Recording device

Abstract

The present invention provides a recording device for improving operating efficiency. The recording device (1) is characterized by comprising: a conveyor belt (33) having an adhesive layer (Ad) capable of adhering to a fabric (P) and conveying the fabric (P) adhered to the adhesive layer (Ad); a recording unit (60) that sprays pigment ink onto the conveyed fabric (P) for recording; a cleaning mechanism (100) that cleans the adhesive layer (Ad); and a control unit (5) that controls the execution of a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode. In the first cleaning mode, the control unit (5) supplies the cleaning mechanism (100) with a first cleaning fluid having the property of causing the adhesive layer (Ad) to swell, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism (100) to clean the adhesive layer (Ad). In the second cleaning mode, the control unit (5) supplies the cleaning mechanism (100) with a second cleaning fluid that does not have the above-mentioned property, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism (100) to clean the adhesive layer (Ad).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a recording device. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, recording devices were known to spray liquids such as ink onto media such as paper or cloth for printing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device comprising a conveyor belt for conveying the recording medium and a cleaning unit for cleaning the conveyor belt.

[0003] However, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 suffers from the problem of difficulty in improving operating efficiency. Specifically, if pigments are used in the color material of the ink, pigment-containing components sometimes adhere to the surface of the conveyor belt, forming a pigment film. This pigment film is difficult to remove using cleaning solutions such as water or surfactants, and the apparatus described above does not disclose any method for removing the pigment film. Removing the pigment film requires maintenance work, which may increase the downtime of the apparatus. Therefore, there is a need for a recording apparatus that can reduce downtime caused by maintenance work and other such tasks to improve operating efficiency.

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-71269. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A recording device, characterized in that it comprises: a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer capable of adhering fabric to which the fabric is adhered, and conveying the fabric adhered to the adhesive layer; a recording unit that sprays pigment ink onto the conveyed fabric for recording; a cleaning mechanism that cleans the adhesive layer; and a control unit that controls the execution of a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode, wherein in the first cleaning mode, the control unit supplies the cleaning mechanism with a first cleaning fluid having the property of causing the adhesive layer to swell, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the adhesive layer; and in the second cleaning mode, the control unit supplies the cleaning mechanism with a second cleaning fluid that does not have the aforementioned property, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the adhesive layer. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the recording device involved in the embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the cleaning mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0008] In the embodiments described below, a recording device 1 for digital printing on fabrics will be illustrated and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the application of the recording device of the present invention is not limited to printing.

[0009] In the following figures, mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, namely the XYZ axes, are labeled, and the direction indicated by each arrow is designated as the "+" direction, and the direction opposite to the "+" direction is designated as the "-" direction. When the recording device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface such as a floor, the -Z direction becomes the vertical direction. Sometimes the +Z direction is referred to as "up" and the -Z direction as "down." For ease of illustration, the sizes of the various components differ from their actual dimensions.

[0010] The fabric, serving as the recording medium, is unrolled from the raw material roll and dyed. Along the transport path of the fabric, which is then rolled into a cylinder, the side of the raw material roll is sometimes referred to as upstream, and the side of the fabric that is being rolled up is sometimes referred to as downstream. Furthermore, the direction in which the fabric is transported from upstream to downstream is defined as the transport direction.

[0011] like Figure 1 As shown, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 5, a media transport unit 2, a recording unit 60, a drying unit 70, a winding unit 40, an operation panel 80, and a cleaning mechanism 100. The recording device 1 also includes a housing (not shown). Each structure of the recording device 1 is supported by a frame F.

[0012] The recording device 1 causes pigments, inks, etc., to adhere to the fabric P, thereby forming images such as pictures, photographs, text, and patterns on the fabric P to create printed materials. (Regarding...) Figure 1 Unless otherwise specified, the description is assumed to describe the state observed from the -X direction.

[0013] The control unit 5 is electrically connected to each structure of the recording device 1 and provides unified control over the operation of each structure. Although details will be described later, the control unit 5 specifically controls the execution of the first cleaning mode and the second cleaning mode in the cleaning mechanism 100.

[0014] The control unit 5 includes hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 5 executes a predetermined control program via the CPU. The ROM is a non-volatile storage device that stores the control program executed by the CPU and the data processed by the control program. The RAM structure is the CPU's working area. The CPU expands the control program read from the ROM, etc., into the RAM and executes the expanded control program.

[0015] The operation panel 80 is also electrically connected to the control unit 5. The operation panel 80 accepts the display of various information for the user of the recording device 1, as well as the input of various operations or settings performed by the user. The control unit 5 also controls the recording device 1 based on the information input to the operation panel 80. In the following description, the user of the recording device 1 will be referred to simply as the user.

[0016] The operation panel 80 is supported by the frame F via a component not shown and is positioned above the recording device 1 at its +Y end. The user stands in the +Y direction of the recording device 1 and performs various inputs while looking at the operation panel 80. The operation panel 80 may be, for example, a touch-screen LCD. In addition to a display device such as an LCD, the operation panel 80 may also have physical buttons.

[0017] The media conveying unit 2 includes a media supply unit 10, conveying rollers 21, 22, 23, and 24, a conveying mechanism 30, and a winding unit 40. The media conveying unit 2 conveys the fabric P along a conveying path from upstream to downstream.

[0018] The media supply unit 10 includes a supply shaft 11, a bearing 12, and a rotation drive unit (not shown). The supply shaft 11 is generally cylindrical and holds the core of the raw material roll of fabric P. The bearing 12 supports both ends of the supply shaft 11 in a detachable and rotatable manner along the X-axis.

[0019] The rotary drive unit is, for example, an electric motor, which drives the supply shaft 11 to rotate. By rotating the supply shaft 11 and the conveying mechanism 30 (described later) with rotating rollers 32, the fabric P is unwound from the raw material roll and fed downstream.

[0020] Fabric P is conveyed from the medium supply unit 10 through the conveyor roller 21, and at the conveyor roller 22 the conveying direction is changed to approximately the +Y direction. Fabric P is then handed over to the conveying mechanism 30 from approximately the -Y direction.

[0021] Fibers used as raw materials for fabric P include, for example, natural fibers such as cotton, silk, hemp, sea caltrop, wool, and cashmere; regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupro fiber; and synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and polyurethane, which are made into single yarns, double yarns, or blends. Fabric P is made by processing the above fibers into woven or non-woven fabrics. In order to improve the various properties of fabric products made from printed and dyed fabric P, fabric P can also be pre-processed.

[0022] The conveying mechanism 30 includes rotating rollers 31 and 32, a conveyor belt 33, and a pressing part 50.

[0023] The conveyor belt 33 is positioned between the conveyor rollers 22 and 23 and conveys the fabric P. The conveyor belt 33 is a seamless belt and is mounted on a belt-rotating roller network 31 and 32 in an area opposite the recording unit 60 in the vertical direction. The conveyor belt 33 has an outer peripheral surface 33a and an inner peripheral surface 33b. The outer peripheral surface 33a and the inner peripheral surface 33b are in a face-to-back relationship. The fabric P can be placed on the outer peripheral surface 33a.

[0024] The conveyor belt 33 has an adhesive layer (not shown). This adhesive layer has adhesive force on the fabric P, thus enabling the fabric P to be adhered. The adhesive layer is arranged to span the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 33a. With the fabric P adhered to the adhesive layer, the conveyor belt 33 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by belt rollers 31 and 32. As a result, the fabric P is conveyed in the conveying direction. The conveying direction of the fabric P in the conveyor belt 33 is the +Y direction.

[0025] Along the X-axis, the width of the conveyor belt 33 is wider than the width of the fabric P. The direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as the width direction of the conveyor belt 33. In this embodiment, the width direction of the conveyor belt 33 is along the X-axis.

[0026] The rotating rollers 31 and 32 are generally cylindrical rotating components and are arranged in pairs. The rotating rollers 31 and 32 are each capable of rotating along a rotation axis along the X-axis. The rotating rollers 31 and 32 are arranged opposite each other in the direction along the Y-axis. The rotating roller 31 is located upstream of the conveying mechanism 30 and is positioned near the conveyor roller 22 in the +Y direction. The rotating roller 32 is located downstream of the conveying mechanism 30 and is positioned near the conveyor roller 23 in the -Y direction. A support member for supporting the conveyor belt 33 may also be arranged between the rotating rollers 31 and 32.

[0027] The belt rotating roller 31 is a driven roller that rotates counterclockwise by transmitting the rotation of the belt rotating roller 32 via the conveyor belt 33. The belt rotating roller 31 is supported in a rotatable manner on a roller support member (not shown).

[0028] The rotating roller 32 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by a conveyor drive motor (not shown). The conveyor drive motor is controlled by the control unit 5. The rotating roller 32 is supported on the roller support 39 in a rotatable manner.

[0029] The fabric P is transferred from the conveyor roller 22 to the conveyor mechanism 30 and is placed on the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33 above the rotating roller 31. At this time, the fabric P may not be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 33a.

[0030] The outer peripheral surface 33a supports the fabric P from below. The inner peripheral surface 33b contacts the belt rotating roller 31 and the belt rotating roller 32. The conveyor belt 33 is driven to rotate by the friction between the inner peripheral surface 33b and the belt rotating roller 32. The belt rotating roller 31 is driven by the friction between the inner peripheral surface 33b and the belt rotating roller 31.

[0031] In the X-axis direction, which is the width of the conveyor belt 33, the width of the adhesive layer on the outer peripheral surface 33a is approximately equal to the width of the conveyor belt 33. The path of the conveyor belt 33 from the belt rotating roller 31 to the belt rotating roller 32 is the conveying path of the fabric P. The path of the conveyor belt 33 folding back at the belt rotating roller 32 and returning to the belt rotating roller 31 is designated as the non-conveyoring path. The outer peripheral surface 33a faces upward in the conveying path and downward in the non-conveyoring path.

[0032] The adhesive layer on the outer peripheral surface 33a adheres the fabric P tightly through adhesive force. The adhesive layer may contain adhesive materials with adhesive properties, such as silicone resin, acrylic resin, or polyurethane resin. In the recording apparatus 1, acrylic resin is used as the substrate for the adhesive layer. Examples of known acrylic resins include polybutylene acrylate.

[0033] The pressing section 50 is positioned near the rotating roller 31 in the +Y direction. The pressing section 50 includes a pressing roller 51, a pair of support sections 53, a heating section 54, and a pair of drive sections (not shown). The pressing section 50 presses the fabric P against the adhesive layer of the conveyor belt 33, thereby adhering the fabric P to the adhesive layer.

[0034] The pressing roller 51 is a generally cylindrical rotating component. The axis of rotation for the pressing roller 51 is along the X-axis and it is positioned above the conveyor belt 33. Support portions 53 are respectively disposed at both ends of the pressing roller 51 along the X-axis. The pressing roller 51 is rotatably supported by a pair of support portions 53. The pair of support portions 53 are each supported on a drive unit. Along the X-axis, the length of the pressing roller 51 is approximately equal to the width of the conveyor belt 33.

[0035] One side of the drive unit is further positioned in the -X direction relative to the support portion 53 that supports the end of the pressure roller 51 in the -X direction. The other side of the drive unit is further positioned in the +X direction relative to the support portion 53 that supports the end of the pressure roller 51 in the +X direction.

[0036] A pair of drive units, driven by a lifting drive motor (not shown), move vertically while supporting a pair of support units 53. Therefore, the pressing roller 51 can be displaced vertically while being supported by the support units 53. This allows adjustment of the pressing force exerted by the pressing roller 51 on the adhesive layer of the outer peripheral surface 33a onto the fabric P.

[0037] Although not shown in the diagram, the pair of drive units, driven by the guide components and the motor, support the pair of support units 53 while also reciprocating along the Y-axis. Therefore, the pressing roller 51 can be supported by the support units 53 and reciprocate along the Y-axis.

[0038] The heating element 54 heats the conveyor belt 33. The heating element 54 is positioned below the conveyor belt 33, relative to the pressing roller 51. The upper surface of the heating element 54 is generally planar and contacts the lower inner circumferential surface 33b of the conveyor belt 33 along the conveying path. The distance of the heating element 54 along the Y-axis is approximately equal to the distance the pressing roller 51 travels reciprocally in both the conveying direction and the reverse conveying direction. The distance of the heating element 54 along the X-axis is approximately equal to the width of the conveyor belt 33 along the X-axis.

[0039] The heating element 54 is, for example, an electric heater. Heating by the heating element 54 heats the adhesive layer on the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33. Heating increases the softness of the adhesive layer, thereby increasing its adhesion to the fabric P. The heating temperature achieved by the heating element 54 is, for example, 35°C or higher and 60°C or lower on the surface above the heating element 54.

[0040] In the pressing section 50, fabric P is placed on the surface above the heating section 54 via the conveyor belt 33. The heating section 54 heats the conveyor belt 33, and the pressing roller 51 presses the fabric P onto the adhesive layer from above. In parallel with this, the pressing roller 51 rotates and reciprocates in the +Y and -Y directions. The fabric P and the conveyor belt 33 are pressed together between the surface above the heating section 54 and the pressing roller 51, thus pressing the fabric P tightly against the outer peripheral surface 33a. The fabric P is conveyed in the +Y direction while being tightly pressed against the conveyor belt 33 through the pressing section 50. Alternatively, the pressing roller 51 can also be used to heat the conveyor belt 33 instead of the heating section 54. Furthermore, depending on the type of fabric P or the characteristics of the adhesive layer, the heating section 54 may be omitted.

[0041] As a structure in which the pressing roller 51 has the function of heating the conveyor belt 33, the following heating roller types can be listed. The heating roller type has a support plate with a shape that is approximately the same as that of the heating section 54, a heating roller with a shape that is the same as that of the pressing roller 51, a pair of support sections 53, and a pair of drive sections. That is, the heating roller type performs the same operation as the pressing section 50, except that the heating roller undertakes the heating function of the heating section 54.

[0042] The recording unit 60 is located approximately at the midpoint of the conveyor belt 33 along the Y-axis, facing the outer peripheral surface 33a and the fabric P vertically. The recording unit 60 ejects pigment ink or the like onto the fabric P being conveyed by the conveyor belt 33, thus recording the process. This printing process is performed on the fabric P. The recording unit 60 includes an ejection section 61 (which serves as an inkjet head), a carriage 62, and a guide rail 63.

[0043] The guide rail 63 is a structural component extending along the X-axis and is positioned above the conveyor mechanism 30. The guide rail 63 supports the carriage 62 in a manner that allows it to move along the X-axis. The carriage 62, supported by the guide rail 63, reciprocates along the X-axis via a carriage drive motor (not shown). The ejector 61 is mounted below the carriage 62 and reciprocates along the X-axis with the carriage 62 relative to the conveyor belt 33.

[0044] The ejector section 61 ejects pigment inks and functional liquids, etc., onto the fabric P, which is placed on the outer peripheral surface 33a and conveyed, causing them to adhere. The ejector section 61 has a nozzle surface (not shown) facing downwards. The nozzle surface is opposed to the conveyor belt 33 and the fabric P in the vertical direction. Multiple nozzle rows are arranged on the nozzle surface. Each of the multiple nozzle rows consists of multiple nozzles. Each of the multiple nozzle rows ejects individually onto the fabric P various pigment inks and functional liquids, such as blue-green, magenta, yellow, and black. Examples of pigment inks include water-based inks and non-water-based inks. In this embodiment, water-based pigment inks are used.

[0045] In the ejection section 61, a piezoelectric element is used as a drive unit, i.e., an actuator. The drive unit is not limited to this. For example, an electromechanical conversion element that displaces the vibrating plate that acts as an actuator by electrostatic adsorption, or an electrothermal conversion element that ejects ink in the form of droplets by bubbles generated by heating, may also be used in the drive unit.

[0046] Although the illustration is omitted, pigment ink and functional liquid are supplied from the ink tank to the ejection section 61 via ink piping. The pigment ink and functional liquid ejected from the ejection section 61 adhere to the upward-facing surface of the fabric P.

[0047] While the ejector unit 61 reciprocates along the X-axis, the fabric P is conveyed in the +Y direction via the conveyor belt 33. At this time, pigments, inks, etc., are applied to the fabric P from the ejector unit 61 at predetermined timings. As a result, a desired image is formed on the fabric P.

[0048] The functional liquid is specifically a softener or pretreatment liquid. The spraying of the functional liquid onto the fabric P is set to be simultaneous with or pre- and post-arrival of the spraying of the pigment ink.

[0049] Fabric softeners improve the hand feel of printed fabrics (P) when they are processed into clothing or other textile products. There are no particular limitations on the type of softener used; any known softener can be applied. However, if the softener contains cationic components, it may sometimes react with components of the pigment ink to form aggregates. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid contact or mixing between the softener and the pigment ink.

[0050] The pretreatment solution has the function of causing pigments or resins in pigment inks to agglomerate on the surface of fabric P, thereby improving the color development of the printed material. There are no particular limitations on the type of pretreatment solution used; any known treatment agent can be applied. Since the pretreatment solution causes pigment agglomeration, it is preferable, in addition to its intended purpose, to avoid contact or mixing between the pretreatment solution and the pigment ink.

[0051] As functional liquids, other functional liquids besides softeners and pretreatment liquids can also be used. Examples of other functional liquids include coating liquids that improve the abrasion resistance or wash fastness of the printed fabric P, and penetrating liquids that assist the penetration of pigment inks into the fabric P.

[0052] In the ejection section 61, pre-ejection is performed before ejecting pigment ink and functional liquid onto the fabric P, and during the ejection interval. Pre-ejection is performed to prevent the drying or adhesion of pigment ink or functional liquid at the gas-liquid interface within each nozzle of the ejection section 61, and to prevent color mixing after cleaning the nozzles. The implementation of pre-ejection is controlled by the control section 5. The timing, time interval, and amount of pigment ink and functional liquid used for pre-ejection are appropriately set according to the type and characteristics of the pigment ink and functional liquid.

[0053] The printed fabric P is further conveyed in the +Y direction from the position opposite to the recording section 60. Then, the fabric P is peeled off from the conveyor belt 33 approximately above the rotating roller 32 and handed over to the conveyor roller 23 downstream of the rotating roller 32.

[0054] The conveyor belt 33 folds back from the conveying path to the non-conveying path at the belt rotating roller 32, and moves in the -Y direction with its outer peripheral surface 33a facing downward.

[0055] The cleaning mechanism 100 cleans the adhesive layer of the conveyor belt 33. The cleaning mechanism 100 is positioned below the conveyor belt 33 corresponding to the non-conveying path and is opposite to the outer peripheral surface 33a in the vertical direction.

[0056] Here, due to the presence of an adhesive layer, the conveying of the fabric P in close contact with the ground, and the pre-spraying process, dirt such as pigment ink, loose threads of the fabric P, or foreign matter can easily adhere to the adhesive layer on the outer peripheral surface 33a. If the contamination of the adhesive layer is significant, the fabric P may become soiled when the conveyor belt 33 rotates around and comes into contact with the fabric P again before printing. Furthermore, the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer may be reduced due to dirt.

[0057] Specifically, sometimes a portion of the pigment ink and functional liquid can pass through the fabric P to the adhesive layer and form a pigment film on the surface of the adhesive layer. Furthermore, to improve the fixing properties of the fabric P, fixing resin is often added to the pigment ink. Therefore, a pigment film can sometimes easily form in the adhesive layer. Additionally, if a pretreatment solution is used as a functional liquid, it can sometimes promote pigment aggregation, thereby advancing the formation of the pigment film.

[0058] When the formation of the pigment film or the adhesion of dirt becomes significant, the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer may decrease, thus hindering the transport of the fabric P. In such cases, maintenance operations such as re-adhesive layer re-application or replacement of conveyor belt 33 will be performed. Since maintenance operations such as re-adhesive layer re-application are performed by stopping the operation of recording device 1, they become a major cause of reduced operating efficiency of recording device 1. To address this, recording device 1 is equipped with a cleaning mechanism 100 to clean the dirt from the adhesive layer, thereby reducing the frequency of maintenance operations. Details of the cleaning mechanism 100 will be described later.

[0059] On the non-conveying path of the conveyor belt 33, a detection unit 110 is provided between the cleaning mechanism 100 and the belt rotating roller 31. The detection unit 110 detects the adhesive force of the adhesive layer of the conveyor belt 33. The detection unit 110 is electrically connected to the control unit 5. The adhesive force information detected by the detection unit 110 is sent to the control unit 5. Through the detection unit 110, the adhesive force of the adhesive layer can be monitored, in other words, the contamination status of the adhesive layer can be monitored.

[0060] As the detection unit 110, a known adhesive force measuring device can be used. The configuration of the detection unit 110 is not limited to between the washing mechanism 100 and the rotating roller 31. Furthermore, the detection unit of the present invention is not limited to an adhesive force measuring device. For example, the detection unit of the present invention may also be a mechanism that calculates the adhesive force based on the peeling angle of the fabric P peeled off at the rotating roller 32. Alternatively, the detection unit of the present invention may also be a mechanism that calculates the adhesive force based on the rotational resistance of the conveying drive motor that drives the rotating roller 32.

[0061] The conveyor belt 33 folds back from the non-conveyor path to the conveyor path at the rotating roller 31, and moves in the +Y direction with its outer peripheral surface 33a facing upward. In this way, the conveyor belt 33 rotates counterclockwise.

[0062] The conveyor roller 23 peels the printed fabric P from the conveyor belt 33. The fabric P peeled from the conveyor belt 33 is conveyed in a generally +Y direction, and the conveying direction is changed to generally downward at the conveyor roller 23. The conveyor rollers 23 and 24 relay the fabric P to the take-up section 40.

[0063] A drying section 70 is disposed between conveyor rollers 23 and 24. The drying section 70 dries the pigment ink and functional liquid adhering to the fabric P. The drying section 70 includes, for example, an infrared heater. The infrared rays emitted by the infrared heater cause the volatile components contained in the pigment ink and functional liquid adhering to the fabric P to evaporate. As a result, the droplets of pigment ink or functional liquid are dried, allowing the fabric P to be wound up by the winding section 40. The fabric P enters the winding section 40 after passing through the conveyor rollers 24.

[0064] The take-up section 40 is located downstream and below the conveyor roller 24. The take-up section 40 recovers the printed fabric P, i.e., the printed material. The take-up section 40 includes a take-up shaft 41, a bearing section 42, and a rotary drive section (not shown). The take-up shaft 41 is generally cylindrical and winds the printed material into a roll. The bearing section 42 rotatably supports both ends of the take-up shaft 41 along the X-axis. Furthermore, the take-up shaft 41 can be attached to and detached relative to the bearing section 42. The rotary drive section rotates the take-up shaft 41 counterclockwise. By rotating the take-up shaft 41, the printed material is wound up. Thus, the printed material is produced by the recording device 1.

[0065] like Figure 2As shown, the cleaning mechanism 100 includes a cleaning section 101, a storage tank 102, a cleaning fluid tank 103, a supply section 105, a dispensing section 107, a discharge section 109, a wiping section 111, and a wiping section 113. As described above, the cleaning mechanism 100 cleans and removes pigment film or dirt adhering to the adhesive layer Ad on the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33. Furthermore, in Figure 2 In the diagram, a dashed line represents the conveyor belt 33 that is not on the conveying path. On the non-conveyor path, the conveyor belt 33 moves in the -Y direction.

[0066] The cleaning section 101, the wiping section 111, and the wiping section 113 are positioned to contact the adhesive layer Ad of the conveyor belt 33 and are arranged in the above order facing the -Y direction. The adhesive layer Ad rubs and slides against these structures in the order of the cleaning section 101, the wiping section 111, and the wiping section 113.

[0067] The cleaning fluid tank 103 is a bathtub-shaped container with an open top, capable of storing the liquid used to clean the adhesive layer Ad. The liquid referred to here includes the first cleaning fluid, the second cleaning fluid, and a mixture of the first and second cleaning fluids, described later. These liquids may sometimes contain foreign matter such as fragments of pigment film or dirt transferred from the adhesive layer Ad during cleaning. Furthermore, in the following description, the liquid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103 may sometimes be collectively referred to simply as cleaning fluid.

[0068] A cleaning fluid tank 103 is positioned below the cleaning section 101. Cleaning fluid is stored at the bottom of the cleaning fluid tank 103. The cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103 soaks a portion of the lower part of the cleaning section 101. Along the X-axis, the width of the cleaning fluid tank 103 is greater than the width of the cleaning section 101.

[0069] As cleaning fluids, a first cleaning fluid, a second cleaning fluid, and a mixture of the first and second cleaning fluids are used. The type of cleaning fluid can be selected according to the degree of pigment film or dirt in the adhesive layer Ad.

[0070] Although not shown in the diagram, a draining mechanism is provided at the bottom of the cleaning fluid tank 103. This draining mechanism discharges the cleaning fluid accumulated in the cleaning fluid tank 103. The draining mechanism is used when changing the cleaning fluid or cleaning the cleaning fluid tank 103. The draining mechanism is, for example, a solenoid valve, which is opened and closed under the control of the control unit 5, thereby allowing the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid tank 103 to be discharged arbitrarily.

[0071] The first cleaning solution has the property of swelling the adhesive layer Ad. The first cleaning solution is, for example, an organic solvent, and is selected according to the type of adhesive layer Ad. Because the first cleaning solution swells the adhesive layer Ad, pigments or dirt adhering to the surface of the adhesive layer Ad are lifted and easily removed. The first cleaning solution is suitable for a first cleaning mode. Furthermore, the first cleaning solution is also suitable for a third cleaning mode in which the first cleaning solution and a second cleaning solution are mixed in the cleaning solution tank 103 for cleaning.

[0072] Preferably, the first cleaning solution does not dissolve the adhesive layer Ad. That is, preferably, the first cleaning solution is a substance with relatively low solubility relative to the resin that forms the substrate of the adhesive layer Ad. By making the first cleaning solution have low solubility, the deterioration of the adhesive layer Ad can be suppressed.

[0073] Although not specifically limited to being the first cleaning solution, examples include (2-methoxyethoxy)propanol (also known as dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether), 2-butoxyethanol, ethoxylated propoxylated alcohol (C=16-18), 3-methoxy-3-methylbutanol, and (R)-4-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclohex-1-ene, among other alcohol or glycol ether organic solvents. In addition to the aforementioned organic solvents, the first cleaning solution may also contain additives such as water or defoamers.

[0074] Preferably, the first cleaning solution does not contain surfactants. This suppresses foaming caused by the first cleaning solution. Furthermore, if surfactants are used, rinsing is required, thus eliminating the need for a rinsing step or mechanism.

[0075] The second cleaning fluid does not have the property of causing the adhesive layer Ad to swell. The second cleaning fluid is, for example, water. Examples of water include ion-exchanged water, ultrafiltered water, reverse osmosis water, distilled water, and tap water. In this embodiment, tap water is used as the second cleaning fluid. The second cleaning fluid is suitable for both the second and third cleaning modes.

[0076] The second cleaning solution may also contain additives such as bactericides. From the same viewpoint as the first cleaning solution, it is preferable that the second cleaning solution also does not contain surfactants.

[0077] The supply unit 105 supplies a first cleaning fluid and a second cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank 103 of the cleaning mechanism 100. The supply unit 105 includes a pump 105a for supplying the first cleaning fluid, a piping 105b, a switch 105c, and a supply pipe 105d. In addition, the supply unit 105 includes a piping 105e for supplying the second cleaning fluid, a switch 105f, and a supply pipe 105g.

[0078] The liquid delivery pump 105a, piping 105b, switch 105c, and supply pipe 105d, and piping 105e, switch 105f, and supply pipe 105g are arranged in the order described above, facing the cleaning liquid tank 103. The supply pipe 105g is connected midway to the supply pipe 105d. That is, the second cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 103 after flowing from the supply pipe 105g into the supply pipe 105d. The first and second cleaning liquids flow in the supply section 105 in the order described above.

[0079] The storage tank 102 stores the first cleaning solution. The storage tank 102 is a liquid receiving container, such as a resin tank. The storage tank 102 has a lid (not shown), which allows the first cleaning solution to be replenished by opening the lid. The storage tank 102 is sealed by closing the lid.

[0080] Since the user only needs to replenish the first cleaning fluid to the storage tank 102, the convenience for the user is improved. In addition, since the storage tank 102 functions as a buffer tank, the first cleaning fluid can be replenished to the storage tank 102 while the cleaning mechanism 100 consumes the first cleaning fluid.

[0081] The supply unit 105's piping 105b is connected to the storage tank 102 via a liquid delivery pump 105a. The liquid delivery pump 105a delivers the first cleaning fluid stored in the storage tank 102 to the piping 105b. The piping 105b is connected to the opening and closing unit 105c.

[0082] The opening and closing unit 105c changes the supply amount of the first cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning fluid tank 103. The opening and closing unit 105c is connected to the piping 105b and the supply pipe 105d, and sends the first cleaning fluid with the adjusted supply amount to the cleaning fluid tank 103 through the supply pipe 105d.

[0083] The valve (not shown) within the opening / closing section 105c can be adjusted to freely change its opening degree between fully open and fully closed. The opening degree of the valve in the opening / closing section 105c is controlled by the control unit 5 described above. That is, the control unit 5 controls the opening / closing section 105c of the supply unit 105, thereby adjusting the supply amount of the first cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning fluid tank 103. This improves user convenience compared to the case where the user manually adjusts the supply amount. A known valve mechanism, such as a solenoid valve, can be used in the valve of the opening / closing section 105c.

[0084] The supply pipe 105d connects to the opening / closing part 105c and the cleaning fluid tank 103. The supply pipe 105d is connected to the side wall of the cleaning fluid tank 103 in the +Y direction and communicates with the interior of the opening / closing part 105c and the inner side of the cleaning fluid tank 103. In addition, as described above, the supply pipe 105d is connected to the end of the supply pipe 105g.

[0085] Pipe 105e connects to the supply source of the second cleaning fluid and the switch 105f. In this embodiment, since tap water is used as the second cleaning fluid, pipe 105e is connected to a tap water faucet, for example, via a flexible hose. Alternatively, it can be configured such that pipe 105e is connected to a container similar to the storage tank 102 and tap water or the second cleaning fluid is supplied from that container.

[0086] The opening / closing unit 105f changes the supply amount of the second cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank 103. The opening / closing unit 105f is connected to the piping 105e and the supply pipe 105g, and sends the second cleaning fluid with the adjusted supply amount to the supply pipe 105g.

[0087] The valve (not shown) within the opening / closing section 105f can arbitrarily change its opening degree between fully open and fully closed. The opening degree of the valve in the opening / closing section 105f is controlled by the control unit 5 described above. That is, the control unit 5 controls the opening / closing section 105f of the supply unit 105, thereby adjusting the supply amount of the second cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank 103. The same valve mechanism as that in the opening / closing section 105c can be used in the valve of the opening / closing section 105f.

[0088] Here, by adjusting the opening degree of the opening / closing part 105c and the opening / closing part 105f, the first cleaning fluid and the second cleaning fluid can be supplied to the cleaning fluid tank 103 simultaneously. Therefore, the concentration of the first cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid can be adjusted.

[0089] The supply pipe 105g connects the opening / closing part 105f and the supply pipe 105d. The supply pipe 105g is connected in the middle of the supply pipe 105d and communicates with the interior of the opening / closing part 105f and the interior of the supply pipe 105d.

[0090] The first and second cleaning fluids supplied from the supply unit 105 accumulate at the bottom of the cleaning fluid tank 103 along the side wall in the +Y direction. Furthermore, the configuration of each structure of the supply unit 105 described above is an example and is not limited to the specific case described.

[0091] The regulating section 107 regulates the volume of cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103. The regulating section 107 is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning fluid tank 103 in the -Y direction. The regulating section 107 is a plate-shaped partition. The regulating section 107 protrudes upward from the bottom of the cleaning fluid tank 103 along the XZ plane. Cleaning fluid is stored in the area defined by the side walls, bottom, and regulating section 107 of the cleaning fluid tank 103.

[0092] exist Figure 2 In the image, the area described above is set as a diagonal shaded line. Figure 2The cleaning fluid is at level Lv1, which is the fluid level when the cleaning fluid tank 103 is full. When more cleaning fluid is supplied from the level Lv1 state, the cleaning fluid will overflow in the -Y direction, passing the designated section 107. The overflowing cleaning fluid is discharged from the discharge section 109 to the outside of the cleaning fluid tank 103.

[0093] The cleaning fluid discharged from the discharge section 109 can be collected in a drain tank or the like, or it can be recycled and reused. In the case of recycling and reuse, a condensation section, a recovery section, and a circulation section are sequentially arranged after the discharge section 109.

[0094] In the agglomeration section, pigment particles or resin components contained in the pigment ink are agglomerated. Pigment particles are dispersed in water by a dispersion resin having anionic groups introduced onto the particle surface or added to the pigment particles. Therefore, if cationic components are added, dispersion stability is hindered, making the pigment particles or dispersion resin prone to agglomeration. Therefore, cationic components are added in the agglomeration section to agglomerate the pigment particles or dispersion resin.

[0095] In the recycling section, foreign matter such as pigment film or dust, as well as aggregated pigment particles or dispersion resin, are recovered and removed by filtration.

[0096] The circulation unit, for example, is a pump for supplying cleaning fluid, from which foreign matter or pigment particles have been removed, to the cleaning fluid tank 103 or the storage tank 102, depending on the composition of the cleaning fluid. Alternatively, a condensation unit, a recovery unit, and a circulation unit can be provided in the above-mentioned drainage mechanism to reuse the cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103.

[0097] The cleaning mechanism 100 operates with the cleaning fluid at either level Lv1 or level Lv2, which is lower than level Lv1. Even at level Lv2, the lower portion of the cleaning section 101 is immersed in the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid tank 103. When cleaning at level Lv1, either the first or second cleaning fluid can be continuously supplied for flow cleaning. As a result, foreign matter and the like in the cleaning fluid tank 103 are discharged along with the cleaning fluid through the designated section 107. Therefore, by storing the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid tank 103, foreign matter is reduced, thus maintaining the cleanliness of the cleaning fluid. Conversely, at level Lv2, the supply of both the first and second cleaning fluids can be stopped, and washing can be performed using only the cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103.

[0098] Since the maximum amount of cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103 is specified by the regulating section 107, the liquid level Lv1, i.e., the upper limit of the liquid surface, can be prevented from being excessively stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103. In addition, by supplying cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank 103, the cleaning fluid can be allowed to overflow, thereby maintaining the cleanliness of the stored cleaning fluid.

[0099] The cleaning fluid tank 103 is equipped with a level measuring unit 104 that measures the height of the cleaning fluid level stored in the tank, i.e., the liquid level. The level measuring unit 104 is a known liquid level sensor, such as a contact or non-contact type. The level measuring unit 104 measures the position of the liquid level, including levels Lv1 and Lv2. The level measuring unit 104 is electrically connected to the control unit 5. The information on the liquid level height measured by the level measuring unit 104 is sent to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 can control the supply unit 105 and the aforementioned draining mechanism to adjust the position of the liquid level, including levels Lv1 and Lv2.

[0100] The composition of the cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103, i.e., the concentration of the first cleaning fluid, can be adjusted by adding water to the first cleaning fluid in the storage tank 102, or by adjusting the ratio of the first cleaning fluid to the second cleaning fluid supplied from the supply unit 105. Alternatively, the first cleaning fluid can be used as a undiluted solution.

[0101] The cleaning unit 101 cleans the adhesive layer Ad of the conveyor belt 33. The cleaning unit 101 is a generally cylindrical brush with its central axis along the X-axis. Although not shown in the figure, the cleaning unit 101 is supported by a support member and rotates counterclockwise on the aforementioned central axis by a drive motor.

[0102] The cleaning unit 101 rotates while coated with cleaning fluid, contacting the adhesive layer Ad to scrape off contaminants such as pigment film. At this time, the control unit 5 selects and implements a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode. The first cleaning mode is implemented when the adhesion of pigment film or contaminants on the adhesive layer Ad is significant. The second cleaning mode is implemented when the adhesion of pigment film or contaminants on the adhesive layer Ad is slight or almost nonexistent. A third cleaning mode can also be implemented in an intermediate state between the first and second cleaning modes.

[0103] Foreign matter such as pigment film or dirt is transferred from the adhesive layer Ad to the cleaning unit 101 by its rotation. After friction and sliding with the adhesive layer Ad, the cleaning unit 101 rotates and is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 103, causing the foreign matter wiped off the adhesive layer Ad to be transferred to the cleaning liquid and thus cleaned. By rotating the conveyor belt 33, the area on the adhesive layer Ad that has rubbed and slid with the cleaning unit 101 moves towards the wiping unit 111.

[0104] The wiping section 111 slides against the adhesive layer Ad, thereby scraping off cleaning fluid and other substances adhering to the adhesive layer Ad. The wiping section 111 is a generally plate-shaped rubber component. The cleaning fluid scraped off from the surface of the adhesive layer Ad falls downward and is discharged from the discharge section 109. By rotating the conveyor belt 33, the area on the adhesive layer Ad that has rubbed against the wiping section 111 moves towards the wiping section 113.

[0105] The wiping section 113 absorbs and removes trace amounts of cleaning fluid or the like remaining on the adhesive layer Ad. The wiping section 113 is a generally cylindrical sponge component with its central axis along the X-axis. Multiple wiping sections 113 are arranged. Along the X-axis, the width of each wiping section 113 is shorter than the width of the adhesive layer Ad. When viewed from above, the wiping sections 113 are arranged in an alternating pattern. As the adhesive layer Ad passes through the multiple wiping sections 113, the entire area of ​​the adhesive layer Ad along the X-axis rubs and slides against any one of the wiping sections 113.

[0106] Each wiping unit 113 is rotated counterclockwise by an electric motor (not shown). Due to the rotation of the conveyor belt 33, areas on the adhesive layer Ad that have rubbed and slid against the wiping unit 113 pass through the detection unit 110 and are folded back from the non-conveyor path to the conveyor path. Thus, the adhesive layer Ad on the conveyor belt 33 is cleaned.

[0107] Next, the control of cleaning conditions in the cleaning mechanism 100 implemented by the control unit 5 will be described. In the following description, reference will be made to... Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 .

[0108] In the first cleaning mode, the control unit 5 supplies a first cleaning solution from the supply unit 105 to the cleaning solution tank 103, and causes the cleaning mechanism 100 to clean the adhesive layer Ad. Furthermore, in the second cleaning mode, the control unit 5 supplies a second cleaning solution from the supply unit 105 to the cleaning solution tank 103, and causes the cleaning mechanism 100 to clean the adhesive layer Ad. Further, in the third cleaning mode, the control unit 5 supplies both the first and second cleaning solutions from the supply unit 105 to the cleaning solution tank 103, and causes them to clean the adhesive layer Ad.

[0109] The cleaning power for pigment films and the like adhering to the adhesive layer Ad is proportional to the concentration of the component in the first cleaning solution that causes the adhesive layer Ad to swell. In other words, the first cleaning mode has a higher cleaning power compared to the second cleaning mode. The third cleaning mode has a lower cleaning power compared to the first cleaning mode, and a higher cleaning power compared to the second cleaning mode. In the cleaning unit 100, the first, second, and third cleaning modes are used depending on the degree of contamination of the pigment film and the like.

[0110] The cleaning mechanism 100 can continuously clean the conveyor belt 33 during the operation of the recording device 1 in manufacturing the printed material. Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism 100 can also perform cleaning before or after the recording device 1 begins manufacturing the printed material. In this embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 100 continuously cleans the conveyor belt 33 during the operation of the recording device 1. Additionally, since the recording device 1 typically starts operation from a relatively clean state with the adhesive layer Ad, the control unit 5 first begins cleaning in the second cleaning mode.

[0111] The control unit 5 executes a first cleaning mode when the adhesive force of the adhesive layer Ad, detected by the detection unit 110, falls below a threshold. That is, it executes the first cleaning mode when it receives a decrease in the adhesive force of the adhesive layer Ad. The threshold value is, for example, 60% when the initial adhesive force of the adhesive layer Ad is set to 100%.

[0112] As pigment film formation or contamination progresses on the adhesive layer Ad, the adhesive strength gradually decreases. Therefore, a first cleaning mode is automatically executed based on the degree of pigment film formation or contamination. This suppresses the deterioration of the adhesive layer Ad, thereby further improving the operating efficiency of the recording device 1. Furthermore, the automatic execution of the first cleaning mode enhances user convenience.

[0113] During the recording operation of the recording device 1 on the fabric P, i.e., during the production of the printed material, the control unit 5 can replace the second cleaning mode and execute the first cleaning mode. That is, during the operation of the recording device 1, it is possible to switch from the second cleaning mode to the first cleaning mode. The switching is based on the detection results of the detection unit 110 or the user's instructions. To perform the switching, the aforementioned discharge mechanism can also be used to switch the cleaning fluid from the second cleaning fluid to the first cleaning fluid.

[0114] The formation of pigment film or the adhesion of dirt occurs during the recording operation. Therefore, by performing a first cleaning mode during the recording operation, pigment film growth is prevented and the film becomes easier to remove. This further improves the operating efficiency of the recording device 1.

[0115] The control unit 5 stops the first cleaning mode when the adhesive force of the adhesive layer Ad, detected by the detection unit 110, exceeds a threshold. That is, it stops the first cleaning mode and switches to the second cleaning mode when it receives a result indicating that the adhesive force of the adhesive layer Ad has been improved by the first cleaning mode. The threshold is, for example, 90% when the initial adhesive force of the adhesive layer Ad is set to 100%. To perform this switching, the aforementioned discharge mechanism can also be used to switch the cleaning fluid from the first cleaning fluid to the second cleaning fluid.

[0116] If the pigment film or dirt on the adhesive layer Ad is removed, the adhesive force will be restored. By stopping the first cleaning mode when the adhesive force is restored, the execution of the first cleaning mode can be made necessary and sufficient, thereby suppressing the waste of the first cleaning fluid. In addition, if the recording operation is still in progress in the recording device 1 after the first cleaning mode is stopped, the second cleaning mode is implemented.

[0117] The control unit 5 automatically implements or switches between the first and second cleaning modes based on changes in the adhesive force of the adhesive layer Ad. Alternatively, the user can switch modes arbitrarily via the operation panel 80. Furthermore, the user can select the cleaning timer or cleaning mode.

[0118] Alternatively, the third cleaning mode can be implemented first when switching from the first cleaning mode to the second cleaning mode. Furthermore, the third cleaning mode can also be implemented when switching from the second cleaning mode to the first cleaning mode. The implementation of the third cleaning mode is set to follow the test results of the testing unit 110 or the user's instructions.

[0119] While the method of changing the cleaning mode based on adhesive force has been shown above, it is not limited to this. The control unit 5 can also change the cleaning mode based on the elapsed time since each cleaning mode was implemented. For example, the following methods can be specifically listed.

[0120] First, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the recording action, the system switches to the first cleaning mode. As described above, the second cleaning mode is essentially implemented at the start of the recording action. In this case, the predetermined time is, for example, 30 minutes.

[0121] Then, you can switch to the second cleaning mode after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the first cleaning mode was implemented, for example, after 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can switch to the third cleaning mode after the first cleaning mode has been implemented, for example, after 30 minutes. Or, you can continue implementing the first cleaning mode after 30 minutes.

[0122] In addition, users can choose to change the cleaning mode based on adhesive force or based on the elapsed time before, after, or at any time point during the recording action.

[0123] The control unit 5 can supply a first cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank 103 and a second cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank 103 in the first cleaning mode. That is, it is also possible to add a second cleaning fluid during the cleaning process in the first cleaning mode to implement a third cleaning mode. Since the first cleaning fluid and the second cleaning fluid are mixed, a third cleaning mode in which the mixing ratio of the two is changed according to the degree of pigment coating or the degree of dirt can be applied.

[0124] In the first cleaning mode, after the liquid accumulated in the cleaning liquid tank 103, i.e., the cleaning liquid, is discharged from the discharge mechanism, the control unit 5 supplies the first cleaning liquid from the supply unit 105 to the cleaning liquid tank 103. Then, when the first cleaning liquid accumulates to the liquid level Lv1 or the liquid level Lv2, the control unit 5 cleans the adhesive layer Ad.

[0125] The cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid tank 103 may sometimes contain pigment film or dirt removed from the adhesive layer Ad. Therefore, after draining these particles, a first cleaning mode is performed by storing a clean first cleaning fluid. This makes it easier to remove pigment film or dirt from the adhesive layer Ad, thereby further suppressing the deterioration of the adhesive layer Ad and further improving the operating efficiency of the recording device 1.

[0126] In the first cleaning mode, after the first cleaning fluid has accumulated in the cleaning fluid tank 103, the control unit 5 can further supply the first cleaning fluid from the supply unit 105 to the cleaning fluid tank 103 when cleaning the adhesive layer Ad. Preferably, the first cleaning fluid is at level Lv1 at the start of cleaning. Since clean first cleaning fluid is supplied in an additional manner, the first cleaning mode can be implemented while the cleaning fluid overflows from the cleaning fluid tank 103. This improves the cleaning power of the first cleaning fluid on the adhesive layer Ad.

[0127] Furthermore, the additional supply of the first cleaning fluid in the first cleaning mode implementation described above is set to be performed when the pigment film or dirt adhesion to the adhesive layer Ad is severe and the adhesion of the adhesive layer Ad is significantly reduced. When the reduction in adhesion is not so severe, the additional supply of the first cleaning fluid is not performed, and the cleaning fluid is supplied at a level Lv2 where it does not overflow from the cleaning fluid tank 103.

[0128] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0129] This reduces downtime caused by maintenance work, thereby improving the operating rate of the recording device 1. Specifically, in the first cleaning mode, the adhesive layer Ad swells due to the first cleaning fluid, making it easier for pigment films or dirt to float to the surface and be removed. This reduces the frequency of maintenance work such as rework of the adhesive layer Ad or replacement of the conveyor belt 33, thus shortening the downtime of the recording device 1. Therefore, a recording device 1 with improved operating rate can be provided.

[0130] In the second cleaning mode, a second cleaning solution that does not cause the adhesive layer Ad to swell is used for cleaning. The second cleaning mode is suitable for minor pigment film or dirt. Depending on the degree of pigment film or dirt, the first and second cleaning modes can be used respectively. This reduces the amount of first cleaning solution used and improves user convenience.

[0131] The following describes the content derived from the implementation method.

[0132] The recording device is characterized by comprising: a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer capable of adhering fabric to it and conveying the fabric adhered to the adhesive layer; a recording unit that sprays pigment ink onto the conveyed fabric for recording; a cleaning mechanism that cleans the adhesive layer; and a control unit that controls the execution of a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode, wherein in the first cleaning mode, the control unit supplies a first cleaning fluid having the property of causing the adhesive layer to swell to the cleaning mechanism, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the adhesive layer; and in the second cleaning mode, the control unit supplies a second cleaning fluid without the property to the cleaning mechanism, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the adhesive layer.

[0133] According to this structure, downtime caused by maintenance operations can be shortened, thereby improving the operating rate of the recording device. Specifically, in the first cleaning mode, the adhesive layer swells due to the first cleaning fluid, making it easier for the pigment film to float from the adhesive layer and be removed. This reduces the frequency of maintenance operations such as adhesive layer repair or conveyor belt replacement, thus shortening the downtime of the recording device. Therefore, a recording device with improved operating rate can be provided.

[0134] In the second cleaning mode, a second cleaning solution that does not cause the adhesive layer to swell is used for cleaning. This second cleaning mode is suitable for minor pigment film or dust contamination. Depending on the degree of pigment film or contamination, the first and second cleaning modes can be used accordingly. This improves user convenience.

[0135] The recording device described above includes: a storage tank for storing a first cleaning solution; and a supply unit connected to the storage tank and supplying the first cleaning solution to the cleaning mechanism.

[0136] According to this structure, user convenience is improved because the user only needs to replenish the first cleaning fluid to the storage tank. Furthermore, since the storage tank functions as a buffer tank, the first cleaning fluid can be replenished to the storage tank even during the execution of the first cleaning mode.

[0137] In the aforementioned recording device, the control unit controls the supply unit, thereby adjusting the supply amount of the first cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning mechanism.

[0138] This structure improves user convenience compared to manually adjusting the supply.

[0139] In the above-mentioned recording device, the cleaning mechanism has a cleaning liquid tank capable of storing liquid. In the first cleaning mode, after the liquid accumulated in the cleaning liquid tank is discharged, the control unit supplies the first cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid tank and cleans the adhesive layer while the first cleaning liquid is accumulated in the cleaning liquid tank.

[0140] According to this structure, the liquid accumulated in the cleaning fluid tank sometimes contains pigment film or dirt from the adhesive layer. By draining these particles and cleaning with a clean first cleaning fluid, the pigment film or dirt from the adhesive layer becomes easier to remove. This further inhibits the deterioration of the adhesive layer, thereby improving operating efficiency.

[0141] In the aforementioned recording device, in the first cleaning mode, after the first cleaning fluid has accumulated in the cleaning fluid tank, the control unit can further supply the first cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank when cleaning the adhesive layer.

[0142] According to this structure, since a first cleaning fluid is supplied in an additional manner, the cleaning power of the first cleaning fluid on the adhesive layer can be improved.

[0143] In the aforementioned recording device, the control unit can execute the first cleaning mode during the recording operation of the fabric.

[0144] According to this structure, a pigment film begins to form during the recording operation. Therefore, by performing a first cleaning mode during the recording operation, the pigment film becomes easy to remove. This further improves the operating efficiency of the recording device.

[0145] In the above-mentioned recording device, the control unit can supply a first cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank and a second cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank in the first cleaning mode.

[0146] According to this structure, since the first cleaning liquid and the second cleaning liquid can be mixed and used, the mixing ratio of the two can be changed according to the degree of pigment coating or the degree of dirt.

[0147] The recording device described above includes a detection unit that detects the adhesive force of the adhesive layer, and a control unit that executes a first cleaning mode based on the case where the adhesive force detected by the detection unit is below a threshold.

[0148] According to this structure, the adhesive force gradually decreases as pigment film formation or contamination progresses in the adhesive layer. Therefore, a first cleaning mode is automatically executed based on the degree of pigment film formation or the level of contamination. This suppresses the deterioration of the adhesive layer, thereby further improving operating efficiency. Furthermore, the automatic execution of the first cleaning mode enhances user convenience.

[0149] The aforementioned recording device includes a detection unit that detects the adhesive force of the adhesive layer, and a control unit that stops the first cleaning mode when the adhesive force detected by the detection unit exceeds a threshold.

[0150] According to this structure, the adhesive force will be restored when the pigment film or dirt in the adhesive layer is removed. By stopping the first cleaning mode when the adhesive force is restored, the execution of the first cleaning mode can be made necessary and sufficient, thereby suppressing the waste of the first cleaning fluid, etc.

[0151] In the aforementioned recording device, the first cleaning fluid does not contain surfactants.

[0152] This structure can suppress foaming caused by the first cleaning solution. Furthermore, if a surfactant is used, rinsing is required, thus eliminating the need for a rinsing step or mechanism.

[0153] Symbol Explanation 1…Recording device, 5…Control unit, 33…Conveyor belt, 60…Recording unit, 100…Cleaning mechanism, 102…Reservoir, 103…Cleaning fluid tank, 105…Supply unit, 110…Detection unit, Ad…Adhesive layer, P…Fabric.

Claims

1. A recording device, characterized in that, have: A conveyor belt having an adhesive layer capable of bonding fabric to it, and conveying the fabric bonded to the adhesive layer; The recording unit sprays pigment ink onto the conveyed fabric for recording. A cleaning mechanism that cleans the adhesive layer; The control unit controls the execution of the first cleaning mode and the second cleaning mode. In the first cleaning mode, the control unit supplies a first cleaning liquid with the property of causing the adhesive layer to swell to the cleaning mechanism, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the adhesive layer. In the second cleaning mode, the control unit supplies a second cleaning liquid without the aforementioned property to the cleaning mechanism, thereby causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the adhesive layer.

2. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, have: A storage tank for storing the first cleaning solution; The supply unit is connected to the storage tank and supplies the first cleaning fluid to the cleaning mechanism.

3. The recording device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The control unit controls the supply unit, thereby adjusting the supply amount of the first cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning mechanism.

4. The recording device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The cleaning mechanism has a cleaning liquid tank capable of storing liquid. In the first cleaning mode, after draining the liquid accumulated in the cleaning liquid tank, the control unit supplies the first cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid tank, and cleans the adhesive layer while the first cleaning liquid is accumulated in the cleaning liquid tank.

5. The recording device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, In the first cleaning mode, after the first cleaning fluid has accumulated in the cleaning fluid tank, the control unit can further supply the first cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank when cleaning the adhesive layer.

6. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, During the recording action of recording the fabric, the control unit can execute the first cleaning mode.

7. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, In the first cleaning mode, the control unit can supply the first cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank and the second cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid tank.

8. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The device includes a detection unit that detects the adhesive force of the adhesive layer. The control unit executes the first cleaning mode when the adhesive force detected by the detection unit falls below a threshold.

9. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The device includes a detection unit that detects the adhesive force of the adhesive layer. The control unit stops the first cleaning mode when the adhesive force detected by the detection unit exceeds a threshold.

10. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first cleaning solution does not contain surfactants.

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