JP7238408B2 - Conveying device and image recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying device and an image recording device.

In a textile printing technique using an inkjet method, a cloth is attached to a conveying member (such as an endless rubber belt), and the cloth is conveyed to a printing unit. After printing, the cloth is peeled off from the conveying member and conveyed to the next process (coloring process, washing process). On the other hand, since the cloth is attached again to the conveying member after the cloth has been peeled off, it is necessary to remove ink, lint, and other residual materials adhered to the conveying member during the printing process.

Ink, lint, and other residual material deposited on the transport member is typically washed away with water. If the water used for washing remains on the conveying member, it causes ink bleeding in the next printing process. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-280942 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No. 5817736 (Patent Document 2) disclose a technique of removing from above a conveying member with a removing member such as a blade or a sponge.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-227945 (Patent Document 3) discloses a technique of providing a tension holding member for suppressing vibration of a conveying member.

JP 2005-280942 A Japanese Patent No. 5817736 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-227945

However, even if the removing member and the tension holding member are provided, washing water may remain on the conveying member, and the remaining washing water is collected using a water absorbing roller or the like. In particular, when printing on a thin cloth, if even a minute amount of water remains on the conveying member, image blurring is conspicuous.

In order to avoid the occurrence of image blurring, it is necessary to increase the frequency of replacement of the water absorbing roller or manually wipe the water absorbing roller. However, this countermeasure requires extra time (downtime), which poses a new problem of reduced printing productivity.

Therefore, the mechanism of cleaning water remaining on the conveying member was investigated. The mechanism is shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning water W remaining on the removing member 10 is recovered by bringing the removing member 10 into contact with the conveying member 1 . However, as shown in FIG. 12, when the conveying member 1 rotates (driving), the conveying member 1 is pulled by the removing member 10 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) and displaced by about 1 mm. rice field.

Referring to FIG. 13, the force with which the removing member 10 pulls the conveying member 1 is Fa, and the force with which the conveying member 1 tries to return to its original position is Fb. 10, the contact state between the removing member 10 and the conveying member 1 becomes unstable, and the wash water W slips through between the removing member 10 and the conveying member 1 and remains on the conveying member 1. bottom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. It was found that the contact state is stabilized and the cleaning water recovery performance of the removal member is improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device and an image recording apparatus that include a displacement suppressing member with respect to the conveying member.

In this transporting device, a transporting member that carries a recording medium while rotating in a predetermined direction, a cleaning device that cleans a surface of the transporting member carrying the recording medium using a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning device that is brought into contact with the transporting member. a removal member for removing the cleaning liquid on the conveying member by means of a movement of the conveying member; and a displacement suppressing member for suppressing displacement of the conveying member in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the conveying member when the conveying member rotates. Prepare.

In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member is arranged upstream or downstream from the contact position between the conveying member and the removing member when viewed along the rotational direction of the conveying member. It is a member that imparts to the conveying member a force that cancels the force that the removal member pulls the conveying member.

In another form, the displacement suppressing member is roller-shaped.
In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member is a suction device arranged on the side opposite to the removing member with the conveying member interposed therebetween.

In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member is arranged on the opposite side of the removing member with the conveying member interposed therebetween, and is a member that can always be displaced to a position where the conveying member is displaced by the removing member. is.

In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member is a member having a curvature.
In another aspect, the contact position between the displacement suppressing member and the conveying member is variable in the direction of the removing member.

In another aspect, a displacement suppression auxiliary member is further installed between the displacement suppression member and the conveying member.

In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member and the distal end portion of the removing member are connected by a connecting member.

In another aspect, the carrying surface of the recording medium of the conveying member has adhesiveness.
In another aspect, a pressing force that cancels the force of pulling the conveying member by the removing member is 7 kPa or more and 200 kPa or less.

In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member functions when the conveying member rotates.
In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member is activated only when the conveying member starts to rotate.

In another aspect, the displacement suppressing member is separated from the conveying member while the conveying member is rotating.

This image recording apparatus includes a recording head and any one of the conveying devices described above, and uses the recording head to perform textile printing on the recording medium carried by the conveying member.

In another aspect, the recording head is of an inkjet type.

According to the conveying device and the image recording device, the contact state between the removing member and the conveying member is stabilized, and the cleaning water recovery performance of the removing member can be improved.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus including a conveying device according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a view of Example 2 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a view of Example 10 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; FIG. 12 is a view of Example 12 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; FIG. 14 is a view of Example 14 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; FIG. 16 is a view of Example 16 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; FIG. 18 is a view of Example 18 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; FIG. 20 is a view of Example 20 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; FIG. 22 is a view of Example 22 corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. 1; It is a figure which shows the test result of each Example and each comparative example. It is the 1st schematic diagram explaining the subject of a prior art. It is the 2nd schematic diagram explaining the subject of a prior art. It is the 3rd schematic diagram explaining the subject of a prior art.

Hereinafter, the conveying device and the image recording device of each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment described below, when referring to the number, amount, etc., the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, etc., unless otherwise specified. The same reference numbers are given to the same parts and equivalent parts, and redundant description may not be repeated. In the drawings, there are portions that are not illustrated according to actual dimensional ratios, but are illustrated with changed ratios so as to clarify the structure in order to facilitate understanding of the structure. It is planned from the beginning to use the following embodiments in appropriate combination.

The conveying device 13 and the image recording device 14 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus 14 including a conveying device 13 of this embodiment. Arrows a and b in FIG. 1 indicate the direction in which the recording medium 2 is conveyed. Arrows c and d indicate the rotation direction of the conveying member 1 . Arrows e and f indicate the directions of rotation of the transport rollers 6 and 7 .

The conveying device 13 includes a pair of conveying rollers 6 and 7, a conveying member 1, a drive motor 5, a control device 8, a cleaning device 9, a removing member 10, and a displacement suppressing member 11. The transport member 1 has a belt member with an endless track. Furthermore, an image recording device 14 is configured by including the recording medium transport rollers 3 and 4 and the recording head 12 . The control device 8 executes control of the conveying device 13 and control of the image recording device 14 .

The conveying member 1 conveys the recording medium 2 to the recording head 12 together with the recording medium conveying rollers 3 and 4 . The recording head 12 is filled with a printing colorant. An image is formed on the recording medium 2 by the recording head 12 . The recording medium 2 is separated from the conveying member 1 after passing through the recording medium conveying roller 4 .

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that an inkjet head is used as the recording head 12 and printing is performed on a textile cloth as the recording medium 2, but the present invention is not limited to this.

After that, the cleaning device 9 cleans the components of the recording medium 2 adhered to the conveying member 1 during printing and the coloring agent for printing. The water used for washing is removed from the conveying member 1 by bringing the removing member 10 into contact with the conveying member 1 .

At the contact position between the removing member 10 and the conveying member 1 , the displacement of the conveying member 1 during rotation (displacement in the direction forming the moving direction of the conveying member) is suppressed by the displacement suppressing member 11 . Specifically, the displacement suppressing member 11 cancels the force with which the removal member 10 pulls the conveying member 1 .

The conveying speed of the conveying member 1 is determined by controlling the number of revolutions of the drive motor 5 with the control device 8 . The conveying member 1 may rotate continuously, or after rotating for a certain period of time, may stop and rotate again (intermittent rotation).

The type of the adhesive that imparts adhesiveness to the conveying member 1 is not particularly limited, and includes natural rubber, rubber based synthetic rubber, acrylic, silicone, and the like. You may use a 1 type or multiple types in mixture of an adhesive. The cleaning device 9 includes a pump (not shown), a sprinkling port, and a sprinkling pipe.

A blade may be used as the removing member 10 . An elastic material is preferable as the material of the blade. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of abrasion resistance, polyurethane is preferable. The contact portion with the conveying member 1 may have a rectangular cross section, or may have a shape in which the tip is obliquely cut off.

An elastic material is preferable for the conveying member 1 . A heater (not shown) for warming the conveying member 1 may be installed. In the process of washing the conveying member 1, a water receiver (not shown) for receiving washing water, a brush (not shown) for cleaning the conveying member 1, a sponge (not shown), or the like may be used.

A cleaning liquid collecting member 15 may be provided on the downstream side of the conveying member 1 in the conveying direction to remove the cleaning liquid that has not been completely collected by the removing member 10 . As the collection member 15, for example, a roller-shaped non-woven fabric of polyester or polyurethane wound around a rotating shaft, a sponge, or the like can be used.

Examples of the recording medium 2 include those generally used for image recording, such as paper, cloth, and film. Examples of the recording head 12 include devices generally used for image formation, such as an inkjet system and an electrophotographic system.

The member used for the displacement suppressing member 11 is not particularly limited, but metal materials such as iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and brass, as well as silicone rubber, soft PVC rubber, urethane rubber, fluororubber, chloroprene rubber, and nitrile rubber. , ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, or the like may be used.

(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 1 , the displacement suppressing member 11 is installed downstream of the contact position between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 in the conveying direction of the conveying member 1 . A urethane rubber pad (thickness: 20 mm, width: 30 mm) was provided as the displacement suppressing member 11 . The length (width direction length) of the displacement suppressing member 11 along the rotation axis direction (perpendicular direction to the paper surface) of the transport rollers 6 and 7 is set to include the printing width of the recording medium 2 by the recording head 12 . In each embodiment shown below, the width direction length of the displacement suppressing member 11 is the same.

The maximum pressing force when pressing the conveying member 1 was set to 10 kPa. The washing water removal performance was investigated. The pad of the displacement suppressing member 11 did not bend as the conveying member 1 rotated. Displacement of the conveying member 1 was suppressed, the contact state between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 was stabilized, and the cleaning water on the conveying member 1 could be collected efficiently. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

In the test results shown in FIG. 10, "AA" for [washing water removal performance] is extremely good, "A" indicates no residual cleaning liquid, and "B" indicates a small amount of residual cleaning liquid. but does not affect the image, "F" means that the cleaning liquid remains and affects the image.

[Belt Surface Scratches] "AA" is very good, "A" is not seen at all, "B" is seen but does not affect the image, "F" is many scratches It means that the image is also affected.

[Conveyance stability of the conveying member 1] is "AA" for extremely good, and "A" for stable conveyance. "B" is sometimes unstable in transportation, but does not affect image quality. "F" means that the transportation is unstable and affects the image.

(Example 2)
The arrangement position of the displacement suppressing member 11 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In the second embodiment, the displacement suppressing member 11 is installed upstream from the contact position between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 in the conveying direction of the conveying member 1 . Other conditions are the same as in Example 1. Also in Example 2, the same effects as in Example 1 were obtained. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 3)
Under the conditions of Example 1, the conveying member 1 was intermittently rotated by the control device 8, and the displacement suppressing member 11 was operated by applying a pressing force at the start of the intermittent rotation. At the start of intermittent rotation, even when the conveying member 1 is likely to be displaced, the displacement of the conveying member 1 can be suppressed, and the cleaning water on the conveying member 1 can be collected efficiently. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 4)
Under the conditions of Example 3, a silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive (“Liquitac FS” manufactured by Dairiki Co., Ltd.) was applied as a binder to the recording medium conveying surface of the conveying member 1 . Even under the condition that the adhesive force between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 is increased and the conveying member 1 is likely to be displaced more greatly, the displacement of the conveying member 1 can be suppressed and the cleaning water on the conveying member 1 can be collected efficiently. . FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 5)
Under the conditions of Example 4, the maximum pressing force when pressing the conveying member 1 was set to 5 kPa. The effect of suppressing the displacement of the conveying member 1 was slightly reduced, and the recoverability of washing water was slightly reduced as compared with the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 6)
Under the conditions of Example 4, the maximum pressing force when pressing the conveying member 1 was set to 7 kPa. Control was possible in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying member 1, and the displacement of the conveying member 1 could be suppressed more effectively. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 7)
Under the conditions of Example 4, the maximum pressing force when pressing the conveying member 1 was set to 200 kPa. Control was possible in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying member 1, and the displacement of the conveying member 1 could be suppressed more effectively. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 8)
Under the conditions of Example 4, the maximum pressing force when pressing the conveying member 1 was set to 250 kPa. Control was possible in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying member 1, and the displacement of the conveying member 1 could be suppressed more effectively. The effect of suppressing the displacement of the conveying member 1 was good, and the cleaning water recovery performance was stable. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 9)
Under the conditions of Example 1, while the conveying member 1 was rotating, the control device 8 executed the control to separate the displacement suppressing member 11 from the conveying member 1 . The improvement in recoverability by the removal member 10 was only slightly reduced. When the conveying member 1 starts rotating, the conveying member 1 tends to bend. This is because, when the conveying member 1 starts to rotate, it is pulled by the removing member 10 and the conveying member 1 is displaced downward. However, once the conveying member 1 starts to rotate, an appropriate tension is applied to the conveying member 1, so that the displacement is eliminated.

Furthermore, by separating the displacement suppressing member 11 from the transporting member 1 while the transporting member 1 is rotating, the surface of the transporting member 1 is prevented from being scratched due to friction between the displacement suppressing member 11 and the transporting member 1 . could be suppressed. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 10)
The arrangement position of the displacement suppressing member 11 in the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In the tenth embodiment, as in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), the displacement suppressing member 11 is installed downstream of the contact position between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 in the conveying direction of the conveying member 1 . Conditions other than the shape of the displacement suppressing member 11 are the same as in the fourth embodiment.

As the displacement suppressing member 11, a roller 16 having a 6 mm thick polyurethane rubber wound around a φ10 mm metal shaft was installed. With this configuration, wear of the surface of the conveying member 1 and the displacement suppressing member 11 can be prevented. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 11)
Under the conditions of Example 10, the displacement suppressing member 11 was separated from the conveying member 1 while the conveying member 1 was rotating. Although the ability to remove washing water was slightly lowered, the conveyability of the conveying member 1 was stabilized. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 12)
The displacement suppressing member 11 according to the twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In the twelfth embodiment, a suction device 17 for sucking the conveying member 1 was provided on the opposite side of the removing member 10 with the conveying member 1 interposed therebetween instead of the pad.

Inside the suction device 17, a fan 17f and a partition plate 17p having a plurality of through-holes 17h provided on the surface facing the conveying member 1 are provided. A negative pressure was generated inside the suction device 17 to support and suck the back side of the conveying member 1 by the plurality of through holes 17h. Displacement of the conveying member 1 can be suppressed, and abrasion of the surface of the conveying member 1 can be prevented without rubbing the surface of the conveying member 1 . FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 13)
Under the conditions of Example 12, the operation of the suction device 17 was stopped while the conveying member 1 was rotating. As a result, the conveyability of the conveying member 1 during rotation of the conveying member 1 is stabilized. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 14)
The displacement suppressing member 11 according to the fourteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In this Example 14, in comparison with the conditions of Example 4, instead of the pad, a urethane rubber pad 18 (thickness 20 mm, width 30 mm).

The pad 18 is a member that can always be displaced to a position where the conveying member 1 is displaced by the removing member 10 . As a result, the contact position between the pad 18 and the conveying member 1 becomes variable toward the removing member 10, and separation between the pad 18 and the removing member 10 can be suppressed. improved. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 15)
Under the conditions of Example 14, the displacement suppressing member 11 was separated from the conveying member 1 while the conveying member 1 was rotating. As a result, the transportability of the transport member 1 is stabilized. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 16)
The displacement suppressing member 11 according to the sixteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In this Example 16, in place of the pad, a urethane rubber 19 having a curvature of 20 mm and a thickness of 5 mm was placed on the opposite side of the removing member 10 across the conveying member 1, as compared with the conditions of Example 14. . The urethane rubber 19 is a member that can always be displaced to a position where the conveying member 1 is displaced by the removing member 10 . With this configuration, it is possible to prevent abrasion of the displacement suppressing member 11 and the rear surface of the conveying member 1 . FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 17)
Under the conditions of Example 16, the displacement suppressing member 11 was separated from the conveying member 1 while the conveying member 1 was rotating. As a result, the transportability of the transport member 1 is stabilized. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 18)
The displacement suppressing member 11 according to the eighteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In this Example 16, compared with the conditions of Example 14, an eccentric cam 20 (diameter 30 mm, 10 mm eccentricity from center). The eccentric cam 20 is a member that can always be displaced to a position where the conveying member 1 is displaced by the removing member 10 . With this configuration, the displacement of the conveying member 1 can be suppressed, and the cleaning water recoverability of the removing member 10 is improved. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 19)
Under the conditions of Example 18, the displacement suppressing member 11 was separated from the conveying member 1 while the conveying member 1 was rotating. As a result, the transportability of the transport member 1 is stabilized. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 20)
The displacement suppressing member 11 according to the twentieth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In Example 20, under the conditions of Example 18, a displacement suppression auxiliary member 21 as shown in FIG. 8 was further installed. A urethane rubber pad (thickness: 20 mm, width: 30 mm) may be used as the displacement suppression auxiliary member 21 . Even when the conveying member 1 and/or the removing member 10 vibrate in the vertical direction, the pressing force does not become unstable, and the cleansing water recoverability is stable. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 21)
Under the conditions of Example 20, the displacement suppressing member 11 was separated from the conveying member 1 while the conveying member 1 was rotating. As a result, the transportability of the transport member 1 is stabilized. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 22)
A displacement suppressing member 11 according to the twentieth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 corresponds to a partially enlarged view of the area surrounded by A in FIG. In the twentieth embodiment, the displacement suppressing member 11 located on the rear surface side of the conveying member 1 and the distal end portion of the removing member 10 are connected by the connecting member 22 . By using the connecting member 22, the displacement suppressing member 11 can always be displaced to the position where the conveying member 1 is displaced. As a result, the effect of suppressing the displacement of the conveying member 1 can be obtained. With this configuration, the displacement of the conveying member 1 can be suppressed, and the cleaning water recoverability of the removing member 10 is improved. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Example 23)
Under the conditions of Example 22, the displacement suppressing member 11 was separated from the conveying member 1 while the conveying member 1 was rotating. Although the ability to remove washing water was slightly lowered, the conveyability of the conveying member 1 was stabilized. FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Comparative example 1)
Under the conditions of Example 1, the displacement suppressing member 11 was not provided. When the contact state between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 became unstable and the conveying member 1 was displaced, cleaning water remained on the conveying member 1 . FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Comparative example 2)
Under the conditions of Example 3, the displacement suppressing member 11 was not operated at the start of rotation. When the contact state between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 became unstable and the conveying member 1 was displaced, cleaning water remained on the conveying member 1 . FIG. 10 shows the test results.

(Comparative Example 3)
Under the conditions of Example 4, the displacement suppressing member 11 was not provided. When the contact state between the conveying member 1 and the removing member 10 became unstable and the conveying member 1 was displaced, cleaning water remained on the conveying member 1 . FIG. 10 shows the test results.

Although each example has been described above based on the embodiment, the example disclosed this time is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the scope of claims.

Reference Signs List 1 conveying member 2 recording medium 3, 4 recording medium conveying roller 5 driving motor 6, 7 conveying roller 8 control device 9 cleaning device 10 removing member 11 displacement suppressing member 12 recording head 13 conveying device , 14 image recording device, 15 recovery member, 16 roller, 17 suction device, 17f fan, 17h through hole, 17p partition plate, 18 pad, 19 urethane rubber, 20 eccentric cam, 21 displacement suppression auxiliary member, 22 connecting member.

Claims (4)

a conveying member that carries the recording medium while rotating in a predetermined direction;
a cleaning device that cleans the carrying surface of the recording medium of the conveying member using a cleaning liquid;
a removing member that is brought into contact with the conveying member to remove the cleaning liquid on the conveying member;
a displacement suppressing member that suppresses displacement of the conveying member in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the conveying member when the conveying member rotates;
with
The displacement suppressing member is a suction device that sucks the conveying member on the side opposite to the removing member across the conveying member,
A conveying device , wherein the displacement suppressing member functions only when the conveying member starts to rotate . 2. The conveying device according to claim 1 , wherein the displacement restraining member is separated from the conveying member while the conveying member is rotating. a recording head;
and the conveying device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
An image recording apparatus that uses the recording head to perform textile printing on the recording medium carried by the conveying member. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said recording head is of an inkjet type.

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