Patent Description:
A recording medium conveying apparatus disclosed in <CIT> includes a conveying belt that conveys a recording medium, a cleaning solution application unit that applies a cleaning solution to the conveying belt after the recording medium is peeled off, a removal member that removes the cleaning solution from the conveying belt, and a pressure changing mechanism that changes a pressure for causing the removal member to come into contact with the belt. The cleaning solution application unit is configured of a sprinkling pipe, a pump, and the like.

An example of a method for improving the performance of removing foreign matter on a front surface of a conveying belt in a configuration that applies a cleaning solution to the front surface of the conveying belt that is moving, as in the cleaning solution application unit disclosed in <CIT>, includes a method of increasing the pressure of a cleaning solution.

However, when the pressure of the cleaning solution is increased, there is concern that the high-pressure cleaning solution will collide with the conveying belt, and the cleaning solution will be scattered around a recording medium conveying apparatus.

<CIT> discloses a recording device that includes a recording unit capable of performing recording on a medium, a holding unit capable of holding a roll body around which the medium is wound, a transporting unit that transports the medium unwound from the roll body, a tension roller that, between the holding unit and the recording unit, comes into contact with a back surface of the medium and applies tension to the medium, and a blowing unit that blows air onto a front surface of the medium. The blowing unit blows the air towards the tension roller.

In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a printer <NUM>, which is an example of a printing apparatus according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure, will be described in detail.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the printer <NUM> is installed on a floor <NUM> of a factory <NUM>. The printer <NUM> performs recording on the medium M. Examples of the medium M include a cloth and paper. Further, the medium M is pulled out from the front of the printer <NUM> as an example. An XYZ coordinate system illustrated in each drawing is an orthogonal coordinate system.

An X direction is an apparatus width direction of the printer <NUM> and is a horizontal direction. When the printer <NUM> is viewed from the front, a left direction in the X direction is a +X direction, and a right direction is a -X direction. Further, the X direction corresponds to a width direction of the medium M.

A Y direction is a depth direction of the printer <NUM> and is a horizontal direction. When the printer <NUM> is viewed from the front, a forward direction is a +Y direction and a depth direction is a -Y direction.

A Z direction is along a gravitational direction in which gravity acts. An upward direction in the Z direction is a +Z direction, and a downward direction is a -Z direction. The +Z direction is an apparatus height direction of the printer <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> includes a recording unit <NUM> and a conveying unit <NUM> as an example of a conveying apparatus. Further, the printer <NUM> includes, as an example, an apparatus body portion <NUM>, a body cover <NUM>, and an operation unit <NUM> (<FIG>). As an example, the printer <NUM> has a recording mode in which recording is performed on the medium M and a maintenance mode for cleaning the printer <NUM> or replacing parts.

The apparatus body portion <NUM> is configured as a base portion on which the respective units of the printer <NUM> are provided.

The body cover <NUM> is an exterior member that covers the respective units of the printer <NUM>.

The operation unit <NUM> includes a touch panel and operation buttons (not illustrated). Operations of the respective units of the printer <NUM> can be set in the operation unit <NUM>.

The recording unit <NUM> is provided in the apparatus body portion <NUM>. Further, the recording unit <NUM> performs recording on the medium M moving in the +Y direction. Specifically, the recording unit <NUM> includes a recording head <NUM>, and a carriage <NUM> that supports the recording head <NUM> so that the recording head <NUM> can reciprocate in the X direction.

The recording head <NUM> includes a plurality of nozzles (not illustrated) and is disposed in the +Z direction with respect to a glue belt <NUM> (described below). The recording head <NUM> can record an image on the medium M by discharging the ink K, which is an example of droplets, onto a recorded surface of the medium M from a plurality of nozzles (not illustrated). In other words, the medium M is a recording medium on which an image is recorded. The ink K is also an example of a recording material.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a conveying unit <NUM> includes, for example, a belt unit <NUM>, a vapor application unit <NUM>, a front surface detection unit <NUM>, a cooling unit <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a moving unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>. The conveying unit <NUM> is an example of a conveying apparatus that conveys the medium M by moving the glue belt <NUM>, which will be described below. The conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the apparatus body portion <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> functions as, for example, a control unit that controls not only an operation of the conveying unit <NUM>, but also an operation of each unit of the printer <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the belt unit <NUM> includes, for example, a driving roller <NUM>, a driven roller <NUM>, a glue belt <NUM>, and a motor (not illustrated).

The driving roller <NUM> is disposed downstream in the +Y direction. The driven roller <NUM> is disposed upstream in the +Y direction. Both the driving roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM> includes a rotation shaft in the X direction. Rotation of the driving roller <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM> which will be described below.

The glue belt <NUM> is an example of a conveying belt, and is configured as an endless belt obtained by bonding both ends of an elastic flat plate together. Further, the glue belt <NUM> is wound around the driving roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM>. In other words, the glue belt <NUM> is provided in the apparatus body portion <NUM> and circulated and moved to be able to convey the medium M in the +Y direction. A direction in which the glue belt <NUM> circulates and moves is defined as a +R direction. An outer peripheral surface of the glue belt <NUM> is a front surface 24A, and an internal peripheral surface is a back surface 24B. When an entire path along which the glue belt <NUM> circulates and moves is defined as a circulating path, the circulating path includes a conveying path for adhering and conveying the medium M, and a non-conveying path that is a path other than the conveying path. The medium M is conveyed in the +Y direction on the conveying path. The glue belt <NUM> moving on the non-conveying path is cleaned by the cleaning unit <NUM>, which will be described below.

As an example, the front surface 24A has adhesiveness by being coated with an adhesive (not illustrated), and can support the medium M and adsorb the medium M. The adhesiveness means a property of the front surface being able to be temporarily adhered to another member and to be peeled off when in an adhered state.

A portion of the front surface 24A located in the +Z direction from a center of the driving roller <NUM> and being along an XY plane is defined as an upper surface portion 25A. The upper surface portion 25A supports the medium M. Further, a portion of the front surface 24A wound around the driving roller <NUM> is a curved surface portion 25B. Further, a portion of the front surface 24A located in the -Z direction from the center of the driving roller <NUM> and being along the XY plane is a lower surface portion 25C.

In the belt unit <NUM>, a winding roller (not illustrated) winds the medium M so that the medium M is peeled off from the curved surface portion 25B.

As an example, the vapor application unit <NUM> is located at a downstream end portion in the +Y direction among positions facing the lower surface portion 25C in the Z direction. Further, the vapor application unit <NUM> is located downstream of the curved surface portion 25B in the +R direction. The vapor application unit <NUM> applies heated vapor VP (<FIG>) to the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM> separated from the medium M. That is, the vapor application unit <NUM> applies the vapor VP to at least a portion of the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM> that moves on the non-conveying path. The vapor VP also includes a state in which particles of water W have been lifted into the air.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vapor application unit <NUM> includes, for example, a reservoir <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a base plate <NUM> including a plurality of holes 34A formed therein, a supply pipe <NUM>, a supply pump <NUM>, a pressure pipe <NUM>, and a compressor <NUM>.

As an example, the reservoir <NUM> is configured as a hollow rectangular parallelepiped extending in the X direction. A length in the X direction of the reservoir <NUM> is larger than a length in the X direction of the glue belt <NUM>. One end portion of the supply pipe <NUM> and one end portion of the pressure pipe <NUM> are coupled to a side portion of the reservoir <NUM>. An upper wall <NUM> in the +Z direction of the reservoir <NUM> is provided with openings 29A penetrating toward the front surface 24A. The openings 29A are arranged at intervals in the X direction. In other words, in the upper wall <NUM>, regions between the openings 29A adjacent to each other in the X direction are closed.

The heater <NUM> is provided at a bottom in the -Z direction of the reservoir <NUM>. The heater <NUM> generates heat when power is supplied from a power supply (not illustrated). Control of the power supply (not illustrated) is performed by the control unit <NUM> (<FIG>). In a state in which the water W is stored inside the reservoir <NUM>, the heater <NUM> generates heat and the vapor VP is generated. The vapor VP is applied to the front surface 24A through the holes 34A, which will be described below, and the openings 29A. Here, the heat generation of the heater <NUM> may be controlled by the control unit <NUM> so that the vapor VP at a temperature that does not cause a load on the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM> is applied. Specifically, the heat generation of the heater <NUM> may be controlled by the control unit <NUM> so that the temperature of the vapor VP does not exceed <NUM>.

The base plate <NUM> is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. The base plate <NUM> is located in the -Z direction with respect to the upper wall <NUM> inside the reservoir <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> is provided with a plurality of holes 34A penetrating in the Z direction. A size of the hole 34A is such that the vapor VP can pass through.

Further, in the present embodiment, a shutter member (not illustrated) capable of covering at least a portion of the hole 34A formed in the base plate <NUM> is provided. As an example, the shutter member is provided slidably in the X direction. A method of sliding the shutter member in the X direction may be either a method of a user manually performing sliding or a method of automatically performing sliding using a motor (not illustrated) or the like. When the shutter member is slid in the X direction, the number and opening area of the holes 34A through which the vapor VP can pass can be changed. In other words, the amount of vapor VP applied to the front surface 24A can be adjusted.

Here, a structure in which, when the user manually slides the shutter member in the X direction, a scale is formed at the base plate <NUM> in the X direction, and an edge end in the X direction of the shutter member is adjusted to match the scale according to an adhesion situation of foreign matters G on a front surface of the medium M, may be adopted.

The shutter member may be configured to be slid in the Y direction instead of being slid in the X direction so that the amount of vapor VP applied to the front surface 24A can be adjusted.

The other end portion of the supply pipe <NUM> is coupled to a tank (not illustrated). The water W is stored inside the tank (not illustrated).

The supply pump <NUM> is coupled to the supply pipe <NUM>. When the supply pump <NUM> is operated, the water W is supplied to the inside of the reservoir <NUM> through the supply pipe <NUM>. An operation of the supply pump <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> is coupled to the pressure pipe <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> compresses air and sends the compressed air into the pressure pipe <NUM>. Thereby, the inside of the reservoir <NUM> is pressurized. An operation of the compressor <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM>. That is, it is possible to control the amount of vapor VP applied to the front surface 24A also by controlling a pressurizing force in the compressor <NUM>.

Here, when the printer <NUM> is viewed from the X direction, a Y-direction region to which the vapor VP is applied on the front surface 24A is a first region S1.

The first region S1 is, for example, a region that faces a portion from the hole 34A located at an end in the +Y direction to the hole 34A located at an end in the -Y direction. In other words, the first region S1 is a region to which vapor VP can be applied.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the front surface detection unit <NUM> is configured of, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) line camera (not illustrated). The front surface detection unit <NUM> detects a state of the front surface 24A (<FIG>) after the medium M has been peeled off.

As an example, the front surface detection unit <NUM> acquires and analyzes image data of the front surface 24A to detect the foreign matters G (<FIG>) adhered to the front surface 24A, as will be described below. The analysis of the image data may be performed by the control unit <NUM> or may be performed by another control unit that is provided inside the front surface detection unit <NUM>.

The foreign matters G means an object different from the adhesive applied to the front surface 24A and the front surface 24A, and is, for example, an object including a portion of the medium M, dust, and part of the ink K.

The image data obtained in the front surface detection unit <NUM> is subjected to each filtering processing such as shade correction, noise removal, and contrast enhancement in the control unit <NUM>. The front surface detection unit <NUM> detects the presence or absence of the foreign matters G on the front surface 24A based on the image data after filtering processing.

A case in which there are no foreign matters G is not limited to a case in which the number of foreign matters G is zero and includes a case in which the number of foreign matters G per unit area set in advance is smaller than an allowable number.

On the other hand, a case in which there are the foreign matters G means a case in which that the number of foreign matters G per unit area set in advance is equal to or larger than the allowable number.

Further, for the case in which there are the foreign matters G, a plurality of threshold values of the allowable number of the foreign matters G may be set, and a state in which there are the foreign matters G may be distinguished in multiple stages.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a region cleaned by the cleaning unit <NUM>, which will be described below, is a second region S2 when viewed from the X direction. Further, a region from an end in the +Y direction of the first region S1 to an end in the -Y direction of the second region S2 is a target region S. In other words, the target region S is a region including the first region S1 and the second region S2.

The cooling unit <NUM> is located in the -Z direction with respect to the front surface 24A. The cooling unit <NUM> can cool a portion of the target region S when viewed from the X direction. The cooling unit <NUM> includes, for example, an air cooler and a plurality of nozzles (not illustrated). The air cooler (not illustrated) includes a compressor unit that sends air, a vortex generation unit that generates a vortex using the sent air, and an adjustment valve that adjusts an amount of cool air flowing from the vortex generation unit to the front surface 24A.

Specifically, the cooling unit <NUM> cools a portion of a region between the first region S1 and the second region S2 in the target region S. In other words, the cooling unit <NUM> can cool a portion to which the vapor VP is applied in the front surface 24A, which is a portion before being cleaned by the cleaning unit <NUM>. Further, the cooling unit <NUM> can perform cooling until the vapor VP present around the front surface 24A is condensed.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cleaning unit <NUM> cleans the front surface 24A to which the vapor VP is applied by the vapor application unit <NUM>. Specifically, the cleaning unit <NUM> includes, as an example, a collection tank <NUM>, a partition wall <NUM>, a vertical wall portion <NUM>, a rubber blade <NUM>, a cleaning brush <NUM>, and an air nozzle <NUM>. The cleaning unit <NUM> is supported by the moving unit <NUM> (<FIG>), which is described below, so that the cleaning unit <NUM> can move in the Z direction.

The collection tank <NUM> is a box-shaped member that opens in the +Z direction. The collection tank <NUM> includes a bottom wall 48A, a front wall 48B, a rear wall 48C and side walls 48D.

The bottom wall 48A is along the XY plane and extends in the X direction. The front wall 48B extends in the +Z direction in an end portion in the +Y direction of the bottom wall 48A. The rear wall 48C extends in the +Z direction in an end portion in the -Y direction of the bottom wall 48A. The side walls 48D extend in the +Z direction in both end portions in the X direction of the bottom wall 48A. A chamber <NUM> is formed by the bottom wall 48A, the front wall 48B, the rear wall 48C, and the side walls 48D. As an example, a cleaning solution is not stored in the chamber <NUM>.

The partition wall <NUM> is provided on the bottom wall 48A. The partition wall <NUM> is at a position in the -Y direction and the -Z direction with respect to the cleaning brush <NUM>, which will be described below. The partition wall <NUM> divides the bottom of the chamber <NUM> into two space portions 52A and 52B when viewed from the X direction. The space portion 52A is at a position in the +Y direction with respect to the partition wall <NUM>. The space portion 52B is at a position in the -Y direction with respect to the partition wall <NUM>.

The vertical wall portion <NUM> is provided on the rear wall 48C and is at a position in the -Y direction with respect to the rear wall 48C. A space portion <NUM> is formed between the rear wall 48C and the vertical wall portion <NUM>.

The rubber blade <NUM> has both end portions in the X direction supported by brackets (not illustrated), and stands upright in the Z direction in the space portion <NUM>. An end portion in the +Z direction of the rubber blade <NUM> protrudes in the +Z direction from the vertical wall portion <NUM> and comes into contact with the front surface 24A. An inclined surface <NUM> is formed in the end portion in the +Z direction of the rubber blade <NUM>. The inclined surface <NUM> is a surface inclined so that an end portion in the +Y direction is located in the -Z direction relative to an end portion in the -Y direction. The rubber blade <NUM> scrapes off moisture or the like remaining on the front surface 24A after cleaning by the cleaning brush <NUM> from the front surface 24A.

The cleaning brush <NUM> is a member that cleans the front surface 24A. Specifically, the cleaning brush <NUM> includes a cylindrical shaft portion 56A, and a brush portion 56B radially extending from an outer peripheral surface other than both end portions in an axial direction of a shaft portion <NUM>. The shaft portion 56A extends in the X direction. Further, the shaft portion 56A is rotatably supported by the collection tank <NUM> by being rotatably supported by the side wall 48D.

The brush portion 56B comes into contact with the front surface 24A of the lower surface portion 25C in a state in which the cleaning unit <NUM> is raised in the +Z direction. The cleaning brush <NUM> can clean water droplets D and the foreign matters G remaining on the front surface 24A by being rotated by a motor (not illustrated). The water droplets D and the foreign matters G removed by the cleaning brush <NUM> are collected in a portion of the collection tank <NUM>.

The cleaning brush <NUM> is rotated so that the brush portion 56B moves in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the glue belt <NUM> at a position of the contact with the lower surface portion 25C. A rotation direction of the cleaning brush <NUM> is a +B direction.

The air nozzle <NUM> is attached to the rear wall 48C as an example. The air nozzle <NUM> injects air sent by a compressor (not illustrated) toward the cleaning brush <NUM>. Specifically, the air nozzle <NUM> injects air from a portion in the +Z direction of the rear wall 48C toward a position in the +Y direction and the -Z direction. The air injected from the air nozzle <NUM> is blown to the cleaning brush <NUM> in a direction substantially tangential to the cleaning brush <NUM> and in a counter direction with respect to the +B direction of the cleaning brush <NUM>. Accordingly, the foreign matters G or the like adhered to the cleaning brush <NUM> are removed from the cleaning brush <NUM>. The foreign matters G or the like removed from the cleaning brush <NUM> are collected by dropping to the bottom of the collection tank <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a lifting operation of the moving unit <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM>, which will be described below. The moving unit <NUM> is configured as a lifting platform including a motor and a cam (not illustrated). In the maintenance mode of the printer <NUM>, the moving unit <NUM> lowers the cleaning unit <NUM> in the -Z direction with respect to the front surface 24A (<FIG>). Further, the moving unit <NUM> raises the cleaning unit <NUM> in the +Z direction with respect to the front surface 24A in the recording mode of the printer <NUM>. In the maintenance mode, it is possible to maintain a height of the cleaning unit <NUM> without lowering the cleaning unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> that functions as a computer, a memory <NUM>, and a storage (not illustrated). Further, the control unit <NUM> executes a program PR to control various operations such as conveying, recording, discharging, and cleaning in the respective units of the printer <NUM>.

Various types of data including the program PR that is executed by the CPU <NUM> are stored in the memory <NUM>. In a portion of the memory <NUM>, it is possible to expand the program PR.

The control unit <NUM> can control an operation of the vapor application unit <NUM>. Specifically, the control unit <NUM> can control the operation of the vapor application unit <NUM> according to the state of the front surface 24A (<FIG>) detected by the front surface detection unit <NUM>. For example, when the front surface detection unit <NUM> detects that there are no foreign matters G, the control unit <NUM> maintains the vapor application unit <NUM> in a stopped state. The control unit <NUM> operates the vapor application unit <NUM> when the front surface detection unit <NUM> detects that there are the foreign matters G. Specifically, the heater <NUM> (<FIG>) is energized to generate heat.

The control unit <NUM> may perform control for applying a small amount of vapor VP to the front surface 24A when there are no foreign matters G and applying a large amount of vapor VP to the front surface 24A when there are foreign matters G, by operating the vapor application unit <NUM>.

Next, an operation of the printer <NUM> and the conveying unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. Description of individual figure numbers will be omitted.

The medium M is conveyed by the conveying unit <NUM>. Recording is performed by the recording unit <NUM> on the conveyed medium M. In this case, when the presence of the foreign matters G is detected by the front surface detection unit <NUM>, the operation of the vapor application unit <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> generates heat. The generated vapor VP is applied to the front surface 24A from which the medium M has been peeled off. The amount of water W heated by the heater <NUM> is adjusted by the control unit <NUM>.

The foreign matters G are covered by the vapor VP on the portion to which the vapor VP is applied in the front surface 24A. The portion to which the vapor VP is applied moves to a position facing the cooling unit <NUM> as the glue belt <NUM> moves.

The vapor VP present around the front surface 24A and moisture in the air are cooled by the cooling unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the vapor VP is brought into a dewy state and the foreign matters G are covered with the water droplets D.

The foreign matters G are lifted with respect to the front surface 24A due to an action such as the vapor VP entering a gap between the foreign matters G and the front surface 24A on the front surface 24A, the foreign matters G being covered with the water droplets D generated from the vapor VP, and thermal energy of the vapor VP being applied to the foreign matters G.

As the glue belt <NUM> moves, the foreign matters G and the water droplets D adhered to the front surface 24A move to a position facing the cleaning unit <NUM>. The foreign matters G and the water droplets D adhered to the front surface 24A are removed from the front surface 24A by the cleaning brush <NUM> and the rubber blade <NUM> of the cleaning unit <NUM>. Thus, the front surface 24A is cleaned.

The foreign matters G and the water droplets D adhered to the cleaning brush <NUM> are removed by air blown from the air nozzle <NUM> during rotation of the cleaning brush <NUM>. The removed foreign matters G and the water droplets D are collected in the collection tank <NUM>.

As described above, according to the conveying unit <NUM>, the foreign matters G adhered to the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM> are easily lifted from the front surface 24A by the vapor VP. That is, since the vapor VP is used instead of the liquid to remove the foreign matters G adhered to the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM>, it is possible to create a state in which it is easy for the foreign matters G to be removed in a state in which scattering of a liquid including the foreign matters G to surroundings of the conveying unit <NUM> occurring when a cleaning solution (liquid) is used is suppressed. This makes it possible to prevent the surroundings of the conveying unit <NUM> from being contaminated by the scattered liquid containing the foreign matters G. It is also conceivable that a thermal motion of molecules of the substance contained in the foreign matters G becomes violent due to a thermal motion of molecules of the vapor VP, and a bonding force between the molecules of the substance contained in the foreign matters G is weakened. That is, when the vapor VP is used, it is conceivable that thermal energy also contributes to the improvement of foreign matter removal performance in addition to the pressure. Therefore, even when the same foreign matter removal performance is ensured, a pressure required when the vapor VP is used can be lower than that required when the cleaning solution is used. Therefore, a load acting on the glue belt <NUM> is smaller when the vapor VP is applied to the front surface 24A by the vapor application unit <NUM> than when a high-pressure cleaning solution is injected onto the front surface 24A.

Further, as described above, since the thermal energy of the vapor VP applied to the glue belt <NUM> by the vapor application unit <NUM> weakens the bonding force between the molecules of substance contained in the foreign matters G, the vapor VP easily enters between the foreign matters G adhered to the front surface 24A and the front surface 24A, and the foreign matters G are easily lifted with respect to the front surface 24A. That is, the foreign matters G are easily removed. Accordingly, since the amount of foreign matters G removed by the cleaning unit <NUM> increases when the cleaning unit <NUM> cleans the front surface 24A after the vapor VP is applied, it is possible to enhance removal performance for the foreign matters G.

Thus, according to the conveying unit <NUM>, it is possible to both suppress the load acting on the glue belt <NUM> and improve the performance of removing the foreign matters G on the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM>.

With the conveying unit <NUM>, at least a portion of the target region S is cooled by the cooling unit <NUM> so that part of the moisture in the air and the moisture contained in the vapor VP is condensed in the target region S. Accordingly, since the moisture is supplied to the target region S, for example, the foreign matters G are covered, and the foreign matters G are easily removed, it is possible to enhance the removal performance of the foreign matters G.

With the conveying unit <NUM>, when the state of the front surface 24A is a state in which a large amount of foreign matters G are adhered, the control unit <NUM> can perform control for increasing at least one of an amount of heated vapor VP applied by the vapor application unit <NUM> or a vapor amount of vapor VP. When a heating amount in the vapor application unit <NUM> is increased, a temperature of the vapor VP rises and kinetic energy of the molecules of the vapor VP increases. A thermal motion of molecules of the substance contained in foreign matters G with a low temperature becomes violent due to a violent thermal motion of the molecules of the vapor VP with a high temperature, and the bonding force between the molecules of the substance contained in the foreign matters G is weakened. That is, the foreign matters G whose temperature has been increased are softened. Further, when an amount of vapor VP supplied to the glue belt <NUM> is increased, the foreign matters G are easily diluted with the vapor VP. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the removal performance of the foreign matters G.

According to the printer <NUM>, it is possible to create a state in which it is easy for the foreign matters G to be removed in a state in which scattering of a liquid including the foreign matters G is suppressed through the same action as that of the conveying unit <NUM>. That is, it is possible to prevent the inside of the printer <NUM> from being contaminated by the scattered liquid containing the foreign matters G.

Hereinafter, a conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described in detail. The same configurations as those of the printer <NUM> and the conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the conveying unit <NUM> (<FIG>). A configuration of the printer <NUM> other than the conveying unit <NUM> is the same as that of Embodiment <NUM>.

The conveying unit <NUM> includes, for example, a belt unit <NUM>, a vapor application unit <NUM>, the front surface detection unit <NUM> (<FIG>), a cooling unit <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a moving unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> (<FIG>). The conveying unit <NUM> is an example of a conveying apparatus that conveys the medium M by moving the glue belt <NUM>. The conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the apparatus body portion <NUM> (<FIG>).

The cooling unit <NUM> is fixed to the apparatus body portion <NUM> (<FIG>) on the inner side of the glue belt <NUM>, for example. The cooling unit <NUM> is brough into contact with the back surface 24B of the glue belt <NUM> from a position downstream of the vapor application unit <NUM> in the +R direction to a position aligned in the Z direction with a portion of the cleaning unit <NUM>. The cooling unit <NUM> includes, for example, a Peltier element and a power supply (not illustrated).

When the Peltier element is energized, a heat absorbing portion of the cooling unit <NUM> absorbs heat from the back surface 24B of the glue belt <NUM>, and a heat radiating portion thereof radiates heat. Thereby, the glue belt <NUM> and a space around the glue belt <NUM> are cooled. As an example, the cooling unit <NUM> can cool a second region S3, which will be described below, and a partial region between the first region S1 and the second region S3 in the target region S.

A region cleaned by the cleaning unit <NUM> as viewed in the X direction is the second region S3.

The cleaning unit <NUM> includes, for example, a scraping member <NUM>, a collection unit <NUM>, and an air blowing unit <NUM>.

The scraping member <NUM> scrapes the foreign matters G and the water droplets D adhered to the front surface 24A from the front surface 24A. The collection unit <NUM> collects the foreign matters G scraped off by the scraping member <NUM>.

The air blowing unit <NUM> blows air toward the scraping member <NUM> and the collection unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the scraping member <NUM> is, for example, a member having a shape obtained by obliquely cutting an end portion in the +Z direction of a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the Z direction. The scraping member <NUM> includes an inclined surface <NUM>. The inclined surface <NUM> extends from an end portion in the -Y direction and an end portion in the +Z direction of the scraping member <NUM> to a position in the +Y direction and the -Z direction.

The scraping member <NUM> is provided with an aggregation portion <NUM> recessed in the -Z direction from the inclined surface <NUM>, and a guide groove <NUM> extending in the -Z direction from the aggregation portion <NUM>.

The aggregation portion <NUM> includes a bottom surface 82A and two side surfaces 82B.

The bottom surface 82A is an inclined surface extending from the end portion in the -Y direction and the end portion in the +Z direction of the scraping member <NUM> to the position in the +Y direction and the -Z direction. A size of an inclination angle of the bottom surface 82A with respect to the XY plane is greater than an inclination angle of the inclined surface <NUM> with respect to the XY plane. The bottom surface 82A may be configured as a curved surface.

An outer shape of the bottom surface 82A is a trapezoid with an upper base located in the +Y direction and a lower base located in the -Z direction when viewed in the -Z direction. In other words, a width in the X direction in the end portion in the +Y direction of the bottom surface 82A is smaller than a width in the X direction in an end portion in the -Y direction of the bottom surface 82A.

An opening <NUM> open in the Z direction is formed in the end portion in the +Y direction of the bottom surface 82A.

The two side surfaces 82B stand upright in the +Z direction from both ends in the X direction of the bottom surface 82A. The two side surfaces 82B are located on the oblique sides of the trapezoid of the bottom surface 82A when viewed in the -Z direction. A height in the +Z direction of the two side surfaces 82B increases in the +Y direction.

Thus, a shape of the aggregation portion <NUM> is a shape including a slope that descends in the -Z direction toward the +Y direction, and a shape in which a depth in the Z direction increases toward the +Y direction. Further, a +Y direction end portion of the aggregation portion <NUM> is released in the +Y direction.

The guide groove <NUM> extends in the -Z direction from the opening <NUM>. The guide groove <NUM> penetrates from the opening <NUM> to a lower end of the scraping member <NUM> in the -Z direction. The guide groove <NUM> is also open in the +Y direction. A plurality of guide grooves <NUM> are provided at intervals in the X direction. The guide groove <NUM> has a size allowing the foreign matters G and the water droplets D to pass through. The plurality of guide grooves <NUM> are examples of guide portions that guide the foreign matters G to the collection unit <NUM> (<FIG>), which will be described below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the collection unit <NUM> includes, for example, a tray <NUM> that opens in the +Z direction.

The tray <NUM> is located in the -Z direction with respect to the scraping member <NUM>. The tray <NUM> has a size allowing the scraping member <NUM> to be covered when viewed in the +Z direction. Accordingly, the foreign matters G and the water droplets D that have flowed in the -Z direction along the side surface in the +Y direction of the scraping member <NUM> or the guide groove <NUM> from the bottom surface 82A drop from the scraping member <NUM> and are collected in the tray <NUM>.

The air blowing unit <NUM> is provided at a position in the -Z direction with respect to the lower surface portion 25C in the apparatus body portion <NUM> (<FIG>). The air blowing unit <NUM> includes an air nozzle, and a compressor (not illustrated). The air blowing unit <NUM> blows the air sent by the compressor toward the scraping member <NUM>. Specifically, the air blowing unit <NUM> blows air toward the plurality of guide grooves <NUM>. In other words, at least a portion of the scraping member <NUM> is configured to blow air between the air blowing unit <NUM> and the collection unit <NUM>.

An operation of the conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described. Description of the same configuration and operation as those of the conveying unit <NUM> (<FIG>) will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the portion to which the vapor VP is applied is moved to a position facing the cooling unit <NUM> as the glue belt <NUM> is moved. Some of the foreign matters G has already been covered with the water droplets D due to an action of the vapor VP. The vapor VP present around the front surface 24A and the moisture in the air are cooled by the cooling unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the vapor VP is brought into a dewy state and the foreign matters G are covered with the water droplets D.

The foreign matters G covered with the water droplets D and the foreign matters G not covered with the water droplets D are removed from the front surface 24A by being scraped off by the scraping member <NUM>. The scraped foreign matters G and water droplets D flow down in the +Y direction and the -Z direction along the bottom surface 82A due to an action of their own weight. In this case, since the foreign matters G and the water droplets D are guided by the aggregation portion <NUM>, the foreign matters G and the water droplets D do not flow outward in the X direction from the scraping member <NUM>. The foreign matters G and the water droplets D flow down along the guide groove <NUM> due to the action of their own weight and an action of the pressure of the blowing air received from the air blowing unit <NUM>, and are collected by the collection unit <NUM>.

As described above, according to the conveying unit <NUM>, it is difficult for the dew condensation to occur between the first region S1 and the second region S3, and the dew condensation occurs in the second region S3. The moisture condensed in the second region S3 is collected by the cleaning unit <NUM>. This makes it possible to prevent the water droplets D from dropping from the front surface 24A between the first region S1 and the second region S3. Further, curing of the adhesive is accelerated, and durability of the adhesive is improved when the glue belt <NUM> is scraped off by the scraping member <NUM>. This action is also effective at least when the glue belt <NUM> is scraped off by the cleaning brush <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>. That is, when a configuration in which the cleaning unit comes into contact with the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM> is included, the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM> can be cleaned in a state in which the durability of the adhesive is improved.

With the conveying unit <NUM>, the foreign matters G scraped off by the scraping member <NUM> flow down along the guide groove <NUM> and are collected by the collection unit <NUM>. Accordingly, since it is difficult for the foreign matters G to stay between the scraping member <NUM> and the front surface 24A, deterioration of the cleaning performance of the cleaning unit <NUM> can be suppressed.

With the conveying unit <NUM>, the foreign matters G adhered to the scraping member <NUM> are moved toward the collection unit <NUM> under the pressure of the air blown by the air blowing unit <NUM>, and are collected by the collection unit <NUM>. This makes it possible to prevent the foreign matters G adhered to the scraping member <NUM> from adhering to the front surface 24A again.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a cleaning unit <NUM> is a modification example of the cleaning unit <NUM> (<FIG>) of Embodiment <NUM>. The same configurations as those of the cleaning unit <NUM> are denoted by the same reference signs, and description of figure numbers will be omitted.

The cleaning unit <NUM> includes, for example, a scraping member <NUM>, a collection unit <NUM>, and a suction unit <NUM>.

The scraping member <NUM> has a configuration in which a plurality of guide paths <NUM> are formed by a +Y direction end portion of the guide groove <NUM> being closed in the scraping member <NUM>. A shape of the guide path <NUM> is a square cylindrical shape extending in the Z direction. Both end portions in the Z direction of the guide path <NUM> are open.

The suction unit <NUM> includes a fan <NUM>, and a motor (not illustrated) that rotates the fan <NUM>. The suction unit <NUM> uses negative pressure generated inside the guide path <NUM> due to the rotation of the fan <NUM> to suck the foreign matters G, the water droplets D, and the like from the guide path <NUM> toward the collection unit <NUM>. Thus, the foreign matters G and the water droplets D in the guide path <NUM> may be forcibly moved to the collection unit <NUM> by suction instead of air blowing.

Hereinafter, a conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described in detail. The same configurations as those of the printer <NUM> and the conveying units <NUM> and <NUM> of Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the conveying unit <NUM> (<FIG>). A configuration of the printer <NUM> other than the conveying unit <NUM> is the same as that of Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>.

The conveying unit <NUM> includes, for example, a belt unit <NUM>, a vapor application unit <NUM>, the front surface detection unit <NUM> (<FIG>), a cooling unit <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, the moving unit <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> (<FIG>), an airflow generation unit <NUM>, and a heating unit <NUM>. The conveying unit <NUM> is an example of a conveying apparatus that conveys the medium M by moving a glue belt <NUM>. The conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the apparatus body portion <NUM> (<FIG>).

The front surface detection unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> is configured to be able to detect an amount of water droplets D adhered to the front surface 24A through image analysis. An amount of water droplets D obtained in the front surface detection unit <NUM> is not an actual amount, but is an assumed amount allowing a relative comparison when the state of the front surface 24A is different.

The amount of water droplets D obtained in the front surface detection unit <NUM> is associated with an amount of vapor VP supplied to the glue belt <NUM> by the vapor application unit <NUM> in the control unit <NUM>. As an example, when the amount of water droplets D obtained in the front surface detection unit <NUM> is relatively large, this means that an amount of supplied vapor VP is large. Further, when the amount of water droplets D obtained in the front surface detection unit <NUM> is relatively small, this means that the amount of supplied vapor VP is small.

The classification for associating the amount of water droplets D with the amount of supplied vapor VP is not limited to the two-stage classification as described above, and division into three or more stages may be made.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the airflow generation unit <NUM> is at a position opposite to the vapor application unit <NUM> with respect to the glue belt <NUM> in the Z direction. The airflow generation unit <NUM> is configured to be able to generate an airflow toward the back surface 24B opposite to the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM>.

Specifically, the airflow generation unit <NUM> includes, for example, a plurality of nozzles (not illustrated) arranged in the X direction and the Y direction, and a fan (not illustrated) that blows air to the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of nozzles open toward the back surface 24B. Thus, the airflow generation unit <NUM> can generate the airflow F (<FIG>) over the entire back surface 24B in the X direction.

The heating unit <NUM> is at a position opposite to the vapor application unit <NUM> with respect to the glue belt <NUM> in the Z direction. The heating unit <NUM> comes into contact with the back surface 24B. In other words, the heating unit <NUM> is located between the glue belt <NUM> and the airflow generation unit <NUM> in the Z direction.

Specifically, the heating unit <NUM> is configured as a plate-shaped heater having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction and extending in the X direction. The heating unit <NUM> is configured to be able to heat an arrival region E (<FIG>) at which the airflow F arrives on the back surface 24B.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> adjusts an amount of generated airflow F in the airflow generation unit <NUM> according to an amount of vapor VP generated from the vapor application unit <NUM>. Further, the control unit <NUM> controls a heating temperature of the heating unit <NUM> according to the amount of generated airflow F.

Specifically, the control unit <NUM> predicts an amount of generated vapor VP based on an assumed amount of water droplets D obtained in the front surface detection unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> adjusts the amount of generated airflow F according to the amount of generated vapor VP. For example, when the amount of generated vapor VP is large, the amount of generated airflow F is increased. On the other hand, when the amount of generated vapor VP is small, the amount of generated airflow F is decreased.

Further, for example, when the amount of generated airflow F is large, the control unit <NUM> causes the heating unit <NUM> to perform heating. On the other hand, when the amount of generated airflow F is small, the heating by the heating unit <NUM> is stopped.

Thus, the control unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> is configured to be able to control the airflow generation unit <NUM> and the heating unit <NUM> based on detection information from the front surface detection unit <NUM>.

An operation of the conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described. Description of the same configuration and operation as those of the conveying units <NUM> and <NUM> described above will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the portion to which the vapor VP is applied in the front surface 24A is detected by the front surface detection unit <NUM>. The amount of supplied vapor VP is assumed in the control unit <NUM>.

For example, when the amount of generated vapor VP is large, the control unit <NUM> increases the amount of generated airflow F in the airflow generation unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the airflow F flowing in the -Z direction suppresses the rise of the vapor VP flowing in the +Z direction. That is, diffusion of vapor VP is suppressed.

Further, when the amount of generated airflow F is large, the control unit <NUM> causes the heating unit <NUM> to perform heating. Accordingly, since part of the vapor VP whose temperature has been lowered by the airflow F reaches a temperature at which the dew condensation is difficult to occur, the dew condensation on the back surface 24B is suppressed.

As described above, with the conveying unit <NUM>, when part of the vapor VP supplied to the front surface 24A from the vapor application unit <NUM> is caused to flow to the back surface 24B via the outer side from an end portion of the glue belt <NUM>, the airflow F generated in the airflow generation unit <NUM> pushes part of the vapor VP back to a region on the front surface 24A side. Here, since control for increasing the amount of generated airflow F in the airflow generation unit <NUM> is possible when an amount of vapor VP generated from the vapor application unit <NUM> is large, it is possible to prevent part of the vapor VP from diffusing to other portions via a region on the back surface 24B side.

With the conveying unit <NUM>, even in a configuration in which the dew condensation easily occurs due to an action of temperature reduction due to the airflow F, the arrival region E is heated by the heating unit <NUM> such that occurrence of the dew condensation on the back surface 24B can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, a conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described in detail. The same configurations as those of the printer <NUM> and the conveying units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the conveying unit <NUM> (<FIG>). A configuration other than the conveying unit <NUM> in the printer <NUM> is the same as that of Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The conveying unit <NUM> includes, for example, the belt unit <NUM> (<FIG>), a vapor application unit <NUM>, a speed measurement unit <NUM>, a cooling unit <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a moving unit <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, an airflow generation unit <NUM>, and a heating unit <NUM>. The conveying unit <NUM> is an example of a conveying apparatus that conveys the medium M by moving the glue belt <NUM> (<FIG>). The conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the apparatus body portion <NUM> (<FIG>).

The speed measurement unit <NUM> includes, for example, an encoder (not illustrated) that detects an amount of movement of the glue belt <NUM>. The encoder may be, for example, a rotary encoder that optically or magnetically detects an amount of rotation of the driven roller <NUM> (<FIG>). Further, the speed measurement unit <NUM> can measure an average speed, which is an amount of belt movement per unit time, as a moving speed of the glue belt <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> controls an operation of the vapor application unit <NUM> according to the moving speed of the glue belt <NUM> obtained in the speed measurement unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause the heater <NUM> to generate heat so that a heating temperature of the water W by the heater <NUM> (<FIG>) becomes a normal set temperature T1, when the moving speed of the glue belt <NUM> is a set speed V1 [m/s]. Accordingly, the vapor VP reaches a predetermined temperature. Further, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause a shutter member (not illustrated) to slide in the X direction so that the number of holes 34A (or an opening area) through which the vapor VP can pass becomes a normal set number n1 (or a set area S1), when the moving speed of the glue belt <NUM> is the set speed V1 [m/s]. Accordingly, a predetermined amount of vapor VP is obtained.

Further, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause the heater <NUM> to generate heat so that the heating temperature of the water W by the heater <NUM> becomes a temperature T2 [K] higher than the normal set temperature T1, when the moving speed of the glue belt <NUM> is higher than the set speed V1. Accordingly, the vapor VP having a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature is obtained. Further, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause the shutter member (not illustrated) to slide in the X direction so that the number of holes 34A (or the opening area) through which the vapor VP can pass reaches the number n2 (or a larger area S2) larger than the normal set number n1 (or the set area S1), when the moving speed of the glue belt <NUM> is higher than the set speed V1. Accordingly, an amount of vapor VP larger than the predetermined amount is obtained.

The set speed V1, the set temperatures T1 and T2, and the set numbers n1 and n2 (set areas S1 and S2) are not illustrated.

An operation of the conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described. Description of the same configuration and operation as those of the conveying units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> described above will be omitted.

With the conveying unit <NUM>, when the moving speed of the glue belt <NUM> exceeds the set speed V1, the control unit <NUM> can perform control for increasing at least one of an amount of heated vapor VP applied by the vapor application unit <NUM> or an amount of supplied vapor VP. Accordingly, even when a time during which the vapor VP is applied to the front surface 24A is shortened, at least one of the vapor VP at the temperature required for removal of the foreign matters G or the vapor VP in an amount required for removal of the foreign matters G can be applied to the front surface 24A, and thus, deterioration of the removal performance of the foreign matters G can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, a conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described in detail. The same configurations as those of the printer <NUM> and the conveying units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the conveying unit <NUM> (<FIG>). A configuration other than the conveying unit <NUM> in the printer <NUM> is the same as that of Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The conveying unit <NUM> includes, for example, the belt unit <NUM> (<FIG>), a vapor application unit <NUM>, a cooling unit <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a moving unit <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, an airflow generation unit <NUM>, and a heating unit <NUM>. The conveying unit <NUM> is an example of a conveying apparatus that conveys the medium M by moving the glue belt <NUM> (<FIG>). The conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the apparatus body portion <NUM> (<FIG>).

The control unit <NUM> controls an operation of the vapor application unit <NUM> according to a duty of the image recorded on the medium M.

The duty is a value that indicates an average discharge amount indicating a discharge amount per unit area when the recording unit <NUM> discharges the ink K onto the medium M, with a maximum value being <NUM>%. A value of the duty is acquired by the control unit <NUM> analyzing recording data used for recording on the medium M.

Specifically, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause the heater <NUM> to generate heat so that the heating temperature of the water W by the heater <NUM> (<FIG>) reaches the temperature T2 [K] higher than a normal set temperature T1 [K] when the duty in recording on the medium M is greater than a preset threshold value. Accordingly, the vapor VP having a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature is obtained. Further, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause the shutter member (not illustrated) to slide in the X direction so that the number of holes 34A (or the opening area) through which the vapor VP can pass reaches the number n2 (or the larger area S2) larger than the normal set number n1 (or the set area S1), when the duty in recording on the medium M is larger than the preset threshold value. Accordingly, the amount of vapor VP larger than the predetermined amount is obtained. Further, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause the heater <NUM> generate heat so that the heating temperature of the water W by the heater <NUM> reaches a temperature T0 [K] lower than the normal set temperature T1 [K], when the duty in recording on the medium M is smaller than the preset threshold value. Accordingly, the vapor VP having a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature is obtained. Further, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cause the shutter member (not illustrated) to slide in the X direction so that the number of holes 34A (or the opening area) through which the vapor VP can pass reaches the number n0 (or a smaller area S0) smaller than the normal set number n1 (or the set area S1), when the duty in recording on the medium M is smaller than the preset threshold value. Accordingly, an amount of vapor VP smaller than the predetermined amount is obtained.

The set temperature T1, the temperatures T2 and T0, the set number n1, and the numbers n2 and n0 (the set areas S1 and the areas S2 and S0) are not illustrated.

An operation of the conveying unit <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described. Description of the same configurations and operations as those of the conveying units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> described above will be omitted.

When the duty of the image is high, an amount of used ink K used for recording increases, and thus, the amount of foreign matters G adhered to the front surface 24A is likely to increase.

With the conveying unit <NUM>, when the state of the front surface 24A is a state in which a large amount of foreign matters G are adhered, the control unit <NUM> can perform control for increasing at least one of an amount of heated vapor VP applied by the vapor application unit <NUM> or an amount of supplied vapor VP. When the amount of heated vapor VP in the vapor application unit <NUM> is increased, the foreign matters G whose temperature has been increased are softened. Further, amount of supplied vapor VP in the vapor application unit <NUM> is increased, so that the foreign matters G are easily diluted with the vapor VP. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the removal performance of the foreign matters G.

Further, even when a time during which the vapor VP is applied to the front surface 24A is shortened, at least one of the vapor VP at the temperature required for removal of the foreign matters G or the vapor VP in an amount required for removal of the foreign matters G can be applied to the front surface 24A, and thus, deterioration of the removal performance of the foreign matters G can be suppressed.

Although the conveying units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the printer <NUM> according to Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the present disclosure are basically configured as described above, it is obvious that change, omission, combination, and the like of partial configurations can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Hereinafter, other modification examples will be described. The same configurations are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a conveying unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the conveying unit <NUM> (<FIG>). A configuration other than the conveying unit <NUM> in the printer <NUM> is the same as that of Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The conveying unit <NUM> may have a configuration in which a discharge unit <NUM> is provided in place of the base plate <NUM> (<FIG>) in the vapor application unit <NUM> (<FIG>).

The discharge unit <NUM> may be provided in the vapor application unit <NUM> to discharge the vapor VP. As an example, the discharge unit <NUM> may be configured of a plurality of nozzles (not illustrated). The plurality of nozzles may be able to adjust a flow rate. That is, a discharge amount of vapor VP discharged from the discharge unit <NUM> may be adjustable.

For example, the discharge amount of vapor VP discharged from the discharge unit <NUM> may be adjustable according to the detection information in the front surface detection unit <NUM> (<FIG>), the moving speed of the glue belt <NUM> obtained in the speed measurement unit <NUM> (<FIG>), and the duty of the image recorded on the medium M.

A cleaning unit <NUM> may be configured, as illustrated in <FIG>. The cleaning unit <NUM> has a configuration in which a cleaning brush <NUM> that cleans the cleaning brush <NUM> is added to the cleaning unit <NUM> (<FIG>).

The cleaning brush <NUM> can be reciprocated in the X direction by a linear slider (not illustrated). The cleaning brush <NUM> includes a semi-cylindrical base portion <NUM>, and a brush <NUM>.

The base portion <NUM> is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the X direction. The base portion <NUM> is located on the outer side in a radial direction a portion in the -Z direction relative to a center in the Z direction in an outer periphery of the cleaning brush <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> includes an inner peripheral surface 133A facing the cleaning brush <NUM>.

The brush <NUM> is configured of a plurality of hair portions 134A extending toward a center of the shaft portion <NUM> from the inner peripheral surface 133A. A length of the brush <NUM> is set to a length that allows contact with the cleaning brush <NUM>. The cleaning brush <NUM> is reciprocated in the X direction by the above-described linear slider as the cleaning brush <NUM> rotates, thereby cleaning the foreign matters G or the like adhered to the cleaning brush <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a vapor application unit <NUM> may be configured.

The vapor application unit <NUM> is provided with a base plate <NUM> instead of the base plate <NUM> in the vapor application unit <NUM> (<FIG>). The base plate <NUM> is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. A line passing through a center in the Y direction of the glue belt <NUM> and extending in the Z direction is defined as a virtual line C.

The base plate <NUM> is located in the -Z direction with respect to the upper wall <NUM> inside a reservoir <NUM>. Further, the base plate <NUM> is slidable in the X direction. The base plate <NUM> is provided with a plurality of holes 138A.

The plurality of holes 138A are provided line-symmetrically with respect to the virtual line C when viewed from the X direction. Further, the plurality of holes 138A penetrate the base plate <NUM> in an oblique direction crossing the Z direction to be directed to the virtual line C. A size of the hole 138A is such that the vapor VP can pass through.

Thus, the plurality of holes 138A may be configured to be directed toward the virtual line C, so that the vapor VP is aggregated toward the center of the glue belt <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the printer <NUM>, a cover member <NUM> that covers a portion in a circumferential direction of the glue belt <NUM> and the vapor application unit <NUM> may be provided.

The cover member <NUM> is configured as a hollow rectangular parallelepiped. The cover member <NUM> is provided with an inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> penetrating in the Y direction. The glue belt <NUM> enters the inside of the cover member <NUM> from the inlet <NUM> and advances to an outer side of the cover member <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>.

The vapor application unit <NUM> is disposed inside and at a bottom of the cover member <NUM>. The bottom of the cover member <NUM> is closed as an example.

Thus, the surroundings of the glue belt <NUM> and the vapor application unit <NUM> are covered with the cover member <NUM>, so that scattering of the vapor VP can be suppressed and an amount of vapor VP applied to the glue belt <NUM> can be ensured.

Examples of the medium M include a film in addition to the cloth and the paper. A positioning scheme for conveying the medium M may be either a center registration scheme using a center position in the X direction as a reference or a side registration scheme using a position of one end in the X direction as a reference.

The recording unit <NUM> is not limited to a recording unit that performs recording in a serial scheme like the recording head <NUM>, and may also be recording unit that performs recording in a line head scheme.

The conveying belt is not limited to the glue belt <NUM>, and a belt using various types of adsorption force expression mechanism, such as an electrostatic adsorption scheme using an electrostatic force generated by voltage application, a vacuum suction scheme using a compressor, and an intermolecular force scheme using a plurality of minute projections, can be used.

A sponge roller may be used instead of the cleaning brush <NUM> as the cleaning member.

The conveying unit <NUM> may not include the cooling unit <NUM>. Further, the vapor application unit <NUM> may be controlled, for example, so that the amount of vapor VP increases as a use time of the conveying unit <NUM> increases, without using the front surface detection unit <NUM> in the conveying unit <NUM>. Alternatively, a configuration in which the amount of vapor VP applied from the vapor application unit <NUM> to the glue belt <NUM> is not controlled may be adopted.

The conveying unit <NUM> may be a conveying unit without the scraping member <NUM>. Further, the conveying unit <NUM> may not include the air blowing unit <NUM>.

The conveying unit <NUM> may not include the heating unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the conveying unit <NUM> may include the heating unit <NUM> and not include the airflow generation unit <NUM>.

A round boiler (a furnace tube boiler, a smoke tube boiler, a furnace tube smoke tube boiler, or a vertical boiler), a water tube boiler (a natural circulation water tube boiler, a forced circulation water tube boiler, or a once-through boiler), a special boiler (a cast iron boiler, a waste heat boiler, a special fuel boiler, or a special fluid boiler), or the like may be used instead of the vapor application unit <NUM>.

The plurality of holes 34A in the vapor application unit <NUM> may be configured such that the opening area or the presence or absence of openings can be individually controlled.

A chemical solution for adjusting surface energy of the front surface 24A of the glue belt <NUM> may be applied.

A cleaning solution containing a detergent other than the water W may be applied as the vapor VP.

A member for collecting the water droplets D or the foreign matters G may be provided in the cooling unit <NUM>.

The cleaning brush <NUM> may rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction in the above embodiments.

In the cooling unit <NUM>, a direction in which air is blown for cooling may be a direction away from the vapor application unit <NUM>.

In a moving direction of the glue belt <NUM>, air may be blown toward the vapor application unit <NUM> and the cooling unit <NUM> from upstream of the vapor application unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A printing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising: a conveying apparatus (<NUM>) configured to convey a medium (M) by moving a conveying belt (<NUM>); and
a recording unit (<NUM>) configured to perform recording on the moving medium; the conveying apparatus comprising:
a cleaning unit (<NUM>); and characterized by
a vapor application unit (<NUM>) configured to apply heated vapor to a front surface of the conveying belt separated from the medium; wherein
the cleaning unit (<NUM>) is configured to clean the front surface to which the vapor is applied by the vapor application unit.