Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer which enables reduction of influence caused by a use environment.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a transport section which transports a medium; a discharge section which discharges a liquid to the medium; a detection section which detects a combustion gas containing a sulfur gas occurring in a dry section for drying the medium to which the liquid is discharged; a determination section which determines a concentration of the sulfur gas according to a detection result of the detection section; and a notification section which notifies a determination result of the determination section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the so-called textile printing process in which an image is formed on a fabric by ejecting ink, the process includes a printing step in which a printing device ejects ink onto the fabric to form an image on the fabric, and a drying step in which, after the printing step, the fabric on which the image has been formed is dried using a dryer such as a boiler, thereby fixing the image to the fabric and enhancing the color development of the image fixed to the fabric.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that performs textile printing, which forms an image on a medium such as fabric by ejecting ink onto the fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-119493 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the printing device described in Patent Document 1 does not include any description of the influence of the environment in which the printing device is used, and there is room for improvement in terms of providing a printing device that can reduce the influence of the environment in which the printing device is used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the printing device according to the present invention is a transport unit that transports the medium; a discharge unit that discharges a liquid onto the medium; a detection unit for detecting combustion gas containing sulfur gas generated in a drying unit that dries the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged; a determination unit that determines the concentration of the sulfur gas in accordance with the detection result of the detection unit; a notification unit that notifies the determination result of the determination unit; Equipped with. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the external configuration of a printing apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a printing device as viewed from the side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the printing device as viewed from the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of one discharge unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a gas detection unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of each component when the printing device is viewed from the +Z side. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of each component when the printing device is viewed from the +Y side. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a textile printing system that performs textile printing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings used are for the convenience of explanation. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0009] 1. Configuration of the liquid ejection device The external configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the external configuration of the printing apparatus 1, FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1 as viewed from the side, and FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1 as viewed from the front. In the following description, the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is described as a textile printing apparatus that forms an image on a fabric by ejecting ink, an example of a liquid, onto the fabric. In the following description, mutually perpendicular X-, Y-, and Z-axes are used. In the following description, the starting side of an arrow along the illustrated X-axis will be referred to as the -X side, and the tip side thereof as the +X side. In the following description, the starting side of an arrow along the illustrated Y-axis will be referred to as the -Y side, and the tip side thereof as the +Y side. In the following description, the starting side of an arrow along the illustrated Z-axis will be referred to as the -Z side, and the tip side thereof as the +Z side.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 includes a main body 2 and multiple legs 3. The main body 2 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 and a base frame 20. The housing 10 includes a front wall 11, a rear wall 12, a first side wall 13, a second side wall 14, and a top wall 15, and is connected to the base frame 20 supported by the multiple legs 3. The base frame 20 and the top wall 15 are positioned along the Z axis so that the base frame 20 faces the -Z side and the top wall 15 faces the +Z side. The first side wall 13 and the second side wall 14 are positioned along the X axis so that the first side wall 13 faces the +X side and the second side wall 14 faces the -X side. The front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 are positioned along the Y axis so that the front wall 11 faces the +Y side and the rear wall 12 faces the -Y axis. In the following description, the direction in which the base frame 20 and the upper wall 15 face each other may be referred to as the height direction, the direction in which the first side wall 13 and the second side wall 14 face each other may be referred to as the width direction, and the direction in which the front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 face each other may be referred to as the front-to-rear direction.

[0011] 1 and 2, the main body 2 has a storage section 21. The storage section 21 stores two cylindrical rolls 24, each having a medium 22, such as fabric, on which an image is to be formed, wound around a core member 23. The storage section 21 is a space formed from an opening 25 located on the base frame 20 side of the front wall 11 toward the rear wall 12. The two rolls 24 are stored in the storage section 21, lined up along the Z axis.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , a first holding unit 31 is attached to one end of each of the two roll bodies 24, and a second holding unit 32 is attached to the other end of each of the two roll bodies 24. The first holding units 31 attached to one end of each of the two roll bodies 24 are attached to the first side frame 61 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis in the width direction along the X-axis. At this time, the first holding units 31 attached to one end of each of the two roll bodies 24 are positioned side by side along the Z-axis. The second holding units 32 attached to the other end of each of the two roll bodies 24 are attached to the second side frame 62 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis in the width direction along the X-axis. At this time, the second holding units 32 attached to one end of each of the two roll bodies 24 are positioned side by side along the Z-axis. The two roll bodies 24 are stored in the storage section 21 by being held in a rotatable state with the central axis of the core member 23 as the rotation axis by the first holding section 31 and the second holding section 32 while being aligned along the Z axis.

[0013] A drive unit 33 including a drive motor (not shown) is located closer to the first side wall 13 than the first holding unit 31. When the drive motor (not shown) of the drive unit 33 is driven to rotate, each of the two rolls 24 held by the corresponding first holding unit 31 and second holding unit 32 rotates. The rotation of the first holding unit 31 and second holding unit 32 causes the medium 22 wound around the roll 24 to be sent out toward the rear wall 12 inside the housing 10.

[0014] 1 to 3, a printing unit 35 is provided inside the housing 10. The printing unit 35 includes a support base 36, a guide shaft 37, a carriage 38, and a head 39.

[0015] The support base 36 is located on the +Z side of the storage section 21. The support base 36 is a plate-shaped member extending along the X-axis inside the housing 10. The medium 22 sent out from the roll body 24 is transported inside the housing 10 to the support base 36, and then transported on the +Z side of the support base 36 from the rear wall 12 side toward the front wall 11 side.

[0016] The guide shaft 37 is located on the +Z side of the support base 36. The guide shaft 37 is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis, and movably supports a carriage 38. The carriage 38 is driven by a carriage motor 40 to move back and forth along the guide shaft 37. One or more heads 39 are mounted on the -Z side of the carriage 38. The one or more heads 39 eject ink at predetermined timing onto the medium 22 being transported on the +Z side of the support base 36. The ink ejected from the one or more heads 39 lands on the medium 22 being transported on the +Z side of the support base 36 and supported on the +Z side of the support base 36.

[0017] 2, the main body 2 also has a conveying unit 45. The conveying unit 45 cooperates with the first holding unit 31, the second holding unit 32, and the driving unit 33 to convey the medium 22 sent out from the roll body 24. The conveying unit 45 has a conveying path forming unit 46, an intermediate roller 47, and a conveying roller 48.

[0018] The transport path forming units 46 are provided corresponding to each of the two roll bodies 24. The transport path forming units 46 are located on the -Y side of each of the two roll bodies 24 housed in the housing unit 21, and form transport paths 49 that guide the medium 22 sent out from the roll bodies 24 by the rotational driving of the first holding unit 31 and the second holding unit 32 toward the rear wall 12 of the housing 10.

[0019] Intermediate roller 47 and transport roller 48 transport medium 22 that has passed through transport path 49 to support base 36. Each of intermediate roller 47 and transport roller 48 includes a drive roller and a driven roller that are rotatably arranged around a rotation axis that is along the X axis. Each of intermediate roller 47 and transport roller 48 sandwiches medium 22 between the drive roller and the driven roller from both the front and back sides.

[0020] The transport unit 45 includes a drive motor (not shown). When the drive motor of the transport unit 45 is driven to rotate, the drive rollers included in the intermediate roller 47 and the transport roller 48 rotate. Then, as the drive rollers included in the intermediate roller 47 and the transport roller 48 rotate, the medium 22 sandwiched between the drive roller and the driven roller is sent out from the roll 24 and transported to the support table 36 via a transport path 49. Then, one or more heads 39 eject ink onto the medium 22 transported to the support table 36. Note that while FIG. 2 shows the medium 22 being sent out from both of the two rolls 24, the medium 22 is sent out from only one of the two rolls 24 during image formation.

[0021] 2, an outlet member 50 is provided inside the housing 10. The outlet member 50 is located on the +Y side of the support base 36. The outlet member 50 supports the medium 22 that has passed through the support base 36 due to the operation of the transport unit 45, and transports the medium 22 that has passed through the support base 36 to an outlet 53 formed in the front wall 11. As a result, the medium 22 on which the desired image has been printed is discharged from the printing device 1 through the outlet 53.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3 , the main body 2 has a mounting portion 57 into which a cartridge containing ink to be supplied to the head 39 is mounted. The mounting portion 57 is located on the −X side of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32, and on the +Z side of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32. The cartridge is connected to the head 39 via a tube (not shown) or the like. When the internal pressure of the head 39 decreases as ink is ejected, the ink contained in the cartridge is supplied to the head 39 via the tube. Here, the mounting portion 57 into which the cartridge containing ink is mounted may be mounted on the carriage 38, or may be provided outside the housing 10.

[0023] The main body 2 also has a maintenance unit 58 that performs maintenance on the head 39. The maintenance unit 58 is located on the -X side and +Z side of the first holding part 31 and the second holding part 32, and on the -Z side of the head 39. Maintenance processing of the head 39 is performed in this maintenance unit 58. Here, examples of maintenance processing performed by the maintenance unit 58 include wiping processing and flushing processing.

[0024] 1 and 3, the main body 2 also has a user interface 59. The user interface 59 is located on the top wall 15 of the housing 10. This user interface 59 includes, for example, an operation unit such as a switch into which information is input by a user's operation, and a notification unit such as a monitor or speaker that notifies the user of operational information about the printing device 1. The user interface 59 may also be a touch panel in which the operation unit and notification unit are integrated.

[0025] As described above, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the drive motor of the drive unit 33 is driven to rotate, causing the first holding unit 31 and the second holding unit 32 to rotate, and the drive motor of the transport unit 45 is driven to rotate, causing the intermediate roller 47 and the transport roller 48 to rotate. This causes the medium 22 to be fed from the cylindrical roll body 24. The medium 22 fed from the roll body 24 is then transported to the support table 36 via the transport path forming unit 46, and ink ejected from the head 39 lands on the medium 22 transported to the support table 36. In this way, the printing device 1 forms a desired image on the medium 22.

[0026] 1 to 3, the roll body 24 is described as being stored in the storage section 21 formed in the housing 10, but the roll body 24 may also be provided outside the housing 10. Furthermore, the number of roll bodies 24 is not limited to two, but may be one, or may be three or more. Furthermore, the roll body 24 stored in the storage section 21 of the printing device 1 may be a pretreated roll body for which pretreatment such as removal of feathers adhering to the surface has been completed, and if the roll body 24 stored in the storage section 21 of the printing device 1 is an incompletely pretreated roll body for which pretreatment has not been completed, the printing device 1 may include a configuration for performing pretreatment such as removal of feathers in the transport path forming section 46, etc.

[0027] 2. Functional configuration of the liquid ejection device Next, the functional configuration of the printing device 1 will be explained using Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing device 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the printing device 1 includes a power supply circuit board 100, a first control circuit board 110, a second control circuit board 120, a drive circuit board 130, a discharge control circuit board 140, and a plurality of heads 39.

[0028] A power supply voltage output circuit 101 is mounted on the power supply circuit board 100. A voltage VAC is input to the power supply voltage output circuit 101 from a commercial AC power supply provided outside the printing device 1. The power supply voltage output circuit 101 generates multiple DC voltages from the input voltage VAC, including a voltage VHV that is a DC voltage of 42 V and a voltage VDD that is a DC voltage of 3.3 V. The power supply voltage output circuit 101 is an AC / DC converter that converts AC voltages to DC voltages and is configured to include, for example, a flyback circuit. The voltages VHV and VDD generated by the power supply voltage output circuit 101 are output from the power supply circuit board 100 and input to the first control circuit board 110 via a cable 150. Note that the power supply voltage output circuit 101 may generate the voltage VHV and then step down the voltage VHV to generate the voltage VDD. The power supply voltage output circuit 101 may also generate multiple DC voltages by stepping up or stepping down the generated voltages VHV and VDD.

[0029] A control circuit 111 is mounted on the first control circuit board 110. The control circuit 111 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory circuit. The control circuit 111 receives the voltages VHV and VDD output from the power supply circuit board 100 and an image signal IMG output from an external device, such as a host computer, external to the printing device 1. The control circuit 111 operates using a DC voltage based on the input voltages VHV and VDD as drive power to perform predetermined signal processing on the image signal IMG. The control circuit 111 then generates an ejection control signal IP including information obtained by performing the predetermined signal processing on the image signal IMG, and outputs the signal IP to the second control circuit board 120 via the cable 160. Examples of the predetermined image processing performed by the control circuit 111 include color information conversion processing, which converts color information for each pixel included in the input image signal IMG into color information corresponding to the color of the ink contained in the cartridge, and halftone processing, which performs halftone processing on the color information converted by the color information conversion processing. The control circuit 111 may output the ejection control signal IP as a pair of differential signals to the second control circuit board 120, or may output it as an optical signal to the second control circuit board 120. The predetermined image processing performed by the control circuit 111 is not limited to the color information conversion processing and halftone processing described above.

[0030] The control circuit 111 is also electrically connected to the above-mentioned user interface 59 via a cable 161. As a result, a UI control signal CS including information corresponding to user operation of the user interface 59 is input to the control circuit 111 via the cable 161. The control circuit 111 generates a signal for executing control corresponding to the input UI control signal CS, and outputs the signal to the second control circuit board 120 together with the ejection control signal IP or as a signal separate from the ejection control signal IP. Furthermore, when notifying the user of various information such as operational information of the printing device 1, the control circuit 111 generates a UI control signal CS corresponding to the information to be notified, and outputs the signal to the user interface 59 via the cable 161. As a result, information such as operational information of the printing device 1 is notified to the user.

[0031] The control circuit 111 is also electrically connected to the gas detector 70a via a cable 162. The gas detector 70a detects the concentration of a corrosive gas containing sulfur gas at a predetermined position in the printing device 1 and generates a gas information signal GC1 corresponding to the detection result. The gas information signal GC1 generated by the gas detector 70a is input to the control circuit 111 via the cable 162. The control circuit 111 compares the concentration of the corrosive gas containing sulfur gas based on the input gas information signal GC1 with a predetermined judgment threshold. If the concentration of the corrosive gas containing sulfur gas based on the gas information signal GC1 is higher than the predetermined judgment threshold, the control circuit 111 generates a UI control signal CS to notify the user that the installation or usage environment of the printing device 1 is undesirable, and outputs the UI control signal CS to the user interface 59 via the cable 161. The control circuit 111 may also store the concentration of the corrosive gas containing sulfur gas based on the input gas information signal GC1 in the memory circuit. Details of the gas detector 70a will be described later.

[0032] The control circuit 111 is also electrically connected to the cooling fan 80a via a cable 163. The control circuit 111 generates a fan drive signal FC1 that controls the drive of the cooling fan 80a in accordance with the ambient temperature. The fan drive signal FC1 generated by the control circuit 111 is input to the cooling fan 80a via the cable 163. The cooling fan 80a is driven in accordance with the input fan drive signal FC1 to generate an airflow around the circuit board to be cooled. This airflow cools the circuit board to be cooled.

[0033] A control circuit 121, a differential signal conversion circuit 122, and a serial signal conversion circuit 123 are mounted on the second control circuit board 120. The control circuit 121, the differential signal conversion circuit 122, and the serial signal conversion circuit 123 operate using DC voltages based on the voltages VHV and VDD as drive power.

[0034] The control circuit 121 includes a processor such as a CPU and a memory circuit. The control circuit 121 receives an ejection control signal IP output from the first control circuit board 110. The control circuit 121 outputs a control signal for controlling each part of the printing device 1 based on the input ejection control signal IP. The control circuit 121 also generates a status information signal IS for notifying the control circuit 111 of information about each part of the printing device 1, including the multiple heads 39, and outputs the status information signal IS to the control circuit 111. This enables mutual communication between the first control circuit board 110 and the second control circuit board 120.

[0035] Furthermore, the control circuit 121 generates an original clock signal oSCK and original print data signals oSI1 to oSIn as control signals for controlling the ejection of ink from the head 39 based on the ejection control signal IP, and outputs them to the differential signal conversion circuit 122. The differential signal conversion circuit 122 converts the input original clock signal oSCK into a pair of differential signals dSCK+, dSCK-, and outputs them to the drive circuit board 130 via the cable 170. The differential signal conversion circuit 122 also converts the input original print data signals oSI1 to oSIn into pairs of differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1- to dSIn-, respectively, and outputs them to the drive circuit board 130 via the cable 170. Here, the differential signals dSCK+, dSCK- and the differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1- to dSIn- converted by the differential signal conversion circuit 122 may be, for example, differential signals of an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) transfer method, or may be differential signals of various high-speed transfer methods other than LVDS, such as LVPECL (Low Voltage Positive Emitter Coupled Logic) and CML (Current Mode Logic).

[0036] In addition, the control circuit 121 generates a latch signal LAT and a change signal CH as control signals for controlling the timing of ink ejection from the head 39 based on the ejection control signal IP input from the first control circuit board 110, and outputs these to the drive circuit board 130 via the cable 170.

[0037] In addition, based on the ejection control signal IP input from the first control circuit board 110, the control circuit 121 generates basic drive signals DA1 to DAn, DB1 to DBn that form the basis of the drive signals COMA, COMB that drive the head 39, and outputs them to the serial signal conversion circuit 123.

[0038] The serial signal conversion circuit 123 converts the basic drive signals DA1 to DAn, DB1 to DBn input as parallel format signals into serial format signals, and also converts the converted serial format signals into a pair of differential signals sDAB+, sDAB-, and outputs them to the drive circuit board 130 via the cable 170. The serial signal conversion circuit 123 also generates a pair of differential signals sDCK+, sDCK- including a clock that specifies the restoration timing when the pair of differential signals sDAB+, sDAB- including the basic drive signals DA1 to DAn, DB1 to DBn in serial are restored to parallel format signals, and outputs them to the drive circuit board 130 via the cable 170.

[0039] Furthermore, the control circuit 121 generates a carriage control signal CMC for controlling the drive of the carriage motor 40, which controls the movement of the carriage 38, and outputs it to the carriage motor 40 via cable 171. This drives a drive motor (not shown) included in the carriage motor 40. The control circuit 121 also generates a drive control signal DC1 for controlling the drive motor included in the drive unit 33, which controls the transport of the medium 22, and outputs this signal to the drive unit 33 via cable 172, and generates a drive control signal DC2 for controlling the drive motor included in the transport unit 45, which controls the transport of the medium 22, and outputs this signal to the transport unit 45 via cable 173. In other words, the control circuit 121 generates control signals for controlling the movement of the carriage 38 and the transport of the medium 22, and outputs them to the corresponding components.

[0040] The control circuit 121 is also electrically connected to the gas detection unit 70b via a cable 174. The gas detection unit 70b detects the concentration of a metal corrosive gas, including sulfur gas, at a predetermined position in the printing device 1 and generates a gas information signal GC2 corresponding to the detection result. The gas information signal GC2 generated by the gas detection unit 70b is input to the control circuit 121 via the cable 174. The control circuit 121 compares the concentration of the metal corrosive gas, including sulfur gas, based on the input gas information signal GC2 with a predetermined judgment threshold. If the concentration of the metal corrosive gas, including sulfur gas, based on the gas information signal GC2 is higher than the predetermined judgment threshold, the control circuit 121 generates a status information signal IS requesting notification to the user that the installation environment or usage environment of the printing device 1 is undesirable, and outputs the status information signal IS to the control circuit 111. In response to the input status information signal IS, the control circuit 111 generates a UI control signal CS for notifying the user that the installation environment or usage environment of the printing device 1 is undesirable, and outputs the UI control signal CS to the user interface 59 via the cable 161. The control circuit 121 may store the concentration of the metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas based on the input gas information signal GC2 in the storage circuit. Details of the gas detector 70b will be described later.

[0041] The control circuit 121 is also electrically connected to the cooling fan 80b via a cable 175. The control circuit 121 generates a fan drive signal FC2 that controls the drive of the cooling fan 80b in accordance with the ambient temperature. The fan drive signal FC2 generated by the control circuit 121 is input to the cooling fan 80b via the cable 175. The cooling fan 80b is driven in accordance with the input fan drive signal FC2, thereby generating an airflow around the circuit board to be cooled. The circuit board to be cooled is cooled by this airflow.

[0042] The drive circuit board 130 is mounted with a parallel signal restoration circuit 131 and n drive circuits 132-1 to 132-n. The parallel signal restoration circuit 131 receives as input a pair of differential signals sDAB+, sDAB- and a pair of differential signals sDAB+, sDAB- output from the serial signal conversion circuit 123 of the second control circuit board 120. The parallel signal restoration circuit 131 restores the pair of differential signals sDAB+, sDAB- at a timing determined by the input pair of differential signals sDCK+, sDCK- to generate parallel basic drive signals DA1 to DAn and DB1 to DBn. ​​The parallel signal restoration circuit 131 then outputs the generated basic drive signals DA1 to DAn and DB1 to DBn to each of the drive circuits 132-1 to 132-n.

[0043] The drive circuit 132-1 receives input of basic drive signals DA1 and DB1. The drive circuit 132-1 converts the input basic drive signal DA1 into an analog signal, then performs class D amplification of the converted analog signal to generate a drive signal COMA1, and outputs the drive signal to the discharge control circuit board 140 via the cable 180. The drive circuit 132-1 also converts the input basic drive signal DB1 into an analog signal, then performs class D amplification of the converted analog signal to generate a drive signal COMB1, and outputs the drive signal to the discharge control circuit board 140 via the cable 180. The drive circuit 132-1 also generates a reference voltage signal VBS1, which serves as a reference when a head 39 (described later) discharges ink, and outputs the reference voltage signal VBS1 to the discharge control circuit board 140 via the cable 180.

[0044] Similarly, basic drive signals DAn and DBn are input to the drive circuit 132-n. The drive circuit 132-n converts the input basic drive signal DAn into an analog signal, and then generates a drive signal COMAn by D-class amplifying the converted analog signal, and outputs it to the discharge control circuit board 140 via the cable 180. The drive circuit 132-n also converts the input basic drive signal DBn into an analog signal, and then generates a drive signal COMBn by D-class amplifying the converted analog signal, and outputs it to the discharge control circuit board 140 via the cable 180. The drive circuit 132-n also generates a reference voltage signal VBSn, which serves as a reference when the head 39, described below, discharges ink, and outputs it to the discharge control circuit board 140 via the cable 180.

[0045] Furthermore, the drive circuit board 130 propagates the differential signals dSCK+, dSCK-, differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1- to dSIn, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, and voltages VHV and VDD that are input from the second control circuit board 120. The differential signals dSCK+, dSCK-, differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1- to dSIn, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, and voltages VHV and VDD that are propagated by the drive circuit board 130 are output to the discharge control circuit board 140 via a cable 180. That is, the drive circuit board 130 also functions as a relay board that relays the signals output from the second control circuit board 120.

[0046] Here, among the differential signals dSCK+, dSCK−, differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1− to dSIn, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, and voltages VHV and VDD input to drive circuit board 130, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, and voltages VHV and VDD may be input to each of the above-mentioned drive circuits 132-1 to 132-n. Each of drive circuits 132-1 to 132-n may be driven using voltage VDD as a power supply voltage and may generate drive signals COMA1 to COMAn and COMB1 to COMBn by amplifying basic drive signals DA1 to DAn and DB1 to DBn to voltages based on voltage VHV at timings defined by latch signal LAT and change signal CH. In this case, each of drive circuits 132-1 to 132-n may generate reference voltage signal VBSn by boosting voltage VDD.

[0047] On the discharge control circuit board 140, a differential signal restoration circuit 141, drive signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n, and a temperature abnormality detection circuit 142 are mounted.

[0048] A pair of differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1- to dSIn and a pair of differential signals dSCK+, dSCK- are input to the differential signal restoration circuit 141. The differential signal restoration circuit 141 restores the differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1- to dSIn to single-ended signals to generate print data signals SI1 to SIn, which are output to each of the drive signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n. The differential signal restoration circuit 141 also restores the differential signals dSCK+, dSCK- to a single-ended signal to generate a clock signal SCK, which is output to each of the drive signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n.

[0049] The drive signal selection circuit 200-1 receives the print data signal SI1, clock signal SCK, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, and drive signals COMA1 and COMB1. Based on the print data signal SI1, the drive signal selection circuit 200-1 selects or deselects the drive signals COMA1 and COMB1 at timings determined by the latch signal LAT and change signal CH, thereby generating drive signals VOUT1 corresponding to each of the multiple ejection portions 600 of head 39-1 (described later) and outputting them to head 39-1. Similarly, the drive signal selection circuit 200-n receives the print data signal SIn, clock signal SCK, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, and drive signals COMAn and COMBn. Then, based on the print data signal SIn, the drive signal selection circuit 200-n selects or deselects the drive signals COMAn and COMBn at the timing specified by the latch signal LAT and change signal CH, thereby generating drive signals VOUTn corresponding to each of the multiple ejection sections 600 possessed by the head 39-n described later, and outputs them to the head 39-n.

[0050] The head 39-1 has a plurality of ejection units 600. The plurality of ejection units 600 are supplied with corresponding drive signals VOUT1 output by the drive signal selection circuit 200-1, and are also commonly supplied with a reference voltage signal VBS1 output by the drive circuit 132-1. Each of the plurality of ejection units 600 is driven in accordance with the potential difference between the corresponding drive signal VOUT1 and the reference voltage signal VBS1, and ejects an amount of ink corresponding to the drive. Similarly, the head 39-n has a plurality of ejection units 600. The plurality of ejection units 600 are supplied with corresponding drive signals VOUTn output by the drive signal selection circuit 200-n, and are also commonly supplied with a reference voltage signal VBSn output by the drive circuit 132-n. Each of the plurality of ejection units 600 is driven in accordance with the potential difference between the corresponding drive signal VOUTn and the reference voltage signal VBSn, and ejects an amount of ink corresponding to the drive.

[0051] Here, the configuration of the multiple ejection units 600 included in each of the heads 39-1 to 39-n will be described. In the following description, the drive signals VOUT1 to VOUTn supplied to the heads 39-1 to 39-n, respectively, may be simply referred to as drive signals VOUT, and the reference voltage signals VBS1 to VBSn may be simply referred to as reference voltage signals VBS.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of one ejection unit 600. As shown in FIG. 5, the ejection unit 600 includes a piezoelectric element 60, a diaphragm 621, a cavity 631, and a nozzle 651. The diaphragm 621 is displaced in response to the driving of the piezoelectric element 60 provided on the upper surface in FIG. 5. The diaphragm 621 functions as a diaphragm that expands and contracts the internal volume of the cavity 631. The cavity 631 is filled with ink. The cavity 631 functions as a pressure chamber whose internal volume changes in response to the displacement of the diaphragm 621 caused by the driving of the piezoelectric element 60. The nozzle 651 is formed in the nozzle plate 632 and is an opening that communicates with the cavity 631. As the internal volume of the cavity 631 changes, ink stored in the cavity 631 is ejected from the nozzle 651. Ink is supplied to the cavity 631 from an ink supply port 661 via a reservoir 641.

[0053] The piezoelectric element 60 has a structure in which a piezoelectric body 601 is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes 611 and 612. In this structure, the central portions of the electrodes 611 and 612 and the diaphragm 621 of the piezoelectric body 601 bend in the vertical direction in FIG. 5 relative to the end portions in response to the potential difference between the electrodes 611 and 612. Specifically, a corresponding drive signal VOUT is supplied to one of the electrodes 611 and 612, and a reference voltage signal VBS is supplied to the other of the electrodes 611 and 612. When the voltage of the drive signal VOUT changes, the potential difference between the drive signal VOUT and the reference voltage signal VBS changes, driving the central portion of the piezoelectric element 60 to bend upward, and the diaphragm 621 is displaced upward in response to the driving of the piezoelectric element 60. The internal volume of the cavity 631 expands in response to the displacement of the diaphragm 621, and ink is drawn into the cavity 631 from the reservoir 641. On the other hand, when a change in the potential difference between the drive signal VOUT and the reference voltage signal VBS drives the central portion of the piezoelectric element 60 to bend downward, the vibration plate 621 is displaced downward in response to the driving of the piezoelectric element 60. Then, the internal volume of the cavity 631 is reduced in response to the displacement of the vibration plate 621, and an amount of ink corresponding to the degree of reduction in the internal volume of the cavity 631 is ejected from the nozzle 651.

[0054] As described above, the ejection unit 600 includes the piezoelectric element 60, and ejects ink onto the medium 22 by driving the piezoelectric element 60. Note that the structure of the piezoelectric element 60 is not limited to that shown in the figure, and any type may be used as long as ink can be ejected in accordance with the displacement of the piezoelectric element 60. Furthermore, the piezoelectric element 60 is not limited to bending vibration, and may be configured to use longitudinal vibration.

[0055] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a transport unit 45 that transports the medium 22, a discharge unit 600 that discharges ink onto the medium 22, a gas detection unit 70a that detects the concentration of a metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas and outputs a gas information signal GC1 according to the detection result, a gas detection unit 70b that detects the concentration of a metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas and outputs a gas information signal GC2 according to the detection result, and a user interface 59 that notifies the user of the determination result according to the concentration of the metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas.

[0056] 3.Gas detection unit Next, we will explain the configuration and operation of the gas detection units 70a and 70b of the printing device 1. The gas detection units 70a and 70b have the same configuration, except for the location at which they detect the concentration of metal corrosive gases, including sulfur gas. Therefore, the following explanation will be given using the gas detection unit 70a as an example, and the explanation of the gas detection unit 70b will be simplified or omitted.

[0057] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the gas detection unit 70a. As shown in Fig. 6, the gas detection unit 70a is electrically connected to a control circuit 111 included in a first control circuit board 110 via a cable 162. The gas detection unit 70a includes a gas detection sensor 72 and a gas sensor control circuit 74.

[0058] The gas detection sensor 72 is a semiconductor gas sensor that includes, for example, a metal oxide and a heater. The gas detection sensor 72 utilizes the property that the resistance value of the metal oxide changes when the metal oxide heated by the heater reacts with volatile organic compounds such as hydrogen molecules, and outputs a gas detection signal GD whose value changes according to the concentration of organic compounds contained in the detection range.

[0059] The gas sensor control circuit 74 outputs a sensor control signal SC that controls the operation of the gas detection sensor 72, and calculates the type and concentration of metal corrosive gases, including sulfur gas, that are present in the detection range of the gas detection sensor 72, based on the gas detection signal GD input from the gas detection sensor 72. The gas sensor control circuit 74 then generates and outputs a gas information signal GC1 that corresponds to the calculated type and concentration of metal corrosive gases, including sulfur gas. The gas information signal GC1 output by the gas sensor control circuit 74 is input to the control circuit 111 via a cable 162.

[0060] Specifically, the gas sensor control circuit 74 outputs a sensor control signal SC that sequentially changes the heater temperature and acquires a gas detection signal GD corresponding to the heater temperature. The gas sensor control circuit 74 then calculates the type and concentration of a metal corrosive gas, including sulfur gas, contained within the detection range of the gas detection sensor 72 from the heater temperature and the value of the gas detection signal GD corresponding to the heater temperature, and outputs the calculated result as the gas information signal GC1. The gas sensor control circuit 74 may also calculate the type and concentration of a metal corrosive gas, including sulfur gas, contained within the detection range of the gas detection sensor 72 from the heater temperature and the value of the gas detection signal GD corresponding to the heater temperature using a predetermined calculation formula or table, and output the calculated result as the gas information signal GC1. Alternatively, the gas sensor control circuit 74 may perform machine learning using a learning model that has learned the relationship between the heater temperature, the value of the gas detection signal GD corresponding to the heater temperature, and the type and concentration of a metal corrosive gas, including sulfur gas, to calculate the type and concentration of a metal corrosive gas, including sulfur gas, contained within the detection range of the gas detection sensor 72 from the heater temperature and the value of the gas detection signal GD corresponding to the heater temperature, and output the calculated result as the gas information signal GC1.

[0061] The gas sensor control circuit 74 may acquire different values ​​of the gas detection signal GD under at least two or more different acquisition conditions, and calculate the type and concentration of the metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas from the acquisition conditions and the acquired value of the gas detection signal GD. Therefore, the gas sensor control circuit 74 may output a sensor control signal SC that sequentially changes predetermined parameter information, such as the voltage value or current value supplied to the gas detection sensor 72, instead of the heater temperature.

[0062] In the gas detection unit 70a configured as described above, the circuit board on which the gas detection sensor 72 is mounted and the circuit board on which the gas sensor control circuit 74 is mounted are electrically connected via a connection portion 76. This connection portion 76 may be a wiring cable such as a flexible flat cable or a flexible wiring board, or may be a BotB connector that directly connects the circuit board on which the gas detection sensor 72 is mounted and the circuit board on which the gas sensor control circuit 74 is mounted. Furthermore, the gas detection sensor 72 and the gas sensor control circuit 74 may be mounted on a single circuit board or may be configured as a single integrated circuit device. In this case, the wiring pattern that electrically connects the gas detection sensor 72 and the gas sensor control circuit 74 corresponds to the connection portion 76.

[0063] As described above, the gas detection unit 70a has the gas detection sensor 72 that detects a metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas and the gas sensor control circuit 74 that determines the concentration of the metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas in accordance with the gas detection sensor 72, and outputs a gas information signal GC1 in accordance with the determination result of the gas sensor control circuit 74. The gas detection unit 70b has the gas detection sensor 72 that detects a metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas and the gas sensor control circuit 74 that determines the concentration of the metal corrosive gas containing sulfur gas in accordance with the gas detection sensor 72, and outputs a gas information signal GC2 in accordance with the determination result of the gas sensor control circuit 74. The gas information signal GC1 output by the gas detection unit 70a is input to the control circuit 111 via the cable 162, and the gas information signal GC2 output by the gas detection unit 70b is input to the control circuit 121 via the cable 174.

[0064] 4. Arrangement of each circuit board, gas detector, and cooling fan within the printing device Next, we will explain an example of the arrangement of the power supply circuit board 100, first control circuit board 110, second control circuit board 120, drive circuit board 130, discharge control circuit board 140, gas detection units 70a, 70b, and cooling fans 80a, 80b inside the housing 10 of the printing device 1. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of each component when the printing device 1 is viewed from the +Z side, and Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of each component when the printing device 1 is viewed from the +Y side.

[0065] 7, the medium 22 is transported in an area surrounded by the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62, and in FIG. 8, the area surrounded by the first side frame 61, the second side frame 62, and a top frame 63 connected to both the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 and located on the +Z side of the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62. That is, the transport section 45 that transports the medium 22, including the transport path forming section 46, the intermediate roller 47, and the transport roller 48, is located in the area surrounded by the first side frame 61, the second side frame 62, and the top frame 63. In the following description, the area surrounded by the first side frame 61, the second side frame 62, and the top frame 63 in which the transport section 45 is located may be referred to as the medium transport area 41.

[0066] 7 and 8, storage cases 191, 192, and 193 are fixed to the rear wall 12 of the housing 10. The storage cases 191, 192, and 193 are generally rectangular parallelepipeds with one open side and are made of metal such as iron or aluminum. The storage cases 191, 192, and 193 house some of the power supply circuit board 100, the first control circuit board 110, the second control circuit board 120, the drive circuit board 130, the discharge control circuit board 140, and the gas detection units 70a and 70b. The storage cases 191, 192, and 193 are fixed to the rear wall 12 so that the open sides are covered by the rear wall 12.

[0067] As a result, the storage cases 191, 192, 193 protect the stored power supply circuit board 100, first control circuit board 110, second control circuit board 120, drive circuit board 130, discharge control circuit board 140, and charging parts of the gas detection units 70a and 70b, and also reduce the risk of ink mist floating inside the printing device 1 adhering to and contaminating the power supply circuit board 100, first control circuit board 110, second control circuit board 120, drive circuit board 130, discharge control circuit board 140, and gas detection units 70a and 70b. This increases the safety of the printing device 1 and improves the operational stability.

[0068] 7 and 8, the accommodating case 191 is located on the -X side of the medium transport area 41. The accommodating case 191 accommodates a power supply circuit board 100, a first control circuit board 110, and a gas detection unit 70a.

[0069] The power supply circuit board 100 is electrically connected to a terminal 153 provided outside the casing 191 via a cable 151. The terminal 153 is located on the -X side of the power supply circuit board 100 and is attached to the second side wall 14. A voltage VAC is input to this terminal 153 from a commercial AC power supply provided outside the printing device 1. For example, an inlet or the like that can be connected to a cable that transmits the voltage VAC is used as this terminal 153.

[0070] Furthermore, power supply circuit board 100 is electrically connected to first control circuit board 110 via cable 150. First control circuit board 110 is located on the +Z side of power supply circuit board 100. First control circuit board 110 is electrically connected to terminal 154 provided outside casing 191 via cable 152. Terminal 154 is located on the -X side of first control circuit board 110 and on the +Z side of terminal 153, and is attached to second side wall 14. Image signal IMG is input to terminal 154 from an external device such as a host computer provided outside printing device 1. Such terminal 154 can be, for example, a USB terminal to which a USB cable capable of communicating with an external device in accordance with the USB standard is connected.

[0071] The first control circuit board 110 is also electrically connected to the gas detection unit 70a housed in the housing case 191 via a cable 162. The gas detection unit 70a is located on the +Z side of the first control circuit board 110. That is, the gas detection unit 70a detects the concentration of metal corrosive gases, including sulfur gas, inside the housing case 191, and outputs a gas information signal GC1 according to the detection result to the first control circuit board 110 via the cable 162.

[0072] The first control circuit board 110 is electrically connected to the cooling fan 80a via a cable 163. The cooling fan 80a is attached to the +Z side surface of the housing case 191, penetrating the inside and outside of the housing case 191. When the cooling fan 80a is driven in response to a fan drive signal FC1 output from the first control circuit board 110, an airflow along the Z axis is generated inside the housing case 191. This airflow cools the power supply voltage output circuit 101 mounted on the power supply circuit board 100 and the control circuit 111 mounted on the first control circuit board 110. The airflow along the Z axis generated inside the housing case 191 may be an airflow directed from the outside of the housing case 191 to the inside of the housing case 191, or an airflow directed from the inside of the housing case 191 to the outside of the housing case 191. The housing case 191 may have an insertion hole through which the airflow generated by the cooling fan 80a passes.

[0073] In addition, the first control circuit board 110 is electrically connected to a user interface 59 provided outside the storage case 191 via a cable 161. The user interface 59 is located on the −X side of the medium transport area 41 and on the +Z side of the storage case 191, and is attached to the top wall 15.

[0074] As described above, the printing device 1 includes the control circuit 111, the gas detection unit 70a, and the housing case 191 that houses the control circuit 111, and the cooling fan 80a that cools the control circuit 111 by generating an airflow inside the housing case 191. Inside the housing case 191, the gas detection unit 70a is positioned so that the gas detection sensor 72 at least partially overlaps with the cooling fan 80a in the direction along the rotation axis of the cooling fan 80a, which is along the Z axis in FIG. 8, and the control circuit 111 is positioned so that at least partially overlaps with the cooling fan 80a in the direction along the rotation axis of the cooling fan 80a, which is along the Z axis in FIG.

[0075] The housing 192 is located on the +X side of the medium transport area 41. The housing 191 houses the second control circuit board 120 and the gas detection unit 70b.

[0076] The second control circuit board 120 is electrically connected to the first control circuit board 110 housed in the housing case 191 via a cable 160. This allows mutual communication between the first control circuit board 110 and the second control circuit board 120.

[0077] In addition, the second control circuit board 120 is electrically connected to a carriage motor 40 provided outside the storage case 192 via a cable 171. The carriage motor 40 is located on the +X side of the medium transport area 41 and on the +Z side of the storage case 192, and is attached to a guide shaft 37.

[0078] In addition, the second control circuit board 120 is electrically connected to a drive unit 33 provided outside the storage case 192 via a cable 172. The drive unit 33 is located on the +X side of the medium transport area 41 and on the -Z side of the storage case 192, and is attached to the first side frame 61.

[0079] The second control circuit board 120 is also electrically connected to the gas detection unit 70b housed in the housing case 192 via a cable 174. The gas detection unit 70b is located on the +Z side of the second control circuit board 120. That is, the gas detection unit 70b detects the concentration of metal corrosive gases, including sulfur gas, inside the housing case 192, and outputs a gas information signal GC2 according to the detection result to the second control circuit board 120 via the cable 174.

[0080] Second control circuit board 120 is electrically connected to cooling fan 80b via cable 175. Cooling fan 80b is attached to the -Z side surface of housing case 192, penetrating the inside and outside of housing case 192. When cooling fan 80b is driven in response to fan drive signal FC2 output from second control circuit board 120, an airflow along the Z axis is generated inside housing case 192. This airflow cools control circuit 121 mounted on second control circuit board 120. Note that the airflow along the Z axis generated inside housing case 192 may be an airflow from the outside of housing case 192 to the inside of housing case 192, or an airflow from the inside of housing case 192 to the outside of housing case 192. Housing case 192 may have an insertion hole through which the airflow generated by cooling fan 80b passes.

[0081] As described above, the printing device 1 includes the control circuit 121, the gas detection unit 70b, and the housing case 192 that houses the control circuit 121, and the cooling fan 80b that cools the control circuit 121 by generating an airflow inside the housing case 192. Inside the housing case 192, the gas detection unit 70b is positioned so that the gas detection sensor 72 at least partially overlaps with the cooling fan 80b in a direction along the rotation axis of the cooling fan 80b, which is along the Z axis in FIG. 8, and the control circuit 121 is positioned so that at least partially overlaps with the cooling fan 80b in a direction along the rotation axis of the cooling fan 80b, which is along the Z axis in FIG.

[0082] The housing case 193 is located on the +Z side of the medium transport area 41. The housing case 193 houses the drive circuit board 130.

[0083] The drive circuit board 130 is electrically connected to the second control circuit board 120 housed in the housing case 192 via a cable 170. As a result, signals including the differential signals sDAB+, sDAB-, differential signals dSCK+, dSCK-, differential signals dSI1+ to dSIn+, dSI1- to dSIn, latch signal LAT, change signal CH, and voltages VHV and VDD output from the second control circuit board 120 are input to the drive circuit board 130.

[0084] The housing case 193 may house a gas sensor unit similar to the gas detection units 70a and 70b, and a fan similar to the cooling fans 80a and 80b may be attached to the side of the housing case 192.

[0085] Furthermore, the drive circuit board 130 is electrically connected to the discharge control circuit board 140 via a cable 180. The discharge control circuit board 140 is mounted on the carriage 38 together with the plurality of heads 39.

[0086] As described above, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the power supply circuit board 100, the first control circuit board 110, and the gas detection unit 70a are housed in the housing case 191 located on the -X side of the medium transport area 41, the second control circuit board 120 and the gas detection unit 70b are housed in the housing case 192 located on the +X side of the medium transport area 41, and the drive circuit board 130 is housed in the housing case 193 located on the +Z side of the medium transport area 41. This enhances the safety of the printing device 1 and improves its operational stability. In this case, the power supply circuit board 100, the first control circuit board 110, the second control circuit board 120, the drive circuit board 130, and the gas detection units 70a and 70b are electrically connected by wiring cables, so that they operate in coordination with one another. As a result, ink ejected from the ejection unit 600 lands at the desired position on the medium 22.

[0087] 5. Printing device application examples The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured as described above is particularly effective when a so-called textile printing process is performed in an environment where a boiler or the like is placed near the printing apparatus 1, in which an image is fixed to fabric as the medium 22 and a drying process is performed to enhance the color development of the image fixed to the fabric as the medium 22. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a textile printing system 1000 that performs textile printing.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 9, the textile printing system 1000 includes the above-described printing apparatus 1 and a dryer 1100. In the textile printing system 1000, the printing apparatus 1 performs a printing process in which ink is ejected onto a medium 22, such as fabric, delivered from a roll 24, and the dryer 1100 performs a drying process in which the medium 22, on which an image has been printed, is dried using a heater 1200, such as a boiler, thereby fixing the image to the medium 22 and improving the color development of the fixed image. The medium 22, on which the image has been fixed in the drying process, is wound up, and the textile printing system 1000 produces a cylindrical roll 26 on which the medium 22, on which a predetermined image has been formed, is wound up.

[0089] In this textile printing system 1000, the roll 26 is produced by continuously printing on several tens to several hundreds of meters of medium 22. Therefore, if an abnormality occurs in at least one of the printing and drying processes, both the roll 24 and the roll 26 that are currently being printed may be discarded, significantly reducing yield. Furthermore, since the textile printing system 1000 produces the roll 26 by continuously performing the printing and drying processes on several tens to several hundreds of meters of medium 22, even if an abnormality occurs in either the printing device 1 or the dryer 1100 before the printing process begins, the textile printing system 1000 cannot produce the roll 26, resulting in significant downtime for identifying the cause of the abnormality and replacing the component with the abnormality. This also significantly reduces yield.

[0090] That is, in the textile printing system 1000 shown in Fig. 9, it is necessary to detect in advance situations in which an abnormality may occur in the printing device 1 and the dryer 1100 and notify the user. In particular, in the textile printing system 1000 shown in Fig. 9, the heater 1200 of the dryer 1100 emits combustion gases containing metal corrosive gases such as sulfur gas when drying the medium 22. If this combustion gas containing metal corrosive gases such as sulfur gas emitted from the heater 1200 enters the interior of the printing device 1, it may corrode the metal sheets and wiring patterns of various circuit boards that make up the printing device 1, causing the printing device 1 to malfunction.

[0091] In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the gas detectors 70a and 70b detect combustion gases containing metal-corrosive gases such as sulfur gas generated in the dryer 1100, which dries the medium 22 onto which ink has been ejected. The gas detectors 70a and 70b determine the concentration of the metal-corrosive gases such as sulfur gas contained in the detected combustion gases, thereby notifying the user in advance of the extent to which the metal-corrosive gases such as sulfur gas emitted by the dryer 1100 will affect the printing apparatus 1. This allows the user to take appropriate measures to reduce the effects of metal-corrosive gases such as sulfur gas, and also allows the printing apparatus 1 to be installed in an environment where the effects of metal-corrosive gases such as sulfur gas are reduced. As a result, the risk of corrosion of the metal sheets and wiring patterns on various circuit boards constituting the printing apparatus 1 is reduced, thereby reducing the risk of malfunction of the printing apparatus 1. Therefore, the textile printing system 1000 including the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can reduce the risk of a decrease in the production yield of the roll body 26.

[0092] Here, the user interface 59 is an example of a notification unit, the gas detection sensor 72 of the gas detection unit 70a is an example of a detection unit, the gas sensor control circuit 74 of the gas detection unit 70a is an example of a determination unit, the control circuit 111 that controls the ejection of ink from the ejection unit 600 using the ejection control signal IP is an example of a control unit, the cooling fan 80a is an example of a cooling fan, and the accommodating case 191 is an example of a board box. The gas detection sensor 72 of the gas detection unit 70b is another example of a detection unit, the gas sensor control circuit 74 of the gas detection unit 70b is another example of a determination unit, the control circuit 121 that controls the ejection of ink from the ejection unit 600 by outputting the original clock signal oSCK, the original print data signals oSI1 to oSIn, the latch signal LAT, and the change signal CH based on the ejection control signal IP is another example of a control unit, the cooling fan 80b is another example of a cooling fan, and the accommodating case 192 is an example of a board box. The dryer 1100 is an example of a drying unit.

[0093] 6. Effects The printing device 1 of this embodiment configured as described above includes gas detection units 70a and 70b and a user interface 59. Each of the gas detection units 70a and 70b includes a gas detection sensor 72 that detects combustion gases, including sulfur gas, generated in the dryer 1100 that dries the medium 22 onto which ink has been ejected, and a gas sensor control circuit 74 that determines the concentration of sulfur gas based on the detection result of the gas detection sensor 72. The user interface 59 notifies the user of the determination result of the sulfur gas concentration by the gas sensor control circuit 74. This allows the user to quickly understand the influence of the environment in which the printing device 1 is placed. As a result, the risk of abnormalities occurring in the printing device 1 due to the influence of the surrounding environment in which the printing device 1 is installed is reduced.

[0094] In particular, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the gas detection units 70a and 70b detect sulfur gas, which is a metal corrosive gas that corrodes metals. This reduces the risk of corrosion of the wiring patterns and electronic components that make up each circuit in the printing device 1, as well as the influence of corrosion on metal plates and the like provided in the printing device 1 due to the influence of the surrounding environment in which the printing device 1 is installed.

[0095] Furthermore, the gas detection sensor 72 of the gas detection unit 70a is positioned along the rotation axis of the cooling fan 80a so as to overlap at least a portion of the cooling fan 80a, and the gas detection sensor 72 of the gas detection unit 70b is positioned along the rotation axis of the cooling fan 80b so as to overlap at least a portion of the cooling fan 80b. This allows the gas detection sensor 72 to detect combustion gases, including sulfur gas, contained in the gas circulated by the airflow generated by the cooling fans 80a and 80b, and the gas sensor control circuit 74 to determine the concentration of sulfur gas over a wide range. This allows the user to grasp the influence of the environment in which the printing device 1 is placed over a wide range within the printing device 1. As a result, the risk of abnormalities in the printing device 1 due to the influence of the surrounding environment in which the printing device 1 is installed is further reduced.

[0096] Furthermore, the control circuit 111 and the gas detection unit 70a are housed in a common housing case 191, and the control circuit 121 and the gas detection unit 70b are housed in a common housing case 192, so that it is possible to accurately grasp the influence of the environment on the control circuits 111 and 121 that control the ejection from the printing device 1. This reduces the risk that the accuracy of ink ejection from the ejection unit 600 will be reduced due to the influence of the surrounding environment of the printing device 1.

[0097] Furthermore, the control circuit 111 stores the concentration of sulfur gas detected by the gas detection unit 70a, and the control circuit 121 stores the concentration of sulfur gas detected by the gas detection unit 70b, so that the user can be notified of the effects of accumulated sulfur gas. This further reduces the risk of abnormalities occurring in the printing device 1 due to the influence of the surrounding environment in which the printing device 1 is installed.

[0098] Furthermore, with the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the user can grasp the environmental influence on the printing device 1 at an early stage, and the risk of abnormalities occurring in the printing device 1 due to the influence of the surrounding environment in which the printing device 1 is installed is reduced, so that the printing device 1 can achieve continuous stable operation even if the printing device 1 is a textile printing device that is likely to have a dryer 1100 installed nearby.

[0099] 7. Variations In the printing device 1 described above, the gas detection unit 70a is housed in the housing case 191, and the gas detection unit 70b is housed in the housing case 192. However, the gas detection unit 70a may be provided outside the housing case 191, and the gas detection unit 70b may be provided outside the housing case 192. Furthermore, the printing device 1 may be provided with only one of the gas detection units 70a and 70b, or may have multiple gas sensors in addition to the gas detection units 70a and 70b.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heater 1200 of the dryer 1100 emits combustion gas, but the configuration for emitting combustion gas is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a high-temperature steamer used in the steaming process after the drying process, or a dryer used in the main drying after cleaning.

[0101] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0102] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effects). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0103] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment.

[0104] One aspect of the printing device is a transport unit that transports the medium; a discharge unit that discharges a liquid onto the medium; a detection unit for detecting combustion gas containing sulfur gas generated in a drying unit that dries the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged; a determination unit that determines the concentration of the sulfur gas in accordance with the detection result of the detection unit; a notification unit that notifies the determination result of the determination unit; Equipped with.

[0105] This printing device includes a detection unit that detects combustion gases containing sulfur gas generated in a drying unit that dries the medium onto which liquid has been ejected, a determination unit that determines the concentration of sulfur gas based on the detection results of the detection unit, and a notification unit that notifies the determination results of the determination unit, allowing the user to be notified early on of the effects of sulfur gas contained in the environment surrounding the printing device.This allows the user to take appropriate measures early on regarding the sulfur gas contained in the environment, and as a result, the effects of the usage environment on the printing device can be reduced.

[0106] In one aspect of the printing device, a control unit that controls the ejection of liquid from the ejection unit; a cooling fan that cools the control unit; Equipped with the detection unit is positioned along a rotation axis of the cooling fan so as to overlap at least a portion of the detection unit with the cooling fan; The control unit may be positioned along the rotation axis so that at least a portion of the control unit overlaps with at least a portion of the cooling fan.

[0107] In this printing device, the detection unit detects sulfur gas contained in the airflow generated by the cooling fan, and the determination unit can determine the concentration of sulfur gas contained in the airflow generated by the cooling fan. In other words, the airflow generated by the cooling fan can determine the concentration of sulfur gas over a wide range. Therefore, the user can be notified early of the effects of sulfur gas over a wide range inside the printing device. This allows the user to take appropriate measures early on regarding the sulfur gas contained in the surrounding area, thereby further reducing the impact of the usage environment on the printing device.

[0108] In one aspect of the printing device, a control unit that controls the ejection of liquid from the ejection unit; a substrate box that accommodates the detection unit and the control unit; a cooling fan that generates an airflow inside the board box; may also be provided.

[0109] In this printing device, the detection unit and control unit are housed in a common board box, allowing the detection unit to accurately detect sulfur gas that contributes to the control unit, and as a result, the user can be notified of the effect of sulfur gas on the control unit early and accurately.

[0110] In one aspect of the printing device, The gas detection device may further include a memory circuit that stores the concentration of the sulfur gas in accordance with the detection result of the detector.

[0111] In this printing device, the influence of accumulated sulfur gas can be grasped based on the concentration of sulfur gas stored in the memory circuit.

[0112] In one aspect of the printing device, It may also be a textile printing device.

[0113] This printing apparatus can reduce the influence of the usage environment on the printing apparatus even if the printing apparatus is a textile printing apparatus that is likely to be installed nearby as a source of combustion gas, such as a dryer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...printing device, 2...main body, 3...legs, 10...casing, 11...front wall, 12...rear wall, 13...first side wall, 14...second side wall, 15...upper wall, 20...base frame, 21...storage section, 22...medium, 23...core member, 24...roll body, 25...opening, 26...roll body, 31...first holding section, 32...second holding section, 33...drive section, 35...printing section, 36...support base, 37...guide shaft, 38...carriage, 39...head, 40...carriage motor, 41...medium transport area , 45...conveying section, 46...conveying path forming section, 47...intermediate roller, 48...conveying roller, 49...conveying path, 50...discharge outlet member, 53...discharge outlet, 57...mounting section, 58...maintenance unit, 59...user interface, 60...piezoelectric element, 61...first side frame, 62...second side frame, 63...top frame, 70a, 70b...gas detection section, 72...gas detection sensor, 74...gas sensor control circuit, 76...connecting section, 80a, 80b...cooling fan, 100...power supply circuit board, 101...power supply voltage output circuit, 110...first control circuit board, 111...control circuit, 120...second control circuit board, 121...control circuit, 122...differential signal conversion circuit, 123...serial signal conversion circuit, 130...drive circuit board, 131...parallel signal restoration circuit, 132-1 to 132-n...drive circuits, 140...discharge control circuit board, 141...differential signal restoration circuit, 142...temperature abnormality detection circuit, 150 to 152 ...cable, 153, 154...terminal, 160 to 163, 170 to 175, 180...cable, 191 to 193...accommodating case, 200-1 to 200-n...drive signal selection circuit, 600...ejection portion, 601...piezoelectric body, 611, 612...electrode, 621...diaphragm, 631...cavity, 632...nozzle plate, 641...reservoir, 651...nozzle, 661...ink supply port, 1000...textile printing system, 1100...dryer, 1200...heater

Claims

1. a transport unit that transports the medium; a discharge unit that discharges a liquid onto the medium; a detection unit for detecting combustion gas containing sulfur gas generated in a drying unit that dries the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged; a determination unit that determines the concentration of the sulfur gas in accordance with the detection result of the detection unit; a notification unit that notifies the determination result of the determination unit; Equipped with A printing device characterized by:

2. a control unit that controls the ejection of liquid from the ejection unit; a cooling fan that cools the control unit; Equipped with the detection unit is positioned along the rotation axis of the cooling fan so as to overlap at least a portion of the detection unit with the cooling fan; The control unit is positioned along the rotation axis so that at least a portion of the control unit overlaps with at least a portion of the cooling fan.

2. The printing device according to claim 1.

3. a control unit that controls the ejection of liquid from the ejection unit; a substrate box that accommodates the detection unit and the control unit; a cooling fan that generates an airflow inside the board box; Equipped with 2. The printing device according to claim 1.

4. a memory circuit that stores the concentration of the sulfur gas according to the detection result of the detection unit; 2. The printing device according to claim 1.

5. It is a textile printing device.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

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