Liquid ejection device, platen member

Abstract

To provide a device that can suppress an object to be applied from shifting.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device comprises a head 10 that discharges liquid to a cloth 400 and a platen member 40 that holds the cloth 400. The platen member 40, which is a flat plate-like member having a rectangular planar shape, has an upper surface 40a on which the cloth 400 is placed and a side surface 40b, and also has a plurality of needle-like members 141 that can contact with the cloth 400 in the vicinity of rectangular four sides. The needle-like members 141 are provided from the side surface 40b of the platen member 40 toward an oblique downward direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a platen member. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Printing devices include devices that perform printing on fabric, such as a T-shirt, to which a liquid is applied.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a holding member for holding fabric has been known in which placement protrusions with flat tip surfaces are arranged over the entire surface (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6656703 DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the central surface of the mounting projection is flat, which causes a problem that the target to be treated, such as a placed fabric, may shift.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to suppress deviation of a target onto which liquid is applied in a liquid ejecting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a liquid ejection device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises: A liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is to be applied is placed, The platen member has, in a cross-sectional shape, two inclined surfaces extending downward from a center portion toward both sides, a plurality of needle-shaped members capable of coming into contact with the target are provided on an inclined surface of the platen member and oriented obliquely upward toward an outer edge of the platen member; The imaginary plane connecting the tips of the needle-like members is approximately flat. The composition was as follows. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in a liquid ejection device, it is possible to suppress deviation of a target onto which liquid is applied. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a platen member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the platen member. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view of Comparative Example 1. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a platen member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a platen member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a platen member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13 is a plan view illustrating the directionality of a needle-shaped member in the platen member. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is an explanatory plan view illustrating the directionality of a needle-like member in a platen member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is an explanatory plan view illustrating a different example of color-coding of needle-like members in a platen member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a target holding member according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is an illustrative front view of a platen member according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a target holding member according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a target holding member according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the printing device, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a front view of the same.

[0011] The printing device 1 is equipped with a carriage 11 that mounts a head 10, which is a liquid ejection means that ejects liquid. Guide members 12 and 13 hold the carriage 11 so that it can move back and forth in a main scanning direction X. The carriage 11 is connected to a timing belt 17 that is wound around a drive pulley 15 and a driven pulley 16 that are rotated by a main scanning motor 14, and the carriage 11 is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction X by driving the main scanning motor 14.

[0012] The encoder sheet 18 is disposed along the main scanning direction X. Periodic slits are provided in the encoder sheet 18. The carriage 11 has a reading sensor that reads the slits in the encoder sheet 18, and the position of the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction X can be detected from the reading result of the reading sensor.

[0013] The controller board 50 controls the ejection of liquid ink from the head 10 by adjusting the timing from the carriage position obtained by the reading result of the reading sensor of the carriage 11 to the ejection position.

[0014] Four heads 10 are mounted on a carriage 11. Each head 10 has two nozzle rows in which nozzles that eject liquid are arranged. The carriage 11 also has a sub-tank that temporarily stores the liquid to be supplied to the heads 10. Liquid of the required color is sent from a main tank 21 to the sub-tank by a liquid sending pump via a supply tube.

[0015] The printing device 1 is equipped with a platen member 40, which is a holding member that holds fabric 400 as an application target (printing target) to which liquid is applied. The platen member 40 is mounted on a lifting mechanism 41 so that its height in the up-down direction Z can be adjusted. The lifting mechanism 41 for the platen member 40 is mounted on a slider 42. The slider 42 is movably mounted on a slide rail 43 that extends in a sub-scanning direction Y perpendicular to the main scanning direction X.

[0016] The slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y by a sub-scanning drive mechanism via a timing belt 45. When the slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y, the platen member 40 is also reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0017] A maintenance unit 60 is disposed on one end side in the main scanning direction to maintain and recover the head 10. The maintenance unit 60 includes a suction cap 61 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 10, a moisture retention cap 62 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 10 to retain moisture, and a wiping member 63 that wipes the nozzle surface of the head 10. A suction pump is connected to the suction cap 61.

[0018] At the other end in the main scanning direction, a discharge receiver 66 is disposed. The controller board 50 performs maintenance and recovery of the head 10 by causing the head 10 to discharge liquid into the discharge receiver 66 during printing.

[0019] Further, a light emitting portion 80A and a light receiving portion 80B of a height detecting means 80 for detecting the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 are disposed on one end side and the other end side in the main scanning direction. The height detecting means 80 is attached to the frame 2.

[0020] The printing device 1 also includes a power button 70, an operation unit 71, a power unit 72, and the like.

[0021] In this printer 1, when printing on a fabric (printing target) such as a T-shirt, the fabric 400 is set on the platen member 40. After that, by operating the operation unit 71, the platen member 40 is completely retracted to the rear inside the device via the slider 42.

[0022] When the platen member 40 is retracted, the height detection means 80 detects whether the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 interferes with the head 10. If the head 10 and the fabric 400 collide at this time, the retraction of the platen member 40 is stopped, or the platen member 40 is returned to the position where the fabric 400 is set.

[0023] When the retraction of the platen member 40 is completed, the printer 1 enters a print data standby state. At this point, the printing operation is started when the printer 1 receives print data from an external information processing device. Alternatively, if print data has been stored in the controller board 50 in advance, the printing operation is started by selecting the print data with the operation unit 71.

[0024] When the printing operation is started, the platen member 40 is moved to a printing start position via the slider 42. Then, the carriage 11 is moved and liquid is ejected from the head 10 to print one line. After one line has been printed, the platen member 40 is moved one line via the slider 42. By repeating one scan of the carriage 11 and intermittent movement of the slider 42, printing is performed in the desired area of ​​the fabric 400. After printing is completed, the platen member 40 is returned to the front of the device and printing ends.

[0025] Next, a platen member according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the platen member, where (a) is a perspective explanatory diagram, (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram along line B1-B1 in (a) and an enlarged view of a main part of the A1 portion, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the platen member.

[0026] The platen member 40 is a flat member having a rectangular planar shape, and has an upper surface 40a and side surfaces 40b on which the fabric 400 is placed. The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 in contact with the fabric 400 near the four sides. The needle-like members 141 are provided facing obliquely downward in the vertical direction from the side surface 40b of the platen member 40, in other words, protruding obliquely downward from the side surface 40b. The needle-like members 141 are preferably formed of an elastic member.

[0027] The needle-like member 141 is a member that can be pierced into the fabric 400. In other words, it is a sharp member that can be inserted between the fibers of the fabric 400. It has a degree of hardness that can maintain the misalignment of the fabric 400. Although a platen that holds the fabric by friction with the recording medium by attaching the fabric is conventionally known, the present invention is more effective because it can be physically pierced.

[0028] With this configuration, the fabric 400 is placed on the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 as shown in FIG. 5(a), and the excess portion 400a of the fabric 400 that protrudes from the upper surface 40a is hung down toward the side surface 40b of the platen member 40 as shown in FIG. 5(b), so that the fabric 400 comes into contact with the needle-shaped member 141.

[0029] As a result, the needle-like members 141 bite into the excess portion 400a of the fabric 400, making it difficult for the excess portion 400a of the fabric 400 to be pulled into the upper surface 40a side of the platen member 40, thereby suppressing the occurrence of shifting and wrinkles. Although a platen that holds a fabric by friction with the recording medium by attaching the fabric is conventionally known, the present invention is more effective because it can physically pierce the fabric.

[0030] In this embodiment, a separate frame member is not required because the fabric 400 can be fixed and held by the needle-like member 141. However, if necessary, a form in which the fabric 400 is fixed using a frame member may be adopted.

[0031] Here, Comparative Example 1 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a perspective explanatory view of Comparative Example 1, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the same.

[0032] Comparative Example 1 is a target holding member 90 including a platen member 40 that does not have the needle-like member 141 of the present embodiment, and a frame member 91 that is fitted into the outer periphery of the platen member 40.

[0033] In the application target holding member 90 of the comparative example 1, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the fabric 400 is sandwiched and held between the platen member 40 and the frame member 91 and printing is performed.

[0034] At this time, the pressing force exerted by the frame member 91 alone is weak, and over time, as shown in FIG. 7(b), wrinkles and lifting occur in the held fabric 400 during printing.

[0035] In contrast, in this embodiment, the fabric 400 is fastened by the needle-like members 141, so that the occurrence of shifting and wrinkling is suppressed, and the print quality is improved.

[0036] Next, a platen member according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the platen member according to the same embodiment, where (a) is a perspective explanatory diagram, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along line B2-B2 in (a) and an enlarged view of a main part of portion A2.

[0037] The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 in contact with the fabric 400 near the four sides of the rectangular shape. The plurality of needle-like members 141 are provided on the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 obliquely upward in the vertical direction and facing the outer edge direction.

[0038] With this configuration, by placing the fabric 400 on the upper surface 40 a of the platen member 40 , the fabric 400 comes into contact with the needle-like members 141 .

[0039] This causes the needle members 141 to bite into the fabric 400, making it difficult for the fabric 400 to be pulled toward the center of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40, thereby suppressing the occurrence of shifting and wrinkles.

[0040] Next, a platen member according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the platen member according to the third embodiment, where (a) is a perspective explanatory diagram, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along line B3-B3 in (a) and an enlarged view of a main part of portion A3.

[0041] The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 in contact with the fabric 400 near the four sides of the rectangular shape. The plurality of needle-like members 141 are provided facing obliquely upward in the vertical direction from a chamfered portion 40c between an upper surface 40a and a side surface 40b of the platen member 40.

[0042] With this configuration, by placing the fabric 400 on the upper surface 40 a of the platen member 40 , the fabric 400 comes into contact with the needle-like members 141 .

[0043] This causes the needle members 141 to bite into the fabric 400, making it difficult for the fabric 400 to be pulled toward the center of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40, thereby suppressing the occurrence of shifting and wrinkles.

[0044] Next, a platen member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the platen member according to the same embodiment in the X direction of the platen member in Fig. 11, and Fig. 11 is a plan view explanatory of the directionality of needle-like members in the platen member.

[0045] The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 over the entire surface of an upper surface 40a, which is the surface that holds the fabric.

[0046] Here, among the multiple needle-shaped members 141, the needle-shaped member 141 arranged in the center in the X direction is arranged so that, with the center in the X direction as the boundary, the X1 side faces diagonally upward in the vertical direction so as to face the X1 direction, and the X2 side faces diagonally upward in the vertical direction so as to face the X2 direction.

[0047] In addition, the needle-shaped members 141 arranged on both sides in the Y direction are arranged such that, with the center in the Y direction as the boundary, the Y1 side faces diagonally upward in the vertical direction so as to face the Y1 direction, and the Y2 side faces diagonally upward in the vertical direction so as to face the Y2 direction.

[0048] By providing the needle-like members 141 over the entire surface of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 in this manner, the fabric 400 and the needle-like members 141 can come into contact with each other at more points, which can further reduce the occurrence of shifting or wrinkling.

[0049] Next, a platen member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a plan view illustrating the directionality of needle-like members in the platen member according to the same embodiment.

[0050] In this embodiment, similarly to the fourth embodiment, the platen member 40 has a plurality of needle members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 over the entire surface thereof.

[0051] Here, among the multiple needle-like members 141, some of the needle-like members 141 arranged from the center to the corners of the platen member 40 are provided facing diagonally upward in the vertical direction so as to face in a direction from the center toward the four corners of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40. The rest are the same as in the fourth embodiment.

[0052] This can prevent wrinkles from occurring near the corners of the platen member.

[0053] Next, a different example of a platen member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a plan view illustrating a different example of color-coding of needle-like members in the platen member according to the same embodiment.

[0054] In this embodiment, similarly to the fourth or fifth embodiment, the platen member 40 has a plurality of needle members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 over the entire surface of the upper surface 40a.

[0055] In the first example shown in FIG. 13(a), the X direction of the platen member 40 is divided into two regions, one with a first color of needle-like members 141A and the other with a second color of needle-like members 141B that is different from the first color.

[0056] This allows the user to recognize the center line c in the Y direction that passes through the center of the platen member 40 in the X direction, improving operability, such as the positioning of the printing position when setting the fabric 400.

[0057] In the second example shown in FIG. 13(a), the platen member 40 is divided in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, into four regions that are color-coded into a region of needle-shaped members 141A1, 141A2 of a first color and a region of needle-shaped members 141B1, 141B2 of a second color different from the first color.

[0058] This allows the user to recognize the center o and center lines c1, c2 of the platen member 40 in the X and Y directions, improving operability, such as the positioning of the printing position when setting the fabric 400.

[0059] Next, a target object holding member according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining the target object holding member according to the same embodiment.

[0060] The application target holding member 90 has a base member 201 and a platen member 40. One end of a cover member 202 is attached to the base member 201 by a hinge 203 so as to be rotatable.

[0061] The platen member 40 has two application target placement portions 40A and 40B. The platen member 40 of this embodiment is a sock platen member used when printing on a pair of application targets such as socks.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, the needle-like members 141 having directionality are provided on the two application target placement portions 40A and 40B, thereby suppressing the occurrence of misalignment and wrinkles on the application target.

[0063] Next, a platen member according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is an explanatory front view of the platen member according to the same embodiment.

[0064] The platen member 40 has, for example, two inclined surfaces 140a inclined obliquely downward in the vertical direction from the center to both ends in a cross-sectional shape along the X direction. The platen member 40 has a needle-shaped member 141 on each inclined surface 140a.

[0065] Here, the needle-like members 141 provided on each inclined surface 140a are configured so that their length increases toward the outer edge, and as a whole, an imaginary plane S connecting the tips of each needle-like member 141 is substantially flat.

[0066] In other words, when the needle-shaped members 141 are provided over the entire upper surface of the platen member 40, when the fabric 400 is placed on the tip of the needle-shaped members 141, the fabric 400 is not subjected to much tension in the center of the platen member 40, so wrinkles are less likely to occur, but the outer edge of the platen member 40 is subject to strong tension due to the frame being pressed down, etc., and wrinkles are more likely to occur.

[0067] Therefore, by changing the length of the needle-like member 141 from the center to the outer edge of the platen member 40, wrinkles can be prevented from occurring over the entire surface of the platen member 40.

[0068] Furthermore, since the platen member 40 has an inclined surface 140a that is inclined downward from the center, even if the discharged liquid misses the fabric 400, it is likely to flow downward.

[0069] Next, a target-holding member according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the target-holding member according to the same embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective explanatory diagram, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram along line B4-B4 in (a) and an enlarged diagram of part A4.

[0070] The application target holding member 90 includes a platen member 40 that does not have a needle-like member, and a frame member 91 that is fitted into the outer circumferential edge portion of the platen member 40. First needle-like members 141C are provided on inner surfaces 91a and 91b of the frame member 91 that face the platen member 40.

[0071] The first needle-like member 141C on the inner surface 91a of the frame member 91 facing the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 is provided facing obliquely downward in the vertical direction toward the outer edge direction of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40. The first needle-like member 141C on the inner surface 91b of the frame member 91 facing the side surface 40b of the platen member 40 is provided facing obliquely downward in the vertical direction.

[0072] This facilitates the positioning of the fabric 400 because the fabric 400 does not come into contact with the first needle-shaped member 141C when the fabric 400 is placed on the platen member 40. After the fabric 400 has been positioned, the frame member 91 is fitted so that the first needle-shaped member 141C comes into contact with the fabric 400, thereby preventing the fabric 400 from shifting or wrinkling.

[0073] Next, a target object holding member according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the target object holding member according to the same embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram before fitting a frame member, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram after fitting the frame member.

[0074] In this embodiment, the second needle-shaped member 141D is provided in a position (area) facing the frame member 91 of the platen member 40. In this case, the first needle-shaped member 141C and the second needle-shaped member 141D are oriented parallel to each other, so that the fabric 400 can be sandwiched between the needle-shaped members and fixed more firmly.

[0075] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, when the platen member 40 is provided with the needle-like member 141, the needle-like member 141 can be automatically stored in the platen member 40, which makes it easier to remove the fabric 400 after printing.

[0076] Furthermore, by attaching the needle member 141 to the platen member 40 in a replaceable manner, it can be replaced when deterioration occurs over time.

[0077] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the printing object is fabric has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to the case where a printing object other than fabric is set on the holding member and printed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Printing device (device that ejects liquid) 10 Head (liquid ejection means) 11 Carriage 40 Platen member 90 Target holding member 91 Frame members 141 Needle-shaped member 400 Fabric (Eligible)

Claims

1. A liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is to be applied is placed, The platen member has, in a cross-sectional shape, two inclined surfaces extending downward from a center portion toward both sides, a plurality of needle-shaped members capable of coming into contact with the target are provided on an inclined surface of the platen member and oriented obliquely upward toward an outer edge of the platen member; The imaginary plane connecting the tips of the needle-like members is approximately flat. A liquid ejection device comprising:

2. Among the plurality of needle-shaped members, the needle-shaped members arranged from the center to the corners of the platen member have a direction from the center to the corners.

2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1.

3. The platen member is divided into a plurality of areas that are colored differently.

2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1.

4. The needle-shaped members are color-coded.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3.

5. A liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is to be applied is placed; a frame member that sandwiches the target between the platen member and an outer edge of the platen member, The frame member has a first needle-shaped member that comes into contact with the target, The liquid is ejected onto the target held by the platen member and the needle-shaped member. A liquid ejection device comprising:

6. the platen member has a second needle-shaped member at a position facing the frame member, The first needle-shaped member and the second needle-shaped member are provided in a parallel orientation to each other.

6. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 5.

7. The needle-shaped member is an elastic member.

7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

8. a platen member on which an object to which the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge means is to be applied is placed, The platen member has, in a cross-sectional shape, two inclined surfaces extending downward from a center portion toward both sides, a plurality of needle-shaped members capable of coming into contact with the target are provided on an inclined surface of the platen member and oriented obliquely upward toward an outer edge of the platen member; The imaginary plane connecting the tips of the needle-like members is approximately flat. A platen member comprising:

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