Medium conveyance device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device capable of reducing an area necessary for installing when an image forming operation is not executed.SOLUTION: This image forming device comprises: liquid discharge means for discharging a liquid to a medium; pedestal conveyance means for fixing a pedestal on which the medium is placed and conveying the pedestal outside a prescribed position in a device housing; medium conveyance means for conveying the medium together with the pedestal conveyance means relative to the liquid discharge means; drive means for supplying a driving force to the pedestal conveyance means and the medium conveyance means; and driving force switching means for switching which of the pedestal conveyance means and the medium conveyance means the driving force from the drive means is supplied to. The driving force switching means switches to supply the driving force to the pedestal conveyance means when the pedestal is outside the prescribed position and to supply it to the medium conveyance means when the pedestal is inside the prescribed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium transport device and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices that form images by applying an image-forming material to a medium are known. One known image forming device includes an ejection head that ejects a liquid image-forming material onto the medium and a medium transport device that transports the medium toward the ejection head. Another known medium transport device uses a fabric material (e.g., a T-shirt) as the medium, places the fabric material on a base, and includes a base transport mechanism that transports the base into the device and a medium transport unit that transports the base transport mechanism toward the ejection head. Image forming devices that form images using fabric material as a medium are generally sometimes referred to as garment printers.

[0003] The base on which the media is placed is moved and transported within the device by a base transport mechanism and a media transport mechanism. Therefore, in a media transport device equipped with a base, the base must be located outside the device housing even when the device is on standby for processing or not in operation, and a portion of the base transport mechanism is always located in a position that protrudes outward from the edge of the exterior of the device body. Therefore, this portion of the base transport mechanism is also located outside the exterior of the device body, even when the image formation process is on standby or when the device is in a halt with the operating power turned off. If a portion of the device protrudes outside the device housing, it becomes an obstacle to miniaturizing the entire device.

[0004] Although it does not relate to an image forming device that uses fabric materials such as clothing as a medium, a configuration has been disclosed for switching the media transport drive force in a DVD disc printer with the aim of allowing it to be stored compactly in a television rack or the like in a home (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses content that can contribute to the miniaturization of the device, but it is not applicable to image forming devices that form images on a medium such as cloth. That is, in image forming devices that use a medium such as cloth, the base and part of the base conveying mechanism are located in protruding positions, which poses a problem in reducing the installation area and miniaturizing the entire device.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the area required for installation when the image forming operation is not being performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising a liquid ejection means for ejecting liquid onto a medium, a base transport means for fixing a base on which the medium is placed and transporting the base outside a predetermined position within the apparatus housing, a medium transport means for transporting the medium together with the base transport means relative to the liquid ejection means, a drive means for supplying drive force to the base transport means and the medium transport means, and a drive force switching means for switching whether the drive force from the drive means is supplied to the base transport means or the medium transport means, wherein the drive force switching means supplies the drive force to the base transport means when the base is outside the predetermined position, and supplies the drive force to the medium transport means when the base is inside the predetermined position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the area required for installation when the image forming operation is not being performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing examples of characteristic states of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3]1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a medium transport device according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an example of an operating state of the medium conveying device. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example (1) of a process executed by the medium conveying device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example (2) of a process executed by the medium conveying device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example (3) of a process executed by the medium conveying device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing executed by the medium conveying device. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the process executed by the medium conveying device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a garment printer 1 as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus that uses fabric as a recording medium. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which a medium for recording an image is being placed on a platen 101, which serves as a base for placing the medium. The medium used in the garment printer 1 is fabric, such as a T-shirt. That is, the garment printer 1 has the function of forming an image on a T-shirt placed (set) on the platen 101, which serves as a base.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the garment printer 1 illustrates a platen 101 as a base located at a position protruding from a portion of the exterior of the device exterior 150, and a portion of a platen conveying section 110 as a base conveying means for conveying the platen 101.

[0012] When setting a medium on the platen transport unit 110, the platen 101 is moved by the platen transport unit 110 to make it easier for the user to perform the work. At this time, a portion of the platen transport unit 110 that moves the platen 101 protrudes outward beyond the edge of the device housing of the garment printer 1. In other words, a portion of the platen transport unit 110 and the platen 101 fixed to the platen transport unit 110 correspond to the protruding portion of the garment printer 1.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a characteristic state of the medium transport mechanism 100 as an embodiment of the medium transport device provided in the garment printer 1 according to this embodiment. Conventional technology does not achieve a state corresponding to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates the medium transport mechanism 100 in a standby state or a power-off state. As shown in FIG. 2, when no medium is set on the platen 101, the platen 101 and the platen transport unit 110 are mostly housed inside the device exterior 150. In other words, when no medium is set on the platen 101 or when the medium transport mechanism 100 is not operating (when the power is off or when image formation processing is not being performed), a portion of the platen transport unit 110 and the platen 101 do not protrude from the exterior of the device exterior 150. Therefore, when the garment printer 1 is not performing image formation operations, it has no protruding portions.

[0014] As explained above, when placing a medium on the platen 101, the medium transport mechanism 100 according to this embodiment moves the platen 101 together with the platen transport unit 110 that serves as its base so that the platen 101 is stored in the garment printer 1. As a result, when the garment printer 1 is not performing an image formation operation, is in a standby state, etc., the overall size of the medium transport mechanism 100 is reduced, thereby enabling the installation area to be reduced.

[0015] [Storage mechanism for platen and platen transport device] 3A is a side perspective view illustrating a structure in which the platen 101 and platen transport unit 110 of the medium transport mechanism 100 are housed inside the device exterior 150. FIG. 3B is a top perspective view of the same structure.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the media conveying mechanism 100 includes a platen 101 as a base, a platen conveying section 110 as a base conveying means, a platen conveying belt 111 as a base drive belt, a media conveying section 120 as a media conveying means that conveys the platen 101 together with the platen conveying section 110 inside the device exterior 150, a media conveying belt 121 as a media drive belt, a drive switching section 130 as a drive force switching means, and a drive force transmission belt 131 and a motor 180 as drive means.

[0017] The platen 101 is fixed to a platen transport unit 110. The platen 101 is transported by the platen transport unit 110 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the device exterior 150 (the Y direction shown in the figure, which is the front and rear directions when the medium transport mechanism 100 is installed). The transport of the platen 101 is achieved by moving the platen transport unit 110 relative to the device exterior 150.

[0018] The platen transport unit 110 is held so as to be movable relative to the medium transport unit 120. Therefore, when the platen transport unit 110 moves in the Y direction relative to the medium transport unit 120, the platen 101 fixed to the platen transport unit 110 also moves in the same direction as the platen transport unit 110.

[0019] The platen conveying unit 110 moves by receiving power from the drive force transmission belt 131 via the platen conveying belt 111. The platen conveying unit 110 is also a conveying device that moves as the medium conveying unit 120 moves by receiving power from the drive force transmission belt 131 via the medium conveying belt 121.

[0020] The medium transport unit 120 transports the platen transport unit 110 in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction) of the device exterior 150, thereby transporting the medium placed on the platen 101 relative to the liquid ejection means, which serves as processing means for performing a predetermined process. As the medium is transported by the medium transport unit 120, the ejection head scans the medium relatively, and ejects liquid ink at the appropriate time to form an image on the medium.

[0021] The drive force transmission belt 131, which serves as a source of drive force for the platen conveying section 110 and the media conveying section 120, transmits power from a drive source such as a motor 180 to the platen conveying belt 111 or the media conveying belt 121 via the drive switching section 130.

[0022] As described above, the transport of the platen 101 is divided into movement by the medium transport belt 121 and movement by the platen transport belt 111.

[0023] A platen driving force transmission member 112 serving as a base driving force transmission unit, and a medium driving force transmission member 122 serving as a medium driving force transmission unit are attached to the drive switching unit 130. The power from the driving force transmission belt 131 is switched between a state in which it is transmitted to the platen driving force transmission member 112 and a state in which it is transmitted to the medium driving force transmission member 122 by the operation of the drive switching unit 130.

[0024] When power is transmitted to the platen driving force transmission member 112, the driving force transmission belt 131 is connected to the platen transport belt 111, thereby transmitting the driving force to the platen transport belt 111. Since the platen transport belt 111 is connected to the platen transport unit 110, when power is transmitted to the platen transport belt 111, the platen transport unit 110 receives the power and moves relative to the medium transport unit 120.

[0025] When power is being transmitted to the medium driving force transmission member 122, the driving force transmission belt 131 is connected to the medium conveying belt 121, thereby transmitting the driving force to the medium conveying belt 121. Because the medium conveying belt 121 is connected to the medium conveying unit 120, when power is transmitted to the medium conveying belt 121, the medium conveying unit 120 receives the power and moves relative to the device exterior 150. At this time, the platen conveying unit 110 also moves similarly relative to the device exterior 150.

[0026] [Operation of the medium transport mechanism 100] 4A and 4B illustrate the operation of the medium transport mechanism 100. Fig. 4A illustrates the operation when the platen 101 and other components are not housed inside the device exterior 150. Fig. 4B illustrates the operation when the platen 101 and other components are housed inside the device exterior 150.

[0027] Section Sa shown in Figure 4 illustrates an example of the movement range of the platen 101. Position Y1, which is one of the predetermined positions, indicates a position where the drive switching unit 130 switches the transmission destination of the driving force for moving the platen 101. Position Y2 illustrates an example of a position where a medium is set on the platen 101. In other words, when a medium is set on the platen 101, the platen 101 has already reached position Y2, which is one of the predetermined positions.

[0028] 4, the driving force for moving the platen 101 is transmitted by the platen transport belt 111. Similarly, in section S2, the driving force for moving the platen 101 is transmitted by the medium transport belt 121.

[0029] 4A to be housed inside the device exterior 150, the platen 101 moves through section S1 using the driving force from the platen conveying belt 111. When the platen 101 reaches position Y1, the drive switching unit 130 switches the driving force from the driving force transmission belt 131 to be transmitted to the medium conveying belt 121 instead of the platen conveying belt 111.

[0030] Thereafter, the platen 101 is moved by the medium transport belt 121 through the section S2 as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0031] The medium transport mechanism 100 reduces the amount of the platen 101 and platen transport unit 110 that protrudes from the device exterior 150, thereby reducing the size, especially when the device is on standby. Also, because the garment printer 1 has an exterior shape that is close to a box, it is easier to maintain balance during transportation.

[0032] [Drive force switching mechanism: printing process] Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing involving the transport of the platen 101 by the medium transport mechanism 100. Figures 5 to 7 show an example of the flow of processing when the medium transport mechanism 100 executes a printing process to form an image on a fabric material.

[0033] To start the printing process, the user first operates "start printing" by a predetermined operation (S501), followed by the platen 101 being moved by the medium conveying unit 120 to position Y1 (see FIG. 4) for power switching (S502).

[0034] S502 continues until the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S503: NO), and when the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S503: YES), the drive switching unit 130 switches the connection with the drive force transmission belt 131 so that power from the motor 180 is transmitted to the platen conveying belt 111 (S504).

[0035] Next, the platen 101 is moved to position Y2 (see FIG. 4) by the platen transport unit 110 (S505). S505 is continued until the platen 101 reaches position Y2 (S506: NO), and when the platen 101 reaches position Y2 (S506: YES), the transport of the platen 101 is stopped (S507).

[0036] Next, the user places a medium (for example, a T-shirt) on the platen 101 (S601) and performs a print execution operation (S602).

[0037] Next, the platen 101 is moved to position Y1 (see FIG. 4) by the platen transport unit 110 (S603). S603 continues until the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S604: NO), and when the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S604: YES), the drive switching unit 130 switches the connection with the drive force transmission belt 131 so that power from the motor 180 is transmitted to the medium transport belt 121 (S605).

[0038] Thereafter, the image forming process is performed while the platen 101 is scanned by the medium conveying unit 120 (S606). After the image forming process is completed, the platen 101 is moved to position Y1 by the medium conveying unit 120 (S701). S701 continues until the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S702: NO), and when the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S702: YES), the drive switching unit 130 switches the connection with the drive force transmission belt 131 so that power from the motor 180 is transmitted to the platen conveying belt 111 (S703).

[0039] Next, the platen 101 is moved to position Y2 (see FIG. 4) by the platen transport unit 110 (S704). S704 is continued until the platen 101 reaches position Y2 (S705: NO), and when the platen 101 reaches position Y2 (S705: YES), the transport of the platen 101 is stopped (S706).

[0040] After the platen 101 reaches the working position, which is position Y2, and the transport stops, the user removes the medium that was set on the platen 101 (S707). This completes the printing process.

[0041] [Drive force switching mechanism: standby processing] Next, an example of processing that is executed while the medium conveying mechanism 100 is waiting for processing after the end of printing processing, etc., will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] First, the process loops with the platen 101 at position Y2 until a certain time has elapsed (S801: NO). Then, when the certain time has elapsed (S801: YES), the platen transport unit 110 moves the platen 101 to position Y1 (see FIG. 4) (S802). S802 continues until the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S803: NO). Then, when the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S803: YES), the drive switching unit 130 switches the connection with the drive force transmission belt 131 so that power from the motor 180 is transmitted to the medium transport belt 121 (S804).

[0043] Next, the medium transport unit 120 is moved to section S2 (S805), and continues to move until the platen 101 reaches a predetermined position in section S2 (S806: NO). When the platen 101 reaches the predetermined position in section S2 (S806: YES), the standby process ends.

[0044] [Drive force switching mechanism: power off processing] Next, an example of processing executed in the power-off processing that is performed when use of the medium transport mechanism 100 is finished will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] First, with the platen 101 at position Y2, it is determined whether a power-off operation has been performed (S901). If a power-off operation has been performed (S901: YES), the platen transport unit 110 moves the platen 101 to position Y1 (see FIG. 4) (S902). S902 is continued until the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S903: NO). Then, when the platen 101 reaches position Y1 (S903: YES), the drive switching unit 130 switches the connection with the drive force transmission belt 131 so that power from the motor 180 is transmitted to the medium transport belt 121 (S904).

[0046] Next, the medium transport unit 120 is moved to section S2 (S905) and continues to move until the platen 101 reaches a predetermined position in section S2 (S906: NO). When the platen 101 reaches the predetermined position in section S2 (S906: YES), the power is turned off (S907) and the process ends.

[0047] According to the medium transport mechanism 100 described above, by switching the drive force transmission configuration when transporting the platen 101, it is possible to reduce the installation area of ​​the medium transport mechanism 100 and the garment printer 1 when the garment printer 1 is on standby. In other words, it is possible to reduce the size of the device housing when not in use or during transportation.

[0048] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0049] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> A medium transport device that transports a medium to a processing means that performs a predetermined process on the medium, a base transport means for fixing a base on which the medium is placed and transporting the base outside a predetermined position within the device housing; a medium transport means for transporting the medium together with the base transport means relative to the processing means; a driving means for supplying a driving force to the base transport means and the medium transport means; a driving force switching unit that switches whether the driving force from the driving unit is transmitted to the base transport unit or the medium transport unit; Equipped with The driving force switching means is configured to: When the base is outside the predetermined position, the movement is transmitted to the base transport means; When the base is located inside the predetermined position, the medium is conveyed to the medium conveying means. The medium conveying device is characterized by switching the medium conveying direction. <2> the driving force switching means switches the destination of the driving force when the base passes the predetermined position. The aforementioned <1> 2 is a medium conveying device according to the first embodiment. <3> the predetermined position is a position where the base is housed inside a device housing; The aforementioned <1> or <2> 2 is a medium conveying device according to the first embodiment. <4> the base is located inside the predetermined position when the processing means is not operating; The aforementioned <1> and above <3> 10. The medium transport device according to claim 9, wherein: <5> The driving means a base drive belt that drives the base conveying means; a base drive force transmission unit that transmits the drive force to the base drive belt; a media drive belt that drives the media transport means; a medium driving force transmission unit that transmits the driving force to the medium driving belt; Equipped with The driving force switching means The base drive belt is connected to the base drive force transmission unit, or The media drive belt is connected to the media drive force transmission unit, or Switch between The aforementioned <1> and above <4> 10. The medium transport device according to claim 9, wherein: <6> a liquid ejection means as a processing means for performing a predetermined process on a medium; a medium transport means for transporting a medium relative to the liquid ejection means; Equipped with The medium transport means is <1> and above <5> The medium conveying device according to any one of the above items. The image forming apparatus is characterized by the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1: Garment printer 100: Media transport mechanism 101: Platen 110: Platen transport section 111: Platen conveyor belt 112: Platen driving force transmission member 120: Media transport unit 121: Media conveying belt 122: Medium driving force transmission member 130: Drive switching unit 131: Driving force transmission belt 150: Equipment exterior 180: Motor [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0051] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-034637

Claims

1. A medium transport device that transports a medium to a processing means that performs a predetermined process on the medium, a base transport means for fixing a base on which the medium is placed and transporting the base outside a predetermined position within the device housing; a medium transport means for transporting the medium together with the base transport means relative to the processing means; a driving means for supplying a driving force to the base transport means and the medium transport means; a driving force switching unit that switches whether the driving force from the driving unit is transmitted to the base transport unit or the medium transport unit; Equipped with The driving force switching means is configured to: When the base is outside the predetermined position, the movement is transmitted to the base transport means; When the base is located inside the predetermined position, the medium is conveyed to the medium conveying means. A medium transport device characterized by switching between the above two modes.

2. the driving force switching means switches the destination of the driving force when the base passes the predetermined position. The media transport device of claim 1 .

3. the predetermined position is a position where the base is housed inside a device housing; The medium transport device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the base is located inside the predetermined position when the processing means is not operating; The medium transport device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The driving means a base drive belt that drives the base conveying means; a base drive force transmission unit that transmits the drive force to the base drive belt; a media drive belt that drives the media transport means; a medium driving force transmission unit that transmits the driving force to the medium driving belt; Equipped with The driving force switching means The base drive belt is connected to the base drive force transmission unit, or The media drive belt is connected to the media drive force transmission unit, or Switch between The medium transport device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a liquid ejection means as a processing means for performing a predetermined process on a medium; a medium transport means for transporting a medium relative to the liquid ejection means; Equipped with The medium transport means is a medium transport device according to claim 1 or 2. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

Images