JP2005035309A - Method for detecting nonoperating nozzle while moving print head and inspection section relatively - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for inspecting ejection of an ink drop from each nozzle efficiently. <P>SOLUTION: A printer comprises a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink drops, an inspecting section having a light emitting section and a light receiving section and confirming the operation of the nozzle depending on the fact whether light is intercepted by an ink drop or not, and a feed mechanism for moving the print head and the inspecting section relatively. At least a part of the plurality of nozzles are inspected when the print head and the inspecting section are moving relatively at a constant speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing printing by ejecting ink droplets.

  An ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink droplets from an ink jet type print head and forms characters, figures, and the like by dot recording on the surface of a print medium. The ink jet print head includes a fine nozzle, a pressure chamber filled with ink connected to the nozzle, and a pressure generating unit that applies pressure to the pressure chamber.

One of the problems that have been regarded as problems in the ink jet recording apparatus has been missing dots due to dust mixed into the fine nozzles and bubbles mixed into the pressure chamber. The following can be considered as measures to solve this problem.
(1) Eliminate dust, bubbles, etc.
(2) Inspect whether ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle, and recover by cleaning or the like.

  Regarding measure (1), a certain degree of reliability can be ensured by devising the mechanism, structure, etc., but it is difficult to completely prevent the missing dots. In addition, when the ink tank for supplying ink is replaced, it is unavoidable that air bubbles and the like are mixed. From such a background, the need for a technique for achieving the measure (2) is increasing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-193643

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for efficiently inspecting whether or not ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, in the present invention, an ink droplet ejection test is performed on the following printing apparatus. Hereinafter, the ink droplet ejection inspection is also referred to as “dot missing inspection”. The present invention is directed to a printing apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets, and includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets, a light emitting unit that emits light, and a light emitting unit A light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the nozzle, and moves at least one of the inspection unit that checks the operation of the nozzle according to whether the light is blocked by the ink droplets, the print head, or the inspection unit And a feeding mechanism that relatively moves the print head and the inspection unit. Then, the inspection is performed on at least some of the plurality of nozzles while the print head and the inspection unit are relatively moved.

  With such an embodiment, it is possible to quickly perform a discharge inspection for a plurality of nozzles compared to a case where a discharge inspection is performed once in a state where the inspection unit and the print head are stopped. Time can be shortened. Further, when the feeding and stopping of the inspection unit or the print head are repeated for the ejection inspection of a plurality of nozzles, there is a possibility that mechanical errors may increase due to repeated feeding and stopping. However, in this aspect, such a problem does not occur because the discharge inspection of a plurality of nozzles is performed while feeding the inspection unit or the print head.

  The relative movement between the print head and the light detection unit is preferably performed at a constant speed. With such an aspect, it is possible to easily predict the time that the ink droplet should cross the light in the ink droplet ejection test.

  In addition, when a plurality of nozzles are composed of one or more nozzle rows arranged at a constant pitch along a predetermined arrangement direction, an angle Θ (Θ is greater than 0) with respect to the arrangement direction. Preferably, light traveling in a direction having a number less than 180 is emitted, and ink droplets are ejected toward the light while the print head and the inspection unit are moved at a relatively constant speed.

  In this aspect, by moving the print head or the inspection unit, the nozzle row and the light having a predetermined angle Θ pass relative to each other. If the direction of the nozzle row and the optical axis of the light are the same direction, the nozzles for one row will intersect the optical path of the light at a time. In order to form a predetermined angle, each nozzle in the row sequentially intersects the optical path of light. Therefore, the discharge inspection can be performed in order for each nozzle.

Further, in the ejection inspection, the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle at one end of the specific nozzle row intersects with the light, and then the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle at the other end of the specific nozzle row intersects with the light. Until then, it is preferable to eject ink droplets sequentially from all the nozzles of a specific nozzle row, and it is preferable to satisfy the following conditions. That is, when the nozzle interval along the arrangement direction is D, the width of light emitted from the light emitting unit is La, the relative moving speed of the print head and the inspection unit is CRV, and the frequency of ink droplet ejection is F,
sinΘ ≧ La / D, CRV / F ≦ La / cosΘ
It is preferable to satisfy the relationship. Moreover,
sinΘ> La / D, CRV / F ≦ La / cosΘ
It is more preferable to satisfy the relationship.

When a plurality of nozzles are composed of a plurality of nozzle rows, when the interval between the nozzle rows is LD and the number of nozzles in each nozzle row is N,
tan Θ ≦ LD / (D × (N−1))
It is preferable to satisfy the relationship. Moreover,
tanΘ <LD / (D × (N−1))
It is more preferable to satisfy the relationship.

  Further, the plurality of nozzles are classified into a plurality of inspection groups, and one of the plurality of inspection groups is completed while the print head and the inspection unit complete the relative movement once along a predetermined direction. It is preferable to select an inspection group to be inspected.

  In this way, even when it is impossible to inspect all the nozzles of the print head with a single movement, or when all the nozzles are inspected with a single movement, the inspection accuracy is reduced, the inspection is performed with high accuracy. It is possible to execute. Further, in this aspect, since the nozzles are divided into a plurality of inspection groups and sequentially inspected, the time required for the nozzle discharge inspection can be finely divided, and the time required at once is not required. Then, other operations can be performed between discharge inspections of each inspection group as necessary.

  For multiple nozzles belonging to the same inspection group, classify the multiple nozzles so that ink droplets ejected from two or more nozzles do not simultaneously block the light emitted from the light emitting unit. Is preferred. In this aspect, if the print head or the inspection unit is sent once, the ink droplet ejection inspection can be performed for each nozzle included in one inspection group.

  In addition, when the plurality of nozzles are configured by a plurality of nozzle rows, each of the plurality of inspection groups includes n (n is 2 or more) from at least one nozzle row in the plurality of nozzle rows. It is preferable to classify the plurality of nozzles so as to include one nozzle periodically selected at a constant ratio. Note that this “inspection group” does not need to have nozzles as constituent elements in all nozzle rows on the print head.

  In such an embodiment, adjacent nozzles in the inspection group are spaced apart. For this reason, even when the width of light emitted from the light emitting unit is thicker than the nozzle pitch, it is unlikely that ink droplets from two adjacent nozzles will be confused in the ejection inspection of the inspection group. The possibility of detection is low.

  In addition, the nozzle row which selected each nozzle which comprises each of a some test | inspection group periodically in the m row (m is an integer greater than or equal to 2) in the row | line | column of a some nozzle at the fixed ratio of 1 row. It is preferable to select from. Here, the “inspection group” does not need to have all nozzles included in the row as constituent elements for the nozzle row that satisfies the condition.

  When the inclination of the optical axis is larger than the nozzle row interval, when light is applied to the ink droplet trajectory of the last nozzle in a row, light is simultaneously applied to the ink droplet trajectory of the nozzle in the adjacent row. It may take. However, in the above-described aspect, adjacent nozzle rows in the inspection group are spaced from each other. For this reason, in the ejection inspection of the inspection group, there is a low possibility that the ink droplets of the nozzles in the two adjacent rows will be confused, and the possibility of erroneous detection is low.

  Also, different priority orders corresponding to the execution order of inspections can be assigned to the plurality of inspection groups, and the plurality of nozzles can be classified so that the inspection group having a higher priority order includes more nozzles. If it carries out as mentioned above, the number of inspection groups will be reduced compared with the case where it classify | categorizes into a group equally so that a nozzle may be selected in the ratio of 1 piece per n, for example, and it will be classified into n groups. There are cases where it is possible.

  When the print head is driven by the feed mechanism and moves in both directions along the main scanning direction, the print head can move within the main scanning direction by printing ink droplets from the nozzles. When a printing area for printing on a medium and an adjustment area for performing ink droplet ejection inspection and flushing of a plurality of nozzles are provided, the following is preferable. In other words, when the print head reaches the adjustment area after executing printing in the print area and before the print head returns from the adjustment area to the print area, the discharge inspection is performed at the time before flushing in the adjustment area. To do.

  In such an aspect, printing can be performed without performing an ejection inspection after flushing. Therefore, the viscosity of the ink increases with the passage of time due to the ejection inspection, and it becomes difficult for the ink to come out, and there is a low possibility of causing a flight curve or the like.

  In addition, when the print head reaches the adjustment area after executing printing in the print area and before the print head returns from the adjustment area to the print area, in the adjustment area, the main scanning forward path and the return path are divided into two paths. It is preferable to perform a discharge inspection for each inspection group.

  In this aspect, it is possible to perform discharge inspection for each inspection group on the forward path and the return path between printing in the printing area. Therefore, the ejection inspection of each nozzle can be performed in a short cycle, and there is a low possibility that the image quality of the printing result is deteriorated due to the ejection failure of ink droplets generated between inspections.

  When printing is not performed in one of the two main scanning paths in the print area, and the print head is sent at a higher speed than in the other path, the print head is sent at a higher speed. When the ejection inspection is executed in step 1, it is preferable to reduce the feed speed of the print head to a speed suitable for the ejection inspection before the ejection inspection.

  In such a mode, in a path where printing is not performed, the time required for printing can be shortened by sending the print head at a high speed, and during the ejection inspection, the feed of the print head can be delayed, The accuracy required for the discharge inspection can be ensured.

Note that the present invention can be realized in various modes as described below.
(1) Printing apparatus. Print control device.
(2) Printing method. Print control method.
(3) A computer program for realizing the above apparatus and method.
(4) A recording medium on which a computer program for realizing the above apparatus and method is recorded.
(5) A data signal embodied in a carrier wave including a computer program for realizing the above-described apparatus and method.

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in order as follows.
A: First embodiment:
B: Second embodiment:
C: Third embodiment:
D: Fourth embodiment:
E: Modified example:

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 701 denotes an ink jet print head, reference numerals 702 to 704 denote print head moving means for moving the ink jet print head 701 in the main scanning direction, reference numeral 702 denotes a motor, reference numeral 703 denotes a motor 702, and a garter connected to the ink jet print head 701. Belt, 704 is a guide roller, 705 is a platen roller which is a paper conveying means, 706 is a guide frame, 707 is a light emitting device which is a light emitting means, 708 is a light receiving device which is a light receiving means disposed at a position facing the light emitting device 707, In the figure, a dashed line indicates a path of a light beam emitted from the light emitting device, 709 is a waste ink receiver, 710 is a recording paper, 711 is an ejection control circuit which is an ink droplet ejection control means, and 712 is a drive circuit of a motor 702. It is.

  When recording characters and figures on the recording paper 710, the motor 702 is driven to move the ink jet print head 701 in the main scanning direction and to a predetermined position, and then the discharge control circuit 711 transfers the print data to the ink jet print head. Then, ink droplets are ejected onto the recording paper 710 to form dots, and the inkjet print head 701 sequentially moves in the main scanning direction to perform recording. When printing in the main scanning direction is completed, the platen roller 705 is rotated by a predetermined amount by a motor and a control circuit (not shown), and the recording paper 710 is moved in the sub scanning direction. By repeating the above operation, characters, figures, etc. are formed on the recording paper 710.

  FIG. 2 is a nozzle arrangement diagram of the ink jet print head. Reference numeral 720 denotes a nozzle. In this embodiment, the number of nozzles is 6, and the interval between the nozzles is D [μm].

  FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. A light beam 730 emitted from the light emitting device 707 has a width of La [μm] as shown in the figure. In the drawing, broken lines are parallel lines of the nozzle arrangement of the ink jet print head 701 shown in FIG. The light beam 730 has an angle of Θ with respect to this broken line.

  The detection method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram for detecting ink droplets of this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a detection flowchart, and FIG. 6 is a time chart. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 740 denotes a control circuit, 741 denotes a determination circuit that determines defective ejection, 742 denotes a sampling circuit that samples a detection signal output from the light receiving device 708 at a constant period, and 743 denotes a timer that measures time. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control circuit 740 uses the drive circuit 712 to start moving the ink jet print head 701 located between the guide frame 706 and the light beam 730 in the main scanning direction as shown in FIG.

  7 to 10 are views for explaining the positional relationship of the ink jet print head 701 with respect to the light beam 730. FIG. When the ink jet print head 701 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 740 discharges ink droplets from all the nozzles of the ink jet print head 701 by the discharge control circuit 711. The position of FIG. 7 is set in advance to a position where the nozzle that first passes through the light beam 730 among all the nozzles necessary for recording, that is, the # 6 nozzle in FIG. 7 does not sufficiently cover the light beam. At the same time, the control circuit 740 starts the timer 743 and starts measuring time.

  Further, when the ink jet print head 701 moves in the main scanning direction and moves to the position shown in FIG. 8, the ink droplets ejected from the # 6 nozzle pass through the light flux 730. At this time, the light receiving device 708 has a smaller amount of light than when there is nothing to block the light beam 730, so that there is an output fluctuation shown when the detection signal (FIG. 6) passes through the # 6 nozzle. The sampling circuit 742 shapes the detection signal as shown in the detection signal after waveform shaping in FIG. 6, and further, due to the output fluctuation of this detection signal, the sampling circuit 742 has a timing as shown in the sampling signal in FIG. 6. Start sampling.

  The determination circuit 741 stores 1 in the discharge nozzle count register N built in the determination circuit 741 simultaneously with the start of the operation of the sampling circuit 742.

  Further, when the ink jet print head 701 moves in the main scanning direction and moves to the position shown in FIG. 9, the ink droplets ejected from the # 5 nozzle pass through the light flux 730. Similarly to when the # 6 nozzle passes, the light receiving device 708 has a smaller amount of light than when there is nothing blocking the light beam 730, so the detection signal (FIG. 6) output from the light receiving device 708 is output when the # 5 nozzle passes. There are fluctuations. The sampling circuit 742 performs sampling at the timing indicated by the sampling signal in FIG. The determination circuit 741 stores a value obtained by adding 1 to the discharge nozzle count register N, that is, 2 in this case.

  Further, the ink jet print head 701 moves in the main scanning direction, sequentially detects # 4 nozzle, # 3 nozzle, and # 2 nozzle, and detects # 1 nozzle shown in FIG.

  When the detection of the # 1 nozzle is completed and the value of the discharge nozzle count register N is 6, which is the same as the number of nozzles, printing is started following the detection. If the # 3 nozzle does not discharge, the discharge nozzle count register N is only 5. If the discharge nozzle count register N is not equal to the number of nozzles and the # 1 nozzle is detected, the judgment circuit 741 will not discharge if the timer 743 outputs a time sufficient for all the preset nozzles to pass. It is determined that there is a nozzle, the movement in the main scanning direction is stopped, and an operation necessary for nozzle recovery is started. Further, even when all the nozzles do not discharge, the determination circuit 741 can determine the non-discharge by the timer 743.

  In this embodiment, since the ink jet print head 701 performs detection while moving, the angle of the light beam 730 is inclined by the angle Θ with respect to the nozzle arrangement direction. This Θ will be described. When Θ is set so that ink droplets ejected from adjacent nozzles pass through the light beam 730 at the same time, the ejection of one nozzle or zero nozzle is detected at the time of abnormality, and the discrimination is difficult. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, Θ needs to be set to a value that prevents ink droplets ejected from adjacent nozzles from simultaneously passing through the light beam 730. The condition is given by the following first equation.

  sinΘ ≧ La / D

  Note that D is the nozzle interval in the sub-scanning direction, and La is the width of the light beam 730 in the main scanning direction.

Specific numerical values in the present embodiment are D = 140 [μm] and La = 100 [μm], and Θ ≧ 45 degrees when substituted into the above equation. Note that the first equation is expressed as sinΘ> La / D
In this case, Θ> 45 degrees.

  Further, the condition that at least one ink droplet passes through the luminous flux is given by the following second formula.

  CRV / F ≦ La / cosΘ

  Note that CRV is the moving speed of the inkjet print head 701 when it passes through the light beam 730, and F is the driving frequency at which the ink droplets are ejected. Once Θ is determined, the ratio of CRV and F is determined. Specific numerical values in this embodiment are CRV = 750 [mm / s] and F = 10800 [Hz], which satisfies the second formula.

  In addition, light emitting elements used in the light emitting device used in this example include a semiconductor laser and an LED, both of which satisfy the effects of the present invention. As the number of nozzles increases, it is desirable that the light beam 730 be as parallel light as possible, and high-precision detection can be realized by combining it with a condenser lens.

  The light receiving element used in the light receiving device used in this embodiment includes a photodiode, a phototransistor, or a CCD, and all satisfy the effects of the present invention.

B. Second embodiment:
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the ink jet print head 701 has a plurality of nozzle arrays. The nozzle row interval has an LD interval as shown in the figure. 12 and 13 are diagrams showing the passage of the light beam 730.

  In FIG. 12, the # 1 nozzle in the first row is detected. Further, the nozzle moves in the main scanning direction, and detects the # 6 nozzle in the second row at the position shown in FIG. The method for detecting the # 1 nozzle from the # 6 nozzle in the first row is the same as the method already described in the first embodiment. Further, the nozzles # 6 to # 1 in the second row are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and detection is performed continuously in the first row.

  In the case of having a plurality of nozzle arrays in this way, in addition to the conditions of the first and second expressions described above, it is necessary to set so that the nozzles of the adjacent nozzle array do not pass the light beam at the same time.

  The condition is given by the following third equation.

  tan Θ ≦ LD / (D × (N−1))

LD is the nozzle row interval, and N is the number of nozzles. In order to satisfy the conditions of the present embodiment, the nozzle row interval LD needs to be 0.7 [mm] or more. Note that the third equation is expressed as tan Θ <LD / (D × (N−1))
In order to satisfy this condition, the nozzle row interval LD needs to be larger than 0.7 [mm].

  As described above, in the first embodiment, non-ejection can be detected without highly accurate alignment. Further, in the second embodiment, when detecting a plurality of nozzle rows, the time required to stop and move the print head can be greatly shortened for each nozzle row, enabling high-speed detection.

C. Third embodiment:
C-1. Device configuration:
FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing the main configuration of a color inkjet printer 20 as an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 20 includes a paper stacker 22, a paper feed roller 24 driven by a step motor (not shown), a platen plate 26, a carriage 28, a step motor 30, and a traction belt 32 driven by the step motor 30. And a guide rail 34 for the carriage 28. A print head 36 having a large number of nozzles is mounted on the carriage 28.

  The printing paper P is taken up by the paper feed roller 24 from the paper stacker 22 and fed on the surface of the platen plate 26 in the sub-scanning direction. The carriage 28 is pulled by a pulling belt 32 driven by a step motor 30 and moves in the main scanning direction along the guide rail 34. The main scanning direction is perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. Note that printing by the print head 36 is performed on the printing paper P on the platen plate 26 in this main scanning, and an area on the platen plate 26 on which this printing is performed is referred to as a “printing area”.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship among the platen plate 26, the dot dropout inspection unit 40, the waste ink receiver 46, and the head cap 210. Below the guide rail 34 outside the printing area (on the right side in FIG. 14), a dot dropout inspection unit 40, a waste ink receiver 46, and a head cap 210 are provided. The area where the dot dropout inspection unit 40, the waste ink receiver 46, and the head cap 210 are provided is referred to as an “adjustment area” with respect to the “printing area”.

  The dot dropout inspection unit 40 includes a light emitting element 40a and a light receiving element 40b. The dot dropout inspection unit 40 inspects the dot dropout by using these elements 40a and 40b to check the flight state of the ink droplets. Detailed contents of the inspection by the dot dropout inspection unit 40 will be described later.

  The waste ink receiver 46 is a container that receives ink droplets that are ejected from the nozzles during dot dropout inspection. At the bottom of the waste ink receiver 46, a felt for preventing splashing of ink droplets is laid. In addition, the nozzles of the print head 36 are subjected to “flushing” in which ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles at a predetermined time interval in order to prevent ejection failure due to ink thickening. The waste ink receiver 46 also receives ink droplets that are discharged on that time and ejected at that time. That is, since the missing dot inspection and the flushing are performed at the same place, unless the print head 36 is temporarily stopped on the waste ink receiver 46 and sequentially performed, the missing dot inspection is performed while the print head 36 is fed in the same main scanning path. And flushing cannot be done.

  The head cap 210 is a confidential cap, and covers the print head 36 when printing is not performed to prevent the ink in the nozzles from drying. Even when the nozzles are clogged, the print head 36 is covered with the head cap 210, the air in the head cap 210 is sucked by a pump (not shown), the inside is decompressed, and the ink is sucked from the nozzles to check the nozzles. Clear clogging.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer 20. The printer 20 includes a reception buffer memory 50 that receives a signal supplied from the host computer 100, an image buffer 52 that stores print data, a system controller 54 that controls the operation of the entire printer 20, and a main memory 56. ing. The system controller 54 includes a main scanning drive driver 61 that drives the carriage motor 30, a sub-scanning drive driver 62 that drives the paper feed motor 31, an inspection unit driver 63 that drives the missing dot inspection unit 40, and the print head 36. Is connected to a head drive driver 66 for driving the.

  A printer driver (not shown) of the host computer 100 determines various parameter values that define the printing operation based on the printing mode (high-speed printing mode, high-quality printing mode, etc.) designated by the user. The printer driver further generates print data for printing in the print mode based on these parameter values, and transfers the print data to the printer 20. The transferred print data is temporarily stored in the reception buffer memory 50. In the printer 20, the system controller 54 reads necessary information from the print data from the reception buffer memory 50, and based on this, sends a control signal to each driver.

  The image buffer 52 stores print data of a plurality of color components obtained by separating the print data received by the reception buffer memory 50 for each color component. The head drive driver 66 reads the print data of each color component from the image buffer 52 in accordance with a control signal from the system controller 54 and drives the nozzle array of each color provided in the print head 36 according to this.

C-2. Configuration and principle of the missing dot inspection unit:
(1) Configuration of the missing dot inspection unit FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the missing dot inspection unit 40 and the principle of the inspection method. FIG. 17 is a view of the print head 36 as viewed from the lower surface side, in which the nozzle array for six colors of the print head 36 and the light emitting element 40a and the light receiving element 40b constituting the first dot dropout inspection unit 40 are drawn. ing.

The lower surface of the print head 36, and the black ink nozzle group K _D for ejecting black ink, a dark cyan ink nozzle group C _D for ejecting dark cyan ink, for ejecting light cyan ink light cyan yellow ink for ejecting the ink nozzle group C _L, and dark magenta ink nozzle group M _D for ejecting dark magenta ink, light magenta ink nozzle group M _L for ejecting light magenta ink, a yellow ink a nozzle group Y _D is formed.

Note that the capital letter of the first alphabet in the code indicating each nozzle group means the ink color, the subscript “ _D ” indicates that the ink is relatively high, and the subscript “ _L ” This means that the ink has a relatively low density. The subscript “ _D ” of the yellow ink nozzle group Y _D indicates that the yellow ink discharged from the nozzle group becomes a gray color when it is mixed with dark cyan ink and dark magenta ink in approximately equal amounts. I mean. The subscript of the black ink nozzle group K _{D "D",} the black ink ejected from those without the gray, which means that a concentration of 100% black.

  The plurality of nozzles of each nozzle group are aligned along the sub-scanning direction SS. At the time of printing, ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle while the print head 36 moves in the main scanning direction MS together with the carriage 28 (FIG. 14).

  The light emitting element 40a is a laser that emits a light beam L having an outer diameter of about 1 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 17, the laser light L is emitted in a direction slightly inclined from the sub-scanning direction SS and is received by the light receiving element 40b.

(2) Principle of dot dropout inspection FIG. 18 is an enlarged view showing the principle of a dot dropout inspection method. When the dot dropout inspection, first, the print head 36 is moved at a constant speed as indicated by the arrow AR in FIG. 17, it is brought close to the laser beam L from the nozzle group of dark yellow Y _D sequentially. At this time, the laser beam L, as shown in FIG. 18, as the print head 36 is fed, dark yellow Y nozzle # 48 from the rear end of the nozzle groups _D, # 47, # 46 ,,, order of the nozzles of It will cross (relatively) below. Here, it is assumed that the nozzle group for one color of the print head 36 has 48 nozzles # 1 to # 48, respectively.

Then, the laser beam L, when crossing the nozzle # 1 located at the front end of the nozzle group of dark yellow Y _D, in turn, the nozzles # 48 from the rear end of the light nozzle groups magenta ink nozzle group M _L, # 47 , # 46,... Crosses below each nozzle. Similarly, as shown in an arrow or the like a _1, a _2, a ₃ in FIG. 17, up to the nozzle # 1 of the front end of the black ink nozzle group K _D, below the respective nozzle Hitotsuzutsu (relatively) Will be crossed.

  Each nozzle is instructed to eject ink droplets for a certain period of time before and after the timing at which the ink droplet crosses the laser beam L when the laser beam L crosses directly below. That is, when the ink droplet trajectory space and the laser beam L intersect, an ink droplet ejection instruction including the front and back of the ink droplet is issued so that the ink droplet passes through the shared space between the two.

  Here, “ink droplet trajectory space” means “a trajectory that ink droplets having a predetermined size are assumed to be ejected from the nozzle and pass through the space”. Since this “ink droplet trajectory space” is based on the prediction, in reality, ink droplets may protrude from the ink droplet trajectory space. In such a case, even if the ink droplet trajectory space (based on the prediction) and the laser beam L intersect, the ink droplet may not sufficiently block the light of the inspection unit. However, if the ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle within a normal and assumed range below, the ejected ink droplet interrupts the laser beam L on the way.

  When the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles in a normal and assumed range below, the ejected ink droplets interrupt the laser light L on the way, so that the light reception in the light receiving element 40b is temporarily interrupted, Or it becomes weak and the received light quantity becomes less than a predetermined threshold value. In this case, it can be determined that the nozzle is not clogged. On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the light receiving element 40b within a certain nozzle drive period is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the nozzle may be clogged.

As described above, the nozzle # 1 of the front end of the black ink nozzle group K _D of the discharge inspection of ink droplets for all nozzles until passes over the laser beam L is performed. Note that it may be impossible to reliably detect whether or not the laser light L has been blocked with one drop of ink, so it is preferable to discharge several drops at a time for each nozzle.

  This inspection method has an advantage that the inspection is completed in a relatively short time because each nozzle is inspected for clogging (ie, dot missing) by detecting ink droplets in flight.

  As for the feeding direction of the print head 36, the same inspection can be realized by feeding in any direction in the main scanning direction. Here, the print head 36 is pulled by the pulling belt 32 driven by the step motor 30 on the carriage 28 (FIG. 14) and is sent along the guide rail 34 in the main scanning direction. A head scanning drive device for inspection may be provided independently. In other words, the printing apparatus only needs to include a feeding mechanism that changes the relative position of both by moving at least one of the nozzle and the inspection unit. The apparatus can be reduced in size by combining the apparatus that performs the main scanning of the head in printing and the apparatus that performs the scanning in inspection with the same mechanism. On the other hand, if an apparatus for performing scanning in an inspection is provided independently, an optimal apparatus can be provided for the purpose of the inspection, such as high positional accuracy.

  In this inspection method, the arrangement of the inspection unit and the arrangement of the plurality of nozzles to be inspected are set so that the ink droplet trajectory spaces of two or more nozzles do not intersect with the laser beam L at the same time. It is preferable. That is, it is preferable that the laser light L does not interfere with the path of ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles. For this reason, when the laser light L interferes with the ink droplet paths from the plurality of nozzles due to the relationship between the beam shape of the laser light L, the direction of the optical axis, and the nozzle pitch and the interval between the nozzle rows, Such a device is effective.

C-3. Nozzle grouping and discharge inspection for each inspection group:
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between laser light L and nozzles. As shown in FIG. 19, when the laser light L interferes with the ink droplet trajectory space of a plurality of nozzles due to the relationship between the beam shape of the laser light L, the direction of the optical axis, and the relationship between the nozzle pitch and the nozzle row spacing. The above inspection method cannot be applied as it is. Ink droplets ejected from a plurality of nozzles simultaneously traverse the laser beam L, and the nozzles are “normally operating by the ink droplets ejected by the other nozzle even though one nozzle is not ejecting ink droplets. This is because there is a risk of misjudging. In order to solve such a problem, in the third embodiment, the nozzles provided in the print head 36 are divided into six inspection groups, and each of the inspection groups performs a discharge inspection. The ink droplet trajectory space of the nozzle is prevented from intersecting with the laser beam L at the same time.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of nozzle grouping on the print head 36a. Here, in order to simplify the description, a description will be given using a print head 36 a having 6 nozzle rows and 9 nozzle rows instead of the print head 36 having 6 rows of 48 nozzle rows. In FIG. 20, each nozzle is represented by writing the inspection group numbers 1 to 6 to which the self belongs. The print head 36a is the same as the print head 36 except that the number of nozzles in one row of the print head 36 is changed from 48 to 9. Then, when the print head 36a in the first feed crosses the laser beam L, as in the case described above, the nozzle # 9 of the nozzle row Y _D initially crosses the laser beam L, the nozzle of the nozzle array K _D # 1 will finally cross the laser beam L. FIG. 20 shows a state of nozzle grouping, and the nozzle pitch and the interval between the nozzle rows do not reflect actual dimensions.

These 9 × 6 nozzles are divided into 6 groups of 9 nozzles. That is,
The first test group nozzle arrays Y _D, M _D, nozzle # 9 of _{C D, # 6, # 3} ,
The third test group nozzle arrays Y _D, M _D, C _D of the nozzle # 8, # 5, # 2,
The fifth test group nozzle array Y _D of, M _D, C _D of the nozzle # 7, # 4, # 1
It is. Nozzle array Y _D in the above test group, M _D, all the nozzles of C _D is exhaustive. Also,

The second inspection groups nozzle array K _D, C _L, the nozzle # 1 of _{M L, # 4, # 7} ,
The fourth inspection group includes nozzle rows K _D , C _L , and M _L nozzles # 2, # 5, # 8,
The sixth test group nozzle arrays K _D of, C _L, M _L of the nozzle # 3, # 6, # 9
It is. Nozzle array K _D in the above test group, C _L, all the nozzles of the M _L are covered.

Since each nozzle is divided into inspection groups as described above, when the ink droplet trajectory space of a nozzle included in the inspection group and the laser beam intersect, the ink droplet trajectory space of the nozzles included in the same inspection group. Do not cross the laser beam at the same time. For example, in FIG. 20, the ink droplet trajectory space of the nozzle # 3 in the nozzle row Y _D belonging to the first inspection group intersects with the laser beam L. Similarly, the ink droplet trajectory space of # 6 in the nozzle row Y _D that belongs to the first inspection group and intersects with the laser beam L just before this nozzle does not intersect with the laser beam L, also, then the ink droplet trajectory space of the nozzle array M _D of # 9 intersecting the laser beam L, does not intersect with the laser beam L.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the ink droplet ejection inspection of the first and second inspection groups is performed in the adjustment region. When the print head 36a has exited the adjustment area after the first main scan has been printed in the print area, ink droplet ejection is first performed for the first inspection group on the dot dropout inspection unit 40 and the waste ink receiver 46. Inspection is performed. When the print head 36a once passes over the dot dropout inspection unit 40 and then reverses at the standby position on the head cap 210 and passes again over the dot dropout inspection unit 40 toward the print area, it is discarded. On the ink receiver 46, an ink droplet ejection test is performed for the second test group. After that, when printing is performed in the printing area and the print head 36a is moved out to the adjustment area again, the ink droplet ejection inspection is performed for the third and fourth inspection groups. In the same manner, the discharge inspection is performed for the fifth and sixth inspection groups with the printing in the print area interposed therebetween, and thereafter, the discharge inspection for the first and second inspection groups is performed again, and then each inspection group is sequentially performed. Dispensing inspection is repeated.

  That is, one of the inspection groups is inspected and repeated while the print head completes one movement along the main scanning direction. As a result, in the single reciprocating main scan of the print head 36a, the discharge inspection is performed for two inspection groups, and the discharge inspection is performed for all the nozzles on the print head 36a by the three reciprocating main scans. It becomes.

Also in the case of the print head 36 having 48 nozzles in each row, as described above, two of the nozzle rows in every other row of Y _D , M _D , C _D and K _D , C _L , M _L. Each inspection group is composed of every other nozzle, and ink droplet ejection inspection is performed for each inspection group in the forward and backward passes of main scanning. Specifically, these operations are realized by the system controller 54 (FIG. 16) controlling the carriage motor 30, the dot dropout inspection unit 40, and the print head 36 through each driver.

C-4. Dot missing inspection:
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing ink droplets ejected into the laser beam L and signal waveforms for detecting the ink droplets. In the ejection inspection of each inspection group, the inspection group from before the ink droplet trajectory space of the first nozzle intersects with the laser light L until after the ink droplet trajectory space of the last nozzle intersects with the laser light L. Ink droplets continue to be ejected from the respective nozzles constituting the. This is because the ink droplet may deviate from the assumed direction and may not cross the laser beam. The scanning speed of the print head 36 is such that six ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle into the laser beam L within the time that the laser beam L passes through the ink droplet trajectory space of one nozzle. It is the speed that can be.

  When the six ink droplets block the laser light L, the light receiving element 40b sends six signal waveforms to the system controller 54 as shown in the upper part of the lower part of FIG. If each nozzle is operating normally, the signal waveform of the ink droplet of each nozzle should be generated at a certain time interval t as shown in the upper part of the lower part of FIG. However, when nozzle # 45 is not operating in FIG. 22, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 22, the signal waveform of the ink droplet of nozzle # 45 does not occur, and the trailing edge of the signal waveform of the ink droplet of nozzle # 48 The time interval t from one to the next signal waveform tip increases. In that case, the system controller 54 (FIG. 16) determines that there is a failed nozzle.

C-5. Effects of the third embodiment:
In the third embodiment, since the optical axis of the laser beam L has a predetermined inclination with respect to the direction in which the nozzle rows are arranged, it is possible to inspect the nozzles one by one while feeding the print head 36. it can. Therefore, the inspection can be performed in a relatively short time. In addition, since the head is not repeatedly fed and stopped each time each nozzle is inspected, the position error is small and highly accurate detection can be performed.

  In the third embodiment, each inspection group is constituted by every two nozzles in every other nozzle row, and ink droplet ejection inspection is performed in units of inspection groups in the forward or backward pass of the main scanning. ing. Therefore, compared to the case where all the nozzles on the print head are targeted, the nozzles constituting one inspection group have a distance three times larger in the column direction between the nozzles closest to each other. The distance between the rows of nozzles constituting the is also doubled. For this reason, even when the beam diameter of the laser beam L is large or the direction of the optical axis is inclined with respect to the nozzle pitch or nozzle row interval, the laser beam L does not interfere with the path of ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles. .

  Each inspection group preferably includes as many nozzles as possible within a range that satisfies the condition. By doing so, if the number of inspection groups can be reduced, the number of feeds required to inspect all nozzles to be inspected can be reduced, and in turn, the time spent on inspection can be reduced. It is.

  Further, the nozzles constituting each inspection group are not limited to those satisfying the above conditions. That is, each inspection group can be composed of nozzles that are periodically selected at a ratio of n (n is an integer of 2 or more) in the nozzle row, and m in the nozzle row. It can also be constituted by nozzles included in a row periodically selected at a rate of one row per row (m is an integer of 2 or more). Then, according to the nozzle pitch, the nozzle row interval, the shape of the laser beam, the direction of the optical axis, etc., n and m are set to appropriate values, and only one nozzle of one inspection group is used in one discharge inspection. As a target, it is possible to prevent the laser light L from interfering with the ink droplet paths from a plurality of nozzles.

  Furthermore, not only for the above aspect, but for a plurality of nozzles belonging to the same inspection group, a plurality of ink droplets discharged from two or more nozzles do not simultaneously block light emitted from the light emitting unit. If the nozzles are classified, the print head or the inspection unit is sent once, and the ink droplet ejection inspection can be performed for each nozzle included in one inspection group.

  Furthermore, the magnitude of the tilt angle of the laser beam direction with respect to the nozzle row direction can be any numerical value greater than 0 and less than 180 degrees. When the inclination angle is 90 degrees, when a plurality of nozzles in different rows are arranged in the main scanning direction, the ink droplet trajectory space and the laser beam are simultaneously transmitted to the nozzles arranged between the rows. Since it crosses, you have to make that number of groups. Therefore, if the inclination angle of the laser beam is set to other than 90 degrees, it is not necessary to group that number of nozzles arranged between columns, and the number of groupings can be reduced. As a result, the number of main scans for inspecting all nozzles can be reduced, and the time spent can be shortened. Therefore, for example, the magnitude of the inclination angle Θ is preferably 0 <Θ <90 degrees, and more preferably 0 <Θ <45 degrees. When 0 <Θ <30 degrees, nozzles closer to each other in the main scanning direction can be included in the inspection group, and many nozzles can be included in the inspection group, which is preferable.

C-6. Modification of the third embodiment:
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the dot dropout inspection unit 40 in a modification of the third embodiment and the principle of the inspection method. In the third embodiment, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided as a pair. However, as shown in FIG. 23, the laser light for detecting ink droplets is provided as a plurality of light emitting units and the light receiving units. It can also be set as the structure which emits two or more. With such a configuration, the number of sets of light emitting units and light receiving units in one scan (three sets in FIG. 23). ) Only the inspection group can be inspected, and the time required for the dot missing inspection can be shortened. In this example, since there are 6 sets of inspection groups and 3 sets of light emitting units and light receiving units, it is possible to perform the ink droplet ejection inspection for all the nozzles in one reciprocation.

D. Fourth embodiment:
D-1. Device configuration:
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of the dot dropout inspection unit 40, the waste ink receiver 46, and the head cap 210 of the printing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the printing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, the waste ink receiver 46 is provided wide in the main scanning direction, and further extends in the direction of the platen plate 26 from the position between the light emitting element 40a and the light receiving element 40b. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the flushing can be performed at a position closer to the platen plate 26 than the dot dropout inspection unit 40. An area where the flushing between the platen plate 26 and the dot dropout inspection unit 40 is performed is referred to as a “flushing area”, and an area where the dot dropout inspection is located outside thereof is referred to as an “inspection area”.

  In the printing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, the thickness of the beam diameter of the laser light L is sufficiently thin with respect to the nozzle pitch, and the inclination of the optical axis is sufficiently large with respect to the thickness of the beam diameter of the laser light L. As shown in FIG. 18, the ink droplet trajectory space does not intersect simultaneously with the laser beam L for the nozzles adjacent in the row. The mechanical configuration of the printing apparatus of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment except for the above differences.

D-2. Nozzle grouping:
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of nozzle grouping in the fourth embodiment. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the description will be given using the print head 36b having six rows of nine nozzle rows. Also in FIG. 25, each nozzle is represented by a circle in which inspection group numbers 1 to 4 are written. Except for how to divide the inspection group, it is the same as the case of the print head 36a of the third embodiment.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining an inspection group. The 9 × 6 nozzles on the print head are divided into four groups according to the procedure shown in FIG. 26 and below.

  First, in step S1, from the nozzles on the print head, the “nozzle trajectory space does not intersect the laser beam L simultaneously with the ink droplet trajectory space of other nozzles” and “the ink droplet trajectory space is the laser beam L. One of two or more nozzles that intersect at the same time is selected and defined as the first inspection group.

  Next, in step S2, from the set of “nozzles not yet selected as nozzles included in the inspection group”, “the ink droplet trajectory space intersects the laser light L simultaneously with the ink droplet trajectory spaces of other nozzles”. “No nozzle” and “One of two or more nozzles in which each ink droplet trajectory space intersects simultaneously with the laser beam L” are selected and determined as the next inspection group.

  Thereafter, in step S3, it is determined whether or not an inspection group to which all nozzles belong has been determined. If nozzles still remain, the procedure of (S2) is repeated.

In this way, the inspection groups 1 to 4 shown in FIG. 25 are defined. Also in the case of FIG. 25, when the ink droplet trajectory space of a nozzle included in the inspection group intersects with the laser light, the ink droplet trajectory space of the nozzle included in the same inspection group simultaneously intersects with the laser light. Absent. For example, in FIG. 25, the nozzle array Y _D of # 1 of the ink droplet trajectory space and the laser beam L of the nozzle intersect. Even # 2 of the ink droplet trajectory space of the nozzle array Y _D intersecting the laser beam L immediately before the nozzle, then also the ink droplet trajectory space # 5 nozzle rows M _D intersecting the laser beam L The laser beam L is not intersected.

D-3. Relationship between printing, dot dropout inspection and flushing:
FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between ink drop ejection inspection and flushing in the adjustment region. When the print head 36b has exited the adjustment area after the first main scan has been printed in the print area, first the ink droplet ejection inspection is performed on the first inspection group in the inspection area through the flushing area. Is called. Then, when the print head 36b is reversed at the standby position on the head cap 210 and passes again on the dot dropout inspection unit 40 (inspection region), the ink droplet ejection inspection is performed for the second inspection group. When flushing is performed, the flushing area is subsequently executed, and then the print head 36 moves to the printing area. Hereinafter, the discharge inspection of other inspection groups is performed in the same manner as in the third embodiment. However, when flushing is performed, the print head 36 is reversed at the standby position on the head cap 210 and discharged again in the inspection region. After the inspection is performed, it is performed in the flushing area before printing in the printing area.

D-4. Effects of the fourth embodiment:
In the fourth embodiment, the inspection group is not determined by evenly selecting the nozzles arranged on the print head at regular intervals as in the third embodiment, but selects nozzles that satisfy the necessary conditions, These are determined by the procedure of selecting them as inspection groups and further selecting nozzles satisfying the necessary conditions from the rest. Therefore, the number of nozzles included in the inspection group can be increased, and as a result, the number of inspection groups can be reduced. Further, according to this procedure, it is possible to determine an inspection group having a large number of nozzles in the determined order. In addition, the number of times the print head 36 reciprocates on the dot dropout inspection unit 40 can be reduced, and the time spent for dot dropout inspection can be shortened. That is, when selecting an inspection group, it is preferable to select as many nozzles as possible. In the fourth embodiment, the flushing area is located between the inspection area and the printing area. However, the waste ink droplet receiver 46 extends outward rather than on the platen plate 26, and the flushing area is the inspection area. This effect is also exerted in the same manner when it is on the outside.

  In addition, when the missing dot inspection is performed after the flushing, the viscosity of the ink increases during the time required for the missing dot inspection, and the effect of the flushing cannot be fully utilized in printing. However, in the fourth embodiment, dot dropout inspection is performed before flushing, and printing is performed immediately after flushing. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing by making full use of the effect of flushing.

  In the third embodiment, the waste ink receiver 46 is provided between the light emitting element 40a and the light receiving element 40b of the dot dropout inspection unit 40, and the area where the dot dropout inspection is performed and the area where flushing is performed are the same. It was. For this reason, when performing flushing, it is necessary to perform flushing instead of not performing dot dropout inspection on either the forward path or the return path, and as a result, one inspection group in one reciprocation of main scanning. Only the discharge inspection is performed. Further, in order to perform the ejection inspection for all the nozzles on the print head, main scanning is required for the number of inspection groups, which takes time. However, in the fourth embodiment, since the flushing area and the inspection area are provided separately, it is not necessary to stop the dot dropout inspection even when performing the flushing. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for the ejection inspection for all the nozzles on the print head.

D-5. Modification of the fourth embodiment:
When the print head performs printing in both the forward pass and the return pass of the main scan in the print area, the print head feed speeds in the forward pass and the return pass are the same. However, when printing is performed only in the forward path of main scanning and not performed in the backward path, it is preferable to send the print head at a high speed in the backward path. This is because the time required for printing is shortened. Here, the dot missing inspection in such a case will be described. The points other than printing in the return pass of the main scan and the print head feeding speed in the return pass are the same as in the fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 28 is a graph showing the main scanning feed speed of the print head in bidirectional printing and unidirectional printing. As shown in FIG. 28A, in bidirectional printing in which printing is performed in both the forward path and the backward path of main scanning, the print head is sent at 240 cps in both the forward path and the backward path. On the other hand, in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed only on the forward path, it is not necessary to maintain a low speed enough to perform accurate printing on the backward path, and therefore, it is sent at 600 cps. However, the print head is decelerated before the inspection area and is sent at 240 cps in the inspection area. For this reason, the discharge inspection can be accurately performed.

E. Variation:
The present invention can be applied to various printing apparatuses that perform printing using a print head, such as an ink jet printer, an ink jet type facsimile apparatus, and an ink jet type copying machine.

1 is a diagram showing an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a nozzle arrangement of the ink jet print head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the positional relationship of an inkjet type print head and a light beam. The circuit block diagram which performs a detection. Flow chart of detection. FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining signals between circuit blocks in FIG. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the inkjet type print head at the time of discharge start, and a light beam. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the inkjet type print head and light beam at the time of # 6 nozzle detection. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the inkjet type print head and light beam at the time of # 5 nozzle detection. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the inkjet type print head at the time of # 1 nozzle detection, and a light beam. The figure which shows the nozzle arrangement | sequence of the ink jet type print head of the 2nd Example of this invention. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the inkjet type print head and light beam at the time of the # 1 nozzle detection of the 1st row. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the inkjet type print head and light beam at the time of # 6 nozzle detection of the 2nd row. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main configuration of a color inkjet printer 20 as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship among a platen plate 26, a dot dropout inspection unit 40, a waste ink receiver 46, and a head cap 210. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer 20. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the 1st dot drop test | inspection part 40, and the principle of the test | inspection method. The enlarged view which shows the principle of the test | inspection method of a dot missing test | inspection. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an ink droplet trajectory space of laser light and nozzles. Explanatory drawing which shows the state of the grouping of the nozzles on the print head 36a. Explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the discharge test | inspection of the ink droplet of the 1st and 2nd test group is performed in an adjustment area | region. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing ink droplets ejected into a laser beam L and signal waveforms for detecting the ink droplets. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the dot missing test | inspection part 40 in the modification of 3rd Example, and the principle of the test | inspection method. Explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the dot missing test | inspection part 40 of the printing apparatus of 4th Example, the waste ink receptacle 46, and the head cap 210. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the grouping state of the nozzle in 4th Example. The flowchart which shows the procedure which defines an inspection group. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship of the discharge test | inspection and flushing of the ink droplet in an adjustment area | region. The graph which shows the feed rate of the main scan of the print head in the case of bidirectional printing and unidirectional printing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Color inkjet printer 22 ... Paper stacker 24 ... Paper feed roller 26 ... Platen board 28 ... Carriage 30 ... Carriage motor 30 ... Motor 31 ... Paper feed motor 32 ... Traction belt 34 ... Guide rail 36 ... Print head 36a ... Print head 36b ... Print head 40 ... Inspection unit 40a ... Light emitting element 40b ... Light receiving element 50 ... Reception buffer memory 52 ... Image buffer 54 ... System controller 56 ... Main memory 61 ... Main scan drive driver 62 ... Sub scan drive driver 63 ... Inspection part driver 66 ... head drive driver 100 ... host computer 210 ... head cap 701 ... ink jet print head 702 ... motor 705 ... platen roller 706 ... guide frame 707 ... light emitting device 708 ... light receiving device 71 ... recording paper 711 ... discharge control circuit 712 ... drive circuit 730 ... light flux 740 ... control circuit 741 ... judgment circuit 742 ... the sampling circuit 743 ... timer AR ... arrow C _D ... dark cyan ink nozzle group that indicates the moving direction of the print head (conc Cyan ink nozzle row)
C _L ... Light cyan ink nozzle group (light cyan ink nozzle row)
K _D ... Black ink nozzle group (black ink nozzle row)
L ... Laser beam (light beam)
LD: Nozzle row spacing M _D : Dark magenta ink nozzle group (dark magenta ink nozzle row)
M _L ... light magenta ink nozzle group (light magenta ink nozzle row)
MS ... main scanning direction N ... discharge nozzle count register P ... printing paper SS ... sub-scanning direction Y _D ... yellow ink nozzle group (yellow ink nozzle row)
a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ ... Arrows indicating the order in which the laser beam crosses below the nozzles t... Time interval of the signal waveform .THETA.

Claims (27)

A printing apparatus that performs printing by discharging ink droplets,
A print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink drops;
A light-emitting unit that emits light; and a light-receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit, and an inspection unit that confirms the operation of the nozzle according to whether the light is blocked by ink droplets;
A feed mechanism that relatively moves the print head and the inspection unit by moving at least one of the print head and the inspection unit;
With
The printing apparatus, wherein the inspection unit performs an inspection on at least some of the plurality of nozzles while the print head and the inspection unit are relatively moving. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
An inkjet recording apparatus in which relative movement between the print head and the light detection unit is performed at a constant speed. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The plurality of nozzles is composed of one or more nozzle rows arranged at a constant pitch along a predetermined arrangement direction,
The light emitting unit emits light traveling in a direction having an angle Θ (Θ is greater than 0 and less than 180 degrees) with respect to the arrangement direction;
The printing apparatus, wherein the print head discharges ink droplets toward the light while the print head and the inspection unit are moving at a relatively constant speed. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
In the print head, an ink droplet ejected from a nozzle at one end of a specific nozzle row intersects with the light, and an ink droplet ejected from a nozzle at the other end of the specific nozzle row becomes the light. Until the intersection, ink droplets are sequentially ejected from all the nozzles of the specific nozzle row,
When the nozzle interval along the arrangement direction is D, the width of light emitted by the light emitting unit is La, the relative moving speed of the print head and the inspection unit is CRV, and the frequency of ink droplet ejection is F ,
sinΘ ≧ La / D, CRV / F ≦ La / cosΘ
A printer that satisfies the above relationship. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
In the print head, an ink droplet ejected from a nozzle at one end of a specific nozzle row intersects with the light, and an ink droplet ejected from a nozzle at the other end of the specific nozzle row becomes the light. Until the intersection, ink droplets are sequentially ejected from all the nozzles of the specific nozzle row,
When the nozzle interval along the arrangement direction is D, the width of light emitted by the light emitting unit is La, the relative moving speed of the print head and the inspection unit is CRV, and the frequency of ink droplet ejection is F ,
sinΘ> La / D, CRV / F ≦ La / cosΘ
A printer that satisfies the above relationship. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The plurality of nozzles includes a plurality of nozzle rows,
When the interval between nozzle rows is LD and the number of nozzles in each nozzle row is N,
tan Θ ≦ LD / (D × (N−1))
A printer that satisfies the above relationship. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The plurality of nozzles includes a plurality of nozzle rows,
When the interval between nozzle rows is LD and the number of nozzles in each nozzle row is N,
tanΘ <LD / (D × (N−1))
A printer that satisfies the above relationship. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
The plurality of nozzles are classified into a plurality of inspection groups,
An inspection group to be inspected is inspected so that one of the plurality of inspection groups is inspected while the print head and the inspection unit complete the relative movement once along a predetermined direction. The printing device selected. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The plurality of nozzles belonging to the same inspection group are selected such that ink droplets ejected from two or more nozzles do not simultaneously block light emitted from the light emitting unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The plurality of nozzles includes a plurality of nozzle rows,
Each of the plurality of inspection groups is a nozzle that is periodically selected at a fixed ratio of n (n is an integer of 2 or more) from at least one of the plurality of nozzle rows. Including a printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
The nozzles constituting each of the plurality of inspection groups are nozzle rows that are periodically selected at a constant ratio of one row to m rows (m is an integer of 2 or more) in the row of nozzles. A printing device selected from the list. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The plurality of inspection groups are assigned different priorities corresponding to the execution order of inspection, and the inspection group having a higher priority includes more nozzles. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The print head is driven by the feed mechanism and moves in both directions along the main scanning direction,
The movable range of the print head in the main scanning direction includes a print area in which the print head discharges ink droplets from the nozzles to perform printing on the print medium, an ink droplet discharge test, and the plurality of nozzles. An adjustment area for performing flushing, and
The inspection unit performs flushing in the adjustment area when the print head reaches the adjustment area after executing printing in the print area and before the print head returns from the adjustment area to the print area. A printing apparatus that performs the ejection inspection at a time before the operation is performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The print head is driven by the feed mechanism and moves in both directions along the main scanning direction,
The movable range of the print head in the main scanning direction includes a print area in which the print head discharges ink droplets from the nozzles to perform printing on the print medium, an ink droplet discharge test, and the plurality of nozzles. An adjustment area for performing flushing, and
The inspection unit is the time when the print head reaches the adjustment area after executing printing in the print area and before the print head returns from the adjustment area to the print area, in the adjustment area, A printing apparatus that executes the ejection inspection for the inspection group on each of two main scanning paths and a return path. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
The feeding mechanism is
Printing is not executed in any one of the two paths of the main scanning forward path and the backward path in the print area, and the print head is fed at a higher speed than the other path,
When the ejection inspection is performed in a path along which the print head is fed at a high speed, the printing apparatus reduces the feeding speed of the print head to a speed suitable for the ejection inspection before the ejection inspection. A print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets; an inspection unit having a light emitting unit that emits light; and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit; the print head and the inspection unit; A non-operating nozzle in a printing apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets, and a feed mechanism that moves the print head and the inspection unit relatively by moving at least one of A way to
A non-operating nozzle detection method comprising performing inspection on at least some of the plurality of nozzles while relatively moving the print head and the inspection unit. The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 16,
A non-operating nozzle detection method for performing relative movement between the print head and the light detection unit at a constant speed. The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 17,
The plurality of nozzles is composed of one or more nozzle rows arranged at a constant pitch along a predetermined arrangement direction,
(A) emitting light traveling in a direction having an angle Θ (Θ is greater than 0 and less than 180 degrees) with respect to the arrangement direction;
(B) ejecting ink droplets toward the light while moving the print head and the inspection unit at a relatively constant speed;
A non-operating nozzle detection method comprising: The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 18, further comprising:
(C) classifying the plurality of nozzles into a plurality of inspection groups;
Including
The step (b)
An inspection group to be inspected is selected so that one of the plurality of inspection groups can be inspected while the print head and the inspection unit complete the relative movement once along a predetermined direction. A non-operating nozzle detection method including a selecting step. The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 19,
The step (c)
For a plurality of nozzles belonging to the same inspection group, the step of classifying the plurality of nozzles so that ink droplets ejected from two or more nozzles do not simultaneously block light emitted from the light emitting unit. A non-operating nozzle detection method comprising: The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 20,
The plurality of nozzles includes a plurality of nozzle rows,
The step (c)
Each of the plurality of inspection groups is periodically selected at a constant ratio of n (n is an integer of 2 or more) from at least one nozzle row in the plurality of nozzle rows. A non-operating nozzle detection method including the step of classifying the plurality of nozzles to include The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 21,
The step (c)
Nozzles that select each of the plurality of inspection groups, and nozzle rows that are periodically selected at a fixed ratio of one row to m rows (m is an integer of 2 or more) in the row of nozzles. A non-operating nozzle detection method including a step of selecting from the following. The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 20,
The step (c)
A non-operating nozzle comprising a step of assigning different priorities corresponding to the execution order of inspection to the plurality of inspection groups, and classifying the plurality of nozzles so that an inspection group having a higher priority includes more nozzles. Detection method. The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 16,
The print head is driven by the feed mechanism and moves in both directions along the main scanning direction,
The movable range of the print head in the main scanning direction includes a print area in which the print head discharges ink droplets from the nozzles to perform printing on the print medium, an ink droplet discharge test, and the plurality of nozzles. An adjustment area for performing flushing, and
The step (b)
The time when the print head reaches the adjustment area after printing in the print area and before the print head returns from the adjustment area to the print area before the flushing is performed in the adjustment area. And a non-operating nozzle detection method including the step of performing the ejection inspection. The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 16,
The print head is driven by the feed mechanism and moves in both directions along the main scanning direction,
The movable range of the print head in the main scanning direction includes a print area in which the print head discharges ink droplets from the nozzles to perform printing on the print medium, an ink droplet discharge test, and the plurality of nozzles. An adjustment area for performing flushing, and
The step (b)
When the print head reaches the adjustment area after executing printing in the print area, and before the print head returns from the adjustment area to the print area, the main scan in the adjustment area A non-operating nozzle detection method including a step of executing the ejection inspection for the inspection group on each of two paths on the return path. The non-operating nozzle detection method according to claim 25,
Printing is not executed in any one of the two paths of the main scanning forward path and the backward path in the print area, and the print head is fed at a higher speed than the other path,
The step (b)
When performing the discharge inspection on a path along which the print head is fed at a high speed, the method includes a step of reducing the feed speed of the print head to a speed suitable for the discharge inspection before the discharge inspection. Operation nozzle detection method. A print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets; an inspection unit having a light emitting unit that emits light; and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit; the print head and the inspection unit; A computer having a printing device that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets, and a feed mechanism that moves the print head and the inspection unit relatively by moving at least one of the print head and the inspection unit. A computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for detecting an operating nozzle,
A computer-readable record recording a computer program for causing a computer to realize a function of performing an inspection on at least some of the plurality of nozzles while relatively moving the print head and the inspection unit. Medium.

Images