Linear medium guide device, liquid ejection device, and linear medium processing system

Abstract

To provide a linear medium guiding device with which linear media are unlikely to become dirty, and can be conveyed with small load.SOLUTION: A linear medium guiding device 106 comprises a pair of rotating members 106a and 106b for guiding linear media 101 in a conveying direction. The rotating members have groove parts 106c which form space through which the linear media can be inserted by facing each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear medium guide device, a liquid ejection device, and a linear medium processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording device that includes a transport means for transporting fabric 10, a recording means 2 that ejects ink onto the fabric 10 using an inkjet system to perform recording, and a cleaning means 8 for cleaning the fabric 10, the cleaning means 8 being provided upstream of the recording means 2 in the transport direction of the fabric 10 and having an adsorption member that adsorbs the fabric 10 and an adsorption member cleaning section that cleans the adsorption member, thereby removing fibers and debris on the fabric when inkjet printing is performed and capable of forming stable, high-quality images. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a linear medium guiding device that is less likely to soil the linear medium and is capable of transporting the linear medium with a small load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention relates to a linear medium guiding device having a pair of rotating members that guide a linear medium in a transport direction, the rotating members having grooves that face each other to form a space through which the linear medium can be inserted. and a cleaning member for cleaning the rotating member. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a linear medium guiding device that is less likely to soil the linear medium and is capable of transporting the linear medium with a small load. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a linear medium processing system including a liquid ejection device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a linear medium guiding device according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a linear medium processing system including a liquid ejection device according to the present invention.

[0009] An embroidery system 1000 shown as an example of a linear medium processing system mainly includes a yarn supplying device 102, a liquid ejecting device 103, a fixing device 107, and an embroidery device 108.

[0010] The yarn supplying device 102 winds and holds a yarn 101, which is an example of a linear medium, and supplies the yarn 101 to the liquid ejection device 103. Note that the yarn 101 wound around the yarn supplying device 102 is usually a white yarn, since it is to be colored a desired color by the liquid ejection device 103 provided downstream.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 103 includes a liquid ejection head 104, a first guide portion 105, and a second guide portion 106, and applies liquid to the yarn 101 from the yarn supplying device 102 using the liquid ejection head 104. Here, the liquid ejection head 104 is an example of a liquid applying means. In this embodiment, the liquid ejection head 104 is a head that employs an inkjet recording method, and the liquid applied to the yarn 101 is colored ink.

[0012] The number of liquid ejection heads 104 mounted on the liquid ejection device 103 is not limited to one. For example, when using multiple types of ink, multiple liquid ejection heads are aligned in a vertical line along the transport direction of the thread 101.

[0013] The first guide portion 105 includes a roller that can be rotated by contact with the yarn 101 moving in the conveying direction, and is located at the inlet portion of the liquid ejection device 103 (upstream of the conveying direction of the yarn 101 relative to the liquid ejection device 103).

[0014] The second guide unit 106 includes a pair of rollers that are rotatable by contact with the yarn 101 moving in the transport direction, and is located at the outlet portion of the liquid ejection device 103 (downstream of the liquid ejection device 103 in the transport direction of the yarn 101). Here, the second guide unit 106 is an example of a linear medium guiding device.

[0015] The first guide portion 105 and the second guide portion 106 guide the thread 101 so that the thread 101 moving inside the liquid ejection device 103 passes directly below the ink ejection ports of the liquid ejection head 104 .

[0016] Fixing device 107 includes a heating means, for example, of an infrared irradiation type or a hot air blowing type, and heats yarn 101 after ink is applied to fix the ink to yarn 101. As a result, yarn 101 becomes yarn colored in a desired color.

[0017] The embroidery device 108 includes an embroidery head and sews colored thread 101 into the cloth S to embroider a pattern, such as a design or a design, on the cloth S. The embroidery device 108 also includes a drive device 109 that includes a drive source for drawing the thread 101 into the embroidery device 108.

[0018] Therefore, in the embroidery system 1000, the thread 101 moves in the transport direction by the power of the drive device 109, and the rollers of the first guide unit 105 and the second guide unit 106 are in contact with the thread 101 moving in the transport direction and rotate accordingly. Here, the embroidery device 108 is an example of an external device.

[0019] Instead of the embroidery device 108, other processing devices such as a weaving machine or a sewing machine may be connected downstream of the fixing device 107. If the embroidery device is located elsewhere (if it is not an in-line type), a winding device that winds up the thread after the ink is fixed may be connected downstream of the fixing device 107 instead of the embroidery device 108. In this case, the wound thread is transported to the installation location of the processing device, and the thread is loaded into the processing device and the desired processing is performed.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a linear medium guiding device according to the present invention, where FIG. 2(a) is a front view and FIG. 2(b) is a side view of FIG. 2(a) as viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0021] The second guide unit 106, which is an example of a linear medium guiding device, includes a pair of rollers 106a, 106b that guide the thread 101 in the transport direction. Here, the pair of rollers 106a, 106b is an example of a pair of rotating members.

[0022] The roller 106a is capable of rotating about an axis X1, and the roller 106b is capable of rotating about an axis X2.

[0023] Rollers 106a and 106b have semicircular grooves 106c on their outer circumferential surfaces, and rollers 106a and 106b face each other such that the positions of the grooves 106c match. As a result, the outer circumferential surfaces of rollers 106a and 106b face each other, forming a space 106d at the facing portion. Here, groove 106c is an example of a groove portion.

[0024] The shape of the groove 106c is not limited to a semicircular shape, and can be appropriately changed to a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, or the like, depending on the cross-sectional shape of the linear medium to be transported.

[0025] The depth of groove 106c provided on the outer circumferential surfaces of rollers 106a and 106b is set to about half the thickness of thread 101, so that space 106d formed at the opposing portion of roller 106a and roller 106b is a space through which thread 101 can pass.

[0026] In the above configuration, the rollers 106a and 106b rotate due to friction with the thread 101 that moves due to the power of an external device such as the embroidery device 108 shown in Fig. 1. In this case, the thread 101 moves in the space 106d formed by the rollers 106a and 106b while being nipped in the space 106d, so that the conveying position of the thread 101 is less likely to shift.

[0027] Furthermore, by passing the yarn 101 through the space 106d, the yarn 101 is less likely to be squeezed by the rollers 106a and 106b. As a result, the load on the yarn 101 can be reduced, and the yarn 101 is less likely to be damaged.

[0028] In particular, when used as the second guide section 106 of the liquid ejection device 103 as shown in Fig. 1, the second guide section 106 guides the thread 101 carrying unfixed ink. In such a case, in addition to the above effects, it is possible to reduce disturbance of the ink on the thread 101 and dirt on the rollers 106a, 106b due to ink adhesion to the rollers 106a, 106b.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment, in the second guide section 106 having a pair of rollers 106a, 106b that guide the yarn 101 in the conveying direction, the rollers 106a, 106b have a groove 106c that faces each other to form a space 106d through which the yarn 101 can be inserted.

[0030] This makes it possible to provide the second guide portion 106 with a configuration that prevents the yarn 101 from becoming dirty and allows the yarn 101 to be transported with a small load.

[0031] As described above, the thread 101 is moved in the transport direction by the power from the embroidery device 108 provided outside the second guide portion 106, and the rollers 106a and 106b are rotated by contact with the thread 101.

[0032] This makes it possible to accommodate the thread tension and linear speed specific to the external device, and even if the external device is the embroidery device 108, it is possible to accommodate the irregular thread tension and linear speed specific to the embroidery device.

[0033] The second guide portion 106 also includes a cleaning member 106e for cleaning the rollers 106a and 106b.

[0034] The cleaning member 106e comes into contact with parts of the rollers 106a and 106b, and cleans the outer circumferential surfaces, including the grooves 106c, of the rollers 106a and 106b. Because the rollers 106a and 106b are not provided with a driving source, the cleaning member 106e comes into contact with the rollers 106a and 106b with a pressure that does not stop the driven rotation of the rollers 106a and 106b.

[0035] As the rollers 106a, 106b rotate, the cleaning member 106e automatically cleans the rollers 106a, 106b, which prevents foreign matter such as ink adhering to the rollers 106a, 106b from being re-transferred to the succeeding yarn 101. The cleaning member 106e is detachable from the second guide portion 106 and can be replaced. This allows the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers 106a, 106b to be kept clean.

[0036] As described above, this embodiment includes the cleaning member 106e for cleaning the rollers 106a and 106b. Also, as described above, the cleaning member 106e is replaceable.

[0037] This makes it possible to keep the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers 106a and 106b clean, and also makes it possible to replace the cleaning member 106e when it becomes dirty, thereby maintaining the cleaning function of the cleaning member 106e.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] In the above-described configuration, the rollers 106a and 106b are rotated by contacting the thread 101 which moves in the transport direction by the power from an external device (for example, the drive device 109 of the embroidery device 108).

[0040] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the second guide portion 106 (rollers 106a, 106b) is provided with a driving device 110.

[0041] In this case, the driving device 110 controls the rollers 106a and 106b to rotate in synchronization with the conveying speed of the yarn 101 by an external device.

[0042] In this way, the driving device 110 assists in a state where the rollers 106a, 106b are difficult to rotate due to friction with the yarn 101 alone. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a problem in which the yarn 101 comes into contact with the non-rotating rollers 106a, 106b, causing ink or other foreign matter to accumulate only at specific locations on the rollers 106a, 106b.

[0043] As described above, this embodiment includes the driving device 110 that rotates and drives the rollers 106a and 106b in synchronization with the conveying speed of the yarn 101.

[0044] This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which only specific portions of the rollers 106a and 106b continue to become dirty.

[0045] The thread 101 is not limited to embroidery thread. For example, it may be glass fiber thread, wool thread, cotton thread, synthetic thread, metal thread, wool, cotton, polymer, or metal blend thread, yarn, filament, or a linear object (linear member, continuous base material) to which a liquid can be applied, including braided cord, flat cord, etc.

[0046] In addition to the above linear objects, the linear medium also includes strip-shaped members (continuous substrates) to which a liquid can be applied, such as ropes, cables, cords, etc. All linear media are narrow, continuous in the transport direction, and linear or strip-shaped media.

[0047] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention provides unique effects for each of the following aspects.

[0048] [First aspect] The first aspect is a linear medium guiding device (e.g., a second guide section 106) having a pair of rotating members (e.g., rollers 106a, 106b) that guide a linear medium (e.g., a thread 101) in a conveying direction, and the rotating members have groove sections (e.g., groove 106c) that face each other to form a space (e.g., space 106d) through which the linear medium can be inserted.

[0049] According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a linear medium guiding device that is less likely to soil the linear medium and is capable of transporting the linear medium with a small load.

[0050] [Second aspect] The second aspect is characterized in that the first aspect further includes a cleaning member (eg, cleaning member 106e) that cleans the rotating members (eg, rollers 106a and 106b).

[0051] [Third aspect] A third aspect is the second aspect, characterized in that the cleaning member (eg, cleaning member 106e) is replaceable.

[0052] According to the second and third aspects, the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member can be kept clean, and when the cleaning member becomes dirty, the cleaning member can be replaced, thereby maintaining the cleaning function of the cleaning member.

[0053] [Fourth aspect] The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the linear medium (e.g., thread 101) moves in the conveying direction by power from an external device (e.g., drive device 109 of embroidery device 108) provided outside the linear medium guiding device (e.g., second guide section 106), and the rotating member (e.g., rollers 106a, 106b) is rotated by contact with the linear medium.

[0054] According to the fourth aspect, the linear medium can be transported in accordance with the yarn tension and linear speed specific to the external device.

[0055] [Fifth aspect] The fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the device further includes a drive device (e.g., drive device 110) that rotates and drives the rotating member (e.g., rollers 106a, 106b) in synchronization with the conveying speed of the linear medium (e.g., thread 101).

[0056] According to the fifth aspect, since the driving device assists the rotation of the linear medium, it is possible to eliminate a problem in which foreign matter accumulates only at specific locations on the rotating member due to the rotating member not rotating. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1000 Embroidery system (linear media processing system) 103 Liquid discharge device 106 Second guide unit (linear medium guide device) 101 Thread (Linear Media) 106a, 106b Rollers (rotating members) 106c groove (groove) 106d Space 106e Cleaning materials [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0058] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-218419 A

Claims

1. A linear medium guiding device having a pair of rotating members that guide a linear medium in a transport direction, A linear media guiding device characterized in that the rotating member has groove portions that face each other to form a space through which the linear media can be inserted, and that the linear media guiding device is equipped with a cleaning member that cleans the rotating member.

2. A linear media guide device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning member is replaceable.

3. A linear media guiding device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the linear media moves in the conveying direction by power from an external device provided outside the linear media guiding device, and the rotating member rotates by contact with the linear media.

4. 4. The linear medium guiding device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive device that rotates the rotating member in synchronization with a transport speed of the linear medium.

5. A liquid ejection device comprising: a liquid application means for applying liquid to a linear medium; and a linear medium guiding device according to claim 1 , downstream of the liquid application means in a transport direction of the linear medium.

6. A linear medium processing system comprising the liquid ejection device according to claim 5.

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