JP2002192713A - Method and apparatus for ink jet recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record to an entire face of a paper sheet to be recorded without generating a blank, without making a recorder complicate, large in size and increased in cost or without executing secondary processing to the paper sheet after being recorded. SOLUTION: Platen rib arrays A11a and B11b for guiding and supporting the paper sheet 13 to be recorded are set in parallel within a length of an ink discharge nozzle array of a recording head 10. Each rib for constituting the platen rib array A11a is arranged to a position corresponding to a position between adjacent ribs of the platen rib array B11b. When a leading end or a rear end of the paper sheet 13 is to be recorded, recording data is divided to data corresponding to the platen rib arrangement, so that recording data of one line is recorded by scanning by a plurality of the number of times.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink onto a recording sheet, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording on the entire surface of a recording sheet without any blank space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Performing a recording operation only in a range completely coincident with the entire surface of a recording sheet requires a shape error of the recording sheet,
Since it is not realistic due to the recording paper conveyance accuracy of the recording apparatus or the like, the recording operation is normally started from a predetermined distance from the end of the recording paper from the inside. Therefore, the recording result usually has a margin (edge) along the edge of the sheet.

However, as seen in a silver halide photograph print service, many people prefer a print result without margins (without borders), and even in an ink jet recording apparatus, there is no blank space on the entire recording paper after recording is completed. Several recording means have been put to practical use. The above means can be roughly classified into a method of processing a recording sheet after recording and a method of performing a recording operation in a range not less than the area of the recording sheet without processing the recording sheet to compensate for the above-described error and lack of accuracy. Is the way.

As an example of the former, an area surrounded by a perforation and an extra area that can be cut out along the perforation outside this area are provided on a recording sheet, so that not only the area surrounded by the perforation but also an extra area is provided. In some cases, recording is performed up to the point of, and after recording operation is completed, a surplus is cut off to obtain a desired recording result. FIG. 18 shows an example. For the recording paper 13 in which the recording area 53 is formed by the four perforations 52, recording is performed in an area larger than the recording area 53, but after recording is completed, an extra portion outside the recording area 53 is formed along the perforation 52. The marginless recording (recording without margins) on the recording paper after the extra removal
It is those that have been made.

Further, as in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-32016, recording is performed on a long roll of paper, and after the recording operation is completed, only the recorded portion is cut to obtain a desired recording result. There is.

As an example of the latter, when ink is directly ejected to a platen facing a recording head in a portion where recording operation is performed in a range larger than the recording paper area, the ink is applied to a rib for guiding and holding the recording paper. As a result, the platen is hidden when recording on the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording paper. A device that directly holds only the back surface has been put to practical use.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a recording sheet supporting member 50 movable in the same direction as the scanning direction of the recording head 10 is provided, and the width of the recording sheet 13 is detected by the recording sheet detecting means 51. A method has been proposed in which a desired printing result is obtained by moving the printing sheet support member 50 while dividing one row of printing into a plurality of rows.

[0008]

However, in the above-described conventional example, there are some restrictions in performing recording on the entire surface of the recording paper without any blank space.

That is, in a method of processing a recording sheet after recording, it is necessary to use a recording sheet larger than the size of the recording sheet obtained after the processing, and the recording apparatus itself needs to correspond to the size. Therefore, the size of the recording apparatus has been increased. In addition, since the user has to process the recording paper by himself / herself, the operation is complicated. In addition, the method of removing excess recording paper by hand along the perforations does not provide a clean cut surface and has a problem in finishing.

Further, in the method of recording on a long roll of paper and performing cutting after the recording is completed, it is necessary to provide a cutting device in the recording device, which has led to an increase in the size of the recording device or an increase in cost. Also, in the method of cutting images by a user after continuously recording images on a long roll of paper,
It was difficult to cut the image at the image boundary without displacement, and the operation was complicated.

In the method of performing a recording operation in a range larger than the area of the recording paper, a mechanism for moving the platen in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording paper and a mechanism for moving the platen in synchronization with the movement of the carrier are provided. It is necessary to provide such a device, resulting in an increase in the complexity or size of the device and an increase in cost.

An object of the present invention, in view of the problems of the prior art, complicated or increase in size of the recording apparatus, and without incurring the cost, it can be recorded in the margin without the recording sheet over the entire surface, It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which has a good finish of a recording sheet and good operability.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a method for transporting a recording medium onto a platen arranged opposite to a recording head which performs recording by discharging recording droplets. In the inkjet recording method and the inkjet recording apparatus for performing recording, a rib row having a plurality of ribs in a direction intersecting with a recording medium transport direction is configured so that the arrangement of the ribs is different from each other, and the recording is performed on the platen. At least two rows are arranged along the medium transport direction, and at least two rows of prints are formed by excluding print data corresponding to the position of each rib during a recording operation at the leading end or the rear end in the transport direction of the recording medium. Is performed in each of the steps to complete a predetermined record of one line.

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording method for carrying out recording by transporting a recording medium between a recording head for performing recording by discharging recording droplets and a platen arranged opposite to the recording head. The ejection nozzle row of the recording head has at least two nozzle rows: a first nozzle row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction and a second nozzle row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction.
The platen is divided into at least two rib rows arranged in a direction intersecting with the recording medium transport direction as a plurality of ribs arranged in a direction intersecting the recording medium transport direction, and the two rib rows are arranged in the recording medium transport direction. A rib is divided near a position facing a dividing line dividing the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row, and each rib constituting one rib row having the dividing line as a boundary is adjacent to the other rib row. When a recording operation is performed at the leading end or the rear end in the transport direction of the recording medium using the platens arranged at positions corresponding to each other, the transport of the recording medium is within the range of the second nozzle row. Position at the front end or the rear end in the second direction.
A first stage in which the printhead prints a print data first area corresponding to a part of print data for one row, using a range of a nozzle row or a range of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row; Positioning the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the transport direction within the range of the first nozzle row,
At this time, using the range of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row or the range of the first nozzle row in which the recording medium is contained, the print head uses the print data corresponding to the rest of the print data for one row. The second step of recording the second area is performed at least once, and the first area of the recording data is a row of ribs on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction with respect to the entire recording data of one row. The print data in which at least the positions of the ribs constituting the mask processing are performed is used. As the print data second area, a rib row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction with respect to the entire print data of one row is used. It is characterized in that print data obtained by masking at least the rib position is used.

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for carrying out recording by transporting a recording medium between a recording head which performs recording by discharging recording liquid droplets and a platen arranged opposite to the recording head. At least the platen,
In a region facing the ejection nozzle array of the recording head, two or more rib arrays configured by arranging a plurality of ribs in a direction crossing the recording medium transport direction are arranged in the recording medium transport direction. It is characterized in that the arrangement of ribs in adjacent rib rows among the above-mentioned rib rows is different from each other.

In this ink jet recording apparatus, it is preferable that an absorbing means for absorbing a recording liquid is provided between the ribs constituting the rib row of the platen. Further, with respect to the adjacent rib row of the platen, it is preferable that each rib of the other rib row is arranged at a position corresponding to substantially the center between the adjacent ribs of one rib row.

Furthermore ink jet recording apparatus as described above, when the recording operation of the conveying direction leading end and the trailing end of the recording medium, the recording data is divided in accordance with the position of the rib, middle of the recording medium The printing operation of one row by the discharge nozzle array of the print head is completed by at least two or more printing operations involving conveyance, and in this case, at least two or more printing operations involving the conveyance of the recording medium are performed. When performing the operation, it is preferable that the transport amount of the recording medium entering the middle is equal to or less than half the length of the ejection nozzle array of the recording head in the recording medium transport direction.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described.

In the present invention configured as described above, when the recording operation is performed at the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the transport direction,
The recording nozzle is arranged within a range of the first nozzle row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction and the second nozzle row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction that divides the ejection nozzle row of the recording head. Position the leading or trailing end in the medium transport direction. At this time, the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the transport direction is also on the rib row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction corresponding to the range of the second nozzle row. Then, the range of the second nozzle row containing the recording medium stopped at this position (in the case of leading edge recording) or the range of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row (in the case of trailing edge recording) The recording operation of the recording head is used to record the first area of the recording data corresponding to a part of the recording data for one line. At this time, as the print data first area, print data obtained by masking at least the position of each rib constituting the rib row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction with respect to the entire print data for one row is used. Therefore, the recording drops from the recording head are ejected to the ribs on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction where there are no ribs, and the recording drops do not adhere to the ribs. Furthermore, in the case of tip recording, due to the use of only the range of the second nozzle row, the recording droplets rib ribs row of the recording medium conveyance direction downstream side corresponding to the range of the first nozzle row ejecting It is that there is no difference.

Next, the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the transport direction is positioned within the range of the first nozzle row. At this time, the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the transport direction is also on the rib row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction corresponding to the range of the first nozzle row. Then, the range of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row containing the recording medium stopped at this position (in the case of leading edge recording) or the range of the first nozzle row (in the case of trailing edge recording) And the recording operation of the recording head is performed to record the recording data second area corresponding to the rest of the recording data for one row. At this time, as the print data second area, print data obtained by masking at least the position of each rib constituting the rib row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction with respect to the entire row of print data is used. ing. In particular, the ribs constituting the rib row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction are arranged at positions corresponding to adjacent ribs in the rib row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction, so that recording data a second region of the recording data first region excluding the recording the entire data for one line (the inverted) is a region corresponding to where no rib ribs row of the recording medium conveyance direction upstream the recording It is located between adjacent ribs in the rib row on the downstream side in the medium transport direction. Therefore, recording droplets from the recording head is discharged in the absence of the ribs of the rib row of the recording medium conveyance direction downstream side, recording droplets to the ribs does not adhere. Further, in the case of trailing edge recording, since only the range of the first nozzle row is used, recording droplets are applied to the ribs of the rib row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction corresponding to the range of the second nozzle row. There is no ejection.

[0021] As described above, the on conveying direction leading end or during the recording operation to the trailing end, the recording medium conveyance direction upstream side of the rib columns corresponding to the range of the second nozzle array of the recording medium,
The transport of the recording medium is controlled so as to stop at least once at least on the rib row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction corresponding to the range of the first nozzle row, and each of the platens is stopped at each transport stop position. By performing a printing operation using print data that has been subjected to mask processing according to the rib position, printing of one line is completed.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing the recording method without margins (without margins) in this manner, the recording apparatus can be printed over the entire surface of the recording medium without margins without increasing the complexity or size of the recording apparatus and increasing the cost. it is possible to perform recording. In addition, since secondary processing by the user after the recording operation is not required, operability is improved. Also,
Since the secondary processing of the recording medium is not required, the finish of the recording medium does not deteriorate.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the entire recording section of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a platen ink absorber arranged in contact with the platen, reference numeral 38 denotes a discharge roller gear fixed coaxially with the discharge roller 37, reference numeral 39 denotes a chassis that supports each part of the recording apparatus, Reference numeral 41 indicates the exterior of the recording apparatus.

[0025] First, referring to FIG. 1, illustrating the components and operation of the ink jet recording apparatus.

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment is composed of a sheet discharge unit and the carrier unit and the paper feeding unit and the paper conveying section and schematically.

The paper feed unit is an ASF (auto sheet feeder) that feeds out the recording papers 13 as stacked recording materials one by one.
Feeder) 40.

A plurality of sheets of recording paper 13 are stacked and ASF 40
Placed on the paper feed tray. The recording paper 13 on the paper feed tray is separated and conveyed from the uppermost sheet by the rotation of a paper feed roller (not shown), and is sent to a paper conveyance section through a paper conveyance path (not shown).

The paper transport section includes an LF roller 33 for transporting the recording paper 13, and a pinch roller 35 opposed to the LF roller 33 to pinch the recording paper 13.

The pinch roller 35 is a pinch roller holder 3
6 is held. LF coaxial with the LF roller 33
A roller gear 34 is fixed, and an LF motor (not shown) is used as a drive source to drive the LF
The driving force is transmitted to the rollers 33. The pinch roller 35 disposed opposite to the LF roller 33 is connected to the LF roller 3 by an elastic member (not shown) via a pinch roller holder 36.
It is biased to 3. After the recording paper 13 is sent from the ASF 40, the LF roller 33 starts rotating, so that the leading end of the recording paper 13 is nipped by the nip portion (contact portion) between the LF roller 33 and the pinch roller 35. Since the friction coefficient between the LF roller 33 and the recording paper 13 is set to be high, the recording paper 13 is conveyed with almost no slip according to the rotation of the LF roller 33.

The recording paper 13 conveyed by the LF roller 33 is guided and supported by a row of ribs provided on the platen 11, and is guided to a paper discharge section. The ribs provided on the platen 11 for guiding and supporting the recording paper 13 reduce the contact area with the recording paper 13 to reduce the resistance, so that the recording paper 13 can be smoothly moved. The paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit.

The paper discharge section comprises a paper discharge roller 37 for conveying the paper downstream of the paper conveyance and a spur (not shown) (FIG. 1).
2 is disposed above the paper discharge roller 37).

The discharge roller 37 is connected to the LF roller 33 by a gear train, and rotates synchronously. Further, since the spur is urged by the paper ejection roller 37 by an elastic member similarly to the pinch roller 35, the recording paper 1 is similar to the LF roller.
3 can be conveyed.

Basically, the recording operation is performed while the recording paper 13 is conveyed while being nipped by the LF roller 33 and the pinch roller 35 and the discharge roller 37 and the spur. In order to increase the area of the recording portion, only the LF roller 33 and the pinch roller 35 are used to record the leading end of the recording paper 13.
When recording the rear end of the recording paper 3, the recording operation can be performed only by being sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 37 and the spur.

The carrier section is equipped with a recording head 10 for performing recording by discharging ink, and is scanned by a carrier 30.
And a guide shaft 14 and a guide rail 15 for guiding the carrier 30 so that the carrier 30 can reciprocate in a direction (for example, an orthogonal direction) crossing the recording paper transport direction.
The guide shaft 14 and the guide rail 15 are provided so as to extend along the scanning direction of the carrier 30.

A carrier belt 31 is attached to the carrier 30, and is stretched between a pulley of a carrier motor 32 serving as a drive source of the carrier 30 and an idler pulley attached to a chassis 39. With such a configuration,
Forward and reverse rotation of the carriage motor 32 is converted into reciprocating linear motion of the carrier 30.

Since the recording head 10 faces the platen 11, ink droplets are ejected from the ink ejection nozzles provided on the recording head 10 at a timing synchronized with the movement of the carrier 30, so that the recording head 10 it is possible to perform recording in the unit. The recording head 10 is provided with an electrothermal conversion element in a plurality of nozzles communicating with a common recording liquid chamber, and by applying an electric pulse serving as a recording signal to the recording element, heat energy is given to the recording liquid in the nozzle. A device that utilizes the bubble pressure at the time of bubbling (at the time of boiling) of the recording liquid generated by the phase change of the recording liquid for discharging the recording liquid droplets, or records the pressure energy by a vibrating element such as a piezo element instead of the electrothermal conversion element. be those utilized for the discharge of liquid droplets may be.

When the recording on the recording paper 13 is completed, the recording paper 13 is discharged to the outside of the recording apparatus by the above-described paper discharge unit.

The above is the outline of the configuration and operation of each part of the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment.

Next, details of the recording method, in particular, the recording paper 1
The recording method for the front end and the rear end of No. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 for explaining the recording operation of the leading edge of the sheet, recording without margins (recording without margins) at the leading edge of the sheet will be described.

The recording paper 13 is conveyed, and a PE (not shown)
When the (paper end) sensor detects the leading end of the recording sheet 13, the sheet leading end recording operation starts (FIG. 2).
Step S1).

Next, as the recording sheet 13 tip is cued to a predetermined position, rotated forward LF roller 33 drives the LF motor (not shown) (step of FIG. 2 S
2). The predetermined position is a position that satisfies the relationship between the recording head 10 and the recording sheet 13 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a recording unit of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in which only parts necessary for explanation are extracted and shown.

Here, in order to clarify the positional relationship, FIG.
3 shows a schematic side view of the recording apparatus viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes an ink ejection nozzle array provided on the recording head 10. The ejection nozzle array 16 is a plurality of ink ejection nozzles arranged in a substantially linear shape. Of these, approximately half of the upstream side as viewed from the paper transport direction X is the ejection nozzle array 16b (second nozzle array).
I will call it. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, substantially half of the downstream side when viewed from the paper transport direction X is the discharge nozzle row 16a.
(1st nozzle row).

The cue position when the paper tip recording operation is in the range of the recording paper 13 tip discharge nozzle row 16b, in a state where the near side from the most downstream side by a distance L _b of the discharge nozzle row 16b is there. The reason for setting the distance L _b are as follows. That is, the conveyance of the recording paper is in an ideal state, and the leading end position of the recording paper 13 and the recording head 10
If the relative positions of the ejection nozzles can be determined, it is possible to perform recording without leading margin by starting the recording operation from the head of the recording paper 13 by setting L _b = 0, but actually the position of the recording paper is In some cases, the recording paper 13 may be conveyed slightly obliquely, and the leading edge of the recording paper and the scanning direction of the carrier 30 may not be parallel. If L _b = 0, This causes a slight margin at the leading end and unexpected ejection of ink droplets outside the recording paper. It is not impossible to take measures to completely prevent such a situation, but it is not advisable to consider such costs. As described above, by setting the distance L _b of an appropriate amount, so even if variation various precision to some extent it is possible to ensure that the region of the tip is always discharge nozzle row 16b of the recording paper 13, No leading margin is generated.

At this time, the data necessary for recording is the distance L
_Since it is necessary to anticipate up to _b , it is necessary to prepare data in an area slightly larger than the area actually recorded on the recording paper.

When the cueing of the recording paper is completed,
The recording operation in the next step is to start.

Next, a second area of the leading end recording data (FIG. 8)
(Step 15 in FIG. 2). This is a process for dividing the printing at the leading end into a plurality of passes and executing the printing. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a mask processing method for the front end print data. In the figure, reference numeral 17 indicates the entire range of the front end recording data, and reference numeral 18 indicates the first end recording data first area.

In the mask processing of step S3, 1
In order to record only the portion of the first-end recording data first area 18 with respect to the front-end recording data 17 for a row, the remaining portion is masked so as not to be recorded. That is, for example, the logical sum (A) of the leading end recording data sent from the host computer and the mask of the leading end recording data first area 18
Take ND), as an active record data only recorded data depicted portion by hatching in FIG.

[0050] Here, the distal end portion recording the data the first area 1
8 is set in relation to the arrangement of the rib rows provided on the platen 11. To illustrate how it relates to the arrangement of the rib rows, the shape of the platen will now be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the relationship between the platen 11 and the platen ink absorber 12. As shown in FIG. For the reasons mentioned above, the platen is provided with ribs,
In the present invention, a plurality of rib rows are arranged. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and 7A, the platen 11 is provided with platen rib rows B11b arranged at substantially equal intervals up to substantially half of the upstream side in the recording sheet transport direction X. In approximately half of the downstream side in the transport direction X, each rib is provided with a platen rib row B1.
The platen rib row A11a is arranged so as to be substantially at the center between the ribs 1b. When viewed in the recording sheet transport direction X, as shown in FIG.
11a. The platen ink absorber 12 is arranged on the platen 11 having the above-described rib arrangement so as to fill in portions other than the ribs. Platen ink absorber 12
Is made of a material having a good ink absorption efficiency, such as pulp or a polymer, and has a shape with a hole in a portion corresponding to a rib of the platen 11. By combining the platen 11 and the platen ink absorber 12,
The unit shown in FIG. 7B is provided in the recording apparatus.

[0052] The platen 11 with ribs disposed substantially in a staggered configuration as described above, the upstream side of the platen rib row B11
The first end recording data first area 18 is set in accordance with the pitch b. More specifically, the first end recording data first area 18 is located substantially at the center between the ribs of the platen rib row B11b. (FIG. 6). Therefore, the pitch of the leading end recording data first area 18 substantially matches the pitch of the platen rib row B11b, and its width is substantially half the pitch of the platen rib row B11b.

The relationship between the rib array of the platen 11 and the first end print data first area 18 has been described above.

Next, the first scanning of the carrier 30 causes the first
The area 18 is recorded (Step S4 in FIG. 2). Specifically, as described above, the carrier 30 is driven and scanned, and a printing operation is performed based on the masked print data. Ink droplets ejected from the ejection nozzles of the recording head 10 is necessarily to fixing landed on the recording paper 13, as shown in FIG. 4, the discharge nozzle row 16b by the amount of distance L _b under Since there are ejection nozzles that do not face the recording paper 13, the ink droplets ejected from that portion directly reach the platen ink absorber 12 and are absorbed and collected. As shown in FIG. 6, the recording of the first area 18 is performed by the platen rib row B11.
Since the ink droplets are ejected only in the area where there is no b, no ink droplets are ejected on the platen rib row B11b. Further, only the area of the ejection nozzle row 16b corresponds to the leading edge print data first area 18. Therefore, no ink droplets are ejected onto the platen rib row A11a, and all ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 are absorbed and collected by the platen ink absorber.

The reason why ink droplets are not ejected on the ribs of the platen 11 by the above method is as follows. That is, since the recording paper 13 is guided and conveyed by the ribs, the opposite side of the recording paper 13 and the ribs of the platen 11 are sliding, and the ink droplets are When attached, because a possibility that the anti-recording surface of the recording paper 13 will be soiled with the ink is present.

[0056] Figure 3 is a diagram recording operation of one line indicates a state after the completion of forming the first recording area 13a on the recording paper 13 by the first scan.

Next, the recording paper 13 is conveyed by a predetermined amount (step S5 in FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 5, which shows a state after the recording sheet 13 has been conveyed, the leading end of the recording sheet 13 after step S5 is located at the ejection nozzle row 16a.
And is conveyed from the most downstream side of the ejection nozzle row 16a to _{a position} away from the leading end of the recording sheet 13 by a distance La. Why the distance L _a are present, it is exactly the same as the reason why L _b are present in the description of Figure 4. Further, the transport amount at this time may be set to be equal to or less than half the length of the ejection nozzle array 16 in the recording paper transport direction X. This makes it possible to efficiently utilize the length of the ejection nozzle row.

Next, a process of masking the first area 18 of the leading end recording data is performed (step S6 in FIG. 2). This corresponds to the record performed in steps S3 to S4.
This is for recording the rest. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a second mask processing method of the leading end print data. In the figure, reference numeral 19 denotes a leading end recording data second area. In the masking process of step S6, the portion that has not been printed in the masking process of step S3 is recorded. Is a region where (is excluded). Similarly to step S4, a logical sum (AND) is obtained between the leading end recording data 17 and the mask of the leading end recording data second area 19, and only the recording data of the portion hatched in FIG. 8 is set as effective recording data. .

Next, the second scanning of the carrier 30 causes the second scanning.
The area 19 is recorded (Step S7 in FIG. 2). This scanning may be performed in the return of the first scan in step S4, or may be performed in the same direction as the first scan after returning to the start point of the first scan once. At this time, the portion of the effective recording data where the ink droplets are ejected outside the recording paper 13 depends on the setting of the leading end recording data first area 18 and the relationship between the platen rib row A11a and the platen rib row B11b. No ink droplets are ejected on the platen rib row A11a. As a result, all of the ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 are discharged from the platen ink absorber 12.
Absorbed and recovered.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state after the second scanning of the printing operation for one line is completed. The second scanning area 13b is formed on the recording paper 13 by the second scanning. Then, the recording of one line of the leading end recording data 17 is completed together with the above-mentioned first recording area 13a.

The above is the description of the recording method without margin at the leading end of the sheet.

In the above description, especially the recording paper 13
Has been described with reference to the marginless recording (marginless recording) at the leading end of FIG. 3, but in FIGS. 3, 6, 8 and 9 used for the description, the left and right ends are also recorded without margins (marginless recording). This will be described below.

In order to perform marginless recording (edgeless recording) on the left and right ends of the recording paper 13, if the positions of the recording paper 13 and the carrier 30 in the carrier scanning direction are in the ideal state, the margins of the paper are very small. In this case, the recording without margins (recording without margins) can be realized. However, in practice, it often deviates from the ideal state depending on the accuracy of paper setting in the left-right direction by the user. In order to avoid this, it is not impossible to take measures to detect the left end and right end positions of the recording sheet 13 using a sensor or the like, and perform recording. Absent. Therefore, by setting an actual recording area width equal to or larger than the width of the recording paper 13, it is actually possible to discharge some ink droplets outside the recording paper 13 and perform marginless recording (rimless recording). It is a target. This embodiment is also used in this embodiment.

[0064] That is, from the size of the recording data has been set the recording sheet 13, is set to an amount corresponding spread of L _L and L _R 8, also in the region of the L _L and L _R, a platen The arrangement of the rib rows is determined in advance so that there are no ribs on 11. With such a configuration, even if ink droplets are ejected outside the left end or right end of the recording paper 13, the ink droplets do not adhere to the ribs of the platen 11 and recording without margins (recording without margins) ) Can be realized. Further, as the recording data the recording paper 1
It is necessary to prepare data of a length obtained by adding L _L and L _R to the width of 3. In the above configuration, when a recording sheet of an unknown size is inserted, ink droplets may adhere to the ribs of the platen 11, but usually a fixed-size sheet is used. Almost, no problem in practical use.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 describing the recording operation of the trailing edge of the sheet, the recording without margins (recording without margins) at the trailing edge of the sheet will be described.

When a rear end of the recording paper 13 being conveyed is detected by a PE (paper end) sensor (not shown),
The paper trailing edge recording operation starts (step S1 in FIG. 10).
1). During the recording operation over the entire surface of the paper, the recording paper 1
Since the trailing end of the sheet 3 is detected when the recording sheet is conveyed during the recording operation, the position at which the trailing end of the sheet is detected is stored in the memory of the control circuit for the recording apparatus.

Next, it is determined whether or not the recording paper 13 has been conveyed by a predetermined amount from the rear end position of the recording paper whose position was previously detected and stored in the memory (step S12 in FIG. 10). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the rear end of the recording paper 13 has entered the range of the ejection nozzle row 16b. When the trailing edge of the sheet moves to this range, the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, a second area of the trailing end recording data (FIG. 1)
4 is masked (step S13 in FIG. 10). The specific means is almost the same as when printing without margins (recording without margins) at the leading end of the sheet, so that the description will be simplified. That is, the print data masked in this step is data located at the same phase as the platen rib row B11b (FIG. 12).

In the rear end portion, the amount of the ink droplets ejected to the outside of the recording paper 13 is expected, and
It is necessary to prepare recording data longer than the length.

Next, the first scanning of the carrier 30 causes the first scanning.
The recording of the area 28 is performed (Step S14 in FIG. 10). The recording operation is the same as in the marginless recording (edgeless recording) at the leading edge of the sheet (see FIG. 12). Therefore, the platen rib row B
No ink droplets adhere to the recording paper 11b, and ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 are directly absorbed and collected by the platen ink absorber 12. FIG. 11 shows this 1
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state after the printing operation for a row is completed, as indicated by hatching in the drawing, an area recorded on the recording paper 13 before recording at the trailing edge of the paper, and a first scanning. An integrated recording area 13c integrated with the first recording area is formed.

Next, a predetermined amount of the recording paper 13 is conveyed (step S15 in FIG. 10). The rear end of the recording sheet 13 after a predetermined transport amount is in the range of the discharge nozzle row 16a as shown in FIG. 14, and the length in the recording sheet conveying direction X of the carry amount ejection nozzle array 16 at this time Less than half the amount is good.

Next, a process of masking the first area 28 of the trailing edge recording data is performed (step S16 in FIG. 10). This is for recording the remaining part of the recording performed in steps S13 to S14. That is, the print data masked in this step is data located at the same phase as the platen rib row A11a (FIG. 1).
4).

Next, the second scanning of the carrier 30 causes the second
The recording of the area 29 is performed (Step S17 in FIG. 10). The recording operation is the same as in the marginless recording at the leading edge of the sheet (recording without margins) (see FIG. 14). Therefore, the platen rib row A
No ink droplets adhere to the recording paper 11a, and the ink droplets ejected outside the recording paper 13 are directly absorbed and collected by the platen ink absorber 12. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state after the recording operation for one line is completed. The integrated recording area 13c for which recording has been completed up to step S14 and the final recording area for which recording has been performed in step S17. 13d are integrated, and the recording on the entire surface of the recording paper 13 is completed.

Next, the recording sheet 13 is discharged out of the recording apparatus (step S18 in FIG. 10). The sheet discharging operation is performed by the action of the sheet discharging roller 37 and a spur (not shown) as described above.

The above is the description of the recording method without margin at the rear end of the sheet.

As described above, recording without leading margin, recording without margin at left and right ends, and recording without trailing margin can be performed, so that recording can be performed on the entire surface of a predetermined recording paper without margins.

In this embodiment, the ribs of the platen rib row have been described as being arranged at equal intervals. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rib intervals may be unequal. At this time, the ribs of the platen rib row A11a may be arranged substantially at the center between adjacent ribs of the platen rib row B11b, and the leading end recording data first area 18 and the leading end recording data second area 19 set to be substantially the center of the rib between the platen rib row B11b and platen rib row a 11a, the width may be approximately half the rib spacing.

In the present embodiment, one line of recording / line feed is performed at a width substantially equivalent to の of the length of the ejection nozzle array 16 at the time of recording the leading end or trailing end of the sheet. Although the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.
A line feed may be configured. This is very effective especially when it is desired to obtain a recording resolution higher than the actual resolution of the ejection nozzle array, since interlaced recording is performed in the same area a plurality of line feeds.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the width of the discharge nozzle row 16 of the code 16a locations: point code 16b ≒
Although the image is divided into two parts at a ratio of 1: 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image may be divided into three or more parts, or an unequal division ratio may be used.

As described above, by configuring the ink jet recording apparatus as in the present embodiment, recording can be performed on the entire surface of the recording paper without any margin without incurring a complicated or large-sized recording apparatus and an increase in cost. it is possible to perform. In addition, the user does not need to perform secondary processing after the printing operation in order to obtain a printing result without margins, so that operability is improved. In addition, since secondary processing of the recording paper is not required after the recording operation in order to obtain a recording result without margins, it is possible to obtain a very beautiful recording result without deteriorating the finish of the recording paper. become.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the case where the recording head has only one ejection nozzle array has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to the case of a recording head having.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0083] Figure 15 (A) ~ (C) shows a discharge nozzle surface of the recording head having a plurality of discharge nozzle rows, is a schematic plan view. In the drawing, reference numeral 42 denotes a discharge nozzle surface of the recording head viewed from the recording paper side, reference numeral 43 denotes a discharge nozzle array B of black ink, reference numeral 44 denotes a discharge nozzle array Y of yellow ink, and reference numeral 45 denotes discharge of magenta ink. The nozzle row M, reference numeral 46, indicates a cyan ink discharge nozzle row C. The vertical direction in FIG. 13 is the transport direction X of the recording paper, and the horizontal direction relative to the paper surface is the scanning direction Y of the carrier.

First, a case where a plurality of ejection nozzle rows are arranged side by side (substantially parallel to the carrier scanning direction Y) will be described.
FIG. 15A shows an example in which a plurality of ejection nozzle rows are arranged side by side. In this case, the recording procedure at the time of marginless recording at the leading and trailing edges (marginless recording) is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. However, when performing a single scanning of the carrier records from all the ejection nozzle array,
The sheet conveyance control may be performed so that the leading end of the recording sheet or the trailing end of the recording sheet is located in the following area. That is, the area where the plurality of ejection nozzle arrays B, Y, M, and C are commonly present in the recording paper transport direction is equivalent to the area of the ejection nozzle array 16 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 5 and 8). Treat to
Then, bisects area substantially the center of the common area, the nozzle row L _A and L _B. Also, the row of ribs arranged on the platen is divided into two rows substantially at the center of the common area. With the configuration described above, when recording the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording sheet, the sheet transport control is performed so that the edge stops at least once in the LA and LB areas. As a result, it is possible to perform recording on the entire surface of the recording paper without blank spaces.

Next, a case where a plurality of nozzle rows are arranged vertically (in a straight line along the paper transport direction X) will be described. FIG.
5 (B) is a an example of a case where a plurality discharge nozzle rows is aligned vertically. In this case, the sheet conveyance control and the arrangement of the platen ribs are slightly complicated. That is, in the sheet conveyance control, the control described in the first embodiment is performed for each discharge nozzle row, and the control is repeated for the number of discharge nozzle rows. Specifically, in the ejection nozzle row B43, the areas L _BA and L
Divided into _BB, discharge in the nozzle array C46 is divided into regions L _CA and L _CB, divided into regions L _MA and L _MB in discharge nozzle row M45, divided into regions L _YA At discharge nozzle row Y44 and L _YB. Also, the rib rows arranged on the platen may be configured so as to be divided at substantially the center of each discharge nozzle row. In the present embodiment, the number of platen rib rows can be divided into five by making the divided areas of the adjacent discharge nozzle rows common. FIG. 16 shows an example of a row of five platen ribs. In the figure, reference numeral 11c, 11d, 11
Reference numerals e, 11f, and 11g denote a platen rib row C, a platen rib row D, a platen rib row E, a platen rib row F, and a platen rib row G, respectively.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the discharge nozzle row B4
In No. 3, the region is not divided at the center, but the region may be divided at any point in the ejection nozzle row, and does not necessarily have to be at the center. The place where the rib row of the platen is divided is the same. With the configuration described above, when recording the leading end or the trailing end of the recording paper, the end is divided into the divided areas L _BB , L _BA , L _CB , L _CA , L _MB , L _{MB of} the ejection nozzle row. _MA , L
_YB, preferably performed sheet conveyance control so as to stop at least once in each of L _YA. As a result, it is possible to perform recording on the entire surface of the recording paper without blank spaces.

Next, a part of the plurality of nozzle rows are vertically arranged,
A case where a part is arranged side by side will be described. Figure 15 (C) is
A plurality of discharge nozzle rows have a vertical arrangement and a horizontal arrangement
This is an example of the case. In this case, basically, FIG.
Are the same as those in the case of the vertical arrangement. In particular, the discharge Roh
The area L in the whirlpool C46_CAAnd L_CBDivided into discharge nozzles
In the row M45, the area L_MAAnd L_MBDivided into the discharge nozzle array Y
44 In the area L_YAAnd L _YBIt is divided into. Discharge nozzle row B4
In No. 3, one of the ejection nozzles
It is preferable in terms of configuration that the division be performed in phase with the division position of the row.
You. In the case of the present embodiment, the division position of the ejection nozzle row Y44
It is divided by the location and the same phase. Also, the rib row of the platen
Discharge nozzle row Y44, discharge nozzle row M45, discharge nozzle
If it is configured to divide at approximately the center of each of the columns C46,
Good. In the present embodiment, the divided areas of the adjacent ejection nozzle rows
The number of platen rib rows is four by making them common
Can be Configured as described above, the recording sheet
When recording the leading or trailing edge of the
Area L_CB, L_CA, L_MB, L_MA, L_YB, L_YASmall in each of
If the paper transport control is performed so that it stops at least once
good. This allows recording on the entire surface of the recording paper without blank spaces.
It is possible to do.

As described above, by configuring the ink jet recording apparatus as in the present embodiment, even in the configuration of a recording head having a plurality of ejection nozzle arrays, the recording apparatus becomes complicated or large, and the cost increases. , It is possible to perform recording on the entire surface of the recording paper without margins.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, a so-called serial type recording apparatus which performs recording by scanning a recording head in a direction intersecting the recording medium transport direction while transporting the recording medium is described as an example. Although the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a so-called full-line type printing apparatus in which a print head has an ejection port array corresponding to the entire width of a print medium. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 when the recording apparatus applied to the present invention is viewed from the recording medium conveying direction, the serial type recording head 10 shown in FIGS. 3, 9, 11, 13 and the like is replaced with the full line type recording head. Even if the recording head is replaced with the recording head described above, the same recording method as in the above-described embodiment can be performed. Further, the full-line type recording head is not limited to a single-color type, and a plurality of independent full-line type recording heads are provided in the recording medium transport direction for each color, and image recording of a plurality of colors such as magenta, cyan, yellow, and black is performed. The present invention can also be applied to a recording device that enables the above.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the inkjet recording apparatus, at least the platen, in an area facing the ejection nozzle row of the recording head,
At least two rib rows having a plurality of ribs in a direction intersecting with the recording medium transport direction are arranged along the recording medium transport direction with the ribs arranged differently. An absorbing means for absorbing the recording liquid is provided between the ribs constituting the rib row of the platen. Further, with respect to the adjacent rib row of the platen, each rib of the other rib row is arranged at a position corresponding to substantially the center between the adjacent ribs of one rib row. Further, at the time of the recording operation at the leading end and the trailing end in the transport direction of the recording medium, the recording data is masked according to the position of the rib, and at least two or more recordings involving the transport of the recording medium in the middle are performed. The operation is such that the printing of one row by the ejection nozzle array of the printing head is completed. Moreover, the time of performing at least two or more recording operations with the conveyance of the recording medium, the conveyance amount is half of the recording medium conveyance direction length of the discharge nozzle row of the recording head of the recording medium entering the middle It was configured as follows.

As a result, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, it is possible to perform recording on the entire surface of the recording medium without any margin without increasing the complexity or size of the recording apparatus and increasing the cost.

In order to obtain a recording result without margins,
Since the user does not need to perform secondary processing after the recording operation, operability is improved.

Further, in order to obtain a recording result without margins,
Since the secondary processing of the recording medium is not required after the recording operation, it is possible to obtain a very clear recording result without deteriorating the finish of the recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a recording operation of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a recording unit according to the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating a recording unit according to the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a recording unit according to the first embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

6 shows a recording portion of the leading end of the sheet of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, is a schematic plan view.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a platen unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a recording portion at the leading end of a sheet in the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a recording unit according to the first embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart schematically showing a recording operation of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

11 shows a recording unit of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, is a schematic perspective view.

12 shows a recording portion leading end of the sheet of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, is a schematic plan view.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a recording unit according to the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a recording portion at the leading end of a sheet of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing an ejection nozzle array of a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing a platen section of a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram viewed from the recording medium transport direction when the inkjet recording method of the present invention is applied to a full line type recording head.

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view showing a conventional example of marginless recording (marginless recording).

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional example of marginless recording (marginless recording).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 recording head 11 platen 11a platen rib row A 11b platen rib row B 11c platen rib row C 11d platen rib row D 11e platen rib row E 11f platen rib row F 11g platen rib row G 12 platen ink absorber 13 recording paper 14 guide shaft 15 guide rail 16 16a, 16b ejection nozzle row 17 leading end recording data 18 leading end recording data first area 19 leading end recording data second area 20 recording head ejection nozzle area 27 trailing end recording data 28 trailing end recording data first area 29 End recording data second area 30 Carrier 31 Carrier belt 32 Carrier motor 33 LF roller 34 LF roller gear 35 Pinch roller 36 Pinch roller holder 37 Paper discharge roller 38 Paper discharge roller gear 39 Chassis Reference Signs List 40 ASF (auto sheet feeder) 41 Exterior 42 Discharge nozzle face 43 Discharge nozzle row B 44 Discharge nozzle row Y 45 Discharge nozzle row M 46 Discharge nozzle row C 50 Recording sheet support member 51 Recording sheet detecting means 52 Perforation 53 Recording area

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording method in which a recording medium is conveyed on a platen arranged so as to face a recording head which performs recording by discharging recording liquid droplets, and performs recording by intersecting a recording medium conveyance direction. A plurality of rib rows having a plurality of ribs in different directions are arranged so that the arrangement of the ribs is different from each other, and at least two rows are arranged on the platen along the recording medium transport direction; At the time of the recording operation at the leading end or the trailing end, the recording excluding the recording data corresponding to the position of each rib is performed in each of at least two rib rows to complete a predetermined recording of one row. Inkjet recording method. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus which carries out recording by transporting a recording medium onto a platen arranged to face a recording head which performs recording by discharging recording liquid droplets, wherein the recording medium intersects with the recording medium transport direction. A plurality of rib rows having a plurality of ribs in a direction in which the ribs are arranged so as to be different from each other, and are arranged on the platen in at least two rows along the recording medium transport direction. At the time of the recording operation at the leading end or the trailing end in the transport direction, the recording excluding the recording data corresponding to the position of each rib is performed in each of at least two rib rows, thereby completing one row of predetermined recording. Characteristic inkjet recording device. 3. A ink jet recording method performs recording by conveying the recording medium between disposed in facing relation to the recording head and the recording head for recording by discharging recording liquid droplets platen, the recording head Is divided into at least a first nozzle row on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction and a second nozzle row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction. At least two rib rows arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction are arranged in the recording medium transport direction, and the two rib rows divide the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row. The platen is divided near the position facing the line, and each rib constituting one rib row having the dividing line as a boundary is arranged at a position corresponding to between adjacent ribs in the other rib row. Used, During the recording operation at the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the carrying direction, the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the carrying direction is positioned within the range of the second nozzle row. Using the range of the second nozzle row or the range of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row, and performing printing by the printhead in a print data first area corresponding to a part of print data for one row. One step, and positioning the leading end or the trailing end of the recording medium in the transport direction within the range of the first nozzle row, and the range of the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row containing the recording medium at this time. Alternatively, using the range of the first nozzle array, the print head performs at least once a second step of printing a print data second area corresponding to the rest of the print data for one row, As the recording data first area, the recording data obtained by masking at least the position of each rib constituting the rib row on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction with respect to the entire recording data of one row is used. the second region, the ink jet recording, characterized in that the recording entire data of the one line, using the recording data at least masking the position of each rib constituting a rib row of the recording medium conveyance direction downstream side Method. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus which carries out recording by transporting a recording medium between a recording head which performs recording by discharging recording liquid droplets and a platen arranged opposite to the recording head, wherein the platen at least, said the ejection nozzle array opposed to the region of the recording head, are disposed two or more a plurality of ribs in the rib rows which is constructed by arranging in a direction intersecting a recording medium conveying direction of the recording medium conveying direction An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein adjacent rib rows of the two or more rib rows have different rib arrangements. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an absorbing means for absorbing a recording liquid is provided between the ribs constituting the rib row of the platen. 6. An adjacent rib row of the platen, wherein each rib of the other rib row is arranged at a position corresponding to substantially the center between adjacent ribs of one rib row. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4. 7. During the recording operation of the conveying direction leading end and the trailing end of the recording medium, the recording data is divided in accordance with the position of each rib, at least twice that with conveyance of the recording medium in the middle The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the recording operation completes one line of recording by the ejection nozzle array of the recording head. 8. When the recording operation is performed at least two times with the recording medium being conveyed, the conveyance amount of the recording medium that is interposed is the length of the ejection nozzle array of the recording head in the recording medium conveyance direction. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the value is not more than half.