Image recording device

Abstract

To provide an image recording device that heats at least either of liquid discharged to a sheet and the sheet to fix the liquid to the sheet, and can sufficiently suppress a reading part from failing in reading.SOLUTION: An image recording device 10 comprises: a conveying part 71 that conveys a sheet S in a conveying direction 51; a recording head 38 that discharges liquid to the sheet S; a fixing part 39 that heats at least either of the liquid discharged to the sheet S and the sheet S; a reading part 25 that is arranged downstream in the conveying direction 51 of the fixing part 39, and reads an image of the sheet S; and a holder 74 that is positioned between the reading part 25 and the fixing part 39 in the conveying direction 51, and holds a rotating body 40B that contacts a recording surface of the sheet S. In crossing directions 53 and 54 which are orthogonal to the conveying direction 51 and which cross the recording surface of the sheet S, both ends in the crossing directions 53 and 54 of the holder 74 are positioned outside both ends in the crossing directions 53 and 54 of the reading part CIS.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that fixes a liquid ejected onto a sheet to the sheet by heating.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of an image recording apparatus that heats at least one of the liquid ejected onto the sheet and the sheet to fix the liquid to the sheet, for example, the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. The printing apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a recording head that records a colorimetric pattern on a sheet, a drying unit that dries the sheet on which the colorimetric pattern is recorded, and a side colorimeter that measures the colorimetric pattern. In the above printing apparatus, by covering the near-infrared lamp of the drying unit with a drying unit cover from above, radiation and diffusion of drying heat outside the drying unit are prevented, and by covering the side colorimeter with a side colorimeter cover from above, colorimetric variations due to temperature rise inside the side colorimeter cover are prevented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above printing apparatus, although the drying unit cover and the side colorimeter cover are provided, it cannot be said that the adverse effects on other electronic components due to the heat radiated and diffused from the near-infrared lamp are sufficiently suppressed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can suppress the influence of heat on a reading unit in an image recording apparatus that heats at least one of a liquid ejected onto a sheet and the sheet to fix the liquid to the sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet in a conveyance direction, a recording head that discharges liquid onto the sheet, a fixing unit that heats at least one of the liquid discharged onto the sheet and the sheet, a reading unit that is located downstream of the fixing unit in the conveyance direction and reads an image of the sheet, and a holder that is located between the reading unit and the fixing unit in the conveyance direction and holds a rotating body that abuts against a recording surface of the sheet. In a direction intersecting the conveyance direction and intersecting the recording surface of the conveyed sheet, both ends of the holder in the intersecting direction are located outside both ends of the reading unit in the intersecting direction.

[0007] According to the present invention, since the holder functions as a heat shielding wall against the radiant heat of the fixing unit, it is difficult for the radiant heat of the fixing unit to reach the reading unit.

[0008] (2) The holder may have a first wall portion that is located upstream of the rotating body in the conveyance direction and extends in the intersecting direction, and a second wall portion that is located downstream of the rotating body in the conveyance direction and extends in the intersecting direction.

[0009] Since the two walls of the first wall portion and the second wall portion function as a heat shielding wall against the radiant heat of the fixing unit, it is difficult for the radiant heat of the fixing unit to reach the reading unit.

[0010] (3) The first wall portion and the second wall portion may extend in a first direction intersecting the conveyance direction and the intersecting direction.

[0011] In the first wall portion and the second wall portion, the function as a heat shielding wall against the radiant heat of the fixing unit is more exerted.

[0012] (4) The holder may further have a third wall portion that closes a space between one end of the first wall portion in the intersecting direction and one end of the second wall portion in the intersecting direction, and a fourth wall portion that closes a space between the other end of the first wall portion in the intersecting direction and the other end of the second wall portion in the intersecting direction.

[0013] Since an air layer surrounded by the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion is formed in the holder, the radiant heat of the fixing portion is difficult to be transmitted to the holder.

[0014] (5) A slit may be formed in the third wall portion. A part of the rotating body may protrude outward of the third wall portion through the slit.

[0015] While holding the air layer surrounded by the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion, the rotating body can be brought into contact with the recording surface of the sheet.

[0016] (6) A cleaner that contacts the rotating body may be located between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0017] The liquid attached to the rotating body can be removed by the cleaner.

[0018] (7) It may further have a frame that supports the holder. The holder may be detachable from the frame.

[0019] Since the user can remove the holder from the frame, the cleaner can be easily replaced.

[0020] (8) Both ends of the first wall portion in the first direction may be located outside both ends of the fixing portion in the first direction.

[0021] In the first wall portion, the function as a heat shield wall against the radiant heat of the fixing portion is more exerted.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, in an image recording apparatus that heats at least one of the liquid discharged onto the sheet and the sheet to fix the liquid to the sheet, it is possible to suppress a reading failure by the reading unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples in which the present invention is embodied, and it goes without saying that the embodiments can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, in the printer unit 11, the direction in which the discharge port 33 faces is defined as the forward direction 51, and the direction opposite to the front is defined as the backward direction 52. The forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are collectively referred to as the front-rear direction 51, 52. The vertical directions perpendicular to the front-rear direction 51, 52 are defined as the vertical directions 53, 54. The directions perpendicular to the front-rear direction 51, 52 and the vertical directions 53, 54 are defined as the left-right directions 55, 56. The upward direction in the vertical directions 53, 54 is defined as the upward direction 53, and the downward direction is defined as the downward direction 54. When the image recording apparatus 10 is viewed in the backward direction 52, the leftward direction in the left-right directions 55, 56 is defined as the leftward direction 55, and the rightward direction is defined as the rightward direction 56.

[0025] [External Configuration of Image Recording Device 10] The image recording device 10 shown in Fig. 1 records an image on a sheet S drawn from a roll body 37 (see Fig. 4) by an inkjet recording method. Note that Figs. 1 to 4 show the image recording device 10 and each of its components in a schematic manner.

[0026] 1, the image recording device 10 includes a housing 30. The housing 30 includes an upper housing 31 and a lower housing 32. The upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape overall, and are small enough to be placed on a table. Hereinafter, when the housing 30 is described, the upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 will be described as having a rectangular parallelepiped shape overall.

[0027] The housing 30 has a right side 30R and a left side 30L, an upper side 30U and a lower side 30D, a front side 30F and a rear side 30B. The right side 30R and the left side 30L are spaced apart in left-right directions 55, 56. The upper side 30U and the lower side 30D are spaced apart in up-down directions 53, 54. The front side 30F and the rear side 30B are spaced apart in front-rear directions 51, 52.

[0028] The upper housing 31 is connected to the rear surface 30B of the lower housing 32 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right directions 55, 56. The upper housing 31 is rotated from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2 by lifting the front surface 30F upward. When the upper housing 31 is rotated to the open position, the internal space 30A of the housing 30 is exposed to the outside. Note that the internal structure of the housing 30 is omitted from FIG. 2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1 , a discharge opening 33 is formed on the front surface 30F of the housing 30, extending in an elongated shape in the left-right directions 55, 56. The center of the discharge opening 33 in the left-right directions 55, 56 is located to the right of the center of the front surface 30F in the left-right directions 55, 56. The discharge opening 33 communicates between the internal space 30A of the housing 30 and the outside. The sheet S, on which an image has been recorded in the internal space 30A of the housing 30, is discharged to the outside of the housing 30 through the discharge opening 33.

[0030] On the front surface 30F of the housing 30, an operation panel 44 is provided. The operation panel 44 is located above the discharge port 33. The operation panel 44 receives inputs from the user to operate the image recording apparatus 10 and confirm various settings.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, in the internal space 30A of the housing 30, two side frames 20, 21 are provided. Each of the side frames 20, 21 has a flat plate shape made of a steel plate, and notches and through holes of a shape corresponding to the members to be supported are appropriately formed. The two side frames 20, 21 are located apart in the left - right directions 55, 56. The side frames 20, 21 are connected to a base 23 that forms the lower surface 30D of the housing 30. The connection between the side frames 20, 21 and the base 23 is made by screwing or welding.

[0032] [Internal Configuration of Image Recording Apparatus 10] Between the side frames 20, 21 in the internal space 30A, a roll body holder 35, a tensioner 45, a conveyance unit 71, a recording head 38, a support mechanism 116, a fixing unit 39, a jam cover 81, a support member 46, a contact image sensor (hereinafter referred to as "CIS") 25 (an example of a reading unit), and a cutter unit 26 are arranged.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, a partition wall 41 is provided between the side frames 20, 21 in the internal space 30A. The partition wall 41 is located at the lower part of the rear side of the internal space 30A. The partition wall 41 cooperates with the lower housing 32 to partition a sheet accommodation space 30C. The sheet accommodation space 30C is a space surrounded by the partition wall 41 and the lower housing 32 and isolated from the recording head 38 and the like.

[0034] The roll body 37 is accommodated in the sheet accommodation space 30C. The roll body 37 has a core tube and a long sheet S. The sheet S is wound around the core tube in a roll shape in the circumferential direction of the axis of the core tube. The sheet S can have a width ranging from the minimum width to the maximum width at which the image recording apparatus 10 can record an image. That is, a plurality of types of roll bodies 37 having different widths can be accommodated in the sheet accommodation space 30C. Note that the roll body 37 may not have a core tube, and the sheet S may be wound in a roll shape so as to be attachable to the roll body holder 35. Further, fan-fold paper may be accommodated in the sheet accommodation space 30C.

[0035] The roll body holder 35 is located in the sheet accommodation space 30C. The roll body 37 is attached to the roll body holder 35. The roll body holder 35 supports the roll body 37 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the axis of the core tube with the axis of the core tube of the roll body 37 along the left - right directions 55, 56.

[0036] A pair of side guides 115 separated in the left - right directions 55, 56 are provided on the roll body holder 35. The distance between the pair of side guides 115 separated in the left - right directions 55, 56 can be changed. The user moves the pair of side guides 115 so that they contact the left and right ends of the roll body 37 respectively, in accordance with the width (dimension along the left - right directions 55, 56) of the roll body 37 to be attached to the roll body holder 35. The roll body 37 with the left and right ends respectively contacting the pair of side guides 115 is positioned such that the center in the width direction of the sheet S becomes the center in the left - right directions 55, 56 of the conveyance path 43. The roll body holder 35 rotates when a driving force is transmitted from a motor (not shown). Along with the rotation of the roll body holder 35, the roll body 37 supported by the roll body holder 35 also rotates.

[0037] The sheet accommodation space 30C is open upward at the rear. Specifically, a gap 42 is formed between the partition wall 41 and the rear surface 30B, that is, above the rear end of the roll body 37. The sheet S is pulled upward from the rear end of the roll body 37 and guided to the tensioner 45 through the gap 42.

[0038] Tensioner 45 is located above partition wall 41 at the rear of the internal space 30A. Tensioner 45 is a roller rotatably supported by side frames 20, 21. Tensioner 45 is supported by side frames 20, 21 so as to be movable in the front-rear directions 51, 52. A biasing force in the rearward direction 52 is applied to tensioner 45 by a biasing member such as a spring.

[0039] Conveyor unit 71 pulls out sheet S from roll body 37 and conveys sheet S forward in the forward direction 51 (an example of the conveyance direction). Conveyor unit 71 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 36, a first pair of discharge rollers 40, and a second pair of discharge rollers 72.

[0040] The pair of conveyance rollers 36 is located in front of tensioner 45. The pair of conveyance rollers 36 includes a conveyance roller 36A and a pinch roller 36B. Conveyance roller 36A is rotatably supported by side frames 20, 21. Conveyance roller 36A is driven and rotated by a motor (not shown) and conveys sheet S forward in the forward direction 51 while nipping sheet S between itself and pinch roller 36B.

[0041] The first pair of discharge rollers 40 is located in front of the pair of conveyance rollers 36. The first pair of discharge rollers 40 includes a discharge roller 40A that contacts the lower surface of sheet S and an impeller 40B (an example of a rotating body) that contacts the upper surface of sheet S. Discharge roller 40A is rotatably supported by side frames 20, 21. Impeller 40B is rotatably supported by a first impeller holder 74 (an example of a holder) described later. Discharge roller 40A is driven and rotated by a motor (not shown) and conveys sheet S forward in the forward direction 51 while nipping sheet S between itself and impeller 40B.

[0042] The second discharge roller pair 72 is positioned forward of the first discharge roller pair 40. The second discharge roller pair 72 includes a discharge roller 72A that contacts the lower surface of the sheet S and a nip roller 72B that contacts the upper surface of the sheet S. The discharge roller 72A is rotatably supported by the side frames 20 and 21. The nip roller 72B is rotatably supported by a second nip holder 75, which will be described later. The discharge roller 72A is driven and transmitted from a motor (not shown) to rotate, and conveys the sheet S forward in the direction 51 while nipping the sheet S between the discharge roller 72A and the nip roller 72B.

[0043] The recording head 38 is located in front of the conveyance roller pair 36 and behind the first discharge roller pair 40. The recording head 38 has a plurality of nozzles 38A. The plurality of nozzles 38A discharge ink (an example of a liquid) as droplets downward toward the sheet S supported by the conveyance belt 117. Thereby, an image is recorded on the upper surface of the sheet S. A tank (not shown) for storing ink is connected to the recording head 38 via a tube (not shown) so that ink can be supplied.

[0044] As the ink, an aqueous ink containing water, a pigment, and thermoplastic resin fine particles is used. Note that the ink is not particularly limited as long as it can be fixed to the sheet S by heating. In the present embodiment, the ink adhering to the sheet S is heated by the fixing unit 39, the thermoplastic resin fine particles are melted, and the melted resin is cured by subsequent cooling, so that the pigment contained in the ink is fixed to the sheet S.

[0045] The support mechanism 116 is located forward of the conveyance roller pair 36. The support mechanism 116 is located below the recording head 38. The support mechanism 116 faces the recording head 38 in the vertical directions 53 and 54. The support mechanism 116 includes a conveyance belt 117 and a support portion 118 that supports the conveyance belt 117. The conveyance belt 117 is driven and transmitted from a motor (not shown) to rotate the belt, and conveys the sheet S forward in the direction 51 while supporting the lower surface of the sheet S.

[0046] The fixing unit 39 is located between the recording head 38 and the first discharge roller pair 40 in the front - rear directions 51, 52. The fixing unit 39 is fixed to the side frames 20, 21. The fixing unit 39 has a flat - plate - shaped metal plate 39a that extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the left - right directions 55, 56, and a polyimide heater 39b fixed to the lower surface of the metal plate 39a. The metal plate 39a supports the lower surface of the sheet S that is conveyed forward 51 by the conveyance belt 117. Therefore, the dimensions of the metal plate 39a in the left - right directions 55, 56 are larger than the width of the largest sheet S on which image recording is possible in the image recording apparatus 10. The polyimide heater 39b heats the lower surface of the metal plate 39a. Thereby, while the sheet S passes over the metal plate 39a, the thermoplastic resin fine particles contained in the ink are melted by the heat of the metal plate 39a, and the melted resin is cured by cooling by the atmosphere after passing through the metal plate 39a, and the pigment is fixed to the upper surface of the sheet S. Note that instead of the polyimide heater 39b, the metal plate 39a may be heated by a heater such as an infrared heater.

[0047] The jam cover 81 is arranged to cover the upper part of the fixing unit 39. The jam cover 81 is attached to the side frames 20, 21. The jam cover 81 is formed in a box shape having an internal space that extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52, the vertical directions 53, 54, and the left - right directions 55, 56. The upper and lower surfaces of the jam cover 81 are rectangular shapes that are longer in the left - right direction than in the front - rear directions 51, 52. The jam cover 81 is formed of a resin material. The material of the jam cover 81 is not particularly limited as long as it can ensure a certain level of strength and heat resistance. For example, the jam cover 81 is formed of polypropylene, polycarbonate, or phenolic resin. The jam cover 81 has a plurality of flappers 81A that project downward 54 from the lower surface into the internal space. The plurality of flappers 81A abut against the upper surface (recording surface) of the sheet S that is conveyed forward 51 by the conveyance belt 117.

[0048] The support member 46 is positioned in front of the fixing unit 39. The front portion of the support member 46 faces the platen 72B in the vertical directions 53, 54. The rear portion of the support member 46 faces the platen 40B in the vertical directions 53, 54. The support member 46 supports the lower surface of the sheet S conveyed forward 51 by the first discharge roller pair 40.

[0049] The CIS 25 is positioned in front of the fixing unit 39. The CIS 25 is positioned above the support member 46. The CIS 25 is positioned between the first discharge roller pair 40 and the second discharge roller pair 72 in the front-rear directions 51, 52. The CIS 25 outputs an electrical signal according to the intensity of the reflected light received by the line sensor when the reflected light irradiated from a light source such as an LED and reflected by the sheet S is condensed by the refractive index distribution type lens onto the line sensor. The CIS 25 outputs an electrical signal according to the reflected light from the image of the recording surface (upper surface) of the sheet S. The direction in which the line sensors of the CIS 25 are arranged, that is, the reading line, is along the left-right directions 55, 56. The length of the reading line of the CIS 25 is longer than the width of the largest sheet S that can be image-recorded in the image recording apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the dimensions of the CIS 25 in the left-right directions 55, 56 are approximately the same as the dimensions of the metal plate 39a in the left-right directions 55, 56.

[0050] The cutter unit 26 is positioned in front of the second discharge roller pair 72. The cutter unit 26 has a cutter 28 mounted on a cutter carriage 27. The cutter carriage 27 moves in the left-right directions 55, 56 by a belt drive mechanism (not shown) or the like. Along with the movement of the cutter carriage 27, the cutter 28 also moves in the left-right directions 55, 56. By the movement of the cutter 28, the sheet S positioned between the second discharge roller pair 72 and the discharge port 33 is cut along the left-right directions 55, 56.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, a substrate 130 is fixed to the left side of the side frame 20. An arithmetic element serving as a control unit, a chip for a communication interface, various connectors, etc. are mounted on the substrate 130. The substrate 130 is connected so as to be able to transmit and receive electrical signals to and from a recording head 38, a motor, an operation panel 44, etc. via a flat cable (not shown). Further, power is supplied to the substrate 130 from a power supply unit (not shown).

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, a support frame 83 (an example of a frame) is disposed in the internal space 30A of the upper housing 31. Both ends in the left - right directions 55, 56 of the support frame 83 are bent downward to form four support portions 82. The four support portions 82 each extend in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the up - down directions 53, 54. The four support portions 82 are paired with two support portions separated from each other in the left - right directions 55, 56. Each support portion 82 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape with a longer dimension in the front - rear direction 51, 52 than in the up - down directions 53, 54. The support frame 83 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the upper housing 31. The two paired support portions 82 support a columnar first shaft 84 and a second shaft 85 extending in the left - right directions 55, 56, respectively. The first shaft 84 is located behind the second shaft 85.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a holding member 73 is detachably attached to the first shaft 84 and the second shaft 85. As shown in FIG. 4, the holding member 73 is located above the support member 46. The holding member 73 is formed of a resin material. The material of the holding member 73 is not particularly limited as long as it can ensure a certain level of strength and heat resistance. For example, the holding member 73 is formed of polypropylene, polycarbonate, or phenolic resin.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, the holding member 73 includes a first latch holder 74 (an example of a holder), a second latch holder 75, first and second connecting members 76 and 77 that connect the first latch holder 74 and the second latch holder 75, and first and second fitting portions 91 and 92 that are detachably fitted to the first shaft 84 and the second shaft 85.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the first latch holder 74 is positioned between the CIS 25 and the fixing portion 39 in the front-rear directions 51 and 52. The first latch holder 74 holds the latch 40B. The first latch holder 74 includes a main body portion 74a that opens upward 53, a lid portion 74b (an example of a fourth wall portion) that closes the opening of the main body portion 74a, a plurality of latches 40B, and a plurality of latch cleaners 105 (an example of a cleaner). The main body portion 74a includes a rear wall portion 93 (an example of a first wall portion), a front wall portion 94 (an example of a second wall portion), a bottom wall portion 95 (an example of a third wall portion), a left wall portion 96, and a right wall portion 97.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the rear wall portion 93 is positioned behind the latch 40B. The rear wall portion 93 is a flat plate having a thickness in the front-rear directions 51 and 52. The rear wall portion 93 extends in the vertical directions 53 and 54 and the left-right directions 55 and 56. The front and rear surfaces of the rear wall portion 93 are rectangular shapes that are longer in the left-right directions 55 and 56 than in the vertical directions 53 and 54. As shown in FIG. 8, the length L5 of the rear wall portion 93 in the left-right directions 55 and 56 (an example of a first direction) is longer than the length of the metal plate 39a of the fixing portion 39 in the left-right directions 55 and 56. The left end 93a of the rear wall portion 93 is positioned to the left of the left end 39aa of the metal plate 39a. The right end 93b of the rear wall portion 93 is positioned to the right of the right end 39ab of the metal plate 39a.

[0057] The front wall portion 94 is located in front of the boost 40B. The front wall portion 94 is in the shape of a flat plate having a thickness in the front-rear directions 51, 52. The front wall portion 94 extends in the vertical directions 53, 54 and the left-right directions 55, 56. The front and rear surfaces of the front wall portion 94 are in the shape of a rectangle that is longer in the left-right directions 55, 56 than in the vertical directions 53, 54. The length of the front wall portion 94 in the left-right directions 55, 56 is shorter than the length of the rear wall portion 93 in the left-right directions 55, 56. The front wall portion 94 faces the rear wall portion 93 in the front-rear directions 51, 52.

[0058] The bottom wall portion 95 connects the lower end 93b of the rear wall portion 93 and the lower end 94b of the front wall portion 94. The bottom wall portion 95 extends in the front-rear directions 51, 52 and the left-right directions 55, 56. The rear end side of the bottom wall portion 95 is formed so as to extend downward 54 from the lower end 93b of the rear wall portion 93 and then bend forward 51.

[0059] The left wall portion 96 is in the shape of a flat plate having a thickness in the left-right directions 55, 56. The left wall portion 96 extends in the front-rear directions 51, 52 and the vertical directions 53, 54. The left wall portion 96 connects the left end portion on the rear surface of the front wall portion 94 and the left end portion on the front surface of the rear wall portion 93. The right wall portion 97 is in the shape of a flat plate having a thickness in the left-right directions 55, 56. The right wall portion 97 extends in the front-rear directions 51, 52 and the vertical directions 53, 54. The right wall portion 97 connects the right end portion on the rear surface of the front wall portion 94 and the right end portion on the front surface of the rear wall portion 93.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a plurality of first slits 98 (an example of slits), which extend along the front-rear directions 51, 52, are formed in the rear wall portion 93, the bottom wall portion 95, and the front wall portion 94. The plurality of first slits 98 are arranged at intervals in the left-right directions 55, 56. In the present embodiment, five first slits 98 are provided. The first slit 98 extends downward 54 from a substantially middle position in the vertical directions 53, 54 of the rear wall portion 93 to the rear end edge of the bottom wall portion 95. The first slit 98 extends forward 51 from the rear end edge of the bottom wall portion 95 to the lower end 94b of the front wall portion 94. The first slit 98 extends upward 53 from the lower end 94b of the front wall portion 94 to a substantially middle position in the vertical directions 53, 54 of the front wall portion 94.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of regulating pieces 99 extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 95 are formed. The plurality of regulating pieces 99 are arranged so as to sandwich each first slit 98 in the left - right directions 55, 56. The two regulating pieces 99 sandwiching the first slit 98 are positioned at the same intervals from the first slit 98 in the left - right directions 55, 56. Each regulating piece 99 has a flat plate shape extending in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the up - down directions 53, 54. Each regulating piece 99 extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52 from the front surface of the rear wall portion 93 to the rear surface of the front wall portion 94. The interval in the left - right directions 55, 56 between the two first regulating pieces sandwiching the first slit is slightly longer than the axial length of the first rotation shaft 101 of the impeller 40B.

[0062] Between the two regulating pieces 99 sandwiching each first slit 98, two first support pieces 102 extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 95 are formed. The two first support pieces 102 are positioned at the same intervals from the first slit 98 in the left - right directions 55, 56. Each first support piece 102 has a flat plate shape extending in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the up - down directions 53, 54. Each first support piece 102 extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52 from the front surface of the rear wall portion 93 to the rear surface of the front wall portion 94. In each first support piece 102, a second slit 103 opening upward at the upper end and extending downward 54 is formed. The second slit 103 reaches from the upper end of the first support piece 102 to a position approaching the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 95. The second slit 103 is positioned at the middle in the front - rear directions 51, 52 of the first support piece 102.

[0063] Between two first support pieces 102 sandwiching each first slit 98, two second support pieces 104 (only a part of the second support piece is labeled 104 in FIG. 8) extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 95 face each other in the left - right directions 55, 56 at the same intervals from the first slit 98. Each second support piece 104 is in a flat plate shape expanding in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the up - down directions 53, 54. Each second support piece 104 extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52 from the front surface of the rear wall portion 93 to the rear surface of the front wall portion 94. Each second support piece 104 extends upward more than the first support piece 102. The interval between the two second support pieces 104 sandwiching the first slit 98 is slightly longer than the axial length of the rotating portion 105a of the booster cleaner 105. A third slit 106 is formed in the second support piece 104, opening at the upper end and extending downward 54. The third slit 106 reaches from the upper end of the second support piece 104 to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 95. The third slit 106 is located in the middle of the second support piece 104 in the front - rear directions 51, 52.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lid portion 74b is in a flat plate shape having a thickness in the up - down directions 53, 54. The lid portion 74b expands in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the left - right directions 55, 56. The upper surface and the lower surface of the lid portion 74b are in a rectangular shape longer in the left - right directions 55, 56 than in the front - rear directions 51, 52. The lid portion 74b faces the bottom wall portion 95 in the up - down directions 53, 54. The lid portion 74b closes the space between the upper end 93a of the rear wall portion 93 and the upper end 94a of the front wall portion 94. That is, the lid portion 74b closes the opening of the main body portion 74a. The lid portion 74b is fixed to the main body portion 74a by a plurality of screws 107 arranged at intervals in the left - right directions 55, 56. A plurality of ribs 108 extending downward 54 from the lower surface are formed on the lid portion 74b. The plurality of ribs 108 are arranged at intervals in the left - right directions 55, 56. In the present embodiment, the plurality of ribs 108 include two first ribs 108a with tip portions formed in a bifurcated shape so as to avoid the regulating piece 99, and six second ribs 108b with a smaller thickness in the left - right directions 55, 56 than the first ribs 108a.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the length L3 in the vertical directions 53 and 54 (an example of the crossing direction) between the upper end 74bb of the lid portion 74b and the lower end 95a of the bottom wall portion 95 is longer than the length L4 in the vertical directions 53 and 54 between the upper end 25a and the lower end 25b of the CIS 25. The upper end 74bb of the lid portion 74b is located above the upper end 25a of the CIS 25. The lower end 95a of the bottom wall portion 95 is located below the lower end 25b of the CIS 25.

[0066] The first impactor holder 74 incorporates an impactor 40B and an impactor cleaner 105. The impactor 40B protrudes outside the rear wall portion 93, the bottom wall portion 95, and the front wall portion 94 through the first slit 98, and the first rotating shaft 101 is rotatably supported by the first support piece 102 and the second support piece 104. The impactor 40B is positioned in the left - right directions 55 and 56 by the proximity of both axial ends of the first rotating shaft 101 to the two regulating pieces 99 sandwiching the first slit 98.

[0067] The second rotating shaft 105b of the impactor cleaner 105 is rotatably supported by the second support piece 104. The impactor cleaner 105 is positioned in the left - right directions 55 and 56 by the proximity of the axial end face of the rotating portion 105a to the two second support pieces 104. When the lid portion 74b is fixed to the main body portion 74a by the screw 107, the lid portion 74b prevents the impactor 40B and the impactor cleaner 105 from falling out of the inside of the first impactor holder 74, and the tip portions of the plurality of ribs 108 are in contact with the first rotating shaft 101 of the impactor 40B from above, positioning the impactor 40B in the vertical directions 53 and 54.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the second impactor holder 75 is located at a distance in front of the first impactor holder 74. The second impactor holder 75 holds an impactor 72B. The second impactor holder 75 has substantially the same configuration as the first impactor holder 74. Therefore, for the elements corresponding to the first impactor holder 74 in the second impactor holder 75, the same reference numerals as those of the first impactor holder 74 are given, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0069] The first connecting member 76 is in the shape of a flat plate having a thickness in the vertical directions 53, 54. The first connecting member 76 extends in the front-rear directions 51, 52 and the left-right directions 55, 56. The upper and lower surfaces of the first connecting member 76 are rectangular shapes that are longer in the front-rear directions 51, 52 than in the left-right directions 55, 56. The first connecting member 76 connects the left end portion of the first ratchet holder 74 and the left end portion of the second ratchet holder 75. Specifically, the first connecting member 76 connects the front edge of the bottom wall portion 95 of the first ratchet holder 74 and the rear edge of the bottom wall portion 95 of the second ratchet holder 75.

[0070] The second connecting member 77 has the same shape as the first connecting member 76. The second connecting member 77 connects the right end portion of the first ratchet holder 74 and the right end portion of the second ratchet holder 75. Specifically, the second connecting member 77 connects the front edge of the bottom wall portion 95 of the first ratchet holder 74 and the rear edge of the bottom wall portion 95 of the second ratchet holder 75.

[0071] The first fitting portion 91 is disposed in the first ratchet holder 74. The first fitting portion 91 is located on the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93 of the first ratchet holder 74. The first fitting portion 91 has a central fitting portion 91a disposed at the center in the left-right directions 55, 56 on the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93 and both-end fitting portions 91b disposed at both ends in the left-right directions 55, 56 on the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93.

[0072] The central fitting portion 91a has a first convex portion 111 disposed at the center in the left - right directions 55, 56 on the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93, and two second convex portions 112 disposed at intervals from the first convex portion 111 in the left - right directions 55, 56 on the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93. The first convex portion 111 extends rearward 52 from the upper end portion of the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93. The first convex portion 111 is formed in a substantially U - shaped configuration that faces downward 54 when viewed forward 51. The second convex portion 112 extends rearward 52 from a position below the lower end of the first convex portion 111 on the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93. The second convex portion 112 has a flat plate portion 112a that extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the left - right directions 55, 56, and arc - shaped portions 112b formed on both edges in the left - right directions 55, 56 of the flat plate portion 112a. The arc - shaped portion 112b is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 84. As shown in FIG. 9, the vertical interval L1 in the vertical directions 53, 54 between the lower end of the first convex portion 111 and the upper surface of the flat plate portion 112a is slightly shorter than the diameter of the first shaft 84.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, the both - ends fitting portion 91b has a first fitting piece 113 located at both edge portions in the left - right directions 55, 56 on the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93, and a second fitting piece 114 located at intervals from the first fitting piece 113 in the left - right directions 55, 56. The first fitting piece 113 extends rearward 52 from the lower end portion of the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93. The first fitting piece 113 extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the vertical directions 53, 54. The upper edge of the first fitting piece 113 is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 84. The second fitting piece 114 extends rearward 52 from the upper end portion of the rear surface of the rear wall portion 93. The second fitting piece 114 extends in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the vertical directions 53, 54. The lower edge of the second fitting piece 114 is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 84. The vertical interval in the vertical directions 53, 54 between the upper edge of the first fitting piece 113 and the lower edge of the second fitting piece 114 is equal to the vertical interval L1 in the vertical directions 53, 54 between the lower end of the first convex portion 111 and the upper surface of the flat plate portion 112a. That is, the vertical interval in the vertical directions 53, 54 between the upper edge of the first fitting piece 113 and the lower edge of the second fitting piece 114 is slightly shorter than the diameter of the first shaft 84. Note that either the both - ends fitting portion 91b or the central fitting portion 91a may be omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the second fitting portion 92 is disposed in the second cam holder 75. The second fitting portion 92 is located on the front surface of the front wall portion 94 of the second cam holder 75. The second fitting portion 92 is disposed at both end portions and the central portion in the left - right directions 55, 56 on the front surface of the front wall portion 94. The second fitting portion 92 has a plurality of third fitting pieces 92a, a connecting piece 92b, and a third convex portion 92c.

[0075] The plurality of third fitting pieces 92a are formed at intervals in the left - right directions 55, 56 on the front surface of the front wall portion 94. The plurality of third fitting pieces 92a extend forward 52 from the front surface of the front wall portion 94. The plurality of third fitting pieces 92a extend in the front - rear directions 51, 52 and the up - down directions 53, 54. The upper edges of the plurality of third fitting pieces 92a are formed in a substantially U - shaped manner when viewed from the left - right directions 55, 56 (see FIG. 9). The connecting piece 92b connects the front end edges of the third fitting pieces 92a adjacent to each other in the left - right directions 55, 56. The third convex portion 92c projects forward 51 from the upper portion of the front surface of the front wall portion 94. The third convex portion 92c is located between the third fitting pieces 92a adjacent to each other in the left - right directions 55, 56. As shown in FIG. 9, the interval L2 in the front - rear directions 51, 52 between the front end edge of the third convex portion 92c and the upper edge of the third fitting piece 92a is slightly shorter than the diameter of the second shaft 85.

[0076] Note that the second fitting portions 92 at both end portions have two third fitting pieces 92a, and the second fitting portion 92 at the central portion has four third fitting pieces 92a. However, each second fitting portion 92 may have one or more third fitting pieces 92a. Also, one of the second fitting portion 92 at the central portion and the second fitting portions 92 at both end portions may be omitted.

[0077] The holding member 73 configured as described above is attached to and detached from the support frame 83 via the first shaft 84 and the second shaft 85 as follows.

[0078] First, the user fits the first shaft 84 into the first fitting portion 91. Specifically, the user fits the first shaft 84 into the central fitting portion 91a against the elastic forces of the first convex portion 111 and the second convex portion 112, and fits the first shaft 84 into the both-end fitting portions 91b against the elastic forces of the first fitting piece 113 and the second fitting piece 114.

[0079] Next, the user fits the second shaft 85 into the second fitting portion 92. Specifically, first, the user rotates the holding member 73 upward 53 to a position close to the second shaft 85 with the first shaft 84 fitted in the first fitting portion 91 as the center. Next, the user fits the second shaft 85 into the second fitting portion 92 against the elastic forces of the third convex portion 92c and the third fitting piece 92a. As a result, the third convex portion 92c comes into contact with the upper side of the second shaft 85, and it is prevented that the second shaft 85 comes out upward 53 from the second fitting portion 92. In this way, the holding member 73 is attached to the support frame 83 via the first shaft 84 and the second shaft 85.

[0080] On the other hand, for example, when removing the holding member 73 from the first shaft 84 and the second shaft 85 for the replacement of the impact cleaner 105, it is performed in the reverse procedure of the above. After the user removes the holding member 73 from the first shaft 84 and the second shaft 85, the user can easily replace the impact cleaner 105 by removing the lid portion 74b of the first impact holder 74 and the second impact holder 75 from the main body portion 74a.

[0081] Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 10 will be described.

[0082] When the conveying roller 36A of the conveying roller pair 36 rotates, the sheet S is drawn upward 53 from the roll body 37 in the sheet storage space 30C through the gap 42. The sheet S drawn from the roll body 37 is conveyed forward 51 while being nipped between the conveying roller 36A and the pinch roller 36B. The sheet S conveyed forward 51 by the conveying roller pair 36 is supported by the support portion 118 of the support mechanism 116. At this time, ink is discharged downward from the nozzles 38A of the recording head 38, and an image is recorded on the upper surface of the sheet S. The sheet S on which the image is recorded on the upper surface is conveyed forward 51 by the conveying belt 117.

[0083] The sheet S conveyed forward 51 by the conveying belt 117 is supported on the upper surface of the metal plate 39a of the fixing unit 39. While the sheet S passes over the metal plate 39a, the sheet S and the ink are heated by the heat of the metal plate 39a. As a result, the thermoplastic resin fine particles contained in the ink are melted and then cured by cooling with air, and the pigment is fixed on the upper surface of the sheet S. At this time, part of the heat of the metal plate 39a is radiated toward the CIS 25, but the first platen holder 74 located between the CIS 25 and the fixing unit 39 acts as a heat shield. For this reason, it is difficult for the heat of the metal plate 39a to be transmitted to the CIS 25.

[0084] The sheet S heated by the fixing unit 39 is conveyed forward 51 while being nipped between the discharge roller 40A and the platen 40B of the first discharge roller pair 40. At this time, the ink adhering to the platen 40B is removed by the driven rotation of the platen cleaner 105 that contacts the platen 40B. The sheet S conveyed forward 51 by the first discharge roller pair 40 is supported by the support member 46. When the sheet S is supported by the support member 46, the CIS 25 irradiates light from a light source toward the upper surface (recording surface) of the sheet S and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light reflected by the sheet S. Thereby, the image on the upper surface (recording surface) of the sheet S is read by the CIS 25.

[0085] The sheet S from which an image has been read by the CIS 25 is conveyed forward 51 by the second discharge roller pair 72. The sheet S conveyed forward 51 by the second discharge roller pair 72 is cut by the cutter unit 26 along the left - right directions 55, 56 with the front portion thereof exposed to the outside of the housing 30 from the discharge port 33. The sheet S cut by the cutter unit 26 is discharged from the discharge port 33.

[0086] [Operational Effects of the Embodiment] In the image recording apparatus 10, since both ends of the first platen holder 74 in the vertical directions 53, 54 are located outside both ends of the CIS 25 in the vertical directions 53, 54, the first platen holder 74 easily acts as a heat shield against the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39. For this reason, since the radiant heat of the fixing unit hardly reaches the CIS 25, it is possible to sufficiently suppress a reading failure due to the CIS 25.

[0087] In the image recording apparatus 10, since the two walls, i.e., the rear wall portion 93 and the front wall portion 94 of the first platen holder 74, act as a heat shield against the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39, the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39 hardly reaches the CIS 25.

[0088] In the image recording apparatus 10, since the rear wall portion 93 and the front wall portion 94 of the first platen holder 74 extend in the left - right directions 55, 56, they easily act as a heat shield against the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39. For this reason, the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39 hardly reaches the CIS 25.

[0089] In the image recording apparatus 10, since an air layer surrounded by the rear wall portion 93, the front wall portion 94, the bottom wall portion 95, and the lid portion 74b is formed in the first platen holder 74, the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39 hardly transmits to the first platen holder 74. For this reason, since the first platen holder 74 easily acts as a heat shield against the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39, the radiant heat of the fixing unit 39 hardly reaches the CIS 25.

[0090] In the image recording apparatus 10, since a part of the impact 40B protrudes outward from the bottom wall portion 95 through the first slit 98 formed in the bottom wall portion 95, the impact 40B can be brought into contact with the recording surface (upper surface) of the sheet S while holding the air layer surrounded by the rear wall portion 93, the front wall portion 94, the bottom wall portion 95, and the lid portion 74b in the first impact holder 74.

[0091] In the image recording apparatus 10, since the impact cleaner 105 that contacts the impact 40B is located between the rear wall portion 93 and the front wall portion 94 of the first impact holder 74, the ink attached to the impact 40B can be removed by the impact cleaner 105.

[0092] In the image recording apparatus 10, the user can remove the first impact holder 74 from the support frame 83 via the first shaft 84, so that the impact cleaner 105 can be easily replaced.

[0093] In the image recording apparatus 10, since both ends in the left - right directions 55, 56 of the rear wall portion 93 of the first impact holder 74 are located outside both ends in the left - right directions 55, 56 of the fixing portion 39, it easily acts as a heat shield against the radiant heat of the fixing portion 39. For this reason, it is difficult for the radiant heat of the fixing portion 39 to reach the CIS 25.

[0094] [Modification Example] In the image recording apparatus 10, the fixing portion 39 that fixes the ink to the sheet S heats the sheet S and the ink, but it is sufficient to heat at least one of the ink and the sheet S. In this case, the fixing portion may, for example, pre - heat the sheet S and fix the ink to the sheet S with the remaining heat.

[0095] In the image recording apparatus 10, the first impact holder 74 and the second impact holder 75 are connected by the first connecting member 76 and the second connecting member 77, but they may not be connected. That is, the first impact holder 74 and the second impact holder 75 may be separated from each other.

[0096] In the image recording device 10, the first spur holder 74 and the second spur holder 75 are configured to be detachably attached to a support frame 83 fixed to the inner wall surface of the upper housing 31 via a first shaft 84 and a second shaft 85, but they may also be configured to be detachably attached to side frames 20, 21 fixed to the lower housing 32. In this case, the first shaft 84 and the second shaft 85 are fixed to the side frames 20, 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10. Image recording device 25. CIS 38 Recording head 39 Fixing section 40B...Spur 51... Positive 53...Up and down direction 54...Up and down direction 55...Left and right direction 56...Left and right direction 71 Transfer section 74···First spur holder 74b...Lid part 83 Support frame 93...Rear wall section 94...Front wall 95 Bottom wall 98...First slit 105···Spur cleaner S...Seat

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet in the conveying direction, A recording head that discharges liquid onto the sheet, A fixing unit that heats at least one of the liquid discharged onto the sheet and the sheet, A reading unit that is located downstream of the fixing unit in the conveying direction and reads an image of the sheet, A holder that is located between the reading unit and the fixing unit in the conveying direction and holds a rotating body that contacts the recording surface of the sheet, An image recording apparatus, wherein in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction and intersecting the recording surface of the conveyed sheet, both ends of the holder in the intersecting direction are located outside both ends of the reading unit in the intersecting direction.

2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a first wall portion that is located upstream of the rotating body in the conveying direction and extends in the intersecting direction, and a second wall portion that is located downstream of the rotating body in the conveying direction and extends in the intersecting direction.

3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion extend in a first direction intersecting the conveying direction and the intersecting direction.

4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the holder further has a third wall portion that closes the space between one end of the first wall portion in the intersecting direction and one end of the second wall portion in the intersecting direction, and a fourth wall portion that closes the space between the other end of the first wall portion in the intersecting direction and the other end of the second wall portion in the intersecting direction.

5. A slit is formed in the third wall portion, The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a part of the rotating body protrudes outward of the third wall portion through the slit.

6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a cleaner that contacts the rotating body is located between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

7. The image recording apparatus further has a frame that supports the holder, The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the holder is detachable from the frame.

8. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein both ends of the first wall portion in the first direction are located outside both ends of the fixing unit in the first direction.

Images