Patent ID: 12187053

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be schematically described.

According to a first aspect, a liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting portion that ejects a liquid onto a medium; a transport belt that faces the liquid ejecting portion and rotates in a normal rotation direction to transport the medium downstream in a transport direction; a cleaner that makes contact with the transport belt to clean a cleaning region on the transport belt, in which the cleaner is configured to be switched between a contact state of being in contact with the transport belt and a separation state of being separated from the transport belt, and is switched from the separation state to the contact state during cleaning of the transport belt; and a control portion that controls an ejecting operation of the liquid by the liquid ejecting portion, a rotating operation of the transport belt, and switching of a state of the cleaner, in which when at least a part of the cleaning region is located downstream of the contact position where the cleaner is in contact with the transport belt in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt during cleaning of the cleaning region, the control portion is configured to execute cleaning position adjustment control to rotate the transport belt in a reverse rotation direction opposite to the normal rotation direction so that an entire of the cleaning region is located upstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction, before the cleaner is switched from the separation state to the contact state.

According to the aspect, when at least a part of the cleaning region is located downstream of the contact position where the cleaner is in contact with the transport belt in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt during cleaning of the cleaning region, the control portion can execute the cleaning position adjustment control to reversely rotate the transport belt so that the entire of the cleaning region is located upstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction, before the cleaner is switched from the separation state to the contact state. Therefore, an amount of normal rotation of the transport belt required to clean the entire of the cleaning region once can be suppressed, and a time required to complete the cleaning can be reduced.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, in the cleaning position adjustment control, the control portion rotates the transport belt in the reverse rotation direction so that a downstream end of the cleaning region in the normal rotation direction faces the contact position.

According to the aspect, the control portion reversely rotates the transport belt in the cleaning position adjustment control so that the downstream end of the cleaning region in the normal rotation direction faces the contact position, such that an amount of reverse rotation of the transport belt can be minimized, and the time to complete the cleaning can be further reduced in the cleaning position adjustment control.

According to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the cleaner includes a blade, and the blade is switched to the contact state while forming a predetermined angle to a direction normal to a surface of the transport belt, when the blade is switched from the separation state to the contact state.

In a configuration in which the blade is switched to the contact state while forming the predetermined angle to the direction normal to the surface of the transport belt, a side surface of the blade makes contact with the transport belt. In such a configuration, when the side surface of the blade makes contact with the middle of the cleaning region, the liquid adheres to the side surface of the blade, that is, to a place that is not originally used for cleaning, a cleaning effect may thus be adversely affected.

However, according to the first aspect, the side surface of the blade does not make contact with the middle of the cleaning region, such that it is possible to avoid adversely affecting the cleaning effect.

According to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the transport belt is wound around a first pulley and a second pulley, and the blade is provided at a position where the transport belt is sandwiched between the blade and the second pulley in the contact state.

According to the aspect, the blade is provided at the position where the transport belt is sandwiched between the blade and the second pulley in the contact state, such that the transport belt does not escape inside when the blade makes contact with the transport belt, and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

According to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the second pulley is located downstream of a region facing the liquid ejecting portion when the transport belt rotates in the normal rotation direction.

According to the aspect, the second pulley is located downstream of the region facing the liquid ejecting portion when the transport belt rotates in the normal rotation direction, such that a space can be secured downstream of the cleaner in the normal rotation direction on a side opposite to the region of the transport belt facing the liquid ejecting portion. As a result, it is possible to enhance a degree of freedom in arrangement of other configurations other than the cleaner.

According to a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the transport belt has a first section that is a flat section and includes a region facing the liquid ejecting portion, the cleaning region is a region where the liquid is erroneously ejected from the liquid ejecting portion, and when the first section includes at least a part of the cleaning region, the control portion executes cleaning region movement control to rotate the transport belt in the normal rotation direction until the cleaning region is at least out of the first section before executing the cleaning position adjustment control.

When a user tries to remove the medium remaining on the transport belt in a state where the liquid is erroneously ejected to the transport belt, the user touches an erroneously ejected region, resulting in contamination of fingers. However, according to the aspect, when the first section includes at least the part of the cleaning region, the control portion executes the cleaning region movement control to rotate the transport belt in the normal rotation direction until the cleaning region is at least out of the first section, such that it is possible to prevent the touch to the erroneously ejected region by the user.

According to a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the transport belt has a second section that is a flat section and located opposite to the first section, and the control portion rotates the transport belt in the normal rotation direction until the entire of the cleaning region enters the second section in the cleaning region movement control.

According to the aspect, the control portion rotates the transport belt in the normal rotation direction until the entire of the cleaning region enters the second section in the cleaning region movement control, such that it is possible to reliably prevent the touch to the erroneously ejected region by the user.

According to an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, in the cleaning region movement control, the control portion stops the transport belt in a state where the entire of the cleaning region is located upstream in the second section after the entire of the cleaning region enters the second section.

According to the aspect, in the cleaning region movement control, the control portion stops the transport belt in a state where the entire of the cleaning region is located upstream in the second section after the entire of the cleaning region enters the second section, such that it is possible to suppress the amount of reverse rotation of the transport belt when performing cleaning position adjustment control after the transport belt is stopped, and to quickly start a cleaning operation of the transport belt.

According to a ninth aspect, in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, after executing the cleaning region movement control, the control portion suspends the cleaning position adjustment control until an input instruction is received from the user, and executes the cleaning position adjustment control when receiving the input instruction.

According to the aspect, the control portion executes the cleaning position adjustment control after receiving the input instruction from the user, such that it is possible to reliably prevent the touch to the erroneously ejected region by the user.

According to a tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a contact portion that is in contact with the transport belt and is provided downstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt.

According to the aspect, in the configuration including the contact portion that is in contact with the transport belt and is provided downstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt, the contact portion can be easily contaminated with the liquid, but the cleaner is located upstream of the contact portion, such that it is possible to prevent the contamination of the contact portion.

According to an eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the cleaner is a first cleaner, and a second cleaner that cleans the transport belt is provided downstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt.

According to the aspect, the cleaner is the first cleaner, and the second cleaner that cleans the transport belt is provided downstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt, such that it is possible to enhance the cleaning effect of the transport belt.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the second cleaner includes a ring shaped cleaning body that cleans the transport belt, and a reinforcing body that adheres to an inner periphery of the cleaning body and reinforces the cleaning body.

According to the aspect, the reinforcing body enhances rigidity of the second cleaner, such that wrinkles or deviation of the second cleaner can be suppressed and a cleaning property can be improved. In addition, because the second cleaner is formed in a ring shape, it is possible to reduce in size and costs of the apparatus in comparison to a method for winding an elongated cleaner.

According to a thirteenth aspect, a control method is a method for controlling a liquid ejecting apparatus, which includes a liquid ejecting portion that ejects a liquid onto a medium, a transport belt that faces the liquid ejecting portion and transports the medium, and a cleaner that makes contact with the transport belt to clean a cleaning region on the transport belt, in which the cleaner is configured to be switched between a contact state of being in contact with the transport belt and a separation state of being separated from the transport belt, and is switched from the separation state to the contact state during cleaning of the transport belt, and the method includes: rotating the transport belt in a reverse rotation direction opposite to the normal rotation direction so that an entire of the cleaning region is located upstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction before the cleaner is switched from the separation state to the contact state, when at least a part of the cleaning region is located downstream of the contact position where the cleaner is in contact with the transport belt in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt during cleaning of the cleaning region.

According to the aspect, when at least a part of the cleaning region is located downstream of the contact position where the cleaner is in contact with the transport belt in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt during cleaning of the cleaning region, the transport belt rotates reversely so that the entire of the cleaning region is located upstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction, before the cleaner is switched from the separation state to the contact state. Therefore, an amount of normal rotation of the transport belt required to clean the entire of the cleaning region once can be suppressed, and a time required to complete the cleaning can be reduced.

According to a fourteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storing medium of the present disclosure storing a program, in which the program is a program executed by a control portion of a liquid ejecting apparatus, which includes a liquid ejecting portion that ejects a liquid onto a medium, a transport belt that faces the liquid ejecting portion and transports the medium, and a cleaner that makes contact with the transport belt to clean a cleaning region on the transport belt, in which the cleaner is configured to be switched between a contact state of being in contact with the transport belt and a separation state of being separated from the transport belt, and is switched from the separation state to the contact state during cleaning of the transport belt, and the program includes: determining whether or not at least a part of the cleaning region during cleaning of the cleaning region is provided downstream of a contact position where the cleaner is in contact with the transport belt in a normal rotation direction of the transport belt; and rotating the transport belt in a reverse rotation direction opposite to the normal rotation direction so that an entire of the cleaning region is located upstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction before the cleaner is switched from the separation state to the contact state, when at least a part of the cleaning region is located downstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction.

According to the aspect, when at least a part of the cleaning region is located downstream of the contact position where the cleaner is in contact with the transport belt in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt during cleaning of the cleaning region, the transport belt rotates reversely so that the entire of the cleaning region is located upstream of the contact position in the normal rotation direction, before the cleaner is switched from the separation state to the contact state. Therefore, an amount of normal rotation of the transport belt required to clean the entire of the cleaning region once can be suppressed, and a time required to complete the cleaning can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail.

An ink jet printer1that ejects a liquid represented by ink and performs recording on a medium represented by recording paper will be described by way of example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. Hereinafter, the ink jet printer1is simply referred to as a printer1.

In each drawing, an X-Y-Z coordinate system is an orthogonal coordinate system, in which a Y-axis direction represents a width direction intersecting a transport direction of a medium, and also represents an apparatus depth direction. In the Y-axis direction, a +Y direction represents a direction from the front of the apparatus toward the back of the apparatus, and a −Y direction represents a direction from the back of the apparatus toward the front of the apparatus.

An X-axis direction represents an apparatus width direction, in which a +X direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow, represents the left side, and a −X direction opposite to the +X direction represents the right side, when viewed from an operator of the printer1. A Z-axis direction represents a vertical direction, that is, an apparatus height direction, in which a +Z direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow, represents an upward direction, and a −Z direction opposite to the +Z direction represents a downward direction.

Moreover, a G-axis direction represents a direction normal to an ink ejection surface26aof a line head26, which will be described later. In addition, an F-axis direction, which is a direction in parallel to the ink ejection surface26a, represents a medium transport direction at a position facing the ink ejection surface26a, in which a +F direction, which is a direction indicated by an arrow, represents a downstream of the transport direction, and a −F direction opposite to the +F direction represents an upstream of the transport direction. Hereinafter, a direction in which the medium is sent may be referred to as a “downstream”, and a direction opposite to the direction in which the medium P is sent may be referred to as an “upstream”.

InFIG.1, a medium transport path is indicated by a broken line. A medium in the printer1is transported through the medium transport path indicated by the broken line.

An apparatus body2of the printer1includes a first medium cassette3and a second medium cassette4for accommodating the medium before feeding. Reference numeral P represents a medium accommodated in each medium cassette. The first medium cassette3and the second medium cassette4are provided on the apparatus body2so as to be detachable from an apparatus front side.

The first medium cassette3is provided with a pick roller9for sending out the accommodated medium, and the second medium cassette4is provided with a pick roller10for feeding the accommodated medium.

The first medium cassette3is provided with a feeding roller pair11for feeding the sent-out medium in an obliquely upward direction. The second medium cassette4is provided with a feeding roller pair12for feeding the sent-out medium in the obliquely upward direction, and a transport roller pair13for transporting the medium in an upward direction.

The term “roller pair” herein refers to a roller pair including a drive roller that is driven by a motor (not illustrated) and a driven roller that is driven to rotate in contact with the drive roller, unless otherwise described.

The medium sent out from each medium cassette is sent to a transport roller pair16by a transport roller pair14and a transport roller pair15. The medium receiving a sending force from the transport roller pair16is sent to a position between the line head26and the transport belt33, that is, a position facing the line head26.

A head unit25includes the line head26, and the line head26ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, to a surface of the medium and performs recording. The line head26is an ink ejecting head that is configured such that a nozzle (not illustrated) ejecting the ink covers the entire region in a medium width direction, and is configured as an ink ejecting head capable of performing recording on the entire width of the medium without moving in the medium width direction. The line head26is an example of a liquid ejecting portion that ejects the liquid.

However, the ink ejecting head may be a type that performs recording in accordance with a movement in the medium width direction.

The head unit25can move in the G-axis direction by a driving source (not illustrated). A control portion50(seeFIG.2) controls the movement of the head unit25in the G-axis direction.

Reference numeral5represents an ink accommodating portion accommodating the ink. The ink ejected from the line head26is supplied from the ink accommodating portion5to the line head26through a tube (not illustrated). The ink accommodating portion5includes a plurality of ink tanks disposed along the X-axis direction.

The transport belt33, a driving pulley31, and a driven pulley32constitute a belt unit30. The transport belt33is an endless belt that is wound around the driving pulley31and the driven pulley32. The driving pulley31is driven by a belt drive motor57(seeFIG.2) to rotate the transport belt33.

The medium is transported to a position facing the line head26while being adsorbed to the transport belt33. The adsorption of the medium to the transport belt33will be described later.

In this case, the medium transport path passing through the position facing the line head26intersects both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and transports the medium in the obliquely upward direction. The obliquely upward transport direction represents a direction including a −X direction component and a +Z direction component inFIG.1, and with such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a dimension of the printer1in the horizontal direction.

In the present embodiment, the medium transport path passing through the position facing the line head26is set to have an inclination angle within a range of 50° to 70°, and more specifically, an inclination angle of 60°.

The medium on which a first surface has been recorded by the line head26is sent in a more obliquely upward direction by a transport roller pair17located on a downstream of the transport belt33.

A flap23is provided on a downstream of the transport roller pair17, and the medium transport direction is changed by the flap23. When the medium is discharged as it is, the medium transport path is changed by the flap23such that the medium is transported upward toward a transport roller pair20. A flap24is further provided on a downstream of the transport roller pair20, and the transport path is changed by the flap24to either a path to discharge the medium from a discharge position A1or a path to transport the medium to a transport roller pair21located further vertically upward. When the medium is sent to the transport roller pair21, the medium is discharged from a discharge position A2.

The medium discharged from the discharge position A1is received by a discharge tray27that is inclined in an obliquely upward direction including the +X direction component and the +Z direction component. The medium discharged from the discharge position A2is received by an option tray (not illustrated).

When a second surface is further recorded in addition to the first surface of the medium, the medium is sent in the obliquely upward direction including a −X direction component and the +Z direction component by the flap23, passes through a branching position Kl, and is sent to a switch back path upward from the branching position Kl. A transport roller pair22is provided in the switch back path. The medium entering the switch back path is transported in an upward direction by the transport roller pair22, an upstream end of the medium passes through the branching position Kl, and then a rotating direction of the transport roller pair22is changed, and the medium is thus transported in a downward direction.

The medium transported in the downward direction by the transport roller pair22arrives at a transport roller pair18, a transport roller pair19, and the transport roller pair16by receiving the sending force from the transport roller pair15, and the medium is sent to a position facing the transport belt33again by the transport roller pair16.

In the medium sent to the position facing the line head26again, the second surface opposite to the first surface on which the recording has been already performed faces the line head26. As a result, the second surface of the medium can be recorded by the line head26. The medium on which the second surface has been recorded is discharged from the discharge position A1or the discharge position A2described above.

Next, the belt unit30, a first cleaning portion35, and a second cleaning portion40will be described with reference toFIGS.3,4, and5.

The transport belt33constituting the belt unit30is an endless belt containing a conductive material as needed for adjusting a resistance value in a base material made of urethane, rubber, or the like, and is wound around the driving pulley31located upstream thereof and the driven pulley32located downstream thereof. The transport belt33is applied with a predetermined tension by a tensioner (not illustrated).

The driving pulley31is an example of a first pulley, and the driven pulley32is an example of a second pulley.

The driving pulley31is rotatably driven by a belt drive motor57(seeFIG.2) controlled by the control portion50(seeFIG.2). When the driving pulley31is rotatably driven in a direction of arrow a, the transport belt33rotates in a clockwise direction inFIGS.3and4. Hereinafter, the rotation of the transport belt33may be referred to as “normal rotation”.

When the driving pulley31is rotatably driven in a direction of arrow b, the transport belt33rotates in a counterclockwise direction inFIGS.3and4. Hereinafter, the rotation of the transport belt33may be referred to as “reverse rotation”.

The transport belt33is wound around the driving pulley31and the driven pulley32, thereby forming a first section33aand a second section33bas flat belt sections. The first section33ais a section facing the line head26, and the second section33bis a section opposite to the first section33a. In the present embodiment, the first section33aand the second section33bdo not include a portion of the transport belt33around the driving pulley31and a portion of the transport belt33around the driven pulley32.

When the transport belt33rotates normally, the first section33aof the transport belt33moves in the +F direction, and the second section33bmoves in the −F direction. That is, in the first section33a, the −F direction represents upstream of the transport belt33in the normal rotation direction, and the +F direction represents downstream of the transport belt33in the normal rotation direction. In addition, in the second section33b, the +F direction represents upstream of the transport belt33in the normal rotation direction, and the −F direction represents downstream of the transport belt33in the normal rotation direction. In addition, in the section of the transport belt33wound around the driven pulley32, the clockwise direction inFIG.3represents downstream in the normal rotation direction, and the counterclockwise direction thereof represents upstream in the normal rotation direction.

When the transport belt33rotates normally, the first section33aof the transport belt33moves in the −F direction, and the second section33bmoves in the +F direction. That is, in the first section33a, the +F direction represents upstream of the transport belt33in the reverse rotation direction, and the −F direction represents downstream of the transport belt33in the normal rotation direction. In addition, in the second section33b, the −F direction represents upstream of the transport belt33in the reverse rotation direction, and the +F direction represents downstream of the transport belt33in the reverse rotation direction. In addition, in the section of the transport belt33wound around the driven pulley32, the clockwise direction inFIG.3represents upstream of the transport belt33in the reverse rotation direction, and the counterclockwise direction thereof represents downstream of the transport belt33in the reverse rotation direction.

Next, a charging roller29is provided at a position facing the driving pulley31with the transport belt33interposed between the driving pulley31and the charging roller29.

The charging roller29is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the transport belt33, and is rotatably driven in accordance with the rotation of the transport belt33. The charging roller29is applied with a direct current by a belt charging portion58(seeFIG.2), and accordingly, the charging roller29supplies a charge to a portion in contact with the transport belt33. The belt charging portion58(seeFIG.2) is controlled by the control portion50, and on/off switching of the voltage applied to the charging roller29is performed, and the voltage applied to the charging roller29is switched.

In the present embodiment, the charging roller29supplies a positive charge to the transport belt33, and allows an outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33to be charged to positive polarity, and accordingly, the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33becomes an adsorption surface for adsorbing the medium.

A support roller34that makes contact with the medium is provided upstream of the line head26. The support roller34pushes the medium to a part of the transport belt33wound around the driving pulley31. The support roller34is grounded and therefore a charge on a recording surface side of the medium is removed.

Next, the first cleaning portion35is provided in the vicinity of the driven pulley32. The first cleaning portion35includes a cleaning member that cleans the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33and a blade36which is an example of the first cleaning member. The blade36is fixed to a fixing member37, and the fixing member37is rotatably provided around a rotation shaft38.

The blade36is, for example, a plate-shaped elastic member having a predetermined thickness, formed of urethane, rubber, or the like, and can be elastically deformed while being in contact with the transport belt33. A tip end of the blade36cleans the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33by being in contact with the portion of the transport belt33wound around the driven pulley32.

The rotation shaft38rotates by a blade driving portion59(seeFIG.2), and the rotation shaft38rotates to be switched between a contact state (seeFIG.4) where the blade36is in contact with the transport belt33and a separation state (seeFIG.3) where the blade36is separated from the transport belt33. A blade driving portion59(seeFIG.2) can include an actuator such as a motor. In addition, the control portion50adjusts an amount of rotation of the rotation shaft38, such that a pressing force when the blade36presses against the transport belt33can be adjusted.

The transport belt33normally rotates in the contact state of the blade36, and an adhering matter, such as ink adhering to the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33or paper dust, is thus removed.

Reference numeral Cb represents the contact position where the blade36is in contact with the transport belt33. The contact position Cb is a position where a corner portion36aof the blade36is in contact with the transport belt33in the present embodiment as illustrated inFIG.5. The corner portion36ais a corner portion facing the transport belt33in the blade36.

In addition, a straight line Dn inFIG.5represents a normal line of the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33in the contact position Cb. The blade36makes contact with the transport belt33in a state where an angle α is formed by the normal line Dn. The blade36is oriented in a direction opposite to the transport belt33that rotates normally.FIG.5illustrates a moment when a corner portion36ais in contact with the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33when the blade36is switched from the separation state to the contact state, and in the contact state of the blade36, the rotation shaft38further rotates in the counterclockwise direction from the state ofFIG.5, and the blade36bends to some extent.

The blade36is provided at a position where the transport belt33is sandwiched between the blade36and the driven pulley32in the contact state, such that the transport belt33does not escape inside when the blade36is in contact with the transport belt33, and a cleaning effect can be enhanced.

Next, referring back toFIGS.3and4, the second cleaning portion40is provided downstream (−F direction) of the transport belt33of the first cleaning portion35in the normal rotation direction. The second cleaning portion40includes a cleaning sheet41. The cleaning sheet41is wound around a driving pulley42and driven pulleys43and44, and applied with a tension by a tensioner45. The tensioner45is not limited to a configuration in which it is provided to be advanced to and retracted from the cleaning sheet41, and the cleaning sheet41is pressed by a pressing member (not illustrated), and may be fixedly provided.

The cleaning sheet41is an endless, that is, ring shaped cloth in the present embodiment and has an outer peripheral surface41aand an inner surface41b, and the outer peripheral surface41acan be pressed against the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33by the driven pulley43.

The cleaning sheet41, which is an example of the second cleaning member, can be formed of a single layer of cloth, and can be formed of a plurality of layers, in which the outer peripheral surface41ais formed with the cleaning body and the inner surface41bis formed with the reinforcing body. As an example of the cleaning body, cloth can be used, and as an example of the reinforcing body, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film can be used. Obviously, the cleaning body is not limited to the cloth, and other cleaning bodies may be used, and the reinforcing body is not limited to the PET sheet, and other reinforcing bodies may be used. The cleaning body is attached to an adhesive layer as an example of the reinforcing body. According to the configuration, the cleaning sheet41has high rigidity, such that wrinkles or deviation of the cleaning sheet41can be suppressed and a cleaning property can be improved.

In addition, because the cleaning sheet41is formed in a ring shape, it is possible to reduce in size and costs of the apparatus in comparison to a method for winding an elongated cleaning sheet. When the cleaning sheet41is formed in a ring shape, it is possible to form the cleaning sheet41in a ring shape, for example, by attaching one end region and the other end region of the sheet by a double-sided tape or the like.

The driving pulley42is rotatably driven by a sheet drive motor61(seeFIG.2). The driving pulley42is rotatably driven in the clockwise direction inFIG.3, and accordingly, the cleaning sheet41is rotatably driven in the clockwise direction inFIG.3.

The second cleaning portion40is movably provided along a direction in which it is advanced to and retracted from the transport belt33, specifically, the G-axis direction, and receives power of a unit driving portion60(seeFIG.2) to be advanced to and retracted from the transport belt33. The unit driving portion60can include an actuator such as a motor.

When the second cleaning portion40is advanced to the transport belt33as illustrated inFIG.4, the cleaning sheet41is pressed against the transport belt33by the driven pulley43, and in this state, the transport belt33rotates normally and the cleaning sheet41moves in a circulation manner, such that the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33is wiped.FIG.3illustrates a state where the second cleaning portion40is retracted from the transport belt33.

Next, a paper dust removal wiper46is provided downstream (in −F direction) of the second cleaning portion40in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt33. The paper dust removal wiper46is formed of a sheet material made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for example, and is disposed opposite to the normal rotation direction of the transport belt33. The paper dust removal wiper46is fixedly provided and generally in contact with the transport belt33to remove paper dust adhering to the transport belt33.

Reference numeral48represents a collection box that collects the removed paper dust. In addition, reference numeral47represents a contact sheet for the paper dust adhering to the paper dust removal wiper46when the transport belt33rotates reversely, so that the paper dust moves to the transport belt33and does not move upstream of the transport belt33.

In this case, the driven pulley32is located downstream of the region facing the line head26when the transport belt33rotates normally, a space downstream of the blade36can be secured in the second section33bopposite to the region of the transport belt33facing the line head26, and a degree of freedom of the other configuration except for the blade36can be enhanced. In the present embodiment, the second cleaning portion40, the paper dust removal wiper46, and the contact sheet47can be disposed.

Instead of the configuration, the driving pulley31and the driven pulley32may be arranged reversely.

Next, the belt drive motor57, the belt charging portion58, the blade driving portion59, the unit driving portion60, and the sheet drive motor61are controlled by the control portion50as a control portion illustrated inFIG.2.

The control portion50is a control portion that performs control on the entire printer1, and controls the line head26or a medium transport motor (not illustrated) other than the configurations described above.

The control portion50includes a CPU51and a non-volatile memory52, and the non-volatile memory52stores a program PR and various parameters for controlling various controls of the printer1. The program PR includes a program for realizing various controls, which will be described later, and the non-volatile memory52stores data N1necessary for executing the program PR.

A signal from an operation panel54is input to the control portion50, and a signal for displaying information is output from the control portion50to a display portion54aof the operation panel54. Various setting information input via the operation panel54is stored in the non-volatile memory52. The control portion50performs various controls based on the various setting information.

The control portion50includes an interface53for communication with an external computer90. The control portion50acquires recording data, which is data for performing recording, generated by a printer driver operated by the external computer90or a printer driver of the control portion50. Each mechanism site including the line head26is controlled based on the recording data. The recording data also includes medium size information.

Moreover, detection signals of various sensors are input to the control portion50, and the control portion50performs necessary control based on the detection signals.FIG.2illustrates an upstream sensor65and a downstream sensor66, which are parts of the various sensors.

As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the upstream sensor65is provided upstream of the line head26, which is a position facing the transport belt33. In addition, the downstream sensor66is provided downstream of the line head26, which is a position facing the transport belt33. The upstream sensor65and the downstream sensor66are optical sensors having a light emitting portion that emits light toward the transport belt33and a light receiving portion that receives the light reflected from the transport belt33or the medium. The control portion50can detect passage of a leading end or trailing end of the medium at the position of the upstream sensor65based on the detection signal of the upstream sensor65, and can detect a passage of the leading end or trailing end of the medium at a position of the downstream sensor66.

In particular, when the passage of the leading end of the medium at the position of the downstream sensor66cannot be detected even if a certain time has elapsed after the passage of the leading end of the medium at the position of the upstream sensor65has been detected, the control portion50determines that a jam of the medium occurs. When it is determined that the jam of the medium occurs, the control portion50stops a recording operation. The stopping of the recording operation includes stopping ejection of the ink from the line head26or stopping the driving of the transport belt33or another transport roller pair.

In the present embodiment, the control portion50uses at least one of the first cleaning portion35and the second cleaning portion40to clean the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33. The control portion50can select a first cleaning mode that uses only the first cleaning portion35, a second cleaning mode that uses all the first cleaning portion35and the second cleaning portion40, and a third cleaning mode that uses only the second cleaning portion40.

An example of a case of selecting the first cleaning mode by the control portion50includes a case during a regular cleaning operation. The control portion50includes a unit that counts an elapsed time after executing the regular cleaning operation, when the elapsed time from the execution of the regular cleaning operation reaches a predetermined time, the control portion50executes the regular cleaning operation. In addition, the first cleaning mode is also performed when the printer1transitions to a standby state after a recording jam has been completed.

An example of a case of selecting the second cleaning mode by the control portion50includes a case where the jam of the medium occurs. When such a jam of the medium occurs, the ink may be erroneously ejected and adhere to the transport belt33, and thus the control portion50executes a cleaning operation in the second cleaning mode.

An example of a case of selecting the third cleaning mode by the control portion50includes a case where the number of times of execution of the double-side recording reaches a predetermined value or a case where dew condensation may occur on the transport belt33. The control portion50includes a unit that counts the number of times of execution of the double-sided recording, when the number of times of execution of the double-sided recording reaches the predetermined value, the control portion50executes the cleaning operation in the third cleaning mode. When the double-sided recording is performed, the first surface, on which the recording is initially performed, is in contact with the transport belt33when the recording is performed on the second surface opposite to the first surface; this is because the ink may adhere to the transport belt33. In addition, when the dew condensation occurs on the transport belt33, the control portion50executes the cleaning operation in the third cleaning mode because the medium may get wet. An example of a case where the due condensation may occur on the transport belt33includes a case where a humidity suddenly changes to be high or a case where a temperature rises sharply from a state where the transport belt33is left at a low temperature.

Next, a first embodiment of a control in which the blade36cleans the transport belt33will be described with reference toFIGS.6to8. The present embodiment is a control example when the above-described second cleaning mode is performed, that is, a control example of cleaning performed due to erroneous ejection of the ink to the transport belt33. However, neither the present embodiment nor the second embodiment to be described later is limited to the control that is due to the erroneous ejection of the ink.

The control portion50stops driving of the transport belt33when it detects the jam of the medium (step S101). Next, the control portion50determines whether a region where the ink is erroneously ejected, that is, a part or entire of the cleaning region where the cleaning is to be performed by the blade36is located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction (step S102). InFIG.7, reference numeral Ra is an example of the cleaning region. The control portion50can assume that the ink is ejected from the line head26to the transport belt33, for example, between a timing when the upstream sensor65has detected a leading end of a medium P and a timing when the driving of the transport belt33is stopped, and a region thereof can be set as a cleaning region Ra.FIG.7illustrates a state where in which the leading end of the medium P is caught in the line head26and jammed.

In the example ofFIG.7, a part of the cleaning region Ra is located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction. However, for example, when a margin at the leading end of the medium is small and recording is performed only at the leading end of the medium, the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction. Alternatively, when the margin at the leading end of the medium is large, the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located upstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction.

When a part or entire of the cleaning region Ra is located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction (step S102: Yes), the control portion50reversely rotates the transport belt33(step S103). The reverse rotation of the transport belt33is an operation in which the entire of the cleaning region Ra is disposed upstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction as illustrated inFIG.8, which is referred to as cleaning position adjustment control.

For example,FIG.8illustrates that the transport belt33rotates reversely so that a downstream end Rs of the cleaning region Ra faces the contact position Cb. However, a predetermined distance between the downstream end Rs of the cleaning region Ra and the contact position Cb may be provided by moving the cleaning region Ra further upstream in the normal rotation direction.

When a part or entire of the cleaning region Ra is not located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction, that is, when the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located upstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction (step S102: No), the cleaning position adjustment control (step S103) is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S104. In the present embodiment, when a part or entire of the cleaning region Ra is not located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction, the downstream end Rs of the cleaning region Ra faces the contact position Cb, in other words, the downstream end Rs of the cleaning region Ra matches the contact position Cb.

Next, the control portion50switches the blade36to the contact state (step S104), advances the second cleaning portion40to the transport belt33(step S105), and then normally rotates the transport belt33(step S106). The normal rotation of the transport belt33in step S106is a cleaning operation of the transport belt33by the blade36and the second cleaning portion40. In the cleaning operation, an amount of normal rotation of the transport belt33is an amount of cleaning the cleaning region Ra at least once with the blade36and the second cleaning portion40, and may be an amount of cleaning the cleaning region Ra plural times by the blade36and the second cleaning portion40.

When the cleaning operation is completed, the control portion50switches the blade36to the separation state (step S107) and retracts the second cleaning portion40from the transport belt33(step S108).

In the control example, steps S103to S108may be repeatedly performed. That is, the cleaning region Ra may be repeatedly cleaned by repeatedly executing the advance/retraction operation of the blade36and the reverse and normal operation of the transport belt33and reciprocating the cleaning region Ra with respect to the contact position Cb. The same applies to the second embodiment, which will be described later.

Next, a second embodiment of a control in which the blade36cleans the transport belt33will be described with reference toFIGS.9and10. The present embodiment is also a control example when the above-described second cleaning mode is performed, that is, a control example of cleaning performed due to erroneous ejection of the ink to the transport belt33.

The control portion50stops driving of the transport belt33when it detects the jam of the medium (step S201). Next, the control portion50determines whether the first section33aof the transport belt33includes a part or entire of the cleaning region Ra (step S202). When the first section33aof the transport belt33includes a part or entire of the cleaning region Ra (step S202: Yes) the control portion50normally rotates the transport belt33by a predetermined amount (step S203).

FIG.7is an example in which the first section33aof the transport belt33includes a part of the cleaning region Ra. In addition,FIG.10is an example of a state where the transport belt33rotates normally by a predetermined amount in step S203. The normal operation of the transport belt33in step S203is an operation in which the transport belt33normally rotates until the cleaning region Ra is out of the first section33a, which is cleaning region movement control. When the first section33aof the transport belt33includes a part or entire of the cleaning region Ra (step S202: No) the cleaning region movement control in step S203is skipped.

The control portion50issues a jam alert (step S204). Specifically, for example, the control portion50causes the display portion54aof the operation panel54to display an alert message such as “A paper jam has occurred. Please remove the jammed paper”. When the control portion50issues the jam alert, a space may be formed between the line head26and the transport belt33by moving the line head26in the +G direction, as indicated by reference numeral26-1inFIG.10.

Instead of moving the line head26in the +G direction or in addition to moving the line head26in the +G direction, the transport belt33may move in a direction retracted from the line head26as illustrated inFIG.11. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.11, the belt unit30can rotate around the driving pulley31. In addition, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.11, in addition to the belt unit30, the first cleaning portion35, the second cleaning portion40, the charging roller29, the paper dust removal wiper46, the contact sheet47, and the collection box48, which are configurations in the vicinity of the transport belt33, can integrally rotate with the belt unit30. The rotation of the belt unit30in this manner may be performed by a user's operation or performed by the control portion50using a drive source such as a motor.

Returning toFIG.9, when the user removes the jammed medium in response to the jam alert and presses an OK button (step S205: Yes), the control portion50performs control after step S206. The control after step S206is the same as the control after step S102described with reference toFIG.6, the description thereof will be omitted below. Steps S206, S207, S208, S209, S210, S211, and S212correspond to steps S102, S103, S104, S105, S106, S107, and S108inFIG.6, respectively.

As described above, when at least a part of the cleaning region Ra is located downstream of the contact position Cb where the blade36is in contact with the transport belt33in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt33during cleaning of the cleaning region Ra, the control portion50can execute the cleaning position adjustment control (steps S103and S207) to rotate reversely the transport belt33so that the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located upstream of the contact position Cb in a normal rotation direction, before the blade36is switched from the separation state to the contact state.

In addition, in the control method performed by the control portion50, when at least a part of the cleaning region Ra is located downstream of the contact position Cb where the blade36is in contact with the transport belt33in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt33during cleaning of the cleaning region Ra, the transport belt33rotates reversely so that the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located upstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction, before the blade36is switched from the separation state to the contact state.

In addition, the program executed by the control portion50includes: determining whether or not at least a part of the cleaning region Ra is located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt33during cleaning of the cleaning region Ra (steps S102and S206); and reversely rotating the transport belt33so that the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located upstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction before the blade36is switched from the separation state to the contact state, when at least a part of the cleaning region Ra is located downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction (steps S103and S207).

As described above, the amount of normal rotation of the transport belt33necessary for cleaning the entire of the cleaning region Ra once can be suppressed, and the time to complete the cleaning can be reduced.

Moreover, the control portion50reversely rotates the transport belt33in the cleaning position adjustment control (steps S103and S207) so that the downstream end Rs of the cleaning region Ra in the normal rotation direction faces the contact position Cb, such that the amount of reverse rotation of the transport belt33can be minimized, and the time to complete the cleaning can be further reduced in the cleaning position adjustment control.

The blade36is switched to the contact state while forming a predetermined angle of the outer peripheral surface Sa of the transport belt33with respect to the normal line Dn, when the blade36is switched from the separation state to the contact state as illustrated inFIG.5. In such a configuration, because the side surface of the blade36makes contact with the transport belt33, once the side surface of the blade36makes contact with the middle of the cleaning region Ra, the ink adheres to the side surface of the blade36, that is, to a place that is not originally used for cleaning, the cleaning effect may be adversely affected. However, according to the cleaning position adjustment control described above, the side surface of the blade36does not make contact with the middle of the cleaning region Ra, such that it is possible to avoid adversely affecting the cleaning effect.

Moreover, when the first section33aof the transport belt33includes at least a part of the cleaning region Ra, the control portion50executes cleaning region movement control (step S203) to normally rotate the transport belt33until the cleaning region Ra is at least out of the first section33abefore executing the cleaning position adjustment control (step S207).

Accordingly, when the user tries to remove the medium P remaining on the transport belt33, the user touches the cleaning region Ra, resulting in contamination of fingers.

In the embodiment described above, the cleaning region movement control is performed when the first section33aof the transport belt33includes at least a part of the cleaning region Ra. However, when the user may touch a section of the belt wound around the driven pulley32, for example, the cleaning region movement control may be performed when at least a part of the cleaning region Ra is included in the first section33aof the transport belt33and the section (part or entire) of the belt wound around the driven pulley32.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the control portion50normally rotates the transport belt33until the entire of the cleaning region Ra enters the second section33bin the cleaning region movement control (step S203). Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the touch to the erroneously ejected region by the user.

However, a movement destination of the cleaning region Ra is not limited to the position where the entire of the cleaning region Ra enters the second section33bas long as it is possible to suppress the touch to the erroneously ejected region by the user. For example, a part of the cleaning region Ra may be the section of the belt wound around the driven pulley32.

Moreover, in the cleaning region movement control, the control portion50stops the transport belt33in a state where the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located upstream in the second section33bafter the entire of the cleaning region Ra enters the second section33bas illustrated inFIG.10. The expression “the entire of the cleaning region Ra is located upstream in the second section33b” herein means that an intermediate position of the cleaning region Ra in a belt movement direction is located in the +F direction relative to the intermediate position of the second section33b.

The movement destination of the cleaning region Ra is set in this manner, such that the amount of reverse rotation of the transport belt33when performing the cleaning position adjustment control (step S207) can be suppressed, and the cleaning operation of the transport belt33can be started quickly.

Moreover, after executing the cleaning region movement control, the control portion50suspends the cleaning position adjustment control (step S207) until the input instruction is received from the user (step S205: Yes), and executes the cleaning position adjustment control when receiving the input instruction. More specifically, in the present embodiment, after executing the cleaning region movement control, the control portion50issues an alert for prompting the removal of the medium on the transport belt33(step S204), suspends the cleaning position adjustment control (step S207) until the input instruction is received from the user (step S205: Yes), and executes the cleaning position adjustment control when receiving the input instruction. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the touch to the cleaning region Ra by the user.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the charging roller29, which is a contact portion that is in contact with the transport belt33, is provided downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt33. In such a configuration, the charging roller29is easily contaminated by the ink. However, since the blade36is located upstream of the charging roller29in the normal rotation direction, the contamination of the charging roller29by the ink can be suppressed.

In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and size of the apparatus, as compared with a case where the charging roller29can be advanced to and retracted from the transport belt33because the contamination of the charging roller29by the ink is suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the paper dust removal wiper46and the contact sheet47are also examples of the contact portion.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the second cleaning portion40is provided downstream of the contact position Cb in the normal rotation direction of the transport belt33, such that it is possible to enhance the cleaning effect of the transport belt33.

Next, another embodiment of the periphery configuration of the belt unit30will be described with reference toFIGS.12and13. The same components as those already described inFIGS.12and13are designated by the same reference numerals, and hereinafter, the duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral70inFIGS.12and13represents a transport unit. The transport unit70is a unit body including the above-described belt unit30, first cleaning portion35, and second cleaning portion40, and a collection box48A, which is another embodiment of the collection box48.

An opening/closing cover2ais provided on the side surface (right side surface) of the apparatus body2in the −X direction, andFIG.12illustrates a state where the opening/closing cover2ais opened. The opening/closing cover2aas illustrated is opened to expose the transport unit70. The opening/closing cover2ais opened, such that the jammed medium can also be removed when a paper jam occurs in the media transport path.

According to the present embodiment, the collection box48A includes a box71that can be detached from the transport unit70, as indicated by arrow Ck.FIG.13illustrates that a chain double dashed line indicated by reference numeral71-1indicates a detachable box71that has been removed. The detachable box71can be attached to the transport unit70using screws (not illustrated), and the detachable box71can be removed from the transport unit70by removing the screws.

By opening the opening/closing cover2a, the detachable box71can be exposed together with the transport unit70as illustrated inFIG.12and the detachable box71can be detached from the transport unit70.

Because paper dust collected by the collection box48A is accumulated in the detachable box71, the detachable box71is removed from the transport unit70, such that the accumulated paper dust can be easily discarded.

In the present embodiment, the detachable box71is attached to the transport unit70using the screws, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and obviously, other attachment units such as snap-fits or magnets may be used.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the disclosure defined by the appended claims, and such modifications should be included in the scope of the present disclosure.