Conveying device and liquid ejecting device

Abstract

To provide a transport device and a liquid ejection device capable of reducing labor for adjustment.SOLUTION: A transport device includes: a transport belt 117 for transporting a medium M and having an outer peripheral surface on which the medium M can be placed; a wiper blade 139 having a leading end portion capable of coming into contact with an outer peripheral surface 118 and a proximal end portion located on an opposite side of the leading end portion in a crossing direction intersecting with the outer peripheral surface 118, for wiping the outer peripheral surface 118; a contact portion made of resin and capable of supporting the proximal end by coming into contact with the proximal end; and a plurality of pressing portions arranged side by side in a width direction X of the transport belt 117 and capable of pressing the proximal end via the contact portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The recording medium transport device described in Patent Document 1 includes an endless belt that transports a recording medium, a cleaning liquid application means that applies cleaning liquid to the surface of the endless belt to clean it, and multiple blades. The multiple blades come into contact with the surface of the endless belt downstream of the position where the cleaning liquid is applied by the cleaning liquid application means in the direction of movement of the endless belt, and remove the cleaning liquid that has adhered to the surface of the endless belt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-116619 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the recording medium conveying device described in Patent Document 1, if the blade height varies, a gap may form between the blade and the endless belt, causing cleaning liquid to remain on the endless belt. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the height of the blade so that no gap forms between the blade and the endless belt. Furthermore, if the blade is undulating, some parts of the blade may not have a gap between them and the endless belt, while other parts may have a gap between them and the endless belt. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the height of the blade so that no gap forms between the blade and the endless belt at each part of the blade. However, in the recording medium conveying device described in Patent Document 1, while it is possible to adjust the height of the entire blade, it is difficult to adjust the height of each part of the blade. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A conveying device that solves the above problem comprises a conveying belt that conveys media and has an outer peripheral surface on which the media can be placed, a wiper blade that has a tip portion that can contact the outer peripheral surface and a base portion that is located opposite the tip portion in a direction that intersects with the outer peripheral surface and wipes the outer peripheral surface, a contact portion made of resin that can support the base portion by contacting it, and a plurality of pressing portions that are arranged side by side in the width direction of the conveying belt and can press the base portion via the contact portion.

[0006] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem comprises an ejection section capable of ejecting liquid onto media, a conveying belt that transports the media and has an outer peripheral surface on which the media can be placed, a wiper blade that has a tip section that can contact the outer peripheral surface and a base section that is located on the opposite side of the tip section in a direction that intersects with the outer peripheral surface and wipes the outer peripheral surface, a contact section made of resin that can support the base section by contacting it, and a plurality of pressing sections that can press the base section via the contact section and are arranged side by side in the width direction of the conveying belt. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a printing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a cleaning unit provided in the printing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a wiper blade. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a structure for supporting a wiper blade. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a structure for supporting a wiper blade. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the shape of the clip member. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the shape of a clip member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of a liquid ejection device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the printing device 100 is assumed to be placed on a horizontal surface, with the direction of gravity indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal surface 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 also 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 X axis is a virtual axis parallel to the width direction X of a conveyor belt (described later), and the Y axis is a virtual axis parallel to the conveyance direction Y of the medium M on the conveyor belt. In this regard, when distinguishing between left and right in the width direction of the printing device 100, the left is referred to as the +X direction and the right is referred to as the -X direction. When distinguishing between front and back in the depth direction of the printing device 100, the front is referred to as the +Y direction and the back is referred to as the -Y direction. When distinguishing between the top and bottom in the height direction of the printing device 100, the top is referred to as the +Z direction and the bottom is referred to as the −Z direction.

[0009] <Configuration of Printing Device 100> As shown in FIG. 1, a printing device 100, which is an example of a liquid ejection device, includes a conveyor belt 117 and an ejection unit 120. The conveyor belt 117 supports and transports a medium M, such as fabric or paper, on a support surface 117a. The ejection unit 120 performs a printing operation by ejecting liquid onto the medium M supported by the conveyor belt 117. The printing device 100 includes a housing 112 having a column-beam structure, and an operation unit 130. The operation unit 130 is operated by a user and includes a display unit 131, which is realized by, for example, a touch-panel LCD screen, operation buttons, and the like.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 100 includes a cover 114, a conveying device 116 that conveys the medium M using a conveying belt 117, a control unit 126, a cleaning unit 132, and a drying unit 182.

[0011] The housing 112 is configured as a base on which each part of the printing device 100 is mounted. The housing 112 has a column and beam structure including a bottom frame 112a, column frames 112b, and an upper frame 112c. The cover 114 is an exterior member that covers each part of the printing device 100.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the transport device 116 is provided on top of the housing 112 and includes a drive roller 116a, a driven roller 116b, a transport belt 117, and a take-up roller (not shown). The transport device 116 can transport the medium M in the +Y direction as the transport belt 117 moves due to the rotation of the drive roller 116a. In the +Y direction, the drive roller 116a is located downstream, and the driven roller 116b is located upstream. Both the drive roller 116a and the driven roller 116b have rotation axes that align with the X direction. The transport device 116 is controlled by a control unit 126, which will be described later.

[0013] The conveyor belt 117 is configured as an endless belt made of an elastic flat plate joined at both ends. The conveyor belt 117 is wrapped around the outer circumferential surfaces of the drive roller 116a and the driven roller 116b. In other words, the conveyor belt 117 is provided in the housing 112 and can convey the media M by moving in a circular motion.

[0014] The conveyor belt 117 may be, for example, a glue belt. When the conveyor belt 117 is a glue belt, the outer peripheral surface 118 of the conveyor belt 117 has, for example, adhesiveness, on which the media M can be placed and adsorbed. Adhesion refers to the property of being able to temporarily adhere to another member and to be able to be peeled off from the adhesive state.

[0015] On the outer circumferential surface 118, the direction that intersects with the +Y direction, which is the movement direction of the conveyor belt 117, is the X direction. Of the outer circumferential surface 118, the portion that is located in the +Z direction from the center of the drive roller 116a and that is along the XY plane is referred to as the upper surface portion 118a. The upper surface portion 118a supports the medium M. Also, of the outer circumferential surface 118, the portion that is wound around the drive roller 116a is referred to as the curved surface portion 118b. Furthermore, of the outer circumferential surface 118, the portion that is located in the -Z direction from the center of the drive roller 116a and that is along the XY plane is referred to as the lower surface portion 118c. Additionally, the portion that is wound around the driven roller 116b is referred to as the curved surface portion 118d.

[0016] The transport device 116 can change the transport speed of the medium M by adjusting the number of rotations per unit time of the drive roller 116a. A take-up roller (not shown) winds up the medium M, causing the medium M to peel off from the curved surface portion 118b.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the ejection unit 120 is provided above the transport device 116. The ejection unit 120 is configured to be able to record on the medium M being transported in the +Y direction. The ejection unit 120 includes an ejection head 121 and a carriage 122 that supports the ejection head 121 so that it can move back and forth along the X direction. The ejection head 121 is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the medium M, and records on the medium M by ejecting ink, an example of a liquid, onto the recording surface of the medium M. The ejection unit 120 is controlled by a control unit 126.

[0018] The control unit 126 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (not shown). The CPU is an arithmetic processing device. The memory is a storage device that secures an area for storing programs for the CPU or a working area, and includes memory elements and storage such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The CPU controls the operation of each part of the printing device 100 in accordance with the programs stored in the memory.

[0019] The cleaning unit 132 cleans the outer peripheral surface 118 of the conveyor belt 117. The cleaning unit 132 is disposed in the −Z direction relative to the end of the lower surface portion 118c in the +Y direction. The cleaning unit 132 is controlled by the control unit 126. Details of the cleaning unit 132 will be described later.

[0020] The drying unit 182 dries the outer peripheral surface 118 that has been cleaned by the cleaning unit 132. The drying unit 182 includes, for example, a blowing unit 184 that blows air toward the outer peripheral surface 118, and a heating unit 196 that heats the outer peripheral surface 118. The blowing unit 184 is disposed adjacent to the cleaning unit 132, at a position in the -Y direction relative to the cleaning unit 132. The heating unit 196 is disposed in the -Z direction relative to the end of the lower surface portion 118c in the -Y direction. The drying unit 182 is controlled by the control unit 126.

[0021] 3, the cleaning unit 132 includes a storage tank 134 that stores cleaning liquid Q, a cleaning brush 137, and a wiper blade 139. The cleaning unit 132 can be raised and lowered in the Z direction relative to the conveyor belt 117 being cleaned by using an air cylinder (not shown).

[0022] As the ejection unit 120 records on the medium M, liquid may adhere to the outer peripheral surface 118 of the conveyor belt 117. For example, if the medium M is cloth, liquid such as ink that has bled through may adhere to the outer peripheral surface 118. Furthermore, when the medium M is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface 118, cloth debris may remain on the outer peripheral surface 118. Liquid such as ink that has adhered to the outer peripheral surface 118 may cause the medium M to become dirty, and debris that remains on the outer peripheral surface 118 may reduce the adhesive strength of the medium M to the outer peripheral surface 118. In the cleaning unit 132, the outer peripheral surface 118 of the conveyor belt 117 is cleaned by a cleaning brush 137 to remove liquid that has adhered to the outer peripheral surface 118 and debris caused by the medium substrate.

[0023] The storage tank 134 is disposed below the drive roller 116a and the conveyor belt 117. The storage tank 134 also includes a bottom wall 135, a front wall 136a, a rear wall 136b, and a pair of side walls 138. The bottom wall 135 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction and is disposed along the XY plane. The front wall 136a stands upright in the +Z direction at the end of the bottom wall 135 facing the +Y direction. The rear wall 136b stands upright in the +Z direction at the end of the bottom wall 135 facing the -Y direction. The pair of side walls 138 are disposed at the end of the bottom wall 135 facing the +X direction and the end of the bottom wall 135 facing the -X direction, respectively, and stand upright in the +Z direction from the bottom wall 135. In other words, the storage tank 134 has a box shape that is open at the top. The space SP inside the box shape, surrounded by the bottom wall 135, the front wall 136a, the rear wall 136b, and the pair of side walls, stores cleaning liquid Q for cleaning the outer peripheral surface 118. That is, the storage tank 134 stores cleaning liquid Q, which is supplied to the cleaning brush 137 during cleaning operation, inside the box shape with an open top.

[0024] When viewed from the X direction, the side wall 138 extends in the -Y direction beyond the rear wall 136b. That is, the side wall 138 has a side wall portion 141 that forms the space SP, and an extension portion 142 that extends from the side wall portion 141 in the -Y direction and is located outside the space SP. The extension portion 142 supports the spraying portion 184. That is, the spraying portion 184 is supported by the cleaning portion 132.

[0025] The cleaning brush 137 has a cylindrical shaft portion 137a and brush portions 137b extending radially from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 137a. The shaft portion 137a extends in the X direction and is rotatably supported on a part of the side wall 138.

[0026] The brush portion 137b is configured to be able to come into contact with the lower surface portion 118c. The cleaning brush 137 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to remove liquid adhering to the lower surface portion 118c and debris caused by the medium substrate using cleaning liquid Q stored in the storage tank 134. In other words, the cleaning brush 137 performs a cleaning operation on the conveyor belt 117 using the cleaning liquid Q stored in the storage tank 134. The liquid and debris caused by the medium substrate removed from the conveyor belt 117 by the cleaning brush 137 are mixed into the cleaning liquid Q in the storage tank 134 and collected.

[0027] 4, the cleaning brush 137 and the wiper blade 139 are provided across the X direction of the printing device 100. The length of the wiper blade 139 in the X direction is slightly longer than the length of the cleaning brush 137 in the X direction. This allows the wiper blade 139 to scrape off the cleaning liquid Q and the like remaining on the lower surface 118c after cleaning by the cleaning brush 137 from the lower surface 118c.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, the wiper blade 139 is attached to a second plate member 145 supported by a first plate member 144 extending in the +Z direction from a portion of the rear wall 136b. The wiper blade 139 scrapes off the cleaning liquid Q and other substances remaining on the lower surface portion 118c after cleaning by the cleaning brush 137. The center of the second plate member 145 is inclined at a predetermined angle in the -Y direction. This angle causes the wiper blade 139 to also be inclined with respect to the lower surface portion 118c, allowing the wiper blade 139 to effectively scrape off the cleaning liquid Q and other substances remaining on the lower surface portion 118c.

[0029] 3, an inner frame 119 is provided inside the portion of the conveyor belt 117 that comes into contact with the tip of the wiper blade 139. The inner frame 119 is installed in the housing 112 in the X direction and supports the conveyor belt 117 from the inside. This enables the conveyor belt 117 to resist the pressure force from the wiper blade 139.

[0030] The following describes in detail the structure for supporting the wiper blade 139. As shown in Fig. 6, the second plate member 145 is formed with a first portion 146 and a second portion 147 by bending a plate material. The first portion 146 is provided along the first plate member 144. The second portion 147 protrudes in the +Z direction of the first plate member 144 and is inclined backward in the -Y direction. The wiper blade 139 and the structure for supporting the wiper blade 139 are provided on the surface of the second portion 147 facing the +Z direction.

[0031] In the drawings, the directions along the surface of the second portion 147 in the +Z direction are indicated by the α-axis and β-axis, and the axis perpendicular to the α-β plane is indicated by the γ-axis. The α-axis, β-axis, and γ-axis are perpendicular to one another. The α-axis and the X-axis are also substantially parallel. In the following description, the direction along the α-axis is referred to as the width direction α, the direction along the β-axis is also referred to as the blade extension direction β because it is also the extension direction of the wiper blade 139, and the direction along the γ-axis is also referred to as the vertical direction γ. In this case, when distinguishing between left and right in the width direction α, the left is referred to as the +α direction, and the right is referred to as the -α direction. When distinguishing between front and back in the depth direction β, the front is referred to as the -β direction, and the back is referred to as the +β direction. When distinguishing between top and bottom in the vertical direction γ, the top is referred to as the +γ direction, and the bottom is referred to as the -γ direction.

[0032] A support portion 231 is provided on the surface of the second portion 147. The support portion 231 is configured, for example, to be bent at a right angle in the +γ direction, thereby forming a support surface portion 232 and an upright portion 233. The support portion 231 has a support surface 232a on the surface of the support surface portion 232 in the +γ direction. The support surface 232a is, for example, a surface of the second portion 147 that is parallel to the surface in the +Z direction. A contact portion 200 is provided on the support surface 232a across the X direction (i.e., the α direction) of the printing device 100.

[0033] The abutment portion 200 is made of, for example, resin and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with its long sides in the α direction when viewed from the +γ direction. Specifically, the abutment portion 200 has a first surface 201 in the +β direction, a second surface 202 in the +γ direction, a third surface 203 in the −β direction, a fourth surface 204 in the −γ direction, a fifth surface 205 in the +α direction, and a sixth surface 206 in the −α direction. Therefore, the support surface 232a abuts against the fourth surface 204 of the abutment portion 200 and supports the abutment portion 200 so that it can be displaced.

[0034] The first surface 201 of the contact portion 200 contacts the wiper blade 139. The wiper blade 139 has a tip portion 139a and a base portion 139b. The wiper blade 139 has a blade portion 139c formed with a thin thickness in the γ direction so as to be easily bent when subjected to an external force, and a base portion 139b formed with a thicker thickness in the γ direction than the blade portion 139c. The portion between the blade portion 139c and the base portion 139b has a constricted shape. The blade portion 139c extends from the base portion 139b in the +β direction. The blade portion 139c is formed so that the tip portion 139a, which is the end of the blade portion 139c in the +β direction, is thinnest. The tip portion 139a is the portion of the wiper blade 139 that can contact the outer peripheral surface 118. The base portion 139b is located on the opposite side of the tip portion 139a in the intersecting direction intersecting the outer peripheral surface 118, i.e., the +β direction. The bottom surface of the base end 139b in the -β direction and the first surface 201 of the contact portion 200 are flat, and the contact portion 200 can support the base end 139b by contacting with the base end 139b of the wiper blade 139. Note that the wiper blade 139 may have a shape in which the base end 139b is formed to have the same thickness as the blade portion 139c.

[0035] To support the wiper blade 139, a first support member 211a bent at a right angle toward the -γ direction and a second support member 211b bent at a right angle toward the +γ direction are fixed to the contact portion 200 by a plurality of first bolts 212a and a plurality of second bolts 212b. Specifically, the first support member 211a is provided on the upper surface of the contact portion 200 in the +γ direction and is fixed to the contact portion 200 by a plurality of first bolts 212a arranged side by side in the width direction α of the conveyor belt 117. The bent portion of the first support member 211a supports the +γ direction end of the base end 139b in the -β direction. That is, the +γ direction end of the base end 139b is sandwiched between the first surface 201 and the bent portion of the first support member 211a. This prevents the base end 139b and the contact portion 200 from separating from each other.

[0036] The second support member 211b is provided on the lower surface of the contact portion 200 in the -γ direction and is fixed to the contact portion 200 by a plurality of second bolts 212b arranged side by side in the width direction α of the conveyor belt 117. The end of the bent portion of the second support member 211b supports the constricted portion between the blade portion 139c and the base end 139b. When the wiper blade 139 scrapes off the cleaning liquid Q remaining on the lower surface 118c of the conveyor belt 117, a pressure force is generated in the -Y direction on the tip end 139a. The end of the bent portion of the second support member 211b supports the lower surface of the blade portion 139c in the -γ direction, thereby preventing the tip end 139a from deforming more than necessary and allowing the tip end 139a to appropriately contact the lower surface 118c of the conveyor belt 117.

[0037] The contact portion 200 is provided with a plurality of holes 207 penetrating in the γ direction intersecting with the support surface 232a. The plurality of holes 207 are provided, for example, in the contact portion 200, lined up in the width direction α of the conveyor belt 117. Details of the dimensions of the holes 207 will be described later. A screw 221 is inserted into the hole 207. The screw 221 has a shaft portion 222 with a spiral groove 222a and a head portion 223 having an outer dimension larger than that of the shaft portion 222. The support surface portion 232 of the support portion 231 is provided with a screw hole 234 penetrating in a direction intersecting with the support surface 232a and screwed into the spiral groove 222a of the shaft portion 222. The screw 221 is screwed into the screw hole 234, whereby the contact portion 200 is fixed in the γ direction.

[0038] A plurality of pressing portions 240 abut against the third surface 203 of the abutting portion 200. The plurality of pressing portions 240 press the base end portion 139b of one wiper blade 139 via the abutting portion 200. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 240 is, for example, a second screw 241. The plurality of second screws 241 are, for example, arranged side by side in the width direction α of the conveyor belt 117 at the abutting portion 200. Hereinafter, the number of screws 221 and the number of second screws 241 are the same. Each of the plurality of screws 221 is provided at approximately the same position in the β direction, and each of the plurality of second screws 241 is also provided at approximately the same position in the β direction. Furthermore, the positions of each of the plurality of screws 221 in the α direction are approximately the same as the positions of each of the plurality of second screws 241 in the α direction. The second screw 241 has a second shank 243 provided with a second helical groove 243a and a second head 242 having an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the second shank 243. A second screw hole 235 into which the second helical groove 243a of the second shank 243 is threadedly engaged is provided in the upright portion 233 of the support portion 231. As shown in FIG. 6 , the second screw 241 threadably engages with the second screw hole 235 and is extended in the +β direction, causing the second head 242 to abut against the third surface 203 of the abutting portion 200. Furthermore, the more the second screw 241 is extended in the +β direction, the more strongly it can press the base end portion 139b via the abutting portion 200. The more the abutting portion 200 is pressed by the second screw 241, the more the shape of the abutting portion 200 is displaced. The more the second screw 241 is advanced in the +β direction, the greater the pressing amount by which the second screw 241 presses the base end portion 139b via the contact portion 200 can be increased.

[0039] 7, when the α-β plane is viewed from the γ direction intersecting the support surface 232a, the dimension of the hole 207 in the width direction α is equal to or greater than the outer dimension of the shank 222 and less than the outer dimension of the head 223. As a result, when the screw 221 is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole 234, the head 223 presses the contact portion 200 in the -γ direction, thereby fixing the contact portion 200 to the support portion 231. Furthermore, the dimension of the hole 207 in the blade extension direction β when the α-β plane is viewed from the γ direction intersecting the support surface 232a is configured so that the screw 221 can be threadedly engaged with the threaded hole 234 even if the second screw 241 presses the contact portion 200 and displaces the contact portion 200. The contact portion 200 is displaceable within the dimension of the hole 207 in the blade extension direction β.

[0040] The heads 223 of the multiple screws 221 press the contact portion 200 in the -γ direction by threading into the threaded holes 234. This switches the state of the contact portion 200 from a first state in which the contact portion 200 is displaced by being pressed by the multiple second screws 241 to a second state in which the displacement of the contact portion 200 is more restricted than in the first state. Furthermore, the screws 221 switch the state of the contact portion 200 from the second state to the first state by moving the heads 223 in the +γ direction more than in the second state. In other words, the screws 221 can switch the state of the contact portion 200 from one of the first state and the second state to the other depending on the degree of threading into the threaded holes 234. In this regard, in this embodiment, the screw 221, the hole 207, and the screw hole 234 form a switching unit 220 that can switch the state of the abutting unit 200 from one of the first state and the second state to the other.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8 , the support portion 231 is fixed to the second plate member 145 by a plurality of support bolts 251. The plurality of support bolts 251 are arranged side by side in the width direction α of the conveyor belt 117. The support bolts 251 are also arranged between the plurality of second screws 241. A notch 208 is provided in the abutting portion 200 at the position where the support bolt 251 is provided. In other words, the notch 208 is provided between the plurality of second screws 241. The notch 208 is a recess that is recessed in the +β direction from the third surface 203 when the α-β plane is viewed from the γ direction. This allows a maintenance technician of the printing device 100 to tighten or loosen the support bolt 251 without interfering with the abutting portion 200.

[0042] 8, in the following description, the multiple positions in the abutting portion 200 that are pressed by the multiple second screws 241 are referred to as multiple pressing positions PP. Furthermore, the positions in the abutting portion 200 between the multiple pressing positions PP are referred to as non-pressing positions NP. As described above, the notches 208 are provided between the multiple second screws 241. Therefore, the non-pressing positions NP are positions where the notches 208 are provided. The volume of the abutting portion 200 is smaller at the non-pressing positions NP where the notches 208 are provided than at other positions in the abutting portion 200. As a result, the rigidity of the abutting portion 200 at the non-pressing positions NP is smaller than the rigidity of the abutting portion 200 at the pressing positions PP. Although a hole 207 is provided at the pressing position PP of the abutting portion 200, the notch 208 at the non-pressing position NP has approximately the same dimension in the blade extension direction β and a longer dimension in the width direction α as the hole 207. Therefore, due to the difference in spatial volume between the hole 207 and the notch 208, the rigidity of the abutting portion 200 at the non-pressing position NP is smaller than the rigidity of the abutting portion 200 at the pressing position PP.

[0043] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. The conveying device 116 and the printing device 100, which is an example of a liquid ejection device, according to this embodiment provide the following advantageous effects.

[0044] (1) The printing device 100 includes a conveyor belt 117, a wiper blade 139, a contact portion 200, and a second screw 241 serving as a pressing portion 240. The conveyor belt 117 conveys media M and has an outer peripheral surface 118 on which the media M can be placed. The wiper blade 139 has a tip portion 139a that can contact the outer peripheral surface 118 and a base portion 139b that is located on the opposite side of the tip portion 139a in a direction intersecting the outer peripheral surface 118, and wipes the outer peripheral surface 118. The contact portion 200 is made of resin and can support the base portion 139b by contacting it. Multiple pressing portions 240 can press the base portion 139b via the contact portion 200 and are arranged side by side in the width direction α of the conveyor belt 117. This allows the height of each part of the wiper blade 139 to be finely adjusted compared to adjusting the height of the entire wiper blade 139, thereby reducing the effort required for maintenance personnel to make adjustments to the printing device 100. Furthermore, the multiple pressing portions 240 press the base end 139b via the abutment portion 200 made of resin. This prevents the second screw 241 from exerting excessive pressure on the wiper blade 139 compared to when the multiple pressing portions 240 directly press the base end 139b. This allows for a margin of error in the accuracy of the height adjustment of the wiper blade 139. Furthermore, the multiple pressing portions 240 are arranged side by side in the width direction α of the conveyor belt 117. This allows the amount of pressure applied to the wiper blade 139 to be adjusted at multiple different positions in the width direction. This allows the wiper blade 139 to be in contact with the outer circumferential surface 118 optimally across the entire width direction α.

[0045] (2) The printing device 100 further includes a plurality of switching units 220. The plurality of pressing units 240 are switchable between a first state in which the contact portion 200 is displaced by pressing with the plurality of pressing units 240, and a second state in which the displacement is more restricted than in the first state. This allows a maintenance person to easily adjust the amount of pressure on the wiper blade 139 by using the switching units 220 to switch the contact portion 200 to the first state in which it is easy to displace. Furthermore, after adjusting the wiper blade 139, the maintenance person can maintain the adjusted amount of pressure on the wiper blade 139 by using the switching units 220 to switch the contact portion 200 to the second state in which it is difficult to displace. This allows the switching units 220 to reduce the effort required for the maintenance person to make adjustments.

[0046] (3) The printing device 100 includes a support portion 231 having a support surface 232a that supports the abutting portion 200 so that the abutting portion 200 can be displaced. The switching portion 220 includes a screw 221 having a shaft portion 222 with a spiral groove 222a and a head portion 223 whose outer dimensions are larger than those of the shaft portion 222. The support portion 231 is provided with a screw hole 234 that penetrates in a direction intersecting with the support surface 232a and screws into the spiral groove 222a of the shaft portion 222. The abutting portion 200 is provided with a hole 207 that penetrates in a direction intersecting with the support surface 232a. The hole 207 has a dimension in the width direction α, when viewed in plan from the direction intersecting with the support surface 232a, that is equal to or larger than the outer dimensions of the shaft portion 222 and smaller than the outer dimensions of the head portion 223. As a result, the dimensions of the head 223 of the screw 221 are larger than the hole 207 of the abutting part 200, so that by rotating the screw 221 in the tightening direction, the abutting part 200 can be switched from the first state to the second state. Also, by rotating the screw 221 in the loosening direction, the abutting part 200 can be switched from the second state to the first state. Therefore, the switching part 220 can be easily configured by the screw 221.

[0047] (4) The printing device 100 includes a support member 231 having a support surface 232a that displaceably supports the abutment portion 200. The pressing portion 240 includes a second screw 241 having a second shaft portion 243 with a second spiral groove 243a and a second head portion 242 whose outer dimensions are larger than those of the second shaft portion 243. The support member 231 is provided with an upright portion 233 that extends in a direction intersecting with the support surface 232a. The upright portion 233 is provided with a second screw hole 235 into which the second spiral groove 243a of the second shaft portion 243 screws. As a result, by rotating the second screw 241 in the tightening direction relative to the support member 231 and pressing the base end portion 139b via the abutment portion 200, the height of the wiper blade 139 at a corresponding position in the width direction α can be adjusted. Therefore, the pressing portion 240 can be easily configured by the second screw 241.

[0048] (5) In the abutting portion 200, when a plurality of positions pressed by a plurality of pressing portions 240 are defined as a plurality of pressing positions PP and a position between the plurality of pressing positions PP is defined as a non-pressing position NP, the rigidity of the abutting portion 200 at the non-pressing position NP is smaller than the rigidity of the abutting portion 200 at the pressing position PP. The abutting portion 200 has a notch 208 at a position where the support bolt 251 is provided. That is, the notch 208 is provided between the plurality of second screws 241. Therefore, the non-pressing position NP is a position where the notch 208 is provided. The non-pressing position NP where the notch 208 is provided has a smaller volume of the abutting portion 200 than other positions in the abutting portion 200. As a result, when the pressing position PP is pressed by the second screw 241, the abutting portion 200 is more likely to elastically deform, and the abutting portion 200 can be suitably displaced. For example, if a maintenance person operates the pressing portion 240 to displace the pressing position PP of the contact portion 200, the non-pressing position NP, which is located adjacent to the pressing position PP and has less rigidity, can be easily displaced as well. Therefore, since the height of not only the pressing position PP but also the non-pressing position NP can be adjusted together, the maintenance person can appropriately adjust the height of the wiper blade 139. For example, it is possible to reduce waviness in the width direction α of the tip portion 139a of the wiper blade 139, which occurs when the height of the pressing position PP is adjusted but the height of the non-pressing position NP is not adjusted.

[0049] <Modification> An alternative example of the above-mentioned switching unit will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. The same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] In the printing device 100 of the modified example, the switching unit 220 may be a plurality of clip members 301 instead of (or in addition to) the plurality of screws 221. The clip member 301 is formed, for example, by folding a plate material in three. In detail, the clip member 301 includes a first side plate portion 302, a bottom plate portion 303, and a second side plate portion 304. Due to the formation of the clip member 301, a clamping force is generated between the first side plate portion 302 and the second side plate portion 304, and clamps anything provided between the first side plate portion 302 and the second side plate portion 304.

[0051] The support portion 231 has a hole 236 that penetrates the standing portion 233 in the β direction. The hole 236 is provided at a position where the center of the hole 236 substantially coincides with the second surface 202 of the abutting portion 200 in the γ direction of the standing portion 233. Furthermore, the first portion 146 is provided with a hole 148 that penetrates the first portion 146 in the β direction. The hole 148 is provided at a position where the center of the hole 148 substantially coincides with the lower surface of the second portion 147 in the β direction of the first portion 146.

[0052] 10, the clip member 301 has the first side plate portion 302 positioned in the +γ direction of the second surface 202 of the abutting portion 200 through the hole 236. The first side plate portion 302 covers at least a portion of the abutting portion 200 up to just before the first support member 211a in the -β direction.

[0053] 11, the second side plate 304 of the clip member 301 is positioned on the underside of the second portion 147 in the -γ direction when inserted into the hole 148. As a result, the clip member 301 clamps the abutting portion 200 together with the second portion 147 and the support surface portion 232 between the first side plate 302 and the second side plate 304. The clip member 301 is detachable between a clamping state in which the abutting portion 200 is clamped while pressed against the support surface 232a, and a detached state in which it is not clamped.

[0054] The multiple clip members 301 can be switched between one of a first state in which the contact portion 200 is pressed by the multiple pressing portions 240 and thereby displaces the contact portion 200, and a second state in which displacement is more restricted than in the first state, by attaching or detaching the multiple clip members 301 to or from the contact portion 200. As a result, the clip members 301 can easily adjust the amount of pressure on the wiper blade 139 by switching to the first state in which the contact portion 200 is easily displaced. Furthermore, after adjusting the wiper blade 139, the clip members 301 can maintain the adjusted amount of pressure on the wiper blade 139 by switching to the second state in which the contact portion 200 is less likely to be displaced. As a result, a maintenance person can easily adjust the amount of pressure on the wiper blade 139 by using the clip members 301 as the switching portion 220 to switch to the first state in which the contact portion 200 is easily displaced. Furthermore, after adjusting the wiper blade 139, the maintenance person can hold the wiper blade 139 at the adjusted pressing amount by switching the contact portion 200 to the second state in which it is difficult to displace using the clip member 301 serving as the switching portion 220. This reduces the time and effort required for the maintenance person to make adjustments.

[0055] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility. The pressing portion 240 may be realized by a cam instead of (or in addition to) the second screw 241.

[0056] The material of the contact portion 200 may be any resin, and may be a synthetic resin (plastic) containing synthetic rubber or a natural resin containing natural rubber. The number of second screws 241 and the number of screws 221 may be the same or different, as long as there are multiple second screws 241 and multiple screws 221.

[0057] When a washer is provided between the screw 221 and the abutment portion 200, the shape of the hole 207 may be any shape as long as it is equal to or larger than the outer dimensions of the shaft portion 222 and smaller than the outer dimensions of the washer.

[0058] The switching portion may be realized by a configuration other than the screw 221 or the clip member 301, as long as it can switch the state of the contact portion 200 between the first state and the second state. Although the case has been described in which the rigidity of the abutment portion 200 at the non-pressing position NP is smaller than the rigidity of the abutment portion 200 at the pressing position PP because the notch 208 is provided in the abutment portion 200, this is not limitative. The abutment portion 200 at the non-pressing position NP may be formed to have a smaller thickness in the β direction than the abutment portion 200 at the pressing position PP. This causes the rigidity of the abutment portion 200 at the non-pressing position NP to be smaller than the rigidity of the abutment portion 200 at the pressing position PP.

[0059] The notches 208 may be provided at all positions between the pressing positions PP. The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0060] (A) The conveying device includes a conveying belt that conveys media and has an outer peripheral surface on which the media can be placed, a wiper blade that has a tip portion that can contact the outer peripheral surface and a base portion that is located on the opposite side of the tip portion in a direction that intersects with the outer peripheral surface and wipes the outer peripheral surface, a contact portion that is made of resin and can support the base portion by contacting it, and a plurality of pressing portions that are arranged side by side in the width direction of the conveying belt and can press the base portion via the contact portion.

[0061] This configuration allows for more precise adjustment of the height of each part of the wiper blade than when the height of the entire wiper blade is adjusted. Furthermore, by having the multiple pressing portions press the base end via abutment portions made of resin, it is possible to prevent excessive pressing force from the pressing portions from acting on the wiper blade compared to when the multiple pressing portions directly press the base end. Furthermore, by arranging the multiple pressing portions side by side in the width direction of the conveyor belt, the amount of pressing of the wiper blade can be adjusted at multiple different positions in the width direction, allowing the wiper blade to optimally contact the outer circumferential surface across the entire width direction.

[0062] (B) The conveying device may further include a plurality of switching units that can switch between a first state in which the contact portion is displaced by being pressed by the plurality of pressing units, and a second state in which the displacement is more restricted than in the first state.

[0063] With this configuration, the maintenance person can easily adjust the pressing amount of the wiper blade by using the switching unit to switch to the first state in which the contact portion is easily displaced. Furthermore, after adjusting the wiper blade, the maintenance person can maintain the adjusted pressing amount of the wiper blade by using the switching unit to switch to the second state in which the contact portion is less likely to be displaced. This reduces the effort required for the maintenance person to make adjustments.

[0064] (C) In the above-mentioned conveying device, a support part having a support surface that supports the abutment part in a displaceable manner is provided, and the switching part includes a screw having a shaft part with a spiral groove and a head part having an outer dimension larger than the outer dimension of the shaft part, and the support part is provided with a screw hole that penetrates in a direction intersecting with the support surface and screws into the spiral groove of the shaft part, and the abutment part may be provided with a hole that penetrates in a direction intersecting with the support surface and has a dimension in the width direction when viewed in a plane from the direction intersecting with the support surface that is equal to or larger than the outer dimension of the shaft part and smaller than the outer dimension of the head.

[0065] With this configuration, the head of the screw is larger than the hole in the abutment portion, so that by rotating the screw in the tightening direction, the abutment portion can be switched from the first state to the second state, and by rotating the screw in the loosening direction, the abutment portion can be switched from the second state to the first state. Therefore, the switching portion can be easily configured using a screw.

[0066] (D) In ​​the above-mentioned conveying device, a support part having a support surface that supports the abutment part in a displaceable manner is provided, and the pressing part includes a second screw having a second shaft part having a second spiral groove and a second head part having an outer dimension larger than the outer dimension of the second shaft part, and the support part is provided with a standing part extending in a direction intersecting the support surface, and the standing part is provided with a second screw hole into which the second spiral groove of the second shaft part screws.

[0067] According to this configuration, the height of the corresponding position in the width direction of the wiper blade can be adjusted by rotating the second screw in the tightening direction relative to the upright portion and pressing the base end via the abutment portion. Therefore, the pressing portion can be easily configured using the second screw.

[0068] (E) In the above-described conveying device, when the multiple positions of the contact portion that are pressed by the multiple pressing portions are multiple pressing positions and the positions between the multiple pressing positions are non-pressing positions, the rigidity of the contact portion at the non-pressing positions may be smaller than the rigidity of the contact portion at the pressing positions.

[0069] With this configuration, when a pressing portion is pressed at a pressing position where there is a non-pressing portion between the pressing portion and an adjacent pressing position that reduces the rigidity of the contact portion, the contact portion can be suitably displaced at the pressing position, making it easy to adjust the height of the wiper blade.

[0070] (F) A liquid ejection device includes an ejection section capable of ejecting liquid onto a medium, a conveyor belt that transports the medium and has an outer peripheral surface on which the medium can be placed, a wiper blade that has a tip portion that can contact the outer peripheral surface and a base portion that is located on the opposite side of the tip portion in a direction that intersects with the outer peripheral surface and wipes the outer peripheral surface, a contact portion that is made of resin and can support the base portion by contacting it, and a plurality of pressing portions that can press the base portion via the contact portion and are arranged side by side in the width direction of the conveyor belt.

[0071] This configuration allows for more precise adjustment of the height of each part of the wiper blade than when the height of the entire wiper blade is adjusted. Furthermore, by having the multiple pressing portions press the base end via abutment portions made of resin, it is possible to prevent excessive pressing force from the pressing portions from acting on the wiper blade compared to when the multiple pressing portions directly press the base end. Furthermore, by arranging the multiple pressing portions side by side in the width direction of the conveyor belt, the amount of pressing of the wiper blade can be adjusted at multiple different positions in the width direction, allowing the wiper blade to optimally contact the outer circumferential surface across the entire width direction.

[0072] (G) The liquid ejection device may further include a plurality of switching units that are switchable between a first state in which the contact portion is displaced by being pressed by the plurality of pressing units, and a second state in which the displacement is more restricted than in the first state.

[0073] With this configuration, the maintenance person can easily adjust the pressing amount of the wiper blade by using the switching unit to switch to the first state in which the contact portion is easily displaced. Furthermore, after adjusting the wiper blade, the maintenance person can maintain the adjusted pressing amount of the wiper blade by using the switching unit to switch to the second state in which the contact portion is less likely to be displaced. This reduces the effort required for the maintenance person to make adjustments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 100...printing device, 112...casing, 112a...bottom frame, 112b...pillar frame, 112c...upper frame, 114...cover, 116...conveying device, 116a...driving roller, 116b...follower roller, 117...conveying belt, 117a...supporting surface, 118...outer peripheral surface, 118a...upper surface portion, 118b, 118d...curved surface portion, 118c...lower surface portion, 119...inner frame, 120...discharge portion , 121...ejection head, 122...carriage, 126...printing device control unit, 130...operation unit, 131...display unit, 132...cleaning unit, 134...storage tank, 135...bottom wall, 136a...front wall, 136b...rear wall, 137...cleaning brush, 137a...shaft portion, 137b...brush portion, 138...side wall, 139...wiper blade, 139a...tip portion, 139b...base end portion, 141...side wall portion, 1 42...extension portion, 144...first plate member, 145...second plate member, 146...first portion, 147...second portion, 148, 207, 236...hole, 182...drying portion, 184...spraying portion, 196...heating portion, 200...contact portion, 208...notch portion, 211a...first support member, 211b...second support member, 212a...first bolt, 212b...second bolt, 220...switching portion, 221...screw, 222...shaft portion, 223...head, 231...support portion, 232...support surface portion, 232a...support surface, 233...upright portion, 234...screw hole, 235...second screw hole, 240...pressing portion, 241...second screw, 242...second head portion, 243...second shaft portion, 251...support bolt, 301...clip member, 302...first side plate portion, 303...bottom plate portion, 304...second side plate portion, M...media, NP...non-pressing position, PP...pressing position.

Claims

1. a conveyor belt that conveys a medium and has an outer circumferential surface on which the medium can be placed; a wiper blade that wipes the outer circumferential surface and has a tip end portion that can contact the outer circumferential surface and a base end portion that is located on the opposite side of the tip end portion in a direction intersecting the outer circumferential surface; a contact portion made of resin and capable of supporting the base end portion by contacting the base end portion; a plurality of pressing portions arranged side by side in the width direction of the conveyor belt, the pressing portions being capable of pressing the base end portion via the contact portions; When a plurality of positions of the abutment portion that are pressed by the plurality of pressing portions are defined as a plurality of pressing positions and a position between the plurality of pressing positions is defined as a non-pressing position, the rigidity of the abutment portion at the non-pressing position is smaller than the rigidity of the abutment portion at the pressing position. A conveying device characterized by:

2. a plurality of switching units that are switchable between a first state in which the contact portion is displaced by being pressed by the plurality of pressing units and a second state in which the displacement is more restricted than in the first state, and the second state, 2. The conveying device according to claim 1.

3. a support portion having a support surface that supports the abutment portion so that the abutment portion can be displaced; the switching portion includes a screw having a shaft portion provided with a spiral groove and a head portion having an outer shape larger than an outer shape of the shaft portion, The support portion is provided with a screw hole that penetrates in a direction intersecting with the support surface and that screw-engages with the spiral groove of the shaft portion, The abutment portion has a hole that penetrates in a direction intersecting the support surface, the hole having a dimension in the width direction when viewed in a plan view from a direction intersecting the support surface that is equal to or greater than the outer dimension of the shaft portion and less than the outer dimension of the head portion.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2.

4. a support portion having a support surface that supports the abutment portion so that the abutment portion can be displaced; the pressing portion includes a second screw having a second shank portion provided with a second spiral groove and a second head portion having an outer shape larger than an outer shape of the second shank portion, The support portion is provided with a standing portion extending in a direction intersecting the support surface, The standing portion is provided with a second screw hole into which the second spiral groove of the second shaft portion is screwed.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying device is a conveying device for conveying a plurality of objects.

5. a discharge unit capable of discharging liquid onto a medium; a conveyor belt that conveys the medium and has an outer circumferential surface on which the medium can be placed; a wiper blade that wipes the outer circumferential surface and has a tip end portion that can contact the outer circumferential surface and a base end portion that is located on the opposite side of the tip end portion in a direction intersecting the outer circumferential surface; a contact portion made of resin and capable of supporting the base end portion by contacting the base end portion; a plurality of pressing portions arranged side by side in the width direction of the conveyor belt, the pressing portions being capable of pressing the base end portion via the contact portions; When a plurality of positions of the abutment portion that are pressed by the plurality of pressing portions are defined as a plurality of pressing positions and a position between the plurality of pressing positions is defined as a non-pressing position, the rigidity of the abutment portion at the non-pressing position is smaller than the rigidity of the abutment portion at the pressing position. A liquid ejection device characterized by:

6. a plurality of switching units that are switchable between a first state in which the contact portion is displaced by being pressed by the plurality of pressing units and a second state in which the displacement is more restricted than in the first state, and the second state, 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5.

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