JP2003001874A - Inkjet printer and print method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record an image on a wide recording paper at high speed and with high picture quality. SOLUTION: First and second inkjet heads are arranged on the same guide rail. The each inkjet head is movable in the width direction (the arrow B direction) of a recording paper 20 along the guide rail. When only the same size of images 32 (shadow parts) are recorded as shown in Fig., a system controller sets a left side from a margin between the images which is formed in the roughly center in the width direction of the recording paper 20 as a recording range PA1 of the first inkjet head and a right side therefrom as a recording range PA2 of the second inkjet head, and scans the each inkjet head. Since the boundary between the each recording ranges PA1 and PA2 is positioned in the margin between the images, a juncture or the like is not formed in the recorded images 32. As a result, the images 32 can be recorded at high speed and with high picture quality.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer and a printing method, and more specifically, an ink jet printer for recording at least one image on a wide band-shaped recording paper by using at least two ink jet heads. It relates to a printing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet printers discharge ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image on recording paper. The inkjet printer can record a large size image by enlarging the scanning range of an inkjet head provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. Therefore, as described in JP-A-2000-127550 and JP-A-2000-168066, a recording paper roll obtained by winding a wide band-shaped recording paper into a roll is used as a recording medium, and a standard size An inkjet printer has been proposed which is capable of recording a photograph size image such as a high-definition size or a panorama size according to the silver halide photography standard and a large size image larger than these. In addition, in such an ink jet printer, there has been proposed one in which a plurality of ink jet heads are provided and each of these ink jet heads can be scanned to record an image at high speed.

[0003]

However, in the ink jet printer and the printing method as described above,
Since the recording range of each inkjet head is predetermined, one image may be recorded using two or more inkjet heads. For this reason, there is a problem that a seam is formed at the boundary of the recording range of each inkjet head, the print quality is deteriorated, and high quality printing cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an ink jet printer and a printing method capable of recording an image with high speed and high image quality by using at least two ink jet heads. With the goal.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the ink jet printer of the present invention uses at least two ink jet heads each having a plurality of nozzles arranged, and these ink jet heads are respectively moved in the main scanning direction. In an inkjet printer that records at least one image on the recording medium by performing belt-shaped recording by feeding the recording medium or the inkjet head in the sub-scanning direction in an amount corresponding to the belt-shaped recording in synchronization with the belt-shaped recording, Each inkjet head is arranged on the same guide rail provided in the main scanning direction, the recording range of each inkjet head is set according to the image size to be recorded, and each inkjet head cooperates based on this recording range. Scan to record at least one image on the recording medium Lint control means in which are provided.

When a plurality of images are arranged and printed in the main scanning direction, the print control means sets the recording range of each ink jet head so as to be divided between any one of the images.
When recording one image, it is preferable to set the recording ranges of adjacent inkjet heads so that they overlap each other by a predetermined amount. In a recording range that overlaps by a predetermined amount, each inkjet head is moved toward the end of the recording range. It is preferable to reduce the recording density of the image. Also,
The print control unit includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of each inkjet head, and when an abnormality of the inkjet head is detected, it is preferable to use only a normal inkjet head. Further, it is preferable that a second guide rail is provided in parallel with the guide rail, and a specific color inkjet head for recording an image of a specific color is disposed on the second guide rail.

Further, in the printing method according to the sixth aspect, at least two ink jet heads are arranged on the same guide rail provided in the main scanning direction, and each ink jet head is arranged along the guide rail in the main scanning direction. A printing method in which a belt-shaped recording is performed by moving the recording medium, and the recording medium or the ink jet head is fed in the sub-scanning direction in an amount corresponding to the belt-shaped recording in synchronization with the belt-shaped recording to record an image on the recording medium. In order to record a plurality of images side by side in the main scanning direction on a recording medium, the recording range of each inkjet head is divided between any one of the images, and at least two inkjet heads record one image. In the above, the recording ranges of adjacent inkjet heads are overlapped by a predetermined amount.

[0008]

1 and 2 are a perspective view and a plan view showing the construction of an ink jet printer according to the present invention. The inkjet printer 10 includes a printer body 1
1 and a pedestal 12 supporting the same, and the printer main body 11 includes first and second transport units 13 and 14, and first and second transport units 13.
The cutting units 15 and 16, the first and second inkjet heads 17 and 18, the system controller 19 and the like are provided. Below the printer body 11, a recording paper roll 20a, which is a roll of a wide band-shaped recording paper 20, is arranged. The recording paper 20 is pulled out from the recording paper roll 20 a by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown) and supplied to the first transport unit 13 from the rear of the printer body 11.

The first transport unit 13 has a pair of transport rollers 2 including a capstan roller 25a and a pinch roller 25b.
5 is provided, and the capstan roller 25a is rotationally driven by the transport motor 26. The carry motor 26 is connected to the system controller 19 via a motor driver 27. The system controller 19 controls the rotation of the carry motor 26 via the motor driver 27.

The pinch roller 25b is pressed against the capstan roller 25a and the capstan roller 2 is pressed.
It is movable between the retracted position and the retracted position. The pinch roller 25b is selectively set between the pressure contact position and the retracted position by a shift mechanism (not shown). When the recording paper 20 is conveyed, the pinch roller 25b is set to the pressure contact position by the shift mechanism, and the recording paper 20 is sandwiched between the pinch roller 25b and the capstan roller 25a. When the carry motor 26 rotates and the capstan roller 25a is rotationally driven, the recording paper 20 is carried in the direction of arrow A.

A first ink jet head 17 and a second ink jet head 18 are arranged on a guide rail 28 provided above the conveyance path of the recording paper 20. The first and second inkjet heads 17 and 18 are arranged along the guide rail 28 in the width direction of the recording paper 20 (direction of arrow B).
It is supposed to be movable. Head scanning mechanism 30, 31
Scans the inkjet heads 17 and 18 in the direction of arrow B at a constant speed during image recording.

The system controller 19 sets the recording range of each ink jet head 17, 18 according to the image size to be recorded. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when recording only the image 32 of the same size (hatched portion),
The recording area PA of the first inkjet head is located to the left of the margin between the images formed in the approximate center of the recording paper 20 in the width direction.
1, the recording area PA2 of the second inkjet head on the right side
Then, the inkjet heads 17 and 18 are scanned. In addition, as shown in FIG.
In the case of recording Nos. 2 and 33, the left side of the margin between the images formed near the center of the recording paper 20 in the width direction is the recording range PA1 of the first inkjet head, and the right is the recording range of the second inkjet head. PA2 is set and each inkjet head 17 and 18 is scanned. Accordingly, since the boundary of the recording range is located in the margin between the images and one image is not recorded using the two inkjet heads 17 and 18, a joint or the like may be formed in the recorded image. Absent.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when recording a large size image 34, the system controller 1
Reference numeral 9 sets the recording ranges PA3 and PA4 so that the recording ranges of the inkjet heads 17 and 18 overlap by a predetermined amount and scans the inkjet heads 17 and 18.
At this time, in the range PA5 in which the print ranges overlap, the ejection of each color ink is controlled by the head driver, which will be described later, so that the print density becomes lighter toward the ends of the print ranges PA3, PA4. No seams or the like are formed on the formed image.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, nozzles (not shown) for recording images of respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided on the recording paper side of each ink jet head 17, 18. Are arranged side by side. In the ink flow path provided near these nozzles,
A piezo element is arranged. Each head scanning mechanism 30,
When a drive signal corresponding to image data is applied to each piezo element from the head drivers 35 and 36 in synchronization with the scanning of the inkjet heads 17 and 18 by 31, the ink droplets of a size and quantity corresponding to the image data are recorded. It is released toward the paper 20 and adheres. As a result, Y,
An image for one line due to the adherence of the M, C, and K color inks is recorded.

Subsequently, after the recording paper 20 sandwiched by the pair of conveying rollers 25 is conveyed by one line, the ink liquid of a size and quantity corresponding to the image data is synchronized with the scanning of the ink jet heads 17 and 18 again. The droplet is ejected toward the recording paper 20, and the image of the next line is recorded. In this way, the recording paper 20 is conveyed and each inkjet head 17,
The scanning of 18 and the discharge of each color ink are repeated to record a full-color image on the recording paper 20.

The first cut portion 15 is a cutting wheel unit 38 which is movable in the direction of arrow B along a guide rail 37 which is arranged in parallel with the guide rail 28.
It is composed of a cutting blade (not shown) arranged below the conveyance path of the recording paper 20. The cutting wheel unit 38 is connected to the system controller 1 via the driver 39.
9 is connected.

When the recording paper 20 is conveyed to the first cut portion 15, a detection sensor (not shown) detects the end portion of each image recorded on the recording paper 20. When this end reaches the cutting position, the system controller 19 drives and controls the cutting wheel unit 38 via the driver 39 to reciprocate in the direction of arrow B to cut the recording paper 20.
As a result, when the photo-sized images 32 and 33 are recorded, the strip-shaped recording paper 20b is obtained, and when the large-sized image 34 is recorded, the large-sized print (not shown) is obtained. Alternatively, a mark for position detection may be recorded at a predetermined position between each image, and the position of the end portion of each image may be specified by detecting this mark.

The second conveying section 14 is composed of a conical roller 40, a guide plate 41 and the like, and conveys the recording paper 20b cut into strips in the direction of arrow C. Each of the conical rollers 40 is arranged such that the end portion having the larger diameter faces the first transport unit 13 side and is rotatable. When each conical roller 40 rotates, the recording paper 20b cut into strips is conveyed in the direction of arrow C while being urged toward the guide plate 41. At this time, if the guide plate 41 is in the regulation position described later, the side edge of the recording paper 20b comes into contact with the guide plate 41 and the recording paper 20b is positioned.

Each conical roller 40 is rotationally driven by a conveyance motor 42. The carry motor 42 is connected to the system controller 19 via a motor driver 43. The system controller 19 uses the motor driver 4
The rotation of the carry motor 42 is controlled via the control unit 3.

The guide plate 41 is movable between a regulation position in which it comes into contact with the recording paper 20 and a non-regulation position in which it does not come into contact with the recording paper 20, and is moved between the regulation position and the non-regulation position by a shift mechanism (not shown). Selectively set between. When creating a photo-sized print, the guide plate 41 contacts the side of the recording paper 20b that is set in the regulation position and cut into strips to position the recording paper 20b. Further, when creating a large size print, the guide plate 41 can be set to the non-regulating position and the recording paper 20 can be ejected in the direction of arrow A.

The second cutting unit 16 detects a cutter 45 composed of a pair of cutting blades arranged above and below the conveying path of the recording paper 20b, and an edge of each image recorded on the recording paper 20b. A detection sensor (not shown) is provided. The cutter is connected to the system controller 19 via the driver 46. The system controller 19 controls the operation of the cutter 45 via the driver 46.

When the recording paper 20b is conveyed to the second cut portion 16, the detection sensor detects the end portion of each image recorded on the recording paper 20b. When this end reaches the cutting position, the system controller 19 causes the cutter 45 to
Is operated to cut the recording paper 20b. In this way, each image is cut into a photo-sized print 50. The print 50 is ejected to the tray 51 arranged downstream of the second cut section 16. It should be noted that a mark for position detection may be recorded at a predetermined position between each image, and the position of the end portion of each image may be specified by detecting this mark.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
Image data is input to the inkjet printer 10 from a personal computer, a video player, or a recording medium such as a memory card in which image data is recorded. When a print start button (not shown) is operated,
The recording paper 20 is pulled out from the recording paper roll 20 a by the paper feeding mechanism and is supplied to the first transport unit 13. Recording paper 20
Are conveyed by being sandwiched by a pair of conveying rollers 25 and conveyed in the direction of arrow A. When the recording start position of the recording paper 20 reaches the recording position of each inkjet head 17, 18, the recording paper 20
The transportation of is once stopped.

In the case of recording the photo-sized images 32 and 33, the margin between the images formed in the approximate center of the recording paper 20 in the width direction (see FIG. 3) or the center of the recording paper 20 in the width direction. The system controller 1 is arranged so that the boundary of the recording range is located in the margin between the images formed in the vicinity (see FIG. 4).
9 is the recording range PA of each inkjet head 17 and 18
Set 1 and PA2. Then, in synchronization with the scanning of the inkjet heads 17 and 18 in the direction of arrow B, a drive signal corresponding to the image data is given to each piezo element via each head driver 35 and 36, and the recording paper 20 for one line. Record the image of.

When the recording of the image for one line is completed, the recording paper 20 is conveyed for one line. Then, the image of the next line is recorded in synchronization with the scanning of the inkjet heads 17 and 18 in the direction of arrow B again. In this way, the conveyance of the recording paper 20 and the recording of the image by the inkjet heads 17 and 18 are repeated, and the full-color image 3 is obtained.
2, 33 are recorded.

The recording paper 20 is placed at the cutting position of the first cutting section 15.
When the cutting position is reached, the system controller 19 drives the cutting wheel unit 38 via the driver 39 to cut the recording paper 20. As a result, the recording paper 20 becomes a strip-shaped recording paper 20b and is ejected to the second transport section. The strip-shaped recording paper 20b is conveyed while being positioned toward the second cut portion 16 with its side edge brought into contact with the guide plate 41 set to the regulation position. Second
In the cutting unit 16, each image 32, 3 is cut by the cutter 45.
Cut every 3. In this way, the photo-sized print 50 cut into the images 32 and 33 is discharged to the discharge tray 51.

On the other hand, when recording a large size image 34, the system controller 19 sets the recording ranges PA3 and PA4 so that the recording ranges of the ink jet heads 17 and 18 overlap by a predetermined amount (FIG. 5). reference). Then, similarly to the above, in synchronization with the scanning of the inkjet heads 17 and 18 in the direction of the arrow B, a drive signal corresponding to the image data is given to each piezo element via each head driver 35 and 36 to print the recording paper. An image for one line is recorded at 20.

When the recording of the image for one line is completed, the recording paper 20 is conveyed for one line. Then, the image of the next line is recorded in synchronization with the scanning of the inkjet heads 17 and 18 in the direction of arrow B again. In this way, the conveyance of the recording paper 20 and the recording of the image by the inkjet heads 17 and 18 are repeated, and the full-color image 34 is obtained.
Is recorded. At this time, in the range PA5 in which the recording ranges overlap, the head driver 3 is configured so that the recording density becomes lighter toward the end of each recording range PA3, PA4.
Since the ejection of each color ink is controlled by 5, 36, a joint or the like is not formed in the image 34.

Since the guide plate 41 of the recording paper 20 on which the image 34 is recorded is set at the non-regulating position,
The sheet is discharged in the direction of arrow A beyond the second transport unit 14. First
When the cutting position of the recording paper 20 reaches the cutting position of the cutting unit 15, the system controller 19 drives the cutting wheel unit 38 via the driver 39 to cut the recording paper 20. Thus, the recording paper 20 on which the image 34 is recorded
Is cut into a large size print.

In the above embodiment, an example of recording a full-color image using the first and second ink jet heads has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the downstream side of each ink jet head 17, 18 is described. A second guide rail 54 is provided in the inkjet head 17, and an inkjet head 55 for ejecting ink of a specific color, such as gold or silver, is arranged on the guide rail 54,
It is also possible to record a specific color image or characters on the full-color image recorded by using No. 8.

Further, in the above embodiment, when a large size image is recorded, the recording ranges of the ink jet heads are overlapped by a predetermined amount. However, the overlapping position of the recording ranges is recorded by one line. You may make it change at random every time you do. In this case, since the overlapping positions of the recording range change randomly for each line,
It is possible to make the boundary of the image recorded by each inkjet head more inconspicuous.

[0032]

As described above, according to the ink jet printer and the printing method of the present invention, at least two ink jet heads are arranged on the same guide rail provided in the main scanning direction, depending on the image size to be recorded. The print control means for setting the recording range of each inkjet head and scanning each inkjet head based on this recording range to record at least one image on the recording medium is provided, so that high speed and Images can be recorded with high image quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an inkjet printer.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a recording range of each inkjet head when recording images of the same size.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a recording range of each inkjet head when recording images of different sizes.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating changes in recording range and recording density of each inkjet head when recording a large size image.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an inkjet printer showing each inkjet head of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols] 10 inkjet printer 17 First inkjet head 18 Second inkjet head 19 System controller 20 recording paper 28 Guide rail 30, 31 head scanning mechanism 32, 33, 34 images 35,36 head driver 50 prints

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. At least two ink jet heads each having a plurality of nozzles arranged therein are used, and these ink jet heads are respectively moved in a main scanning direction to perform band-shaped recording, and a recording medium or a recording medium is synchronized with the band-shaped recording. An inkjet printer that records at least one image on the recording medium by feeding inkjet heads in the sub-scanning direction by the amount corresponding to the band-shaped recording, wherein each inkjet head is on the same guide rail provided in the main scanning direction. Is set to, and set the recording range of each inkjet head according to the image size to be recorded,
An inkjet printer characterized by comprising print control means for scanning at least one image on the recording medium by scanning the inkjet heads in cooperation with each other based on the recording range. 2. The print control means sets, when recording a plurality of images side by side in the main scanning direction, the recording range of each ink jet head so as to be partitioned between any one of the images, and at least two ink jet heads. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein when recording one image by the heads, the recording ranges of the adjacent inkjet heads are set to overlap each other by a predetermined amount. 3. The ink jet printer according to claim 2, wherein, in the print areas overlapping by the predetermined amount, the print density of the image by each ink jet head is decreased toward the end of the print areas. 4. The print control means includes abnormality detecting means for detecting abnormality of each ink jet head, and when the abnormality of the ink jet head is detected, only the normal ink jet head is used. The inkjet printer according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. A second guide rail is provided in parallel with the guide rail, and a specific color inkjet head for recording an image of a specific color is arranged on the second guide rail. Any one of items 1 to 4
Inkjet printer according to item 3. 6. At least two ink jet heads are arranged on the same guide rail provided in the main scanning direction, and each ink jet head moves in the main scanning direction along the guide rails so as to perform band-shaped recording on a recording medium. In the printing method, in which the recording medium or the inkjet head is fed in the sub-scanning direction by an amount corresponding to the belt-shaped recording in synchronization with the belt-shaped recording, and an image is recorded on the recording medium, When recording a plurality of images side by side in the main scanning direction, the recording range of each inkjet head is divided between any of the images, and when recording one image with at least two inkjet heads, adjacent inkjet heads are used. The printing method is characterized in that the recording ranges of the above are overlapped by a predetermined amount.