Transport device, recording apparatus, and transport method

Abstract

In order to apply a strong tension to the central portion in the width direction of the fabric, a strong drive source is required, and there is a concern that the apparatus becomes large and complicated. Accordingly, the cost is also increased.SOLUTION: According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a transport device including a feeding unit that feeds a fabric wound in a roll shape, a transport belt that transports the fabric fed from the feeding unit in a transport direction, and a tension member that applies tension to the fabric between the feeding unit and the transport belt. When a direction intersecting the transport direction is a width direction, the guide portion guides the fabric such that a first path length between the guide portion at an end portion of the fabric in the width direction and the transport belt is longer than a second path length between the guide portion at a center portion of the fabric in the width direction and the transport belt.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device, a recording device, and a transport method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, textile printing devices that print images on fabrics are known. Fabrics used in textile printing can have extremely stretched or wavy edges. This can lead to problems such as the print head rubbing against the fabric and clogging, or the surface of the printed fabric being rubbed and stained. As a solution to this problem, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which one of the rollers around which the fabric is wound between the payout section and the conveyor belt is a friction roller that exerts strong frictional force on the back surface of the fabric. This enables printing without slack in the fabric. In more detail, Patent Document 1 divides this friction roller into five divided regions in the width direction, and the torque of each divided region is adjusted by five torque adjustment motors. This applies stronger tension to the center of the fabric in the width direction than to the edges of the fabric in the width direction, thereby equalizing the difference in the length of the fabric in the conveyance direction and enabling printing without slack in the fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-135981 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, applying strong tension to the widthwise central portion of the fabric as in Patent Document 1 requires a powerful drive source, which raises concerns about the device becoming larger and more complicated, and also increases costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The conveying device of the present disclosure comprises a payout section that pays out fabric wound in a roll, a conveying belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout section in a conveying direction, and a guide section that guides the fabric, with the fabric wrapped around it between the payout section and the conveying belt, and when the direction intersecting the conveying direction is the width direction, the guide section guides the fabric so that a first path length between the guide section at the end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at the center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt.

[0006] The recording device disclosed herein comprises a payout section that pays out fabric wound in a roll, a conveying belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout section in a conveying direction, a guide section that guides the fabric by wrapping the fabric between the payout section and the conveying belt, and a recording section that records an image on the fabric conveyed by the conveying belt, and when the direction intersecting the conveying direction is the width direction, the guide section guides the fabric so that a first path length between the guide section at the end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at the center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt.

[0007] The conveying method disclosed herein is for a conveying device including a payout section that pays out fabric wound in a roll, a conveying belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout section in a conveying direction, and a guide section that guides the fabric and around which the fabric is wound between the payout section and the conveying belt, and causes the guide section to guide the fabric so that, when the direction intersecting the conveying direction is the width direction, a first path length between the guide section at the end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at the center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a guide portion of the recording apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view showing the roller elements of the guide portion as viewed in the axial direction of the rollers. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the periphery of a guide portion of the recording apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the periphery of a guide portion of the recording apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the periphery of a guide portion of the recording apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the recording device 1. As shown in FIG. The recording device 1 of the present disclosure is a textile printing machine that prints an image on a fabric M based on print data.

[0010] The recording device 1 has a conveying device 2 that conveys fabric M as a recording medium, and a recording unit 21 that records an image on the fabric M conveyed by the conveying device 2. In the following description, the terms upstream and downstream are used relative to the conveying direction in which the fabric M is conveyed. That is, upstream means upstream in the conveying direction, and downstream means downstream in the conveying direction.

[0011] The conveying device 2 includes a payout section 10 that pays out the fabric M, a guide section 11 that guides the fabric M paid out from the payout section 10, and a conveying belt 15 that conveys the fabric M guided by the guide section 11.

[0012] The unwinding unit 10 holds a roll R of fabric M wound in a roll shape. The unwinding unit 10 rotates with the roll R set therein, thereby unwinding the fabric M downstream in the conveying direction. The fabric M unwound from the unwinding unit 10 is guided by a guide unit 11 and conveyed to a conveyor belt 15.

[0013] The conveyor belt 15 is an endless belt and is looped around a tail pulley 16 and a head pulley 17 located downstream of the tail pulley 16. The outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 15 is coated with an adhesive.

[0014] A pressure unit 18 for applying pressure to the fabric M and the conveyor belt 15 is provided upstream of the conveyor belt 15 . The pressure unit 18 has a pressure roller 19 that applies pressure to the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 15, and a support unit 20 that supports the conveyor belt 15 from the inner circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 15.

[0015] The pressure roller 19 presses the fabric M, which has been guided and conveyed by the guide unit 11, toward the support unit 20. As a result, the adhesive on the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 15 comes into contact with the fabric M, and the fabric M is adhered to the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 15.

[0016] The conveyor belt 15 rotates together with the tail pulley 16 when the head pulley 17 is rotated by a power source (not shown). As a result, the fabric M attached to the conveyor belt 15 is continuously conveyed downstream in the conveying direction.

[0017] A recording unit 21 is provided downstream of the conveyor belt 15. The recording unit 21 includes a printing unit 22 that records an image on the fabric M, and a printing platen 23 that supports the conveyor belt 15 from its inner circumferential surface.

[0018] The printing unit 22 has a plurality of nozzles that eject ink and an ink storage unit that supplies ink to the nozzles. Ink is supplied to the ink storage unit from an ink tank (not shown). The printing unit 22 ejects liquid ink while moving back and forth in the main scanning direction, and prints an image on the fabric M on the conveyor belt.

[0019] More specifically, the recording unit 21 repeats a conveying cycle in which the conveyor belt 15 conveys the fabric M a predetermined amount, and a printing cycle in which the printing unit 22 moves back and forth to print an image when the conveyor belt 15 finishes operating and stops conveying the fabric M. In this way, the recording unit 21 records an image on the fabric M. That is, the recording device 1 of this embodiment performs printing using a so-called serial head method.

[0020] Incidentally, in the production stage of the fabric M and the surface treatment process of the fabric M, there is a step in which the fabric M is conveyed by piercing both widthwise ends of the fabric M with needle-like conveying means. Therefore, in general, distortion of the fabric M occurs due to excessive stretching of only both widthwise ends of the fabric M or waving of the fabric M.

[0021] When such distorted fabric M is transported, slack occurs in the fabric M along the transport path. Slack in the fabric M can cause contact between the printing unit 22 and the fabric M during printing, potentially resulting in problems such as ink clogging in the nozzles of the printing unit 22 or rubbing against the surface of the printed fabric M, resulting in soiling of the fabric M. Furthermore, this can cause wrinkles or lifting in the fabric M after printing, and there is concern that the printed surface may become distorted as the slack in the fabric M returns to its original state. Therefore, it is desirable to attach the fabric M to the transport belt 15 without slack during printing. In other words, it is desirable for the fabric M to be in a state where slack is eliminated when it reaches the pressure unit 18. Specifically, it is desirable for the fabric M to be in a state where slack is eliminated in the pressure portion of the pressure roller 19 when the pressure roller 19 applies pressure.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the guide portion 11 of the recording device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, a group of rollers 24 is provided between the delivery section 10 and the guide section 11.

[0023] The roller group 24 is composed of a plurality of driven rollers 25 that guide the fabric M in a predetermined conveying direction, and friction rollers 26 that apply tension to the fabric M so that the fabric M is maintained in contact with the driven rollers 25. In the roller group 24, the fabric M that has been paid out from the payout section 10 passes through the roller group 24, and is then conveyed to the guide section 11 while being subjected to appropriate tension in the conveying direction.

[0024] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the guide portion 11. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the rollers 14 of the roller elements 13b of the guide portion 11 as viewed in the axial direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide portion 11 includes a contact portion 13 that contacts the fabric M, and a biasing portion 12 that biases the contact portion 13 against the fabric M.

[0025] The contact portion 13 includes a cylindrical roller body 13a and roller elements 13b having a generally cylindrical appearance and provided at both axial ends of the roller body 13a. The roller body 13a has a cylindrical main body 13a1 and a shaft 13a2 that forms the central axis of the main body 13a1. The shaft 13a2 is rotatably supported by support members 29 on both sides. The support members 29 are fixed to a frame (not shown). The roller body 13a is rotatable while in contact with the fabric M.

[0026] The roller elements 13b are composed of a predetermined number of disc-shaped rollers 14. In this embodiment, the rollers 14 are disc-shaped and have the same diameter as the roller body 13a. A plurality of rollers 14 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the fabric M, in other words, in the axial direction of the roller body 13a. In this embodiment, each of the rollers 14 has a disc-shaped main body portion 14a and a shaft portion 14b that forms the central axis of the main body portion 14a. The shaft portion 14b is supported by support portions 30 on both sides. The rollers 14 are an example of a contact portion.

[0027] The support portion 30 extends in a direction away from the fabric M. The support portion 30 is fixed to a frame (not shown). The support portion 30 has an elongated hole 30a formed therein, which extends in a direction away from the fabric M. In other words, the elongated hole 30a extends in a direction away from the pressure roller 19 of the pressure unit 18. A bearing member 31 is slidably supported in the elongated hole 30a. That is, the bearing member 31 is movable along the elongated hole 30a. The shaft portion 14b of the roller 14 is rotatably supported in the bearing member 31. Thus, the roller 14 is slidably and rotatably supported by the support portion 30. Here, the long hole 30a is formed so that when the bearing member 31 abuts against one longitudinal end of the long hole 30a, i.e., in this embodiment, the end of the long hole 30a that is away from the fabric M, the roller 14 has an outer circumferential shape that matches that of the roller body 13a when viewed in the axial direction.

[0028] A return spring 32 is disposed in the elongated hole 30a on the side of the bearing member 31 facing the fabric M. The return spring 32 is compressed. The return spring 32 biases the bearing member 31 in a direction away from the fabric M. As shown in FIG. 4, the return spring 32 in this embodiment causes the bearing member 31 to abut against the end of the elongated hole 30a when the roller 14 is not biased by the biasing portion 12.

[0029] Each of the rollers 14 is provided with a biasing portion 12 as an example of a contact portion position control member corresponding to the roller 14. The biasing portion 12 has a biasing guide support portion 50 that extends in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 30a of the support portion 30. The biasing guide support portion 50 is fixed to a frame (not shown). A compression spring 51 is supported on the biasing guide support portion 50. The compression spring 51 can be compressed along the longitudinal direction of the biasing guide support portion 50. A bifurcated support portion 52 is supported on the other longitudinal end of the compression spring 51, i.e., in this embodiment, on the end of the compression spring 51 on the roller 14 side. A contact roller 53 is rotatably supported on the support portion 52. The contact roller 53 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the roller 14. In this embodiment, the contact roller 53 can be rotated by the roller 14.

[0030] A plate-shaped bearing portion 55 is supported on one longitudinal end of the compression spring 51, i.e., in this embodiment, on the end of the compression spring 51 away from the roller 14. A biasing force control cam 56 abuts against the bearing portion 55. The biasing force control cam 56 is supported rotatably. The biasing force control cam 56 receives a driving force from a drive mechanism 60 controlled by the control unit 100, and the rotational position of the biasing force control cam 56 is controlled.

[0031] 5 and 6 are schematic side views showing the periphery of the guide portion 11 of the recording device 1. Fig. 5 is a view showing the state where the contact portion 13 is not biased by the biasing portion 12. Fig. 6 is a view showing the state where the contact portion 13 is biased by the biasing portion 12.

[0032] As described above, when distortion occurs at the end M1 and the central portion M0 of the fabric M, slack S may occur at both widthwise end portions M1 of the fabric M in the recording device 1 due to the distortion, as shown in FIG.

[0033] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to eliminate such slack S, the length of the transport path of the fabric M by the guide unit 11 is adjusted by moving the biasing unit 12 as shown in FIGS.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, when the control unit 100 rotates the biasing force control cam 56 by a predetermined angle via the drive mechanism 60, the biasing unit 12 presses the compression spring 51 by a predetermined amount via the receiving portion 55. As a result, the contact roller 54 presses the roller 14 toward the fabric M, and the roller 14 is biased toward the fabric M. That is, as shown in Fig. 6, the position of the roller 14 is controlled by the roller 14 moving against the biasing force of the return spring 32, and the roller 14 moves a predetermined amount in a direction away from the pressure roller 19. Therefore, the distance between the outer circumferential surfaces of the pressure roller 19 and the roller 14, i.e., the length of the conveyance path at the position of the roller 14 in the width direction, becomes longer.

[0035] In this embodiment, the position of the rollers 14 is controlled so that the conveying path length increases as the rollers 14 are positioned farther away from the roller body 13a. In other words, the conveying path length is increased toward the widthwise ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first path length L1, which is the conveying path length between both ends of the guide unit 11 and the conveying belt 15, is longer than the second path length L2, which is the conveying path length between the center of the guide unit 11 and the conveying belt 15.

[0036] That is, the widthwise center portion M0 of the fabric M moves along the outer periphery of the roller body 13a, and therefore travels a first path length L1 from the guide unit 11 and is adhered to the conveyor belt 15. In contrast, the both end portions M1 of the fabric M move along the outer periphery of the rollers 14 of the roller elements 13b, and therefore travel a second path length L2 according to the position of the rollers 14 that have been biased in the direction of arrow S1 and are adhered to the conveyor belt 15. Here, the conveying speed of the fabric M is constant regardless of the position in the width direction, so the longer the conveying path length, the later the timing of adhesion to the conveyor belt 15.

[0037] In other words, by setting the conveying path length on both end sides of the fabric M to a length that corresponds to the slack S, the widthwise center M0 and both widthwise end portions M1 can be adhered to the conveying belt 15 at a timing when slack S does not occur.

[0038] As described above, the conveying device 2 of this embodiment includes the unwinding unit 10 that unwinds the fabric M wound in a roll shape, and the conveyor belt 15 that conveys the fabric M unwound from the unwinding unit 10 in the conveying direction. The conveying device 2 of this embodiment also includes the guide unit 11, around which the fabric M is wound between the unwinding unit 10 and the conveyor belt 15 and which guides the fabric M. Here, the direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as the width direction. The path length between the guide unit 11 and the conveyor belt 15 at the width direction end of the fabric M is defined as the first path length L1. The path length between the guide unit 11 and the conveyor belt 15 at the width direction center of the fabric M is defined as the second path length L2. In this case, in the conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the guide unit 11 guides the fabric M so that the first path length L1 is longer than the second path length L2. According to this, even if the fabric M is distorted and the length along the conveying path differs between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, the guide unit 11 can adjust the length of the conveying path according to the widthwise position. This allows the fabric M to arrive at the conveying belt 15 at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center to arrive at the same time. Therefore, slack can be prevented from occurring in the fabric M on the conveying belt 15 between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, and wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be suppressed. Furthermore, adjusting the length of the conveying path can prevent slack from occurring in the fabric M. Therefore, there is no need to provide a powerful drive source for pulling the fabric M. Furthermore, because a powerful drive source is not required, costs can also be suppressed.

[0039] In this embodiment, the guide portion 11 is divided into a plurality of portions in the width direction, and each portion biases the fabric M independently. This allows the conveying path length to be adjusted for each divided guide section 11, so that the arrival times of the fabric M at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be precisely aligned. Therefore, slack is less likely to occur in the fabric M on the conveyor belt 15 between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, and wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be suppressed.

[0040] In this embodiment, the plurality of guide portions 11 have contact portions 13 that come into contact with the fabric M and biasing portions 12 that bias the contact portions 13 toward the fabric M. This allows the conveying path length to be adjusted for each divided guide section 11, so that the arrival time of the fabric M can be accurately aligned at the ends in the width direction and the center in the width direction, and the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be more efficiently suppressed.

[0041] In this embodiment, the contact portion 13 is made up of a roller element 13b that is rotatably supported relative to the biasing portion 12, or a fixed roller element 13b. According to this, the roller shape can reduce the frictional resistance when the contact portion 13 comes into contact with the fabric M, and can easily reduce the variation in frictional resistance depending on the widthwise position of the contact portion 13. Therefore, the fabric M can be easily transported with precision according to the length of the transport path, and the arrival times of the fabric M at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be precisely synchronized. Therefore, slack is less likely to occur in the fabric M on the transport belt 15 between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, and the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be suppressed.

[0042] The recording device 1 of this embodiment also includes a payout unit 10 that pays out the fabric M wound in a roll shape, and a conveyor belt 15 that conveys the fabric M paid out from the payout unit 10 in a conveyance direction. The recording device 1 of this embodiment also includes a guide unit 11 that guides the fabric M between the payout unit 10 and the conveyor belt 15, around which the fabric M is wound, and a recording unit 21 that records an image on the fabric M conveyed by the conveyor belt 15. Here, the direction intersecting the conveyance direction is defined as the width direction. A first path length L1 is defined as a length between the guide unit 11 at an end of the fabric M in the width direction and the conveyor belt 15. A second path length L2 is defined as a length between the guide unit 11 at the center of the fabric M in the width direction and the conveyor belt 15. In this case, in the conveyor device 2 of this embodiment, the guide unit 11 guides the fabric M so that the first path length L1 is longer than the second path length L2. According to this, even if the fabric M is distorted and the length along the conveying path differs between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, the guide unit 11 can adjust the length of the conveying path according to the widthwise position. This allows the fabric M to arrive at the conveying belt 15 at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center to arrive at the same time. Therefore, slack can be prevented from occurring in the fabric M on the conveying belt 15 between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, and wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be suppressed. Furthermore, adjusting the length of the conveying path can prevent slack from occurring in the fabric M. Therefore, there is no need to provide a powerful drive source for pulling the fabric M. Furthermore, because a powerful drive source is not required, costs can also be suppressed.

[0043] Furthermore, in the conveying method of the present embodiment, the guide section 11 of the conveying device 2 guides the fabric M so that the first path length L1 is longer than the second path length L2. According to this, even if the fabric M is distorted and the length along the conveying path differs between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, the guide unit 11 can adjust the length of the conveying path according to the widthwise position. This allows the fabric M to arrive at the conveying belt 15 at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center to arrive at the same time. Therefore, slack can be prevented from occurring in the fabric M on the conveying belt 15 between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, and wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be suppressed. Furthermore, adjusting the length of the conveying path can prevent slack from occurring in the fabric M. Therefore, there is no need to provide a powerful drive source for pulling the fabric M. Furthermore, because a powerful drive source is not required, costs can also be suppressed.

[0044] 2. Second Embodiment A second embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied will be described. In this second embodiment, parts configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of contact portion 113 in embodiment 2. Fig. 8 is a schematic side view showing the periphery of a guide portion of the recording device. In the first embodiment, roller elements 13b are provided by arranging rollers 14 having the same diameter as roller body 13a in a row in the width direction at both ends of one roller body 13a. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, roller elements 113b are composed of first roller element 113b1 and second roller element 113b2, each of which is provided at both ends of roller body 13a. The first roller element 113b1 and second roller element 113b2 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction. Both first roller element 113b1 and second roller element 113b2 are composed of multiple disk-shaped rollers 114 with a diameter smaller than that of roller body 13a. The biasing portions 112 of rollers 114 in the second embodiment may be configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, although the size and other factors may vary depending on the shape of roller 114. The rollers 114 are an example of a contact portion.

[0046] The biasing portion 12 is arranged so as to be biasable on each roller 114. As a result, the first roller element 113b1 and the second roller element 113b2 come into contact with the fabric M separately in the tangential direction when they come into contact with the fabric M.

[0047] By forming it in this manner, as shown in FIG. 8, the position of the rollers 114 can be adjusted more finely than in the first embodiment, and the length of the conveying path of the fabric M can be adjusted with higher precision.

[0048] As described above, in the second embodiment, the roller elements 13b of the conveying device 2 include the first roller element 113b1 and the second roller element 113b2. The first roller element 113b1 and the second roller element 113b2 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction and come into contact with the fabric M separately in the tangential direction. This allows the first roller element 113b1 and the second roller element 113b2 to adjust the conveying path length more precisely, so that the arrival times of the fabric M at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be more accurately aligned. As a result, slack in the fabric M on the conveyor belt 15 between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be made less likely to occur, and wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be suppressed.

[0049] 3. Other Embodiments The above-described embodiments merely show one mode in which the present disclosure is applied, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0050] In the above-described embodiments, the recording device has been described as being related to printing using a serial head system. However, the recording method of the recording device is not limited to the serial head system, and may be a so-called line head system in which printing is performed while the fabric M is continuously transported.

[0051] In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration using a single guide portion 11 has been described. However, the number of guide portions 11 is not limited to one, and multiple guide portions 11 may be provided. For example, by providing guide portions 11 at each of the widthwise ends of the fabric M, distortion of the fabric M can be eliminated and wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M can be suppressed.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment 1, the biasing portion 12 provided on the guide portion 11 biases the contact portion 13, thereby adjusting the length of the conveying path of the fabric M and eliminating distortion of the fabric M, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M. However, the method for suppressing wrinkles and lifting of the fabric M is not limited to this. For example, a control unit capable of controlling the guide unit 11 and a detection means capable of detecting the state of the fabric M on the conveyance path are provided. The control unit can also be configured to adjust the biasing force of each roller 14 of the contact unit 13 based on at least one of the length in the width direction of the rolled fabric M detected by the detection means and the amount of slack.

[0053] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the biasing portions 12 and 112 are configured by the compression springs 51. However, the configuration of the biasing portions 12 is not limited to the compression springs 51. For example, the biasing unit 12 may be any member capable of adjusting the positions of the contact portions 13, 113 using an elastic element other than the compression spring 51, a pressure generating element, or an electromagnetic force generating element. In addition to the compression spring 51, examples of the elastic element include a member that adjusts the positions of the contact portions 13, 113 using a spring element such as a torsion spring or a leaf spring. Examples of the pressure generating element include a member that adjusts the positions of the contact portions 13, 113 using the pressure of air, water, oil, or the like. Examples of the electromagnetic force generating element include a member that adjusts the positions of the contact portions 13, 113 using the electromagnetic force of a plunger, a motor, or the like.

[0054] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the contact portions 13, 113 and the biasing portions 12, 112 are separate bodies. However, the contact portions 13, 113 and the biasing portions 12, 112 may be integrated. For example, the contact portions 13, 113 may be formed on the leaf spring by curving the tip end shape of the leaf spring, so that the leaf spring serves as both the contact portions 13, 113 and the biasing portions 12, 112.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the control unit 100 controls the amount of force applied by the urging units 12 and 112. However, the amount of force applied by the urging units 12 and 112 may be adjusted in advance depending on the position in the width direction. In other words, the amount of force applied by the urging units 12 and 112 may be fixed depending on the position.

[0056] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the roller elements 13b, 113b1, and 113b2 provided in the guide portion 11 are configured to be rotatably supported relative to the urging portions 12 and 112. However, the roller elements 13b, 113b1, and 113b2 may be fixed relative to the urging portions 12 and 112. When the roller elements 13b, 113b1, and 113b2 are fixed relative to the urging portions 12 and 112, it is preferable to reduce friction at the contact surface with the fabric M by providing, for example, cylindrical rollers 14 or the like.

[0057] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the biasing units 12 and 112, which are examples of contact portion position control members, have the biasing guide support units 50, and the compression springs 51 are disposed in the biasing guide support units 50. However, the contact portion position control members may be configured by disposing a rigid body, such as a rod, in the biasing guide support units 50 instead of the compression springs.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which both widthwise ends of the fabric M are stretched. However, depending on the type of fabric, reinforcing ribbons with a width of approximately 5 mm may be provided at both widthwise ends of the fabric M. In this case, the reinforcing ribbons may prevent stretching of the widthwise ends of the fabric, causing only the widthwise center of the fabric to stretch. In such a case, by providing the configuration provided at the widthwise ends of the fabric in embodiments 1 and 2, specifically, the biasing units 12 and 112 and the roller elements 13b, 113b1, and 113b2, at the widthwise center, and by providing the configuration provided at the widthwise center of the fabric in embodiments 1 and 2, specifically, the roller body 13a, at the widthwise end of the fabric, it is possible to eliminate stretching of only the widthwise center of the fabric. That is, the device includes a payout unit that pays out a roll of fabric, a conveyor belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout unit in a conveyance direction, and a guide unit that guides the fabric, with the fabric wound between the payout unit and the conveyor belt. When a direction intersecting the conveyance direction is defined as a width direction, the guide unit guides the fabric M so that a first path length between the guide unit and the conveyor belt at the widthwise end of the fabric is shorter than a second path length between the guide unit and the conveyor belt at the widthwise center of the fabric. More specifically, the contact portion of the guide unit includes a roller element having a substantially cylindrical appearance and cylindrical roller bodies provided at both axial ends of the roller element. As a result, by biasing the roller element with the biasing unit, the guide unit can adjust the conveyance path length according to the widthwise position, even if the fabric M is distorted and the widthwise end and widthwise center have different lengths along the conveyance path. Therefore, the fabric M can reach the conveyor belt at the same time at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, preventing slack in the fabric M on the conveyor belt between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, thereby suppressing wrinkling and lifting of the fabric M.

[0059] 4. Summary of the Disclosure A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0060] (Appendix 1) A conveying device comprising: a payout section that pays out fabric wound in a roll; a conveying belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout section in a conveying direction; and a guide section that guides the fabric, with the fabric wound between the payout section and the conveying belt, wherein, when a direction intersecting the conveying direction is the width direction, the guide section guides the fabric so that a first path length between the guide section at an end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at the center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt. According to this, even if the fabric is distorted and the length along the conveying path differs between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, the guide unit adjusts the length of the conveying path according to the widthwise position, thereby making it possible to align the arrival times of the fabric at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center on the conveying belt. Therefore, the fabric on the conveying belt is less likely to slacken between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric. Furthermore, because adjusting the length of the conveying path makes it less likely for the fabric to slacken, there is no need to provide a powerful drive source for pulling the fabric. Furthermore, because a powerful drive source is not required, costs are also reduced.

[0061] (Supplementary Note 2) The conveying device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the guide section is divided into a plurality of sections in the width direction, each of which independently biases the fabric. This allows the conveying path length to be adjusted for each divided guide section, so that the arrival times of the fabric at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be precisely aligned, which makes it difficult for slack to occur between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center of the fabric on the conveying belt, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric.

[0062] (Appendix 3) The conveying device described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of guide portions have contact portions that contact the fabric and bias portions that bias the contact portions toward the fabric. This allows the length of the conveying path to be adjusted for each divided guide section, so that the arrival times of the fabric at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be accurately aligned, more efficiently suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting in the fabric.

[0063] (Supplementary Note 4) The conveying device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the contact portion is made of a roller element rotatably supported relative to the biasing portion or a fixed roller element. According to this, the roller shape can reduce the frictional resistance when the contact portion contacts the fabric, and can easily reduce the variation in frictional resistance depending on the position of the contact portion in the width direction. Therefore, it is easy to transport the fabric with precision according to the length of the transport path, and it is possible to precisely align the arrival times of the fabric at the width ends and the width center. Therefore, it is possible to prevent slack from occurring in the fabric on the transport belt between the width ends and the width center, and to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric.

[0064] (Appendix 5) A conveying device as described in Appendix 4, wherein the roller elements include a first roller element and a second roller element, and the first roller element and the second roller element are arranged side by side in the conveying direction and contact each other separately in the tangential direction in which the fabric contacts. This allows the first roller element and the second roller element to adjust the conveying path length more precisely, so that the arrival times of the fabric at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be more accurately aligned. As a result, slack in the fabric on the conveying belt between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center can be reduced, and wrinkles and lifting of the fabric can be suppressed.

[0065] (Appendix 6) A recording device comprising: a payout section that pays out fabric wound in a roll; a conveyor belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout section in a conveying direction; a guide section that guides the fabric and wraps the fabric between the payout section and the conveying belt; and a recording section that records an image on the fabric conveyed by the conveying belt, wherein, when a direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as a width direction, the guide section guides the fabric so that a first path length between the guide section at an end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at a center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt. According to this, even if the fabric is distorted and the length along the conveying path differs between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, the guide unit adjusts the length of the conveying path according to the widthwise position, thereby making it possible to align the arrival times of the fabric at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center on the conveying belt. Therefore, slack is less likely to occur in the fabric on the conveying belt between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric. Furthermore, because slack is less likely to occur by adjusting the length of the conveying path, there is no need to provide a powerful drive source for pulling the fabric. Furthermore, because a powerful drive source is not required, costs are also reduced.

[0066] (Appendix 7) A conveying method for a conveying device including a payout section that pays out a roll of fabric, a conveying belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout section in a conveying direction, and a guide section that guides the fabric and around which the fabric is wound between the payout section and the conveying belt, the method comprising causing the guide section to guide the fabric so that, when a direction intersecting the conveying direction is the width direction, a first path length between the guide section at an end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at the center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt. According to this, even if the fabric is distorted and the length along the conveying path differs between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, the guide unit adjusts the length of the conveying path according to the widthwise position, thereby making it possible to align the arrival times of the fabric at the widthwise ends and the widthwise center on the conveying belt. Therefore, slack is less likely to occur in the fabric on the conveying belt between the widthwise ends and the widthwise center, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and lifting of the fabric. Furthermore, because slack is less likely to occur by adjusting the length of the conveying path, there is no need to provide a powerful drive source for pulling the fabric. Furthermore, because a powerful drive source is not required, costs are also reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...recording device, 2...conveying device, 10...feeding section, 11...guide section, 12...urging section, 13...contact section, 13a...roller body, 13b...rolling element, 14...roller, 15...conveying belt, 19...pressure roller, 21...recording section, 24...roller group, 25...driven roller, 26...friction roller, L1...first path length, L2...second path length, M...fabric.

Claims

1. a feeding section that feeds out a fabric wound in a roll shape; a conveyor belt that conveys the fabric fed from the feeding section in a conveyance direction; and a guide section that guides the fabric and is wound between the feeding section and the conveyor belt, When a direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as a width direction, the guide section guides the fabric such that a first path length between the guide section at an end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at a center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt. Conveying device.

2. The guide portion is divided into a plurality of portions in the width direction, and each portion independently biases the fabric. The conveying device according to claim 1 .

3. The plurality of guide portions each include a contact portion that contacts the fabric and a biasing portion that biases the contact portion toward the fabric. The conveying device according to claim 2 .

4. The contact portion is made of a roller element rotatably supported with respect to the biasing portion or a fixed roller element. The conveying device according to claim 3 .

5. The roller elements include a first roller element and a second roller element, The first roller element and the second roller element are arranged side by side in the conveying direction and are respectively in contact with the fabric in a tangential direction. The conveying device according to claim 4.

6. a feeding section that feeds out a fabric wound in a roll shape; a conveyor belt that conveys the fabric fed from the feeding section in a conveyance direction; a guide section that guides the fabric and that wraps the fabric between the feeding section and the conveyor belt; and a recording section that records an image on the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt, When a direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as a width direction, the guide section guides the fabric such that a first path length between the guide section at an end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at a center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveying belt. Recording device.

7. In a conveying device including a payout section that pays out a roll of fabric, a conveyor belt that conveys the fabric paid out from the payout section in a conveying direction, and a guide section that guides the fabric and that wraps the fabric between the payout section and the conveyor belt, the guide section guides the fabric so that, when a direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as a width direction, a first path length between the guide section at an end of the fabric in the width direction and the conveyor belt is longer than a second path length between the guide section at a center of the fabric in the width direction and the conveyor belt. Transportation method.

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