EP4588675A1

EP4588675A1 - Inkjet recording apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4588675A1
Application number: EP25151081.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shingo Tsubotani
Original assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
Current assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
Priority date: 2024-01-17
Filing date: 2025-01-10
Publication date: 2025-07-23
Also published as: JP2025110969A

Abstract

Disclosed is an inkjet recording apparatus including: a belt (11) for conveying a recording medium; an image forming section (2) that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the belt; a cleaning section (12) that supplies cleaning liquid to the belt to perform cleaning; a water absorbing roller (21) that is disposed downstream from the cleaning section in a conveyance direction of the belt and that is pressed against the belt to absorb the cleaning liquid on the belt; and a pressing release section (100) that releases pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Conventionally, an inkjet recording apparatus has been known which forms an image on a recording surface of a fabric (recording medium) by ejecting ink from an inkjet head. In the inkjet recording apparatus described above, the cloth is conveyed to and positioned at a predetermined position in a state where the cloth is adhesively fixed to the endless belt. Thereafter, ink is applied to the positioned cloth from the inkjet head. When the ink is applied to the end portion of the fabric, the ink also adheres to the exposed surface of the endless belt adjacent to the end portion. Further, when dust or the like adhering to the cloth adheres to the endless belt, the adhesion and fixation of the cloth to the endless belt are deteriorated.
Therefore, a configuration is known in which the conveyance surface of the endless belt is cleaned by being sprayed with water outside the conveyance section of the fabric, and then the water is removed by wiping with a water absorbing roller (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H 11-192694 and International Publication No. 2012/073907 ). Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H 11-192694 According to the configurations described in the publication and International Publication No. 2012/073907 , the outer surfaces (conveying surfaces) of the endless belts can be cleaned. In addition, the adhesiveness and fixability of the endless belt can be restored. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H 11-192694 and International Publication No. 2012/073907 disclose a configuration in which a squeezing roller is provided in pressure contact with a water absorbing roller in order to squeeze out water from the water absorbing roller. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H 11-192694 According to the structures described in the publication and International Publication No. 2012/073907 , the water absorbing roller can absorb water from the endless belt again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the configuration described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H 11-192694 , since the squeezing roller is kept pressed against the water absorbing roller, the water absorbing roller is plastically deformed due to drying or the like. When the water absorbing roller is plastically deformed, there is a problem in that the water-absorbing property is deteriorated and water cannot be absorbed.
Furthermore, in the configuration described in International Publication No. 2012/073907 , since the water absorbing roller is kept pressed against the endless belt, the water absorbing roller is plastically deformed due to drying or the like. When the water absorbing roller is plastically deformed, there is a problem in that the water-absorbing property is deteriorated and water cannot be absorbed.
The present invention has an object to provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of ensuring water-absorbing properties of a water absorbing roller by suppressing plastic deformation of the water absorbing roller.
To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, inkjet recording apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention is an inkjet recording apparatus comprising:

a belt (11) for conveying a recording medium;
an image forming section (2) that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the belt;
a cleaning section (12) that supplies cleaning liquid to the belt to perform cleaning;
a water absorbing roller (21) that is disposed downstream from the cleaning section in a conveyance direction of the belt and that is pressed against the belt to absorb the cleaning liquid on the belt; and
a pressing release section (100) that releases pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features provided by one or more embodiments of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control structure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in the vicinity of the water absorbing device 20 in a pressing release state; and
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a state in the vicinity of the water absorbing device 20 in the press state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, a head 2, a medium supply device 3, and a medium conveyance device 10.
As the recording medium of the present invention on which an image is formed, the fabric S is applied. As the head 2, an inkjet system for ejecting ink to the fabric S is applied. The head 2 functions as an image forming section of the present invention that forms an image on the fabric S conveyed by the endless belt 11.
The controller 100 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. First, in response to various signals, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the ROM and develops them in the RAM. Next, the CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in cooperation with the various programs developed in the RAM.
The medium conveyance device 10 includes an endless belt 11, a cleaning device 12, a water absorbing device 20, and a lifting device 30.
The endless belt (belt) 11 is wound around a plurality of rollers 111_and 112. The endless belt 11 is driven to travel by rotational driving of a motor (not illustrated) provided on the roller 111 side. In this case, the roller 112 performs driven rotation, but the roller 112 may be driven and the roller 111 may be driven. Furthermore, motors for driving the respective rollers 111_and 112_may be provided to perform synchronous rotation.
The P1 on the endless belt 11 is a belt water absorbing position by the water absorbing device 20.
The medium supply device 3 supplies the fabric S to the front face of the endless belt 11 on the downstream side of the belt water-absorbing position P1 in the running direction of the endless belt 11 and on the upstream side of the head 2.
The medium supply device 3 guides the fabric S unwound from an unwinding roller (not shown) to the endless belt 11. The medium supply device 3 presses the sheet P against the endless belt 11 with the pressing roller 3a. The surface of the endless belt 11 is an adhesive surface on which a layer of an adhesive is formed. Therefore, the cloth S pressed by the pressing roller 3a is attached to the front face of the endless belt 11. The fabric S attached to the surface of the endless belt 11 is conveyed toward the head 2 by the endless belt 11 which travels in synchronization with the medium supply device 3.
After an image is formed on the fabric S by the head 2, the fabric S is peeled off from the surface of the endless belt 11 by a peeling unit (not shown). The fabric S peeled off from the surface of the endless belt 11 is dried by a drying device (not shown), and then collected by being wound around a winding roller (not shown).
On the other hand, the endless belt 11 from which the fabric S has been peeled off is cleaned by a cleaning device 12 installed on the downstream side in the running direction of the endless belt 11.
The cleaning device 12 includes an injection nozzle 121, a brush roller 122, an injection nozzle 123, and a blade 124 in this order. The washing device 12 performs cleaning by supplying a cleaning liquid (water) to the endless belt 11 after the fabric S is peeled off. That is, the cleaning device 12 functions as a cleaning section of the present invention.
The ejection nozzle 121 ejects and supplies the cleaning liquid to the endless belt 11. The brush roller 122 brushes the endless belt 11. The ejection nozzle 123 ejects and supplies the cleaning liquid to the endless belt 11 again. The blade 124 scrapes off adhering waterdrops. The water droplets scraped off are collected on the water receiving tray 31.
The cleaning device 12 is supported by the water receiving tray 31, and is configured to be able to be lifted and lowered interlocking with the water receiving tray 31 by an air cylinder 32.
The residual water of the endless belt 11 after the cleaning is absorbed by the water absorbing device 20 at the belt water absorbing position P1 on the downstream side in the traveling direction. The water absorbing device 20 is installed such that the water absorbing roller 21 can be pressed against the front face of the endless belt 11 at the belt water absorbing position P1.
As described above, a cycle of the supply of the cloth S, the image formation, the removal of the cloth S, the cleaning by water washing, and the absorption of the residual water is repeatedly executed by the circulation conveyance of the endless belt 11.
The water absorbing device 20 includes a water absorbing roller 21 and a squeezing roller 22. The water absorption device 20 is supported by the water receiving tray 31, and is configured to be able to be lifted and lowered interlocking with the water receiving tray 31 by an air cylinder 32.
The water absorbing roller 21 is disposed downstream from the cleaning device 12 in the conveyance direction of the endless belt 11. The water absorbing roller 21 is provided on a spindle 21a parallel to the axial direction of the two rollers 111_and 112, and rotates following the movement of the endless belt 11. The water absorbing roller 21 is disposed below the endless belt 11, and is disposed so as to be able to be pressed against the surface of the endless belt 11. The water absorbing roller 21 is pressed by the endless belt 11 to absorb water (cleaning liquid) on the endless belt 11. Note that a counter roller 23 that rotates following the movement of the endless belt 11 is provided on a surface of the endless belt 11 opposite to a position (belt water-absorbing position P1) where the endless belt 11 is pressed against the water absorbing roller 21. The opposing roller 23 is fixed in a state of being in contact with the endless belt 11.
The water absorbing roller 21 is formed of a sponge, a rubber sponge, a nonwoven fabric solidified into the above-described shape, a water-absorbing fiber material, or the like. Note that the water absorbing roller 21 can be formed of any material having water-absorbing properties and elasticity.
The water absorbing roller 21 is attached to the water receiving tray 31 via a spring (not illustrated) connected to a plate (not illustrated) attached to an 21a of the spindle. That is, the water absorbing roller 21 is attached to the water receiving tray 31 via the plate and the spring.
The squeezing roller 22 is made of a metal material, and is a roller for squeezing out the water absorbed by the water absorbing roller 21. The squeezing roller 22 is provided on a spindle 22a parallel to the axial direction of the two rollers 111 and 112, and rotates following the rotation of the water absorbing roller 21. The squeezing roller 22 is placed below the water absorbing roller 21 and is placed so as to be able to press against the surface of the water absorbing roller 21. The squeezing roller 22 is pressed against the surface of the water absorbing roller 21 to remove the water (cleaning liquid) on the water absorbing roller 21. Although the surface of the water absorbing roller 21 absorbs water, pressing the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 squeezes out the water on the surface of the water absorbing roller 21. As described above, the provision of the squeezing roller 22 can ensure the water-absorbing property of the water absorbing roller 21.
The squeezing roller 22 is attached to the water receiving tray 31 via a spring 22b connected to a plate (not shown) attached to the support shaft 22a. That is, the squeezing roller 22 is attached to the water receiving tray 31 via the plate and the spring 22b.
The lifting device 30 includes a water receiving tray 31 and an air cylinder 32.
The water receiving tray 31 supports the cleaning device 12 and the water absorbing device 20 from below. The water receiving tray 31 is configured to receive waterdrops adhering to the brush roller 122, waterdrops scraped off by the blade 124, and water squeezed out by the squeezing roller 22.
The air cylinder 32 supports the water receiving tray 31 from below. The air cylinder 32 lifts and lowers the cleaning device 12 and the water absorption device 20 via the catch pan 31.
The controller 100 controls the air cylinder 32 to release the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11. That is, the controller 100 functions as a pressing release section of the present invention. Specifically, the controller 100 separates the water absorbing roller 21 from the endless belt 11 by lowering the water absorbing roller 21 via the water receiving tray 31. As a result, the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11 is released.
Further, the controller 100 releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11, and releases the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21. Specifically, the controller 100 moves down the squeezing roller 22 via the water receiving tray 31 to separate the squeezing roller 22 from the water absorbing roller 21. Thus, the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 is released.
Note that the lowering of the water absorbing roller 21 and the lowering of the squeezing roller 22 are performed by one lowering operation of the water receiving tray 31 by the air cylinder 32. That is, the release of the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11 and the release of the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 are performed in conjunction with each other. In addition, the lifting of the water absorbing roller 21 and the lifting of the squeezing roller 22 are performed by one lifting operation of the water receiving tray 31 by the air cylinder 32. That is, the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11 and the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 are performed in conjunction with each other.
In the present embodiment, the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22 are lifted and lowered via the water receiving tray 31 by the air cylinder 32.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a state in the vicinity of the water absorbing device 20 in the pressing release state.
In the example illustrated in Fig. 3, the water absorbing roller 21 is separated from the endless belt 11, and the squeezing roller 22 is separated from the water absorbing roller 21.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the vicinity of the water absorbing device 20 in the press state.
In the example illustrated in Fig. 4, the endless belt 11 is pressed against the water absorbing roller 21, and the water absorbing roller 21 is pressed against the squeezing roller 22.
The controller 100 controls the air cylinder 32 to switch between the pressing release state and the press state.
Specifically, when switching from the pressing release state to the press state, the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22 are lifted via the water receiving tray 31. When the water absorbing roller 21 comes into contact with the endless belt 11, since the counter roller 23 is fixedly disposed on the opposite surface of the endless belt 11, the water absorbing roller 21 is restricted from rising and is fixed at the contact position. Thus, the endless belt 11 is pressed against the water absorbing roller 21. The water absorbing roller 21 is attached to the water receiving tray 31 via a spring. When the water receiving tray 31 is lifted after the rise of the water absorbing roller 21 is regulated, the water receiving tray 31 is lifted by the compression of the spring. That is, the squeezing roller 22 continues to rise even after the rise of the water absorbing roller 21 is regulated, and eventually abuts on the water absorbing roller 21. The squeezing roller 22 is attached to the water receiving tray 31 via a spring. In a case where the water receiving tray 31 moves upward even after the squeezing roller 22 abuts on the water absorbing roller 21, the upward movement amount of the squeezing roller 22 decreases due to a reaction force from the water absorbing roller 21, but the spring contracts correspondingly, and thus the water receiving tray 31 moves upward. Thus, the water absorbing roller 21 is pressed against the squeezing roller 22.
Thus, the state can be switched from the pressing release state to the press state.
On the other hand, when switching from the press state to the pressing release state, the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22 are lowered via the water receiving tray 31. With the lowering of the water receiving tray 31, each spring which has been contracted first is restored by elasticity. When each spring returns to its original state, each roller that has been urged by each spring starts to lower Since there is a difference in an amount of rise (upward movement) of the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22 when switching from the pressing release state to the press state, there is also a difference in an amount of contraction of each spring that urges each roller. Specifically, since the upward movement amount of the water absorbing roller 21 is smaller than that of the squeezing roller 22, the contraction amount of the spring that urges the water absorbing roller 21 is increased correspondingly. That is, the time required for each spring to return to its original state is longer for the spring that urges the water absorbing roller 21 than for the spring that urges the squeezing roller 22. Therefore, the squeezing roller 22 starts to descend earlier than the water absorbing roller 21. Thus, the squeezing roller 22 is separated from the water absorbing roller 21. After the squeezing roller 22 starts to lower and the spring that urges the water absorbing roller 21 further returns to its original state, the water absorbing roller 21 also starts to lower. Thus, the water absorbing roller 21 is separated from the endless belt 11.
Thus, the state can be switched from the press state to the pressing release state.
Further, the controller 100 releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11 at a predetermined time. Furthermore, the controller 100 releases the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 at a predetermined time. In the present embodiment, the lowering of the water absorbing roller 21 and the lowering of the squeezing roller 22 are performed by a single lowering operation of the water receiving tray 31 by the air cylinder 32. Therefore, the control for releasing the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11 and the control for releasing the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 are the same control.
Here, the predetermined time is a time when image formation by the head 2 is not performed. This is because the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11 cannot be released because it is necessary to constantly clean the endless belt 11 by the cleaning device 12 when image formation is performed by the head 2.
Specific examples of the predetermined time include the time when a power supply is turned off, the time when a jam occurs, and a time set in advance by the user.
In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, after an image is formed on the fabric S and the fabric S is removed from the endless belt 11, the endless belt 11 is cleaned by the cleaning device 12. When the endless belt 11 after cleaning reaches the belt water absorbing position P1, the residual water after cleaning is absorbed by the water absorbing roller 21 which rolls while being in pressure contact with the endless belt 11.
When the image formation by the heads 2 is completed and the cleaning of the endless belt 11 and the absorption of the residual water are completed, the state is switched from the press state to the pressing release state. That is, the controller 100 controls the air cylinder 32 to lower the water absorbing device 20 (the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22). Thus, the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the endless belt 11 and the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 are released. Therefore, the plastic deformation of the water absorbing roller 21 can be suppressed.
When the image formation by the head 2 is resumed, the state is switched from the pressing release state to the press state. That is, the controller 100 controls the air cylinder 32 to lift the water absorbing device 20 (the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22). Thus, the endless belt 11 is pressed against the water absorbing roller 21, and the water absorbing roller 21 is pressed against the squeezing roller 22. Therefore, since the residual water of the endless belt 11 can be absorbed, the image formation by the head 2 can be resumed.
As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a belt (the endless belt 11), an image forming section (the head 2), a cleaning section (the cleaning device 12), the water absorbing roller 21, and a pressing release section (the controller 100). The belt conveys a recording medium (fabric S). The image forming section forms an image on a recording medium conveyed by the belt. The cleaning section supplies a cleaning liquid to the belt to perform cleaning. The water absorbing roller 21 is disposed downstream from the cleaning section in a conveyance direction of the belt, and is pressed by the belt to absorb the cleaning liquid on the belt. The pressing release section releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the belt.
Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the plastic deformation of the water absorbing roller 21. Therefore, the water absorbing property of the water absorbing roller 21 can be secured.
The fixing device further includes a squeezing roller 22 that is pressed against the surface of the water absorbing roller 21 to remove the water on the water absorbing roller 21. The pressing release section releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the belt and releases the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21.
Therefore, the plastic deformation of the water absorbing roller 21 can be suppressed. Therefore, the water absorbing property of the water absorbing roller 21 can be secured.
The water absorbing roller 21 is disposed below the belt, and the squeezing roller 22 is disposed below the water absorbing roller 21. The pressing release section lowers the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22 to release the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the belt and the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress the plastic deformation of the water absorbing roller 21 with a simple configuration and control. Therefore, the water absorbing property of the water absorbing roller 21 can be easily secured.
Furthermore, the pressing release section releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller 21 against the belt and the pressing of the squeezing roller 22 against the water absorbing roller 21 at a predetermined time. The predetermined time includes the time when a power supply is turned off, the time when a jam occurs, and a time that is set in advance by the user.
Therefore, it is possible to release each pressing at a timing when an image is not formed by the image forming section. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the plastic deformation of the water absorbing roller 21 without interfering with the image formation by the image forming section.
According to the above embodiment, it is possible to ensure the water-absorbing property of the water absorbing roller by suppressing plastic deformation of the water absorbing roller.
Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The embodiment can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, the controller 100 may control the pressing amount of the endless belt 11 by controlling the amount of upward and downward movement of the water absorbing roller 21. Alternatively, the controller 100 may control the pressing amount against the water absorbing roller 21 by controlling the amount of upward and downward movement of the squeezing roller 22. Note that in the present invention, the lifting and lowering of the water absorbing roller 21 and the lifting and lowering of the squeezing roller 22 are performed by a single lifting and lowering operation of the water receiving tray 31 by the air cylinder 32. Therefore, the control of an amount of upward and downward movement of the water absorbing roller 21 and the control of the amount of upward and downward movement of the squeezing roller 22 are the same control.
As described above, the pressing release section controls the pressing amount by controlling the amount of upward and downward movement of the water absorbing roller 21 and the squeezing roller 22. Thus, the pressing amount against each roller can be controlled. Therefore, the amount of water absorbed by the water absorbing roller 21 and the amount of water squeezed out by the squeezing roller 22 can be adjusted.
In the above-described embodiment, the fabric S is described as an example of the recording medium of the present invention, but the invention is not limited thereto. That is, any sheet-like medium can be a target of image formation.
The detailed configuration and operation of components constituting the inkjet recording apparatus can also be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the disclosed embodiments are made for purposes of illustration and example only and not limitation. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by terms of the appended claims.

Claims

An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:
a belt (11) for conveying a recording medium;

an image forming section (2) that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the belt;

a cleaning section (12) that supplies cleaning liquid to the belt to perform cleaning;

a water absorbing roller (21) that is disposed downstream from the cleaning section in a conveyance direction of the belt and that is pressed against the belt to absorb the cleaning liquid on the belt; and

a pressing release section (100) that releases pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a squeezing roller (22) that is pressed against a surface of the water absorbing roller to remove water of the water absorbing roller, wherein
the pressing release section releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt and releases pressing of the squeezing roller against the water absorbing roller.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water absorbing roller is disposed below the belt.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing release section lowers the water absorbing roller to release the pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the water absorbing roller is disposed below the belt, and

the squeezing roller is disposed below the water absorbing roller.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressing release section lowers the water absorbing roller and the squeezing roller to release the pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt and the pressing of the squeezing roller against the water absorbing roller
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressing release section controls a pressing amount by controlling an amount of upward and downward movement of the water absorbing roller.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pressing release section controls a pressing amount by controlling an amount of upward and downward movement of the water absorbing roller and the squeezing roller
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing release section releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt at a predetermined time.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressing release section releases the pressing of the water absorbing roller against the belt and the pressing of the squeezing roller against the water absorbing roller at a predetermined time.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the predetermined time includes a time when a power supply is turned off.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the predetermined time includes a time when a jam occurs.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the predetermined time includes a time that is set in advance by a user.