Conveying device and recording device

Abstract

To improve the workability of replacing a filter 23.SOLUTION: A conveyance device includes: a conveyor belt 9 having a support surface 7 capable of supporting media P and capable of conveying the media P; a device body part 13 provided with the conveyor belt 9; and a cleaning unit 14 for cleaning the support surface 7 with a liquid 16. The cleaning unit 14 includes: a reservoir 18 in which the liquid 16 is stored; flow path members 15, 17 through which the liquid 16 discharged from and returned to the reservoir 18 passes; and a filter unit 21 detachably provided on the flow path members 15, 17. The filter unit 21 is configured to be capable of being withdrawn in a direction away from the device body part 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device including a belt capable of conveying a medium, and a recording device including the conveying device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of this type of conveying device is described in Patent Document 1. This conveying device includes an endless belt 5 that conveys a recording medium P in a predetermined conveying direction while supporting it on its surface 5a, a brush roller 7 that cleans the surface 5a, a spray cylinder 9 that sprays cleaning liquid L directly onto the surface 5a of the endless belt 5 that passes through a sprayed area S located upstream of the brush roller 7 in the conveying direction, a storage device 10 that is provided at least below the sprayed area S and the spray cylinder 9 and that contains and stores the dripping cleaning liquid L, and a liquid sending pump 12 that sends the cleaning liquid L stored in the storage device 10 to the spray cylinder 9. The cleaning liquid L is filtered by the filter 12c while circulating through the liquid sending path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-241285 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conveying device described in Patent Document 1, the filtration filter 12c becomes dirty and needs to be replaced, but Patent Document 1 gives no consideration to the replacement of the filtration filter 12c. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a conveying device according to the present invention comprises a conveying belt having a support surface capable of supporting media and capable of conveying the media, an apparatus main body on which the conveying belt is provided, and a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with a liquid, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a storage section in which the liquid is stored, a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the storage section and returned passes, and a filter section that is removably provided on the flow path member, and the filter section is capable of being pulled out in a direction away from the apparatus main body.

[0006] Furthermore, the recording device of the present invention comprises a recording unit capable of recording on media, a conveyor belt having a support surface capable of supporting the media and capable of conveying the media, a device main body on which the conveyor belt is provided, and a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with liquid, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a storage unit in which the liquid is stored, a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the storage unit and returned passes, and a filter unit removably provided on the flow path member, and the filter unit is capable of being pulled out in a direction away from the device main body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a main part of a recording apparatus including a conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a cleaning unit according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the X-axis direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a cleaning unit according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the Y-axis direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present invention will first be briefly described below. In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of a conveying device according to the present invention comprises a conveying belt having a support surface capable of supporting media and capable of conveying the media, an apparatus main body on which the conveying belt is provided, and a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with a liquid, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a storage section in which the liquid is stored, a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the storage section and returned passes, and a filter section that is removably provided on the flow path member, and the filter section is capable of being pulled out in a direction away from the apparatus main body. Here, the "device main body" includes, for example, a structure formed by combining a plurality of frames.

[0009] According to this aspect, the filter unit can be pulled out in a direction away from the device body. This makes it possible to displace the filter unit to a position that makes it easier to remove the filter from the filter unit by pulling the filter unit out in a direction away from the device body. This improves the ease of filter replacement by the user.

[0010] A conveying device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, it is provided with a pump that causes the liquid to flow through the flow path member, to the storage section, to the filter section, and back to the storage section.

[0011] According to this aspect, the liquid is discharged from the storage section by the pump, and the liquid is filtered by the filter section, and the filtered liquid is supplied again to the storage section, whereby the liquid can be reused.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention is a conveying device in accordance with the second aspect, comprising a valve capable of switching between a first state in which the flow of the liquid is permitted and a second state in which the flow of the liquid is restricted, the pump, which is at least one pump located downstream of the valve in the flow direction of the liquid, and a control unit that controls the valve and the pump, wherein the control unit is characterized in that when the filter unit is pulled out of the device main body unit, it switches the valve from the first state to the second state and then stops operation of the pump.

[0013] When the filter unit is pulled out from the device body to remove the filter from the flow path member, liquid flowing through the flow path member may leak out. According to this aspect, when the control unit determines that the filter unit has been pulled out from the device main body unit, the control unit switches the valve from a first flow-permitting state to a second flow-restricting state, and then stops the operation of the pump. This makes it possible to first restrict the flow of liquid through the flow path member by the valve, and then stop the operation of the pump located downstream, thereby removing the liquid remaining in the flow path member, i.e., draining the water.

[0014] The transport device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the transport device of the third aspect, further comprising a housing section that houses the filter.

[0015] According to this aspect, the filter is accommodated in the accommodation portion, which makes it possible to protect the filter from external forces.

[0016] The transport device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the transport device of the fourth aspect, characterized in that the accommodation section accommodates the valve and the pump.

[0017] According to this aspect, the valve and the pump are accommodated in a housing section together with the filter. In this way, by consolidating the locations where the filter section, the valve, and the pump are arranged, maintenance can be easily performed.

[0018] The transport device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the transport device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, characterized in that an irradiation unit that irradiates light into the inside of the storage unit is provided.

[0019] According to this aspect, visibility is improved when removing the filter.

[0020] A conveying device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, it is provided with a receiving portion capable of receiving the liquid from the connection portion between the flow path member and the filter portion.

[0021] According to this aspect, a receiving portion capable of receiving the liquid from the connection portion between the flow path member and the filter portion is provided, whereby liquid that may leak from the connection portion when the filter is detached from the flow path member can be received by the receiving portion, thereby making it possible to prevent the liquid from contaminating the surroundings.

[0022] A recording device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention comprises a recording unit capable of recording on media, a conveyor belt having a support surface capable of supporting the media and capable of conveying the media, a device main body on which the conveyor belt is provided, and a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with liquid, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a storage unit in which the liquid is stored, a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the storage unit and returned passes, and a filter unit removably provided on the flow path member, and the filter unit is capable of being pulled out in a direction away from the device main body. According to this aspect, the recording device includes a recording unit capable of recording on the medium and a conveying device, and thus it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first aspect.

[0023] [Embodiment 1] A recording apparatus including a conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal axes are referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, as shown in each drawing. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction (the direction in which gravity acts). The X-axis and Y-axis directions correspond to the horizontal direction. Here, the Y-axis direction corresponds to the transport direction of the medium, and the X-axis direction corresponds to the width direction of the medium that intersects with the transport direction.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer, and includes a recording unit 3 equipped with an ejection head that ejects ink onto a medium P transported in a transport direction (Y-axis direction) F, and a transport device 5 that transports the medium P. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the conveying device 5 of this embodiment has a support surface 7 capable of supporting media P, and is equipped with a conveying belt 9 capable of conveying the media P, an apparatus main body section 13 (Figure 2) on which the conveying belt 9 is provided, and a cleaning section 14 that cleans the support surface 7 with liquid 16. The cleaning unit 14 includes a storage unit 18 in which liquid 16 is stored, flow path members 15, 17 through which liquid 16 passes when discharged from and returned to the storage unit 18, and a filter unit 21 that is detachably provided on the flow path members 15, 17. Here, the filter unit 21 is configured so as to be capable of being pulled out in a direction away from the device main body unit 13.

[0025] Each component of the transport device 5 will now be described. <Conveyor belt> As shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor belt 9 is an endless belt stretched between a drive roller 4 and a driven roller 6. An adhesive layer 8 is provided on a support surface 7, which is the outer peripheral surface of the endless conveyor belt 9. The media P is attached to the adhesive layer 8 by an attachment member (not shown), and passes through a recording execution area of ​​the recording unit 3 in this attached state. Ink is adhered to the support surface 7 of the conveyor belt 9 by the recording operation of the recording unit 3. A cleaning unit 14 that cleans the support surface 7 with the ink adhered thereto is disposed near the drive roller 4 as described above. The medium P is a normal sheet-like recording medium, such as paper, fabric, or plastic film, on which recording is performed by an inkjet printer.

[0026] <Device body> The device main body 13 refers to a structure having as its main part the framework of the device constituted by a plurality of frames 22. The recording device 1 has a device main body 13 as a basic structure, to which components such as the recording unit 3, the transport device 5, and the cleaning unit 14 are attached. Furthermore, the recording device 1 is covered by a housing (not shown) to define its external appearance.

[0027] <Cleaning Department> The cleaning unit 14 has a storage unit 18 that stores cleaning liquid 16, a brush roller 20 that is about half-immersed in the liquid 16, and a wiping unit 2 that wipes the support surface 7 of the conveyor belt 9 with a wiper 11. The wiping unit 2 is supported inside the storage unit 18. As shown in Fig. 1, the cleaning unit 14 is disposed near the drive roller 4 of the conveyor belt 9. The support surface 7 of the conveyor belt 9 is first brush-cleaned by the rotating contact of the brush roller 20. Next, as the conveyor belt 9 moves past the wiping unit 2, the support surface 7 is wiped by the wiper 11. The liquid 16 in the storage unit 18 gradually becomes dirty due to this cleaning and wiping.

[0028] <Filter section> As described above, flow path members 15 and 17 are connected to storage unit 18. Liquid 16 in storage unit 18 is discharged to the outside of storage unit 18 through one flow path member 15 connected to the bottom side of storage unit 18 and sent to filter unit 21. Liquid 16 is filtered by filter 23 of filter unit 21 to become purified water 162, and is returned to storage unit 18 from above through the other flow path member 17. Liquid 16 before being filtered by filter unit 21 is referred to as wastewater 161 here in contrast to purified water 162. The filter portion 21 is detachably provided on the flow path members 15 and 17 . 2 and 3, the filter unit 21 is configured to be able to be pulled out in a direction away from the device main body unit 13 (X-axis direction), that is, in the width direction of the conveyor belt 9. In other words, the filter unit 21 is configured to be able to be pulled out relative to the conveyor belt 9 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 9.

[0029] In this embodiment, pumps 25, 31 are provided in a liquid flow path formed by flow path members 15, 17 to move liquid 16. Pumps 25, 31 move liquid 16 through flow path members 15, 17 to reservoir 18, filter unit 21, and back to reservoir 18. In this embodiment, two pumps 25, 31 are provided, but depending on the capacity, one or three or more pumps may be provided instead of two. A supply head 27 such as a nozzle is provided at a portion where purified water 162 filtered by filter unit 21 is supplied from flow path member 17 to reservoir 18.

[0030] In this embodiment, a valve 29 such as an electromagnetic valve is provided in the liquid flow path. The valve 29 is switchable between a first state in which the flow of the liquid 16 is permitted and a second state in which the flow of the liquid 16 is restricted. Of the pumps 25 and 31, the pump 31 is located downstream of the valve 29 in the flow direction of the liquid 16. In this embodiment, the pump 31 is attached to the device main body 13. 2, the filter unit 21 includes a housing portion 37 that houses the filter 23. The housing portion 37 is further configured to house the valve 29 and one of the pumps 25. Specifically, the valve 29 and the pump 25 are disposed on the upper edge of the housing portion 37, respectively. The pump 31 may also be housed in the housing section 37 without being attached to the device main body section 13. In that case, the location of the valve 29 must also be changed so that the pump 31 is located downstream of the valve 29.

[0031] The operation of the valve 29 and the pumps 25, 31 are controlled by the control unit 33. In this embodiment, when the filter unit 21 is pulled out from the device body unit 13, the control unit 33 is configured to switch the valve 29 from the first state to the second state to restrict the flow of the liquid 16, and then stop the operation of the pump 31 located downstream of the valve 29. Whether or not the filter portion 21 has been pulled out from the device main body portion 13 is determined by providing a dedicated detection sensor (not shown).

[0032] The detection sensor may be, for example, an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a light-emitting element and a phototransistor as a light-receiving element. The detection sensor is fixed to the device body 13. Specifically, in a state where the filter unit 21 is housed in the device body 13, the light-emitting element is disposed so as to face the light-receiving element across the filter unit 21. In addition, in a state where the filter unit 21 is housed in the device body 13, the positional relationship between the filter unit 21 and the detection sensor is adjusted so that the filter unit 21 is located on the path of light emitted from the light-emitting element. At this time, it is preferable that the path of light intersects with the moving direction of the filter unit 21. That is, in a state where the filter unit 21 is housed in the device body 13, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is blocked by the filter unit 21, and the light is set not to be incident on the light-receiving element. The control unit 33 can determine that the filter unit 21 is housed in the device body unit 13 by detecting with the detection sensor that the light emitted from the light-emitting element is blocked by the filter unit 21. On the other hand, when the filter unit 21 is pulled out in a direction away from the device body unit 13, the filter unit 21 moves out of the path of the light emitted from the light-emitting element, causing the light to enter the light-receiving element. The control unit 33 can determine that the filter unit 21 has been pulled out in a direction away from the device body unit 13 by detecting that the light emitted from the light-emitting element has entered the light-receiving element. The above description is for a transmission-type optical sensor, but it goes without saying that a reflection-type optical sensor may also be used. In the case of a reflection-type optical sensor, the light-emitting element is provided on the same side as the light-receiving element. Then, based on the presence or absence of reflected light from the filter unit 21, the control unit 33 can determine whether the filter unit 21 has been pulled out from the device body unit 13.

[0033] Instead of using the dedicated detection sensor, the determination may be made by a switch operated by the user. In this case, the switch is electrically connected to the control unit 33. Alternatively, a touch panel may be provided on the recording device 1 (conveyance device 5), and the user may input, via the touch panel, that the filter unit 21 has been pulled out in a direction away from the device main body unit 13. In this case, the touch panel is electrically connected to the control unit 33.

[0034] 2 and 3, the filter unit 21 has a pair of protrusions 24, 24 that are long in the pull-out direction (X-axis direction) provided on the bottom surface of the storage section 37. The filter unit 21 is configured to be movable in the pull-out direction with the pair of protrusions 24, 24 engaged with a pair of rails 26, 26 having long grooves and guided therein. The flow path members 15, 17 are formed of flexible tubes and have coil portions 28, 30 in the middle thereof. The presence of the coil portions 28, 30 allows the flow path members 15, 17 to expand and contract, so that when the filter portion 21 is pulled out in a direction away from the device main body portion 13 (X-axis direction), the coil portions 28, 30 expand, and when the filter portion 21 moves toward the device main body portion 13, the coil portions 28, 30 contract. Incidentally, the flow path members 15 and 17 may be set to a relatively long length in advance, instead of the coil portions 28 and 30, so as not to be stretched when the wires are drawn out.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an irradiation unit 39 that irradiates light is provided inside the storage unit 37. The irradiation unit 39 is an illumination unit that can be used to brighten the connection portion between the flow path members 15, 17 and the filter 23. For example, an LED lamp or a light bulb that can irradiate visible light can be used as the irradiation unit 39. When the control unit 33 determines that the filter unit 21 has been pulled out from the device body unit 13, the irradiation unit 39 may start irradiating visible light. That is, when the filter unit 21 has been pulled out from the device body unit 13, the control unit 33 may start irradiating visible light from the irradiation unit 39. This can reduce the power consumption of the irradiation unit 39. Also, there are provided receiving parts 35, 35 capable of receiving the liquid 16 from the connection part between the flow path members 15, 17 and the filter 23. The receiving parts 35, 35 serve as a tray for the leaked liquid 16, and preferably have an absorbent material (not shown) placed therein for absorbing the liquid. Also, it is preferable that the receiving part 35 and the absorbent material are replaceable.

[0036] <Explanation of Effects of First Embodiment> Next, based on FIGS. 1 to 3, when replacing the filter 23 in the recording apparatus 1 equipped with the conveying device 5 of the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained. (1) According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, filter unit 21 can be pulled out in a direction away from device body unit 13. As a result, by pulling filter unit 21 out in a direction away from device body unit 13, it is possible to displace filter 23 from filter unit 21 to a position that makes it easy to remove filter 23. This improves the ease with which a user can replace filter 23.

[0037] (2) In addition, the liquid 16 is discharged from the storage unit 18 by the pumps 25 and 31, and the liquid 16 is filtered by the filter unit 21, and the purified water 162, which is the filtered liquid 16, is supplied again into the storage unit 18. This makes it possible to reuse the liquid 16.

[0038] (3) When the filter unit 21 is pulled out from the device body 13 and the filter 23 is removed from the flow path members 15, 17, the liquid 16 flowing through the flow path members 15, 17 may leak out. According to this embodiment, when the control unit 33 determines that the filter unit 21 has been pulled out from the device main body unit 13, it switches the valve 29 from the first state, which allows flow, to the second state, which restricts flow, and then stops the operation of the pump 31 located downstream. As a result, the liquid 16 remaining in the flow path members 15, 17 can be removed, that is, drained, by first restricting the flow of the liquid 16 through the flow path members 15, 17 by the valve 29 and then stopping the operation of the pump 31 located downstream. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of contamination due to liquid leakage.

[0039] (4) Furthermore, filter 23 is housed in housing portion 37. This makes it possible to prevent filter 23 from being unintentionally detached from flow path members 15, 17 due to an external force acting on filter 23 caused by, for example, a user carelessly touching filter 23. In other words, filter 23 can be protected from external forces.

[0040] (5) Filter unit 21, valve 29, and pump 25 are housed in housing unit 37. In this way, by consolidating the locations where filter unit 21, valve 29, and pump 25 are arranged, maintenance becomes easier.

[0041] (6) Furthermore, since the illumination unit 39 that illuminates the inside of the housing unit 37 is provided, visibility is improved when removing the filter 23.

[0042] (7) Also, the receiving portions 35, 35 are provided which can receive the liquid 16 from the connection portion between the flow path members 15, 17 and the filter portion 21. As a result, the liquid 16 which may leak from the connection portion when the filter 23 is removed from the flow path members 15, 17 can be received by the receiving portions 35, 35, thereby preventing the liquid 16 from contaminating the surrounding area.

[0043] Other Embodiments The recording device 1 equipped with the conveying device 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit some parts of the configuration without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, a detection unit that detects the degree of dirt on the filter 23 may be provided.

[0044] The detection sensor does not have to be an optical sensor, but may be an ultrasonic sensor or a mechanical sensor such as a microswitch. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 recording device, 2 wiping unit, 3 recording unit, 4 driving roller, 5 conveying device, 6 driven roller, 7 support surface, 8 adhesive layer, 9 conveyor belt, 11 wiper, 13 device main body, 14 cleaning unit, 15 flow path member, 16 liquid, 17 flow path member, 18 storage section, 20 brush roller, 21 filter section, 22 frame, 23 filter, 24 protrusion, 25 pump, 26 rail, 28 coil portion, 29 valve, 30 coil section, 31 pump, 33 control section, 35 receiving section, 37 storage unit, 39 irradiation unit, 161 wastewater, 162 purified water, P media

Claims

1. a conveyor belt having a support surface capable of supporting a medium and capable of conveying the medium; an apparatus main body portion in which the conveyor belt is provided; a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with a liquid, The cleaning unit includes: A storage section in which the liquid is stored; a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the reservoir and returned passes; A filter unit having a filter detachably connected to the flow path member; a valve capable of switching between a first state in which the flow of the liquid is permitted and a second state in which the flow of the liquid is restricted; at least one pump that causes the liquid to flow through the flow path member to the reservoir, the filter, and back to the reservoir, the at least one pump being located downstream of the valve in a flow direction of the liquid; The filter unit can be pulled out in a direction away from the device body unit, a control unit that controls the valve and the pump, When the filter unit is pulled out from the device main body, the control unit switches the valve from the first state to the second state and then stops the operation of the pump located downstream. A conveying device characterized by the above.

2. A conveyor belt having a support surface capable of supporting a medium and capable of conveying the medium; an apparatus main body portion in which the conveyor belt is provided; a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with a liquid, The cleaning unit includes: A storage section in which the liquid is stored; a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the reservoir and returned passes; A filter unit having a filter detachably connected to the flow path member; a valve capable of switching between a first state in which the flow of the liquid is permitted and a second state in which the flow of the liquid is restricted; at least one pump that causes the liquid to flow through the flow path member to the reservoir, the filter, and back to the reservoir, the at least one pump being located downstream of the valve in a flow direction of the liquid; The filter portion is The device can be pulled out in a direction away from the device body. A housing portion is provided to house the valve and the pump. A conveying device characterized by the above.

3. 3. The conveying device according to claim 2, An irradiation unit that irradiates light into the inside of the storage unit is provided. A conveying device characterized by the above.

4. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a receiving portion capable of receiving the liquid from a connection portion between the flow path member and the filter, A conveying device characterized by the above.

5. A recording unit capable of recording on a medium; a conveyor belt having a support surface capable of supporting the medium and capable of conveying the medium; an apparatus main body portion in which the conveyor belt is provided; a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with a liquid, The cleaning unit includes: A storage section in which the liquid is stored; a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the reservoir and returned passes; A filter portion removably provided on the flow path member; a valve capable of switching between a first state in which the flow of the liquid is permitted and a second state in which the flow of the liquid is restricted; at least one pump that causes the liquid to flow through the flow path member to the reservoir, the filter, and back to the reservoir, the at least one pump being located downstream of the valve in a flow direction of the liquid; The filter unit can be pulled out in a direction away from the device body unit, a control unit that controls the valve and the pump, When the filter unit is pulled out from the device main body, the control unit switches the valve from the first state to the second state and then stops the operation of the pump located downstream. A recording apparatus comprising:

6. A recording unit capable of recording on a medium; a conveyor belt having a support surface capable of supporting the medium and capable of conveying the medium; an apparatus main body portion in which the conveyor belt is provided; a cleaning unit that cleans the support surface with a liquid, The cleaning unit includes: A storage section in which the liquid is stored; a flow path member through which the liquid discharged from the reservoir and returned passes; A filter portion removably provided on the flow path member; a valve capable of switching between a first state in which the flow of the liquid is permitted and a second state in which the flow of the liquid is restricted; at least one pump that causes the liquid to flow through the flow path member to the reservoir, the filter, and back to the reservoir, the at least one pump being located downstream of the valve in a flow direction of the liquid; The filter portion is The device can be pulled out in a direction away from the device body. A housing portion is provided to house the valve and the pump. A recording apparatus comprising:

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