Printing device

Abstract

A printing device capable of reducing the amount of waste liquid of a cleaning liquid for cleaning a conveyance belt that conveys a printing medium. The printing device (100) includes a printing section (40) that performs printing on a cloth (1) based on print data; a conveyance belt (23) that has a support surface (23a) that supports the cloth (1) and conveys the cloth (1); a cleaning section (50) that cleans the support surface (23a) with a cleaning liquid; a temperature changing section (506) that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid; and a device control section (80) that controls the temperature changing section (506) based on at least one of attribute information of the cloth (1), a position of the cloth (1) on the support surface (23a), and print data.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a print apparatus provided with a continuous web of print media. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Patent Literature 1, there is disclosed a recording medium conveying apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus provided with the same, wherein the recording medium conveying apparatus conveys a recording medium on which an image is recorded by ejection of ink, and the recording medium conveying apparatus is provided with: a conveying member that conveys the recording medium while supporting it with a conveying surface; a cleaning unit that abuts against the conveying surface from below and cleans the conveying surface; an ejection unit that directly ejects cleaning liquid toward the conveying surface at a region to be ejected that is on an upstream side in the conveying direction compared to the cleaning unit; a storage unit that is provided at least below the region to be ejected and the ejection unit, and that stores and holds the cleaning liquid that has dripped; and a liquid conveying unit that conveys the cleaning liquid stored by the storage unit to the ejection unit.

[0003] However, in the recording medium conveying apparatus and the inkjet recording apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, the specifications for applying the cleaning liquid to the conveying surface are not sufficiently considered. In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental performance improvement, it is required to reduce the amount of waste liquid that is used cleaning liquid after use, and thus in the case of the recording medium conveying apparatus and the inkjet recording apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, there is a problem that the amount of waste liquid increases due to the specifications for applying the cleaning liquid.

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-241285 SUMMARY

[0005] The print apparatus of the present application is provided with: a printing section that performs printing on a print medium based on print data; a continuous web that has a support surface that supports the print medium and conveys the print medium; a cleaning section that cleans the support surface with a cleaning liquid; a temperature changing section that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid; and a control section that controls the temperature changing section based on at least one of attribute information of the print medium, a position of the print medium on the support surface, and the print data.

[0006] The printing device of the present application includes: a printing section that performs printing on a printing medium based on printing data; a continuous belt that has a support surface that supports the printing medium and conveys the printing medium; a cleaning section that cleans the support surface with a cleaning liquid; and a temperature changing section that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid, wherein the cleaning section has a rotary brush that abuts against the support surface and rotates, a first spray section that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the support surface at a position downstream of the printing section and upstream of the rotary brush in a moving direction of the continuous belt, and a second spray section that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the rotary brush, the continuous belt has a sticking layer that sticks the printing medium to the support surface, the temperature changing section has a heating section that heats the cleaning liquid and a cooling section that cools the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid that has been cooled by the cooling section is sprayed from the first spray section, and the cleaning liquid that has been heated by the heating section is sprayed from the second spray section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 A front view showing the structure of the printing device according to the embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 A block diagram for explaining the functions of the control section and the image processing device possessed by the printing device.

[0009] Figure 3 A conceptual view showing the structure of the cleaning section.

[0010] Figure 4 A plan view showing the arrangement of the detection section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The structure of the printing device according to the embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 1 .

[0012] In addition, in the coordinates attached to the drawings, the Z-axis direction is set as the up-down direction, the +Z direction is set as the upward direction, the X-axis direction is set as the front-rear direction, the -X direction is set as the front direction, the Y-axis direction is set as the left-right direction, the +Y direction is set as the left direction, and the X-Y plane is set as the horizontal plane.

[0013] The printing device 100 is an inkjet printing device that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets as liquid droplets to cloth 1 as a printing medium, thereby performing printing on the cloth 1. As the cloth 1, for example, cotton, silk, wool, chemical fibers, blended cloth, or the like can be used.

[0014] The printing apparatus 100 is configured of a supply section 10, a conveyance section 20, a recovery section 30, a printing section 40, a cleaning section 50, a pressing section 60, an apparatus control section 80 as a control section, an image processing apparatus 90, and the like.

[0015] The supply section 10 stores the cloth 1 before printing. The supply section 10 has a shaft section 11 and a bearing section 12.

[0016] The shaft section 11 supports the cloth 1 in a band shape wound in a roll shape in a manner rotatable in a circumferential direction. The shaft section 11 is attached in a detachable manner with respect to the bearing section 12.

[0017] The bearing section 12 has a rotation drive section that rotationally drives the shaft section 11, and supports the shaft section 11 in a rotatable manner. The rotation drive section is controlled by the apparatus control section 80, and in the case of the cloth 1 that is easily extended, the shaft section 11 is rotated in a direction to be fed out. Further, in the case of the cloth 1 that needs to be applied with tension, control to apply a load in a manner not to rotate is implemented. The illustration of the rotation drive section is omitted.

[0018] The conveyance section 20 configures a conveyance path that conveys the cloth 1 along a conveyance path from the supply section 10 via the printing section 40 to the recovery section 30. The conveyance section 20 has a conveyance roller 21, 26, 28, a tension roller 22, a conveyance belt 23, a belt rotation roller 24, a belt drive roller 25, a drying unit 27, a belt guide 29, and the like.

[0019] The conveyance belt 23 is a jointless belt formed in a jointless shape, and is suspended on the belt rotation roller 24 and the belt drive roller 25. The conveyance belt 23 is held in a state in which a predetermined tension is applied in a manner in which a portion between the belt rotation roller 24 and the belt drive roller 25 is erected in parallel with the floor surface 9. An outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 23 is a support surface 23a that supports the cloth 1, and a sticking layer that sticks the cloth 1 is provided on the surface.

[0020] The belt rotation roller 24 and the belt drive roller 25 support an inner peripheral surface 23b of the conveyance belt 23. Alternatively, a support section that supports the conveyance belt 23 from the inner peripheral surface 23b can be provided between the belt rotation roller 24 and the belt drive roller 25.

[0021] In the conveyance path, a belt driving roller 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the belt rotating roller 24. The rotation of the belt driving roller 25 is controlled by the device control section 80. The belt 23 is rotated by the rotation of the belt driving roller 25, and the belt rotating roller 24 is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the belt 23. The cloth 1 supported on the support surface 23a of the belt 23 is conveyed in the conveyance direction by the rotation of the belt 23. That is, the direction from the belt rotating roller 24 toward the belt driving roller 25 becomes the conveyance direction.

[0022] The tension roller 22 is disposed between the supply section 10 and the belt 23 in the conveyance path, and generates a prescribed tension in the cloth 1 between the belt 23.

[0023] The conveyance roller 21 relays the cloth 1 between the supply section 10 and the tension roller 22.

[0024] The conveyance roller 26, the conveyance roller 28 relay the cloth 1 conveyed by the belt 23 between the belt 23 and the recovery section 30.

[0025] The drying unit 27 is disposed between the conveyance roller 26 and the conveyance roller 28, and dries the cloth 1 to which ink has been applied.

[0026] The belt guide 29 is a flat plate-shaped guide section disposed in the printing region of the belt 23 opposite the printing section 40, and suppresses displacement of the belt 23 in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction within the printing region.

[0027] The recovery section 30 accommodates the cloth 1 to which ink has been applied and which has completed drying. The recovery section 30 has a shaft section 31 and a bearing section 32.

[0028] Since the shaft section 31 accommodates the cloth 1 in a manner wound in a roll shape, it is disposed so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The shaft section 31 is mounted in a detachable manner with respect to the bearing section 32.

[0029] The bearing section 32 has a rotation drive section that rotationally drives the shaft section 31, and supports the shaft section 31 in a rotatable manner. The rotation drive section is controlled by the device control section 80, and rotates the shaft section 31 in a direction in which the cloth 1 is wound. The illustration of the rotation drive section is omitted.

[0030] The printing section 40 is controlled by the device control section 80, and ejects ink droplets onto the cloth 1. The printing section 40 has a head 41 that is a droplet ejection section, a carriage 42, and an ink supply section. The illustration of the ink supply section is omitted.

[0031] The head 41 is disposed in opposition to the cloth 1 being conveyed by the conveyance belt 23, and has a plurality of nozzles on a lower surface thereof that eject ink supplied from an ink supply portion as ink droplets.

[0032] The carriage 42 mounts the head 41, and moves along a guide shaft 43 disposed so as to extend in an X-axis direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the cloth 1. The movement of the carriage 42 is controlled by a carriage motor controlled by the device control portion 80. The carriage motor is not illustrated.

[0033] The cleaning portion 50 is controlled by the device control portion 80, and performs cleaning of the conveyance belt 23. The cleaning portion 50 will be described later.

[0034] The press portion 60 is disposed on an upper portion of the conveyance belt 23 at a position further upstream than the printing portion 40 in the conveyance path. The press portion 60 presses the cloth 1 against the support surface 23a having the adhesive layer, and thereby prevents the cloth 1 from coming off the conveyance belt 23.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 The functions of the device control portion 80 and the image processing device 90 will be described.

[0036] The image processing device 90 has an image control portion 91, an input portion 92, a display portion 93, a storage portion 94, and the like, and performs tasks such as the acceptance or rejection of data from external electronic devices connected via a network or the like, the control of the printing performed by the printing device 100, and the processing of images involved in printing. The image processing device 90 is preferably constituted using a personal electronic computer.

[0037] Among the software operated by the image processing device 90, there are included general-purpose image processing applications that process image data to be printed, and printer drivers that generate print data necessary for the printing device 100 to perform printing based on the image data.

[0038] The image control portion 91 has a CPU 95, or an ASIC 96, a memory 97, an intra-device interface 98, a general-purpose interface 99, and the like. The CPU means Central Processing Unit, and the ASIC means Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The input portion 92 is an information input unit that is a human-machine interface. Specifically, for example, it is a keyboard or a mouse pointer, or the like.

[0039] The display section 93 is an information display unit as a human-machine interface, and displays information input from the input section 92, or an image to be printed, information relating to a print job, and the like, on the basis of control by the image control section 91.

[0040] The storage section 94 is a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a memory card, and stores software operated by the image processing apparatus 90, or an image to be printed, information relating to a print job, and the like.

[0041] The ASIC 96 contributes to generation of print data under control by the CPU 95 of the printer driver.

[0042] The memory 97 is a storage medium that secures a region storing a program operated by the CPU 95, or a job region in which operation is performed.

[0043] The general-purpose interface 99 is an interface for connecting the image processing apparatus 90 to a network or the like, and connecting to an external electronic device.

[0044] The apparatus control section 80 has the apparatus internal interface 81, the CPU 82, the memory 83, the drive control section 84, and the like, and performs unified control of each drive section of the printing apparatus 100. Specifically, the apparatus control section 80 performs ink ejection control with respect to the heads 41 of the printing section 40, or head movement control with respect to the carriage 42, conveyance drive control with respect to the conveyance section 20, and the like.

[0045] At the time of printing, the apparatus control section 80 repeatedly performs the action of ejecting ink droplets from the heads 41 while moving the carriage 42 that supports the heads 41 in the X-axis direction along the guide shaft 43, and the action of moving the cloth 1 in the +Y direction within the printing region by the conveyance belt 23 of the conveyance section 20, with respect to the cloth 1 supplied to the printing region by the conveyance section 20, in accordance with the print data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 90. By these actions, a desired image is printed on the cloth 1.

[0046] The apparatus internal interface 81 is connected to the apparatus internal interface 98 of the image processing apparatus 90, and performs transmission and reception of data with the image processing apparatus 90.

[0047] The CPU 82 is an arithmetic processing apparatus for performing drive control of the entire printing apparatus 100.

[0048] The memory 83 is a storage medium that secures a region storing a program operated by the CPU 82, or a job region in which operation is performed.

[0049] The CPU 82 controls the supply section 10, the conveyance section 20, the recovery section 30, the printing section 40, the cleaning section 50, and the pressing section 60 via the drive control section 84 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 83 and the print data received from the image processing apparatus 90.

[0050] Next, the cleaning section 50 will be described with reference to Figure 1 Figure 3

[0051] The cleaning section 50 is disposed below between the belt drive roller 25 and the belt rotation roller 24, and cleans the support surface 23a of the conveyance belt 23 after the cloth 1 is peeled off therefrom from below using a cleaning liquid, thereby removing ink or dust, thread ends, or the like foreign matter adhering to the support surface 23a.

[0052] The cleaning section 50 is configured to include a rotary brush 501, a wiper 502, a cleaning liquid tank 503, an injection nozzle 504, a cleaning liquid supply passage 505, a temperature changing section 506, a waste liquid storage tank 507, a lifting mechanism 508, and the like.

[0053] The rotary brush 501 is a cylindrical brush supported on a rotation shaft extending in the X-axis direction and rotated, and is configured so that the length thereof in the X-axis direction exceeds the width of the conveyance belt 23 and rotates while abutting against the entire width direction of the conveyance belt 23. The rotary brush 501 is rotated by a brush motor driven and controlled by the apparatus control section 80. As shown by an arrow mark in Figure 1 The direction of rotation of the rotary brush 501 is a direction in which the tip of the brush abutting against the support surface 23a becomes opposite to the moving direction of the conveyance belt 23, as shown by an arrow mark in

[0054] The wiper 502 is a rubber blade capable of wiping the cleaning liquid or the like adhering to the support surface 23a by abutting the tip thereof against the support surface 23a of the conveyance belt 23 being rotated.

[0055] The cleaning liquid tank 503 is a tank that stores a cleaning liquid. As the cleaning liquid, for example, water or an aqueous ethanol solution or the like water-soluble solvent can be used, and a surfactant or an antifoaming agent can be added as needed.

[0056] In the injection nozzle 504, there are an injection nozzle 504a as a first injection section that injects a cleaning liquid toward the support surface 23a, and an injection nozzle 504b as a second injection section that injects a cleaning liquid toward the rotary brush 501.

[0057] The injection nozzle 504a is provided at a position downstream of the printing section 40 and upstream of the rotary brush 501 in the moving direction of the conveyance belt 23, and is capable of injecting a cleaning liquid toward the support surface 23a from below.​​

[0058] The spray nozzle 504b is provided on the downstream side of the rotary brush 501, and is capable of spraying the cleaning liquid to the rotary brush 501 from the lateral direction.

[0059] The cleaning liquid supply passage 505 is a flow path that supplies the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 503 to the spray nozzle 504, and is branched into the cleaning liquid supply passage 505a that supplies the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle 504a, and the cleaning liquid supply passage 505b that supplies the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle 504b.

[0060] The pump 509 that is driven by the device control section 80 is provided on the upstream side of the branch.

[0061] The on-off valve 510a is provided in the cleaning liquid supply passage 505a, and the on-off valve 510b is provided in the cleaning liquid supply passage 505b. The device control section 80 controls the spray of the spray nozzle 504a and the spray nozzle 504b by controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valve 510a and the on-off valve 510b, respectively.

[0062] The temperature changing section 506 is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504. The temperature changing section 506 is configured to include the first temperature changing section 506a that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid supply passage 505a, and the second temperature changing section 506b that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid supply passage 505b.

[0063] The first temperature changing section 506a and the second temperature changing section 506b are each controlled by the device control section 80. That is, the device control section 80 controls the temperature changing section 506, thereby controlling the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504a and the spray nozzle 504b.

[0064] The waste liquid storage tank 507 is a bucket that receives and stores the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504a to the support surface 23a and the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504b to the rotary brush 501 as waste liquid from below, and is capable of discharging the waste liquid from the discharge port 507a provided near the bottom.

[0065] The lifting mechanism 508 lifts the base 511 that supports the rotary brush 501, the wiper 502, the cleaning liquid tank 503, the spray nozzle 504, the cleaning liquid supply passage 505, the temperature changing section 506, the waste liquid storage tank 507, and the like in the Z direction. The rotary brush 501 and the wiper 502 are capable of moving to a cleaning position in contact with the support surface 23a of the conveyor belt 23 and a separation position separated therefrom by the lifting action of the lifting mechanism 508.

[0066] In the above configuration, the device control section 80 controls the temperature changing section 506 based on at least one of the attribute information of the cloth 1, the position of the cloth 1 on the support surface 23a, and the print data, in order to more efficiently and effectively perform the cleaning of the conveyance belt 23 by the cleaning section 50.

[0067] Specifically, the device control section 80 controls the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504a and the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504b based on at least one of the attribute information of the cloth 1, the position of the cloth 1 on the support surface 23a, and the print data.

[0068] The attribute information of the cloth 1 refers to information that can specifically specify the kind of the cloth 1, such as the product name or product model of the cloth 1. Further, the attribute information of the cloth 1 can also be information such as the material name or the specifications that constitute the cloth 1.

[0069] Depending on the kind of the cloth 1, the occurrence of dust or foreign matter such as threads attached to the support surface 23a differs. Further, depending on the kind of the cloth 1, the degree of ink penetration of the cloth 1 and attachment to the support surface 23a during printing differs. Therefore, for example, in the case where the temperature of the cleaning liquid when peeling off the ink or foreign matter such as dust or threads attached to the support surface 23a from the support surface 23a is higher and a higher cleaning strength is desired, for example, in the case of a cloth 1 where dust or threads occur more or a cloth 1 where ink attachment increases, the device control section 80 performs control to increase the temperature of the cleaning liquid. Further, conversely, since it is possible to reduce the cleaning strength of the support surface 23a in the case of a cloth 1 where dust or threads occur less and ink does not penetrate, the device control section 80 will not need to perform control to increase the temperature of the cleaning liquid.

[0070] Therefore, by performing evaluation in advance and previously specifying the temperature of the cleaning liquid as a cleaning specification corresponding to the kind of the cloth 1 or the like, the device control section 80 controls the temperature changing section 506 based on the attribute information of the cloth 1 in such a manner that the temperature of the cleaning liquid becomes corresponding, and it is possible to more efficiently and effectively perform cleaning.

[0071] The position of the fabric 1 on the support surface 23a corresponds to the area where foreign matter such as dust or loose threads adheres to the support surface 23a. The wider the area where foreign matter such as dust or loose threads adheres to the support surface 23a, the greater the total amount of foreign matter attached. Therefore, for example, when a higher temperature of the cleaning fluid is desired to peel the foreign matter such as dust or loose threads attached to the support surface 23a, and a higher cleaning intensity is desired, the device control unit 80 controls to increase the temperature of the cleaning fluid, for example, when the amount of dust or loose threads on the fabric 1 is large. Conversely, when the amount of dust or loose threads on the fabric 1 is small, the cleaning intensity of the support surface 23a can be reduced, so the device control unit 80 does not need to control to increase the temperature of the cleaning fluid.

[0072] Therefore, by conducting an assessment in advance and pre-defining the temperature of the cleaning liquid corresponding to the type or width of the fabric 1, the device control unit 80 controls the temperature change unit 506 by adjusting the temperature of the corresponding cleaning liquid based on the position of the fabric 1, i.e., the length of the width of the fabric 1, thereby enabling more efficient and effective cleaning.

[0073] Although the width information of fabric 1 can also be obtained as the attribute information of fabric 1, the width information can actually be obtained by detecting the position of fabric 1 being pasted on the support surface 23a.

[0074] The printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes a detection unit 70 capable of detecting the position of the fabric 1 supported on the support surface 23a.

[0075] The detection unit 70 is composed of a light sensor that illuminates the fabric 1 and detects the reflected light, and as follows: Figure 4 As shown, it is positioned at both ends of the carriage 42 in the X-axis direction. By detecting the reflected light from the fabric 1 supported on the support surface 23a while the carriage 42 moves in the width direction of the conveyor belt 23, the position or width of the fabric 1 can be detected. The device control unit 80 receives the detection result from the detection unit 70 and identifies the position of the fabric 1.

[0076] That is, the carriage 42 has a detection unit 70 that can move in the width direction of the conveyor belt 23 while detecting the position of the fabric 1 supported by the support surface 23a, and the device control unit 80 identifies the position of the fabric 1 based on the detection result of the detection unit 70.

[0077] The printing data is control information used to apply ink to the fabric 1. The device control unit 80 can obtain information on the position of the ink application and the amount of ink applied based on the printing data.

[0078] For example, in the case where the cloth 1 is an ink permeable cloth, in the case where the permeation characteristics thereof are known in advance, the position or the amount of the ink permeated through the cloth 1 and adhered to the support surface 23a can be inferred by referring to the print data. For example, in the case where a higher cleaning strength is desired as the temperature of the cleaning liquid when peeling the ink adhered to the support surface 23a from the support surface 23a is higher, for example, in the case where it is inferred that the amount of the ink adhered is large, the device control section 80 performs control to increase the temperature of the cleaning liquid. Further, on the contrary, in the case where it is inferred that the amount of the ink adhered is small, since the cleaning strength of the support surface 23a can be reduced, the device control section 80 does not need to perform control to increase the temperature of the cleaning liquid.

[0079] In addition, in the case where the temperature of the cleaning liquid is increased and the cleaning is continued, there is a case where, depending on the environment, the temperature of the conveyance belt 23, that is, the temperature of the adhesive layer of the support surface 23a excessively increases, and thus the prescribed adhesion force cannot be obtained, or the adhesion force becomes excessively strong, or the adhesive layer becomes easily peeled.

[0080] In this regard, it is preferable that one of the temperature changing sections 506 be configured as a cooling section. Specifically, for example, the first temperature changing section 506a is configured as a cooling section, and the second temperature changing section 506b is configured as a heating section.

[0081] In the case where the first temperature changing section 506a is configured as a cooling section, the first temperature changing section 506a can be configured by a cooling element such as a Peltier element provided in at least a portion of the cleaning liquid supply passage 505a. Further, in the case where the second temperature changing section 506b is configured as a heating section, the second temperature changing section 506b can be configured by an electric heating wire or the like provided in at least a portion of the cleaning liquid supply passage 505b.

[0082] Here, it is preferable that the temperature of the cleaning liquid cooled by the first temperature changing section 506a be -10°C or higher and 20°C or lower. Further, it is preferable that the temperature of the cleaning liquid heated by the second temperature changing section 506b be higher than 20°C and 90°C or lower.

[0083] By being configured in this way, it is possible to suppress the case where the adhesive layer becomes a prescribed temperature or higher.

[0084] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0085] The printing device 100 of the present embodiment includes a cleaning section 50 that cleans the support surface 23a of the conveyance belt 23 that supports the cloth 1 with a cleaning liquid, a temperature changing section 506 that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid, and a device control section 80 that controls the temperature changing section 506 based on at least one of the attribute information of the cloth 1, the position of the cloth 1 on the support surface 23a, and the print data. Thus, the temperature of the cleaning liquid that cleans the support surface 23a can be changed based on at least one of the attribute information of the cloth 1, the position of the cloth 1 on the support surface 23a, and the print data. As a result, since the cleaning of the support surface 23a can be performed with the cleaning liquid at a temperature at which the cleaning can be efficiently and effectively performed, the amount of waste liquid as used cleaning liquid can be reduced.

[0086] Further, the cleaning section 50 has a rotary brush 501 and a spray nozzle 504a that abuts against and rotates with the support surface 23a of the conveyance belt 23 that supports the cloth 1, and sprays the cleaning liquid toward the support surface 23a at a position downstream of the printing section 40 in the moving direction of the conveyance belt 23 and upstream of the rotary brush 501. Further, the device control section 80 controls the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504a based on at least one of the attribute information of the cloth 1, the position of the cloth 1 on the support surface 23a, and the print data. Since the cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the support surface 23a at a position upstream of the rotary brush 501 that abuts against and rotates with the support surface 23a, the cleaning of the support surface 23a can be performed with the rotary brush 501, thereby efficiently and effectively performing the cleaning of the support surface 23a. Further, the cleaning of the support surface 23a can be performed with the cleaning liquid at a temperature at which the cleaning can be efficiently and effectively performed. As a result, the amount of waste liquid as used cleaning liquid can be reduced.

[0087] Further, the cleaning section 50 has a spray nozzle 504b that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the rotary brush 501 that abuts against and rotates with the support surface 23a of the conveyance belt 23 that supports the cloth 1. Since the cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the rotary brush 501 that abuts against and rotates with the support surface 23a, the cleaning of the support surface 23a can be performed with the rotary brush 501, thereby efficiently and effectively performing the cleaning of the support surface 23a. Further, dirt or foreign matter, and the like, attached to the rotary brush 501 can be removed.

[0088] Further, the device control section 80 controls the temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 504b based on at least one of the attribute information of the cloth 1, the position of the cloth 1 on the support surface 23a, and the print data. Thus, the cleaning of the support surface 23a can be performed with the cleaning liquid at a temperature at which the cleaning can be efficiently and effectively performed.

[0089] As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of waste liquid as used cleaning liquid.

[0090] Further, the conveyance belt 23 has a sticking layer that sticks the cloth 1 to the support surface 23a. Further, the temperature changing section 506 is configured to include a first temperature changing section 506a that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid supply passage 505a, and a second temperature changing section 506b that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid supply passage 505b. In a case where the first temperature changing section 506a is configured as a cooling section, and the second temperature changing section 506b is configured as a heating section, the cleaning liquid that has been cooled by the cooling section is ejected from the ejection nozzle 504a, and the cleaning liquid that has been heated by the heating section is ejected from the ejection nozzle 504b. That is, the cleaning liquid that has been cooled is ejected toward the support surface 23a having the sticking layer at the upstream of the rotary brush 501 in the moving direction of the conveyance belt 23, and the cleaning liquid that has been heated is ejected toward the rotary brush 501. Since the cleaning liquid that is ejected toward the rotary brush 501 has been heated, it becomes easy to remove stains or foreign matter, and the like that are attached to the rotary brush 501. Further, since the cleaning liquid that is ejected toward the support surface 23a having the sticking layer has been cooled, it is possible to suppress a case where the sticking layer becomes equal to or higher than a prescribed temperature. For example, since it is possible to suppress a case where the sticking layer becomes equal to or higher than a prescribed temperature due to the influence of the cleaning liquid that has been heated, or the influence of the environment in which the printing device 100 is disposed, it is possible to suppress a case where the durability of the support surface 23a, such as peeling of the sticking layer, is degraded.

[0091] Further, the printing section 40 has a head 41 that ejects liquid droplets toward the cloth 1, and a carriage 42 that carries the head 41 and moves in the width direction of the conveyance belt 23. Further, the carriage 42 has a detection section 70 that is capable of detecting the position of the cloth 1 that is supported on the support surface 23a while moving in the width direction of the conveyance belt 23, and the device control section 80 recognizes the position of the cloth 1 based on the detection result of the detection section 70.

[0092] The position at which foreign matter or liquid such as ink is attached to the support surface 23a of the conveyance belt 23, that is, the region of the support surface 23a that is a cleaning target, changes depending on the position of the cloth 1 that is supported on the conveyance belt 23. According to the present embodiment, since the device control section 80 recognizes the position of the cloth 1 based on the detection result of the detection section 70 that is capable of detecting the position of the cloth 1 that is supported on the support surface 23a, it is possible to appropriately perform control of the temperature of the cleaning liquid in a manner that corresponds to the actual length of the width of the cloth 1, or the actual position of the cloth 1 at which the width is supported. As a result, since it is possible to more efficiently and effectively perform cleaning, it is possible to reduce the amount of waste liquid as used cleaning liquid.

[0093] The printing device 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a cleaning section 50 that cleans the support surface 23a of the conveyance belt 23 supporting the cloth 1 with a cleaning liquid, and a temperature changing section 506 that is capable of changing the temperature of the cleaning liquid, wherein the cleaning section 50 has a rotary brush 501 that abuts against the support surface 23a and rotates, and a first spray section 504a that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the support surface 23a at a position downstream of the printing section 40 in the moving direction of the endless belt and upstream of the rotary brush 501, and the endless belt has a sticking layer that sticks the printing medium on the support surface 23a, and the temperature changing section 506 has a heating section 506b that heats the cleaning liquid, and a cooling section 506a that cools the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid that is cooled by the cooling section 506a is sprayed from the first spray section 504a, and the cleaning liquid that is heated by the heating section 506b is sprayed from the second spray section 504b. Therefore, since the cleaning of the support surface 23a can be performed with the cleaning liquid at a temperature at which the cleaning can be efficiently and effectively performed, the amount of waste liquid as used cleaning liquid can be reduced.

[0094] Symbol explanation

[0095] 1… cloth; 9… floor surface; 10… supply section; 11… shaft section; 12… bearing section; 20… conveyance section; 21… conveyance roller; 22… tension roller; 23… conveyance belt; 23a… support surface; 23b… inner peripheral surface; 24… belt rotation roller; 25… belt driving roller; 26… conveyance roller; 27… drying unit; 28… conveyance roller; 29… belt guide; 30… recovery section; 31… shaft section; 32… bearing section; 40… printing section; 41… head; 42… carriage; 43… guide shaft; 50… cleaning section; 60… pressing section; 70… detection section; 80… device control section; 81… device internal interface; 82… CPU; 83… memory; 84… drive control section; 90… image processing device; 91… image control section; 92… input section; 93… display section; 94… storage section; 95… CPU; 96… ASIC; 97… memory; 98… device internal interface; 99… general-purpose interface; 100… printing device; 501… rotary brush; 502… wiper; 503… cleaning liquid tank; 504… spray nozzle; 504a… spray nozzle; 504b… spray nozzle; 505… cleaning liquid supply passage; 505a… cleaning liquid supply passage; 505b… cleaning liquid supply passage; 506… temperature changing section; 506a… first temperature changing section; 506b… second temperature changing section; 507… waste liquid storage tank; 507a… discharge port; 508… lifting mechanism; 509… pump; 510a… on-off valve; 510b… on-off valve; 511… base section.

Claims

1.A printing apparatus comprising: a printing section that performs printing on a print medium based on print data; a web that has a support surface that supports the print medium and conveys the print medium; a cleaning section that cleans the support surface with a cleaning liquid; a temperature changing section that is capable of changing a temperature of the cleaning liquid; a control section that controls the temperature changing section based on at least one of attribute information of the print medium, a position of the print medium on the support surface, and the print data, the cleaning section has: a rotary brush that abuts against the support surface and rotates; a first spraying section that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the support surface at a position downstream of the printing section in a moving direction of the web and upstream of the rotary brush, the control section controls a temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the first spraying section based on at least one of the attribute information of the print medium, the position of the print medium on the support surface, and the print data, the cleaning section has a second spraying section that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the rotary brush, the control section controls a temperature of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the second spraying section based on at least one of the attribute information of the print medium, the position of the print medium on the support surface, and the print data, the web has a tacky layer that tacks the print medium to the support surface, the temperature changing section has a heating section that heats the cleaning liquid and a cooling section that cools the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid cooled by the cooling section is sprayed from the first spraying section, the cleaning liquid heated by the heating section is sprayed from the second spraying section. 2.The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing section has: a droplet ejection section that ejects droplets toward the print medium; a carriage that carries the droplet ejection section and moves in a width direction of the web, the carriage has a detection section that is capable of detecting a position of the print medium supported on the support surface while moving in the width direction of the web, the control section identifies the position of the print medium based on a detection result of the detection section. 3.A printing apparatus comprising: a printing section that performs printing on a print medium based on print data; a web that has a support surface that supports the print medium and conveys the print medium; a cleaning section that cleans the support surface with a cleaning liquid; a temperature changing section that is capable of changing a temperature of the cleaning liquid; a control section that controls the temperature changing section based on at least one of attribute information of the print medium, a position of the print medium on the support surface, and the print data, the cleaning section has: a rotary brush that abuts against the support surface and rotates; a first spraying section that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the support surface at a position downstream of the printed section in the moving direction of the endless belt and upstream of the rotary brush; a second spraying section that sprays the cleaning liquid toward the rotary brush, the endless belt has a sticking layer that sticks the print medium to the support surface, the temperature changing section has a heating section that heats the cleaning liquid and a cooling section that cools the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid that is cooled by the cooling section is sprayed from the first spraying section, the cleaning liquid that is heated by the heating section is sprayed from the second spraying section.

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