Manufacturing method for belt

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method for belts that reduces the cost relating to manufacturing of belts.SOLUTION: In the manufacturing method for belts, a plate made of metal material is formed into a cylinder, and ends thereof are joined to create an endless metal layer 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a belt.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multilayer endless tubular belt that has excellent durability and satisfies a desired adhesive strength without providing a primer layer. Patent Document 1 describes that by laminating a base material layer and a surface layer that has been surface-modified, a multilayer endless tubular belt that has excellent durability and satisfies a desired adhesive strength can be obtained without providing a primer layer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when manufacturing the belt described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk of high cost depending on the materials used and the manufacturing method. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a belt that can reduce the cost related to the manufacture of the belt.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a belt, which includes forming a plate material made of a metal material into a cylindrical shape and joining the ends of the plate material to form an endless metal layer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the descriptions of directions such as front, rear, left, right, and up and down are the same as the directions with respect to the printing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified. Also, the symbol UP shown in each figure indicates the upper side of the printing apparatus 1 along the vertical direction, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the printing apparatus 1. The left-right direction and the front-rear direction of the printing apparatus 1 are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a main part side view showing each part related to the medium conveyance path R of the printing apparatus 1. In FIG. 1, the medium conveyance path R is shown by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that prints characters and images on a recording sheet P by discharging ink from a line-shaped inkjet head onto the recording sheet P, which is a medium. In the printing apparatus 1, the recording sheet P is conveyed through the medium conveyance path R shown by a broken line. In the following description, in the medium conveyance path R, the direction in which the recording sheet P is conveyed is referred to as the conveyance direction F.

[0009] The printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 that is a housing. The apparatus main body 2 is provided with a first media cassette 3 and a second media cassette 4. Both the first media cassette 3 and the second media cassette 4 function as storage units for storing the recording paper P. The first media cassette 3 and the second media cassette 4 are detachably provided to the apparatus main body 2 from the front side.

[0010] The apparatus main body 2 is provided with a pick-up roller 9 for feeding out the recording paper P stored in the first media cassette 3 and a pick-up roller 10 for feeding out the recording paper P stored in the second media cassette 4. The apparatus main body 2 is provided with a pair of feed rollers 11 for feeding out the recording paper P fed out from the first media cassette 3 in an obliquely upward direction and a pair of feed rollers 12 for feeding out the recording paper P fed out from the second media cassette 4 in an obliquely upward direction. Further, the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 13 for conveying the recording paper P fed out by the pair of feed rollers 12 in an upward direction.

[0011] The apparatus main body 2 is provided with pairs of conveying rollers 14, 15, and 16. The pairs of conveying rollers 14, 15, and 16 are arranged above the pair of feed rollers 11 and the pair of conveying rollers 13. Each of the pairs of conveying rollers 14, 15, and 16 sequentially conveys the recording paper P fed out from the pair of feed rollers 11 and the pair of conveying rollers 13 toward the upper part of the apparatus main body 2.

[0012] Each of the pairs of feed rollers 11, 12 and the pairs of conveying rollers 13, 14, 15, 16 includes a driving roller driven by a motor and a driven roller that rotates in a driven manner in contact with the driving roller. Each of the pairs of feed rollers 11, 12 and the pairs of conveying rollers 13, 14, 15, 16 conveys the recording paper P sandwiched between the driving roller and the driven roller in the conveying direction F by the rotation of the driving roller and the driven roller. In the following description, for the "pair of rollers", it is assumed that, similar to the pairs of feed rollers 11, 12 and the pairs of conveying rollers 13, 14, 15, 16, it includes a driving roller and a driven roller, and the recording paper P is sandwiched and conveyed by these.

[0013] On the upper part of the apparatus main body 2, a head unit 25 is provided. The head unit 25 includes a line head 26 that injects a predetermined ink. The line head 26 is a line inkjet head that can inject ink without performing scanning. The line head 26 includes an ink ejection surface 26a that is a plane. A plurality of nozzles for injecting ink are arranged along an orthogonal direction I that is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction F on the ink ejection surface 26a. The orthogonal direction I is a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the printing apparatus 1. The orthogonal direction I is shown in FIG. 3 described later. Note that each of the nozzles provided on the ink ejection surface 26a may be arranged not only in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction F but also in a direction obliquely intersecting the conveyance direction F. The row of nozzles provided on the ink ejection surface 26a is formed to have a width that is at least the same as or wider than the printable range of the recording paper P.

[0014] An ink storage unit 5 for storing ink is provided in the apparatus main body 2. The ink ejected from the line head 26 is supplied from the ink storage unit 5 to the line head 26 through a flow path formed by a tube or the like. The ink storage unit 5 includes a plurality of ink tanks.

[0015] A conveyance device 30 is provided in the apparatus main body 2. The conveyance device 30 includes a conveyance belt 33, a drive pulley 31, and a driven pulley 32. The conveyance belt 33 is an endless belt wound around the drive pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32. The conveyance belt 33 rotates when the drive pulley 31 is driven by a belt drive motor 57. The belt drive motor 57 is shown in FIG. 2 described later. The belt drive motor 57 may be an actuator such as a motor.

[0016] The conveyance belt 33 is looped around the drive pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 to form a flat surface portion. The conveyance belt 33 is arranged such that the flat surface portion faces the ink ejection surface 26a in parallel. The conveyance belt 33 rotates along the conveyance direction F on its peripheral surface. The width direction of the conveyance belt 33 coincides with the orthogonal direction I which is the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction F.

[0017] The recording paper P is sent between the line head 26 and the conveyance belt 33 by each of the conveyance roller pairs 14, 15, and 16. The recording paper P is adsorbed by the conveyance belt 33 and is conveyed by the conveyance belt 33 while being held in a state where one surface of the recording paper P faces the ink ejection surface 26a. Then, ink is ejected from each of the nozzles on the ink ejection surface 26a onto one surface of the recording paper P conveyed by the conveyance belt 33, thereby performing recording. In this case, the width direction of the recording paper P coincides with the orthogonal direction I on the surface of the recording paper P.

[0018] When recording is performed on one surface of the recording paper P by the line head 26, the recording paper P is sent upward by the conveyance roller pair 17 located downstream of the conveyance belt 33. A flap 23 is provided downstream of the conveyance roller pair 17. In the printing apparatus 1, the conveyance path of the recording paper P is switched by this flap 23.

[0019] At the upper part of the apparatus main body 2, a discharge position A1 for discharging the recording paper P from the inside of the apparatus main body 2 to the outside of the apparatus main body 2 and a discharge position A2 are provided. When discharging the recording paper P after recording is performed on one surface, the medium conveyance path R is switched by the flap 23 to a path leading to the upper conveyance roller pair 20.

[0020] A flap 24 is provided downstream of the conveyance roller pair 20. The medium conveyance path R is switched by this flap 24 to either a path for discharging the recording paper P from the discharge position A1 or a path for conveying the recording paper P to the conveyance roller pair 21 located vertically above the flap 24. The recording paper P discharged from the discharge position A1 is received by a discharge tray 27 provided in the apparatus main body 2. When the recording paper P is sent toward the transport roller pair 21, it is discharged from the discharge position A2. The recording paper P discharged from the discharge position A2 is received by, for example, an optional tray or the like.

[0021] When recording is performed on the other surface in addition to one surface of the recording paper P, the recording paper P is sent upward by the flap 23, passes through the branch position K1, and is sent from the branch position K1 to the upper switchback path. A transport roller pair 22 is provided in this switchback path. The recording paper P transported to the switchback path is transported upward by the transport roller pair 22. In the printing apparatus 1, when the upstream end of the recording paper P passes through the branch position K1, the rotation direction of the transport roller pair 22 is switched. As a result, the recording paper P is transported downward.

[0022] In the apparatus main body 2, transport roller pairs 18 and 19 are provided between the transport roller pair 22 and the transport roller pair 15. When the recording paper P is transported downward by the transport roller pair 22, it is sent out by the transport roller pairs 18 and 19 and reaches the transport roller pairs 15 and 16. The recording paper P is sent to the transport belt 33 again by the transport roller pairs 15 and 16. In this case, the other surface of the recording paper P faces the line head 26. As a result, in the printing apparatus 1, recording by the line head 26 can be performed on the other surface of the recording paper P. When the recording paper P is recorded on the other surface, it is discharged from the above-described discharge position A1 or discharge position A2.

[0023] Next, the transport device 30 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part showing the transport device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport belt 33 constituting the transport device 30 is an endless belt formed by applying an insulating material to a base material formed of a metal material. The conveying belt 33 is looped around a driving pulley 31 located on the upstream side and a driven pulley 32 located on the downstream side in the medium conveying path R. A predetermined tension is applied to the conveying belt 33 by a tensioner or the like. As a result, a flat surface is formed on the conveying belt 33 at a position facing the ink ejection surface 26a.

[0024] The driving pulley 31 is rotationally driven by a belt driving motor 57. When the driving pulley 31 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow, the conveying belt 33 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2. In the conveying device 30, the driven pulley 32 rotates as the conveying belt 33 rotates.

[0025] Both the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 are rod-shaped members arranged such that their longitudinal directions extend along the orthogonal direction I. The length dimensions of the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 in the longitudinal direction are formed longer than the width dimension, which is the dimension of the conveying belt 33 in the direction along the orthogonal direction I.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5 to be described later, each of the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 is provided with a large-diameter portion 40 and a small-diameter portion 42. The large-diameter portion 40 is provided at the central portion of each of the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 in the longitudinal direction. The small-diameter portion 42 is provided at both ends of each of the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 in the longitudinal direction, and is formed with a smaller diameter dimension than the large-diameter portion 40. The large-diameter portion 40 is entirely covered by the conveying belt 33, and at least both ends of the small-diameter portion 42 protrude outward from the conveying belt 33.

[0027] At a location positioned between the large-diameter portion 40 and the small-diameter portion 42, a landing portion 43, which is a stepped surface formed by the difference in diameter dimensions between the large-diameter portion 40 and the small-diameter portion 42, is provided. The landing portion 43 is a plane orthogonal to the orthogonal direction I.

[0028] Note that a support plate for supporting the conveyor belt 33 may be provided inside the conveyor belt 33. The support plate is a plate-shaped member having a plane facing the ink ejection surface 26a. By being supported from the inner side by the support plate, the conveyor belt 33 may have its deflection restricted at a position facing the ink ejection surface 26a, and a stable flat surface may be formed.

[0029] In the conveying device 30, a charging roller 29 is provided at a position facing the driving pulley 31 with the conveyor belt 33 interposed therebetween. The charging roller 29 is in contact with the outer surface of the conveyor belt 33 and rotates passively in accordance with the rotation of the conveyor belt 33. A DC voltage is applied to the charging roller 29 by the belt charging unit 58. As a result, the charging roller 29 supplies electric charges to the portion in contact with the conveyor belt 33 and generates an electrostatic force.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the charging roller 29 supplies positive charges to the conveyor belt 33 and charges the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33 to a positive polarity. As a result, the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33 becomes an adsorption surface for adsorbing the recording paper P. That is, the recording paper P conveyed to the conveyor belt 33 is held on the conveyor belt 33 by so-called electrostatic adsorption.

[0031] A support roller 34 that contacts the medium is provided on the upstream side of the line head 26. The support roller 34 presses the recording paper P against the portion of the conveyor belt 33 wound around the driving pulley 31. The support roller 34 is arranged to contact the recording paper P.

[0032] When electric charges are applied to the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33 by the charging roller 29, electric charges of the opposite polarity are generated on the surface of the recording paper P that contacts the outer peripheral surface 33a. On the surface of the recording paper P opposite to the surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface 33a, that is, on the recording surface where recording of the recording paper P is performed, electric charges of the opposite polarity to the electric charges generated on the surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface 33a are generated.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the support roller 34 contacts the recording surface of the recording paper P, the charges on the recording surface side of the recording paper P are removed. As a result, only the charges on the side of the recording paper P that contacts the conveyance belt 33 remain, and the recording paper P is more strongly adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface 33a. Also, when the conveyance device 30 is driven without the recording paper P being conveyed on the conveyance belt 33, the support roller 34 abuts against the outer peripheral surface 33a. As a result, the charges on the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyance belt 33 are removed.

[0034] The outer surface of the support roller 34 may be made of any material as long as it can remove charges from the recording paper P and the conveyance belt 33. The outer surface of the support roller 34 is formed of a resin material such as conductive nylon, for example. Note that the support roller 34 may function as a friction imparting portion that causes charging due to friction on the conveyance belt 33. Further, the printing apparatus 1 may include a charge removing brush or the like that contacts the recording paper P instead of the support roller 34.

[0035] An upstream sensor 65 and a downstream sensor 66 are provided in the conveyance device 30. The upstream sensor 65 is provided at a position on the upstream side of the line head 26 and facing the conveyance belt 33 in the medium conveyance path R. The downstream sensor 66 is provided at a position on the downstream side of the line head 26 and facing the conveyance belt 33 in the medium conveyance path R. In this embodiment, the upstream sensor 65 and the downstream sensor 66 are arranged at substantially the center in the width direction of the conveyance belt 33 and at positions facing the conveyance belt 33.

[0036] Note that the upstream sensor 65 and the downstream sensor 66 may be arranged at any position in the width direction of the conveyance belt 33 as long as they are at positions facing the conveyance belt 33. Also, for example, a plurality of upstream sensors 65 and downstream sensors 66 may be arranged along the width direction of the conveyance belt 33.

[0037] The upstream sensor 65 and the downstream sensor 66 are optical sensors each including a light emitting unit that emits light toward the conveyor belt 33 and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light, which is light reflected from the recording paper P by the light emitted from the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit is, for example, a light emitting element. The light receiving unit is, for example, a light receiving element.

[0038] A cleaning unit 35 is provided at a position adjacent to the driven pulley 32. The cleaning unit 35 includes a blade 36 that is a cleaning member for cleaning the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33. The blade 36 is a plate-shaped elastic member having a predetermined thickness formed of, for example, urethane or rubber. The blade 36 is elastically deformable while being in contact with the conveyor belt 33. The tip of the blade 36 contacts a portion of the conveyor belt 33 wound around the driven pulley 32 to clean the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33.

[0039] The blade 36 is fixed to a fixing member 37. The fixing member 37 is provided rotatably about a rotation shaft 38. The rotation shaft 38 is rotationally driven by a blade driving unit 59. In the cleaning unit 35, the contact state in which the blade 36 contacts the conveyor belt 33 and the separation state in which the blade 36 is separated from the conveyor belt 33 are switched by the rotation of the rotation shaft 38. The blade driving unit 59 may be an actuator such as a motor.

[0040] In the cleaning unit 35, in the contact state of the blade 36, as the conveyor belt 33 rotates forward, deposits such as ink and paper dust attached to the outer peripheral surface 33a of the conveyor belt 33 are removed. Note that the cleaning unit 35 may be, for example, a belt-shaped fabric or the like formed rotatably.

[0041] The above-described belt driving motor 57, the belt charging unit 58, and the blade driving unit 59 are controlled by a control unit 50 that is a control means. The control unit 50 is a control unit that controls the entire printing apparatus 1. The control unit 50 controls each of the line head 26 and the medium conveyance motor that drives the roller pair, etc.

[0042] The control unit 50 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. as an arithmetic execution unit. In the ROM of the control unit 50, firmware executable by the CPU, data related to the firmware, etc. are stored non-volatilely. Also, in the RAM, data related to the firmware executed by the CPU, etc. are stored temporarily. The control unit 50 may include other peripheral circuits, etc. The control unit 50 may include a storage unit that can store control programs, data related to these control programs, etc., various programs and data non-volatilely.

[0043] The control unit 50 controls the belt charging unit 58 to switch on / off the voltage application to the charging roller 29 and to switch the voltage value applied to the charging roller 29. The control unit 50 controls the blade drive unit 59 to adjust the rotation amount of the rotation shaft 38, thereby adjusting the pressing force when the blade 36 presses against the conveyance belt 33.

[0044] Detection signals are input to the control unit 50 from various sensors. The control unit 50 performs necessary control based on this detection signal. The control unit 50 can detect the passage of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording paper P at the position of the upstream sensor 65 by acquiring the detection signal of the upstream sensor 65. The control unit 50 can detect the passage of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording paper P at the position of the downstream sensor 66 by acquiring the detection signal of the downstream sensor 66.

[0045] Next, the conveyance belt 33 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the conveyance belt 33. As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyor belt 33 is a belt member formed in an endless shape. The conveyor belt 33 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. When the conveyor belt 33 is attached to the conveying device 30, it is arranged such that its longitudinal direction extends along the orthogonal direction I. The longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33 is the width direction of the conveyor belt 33 described above.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section in the plane IV of FIG. 3. The plane IV is a plane that is substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33 and is orthogonal to the circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 33. The plane IV is a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33 and the orthogonal direction I. As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor belt 33 is a multi-layer belt formed by laminating a plurality of materials in layers.

[0047] The conveyor belt 33 includes a metal layer 70. The metal layer 70 is a base material formed of a metal material and formed over the entire longitudinal direction and the entire circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 33. That is, the metal layer 70 is a so-called coil material formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the metal layer 70 is made of an austenitic stainless steel material. For the metal layer 70, for example, SUS304H, SUS304 1 / 2H, SUS304 3 / 4H, SUS301 1 / 2H, SUS301 3 / 4H, SUS301H, SUS301EH, SUS632J1, etc. may be used. In this way, for the conveyor belt 33, a material that is inexpensive and has high workability can be used for the metal layer 70, and productivity can be improved.

[0049] Here, in the printing device 1, the conveyor belt 33 is used at a predetermined temperature along with the driving of the conveying device 30 and each part of the printing device 1. As described above, the conveyor belt 33 is inserted with the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32, and is rotationally driven or held in a stopped state by the conveying device 30 under a tensioned state. When the base material of the conveyor belt 33 is a resin material, if it is held in a stopped state for a predetermined period, there is a possibility that so-called creep deformation, which causes a mark in the held state, may occur on the conveyor belt 33. For this reason, when the base material of the conveyor belt 33 is a resin material, it is necessary to provide the conveying device 30 with a mechanism for suppressing creep deformation, such as a mechanism for releasing tension.

[0050] Since the conveyor belt 33 of the present embodiment uses a metal material as the base material, it has higher heat resistance than when, for example, a resin material is used as the base material, and it is difficult for viscosity to occur at the temperature during the use of the printing device 1. As a result, in the conveying device 30, there is no need to release the tension, and there is no need to provide a mechanism for suppressing creep deformation.

[0051] Furthermore, since the conveyor belt 33 of the present embodiment uses a metal material as the base material, it has a predetermined rigidity. For this reason, in the conveyor belt 33, without providing a support plate or the like, the occurrence of deflection is suppressed, and a stable flat surface can be formed at a position facing the ink ejection surface 26a. Also, even when the conveyor belt 33 is provided with a support plate, wear due to sliding with the support plate can be suppressed. In this way, in the conveying device 30, by providing the conveyor belt 33, the device configuration can be simplified.

[0052] The conveyor belt 33 includes a blackening treatment layer 74. The blackening treatment layer 74 is a layer having a black color capable of absorbing the emitted light emitted from the upstream sensor 65 and the downstream sensor 66. In the present embodiment, the blackening treatment layer 74 is provided over the entire circumferential direction of the metal layer 70. The blackening treatment layer 74 has a predetermined width dimension along the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. In the present embodiment, the blackening treatment layer 74 has a width dimension that overlaps the entire irradiation range of the light-emitting sensor. The blackening treatment layer 74 is provided on the outer surface of the metal layer 70. The blackening treatment layer 74 is disposed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. As a result, the blackening treatment layer 74 is disposed to face each of the upstream sensor 65 and the downstream sensor 66.

[0053] For the blackening treatment layer 74, resin paints such as polyester-based paints, acrylic-based paints, urethane-based paints, silicone-based paints, and fluorine-based paints are used. Also, for example, not limited to paints, black tapes, film materials, etc. may be used for the blackening treatment layer 74. Note that for the conveyor belt 33, not limited to the blackening treatment layer 74, any treatment layer may be provided as long as it is a medium such as the recording paper P or a low-reflection layer having a lower reflectance than the outer surface of the metal layer 70.

[0054] Also, for example, the blackening treatment layer 74 may be partially provided in the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 33, such as in a dashed line shape, according to the structure, function of the upstream sensor 65 and the downstream sensor 66, or the shape and type of the medium. Also, for example, the blackening treatment layer 74 may be provided at any position in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. Also, for example, a plurality of blackening treatment layers 74 may be provided in a row along the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. As a result, in the conveyor belt 33, the blackening treatment layer 74 can be provided only in the necessary part. Therefore, with such a conveyor belt 33, it is possible to improve productivity. The blackening treatment layer 74 corresponds to a "low-reflection layer".

[0055] The conveyor belt 33 includes a resin layer 72. The resin layer 72 has insulation properties and is formed of a transparent or translucent resin material and is a layer that covers the entire outer surface of the metal layer 70. For the resin layer 72, a resin material having abrasion resistance, low friction, creep resistance, ink resistance, ink repellency, and adhesiveness is used. Examples of resin materials used for the resin layer 72 include fluororesins, polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, aromatic polyether ketones such as polyether ether ketone, cycloolefin resins such as cycloolefin polymers and cycloolefin copolymers, epoxy resins, silicone, etc. The resin layer 72 is formed, for example, by applying the above-described resin material to the entire outer surface of the metal layer 70 by electrostatic powder coating.

[0056] When the resin layer 72 is formed on the conveyance belt 33, an electrostatic force can be generated by the charging roller 29. Therefore, the conveyance belt 33 can hold the recording paper P.

[0057] As described above, the conveyance belt 33 is formed by providing the resin layer 72 on the outer surface of the metal layer 70. That is, the conveyance belt 33 is formed of two materials having different melting temperatures, chemical resistances, etc. As a result, during the manufacturing process of the conveyance belt 33, restrictions due to temperature and chemical resistance are suppressed, and it becomes possible to manufacture the conveyance belt 33 by a cheaper or easier manufacturing method. In addition, since the conveyance belt 33 is formed of the metal layer 70 and the resin layer 72, they are easily peeled from each other. Therefore, the conveyance belt 33 can be easily reused.

[0058] Furthermore, as described above, when the resin layer 72 is provided on the outer surface of the metal layer 70, creep deformation of the resin layer is suppressed in the conveyance belt 33. As a result, in the conveyance belt 33, the resin layer 72 can be formed to have a larger thickness dimension. Therefore, in the conveyance belt 33, the insulating property of the resin layer 72, which is an insulating layer, can be improved, wear due to friction with the recording paper P, etc. can be suppressed, and the durability of the resin layer 72 can be improved.

[0059] Since the resin layer 72 is transparent or translucent, the emitted light emitted from the upstream sensor 65 and the downstream sensor 66 passes through it. As a result, when the recording paper P is not held by the conveyor belt 33, the emitted light reaches the blackening treatment layer 74. Therefore, the light that reaches the blackening treatment layer 74 is absorbed without being reflected, and the control unit 50 can detect through the light receiving unit that the recording paper P is not held by the conveyor belt 33.

[0060] When the recording paper P is held by the conveyor belt 33, the blackening treatment layer 74 is covered by the recording paper P. Therefore, the emitted light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the recording surface of the recording paper P. The reflected light reflected by the recording surface of the recording paper P is received by the light receiving unit, and a predetermined signal is transmitted to the control unit 50. As a result, the control unit 50 can detect through the light receiving unit that the recording paper P is held by the conveyor belt 33.

[0061] As described above, the blackening treatment layer 74 is provided over the entire circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 33. As a result, in the printing apparatus 1, it is possible to detect whether the recording paper P is held by the conveyor belt 33 over the entire circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 33.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section in plane V of FIG. 3. Plane V is a plane that is orthogonal to the circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 33 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. Plane V is a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33 and the orthogonal direction I. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, the drive pulley 31 is shown by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 3, beads 76 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. The bead 76 is a long plate-like member having a predetermined thickness dimension and a width dimension. As shown in FIG. 5, the bead 76 is provided over the entire circumferential direction of the inner surface of the metal layer 70 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. That is, the bead 76 is an annular protruding portion that protrudes from the inner surface of the metal layer 70.

[0063] As described above, the conveyor belt 33 is attached to the conveying device 30 with the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 inserted therein. In the conveying device 30, the conveyor belt 33 may meander during driving. In this case, by the contact of the centering portion 43 provided in the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 with the bead 76, it is possible to return the conveyor belt 33 to the position before meandering. Since the conveyor belt 33 of the present embodiment includes the metal layer 70 as a base material, even when pressing after the centering portion 43 contacts the bead 76, the occurrence of bending at the end of the conveyor belt 33 is suppressed. Thus, the bead 76 functions as a meandering prevention portion of the conveyor belt 33.

[0064] Note that the bead 76 is not limited to both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33, and may be provided at any position in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. For example, the bead 76 may be disposed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. In this case, a groove shape having a width dimension capable of accommodating the bead 76 inside may be provided over the entire circumference at substantially the center between the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32. The bead 76 can correct the meandering of the conveyor belt 33 by contacting the inner surface of these groove shapes.

[0065] Next, the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33 by classifying it according to the main contents. FIG. 6 does not limit the details of the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33. For example, a process shown as one step in FIG. 6 may include a plurality of detailed processes. The order of the processes shown in FIG. 6 may be appropriately changed. Also, in the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33, it is not excluded that processes not shown in FIG. 6 are performed.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the raw material processing step. Step S1 shown in FIG. 6 is the raw material processing step. In the blanking process, a plate-shaped or sheet-shaped metal material 80, which is the raw material of the metal layer 70, is blanked. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the blank 82 is formed by pressing the metal material 80 with a blanking die 90. The blank 82 corresponds to the metal layer 70. The blank 82 is a flat member formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The blank 82 has a predetermined length dimension along a first direction and a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. In the following description, the first direction is defined as the length direction L, and the second direction is defined as the width direction W.

[0067] In the blank 82, positioning portions 84 that protrude outward by a predetermined dimension from both ends in the width direction W are provided at both end portions 82 in the length direction L. The positioning portions 84 may be provided with through holes penetrating in the plate thickness direction.

[0068] Note that in the blanking process, other processing methods such as laser cutting, wire electrical discharge machining, etching, punching by a Thomson die, swaging, cutting, and grinding may be used, not limited to pressing. The blank 82 corresponds to a "plate material".

[0069] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the joining process. Step S2 is the joining process. As shown in FIG. 8, in the joining process, the blank 82 is bent into a cylindrical shape so that the length direction becomes the circumferential direction, and both ends in the length direction L of the blank 82 are butted against each other. Next, in the joining process, both ends in the length direction L of the blank 82 are laser welded from the outer surface side of the cylindrical blank 82 in a state where no step is generated. Specifically, fiber laser welding is used. As a result, the blank 82 becomes an endless belt shape. In the following description, the blank 82 that is welded and becomes a belt shape is referred to as a metal belt 86.

[0070] In the joining process, by holding each of the positioning portions 84, the both ends in the length direction L of the base fabric 82 can be butted more accurately and easily. Thus, in the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33, in order to perform high-precision processing of laser-welding both ends in the length direction L of the base fabric 82, variations in the belt dimensions can be suppressed.

[0071] In addition, in the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33, in the base fabric processing step and the joining step, the metal belt 86 is formed without performing processing on the plane of the base fabric 82. Thereby, in the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33, the occurrence of deformation, scratches, etc. due to processing on the outer surface of the metal belt 86 is suppressed.

[0072] Note that in the joining step, not limited to fiber laser welding, CO2 laser welding, YAG laser welding, disk laser welding, semiconductor laser welding, etc. may be used. Also, for example, in the joining step, electron beam welding, arc welding, friction stir welding, ultrasonic welding, friction pressure welding, joining with an adhesive, brazing may be used. Also, for example, in the joining step, after welding both ends in the length direction L of the base fabric 82 using mash seam welding, the step generated at the joining portion may be smoothed by pressing it down. Also, for example, in the joining step, after beveling both ends in the length direction L of the base fabric 82, processing to return to a flat surface may be performed. Also, for example, in the joining step, mechanical joining methods such as rivet joining, snap fit joining, flange joining, press fitting, etc. may be used to join both ends in the length direction L of the base fabric 82.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the low reflection layer forming step. Step S3 is the low reflection layer forming step. In the low reflection layer forming step, a black resin paint is applied to substantially the center in the longitudinal direction of the metal belt 86. In the low reflection layer forming step, a polyester-based paint is applied to the outer surface of the metal belt 86 by spray coating. As a result, a blackening treatment layer 74 is formed on the outer surface of the metal belt 86.

[0074] In addition, in the low-reflection layer formation step, the blackening treatment layer 74 may be partially provided in the circumferential direction of the metal belt 86, for example, in a dashed line shape or the like. Also, for example, in the low-reflection layer formation step, the blackening treatment layer 74 may be provided at any position in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. Also, for example, in the low-reflection layer formation step, a plurality of blackening treatment layers 74 may be provided in a row along the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 33. As a result, in the conveyor belt 33, the blackening treatment layer 74 can be provided only in the necessary portions. Therefore, with such a conveyor belt 33, it is possible to improve productivity.

[0075] In addition, in the low-reflection layer formation step, various paints such as acrylic-based, urethane-based, silicone-based, and fluorine-based paints may be used as the resin paint. These resin paints may be applied by powder coating, roller coating, dispenser coating, brush coating, or the like. Also, for example, the blackening treatment layer 74 may be formed by plating processes such as transfer film, black nickel plating, gunmetal plating, chromate treatment, and ceramic coating. Also, for example, the blackening treatment layer 74 may be formed by various vapor depositions such as physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition, electroplating, laser coloring, inkjet, relief printing, intaglio printing, stencil printing, transfer, offset printing, or the like. The low-reflection layer formation step may be performed before the bonding step is performed.

[0076] Step S4 is a firing step. In the firing step, by performing firing, the blackening treatment layer 74 is fixed to the metal belt 86.

[0077] Step S5 is an insulating layer adhesion step. In the insulating layer attachment process, the metal belt 86 is coated with a resin material by electrostatic powder coating to impart insulation. As a result, a resin layer 72 is formed on the metal belt 86. The outer surface of the metal belt 86 and the blackening treatment layer 74 are covered by the resin layer 72. In this way, in the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33, by forming the resin layer 72 by electrostatic powder coating, variations in the thickness dimension of the resin layer 72 can be suppressed. In addition, in the conveyor belt 33, since the resin layer 72 is formed by electrostatic powder coating, it adheres due to the anchor effect. Therefore, in the conveyor belt 33, it is possible to peel the resin layer 72 from the metal layer 70 during reuse or the like.

[0078] Note that, as the coating method of the resin material, a corona charging type electrostatic spraying method, a tribo charging type electrostatic spraying method, a flow dipping method, an electrostatic flow dipping method, or the like may be used. Also, as the coating method of the resin material, spray coating, brush painting, coating by a dispenser, coating by an inkjet type device, dipping, or the like may be used. In this case, the resin material is not limited to powder and may be a liquid such as a resin solution. Further, the resin layer 72 may be formed by pasting a resin material formed in a sheet shape, pasting a heat shrinkable tube, or electrodeposition of a resin material.

[0079] Step S6 is a baking process. In the baking process, by performing baking, the resin layer 72 is fixed to the metal belt 86.

[0080] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the positioning part cutting process. Step S7 is a positioning part cutting process. As shown in Figure 10, in the positioning part cutting process, each of the positioning parts 84 is cut. In the positioning part cutting process, the positioning part 84 is cut, for example, by press working. Also, for example, the positioning part 84 may be cut by laser processing, wire electrical discharge machining, or the like.

[0081] Step S8 is a meandering prevention part formation step. In the meandering prevention part formation step, as shown in FIG. 3, the bead 76 is attached over the entire circumferential direction of the inner surface of the metal belt 86 at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the metal belt 86. As the material of the bead 76, urethane rubber, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, acrylic rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, etc. may be used. Also, for example, as the material of the bead 76, ethylene vinyl acetate rubber, chloroprene rubber, hypalon rubber, chlorinated polyethylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polysulfide rubber, styrene-based elastomer, olefin-based elastomer, polyester-based elastomer, polyurethane-based elastomer, etc. may be used.

[0082] In this way, the conveyor belt 33 is manufactured by the manufacturing steps of Steps S1 to S8. As a result, in the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33, the conveyor belt 33 having high durability can be easily and accurately manufactured at low cost. And in the printing apparatus 1 including the conveyor belt 33, it is possible to improve the printing quality with respect to the recording surface of the recording paper P. The manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 33 corresponds to the "belt manufacturing method".

[0083] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, as the medium conveyance device, the conveyance device 30 that conveys the printing medium by the printing apparatus 1 as the recording device is exemplified. The conveyance device 30 is provided with an optical sensor including a light emitting part that emits light toward the conveyor belt 33 and a light receiving part that receives the reflected light that is the light reflected from the conveyor belt 33 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the medium conveyance device can be applied to all conveyance devices that convey any object as the medium and have the above-described optical sensor.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is exemplified as the recording apparatus. The printing apparatus 1 may be any apparatus that includes a conveyance device for conveying a printing medium and a printing unit for performing printing on the printing medium. For example, the printing apparatus 1 may be a large-format printer, a printing machine for performing printing by dipping, or the like.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the line head type including the line head 26 is exemplified as the head unit 25, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a so-called serial head type that performs recording while moving in the width direction of the medium may also be used. Further, the printing method of the head unit 25 is not limited to the inkjet method.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the directions such as horizontal and vertical, and various numerical values and shapes include a so-called equivalent range that exhibits the same effects as those directions, numerical values, and shapes, unless otherwise specified.

[0088] [Summary of the Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, a summary of the present disclosure will be appended.

[0089] (Appendix 1) A method for manufacturing a belt in which a plate material formed of a metal material is formed into a cylindrical shape, and an endless metal layer is formed by joining the ends of the plate material together. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, it is possible to manufacture a belt that is less expensive than conventional ones in terms of both material and manufacturing method and has high durability.

[0090] (Appendix 2) The method for manufacturing a belt according to Appendix 1, wherein the ends of the plate material are joined by welding from the outer surface side. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, the metal material can be joined easily and accurately.

[0091] (Appendix 3) The method for manufacturing a belt according to Appendix 1, wherein the ends of the plate material are joined by adhering with an adhesive. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, the metal material can be easily joined.

[0092] (Appendix 4) The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein a low-reflection layer having a lower light reflectance than the metal layer is formed on at least a part of the outer surface of the metal layer. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, a belt that can be detected by an optical sensor can be manufactured, and the range of use of the belt can be expanded.

[0093] (Appendix 5) The method for manufacturing a belt according to Appendix 4, wherein the low-reflection layer is formed on at least a part of the outer surface of the metal layer in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the metal layer. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, a belt that can be detected by an optical sensor can be manufactured over the entire circumferential direction of the belt, and the range of use of the belt can be expanded.

[0094] (Appendix 6) The method for manufacturing a belt according to Appendix 4 or Appendix 5, wherein the low-reflection layer is formed by applying a coloring material. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, a low-reflection layer can be easily formed on the belt.

[0095] (Appendix 7) The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6, wherein a resin layer is formed by adhering resin to the outer surface of the metal layer and performing baking. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, a belt that enables electrostatic adsorption of paper by applying a voltage can be manufactured.

[0096] (Appendix 8) The method for manufacturing a belt according to Appendix 7, wherein the resin is adhered to the metal layer by electrostatic powder coating. Thereby, in the method for manufacturing a belt, recycling of the powder paint becomes easy, and the yield of materials related to belt manufacturing is improved.

[0097] (Appendix 9) The method for manufacturing a belt according to appended note 7, wherein the resin is adhered to the metal layer by applying a resin liquid. Accordingly, in the method for manufacturing a belt, the resin can be easily adhered to the metal layer.

[0098] (Appended note 10) The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of appended notes 1 to 9, wherein the metal layer is formed of an austenitic stainless steel material. Accordingly, in the method for manufacturing a belt, the metal layer can be easily formed by using an inexpensive material with good workability.

[0099] (Appended note 11) The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of appended notes 7 to 9, wherein the resin layer is formed of a fluororesin. Accordingly, in the method for manufacturing a belt, the resin layer can be easily provided.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0100] 1... Printing device, 2... Device main body, 3... First media cassette, 4... Second media cassette, 5... Ink storage section, 9, 10... Pickup rollers, 11, 12... Feed roller pairs, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22... Conveyor roller pairs, 23, 24... Flaps, 25... Head unit, 26... Line head, 26a... Ink ejection surface, 27... Discharge tray, 29... Charging roller, 30... Conveyor device, 31... Driving pulley, 32... Driven pulley, 33... Conveyor belt, 33a... Outer peripheral surface, 34... Support roller, 35... Cleaning section, 36... Blade, 37... Fixed member, 38... Rotation shaft, 40... Large diameter portion, 42... Small diameter portion, 43... Stopping portion, 50... Control section, 57... Belt drive motor, 58... Belt charging section, 59... Blade drive section, 65... Upstream sensor, 66... Downstream sensor, 70... Metal layer, 72... Resin layer, 74... Blackening treatment layer, 76... Bead, 80... Metal material, 84... Positioning section, 86... Metal belt, 90... Stripping die, A1, A2... Discharge positions, F... Conveyor direction, I... Orthogonal direction, K1... Branch position, L... Length direction, P... Recording paper, R... Media conveyance path, W... Width direction.

Claims

1. Form a plate material made of a metal material into a cylindrical shape, and form an endless metal layer by joining the ends of the plate material together. A method for manufacturing a belt.

2. Join the ends of the plate material together by welding from the outer surface side. The method for manufacturing a belt according to Claim 1.

3. Join the ends of the plate material together by adhering them with an adhesive. The method for manufacturing a belt according to Claim 1.

4. Form a low-reflection layer having a lower light reflectivity than the metal layer on at least a part of the outer surface of the metal layer. The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. Form the low-reflection layer on at least a part of the outer surface of the metal layer in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the metal layer. The method for manufacturing a belt according to Claim 4.

6. Form the low-reflection layer by applying a coloring material. The method for manufacturing a belt according to Claim 4 or Claim 5.

7. Form a resin layer by adhering a resin to the outer surface of the metal layer and performing baking. The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. Adhere the resin to the metal layer by electrostatic powder coating. The method for manufacturing a belt according to Claim 7.

9. Adhere the resin to the metal layer by applying a resin solution. The method for manufacturing a belt according to Claim 7.

10. Form the metal layer with an austenitic stainless steel material. The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

11. Form the resin layer with a fluorine-based resin. The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of Claims 7 to 9.

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