JP2020142873A - Cleaning device for belt conveying device, and belt conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning device for a belt conveying device and a belt conveying device, capable of cleaning a conveying face and suction holes of a conveying belt.SOLUTION: The cleaning device for a belt conveying device includes a first cleaning part for causing gas to pass through suction holes of a conveying belt of the belt conveying device adsorbing a base material onto a conveying face of the conveying belt having the suction holes to convey it, and a second cleaning part arranged at a downstream side in a traveling direction of the conveying belt in the first cleaning part to wipe off the conveying face of the conveying belt by a contact member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a belt transport device and a technique for cleaning the transport belt of the belt transport device.

A printing device using a belt transport device for transporting paper by placing it on the transport surface of the transport belt is known. In the belt transport device, in order to prevent the paper from floating from the transport belt, a suction hole is provided in the transport belt, and the paper is sucked and held on the transport surface through the suction hole to be transported.

On the other hand, dust may be generated in the printing apparatus. The generated dust is placed on the back side of the transport belt, the powder sprayed in the printing device, the applied matting agent, the dust carried by the airflow in the printing device (warm air drying of the drying part, exhaust, etc.). There are shavings and the like generated by the material being worn by sliding with the transport belt.

When dust is generated in a printing device using a belt transport device, dust may adhere to the transport belt, and further dust adhered to the transport belt may adhere to the back surface of the paper. This dust causes scratches during stacking, and when double-sided printing is performed, it adheres to the preprinted surface and is visually recognized as a spot, and induces image defects in the printed matter. Further, if the suction holes of the transport belt are clogged with dust, the suction force is reduced, which leads to the occurrence of floating and wrinkles of the paper. Further, when dust clogged in the suction holes is exposed on the front surface of the transport belt, adhesion to the back surface of the paper occurs.

Therefore, it is necessary to remove not only the dust adhering to the transport belt but also the dust stuck in the suction holes of the transport belt.

In Patent Document 1, after the image formation is completed, the transport drum is rotated, the recording medium holding area is cleaned by the cleaning roller, and further, the air discharge performed in the blowout area causes the suction pipe including the suction hole to be cleaned. The technology for discharging garbage to the outside is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-274272

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the suspended dust reattaches to the surface of the transport drum after the air is discharged. In addition, there is a concern that the dust caught on the edge of the suction hole cannot be completely removed. Therefore, even if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied to cleaning the transport belt, the suction holes of the transport belt cannot be properly cleaned.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device for a belt transport device for cleaning a transport surface and a suction hole of a transport belt, and a belt transport device.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the cleaning device of the belt transport device is to flow gas through the suction holes of the transport belt of the belt transport device that sucks and conveys the base material on the transport surface of the transport belt having suction holes. A cleaning device for a belt transport device including a first cleaning unit to be used, and a second cleaning unit arranged on the downstream side of the transport belt of the first cleaning unit in the traveling direction and wiping the transport surface of the transport belt with an abutting member. Is.

According to this aspect, gas is circulated from the back surface side of the transport surface to the transport surface side through the suction holes of the transport belt, and the transport surface of the transport belt is wiped by the contact member. And the suction holes can be cleaned properly.

It is preferable that the first cleaning unit circulates gas from the back surface side of the transport surface to the transport surface side. The transport surface and suction holes of the transport belt can be properly cleaned.

The first cleaning unit preferably has at least one of a ejection unit that ejects gas toward the suction hole and a suction portion that sucks gas from the suction hole. As a result, gas can be appropriately circulated through the suction holes from the back surface side of the transport surface to the transport surface side.

The first cleaning section preferably has a ejection section and a suction section at positions facing each other via the transport belt. As a result, gas can be appropriately circulated through the suction holes from the back surface side of the transport surface to the transport surface side.

It is preferable that the first cleaning unit intermittently circulates the gas. As a result, power consumption can be reduced and noise can be reduced.

The second cleaning unit preferably moves the contact member in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the transport belt. Thereby, the transport surface of the transport belt can be appropriately wiped.

The contact member is preferably made of rubber. Thereby, the transport surface of the transport belt can be appropriately wiped.

The abutting member preferably includes a plurality of first brush bristles. Thereby, the transport surface of the transport belt can be appropriately wiped.

The diameter of the first brush bristles is preferably smaller than the diameter of the suction holes. As a result, dust inside the suction hole can be appropriately removed.

The second cleaning unit preferably moves the first brush bristles in a direction intersecting the traveling direction of the transport belt. Thereby, the transport surface of the transport belt can be appropriately wiped.

The second cleaning unit preferably includes a charging unit that charges the first brush bristles. Thereby, the transport surface of the transport belt can be appropriately wiped.

It is preferable to provide a third cleaning unit for cleaning the abutting member. This makes it possible to prevent the dust removed by the contact member from reattaching to the transport surface of the transport belt.

The third cleaning unit preferably includes a plurality of second brush bristles. As a result, the contact member can be properly cleaned.

The third cleaning unit preferably includes a collection unit that collects dust adhering to the second brush bristles. As a result, the dust removed by the contact member can be collected.

The contact member is a web, and it is preferable to include a web traveling portion that updates a portion where the web contacts the transport belt. Thereby, the transport surface of the transport belt can be appropriately wiped.

It is preferable to provide a cleaning liquid applying portion for impregnating the web with the cleaning liquid. Thereby, the transport surface of the transport belt can be appropriately wiped.

The cleaning liquid preferably contains a fluorine-based material. As a result, it is possible to prevent the transport surface of the transport belt from becoming dirty.

It is preferable to provide a heating portion for heating the transport belt. Thereby, the cleaning efficiency by wiping can be improved.

It is preferable to provide a warm air blower for drying the transport belt with warm air. As a result, the cleaning liquid adhering to the transport belt can be dried.

The transport belt is endless and is wound around the upstream pulley and the downstream pulley, and the belt transport device transports the base material in the outward path from the upstream pulley to the downstream pulley in the belt transport device for the first cleaning. It is preferable that the portion and the second cleaning portion are arranged in the return path portion where the transport belt is directed from the downstream pulley to the upstream pulley. As a result, the transport belt can be cleaned even during transport of the base material.

A printing condition acquisition unit that acquires the printing conditions of the printing unit that prints on the base material, and a cleaning condition setting unit that sets the cleaning conditions of at least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit according to the printing conditions. It is preferable to prepare. As a result, the transport belt can be properly cleaned.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the belt transport device is to run a transport belt having suction holes, a suction portion that sucks a base material placed on the transport surface of the transport belt to the transport surface, and a transport belt. It is a belt transport device including a belt traveling portion to be operated and a cleaning device for the belt transport device described above.

According to this aspect, gas is circulated from the back surface side of the transport surface to the transport surface side through the suction holes of the transport belt, and the transport surface of the transport belt is wiped by the contact member. And the suction holes can be cleaned.

According to the present invention, the transport surface and the suction hole of the transport belt can be cleaned.

Overall configuration diagram showing the belt transfer device and the cleaning device of the belt transfer device Perspective view showing the main part of the first belt cleaning part Side view showing the main part of the 2nd belt cleaning part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment Diagram to illustrate the vibration of the brush belt Diagram to illustrate the vibration of the brush belt Side view showing the main part of the 2nd belt cleaning part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment A block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment. The figure which shows an example of setting of the cleaning condition according to a print condition

<Belt transport device>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a belt transfer device 100 and a cleaning device 10 of the belt transfer device. As shown in FIG. 1, the belt transfer device 100 includes a transfer belt 102, an upstream pulley 104, a downstream pulley 106, a suction chamber 108, a suction pipe 110, a suction pump 112, and a printing-related processing unit 114.

The belt transport device 100 is a belt transport type transport device that sucks and holds the paper 1 (an example of a base material) placed on the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 to transport the paper 1.

The transport belt 102 is an endless belt made of stainless steel or rubber. The transport belt 102 has a width larger than the width (length in the X direction) of the paper 1 to be transported. The transport belt 102 has a large number of suction holes 102C (see FIG. 2) penetrating the transport surface 102A and the back surface 102B which is the opposite surface of the transport surface 102A. The transport belt 102 is wound around the upstream pulley 104 and the downstream pulley 106 with the transport surface 102A as the outer peripheral surface.

The upstream pulley 104 and the downstream pulley 106 each have a rotating shaft (not shown) parallel to the X direction, and the rotating shaft is rotatably supported.

The belt transfer device 100 has a motor 106M (an example of a belt traveling unit) as a driving means. When the motor 106M is driven, the downstream pulley 106 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 due to the driving force. This rotation is transmitted to the upstream pulley 104 via the transport belt 102, and the upstream pulley 104 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The rotation of the upstream pulley 104 and the downstream pulley 106 causes the transport belt 102 to travel. The belt transfer device 100 conveys the paper 1 in the outward path portion where the transfer belt 102 goes from the upstream pulley 104 to the downstream pulley 106.

The suction chamber 108 (an example of the suction portion) is arranged at a position facing the back surface 102B of the transfer belt 102 on the back surface 102B side of the transfer belt 102 in the outward path portion where the transfer belt 102 goes from the upstream pulley 104 to the downstream pulley 106. Will be done. The suction chamber 108 is a rectangular box-shaped body having an opening on the surface facing the transport belt 102. The suction pump 112 is connected to the suction chamber 108 via a suction pipe 110. The suction pump 112 creates a negative pressure inside the suction chamber 108 via the suction pipe 110. The suction chamber 108 sucks the paper 1 placed on the transport belt 102 through the suction hole 102C by this negative pressure. As a result, the belt transfer device 100 attracts and holds the paper 1 on the transfer surface 102A of the transfer belt 102.

The print-related processing unit 114 performs printing-related processing on the paper 1 conveyed by the belt transfer device 100. The print-related processing unit 114 is a processing liquid coating unit that applies a processing liquid to the paper 1 by a coating roller (not shown), an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper 1 by an inkjet head (not shown), and a heater (not shown). It contains at least one of a drying portion for drying the ink or the treatment liquid applied to 1. The belt transport device 100 does not have to include the print-related processing unit 114, and may simply transport the paper 1.

<Cleaning device for belt transport device: 1st embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 10 includes a first belt cleaning unit 20 and a second belt cleaning unit 40. The first belt cleaning unit 20 and the second belt cleaning unit 40 are arranged on the return path portion where the transport belt 102 is directed from the downstream pulley 106 to the upstream pulley 104, respectively. Further, the second belt cleaning unit 40 is arranged on the upstream side pulley 104 side of the first belt cleaning unit 20. That is, the second belt cleaning unit 40 is arranged on the downstream side of the transport belt 102 of the first belt cleaning unit 20 in the traveling direction.

[1st belt cleaning section]
The first belt cleaning unit 20 (an example of the first cleaning unit) circulates gas through the suction hole 102C of the transport belt 102 from the back surface 102B side (an example of the back surface side) to the transport surface 102A side (an example of the transport surface side). This is a cleaning means for removing dust inside the suction hole 102C. As shown in FIG. 1, the first belt cleaning unit 20 includes a supply fan 22, a supply pipe 24, an air ejection box 26, a dust collection box 28, a first collection pipe 30, a collection pump 32, and a paper detection sensor 34. To be equipped. Further, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main portion of the first belt cleaning portion 20.

The air ejection box 26 (an example of the ejection portion) is arranged on the back surface 102B side of the transfer belt 102 at a position facing the back surface 102B of the transfer belt 102. The air ejection box 26 is a rectangular box-like body having an opening on the surface facing the transport belt 102. The air ejection box 26 is sealed by closing the opening with the transport belt 102. The supply fan 22 is connected to the air ejection box 26 via the supply pipe 24.

The dust collection box 28 (an example of the suction unit) is arranged on the transport surface 102A side of the transport belt 102 at a position facing the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102. The air ejection box 26 and the dust collection box 28 are arranged at positions facing each other via the transport belt 102. The dust collection box 28 is a rectangular box-shaped body having an opening on the surface facing the transport belt 102. The dust collection box 28 is sealed by closing the opening with the transport belt 102. The collection pump 32 is connected to the dust collection box 28 via the first collection pipe 30.

The paper detection sensor 34 detects the passage of the paper 1 conveyed by the belt transfer device 100. The paper detection sensor 34 is an outward path portion where the transport belt 102 is directed from the upstream pulley 104 to the downstream pulley 106, and is arranged on the upstream side of the transport belt 102 in the traveling direction with respect to the print-related processing unit 114. The paper detection sensor 34 includes a light projecting unit 34A that irradiates light, and a light receiving unit 34B that receives light emitted from the light projecting unit 34A through a suction hole 102C of the transport belt 102. While the paper 1 placed on the transport belt 102 passes between the light emitting unit 34A and the light receiving unit 34B, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 34A is blocked by the paper 1 and is blocked by the light receiving unit 34B. No incident. As a result, the paper detection sensor 34 can detect that the paper 1 is passing through the position of the paper detection sensor 34.

In the first belt cleaning unit 20 configured in this way, the supply fan 22 increases the pressure inside the air ejection box 26 via the supply pipe 24. The air ejection box 26 ejects high pressure air toward the suction hole 102C of the transport belt 102 by this high pressure. This high-pressure air (gas) circulates from the back surface 102B side of the transfer belt 102 to the transfer surface 102A side. Due to the flow of the high pressure air, the dust inside the suction hole 102C is pushed out to the transport surface 102A side.

The supply fan 22 intermittently circulates high-pressure air through the suction holes 102C. In the intermittent method, air is ejected only for the time when the paper suction region on which the paper 1 is placed on the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 passes, and the air is stopped for the time when the non-suction region passes. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the paper suction region length L1 corresponds to the length of the paper 1 in the Y direction, and the non-suction region length L2 is the distance between the rear end of the preceding paper 1 and the front end of the succeeding paper 1. Equivalent to. The air ejection time and the stop time in the intermittent method depend on the paper suction region length L1, the non-suction region length L2, and the traveling speed of the transport belt 102. The ejection start timing is delayed by the time obtained by dividing the distance from the detection position of the paper detection sensor 34 to the ejection position of the air ejection box 26 by the traveling speed of the transport belt 102 from the timing when the paper detection sensor 34 detects the paper 1. Synchronize by letting.

In this way, by adopting the intermittent method of supplying high-pressure air from the supply fan 22 only at the position where the transfer belt 102 sucks and conveys the paper 1, the air usage fee is compared with the continuous method of continuously supplying high-pressure air. Can be saved and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the noise of air ejection can be reduced.

The recovery pump 32 creates a negative pressure inside the dust recovery box 28 via the first recovery pipe 30. Due to this negative pressure, the dust collecting box 28 sucks and collects dust pushed out toward the transport surface 102A by the high-pressure air from the air ejection box 26. Therefore, the dust removed from the transport belt 102 does not float. The recovery pump 32 may perform suction only when the supply fan 22 is operating. That is, the recovery pump 32 may be operated intermittently in synchronization with the supply fan 22.

Here, the air ejection box 26 is arranged on the back surface 102B side of the transport belt 102, and the dust collection box 28 is arranged on the transport surface 102A side of the transport belt 102, but it may be arranged in reverse.

The first belt cleaning unit 20 includes an air ejection box 26 and a dust collecting box 28, but may include only an air ejection box 26. As described above, if the air ejection box 26 is provided, dust inside the suction hole 102C can be removed.

Further, only the garbage collection box 28 may be provided. In this case, the gas is circulated from the back surface 102B side of the transfer belt 102 to the transfer surface 102A side by suction from the dust collection box 28 by the collection pump 32. By this gas, the dust inside the suction hole 102C is pulled out to the transport surface 102A side and collected in the dust collection box 28. In this way, by providing at least one of the air ejection box 26 and the dust collecting box 28, dust inside the suction hole 102C can be removed.

[Second belt cleaning section]
The second belt cleaning unit 40 (an example of the second cleaning unit) is a cleaning means for removing dust adhering to the suction hole 102C and the transport surface 102A by wiping the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 with an abutting member. is there. The second belt cleaning unit 40 is arranged on the transport surface 102A side of the transport belt 102. The second belt cleaning unit 40 includes a first pulley 42, a second pulley 44, a third pulley 46, a fourth pulley 48, a blade wiper belt 50, and a wiping member cleaning unit 80.

The first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, the third pulley 46, and the fourth pulley 48 each have a rotation shaft (not shown) parallel to the X direction, and the rotation shaft is rotatably supported. The first pulley 42 and the second pulley 44 are arranged at positions facing the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102. Further, the first pulley 42 is arranged on the upstream side pulley 104 side of the second pulley 44. That is, the first pulley 42 is arranged on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the transport belt 102 of the second pulley 44.

The blade wiper belt 50 includes a base portion 52 and a plurality of blade wiper portions 54. The base portion 52 is an endless belt. The base portion 52 has a width larger than the width of the transport belt 102 (the length in the X direction). The base portion 52 is provided with a plurality of blade wiper portions 54. The blade wiper portion 54 is a contact member made of rubber. The blade wiper portion 54 is provided parallel to the X direction over the entire width of the base portion 52. The length of the blade wiper portion 54 from the base portion 52 is longer than the distance between the first pulley 42 and the second pulley 44 and the transport belt 102.

The blade wiper belt 50 is wound around the first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, the third pulley 46, and the fourth pulley 48 with the blade wiper portion 54 side as the outer peripheral surface. The second belt cleaning unit 40 has a motor 46M as a driving means. When the motor 46M is driven, the driving force causes the third pulley 46 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. This rotation is transmitted to the first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, and the fourth pulley 48 via the base portion 52, and the first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, and the fourth pulley 48 are counterclockwise in FIG. Rotate. The rotation of the first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, the third pulley 46, and the fourth pulley 48 causes the blade wiper belt 50 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

The wiping member cleaning unit 80 (an example of the third cleaning unit) includes a removal brush 82, a recovery chamber 88, and a second recovery pipe 90.

The removal brush 82 is arranged at a position facing the path from the third pulley 46 to the fourth pulley 48 of the blade wiper belt 50. The removal brush 82 has a plurality of brush bristles 86 (an example of a second brush bristles) implanted on one surface of a porous brush base 84 and the brush base 84. The width of the brush base 84 (length in the X direction) is larger than the width of the blade wiper belt 50. Further, the length of the brush base 84 (the length in the Y direction) is longer than the distance between the third pulley 46 and the fourth pulley 48. The brush bristles 86 are flocked over the entire brush base 84. The length of the brush bristles 86 from the brush base 84 is longer than the distance between the third pulley 46 and the fourth pulley 48 and the removal brush 82.

The recovery chamber 88 (an example of the recovery unit) is arranged at a position facing the brush base 84 of the removal brush 82. The recovery chamber 88 is a rectangular box-shaped body having an opening on the surface facing the brush base 84. A brush base 84 is arranged in the opening of the recovery chamber 88. The recovery chamber 88 is connected to the recovery pump 32 via a second recovery pipe 90.

In the second belt cleaning portion 40 configured in this way, when the blade wiper belt 50 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the blade wiper portion 54 is conveyed in the path from the first pulley 42 to the second pulley 44. The transport surface 102A slides by advancing in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the transport belt 102 while contacting the entire width direction (X direction) of the transport surface 102A of the belt 102. As a result, the blade wiper portion 54 removes dust inside the suction hole 102C that has been missed by the first belt cleaning portion 20 and dust that has adhered to the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102.

Further, the blade wiper portion 54 slides on the removal brush 82 in the entire width direction (X direction) in the path from the third pulley 46 to the fourth pulley 48. As a result, the removal brush 82 removes dust adhering to the blade wiper portion 54. The blade wiper portion 54 may be cleaned by using a blade wiper instead of the removal brush 82 or in addition to the removal brush 82.

The recovery pump 32 creates a negative pressure inside the recovery chamber 88 via the second recovery pipe 90. The collection chamber 88 sucks and collects the dust scraped off from the blade wiper portion 54 by the removal brush 82 due to this negative pressure. As a result, the scraped dust does not float. The second belt cleaning unit 40 does not have to include the wiping member cleaning unit 80.

Further, in the present embodiment, the inside of the dust collection box 28 and the collection chamber 88 is made negative pressure by one collection pump 32, but different pumps may be used.

<Effect of cleaning device>
According to the cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment, dust inside the suction hole 102C of the transport belt 102 can be removed by ejecting air from the air ejection box 26 of the first belt cleaning unit 20. Further, since the dust collection box 28 is provided at a position opposite to the air ejection box 26 via the transport belt 102 and the dust collection box 28 is sucked, the dust removed by the air ejection is contained in the apparatus. Prevents floating and recontamination.

Further, according to the cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment, the second belt cleaning unit 40 for wiping the transport belt 102 is provided on the downstream side of the transport belt 102 of the first belt cleaning unit 20 in the traveling direction. 2 The belt cleaning unit 40 can remove dust adhering to the transport belt 102. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the problem that the dust floating after the air is ejected and reattached to the transport belt 102 and the dust caught on the edge of the suction hole 102C cannot be completely removed, and the cleaning efficiency is good.

Further, by setting the traveling direction of the blade wiper portion 54, which is the contact member of the second belt cleaning portion 40, in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the transport belt 102, it becomes easier to scrape dirt and the cleaning efficiency can be further improved. it can.

Further, the second belt cleaning unit 40 moves from the third pulley 46 to the fourth pulley 48 on the side opposite to the path side from the first pulley 42 to the second pulley 44 where the blade wiper belt 50 wipes the conveyor belt 102. Since the blade wiper belt 50 is cleaned by the wiping member cleaning unit 80 on the path side toward the blade wiper belt 50, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to and accumulating on the blade wiper belt 50.

Further, since the wiping member cleaning unit 80 collects the dust removed by the removal brush 82 by the collection chamber 88, it is possible to prevent the dust from scattering.

In the drum cleaning technique described in Patent Document 1, since the cleaning by the cleaning roller is before the air is discharged, the above problem after the air is ejected cannot be dealt with. Further, there is a concern that the dust adhering to the cleaning roller may reattach, but there is no description about the method of collecting the dust adhering to the surface of the cleaning roller. In the present embodiment, since the second belt cleaning unit 40, which is a cleaning mechanism using a wiping member, is provided on the downstream side of the first belt cleaning unit 20 which is an air cleaning mechanism, the above problem does not occur.

The transfer belt 102 may be cleaned by the first belt cleaning unit 20 and the second belt cleaning unit 40 during the transfer of the paper 1, or during the standby period when the paper 1 is not being conveyed.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a main part of the second belt cleaning part 40 according to the second embodiment. The parts common to the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second belt cleaning unit 40 according to the second embodiment includes a brush belt 56, a moving unit 62, and a charging unit 63.

The brush belt 56 includes a base portion 58 and a plurality of brush bristles 60 (an example of the first brush bristles). The base portion 58 is an endless belt. The base portion 58 has a width larger than the width (length in the X direction) of the transport belt 102. A plurality of brush bristles 60 are transplanted on the entire one surface of the base portion 58. The brush bristles 60 are contact members made of nylon, polyester, or the like. The length of the brush bristles 60 from the base portion 58 is longer than the distance between the first pulley 42 and the second pulley 44 and the transport belt 102. Further, the diameter of the brush bristles 60 is smaller than the diameter of the suction hole 102C of the transport belt 102.

The brush belt 56 is wound around the first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, the third pulley 46, and the fourth pulley 48 with the brush bristles 60 side as the outer peripheral surface. The second belt cleaning unit 40 has a motor 46M as a driving means. When the motor 46M is driven, the brush belt 56 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. When the brush belt 56 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the brush bristles 60 come into contact with the entire width direction (X direction) of the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 in the path from the first pulley 42 to the second pulley 44. While traveling in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the transport belt 102, the transport surface 102A slides. As a result, the brush belt 56 removes dust inside the suction hole 102C and dust adhering to the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102.

The moving unit 62 has a linear motor 62M as a driving means. The moving portion 62 reciprocates (vibrates) the first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, the third pulley 46, and the fourth pulley 48 in the ± X direction, thereby moving the brush belt 56 in the ± X direction (conveying belt). Vibrate in the direction that intersects the traveling direction).

4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the vibration of the brush belt 56. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the contact position between the transport belt 102 and the brush bristles 60 as viewed from the back surface 102B side of the transport belt 102. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the contact position between the transport belt 102 and the brush bristles 60 as viewed from the transport surface 102A side of the transport belt 102. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transport belt 102 travels in the −Y direction. Further, the brush bristles 60 travel in the + Y direction.

Further, the moving portion 62 causes the first pulley 42, the second pulley 44, the third pulley 46, and the fourth pulley 48 (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) to vibrate in the ± X direction, thereby causing the brush bristles 60 to vibrate. It vibrates in the ± X direction.

In this way, the brush bristles 60 move in the ± X direction while traveling in the + Y direction. Therefore, the brush bristles 60 slide the transport surface 102A on the transport belt 102 in multiple directions. Thereby, the cleaning efficiency can be improved. The second belt cleaning unit 40 does not have to include the moving unit 62.

Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the charging unit 63 charges the brush bristles 60. The charging unit 63 includes a contact surface (not shown) charged to a constant potential. When the brush belt 56 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the brush bristles 60 come into contact with the contact surface of the charging portion 63 in the path from the fourth pulley 48 to the first pulley 42. The charging unit 63 charges the brush bristles 60 in contact with the contact surface. The charged brush bristles 60 then wipe the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102. In this way, the cleaning efficiency can be improved by charging the brush bristles 60 and then wiping the transport surface 102A. The second belt cleaning unit 40 does not have to include the charging unit 63.

The second belt cleaning unit 40 is provided with a wiping member cleaning unit 80 on the side opposite to the side where the brush belt 56 contacts the transport belt 102. Similar to the first embodiment, the wiping member cleaning unit 80 has a removal brush 82. As described above, when the wiping member is the brush belt 56 having the brush bristles 60, cleaning with the same brush is preferable as the cleaning method. Further, the wiping member cleaning unit 80 may immerse the tip of the brush bristles 60 in a cleaning liquid pool (not shown) to vibrate the brush bristles 60 at a high frequency.

It is preferable that the number of brush bristles 86 of the removal brush 82 is larger than that of the brush bristles 60 of the brush belt 56, or the arrangement density is high. The wiping member cleaning unit 80 may improve the cleaning efficiency by vibrating the removal brush 82 at a high frequency.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a main part of the second belt cleaning part 40 according to the third embodiment. The parts common to the overall configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second belt cleaning unit 40 according to the third embodiment includes a contact roller 64, a guide roller 66, a guide roller 68, a wiping web 70, a cleaning liquid application nozzle 72, and a heating unit 74.

The wiping web 70 is a non-woven fabric endless contact member. The wiping web 70 has a width larger than the width (length in the X direction) of the transport belt 102. The wiping web 70 is wound around the contact roller 64, the guide roller 66, and the guide roller 68.

The contact roller 64, the guide roller 66, and the guide roller 68 each have a rotation axis (not shown) parallel to the X direction, and the rotation axis is rotatably supported. The contact roller 64 is arranged at a position facing the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102. The contact roller 64 brings the wiping web 70 into contact with the entire width direction (X direction) of the transport surface 102A.

The cleaning liquid applying nozzle 72 (an example of the cleaning liquid applying portion) applies a cleaning liquid for cleaning the wiping web 70 to the wiping web 70 and impregnates the wiping web 70. For example, water can be used as the cleaning liquid.

The heating unit 74 includes a heater (not shown). The heating unit 74 heats the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 with a heater (not shown).

The hot air blowing unit 76 includes a hot air heater (not shown). The hot air blowing unit 76 blows warm air toward the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 by a hot air heater (not shown).

The second belt cleaning unit 40 has a motor 64M (an example of a web traveling unit) as a driving means. When the motor 64M is driven, the contact roller 64 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6 due to the driving force. This rotation is transmitted to the guide roller 66 and the guide roller 68 via the wiping web 70, and the guide roller 66 and the guide roller 68 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. Due to the rotation of the contact roller 64, the guide roller 66, and the guide roller 68, the wiping web 70 travels in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the transport belt 102.

In this way, the wiping web 70 is new at the position of the contact roller 64, while the portion in contact with the transport surface 102A is constantly updated while being in contact with the entire width direction (X direction) of the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102. The transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 is wiped while advancing so as to be a surface. As a result, the accumulation of dirt on the wiping web 70 can be prevented, and the cleaning efficiency can be maintained.

Further, the wiping web 70 is provided with a cleaning liquid before wiping the transport surface 102A. In this way, by wiping the wiping web 70 in a wet state with a cleaning liquid, the cleaning efficiency can be further improved. Further, the transport belt 102 is heated by the heating unit 74 before being wiped by the wiping web 70. This makes it possible to improve the cleaning efficiency.

Further, the transport surface 102A of the transport belt 102 wiped by the wet wiping web 70 is warm-air dried by the warm air blower portion 76. If the paper 1 is conveyed while the transport surface 102A after wiping with the wiping web 70 is wet, the cleaning liquid component is likely to be transferred to the paper 1, which may affect the image quality of printing or the like by the print-related processing unit 114. By drying the transport surface 102A with warm air by the warm air blowing unit 76, such a problem can be prevented.

When the paper 1 is not transported, the transport belt 102 may be dried by a hot air heater (not shown) provided in the drying section of the print-related processing section 114. Further, it may be dried by heating by the heating unit 74.

Further, it is also preferable to include a fluorine-based material in the cleaning liquid from the viewpoint of preventing dirt from adhering to the transport surface 102A. As a result, the effect of the water-repellent component (for example, fluorine coating) coated on the transport surface 102A to prevent stains can be reinforced and deterioration can be prevented.

Further, the second belt cleaning unit 40 is provided with a wiping member cleaning unit 80 on the side opposite to the side where the wiping web 70 comes into contact with the transport belt 102. Similar to the first embodiment, the wiping member cleaning unit 80 has a removal brush 82.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the web surface of the wiping web 70 once used for cleaning the transport surface 102A is used for cleaning again, it is necessary to clean the surface of the wiping web 70. Cleaning of the wiping web 70 may be performed by using a blade wiper instead of the removal brush 82 or in addition to the removal brush 82. If the web surface once used for cleaning the transport surface 102A is not reused for cleaning, the wiping member cleaning unit 80 is not required.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the cleaning device 10 according to the fourth embodiment. The cleaning device 10 according to the fourth embodiment includes a printing condition acquisition unit 200, a cleaning condition setting unit 202, a first belt cleaning control unit 206, and a second belt cleaning control unit 208. It is assumed that the cleaning device 10 here includes the second belt cleaning unit 40 according to the second embodiment.

The belt transfer device 100 according to the fourth embodiment includes an image forming unit (an example of a printing unit) for forming an image on the paper 1 by an inkjet head (not shown) in the printing-related processing unit 114, and prints on the conveyed paper 1. .. The print condition acquisition unit 200 acquires the print conditions of the image forming unit from an input unit (not shown). The printing conditions include single-sided printing or double-sided printing, in-paper printing area, paper type (grade), and number of printed sheets.

The cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning conditions of the first belt cleaning unit 20 and the second belt cleaning unit 40 based on the printing conditions acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit 200. The cleaning condition of the first belt cleaning unit 20 is the pressure of the gas flowing through the suction hole 102C. Further, the cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 is the strength of wiping the conveyor belt 102. The cleaning condition setting unit 202 has a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit stores a table in which printing conditions and cleaning conditions are associated with each other. The cleaning condition setting unit 202 reads out the cleaning condition associated with the acquired print condition from the table, and sets the read-out cleaning condition.

The first belt cleaning control unit 206 controls the first belt cleaning unit 20 based on the set cleaning conditions. The first belt cleaning control unit 206 controls the pressure of the ejection air of the supply fan 22 and the ejection time.

The second belt cleaning control unit 208 controls the second belt cleaning unit 40 based on the set cleaning conditions. The second belt cleaning control unit 208 controls the linear motor 62M of the moving unit 62 (not shown in FIG. 7).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of setting cleaning conditions according to printing conditions.

In the case of double-sided printing, the amount of ink adhering stains on the transport belt 102 is relatively large as compared with the case of single-sided printing. Therefore, the cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 to a relatively strong condition in the case of double-sided printing. For example, Condition Example 1 and Condition Example 10 differ only in the difference between single-sided printing and double-sided printing among the printing conditions. On the other hand, the cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 is "weak" under the condition 1 of single-sided printing and "strong" under the condition 10 of double-sided printing. The linear motor 62M is driven at a relatively higher drive frequency when it is "strong" than when it is "weak". As a result, the strength of wiping with the brush bristles 60 is relatively higher in "strong" than in "weak".

Further, as the printing area (the ratio of the area to which the ink is applied to the total area of the paper) increases, the ink adhesion stains on the transport belt 102 become relatively large. Therefore, the cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 to a relatively stronger condition as the printing area increases. For example, condition 10, condition 13, and condition 16 differ only in the print area among the print conditions. On the other hand, the cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 is "strong" under the condition 10 where the print area is 75% or more, and "medium" under the condition 13 where the print area is 25 to 74%. It is "weak" under condition 16 where the print area is ~ 24%. The linear motor 62M is driven at a relatively higher drive frequency in "medium" than in "weak" and in "strong" than in "medium". As a result, the strength of wiping with the brush bristles 60 is relatively higher in the "medium" than in the "weak" and in the "strong" than in the "medium".

In the case of double-sided printing and a relatively large printing area, the cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 to a particularly strong condition. For example, Condition Example 28 to Condition Example 30 are double-sided printing and the printing area is 75% or more, and the cleaning conditions of the second belt cleaning unit 40 are all "strong". As described above, in the case of double-sided printing and a relatively large printing area, cleaning is performed by relatively increasing the strength of wiping with the brush bristles 60.

Further, the lower the grade of paper, the more paper dust is generated, and there is a concern that the paper dust may clog the suction hole 102C. Therefore, the first belt cleaning control unit 206 sets the cleaning condition of the first belt cleaning unit 20 to a relatively stronger condition as the paper type of the paper 1 is lower. For example, conditions 16 to 18 differ only in the paper type among the printing conditions. On the other hand, the cleaning condition of the first belt cleaning unit 20 is "weak" under the condition 16 where the paper type is high-grade paper, and "medium" under the condition 17 where the paper type is intermediate paper, and the paper type is It is "strong" under the condition 18 which is a low-grade paper. The supply fan 22 is driven at a relatively high rotation speed at "medium" rather than "weak" and at "strong" than at "medium". As a result, the pressure of air ejection from the air ejection box 26 is higher in "medium" than in "weak", and in "strong" than in "medium", and the gas to be circulated in the suction hole 102C. Pressure is relatively high. Therefore, the paper dust inside the suction hole 102C can be easily removed.

Further, as the number of printed sheets increases, a relatively large amount of paper dust is generated, and the amount of ink adhering stains on the transport belt 102 becomes relatively large. Therefore, the cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning condition of the first belt cleaning unit 20 to a relatively stronger condition as the number of printed sheets increases, and the cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 is relatively stronger. Set in the condition. For example, Condition Example 1 and Condition Example 19 differ only in the number of printed sheets among the printing conditions. On the other hand, the cleaning condition of the first belt cleaning unit 20 is "weak" under the condition 1 where the number of printed sheets is less than 100, and "medium" under the condition 19 where the number of printed sheets is 100 or more. The cleaning condition of the second belt cleaning unit 40 is "weak" under condition 1 where the number of printed sheets is less than 100, and "medium" under condition 19 where the number of printed sheets is 100 or more.

The supply fan 22 is driven at a relatively higher rotation speed at "medium" than at "weak". As a result, the pressure of the air ejected from the air ejection box 26 becomes higher in the "medium" than in the "weak", and the pressure of the gas flowing through the suction hole 102C becomes relatively higher. Further, the linear motor 62M is driven at a relatively higher drive frequency in the "medium" than in the "weak". As a result, the strength of wiping with the brush bristles 60 is relatively higher in the "medium" than in the "weak".

When the number of printed sheets is 100 or more, a relatively weak cleaning condition is set while the number of printed sheets is small after the start of printing, and a relatively strong cleaning condition is set after the number of printed sheets exceeds a certain number. You may.

For example, assume that the printing condition is the condition 22 shown in FIG. Here, the condition 4 and the condition 22 are conditions in which only the number of printed sheets is different, the condition 4 is that the number of printed sheets is less than 100, and the condition 22 is that the number of printed sheets is 100 or more. The cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning conditions of the first belt cleaning unit 20 and the second belt cleaning unit 40 as "weak" and "weak", respectively, as in condition 4 when the number of printed sheets is 1st to 20th. Set to. After that, the cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning conditions of the first belt cleaning unit 20 and the second belt cleaning unit 40 to "medium" and "medium" of the original condition 22 from the 21st printed sheet. By dynamically setting the cleaning conditions in this way, power consumption can be reduced. Here, the number of printed sheets is set to the original cleaning conditions from the 21st sheet, but the number of sheets to be switched can be appropriately determined.

The cleaning conditions to be changed according to the printing conditions are not limited to the example of FIG. For example, the air ejection box 26 of the first belt cleaning unit 20 may be divided into a plurality of sections in the XY directions, and the first belt cleaning control unit 206 may switch the presence or absence of air ejection in each section. Further, the first belt cleaning control unit 206 may switch the ejection time of the supply fan 22 of the first belt cleaning unit 20, or may switch the presence or absence of intermittent operation. Further, the first belt cleaning control unit 206 may control the pressure of the recovery pump 32, the suction time, and the like.

Further, the contact pressure of the contact member of the second belt cleaning unit 40 with respect to the transport surface 102A may be changed. When the wiping web 70 is used as the abutting member, the amount of the cleaning liquid impregnated may be changed.

Here, the cleaning condition setting unit 202 sets the cleaning conditions of the first belt cleaning unit 20 and the second belt cleaning unit 40 based on the printing conditions acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit 200, but the first belt cleaning unit Cleaning conditions for at least one of 20 and the second belt cleaning unit 40 may be set.

<Others>
Here, the cleaning device of the belt transport device for transporting paper has been described, but the substrate to be transported is not limited to paper, and is applied to the cleaning device of the belt transport device for sucking and transporting a sheet-like base material other than paper. be able to.

In the embodiments described so far, for example, the hardware structure of the processing unit that executes various processes of the cleaning device 10 is various processors as shown below. Various processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which is a processor specialized in image processing. Dedicated to execute specific processing such as programmable logic device (PLD), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. A dedicated electric circuit or the like, which is a processor having a designed circuit configuration, is included.

One processing unit may be composed of one of these various processors, or two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or a CPU and a CPU. It may be composed of a combination of GPUs). Further, a plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor. As an example of configuring a plurality of processing units with one processor, first, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, as represented by a computer such as a server and a client. There is a form in which the processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Secondly, as typified by System On Chip (SoC), there is a form in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including a plurality of processing units with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is used. is there. As described above, the various processing units are configured by using one or more various processors as a hardware structure.

Further, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit (circuitry) in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. The configurations and the like in each embodiment can be appropriately combined between the respective embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 ... Paper 10 ... Cleaning device 20 ... First belt cleaning unit 22 ... Supply fan 24 ... Supply pipe 26 ... Air ejection box 28 ... Dust collection box 30 ... First collection pipe 32 ... Recovery pump 34 ... Paper detection sensor 34A ... Light emitting part 34B ... Light receiving part 40 ... Second belt cleaning part 42 ... First pulley 44 ... Second pulley 46 ... Third pulley 46M ... Motor 48 ... Fourth pulley 50 ... Blade wiper belt 52 ... Base part 54 ... Blade Wiper part 56 ... Brush belt 58 ... Base part 60 ... Brush bristles 62 ... Moving part 62M ... Linear motor 63 ... Charging part 64 ... Contact roller 64M ... Motor 66 ... Guide roller 68 ... Guide roller 70 ... Wiping web 72 ... Cleaning liquid application Nozzle 74 ... Heating unit 76 ... Warm air blower unit 80 ... Wiping member cleaning unit 82 ... Removal brush 84 ... Brush base 86 ... Brush bristles 88 ... Recovery chamber 90 ... Second recovery pipe 100 ... Belt transfer device 102 ... Transfer belt 102A ... Transport surface 102B ... Back surface 102C ... Suction hole 104 ... Upstream pulley 106 ... Downstream pulley 106M ... Motor 108 ... Suction chamber 110 ... Suction pipe 112 ... Suction pump 114 ... Printing-related processing unit 200 ... Printing condition acquisition unit 202 ... Cleaning Condition setting unit 206 ... 1st belt cleaning control unit 208 ... 2nd belt cleaning control unit L1 ... Paper suction area length L2 ... Non-suction area length

Claims (22)

A first cleaning unit that allows gas to flow through the suction holes of the transport belt of the belt transport device that sucks and transports the base material on the transport surface of the transport belt having suction holes.
A second cleaning unit, which is arranged on the downstream side of the first cleaning unit in the traveling direction of the transport belt and wipes the transport surface of the transport belt with an abutting member.
A cleaning device for a belt transport device. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit circulates gas from the back surface side of the transport surface to the transport surface side. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit has at least one of a ejection unit that ejects gas toward the suction hole and a suction portion that sucks gas from the suction hole. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 3, wherein the first cleaning section has the ejection section and the suction section at positions facing each other via the transport belt. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first cleaning unit intermittently circulates the gas. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second cleaning unit moves the contact member in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the transport belt. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact member is made of rubber. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact member includes a plurality of first brush bristles. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 8, wherein the diameter of the first brush bristles is smaller than the diameter of the suction holes. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second cleaning unit moves the first brush bristles in a direction intersecting the traveling direction of the transport belt. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the second cleaning unit includes a charging unit for charging the first brush bristles. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a third cleaning unit for cleaning the contact member. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 12, wherein the third cleaning unit includes a plurality of second brush bristles. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 13, wherein the third cleaning unit includes a collection unit for collecting dust adhering to the second brush bristles. The contact member is a web
The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a web traveling portion for updating a portion where the web contacts the transport belt. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 15, further comprising a cleaning liquid applying portion for impregnating the web with the cleaning liquid. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 16, wherein the cleaning liquid contains a fluorine-based material. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising a heating unit for heating the transport belt. The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a warm air blower for drying the transport belt with warm air. The transport belt is endless and is wound around the upstream pulley and the downstream pulley.
The belt transport device transports the base material in the outward path portion where the transport belt goes from the upstream pulley to the downstream pulley.
The belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the first cleaning section and the second cleaning section are arranged in a return path portion where the transport belt is arranged from the downstream pulley to the upstream pulley. Cleaning device. A printing condition acquisition unit that acquires printing conditions of a printing unit that prints on the substrate, and a printing condition acquisition unit.
A cleaning condition setting unit that sets cleaning conditions for at least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit according to the printing conditions.
The cleaning device for a belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 20. A transport belt with suction holes and
A suction portion that attracts the base material placed on the transport surface of the transport belt to the transport surface, and
A belt traveling portion for traveling the transport belt and
The cleaning device for the belt transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 and
Belt transfer device equipped with.

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