JPWO2019069341A1 - Sheet member transfer device and inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a sheet member conveying device and an inkjet recording device capable of more reliably adsorbing a sheet member on a mounting surface. The sheet member transport device moves along a movement path in the transport direction of the transport member to a range including a ventilation member provided on the side opposite to the mounting surface of the transport member and a region overlapping the ventilation member on the opposite side. An air chamber provided along the path and capable of ventilating between the transport member and the mounting surface side through a ventilation hole of the transport member and an air chamber from a side opposite to the transport member mounting surface side. It is provided with a suction portion that sucks air through the air and sucks the sheet member onto the mounting surface, and the air chamber is provided in the first region and on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first region, and includes a ventilation hole and a ventilation member. Including a second region in which air is ventilated by a ventilation path passing through, the ventilation member has a pressure loss in the ventilation path from the mounting surface side of the transport member to the first region from the mounting surface side of the transport member. It is provided so as to be smaller than the pressure loss in the ventilation path leading to the second region.

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet member conveying device and an inkjet recording device.

Conventionally, there is an inkjet recording device that ejects ink onto a sheet member such as paper or a resin sheet and records an image on the sheet member. In an inkjet recording device, a sheet member transport device that transports a sheet member by mounting it on a mounting surface of a transport member that moves in a predetermined movement path (for example, a transport belt that orbits a predetermined orbital path) is widely used. Has been done.

In such a sheet member transport device, the sheet member is attracted to the mounting surface by sucking air from the side opposite to the mounting surface of the transport member through a plurality of ventilation holes provided in the transport member. There is a technique to fix it. Further, by supporting the side opposite to the mounting surface of the transport member by a flat plate-shaped ventilation member (for example, a porous body), the mounting surface of the transport member and the flatness of the sheet member on the mounting surface There are known techniques for adsorbing a sheet member on a mounting surface while ensuring the above (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). With such a technique, it is possible to accurately perform various processes on the sheet member such as ink ejection and record a high-quality image.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-221922 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-047798

However, when air is sucked through the ventilation member, a pressure loss occurs in the ventilation member. For this reason, when the end of the seat member is warped in the direction of rising from the mounting surface, the suction force is sufficiently large to cover the pressure loss in order to reliably attract the seat member to the mounting surface. Is required, and there is a problem that the device becomes large-scale and the power consumption increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet member transporting device and an inkjet recording device capable of more reliably adsorbing a sheet member on a mounting surface.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the sheet member conveying device according to claim 1 is
A transport unit in which the seat member is placed on the mounting surface and the transport member is moved in a predetermined transport direction to transport the sheet member, and a transport unit.
A ventilation member provided on the side opposite to the previously described mounting surface of the transport member along the movement path of the transport member in the transport direction and capable of ventilating in a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface.
The transport member is provided along the movement path on the side opposite to the previously described mounting surface in a range including a region overlapping the ventilation member when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface, and is provided by the transport member. An air chamber capable of ventilating through the pores to the previously described mounting surface side of the transport member, and
Air is sucked from the side opposite to the previously described mounting surface side of the transport member through the air chamber, and the sheet member mounted on the previously described mounting surface of the transport member is attracted to the mounting surface. Department and
With
The air chamber is provided in a first region within a predetermined range in the transport direction and on the downstream side of the first region in the transport direction, and ventilation is performed by a ventilation path passing through the ventilation hole and the ventilation member. Including 2 areas
When the air in the air chamber is sucked by the suction portion, the pressure loss in the ventilation path from the previously described mounting surface side of the transport member to the first region is described in the front of the transport member. It is provided so as to be smaller than the pressure loss in the ventilation path from the placement surface side to the second region.

The invention according to claim 2 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 1.
The ventilation member is provided in a range overlapping the second region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned mounting surface.
The first region is a region where ventilation is performed by a ventilation path that does not pass through the ventilation member.

The invention according to claim 3 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 1.
The ventilation member is provided in a range overlapping the first region and the second region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned mounting surface.
The first region is a region where ventilation is performed by a ventilation path passing through the ventilation member.

The invention according to claim 4 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 3.
The ventilation member has a flat plate shape in a portion overlapping the first region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface and a portion overlapping the second region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. The thickness in the direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface in the portion overlapping the first region is smaller than the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface in the portion overlapping the second region.

The invention according to claim 5 is the sheet member conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The ventilation member is a porous body.

The invention according to claim 6 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 3 or 4.
The aeration member is a porous body having pores, and the opening ratio of the pores in a cross section parallel to the above-mentioned placement surface in a portion overlapping the first-described placement surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned placement surface. However, it is larger than the aperture ratio of the pores in the cross section parallel to the previously described surface in the portion overlapping the second region when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the previously described surface.

The invention according to claim 7 is the sheet member conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The ventilation member is a plate material provided with a through hole penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned mounting surface.

The invention according to claim 8 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 3 or 4.
The ventilation member is a plate material provided with a through hole penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface, and is formed on the previously described mounting surface in a portion overlapping the first region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. The opening ratio of the through hole in the parallel cross section is larger than the opening ratio of the through hole in the cross section parallel to the previously described mounting surface in the portion overlapping the second region when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. large.

The invention according to claim 9 is the sheet member conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The air chamber includes the first region within a predetermined range from the upstream end of the air chamber in the transport direction, and the second region excluding the first region.

The invention according to claim 10 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 9.
The air chamber has a first sub-air chamber forming the first region and a second sub-air chamber forming the second region and not being directly ventilated between the first sub-air chamber.
The suction unit sucks air through the first sub-air chamber and the second sub-air chamber, respectively.

The invention according to claim 11 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 10.
The suction unit has a first suction fan that sucks air through the first secondary air chamber and a second suction fan that sucks air through the second secondary air chamber.

The invention according to claim 12 is the sheet member conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The transport member is an annular transport belt whose outer peripheral surface forms the previously described mounting surface.
The transport unit moves the transport belt along a predetermined circuit path, and causes the transport belt to move along a predetermined circuit path.
The ventilation member and the air chamber are provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transport belt.

The invention according to claim 13 is the sheet member conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The transport member includes an annular first transport belt whose outer peripheral surface forms the previously described mounting surface, and an annular second transport belt provided on the downstream side of the first transport belt and whose outer peripheral surface forms the previously described mounting surface. Have,
The transport unit moves the first transport belt and the second transport belt along predetermined circumferential paths, so that the sheet member is delivered between the first transport belt and the second transport belt. The sheet member is transported in the transport direction,
The ventilation member is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the second transport belt.
The air chamber is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the first transport belt and is provided on the upstream air chamber including at least a part of the first region and on the inner peripheral surface side of the second transport belt. It is divided into a downstream air chamber including a second region.

The invention according to claim 14 is the sheet member conveying device according to claim 13.
In the transport unit, at least one of the plurality of first transport rollers on which the first transport belt is laid is rotated to move the first transport belt, and a plurality of the second transport belts are laid. The second transport belt is moved by rotating at least one of the second transport rollers of the above.
Among the plurality of first transport rollers, the diameter of the first transport roller closest to the rear end of the transport path of the seat member by the first transport belt is the diameter of the second transport belt among the plurality of second transport rollers. It is smaller than the diameter of the second transport roller closest to the tip of the transport path of the sheet member.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the invention of the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 15 is:
An ink ejection part that ejects ink from a nozzle to a sheet member,
The sheet member transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which transports the sheet member on which the ink ejected from the nozzle of the ink ejection unit has landed.
To be equipped.

The invention according to claim 16 is in the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 15.
The ink ejection unit ejects ink that cures in response to the application of predetermined energy from the nozzle.
The inkjet recording device is
Energy for imparting the predetermined energy to the ink landing on the sheet member provided on the side of the air chamber opposite to the second region of the air chamber with respect to the transport member and adsorbed on the above-mentioned mounting surface. It has a granting part.

The invention according to claim 17 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 15 or 16.
The transport unit includes a first transport unit provided with the ventilation member so that the ventilation holes form a ventilation path to the first region and the second region, and upstream of the first transport unit in the transport direction. A second transport section for transporting the sheet member in the transport direction is provided on the side, and the sheet member is transported in the transport direction while the sheet member is delivered between the first transport section and the second transport section. ,
The ink ejection unit ejects ink from the nozzle to the sheet member conveyed by the second conveying unit.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the sheet member can be more reliably adsorbed on the mounting surface.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main functional structure of an inkjet recording apparatus. It is a top view of the support suction part seen from the ultraviolet irradiation part side. It is sectional drawing in line AA of FIG. 3A. It is a figure explaining the suction characteristic of the direct suction and the suction with a ventilation member. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the support suction part which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the support suction part which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the support suction part which concerns on modification 2. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the support suction part which concerns on modification 2. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the support suction part which concerns on modification 2. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the support suction part which concerns on modification 3. It is a top view which shows the structure of the support suction part which concerns on modification 4. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus which concerns on modification 5. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus which concerns on modification 5.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the sheet member conveying device and the inkjet recording device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The inkjet recording device 1 includes a recording medium supply unit 10, an image recording unit 20, a fixing unit 30, a recording medium ejection unit 40, and the like.

The recording medium supply unit 10 includes a mounting tray 11 and a medium delivery roller 12.
The mounting tray 11 is a plate-shaped member on which various individual recording media P (sheet members) such as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, and resin sheet can be stacked and mounted, and the recording medium P on the mounting tray is , Is sent to the image recording unit 20 in order from the one placed on the uppermost part. The mounting tray 11 is movable in the vertical direction, and is held at a position where the highest recording medium P is sent to the image recording unit 20 according to the total weight of the mounted recording medium P or the like.
The medium delivery roller 12 is a rotatable roller that sandwiches the recording medium P from above and below, and sends out the recording medium P placed on the uppermost portion of the mounting tray 11 in the horizontal direction here. A guide member for aligning the recording medium P with a predetermined position in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium P (left direction in FIG. 1) is attached to the medium delivery roller 12, and the medium delivery roller 12 has a width. The recording medium P is sent to the image recording unit 20 in a state where the directions are aligned.

The image recording unit 20 ejects ink onto the recording medium P delivered from the recording medium supply unit 10 to record an image, and sends the recording medium P on which the ink has landed and the image is recorded to the fixing unit 30. .. The image recording unit 20 includes a medium transport unit 21 (second transport unit) having a transport belt 211, a drive roller 212, a driven roller 213, a guide roller 214, and a tension roller 215, a support suction section 22, and one that ejects ink. Alternatively, a plurality of (here, four) head units 23 (ink ejection portions), a pressing roller 24, and the like are provided.

The transport belt 211 (conveyor member) of the medium transport unit 21 is an endless (annular) strip-shaped member, and a steel belt is used here. As the steel belt, for example, stainless steel such as SUS304 or SUS631 having a thickness of about 0.3 mm, an aluminum alloy, or the like can be used. Further, the transport belt 211 has vent holes that penetrate between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the transport belt 211 and have the same opening shape, specifically, a large number (plurality) of circles having a diameter of about 0.5 mm. The ventilation holes are arranged at intervals of about 1.4 mm so that the opening ratio is about 20%, and air can pass between the outer peripheral surface side and the inner peripheral surface side.

The transport belt 211 is bridged between the drive roller 212 and the driven roller 213 (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as the transport rollers 212 and 213), and the outer peripheral surface on which the recording medium P is placed (hereinafter, also referred to as a mounting surface). ) Is provided so as to be movable along the circumferential path around the transport rollers 212 and 213. That is, the transfer belt 211 orbits the orbital path around the transfer rollers 212 and 213 according to the rotation speed and the rotation direction by rotating the drive roller 212 in response to the rotational drive operation by the transfer motor 65 (FIG. 2). To do. Here, as the drive roller 212 rotates counterclockwise in the plane of FIG. 1, the transport belt 211 orbits counterclockwise. As a result, the portion of the transport belt 211 located in the transport section from the driven roller 213 to the drive roller 212 moves in the transport direction. In this transport section, the recording medium P mounted on the mounting surface of the transport belt 211 is transported along the movement path of the transport belt 311 in the transport direction as the transport belt 311 moves.

The support suction unit 22 is the inner peripheral surface of the transport belt 211 (convey roller 212, in the range including the portion where the mounting surface of the transport belt 211 faces the ink ejection surface of the head unit 23 in the transport section of the transport belt 211. The surface on the side in contact with 213 is supported by a plane (here, a horizontal plane) (hereinafter referred to as a support surface). The support surface of the support suction portion 22 is formed by a flat plate-shaped ventilation member 223 made of a porous body (porous) having air permeability. Further, the support suction unit 22 is conveyed by sucking air from the inner peripheral surface side of the transfer belt 211 through the ventilation holes of the transfer belt 211 and the ventilation member 223 by the suction fan 62 (FIG. 2) (suction unit). The recording medium P mounted on the mounting surface of the belt 211 is attracted to the mounting surface.

Guide rollers 214 are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the support suction portion 22 in the transport direction, respectively. The two guide rollers 214 support the inner peripheral surface of the transport belt 211 on both ends outside of the support surface of the support suction portion 22. Each of the guide rollers 214 supports the transport belt 211 at substantially the same height as the support surface of the support suction portion 22, and guides the movement operation of the transport belt 211 during its orbital movement.

The pressing roller 24 is a roller rotatably provided at a position opposite to the guide roller 214 on the upstream side and the transport belt 211. The pressing roller 24 lifts the recording medium P sent from the recording medium supply unit 10 from the transfer belt 211 on the upstream side in the transfer direction with respect to the ink ejection position with respect to the recording medium P, and in particular, warps the tip portion ( It is guided along the transport belt 211 by pressing (pressing) the transport belt 211 with an appropriate pressure so as to suppress curl) and the like and to be more reliably attracted. The pressing roller 24 may have a configuration in which the distance from the transport surface of the transport belt 211 is variable according to the thickness of the recording medium P to be transported and the like.

The tension roller 215 is located on the side of the transport belt 211 whose outer peripheral surface does not face the head unit 23 between the two transport rollers 212 and 213, that is, while the transport belt 211 is moving from the drive roller 212 to the driven roller 213. An appropriate tension is applied by pressing the transport belt 211 from the inner peripheral surface side at the position of. The tension roller 215 can be set up and down in the vertical direction at two different locations in the width direction, for example, at both ends, and causes meandering that occurs according to the non-uniform tension received by the support and suction portions 22 and the like. After correction, the transport belt 211 and the recording medium P are normally moved in the transport direction.

The head unit 23 is provided on the side opposite to the support suction portion 22 with respect to the transport belt 211. The surface of the head unit 23 facing the transport belt 211 is an ink ejection surface provided with a nozzle opening, and the head unit 23 is placed on the mounting surface of the transport belt 211 by the support suction unit 22. Ink is ejected and landed on the recording medium P which is adsorbed and conveyed. The head unit 23 has one or a plurality of recording heads 231 (FIG. 2) in which nozzle openings are provided in a predetermined arrangement and operations related to ink ejection from the nozzle openings are performed. The arrangement range of the nozzles in the head unit 23 in the width direction covers the recording range of the image in the width direction with respect to the recording medium P. The head unit 23 is used with a fixed position when recording an image, and ink is sequentially ejected at predetermined intervals (transportation direction intervals) to positions having different transfer directions according to the transfer of the recording medium P. Record images using the single-pass method. Here, the four head units 23 are connected to ink tanks (not shown) of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), respectively, and inks of these CMYK colors are used, respectively. Discharge. Alternatively, the image recording unit 20 may include a head unit 23 that ejects inks other than these four colors, for example, inks of each color such as orange, green, violet, red, blue, and white, and transparent ink.

As the ink discharged from the nozzle of the head unit 23, an ink having a phase change between a gel form and a sol form is used. Here, the gel is contained in the solid and the sol is contained in the liquid. In the present embodiment, the gel-like ink is ejected from the nozzle of the head unit 23 by heating, and the ink landed on the recording medium P is cooled so that the ink quickly becomes a gel-like ink in the recording medium P. Coagulate on.
Further, in the present embodiment, an ink (curable material) having a property of being cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays is used. As this ink, an ink containing a photopolymerizable compound (monomer), a photopolymerization initiator and a colorant is used. Of these, the photopolymerizable compound is a compound in which the polymerization reaction proceeds and the polymer is polymerized when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. This polymerization cures the ink. The photopolymerization initiator is a compound for initiating the above-mentioned polymerization reaction. In addition, the colorant contains a pigment or dye of the color related to the ink.
The image recording unit 20 sends the recording medium P from which the ink is discharged from the head unit 23 to the fixing unit 30.

The fixing unit 30 is provided on the downstream side of the image recording unit 20 in the transport direction of the recording medium P, and fixes the ink on the recording medium P delivered from the image recording unit 20. The fixing section 30 includes a medium transport section 31 (first transport section) having a transport belt 311, a drive roller 312, a driven roller 313, a guide roller 314, and a tension roller 315, a support suction section 32, and an ultraviolet irradiation section 33 (energy). It is equipped with a granting unit) and the like.
The configuration of the medium transport unit 31 is the same as the configuration of the medium transport unit 21 of the image recording unit 20.

The configuration of the support suction unit 32 is an image in that the formation range of the ventilation member 323 of the porous body constituting the support surface is a region excluding a predetermined range from the end on the upstream side in the transport direction of the support suction unit 32. It is different from the support suction unit 22 of the recording unit 20. As will be described later, according to the support suction unit 32 having such a configuration, even if the recording medium P has a warp or the like, it can be reliably attracted to the mounting surface of the transport belt 211. Therefore, the fixing roller 30 is not provided with a pressing roller. The configuration of the support suction unit 32 will be described in detail later.

The ultraviolet irradiation unit 33 irradiates the recording medium P, which is attracted and conveyed on the mounting surface of the transfer belt 311 by the support suction unit 32, to an irradiation range within the width of the transfer belt 311 in the width direction. By doing so, the ink on the recording medium P (landing on the recording medium P) is cured and fixed. The ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 33 preferably irradiate the recording medium P placed on the transport belt 311 without a large unevenness (variation in intensity).
The fixing unit 30 sends the recording medium P on which the ink is fixed to the recording medium discharging unit 40.

The recording medium discharging unit 40 places and holds the recording medium P delivered from the fixing unit 30 until it is taken out by the user. The recording medium discharge unit 40 includes a discharge tray 41 and a guide roller 42, and the recording medium P sent out from the fixing unit 30 is sandwiched and conveyed from above and below by the guide roller 42 and placed on the discharge tray 41. The discharge tray 41 is set lower than the mounting surface so that the recording medium P can be sent out from the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 and may be moved up and down depending on the amount of the mounted recording medium P. ..

As described above, the inkjet recording device 1 transports the recording medium P by the plurality of medium transporting units 21 and 31, and each functional configuration of the inkjet recording device 1 including the media transporting units 21 and 31, that is, image recording. The recording medium P is subjected to predetermined processing by the unit 20 and the fixing unit 30, respectively. With such a configuration, the sections in which the recording media P are placed on the transport belts 211 and 311 in the medium transport units 21 and 31 can be shortened, so that the transport belts 211 and 311 can expand and contract and move at a speed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that the accuracy of the transport position of the recording medium P is lowered due to non-uniformity of the recording medium P or the like. As a result, the ink can be ejected to a desired position on the recording medium P, particularly in the image recording unit 20. Further, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that the heat generated by the ultraviolet irradiation in the fixing unit 30 is transmitted to the recording medium P in the image recording unit 20 and the temperature of the recording medium P deviates from the appropriate range for ink ejection. it can.
The configuration of the inkjet recording device 1 is not limited to the above, and for example, a heating unit that heats the recording medium P to a predetermined temperature or a recording medium P between the recording medium supply unit 10 and the image recording unit 20 is provided. On the other hand, a medium processing unit or the like for performing surface modification treatment such as corona treatment may be provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the inkjet recording device 1.
The inkjet recording device 1 includes a control unit 50, a support suction unit 22 and 32 having a suction control unit 61 and a suction fan 62, a head unit 23 having a head control unit 63 and a recording head 231 and a transfer control unit 64. It includes a transfer motor 65, an input / output interface 66, a bus 67, and the like. Of these, the suction control unit 61, the head control unit 63, and the transfer control unit 64 may use the hardware configurations of the control unit 50 together, or separately provide a dedicated CPU, memory, logic circuit, and the like. Is also good.

The control unit 50 includes a CPU 51 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 52 (Random Access Memory), a ROM 53 (Read Only Memory), and a storage unit 54.

The CPU 51 reads out various control programs and setting data stored in the ROM 53, stores them in the RAM 52, executes the programs, and performs various arithmetic processes. In addition, the CPU 51 controls the overall operation of the inkjet recording device 1.

The RAM 52 provides the CPU 51 with a working memory space and stores temporary data. The RAM 52 may include a non-volatile memory.

The ROM 53 stores various control programs, setting data, and the like executed by the CPU 51. Instead of the ROM 53, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory may be used.

The storage unit 54 stores a print job (image recording command) input from the external device 2 via the input / output interface 66, image data of an image to be recorded related to the print job, and the like. As the storage unit 54, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be used, or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like may be used in combination.

The suction control unit 61 rotates the suction fans 62 of the support suction units 22 and 32 at a rotation speed corresponding to the control signal from the control unit 50.

The head control unit 63 outputs various control signals and image data to the head drive unit in the recording head 231 at an appropriate timing according to the control signal from the control unit 50, so that the nozzle of the recording head 231 Ink is ejected from the opening.

Based on the control signal supplied from the control unit 50, the transfer control unit 64 separately controls the operations of the medium delivery roller 12 and the transfer motors 65 attached to the drive rollers 212 and 312 to rotate each roller. The recording medium P is conveyed at an appropriate speed.

The input / output interface 66 mediates the transmission and reception of data between the external device 2 and the control unit 50. The input / output interface 66 is composed of, for example, various serial interfaces, various parallel interfaces, or a combination thereof.

The bus 67 is a route for transmitting and receiving signals between the control unit 50 and other configurations.

The external device 2 is, for example, a personal computer, and supplies print jobs, image data, and the like to the control unit 50 via the input / output interface 66.

Among the components of the inkjet recording device 1 described above, the sheet member transfer device is composed of the medium transfer units 21, 31, the support and suction units 22, 32, the transfer control unit 64, and the transfer motor 65. In addition, the media transport units 21 and 31 form a transport unit. The present invention may be applied assuming that the medium transport unit 31 alone constitutes the transport unit.

Next, the detailed configuration and operation of the support suction portion 32 of the fixing portion 30 will be described.
FIG. 3A is a plan view of the support suction unit 32 as viewed from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 33 side. In FIG. 3A, each configuration is shown in a state where the transport belt 311 is permeated in order to avoid obscuring the view, and the ventilation holes provided in the transport belt 311 are omitted.
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3A.

The support suction portion 32 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped housing 321 having one surface on the transport belt 311 side open and a plate-shaped porous body provided so as to close a part of the open surface of the housing 321. The ventilation member 323 and the suction fan 62 for sucking the air in the housing 321 are provided. By covering the open surface of the housing 321 with the transport belt 311, an air chamber 322 is formed inside the housing 321. The suction fan 62 sucks the air in the air chamber 322 through the suction port 321a opened in a part of the lower part of the housing 321.

The housing 321 is made of a metal plate such as stainless steel or an aluminum alloy having a thickness of about several mm. The width direction and the length in the transport direction of the housing 321 can be appropriately determined according to the size and shape of the recording medium P to be transported by the medium transport unit 31. Further, in the example of FIG. 3, the suction port 321a is provided near the end portion of the bottom surface of the housing 321 on the upstream side in the transport direction, but the position of the suction port 321a is not limited to this.

The ventilation member 323 is a flat plate-shaped porous body having a thickness of about 5 mm, which is fixed to the housing 321 along the open surface of the housing 321 (that is, along the moving path of the transport belt 311). The ventilation member 323 is located in a range overlapping the second region R2 excluding the first region R1 within a predetermined range from the upstream end of the air chamber 322 in the transport direction when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the transport belt 311. It is provided. Therefore, in the first region R1 of the air chamber 322, the upper surface inside the housing 321 is open without the ventilation member 323 being provided.
By arranging the ventilation member 323 in this way, in the first region R1 of the air chamber 322, the mounting surface of the transportation belt 311 passes through the ventilation hole 311a of the transportation belt 311 and does not pass through the ventilation member 323. Ventilation with the side is done. Further, in the second region R2 of the air chamber 322, ventilation is performed with the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311 through a ventilation path passing through the ventilation hole 311a of the transport belt 311 and the ventilation member 323.

The length of the first region R1 in the air chamber 322 in the transport direction is not particularly limited, but is set to be larger than the length at which the end Pc of the recording medium P can be warped. This is to ensure that the effect of attracting the warped end Pc of the recording medium P to the mounting surface, which will be described later, can be sufficiently obtained.
The length of the second region R2 in the air chamber 322 in the transport direction is, for example, the length in the transport direction of the recording medium P (a standard length among the lengths of the recording media P of a plurality of sizes to be transported). Or based on the maximum length, etc.). It is more preferable that the length of the second region R2 in the transport direction is larger than the maximum length of the recording medium P so that the entire recording medium P can be adsorbed on the second region R2. Therefore, normally, the length of the second region R2 in the transport direction is set to be larger than the length of the first region R1 in the transport direction, and is about several times to a dozen times the length of the first region R1 in the transport direction. It is said to be the length of. Further, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 33 is arranged on the side opposite to the second region R2 of the air chamber 322 with respect to the transport belt 311 (see FIG. 1).
The length in the width direction of the first region R1 and the second region R2 (that is, the length in the width direction of the housing 321 and the ventilation member 323) is the maximum value of the length in the width direction of the recording medium P to be conveyed. It is determined to be the above.

As the porous body constituting the ventilation member 323, for example, one produced by sintering resin particles such as polyethylene resin, fluororesin, and polypropylene resin can be used. In such a porous body, since the mesh-like pores that are three-dimensionally connected inside form the ventilation path, ventilation in the three-dimensional direction is possible.
Further, the ventilation member 323 using the porous body of the above-mentioned material has a small frictional resistance with the transfer belt 311 and can suppress damage to the transfer belt 311 and also load the transfer motor 65. Can be reduced. Further, since the frictional resistance is small as described above, it is possible to suppress the generation of abrasion powder when the transport belt 311 slides on the ventilation member 323.

The suction fan 62 sucks and discharges the air in the air chamber 322 through the suction port 321a by the suction force controlled by the suction control unit 61, and generates a negative pressure in the air chamber 322.
As a result, as shown by the solid arrow in the air chamber 322 in FIG. 3B, in the first region R1, air flows vertically downward toward the suction port 321a through the ventilation hole 311a of the transport belt 311. It is discharged to the outside of the housing 321. Hereinafter, the suction of air in the first region R1 through the ventilation hole 311a and not through the ventilation member 323 is also referred to as “direct suction”.
Further, in the second region R2, air flows vertically downward through the ventilation holes 311a and the ventilation member 323 of the transport belt 311 and then heads toward the suction port 321a in the direction opposite to the transport direction near the bottom surface of the housing 321. The air flows and is discharged to the outside of the housing 321. Hereinafter, the suction of air through the ventilation hole 311a and the ventilation member 323 in the second region R2 is also referred to as “ventilation member-mediated suction”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the suction characteristics of direct suction and suction with ventilation member.
FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the magnitude of the attractive force and the magnitude of the suction holding force between the direct suction and the suction member-mediated suction. Here, the pulling force is a force that pulls the recording medium P, which is vertically separated (floating) by a predetermined distance from the mounting surface of the transport belt 311, to the mounting surface, and the suction holding force is the mounting surface. It is a force that suppresses the recording medium P adsorbed on the surface from peeling off from the mounting surface or shifting along the mounting surface to maintain the suction state.
“◯” in FIG. 4 indicates that the attractive force and the suction holding force are relatively larger than those of “Δ”. As shown in FIG. 4, the attractive force is larger for the direct suction than the ventilation member-mediated suction, and the suction holding force is larger for the ventilation member-mediated suction than the direct suction. The reasons for these will be described below.

When air is sucked by the suction fan 62, pressure loss occurs in the ventilation holes 311a and the ventilation member 323 of the transport belt 311. This pressure loss is caused by loss due to friction between the wall surface of the air flow path and air, separation of air flow due to contraction or expansion due to reduction of the area of the flow path, loss at the inlet and outlet of the flow path, etc. Is.
In the support suction portion 32 of the present embodiment, the ventilation hole 311a has a sufficiently large opening area and opening ratio with respect to the speed and viscosity of air, and a sufficiently small length (depth) in the vertical direction. The pressure loss at 311a is negligible. On the other hand, in the ventilation member 323, since the fine pores provided in the porous body serve as the air flow path, the pressure loss due to the above-mentioned various factors becomes larger than that of the ventilation hole 311a. Therefore, the pressure loss in the ventilation path passing through the ventilation hole 311a and the ventilation member 323 in the ventilation member-mediated suction in the second region R2 is the pressure loss in the ventilation path passing through the ventilation hole 311a in the direct suction in the first region R1. It becomes larger by the amount passing through the ventilation member 323.

In the first region R1 where the pressure loss is small, air is sucked into the ventilation hole 311a from the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311 with a pressure almost as it is corresponding to the negative pressure in the air chamber 322, so that the sucked air is placed. The flow rate F1 (FIG. 3B) on the mounting surface becomes large. Therefore, the force for attracting the recording medium P away from the mounting surface increases.
On the other hand, in the second region R2 where a large pressure loss occurs, air is sucked into the ventilation hole 311a from the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311 by a negative pressure whose absolute value is smaller than the negative pressure in the air chamber 322. The flow rate F2 (FIG. 3B) on the mounting surface of the sucked air becomes smaller than the flow rate F1. Therefore, the force for attracting the recording medium P away from the mounting surface is smaller than that in the first region R1.
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the attractive force of the direct suction in the first region R1 is larger than that of the ventilation member-mediated suction in the second region R2.

Further, in the support suction unit 32, even after the recording medium P is attracted to the mounting surface, the area around the recording medium P when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface (both sides in the width direction of the recording medium P, and On the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction), air is sucked into the air chamber 322 from the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311.
At this time, in the first region R1, since the pressure loss of air when passing through the ventilation hole 311a of the transport belt 311 is very small, the vicinity region of the transport belt 311 on the mounting surface side and the air chamber 322 are The pressure difference between them is unlikely to occur. Therefore, due to the pressure difference, the action of sucking and holding the recording medium P on the mounting surface is difficult to work, and the suction holding force becomes small.
On the other hand, in the second region R2, since the pressure loss of air when passing through the ventilation holes 311a and the ventilation member 323 of the transport belt 311 is large, the vicinity region of the transport belt 311 on the mounting surface side and the air chamber 322 The pressure difference between them becomes large (the pressure in the air chamber 322 becomes relatively small). It can also be said that the ventilation member 323 having a large pressure loss has an effect of sealing the upper surface of the air chamber 322 with a certain degree of airtightness. As the pressure difference between the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311 and the air chamber 322 becomes large in this way, the action of pressing the recording medium P against the mounting surface by the pressure difference works strongly, so that the recording medium P works strongly. The suction holding force for sucking and holding the air pressure on the mounting surface is increased.
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the suction holding force in the second region R2 is larger than that in the direct suction in the first region R1.

In the support suction unit 32 of the present embodiment, since the first region R1 having a large attractive force is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction, the tip of the recording medium P that has been transported by the transport belt 311 and has approached the first region R1. When the side end Pc is warped (floating from the mounting surface), the end Pc can be attracted to the mounting surface and attracted by direct suction.
When the recording medium P adsorbed on the mounting surface is conveyed in the conveying direction and approaches the second region R2, it is adsorbed by the suction member-mediated suction with a strong suction holding force, so that the end Pc of the recording medium P is removed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the recording medium P being lifted from the mounting surface again or the recording medium P being displaced on the mounting surface.

The rotation speed of the suction fan 62 is controlled to be equal to or higher than the minimum rotation speed at which the suction force capable of attracting and sucking the Pc when the end portion Pc of the recording medium P is warped on the first region R1 is obtained. It is controlled by unit 50. Here, the minimum rotation speed is the type of recording medium P to be conveyed (thickness, hardness, air permeability, etc.), the expected amount of warpage (height from the mounting surface), and the width of the recording medium P. It depends on various parameters such as the width with respect to the direction (thus, the width of the portion of the first region R1 that is not covered by the recording medium P). Therefore, the rotation speed of the suction fan 62 is predetermined, for example, corresponding to each combination of these parameters. Alternatively, the end Pc of the recording medium P to be used may be warped and then transported one by one, and the rotation speed at which the end Pc can be actually adsorbed may be set each time.

On the recording medium P placed on the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 in the fixing section 30, the ink ejected by the image recording section 20 is in an uncured state. Therefore, when the surface is pressed by the pressing roller when the end Pc of the recording medium P is warped, the uncured ink on the recording medium P comes into contact with the pressing roller and the image is distorted, or the pressing roller causes the pressing roller. Although there is a problem that the ink contaminates the image, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the recording medium P is adsorbed on the mounting surface without causing such a problem and is located at a position facing the ultraviolet irradiation unit 33. Can be transported.

In the support suction unit 22 of the image recording unit 20, a ventilation member 223 is provided over the entire surface of the housing, and the ventilation member-mediated suction is performed on the entire support suction unit 22. When the end Pc of the recording medium P is warped, the end Pc is pressed against the mounting surface by the pressing roller 24 and is attracted to the mounting surface as described above. This is because the ink is not ejected to the recording medium P mounted on the image recording unit 20, and the above-mentioned problem does not occur even if the surface of the recording medium P is pressed directly by the pressing roller 24. ..

Next, the transfer operation of the recording medium P and the image recording operation in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the inkjet recording device 1, when the print job is stored in the storage unit 54 of the control unit 50, the image recording operation is started.

When the recording operation is started, a control signal is output from the suction control unit 61 to the suction fans 62 of the support suction units 22 and 32, and the rotation operation of each suction fan 62 is started at a predetermined rotation speed.
Further, a control signal is output from the transfer control unit 64 to the transfer motors 65 attached to the medium delivery roller 12 and the drive rollers 212 and 312, respectively, and the recording medium supply unit 10 sends the control signal to the medium transfer unit 21 of the image recording unit 20. The supply operation of the recording medium P and the transfer operation of the recording medium P by the medium transfer units 21 and 31 are started.

Further, the image data of the recorded image and the control signal are supplied from the head control unit 63 to each recording head 231 of the head unit 23 at an appropriate timing according to the transport position of the recording medium P by the medium transport unit 21. Then, ink is ejected from the nozzle of the head unit 23, and an image is recorded on the recording medium P. At the time of recording this image, since the recording medium P is attracted and fixed to the mounting surface of the transport belt 211 with a strong suction holding force due to the suction member-mediated suction in the support suction unit 22, the recording medium P floats or vibrates. The occurrence of recording defects due to the above is suppressed.

Further, the recording medium P on which the ink is discharged is delivered from the medium transport section 21 of the image recording section 20 to the medium transport section 31 of the fixing section 30. Here, when the tip of the recording medium P is warped, the recording medium P is effectively sucked directly in the portion of the support suction portion 32 that overlaps with the first region R1 as described above. It is attracted to the mounting part and attracted to it. Then, the recording medium P is transported to a portion overlapping the second region R2, and the recording medium P is attracted to and fixed to the mounting surface of the transport belt 211 with a strong suction holding force by the ventilation member-mediated suction. By curing and fixing the ink on the recording medium P in this state by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 33, the occurrence of fixing defects due to floating or vibration of the recording medium P is suppressed.
The recording medium P on which the ink is fixed is discharged to the recording medium discharging unit 40 according to the transporting operation of the medium transporting unit 31.

(Modification example 1)
Next, a modification 1 of the above embodiment will be described. In this modification, the configuration of the support suction unit 32 is different from that of the above embodiment.
5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the support suction portion 32 according to the present modification.
In the support suction portion 32 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the ventilation member 323 is provided in a range overlapping the entire air chamber 322 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the transport belt 311. Further, in the ventilation member 323 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the portion overlapping the first region R1 and the portion overlapping the second region R2 each have a flat plate shape, and the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the first region R1 is the second. The material, shape, and arrangement are provided so as to be smaller than the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the region R2.

Specifically, in the example of FIG. 5A, the ventilation member 323 is provided in a range overlapping the first region R1 and overlaps the first portion 3231 and the second region R2 made of a porous body having coarse pores. It is provided in the range and is composed of a second portion 3232 made of a porous body having finer pores than the first portion 3231. In the ventilation member 323 of FIG. 5A, the opening ratio of the pores in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface of the first portion 3231 is larger than the opening ratio of the pores in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface of the second portion 3232. It's getting bigger. In other words, the porosity of the porous body in the first portion 3231 is larger than the porosity of the porous body in the second portion 3232. According to the configuration as shown in FIG. 5A, the pressure loss in the portion of the ventilation member 323 overlapping the first region R1 is smaller than the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the second region R2.

Further, in the example of FIG. 5B, the ventilation member 323 has a mounting surface in the second portion 3234 whose thickness in the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface in the first portion 3233 overlapping the first region R1 overlaps with the second region R2. It is smaller than the thickness in the direction perpendicular to. The fineness of the pores of the porous body in the first portion 3233 and the second portion 3234 (that is, the aperture ratio of the pores in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface) is the same as that of the ventilation member 323 of the above embodiment. It is the same as the porous body used. Even with the configuration as shown in FIG. 5B, the pressure loss in the portion of the ventilation member 323 overlapping the first region R1 is smaller than the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the second region R2.

In the configurations of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the ventilation member-mediated suction is performed in both the first region R1 and the second region R2, but the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the first region R1 overlaps with the second region R2. Since it is smaller than the pressure loss in the above embodiment, the attractive force is larger in the first region R1 than in the second region R2, and the suction holding force is larger in the second region R2 than in the first region R1. Is larger. Therefore, even with the configuration of this modification, the recording medium P can be adsorbed in the second region R2 with a high adsorption holding force while reliably adsorbing the tip of the recording medium P in the first region R1.
In addition, both the fineness and the thickness of the pores may be different between the first portion and the second portion of the ventilation member 323.

(Modification 2)
Next, a modification 2 of the above embodiment will be described. In this modification, the configuration of the support suction unit 32 is different from that of the above embodiment.
6A to 6C are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the support suction portion 32 according to this modified example.
In the support suction portion 32 of FIGS. 6A to 6C, the ventilation member 323 is formed by using a flat metal plate provided with a plurality of through holes 323a (323b) penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. There is. The material of the ventilation member 323 is not limited to metal, and a material having strength capable of supporting the transport belt 311 and having less friction with the transport belt 311 such as resin may be used.
The ventilation member 323 of FIGS. 6A to 6C is also provided with a material, shape, and arrangement such that the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the first region R1 is smaller than the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the second region R2.

Specifically, in the example of FIG. 6A, the ventilation member 323 made of a metal plate is provided only in the region overlapping the second region R2. In the configuration of FIG. 6A, as in the above embodiment, direct suction is performed in the first region R1 and ventilation member-mediated suction is performed in the second region R2. Therefore, even with the configuration of FIG. 6A, the recording medium P can be adsorbed in the second region R2 with a high adsorption holding force while reliably adsorbing the tip of the recording medium P in the first region R1.

Further, in the example of FIG. 6B, the ventilation member 323 is provided in a range overlapping the entire air chamber 322. In this ventilation member 323, the opening area of each through hole 323a in the first portion 3235 overlapping the first region R1 is larger than the opening area of each through hole 323b in the second portion 3236 overlapping the second region R2. .. As a result, the opening ratio of the through hole 323a in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface in the first portion 3231 becomes larger than the opening ratio of the through hole 323b in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface in the second portion 3232. There is. Even with the ventilation member 323 having such a configuration, the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the first region R1 is smaller than the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the second region R2.

Further, also in the example of FIG. 6C, the ventilation member 323 is provided in a range overlapping the entire air chamber 322. The thickness of the ventilation member 323 in the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface in the first portion 3237 overlapping the first region R1 is larger than the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface in the second portion 3238 overlapping the second region R2. Is also getting smaller. The opening area and aperture ratio of the through hole 323a in the first portion 3237 and the second portion 3238 are equal to each other. Even with the ventilation member 323 having such a configuration, the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the first region R1 is smaller than the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the second region R2.

In the configurations of FIGS. 6B and 6C, the ventilation member-mediated suction is performed in both the first region R1 and the second region R2, but the pressure loss in the portion overlapping the first region R1 overlaps with the second region R2. Since it is smaller than the pressure loss in the above embodiment, the attractive force is larger in the first region R1 than in the second region R2, and the suction holding force is larger in the second region R2 than in the first region R1. Is larger. Therefore, even with the configuration of this modification, the recording medium P can be adsorbed in the second region R2 with a high adsorption holding force while reliably adsorbing the tip of the recording medium P in the first region R1.
In addition, both the opening area and the opening ratio of the through hole and the thickness may be different between the first portion and the second portion of the ventilation member 323.

(Modification 3)
Next, a modification 3 of the above embodiment will be described. In this modification, the configuration of the support suction unit 32 is different from that of the above embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the support suction portion 32 according to the present modification.
In the support suction unit 32 of FIG. 7, the air chamber 322 is divided into a first sub-air chamber 3221 forming the first region R1 and a second sub-air chamber 3222 forming the second region R2. The first sub-air chamber 3221 and the second sub-air chamber 3222 are partitioned by a partition plate 3211 welded and fixed to the bottom surface and side surfaces of the housing 321 so that they are not directly ventilated to each other. It has become. Suction ports 321a are provided in the first sub-air chamber 3221 and the second sub-air chamber 3222, respectively, and the internal air is sucked by separate suction fans 62 (first suction fan, second suction fan). To. The rotational operation of each suction fan 62 is independently controlled by the suction control unit 61.
According to the configuration of this modification, the attractive force in the first region R1 and the suction holding force in the second region R2 can be adjusted independently.

(Modification example 4)
Next, a modification 4 of the above embodiment will be described. In this modification, the configuration of the support suction unit 32 is different from that of the above embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of the support suction unit 32 according to the present modification.
The ventilation member 323 in the support suction portion 32 of FIG. 8 is provided in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction, and is provided in the second portion 3232 made of a porous body having fine pores and the portion excluding the vicinity of both ends in the width direction. It is provided and is composed of a first portion 3231 made of a porous body having coarser pores than the second portion 3232. According to such a configuration, the pressure loss in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the second region R2 can be made larger than the pressure loss in the central portion in the width direction. As a result, in a state where the recording medium P is adsorbed on the second region R2, the airtightness of the ventilation member 323 in the outer portion in the width direction of the recording medium P is enhanced, so that the transport surface side of the transport belt 311 and the air chamber are improved. The pressure difference between the 322 and the 322 can be increased more effectively, and the force for adsorbing and holding the recording medium P can be increased.

(Modification 5)
Next, a modification 5 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification is different from the above embodiment in that a transfer unit 70 for the recording medium P is provided between the image recording unit 20 and the fixing unit 30.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording device 1 according to this modification.
In the inkjet recording device 1 of this modification, a delivery unit 70 is provided on the downstream side of the image recording unit 20 in the transport direction and on the upstream side of the fixing unit 30 in the transport direction. The delivery unit 70 sucks the recording medium P delivered from the image recording unit 20 and conveys it in the conveying direction, and sends it out to the fixing unit 30.

The delivery unit 70 includes a medium transfer unit 71 having a transfer belt 711 (first transfer belt), a drive roller 712, a driven roller 713, and a tension roller 715 (first transfer roller), and a support suction unit 72. In this modification, the first transport section is composed of the medium transport section 71 of the transfer section 70 and the medium transport section 31 of the fixing section 30.

The configuration of the transport belt 711 is almost the same as the configuration of the transport belt 311 (second transport belt) of the fixing portion 30, and the configuration of the drive roller 712, the driven roller 713 and the tension roller 715 is the drive roller 312 of the fixing portion 30. , The driven roller 313 and the tension roller 315 (second transport roller) are almost the same. However, the diameters of the drive roller 712 and the driven roller 713 are smaller than the diameters of the drive roller 312 and the driven roller 313. Therefore, among the plurality of first transport rollers in the medium transport unit 71, the diameter of the drive roller 712 closest to the rear end e1 of the transport path of the recording medium P by the transport belt 711 is the plurality of second transports in the medium transport unit 31. Among the rollers, the diameter is smaller than the diameter of the driven roller 313 closest to the tip e2 of the transfer path of the recording medium P by the transfer belt 311. Here, the transfer path of the recording medium P by the transfer belts 311, 711 means a path in which the recording medium P is conveyed with the recording medium P mounted on the mounting surface of the transfer belts 311, 711. Further, the distance between the drive roller 712 and the driven roller 713 in the transport direction is smaller than the distance between the drive roller 312 and the driven roller 313 in the transport direction, so that the circumference of the transport belt 711 is the circumference of the transport belt 311. It is smaller than the length.

The configuration of the support suction unit 72 is different from the support suction unit 32 in that the length in the transport direction is shorter than that of the support suction unit 32 and the member corresponding to the ventilation member 323 is not provided, and the other configurations are the support suction unit 32. It is the same as 32. Therefore, the support suction unit 72 sucks the recording medium P onto the mounting surface of the transport belt 711 by direct suction as a whole. In this modification, the air chamber in the support suction portion 72 constitutes the upstream air chamber, and the air chamber in the support suction portion 32 constitutes the downstream air chamber.

By providing such a delivery unit 70, the following effects can be obtained. That is, when the recording medium P is delivered directly from the image recording unit 20 to the fixing unit 30, the section where the recording medium P is not adsorbed becomes longer because the diameters of the driving roller 212 and the driven roller 313 are large, but the diameter is larger. By relaying the transfer of the recording medium P by the transfer unit 70 in which the small drive roller 712 and the driven roller 713 are used, the length of the section where the recording medium P is not adsorbed can be reduced. Further, since the recording medium P is directly sucked by the transfer portion 70, even if the end portion of the recording medium P is warped, the end portion is surely attracted to the mounting surface of the transport belt 711. Can be adsorbed.

If the distance between the support suction part 72 of the delivery part 70 and the support suction part 32 of the fixing part 30 can be made sufficiently small, as shown in FIG. 10, in the support suction part 32 of the fixing part 30, The ventilation member 323 may be provided over the entire upper surface of the housing 321. In such a configuration, when the end portion of the recording medium P is warped, the delivery portion 70 attracts the end portion to the mounting surface of the transport belt 711 by direct suction and sucks the end portion, and the end portion is warped. The recording medium P can be reliably adsorbed even in the fixing portion 30 by delivering the recording medium P to the fixing portion 30 while the pressing portion is held.

As described above, in the sheet member transport device according to the present embodiment, the medium transport unit 31 that transports the recording medium P by moving the transport belt 311 on which the recording medium P is mounted on the mounting surface in a predetermined transport direction. A ventilation member 323 provided on the side opposite to the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 along the movement path of the transport belt 311 in the transport direction and capable of ventilating in the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the transport belt. It is provided along the movement path on the side opposite to the mounting surface of 311 in a range including the area overlapping the ventilation member 323 when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and passes through the ventilation hole 311a of the transport belt 311. Air is sucked from the air chamber 322 capable of ventilating between the transport belt 311 and the mounting surface side and the side opposite to the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311 via the air chamber 322, and the transport belt 311 is mounted. The air chamber 322 includes a suction fan 62 for attracting the recording medium P mounted on the mounting surface to the mounting surface, and the air chamber 322 has a first region R1 and a first region R1 within a predetermined range in the transport direction. The ventilation member 323 includes a second region R2 provided on the downstream side in the transport direction and ventilated by a ventilation path passing through the ventilation hole 311a and the ventilation member 323, and the ventilation member 323 blows the air in the air chamber 322 by the suction fan 62. When sucked, the pressure loss in the ventilation path from the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311 to the first region R1 is larger than the pressure loss in the ventilation path from the mounting surface side of the transport belt 311 to the second region R2. Is also provided so that it becomes smaller.
With such a configuration, in the first region R1 in which the pressure loss of the ventilation path is smaller than the second region R2, the end portion of the recording medium P that is separated (floating) from the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 is the second region. It can be attracted to the mounting surface more strongly than R2. Therefore, even when the tip of the conveyed recording medium P is warped and lifted, when the tip of the recording medium P approaches the first region R1, the tip can be more reliably attracted to the mounting surface. it can. Further, in the second region R2 where the pressure loss of the ventilation path is relatively large, the pressure difference between the vicinity region on the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 and the air chamber 322 is larger than that in the first region R1. The recording medium P can be strongly pressed against the mounting surface due to the pressure difference, and the recording medium P can be attracted to the mounting surface with a larger suction holding force. As described above, according to the above configuration, the end portion of the recording medium P is surely attracted to and attracted to the mounting surface on the first region R1, and the second region on the downstream side of the first region R1 in the transport direction. On R2, the suction state of the recording medium P on the mounting surface can be maintained with a high suction holding force.

Further, the ventilation member 323 is provided in a range overlapping the second region R2 when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the first region R1 in the air chamber 322 is ventilated by a ventilation path that does not pass through the ventilation member 323. Area. As a result, since the pressure loss due to the ventilation member 323 does not occur in the first region R1, the pressure loss in the first region R1 can be suppressed low and the force for attracting the recording medium P to the mounting surface can be increased.

Further, the ventilation member 323 of the first modification and the second modification (FIGS. 6B and 6C) is provided in a range overlapping the first region R1 and the second region R2 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and is an air chamber. The first region R1 in 322 is a region where ventilation is performed by a ventilation path passing through the ventilation member 323. Thereby, the transport belt 311 can be supported by the ventilation member 323 in the entire region on the air chamber 322. Therefore, the flatness of the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 and the recording medium P on the mounting surface can be ensured in a wider range.

Further, in the ventilation member 323 of the modified example 1 (FIG. 5B) and the modified example 2 (FIG. 6C), the portion overlapping the first region R1 and the portion overlapping the second region R2 each have a flat plate shape, and the first region R1 The thickness of the portion overlapping the mounting surface in the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface is smaller than the thickness of the portion overlapping the second region R2 in the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. As a result, the pressure loss in the ventilation path of the first region R1 is easily reduced with respect to the pressure loss in the ventilation path of the second region R2, and the attractive force of the recording medium P on the first region R1 is increased. , The suction holding force on the second region R2 can be increased.

Further, by making the ventilation member 323 a porous body, it is possible to realize the ventilation member 323 having ventilation while supporting the transport belt 311 with a simple configuration. Further, since the entire surface of the ventilation member 323 can be provided with air permeability, the air chamber and the mounting surface side of the transportation belt 311 have constant air permeability regardless of the position of the ventilation hole 311a according to the transportation of the transportation belt 311. Ventilation with and from 322 can be performed.

Further, in the porous body of the ventilation member 323 of the modified example 1 (FIG. 5A), the opening ratio of the pores in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface in the portion overlapping the first region R1 overlaps with the second region R2. It is larger than the opening ratio of the pores in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface in. As a result, the pressure loss in the ventilation path of the first region R1 is made smaller than the pressure loss in the ventilation path of the second region R2, and the attractive force of the recording medium P on the first region R1 is increased. The suction holding force on the region R2 can be increased.

Further, the ventilation member 323 of the modified example 2 is a plate material provided with through holes 323a (323b) penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. As a result, it is possible to realize a ventilation member 323 having ventilation while supporting the transport belt 311 with a simple configuration.

Further, in the ventilation member 323 of the modified example 2 (FIG. 6B), the ventilation member 323 is placed in a portion where the opening ratio of the through hole 323a in the cross section parallel to the mounting surface in the portion overlapping the first region R1 overlaps with the second region R2. It is larger than the opening ratio of the through hole 323b in the cross section parallel to the surface. As a result, the pressure loss in the ventilation path of the first region R1 is made smaller than the pressure loss in the ventilation path of the second region R2, and the attractive force of the recording medium P on the first region R1 is increased. The suction holding force on the region R2 can be increased.

Further, the air chamber 322 includes a first region R1 within a predetermined range from the upstream end of the air chamber 322 in the transport direction, and a second region R2 excluding the first region R1. As a result, the suction state of the recording medium P attracted to and adsorbed on the mounting surface on the first region R1 near the end on the upstream side in the transport direction in the air chamber 322 extends to the downstream end of the air chamber 322. It can be reliably maintained on the second region R2.

Further, the air chamber 322 of the modified example 3 is a second secondary air that is not directly ventilated between the first secondary air chamber 3221 forming the first region R1 and the first secondary air chamber 3221 forming the second region R2. The suction fan 62 has a chamber 3222 and sucks air through the first sub-air chamber 3221 and the second sub-air chamber 3222, respectively. As a result, the negative pressure in the second region R2 can be easily increased, and the adsorption holding force in the second region R2 can be increased.

Further, the suction fan 62 of the third modification includes a first suction fan that sucks air through the first secondary air chamber 3221 and a second suction fan that sucks air through the second secondary air chamber 3222. Have. Thereby, the attractive force in the first region R1 and the suction holding force in the second region R2 can be adjusted independently.

Further, the transport belt 311 is an annular transport belt whose outer peripheral surface forms a mounting surface, and the medium transport unit 31 moves the transport belt 311 along a predetermined circumferential path, and the ventilation member 323 and the air chamber 322 are , Is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transport belt 311. As a result, the recording medium P can be more reliably adsorbed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt 311 in the medium transport unit 31 having a simple and compact structure that orbits the transport belt 311.

Further, the sheet member transporting device of the modified example 5 has an annular transport belt 711 whose outer peripheral surface forms a mounting surface, and a transport belt 311 provided on the downstream side of the transport belt 711, and has a medium transport unit 71. , 31 move the transfer belt 711 and the transfer belt 311 along a predetermined circuit path, respectively, so that the recording medium P is transferred between the transfer belt 711 and the transfer belt 311 in the transfer direction. The transporting and venting member 323 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transport belt 311 and the air chamber 322 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transport belt 711 and includes an upstream air chamber including at least a part of the first region R1. It is divided into a downstream air chamber provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transport belt 311 and including the second region R2. According to such a configuration, when the end portion of the recording medium P is warped, the end portion is attracted and attracted to the mounting surface of the transport belt 711 on the upstream side, and the warp of the end portion is caused. By delivering the recording medium P to the transport belt 311 on the downstream side while being held down, the recording medium P can be reliably attracted even on the transport belt 311.

Further, the medium transport units 71 and 31 rotate at least one of the plurality of first transport rollers on which the transport belt 711 is laid to move the transport belt 711, and the plurality of transport belts 311 are laid across. At least one of the second transfer rollers is rotated to move the transfer belt 311. Among the plurality of first transfer rollers, the drive roller 712 closest to the rear end e1 of the transfer path of the recording medium P by the transfer belt 711. The diameter is smaller than the diameter of the driven roller 313 closest to the tip e2 of the transport path of the recording medium P by the transport belt 311 among the plurality of second transport rollers. As a result, the length of the section where the recording medium P is not adsorbed can be reduced, and the recording medium P can be reliably adsorbed on the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 on the downstream side.

Further, in the inkjet recording device 1 of the above-described embodiment and each modification, the head unit 23 that ejects ink from the nozzle to the recording medium P and the recording medium P on which the ink ejected from the nozzle of the head unit 23 has landed. The sheet member transporting device for transporting is provided. In such a configuration, the recording medium P can be attracted to the mounting surface and attracted by suction of air from the air chamber 322 side on the first region R1, so that after the ink is ejected by the head unit 23. The recording medium P can be adsorbed on the mounting surface and conveyed without soiling the surface of the recording medium P.

Further, the head unit 23 ejects ink that cures in response to the application of ultraviolet rays from a nozzle, and the inkjet recording device 1 is provided on the side of the transport belt 311 opposite to the second region R2 of the air chamber 322. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 33 that irradiates the ink landing on the recording medium P adsorbed on the mounting surface with ultraviolet rays is provided. In such a configuration, the surface of the recording medium P placed on the mounting surface of the transport belt 311 is coated with the ink before being cured and fixed, but the air chamber is formed on the first region R1. By attracting and adsorbing the recording medium P to the mounting surface by sucking air from the 322 side, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that the ink on the recording medium P comes into contact with other members and the image is distorted.

Further, the transport section of the sheet member transport device includes a medium transport section 31 provided with a vent member 323 so that the vent holes 311a form a vent path to the first region R1 and the second region R2, and the media transport section 31. A medium transport unit 21 that transports the recording medium P in the transport direction on the upstream side is provided, and the recording medium P is transported in the transport direction while the recording medium P is delivered between the medium transport unit 21 and the medium transport unit 31. , The head unit 23 ejects ink from a nozzle to the recording medium P conveyed by the medium conveying unit 21. As a result, the recording medium P on which the ink is ejected by the head unit 23 is transferred between the medium transport unit 21 and the medium transport unit 31, and the media transport unit 31 does not stain the surface of the recording medium P. P can be transported.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and each modification, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the pressure loss in the ventilation path changes in two stages in the first region R1 and the second region R2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ventilation member 323 may be provided with a material, shape, and arrangement such that the pressure loss gradually increases toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Specifically, a region in which the pressure loss is an intermediate value of each pressure loss in the first region R1 and the second region R2 may be provided between the first region R1 and the second region R2.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the configuration in which the air chamber 322 is composed of one first region R1 and one second region R2 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of them is described. It suffices to have a first region R1 and at least one second region R2 provided on the downstream side of the first region R1 in the transport direction. For example, the air chamber 322 may have a first region R1 and two second regions R2 arranged on both sides of the first region R1 in the transport direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, a porous body or a metal plate is used as the ventilation member 323, but the present invention is not limited to these, and the ventilation path in the ventilation member 323 when air is sucked through the ventilation member 323. Any other material that causes pressure loss can be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the band-shaped transport belt has been described as an example as the transport member, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the present invention may be applied to a transport unit that transports the recording medium P by rotating a cylindrical transport drum as a transport member. In such a transporting unit, a support and suction portion (air chamber and ventilation member) fixed to the rotation axis is provided along the inner curved surface (inner peripheral curved surface) of the outer peripheral curved surface of the transporting drum, and the rotating drum is provided. The recording medium P can be attracted to the drum surface by providing a ventilation hole for ventilation in the drum surface and sucking air from the support suction portion.
Further, the mounting member may be reciprocated in the transport direction within a moving range including the support and suction portion.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the ultraviolet curable ink has been described as an example of the ink ejected from the nozzle of the head unit 23, but the purpose is not limited to this. As an ink, a thermosetting material in which a polymerization reaction proceeds by applying heat, an electron beam curable material in which a polymerization reaction proceeds by irradiating an electron beam, or the like is polymerized by applying a predetermined energy. Various materials that are polymerized by the reaction and hardened can be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the single-pass type inkjet recording device 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention is applied to an inkjet recording device that records an image while scanning a head unit or a recording head. You may.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. ..

The present invention can be used for a sheet member conveying device and an inkjet recording device.

1 Inkjet recording device 2 External device 10 Recording medium supply unit 20 Image recording unit 21, 31, 71 Media transfer unit 22, 32, 72 Support suction unit 23 Head unit 24 Pressing roller 30 Fixing unit 33 Ultraviolet irradiation unit 40 Recording medium discharge unit 50 Control unit 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
54 Storage unit 61 Suction control unit 62 Suction fan 63 Head control unit 64 Transfer control unit 65 Transfer motor 66 Input / output interface 67 Bus 70 Delivery unit 211,311,711 Transfer belt 212,312,712 Drive rollers 213,313,713 Driven Rollers 214,314 Guide rollers 215,315,317 Tension rollers 223,323 Ventilation member 311a Ventilation hole 321 Housing 321a Suction port 3211 Partition plate 322 Air chamber 323a, 323b Through hole 3221 First sub-air chamber 3222 Second sub-air chamber P Recording medium R1 1st area R2 2nd area

Claims (17)

A transport unit in which the seat member is placed on the mounting surface and the transport member is moved in a predetermined transport direction to transport the sheet member, and a transport unit.
A ventilation member provided on the side opposite to the previously described mounting surface of the transport member along the movement path of the transport member in the transport direction and capable of ventilating in a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface.
The transport member is provided along the movement path on the side opposite to the previously described mounting surface in a range including a region overlapping the ventilation member when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface, and is provided by the transport member. An air chamber capable of ventilating through the pores to the previously described mounting surface side of the transport member, and
Air is sucked from the side opposite to the previously described mounting surface side of the transport member through the air chamber, and the sheet member mounted on the previously described mounting surface of the transport member is attracted to the mounting surface. Department and
With
The air chamber is provided in a first region within a predetermined range in the transport direction and on the downstream side of the first region in the transport direction, and ventilation is performed by a ventilation path passing through the ventilation hole and the ventilation member. Including 2 areas
When the air in the air chamber is sucked by the suction portion, the pressure loss in the ventilation path from the previously described mounting surface side of the transport member to the first region is described in the front of the transport member. A sheet member conveying device provided so as to be smaller than the pressure loss in the ventilation path from the mounting surface side to the second region. The ventilation member is provided in a range overlapping the second region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned mounting surface.
The sheet member transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first region is a region in which ventilation is performed by a ventilation path that does not pass through the ventilation member. The ventilation member is provided in a range overlapping the first region and the second region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned mounting surface.
The sheet member transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first region is a region where ventilation is performed by a ventilation path passing through the ventilation member. The ventilation member has a flat plate shape in a portion overlapping the first region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface and a portion overlapping the second region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. The sheet according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the portion overlapping the first region in the direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface is smaller than the thickness of the portion overlapping the second region in the direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. Member transfer device. The sheet member transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ventilation member is a porous body. The aeration member is a porous body having pores, and the opening ratio of the pores in a cross section parallel to the above-mentioned placement surface in a portion overlapping the first-described placement surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned placement surface. However, the sheet member according to claim 3 or 4, which is larger than the opening ratio of the pores in the cross section parallel to the previously described mounting surface in the portion overlapping the second region when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. Transport device. The sheet member conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ventilation member is a plate material provided with a through hole penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned mounting surface. The ventilation member is a plate material provided with a through hole penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface, and is formed on the previously described mounting surface in a portion overlapping the first region when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. The opening ratio of the through hole in the parallel cross section is larger than the opening ratio of the through hole in the cross section parallel to the previously described mounting surface in the portion overlapping the second region when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the previously described mounting surface. The sheet member conveying device according to the large claim 3 or 4. Any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air chamber includes the first region within a predetermined range from the upstream end of the air chamber in the transport direction and the second region excluding the first region. The sheet member conveying device according to. The air chamber has a first sub-air chamber forming the first region and a second sub-air chamber forming the second region and not being directly ventilated between the first sub-air chamber.
The sheet member conveying device according to claim 9, wherein the suction unit sucks air through the first sub-air chamber and the second sub-air chamber, respectively. The tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the suction unit includes a first suction fan that sucks air through the first secondary air chamber and a second suction fan that sucks air through the second secondary air chamber. Sheet member transfer device. The transport member is an annular transport belt whose outer peripheral surface forms the previously described mounting surface.
The transport unit moves the transport belt along a predetermined circuit path, and causes the transport belt to move along a predetermined circuit path.
The seat member transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the ventilation member and the air chamber are provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the transport belt. The transport member includes an annular first transport belt whose outer peripheral surface forms the previously described mounting surface, and an annular second transport belt provided on the downstream side of the first transport belt and whose outer peripheral surface forms the previously described mounting surface. Have,
The transport unit moves the first transport belt and the second transport belt along predetermined circumferential paths, so that the sheet member is delivered between the first transport belt and the second transport belt. The sheet member is transported in the transport direction,
The ventilation member is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the second transport belt.
The air chamber is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the first transport belt and is provided on the upstream air chamber including at least a part of the first region and on the inner peripheral surface side of the second transport belt. The seat member transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is divided into a downstream air chamber including a second region. In the transport unit, at least one of the plurality of first transport rollers on which the first transport belt is laid is rotated to move the first transport belt, and a plurality of the second transport belts are laid. The second transport belt is moved by rotating at least one of the second transport rollers of the above.
Among the plurality of first transport rollers, the diameter of the first transport roller closest to the rear end of the transport path of the seat member by the first transport belt is the diameter of the second transport belt among the plurality of second transport rollers. The sheet member conveying device according to claim 13, which is smaller than the diameter of the second conveying roller closest to the tip of the conveying path of the sheet member according to the above. An ink ejection part that ejects ink from a nozzle to a sheet member,
The sheet member transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which transports the sheet member on which the ink ejected from the nozzle of the ink ejection unit has landed.
An inkjet recording device equipped with. The ink ejection unit ejects ink that cures in response to the application of predetermined energy from the nozzle.
The inkjet recording device is
Energy for imparting the predetermined energy to the ink landing on the sheet member provided on the side of the air chamber opposite to the second region of the air chamber with respect to the transport member and adsorbed on the above-mentioned mounting surface. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising an imparting unit. The transport unit includes a first transport unit provided with the ventilation member so that the ventilation holes form a ventilation path to the first region and the second region, and upstream of the first transport unit in the transport direction. A second transport section for transporting the sheet member in the transport direction is provided on the side, and the sheet member is transported in the transport direction while the sheet member is delivered between the first transport section and the second transport section. ,
The inkjet recording device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the ink ejection unit ejects ink from the nozzle to a sheet member conveyed by the second conveying unit.

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