Printing apparatus

Abstract

It deodorizes odors while preventing a decline in print quality. [Solution] A printing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid discharge head disposed within the housing for discharging liquid, an energy discharge unit for discharging energy to harden the liquid discharged by the liquid discharge head, and an airflow generating unit for generating airflow within the housing, wherein the liquid discharge head performs a first operation, which is an operation in which liquid is discharged onto a medium, and a second operation, which is an operation in which the liquid discharge head or the energy discharge unit does not discharge liquid onto the medium, and the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the first operation is made smaller than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the second operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a recording apparatus having a function of purifying odors caused by ink has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a recording apparatus including a recording unit that performs recording on a medium, an irradiation unit that irradiates light on the medium recorded by the recording unit, and a deodorization unit that performs deodorization, and exhausting the air inside the housing to the outside of the housing by driving a blower of the deodorization unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional recording apparatus, the air flow rate generated by the blower of the deodorization unit becomes large, and landing deviation due to the flight curve of the ejected ink occurs when recording on a medium, which may cause a decrease in print quality. Further, if the air flow rate generated by the blower of the deodorization unit is suppressed so that the flight curve of the ink does not occur, the deodorization of the strong odor generated when irradiating light on the medium may be insufficient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid discharge head disposed within the housing for discharging liquid, an energy discharge unit for discharging energy to harden the liquid discharged by the liquid discharge head, and an airflow generating unit for generating airflow within the housing, wherein the apparatus performs a first operation of the liquid discharge head, which is an operation of discharging liquid onto a medium, and a second operation of the liquid discharge head or the energy discharge unit, which is an operation performed when the liquid discharge head is not discharging liquid onto the medium, and the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the first operation is smaller than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the second operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective view of a printing device. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the deodorizing unit. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the deodorizing unit. [Figure 5] Plan view of a printing device. [Figure 6] Schematic side cross-sectional view of the wiping section. [Figure 7] Block diagram of a printing apparatus. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating an example of the printing operation of a printing device. [Figure 9] An illustrative diagram showing an example of fan speed during printing operation of a printing device. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating an example of maintenance procedures for a printing device. [Figure 11] An illustrative diagram showing an example of fan speed during maintenance operation of a printing device. [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating the process of performing a print operation after maintenance has been carried out on the printing equipment. [Figure 13] A diagram illustrating the maintenance procedures to be performed on a printing device after a printing operation. [Figure 14] A diagram illustrating the maintenance procedures to be performed on a printing device after a printing operation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, some descriptions may be omitted to avoid unnecessary detail. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0008] In addition, this disclosure may use common abbreviations. For example, C in color ink is an abbreviation for cyan. M in color ink is an abbreviation for magenta. Y in color ink is an abbreviation for yellow. K in color ink is an abbreviation for key plate. Wh in ink is an abbreviation for white. Vr in ink is an abbreviation for varnish. LED is an abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. UV is an abbreviation for Ultraviolet. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. MPU is an abbreviation for Micro Processor Unit. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. The printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is a device that prints on a medium placed inside a housing 10 by discharging a liquid from a recording head. The medium is a sheet, cloth, or three-dimensional object. The sheet may be made of paper or synthetic resin. The cloth may be nonwoven fabric, knit, or woven fabric. Three-dimensional objects include clothing, shoes and other decorative items, daily necessities, machine parts, and various other objects. There are no restrictions on the type of liquid that the printing apparatus 1 discharges onto the medium; it just needs to be fluid. For example, the printing apparatus 1 is a printer that sprays one or more colors of color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction liquid onto the surface of the medium by a recording head to form an image on the medium. In this case, the medium corresponds to a printing medium. Examples of color inks include cyan, magenta, yellow, and key plate. The reaction liquid is a liquid used to react with other inks and cure them.

[0010] Figure 1 shows the X, Y, and Z axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other. The Z axis is an axis that extends in the vertical direction. The X and Y axes are parallel to the horizontal plane. In the following description, the direction along the X axis is considered the left-right direction, and the direction along the Y axis is considered the front-back direction. More specifically, the positive direction along the Z axis is considered the upward direction, the positive direction along the X axis is considered the rightward direction, and the positive direction along the Y axis is considered the forward direction.

[0011] The printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box that forms a closed space inside. The housing 10 covers components such as a medium support unit, a recording head, an irradiation unit, and a deodorization unit, which will be described later, and stores them in the closed space. The housing 10 includes a first cover 11 along the front surface 10a and the upper surface 10b. The first cover 11 includes a cover body 11a along the front surface 10a and the upper surface 10b and a handle 11b connected to the lower end of the cover body 11a. The first cover 11 is connected to the upper surface 10b of the housing 10 by a hinge at the rear end of the cover body 11a so as to be rotatable about the left - right direction axis. Therefore, when the handle 11b is moved in the vertical direction, the first cover 11 can be opened and closed from the front. When the first cover 11 is opened, the medium disposed in the housing 10 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10.

[0012] Also, at the bottom surface 10c, the housing 10 includes a bottom plate 13 which is a plate facing the installation surface of the housing 10. The installation surface is a surface on which the housing 10 is installed, such as the top surface of a desk not shown in the figure.

[0013] The printing apparatus 1 includes a display unit 12 disposed at the front part of the upper surface 10b. The display unit 12 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel and LEDs. The display unit 12 displays various information according to the control of a control unit described later. For example, the display unit 12 displays information such as the progress status of recording by the printing apparatus 1, the remaining amount of the liquid discharged during recording, and the replacement timing of consumables in the deodorization unit described later.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 and shows a state in which the first cover 11 is removed for explanation. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes a deodorization unit 20 and a medium support unit 30.

[0015] The deodorization unit 20 generates an air flow inside so as to suck the air inside the housing 10, deodorizes the sucked air, and exhausts it outside the housing 10. The deodorization unit 20 is an example of an air flow generating unit. Details of this deodorization unit 20 will be described later.

[0016] The media support unit 30 supports the medium M to be recorded in the printing apparatus 1. The media support unit 30 includes a table 31 and a fall prevention plate 34. The table 31 has a support surface 31m which is a rectangular surface along the X-axis and Y-axis and facing upward.

[0017] The support surface 31m is the surface on which the medium M is placed in the media support unit 30, and supports the medium M placed on the support surface 31m. In the state where the first cover 11 is opened, the support surface 31m is exposed in front of and above the housing 10. Therefore, in the state where the first cover 11 is opened, the medium M outside the housing 10 can be set on the support surface 31m of the media support unit 30 from the front of the support surface 31m. Also, in the state where the first cover 11 is opened, the medium M placed on the support surface 31m of the media support unit 30 can be taken out of the housing 10.

[0018] The fall prevention plate 34 is a plate-like member that stands vertically in contact with the left side, right side, and rear side of the support surface 31m. In other words, the fall prevention plate 34 is perpendicular to the support surface 31m and surrounds the support surface 31m from the left and right directions and the rear along the end of the support surface 31m, and the front of the support surface 31m is open without the fall prevention plate 34. The fall prevention plate 34 is formed, for example, by bending a single sheet of sheet metal. The fall prevention plate 34 is arranged around the support surface 31m so that a significantly smaller medium M than the support surface 31m does not fall from the support surface 31m.

[0019] The deodorizing units 20 are arranged in two side-by-side in the left-right direction in front of the support surface 31m of the media support unit 30 and inside the housing 10. The two deodorizing units 20 are detachably fixed to the bottom plate 13 by screwing.

[0020] The printing apparatus 1 includes a second cover 19 that covers the top of the two deodorizing units 20 positioned as described above. The second cover 19 is a plate-shaped member positioned substantially horizontally. The second cover 19 has ventilation holes 19a that penetrate the second cover 19 in the vertical direction. The ventilation holes 19a are narrow holes that are long in the front-to-back direction, and multiple ventilation holes 19a are formed in the second cover 19 in a row in the left-to-right direction. Note that the position and number of deodorizing units 20 inside the housing 10 described above are just examples. For example, the deodorizing unit 20 may be located behind the support surface 31m and in front of the fall prevention plate 34. Also, there may be only one deodorizing unit 20.

[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the deodorizing unit 20. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the deodorizing unit 20, showing a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The deodorizing unit 20 includes a deodorizing duct 21. The deodorizing duct 21 is a hollow metal duct, and when the deodorizing unit 20 is mounted on the printing device 1, the deodorizing duct 21 is located directly below the ventilation hole 19a. The deodorizing duct 21 includes an air intake 23, a main body 25, and a blower connection part 27. The deodorizing duct 21 is connected to a blower 29 at the blower connection part 27, and airflow is generated inside the deodorizing duct 21 by driving the blower 29.

[0022] The air intake port 23 opens at the upper end of the deodorizing duct 21, and when the deodorizing unit 20 is mounted on the printing device 1, the air intake port 23 overlaps with the ventilation hole 19a in a plan view. Therefore, the space above the second cover 19 and the space inside the deodorizing duct 21 are in communication through the ventilation hole 19a and the air intake port 23.

[0023] The main body 25 is a hollow section extending downward from the air intake 23. A base plate 25a is provided at the lower end of the main body 25, covering the main body 25 from below. The base plate 25a has numerous holes that penetrate vertically, supporting the deodorizing member 25b (described later) and allowing air to pass through vertically. A hollow blower connection section 27 is formed to the right from the lower end of the main body 25. At its right end, the blower connection section 27 is connected in the front-rear direction to the intake port of the blower 29. The blower 29 is a centrifugal blower, and a fan (not shown) rotates due to the drive of a motor (not shown), drawing in air from the blower connection section 27 at the rear through the intake port. The blower 29 exhausts the drawn-in air from a discharge port 29a provided at the lower end of the blower 29. In other words, the deodorizing unit 20 draws in air from inside the housing 10 through the vent holes 19a and the intake port 23 by driving the blower 29. The deodorizing unit 20 sequentially flows the drawn-in air to the main body 25, the blower connection part 27, and the discharge port 29a.

[0024] In this way, when the deodorizing unit 20 draws in air from inside the housing 10, an airflow is generated inside the housing 10 toward the air intake port 23. The airflow rate per unit time generated inside the housing 10 by the deodorizing unit 20 depends on the drive amount of the blower 29, i.e., the rotation speed of the fan. For example, the higher the fan rotation speed, the greater the airflow rate generated inside the housing 10, and the faster the air inside the housing 10 can be exhausted through the deodorizing unit 20. Conversely, the lower the fan rotation speed, the smaller the airflow rate generated inside the housing 10. In the following explanation, the rotation speed of the fan in the blower 29 will be referred to as the fan speed.

[0025] Furthermore, the air intake port 23 is provided with a breathable first filter 23a that covers the entire surface of the air intake port 23 from above. The first filter 23a is a coarse, breathable filter made of, for example, nonwoven fabric. The first filter 23a removes foreign matter larger than the mesh size of the first filter 23a, such as ink mist or dust, from the air passing through the air intake port 23. The first filter 23a is a consumable item, and its performance deteriorates with use due to clogging, soiling, or deterioration. Since the first filter 23a is placed on top of the air intake port 23, it can be easily attached to and detached from the deodorizing unit 20. Therefore, a first filter 23a with reduced performance can be easily replaced with a new first filter 23a.

[0026] Furthermore, the main body 25 is provided with a deodorizing member 25b that is ventilated and adsorbs odors from the air. The deodorizing member 25b is composed of, for example, numerous fine pellets containing activated carbon sealed in a bag-shaped net with a finer mesh than the pellets. The deodorizing member 25b is laid out over almost the entire internal space of the main body 25. Air flowing into the main body 25 flows, for example, through the gaps between the pellets of the deodorizing member 25b. At this time, the activated carbon components contained in the pellets of the deodorizing member 25b adsorb and remove odor components from the air. The deodorizing member 25b is a consumable item whose performance deteriorates with use. The deodorizing member 25b is placed on a base plate 25a. Therefore, the deodorizing member 25b can be easily attached to and detached from the deodorizing unit 20 via the air intake port 23 by removing the first filter 23a. Therefore, a deodorizing component 25b with reduced performance can be easily replaced with a new deodorizing component 25b.

[0027] In addition, the main body 25 is equipped with a second filter 25c which is placed on the base plate 25a and positioned below the deodorizing member 25b. The second filter 25c is made of, for example, glass fiber and is a breathable filter. The second filter 25c removes fine airborne particles that cannot be removed by the first filter 23a and the deodorizing member 25b. The second filter 25c is a consumable item whose performance deteriorates with use. The second filter 25c can be easily attached and detached via the air intake port 23 when the first filter 23a and the deodorizing member 25b are removed from the deodorizing duct 21. Therefore, a second filter 25c with deteriorated performance can be easily replaced with a new second filter 25c.

[0028] Figure 5 is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1, showing it with the first cover 11 removed for illustrative purposes. Specifically, Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the portion including the moving mechanism 40 relating to the carriage 50, which has a recording head 51 and an illumination unit 53.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the printing apparatus 1 comprises a carriage 50, a moving mechanism 40 for moving the carriage 50, a mounting unit 54, and a pump 56. The carriage 50 comprises a recording head 51 and an irradiation unit 53.

[0030] The recording head 51 is equipped with a plurality of nozzles 52, each with an opening facing downwards. Each of the nozzles 52 ejects color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction solution. In other words, the recording head 51 is an example of a liquid ejection head.

[0031] For example, when the recording head 51 is positioned directly above the medium M located within the printing device 1 by the moving mechanism 40, color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction liquid is ejected from the nozzle 52 onto the medium M. The ejected color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction liquid flies from the nozzle 52 to the medium M and then adheres to the surface of the medium M.

[0032] The color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction solution ejected by the recording head 51 is a liquid that hardens when exposed to energy such as heat or ultraviolet light.

[0033] In this embodiment, the liquid ejected by the recording head 51 is a UV ink or reaction solution that hardens with ultraviolet light. However, the liquid ejected by the recording head 51 may also be a thermosetting ink or reaction solution that hardens with heat.

[0034] The irradiation unit 53 irradiates ultraviolet light to cure the liquid ejected by the recording head 51. In other words, the irradiation unit 53 is an example of an energy emission unit that emits energy to cure the liquid ejected by the recording head 51. If the liquid ejected by the recording head 51 is a thermosetting ink or reaction liquid that hardens with heat, the irradiation unit 53 may be configured to irradiate infrared light or the like to cure them.

[0035] The irradiation unit 53 includes, for example, an irradiation window (not shown) facing downwards. The irradiation window is made of a plate made of a light-transmitting material. The irradiation unit 53 emits irradiation light from a light source unit (not shown) through the irradiation window.

[0036] For example, when the irradiation unit 53 is positioned directly above the medium M placed inside the printing apparatus 1 by the moving mechanism 40, the irradiation light, including ultraviolet light, emitted from the irradiation unit 53 passes between the irradiation window and the medium M and irradiates the medium M. As a result, the color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction solution attached to the medium M is fixed to the medium M by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

[0037] The moving mechanism 40 includes a horizontal axis 41 and a vertical axis 42. For example, the moving mechanism 40 of this embodiment includes a pair of vertical axes 42.

[0038] The horizontal axis 41 is an axis that extends in the main scanning direction Dx. The pair of vertical axes 42 are axes that are parallel to each other and extend in the sub-scanning direction Dy. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Dx is parallel to the X-axis. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction Dy is perpendicular to the X-axis and parallel to the Y-axis.

[0039] The moving mechanism 40 reciprocates the carriage 50 along the horizontal axis 41 using power transmitted from a drive source (not shown), such as a motor. The moving mechanism 40 also reciprocates the recording head 51 supporting the carriage 50 along the vertical axis 42 using power transmitted from the drive source. Therefore, the moving mechanism 40 can move the recording head 51 and the illumination unit 53, which are mounted on the carriage 50, in the main scanning direction Dx and the sub-scanning direction Dy.

[0040] For example, the moving mechanism 40 can move the recording head 51 and the illumination unit 53 in the main scanning direction Dx and the sub-scanning direction Dy on the medium M placed on the table 31. The moving mechanism 40 can also move the carriage 50 over the wiping unit 60 and the capping mechanism 62 which are arranged around the table 31. Furthermore, when the carriage 50 is moved over the wiping unit 60, the moving mechanism 40 can move the recording head 51 relative to the wiping unit 60 in the main scanning direction Dx and the sub-scanning direction Dy.

[0041] The moving mechanism 40 may move the carriage 50 simultaneously in the main scanning direction Dx and the sub-scanning direction Dy. That is, the moving mechanism 40 may move the carriage 50 diagonally with respect to the main scanning direction Dx and the sub-scanning direction Dy so as to follow the horizontal plane.

[0042] The mounting unit 54 is positioned in a predetermined location within the housing 10 and stores the liquid ejected from the recording head 51. Specifically, the mounting unit 54 includes a plurality of removable ink cartridges 55. Each of the plurality of ink cartridges 55 stores color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction solution.

[0043] The pump 56 draws up the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 55 of the mounting unit 54 via piping (not shown) and supplies it to the recording head 51 of the carriage 50.

[0044] In the printing device 1, when the carriage 50 is scanned by the moving mechanism 40 over the medium M placed on the table 31, the carriage 50 dispenses and cures color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction solution. As a result, the printing device 1 prints an image on the medium M.

[0045] A wiping unit 60 and a cap mechanism 62 are arranged around the table 31. The wiping unit 60 and the cap mechanism 62 are used for maintenance of the recording head 51. Maintenance operations for the recording head 51 include a wiping operation in which the head surface of the recording head 51, where the opening of the nozzle 52 is provided, is wiped. This head surface of the recording head 51 is an example of a discharge surface. Maintenance operations for the recording head 51 also include a flushing operation in which liquid is discharged from the nozzle 52. For example, the wiping unit 60 is used for the wiping operation, and the cap mechanism 62 is used for the flushing operation. The wiping unit 60 may also be used for the flushing operation. In other words, the wiping unit 60 and the cap mechanism 62 are examples of liquid receiving units.

[0046] The wiping section 60 includes a wiper 61. The wiper 61 is a strip of fabric that moves in the feed direction Ds or the return direction Dr by, for example, a winding mechanism (not shown). The wiper 61 is an example of a cloth wiper.

[0047] The wiper 61 contacts the head surface of the recording head 51 when the carriage 50 is moved onto the wiping unit 60 by the moving mechanism 40. At this time, the head surface of the recording head 51 and the wiper 61 move relative to each other. For example, the wiping unit 60 may move the wiper 61 in the forward direction Ds or the reverse direction Dr. Alternatively, the moving mechanism 40 may move the carriage 50 in the main scanning direction Dx or the sub-scanning direction Dy. In this way, by moving the lower surface of the recording head 51 and the wiper 61 relative to each other, the wiping unit 60 wipes the lower surface of the recording head 51. Furthermore, when the wiping unit 60 performs a flushing operation, the wiper 61 receives the liquid discharged from the nozzle 52 of the recording head 51.

[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the wiping unit 60. As shown in Figure 6, the wiping unit 60 has a case 60A, a wiper 61, a dispensing unit 71, and a winding unit 72. The dispensing unit 71 has a dispensing shaft 73. The winding unit 72 has a winding shaft 74. The wiping unit 60 has a first guide roller 75, a second guide roller 76, a third guide roller 77, and a pressing roller 78. The wiping unit 60 is equipped with a winding motor 79 that drives the winding shaft 74.

[0049] The first guide roller 75, the second guide roller 76, the press roller 78, and the third guide roller 77 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the feed direction Ds. The case 60A supports the feed shaft 73, the winding shaft 74, the first guide rollers 75 to the third guide rollers 77, and the press roller 78 so as to be rotatable with their respective axis of rotation parallel. The first guide rollers 75 to the third guide rollers 77 guide the wiper 61 that is wound around them, thereby guiding the wiper 61 along the path indicated by the arrows. The press roller 78 is biased upward by, for example, a spring (not shown).

[0050] The dispensing unit 71 rotatably holds an unused wiper 61 wound in a roll. The dispensing unit 71 unwinds and feeds out the strip-shaped wiper 61 as the dispensing shaft 73 rotates. The winding unit 72 winds the wiper 61 into a roll as the winding shaft 74 rotates.

[0051] The winding motor 79 synchronously rotates the unwinding shaft 73 and the winding shaft 74 in forward and reverse directions. The winding motor 79 is capable of feeding the wiper 61 in the feeding direction Ds from the unwinding section 71 to the winding section 72, and feeding the wiper 61 in the return direction Dr from the winding section 72 to the unwinding section 71.

[0052] The pressure roller 78 can press the wiper 61 against the head surface 51A of the recording head 51. For example, with the wiper 61 pressed against the head surface 51A, the recording head 51 moves downstream in the sub-scanning direction Dy relative to the wiping unit 60. As a result, the wiping unit 60 wipes the head surface 51A of the recording head 51 with respect to the portion of the wiper 61 that is pressed by the pressure roller 78.

[0053] Returning to Figure 5, the cap mechanism 62 is positioned in the standby position of the carriage 50 and includes a cap 63 that surrounds the recording head 51 in this standby position. The cap 63 surrounds the recording head 51 when the carriage 50 is moved to the standby position by the movement mechanism 40 and receives the liquid discharged by the nozzle 52 of the recording head 51 during the flushing operation.

[0054] Figure 7 is a block diagram of the printing device 1, showing the functional configuration of the control system of the printing device 1. As shown in Figure 7, the printing device 1 has a control unit 90, an interface 91, and a storage unit 92.

[0055] The control unit 90 has a processor such as a CPU or MPU. The interface 91 is a communication device that performs wired communication using a cable or wireless communication using a wireless communication line. The storage unit 92 has volatile memory and non-volatile storage. The volatile memory is, for example, RAM. The non-volatile storage is composed of ROM, hard disk, flash memory, etc.

[0056] The memory unit 92 stores in its non-volatile memory a program 92A for execution by the control unit 90 and setting information 92B which describes various setting details.

[0057] The control unit 90 controls each part of the printing device 1 by loading the program 92A stored in the memory unit 92 into volatile memory and executing it sequentially. In this control, the control unit 90 refers to the setting information 92B and controls each part so that it operates according to the settings. For example, the control unit 90 drives the blower 29 of the deodorizing unit 20 at the fan speed set in the setting information 92B in response to various operations such as printing and maintenance.

[0058] The control unit 90 is connected to the interface 91. The interface 91 communicates with a host computer (not shown) to receive print data. The print data includes image and character data to be printed by the printing device 1 onto the medium M. The print data also includes print commands that instruct the carriage 50 on printing operations, and other data.

[0059] For example, a print command may include instructions for the printing operation of the carriage 50, such as a print instruction involving the ejection of liquid by the recording head 51. One example of a print instruction involving liquid ejection is a print instruction that ejects and cures one of the following inks: color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction solution. In this print instruction, the recording head 51 ejects the ink while the irradiation unit 53 irradiates it with ultraviolet light. This operation of irradiating with ultraviolet light while ejecting ink is also called pinning. The operation of the carriage 50 by such a print instruction, in which liquid is ejected onto the medium M, is an example of the first operation.

[0060] Furthermore, the print command includes a print instruction that does not involve the ejection of liquid by the recording head 51, as an instruction regarding the printing operation of the carriage 50. The operation of the carriage 50 by this print instruction, which does not involve the ejection of liquid onto the medium M, and does not involve the ejection of liquid onto the medium M, is an example of the second operation.

[0061] One example of a printing operation that does not involve ejecting liquid onto the medium M is a post-curing operation in which the liquid attached to the medium M is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light from the irradiation unit 53. For example, depending on the type of ink, such as varnish ink, curing by irradiation with ultraviolet light while ejecting the ink may not be sufficient. For such inks, a printing instruction that does not involve ejecting liquid is notified by the recording head 51 after printing. As a result, the printing device 1 performs a post-curing operation by irradiating with ultraviolet light from the irradiation unit 53 after printing. This ensures that the printing device 1 can reliably cure the ink.

[0062] The control unit 90 is connected to the moving mechanism 40, the wiping unit 60, the recording head 51, the nozzle 52, the blower 29, and the display unit 12.

[0063] The control unit 90 drives the moving mechanism 40 based on the print data received by the I / F 91 to move the carriage 50 onto the medium M. Then, based on the image and character data contained in the print data, the control unit 90 operates the recording head 51 to eject color ink, white ink, varnish ink, or reaction liquid. The control unit 90 also operates the irradiation unit 53 to cure the color ink, white ink, and varnish ink that have adhered to the medium M.

[0064] Furthermore, during maintenance, the control unit 90 drives the moving mechanism 40 to move the recording head 51 onto the wiping unit 60 or the capping mechanism 62. Then, the control unit 90 performs a flushing operation to discharge liquid from the nozzle 52, a wiping operation to wipe the head surface 51A of the recording head 51, and so on.

[0065] The control unit 90 also operates the display unit 12 to display information on the display unit 12. The control unit 90 also operates the blower 29 to deodorize the air inside the housing 10 and exhaust it to the outside of the housing 10.

[0066] Here, we will explain in detail the printing operation on medium M in the printing device 1. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing operation of the printing device 1.

[0067] As shown in Figure 8, when the I / F 91 receives print data and the printing operation starts, the control unit 90 analyzes the print command contained in the print data (S10). Specifically, the control unit 90 analyzes whether it is a print instruction that involves the ejection of liquid by the recording head 51 or a print instruction that does not involve the ejection of liquid by the recording head 51.

[0068] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether or not ink is ejected from the medium M based on the analysis results from S10 (S11).

[0069] If ink is to be ejected to the medium M (S11: Yes), the control unit 90 sets the fan speed of the blower 29 in the deodorizing unit 20 to the first fan speed (S12). Then, based on the print instruction, the control unit 90 performs a printing operation in which ink is ejected from the recording head 51 and ultraviolet light is irradiated from the irradiation unit 53 (S13). During this printing operation in S13, an airflow corresponding to the set first fan speed is generated inside the housing 10.

[0070] If no ink is ejected from the medium M (S11: No), the control unit 90 sets the fan speed of the blower 29 in the deodorizing unit 20 to the second fan speed (S14). Then, based on the print instruction, the control unit 90 performs a post-curing operation by irradiating the medium M with ultraviolet light from the irradiation unit 53 without ejecting liquid (S15). During this print operation in S15, an airflow corresponding to the set second fan speed is generated inside the housing 10.

[0071] Following S13 and S15, the control unit 90 determines whether printing is complete based on whether the operation by the print command has been completed (S16). If printing is complete (S16: Yes), the control unit 90 terminates the process. If printing is not complete (S16: No), the control unit 90 returns the process to S10.

[0072] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the fan speed during printing operation of the printing device 1. In Figure 9, time t1 is the start of printing operation due to the reception of print data. The period between times t1-t2 and t3-t4 is the period during which printing operation is performed on the medium M with a print instruction that includes ink ejection. The period between times t2-t3 and t4-t5 is the period during which printing operation is performed on the medium M with a print instruction that does not include ink ejection.

[0073] As shown in Figure 9, before the start of printing time t1, the control unit 90 sets the fan speed of the blower 29 in the deodorizing unit 20 to an initial speed F0. Here, the initial speed F0 is the fan speed when the printing device 1 is in standby mode, and can be set to, for example, 0 or the lowest fan speed specified for the blower 29.

[0074] During printing operations with ink ejection on the medium M at times t1-t2 and t3-t4, the deflection of the ink ejected from the recording head 51 affects the print quality. Therefore, during printing operations with ink ejection, the fan speed of the blower 29 can be kept low to prevent ink deflection and reduce the impact on print quality.

[0075] Specifically, the first fan speed F1 during printing with ink ejection is set lower than the second fan speed F2 during printing without ink ejection. Therefore, during printing with ink ejection, the amount of airflow generated inside the housing 10 can be kept lower compared to the case without ink ejection. As a result, during printing with ink ejection, the scattering and curvature of the ink ejected from the recording head 51 can be suppressed. In other words, the printing device 1 can deodorize while suppressing a decrease in print quality during printing with ink ejection.

[0076] During printing without ink ejection, the airflow generated inside the enclosure 10 does not affect print quality. Therefore, during printing without ink ejection, the second fan speed F2 is set to be greater than the first fan speed F1. This allows for faster deodorization during printing without ink ejection.

[0077] In particular, during post-curing operations where ultraviolet light is applied after printing with varnish ink, the amount of polymerization reaction of the ink increases, which can lead to a stronger odor. In such post-curing operations, the printing apparatus 1 can quickly deodorize the strong odor by setting the second fan speed F2 to a speed greater than the first fan speed F1.

[0078] Furthermore, the operation of the recording head 51 that does not involve the discharge of liquid onto the medium M also includes the maintenance operation of the recording head 51. Since this maintenance operation of the recording head 51 does not involve the discharge of liquid onto the medium M, the generation of airflow inside the housing 10 does not affect the print quality. Therefore, the control unit 90 sets the fan speed to a higher speed than the first fan speed F1 during the maintenance operation of the recording head 51. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can more quickly deodorize odors generated by wiping and flushing operations during the maintenance operation of the recording head 51.

[0079] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of maintenance operation for the printing device 1. This maintenance operation is performed at predetermined timings under the control of the control unit 90. For example, maintenance operations may be performed before the start of printing, after the completion of printing, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the maintenance.

[0080] As shown in Figure 10, when a maintenance operation is initiated, the control unit 90 determines whether the maintenance operation to be performed is a wiping operation or a flushing operation (S20).

[0081] If a wiping operation is performed in S20, the control unit 90 sets the fan speed of the blower 29 in the deodorizing unit 20 to a third fan speed greater than the first fan speed F1 (S21). Then, the control unit 90 drives the winding motor 79 to wind up the wiper 61 to the unused side (S22). During this winding operation in S22, an airflow corresponding to the set third fan speed is generated inside the housing 10.

[0082] Next, the control unit 90 sets the fan speed of the blower 29 in the deodorizing unit 20 to the fourth fan speed (S23). Then, the control unit 90 moves the head surface 51A of the recording head 51 and the wiper 61 relative to each other, thereby wiping the head surface 51A with the wiper 61 (S24). During this wiping operation in S24, an airflow corresponding to the set fourth fan speed is generated inside the housing 10.

[0083] Next, the control unit 90 sets the fan speed of the blower 29 in the deodorizing unit 20 to the fifth fan speed (S25). Then, the control unit 90 irradiates the cloth surface of the wiper 61 that has wiped the head surface 51A with ultraviolet light from the irradiation unit 53. This hardens the ink adhering to the cloth surface of the wiper 61 that has wiped the head surface 51A (S26). This hardening operation of the cloth surface of the wiper 61 in S26 is an example of a wiper hardening operation. During the hardening operation in S26, an airflow corresponding to the set fifth fan speed is generated inside the housing 10.

[0084] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether to repeat the wiping operation based on whether the wiping operation has been performed a predetermined number of times (S27). If the wiping operation is not to be repeated (S27: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S30. If the wiping operation is to be repeated (S27: Yes), the control unit 90 returns to S21.

[0085] If a flushing operation is performed in S20, the control unit 90 sets the fan speed of the blower 29 in the deodorizing unit 20 to a sixth fan speed greater than the first fan speed F1 (S28). Then, the control unit 90 moves the recording head 51 directly above the wiping unit 60 or the cap mechanism 62 and performs a flushing operation in which ink is ejected from the recording head 51 (S29).

[0086] During the flushing operation of S29, an airflow corresponding to the set sixth fan speed is generated inside the housing 10. This sixth fan speed may be the same as or different from any of the third to fifth fan speeds during the wiping operation described above.

[0087] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of fan speed during maintenance operation of the printing device 1. In Figure 11, time t10 is the start of the wiping operation maintenance. The periods between times t10-t11, t13-t14, and t16-t17 are the periods during which the winding operation was performed. The periods between times t11-t12 and t14-t15 are the periods during which the wiping operation was performed. The periods between times t12-t13 and t15-t16 are the periods during which the curing operation was performed.

[0088] During the winding operation, the generation of odors caused by the ink is reduced. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, sufficient deodorization can be achieved during the winding operation by setting the third fan speed F3 to a lower speed than the fourth fan speed F4 during the wiping operation and the fifth fan speed F5 during the curing operation.

[0089] In contrast, during the wiping and curing operations, a strong odor is generated due to the ink adhering to the wiper 61. Therefore, during the wiping and curing operations, the fourth fan speed F4 and fifth fan speed F5 are set to be greater than the third fan speed F3 used during winding, allowing the strong odor to be quickly deodorized.

[0090] Furthermore, during the curing operation described above, the amount of ink polymerization reaction increases compared to the wiping operation, which may result in a stronger odor. Therefore, the control unit 90 may set the fan speed during the curing operation to a fifth fan speed F5', which is even faster than the fourth fan speed F4 used during the wiping operation. This allows the printing apparatus 1 to quickly deodorize the strong odor generated during the curing operation after wiping.

[0091] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the case where printing is performed after maintenance of the printing device 1. Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the case where maintenance is performed after printing of the printing device 1. In Figures 12 and 13, period T1 is the maintenance period during which wiping is performed. In Figures 12 and 13, period T2 is the period during which printing with ink ejection is performed on the medium M.

[0092] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the third fan speed F3, fourth fan speed F4, and fifth fan speed F5 during the wiping operation period T1 are higher than the first fan speed F1 during the printing operation period T2 with ink ejection. Therefore, during the maintenance period when the wiping operation is performed, odors generated during the winding, wiping, and curing operations can be deodorized more quickly.

[0093] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the maintenance operation performed after printing by the printing device 1. In Figure 14, period T2' is the period during which both ink-ejected and ink-non-ejected printing operations are performed. In other words, Figure 14 differs from Figure 13 in that the ink-non-ejected printing operation is included in period T2'.

[0094] As shown in Figure 14, the second fan speed F2 during printing without ink ejection is set to be greater than the first fan speed F1, since the generation of airflow inside the housing 10 does not affect the print quality. Specifically, the second fan speed F2 may be set to be the same as the fourth fan speed F4 and the fifth fan speed F5.

[0095] Furthermore, if the fan speed is increased before the ink has fully cured, the airflow inside the housing 10 may cause the uncured ink to bleed. Also, foreign matter blown by the airflow may adhere to the uncured ink. Therefore, it is preferable that the second fan speed F2 during printing operations without ink ejection be lower than the fan speed during maintenance. Specifically, the control unit 90 sets the second fan speed F2' to be lower than the third fan speed F3 during printing operations without ink ejection. This prevents the printing device 1 from causing issues such as the uncured ink bleeding.

[0096] [Summary of this disclosure] A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0097] (Note 1) A printing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid discharge head disposed within the housing for discharging liquid, an energy discharge unit for discharging energy to harden the liquid discharged by the liquid discharge head, and an airflow generating unit for generating airflow within the housing, wherein the apparatus performs a first operation of the liquid discharge head, which is an operation of discharging liquid onto a medium, and a second operation of the liquid discharge head or the energy discharge unit, which is an operation performed when the liquid discharge head is not discharging liquid onto the medium, and the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the first operation is smaller than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the second operation.

[0098] As a result, during the operation of the liquid discharge head, specifically during the first operation, which involves discharging liquid onto the medium, the amount of airflow generated can be reduced compared to the second operation, which does not involve discharging liquid onto the medium. Therefore, during the operation of discharging liquid onto the medium, deodorization can be performed while suppressing the deflection of the liquid due to airflow, thereby preventing a decrease in print quality.

[0099] (Note 2) The printing apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the second operation is an operation of the energy emission unit, which is a post-curing operation in which energy is emitted into the liquid on the medium discharged by the liquid discharge head.

[0100] This allows for the rapid deodorization of odors generated by the liquid during the post-curing process by using a larger airflow than that used during the first operation, which involves discharging the liquid into the medium.

[0101] (Note 3) The printing apparatus according to Appendix 2, wherein, during the execution of the first operation, the energy emission unit emits energy into the liquid on the medium discharged by the liquid discharge head.

[0102] This makes it possible to suppress the bending of the liquid's flight due to airflow while deodorizing the odor generated by energy output to the liquid during the execution of the first operation.

[0103] (Note 4) The printing apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, further comprising a liquid receiving section, wherein the second operation is an operation of the liquid discharge head, which is a flushing operation that discharges liquid to the liquid receiving section.

[0104] This allows the odor generated by the liquid during the flushing operation to be quickly deodorized by an airflow larger than that during the first operation.

[0105] (Note 5) The printing apparatus according to Appendix 1, further comprising a wiper and a moving mechanism for moving the liquid discharge head and the wiper relative to each other, wherein the second operation includes the operation of the wiper and the moving mechanism performed on the liquid discharge head, and the second operation is a wiping operation in which the wiper contacts the discharge surface of the liquid discharge head and the moving mechanism moves the liquid discharge head and the wiper relative to each other.

[0106] This allows odors generated by the liquid during the wiping motion to be quickly deodorized by a larger airflow than that used during the first operation.

[0107] (Note 6) The printing apparatus according to Appendix 5, wherein the wiper is a cloth, and the second operation includes a wiper hardening operation in which energy is emitted from the energy emission unit to the cloth after the wiping operation, wherein the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiper hardening operation is greater than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiping operation.

[0108] This allows for the rapid deodorization of odors that are stronger during wiper hardening than during wiping.

[0109] (Note 7) The printing apparatus according to Appendix 5, wherein the wiper is a cloth, and the second operation includes a wiper hardening operation in which energy is emitted from the energy emission unit to the cloth after the wiping operation, and a winding operation in which the cloth is wound up after the wiper hardening operation, wherein the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiper hardening operation is greater than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the winding operation.

[0110] This allows for the rapid deodorization of odors that are stronger during wiper hardening than during winding.

[0111] (Note 8) The printing apparatus according to Appendix 2, further comprising a cloth wiper and a moving mechanism for moving the liquid discharge head and the cloth wiper relative to each other, wherein the second operation includes the operation of the cloth wiper and the moving mechanism performed on the liquid discharge head, and the second operation includes a wiping operation in which the moving mechanism moves the liquid discharge head and the cloth wiper relative to each other while the cloth wiper is in contact with the discharge surface of the liquid discharge head, and a wiper hardening operation in which energy is emitted from the energy emission unit to the cloth wiper after the wiping operation, wherein the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the post-hardening operation is less than or equal to the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiping operation or the wiper hardening operation.

[0112] This allows for the deodorization of odors generated by the liquid during the post-curing process, while suppressing the seepage of pre-cured liquid due to the airflow during deodorization. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1…Printing device, 10…Housing, 10a…Front, 10b…Top, 10c…Bottom, 11…First cover, 11a…Cover body, 11b…Handle, 12…Display unit, 13…Bottom plate, 19…Second cover, 19a…Ventilation hole, 20…Deodorizing unit, 21…Deodorizing duct, 23…Air intake, 23a…First filter, 25…Main body, 25a…Base plate, 25b…Deodorizing component, 25c…Second filter, 27…Blower connection unit, 29…Blower, 29a...Discharge port, 30...Media support section, 31...Table, 31m...Support surface, 34...Fall prevention plate, 40...Movement mechanism, 41...Horizontal axis, 42...Vertical axis, 50...Carriage, 51...Recording head, 51A...Head surface, 52...Nozzle, 53...Irradiation section, 54...Mounting unit, 55...Ink cartridge, 56...Pump, 60...Wiping section, 60A...Case, 61...Wiper, 62...Cap mechanism, 63...Cap, 71... 72...Feeding section, 73...Winding section, 74...Winding shaft, 75...First guide roller, 76...Second guide roller, 77...Third guide roller, 78...Pressing roller, 79...Winding motor, 90...Control unit, 91...I / F, 92...Storage unit, 92A...Program, 92B...Setting information, Dr...Return direction, Ds...Feed direction, Dx...Main scanning direction, Dy...Sub-scanning direction, F0...Initial speed, F1...First fan speed, F2...Second fan speed, F2...Second fan speed, F3...Third fan speed, F4...Fourth fan speed, F5...Fifth fan speed, F5'...Fifth fan speed, M...Medium, t1...Time, t2...Time, t3...Time, t4...Time, t5...Time, t10...Time, t11...Time, t12...Time, t13...Time, t14...Time, t15...Time, t16...Time, t17...Time, T1...Period, T2...Period, T2'...Period.

Claims

1. The casing and A liquid dispensing head is arranged inside the aforementioned housing and dispenses liquid, The liquid discharge head discharges an energy discharge unit that emits energy to harden the liquid, The enclosure includes an airflow generating unit that generates airflow, Equipped with, The operation of the liquid dispensing head, comprising a first operation which is the operation of dispensing liquid onto a medium, A second operation, which is an operation of the liquid discharge head or the energy discharge unit, performed when the liquid discharge head is not discharging liquid into the medium, Execute, The amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the first operation is made smaller than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the second operation. Printing device.

2. The second operation is an operation of the energy emission unit, which is a post-curing operation in which energy is emitted into the liquid on the medium discharged by the liquid discharge head. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. During the execution of the first operation, the energy emission unit emits energy into the liquid on the medium discharged by the liquid discharge head. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. It also includes a liquid receiving section, The second operation is the operation of the liquid discharge head, which is a flushing operation that discharges liquid into the liquid receiving section. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The device further comprises a wiper and a moving mechanism for moving the liquid discharge head and the wiper relative to each other. The second operation includes the operation of the wiper and the moving mechanism performed on the liquid discharge head, The second operation is a wiping operation in which the wiper comes into contact with the liquid discharge surface of the liquid discharge head, and the moving mechanism moves the liquid discharge head and the wiper relative to each other. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned wiper is made of cloth, The second operation includes a wiper hardening operation in which energy is emitted from the energy emission unit to the fabric after the wiping operation has been performed, The amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiper hardening operation is made greater than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiping operation. The printing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned wiper is made of cloth, The second operation includes a wiper hardening operation in which energy is emitted from the energy emission unit onto the fabric after the wiping operation has been performed, and a winding operation in which the fabric is wound up after the wiper hardening operation has been performed. The amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiper hardening operation is made greater than the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the winding operation. The printing apparatus according to claim 5.

8. The device further comprises a cloth wiper and a moving mechanism for moving the liquid discharge head and the cloth wiper relative to each other. The second operation includes the operation of the cloth wiper and the moving mechanism performed on the liquid discharge head, The second operation described above is, A wiping operation in which the moving mechanism moves the liquid discharge head and the cloth wiper relative to each other while the cloth wiper is in contact with the discharge surface of the liquid discharge head, This includes a wiper hardening operation in which energy is emitted from the energy emission unit to the cloth wiper after the wiping operation has been performed, The amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the post-curing operation is set to be less than or equal to the amount of airflow generated by the airflow generating unit during the wiping operation or the wiper curing operation. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.

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