LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS

Abstract

 A liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a carriage including an ejecting unit which ejects liquid onto a medium, and can reciprocate in a reciprocating direction; and a collecting unit which collects mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit from a collecting port, in which the carriage includes catching units which catch mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit on at least one side of the ejecting unit in the reciprocating direction, the catching units include a catching port of the mist into which an air current can flow along with the reciprocating of the carriage, an outlet of the air current, and a regulation unit which regulates the air current which flows in from the catching port so as to go toward the outlet side, and the outlet is provided at a position at which the outlet can face the collecting port.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

2. Related Art

[0002] In the related art, a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects liquid such as ink onto a medium such as a medium for recording has been disclosed. In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, there has been a case in which mist of the liquid is attached to an ejecting unit of the liquid, or the like, is accumulated, and contaminates a medium by dripping on the medium. For this reason, a technology in which attaching of liquid to an ejecting unit, or the like, is suppressed is disclosed.

[0003] For example, in JP-A-2007-229950, and JP-A-2004-237691, a liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a collecting unit which collects mist of ink which occurs along with ejecting of ink from an ejecting unit is disclosed. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatuses in JP-A-2007-229950, and JP-A-2004-237691 have a configuration of performing recording by causing a carriage including an ejecting unit to reciprocate in a reciprocating direction.

[0004] The liquid ejecting apparatuses in JP-A-2007-229950, and JP-A-2004-237691 can preferably collect mist of ink which occurs along with ejecting of ink from an ejecting unit. However, when it is possible to catch mist of liquid which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit immediately after the occurrence, it is possible to further effectively collect mist.

SUMMARY

[0005] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to catch mist of liquid which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from an ejecting unit immediately after the occurrence of the mist.

[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a carriage including an ejecting unit which ejects liquid onto a medium, and can reciprocate in a reciprocating direction; and a collecting unit which collects mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit from a collecting port, in which the carriage includes a catching unit which catches mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit on at least one side of the ejecting unit in the reciprocating direction, the catching unit includes a catching port of the mist into which an air current can flow along with the reciprocating of the carriage, an outlet of the air current, and a regulation unit which regulates the air current which flows in from the catching port so as to go toward the outlet side, and the outlet is provided at a position at which the outlet can face the collecting port.

[0007] In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the catching port may be provided on a side which faces the medium.

[0008] In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the catching port may be provided on an end portion side in the reciprocating direction, the catching unit may be able to open or close the catching port when a rotating unit is provided in the catching port, and when the rotating unit rotates along with the reciprocating of the carriage, and the catching port may enter an opened state along with a movement in a direction on the front side in the reciprocating direction.

[0009] In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the regulation unit may be a stopper of the air current which is provided on a side opposite to the outlet.

[0010] According to the invention, it is possible to catch mist of liquid which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from an ejecting unit immediately after the occurrence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view which illustrates the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic front view which illustrates the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view which illustrates the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic rear view which illustrates the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates main portions of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram which illustrates the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates a carriage of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic front view which illustrates the carriage of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 10A and 10B are schematic side views which illustrate the carriage of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic front view which illustrates the carriage of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view which illustrates the carriage of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic front view which illustrates the carriage of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic side view which illustrates the carriage of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a schematic side sectional view which illustrates main portions of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates a collecting unit of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 17A and 17B are schematic side views which illustrate a carriage of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 18 is a schematic front view which illustrates the carriage of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment (Figs. 1 to 16)

[0012] Hereinafter, a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment as a liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention will be described in detail.

[0013] First, an outline of a recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic rear view of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In addition, Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates the periphery of a recording region which is main portions of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In addition, Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate a state in which a part of constituent elements is detached from the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, and for example, illustrate a state in which a sub-carriage 5 (refer to Fig. 13) including a recording head 7 (refer to Fig. 12) is detached from a carriage 6.

[0015] The recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a transport mechanism 3 which transports a medium for recording in a transport direction A using an adhesive belt 2 (endless belt) which supports the medium for recording (medium) on a support face to which an adhesive is attached. The recording apparatus further includes a feeding unit (not illustrated) on which a medium for recording in a roll shape can be set, and can feed the medium for recording to the transport mechanism 3. The recording apparatus further includes a recording mechanism 4 which performs recording by causing the carriage 6 which includes the recording head 7 as the ejecting unit to perform reciprocating scanning in a reciprocating direction B which intersects the transport direction A, in a transport region of the medium for recording using the transport mechanism 3. The recording apparatus further includes a winding mechanism (not illustrated) which can winds up the medium for recording on which recording is performed in the recording mechanism 4.

[0016] The transport mechanism 3 according to the embodiment includes the adhesive belt 2 which transports the medium for recording which is fed from the feeding unit by mounting the medium for recording thereon, a driving roller 8 which moves the adhesive belt 2, and a driven roller 9. The medium for recording is mounted on a support face of the adhesive belt 2 by being attached thereto.

[0017] However, an endless belt as a transport belt is not limited to the adhesive belt. For example, an electrostatic suctioning-type endless belt may be used.

[0018] The recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes the transport mechanism 3 with such a configuration; however, it is not limited to the transport mechanism with such a configuration, and may be a transport mechanism with a configuration in which a medium for recording is transported by being supported by a movable support tray, or the like, or a configuration in which a medium for recording is transported using a pair of rollers, or the like. In addition, it may be a recording apparatus of a so-called flatbed type in which recording is performed by fixing a medium for recording to a support unit, and a recording head 7 is moved with respect to the fixed medium for recording.

[0019] The recording mechanism 4 includes a carriage motor 30 (refer to Fig. 7) which causes the carriage 6 including the recording head 7 which can eject ink (liquid) to reciprocate in the reciprocating direction B.

[0020] The recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment performs recording by causing the carriage 6 which includes the recording head 7 to perform reciprocating scanning when performing recording; however, the transport mechanism 3 stops transporting of the medium for recording in the middle of recording scanning (in the middle of moving of carriage 6). In other words, when performing recording, reciprocating scanning of the carriage 6, and transporting of the medium for recording are alternately performed. That is, when performing recording, the transport mechanism 3 causes the medium for recording to be intermittently transported (intermittent movement of adhesive belt 2) corresponding to reciprocating scanning of the carriage 6.

[0021] In addition, a rail 10a which extends in the reciprocating direction B is formed in a pipe 11a which configures a skeleton portion of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, and a rail 10b which extends in the reciprocating direction B is formed in a pipe 11b which configures a skeleton portion of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In addition, a movement of the carriage 6 according to the embodiment in the reciprocating direction B is guided by the rails 10a and 10b, since bearing units (not illustrated) are received in the rails 10a and 10b.

[0022] In addition, an air blowing unit 12 which extends in the reciprocating direction B, and blows air in a direction opposite to the transport direction A from a plurality of vents (not illustrated) is provided at a position on the lower part of the pipe 11b. In addition, a mist collecting unit 13 which extends in the reciprocating direction B, and can collect mist of ink which is ejected from the recording head 7 is provided at a position on the lower part of the pipe 11a. In addition, a collecting port 16 which extends in the reciprocating direction B is provided in the mist collecting unit 13 at the position on the lower part of the pipe 11a.

[0023] In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 3, a plurality of blower fans 14 (three) which generate a blasting force using the air blowing unit 12 are provided on the downstream side of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment in the transport direction A. The air blowing unit 12 can blow air toward the collecting port 16 from the outside (position on downstream side in transport direction A) of the collecting unit 13 using the blast force which is generated by the blower fan 14. In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 5, a plurality of (three) suctioning fans 15 as a suctioning unit which generate an air current W4 (refer to Fig. 15) toward the inside of the collecting unit 13 from the collecting port 16, and toward the outside of the recording apparatus 1 from the inside of the collecting unit 13 are provided on the upstream side of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment in the transport direction A.

[0024] Subsequently, an electrical configuration of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0025] Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0026] A CPU 24 which is in charge of the entire control of the recording apparatus 1 is provided in a control unit 23. The CPU 24 is connected to a ROM 26 which stores various control programs, and the like, which are executed by the CPU 24, and a RAM 27 which can temporarily store data through a system bus 25.

[0027] In addition, the CPU 24 is connected to a head driving unit 28 which drives the recording head 7 through the system bus 25.

[0028] In addition, the CPU 24 is connected to a motor driving unit 29 for driving the carriage motor 30, a transport motor 31, a feeding motor 32, a winding motor 33, a blower fan motor 17, a suctioning fan motor 18, and a sub-carriage fan motor 22 through the system bus 25.

[0029] Here, the carriage motor 30 is a motor for moving the carriage 6 including the recording head 7. In addition, the transport motor 31 is a motor for driving the driving roller 8. The feeding motor 32 is a driving motor of a feeding unit which blows out a medium for recording which is set in the feeding unit (not illustrated) to the transport mechanism 3. The winding motor 33 is a driving motor for driving a winding mechanism (not illustrated) in order to wind up a medium for recording on which recording is performed. The blower fan motor 17 is a motor for driving the blower fan 14. The suctioning fan motor 18 is a motor for driving the suctioning fan 15. In addition, the sub-carriage fan motor 22 is a motor for driving a sub-carriage fan 21 (refer to Fig. 13) which will be described later.

[0030] In addition, the CPU 24 is connected to an input-output unit 34 through the system bus 25, and the input-output unit 34 is connected to a PC 35 for performing transceiving of data such as recording data, and a signal.

[0031] Subsequently, the carriage 6 as a main portion of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0032] Figs. 8 to 14 illustrate schematic views of the carriage 6 according to the embodiment. Among these, Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the carriage 6 according to the embodiment, Figs. 9, 11, and 13 illustrate schematic front views of the carriage 6 according to the embodiment, Figs. 10A, 10B, and 14 illustrate schematic side views of the carriage 6 according to the embodiment, and Fig. 12 illustrates a schematic plan view of the carriage 6 according to the embodiment. In addition, Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate a state in which a part of constituent elements, for example, the sub-carriage 5 including the recording head 7 is detached from the carriage 6. In addition, Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate a state in which a lid portion 20 as a regulation unit which regulates an air current which is generated along with a movement of the carriage 6 so as to face a direction of the outlet 40 is detached from an end portion on one end side 39 of the catching units 38a and 38b (state of being omitted). In addition, Figs. 12 to 14 illustrate a state in which a plurality of the sub-carriages 5 including the recording head 7 are attached to the carriage 6, and Fig. 12 is set to a perspective view so that it is possible to understand arrangements of the plurality of recording heads 7 which are provided in each sub-carriage 5. In addition, Fig. 10A in Figs. 10A and 10B is a schematic side view on the right side when viewing the carriage 6 on the front side, and Fig. 10B is a schematic side view on the left side when viewing the carriage 6 on the front side.

[0033] As illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the carriage 6 according to the embodiment can have attached a plurality of (six) sub-carriages 5. In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 12, the plurality of recording heads 7 are arranged in a staggered manner in each sub-carriage 5. In addition, a substrate, or the like, is formed in the inside of each sub-carriage 5, in addition to the plurality of recording heads 7, and the sub-carriage fan 21 for cooling the substrate is provided in the sub-carriage.

[0034] Since the sub-carriage fan 21 suppresses an increase in temperature in the sub-carriage 5 by blowing (air blowing) an air current in the inside of the sub-carriage 5, when mist of ink is present around the sub-carriage fan 21, the mist is sent to the inside of the sub-carriage 5, and there is a concern that the mist may be attached to the substrate, or the like.

[0035] For this reason, in the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the air blowing unit 12 and the collecting unit 13 are provided, in addition to the catching units 38a and 38b of mist, in order to suppress attaching of mist to the substrate, or the like.

[0036] In addition, an attaching unit 36 for the sub-carriage 5 is provided in the carriage 6 according to the embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0037] In addition, as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13, a frame-shaped unit 37 for suppressing attaching of mist of ink which is ejected from the recording head 7, which flies up to the higher part, to the sub-carriage 5 is provided. The frame-shaped unit 37 takes a role as a separator which maintains the region on the higher part of the sub-carriage 5 so as to be a region with little mist, by suppressing soaring up of mist with respect to a region which is close to the recording head 7, and has a lot of mist.

[0038] In addition, as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 14, mist catching units 38a and 38b are provided on the outer side of the frame-shaped unit 37 in the reciprocating direction B.

[0039] Here, as illustrated in Fig. 11, an air current W1 is generated on the rear side in the direction B1 in the reciprocating direction B, during a movement of the carriage 6 in the direction B1 in the reciprocating direction B. In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 11, a convection current W2 is generated in the catching unit 38a on the rear side in the direction B1 of the frame-shaped unit 37 due to the air current W1 which flows in from the catching port 43 of mist along with a movement of the carriage 6 during the movement in the direction B1. That is, it is a configuration in which it is possible to capture mist using the catching units 38a and 38b by moving the carriage 6.

[0040] In addition, in both the catching units 38a and 38b according to the embodiment, the lid portion 20 is provided in the end portion on one end side 39 on the downstream side in the transport direction A, and meanwhile, the other end side on the upstream side in the transport direction A is set to an opening portion, and the opening portion becomes the outlet 40 of mist which is caught by the catching units 38a and 38b. That is, the outlet 40 is provided on a side facing the collecting port 16 of the collecting unit 13.

[0041] In other words, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes the recording head 7 which ejects ink onto the medium for recording, the carriage 6 which can reciprocate in the reciprocating direction B, and the collecting unit 13 which collects mist, which occurs along with ejecting of ink from the recording head 7, from the collecting port 16. In addition, the carriage 6 includes the catching units 38a and 38b which catch mist which occurs along with ejecting of ink from the recording head 7 at both end portions of the recording head 7 in the reciprocating direction B. In addition, the catching units 38a and 38b includes a catching port 43 of mist to which an air current can flow in along with reciprocating of the carriage 6, the outlet 40 of the air current, and the lid portion 20 as the regulation unit which regulates the air current which flows in from the catching port 43 so as to go toward the outlet 40 side, and the outlet 40 is provided at a position at which the outlet can face the collecting port 16.

[0042] In this manner, the carriage 6 includes the catching units 38a and 38b which catch mist which occurs along with ejecting of ink from an ejecting unit 7 at both end portions of the ejecting unit 7 in the reciprocating direction B. For this reason, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment has a configuration in which it is possible to catch mist of ink which occurs along with ejecting of the ink from the ejecting unit 7 along with reciprocating of the carriage 6 immediately after the occurrence of the mist using the catching units 38a and 38b which are provided in the carriage 6.

[0043] In addition, the catching units 38a and 38b include the catching port 43 of mist to which an air current can flow in along with reciprocating of the carriage, the outlet 40 of the air current, and the lid portion 20 which regulates the air current which flows in from the catching port 43 so as to go toward the outlet 40, and the outlet 40 is provided at a position at which the outlet can face the collecting port 16. For this reason, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment can move mist which flows into the catching units 38a and 38b to the collecting unit 13, and can suppress an occurrence of a malfunction which is caused by contamination of the catching units 38a and 38b themselves.

[0044] In addition, the carriage 6 according to the embodiment may have a configuration of including the catching units on both end portions in the reciprocating direction B; however, it may be a configuration in which the catching unit is provided at at least one side of the recording head 7 in the reciprocating direction B.

[0045] As illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11, the catching units 38a and 38b according to the embodiment are provided with the catching port 43 on a side facing the medium for recording. For this reason, since mist can be caught from a side facing the medium for recording on which a lot of mist floats, it is possible to efficiently catch mist of ink which occurs along with ejecting of ink from the ejecting unit 7 immediately after the occurrence of the mist.

[0046] In addition, since the catching units 38a and 38b are provided so as to extend in the transport direction A which is the intersecting direction of the reciprocating direction B, it is possible to catch mist from a wide range in the transport direction A.

[0047] In addition, the catching port 43 according to the embodiment is a long opening which extends in the transport direction A, and is configured as a continuous opening of which only an opening direction is different from that of the outlet 40; however, it is not limited to such a configuration, for example, the catching port 43 may have a configuration in which a plurality of holes are provided along the transport direction A, or the like, or may have a configuration in which the opening is separated by providing a lid member at a boundary region between the catching port 43 and the outlet 40.

[0048] In addition, the regulation unit according to the embodiment is the above described lid portion 20, and in detail, is a stopper of an air current which is provided on a side opposite to the outlet 40 in the catching units 38a and 38b. For this reason, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment has a configuration in which it is possible to move mist which flows into the catching units 38a and 38b to the collecting unit 13. However, when it is a configuration in which the mist which flows in can be moved to the collecting unit 13, the configuration of the regulation unit is not limited to such a configuration of the lid portion 20 according to the embodiment, and may have a structure in which the end portion on one end side 39 of the catching units 38a and 38b is partially covered, or a structure of a net shape or a slit shape, for example. It may be a structure in which a movement of the mist which flows into the catching units 38a and 38b to the end portion on one end side 39 side is prevented, and a movement to the collecting unit 13 side is promoted.

[0049] Subsequently, the collecting unit 13 of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0050] Here, Fig. 15 is a schematic side sectional view of main portions of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment for describing a positional relationship among the collecting unit 13, the carriage 6, and the air blowing unit 12. Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates a collecting chamber 41 in the collecting unit 13.

[0051] As illustrated in Fig. 15, in the transport direction A, the air blowing unit 12 which can blow an air current toward the upstream side in the transport direction A is provided on the downstream side of a movement region (corresponding to recording region) of the carriage 6 in the reciprocating direction B. In addition, the collecting unit 13 is provided on the upstream side of the movement region. By arranging the collecting unit 13 in this manner, it is possible to efficiently collect mist of ink which occurs in the recording region.

[0052] As illustrated in Fig. 15, the outlet 40 is arranged at a position at which the outlet can face the collecting port 16 of the collecting unit 13. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the air current W1 which flow into the catching units 38a and 38b from the catching port 43 along with reciprocating of the carriage 6 generates an air current W2 in the inside of the catching units 38a and 38b. In addition, since the outlet 40 is provided on the upstream side of the catching units 38a and 38b in the transport direction A, and the lid portion 20 as the stopper of an air current is provided on the downstream side, as illustrated in Fig. 15, an air current W3 which goes toward the outlet 40 side is generated inside the catching units 38a and 38b.

[0053] With such a configuration, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment catches mist using the catching units 38a and 38b, and can move the caught mist to the collecting unit 13 from the catching units 38a and 38b. In addition, in the inside of the collecting unit 13, it is possible to generate an air current W4 as illustrated in Fig. 15 using the suctioning fan 15 which is illustrated in Fig. 5, and to move mist to the outside of the recording apparatus 1 through a duct 42 (refer to Fig. 16).

[0054] In addition, in the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, a wind velocity of the air current W3 which goes toward the outlet 40 from the inside of the catching units 38a and 38b is adjusted so as to be lower than a wind velocity of the air current W4 which goes toward the inside of the collecting unit 13 from the collecting port 16 using the suctioning fan 15.

[0055] That is, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment sets the wind velocity of the air current W4 which goes toward the inside of the collecting unit 13 from the collecting port 16 to be higher than the wind velocity of the air current W3 which goes toward the collecting port 16 from the outside of the collecting unit 13 based on a position of the collecting port 16. For this reason, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment suppresses a situation in which the air current W3 including mist is incapable of entering the collecting unit 13 as a whole, by adjusting the wind velocity of the air current W3 so as to be lower than that of the air current W4.

[0056] In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 15, the catching units 38a and 38b according to the embodiment are formed in a tapered shape on the upstream side in the transport direction A (length in height direction becomes small toward outlet 40). For this reason, it is possible to send air toward the collecting unit 13 with high accuracy.

[0057] In addition, as described above, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes the suctioning fan 15 as illustrated in Fig. 5; however, the suctioning fan 15 is connected to the collecting chamber 41 through the duct 42 which is illustrated in Fig. 16. In other words, the collecting unit 13 includes the suctioning fan 15 as a suctioning unit which generates an air current toward the inside of the collecting unit 13 from the collecting port 16. For this reason, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment can preferably suppress backflow of mist of ink from the collecting unit 13.

[0058] In addition, as described above, since the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes the air blowing unit 12 which sends air from the outside of the collecting unit 13 toward the collecting port 16, it is possible to efficiently induce mist toward the collecting unit 13.

[0059] The air blowing unit 12 stops air blowing when the carriage 6 (recording head 7) is moving in the reciprocating direction B (during recording) under a control of the control unit 23. For this reason, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of a deviation in ejecting position of ink which is ejected from the recording head 7 due to an air current which is generated by the air blowing unit 12.

[0060] In addition, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment sets a wind velocity of the air current W4 which goes from the collecting port 16 toward the inside of the collecting unit 13 to be higher than that of the air current which is generated by the air blowing unit 12. For this reason, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment suppresses a situation in which the air current including mist which is generated by the air blowing unit 12 is incapable of entering the collecting unit 13 as a whole.

[0061] As described above, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment has a configuration in which the recording head 7 can eject ink while reciprocating in the reciprocating direction B; however, the suctioning fan 15 can maintain a suctioning state in both situations of in the middle of moving in the reciprocating direction B and in the middle of stopping of the carriage 6 (recording head 7) under a control of the control unit 23. That is, it is possible to set the suctioning fan 15 to a constant suctioning state. Since there is no shift in ink ejecting position even when an air current is generated in the collecting unit 13 using the suctioning fan 15, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment can preferably suppress flowing back of ink mist from the collecting unit 13 while suppressing a shift in ejecting position of ink which is ejected from the recording head 7 by setting the suctioning fan 15 to the constant suctioning state.

[0062] As illustrated in Fig. 15, the collecting unit 13 according to the embodiment has a configuration in which the collecting chamber 41 is formed by mounting the pipe 11a, which configures a top face, on a base portion 46 which is illustrated in Fig. 16, which configures a constituting region of the collecting port 16, and each face other than a top face; however, it is not limited to such a configuration.

Second Embodiment (Figs. 17 and 18)

[0063] Subsequently, a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described.

[0064] Fig. 17 is a schematic side view which illustrates a carriage 6 of a recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention, and corresponds to Figs. 10A and 10B which illustrate the carriage 6 of the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In addition, Fig. 18 is a schematic front view which illustrates the carriage 6 of the recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention, and corresponds to Fig. 11 which illustrates the carriage 6 of the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0065] Constituent elements which are common to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0066] The only difference in the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment from the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is a configuration of a catching port 43 of catching units 38a and 38b.

[0067] As illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, in the catching units 38a and 38b according to the embodiment, the catching port 43 is provided on the end portion side in the reciprocating direction B. In addition, a rotating unit 19 is provided in the catching port 43, and the catching port 43 can be opened or closed when the rotating unit 19 rotates along with reciprocating of the carriage 6.

[0068] Here, as illustrated in Fig. 18, the rotating unit 19 is configured of a rotating shaft 44, and a plate-shaped member 45 which can rotate in a rotating direction C based on the rotating shaft 44. In addition, the rotating unit 19 according to the embodiment is formed inside the catching units 38a and 38b, and can rotate only in the inside, since rotating thereof is regulated on the outside. In addition, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 18, when the carriage 6 moves in a direction B2 in the reciprocating direction B, the catching port 43 of the catching unit 38a enters an open state when the rotating unit 19 of the catching unit 38a of which the catching port 43 is located on the front side in the direction B2 is pressed to the inside due to a wind pressure which is generated along with a movement of the carriage 6 in the direction B2. In addition, mist is caught in the catching unit 38a when the mist flows into the catching unit 38a due to an air current W5 which is generated along with the wind pressure, and an air current W6 is formed. Meanwhile, in this case, the catching port 43 of the catching unit 38b maintains a closed state.

[0069] That is, the catching units 38a and 38b according to the embodiment configure a simple configuration in which the catching port 43 can be opened or closed due to the wind pressure along with a movement of the catching port 43 in a direction on the front side in the reciprocating direction B. In addition, with such a configuration, in the catching units 38a and 38b according to the embodiment, the catching ports 43 are opened along with a movement of the catching ports 43 in the direction on the front side in the reciprocating direction B.

[0070] With such a configuration, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment can efficiently catch mist from the catching port 43 on the front side along with reciprocating of the carriage 6, and can prevent mist which is caught at a time of stopping, or which is caught on the rear side from diffusing by escaping from the catching units 38a and 38b through the catching port 43.

[0071] In addition, the invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the invention can be variously modified in the scope of the invention which is described in claims, and those are also included in the scope of the invention. For example, either one or both of the catching ports 43 of the first and second embodiments may be provided in any particular catching unit 38a and/or 38b.

[0072] Hitherto, the invention has been described based on specific embodiments. Here, the invention will be collectively described once again.

[0073] A liquid ejecting apparatus 1 according to a first aspect of the invention includes an ejecting unit 7 which ejects liquid onto a medium, a carriage 6 which can reciprocate in a reciprocating direction B, and a collecting unit 13 which collects mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit 7 from a collecting port 16, in which the carriage 6 includes, on at least one side of the ejecting unit 7 in the reciprocating direction B, catching units 38a and 38b which catch mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit 7, the catching units 38a and 38b include a catching port 43 of the mist into which an air current can flow along with the reciprocating of the carriage 6, an outlet 40 of the air current, and a regulation unit 20 which regulates the air current which flows in from the catching port 43 so as to go toward the outlet 40 side, and the outlet 40 is provided at a position at which the outlet can face a collecting port 16.

[0074] According to the aspect, the carriage 6 includes the catching units 38a and 38b which catch mist which occurs along with ejecting of ink from the ejecting unit 7 at least on one side of the ejecting unit 7 in the reciprocating direction B. For this reason, it is possible to catch mist of liquid which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit 7 which is associated with reciprocating of the carriage 6 immediately after the occurrence, using the catching units 38a and 38b which are provided in the carriage 6. In addition, the catching units 38a and 38b include a catching port 43 of mist into which an air current can flow along with the reciprocating of the carriage, an outlet 40 of the air current, and a regulation unit 20 which regulates the air current which flows in from the catching port 43 so as to go toward the outlet 40 side, and the outlet 40 is provided at a position at which the outlet can face the collecting port 16. For this reason, it is possible to move mist which flows into the catching units 38a and 38b to the collecting unit 13, and to suppress a malfunction which is caused when the catching units 38a and 38b themselves are contaminated due to the mist.

[0075] In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 according to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect, the catching port 43 is provided on a side facing the medium.

[0076] According to the aspect, in catching units 38a and 38b, the catching port 43 is provided on the side facing the medium. For this reason, it is possible to catch mist from a side which faces a medium on which a lot of mist floats. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently catch mist of liquid which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit 7 immediately after the occurrence of the mist.

[0077] In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 according to a third aspect of the invention, in the first aspect, the catching port 43 is provided on an end portion side in a reciprocating direction B, a rotating unit 19 is provided in the catching port 43 in the catching units 38a and 38b, the catching port 43 can be opened or closed when the rotating unit 19 rotates along with the reciprocating of the carriage 6, and the catching port 43 enters an opened state along with a movement of the catching port 43 in a direction in which the end portion is on the front side in the reciprocating direction B.

[0078] According to the aspect, a rotating unit 19 is provided in the catching port 43 in the catching units 38a and 38b, the catching port 43 can be opened or closed when the rotating unit 19 rotates along with the reciprocating of the carriage 6, and the catching port 43 is provided on the end portion side in the reciprocating direction B, and the catching port 43 enters an opened state along with a movement of the catching port 43 in a direction in which the end portion is on the front side in the reciprocating direction B. For this reason, for example, it is possible to simply form a configuration in which the catching port 43 enters an opened state along with a movement in a direction in which the end portion is on the front side in the reciprocating direction B, such as a configuration in which the catching port 43 can be opened or closed using a wind pressure which is generated along with reciprocating of the carriage 6. In addition, with such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently catch mist from the catching port 43 on the front side along with reciprocating of the carriage 6, and to prevent mist which is caught at a time of stopping, or which is caught on the rear side from diffusing by escaping from the catching units 38a and 38b through the catching port 43.

[0079] In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 according to a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the regulation unit 20 is a stopper of the air current which is provided on a side opposite to an outlet 40.

[0080] According to the aspect, the regulation unit 20 is the stopper of the air current which is provided on the side opposite to the outlet 40. For this reason, it is possible to move mist which flows into the catching units 38a and 38b to the collecting unit 13 using the regulation unit 20 with a simple configuration.

Claims

1. A liquid ejecting apparatus (1) comprising:

a carriage (6) including an ejecting unit (7) which can eject liquid onto a medium, and can reciprocate in a reciprocating direction; and

a collecting unit (13) which can collect mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit from a collecting port (16),

wherein the carriage includes a catching unit (38a, 38b) which can catch, mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit, on at least one of the outer sides of the ejecting unit in the reciprocating direction,

wherein the catching unit includes a catching port (43) for the mist into which an air current (W3) can flow along with the reciprocating of the carriage, an outlet (40) for the air current, and a regulation unit (2) which is arranged to regulate the air current which flows in from the catching port so as to go toward the outlet side, and

wherein the outlet (40) is provided at a position at which the outlet can face the collecting port (16).

2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the catching port (43) is provided on a side which faces the medium.

3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2,
wherein the catching port (43) is provided on an end portion side in the reciprocating direction,
wherein the catching port can open or close by means of a rotating unit (45) provided in the catching port, the rotating unit rotating along with the reciprocating of the carriage, and
wherein the catching port is arranged to enter an opened state along with a movement in a direction in which the end portion is on the front side in the reciprocating direction.

4. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the regulation unit (20) is a stopper of the air current which is provided on a side opposite to the outlet (40).

Drawing