JP2002036644A - Ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can greatly shorten a recording time for forming and recording a plurality of images. SOLUTION: This ink jet recording apparatus includes a plurality of recording medium supply means 1A and 1B for supplying recording media, a plurality of transfer paths for transferring recording media supplied from the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B respectively, a transfer means 2 which has recording medium supply-controlling means 11A and 11B set on the transfer paths for selectively controlling whether to supply the recording media to the transfer paths and which transfers a plurality of recording media concurrently, and a recording means 3 which scans over the plurality of recording media 10A and 10B along a direction nearly orthogonal to a transfer direction for the recording media 10A and 10B and executes recording by jetting ink. Only the recording media to be recorded are supplied to the transfer paths, and recorded by the recording means 3.

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, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording apparatus capable of greatly reducing a recording time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image by ejecting ink onto a roll-shaped or sheet-shaped recording medium generally includes an ink head that ejects ink onto the recording medium in a width direction of the recording medium. The printing operation is performed by sequentially repeating an operation of recording an image by ejecting ink in the scanning process and an operation of transporting a predetermined amount of a recording medium in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. A desired image is recorded and formed on a medium.

[0003]

When a plurality of images are recorded and formed by such an ink jet recording apparatus, it is required to shorten the recording time and perform high-speed recording.

Normally, the ink jet recording apparatus starts moving the recording head from a stopped state at one end in the scanning direction, stops at the other end in the scanning direction, and ends one operation. At this time, if the scanning speed of the recording head fluctuates during image recording, the ejection direction of the ink fluctuates, and the ink landing position on the recording medium fluctuates. Therefore, the scanning speed of the recording head is generally kept constant during image recording. is there. For this reason,
Before the actual print start that ejects ink, the print head
A constant speed state is set after a certain acceleration time from the stop state, and recording is performed when the recording head is in the constant speed state. After the end of the recording, the recording is stopped after a certain deceleration time.

The acceleration at the time of acceleration and deceleration has an upper limit determined by the mass of the recording head and the output of a drive means for scanning the same, and it is impossible to accelerate or decelerate at an acceleration higher than the upper limit. Therefore, for example, the smaller the size of a plurality of images to be recorded, the lower the effective main scanning rate (the ratio of the time in the constant speed state to the entire scanning time) of the recording head, and the lower the processing capability. The result is that it takes a long recording time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of greatly reducing a recording time when a plurality of images are recorded.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, a plurality of recording medium supply means for supplying a recording medium, and a recording medium supplied from each of the recording medium supply means, A plurality of conveyance paths, a recording medium supply control means provided corresponding to each of the recording medium supply means, and selectively controlling whether to supply a recording medium to the conveyance path, And a conveying unit that simultaneously conveys the plurality of recording media, and performs scanning over the plurality of recording media along a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording media, and performs recording by ejecting ink. A plurality of recording medium supply means for supplying only the recording medium on which recording is to be performed to the transport path by the corresponding recording medium supply control means. By an ink jet recording apparatus characterized by performing the recording.

According to the present invention, since a plurality of images can be recorded simultaneously and in parallel over a plurality of recording media,
It is possible to greatly reduce the recording time per sheet.

Further, the recording medium supply control means for selectively controlling whether or not to supply the recording medium supplies only the recording medium to be recorded among the plurality of recording medium supply means, and does not perform the recording. Since it is possible to prevent a recording medium that does not need to be conveyed from being conveyed, the recording medium is not wasted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the recording medium conveying means includes one conveying roller and one or more driven rollers opposed to the conveying roller with the recording medium interposed therebetween. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

According to the present invention, since the transporting means is constituted by one roller for transporting a plurality of recording media in common, low-cost and highly accurate transport can be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the recording medium supply control means includes rollers which are independently controlled.

According to the present invention, since the recording medium supply control means is configured to include independently controlled rollers, it is possible to supply or not control each recording medium with a simple configuration. Becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a nonvolatile memory for storing parameters for each of the plurality of recording medium supply control means. is there.

According to the present invention, since the parameters for each recording medium supply control means are stored in the nonvolatile memory,
By adjusting the variation of each recording medium supply control means, it is possible to reliably control the supply of each recording medium in an appropriate amount at an appropriate timing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, wherein a plurality of recording medium supplying means for supplying each recording medium, and each of the recording medium supplying means. A plurality of transport paths for transporting the recording medium supplied from each, and provided on the transport path corresponding to each of the recording medium supply means,
A plurality of transport units each capable of independently controlling the transport of the recording medium, and scanning over each of the recording media along a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium, and printing by ejecting ink. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that performs recording, and only the recording medium that performs recording among the plurality of recording media is transported by the corresponding transport unit, and recording is performed by the recording unit. It is.

According to the present invention, since a plurality of images can be recorded simultaneously and in parallel over a plurality of recording media,
It is possible to greatly reduce the recording time per sheet.

Further, it is necessary to transport only the recording medium to be recorded among the plurality of recording medium supply means by a plurality of transport means capable of independently controlling the transport of the recording medium, and to transport the recording medium without performing the recording. Since it is possible to prevent a non-recording medium from being conveyed, the recording medium is not wasted.

The invention according to claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of recording medium conveying means includes one conveying roller, one or more driven rollers opposed to the conveying roller with the recording medium interposed therebetween, and 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a power generation source for supplying power to the roller.

According to the present invention, each recording medium conveying means supplies one conveying roller, one or more driven rollers opposed to the conveying roller across the recording medium, and supplies power to the conveying roller. It is possible to control whether or not each recording medium is transported with a simple configuration, and when transporting, the timing and transport amount can be independently controlled for each recording medium. Become.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the plurality of recording medium transport means transport each recording medium at an independent timing.

According to the present invention, each recording medium conveying means conveys each recording medium at an independent timing, so that the recording medium can be conveyed during recording of another recording medium, and the recording can be performed efficiently. In a short time.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of recording medium conveying means rotate the conveying rollers by independent amounts to convey each recording medium.
8. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of 7.

According to the present invention, each conveying means rotates the conveying rollers by an independent amount and conveys each recording medium, thereby reducing the diameter of each conveying roller and the amount of slip between the conveying rollers. Even if there is variation, each recording medium can be transported by an appropriate amount.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power generation source for supplying power to the plurality of transport means in common, wherein each of the plurality of transport means includes one transport roller, It is characterized by comprising one or more driven rollers facing each other across a recording medium, and power transmission control means capable of controlling whether or not to transmit the power generated by the power generation source to the transport roller. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

According to the present invention, there is provided a power generation source for supplying power to the plurality of transport means in common. Each of the plurality of transport means includes one transport roller, the transport roller and a recording medium. And at least one driven roller opposed to the power supply source and power transmission control means capable of controlling whether to transmit the power generated by the power generation source to the transport roller. Whether or not each recording medium is conveyed with an inexpensive configuration can be controlled independently for each recording medium.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the fifth to ninth aspects, further comprising a nonvolatile memory for storing a parameter for each of the plurality of transport means.

According to the present invention, by providing the nonvolatile memory for storing the parameters for each transporting means, it is possible to correct the variation of each transporting means and transport each recording medium by an appropriate amount at an appropriate timing. It is possible to do.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, wherein a plurality of recording medium supplying means for supplying each recording medium, and each of the recording medium supplying means. A plurality of transport paths for transporting the recording medium supplied from each, and a transport unit provided on the transport path, for transporting the recording medium,
A recording unit that performs scanning over each of the recording media along a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording media, and performs recording on the recording media by ejecting ink, and a plurality of recording media having different widths. And a mode for recording a relatively wide recording medium, wherein a plurality of transport paths are used for one recording medium.

According to the present invention, since a plurality of images can be recorded simultaneously and in parallel over a plurality of recording media,
It is possible to greatly reduce the recording time per sheet.

In addition, a mode for recording a plurality of recording media having different widths is provided. When recording a relatively wide recording medium, a plurality of transport paths are used for one recording medium. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide different conveyance paths for recording media having different widths, and it is possible to record a plurality of recording media having different widths with a small apparatus.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, further comprising a nonvolatile memory for storing parameters for each of the plurality of transport paths.

According to the present invention, by providing a nonvolatile memory for storing the parameters for each of the plurality of transport paths, it is possible to correct variations in each transport path and transport each recording medium by an appropriate amount at an appropriate timing. It is possible to do. Further, when a relatively wide recording medium is conveyed using a plurality of conveyance paths, the meandering of the recording medium can be prevented by correcting variations among the plurality of conveyance paths to be used.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, a plurality of recording medium supplying means for supplying a recording medium, and each of the recording medium supplying means. A plurality of transport paths for transporting the recording medium supplied from each, and a transport unit provided on the transport path, for transporting the recording medium,
A recording unit that performs scanning over the plurality of recording media in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium, and performs recording by ejecting ink; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a recording medium storage section for storing a plurality of recording media discharged from a path in a mutually overlapping manner.

According to the present invention, since a plurality of images can be recorded simultaneously and in parallel on a plurality of recording media,
It is possible to greatly reduce the recording time per sheet.

Further, by providing the recording medium storage section for storing the recording media discharged from the plurality of recording medium conveying paths so as to overlap each other, the recorded recording media can be stored in an appropriate order. It is possible to reduce the trouble of manually organizing after recording.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the recording medium storage section is movable along a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium conveying direction.

According to the present invention, the recording medium storage section can be moved along a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium conveying direction, so that the recording medium ejected from the plurality of recording medium conveying paths can be simply constructed. The media can be stored one on top of the other.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the recording medium storage section includes a belt-shaped member movable along a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium conveying direction. 14. An ink jet recording apparatus according to item 13.

According to the present invention, the recording medium storage section includes a belt-shaped member movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium transport direction, so that a plurality of recording media can be easily recorded. The recording media discharged from the medium transport path can be stored in a state of being stacked on each other.

The invention according to claim 16, wherein the recording medium storage section is configured such that, after a lapse of time sufficient for the ink recorded on the recording medium not to be transferred to another recording medium in contact with the recording medium, 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
An inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of Items 3 to 15.

According to the present invention, the inks recorded on the recording medium are not transferred to another recording medium in contact with the recording medium, and the recording media are loaded after a lapse of time. Can be prevented from transferring and soiling the recording medium.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting the presence of a recording medium supplied from each of the recording medium supplying means, and the detecting means detects a recording medium corresponding to the recording medium supplying means. When it detects that
17. Recording is performed by supplying a recording medium only from a recording medium supply unit in which the recording medium exists.
An inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

According to the present invention, when the detection means for detecting the presence of the recording medium supplied from each recording medium supply means detects that there is no recording medium corresponding to the recording medium supply means, By supplying the recording medium only from the recording medium supply means where the recording medium is present and performing recording, when the recording medium is present in each recording medium supply means, use as many usable recording media as possible. When recording is performed in a short time and the recording medium becomes empty, recording can be continued without interruption by supplying the recording medium only from the recording medium supply unit where the recording medium exists.

The invention according to claim 18 has a plurality of modes according to the number of recording media for performing recording among the plurality of recording media. This is an inkjet recording apparatus.

According to the present invention, by providing a plurality of modes according to the number of recording media to be recorded among the plurality of recording media, a plurality of recording media can be recorded when two or more images are to be recorded quickly. When recording is performed simultaneously and in parallel over the medium and only the first sheet is to be recorded at a high speed, the first sheet is recorded only over the recording medium in one row. It is possible to adopt a variety of recording modes according to the request.

The invention according to claim 19 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the mode is changed according to the number of images to be recorded.

According to the present invention, the mode is automatically changed in accordance with the number of images to be recorded, so that the operator does not have to instruct each time how many rows of recording media to use, thereby saving labor. I can do it.

The invention according to claim 20 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the scanning width of the recording means is changed according to the mode.

According to the present invention, by changing the mode in accordance with the number of images to be recorded, for example, when recording an image only on one example of a recording medium, scanning is performed over only one row of the recording medium. Since the recording can be performed faster, the recording time can be effectively shortened.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the ratio (| μ ₁ −) of any two values in the value (μ) of the friction coefficient or the value (f) of the conveying force between the conveying means and each recording medium.
μ ₂ | / | μ ₁ + μ ₂ | or | f ₁ −f ₂ | / | f ₁ + f
21. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein each ₂ ) is 0.5 or less.

According to the present invention, the transfer means and each
Value of friction coefficient with recording medium (μ) or value of conveyance force
The ratio of any two values in (f) (| μ₁−μ_Two|
/ | Μ ₁+ Μ_Two| Or | f₁−f_Two| / | F₁+ F_Two｜)
However, by setting each to 0.5 or less,
Of each transport amount of multiple recording media transported by
High quality image recording without image unevenness
You.

The invention according to claim 22 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the recording medium is a roll-shaped recording medium.

According to the present invention, by using a roll-shaped recording medium, it is possible to record a plurality of sizes by changing the length with the same width. Further, the paper supply and discharge time is not required, which is effective in shortening the recording time.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-second aspects, further comprising a recording medium cutting means for cutting the recording medium.

According to the present invention, since the recording medium has a recording medium cutting means for cutting the recording medium, the recording device can also perform the cutting operation of the recording medium. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a separate cutting device. You can save time and effort.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink-jet recording apparatus according to the twenty-third aspect, the recording medium cutting means can independently cut the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. .

According to the present invention, the recording medium cutting means can record images of different lengths for each of the plurality of recording media by being capable of cutting the recording media conveyed on the conveyance path independently of each other. It is also possible to start recording an image at a different timing for each recording medium.

The invention according to claim 25 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the recording medium cutting means moves together with the recording means.

According to the present invention, since the recording medium cutting means moves together with the recording means, it is not necessary to provide a special driving mechanism for the cutting means, and the configuration of the cutting means can be simplified.

The invention according to claim 26 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the recording medium is a sheet-shaped recording medium.

According to the present invention, since the recording medium is a sheet-shaped recording medium, it is advantageous in that, when an image of a standard size is recorded, the trouble of cutting can be saved.

[0063]

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

First, the overall configuration of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of an ink jet recording apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the same.

In the drawing, reference numerals 1A and 1B denote recording medium supply means, which are formed in a cassette shape accommodating a plurality of sheet-shaped recording media 10A and 10B cut into sheets each having an appropriate size. Respectively. S1A and S1B are recording medium supply means 1A and 1B
The optical sensor is provided so as to detect the presence of the recording media 10A and 10B accommodated therein.

In the present specification, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the case where two rows of recording media 10A and 10B are supplied as described above, unless otherwise specified. In the present invention, it is sufficient that the recording medium on which the image is recorded can be transported in two or more rows, and the number of recording medium supply means for supplying the recording medium is limited to the two shown in the figure. Not done.

The recording medium supply means 1A and 1B are not limited to those for supplying the sheet-like recording mediums 10A and 10B shown in the figure, but may be paper formed by winding a long recording medium around a core in a roll shape. It may be constituted by a roll. The sheet-shaped recording medium is advantageous because it saves the trouble of cutting, especially when recording an image of a standard size. Also, a long recording medium is advantageous when recording images of various different sizes.

Reference numerals 11A and 11B denote recording medium supply rollers. Each of the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B is adapted to take out a sheet-shaped recording medium 10A or 10B from the recording medium supply means 1A or 1B. , 1B, and is driven independently by receiving the driving force of the paper feed motors 12A, 12B, respectively. These recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B and the sheet feeding motors 12A and 12B constitute recording medium supply control means for each row.

The recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B are independently driven by paper feed motors 12A and 12B, respectively, so that the recording medium
Whether or not 0A and 10B are supplied to each transport path can be selectively controlled. Therefore, in addition to the mode of simultaneously supplying the recording media 10A and 10B, a plurality of recording media 10A and 10B
A mode in which only one of the recording media 10A or 10B is supplied.

The recording medium supply roller 11 shown in FIG.
A and 11B are disposed one by one on the feeding ends of the recording media 10A and 10B in the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B, respectively, and each of the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B
Indicates that the sheet-shaped recording media 10A and 10B are supplied so as to be sequentially fed out from the upper side. However, each of the recording media 10A and 10B is a long-sized recording medium, In the case where the recording medium is supplied from a paper roll wound in a shape, each of the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B is constituted by a pair of rollers opposed to each other so as to sandwich the recording mediums 10A and 10B. Is also good.

In this way, the sheet-shaped recording medium 10A,
The recording medium 10B is supplied from the recording medium supply means 1A, 1B by the recording medium supply rollers 11A, 11B, respectively, is conveyed in the downward direction in the figure, and is sent to the conveyance means described later.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a conveying means. The conveying means 2 is provided on a conveying path of the recording media 10A and 10B, and has one conveying roller 21 extending over each of the recording media 10A and 10B.
And driven rollers 22A, 2A disposed opposite to the transport roller 21 with the recording media 10A, 10B interposed therebetween and corresponding to each of the recording media 10A, 10B.
2B and a transport motor 23 for driving the transport roller 21.

The driven rollers 22A and 22B are pressed against the transport roller 21 by pressing means (not shown), and the recording media 10A and 10B are held between the driven rollers 22A and 22B. The recording mediums 10A and 10B are conveyed by the rotational drive of. Therefore, each recording medium supply means 1A,
1B, the recording media 10A and 10B supplied by the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B, respectively, are sandwiched between the transport roller 21 and the driven rollers 22A and 22B, and are shared by the recording media 10A and 10B. The transport rollers 21 are simultaneously transported in the downward direction in the figure by the rotation of the transport rollers 21.

As described above, the recording mediums 10A and 10B are supplied from the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B by the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B, respectively, and then conveyed by the conveyance means 2, thereby forming a plurality of recording mediums (in the illustrated example). In this case, two transport paths are formed.

The driven rollers 22A and 22B are
In the illustrated example, one recording medium is provided for each of the recording media 10A and 10B, but each may be divided into two or more.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a recording means. The recording means 3 is disposed on a transport path on the downstream side of the transport means 2 and is provided on the surface side (recording surface side) of each of the recording media 10A and 10B.
A recording head 31 for ejecting droplet-shaped ink from a plurality of nozzles onto the recording media 10A and 10B to record and form an image, and is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording media 10A and 10B. Scanning guide 3 laid horizontally
A carriage 33 movably mounted along 2;
It has a carriage motor 34 for moving the carriage 33.

The recording head 31 is, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black)
And the like, and a plurality of nozzle heads for ejecting ink in the respective ink tanks in the form of droplets. The carriage 3
3 is driven by the carriage motor 34,
Along the direction (main scanning direction) substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording media 10A and 10B,
Move over 0B. The moving amount of the recording head 31 is detected by a linear encoder (not shown).

The recording head 3 is mounted on the carriage 33.
A recording medium detection sensor (not shown) is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the position No. 1 and detects side edges of the recording media 10A and 10B to detect a recording start position on the recording media 10A and 10B. You can do it. .

On the back side of the recording media 10A, 10B on which the image is recorded by the recording head 31, a platen section is provided along the main scanning direction and across the recording media 10A, 10B so as to face the recording head 31. 36 are provided.

The platen section 36 has a recording medium 10A,
10B is formed in a box shape provided with a large number of suction holes at a predetermined interval and a predetermined arrangement on a surface opposite to the back surface of 10B, and air inside is sucked by suction means such as a suction fan or a suction pump (not shown). The inside is made to have a negative pressure so that the recording media 10A and 10B are adsorbed on the surface provided with the suction holes,
Recording media 10A, 1 at the time of image recording by recording head 31
0B is prevented from rising.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a recording medium storage section, which is provided with a paper discharge tray 51 for storing the recording media 10A, 10B recorded by the recording means 3 and a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording media 10A, 10B. Each recording medium 10A, 1
There is a moving rail 52 provided over each row of OB, and a discharge tray drive motor 53 for moving the discharge tray 51 along the moving rail 52.

The paper discharge tray 51 is formed in a tray shape for receiving the recording media 10A and 10B discharged from the recording means 3, engages with the moving rail 52, and drives the paper discharge tray drive motor 5.
3, each recording medium 10 along the moving rail 52.
The recording mediums 10A and 10B can be moved along respective rows so as to be along a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording mediums 10A and 10B.

The recording media 54A and 54B convey the recording media 10A and 10B recorded by the recording means 3 and
1 is a paper discharge roller comprising a pair of rollers provided on the conveyance path of each of the recording media 10A and 10B so as to face each other, and the paper discharge motors 55A and 55B, respectively.
Independently driven by receiving the driving force.

The function of the discharge tray 51 will be described. The recording means 3 is controlled by the discharge rollers 54A and 54B.
In order to receive the recording media 10A and 10B discharged from the printer, the recording media 10A and 10B are moved along the moving rail 42 in the left-right direction in the figure and across the recording media 10A and 10B. The recording media 10A and 10B are sequentially stacked and stored.

That is, first, the discharge tray 51 is moved on the moving rail 52 to the storage position of the recording medium 10A so as to receive the one recording medium 10A, and the discharge motor 55A is rotated to drive the recorded recording. After the medium 10A is stored on the sheet discharge tray 51, the other recording medium 1 is moved along the moving rail 52.
0B, and the discharge motor 55B is rotated to discharge the recorded recording medium 10B, and the discharge tray 5 is overlapped on the previously stored recording medium 10A.
1 on top.

When storing the recording media 10A and 10B in this manner, sufficient time for the ink to dry is used so that the ink recorded on the recording media 10A and 10B is not transferred and contaminated. After each lapse, each paper ejection motor 5
5A and 55B are controlled to drive each of the recording media 10A and 10B.
B is preferably discharged onto the paper discharge tray 41.

S2A and S2B are optical sensors disposed on the transport path of each of the recording media 10A and 10B on the downstream side of the recording means 3, respectively.
The presence and absence of A and 10B and the passage are detected.

Next, the electrical configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a host device, and image data (parameters such as image recording size, YM, etc.) to be recorded in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in this embodiment.
CK or the like). The image data transmitted from the host device 100 is taken into the inkjet recording device via the interface unit 101.

Reference numeral 102 denotes an image memory for temporarily storing image data fetched from the host device 100; 103, a memory write controller for controlling writing of image data to the image memory 102; 104, an image memory for storing image data stored in the image memory 102; A memory read controller 105 for controlling reading;
And a head driver that drives and controls the ejection of ink from the recording head 31 according to the image data read from the image memory 102.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a nonvolatile memory, which is a parameter for correcting the transport amount due to an error in the diameter of each of the supply rollers 11A and 11B provided corresponding to each of the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B, Rollers 11A, 11B
The parameter for correcting the paper feed timing due to the error in the mounting position of the is calculated and stored in advance.

By providing the non-volatile memory 106 as described above, the deviation of the conveyance amount and the sheet feeding timing due to the error of the roller diameter and the mounting position of each of the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B can be reduced. Can be properly corrected based on the data stored in the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B, and the respective recording mediums 10A and 10B can be reliably supplied at an appropriate timing and in an appropriate amount. You will be able to control it.

Reference numeral 107 denotes the host device 1 which controls the interface unit 101, the image memory 102, the memory write controller 103, and the memory write controller 104.
00, the information of the image data is fetched from the nonvolatile memory 1
The head driver 105, the transport motor 23, the carriage motor 34, the paper feed motors 12A and 12B, the paper discharge motor 55A, and the parameters stored in the printer 06, various sensors S1A and S1B for detecting the recording medium, and image data.
55B, CP for controlling the discharge tray drive motor 53
U. The CPU 107 selects any one of the image data related to the plurality of images transmitted from the host device 100 and stored in the image memory 102 in accordance with the position of the recording head 31 in the scanning direction. Data related to the image is sent to the recording head 31.

Next, control of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

First, the case where three images are recorded and formed on two rows of recording media 10A and 10B will be described.

(1) The host device 100 notifies the CPU 107 via the interface unit 101 that three images are to be recorded.

(2) The CPU 107 uses the sensors S1A and S1B for detecting the recording medium to control the recording medium 10 in both rows.
Confirm that A and 10B are present.

(3) The CPU 107 operates in the nonvolatile memory 1
Paper feed motor 12 based on the parameters stored in
A and 12B are controlled to supply the recording media 10A and 10B from the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B to the conveyance path by the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B so that the leading ends thereof are aligned. To the image recording start position.

(4) The CPU 107 notifies the host device 100 via the interface unit 101 that image data can be transferred, and informs the memory write controller 103 of memory write information such as a write start memory address and a data size. Set.

(5) The host device 100 starts transferring the first image data to the image memory 102 via the interface unit 101. At this time, the memory write controller 103 controls writing to the image memory 102, and the CPU 107 monitors the transfer state of the image data via the memory write controller 103.

(6) When the transfer of the first image data is completed, the CPU 107
In 3, memory write information for transferring the second image data is set.

(7) The host device 100 continuously starts transferring the second image data, and the memory write controller 103 controls writing to the image memory 102. The CPU 107 is a memory light controller 1
03, the transfer state of the image data is monitored.

(8) When the transfer of the second image data is completed, the CPU 107
4, the memory read information such as the read start memory address and the data size is set, and the head driver 105 is set in a recordable state.

(9) The CPU 107 drives the carriage motor 34 so that the carriage 33 has two rows of the recording medium 10.
A is controlled to move across A and 10B.

(10) The memory read controller 104 reads out the image data in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 33 and inputs the data to the head driver 105. The head driver 105 drives the recording head 31 according to the input image data, and ejects ink to the recording surfaces of the recording media 10A and 10B. As a result, an image corresponding to the first scan of the first image recorded on one recording medium 10A and the second image recorded on the other recording medium 10B are formed.

(11) When the carriage 33 has traversed the two rows of recording media 10A and 10B and completed one scan,
The CPU 107 drives the drive motor 23 to drive the recording medium 10
A and 10B are both conveyed by a predetermined amount.

(12) When the conveyance of the recording media 10A and 10B by a predetermined amount is completed, the CPU 107 drives the carriage motor 34 to move the carriage 33 in the direction opposite to the previous one, and the same as (10) above. The image for the next one scan is recorded.

(13) After the transfer of the second image is completed during the image recording, the CPU 107 sets the memory write information for the transfer of the third image data in the memory write controller 103, and the host device 100 continues. The transfer of the third image data is started. At this time, the memory write controller 103 controls writing to the image memory 102, and the CPU 107
Monitor the transfer state of the image data via the.

(14) The above (9) to (12) are repeated, and the first and second images are respectively recorded on the recording medium 10A,
Recording is performed in parallel with 10B.

(15) When the image recording of the first and second images is completed, the CPU 107 drives the discharge tray drive motor 53 to move the discharge tray 51 to the storage position of the one recording medium 10A, and discharge the sheet. By driving the paper motor 55A, the recording medium 10A
Is discharged by the discharge roller 54A and stored on the discharge tray 51. Next, the discharge tray drive motor 53 is driven to move the discharge tray 51 to the storage position of the other recording medium 10B, and the discharge motor 55B is driven to discharge the recording medium 10B by the discharge rollers 54B. The sheet is stored so as to overlap the recording medium 10A previously stored in the sheet discharge tray 51.
As a result, the first and second images are output from the output tray 51, respectively.
Is stored in.

(16) The CPU 107 confirms that the recording medium 10A accommodated in the recording medium supply means 1A exists by the sensor S1A for detecting the recording medium.

(17) The CPU 107 controls the sheet feeding motor 1 based on the parameters stored in the nonvolatile memory 106.
Only 2A is controlled, the recording medium 10A is supplied from the recording medium supply means 1A to the transport path by the recording medium supply roller 11A, and the drive motor 23 is driven to transport the leading end of the recording medium to the image recording start position.

(18) When the transfer of the third image data is completed, the CPU 107
In 4, memory read information such as a read start memory address and a data size is set, and the head driver 105 is set in a recordable state.

(19) The CPU 107 drives the carriage motor 34 so as to control the carriage 33 to move only across the recording medium 10A in the row on which recording is performed.

(20) The memory read controller 104 reads out image data in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 33, and inputs the image data to the head driver 105. The head driver 105 drives the recording head 31 according to the input image data, and ejects ink to the recording surface of the recording medium 10A. As a result, an image corresponding to the first scan of the third image is formed.

(21) The carriage 33 is mounted on the recording medium 10
When only one scan is completed, traversing only A, the CPU 10
7 drives the drive motor 23 to convey the recording medium 10A by a predetermined amount.

(22) When the conveyance of the recording medium 10A is completed, the CPU 107 drives the carriage motor 34 to
The carriage 34 is moved in the direction opposite to the previous direction, and the next one scan image is recorded in the same manner as in (20).

(23) The above (19) to (22) are repeated to record the third image on the recording medium 10A.

(24) The CPU 107 drives the discharge tray drive motor 53 to move the discharge tray 51 to the storage position of the recording medium 10A, and drives only the discharge motor 55A to discharge the recording medium 10A to the discharge rollers 54A. And is stored on a paper discharge tray 51 so as to overlap the second recording medium 10B stored earlier. Thus, the third image is stored.

As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, the recording head scans over a plurality of rows of recording media, and a plurality of images can be recorded simultaneously and in parallel. The recording time can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the recording is sequentially performed on the recording medium to be performed. This will be described below with reference to a specific example.

In general, the recording time of a recording head on a recording medium is determined by the following relationship.

(Recording time) = (Carriage scanning time) × (Number of scans)

Here, (carriage scanning time) = (carriage acceleration time) +
(Carriage constant speed scanning time) + (Carriage deceleration time) (Carriage constant speed scanning time) = (Carriage constant speed scanning distance) / (Carriage scanning speed) (Carriage constant speed scanning distance) = (Printing medium width) + (Recording) (Head width) + (constant speed scanning margin one side) × 2 (carriage scanning speed) = (head driving frequency) / (recording resolution) (carriage acceleration time) = (carriage scanning speed) /
(Carriage acceleration) (carriage deceleration time) = (carriage scanning speed) /
(Carriage acceleration) (number of scans) = (print length) × (print resolution) / (number of print head nozzles).

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG.
m (width) x 127 mm (length)
720 dpi (28.3 dots / m2)
m), the number of print head nozzles is 128, the head drive frequency is 50 kHz, and the carriage acceleration is 10 m.
/ S ² , when the constant-speed scanning margin was set to 5 mm on one side, and printing was performed using only one row of printing media (FIG. 4).
(A)) and the recording time difference between the case where recording is performed simultaneously and in parallel on two rows of recording media (FIG. 4 (b)).
It is as follows.

First, in the case of printing in one row, (carriage constant speed scanning distance) = (printing medium width) + (printing head width) + (one side of constant speed scanning margin) × 2 = 89 mm
+140 mm + 5 mm × 2 = 239 mm (carriage scanning speed) = (head driving frequency) / (recording resolution) = 50 kHz / 28.3 dots / mm = 1767 m
m / s (carriage constant speed scanning time) = (carriage constant speed scanning distance) / (carriage scanning speed) = 239 mm / 1767 mm
/S=0.14s (carriage acceleration time) = (carriage scanning speed) /
(Carriage acceleration) = 1767 mm / s / 10000
mm / s ² = 0.18 s (carriage scanning time) = (carriage acceleration time) +
(Carriage constant speed scanning time) + (carriage deceleration time)
= 0.18 s + 0.14 s + 0.18 s = 0.50 s (number of scans) = (print length) × (print resolution) / (number of print head nozzles) = 127 mm × 28.3 dots / mm /
128 = 28 times (recording time) = (carriage scanning time) × (number of scans)
= 0.50 s × 28 times = 14.0 s When two images are recorded, this is sequentially repeated twice, so that 14.0 s × 2 times = 28.0 s, that is, two images are arranged in one row. 28.0 to record
It will take seconds.

On the other hand, in the case of recording in two rows, FIG.
As shown in (b), if two rows of 89 mm wide recording media are arranged at 10 mm intervals, then (carriage constant speed scanning distance) = (printing medium width) + (printing head width) + (constant speed scanning margin one side) ) × 2 = (89 mm
× 2 + 10 mm) +140 mm + 5 mm × 2 = 338 mm (carriage scanning speed) = (head driving frequency) / (recording resolution) = 50 kHz / 28.3 dots / mm = 1767 mm /
s (carriage constant speed scanning time) = (carriage constant speed scanning distance) / (carriage scanning speed) = 338 mm / 1767 mm
/S=0.19s (carriage acceleration time) = (carriage scanning speed) /
(Carriage acceleration) = 1767 mm / s / 10000
mm / s ² = 0.18 s (carriage scanning time) = (carriage acceleration time) +
(Carriage constant speed scanning time) + (carriage deceleration time)
= 0.18 s + 0.19 s + 0.18 s = 0.55 s (number of scans) = (print length) × (print resolution) / (number of print head nozzles) = 127 mm × 28.3 dots / mm /
128 = 28 times (recording time) = (carriage scanning time) × (number of scans)
= 0.55s × 28 times = 15.4s

In the case where two images are sequentially recorded on a single-row recording medium in this way, the recording time is 28 seconds, whereas two images are recorded on a two-row recording medium simultaneously and in parallel. In this case, a recording time of 15.4 seconds is sufficient.
This means that even if the number of columns of the recording medium for recording is one, the number of columns is two.
This is because the scanning time and the acceleration / deceleration time for the print head width do not change even in the case of a row, and the printing time per image can be reduced in the case of two rows. If the number of columns of the recording medium on which recording is performed is further increased, the recording time can of course be further reduced.

Next, in the case where one of the recording media runs out of paper during the simultaneous and parallel recording on the two rows of recording media described above (when two images are recorded while four images are being recorded). An operation example in the case where one line of paper has run out after image recording) will be described.

(1) The host device 100 notifies the CPU 107 via the interface unit 101 that four images are to be recorded.

(2) The first and second images are recorded in parallel by the same operation as (2) to (15) in the above operation example.
Disconnect.

(3) The CPU 107 uses the sensors S1A and S1B for detecting the recording medium to control
The presence or absence of A and 10B is confirmed, and it is detected that there is no recording medium in one row (here, 10B).

(4) The CPU 107 controls the sheet feeding motor 12A.
Only the recording medium supply roller 11A controls the recording medium supply roller 11A to supply only the recording medium 10A to the conveyance path, and the recording medium supply roller 11B without the recording medium 10B is not operated.

(5) (19) to (24) of the above operation example
By the same operation as described above, the third image is recorded on the recording medium 10A, and is discharged and stored in the discharge tray 51.

(6) The same operation as that for the third sheet is repeated on the recording medium 10A, and the fourth image is recorded, and is discharged to the discharge tray 51 at the same position and stored.

As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, when the running out of paper is detected in any one of the transport paths, the recording can be performed only in the row where the recording medium is present. The recording medium may not be present in the column, and the recording of a plurality of images can be continued without interrupting the recording operation.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show different modes of the recording medium storage section 5, respectively. 1 denote the same components, and
Detailed description is omitted.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Is a paper discharge guide 56 disposed downstream of the recording means 3.
And a paper discharge tray 57 arranged at the lower end of the paper discharge guide 56.

The paper discharge guide 56 is provided for each of the recording media 10A, 1
0B and crosses the conveyance path of one recording medium (10B in the illustrated example) and the other recording medium (1B in the illustrated example).
0A), the recording medium 10A and the recording medium 10B ejected from the recording means 3 are both received and dropped along the inclination, and are disposed at the lower end. The recording medium 10 </ b> A
10B are stored so as to overlap each other.

In this embodiment, the recording media 10A, 10B discharged from each transport path without moving the paper discharge tray 57
Since they can be housed so as to overlap each other, a simple and inexpensive configuration can be achieved without increasing the power cost.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Has a discharge belt 58 stretched between a pair of rollers 58a and 58b, and two discharge trays 59a and 59b disposed at both ends of the discharge belt 58 in the moving direction. Have been.

The discharge belt 58 is driven by a roller 58a or 58a.
b is driven by a driving unit (not shown) to rotate both rollers 58a and 5b.
8b so that the recording medium 10A, the recording medium 10A, the recording medium 10A, and the recording medium 10A.
The recording medium 10A and the recording medium 10B are disposed on the downstream side of the recording means 3 so as to extend across the respective conveyance paths so as to be substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 0B.

Accordingly, each of the recorded recording media 10A and 10B discharged from the recording means 3 is placed on the discharge belt 58, and the rollers 58a and 58b are driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing to discharge the paper. When the belt 58 moves to the left in the figure, the recording media 10A and 10B are stacked and stored in the paper discharge tray 59a. At this time, the recording medium 10B is overlaid on the recording medium 10A. Conversely, rollers 58a,
58b is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure and the discharge belt 58 moves rightward in the figure, and each recording medium 1 is placed on the discharge tray 59b.
OA and 10B are stacked and stored. At this time, the recording medium 10A is overlaid on the recording medium 10B.

Thus, each of the recording media 10A, 10B
When the ink is stored on the recording media 10A and 10B, the paper ejection belt 58 is allowed to pass after a sufficient time for the ink to dry so that the ink recorded on the recording media 10A and 10B is not transferred and contaminated during loading. To move the recording media 10A, 1
OB is preferably stacked on the paper discharge tray 59a or 59b.

In order to allow sufficient time for the ink to dry, the discharge belt can be lengthened so that a large number of recording media can be arranged on the discharge belt. With this configuration, it is possible to increase the time required for the recording medium to be stacked on the sheet discharge tray, and to reliably dry the ink during that time.

According to the aspect of the recording medium storage section 5, a plurality of recording media 10A and 10B can be stored in a mutually overlapping manner with a simple configuration in which the discharge belt 58 is simply moved. Further, each of the recording media 10A and 10B can be sorted and stored in the paper discharge trays 59a and 59b for each lot (product order). For example, a group of the recording media 10A and 10B related to a certain lot is stored in the paper discharge tray 59a. While the sheets are stacked and stored, and the product is taken out from the sheet discharge tray 59a, the recording medium of the next lot can be immediately stacked and stored in the sheet discharge tray 59b. It is possible to continue without interruption.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the paper discharge trays 59a and 59b do not necessarily have to be provided.
May be moved to the left and right so that the recording media 10A and 10B are sequentially stacked on the discharge belt 58. In this case as well, it is possible to stack the recording media in a lump for each lot by changing the loading place on the discharge belt 58.

Next, a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the outline of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a side view showing the structure. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 denote the same components, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, each of the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B is formed of a paper roll formed by winding long recording media 10A and 10B around a core. Each of the recording medium supply means 1A and 1B is rotatably held above the apparatus, and each of the recording media 10A and 10B is fed out and conveyed downward in the figure by a conveyance means described later. .

In this embodiment, each recording medium supply means 1
A (corresponding to each of A and 1B)
1 and 2 in that the transfer means 2A and 2B are provided.
Is greatly different from the first embodiment shown in FIG.

First, the transport unit 2A corresponding to the transport path of the recording medium 10A supplied from the recording medium supply unit 1A is
A first transport roller 21A and the first transport roller 21A
Driven roller 2 facing the recording medium 10A
2A and a first transport motor 23A that supplies power to the first transport roller 21A to rotate the first transport roller 21A.

On the other hand, the conveying means 2B corresponding to the conveying path of the recording medium 10B supplied from the recording medium supplying means 1B
A second transport roller 21B and the second transport roller 21B
Driven roller 2 facing the recording medium 10B and the second driven roller 2
2B and a second transport motor 23B that supplies power to the second transport roller 21B to rotate the second transport roller 21B.

Therefore, the driven rollers 22A, 22B
Are the corresponding first and second transport rollers 21
A and 21B are pressed by pressing means (not shown), and the first and second transport rollers 21A and 21A, respectively.
21B, each of the recording media 10A and 10B is sandwiched,
Each of the recording media 10A and 10B is conveyed to the subsequent recording means 3 by the rotation of the first and second conveying rollers 21A and 21B, and is conveyed by a predetermined amount. Recording can be performed.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment, since the recording media 10A and 10B are long recording media unwound from a paper roll, as shown in FIGS. Is provided with a recording medium cutting means 4 for cutting the paper into an appropriate size.

The recording medium cutting means 4 receives the long recording media 10A and 10B discharged from the recording means 3 via the transport guide 6, and holds the recording media 10A and 10B at predetermined positions in the main scanning direction. Cut along the same direction as
Print in sheet form.

The recording medium cutting means 4 includes the recording medium cutting means 4 shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), each of the recording media 10A and 10B can be cut off independently.
On the transport path A, 10B, cutters 41A, 41B slightly wider than the width of each of the recording media 10A, 10B extend along the same direction as the main scanning direction.
The recording mediums 10A and 10B are cut by being moved downward by a driving force of cutter driving motors 42A and 42B at predetermined intervals on the surface side of B.

Note that 43A and 43B are the recording media 10A,
A first transport roller pair for transporting 10B to the position of the cutters 41A and 41B, a second transport roller pair for discharging cut recording media 10A and 10B, and a recording media pair 45A and 45B are recording media. An optical tip detection sensor for detecting tip positions of 10A and 10B, 46
Reference numerals A and 46B denote optical cutting position detection sensors for detecting cutting positions of the recording media 10A and 10B.

The recording mediums 10A and 10B cut into a sheet of a predetermined length by the recording medium cutting means 4 are discharged from the recording medium cutting means 4 by the conveyance of the second conveying roller pairs 44A and 44B, and downstream therefrom. Each is stored in a paper discharge tray 51 fixedly disposed on the side.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the recording medium cutting means 4. The same components as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Here, the recording media 10A, 10B of each row
In place of the independent cutters 41A and 41B, one roller cutter 47 capable of cutting them at a time is provided.

The roller cutter 47 is provided for each row of the recording medium 10.
A is moved across the recording media 10A and 10B by the drive motor 49 along the wire 48 suspended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the A and 10B,
The recording media 10A and 10B are cut at the same time.

On the moving path of the roller cutter 47, both outer sides of the recording media 10A and 10B and the recording media 10A and
Contact-type position detection sensors 401, 402, and 40 for detecting the position of the roller cutter 47 at a total of three positions during the period B.
3 is provided, and when the roller cutter 47 passes or is located at any of these sensors,
The passage or the position of the roller cutter 47 can be detected.

The case where the recording mediums 10A and 10B are cut by the roller cutter 47 will be described. When the recording mediums 10A and 10B on which images are recorded are cut at the same position, the roller cutter 47 is moved to the one recording medium 10A.
By moving from A to the other recording medium 10B, both recording media 10A and 10B can be cut at once. In addition, when the sizes of the images recorded on the recording media 10A and 10B are different from each other and the cutting positions are different between the recording media 10A and 10B, or when only one row of the recording media is cut, The home position of the roller cutter 47 is set between the recording media 10A and 10B so that the recording medium can be selectively cut, and is moved from there over one of the recording media 10A and 10B, thereby forming one row of the recording media. Only can be cut.

According to the configuration of the roller cutter 47, since a plurality of rows of recording media can be cut by one roller cutter 47, the drive mechanism can be shared and the apparatus cost can be reduced.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same components unless otherwise specified, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, the first transport motor 23A and the second transport motor 23B, and the cutter drive motors 42A, 42B or 49 in the recording medium cutting means 4 are electrically controlled by the CPU 107. It is configured to be controllable.

The nonvolatile memory 106 has parameters for correcting the transport amount due to the error in the diameter of each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B, and the parameters for correcting the transport rollers 21A and 21B.
A parameter for correcting the transport timing due to an error in the mounting position of B is calculated and stored in advance.
The CPU 107 corrects the variation of each of the transport units 2A and 2B based on the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 106, and can always transport the recording media 10A and 10B by an appropriate amount at an appropriate timing. It has become.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, similarly to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment, the recording head scans over a plurality of rows of recording media, and a plurality of images are simultaneously printed in parallel. Since it is possible to perform the recording, the recording time can be greatly reduced. Similarly, when paper exhaustion is detected in any of the transport paths, recording can be performed only in the row where the recording medium exists.

Further, since the first and second transport rollers 21A and 21B provided corresponding to each of the recording media 10A and 10B can be independently driven and controlled by the transport motors 23A and 23B, respectively. A plurality of recording media 10A, 1A,
0B at the same time.
A, 10B, it is possible to convey only the recording medium on which recording is performed, and not to convey a recording medium that does not need to be conveyed without performing recording, and wastefully waste the recording medium on which recording is not performed. There is an advantage that there is no such thing to do.

Further, each of the transporting means 2A and 2B is provided with one transporting roller 21A and 21B and a corresponding driven roller 22A and 22B and a transporting motor 23A and 23B.
B, the recording media 10A and 10B are transported with a simple configuration, and when transported, the timing and transport amount are set for each of the recording media 10A and 10B.
It is possible to control each B independently.

In this embodiment, the transport means 2
It is also preferable to control the recording media 10A and 10B to be conveyed at independent timings by utilizing the fact that the conveyance rollers A and 21B can independently control the driving of the conveyance rollers 21A and 21B. Thus, for example, while recording is being performed on one recording medium 10A, the other recording medium 10A is being recorded.
When the recording on B is completed, the other recording medium 1
OB can be freely transported and discharged, and recording can be performed efficiently in a short time.

Similarly, in this embodiment, each of the transporting means 2A and 2B rotates each of the transporting rollers 21A and 21B by an independent amount so as to rotate each of the recording media 10A and 10B.
It is also preferable to control so that Thereby, the diameter of each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B and the recording medium 10
Even if the slip amount between A and 10B varies, the recording media 10A and 10B can be transported by an appropriate amount.

Next, a third embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 indicate the same configuration.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment, similarly to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, a plurality of recording media 10A,
A plurality of transporting means 2A and 2B are provided corresponding to 0B.

Each of the transporting means 2A and 2B stores the recording medium 10 supplied from the recording medium supplying means 1A and 1B, respectively.
A, a first transport roller 21A and a second transport roller 21B provided corresponding to each transport path, and the first and second transport rollers 21A, 21B and the recording medium 10A,
The first driven rollers 22 opposing each other across 10B
A and the second driven roller 22B are the same as the ink jet recording apparatuses shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, but in this embodiment, the first and second transport rollers 21A and 21B are used. A power generation source that supplies power to the rollers and drives them to rotate is constituted by one transport motor 23 that is common to both rollers 21A and 21B.

Each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B is provided with an electromagnetic clutch 24A and 24B, respectively. The driving force of one transport motor 23 is transmitted from the drive shaft 25 via the electromagnetic clutches 24A and 24B to the transport rollers 21A and 21B.
A, 21B.

Each of the electromagnetic clutches 24A and 24B constitutes a power transmission control means capable of selectively switching whether or not to transmit the driving force of the transport motor 23 to each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B. Clutches 24A, 24
By controlling the transmission of the driving force by B, each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B can be independently driven and controlled by one transport motor 23.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 11 indicate the same components unless otherwise specified.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment, one transport motor 23 and a plurality of electromagnetic clutches 24A and 24B respectively corresponding to a plurality of recording media 10A and 10B can be electrically controlled by the CPU 107. It is configured.

The nonvolatile memory 106 has a parameter for each transport means, that is, a parameter for correcting a transport amount due to an error in the diameter of each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B,
A parameter for correcting the transport timing due to an error in the mounting position of each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B and a parameter for correcting an error in driving force transmission due to a variation in each of the electromagnetic clutches 24A and 24B are calculated and stored in advance. Have been. Based on the data stored in the non-volatile memory 106, the CPU 107 corrects the variation of each of the transport rollers 21A and 21B, and can always transport the recording media 10A and 10B by an appropriate amount at an appropriate timing. I can do it.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment, similarly to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment, the recording head scans over a plurality of rows of recording media to simultaneously print a plurality of images. Since it is possible to perform the recording, the recording time can be greatly reduced. Similarly, when paper exhaustion is detected in any of the transport paths, recording can be performed only in the row where the recording medium exists.

The plurality of conveying means 2A and 2B respectively control first and second conveying rollers 21A and 21B provided corresponding to each of the recording media 10A and 10B by a common conveying motor 23. Since the drive can be controlled independently, each recording medium 10A, 10B
Can be independently controlled for each of the recording media 10A and 10B.
It is not limited to the case where A and 10B are transported at the same time, but only the recording medium to be recorded among the recording media 10A and 10B is transported, and the recording medium which does not need to be transported without performing the recording is not transported. This is also possible, and there is an advantage that a recording medium that does not perform recording is not wasted.

The ink jet printer according to each of the embodiments described above.
In the recording device, the transport means 2, 2A, 2B
Transport rollers 21, 21A, 21B and the transport rollers
Each recording medium conveyed by 21, 21A, 21B
Value of friction coefficient (μ) with bodies 10A and 10B or conveyance
Ratio of any two values in the force value (f) (| μ ₁
−μ_Two│ / │μ₁+ Μ_Two| Or | f₁−f_Two| / | F₁+
f_Two|) Is preferably 0.5 or less.
No.

Here, as shown in FIG. 17, the conveying force (f) means that one end of the recording medium is pulled out in a state where the recording medium is held between the conveying roller and the driven roller, and the recording medium is pulled out. This is a value when the load when pulled out from between the transport roller and the driven roller is measured by a tension gauge.

As a result, the transport rollers 21, 21A, 21
B. A plurality of rows of recording media 10 conveyed synchronously by B
A, 10B can eliminate the difference in the amount of conveyance caused by the difference in the coefficient of friction or the difference in the conveyance force between the conveyance rollers 21, 21A, and 21B. Recording can be performed.
Particularly, in combination with the correction control by the nonvolatile memory 106, it is possible to realize higher quality image recording. If any of the above ratios exceeds 0.5, the conveyance amounts of the recording media in a plurality of rows are likely to be shifted from each other, and it is difficult to obtain the above effects.

In each embodiment, the recording medium 10
In order to more effectively use the function of arbitrarily creating the transport state and the non-transport state of each of the recording media A and 10B, a plurality of recording media
It is preferable to have a plurality of modes according to the number of recording media for recording among A and 10B. For example, a mode in which recording is performed simultaneously and in parallel on a plurality of rows of recording media using all of the plurality of rows, a mode in which recording is performed using only one of the plurality of rows of recording media, and a plurality of rows. A mode in which recording is performed using any of a plurality of columns, and when it is desired to record two or more images at a high speed, a mode in which recording is performed using a recording medium in all columns. If you set to, all images can be recorded at the highest speed, and if you want to record only the first of a plurality of images at a high speed, use only one row to record. In this case, the recording is completed more quickly when the first sheet is recorded in one line, and a variety of recording modes can be adopted as desired.

It is preferable that the mode can be changed in accordance with the number of recorded images. For example, when an image is a plurality of images of two or more, all rows are used, and when only one image is used, or when the recording medium has two rows, such as the last one at the time of odd-numbered printing. In such a case, if recording is performed in one line, the labor of input instructions by the operator can be omitted, and automation can be achieved.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to each embodiment, the width of each of the recording media 10A and 10B is not limited to the same width, and a mode for performing recording on a plurality of recording media having different widths is provided. In this case, it is also possible to use a plurality of recording media having different widths. With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide different conveyance paths for recording media having different widths, and it is possible to perform recording on a plurality of recording media having different widths with a small apparatus.

FIG. 15 shows a single recording medium 10 having a relatively large width using the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
This shows a case where recording is performed by using.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a wide sheet-shaped recording medium 10 is accommodated in one recording medium supply means 1 instead of the two recording medium supply means 1A and 1B shown in FIG. It is held above the device. The recording medium 10 accommodated in the recording medium supply means 1 is relatively wider than the recording mediums 10A and 10B shown in FIG. It has a width that straddles the transport path. For this reason, the recording medium 10 is supplied to the conveyance path by both the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B by simultaneously driving the two paper supply motors 12A and 12B, and then conveyed using the two conveyance paths, and the image recording is performed. Done.

In this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 106
Include a parameter for correcting an error for each of the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B, for example, a parameter for correcting a conveyance amount due to an error in a diameter of each roller, and a parameter for correcting a sheet feeding timing due to an error in a mounting position of each roller. When the data is calculated in advance and the data is stored in the nonvolatile memory, based on the data from the nonvolatile memory 106,
By appropriately correcting each transport amount and paper feed timing when operating each of the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B,
Of course, it is possible to adjust the variation of each of the recording medium supply rollers 11A and 11B so that the two rollers 11A and 11B can reliably control the supply of one recording medium 10 by an appropriate amount at an appropriate timing. Correcting the variation among the plurality of transport paths to be used is preferable because it is possible to prevent meandering of the recording medium 10 transported across the plurality of transport paths.

This aspect can be similarly applied to the ink jet recording apparatuses according to the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the recording medium cutting means. In this embodiment, the recording medium cutting unit 4 ′ is provided on the carriage 33 of the recording unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the recording medium cutting means 4 'is provided with a cutter 400 arranged on the carriage 33 so that the cutting direction is the same as the moving direction of the carriage 33, that is, the main scanning direction. It is provided so as to be vertically movable by driving a solenoid (not shown), and is configured to move with the movement of the carriage 33.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the cutter 400 moves the carriage 33 so that the recording media 10A and 10B are not cut by the movement of the carriage 33 during normal times (when recording images by the recording head 31). When the recording media 10A and 10B are cut at a predetermined position after the image recording is completed, the recording media 10A and 10B protrude toward the recording media 10A and 10B by driving the solenoid, and
The recording media 10A and 10B are cut by the movement of.

The cutter 400 may have a single-edged shape, or may have a double-edged shape so that the recording mediums 10A and 10B can be cut in both directions of reciprocation along the main scanning direction of the carriage 33. Alternatively, a disk-shaped cutter rotatably arranged may be used.

By arranging the cutter 400 on the carriage 33 of the recording means 3 and moving it together with the carriage 33, the cutter 400 can be cut using the moving means of the carriage 33. A drive mechanism for cutting is not particularly required, and the apparatus can be simplified. In addition, since the cutter 400 can be protruded and cut only at the time of cutting by driving the solenoid, it is easy to selectively cut the recording medium in an arbitrary row of the plurality of rows of the recording medium.

The recording medium cutting means 4 'can be provided on the carriage 33 of any one of the first to third embodiments described above.

[0199]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of greatly shortening the recording time when recording and forming a plurality of images.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the acceleration / deceleration time and the constant speed time of the print head when the recording medium has one row, and FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus showing another embodiment of the recording medium storage means.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an ink jet recording apparatus showing still another embodiment of the recording medium storage means.

FIG. 7 is a front configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

9A and 9B show an example of a recording medium cutting means, in which FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing the outline thereof, and FIG.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the recording medium cutting means, and FIG.
Is a perspective view showing the outline thereof, and FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a front structural view showing another example of use of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the recording medium cutting means, in which (a)
Is a front view, (b) is a side view.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a method for measuring a conveying force.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A, 1B: recording medium supply means 2, 2A, 2B: transport means 3: recording means 4: recording medium cutting means 5: recording medium storage means 10A, 10B: recording medium 11A, 11B: recording medium supply roller (recording) Medium supply control means) 12A, 12B: paper feed motor (recording medium supply control means)

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (Reference) B65H 5/06 B65H 20/02 Z 3F103 20/02 31/24 3F343 31/24 31/28 31/28 35/06 35 / 06 35/08 35/08 B41J 3/04 101Z (72) Inventor Kenichiro Hiramoto 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Stock Company In-house F-term (reference) 2C056 EA01 EB13 EB44 EC11 EC12 EC28 EC37 EC66 EC80 HA27 HA29 2C058 AB08 AC07 AC17 AF17 AF20 AF23 AF51 HA03 HA04 HC08 HD02 HD10 HD14 LA03 LA23 LB09 LB10 LB17 LB36 LC11 2C060 BA01 BC03 BC12 BC15 BC84 BC98 3F049 AA10 DA11 DA12 LA01 LB03 3F054 AA01 AC01 BA02 BA03 BF03 BF04 AJ033 GC01 GD01 HB03 HC02 HC03 HC11 KB12 MA04 MA10 MA23 MB10 MC21

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, comprising: a plurality of recording medium supply means for supplying a recording medium; and a recording medium supplied from each of the recording medium supply means. A plurality of transport paths for transporting the recording medium; and a recording medium supply control means provided corresponding to each of the recording medium supply means, and selectively controlling whether to supply a recording medium to the transport path. A conveyance unit provided on the conveyance path, for simultaneously conveying the plurality of recording media; and performing scanning over the plurality of recording media along a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording media, and Recording means for performing recording by jetting. The plurality of recording medium supply means supplies only the recording medium for recording to the transport path by the corresponding recording medium supply control means. And, an ink jet recording apparatus characterized by performing the recording by said recording means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveying means includes one conveying roller and at least one driven roller opposed to said conveying roller with a recording medium interposed therebetween. Ink jet recording device. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium supply control means includes rollers which are independently controlled. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a nonvolatile memory for storing parameters for each of said plurality of recording medium supply control means. 5. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, comprising: a plurality of recording medium supply means for supplying a recording medium; and a recording medium supplied from each of the recording medium supply means. A plurality of transport paths for transporting the recording medium, a plurality of transport means provided on the transport path corresponding to the respective recording medium supply means, and capable of independently controlling the transport of the recording medium; and A scanning unit that performs scanning over each of the recording media along a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium, and performs recording by ejecting ink. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein only a recording medium to be performed is transported by the corresponding transport unit, and recording is performed by the recording unit. 6. Each of the plurality of transporting means includes one transporting roller, one or more driven rollers opposed to the transporting roller with a recording medium interposed therebetween, and a power generator for supplying power to the transporting roller. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a source. 7. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of conveying means convey each recording medium at an independent timing. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of conveying means rotate the conveying rollers by an independent amount to convey each recording medium. 9. A power generation source for supplying power to the plurality of transport means in common, wherein each of the plurality of transport means faces one transport roller and faces the transport roller with a recording medium interposed therebetween. 6. The power transmission apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising at least one driven roller, and power transmission control means capable of controlling whether to transmit the power generated by the power generation source to the transport roller. Inkjet recording device. 10. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a non-volatile memory for storing parameters for each of said plurality of transport means. 11. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, comprising: a plurality of recording medium supply means for supplying a recording medium; and a recording medium supplied from each of the recording medium supply means. A plurality of transport paths for transporting the recording medium, transport means provided on the transport path, for transporting the recording medium, and extending over each of the recording media along a direction substantially orthogonal to a transport direction of the recording medium. And a mode for recording on a plurality of recording media having different widths, and recording a relatively wide recording medium. when,
An ink jet recording apparatus using a plurality of conveyance paths for one recording medium. 12. A non-volatile memory for storing parameters for each of the plurality of transport paths.
2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 1. 13. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink, comprising: a plurality of recording medium supply means for supplying a recording medium; and a recording medium supplied from each of the recording medium supply means. A plurality of transport paths for transporting the recording medium, transport means provided on the transport path, for transporting the recording medium, and a plurality of transport paths extending along the direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium. A scanning unit that performs scanning by ejecting ink, and a recording medium storage unit that stores a plurality of recording media that are recorded by the recording unit and that are discharged from the recording medium conveyance path, overlapping each other. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 14. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said recording medium storage section is movable along a direction substantially orthogonal to a recording medium transport direction. 15. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said recording medium storage section includes a belt-shaped member movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a recording medium conveying direction. . 16. The recording medium storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is loaded after a lapse of time sufficient for the ink recorded on the recording medium not to be transferred to another recording medium in contact with the recording medium. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein 17. A printing apparatus, comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of a recording medium supplied from each of the recording medium supplying means, wherein the detecting means detects that there is no recording medium corresponding to the recording medium supplying means. 17. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording is performed by supplying the recording medium only from the recording medium supply unit in which the recording medium is present. 18. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink jet recording apparatus has a plurality of modes in accordance with the number of recording media for recording among said plurality of recording media. 19. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said mode is changed according to the number of images to be recorded. 20. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a scanning width of said recording means is changed according to said mode. 21. A ratio (| μ ₁ −μ ₂ | / | μ ₁ ) of any two values in the value of friction coefficient (μ) or the value of conveying force (f) between the conveying means and each recording medium. + Μ ₂ | or | f ₁ −f ₂ | / | f ₁ + f ₂ |) is 0.5
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein: 22. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium is a roll-shaped recording medium. 23. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording medium cutting means for cutting the recording medium. 24. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said recording medium cutting means is capable of cutting each of the recording media conveyed on said conveyance path independently. 25. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said recording medium cutting means moves together with said recording means. 26. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium is a sheet-shaped recording medium.