Delivery device and liquid ejection device

Abstract

A conveyance device and a liquid ejection device suppress a case where a deposit of a tackifier causes a clogging of a discharge port by appropriately determining whether there is a sign of formation of the tackifier in a storage portion that stores a cleaning liquid. A conveyance device (1) includes a conveyance belt (5) that has an outer circumferential surface (5a) capable of supporting a medium (M) and that conveys the medium (M); a cleaning roller (10) capable of cleaning the outer circumferential surface (5a); a storage portion (14) that stores a cleaning liquid (L) supplied to the outer circumferential surface (5a) via the cleaning roller (10); a discharge port (94) capable of discharging the cleaning liquid (L); a flow path tube (93) through which the discharged cleaning liquid (L) is capable of passing; a pump (P) that changes a pressure inside the flow path tube (93) and causes the cleaning liquid to flow so that the cleaning liquid (L) stored in the storage portion (14) is discharged from the storage portion (14) through the discharge port (94) and the flow path tube (93); a sensor (S) capable of detecting the pressure inside the flow path tube (93); and a control portion (40) that determines a state of the cleaning liquid stored in the storage portion (14) based on a detection result of the sensor (S).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a conveying device and a liquid ejection device. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, various conveying devices that use conveyor belts to transport media have been put into use. Among them, there are conveying devices that have cleaning rollers for cleaning the conveyor belt and a storage section for storing cleaning fluid. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a processing device that has a cleaning brush for cleaning the conveyor belt and a storage tank for storing cleaning fluid.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-83155

[0004] In a conveying device equipped with a cleaning roller capable of cleaning the conveyor belt and a storage section for storing cleaning fluid, for example, there may be a situation where thickening agents, including ink components, accumulate in the storage section. If thickening agents accumulate in the storage section, the outlet provided in the storage section may become blocked. Here, the processing apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes: a first pump for moving the cleaning fluid stored in the storage tank to, for example, a coagulation tank; a processing apparatus control unit for controlling the operation of each part of the processing apparatus; and a concentration measuring unit for measuring the concentration of the ink components included in the cleaning fluid in the storage tank. Furthermore, the processing apparatus control unit determines whether the concentration measured by the concentration measuring unit has reached a predetermined value, and triggers the first pump to move the cleaning fluid from the storage tank to the coagulation tank when the predetermined value is reached. However, the processing apparatus in Patent Document 1 has the following risk: if ink components or the like form thickeners, these thickeners can become trapped in the storage tank when the cleaning fluid stored therein is discharged, making it impossible to properly discharge the cleaning fluid. Patent Document 1 does not explore the idea of ​​properly determining whether there are signs of thickener formation. Regarding the formation of thickeners from ink components, various factors, including the concentration of the ink components, the state of the cleaning fluid, and the ambient temperature, also play a role. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The conveying apparatus of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned technical problems, is characterized by comprising: a conveyor belt having an outer peripheral surface capable of supporting a medium and conveying the medium; a cleaning roller that contacts the outer peripheral surface and is capable of cleaning the outer peripheral surface while rotating; a storage section for storing cleaning fluid supplied to the outer peripheral surface via the cleaning roller; a discharge port for discharging the cleaning fluid; a flow path pipe communicating with the discharge port, through which the cleaning fluid discharged can pass through the flow path pipe; a pump that causes a pressure change inside the flow path pipe to flow the cleaning fluid, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the discharge port and the flow path pipe; a sensor capable of detecting the pressure inside the flow path pipe; and a control unit that determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0006] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned technical problems is characterized by comprising: an ejection section for ejecting droplets of liquid onto a medium; a conveyor belt having an outer peripheral surface capable of supporting the medium and conveying the medium; a cleaning roller that contacts the outer peripheral surface and is capable of cleaning the outer peripheral surface while rotating; a storage section for storing cleaning fluid supplied to the outer peripheral surface via the cleaning roller; a discharge port for discharging the cleaning fluid; a flow path pipe communicating with the discharge port, through which the cleaning fluid discharged can pass through the flow path pipe; a pump that causes a pressure change inside the flow path pipe to cause the cleaning fluid to flow, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the discharge port and the flow path pipe; a sensor capable of detecting the pressure inside the flow path pipe; and a control section that determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section based on the detection result of the sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a side view of the liquid ejection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cleaning device in the liquid spraying device.

[0009] Figure 3 It means in Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the pressure inside the flow path tube when a thickener is formed in the liquid ejection device and the thickener reaches the inside of the flow path tube through the outlet.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning device in the liquid spraying device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning device in the liquid spraying device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0012] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0013] 1…Liquid spraying device; 2…Discharge section; 3…Driven roller; 4…Drive roller; 5…Conveyor belt; 5a…Outer circumferential surface; 6…Media attachment section; 7…Slide carriage; 8…Head (spraying section); 9…Cleaning section; 9A…Cleaning section; 9B…Cleaning section; 10…Cleaning roller; 11…Scraper section; 12…Shooting section; 13…Air supply section; 14…Storage section; 15…Motor; 20…Conveying device; 40…Control section; 92…Flow path pipe; 93…Flow path pipe; 94…Discharge port; 95…Flow path pipe; 96…Stirring section; 97…Heating section; L…Cleaning fluid; M…Media; P…Pump; S…Sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0014] First, an illustrative description of the present invention will be given.

[0015] The first aspect of the conveying device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned technical problems is characterized by comprising: a conveyor belt having an outer peripheral surface capable of supporting a medium and conveying the medium; a cleaning roller that contacts the outer peripheral surface and is capable of cleaning the outer peripheral surface while rotating; a storage section for storing cleaning fluid supplied to the outer peripheral surface via the cleaning roller; a discharge port for discharging the cleaning fluid; a flow path pipe communicating with the discharge port, through which the cleaning fluid discharged can pass through the flow path pipe; a pump that changes the pressure inside the flow path pipe and causes the cleaning fluid to flow, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the discharge port and the flow path pipe; a sensor capable of detecting the pressure inside the flow path pipe; and a control unit that determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0016] According to this method, the conveying device includes: a pump that changes the pressure inside the flow path pipe and causes the cleaning fluid to flow, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the outlet and the flow path pipe; a sensor that can detect the pressure inside the flow path pipe; and a control unit that determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section based on the sensor's detection result. If a thickening agent forms in the storage section, the outlet becomes blocked, and the opening area of ​​the outlet decreases, causing a change in the pressure inside the flow path pipe, but by adopting this structure, the control unit can appropriately determine whether there are signs of thickening agent formation. By appropriately performing this determination, the control unit can suppress the accumulation of thickening agent in the storage section containing the cleaning fluid, thus preventing the outlet from becoming blocked.

[0017] The second aspect of the conveying device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the conveying device includes a stirring unit capable of stirring the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit, and the control unit activates the stirring unit when it determines, based on the detection result of the sensor, that the outlet is blocked.

[0018] According to this method, the conveying device includes a stirring unit that can stir the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit. The control unit activates the stirring unit when it determines, based on sensor detection results, that the outlet is blocked. By employing this structure, when there are signs of viscous material forming, the stirring unit can be activated immediately to suppress the growth and decompose the viscous material, thus preventing outlet blockage.

[0019] The third-party delivery device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second manner, the pump is capable of causing the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section to flow in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, which is discharged through the outlet and the flow path pipe. When the control unit determines that the outlet is blocked based on the detection result of the sensor, it controls the pump to change the flow direction of the cleaning fluid from the first direction to the second direction.

[0020] According to this method, the pump enables the cleaning fluid to flow in both a first direction and a second direction. When the control unit determines, based on sensor detection results, that the outlet is blocked, it changes the flow direction of the cleaning fluid from the first direction to the second direction. That is, by changing the flow direction of the cleaning fluid from the first direction to the second direction, the cleaning fluid flows from the flow path pipe to the storage unit. By doing so, even when at least a portion of the outlet is blocked by thickeners, the thickeners can be pushed out of the flow path pipe towards the storage unit, and during this pushing process, at least a portion of the thickeners covering the outlet can be peeled off from the outlet. This improves the clogging of the outlet.

[0021] The fourth aspect of the conveying device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the control unit performs the action of changing the flow direction between the first direction and the second direction more than twice by controlling the pump.

[0022] According to this method, the control unit controls the pump to perform the action of changing the flow direction between the first direction and the second direction more than twice. Therefore, it is possible to increase the probability that at least a portion of the viscous material covering the discharge port is peeled off from the discharge port, and by changing the flow direction to make the cleaning fluid flow multiple times, the discharge port and the flow path pipe are cleaned with the cleaning fluid. As a result, the blockage of the discharge port can be effectively improved.

[0023] The fifth aspect of the conveying device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the conveying device includes a heating unit capable of heating the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit, and the control unit, based on the detection result of the sensor, determines that the outlet is blocked, changes the output of the heating unit from a first output to a second output that is greater than the first output.

[0024] According to this method, the conveying device includes a heating unit capable of heating the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit. When the control unit determines, based on sensor detection results, that the outlet is blocked, it changes the output of the heating unit from a first output to a second output. By employing this structure, the thickening agent generated in the storage unit can be redissolved relative to the cleaning fluid, thus slowing down the growth of the thickening agent and decomposing it.

[0025] The sixth aspect of the conveying device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the heating part is configured to surround the edge of the discharge port.

[0026] According to this method, the heating element is positioned around the edge of the discharge port. This structure allows for appropriate heating of the viscous material near the discharge port. Consequently, the viscous material becomes more readily redissolved in the cleaning fluid, effectively slowing down its growth and decomposing it.

[0027] The liquid ejection device of the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an ejection section for ejecting droplets of liquid onto a medium; a conveyor belt having an outer peripheral surface capable of supporting the medium and conveying the medium; a cleaning roller that contacts the outer peripheral surface and is capable of cleaning the outer peripheral surface while rotating; a storage section for storing cleaning fluid supplied to the outer peripheral surface via the cleaning roller; a discharge port for discharging the cleaning fluid; a flow path pipe communicating with the discharge port, through which the cleaning fluid discharged can pass through the flow path pipe; a pump that changes the pressure inside the flow path pipe and causes the cleaning fluid to flow, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the discharge port and the flow path pipe; a sensor capable of detecting the pressure inside the flow path pipe; and a control section that determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0028] According to this method, the liquid dispensing device includes: a pump that changes the pressure inside the flow path pipe and causes the cleaning fluid to flow, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the outlet and the flow path pipe; a sensor that can detect the pressure inside the flow path pipe; and a control unit that determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section based on the sensor's detection result. By adopting such a structure, the control unit can appropriately determine whether there are signs of viscous material formation, and by appropriately performing this determination, it can suppress the accumulation of viscous material in the storage section containing the cleaning fluid and the resulting blockage of the outlet.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] First, regarding the outline of the liquid ejection device 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, refer to... Figure 1 Please provide an explanation. For example... Figure 1 As indicated, the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment includes a conveying device 20 capable of conveying the medium M along the conveying direction A. It should be noted that in the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, the structure other than the carriage 7 described later can be regarded as the conveying device 20, but the liquid ejection device 1 including the carriage 7 as a whole can also be regarded as the conveying device 20.

[0032] The conveying device 20 includes a delivery section 2, which can deliver the medium M by rotating a roller-shaped medium M in the rotation direction C1. Additionally, the conveying device 20 includes a conveyor belt 5, which can transport the medium M delivered from the delivery section 2 along the conveying direction A. The conveying device 20 includes: a driven roller 3 located upstream of the conveying direction A, a drive roller 4 located downstream of the conveying direction A, and an annular belt, i.e., the conveyor belt 5, mounted on the driven roller 3 and the drive roller 4.

[0033] Here, the conveyor belt 5 is an adhesive belt having an outer peripheral surface 5a coated with adhesive on its outer surface, i.e., the supporting surface of the medium M. For example... Figure 1 As indicated, with the medium M attached to the outer peripheral surface 5a, the medium M is supported on the conveyor belt 5 and conveyed. In the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, the supporting area of ​​the medium M in the conveyor belt 5 is the upper area where the driven roller 3 and the drive roller 4 bridge. Furthermore, the drive roller 4 is a roller that rotates based on the driving force of the motor 15, the conveyor belt 5 rotates along with the rotation of the drive roller 4, and the driven roller 3 is a roller that rotates driven by the rotation of the conveyor belt 5.

[0034] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a carriage 7 capable of reciprocating along the width direction B of the conveyor belt 5, and a head 8 mounted on the carriage 7. The head 8 functions as a printing section capable of printing an image onto the medium M conveyed along the conveying direction A; alternatively, it functions as an ejection section that ejects liquid, i.e., ink, onto the medium M. The head 8 is positioned opposite the support area of ​​the medium M in the conveyor belt 5, and is capable of ejecting ink. In this case, the support area of ​​the medium M in the conveyor belt 5 can be considered as the opposite area to the head 8. The liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment can eject ink from the head 8 onto the conveyed medium M while reciprocating along the width direction B intersecting with the conveying direction A to form an image. Due to the carriage 7 having such a structure, the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment can repeatedly perform the operation of conveying the medium M along the conveying direction A with a predetermined conveying amount, and the operation of ejecting ink while moving the carriage 7 along the width direction B when the medium M is stopped, thereby forming the desired image on the medium M.

[0035] It should be noted that the liquid ejection device 1 in this embodiment is a so-called serial printer that alternately and repeatedly conveys a predetermined amount of medium M and moves the carriage 7 back and forth to perform printing. However, it can also be a so-called line printer that uses a line head with nozzles formed along the width direction B of the medium M to continuously convey the medium M and continuously perform printing. Furthermore, it can also be a printing device with a printing section having a structure different from that of an inkjet printing unit that ejects ink to perform printing.

[0036] In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device 1 has a camera unit 12 installed in the carriage 7, enabling it to capture images formed by ink ejected from the head 8. The image data captured by the camera unit 12 is sent to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 is capable of determining, based on this data, the detection results of a decoder (not shown), whether the predetermined conveying amount of the conveyor belt 5 deviates from the predetermined amount, and, if so, to what extent. The control unit 40 performs overall control of all structural components of the liquid ejection device 1 in this embodiment.

[0037] Furthermore, a medium-attaching portion 6 is formed at a position opposite to the conveyor belt 5 on the upstream side of the carriage 7 in the conveying direction A. The medium-attaching portion 6 presses the medium M against the conveyor belt 5 across the width direction B, thereby attaching the medium M relative to the conveyor belt 5 while suppressing the generation of wrinkles, etc.

[0038] If the medium M on which an image is formed by ejecting ink from head 8 is discharged from the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, it is sent to a drying device that evaporates the components of the ink ejected onto the medium M, or a winding device that winds up the medium M on which the image is formed, which is located further back than the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment.

[0039] Here, the medium M is preferably the material to be printed / dyed. The material to be printed / dyed refers to the fabric, clothing, and other apparel products that are the objects of printing / dyeing. Fabrics include natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, chemical fibers such as nylon, or fabrics, knitted fabrics, and non-woven fabrics made from a mixture of these fibers. Furthermore, clothing and other apparel products include not only sewn T-shirts, handkerchiefs, square scarves, towels, tote bags, cloth bags, curtains, bed sheets, bedspreads, and other furniture, but also fabric before and after cutting, existing as parts before sewing.

[0040] Furthermore, as the medium M, in addition to the aforementioned printing materials, ordinary paper, high-quality paper, and glossy paper, as well as other special papers for inkjet printing, can be used. Additionally, as the medium M, for example, if no surface treatment for inkjet printing is performed, i.e., a plastic film without an ink-absorbing layer can be used, as well as a medium coated with plastic on a paper substrate or the like, and a medium with a plastic film bonded to it. There are no particular limitations on the plastic used; examples include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

[0041] When using the printing material as the medium M, ink sprayed onto the medium M is prone to seeping into the back side, a phenomenon known as ink bleed-through, resulting in the conveyor belt 5 becoming soiled with ink. Therefore, in the liquid spraying device 1 of this embodiment, a cleaning section 9 is provided for cleaning ink that has seeped through and adhered to the conveyor belt 5. Details will be explained later. The cleaning section 9 of this embodiment includes a storage section 14 storing cleaning liquid L, a cleaning roller 10 soaked in cleaning liquid L and in contact with the conveyor belt 5, and a scraper section 11 for wiping the cleaning liquid L adhering to the conveyor belt 5. Furthermore, the liquid spraying device 1 of this embodiment includes an air supply section 13 capable of drying the cleaning liquid L that has not been thoroughly wiped away by the scraper section 11.

[0042] The liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment can convey the medium M along the conveying direction A by rotating the drive roller 4 along the rotation direction C1. Alternatively, the liquid ejection device 1 can convey the medium M in a direction opposite to the conveying direction A by rotating the drive roller 4 along the rotation direction C2, which is opposite to the rotation direction C1.

[0043] Next, refer to Figure 2The main part of the liquid ejection device 1 in this embodiment, namely the cleaning unit 9, will be described in detail. Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning section 9A of the cleaning section 9 of the liquid spraying device 1 in this embodiment includes a cleaning roller 10 that contacts the outer peripheral surface 5a of the conveyor belt 5 and can clean the outer peripheral surface 5a while rotating. Additionally, it includes a scraper section 11 that wipes away the cleaning liquid L adhering to the conveyor belt 5 by contacting the cleaning roller 10 with the conveyor belt 5. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the cleaning section 9A includes one cleaning roller 10 and one scraper section 11, but it is also possible to have multiple cleaning rollers 10 and scraper sections 11.

[0044] Furthermore, the cleaning unit 9A includes a storage unit 14, which is connected to flow path pipes 92, 93, and 95. Flow path pipe 92 serves as a supply path for the cleaning fluid L; flow path pipe 93 serves as a discharge path and is connected to a discharge port 94 that discharges the cleaning fluid L, allowing the cleaning fluid L discharged through the discharge port 94 to pass through and be discharged; flow path pipe 95 is a circulation path that can send the cleaning fluid L back to flow path pipe 92. It should be noted that, for the cleaning unit 9A of this embodiment, the side surface of the storage unit 14 is connected to flow path pipes 92 and 93, and the bottom surface of the storage unit 14 is connected to flow path pipe 95, but the connection positions of the flow path pipes are not limited to such connection positions. For example, flow path pipe 93 may also be connected to the bottom surface of the storage unit 14.

[0045] The storage section 14 stores cleaning fluid L. The cleaning roller 10 contacts the outer peripheral surface 5a and, while supplying the cleaning fluid L stored in the storage section 14 to the outer peripheral surface 5a, rotates in either the rotation direction C1 or the rotation direction C2 to clean the outer peripheral surface 5a. Here, valves (not shown) are provided in the flow path pipes 92 and 95. On the other hand, a pump P is provided in the flow path pipe 93. The pump P is configured to change the internal pressure of the flow path pipe 93 to negative and positive pressure, causing the cleaning fluid L to flow, so that the cleaning fluid L stored in the storage section 14 is discharged from the storage section 14 through the discharge port 94 and the flow path pipe 93. Furthermore, a sensor S capable of detecting the internal pressure of the flow path pipe 93 is provided in the flow path pipe 93. It should be noted that as long as the internal pressure of the flow path pipe 93 can be detected, there are no special restrictions on the structure and configuration of the sensor S. For example, the sensor S can also be set in the pump P and be able to measure the pump pressure of the pump P.

[0046] As the cleaning unit 9A cleans the outer peripheral surface 5a of the conveyor belt 5, the ink and other substances adhering to the outer peripheral surface 5a move into the storage unit 14. Furthermore, there is a possibility that this ink may accumulate in the storage unit 14. The ink may include components that are originally solid, such as pigments and solvents, and depending on the solvent composition, the ink components may form thickeners. Thickeners can be generated not only due to a simple increase in the concentration of solid components, but also due to various factors, such as reaction with surfactants in the cleaning liquid L causing coagulation, or a decrease in the dispersibility of solid components due to a low temperature in the cleaning liquid L. There is a risk that if the ink components form thickeners and accumulate in the storage unit 14, they may clog the discharge port 94 and the flow path pipe 93.

[0047] Here, as described above, the liquid dispensing device 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 40, which is configured to determine the state of the cleaning fluid L stored in the storage unit 14 based on the detection result of the sensor S. If viscous substances form in the storage unit 14, for example, if the outlet 94 is blocked and the opening area of ​​the outlet 94 is reduced, the pressure inside the flow path 93 changes. That is, there is a risk that even if the pump P is driven, the cleaning fluid L will not be discharged through the flow path 93. Therefore, by adopting such a structure as in this embodiment, the control unit 40 can appropriately determine whether there are signs of viscous substance formation, and by appropriately performing this determination, the accumulation of viscous substances in the storage unit 14 containing the cleaning fluid L and the blockage of the outlet 94 can be suppressed.

[0048] Here, use Figure 3 The pressure change inside the flow path 93 is explained in response to the situation where the thickening agent accumulates near the outlet 94 of the storage section 14 and the outlet 94 gradually becomes blocked. Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram representing the internal pressure of the flow path pipe 93, such as... Figure 3 As indicated, the pressure inside the flow path 93 increases rapidly as the thickening agent accumulates. It should be noted that in this embodiment, pump P is a pump that draws suction from inside the flow path 93 to create a negative pressure inside the flow path 93, thereby discharging the cleaning fluid L through the flow path 93. Figure 3 The vertical axis represents the magnitude of the negative pressure.

[0049] In the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, the pump P is configured to not only set the pressure inside the flow path pipe 93 to a negative pressure but also to set the pressure inside the flow path pipe 93 to a positive pressure. That is, the pump P of this embodiment can cause the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section to flow along a first direction E1, which is discharged through the outlet 94 and the flow path pipe 93, and a second direction E2, which is opposite to the first direction E1. Specifically, the pump P can cause the cleaning fluid L to flow along the first direction E1 by setting the pressure inside the flow path pipe 93 to a negative pressure. In addition, the pump P can cause the cleaning fluid L to flow along the second direction E2 by setting the pressure inside the flow path pipe 93 to a positive pressure. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that the outlet 94 is blocked based on the detection result of the sensor S, it can control the pump P, specifically, it can control the pump P to set the pressure inside the flow path pipe 93 from a negative pressure to a positive pressure, thereby changing the flow direction of the cleaning fluid L from the first direction E1 to the second direction E2.

[0050] The liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment is structured such that the flow direction of the cleaning fluid L can be changed from the first direction E1 to the second direction E2, allowing the cleaning fluid L to flow from the flow path pipe 93 to the storage section 14. Furthermore, by allowing the cleaning fluid L to flow from the flow path pipe 93 to the storage section 14, even when at least a portion of the outlet 94 is blocked by a sticky substance, the sticky substance can be pushed out from the flow path pipe 93 toward the storage section 14. During this pushing process, at least a portion of the sticky substance covering the outlet 94 can be peeled off from the outlet 94 toward the interior of the storage section 14. This improves the clogging of the outlet 94.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 40 of the liquid ejection device 1 in this embodiment can control the pump P to perform the operation of changing the flow direction of the cleaning fluid L between the first direction E1 and the second direction E2 more than twice. By performing the operation of changing the flow direction of the cleaning fluid L between the first direction E1 and the second direction E2 more than twice, the probability that at least a portion of the viscous material covering the discharge port 94 is peeled off from the discharge port 94 can be increased, and by changing the flow direction to make the cleaning fluid L flow multiple times, the discharge port 94 and the flow path pipe 93 are cleaned with the cleaning fluid L. As a result, the clogging of the discharge port 94 can be effectively improved.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] The following uses Figure 4 The liquid ejection device 1 of Embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 4 It is the liquid ejection device 1 of Example 1. Figure 2The corresponding figure. Here, the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, except for the structure of the cleaning section 9, specifically, has the same structure as the liquid ejection device 1 of Embodiment 1, except that it has a stirring section 96 inside the storage section 14. Therefore, the description of the common parts is omitted. It should be noted that the same reference numerals are used to show the structural components common to Embodiment 1 above, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0054] like Figure 4 As indicated, the cleaning section 9B of the liquid ejection device 1 in this embodiment, which is the cleaning section 9, includes a stirring section 96, which can stir the cleaning liquid L stored in the storage section 14. Furthermore, the control section 40 can activate the stirring section 96 if the discharge port 94 is determined to be blocked based on the detection result of the sensor S. With this structure, the stirring section 96 can be activated immediately when there are signs of thickening, thereby suppressing the growth of thickening and decomposing it, and preventing blockage of the discharge port 94. It should be noted that the stirring section 96 in this embodiment is propeller-shaped, but the structure of the stirring section 96 is not particularly limited. For example, an ultrasonic generating device that decomposes thickening by generating ultrasonic waves can be used as the stirring section 96.

[0055] Example 3

[0056] The following uses Figure 5 The liquid ejection device 1 of Example 3 will be described. Figure 5 It is the liquid ejection device 1 of Example 1. Figure 2 The corresponding figure. Here, the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, except for the structure of the cleaning section 9, specifically, except for the heating section 97, has the same structure as the liquid ejection device 1 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the common parts is omitted. It should be noted that the same reference numerals are used to show the structural components common to Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0057] like Figure 5As shown, the cleaning section 9C in the liquid dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, which is the cleaning section 9, includes a heating section 97 that can heat the cleaning fluid L stored in the storage section 14. The heating section 97 contacts the outside of the storage section 14 and is configured to surround the edge of the outlet 94 in a ring shape around the flow path pipe 93. Furthermore, if the control section 40 determines that the outlet 94 is blocked based on the detection result of the sensor S, it can change the output of the heating section 97 from the first output during normal use to a second output that is greater than the first output. By adopting such a structure, the viscous material generated in the storage section 14 can be redissolved relative to the cleaning fluid L, and the growth and decomposition of the viscous material can be delayed. It should be noted that the phrase "changing from the first output during normal use to a second output that is larger than the first output" also includes the following situation: during normal use, the drive of the heating unit 97 is set to off as the first output, and when the control unit 40 determines that the outlet 94 is blocked, the drive of the heating unit 97 is set to on as the second output.

[0058] Here, the heating element 97 is as follows Figure 5 As indicated, it is configured to surround the edge of the discharge port 94. By employing this structure, the viscous material near the discharge port 94 can be appropriately heated. This makes the viscous material easier to redissolve in the cleaning fluid L, effectively slowing down the growth and decomposing the viscous material. It should be noted that the heating unit 97 in this embodiment is a sheet-shaped heater that can be attached to the outside of the storage unit 14, but the structure of the heating unit 97 is not particularly limited. In addition to using heaters with structures other than sheet-shaped heaters, the heater can also be disposed inside the storage unit 14.

[0059] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as described in the claims. It goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A conveying device, characterized in that, have: A conveyor belt having an outer peripheral surface capable of supporting a medium and conveying the medium; The cleaning roller contacts the outer peripheral surface and is able to clean the outer peripheral surface while rotating; The storage section stores the cleaning fluid supplied to the outer peripheral surface via the cleaning roller; The outlet is capable of discharging the cleaning fluid; The flow path pipe is connected to the outlet, and the cleaning fluid discharged through the outlet can pass through the flow path pipe; A pump causes a pressure change inside the flow path pipe, which in turn causes the cleaning fluid to flow, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the outlet and the flow path pipe; The sensor is capable of detecting the pressure inside the flow path tube; as well as The control unit determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit based on the detection results of the sensor.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device includes a stirring unit capable of stirring the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit. If the control unit determines that the outlet is blocked based on the sensor's detection result, it activates the stirring unit.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The pump enables the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section to flow in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, through the outlet and the flow path pipe. If the control unit determines that the outlet is blocked based on the sensor's detection result, it controls the pump to change the flow direction of the cleaning fluid from the first direction to the second direction.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control unit controls the pump to perform the action of changing the flow direction between the first direction and the second direction more than twice.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The conveying device includes a heating unit capable of heating the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit. If the control unit determines that the outlet is blocked based on the detection result of the sensor, it changes the output of the heating unit from the first output to a second output that is greater than the first output.

6. The conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heating element is configured to surround the edge of the outlet.

7. A liquid ejection device, characterized in that, have: The ejector section ejects droplets of liquid onto the medium; A conveyor belt having an outer peripheral surface capable of supporting the medium and conveying the medium; The cleaning roller contacts the outer peripheral surface and is able to clean the outer peripheral surface while rotating; The storage section stores the cleaning fluid supplied to the outer peripheral surface via the cleaning roller; The outlet is capable of discharging the cleaning fluid; The flow path pipe is connected to the outlet, and the cleaning fluid discharged through the outlet can pass through the flow path pipe; A pump causes a pressure change inside the flow path pipe, which in turn causes the cleaning fluid to flow, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the storage section is discharged from the storage section through the outlet and the flow path pipe; The sensor is capable of detecting the pressure inside the flow path tube; as well as The control unit determines the state of the cleaning fluid stored in the storage unit based on the detection results of the sensor.

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