Printing apparatus

Abstract

Improve safety. [Solution] The printing device 1 comprises a printing unit 20 that prints on a recording medium, an exterior unit 40 that covers the printing unit 20, a work area 41 defined inside the exterior unit 40 where an operator works on the carriage 21 that is the work object, an open / close detection unit 64 that detects a contactable state in which a person can contact the work object from the work area 41, and an interlock control unit 65 that restricts the operation of the printing unit 20 when the open / close detection unit 64 detects a contactable state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device having an exterior part. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, especially in large printing devices, the main operating parts such as the printing unit are covered with an exterior for safety reasons. The exterior is provided with a door through which workers can enter when performing internal maintenance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a technique has been proposed in which an interlock is provided on the exterior door (opening / closing section) to restrict the operation of the device when the door is open (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-230643 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-96446 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, simply providing an interlock on the exterior door can result in workers being trapped inside the exterior. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to improve safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing device, a printing unit that prints on a recording medium; an exterior part that covers the printing part; a work area defined inside the exterior portion where a worker performs work on a work object; a detection means for detecting a contactable state in which a person can contact the work object from the work area; an operation limiting means for limiting the operation of the printing unit when the detecting means detects the contactable state; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, safety can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main parts of the printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part of the printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the operation of a shutter according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the shutter according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the shutter according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the shutter according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the shutter according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the interlock mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the interlock mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the interlock mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a modified example of the printing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [Overall configuration of the printing device] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a front view of the main parts of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The printing device 1 according to this embodiment is a large-scale industrial printer that forms an image on a continuous medium (recording medium) made of, for example, continuous paper, cloth (woven fabric), resin, etc. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the printing device 1 includes a conveying unit 10 and a printing unit 20. In the following description, the X, Y, and Z directions refer to the directions shown in the drawings. That is, the X direction refers to the left-right direction of the printing device 1, the Y direction refers to the front-rear direction (depth direction), and the Z direction refers to the up-down direction.

[0010] The transport unit 10 has an endless transport belt 11 that extends in the front-rear direction. The transport unit 10 transports the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction A along the front-rear direction by driving the transport belt 11.

[0011] The printing unit 20 includes a carriage 21 disposed above the conveyor belt 11. The carriage 21 is capable of scanning in a main scanning direction B perpendicular to a sub-scanning direction A along a guide rail 22 extending in the left-right direction. A head (head unit) 23 is mounted on the carriage 21. The lower surface of the head 23 forms a nozzle surface 23a with multiple nozzles (not shown) exposed downward. As the carriage 21 moves within a movement range 21R, it ejects ink droplets from the nozzle surface 23a of the head 23, depositing the ink on a recording medium and forming an image.

[0012] The printing unit 20 also includes a missing part detection unit 31 and a maintenance unit 32. The missing part detecting unit 31 is disposed on the right side of the transport unit 10 (the right side in FIG. 3), and detects clogging of the nozzles. The maintenance unit 32 is located on the left side of the conveying unit 10 (left side in FIG. 3), opposite the missing part detection unit 31. The maintenance unit 32 in this embodiment includes a purge unit, a wipe unit, and a cap unit (all not shown), and performs maintenance on the head 23. The purge unit has a waste ink receiver and receives ink that is forcibly ejected from the nozzles of the head 23 to prevent nozzle clogging. The wipe unit uses a blade or sponge roller to wipe away ink that has adhered to the nozzle surface 23a after purging. The cap unit covers the nozzle surface 23a when not printing to protect it from drying out, etc. The configuration of the maintenance unit 32 is not limited to the above, and any conventionally known configuration may be used as appropriate. For example, instead of the purge unit, a suction unit that sucks ink from inside the nozzles may be provided.

[0013] [Exterior configuration] The printing device 1 includes an exterior unit 40, which is an enclosure. The exterior unit 40 is formed in a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction to correspond to the printing unit 20, and covers the printing unit 20 and the conveying unit 10. However, the front end of the conveying unit 10, which is the end of the conveying path, is exposed to the front side from the exterior unit 40.

[0014] The space inside the exterior part 40, located to the right of the transport part 10, is a work area 41 where workers perform their work. In the work area 41, for example, the worker performs maintenance on the head 23 with the carriage 21 positioned upward. An opening / closing door 43 that can open and close the internal work area 41 to the outside is provided on the right side of the exterior part 40. A worker enters the work area 41 through the opening / closing door 43. An operation panel 46 is disposed on the front surface of the exterior part 40 to receive various operations from a user (operator) and to display various information.

[0015] [Work area interlock mechanism] The exterior part 40 is provided with an interlock mechanism 50 (see FIG. 5) for ensuring the safety of the work area 41. In this embodiment, a shutter (partition) 51 is provided that can be opened and closed to separate the work area 41 and the carriage 21. When the shutter 51 is open, an interlock mechanism 50 operates to restrict the operation of the printing unit 20. In addition to the shutter 51, the interlock mechanism 50 includes an open / close detection unit 64 and an interlock control unit 65, which will be described later.

[0016] Specifically, the shutter 51 is configured to be capable of being in a shielded state (first state) in which the space 45 between the carriage 21, which is the work target, and the work area 41 is shielded, and an open state (second state) in which the space 45 is open. In this embodiment, a state in which the space 45 is substantially shielded (blocked) is referred to as the "shielded state," and other states are referred to as the "open state." The "substantially shielded (blocked) state" includes a state in which there is a gap that is small enough that the work target cannot be substantially contacted. In the shielded state, the shutter 51 is positioned approximately horizontally so as to cover the top of the work area 41.

[0017] 4, the shutter 51 of this embodiment has one end portion on the far side (left side) when viewed from the opening and closing door 43 rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 51a extending in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the shutter 51 opens and closes the space 45 between the carriage 21 and the work area 41 as it rotates around the rotation shaft 51a.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the printing device 1 includes a main body control unit 62, an open / close detection unit 64, and an interlock control unit 65. The main body control unit 62 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and performs overall control of the conveying unit 10 and the printing unit 20. Specifically, the main body control unit 62 loads a program stored in advance in the memory based on, for example, the operation content of the operation panel 46, and executes various processes in cooperation with the loaded program.

[0019] The open / close detection unit 64 is an example of a detection means according to the present invention, and detects whether the shutter 51 is open or closed, and outputs the detection result to the interlock control unit 65. In other words, the open / close detection unit 64 detects the open state (second state) of the shutter 51 as a contactable state in which a worker (human) can contact the carriage 21 from the work area 41. The open / close detection unit 64 is not particularly limited to a specific sensor type as long as it can detect the open / close state of the shutter 51. Furthermore, the open / close detection unit 64 (detection means) only needs to detect a contactable state in which a person can contact the carriage 21 from the work area 41.

[0020] The interlock control unit 65 restricts the operation of the printing unit 20 when the open / close detection unit 64 detects that the shutter 51 is in an open state (contactable state). Specifically, when the interlock control unit 65 detects that the shutter 51 is in an open state, it prevents the power from being turned on for the linear motor (not shown) that operates the carriage 21. Furthermore, the interlock control unit 65 and the open / close detection unit 64 are operable independently of the main body control unit 62, and the operation of the interlock mechanism 50 is separated from the printing operation. Note that the object of operation restriction by the interlock control unit 65 is not limited to the printing unit 20, but may include the conveying unit 10 and the like.

[0021] In the interlock mechanism 50 configured in this manner, when the open / close detection unit 64 detects that the shutter 51 is open, the interlock control unit 65 restricts the operation of the printing unit 20. In other words, the open state of the shutter 51 is detected as a contactable state in which a person can contact the carriage 21 from the work area 41, and the operation of the carriage 21 at this time is restricted. As a result, the shutter 51 is always closed when the carriage 21 is operated. Therefore, when the carriage 21 is operated, the shutter 51 can provide a shield between the carriage 21 and the shutter 51, protecting the work area 41. Consequently, even if a worker is present in the work area 41, the safety of the worker can be improved.

[0022] <Modification of shutter structure> The shutter (partition wall) is not particularly limited in its specific configuration as long as it is configured to be able to take a closed state and an open state. For example, the shutter may be configured to be extendable and retractable. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the shutter 52 in this case has a bellows portion (bellows folding structure) that is extendable and retractable in the XY plane, and opens and closes the space 45 between the carriage 21 and the work area 41 as the bellows portion extends and retracts. Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the accordion-folded structure is two-fold (center-fold), it may be a multi-folded structure with three or more stages.

[0023] Alternatively, the shutter may be configured to be slidable. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, in this case, the shutter 53 is supported by the exterior part 40 so as to be slidable along the X direction, and as it slides, it appears and disappears in the space 45 between the carriage 21 and the work area 41. This shutter 53 is preferable in that it has a simple structure and does not require much space for opening and closing. The sliding direction of the shutter 53 is not particularly limited, and for example, the shutter 53 may be slid rearward along the Y direction.

[0024] Alternatively, the shutter may be configured to be detachable. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the shutter 54 in this case is detachably disposed in the space 45 between the carriage 21 and the work area 41, and opens and closes the space 45 as the shutter 54 is detached. The fixing structure between the shutter 54 and the exterior part 40 is not particularly limited, and a fastening member such as a screw may be used, or they may simply be locked together. The various shutter structures described above can be used in combination as appropriate. For example, a shutter structure in which one half slides and the other half expands and contracts may be used.

[0025] The shutter may also have a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the printing unit 20 (carriage 21). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a maintenance unit 551 can be mounted on the upper surface of the shutter 55 in this case. In this case, the maintenance unit 551 also moves as the shutter 55 opens and closes. The specific configuration of the maintenance unit 551 is not particularly limited. For example, at least one of the configurations of the maintenance unit 32 described above (purge unit, wipe unit, cap unit, and suction unit) may be applied. Alternatively, the missing part detection unit 31 may be applied. 9 shows an example in which the shutter 55 has a sliding structure, but the opening and closing structure of the shutter in this case is not particularly limited, and any of the structures described above can be applied. However, a sliding structure is preferable in that it makes it easier to maintain the position and posture of the maintenance unit 551. Furthermore, when a configuration that requires high relative positional accuracy with respect to the head 23 (such as a missing part detection unit) is applied as the maintenance unit 551, it is preferable that the shutter position in the blocked state can be reproduced with a predetermined accuracy by pin alignment or the like.

[0026] <Modification of the interlock mechanism> The opening and closing door 43 of the exterior part 40 may be interlocked. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 , a detection sensor 71 and a target (detection object) 72 may be provided on the exterior 40 and the opening / closing door 43. The detection sensor 71 and the target 72 are an example of a second operation restriction means according to the present invention. The target 72 is attached, for example, to the open end of the opening / closing door 43. The detection sensor 71 is attached to a portion of the exterior 40 that faces the target 72 when the opening / closing door 43 is closed. The detection sensor 71 detects when the opening / closing door 43 is substantially closed, and restricts the operation of the printing unit 20 when the opening / closing door 43 is in any other state (open state). This makes it possible to prevent the printing unit 20 from operating with the opening / closing door 43 open. The detection sensor 71 may output the detection result to the interlock control unit 65, and the interlock control unit 65 may restrict the operation of the printing unit 20 based on the detection result. The interlock type between the detection sensor 71 and the target 72 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a key insertion type or an electromagnetic type. 11, there are also cases where the opening / closing door 43A is configured so that even when it is open, it is not possible to directly access the internal dangerous area (for example, the operating range of the carriage 21) from the outside. In the example of FIG. 11, it is only possible to enter the internal work area 41 from the outside through the opening / closing door 43A. Such an opening / closing door 43A does not need to be interlocked because an open state does not immediately mean there is a danger.

[0027] In addition, when an interlock is applied to the opening and closing door 43, this may be linked to the interlock of the shutter 51. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, a detection sensor 71B and a target (detection object) 72B may be provided on the shutter 51 and the opening / closing door 43. The target 72B is attached, for example, to the open end of the opening / closing door 43. The detection sensor 71B is attached to a portion of the shutter 51 that faces the target 72B when the opening / closing door 43 is closed. The detection sensor 71B detects a state in which both the opening / closing door 43 and the shutter 51 are substantially closed. In any other state, that is, when at least one of the opening / closing door 43 and the shutter 51 is open, the detection sensor 71B restricts the operation of the printing unit 20. This prevents the printing unit 20 from operating with either the opening / closing door 43 or the shutter 51 left open. Although a pivoting type shutter 51 is shown as an example in FIG. 12, the structure of the shutter is not particularly limited.

[0028] [Technical effect of this embodiment] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a contactable state in which a person can contact the carriage 21 (work object) from the work area 41 is detected, the operation of the printing unit 20 is restricted. Therefore, the printing unit 20 does not operate in a contactable state where a person can contact the work object from the work area 41. Therefore, safety can be improved compared to the conventional method in which a worker can be trapped inside the exterior part.

[0029] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the shutter 51 is configured to be capable of being in a shielded state (first state) in which the space 45 between the work object and the work area 41 is shielded, and an open state (second state) in which the space 45 is open. The open state of the shutter 51 is detected as a contactable state in which a person can contact the work object from the work area 41. As a result, the shutter 51 is always closed when the carriage 21 is operated. Therefore, when the carriage 21 is operated, the shutter 51 can shield the carriage 21 and protect the work area 41. Furthermore, even if a worker is present in the work area 41, the safety of the worker can be improved.

[0030] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the opening and closing door 43 that can open and close the work area 41 to the outside is in an open state, the operation of the printing unit 20 may be restricted. This prevents the carriage 21 from operating when the door 43 is open, further improving safety.

[0031] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the state in which both the shutter 51 and the opening / closing door 43 are closed may be detected, and the operation of the printing unit 20 may be restricted when at least one of the shutter 51 and the opening / closing door 43 is in an open state. This can further improve safety. Furthermore, the target 72B provided on the opening / closing door 43 and the detection sensor 71B provided on the shutter 51 can integrally detect whether the shutter 51 and the opening / closing door 43 are both closed with a simple configuration.

[0032] [others] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiment and its variations, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the open / close detection unit 64 (detection means) detects a "contactable state (open state)" in which a person can contact the carriage 21 from the work area 41. However, the detection means according to the present invention may also detect a "contactless state (obstructed state)" in which a person cannot contact the work object from the work area as a "state that is not contactable." In other words, "detection of a contactable state" includes "detection of a state that is not contactless."

[0033] In the above embodiment, the open state of a shutter capable of shielding the space 45 between the work object and the work area 41 is detected as a contactable state in which a person can contact the work object from the work area 41. However, instead of providing a shutter, the state in which an object is present in the work area 41 may be detected as a contactable state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, an object detection unit (detection means) 64C that detects objects in the work area 41 may be disposed inside the exterior unit 40. Objects to be detected may include humans, as well as objects other than those normally placed in the work area 41 that may be humans. The object detection unit 64C may be, for example, a foot sensor or a laser curtain. When the object detection unit 64C detects the presence of an object in the work area 41, the interlock control unit 65 may be configured to restrict the operation of the printing unit 20. This prevents the printing unit 20 from operating when a human is present in the work area 41. The object detection unit 64C may be provided in addition to a shutter.

[0034] In the above embodiment, one of the right-hand spaces to the side of the transport unit 10 is used as the work area 41. However, as shown in FIG. 3 , the opposite (left) side of the space to the side of the transport unit 10 from the work area 41 may be used as the second work area 41A. The second work area 41A is opened and closed to the outside through a second opening / closing door 43L provided on the left side of the exterior unit 40. In this case, the maintenance unit 32 may be configured as a second shutter that covers the upper part of the second work area 41A and can be configured to be able to take a closed state and an open state, similar to the shutter. For example, the maintenance unit 32 may be configured to be easily detachable. This allows the maintenance unit 32 to protect the second work area 41A below it.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the worker performs maintenance on the carriage 21 (head 23) in the work area 41. However, the work object is not particularly limited as long as it is either the conveying unit 10 or the printing unit 20 located inside the exterior unit 40. The type of work (work content) is also not particularly limited, and may include, for example, maintenance and cleaning of the conveying belt 11.

[0036] The present invention is also widely applicable to printing devices in which the device body is covered by an exterior part. The exterior part broadly includes what are called a housing, enclosure, casing (case), or the like that covers at least a portion of the device body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Printing device 10. Transport section (work object) 20 Printing Department (Work Target) 21 Carriage 23 head 40 Exterior part 41 Work Area 41A Second Work Area 43, 43A Openable door 45 Space 50 Interlock mechanism 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 Shutter (Bulkhead) 64 Open / close detection unit (detection means) 64C Object detection unit (detection means) 65 Interlock control unit (operation restriction means) 71 detection sensor (second operation limiting means) 72 target (second operation limiting means) 71B detection sensor (detection means, operation limiting means, second operation limiting means) 72B Target (detection means, second operation limiting means) 551 Maintenance Unit

Claims

1. a printing unit that prints on a recording medium; an exterior part that covers the printing part; a work area defined inside the exterior portion where a worker performs work on a work object; a detection means for detecting a contactable state in which a person can contact the work object from the work area; an operation limiting means for limiting the operation of the printing unit when the detecting means detects the contactable state; A printing device comprising:

2. a partition wall configured to be capable of assuming a first state in which a space between the work object and the work area is sealed off and a second state in which the space is open; The detection means detects the second state as the touchable state. The printing device of claim 1 .

3. an opening and closing door provided on the exterior portion and capable of opening and closing the internal work area to the outside; a second operation limiting means for limiting the operation of the printing unit when the door is in an open state; Equipped with The printing device of claim 1 .

4. an opening and closing door provided on the exterior portion and capable of opening and closing the internal work area to the outside; the detection means detects a state in which both the partition wall and the opening / closing door are closed, the operation limiting means limits the operation of the printing unit when at least one of the partition wall and the opening / closing door is in an open state based on the detection result of the detection means. The printing device according to claim 2 .

5. The partition is configured to be rotatable, and opens and closes a space between the work object and the work area in accordance with the rotation. The printing device according to claim 2 .

6. The partition has an expandable bellows portion, and opens and closes the space between the work object and the work area as the bellows portion expands and contracts. The printing device according to claim 2 .

7. The partition is configured to be slidable and appears and disappears in the space between the work object and the work area as the partition slides. The printing device according to claim 2 .

8. the partition is detachably disposed between the work object and the work area, and opens and closes the space between the work object and the work area upon attachment and detachment. The printing device according to claim 2 .

9. the partition wall has a maintenance unit for performing maintenance on the printing unit; The printing device according to claim 2 .

10. The detection means detects a state in which an object is present in the work area as the contactable state. The printing device of claim 1 .

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