Inkjet printer

Abstract

To suppress increase in atmospheric temperature in an internal space of a printer in which an ink head is arranged.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises: a base member 40; a case 42 mounted on the base member 40; a platen 16, arranged in an internal space 48 partitioned with the base member 40 and the case 42, on which a recording medium 5 is placed; a carriage 30, arranged in the internal space 48 so as to be positioned upper than the platen 16, which can move in a main scanning direction Y; an ink head 35, mounted on the carriage 30, which discharges ink to the recording medium 5 being conveyed in a sub scanning direction X; a drying device 50 that increases an atmospheric temperature in the internal space 48; an exhaust port 60 positioned upper than the drying device 50 and formed in the case 42; and an exhausting fan 62, arranged beside the exhaust port 60, which exhausts air in the internal space 48 to the outside of the case 42 through the exhaust port 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to inkjet printers. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet printers that print images on a recording medium using an inkjet method have been known for some time. This type of inkjet printer includes, for example, a platen on which the recording medium is placed, and an ink head that ejects ink onto the recording medium placed on the platen. Depending on the type of ink used, some inkjet printers include a light irradiation device that irradiates light onto the ink ejected onto the recording medium to harden the ink, and a drying device such as a heater or fan that accelerates the drying of the ink ejected onto the recording medium.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer equipped with a drying device that sends air heated by a heater toward the recording medium as a means for promoting drying of the ink ejected onto the recording medium, while Patent Document 2 discloses an inkjet printer equipped with a light irradiation device that irradiates light to cure photocurable ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-159482 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-142374 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in an inkjet printer equipped with a drying device as shown in Patent Document 1, the warm air sent toward the recording medium may remain in the internal space of the printer surrounded by a case or the like. In addition, a light irradiation device as shown in Patent Document 2 generates heat when it is operated, and the generated heat may remain in the internal space of the printer. If heat generated from a heat source such as a drying device or a light irradiation device remains in the internal space of the printer, the ambient temperature of the internal space of the printer may rise excessively. Since an ink head is disposed in the internal space of the printer, if the ambient temperature of the internal space of the printer is too high, malfunction of the ink head may occur.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that can suppress an increase in the atmospheric temperature in the internal space of the printer in which the ink head is disposed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inkjet printer of the present invention comprises a base member, a case attached to the base member, a platen disposed in an internal space partitioned by the base member and the case and on which a recording medium is placed, a carriage disposed in the internal space so as to be positioned above the platen and movable in a main scanning direction, an ink head mounted on the carriage and ejecting ink onto the recording medium transported in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, a heat source which raises the ambient temperature of the internal space, an exhaust port located above the heat source and formed in the case, and a fan disposed to the side of the exhaust port which exhausts air from the internal space through the exhaust port to the outside of the case.

[0008] According to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the ambient temperature of the internal space in which the ink head is disposed is increased by the heat source. The air heated by the heat source rises within the internal space and stagnates at the upper part of the internal space. Here, an exhaust port located above the heat source is formed in the case, and a fan is disposed to the side of the exhaust port. The fan can exhaust the air in the internal space from the exhaust port to the outside of the case, so that even if heat is applied to the internal space from the heat source, the air heated in the internal space does not stagnate, and an increase in the ambient temperature of the internal space can be suppressed. In other words, the occurrence of malfunctions of the ink head due to an increase in the ambient temperature of the internal space can be suppressed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet printer that can suppress an increase in the atmospheric temperature in the internal space of the printer in which the ink head is disposed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment as viewed from the rear. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exhaust port and its surrounding structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an intake port and its surrounding structure according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a printer according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An inkjet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a "printer") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] First Embodiment FIG 1 is a perspective view showing a printer 10 according to a first embodiment. The printer 10 prints on a recording medium 5 (see FIG 2). The recording medium 5 is, for example, recording paper. However, the recording medium 5 is not limited to recording paper. The recording medium 5 includes papers such as plain paper and inkjet printing paper, as well as those made of resin materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyester, metal plates made of aluminum, iron, etc., glass plates, wooden plates, cardboard, etc.

[0013] In the following description, left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom as seen by an operator in front of the printer 10. In addition, when the operator is facing the front of the printer 10, the direction from the rear of the printer 10 toward the operator is the front, and the direction from the operator toward the rear of the printer 10 is the rear. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. A carriage 30 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is provided so as to be movable to the left and right. When the rear side of the printer 10 is referred to as the upstream side and the front side of the printer 10 is referred to as the downstream side, the recording medium 5 is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side. In this embodiment, the movement direction of the carriage 30 is referred to as the main scanning direction Y, and the transport direction of the recording medium 5 is referred to as the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the main scanning direction Y corresponds to the left-right direction, and the sub-scanning direction X corresponds to the front-rear direction. The main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X are perpendicular to each other. However, the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X are not particularly limited, and can be set appropriately depending on the configuration of the printer 10, etc.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a base member 40 (see also FIG. 2), a case 42, legs 11, and an operation panel 12. The base member 40 extends in the primary scanning direction Y. The case 42 is attached to the base member 40. The printer 10 has an internal space 48 (see FIG. 3) defined by the base member 40 and the case 42. The case 42 includes a main body case 43 extending in the primary scanning direction Y, and a front cover 47 rotatably provided on the main body case 43. The main body case 43 is formed in a box shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the front cover 47 is disposed in front of the carriage 30 (i.e., downstream in the secondary scanning direction X). The front cover 47 is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin. Note that the front cover 47 is not shown in FIG. 2. The legs 11 support the base member 40 and are provided on the lower surface of the base member 40. The operation panel 12 is provided, for example, on the front right side of the main body case 43. However, the position of the operation panel 12 is not particularly limited. The operation panel 12 is used by the user to perform operations related to printing. Although not shown in the figure, the operation panel 12 is provided with a display unit that displays information related to printing, such as the resolution and ink density, and the status of the printer 10 during printing, and an input unit for inputting information related to printing.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the main body case 43 includes an upper wall 43A, a front wall 43B, a left front cover 43C, a right front cover 43D, a first rear wall 43E, a second rear wall 43F (see FIG. 3), a lower wall 43G (see FIG. 3), a right side frame 43H (see FIG. 4), and a left side frame 43I (see FIG. 4).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper wall 43A extends in the main scanning direction Y. The upper wall 43A is located above the base member 40. The upper wall 43A is disposed above a carriage case 34 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. The front wall 43B extends diagonally downward and forward from the front end of the upper wall 43A. The front wall 43B extends in the main scanning direction Y. The front wall 43B is located between the left front cover 43C and the right front cover 43D. The front cover 47 is rotatably supported by the front wall 43B.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the left front cover 43C extends obliquely downward and forward from the front end of the left portion of the front wall 43B. The left front cover 43C is configured to be openable and closable around the front end of the front wall 43B. The left front cover 43C is disposed to the left of a platen 16 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. The right front cover 43D extends obliquely downward and forward from the front end of the right portion of the upper wall 43A. The right front cover 43D is configured to be openable and closable around the front end of the upper wall 43A. The right front cover 43D is disposed to the right of the platen 16.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 4, the right side frame 43H and the left side frame 43I extend in the sub-scanning direction X and in the up-down direction. The right side frame 43H and the left side frame 43I are supported by the base member 40. The right side frame 43H and the left side frame 43I are connected to the upper wall 43A. The right side frame 43H is located to the right of the platen 16. The left side frame 43I is located to the left of the platen 16. The right side frame 43H is an example of a first side wall. The left side frame 43I is an example of a second side wall.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the first rear wall 43E extends obliquely downward from the rear end of the upper wall 43A. The second rear wall 43F (see also FIG. 6) extends downward from the rear end of the first rear wall 43E. The lower wall 43G extends forward from the lower end of the first rear wall 43E. The first rear wall 43E, the second rear wall 43F and the lower wall 43G are located between and connected to the right side frame 43H (see FIG. 4) and the left side frame 43I (see FIG. 4). The first rear wall 43E, the second rear wall 43F and the lower wall 43G are located above the platen 16. The first rear wall 43E is located behind the platen 16 (i.e., upstream in the sub-scanning direction X). The first rear wall 43E is located behind the upstream guide member 17 described later.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes a platen 16. The platen 16 is disposed in an internal space 48. The platen 16 is disposed on a base member 40. The platen 16 is disposed in the center of the base member 40. A recording medium 5 is placed on the platen 16. Printing onto the recording medium 5 is performed on the platen 16. The platen 16 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The platen 16 has an upper surface 16A formed to be flat.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, the base member 40 includes a right arm portion 14R and a left arm portion 14L which support a drying device 50 described later. The right arm portion 14R and the left arm portion 14L are located forward of the platen 16 (see Fig. 3). The right arm portion 14R is located to the right of the platen 16. The left arm portion 14L is located to the left of the platen 16. The right arm portion 14R and the left arm portion 14L support an auxiliary guide member 15 (see Fig. 3) described later.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes an upstream guide member 17, a downstream guide member 18, and an auxiliary guide member 15. The upstream guide member 17 is disposed rearward of the platen 16 (i.e., upstream of the sub-scanning direction X). The upstream guide member 17 is supported by a base member 40. An upper surface 17A of the upstream guide member 17 is inclined obliquely upward from the rear toward the front (i.e., from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction X). The upstream guide member 17 is formed, for example, in a circular arc shape in cross section. The upstream guide member 17 is curved downward as it moves away from the platen 16. The upstream guide member 17 guides the movement of the recording medium 5. That is, the upstream guide member 17 guides the movement of the recording medium 5 toward the platen 16.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the downstream guide member 18 is disposed in front of the platen 16 (i.e., downstream in the sub-scanning direction X). The downstream guide member 18 is supported by a base member 40. An upper surface 18A of the downstream guide member 18 is inclined obliquely downward from rear to front (i.e., from upstream to downstream in the sub-scanning direction X). The downstream guide member 18 is formed, for example, in an arc-shaped cross section. The downstream guide member 18 is curved so as to slope downward as it moves away from the platen 16. The downstream guide member 18 guides the movement of the recording medium 5. That is, the downstream guide member 18 guides the movement of the recording medium 5 from the platen 16. The downstream guide member is an example of a guide member.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary guide member 15 is disposed in front of (i.e. downstream of) and below the downstream guide member 18. The auxiliary guide member 15 is supported by the right arm portion 14R (see FIG. 3) and the left arm portion 14L. The upper surface 15A of the auxiliary guide member 15 is inclined obliquely downward from the rear to the front. The auxiliary guide member 15 is formed, for example, in a substantially U-shaped cross section. The auxiliary guide member 15 is inclined downward as it moves away from the downstream guide member 18. The auxiliary guide member 15 guides the movement of the recording medium 5. That is, the auxiliary guide member 15 guides the movement of the recording medium 5 from the downstream guide member 18. Here, the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15 guide the recording medium 5 to a winding device 19 (see FIG. 1) that winds up the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes an ink head 35 that ejects ink. The ink head 35 ejects water-based ink onto the recording medium 5 transported in the sub-scanning direction X. The ink head 35 is disposed above the platen 16. The ink head 35 is mounted on a carriage 30, which will be described later. The ink head 35 is disposed in an internal space 48. The ink head 35 is provided so as to be movable in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the ink head 35 is connected to an ink cartridge 37 by an ink supply path (not shown). The ink cartridge 37 is detachably disposed, for example, at the left end of the main body case 43.

[0026] As the aqueous ink, for example, latex ink can be preferably used. The latex ink contains a solvent, a coloring material, and a binder resin. In the latex ink, the binder resin is dispersed or emulsified in the solvent. As the solvent, for example, one or more water-soluble organic solvents (lower alcohols, lower ketones, etc.) that can be mixed uniformly with water can be appropriately selected and used. The latex ink contains a solvent of 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the latex ink. As the coloring material, conventional coloring materials contained in latex ink can be appropriately selected. As the coloring material, for example, dyes such as water-soluble dyes and pigments can be mentioned. As the binder resin, conventional binder resins contained in latex ink can be appropriately selected. Note that the ink discharged from the ink head 35 is not limited to aqueous ink, and may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or the like.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a head moving mechanism 31 and a medium transport mechanism 32. The head moving mechanism 31 is a mechanism that moves the ink head 35 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16. In this embodiment, the head moving mechanism 31 moves the ink head 35 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the head moving mechanism 31 has a guide frame 27, a guide rail 20, a first pulley 21, a second pulley 22, an endless belt 23, a first drive motor 24, and a carriage 30. The guide frame 27 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The guide frame 27 is disposed above the platen 16. The guide frame 27 is supported by a left side frame 43I and a right side frame 43H. The guide rail 20 is attached to the guide frame 27. The guide rail 20 is a member that guides the movement of the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail 20 is disposed in the internal space 48. The guide rail 20 is disposed above the platen 16. The guide rail 20 is provided on the base member 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 20 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The first pulley 21 is provided on the left end portion of the guide rail 20. The second pulley 22 is provided on the right end portion of the guide rail 20. The belt 23 is wound around the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22. In this embodiment, the first drive motor 24 is connected to the second pulley 22. However, the first drive motor 24 may be connected to the first pulley 21. When the first drive motor 24 is driven and the second pulley 22 rotates, the belt 23 runs between the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 30 is disposed in the internal space 48 so as to be located above the platen 16. The carriage 30 engages with the guide rail 20 and is provided so as to be able to slide freely on the guide rail 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 30 is attached to the belt 23. An ink head 35 is mounted on the carriage 30. In this embodiment, the head moving mechanism 31 moves the ink head 35 mounted on the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction Y as the belt 23 runs due to the drive of the first drive motor 24 and the carriage 30 moves in the main scanning direction Y. In addition, the air in the internal space 48 is agitated by the movement of the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 30 is fitted with a carriage case 34. The carriage case 34 houses the ink head 35. The carriage case 34 has an upper surface 34A that is a flat surface extending substantially parallel to the upper wall 43A of the main body case 43, an upper front surface 34B that is inclined obliquely downward from the front end of the upper surface 34A (i.e., the end downstream in the sub-scanning direction X), and a lower front surface 34C that extends downward from the upper front surface 34B. A gap of a distance L1 is formed between the upper surface 34A of the carriage case 34 and the inner wall of the upper wall 43A of the main body case 43 in the vertical direction. The upper surface 34A of the carriage case 34 is located below an upper end 62T of an exhaust fan 62 described later and above a lower end 62B of the exhaust fan 62.

[0030] The medium transport mechanism 32 moves the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the ink head 35. Here, the medium transport mechanism 32 moves the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 in the sub-scanning direction X. The configuration of the medium transport mechanism 32 is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the medium transport mechanism 32 has a grit roller 25, a pinch roller 26, and a second drive motor (not shown) that drives the grit roller 25. The grit roller 25 is provided on the platen 16. Here, at least a part of the grit roller 25 is embedded in the platen 16. The pinch roller 26 presses the recording medium 5 from above. The pinch roller 26 is disposed above the grit roller 25. The pinch roller 26 is disposed at a position facing the grit roller 25. The pinch roller 26 is configured to be movable in the up and down directions. When the second drive motor is driven to rotate the grit roller 25 while the recording medium 5 is sandwiched between the grit roller 25 and the pinch roller 26, the recording medium 5 is transported in the sub-scanning direction X. Note that the respective installation positions and the number of the grit roller 25 and the pinch roller 26 are not particularly limited.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes a first heater 28 that heats the platen 16. The first heater 28 is an example of a heat source that increases the atmospheric temperature of the internal space 48. The first heater 28 heats the recording medium 5 by heating the platen 16. This can promote drying of the ink ejected onto the recording medium 5. The first heater 28 is disposed on the rear surface of the platen 16. The first heater 28 is, for example, an electric heating wire such as a nichrome wire or an iron chrome wire. The heat generated by the first heater 28 diffuses upwards in the carriage case 34 as indicated by the arrow FA in FIG. 3.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a drying device 50. The drying device 50 is a device that dries ink ejected onto the recording medium 5. The drying device 50 blows hot air toward the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16. The drying device 50 blows air toward the recording medium 5 guided by the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the drying device 50 is disposed forward of the guide rail 20 (i.e., downstream of the sub-scanning direction X). The drying device 50 is disposed forward of the platen 16. The drying device 50 faces the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15. The drying device 50 is detachably provided on the right arm portion 14R (see FIG. 1) and the left arm portion 14L. The drying device 50 is an example of a heat source that increases the atmospheric temperature of the internal space 48.

[0033] 3, the drying device 50 includes a case member 51 (see also FIG. 1) extending in the main scanning direction Y, an intake fan 52 provided in the case member 51, and a second heater 53. The case member 51 includes a suction port 54 formed in the rear portion of the case member 51, and an exhaust port 55 formed in the rear portion of the case member 51.

[0034] 3, the suction port 54 is formed in the rear part of the case member 51. The suction port 54 opens toward the downstream guide member 18. The suction port 54 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the case member 51. The suction port 54 communicates between the outside of the case member 51 and the inside of the case member 51. The suction port 54 takes in air from the outside of the case member 51 into the inside of the case member 51.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge port 55 is formed in the rear of the case member 51. The discharge port 55 opens toward the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15. The rear of the case member 51 is formed of a member having a large number of circular holes, such as punched metal, and the discharge port 55 is composed of these large number of circular holes. The discharge port 55 communicates with the suction port 54. The discharge port 55 communicates between the inside of the case member 51 and the outside of the case member 51. The discharge port 55 is located below the suction port 54. The discharge port 55 is located in front of the suction port 54 (i.e., downstream in the sub-scanning direction X).

[0036] 3, intake fan 52 is disposed inside case member 51. Intake fan 52 is located between suction port 54 and second heater 53. Intake fan 52 is configured to suck in air from suction port 54, pass through second heater 53, and exhaust the air from exhaust port 55 toward downstream guide member 18 and auxiliary guide member 15 (diagonally downward and rearward in this case).

[0037] 3, the second heater 53 is provided inside the case member 51. In this embodiment, two second heaters 53 aligned in the vertical direction are disposed inside the case member 51. The second heaters 53 extend in the main scanning direction Y. The second heaters 53 heat the air sent by the intake fan 52. The second heaters 53 are, for example, sheathed heaters.

[0038] Next, the air flow in the drying device 50 will be described. First, as shown by the arrow FB1 in Fig. 3, the intake fan 52 draws air from the suction port 54 and directs it toward the second heater 53. The air heated by the second heater 53 flows from the multiple exhaust ports 55 toward the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15 as shown by the arrow FB2 in Fig. 3. The air that reaches the recording medium 5 guided by the downstream guide member 18 and the auxiliary guide member 15 flows upward by an ascending air current as shown by the arrow FB3 in Fig. 3. A part of the air warmed by the second heater 53 flows into the suction port 54, and the other part flows upwards in the carriage case 34 as shown by the arrow FB4 in Fig. 3.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 has an exhaust port 60 formed in the case 42. More specifically, the exhaust port 60 is formed in the first rear wall 43E of the main body case 43. The exhaust port 60 penetrates the first rear wall 43E. Air in the internal space 48 of the printer 10 is exhausted to the outside of the case 42 through the exhaust port 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust port 60 opens toward the rear (i.e., the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction X). More specifically, the exhaust port 60 opens toward the rear and obliquely upward. The exhaust port 60 is located above the drying device 50. The exhaust port 60 is located above the first heater 28. The exhaust port 60 is located behind the guide rail 20. The exhaust port 60 is located behind the upstream guide member 17. At least a part of the exhaust port 60 is located above the upper surface 34A of the carriage case 34. As shown in FIG. 6, the exhaust port 60 includes a first exhaust port 60R located above the right end of the platen 16 and a second exhaust port 60L located above the left end of the platen 16 in rear view (i.e., when viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction X). A plurality of first exhaust ports 60R and a plurality of second exhaust ports 60L are formed in the first rear wall 43E. As shown in FIG. 4, the first exhaust port 60R is located to the left of the right side frame 43H. The second exhaust port 60L is located to the right of the left side frame 43I. The first exhaust port 60R and the second exhaust port 60L are formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. The shapes of the first exhaust port 60R and the second exhaust port 60L are not particularly limited.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes an exhaust fan 62. The exhaust fan 62 is disposed on the side of the exhaust port 60. In this embodiment, the exhaust fan 62 is disposed in front of the exhaust port 60 (i.e., downstream side in the sub-scanning direction X). As shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust fan 62 is disposed in front of each of the first exhaust port 60R and the second exhaust port 60L. As shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust fan 62 is disposed behind the guide rail 20 (i.e., upstream side in the sub-scanning direction X). The exhaust fan 62 is disposed behind the upstream guide member 17. The exhaust fan 62 exhausts air from the internal space 48 to the outside of the case 42 through the exhaust port 60 (i.e., the first exhaust port 60R and the second exhaust port 60L). The exhaust fan 62 is supported by the right side frame 43H and the left side frame 43I, respectively. In this embodiment, the exhaust fan 62 is fixed to a duct 64 (described later) provided on each of the right side frame 43H and the left side frame 43I. The exhaust fan 62 may be directly supported by the right side frame 43H and the left side frame 43I. When the vertical length of the exhaust fan 62 is L2, the vertical distance L1 between the top surface 34A of the carriage case 34 and the inner wall of the top wall 43A of the main body case 43 located above the top surface 34A is shorter than the length L2. The exhaust fan 62 is an example of a fan.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, the printer 10 is provided with a duct 64 that communicates with the exhaust port 60. As shown in Fig. 7, the duct 64 is disposed in a position facing the exhaust port 60. An exhaust fan 62 is disposed in front of the duct 64 (i.e., downstream side in the sub-scanning direction X). The duct 64 communicates between the exhaust fan 62 and the exhaust port 60. That is, the exhaust fan 62 can exhaust air in the internal space 48 from the exhaust port 60 to the outside of the case 42 via the duct 64.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 has an intake port 66 formed in the case 42. Air outside the case 42 is taken in through the intake port 66 into the internal space 48 of the printer 10. The intake port 66 is located below the exhaust port 60. The intake port 66 is located behind the guide rail 20. The intake port 66 is located behind the upstream guide member 17. A part of the intake port 66 is located below the upper surface 16A of the platen 16. The intake port 66 includes a plurality of first intake ports 66R formed in the right side frame 43H (see FIG. 8) of the main body case 43 and a plurality of second intake ports 66L formed in the left side frame 43I. As shown in FIG. 8, the first intake port 66R opens toward the left. The first intake port 66R penetrates the right side frame 43H. As shown in FIG. 3, the second intake port 66L opens toward the right. The second intake port 66L penetrates the left side frame 43I. The first intake port 66R and the second intake port 66L are formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. Note that the shapes of the first intake port 66R and the second intake port 66L are not particularly limited.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 10 includes a circuit board 70 disposed on the side of the right side frame 43H of the main body case 43 and in the internal space 48. The circuit board 70 is disposed on the right side of the right side frame 43H. The circuit board 70 is disposed at a position where air taken in from a first air intake 66R (see FIG. 8) formed in the right side frame 43H passes through. The circuit board 70 has circuits formed thereon, and includes, for example, an interface (I / F) for receiving data from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) for executing instructions of a control program, a ROM for storing a program executed by the CPU, a RAM used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory for storing the above program and various data. The circuit board 70 controls printing on the recording medium 5 by the printer 10.

[0044] Next, the overall air flow of the printer 10 will be described. Air outside the case 42 is taken in through the intake port 66 and flows into the internal space 48. In this embodiment, as shown by the arrow FC1 in FIG. 4, the air outside the case 42 is taken in through the second intake port 66L (see FIG. 3) into the internal space 48. As shown by the arrow FC2 in FIG. 4, the air outside the case 42 is taken in through the first intake port 66R (see FIG. 8) into the internal space 48. The air taken in through the first intake port 66R passes through the circuit board 70. The air outside the case 42 taken in through the intake port 66 flows toward the platen 16 and then flows upwards of the carriage case 34. Also, a part of the air discharged from the drying device 50 flows upwards of the carriage case 34 as shown by the arrow FB4 in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the heat generated by the first heater 28 is diffused upwards of the carriage case 34 as shown by the arrow FA in FIG. 3. The heated air remaining above the carriage case 34 is exhausted by the exhaust fan 62 through the exhaust port 60 to the outside of the case 42, as indicated by the arrow FD in FIG.

[0045] As described above, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the ambient temperature of the internal space 48 in which the ink head 35 is disposed is increased by the drying device 50 and the first heater 28. The air heated by the drying device 50 and the first heater 28 rises in the internal space 48 and stays in the upper part of the internal space 48. Here, the case 42 is formed with an exhaust port 60 located above the drying device 50 and the first heater 28, and an exhaust fan 62 is disposed on the side of the exhaust port 60. The exhaust fan 62 can exhaust the air in the internal space 48 from the exhaust port 60 to the outside of the case 42, so that even if heat is applied to the internal space 48 from the drying device 50 and the first heater 28, the air heated in the internal space 48 does not stay, and the increase in the ambient temperature of the internal space 48 can be suppressed. That is, the occurrence of malfunctions of the ink head 35 due to the increase in the ambient temperature of the internal space 48 can be suppressed.

[0046] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the exhaust port 60 is located upstream of the guide rail 20 in the sub-scanning direction X, and the drying device 50 is located downstream of the guide rail 20 in the sub-scanning direction X. This allows air to flow smoothly in the internal space 48, so that the air in the internal space 48 can be efficiently exhausted to the outside of the case 42.

[0047] The printer 10 of this embodiment is provided with an air intake port 66 that is formed in the case 42 so as to be located below the exhaust port 60 and that takes in air outside the case 42 into the internal space 48. This allows the air in the internal space 48 to flow more smoothly and allows the warmed air in the internal space 48 to be more effectively exhausted from the exhaust port 60, while keeping the ambient temperature in the internal space 48 close to room temperature.

[0048] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the case 42 includes a right side frame 43H located on one side (here, the right side) of the platen 16 in the main scanning direction Y and extending in the sub-scanning direction X and the up-down direction, and a left side frame 43I located on the other side (here, the left side) of the platen 16 in the main scanning direction Y and extending in the sub-scanning direction X and the up-down direction. The air intakes 66 are formed in the right side frame 43H and the left side frame 43I, respectively. This allows air outside the case 42 to be taken into a wider range of the internal space 48, thereby suppressing an increase in the atmospheric temperature of the internal space 48.

[0049] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the circuit board 70 is disposed at a position where air taken in from the first air intake port 66R formed in the right side frame 43H passes through. This allows the circuit board 70 to be cooled by outside air, and allows the heat generated by the circuit board 70 to be discharged to the outside of the case 42 from the exhaust port 60 together with the heat generated by the drying device 50 and the first heater 28.

[0050] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the vertical distance L1 between the top surface 34A of the carriage case 34 and the inner wall of the case 42 located above the top surface 34A is shorter than the vertical length L2 of the exhaust fan 62. In this way, since the distance from the top surface 34A of the carriage case 34 to the inner wall of the case 42 is relatively short, the air around the top surface 34A of the carriage case 34 is agitated when the carriage 30 moves in the main scanning direction Y. This further prevents the warmed air in the internal space 48 from being partially stagnated, and allows the warmed air in the internal space 48 to be discharged to the outside of the case 42.

[0051] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the exhaust port 60 includes a first exhaust port 60R located above one end (here, the right end) of the platen 16 in the main scanning direction Y, and a second exhaust port 60L located above the other end (here, the left end) of the platen 16 in the main scanning direction Y, in rear view. This allows air in the internal space 48 to be efficiently exhausted to the outside of the case 42.

[0052] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the heat source is a drying device 50 that blows air toward the ink ejected onto the recording medium 5. Since the drying device 50 exhausts relatively high-temperature air, the ambient temperature in the internal space 48 tends to rise, but since the warmed air in the internal space 48 can be exhausted from the exhaust port 60, the increase in the ambient temperature in the internal space 48 can be suppressed.

[0053] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the heat source is the first heater 28 that heats the platen 16. Although the heat generated by the first heater 28 can increase the ambient temperature of the internal space 48, the warmed air in the internal space 48 can be exhausted from the exhaust port 60, so that the increase in the ambient temperature of the internal space 48 can be suppressed.

[0054] <Second embodiment> FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a printer 110 according to the second embodiment. The printer 110 is a so-called UV printer that uses ultraviolet curable ink. The ink head 35 ejects ultraviolet curable ink onto the recording medium 5 transported in the sub-scanning direction X. The ultraviolet curable ink is ink that is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet light. The printer 110 includes an ultraviolet irradiation device 120 that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the recording medium 5. The ultraviolet irradiation device 120 includes an LED that irradiates ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet irradiation device 120 is mounted on the carriage 30. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation device 120 is disposed to the right of the ink head 35. The ultraviolet irradiation device 120 is an example of a heat source that increases the atmospheric temperature of the internal space 48. The heat generated by the ultraviolet irradiation device 120 diffuses upwards in the carriage case 34 as indicated by the arrow FE in FIG. 9. The printer 110 includes a light leakage suppression cover 130 that suppresses the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device 120 from leaking outside the case 42.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, the printer 110 includes a third heater 128 that heats the downstream guide member 18. The third heater 128 is an example of a heat source that increases the ambient temperature of the internal space 48. The third heater 128 heats the recording medium 5 by heating the downstream guide member 18. This can promote drying of the ultraviolet irradiated ink discharged onto the recording medium 5. The third heater 128 is disposed on the rear surface of the downstream guide member 18. The third heater 128 is, for example, an electric heating wire such as a nichrome wire or an iron chrome wire. The heat generated by the third heater 128 is diffused above the carriage case 34 as shown by the arrow FF in FIG. 9. In the printer 110, the warmed air that remains above the carriage case 34 is exhausted to the outside of the case 42 through the exhaust port 60 by the exhaust fan 62 as shown by the arrow FD in FIG. 9.

[0056] In the printer 110 of this embodiment, the heat source is an ultraviolet irradiation device 120 that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the ultraviolet curable ink discharged onto the recording medium 5. Although the heat generated from the ultraviolet irradiation device 120 may increase the atmospheric temperature of the internal space 48, the warmed air in the internal space 48 can be exhausted to the outside of the case 42 from the exhaust port 60, so that the increase in the atmospheric temperature of the internal space 48 can be suppressed.

[0057] In the printer 110 of this embodiment, the heat source is the third heater 128 that heats the downstream guide member 18. Although the heat generated by the third heater 128 may increase the ambient temperature of the internal space 48, the heated air in the internal space 48 can be exhausted to the outside of the case 42 from the exhaust port 60, so that the increase in the ambient temperature of the internal space 48 can be suppressed.

[0058] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in various other forms.

[0059] In the embodiment described above, the exhaust port 60 is formed in the first rear wall 43E of the case 42, but is not limited to this. The exhaust port 60 may be formed in the second rear wall 43F of the case 42, or may be formed in the upper wall 43A of the case 42. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 5 Recording media 10 Printer (inkjet printer) 16 Platen 20 Guide rail 28 First heater (heat source) 30 Carriage 34 Carriage Case 35 Ink head 40 Base material 42 cases 48 Interior Space 50 Drying equipment (heat source) 60 Exhaust port 62 Exhaust fan (fan) 66 Air Intake 70 Circuit Board

Claims

1. A base member; A case attached to the base member; a platen on which a recording medium is placed, the platen being disposed in an internal space defined by the base member and the case; a carriage that is disposed in the internal space so as to be positioned above the platen and that is movable in a main scanning direction; a guide rail that is disposed in the internal space so as to be located above the platen, extends in the main scanning direction, and guides movement of the carriage; an ink head mounted on the carriage and configured to eject ink onto the recording medium transported in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction; a heat source that is located downstream of the guide rail in the sub-scanning direction and that increases an atmospheric temperature of the internal space; an exhaust port formed in the case and located above the heat source; a fan disposed on a side of the exhaust port and configured to exhaust air from the internal space to the outside of the case through the exhaust port; an upstream guide member that is disposed upstream of the platen in the sub-scanning direction and that guides the movement of the recording medium to the platen; Equipped with The case is an upper wall disposed above the ink head and extending in the main scanning direction; a rear wall extending downward from an upstream end of the upper wall in the sub-scanning direction, extending in the main scanning direction, and positioned upstream of the upstream guide member in the sub-scanning direction; a lower wall located above the platen, extending in the main scanning direction, and extending from a lower end of the rear wall toward a downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, The internal space is an upstream side internal space that is provided upstream of the ink head in the sub-scanning direction and that extends upstream of the upstream guide member in the sub-scanning direction; The exhaust port is formed through the rear wall.

2. A duct is provided at a position opposite to the exhaust port, the fan is disposed downstream of the duct in the sub-scanning direction, The inkjet printer according to claim 1 , wherein the fan is configured to exhaust air from the upstream internal space through the duct and from the exhaust port to the outside of the case.

3. 3. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, further comprising an air intake port formed in said case so as to be located below said exhaust port, said air intake port taking in air outside said case into said internal space.

4. the case includes a first side wall located on one side of the platen in the main scanning direction and extending in the sub-scanning direction and in the up-down direction, and a second side wall located on the other side of the platen in the main scanning direction and extending in the sub-scanning direction and in the up-down direction, The inkjet printer according to claim 3 , wherein the air intake is formed in each of the first side wall and the second side wall.

5. a circuit board disposed on a side of the first side wall and in the internal space; 5. The inkjet printer according to claim 4, wherein the circuit board is disposed at a position through which air taken in through the air inlet formed in the first side wall passes.

6. 6. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust port includes, in rear view, a first exhaust port located above an end of the platen on one side in the main scanning direction, and a second exhaust port located above an end of the platen on the other side in the main scanning direction.

7. 7. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is a drying device that blows air toward the ink ejected onto the recording medium.

8. The ink is an ultraviolet curable ink, 7. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is an ultraviolet irradiating device that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the recording medium.

9. a guide member disposed downstream of the platen in the sub-scanning direction and configured to guide movement of the recording medium; The inkjet printer according to claim 1 , wherein the heat source is a heater that heats the platen or the guide member.

10. A base member; A case attached to the base member; a platen on which a recording medium is placed, the platen being disposed in an internal space defined by the base member and the case; a carriage that is disposed in the internal space so as to be positioned above the platen and that is movable in a main scanning direction; an ink head mounted on the carriage and configured to eject ink onto the recording medium transported in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction; A heat source that increases the atmospheric temperature of the internal space; an exhaust port formed in the case and located above the heat source; a fan disposed on a side of the exhaust port and configured to exhaust air from the internal space to the outside of the case through the exhaust port; a carriage case attached to the carriage and housing the ink head; an upper surface of the carriage case is located below an upper end of the fan and above a lower end of the fan; an inkjet printer, wherein a vertical distance between the top surface of the carriage case and an inner wall of the case located above the top surface is shorter than a vertical length of the fan.

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