JP3890643B2 - Inkjet fabric printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inkjet fabric printing apparatus, and more particularly to an inkjet fabric printing apparatus that facilitates threading through a gap between a print head and a platen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The inkjet fabric printing apparatus prints a pattern by ejecting ink dots from a number of nozzles of a print head onto a fabric on a platen. In the case of color printing, the print head has ink heads for, for example, four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and various colors are expressed by combinations of ink dots sprayed from each ink head. The combination of ink dot colors and the pattern formed by them are specified by drawing data supplied from a control device (computer).
[0003]
Prior to the start of printing, it is necessary to perform so-called cloth threading in which the fabric is passed through the gap between the print head and the platen. Since the distance between the print head and the platen is normally set to about 1.5 mm, it is necessary to thread the narrow gap. At that time, the fabric should not be wrinkled on the platen. Otherwise, the landing point of the ink dots on the fabric becomes inaccurate, and a high-quality printing result cannot be obtained.
[0004]
Usually, the fabric is composed of a woven fabric or the like, and unlike paper, there is no so-called “strain”. Therefore, in order to pass a narrow gap between the print head and the platen without causing such a fabric to wrinkle, Is a sheet of paper or plastic attached to the tip of the fabric and let it pass as a lead, or the adjustment range of the spacing adjustment mechanism between the print head and the platen is extremely wide to maximize the spacing when threading The cloth was spread manually by hand.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Threading using a lead is troublesome in that the lead must be attached to and detached from the fabric. Threading through the interval adjustment mechanism with the print head and platen widened is uneconomical because the interval adjustment mechanism must have a much wider variable range than the original adjustment range corresponding to the thickness of the fabric. is there. Further, in this case, the workability is poor because the threading is performed from the rear side of the apparatus.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an inkjet fabric printing apparatus that can be easily threaded.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) The invention according to claim 1 for solving the problem includes an original winding roll of a fabric whose shaft is horizontally supported at a fixed position in the apparatus, and an upper side of the original winding roll. A platen roller that pulls out the fabric and conveys it toward the front side of the apparatus, a nip roller that clamps the fabric from behind the platen roller, a print head that faces the platen roller from above and jets ink onto the fabric, and the platen roller When the fabric drawn out from the original winding roll is hung around the upper side of the platen roller, the cloth can be swung in the direction of falling to the front side of the apparatus so as to be separated from the nip roller and approach the original winding roll. There, the original wound in a direction opposite to the said direction when in a state in which the fabric is passed over returning the platen roller printable position b Characterized by comprising a swingable platen roller support mechanism away from Le.
[0008]
In the invention of claim 1, when the platen roller support mechanism is tilted forward, the distance between the print head and the platen roller is greatly increased. For this reason, by using this interval, the threading operation can be easily performed from the front side of the apparatus. That is, it is possible to realize an inkjet fabric printing apparatus that can be easily threaded.
[0009]
(2) The invention of claim 2 for solving the problem is that in the invention of claim 1, the platen roller support mechanism is provided with a force generation mechanism that applies a force that resists the moment of rotation due to weight. It is characterized by.
[0010]
In the invention of claim 2, the working force is reduced because the platen roller support mechanism is swung by the auxiliary force of the force generation mechanism. For this reason, the platen roller support mechanism manually moved forward and pushed back can be smoothly performed with a small force.
[0011]
(3) The invention of claim 3 for solving the problem is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, the force generation mechanism is a gas spring.
In the invention of claim 3, the configuration of the force generating mechanism can be simplified by using the gas spring.
[0012]
(4) The invention of claim 4 for solving the problem comprises the original winding roll loading mechanism for loading the original winding roll from the front side of the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It is characterized by doing.
[0013]
In the invention of claim 4, the original winding roll can be loaded from the front side of the apparatus by the original winding roll loading mechanism, and the workability is improved.
(5) The invention of claim 5 for solving the problem is characterized in that in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, the platen roller is a rubber roller.
[0014]
In the invention of claim 5, since the platen roller is a rubber roller, the friction with the fabric is optimized.
(6) The invention of claim 6 for solving the problem is characterized in that, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 5, the nip roller is a sponge roller.
[0015]
In the invention of claim 6, since the nip roller is a sponge roller, the uniformity of the fabric clamping pressure is enhanced.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1-3 are external views of the inkjet fabric printing apparatus. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a plan view, and FIG. 3 is a right side view. This apparatus is an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
First, the overall configuration will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the present apparatus has a frame 001 and a cover 002. Each component described below is incorporated in the frame 001 or cover 002. That is, the original roll 10 of the fabric is loaded in the original roll loading unit 20 with the shaft 11 being horizontal. The original winding roll 10 is an example of an embodiment of the original winding roll in the present invention. The original winding roll loading unit 20 is an example of an embodiment of the original winding roll loading mechanism in the present invention. The original winding roll 10 is a roll obtained by winding a polyester woven fabric having a width of about 1.5 m and a length of about 50 m, for example. The original winding roll loading unit 20 and the loading of the original winding roll 10 thereon will be described later.
[0018]
On the upper side of the original winding roll 10, a platen roller 30 is installed in parallel with the original winding roll 10. The platen roller 30 is an example of an embodiment of the platen roller in the present invention. The platen roller 30 is composed of, for example, a rubber roller. The rubber roller is preferable in that an appropriate frictional force is generated between the rubber roller and the fabric. The platen roller 30 has a width wider than that of the original winding roll 10.
[0019]
The shaft 31 of the platen roller 30 is supported by platen roller support portions 32 at both ends. The platen roller support portion 32 is an example of an embodiment of the platen roller support mechanism in the present invention. The platen roller support portion 32 is provided with a drive unit (not shown) for rotating the platen roller 30. The platen roller support portion 32 is configured to be swingable, and when it is swung, the platen roller support portion 32 can be tilted forward while supporting the platen roller 30. The configuration of the platen roller support portion 32 will be described later.
[0020]
A nip roller 40 is in contact with the platen roller 30 from behind. The nip roller 40 is an example of an embodiment of a nip roller in the present invention. The nip roller 40 presses the cloth between the platen roller 30 and ensures that the cloth is conveyed by the platen roller 30. The shaft of the nip roller 40 is rotatably supported.
[0021]
The nip roller 40 is constituted by, for example, a sponge roller. The sponge roller is very flexible and is well adapted to the fabric regardless of local changes in the thickness of the fabric, so that it is preferable in terms of uniformly pressing the fabric. The width of the nip roller 40 is equal to the width of the platen roller 30.
[0022]
A head carriage 50 is provided above the platen roller 30. For example, a plurality of ink heads (not shown) corresponding to four primary colors for color printing and their drive circuits are mounted on the head carriage 50. The head carriage 50 and the ink head mounted thereon are an example of an embodiment of a print head in the present invention.
[0023]
Ink is supplied to the plurality of ink heads from the ink cartridge 60 through an ink supply system (not shown). The head carriage 50 is mounted on a rail (not shown) and is driven by a driving unit (not shown) so as to reciprocate (scan) in parallel with the axis of the platen roller 30.
[0024]
For example, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, a cloth is wound around the platen roller 30 from the back toward the front. A guide 70 is provided at the front lower side of the platen roller 30 so that the cloth discharged to the front side is suspended along the guide.
[0025]
A control unit 80 is provided behind the frame 001. The controller 80 controls rotation of the platen roller 30, scanning of the head carriage 40, ink supply to the ink head, ink ejection of the ink head, and the like. The control unit 80 is configured by an electronic circuit including a microprocessor, for example.
[0026]
Various commands are given to the control unit 80 from the operator through the operation unit 90. The operation unit 90 is provided with appropriate operation keys, indicators, and the like (not shown). Ink jet printing is performed by the control operation of the control unit 80 based on the operator's command. The control unit 80 may be linked to a higher-level computer or the like through a communication line or the like, and printing may be performed under the control.
[0027]
Next, the platen roller support portion 32 will be described. FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the main part of the platen roller support portion 32. In FIG. 4, the configuration of the main part of the right platen roller support part 32 is shown together with the interrelationships with the nip roller 40, the carriage head 50, the original winding roll 10, the original winding roll loading part 20, and the like. The configuration of the left platen roller support portion 32 and the original winding roll loading portion 20 is also the same. The left and right platen roller support portions 32 are coupled and integrated with each other by a rigid coupling member (not shown).
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 31 of the platen roller 30 is supported by a support portion 321. An adjustment mechanism (not shown) is provided in the support portion 321 so that the vertical position of the shaft 31 can be adjusted. This is used to adjust the distance between the carriage head 50 and the platen roller 30 according to the thickness of the fabric.
[0029]
The support portion 321 is supported by the arm 322. Here, the arm 322 is an arm bent at a right angle, and a support portion 321 is attached to a position near the end of the horizontal limb. The lower end of the vertical limb of the arm 322 is pivotally attached to the frame 001 by a pivoting member 323 such as a hinge. As a result, the arm 322 can swing around the axis of the pivot member 323 while the support portion 321 and the platen roller 30 are placed. The support portion 321, the arm 322, and the pivot member 323 constitute the platen roller support portion 32.
[0030]
A force generation member 33 is attached between a position on the frame 001 that is a predetermined distance below the attachment position of the pivot member 323 and the horizontal limb of the arm 322. The force generating member 33 is an example of an embodiment of a force generating mechanism in the present invention. Here, a gas spring is used as the force generating member 33. The gas spring is preferable because of its simple structure. A spring mechanism using a coil spring or the like may be used instead of the gas spring. Both ends of the force generating member 33 are pivotally attached to the frame 001 and the arm 322, respectively.
[0031]
The force generating member 33 generates a force in a direction in which both ends thereof are opposite each other. Therefore, the force generating member 33 applies a force against the moment of rotation due to the weight of the swinging portion including the platen roller 30, the support portion 321, and the arm 322 to the arm 322. The force generated by the force generating member 33 is selected so as to be equal to or slightly less than the component force in the axial direction of the force generating member 33 due to the rotational moment. Note that the drag force against the rotational moment can be adjusted by changing the attachment position of the end of the force generating member 33 on the arm 322, that is, the point of action of the force.
[0032]
The state shown in the figure is the normal posture of the platen roller support portion 32, and in this state, the platen roller support part 32 is locked to the frame 001 by a lock mechanism (not shown). The original winding roll 10 is loaded in this state. That is, the shaft 11 of the original winding roll 10 is placed on the rail 201 of the original winding roll loading unit 20 protruding to the front side of the apparatus, and is rolled on the rail 201 and sent to the back. In addition, the protrusion 202 to the upper side is provided in the edge part of the front side of the rail 201, and it prevents that the original winding roll 10 mounted on the rail 201 rolls down to the front side. A drop part 203 adapted to the circumference of the shaft 11 is formed in the innermost part of the rail 201, and the loading position of the original winding roll 10 is determined by dropping the shaft 11 there.
[0033]
After the original winding roll 10 is loaded at a fixed position, the cloth is threaded next. In performing the cloth threading, the operator unlocks the platen roller support portion 32 and pulls the platen roller support portion 32 forward using a handle (not shown). Then, the platen roller support portion 32 swings around the pivot member 323 with the platen roller 30 mounted, and falls between the former roll loading portion 20 and the former roll 10 to the front side. The degree of the fall is regulated by an appropriate regulating means (not shown), and stops in the state shown in FIG. 5, for example.
[0034]
During this time, the force generated by the force generating member 33 resists the rotational moment due to the weight of the swinging portion. The rotational moment of the oscillating portion increases as the tilt angle increases, but at the same time, the force generating member 33 is also compressed in the axial direction and the drag increases. Therefore, the swing is performed in a state where the rotational moment due to weight and the drag of the force generating member 33 are almost antagonistic, and the operator can swing smoothly with an extremely small force.
[0035]
When it is swung to the state as shown in FIG. 5, the print head 50 and the platen roller 30 are largely separated from each other, and the platen roller 30 protrudes to the front of the apparatus. In this state, the operator pulls the end of the fabric from the original winding roll 10 and hangs it on the platen roller 30. When the original winding roll 10 is wound with the front side of the fabric turned inward, it is wound as shown by a two-dot chain line, and when it is wound with the front side turned, it is hung as shown by a three-dot chain line. .
[0036]
The fabric is hung so that the tip part slightly hangs down in front of the platen roller 30, and the degree of hanging is adjusted so that there is no wrinkle on the platen roller 30 and it is even. Since the print head 50 and the platen roller 30 are largely separated from each other and the platen roller 30 protrudes close to the operator's hand, the operation can be performed very easily.
[0037]
When the cloth has been applied, the platen roller support 32 is raised and swung in the direction opposite to that described above to return to the original posture. Even at this time, the work can be easily performed by the assisting force of the force generating member 33. As the return progresses, the platen roller 30 gradually moves away from the original winding roll 10, and the fabric is pulled out from the original winding roll 10 accordingly. Since the platen roller 30 is a rubber roller, appropriate friction is maintained between the platen roller 30 and the fabric, and the fabric is drawn out smoothly.
[0038]
When the platen roller support 32 is returned to the normal posture, the state shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. In this state, the platen roller support 32 is locked. In this normal state, the fabric wound around the platen roller 30 is correctly set under the print head 50 and is nipped by the nip roller 40. That is, the conditions for completing the threading and starting the printing are established.
[0039]
Thereafter, the operator operates the operation unit 90 to instruct the apparatus to start printing. In response to this command, the control unit 80 controls rotation of the platen roller 30, scanning of the head carriage 50, ink ejection from the ink head, and the like, and ink jet printing on the fabric is performed.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the platen roller support mechanism is tilted forward, the interval between the print head and the platen roller is greatly increased. It can be easily performed from the front side of the apparatus. That is, it is possible to realize an inkjet fabric printing apparatus that can be easily threaded.
[0041]
According to the second aspect of the invention, since the work force is reduced because the platen roller support mechanism is swung by the auxiliary force of the force generation mechanism, the platen roller support mechanism is manually pushed forward and pushed back with a small force. It can be done smoothly.
[0042]
According to the invention of claim 3, the structure of the force generating mechanism can be simplified by using the gas spring.
According to the invention of claim 4, the original winding roll can be loaded from the front side of the apparatus by the original winding roll loading mechanism, and the workability is improved.
[0043]
According to the invention of claim 5, since the platen roller is a rubber roller, the friction with the fabric is optimized.
According to the invention of claim 6, since the nip roller is a sponge roller, the uniformity of the fabric clamping pressure is increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an apparatus according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of an example apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a platen roller support portion in an apparatus according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a swinging state of a platen roller support portion in an apparatus according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a threading completion state in the apparatus according to the example of the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
001 Frame 002 Cover 10 Original winding roll 11 Shaft 20 Original winding roll loading section 30 Platen roller 31 Shaft 32 Platen roller support section 40 Nip roller 50 Head carriage 60 Ink cartridge 70 Guide 80 Control section 90 Operation section 321 Support section 322 Arm 323 Pivoting Member 33 Force generating member 201 Rail 202 Protrusion 203 Dropping part

Claims (6)

An original roll of fabric with a shaft supported horizontally at a fixed position in the apparatus;
A platen roller that is on the upper side of the original roll and draws the fabric from the original roll and conveys the cloth toward the front side of the apparatus;
A nip roller for pressing the fabric from behind the platen roller;
A print head that opposes the platen roller from above and ejects ink onto the fabric;
When the cloth drawn out from the original winding roll is supported on the upper side of the platen roller while supporting the shaft of the platen roller, it swings in the direction of falling toward the front side of the apparatus so as to be separated from the nip roller and approach the original winding roll. A platen roller support mechanism that is movable and swingable so as to move away from the original winding roll in a direction opposite to the direction when returning the platen roller to a printable position in a state where the cloth is stretched;
An inkjet fabric printing apparatus comprising:   The inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a force generation mechanism that applies a force against a rotation moment due to weight to the platen roller support mechanism.   The inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the force generation mechanism is a gas spring.   The inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an original roll loading mechanism that loads the original roll from a front side of the apparatus.   The inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the platen roller is a rubber roller.   The inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nip roller is a sponge roller.

Images