Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device that can apply a good deal of moisture to a cloth on which printing is not yet performed, in a limited time.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device 11 comprises: a holding part 19 that can hold a roll body R1 having a cloth M wound therearound; a conveying part that can convey the cloth M while pulling out the cloth M from the roll body R1; a discharge part that can discharge liquid to the cloth M pulled out from the roll body R1; and a moisture applying part 74 that applied moisture to the roll body R1 held by the holding part 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that performs printing by ejecting liquid onto a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] The printing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a conveyor belt that conveys media such as fabric, a discharge unit that discharges droplets onto the media, and a steam applicator that applies steam to the media conveyed by the conveyor belt. The steam applicator applies steam to the media before printing, moistening the media. In other words, the moisture content of the media increases. The printing device is an example of a liquid ejection device, steam is an example of moisture, and the steam applicator is an example of a moisture applicator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-172719 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the type of fabric being printed on, if the moisture content of the fabric is low, wrinkles and lifting are more likely to occur, resulting in a deterioration in image quality. Also, depending on the type of fabric being printed on, if the moisture content of the fabric is high, bleeding is more likely to occur when droplets are ejected, resulting in a deterioration in image quality. In other words, by adjusting the moisture content of the fabric so that it falls within a predetermined moisture content range appropriate for the type of fabric, the deterioration in image quality can be suppressed.

[0005] Fabrics vary in material and thickness depending on the type. Fabrics have different moisture absorption rates depending on the material. Furthermore, as the thickness of a fabric increases, the time it takes for moisture to reach the opposite side from the surface where moisture is absorbed increases. Therefore, depending on the type of fabric, the time it takes for moisture to reach the predetermined moisture content range after moisture begins to be applied to the surface of the fabric may be longer than the time it takes to process the fabric in the liquid ejection device. In other words, the fabric may be printed when its moisture content is not within the predetermined moisture content range, which may result in an insufficient effect of applying moisture to the fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem includes a holding section capable of holding a roll body around which fabric is wound, a transport section capable of pulling out the fabric from the roll body and transporting the fabric, an ejection section capable of ejecting liquid onto the fabric pulled out from the roll body, and a moisture imparting section that imparts moisture to the roll body held in the holding section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a liquid ejection device according to first and second embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a liquid ejection device according to first and second embodiments. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the feeding section of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a delivery section of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing how the control unit adjusts the amount of water to be added in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing how the control unit adjusts the amount of water removal in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a feeding section of the second embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing how a control unit adjusts the amount of water to be added in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing how the control unit adjusts the amount of water removal in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a feeding section in a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a feeding section in a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a feeding section in a third modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of a liquid ejection device that prints by ejecting a liquid onto fabric will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints characters and images on fabric by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the fabric. Note that fabric refers to fabrics made of cotton, silk, wool, synthetic fibers, blends, etc., that are woven with alternating warp and weft threads.

[0009] In the drawings, the liquid ejection device is placed on a horizontal plane, with the direction of gravity indicated by the Z axis, and the directions along the horizontal plane indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to one another. In the following description, the direction along the X axis is referred to as the width direction X, the direction along the Y axis as the depth direction Y, and the direction along the Z axis as the gravity direction Z. The width direction X is the width direction X of the fabric being transported. The depth direction Y is also referred to as the transport direction Y, as it is the transport direction of the fabric when it is printed in the printing unit.

[0010] (First embodiment) <Configuration of the liquid ejection device> 1, the liquid discharger 11 includes a housing 12 having a column-beam structure, and an operation unit 80. The operation unit 80 is operated by a user, and includes, for example, a display unit 81 formed of a touch panel type liquid crystal screen, operation buttons, and the like.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a transport unit 20 that uses a support surface 22a as a support unit to support and transport the fabric M by the support surface 22a, and a printing unit 30 that performs a recording operation by ejecting liquid onto the fabric M supported on the support surface 22a. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a control unit 90 that controls each unit of the liquid ejection device 11, such as the transport unit 20 and the printing unit 30.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying unit 20 has a conveying belt 22, a rotating roller 23, and a driving roller 24. The rotating roller 23 is disposed upstream of the printing unit 30 in the conveying direction Y. The driving roller 24 is disposed downstream of the printing unit 30 in the conveying direction Y. The conveying belt 22 is made of an endless rubber member wound around the rotating roller 23 and the driving roller 24. The conveying belt 22 is held with a predetermined tension applied so that the region of the conveying path between the rotating roller 23 and the driving roller 24 is horizontal.

[0013] The rotating roller 23 and the driving roller 24 support the inner peripheral surface 22b of the conveyor belt 22. The driving roller 24 has a motor (not shown) that rotates the driving roller 24. When the driving roller 24 rotates, the conveyor belt 22 rotates accordingly, and the rotation of the conveyor belt 22 causes the rotating roller 23 to rotate.

[0014] The conveyor belt 22 is rotated by the drive roller 24 in the direction of the solid arrow shown in Fig. 2, thereby conveying the fabric M supported by the support surface 22a in the direction of the solid arrow shown in Fig. 2. Then, the conveyor belt 22 conveys the fabric M in the conveying direction Y in the printing unit 30, where the fabric M is printed.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying unit 20 includes a reel-out unit 16 that reels out the fabric M wound in a roll. The reel-out unit 16 supports a roll R1 on which the fabric M is wound in layers, with the rotation axis direction of the roll R1 aligned with the width direction X. The reel-out unit 16 reels out the fabric M toward the conveyor belt 22 by rotating the roll R1 in the direction of the solid arrow shown in FIG. 2 using a reel-out motor 17. In other words, the conveying unit 20 is configured to pull out the fabric M from the roll R1 on which the fabric M is wound, and convey the fabric M toward the printing unit 30. The reel-out unit 16 is controlled by a control unit 90. The detailed configuration of the reel-out unit 16 will be described later.

[0016] The transport roller 21 relays the fabric M fed from the feeding section 16 to the transport belt 22. As a result, the fabric M is supported by the support surface 22a of the transport belt 22.

[0017] The outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 22 is a support surface 22a that supports the fabric M. The conveyor belt 22 may have an adhesive layer 25 configured to be able to attach the fabric M by applying an adhesive to the support surface 22a. In this embodiment, the conveyor belt 22 has the adhesive layer 25 on the support surface 22a.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a heating unit 50 configured to heat the conveyor belt 22, and a pressing unit 60 configured to press the fabric M against the conveyor belt 22 heated by the heating unit 50, as in this embodiment. The adhesive layer 25 of the conveyor belt 22 exhibits adhesiveness when heated by the heating unit 50. The fabric M fed from the feeding unit 16 is pressed against the adhesive layer 25 by the pressing unit 60. Then, the adhesive layer 25 and the fabric M come into close contact with each other, so that the conveyor belt 22 firmly supports the fabric M. In other words, the conveyor belt 22 is configured to be able to convey the fabric M by the adhesive layer 25. This makes it possible to prevent the stretchable fabric M from floating above the support surface 22a during printing, thereby preventing deterioration in image quality.

[0019] The path along which the conveyor belt 22 revolves in the direction of the solid arrow shown in Figure 2 is called the circulation path. Of the circulation paths, the path that conveys the fabric M is called the conveyance path, and the other paths that do not constitute the conveyance path of the fabric M are called the conveyance preparation paths. In other words, the conveyance preparation paths are the circulation paths other than the conveyance path. Therefore, the conveyance path is the path from the position where the unwound fabric M is pressed against the conveyor belt 22 by the pressing unit 60 to the position where the fabric M is peeled off from the conveyor belt 22 after printing.

[0020] In the conveyance path, the support surface 22a of the rotating conveyor belt 22 supports the fabric M on the side facing the printing unit 30, and the fabric M is conveyed from the rotating roller 23 side to the driving roller 24 side. In addition, in the conveyance preparation path, as the support surface 22a of the conveyor belt 22 rotates, it faces the cleaning unit 70 and the heating unit 50, which will be described later. As a result, in the conveyance preparation path, only the conveyor belt 22 provided with the adhesive layer 25, i.e., the conveyor belt 22 in a state not supporting the fabric M, moves from the driving roller 24 side to the rotating roller 23 side.

[0021] 2, the heating unit 50 has a radiation plate 51 that radiates heat to the adhesive layer 25 of the conveyor belt 22, a heating plate 52 that is attached to the radiation plate 51, and a heating frame 53 that fixes the radiation plate 51 and the heating plate 52. The radiation plate 51 is installed such that the support surface 22a of the conveyor belt 22 and the opposing inner surface of the radiation plate 51 are spaced a predetermined distance apart.

[0022] The radiation plate 51 and the heating plate 52 extend in the width direction X of the conveyor belt 22. The length of the radiation plate 51 in the width direction X and the length of the heating plate 52 in the width direction X are configured so that both ends are slightly longer than the length of the conveyor belt 22 in the width direction X. The radiation plate 51 is made of, for example, an aluminum plate member, and is formed by curving in one direction. The heating plate 52 is, for example, a sheet-shaped heater. The sheet-shaped heater is configured by sandwiching a heating element such as metal foil inside a sheet member such as a flexible synthetic resin, and generates heat so as to achieve a substantially uniform temperature distribution.

[0023] The heating plates 52 heat the radiation plate 51 with the heating plates 52 attached to the outer surface of the radiation plate 51 so that the radiation plate 51 emits radiant heat toward the conveyor belt 22. The heating frame 53 fixes the radiation plate 51 with the inner surface of the radiation plate 51, to which the heating plates 52 are attached, facing the support surface 22a of the conveyor belt 22.

[0024] When power is supplied to the sheet heater, the heating element generates heat, and the heat is transferred to the radiation plate 51 through the sheet member. The radiation plate 51 is warmed by the heat transferred from the heating plate 52. The warmed radiation plate 51 emits radiant heat toward the support surface 22a of the opposing conveyor belt 22. As a result, the adhesive layer 25 is heated.

[0025] 2, the liquid discharger 11 includes a belt temperature detection unit 65 that detects the temperature of the adhesive layer 25. The belt temperature detection unit 65 is provided upstream of the pressing unit 60 and downstream of the heating unit 50 in the conveying direction Y of the conveyor belt 22. The pressing unit 60, which is located downstream of the belt temperature detection unit 65, presses the fabric M against the adhesive layer 25. Therefore, the belt temperature detection unit 65 is configured to be able to detect the temperature of the adhesive layer 25 just before the fabric M comes into close contact with the adhesive layer 25.

[0026] The heating unit 50 is controlled by the control unit 90 based on the temperature detection result of the adhesive layer 25 by the belt temperature detection unit 65. For example, an infrared sensor is used as the belt temperature detection unit 65. A pair of belt temperature detection units 65 are installed outside both ends of the fabric M in the width direction X and at positions facing the adhesive layer 25. In other words, the belt temperature detection units 65 are installed one at each end in the width direction X so as not to interfere with the fabric M. Therefore, the belt temperature detection units 65 can detect the temperature of the adhesive layer 25 even when the fabric M is being transported on the support surface 22a.

[0027] 2, the pressing unit 60 is provided upstream of the printing unit 30 and downstream of the heating unit 50 in the conveying direction Y of the conveyor belt 22. The pressing unit 60 has a pressing roller 61, a pressing roller driving unit 62, and a roller support unit 63. The pressing roller 61 is formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape extending in the width direction X, and is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction along the cylindrical surface of the pressing roller 61. The roller support unit 63 is provided on the inner circumferential surface 22b side facing the pressing roller 61 with the conveyor belt 22 interposed therebetween.

[0028] The length of the pressure roller 61 in the width direction X is approximately the same as the length of the conveyor belt 22 in the width direction X. The length of the fabric M in the width direction X is shorter than the lengths of the pressure roller 61 and the conveyor belt 22 in the width direction X. The length of the roller support portion 63 in the width direction X is approximately the same as the length of the pressure roller 61 in the width direction X.

[0029] The pressure roller driving unit 62 presses the pressure roller 61 against the support surface 22a of the conveyor belt 22. The pressed pressure roller 61 rotates in response to the movement of the conveyor belt 22 in the conveying direction Y. The fabric M superimposed on the conveyor belt 22 is conveyed while being pressed against the conveyor belt 22 between the pressure roller 61 and the roller support unit 63. With the conveyor belt 22 having the adhesive layer 25 and the fabric M sandwiched between the pressure roller 61 and the roller support unit 63, the fabric M is pressed against the adhesive layer 25 by the operation of the pressing unit 60, so that the fabric M is in close contact with the support surface 22a. In other words, the fabric M is firmly supported on the support surface 22a.

[0030] The conveying unit 20 includes a winding unit 26 that winds up the printed fabric M. The winding unit 26 rotates the roll R2 in the direction of the solid arrow shown in FIG. 2 using a rotation drive unit (not shown), thereby peeling the printed fabric M from the adhesive layer 25 of the conveyor belt 22 and winding it into a roll. That is, the winding unit 26 winds up the printed fabric M. The winding unit 26 supports the roll R2 on which the fabric M is wound so that the direction of the rotation axis of the roll R2 is the width direction X. The operation of the rotation drive unit is controlled by a control unit 90.

[0031] 2, the printing unit 30 is disposed on the support surface 22a side above the conveyor belt 22 moving in the conveyance direction Y, and performs printing on the fabric M supported on the support surface 22a. The printing unit 30 includes a discharge unit 31, a carriage 32 on which the discharge unit 31 is mounted, and a carriage movement unit 33 that moves the carriage 32. The discharge unit 31 is configured to be able to discharge liquid onto the fabric M supported by the conveyor belt 22. In other words, the discharge unit 31 is configured to be able to discharge liquid onto the fabric M pulled out from the roll body R1.

[0032] The ejection unit 31 has a nozzle plate 35 in which a plurality of nozzle rows 34 are formed. For example, at least four nozzle rows 34 are formed in the nozzle plate 35. The ejection unit 31 is configured so that each nozzle row 34 can eject a different color ink, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, or black ink. The nozzle plate 35 faces the fabric M transported on the transport belt 22.

[0033] The carriage moving unit 33 moves the discharge unit 31 in the width direction X. The carriage 32 on which the discharge unit 31 is mounted is supported by a guide rail (not shown) arranged along the width direction X, and is configured to be movable back and forth in the width direction X by the carriage moving unit 33.

[0034] The carriage moving unit 33 is provided with a motor (not shown) as a power source for moving the carriage 32 along the width direction X. When the motor is driven under the control of the control unit 90, the discharge unit 31 moves back and forth along the width direction X together with the carriage 32.

[0035] In this embodiment, the ejection unit 31 mounted on the carriage 32 ejects the liquid onto the fabric M while moving in the width direction X of the fabric M. That is, a serial head type ejection unit 31 is used. Note that the ejection unit 31, whose position is fixed with respect to the width direction X, may have a nozzle row that spans the width direction X of the fabric M. That is, a line head type ejection unit 31 may be used.

[0036] After the printed fabric M is peeled off from the conveyor belt 22 by the winding unit 26, the conveyor belt 22 is folded back by the drive roller 24 and moves along the conveyance preparation path. When printing is performed on the fabric M along the conveyance path, ink that has permeated the fabric M, ink that has protruded from the end of the fabric M in the width direction X, fibers that have fallen off the fabric M, and the like adhere to the adhesive layer 25 of the conveyor belt 22.

[0037] 2, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a cleaning unit 70 that cleans the conveyor belt 22. The cleaning unit 70 uses a cleaning liquid to clean the conveyor belt 22 while it is moving along the conveyance preparation path, thereby removing ink, fibers, and the like that have adhered to the adhesive layer 25. The cleaning unit 70 is disposed below the drive roller 24 side of the endless conveyor belt 22, and cleans the support surface 22a of the conveyor belt 22, including the adhesive layer 25, from below.

[0038] The cleaning unit 70 includes a cleaning tank 71 that stores cleaning liquid, a cleaning roller 72 that is immersed in the cleaning liquid and rotatably contacts the conveyor belt 22, and a movement mechanism 73 that uses an air cylinder or the like (not shown) that moves the cleaning unit 70 in the up and down direction. The cleaning unit 70 also includes a motor (not shown) that serves as a power source for rotating the cleaning roller 72.

[0039] The cleaning roller 72 is configured as a rotating brush having a length in the width direction X of the conveyor belt 22, or slightly longer. The cleaning roller 72 also has a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the width direction X. Both ends of the rotation shaft are rotatably supported by both walls of the cleaning tank 71.

[0040] The cleaning unit 70 is moved upward by the movement mechanism 73 and comes into contact from below with the support surface 22a of the conveyor belt 22 moving along the conveyance preparation path. The cleaning unit 70 then cleans the support surface 22a, including the adhesive layer 25, by rotating the cleaning roller 72 containing the cleaning liquid.

[0041] <Configuration of each part around the feeding section> 3, the unwinding unit 16 includes a shaft member 18 around which the fabric M is wound, and a pair of holding units 19 that hold the shaft member 18 at both ends of the shaft member 18 in the X-axis direction. In summary, the holding units 19 are configured to be able to hold a roll R1 around which the fabric M is wound. The holding units 19 rotatably hold the roll R1.

[0042] The unwinding unit 16 is configured so that the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 toward the conveyor belt 22 is the same as the speed of the conveyor belt 22. For example, the diameter of the roll R1 may be detected, and the control unit 90 may control the rotation speed of the unwinding motor 17 in accordance with the diameter of the roll R1 so that the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is the same as the speed of the conveyor belt 22. For example, the tension of the unwound fabric M may be detected, and the control unit 90 may control the rotation speed of the unwinding motor 17 in accordance with the tension of the unwound fabric M so that the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is the same as the speed of the conveyor belt 22. For example, the unwinding unit 16 may not include the unwinding motor 17, and a slip clutch may be provided on the rotation shaft of the roll R1 so that the fabric M is unwound by the amount conveyed by the conveyor belt 22. A slip clutch is a mechanism that slips when the rotational torque exceeds a predetermined torque. That is, when the conveyor belt 22 is conveyed, the slip clutch allows the fabric M to be pulled out by the amount of conveyor belt 22 conveyed.

[0043] In this embodiment, the unwinding motor 17 rotates the shaft member 18 in the counterclockwise direction W1, causing the roll R1 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction W1, and therefore the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the roll R1 is formed by winding the fabric M around a shaft member 18. That is, the roll R1 includes the shaft member 18. However, the roll R1 does not have to include the shaft member 18. For example, at least two rollers having a length similar to that of the roll R1 may be disposed below the roll R1, and the outermost peripheral surface of the roll R1 may be supported by these rollers to form the holding section 19. These rollers may then be driven to rotate so that their peripheral speed is the same as the belt conveyance speed, and as these rollers rotate, the roll R1 may be driven to rotate, thereby pulling out the fabric M from the roll R1.

[0045] The liquid discharge device 11 includes a storage section 82 capable of storing a roll R1 therein. The storage section 82 is provided with an opening 83 that allows the fabric M to pass from inside the storage section 82 to outside the storage section 82. The fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1 stored inside the storage section 82, passes through the opening 83, and is relayed to the conveying roller 21 located outside the storage section 82. After that, the supported surface Mb of the fabric M is supported by the conveying belt 22.

[0046] The liquid discharger 11 includes a moisture imparting unit 74 in the storage unit 82 that imparts moisture to the roll R1. In this embodiment, the moisture imparting unit 74 imparts moisture to the roll R1 by imparting steam to the roll R1. The steam is imparted as moisture to the roll R1 via the air in the storage unit 82. The moisture imparting unit 74 is controlled by the control unit 90.

[0047] Steam refers to a substance that has evaporated. Water vapor refers to vaporized water. In this specification, steam and water vapor are synonymous. However, the steam and water vapor described in this specification may contain other components besides water, such as moisturizers and fabric softeners. The steam and water vapor described in this specification may also be mist. Note that mist refers to fine water droplets that float in the air and have a larger molecular weight than the steam that evaporates when heated. The liquid ejection device 11 has the same effect when mist is used as when steam and water vapor are used.

[0048] The moisture imparting unit 74 has an outlet 68 that releases steam generated therein from above to the outside. Because the outlet 68 that releases steam is located below the center of rotation of the roll body R1, the steam moving upward from the inside of the moisture imparting unit 74 can be imparted to the roll body R1 as moisture.

[0049] The moisture providing unit 74 has a tank 75 that stores water that emits steam, and a heater 76 for heating the water stored in the tank 75. The water to be stored in the tank 75 is refilled into the tank 75 by, for example, a user through a refill port (not shown). The heater 76 is disposed below the tank 75 and heats the water stored in the tank 75 from below.

[0050] The moisture supplying unit 74 has a water volume detection unit 78 and a water temperature detection unit 79 in the tank 75. The water volume detection unit 78 is configured to be able to detect when the amount of water contained in the tank 75 has fallen below a predetermined amount due to evaporation of the water contained in the tank 75. When the amount of water falls below the predetermined amount, for example, a message urging the user to replenish the tank 75 with water is displayed on the display unit 81 shown in FIG.

[0051] Water temperature detection unit 79 is configured to be able to detect the temperature of the water contained in tank 75. Moisture supplying unit 74 may have an agitation mechanism that agitates the water contained in tank 75. The agitation mechanism agitates the water contained in tank 75, for example, by rotating a rotating shaft having multiple blades in the horizontal direction, vertical direction, etc. inside tank 75. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature distribution of the water in tank 75 from becoming uneven.

[0052] The moisture supplying unit 74 is configured to adjust the output of the heater 76. The output of the heater 76 refers to the amount of heat supplied to the water in the tank 75. The temperature of the water in the tank 75 changes depending on the amount of heat supplied to the water in the tank 75. The heater 76 is configured, for example, to be composed of multiple heating wires, so that the number of heating wires to be energized can be changed depending on whether the temperature of the water in the tank 75 is to be increased, the temperature of the water in the tank 75 is to be maintained, or the temperature of the water in the tank 75 is to be decreased. More specifically, for example, the water temperature may be increased by energizing two heating wires, the water temperature may be maintained by energizing one heating wire, and the water temperature may be decreased by not energizing any heating wires. Furthermore, the amount of heat supplied to the water may be adjusted by adjusting the current flowing through the heater 76.

[0053] When the output of the heater 76 increases, the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 increases; when the output of the heater 76 decreases, the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 decreases. The temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 is adjusted by adjusting the output of the heater 76. The higher the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75, the greater the amount of steam. The lower the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75, the less steam. The amount of steam refers to the amount of water evaporating into the air per hour in the tank 75. For example, by adjusting the output of the heater 76 so that the water temperature is between 30 and 40 degrees, the amount of steam is kept constant. When the amount of steam increases, the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 increases; when the amount of steam decreases, the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 decreases. In other words, the moisture imparting unit 74 is configured to adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1.

[0054] The moisture providing unit 74 of this embodiment is an example of a moisture providing unit. The moisture providing unit may be configured to adjust the amount of moisture provided to the roll body R1. For example, multiple ultrasonic generators may be provided in the tank 75, and ultrasonic vibrations may be transmitted to the water surface in the tank 75, causing a portion of the water surface to rise, generating a fine mist that is released from the outlet 68. The moisture providing unit may adjust the amount of moisture provided to the roll body R1 by changing the number of ultrasonic generators that are driven and the driving time of the ultrasonic generators.

[0055] For example, in tank 75, centrifugal force from a disk rotating at high speed may be used to atomize water into fine mist, and a fan rotating together with the disk may mix the fine mist with air and release the mixture from outlet 68. The moisture imparting unit may adjust the amount of moisture imparted to roll body R1 depending on the rotation speed of the disk, the length of time the disk is rotating, etc.

[0056] For example, the moisture applying unit may include a water supply roll that supplies dampening water for printing to the roll R1. The moisture applying unit may include multiple water supply rolls with different water film thicknesses formed on their surfaces, and the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 may be adjusted by switching the water supply roller that nips with the roll R1. In this way, moisture does not necessarily need to be applied to the roll R1 via the air inside the storage unit 82. The moisture applying unit may also apply moisture to the roll R1 by coming into contact with the roll R1, without using air.

[0057] The moisture imparting unit 74 may have a shutter 67 that closes the discharge port 68. The discharge port 68 is opened by moving the shutter 67 in the opening direction S1. The discharge port 68 is then closed by moving the shutter 67 in the closing direction S2, thereby preventing the steam generated inside the moisture imparting unit 74 from being imparted to the roll body R1.

[0058] Because the discharge port 68 is located below the center of rotation of the roll R1, when steam discharged from the discharge port 68 toward the roll R1 reaches the surface of the roll R1, it mainly travels toward the center of the roll R1. The surface of the roll R1 is the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn. Because the fabric M is breathable, the steam passes through the fabric M in the form of water vapor. More specifically, when the steam reaches the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn, it passes in the form of water vapor toward the inner surface M1b through the voids in the weave of the fabric M in the thickness direction of the fabric M1, which is the radial direction of the roll R1. At the same time, when the water vapor comes into contact with portions of the fabric M1 with a low moisture content, the water vapor becomes liquid water in the portions of the fabric M1 through which the water vapor passed, and the water permeates into the fabric M1. The water also permeates in the circumferential direction of the roll R1. The first turn of fabric M1 refers to the outermost periphery of the fabric M. The outer surface M1a of the first turn of fabric M1 comes into contact with the surrounding air.

[0059] As the amount of moisture provided by the moisture providing unit 74 increases, the distance that the water vapor passes through in the fabric M1 increases. The water vapor that passes through the thickness direction of the fabric M1, which is the radial direction of the roll R1, toward the inner surface M1b reaches the inner surface M1b and simultaneously reaches the outer surface M2a of the second turn of the fabric M2, which is in close contact with the inner surface M1b. When the amount of moisture provided by the moisture providing unit 74 is even greater, the water vapor continues to pass from the outer surface M2a of the second turn of the fabric M2 toward the inner surface M2b in the thickness direction of the fabric M2, which is the radial direction of the roll R1. At the same time, as the water vapor comes into contact with portions of the fabric M2 with a low moisture content, the water vapor becomes liquid water in the portions of the fabric M2 through which the water vapor passed, and the moisture permeates the fabric M2.

[0060] When the moisture applicator 74 applies an even larger amount of moisture, the water vapor continues to pass through the inner fabric M in the thickness direction. At the same time, as the water vapor comes into contact with portions of the fabric M with a lower moisture content, the water vapor becomes liquid water in the inner portions of the fabric M through which the water vapor has passed, and the moisture permeates the fabric M. Because moisture is applied from the outer surface M1a of the roll R1, the amount of moisture that permeates the inner fabric M farther from the outer surface M1a of the roll R1 decreases. However, when moisture is applied to the fabric M1 in the first round, a certain amount of moisture can also be applied to the fabric M in the second round and thereafter.

[0061] The liquid discharger 11 includes a first detector 41 capable of detecting a first moisture content on the surface of the roll body R1. The first detector 41 includes an arm 39 and two rollers 37 and 38. The arm 39 has a rotation axis 40 at one end. The two rollers 37 and 38 are configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis 40. The two rollers 37 and 38 are disposed at positions spaced apart in the width direction X, and the rollers 37 and 38 are not in contact with each other. The arm 39 has a rotation axis 36 at the other end. The arm 39 is configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis 36. The arm 39 is biased by a biasing member (not shown), thereby pressing the two rollers 37 and 38 against the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1.

[0062] The first detection unit 41 measures the resistance value of the fabric M1 between the rollers 37 and 38 by contacting the two rollers 37 and 38 at different locations on the fabric M1 and passing a current between the rollers 37 and 38. It is preferable that the position of the first detection unit 41 in the width direction X be configured to minimize fluctuation. In particular, it is preferable that the distance between the rollers 37 and 38 in the width direction X be configured to minimize fluctuation. This is because the resistance value of the fabric M1 varies depending on measurement conditions such as the position of the first detection unit 41 and the distance between the rollers 37 and 38. Therefore, it is preferable that the measurement conditions of the first detection unit 41 be configured to minimize fluctuation, regardless of the detection method used by the first detection unit 41. The resistance value of the fabric M1 depends on the moisture content of the fabric M1. Therefore, the first detection unit 41 detects the first moisture content by converting the resistance value into a moisture content. In other words, the output value of the first detection unit 41 is the first moisture content. Alternatively, for example, the output value of the first detection unit 41 may be a voltage value, and the voltage value may be converted to moisture content in the control unit 90. The moisture content indicates the amount of moisture contained in the fabric M or fabric M1, and includes not only the weight but also the proportion, i.e., moisture content. The moisture content is the ratio of the weight of moisture contained in the fabric M to the weight of the fabric M (fabric M1).

[0063] The first detection unit 41 of this embodiment is an example of a first detection unit. The first detection unit 41 may be configured to detect the first moisture content of the outer surface M1a of the roll body R1. For example, the first detection unit 41 may be a high-frequency moisture meter that measures the dielectric constant of the fabric M1. The first detection unit 41 may then convert the dielectric constant into a moisture content to detect the first moisture content. Alternatively, for example, the first detection unit 41 may be a near-infrared light reflection moisture meter that irradiates light including near-infrared light and measures the amount of light including near-infrared light absorbed by moisture from the reflected light. The first detection unit 41 may then convert the amount of absorption into a moisture content to detect the first moisture content.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first detection unit 41 is provided upstream of the moisture imparting unit 74 in the rotation direction of the roll R1. The first moisture content detected by the first detection unit 41 is the moisture content of the fabric M1 to which moisture has been imparted through other fabrics M that have been in contact with the fabric M1. After the first detection unit 41 detects the first moisture content, moisture is imparted to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 by the moisture imparting unit 74. Therefore, the amount of moisture imparted to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first rotation can be adjusted depending on the moisture content of the fabric M1 after it has been imparted with moisture through other fabrics M that have been in contact with the fabric M1.

[0065] The liquid discharge device 11 includes a second detection unit 42 that can detect the second moisture content of the surface of the fabric M after it has been drawn off the roll R1 and before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31. That is, the output value of the second detection unit 42 is the second moisture content. The surface onto which the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31 is referred to as the printing surface Ma. The second moisture content detected by the second detection unit 42 is the moisture content of the fabric M1 after the moisture supplying unit 74 supplies moisture to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1. The second detection unit 42 detects the second moisture content after the moisture supplying unit 74 supplies moisture to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1. The second moisture content detected by the second detection unit 42 can be used to determine whether the amount of moisture supplied by the moisture supplying unit 74 was appropriate. This allows adjustment of the amount of moisture to be supplied thereafter. In other words, the amount of moisture applied to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first round can be adjusted depending on the second moisture content of the printing surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been pulled out from the roll body R1 and before the liquid is ejected by the ejection section 31.

[0066] The configuration of the second detection unit 42 is the same as the configuration of the first detection unit 41, and therefore a description of the configuration of the second detection unit 42 will be omitted. Note that the liquid ejection device 11 may include the first detection unit 41 but not the second detection unit 42, or the liquid ejection device 11 may include the second detection unit 42 but not the first detection unit 41. When the liquid ejection device 11 includes the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42, it is preferable that the position or area of ​​the fabric M (fabric M1) in the width direction X where moisture is detected by the first detection unit 41 is substantially the same as the position or area of ​​the fabric M where moisture is detected by the second detection unit 42.

[0067] The liquid discharger 11 includes a first suction fan 48 as a suction section, and a first exhaust fan 49 as a exhaust section. The first suction fan 48 draws air into the storage section 82 from outside the storage section 82. The first exhaust fan 49 exhausts air from inside the storage section 82 to outside the storage section 82. At least one of the first suction fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 is configured to be able to adjust the amount of air flowing through it.

[0068] The first suction fan 48 is preferably disposed at a position opposite the position where the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 with respect to the center of rotation of the roll R1, which can prevent the fabric M from being out of position as it is unwound from the roll R1.

[0069] The first exhaust fan 49 is preferably disposed above the roll R1 and in the center of the storage section 82. Water vapor is released from below the roll R1 toward above, thereby adding moisture to the roll R1 and passing through the roll R1 and around the roll R1 to move above the roll R1. The first exhaust fan 49 can exhaust the water vapor to the outside of the storage section 82. More specifically, in order to prevent condensation on the ceiling of the storage section 82 due to moisture-rich air accumulating above the roll R1, the moisture-rich air that has accumulated above can be exhausted to the outside of the storage section 82.

[0070] It is desirable that the storage section 82 be surrounded by a wall except for the opening 83. Furthermore, it is desirable that the size of the opening 83 be as small as possible so long as the fabric M that is drawn out when the diameter of the roll R1 is at its maximum and the fabric M that is drawn out when the diameter of the roll R1 is at its minimum can pass through. The air can be exchanged smoothly because the path along which the first intake fan 48 draws air into the storage section 82 from outside the storage section 82 and the first exhaust fan 49 exhausts air from inside the storage section 82 to outside the storage section 82 is stable.

[0071] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a third detection unit 43 that can detect the humidity inside the storage unit 82. For example, if the humidity inside the storage unit 82 is too high, the first moisture content value detected by the first detection unit 41 may not decrease even if the moisture addition unit 74 reduces the amount of moisture added. In such a case, the control unit 90 can detect whether the humidity inside the storage unit 82 is too high using the third detection unit 43. If the humidity inside the storage unit 82 is too high, the humidity inside the storage unit 82 can be reduced by replacing the air inside the storage unit 82 using the first suction fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49.

[0072] The liquid discharger 11 includes a moisture removal unit 85 in the storage unit 82 that removes moisture from the roll R1 held in the holder 19. The moisture removal unit 85 has a radiation plate 86 that radiates heat toward the roll R1, multiple heating plates 87 attached to the radiation plate 86, and a heating frame 88 that secures the radiation plate 86 and the multiple heating plates 87. The multiple heating plates 87 are arranged, for example, in the circumferential direction of the roll R1. In this embodiment, four heating plates 87a, 87b, 87c, and 87d are arranged.

[0073] The radiation plate 86 is made of, for example, an aluminum plate member, and is curved in one direction. The heating plate 87 is, for example, a sheet heater. The sheet heater is configured by sandwiching a heating element such as metal foil inside a sheet member such as a flexible synthetic resin, and generates heat so that the temperature distribution is approximately uniform.

[0074] In order for the radiation plate 86 to radiate heat toward the roll body R1, the heating plates 87 are attached to the outer surface of the radiation plate 86, and the heating plates 87 heat the radiation plate 86. The heating frame 88 fixes the radiation plate 86 in a state in which the inner surface of the radiation plate 86, to which the heating plates 87 are attached, faces the roll body R1.

[0075] When power is supplied to the sheet heater, the heating element generates heat, and the heat is transferred to the radiation plate 86 through the sheet member. The radiation plate 86 is warmed by the heat transferred from the heating plate 87. The warmed radiation plate 86 radiates heat toward the opposing roll R1, thereby heating the roll R1.

[0076] In this embodiment, the moisture removal unit 85 is configured to be able to change the amount of heat emitted from the radiation plate 86 depending on the number of driven heating plates 87. As the amount of heat emitted increases, more moisture evaporates from the roll R1, and as the amount of heat emitted decreases, less moisture evaporates from the roll R1. In other words, the moisture removal unit 85 is configured to be able to adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1.

[0077] The moisture removal unit 85 of this embodiment is an example of a moisture removal unit. The moisture removal unit may be configured to be able to adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1. For example, moisture may be evaporated from the surface of the roll R1 by blowing air generated by a fan onto the surface of the roll R1. The moisture removal unit may then adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 by adjusting the air volume of the fan. Alternatively, for example, a sheet-shaped heater and a fan may be provided together.

[0078] When heat emitted from the moisture removal unit 85 toward the roll R1 reaches the surface of the roll R1, it is mainly transmitted toward the center of the roll R1. Because the fabric M1 is breathable, not only is heat emitted from the moisture removal unit 85 transmitted, but air dried by the heat also passes through the fabric M1. More specifically, when the dry air reaches the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn, heat is transmitted through the fabric M1 in the circumferential and radial directions of the roll R1. At the same time, dry air passes through the voids in the weave of the fabric M toward the inner surface M1b in the thickness direction of the fabric M1, which is the radial direction of the roll R1. When the dry air comes into contact with the high-moisture portions of the fabric M1, the dry air absorbs moisture from the fabric M1 in the portions of the fabric M1 through which the dry air passed.

[0079] As the amount of moisture removed by the moisture removing section 85 increases, the distance that the dry air passes through the fabric M1 increases. The dry air that passes through the thickness direction of the fabric M1, which is the radial direction of the roll R1, toward the inner surface M1b reaches the inner surface M1b and simultaneously reaches the outer surface M2a of the second turn of the fabric M2, which is in close contact with the inner surface M1b. When the amount of moisture removed by the moisture removing section 85 is even greater, the dry air continues to pass from the outer surface M2a of the second turn of the fabric M2 toward the inner surface M2b in the thickness direction of the fabric M2, which is the radial direction of the roll R1. At the same time, the dry air comes into contact with portions of the fabric M2 with a high moisture content, and absorbs moisture from the fabric M2 in the portions of the fabric M2 through which the dry air passed.

[0080] When the moisture removal unit 85 removes an even larger amount of moisture, the dry air continues to pass through the inner fabric M in the thickness direction. At the same time, the dry air comes into contact with the fabric M in the portion with a higher moisture content, and absorbs moisture from the fabric M in the portion of the fabric M further inside that the dry air passed through. Because heat is released to the outer surface M1a of the roll R1, the amount of moisture removed decreases the further from the outer surface M1a of the roll R1 the fabric M is located inside. However, when moisture is removed from the fabric M1 in the first round, a certain amount of moisture can also be removed from the fabric M in the second round and thereafter.

[0081] In this embodiment, the first detection unit 41 is provided upstream of the moisture removal unit 85 in the rotation direction of the roll body R1. The first moisture content detected by the first detection unit 41 is the moisture content of the fabric M1 from which moisture has been removed through the fabric M that was in contact with the fabric M1. After the first detection unit 41 detects the first moisture content, moisture is removed from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 by the moisture removal unit 85. Therefore, the amount of moisture removed from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first round can be adjusted depending on the moisture content of the fabric M1 from which moisture has been removed through the other fabric M that was in contact with the fabric M1.

[0082] The second moisture content detected by the second detection unit 42 is the moisture content of the fabric M1 after the moisture removal unit 85 has removed moisture from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1. The second detection unit 42 detects the second moisture content after the moisture removal unit 85 has removed moisture from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1. The second moisture content detected by the second detection unit 42 makes it possible to confirm whether the amount of moisture removed by the moisture removal unit 85 was appropriate. This makes it possible to adjust the amount of moisture removed thereafter. In other words, the amount of moisture removed from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first round can be adjusted depending on the second moisture content of the printing surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been unwound from the roll R1.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid discharger 11 includes a cooling unit 55 that cools the shaft member 18. In this embodiment, the shaft member 18 has a cylindrical shape, and at one end, the interior space of the shaft member 18 communicates with the outside of the housing unit 82 via a second suction fan 56 and a cooling mechanism 58. Furthermore, at the other end, the interior space of the shaft member 18 communicates with the outside of the housing unit 82 via a second exhaust fan 59. The cooling mechanism 58 generates cool air using, for example, a heat exchange mechanism. The cool air is then sucked into the interior space of the shaft member 18 by the second suction fan 56. This cools the interior space of the shaft member 18 and decreases the temperature of the inner surface 18b of the shaft member 18. As the shaft member 18 is cooled, the temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which is the contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric M, decreases. The cool air that has been sent into the space inside the shaft member 18 and used to cool the shaft member 18 is discharged to the outside of the housing portion 82 by the second exhaust fan 59.

[0084] The liquid discharge device 11 includes a sixth detection unit 46 that detects the temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which is the contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric M. The fabric M that comes into contact with the outer surface 18a is the inner surface of the fabric M that is wound most inwardly of the fabric M wound around the shaft member 18.

[0085] It is sufficient that the shaft member 18 is cooled. As in the present embodiment, the shaft member 18 may be cooled from the inside of the shaft member 18, or the shaft member 18 may be cooled from the outside of the shaft member 18 by cooling the air in the accommodation section 82. When the shaft member 18 is cooled from the outside of the shaft member 18, air cooled by the cooling mechanism 58 may be sucked in by the first suction fan 48. Furthermore, instead of a detection section that detects the temperature of the shaft member 18, a detection section that detects the temperature around the roll body R1 in the accommodation section 82 may be provided.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid discharger 11 may include, within the storage section 82, multiple moisture applicators 74 that apply moisture to the roll R1. The multiple moisture applicators 74 are arranged side by side in the width direction X along the rotation axis of the roll R1. In this embodiment, three moisture applicators 74a, 74b, and 74c are arranged side by side in the width direction X. The three moisture applicators 74a, 74b, and 74c are configured to be able to be driven independently. This allows the moisture applicators 74 to adjust the range over which moisture is applied in the width direction X along the rotation axis of the roll R1. The number of moisture applicators 74 arranged side by side in the width direction X is not limited.

[0087] The liquid discharger 11 may include, within the storage section 82, a plurality of moisture removal sections 85 that remove moisture from the roll R1. The plurality of moisture removal sections 85 are arranged side by side in the width direction X. In this embodiment, three moisture removal sections 85a, 85b, and 85c are arranged side by side in the width direction X. The three moisture removal sections 85a, 85b, and 85c are configured to be capable of being driven independently. This allows the moisture removal section 85 to adjust the range of moisture removal in the width direction X. The number of moisture removal sections 85 arranged side by side in the width direction X is not limited.

[0088] The liquid discharger 11 may include a plurality of first detectors 41 capable of detecting the first moisture content on the surface of the roll body R1. The plurality of first detectors 41 are arranged side by side in the width direction X. In this embodiment, three first detectors 41a, 41b, and 41c are arranged side by side in the width direction X. That is, the first detector 41a is configured to detect the first moisture content on the −X side in the width direction X, the first detector 41b is configured to detect the first moisture content in the central portion in the width direction X, and the first detector 41c is configured to detect the first moisture content on the +X side in the width direction X. As a result, the first detectors 41 are configured to detect the distribution of the first moisture content in the width direction X. Note that the number of first detectors 41 arranged side by side in the width direction X is not limited. However, it is desirable that each first detector 41 be arranged at a position in the width direction X corresponding to each moisture providing unit 74. Based on the value of the first detection unit 41, the moisture addition unit 74 corresponding to each first detection unit 41 can adjust the amount of moisture added to the roll R1 in the width direction X. Furthermore, it is desirable that each first detection unit 41 is disposed at a position in the width direction X corresponding to each moisture removal unit 85. Based on the value of the first detection unit 41, the moisture removal unit 85 corresponding to each first detection unit 41 can adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 in the width direction X.

[0089] The liquid discharger 11 may include multiple second detectors 42 capable of detecting the second moisture content of the printing surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been unwound from the roll R1. The multiple second detectors 42 are arranged side by side in the width direction X. In this embodiment, three second detectors (not shown) are arranged side by side in the width direction X. This allows the second detectors 42 to detect the distribution of the second moisture content in the width direction X. The number of second detectors 42 arranged side by side in the width direction X is not limited. However, it is preferable that each second detector 42 is arranged at a position in the width direction X corresponding to the corresponding moisture imparting unit 74. Based on the value of the second detector 42, the moisture imparting unit 74 corresponding to the corresponding second detector 42 can adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 in the width direction X. It is also preferable that each second detector 42 is arranged at a position in the width direction X corresponding to the corresponding moisture remover 85. Based on the value of the second detector 42, the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 in the width direction X by the moisture remover 85 corresponding to each second detector 42 can be adjusted.

[0090] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a plurality of first suction fans 48 as suction units that draw air into the storage unit 82 from outside the storage unit 82, and a plurality of first exhaust fans 49 as exhaust units that exhaust air from inside the storage unit 82 to outside the storage unit 82. In this embodiment, three first suction fans 48a, 48b, and 48c are arranged side by side in the width direction X, and three first exhaust fans 49a, 49b, and 49c are arranged side by side in the width direction X. This makes it possible to draw air into the storage unit 82 from outside the storage unit 82 and exhaust air from inside the storage unit 82 to outside the storage unit 82 throughout the storage unit 82. Note that the number of first suction fans 48 and first exhaust fans 49 arranged side by side in the width direction X is not limited.

[0091] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a plurality of third detection units 43 capable of detecting the humidity inside the storage unit 82. The third detection units 43 detect the humidity inside the storage unit 82 at a plurality of locations, thereby being able to detect variations in humidity depending on the location inside the storage unit 82. For example, even if the humidity is too high in some locations inside the storage unit 82, the air inside the storage unit 82 can be replaced by the first suction fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49. The liquid ejection device 11 may also include a fan capable of agitating the air inside the storage unit 82. Then, if the humidity is too high in some locations inside the storage unit 82, the control unit 90 may cause the fan to agitate the air inside the storage unit 82.

[0092] <About the control unit> As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 90 controls each part of the liquid ejection device 11. The interface unit 91 transmits and receives data between the operation unit 80 and the control unit 90. The CPU 92 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire liquid ejection device 11. The memory unit 93 secures an area for storing programs for the CPU 92 and a working area. The CPU 92 controls each part of the liquid ejection device 11 in accordance with a control circuit 94.

[0093] For example, the liquid ejection device 11 has a water addition mode, a water removal mode, and a mode in which neither water addition nor water removal is performed. The user selects an operation mode from the operation unit 80.

[0094] The memory unit 93 stores a heating unit table 93a, an adhesive table 93b, a moisture application unit table 93c, a moisture removal unit table 93d, an intake / exhaust unit table 93e, and a cooling unit table 93f. A detector group 66 monitors the conditions inside the liquid discharger 11, and based on the detection results, the control unit 90 controls each unit of the liquid discharger 11. The detector group 66 includes a belt temperature detector 65, a first detector 41, a second detector 42, a third detector 43, a sixth detector 46, a water volume detector 78, and a water temperature detector 79.

[0095] The memory unit 93 stores a heating unit table 93a that associates the printing speed with the number of heating plates 52 that are driven corresponding to the printing speed. For example, when the user selects a printing mode using the operation unit 80, the control unit 90 reads from the heating unit table 93a the number of heating plates 52 that are driven that corresponds to the printing speed in the printing mode selected by the user. Then, the control unit 90 selects the heating plates 52 to be heated, and then drives the selected heating plates 52. Note that the heating unit table 93a may also associate the printing speed with the output of the heating plates 52 that corresponds to the printing speed.

[0096] An adhesive table 93b that associates types of adhesive with target temperatures corresponding to the types of adhesive is stored in the memory unit 93. For example, when a user selects the type of adhesive to be used using the operation unit 80, the control unit 90 reads the target temperature corresponding to the adhesive from the adhesive table 93b. Then, the control unit 90 drives the heating plate 52 so that the temperature of the adhesive layer 25 reaches the target temperature.

[0097] A moisture addition unit table 93c that associates the output values ​​of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42 with the target temperatures of the water contained in the tank 75 of the moisture addition unit 74 that correspond to these output values ​​is stored in the memory unit 93. The first detection unit 41 detects a first moisture content, and the second detection unit 42 detects a second moisture content.

[0098] For example, based on the detection results of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42, the control unit 90 reads the target temperature of the water contained in the tank 75 from the moisture supplying unit table 93c. Then, the control unit 90 adjusts the output of the heater 76 so that the output value of the water temperature detection unit 79 becomes the target temperature of the water contained in the tank 75. In this way, the control unit 90 controls the moisture supplying unit 74 based on the detection results of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42, thereby adjusting the amount of moisture to be supplied to the roll body R1.

[0099] When the user selects the moisture addition mode, the output value of the first detection unit 41 or the output value of the second detection unit 42 may be higher than a predetermined value. In such a case, a message to that effect may be displayed on the display unit 81, and the operation mode of the liquid discharger 11 may automatically transition to a mode in which neither moisture addition nor moisture removal is performed. Note that the predetermined value here is a value at which it can be determined that the moisture content of the fabric M is sufficiently high and therefore there is no need to add moisture to the fabric M.

[0100] The table 93c for the moisture supplying unit may correspond to at least one of the output values ​​of the first detection unit 41 and the output value of the second detection unit 42, and the target temperature of the water contained in the tank 75 in the moisture supplying unit 74 corresponding to that one output value.

[0101] The moisture supplying unit table 93c may be configured to increase the output of the heater 76 when the first moisture content is decreasing and decrease the output of the heater 76 when the first moisture content is increasing. That is, the control unit 90 may control the moisture supplying unit 74 based on the detection result of the first detection unit 41 so that the output of the heater 76 is increased when the first moisture content is decreasing and the output of the heater 76 is decreased when the first moisture content is increasing. In this way, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture supplied to the roll R1 by controlling the moisture supplying unit 74 based on the detection result of the first detection unit 41. More specifically, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture supplied to the roll R1 so that the moisture content converted from the output value of the first detection unit 41 does not fall outside a predetermined moisture content range.

[0102] More specifically, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture added to the roll body R1 so that the moisture content converted from the output value of the first detection unit 41 does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range. The predetermined moisture content range is a moisture content range of the fabric M that can suppress degradation of image quality for the type of fabric M to be printed. In other words, the predetermined moisture content range is a moisture content range of the fabric M that is suitable for printing. The moisture content of the fabric M that is suitable for printing varies depending on the type of fabric M. The type of fabric M includes the type of material of the fabric M, the weave of the fabric M, and the thickness of the fabric M. Therefore, the predetermined moisture content range varies depending on the type of fabric M. For example, the predetermined moisture content range is determined by the user selecting the type of fabric M using the operation unit 80.

[0103] The moisture supplying unit table 93c may be configured to increase the output of the heater 76 when the second moisture content is decreasing, and decrease the output of the heater 76 when the second moisture content is increasing. That is, the control unit 90 may control the moisture supplying unit 74 based on the detection result of the second detection unit 42 so that the output of the heater 76 is increased when the second moisture content is decreasing, and the output of the heater 76 is decreased when the second moisture content is increasing. In this way, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture supplied to the roll R1 by controlling the moisture supplying unit 74 based on the detection result of the second detection unit 42.

[0104] The control unit 90 may adjust the time for which the shutter 67 closes the discharge port 68. By adjusting the time for which the shutter 67 is closed, the amount of steam as the amount of moisture imparted by the moisture imparting unit 74 to the fabric M is adjusted. More specifically, when the output value of the water temperature detection unit 79 is lower than the target temperature, the control unit 90 increases the output of the heater 76 and does not close the shutter 67 at all. When the output value of the water temperature detection unit 79 is higher than the target temperature, the control unit 90 may decrease the output of the heater 76 and close the shutter 67 for a predetermined time. The amount of steam as the amount of moisture imparted to the fabric M can be reduced in a short period of time.

[0105] After the first detection unit 41 detects the first moisture content, moisture is added to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 by the moisture addition unit 74. After moisture is added to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 by the moisture addition unit 74, the second detection unit 42 detects the second moisture content. In other words, the control unit 90 can adjust the second moisture content, which is the moisture content of the fabric M to be printed, based on the detection results of the second detection unit 42 and the first detection unit 41.

[0106] The moisture applicator table 93c may be configured to reduce the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 by the moisture applicator 74 when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 90 may reduce the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. When the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds the predetermined value, for example, the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 increases due to a change in humidity in the storage unit 82.

[0107] The moisture applicator table 93c may be configured to increase the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 by the moisture applicator 74 when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content is less than a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 90 may increase the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content is less than a predetermined value. The situation when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content is less than a predetermined value may occur, for example, when the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 is reduced due to a change in humidity in the storage unit 82.

[0108] The moisture applicator table 93c may be configured to increase the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 by the moisture applicator 74 when the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 90 may increase the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 when the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. An example of a situation where the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value is when the humidity outside the storage unit 82 is low and a large amount of moisture evaporates from the fabric M in a short time after it is pulled out of the roll R1.

[0109] The memory unit 93 stores an intake / exhaust table 93e that associates the output value of the third detection unit 43 with the rotation speeds of the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49. In this embodiment, when the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 rotate, the rotation speed of the first intake fan 48 is the same as the rotation speed of the first exhaust fan 49. The output value of the third detection unit 43 represents the humidity inside the accommodation unit 82.

[0110] For example, based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43, the control unit 90 reads the rotation speeds of the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 from the intake / exhaust table 93e. The control unit 90 then rotates the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 so that the rotation speeds are equal to the read values. For example, when the output value of the third detection unit 43 exceeds a first value, the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 rotate. When the output value of the third detection unit 43 exceeds a second value greater than the first value, the rotation speeds further increase. When the output value of the third detection unit 43 falls below the second value, the rotation speeds decrease. When the output value of the third detection unit 43 falls below the first value, the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 stop. By adjusting the rotation speeds of the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49, it is possible to prevent the humidity in the storage unit 82 from continuing to increase.

[0111] It is sufficient that at least one of the first suction fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 can adjust the air flow rate. Furthermore, the intake rate of the first suction fan 48 and the exhaust rate of the first exhaust fan 49 do not have to be the same. The difference between the intake rate of the first suction fan 48 and the exhaust rate of the first exhaust fan 49 is adjusted by the flow of air in and out through the gap in the opening 83, so the air flow rate within the storage section 82 is adjustable. Furthermore, either the first suction fan 48 or the first exhaust fan 49 does not have to be provided. An intake port may be provided instead of the first suction fan 48, or an exhaust port may be provided instead of the first exhaust fan 49. The air flow rate within the storage section 82 can be adjusted by either the first suction fan 48 or the first exhaust fan 49. That is, the control unit 90 may adjust the air flow rate by controlling at least one of the suction unit and the exhaust unit based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43.

[0112] The memory unit 93 may store a cooling unit table 93f that associates the humidity inside the storage unit 82, which is the output value of the third detection unit 43, with the target temperature of the outer surface 18a corresponding to that output value. The target temperature of the outer surface 18a is the target temperature of the outer surface 18a, which serves as the contact surface of the shaft member 18 that comes into contact with the fabric M and is cooled by the cold air generated by the cooling mechanism 58, and is a temperature equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of steam inside the storage unit 82. In other words, the target temperature of the outer surface 18a is a temperature equal to or lower than the temperature at which the relative humidity inside the storage unit 82 becomes 100%. For example, based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43, the control unit 90 reads the target temperature of the outer surface 18a from the cooling unit table 93f. The control unit 90 then adjusts the output of the cooling mechanism 58 so that the output value of the sixth detection unit 46 becomes the target temperature of the outer surface 18a. The output value of sixth detection unit 46 is the temperature of outer surface 18a of shaft member 18 that comes into contact with fabric M. Based on the detection result of third detection unit 43, control unit 90 controls cooling unit 55 so that the temperature of outer surface 18a detected by sixth detection unit 46 becomes equal to or lower than the dew-point temperature of steam in storage unit 82.

[0113] The relationship between the humidity inside the storage section 82 and the dew point temperature will be described in detail. The humidity inside the storage section 82 is the relative humidity inside the storage section 82. Relative humidity is a value that indicates the proportion of moisture contained in air at a certain temperature relative to the amount of saturated water vapor in the air at that temperature. For example, when air at a certain temperature contains half the amount of moisture of the saturated water vapor in the air at that temperature, the relative humidity is 50%. This relative humidity is generally used to express humidity. In other words, the amount of water vapor in the air can be calculated using the temperature and relative humidity, and the dew point temperature, which is the temperature at which the relative humidity becomes 100% for that amount of water vapor, can also be calculated. The control unit 90 then adjusts the output of the cooling mechanism 58 so that the temperature of the outer surface 18a, which is the contact surface of the shaft member 18 that comes into contact with the fabric M, is kept below the dew point temperature. As the temperature of the outer surface 18a decreases, the amount of saturated water vapor decreases. Therefore, when the temperature is below the dew point temperature, the amount of moisture that the air cannot hold increases as the temperature of the outer surface 18a decreases. That is, when the temperature is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature, more moisture condenses on the surface of the fabric M as the temperature of the outer surface 18a decreases.

[0114] It is desirable that the third detection unit 43 be configured to be able to output the temperature and humidity inside the storage unit 82. This makes it possible to calculate the dew point temperature using only the output value of the third detection unit 43. The user may input the value of a thermometer inside the room through the operation unit 80, or the liquid discharger 11 may communicate with an external device to obtain the room temperature from the external device. Since the temperature inside the storage unit 82 is a value close to the room temperature, the dew point temperature may be calculated by substituting the temperature inside the storage unit 82 for the room temperature.

[0115] The third detection unit 43 may be configured to output the absolute humidity inside the storage unit 82. Absolute humidity is a value indicating the mass of moisture contained in a certain amount of air. In this case, information on the temperature inside the storage unit 82 is not necessary. Because absolute humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air itself, it is possible to calculate the dew point temperature, which is the temperature at which the relative humidity becomes 100% for that amount of water vapor, using only the absolute humidity. Then, the output of the cooling mechanism 58 can be adjusted so that the temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which is the contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric M, is below the dew point temperature.

[0116] The output of the cooling mechanism 58 is adjusted according to the target temperature of the outer surface 18a. By adjusting the output of the cooling mechanism 58 in the cooling unit 55, the outer surface 18a, which serves as the contact surface of the shaft member 18 that comes into contact with the fabric M, cools the fabric M. Furthermore, the output of the cooling mechanism 58 adjusts the amount of moisture that is generated when condensation occurs on the cooled fabric M that comes into contact with the surrounding air. This adjusts the amount of moisture imparted to the fabric M from the surrounding air.

[0117] The cooling unit table 93f may correspond to the output value of the first detection unit 41 and the target temperature of the outer surface 18a. More specifically, the cooling unit table 93f may be configured so that when the first moisture content is decreasing, the target temperature of the outer surface 18a is lowered, and when the first moisture content is increasing, the target temperature of the outer surface 18a is raised, based on the detection result of the first detection unit 41. This makes it possible to adjust the amount of moisture that condenses on the surface of the fabric M according to the moisture content of the fabric M.

[0118] The memory unit 93 stores a moisture removal unit table 93d that associates the output values ​​of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42 with the number of heating plates 87 to be driven in the moisture removal unit 85 corresponding to these output values. For example, based on the detection results of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42, the control unit 90 reads the number of heating plates 87 to be driven from the moisture removal unit table 93d. Then, the control unit 90 selects the heating plates 87 to be heated, and then drives the selected heating plates 87. By driving the selected heating plates 87, the amount of moisture removed from the fabric M by the moisture removal unit 85 is adjusted.

[0119] By adjusting the number of driven heating plates 87, the amount of moisture removed by the moisture removing unit 85 from the fabric M is adjusted. More specifically, as the number of driven heating plates 87 increases, the heat radiated from the radiation plates 86 increases, and as the number of driven heating plates 87 decreases, the heat radiated from the radiation plates 86 decreases. In other words, as the number of driven heating plates 87 increases, the moisture removing unit 85 removes more moisture from the fabric M, and as the number of driven heating plates 87 decreases, the moisture removing unit 85 removes less moisture from the fabric M.

[0120] When the user selects the moisture removal mode, the output value of the first detection unit 41 or the output value of the second detection unit 42 may be lower than a predetermined value. In this case, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 81, and the operation mode of the liquid discharger 11 may automatically transition to a mode in which neither moisture addition nor moisture removal is performed. Note that the predetermined value here is a value at which it can be determined that the moisture content of the fabric M is sufficiently low and therefore there is no need to remove moisture from the fabric M. The predetermined value is set optimally in advance through experiments, simulations, etc.

[0121] The moisture removal unit table 93d may be configured to increase the number of heating plates 87 when the first moisture content is increasing, and decrease the number of heating plates 87 when the first moisture content is decreasing. That is, the control unit 90 may control the moisture removal unit 85 based on the detection result of the first detection unit 41 so that the number of heating plates 87 is increased when the first moisture content is increasing, and the number of heating plates 87 is decreased when the first moisture content is decreasing. In this manner, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1. More specifically, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 so that the moisture content converted from the output value of the first detection unit 41 does not fall outside a predetermined moisture content range.

[0122] The moisture removal unit table 93d may be configured to increase the output of the heater 76 when the second moisture content is increasing, and to decrease the output of the heater 76 when the second moisture content is decreasing. That is, the control unit 90 may control the moisture removal unit 85 based on the detection result of the second detection unit 42 so that the number of heating plates 87 that are driven is increased when the second moisture content is increasing, and the number of heating plates 87 that are driven is decreased when the second moisture content is decreasing. In this way, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll body R1 based on the detection result of the second detection unit 42.

[0123] The moisture remover table 93d may be configured to increase the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 by the moisture applicator 74 when the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content is less than a predetermined value. That is, the controller 90 may control the moisture remover 85 based on the moisture remover table 93d so that the number of driven heating plates 87 is increased when the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content is less than a predetermined value when, for example, the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 is reduced due to a change in humidity in the storage unit 82.

[0124] The moisture remover table 93d may be configured to reduce the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 by the moisture applicator 74 when the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. That is, the controller 90 may control the moisture remover 85 based on the moisture remover table 93d so as to reduce the number of driven heating plates 87 when the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. An example of a situation where the second moisture content is less than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value is when the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 increases due to a change in humidity in the storage unit 82.

[0125] The moisture remover table 93d may be configured to increase the amount of moisture removed by the moisture remover 85 from the roll R1 when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 90 may increase the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 based on the moisture remover table 93d when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value. An example of a situation where the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content and the difference between the second moisture content and the first moisture content exceeds a predetermined value is when the humidity outside the storage unit 82 is high and the fabric M absorbs a large amount of moisture from the surrounding air in a short time after being pulled out from the roll R1. In this manner, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1.

[0126] When the moisture applicator 74 is driven, the control unit 90 may adjust the range in the width direction X to which moisture is applied to the roll R1 by the moisture applicator 74, depending on the range in the width direction X to which liquid is discharged onto the fabric M by the discharger 31. Printing data 93g used by the discharger 31 to print onto the fabric M is stored in the memory unit 93. By referencing the printing data 93g, the range to which liquid is discharged onto the fabric M can be detected. For example, when the range to which liquid is discharged onto the fabric M is limited to the center in the width direction X, the control unit 90 may drive only the moisture applicator 74b that applies moisture to the center in the width direction X of the fabric M. Moisture can be applied only to the center in the width direction X of the fabric M.

[0127] When the moisture applicator 74 is driven, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture applied to the roll body R1 in the width direction X by the moisture applicator 74, depending on the range in the width direction X where the liquid is discharged onto the fabric M by the discharge unit 31. For example, when the range in which the liquid is discharged onto the fabric M is only the center in the width direction X, the control unit 90 may increase the output of the heater 76 of the moisture applicator 74b in the center in the width direction X of the fabric M compared to the output of the other moisture applicators 74a, 74c. More moisture can be applied to the center in the width direction X of the fabric M than to the ends.

[0128] When the moisture removing unit 85 is driven, the control unit 90 may adjust the range in the width direction X from which moisture is removed from the roll body R1 by the moisture removing unit 85, depending on the range in the width direction X from which liquid is discharged onto the fabric M by the discharge unit 31. For example, when the range in the width direction X from which liquid is discharged onto the fabric M is limited to the center in the width direction X, the control unit 90 may drive only the moisture removing unit 85b that removes moisture from the center. Moisture can be removed only from the center in the width direction X of the fabric M.

[0129] When the moisture removing unit 85 is driven, the control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll body R1 in the width direction X by the moisture removing unit 85, depending on the range in the width direction X where the liquid is discharged onto the fabric M by the discharge unit 31. For example, when the range where the liquid is discharged onto the fabric M is only the center, the control unit 90 may increase the number of heating plates 87 driven by the moisture removing unit 85b in the center compared to the number of heating plates 87 driven by the other moisture removing units 85a and 85c. More moisture can be removed from the center of the fabric M than from the edges of the fabric M.

[0130] <Adjustment flow for the amount of moisture added> 6, when the operating mode of the liquid ejector 11 is the moisture imparting mode, the control unit 90 controls the moisture imparting unit 74 to adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body R1. The control executed by the control unit 90 in each step shown in the flowchart when the operating mode of the liquid ejector 11 is the moisture imparting mode will be described in order. Note that this flow is an example of the control executed by the control unit 90.

[0131] In step S101, the control unit 90 refers to the range in the print data 93g where the liquid is to be discharged onto the fabric M. Then, in step S102, the control unit 90 determines whether to drive each of the moisture applicators 74a, 74b, and 74c based on the print data 93g. That is, the control unit 90 adjusts the range in the width direction X where moisture is applied to the roll R1 by the moisture applicator 74, depending on the range in the width direction X where the liquid is to be discharged onto the fabric M by the discharger 31.

[0132] In step S103, the control unit 90 determines whether printing has ended. If printing has ended, step S103 becomes YES, and the control unit 90 ends this flow. If printing has not ended, step S103 becomes NO, and the control unit 90 proceeds to step S104a.

[0133] In step S104a, the control unit 90 refers to the output value of the first detection unit 41 and the output value of the second detection unit 42. Then, in step S105, the control unit 90 refers to the moisture supplying unit table 93c and determines the output of the heater 76. Then, in step S106, the control unit 90 drives the moisture supplying unit 74 at the determined output of the heater 76. In this way, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture supplied to the roll R1 by controlling the moisture supplying unit 74 based on the detection results of at least one of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42. Then, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S107.

[0134] In step S107, the control unit 90 refers to the output value of the third detection unit 43. Then, in step S108, the control unit 90 refers to the intake / exhaust table 93e and determines the rotation speed of the first intake fan 48 and the rotation speed of the first exhaust fan 49. Then, in step S109, the control unit 90 drives the first intake fan 48 at the determined rotation speed of the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 at the determined rotation speed of the first exhaust fan 49. In this way, the control unit 90 controls at least one of the first intake fan 48 and the first exhaust fan 49 based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43, thereby adjusting the amount of air flowing between the outside and inside of the storage unit 82. Then, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S110.

[0135] In step S110, the control unit 90 again references the output value of the third detection unit 43. Then, in step S111, the control unit 90 references the cooling unit table 93f and determines the target temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which is the contact surface of the shaft member 18 that comes into contact with the fabric M. Then, in step S112, the control unit 90 adjusts the output of the cooling mechanism 58 of the cooling unit 55 so that the output value of the sixth detection unit 46 becomes the determined target temperature of the outer surface 18a. In this way, the control unit 90 controls the cooling unit 55 based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43 so that the temperature detected by the sixth detection unit 46 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of steam in the storage unit 82. Then, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S103. The control unit 90 repeats steps S103 to S112 until printing is completed.

[0136] <Adjustment flow for moisture removal amount> 7, when the operating mode of the liquid ejector 11 is the moisture removal mode, the control unit 90 controls the moisture removal unit 85 to adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1. The control executed by the control unit 90 in each step shown in the flowchart when the operating mode of the liquid ejector 11 is the moisture removal mode will be described in order. Note that this flow is an example of the control executed by the control unit 90.

[0137] In step S201, the control unit 90 refers to the range in the print data 93g where the liquid is to be discharged onto the fabric M. Then, in step S202, the control unit 90 determines whether to drive each of the moisture removal units 85a, 85b, and 85c based on the print data 93g. That is, the control unit 90 adjusts the range in the width direction X where moisture is removed from the roll R1 by the moisture removal unit 85, depending on the range in the width direction X where the liquid is to be discharged onto the fabric M by the discharge unit 31.

[0138] In step S203, the control unit 90 determines whether printing has ended. If printing has ended, step S203 becomes YES, and the control unit 90 ends this flow. If printing has not ended, step S203 becomes NO, and the control unit 90 proceeds to step S204a.

[0139] In step S204a, the control unit 90 references the output value of the first detection unit 41 and the output value of the second detection unit 42. Then, in step S205, the control unit 90 references the moisture removal unit table 93d and determines the number of heating plates 87 to be driven. Then, in step S206, the control unit 90 drives the moisture removal unit 85 with the determined number of heating plates 87. In this way, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 by controlling the moisture removal unit 85 based on the detection results of at least one of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42. Then, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S203. The control unit 90 repeats steps S203 to S206 until printing is completed.

[0140] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described. It is desirable that the user measures the moisture content of the fabric M in the roll R1 around which the fabric M is wound, and then hold the roll R1 in the holding unit 19. Then, it is desirable that the user selects the operating mode of the liquid ejection device 11 from the operation unit 80 in accordance with the moisture content measurement result. The user selects the moisture addition mode when the moisture content of the fabric M is lower than a predetermined value. The user may select the moisture addition mode when the moisture content of the fabric M is expected to be lower than a predetermined value, for example, due to the environment of the storage location of the fabric M. Note that the predetermined value here is a value at which the moisture content of the fabric M is low and may affect the image quality of the fabric M.

[0141] The control unit 90 starts controlling the operation of each unit in the liquid ejection device 11. Before printing begins, it is desirable that the first moisture content of the roll R1 before the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1 be detected by the first detection unit 41, and that moisture be added by the moisture adding unit 74. It is desirable that after the first moisture content reaches a predetermined value, the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1 and printing be started. It is desirable that the predetermined value here is a value that is unlikely to affect the image quality of the fabric M due to an increase in the moisture content of the fabric M.

[0142] The fabric M is unwound from the roll R1. After being unwound from the roll R1, the second detection unit 42 detects the second moisture content of the printing surface Ma of the fabric M. The moisture applying unit 74 applies moisture to the outer surface M1a of the first round of the fabric M1. Because the fabric M is breathable, moisture passes through the fabric M even in the form of water vapor. Therefore, when moisture is applied to the first round of the fabric M1, moist air passes through the gaps in the weave of the fabric M, and moisture permeates through the fabric M as liquid water, so that a certain amount of moisture can also be applied to the fabric M in the second and subsequent rounds.

[0143] For the type of fabric M to be printed, it is desirable to measure in advance data relating to the relationship between the amount of moisture added when the moisture addition unit 74 adds moisture to the fabric M1 in the first rotation and the change in moisture content of the fabric M1 in the first rotation. This makes it possible to predict a range of moisture addition amounts within which the moisture content of the fabric M to be printed does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range. The moisture addition unit table 93c is then desirably constructed based on this data. The amount of moisture addition does not have to be the amount of moisture actually added to the fabric M. The amount of moisture addition may be a parameter that can adjust the amount of moisture addition. In this embodiment, the parameter that can adjust the amount of moisture addition is, for example, the temperature of the water contained in the tank 75. Therefore, for example, data relating to the relationship between the temperature of the water contained in the tank 75 when moisture is added to the fabric M1 in the first rotation and the change in moisture content of the fabric M1 in the first rotation may be measured in advance.

[0144] The difference between the output value of the detection result of the first detection unit 41 and the output value of the detection result of the second detection unit 42 corresponds to the amount of moisture imparted when moisture is imparted to the fabric M1 in the first round. That is, the control unit 90 can adjust the moisture content of the fabric M by controlling the moisture imparting unit 74 based on the detection results of the first detection unit 41 and the second detection unit 42 to adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body R1.

[0145] In this way, the moisture supplying unit 74 adjusts the moisture content of the fabric M so that it does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range according to the type of fabric M to be printed, thereby suppressing degradation of image quality.

[0146] The third detection unit 43 detects the humidity inside the storage unit 82. Based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of air circulating between the inside and outside of the storage unit 82. This makes it possible to prevent the humidity inside the storage unit 82 from becoming too high, which would result in too much moisture being applied to the fabric M.

[0147] For the type of fabric M to be printed, it is desirable to measure in advance data relating to the relationship between the humidity inside the storage section 82 in which the roll R1 is stored and the moisture content of the fabric M when left at that humidity for a long period of time. This makes it possible to predict whether the humidity inside the storage section 82 has risen too much. It is desirable to configure the intake and exhaust table 93e based on this data.

[0148] The first suction fan 48 and the first discharge fan 49 are arranged so that the air drawn into the storage section 82 by the first suction fan 48 passes near the roll R1 when it is discharged from the storage section 82 by the first discharge fan 49. This allows the air near the roll R1 to be replaced.

[0149] The sixth detection unit 46 detects the temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which is the contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric M. Based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43, the control unit 90 controls the cooling unit 55 so that the temperature detected by the sixth detection unit 46 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the steam in the storage unit 82. When the temperature of the air in the storage unit 82 falls below the dew point temperature, condensation occurs on the fabric M at the portion that comes into contact with the air in the storage unit 82. That is, moisture as liquid water is generated in the condensed portion. Then, because the moisture is absorbed by the fabric M, the moisture absorption rate can be faster than when the fabric M absorbs moisture as water vapor from the air. That is, the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 can be increased compared to when only the moisture applicator 74 imparts moisture to the roll R1.

[0150] For the type of fabric M to be printed, it is desirable to measure in advance data relating to the relationship between, for example, the temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which is the contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric M, the amount of moisture in the air, and changes in the moisture content of the fabric M. This makes it possible to supplement moisture addition by the moisture addition unit 74 and use the cooling unit table 93f to predict a temperature range of the outer surface 18a within which the moisture content of the fabric M to be printed does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range. It is then desirable to configure the cooling unit table 93f based on this data.

[0151] Since the liquid ejection device 11 is provided with multiple moisture-adding sections 74 in the width direction X along the rotation axis of the roll body R1, the control section 90 can adjust the range in which moisture is added in the width direction X along the rotation axis of the roll body R1.

[0152] The user selects the moisture removal mode when the moisture content of the fabric M is higher than a predetermined value. Because the fabric M is breathable, heat released from the moisture removal unit 85 is transmitted, and dry air also passes through the fabric M. Therefore, when moisture is removed from the fabric M1 in the first round, dry air passes through the gaps in the weave of the fabric M, and heat is transmitted through the fabric M, so that a certain amount of moisture can also be removed from the fabric M in the second and subsequent rounds. Note that the predetermined value here is a value that may affect the image quality of the fabric M due to the high moisture content of the fabric M.

[0153] For the type of fabric M to be printed, it is desirable to measure in advance data relating to the relationship between the amount of moisture removed by the moisture removing unit 85 when moisture is removed from the fabric M1 in the first rotation and the change in moisture content of the fabric M1 in the first rotation. This makes it possible to predict a range of moisture removal amounts within which the moisture content of the fabric M to be printed does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range. Therefore, it is desirable to configure the moisture removing unit table 93d based on this data. The amount of moisture removed does not have to be the amount of moisture actually removed from the fabric M. The amount of moisture removed may be a parameter that can adjust the amount of moisture removed. In this embodiment, the parameter that can adjust the amount of moisture removed is, for example, the number of heating plates 87 to be driven. Therefore, for example, data relating to the relationship between the number of heating plates 87 to be driven when moisture is removed from the fabric M1 in the first rotation and the change in moisture content of the fabric M1 in the first rotation may be measured in advance.

[0154] The difference between the output value of the detection result of the first detection unit 41 and the output value of the detection result of the second detection unit 42 corresponds to the amount of moisture removed when moisture is removed from the fabric M1 in the first round. That is, the control unit 90 can adjust the moisture content of the fabric M by controlling the moisture removing unit 85 based on the detection result of the first detection unit 41 and the detection result of the second detection unit 42 to adjust the amount of moisture removed from the roll body R1.

[0155] In this way, the moisture removal unit 85 adjusts the moisture content of the fabric M so that it does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range according to the type of fabric M to be printed, thereby preventing degradation of image quality.

[0156] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. The liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment provides the following effects.

[0157] (1) The liquid discharger 11 includes a holding unit 19 capable of holding a roll R1 around which the fabric M is wound, and a conveying unit 20 capable of unwinding the fabric M from the roll R1 and conveying the fabric M. The liquid discharger 11 also includes a discharge unit 31 capable of discharging a liquid onto the fabric M unwound from the roll R1, and a moisture applying unit 74 that applies moisture to the roll R1 held in the holding unit 19. When the moisture applying unit 74 applies moisture to the roll R1 around which the breathable fabric M is wound, the moisture applied to the fabric M1 in the first turn not only penetrates the fabric M as a liquid, but also passes through the fabric M as water vapor through the voids in the weave of the fabric M. Therefore, when moisture is applied to the fabric M1 in the first turn, a certain amount of moisture can be applied to the fabric M in the second and subsequent turns in a short time. This lengthens the time for which moisture is applied to the fabric M, so that a large amount of moisture can be applied to the fabric M before the liquid is discharged by the discharge section 31 within a limited time.

[0158] (2) The liquid discharge device 11 includes a first detection unit 41 capable of detecting a first moisture content on the surface of the roll R1, and a control unit 90 that controls the moisture supplying unit 74. The first detection unit 41 is capable of detecting the first moisture content on the surface of the roll R1, and the surface of the roll R1 is the surface of the fabric M before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture supplied to the roll R1 in accordance with an increase or decrease in the moisture content on the surface of the roll R1, it is possible to adjust the moisture content of the surface of the fabric M before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31 so that it does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range according to the type of fabric M to be printed.

[0159] (3) The liquid discharge device 11 includes a second detection unit 42 that can detect a second moisture content of the surface of the fabric M after it has been pulled out from the roll R1 and before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31. The first detection unit 41 is provided upstream of the moisture providing unit 74 in the rotation direction of the roll R1. Because the first detection unit 41 is provided upstream of the moisture providing unit 74 in the rotation direction of the roll R1, the first moisture content detected by the first detection unit 41 is the moisture content of the fabric M that has not come into contact with air but has been provided with moisture through other fabrics M in contact with the fabric M. When moisture is provided to the fabric M, after the first detection unit 41 detects the first moisture content, moisture is provided to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first round by the moisture providing unit 74. The second moisture content detected by the second detection unit 42 is the moisture content of the fabric M after moisture has been imparted from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn, and is also the moisture content of the surface of the fabric M before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31. The amount of moisture imparted to the fabric M from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn by the moisture imparting unit 74 can be calculated from the difference between the first moisture content and the second moisture content, thereby adjusting the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body R1.

[0160] (4) The liquid discharge device 11 includes a second detection unit 42 capable of detecting a second moisture content of the surface of the fabric M after it has been drawn off the roll R1 and before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31, and a control unit 90 that controls the moisture supplying unit 74. The second detection unit 42 detects the second moisture content of the surface of the fabric M after it has been drawn off the roll R1 and before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31. The control unit 90 then adjusts the amount of moisture to be supplied to the roll R1 in accordance with an increase or decrease in the moisture content of the surface of the fabric M before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31. This allows the moisture content of the surface of the fabric M before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit 31 to be adjusted so as not to deviate from a predetermined moisture content range appropriate for the type of fabric M to be printed.

[0161] (5) The liquid discharger 11 includes a storage unit 82 having an opening 83 through which the fabric M can pass and capable of storing a roll R1, and a third detector 43 capable of detecting the humidity inside the storage unit 82. The liquid discharger 11 also includes a first suction fan 48 that draws air into the storage unit 82 from outside the storage unit 82, and a first exhaust fan 49 that exhausts air from inside the storage unit 82 to outside the storage unit 82. Because the moisture imparting unit 74 imparts moisture to the roll R1 via the air inside the storage unit 82, if the humidity inside the storage unit 82 increases too much, the increase in the moisture content of the fabric M may not immediately stop even when the moisture imparting unit 74 is stopped. Even in such a case, the amount of air flowing between the inside and outside of the storage unit 82 is adjusted based on the humidity inside the storage unit 82, thereby suppressing the increase in the moisture content of the fabric M.

[0162] (6) The liquid discharge device 11 includes a shaft member 18 around which the fabric M is wound, a sixth detection unit 46 that detects the temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which serves as the contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric M, and a cooling unit 55 that cools the shaft member 18. When the shaft member 18 around which the fabric M is wound is cooled and the temperature of the outer surface 18a of the shaft member 18, which serves as the contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric M, falls below the dew point temperature, condensation occurs on the portion of the fabric M that comes into contact with the surrounding air. This increases the amount of moisture imparted to the fabric M from the surrounding air.

[0163] (7) The range in which moisture is applied to the roll R1 in the width direction X, which is the direction along the rotation axis of the roll R1, is adjusted depending on the range in which the liquid is ejected. For example, when moisture is applied to the fabric M, the state of bleeding when the liquid is ejected onto the fabric M changes. Therefore, the range in which moisture is required varies depending on the range in which the liquid is ejected. By adjusting the range in which moisture is applied to the roll R1, moisture is applied only to the range in which moisture is required, and therefore, less moisture can be used.

[0164] (8) The amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 in the width direction X, which is the direction along the rotation axis of the roll R1, is adjusted. This makes it possible to change the state of bleeding when the liquid is ejected onto the fabric M in the width direction X, which is the direction along the rotation axis of the roll R1. In other words, it is possible to change the print image quality in the width direction X, which is the direction along the rotation axis of the roll R1.

[0165] (9) The liquid discharge device 11 includes a moisture removal unit 85 that removes moisture from the roll R1 held by the holding unit 19. When the moisture removal unit 85 removes moisture from the roll R1 on which breathable fabric M is wound, dry air passes through the first turn of fabric M1 through the gaps in the weave of the first turn of fabric M1. Therefore, when moisture is removed from the first turn of fabric M1, a certain amount of moisture can also be removed from the second and subsequent turns of fabric M in a short period of time. This lengthens the time for which moisture is removed from the fabric M, allowing a large amount of moisture to be removed from the fabric M in a limited period of time before the discharge unit 31 discharges the liquid. In other words, the liquid discharge device 11 can impart a large amount of moisture to the fabric M in a limited period of time before the discharge unit 31 discharges the liquid, and can also remove a large amount of moisture in a limited period of time.

[0166] (Second embodiment) Since the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted. The liquid ejector 11 in the second embodiment does not include a first detector 41 or a second detector 42. The liquid ejector 11 in the second embodiment includes at least one of a fourth detector 44 and a fifth detector 45, which will be described later. The liquid ejector 11 in the second embodiment and the liquid ejector 11 in the first embodiment differ in the detector that detects the detection result based on which the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of water added or removed.

[0167] <Configuration of each part around the feeding section> As shown in FIG. 8 , the liquid discharger 11 may include a fourth detector 44. The fourth detector 44 is configured to detect the angular velocity of the roll R1 when the fabric M is being unwound from the roll R1. For example, a tachometer may be provided on the shaft member 18 of the roll R1, and the tachometer may detect the angular velocity of the roll R1. Alternatively, an encoder may be provided on the shaft member 18 of the roll R1 to detect the amount of rotation of the shaft member 18, and the control unit 90 may calculate the angular velocity of the roll R1 from the amount of rotation of the shaft member 18 per unit time. Alternatively, an encoder may be provided on the rotation shaft of the payout motor 17, or an encoder may be provided on one of the rotation shafts of the rotation mechanism connecting the shaft member 18 of the roll R1 and the payout motor 17. When the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is constant, if the angular velocity of the roll R1 when the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is small, the time that the outer surface M1a of the first turn of the fabric M1 is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 becomes long. In other words, the fourth detection unit 44 is a detection unit for detecting the length of time that the outer surface M1a of the first turn of the fabric M1 is in contact with the air in the storage section 82.

[0168] The liquid discharger 11 may include a fifth detection unit 45. The fifth detection unit 45 is configured to detect the diameter of the roll R1 when the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1. In this embodiment, the diameter of the roll R1 is detected by using an optical sensor to measure the distance between the optical sensor and the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn. Alternatively, the diameter of the roll R1 may be detected by detecting the position of a roller that is lightly pressed against the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 and configured to move in accordance with the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1. When the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is constant, if the diameter of the roll R1 is large when the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1, the time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn comes into contact with the air in the storage unit 82 will be longer. That is, the fifth detection unit 45 is a detection unit for detecting the length of time that the outer surface M1a of the first turn of fabric M1 is in contact with the air inside the storage unit .

[0169] Both the fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45 are detection units for detecting the length of time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first revolution is in contact with the air in the storage unit 82, and therefore, both are not used simultaneously. However, the liquid discharger 11 may be provided with both the fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45. For example, when the conveyance speed of the fabric M is constant and the surface of the fabric M has few irregularities, detecting the diameter of the roll R1 rather than detecting the angular velocity of the roll R1 can more accurately calculate the length of time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first revolution is in contact with the air in the storage unit 82. However, when the conveyance speed of the fabric M is constant and the surface of the fabric M has many irregularities, detection of the diameter of the roll R1 may not be stable. Therefore, the liquid ejection device 11 may be provided with both the fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45, and the fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45 may be used depending on the type of fabric M to be printed.

[0170] <About the control unit> As shown in Fig. 9, the control unit 90 controls each part of the liquid ejection device 11. The interface unit 91 transmits and receives data between the operation unit 80 and the control unit 90. The CPU 92 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire liquid ejection device 11. The memory unit 93 secures an area for storing programs for the CPU 92 and a working area. The CPU 92 controls each part of the liquid ejection device 11 in accordance with a control circuit 94.

[0171] For example, the operation modes of the liquid ejection device 11 include a moisture addition mode, a moisture removal mode, and a mode in which neither moisture addition nor moisture removal is performed. The user selects the operation mode from the operation unit 80.

[0172] The memory unit 93 stores a heating unit table 93a, an adhesive table 93b, a moisture application unit table 93c, a moisture removal unit table 93d, an intake / exhaust unit table 93e, and a cooling unit table 93f. A detector group 66 monitors the status inside the liquid discharger 11, and the control unit 90 controls each unit of the liquid discharger 11 based on the detection results. The detector group 66 includes a belt temperature detector 65, a third detector 43, a fourth detector 44, a fifth detector 45, a sixth detector 46, a water volume detector 78, and a water temperature detector 79. The detector group 66 includes at least one of the fourth detector 44 and the fifth detector 45.

[0173] In the description of the moisture addition unit table 93c and the moisture removal unit table 93d, the fourth detection unit 44 is used, out of the fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45. When the fifth detection unit 45 is used, the "fourth detection unit 44" in the following description can be read as the "fifth detection unit 45."

[0174] The memory unit 93 stores a moisture imparting unit table 93c that associates the output values ​​of the third and fourth detection units 43 and 44 with the target temperatures of the water stored in the tank 75 of the moisture imparting unit 74 that correspond to the output values. The third detection unit 43 detects the humidity of the air in the storage unit 82. The fourth detection unit 44 detects the length of time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage unit 82.

[0175] For example, based on the detection results of the third detection unit 43 and the fourth detection unit 44, the control unit 90 reads the target temperature of the water contained in the tank 75 from the moisture supply unit table 93c. Then, the control unit 90 adjusts the output of the heater 76 so that the output value of the water temperature detection unit 79 becomes the target temperature of the water contained in the tank 75.

[0176] When the user selects the moisture addition mode, the output value of the third detection unit 43 may be higher than a predetermined value. In such a case, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 81, and the operation mode of the liquid discharger 11 may automatically transition to a mode in which neither moisture addition nor moisture removal is performed. When the output value of the third detection unit 43 is higher than the predetermined value, the humidity inside the storage unit 82 is sufficiently high, and the control unit 90 can determine that there is no need to drive the moisture addition unit 74, which adds moisture to the fabric M.

[0177] The moisture applicator table 93c is configured so that when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is low, the target temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 is increased, and when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is high, the target temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 is decreased. That is, based on the detection result of the third detector 43, the controller 90 controls the moisture applicator 74 so that when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is low, the output of the heater 76 is increased, and when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is high, the output of the heater 76 is decreased. In this way, the controller 90 controls the moisture applicator 74 based on the detection result of the third detector 43, thereby adjusting the amount of moisture to be applied to the roll R1.

[0178] More specifically, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture added to the roll R1 so that the output value of the third detection unit 43 falls within a predetermined humidity range. The predetermined humidity range is a humidity range in which the moisture content of the fabric M stored in the humidity storage unit 82 falls within the predetermined moisture content range. The predetermined moisture content range is a moisture content range of the fabric M that can suppress degradation of image quality for the type of fabric M to be printed. In other words, the predetermined moisture content range is a moisture content range of the fabric M that is suitable for printing. The moisture content of the fabric M that is suitable for printing varies depending on the type of fabric M. The type of fabric M includes the type of material of the fabric M, the weave of the fabric M, the thickness of the fabric M, etc. Therefore, the predetermined humidity range for the output value of the third detection unit 43 varies depending on the type of fabric M. For example, the user selects the type of fabric M using the operation unit 80, and the predetermined humidity range for the output value of the third detection unit 43 is determined.

[0179] The moisture applicator table 93c is configured to increase the output of the heater 76 when the time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is short. The moisture applicator table 93c is configured to decrease the output of the heater 76 when the time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is long. Therefore, based on the detection result of the fourth detection section 44, the control section 90 controls the moisture applicator 74 to increase the output of the heater 76 when the time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is short. The control section 90 also controls the moisture applicator 74 to decrease the output of the heater 76 when the time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is long.

[0180] When the output of the heater 76 increases, the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 increases; when the output of the heater 76 decreases, the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 decreases. The temperature of the water stored in the tank 75 is adjusted by adjusting the output of the heater 76. The higher the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75, the greater the amount of steam generated per unit time; and the lower the temperature of the water stored in the tank 75, the less steam generated per unit time. Thus, the control unit 90 controls the moisture imparting unit 74 based on the detection result of the fourth detection unit 44, thereby adjusting the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 per unit time. This makes it possible to prevent changes in the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 even if the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage unit 82 changes.

[0181] The memory unit 93 stores a moisture removal unit table 93d that associates the output values ​​of the third detection unit 43 and the fourth detection unit 44 with the number of heating plates 87 to be driven in the moisture removal unit 85 corresponding to these output values. For example, based on the detection results of the third detection unit 43 and the fourth detection unit 44, the control unit 90 reads the number of heating plates 87 to be driven from the moisture removal unit table 93d. Then, the control unit 90 selects the heating plates 87 to be heated, and then drives the selected heating plates 87. By driving the selected heating plates 87, the amount of moisture removed from the fabric M by the moisture removal unit 85 is adjusted.

[0182] By adjusting the number of driven heating plates 87, the amount of moisture removed by the moisture removing unit 85 from the fabric M is adjusted. More specifically, as the number of driven heating plates 87 increases, the heat radiated from the radiation plates 86 increases, and as the number of driven heating plates 87 decreases, the heat radiated from the radiation plates 86 decreases. In other words, as the number of driven heating plates 87 increases, the moisture removing unit 85 removes more moisture from the fabric M, and as the number of driven heating plates 87 decreases, the moisture removing unit 85 removes less moisture from the fabric M.

[0183] When the user selects the moisture removal mode, the output value of the third detection unit 43 may be lower than a predetermined value. In such a case, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 81, and the operation mode of the liquid discharger 11 may automatically transition to a mode in which neither moisture addition nor moisture removal is performed. When the output value of the third detection unit 43 is lower than the predetermined value, the humidity inside the storage unit 82 is sufficiently low, and the control unit 90 can determine that there is no need to drive the moisture removal unit 85, which removes moisture from the fabric M.

[0184] The moisture removal unit table 93d is configured to drive a larger number of heating plates 87 when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is high, and a smaller number of heating plates 87 when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is low. That is, based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43, the control unit 90 controls the moisture removal unit 85 so that a larger number of heating plates 87 is driven when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is high, and a smaller number of heating plates 87 is driven when the humidity in the storage unit 82 is low. In this way, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1. More specifically, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture removed applied to the roll R1 so that the output value of the third detection unit 43 falls within a predetermined humidity range.

[0185] The moisture remover table 93d is configured to increase the number of heating plates 87 when the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is short. The moisture remover table 93d is configured to decrease the number of heating plates 87 when the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is long. Therefore, based on the detection result of the fourth detection section 44, the control unit 90 controls the moisture remover 85 to increase the number of heating plates 87 when the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is short. The control unit 90 also controls the moisture remover 85 to decrease the number of heating plates 87 when the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is long.

[0186] As the number of driven heating plates 87 increases, the heat radiated from the radiation plate 86 increases, and as the number of driven heating plates 87 decreases, the heat radiated from the radiation plate 86 decreases. That is, as the number of driven heating plates 87 increases, the moisture removal unit 85 removes more moisture from the fabric M per unit time, and as the number of driven heating plates 87 decreases, the moisture removal unit 85 removes less moisture from the fabric M per unit time. In this way, the control unit 90 controls the moisture removal unit 85 based on the detection result of the fourth detection unit 44, thereby adjusting the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 per unit time. This makes it possible to prevent changes in the amount of moisture removed from the roll R1 even if the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage unit 82 changes.

[0187] <Adjustment flow for the amount of moisture added> 10, when the operation mode of the liquid discharger 11 is the moisture imparting mode, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body R1 by controlling the moisture imparting unit 74. Only the parts that differ from the flow in the first embodiment will be explained.

[0188] In step S103, the control unit 90 determines whether printing has ended. If printing has ended, step S103 becomes YES, and the control unit 90 ends this flow. If printing has not ended, step S103 becomes NO, and the control unit 90 proceeds to step S104b.

[0189] In step S104b, the control unit 90 refers to the output value of the third detection unit 43 and the output value of either the fourth detection unit 44 or the fifth detection unit 45. Then, in step S105, the control unit 90 refers to the moisture supplying unit table 93c and determines the output of the heater 76. Then, in step S106, the control unit 90 drives the moisture supplying unit 74 with the determined output of the heater 76. In this way, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture supplied to the roll R1 by controlling the moisture supplying unit 74 based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43 and the detection result of either the fourth detection unit 44 or the fifth detection unit 45.

[0190] <Adjustment flow for moisture removal amount> 11, when the operation mode of the liquid ejection device 11 is the moisture removal mode, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture removed from the roll body R1 by controlling the moisture removal unit 85. Only the parts that differ from the flow in the first embodiment will be explained.

[0191] In step S203, the control unit 90 determines whether printing has ended. If printing has ended, step S203 becomes YES, and the control unit 90 ends this flow. If printing has not ended, step S203 becomes NO, and the control unit 90 proceeds to step S204b.

[0192] In step S204b, the control unit 90 refers to the output value of the third detection unit 43 and the output value of either the fourth detection unit 44 or the fifth detection unit 45. Then, in step S205, the control unit 90 refers to the moisture removal unit table 93d and determines the number of heating plates 87 to drive. Then, in step S206, the control unit 90 drives the moisture removal unit 85 with the determined number of heating plates 87. In this way, the control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture removed from the roll body R1 by controlling the moisture removal unit 85 based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43 and the detection result of either the fourth detection unit 44 or the fifth detection unit 45.

[0193] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, and therefore, the explanation of the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0194] It is desirable that the user measures the moisture content of the fabric M in the roll R1 around which the fabric M is wound, and then have the roll R1 held in the holding unit 19 within the storage unit 82. Then, it is desirable that the user selects the operating mode of the liquid ejection device 11 from the operation unit 80 in accordance with the moisture content measurement result. When the moisture content of the fabric M is lower than a predetermined value, the user selects the moisture addition mode. Note that the predetermined value here is a value at which the moisture content of the fabric M is low and may affect the image quality of the fabric M.

[0195] The control unit 90 starts controlling the operation of each unit in the liquid discharger 11. The third detection unit 43 detects the humidity inside the storage unit 82. Based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43, the control unit 90 controls the moisture imparting unit 74 to adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body R1.

[0196] Before printing starts, it is desirable that the roll R1, before the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1, be stored in the storage section 82 for a certain period of time, so that moisture can be applied to the roll R1 by the moisture applying section 74. Thereafter, it is desirable that the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1, and printing starts.

[0197] For the type of fabric M to be printed, it is desirable to measure in advance data relating to the relationship between, for example, the humidity inside the storage unit 82 in which the roll R1 is stored and the moisture content of the fabric M when left at that humidity for a long period of time. For example, it is desirable to measure in advance data relating to the relationship between the humidity inside the storage unit 82 in which the roll R1 is stored and the time it takes for moisture applied to the fabric M1 in the first rotation to affect the moisture content of the fabric M2 in the second rotation. As a result, if the time during which the fabric M1 in the first rotation is in contact with the air inside the storage unit 82 is detected, it is possible to predict the humidity range inside the storage unit 82 in which the moisture content of the fabric M to be printed falls within a predetermined moisture content range. Therefore, it is desirable to configure the moisture application unit table 93c based on that data.

[0198] The fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45 are detection units for detecting the length of time that the outer surface M1a of the first turn of the fabric M1 is in contact with the air inside the storage unit 82. That is, the control unit 90 can adjust the amount of moisture to be added to the roll R1 by controlling the moisture addition unit 74 based on the detection result of the third detection unit 43 and the detection result of at least one of the fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45.

[0199] In this way, the moisture supplying unit 74 adjusts the moisture content of the fabric M so that it falls within a predetermined moisture content range according to the type of fabric M to be printed, thereby preventing degradation of image quality.

[0200] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. In the liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment, the same effects as those (1) and (5) to (9) in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0201] (10) The liquid ejection device 11 includes a storage unit 82 having an opening 83 through which the fabric M can pass and capable of storing a roll R1, a third detection unit 43 capable of detecting the humidity inside the storage unit 82, and a control unit 90 that controls the moisture applying unit 74. The moisture applying unit 74 applies moisture to the roll R1 via the air inside the storage unit 82 in which the roll R1 is stored. The amount of moisture contained in the air inside the storage unit 82 depends on the humidity inside the storage unit 82. The control unit 90 adjusts the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 depending on the humidity inside the storage unit 82 in which the roll R1 is stored. This allows the moisture content of the surface of the fabric M before the liquid is ejected by the ejection unit 31 to be adjusted to fall within a predetermined moisture content range depending on the type of fabric M to be printed.

[0202] (11) The liquid discharge device 11 is equipped with a fourth detection unit 44 that can detect the angular velocity of the roll R1 when the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1. When the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is constant, if the angular velocity of the roll R1 when the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is small, the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn contacts the air in the storage unit 82 for a longer period of time. If the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn contacts the air in the storage unit 82 for a longer period of time, the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 increases. The fourth detection unit 44 is a detection unit that detects the angular velocity of the roll R1 and therefore detects the length of time that the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn contacts the air in the storage unit 82. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture added to the roll body R1 per unit time based on the detection results of the fourth detection unit 44, it is possible to prevent the amount of moisture added from changing even if the time that the roll body R1 is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 changes.

[0203] (12) The liquid discharge device 11 is equipped with a fifth detection unit 45 that can detect the diameter of the fabric M when it is being unwound from the roll R1. When the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is constant, if the diameter of the roll R1 when the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is large, the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn contacts the air in the storage unit 82 for a longer period of time. If the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn contacts the air in the storage unit 82 for a longer period of time, the amount of moisture imparted to the roll R1 increases. The fifth detection unit 45 is a detection unit that detects the diameter of the roll R1 and therefore detects the length of time the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn contacts the air in the storage unit 82. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture added to the roll body R1 per unit time based on the detection results of the fifth detection unit 45, it is possible to prevent the amount of moisture added from changing even if the time that the roll body R1 is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 changes.

[0204] <Modifications of the embodiment> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0205] 12 , in a first modified example of the first embodiment, the unwinding motor 17 rotates the shaft member 18 in the clockwise direction W2, causing the roll R1 to rotate in the clockwise direction W1, and the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1. In this modified example, the first detection unit 41 is provided upstream of both the moisture providing unit 74 and the moisture removing unit 85 in the rotation direction of the roll R1. More specifically, when moisture is provided to the fabric M1, the first moisture content is detected by the first detection unit 41, and then moisture is provided to the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn by the moisture providing unit 74. When moisture is removed from the fabric M1, the first moisture content is detected by the first detection unit 41, and then moisture is removed from the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn by the moisture removing unit 85. Therefore, the amount of moisture to be applied to the outer surface M1a, to which moisture will be applied, can be adjusted depending on the value of the first moisture content. In this modification, the first detection unit 41 detects the first moisture content of the surface opposite the printed surface Ma, and the second detection unit 42 detects the second moisture content of the printed surface Ma. Therefore, it is desirable that the detected value of the first moisture content be corrected for the difference in moisture content between the front and back surfaces.

[0206] 13 , in the second modified example of the first embodiment, the unwinding motor 17 rotates the shaft member 18 in the counterclockwise direction W1, causing the roll R1 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction W1, and thus the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1. In this modified example, the first detection unit 41 is provided downstream of both the moisture providing unit 74 and the moisture removing unit 85 in the rotation direction of the roll R1. More specifically, when moisture is provided to the fabric M1, the first moisture content of the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is detected by the first detection unit 41 after the moisture is provided by the moisture providing unit 74. When moisture is removed from the fabric M1, the first moisture content of the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is detected by the first detection unit 41 after the moisture is removed by the moisture removing unit 85. As a result, the first moisture content value detected by the first detection unit 41 and the second moisture content value detected by the second detection unit 42 become close to each other. In other words, even when the liquid discharger 11 includes the first detection unit 41 but does not include the second detection unit 42, the control unit 90 can obtain a value close to the second moisture content of the printing surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been pulled out from the roll R1 using the first detection unit 41. Therefore, the control unit 90 can adjust the amount of moisture to be imparted to the roll R1 based on the moisture content of the printing surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been pulled out from the roll R1 using the first detection unit 41.

[0207] 14 , in the third modified example of the first embodiment, the unwinding motor 17 rotates the shaft member 18 in the clockwise direction W2, causing the roll R1 to rotate in the clockwise direction W2, and thus the fabric M is pulled out from the roll R1. In this modified example, the first detection unit 41 is provided downstream of both the moisture providing unit 74 and the moisture removing unit 85 in the rotation direction of the roll R1. More specifically, when moisture is provided to the fabric M1, the first moisture content of the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is detected by the first detection unit 41 after the moisture is provided by the moisture providing unit 74. When moisture is removed from the fabric M1, the first moisture content of the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first turn is detected by the first detection unit 41 after the moisture is removed by the moisture removing unit 85. As a result, the first moisture content value detected by the first detection unit 41 and the second moisture content value detected by the second detection unit 42 become close to each other. That is, even when the liquid discharger 11 includes the first detection unit 41 but not the second detection unit 42, the control unit 90 can obtain a value close to the second moisture content of the printed surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been pulled out from the roll R1 using the first detection unit 41. Therefore, the control unit 90 can adjust the amount of moisture to be imparted to the roll R1 based on the moisture content of the printed surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been pulled out from the roll R1 using the first detection unit 41. In this modification, the first detection unit 41 detects the first moisture content of the surface opposite the printed surface Ma, and the second detection unit 42 detects the second moisture content of the printed surface Ma. Therefore, it is desirable to correct the detected value of the first moisture content for the difference in moisture content between the front and back surfaces.

[0208] In the first embodiment, the second detection unit 42 may detect the moisture content of the surface opposite the printed surface Ma of the fabric M after it has been unwound from the roll R1. When moisture is imparted to the fabric M1 in the first turn of the roll R1, moisture is also imparted to the fabric M2 in the second turn, so the time for moisture to be imparted is longer. This results in the moisture contents of the outer surface M1a and the inner surface M1b of the roll R1 being close to each other. Therefore, by detecting the moisture content of the surface opposite the printed surface Ma, a value close to the moisture content of the printed surface Ma can be obtained.

[0209] In the first embodiment, the liquid ejection device 11 may include two second detection units 42. One second detection unit 42 may detect the moisture content of the surface to be printed, and the other second detection unit 42 may detect the moisture content of the surface opposite the surface to be printed. For example, a thick fabric M may have a different moisture content on the surface to be printed and the surface opposite the surface to be printed. Even in such a case, the moisture addition unit 74 can be controlled so that both surfaces do not fall outside the predetermined moisture content range.

[0210] In the first embodiment, the liquid ejection device 11 may be equipped with at least one of the fourth detection unit 44 and the fifth detection unit 45. The control unit 90 can predict changes in the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body R1 as printing continues. In other words, the control unit 90 can predict whether the amount of moisture imparted will be excessive or insufficient as printing continues, and therefore can more accurately adjust the moisture content of the printing surface Ma.

[0211] In the second embodiment, the liquid ejector 11 may include the third detector 43, but may not include the fourth detector 44 and the fifth detector 45. For example, when the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first revolution is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 is sufficiently longer than the time that affects the moisture content of the fabric M2 in the second revolution, the time during which the outer surface M1a of the fabric M1 in the first revolution is in contact with the air in the storage section 82 has little effect. In other words, when the printing speed of the liquid ejector 11 is slow, the fourth detector 44 and the fifth detector 45 may not be included.

[0212] In the second embodiment, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a second detection unit 42. By controlling the humidity inside the storage unit 82, the second detection unit 42 can confirm whether the moisture content of the fabric M to be printed is within a predetermined moisture content range.

[0213] The control unit 90 may adjust the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 by controlling the moisture application unit 74 based on the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1. As the speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 slows, the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 per unit time increases. The speed at which the fabric M is unwound from the roll R1 is the conveying speed of the conveyor belt 22. Therefore, the control unit 90 can adjust the moisture content of the printing surface Ma by adjusting the amount of moisture applied to the roll R1 based on the conveying speed of the conveyor belt 22.

[0214] The control unit 90 may estimate the current diameter of the roll R1 from information about the roll R1, such as the diameter of the roll R1 and the thickness of the fabric M at the start of printing, and the transport distance from the start of printing.The control unit 90 may also estimate the current angular velocity of the roll R1 from information about the roll R1, such as the diameter of the roll R1 and the thickness of the fabric M at the start of printing, the transport distance, and the current transport speed.

[0215] A heater may be embedded in the wall of the storage section 82. When the humidity inside the storage section 82 becomes high, condensation occurs on the surface of the wall of the storage section 82, which can prevent a decrease in the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body R1.

[0216] The liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device 11 that ejects liquids other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected as minute droplets from the liquid ejection device 11 includes granular, teardrop-like, and string-like tails. The liquid referred to here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device 11. For example, the liquid may be any state in which a substance is in a liquid phase, including fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, ink encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device 11 include devices that eject liquids containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a device that ejects bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacture, a device used as a precision pipette to eject sample liquids, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a device that ejects lubricating oil with pinpoint accuracy onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquids such as ultraviolet-curing resins onto substrates to form micro-hemispherical lenses, optical lenses, and the like used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a device that ejects etching liquids such as acids or alkalis to etch substrates, etc.

[0217] <Technical ideas and effects understood from the embodiments and modified examples> The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0218] (A) The liquid ejection device includes a holding section capable of holding a roll body around which fabric is wound, a conveying section capable of pulling out the fabric from the roll body and conveying the fabric, an ejection section capable of ejecting liquid onto the fabric pulled out from the roll body, and a moisture imparting section that imparts moisture to the roll body held in the holding section.

[0219] According to this configuration, when the moisture applicator applies moisture to a roll body wound with breathable fabric, the moisture applied to the fabric in the first turn not only penetrates the fabric as a liquid, but also passes through the fabric as water vapor through the voids in the weave of the fabric. Therefore, when moisture is applied to the fabric in the first turn, a certain amount of moisture can be applied to the fabric in the second turn and thereafter in a short time. This extends the time that moisture is applied to the fabric, so that a large amount of moisture can be applied to the fabric in a limited time before the liquid is discharged by the discharger.

[0220] (B) The liquid ejection device includes a first detection unit capable of detecting a first moisture content on the surface of the roll body, and a control unit that controls the moisture imparting unit, wherein the moisture imparting unit is configured to be able to adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body, and the control unit may adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body by controlling the moisture imparting unit based on the detection result of the first detection unit.

[0221] According to this configuration, the first detection unit can detect a first moisture content on the surface of the roll body, and the surface of the roll body is the surface of the fabric before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture to be applied to the roll body in accordance with an increase or decrease in the moisture content on the surface of the roll body, it is possible to adjust the moisture content of the surface of the fabric before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit so that it does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range according to the type of fabric to be printed.

[0222] (C) The liquid ejection device may further include a second detection unit capable of detecting a second moisture content of the surface of the fabric after it has been pulled out from the roll body and before the liquid is ejected by the ejection unit, the first detection unit being provided upstream of the moisture imparting unit in the direction of rotation of the roll body, and the control unit may adjust the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body by controlling the moisture imparting unit based on the detection results of the first detection unit and the detection results of the second detection unit.

[0223] According to this configuration, the first detection unit is located upstream of the moisture imparting unit in the rotation direction of the roll body, and the first moisture content detected by the first detection unit is the moisture content of the fabric that has not come into contact with air but has been imparted moisture through other fabrics in contact with the fabric. When moisture is imparted to the fabric, the moisture imparting unit imparts moisture to the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn after the first detection unit detects the first moisture content. The second moisture content detected by the second detection unit is the moisture content of the fabric after moisture has been imparted to the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn, and is also the moisture content of the surface of the fabric before liquid is ejected by the ejection unit. The amount of moisture imparted to the roll body can be adjusted by calculating the amount of moisture imparted to the fabric by the moisture imparting unit from the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn based on the difference between the first moisture content and the second moisture content.

[0224] (D) The liquid ejection device includes a second detection unit capable of detecting a second moisture content of the surface of the fabric after it has been pulled out from the roll body and before the liquid is ejected by the ejection unit, and a control unit that controls the moisture application unit, wherein the moisture application unit is configured to be able to adjust the amount of moisture applied to the roll body, and the control unit may adjust the amount of moisture applied to the roll body by controlling the moisture application unit based on the detection result of the second detection unit.

[0225] According to this configuration, the second detection unit detects the second moisture content of the surface of the fabric after it has been drawn off the roll and before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture to be applied to the roll in accordance with an increase or decrease in the moisture content of the surface of the fabric before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit, it is possible to adjust the moisture content of the surface of the fabric before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit so that it does not deviate from a predetermined moisture content range appropriate for the type of fabric to be printed.

[0226] (E) The liquid ejection device may include a storage section having an opening through which the fabric can pass and capable of storing the roll body, a third detection section capable of detecting the humidity within the storage section, and a control section for controlling the moisture application section, wherein the moisture application section applies the moisture to the roll body via the air within the storage section, and the control section may adjust the amount of moisture applied to the roll body by controlling the moisture application section based on the detection result of the third detection section.

[0227] According to this configuration, the moisture imparting unit imparts moisture to the roll body via the air in the storage unit where the roll body is housed. The amount of moisture contained in the air in the storage unit depends on the humidity inside the storage unit. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture imparted to the roll body according to the humidity inside the storage unit where the roll body is housed, it is possible to adjust the moisture content of the surface of the fabric before the liquid is ejected by the ejection unit so that it falls within a predetermined moisture content range depending on the type of fabric to be printed.

[0228] (F) The liquid ejection device may include a fourth detection unit capable of detecting the angular velocity of the roll body when the fabric is pulled out from the roll body, and the control unit may adjust the amount of moisture to be added to the roll body per unit time by controlling the moisture addition unit based on the detection result of the fourth detection unit.

[0229] According to this configuration, when the speed at which the fabric is unwound from the roll is constant, if the angular velocity of the roll when the fabric is unwound from the roll is small, the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn will be in contact with the air in the storage section for a longer period of time. The longer the time that the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section, the more moisture is imparted to the roll. The fourth detection unit is a detection unit that detects the angular velocity of the roll and therefore the length of time that the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture imparted to the roll per unit time based on the detection result of the fourth detection unit, it is possible to prevent changes in the amount of moisture imparted to the roll even if the time that the roll is in contact with the air in the storage section changes.

[0230] (G) The liquid ejection device may include a fifth detection unit capable of detecting the diameter of the roll body when the fabric is pulled out from the roll body, and the control unit may adjust the amount of moisture to be added to the roll body per unit time by controlling the moisture addition unit based on the detection result of the fifth detection unit.

[0231] According to this configuration, when the speed at which the fabric is unwound from the roll is constant, if the diameter of the roll is large when the fabric is unwound from the roll, the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn will be in contact with the air in the storage section for a longer period of time. The longer the time that the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section, the more moisture is imparted to the roll. The fifth detection unit is a detection unit that detects the diameter of the roll and therefore the length of time that the outer surface of the fabric in the first turn is in contact with the air in the storage section. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of moisture imparted to the roll per unit time based on the detection result of the fifth detection unit, it is possible to prevent changes in the amount of moisture imparted to the roll even if the time that the roll is in contact with the air in the storage section changes.

[0232] (H) The liquid ejection device includes a storage section having an opening through which the fabric can pass and capable of storing the roll body, a third detection section capable of detecting the humidity inside the storage section, an intake section that draws air into the storage section from outside the storage section, and an exhaust section that exhausts air from inside the storage section to outside the storage section, wherein the moisture application section applies the moisture to the roll body through the air inside the storage section, and at least one of the intake section and the exhaust section is configured to be able to adjust the amount of air flowing through, and the control section may adjust the amount of air flowing through by controlling at least one of the intake section and the exhaust section based on the detection result of the third detection section.

[0233] With this configuration, since the moisture imparting unit imparts moisture to the roll body via the air in the storage unit, if the humidity in the storage unit increases too much, the increase in moisture content of the fabric may not immediately stop even when the moisture imparting unit is stopped.Even in such a case, the increase in moisture content of the fabric can be suppressed by adjusting the amount of air circulating between the inside and outside of the storage unit based on the humidity in the storage unit.

[0234] (I) The liquid ejection device may include a shaft member around which the fabric is wound, a sixth detection unit that detects the temperature of the contact surface of the shaft member that comes into contact with the fabric, and a cooling unit that cools the shaft member, wherein the moisture application unit applies the moisture to the roll body by applying steam to the roll body, and the control unit may control the cooling unit based on the detection result of the third detection unit so that the temperature detected by the sixth detection unit is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the steam in the storage unit.

[0235] According to this configuration, when the shaft member around which the fabric is wound is cooled and the temperature of the contact surface of the shaft member that comes into contact with the fabric falls below the dew point temperature, condensation occurs on the portion of the fabric M that comes into contact with the surrounding air. This allows the amount of moisture imparted to the fabric M from the surrounding air to be increased.

[0236] (J) The liquid ejection device includes a control unit that controls the moisture imparting unit, and the moisture imparting unit is configured to be able to adjust the range in which the moisture is imparted to the roll body in the width direction along the rotation axis of the roll body, and the control unit may adjust the range in which the moisture is imparted to the roll body in the width direction depending on the range in which the liquid is ejected in the width direction.

[0237] According to this configuration, the range of the roll body to which moisture is applied in the direction along the rotation axis of the roll body is adjusted depending on the range to which the liquid is ejected. For example, when moisture is applied to fabric, the state of bleeding when the liquid is ejected onto the fabric changes. Therefore, the range requiring moisture varies depending on the range to which the liquid is ejected. By adjusting the range to which moisture is applied to the roll body, moisture is applied only to the range requiring moisture, which allows for less moisture to be used.

[0238] (K) The liquid ejection device may include a moisture removal unit that removes moisture from the roll held by the holding unit. According to this configuration, when the moisture removal unit removes moisture from a roll of breathable fabric, dry air passes through the fabric through the gaps in the weave of the first turn of fabric. Therefore, when moisture is removed from the first turn of fabric, a certain amount of moisture can also be removed from the second turn and subsequent turns of fabric in a short period of time. This lengthens the time for moisture to be removed from the fabric, allowing a large amount of moisture to be removed from the fabric in a limited period of time before the discharge unit discharges liquid. In other words, according to this liquid discharge device, a large amount of moisture can be applied to the fabric in a limited period of time before the discharge unit discharges liquid, and a large amount of moisture can also be removed in a limited period of time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0239] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...casing, 16...feeding unit, 17...feeding motor, 18...shaft member, 18a...outer surface as a contact surface that comes into contact with the fabric, 18b...inner surface, 19...holding unit, 20...conveying unit, 21...conveying roller, 22...conveying belt, 22a...support surface, 22b...inner peripheral surface, 23...rotating roller, 24...driving roller, 25...adhesive layer, 26...winding unit, 30...printing unit, 31...ejecting unit, 32...carriage, 33...carriage moving unit, 34...nozzle row, 35...nozzle plate, 36...rotation center shaft, 37...roller, 38...roller, 39...arm, 40...rotation center shaft, 41 ...first detection unit, 41a...first detection unit, 41b...first detection unit, 41c...first detection unit, 42...second detection unit, 43...third detection unit, 44...fourth detection unit, 45...fifth detection unit, 46...sixth detection unit, 48...first intake fan as intake unit, 48a...first intake fan as intake unit, 48b...first intake fan as intake unit, 48c...first intake fan as intake unit, 49...first exhaust fan as exhaust unit, 49a...first exhaust fan as exhaust unit, 49b...first exhaust fan as exhaust unit, 49c...first exhaust fan as exhaust unit, 50...heating unit, 51...radiation plate, 52...heating Hot plate, 53...heating frame, 55...cooling section, 56...second intake fan, 58...cooling mechanism, 59...second exhaust fan, 60...pressure section, 61...pressure roller, 62...pressure roller drive section, 63...roller support section, 65...belt temperature detection section, 66...detector group, 67...shutter, 68...discharge port, 70...cleaning section, 71...cleaning tank, 72...cleaning roller, 73...movement mechanism section, 74...moisture supply section, 74a...moisture supply section, 74b...moisture supply section, 74c...moisture supply section, 75...tank, 76...heater, 78...water volume detection section, 79...water temperature detection section, 80...operation section, 81...display section, 82...collection Container portion, 83...opening, 85...moisture removal portion, 85a...moisture removal portion, 85b...moisture removal portion, 85c...moisture removal portion, 86...radiation plate, 87...heating plate, 87a...first heating plate, 87b...second heating plate, 87c...third heating plate, 87d...fourth heating plate, 88...heating frame, 90...control portion, 91...interface portion, 92...CPU, 93...memory portion, 93a...heating portion table, 93b...adhesive portion table, 93c...moisture application portion table, 93d...moisture removal portion table, 93e...intake and exhaust table, 93f...cooling portion table, 93g...printing data, 94...control circuit, M...fabric,Ma...printing surface, Mb...supported surface, M1...first round of fabric, M1a...outer surface, M1b...inner surface, M2...second round of fabric, M2a...outer surface, M2b...inner surface, R1...roll body, R2...roll body, S1...opening direction, S2...closing direction, W1...counterclockwise direction, W2...clockwise direction, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Z...gravity direction,

Claims

1. a holding section capable of holding a roll body around which the fabric is wound; a conveying unit that can draw out the fabric from the roll body and convey the fabric; a discharge unit capable of discharging a liquid onto the fabric pulled out from the roll body; a moisture imparting section that imparts moisture to the roll body held by the holding section.

2. a first detection unit capable of detecting a first moisture content on the surface of the roll body; a control unit that controls the moisture providing unit, the moisture applying unit is configured to be able to adjust the amount of moisture applied to the roll body, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit adjusts the amount of water to be applied to the roll body by controlling the water application unit based on the detection result of the first detection unit.

3. a second detection unit capable of detecting a second moisture content of the surface of the fabric after it has been pulled out from the roll body and before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit; the first detection unit is provided upstream of the moisture providing unit in the rotation direction of the roll body, The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit adjusts the amount of moisture to be applied to the roll body by controlling the moisture application unit based on the detection results of the first detection unit and the detection results of the second detection unit.

4. a second detection unit capable of detecting a second moisture content of the surface of the fabric after it has been pulled out from the roll body and before the liquid is discharged by the discharge unit; a control unit that controls the moisture providing unit, the moisture applying unit is configured to be able to adjust the amount of moisture applied to the roll body, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit adjusts the amount of water to be applied to the roll body by controlling the water application unit based on the detection result of the second detection unit.

5. a storage section having an opening through which the fabric can pass and capable of storing the roll body; a third detection unit capable of detecting humidity inside the storage unit; a control unit that controls the moisture providing unit, the moisture applying section applies the moisture to the roll body via the air in the storage section, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit adjusts the amount of water to be applied to the roll body by controlling the water application unit based on the detection result of the third detection unit.

6. a fourth detection unit capable of detecting an angular velocity of the roll body when the fabric is being unwound from the roll body; The liquid ejection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control unit adjusts the amount of moisture to be applied to the roll body per unit time by controlling the moisture application unit based on the detection result of the fourth detection unit.

7. a fifth detection unit capable of detecting a diameter of the roll body when the fabric is being unwound from the roll body; The liquid ejection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control unit adjusts the amount of moisture to be applied to the roll body per unit time by controlling the moisture application unit based on the detection result of the fifth detection unit.

8. a storage section having an opening through which the fabric can pass and capable of storing the roll body; a third detection unit capable of detecting humidity inside the storage unit; an intake section that draws air into the storage section from outside the storage section; an exhaust section that exhausts air from inside the storage section to outside the storage section, the moisture applying section applies the moisture to the roll body via the air in the storage section, At least one of the intake section and the exhaust section is configured to be able to adjust the amount of air flow, A liquid ejection device described in any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the control unit adjusts the circulation volume by controlling at least one of the suction unit and the discharge unit based on the detection result of the third detection unit.

9. a shaft member around which the fabric is wound; a sixth detection unit that detects the temperature of a contact surface of the shaft member that comes into contact with the fabric; a cooling unit that cools the shaft member, the moisture applying unit applies steam to the roll body to apply the moisture to the roll body, The liquid ejection device described in claim 8, characterized in that the control unit controls the cooling unit based on the detection result of the third detection unit so that the temperature detected by the sixth detection unit is below the dew point temperature of the vapor in the storage unit.

10. a control unit that controls the moisture providing unit, the moisture applying unit is configured to be able to adjust the range in which the moisture is applied in a width direction along the rotation axis of the roll body, 10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts the range in the width direction to which the moisture is applied to the roll body depending on the range in the width direction to which the liquid is ejected.

11. 11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising a moisture removal unit that removes moisture from the roll held by the holding unit.

Images