JP2018016069A - Carrying device and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to realize stable sheet conveyance in a blower device by suppressing the sheet material from rising or fluttering. SOLUTION: One side of a sheet material P is carried by a curved sheet material carrying surface of a sheet material carrying member 320, and conveying means 320 for conveying the sheet material and air blowing from the other surface side of the sheet material. In the conveying apparatus including the means 311, the sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member is constituted by a plurality of linear members 322 arranged so that the blown air passes around the sheet material. It is characterized by that. [Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus and a printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, the sheet material is supported by a curved sheet material support surface of the sheet material support member, and transporting means for transporting the sheet material and air blowing means for blowing air from the other surface side of the sheet material. A conveying device is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the back surface of a paper on which an ink image is formed by an inkjet image forming unit is supported by the peripheral surface of an ink drying drum, and hot air is sent from a hot air nozzle from the front side of the paper to the paper. An ink drying apparatus for drying the ink is disclosed. In the ink drying drum of this ink drying apparatus, for the purpose of increasing the heat radiation area of the ink drying drum, a plurality of disks are fixed on a rotating shaft so that there is a gap between them, and a sheet carrying surface for carrying a sheet is provided on each disk. It is constituted by the peripheral surface.

  As in the ink drying device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the configuration in which the sheet material carried on the curved sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member is blown and conveyed is the restoring force of the curved sheet material. Thus, the end portion of the sheet material is easily separated from the sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member. For this reason, there is a problem that the sheet material tends to be poorly conveyed due to the end of the sheet material rolling up or fluttering by the wind from the air blowing means. In particular, in the ink drying device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the hot air blown from the hot air nozzle (air blowing means) around the paper (sheet material) is used as the paper carrying surface (sheet material) of the ink drying drum (sheet material carrying member). An airflow flowing along the sheet material carrying surface is generated against the circumferential surface of each disk constituting the carrying surface. For this reason, the air flow enters the back side of the sheet material, and the end of the sheet material is likely to roll up or flutter.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a conveying means for carrying one sheet material on the curved sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member to convey the sheet material, and the other sheet material. In the conveying device including a blowing unit that blows air from the direction side, the sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member is formed by a plurality of linear members arranged so that the blown air passes around the sheet material. It is configured.

  According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the sheet material can be prevented from rolling up and fluttering, and stable sheet conveyance in the conveyance device can be realized.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the drying part of the inkjet recording device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structure of the drying part of the inkjet recording device. It is a top view of the drying drum of the drying part. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the drying drum of the drying part is ventilated from a ventilation fan. It is a top view of the drying drum concerning other examples. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the same drying drum is ventilated from a ventilation fan. It is a schematic diagram which shows the drying part which concerns on the modification 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to Modification 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the coating device used with the inkjet recording device. In the same inkjet recording device, it is a schematic diagram showing an example in which an exposure light source is arranged on the downstream side in the paper transport direction of the coating device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a drying unit is not disposed between the preprocessing unit and the image forming unit in the inkjet recording apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Overall description]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a paper feeding unit 100, an image forming unit 200, a drying unit 300, and a paper discharge unit 400. In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, an image is formed on the paper P, which is a recording material as a sheet material fed from the paper feeding unit 100, with ink that is an image forming liquid in the image forming unit 200. Then, after the ink attached on the paper is dried in the drying unit 300, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 400.

[Paper Feeder]
The sheet feeding unit 100 mainly includes a sheet feeding tray 110 on which a plurality of sheets P are stacked, a feeding device 120 that separates and feeds sheets from the sheet feeding tray 110 one by one, and the sheets to the image forming unit 200. The registration roller pair 130 is fed in. As the feeding device 120, any feeding device such as a device using a roller or a roller or a device using air suction can be used. The sheet fed from the sheet feeding tray 110 by the feeding device 120 is fed to the image forming unit 200 by the registration roller pair 130 being driven at a predetermined timing after the leading edge reaches the registration roller pair 130. The In the present embodiment, the configuration of the paper feeding unit 100 is not limited as long as it feeds the paper P to the image forming unit 200.

[Image forming unit]
The image forming unit 200 mainly receives the fed paper P and transfers it to the paper carrying drum 210, and the paper carrying drum that carries the paper P conveyed by the transfer cylinder 201 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. 210, an ink ejection unit 220 that ejects ink toward the paper P carried on the paper carrying drum 210, and a transfer cylinder 202 that delivers the paper P conveyed by the paper carrying drum 210 to the drying unit 300. ing.

  The leading edge of the paper P conveyed from the paper feeding unit 100 to the image forming unit 200 is gripped by a paper gripper provided on the surface of the transfer cylinder 201, and is conveyed as the surface of the transfer cylinder 201 moves. The sheet conveyed by the transfer cylinder 201 is transferred to the sheet carrying drum 210 at a position facing the sheet carrying drum 210.

  A paper gripper is also provided on the surface of the paper carrying drum 210, and the leading edge of the paper is gripped by the paper gripper. In addition, a plurality of suction holes are dispersedly formed on the surface of the paper carrying drum 210, and a suction air flow toward the inside of the paper carrying drum 210 is generated in each suction hole by the suction device 211. The paper P delivered from the transfer drum 201 to the paper carrying drum 210 is gripped at the tip by the paper gripper, and is attracted to the surface of the paper carrying drum 210 by the suction airflow, and as the surface of the paper carrying drum 210 moves. Are transported.

  The ink ejection unit 220 according to the present embodiment ejects four colors of ink of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and forms an image. Liquid ejection heads 220C, 220M, 220Y, and 220K. The liquid discharge heads 220C, 220M, 220Y, and 220K are not limited in configuration as long as they discharge liquid, and any configuration can be adopted. If necessary, a liquid discharge head that discharges special inks such as white, gold, and silver may be provided, or a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid that does not constitute an image, such as a surface coating liquid, may be provided.

  The discharge operations of the liquid discharge heads 220C, 220M, 220Y, and 220K of the ink discharge unit 220 are controlled by drive signals corresponding to image information. When the paper P carried on the paper carrying drum 210 passes through the region facing the ink ejection unit 220, each color ink is ejected from the liquid ejection heads 220C, 220M, 220Y, and 220K, and an image corresponding to the image information is formed. It is formed. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 200 is not limited in its configuration as long as it forms an image by adhering liquid onto the paper P.

[Dry section]
The drying unit 300 mainly includes a drying mechanism 301 for drying the ink adhered on the paper P in the image forming unit 200 and a transport mechanism 302 for transporting the paper P transported from the image forming unit 200. Has been. The paper P transported from the image forming unit 200 is received by the transport mechanism 302, transported so as to pass through the drying mechanism 301, and delivered to the paper discharge unit 400. When passing through the drying mechanism 301, the ink on the paper P is subjected to a drying process, whereby liquid components such as moisture in the ink are evaporated, the ink is fixed on the paper P, and the paper P is curled. It is suppressed.

[Output section]
The paper discharge unit 400 mainly includes a paper discharge tray 410 on which a plurality of sheets P are stacked. The sheets P conveyed from the drying unit 300 are sequentially stacked and held on the sheet discharge tray 410. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the paper discharge unit 400 is not limited as long as it discharges the paper P.

[Other functional parts]
The inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the paper feeding unit 100, the image forming unit 200, the drying unit 300, and the paper discharge unit 400, but other functional units may be added as appropriate. For example, after a pre-processing unit that performs pre-processing of image formation is added between the paper feeding unit 100 and the image forming unit 200, or after post-processing of image formation is performed between the drying unit 300 and the paper discharge unit 400 A processing unit can be added.

  Examples of the pre-processing unit include a unit that performs a processing liquid application process that applies a processing liquid that reacts with ink and suppresses bleeding to the paper P. However, the content of the pre-processing is not particularly limited. . Further, as the post-processing unit, for example, a sheet reversal conveyance process for inverting the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 200 and sending the sheet to the image forming unit 200 again to form images on both sides of the sheet, There are no particular restrictions on the content of post-processing.

In this embodiment, the printing apparatus is described as an example of an inkjet recording apparatus. However, the “printing apparatus” includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid toward a surface to be dried of a sheet material, and is discharged. In addition, the liquid is not limited to visualizing significant images such as characters and figures, and includes, for example, a pattern that has no meaning in itself. The sheet material is not limited in material, and may be paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramic, etc., as long as the liquid can be attached even temporarily, for example, It may be used for film products, cloth products for clothing, building materials such as wallpaper and flooring, and leather products. In addition, the “printing apparatus” can include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging a liquid to which a liquid can adhere, a pre-processing apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, and the like.
The “liquid” is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, and the viscosity is 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. Preferably there is. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , Edible materials such as natural pigments, and the like, suspensions, emulsions, and the like, which can be used in applications such as ink jet inks and surface treatment liquids.
The “printing apparatus” includes an apparatus in which the liquid discharge head and the sheet material move relatively, but is not limited thereto. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type apparatus that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

  The “liquid ejection head” is a functional component that ejects and ejects liquid from ejection holes (nozzles). As an energy generation source for discharging liquid, piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators using electrothermal transducers such as heating resistors, electrostatic actuators composed of diaphragms and counter electrodes, etc. Although energy generation means can be used, the discharge energy generation means to be used is not limited.

[Details of drying section]
Next, the detail of the drying part 300 in this embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the drying unit 300 in the present embodiment.
The drying mechanism 301 in the drying unit 300 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a blower fan 311 as a blowing unit that blows air toward the paper P conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 302, and a radiation heater 312. The blower fan 311 and the radiation heater 312 may be disposed in the drying chamber 313. The drying chamber 313 is configured such that at least a part of the wall member is formed of a heat insulating material, and the internal temperature of the drying chamber 313 is not easily lowered. In the drying mechanism 301, on the image surface of the paper P conveyed by the radiant heat from the radiation heater 312 and the air blown by the blower fan 311, the image surface of the paper P conveyed (surface to which liquid such as ink is applied). Allow the ink to dry.

  In the example of FIG. 2, not only the blower fan 311 and the radiant heater 312 but also the transport mechanism 302 are arranged in the drying chamber 313, but the blower fan 311 and the radiant heater 312 are connected to the drying chamber 313 as shown in FIG. 3. The conveyance mechanism 302 may be disposed outside the drying chamber 313. In the example of FIG. 2, even if the wind from the blower fan 311 passes through the drying drum 320, it is possible to suppress the influence of the wind on other units (for example, the ink ejection unit 220). On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 3, the internal space of the drying chamber 313 heated by the drying mechanism 301 is narrow, and the internal temperature of the drying chamber 313 is easily raised.

  The drying mechanism 301 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality (five in the present embodiment) of the blower fans 311 are arranged side by side in the paper conveyance direction, but the number and arrangement of the blower fans 311 are arbitrary. . Further, the drying mechanism 301 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of radiation heaters 312 are arranged side by side in the paper conveyance direction, but the number and arrangement of the radiation heaters 312 are also arbitrary. It is.

  The transport mechanism 302 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a drying drum 320 as a sheet material carrying member that receives the paper P transported from the transfer drum 202 of the image forming unit 200 and carries the paper P on the outer peripheral surface, and the drying drum 320. The transfer drum 330 is configured to transfer the paper P conveyed by the drum 320 to the paper discharge unit 400.

  The paper P conveyed by the transfer drum 202 of the image forming unit 200 is transferred to the drying drum 320 at a position facing the drying drum 320. A paper gripper 323 is provided on the surface of the drying drum 320 in the same manner as the paper carrying drum 210 of the image forming unit 200, and the leading edge of the paper is gripped by the paper gripper. The sheet P transferred from the transfer drum 202 to the drying drum 320 is held on the outer peripheral surface (sheet material supporting surface) of the drying drum 320 by the sheet gripper and is moved along with the surface movement of the drying drum 320. Then, it is conveyed in the circumferential direction of the drying drum 320.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the blower fan 311 and the radiant heater 312 of the drying mechanism 301 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the drying drum 320 so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320. The paper P carried on the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 passes through a blowing area in which air heated by the radiation heater 312 is blown by the blowing fan 311 as the surface of the drying drum 320 moves. Thereafter, the paper P carried on the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 is transferred to the transfer drum 330 at a position facing the transfer drum 330, and transferred from the transfer drum 330 to the paper discharge unit 400.

[Suppression of paper edge flutter]
Generally, when the outer peripheral surface (sheet material supporting surface) for supporting paper is curved like the drying drum 320 of the present embodiment, the paper supported on the outer peripheral surface warps along the curvature ( Bend). Since the paper in such a warped state is subjected to a restoring force that tries to return to a state in which it does not warp with its own strength, the edge of the paper (especially the leading edge of the paper or the trailing edge of the paper) by this restoring force. Tends to float off (is easily separated from) the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320. Therefore, when air is blown by the blower fan 311 from the front surface side of the paper carried on the drying drum 320 in such a warped state, the air flows from the paper edge to the back surface of the paper and the outer periphery of the drying drum 320. It is easy to enter between the sheet surface, and the end of the sheet is rolled up or fluttered, and the conveyance failure of the sheet P is likely to occur.

  A conventional drying drum carries and conveys paper on an outer peripheral surface where no holes or grooves exist, or adsorbs and conveys paper on the outer peripheral surface where suction holes exist by suction force from the suction holes. Things are common. In the case of such a conventional drying drum, for example, the wind from the blower fan that hits the outer peripheral surface of the drum that does not carry the paper on the downstream side of the paper conveyance direction from the front end of the paper carried on the drying drum An airflow that flows downstream along the outer peripheral surface in the paper conveyance direction is generated. In this case, the leading edge of the paper rolls up or flutters due to the airflow. Further, for example, the wind from the blower fan that hits the outer peripheral surface of the drum not carrying the paper upstream of the rear end of the paper carried on the drying drum is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the drum. An airflow that flows upstream in the direction may occur. In this case, the trailing edge of the paper rolls up or flutters due to the airflow. Further, for example, the wind from the blower fan that hits the drum outer peripheral surface portion that does not carry the paper on the outer side in the drying drum axis direction from the side end of the paper carried on the drying drum, along the drum outer peripheral surface. There may be an airflow that flows inward in the direction. In this case, the side edges of the paper roll up or flutter due to the airflow.

  In the ink drying apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, a part of the hot air blown from the hot air nozzle (air blowing means) around the paper (sheet material) constitutes an ink drying drum (sheet material carrying member). Airflow that flows along the outer peripheral surface of the drum through the gap between the plurality of disks is not generated. However, the remainder of the hot air blown around the paper from the hot air nozzle, that is, the hot air hitting the peripheral surface of each disk, generates an air current that flows along the outer peripheral surface of the drum, as in the conventional drying drum, and curls the edge of the paper. Causes rise and flutter.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the drying drum of the drying unit in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of linear members whose outer peripheral surfaces are separated from each other so that the air blown around the paper P carried on the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 can pass through the outer peripheral surface. It is comprised by the support wire 322 as. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the drying drum 320 includes two disk-shaped flange portions 321 a that constitute each end surface in the drum axis direction of the drying drum 320 on the drum shaft 321. A plurality of support wires 322 extending in the drum axis direction are stretched between the flange portions 321a at predetermined intervals so as to extend along the circumference of the flange portion 321a. The outer peripheral surface carrying the paper in the drying drum 320 of the present embodiment is constituted by these support wires 322.

  The paper gripper 323 on the drying drum 320 is attached on a gripper support portion 323a supported between the two flange portions 321a. Further, the internal space of the drying drum 320, that is, the space surrounded by the support wire 322 and the two flange portions 321 a is hollow except for the drum shaft 321.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the drying drum 320 in the present embodiment is blown from the blower fan 311.
In the present embodiment, the paper P carried and transported by the drying drum 320 is in a state where the leading end is gripped by the paper gripper 323 and the back side of the paper is supported by the support wire 322. As a result, the paper P can be transported while carrying the paper on the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 in the same manner as a conventional drying drum.

  In the present embodiment, the wind from the blower fan 311 can pass through the gap between the support wires 322. Therefore, the air blown around the paper P carried on the drying drum 320 passes through the gap between the support wires 322 and proceeds to the inside of the drying drum 320, and the airflow flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 Does not cause. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the curling and fluttering of the end of the sheet, which has been generated by the airflow flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320, thereby suppressing the sheet conveyance failure and realizing stable sheet conveyance.

The interval between the support wires 322 (separation distance in the drum circumferential direction) is set as appropriate, but is an interval through which the air from the blower fan 311 can pass, and the blower fan is placed on the surface of the paper P, that is, on the image surface (the blown surface). It is desirable to set an interval at which the paper P can be backed up so that the paper P does not bend greatly or the position of the paper P is not shifted even when wind from 311 hits.
Further, the thickness of the support wire 322 in the present embodiment is also set as appropriate, but with such a thickness that the air hitting the support wire 322 does not substantially generate an airflow flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320, In addition, it is desired to set the thickness so as to maintain the strength capable of sufficiently supporting the paper P.

  The support wire 322 in the present embodiment is a metal wire having a diameter of about 1 mm, but is not limited thereto. A metal, rubber, or the like can be used as the material of the support wire 322, and the material is not particularly limited. However, in the present embodiment, considering that the high-temperature air heated by the radiation heater 312 is blown to the support wire 322, the heat-resistant material (heat-resistant rubber or metal) is used. preferable.

  By configuring the paper carrying surface of the drying drum 320 with the plurality of support wires 322 as in the present embodiment, an effect of suppressing an increase in the temperature of the paper carrying surface that contacts the back surface of the paper is also achieved. That is, if the sheet carrying surface is constituted by a plurality of support wires 322 as in this embodiment, the heat capacity is small and the total surface area is large compared to the conventional drying drum, so that hot hot air Even when the toner hits the drying drum, the temperature rise of the paper carrying surface that contacts the back surface of the paper is reduced.

  Note that the configuration of the sheet carrying surface by the linear member is such that the wind blown around the sheet P carried on the drying drum 320 can pass through the support wire 322 as in this embodiment. The configuration is not limited. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a mesh configuration in which the support wires 322 are arranged in a mesh shape may be employed. Even in such a mesh configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the wind blown around the paper P carried on the drying drum 320 passes through the gap between the support wires 322 and enters the inside of the drying drum 320. The airflow flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 is not generated. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the curling and fluttering of the end of the sheet, which has been generated by the airflow flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320, thereby suppressing the sheet conveyance failure and realizing stable sheet conveyance.

  The drying unit 300 of the present embodiment is not necessarily provided with the radiant heater 312 as long as it blows air toward the paper P by a blower such as the blower fan 311. However, the drying unit 300 can dry the ink in a shorter time. Therefore, it is preferable to dry the ink on the paper P by blowing air and radiant heat. As the radiation heater 312, for example, an infrared heater such as an IR heater or a halogen heater can be used. Further, the wind from the blower fan 311 may be heated by the radiant heat of the radiant heater 312. Note that a heater may be incorporated in the blower fan 311 to send warm air (hot air).

  Various parameters such as a wind speed and an air volume by the blower fan 311 and a distance between the blower fan 311 and the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 are configured to be changeable by the control unit. The set values of the various parameters are changed according to, for example, the type of the paper P, the amount of ink attached to the paper P, the paper conveyance speed by the drying drum 320, and the like. For example, the control unit may change the setting values of various parameters based on input information input by an operator using an operation panel provided in the inkjet recording apparatus, or data or programs stored in the storage device in advance. Etc. may be used to change the set values of various parameters. Various parameters can be manually adjusted by an operator.

  The radiation heater 312 is also configured so that parameters such as the output wavelength can be set and changed in accordance with the type of the paper P, the amount of ink attached to the paper P, the paper conveyance speed by the drying drum 320, and the like. Regarding the parameter setting change, as in the case of the blower fan 311, for example, the setting values of various parameters may be changed based on input information input by the operator using an operation panel provided in the inkjet recording apparatus. You may change the setting value of various parameters using the data, program, etc. which are memorize | stored in the memory | storage device. Also, manual adjustment by the operator is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the arrangement interval of the blower fans 311 (the circumferential separation distance of the drying drum 320) is set as appropriate. At this time, in the present embodiment, the paper P is pressed against the outer peripheral surface (support wire 322) of the drying drum 320 by the wind pressure generated by the blower fan 311 and the paper P is carried on the drying drum 320. As described above, when the force for supporting the paper P on the drying drum 320 is realized mainly by the wind pressure of the blower fan 311, the rear end side of the paper P does not float with its own strength. In addition, it is desirable to set the arrangement interval of the blower fans 311. Specifically, it is preferable to set the arrangement interval of the blower fans 311 so that at least three points of the front end, the center, and the rear end can be simultaneously pressed by the wind pressure by the blower fan 311 for one sheet of paper.

  In the configuration in which the force for supporting the paper P on the drying drum 320 is realized mainly by the wind pressure of the blower fan 311, the wind speed of the blower fan 311 for suppressing the floating of the paper is appropriately set for each paper type. However, it is preferably 20 m / s or more for relatively high rigidity paper.

  The arrangement position of the blower fan 311 (the circumferential position of the drying drum 320) is also set as appropriate. At this time, the lower half of the drying drum 320 receives an external force in a direction away from the drying drum 320 due to the weight of the paper, so that the paper is removed from the drying drum 320 when the rear end of the paper is conveyed to this location. Easy to leave. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the blower fan 311 so that the wind from the blower fan 311 hits the surface of the paper passing through the lower half of the drying drum 320. That is, it is preferable to arrange the blower fan 311 so that the wind from the blower fan 311 is directed toward the sheet carrying surface below the drum shaft 321 that is the rotating shaft of the drying drum 320 that is the rotating body.

  Here, a configuration in which a sheet is pressed onto the drying drum 320 and supported by a pressing member such as a roller may be employed. However, in this configuration, since the image is disturbed when the image portion on the sheet is pressed with the pressing member, the portion where the image on the sheet is not formed, usually the side edge region of the sheet, is pressed with the pressing member. Since the side edge region of the paper is only about a few mm wide, when the paper P is shrunk by the drying process in the drying unit 300, the pressing member is removed from the side edge region of the paper, and stable paper conveyance is realized. Is difficult. Further, when the width direction size (the drum axis direction length) of the paper P changes, an operation of adjusting the pressing position of the pressing member in accordance with the change is also required. In consideration of exposure to the high temperature of the drying unit 300, the pressing member is required to have sufficient heat resistance, and the component cost is likely to increase.

  As in the present embodiment, if the force for carrying the paper P on the drying drum 320 is realized mainly by the wind pressure of the blower fan 311, the paper P is pressed against the drying drum 320 by a pressing member such as a roller. There is no need. Therefore, even if the paper P is shrunk by the drying process in the drying unit 300, it can be kept pressed by the wind pressure, and stable paper conveyance can be realized. Even if the width direction size of the paper P (the length in the drum axis direction) changes, the position adjustment of the blower fan 311 is not particularly required. Further, since it is not necessary to secure a non-image area on the paper P to be pressed by the pressing member, the entire surface of the paper P can be used as an image area, and an image can be formed on the entire paper.

[Modification 1]
Next, a modified example of the drying unit 300 in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 1”) will be described.
In the embodiment described above, the internal space of the drying drum 320, that is, the space surrounded by the support wire 322 and the two flange portions 321 a is hollow except for the drum shaft 321. Therefore, the wind from the blower fan 311 enters the inside of the drying drum 320 through the gap between the support wires 322, and directly passes through the gap between the support wires 322 constituting the drum outer peripheral surface on the opposite side. It goes out of 320. At this time, there is a possibility that an adverse effect or a malfunction may occur due to the wind that has flowed out of the drying drum 320.

  For example, when the paper is carried in a place where the wind from the blower fan 311 passes through the gap between the support wires 322 constituting the drum outer peripheral surface on the opposite side, the paper is separated from the drying drum 320 and floats by the wind pressure. There is a risk of hindering the stable conveyance of the paper. In addition, as in the above-described embodiment, when the blower fans 311 are arranged so as to face each other over approximately half a circumference of the drying drum 320, the winds from the blower fans 311 collide with each other from different directions to generate turbulence. For example, there is a possibility of generating an unexpected air flow that causes the sheet to float from the drying drum 320.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the drying unit 300 in the first modification.
In the first modification, as shown in FIG. 8, rectifying plates 324 a, 324 b, and 324 c as rectifying means are provided inside the drying drum 320. An exhaust duct 325 is also provided for receiving the wind rectified by the rectifying plates 324a, 324b, 324c and guiding it to a predetermined discharge destination such as outside the apparatus. These rectifying plates 324a, 324b, 324c and the exhaust duct 325 form a flow path for guiding the wind that has entered the internal space of the drying drum 320 from the gap between the support wires 322 of the drying drum 320 toward a predetermined discharge destination. Functions as a flow path forming member.

  In the first modification, the first rectifying plate 324a is disposed in the internal space of the drying drum 320 from the gap between the support wires 322 of the drying drum 320 by the air blown from the first blower fan 311 disposed on the most upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. The portion of the drying drum 320 where the paper is not carried (non-carrying portion), specifically, the position where the transfer drum 330 of the drying unit 300 faces, the transfer drum 202 of the image forming unit 200 faces. A flow path that guides to the outer peripheral surface portion of the drying drum 320 up to the position to be formed is formed. The inlet of the exhaust duct 325 faces the outer peripheral surface portion of the drying drum 320. Therefore, the wind from the first blower fan 311 enters the internal space of the drying drum 320 through the gap between the support wires 322 of the drying drum 320 and is then rectified by the first rectifying plate 324a. The air passes through the gap between the support wires 322 on the outer peripheral surface portion of the opposing drying drum 320 to the outside of the drying drum 320 and flows into the exhaust duct 325.

  In addition, the third rectifying plate 324c is a wind that enters the internal space of the drying drum 320 from the gap between the support wires 322 of the drying drum 320 by the blowing from the fifth blower fan 311 disposed on the most downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. In the same manner as in the first rectifying plate 324a, a flow path is formed to guide the outer peripheral surface portion of the drying drum 320 facing the inlet of the exhaust duct 325. Accordingly, the wind from the fifth blower fan 311 enters the internal space of the drying drum 320 through the gap between the support wires 322 of the drying drum 320 and is then rectified by the third rectifying plate 324c, so that the inlet of the exhaust duct 325 is opened. The air passes through the gap between the support wires 322 on the outer peripheral surface portion of the opposing drying drum 320 to the outside of the drying drum 320 and flows into the exhaust duct 325.

  In addition, the second rectifying plate 324b cooperates with the first rectifying plate 324a and the third rectifying plate 324c to blow between the support wires 322 of the drying drum 320 by blowing air from the remaining second to fourth blowing fans 311. Similarly, a flow path that guides the wind that has entered the interior space of the drying drum 320 from the gap to the outer peripheral surface portion of the drying drum 320 facing the inlet of the exhaust duct 325 is formed. Therefore, the remaining air from the second to fourth blower fans 311 also enters the internal space of the drying drum 320 through the gap between the support wires 322 of the drying drum 320 and is then rectified by the current plates 324a, 324b, and 324c. Then, the air enters the exhaust duct 325 from the gap between the support wires 322 on the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 320 facing the inlet of the exhaust duct 325 and flows into the exhaust duct 325.

  According to the first modification, the wind that has passed through the gap between the support wires 322 and entered the internal space of the drying drum 320 can be guided to the predetermined transport destination, and thus has entered the internal space of the drying drum 320. The adverse effects of wind can be reduced.

[Modification 2]
Next, another modified example of the drying unit 300 in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 2”) will be described.
In the embodiment described above, the example is the drying unit 300 that dries the paper after the ink is ejected and the image is formed. However, in the present modification, a predetermined processing liquid is applied to the paper P in the preprocessing unit described above. This is applied to a drying unit that dries the paper to which the treatment liquid has been applied before the image is formed by discharging the ink in the image forming unit 200 and performing the process of applying the coating liquid.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to this modification.
This modification is basically the same as the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment except that a preprocessing unit 500 and a drying unit 300 ′ are added between the paper feeding unit 100 and the image forming unit 200. About a structure, it is the same as that of embodiment mentioned above. The basic configuration of the added drying unit 300 ′ is also the same as that in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the following description will focus on points that are different from the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a coating apparatus 510 as a pretreatment means used in this modification.
The pre-processing unit 500 of the present modification includes a coating device 510 that applies a processing liquid to the paper P fed from the paper feeding unit 100. Examples of the treatment liquid include a modifying material that modifies the surface of the paper by applying it to the surface of the paper. Specifically, by spreading the ink uniformly on the paper in advance, the ink moisture quickly penetrates into the paper, thickens the color component, and further accelerates the drying (feathering, bleeding, etc.). And fixing agents (setting agents) that prevent the occurrence of show-through and increase the productivity (number of images output per unit time).

  In terms of composition, the treatment liquid is, for example, a cellulose (anionic, cationic, nonionic, or a mixture of two or more of these) that promotes moisture penetration ( Hydroxypropyl cellulose etc.) and a solution to which a base such as talc fine powder is added can be used. Furthermore, fine particles can be contained.

  The coating apparatus 510 according to the present modification includes a transport roller 511 that transports the paper, a coating roller 512 that applies the processing liquid 501 to the paper facing the transport roller 511, and supplies the processing liquid 501 to the coating roller 512. And a squeeze roller 513 that thins the film (the film of the treatment liquid 501). The rotation direction of each roller is the arrow direction in the figure. These rollers are arranged such that the application roller 512 is in contact with the conveyance roller 511 and the squeeze roller 513 is in contact with the application roller 512.

  In this modification, when the processing liquid 501 is applied to the sheet by the coating device 510, the processing liquid 501 in the liquid tray 514 is scooped up on the surface of the squeeze roller 513 by rotating the squeeze roller 513 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. In the state of the liquid film layer 501a, the liquid film layer 501a is transferred by the rotation, and accumulates on the valley portion (contact portion: nip portion) between the squeeze roller 513 and the application roller 512 (treatment liquid 501b). Here, the squeeze roller 513 and the application roller 512 are in contact with each other with a constant applied pressure, and the processing liquid 501b accumulated in the valley portion is squeezed with pressure when passing between the rollers 513 and 512, and the processing liquid A liquid film layer 501 c of 501 is formed and transferred to the transport roller 511 side by the rotation of the application roller 512. The liquid film layer 501c transferred by the application roller 512 is applied to the paper.

  The sheet coated with the liquid film layer 501c of the processing liquid 501 in this way is conveyed to a drying unit 300 'having the same configuration as the drying unit 300 of the above-described embodiment, and is subjected to a drying process. The sheet that has undergone the drying process by the drying unit 300 ′ is fed to the image forming unit 200, and ink is ejected by the image forming unit 200 to form an image.

  In this modification, as shown in FIG. 11, an exposure light source 520 as an exposure unit that irradiates active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays may be arranged on the downstream side of the coating apparatus 510 in the paper conveyance direction. Thus, after applying the treatment liquid 501 to the paper P, the treatment liquid 501 is partially cured (semi-cured) by irradiating active energy rays, and then the treatment liquid 501 is dried in the drying unit 300 ′. it can. This example is particularly effective when a treatment liquid 501 containing a photopolymerization initiator described later and having a high water content is used.

  In this case, it is preferable that the processing liquid 501 contains a photopolymerization initiator. As the photopolymerization initiator, a radical photopolymerization initiator is preferable. Aromatic ketones, phosphine oxide compounds, aromatic onium salt compounds, organic peroxides, thio compounds, hexaarylbiimidazole compounds, ketoxime ester compounds, borates Examples thereof include compounds, azinium compounds, metallocene compounds, active ester compounds, compounds having a carbon halogen bond, and alkylamine compounds.

  Examples of the active energy rays include visible rays, α rays, γ rays, X rays, electron rays, and the like in addition to ultraviolet rays. Examples of the active energy ray exposure light source 520 include a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a light emitting diode, and a laser diode.

  Further, in this modification, a drying unit 300 ′ is disposed between the preprocessing unit 500 and the image forming unit 200, and the paper P on which the processing liquid 501 is applied by the coating device 510 of the preprocessing unit 500 is formed on the image. Although the ink is discharged before the image is formed by ejecting ink in the portion 200, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a drying unit is not disposed between the preprocessing unit 500 and the image forming unit 200, and the preprocessing unit is used in the drying unit 300 on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction of the image forming unit 200. The processing liquid 501 applied by the application device 510 and the ink applied by the image forming unit 200 may be dried together. Note that when the processing liquid 501 containing a photopolymerization initiator is used, the exposure light source 520 shown in FIG. 11 may be disposed between the image forming unit 200 and the drying unit 300.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
(Aspect A)
One surface such as the back surface of a sheet material such as paper P is carried by a sheet material carrying surface such as a curved paper carrying surface (drum outer circumferential surface) of a sheet material carrying member such as a drying drum 320, and the sheet material is conveyed. In a transport apparatus such as a drying unit 300 including transport means such as the transport mechanism 302 and blower means such as a blower fan 311 that blows air from the other side of the sheet material, the sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member is The sheet member is configured by a linear member such as a plurality of support wires 322 arranged so that the blown air passes around the sheet material.
According to this aspect, the wind blown around the sheet material carried on the sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member can pass through the gaps between the plurality of linear members constituting the sheet material carrying surface. it can. As a result, the air blown around the sheet material strikes the sheet material carrying surface and no airflow flows along the sheet material carrying surface, and such airflow enters the back side of the sheet material to lift the sheet material or flutter. Can be prevented from occurring. Therefore, stable sheet conveyance in the conveyance device is realized.

(Aspect B)
In the aspect A, the sheet material carrying member is an endless moving member such as a drying drum 320, and an outer peripheral surface of the endless moving member is the sheet material carrying surface.
According to this, stable conveyance of the sheet material in a configuration in which the sheet material is carried and conveyed on the outer peripheral surface of the endless moving member can be realized.

(Aspect C)
In the aspect A or B, the rectifying plates 324a, 324b, 324c and the exhaust duct 325 forming a flow path for guiding the wind that has passed through the gaps between the plurality of linear members toward a predetermined discharge destination such as outside the machine. It has the flow-path formation member, such as.
According to this, the bad influence by the wind which passed the clearance gap between several linear members from the circumference | surroundings of a sheet | seat material can be reduced.

(Aspect D)
In the aspect B, the wind that has passed through the gaps between the plurality of linear members and entered the inner peripheral surface of the endless moving member is guided to the non-supporting portion of the endless moving member on which the sheet material is not supported. It has a flow path forming member such as rectifying plates 324a, 324b, and 324c that form the flow path.
According to this, the wind that has passed through the gaps between the plurality of linear members from the periphery of the sheet material hits from the back side of the sheet material of the endless moving member on which the sheet material is supported, and the sheet material It is possible to avoid a situation that hinders the stable conveyance.

(Aspect E)
In the aspect A or the aspect D, the endless moving member is a rotating body that rotates and conveys the sheet material, and the blowing unit is directed toward the sheet material carrying surface below the rotation axis of the rotating body. It is characterized by blowing air.
According to this, stable conveyance of a sheet material is realizable.

(Aspect F)
In any one of the aspects A to E, the sheet material includes a radiant heater 312 that irradiates the sheet material with radiant heat.
According to this, the high temperature wind by a ventilation means can be sent to a sheet | seat material. Moreover, in this aspect, as described above, since the sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member is constituted by a plurality of linear members spaced apart from each other, the heat capacity of the sheet material carrying member is small and the total surface area is large. . Therefore, there is a merit that even if a high temperature wind hits, an increase in the temperature of the sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member is suppressed.

(Aspect G)
In any one of the aspects A to F, the plurality of linear members are configured in a mesh shape.
According to this, stable sheet conveyance in the conveyance device is realized.

(Aspect H)
Liquid discharge means such as liquid discharge heads 220C, 220M, 220Y, and 220K that discharge liquid such as ink onto a sheet material such as paper P, and the like, and the sheet material to which the liquid is attached by the liquid discharge means In a printing apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a transport apparatus such as a drying unit 300 that transports the transport apparatus, the transport apparatus according to any one of the aspects A to G is used as the transport apparatus. .
According to this, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that realizes stable sheet conveyance in the conveyance apparatus.

(Aspect I)
Liquid discharge means such as liquid discharge heads 220C, 220M, 220Y, and 220K for discharging a liquid such as ink onto a sheet material such as paper P, and the liquid are discharged upstream of the liquid discharge means in the sheet material conveyance direction. Pretreatment means such as a coating apparatus 510 that applies the treatment liquid 501 to the previous sheet material, and a drying unit 300 ′ that blows air to the sheet material to which the treatment liquid is applied by the pretreatment means and conveys the sheet material. In a printing apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus including the above-described conveyance apparatus, the conveyance apparatus according to any one of the aspects A to G is used as the conveyance apparatus.
According to this, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that realizes stable sheet conveyance in the conveyance apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 100 Paper feed part 200 Image formation part 210 Paper carrying drum 220 Ink discharge part 300 Drying part 301 Drying mechanism 302 Conveyance mechanism 311 Blower fan 312 Radiation heater 320 Drying drum 321 Drum shaft 321a Flange part 322 Support wire 323 Paper gripper 323a Gripper support portions 324a, 324b, 324c Rectifying plate 325 Exhaust duct 330 Transfer cylinder 400 Paper discharge portion

JP 2009-226811 A

Claims (9)

A conveying device comprising a conveying unit that conveys the sheet material by supporting one surface of the sheet material on a curved sheet material-carrying surface of the sheet material-carrying member, and a blowing unit that blows air from the other surface side of the sheet material In
The sheet material carrying surface of the sheet material carrying member is constituted by a plurality of linear members arranged so that air blown around the sheet material passes therethrough. In the conveyance apparatus of Claim 1,
The conveying apparatus, wherein the sheet material carrying member is an endless moving member, and an outer peripheral surface of the endless moving member is the sheet material carrying surface. In the conveyance apparatus of Claim 1 or 2,
A conveying apparatus comprising: a flow path forming member that forms a flow path for guiding the wind that has passed through the gaps between the plurality of linear members toward a predetermined discharge destination. In the conveyance apparatus of Claim 2,
A flow path for guiding the wind that has passed through the gaps between the plurality of linear members and has entered the inner peripheral surface of the endless moving member to a non-carrying portion of the endless moving member that does not carry the sheet material is formed. A conveying device comprising a flow path forming member. In the conveying apparatus of Claim 2 or Claim 4,
The endless moving member is a rotating body that rotates and conveys a sheet material;
The conveying device, wherein the blowing unit blows air toward the sheet material carrying surface below the rotation shaft of the rotating body. In the conveyance apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
A conveying device comprising a radiant heater for irradiating a sheet material with radiant heat. In the conveyance apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
The conveying apparatus, wherein the plurality of linear members are configured in a mesh shape. Liquid ejection means for ejecting liquid to the sheet material;
In a printing apparatus provided with a conveying device that blows air to the sheet material to which liquid has adhered by the liquid ejection means and conveys the sheet material,
A printing apparatus using the conveyance device according to claim 1 as the conveyance device. Liquid ejection means for ejecting liquid to the sheet material;
Pretreatment means for applying a treatment liquid to the sheet material before the liquid is discharged on the upstream side in the sheet material conveyance direction of the liquid discharge means;
In a printing apparatus provided with a conveying device that blows air to the sheet material to which the processing liquid is applied by the pretreatment means and conveys the sheet material,
A printing apparatus using the conveyance device according to claim 1 as the conveyance device.

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