Image recording device

Abstract

To capture or recover ink mist without using a fan.SOLUTION: An image recording device includes: an outer package having a space therein; a recording head for discharging ink to a recording medium conveyed in a conveyance direction; a carriage which is mounted with the recording head, and reciprocates in a predetermined moving range in a scanning direction crossing the conveyance direction inside the outer package; a partition member which partitions a space inside the outer package that is arranged so as to be separated from the carriage, into a first space where the carriage reciprocates and a second space where the carriage does not reciprocate; and first communication means and second communication means for communicating the first space and the second space partitioned by the partition member, wherein the first communication means is within the predetermined moving range in the scanning direction, and is provided at a side closer to a central side of the predetermined moving range than the second communication means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some conventional image recording devices form images by ejecting minute ink droplets from a recording head and causing the ink droplets to land on a recording medium. The ink droplets ejected from the recording head are separated into main droplets that land on paper to form an image, and fine ink mist that separates from the main droplets. However, there is a problem in that the ink mist floats and adheres to internal components of the device, staining the interior and reducing the durability of the image recording device.

[0003] To solve this problem, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses an electric fan to guide air to an ink mist removal mechanism, and captures the ink mist using a capture means that captures the ink mist within the removal mechanism.

[0004] Furthermore, the device disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses an electric fan to guide air into a suction duct, and the air from which ink mist has been collected through a collection filter is exhausted from an exhaust duct. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-45861 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-123103 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the device disclosed in the above patent document requires a fan as an ink mist capturing means, which poses problems such as the need for space to accommodate the fan, as well as problems with the fan's power consumption and noise generation.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure has an object to realize the capture or recovery of ink mist without using a fan that creates an air flow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention is a printer including: an exterior having a space therein; a print head for ejecting ink onto a print medium transported in a transport direction; a carriage on which the print head is mounted, the carriage reciprocating within a predetermined range of movement in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction within the exterior; before The space inside the exterior is divided into a first space in which the carriage reciprocates and a second space in which the carriage moves. Above a partition member separating the first space and the second space from each other; At the center of the predetermined range of movement First communication means for communicating and , The first space and the second space separated by the partition member are communicated with each other at one end side of the predetermined movement range from the first communication means. A second communication means; and third communication means for communicating the first space and the second space separated by the partition member at the other end side of the predetermined movement range from the first communication means, wherein when the carriage approaches the second communication means, air in the first space between the second communication means and the carriage moves from the second communication means to the first communication means side through the second space, and when the carriage approaches the third communication means, air in the first space between the third communication means and the carriage moves from the third communication means to the first communication means side through the second space. The image recording device is characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, ink mist can be captured or collected without using a fan. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the internal structure of an inkjet recording apparatus. [Figure 2] Central cross-sectional view of an inkjet recording device [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an inkjet recording apparatus; [Figure 4] Block diagram of an inkjet recording device [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an access cover base that configures an air circulation flow path. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an inkjet recording device illustrating an air circulation channel; [Figure 7] Enlarged view of part of the air circulation channel [Figure 8] Diagram for explaining the width of the main flow path [Figure 9] Diagram showing the air flow caused by carriage movement [Figure 10] Schematic diagram showing a carriage drive mechanism [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the communication means and the moving range of the carriage. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the air flow caused by carriage movement when an outside air communication section is provided. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the measurement results of the volume of ink mist flowing through the main flow path in each area. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a first space on the side where a carriage is present and a second space on the side where no carriage is present in an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the wall of the flow path and the carriage. [Figure 16] Image recording device having a reading unit [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] Diagram showing the air flow caused by carriage movement [Figure 19] Diagram for explaining the generation of high-concentration mist DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Note that the features described below do not unnecessarily limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure.

[0012] [First embodiment] <Configuration of image recording device> The configuration of the image recording device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording device 31 according to this embodiment, showing the internal structure of the image recording device 31 with external components removed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image recording device 31 cut at the center. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image recording device 31. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration related to control of the image recording device 31. Note that common coordinate axes are set in each of FIGS. 1 to 3. With regard to these coordinate axes, the X axis indicates the movement direction of the carriage 6, the Y axis indicates the transport direction of the recording medium S (e.g., paper) in the recording unit 32 (-Y direction is downstream), and the Z axis indicates the height direction. In principle, similar coordinate axes are set in the other drawings.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the image recording device 31 has an operation unit 26. A user can use various switches and the like on the operation unit to specify a paper size, switch between online and offline modes, and input commands. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed tray 16 is removable and is provided with a paper feed pressure plate 37 capable of holding multiple recording media S. A separation roller 17 separates the recording media S loaded on the paper feed pressure plate 37 of the paper feed tray 16 one by one and feeds them to a conveyance path. The separation roller 17 feeds the recording media S between a conveyance roller 18 and a pinch roller 19. As the conveyance roller 18 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2, the recording media S is conveyed over a platen 15 to the recording unit 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording unit 32 includes a recording head 13, which constitutes a recording means, mounted inside the carriage 6. The recording head 13 is an inkjet head having a predetermined number of ink-ejecting holes, or so-called nozzles. 2, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles onto the recording surface of the recording medium S in accordance with recording data. This recording operation and the operation of conveying the recording medium S a predetermined distance by the conveyance roller 18 are repeated alternately to form an image on the recording medium S. During this image forming operation, the recording medium S is sandwiched between a paper discharge roller 20 and a paper discharge spur 21, which are provided on the discharge side of the scanning area of ​​the recording head 13 in the conveyance path of the recording medium S, and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 22 by the rotation of the paper discharge roller 20.

[0014] The image recording device 31 is equipped with a control unit, which is a controller that performs various controls on the entire image recording device 31 and is equipped with a CPU, memory, and various I / O interfaces. The control unit may be built into the housing or may be external. In the case of an external device, the control unit may be a computer connected to the image recording device with control software installed.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a control unit 400 as an example of a control unit provided in the image recording device 31. As shown in Fig. 4, the image recording device 31 connected to an external host computer 450 has the control unit 400, the recording head 13, the carriage drive motor 8, a recording medium conveyance motor 410, and a recovery operation drive motor 420. The control unit 400 has an MPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an I / F unit 404, a recording head driver 405, a carriage motor driver 406, a recording medium conveyance motor driver 407, and a recovery operation drive motor driver 408.

[0016] The MPU 401 controls the entire image recording device 31 using computer programs and data stored in the ROM 402 and RAM 403, thereby realizing various functions of the image recording device 31, such as image processing functions. The image recording device 31 may also have one or more dedicated hardware components different from the MPU 401, and at least some of the processing performed by the MPU 401 may be performed by the dedicated hardware components. Examples of dedicated hardware components include an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), and a DSP (digital signal processor). The ROM 402 stores programs, data, etc. that do not require modification. The RAM 403 temporarily stores programs and data supplied from the ROM 402, as well as data supplied from the outside via the I / F unit 404.

[0017] The operation unit 26 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display, an LED, etc., and displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) etc. for the user to operate the image recording device 31. The operation unit 26 is also configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch panel, etc., and receives operations by the user and inputs various instructions to the MPU 401. The MPU 401 operates as a display control unit and an operation control unit for controlling the operation unit 26.

[0018] The I / F unit 404 is used for communication with a host computer 450, which is an external device of the image recording device 31. For example, when the image recording device 31 is connected to an external device via a wired connection, a communication cable is connected to the I / F unit 404. When the image recording device 31 has a function for wireless communication with an external device, the I / F unit 404 includes an antenna.

[0019] <About the recording section> The recording unit 32 will be described below. The recording unit 32 includes a recording head 13, a carriage 6 on which the recording head 13 is mounted, a drive motor 8 for the carriage 6, and a platen 15. The recording head 13 has an integral nozzle unit (not shown) that ejects ink. An ink tank 29 is installed at a position separate from the recording unit 32 within the image recording device 31 and supplies ink to the nozzle unit of the recording head 13 via a tube 23. The carriage rail 11 supports the carriage 6 and also serves as a movement guide. The carriage 6 moves along the carriage rail 11, that is, in the +X direction (returning direction) or the -X direction (forwarding direction). In this specification, the +X and -X directions in which the carriage 6 moves are collectively referred to as the "main scanning direction" or "carriage reciprocating direction." An encoder code strip 12 is provided parallel to the carriage rail 11 near the top of the carriage rail 11. An encoder (not shown) for reading the encoder code strip is provided on a circuit board within the carriage unit. The encoder functions as a position confirmation means. As the carriage 6 moves, the encoder reads marks formed at equal intervals on the encoder code strip 12, which serves as a positioning guide member, and detects the carriage 6, thereby obtaining position information for the carriage 6. Both ends of the chassis 9 have bent, raised shapes that can hold and secure the encoder code strip 12, which is held parallel to the carriage rail. The carriage rail 11 is fixed so that it is parallel to the chassis 9. The carriage 6 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction along the carriage rail 11. During this movement, ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 13 attached to the carriage 6 according to the position of the encoder code strip 12 in the main scanning direction, and recording is performed.

[0020] The drive mechanism and printing method for the carriage 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. A timing belt 10 is stretched between a motor pulley 33 of the drive motor 8 and an idler pulley 34. The timing belt 10 has a parallel portion to the carriage rail 11. A portion of this parallel portion is connected to the carriage 6, providing a transmission mechanism that converts the rotation of the drive motor 8 into linear motion and linearly moves the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction. The carriage 6 and the chassis 9 each have abutment portions at their ends, allowing the carriage 6 to move linearly within a predetermined range. Recording is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head 13 toward the recording medium S. The image recording device 31 of this embodiment forms a two-dimensional image on the recording medium S by alternately transporting the recording medium S in the -Y direction in FIG. 1 and reciprocating the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction. In this specification, the -Y direction (referred to as the forward direction) and the +Y direction (referred to as the reverse direction) in which the recording medium S is transported are collectively referred to as the "sub-scanning direction" (meaning the direction intersecting the main scanning direction).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording device 31 includes a maintenance unit 14 at one end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the device that performs maintenance on the recording head 13. Specifically, the maintenance processes include a wiping process, which uses a wiper to wipe the nozzle surface of the recording head 13; a suction process, which sucks ink from the nozzles to remove clogging; and a preliminary ejection process, which ejects ink from all nozzles. The preliminary ejection process is performed before recording on the recording medium S begins. Because not all nozzles are used at all times during recording on the recording medium S, nozzles not used for recording may dry out and cause ejection problems. Therefore, to prevent the nozzles from drying out, preliminary ejection is periodically performed near the maintenance unit 14, starting with less frequently used nozzles, to maintain nozzle ejection reliability. In this specification, the end of the reciprocating carriage 6 on the side where the maintenance unit 14 is located is referred to as the "home end (standby position end)." The other end opposite the home end is referred to as the "away end." Preliminary ejection is performed at the home end and the away end. In this embodiment, the maintenance unit is located on the right side when viewed from the front of the image recording apparatus, but the maintenance unit may be located on the left side.

[0022] <About the exterior of the image recording device> Next, the exterior of the image recording device 31 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 6. The recording unit 32 is installed on a bottom frame 39. A front cover 24 is installed in the ejection direction of the recording medium S (on the front side of the image recording device 31). As shown in Figure 3, the front cover 24 includes a first front cover 24-1 on the away side and a second front cover 24-2 on the home side.

[0023] A rear cover (not shown) is installed on the opposite side of the front cover 24 (the back side or rear side of the image recording device 31). Similarly, a home side side cover 25 and an away side side cover (not shown) are installed on both sides of the image recording device 31. A rotatable access cover unit 40 pivoted on the rear of the image recording device 31 is installed above. The access cover unit 40 is composed of an access cover 42 that appears on top of the access cover base 41 closest to the recording unit 32. The access cover base 41 and the access cover 42 form an internal space. The access cover base 41 is equipped with an operating unit 26 that enables operation of the main body. The access cover unit 40 may have a connection means for connecting the operating unit 26 to the control unit.

[0024] The number of components constituting the exterior surface is not limited to those described above. This embodiment can also be applied to an image recording device having a reading unit in addition to a recording unit, as shown in Fig. 16. The image recording device of Fig. 16 has a first space 5 on the side where the carriage 6 is present, a second space 3 located above this first space 5 on the side where the carriage 6 is not present, and a third space 38 located above this second space 3. A reading unit (not shown) is arranged in this third space 38.

[0025] <Ink mist removal mechanism> Next, the ink mist removal mechanism inside the image recording device 31 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 11 and 15. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the access cover base 41 that constitutes the ink mist removal mechanism in the image recording device 31 of this embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image recording device 31, and shows the internal structure of the flow path formed by the access cover base 41 and the access cover 42.

[0026] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 6, the ink mist removal mechanism is composed of a communication means (e.g., a communication hole) that connects the spaces, and an air circulation flow path realized by the access cover base 41 and the access cover 42. As shown in Figure 9(a), the air circulation flow path is provided in the second space 3 above (i.e., in the +Z direction) the first space 5 in which the carriage 6 moves. Also, as shown in Figure 9(a) and other figures, the access cover base 41 functions as a wall (referred to as a partition member) that separates the first space 5 and the second space 3. As shown in Figure 5(a), in this embodiment, the access cover base 41, which functions as a partition member, extends in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

[0027] The shape of the air circulation flow path realized by the access cover base 41 will be described with reference to Figures 5, 7, and 8. As shown in Figure 7 and other figures, the air circulation flow path is composed of a main flow path 36 located in the center of the main body of the image recording device 31, an intake flow path 35-1 that takes air into the main flow path 36 from the away side, and an intake flow path 35-2 that takes air into the main flow path 36 from the home side. As shown in these figures, the intake flow path 35-1 and the intake flow path 35-2 are each flow paths for taking in air at a position one step lower than the main flow path 36. In this specification, when there is no need to distinguish between the intake flow path 35-1 and the intake flow path 35-2, they will simply be referred to as the intake flow path 35. The same applies to other elements.

[0028] 8(a), the width of the main flow path 36 in the sub-scanning direction is equal to the length in the Y direction between the tube holding shape 45 for holding down the tube 23 and the chassis 9. Also, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the width in the height direction of the main flow path 36 (width in the Z direction, so-called "depth") is equal to the value obtained by subtracting the height of the connecting means for connecting the operation unit 26 and the control unit from the length in the Z direction between the access cover base 41 and the access cover 42.

[0029] With respect to the main flow path 36 and the intake flow path 35, the side boundaries of the flow paths are formed by walls that rise in the Z direction from the access cover base 41. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the access cover 42 is supported by a plurality of support surfaces 44 provided on the upper end of this wall. With this configuration, deformation of the access cover 42 can be suppressed when a heavy object is placed on the top surface of the access cover 42.

[0030] 18, in this embodiment, the access cover unit 40 is opened and closed during maintenance such as ink replacement and jam removal. The gap between the middle frame 43 and the side cover 25, and the gap between the middle frame 43 and the access cover base 41 each serve as passage means for air to pass through.

[0031] 18, when the access cover unit 40 is opened, the exterior is divided into a lower exterior (referred to as the first exterior) and an upper exterior (referred to as the second exterior). The first space 5 exists inside the first exterior, and the second space 3 exists inside the second exterior.

[0032] 7, the second communication means 4 and the third communication means 30 are each configured by arranging a plurality of holes that are too small for a human finger to fit through, with the third communication means 30 consisting of ten circular holes and the second communication means 4 consisting of ten rectangular holes. By making the size of each hole too small for a human finger to fit through, it is possible to prevent a user from inserting their finger into a hole and injuring themselves.

[0033] In this embodiment, the number and shape of the holes serving as the communication means are not limited. Furthermore, the communication means is not limited to holes, and tubes, pipes, etc. may also be used. The part where the communication means that connects the space on the side where the carriage 6 exists (first space) and the space where the carriage 6 does not exist (second space) is located is called the "connection part."

[0034] Next, the mechanism for generating an airflow in the flow path will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11. FIG. 9(a) shows the case where the carriage 6 moves from the home side to the away side, and FIG. 9(b) shows the case where the carriage 6 moves from the away side to the home side. As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), when the carriage 6 moves back and forth, the space ahead of the carriage 6 in the direction of travel becomes high pressure, while the space behind the carriage 6 in the direction of travel becomes low pressure. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the pressure near the second communication means 4 provided in the intake flow path 35-1 installed ahead of the carriage 6 in the direction of travel becomes high pressure compared to the pressure near the first communication means 2 provided in the center of the main flow path 36. As a result, an air flow F is generated in the second space 3, flowing from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side via the intake flow path 35-1 and the main flow path 36.

[0035] FIG. 11(a) is a schematic perspective view of the image recording device 31, and FIG. 11(b) is a schematic projection view taken along the cross-sectional line XIb-XIb in FIG. 11(a). As shown in FIG. 11(b), the distance A between the first communication means 2 and the second communication means 4 is preferably equal to or greater than the width B of the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction (i.e., A≧B). When designed so that A≧B is satisfied, a certain degree of distance can be secured between the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently generate an airflow in which air containing ink mist flows from the high-pressure side through the upper second space to the low-pressure side.

[0036] The width of the intake flow path 35 in the sub-scanning direction is preferably approximately equal to or greater than the maximum width in the Y-axis direction of the carriage 6. Furthermore, with regard to the wall surface position of the access cover base 41 on the recording unit 32 side, as shown in FIG. 15, it is preferable that the distance between the access cover base 41 and the carriage 6 is equal to or less than the width of the carriage 6 in the Z-axis direction (i.e., E≧D).

[0037] Here, the generation of ink mist will be explained using Figure 19. Figure 19(a) shows the generation of ink mist during printing on the recording medium S, and Figure 19(b) shows the generation of ink mist when preliminary ejection is performed at the end of the recording medium S on the home side. As shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b), when preliminary ejection is performed at the end of the recording medium S, the landing distance of ink droplets is longer than when printing is performed at the center of the recording medium S, making it easier for the ink droplets to turn into mist. As a result, high-concentration ink mist is generated, and the ink mist concentration increases in the space near the carriage 6 on which the recording head 13 that performed preliminary ejection is mounted.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in Figure 9(a) or 9(b), by providing third communication means 30 on the home side in addition to second communication means 4 on the away side, it is possible to efficiently take in the high-concentration ink mist generated by preliminary ejection into the flow path. Also, in an image recording device where a sensor is located outside the scanning width of the carriage 6, by installing second communication means 4 or third communication means 30 on that outside, it is possible to efficiently take in the air containing ink mist that has accumulated near the sensor into the flow path. Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between the third communication means 30 and the first communication means 2 and the distance between the third communication means 30 and the second communication means 4 are each equal to or greater than the width B of the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction.

[0039] In order to generate a circulating air current within the flow path, it is also possible to control the carriage 6 to move back and forth from one end of the movable area to the other end when ink is not being ejected.

[0040] 6 or 7, a recovery mechanism 28 for recovering ink mist is provided between the first opening 2-1 and the second opening 2-2 included in the first communication means 2 provided in the main flow path 36. This recovery mechanism 28 uses three ribs to recover ink mist by gravitational settling through a long flow path and by air containing ink mist colliding with it due to inertia.

[0041] It is sufficient that there is at least one rib, and the number and arrangement of the ribs may be changed depending on the scanning speed of the carriage 6 and the particle size of the particles to be captured. Also, a filter may be used as a means for capturing ink mist.

[0042] When the carriage 6 moves back and forth along the X-axis direction, negative pressure is generated as the carriage 6 passes under each opening of the first communication means 2, and air flows back and forth between the first opening 2-1 and the second opening 2-2 due to the attraction of the generated negative pressure.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 12 , the second communication means 4 provided in the intake passage 35-1, which functions as a duct for transporting air, communicates with the outside air communication section 27-1, which is the gap between the rotatable access cover 42 and the side cover 25 below the access cover 42. Similarly, the third communication means 30 provided in the intake passage 35-2 communicates with the outside air communication section 27-2, which is the gap between the rotatable access cover 42 and the side cover 25 below the access cover 42. When the carriage 6 reaches its end, the air behind the carriage 6 becomes lower in pressure than the air outside the machine, generating an airflow in the direction indicated by arrow F, which allows mist-free air from outside the machine to be drawn into the machine. The access cover 42 functions as the second upper exterior described above, and the side cover 25 below the access cover 42 functions as the first lower exterior. The second exterior has a rotation mechanism for rotation and a retention mechanism for maintaining the rotated state by the rotation mechanism.

[0044] In this embodiment, the outside air communication section is located between the first exterior and the second exterior, but the outside air communication section may be located in either the first exterior or the second exterior at any position where outside air can be taken into the air circulation flow path.

[0045] Figure 13 shows the results of measuring the volume of ink mist for each area flowing through the main flow path 36. In detail, Figure 13(a) is a diagram showing the positions of measurement areas G, H, and K where measurements were taken, and as shown, measurement areas G, H, and K are located at different positions in the main scanning direction. Figure 13(b) is a graph showing the volume of ink mist floating in the main flow path 36 during printing in each area shown in Figure 13(a).

[0046] An APS (Aerodynamic Particle Sizer) measuring device was used to measure the amount of ink mist. Holes were drilled in the exterior above the intake flow path 35 and the main flow path 36, and the APS measuring device was used to measure the amount of ink mist passing through each of measurement areas G, H, and K. Figure 13(b) shows the measurement results. As shown in Figure 13(b), measurement areas G and K have a small amount of ink mist because air from outside the machine that does not contain mist flows in, while measurement area H has a large amount of ink mist because air containing a lot of ink mist flows in. <Effects of this embodiment> According to this embodiment, it is possible to capture or collect ink mist in the first space 5 and the second space 3 without providing a fan for generating a circulating air flow.

[0047] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below. Note that, hereinafter, descriptions of the same content as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and only the content different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the second space 3 constituting the air circulation flow path was located above the recording unit 32 (see FIG. 9(a), etc.). In contrast, in the present embodiment, the second space 3 is provided at a position other than above the recording unit 32.

[0049] 14 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the first space 5 on the side where the carriage 6 is present and the second space 3 on the side where the carriage 6 is not present, when the image recording device 31 according to this embodiment is viewed from above. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, inside the exterior 1, the second space 3 is located closer to the front side, where the front cover 24, operating unit 26, etc. are provided, than the first space 5 in which the carriage 6 is located. Also, in this embodiment, the partition member separating the first space 5 and the second space 3 extends in the main scanning direction and the height direction.

[0050] 14, the second space 3 is located in the -Y direction from the recording unit 32 as the base point. With this configuration, as in the first embodiment, air flows from the high-pressure space in front of the carriage 6 in the traveling direction toward the low-pressure space behind the carriage 6 in the traveling direction. The advantage of positioning the second space 3, which provides an air flow path, on the front side of the image recording device 31 main body is that it makes it easier for the user to replace the components that make up the ink mist recovery mechanism 28.

[0051] In the above example, the second space 3 for realizing the air circulation flow path was located on the front side of the main body of the image recording device 31. However, depending on the position of the open space within the device, the second space 3 for realizing the air circulation flow path may be located behind (+Y direction side, rear side) or below (-Z direction side) the space in which the carriage 6 moves.

[0052] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment, the second communication means 4 was installed at the end of the main body of the image recording device 31, outside the movement range of the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction (see FIG. 9(a) etc.). In contrast, in this embodiment, the second communication means 4 is not installed at the end of the main body, but is installed closer to the center of the main body, within the movement range of the carriage 6.

[0053] 17, at least one first communication means 2 and one second communication means 4 are present within the movement range C of the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction, and a recovery mechanism 28 for recovering ink mist is provided in the second space 3 therebetween. Note that multiple first communication means 2 and multiple second communication means 4 may be provided, but it is preferable that the distance between the first communication means 2 and the second communication means 4 be at least equal to or greater than the width of the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Exterior 2 First communication means 4 Second communication means 6 carriages 13 Recording head 31 Image recording device 41 Access cover base

Claims

1. an exterior having an internal space; a recording head for ejecting ink onto a recording medium transported in a transport direction; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which moves reciprocally within a predetermined movement range in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction within the exterior; a partition member that divides the space inside the exterior into a first space in which the carriage reciprocates and a second space above the carriage; a first communication means for communicating the first space and the second space partitioned by the partition member at a center side of the predetermined movement range; a second communication means for communicating the first space and the second space partitioned by the partition member at one end side of the predetermined movement range from the first communication means; a third communication means for communicating the first space and the second space partitioned by the partition member at a position closer to the other end of the predetermined movement range than the first communication means; Equipped with When the carriage approaches the second communication means, air in the first space between the second communication means and the carriage moves from the second communication means to the first communication means side through the second space, and when the carriage approaches the third communication means, air in the first space between the third communication means and the carriage moves from the third communication means to the first communication means side through the second space. An image recording device characterized by:

2. a height-direction distance between the partition member and the carriage that is equal to or less than a height-direction length of the carriage; 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

3. the second communication means is provided at a distance from the first communication means that is equal to or greater than the length of the carriage in the scanning direction; 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

4. the second communication means is provided outside the predetermined movement range in the scanning direction; 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. the second communication means is provided within the predetermined movement range in the scanning direction; 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3.

6. the third communication means is provided at a distance equal to or greater than the length of the carriage in the scanning direction from each of the first communication means and the second communication means; 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

7. The first communication means, the second communication means, and the third communication means each comprise a plurality of holes.

7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

8. a maintenance unit that performs maintenance processing on the recording head; When the end on the away side where the maintenance unit is not present is defined as a first end and the end on the home side where the maintenance unit is present is defined as a second end, of the two ends that define the predetermined movement range in which the carriage reciprocates, the second communication means is provided in the vicinity of the first end, and the third communication means is provided in the vicinity of the second end.

8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

9. the recording head performs preliminary ejection at the first end and the second end; 9. The image recording apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The ink jet recording device further includes a capturing means disposed in the second space for capturing the ink mist.

10. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

11. the first communication means has a first opening through which air passes and a second opening through which air passes; The capturing means is provided between the first opening and the second opening.

11. The image recording device according to claim 10.

12. The capturing means comprises at least one rib.

12. The image recording apparatus according to claim 10 or 11.

13. Further, the device has one or more outside air communication sections that communicate with the outside.

13. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the image recording device comprises: a recording unit;

14. the exterior is composed of a first exterior and a second exterior on top of the first exterior, the first space is located inside the first exterior; The second space is located inside the second exterior.

14. The image recording device according to claim 13.

15. The outside air communication portion is provided between the first exterior and the second exterior.

15. The image recording device according to claim 14.

16. The second exterior has a rotation mechanism for rotation and a holding mechanism for holding the second exterior in a state rotated by the rotation mechanism.

16. The image recording apparatus according to claim 14 or 15.

17. 17. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication means is provided at the same position as the second communication means in the transport direction.

18. further comprising a reading unit for reading an image recorded on the recording medium; the reading unit is disposed in a third space different from the first space and the second space; 18. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the image recording device comprises:

19. There is no fan for generating airflow in the first space and the second space.

19. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the image recording device comprises:

Images