Recording apparatus

Abstract

To provide a recording apparatus that enables a medium even having a deformation such as warpage and distortion to be pasted on a conveyor belt.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes a conveyance part 20 that conveys a medium M pasted on an adhesive glue belt 22 in a conveyance direction, a recording part 30 that performs recording on the medium M conveyed by the conveyance part 20, a pressure roller 61 that is arranged on an upstream side of the recording part 30 in the conveyance direction and presses the medium M to be conveyed onto the glue belt 22, and a spray part 82 that blows air toward a place on the upstream side of the pressure roller 61 in the conveyance direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a recording apparatus that records an image on a medium attached to a conveyance belt having an adhesive layer. In this recording apparatus, a pressing unit is disposed upstream of a recording unit that records an image, and the medium is attached to the adhesive layer of the conveyance belt by the pressing unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that when the medium is deformed such as being folded or wrinkled upstream of the pressing unit, the medium cannot be properly attached to the conveyance belt. In particular, when a long cloth made of a knitted fabric or the like is used as the medium, deformation may occur in which the medium rolls up at both ends in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction. Such deformation is also called curl. A medium in a state where deformation such as curl or fold has occurred may float up after passing through the pressing unit and interfere with the recording unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The recording device includes a conveying unit that conveys a medium attached to an adhesive conveying belt in the conveying direction, a recording unit that performs recording on the medium conveyed by the conveying unit, a pressing unit that is disposed upstream of the recording unit in the conveying direction and presses the conveyed medium against the conveying belt, and a first blowing unit that blows air toward a position upstream of the pressing unit in the conveying direction.

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

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] 1. First Embodiment Hereinafter, the schematic configuration of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. The printer 10 of the present embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a medium M such as a conveyed fabric and records an image such as a pattern. The printer 10 is an example of a recording device, and the ink is an example of a liquid.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, for the sake of making each member recognizable, the scales of each member are shown differently from the actual ones. Also, for the sake of convenience in explanation, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown as three axes intersecting each other. In the present embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other.

[0009] The X-axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface 1 of the printer 10 and corresponds to the width direction of the printer 10 and the width direction of the medium M. The +X direction parallel to the X-axis is the direction from the front to the back of the printer 10 when the conveyance direction of the medium M is the left direction. In the case of FIG. 1, the +X direction is the direction toward the back of the figure. The -X direction parallel to the X-axis is the direction opposite to the +X direction.

[0010] The Y-axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface 1 of the printer 10 and corresponds to the depth direction of the printer 10 and the length direction of the medium M. The +Y direction parallel to the Y-axis corresponds to the conveyance direction of the medium M. In the case of FIG. 1, the +Y direction is the direction toward the left of the figure. The -Y direction parallel to the Y-axis is the direction opposite to the +Y direction. Hereinafter, the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the medium M, that is, the -Y side, is also simply called the upstream side, and the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the medium M, that is, the +Y side, is also simply called the downstream side.

[0011] The Z-axis is an axis perpendicular to the installation surface 1 of the printer 10 and is an axis along the direction of gravity acting. The Z-axis corresponds to the height direction of the printer 10 and the thickness direction intersecting the surface of the medium M. The +Z direction parallel to the Z-axis is the direction upward from the installation surface 1 of the printer 10. In the case of FIG. 1, the +Z direction is the direction upward of the figure. The -Z direction parallel to the Z-axis is the direction opposite to the +Z direction.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the X-axis is also referred to as the X-axis direction, the direction parallel to the Y-axis is also referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction parallel to the Z-axis is also referred to as the Z-axis direction. That is, the X-axis direction includes both the +X direction and the -X direction, the Y-axis direction includes both the +Y direction and the -Y direction, and the Z-axis direction includes both the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a conveyance unit 20, a recording unit 30, a pressing unit 60, a cleaning unit 70, and a blower unit 80. The printer 10 also includes a control unit 90 that controls each of these components. In the present embodiment, the medium M is a long fabric made of cotton, silk, wool, chemical fiber, blended fabric, etc. However, the medium M is not limited to fabric and may be composed of paper or other materials.

[0014] The conveyance unit 20 is composed of a grooved belt 22, a driven roller 23, a driving roller 24, a platen 25, etc. The conveyance unit 20 conveys the long medium M fed from a supply roller (not shown) in the +Y direction.

[0015] The grooved belt 22 is an example of a conveyor belt capable of conveying the medium M. The grooved belt 22 is configured as an endless belt formed by joining both ends of a flat plate-like member having elasticity. The grooved belt 22 is a rubber belt and is wound around the driven roller 23 and the driving roller 24. The grooved belt 22 conveys the medium M in the +Y direction by rotating due to the driving of the driving roller 24.

[0016] The outer peripheral surface 22A of the grooved belt 22 has adhesiveness by applying an adhesive, and supports the medium M by this adhesiveness. That is, the medium M is attached to the outer peripheral surface 22A of the grooved belt 22. Adhesiveness means the property of being temporarily adhesive to other members and being able to be peeled off from the adhesive state. Thereby, a stretchable fabric or the like can be handled as the medium M to be recorded.

[0017] The platen belt 22 that supports the medium M passes between a discharge head 31, which will be described later, and a platen 25 disposed on the -Z side of the discharge head 31. Then, the discharge head 31 records an image on the medium M by discharging ink onto the medium M conveyed onto the platen 25.

[0018] The medium M onto which ink has been discharged from the discharge head 31 is wound up by a take-up roller (not shown), and thus is peeled off from the portion of the outer peripheral surface 22A of the platen belt 22 that is wound around the drive roller 24.

[0019] The driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24 support the inner peripheral surface 22B of the platen belt 22. The driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24 are rotatable about a rotation axis along the X axis. The drive roller 24 is at the same height as the driven roller 23 and is located in the +Y direction relative to the driven roller 23. The drive roller 24 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). When the drive roller 24 is rotationally driven, the platen belt 22 circulates as the drive roller 24 rotates, and the driven roller 23 rotates passively as the platen belt 22 circulates.

[0020] The platen belt 22 circulates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 due to the rotation of the drive roller 24, and thus conveys the medium M attached to the outer peripheral surface 22A in the conveyance direction that is the +Y direction. In the present embodiment, the path along which the platen belt 22 circulates in the counterclockwise direction will hereinafter be referred to as the circulation path. Among the circulation path, the path along which the medium M is conveyed is referred to as the conveyance path, and the other paths, that is, the paths that do not constitute the conveyance path of the medium M are referred to as the conveyance preparation paths. Therefore, the conveyance path is the path from the position where the fed medium M is pressed by a pressing unit 60 described later and supported by the platen belt 22 to the position where the recording of the image is completed and the medium M is peeled off from the platen belt 22.

[0021] In the conveyance path, the outer peripheral surface 22A of the circulating grooved belt 22 faces the +Z side facing the recording unit 30. Then, while supporting the medium M, the grooved belt 22 moves from the driven roller 23 side to the driving roller 24 side. Also, in the conveyance preparation path, the outer peripheral surface 22A of the circulating grooved belt 22 faces the -Z side facing the cleaning unit 70 described later. Then, after the medium M is peeled off, the grooved belt 22 moves from the driving roller 24 side to the driven roller 23 side.

[0022] The pressing unit 60 includes a pressing roller 61, a roller driving unit 62, and a roller support unit 63. The pressing roller 61 is disposed on the upstream side of the recording unit 30 and the downstream side of the driven roller 23 in the conveyance direction. The pressing roller 61 is formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape and is rotatable about a roller axis along the X-axis direction as a rotation axis. The roller support unit 63 is provided at a position facing the pressing roller 61 with the grooved belt 22 interposed therebetween on the inner peripheral surface 22B side of the grooved belt 22. The pressing roller 61 presses the conveyed medium M against the grooved belt 22 on the roller support unit 63. The pressing roller 61 is an example of a pressing portion.

[0023] The length of the pressing roller 61 in the X-axis direction is approximately the same as the length of the grooved belt 22 in the X-axis direction. Also, the width of the medium M, that is, the length of the medium M in the axial direction, is shorter than the lengths of the pressing roller 61 and the grooved belt 22 in the X-axis direction. Also, the length of the roller support unit 63 in the X-axis direction is approximately the same as the length of the pressing roller 61 in the X-axis direction.

[0024] The roller driving unit 62 includes a motor (not shown) and a conversion mechanism (not shown) that converts the rotational motion of the motor into a reciprocating linear motion. The roller driving unit 62 reciprocates the pressing roller 61 in the ±Y direction along the conveyance direction. That is, the pressing roller 61 is capable of reciprocating along the conveyance direction. While pressing the medium M downward, i.e., in the -Z direction, the pressing roller 61 reciprocates in the ±Y direction to press the medium M against the groove belt 22. The pressing roller 61 rotates following its movement in the ±Y direction and the movement of the medium M in the conveyance direction. The medium M superposed on the groove belt 22 upstream of the pressing roller 61 is pressed against the groove belt 22 between the pressing roller 61 and the roller support portion 63. As a result, the medium M is attached to the groove belt 22, so that floating on the groove belt 22 is suppressed.

[0025] The recording unit 30 is disposed upward, i.e., in the +Z direction, with respect to the groove belt 22 that moves in the +Y direction, which is the conveyance direction. The recording unit 30 performs image recording on the medium M conveyed by the conveyance unit 20, i.e., the medium M attached to the outer peripheral surface 22A of the groove belt 22. The recording unit 30 includes a discharge head 31, a carriage 32, a carriage guide 33, and the like. The discharge head 31 discharges ink onto the medium M supported by the groove belt 22.

[0026] The carriage guide 33 extends in the X-axis direction and supports the carriage 32. One or a plurality of discharge heads 31 are disposed on the carriage 32. The carriage guide 33 is formed such that the length in the X-axis direction is longer than the length of the groove belt 22 in the X-axis direction. The carriage 32 is configured to be able to reciprocate along the X-axis direction while being supported by the carriage guide 33.

[0027] The ejection head 31 is formed with one or a plurality of nozzle rows (not shown) each consisting of a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. The nozzle row faces the medium M conveyed by the gravure belt 22. Then, while reciprocating in the X-axis direction together with the carriage 32, the ejection head 31 ejects ink from the nozzle row onto the medium M conveyed onto the platen 25, thereby forming an image on the medium M.

[0028] The ejection head 31 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to apply a pretreatment liquid for improving the fixability of the ink to the medium M. Specifically, in addition to the nozzle row for ejecting ink, the ejection head 31 is formed with a nozzle row for ejecting the pretreatment liquid. The ejection head 31 applies the pretreatment liquid to the medium M by ejecting the pretreatment liquid from this nozzle row prior to the ejection of the ink. Note that the pretreatment liquid is not limited to being ejected from the ejection head 31. For example, a device for applying the pretreatment liquid may be arranged upstream of the ejection head 31. Also, the printer 10 may be configured not to have a function of applying the pretreatment liquid.

[0029] The control unit 91 (see FIG. 4) provided in the control unit 90 intermittently conveys the medium M attached to the gravure belt 22 in the conveyance direction by intermittently moving the gravure belt 22. Then, the control unit 91 executes image recording on the intermittently conveyed medium M. Specifically, the control unit 91 alternately executes an operation of ejecting the pretreatment liquid and ink from the ejection head 31 while moving the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction and an operation of conveying the medium M in the conveyance direction by a predetermined amount by the conveyance unit 20, thereby recording an image on the medium M.

[0030] After the medium M is peeled off from the Gruvert 22 after recording, it is folded back by the driving roller 24 and moves along the conveyance preparation path. When an image such as a pattern is recorded on the medium M such as a fabric, ink that has passed through the medium M, ink that has protruded from the end portion of the medium M in the width axis direction, or fibers that have fallen off from the medium M adhere to the outer peripheral surface 22A of the Gruvert 22.

[0031] The cleaning unit 70 removes ink, fibers, etc. adhering to the outer peripheral surface 22A of the Gruvert 22 by cleaning the Gruvert 22 moving along the conveyance preparation path with a cleaning liquid. Specifically, the cleaning unit 70 is disposed below the Gruvert 22 on the driving roller 24 side and cleans the outer peripheral surface 22A of the Gruvert 22 from below. Note that the cleaning unit 70 is not an essential component.

[0032] The printer 10 of the present embodiment includes a blowing unit 80 for appropriately attaching the medium M to the Gruvert 22 even when there are deformations such as curl or folding at the end portions of the medium M in the width direction. The blowing unit 80 stretches the deformed medium M by blowing air onto the medium M before it is pressed against the Gruvert 22 by the pressing roller 61.

[0033] The blowing unit 80 is disposed above the pressing roller 61, that is, in the +Z direction. The blowing unit 80 includes a fan 81 and a blowing portion 82. The blowing unit 80 stretches the medium M in which deformations such as curl or folding have occurred by blowing the air taken in from the outside by the rotation of the fan 81 from the blowing portion 82 toward the medium M. The blowing portion 82 blows air downward, that is, in the -Z direction, which is the direction in which the medium M is pressed against the Gruvert 22.

[0034] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing the configuration around the blowing unit 80 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration around the blowing unit 80 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the main body of the blowing unit 80 including the fan 81 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and only the blowing portion 82 is indicated by a solid line.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spraying unit 82 is disposed above the glue belt 22 on both sides in the width direction, that is, the +X side and the -X side. The spraying unit 82 sprays air toward the upstream side of the pressing roller 61 in the conveying direction, that is, the -Y side position. Specifically, the spraying unit 82 sprays air toward the position immediately before the medium M is pressed by the pressing roller 61, in other words, the upstream side of the position where the medium M and the pressing roller 61 come into contact. The position where the medium M and the pressing roller 61 come into contact is the position overlapping the center line CL which is the rotation axis of the pressing roller 61 when viewed from the +Z side. The spraying unit 82 is an example of the first spraying unit.

[0036] The spraying unit 82 is disposed inside the end portions in the width direction of the medium M, that is, the X-axis direction, on the upstream side of the pressing roller 61. Then, from this position, the spraying unit 82 sprays air toward the end portions in the width direction of the medium M. Specifically, the direction in which the spraying unit 82 on the right side in FIG. 3, that is, the spraying unit 82 on the +X side sprays air has a component in the +Y direction which is downstream in the conveying direction and a component in the +X direction from the center to the outside in the width direction when viewed from the +Z side. Also, the direction in which the spraying unit 82 on the left side in FIG. 3, that is, the spraying unit 82 on the -X side sprays air has a component in the +Y direction which is downstream in the conveying direction and a component in the -X direction from the center to the outside in the width direction when viewed from the +Z side. Thus, the spraying unit 82 sprays air in a direction including a component in the downstream direction in the conveying direction, a component in the direction from the center to the outside in the width direction, and a component in the direction from above to below, toward the end portions in the width direction of the medium M.

[0037] The air blowing unit 80 is capable of reciprocating movement in the ±Y direction together with the pressing roller 61. That is, the roller driving unit 62 moves both the pressing roller 61 and the air blowing unit 80 together in the ±Y direction. The blowing part 82 is integrally formed with the main body of the air blowing unit 80 and moves together with the air blowing unit 80. That is, the blowing part 82 moves along the conveyance direction together with the pressing roller 61. For this reason, even if the pressing roller 61 moves in the ±Y direction, the positional relationship between the pressing roller 61 and the blowing part 82 remains unchanged. In other words, regardless of the position of the pressing roller 61 in the ±Y direction, the blowing part 82 blows air toward the position immediately before the medium M is pressed by the pressing roller 61.

[0038] Even if the medium M is deformed such as curled or folded at the end in the width direction, the air is blown from the blowing part 82 and the medium M is stretched. Then, it is pressed against the glue belt 22 by the pressing roller 61 in a substantially flat state. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the medium M from floating up on the downstream side of the pressing roller 61 after being pressed by the pressing roller 61.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 90 is constituted by, for example, a computer and includes a control part 91 and a storage part 92.

[0040] The control part 91 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is a processor. The control part 91 controls the operations of each part of the printer 10 according to the control program stored in the storage part 92. The storage part 92 is constituted by a non-volatile storage device and stores the above-described control program, various data, and the like.

[0041] The above-described recording unit 30, conveyance unit 20, pressing unit 60, cleaning unit 70, and air blowing unit 80 are electrically connected to the control unit 90, and the control part 91 controls the operations of the respective components constituting these.

[0042] For example, the control unit 91 controls the ejection head 31 that constitutes the recording unit 30 as described above. Specifically, the control unit 91 is connected to a drive circuit (not shown) of the ejection head 31, and transmits a printing signal for ejecting ink from the ejection head 31 to the drive circuit. Further, the control unit 91 controls a motor (not shown), which is a drive source for moving the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction.

[0043] In addition, the control unit 91 controls a motor that drives the drive roller 24 of the conveyance unit 20, a motor that drives the roller drive unit 62 of the pressing unit 60, a motor that drives the fan 81 of the air blowing unit 80, a motor that drives the cleaning unit 70, and the like.

[0044] Furthermore, the printer 10 includes an operation unit 93 and a display unit 94, which are also electrically connected to the control unit 90. The operation unit 93 is composed of operation buttons, a touch panel, etc., receives input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation to the control unit 91. For example, the operation unit 93 receives printing conditions and various instruction information from the user. The display unit 94 notifies the user of various information by displaying images, characters, etc. based on the control of the control unit 91. Note that the display unit 94 may be configured to notify the user of various information by communicating with a communication terminal device such as a smartphone.

[0045] As described above, according to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0046] According to this embodiment, since the spraying unit 82 sprays air toward the upstream side position of the pressing roller 61, the medium M before being attached to the gravure belt 22 by the pressing roller 61 can be stretched. Therefore, even if the medium M has deformations such as curls or folds, it can be properly attached to the gravure belt 22. In addition, in order to suppress the curling and folding of the medium M, before recording an image by the printer 10, a pasting process for pasting the medium M or a process of cutting off the end of the medium M may be performed as a pre-treatment. However, according to this embodiment, these processes become unnecessary.

[0047] Also, in this embodiment, since the printer 10 has a function of applying a pre-treatment liquid, it is not necessary to perform a process of applying the pre-treatment liquid to the medium M in advance before recording an image by the printer 10. That is, according to this embodiment, various pre-treatments are unnecessary, so the work is simplified and the working time can be shortened.

[0048] According to this embodiment, since the spraying unit 82 sprays air toward the end portion in the width direction of the medium M where deformations such as curls or folds are likely to occur, the deformed medium M can be effectively stretched. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, the curling modes that can occur at the end portion in the width direction of the medium M on the gravure belt 22 include a curling mode in a direction away from the gravure belt 22 and a curling mode toward the gravure belt 22 as shown in FIG. 6. In the configuration of this embodiment, regardless of the curling mode, the medium M can be stretched by spraying air.

[0049] According to this embodiment, since the spraying unit 82 moves along the conveyance direction of the medium M together with the pressing roller 61, air can always be sprayed at a position immediately before being pressed by the pressing roller 61. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the medium M stretched by spraying air from being re-deformed before being pressed by the pressing roller 61.

[0050] 2. Second Embodiment FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 10 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view showing the configuration around the air blowing unit 80 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the printer 10 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a detection unit 95 that detects deformation of the medium M. Since the other configurations are common to those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] The detection unit 95 is disposed at a position upstream in the conveyance direction and separated from the medium M in the thickness direction, relative to the position where the blowing unit 82 blows air. The detection unit 95 is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit has a light emitting element that emits infrared rays. The light receiving unit has a light receiving element that receives the reflected infrared rays. The detection unit 95 detects the distance D1 to the medium M in the thickness direction. For example, the detection unit 95 irradiates infrared rays from the light emitting unit toward the top of the medium M in the thickness direction, and detects the reflected light from the top as incident light by the light receiving unit, thereby detecting the distance D1 to the medium M. The distance D1 from the detection unit 95 to the medium M becomes smaller as the degree of deformation occurring in the medium M is larger.

[0052] The control unit 91 adjusts the rotation speed of the fan 81 based on the detection result of the detection unit 95. That is, the control unit 91 adjusts the air volume of the air blown from the blowing unit 82 based on the detection result of the detection unit 95. For example, when the distance D1 to the medium M detected by the detection unit 95 is equal to or less than a first predetermined value, the control unit 91 increases the air volume as compared with the case where the distance D1 is larger than the first predetermined value. Further, for example, when comparing the distance D1 with a second predetermined value larger than the first predetermined value and the distance D1 is larger than the second predetermined value, the control unit 91 determines that the amount of deformation of the medium M is sufficiently small and may not execute the air blowing by the air blowing unit 80. That is, the air volume of the air blown by the blowing unit 82 may be set to 0.

[0053] The detection unit 95 desirably detects the distance D1 at both the +X side end and the -X side end of the medium M. And when the air volume can be individually adjusted at each of the +X side blowing unit 82 and the -X side blowing unit 82, it is desirable for the control unit 91 to adjust the respective air volumes according to the distance D1 detected by the corresponding detection unit 95. Alternatively, the control unit 91 may adjust the air volume from both blowing units 82 according to the smaller of the distance D1 at the +X side end and the distance D1 at the -X side end.

[0054] As described above, according to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, air can be blown at an appropriate air volume according to the degree of deformation of the medium M.

[0055] 3. Third Embodiment FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration around the air blowing unit 80 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the arrangement of the detection unit 95 for detecting the deformation of the medium M is different from that of the second embodiment. Since other configurations are common to the second embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, the detection unit 95 is arranged at a position upstream in the conveyance direction and spaced apart from the medium M in the width direction, compared to the position where the blowing unit 82 blows air. The detection unit 95 is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit has a light emitting element that emits infrared rays. The light receiving unit has a light receiving element that receives the reflected infrared rays. The detection unit 95 detects the distance D2 to the medium M in the width direction. For example, the detection unit 95 irradiates infrared rays from the light emitting unit toward the end of the medium M in the width direction, and detects the distance D2 to the medium M by detecting the reflected light from the end as incident light by the light receiving unit. The distance D2 from the detection unit 95 to the medium M increases as the degree of deformation occurring in the medium M increases.

[0057] Based on the detection result of the detection unit 95, the control unit 91 adjusts the rotation speed of the fan 81. That is, the control unit 91 adjusts the air volume of the air blown from the blowing unit 82 based on the detection result of the detection unit 95. For example, when the distance D2 to the medium M detected by the detection unit 95 is equal to or greater than a third predetermined value, the control unit 91 increases the air volume compared to the case where the distance D2 is smaller than the third predetermined value. Also, for example, by comparing a fourth predetermined value smaller than the third predetermined value with the distance D2, when the distance D2 is smaller than the fourth predetermined value, the control unit 91 determines that the deformation amount of the medium M is sufficiently small and may not execute the air blowing by the blowing unit 80. That is, the air volume of the air blown by the blowing unit 82 may be set to 0.

[0058] It is desirable for the detection unit 95 to detect the distance D2 at both the +X side end and the -X side end of the medium M. And when the air volume can be individually adjusted at each of the +X side blowing unit 82 and the -X side blowing unit 82, it is desirable for the control unit 91 to adjust the respective air volumes according to the distance D2 detected by the corresponding detection unit 95. Alternatively, the control unit 91 may adjust the air volumes from both blowing units 82 according to the larger of the distance D2 at the +X side end and the distance D2 at the -X side end.

[0059] As described above, according to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0060] 4. Modification Each of the above embodiments is based on the configuration described above, but partial changes or omissions of the configuration can also be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. Also, the present embodiment and the modification examples described below can be implemented in combination with each other as long as there is no technical contradiction. Hereinafter, the modification examples will be described.

[0061] In each of the above embodiments, the blower unit 80 may be configured to include only one fan 81 in total, or may be configured to include a fan 81 for each spraying unit 82. In the case of the configuration including a fan 81 for each spraying unit 82, it is possible to adjust the air volume for each spraying unit 82.

[0062] In each of the above embodiments, the entire blower unit 80 including the fan 81 is shown to be movable in the ±Y direction together with the pressing roller 61, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As long as the spraying unit 82 is movable together with the pressing roller 61, the main body of the blower unit 80 may be configured not to move. This configuration can be realized, for example, by connecting the main body of the blower unit 80 and the spraying unit 82 with a flexible tubular member.

[0063] In each of the above embodiments, the spraying unit 82 may be movable in the width direction of the medium M, that is, in the ±X direction. According to this configuration, air can be blown onto the ends of the medium M for a plurality of types of media M having different widths. Further, even when the medium M is set with a shift in the width direction, the position of the spraying unit 82 can be adjusted according to the shift. The mode of moving the spraying unit 82 may be manual. Alternatively, the printer 10 may be provided with a driving unit that moves the spraying unit 82 in the ±X direction based on the control of the control unit 91. Further, the printer 10 may be provided with a detecting means for detecting the width, position, etc. of the medium M set therein, and the control unit 91 may move the spraying unit 82 based on the detection result by this detecting means.

[0064] In each of the above embodiments, the spraying unit 82 may be capable of changing the spraying direction of the air being sprayed. Even in this case, air can be sprayed onto the ends of the media M of multiple different widths. Also, even when the media M is set with a shift in the width direction, the spraying direction of the spraying unit 82 can be adjusted according to the shift. The mode of changing the spraying direction may be manual. Alternatively, the printer 10 may be provided with a driving unit for changing the spraying direction based on the control of the control unit 91. Further, the printer 10 may be provided with a detecting means for detecting the width, position, etc. of the media M set therein, and the control unit 91 may change the spraying direction based on the detection result by this detecting means.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 10, in each of the above embodiments, another spraying unit 83 may be arranged upstream of the spraying unit 82 in the conveying direction. That is, a configuration may be adopted in which the spraying unit 82 and the spraying unit 83 are arranged in order from the downstream side to the upstream side at each end in the width direction of the media M. The spraying unit 83 sprays air toward a position upstream in the conveying direction from the position where the spraying unit 82 sprays air. The spraying unit 83 is an example of a second spraying unit. According to this configuration, since air is sprayed onto the media M in two stages, the media M can be gradually stretched. For this reason, the air volume of the air sprayed from the spraying units 82 and 83, that is, the pressure of the air can be reduced. Also, even when the conveying speed of the media M is high, the media M can be surely stretched. Note that the air volumes of the air sprayed from the spraying unit 82 and the spraying unit 83 may be substantially the same or different. For example, the air volume of the upstream spraying unit 83 may be smaller than the air volume of the downstream spraying unit 82. Also, the spraying unit 83 may move in the ±Y direction together with the pressing roller 61, or may not move.

[0066] In each of the above embodiments, the pressing roller 61 does not necessarily need to be configured to be movable in the ±Y direction. In this case, the spraying units 82 and 83 do not necessarily need to be movable in the ±Y direction either.

[0067] In each of the above embodiments, the blowing unit 80 blows air against both end portions in the width direction of the medium M by means of the two blowing portions 82, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which air is blown against portions other than both end portions in the width direction of the medium M may be employed, or air may be blown over a wide range extending from one end portion to the other end portion.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is an apparatus that records an image on the medium M, and may be a serial printer, a lateral printer, a line printer, a page printer, or the like. Further, the printing method is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be a thermal method, a dot impact method, a laser method, or the like.

[0069] The following describes content derived from the embodiments.

[0070] The recording apparatus includes a conveyance unit that conveys a medium attached to an adhesive conveyance belt in a conveyance direction, a recording unit that performs recording on the medium conveyed by the conveyance unit, a pressing unit that is disposed upstream of the recording unit in the conveyance direction and presses the conveyed medium against the conveyance belt, and a first blowing unit that blows air toward a position upstream of the pressing unit in the conveyance direction.

[0071] According to this configuration, since the first blowing unit blows air toward a position upstream of the pressing unit, the medium before being attached to the conveyance belt by the pressing unit can be stretched. Therefore, even a medium that has been deformed such as curling or folding can be appropriately attached to the conveyance belt.

[0072] In the above recording apparatus, it is desirable that the first blowing unit blows air toward an end portion in a width direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the medium.

[0073] According to this configuration, since the first blowing unit blows air toward the end in the width direction of the medium where deformation such as curling or folding is likely to occur, the deformed medium can be effectively stretched.

[0074] In the above-described recording apparatus, it is desirable that the first blowing unit be movable in the width direction.

[0075] According to this configuration, air can be blown toward the ends of media of a plurality of different widths.

[0076] In the above-described recording apparatus, it is desirable that the first blowing unit be able to change the blowing direction of the air.

[0077] According to this configuration, air can be blown toward the ends of media of a plurality of different widths.

[0078] In the above-described recording apparatus, it is desirable to include a second blowing unit that blows air toward a position upstream of the position where the first blowing unit blows air in the conveyance direction.

[0079] According to this configuration, since air is blown onto the medium in two stages, the medium can be gradually stretched. Therefore, the pressure of the blown air can be suppressed. Also, even if the conveyance speed of the medium is high, the medium can be surely stretched.

[0080] In the above-described recording apparatus, it is desirable to include a detection unit that is disposed at a position upstream of the position where the first blowing unit blows air in the conveyance direction and at a position spaced apart from the medium in the thickness direction intersecting the surface of the medium, and a control unit that adjusts the air volume of the air blown from the first blowing unit based on the detection result of the detection unit.

[0081] According to this configuration, air can be blown at an appropriate air volume according to the degree of deformation of the medium.

[0082] In the above-described recording apparatus, it is desirable to include a detection unit that is disposed at a position upstream in the conveyance direction from the position where the first blowing unit blows air and at a position separated from the medium in the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction, and that detects the distance to the medium in the width direction, and a control unit that adjusts the air volume of the air blown from the first blowing unit based on the detection result of the detection unit.

[0083] According to this configuration, air can be blown at an appropriate air volume according to the degree of deformation of the medium.

[0084] In the above-described recording apparatus, it is desirable that the pressing unit is capable of reciprocating movement along the conveyance direction, and the first blowing unit moves along the conveyance direction together with the pressing unit.

[0085] According to this configuration, since the first blowing unit moves along the conveyance direction together with the pressing unit, air can always be blown at a position immediately before being pressed by the pressing unit. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the medium that has been stretched by the blowing of air from being re-deformed before being pressed by the pressing unit.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1... installation surface, 10... printer, 20... conveyance unit, 22... grooved belt, 22A... outer peripheral surface, 22B... inner peripheral surface, 23... driven roller, 24... drive roller, 25... platen, 30... recording unit, 31... ejection head, 32... carriage, 33... carriage guide, 60... pressing unit, 61... pressing roller, 62... roller drive unit, 63... roller support unit, 70... cleaning unit, 80... air blowing unit, 81... fan, 82, 83... blowing units, 90... control unit, 91... control section, 92... storage section, 93... operation section, 94... display section, 95... detection unit, CL... center line, D1, D2... distances, M... medium.

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a medium attached to an adhesive conveying belt in a conveying direction, A recording unit that records on the medium conveyed by the conveying unit, A pressing unit that is disposed upstream of the recording unit in the conveying direction and presses the conveyed medium against the conveying belt, A recording apparatus comprising: a first blowing unit that blows air toward a position upstream of the pressing unit in the conveying direction.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first blowing unit blows air toward an end portion of the medium in a width direction that intersects the conveying direction of the medium.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first blowing unit is movable in the width direction.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first blowing unit can change the blowing direction of the air.

5. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second blowing unit that blows air toward a position upstream of the position where the first blowing unit blows air in the conveying direction.

6. A detection unit that is disposed at a position upstream of the position where the first blowing unit blows air in the conveying direction and is separated from the medium in a thickness direction that intersects the surface of the medium, and detects a distance from the detection unit to the medium in the thickness direction; The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a control unit that adjusts an air volume of the air blown from the first blowing unit based on a detection result of the detection unit.

7. A detection unit that is disposed at a position upstream of the position where the first blowing unit blows air in the conveying direction and is separated from the medium in a width direction that intersects the conveying direction, and detects a distance from the detection unit to the medium in the width direction; The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a control unit that adjusts an air volume of the air blown from the first blowing unit based on a detection result of the detection unit.

8. The pressing unit is capable of reciprocating along the conveying direction, The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first blowing unit moves along the conveying direction together with the pressing unit.

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