Medium processing device, and medium processing method

Abstract

To enhance a cleaning effect for cleaning an intermediate transfer part.SOLUTION: A medium processing device for forming an image on a medium includes: a head part for coating a liquid onto an intermediate transfer part; a transfer part for transferring an intermediate image formed of the liquid from the intermediate transfer part to the medium; a setting part for setting a division area where the intermediate transfer part is divided into a plurality of areas; a control part for making the division areas to be used different for each processing; and a cleaning part for cleaning the plurality of division areas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device and a media processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technology for performing processes such as image formation by transferring an image onto a medium such as paper using an intermediate transfer unit such as an intermediate transfer belt, rather than directly. Specifically, after a process of forming an intermediate image by applying ink to the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer unit is performed, the intermediate image is transferred onto the medium.

[0003] Thereafter, the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer part on which the ink has been applied must be washed (cleaned) before the formation of the subsequent image. Therefore, a technique for applying an aqueous cleaning liquid in a process for removing the previous image adhering to the image forming surface is known (for example, see Patent Document 1, etc.). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, in order to obtain a high cleaning effect, a configuration is required in which multiple cleaning devices are installed. However, installing multiple cleaning devices poses problems such as an increase in the size of the device. On the other hand, without multiple cleaning devices, there is a problem that the cleaning effect is low.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the cleaning effect of cleaning an intermediate transfer unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above objects, a media processing device comprises: A media processing device that forms an image on a medium, A head unit that applies liquid to the intermediate transfer unit; a transfer section that transfers an intermediate image formed with the liquid from the intermediate transfer section to the medium; a setting unit for setting a plurality of divided regions by dividing the intermediate transfer unit; A control unit that uses different divided regions for each process; a cleaning unit that cleans the divided regions; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the cleaning effect of cleaning the intermediate transfer unit can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a media processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first setting example of divided regions. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second setting example of divided regions. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall process. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, specific examples will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment is not limited to the specific examples described below.

[0010] [First embodiment] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a media processing device. Below, an example will be described in which the medium is "paper P" and the media processing device is an image forming device 100 that forms an image on paper P. In the image forming device 100 below, the intermediate transfer unit is an intermediate transfer belt 1.

[0011] When the rotary roller 11 rotates in a rotation direction A1, the intermediate transfer belt 1 moves in a movement direction A2.

[0012] For example, when forming a full-color image, that is, in four colors, the head unit 2 is made up of four color heads. Specifically, the head unit 2 is made up of a yellow head 2Y, a magenta head 2M, a cyan head 2C, and a black head 2K.

[0013] However, the head unit 2 may include heads other than the yellow head 2Y, the magenta head 2M, the cyan head 2C, and the black head 2K. For example, the head unit 2 may include a head corresponding to a color such as white.

[0014] The head unit 2 forms an image on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1 (hereinafter, the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 1 is referred to as an "intermediate image").

[0015] The transfer unit 3 is realized by, for example, a transfer roller, etc. The transfer unit 3 transfers the intermediate image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 1 onto the paper P transported in the transport direction A3.

[0016] The cleaning unit 4 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 1. For example, the cleaning unit 4 is realized by a roller, a blade, or the like. The cleaning unit 4 brings the roller, the blade, or the like into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 1 to perform cleaning to remove the remains of the intermediate image remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 1.

[0017] The detection unit 5 is realized by, for example, an optical sensor. However, the detection unit 5 may also be realized by an encoder. In addition, the type of sensor for the detection unit 5 is not important as long as it can detect the position of the intermediate transfer belt 1. The sensors that realize the detection unit 5 may be installed at multiple locations or may be of multiple types.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 100 may include a drying device or the like.

[0019] [Example of intermediate transfer belt] The intermediate transfer belt 1 includes, for example, an aluminum support and a silicone rubber surface layer formed on the support.

[0020] The material of the support is not limited to aluminum, and may be any material having sufficient mechanical strength. That is, the material of the support may be resin, metal, alloy, etc. Specifically, the support may include polyimide, nickel, nickel alloy, thermosetting resin, ceramic, etc., other than aluminum.

[0021] The material of the surface layer is, for example, silicone rubber. However, the material of the surface layer is not limited to silicone rubber and may be any elastic material that has low surface energy and high conformability to the paper P. In addition, it is preferable that the material of the surface layer has high releasability for ink.

[0022] It is desirable that the elasticity of the surface layer is such that, during transfer, the surface layer can deform along the fibers of the paper P. The elasticity of the surface layer increases the contact area between the surface layer and the paper P, thereby achieving a high transfer rate.

[0023] Furthermore, when transferring at a low pressure, it is desirable for the surface layer to be made of a material that is somewhat soft. Alternatively, the surface layer may be a thin coating. Specifically, the surface layer may be made of silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, phenylsilicone rubber, fluororubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, or the like. The thickness of the surface layer is preferably about 0.1 to 1 mm, and preferably 0.2 to 0.6 mm.

[0024] Ink adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 1 not by electrostatic force as in the method using toner, but by the adhesive force of the ink. Therefore, it is desirable for the intermediate transfer belt 1 to have a property that makes it easy for ink to adhere to the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1 when the ink is applied by the head unit 2, that is, high wettability. Furthermore, it is desirable for the intermediate transfer belt 1 to have a property that makes it easy for the intermediate image to be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 1 to the paper P by transfer after the ink is applied, that is, after the intermediate image is formed. In this way, it is desirable for the intermediate transfer belt 1 to have a property that is both wettable and releasable by the ink.

[0025] Furthermore, it is desirable for the intermediate transfer belt 1 to have heat resistance in case high temperatures are required for drying during cleaning.

[0026] [Example of division area settings] 2 is a diagram showing a first setting example of divided regions. For example, two regions (hereinafter, the set regions are referred to as "divided regions") are set on the intermediate transfer belt 1. Specifically, the divided regions are set as a first divided region 21 and a second divided region 22.

[0027] After the divided regions are set, the first divided region 21 and the second divided region 22 are used alternately for each process. For example, the first divided region 21 is used and the second divided region 22 is prohibited from use for an odd number of processes (first, third, fifth, ...). On the other hand, the second divided region 22 is used and the first divided region 21 is prohibited from use for an even number of processes (second, fourth, sixth, ...). In this way, control is performed so that the same divided region is not used consecutively in multiple processes.

[0028] When the position of the intermediate transfer belt 1 in the moving direction A2 is detected, it is determined whether the divided region is the first divided region 21 or the second divided region 22. Therefore, for the multiple divided regions, whether the head unit 2 performs processing or is prohibited from processing is determined based on the position information for the number of processing times.

[0029] It is preferable to set the divided regions so that their areas are nearly equal. If the areas are equal, the area available for processing is the same for both divided regions, which reduces the difference in available sizes for each region, for example, a paper size that can be handled by the first divided region 21 but not by the second divided region 22.

[0030] Also, it is desirable to set the divided regions to an area equal to or larger than the size that can be handled. For example, if the image forming apparatus 100 is designed to handle a maximum size of "A3" (420 mm long, 297 mm short, a standard size defined by JIS P 0138), it is desirable to set all divided regions to be equal to or larger than the "A3" size. Setting divided regions to such sizes makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of sizes that cannot be processed.

[0031] Moreover, it is preferable that the divided regions are set so that each side is a multiple of 420 millimeters in the longitudinal direction A2. In this way, when the divided regions are set as multiples of the standard size, management becomes easy.

[0032] When the divided regions are used in this manner, the cleaning unit 4 can clean the first divided region 21 and the second divided region 22 when the intermediate transfer belt 1 makes one revolution.

[0033] For example, after using the first divided region 21, the cleaning unit 4 cleans the entire image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1, including the first divided region 21. In the next process, the second divided region 22 is used for processing. Even in the process in which the second divided region 22 is used, the cleaning unit 4 cleans the entire image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1, so that the first divided region 21 can be cleaned twice before the next use. In this way, if the number of cleaning operations can be increased for one process, the possibility that residues remaining on the intermediate transfer unit can be removed by cleaning can be increased, and the cleaning effect of cleaning the intermediate transfer unit can be improved.

[0034] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the setting of divided regions. The following description will focus on the differences and omit redundant description.

[0035] 3 is a diagram showing a second example of setting divided regions. An example in which "N" divided regions are set will be described below. "N" is an integer equal to or greater than 3. "N", i.e., the number of divided regions, is set in advance by the user, for example.

[0036] The divided regions are set as a 21st divided region 31, a 22nd divided region 32, ..., a 2Nth divided region 3N. The 21st divided region 31 to the 2Nth divided region 3N, that is, the N divided regions, are set at predetermined intervals in the movement direction A2.

[0037] For the first time, image forming apparatus 100 sets 21st divided region 31 as the prohibited region, and uses divided regions other than 21st divided region 31. Next, for the second time, image forming apparatus 100 sets 22nd divided region 32 as the prohibited region, and uses divided regions other than 22nd divided region 32. Similarly, for the "N" time, image forming apparatus 100 sets 2Nth divided region 3N as the prohibited region, and uses divided regions other than 2Nth divided region 3N. Then, for the "N+1" time, the process returns to the first time.

[0038] As described above, by dividing the divided area into three or more areas, the number of times the washing can be done before the next use can be increased. Also, by dividing the divided area into multiple areas, the frequency of use of each divided area tends to be dispersed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a certain area from being used excessively.

[0039] [Hardware configuration example] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 has a hardware configuration including a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU100H1"), a read only memory (hereinafter referred to as "ROM100H2"), a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as "RAM100H3"), an actuator 100H4, a sensor 100H5, and an input / output device 100H6.

[0040] The CPU 100H1 is an example of a calculation device and a control device.

[0041] The ROM 100H2 and the RAM 100H3 are examples of storage devices.

[0042] The actuator 100H4 is a driving device that rotates the rotating roller 11 etc. The actuator 100H4 may include a control device such as a driver, and mechanical parts such as a reducer.

[0043] The sensor 100H5 is a detection device that detects the position of the intermediate transfer belt 1 and the like.

[0044] The input / output device 100H6 receives input from a user and outputs to the user a processing result, etc. For example, the input / output device 100H6 is an operation panel, etc.

[0045] With the above configuration, the arithmetic device, the control device, and the storage device cooperate with each other based on the program to execute various processes. Note that there may be another information processing device that executes the processes. Furthermore, the hardware configuration may further include an external or internal arithmetic device, a control device, a storage device, an input device, an output device, a communication device, or an auxiliary device.

[0046] Furthermore, the above hardware may be implemented, for example, in a concentrated manner in the image forming apparatus 100, or may be implemented in a peripheral device or the like.

[0047] [Overall processing example] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall process.

[0048] In step S0501, image forming apparatus 100 sets a division area. The division area may be set before the process is executed. Therefore, steps S0501 and S0502 do not necessarily have to be executed consecutively. For example, the division area may be set once and then reused for another print job, etc.

[0049] Hereinafter, it is assumed that after step S0501 is executed, image data is input and processing is started.

[0050] In step S0502, the image forming apparatus 100 judges whether or not the divided area is usable. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 judges whether or not the divided area is usable based on the number of times, the position information, and the like.

[0051] Next, if the divided area is available (YES in step S0502), image forming apparatus 100 proceeds to step S0503. On the other hand, if the divided area is not available (NO in step S0502), image forming apparatus 100 proceeds to step S0504.

[0052] In step S0504, the image forming apparatus 100 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 1.

[0053] In step S0505, image forming apparatus 100 judges whether or not the process is completed. Specifically, when a print job is input based on image data or the like, image forming apparatus 100 judges whether or not all images in the print job have been formed.

[0054] Next, if it is the end (YES in step S0505), image forming apparatus 100 ends the entire process. On the other hand, if it is not the end (NO in step S0505), image forming apparatus 100 proceeds to step S0502. That is, it proceeds to the next round.

[0055] [Example of functional configuration] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a head unit 2, a transfer unit 3, a cleaning unit 4, a setting unit 6, and a control unit 7. In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 preferably includes a detection unit 5.

[0056] The head unit 2 performs a process of applying ink to the intermediate transfer belt 1 .

[0057] The transfer unit 3 performs a transfer procedure for transferring the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer belt 1 to the paper P.

[0058] The cleaning unit 4 performs a cleaning procedure for cleaning the multiple divided regions.

[0059] The setting unit 6 performs a setting procedure for setting divided areas obtained by dividing the intermediate transfer belt 1 into a plurality of areas. For example, the setting unit 6 is realized by the CPU 100H1 or the like.

[0060] The control unit 7 performs a control procedure to change the divided area to be used for each process. For example, the control unit 7 is realized by the CPU 100H1 or the like.

[0061] The detector 5 performs a detection procedure to detect the position of the intermediate transfer belt 1 in the moving direction A2.

[0062] With the above-mentioned configuration, in the transfer using the intermediate transfer unit and in the inkjet method in which liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer unit, it is possible to set the intermediate transfer unit to be divided into divided regions. When the divided regions are set in this way, cleaning can be performed multiple times for one use of the intermediate transfer unit, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0063] In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which only a portion of the intermediate transfer section is used unevenly and thus causes rapid wear in only that portion.

[0064] [Media example] The medium means a medium to which paint or liquid can adhere at least temporarily, and to which it adheres and sticks, or to which it adheres and penetrates, etc. For example, the medium is a recording medium such as paper, recording paper, film, or cloth, an electronic board, an electronic component such as a piezoelectric element, a powder layer, an organ model, or an examination cell, and unless otherwise specified, includes all objects to which paint or liquid adheres.

[0065] The material of the medium is not limited as long as it can be coated with paint or liquid, such as paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, or ceramics, even if only temporarily.

[0066] [Other embodiments] The predetermined process may be a process other than image formation. For example, the predetermined process may be a surface treatment, formation of an electronic circuit resist pattern, or three-dimensional modeling. Specifically, the media processing device may be a three-dimensional modeling device (also called a "three-dimensional modeling device") that ejects modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed by forming a layer of powder in order to form a three-dimensional object (also called a "three-dimensional object").

[0067] A pre-processing device may be provided in the periphery of the media processing device, or the pre-processing device may be integrated with the media processing device.

[0068] There may be multiple media processing devices, preprocessing devices, or information processing devices, that is, each process may be performed in a distributed, parallel, or redundant manner by multiple devices.

[0069] The above-described medium processing method is performed by a medium processing device having a calculation device, a control device, and a storage device, etc. The medium processing method may also be realized by a program or the like.

[0070] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows.

[0071] <1> A media processing device that forms an image on a medium, A head unit that applies liquid to the intermediate transfer unit; a transfer section that transfers an intermediate image formed with the liquid from the intermediate transfer section to the medium; a setting unit for setting a plurality of divided regions by dividing the intermediate transfer unit; A control unit that uses different divided regions for each process; a cleaning unit that cleans the divided regions; The media processing device includes:

[0072] <2> a detection unit that detects a position in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer unit, The control unit is The divided area is determined based on the detection result of the position, The same divided area is prevented from being used consecutively in a plurality of processes. the above <1> The present invention relates to a media processing device.

[0073] <3> The setting unit is The divided areas are set at a predetermined interval in the intermediate transfer unit, For each process, a prohibited area in which application of the liquid is prohibited is set among the divided areas. the above <1> or <2> The present invention relates to a media processing device.

[0074] <4> The liquid is An ink comprising: When the toner is applied from the head unit, it adheres to the intermediate transfer unit by its adhesive force, The medium is It is paper, The intermediate transfer unit includes: Intermediate transfer belt the above <1> ~ <3> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can be modified or modified without departing from the technical gist of the invention. Therefore, all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims are the subject of the present invention. The above-mentioned embodiments are preferred examples. Those skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents, and such modifications are included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1: Intermediate transfer belt 2: Head section 3: Transfer section 4: Cleaning section 5: Detection section 6: Setting section 7: Control section 21: 1st divided area 22:Second divided area 31: 21st divided area 32: 22nd divided area 3N: 2Nth divided area 100: Image forming apparatus A1: Rotation direction A2: Movement direction A3: Conveying direction P: Paper

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0077]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A media processing device that forms an image on a medium, A head unit that applies liquid to the intermediate transfer unit; a transfer section that transfers an intermediate image formed with the liquid from the intermediate transfer section to the medium; a setting unit for setting a plurality of divided regions by dividing the intermediate transfer unit; A control unit that uses different divided regions for each process; a cleaning unit that cleans the divided regions; A media processing device comprising:

2. a detection unit that detects a position in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer unit, The control unit is The divided area is determined based on the detection result of the position, The same divided area is prevented from being used consecutively in a plurality of processes. The media processing device of claim 1 .

3. The setting unit is The divided areas are set at a predetermined interval in the intermediate transfer unit, For each process, a prohibited area in which application of the liquid is prohibited is set among the divided areas. The media processing device of claim 1 .

4. The liquid is An ink comprising: When the toner is applied from the head unit, it adheres to the intermediate transfer unit by its adhesive force, The medium is It is paper, The intermediate transfer unit includes: Intermediate transfer belt The media processing device of claim 1 .

5. A media processing method executed by a media processing device that forms an image on a medium, comprising: applying a liquid to an intermediate transfer unit; a transfer step of transferring the liquid-formed intermediate image from the intermediate transfer section to the medium; A setting step of setting divided areas into a plurality of areas of the intermediate transfer unit; A control procedure for controlling the divided regions to be used for each process to be different; a cleaning step of cleaning the plurality of divided regions; A media processing method comprising:

Images