it is possible to easily attach and detach the fan while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0009] A duct device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on the first aspect, the fixing portion is located downstream of the center of the fan in the insertion direction of the fixing member along the second direction.

[0010] According to this aspect, the fixing portion is located downstream of the center of the fan in the insertion direction of the fixing member. By adopting such a configuration, a space of at least half the length of the fan portion can be secured as a space for accessing the fan.

[0011] The duct device according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on the second aspect, the fixing portion is located downstream of the fan in the insertion direction.

[0012] According to this aspect, the fixing portion is located downstream of the fan in the insertion direction of the fixing member. By adopting such a configuration, a space of at least the length of the fan can be secured as a space for accessing the fan.

[0013] The duct device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on any one of the first to third aspects, the fixing portion is located within the range where the fan is disposed in the first direction.

[0014] According to this aspect, the fixing portion is located within the range where the fan is disposed in the first direction. By adopting such a configuration, the space of the device in the first direction can be reduced, and the size of the device in the direction intersecting the first direction can be decreased.

[0015] The duct device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the fan portion has the fan and an attachment portion attached to the fixing portion, the attachment portion has a fixed portion fixed to the fixing portion, and the fixing portion and the fixed portion extend along the first direction.

[0016] According to this aspect, the fan portion has the fan and an attachment portion attached to the fixing portion, the attachment portion has a fixed portion fixed to the fixing portion, and the fixing portion and the fixed portion extend along the first direction. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to insert the fixing portion in the second direction and fix it to the fixed portion.

[0017] The duct device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is, in an aspect subordinate to the fifth aspect, characterized in that the fixed portion is formed of metal and the fixing member is screwed to the fixed portion.

[0018] According to this aspect, the fixed portion is formed of metal and the fixing member is screwed to the fixed portion. By adopting such a configuration, the fixed portion can be firmly configured with metal, and the fixed portion can be reused. Therefore, when replacing the fan unit, only the fan needs to be replaced by reusing the fixed portion, so that the environmental load can be reduced.

[0019] The duct device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is, in an aspect subordinate to the fifth or sixth aspect, characterized in that the fixing portion has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the fixed portion in the first direction.

[0020] According to this aspect, the fixing portion has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the fixed portion in the first direction. By adopting such a configuration, the positional accuracy in the first direction can be improved, such as suppressing the rattling of the fan unit.

[0021] The duct device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is, in an aspect subordinate to any one of the first to seventh aspects, characterized in that the fan unit has the fan and a mounting portion attached to the fixing portion, and the first mounting portion has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the mounting portion in the first direction.

[0022] According to this aspect, the fan unit has the fan and a mounting portion attached to the fixing portion, and the first mounting portion has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the mounting portion in the first direction. If the direction of fixing by the fixing portion is not the first direction, there is a risk of deterioration in the positional accuracy in the first direction. However, by adopting such a configuration, the positional accuracy in the first direction can be improved, such as suppressing the rattling of the fan unit, by the restricting portion.

[0023] A duct device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in an aspect dependent on the eighth aspect, is characterized in that the mounting portion has a restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the restricting portion, and the restricted portion can be switched between a state in which it is engaged with the restricting portion and a state in which it is not engaged by sliding the fan portion along a direction intersecting the first direction.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the mounting portion has a restricted portion whose movement in a first direction is restricted by a restricting portion, and the restricted portion can be switched between a state of engagement with the restricting portion and a state of disengagement by sliding the fan portion along a direction intersecting the first direction. With this configuration, engagement between the restricting portion and the restricted portion can be easily achieved.

[0025] A duct device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on any one of the first to ninth aspects, it comprises a second mounting portion to which a collection unit for collecting foreign matter can be attached, and the collection unit is attached to the second mounting portion along the second direction.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the device is equipped with a second mounting section to which a collection unit for collecting foreign matter can be attached, and the collection unit is mounted on the second mounting section along the second direction. This configuration makes it possible to collect foreign matter in the duct. Furthermore, since the direction for replacing the collection unit and the direction for accessing the fixing member are both along the second direction and can be the same direction, maintenance of the device can be easily performed from one direction, and the space required for maintenance can be reduced.

[0027] An airflow generating device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a duct device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and the fan section.

[0028] According to this embodiment, an airflow generating device can be made that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the fan while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0029] An airflow generating device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on the eleventh aspect, it comprises a frame to which the duct device is attached, and the duct device is attached to the frame along the second direction.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the ducting device is mounted on a frame, and the ducting device is mounted to the frame along a second direction. With this configuration, the mounting direction of the ducting device and the access direction of the fixing member are both along the second direction and are in the same direction, so that maintenance of the device can be easily performed from one direction and the space required for maintenance can be reduced.

[0031] An airflow generating device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in an aspect dependent on the eleventh or twelfth aspect, comprises a housing that accommodates the duct device, wherein the housing is open upstream in the insertion direction of the fixing member along the second direction.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the duct device is housed in a housing, and the housing has an opening upstream in the direction of insertion of the fixing member along the second direction. With this configuration, the opening provided in the housing is on the upstream side in the direction of insertion of the fixing member, making it possible to easily attach and detach the fixing member and the fan from the opening.

[0033] A recording device according to the 14th aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a recording unit for recording on a medium and an airflow generating device according to any one of the 11th to 13th aspects.

[0034] According to this embodiment, a recording device can be made that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the fan while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0035] A recording device according to a 15th aspect of the present invention, in an aspect dependent on the 14th aspect, comprises a control unit for controlling the recording unit, characterized in that the distance between the control unit and the airflow generating device in the first direction is smaller than the distance between the end of the duct device and the fixing unit in the insertion direction of the fixing member along the second direction.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the system includes a control unit for controlling the recording unit, and the distance between the control unit and the airflow generator in the first direction is smaller than the distance between the end of the duct device and the fixing part in the insertion direction of the fixing member along the second direction. With this configuration, even if the control unit is configured to obstruct access to the fixing member from the first direction, the fixing member can be accessed from the second direction, making maintenance easy.

[0037] The present invention will now be described in detail. First, an overview of a recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As an example of the recording device of this embodiment, an inkjet printer 10 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as printer 10) will be given as an example. In each figure, the XYZ coordinate system shows that the X-axis direction is the width direction of the medium P in the transport path within the recording device, the Y-axis direction is the length direction of the medium P recorded by the recording unit described later, and the Z-axis direction is the height direction of the device. The Y-axis direction is the width direction of the device.

[0038] The printer 10 is configured as a multifunction device comprising a main unit 12 and a scanner unit 14. The main unit 12 is equipped with multiple media storage cassettes 16 for storing media P. Each media storage cassette 16 is detachably mounted on the front side of the main unit 12, which is the -X axis side. In this specification, media P refers to paper such as plain paper, cardboard, or photographic paper, as an example.

[0039] Furthermore, in the device height direction of the device body 12, recording is performed in the recording unit 18 between the scanner unit 14 and the media storage cassette 16. After recording, the media P is discharged from the outlet 23a of the discharge unit 23. A media mounting unit 20 is also provided to receive the media P discharged from the outlet 23a. The media mounting unit 20 has a rib 19 extending in the transport direction at the center of the mounting surface in the width direction (X-axis direction) that intersects with the transport direction (-Y direction) of the media P discharged from the discharge unit 23.

[0040] In this embodiment, the printer 10 is equipped with a media transport path 21 inside the housing 13. The media transport path 21 includes a straight path 22, a face-down ejection path 28, and a feed path 30 connected from the media storage cassette 16 to the straight path 22. Furthermore, the media transport path 21 includes a switchback path 24 and a reversal path 26, enabling so-called double-sided recording, where recording is performed on the second side of the media P after recording on the first side.

[0041] The feeding path 30 is provided with a feeding roller 32, a pair of separation rollers 33, and a pair of transport rollers 34, in order along the transport direction of the medium P. The feeding roller 32 is driven by a drive source (not shown). The pair of separation rollers 33 separates the medium P by nipping it between the drive roller 33a and the driven roller 33b.

[0042] The transport roller pair 34 consists of a drive roller and a driven roller. Each drive roller is controlled by a control unit 90 located within the main body 12 of the device via a drive source (not shown). The line head 48, which will be described later, is also controlled by the control unit 90. In other words, the control unit 90 is configured to perform the controls necessary for the recording operation in the printer 10.

[0043] In the following description, in each pair of conveying rollers described herein, one roller is configured as a driven roller, and the other roller is configured as a driven roller that is rotated by a drive source (not shown). In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, one roller is configured as a spur having multiple teeth on its outer circumference, and the other roller, the driven roller, is configured as a rubber roller, for example.

[0044] The media P contained in the media storage cassette 16 is supported on a hopper 17 provided inside the media storage cassette 16. The hopper 17 rotates on a pivot shaft 17a provided in the hopper 17, lifting the media P upward. At this time, the feeding roller 32 comes into contact with the uppermost media P supported by the hopper 17, and transports the media P downstream in the transport direction. In this case, the media P below the uppermost media P may also be transported together, but the separation roller pair 33 separates the uppermost media P from the media P below, so that only the uppermost media P is transported downstream in the transport direction.

[0045] A pair of transport rollers 36 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 34 in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the supply path 30 and the straight path 22 are connected at the position of the transport roller pair 36. In other words, the supply path 30 is set as the path from the media storage cassette 16 to the transport roller pair 36.

[0046] The straight path 22 is configured as a linear path and, along the transport direction, is provided with a transport roller pair 36, a transport mechanism 40 consisting of a drive roller 38, a driven roller 42, and an endless belt 41, a recording unit 18, and a first flap 46. In this embodiment, the straight path 22 is set as the path from the transport roller pair 36 to the first flap 46. The endless belt 41 is charged by a voltage application means (not shown). The endless belt 41 attracts the medium P with this charged static electricity and transports the attracted medium P in the transport direction Y while facing the recording unit 18. At this time, the decrease in the electrostatic attraction force of the medium P by the endless belt 41 is suppressed by removing the charge from the printed surface of the medium P with the static elimination brush 103.

[0047] The recording unit 18 is equipped with a line head 48. A transport mechanism 40 is provided below the line head 48. In this embodiment, the line head 48 is configured to eject ink onto the recording surface of the medium P when the medium P is transported to a position opposite the line head 48 on the transport mechanism 40, thereby performing recording. The line head 48 is a recording head in which the nozzles that eject ink cover the entire width of the medium P, and is configured as a recording head that can record across the entire width of the medium without movement in the medium width direction. The printer 10 in this embodiment is equipped with a line head 48, but it may also be equipped with a serial type recording head mounted on a carriage that ejects liquid onto the medium while reciprocating in a direction intersecting the medium transport direction to perform recording.

[0048] Furthermore, in the recording unit 18, i.e., the media transport path 21 downstream of the line head 48, a suction port 102 of a duct 101, which is part of the mist recovery unit 110, is provided on the side facing the recording surface of the medium P. On the back side (+X direction side) of the main body of the device 12, a fan unit 100 is provided, and a mist recovery unit 110 is provided to recover ink mist generated when ink is discharged from the line head 48. Also, at a position aligned with the mist recovery unit 110 in the Y-axis direction, a fan unit 100 is provided, and a paper dust recovery unit 120 is provided to recover foreign matter such as paper dust adhering to the static elimination brush 103 from the medium P. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the mist recovery unit 110 and the paper dust recovery unit 120 based on the position of the fan unit 100. Here, both the mist collection unit 110 and the paper dust collection unit 120 are equipped with a fan unit 100 having a fan 100a, which will be described later, and are airflow generating devices in which gas flows through the duct 101, which will be described later, by the fan 100a. The parts of the mist collection unit 110 and the paper dust collection unit 120 to which the fan unit 100 is equipped can be considered as duct devices equipped with the duct 101. In other words, the fan unit 100 and the part of the duct device to which the fan unit 100 is equipped can be considered as the mist collection unit 110 and the paper dust collection unit 120 as airflow generating devices.

[0049] A conveying mechanism 40, consisting of a drive roller 38, a driven roller 42, and an endless belt 41, is provided opposite the line head 48. A first flap 46 is located downstream in the conveying direction. The first flap 46 is configured to be switchable by a drive mechanism (not shown) to connect the straight path 22 and the switchback path 24, or to connect the straight path 22 and the face-down discharge path 28.

[0050] A second flap 50 is provided above the first flap 46 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the device. The second flap 50 is driven by an interlocking mechanism (not shown) in conjunction with the movement of the first flap 46. The first flap 46 and the second flap 50 change their posture under the control of the control unit 90.

[0051] The face-down discharge path 28 extends upward from the straight path 22 in the height direction of the device, while curving and inverting. The face-down discharge path 28 is equipped with a transport roller pair 52, a transport roller pair 54, a transport roller pair 56, a transport roller pair 58, a transport roller pair 60, and a transport roller pair 62 that constitutes the discharge section 23. The face-down discharge path 28 is a path from the first flap 46 to the outlet 23a located downstream in the transport direction of the transport roller pair 62. In other words, the face-down discharge path 28 is a medium transport path 21 connected to the straight path 22, and is a path that sends the medium P that has passed through the recording section 18 to the discharge section 23 with the recording surface of the medium P inverted between the recording section 18 and the discharge section 23.

[0052] The medium P, on which recording has been performed on the recording surface in the recording unit 18, is sequentially nipped by the transport roller pair 52, transport roller pair 54, transport roller pair 56, transport roller pair 58, transport roller pair 60, and transport roller pair 62 in the face-down discharge path 28, starting from the first flap 46 and proceeding in the transport direction, and is transported along the face-down discharge path 28. The medium P is then discharged from the outlet 23a toward the medium placement unit 20.

[0053] The inversion path 26 is a path for inverting the medium P and is equipped with transport roller pairs 70, 72, and 74. After passing through the straight path 22, which is the medium transport path 21 facing the recording unit 18, the medium P passes through the inversion path 26, which inverts the side facing the recording unit 18, and then passes through the straight path 22 again. By passing through the inversion path 26, recording can be performed on both sides of the medium P.

[0054] Here, the mist recovery unit 110, which constitutes the airflow generator and duct system, will be described with reference to Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the mist recovery unit 110 is provided with a fan unit 100A and a duct 101 (duct 101A and duct 101B). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a plurality of suction ports 102 are provided in the portion of duct 101B of duct 101 that extends in the X-axis direction. In detail, the suction ports 102 are provided to correspond to the entire area of ​​the ink ejection region by the line head 48 in the X-axis direction. That is, the suction ports 102 are provided across the width direction of the media.

[0055] The mist recovery unit 110 is provided with a duct 101, and the duct 101 is equipped with a filter 105 that purifies the air containing mist recovered from the suction port 102. The duct 101B of the mist recovery unit 110 extends from the mounting portion of the fan unit 100 to a downstream side of the line head 48 in the direction of transport of the medium P, and the suction port 102 is located downstream of the line head 48 in the direction of transport of the medium P. The filter 105 in this embodiment absorbs mist in the recovered air sent from the suction port 102, but it may also be configured to adsorb volatile organic compounds contained in the ink, for example, by combining it with a filter containing activated carbon.

[0056] Next, the paper dust collection unit 120, which constitutes the airflow generator and duct system, will be described with reference to Figure 3. As shown in Figure 2, the paper dust collection unit 120 is provided with an anti-static brush 103 that extends in the X-axis direction by being mounted on an endless belt-shaped base material that can rotate with the direction along the conveying direction as the axis of rotation and is suspended on two pulleys (not shown), and a scraping member (not shown). When the anti-static brush 103 comes into contact with the medium P conveyed by the endless belt 41, paper dust and foreign matter such as ink attached to the medium P adhere to the anti-static brush 103.

[0057] The scraping member contacts the static elimination brush 103 to scrape off or adsorb paper dust adhering to the static elimination brush 103, thereby removing paper dust from the static elimination brush 103. As shown in Figure 3, the paper dust collection unit 120 is provided with a fan unit 100B and a duct 101 (duct 101A and duct 101C). Foreign matter such as paper dust scraped out by the scraping member is sucked in through a duct opening (not shown) provided in duct 101C, which is one of the ducts 101 (duct 101A and duct 101C) that make up the paper dust collection unit 120, as shown in Figure 3. The duct 101C of the paper dust collection unit 120 extends from duct 101A, to which the fan unit 100 is attached, to the vicinity of the static elimination brush 103, and the duct opening is provided near the static elimination brush 103 and the scraping member. The paper dust collection unit 120 is provided with a duct 101, and the duct 101 is equipped with a filter 105 that purifies the air containing foreign matter such as paper dust collected from a duct opening (not shown). The filter 105 in this embodiment captures foreign matter in the collected air sent from a duct opening (not shown).

[0058] Here, the mist recovery unit 110 and the paper dust recovery unit 120, which constitute the airflow generator and duct system, have similar configurations for the fan unit 100 and the mounting portion of the fan unit 100. Therefore, the details of the configuration of the fan unit 100 and the mounting portion of the fan unit 100, which constitute the mist recovery unit 110 and the paper dust recovery unit 120, will be explained below with reference to Figures 3 to 12. Figures 4 to 11 show the fan unit 100A and its mounting portion of the mist recovery unit 110, but the fan unit 100B and its mounting portion of the paper dust recovery unit 120 have a similar configuration. Therefore, the following explanation can be considered as an explanation of the fan unit 100 and its mounting portion of the paper dust recovery unit 120, by substituting the mist recovery unit 110 with the paper dust recovery unit 120.

[0059] As described above, the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment is equipped with a fan unit 100 having a fan 100a, and constitutes a duct device to which gas flows by the fan 100a. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the mist recovery unit 110 includes an upper surface portion 1011 of the duct 101A, which is a first mounting portion, to which the fan unit 100 is mounted in an arrangement facing each other in the vertical direction, which is the first direction (Z-axis direction), and a fixing portion 107 to which the fan unit 100 is fixed by a metal screw 106, which is a fixing member. Here, the metal screw 106 fixes the fan unit 100 and the fixing portion 107 along a second direction (X-axis direction) that intersects the first direction. Furthermore, the duct 101A of this embodiment is composed of a first plastic portion 101A-1 provided on the +X direction side and a second plastic portion 101A-2 to which the first portion 101A-1 is attached. The fan unit 100 is then mounted on the +Z-direction side of the second part 101A-2. At least a portion of the duct 101A may be made of metal.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the mist recovery unit 110 is positioned so that the mounting direction of the fan unit 100 (Z-axis direction) and the fixing direction of the fan unit 100 (X-axis direction) intersect. Therefore, even if there is no space in the first direction (Z-axis direction), the fan 100a can be accessed from the second direction (X-axis direction), allowing the fan 100a to be attached to and detached from the duct 101 together with the fan unit 100. Thus, the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment can easily attach and detach the fan 100a while suppressing the increase in the size of the device. Furthermore, this configuration has the advantage of reducing the number of parts by eliminating the need for, for example, plate-shaped nuts. Moreover, this configuration eliminates the need for a configuration to attach nuts to the duct 101, thus simplifying the configuration of the duct 101. In this embodiment, the mounting direction of the fan unit 100 (Z-axis direction) and the fixing direction of the fan unit 100 (X-axis direction) are perpendicular to each other, but this is not the only possible configuration.

[0061] Here, it is preferable that the fixing part 107 is located downstream of the center of the fan 100a in the insertion direction (-X direction) of the metal screw 106 along the second direction (X axis direction). This configuration makes it possible to secure space of more than half the length of the fan part 100 as space for accessing the fan 100a (fan part 100).

[0062] Furthermore, in the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 and other figures, not only does it satisfy the above configuration, but the fixing part 107 is located downstream of the fan 100a in the insertion direction (-X direction) of the metal screw 106. With this configuration, the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment is able to secure space for accessing the fan 100a that exceeds half the length of the fan part 100 and is longer than the length of the fan 100a.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment, in the first direction (Z-axis direction), the fixed part 107 is located in the range L3 where the fan 100a is positioned. As shown in Figure 4, in the first direction (Z-axis direction), the range L4 where the fixed part 107 is positioned overlaps with the range L3 where the fan 100a is positioned. This configuration reduces the space required for the device in the first direction (Z-axis direction) and reduces the size of the device in directions intersecting the first direction. In the second direction (X-axis direction), the range where the fixed part 107 is positioned does not have to overlap with the range where the fan 100a is positioned, but overlapping them allows for further miniaturization of the device.

[0064] Furthermore, in the mist collection unit 110 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 10, the fan unit 100 includes a fan 100a and a metal sheet 100b as a mounting part that is attached to the fixing unit 107. As shown in Figure 7, the fan 100a and the metal sheet 100b are fixed together with metal screws 100c, and the metal sheet 100b is provided with a protrusion 1005 for positioning the fan 100a. The metal sheet 100b has a fixed part 1003 that is fixed to the fixing unit 107, and both the fixing unit 107 and the fixed part 1003 are composed of planes parallel to the first direction (Z-axis direction). By configuring the fixing unit 107 and the fixed part 1003 to extend along the first direction (Z-axis direction), it becomes possible to insert the fixing unit 107 in the second direction (X-axis direction) and fix it to the fixed part 1003. In this embodiment, the mounting portion is made of sheet metal, but the mounting portion does not have to be made of sheet metal.

[0065] To explain further from another perspective, the fixed part 1003 has a screw hole 1004 and is made of metal, and the metal screw 106 is screwed into the fixed part 1003 while the fixing part 107, which has a hole 1071 through which a screw can pass, is sandwiched between the head of the metal screw 106 and the fixed part 1003. With this configuration, the fixed part 1003 can be made robustly of metal and can be reused. Therefore, when replacing the fan part 100, the fixed part 1003 can be reused and only the fan 100a needs to be replaced, thus reducing the environmental impact. In this embodiment, the hole 1071 is a round hole, but it may also be a U-shaped hole opening in the +Z direction. By using a U-shaped hole, the fixing part 107 and the fixed part 1003 can be attached and detached by simply loosening the metal screw 106 without completely removing it.

[0066] Furthermore, if the screws used as fixing parts and the fixed part 1003 are made of plastic and screwed together, the plastic components cannot be reused. This is because the screwed parts of plastic are prone to deformation. On the other hand, with the configuration as in this embodiment, the positional relationship in which the fixing part 107 is sandwiched between the fixed part 1003 and the head of the metal screw 106 is substantially limited, and the fan part 100 is positioned appropriately. In addition, in this embodiment, by making the entire mounting part out of metal sheet metal, the fan 100a can be reused when attaching it to the sheet metal, but the configuration is not limited to this, and a material other than metal may be used for part of the mounting part.

[0067] In this embodiment, the mist recovery unit 110, as shown in Figure 11 and other figures, is provided with a canopy portion 1072 that faces the fixed part 1003 from the +Z direction when the fan part 100 is mounted in the appropriate position. In other words, the fixing part 107 has a canopy portion 1072 that acts as a limiting portion that restricts the movement of the fixed part 1003 in the first direction (Z-axis direction). With this configuration, the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment is able to improve the positional accuracy in the first direction (Z-axis direction), such as suppressing rattling of the fan part 100.

[0068] Furthermore, in the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7 and other figures, a projection 1001 is provided on the metal sheet 100b that protrudes in the +X direction. Also, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 and other figures, the second portion 101A-2 of the duct 101A to which the fan unit 100 is mounted is provided with a canopy portion 1002 that faces the projection 1001 from the +Z direction side when the fan unit 100 is mounted in the appropriate position. In other words, the upper surface portion 1011 of the duct 101A, which is the first mounting portion, has a canopy portion 1002 that acts as a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the metal sheet 100b in the first direction (Z-axis direction).

[0069] The mist collection unit 110 in this embodiment has the following configuration, which improves the positional accuracy in the first direction (Z-axis direction) by suppressing rattling of the fan unit 100 with the canopy portion 1002. In particular, in the case of the mist collection unit 110 in this embodiment, where the fixing portion 107 is located at the end (-X direction end), there is a possibility of rattling in the part away from the fixing portion 107 (+X direction end), but rattling can be suitably suppressed even with such a configuration. Furthermore, this configuration eliminates the need for plate-shaped nuts, making it possible to reduce the number of parts. In this embodiment, the canopy portion 1002, acting as a restricting portion, restricts the movement of the protruding portion 1001 provided at the +X direction end of the metal sheet 100b, thus more effectively suppressing rattling, but this is not limited to this. That is, the restricting portion may be configured to restrict parts other than the +X direction end of the mounting portion.

[0070] Here, we will explain the replacement procedure for the fan unit 100. Figure 4 shows the fan unit 100 attached to the duct 101A. Note that this is not necessary when replacing the fan unit 100A of the mist collection unit 110, but when replacing the fan unit 100B of the paper dust collection unit 120, the shielding plate 131 shown in Figure 2 must be removed beforehand. The shielding plate 131 is a component that is screwed in the X-axis direction, so it can be easily removed by unscrewing it.

[0071] First, remove the metal screw 106 from the state shown in Figure 4. Then, by moving the fan unit 100 in the -X direction on the duct 101A, the fixed part 1003 separates from the canopy part 1072, and the protruding part 1001 of the metal sheet 100b separates from the canopy part 1002, allowing the fan unit 100 to move in the +Z direction. After that, move the fan unit 100 away from the duct 101A in the +Z direction. Figure 5 shows the state after the fan unit 100 has been moved away from the duct 101A in the +Z direction. Finally, move the fan unit 100 in the +X direction to remove the fan unit 100 from the device.

[0072] When installing the new fan unit 100, the new fan unit 100 is positioned as shown in Figure 5, moved in the -Z direction, and placed on the duct 101A. At this time, the part to be fixed 1003 is positioned on the -X direction side of the fixing part 107. Then, fine adjustments are made so that the screw hole 1004 of the part to be fixed 1003 and the hole 1071 of the fixing part 107 are aligned when viewed from the X-axis direction, and the metal screw 106 is screwed in and tightened. As the metal screw 106 is tightened, the fan unit 100 slides on the duct 101A in the +X direction. As this slide occurs, the canopy part 1072 is positioned to face the part to be fixed 1003 from the +Z direction side, and the canopy part 1002 is positioned to face the protruding part 1001 of the metal sheet 100b from the +Z direction side. Alternatively, the fan unit 100 may be slid in the +X direction on the duct 101A before tightening the metal screw 106. When replacing the fan unit 100A of the mist collection unit 110, this step is not necessary, but when replacing the fan unit 100B of the paper dust collection unit 120, the shield plate 131 shown in Figure 2 is then attached.

[0073] Thus, the metal sheet 100b, which serves as the mounting portion, has a protruding portion 1001 as a restricted portion whose movement in the first direction (Z-axis direction) is restricted by the canopy portion 1002, which serves as the restricting portion. The protruding portion 1001 can be switched between a state of engagement with the canopy portion 1002 and a state of disengagement by sliding the fan portion 100 along a direction intersecting the first direction (X-axis direction). With this configuration, engagement between the restricting portion and the restricted portion can be easily achieved. In this embodiment, the configuration slides in the X-axis direction when screwed in, but it may also be configured to slide in the Y-axis direction when screwed in, and by sliding in the Y-axis direction, the movement of the fan portion 100 in the +Z direction may be restricted by the restricting portion, or restricted by the limiting portion, etc.

[0074] Furthermore, in the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, a side portion 1012 of the duct 101A is provided as a second mounting portion to which a filter 105, which serves as a collection unit for collecting foreign matter such as paper dust and mist, can be attached. Here, the filter 105 is configured to be attached to the side portion 1012 of the duct 101A along the second direction (X-axis direction).

[0075] This configuration makes it possible to collect foreign matter in the duct 101. Furthermore, since the direction for replacing the filter 105 and the direction for accessing the metal screw 106 are both aligned with the second direction (X-axis direction), maintenance of the device can be easily performed from a single direction, and the space required for maintenance can be reduced. However, the direction for replacing the filter 105 may be aligned with the Y-axis direction, for example.

[0076] From the perspective of the airflow generator, the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment includes the duct device and the fan unit 100. Therefore, the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment is an airflow generator that can easily attach and detach the fan 100a while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0077] Furthermore, the printer 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a frame 132, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. If the frame 132 is considered a component of the airflow generator, then the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment, as an airflow generator, can be considered to be equipped with a frame 132 to which a duct device is attached. The duct device is attached to the frame 132 along the second direction (X-axis direction). With this configuration, the mounting direction of the duct device and the access direction of the metal screw 106 are both aligned along the second direction (X-axis direction), making it possible to easily maintain the device from one direction and reduce the space required for maintenance.

[0078] Here, as described above, in the mist collection unit 110, the fan unit 100 and the upper surface portion 1011 of the duct 101A are fixed with metal screws 106. On the other hand, the duct 101A is fixed to the frame 132 with metal screws 108, as shown in Figure 10. Furthermore, the duct 101A is fixed to the ducts 101B and 101C with metal screws 109, as shown in Figure 10.

[0079] Furthermore, the printer 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 13 that accommodates a duct device, as shown in Figure 3 and other figures. Here, the housing 13 is configured to have an opening upstream in the insertion direction (-X direction) of the metal screw 106 along the second direction (X-axis direction). That is, the inside of the housing 13 can be opened by opening and closing a door (not shown) in the +X direction. Figure 3 and other figures show the state with the door (not shown) open. If the housing 13 is considered as a component of the airflow generating device, then the mist recovery unit 110 of this embodiment, as an airflow generating device, has such a configuration that the opening provided in the housing 13 is on the upstream side in the insertion direction (-X direction) of the metal screw 106, making it easy to attach and detach the metal screw 106 and the fan 100a from the opening.

[0080] From the perspective of the recording device, the printer 10 of this embodiment includes a recording unit 18 (line head 48) that records on the medium P, and the above-mentioned airflow generator (mist collection unit 110 and paper dust collection unit 120). Therefore, the printer 10 of this embodiment is a recording device that can easily attach and detach the fan 100a while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0081] Furthermore, the printer 10 of this embodiment includes a control unit 90 that controls each component of the printer 10, such as the line head 48. Here, the control unit 90 of this embodiment is a control board, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The control unit 90 includes a head drive board that controls the line head 48, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The printer 10 of this embodiment is configured such that the distance L1 between the control unit 90 and the mist collection unit 110 and paper dust collection unit 120, which are airflow generators, in the first direction (Z-axis direction) shown in Figures 12 and 13 is smaller than the distance L2 between the ends of the mist collection unit 110 and paper dust collection unit 120, which are duct devices, and the fixing part 107 in the insertion direction (-X direction) of the metal screw 106 along the second direction (X-axis direction) shown in Figures 6 and 13. In this embodiment, the printer 10 has such a configuration that even if the control unit 90 is configured to obstruct access to the metal screw 106 from a first direction (Z-axis direction), the metal screw 106 can be accessed from a second direction (X-axis direction), making maintenance easy.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10...Printer (recording device), 12...Main unit, 13...Housing, 14...Scanner unit, 16...Media storage cassette, 17...Hopper, 17a...Rotating shaft, 18...Recording section, 19...Rib, 20...Media placement section, 21...Media transport path, 22...Straight path, 23...Discharge section, 23a...Outlet, 24...Switchback path, 26...Reversal path, 28...Face-down discharge path, 30...Feeding path, 32...Feeding roller, 33...Separation roller pair, 33a...Drive roller 33b...Driven roller, 34...Conveyor roller pair, 36...Conveyor roller pair, 38...Driven roller, 40...Conveyor mechanism, 41...Endless belt, 42...Driven roller, 46...First flap, 48...Line head, 52...Conveyor roller pair, 54...Conveyor roller pair, 56...Conveyor roller pair, 58...Conveyor roller pair, 60...Conveyor roller pair, 62...Conveyor roller pair, 70...Conveyor roller pair, 72...Conveyor roller pair, 74...Conveyor roller pair, 90...Control unit, 100...Fan Part, 100A...Fan part, 100B...Fan part, 100a...Fan, 100b...Metal sheet metal (mounting part), 100c...Metal screw, 101...Duct, 101A...Duct, 101A-1...First part, 101A-2...Second part, 101B...Duct, 101C...Duct, 102...Suction port, 103...Static elimination brush, 105...Filter (collection part), 106...Metal screw (fixing member), 107...Fixing part, 108...Metal screw, 109...Metal screw, 110...Mist collection part (duct) Device, airflow generator), 120...Paper dust collection section (duct device, airflow generator), 131...Shield sheet metal, 132...Frame, 1001...Protruding part, 1002...Eaves part (regulating part), 1003...Fixed part, 1004...Screw hole, 1005...Convex part, 1011...Upper part of duct 101A (first mounting part), 1012...Side part of duct 101A (second mounting part), 1071...Hole, 1072...Eaves part (restricting part), L1...Distance, L2...Distance, L3...Range, L4...Range, P...Medium

Claims

1. A duct device equipped with a fan section having a fan, wherein gas flows through the fan, The fan section is mounted in a first mounting section that is positioned opposite to the fan section in a direction along the first direction, The fan section is fixed by a fixing member, The fixing member fixes the fan portion and the fixing portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

2. In the duct device according to claim 1, The fixing portion is located downstream of the center of the fan in the insertion direction of the fixing member along the second direction. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

3. In the duct device according to claim 2, The fixed portion is located downstream of the fan in the insertion direction. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

4. In the duct device according to claim 1, In the first direction, the fixing portion is located within the range in which the fan is positioned. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

5. In the duct device according to claim 1, The fan section comprises the fan and a mounting section that is attached to the fixed section. The mounting portion has a portion to be fixed to the fixing portion, The fixing portion and the fixed portion extend along the first direction, A ducting device characterized by the following features.

6. In the duct device according to claim 5, The part to be fixed is made of metal, The fixing member is screwed into the part to be fixed. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

7. In the duct device according to claim 5, The fixing portion has a limiting portion that restricts the movement of the fixed portion in the first direction. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

8. In the duct device according to claim 1, The fan section comprises the fan and a mounting section that is attached to the fixed section. The first mounting portion has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the mounting portion in the first direction. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

9. In the duct device according to claim 8, The mounting portion has a restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the restricting portion, The restricted portion can be switched between a state in which it is engaged with the restricting portion and a state in which it is not engaged by sliding the fan portion along a direction intersecting the first direction. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

10. In the duct device according to claim 1, It is equipped with a second mounting section to which a collection unit for collecting foreign matter can be attached, The collection unit is attached to the second mounting unit along the second direction. A ducting device characterized by the following features.

11. A duct device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The aforementioned fan section, Equipped with, An airflow generating device characterized by the following features.

12. In the airflow generating device according to claim 11, The frame on which the duct device is attached is provided, The duct device is mounted to the frame along the second direction, An airflow generating device characterized by the following features.

13. In the airflow generating device according to claim 11, The duct device is housed in a housing, The housing has an opening upstream in the insertion direction of the fixing member along the second direction, An airflow generating device characterized by the following features.

14. A recording unit that records onto a medium, The airflow generating device according to claim 11, Equipped with, A recording device characterized by the following features.

15. In the recording device according to claim 14, The system includes a control unit that controls the recording unit, The distance between the control unit and the airflow generator in the first direction is smaller than the distance between the end of the duct device and the fixing part in the insertion direction of the fixing member along the second direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

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