Recording device and conveying device

Abstract

To solve the problems that detection means of a conveyance belt is not simple and accuracy deteriorates.SOLUTION: A recording device includes a recording part capable of performing recording on media, a conveyance belt which has a surface capable of supporting the media and can convey the media, a cleaning part capable of cleaning the surface using a liquid, an ultrasonic sensor which transmits ultrasonic waves to the surface and can receive the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface, and a control part capable of determining a residual state of the liquid on the surface on the basis of a detection result of the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic waves to at least a part of the conveyance belt to the downstream of the cleaning part and the upstream of the recording part in a circulation direction of the conveyance belt.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a conveying apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a device that detects the residual state of cleaning liquid remaining on the surface of a conveyor belt that conveys a recording medium using a detection means such as an electrical resistance method, a capacitance method, an infrared method, or a microwave method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-63133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 does not have a simple means for detecting the cleaning liquid remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt, and there is a risk that the accuracy may be poor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device comprises a recording unit capable of recording on media, a conveyor belt having a surface capable of supporting the media and capable of conveying the media, a cleaning unit capable of cleaning the surface using liquid, an ultrasonic sensor capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the surface and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface, and a control unit capable of determining the remaining state of the liquid on the surface based on the detection results of the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the recording unit in the rotational direction of the conveyor belt.

[0006] The conveying device comprises a conveying belt capable of conveying media, a pressing section that presses the media against the surface of the conveying belt, a cleaning section that can clean the surface using liquid, and an ultrasonic sensor that includes a transmitting section that transmits ultrasonic waves to the surface, and a receiving section that receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface, and the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveying belt in the rotational direction of the conveying belt downstream of the cleaning section and upstream of the pressing section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of detection of cleaning fluid and foreign matter by an ultrasonic sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method performed by a control unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of a control method performed by the control unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transport device according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a transport device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions in the drawings will be described using a three-dimensional coordinate system in which the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to one another. Here, the direction along the X-axis is referred to as the X-direction, the direction along the Y-axis as the Y-direction, and the direction along the Z-axis as the Z-direction. For convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-direction will be referred to as the upward direction or simply "up," the negative direction as the downward direction or simply "down," the positive direction of the X-direction as the rightward direction or simply "right," the negative direction as the leftward direction or simply "left," and the positive direction of the Y-direction as the forward direction or simply "front," and the negative direction as the backward direction or simply "back."

[0009] 1. Recording device configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 1 includes a control unit 10, a memory unit 17, a first ultrasonic sensor 11, a second ultrasonic sensor 12, a recording unit 13, a conveying unit 14, a communication unit 15, an alarm unit 16, a cleaning unit 30, a first wiping unit 31, a second wiping unit 32, and a drying unit 33. In each embodiment described below, a first ultrasonic sensor 11, a second ultrasonic sensor 12, a first wiping section 31, a second wiping section 32, a drying section 33, etc. are selected and configured as shown in Fig. 1. The description will be made with reference to the drawings showing each embodiment.

[0010] 1-1. Configuration of the recording device according to the first embodiment 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls all the components of the recording device 1, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that manages input and output, and logic circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). The CPU is also simply called a processor. The storage unit 17 includes a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory. The CPU of the control unit 10 reads out programs such as firmware stored in the nonvolatile memory of the storage unit 17, and executes them using the RAM of the storage unit 17 as a working area.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a recording apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The medium M shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a long piece of fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers. A long piece of fabric is also called a raw roll. The recording apparatus 1 records on the medium M. Recording on fabric is also called textile printing, and the medium M is also called a printable material. The medium M may be plain paper, synthetic paper, film, or the like.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 2, the conveying unit 14 includes an endless conveying belt 20, a driving roller 14a, and a driven roller 14b. The conveying unit 14 rotates the driving roller 14a counterclockwise by a conveying motor (not shown), and the driven roller 14b also rotates counterclockwise following the driving roller 14a. The conveying belt 20, which is stretched between the driving roller 14a and the driven roller 14b, also rotates counterclockwise, which is the rotation direction. The driving and driven relationship between the driving roller 14a and the driven roller 14b may be reversed.

[0013] 2, when the drive roller 14a of the conveying unit 14 is taken as the starting point, the cleaning unit 30, the first ultrasonic sensor 11, the first wiping unit 31, and the recording unit 13 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. The reverse of this order is the order from downstream to upstream in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. In addition, in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20, the direction from the driven roller 14b to the drive roller 14a when the medium M is loaded is the forward direction, and the direction from the drive roller 14a to the driven roller 14b when the medium M is peeled off is the return direction.

[0014] As will be described later, glue, which is an adhesive having adhesive properties, is provided on the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and is capable of adhering the media M. The glue contains, for example, silicone resin. 2, the surface of the conveyor belt 20 that moves in the forward direction is referred to as the forward belt surface 20a, and the surface of the conveyor belt 20 that moves in the backward direction is referred to as the backward belt surface 20b. The forward belt surface 20a is the surface of the conveyor belt 20 that can support the media M.

[0015] The transport belt 20 can adhesively fix the medium M with glue, enabling stable transport. The transport belt 20 also allows the medium M to be easily peeled off after recording. The medium M is pulled out from the roll body M1 wound in a roll shape and is placed on the forward belt surface 20a of the transport unit 14 and transported toward the recording unit 13 under the control of the control unit 10. The conveying section 14 may also include a payout device that pulls out the media M from the roll body M1 at a position close to the driven roller 14b, and a take-up device that takes up the media M that has been peeled off from the forward belt surface 20a at a position close to the drive roller 14a.

[0016] 2, the recording unit 13 includes an inkjet head 13a and a carriage 13b. The carriage 13b includes a carriage motor. The recording device 1 can be equipped with ink cartridges or ink tanks that store ink of various colors, such as CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The recording unit 13 includes a supply mechanism that supplies ink to the head 13a from an ink cartridge or the like. The supply mechanism supplies ink of each color from an ink cartridge or the like to the corresponding nozzles in the head 13a.

[0017] The head 13a is mounted on a carriage 13b, and is driven by a carriage motor to move back and forth together with the carriage 13b over the medium M. The head 13a ejects ink from nozzles while moving over the medium M under the control of the control unit 10 based on recording data, thereby making it possible to record on the medium M. It should be noted that the ink colors may be any combination of four or more colors, including, for example, shading colors of CMYK. The head 13a may also be configured to include nozzles that eject penetrant liquid onto the medium M. The penetrant liquid is a liquid that promotes the ink adhering to the front surface of the medium M to permeate toward the rear surface.

[0018] The cleaning unit 30 is provided downstream of the recording unit 13 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20, downstream of the position where the conveyor belt 20 contacts the drive roller 14a. The cleaning unit 30 can remove ink, foreign matter, and the like adhering to the return belt surface 20b of the conveyor unit 14 from which the medium M has been peeled off after recording by the recording unit 13 has finished. The cleaning unit 30 includes a cleaning brush and a rotary brush motor (not shown) that rotates the cleaning brush. Under the control of the control unit 10, the cleaning unit 30 rotates the cleaning brush using the rotary brush motor while spraying a cleaning liquid, such as water, supplied to the cleaning brush, and brings the cleaning brush into contact with the return belt surface 20b to clean it.

[0019] The cleaning container 30a stores the cleaning liquid and drains it so that the liquid level remains constant. The cleaning brush of the cleaning unit 30 is immersed to a certain depth in the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning container 30a, and ink and foreign matter adhering to the cleaning brush are removed during cleaning. The cleaning brush may be a rotating brush, a cylindrical cloth or sponge, a paintbrush, or a plate of rubber or resin.

[0020] 2, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 includes a first transmitting unit 11a, which is a transmitter that transmits a transmission wave S, and a first receiving unit 11b, which is a receiver that receives a reception wave R. The first ultrasonic sensor 11 uses ultrasonic waves of, for example, 30 kHz to 10 MHz. The transmission wave S transmitted from the first transmitting unit 11a toward the return belt surface 20b is reflected by the return belt surface 20b and becomes a reception wave R, which can be received by the first receiving unit 11b. The first ultrasonic sensor 11 can detect the distance to the return belt surface 20b in a non-contact manner by utilizing the time from when the first transmitter 11a transmits the transmission wave S to when the first receiver 11b receives the reception wave R. The control unit 10 can easily and accurately determine the state of the return belt surface 20b by utilizing the fact that the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 differs depending on the state of the return belt surface 20b.

[0021] Specifically, when the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits a transmission wave S from the first transmitting unit 11a toward the return belt surface 20b, the received wave R that is reflected back by cleaning fluid or foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b is received by the first receiving unit 11b in a shorter time and over a shorter distance than when there is no cleaning fluid or foreign matter on the return belt surface 20b. The control unit 10 can determine the state of the return belt surface 20b, such as the presence of cleaning fluid or foreign matter, based on the difference in the distance detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11.

[0022] Here, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 of the first embodiment will be described in comparison with other detection methods. When a detector using, for example, an electrical resistance type or a capacitance type is used to detect the cleaning liquid or foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b, it is necessary to bring the electrodes into contact with the cleaning liquid, foreign matter, etc. It is difficult to make these detectors appropriately bring the electrodes into contact with the cleaning liquid, foreign matter, etc. remaining at any location on the return belt surface 20b. Furthermore, because the electrical resistance and capacitance vary depending on the impurities and foreign matter, such as ink, contained in the cleaning solution, these detectors may not be able to detect accurately. Also, if the electrodes of these detectors become contaminated by impurities or foreign matter, accurate detection may not be possible. Users will also need to perform maintenance such as removing impurities and foreign matter from the detector electrodes.

[0023] Furthermore, for example, when an infrared detector is used, it is susceptible to the effects of ambient light, and therefore components that block ambient light are required. Furthermore, with such detectors, if the cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b contains impurities or foreign matter, the infrared light is absorbed or blocked, making it difficult for the infrared light to pass through. In particular, it is susceptible to the effects of ink contained in the cleaning liquid. On the other hand, if the cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b does not contain many impurities or foreign matter, the infrared light passes through easily. Thus, with such detectors, there is a risk that the detector will be affected by impurities or foreign matter in the cleaning liquid and will not be able to perform accurate detection.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, when a microwave detector is used, shielding components are required to prevent microwaves, which are electromagnetic waves, from leaking to the outside. Such detectors also require noise countermeasures for their internal circuits to prevent the effects of electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, microwaves can heat and alter the moisture contained in cleaning solutions and foreign objects, potentially resulting in inaccurate detection. In each embodiment including the first embodiment, by using at least one of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the second ultrasonic sensor 12, ultrasonic waves that can be detected without contact can be used to prevent or suppress problems that occur with the other types of detectors described above, and the condition of the return belt surface 20b, such as remaining cleaning fluid or foreign matter, can be detected more easily and accurately.

[0025] The first ultrasonic sensor 11 is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and detect a detection region of the return belt surface 20b, which is at least a portion of the belt surface 20b from downstream of the cleaning unit 30 to upstream of the recording unit 13 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. As shown in FIG. 2, when the first wiping unit 31 is provided downstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can detect at least a portion of the belt surface 20b from downstream of the cleaning unit 30 to upstream of the first wiping unit 31. The first ultrasonic sensor 11 detects the distance to the return belt surface 20b in the detection area after cleaning by the cleaning unit 30. The control unit 10 can determine the state of the return belt surface 20b, such as whether cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b, based on the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11.

[0026] The detection distance and sensitivity of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can be adjusted by the output power of the transmission wave S of the first transmitter 11a. As described above, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 is configured to detect the return belt surface 20b without contact and to adjust the detection distance. Therefore, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 need only be located in a position where it can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from the detection area of ​​the conveyor belt 20, and does not have to be located in the position shown in Fig. 2. For example, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 may be located upstream of the cleaning unit 30 or downstream of the first wiping unit 31.

[0027] Here, with reference to FIG. 3, an example in which the control unit 10 determines the state of the return belt surface 20b based on the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 will be described. The first ultrasonic sensor 11 can detect the distance D to the return belt surface 20b, which is the target of detection, based on the speed of the ultrasonic waves used and the time from transmitting the transmission wave S to receiving the reception wave R. In addition, the control unit 10 may control the first ultrasonic sensor 11 to transmit a transmission wave S and receive a reception wave R, obtain the time between them, and calculate the distance D to the return belt surface 20b based on the speed of the ultrasonic waves.

[0028] Figure 3 shows two different states of the return belt surface 20b. As shown in Figure 3, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits a transmission wave S toward the return belt surface 20b using the first transmitting unit 11a. The transmission wave S is reflected and becomes a reception wave R, which is received by the first receiving unit 11b. 3, the distance from the position of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 to the return belt surface 20b to be detected is defined as the distance D detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11. The position of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 is defined as (distance D=0).

[0029] 3 shows a state where no cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b. When no cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits a transmission wave S toward the return belt surface 20b from the first transmitting unit 11a. The transmission wave S is reflected by the return belt surface 20b itself and becomes a received wave R, which is received by the first receiving unit 11b. When no droplets W of cleaning liquid remain on the return belt surface 20b, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can detect the distance D from the position of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 to the return belt surface 20b as the first distance D1 based on the time from transmitting the transmission wave S to receiving the reception wave R reflected by the surface of the return belt surface 20b. Note that when an adhesive layer is provided on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 by applying an adhesive to the surface of the conveyor belt 20, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can detect the distance D from the position of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 to the return belt surface 20b as the first distance D1 based on the time from transmitting the transmission wave S to receiving the reception wave R reflected by the surface of the adhesive layer.

[0030] The right side of Fig. 3 shows a state in which cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b. As an example, assume that droplets W of cleaning fluid remain on the return belt surface 20b. In this case, when the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits a transmission wave S toward the return belt surface 20b using the first transmitting unit 11a, the transmission wave S is reflected by the droplets W remaining on the return belt surface 20b, becomes a reception wave R, and is received by the first receiving unit 11b. When droplets W of cleaning liquid remain on the return belt surface 20b, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can detect the distance D from the position of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 to the return belt surface 20b as a second distance D2 based on the time from transmitting the transmission wave S to receiving the reception wave R reflected by the droplets W. Note that the second distance D2 is smaller than the first distance D1.

[0031] The first distance D1 can be stored in the storage unit 17 in advance by detecting the return belt surface 20b with the first ultrasonic sensor 11 in a state where no cleaning liquid or foreign matter remains. Furthermore, as described below, the user can store a predetermined threshold value TH different from the first distance D1 in the memory unit 17 using the touch panel of the notification unit 16 or the external device 3 described below so that the control unit 10 can use it when determining the state of the return belt surface 20b.

[0032] The control unit 10 compares the distance D detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 with a first distance D1, which is a predetermined distance stored in the memory unit 17, or with a threshold value TH, and can determine that droplets W remain on the return belt surface 20b when the distance D<first distance D1 or the distance D<threshold value TH. Similarly, when a foreign object or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b instead of the droplets W, the control unit 10 compares the distance D when the foreign object or the like is detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 with the first distance D1 or the threshold value TH, and can determine that a foreign object or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b when the distance D<first distance D1 or the distance D<threshold value TH. Furthermore, the control unit 10 can notify information that cleaning fluid, foreign matter, or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b by using the notification unit 16 described below. On the other hand, when the distance D is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 or the distance D is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH, the control unit 10 can determine that no cleaning liquid containing droplets W or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b. In this case, the control unit 10 can notify the notification unit 16 that no cleaning liquid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 2, the description of the configuration of the recording unit 13 will be continued. The conveyor belt surface 20b cleaned by the cleaning unit 30 is subjected to a process in which residual cleaning liquid and foreign matter are wiped off by the first wiping unit 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the first wiping unit 31 is provided downstream of the cleaning unit 30 and upstream of the recording unit 13 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. The first wiping unit 31 is configured to include a first wiping blade 31a and a first adjustment unit 31b. The first wiping blade 31a may be made of wiper-shaped rubber or plate-shaped resin. The first wiping blade 31a is configured to wipe the moving return belt surface 20b while its tip is in contact with the return belt surface 20b as the conveyor belt 20 moves. The first adjustment unit 31b is configured to be able to adjust the position of the first wiping blade 31a up and down under the control of the control unit 10.

[0034] The control unit 10 controls the position of the first wiping blade 31a using the first adjustment unit 31b depending on the state of the return belt surface 20b, which is the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11, and can adjust the load when the first wiping blade 31a comes into contact with the return belt surface 20b. As the position of the first wiping blade 31a rises, the load with which the first wiping blade 31a contacts the return belt surface 20b increases, resulting in stronger rubbing. As the position of the first wiping blade 31a descends, the load with which the first wiping blade 31a contacts the return belt surface 20b decreases, resulting in weaker rubbing. In this way, the control unit 10 can adjust the wiping state of the first wiping blade 31a relative to the return belt surface 20b by controlling the position of the first wiping blade 31a using the first adjustment unit 31b.

[0035] As described above, as the load of the first wiping blade 31a contacting the return belt surface 20b increases, the effectiveness of wiping off the cleaning fluid and foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b increases, but the glue on the return belt surface 20b becomes more likely to wear out. The control unit 10 controls the first adjustment unit 31b to place the first wiping blade 31a at a predetermined position where it can contact the return belt surface 20b with a predetermined load. The control unit 10 controls the first adjustment unit 31b according to the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11, and can increase or decrease the load of the first wiping blade 31a on the return belt surface 20b.

[0036] Specifically, when the control unit 10 determines based on the detection results of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 that there is little cleaning liquid or foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b, it controls the first adjustment unit 31b to move the position of the first wiping blade 31a of the first wiping unit 31 downward continuously or in stages from a predetermined position. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that there is a large amount of cleaning liquid or foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b, it controls the first adjustment unit 31b to move the position of the first wiping blade 31a of the first wiping unit 31 upward continuously or in stages from a predetermined position. The control unit 10 can continuously or stepwise increase or decrease the load of the first wiping blade 31a on the return belt surface 20b in accordance with the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11. The control unit 10 can control the first wiping unit 31 in accordance with the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11, and can appropriately remove remaining cleaning liquid and foreign matter while suppressing wear of the glue on the return belt surface 20b.

[0037] The communication unit 15 shown in Fig. 1 is configured to include a communication circuit capable of wired or wireless communication with the external device 3. The external device 3 is, for example, a computer or a server. The communication unit 15 receives recording data to be recorded on the medium M from the external device 3. The recording data may be stored in the storage unit 17, or may be read from the storage medium by a reading device provided in the storage unit 17.

[0038] As described above, the communication unit 15 can receive the threshold value TH from the external device 3 by the user. The control unit 10 stores the threshold value TH received by the communication unit 15 in the storage unit 17 and can use it when determining the state of the return belt surface 20b.

[0039] 1, the recording device 1 includes a notification unit 16 that includes a touch panel. The notification unit 16 may include a speaker. Specifically, the notification unit 16 can notify the user of information by displaying a message on the touch panel or by outputting a sound from the speaker. The threshold value TH can also be set by the user via the touch panel of the notification unit 16. The control unit 10 can also store in the storage unit 17 the threshold value TH acquired via the touch panel.

[0040] As described above, the control unit 10 compares the distance D detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 with the first distance D1 or threshold value TH stored in the memory unit 17, and when the distance D<first distance D1 or the distance D<threshold value TH, the notification unit 16 can notify the user that cleaning fluid, foreign matter, etc. remains on the return belt surface 20b. In addition, if the distance D is greater than or equal to the first distance D1 or the distance D is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH, the control unit 10 determines that no cleaning liquid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b, and can also notify the notification unit 16 of the fact that no cleaning liquid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b.

[0041] 1-2. Configuration of the recording device according to the second embodiment The recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 4 differs from the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 in that a second wiping unit 32 is provided downstream of the cleaning unit 30 and upstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. As described above, the other components of the recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, including the reference numerals, are the same as those of the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] The second wiping section 32 shown in FIG. 4 has the same configuration as the first wiping section 31 described above, and includes a second wiping blade 32a and a second adjustment section 32b. In the rotational direction of the conveying belt 20, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the return belt surface 20b from downstream of the second wiping section 32 to upstream of the recording section 13 and upstream of the first wiping section 31, and can detect them. The control unit 10 controls the second adjustment unit 32b to place the second wiping blade 32a at a predetermined position where it can contact the return belt surface 20b with a predetermined load. As with the first wiping unit 31 described above, the control unit 10 controls the second adjustment unit 32b in accordance with the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 to increase or decrease the load of the second wiping blade 32a on the return belt surface 20b.

[0043] The control unit 10 can control the upstream second wiping unit 32 to wipe the return belt surface 20b, and can further control the downstream first wiping unit 31 to wipe the return belt surface 20b, depending on the detection result by the first ultrasonic sensor 11. The control unit 10 can, by the first wiping unit 31 and the second wiping unit 32, appropriately remove cleaning liquid and foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b cleaned by the cleaning unit 30, while suppressing consumption of glue on the return belt surface 20b.

[0044] The second wiping portion 32 may not have the second adjustment portion 32b, and the second wiping blade 32a may be kept at a predetermined position where it can come into contact with the return belt surface 20b with a predetermined load. The return belt surface 20b cleaned by the cleaning unit 30 has the cleaning liquid and foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b wiped away by the second wiping blade 32a of the second wiping unit 32 installed at a predetermined position.

[0045] The control unit 10 detects the return belt surface 20b wiped by the upstream second wiping unit 32 using the first ultrasonic sensor 11, and based on the detection result, controls the first adjustment unit 31b of the downstream first wiping unit 31 to increase or decrease the load of the first wiping blade 31a on the return belt surface 20b. Specifically, the control unit 10 compares the distance D detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 with the first distance D1 or threshold value TH stored in the memory unit 17, and when the distance D<first distance D1 or the distance D<threshold value TH, the control unit 10 controls the first adjustment unit 31b of the downstream first wiping unit 31 to increase the load of the first wiping blade 31a on the return belt surface 20b. When cleaning liquid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b wiped by the second wiping section 32 at a predetermined position upstream, the control section 10 controls the first adjustment section 31b of the first wiping section 31 downstream to properly remove the cleaning liquid or foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b.

[0046] 1-3. Configuration of the recording device according to the third embodiment The recording apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5 differs from the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 in that it includes a drying unit 33 instead of the first wiping unit 31. As described above, the other components of the recording apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, including the reference numerals, are the same as those of the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] The drying unit 33 is provided downstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and upstream of the recording unit 13 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. In the rotation direction of the conveying belt 20, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the return belt surface 20b from downstream of the cleaning section 30 to upstream of the recording section 13 and upstream of the drying section 33, and can detect them. The drying unit 33 includes at least one of a blower and a heater. The drying unit 33 can dry the cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b cleaned by the cleaning unit 30 in a non-contact manner by using at least one of the airflow from the blower and the heat from the heater.

[0048] The control unit 10 can control the output of the blower of the drying unit 33, such as the air volume per unit time or the wattage of the heater, based on the state of the return belt surface 20b detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11, and can appropriately adjust the drying state of the return belt surface 20b. For example, when the first ultrasonic sensor 11 determines that there is or is a large amount of cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b, the control unit 10 can increase the air volume of the drying unit 33 or the heater output. Specifically, the control unit 10 compares the distance D detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 with the first distance D1 or threshold value TH stored in the memory unit 17, and when the distance D<first distance D1 or the distance D<threshold value TH, the control unit 10 can increase the air volume of the drying unit 33 or the heater output. On the other hand, when the first ultrasonic sensor 11 determines that there is no or little cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b, the control unit 10 can reduce the air volume of the drying unit 33 or the heater output.

[0049] 1-4. Configuration of the recording device according to the fourth embodiment The recording apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 6 differs from the recording apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5 in the position of the drying unit 33. The drying unit 33 is provided downstream of the cleaning unit 30 and upstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. As described above, the other components of the recording apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment, including the reference numerals, are the same as those of the recording apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] In the rotation direction of the conveying belt 20, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the return belt surface 20b from downstream of the cleaning section 30 and downstream of the drying section 33 to upstream of the recording section 13, and can detect them. For example, suppose that the control unit 10 determines, using the first ultrasonic sensor 11, that there is or is a large amount of cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b that has been cleaned by the cleaning unit 30 and dried by the drying unit 33. In this case, the control unit 10 can notify the user, via the notification unit 16, that cleaning liquid or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b after the drying process by the drying unit 33. The user can instruct the control unit 10 of the recording apparatus 1 to increase the air volume of the drying unit 33 or the heater output by operating the touch panel of the notification unit 16 or the external device 3.

[0051] On the other hand, the control unit 10 determines that there is no or only a small amount of cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b that has been cleaned by the cleaning unit 30 and dried by the drying unit 33, using the first ultrasonic sensor 11. In this case, the control unit 10 can notify the user, via the notification unit 16, that there is no cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b after the drying process by the drying unit 33. The user can know that no further operation is required for the recording device 1 and that the recording device 1 can be used continuously.

[0052] 1-5. Example of a method for controlling a recording device An example of a method for controlling the recording device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and also to FIGS. The control unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 acquires the record data from the external device 3 via the communication unit 15, or acquires the record data from the storage unit 17 in response to a user's operation on the touch panel of the notification unit 16. When the control unit 10 acquires the recording data, it causes the transport unit 14 to transport the medium M (S101). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 10 drives the drive roller 14a of the transport unit 14 to rotate the transport belt 20 in the circumferential direction. Glue is provided on the surface of the transport belt 20, and the forward belt surface 20a can transport the medium M by adhesively fixing it thereto.

[0053] When the control unit 10 causes the transport unit 14 to transport the medium M to the position of the recording unit 13, the recording unit 13 records the data on the medium M based on the recording data. As will be described later, this process is not performed in the case of the transport device 2. The control unit 10 can further cause the transport unit 14 to transport the medium M, and can peel the medium M on which recording by the recording unit 13 has finished from the forward belt surface 20a. The return belt surface 20b from which the media M has been peeled off is cleaned by the cleaning unit 30. The cleaning unit 30 can remove ink, foreign matter, and the like adhering to the return belt surface 20b.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to a detection area on the return belt surface 20b, which is at least a portion of the detection area extending from downstream of the cleaning unit 30 to upstream of the recording unit 13 in the rotational direction of the conveyor belt 20, and detects the ultrasonic waves. The first ultrasonic sensor 11 detects the distance D to the return belt surface 20b (S102). The control unit 10 compares the distance D detected by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 with a first distance D1, which is a predetermined distance stored in the memory unit 17, or a threshold value TH (S103).

[0055] 3, for example, when droplets W of cleaning liquid remain on the return belt surface 20b, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 detects the second distance D2. On the other hand, when no cleaning liquid remains on the return belt surface 20b, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 detects the first distance D1. The second distance D2 is smaller than the first distance D1. When the control unit 10 determines that the distance D<the first distance D1 or the distance D<the threshold value TH (S103: YES), it can determine that cleaning fluid, foreign matter, etc. remains on the return belt surface 20b. Then, the control unit 10 can cause the notification unit 16, the first wiping unit 31, or the drying unit 33 to operate (S104). On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the distance D is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 or the distance D is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (S103: NO), it can determine that no cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b. The control unit 10 continues detecting the distance D to the return belt surface 20b using the first ultrasonic sensor 11 (S102).

[0056] The operation (S104) performed by the notification unit 16, the first wiping unit 31, or the drying unit 33 when the control unit 10 determines that cleaning fluid, foreign matter, etc. remains on the return belt surface 20b will be described in detail below.

[0057] In the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a first wiping unit 31 is provided downstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. When the control unit 10 determines that cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b, it controls the first adjustment unit 31b of the first wiping unit 31 to move the position of the first wiping blade 31a upward and increase the load on the return belt surface 20b. In this way, the control unit 10 can promote the removal of cleaning fluid and foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b.

[0058] In the recording device 1 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 4, a second wiping section 32 is installed upstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 in the rotation direction of the conveying belt 20, and a first wiping section 31 is installed downstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11. When the control unit 10 determines that cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b, it controls at least the first adjustment unit 31b of the first wiping unit 31 to move the position of the first wiping blade 31a upward and increase the load on the return belt surface 20b. Note that the control unit 10 may also control the second adjustment unit 32b of the second wiping unit 32 to move the position of the second wiping blade 32a upward as well and increase the load on the return belt surface 20b.

[0059] In the recording apparatus 1 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a drying unit 33 is provided downstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. When the control unit 10 determines that cleaning liquid remains on the return belt surface 20b, it controls the drying unit 33 to increase the air volume or heater output. In this way, the control unit 10 can promote drying of the cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b.

[0060] In the recording apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a drying unit 33 is installed upstream of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. When the control unit 10 determines that cleaning liquid remains on the return belt surface 20b, the notification unit 16 notifies the user of information that cleaning liquid or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b after the drying process by the drying unit 33. The user can instruct the recording device 1 to increase the air volume of the drying unit 33 or the heater output by operating the touch panel of the notification unit 16 or the external device 3. As described above, when the control unit 10 determines that cleaning fluid, foreign matter, etc. remains in the cleaning device, it can perform at least one of the above-mentioned operations by the notification unit 16, the first wiping unit 31, or the drying unit 33.

[0061] 1-6. Configuration of the recording device according to the fifth embodiment The recording apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 differs from the recording apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in that it is provided with a second ultrasonic sensor 12 as another ultrasonic sensor downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the drying section 33 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. Furthermore, the recording device 1 according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 differs from the recording device 1 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that it has a second ultrasonic sensor 12 instead of the first ultrasonic sensor 11, and further has a first ultrasonic sensor 11 as another ultrasonic sensor downstream of the drying section 33 and upstream of the recording section 13 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. That is, in the recording device 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the second ultrasonic sensor 12 is disposed upstream of the drying unit 33 in the rotation direction, and further, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 is disposed downstream of the drying unit 33 in the rotation direction. Therefore, when the first ultrasonic sensor 11 is considered to be an ultrasonic sensor, the second ultrasonic sensor 12 can be regarded as another ultrasonic sensor relative to the first ultrasonic sensor 11. Furthermore, when the second ultrasonic sensor 12 is considered to be an ultrasonic sensor, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can be regarded as another ultrasonic sensor relative to the second ultrasonic sensor 12. As described above, the other components of the recording device 1 according to the fifth embodiment are similar to those of the recording device 1 according to the third and fourth embodiments, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] The second ultrasonic sensor 12, which is arranged upstream of the drying section 33 in the rotation direction of the conveying belt 20, has the same configuration as the first ultrasonic sensor 11, which is arranged downstream of the drying section 33, and is configured to include a second transmitting section 12a, which is a transmitter that transmits the transmitted wave S, and a second receiving section 12b, which is a receiver that receives the received wave R. The second ultrasonic sensor 12 is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the return belt surface 20b in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20, from downstream of the cleaning unit 30 to upstream of the recording unit 13 and upstream of the drying unit 33, and is therefore capable of detecting the ultrasonic waves. The first ultrasonic sensor 11 is also capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the return belt surface 20b, from downstream of the drying unit 33 to upstream of the recording unit 13, and is therefore capable of detecting the ultrasonic waves.

[0063] The second ultrasonic sensor 12 detects the return belt surface 20b that has been subjected to cleaning processing by the cleaning unit 30. The control unit 10 compares the distance DA, which is the distance D detected by the second ultrasonic sensor 12, with the first distance D1, which is a predetermined distance stored in the memory unit 17, or with the threshold value TH, and can determine that cleaning fluid, foreign matter, etc. remains on the return belt surface 20b when the distance DA<the first distance D1 or the distance DA<the threshold value TH. When the control unit 10 determines that cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b, it can control the air volume of the drying unit 33 or the heater output to increase. On the other hand, when the distance DA≧the first distance D1 or the distance DA≧the threshold value TH, the control unit 10 can determine that no cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b.

[0064] The first ultrasonic sensor 11 detects the return belt surface 20b that has been subjected to a drying process by the drying unit 33. As in the case of the second ultrasonic sensor 12, the control unit 10 compares the detected distance D, which is a distance DB, with a first distance D1 or a threshold value TH, which is a predetermined distance stored in the memory unit 17, and can determine that cleaning liquid, foreign matter, or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b when the distance DB<first distance D1 or the distance DB<threshold value TH. On the other hand, when the distance DB≧the first distance D1 or the distance DB≧the threshold value TH, the control unit 10 can determine that no cleaning fluid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b.

[0065] Next, the control unit 10 compares the distance DA detected by the upstream second ultrasonic sensor 12 and the distance DB detected by the downstream first ultrasonic sensor 11 with the first distance D1 or a threshold value TH. When the distance DA is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 and the distance DB is equal to or greater than the first distance D1, the control unit 10 can determine that no cleaning liquid or foreign matter remains on the return belt surface 20b upstream or downstream of the drying unit 33 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. The control unit 10 may make this determination based on a threshold value TH instead of the first distance D1.

[0066] When the distance DA<the first distance D1 and the distance DB<the first distance D1, the control unit 10 can determine that cleaning liquid, foreign matter, etc. remain on the return belt surface 20b upstream and downstream of the drying unit 33 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. Furthermore, when the distance DA<the distance DB, the control unit 10 can determine that the amount of material remaining on the return belt surface 20b is decreasing downstream of the drying unit 33 relative to the upstream. Note that the control unit 10 may make this determination based on a threshold value TH instead of the first distance D1.

[0067] As a result, the control unit 10 can determine that the substance remaining on the return belt surface 20b is a liquid such as a cleaning liquid. The control unit 10 can determine that a liquid such as a cleaning liquid remains on the return belt surface 20b before the drying process by the drying unit 33, and that although a certain amount of water in the liquid has been dried or evaporated by the drying unit 33, the liquid still remains on the return belt surface 20b. Therefore, the control unit 10 controls the drying unit 33 to increase the air volume or heater output, thereby accelerating the drying of the liquid such as the cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b. Furthermore, the control unit 10 can cause the notification unit 16 to notify information that liquid such as cleaning liquid still remains on the return belt surface 20b.

[0068] On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the distance DA = distance DB < first distance D1 or the distance DA = distance DB < threshold value TH, it can determine that cleaning liquid, foreign matter, etc. remain on the return belt surface 20b upstream and downstream of the drying unit 33 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. Furthermore, since the distance DA = distance DB, the control unit 10 can determine or estimate that the amount of material remaining on the return belt surface 20b downstream of the drying unit 33 has not decreased compared to the amount remaining upstream of the drying unit 33, despite the drying process being performed by the drying unit 33. As a result, the control unit 10 can determine that the substance remaining on the return belt surface 20b is not a liquid such as a cleaning liquid, but is a foreign substance such as a solid. The foreign substance is, for example, fluff separated from the media M.

[0069] After passing the driven roller 14b, the return belt surface 20b becomes the forward belt surface 20a and carries the medium M thereon, so that the recording unit 13 can record on it. In the case where the control unit 10 determines that the distance DA<distance DB<first distance D1, and liquid such as cleaning liquid remains on the return belt surface 20b, when the media M is placed on the forward belt surface 20a, the remaining cleaning liquid etc. will soak into the media M. Furthermore, if the control unit 10 determines that the distance DA = the distance DB < the first distance D1 and there is foreign matter remaining on the return belt surface 20b, when the medium M is placed on the forward belt surface 20a, the medium M will rest on the foreign matter on the forward belt surface 20a and will float above the surface of the forward belt surface 20a. This changes the distance between the medium M and the recording unit 13, and the recording unit 13 will no longer be able to record on the medium M properly. In either case, the quality of the recording result on the medium M may be degraded.

[0070] For this reason, even if the control unit 10 has changed the output of the drying unit 33, it may stop the conveying operation of the media M by the conveying unit 14 when it determines that the distance DA < the distance DB < the first distance D1 or that the distance DA = the distance DB < the first distance D1. Specifically, the control unit 10 changes the output of the drying unit 33 based on the result of comparing the distance DA with the first distance D1. For example, when it determines that the distance DA < the first distance D1, it increases the output of the drying unit 33. Thereafter, the control unit 10 stops the conveying operation of the media M by the conveying unit 14 when the distance DA = the distance DB < the first distance D1 or when the distance DA < the distance DB < the first distance D1. This is because, when the distance DA = the distance DB < the first distance D1 or when the distance DA < the distance DB < the first distance D1, it may be difficult to remove the substances remaining on the return belt surface 20b even if the output of the drying unit 33 is increased. In particular, when distance DA = distance DB < first distance D1, as described above, the substance remaining on return belt surface 20 b is likely to be solid, and it is difficult to remove the substance remaining on return belt surface 20 b. At this time, if recording unit 13 is recording on medium M, control unit 10 also stops the recording operation by recording unit 13. Furthermore, the control unit 10 can notify information that the cleaning liquid or foreign matter on the return belt surface 20b has not been removed by the notification unit 16. Furthermore, the control unit 10 can notify information that the conveying unit 14 and the recording unit 13 have stopped by the notification unit 16.

[0071] 1-7. Other examples of recording device control methods Another example of the control method for the recording device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and also to FIG. The control unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 acquires the record data from the external device 3 via the communication unit 15, or acquires the record data from the storage unit 17 in response to a user's operation on the touch panel of the notification unit 16. The control unit 10 causes the transport unit 14 to transport the medium M, and causes the recording unit 13 to record on the medium M based on the recording data (S201). As will be described later, this process is not executed in the case of the transport device 2. The return belt surface 20b from which the recorded medium M has been peeled off is cleaned by the cleaning unit 30.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 detects the distance DA to the return belt surface 20b in the region from downstream of the cleaning unit 30 to upstream of the drying unit 33 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20 (S202). The second ultrasonic sensor 12 detects the distance DB to the return belt surface 20b in the region from downstream of the drying unit 33 to upstream of the recording unit 13 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20 (S202).

[0073] Next, the control unit 10 compares the distances DA and DB, which are the detection results of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the second ultrasonic sensor 12. Specifically, the control unit 10 determines whether the distance DA=distance DB<first distance D1 or the distance DA=distance DB<threshold value TH (S203). If the control unit 10 determines that the distance DA = distance DB < first distance D1 or the distance DA = distance DB < threshold value TH (S203: YES), it stops the transport operation of the transport unit 14 to transport the medium M, and if the recording unit 13 is recording on the medium M, it also stops the recording operation of the recording unit 13 (S204). The control unit 10 can determine that a foreign object or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b, and can stop the operation of the transport unit 14 and the recording unit 13. If the control unit 10 determines that the distance DA<distance DB<first distance D1 or threshold value TH, the control unit 10 may stop the transport operation of the medium M by the transport unit 14 and the recording operation by the recording unit 13. The control unit 10 can determine that cleaning liquid or the like remains on the return belt surface 20b even after the drying process by the drying unit 33, and can stop the operation of the transport unit 14 and the recording unit 13. If the control unit 10 determines that the distance DA is not equal to the distance DB less than the first distance D1 or the threshold value TH (S203: NO), the control unit 10 continues to detect the distance DA to the return belt surface 20b using the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the distance DB to the return belt surface 20b using the second ultrasonic sensor 12 (S202).

[0074] 2.Conveyor system configuration 10 and 11, the conveying device 2 has the same configuration as the recording device 1 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, except for at least the recording unit 13, and common parts are designated by common reference numerals. The conveying device 2 includes a control unit 10, a memory unit 17, a first ultrasonic sensor 11, a conveying unit 14, a communication unit 15, an alarm unit 16, a cleaning unit 30, a first wiping unit 31, and a pressing unit 34.

[0075] 11, when the drive roller 14a of the conveying unit 14 is taken as the starting point, the cleaning unit 30, the first ultrasonic sensor 11, the first wiping unit 31, and the pressing unit 34 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20. The first ultrasonic sensor 11 is configured to be able to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and detect a detection region on the return belt surface 20b, which is at least a part of the detection region from downstream of the cleaning unit 30 to upstream of the pressing unit 34 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20.

[0076] The pressing unit 34 shown in FIG. 11 is, for example, a pressure roller. The pressing unit 34 presses the media M pulled out from the roll M1 against the forward belt surface 20a of the conveying unit 14. As described above, glue is provided on the forward belt surface 20a. The media M is more reliably adhesively fixed to the forward belt surface 20a by the pressing unit 34 via the glue on the forward belt surface 20a. The conveying device 2 may also include a movement mechanism that moves the pressing unit 34. The control unit 10 controls the movement mechanism to move the pressing unit 34, thereby adjusting the force with which the pressing unit 34 presses the media M. Although the recording device 1 shown in FIG. 2 does not include a pressing unit 34, the recording device 1 may be provided with a pressing unit 34, as in the transport device 2 shown in FIG.

[0077] The control unit 10 reads firmware from the memory unit 17 and controls the transport unit 14 to transport the media M. Furthermore, the control unit 10 controls the cleaning unit 30 to clean the return belt surface 20b, which is the surface of the transport belt 20 after transporting the media M, along the rotation direction of the transport belt 20, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 to detect the state of the return belt surface 20b, and based on the detection results, the first wiping unit 31 to wipe away the cleaning liquid, and the notification unit 16 or the communication unit 15 to issue a notification.

[0078] In addition, in the transport device 2, the parts common to the recording device 1 are the same as those in the case of the above-mentioned recording device 1, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the conveying device 2 is similar to the respective embodiments of the recording device 1 described above, except for the recording unit 13, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Specifically, the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in the recording device 1 can be similar to the conveying device 2, except for the recording unit 13. Furthermore, the control method of the conveying device 2 for one example of the control method of the recording device 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 and the control method of the recording device 1 for another example of the control method of the recording device 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 can be similar except for the recording unit 13, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0079] As described above, the recording device 1 and the conveying device 2 can easily and accurately detect the condition of the return belt surface 20b, such as remaining cleaning liquid and foreign matter, by using at least one of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the second ultrasonic sensor 12, using ultrasonic waves that can be detected non-contact.

[0080] These embodiments have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above example, the recording unit 13 of the recording device 1 was described as a serial type in which the head 13a is mounted on a carriage 13b and moves, but it may also be a line type in which the head 13a is fixed without a carriage 13b. Also, in the above example, the head 13a was described as being of an inkjet type, but the recording method of the head is not important. It may also be a dye sublimation type, a transfer type, or an electrophotographic type. In addition, the recording device 1 and the conveying device 2 may not have certain components. For example, if the cleaning liquid remaining on the return belt surface 20b can be removed by either the first wiping unit 31 or the drying unit 33, it is possible to provide either one of them and not the other.

[0081] The following will describe what can be derived from the above-described embodiment.

[0082] The recording device 1 comprises a recording unit 13 capable of recording on a medium M, a conveyor belt 20 having a surface capable of supporting the medium M and capable of conveying the medium M, a cleaning unit 30 capable of cleaning the surface of the conveyor belt 20 using a liquid, a first ultrasonic sensor 11 capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the surface of the conveyor belt 20 and receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and a control unit 10 capable of determining the remaining state of liquid on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 based on the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11, and is characterized in that the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt 20 downstream of the cleaning unit 30 and upstream of the recording unit 13 in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 20.

[0083] The recording device 1 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to the surface of the conveyor belt 20 using the first ultrasonic sensor 11. When the distance to the surface of the conveyor belt 20 is detected, if the liquid used for cleaning remains on the surface of the conveyor belt 20, the distance from the surface of the conveyor belt 20 to the first ultrasonic sensor 11 is shorter than when no liquid remains. Using this, the control unit 10 can determine the state of remaining liquid on the surface of the conveyor belt 20. With the above configuration, the recording device 1 can determine the state of remaining liquid on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 in a non-contact manner using the first ultrasonic sensor 11. Unlike contact-type sensors, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 of the recording device 1 does not require the user to maintain multiple electrodes. Furthermore, compared to optical sensors such as infrared sensors, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can reduce the effect of the color of the cleaning liquid on detection accuracy.

[0084] The above-mentioned recording device 1 is provided with a first wiping section 31 that is disposed downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the recording section 13 in the rotation direction and is capable of wiping the surface of the conveyor belt 20 by contacting the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and a first adjustment section 31b that adjusts the load of the first wiping section 31 on the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt 20 downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the first wiping section 31 in the rotation direction, and the control section 10 adjusts the load by controlling the first adjustment section 31b based on the detection result by the first ultrasonic sensor 11.

[0085] According to the above configuration, the control unit 10 of the recording device 1 increases the load of the first wiping unit 31 when the amount of liquid remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 is large, and decreases the load of the first wiping unit 31 when the amount of liquid remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 is small. This allows the recording device 1 to maintain an appropriate amount of liquid remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 while suppressing unnecessary wear on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 and the first wiping unit 31.

[0086] The above-mentioned recording device 1 is provided downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the recording section 13 in the rotation direction, and is equipped with a drying section 33 that dries the surface of the conveying belt 20, and an alarm section 16 that notifies information, and the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the forward feed belt 20 downstream of the drying section 33 and upstream of the recording section 13 in the rotation direction, and the control section 10 is characterized in that if it determines that liquid remains on the surface of the conveying belt 20 based on the detection result by the first ultrasonic sensor 11, it controls the alarm section 16 to issue a warning.

[0087] In the recording device 1, if moisture such as liquid remains on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 even after passing through the drying unit 33, it is highly likely that this will affect print quality. According to the above configuration, when the control unit 10 determines that liquid remains on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 based on the detection result by the first ultrasonic sensor 11, it issues a warning by controlling the notification unit 16. This allows the user to easily understand that the surface condition will affect print quality, improving convenience.

[0088] The above-mentioned recording device 1 is equipped with a second ultrasonic sensor 12 that can transmit other ultrasonic waves to the surface of the conveyor belt 20 and receive other ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and the second ultrasonic sensor 12 transmits other ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt 20 in the rotation direction downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the drying section 33, and the control section 10 determines whether the substance remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 is liquid based on the detection results by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the detection results by the second ultrasonic sensor 12.

[0089] According to the above configuration, when the recording device 1 passes through the drying unit 33 with liquid remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt 20, a difference occurs between the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the detection result of the second ultrasonic sensor 12 as the liquid dries. In this case, the control unit 10 can determine or presume that the substance remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 is liquid. Conversely, if there is no difference between the detection result of the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the detection result of the second ultrasonic sensor 12, the control unit 10 can determine or presume that the substance remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 is a substance other than liquid, such as fluff.

[0090] The above-mentioned recording device 1 is characterized in that it is provided with a drying section 33 that is located downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the recording section 13 in the rotation direction and dries the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt 20 downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the drying section 33 in the rotation direction, and the control section 10 changes the output of the drying section 33 by controlling the drying section 33 based on the detection result by the first ultrasonic sensor 11.

[0091] According to the above configuration, the control unit 10 of the recording device 1 can preferably perform control such as increasing the output of the drying unit 33, such as the heater output or the airflow rate, or both, when a large amount of liquid remains on the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and decreasing the output of the drying unit 33 when a small amount of liquid remains on the surface of the conveyor belt 20. The recording device 1 can improve drying efficiency and save energy.

[0092] The above-mentioned recording device 1 is equipped with a second ultrasonic sensor 12 that can transmit other ultrasonic waves to the surface of the conveyor belt 20 and receive other ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface of the conveyor belt 20, and the second ultrasonic sensor 12 transmits other ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt 20 in the rotation direction downstream of the drying section 33 and upstream of the recording section 13, and the control section 10 stops the recording operation by the recording section 13 and the conveying operation by the conveyor belt 20 based on the detection results by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the detection results by the second ultrasonic sensor 12.

[0093] According to the above configuration, if there is no difference between the detection results by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the second ultrasonic sensor 12 even when the output of the drying unit 33 is changed, the control unit 10 of the recording device 1 can infer that moisture or a substance other than moisture remains on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 after passing through the drying unit 33. The control unit 10 can stop the recording operation by the recording unit 13 and the conveying operation by the conveyor belt 20 based on the detection results by the first ultrasonic sensor 11 and the detection results by the second ultrasonic sensor 12. This allows the recording device 1 to prevent a decrease in print quality due to moisture or a substance other than moisture on the surface of the conveyor belt 20.

[0094] The conveying device 2 comprises a conveying belt 20 capable of conveying media M, a pressing section 34 that presses the media M against the surface of the conveying belt 20, a cleaning section 30 that can clean the surface of the conveying belt 20 using liquid, and a first ultrasonic sensor 11 that includes a first transmitting section 11a that transmits ultrasonic waves to the surface of the conveying belt 20 and a first receiving section 11b that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface of the conveying belt 20, and is characterized in that the first ultrasonic sensor 11 transmits ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveying belt 20 downstream of the cleaning section 30 and upstream of the pressing section 34 in the rotation direction of the conveying belt 20.

[0095] The conveyance device 2 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to the surface of the conveyor belt 20 using the first ultrasonic sensor 11. When the distance to the surface of the conveyor belt 20 is detected, if the liquid used for cleaning remains on the surface of the conveyor belt 20, the distance from the surface of the conveyor belt 20 to the first ultrasonic sensor 11 is shorter than when no liquid remains. Using this, the control unit 10 can determine the state of remaining liquid on the surface of the conveyor belt 20. With the above configuration, the conveyance device 2 can determine the state of remaining liquid on the surface of the conveyor belt 20 without contact using the first ultrasonic sensor 11. Unlike contact-type sensors, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 of the conveyance device 2 does not require the user to maintain multiple electrodes. Furthermore, compared to optical sensors such as infrared sensors, the first ultrasonic sensor 11 can reduce the effect of the color of the cleaning liquid on detection accuracy. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1...recording device, 2...conveying device, 3...external device, 10...control unit, 17...memory unit, 11...first ultrasonic sensor, 11a...first transmitting unit, 11b...first receiving unit, 12...second ultrasonic sensor, 12a...second transmitting unit, 12b...second receiving unit, 13...recording unit, 14...conveying unit, 15...communication unit, 16...alarm unit, 20...conveying belt, 20a...forward belt surface, 20b...return belt surface, 30...cleaning unit, 31...first wiping unit, 32...second wiping unit, 33...drying unit, 34...pressing unit, M...media, S...transmitted wave, R...received wave.

Claims

1. a recording unit capable of recording on a medium; a conveyor belt having a surface capable of supporting the medium and capable of conveying the medium; a cleaning unit capable of cleaning the surface using a liquid; an ultrasonic sensor capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the surface and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface; a control unit capable of determining a residual state of the liquid on the surface based on a detection result of the ultrasonic sensor; a drying unit that is provided downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the recording unit in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt and that dries the surface; a notification unit that notifies information; Equipped with the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the cleaning unit and the drying unit and upstream of the recording unit in a rotation direction of the conveyor belt; The control unit controls the notification unit to issue a warning when it determines that the liquid remains on the surface based on the detection result by the ultrasonic sensor.

2. a wiping unit that is provided downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the recording unit in the rotation direction and that can wipe the surface by contacting the surface; an adjustment unit that adjusts the load of the wiping unit on the surface, the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the wiping unit in the rotation direction; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts the load by controlling the adjustment unit based on the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor.

3. another ultrasonic sensor capable of transmitting another ultrasonic wave to the surface and receiving the other ultrasonic wave reflected from the surface; the other ultrasonic sensor transmits the other ultrasonic wave to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the drying unit in the rotation direction; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the substance remaining on the surface is the liquid based on the detection result by the ultrasonic sensor and the detection result by the other ultrasonic sensor.

4. a recording unit capable of recording on a medium; a conveyor belt having a surface capable of supporting the medium and capable of conveying the medium; a cleaning unit capable of cleaning the surface using a liquid; an ultrasonic sensor capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the surface and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface; a control unit capable of determining a residual state of the liquid on the surface based on a detection result of the ultrasonic sensor; a drying unit that is provided downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the recording unit in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt and that dries the surface, the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the recording unit and the drying unit in a rotation direction of the conveyor belt; The control unit controls the drying unit based on the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor, thereby changing the output of the drying unit.

5. another ultrasonic sensor capable of transmitting another ultrasonic wave to the surface and receiving the other ultrasonic wave reflected from the surface; the other ultrasonic sensor transmits the other ultrasonic wave to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the drying unit and upstream of the recording unit in the rotation direction; 5. The recording device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit stops the recording operation by the recording unit and the conveying operation by the conveyor belt based on the detection result by the ultrasonic sensor and the detection result by the other ultrasonic sensor.

6. a conveyor belt capable of conveying media; a pressing unit that presses the medium against the surface of the conveyor belt; a cleaning unit capable of cleaning the surface using a liquid; an ultrasonic sensor including a transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves to the surface and a receiver that receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface; a control unit capable of determining a residual state of the liquid on the surface based on a detection result of the ultrasonic sensor; a drying unit that is provided downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the pressing unit in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt and that dries the surface; a notification unit that notifies information; Equipped with the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the pressing unit in a rotation direction of the conveyor belt; The control unit controls the alarm unit to issue a warning when it determines that the liquid remains on the surface based on the detection results of the ultrasonic sensor.

7. a conveyor belt capable of conveying media; a pressing unit that presses the medium against the surface of the conveyor belt; a cleaning unit capable of cleaning the surface using a liquid; an ultrasonic sensor including a transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves to the surface and a receiver that receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surface; a control unit capable of determining a residual state of the liquid on the surface based on a detection result of the ultrasonic sensor; a drying unit that is provided downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the pressing unit in the rotation direction of the conveyor belt and that dries the surface, the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic waves to at least a portion of the conveyor belt downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the pressing unit and the drying unit in a rotation direction of the conveyor belt; The control unit controls the drying unit based on the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor to change the output of the drying unit.

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