JP2023065830A - Conveyor device and liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a conveyor device and a liquid discharge device capable of detecting an adhesive force of a conveyor belt without damaging an adhesive layer.SOLUTION: A conveyor device 130 comprises: a conveyor belt 33 having an adhesive layer 34 which can adhere to a medium P and capable of conveying the medium P; a first detection unit 131 that can detect a first acoustic wave generated when the medium P is peeled from the adhesive layer 34 in a non-contact manner; and a control unit 1 that can determine the strength of an adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 on the basis of a detection result of the first detection unit 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying device and a liquid ejection device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs printing by ejecting liquid onto a medium such as cloth or paper. Some liquid ejecting apparatuses include a conveying device that conveys a medium in close contact with an adhesive layer of a conveying belt. In such a conveying device, when the adhesive force of the conveying belt decreases, the medium tends to separate from the conveying belt, which may affect the conveying ability of the medium and the print quality of the liquid ejection device. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-100000 discloses a sheet conveying device that detects the adhesive strength of an adhesive layer of a conveying belt.

JP 2016-150434 A

However, in the sheet conveying device described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the operation of detecting the adhesive force tends to deteriorate the adhesive layer. Specifically, the leaf spring is pressed against the adhesive layer, the amount of displacement of the leaf spring is measured, and the adhesive force of the adhesive layer is calculated. As a result, the leaf spring and the adhesive layer may come into contact with each other, damaging the adhesive layer and reducing the strength of the adhesive force. That is, there is a need for a conveying device that detects the adhesive force of the conveying belt without damaging the adhesive layer.

The conveying device has an adhesive layer capable of adhering to a medium, and is capable of non-contact detection of a conveying belt capable of conveying the medium and a first sound wave emitted when the medium is peeled off from the adhesive layer. It is characterized by comprising a first detection section, and a control section capable of determining the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer based on the detection result of the first detection section.

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ejecting portion capable of ejecting liquid onto a medium, an adhesive layer capable of adhering to the medium, and a conveying belt capable of transporting the medium. It is characterized by comprising a detection unit capable of detecting emitted sound waves in a non-contact manner, and a control unit capable of determining the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer based on the detection result of the detection unit.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a liquid ejection device and a transport device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the arrangement of the first detection section; FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the arrangement of a second detection section; The enlarged side view which shows arrangement|positioning of a 2nd detection part. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a liquid ejection device; The top view which shows arrangement|positioning of the 1st detection part and 2nd detection part which concern on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the arrangement of the first detection section;

In the embodiments described below, a conveying device and a liquid ejecting device used for inkjet textile printing on fabric will be exemplified and explained with reference to the drawings. The application of the conveying device and the liquid ejection device of the present invention is not limited to textile printing.

In the following figures, XYZ axes are used as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes as necessary, the direction indicated by each arrow is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is the - direction. The Z axis is an imaginary axis along the vertical direction, and the +Z direction is sometimes referred to as upward and the −Z direction is sometimes referred to as downward. In the transport path of the medium P, in which the fabric, which is the medium, is unwound from the raw fabric, printed, and the printed fabric is wound into a roll, the raw fabric side is called the upstream side, and the side where the printed fabric is wound is called the downstream side. Sometimes. For convenience of illustration, the size of each member is different from the actual size.

1. First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid ejecting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 1, a medium transporting unit 20 including a conveying unit 130, an ejecting unit 60, a drying unit 70, a collecting unit 40, and a cleaning unit. A portion 80 is provided. The control unit 1 integrally controls operations of the transport device 130 and the liquid ejection device 100 . The transport device 130 is an example of the transport device of the present invention. Each component of the liquid ejection device 100 is supported by the frame F. As shown in FIG. In the description of FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified, the side view from the -X direction will be described.

The medium transport section 20 includes a medium supply section 10 , transport rollers 21 , 22 , 23 and 24 , a transport device 130 and a collection section 40 . The medium transport unit 20 transports the medium P along a transport route from upstream to downstream.

The medium supply section 10 has a supply shaft section 11, a bearing section 12, and a rotation drive section (not shown). The supply shaft portion 11 has a round bar shape, and holds the core of the original sheet of the medium P. As shown in FIG. The bearing portion 12 detachably and rotatably supports both ends of the supply shaft portion 11 in the direction along the X axis. The rotation drive section is, for example, an electric motor, and drives the supply shaft section 11 to rotate. By the rotation of the supply shaft portion 11 and the belt driving roller 32 of the conveying device 130 to be described later, the medium P is unwound from the original sheet and sent to the downstream conveying device 130 .

The medium P is transported from the medium supply unit 10 , passes through the transport rollers 21 , and is changed in the transport direction substantially in the +Y direction by the transport rollers 22 . The medium P is transferred to the conveying device 130 from approximately the -Y direction.

The medium P is cloth. The fibers contained in the medium P include, for example, natural fibers such as cotton, silk, hemp, mohair, wool, and cashmere; regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra; synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and polyurethane; , two-ply yarns, or blended yarns. The medium P is formed by processing the above fibers into a woven fabric or non-woven fabric. The medium P may be pretreated in order to improve the color developability and fixability of the coloring material to be printed.

The conveying device 130 includes a belt rotating roller 31, a belt driving roller 32, a conveying belt 33, a first detection section 131, a second detection section 132, a contact section 50, a support section 53, and a notification section (not shown). In addition, the function related to the control of the conveying device 130 in the control unit 1 may be included in the conveying device 130 .

The transport device 130 brings the medium P into close contact with the transport belt 33 and transports it downstream. The conveying belt 33 is an endless belt. The width of the transport belt 33 is wider than the width of the medium P in the direction along the X axis. While the medium P is being transported by the transporting device 130 , the ink, which is the liquid ejected from the ejecting section 60 , adheres to the medium P. Ink is applied to the medium P to perform textile printing. The printed medium P is also called a printed material. In this specification, liquids such as ink and treatment liquid are collectively referred to as ink.

The belt rotating roller 31 and the belt driving roller 32 are substantially cylindrical rotating members and form a pair with each other. The rotation axis of the belt rotating roller 31 and the rotation axis of the belt drive roller 32 are along the X-axis. Also, the belt rotating roller 31 and the belt driving roller 32 are arranged to face each other in the direction along the Y-axis. The belt rotation roller 31 is arranged at a position on the upstream side of the transport device 130 and in the +Y direction with respect to the transport roller 22 . The belt driving roller 32 is arranged downstream of the conveying device 130 and in the −Y direction with respect to the conveying roller 23 .

The conveying belt 33 is stretched in a direction along the Y-axis with a predetermined tension by the belt rotating roller 31 and the belt driving roller 32 . A supporting member that supports the transport belt 33 may be arranged between the belt rotating roller 31 and the belt driving roller 32 .

The belt drive roller 32 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by a transport drive motor, which will be described later. The transport drive motor is controlled by the controller 1 . The belt drive roller 32 is rotatably supported by the roller support portion 133 . The belt rotating roller 31 is a driven roller, and rotates counterclockwise when the rotation of the belt driving roller 32 is transmitted through the conveying belt 33 . The belt rotating roller 31 is rotatably supported by a roller supporting portion (not shown). The conveying belt 33 is driven by the belt rotating roller 31 and the belt driving roller 32 to rotate counterclockwise.

Here, the path along which the conveyor belt 33 circulates is called a movement path. The movement path includes a transport path along which the medium P is supported and transported, and a non-transport path that does not form a transport path. The non-conveying path is a return path for the conveying belt 33 that has moved on the conveying path to make a circulating movement. The transport path and the non-transport path are along the XY plane and face each other in the direction along the Z axis. The conveying path is positioned above and the non-conveying path is positioned below. A discharge section 60 is arranged above the transport path.

In the transport path, the direction in which the medium P is transported is called the transport direction, and the direction opposite to the transport direction is called the reverse transport direction. The transport direction is the +Y direction and the reverse transport direction is the -Y direction.

The medium P is transferred from the transport roller 22 to the transport device 130 and placed on the upper surface 33 a of the transport belt 33 above the belt rotation roller 31 . At this time, the transport belt 33 and the medium P do not have to be in close contact.

The conveying belt 33 has an adhesive layer 34 on the surface 33a. The width of the adhesive layer 34 is substantially equal to the width of the conveyor belt 33 in the direction along the X axis. The surface 33 a is arranged on the outer side of the conveyor belt 33 . The surface 33a has a front/rear relationship with the surface 33b that contacts the belt drive roller 32 and the belt rotation roller 31 . The adhesive layer 34 on the surface 33a faces upward on the transport path and faces downward on the non-transport path.

The adhesive layer 34 can adhere to the medium P by adhesive strength. Therefore, the transport belt 33 can transport the medium P in close contact with the transport belt 33 . The adhesive layer 34 is made of, for example, a resin having a glass transition temperature of 0° C. or less. Therefore, the adhesive layer 34 has flexibility and adhesiveness in the temperature environment where the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is installed. In the transport path, the medium P adheres to the upper surface 33a of the transport belt 33 due to the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34, and is transported in the +Y direction as the transport belt 33 rotates.

Here, when the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 is lowered, the adhesion between the transport belt 33 and the medium P is weakened. As a result, the position of the medium P may shift with respect to the conveying belt 33, or a gap may occur between the adhesive layer 34 and the medium P. Therefore, there is a possibility that the conveying ability of the conveying belt 33 and the image quality of the printed material are affected. On the other hand, since the liquid ejection device 100 and the transport device 130 of the present embodiment have functions to be described later, the above effects are less likely to affect the transport capability of the transport belt 33 and the image quality of the printed material.

The contact portion 50 is arranged near the belt rotation roller 31 in the +Y direction. The contact section 50 includes a pressing roller 51 , a drive section 52 , a support section 53 and a heating section 54 . The contact portion 50 brings the medium P and the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33 into close contact with each other.

The pressing roller 51 is a substantially cylindrical rotating member. The pressing roller 51 is arranged above the conveying belt 33 with its rotation axis along the X-axis. The support portions 53 are arranged at both ends of the pressing roller 51 in the direction along the X axis. The pressing roller 51 is rotatably supported by a pair of support portions 53 . Each of the pair of support portions 53 is supported by the driving portion 52 . The length of the pressing roller 51 is substantially equal to the width of the conveying belt 33 in the direction along the X axis.

One of the drive portions 52 is arranged at a position further in the -X direction with respect to the support portion 53 that supports the end portion of the pressing roller 51 in the -X direction. The other drive portion 52 is arranged at a position further in the +X direction with respect to the support portion 53 that supports the end portion of the pressing roller 51 in the +X direction.

The pair of drive units 52 moves up and down along the Z-axis while supporting the pair of support units 53 by an elevation drive motor, which will be described later. Therefore, the pressing roller 51 can move vertically while being supported by the support portion 53 . Thereby, the strength of the pressing force with which the pressing roller 51 presses the medium P against the adhesive layer 34 is adjusted.

Also, the pair of drive portions 52 are driven by guide rails and a motor (not shown) to reciprocate in the direction along the Y-axis while supporting the pair of support portions 53 . Therefore, the support portion 53 supports the pressing roller 51 so as to be able to reciprocate in the transport direction and the reverse transport direction.

The heating unit 54 is arranged below the pressing roller 51 via the conveying belt 33 . An upper surface of the heating section 54 is formed in a substantially planar shape and contacts the lower surface 33b of the conveying belt 33 in the conveying path. The distance of the heating portion 54 along the Y-axis is substantially equal to the distance that the pressing roller 51 reciprocates in the transport direction and the reverse transport direction. The distance of the heating portion 54 along the X-axis is substantially equal to the width of the conveyor belt 33 along the X-axis.

The heating unit 54 is controlled by a later-described heating driving unit of the control unit 1 and heats the conveying belt 33 . The heating unit 54 is, for example, an electric heater. The heating by the heating unit 54 heats the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33 . The flexibility of the adhesive layer 34 is increased by heating, and the adhesive force to the medium P is increased. The heating temperature of the heating unit 54 is, for example, 35° C. or higher and 60° C. or lower on the upper surface of the heating unit 54 .

As described above, in the contact unit 50 , the medium P is placed on the upper surface of the heating unit 54 via the conveying belt 33 . The heating unit 54 heats the conveying belt 33 to increase the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 . In this state, the pressing roller 51 presses the medium P against the adhesive layer 34 from above, and reciprocates in the transport direction and the reverse transport direction while rotating. The medium P and the conveying belt 33 are sandwiched and pressed between the upper surface of the heating unit 54 and the pressing roller 51, and the medium P and the adhesive layer 34 are brought into close contact with each other. Note that if the medium P and the adhesive layer 34 are sufficiently adhered due to the specifications of the medium P and the adhesive layer 34, the heating of the conveying belt 33 by the heating unit 54 may be omitted. Also, the pressing roller 51 may have the function of heating the conveying belt 33 instead of the heating unit 54 . Further, the position where the heating unit 54 is provided is not particularly limited as long as the conveying belt 33 can be heated.

The width of the medium P is shorter than the width of the adhesive layer 34 of the transport belt 33 in the direction along the X axis. Therefore, when the pressing roller 51 presses the medium P against the adhesive layer 34 , the end portion of the pressing roller 51 in the direction along the X axis contacts the adhesive layer 34 . At this time, since the pressing roller 51 rotates while reciprocating in the direction along the Y-axis, it continuously repeats contact and peeling with respect to the adhesive layer 34 .

When the pressing roller 51 is peeled off from the adhesive layer 34 as the pressing roller 51 rotates, a second sound wave is emitted as a peeling sound. The second sound wave varies in volume and sound quality according to the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 . That is, the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 can be determined based on the volume and sound quality of the second sound wave. The volume is represented by the amplitude of the second sound wave, for example, and the sound quality is represented by the frequency spectrum of the second sound wave, for example.

The medium P is transported in the +Y direction while being in close contact with the transport belt 33 . In the conveying path of the conveying belt 33, the discharge section 60 is arranged in the middle of the direction along the Y-axis. The ejection unit 60 is located above the transport belt 33 and faces the upper surface of the medium P. As shown in FIG. The ejector 60 can eject ink onto the medium P. As shown in FIG. Ink ejected from the ejection unit 60 adheres to the upper surface of the medium P. As shown in FIG.

The ejection section 60 includes an inkjet head 61 , a carriage 62 , and guide rails 63 and 64 . The inkjet head 61 is mounted below the carriage 62 . Although illustration is omitted, the inkjet head 61 has a nozzle surface facing the conveying belt 33 or the medium P. As shown in FIG. A plurality of nozzle rows are arranged on the nozzle surface. Each of the plurality of nozzle rows is composed of a plurality of nozzles, and inks of colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are individually ejected. These inks are supplied to the inkjet head 61 from an ink tank (not shown).

The guide rails 63, 64 are rails extending along the X-axis. The guide rails 63 and 64 support the carriage 62 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction along the X axis. The carriage 62 is scanned in the direction along the X-axis while being guided by guide rails 63 and 64 by driving a carriage motor, which will be described later.

As a result, the carriage 62 can be caused to scan in the direction along the X-axis while the medium P is transported in the +Y direction, making it possible to attach ink to any position on the medium P. FIG. As a result, the medium P is printed with images, patterns, texts, colors, and the like.

The printed medium P is conveyed in the +Y direction from a position facing the ejection section 60 . Next, the medium P is separated from the transport belt 33 substantially above the belt drive roller 32 . After being stripped from the transport belt 33 , the medium P reaches the transport roller 23 downstream of the belt drive roller 32 .

When the medium P is peeled from the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33, a first sound wave is emitted as a peeling sound. The sound pressure and sound quality of the first sound wave differ according to the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 to the medium P. FIG. That is, the strength or weakness of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 to the medium P can be determined based on the volume and tone quality of the first sound wave. The volume is represented by the amplitude of the first sound wave, for example, and the sound quality is represented by the frequency spectrum of the first sound wave, for example.

The first detection unit 131 is arranged in the vicinity of the area where the conveying belt 33 and the medium P are separated from each other in the roller support unit 133 . The first detection unit 131 detects the first sound wave without contact. The first detector 131 is a detector capable of detecting the volume and tone quality of the first sound wave. A known sound sensor such as a microphone is employed for the first detection unit 131 . Microphones include electrostatic, electrodynamic, and piezoelectric types. It is preferable to use an electrostatic microphone because of its small size and frequency characteristics. Note that the first detection section 131 is also an example of a detection section included in the liquid ejection device of the present invention.

The second detection unit 132 is arranged near the area where the pressing roller 51 is separated from the conveying belt 33 . Specifically, the second detection section 132 is provided in the support section 53 on which the pressing roller 51 is supported. The second detection unit 132 detects a second sound wave generated when the pressing roller 51 is peeled off from the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33 in a non-contact manner. The second detector 132 is a detector capable of detecting the volume and tone quality of the second sound wave. A known sound sensor such as a microphone, like the first detection unit 131, can be used for the second detection unit 132. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the first detection unit 131 is installed above a roller support unit 133 that supports the end of the belt drive roller 32 in the +X direction. Since the first detection unit 131 approaches the area where the medium P, which is the source of the first sound wave, separates from the conveying belt 33, the detection sensitivity of the first sound wave by the first detection unit 131 is improved. The number of first detection units 131 is not limited to one. In FIG. 2, illustration of the medium P, the exterior casing of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100, and the like is omitted.

The first detector 131 is electrically connected to the controller 1 . The first detection unit 131 transmits the detection result regarding the first sound wave to the control unit 1 as an electric signal.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the second detector 132 is installed on the support 53 that supports the end of the pressing roller 51 in the +X direction. Specifically, the second detection section 132 is installed near the base of the support section 53 . As a result, the second detection unit 132 approaches the area where the pressing roller 51 , which is the source of the second sound wave, separates from the conveying belt 33 .

Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the second sound wave by the second detector 132 is improved. Further, since the distance between the second detection unit 132 and the pressing roller 51 is fixed, the detection sensitivity is kept constant even if the pressing roller 51 moves in the direction along the Y-axis or the direction along the Z-axis. The number of second detection units 132 is not limited to one. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which the pressing roller 51 is separated from the conveying belt 33 . In FIGS. 3 and 4, illustration of the medium P, the exterior housing of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100, and the like is omitted.

The second detector 132 is electrically connected to the controller 1 . The second detection unit 132 transmits the detection result regarding the second sound wave to the control unit 1 as an electric signal.

Returning to FIG. 1, the transport belt 33 is turned back from the transport path to the non-transport path by the belt drive roller 32, and moves in the -Y direction with the adhesive layer 34 facing downward. A cleaning unit 80 is arranged on the non-conveying path.

The cleaning section 80 has a cleaning liquid layer 81, a cleaning roller 82, a blade 83, and a roller driving section (not shown). Foreign substances such as fibers derived from the medium P and dust derived from the environment may adhere to the adhesive layer 34 . These foreign substances may reduce the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 . Therefore, the cleaning unit 80 cleans the adhesive layer 34 by removing the foreign matter from the adhesive layer 34 .

The cleaning liquid layer 81 stores the cleaning liquid. As the cleaning liquid, for example, a water-soluble solvent such as water or alcohol is used. The cleaning liquid may contain surfactants and defoamers.

The cleaning roller 82 has a cylindrical shape, and approximately half of the lower part is immersed in the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid layer 81 , and the upper part contacts the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33 . The cleaning roller 82 is rotationally driven by the roller driving section to scrape off foreign matter on the surface of the adhesive layer 34 .

The blade 83 is a substantially plate-shaped member. The blade 83 is arranged in the -Y direction from the cleaning roller 82 . One end of the blade 83 contacts the adhesive layer 34 of the conveyor belt 33 and the other end is immersed in the cleaning liquid layer 81 . Cleaning liquid may remain on the conveying belt 33 due to contact with the cleaning roller 82 . Therefore, the cleaning liquid remaining on the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33 is scraped off to the cleaning liquid layer 81 by sliding the conveying belt 33 and the blade 83 which are driven to rotate.

The transport roller 23 separates the printed medium P from the transport belt 33 . The medium P separated from the transport belt 33 is transported substantially in the +Y direction, and the transport direction is changed substantially downward by the transport rollers 23 . Transport rollers 23 and 24 relay medium P to recovery section 40 .

A drying section 70 is arranged between the transport rollers 23 , 24 . The drying section 70 dries the ink adhering to the medium P. Drying section 70 includes, for example, an infrared heater. The volatile components of the ink adhering to the medium P are volatilized by the infrared rays emitted by the infrared heater. As a result, the printed medium P can be taken up by the collection unit 40 .

The recovery section 40 is arranged downstream and below the transport rollers 24 . The collection unit 40 collects the medium P, which is a printed material. The collecting section 40 has a winding shaft section 41, a bearing section 42, and a rotation driving section (not shown). The winding shaft portion 41 has a cylindrical shape and winds the medium P into a roll. The bearing portion 42 rotatably supports both ends of the winding shaft portion 41 in the direction along the X axis. Further, the winding shaft portion 41 can be attached to and detached from the bearing portion 42 . The rotary drive section rotates the winding shaft section 41 counterclockwise. The rotation drive unit rotates the winding shaft 41 and the medium P is wound. As described above, a printed material is manufactured by the liquid ejection apparatus 100 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 119, a system bus 120, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 121, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 122, a head drive unit 123, a motor drive unit 124, A heating drive unit 125 and an input/output unit 111 are provided. Here, FIG. 5 does not cover all the functions of the control unit 1. FIG.

The CPU 119 controls the entire liquid ejecting apparatus 100 . CPU 119 is electrically connected to ROM 121 , RAM 122 , and head driving section 123 via system bus 120 . The ROM 121 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 119, maintenance sequences, and the like. RAM 122 temporarily stores data. A head drive unit 123 drives the inkjet head 61 .

The CPU 119 is electrically connected to the motor driver 124 via the system bus 120 . The motor driving section 124 is electrically connected to the carriage motor 71 , the transport driving motor 73 and the elevation driving motor 75 .

The carriage motor 71 is included in the ejection section 60 described above. The carriage motor 71 reciprocates the carriage 62 along the X-axis. The transport drive motor 73 transports the medium P by rotationally driving the belt drive roller 32 described above. The up-and-down drive motor 75 moves the pair of drive units 52 described above up and down to adjust the pressing force with which the pressing roller 51 presses the medium P against the adhesive layer 34, and separate the pressing roller 51 and the medium P. .

CPU 119 is electrically connected to heating driver 125 via system bus 120 . The heating driving section 125 is electrically connected to the heating section 54 . The heating unit 54 heats the conveying belt 33 described above under the control of the heating driving unit 125 .

Input/output unit 111 is electrically connected to first detection unit 131 , second detection unit 132 , notification unit 128 , and PC (Personal Computer) 129 . The notification unit 128 is a display panel provided on the exterior housing of the liquid ejection device 100 . The notification unit 128 displays various information related to the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 to notify the user. The PC 129 is an information device that inputs data such as images used for textile printing and print data to the liquid ejection apparatus 100 .

The first detector 131 detects the first sound wave, and the second detector 132 detects the second sound wave. First detection unit 131 and second detection unit 132 transmit respective detection results to input/output unit 111 as electrical signals. The CPU 119 determines the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 from the electric signal.

Information pre-stored in the ROM 121 is used to determine the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 . Specifically, the ROM 121 stores the sound volume and sound quality when the various media P and the pressing roller 51 are peeled off from the adhesive layer 34 in the initial state where the strength of the adhesive strength is not lowered. In addition, the ROM 121 also stores the volume and sound quality when the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 has decreased and maintenance or replacement of the adhesive layer 34 is required. By comparing these volume and sound quality with the detection results of the first detection unit 131 and the second detection unit 132, the strength of the adhesive strength is judged.

The controller 1 can determine the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 based on the detection result of the first detector 131 . That is, the adhesive force between the adhesive layer 34 and the medium P is determined from the detection result of the first detection unit 131 . In the following description, the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 based on the detection result of the first detection unit 131 is simply referred to as the adhesive force based on the first sound wave.

The controller 1 can determine the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 based on the detection result of the second detector 132 . That is, the adhesive force between the adhesive layer 34 and the pressing roller 51 is determined from the detection result of the second detection unit 132 . In the following description, the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 based on the detection result of the second detection unit 132 is simply referred to as the adhesive force based on the second sound wave. Further, the adhesive force based on the first sound wave and the adhesive force based on the second sound wave are collectively referred to as the adhesive force based on the first sound wave and the adhesive force based on the second sound wave.

Based on the detection result of the first detection unit 131, the control unit 1 determines that the adhesive strength of the first sound wave is less than a predetermined threshold, and based on the detection result of the second detection unit 132 , the output of the heating unit 54 is increased via the heating driving unit 125 when it is determined that the strength of the adhesive force by the second sound wave is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Specifically, the predetermined threshold is the allowable lower limit of the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 . However, when it is determined that the adhesive strength based on the first sound wave is insufficient and the adhesive strength based on the second sound wave is determined to be sufficient, the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 34 actually increases. It is possible that the decline in the strength of

Specifically, for example, if the medium P is a raised material, the strength of the adhesive strength based on the first sound wave may be determined to be less than the predetermined threshold even if the strength of the adhesive strength has not decreased. . In this case, the adhesion between the adhesive layer 34 and the medium P may be insufficient, although the strength of the adhesive strength is not reduced. Therefore, the output of the heating unit 54 is increased to raise the temperature of the adhesive layer 34 . As a result, the flexibility of the adhesive layer 34 is increased and the adhesive force is increased, so that even a medium P such as a raised material that is difficult to adhere to can be adhered to the adhesive layer 34 . Control of the heating unit 54 by the control unit 1 is performed by feedback control, for example.

Based on the detection result of the first detection unit 131, the control unit 1 determines that the adhesive strength based on the first sound wave is less than a predetermined threshold, and based on the detection result of the second detection unit 132 Then, when it is determined that the strength of the adhesive force based on the second sound wave is less than the predetermined threshold value, the notification unit 128 is caused to notify the information indicating the decrease in the strength of the adhesive force as visual information. Visual information includes an alert display, a numerical display of adhesive strength, and a display recommending maintenance.

Specifically, when it is determined that both the adhesive strength based on the first sound wave and the adhesive strength based on the second sound wave are insufficient, the strength of the adhesive strength actually decreases in the adhesive layer 34. likely to be in progress. Therefore, in this case, the user is notified of information indicating a decrease in the strength of the adhesive strength, and maintenance such as replacement or replacement of the adhesive layer 34 is urged. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be improved.

Here, the notification unit 128 is not limited to being a display panel. The reporting unit 128 may be a device that reports visual information such as an indicator lamp and a warning light. Also, the notification unit 128 may be a device that notifies auditory information such as voice guidance and buzzer sound. The functions of these notification units 128 may be performed by the PC 129 . It should be noted that the auditory information may cause disturbance of the first sound wave and the second sound wave, so it is preferable to notify by visual information. As a result, the influence of disturbance can be reduced and the detection sensitivity can be improved when the first sound wave and the second sound wave are detected.

When the adhesive force based on the first sound wave and the second sound wave is insufficient or tends to decrease within the allowable range, the control unit 1 controls the elevation drive motor 75 so that the pressing roller 51 moves the medium P. The pressing force to press the adhesive layer 34 may be increased. This makes it possible to temporarily increase the adhesive force.

The control unit 1 may accumulate information obtained during operation of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 in addition to the information stored in advance in the ROM 121 . Specifically, a new medium P in which information is not stored in advance and the adhesive force based on the first sound wave and the second sound wave are associated and accumulated. These accumulated information may be used for subsequent setting conditions of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 . Also, the accumulated information may be stored in an external server or the like and shared. The shared information may be acquired from an external server at the time of initial setting of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 and used together with pre-stored information.

The adhesive force based on the first sound wave may change depending on the amount of ink adhered to the medium P. Specifically, the larger the amount of ink adhering to the medium P, the smaller the volume of the first sound wave and the longer the wavelength. Therefore, the amount of ink adhered per unit area to the medium P included in print data such as an image may be reflected in the determination of the strength of adhesive force based on the first sound wave. Further, when the medium P is new, the amount of ink adhered and the detection result of the first sound wave may be accumulated and used for subsequent condition setting of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 .

The frequency of the first sound wave may be analyzed and used to detect the tension of the conveyor belt 33 . Specifically, by comparing the frequency of the first sound wave with the initial tension immediately after adjustment, the tension of the conveyor belt 33 can be managed.

The second sound wave may change depending on the width of the medium P along the X-axis. Specifically, when the width of the medium P is short, the contact area between the adhesive layer 34 and the pressing roller 51 increases, and the sound volume of the second sound wave tends to increase. Therefore, the value of the width of the medium P may be used for correction when determining the adhesive force based on the second sound wave.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The adhesive force of the transport belt 33 can be detected without damaging the adhesive layer 34 in the transport device 130 and the liquid ejection device 100 . Specifically, the first detection unit 131 detects the first sound wave during peeling without touching the adhesive layer 34, and the control unit 1 determines the strength of the adhesive force. That is, it is possible to provide the conveying device 130 and the liquid ejection device 100 that detect the adhesive force of the conveying belt 33 without damaging the adhesive layer 34 .

Adhesive strength corresponding to the type of medium P can be determined. Specifically, instead of simply detecting the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 as in the conventional art, the first sound wave is detected corresponding to the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 to the medium P used. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the adhesive strength is appropriate according to the type of medium P. In other words, since the adhesive force is measured in the actual printing work, the strength of the adhesive force can be determined for all media P that can be printed by the liquid ejection device 100 . In addition, it is possible to easily deal with the medium P to be newly used.

Since changes in the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 34 can be easily tracked, it becomes easier to plan maintenance such as adjustment of the adhesive force and replacement of the adhesive layer 34 . Therefore, the maintenance, which tends to take a long time, can be systematically performed at a convenient time.

2. Second Embodiment In a conveying device 230 according to this embodiment, the arrangement of the first detector and the second detector is changed with respect to the conveying device 130 of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same symbols are used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transport device 230 in the liquid ejection device 200 of this embodiment includes three first detection units 131, 231, 233 and two second detection units 132, 232. As shown in FIG. That is, in the transport device 230, two first detection units 231 and 233 and one second detection unit 232 are added to the transport device 130 of the first embodiment. This point is different from the conveying device 130 of the first embodiment. 6 and FIG. 7, which will be described later, illustration of the medium P, the exterior casing of the liquid ejecting apparatus 200, and the like is omitted.

The first detection units 231 and 233 are arranged near the area where the conveying belt 33 and the medium P are separated. Specifically, the first detection unit 231 is installed above the roller support unit 133 that supports the −X direction end of the belt drive roller 32 . The first detector 233 is arranged corresponding to an intermediate position of the belt driving roller 32 in the direction along the X axis.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first detector 233 is provided below the intermediate position of the belt drive roller 32 in the +Y direction. The first detection section 233 is supported by a structural member of the liquid ejection device 200 . The first detection units 231 and 233 detect a first sound wave generated when the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33 and the medium P are separated from each other without contact. The first detection units 231 and 233 are also examples of detection units provided in the liquid ejection device of the present invention.

Returning to FIG. 6, the second detection unit 232 is arranged near the area where the pressure roller 51 and the adhesive layer 34 of the conveying belt 33 are peeled off. Specifically, the second detection section 232 is installed near the base of the support section 53 that supports the end of the pressing roller 51 in the -X direction. As a result, the second detection unit 232 approaches the area where the pressing roller 51 , which is the source of the second sound wave, separates from the conveying belt 33 .

The first detectors 231 and 233 are detectors capable of detecting the volume and tone quality of the first sound wave. The second detector 232 is a detector capable of detecting the volume and tone quality of the second sound wave. Known sound sensors such as microphones are employed for the first detection units 231 and 233 and the second detection unit 232 . Microphones include electrostatic, electrodynamic, and piezoelectric types. It is preferable to use an electrostatic microphone because of its small size and frequency characteristics.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

Since the first detection units 231 and 233 are added, the detection sensitivity of the first sound wave can be improved. Since the second detection unit 232 is added, the detection sensitivity of the second sound wave can be improved.

In the direction along the X-axis, the first detectors 131 and 231 are arranged to face each other, and the second detectors 132 and 232 are arranged to face each other. Therefore, it is possible to detect the positional deviation of the medium P in the direction along the X-axis by comparing the detection results of the two facing each other.

For example, the control unit 1 compares the volume of the first sound wave detected by the first detection unit 131 and the volume of the first sound wave detected by the first detection unit 231 . If the difference between both volumes is large, it is determined that the medium P is away from the one of the first detection units 131 and 231 that has detected the first sound wave with the larger volume. That is, the first sound wave increases in proportion to the contact area between the medium P and the adhesive layer 34 of the transport belt 33 . Therefore, if the distances in the direction along the X-axis between the first detection units 131 and 231 and the medium P are not equal, a difference will occur in the volume of the detected first sound wave. Detection of the positional deviation of the medium P due to the difference in volume can also be performed in the second detection units 132 and 232 .

The contents derived from the embodiment are described below.

The conveying device has an adhesive layer capable of adhering to a medium, and includes a conveying belt capable of conveying the medium, and a first detection capable of detecting, without contact, a first sound wave emitted when the medium is peeled off from the adhesive layer. and a control unit capable of determining the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer based on the detection result of the first detection unit.

According to this configuration, the adhesive force of the conveying belt can be detected without damaging the adhesive layer. Specifically, the first detection unit detects the first sound wave at the time of peeling without touching the adhesive layer, and the control unit determines the strength of the adhesive force. That is, it is possible to provide a conveying device that detects the adhesive force of the conveying belt without damaging the adhesive layer.

Also, the adhesive strength can be determined according to the type of medium. Specifically, instead of simply detecting the adhesive force of the adhesive layer as in the conventional art, the first sound wave corresponding to the adhesive force of the adhesive layer to the medium used is detected. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the adhesive strength is appropriate according to the type of medium.

While rotating, the conveying device reciprocates in a conveying direction in which the medium is conveyed and in a reverse conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction, and presses the medium against the adhesive layer while part of the conveying device is in contact with the adhesive layer. a pressing roller, a second detection unit capable of non-contact detection of a second sound wave emitted when the pressing roller is peeled off from the adhesive layer as the pressing roller rotates, a conveying belt heated, and a control unit and a heating unit controlled by the control unit, based on the detection result of the first detection unit, determines that the strength of the adhesive force is less than a predetermined threshold, and the detection of the second detection unit Based on the results, it is preferable to increase the output of the heating unit when it is determined that the adhesive strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

According to this configuration, when it is determined that the adhesive force is insufficient from the detection result of the first detection unit and the adhesive force is determined to be sufficient from the detection result of the second detection unit, the adhesive layer actually There is a possibility that the decrease in the adhesive strength of the adhesive has not progressed. Specifically, for example, when the medium is a raised material, even if the adhesive strength has not decreased, it may be determined that the strength of the adhesive strength is less than a predetermined threshold based on the detection result of the first detection unit. That said, although the adhesive force is not reduced, there is a possibility that the adhesion between the adhesive layer and the medium is insufficient. Therefore, the heating temperature is raised by increasing the output of the heating unit. As a result, the flexibility of the adhesive layer increases and the adhesive force increases, so that the adhesive layer can adhere to the medium even with a medium such as a raised material that is difficult to adhere to.

The conveying device includes a notification unit that notifies information, and the control unit determines that the adhesive strength is less than a predetermined threshold value based on the detection result of the first detection unit, and the second When it is determined that the strength of the adhesive strength is less than a predetermined threshold based on the detection result of the detection section, it is preferable to cause the notification section to notify the information indicating the decrease in the strength of the adhesive strength.

According to this configuration, when it is determined that both the adhesive force based on the detection result of the first detection unit and the adhesive force based on the detection result of the second detection unit are insufficient, the adhesive force is actually reduced. The decline is likely to continue. Therefore, in the above case, the user is prompted to perform maintenance of the conveying belt by notifying the user of information indicating the decrease in adhesive strength. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the conveying device described above, it is preferable that the notification unit notifies information indicating a decrease in adhesive strength as visual information.

According to this configuration, when an audible sound such as a buzzer is used for notification, the audible sound may disturb the sound waves detected by the first detection section and the second detection section. By notifying with visual information, it is possible to reduce the disturbance to the sound wave and improve the detection sensitivity of the sound wave.

It is preferable that the conveying device includes a supporting portion that supports the pressing roller so as to be able to reciprocate in the conveying direction and the reverse conveying direction, and the second detecting portion is provided in the supporting portion.

According to this configuration, the position of the second detector is fixed with respect to the pressing roller. Therefore, even if the pressing roller reciprocates, the detection accuracy of the second sound wave can be kept constant.

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ejection unit capable of ejecting liquid onto a medium, an adhesive layer capable of adhering to the medium, a conveying belt capable of carrying the medium, and sound waves emitted when the medium is peeled off from the adhesive layer. and a control unit capable of determining the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer based on the detection result of the detection unit.

According to this configuration, the adhesive force of the conveying belt can be detected without damaging the adhesive layer. Specifically, the detection unit detects the sound wave during peeling without touching the adhesive layer, and the control unit determines the strength of the adhesive force. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that detects the adhesive force of the conveying belt without damaging the adhesive layer.

Also, the adhesive strength can be determined according to the type of medium. Specifically, instead of simply detecting the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer as in the conventional art, sound waves corresponding to the adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the medium are detected. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the adhesive strength is appropriate according to the type of medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Control part 33... Conveyor belt 34... Adhesive layer 51... Press roller 53... Support part 54... Heating part 60... Ejection part 100, 200... Liquid ejection device 128... Notification part 130, 230... Conveying device, 131, 231, 233... First detector, 132, 232... Second detector, P... Medium.

Claims (6)

a conveying belt having an adhesive layer capable of adhering to a medium and capable of conveying the medium;
a first detection unit capable of contactlessly detecting a first sound wave emitted when the medium is peeled off from the adhesive layer;
and a controller that can determine the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer based on the detection result of the first detector. While rotating, it reciprocates in the conveying direction in which the medium is conveyed and in the reverse conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction, and presses the medium against the adhesive layer while partially contacting the adhesive layer. a roller;
a second detection unit capable of contactlessly detecting a second sound wave emitted when the pressing roller is peeled off from the adhesive layer as the pressing roller rotates;
a heating unit that heats the conveying belt and is controlled by the control unit;
The control unit determines that the strength of the adhesive force is less than a predetermined threshold based on the detection result of the first detection unit, and determines that the adhesive strength is less than a predetermined threshold based on the detection result of the second detection unit. 2. The conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of said heating unit is increased when it is determined that the intensity of force is greater than or equal to said predetermined threshold. Equipped with a reporting unit for reporting information,
Based on the detection result of the first detection unit, the control unit determines that the strength of the adhesive force is less than the predetermined threshold value, and based on the detection result of the second detection unit, the 3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the strength of the adhesive strength is less than the predetermined threshold value, the notification unit is caused to notify the information indicating the decrease in the strength of the adhesive strength. Device. 4. The conveying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit notifies the information indicating the decrease in strength of the adhesive force as visual information. A support portion that supports the pressing roller so as to be reciprocable in the conveying direction and the reverse conveying direction,
The conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second detection section is provided on the support section. an ejection unit capable of ejecting liquid onto a medium;
a conveying belt having an adhesive layer capable of adhering to the medium and capable of conveying the medium;
a detection unit capable of contactlessly detecting sound waves emitted when the medium is peeled off from the adhesive layer;
and a controller that can determine the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer based on the detection result of the detector.

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