Inkjet recording device

Abstract

To provide an inkjet recording device capable of ensuring the water absorption power of a water absorbing roller while ensuring freedom in device design.SOLUTION: The inkjet recording device comprises a belt (endless belt 11) that transports a recording medium (fabric S), an image forming section (head 2) that forms an image on the recording medium transported by the belt, a cleaning section (cleaning device 12) that supplies cleaning liquid to the belt to clean it, a water absorbing roller 21 that is installed downstream of the cleaning section in the belt transport direction and absorbs the cleaning liquid on the belt, and a suction section 22 that sucks up the cleaning liquid absorbed by the water absorbing roller 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, inkjet recording devices are known that eject ink from an inkjet head to form an image on the recording surface of a fabric (recording medium). In the inkjet recording device, the fabric is transported to a predetermined position while adhesively fixed to an endless belt and positioned. Then, ink is applied from the inkjet head to the positioned fabric. When ink is applied to the edge of the fabric, the ink also adheres to the exposed surface of the endless belt adjacent to the edge. Furthermore, if dust or other particles adhering to the fabric adhere to the endless belt, the adhesive fixation of the fabric to the endless belt deteriorates.

[0003] Therefore, a known configuration is to spray water onto the conveying surface of the endless belt outside the fabric conveying section to clean it, and then wipe it off with a water-absorbing roller to remove the moisture (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The configuration described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to clean the outer surface (conveying surface) of the endless belt. It also makes it possible to restore the adhesive fixation of the endless belt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-192694 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the water-absorbing roller that removes moisture remaining on the endless belt has a problem in that it cannot absorb any more water once the water-holding capacity exceeds a certain level. Patent Document 1 therefore discloses a configuration in which a squeezing roller is provided to press against the water-absorbing roller and squeeze out moisture from the water-absorbing roller. The configuration described in Patent Document 1 allows the water-absorbing roller to absorb moisture again from the endless belt. However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the water squeezed out by the squeezing roller falls naturally and is collected in a water tray installed below. In other words, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the water absorption roller and the squeezing roller can only be installed below the endless belt.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can ensure freedom in device design while also ensuring the water absorbing power of the water absorbing roller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object, In the inkjet recording apparatus, a belt for transporting a recording medium; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the belt; a cleaning unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to the belt to clean it; a water absorbing roller disposed downstream of the cleaning unit in the conveying direction of the belt, the water absorbing roller absorbing the cleaning liquid on the belt; a suction unit that sucks the cleaning liquid absorbed by the water absorbing roller; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 1, The rotating shaft of the water absorbing roller has a plurality of holes on its outer periphery and is hollow.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 2, The suction unit is characterized by including a pump that creates a negative pressure inside the rotating shaft.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 1, The suction unit is characterized by being installed on the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 4, The suction unit is a nozzle that contacts the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller; a pump that creates a negative pressure inside the nozzle; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 5, a pressure roller for pressing the water absorbing roller is provided downstream of the nozzle in the direction of rotation of the water absorbing roller; The nozzle is characterized by sucking up moisture that seeps out due to the pressure of the pressure roller.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 5, The nozzles are arranged in a plurality over the entire axial direction of the water absorbing roller.

[0014] The invention described in claim 8 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 1, The suction unit is a suction roller in contact with the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller, the periphery of which has a plurality of holes formed in the outer periphery of a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft being hollow; a pump that creates a negative pressure inside the rotating shaft; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0015] The invention described in claim 9 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 1, The water-absorbing roller is characterized by being made of a porous material.

[0016] The invention described in claim 10 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 3, one end of a tube is attached to the rotation shaft of the water absorbing roller; a water recovery tank is provided at the end of the tube that is not attached to the rotary shaft; The pump is connected to a water recovery tank and creates a negative pressure in the water recovery tank.

[0017] The invention described in claim 11 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 5, One end of a tube is attached to the nozzle; A water recovery tank is provided at the end of the tube that is not attached to the nozzle, The pump is connected to a water recovery tank and creates a negative pressure in the water recovery tank.

[0018] The invention described in claim 12 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in claim 8, One end of a tube is attached to the rotation shaft of the suction roller, a water recovery tank is provided at the end of the tube that is not attached to the rotary shaft; The pump is connected to a water recovery tank and creates a negative pressure in the water recovery tank.

[0019] The invention described in claim 13 is the inkjet recording apparatus described in any one of claims 10 to 12, The pump is driven in synchronization with the driving of the belt, and is stopped when the belt stops. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the water absorbing power of the water absorbing roller while ensuring freedom in device design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a water suction device. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the water-absorbing roller as seen from the axial direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the rotation shaft of the water absorbing roller. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a water suction device according to Modification 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the water absorbing roller according to the first modification, as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a water suction device according to Modification 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the water absorbing roller according to Modification 2, as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a rotating shaft of a water absorbent roller according to Modification 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 100, a head 2, a medium supply device 3, and a medium transport device 10.

[0024] The recording medium of the present invention on which an image is formed is fabric S. An inkjet method for ejecting ink onto fabric S is applied as head 2. Head 2 functions as an image forming unit of the present invention that forms an image on fabric S transported by endless belt 11.

[0025] The control unit 100 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The CPU first reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM in response to various signals and loads them into the RAM. Next, the CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in cooperation with the various programs loaded into the RAM.

[0026] The medium conveying device 10 includes an endless belt 11, a cleaning device 12, and a water absorbing device 20.

[0027] An endless belt (belt) 11 is wound around a plurality of rollers 111, 112. The endless belt 11 is driven to run by the rotation of a motor (not shown) provided on the roller 111 side. In this case, the roller 112 is driven to rotate, but the roller 112 may be driven and the roller 111 may be driven. Alternatively, a motor may be provided to drive each of the rollers 111, 112, and the rollers may be rotated synchronously. P1 on the endless belt 11 is the belt water absorption position by the water absorption device 20.

[0028] The medium supplying device 3 supplies the fabric S onto the surface of the endless belt 11 downstream of the belt water absorption position P1 in the running direction of the endless belt 11 and upstream of the head 2. The medium supply device 3 guides the fabric S unwound from a winding roller (not shown) to the endless belt 11. The medium supply device 3 presses the fabric S against the surface of the endless belt 11 with a pressure roller 31. The surface of the endless belt 11 is an adhesive surface on which an adhesive layer is formed. Therefore, the fabric S pressed by the pressure roller 31 is adhered to the surface of the endless belt 11. The fabric S adhered to the surface of the endless belt 11 is transported toward the head 2 by the endless belt 11, which runs in synchronization with the medium supply device 3.

[0029] After an image is formed on the fabric S by the head 2, the fabric S is peeled off from the surface of the endless belt 11 by a peeling means (not shown). The fabric S peeled off from the surface of the endless belt 11 is dried by a drying device (not shown) and then recovered by being wound up on a winding roller (not shown). On the other hand, the endless belt 11 from which the fabric S has been peeled off is washed by a washing device 12 installed downstream in the running direction of the endless belt 11.

[0030] The cleaning device 12 includes, in order, a spray nozzle 121, a brush roller 122, a spray nozzle 123, and a blade 124. The cleaning device 12 cleans the endless belt 11 by supplying a cleaning liquid (water) to the endless belt 11 after the fabric S has been peeled off. In other words, the cleaning device 12 functions as a cleaning unit of the present invention. The spray nozzle 121 sprays and supplies the cleaning liquid onto the endless belt 11. The brush roller 122 brushes the endless belt 11. The spray nozzle 123 sprays and supplies the cleaning liquid again onto the endless belt 11. The blade 124 scrapes off any adhering water droplets.

[0031] After the endless belt 11 has been washed, any remaining moisture is absorbed by the moisture absorbing device 20 at the belt moisture absorbing position P1 on the downstream side in the running direction of the endless belt 11. The moisture absorbing device 20 is installed so that the moisture absorbing roller 21 is in pressure contact with the surface of the endless belt 11 at the belt moisture absorbing position P1.

[0032] As described above, the endless belt 11 is circulated to repeatedly carry out the cycle of supplying the fabric S, forming an image, removing the fabric S, washing with water, and absorbing the remaining moisture.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the water absorbing device 20 includes a water absorbing roller 21 and a suction unit 22.

[0034] The water absorbing roller 21 is installed downstream of the cleaning device 12 in the conveying direction of the endless belt 11 and upstream of the medium supply device 3. The water absorbing roller 21 is mounted on a rotation axis 21a (see FIG. 4) that is parallel to the axial direction of the two rollers 111, 112, and rotates in response to the movement of the endless belt 11. The water absorbing roller 21 is installed so as to face the roller 111 across the endless belt 11, and is installed so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the endless belt 11. The water absorbing roller 21 absorbs moisture (cleaning liquid) on the endless belt 11 by pressing against the endless belt 11.

[0035] The water-absorbing roller 21 is made of sponge, rubber sponge, nonwoven fabric hardened into the above-mentioned shape, water-absorbing fiber material, etc. The water-absorbing roller 21 can be made of any material that has water absorption and elasticity. The water-absorbing roller 21 is a porous body.

[0036] The rotating shaft 21a of the water absorbent roller 21 is an iron shaft. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rotating shaft 21a has a plurality of holes H1 on its outer periphery (surface) and is hollow. This allows the water W absorbed by the water absorbent roller 21 to be drawn into the interior of the rotating shaft 21a. One end of a tube 221 is attached to the rotary shaft 21a.

[0037] 3, the suction unit 22 includes a tube 221, a water recovery tank 222, and a pump 223. The suction unit 22 sucks the water (cleaning liquid) absorbed by the water absorbing roller .

[0038] One end of the tube 221 branches, and each branched end is attached to both ends of the rotating shaft 21a, respectively. A water recovery tank 222 is installed on the other end (the end not attached to the rotating shaft 21a) of the tube 221. In this way, the tube 221 connects both ends of the hollow rotating shaft 21a to the water recovery tank 222. The tube 221 sucks in moisture W drawn into the interior of the rotating shaft 21a and releases it into the water recovery tank 222. The water recovery tank 222 stores the water W released from the tube 221 therein.

[0039] The pump 223 is connected to the water recovery tank 222. Under the control of the control unit 100, the pump 223 sucks air from the inside (hollow portion) of the rotating shaft 21a via the water recovery tank 222 and the tube 221. This creates a negative pressure inside the rotating shaft 21a. Furthermore, by driving the pump 223, negative pressure is also created inside the water recovery tank 222 and the tube 221. Under the control of the control unit 100, the pump 223 is driven in synchronization with the driving (conveyance) of the endless belt 11. The driving of the pump 223 is stopped when the endless belt 11 stops.

[0040] When pump 223 is driven, air is sucked from inside rotating shaft 21a via water recovery tank 222 and tube 221. This reduces the pressure inside rotating shaft 21a to a negative pressure, causing water W absorbed by water absorption roller 21 to be drawn into the inside of rotating shaft 21a. Driving pump 223 also creates a negative pressure inside water recovery tank 222 and tube 221, so the water W drawn into rotating shaft 21a is released via tube 221 into water recovery tank 222 and stored therein. This allows water W to be sucked from water absorption roller 21. This allows water absorption roller 21 to absorb water from endless belt 11 again.

[0041] As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a belt (endless belt 11), an image forming unit (head 2), a cleaning unit (cleaning device 12), a water absorbing roller 21, and a suction unit 22. The belt transports a recording medium (fabric S). The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium transported by the belt. The cleaning unit cleans the belt by supplying cleaning liquid to the belt. The water absorbing roller 21 is installed downstream of the cleaning unit in the belt transport direction, and absorbs the cleaning liquid on the belt. The suction unit 22 sucks up the cleaning liquid absorbed by the water absorbing roller 21. Therefore, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can absorb the water W from the water absorbent roller 21 without being restricted in its placement, ensuring freedom in device design while also ensuring the water absorption capacity of the water absorbent roller 21.

[0042] The rotation shaft 21a of the water absorbing roller 21 has a plurality of holes H1 on the outer periphery and is hollow. Therefore, the water W absorbed by the water absorbent roller 21 can be drawn into the interior of the rotary shaft 21a, thereby ensuring the water absorbing power of the water absorbent roller 21.

[0043] The suction unit 22 also includes a pump 223 that creates a negative pressure inside the rotating shaft 21a. Therefore, the water W absorbed by the water absorbent roller 21 can be drawn into the interior of the rotary shaft 21a, thereby ensuring the water absorbing power of the water absorbent roller 21.

[0044] The water absorbing roller 21 is made of a porous material. Therefore, the water absorbing roller 21 can absorb the water W. Therefore, the water absorbing roller 21 can absorb the water from the endless belt 11.

[0045] One end of a tube 221 is attached to the rotation shaft 21a of the water absorbing roller 21. A water recovery tank 222 is installed on the end of the tube 221 that is not attached to the rotation shaft 21a. A pump 223 is connected to the water recovery tank 222 and creates a negative pressure inside the water recovery tank 222. Therefore, the water W absorbed by the water absorbing roller 21 can be stored in the water recovery tank 222. This ensures the water absorbing power of the water absorbing roller 21.

[0046] The pump 223 is driven in synchronization with the driving of the belt, and is stopped when the belt stops. Therefore, when the endless belt 11 has not been cleaned by the cleaning device 12 and the water absorbing roller 21 does not need to absorb water from the endless belt 11, the pump 223 can be prevented from being driven, thereby reducing wear and tear on the pump 223.

[0047] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0048] (Variation 1) For example, the suction section 23 may be provided on the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller 21A. 6 shows a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1A according to Modification 1. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a water absorbing device 20A according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the water absorbing device 20A includes a water absorbing roller 21A and a suction unit .

[0049] 7, suction unit 23 includes nozzle 231, tube 232, water recovery tank 233, and pump 234. Suction unit 23 sucks up the water (cleaning liquid) absorbed by water absorbing roller 21A.

[0050] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, nozzle 231 comes into contact with the outer periphery (surface) of water absorbent roller 21A. A pressure roller 235 that presses water absorbent roller 21A is provided downstream of nozzle 231 in the direction of rotation of water absorbent roller 21A. Nozzle 231 sucks up moisture W that seeps out due to the pressure of pressure roller 235. As shown in Figure 7, a plurality of nozzles 231 are arranged in a row across the entire axial direction of water absorbent roller 21A. This allows water to be sucked from the entire axial direction of water absorbent roller 21A. It is sufficient that nozzle 231 covers the entire axial direction of water absorbent roller 21A. In other words, instead of arranging a plurality of nozzles 231, a single nozzle that opens across the entire axial direction of water absorbent roller 21A may be used.

[0051] One end of the tube 232 is attached to the nozzle 231. A water recovery tank 233 is installed on the other end (the end not attached to the nozzle 231) of the tube 232. In this way, the tube 232 connects the nozzle 231 and the water recovery tank 233. The tube 232 sucks in the moisture W sucked into the nozzle 231 and releases it into the water recovery tank 233. The water recovery tank 233 stores the water W released from the tube 232 therein.

[0052] The pump 234 is connected to the water recovery tank 233. Under the control of the control unit 100, the pump 234 sucks air from the inside (hollow portion) of the nozzle 231 via the water recovery tank 233 and the tube 232. This creates a negative pressure inside the nozzle 231. Furthermore, by driving the pump 234, negative pressure is also created inside the water recovery tank 233 and the tube 232. Under the control of the control unit 100, the pump 234 is driven in synchronization with the driving (conveyance) of the endless belt 11. The driving of the pump 234 is stopped when the endless belt 11 is stopped.

[0053] The rotating shaft 21b of the water absorbent roller 21A according to the first modification is not configured to draw water into the rotating shaft 21a as in the embodiment. Therefore, the rotating shaft 21b does not need to have multiple holes on its outer periphery (surface), nor does it need to be hollow.

[0054] When water absorbent roller 21A is pressed by pressure roller 235, the water W absorbed by water absorbent roller 21A seeps out to the surface. When pump 234 is driven, air is sucked from inside nozzle 231 via water recovery tank 233 and tube 232. This reduces the pressure inside nozzle 231 to a negative pressure, causing water W that has seeped out to the surface of water absorbent roller 21A to be drawn back into nozzle 231. Driving pump 234 also creates a negative pressure inside water recovery tank 233 and tube 232, so the water W drawn into nozzle 231 is released through tube 232 into water recovery tank 233 and stored therein. This allows the water W absorbed by water absorbent roller 21A to be collected in water recovery tank 233. This allows water absorbent roller 21A to absorb water from endless belt 11 again.

[0055] As described above, in the first modification, the suction section 23 is provided on the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller 21A. Therefore, the moisture W absorbed by water absorbent roller 21A can be absorbed by suction section 23, which has a simple configuration and a high degree of freedom in placement, thereby ensuring freedom in device design and ensuring the water absorbing power of water absorbent roller 21A.

[0056] The suction unit 23 also includes a nozzle 231 that comes into contact with the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller 21A, and a pump 234 that creates a negative pressure inside the nozzle 231. Therefore, the water W absorbed by water absorbent roller 21A can be drawn into nozzle 231. This ensures the water absorbing power of water absorbent roller 21A.

[0057] Furthermore, a pressure roller 235 that presses against the water absorbing roller 21A is provided downstream of the nozzle 231 in the direction of rotation of the water absorbing roller 21A. The nozzle 231 sucks up the water that seeps out due to the pressure of the pressure roller 235. Therefore, the water W absorbed by water absorbent roller 21A can be easily drawn into nozzle 231. This makes it easy to ensure the water absorbing power of water absorbent roller 21A.

[0058] A plurality of nozzles 231 are arranged along the entire axial direction of the water absorbing roller 21A. Therefore, water can be absorbed from the entire axial direction of water absorbent roller 21A, thereby ensuring the water absorbing power of water absorbent roller 21A more reliably.

[0059] One end of a tube 232 is attached to the nozzle 231. A water recovery tank 233 is installed on the end of the tube 232 that is not attached to the nozzle 231. A pump 234 is connected to the water recovery tank 233 and creates a negative pressure inside the water recovery tank 233. Therefore, the water W absorbed by water absorbing roller 21A can be stored in water recovery tank 233. This ensures the water absorbing power of water absorbing roller 21A.

[0060] (Variation 2) Furthermore, instead of using the nozzle 231 as the suction part provided on the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller 21A, the configuration of the water absorbing roller 21 of the embodiment may be used. 9 shows a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1B according to Modification 2. FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a water absorbing device 20B according to Modification 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the water absorbing device 20B according to the second modification includes a water absorbing roller 21A and a suction section 24. As shown in FIG.

[0061] 10, the suction unit 24 includes a suction roller 241, a tube 242, a water recovery tank 243, and a pump 244. The suction unit 24 sucks the water (cleaning liquid) absorbed by the water absorbing roller 21A.

[0062] The suction roller 241 comes into contact with the outer periphery (surface) of the water absorbent roller 21A. A pressure roller 245 that presses the water absorbent roller 21A is provided downstream of the suction roller 241 in the direction of rotation of the water absorbent roller 21A. The suction roller 241 presses against the water absorbent roller 21A, thereby sucking up the moisture W that seeps out due to the pressure of the pressure roller 245. The suction roller 241 is made of sponge, rubber sponge, nonwoven fabric hardened into the above-mentioned shape, water-absorbent fiber material, etc. The suction roller 241 can be made of any material that has water absorption and elasticity. The suction roller 241 is a porous body.

[0063] The rotating shaft 241a of the suction roller 241 is an iron shaft. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the rotating shaft 241a has a plurality of holes H2 on its outer periphery (surface) and is hollow. This allows the moisture W sucked by the suction roller 241 to be drawn into the rotating shaft 241a. One end of a tube 242 is attached to the rotary shaft 241a.

[0064] One end of the tube 242 branches, and each branched end is attached to each end of the rotating shaft 241a. A water recovery tank 243 is installed on the other end (the end not attached to the rotating shaft 241a) of the tube 242. In this way, the tube 242 connects both ends of the hollow rotating shaft 241a to the water recovery tank 243. The tube 242 sucks in moisture W drawn into the rotating shaft 241a and releases it into the water recovery tank 243. The water recovery tank 243 stores the water W released from the tube 242 therein.

[0065] The pump 244 is connected to the water recovery tank 243. Under the control of the control unit 100, the pump 244 sucks air from the inside (hollow portion) of the rotating shaft 241a via the water recovery tank 243 and the tube 242. This creates a negative pressure inside the rotating shaft 241a. Furthermore, by driving the pump 244, negative pressure is also created inside the water recovery tank 243 and the tube 242. Under the control of the control unit 100, the pump 244 is driven in synchronization with the driving (conveyance) of the endless belt 11. The driving of the pump 244 is stopped when the endless belt 11 stops.

[0066] When the water absorbent roller 21A is pressed by the pressure roller 245, the water W absorbed by the water absorbent roller 21A seeps out to the surface. The water W that has seeped out to the surface of the water absorbent roller 21A is absorbed by the suction roller 241. When the pump 244 is driven, air is sucked from inside the rotating shaft 241a via the water recovery tank 243 and the tube 242. This reduces the pressure inside the rotating shaft 241a to a negative pressure, and the water W absorbed by the suction roller 241 is drawn into the rotating shaft 241a. As a result of the driving of the pump 244, negative pressure is also created inside the water recovery tank 243 and the tube 242, and the water W that has been drawn into the rotating shaft 241a is released into the water recovery tank 243 via the tube 242 and stored therein. This allows the water W that has seeped out to the surface of the water absorbent roller 21A and absorbed by the suction roller 241 to be collected in the water recovery tank 243. Therefore, the water absorbing roller 21A can absorb water from the endless belt 11 again.

[0067] As described above, in Modification 2, suction unit 24 includes suction roller 241 and pump 244. Suction roller 241 contacts the outer periphery of water absorbent roller 21A, and has a hollow rotating shaft 241a with multiple holes H2 formed in the outer periphery. Pump 244 creates a negative pressure inside rotating shaft 241a. Therefore, the water W absorbed by water absorbent roller 21A can be drawn into the interior of rotation shaft 241a, thereby ensuring the water absorbing power of water absorbent roller 21A.

[0068] One end of a tube 242 is attached to the rotation shaft 241a of the suction roller 241, and a water recovery tank 243 is installed on the end of the tube 242 that is not attached to the rotation shaft 241a. A pump 244 is connected to the water recovery tank 243 and creates a negative pressure inside the water recovery tank 243. Therefore, the water W absorbed by water absorbing roller 21A can be stored in water recovery tank 243. This ensures the water absorbing power of water absorbing roller 21A.

[0069] In addition, the detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the inkjet recording apparatus can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1, 1A, 1B Inkjet recording device 100 control section 2 heads (image forming unit) 3 Media supply device 31 Pressure roller 10 Media transport device 11 Endless belt (belt) 111,112 Roller 12 Cleaning device (cleaning section) 121,123 Injection nozzle 122 Brush Roller 124 blades 20, 20A, 20B water absorption device 21, 21A Water absorption roller 21a, 21b Rotation axis H1 hole 22 Suction part 221 Tube 222 Water recovery tank 223 Pump 23 Suction part 231 Nozzle 232 tubes 233 Water Recovery Tank 234 Pump 235 Pressure roller 24 Suction part 241 Suction Roller 241a Rotation axis 242 tubes 243 Water Recovery Tank 244 Pump 245 Pressure Roller S Fabric (recording medium) P1 Belt water absorption position

Claims

1. a belt for transporting a recording medium; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the belt; a cleaning unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to the belt to clean it; a water absorbing roller disposed downstream of the cleaning unit in the conveying direction of the belt, the water absorbing roller absorbing the cleaning liquid on the belt; a suction unit that sucks the cleaning liquid absorbed by the water absorbing roller; An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft of the water absorbing roller has a plurality of holes on its outer periphery and is hollow.

3. 3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suction unit includes a pump that creates a negative pressure inside the rotating shaft.

4. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction unit is disposed on the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller.

5. The suction unit is a nozzle that contacts the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller; a pump that creates a negative pressure inside the nozzle; 5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. a pressure roller for pressing the water absorbing roller is provided downstream of the nozzle in the direction of rotation of the water absorbing roller; 6. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the nozzles suck moisture that seeps out due to the pressure of the pressure roller.

7. 6. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the nozzles are arranged along the entire axial direction of the water absorbing roller.

8. The suction unit is a suction roller in contact with the outer periphery of the water absorbing roller, the periphery of which has a plurality of holes formed in the outer periphery of a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft being hollow; a pump that creates a negative pressure inside the rotating shaft; 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water absorbing roller is made of a porous material.

10. one end of a tube is attached to the rotation shaft of the water absorbing roller; a water recovery tank is provided at the end of the tube that is not attached to the rotary shaft; 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pump is connected to a water recovery tank and creates a negative pressure inside the water recovery tank.

11. One end of a tube is attached to the nozzle; A water recovery tank is provided at the end of the tube that is not attached to the nozzle, 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pump is connected to a water recovery tank and creates a negative pressure inside the water recovery tank.

12. One end of a tube is attached to the rotation shaft of the suction roller, a water recovery tank is provided at the end of the tube that is not attached to the rotary shaft; 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pump is connected to a water recovery tank and creates a negative pressure inside the water recovery tank.

13. 13. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pump is driven in synchronization with the driving of the belt, and the driving of the pump is stopped when the belt stops.

Images