JP2005177994A - Recording method and recording apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a recording apparatus from being influenced by a length of a discharge opening array of a recording head, and by a transfer amount of a recording medium according to a recording operation, and moreover to prevent manufacturing cost of the recording apparatus from mounting. <P>SOLUTION: After the recording medium P' finished with a part of printing is transferred to the paper discharge side, the recording medium is stopped for a predetermined period of time. A recording region including a printed region of the recording medium P' is formed into a wave shape by a spur 422 for pressing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording method for performing recording by ejecting and adhering ink to a recording surface of a recording medium, and a recording apparatus using the same.

  In the case of a recording method based on an ink jet recording method, for example, when image data or the like is printed on a recording surface of a recording medium, a technique for eliminating unevenness in the feeding pitch of the recording medium is employed. For example, the image data of an image to be printed is randomly divided, the feed pitch of the recording medium is reduced, and the number of scans of a carriage on which a recording head as a recording unit is mounted is reduced. It is an increased method. Also, by increasing the accuracy of the landing position on the recording surface of the ink recording medium, the distance between the recording surface of the recording medium and the ejection port forming surface of the recording head is set as narrow as possible in order to obtain a clear and high-quality printing result. It is necessary to do.

  Thus, when the feed pitch is small, the recording time increases, so that an uneven portion called “cockling” may occur on the recording surface of the recording medium swollen by a large amount of ink used for recording. In this case, the amplitude of the cockling becomes relatively large, and the recording medium floats from the platen that stabilizes the recording surface of the recording medium toward the recording head. As a result, when the floating of the recording medium becomes equal to or greater than the distance between the recording surface of the recording medium and the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, the ejection port forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium are rubbed. The quality of the product may be impaired.

  In order to avoid such a situation, for example, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the recording surface of the recording medium conveyed below the recording head is brought into close contact with the surface of the platen. A method for avoiding the floating of the recording medium in the direction of the recording head has been proposed. In this method, the recording medium is sucked by the suction force of the negative pressure generating means through a plurality of small-diameter holes provided in a portion through which the recording medium passes in the platen, and the recording medium is brought into close contact with the surface of the platen.

  For example, as shown in Patent Document 3, a predetermined portion of the recording surface of the recording medium is pressed near the upstream side of the recording head that is reciprocally moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. There has been proposed a method for avoiding the floating of the recording medium in the direction of the recording head by arranging the presser plate so as to face the platen. In such a method, the platen has a plurality of ribs that support the recording medium from below at predetermined intervals. The presser plate has projections that press the recording surface of the recording medium between the ribs of the platen at positions corresponding to each other between the ribs of the platen. The protrusion protrudes downward, that is, toward the platen.

  In such a configuration, the end of the recording surface of the recording medium that has not yet been recorded is passed between the press plate and the platen before reaching the recording start position of the recording head. These end portions are formed in a waveform in advance. Thus, during the recording operation of the recording head, the portion sandwiched between the rib of the platen and the lower surface of the presser plate in the recording medium is regulated by the pressing force between them, so the rib of the platen in the recording medium Corresponding parts between them will swell. At this time, as described above, the swellable recording medium is formed in a downward convex shape by the protrusion of the presser plate in advance, and thus extends toward the surface of the platen. Accordingly, the floating of the recording medium in the direction of the recording head is avoided.

JP-A-61-95966 JP-A-3-29359 JP-A-9-48161

  (1) A method in which the recording medium is sucked by the suction force of the negative pressure generating means through a plurality of small-diameter holes provided in a portion through which the recording medium passes in the platen as described above, and the recording medium is brought into close contact with the platen surface In this case, since the recording medium is sucked by using the negative pressure generating means, the entire recording apparatus becomes large, so that the manufacturing cost is high, and the intake / exhaust sound of the negative pressure generating means which reduces the commercial value thereof. There is also a problem that is large. Further, when printing on recording media of different sizes, a desired suction force can be obtained unless a new means for sealing a small-diameter hole on the platen that is not covered by the recording media is provided in accordance with the respective sizes. There is also a problem that it cannot be done.

  (2) On the other hand, a presser plate that presses a predetermined portion of the recording surface of the recording medium is arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side of the recording head that is reciprocally moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, facing the platen. In this case, when the transport amount of the recording medium fed by one line is relatively large with respect to the width of the recording area of the recording medium, the leading end of the recording medium is sandwiched between the rollers of the paper discharge unit and floats. By forming the end of the recording surface of the recording medium on which the recording has occurred into a wave shape before the recording operation by the presser plate and the platen, the floating amount toward the recording head can be suppressed. However, when the conveyance amount for one line is relatively small, the floating toward the recording head grows before the end of the recording medium reaches the recording position. There is a possibility that the recording medium is contaminated by contact between the forming surface and the recording surface of the recording medium.

  Such a method is an effective means when the distance from the recording start position of the recording head to the position of the end of the press plate is short.

  However, as the length of the recording head along the conveyance path of the recording medium (the length of the ejection port array) increases, the distance from the recording start position of the recording head to the position of the end of the press plate increases. Due to the swelling, the waveform is easily broken, and the float due to cockling is likely to occur. In such a case, since the recording medium comes into contact with the recording head and disturbs the image formed on the recording surface, the distance between the discharge port forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is determined beforehand. Contrary to the above-mentioned requirement, it is necessary to set a wider range.

  In consideration of the above problems, the present invention is a recording method for recording by ejecting and adhering ink to a recording surface of a recording medium, and a recording apparatus using the same, and a recording apparatus using the ejection port array of the recording head. A recording method capable of preventing the recording medium from floating to the recording head side without being affected by the length and the conveyance amount of the recording medium according to the recording operation, and in which the manufacturing cost of the recording apparatus does not increase An object is to provide a recording apparatus using the same.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a recording method according to the present invention includes a step of swelling a recording area of a recording medium with a liquid, and the swollen recording medium is conveyed along a conveying path, and is provided in the conveying path. A step of disposing at least an end portion of the recording medium in a forming portion for forming a concavo-convex shape on at least a part of the recording medium, and a recording portion in which the recording medium disposed in the forming portion is arranged to face the conveyance path And performing a recording operation on the recording surface of the recording medium on which the concavo-convex shape is formed by the forming portion.

  Further, the recording apparatus according to the present invention is arranged to face the conveyance path for conveying the recording medium, and to perform a recording operation on the recording area of the recording medium, and a portion provided with the recording section in the conveyance path. A mechanism unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction and forms a concavo-convex shape on the recorded recording medium, and the recording medium on which recording is performed by the recording unit are conveyed to the mechanism unit, and recording on the recording medium is performed A conveyance control unit that controls to return to the position after being performed, and when the recording unit records a predetermined amount on the recording area of the recording medium, the conveyance control unit performs an operation of conveying to the mechanism unit, And a control unit that performs an operation of returning the recording medium to a position after the previous recording after the recording medium is stopped by the mechanism unit for a predetermined period.

  Further, the recording apparatus according to the present invention is disposed opposite to the conveyance path for conveying the recording medium, and is provided with a swelling means for applying the liquid to swell the recording medium, and on the downstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the swelling means. A forming mechanism portion that forms an uneven shape with respect to the recording area of the recording medium coated with the liquid by the swelling means, and the unevenness shape is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the forming mechanism portion. A recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording area of the formed recording medium, a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium having a concavo-convex shape formed by the forming mechanism unit to the recording unit, and a forming mechanism unit And a control unit that performs an operation of forming an uneven shape on the recording area of the recording medium, and causes the conveying unit to perform an operation of stopping the recording medium by the forming mechanism unit for a predetermined period. .

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the recording method and the recording apparatus using the same according to the present invention, the step of swelling the recording area of the recording medium with the liquid, and conveying the swollen recording medium along the conveying path And the step of disposing at least the end of the recording medium in the forming portion for forming the uneven shape on at least a part of the recording medium provided in the conveyance path, so that the recording region of the recording medium is surely uneven. Since the recording operation is performed on the recording area as it is formed, there is no possibility of so-called cockling.Therefore, the length of the ejection port array of the recording head and the recording medium corresponding to the recording operation are not affected. The recording medium can be reliably prevented from floating toward the recording head regardless of the transport amount, and the manufacturing cost of the recording apparatus does not increase.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a recording apparatus to which an example of the recording method according to the present invention is applied.
A recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes an exterior portion that forms an outer portion of the apparatus, a paper feed portion 2 that is disposed in the exterior portion and feeds a recording medium P to a paper feed portion, A paper feeding unit that is arranged on the downstream side of the unit 2 and sequentially sends each recording medium P to the recording unit according to a recording operation; a recording unit including a carriage 50 on which a recording head 7 described later is detachably mounted; A sheet discharge unit including a sheet discharge tray on which a printed recording medium P ′ arranged and printed on the downstream side of the recording unit is stacked, and a control unit that performs operation control in each of the above-described parts are configured.

Each of the above-described components constituting the recording apparatus 1 will be described below.
(A) Exterior portion The exterior portion includes a lower case 99, an upper case 98, an access cover 97, a connector cover 96 (see FIG. 3), and a front cover 95 as main elements. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each case and cover are assembled to the chassis 11 on which the above-described components are supported, and are connected to each other so as to cover the periphery thereof.

  At the lower part of the lower case 99, a paper discharge port 99a through which the printed recording medium P 'passes is formed on the front surface, and a paper discharge tray rail (not shown) is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the divided paper discharge tray 46 supported by the paper discharge tray rail is configured to be housed inside. Further, the front cover 95 rotatably supported by the lower case 99 is configured to close the paper discharge port 99a when the paper discharge tray 46 is not used.

  An access cover 97 is attached to the upper case 98 so that it can be opened and closed. A part of the upper surface of the upper case 98 is selectively covered with the access cover 97, and has an opening for communicating the inside and the outside. Therefore, when the access cover 97 is in the open state, the ink tank 71 and the recording head 7 can be exchanged through this opening.

  Further, a cover sensor E0022 for detecting the open / closed state of the access cover 97, a door switch lever (not shown), an LED guide 982 for transmitting and displaying light of an LED (light emitting diode), and a SW (switch of a circuit board described later) The key switch 983 and the like acting on the upper case 98 are provided on the upper case 98.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a multistage paper feed tray 26 is rotatably attached to the periphery of the opening of the upper case 98. As shown in FIG. 2, when the paper feed unit 2 is not used, the paper feed tray 26 is closed so as to close the opening of the upper case 98. The cover of the paper portion 2 is also configured. As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet feeding tray 26 is drawn out and used in a multistage manner.

  The upper case 98 and the lower case 99 are connected to each other by an elastic fitting claw that is not shown. The connector cover 96 covers the portion where the connector portion between them is provided.

(B) Paper Feed Unit As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the paper feed unit 2 includes a base 20 that is supported by the chassis 11. The base 20 has a pressure plate 21 on which the recording medium P that is not printed is stacked, a paper feed roller 28 that feeds the recording medium P, and a separation roller 241 that separates the recording medium P, as shown in FIG. A return lever 22 or the like for returning the recording medium P to a predetermined stacking position on the paper feed tray 26 is attached. The recording medium P is, for example, paper, cloth, a plastic sheet, an OHP sheet, or the like.

  Both ends of the paper feed roller 28 having a columnar cross section are rotatably supported by the base 20. The paper feed roller 28 is provided with one separation roller rubber (not shown) corresponding to the size of the recording medium P along its axial direction. The recording medium P is fed to the paper feeding section on the downstream side by the contact force between the outer peripheral surface of the rotated paper feeding roller 28 and its separation roller rubber and the surface of the recording medium P. . As shown in FIG. 4, the driving force of the paper feed roller 28 is transmitted from an output shaft of a paper feed (LF) motor 273 provided in the paper feed unit 2 by a drive transmission gear and a planetary gear (not shown).

  The pressure plate 21 is supported by the base 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft coupled to the base 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure plate 21 is biased toward the paper feed roller 28 by the pressure plate spring 212. A separation sheet 213 made of a material having a large friction coefficient, such as an artificial skin, is provided at a portion of the pressure plate 21 facing the paper feed roller 28. The separation sheet 213 prevents multiple feeding of several recording media P stacked near the surface. The pressure plate 21 is configured such that the surface of the recording medium P is brought into contact with or separated from the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 28 by a pressure plate cam (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressure plate 21 is provided so as to be movable along the width direction of the recording medium P on which the movable side guide 23 is loaded. The movable side guide 23 regulates the stacking position of the recording medium P to a predetermined position according to the size of the recording medium P.

  Further, the base 20 is provided with a separation roller holder 24 to which a separation roller 241 for sequentially separating the stacked recording media P one by one from the uppermost recording medium P is attached.

  The separation roller holder 24 is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft provided in the base 20 and is urged toward the paper feed roller 28 by a separation roller spring (not shown).

  The separation roller 241 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the paper feed roller 28 is supported to be rotatable with respect to the separation roller holder 24. In addition, a clutch spring (not shown) is attached to the separation roller 241, and the portion attached to the separation roller holder 24 can rotate when a predetermined load or more is applied. The separation roller 241 is configured such that the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with or separated from the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 28 by a separation roller release shaft (not shown) and a control cam (not shown). Yes.

  On the downstream side of the portion where the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 241 are provided, an upstream end of the conveyance path 24 through which the recording medium P fed by the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 241 is conveyed opens. Yes.

  The positions of the pressure plate 21, the return lever 22, and the separation roller 241 are respectively detected by an ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) sensor 29 shown in FIG.

A return lever 22 for returning the recording medium P to a predetermined stacking position is rotatably attached to the base 20. The return lever 22 is biased by a return lever spring (not shown) in the releasing direction. When returning the recording medium P to the loading position, the return lever 22 is configured to be rotated by the control cam described above.
In the above configuration, when the recording medium P is fed, first, in a normal standby state, the pressure plate 21 is released by the pressure plate cam, and the separation roller 241 is released by the control cam. The return lever 22 is set to a predetermined stacking position that closes the stacking port so that the recording medium P stacked on the pressure plate 21 is returned to a predetermined position and the recording medium P does not enter the back during stacking. .

  Next, when paper feeding starts from this state, the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 241 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the paper feeding roller 28 by driving the motor. At this time, when the return lever 22 is released, the surface of the recording medium P at the uppermost position among the recording media P stacked on the pressure plate 21 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 28 to be rotated. Touch. In this state, feeding of the recording medium P is started sequentially one by one.

  At that time, the plurality of stacked recording media P are limited by a preceding separation unit (not shown) provided on the base 20, and only a predetermined number of the recording media P includes the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 241. Sent to the nip. The fed recording medium P is separated at the nip portion, and only the uppermost recording medium P is conveyed.

  Subsequently, when the recording medium P that has passed through the nip reaches a conveying roller 36 and a pinch roller 37 described later, the pressure plate 21 is driven by a pressure plate cam (not shown), and the separation roller 28 is driven by a control cam. Will be released. The return lever 22 is returned to the predetermined loading position by the control cam.

  Note that the recording medium P that has reached the nip portion composed of the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 241 can be returned to the above-described predetermined stacking position.

(C) Paper Feeding Unit A paper feeding unit that sequentially feeds a predetermined amount of the recording medium P according to a recording operation of the recording head 7 to be described later is connected to the downstream side of the paper feeding unit 2 via the conveyance path 24 described above. Has been. The downstream end of the transport path 24 is open to a transport roller 36 (described later) provided on the downstream side. Therefore, the conveyance path 24 is formed so that a portion where the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 241 are provided and a portion where the conveyance roller 36 is provided communicate with each other at a position below a carriage 50 described later. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower surface of the conveyance path 24 is formed by a paper guide flapper 33 that guides the recording medium P to be conveyed. The paper guide flapper 33 is supported so as to be rotatable around a bearing portion (not shown) that fits and slides with a conveyance roller 36 described later. The paper guide flapper 33 is positioned by contacting one end of the paper guide flapper 33 with the chassis 11.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the paper feeding unit includes a transport roller 36 and a pinch roller 37 provided at the end on the downstream side of the transport path 24, and a recording surface of the transported recording medium P. A platen 34 that supports the recording medium P from below so as to be maintained at a predetermined interval with respect to the exit surface is configured as a main element. The platen 34 is attached to the chassis 11.

  The conveyance roller 36 has a configuration in which ceramic fine particles are coated on the surface of a metal shaft as a rotation shaft. Metal parts at both ends of a shaft extending substantially perpendicular to the paper surface are rotatably attached to the chassis 11 via a bearing (not shown). The transport roller 36 is provided with a transport roller tension spring (not shown) between the bearing and the end of the transport roller 36 so that a stable load can be applied by applying a rotation load to the rotation shaft. . Therefore, a predetermined load is applied to the transport roller 36 by being biased by the biasing force of the transport roller tension spring.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transport roller 36 is a pulley 361 provided on the shaft of the transport roller 36 via a timing belt (not shown) with a rotational force from the output shaft of the transport motor 35 formed of a DC (direct current) motor. It is driven by being transmitted to.

  A code wheel 362 for detecting the amount of conveyance by the conveyance roller 36 is provided on the axis of the conveyance roller 36. For example, markings are formed on the code wheel 362 with a resolution of 150 to 300 (LPI) (number of pulse outputs per inch). Further, an encoder sensor 39 that reads the marking on the code wheel 362 is attached to the chassis 11 at a position adjacent to the code wheel 362.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a plurality of pinch rollers 37 each having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the transport roller 36 are disposed above the transport roller 36 so as to be rotatable substantially parallel to each other. The holder 30 is provided. The plurality of pinch rollers 37 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface so as to follow the transport roller 36. Each pinch roller 37 is urged toward the transport roller 36 by the elastic force of a pinch roller spring (not shown). Accordingly, the conveyance force of the recording medium P is generated by the pinch roller 37 being in pressure contact with the conveyance roller 36.

  At that time, the pinch roller holder 30 is rotated about the rotation axis of the pinch roller holder 30 because it is attached to the bearing of the chassis 11.

  The pinch roller holder 30 is provided with a swingable PE sensor lever 321 that transmits the detected state of the leading or trailing edge of the recording medium P conveyed in the conveying path 24 to the PE sensor 32. A PE (Paper End) sensor 32 is provided in the chassis 11 so as to face one end of a swinging PE sensor lever 321.

  The platen 34 having a flat recording medium placement surface for supporting the recording medium P to be conveyed from below is downstream of the portion of the chassis 11 where the conveying roller 36 is provided, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. In this case, the recording head 7 is positioned and attached directly below the ink discharge port surface. A transport path 25 for transporting the recording medium P is formed above the platen 34. The recording medium placement surface of the platen 34 is set according to the size of the recording medium P to be conveyed, and extends from the upstream side in the vicinity of the conveying roller 36 to the downstream side in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller 40 described later.

  In such a configuration, the advancing side end portion of the recording medium P sent into the conveyance path 24 of the paper feeding section is a part of the pinch roller holder 30 that forms the upper side of the conveyance path 24 and the conveyance path 24. While being guided by the paper guide flapper 33 forming the lower side, the paper is fed between the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37.

  At this time, one end of the PE sensor lever 321 comes into contact with the leading end of the recording medium P that has been conveyed, whereby the other end of the PE sensor lever 321 is swung. As a result, the PE sensor 32 facing the other end supplies the detection output. As will be described later, the print position of the recording medium P is obtained based on the detection output from the PE sensor 32.

  The recording medium P is conveyed on the recording medium placement surface of the platen 34 because the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 are rotated by the driving force when the conveying motor 35 is activated. Become.

(D) Recording unit The recording unit includes a carriage 50 on which the recording head 7 is detachably mounted.
The recording head 7 includes, for example, an ink tank 71 that includes a holder portion 7H that is detachably supported by the carriage 50, and a tank portion that is detachably mounted in the holder portion 7H and stores a plurality of types of inks or processing liquids. And a discharge portion that is provided at the lowermost end portion of the holder portion 7H so as to face the recording medium placement surface of the platen 34 and discharges ink or processing liquid from each tank portion to the recording surface of the recording medium P. 7E. The ejection unit 7E is an ink jet type, for example, a bubble jet (registered trademark) system, that is, ink is film boiled by heat, and ink droplets are ejected from the ejection unit 7E by a pressure change caused by the growth or contraction of the bubbles. Thus, the ink is discharged toward the recording surface of the recording medium P.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the carriage 50 is supported by a guide shaft 52 for reciprocating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and a guide rail 111 that is in sliding contact with the carriage 50. ing. The guide rail 111 supports the rear end of the carriage 50 and maintains a gap between the discharge surface of the discharge portion of the recording head 7 and the recording medium P.

  Note that both ends of the guide shaft 52 are attached to predetermined positions of the chassis 11 as shown in FIG. The guide rail 111 is formed integrally with the chassis 11. A thin sliding sheet 53 made of, for example, a stainless steel plate (JIS symbol: SUS) or the like is provided on the sliding surface side of the guide rail 111 with respect to the carriage 50. Reduction is being achieved.

  The carriage 50 is attached to the chassis 11 and is driven via a timing belt 541 by a driving force of a carriage motor E0001 described later. The timing belt 541 is supported by being wound between a pair of idle pulleys 542 rotatably provided at both ends of the chassis 11. Since the timing belt 541 is coupled to the carriage 50 via a damper made of rubber or the like, the vibration of the carriage motor E0001 or the like is attenuated, and accordingly, image unevenness or the like is reduced.

  For example, a code strip 561 on which marking is formed with a resolution of 150 to 300 LPI (line per inch) for detecting the position of the carriage 50 is provided in parallel with the timing belt 541. Furthermore, an encoder sensor (not shown) that reads the marking is provided on a carriage substrate E0013 (described later) mounted on the carriage 50.

  The carriage substrate E0013 is also provided with a contact (not shown) for electrical connection with a wiring substrate that is electrically connected to the ejection portion 7E of the recording head 7. The carriage 50 is connected to one end of a flexible substrate E0012, which will be described later, for transmitting each head signal group from the electric substrate to the ejection portion 7E of the recording head 7.

  Further, in order to detachably fix the holder portion 7H of the recording head 7 to the carriage 50, a carriage (not shown) for positioning is pressed against the holder portion 7H and fixed to the holder 50H. A pressing means is provided. The pressing means is provided in association with the head set lever 51 shown in FIG. 4, and when the holder portion 7H is set on the carriage 50 by rotating the head set lever 51 around its rotation fulcrum, The pressing means acts to fix the holder portion 7H of the recording head 7.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, eccentric cams that raise and lower the guide shaft 52 to adjust the distance between the discharge surface of the discharge portion of the recording head 7 and the recording surface of the recording medium P are provided at both ends of the guide shaft 52. 521 is provided. The guide shaft 52 is moved up and down by driving the eccentric cam 521 through the gear train 581 by the driving force of the carriage lifting motor 591. As a result, the carriage 50 is moved up and down with the recording head 7, and an optimum gap (distance between the ejection surface of the ejection portion 7 </ b> E of the recording head 7 and the recording surface of the recording medium P) even for the recording medium P having different thicknesses. ) Will be formed.

  Further, the carriage 50 is provided with an end position detection sensor 59 made up of a reflection type optical sensor for detecting a recording medium end, which will be described later. The end position detection sensor 59 detects the position of the end of the recording medium P by receiving the reflected light reflected from the surface of the recording medium P, and emits a detection output. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the end position detection sensor 59 is disposed on the upstream side of the ejection port (nozzle) of the ejection section 7E of the recording head 7, and the recording is performed while the recording medium P is being conveyed to a predetermined recording position. The tip position of the medium P can be detected.

  In the above configuration, when an image is formed on the recording medium P, the recording medium P is conveyed to the row position (position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P) by the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37, and The carriage 50 on which the recording head 7 is mounted is moved by the carriage motor E0001 to a row position where an image is formed (a position substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P). Accordingly, the ejection portion 7E of the recording head 7 faces the image forming position on the recording medium P.

  Based on each signal group from the carriage substrate E0015, the ejection unit 7E of the recording head 7 performs the recording operation by ejecting ink toward the recording surface of the recording medium P. As a result, for example, an image is recorded on the recording medium P. Is formed at the image forming position.

(E) Paper Discharge Unit As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the paper discharge unit includes two paper discharge rollers 40 extending in parallel to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction of the printed recording medium P ′. , 41, a plurality of pushing spurs 422 and transport spurs 421 that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upstream discharge roller 40 at a predetermined pressure, and are rotatably supported, and the downstream discharge rollers 41. A spur holder 43 having a plurality of spurs 42 which are in contact with the outer peripheral surface at a predetermined pressure, are driven and rotatably supported, and a gear train for transmitting the driving of the above-described transport roller 28 to the discharge rollers 40 and 41, respectively. , Etc. are included.

  The paper discharge roller 40 is supported so as to be rotatable downstream of a position facing the ejection portion 7E of the recording head 7 in the platen 34 described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the paper discharge roller 40 is configured by arranging a plurality of rollers on a common rotating shaft at a predetermined interval. For example, the paper discharge roller 40 is provided with a plurality of rubber rollers on a metal rotating shaft. The paper discharge roller 40 is driven by the driving force from the transport roller 28 being transmitted through the idler gear.

  The paper discharge roller 41 is provided further downstream than the paper discharge roller 40 supported by the platen 34. The paper discharge roller 41 has a structure in which a plurality of rollers made of an elastomer elastic body are attached to a resin-made rotating shaft. The paper discharge roller 41 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the paper discharge roller 40 via an idler gear (not shown).

  Although not shown, a paper edge support that lifts both ends of the recording medium P and holds the recording medium P is provided between the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41. The paper edge support is for preventing damage caused by rubbing the print on the recording medium P with the tips of the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41. The paper end support is configured so that the roller can be held by pressing the roller against the recording medium P at a predetermined pressure at the leading end to lift both ends of the recording medium P and making a strain. A roller (not shown) in the paper edge support is urged by a paper edge support spring (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the spur holder 43 is opposed to the platen 34 and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P. As shown in FIG. 1, conveyance spurs 421 are provided at portions of the spur holder 43 facing the rollers of the paper discharge roller 40, respectively. Each conveying spur 421 is guided so as to be movable by a spur guide GG formed in a spur holder 43 and urged toward the paper discharge roller 40 by a coil spring CS. As a result, the printed recording medium P ′ is sandwiched and transported between the rotated paper discharge roller 40 and the transport spur 421. Further, between the spurs 421 for conveyance in the spur holder 43, there is provided a pushing spur 422 for pressing a portion corresponding to the distance between the spurs 421 on the printed recording medium P ′ toward the platen 34. . Each pushing spur 422 is supported at a position closer to the platen 34 than the position of the conveying spur 421. Each pushing spur 422 is guided so as to be movable by a spur guide GF formed in the spur holder 43 and urged toward the recording medium P ′ or the platen 34 that passes by the coil spring CS. Yes. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the printed recording medium P ′ has a convex portion toward the platen 34 corresponding to the conveyance spur 421, that is, in the width direction of the recording medium P ′. It will be formed into a waveform as a whole.

  The spur 42 arranged on the downstream side of the spur holder 34 with respect to the conveying spur 421 and the like is formed of a thin plate made of a stainless steel plate. The outer peripheral portion of the spur 42 has a plurality of convex shapes integrally formed of resin along the circumferential direction. The spur 42 is pressed toward the paper discharge roller 41 by a coil spring (not shown).

  With such a configuration, one recording medium P ′ for which printing has been completed is conveyed and discharged to the discharge tray 46 while being sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the spur 42. The paper discharge tray 46 is curved upward toward the front end. Further, both ends of the paper discharge tray 46 are configured to rise upward relative to the central portion, thereby making it possible to improve the stackability of the discharged recording medium P ′ and prevent the printing surface from being rubbed.

(F) Cleaning Unit As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cleaning unit 6 includes a pump 60 that cleans the ejection unit 7E of the recording head 7, and suppresses drying of the ejection unit 7E, and also for ink suction. The cap 61, a blade 62 for cleaning the discharge port surface of the discharge portion 7E of the recording head 7, and a drive cleaning motor 69 are included.

  A one-way clutch (not shown) is provided on the output shaft of the cleaning motor 69. Thus, when the output shaft of the driving cleaning motor 69 is rotated in one direction, the pump 60 is operated. When the output shaft of the cleaning motor 69 is rotated in the other direction, the blade 62 operates and the cap 61 is moved up and down.

  The pump 60 is configured to generate a negative pressure by squeezing two tubes (not shown) connecting the cap 61 and the suction part of the pump 60 with a pump roller (not shown). A valve (not shown) or the like is provided at an intermediate portion of the tube. When the pump 60 is in an operating state, unnecessary ink or the like is sucked from the ejection port surface in a state where the cap 61 is in close contact with the ejection port surface of the ejection unit 7E of the recording head 7.

  A cap absorber 611 is provided at the cap 61 in order to reduce ink remaining on the ejection port surface of the recording head 7 after suction. At this time, the ink remaining in the cap 61 is sucked by the pump 60 at a predetermined timing in a state where the cap 61 is opened so that the ink remains on the cap absorber 611 and does not cause any harmful effects. The waste ink sucked by the pump 60 is discharged to a waste ink tank provided in the lower case 99.

  A plurality of blades 62 are provided, one that cleans the vicinity of the nozzle of the discharge portion 7E of the recording head 7, and one that cleans the entire discharge port surface. When the blade 62 operates, a series of operations such as the cap 61 ascending / descending operation and opening / closing of a valve (not shown) is controlled by a main cam (not shown). The position of the main cam is detected by a position detection sensor such as a photo interrupter.

  When the cap 61 is lowered, the tip of the blade 62 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the carriage unit 50 so that the tip of the blade 62 cleans the discharge port surface of the discharge unit 7E of the recording head 7. Then, when the tip of the blade 62 moves to the innermost position, the ink adheres to the tip of the blade 62 itself is removed from the tip of the blade 62 by contacting the blade cleaner 66.

(G) Control Unit FIG. 7 is a block diagram for schematically explaining the overall configuration of the control unit.
The control unit mainly includes a carriage board (CRPCB) E0013, a main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) E0014, a power supply unit E0015, a front panel E0106, and the like.
Here, the power supply unit E0015 is connected to the main PCB E0014 and supplies various driving powers.

  The carriage substrate E0013 is a printed circuit board unit mounted on the carriage 50, and functions as an interface for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the recording head 7 through the head connector E0101. Further, a change in the positional relationship between the encoder scale E0005 and the encoder sensor 39 is detected based on a pulse signal output from the encoder sensor 39 as the carriage 50 moves, and the output signal is further transmitted to a flexible flat cable (CRFFC). Output to the main PCB E0014 through E0012. The carriage substrate E0013 is provided with a temperature sensor such as a thermistor for detecting the ambient temperature and a required optical sensor (hereinafter, these sensors are referred to as an OnCR sensor E0102). Information obtained by the OnCR sensor E0102 is output to the main PCB E0014 through the flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012 together with the head temperature information from the discharge unit 7E.

  The main PCB E0014 is a printed circuit board unit that controls the drive of each part of the recording apparatus. On the substrate, a paper edge detection sensor (PE sensor) 32, an automatic sheet feeder (ASF) sensor 29, a cover sensor E0022, and It has a host interface (host I / F) E0017. In addition, a carriage motor E0001 as a drive source for main-scanning the carriage 50, an LF motor 273 as a drive source for transporting the recording medium P, a PG motor E0003 as a drive source for the recovery operation of the recording head 7, and recording It is connected to various motors such as an ASF motor E0105 which is a driving source for the feeding operation of the medium P, and controls driving of each function. Further, various sensor signals E0104 indicating the mounting and operating states of various optional units such as an ink empty sensor, a medium (paper) discrimination sensor, a carriage position (height) sensor, an LF encoder sensor, and a PG sensor are received. The main PCB E0014 is connected to each of the CRFFC E0012, the power supply unit E0015, and the front panel E0106, and has an interface for exchanging information by the panel signal E0107.

  The front panel E0106 is a unit provided on the front surface of the recording apparatus main body for the convenience of user operation, and is a device used for connection with a resume key E0019, LED E0020, power key E0018, and peripheral devices such as a digital camera. I / F E0100.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main PCB E1004.
In the figure, reference numeral E1102 denotes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is connected to the ROM E1004 through the control bus E1014 and performs various controls in accordance with programs stored in the ROM E1004. For example, each sensor output on the main PCB E0014, sensor signal E0104, OnCR sensor signal E1105 on the CRPCB E0013, encoder signal E1020, output from the power key E0018 on the front panel E0106, and the resume key E0019 are detected. Yes. In addition, according to the connection of the host I / F E0017 and the device I / FE0100 on the front panel and the data input state, various logical operations and condition determination are performed, each component is controlled, and drive control of the inkjet recording apparatus is performed. I am in charge.

  E1103 is a driver / reset circuit having a motor power supply (VM) E1040 as a drive source, and according to a motor control signal E1106 from the ASIC E1102, a CR motor drive signal E1037, an LF motor drive signal E1035, a PG motor drive signal E1034, An ASF motor drive signal E1104 is generated to drive each motor. Further, the driver / reset circuit E1103 has a power supply circuit, supplies necessary power to each part such as the main PCB E0014, CRPCB E0013, front panel E0106, and further detects a drop in the power supply voltage to detect a reset signal. E1015 is generated and initialized.

E1010 is a power supply control circuit, and controls power supply to each sensor having a light emitting element in accordance with a power supply control signal E1024 from the ASIC E1102.
The host I / F E0017 transmits a host I / F signal E1028 from the ASIC E1102 to a host I / F cable E1029 connected to the outside, and transmits a signal from the cable E1029 to the ASIC E1102.

  On the other hand, a head power supply (VH) E1039, a motor power supply (VM) E1040, and a logic power supply (VDD) E1041 are supplied from the power supply unit E0015. Further, a head power ON signal (VHON) E1022 and a motor power ON signal (VMOM) E1023 from the ASIC E1102 are input to the power supply unit E0015 to control ON / OFF of the head power E1039 and the motor power E1040, respectively. The logic power supply (VDD) E1041 supplied from the power supply unit E0015 is voltage-converted as necessary, and then supplied to each part inside and outside the main PCB E0014.

The head power signal E1039 is smoothed on the main PCB E0014 and then sent to the CRFFC E0012 to be used for driving the recording head 7.
The ASIC E1102 is a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit with an arithmetic processing unit. The ASIC E1102 supplies the motor control signal E1106 to the driver reset circuit E1103 as well as the power control signal E1024, the head power ON signal E1022, and the motor power ON signal E1023. Are output to the power supply control circuit E1010 and the power supply unit E0015, respectively.

  The ASIC E1102 exchanges signals with the host I / F E0017 and also exchanges signals with the device I / F E0100 on the front panel through the panel signal E0107. Further, the ASIC E1102 includes a PE detection signal (PES) E1025 from the PE sensor 32, an ASF detection signal (ASFS) E1026 from the ASF sensor 29, a cover detection signal (COVS) E1042 from the cover sensor E0022, a panel signal E0107, a sensor The state of the signal E0104 and the OnCR sensor signal E1105 is detected, the driving of the panel signal E0107 is controlled, and the LED E0020 on the front panel is blinked.

  The ASIC E1102 detects the state of the encoder signal (ENC) E1020, generates a timing signal, and controls the recording operation by interfacing with the recording head 7 using the head control signal E1021. Here, the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is an output signal of the CR encoder sensor 39 input through the CRFFC E0012. The head control signal E1021 is supplied to the recording head 7 via the flexible flat cable E0012, the carriage substrate E0013, and the head connector E0101.

  In such a configuration, the ASIC E1102 performs the recording operation control of the recording head 7 and the conveyance control of the recording medium P, and a waveform (unevenness) for preventing cockling on a part of the printed recording medium P ′. The conveyance control for forming is performed.

  For example, when the ASIC E1102 receives a print command event from the external I / F, the ASIC E1102 analyzes the print control information included in the print data from the external I / F, and specifies the type of the designated recording medium P and the paper size. The recording quality, the paper feeding method, and the like are determined, and data representing the determination result is stored in a storage unit in the recording apparatus. Next, the ASIC E1102 forms a motor control signal E1106 and supplies it to the driver reset circuit E1103 in order to start paper feeding by the designated paper feeding method. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording medium P is sent to the recording start position on the recording medium placement surface of the platen 34. At that time, as shown in FIG. 13, the recording medium P is not yet printed, so that the so-called paper floating phenomenon does not occur, and the entire lower surface of the recording medium P is in contact with the upper ends of the ribs 34R of the platen 34. Will be placed.

  Subsequently, the ASIC E1102 reads the data in the reception buffer in which the recording data (print image information) sent from the external I / F is stored, performs various processes on the read data, and performs post-processing. Store the data in the print buffer. At that time, the ASIC E1102 forms a motor control signal E1106 and supplies it to the driver reset circuit E1103 to drive the CR motor E0001 to start the movement of the carriage 50 in the main scanning direction, and is stored in the print buffer. The recorded data is supplied to the recording head 7. Thereby, recording for one line is performed. At that time, data representing the recorded line position is recorded in the storage unit.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11, when the recording operation for one row of recording data is completed, the ASIC E1102 determines whether or not all the recording data to be recorded has been recorded. When remaining, the LF motor 273 is driven and the transport roller 28 is rotated to transport the recording medium P in the sub scanning direction by a predetermined transport amount, and then stopped. That is, the predetermined transport amount is, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, as shown in FIG. 1, while the recorded area of the recording medium P ′ is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 40 and the transport spur 421. In addition, the amount of conveyance is such that the sheet is conveyed toward the downstream side while being pushed between the discharge rollers 40 by each pushing spur 422. Data representing the transport amount, that is, data representing the rotation speed or rotation angle of the transport roller 28 is stored in the storage unit. As a result, a waveform having peaks and valleys at predetermined intervals along the width direction is formed in the recorded area of the recording medium P ′ as shown in FIG. Note that the present invention is not limited to the case where the recording operation for one line of recording data is completed. For example, in the case where the recording operation for recording data for a plurality of lines is completed, A waveform having peaks and valleys at predetermined intervals along the width direction may be formed.

  Subsequently, the ASIC E1102 stops the recording medium P ′ for a predetermined period, for example, about 2 seconds in the state shown in FIG. According to the result of the experiment by the inventor of the present application, it has been verified that even if the printed recording medium P ′ is passed through the pushing spur 422 instantaneously, no corrugated shape is formed on the recording medium P ′. Therefore, a wavy shape can be formed by passing the recording area portion of the recording medium P ′ through the pushing spur 422 for at least 2 seconds.

  Subsequently, after a predetermined stop period has elapsed, the ASIC E1102 determines the position of the recording surface of the recording medium P ′ on the next second line based on the data representing the transport amount in the storage unit and the data representing the recorded line position. A motor control signal E1106 is generated and supplied to the driver reset circuit E1103 in order to reversely rotate the transport roller 28 so as to return to the eye recording start position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the recording start position of the second row on the recording surface of the recording medium P ′ is returned. At that time, as shown in FIG. 15, in the recording medium P ′ returned to a predetermined position on the rib 34R of the platen 34, the formed valley portion PV ′ is between the ribs 34R and the platen 34 is flat. It will be arranged close to the surface. Further, the peak portions PP 'connecting the adjacent valley portions PV' in the recording medium P 'are respectively engaged with the upper ends of the ribs 34R. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, a part of the printed recording medium P ″ is lifted so as to come close to the ejection portion 7 </ b> E side of the recording head 7 from the platen 34 due to swelling by ink or the like. "Cockling phenomenon" will be avoided.

  Then, the ASIC E1102 determines whether or not all of the recording data to be recorded has been recorded, and when the data to be recorded remains, the above operation is repeated, while one page from the external I / F. When the recording of the recording data is completed, the recording operation control is performed on the recording data for the next page in the same manner as described above.

  When there is no data to be recorded, the ASIC E1102 drives the LF motor 273, drives the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41, and discharges the paper until it is determined that the recording medium P ′ is completely sent out from the recording apparatus. Is repeated, the motor control signal E1106 is formed and supplied to the driver reset circuit E1103. As a result, the recording medium P ′ is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 26 when the paper discharge is completed, and is stacked here.

  For example, as described above, the ASIC E1102 is configured by a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit with an arithmetic processing unit, and an example of a program executed by the semiconductor integrated circuit will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. To do.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, after the power is turned on, after starting, the ASIC E1102 performs an initialization process in step S1.

  In this initialization process, an electrical circuit system such as the ROM E1004 of the recording apparatus is checked to confirm whether the recording apparatus can operate normally. It is determined whether the power key E0018 of the recording apparatus main body is turned on. Various drive mechanisms of the recording apparatus and the recording head 7 are checked. That is, when initializing various motors and reading head information, it is confirmed whether the apparatus can operate normally.

  Next, in step S2, the ASIC E1102 takes in various signals and data, proceeds to step S3, performs feeding and conveyance control of the recording medium P, and proceeds to step S4. At that time, the ASIC E1102 analyzes the print control information included in the print data from the external I / F, determines the type of the designated recording medium, the size of the paper, the quality of the recording, the paper feeding method, and the like. Data representing the determination result is stored in a storage unit in the recording apparatus. Further, the ASIC E1102 starts paper feeding by the designated paper feeding method, sends the recording medium to the recording start position, stores data representing the recording start position, and proceeds to step S4.

  In the subsequent step S4, the ASIC E1102 controls the recording operation based on, for example, one line of recording data, and proceeds to step S5 to determine whether or not all the recording data to be recorded has been recorded. Proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the ASIC E1102 determines, for example, whether or not the recording operation has been completed based on the recording data for one line. If the recording operation has been completed, the process proceeds to step S7 where the recording medium P ′ is recorded. The region is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 40 and the conveyance spur 421 and is conveyed toward the downstream side while being pushed between the paper discharge rollers 40 by the pushing spurs 422 as shown in FIG. The conveyance control is performed.

  In the following step S8, the ASIC E1102 activates and stops the timer counter immediately after the predetermined amount of conveyance, stops supplying the motor control signal E1106 for a predetermined period, for example, about 2 seconds, and proceeds to step S9. As a result, the recorded area of the recording medium P ′ is maintained at a predetermined position.

  In subsequent step S9, the ASIC E1102 performs return conveyance control to return the recording surface of the recording medium P ′ to the printing start position of the next line, returns to step S2, and similarly executes the subsequent steps. .

  On the other hand, when the ASIC E1102 determines in step S5 that all of the recording data to be recorded has been recorded, the process proceeds to step S10 and performs conveyance control to convey the printed recording medium P ′ to the paper discharge unit side. ,Return to the original.

  Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent image disturbance due to contact between the ejection unit 7E of the recording head 7 and the recording medium P by changing the recording means without adding new parts.

  In the present invention, if the material of the recording medium can be detected before recording, it is possible to assume the amount of floating due to the recording density with respect to each recording material. It is possible to prevent contact with the recording surface.

  Further, when a laser reflection type paper gap sensor capable of measuring the distance between the recording medium and the carriage 50 is mounted on the carriage 50, it becomes possible to detect the floating of the recording area of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P material, recording Regardless of the density, it is possible to reliably prevent contact between the recording head and the recording medium and perform recording in the shortest time.

  In the example of the present invention, the front end region of the recording medium is described. However, the present invention is not limited to the front end region, and the recording medium floats when the recording medium is nipped by the roller pair of the paper discharge unit. It is valid.

  FIG. 17 schematically shows the configuration of a recording apparatus to which another example of the recording method according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the example shown in FIG. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the same control unit as in the above example is provided.

  In FIG. 17, the recording apparatus sequentially feeds the recording media P loaded and stored one by one to the insolubilization processing unit 126 on the downstream side, and the recording surface of the recording medium P from the paper feeding unit 20. An insolubilization processing unit 126 that preliminarily applies a treatment liquid that insolubilizes the ink dye, a conveyance roller 132 that sequentially conveys a portion of a recording area of a recording medium that has undergone predetermined processing, and a pinch roller 134 A platen 140 disposed between the paper discharge roller 138 and the pinch roller 136 for discharging the printed recording medium P ′, and the conveyance roller 132 and the paper discharge roller 138 and supporting the recording surface from below on the recording medium P. And a pressing plate 1 that presses the recording medium P disposed facing the upper side of the platen 140 slightly upstream from the ejection portion of the recording head 7 toward the platen 140. And 2, a is configured to include as main components.

  The sheet feeding unit 120 includes a sheet feeding roller 124 and a pinch roller 122 that sequentially feed the recording media P loaded and accommodated one by one toward the downstream side. A paper feed roller 124 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction indicated by the arrow is connected to an output shaft of a driving motor (not shown). The pinch roller 122 is provided so as to be rotatable substantially parallel to the paper feed roller 124.

  The insolubilization processing unit 126 stores the transfer roller 130B for applying the processing liquid AL to the back side of the recording surface of the recording medium P, the transfer roller 130A for pressing the recording surface toward the transfer roller 130B, and the processing liquid AL. It includes a driving roller 130D that attaches the processing liquid AL in the processing liquid tank 128 and supplies the processing liquid AL to the transfer roller 130B via the idle roller 130C, and a processing liquid tank 128 that stores the processing liquid AL. Has been.

  A drive roller 130D extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P indicated by the arrow is connected to an output shaft of a drive motor (not shown).

  Further, the transfer rollers 130A and 130B and the idle roller 130C, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other, are respectively supported by the casing of the insolubilization processing unit 126 so as to be rotatable.

  The processing liquid AL is a printability improving liquid as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-281931.

  The treatment liquid AL is not limited to the printability improving liquid, but may be any coating liquid that coats the surface of the recording medium before recording as long as it has an action of swelling the recording medium P.

  In such an insolubilization processing unit 126, when the driving motor is activated in accordance with the conveying operation of the paper feeding unit 120, the processing liquid AL attached to the outer peripheral surface of the driving roller 130D immersed in the processing liquid AL is It is applied to the back side of the recording surface of the recording medium P by the idle roller 130C and the transfer roller 130B. As a result, the processing liquid AL penetrates from the back side of the recording surface of the recording medium P and reaches the recording surface, so that the recording medium P swells.

  A conveyance roller 132 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P indicated by the arrow is connected to a driving motor (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the platen 140 disposed to face the lower side of the recording head 7 includes a plurality of ribs 140RA that support the recording surface of the recording medium P from the lower side at a predetermined mutual interval. 140RB is provided on the upper surface. The rib 140RB is formed at a substantially central portion between the ribs 140RA. The protruding height of the rib 140RB from the flat surface of the platen 140 is set to be smaller than the protruding height of the rib 140RA.

  One end of the pressing plate 142 is supported by a portion where the pinch roller 134 and the transport roller 132 are disposed so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle. Further, the pressing plate 142 is urged toward the plurality of ribs 140RA and 140RB of the platen 140 by urging means (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the holding plate 142 has a plurality of ribs that protrude toward the platen 140 by substantially the same length so as to face each other between the ribs 140RA and 140RB of the platen 140. 142R. Thereby, when a part of the recording medium P is allowed to pass through the conveyance path formed between the platen 140 and the pressing plate 142, a part of the recording medium P is indicated by a broken line in FIG. The plurality of ribs 142R are urged toward the platen 140.

  The paper discharge roller 138 and the pinch roller 136 for discharging the printed recording medium P ′ are arranged so as to be rotatable substantially in parallel to the transport roller 132, and are not shown in the figure by power transmission means such as a timing belt. It is connected to a drive motor for the transport roller 132. As a result, the paper discharge roller 138 and the pinch roller 136 are driven in conjunction with the transport roller 132, so that the printed recording medium P 'is nipped and discharged in cooperation.

  In such a configuration, when the ASIC E1102 performs the recording operation control and the transport control, a control signal is supplied to each drive motor to rotate the paper feed roller 124, the drive roller 130D, and the transport roller 132 in the directions indicated by the arrows. To do. As a result, one sheet of recording medium P is conveyed from the paper feeding unit 120 and passed between the outer peripheral surface of the transfer roller 130A and the outer peripheral surface of the transfer roller 130B. At that time, since the treatment liquid AL is applied to the back side of the recording surface of the recording medium P, the recording medium P is in a state of starting to swell.

  Further, the leading end portion of the recording medium P that has not been printed is sandwiched between the transport roller 132 and the pinch roller 134 and transported to the transport path between the pressing plate 142 and the platen 140. At that time, the leading end portion of the conveyed recording medium P is forcedly formed between the ribs 140RA and 140RB of the platen 140 and the rib 142R of the paper pressing plate 142 while being swollen by the processing liquid AL. Is formed.

  Next, the ASIC E1102 stops the supply of the control signal to stop the conveyance of the recording medium P for a predetermined period, for example, at least about 2 seconds.

  Accordingly, it is possible to give the recording medium P an uneven shape by waiting between the ribs 140RA and 140RB of the platen 140 and the rib 142R of the paper pressing plate 142 for at least 2 seconds.

  Subsequently, after lapse of 2 seconds, the ASIC E1102 receives the leading edge of the recording member P from each sensor so as to transport the recording head 7 to an area scanned by the recording head 7 (row position where an image is formed), that is, a predetermined printing position. Based on the signal, the rotation amount of the transport roller 132 is controlled.

  Subsequently, the ASIC E1102 performs a recording operation control on the recording head 7. Thereby, a predetermined image is formed by ejecting ink onto the recording surface of the recording medium P on which the waveform shape is formed. When image formation data for the next row exists after the image formation for one row is completed, the recording roller P is conveyed by rotating the conveyance roller 132 by an amount corresponding to the P conveyance amount for one row. After that, an image is formed on the recording surface of the recording medium P moved to the position of the next row. At that time, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 19, the recording medium P is formed in a concavo-convex shape in a swollen state, so that the shape is maintained even when recording is performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the paper floating toward the recording head 7 side.

  Then, the recording medium P ′ for which printing for one sheet is completed is sandwiched and discharged by the paper discharge roller 138 and the like.

  In the conventional apparatus, as the recording medium moves away from the mechanism that gives the uneven shape, the force to force the recording medium to become an uneven shape is weakened. Dirt caused by.

  However, in this embodiment, it is possible to maintain the uneven shape even when the end portion of the recording medium is separated from the mechanism portion that provides the uneven shape.

  Since the treatment liquid in this embodiment has the same effect even with the coating liquid, it suppresses the paper floating caused by the swelling of the recording medium, which has occurred in the recording section after the coating liquid is applied in the recording apparatus for applying the conventional coating liquid. Is also possible.

  Further, it is possible to swell the recording medium by spraying steam onto the recording medium as a pretreatment. Further, as in the present embodiment, the swelling means, the concavo-convex shape imparting means, and the recording means are arranged in this order along the recording medium conveyance direction, so that the recording medium is uneven in only one direction of conveyance of the recording medium. Recording can be performed while giving the shape, and as a result, the recording time can be shortened.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an example of a recording apparatus according to the present invention together with a recording medium. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an example of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray are opened in the example shown in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the internal structure in the example shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the internal structure in the example shown by FIG. It is a side view in the example shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control block containing the control unit with which the example shown by FIG. 2 is equipped. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the control unit shown by FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side view showing a part of the portion shown in FIG. 6 in the example shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side view showing a part of the portion shown in FIG. 6 in the example shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side view showing a part of the portion shown in FIG. 6 in the example shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side view showing a part of the portion shown in FIG. 6 in the example shown in FIG. 2. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a figure with which operation | movement description is provided. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a figure with which operation | movement description is provided. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a figure with which operation | movement description is provided. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the program which ASIC shown by FIG. 7 performs. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the structure of the principal part of another example of the recording device which concerns on this invention with a recording medium. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the principal part in the example shown by FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 18, it is a fragmentary sectional view with which operation | movement description is provided.

Explanation of symbols

7 Recording heads 24 and 25 Conveying path 40 Discharge roller 43 Platen 126 Insolubilization processing unit 421 Conveyor spur 422 Pushing spur E1102 ASIC
P Recording medium

Claims (7)

Swelling the recording area of the recording medium with a liquid;
A step of conveying the swollen recording medium along a conveying path, and disposing at least an end of the recording medium in a forming portion provided in the conveying path for forming an uneven shape on at least a part of the recording medium; When,
Transporting the recording medium disposed in the forming unit to a recording unit disposed opposite to the transport path, and performing a recording operation on the recording surface of the recording medium on which the concavo-convex shape is formed by the forming unit;
A recording method comprising: A recording unit disposed opposite to a conveyance path for conveying the recording medium and performing a recording operation on a recording area of the recording medium;
A mechanism portion that is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the portion where the recording unit is provided in the transport path, and forms a concavo-convex shape on the recorded recording medium;
A transport control means for transporting the recording medium recorded by the recording section to the mechanism section and controlling the recording medium to return to a position after recording of the recording medium;
When a predetermined amount is recorded on the recording area of the recording medium by the recording unit, the conveyance control unit is caused to perform an operation of conveying to the mechanism unit, and the recording medium is stopped by the mechanism unit for a predetermined period. And a control unit for performing an operation of returning the recording medium to a position after the recording is performed first,
A recording apparatus comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined period is at least 2 seconds. A swelling means that is arranged opposite to a conveyance path for conveying the recording medium, and swells the recording medium by applying a liquid;
A forming mechanism portion that is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the swelling means and forms a concavo-convex shape with respect to a recording area of a recording medium to which a liquid is applied by the swelling means;
A recording unit that is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the forming mechanism unit, and that performs a recording operation on a recording area of the recording medium on which the uneven shape is formed by the forming mechanism unit;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium having the irregular shape formed by the forming mechanism section to the recording section in accordance with a recording operation;
A control unit that causes the forming mechanism unit to perform an operation of forming a concavo-convex shape on a recording area of the recording medium, and causes the transport unit to perform an operation of stopping the recording medium by the forming mechanism unit for a predetermined period; ,
A recording apparatus comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined period is at least 2 seconds.   The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the swelling means is a coating means for coating the recording medium. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the swelling means is a vapor spraying means for applying a liquid by spraying vapor onto the recording medium.

Images