JP2004160939A - Recorder and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder capable of avoiding a shift in alignment due to abrasion of a recording wire, and to provide its controlling method. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder 10 projects each recording wire from a recording head 20 toward a contact sensor 100 and measures a flight time difference or a variation of each recording wire 50 based on the output signal from the sensor 100. The recorder 10 suppresses a shift in alignment when printing is performed by correcting the ejection timing of each recording wire 50 based on the measurements. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a dot impact printer and a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A dot impact printer is known as a printer that performs printing on continuous paper or copy-type paper. The dot impact printer prints characters in a group of dots by projecting a plurality of recording wires while moving a recording head in the width direction (main scanning direction) of recording paper.
[0003]
Further, in a dot impact printer employing a cylindrical platen, there is a printer in which the projection timing of each recording wire is adjusted in advance in accordance with the flight distance of each recording wire to the platen (for example, Patent Document 1). As a result, a shift (alignment shift) of another dot in the main scanning direction with respect to a recording position of a certain dot is avoided.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-277596 A (Page 3-6, FIG. 6)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, since the dot impact printer performs printing while moving the recording head in the main scanning direction, high-speed printing is possible as the moving speed of the carriage that moves the recording head (hereinafter, referred to as carriage speed) increases. Become.
[0006]
However, in this type of printer, even if the tip of the recording wire is worn, an alignment shift occurs. Therefore, when the printer is used for a long time, there is a problem that the alignment deviation gradually increases. Since the alignment deviation increases as the carriage speed increases, the recording quality deteriorates, especially during high-speed printing.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a recording apparatus capable of avoiding an alignment deviation due to abrasion of a recording wire and a control method thereof.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an invention according to claim 1 is a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording sheet by projecting a recording wire from a recording head having a plurality of recording wires. Control means for controlling, and a contact-type sensor which is provided so as to be able to face the recording head and detects contact of a recording wire protruding from the recording head for each recording wire, and the control means comprises: The projection timing of each recording wire is corrected based on the detection result for each recording wire.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the control means determines a flight time, which is a time required for each recording wire to reach the paper surface, based on a detection result of the contact sensor. Measuring means for measuring, and storage means for storing information relating to the flight time of each recording wire measured by the measuring means, based on the information stored in the storage means, the protrusion timing of each recording wire Is corrected.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the second aspect, a platen is provided so as to face the front of the recording head, and the storage unit corrects a curvature of the platen. And control means for correcting the projection timing of each recording wire based on the information on the flight time and the curvature correction information.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the third aspect, the contact-type sensor is disposed on the platen.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the third aspect, the contact-type sensor is arranged at a position other than the platen.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control means is configured to control each of the recording wires based on a detection result of each of the recording wires by the contact-type sensor. The projection timing of each recording wire is corrected so as to eliminate the difference in flight time.
[0014]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the control means performs a single shot of each recording wire based on a detection result of the contact type sensor for each recording wire. The present invention is characterized in that the protrusion timing of each recording wire is corrected so as to eliminate the difference between the flight time at the time of protrusion and the flight time at the time of continuous protrusion.
[0015]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the recording head comprises two recording head units,
The control means corrects a projection timing of each recording wire based on a detection result of each recording wire by the contact sensor so as to eliminate a difference in a flight time of each recording wire between the two recording head units. It is characterized by.
[0016]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the image processing apparatus further includes a counting unit that counts a recording amount of the image on the recording paper, and the count value of the counting unit is a predetermined value. When the value exceeds the value, each recording wire is projected from the recording head toward the contact-type sensor.
[0017]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a control method of a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording sheet by projecting a recording wire from a recording head having a plurality of recording wires, the recording head is provided so as to face the recording head. A projecting start step of projecting each recording wire from the recording head toward the contact-type sensor and bringing the recording wire into contact with the contact-type sensor; and correcting a projecting timing of each recording wire based on a detection result of each recording wire of the contact-type sensor. And characterized in that:
[0018]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the tenth aspect, based on the detection result of the contact-type sensor, a measuring step of measuring a flight time that is a time required for each recording wire to reach a sheet surface. Storage means for storing information about the flight time of each recording wire measured in the measurement step, and in the correction step, each recording wire is stored based on the information stored in the storage means. Is characterized by correcting the protrusion timing.
[0019]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the eleventh aspect, in the correcting step, a curvature for correcting a curvature of a platen arranged opposite to the recording head and stored in a storage unit. The projection timing of each recording wire is corrected based on the correction information and the information on the flight time.
[0020]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, in the correcting step, each of the recording wires is determined based on a detection result of each of the recording wires by the contact sensor. The projection timing of each recording wire is corrected so as to eliminate the difference in flight time.
[0021]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, in the correcting step, each of the recording wires is determined based on a detection result of each recording wire by the contact-type sensor. The present invention is characterized in that the protrusion timing of each recording wire is corrected so as to eliminate the difference in flight time between single protrusion and continuous protrusion.
[0022]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the tenth to fourteenth aspects, the recording head includes two recording head units. The projection timing of each recording wire is corrected based on the detection result of each recording wire by the sensor so as to eliminate the difference in flight time of each recording wire between the two recording head units.
[0023]
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the tenth to fifteenth aspects, in the protruding start step, a recording amount of an image on a recording sheet is counted, and the counted value becomes a predetermined value. If it exceeds, each recording wire is projected from the recording head toward the contact-type sensor.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below show one aspect of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.
(1) Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer main body 11 of a dot impact printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of a recording apparatus of the present invention and a peripheral configuration thereof. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of FIG.
[0025]
The printer 10 records an image such as a character composed of dots by projecting a large number of recording wires 50 (see FIG. 3) from the recording head 20 and hitting an ink ribbon on the recording paper S. Here, the recording paper S is a passbook, a postcard, an envelope, and the like, in addition to plain paper such as cut sheet (including cut copy paper) and continuous paper (including continuous copy paper).
[0026]
The printer 10 includes a printer main body 11, a push tractor unit 12 and a discharge unit 13 detachably mounted on the printer main body 11, and a paper feeding device 90 (simply shown in FIG. 2) also detachably mounted on the printer main body 11. ).
[0027]
The printer main body 11 includes a base frame 14 as a main body frame, a sheet guide frame 15 (see FIG. 2), a left side frame 16 and a right side frame 17, a printing mechanism unit 20A including a recording head 20 and a carriage 21, It comprises a sheet guide 18, a cylindrical platen 24, and a sheet transport mechanism 7 having a pinch roller 19 (see FIG. 2).
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, the base frame 14 and the seat guide frame 15 are arranged so as to be continuous, and the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 are fixed to both ends of each of the frames 14, 15 in a standing manner. . A carriage guide shaft 22 and a platen 24 are rotatably bridged between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17. Further, the seat guide 18 is disposed between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 and fitted to the seat guide frame 15.
[0029]
A carriage 21 on which the recording head 20 is mounted is supported on the carriage guide shaft 22 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The carriage 21 is driven by a carriage drive motor (not shown) in the axial direction of the carriage guide shaft 22 via a timing belt mechanism. Thus, the recording head 20 is driven in the main scanning direction that matches the axial direction of the carriage guide shaft 22.
[0030]
The carriage guide shaft 22 is formed by eccentric shafts (rotation shafts) at both ends, and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) for adjusting a platen gap (PG). Accordingly, the carriage 21 moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the platen 24 by the rotation (eccentric rotation) of the carriage guide shaft 22, and the platen gap between the recording head 20 and the platen 24 is adjusted. .
[0031]
An ink ribbon cassette 37 (see FIG. 2) is detachably mounted between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 so as to face the base frame 14. The ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cassette 37 is drawn between the recording head 20 and the platen 24. Thereby, the ink of the ink ribbon can be transferred to the recording paper S on the platen 24 by the projection of the recording wire from the recording head 20.
[0032]
Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the contact type sensor 100 is arranged on the platen 24 of the present embodiment so as to be exposed on the platen surface. The contact type sensor 100 is, for example, an impact sensor applied, is disposed at two positions on the left and right of the area on the platen surface where the recording paper S is disposed, and is formed so that the sensor surface forms an integral surface with the platen surface. Embedded in platen 24. Therefore, when the recording head 20 is located at a position facing any one of the contact sensors 100, the recording wire protruding from the recording head 20 contacts the contact sensor 100 via the ink ribbon and the recording paper S. It is configured. The output signal of the contact sensor 100 is supplied to a controller 70 described later.
[0033]
On the other hand, between the base frame 14 and the sheet guide frame 15, a bottom sheet supply port 38 for supplying continuous paper as the recording paper S to the sheet transport path 35 is formed.
[0034]
The push tractor unit 12 sends out continuous paper as the recording paper S to the sheet transport mechanism 7. The paper feeding device 90 is a device that automatically feeds cut sheets (including cut copy paper) as recording sheets S to the printer main body 11 one by one. The discharge unit 13 draws out continuous paper or cut paper from the sheet transport mechanism 7 to the outside of the printer main body 11.
[0035]
That is, the continuous paper is guided to the sheet guide 18 of the sheet transport mechanism 7 by the action of the pin 12B of the tractor belt 12A by the rotation of the tractor belt 12A of the push tractor unit 12, and the sheet guide 18 and the platen 24 The sheet is conveyed to the front of the platen 24 via the sheet conveying path 35 therebetween. On the other hand, cut sheets are guided one by one (or one by one) from the sheet feeding device 90 to the sheet guide 18, and are supplied to the front of the platen 24 via the sheet conveyance path 35. The continuous paper or cut sheet is conveyed to the discharge unit 13 by the rotation of the discharge roller 36 after the characters are recorded by the recording head 20.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the recording head 20. The recording head 20 includes a case 49 in which a plurality of cores 43 around which a coil 42 is wound and a plurality of wire levers 44 are annularly arranged in pairs.
[0037]
One end of the wire lever 44 is fixed to the pin 45, and the recording wire 50 is fixed to the other end. Further, the wire lever 44 is urged by a spring 46 in a direction away from the core 43 (clockwise direction in the drawing around the pin 45). Here, the recording wire 50 is configured to be housed in the nose 41 when no current flows through the coil 42. On the other hand, when a current flows through the coil 42, the core 43 becomes an electromagnet, and the wire lever 44 is attracted to the core 43. As a result, the tip of the recording wire 50 jumps out of the nose 41, and the ink ribbon 31 is brought into contact with the recording paper S to transfer the ink.
[0038]
Inside the nose 41, a plurality of guides 48 each having a guide hole for each recording wire 50 are arranged, and each recording wire 50 is guided almost vertically toward the recording paper S. The case 49 of the recording head 20 is provided with radiating fins so that the heat generated from the coil 42 is quickly radiated.
[0039]
FIG. 3 shows a part of the recording head 20. The actual print head 20 is configured by combining an F-stage (front) print head unit and an R-stage (rear stage) print head unit having the above-described structure in two stages. For example, each of the F-stage recording head unit and the R-stage recording head unit is provided with 12 recording wires 50 in one row in the sub-scanning direction, and is provided with 24 recording wires 50 as a whole.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 60 of the printer 10. The control unit 60 includes a controller (control means) 70, an interface (I / F) 75, a motor drive unit 80, and a printhead drive unit 85.
[0041]
The controller 70 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73, and the like, and centrally controls the operation of the printer 10 according to a program stored in the ROM 72. As the ROM (storage means) 72, a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) is applied, and in addition to various control programs, font data, a platen curvature correction table 101, and a flight time correction table (hereinafter, referred to as FT). A correction table is stored. The RAM 73 is a memory for temporarily storing programs, print data, and the like read by the CPU 71.
[0042]
The interface 75 transmits and receives various data such as print data to and from a personal computer (PC) connected via a communication cable (not shown) under the control of the controller 70.
[0043]
The motor drive unit 80 drives various built-in motors such as a carriage drive motor under the control of the controller 70.
[0044]
The recording head drive unit 85 selectively drives the recording head 20 under the control of the controller 70 so that the recording wire 50 protrudes.
[0045]
Here, the platen curvature correction table 101 and the FT correction table 102 are tables in which information for correcting the protrusion timing of the recording wire 50 is described, as shown in FIGS. More specifically, the platen curvature correction table 101 shows a difference in a flight distance of each recording wire 50 to the platen 24 (actually, a distance until the recording wire 50 contacts the recording paper S via the ink ribbon) depending on a curvature of the platen 24. A flight time difference (curvature correction information) of each recording wire 50 caused by this difference is described. The flight time difference is a value previously obtained from the position of the platen 24 and each recording wire 50 at the time of design, or an actual measurement value before shipment from a factory.
[0046]
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, at a printing speed of 1550 [cps], the shift in the main scanning direction due to the curvature of the platen 24 is the fourth pin when the fifth pin is set as a reference (the shift amount is 0 [mm]). And the displacement of the sixth pin is 0.0034 [mm], the displacement of the third and seventh pins is 0.016 [mm], and the displacement of the second and eighth pins is 0.036 [mm]. mm], the shift amount between the first pin and the ninth pin was 0.063 [mm]. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the recording position of each dot when the letter H of the alphabet is printed with this shift amount. In this case, the difference between the flight time of the recording wire 50 corresponding to the fifth pin and the flight time of the other pins is described in the platen curvature correction table 101. The FT correction table 102 is a table for storing a flight time difference between the recording wires 50, and is a table in which the contents are described by an FT measurement process described later. More specifically, the FT correction table 102 includes a flight time difference between the single shot and the continuous protrusion of each recording wire 50, a variation in the flight time during the continuous protrusion, a flight time difference of the recording wire 50 between the F stage and the R stage. (At the time of one shot) and the variation of the flight time between the recording wires 50 (at the time of one shot) are described.
[0047]
Here, the flight time difference between the single shot of each recording wire 50 and the continuous protruding time is such that the amount of kinetic energy (rebound amount) held by the recording wire 50 due to the previous printing is less than a predetermined amount and mechanically. In the case where the current printing is started after a stable state is reached (in a single shot), the current printing is started in a state where the amount of kinetic energy of the recording wire 50 due to the previous printing is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. This is caused by the energy difference from the case of performing (continuous projection). In general, the flight time is shorter when projecting continuously. The flight time difference also depends on the driving frequency of the recording wire 50, and becomes larger as the driving frequency is higher. This is because the higher the driving frequency, the larger the remaining energy amount of the recording wire 50. Therefore, when a plurality of drive frequencies are present in the printer 10, a flight time difference is described for each drive frequency.
[0048]
The flight time difference of the recording wire 50 between the F stage and the R stage is caused by a difference in the inertial mass of the recording wire 50 because the length of the recording wire 50 is different between the F stage and the R stage.
[0049]
Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described. The printer 10 according to the present embodiment measures the flight time and calculates the flight time difference (hereinafter referred to as FT measurement process). Is different from the conventional dot impact printer in that the protrusion timing is corrected. Other operations, such as a process of adjusting the platen gap between the recording head 20 and the platen 24 (platen gap adjustment process), are the same as those in the related art. Therefore, the FT measurement process and the printing process will be described below. Here, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the FT measurement process.
[0050]
The FT measurement process is a process executed each time the print amount (recording amount), for example, the number of prints (number of characters), the number of print lines, or the number of pages reaches a predetermined value. That is, the CPU 71 counts the print amount based on the input print data, and executes the FT measurement process when the count value exceeds a predetermined value. This processing may be executed immediately after the power of the printer 10 is turned on, immediately after the adjustment of the platen gap, or when an execution instruction is input from the user.
[0051]
First, the CPU 71 drives a sheet conveyance motor (not shown) by the motor driving unit 80 to convey the recording sheet S, and supplies the recording sheet S between the recording head 20 and the contact sensor 100 (step S1). Note that the recording paper S in this case is a recording paper on which printing is to be performed based on print data, and is conveyed via the push tractor unit 12 when it is continuous paper, and is fed, for example, by a paper feeder 90 when it is cut paper. Conveyed through.
[0052]
Next, the CPU 71 moves the carriage 21 by the motor drive unit 80, and moves the recording head 20 to a position facing the contact sensor 100 (step S2). In this case, the CPU 71 moves the recording head 20 to the closer one of the left and right contact sensors 100 to shorten the moving time.
[0053]
Next, the CPU 71 performs a process of measuring the flight time of each recording wire 50 (step S3). More specifically, the CPU 71 issues a projection instruction based on a certain print pattern, thereby causing the recording head driving unit 85 to project each recording wire 50 in a single shot and continuously. At this time, based on the output signal from the contact sensor 100, the CPU 71 performs a process of measuring the flight time from the protrusion instruction to the contact of the recording wire 50 with the contact sensor 100. In this case, since the recording sheet S is in close contact with the platen 24 (that is, the contact sensor 100), the recording wire 50 contacts the recording sheet S via the ink ribbon, and the contact is detected by the contact sensor 100. Is detected. Thus, the timing at which the recording wire 50 abuts on the recording paper S via the ink ribbon can be accurately detected, and the flight time can be accurately measured.
[0054]
Deletion (Also, the contact type sensor 100 is disposed at a position where the distance between the fixed surface and the recording head 20 substantially coincides with the shortest distance between the platen 24 and the recording head 20. Can be measured at any time.)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the output waveform W1 of the contact sensor 100 and the current waveform W2 to the coil 42 on the same time axis. Specifically, the CPU 71 measures the time from the rise of the current waveform W2 to the rise of the output waveform W1 of the contact sensor 100 (indicated by α in the figure) as the flight time. This makes it possible to actually measure the flight time of each recording wire 50 at the time of single shot and at the time of continuous projection. As described above, the CPU 71 functions as a measuring unit that measures a flight time until each recording wire 50 reaches the paper surface.
[0055]
Then, based on each measured flight time, the CPU 71 determines a flight time difference between the single shot and the continuous protrusion of each recording wire 50, the variation of the flight time during the continuous protrusion, and the recording wire 50 in the F stage and the R stage. The flight time difference and the flight time variation between the recording wires 50 are obtained by calculation, and these information are stored in the FT correction table 102 as FT information (step S4), and the FT measurement processing ends. Thus, in the printer 10, the current flight time difference between the recording wires 50 can be obtained.
[0056]
Next, the printing process will be described. Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the printing process. The printing process is executed when print data is supplied from a PC.
[0057]
When the print data is input (step S10), the CPU 71 sets the number of the recording wire 50 for actually performing dot recording based on the dot pattern of the print data in order to set the platen curvature correction value. In the case of a head, it is determined which of the first to twelfth pins (step S11).
[0058]
Next, the CPU 71 refers to the platen curvature correction table 101 based on the determined number of the recording wire 50, and reads the flight time difference of the corresponding recording wire 50 (step S12).
[0059]
In parallel with the above processing, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the recording head 20 is of a type in which the F-stage recording head unit and the R-stage recording head unit are connected in two stages (step S13). In this discrimination, if the recording head 20 is of a type in which the recording head 20 is connected in two stages (Step S13; Yes), the CPU 71 determines whether the recording wire 50 that actually performs dot recording based on the dot pattern of the input print data is used. Is determined to belong to the F-stage recording head unit or the R-stage recording head unit (step S14).
[0060]
Next, the CPU 71 refers to the FT correction table 102 based on the determination in step S14, and reads the flight time difference of the recording wire 50 between the F stage and the R stage (step S15).
[0061]
Further, in parallel with the reading of the flight time differences, the CPU 71 determines whether dot recording is single dot recording or continuous dot recording based on the dot pattern of the input print data (step S16). . Based on the result of this determination and, if necessary, the drive frequency of the recording wire 50, the CPU 71 reads out the flight time difference between the single shot and the continuous projection of the recording wire 50 (step S17).
[0062]
When reading of all information is completed, the CPU 71 calculates an actual correction value for eliminating a flight time difference based on the read information, that is, information stored in the platen curvature correction table 101 and the FT correction table 102. (Step S18).
[0063]
Then, the CPU 71 performs the printing process while performing the projection timing of the recording wire 50 based on the obtained actual correction value (step S19).
[0064]
As described above, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the flight time difference between the recording wires 50 is obtained by actual measurement using the contact-type sensor 100. It is possible to obtain a flight time difference between the single shot and the continuous protrusion of each of the wires 50 and a flight time difference of the recording wires between the recording head units.
Then, the printer 10 calculates a correction value for eliminating the flight time difference based on the acquired flight time difference and the information described in the platen curvature correction table 101, and calculates the protrusion value for each recording wire 50. Correct the timing. Thereby, even if abrasion or the like occurs in each of the recording wires 50, the misalignment can be suppressed, and the printing quality can be maintained for a long time, and high-speed printing can be supported.
[0065]
Further, since the contact sensor 100 is embedded in the platen 24 so as to form a surface integral with the platen surface, the print quality changes even when printing is performed at a position where the recording head 20 faces the contact sensor 100. Can be avoided. Furthermore, if the contact sensor 100 is arranged at a position corresponding to, for example, a non-printing area (for example, left and right margins) of the recording paper S, printing at the position of the contact sensor 100 is eliminated. The influence on the print quality can be avoided.
[0066]
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the contact sensor 100 may be embedded inside the platen 24, and the contact of the recording wire 50 may be detected via a conventional surface member of the platen 24. In this case, since the surface of the platen 24 can be made of the same member, good print quality can be maintained.
[0067]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the contact sensor 100 is disposed on the platen 24, and may be disposed at a position other than the platen 24. In short, the contact sensor 100 may be arranged at a position where the recording head 20 can face. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the contact sensor 100 may be disposed between the platen 24 and the left and right frames 16, 17. In addition, the sensor surface of the contact sensor 100 is not limited to the case where the sensor surface is formed into a curved surface having the same shape as the platen surface, and may be a flat surface as shown in FIG. In the case of a plane configuration, the flight distance of each recording wire 50 to the contact-type sensor 100 becomes almost the same. . For example, the deviation of the flight distance of each recording wire 50 may be corrected using the platen curvature correction table 101. In addition, although the case where two contact sensors 100 are arranged has been described, three or more or one contact sensor may be provided, and the number thereof may be arbitrary.
[0068]
Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the flight time difference is obtained after measuring the flight time of each recording wire 50 has been described. However, the flight time difference is obtained from the output waveform W1 of the contact sensor 100 for each recording wire 50. May be directly obtained.
[0069]
The present invention is also applicable to the case where a flat platen is used. In this case, the platen curvature correction table 101 becomes unnecessary.
[0070]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the control program for obtaining the flight time difference and correcting the protrusion timing is stored in the ROM 72 in advance has been described. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a storage medium, and the computer may read and execute the program. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a network server, and a computer such as a personal computer may download the program from the network server via a telecommunication line and distribute the program to general users.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an alignment deviation due to abrasion of a recording wire or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer main body of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention and a peripheral configuration thereof.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a recording head.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the printer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a platen curvature correction table.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an FT correction table.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a shift amount due to a curvature of a platen.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a shift of a recording dot due to a curvature of a platen.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an FT measurement process.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output waveform W1 of a contact sensor and a current waveform W2 to a coil on the same time axis.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a printing process.
FIG. 12 is a diagram provided for description of a modified example.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Printer
11 Printer body
20 Recording head
21 carriage
24 Platen
50 Recording wire
70 Controller
71 CPU
72 ROM
73 RAM
75 Interface
80 Motor drive unit
85 Recording Head Drive
100 contact sensor
101 Platen curvature correction table
102 FT correction table
S Recording paper

Claims (16)

In a recording apparatus that records an image on recording paper by projecting a recording wire from a recording head having a plurality of recording wires,
Control means for controlling the projection timing of the recording wire;
A contact-type sensor that is provided so as to be able to face the recording head and detects a contact of a recording wire protruding from the recording head for each recording wire,
The recording apparatus, wherein the control means corrects a projection timing of each recording wire based on a detection result of each recording wire by the contact sensor. The control means includes:
Measuring means for measuring a flight time, which is a time required for each recording wire to reach the paper surface, based on a detection result of the contact sensor,
Storage means for storing information about the flight time of each recording wire measured by the measurement means,
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding timing of each recording wire is corrected based on the information stored in the storage unit. A platen arranged opposite to the recording head,
The storage unit further stores curvature correction information for correcting the curvature of the platen,
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit corrects a projection timing of each recording wire based on the information on the flight time and the curvature correction information. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the contact sensor is disposed on the platen. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the contact sensor is disposed at a position other than the platen. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit corrects a projection timing of each recording wire based on a detection result of each recording wire by the contact-type sensor so as to eliminate a difference in flight time between the recording wires. 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The control means corrects the projection timing of each recording wire based on the detection result of each recording wire by the contact-type sensor so as to eliminate the difference in flight time between the single ejection and the continuous ejection of each recording wire. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The recording head includes two recording head units,
The control means corrects a projection timing of each recording wire based on a detection result of each recording wire by the contact sensor so as to eliminate a difference in flight time of each recording wire between the two recording head units. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein: Having a counting means for counting the amount of image recording on the recording paper,
9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the count value of the counting means exceeds a predetermined value, each recording wire is projected from the recording head toward the contact-type sensor. In a control method of a recording apparatus for recording an image on recording paper by projecting a recording wire from a recording head having a plurality of recording wires,
A projecting start step of projecting and contacting each recording wire from the recording head toward a contact sensor provided so as to be able to face the recording head,
A correction step of correcting the projection timing of each recording wire based on the detection result of each recording wire by the contact-type sensor. Based on the detection result of the contact-type sensor, a measurement step of measuring a flight time that is a time until each recording wire reaches the paper surface,
The storage means has a storage step of storing information about the flight time of each recording wire measured in the measurement step,
11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein in the correcting step, the protrusion timing of each recording wire is corrected based on information stored in the storage unit. In the correction step, each recording wire is projected based on curvature correction information for correcting a curvature of a platen arranged opposite to the recording head and information on the flight time stored in the storage means. The method according to claim 11, wherein the timing is corrected. The method according to claim 11, wherein in the correcting step, a protrusion timing of each recording wire is corrected based on a detection result of each recording wire by the contact-type sensor so as to eliminate a difference in flight time between the recording wires. 13. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to any one of 10 to 12. In the correcting step, the protrusion timing of each recording wire is corrected based on the detection result of each recording wire of the contact-type sensor so as to eliminate the difference in flight time between the single protrusion and the continuous protrusion of each recording wire. 14. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: The recording head is composed of two recording head units,
In the correcting step, the protrusion timing of each recording wire is corrected based on the detection result of each recording wire by the contact-type sensor so as to eliminate the difference in flight time of each recording wire between the two recording head units. The control method for a recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: In the projecting start step, the recording amount of the image on the recording sheet is counted, and when the counted value exceeds a predetermined value, each recording wire is projected from the recording head toward the contact sensor. A method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 10.

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