Patent Description:
An image recording device of <CIT> includes a plurality of sponges that are in sliding contact with a surface of an endless belt. The plurality of sponges remove soiled cleaning fluid from the surface of the endless belt.

In such a configuration in which a sponge is pressed against an outer peripheral surface of a transport belt, as in the image recording device according to <CIT>, the sponge is compressed in a direction intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt. Therefore, as a density of the sponge increases relative to a density of the sponge in an unloaded state, it becomes difficult to absorb liquid, or absorbed liquid seeps out, and thus there is a risk that the ability of the sponge to clean the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt may be reduced.

<CIT> discloses an inkjet recording apparatus that has a conveying means constituted of an endless belt for tightly sticking and conveying a recording medium, a recording means for delivering ink on the recording medium and performing recording, and a cleaning means for cleaning the conveying face for the recording medium of the conveying means. The cleaning means has a brush roller which is provided under a condition kept in contact with the belt on the downstream side in the conveying direction of a belt more than an arranging position of the recording means, and removes the ink stuck on the conveying face for the recording medium, and a straight brush which is provided under a condition being brought into contact with the belt on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the belt more than the brush roller, and removes the ink remaining on the conveying face for the recording medium after passing through the brush roller.

A transport device according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the sponge comes into contact with the transport member, a compressed portion of the sponge is generated between the support surface and the transport member. Here, a portion of the sponge is released from the compressed state by expanding into the opening provided in the support surface. That is, it is possible to create a portion less likely to be compressed in a part of the sponge. The portion less likely to be compressed has a lower density and a higher ability to absorb the liquid than the compressed portion. Additionally, the liquid in the portion of the sponge that is compressed is internally moved into the portion less likely to be compressed, and thus the liquid seeping out from the compressed portion to the transport member can be suppressed. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the ability of the sponge to clean the outer peripheral surface of the transport member.

A droplet ejecting device according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a printer <NUM>, which is an example of a droplet ejecting device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and a transport unit <NUM> 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 a medium M with a recording unit <NUM> which will be described below. Examples of the medium M include fabrics and paper. Also, the medium M is drawn from a front surface of the printer <NUM> as an example. Note that an X-Y-Z coordinate system illustrated in each of the drawings is an orthogonal coordinate system.

An X direction is a device width direction of the printer <NUM> and is a horizontal direction. When the printer <NUM> is seen from the front, a direction toward the left in the X direction is a +X direction, and a direction toward the right is a -X direction. Also, 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 the horizontal direction. When the printer <NUM> is seen from the front, a forward direction is a +Y direction, and the rearward direction is the -Y direction.

A Z direction is along a gravity 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 a device height direction of the printer <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> includes a device main body <NUM>, a main body cover <NUM>, a transport unit <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, a recording unit <NUM>, and an operation unit (not illustrated) which will be described below.

The device main body <NUM> is configured as a base portion on which each unit of the printer <NUM> is provided. A driving roller <NUM>, a driven roller <NUM>, and a motor (not illustrated) are provided as an example of a driving unit in the device main body <NUM>.

The driving roller <NUM> is disposed downstream in the +Y direction in the device main body <NUM>. The driven roller <NUM> is disposed upstream in the +Y direction. Both the driving roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM> have rotation axes along the X direction. Rotation of the driving roller <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM> which will be described below.

The main body cover <NUM> is an exterior member that covers each unit of the printer <NUM>.

The operation unit includes a touch panel (not illustrated) and an operation button. In the operation unit, an operation of each unit of the printer <NUM> can be set and operated.

The control unit <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) functioning as a computer, a memory, and a storage. In part of the memory, a program can be developed. Illustrations of the CPU, the memory and the storage will be omitted. The control unit <NUM> executes a program to control various operations such as transportation, recording, discharging, cleaning, and the like in each unit of the printer <NUM>.

The recording unit <NUM> is provided in the device main body <NUM>. Also, the recording unit <NUM> performs recording on the medium M moving in the +Y direction using an ink K as an example of a recording material. Specifically, the recording unit <NUM> includes a recording head <NUM> and a carriage <NUM> that supports the recording head <NUM>.

The carriage <NUM> includes a motor (not illustrated) and the like and supports the recording head <NUM>. Also, the carriage <NUM> is configured to reciprocate the recording head <NUM> 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> which will be described below. The recording head <NUM> is an example of an ejecting unit capable of ejecting ink droplets Q as an example of a droplet on the medium M. An image can be recorded on the medium M by ejecting ink droplets Q onto the medium M from the recording head <NUM>.

The medium M is an example of a recording medium on which an image is recorded.

The transport unit <NUM> is an example of a transport device that transports the medium M. The transport unit <NUM> includes a glue belt <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a sponge <NUM>, and a support unit <NUM> (<FIG>). A shaft member <NUM> (<FIG>), a squeezing member <NUM>, a cleaning blade <NUM>, a collection tank <NUM>, and a suction unit <NUM> (<FIG>) are also provided in the transport unit <NUM>.

The glue belt <NUM> is an example of a transport member capable of transporting the medium M, and is configured as an endless belt formed by joining both ends of an elastic flat plate. The glue belt <NUM> is a rubber belt. Also, 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 device main body <NUM>, and the medium M can be transported in the +Y direction by being moved circularly. A direction of rotation of the glue belt <NUM> is a +R direction. The glue belt <NUM> includes an outer peripheral surface 32A.

As an example, the outer peripheral surface 32A is coated with an adhesive (not illustrated) to have adhesiveness, and is capable of supporting and adsorbing the medium M. The "adhesiveness" refers to a property of temporarily adhering to other members and allowing separation from an adhesion state.

A portion of the outer peripheral surface 32A located in the +Z direction from the center of the driving roller <NUM> and along an X-Y plane is referred to as an upper surface portion 34A. The upper surface portion 34A supports the medium M. A portion of the outer peripheral surface 32A wound around the driving roller <NUM> is referred to as a curved surface portion 34B. A portion of the outer peripheral surface 32A located in the -Z direction from the center of the driving roller <NUM> and along the X-Y plane is referred to as a lower surface portion 34C. A portion of the outer peripheral surface 32A wound around the driven roller <NUM> is referred to as a curved surface portion 34D.

A pressure roller <NUM> is provided at a position that faces an end portion of the upper surface portion 34A in the -Y direction in the +Z direction. The pressure roller <NUM> presses the medium M against the outer peripheral surface 32A.

After the medium M is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 32A, the glue belt <NUM> is moved in the +Y direction to face the recording unit <NUM>. Then, recording is performed on the medium M by the recording unit <NUM>. The medium M recorded by the recording unit <NUM> is wound by a winding roller (not illustrated) and is then separated from the curved surface portion 34B.

The cleaning unit <NUM> can clean the glue belt <NUM> with a cleaning liquid S which is an example of the liquid. The cleaning unit <NUM> is provided at a position at which it faces an end portion of the lower surface portion 34C in the +Y direction in the -Z direction. The cleaning unit <NUM> cleans the glue belt <NUM> after the medium M is separated with the cleaning liquid S, thereby removing the ink K, fibers, and the like adhering to the outer peripheral surface 32A. As an example, the cleaning unit <NUM> includes a cleaning tank <NUM>, a brush roller <NUM>, and a motor (not illustrated) that drives the brush roller <NUM> to be rotated.

The cleaning tank <NUM> is formed in a box shape that opens in the +Z direction. The cleaning liquid S is stored inside the cleaning tank <NUM>.

The brush roller <NUM> is rotated about a rotary shaft (not illustrated) that extends in the X direction. Both end portions of the rotary shaft in the X direction are supported by the cleaning tank <NUM>. A part of the outer periphery of the brush roller <NUM> in the -Z direction from a center thereof is immersed in the cleaning liquid S. Also, a part of the outer periphery of the brush roller <NUM> in the +Z direction from the center thereof is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A. A length of the brush roller <NUM> in the X direction is the same as or slightly longer than a length of the glue belt <NUM> in the X direction.

The sponge <NUM> is provided at a position at which it faces the lower surface portion 34C in the -Z direction and a position at which it is located downstream in the +R direction with respect to the cleaning unit <NUM>, that is, in the -Y direction. The sponge <NUM> is a cylindrical member having a central axis that extends in the X direction. The sponge <NUM> is a porous elastic body and has an open cell structure consisting of a plurality of cells not illustrated. Each of the cells functions as a chamber capable of accommodating the cleaning liquid S.

When the sponge <NUM> is compressed in a state in which air and the cleaning liquid S are accommodated inside each of the cells, the air and the cleaning liquid S inside each of the cells are discharged to the outside. Note that when the sponge <NUM> is compressed, some of the air and the cleaning liquid S may move to other cells, and thus some of the air and the cleaning liquid S may remain inside the sponge <NUM>.

Also, when the state of the sponge <NUM> returns from a compressed state to an uncompressed state, a negative pressure is generated inside each of the cells, and thus the air and the cleaning liquid S can be absorbed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sponge <NUM> is supported by a support unit <NUM> which will be described below. Thus, a part of the sponge <NUM> can come into contact with the glue belt <NUM> cleaned by the cleaning unit <NUM>. Specifically, the sponge <NUM> is provided on the outer periphery of a rotary member <NUM> which will be described below, is pressed against the glue belt <NUM> and can be driven to rotate with respect to the glue belt <NUM>.

A portion of the sponge <NUM> in contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A is in a compressed state of being compressed in the Z direction by being sandwiched between the support unit <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM>. An entire region in the compressed state of the sponge <NUM> is referred to as a compressed region N. In <FIG>, the compressed region N is illustrated as a region having a width N in the Y direction.

The support unit <NUM> is a rotatable rotary member <NUM> as an example.

The rotary member <NUM> is a member that extends in the X direction. The rotary member <NUM> is rotatable around a shaft member <NUM> by being supported by the shaft member <NUM> which will be described later. A rotational direction of the rotary member <NUM> is referred to as a +RA direction.

As an example, the rotary member <NUM> is provided in a cylindrical shape including an inner peripheral surface <NUM> and a support surface <NUM> that is an outer peripheral surface. An opening <NUM> is provided in the support surface <NUM>. An inner surface of the sponge <NUM> is bonded to a portion of the support surface <NUM> other than the opening <NUM>. In this way, the support unit <NUM> includes the support surface <NUM> capable of supporting the sponge <NUM>.

As an example, a plurality of openings <NUM> are provided at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the rotary member <NUM>. Each of the openings <NUM> is provided in a slit shape that extends in the X direction as an example. The plurality of openings <NUM> may be provided not only in the circumferential direction of the rotary member <NUM>, but also at intervals in the X direction. The number of the plurality of openings <NUM> arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotary member <NUM> is eight as an example. Note that the number of openings <NUM> may be one or a plurality other than eight.

As an example, each of the openings <NUM> is provided as an end portion of a through hole that passes through the rotary member <NUM> in a radial direction.

The shaft member <NUM> is provided in a cylindrical shape having a central axis that extends in the X direction as an example. That is, the shaft member <NUM> is a tubular member. Both end portions of the shaft member <NUM> in the X direction are closed. An outer diameter of the shaft member <NUM> is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the rotary member <NUM>. The shaft member <NUM> is inserted inside the rotary member <NUM>. Both end portions of the shaft member <NUM> in the X direction are supported by a collection tank <NUM> (<FIG>) which will be described below. Thus, the shaft member <NUM> rotatably supports the rotary member <NUM>.

A rotational center of the sponge <NUM>, a rotational center of the rotary member <NUM>, and a rotational center of the shaft member <NUM> are coincident. The rotational center is referred to as a center C.

Here, when seen in the +X direction from a position in the -X direction, a line passing through the center C in the Z direction is referred to as a vertical line V, and a line passing through the center C in the Y direction is referred to as a lateral line H. In a Y-Z plane, four regions divided by the vertical line V and the lateral line H are referred to as a region E1, a region E2, a region E3, and a region E4.

The region E1 is a region including points located in the -Y direction and the +Z direction with respect to the center C, and corresponds to a first quadrant.

The region E2 is a region including points located in the +Y direction and the +Z direction with respect to the center C, and corresponds to a second quadrant.

The region E3 is a region including points located in the +Y direction and the -Z direction with respect to the center C, and corresponds to a third quadrant.

The region E4 is a region including points located in the -Y direction and the -Z direction with respect to the center C, and corresponds to a fourth quadrant.

The shaft member <NUM> includes an outer peripheral surface <NUM> that faces the inner peripheral surface <NUM> in the radial direction. In the outer peripheral surface <NUM>, one communication port <NUM> is provided in the +RA direction as an example.

As an example, the communication port <NUM> can be brought into communication with one opening <NUM> as the rotary member <NUM> rotates. The communication port <NUM> allows communication between the inside and the outside of the shaft member <NUM>. As an example, the communication port <NUM> is located inside the region E2 when seen in the +X direction. The communication port <NUM> is located closer to the vertical line V than the lateral line H inside the region E2.

A region of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> aligned with the squeezing member <NUM>, which will be described below, in the radial direction of the rotary member <NUM> is referred to as a first region A1. Also, a region of the outer peripheral surface <NUM> offset in the +RA direction with respect to the first region A1 is referred to as a second region A2.

The communication port <NUM> is provided in the second region A2. An opening width of the communication port <NUM> in the +RA direction is substantially equal to an opening width of the opening <NUM> in the +RA direction as an example.

A portion of the sponge <NUM> that faces the communication port <NUM> and the opening <NUM> which are in a communicated state is located inside the compressed region N and is a portion that is compressed.

A portion of the compressed region N located inside the region E2 is referred to as an upstream region N1. Also, a portion of the compressed region N located inside the region E1 is referred to as a downstream region N2.

As the rotary member <NUM> rotates in the +RA direction, the sponge <NUM> is gradually compressed in the upstream region N1, and thus a density thereof is increased. In other words, a volume of a cell of the sponge <NUM> decreases. Also, as the rotary member <NUM> rotates in the +RA direction, the sponge <NUM> is gradually released from the compressed state in the downstream region N2, and thus a density thereof is reduced. In other words, the volume of the cell of the sponge <NUM> increases.

The squeezing member <NUM> is a cylindrical member having an axis along the X direction as an example. Most of the squeezing member <NUM> is located inside the region E3, and the remaining portion is located inside the region E2. Also, a part of an outer peripheral portion of the squeezing member <NUM> enters the outer peripheral portion of the sponge <NUM>. In this way, the squeezing member <NUM> squeezes the sponge <NUM> by pressing the sponge <NUM> in the radial direction of the sponge <NUM>. In other words, the squeezing member <NUM> compresses the sponge <NUM> and thus discharges the cleaning liquid S inside the sponge <NUM> to the outside.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning blade <NUM> is located in the -Y direction with respect to the sponge <NUM> and downstream in the +R direction. A tip end portion of the cleaning blade <NUM> comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A. In this way, the cleaning blade <NUM> can collect foreign matter or the like that could not be completely collected by the sponge <NUM>.

The collection tank <NUM> is formed in a box shape that opens in the +Z direction. When seen in the +X direction, the collection tank <NUM> covers a part of the sponge <NUM>, the rotary member <NUM>, the shaft member <NUM> (<FIG>), the squeezing member <NUM>, and a part of the cleaning blade <NUM>. The collection tank <NUM> can collect the cleaning liquid S and the like that is discharged from the sponge <NUM> to the outside by the squeezing member <NUM> or the like, and the cleaning liquid S and the like that is scraped by the cleaning blade <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the suction unit <NUM> is coupled to the shaft member <NUM>. The suction unit <NUM> is an example of a negative pressure generating unit that generates a negative pressure inside the shaft member <NUM>. In the suction unit <NUM>, a fan (not illustrated) is rotated to bring a state inside the shaft member <NUM> into a negative pressure state. The suction unit <NUM> can change the negative pressure by changing an air volume. That is, the suction unit <NUM> can perform absorption to an extent that a part of the sponge <NUM> expands into the opening <NUM> that is in communication with the communication port <NUM>.

Next, the operation of the printer <NUM> and the transport unit <NUM> will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the printer <NUM>, the medium M is transported as the glue belt <NUM> is moved circularly. Recording is performed by the recording unit <NUM> on the medium M that is transported. The medium M after recording is separated from the glue belt <NUM>.

After the medium M is separated, the outer peripheral surface 32A of the glue belt <NUM> is cleaned by the cleaning unit <NUM>. At this time, some of the cleaning liquid S may remain on the outer peripheral surface 32A after cleaning. The outer peripheral surface 32A after cleaning is moved in the -Y direction and comes into contact with the sponge <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a portion of the sponge <NUM> located in the compressed region N is compressed in a direction including at least a component in the Z direction. Then, a frictional force acting on a contacting portion between the sponge <NUM> and the outer peripheral surface 32A acts on the sponge <NUM> as a transport force. Thus, the sponge <NUM> and the rotary member <NUM> are driven to rotate in accordance with the movement of the glue belt <NUM> in the +RA direction. Note that a portion of the sponge <NUM> that faces the opening <NUM> is not subjected to a negative pressure while it faces the outer peripheral surface <NUM>, and thus it is difficult to expand.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the opening <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> are in a communicated state due to the rotation of the sponge <NUM> and the rotary member <NUM>, the portion of the sponge <NUM> that faces the opening <NUM> expands into the opening <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> due to the action of the negative pressure.

In the portions constituting the sponge <NUM>, the portion that is not substantially deformed in the +RA direction is referred to as an undeformed portion SP1, the portion that expands into the opening <NUM> is referred to as an expanding portion SP2, and the portion that is compressed and does not expand is referred to as a compressed portion SP3. Note that a boundary line between the undeformed portion SP1 and the expanding portion SP2, and a boundary line between the expanding portion SP2 and the compressed portion SP3 are respectively represented by dashed lines.

In the transport unit <NUM>, the ability to clean the outer peripheral surface 32A means the ability to absorb the cleaning liquid S in the sponge <NUM>, that is, the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S. The ability to collect the cleaning liquid S in the sponge <NUM> is higher as the density of the sponge <NUM> decreases. That is, as the volume of each cell of the sponge <NUM> increases, an amount of the cleaning liquid S contained inside the cell is increased.

Here, since the compressed portion SP3 has a higher density of the sponge <NUM> than the undeformed portion SP1, the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S decreases compared to the undeformed portion SP1.

Although the expanding portion SP2 is partially compressed by receiving a reaction force from the glue belt <NUM>, the portion thereof that faces the opening <NUM> expands, and thus an increase in density is suppressed. Thus, the expanding portion SP2 suppresses the reduction in the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S compared to the undeformed portion SP1.

That is, the expanding portion SP2 is compressed by contact with the glue belt <NUM>, but the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S is higher than in the compressed portion SP3. Furthermore, in the expanding portion SP2, a volume thereof increases during expansion, a negative pressure is generated, and thus the cleaning liquid S is easily sucked.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sponge <NUM> that has absorbed the cleaning liquid S is rotated in the +RA direction. Then, the sponge <NUM> is compressed by being sandwiched between the squeezing member <NUM> and the rotary member <NUM> while being rotated. That is, due to the sponge <NUM> being squeezed by the squeezing member <NUM>, the cleaning liquid S is discharged to the outside of the sponge <NUM>. Thus, the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S in the sponge <NUM> is close to collection ability in the uncompressed state before rotation.

As described above, according to the transport unit <NUM>, when the sponge <NUM> comes into contact with the glue belt <NUM>, a compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> is generated between the support surface <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM>. Here, a part of the sponge <NUM> is released from the compressed state by expanding into the opening <NUM> provided in the support surface <NUM>. That is, it is possible to create a portion less likely to be compressed in a part of the sponge <NUM>. The portion less likely to be compressed has a lower density and a higher ability to absorb the cleaning liquid S than the compressed portion. Additionally, the cleaning liquid S seeping out from the compressed portion to the glue belt <NUM> can be suppressed by moving the cleaning liquid S in the compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> to the inside of the portion less likely to be compressed. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the ability of the sponge <NUM> to clean the outer peripheral surface 32A of the glue belt <NUM>.

In the sponge <NUM>, since the sponge <NUM> is compressed when the cleaning liquid S is removed from the glue belt <NUM>, a seeping-out action of returning the cleaning liquid S to the glue belt <NUM> is more likely to occur rather than an action of absorbing the cleaning liquid S. Here, in the sponge <NUM> driven to rotate in which the rotary member <NUM> rotates in accordance with the transport operation of the glue belt <NUM>, the seeping-out of the cleaning liquid S onto the glue belt <NUM> occurs more conspicuously than a configuration using the sponge <NUM> that is not rotated.

According to the transport unit <NUM>, even when the sponge <NUM> driven to rotate is used, a part of the sponge <NUM> expands into the opening <NUM>, and thus the state of the sponge <NUM> changes from the compressed state to the released state. Thus, since the density of the sponge <NUM> is reduced, and thus the ability to absorb the cleaning liquid S is ensured, the decrease in the ability of the sponge <NUM> to clean the outer peripheral surface 32A of the glue belt <NUM> can be suppressed.

According to the transport unit <NUM>, when the sponge <NUM> comes into contact with the squeezing member <NUM>, the communication port <NUM> is located in the second region A2 rather than the first region A1, and thus the state of the sponge <NUM> is maintained in the compressed state. Thus, the sponge <NUM> in contact with the squeezing member <NUM> is less likely to be released from the compressed state, and thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the ability to squeeze the sponge <NUM> with the squeezing member <NUM>.

According to the transport unit <NUM>, a part of the sponge <NUM> released from the compressed state in the opening <NUM> expands further to the inside of the shaft member <NUM> due to the negative pressure generated by the suction unit <NUM> inside the shaft member <NUM>. Thus, since the sponge <NUM> can easily absorb the cleaning liquid S, the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S in a part of the sponge <NUM> can be further enhanced.

According to the printer <NUM>, when the sponge <NUM> comes into contact with the glue belt <NUM>, a compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> is generated between the support surface <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM>. Here, a part of the sponge <NUM> is released from the compressed state by expanding into the opening <NUM> provided in the support surface <NUM>. That is, it is possible to create the portion less likely to be compressed in a part of the sponge <NUM>. This portion less likely to be compressed has a lower density and a higher ability to absorb the cleaning liquid S than the compressed portion. Additionally, the cleaning liquid S seeping outward from the compressed portion can be suppressed by moving the cleaning liquid S that seeps out from the compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> to the portion less likely to be compressed. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the ability of the sponge <NUM> to clean the outer peripheral surface 32A of the glue belt <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a transport unit <NUM> according to a second embodiment is specifically described. Note that configurations similar to those of the printer <NUM> and the transport unit <NUM> of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the transport unit <NUM> (<FIG>). The configuration other than the transport unit <NUM> in the printer <NUM> is similar to the configuration of the first embodiment. The transport unit <NUM> is an example of a transport device that transports a medium M.

The transport unit <NUM> includes a shaft member <NUM> instead of the shaft member <NUM> (<FIG>) in the transport unit <NUM>. Since the configuration other than the shaft member <NUM> is the same as the configuration of the transport unit <NUM>, the description thereof will be omitted.

The shaft member <NUM> has a configuration in which a communication port <NUM> is added to the shaft member <NUM>. Since the configuration other than the communication port <NUM> is the same as the configuration of the shaft member <NUM>, the description thereof will be omitted. As an example, the communication port <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> arranged in the +RA direction are provided in the outer peripheral surface <NUM>.

The communication port <NUM> is located downstream from the communication port <NUM> in the +RA direction. The communication port <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> are substantially line-symmetrical with respect to the vertical line V when seen in the +X direction. A size of the communication port <NUM> is substantially the same as that of the communication port <NUM>.

As an example, the communication port <NUM> can be brought into communication with one opening <NUM> as the rotary member <NUM> rotates. The communication port <NUM> allows communication between the inside and the outside of the shaft member <NUM>. As an example, the communication port <NUM> is located inside the region E1 when seen in the +X direction. The communication port <NUM> is located a position closer to the vertical line V than the lateral line H inside the region E1.

Also, the communication port <NUM> is provided in the second region A2 (<FIG>). An opening width of the communication port <NUM> in the +RA direction is substantially equal to an opening width of the opening <NUM> in the +RA direction, as an example.

A portion of the sponge <NUM> that faces the communication port <NUM> and the opening <NUM> which are in a communicated state is located inside the downstream region N2 and is gradually released from the compressed state along with rotation.

Next, the operation of the transport unit <NUM> will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the opening <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> are brought into communication with each other due to the rotation of the sponge <NUM> and the rotary member <NUM>, the portion of the sponge <NUM> that faces the opening <NUM> expands into the opening <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> due to the action of the negative pressure.

Note that in the portions constituting the sponge <NUM>, the portion that is inside the downstream region N2 and expands into the opening <NUM> is distinguished as an expanding portion SP4. Note that a boundary line between the undeformed portion SP1 and the expanding portion SP4, and a boundary line between the expanding portion SP4 and the compressed portion SP3 are respectively represented by dashed lines.

Since a distance between the expanding portion SP4 and the glue belt <NUM> increases toward the downstream in the +RA direction, the expanding portion SP4 is gradually released from the compressed state along with rotation. Furthermore, a portion of the expanding portion SP4 that faces the opening <NUM> expands, and thus a density thereof is reduced. Thus, since a volume of the expanding portion SP4 is increased during expansion, and thus a negative pressure is generated, the cleaning liquid S can be easily sucked.

In this way, in the transport unit <NUM>, the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S can be enhanced by applying a negative pressure to the sponge <NUM> in a portion of the downstream region N2 in which the communication port <NUM> is provided. Thus, the cleaning liquid S collected in the compressed portion SP3 adhering again to the outer peripheral surface 32A in the expanding portion SP4 can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, a transport unit <NUM> according to a third embodiment is specifically described. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as those of the printer <NUM> and the transport units <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the transport unit <NUM> (<FIG>). The configuration other than the transport unit <NUM> in the printer <NUM> is similar to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The transport unit <NUM> is an example of a transport device that transports a medium M. The transport unit <NUM> includes a glue belt <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a sponge <NUM>, and a support unit <NUM>. A cleaning blade <NUM>, a collection tank <NUM>, and a suction unit <NUM> are also provided in the transport unit <NUM>.

The sponge <NUM> is provided at a position at which it faces the lower surface portion 34C in the -Z direction and at a position at which is located downstream of the cleaning unit <NUM> in the +R direction, that is, in the -Y direction. The sponge <NUM> is a prismatic member that extends in the X direction. The sponge <NUM> is a porous elastic body and has an open cell structure consisting of a plurality of cells not illustrated. Each of the cells functions as a chamber capable of accommodating the cleaning liquid S. An upper surface <NUM> of the sponge <NUM> in the +Z direction is located along an X-Y plane. The entire upper surface <NUM> comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A.

When the sponge <NUM> is compressed in a state in which air and the cleaning liquid S are accommodated in each of the cells, the air and the cleaning liquid S inside of each of the cells is discharged to the outside. Note that when the sponge <NUM> is compressed, some of the air and the cleaning liquid S may move to other cells, and some of the air and the cleaning liquid S may remain inside the sponge <NUM>. Also, when the sponge <NUM> returns from the compressed state to the uncompressed state, a negative pressure is generated inside each of the cells, and thus the air and the cleaning liquid S can be absorbed.

The sponge <NUM> is supported by the support unit <NUM> which will be described below. Thus, the upper surface <NUM> of the sponge <NUM> is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A cleaned by the cleaning unit <NUM>. Note that the sponge <NUM> is fixed to the support unit <NUM>. Therefore, the glue belt <NUM> slides against the sponge <NUM>. Also, the sponge <NUM> is in the compressed state of being compressed in the Z direction by being sandwiched between the support unit <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM>.

The support unit <NUM> is configured to include, for example, a chamber <NUM> and a bracket (not illustrated) that fixes the chamber <NUM> to a portion of the device main body <NUM> (<FIG>).

The chamber <NUM> is a hollow member that extends in the X direction. The chamber <NUM> includes an upper wall <NUM> that constitutes a ceiling portion of the chamber <NUM>. The upper wall <NUM> includes a support surface <NUM> that is an upper surface in the +Z direction.

The support surface <NUM> is a plane along the X-Y plane as an example. Openings 89A, 89B, and 89C are provided in the support surface <NUM>. A lower surface <NUM> of the sponge <NUM> in the -Z direction is bonded to a portion of the support surface <NUM> other than the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C. In this way, the support unit <NUM> includes the support surface <NUM> capable of supporting the sponge <NUM>.

The openings 89A, 89B, and 89C are arranged and are spaced apart in the Y direction when seen in the +X direction. Each of the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C is provided as an end portion of a through hole that passes through the upper wall <NUM> in the Z direction. Also, each of the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C is provided in a slit shape that extends in the X direction.

The opening 89A is located in the +Y direction from the center of the upper wall <NUM> in the Y direction. A length of the opening 89A in the Y direction is L1 (mm).

The opening 89B is located at the center of the upper wall <NUM> in the Y direction. A length of the opening 89B in the Y direction is L2 (mm).

The opening 89C is located in the -Y direction from the center of the upper wall <NUM> in the Y direction. A length of the opening 89C in the Y direction is L3 (mm).

Note that a plurality of openings 89A, 89B, and 89C may be provided at intervals not only in the Y direction but also in the X direction. Note that as in the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C, the number of openings provided in the support surface <NUM> is not limited to three, and may be singular or plural. Also, the openings provided in the support surface <NUM> are not limited to those in which each has a different length in the Y direction, and may be those in which all have the same length in the Y direction, or may be those in which some have the same length and the rest has a different length.

The cleaning blade <NUM> is located in the -Y direction with respect to the sponge <NUM> and downstream in the +R direction. A tip end portion of the cleaning blade <NUM> comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A. In this way, the cleaning blade <NUM> is capable of collecting foreign matter, and the like that are not collected by the sponge <NUM>.

The collection tank <NUM> is formed in a box shape that opens in the +Z direction. The collection tank <NUM> covers a part of the sponge <NUM>, the chamber <NUM>, and a part of the cleaning blade <NUM> when seen in the +X direction. The collection tank <NUM> can collect the cleaning liquid S and the like that flows down along the side of the sponge <NUM> and the cleaning liquid S and the like scraped by the cleaning blade <NUM>.

The suction unit <NUM> sucks a gas inside the chamber <NUM>. The gas includes not only air, but also gas other than air. The suction unit <NUM> is coupled to the chamber <NUM>. In the suction unit <NUM>, an internal state of the chamber <NUM> is brought into a negative pressure state by rotating a fan (not illustrated). The suction unit <NUM> can change the negative pressure by changing an air volume. That is, the suction unit <NUM> can perform absorption to an extent that a part of the sponge <NUM> expands into the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C. Furthermore, the suction unit <NUM> includes a collection unit (not illustrated). Additionally, the suction unit <NUM> is configured to be able to collect the cleaning liquid S and the like sucked inside the chamber <NUM> during suction at the collection unit.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sponge <NUM> collects the cleaning liquid S and the like adhering to the outer peripheral surface 32A by coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A after cleaning by the cleaning unit <NUM>. Specifically, the cleaning liquid S and the like permeate the inside of the sponge <NUM>, and thus the cleaning liquid S is collected in the sponge <NUM>. The cleaning liquid S and the like collected in the sponge <NUM> flow down inside the sponge <NUM> in the -Z direction due to an action of its own weight and an action of absorption by the suction unit <NUM>.

The portions of the sponge <NUM> that face the openings 89A, 89B, 89C expand into the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C and the chamber <NUM> due to the action of the negative pressure. In the portion of the sponge <NUM> that expands, the density of the sponge <NUM> decreases over almost the entirety thereof in the Z direction. That is, in the portion of the sponge <NUM> that expands, since an amount of the cleaning liquid S that can be held increases due to an increase in volume during expansion, it is possible to suppress movement of some of the cleaning liquid S from the sponge <NUM> to the outer peripheral surface 32A.

As described above, according to the transport unit <NUM>, when the sponge <NUM> comes into contact with the glue belt <NUM>, a compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> is generated between the support surface <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM>. Here, a part of the sponge <NUM> expands into the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C provided in the support surface <NUM> and is thus released from the compressed state. That is, it is possible to create a portion less likely to be compressed in a part of the sponge <NUM>. The portion less likely to be compressed has a lower density and a higher ability to absorb the cleaning liquid S than the compressed portion. Additionally, the cleaning liquid S seeping out from the compressed portion to the glue belt <NUM> can be suppressed by moving the cleaning liquid S in the compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> to the inside of the portion less likely to be compressed. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the ability of the sponge <NUM> to clean the outer peripheral surface 32A of the glue belt <NUM>.

Also, according to the transport unit <NUM>, the state of the end portion in the -Z direction that is a part of the sponge <NUM> is released from the compressed state in the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C, and thus a part of the sponge <NUM> expands into the openings. Furthermore, a part of the sponge <NUM> expands further into the chamber <NUM> as the gas inside the chamber <NUM> is sucked by the suction unit <NUM>. Therefore, a density of a part of the sponge <NUM> is reduced, and the ability to absorb the cleaning liquid S is increased. That is, since the sponge <NUM> is more likely to absorb the cleaning liquid S, the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S can be enhanced in a part of the sponge <NUM>.

Furthermore, according to the transport unit <NUM>, the lengths L1, L2, and L3 of the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C in the Y direction increase in order toward the downstream direction in the +R direction. In other words, the ability of the sponge <NUM> to collect the cleaning liquid S is enhanced toward the downstream in the +R direction. Thus, as indicated by a twodot chain line, even when the upper end portion of the sponge <NUM> in the +Z direction is deformed in the +R direction due to an action of a frictional force with the glue belt <NUM>, a portion of the sponge <NUM> that is deformed in the +R direction and a portion in the vicinity of the portion are likely to be maintained in a state in which the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S is relatively high. Therefore, the cleaning liquid S and the like are less likely to remain on the outer peripheral surface 32A.

Hereinafter, a transport unit <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment is specifically described. Note that configurations similar to those of the printer <NUM> and the transport units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the first, second, and third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport unit <NUM> is provided in the printer <NUM> in place of the transport unit <NUM> (<FIG>). The configuration other than the transport unit <NUM> in the printer <NUM> is similar to the configuration in the first embodiment.

The transport unit <NUM> is an example of a transport device that transports a medium M. The transport unit <NUM> includes a glue belt <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a sponge <NUM>, and a support member <NUM>, and a lifting unit <NUM>. A cleaning blade <NUM> and a collection tank <NUM> are also provided in the transport unit <NUM>.

The sponge <NUM> is provided at a position at which it faces the lower surface portion 34C in the -Z direction and at a position at which it located downstream of the cleaning unit <NUM> in the +R direction, that is, in the -Y direction. The entire upper surface <NUM> comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A. The sponge <NUM> is supported on a support surface <NUM> of the support member <NUM> which will be described below. Also, the sponge <NUM> can be compressed in the Z direction by being sandwiched between the support member <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM>.

The glue belt <NUM> slides against the sponge <NUM>.

When the sponge <NUM> is sandwiched between the support member <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM> which will be described below, a lower surface <NUM> is deformed into a shape different from a shape along an X-Y plane. Specifically, the lower surface <NUM> after deformation includes a planar portion 85A along the X-Y plane when seen in the +X direction and an inclined portion 85B that extends in an oblique direction intersecting the Y direction.

The planar portion 85A is provided at four locations on the lower surface <NUM> as an example. The inclined portion 85B is provided at three locations on the lower surface <NUM> as an example. Note that the entire lower surface <NUM> may be constituted by one inclined portion 85B.

Among the four planar portions 85A, the planar portion 85A located at the end portion in the -Y direction is adhered to the support surface <NUM> which will be described below.

The support member <NUM> is an example of the support unit including the support surface <NUM> capable of supporting the sponge <NUM>. The support member <NUM> is longer in the X direction than the glue belt <NUM>. The support member <NUM> includes vertical wall portions 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D, and pairs of side wall portions 103A, 103B, and 103C that couple both ends in the X direction of each of the vertical wall portions 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D in the Y direction when seen in the +X direction. An interval between the pair of side wall portions 103A in the X direction may be greater than or equal to a dimension of the sponge <NUM> in the X direction. The pairs of side wall portions 103B and 103C are also similar.

The vertical wall portion 102A is a portion located at an end portion of the support member <NUM> in the +Y direction and extending in the +Z direction.

The vertical wall portion 102B is located in the -Y direction with an interval from the vertical wall portion 102A and extends in the +Z direction. The vertical wall portion 102B is higher in the +Z direction than the vertical wall portion 102A.

The vertical wall portion 102C is located in the -Y direction with an interval from the vertical wall portion 102B and extends in the +Z direction. The vertical wall portion 102C is higher in the +Z direction than the vertical wall portion 102B.

The vertical wall portion 102D is located in the -Y direction with an interval from the vertical wall portion 102C and extends in the +Z direction. The vertical wall portion 102D is higher in the +Z direction than the vertical wall portion 102C.

End surfaces of the vertical wall portions 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D in the -Z direction are aligned to the same height. In other words, the support member <NUM> has a shape with a plurality of steps at an upper end in the +Z direction.

The support surface <NUM> is an upper surface of the support member <NUM> in the +Z direction. As an example, the support surface <NUM> includes at least a plane 104A, a plane 104C, a plane 104E, and a plane <NUM>. Also, openings 106A, 106B, and 106C are provided in the support surface <NUM>. Also, the support member <NUM> includes an inclined surface 104B, an inclined surface 104D, and an inclined surface 104F.

The plane 104A is an upper surface of the vertical wall portion 102A. The inclined surface 104B is an upper surface of the side wall potion 103A. The plane 104C is an upper surface of the vertical wall portion 102B. The inclined surface 104D is an upper surface of the side wall portion 103B. The plane 104E is an upper surface of the vertical wall portion 102C. The inclined surface 104F is an upper surface of the side wall portion 103C. The plane <NUM> is an upper surface of the vertical wall portion 102D.

In the embodiment, an end portion of the lower surface <NUM> in the -Y direction is bonded to the plane <NUM> as an example. Also, the lower surface <NUM> is not bonded to the plane 104A, the inclined surface 104B, the plane 104C, the inclined surface 104D, the plane 104E, and the inclined surface 104F.

Before the sponge <NUM> is compressed in the Z direction, only an end portion of the lower surface <NUM> in the -Y direction is supported by the support member <NUM>. Also, the sponge <NUM> is supported by the support member <NUM> except for the portions facing the openings 106A, 106B, and 106C in a state in which it is compressed in the Z direction.

The opening 106A is provided between the vertical wall portion 102A and the vertical wall portion 102B when seen in the +X direction. The opening 106A is provided as an end portion of a through hole that passes through the support member <NUM> in the Z direction. The opening 106A is provided in a slit shape that extends in the X direction. The side wall portion 103A is located outside the opening 106A in the X direction. A length of the opening 106A in the Y direction is L4 (mm).

The opening 106B is provided between the vertical wall portion 102B and the vertical wall portion 102C when seen in the +X direction. The opening 106B is provided as an end portion of a through hole that passes through the support member <NUM> in the Z direction. The opening 106B is provided in a slit shape that extends in the X direction. The side wall portion 103B is located outside the opening 106B in the X direction. A length of the opening 106B in the Y direction is L5 (mm).

The opening 106C is provided between the vertical wall portion 102C and the vertical wall portion 102D when seen in the +X direction. The opening 106C is provided as an end portion of a through hole that passes through the support member <NUM> in the Z direction. The opening 106C is provided in a slit shape that extends in the X direction. The side wall portion 103C is located outside the opening 106C in the X direction. A length of the opening 106C in the Y direction is L6 (mm).

Note that a plurality of openings 106A, 106B, and 106C may be provided at intervals not only in the Y direction but also in the X direction. The number of openings provided in the support surface <NUM> is not limited to three, and may be singular or plural. Also, the openings provided in the support surface <NUM> are not limited to those in which each has a different length in the Y direction, and may be those in which all have the same length in the Y direction, or may be those in which some have the same length and the rest has a different length.

The lifting unit <NUM> includes a cam and a motor which are not illustrated. As an example, the lifting unit <NUM> supports both end portions of the support member <NUM> in the X direction. A lifting operation of the lifting unit <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM> (<FIG>).

In an initial state before the lifting unit <NUM> is operated, the support member <NUM> is at a lowered position in the -Z direction. In this state, the lower surface <NUM> is along the X-Y plane as indicated by an alternated long and short dash line T.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the support member <NUM> moves upward in the +Z direction by operating the lifting unit <NUM>.

A portion of the sponge <NUM> that does not face the openings 106A, 106B, and 106C is in the compressed state in the Z direction by being sandwiched between the glue belt <NUM> and the support member <NUM>.

On the other hand, portions of the sponge <NUM> that face the openings 106A, 106B, and 106C are in the released state and are thus less likely to be compressed. Thus, the portions of the sponge <NUM> that face the openings 106A, 106B, and 106C expand into the openings 106A, 106B, and 106C as the support member <NUM> moves upward.

The sponge <NUM> collects the cleaning liquid S and the like adhering to the outer peripheral surface 32A by coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface 32A after cleaning by the cleaning unit <NUM>.

Here, in the portions of the sponge <NUM> that expand, the density of the sponge <NUM> decreases over almost the entirety thereof in the. That is, since a volume of the portion of the sponge <NUM> that expands increases during expansion, and the amount of cleaning liquid S that can be held increases, it is possible to suppress movement of some of the cleaning liquid S from the sponge <NUM> to the glue belt <NUM>.

As described above, according to the transport unit <NUM>, when the sponge <NUM> comes into contact with the glue belt <NUM>, a compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> is generated between the support surface <NUM> and the glue belt <NUM>. Here, a part of the sponge <NUM> is released from the compressed state by expanding into the openings 106A, 106B, and 106C provided in the support surface <NUM>. That is, it is possible to create a portion less likely to be compressed in a part of the sponge <NUM>. The portion less likely to be compressed has a lower density and a higher ability to absorb the cleaning liquid S than the compressed portion. Additionally, the cleaning liquid S seeping out from the compressed portion to the glue belt <NUM> can be suppressed by moving the cleaning liquid S in the compressed portion of the sponge <NUM> to the inside of the portion less likely to be compressed. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the ability of the sponge <NUM> to clean the outer peripheral surface 32A of the glue belt <NUM>.

Also, according to the transport unit <NUM>, the lengths L4, L5, and L6 of the openings 106A, 106B, and 106C in the Y direction increase in order toward the downstream direction in the +R direction. In other words, the ability of the sponge <NUM> to collect the cleaning liquid S is enhanced toward the downstream in the +R direction. Thus, as indicated by a twodot chain line, even when the upper end portion of the sponge <NUM> in the +Z direction is deformed in the +R direction due to an action of a frictional force with the glue belt <NUM>, a portion of the sponge <NUM> that is deformed in the +R direction and a portion in the vicinity of the portion are likely to be maintained in a state in which the ability to collect the cleaning liquid S is relatively high. Therefore, the cleaning liquid S and the like are less likely to remain on the outer peripheral surface 32A.

Furthermore, according to the transport unit <NUM>, in a so-called maintenance mode in which the printer <NUM> does not perform recording, the support member <NUM> can be moved up and down in the Z direction as the glue belt <NUM> moves. Here, when the support member <NUM> moves down, a negative pressure is generated inside the sponge <NUM> by transition of the sponge <NUM> from the compressed state to the released state, and thus the cleaning liquid S can be easily collected compared to a configuration in which the support member <NUM> does not move up and down.

In addition, according to the transport unit <NUM>, heights of the vertical wall portions 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D are different from each other, and the height of the vertical wall portion 102D is the highest. Therefore, when the support member <NUM> moves up and down in the Z direction, a degree of compression of the sponge <NUM> is the highest at a downstream end in the +R direction and the vicinity thereof and is the lowest at an upstream end and the vicinity thereof. Thus, the cleaning liquid S collected in a downstream portion of the sponge <NUM> in the +Y direction easily flows to the upstream portion which has a larger volume than the downstream portion. Due to such actions, it is possible to suppress movement of the cleaning liquid S collected in the sponge <NUM> from the downstream portion of the sponge <NUM> in the +R direction to the glue belt <NUM>.

Hereinafter modified examples are described.

In the transport unit <NUM>, a drive unit for driving the rotary member <NUM> may be provided to rotate the rotary member <NUM> in a direction opposite to the +RA direction. In this case, the communication port <NUM> may be provided instead of the communication port <NUM>. When a plurality of communication ports are provided, one of the plurality of communication ports may be provided in the first region A1.

The shaft member <NUM> may be a solid, that is, a cylindrical member. Also, a recess portion may be provided in an outer peripheral portion of the solid shaft member, and the solid shaft member may be disposed such that the recess portion and the opening are brought into communication with each other. For example, when a thickness of the rotary member <NUM> in the radial direction is relatively thin, a space is increased by the recess portion in a position at which the recess portion and the opening are brought into communication with each other, and thus the sponge <NUM> can easily expand.

An opening area of the communication port <NUM> may be changed by movably providing a shutter member in the shaft member <NUM>.

The transport unit <NUM> may be configured to include only the communication port <NUM> without the communication port <NUM>. Furthermore, the drive unit for driving the rotary member <NUM> may be provided to rotate the rotary member <NUM> in the direction opposite to the +RA direction. The opening area of the communication port <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> may be changed by movably providing the shutter member in the shaft member <NUM>.

In the transport unit <NUM>, the opening area of the openings 89A, 89B, and 89C may be changed by providing the shutter member in the chamber <NUM>.

The openings <NUM> may include those having different lengths in the +RA direction.

Claim 1:
A transport device (<NUM>) comprising:
a transport member (<NUM>) configured to transport a medium (M);
a cleaning unit (<NUM>) configured to clean the transport member with a liquid;
a sponge (<NUM>) configured to come into contact with the transport member cleaned by the cleaning unit; and
a support unit (<NUM>) including a support surface (<NUM>) configured to support the sponge, characterized in that
at least one opening (<NUM>) is provided in the support surface, and a portion of the sponge is configured to expand into the opening provided in the support surface in a compressed state of the sponge.