Medium conveyance device and recording device

Abstract

To provide a medium conveyance device capable of efficiently collecting foreign matter in a configuration in which a conveying belt is movable.SOLUTION: A medium conveyance device includes: a conveyance unit that includes a conveying belt that conveys a target recording medium at a facing position facing a recording unit that performs recording; and a collection unit that is disposed vertically below the conveying belt at the facing position and capable of collecting foreign matter that has fallen off the conveying belt. Therein: the conveying belt is configured to be movable between the facing position and a retracted position that is a position different from the facing position; and the collection unit moves in association with movement of the conveying belt.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium transport device and a recording device equipped with the medium transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device that includes a conveyor belt positioned opposite a liquid ejection unit that performs recording on a medium in a medium conveyance path that curves and extends from a storage cassette for the medium, such as paper, toward a holding tray. According to this document, the conveyor belt is configured to be movable between an opposing position that supports the medium in the conveyance path and a retracted position that is separated from the conveyance path, and when the conveyor belt moves to the retracted position, a maintenance device performs maintenance operations such as suction cleaning and wiping of the liquid ejection unit.

[0003] If foreign matter such as paper dust adheres to such a conveyor belt, there is a concern that it could cause problems such as poor media adsorption. In particular, if the paper dust scatters and adheres to the liquid ejection section, there is a risk of clogging the ejection nozzle, and a method for collecting the foreign matter was needed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-65303 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 does not include any description of a method for collecting foreign matter, leaving room for improvement. For example, it is possible to provide a collection unit to collect foreign matter such as paper dust that falls under the conveyor belt. However, if the collection unit is provided in a configuration in which the conveyor belt is movable, it must be located away from the area in which the conveyor belt moves so as not to obstruct the movement of the conveyor belt. This creates a risk of foreign matter scattering, making it difficult to collect foreign matter efficiently. In other words, there has been a need for a medium conveying device and a recording device that can efficiently collect foreign matter in a configuration in which the conveyor belt is movable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A media conveying device according to one aspect of the present application comprises a conveying unit having a conveying belt that conveys a recording medium at an opposing position opposite a recording unit that performs recording, and a collection unit that is positioned vertically below the conveying belt at the opposing position and is capable of collecting foreign matter that has fallen off the conveying belt, wherein the conveying belt is configured to be movable between the opposing position and a retracted position that is a position different from the opposing position, and the collection unit moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveying belt.

[0007] A recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present application includes a recording unit that performs recording on a recording medium, and the medium transport device described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a liquid ejection unit and a maintenance unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of one embodiment of a medium transport device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of one embodiment of a medium transport device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of one embodiment of a medium transport device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiment 1 ***Recording Device Overview*** Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a liquid ejecting unit and a maintenance unit. The recording device 100 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting a liquid onto a medium S such as paper. In a preferred example, the liquid is ink, and printing is performed on the medium S made of paper.

[0010] Each figure illustrates three mutually orthogonal axes: the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. In this embodiment, the direction in which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit 13 is the -Z direction. The -Z direction is a vertically downward direction. The direction along the X axis is referred to as the "X direction," the direction along the Y axis is referred to as the "Y direction," and the direction along the Z axis is referred to as the "Z direction." For example, the Y direction refers to both the +Y direction and the -Y direction. The +Z direction is also referred to as "upward," and the -Z direction is also referred to as "downward." In addition, in the following figures, dimensions and scales that differ from the actual dimensions may be used to make the explanation easier to understand.

[0011] The recording device 100 of this embodiment is composed of a liquid ejecting unit 13 that ejects liquid, a holding unit 14 that holds the liquid ejecting unit 13, a supply flow path 16 that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source 15 to the liquid ejecting unit 13, and a plurality of transport rollers 17 that transport the medium S. The liquid ejecting unit 13 is a recording unit, and the position at which the liquid ejecting unit 13 ejects liquid is also referred to as the recording position. The multiple transport rollers 17 are arranged along a transport path Rc for the medium S that curves and extends from the lower storage cassette 19 toward the upper holding tray 20. In addition, in the transport path Rc, the storage cassette 19 side is also referred to as the upstream side, and the holding tray 20 side is also referred to as the downstream side.

[0012] The transport path Rc extends in the substantially horizontal X direction at the recording position, and the medium S is transported in the −X direction. The recording device 100 further includes a medium transport device 50 including a transport unit 18 that supports the medium S at the recording position, and a maintenance unit 21 that performs maintenance on the liquid ejection unit 13 at the recording position. In other words, the recording device 100 includes the liquid ejection unit 13 as a recording unit that records on the medium S as a recording medium, and the medium transport device 50 that includes the transport unit 18. As shown in FIG. 1, during printing, the transport unit 18 is located at an opposing position facing the liquid ejection unit 13 on the transport path Rc. The opposing position is also a support position that supports the medium S.

[0013] The conveying section 18 is composed of a pair of rollers 11a and 11b, and a conveying belt 8 stretched between the rollers 11a and 11b. In the conveying path Rc, the roller 11a is located on the upstream side, and the roller 11b is located on the downstream side. The transport unit 18 is provided so as to be rotatable approximately 90 degrees around the roller 11a by a link mechanism 35 (FIG. 3) described below. Specifically, the transport unit 18 is provided so as to be movable between an opposing position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a retracted position indicated by a two-dot chain line. The transport unit 18 is a part of a medium transport device 50 that includes the link mechanism 35, and details of the medium transport device 50 will be described later. In other words, the transport unit 18 has a transport belt 8 that transports a medium S as a recording medium at an opposing position facing the liquid ejecting unit 13 as a recording unit that performs recording. Furthermore, the posture of the transport belt 8 at the opposing position is different from the posture of the transport belt 8 at the retracted position.

[0014] The maintenance unit 21 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection unit 13 while the transport unit 18 is in the retracted position. The maintenance unit 21 includes a cap 22 and a wiping unit 60, and performs maintenance operations such as flushing, capping, suction cleaning, and wiping to prevent or resolve ejection problems that occur in the liquid ejection unit 13.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejecting unit 13 seen from the +Z direction in a state in which the transport unit 18 has moved to the retracted position, and also shows the maintenance unit 21. 2, the liquid ejecting unit 13 has a plurality of nozzles 12 that eject liquid, and an opening surface 13a where the nozzles 12 are open. The liquid ejecting unit 13 is a line head whose longitudinal direction is the Y-axis direction, which is the width direction of the transport path Rc, and the plurality of nozzles 12 form a plurality of nozzle rows that are oblique to the X-axis direction.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, when flushing is performed, cap 22 of maintenance unit 21 moves from a standby position to directly below liquid spray unit 13, as shown by the arrow. Waste liquid discharged from nozzle 12 by flushing is collected in waste liquid container 29 via suction tube 23. When flushing is not being performed, nozzle 12 is capped to prevent it from drying out. In addition, by driving suction pump 24 in the capped state, the inside of nozzle 12 is sucked by negative pressure, allowing suction cleaning to be performed, in which foreign matter such as air bubbles is discharged along with the liquid.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the wiping unit 60 is composed of a wiping member 61 capable of wiping the liquid spray unit 13, a liquid receiving portion 62 surrounding the wiping member 61, a moving body 63 that moves while holding the wiping member 61 and the liquid receiving portion 62, and a guide shaft 43 which is a screw shaft. When wiping, the guide shaft 43 is rotated to move the moving body 63 in the Y direction, and the wiping member 61 is brought into sliding contact with the liquid spraying section 13 to wipe away liquid and the like adhering to the liquid spraying section 13.

[0018] ***Conveyor configuration*** FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the main parts of one embodiment of the medium transport device, showing the transport unit 18 in the opposing position. As shown in FIG. 3, the medium transport device 50 is made up of a base unit 40, a transport unit 18, a link mechanism 35, and the like. The base 40 is a base portion that supports the transport unit 18 so that it can rotate between an opposing position and a retracted position. The base 40 is provided with two support shafts 31 and 32 that support the transport unit 18 including the link mechanism 35. The support shaft 31 is a support shaft that extends in the Y direction and is also the rotation shaft of the rollers 11a of the transport unit 18. The support shaft 32 is a support shaft similar to the support shaft 31 and is provided lower than the support shaft 31.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, in the opposing position, the conveying unit 18 is substantially horizontal in the -X direction from the roller 11a centered on the support shaft 31. The rollers 11a and 11b are supported and connected by a first link 1. In FIG. 3, the first link 1 is shown schematically by a dotted line, but in reality it is made of a sturdy metal frame. An elongated hole 1b is provided on the roller 11b side of the first link 1 in a direction perpendicular to the first link 1. In FIG. 3, the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 1b is the Z direction. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor belt 8 is an endless belt having electrostatic adsorption properties, and is stretched over rollers 11a and 11b. The conveyor unit 18 including the conveyor belt 8 is provided rotatably around a support shaft 31 as the center of rotation and a first link 1 as the framework.

[0020] Link mechanism 35 is composed of a first link 1 connected to support shaft 31, a third link 3 connected to support shaft 32, and a second link 2 connecting first link 1 and third link 3. First link 1 and second link 2 are connected by a joint 4. Joint 4 is formed by fitting an engagement pin at one end of second link 2 into elongated hole 1b of first link 1. By configuring joint 4 to be movable within elongated hole 1b, distortion that occurs when posture changes is absorbed, allowing for smooth posture changes. The other end of the second link 2 and one end of the third link 3 are connected by a joint 5, which is a rotary joint. The other end of the third link 3 is connected to a support shaft 32. With this configuration, the first link 1, the second link 2, the third link 3, and the line segments connecting the support shaft 31 and the support shaft 32 form a quadrangle, and this quadrangle functions as a pantograph. In other words, the link mechanism 35 functions as a pantograph to change the posture of the conveyor unit 18. In other words, the conveyor belt 8 is configured to be movable between a facing position and a retracted position that is a position different from the facing position.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, a blade 7 serving as a cleaning unit is provided below the conveyor belt 8. The blade 7 is a spatula made of an elastic material such as elastomer, and comes into contact with the conveyor belt 8 to remove foreign matter such as paper dust adhering to the belt. The blade 7 is disposed at an angle opposing the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 8. In other words, the blade 7 serving as a cleaning unit comes into contact with the conveyor belt 8 located in an opposing position to clean the conveyor belt 8.

[0022] A collection unit 9 is provided below the blade 7. The collection unit 9 is a collection box that collects foreign matter removed by the blade 7, and includes a storage chamber 9b that opens upward. A dead-end section is provided at the end on the -X side of the storage chamber 9b, and the wall above this section is called a restriction wall 9c. The collection unit 9 is provided integrally along the third link 3, and changes its position in conjunction with the change in position of the third link 3. In other words, the collection unit 9 is disposed vertically below the blade 7 serving as a cleaning unit, and collects foreign matter that has fallen off the conveyor belt 8. The collection unit 9 is disposed vertically below the conveyor belt 8 at the opposite position, and is capable of collecting foreign matter that has fallen off the conveyor belt 8, and moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt 8.

[0023] ***Posture change of the transport unit*** Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the main parts of one embodiment of the medium transport device, showing the state in which transport unit 18 is in the middle of moving to the retracted position. Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the main parts of one embodiment of the medium transport device, showing the state in which transport unit 18 is in the retracted position.

[0024] When the conveyance unit 18 moves from the facing position to the retracted position, the joint 5 is driven to move downward. As shown in FIG. 4, when the joint 5 moves downward, the second link 2 pulls down the roller 11b side of the first link 1, causing the first link 1 to tilt at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the X direction. At this time, the first link 1 and the third link 3 become approximately parallel, and a parallelogram is formed by the first link 1, the second link 2, the third link 3, and the line segments connecting the support shaft 31 and the support shaft 32. In other words, the link mechanism 35 functions as a pantograph, causing the posture of the conveyance unit 18 to change. In this case, the recovery unit 9 is located below the conveyor belt 8, and can recover foreign matter even if it falls from the conveyor belt 8. Furthermore, the dead-end portion of the storage chamber 9b is located below, and the restriction wall 9c stands up, so foreign matter in the storage chamber 9b will not escape.

[0025] Furthermore, when the joint 5 is driven so as to move downward, the first link 1 stands up, and the transport unit 18 becomes substantially vertical and is stored in the base 40, as shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the third link 3 is stored in a substantially standing state in the +X direction of the transport unit 18. In other words, the pantograph of the link mechanism 35 is folded and stored in the base 40. At this time, the recovery section 9 is positioned in an upright state next to the conveyor belt 8, but since the dead-end part of the storage chamber 9b is at the bottom, the upright regulating wall 9c prevents foreign matter in the storage chamber 9b from escaping outside. In other words, the link mechanism 35 including the first link 1 and the third link 3 serves to connect the conveying unit 18 and the recovery unit 9 when the posture of the recovery unit 9 changes, and the posture of the recovery unit 9 is changed by the link mechanism 35 when the recovery unit 9 moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt 8. The recovery unit 9 also has a storage chamber 9b capable of storing foreign objects, and a restriction wall 9c that restricts the foreign objects from falling out of the storage chamber 9b when the conveyor belt 8 is in the retracted position.

[0026] 5, even in the retracted position, the blade 7 remains in contact with the conveyor belt 8. This is also true in the mid-movement state shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the blade 7 as a cleaning part moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt 8.

[0027] ***Variations*** In the above description, the conveying unit 18 has been described as rotating approximately 90 degrees around the support shaft 31, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be moved to a retracted position that allows the maintenance unit 21 to move to a facing position during maintenance operation. For example, in FIG. 1, the conveying unit 18 may move horizontally in the +X direction, or may move diagonally downward in the -Z direction in the +X direction. In this case, a movement mechanism for moving the conveying belt 8 horizontally or in parallel may be provided instead of the link mechanism 35. In this case, the postures of the conveying belt 8, the collection unit 9, and the blade 7 do not need to change as the conveying belt 8 moves. Furthermore, in the above description, the collection unit 9 is configured as an integral part of the third link 3, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the collection unit 9 may be configured to be detachable. In this way, the collection unit 9 can be removed and collected foreign matter such as paper dust can be efficiently disposed of. Also, the configuration may not include the blade 7. The above embodiment and the following modified examples may be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0028] As described above, the medium conveying device 50 and the recording device 100 of this embodiment can provide the following effects. The medium conveying device 50 comprises a conveying section 18 having a conveying belt 8 that conveys a medium S as a recording medium at an opposing position opposite a liquid ejection section 13 that serves as a recording section that performs recording, and a recovery section 9 that is arranged vertically below the conveying belt 8 at the opposing position, is capable of recovering foreign matter that has fallen off the conveying belt 8, and moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveying belt 8, the conveying belt 8 being configured to be movable between the opposing position and a retracted position that is a position different from the opposing position, and the recovery section 9 moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveying belt 8.

[0029] According to this, even if the conveyor belt 8 is configured to be movable, the collection section 9 can be provided in the movement area of ​​the conveyor belt 8 without hindering the movement of the conveyor belt 8, so that foreign matter can be collected efficiently without scattering. Therefore, it is possible to provide a medium conveying device 50 that can efficiently collect foreign matter in a configuration in which the conveying belt 8 is movable.

[0030] Furthermore, the medium conveying device 50 further includes a link mechanism 35 that connects the conveying unit 18 and the recovery unit 9, and the recovery unit 9 changes its posture due to the link mechanism 35 when it moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt 8. According to this, the link mechanism 35 changes the posture of the collection unit 9 in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt 8, so that the retraction space can be made small.

[0031] Furthermore, the posture of the conveyor belt 8 at the facing position is different from the posture of the conveyor belt 8 at the retracted position. According to this, the recovery unit 9 follows the movement of the conveyor belt 8, so that the evacuation space can be made small.

[0032] Furthermore, the medium conveying device 50 further includes a link mechanism 35 that connects the conveying unit 18 and the recovery unit 9, and the recovery unit 9 changes its posture due to the link mechanism 35 when it moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt 8. According to this, the pantograph function of the link mechanism 35 allows the collection unit 9 to be folded in accordance with the movement of the conveyor belt 8, so that the retraction space can be reduced.

[0033] In addition, the medium conveying device 50 further includes a blade 7 as a cleaning section that contacts the conveying belt 8 in the opposing position to clean the conveying belt 8, and the collection section 9 is positioned vertically below the blade 7 as a cleaning section. This allows foreign matter adhering to the conveyor belt 8 to be efficiently removed from the conveyor belt 8.

[0034] Furthermore, the blade 7 as a cleaning portion moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt 8. This prevents the blade 7 from interfering with the movement of the conveyor belt 8.

[0035] Moreover, the collection unit 9 is configured to be detachable. This allows the collection unit 9 to be removed and the collected foreign matter such as paper dust to be efficiently disposed of.

[0036] The collecting section 9 also has a storage chamber 9b capable of storing foreign objects, and a restricting wall 9c that restricts the foreign objects from falling out of the storage chamber 9b when the conveyor belt 8 is in the retracted position. This makes it possible to prevent foreign objects from falling out of the collection section 9 even if the posture of the conveyor belt 8 changes due to movement.

[0037] The recording apparatus 100 includes a liquid ejecting unit 13 as a recording unit that performs recording on a medium S as a recording medium, and a medium transporting device 50 including a transporting unit 18. According to this, the recording device 100 includes the medium transport device 50 described above. Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus 100 that can efficiently collect foreign matter in a configuration in which the conveyor belt 8 is movable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1...first link, 1b...long hole, 2...second link, 3...third link, 4...joint, 5...joint, 7...blade, 8...conveyor belt, 9...recovery section, 9b...storage chamber, 9c...regulating wall, 11a...roller, 11b...roller, 12...nozzle, 13...liquid ejection section, 13a...opening surface, 14...holding section, 15...liquid supply source, 16...supply flow path, 17...conveyor roller, 18...conveyor section, 19...storage cassette, 20...holding tray, 21...maintenance section, 22...cap, 23...suction tube, 24...suction pump, 29...waste liquid container, 31...support shaft, 32...support shaft, 35...link mechanism, 40...base section, 43...guide shaft, 50...medium conveying device, 60...wiping section, 61...wiping member, 62...liquid receiving section, 63...moving body, 100...recording device.

Claims

1. a conveying unit having a conveying belt for conveying a recording medium at a position facing the recording unit for performing recording; a recovery unit that is disposed vertically below the conveyor belt at the opposing position and is capable of recovering foreign matter that has fallen off the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt is configured to be movable between the facing position and a retracted position that is a position different from the facing position, The recovery unit moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt. Media transport device.

2. a link mechanism connecting the transport unit and the recovery unit; The recovery unit changes its posture by the link mechanism when it moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt. The media transport device of claim 1 .

3. a posture of the conveyor belt at the facing position is different from a posture of the conveyor belt at the retracted position; The media transport device of claim 1 .

4. a link mechanism connecting the transport unit and the recovery unit; The recovery unit changes its posture by the link mechanism when it moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt. The medium transport device of claim 3 .

5. a cleaning unit that contacts the conveyor belt at the opposing position and cleans the conveyor belt, The collection unit is disposed vertically below the cleaning unit. The media transport device of claim 1 .

6. The cleaning unit moves in conjunction with the movement of the conveyor belt. The medium transport device of claim 5 .

7. The collection unit is configured to be detachable. The media transport device of claim 1 .

8. the collection unit has a storage chamber capable of storing the foreign matter, a restricting wall that restricts the foreign matter from falling out of the storage chamber when the conveyor belt is in the retracted position; The medium transport device according to claim 2 or 4.

9. a recording unit that records on a recording medium; The medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Recording device.

10. a recording unit that records on a recording medium; and the medium transport device according to claim 8. Recording device.

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