JP2000272107A - Image-forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce damage to an apparatus body and a recording head and improve an efficiency and a reliability in cleaning a belt by constituting a cleaning means for cleaning a surface of a recorded recording material transfer means which butts in contact with the transfer means of a member including a macromolecular water-absorbing polymer. SOLUTION: A recording paper 8 is sucked onto a belt transfer body 308 by a suction roller 52, sequentially sent onto each of recording heads 1C, 1M, 1Y and 1Bk to form each color image and delivered outside. The transfer body 308 is driven to rotate at a constant velocity by a motor of a shaft of a diving roller 4. A cleaning roller 501 as a cleaning member of a belt cleaner which is arranged to a lower part as a cleaning means for cleaning a recording ink adhering to a surface of the transfer body 308 is brought in contact with the surface of the transfer body 308 while a constant pressure is maintained. The roller 501 is formed in a double layer structure of an ink transfer layer 501a of a non-woven fabric and an ink absorption layer 501b of a macromolecular water-absorbing polymer. The ink adhering to the belt penetrates moves in the absorption layer 501b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which an ink jet recording system for performing recording by spraying ink droplets onto a recording medium is used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus of this type, for example, in an apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus which records an image by ejecting ink droplets, an ordinary recording apparatus is used to maintain the performance of a recording head. It is necessary to fly ink other than during recording.

That is, the performance of the recording head is maintained by discharging these inks not on the recording material but on a cap or a conveyor belt.

[0004] In general, these inks are generally collected as waste ink by a waste ink recovery case, a waste ink recovery ink absorber, or the like.

However, in order to keep these discharged inks in the apparatus for the life of the apparatus main body, a large space for collecting the discharged ink is required in the apparatus, and the discharged inks are absorbed. Therefore, the size of the waste ink absorber becomes large, which is a countermeasure against downsizing of the apparatus.

If the discharged ink capacity cannot be ensured for the life of the apparatus, it is necessary to collect and discard the discharged ink on the way. However, in such a case, the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated, Separation time detection means and the like are separately required, which increases costs.

[0007] When ink is ejected onto a conveyor belt, a means for cleaning the belt to which the ink has adhered is required. Maintenance work such as replacement of members or cleaning is required.

[0008]

However, even if these means are used, it is difficult to completely eliminate the above-mentioned problems.
Problems such as spillage of the collected ink have occurred.

[0009] In the configuration of the above-mentioned conventional example, measures are insufficient, and in particular, an apparatus having a wide print width of a print head or a recording medium in a direction intersecting a conveying direction of a recording medium arranged in a recording area. In a so-called full-line type ink jet recording head in which the ink ejection ports are arranged over the entire width, a large amount of ink is used, and accordingly, the amount of discharged ink is also large.

In a device using a full-line type recording head, a belt conveying device is often used to convey a recording material. In this case, when ink is ejected onto the belt, the cleaning device is required to be used. A large ink recovery capacity is also required.

As a result, the overflow of the ink exceeding the recovery capacity of the ink absorber, the cleaning failure due to the shortage of the ink absorbing ability, and the like may be caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to reduce damage to the apparatus main body and the recording head, and to improve the belt cleaning performance and reliability. To provide an image forming apparatus to which the ink jet recording system is applied.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a conveying means for conveying a recording material, and an ink jet recording system for discharging ink to perform recording. A recording unit that records an image on a recording material to be formed, and a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the conveyance unit by contacting the conveyance unit, wherein the cleaning unit includes a polymer water-absorbing polymer. And a cleaning member having the same.

The cleaning member has an ink transfer layer having an ink absorbing member at a contact portion with the transporting means, and an ink absorbing layer having a high molecular weight water absorbing polymer in a region other than the contact portion. It is also suitable.

Further, it is preferable that the cleaning member is a rotating body, and that the cleaning member includes a driving means for rotating the rotating body, and a control means for controlling the driving means to make the rotating body behave freely. is there.

The cleaning means includes a web-shaped ink transfer member having an ink absorbing member at the contact portion, wherein the cleaning member is a rotating body, and the ink transfer member is provided between the cleaning means and the transfer means. It is also preferable to be provided so that the

It is also preferable that the cleaning member and the ink transfer member are detachable from the cleaning means.

Preferably, the ink absorbing layer is detachable from the cleaning member.

It is also preferable that the ink transfer layer and the ink transfer member, which are contact portions of the cleaning means with the transfer means, have been subjected to a static elimination process.

Further, it is preferable that the cleaning means includes a retracting means capable of retracting from the transporting means.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified. .

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

First, an outline of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 301 denotes a scanner unit which reads a document and converts it into an electric signal. Then, a signal based on the converted signal is given as a drive signal to a recording head unit 305 as recording means of the printer unit 302.

The recording paper 8 as one of the recording materials stored in the paper supply unit 303 is sent out one by one toward a belt transport unit 304 as a transport unit when necessary.

When the recording paper 8 passes through the belt transport unit 304, an image is recorded by the recording heads 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1Bk of each color arranged in the recording head unit 305.
The sheet is sent to the tray 420 via the sheet discharge unit 307. Reference numeral 306 denotes a rotating cap unit, and the recording head unit 30
Reference numeral 5 has a function for maintaining a printable state at all times.

In the present embodiment, a full-lined long head is used as the recording head.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the full-length long recording head and ink supply means.

Reference numeral 1601 denotes a recording head, 1652 denotes a common liquid chamber in the recording head 1601, and 1653 denotes a liquid discharge port arranged on the recording liquid discharge surface 1654.

Thus, the discharge port 1653 of the present embodiment
Are arranged over the recordable width of the target recording material, and the recording is performed by selectively driving a heating element provided in a liquid path (not shown) leading to each of the ejection ports 1653. The liquid can be ejected and printing can be performed without moving and scanning the head itself.

1655, a recording liquid supply tank for supplying the recording liquid to the recording head 1601, and 1656, a supply tank 16
55 is a main tank for replenishing the recording liquid into the common liquid chamber 1652 of the recording head 1601 from a supply tank 1655 through a supply pipe 1657;
When the recording liquid is replenished, the recovery pump 1659 is supplied from the main tank 1656 through the one-way replenishment rectifying valve 1658.
Thus, the recording liquid can be replenished to the supply tank 1655.

Also, reference numeral 1660 denotes a one-way rectifying valve for recovery which is used at the time of a recovery operation performed for recovering the ejection function of the recording head 1601, and 1661 denotes a recovery rectifying valve 1660
, And 1662 is a solenoid valve interposed in the first supply pipe 1657 described above.
Reference numeral 1663 denotes a supply tank air valve.

Next, the recording material conveying means of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The recording paper 8 fed from the paper supply unit 303 is adsorbed on the belt conveyance body 308 by the adsorption roller 52 and is sequentially sent to the recording heads 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1Bk.

The recording paper 8 is provided for each recording head 1.
Each color image is formed by sequentially passing under C, 1M, 1Y, and 1Bk, and after forming the final color, it is discharged.

The belt conveyor 3 used in the present embodiment
08 will be described.

The belt conveyor 308 is wound around a driving roller 4 and driven rollers 1, 2, and 3. The belt conveying body 308 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) connected to the shaft of the driving roller 4, whereby the belt conveying body 308 is conveyed at a constant speed. As the belt material, a rubber belt, a film belt, or the like is generally used.

In general, the recording paper 8 is stuck on the belt conveyance body 308 by generating static electricity and adsorbing the recording paper 8 onto the belt conveyance body 308 to convey the recording paper 8. Or an air conveyance system in which a negative pressure is generated by a fan or the like, and the recording paper 8 is sucked onto the belt conveyance body 308 by suction from countless holes on the belt conveyance body 308 and conveyed. Is often used.

In the present embodiment, an explanation will be given using an apparatus using an electrostatic attraction method, but the present invention is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the power supply for electrostatic attraction to the belt conveyance body 308 uses a roller power supply system.

A predetermined voltage is applied to the power supply roller, thereby charging the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 to attract the recording paper 8.

In the period from when the recording paper 8 of the belt conveying body 308 is separated to when the next recording paper 8 is sucked, that is, in FIG. A belt cleaner is disposed as cleaning means for cleaning the ink.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the belt cleaner according to the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a belt cleaning roller as a cleaning member.

In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the belt cleaning roller 501 is brought into contact with the surface of the belt conveying member 308 while maintaining a constant pressure, and is driven to rotate by the driving of the belt conveying member 308. . As a result, the cleaning roller 501 rotates as the belt conveyor 308 moves.

FIG. 4 shows a belt cleaning roller 501.
Represents the cross-sectional shape.

The cleaning roller 501 has a two-layer structure. Reference numeral 501a denotes an ink transfer layer, which is made of a nonwoven fabric in the present embodiment. 501b
Is a high molecular water-absorbing polymer which is an ink absorbing layer.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a description will be given of a process of cleaning ink adhered on the belt conveying member 308. FIG.

First, the ink adhering to the belt conveying body 308 is moved to the contact nip portion with the cleaning roller 501 in FIG.

In the nip portion, the adhered ink on the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 comes into contact with the nonwoven fabric 501a on the surface of the cleaning roller 501 with a certain pressure. As a result, the ink on the belt surface is transferred to the nonwoven fabric 501a.

The nonwoven fabric 5 on the surface of the cleaning roller 501
The ink transferred to the 01a side permeates and moves to the inner surface, that is, to the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b.

As a result, the ink that has moved into the inside of the cleaning roller 501 is removed.
It contacts the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b disposed inside.

Since the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 501b has a function of adsorbing and holding the ink, the ink that has moved into the inside is absorbed into the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 501b layer and transferred to the nonwoven fabric side 501a again. Never move.

Through a series of these operations, the ink adhering to the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is held by the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501.

The high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the cleaning roller 501 has a function of absorbing and holding a liquid such as ink.

In this case, depending on the material of the high molecular weight water absorbing polymer 501b or the composition of the ink to be absorbed,
That is, the ink absorption amount =
Ability is determined.

The amount of the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501 is determined based on these, that is, the size of the roller = the roller diameter is determined by how much ink is absorbed. This also determines the life of the apparatus and the time to replace the cleaning roller 501.

The cleaning roller 501 is configured to be detachable from the belt cleaner.

Thus, when the absorbing ability is lost, the cleaning effect can be regained only by replacing the cleaning roller 501.

Further, according to the configuration of the cleaning roller 501, it is also possible to replace and replace only the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the roller.

The description of the ink supply system and the recovery system used in the ink jet recording apparatus used in the first embodiment will be omitted because they are well known to those skilled in the art.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the belt cleaner of the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a belt cleaning roller. In this embodiment, the cleaning roller 501 is in contact with the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 while maintaining a constant pressure, as shown in the figure. Reference numeral 502 denotes a belt cleaning roller driving motor as driving means.

The cleaning roller 501 is driven by a belt cleaning roller drive motor 502 controlled by a control means (not shown) in a driven direction or a reverse direction (counter direction) with respect to the moving direction of the belt conveyance body 308.

The belt cleaning roller drive motor 50
The operation of the driven rotation, the reverse rotation, or the fixation of 2 may be performed by control means (not shown) or manually by a switch or the like.

Next, the rotation speed, rotation direction, and rotation timing of the cleaning roller 501 will be described.

As described above, the cleaning roller 501 is configured to be rotatable by the motor 502.

The cleaning roller 501 is provided with a contact / separation mechanism (not shown) as a retracting means.

The cleaning roller 501 is moved by a contacting / separating mechanism (not shown) when the belt is transported.
08 at a predetermined pressure, and can be retracted from the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 when cleaning is completed.

The provision of the cleaning roller contacting / separating mechanism (not shown) makes it possible to reduce the contact time of the cleaning roller 501 with the surface of the belt conveying member 308, which is advantageous for the life and durability of the belt. .

At the same time, since the belt can be retracted during printing, there is no fear that the belt conveyance performance (speed unevenness or the like) is adversely affected.

The following method is possible for the rotation driving method of the cleaning roller 501.

1) When the cleaning is performed, the belt 308 is driven with a difference between the moving speed and the relative speed.

2) At the end of cleaning, the cleaning roller 501 is rotated by a predetermined amount.

By appropriately selecting these, the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is cleaned. That is, in the method 1), the cleaning is performed while rotating the cleaning roller 501 at the time of cleaning, and is similar to the method described in the first embodiment. Since the difference is provided, more effective cleaning performance can be obtained.

In this method, the relative speed difference can be further increased by reversing the rotation direction of the cleaning roller 501, so that cleaning can be performed more effectively.

On the other hand, it is also possible to drive the cleaning roller 501 to rotate by a very small amount during the cleaning. In this method, the speed of the cleaning roller 501 is reduced with respect to the belt speed, so that an opposite relative speed difference is generated to clean the belt conveyance body 308.

The setting of the speed and the rotation direction can be selected according to the configuration of the apparatus, particularly, the material of the belt, the ink composition, the state of contamination, and the like.

Next, in the method 2), the cleaning roller 501 is stopped (fixed) during cleaning. As a result, the same surface is always brought into contact with the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 during belt cleaning. For example, when a large amount of ink droplets adhere to the surface of the belt conveyance body 308, the ink is scraped off while being scraped off. It is possible to collect and absorb.

Further, according to the method described in the first embodiment or 1) of the present embodiment, the entire circumference of the cleaning roller 501 is always used at the time of cleaning. Since the cleaning roller 501 is rotated and an unused portion or the surface used last time has passed, it is possible to use a dry roller surface whose surface is not wet with ink. In some cases, it is possible to increase the cleaning effect.

These selection methods are based on the belt conveyor 308
It is possible to select according to the surface condition, that is, the condition of the dirt. In other words, if the belt conveyance body 308 is lightly contaminated, a setting with a small relative speed difference may be selected. Conversely, if the contaminated paper is very contaminated, the rotation of the cleaning roller 501 is reversed to thereby reduce the belt speed. , And the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional shape of the cleaning roller 501.

The cleaning roller 501 has a two-layer structure. Reference numeral 501a denotes an ink transfer layer, which is made of a nonwoven fabric in the present embodiment. 501b
Is a high molecular water-absorbing polymer.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a process of cleaning the ink adhered on the belt conveying member 308 will be described.

At the time of printing, the cleaning roller 501 is retracted in a state of being separated from the belt conveying body 308.

When a belt cleaning signal is received, the belt cleaning roller 501 is brought into contact with the belt surface by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown).

At this time, the cleaning roller 501
Is driven to rotate by a belt cleaning roller drive motor 502.

First, the ink adhering to the belt conveyance body 308 is moved to the contact nip portion with the cleaning roller 501 in FIG.

In the nip portion, the adhered ink on the surface of the belt conveying member 308 comes into contact with the nonwoven fabric 501a on the surface of the cleaning roller 501 with a certain pressure.

Also, as described above, the belt transport 30
8 and the surface speed of the cleaning roller 501, there is a relative speed difference, whereby the ink on the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is scraped off from the surface of the belt conveying member 308 so that the ink on the surface of the cleaning roller 501 is scraped off. It is transferred to the nonwoven fabric 501a side.

The nonwoven fabric 5 on the surface of the cleaning roller 501
The ink transferred to the 01a side permeates and moves to the inner surface, that is, to the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b.

As a result, the ink moved to the inside of the cleaning roller 501 is removed.
It contacts the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b disposed inside.

Since the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b has a function of adsorbing and holding the ink, the ink that has moved into the interior is absorbed into the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b layer, and is transferred to the nonwoven fabric 501a again. Never move.

[0095] By a series of these operations, the ink adhering to the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 is held by the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501.

The high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the cleaning roller 501 has a function of absorbing and holding a liquid such as ink.

In this case, depending on the material of the high molecular weight water absorbing polymer 501b or the composition of the ink to be absorbed,
That is, the ink absorption amount =
Ability is determined.

The amount of the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501 is determined based on these, that is, the size of the roller = the roller diameter is determined by how much ink is absorbed. This also determines the life of the apparatus and the time to replace the cleaning roller 501.

Further, since the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 501b can evaporate absorbed water due to its properties, the amount of the above-mentioned polymer can be minimized by considering the amount of evaporation. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the device.

The cleaning roller 501 is configured to be detachable from the belt cleaner.

Thus, when the absorbing ability is lost, the cleaning effect can be restored again only by replacing the cleaning roller 501.

Further, according to the configuration of the cleaning roller 501, a method of replacing and replacing only the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the roller is also possible.

The description of the ink supply system and the recovery system used in the ink jet recording apparatus used in the present embodiment will be omitted because they are well known to those skilled in the art.

(Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the belt cleaner according to the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a belt cleaning roller. In this embodiment, the cleaning roller 501 is in contact with the belt surface while maintaining a constant pressure as shown in the figure.

In this embodiment, the cleaning roller 501 is in contact with the belt at a constant pressure, and the rotation direction is fixed. That is, this is a method in which the cleaning roller 501 is always stopped (fixed).

As a result, the same surface is constantly brought into contact with the surface of the belt conveying member 308 during belt cleaning, so that, for example, when a large amount of ink droplets adhere to the surface of the belt conveying member 308, the ink is scraped. It is possible to collect and absorb ink while dropping.

According to the method described in 1) of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the entire circumference of the roller is always used at the time of cleaning.
This is a method in which the cleaning roller 501 is fixed and cleaning is always performed on the same surface.

According to this method, although the cleaning performance is inferior to the methods of the first and second embodiments, the cleaning is performed by using an apparatus in which the belt conveying member 308 has relatively little contamination (mainly, It is considered suitable for a low-speed machine.) It is possible to reduce the size of the device with a reduced cost and a simplified configuration. Further, in this method, it is possible to provide a mechanism for bringing the cleaning roller 501 into and out of contact with the cleaning roller 501 described in the second embodiment, to increase the life of the belt, the durability of the belt, and the belt conveyance performance.

FIG. 9 shows a belt cleaning roller 501.
Represents the cross-sectional shape.

The cleaning roller 501 has a two-layer structure. Reference numeral 501a denotes an ink transfer layer, which is made of a nonwoven fabric in the present embodiment. 501b
Is a high molecular water-absorbing polymer.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a description will be given of a process of cleaning ink adhered on the belt conveyor 308. FIG.

The cleaning roller 501 is always in contact with the belt conveyor 308 at a constant pressure.

Further, the belt cleaning roller 501
Has a fixed rotation direction.

First, the ink adhering to the belt conveyance body 308 is moved to the contact nip portion with the cleaning roller 501 in the drawing via the driving roller 4.

In the nip portion, the adhered ink on the surface of the belt conveying member 308 comes into contact with the nonwoven fabric 501a on the surface of the cleaning roller 501 with a certain pressure.

Further, as described above, the belt transport 30
8, the cleaning roller 501 is stopped (fixed), so that the ink on the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is scraped off from the surface of the belt conveying member 308 so that the nonwoven fabric 501 on the surface of the cleaning roller 501 is scraped off.
It is transferred to the a side.

Nonwoven fabric 5 on cleaning roller 501 surface
The ink transferred to the 01a side permeates and moves to the inner surface, that is, to the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b.

As a result, the ink moved to the inside of the cleaning roller 501 is removed.
It contacts the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b disposed inside.

Since the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b has a function of adsorbing and holding the ink, the ink that has moved into the inside is absorbed into the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b layer and transferred to the nonwoven fabric side 501a again. Never move.

Through these series of operations, the ink adhering to the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is held by the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501.

The high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the cleaning roller 501 has a function of absorbing and holding a liquid such as ink.

In this case, depending on the material of the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b or the composition of the ink to be absorbed,
That is, the ink absorption amount =
Ability is determined.

The amount of the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501 is determined based on these, that is, the size of the roller = the roller diameter is determined by how much ink is absorbed. This also determines the life of the apparatus and the time to replace the cleaning roller 501.

Further, since the water-absorbing polymer 501b is capable of evaporating absorbed water due to its properties, the amount of the above-mentioned polymer can be minimized by considering the amount of evaporation. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the device.

The cleaning roller 501 is configured to be detachable from the belt cleaner. Thus, when the absorption capacity is lost, the cleaning effect can be restored again only by replacing the cleaning roller 501.

Further, according to the configuration of the cleaning roller 501, it is also possible to replace and replace only the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the roller.

The description of the ink supply system and the recovery system used in the ink jet recording apparatus used in the present embodiment will be omitted because they are well known to those skilled in the art.

(Embodiment 4) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a main part of the belt cleaner of this embodiment.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a belt cleaning roller. In this embodiment, the cleaning roller 501 is in contact with the belt surface while maintaining a constant pressure as shown in the figure.

Reference numeral 503 denotes a belt cleaning web. As shown in FIG. 10, the belt cleaning web 503 is brought into contact with the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 by a cleaning roller 501 at a constant pressure.

A belt cleaning web drive motor (not shown) is a motor for winding the cleaning web 503 in contact with the surface of the belt conveying member 308 at a predetermined timing and a predetermined speed.

In the present embodiment, the cleaning web 503 is driven by a web drive motor (not shown) in a driven direction or a reverse direction (counter direction) with respect to the moving direction of the belt conveying body 308.

FIG. 11 shows the cross-sectional shape of the cleaning roller 501.

The cleaning roller 501 has a two-layer structure. Reference numeral 501a denotes an ink transfer layer, which is made of a nonwoven fabric in the present embodiment. 501b
Is a high molecular water-absorbing polymer.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the belt transport 30
The cleaning process of the ink adhered on the surface 8 will be described.

First, the ink adhering to the belt conveying member 308 passes through the driving roller 4 and is then pressed by the cleaning roller 501 in FIG.
Is moved to the contact nip portion.

In the nip portion, the adhered ink on the surface of the belt conveying member 308 comes into contact with the cleaning web 503, and the saturated ink moves to the nonwoven fabric 501a on the surface of the cleaning roller 501, which is further in contact with the inside.

As a result, the ink on the surface of the belt conveying member 308 partially permeates the cleaning web 503 and is collected, and the ink that cannot be completely collected is further transferred to the nonwoven fabric 501a side of the cleaning roller 501. .

The ink transferred to the non-woven fabric 501a similarly permeates and moves from the non-woven fabric 501a to the inner surface, that is, to the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b.

As a result, the ink moved to the inside of the cleaning roller 501 is removed.
It contacts the high molecular weight water-absorbing polymer 501b disposed inside.

Since the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b has a function of adsorbing and holding the ink, the ink that has moved into the interior is absorbed in the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b layer and transferred to the nonwoven fabric 501a again. Never move.

That is, the ink is collected to some extent by the nonwoven fabric 501a, and the ink that cannot be completely collected is further absorbed by the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b.

By a series of these operations, the ink adhering to the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is held by the high molecular weight water absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501.

The high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the cleaning roller 501 has a function of absorbing and holding a liquid such as ink.

In this case, depending on the material of the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b or the composition of the ink to be absorbed,
That is, the ink absorption = capability is determined by these combinations.

The amount of the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 501b in the cleaning roller 501 is determined based on these, that is, the roller size = the roller diameter is determined by how much ink is absorbed. This also determines the life of the apparatus and the time to replace the cleaning roller 501.

The cleaning roller 501 and the cleaning web 503 are detachable by a belt cleaner.

As a result, when the absorption capacity is lost, the cleaning effect can be restored again only by replacing the cleaning roller 501 and the cleaning web 503 simultaneously or timely.

Further, according to the configuration of the cleaning roller 501, it is also possible to replace and replace only the high molecular water-absorbing polymer 501b inside the cleaning roller 501.

The description of the ink supply system and the recovery system used in the ink jet recording apparatus used in the present embodiment will be omitted because they are well known to those skilled in the art.

(Embodiment 5) Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a main part of the belt cleaner according to the present embodiment. 504 is a belt cleaning pad. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the belt cleaning pad 504
Contact is maintained while maintaining a constant pressure.

In this embodiment, the cleaning pad 504 is in contact with the belt at a constant pressure. This is a method in which the cleaning pad 504 is always stopped (fixed).

Thus, during the belt cleaning, the surface of the cleaning pad 504 is always kept
Because it is brought into contact with the surface, for example,
For example, when a large amount of ink droplets adhere to the surface of the ink cartridge 08, the ink can be collected and absorbed while scraping off the ink. Further, according to the cleaning roller method described in the first to fourth embodiments, the ink is collected by the roller nip portion. However, in the present method, the pad surface is brought into contact with the belt. Therefore, the contact area can be increased, and the cleaning performance can be maintained while using a device with relatively little contamination of the belt (mainly suitable for a low-speed machine). With this configuration, the size of the device can be reduced.

In this system, a pad contact / separation mechanism (not shown) as a retracting means is provided as in the case of the contact / separation mechanism for the cleaning roller 501 described in the second embodiment, so that the belt life can be reduced. Increased belt durability,
It is also possible to improve the belt conveyance performance.

FIG. 13 shows a belt cleaning pad 50.
4 shows the cross-sectional shape.

The cleaning pad 504 has a two-layer structure. Reference numeral 504a denotes an ink transfer layer, which is made of a nonwoven fabric in the present embodiment. 504b
Is a high molecular water-absorbing polymer.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG.
The cleaning process of the ink adhered on the surface 8 will be described.

The cleaning pad 504 is always in contact with the belt conveyor 308 at a constant pressure.

First, the ink adhering to the belt conveyance body 308 is moved to the contact portion with the cleaning pad 504 in the figure via the driving roller 4.

At the contact portion, the ink adhering to the surface of the belt conveying member 308 comes into contact with the nonwoven fabric 504a as an ink transfer layer on the surface of the cleaning pad 504 at a certain pressure.

Also, as described above, the belt transport 30
8, the ink on the surface of the belt transport 308 is transferred to the nonwoven fabric 504a side of the cleaning pad 504 so as to be scraped off from the surface of the belt transport 308. You.

The ink transferred to the non-woven fabric 504a penetrates from the non-woven fabric 504a to the inner surface, that is, moves into the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 504b which is an ink-absorbing layer.

As a result, the ink moved to the inside of the cleaning pad 504 is removed.
It contacts the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 504b disposed inside.

Since the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 504b has a function of adsorbing and holding the ink, the ink that has moved into the inside is absorbed into the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 504b layer and transferred to the nonwoven fabric 504a again. Never move.

By a series of these operations, the ink adhering to the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 is held by the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 504b in the cleaning pad 504.

The high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 504b inside the cleaning pad 504 has a function of absorbing and holding a liquid such as ink.

In this case, depending on the material of the high molecular water absorbing polymer 504b or the composition of the ink to be absorbed,
That is, the ink absorption amount =
Ability is determined.

The amount of the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 504b in the cleaning pad 504 is determined based on these, that is, the size of the pad is determined by how much ink is absorbed. This also determines the life of the apparatus and the time to replace the cleaning pad 504.

Further, since the high-water-absorbing polymer 504b is capable of evaporating absorbed water due to its properties, the amount of the above-mentioned polymer can be minimized by considering the amount of evaporation. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the device.

The cleaning pad 504 is configured to be detachable from the belt cleaner. As a result, when the absorption capacity is lost, the cleaning effect can be regained only by replacing the cleaning pad 504.

Further, according to the configuration of the cleaning pad 504, a method of replacing and replacing only the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 504b inside the cleaning pad 504 is possible.

The description of the ink supply system and the recovery system used in the ink jet recording apparatus used in the present embodiment will be omitted because they are well known to those skilled in the art.

(Embodiment 6) Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment relates to the non-woven fabric used in the above-described embodiment, and uses a non-woven fabric whose material has been subjected to a static elimination treatment.

This will be described with reference to the configuration described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main part of the belt cleaner according to the present embodiment. This figure has the same configuration as FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 505 denotes a belt cleaning roller. In the present embodiment, the cleaning roller 505 is brought into contact with the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 while maintaining a constant pressure, as shown in FIG. As a result, the cleaning roller 505 rotates as the belt moves.

FIG. 15 shows a belt cleaning roller 50.
5 shows the cross-sectional shape.

The cleaning roller 505 has a two-layer structure.

Reference numeral 505a denotes an ink transfer layer. In the present embodiment, a nonwoven fabric subjected to a static elimination treatment, specifically, a material in which a conductive material (such as carbon fiber) is woven into the material is used. It is composed of things.

Reference numeral 505b denotes a high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer serving as an ink absorbing layer.

Next, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a description will be given of a process of cleaning the ink adhered on the belt conveying member 308. FIG.

First, the ink adhering to the belt conveying member 308 is moved to the contact nip portion with the cleaning roller 505 in FIG.

In the nip portion, the adhered ink on the surface of the belt conveying member 308 comes in contact with the nonwoven fabric 505a on the surface of the cleaning roller 505 with a certain pressure. As a result, the ink on the surface of the belt conveyance body 308 becomes nonwoven fabric 50
Transferred to 5a side.

The ink transferred to the non-woven fabric 505a penetrates and moves from the non-woven fabric 505a to the inner surface, that is, into the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 505b.

As a result, the ink moved to the inside of the cleaning roller 505 is removed.
It contacts the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 505b disposed inside.

Since the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 505b has a function of adsorbing and holding the ink, the ink that has moved into the inside is absorbed in the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 505b layer and transferred to the nonwoven fabric 505a again. Never move.

By a series of these operations, the ink adhering to the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is held by the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 505b in the cleaning roller 505.

As described above, the surface of the belt conveying member 308 is formed by a member such as the cleaning roller 505 on the surface thereof.
The surface of the belt conveyance body 308 is charged by rubbing or contact rotation.

In the apparatus using the electrostatic attraction method as in the present embodiment, it is necessary to newly provide a static eliminator in order to prevent the influence of the charging due to such contact.

However, by forming the ink transfer layer of the belt cleaning member from the non-woven fabric subjected to static elimination as in the present embodiment, static elimination of the belt surface can be performed simultaneously with the belt cleaning process.

The high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 505b inside the cleaning roller 505 has a function of absorbing and holding a liquid such as ink.

In this case, depending on the material of the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer 505b or the composition of the ink to be absorbed,
That is, the ink absorption amount =
Ability is determined.

The amount of the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer 505b in the cleaning roller 505 is determined based on these, that is, the size of the roller = the roller diameter is determined by how much ink is absorbed. This also determines the life of the apparatus and the time to replace the cleaning roller 505.

In this embodiment, based on the configuration of the cleaning device described in the first embodiment,
Although the description has been made, as described at the beginning, this configuration can be implemented in each of the first to fifth embodiments.

The description of the ink supply system and the recovery system used in the ink jet recording apparatus used in the present embodiment will be omitted because they are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0201]

As described above, according to the present invention, by using a cleaning member having a high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer, it is possible to increase the ink absorption capacity with the same capacity as that of the conventional ink absorber, and to maintain ink retention. Performance is higher,
Ink does not spill outside, that is,
An image forming apparatus with improved cleaning performance and reliability can be provided.

Further, the amount of the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer can be reduced to the minimum necessary amount in consideration of the evaporation amount of the ink, so that the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

Further, since the high-water-absorbing polymer can maintain the water-absorbing property by repeating water-absorbing and evaporating, the replacement time of the cleaning member can be extended.

The cleaning member can be driven, controlled and controlled by the driving means and the driving means so that it can be driven, fixed (moving by a small amount of rotation if rubbed or soiled), or counter-rotated. It is possible to save the ink, and by selecting and combining them according to the properties of the apparatus, it is possible to easily perform the optimal ink cleaning.

When the water absorbing ability of the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer of the ink absorbing layer is saturated, the cleaning member
(Time or number) can be exchanged. In this case, the replacement part can be selected to be either the cleaning member integral part or only the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer part.

Further, the high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer can be exchanged while containing the ink, and the absorbent is dried, the moisture is evaporated, and then incinerated / discarded, thereby facilitating the treatment. be able to.

Further, since the high-molecular water-absorbing polymer swells by absorbing ink, it is possible to detect a full tank by detecting a change in the capacity. This allows
It is also easy to display the replacement time of the waste ink absorber.

Further, since the ink transfer layer and the ink transfer member have been subjected to the charge elimination processing, the ink transfer layer and the ink transfer member are rubbed against the transfer means.
Alternatively, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect due to static electricity generated by the contact rotation, and further, it is possible to obtain a static elimination effect on the transport unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of a printer unit of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of a belt cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning roller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of a belt cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning roller according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a full line head supply unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view of a belt cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning roller according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory view of a belt cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning roller according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view of a belt cleaner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning roller according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic explanatory view of a belt cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning roller according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3 driven rollers 1C, 1M, 1Y, 1Bk Recording head 4 Drive roller 8 Recording paper 52 Suction roller 301 Scanner unit 302 Printer unit 303 Feed unit 304 Belt conveyance unit (conveyance unit) 305 Recording head unit (recording unit) ) 306 Rotating cap unit 307 Paper discharge unit 308 Belt transporter (transporter) 420 Tray 501, 505 Belt cleaning roller (cleaning member) 501a, 504a, 505a Non-woven fabric (ink transfer layer) 501b, 504b, 505b Polymer water-absorbing polymer ( Ink absorbing layer) 502 Belt cleaning roller drive motor (drive means) 503 Belt cleaning web (ink transfer member) 504 Belt cleaning pad (cleaning member) 1601 Recording head 1652 Common liquid chamber 1653 Discharge port 1654 Recording liquid discharge surface 1655 Recording liquid supply tank 1656 Main tank 1657 Supply pipe 1658 Refill rectifying valve 1659 Recovery pump 1660 Recovery rectifying valve 1661 Circulation pipe 1662 Solenoid valve 1663 Air valve

Claims (8)

[Claims] A transport unit that transports a recording material; a recording unit that records an image on a recording material transported by the transport unit by an inkjet recording method that performs recording by discharging ink; An image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit configured to clean the surface of the transport unit by contacting the cleaning unit; and the cleaning unit includes a cleaning member having a high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer. 2. The cleaning member includes an ink transfer layer having an ink absorbing member at a contact portion with the transport unit, and an ink absorbing layer having a high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer at a region other than the contact portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The cleaning member is a rotating body, comprising: a driving unit for rotating the rotating body; and a control unit for controlling the driving unit to freely move the rotating body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The cleaning means includes a web-shaped ink transfer member having an ink absorbing member at the contact portion, wherein the cleaning member is a rotating body, and the ink transfer member is provided between the cleaning member and the transfer means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided to hold the image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member and the ink transfer member are detachable from the cleaning unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink absorbing layer is detachable from the cleaning member. 7. The ink transfer layer and the ink transfer member, which are contact portions of the cleaning unit with the transfer unit, have been subjected to a static elimination process. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit includes a retracting unit that can retract from the transporting unit.