IP Library Granted Patent US 12686221
Granted Patent B2
US 12686221 · App. 18/762,940 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Recording device and washing mechanism

Inventors: Yasunori Onishi (Shiojiri, JP); Shigenori Nakagawa (Bangalore, IN); Kazutoshi Fujishima (Azumino, JP); Katsumasa Tanaka (Ina, JP); Takahiro Matsuzaki (Shiojiri, JP); Shuhei Nishizawa (Matsumoto, JP); Kohei Yamada (Shiojiri, JP); Tsukasa Eguchi (Matsumoto, JP); Atsushi Matsuo (Azumino, JP); Toshiyuki Nozawa (Okaya, JP)
Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
B41J29/17B41J11/007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12686221
App. No.
18/762,940
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A recording device 11 includes a transport belt 25 ; a recording section 12 configured to record an image on a medium 99 by ejecting pigment ink onto the medium 99 ; and a washing mechanism 31 configured to wash the transport belt 25 with washing liquid, wherein the washing mechanism 31 includes a storage section 35 configured to store washing liquid, a first detection section 59 configured to detect an ink concentration of black ink contained in washing liquid, a second detection section 60 configured to detect an ink concentration of pigment ink contained in the washing liquid, and a washing control section 65 , the second detection section 60 detects the ink concentration of the pigment ink, and the washing control section 65 determines a threshold based on the ink concentration of the black ink detected, and discharges washing liquid from the storage section 35 based on the threshold.

Claims (40)

1 . A recording device comprising:

a transport belt configured to transport a medium;

a recording section configured to record an image on a medium transported by the transport belt by ejecting pigment ink onto the medium; and

a washing mechanism configured to wash the transport belt with washing liquid, wherein

the pigment ink includes black ink and ink other than the black ink,

the washing mechanism includes a storage section configured to store washing liquid, a first detection section configured to detect an ink concentration of the black ink contained in washing liquid stored in the storage section, the first detection section includes a first light emitting section configured to emit light and the first detection section detects the ink concentration of the black ink by receiving light transmitted through the washing liquid, the second detection section includes a second light emitting section configured to emit light and a second detection section configured to detect an ink concentration of the pigment ink contained in the washing liquid stored in the storage section, and a washing control section,

the second detection section detects the ink concentration of the pigment ink by receiving light scattered in the washing liquid, and

the washing control section determines a threshold based on the ink concentration of the black ink detected by the first detection section, and discharges washing liquid from the storage section when the ink concentration of the pigment ink detected by the second detection section is equal to or larger than the threshold.

2 . The recording device according to claim 1 , wherein

the first detection section includes a first light receiving section configured to receive the light emitted from the first light emitting section, and

the second detection section includes a second light emitting section configured to emit light and a second light receiving section configured to receive the light emitted from the second light emitting section.

3 . The recording device according to claim 2 , wherein

the storage section includes a detection flow path through which washing liquid flows,

the detection flow path includes a first flow path portion in which an ink concentration of black ink is detected by the first detection section and a second flow path portion in which an ink concentration of the pigment ink is detected by the second detection section, and

a width of the first flow path portion is smaller than a width of the second flow path portion.

4 . The recording device according to claim 2 , wherein

the storage section includes a detection flow path through which washing liquid flows,

the detection flow path includes a first flow path portion in which an ink concentration of black ink is detected by the first detection section, a second flow path portion in which an ink concentration of the pigment ink is detected by the second detection section, and a reflection sheet that reflects the light emitted from the first light emitting section toward the first light receiving section, and

the first light emitting section and the first light receiving section are arranged along the first flow path portion.

5 . The recording device according to claim 2 , wherein

the storage section includes a detection flow path through which washing liquid flows,

the detection flow path includes a first flow path portion in which an ink concentration of black ink is detected by the first detection section, a second flow path portion in which an ink concentration of the pigment ink is detected by the second detection section, and a light absorption sheet that absorbs the light emitted by the second light emitting section, and

the second light emitting section and the second light receiving section are arranged along the second flow path portion.

6 . The recording device according to claim 1 , wherein

the storage section includes a washing tank, an accommodation tank, a first connection flow path connected to the washing tank and the accommodation tank, and a second connection flow path connected to the washing tank and the accommodation tank and

the washing mechanism includes a washing section configured to wash the transport belt with washing liquid stored in the washing tank, and a pump configured to circulate washing liquid between the washing tank and the accommodation tank through the first connection flow path and the second connection flow path.

7 . The recording device according to claim 6 , wherein

the pump sends washing liquid from the washing tank to the accommodation tank through the first connection flow path, and sends washing liquid from the accommodation tank to the washing tank through the second connection flow path,

the first detection section detects the ink concentration of the black ink contained in washing liquid flowing through the first connection flow path, and

the second detection section detects the ink concentration of the pigment ink contained in washing liquid flowing through the first connection flow path.

8 . The recording device according to claim 1 , wherein

the washing control section stores correspondence data in which the ink concentration of the black ink and the threshold are associated with each other, and determines the threshold based on the ink concentration of the black ink by referring to the correspondence data.

9 . A washing mechanism for washing, with washing liquid, a transport belt that transports a medium on which an image is recorded by ejecting pigment ink containing black ink and ink other than the black ink, the washing mechanism comprising:

a storage section configured to store washing liquid;

a first detection section configured to detect an ink concentration of the black ink contained in washing liquid stored in the storage section;

the first detection section includes a first light emitting section configured to emit light and the first detection section detects the ink concentration of the black ink by receiving light transmitted through the washing liquid, the second detection section includes a second light emitting section configured to emit light and

a second detection section configured to detect an ink concentration of the pigment ink contained in washing liquid stored in the storage section; and

a washing control section, wherein

the second detection section detects the ink concentration of the pigment ink by receiving light scattered in washing liquid and

the washing control section determines a threshold based on the ink concentration of the black ink detected by the first detection section, and discharges washing liquid from the storage section when the ink concentration of the pigment ink detected by the second detection section is equal to or larger than the threshold.