JP2016168780A - Liquid supply device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a liquid supply device which inhibits a connection part between a passage and a temperature control device from being compressed while achieving space saving, and to obtain an image formation device.SOLUTION: A liquid supply device 11 includes: a liquid storage part 44B in which a liquid to be applied to paper is stored; a circulation passage 80 connected to the liquid storage part 44B; a pump 90 which circulates the liquid in the circulation passage 80; and a temperature control device 88 which is disposed at a decompression side passage 80B, in which the liquid flows from the liquid storage part 44B to the pump 90 in the circulation passage 80, includes temperature control passages 88B forming part of the decompression side passage 80B, and adjusts a temperature of the liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a structure including a circulation channel for circulating ink (liquid) between a print head and an ink tank (liquid storage unit), and a pump. Here, a heater as a temperature control device is connected to the circulation channel, and the heater can heat the ink in the circulation channel. The heater is provided with a plurality of temperature control channels. According to the said structure, the length of each temperature control flow path can be shortened by using the temperature control apparatus provided with the several temperature control flow path, and space saving can be achieved.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-198403

  However, in the structure in which the pump is disposed between the liquid storage unit and the temperature control device as viewed in the liquid circulation direction as in Patent Document 1, the liquid in the liquid storage unit is pushed out to the temperature control device side by the pump. For this reason, the connection part of a flow path and a temperature control apparatus may be pressurized.

  In view of the above facts, the present invention provides a liquid supply device and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the pressurization of the connection portion between the flow path and the temperature control device while saving space. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above problems, a liquid supply apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid to be applied to a sheet, a circulation channel connected to the liquid storage unit, a circulation flow A pump for circulating the liquid in the channel, and a plurality of temperature control channels disposed in the pressure reducing side channel through which the liquid flows from the liquid storage portion to the pump in the circulation channel and serving as a part of the pressure reducing side channel And a temperature control device for adjusting the temperature of the liquid.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid to be applied to the paper is stored in the liquid storage unit. In addition, a circulation channel is connected to the liquid storage unit, and a pump for circulating the liquid and a temperature control device including a temperature control channel are provided in the circulation channel. Here, the temperature control apparatus includes a plurality of temperature control channels. Thereby, the length of each temperature control flow path can be shortened, and it does not need to enlarge a temperature control apparatus. That is, space saving of the liquid supply device can be achieved.

  Moreover, the temperature control apparatus is arrange | positioned at the pressure reduction side flow path through which a liquid flows from the liquid storage part in a circulation flow path to a pump, and the temperature control flow path becomes a part of pressure reduction side flow path. Thereby, compared with the case where the temperature control apparatus is arrange | positioned in the pressurization side flow path into which a liquid flows from a pump to a liquid storage part, it suppresses that the connection part of a circulation flow path and a temperature control apparatus is pressurized. be able to.

  In the liquid supply device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid supply device according to the first aspect, the decompression side flow path is folded back from one temperature control flow path among the plurality of temperature control flow paths, and the other It is connected to the temperature control channel.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further suppress the connection portion between the circulation flow path and the temperature control apparatus from being pressurized. That is, when the circulation channel is branched and connected to the temperature control device, a branch joint or the like is required. For this reason, the connection part of a circulation flow path and a coupling may be pressurized. On the other hand, the configuration is such that the liquid that has passed through one temperature control channel is folded and guided to another temperature control channel, so that a branching joint or the like is not required, and the circulation channel and the joint The number of connecting parts can be reduced. Thereby, compared with the structure using the joint for branching, it can suppress that the connection part of a circulation flow path and a temperature control apparatus is pressurized. In addition, since the liquid passes through two or more temperature control channels, the liquid can be further heated or cooled.

  The liquid supply apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the temperature adjustment device includes three or more temperature adjustment flow paths, and the pressure reduction side flow path is the temperature adjustment apparatus. It is folded back more than twice.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the liquid in the circulation channel passes through three or more temperature control channels. Thereby, compared with the structure by which the pressure-reduction side flow path was folded only once, the liquid can be heated or cooled more. That is, the temperature control capability of the temperature control device can be increased.

  The liquid supply apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein a filter for capturing foreign matter in the liquid is connected to the pressure reducing side flow path. Has been.

  According to the liquid supply device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, compared with the configuration in which the filter is connected to the pressure side flow path through which the liquid flows from the pump to the liquid storage unit, the connection portion between the flow path and the filter is added. It can suppress that it is pressed.

  The liquid supply device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of the liquid is provided in the pressure reducing side channel. It is connected.

  According to the liquid supply device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the connection portion between the flow path and the concentration detection device is pressurized as compared with the configuration in which the concentration detection device is connected to the pressure side flow path. Can be suppressed.

  The liquid supply device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a filter and a liquid that capture foreign matter in the liquid are provided in the pressure reducing side channel. A concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of the liquid is connected, and the filter is connected to the liquid container side of the concentration detection device.

  According to the liquid supply device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the liquid flows from the liquid container to the concentration detection device via the filter, the concentration of the liquid is detected in a state where the foreign matter in the liquid is captured by the filter. Can be made. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the concentration detection apparatus can be maintained satisfactorily.

  The liquid supply apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion is applied to the paper before image formation. It is a strongly acidic treatment liquid.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the connection portion between the flow path and the temperature control device is pressurized even when a highly acidic treatment liquid having high permeability is used. By suppressing, it can prevent that a process liquid leaks from this connection part.

  The liquid supply device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the circulation channel has a temperature in the circulation channel that measures the temperature of the liquid. A sensor is provided, and the temperature control device heats or cools the liquid according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the circulation flow path.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the liquid flowing in the circulation channel can be maintained at a preset temperature, and the liquid can be applied to the sheet at an optimum temperature.

  A liquid supply device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the temperature adjustment device measures the temperature of the liquid flowing through the temperature adjustment flow path. A temperature control channel temperature sensor is provided, and the temperature control device heats or cools the liquid according to the temperature measured by the temperature control channel temperature sensor.

  According to the liquid supply device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the liquid flowing in the temperature control flow path can be maintained at a preset temperature, and the liquid can be applied to the sheet at an optimum temperature. . In addition, since the temperature of the liquid flowing in the temperature control flow path is measured, it takes time until the measured temperature of the temperature control flow path temperature sensor is reflected after the set temperature of the temperature control flow path is changed. Absent. Thereby, the temperature of the liquid can be adjusted to a preset temperature in a short time.

  The liquid supply device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the circulation channel has a temperature in the circulation channel that measures the temperature of the liquid. A sensor is provided, and the temperature control device is provided with a temperature sensor in the temperature control channel that measures the temperature of the liquid flowing in the temperature control channel. The liquid is heated or cooled according to the measured temperature and the temperature measured by the temperature control channel temperature sensor.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the liquid is more accurately compared to the case where the temperature of the liquid is adjusted using one of the temperature sensor in the circulation flow path and the temperature sensor in the temperature control flow path. Can be maintained at a preset temperature.

  The liquid supply device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the temperature adjustment device includes a heat source for heating the temperature adjustment flow path. It is.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the temperature adjustment flow path is heated by the heat source of the heater, so that the liquid passing through the temperature adjustment flow path can be directly heated, and the efficiency is high. .

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention provides a liquid application for applying a liquid stored in a liquid storage unit constituting the liquid supply apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects to a sheet. A unit, an ejection head including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets onto the paper to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit, and a conveyance member for conveying the paper between the liquid application unit and the ejection head.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, after the liquid is applied to the paper by the liquid applying unit, the liquid droplets are discharged from the discharge head onto the paper to form an image. Here, since the temperature control device is arranged in the pressure reducing side channel of the liquid supply device, the pressure acting on the connection portion between the circulation channel and the temperature control device is reduced. Thereby, the liquid leakage from a connection part is prevented and the state of the liquid provided to a paper from a liquid application unit can be maintained favorable.

  As described above, in the liquid supply device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress pressurization of the connection portion between the flow path and the temperature control device while saving space.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a liquid supply device that constitutes an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the state cut | disconnected by the 3-3 line of FIG. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 2 showing the liquid supply device concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 which shows the liquid supply apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus including the liquid supply apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus that uses water-based pigment ink will be described. In the drawings, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to record an image on a sheet of paper P using an aqueous pigment ink by an inkjet method. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feeding unit 12 that feeds the paper P, a transport unit that transports the paper P, a processing liquid applying unit 14, a processing liquid drying processing unit 16, an image forming unit 18, and a heating unit. The apparatus includes a drying processing unit 20, an ultraviolet irradiation processing unit 22, a cooling processing unit 23, a paper discharge unit 24 that discharges the paper P, and a control unit.

(Paper Feeder)
The paper feed unit 12 is configured to feed the paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 30 to the processing liquid application unit 14 one by one. The paper feed unit 12 mainly includes a paper feed base 30, a soccer device 32, a paper feed roller pair 34, a feeder board 36, a front pad 38, and a paper feed drum 40.

  The paper P is placed on the paper feed tray 30 in a bundled state in which a large number of sheets are stacked. The paper feed table 30 is provided so as to be movable up and down by a paper feed table elevating device (not shown). Further, the paper feed table elevating device is controlled to be driven in conjunction with the increase or decrease of the paper P loaded on the paper feed table 30. The paper feed table 30 is raised and lowered so that the paper P located at the top of the bundle is always located at a certain height.

  The paper P is not particularly limited, but general-purpose printing paper used in general offset printing (so-called high-quality paper, coated paper, art paper, or other paper mainly composed of cellulose) can be used.

  The soccer device 32 picks up the sheets P stacked on the sheet feed table 30 one by one in order from the top, and feeds them to the sheet feed roller pair 34. The soccer device 32 includes a suction foot 32A provided so as to be movable up and down and swingable. The suction foot 32A sucks and holds the upper surface of the paper P, and the paper P is conveyed from the paper feed table 30 to the paper feed roller pair 34. At this time, the suction foot 32A attracts and holds the top surface of the leading end of the paper P positioned at the top of the bundle to pull up the paper P, and the pair of rollers constituting the paper feed roller pair 34 uses the leading end of the paper P that has been pulled up. It is configured to be inserted between 34A and the roller 34B.

  The pair of paper feed rollers 34 includes a pair of upper and lower rollers 34A and 34B that are pressed against each other. One of the pair of upper and lower rollers 34A and 34B is a driving roller (for example, roller 34A) and the other is a driven roller (for example, roller 34B). The drive roller is connected to a motor (not shown) and is driven to rotate by the rotation of the motor. The motor is driven in conjunction with the feeding of the paper P. When the paper P is fed from the soccer device 32, the motor rotates the driving roller in accordance with the timing. The paper P inserted between the pair of upper and lower rollers 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B is nipped by the rollers 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B and is sent out in the direction in which the feeder board 36 is installed.

  The feeder board 36 is formed so as to correspond to the paper width, and is configured to guide the paper P fed from the paper feed roller pair 34 to the front pad 38. The feeder board 36 is installed to be inclined downward, and the paper P placed on the transport surface of the transport path of the feeder board 36 is slid along the transport surface and guided to the front pad 38.

  On the feeder board 36, a plurality of tape feeders 36A, which transport the paper P and have the transport direction as the longitudinal direction, are provided at intervals in the width direction. The tape feeder 36A is formed in an endless shape and is configured to rotate using a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The paper P placed on the conveyance surface of the feeder board 36 is conveyed on the feeder board 36 by the tape feeder 36A.

  On the feeder board 36, a retainer 36B and a roller 36C are installed. A plurality of retainers 36 </ b> B are arranged in the longitudinal direction along the conveyance surface of the paper P (two in the present embodiment). The retainer 36 </ b> B is configured by a leaf spring having a width corresponding to the sheet width, and is in press contact with the conveyance surface. The unevenness of the sheet P conveyed on the feeder board 36 by the tape feeder 36A passes through the retainer 36B and is corrected. The roller 36C is disposed between an upstream retainer 36B and a downstream retainer 36B disposed in the transport direction. The roller 36 </ b> C is in pressure contact with the conveyance surface of the paper P. Then, the sheet P is conveyed between the retainers 36B while the upper surface is pressed by the rollers 36C.

  The front pad 38 corrects the posture of the paper P. The front pad 38 is formed in a plate shape, and a plate-like surface is disposed orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. The front pad 38 is connected to a motor (not shown), and is driven by this motor to be swingable. When the leading edge of the paper P transported on the feeder board 36 comes into contact with the front pad 38, the transport posture of the paper P is corrected (so-called skew prevention is performed). The front pad 38 is swung in conjunction with the feeding of the paper P to the paper feeding drum 40, and the paper P whose transport posture is corrected is delivered to the paper feeding drum 40.

  The paper supply drum 40 receives the paper P fed from the feeder board 36 via the front pad 38 and conveys it to the processing liquid application unit 14. The paper feed drum 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape and connected to a motor (not shown), and rotates by the driving force of this motor. A gripper 40A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the paper supply drum 40, and the leading edge of the paper P is gripped by the gripper 40A. The paper feed drum 40 conveys the paper P to the treatment liquid application unit 14 while winding the paper P on the peripheral surface by gripping and rotating the leading edge of the paper P with the gripper 40A.

(Processing liquid application part)
The processing liquid application unit 14 applies a predetermined processing liquid to the surface (image forming surface) of the paper P. The treatment liquid application unit 14 mainly serves as a treatment liquid application drum 42 that conveys the paper P, and a liquid application unit that applies a predetermined treatment liquid to the image forming surface of the paper P conveyed by the treatment liquid application drum 42. And a treatment liquid application unit 44. The treatment liquid applied to the surface of the paper P has a function of aggregating the color material (pigment) in the ink ejected (sprayed) onto the paper P by the image forming unit 18 disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction. It is a strongly acidic liquid containing an agent.

  The treatment liquid application drum 42 conveys the paper P conveyed from the paper supply drum 40 of the paper supply unit 12 to the treatment liquid drying processing unit 16. The treatment liquid application drum 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to a motor (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of this motor. A gripper 42A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the treatment liquid application drum 42, and the leading edge of the paper P is gripped by the gripper 42A. The processing liquid application drum 42 conveys the paper P to the processing liquid drying processing unit 16 while winding the paper P on the peripheral surface by gripping and rotating the leading edge of the paper P with the gripper 42A. When the processing liquid application drum 42 makes one rotation, one sheet P is conveyed. The processing liquid application drum 42 and the paper supply drum 40 are controlled to rotate by matching the timing of receiving and delivering the paper P to each other. That is, the treatment liquid application drum 42 and the paper feed drum 40 are driven with their peripheral speeds matched, and are driven with the positions of the grippers 40A and 42A matched.

  The treatment liquid application unit 44 applies the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper P conveyed by the treatment liquid application drum 42. The treatment liquid application unit 44 mainly includes an application roller 44A for applying the treatment liquid to the paper P, a treatment liquid tank 44B as a liquid storage unit in which the treatment liquid is stored, and a treatment liquid stored in the treatment liquid tank 44B. And a pumping roller 44 </ b> C for feeding to the application roller 44 </ b> A. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a circulation flow path 80 constituting the liquid supply apparatus 11 is connected to the processing liquid tank 44B. Details of the liquid supply apparatus 11 will be described later.

  In this embodiment, the processing liquid is applied by a roller, but the method of applying the processing liquid is not limited to this. In addition to the treatment liquid, a method of applying using an inkjet head or a method of applying using a spray may be employed.

(Processing liquid drying processing part)
In the treatment liquid drying processing unit 16, the paper P having the treatment liquid applied to the surface is dried. The processing liquid drying processing unit 16 is mainly provided on the image forming surface of the paper P transported by the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 that transports the paper P, the paper transport guide 48, and the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 as a transporting member. And a treatment liquid drying processing unit 50 for drying by blowing dry air.

  The processing liquid drying processing drum 46 is configured to receive the paper P from the processing liquid application drum 42 of the processing liquid application unit 14 and convey the paper P to the image forming unit 18. The treatment liquid drying treatment drum 46 is constituted by a frame assembled in a cylindrical shape, is connected to a motor (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of this motor. A gripper 46A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the processing liquid drying processing drum 46, and the leading edge of the paper P is gripped by the gripper 46A. The processing liquid drying processing drum 46 conveys the paper P to the image forming unit 18 by rotating the gripper 46A by gripping the leading end of the paper P. Note that the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 in the present embodiment is configured such that grippers 46A are provided at two locations on the outer peripheral surface, and two sheets of paper P are conveyed by one rotation. In the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 and the processing liquid application drum 42, the rotation is controlled by matching the timings of receiving and delivering both sheets P. That is, the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 and the processing liquid application drum 42 are driven with their peripheral speeds matched, and are driven with the positions of the grippers 42A and the grippers 46A of each other.

  The paper transport guide 48 is disposed around the outer periphery of the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 along the transport path of the paper P. The paper transport guide 48 guides the paper P so as not to be detached from the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 (transport path).

  The processing liquid drying processing unit 50 is installed inside the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 and is configured to perform drying processing by blowing dry air toward the surface of the paper P conveyed by the processing liquid drying processing drum 46. Yes. Thereby, the solvent component in the treatment liquid is removed, and an ink aggregation layer is formed on the surface of the paper P. In the present embodiment, the two processing liquid drying processing units 50 are arranged in the processing liquid drying processing drum, and the drying air is directed toward the surface of the paper P conveyed by the processing liquid drying processing drum 46. It is configured to spray.

(Image forming part)
The image forming unit 18 discharges ink droplets of each color of M (magenta), K (black), Y (yellow), and C (cyan) onto the image forming surface of the paper P, thereby forming the image forming surface of the paper P. The color image is recorded (printed or drawn). The image forming unit 18 mainly presses the image forming drum 52 as a conveying member that conveys the paper P, and the paper P conveyed by the image forming drum 52, so that the paper P is placed on the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52. Ink-jet heads 56K, 56Y, 56M, and 56C (hereinafter collectively referred to as an example of an ejection head that ejects ink droplets (droplets) of M, K, Y, and C colors onto the paper P and the sheet pressing roller 54 to be in close contact with each other. (Inkjet head 56 in this case), an in-line sensor 58 that reads an image recorded on the paper P, a mist filter 60 that captures ink mist, and a drum cooling unit 62.

  The image forming drum 52 is configured to receive the paper P from the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 of the processing liquid drying processing unit 16 and to transport the paper P to the heat drying processing unit 20. The image forming drum 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is connected to a motor (not shown), and rotates by the driving force of this motor. A gripper 52A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52, and the leading edge of the paper P is gripped by the gripper 52A. The image forming drum 52 conveys the paper P to the heat drying processing unit 20 while winding the paper P around the peripheral surface by gripping and rotating the leading edge of the paper P with the gripper 52A. In addition, a large number of suction holes (suction holes) (not shown) are provided in a predetermined pattern on the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52. The sheet P wound around the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52 is sucked through the suction hole, and can be conveyed while being suctioned and held on the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52. Thereby, the paper P can be conveyed with high smoothness.

  The suction from the suction holes is performed only within a certain range, and the paper P is sucked between a predetermined suction start position and a predetermined suction end position. The suction start position is set to the installation position of the sheet pressing roller 54. The suction end position is set on the downstream side of the installation position of the in-line sensor 58, and is set, for example, at a position where the paper P is delivered to the heat drying processing unit 20. That is, at least at the installation position (image forming position) of the inkjet head 56 and the installation position (image reading position) of the inline sensor 58, the paper P is set to be sucked and held on the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52. Further, the adsorption method is not limited to the adsorption method using negative pressure, and may be an adsorption method using electrostatic adsorption.

  Further, the image forming drum 52 according to the present embodiment is provided with grippers 52A at two locations on the outer peripheral surface, so that two sheets of paper P can be conveyed by one rotation. The rotation of the image forming drum 52 and the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 is controlled by matching the timings of receiving and delivering both sheets P. That is, the image forming drum 52 and the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 are driven with the peripheral speeds matched, and are driven with the positions of the grippers 46A and the grippers 52A matched.

  The paper pressing roller 54 is disposed in the vicinity of the receiving position of the paper P on the image forming drum 52 (the position where the paper P is received from the processing liquid drying processing drum 46). The sheet pressing roller 54 is constituted by a rubber roller, for example, and is installed in press contact with the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52. The paper P transferred from the processing liquid drying processing drum 46 to the image forming drum 52 is nipped by passing through the paper pressing roller 54 and is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52.

  The four inkjet heads 56K, 56Y, 56M, and 56C are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52 along the conveyance path of the paper P at a constant interval. Each of the inkjet heads 56K, 56Y, 56M, and 56C is configured by a line head corresponding to the sheet width, and the nozzle surface is disposed to face the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52. Each of the inkjet heads 56K, 56Y, 56M, and 56C ejects ink droplets from the nozzle row formed on the nozzle surface toward the image forming drum 52, whereby an image is formed on the paper P conveyed by the image forming drum 52. Form.

  Here, in this embodiment, as an example, the inkjet head 56 is configured not to eject ink to the same position of the paper P. That is, it is configured not to perform multiple writing. Further, the inkjet head 56 is configured to perform image formation by a single pass method in which an image of one line is formed by one scanning.

  An in-line sensor 58 is installed on the downstream side in the transport direction from the rearmost inkjet head 56K. The inline sensor 58 is configured to read images recorded by the inkjet heads 56K, 56Y, 56M, and 56C. The inline sensor 58 is constituted by a line scanner, for example.

  A contact prevention plate 59 installed in the vicinity of the inline sensor 58 is provided on the downstream side of the inline sensor 58. The contact prevention plate 59 can prevent the sheet P from coming into contact with the in-line sensor 58 when the sheet P is lifted or broken due to a conveyance failure or the like.

  The mist filter 60 is disposed between the rearmost inkjet head 56K and the inline sensor 58, and sucks air around the image forming drum 52 to capture the ink mist. By capturing the ink mist, the ingress of the ink mist to the in-line sensor 58 is prevented, and the occurrence of image reading defects and the like is effectively prevented.

  The drum cooling unit 62 is configured to cool the image forming drum 52 by blowing cool air to the image forming drum 52. The drum cooling unit 62 mainly includes an air conditioner (not shown) and a duct 62 </ b> A that blows cool air supplied from the air conditioner onto the peripheral surface of the image forming drum 52. The duct 62 </ b> A is configured to cool the image forming drum 52 by blowing cool air to the image forming drum 52 in an area other than the conveyance area of the paper P. In the present embodiment, since the paper P is conveyed along the arcuate outer peripheral surface of the upper half of the image forming drum 52, the duct 62 </ b> A sends cool air to the region of the lower half of the image forming drum 52. The image forming drum 52 is cooled by spraying. Specifically, the air outlets (not shown) of the duct 62 </ b> A are arranged in an arc shape so as to cover the substantially lower half of the image forming drum 52.

(Heat drying processing part)
The heat drying processing unit 20 performs drying processing on the paper P after image recording, and removes the liquid component remaining on the surface of the paper P. The heat drying processing unit 20 mainly includes a chain gripper 64 that transports the paper P on which an image is recorded, a back tension applying mechanism 66 that applies back tension (tension) to the paper P transported by the chain gripper 64, and a chain. And a drying unit 68 for heating and drying the paper P conveyed by the gripper 64.

  The chain gripper 64 is a paper transport mechanism commonly used in the heat drying processing unit 20, the ultraviolet irradiation processing unit 22, and the paper discharge unit 24. The chain gripper 64 receives the paper P delivered from the image forming unit 18 and discharges it. Transport to paper section 24.

  The chain gripper 64 mainly includes a first sprocket 64A installed in the vicinity of the image forming drum 52 and a second sprocket 64B installed in the paper discharge unit 24. An endless chain 64C is wound around the first sprocket 64A and the second sprocket 64B. Further, a plurality of chain guides (not shown) for guiding the running of the chain 64C are provided, and a plurality of grippers 64D are attached to the chain 64C at regular intervals. The first sprocket 64 </ b> A, the second sprocket 64 </ b> B, the chain 64 </ b> C, and the chain guide are each configured as a pair and are disposed on both sides of the paper P in the width direction. Further, the gripper 64D is installed over a pair of chains 64C provided.

  The first sprocket 64A is installed in the vicinity of the image forming drum 52 so that the paper P delivered from the image forming drum 52 can be received by the gripper 64D. The first sprocket 64A is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown), and is connected to a motor (not shown) via a gear. The chain 64C wound around the first sprocket 64A and the second sprocket 64B travels by driving this motor.

  The second sprocket 64 </ b> B is installed in the paper discharge unit 24 so that the paper P received from the image forming drum 52 can be collected by the paper discharge unit 24. That is, the installation position of the second sprocket 64B is the end of the transport path of the paper P by the chain gripper 64. The second sprocket 64B is pivotally supported by a bearing (not shown) and is rotatably provided.

  The chain 64C is formed in an endless shape and is wound around the first sprocket 64A and the second sprocket 64B.

  The chain guide is disposed at a predetermined position and guides the chain 64C to travel along a predetermined route. In the present embodiment, the second sprocket 64B is disposed at a higher position than the first sprocket 64A. For this reason, a travel route in which the chain 64C is inclined in the middle is formed. Specifically, a travel path is configured by the first horizontal transport path 70A, the inclined transport path 70B, and the second horizontal transport path 70C.

  70 A of 1st horizontal conveyance paths are set to the same height as 1st sprocket 64A, and chain 64C wound around 1st sprocket 64A is set so that it may run horizontally. The second horizontal conveyance path 70C is set to the same height as the second sprocket 64B, and the chain 64C wound around the second sprocket 64B is set to travel horizontally. The inclined conveyance path 70B is set between the first horizontal conveyance path 70A and the second horizontal conveyance path 70C, and is set so as to connect the first horizontal conveyance path 70A and the second horizontal conveyance path 70C.

  The chain guide is disposed so as to form the first horizontal conveyance path 70A, the inclined conveyance path 70B, and the second horizontal conveyance path 70C. Specifically, it is disposed at at least a junction point between the first horizontal conveyance path 70A and the inclined conveyance path 70B and a junction point between the inclined conveyance path 70B and the second horizontal conveyance path 70C.

  A plurality of grippers 64D are attached to the chain 64C at a constant interval. The attachment interval of the gripper 64D is set according to the reception interval of the paper P from the image forming drum 52. That is, it is set in accordance with the receiving interval of the paper P from the image forming drum 52 so that the paper P sequentially delivered from the image forming drum 52 can be received from the image forming drum 52 at the same timing.

  The chain gripper 64 is configured as described above. As described above, when a motor (not shown) connected to the first sprocket 64A is driven, the chain 64C travels. The chain 64C travels at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the image forming drum 52. Further, the timing is adjusted so that the paper P delivered from the image forming drum 52 can be received by each gripper 64D.

  The back tension applying mechanism 66 applies a back tension (tension) to the paper P that is conveyed while its tip is held by the chain gripper 64. The back tension applying mechanism 66 mainly includes a guide plate 72 as a conveyance path disposed in the heat drying processing unit 20.

  The guide plate 72 is a hollow box plate having a width corresponding to the width of the paper P. A number of suction holes (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the guide plate 72. Further, an exhaust pipe for discharging air sucked from a number of suction holes by a suction fan is connected to the lower side of the guide plate 72.

  The guide plate 72 configured as described above is disposed along the transport path of the paper P by the chain gripper 64 and constitutes the transport path of the paper P. Specifically, it is disposed along the chain 64C that travels along the first horizontal conveyance path 70A, and is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the chain 64C. For this reason, the sheet P conveyed on the outer peripheral side of the chain 64C by the chain gripper 64 is conveyed while being dragged in a state where the surface opposite to the drawing surface is sucked by the upper surface of the guide plate 72.

  A large number of suction holes formed on the upper surface of the guide plate 72 suck the portion excluding the front end portion of the paper P gripped by the gripper 64D when the suction fan sucks the hollow portion (inside) of the guide plate 72. . As a result, back tension (tension) is applied to the paper P conveyed by the chain gripper 64.

  As described above, since the guide plate 72 is disposed along the chain 64C that travels along the first horizontal transport path 70A, back tension is applied while the paper P is transported through the first horizontal transport path 70A. The

  A plurality of drying units 68 are arranged along the first horizontal conveyance path 70A. In the present embodiment, as an example, four drying units 68 are provided along the first horizontal conveyance path 70A. Accordingly, while the paper P passes under the four drying units 68, the drying unit 68 blows heated air (warm air) onto the paper P, and the paper P is heated and dried.

  The number of drying units 68 is set according to the processing capacity of the drying unit 68, the conveyance speed of the paper P, and the like. That is, the number of installations is set so that the sheet P received from the image forming unit 18 can be dried while being conveyed through the first horizontal conveyance path 70A.

  The heat drying processing unit 20 is configured as described above. The paper P delivered from the image forming drum 52 of the image forming unit 18 is received by the chain gripper 64. The chain gripper 64 grips the leading end of the paper P with the gripper 64 </ b> D and lifts it from the guide plate 72, and transports the paper P in a state where the rear end of the paper P is in contact with the guide plate 72. The paper P delivered to the chain gripper 64 is first transported along the first horizontal transport path 70A. In the process of being transported along the first horizontal transport path 70A, hot air is blown onto the paper P from the drying unit 68, and a heat drying process is performed. At this time, since the paper P is dried while being applied with the back tension (tension) by the back tension applying mechanism 66, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of drying unevenness and wrinkles.

(Ultraviolet irradiation treatment part)
The ultraviolet irradiation processing unit 22 irradiates the drawing surface of the paper P on which the ink has been ejected with ultraviolet rays as an example of an active energy ray to cure the ink and fix the image. Here, the active energy ray refers to an energy ray that can generate a starting species in the ink composition by irradiation, and widely includes α rays, γ rays, X rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, electron rays, and the like. Among them, ultraviolet rays and electron beams are preferably used from the viewpoint of curing sensitivity and device availability, and ultraviolet rays are more preferred.

  The ultraviolet irradiation processing unit 22 mainly includes a chain gripper 64 that transports the paper P, a back tension applying mechanism 66 that applies back tension to the paper P transported by the chain gripper 64, and a paper transported by the chain gripper 64. It is composed of an ultraviolet irradiation unit 74 that irradiates P with ultraviolet rays. Further, the chain gripper 64 and the back tension applying mechanism 66 are used in common with the heat drying processing unit 20.

  The ultraviolet irradiation unit 74 is disposed opposite to the guide plate 72 on the inner peripheral side of the chain 64C on the downstream side in the transport direction from the drying unit 68, and ultraviolet rays (ultraviolet rays) are applied to the drawing surface of the paper P that has passed through the heat drying processing unit 20. Irradiate.

(Cooling processing part)
The cooling processing unit 23 cools the paper P that has been heat-dried by the heat-drying processing unit 20 and irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation processing unit 22. The cooling processing unit 23 mainly includes a chain gripper 64 that transports the paper P irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and a support plate 82 as an example of a transport surface that supports the paper P transported by the chain gripper 64 and is in sliding contact with the paper P. And a blower unit 78 for blowing air to the paper P conveyed by the chain gripper 64.

  As described above, the chain gripper 64 is used in common with the heat drying processing unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation processing unit 22. The support plate 82 is disposed along the chain 64C that travels along the first horizontal conveyance path 70A and the inclined conveyance path 70B.

  A plurality of the air blowing units 78 are arranged to face the support plate 82 (conveying surface). In the present embodiment, as an example, two air blowing units 78 face the supporting plate 82 arranged in the first horizontal conveyance path 70A. A blower unit 78 is provided, and three blower units 78 are provided so as to face the support plate 82 disposed in the inclined conveyance path 70B. By blowing air from each blower unit 78 to the paper P, the paper The surface of P (the drawing surface) is cooled. The cooled paper P is transported to the second horizontal transport path 70C.

(Output section)
The paper discharge unit 24 is configured to collect the paper P that has undergone a series of image forming processes. The paper discharge unit 24 mainly includes a chain gripper 64 that transports the paper P on which ink has been fixed, and a paper discharge tray 76 that stacks and collects the paper P. The paper discharge tray 76 is provided with a paper pad (front paper pad, rear paper pad, horizontal paper pad, etc.) for orderly stacking the papers P. Further, the paper discharge table 76 is provided with a paper discharge table lifting device (not shown) so that the paper P can be moved up and down. In the paper discharge platform lifting device, the lifting drive is controlled in conjunction with the increase or decrease of the paper P collected on the paper discharge tray 76 so that the topmost paper P is always positioned at a certain height. Has been adjusted.

(ink)
As the ink used in the present embodiment, for example, an aqueous ultraviolet ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays as light is used. The aqueous ultraviolet ink preferably contains a pigment, polymer particles, a water-soluble polymerizable compound that is polymerized by active energy rays, and a photopolymerization initiator. In such an aqueous ultraviolet ink, when cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the image has excellent abrasion resistance and the image has high film strength. Note that the coloring material may include a dye.

(Configuration of liquid supply device)
Next, the liquid supply apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid supply apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a processing liquid tank 44B, a circulation flow path 80, a filter 84, a concentration meter 86 as a concentration detection device, and a temperature control device. The heater 88 and the circulation pump 90 are included. Here, a strongly acidic treatment liquid to be applied to the paper P is accommodated in the treatment liquid tank 44B. Further, the processing liquid tank 44B is connected to the processing liquid tank 100 via a supply flow path 97, and the processing liquid tank 100B is operated from the processing liquid tank 100 by operating a supply pump 98 provided in the supply flow path 97. It is comprised so that a process liquid can be supplied to the tank 44B.

  The circulation channel 80 is connected to the processing liquid tank 44B, and is configured so that the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank 44B can be circulated. In addition, a circulation pump 90 is provided in the circulation channel 80, and the processing liquid in the processing liquid tank 44B is circulated by operating the circulation pump 90. Here, the circulation flow path 80 passes through the pressure side flow path 80A through which the treatment liquid flows from the circulation pump 90 toward the treatment liquid tank 44B, and the filter 84, the concentration meter 86, and the heater 88 from the treatment liquid tank 44B. A decompression-side flow path 80B through which the processing liquid flows toward the circulation pump 90.

  A filter 84 is provided on the downstream side of the processing liquid tank 44B in the decompression side flow path 80B, and the filter 84 is configured to capture foreign substances in the processing liquid. Further, a concentration meter 86 for detecting the concentration of the processing liquid flowing through the circulation channel 80 is provided on the downstream side of the filter 84. For this reason, the filter 84 is connected to the treatment liquid tank 44B side with respect to the concentration meter 86, and is configured so that the liquid flows to the concentration meter 86 via the filter 84.

  A heater 88 is provided on the downstream side of the densitometer 86. The heater 88 is disposed in the decompression-side channel 80B in which the liquid flows from the processing solution tank 44B to the circulation pump 90 in the circulation channel 80. As shown in FIG. 3, the heater 88 is provided with a heating channel 88A and a heating channel 88B as temperature control channels, and the heating channel 88A and the heating channel 88B are depressurized. It is a part of the side flow path 80B. Further, a heat source 88C is provided in the vicinity of the heating channel 88A and the heating channel 88B. Then, by heating the heating channel 88A and the heating channel 88B by energizing the heat source 88C, the processing liquid flowing through the heating channel 88A and the heating channel 88B is set at a preset temperature (for example, 30 ° C. To 40 ° C). In the present embodiment, an electric heater provided with a heating wire of nichrome or aluminum alloy is used as the heat source 88C. Moreover, it is good also as a heat source provided with not only this but a halogen lamp and carbon fiber.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a decompression side flow path 80B extending from the densitometer 86 is connected to one end side of the heating flow path 88A. Further, a decompression side flow path 80B extending from the circulation pump 90 is connected to one end side of the heating flow path 88B. Further, the other end side of the heating channel 88 </ b> A and the other end side of the heating channel 88 </ b> B are connected by a folded channel 81. That is, the decompression-side channel 80B is folded back from the heating channel 88A (one temperature control channel) by the folded channel 81 and connected to the heating channel 88B (other temperature control channel). Therefore, the treatment liquid that has passed through the densitometer 86 is folded back after passing through the heating flow path 88A and guided to the heating flow path 88B. Further, the processing liquid that has passed through the heating channel 88 </ b> B is directed to the circulation pump 90.

  The circulation pump 90 connected to the downstream side of the heater 88 is configured to push the processing liquid in the decompression side channel 80B to the pressurization side channel 80A. Then, the processing liquid pushed out to the pressure side flow path 80A by the circulation pump 90 flows into the processing liquid tank 44B. Here, a relief valve (not shown) is disposed between the circulation pump 90 and the treatment liquid tank 44B. The processing liquid can be released to the outside of the circulation channel 80 when a pressure equal to or higher than the set pressure of the relief valve is applied to the pressure side channel 80A.

  In the present embodiment, a first temperature sensor 92 as a temperature sensor in the circulation flow path is connected to the pressure reducing side flow path 80B between the densitometer 86 and the heater 88. The first temperature sensor 92 measures the temperature of the processing liquid flowing in the reduced pressure side flow path 80B. The heater 88 is connected to a second temperature sensor 94 as a temperature control flow path temperature sensor. The second temperature sensor 94 measures the temperature of the processing liquid flowing through at least one of the heating channel 88A and the heating channel 88B.

  Further, the heater 88, the first temperature sensor 92, and the second temperature sensor 94 are electrically connected to the control unit 96. The heater 88 heats the processing liquid according to the temperature of the processing liquid measured by the first temperature sensor 92 and the temperature of the processing liquid measured by the second temperature sensor 94. Specifically, based on the temperature of the processing liquid measured by the first temperature sensor 92 and the temperature of the processing liquid measured by the second temperature sensor 94, the temperature of the processing liquid is lower than a preset temperature. When the control unit 96 determines, the temperature of the heat source 88C is increased by increasing the amount of electricity to be supplied to the heat source 88C. In addition, when the control unit 96 determines that the temperature of the processing liquid is higher than a preset temperature, the amount of electricity to be supplied to the heat source 88C is reduced, or the supply of heat to the heat source 88C is cut off to turn off the heat source 88C. Reduce the temperature. As described above, the temperature of the processing liquid flowing through the circulation channel 80 is maintained at a preset temperature.

(Function and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. In the liquid supply apparatus 11 constituting the processing liquid application unit 44 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the heater 88 is provided with a plurality of heating channels 88A and heating channels 88B. Thereby, it is not necessary to increase the size of the heater 88, and the space of the liquid supply apparatus 11 can be saved. That is, when a heater having only one heating channel is used, in order to obtain a heating capability equivalent to that of the heater 88 of this embodiment, it is necessary to enlarge the heater and lengthen the heating channel. is there. On the other hand, space saving of the liquid supply apparatus 11 can be achieved by setting it as the structure provided with the heating flow path 88A and the heating flow path 88B like this embodiment. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the liquid that has passed through the heating flow path 88A is folded back and passes through the heating flow path 88B, the processing liquid can be further heated.

  In the present embodiment, the heater 88 is disposed not in the pressure side flow path 80A but in the pressure reduction side flow path 80B. Thereby, it can suppress that the connection part of the circulation flow path 80 and the heater 88 is pressurized. That is, when the heater 88 is provided in the pressure side flow path 80A, the connection portion between the pressure side flow path 80A and the heater 88 is pressurized by the processing liquid pushed out from the circulation pump 90. For this reason, it is necessary to consider the liquid leakage from this connection part. In particular, when the circulation flow path 80 is clogged, an excessive pressure may act on the connection portion between the pressure side flow path 80A and the heater 88. Furthermore, when a strongly acidic treatment liquid is used as in the present embodiment, a structure that does not leak is required because the permeability of the treatment liquid is high. On the other hand, if the heater 88 is disposed in the decompression side flow path 80B, the connecting portion between the decompression side flow path 80B and the heater 88 is not pressurized compared to the pressurization side flow path 80A. Even when the processing liquid is circulated, the liquid supply device 11 can be prevented from leaking liquid. This is because the pressure of the processing liquid flowing through the pressure side flow path 80A is absorbed and reduced by the processing liquid tank 44B.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the filter 84 and the concentration meter 86 are disposed in the pressure reducing side flow path 80B. As a result, compared to the configuration in which the filter 84 and the densitometer 86 are arranged in the pressure side channel 80A, the connection part between the circulation channel 80 and the filter 84 and the connection part between the circulation channel 80 and the concentration meter 86 are added. It can suppress that it is pressed. As a result, liquid leakage from the liquid supply device 11 can be suppressed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the filter 84 is disposed on the treatment liquid tank 44B side with respect to the concentration meter 86. That is, the filter 84 is arranged upstream of the concentration meter 86 in the pressure reducing side flow path 80B. Thereby, after the foreign substance in the processing liquid is captured by the filter 84, the concentration of the processing liquid is detected by the concentration meter 86, and the detection accuracy of the concentration meter 86 can be maintained well.

  In the present embodiment, since the processing liquid is heated according to the temperature of the processing liquid measured by the first temperature sensor 92 and the second temperature sensor 94, the processing liquid can be maintained at a preset temperature. . As a result, the treatment liquid can be applied to the paper P at an optimum temperature.

Second Embodiment
Next, the liquid supply apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid supply apparatus 102 of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the heater 104 as a temperature control apparatus. The heater 104 is disposed in the decompression side flow path 80B, and the heater 104 is provided with three flow paths, a heating flow path 104A, a heating flow path 104B, and a heating flow path 104C as temperature control flow paths. ing.

  Here, the decompression side flow path 80B is folded back twice or more with the heater 104 interposed therebetween. Specifically, a decompression side flow path 80B extending from the densitometer 86 is connected to one end side of the heating flow path 104A. Further, a folded channel 106 is connected to the other end side of the heating channel 104A, and the folded channel 106 is folded to the heater 104 side and connected to one end of the heating channel 104B. That is, the other end side of the heating channel 104A and one end side of the heating channel 104B are connected via the folded channel 106.

  Further, a folded channel 108 is connected to the other end side of the heating channel 104B, and the folded channel 108 is folded to the heater 104 side and connected to one end side of the heating channel 104C. That is, the other end side of the heating channel 104B and one end side of the heating channel 104C are connected via the folded channel 108. The decompression side flow path 80B extends from the other end side of the heating flow path 104C to the circulation pump 90. As described above, the processing liquid that has passed through the heating flow path 104A flows through the return flow path 106 and is guided to the heating flow path 104B, and further flows through the return flow path 108 and is guided to the heating flow path 104C. .

(Action and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. In the liquid supply apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment, since the number of times of passing through the heating channel is increased compared to the first embodiment, the treatment liquid can be further heated. That is, the temperature control capability of the heater 104 can be increased. Other operations are the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the two return flow paths 106 and the return flow path 108 are provided with the heater 104 interposed therebetween. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of heating flow paths and the number of times of return are set in the heater. You may change according to the heating capacity requested | required, the space which arrange | positions a heater, etc. For example, the heater 104 may be provided with four heating channels, and the decompression-side channel 80B may be folded three times so as to pass through these heating channels. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which provided the 5 or more heating flow path, and turned back the pressure reduction side flow path 80B 4 times or more.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, the liquid supply apparatus 110 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the liquid supply device 110 of the present embodiment, a heater 116 as a temperature control device is disposed in the decompression side flow path 80B, and the heater 116 is heated as a temperature control flow path. A channel 116A and a heating channel 116B are provided.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the decompression-side flow path 80B is branched upstream of the heater 116. Specifically, the branch joint 112 is disposed between the densitometer 86 and the heater 116. The decompression-side flow path 80B is connected to the branch joint 112 and is branched into the branch pipe 120A and the branch pipe 118A. The branch pipe 120A is connected to one end side of the heating flow path 116A of the heater 116, and the branch pipe 118A is connected to one end side of the heating flow path 116B.

  On the other hand, a branch joint 114 is disposed on the downstream side of the heater 116. The branch joint 114 is connected to a branch pipe 120B extending from the other end side of the heating flow path 116A and a branch pipe 118B extending from the other end side of the heating flow path 116B.

  With the above configuration, the processing liquid that has flowed from the branch joint 112 to the one branch pipe 120A passes through the heating channel 116A and flows to the branch joint 114 via the branch pipe 120B. Further, the processing liquid that has flowed from the branch joint 112 to the other branch pipe 118A passes through the heating flow path 116B and flows to the branch joint 114 through the branch pipe 118B. Then, the processing liquid flowing through the branch pipe 120B and the processing liquid flowing through the branch pipe 118B merge at the branch joint 114 and flow to the circulation pump 90.

(Action and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. In the liquid supply apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the flow rate of the processing liquid passing through the heating channel 116A and the heating channel 116A can be halved by bifurcating the decompression side channel 80B. Thereby, a process liquid can be heated efficiently.

  In this embodiment, since the branch joint 112 and the branch joint 114 are used to branch the decompression side flow path 80B, the structure of the first embodiment (FIG. 2) and the structure of the second embodiment (FIG. 4). ) Is more likely to leak. For this reason, it is preferable to employ | adopt the structure of 1st Embodiment or 2nd Embodiment from a viewpoint of suppressing a liquid leak.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from a summary, various changes are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a heater including a heat source is used as the temperature adjustment device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a cooling device including a cooling member such as a Peltier element may be used. In this case, the flow path in the cooling device may be cooled by a Peltier element or the like, and the liquid passing through the flow path may be cooled to a preset temperature.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the Example which applied the liquid supply apparatus to the process liquid provision unit, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention may be applied to a structure that circulates ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Liquid supply apparatus 44B Processing liquid tank (liquid storage part)
46 Treatment liquid drying treatment drum (conveyance member)
52 Image forming drum (conveying member)
56 Inkjet head (ejection head)
80 Circulating channel 80B Pressure reducing side channel 84 Filter 86 Densitometer (concentration detector)
88 Heater (temperature control device)
88A Heating channel (one temperature control channel)
88B Heating channel (other temperature control channel)
88C Heat source 90 Circulation pump (pump)
92 1st temperature sensor (temperature sensor in circulation channel)
94 Second temperature sensor (Temperature control channel temperature sensor)
102 Liquid supply device 104 Heater (temperature control device)
104A Heating channel (temperature control channel)
104B Heating channel (temperature control channel)
104C Heating channel (temperature control channel)
110 Liquid supply device 116 Heater (temperature control device)
116A Heating channel (temperature control channel)
116B Heating channel (temperature control channel)
P paper

Claims (12)

A liquid storage portion in which a liquid to be applied to the paper is stored;
A circulation channel connected to the liquid container;
A pump for circulating the liquid in the circulation channel;
In the circulation channel, the temperature of the liquid is adjusted by providing a plurality of temperature control channels that are disposed in the pressure-reduction side channel through which the liquid flows from the liquid container to the pump and that are part of the pressure-reduction side channel. A temperature control device,
A liquid supply apparatus having   2. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the decompression-side channel is folded from one of the plurality of temperature control channels and connected to another temperature control channel. The temperature control device includes three or more temperature control flow paths,
The liquid supply device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure reducing side flow path is folded twice or more with the temperature control device interposed therebetween.   The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a filter that captures foreign matters in the liquid is connected to the pressure reducing side channel.   The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein a concentration detection device that detects a concentration of the liquid is connected to the pressure reducing side channel. The pressure reducing side channel is connected to a filter that captures foreign matter in the liquid and a concentration detection device that detects the concentration of the liquid,
The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter is connected to the liquid storage unit side of the concentration detection device.   The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit is a strongly acidic processing liquid applied to a sheet before image formation. The circulation channel is provided with a temperature sensor in the circulation channel for measuring the temperature of the liquid,
The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment device heats or cools the liquid according to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the circulation flow path. The temperature control device is provided with a temperature control channel internal temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the liquid flowing through the temperature control channel,
The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the temperature adjustment device heats or cools the liquid according to a temperature measured by the temperature adjustment flow path temperature sensor. The circulation channel is provided with a temperature sensor in the circulation channel for measuring the temperature of the liquid,
The temperature control device is provided with a temperature control channel internal temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the liquid flowing through the temperature control channel,
The said temperature control apparatus heats or cools a liquid according to the temperature which the said temperature sensor in the circulation channel measured, and the temperature which the temperature sensor in the temperature control channel measured. Liquid supply device.   The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment device is a heater including a heat source that heats the temperature adjustment flow path. A liquid application unit that applies liquid stored in a liquid storage unit constituting the liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to a sheet,
An ejection head comprising a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets onto the paper to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit;
A transport member for transporting paper between the liquid application unit and the ejection head;
An image forming apparatus.

Images