JP2006150618A - Liquid discharge inspecting device, liquid discharge inspecting method, liquid discharging device, printing device, program, and liquid discharging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the inspection time by efficiently performing a discharge inspection for a liquid discharging section. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid discharge inspecting device is equipped with (A) a first inspection section and (B) a second inspection section. In this case, the first inspection section faces either one of liquid discharging sections from among a plurality of the liquid discharging sections being an inspection object which are provided with an interval to each other in a specified direction on a head which is movable in the specified direction. The first inspection section is used to inspect whether the discharge of a liquid is normally performed or not regarding the facing liquid discharging section. The second inspection section faces either one of the liquid discharging sections from among a plurality of the liquid discharging sections, and is used to inspect whether the discharge of the liquid is normally performed or not regarding the facing liquid discharging section. The second inspection section is installed in the specified direction with an interval to the first inspection section, and the interval corresponds to an interval between specified two liquid discharging sections from among a plurality of the liquid discharging sections. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection inspection apparatus, a liquid ejection inspection method, a liquid ejection apparatus, a printing apparatus, a program, and a liquid ejection system that inspect whether or not liquid ejection from a nozzle is normally performed.

Inkjet printers are known as printing apparatuses that perform printing by discharging ink onto various media such as paper, cloth, and film. This ink jet printer is provided with nozzle rows of each color such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) on a head that can move relative to the medium. Printing is performed by ejecting ink from the nozzles to form dots on the medium.
However, in such an ink jet printer, the nozzles may be clogged due to ink sticking or the like, and the ink may not be ejected normally. If the ink is not normally ejected from the nozzles, there may be a problem that dots cannot be formed properly on the medium and the image cannot be printed neatly.

Therefore, conventionally, various methods for inspecting whether ink is normally ejected have been proposed. As one of them, an inspection method in which ink ejected from a nozzle is optically detected has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In this inspection method, whether or not the beam emitted from the LED is blocked by the ink ejected from the nozzle is detected by a photodiode, and whether or not the ink is ejected from the nozzle is examined.
JP 2000-233520 A

  However, in the conventional discharge inspection, a method of performing discharge inspection for each of a plurality of nozzle rows provided on the head while moving the head relative to the inspection apparatus is adopted. It was. As described above, in the method of performing ejection inspection for each row, the head must be moved each time the inspection target is switched from one nozzle row to another. For this reason, in addition to the time required to move the head, it takes time to align each nozzle array provided in the head with the inspection device, and thus a considerable amount of time is required to perform the discharge inspection. It was necessary. When performing such a discharge inspection, it is desirable to minimize the movement of the head.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently perform a discharge inspection of a liquid discharge portion that discharges a liquid such as ink and achieve a reduction in inspection time. is there.

The main invention for achieving the object is as follows:
(A) Any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units to be inspected provided on the head movable along the predetermined direction and spaced from each other along the predetermined direction. Oppositely, a first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid ejection is normally performed with respect to the opposed liquid ejection unit,
(B) A second for inspecting whether any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting sections faces the liquid ejecting section and the liquid ejecting section facing the liquid ejecting section is normally performed. An inspection unit, which is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit, and the interval corresponds to an interval between predetermined two liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. A second inspection unit,
A liquid discharge inspection apparatus including (C).

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

(A) Any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units to be inspected provided on the head movable along the predetermined direction and spaced from each other along the predetermined direction. Oppositely, a first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid ejection is normally performed with respect to the opposed liquid ejection unit,
(B) A second for inspecting whether any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting sections faces the liquid ejecting section and the liquid ejecting section facing the liquid ejecting section is normally performed. An inspection unit, which is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit, and the interval corresponds to an interval between predetermined two liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. A second inspection unit,
A liquid discharge inspection apparatus comprising (C).

  In such a liquid ejection inspection apparatus, the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit that inspect the plurality of liquid ejection units provided in the head are spaced apart from each other along the moving direction of the head. The two liquid ejection units are inspected by the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit because the interval corresponds to the interval between two predetermined liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. It can be performed. Thereby, the inspection of the liquid ejection part can be performed efficiently.

  In such a liquid ejection inspection apparatus, the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit may perform inspection when the head stops at a predetermined position. Thus, if the inspection is performed when the head stops at a predetermined position, the inspection can be performed smoothly.

  In the liquid discharge inspection apparatus, there are a plurality of the predetermined positions, and the head may move along the predetermined direction in order to change the predetermined positions. As described above, when there are a plurality of predetermined positions and the head moves along a predetermined direction in order to change the predetermined position, the plurality of liquid ejection units can be inspected smoothly.

  In the liquid discharge inspection apparatus, even if at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not the liquid discharge unit has liquid discharge. good. As described above, if at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not the liquid ejection unit is ejecting the liquid, it is possible to smoothly check whether or not the liquid is ejected. .

  In the liquid discharge inspection apparatus, at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not the liquid discharge direction of the liquid discharge unit is normal. Also good. As described above, when at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not the liquid discharge direction is normal for the liquid discharge unit, the liquid discharge direction can be smoothly checked. .

  In the liquid discharge inspection apparatus, the plurality of liquid discharge units may be configured by a plurality of nozzles that discharge the liquid, respectively. Thus, even if each of the plurality of liquid ejection units is configured by a plurality of nozzles, the inspection can be performed efficiently and smoothly.

  In the liquid discharge inspection apparatus, the first inspection unit performs inspection for the liquid discharge unit, and the second inspection unit performs inspection for the liquid discharge unit. The target nozzle may be different. As described above, when the inspection is performed with respect to the liquid ejection unit including the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit, the inspection can be performed efficiently and smoothly when the nozzles to be inspected are different.

  Further, in such a liquid discharge inspection apparatus, is any one of the plurality of liquid discharge units opposed to any one of the liquid discharge units, and is the liquid discharge normally performed on the opposed liquid discharge unit? One or a plurality of third inspection units that inspect whether or not may be provided. If one or a plurality of such third inspection units are provided, the inspection of the plurality of liquid ejection units can be performed more efficiently and smoothly.

  In the liquid discharge inspection apparatus, the third inspection unit is installed with an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit or the second inspection unit. You may respond | correspond to the space | interval of the predetermined two liquid discharge part among several liquid discharge parts. As described above, the third inspection unit is installed with a gap in a predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit or the second inspection unit, and the interval is set between two predetermined liquid ejections among the plurality of liquid ejection units. If it corresponds to the interval of the parts, the inspection can be carried out more efficiently and smoothly.

  In the liquid discharge inspection apparatus, the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of liquid discharge units may be ink. As described above, when the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting unit is ink, it is possible to efficiently and smoothly inspect the nozzles that eject ink.

(A) Any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units to be inspected provided on the head movable along the predetermined direction and spaced from each other along the predetermined direction. Oppositely, a first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid ejection is normally performed with respect to the opposed liquid ejection unit,
(B) A second for inspecting whether any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting sections faces the liquid ejecting section and the liquid ejecting section facing the liquid ejecting section is normally performed. An inspection unit, which is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit, and the interval corresponds to an interval between predetermined two liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. A second inspection unit,
(C)
(D) The first inspection unit and the second inspection unit perform an inspection when the head stops at a predetermined position;
(E) there are a plurality of the predetermined positions, and the head moves along the predetermined direction to change the predetermined positions;
(F) At least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit;
(G) At least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not the liquid ejection direction is normal for the liquid ejection unit,
(H) Each of the plurality of liquid ejection units includes a plurality of nozzles that eject the liquid,
(I) The nozzle to be inspected is different between the case where the first inspection unit performs an inspection on a liquid ejection unit and the case where the second inspection unit performs the inspection on the certain liquid ejection unit,
(J) One or more inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed for the liquid discharge unit opposed to any one of the plurality of liquid discharge units. A third inspection unit,
(K) The third inspection unit is installed with an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit or the second inspection unit, and the interval is a predetermined one of the plurality of liquid ejection units. Corresponding to the interval between the two liquid ejection parts,
(L) The liquid ejected from each of the plurality of liquid ejection units is ink.
A liquid discharge inspection apparatus.

With respect to a plurality of liquid ejection units provided on a head movable along a predetermined direction and spaced apart from each other along the predetermined direction, the liquid is moved while moving the head along the predetermined direction. When checking whether or not the discharge is performed normally,
A first inspection unit that is opposed to any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units and inspects the opposed liquid ejection unit;
The liquid ejecting unit that is opposed to any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting units is inspected with respect to the facing liquid ejecting unit, and is spaced from the first inspecting unit in the predetermined direction. The liquid ejection is characterized in that the liquid ejection is performed by a second inspection unit that is installed and whose interval corresponds to the interval between two predetermined liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. Inspection method.

(A) a head movable along a predetermined direction;
(B) a plurality of liquid ejection portions provided on the head at intervals along the predetermined direction;
(C) A first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed on the liquid discharge unit facing any one of the plurality of liquid discharge units. When,
(D) A second inspecting unit for inspecting whether or not the liquid ejecting unit is normally ejected in opposition to any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting units. And it installs in the said predetermined direction at intervals with respect to the said 1st test | inspection part, and the space | interval respond | corresponds to the space | interval of two predetermined liquid discharge parts among these liquid discharge parts. A second inspection unit;
A liquid discharge apparatus comprising (E).

(A) a head movable along a predetermined direction;
(B) a plurality of ink ejection units provided on the head at intervals from each other along the predetermined direction;
(C) A first inspecting unit for inspecting whether or not ink is normally ejected from the ink ejecting unit opposite to any one of the plurality of ink ejecting units. When,
(D) A second inspection unit for inspecting whether any one of the plurality of ink discharge units is opposed to any one of the plurality of ink discharge units and whether or not ink is normally discharged from the ink discharge unit. In the first inspection unit, the first inspection unit is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction, and the interval corresponds to an interval between two predetermined ink ejection units among the plurality of ink ejection units. A second inspection unit;
A printing apparatus comprising (E).

When a head movable along a predetermined direction stops at a predetermined position, one of a plurality of liquid ejection units provided on the head at intervals from each other along the predetermined direction A step of inspecting whether or not the liquid ejection is normal for the one liquid ejection unit by a first inspection unit facing the liquid ejection unit;
When the head stops at the predetermined position, whether or not the liquid ejection is normal for the other liquid ejection unit by the second inspection unit facing the other liquid ejection unit among the plurality of liquid ejection units. A step of checking
A program characterized by executing

A liquid ejection system comprising a computer and a liquid ejection device communicable with the computer,
The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head movable along a predetermined direction;
A plurality of liquid ejection portions provided on the head at intervals along the predetermined direction;
A first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed on the liquid discharge unit opposite to any one of the plurality of liquid discharge units;
A second inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed for the liquid discharge unit facing one liquid discharge unit of the plurality of liquid discharge units. The second inspection in which the first inspection unit is installed with an interval in the predetermined direction, and the interval corresponds to the interval between two predetermined liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. And
A liquid ejection system comprising:

=== Overview of Liquid Ejecting Device (Printing Device) ===
Embodiments of a liquid ejection apparatus and a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described using an inkjet printer 1 as an example. 1 to 4 show the ink jet printer 1. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the inkjet printer 1. FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the inkjet printer 1. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the transport section of the inkjet printer 1. FIG. 4 shows the system configuration of the inkjet printer 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 1 has a structure for discharging a medium such as printing paper supplied from the back side from the front side, and an operation panel 2 and a paper discharge unit 3 are provided on the front side. The paper feeding unit 4 is provided on the back side. Various operation buttons 5 and display lamps 6 are provided on the operation panel 2. The paper discharge unit 3 is provided with a paper discharge tray 7 that closes the paper discharge port when not in use. The paper feed unit 4 is provided with a paper feed tray 8 for holding a medium such as cut paper.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 1 has a structure for discharging a medium such as printing paper supplied from the back side from the front side, and an operation panel 2 and a paper discharge unit 3 are provided on the front side. The paper feeding unit 4 is provided on the back side. Various operation buttons 5 and display lamps 6 are provided on the operation panel 2. The paper discharge unit 3 is provided with a paper discharge tray 7 that closes the paper discharge port when not in use. The paper feed unit 4 is provided with a paper feed tray 8 for holding a medium such as cut paper.

  Inside the ink jet printer 1, a carriage 41 is provided as shown in FIG. The carriage 41 is provided to be relatively movable along the left-right direction. Around the carriage 41, a carriage motor 42, a pulley 44, a timing belt 45, and a guide rail 46 are provided. The carriage motor 42 is constituted by a DC motor or the like, and is a drive source for relatively moving the carriage 41 in the left-right direction (hereinafter also referred to as the carriage movement direction). The timing belt 45 is connected to the carriage motor 42 via the pulley 44, and a part of the timing belt 45 is connected to the carriage 41. The carriage 41 is moved relative to the carriage 41 in the carriage movement direction (left-right direction) by the rotation of the carriage motor 42. Move. The guide rail 46 guides the carriage 41 along the carriage movement direction (left-right direction).

  In addition, in the periphery of the carriage 41, a linear encoder 51 that detects the position of the carriage 41 and a direction in which the medium S intersects the moving direction of the carriage 41 (the front-rear direction in the figure, hereinafter also referred to as the transport direction). A transport roller 17A for transporting along the transport path 17 and a transport motor 15 for rotationally driving the transport roller 17A are provided.

  On the other hand, the carriage 41 is provided with an ink cartridge 48 that stores various inks, and a head 21 that performs printing on the medium S. The ink cartridge 48 contains, for example, each color ink such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), and is detachable from a cartridge mounting portion 49 provided on the carriage 41. It is attached to. In the present embodiment, the head 21 performs printing by ejecting ink onto the medium S. For this purpose, the head 21 is provided with a number of nozzles for ejecting ink.

  In addition to this, in the inkjet printer 1, printing is performed in order to prevent clogging of the nozzles of the head 21 and the pump device 31 that sucks out ink from the nozzles in order to eliminate clogging of the nozzles of the head 21. A capping device 35 that seals the nozzles of the head 21 when not in use (such as during standby) is provided.

  Next, the conveyance unit of the inkjet printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport unit includes a paper feed roller 13, a paper detection sensor 53, a transport roller 17A, a paper discharge roller 17B, a platen 14, and free rollers 18A and 18B. Yes.

  The medium S to be printed is set in the paper feed tray 8. The medium S set in the paper feed tray 8 is conveyed along the direction of arrow A in the drawing by the paper feed roller 13 having a substantially D-shaped cross section, and is sent into the ink jet printer 1. The medium S sent to the inside of the ink jet printer 1 comes into contact with the paper detection sensor 53. The paper detection sensor 53 is installed between the paper feed roller 13 and the transport roller 17A, and detects the medium S fed by the paper feed roller 13.

  The medium S detected by the paper detection sensor 53 is sequentially transported to the platen 14 on which printing is performed by the transport roller 17A. A free roller 18A is provided at a position facing the conveying roller 17A. The medium S is smoothly transported by sandwiching the medium S between the free roller 18A and the transport roller 17A.

  The medium S sent to the platen 14 is sequentially printed by the ink ejected from the head 21. The platen 14 is provided to face the head 21 and supports the medium S to be printed from below.

  The medium S on which printing has been performed is sequentially discharged out of the printer by the paper discharge roller 17B. The paper discharge roller 17B is driven in synchronism with the transport motor 15, and sandwiches the medium S with the free roller 18B provided facing the paper discharge roller 17B, and discharges the medium S to the outside of the printer. To do.

<System configuration>
Next, the system configuration of the inkjet printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the inkjet printer 1 includes a buffer memory 122, an image buffer 124, a controller 126, a main memory 127, a communication interface 129, a carriage motor control unit 128, a transport control unit 130, A head driving unit 132.

  The communication interface 129 is used when the inkjet printer 1 exchanges data with an external computer 140 such as a personal computer. The communication interface 129 is communicably connected to the external computer 140 by wire or wireless, and receives various data such as print data transmitted from the computer 140.

  Various data such as print data received by the communication interface 129 are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 122. Further, the image buffer 124 sequentially stores print data stored in the buffer memory. The print data stored in the image buffer 124 is sequentially sent to the head driving unit 132. The main memory 127 is composed of ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and the like. The main memory 127 stores various programs for controlling the inkjet printer 1 and various setting data.

  The controller 126 reads a control program, each setting data, and the like from the main memory 127, and controls the entire inkjet printer 1 according to the control program and various setting data. The controller 126 receives detection signals from various sensors such as the rotary encoder 134, the linear encoder 51, and the paper detection sensor 53.

  When various data such as print data sent from the external computer 140 is received by the communication interface 129 and stored in the buffer memory 122, the controller 126 stores necessary information from the stored data in the buffer memory. Read from 122. Based on the read information, the controller 126 refers to the output from the linear encoder 51 and the rotary encoder 134 and controls the carriage motor control unit 128, the conveyance control unit 130, the head drive unit 132, and the like according to the control program. Control each one.

  The carriage motor control unit 128 drives and controls the rotation direction, the number of rotations, torque, and the like of the carriage motor 42 according to instructions from the controller 126. The conveyance control unit 130 controls driving of the conveyance motor 15 that rotationally drives the conveyance roller 17 </ b> A according to a command from the controller 126.

  The head drive unit 132 drives and controls the nozzles of each color provided in the head 21 based on the print data stored in the image buffer 124 in accordance with a command from the controller 126.

  In addition, the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 80 and an A / D conversion unit 88 as a configuration of the liquid ejection inspection device 60. The liquid discharge inspection device 60 is a device for inspecting whether ink is normally discharged from each nozzle provided in the head 21. The liquid ejection inspection device 60 will be described in detail later.

<Head>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the ink nozzles provided on the lower surface of the head 21. On the lower surface of the head 21, as shown in the figure, nozzles comprising a plurality of nozzles # 1 to # 180 for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). A cyan nozzle row 211C, a magenta nozzle row 211M, a yellow nozzle row 211Y, and a black nozzle row 211K are provided. The cyan nozzle row 211C, the magenta nozzle row 211M, the yellow nozzle row 211Y, and the black nozzle row 211K each correspond to a “liquid ejection unit”.

  The nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K are arranged in a line in a straight line at intervals from each other along a predetermined direction (here, the transport direction of the medium S). ing. The interval between the nozzles # 1 to # 180 (nozzle interval) is set to “k · D”. Here, “D” is a minimum dot pitch in the transport direction (that is, an interval at a maximum resolution of dots formed on the medium S). “K” is an integer of 1 or more. For example, when the nozzle pitch is 120 dpi (1/120 inch) and the dot pitch in the transport direction is 360 dpi (1/360), k = 3. The nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance D1 along the moving direction (scanning direction) of the head 21. Each nozzle # 1 to # 180 is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for ejecting ink droplets.

  The nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K are arranged in a straight line along a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, when the head is normally installed, the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K are arranged along the transport direction of the medium S. It has become. The nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K are arranged in parallel with a space therebetween along the moving direction (scanning direction) of the head 21. Each nozzle # 1 to # 180 is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for ejecting ink droplets.

  When a voltage having a predetermined time width is applied between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element expands according to the voltage application time and deforms the side wall of the ink flow path. As a result, the volume of the ink flow path contracts in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the piezo element, and the ink corresponding to this contraction becomes ink droplets, and each nozzle # 1 of each color nozzle row 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K. It is discharged from ~ # 180.

<Drive circuit>
FIG. 6 shows the drive circuit 220 for each of the nozzles # 1 to # 180. The drive circuit 220 includes an original drive signal generator 221 and a plurality of mask circuits 222 as shown in FIG. The original drive signal generator 221 generates an original drive signal ODRV that is used in common by the nozzles # 1 to # 180. The original drive signal ODRV is divided into two pulses, a first pulse W1 and a second pulse W2, within the main scanning period for one pixel (within the time during which the carriage 41 crosses one pixel interval), as shown in the lower part of the figure. A signal including a pulse. The original drive signal ODRV generated by the original drive signal generator 221 is output to each mask circuit 222.

  The mask circuit 222 is provided corresponding to a plurality of piezo elements that drive the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the head 21, respectively. Each mask circuit 222 receives the original drive signal ODRV from the original drive signal generator 221 and the print signal PRT (i). The print signal PRT (i) is pixel data corresponding to a pixel, and is a binary signal having 2-bit information for one pixel. Each bit corresponds to the first pulse W1 and the second pulse W2, respectively. The mask circuit 222 is a gate for blocking or passing the original drive signal ODRV in accordance with the level of the print signal PRT (i). That is, when the print signal PRT (i) is at level “0”, the pulse of the original drive signal ODRV is cut off, while when the print signal PRT (i) is at level “1”, the corresponding pulse of the original drive signal ODRV is output. It passes as it is and is output as an actual drive signal DRV toward the piezoelectric elements of the nozzles # 1 to # 180. The piezo elements of the nozzles # 1 to # 180 are driven based on the actual drive signal DRV from the mask circuit 222 to discharge ink.

<Each signal waveform>
FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the original drive signal ODRV, the print signal PRT (i), and the actual drive signal DRV (i) showing the operation of the original drive signal generator 221. As shown in the figure, the original drive signal ODRV sequentially generates a first pulse W1 and a second pulse W2 in each pixel section T1, T2, T3, T4. Note that the pixel section has the same meaning as the movement section of the carriage 41 for one pixel.

  Here, when the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit pixel data “10”, only the first pulse W1 is output in the first half of one pixel section. Thereby, small ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, and a small dot (small dot) is formed on the medium S. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to 2-bit pixel data “01”, only the second pulse W2 is output in the second half of one pixel interval. As a result, medium size ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, and medium size dots (medium dots) are formed on the medium S. When the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit pixel data “11”, the first pulse W1 and the second pulse W2 are output in one pixel section. As a result, large-sized ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, and a large-sized dot (large dot) is formed on the medium S. As described above, the actual drive signal DRV (i) in one pixel section is shaped to have three different waveforms according to three different values of the print signal PRT (i), and is based on these signals. The head 21 can form dots of three types of sizes and can adjust the amount of ink ejected in the pixel section. Further, when the print signal PRT (i) corresponds to the 2-bit pixel data “00” as in the pixel section T4, ink droplets are not ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, and the medium S Dots are not formed.

  In the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment, such a drive circuit 220 for the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is provided for each of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan. (C) and black (K) are provided individually for each color, and the piezo elements are driven individually for each nozzle # 1 to 180 of each nozzle row 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K. Yes.

=== Printing operation ===
Next, the printing operation of the above-described ink jet printer 1 will be described. Here, “bidirectional printing” will be described as an example. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the printing operation of the inkjet printer 1. Each process described below is executed by the controller 126 reading a program from the main memory 127 and controlling the carriage motor control unit 128, the conveyance control unit 130, the head driving unit 132, and the like according to the program. The

  Upon receiving print data from the computer 140, the controller 126 first performs a paper feed process to execute printing based on the print data (S102). The paper feed process is a process of supplying the medium S to be printed into the ink jet printer 1 and transporting it to a print start position (also referred to as a cue position). The controller 126 rotates the paper feed roller 13 to send the medium S to be printed to the transport roller 17A. The controller 126 rotates the transport roller 17A to position the medium S sent from the paper feed roller 13 at the print start position (near the upper side of the platen 14).

  Next, the controller 126 drives the carriage motor 42 through the carriage motor control unit 128 and moves the carriage 41 relative to the medium S to execute a printing process for printing on the medium S. Here, first, forward printing is performed to eject ink from the head 21 while moving the carriage 41 in one direction along the guide rail 46 (S104). The controller 126 drives the carriage motor 42 to move the carriage 41 and drives the head 21 based on the print data to eject ink. The ink ejected from the head 21 reaches the medium S and is formed as dots.

  After printing in this way, the controller 126 next executes a transport process for transporting the medium S by a predetermined amount (S106). Here, the controller 126 drives the conveyance motor 15 through the conveyance control unit 130 to rotate the conveyance roller 17A, and conveys the medium S by a predetermined amount relative to the head 21 in the conveyance direction. By this carrying process, the head 21 can print in an area different from the previously printed area.

  After performing the carrying process in this manner, the controller 126 determines whether or not to discharge paper (S108). Here, if there is no other data to be printed on the medium S being printed, the controller 126 executes a paper discharge process (S116). On the other hand, if there is other data to be printed on the medium S being printed, the controller 126 performs the backward printing without performing the paper discharge process (S110). In this backward printing, printing is performed by moving the carriage 41 along the guide rail 46 in the direction opposite to the previous forward printing. Again, the controller 126 rotates the carriage motor 42 through the carriage motor control unit 128 to move the carriage 41 in the reverse direction, and also drives the head 21 based on the print data to eject ink and print. Apply.

  After performing the return pass printing, a carrying process is executed (S112), and then a paper discharge determination is made (S114). Here, if there is other data to be printed on the medium S being printed, the paper discharge process is not performed, the process returns to step S104, and the forward printing is executed again (S104). On the other hand, if there is no other data to be printed on the medium S being printed, a paper discharge process is executed (S116).

  After the paper discharge process is performed, next, a print end determination is performed to determine whether or not to end printing (S118). Here, based on the print data from the computer 140, it is checked whether there is a medium S to be printed next. If there is a medium S to be printed next, the process returns to step S102, the paper feed process is executed again, and printing is started. On the other hand, if there is no medium S to be printed next, the printing process is terminated.

=== Liquid ejection inspection apparatus ===
An embodiment of a liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Here, the case where the liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to the present invention is mounted on the above-described inkjet printer 1 (liquid discharge apparatus, printing apparatus) will be described as an example.

<Outline of inspection device>
9 and 10 schematically illustrate the liquid discharge inspection apparatus 60 mounted on the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment and the inspection method thereof. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the liquid ejection inspection apparatus 60. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the inspection principle of the liquid ejection inspection apparatus 60.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid ejection inspection apparatus 60 includes a detection member 70 disposed at a position that can face the head 21, and a detection unit 80 connected to the detection member 70. The detection member 70 is formed of a conductive wire such as metal, and is arranged in parallel to the head 21 in a tensioned state. When the carriage 41 moves, the detection member 70 is disposed so as to face the head 21 in a non-contact state with a gap D2 between the head 21 and the detection member 70. The distance D2 between the head 21 and the detection member 70 is set to 1 mm, for example.

  Further, a power source (not shown) is connected to the detection member 70 via a protective resistor R1. For example, a high voltage such as +100 V (volts) is applied to the detection member 70 from this power source.

  On the other hand, the detection unit 80 detects a current generated in the detection member 70. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 80 includes a detection circuit including a capacitor C, an input resistor R2, a feedback resistor R3, and an operational amplifier Amp. The capacitor C plays a role of inputting the current fluctuation as an electric signal to the operational amplifier Amp via the input resistor R2 when the current fluctuation occurs in the detection member 70. The operational amplifier Amp serves as an amplifier circuit that amplifies and outputs a signal input through the capacitor C. An output signal from the operational amplifier Amp is A / D converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an A / D converter 88 (see FIG. 4), and transmitted as digital data to the controller 126 in an appropriate form. The

  Actually, when performing an ejection test, an operation of ejecting ink individually from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the head 21 toward the detection member 70 or the vicinity thereof is executed. FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which ink is ejected from the nozzle with the head 21 toward the vicinity of the detection member 70. Here, the ink droplets Ip are ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the head 21 only once, that is, one droplet.

  At this time, a very high voltage such as 100 V (volts) is applied to the detection member 70 by a supply voltage from the power source. For this reason, a very strong electric field is formed between the head 21 and the detection member 70. In such a state, when the ink droplet Ip is ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, the ejected ink droplet Ip is charged.

  The charged ink droplet Ip discharged from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 passes in the vicinity of the detection member 70. When the charged ink droplet Ip passes near the detection member 70, an induced current is generated in the detection member 70. When the charged ink droplet Ip approaches the detection member 70, an induced current is generated in the detection member 70 along a predetermined direction. This induced current is considered to have been generated under the influence of electrostatic induction due to the approach of the charged ink droplet Ip.

  At this time, an induced current having a magnitude corresponding to the distance M between the detection member 70 and the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is generated in the detection member 70. That is, if the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is close to the detection member 70, the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70 increases. Further, when the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is separated from the detection member 70, the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70 is reduced.

  Thus, when an induced current corresponding to the distance between the detection member 70 and the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is generated in the detection member 70, the current input to the detection unit 80 varies, This current variation is input as an electric signal to the operational amplifier Amp via the input resistor R2. The signal input to the operational amplifier Amp is amplified and output as a detection signal toward the controller 126 and the like. Thereby, when an induced current is generated in the detection member 70, this is detected by the detection unit 80, and the detection signal is converted from an analog signal to digital data or the like through the A / D conversion unit 88 (see FIG. 4). Output to the controller 126.

  On the other hand, when the ink droplet Ip is not ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, the charged ink droplet Ip does not pass through the vicinity of the detection member 70, so that a sufficient induced current is not generated in the detection member 70. . For this reason, the detection unit 80 does not output a sufficient detection signal.

  The controller 126 acquires the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70 from the signal level of the detection signal output from the detection unit 80, and from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 based on the magnitude of the induced current. It is determined whether or not the ink droplet Ip has been ejected. Further, the controller 126 determines whether or not the distance M between the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip and the detection member 70 is within a predetermined distance based on the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70. . Thereby, the controller 126 determines whether or not the ejection direction of the ink droplets Ip from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is normal.

  That is, the controller 126 determines that the distance M between the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip and the detection member 70 is within the predetermined distance if the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70 is within the predetermined range. Therefore, it is determined that the ejection direction of the ink droplets Ip from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is normal. Further, the controller 126 determines that the distance M between the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip and the detection member 70 is outside the predetermined distance if the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70 is out of the predetermined range. It is determined that the ejection direction of the ink droplets Ip from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is not normal.

  In this way, the controller 126 determines whether or not the ink droplet Ip has been ejected, determines whether or not the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip is normal, and the like, so that the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180. It is determined whether or not the discharge of Ip is normally performed. In addition, the controller 126 may acquire the generation timing of the induced current in the detection member 70 and determine whether or not the ejection speed of the ink droplets Ip from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is normal.

  Note that it is preferable that the size of the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 during ejection inspection is as large as possible. That is, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the size is set to be approximately equal to the ink droplet Ip ejected to form the largest dot, for example, a large dot (“11”) on the medium S. Is preferred. This is because the larger the size of the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, the larger the amount of charge charged by the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180. As described above, when the charge amount of the ink droplet Ip is increased, an induced current can be more easily generated in the detection member 70. Thereby, in the detection part 80, the induced current of the detection member 70 can be more easily detected.

  Of course, it is not always necessary to set the size of the ink droplet Ip ejected during the ejection inspection to the size when forming the largest dot (large dot or the like), and the ink having a particularly large size only during the ejection inspection. The droplet Ip may be ejected, or a small ink droplet Ip may be ejected.

  Further, the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 are not necessarily ejected toward the vicinity of the detection member 70, and may be ejected so as to come into contact with the detection member 70. Also in this case, since the induced current is generated in the detection member 70 when the ink droplet Ip approaches the detection member 70, it is possible to check whether or not the ink droplet Ip has been ejected.

  Further, the number of ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is not necessarily one. That is, the ink droplets Ip may be continuously ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 a plurality of times. If the ink droplets Ip are continuously ejected a plurality of times in this way, the number of ink droplets Ip that pass in the vicinity of the detection member 70 increases, thereby making it easier to generate an induced current in the detection member 70. Can do. Therefore, the detection of the induced current in the detection unit 80 can be facilitated.

=== Actual detected waveform ===
FIG. 11 shows waveforms of drive signals output to the piezoelectric elements provided corresponding to the nozzles # 1 to # 180 and detection signals from the detection unit 80 in order to discharge ink during the discharge inspection. Is shown respectively. The upper waveform in the figure shows the waveform of the drive signal, and the lower waveform in the figure shows the waveform of the detection signal of the detection unit 80. When a discharge inspection is performed for a certain nozzle, a driving pulse Wa for discharging an ink droplet once, that is, one droplet is applied to a piezo element provided in a nozzle to be inspected as a driving signal, as shown in FIG. Is entered as

  On the other hand, when ink is normally ejected from the nozzle to be inspected by such a drive signal, an induced current is generated in the detection member 70 by the ink droplet Ip ejected from the nozzle to be inspected. When the induced current is detected by the detection unit 80, the detection unit 80 outputs a pulse Wb having a waveform that swings up and down as shown in FIG. After the ink droplet Ip is ejected from the nozzle to be inspected, it takes a certain time until the induced current is generated, and there is a slight time difference until the generated induced current is detected and output by the detection unit 80. For this reason, the pulse of the detection signal output from the detection unit 80 is delayed in rising compared to the drive pulse of the drive signal.

  On the other hand, when ink is not normally ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, no induced current is generated in the detection member 70. For this reason, the pulse Wb having a waveform as shown in the figure does not appear clearly in the detection signal of the detection unit 80.

  Note that the discharge inspection can be continuously performed for a plurality of nozzles. At this time, as shown in the figure, the drive signal has a form in which a drive pulse Wa for ejecting the ink droplet Ip to be inspected once (one droplet) is repeatedly output at a predetermined cycle T. Further, the detection signal of the detection unit 80 corresponds to this drive signal, and if the ink is normally ejected from each of the nozzles # 1 to # 180, the pulse Wb is generated at a predetermined cycle T as shown in FIG. It will be formed. Here, the predetermined period T is appropriately set based on the time from when the drive pulse Wa is output to the nozzles # 1 to # 180 to be inspected until the pulse Wb appears in the detection signal of the detection unit 80. It is good to set to. By individually checking the detection signal from the detection unit 80 for each period T, the nozzles # 1 to # 180 can be individually inspected.

=== Judgment of presence / absence of ejection ===
FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a method in which the controller 126 determines whether or not the ink droplets Ip are ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180. Here, the controller 126 compares the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70, that is, the signal level of the detection signal output from the detection unit 80, with the predetermined reference value V 0, and outputs from the detection unit 80. It is checked whether the signal level of the detected signal has reached a predetermined reference value V0. The controller 126 sequentially compares the signal level of the detection signal output from the detection unit 80 with the predetermined reference value V0.

  When ink droplets Ip are ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 and an induced current is generated in the detection member 70, a pulse Wb is generated in the detection signal from the detection unit 80 as shown in FIG. Signal level rises and reaches a predetermined reference value V0. As described above, when the signal level of the detection signal reaches the predetermined reference value V0, the controller 126 determines that an induction current having a sufficiently large magnitude is generated in the detection member 70, and the ink level of the nozzle is determined. It is determined that there is a discharge.

  On the other hand, when the ink droplets Ip are not ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, no induced current is generated in the detection member 70, and therefore no pulse Wb is generated in the detection signal from the detection unit 80. Thereby, the signal level of the detection signal from the detection unit 80 does not increase and does not reach the predetermined reference value V0. From this, the controller 126 determines that no sufficiently large induced current is generated in the detection member 70, and determines that the ink droplet Ip is not ejected from the nozzle.

  In this way, the controller 126 checks whether or not ink droplets have been ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, based on the detection signal output from the detection unit 80.

  Here, the predetermined reference value V0 is set to an appropriate value so that no error occurs in the ejection inspection. Information about the predetermined reference value V0 is stored as data in an appropriate storage unit such as a memory such as the main memory 127. When comparing the magnitude of the detection signal with the predetermined reference value V0, the controller 126 acquires information related to the predetermined reference value V0 from an appropriate storage unit such as the main memory 127.

=== Determination of ejection direction ===
Next, an example of a method for inspecting whether or not the ejection direction of the ink droplets Ip from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is normal will be described. Here, the controller 126 also determines whether or not the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip is normal. The controller 126 makes a determination based on the detection signal output from the detection unit 80.

  FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the inspection method. In this inspection, the peak value Vmax is acquired from the waveform Wb of the detection signal obtained from the detection unit 80. Then, it is checked whether or not the acquired peak value Vmax is within a predetermined allowable range. That is, since the acquired peak value Vmax varies according to the distance M between the detection member 70 and the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip, if the peak value Vmax is acquired, the flight of the detection member 70 and the ink droplet Ip. The distance M to the path F can be known, and thereby, it can be checked whether there is an abnormality in the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip ejected from the nozzle.

  Here, the predetermined allowable range is set between the allowable minimum value V1 and the allowable maximum value V2. The allowable minimum value V1 is a lower limit value of the peak value Vmax, and defines an upper limit of the distance M between the detection member 70 and the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip. The allowable maximum value V2 is an upper limit value of the peak value Vmax and defines a lower limit of the distance M between the detection member 70 and the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip. The allowable minimum value V1 and the allowable maximum value V2 are set with a predetermined allowable width with respect to the reference distance between the standard path that the ink droplet Ip should originally fly and the detection member 70. Accordingly, when the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is greatly deviated from the standard path and is too close to the detection member 70, the peak value Vmax of the detection signal from the detection unit 80 exceeds the allowable maximum value V2, and thus the ink droplet It can be determined that the discharge direction of Ip is not normal. Further, when the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is too far from the detection member 70, the peak value Vmax of the detection signal from the detection unit 80 is below the allowable minimum value V1, so the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip is normal. It can be determined that it is not.

  FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the distance M between the detection member 70 and the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip and the waveform of the detection signal from the detection unit 80. 14A shows a case where the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is very close to the detection member 70, and FIG. 14B shows a case where the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is within the allowable range. Shows the case where the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is too far from the detection member 70.

  When the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is very close to the detection member 70, as shown in FIG. 14A, the peak value Vmax of the signal waveform of the detection signal from the detection unit 80 is an upper limit value of a predetermined allowable range, That is, it exceeds the allowable maximum value V2, and it is determined that the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip is not normal for that nozzle.

  When the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is within the allowable range, as shown in FIG. 14B, the peak value Vmax of the signal waveform of the detection signal from the detection unit 80 is within a predetermined allowable range, that is, the allowable minimum value. Between V1 and the allowable maximum value V2, it is determined that the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip is normal for that nozzle.

  On the other hand, when the flight path F of the ink droplet Ip is too far from the detection member 70, as shown in FIG. 14C, the peak value Vmax of the signal waveform of the detection signal from the detection unit 80 is within a predetermined allowable range. It falls below the lower limit, that is, the allowable minimum value V1, and it is determined that the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip is not normal for that nozzle.

  Information about the allowable minimum value V1 and the allowable maximum value V2 for defining a predetermined allowable range is stored as data in an appropriate storage unit such as a memory such as the main memory 127. When comparing the peak value Vmax with the allowable minimum value V1 or the allowable maximum value V2, the controller 126 acquires information regarding the allowable minimum value V1 and the allowable maximum value V2 from an appropriate storage unit such as the main memory 127.

  Here, it is determined whether or not the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip is normal based on the peak value Vmax of the detection signal from the detection unit 80. However, as a method of determining the ejection direction of the ink droplet Ip, In this way, not only when the detection is performed based on the peak value Vmax of the signal level of the detection signal from the detection unit 80, but also when the determination is performed based on the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection member 70, Any part of the detected signals may be used as a reference.

=== Detecting Member of this Embodiment ===
In the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the detection member 70 has the following configuration in order to efficiently perform the ejection inspection of the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K. Yes.

<Overview>
15A and 15B show the configuration of the detection member 70 of the liquid ejection inspection apparatus mounted on the ink jet printer according to this embodiment. FIG. 15A is a plan view illustrating the detection member 70, and FIG. 15B is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the detection member 70 is provided on a substrate 72 formed in a rectangular shape. The substrate 72 is configured by a printed wiring board or the like. The detection member 70 is slanted over an opening 74 formed at the front end (lower end) of the substrate 72 so as to intersect the moving direction of the carriage 41. A plurality of detection members 70 are provided in the opening 74. The detection members 70 are arranged in parallel along the length direction of the substrate 72 at intervals. Here, the intervals between the detection members 70 are equal. The diameter of each detection member 70 is about 0.2 mm. Each detection member 70 is installed in a state where both ends thereof are fixed to the edge of the opening 74 of the substrate 72 and are stretched on the opening 74 of the substrate 72. The ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the head 21 pass through the side of the detection member 70 through the gaps between the detection members 70 as shown in FIG. It has come to fall to.

  The detection member 70 is installed obliquely with respect to the moving direction of the carriage 41 for the following reason. That is, it is for detecting a deviation in the transport direction of the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180. In the case where the ink droplet Ip is displaced in the transport direction, a “white streak” may occur in the printed image along the movement direction of the carriage 41. Therefore, the case where the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 are shifted in the transport direction has a greater influence on the image quality of the printed image than the case where the ink droplets Ip are shifted in the movement direction of the carriage 41. For this reason, it is necessary to inspect in detail the deviation in the transport direction of the ejected ink droplet Ip.

  In the present embodiment, the size of the opening 74 is large enough to cover the two nozzle rows out of the four nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K provided in the head 21. Yes. That is, the plurality of detection members 70 can face two nozzle rows of the four nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K. Thereby, it is possible to perform the ejection inspection on the two nozzle rows while the head 21 is stopped. This will be described in detail later.

  In the present embodiment, the substrate 72 provided with a plurality of detection members 70 is provided with a circuit element 81 such as a protective resistor R1 and a capacitor C, an input resistor R2, a feedback resistor R3, and an operational amplifier Amp that constitute the detector 80, 82, 83, and 84 are integrally mounted. Thereby, the board | substrate 72 becomes the discharge test | inspection unit 77 in which the detection member 70 for performing a discharge test | inspection and the circuit elements 81, 82, 83, 84 were integrally mounted.

<Configuration of detection member>
FIG. 16 illustrates the circuit configuration of the detection member 70 provided on the substrate 72 in detail. The detection members 70 installed on the substrate 72 are arranged obliquely at equal intervals along the length direction of the substrate 72, as shown in FIG. One end portion (here, the left end portion) of each detection member 70 is connected to one common line 75 provided along the edge portion (here, the left side edge portion) of the opening 74 of the substrate 72. Yes. The common line 75 is connected to a detection unit 80 that detects an induced current generated in each detection member 70.

  On the other hand, the other end portion (here, the right end portion) of each detection member 70 is not electrically connected to each other via the common line 75 or the like like one end portion (here, the left end portion). Electrically open. The other end portion (here, the right end portion) of each detection member 70 is fixed to the edge portion of the opening 74 of the substrate 72 via the fixing portion 76. Thus, the plurality of detection members 70 and the common line 75 constitute a comb tooth.

  In this way, one end portion (here, the left end portion) of each detection member 70 is connected to the common line 75, and the other end portion (here, the right end portion) of each detection member 70 is electrically connected to each other. Instead, by being electrically opened, when the charged ink droplet Ip passes through the gap between the detection members 70, this can be detected by the detection members 70. The induced current generated in each detection member 70 due to the passage of the charged ink droplet Ip is detected by the detection unit 80 through the common line 75.

  Since the plurality of detection members 70 are coupled by the common line 75 and configured in a comb shape, the inspection can be executed with a very simple configuration for the plurality of nozzles # 1 to # 180. In particular, even if the length of the detection member 70 is short, it is possible to deal with a plurality of nozzles # 1 to # 180, so that the apparatus configuration can be made very compact.

=== Installation position of the discharge inspection unit ===
FIG. 17 illustrates in detail the installation position of the discharge inspection unit 77 of the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the discharge inspection unit 77 of the present embodiment is in an area An (hereinafter referred to as a non-print area) that is out of a print area Ap where ink is discharged from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 and printing is performed. Installed. In this non-printing area An, a pump device 31 that sucks out ink from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is provided as a cleaning device for the nozzles # 1 to # 180 in order to eliminate clogging of the nozzles. The non-printing area An is provided with a capping device 35 that covers and caps the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the head 21 when printing is not performed. The pump unit 31 and the capping device 35 constitute a cleaning unit 30. In addition, the cleaning unit 30 may be provided with various devices such as a wiping device for wiping off ink adhering excessively from the openings of the nozzles # 1 to # 180. The discharge inspection unit 77 of this embodiment is provided adjacent to such a pump device 31 and the capping device 35.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge inspection unit 77 is provided in a position near the print area Ap in the non-print area An, that is, between the print area Ap and the cleaning unit 30 as shown in FIG. Thereby, when the carriage 41 moves from the printing area Ap to the non-printing area An, it always passes above the detection member 70. Therefore, it is possible to perform an ink ejection inspection at any time during non-printing when the carriage 41 moves to the non-printing area An.

=== Relationship between Discharge Inspection Unit and Nozzle Row ===
FIG. 18 illustrates the positional relationship between the discharge inspection unit 77 and the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K when the discharge inspection is performed. The vertical dimension L of the opening 74 provided on the substrate 72 of the discharge inspection unit 77 corresponds to the length dimension of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K as shown in FIG. Is set to be slightly longer. The horizontal dimension H of the opening 74 is set so as to correspond to the width of two of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K. The plurality of detection members 70 provided in the opening 74 of the discharge inspection unit 77 correspond to the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K, respectively, and correspond to the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, and 211Y. , 211K nozzles # 1 to # 180 are installed obliquely along a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction (here, parallel to the transport direction).

  When performing a discharge inspection, as shown in the figure, one nozzle row or two nozzle rows (here, nozzle rows) of the plurality of nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K provided in the head 21. 211M and 211C) are positioned so that they are positioned directly above the detection member 70. After the alignment is completed, ink is discharged from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the aligned nozzle row (here, the nozzle rows 211M and 211C) toward the gap between the detection members 70 and discharged. Inspection is performed.

  The ejection inspection is also performed on the other nozzle rows (here, the nozzle rows 211Y and 211K). That is, at the time of discharge inspection, the carriage 41 moves to perform discharge inspection on the other nozzle rows 211Y and 211K that have not yet been subjected to discharge inspection. Then, the detection member 70 is aligned again with the nozzle row (for example, the nozzle row 211Y and the nozzle row 211K, for example) that performs the discharge inspection, and the discharge inspection is performed for the nozzle row 211Y and the nozzle row 211K. Is executed. In this manner, the ejection inspection is sequentially performed on the plurality of nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K provided in the head 21.

=== Positional relationship between detection member and nozzle ===
FIG. 19 illustrates an example of the positional relationship between the detection member 70 and the nozzles # 1 to # 180 during the ejection inspection. Here, the case where the ejection inspection of the nozzles # 1 to # 15 is performed by the three detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C will be described as an example. Further, here, the case where the ejection inspection is performed at the two inspection positions A and B for the nozzles # 1 to # 15 will be described as an example. The interval D3 in the transport direction of each of the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C is set to be approximately equal to five times the nozzle interval k · D. Further, the inspection position A and the inspection position B are set with an interval D4.

  The inspection position A is set to perform the ejection inspection for the nozzles # 1, # 2, # 4, # 5, # 6, # 7, # 9, # 10, # 11, # 12, # 14, and # 15. ing. On the other hand, the inspection position B is set to perform the ejection inspection for the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13. In addition, the nozzles to be inspected at the inspection positions A and B are indicated by white circles “◯”, respectively. Further, nozzles that are not inspection targets at the inspection positions A and B are indicated by black circles “●”.

  These two inspection positions A and B are changed when the carriage 41 (nozzles # 1 to # 15) moves along the movement direction of the carriage 41. That is, nozzles # 1 to # 180 (here, nozzles # 1 to # 15) provided on the head 21 of the carriage 41 move relative to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C (ejection inspection unit 77). By doing so, the inspection position is changed. Here, first, a discharge inspection is performed at the inspection position A, and then the discharge inspection is performed at the inspection position B after the carriage 41 has moved. That is, the nozzles # 1 to # 15 move relatively from the inspection position A to the inspection position B as the carriage 41 moves.

  The reason for providing the two inspection positions A and B in this way is as follows. That is, at the inspection position A, the positions of the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C and the positions of the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13 overlap each other. As described above, when the positions of the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C and the positions of the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13 overlap each other, the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13 are ejected from the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13. There is a possibility that the ink droplet Ip may come into contact with the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. If the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13 are in contact with the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, there is a possibility that a sufficient induced current is not generated in the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. Because there is. As described above, when a sufficient induced current is not generated in the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, there is a case where the discharge inspection cannot be sufficiently performed on the nozzle. For this reason, it is preferable that the ink ejected from the nozzle to be inspected is not brought into contact with the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C as much as possible. Of course, this does not exclude that the ink ejected from the nozzle to be inspected contacts the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C in the ejection inspection.

  At the inspection position A, the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13 overlap with the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, and are thus excluded from the inspection target. On the other hand, when the nozzles # 1 to # 15 move to the inspection position B due to the movement of the carriage 41, the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13 removed from the inspection target at the inspection position A are detected by the detection members 70A, 70B, Does not overlap with 70C. Therefore, at the inspection position B, the ejection inspection can be performed for the nozzles # 3, # 8, and # 13 that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A.

In the inspection position A, nozzles # 1, # 2, # 4, and # 5 correspond to the detection member 70A. Further, nozzles # 6, # 7, # 9, and # 10 correspond to the detection member 70B. Further, nozzles # 11, # 12, # 14, and # 15 correspond to the detection member 70C.
On the other hand, at the inspection position B, the nozzle # 3 corresponds to the detection member 70A. Further, nozzle # 8 corresponds to detection member 70B. Further, the nozzle # 13 corresponds to the detection member 70C.

<Discharge determination method>
A determination method in the ejection inspection for these nozzles # 1 to # 15 will be described. Here, the intervals between the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C and the nozzles # 1 to # 15 corresponding to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C are different depending on the nozzles # 1 to # 15. For this reason, even when the ink droplets Ip are normally ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 15, the magnitudes of the induced currents generated in the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C are different. That is, at each inspection position A, B, nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # where inspection is performed at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, 70C. For 13 and # 14, the magnitude of the induced current generated in the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C is large. On the other hand, at the inspection positions A and B, the nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 that are inspected at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C are detected. The magnitude of the induced current generated in the members 70A, 70B, and 70C is small.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the determination criterion for the ejection inspection is switched according to the positions of the nozzles # 1 to # 15 to be inspected. That is, the nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 are inspected at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. And a case in which a discharge inspection is performed for nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 that are inspected at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. Switch.

  20A and 20B show examples of detection signals output from the detection unit 80 when ink is normally ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 15 in order to perform the ejection inspection. In FIG. 20A, ink is normally ejected from nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 at positions close to detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. In some cases, an example of a waveform of a detection signal output from the detection unit 80 is shown. FIG. 20B shows the output from the detection unit 80 when ink is normally ejected from the nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. It shows an example of the waveform of the detected signal.

  Ink is normally ejected from nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 that are inspected at positions close to detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20A, a pulse Wc having a large amplitude is generated in the detection signal. On the other hand, when ink is normally ejected from the nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 that are inspected at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, As shown in FIG. 20B, a pulse Wd having a small amplitude is generated in the detection signal.

  In this way, the nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 that are inspected at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C are detected. Even when ink is ejected normally with nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15, which are inspected at positions away from members 70A, 70B, and 70C. The magnitudes of the pulses Wc and Wd generated in the detection signal from the detection unit 80 are different.

  For this reason, when the inspection for the presence / absence of ink ejection is performed, nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, ## are subjected to the inspection at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, 70C. No. 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14, and nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, and # 11 that are inspected at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C , And # 15, the reference value serving as a criterion for determining whether or not ink is ejected is switched.

  Here, inspection is performed for nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 that are inspected at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. For example, “V0H” is used as a reference value. On the other hand, when the inspection is performed for the nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 that are inspected at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, “V0L” lower than “V0H” is used. As a result, it is possible to inspect whether ink is appropriately ejected according to the distance between the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C and the nozzles # 1 to # 15.

  In the case where the ink ejection direction is inspected, nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, in which inspection is performed at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. When inspecting for # 12, # 13, and # 14, and for nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 for inspecting at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C The criterion for determining the ink ejection direction is switched between when the inspection is performed.

  FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B explain the criteria for determining the ink ejection direction. FIG. 21A shows the case of nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 that are inspected at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C. Is described. FIG. 21B illustrates the case of nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 in which inspection is performed at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C.

  FIG. 21A shows a case where the nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 at positions close to the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C are inspected. Thus, “V1H” is used as the allowable minimum value, and “V2H” is used as the allowable maximum value. On the other hand, when the inspection is performed for the nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 at positions away from the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, as shown in FIG. “V1L” is used, and “V2L” is used as the allowable maximum value. Accordingly, it is possible to inspect the ink ejection direction appropriately according to the distance between the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C and the nozzles # 1 to # 15.

  FIG. 21C shows a case where inspection is performed for nozzles # 2, # 3, # 4, # 7, # 8, # 9, # 12, # 13, and # 14 at positions close to detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, and detection. A set of reference values that are used as criteria for ejection inspection when nozzles # 1, # 5, # 6, # 10, # 11, and # 15 at positions away from members 70A, 70B, and 70C are inspected. It is.

  Note that the reference values “V0H”, “V0L”, “V1H”, “V2H”, “V1L”, and “V2L”, which are determination criteria at the time of the discharge inspection, are appropriately determined including the main memory 127 and the like. Stored as data in a storage unit. When comparing the signal level of the detection signal with the reference values “V1H”, “V1L”, “V2H”, “V2L”, “V0H”, “V0L”, the controller 126 appropriately stores the main memory 127 and the like. Information about these reference values “V1H”, “V1L”, “V2H”, “V2L”, “V0H”, “V0L” is acquired from the section.

=== Interval between inspection positions ===
In the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment, in order to efficiently inspect four nozzle rows, that is, the cyan nozzle row 211C, the magenta nozzle row 211M, the yellow nozzle row 211Y, and the black nozzle row 211K, FIG. The interval D4 between the inspection position A and the inspection position B described in the above is set corresponding to the interval D1 (see FIG. 5) between the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K. That is, when one of the four nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K is located at the inspection position A, the other nozzle row is located at the inspection position B. As a result, when the head 21 is stopped at a predetermined position, it is possible to perform inspection on two nozzle rows of the four nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K.

  In each of the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C, portions facing the two nozzle rows correspond to “first inspection unit” and “second inspection unit”, respectively. Here, in each of the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C shown in FIG. 19, the portion facing the nozzle row of the nozzles # 1 to # 15 at the inspection position A (the portion indicated by oblique lines) corresponds to the first inspection unit 92. To do. Further, in each of the detection members 70A, 70B, and 70C shown in FIG. 19, the portion facing the nozzle row of the nozzles # 1 to # 15 at the inspection position B (the portion indicated by oblique lines) corresponds to the second inspection unit 94. .

<Inspection method>
FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an inspection procedure for the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K in this case. Here, first, among the four nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K, the cyan nozzle row 211C is arranged at the inspection position A by the movement of the carriage 41 (step (1)). Here, the cyan nozzle row 211C is inspected. This inspection is performed on a nozzle that does not overlap the detection member 70.

  Then, the carriage 41 moves again, and the cyan nozzle row 211C is arranged at the inspection position B (step (2)). Here, since the interval D4 between the inspection position A and the inspection position B is set so as to correspond to the interval D1 of each nozzle row, when the cyan nozzle row 211C is arranged at the inspection position B, the magenta nozzle row 211M is automatically arranged at the inspection position A. Accordingly, it is possible to perform inspection for both the cyan nozzle row 211C and the magenta nozzle row 211M while the carriage 41 (head 21) is stopped. Here, with respect to the cyan nozzle row 211C, the inspection is performed for the nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A. On the other hand, for the magenta nozzle row 211M, the nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70 are inspected. Here, the position where the head 21 stops corresponds to a “predetermined position”.

  Then, the carriage 41 is moved again, and the magenta nozzle row 211M is arranged at the inspection position B (step (3)). As a result, the yellow nozzle row 211Y is automatically arranged at the inspection position A. For this reason, it is possible to inspect the magenta nozzle row 211M and the yellow nozzle row 211Y. With respect to the magenta nozzle row 211M, the inspection is performed on the nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A. Further, for the yellow nozzle row 211Y, an inspection is performed on the nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70. Here, the position where the head 21 stops corresponds to a “predetermined position”.

  Further, the carriage 41 moves, and the yellow nozzle row 211Y is arranged at the inspection position B (step (4)). As a result, the black nozzle row 211K is automatically arranged at the inspection position A. For this reason, it is possible to inspect both the yellow nozzle row 211Y and the black nozzle row 211K. For the yellow nozzle row 211Y, the inspection is performed for the nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A. In addition, the black nozzle row 211K is inspected for nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70. Here, the position where the head 21 stops corresponds to a “predetermined position”.

  Thereafter, the carriage 41 moves again, and the black nozzle row 211K is arranged at the inspection position B (step (5)). Here, with respect to the black nozzle row 211K, the inspection is performed for the nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A. Thereby, the ejection inspection for all the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K is completed.

<Inspection procedure>
FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the procedure of the inspection performed here. The inspection performed here is performed by the controller 126.

  First, the controller 126 initializes the cleaning number Nc (S202). This is to set a counter for counting the number of cleaning processes to “0”. Subsequently, the controller 126 moves the carriage 41 to place the cyan nozzle row 211C at the inspection position A, and performs a discharge inspection on the cyan nozzle row 211C (S204). After completion of the inspection, the controller 126 checks whether or not the inspected nozzle has a discharge failure (S206).

  If there is a discharge failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 proceeds to step S232 and checks whether the number of cleanings Nc so far exceeds the specified number α. The specified number α is a number that assumes that the discharge does not recover even if the cleaning process is repeated beyond this. If the cleaning number Nc exceeds the specified number α, the controller 126 proceeds to step S234, performs error processing, and ends the processing. On the other hand, if the number Nc of cleanings does not exceed the prescribed number α, the controller 126 proceeds to step S236 and performs a cleaning process. Here, the cleaning process is, for example, a process of sucking out ink from the nozzle by the pump device 31, a process of forcibly discharging the ink from the nozzle, or a process of wiping the nozzle opening. If “3”, the error process is performed when the cleaning count Nc is 4 times or more (S234), and the cleaning process is performed when it is 3 times or less (S236). After executing the cleaning process, the controller 126 adds “1” to the cleaning count Nc. Thereafter, the controller 126 returns to step S204 and starts the inspection from the beginning.

  On the other hand, if there is no ejection failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 moves the carriage 41 to place the cyan nozzle row 211C at the inspection position B and the magenta nozzle row 211M at the inspection position A. Then, a discharge inspection is performed on the cyan nozzle row 211C (S208). Further, the controller 126 thereafter performs a discharge inspection on the magenta nozzle row 211M at the inspection position A (S210). Then, the controller 126 checks whether or not the inspected nozzle has a discharge failure (S212).

  If there is a discharge failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 proceeds to step S232 and checks the number of cleanings Nc so far. If the specified number α is exceeded, the controller 126 performs error processing (S234), and then ends the processing. On the other hand, if the specified number α is not exceeded, the controller 126 performs a cleaning process (S236), adds “1” to the number of cleanings Nc, returns to step S204, and repeats the inspection from the beginning.

  On the other hand, if the inspected nozzle has no ejection failure, the controller 126 moves the carriage 41 to place the magenta nozzle row 211M at the inspection position B and the yellow nozzle row 211Y at the inspection position A. Then, the controller 126 performs a discharge inspection for the magenta nozzle row 211M (S214), and also performs a discharge inspection for the yellow nozzle row 211Y at the inspection position A (S216). Then, the controller 126 checks whether or not the inspected nozzle has a discharge failure (S218).

  If there is a discharge failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 proceeds to step S232, checks the number of cleanings Nc so far, and if it exceeds the specified number α, performs error processing (S234). Then, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the specified number α is not exceeded, the controller 126 performs a cleaning process (S236), adds “1” to the number of cleanings Nc, returns to step S204, and repeats the inspection from the beginning.

  If there is no ejection failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 moves the carriage 41 to place the yellow nozzle row 211Y at the inspection position B, and performs a ejection inspection on the yellow nozzle row 211Y (S220). In addition, the controller 126 performs a discharge inspection for the black nozzle row 211K at the inspection position A (S222). Then, the controller 126 checks whether or not the inspected nozzle has a discharge failure (S224). If there is a discharge failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 performs the above-described processing (S232 to S236).

  On the other hand, if there is no ejection failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 moves the carriage 41 to place the black nozzle row 211K at the inspection position B, and conducts ejection inspection for the black nozzle row 211K (S226). Then, it is checked whether or not the inspected nozzle has a discharge failure (S228). If there is a discharge failure in the inspected nozzle, the controller 126 performs the above-described processing (S232 to S236). On the other hand, if there is no ejection failure in the inspected nozzle, it is determined that there is no ejection failure for all nozzle rows (S230). Thereafter, the controller 126 ends the process.

<Judgment process>
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a determination procedure performed by the controller 126. The controller 126 inspects whether or not the first nozzle is ejected (S302). In this inspection, for example, the method described with reference to FIG. 12, FIG. 20A, and FIG. 20B is performed. Then, the controller 126 determines whether or not there is ejection for the nozzle (S304). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that there is no discharge for the nozzle, the controller 126 proceeds to step S314 and determines that there is an ink discharge defect (S314). Thereafter, the controller 126 ends the process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is ejection for that nozzle, the controller 126 then proceeds to step S306, and performs an ejection direction inspection for that nozzle (S306). In this inspection, for example, the method described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 21 </ b> A, and 21 </ b> B is performed. Then, the controller 126 determines whether or not the ejection direction is normal (S308). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the ejection direction is not normal for the nozzle, the controller 126 then proceeds to step S314 and determines that there is an ink ejection failure (S314). Thereafter, the controller 126 ends the process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the ejection direction is normal for the nozzle, the controller 126 proceeds to step S310 and checks whether there is a nozzle to be determined next (S310). Here, if there is a nozzle to be determined next, the controller 126 returns to step S302 to make a determination on other undecided nozzles. On the other hand, if there is no nozzle to be determined next, the controller 126 determines that the inspection of all the nozzles for the determination target nozzle has been completed, proceeds to step S312, and determines that there is no abnormality in all the nozzles. (S312). Thereafter, the controller 126 immediately ends the process.

=== Other Embodiments ===
FIG. 25 illustrates the case of another embodiment of the nozzle row. Here, as the nozzle row, in addition to the cyan nozzle row 211C, the magenta nozzle row 211M, the yellow nozzle row 211Y, and the black nozzle row 211K, the light cyan nozzle row 211LC, the light magenta nozzle row 211LM, the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, A light black nozzle row 211LK is provided. Here, the light cyan nozzle row 211LC is composed of a plurality of nozzles that eject light cyan (LC) ink. The light magenta nozzle row 211LM is composed of a plurality of nozzles that eject light magenta (LM) ink. The dark yellow nozzle row 211DY includes a plurality of nozzles that eject dark yellow (DY) ink having a darker color than yellow (Y).

  The light black nozzle row 211LK includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge light black (LK) ink having a lighter color than black (K). These light cyan nozzle row 211LC, light magenta nozzle row 211LM, dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, and light black nozzle row 211LK are slightly in the transport direction with respect to the cyan nozzle row 211C, magenta nozzle row 211M, yellow nozzle row 211Y, and black nozzle row 211K. They are provided at different positions.

  The interval between the cyan nozzle row 211C and the light cyan nozzle row 211LC, the interval between the magenta nozzle row 211M and the light magenta nozzle row 211LM, the interval between the yellow nozzle row 211Y and the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, and the black nozzle row 211K and the light black nozzle row The distance from 211LK is set to “D5”. Further, the interval between the light cyan nozzle row 211LC and the magenta nozzle row 211M, the interval between the light magenta nozzle row 211LM and the yellow nozzle row 211Y, and the interval between the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY and the black nozzle row 211K are set to “D6”, respectively. Has been.

<Inspection method>
FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B illustrate an example of an inspection procedure for each nozzle row 211C, 211LC, 211M, 211LM, 211Y, 221DY, 211K, and 211LK in this case.

  First, as shown in FIG. 26A, the cyan nozzle row 211C is aligned with the inspection position A by the movement of the carriage 41 (step (A)). Here, the cyan nozzle row 211C is inspected. This inspection is performed on a nozzle that does not overlap the detection member 70. Thereafter, the carriage 41 moves and the light cyan nozzle row 211LC is aligned with the inspection position A (step (B)). Then, the light cyan nozzle row 211LC is inspected. Here, the inspection is performed for the nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70.

  Then, the carriage 41 moves again, and the cyan nozzle row 211C is aligned with the inspection position B (step (C)). Here, the cyan nozzle row 211C is inspected. In this inspection, an inspection is performed for a nozzle that is excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A. Thereafter, the carriage 41 moves again, and the light cyan nozzle row 211LC is arranged at the inspection position B (step (D)). Here, since the interval D4 between the inspection position A and the inspection position B corresponds to the interval D6 between the light cyan nozzle row 211LC and the magenta nozzle row 211M, the light cyan nozzle row 211LC is arranged at the inspection position B. The magenta nozzle row 211M is automatically arranged at the inspection position A. Thereby, it is possible to perform inspection for both the light cyan nozzle row 211LC and the magenta nozzle row 211M while the carriage 41 (head 21) is stopped. Here, with respect to the light cyan nozzle row 211LC, inspection is performed for nozzles that are excluded from inspection targets at the inspection position A. On the other hand, for the magenta nozzle row 211M, the nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70 are inspected. Here, the position where the head 21 stops corresponds to a “predetermined position”.

  Then, by moving the carriage 41, the light magenta nozzle row 211LM is arranged at the inspection position A (step (E)). Here, the nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70 are inspected for the light magenta nozzle row 211LM. Further, the carriage 41 moves, and the magenta nozzle row 211M is arranged at the inspection position B (step (F)). Here, with respect to the magenta nozzle row 211M, an inspection is performed on a nozzle that is excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A.

  Thereafter, the carriage 41 moves, and the light magenta nozzle row 211LM is arranged at the inspection position B (step (G)). Here, since the interval D6 between the light magenta nozzle row 211LM and the yellow nozzle row 211Y corresponds to the interval D4 between the inspection position A and the inspection position B, the yellow nozzle row 211Y is arranged at the inspection position B. Become. Thereby, it is possible to perform inspection on both the light magenta nozzle row 211LM and the yellow nozzle row 211Y. In this case, the light magenta nozzle row 211LM is inspected for nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A. On the other hand, for the yellow nozzle row 211 </ b> Y, the nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70 are inspected. Here, the position where the head 21 stops corresponds to a “predetermined position”.

  Next, by moving the carriage 41, as shown in FIG. 26B, the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY is arranged at the inspection position A (step (H)). Here, the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY is inspected for nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70. Further, the carriage 41 moves, and the yellow nozzle row 211Y is arranged at the inspection position B (step (I)). Here, the yellow nozzle row 211 </ b> Y is inspected for the nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A.

  Subsequently, the carriage 41 further moves, and the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY is arranged at the inspection position B (step (J)). Here, since the interval D6 between the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY and the black nozzle row 211K corresponds to the interval D4 between the inspection position A and the inspection position B, the black nozzle row 211K is arranged at the inspection position A. It will be. Thereby, the inspection can be performed in the direction of the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY and the black nozzle row 211K. In this case, with respect to the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, a nozzle that is excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A is inspected. On the other hand, for the black nozzle row 211K, an inspection is performed on nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70. Here, the position where the head 21 stops corresponds to a “predetermined position”.

  Further, the carriage 41 moves, and the light black nozzle row 211LK is arranged at the inspection position A (step (K)). Here, with respect to the light black nozzle row 211LK, the nozzles that do not overlap the detection member 70 are inspected. Thereafter, the carriage 41 moves again, and the black nozzle row 211K is arranged at the inspection position B (step (L)). Here, the black nozzle row 211K is inspected for the nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A.

  Finally, the light black nozzle row 211LK is arranged at the inspection position B by the movement of the carriage 41 (step (M)). Here, the light black nozzle row 211LK is inspected for the nozzles that are excluded from the inspection target at the inspection position A.

  Through the above procedure, the cyan nozzle row 211C, the magenta nozzle row 211M, the yellow nozzle row 211Y, the black nozzle row 211K, the light cyan nozzle row 211LC, the light magenta nozzle row 211LM, the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, and the light black nozzle row 211LK. A discharge inspection is performed for six nozzle rows.

=== Inspection timing ===
The timing at which the discharge inspection is performed includes the following.

(1) During printing process Ejection inspection is executed at an appropriate timing during the printing process. For example, in the case of “bidirectional printing”, when the moving direction is changed, the carriage 41 moves to the standby position and the ejection inspection of the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is executed. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of defects in the printed image due to nozzle clogging during the printing process.

(2) When the power is turned on When the power is turned on, the discharge inspection is executed. In this case, in order to perform printing from now on, a discharge inspection is executed when the printer (printing apparatus) is turned on. As one of the processes during the initialization process of the inkjet printer 1, the discharge inspection of the nozzles # 1 to # 180 is performed. Execute. By executing the ejection inspection at such timing, the printing process can be smoothly executed without clogging the nozzles # 1 to # 180.

(3) At the time of paper feed During the operation of feeding the medium S to a predetermined position for printing, that is, at the time of paper feed, discharge inspection is executed. This is to check whether or not the ink is normally ejected when printing processing is to be performed on one medium S from now on, and each time the medium S is fed, the ejection inspection may be performed. In addition, the discharge inspection may be executed every predetermined number at an appropriate interval.

(4) At the time of acquiring print data When the inkjet printer 1 receives print data from a computer 140 such as a personal computer, an ejection test is executed. That is, when printing data is received from the computer 140 and printing is to be executed from now on, it is checked whether or not ink is normally ejected. By executing the ejection inspection at such timing, the printing process can be smoothly executed without clogging of the nozzles # 1 to # 180.

  Note that the ejection inspection in the present invention is not necessarily performed at the timings (1) to (4) described above, and the ejection inspection is performed at a timing other than (1) to (4). Also good.

=== Summary ===
As described above, in the present embodiment, the nozzles # 1 to # 1 are arranged for the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K that face each other (light cyan nozzle row 211LC, light magenta nozzle row 211LM, dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, and light black nozzle row 211LK). A plurality of inspection units for inspecting whether ink is normally ejected from # 180, that is, a first inspection unit 92 and a second inspection unit 94 are provided, and the plurality of inspection units 92, 94 are in the moving direction of the carriage 41. And a plurality of nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K (light cyan nozzle row 211LC, light magenta nozzle row 211LM, dark yellow nozzle) provided at the head 21 with a gap D4 therebetween. Column 211DY, light black nozzle column 211LK) Since this corresponds to the interval D1 (interval D6), when the head 21 stops at a predetermined position, the head 21 remains in the stopped state, and a plurality of nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K (light cyan nozzle rows 211LC, The light magenta nozzle row 211LM, the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, and the light black nozzle row 211LK) can be inspected. Thereby, inspection of each nozzle row 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K (light cyan nozzle row 211LC, light magenta nozzle row 211LM, dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, light black nozzle row 211LK) can be performed efficiently, and the inspection time can be reduced. Shortening can be achieved.

=== Third Inspection Unit ===
In addition, a “third inspection unit” different from the first inspection unit 92 and the second inspection unit 94 may be provided. Similar to the first inspection unit 92 and the second inspection unit 94, the “third inspection unit” includes nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K (light cyan nozzle row 211LC, light magenta nozzle row 211LM, dark yellow nozzle row 211DY. , A light black nozzle row 211LK) is an inspection unit that inspects whether or not ink is normally ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180. In this case, it is preferable that the “third inspection unit” be arranged at intervals in the moving direction of the first inspection unit 92 and the second inspection unit 94 and the carriage 41.

  Further, in the “third inspection unit”, the intervals between the first inspection unit 92 and the second inspection unit 94 are nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K (light cyan nozzle row 211LC, light magenta nozzle row 211LM). , Corresponding to the interval D1 (interval D6) of the dark yellow nozzle row 211DY and the light black nozzle row 211LK. As described above, if the interval between the “third inspection unit” and the first inspection unit 92 or the second inspection unit 94 corresponds to the interval D1 (interval D6), the first inspection unit 92 and the second inspection unit 94 are used. As in the case of, the nozzle rows 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K (light cyan nozzle row 211LC, light magenta nozzle row 211LM, dark yellow nozzle row 211DY, light black nozzle row 211LK) can be efficiently inspected.

  In the “third inspection section”, only one place may be provided, or two or more places may be provided.

=== Other Configuration Example of Liquid Discharge Inspection Apparatus ===
<Part 1: Use of triboelectric charging>
FIG. 27A illustrates another configuration example of the liquid ejection inspection apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the liquid discharge inspection apparatus 100 is configured to apply a high voltage to a detection member 70 that generates an induced current as in the liquid discharge inspection apparatus described above (see FIG. 9), thereby Rather than charging the ink droplets Ip ejected from # 1 to # 180, the ink droplets Ip ejected from each nozzle # 1 to # 180 are charged naturally when they leave the nozzles # 1 to # 180. The ink droplet Ip is charged using a so-called frictional charging phenomenon. For this reason, the configuration of applying a high voltage to the detection member 70 in order to charge the ink droplet Ip is omitted.
As described above, by charging the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 using frictional charging, the configuration of the liquid ejection inspection apparatus 100 can be further simplified.

  Here, since a high voltage is not applied to the detection member 70, the detection unit 102 that detects the induced current generated in the detection member 70 is the detection unit 80 of the liquid ejection inspection apparatus 60 (see FIG. 9) described above. Compared with the configuration of FIG. 8, the capacitor C is omitted.

<Part 2; Installation of electrode part>
FIG. 27B illustrates another configuration example of the liquid ejection inspection apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the liquid ejection inspection apparatus 110 includes an electrode unit 112 in addition to the detection member 70, and the electrode unit 112 charges the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180. It has become. As shown in the figure, the electrode portion 112 is made of a conductive wire such as a metal like the detection member 70, and is arranged in parallel with the head 21 in a tensioned state. . A power source (not shown) is connected to the electrode portion 112 via a protective resistor R1, and a high voltage such as 100 V (volt) is applied from the power source.
Since such an electrode portion 112 is provided, an electric field is formed between the head 21 and the electrode portion 112, so that the ink droplet Ip is charged when it leaves the nozzles # 1 to # 180. be able to.

  Also in this case, as in the case of <Part 1> described above, since the high voltage is not applied to the detection member 70, the detection unit 114 that detects the induced current generated in the detection member 70 is the liquid described above. Compared to the configuration of the detection unit 80 of the discharge inspection device 60 (see FIG. 9), the capacitor C is omitted.

  Further, it is preferable that the electrode portion 112 is located as close to the head 21 as possible. The closer the electrode portion 112 is to the head 21, the stronger the electric field between the electrode portion 112 and the head 21 can be further generated on the detection member 70.

<Part 3: Other Embodiments of Detection Member>
28A and 28B illustrate another embodiment of the detection member 70. FIG. FIG. 28A shows a discharge inspection unit 77 in which the detection member 70 is installed. FIG. 28B explains the state when the detection member 70 inspects.
Here, as shown in FIG. 28A, each detection member 70 is formed of a plate-like member. The thickness of each plate-shaped detection member 70 is set to about 0.2 mm here. Moreover, the height of each plate-shaped detection member 70 is set to about 3 mm here. Each plate-like detection member 70 is slanted over an opening 74 provided at the tip of the substrate 72 of the discharge inspection unit 77 so as to intersect the moving direction of the carriage 41. Each plate-shaped detection member 70 is arranged in parallel with a space between each other. Here, the intervals between the detection members 70 are equal. Both ends of each detection member 70 are fixed to the edge of the opening 74, respectively. Each detection member 70 is installed corresponding to each nozzle # 1 to # 180.
The ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the head 21 fall downward through the gaps between the plate-like detection members 70 as shown in FIG. 28B. As a result, an induced current is generated in the plate-shaped detection member 70.

=== Additional Notes ===
<Ink recovery unit>
The ink jet printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes an ink recovery unit 90 for recovering ink used for ejection inspection. FIG. 29 illustrates the ink collection unit 90. As shown in the figure, the ink collection unit 90 is installed, for example, below the substrate 72 on which the detection member 70 is provided, and is ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the head 21 to the side of the detection member 70. The ink droplets Ip that have passed through and dropped through the opening 74 of the substrate 72 are received and collected. Thus, by collecting the ink used for the ejection inspection by the ink collection unit 90, the inside of the inkjet printer 1 can be prevented from being soiled by the ink.
In this embodiment, the ink collection unit 90 is formed as a concave container as shown in the figure. However, if the ink used for the ejection test is collected, for example, the platen 14 or the like is used. You may provide as a groove part etc. which were formed in the cross-sectional concave shape.

<Water repellent treatment>
About the detection member 70, the surface may be water-repellent. As described above, if the surface of the detection member 70 is subjected to the water repellent treatment, even if the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 come into contact with the detection member 70, the ink is discharged from the surface of the detection member 70. Can be easily removed.
Similarly, the electrode portion 112 may be subjected to a water repellent treatment on the surface thereof. As described above, if the surface of the electrode portion 112 is also subjected to the water repellent treatment, even when the ink droplets Ip ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 adhere to the electrode portion 112, the surface of the electrode portion 112 is removed. Ink can be easily removed.
Examples of the water repellent treatment include well-known methods including a method of providing a water repellent treatment layer or the like on the surface of the detection member 70 or the electrode portion 112 by coating or the like.

=== Configuration of Liquid Discharge System etc. ===
Next, as an embodiment of the liquid ejection system according to the present invention, a case where the inkjet printer 1 is provided as a liquid ejection apparatus will be described as an example. FIG. 30 shows an external configuration of an embodiment of the liquid ejection system according to the present invention. The liquid ejection system 300 includes a computer 140, a display device 304, and an input device 306. The computer 140 includes various computers such as a personal computer.

  The computer 140 includes a reading device 312 such as an FD drive device 314 and a CD-ROM drive device 316. In addition, the computer 140 may include, for example, an MO (Magnet Optical) disk drive device or a DVD drive device. The display device 304 includes various display devices such as a CRT display, a plasma display, and a liquid crystal display. The input device 306 includes a keyboard 308, a mouse 310, and the like.

FIG. 31 is a block configuration diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the liquid ejection system of the present embodiment. The computer 140 includes a CPU 318, a memory 320, and a hard disk drive 322 in addition to the reading device 312 such as the FD drive device 314 and the CD-ROM drive device 316.
The CPU 318 performs overall control of the computer 140. The memory 320 stores various data. A printer driver or the like is installed in the hard disk drive 322 as a program for controlling the liquid ejection apparatus such as the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment. The CPU 318 reads a program such as a printer driver stored in the hard disk drive 322 and operates according to the program. The CPU 318 is connected to a display device 304, an input device 306, the ink jet printer 1, and the like installed outside the computer 140.

  In addition, the liquid ejection system 300 realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As described above, the printing apparatus such as a printer according to the present invention has been described based on one embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is limited and interpreted. Not meant to be The present invention can be changed or improved without departing from the gist thereof, and needless to say, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, even the embodiments described below are included in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

<About liquid>
In the above-described embodiment, the case where ink is used as the liquid has been described as an example. However, the liquid is not limited to ink, but other liquids such as metal materials, organic materials (for example, polymer materials), magnetic materials, and conductive materials. Various liquids such as a conductive material, a wiring material, a film forming material, electronic ink, various processing liquids, and a gene solution may be used instead of the ink.

<About the head>
In the above-described embodiment, the head provided in the ink jet printer, that is, the head 21 that is provided so as to be movable relative to the medium and has nozzles that discharge ink toward the medium has been described as an example. However, the “head” is not limited to the head 21 as described above. That is, any head may be used as long as it is provided so as to be movable along a predetermined direction.
In addition, the “head” may be a moving body provided to be movable along a predetermined direction, and does not necessarily have any other special function or role.

<About the liquid ejection unit>
In the above-described embodiments, the “liquid ejecting unit” has been described by taking a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles as an example. However, the “liquid ejecting unit” is not limited to such a nozzle array. . That is, as in the embodiment described above, it is not necessary to be configured by a plurality of nozzles arranged in a straight line along a predetermined direction, and the plurality of nozzles may be arranged in any form. good. Further, the number of nozzles is not necessarily plural, and may be one. Furthermore, the “liquid ejecting unit” may have any form as long as it ejects liquid.

  In the above-described embodiment, the “liquid ejection unit” is configured by one nozzle row. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. That is, the “liquid ejecting unit” may be composed of two or more nozzle rows.

  Further, in the “liquid ejecting portion”, in the above-described embodiment, each of the colors of ink to be ejected is individually allocated. However, in the case of ejecting inks of different colors as described above, Not limited. That is, there may be two or more “liquid ejecting portions” that eject ink of the same color. That is, for example, there may be two or more “liquid ejection units” that eject cyan (C) ink.

<About the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit>
In the above-described embodiment, since each “liquid ejection unit” is configured by one nozzle row, the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit individually inspect one nozzle row facing each nozzle row. However, if the “liquid ejecting portion” is composed of two or more nozzle rows, the two or more nozzle rows may be inspected while facing the two or more nozzle rows.

  In the above-described embodiment, the induced current generated by the charged ink (liquid) ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 (“liquid ejecting unit”) by the first inspecting unit and the second inspecting unit, respectively. By detecting whether or not the ink (liquid) is normally ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 (“liquid ejection unit”), the “first inspection unit” and the “second inspection unit” are examined. In the method for inspecting whether or not the ink (liquid) is normally ejected with respect to the nozzles # 1 to # 180 (“liquid ejecting portion”), it may be inspected by another method. That is, for example, the “first inspection unit” and the “second inspection unit” may inspect whether or not ink (liquid) is normally ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 by laser light or the like. Further, whether or not the ink (liquid) is normally ejected may be inspected by another method.

  In the above-described embodiment, the same nozzle row (“liquid ejection unit”) is inspected by the “first inspection unit” and the “second inspection unit”, but the “first inspection unit”. In addition, each of the nozzle rows (“liquid ejection unit”) may be inspected by the “second inspection unit”. That is, the nozzle row (“liquid ejecting unit”) to be inspected may be different between the “first inspection unit” and the “second inspection unit”. In this case, the inspection processing speed is greatly improved.

  In addition, the “first inspection unit” and the “second inspection unit” may perform different inspections. That is, for example, the “first inspection unit” inspects whether or not ink (“liquid”) is ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle row (“liquid ejection unit”). The “2 inspection section” may inspect whether or not the ejection direction of the ink (“liquid”) in each nozzle # 1 to # 180 of the nozzle row (“liquid ejection section”) is normal.

<About detection member>
In the above-described embodiment, the detection member 70 formed of a conductive wire such as metal or a plate-like member is illustrated as a detection unit that detects the ink ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180. However, it is not always necessary to form such a shape. Further, the size of the detection member 70 is exemplified by a wire rod having a diameter of about 0.2 mm and a plate-like member having a thickness of about 0.2 mm and a width of about 3 mm, but the size is not necessarily limited thereto. In other words, as a detection unit that detects the ink ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, as long as it is a detection member that generates an induced current due to the charged ink ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 180, a wire or It may be formed of a member having another shape excluding the plate-like member, or may be formed in other sizes.

<About the electrode section>
In the above-described embodiment, the electrode portion 112 formed of a wire material has been described as the “electrode portion”. However, the “electrode portion” is not limited to such an electrode portion 112 but is the nozzle # 1. As long as an electric field is formed between # 180 (head 21), any form of electrode portion may be used.

<About liquid ejection inspection device>
In the above-described embodiment, the liquid ejection inspection apparatus mounted on the liquid ejection apparatus using an inkjet printer as an example is described as the liquid ejection inspection apparatus. However, the liquid ejection inspection apparatus is not limited to such an apparatus. Absent. The apparatus may be an apparatus that can be separated from the liquid ejection apparatus and can independently perform only the liquid ejection inspection, and is a liquid ejection inspection apparatus mounted on another apparatus other than the liquid ejection apparatus described above. May be.

<About liquid ejection device>
In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet printer 1 has been described as an example of the liquid discharge inspection device. However, the present invention is not limited to such an ink jet printer 1, and any device that discharges liquid may be used. It doesn't matter.

<About ink>
The ink to be used may be a pigment ink, or other various inks such as a dye ink.
Regarding the ink color, in addition to the above-described yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), for example, light cyan (LC), light magenta (LM), and dark yellow (DY), for example, Ink of other colors such as red, violet, blue, and green may be used.

<About printing devices>
In the embodiment described above, the case of the inkjet printer 1 as described above has been described as an example of the printing apparatus. However, the printing apparatus is not limited to such a printing apparatus, but may be an inkjet printer that ejects ink by other methods. May be.

<About media>
The medium S includes plain paper, matte paper, cut paper, glossy paper, roll paper, paper, photographic paper, roll-type photographic paper, etc. In addition to these, film materials and cloth materials such as OHP film and glossy film Alternatively, a metal plate material or the like may be used. That is, any medium can be used as long as it can be a printing target.

1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a liquid ejection apparatus (printing apparatus). The perspective view explaining the internal structure of the liquid discharge apparatus (printing apparatus). Sectional drawing which shows the conveyance part of a liquid discharge apparatus (printing apparatus). The block block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of a liquid discharge apparatus (printing apparatus). Explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle of a head. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a head drive circuit. It is a timing chart of each signal. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of printing processing. Explanatory drawing explaining one Embodiment of a liquid discharge test | inspection apparatus. Explanatory drawing explaining the test | inspection principle of a liquid discharge test | inspection apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the drive signal for discharging ink, and the detection signal of a detection part Explanatory drawing explaining an example of the determination method of the presence or absence of ink discharge FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for determining the ink ejection direction. 14A shows the case where the flight path of the ink droplet is too close to the detection member, FIG. 14B shows the case where the flight path of the ink droplet is within the allowable range, and FIG. 14C shows the flight path of the ink droplet. The case where it is too far from is shown. FIG. 15A is a plan view showing the configuration of the detection member of this embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a longitudinal sectional view of the installation structure of the detection member. The figure explaining the structure of the detection member of this embodiment. The figure explaining an example of the installation position of the discharge inspection unit of this embodiment. The figure explaining the positional relationship of a detection member and a nozzle row. The figure explaining the other example of the positional relationship of a detection member and each nozzle. The figure explaining an example of the discharge determination method in FIG. The figure explaining an example of the discharge determination method in FIG. The figure explaining an example of the discharge determination method in FIG. The figure explaining an example of the discharge determination method in FIG. The figure explaining an example of the discharge determination method in FIG. The figure explaining an example of the test | inspection procedure for every nozzle row. The flowchart explaining an example of a test | inspection procedure. The flowchart explaining an example of the discharge determination procedure of each nozzle at the time of a test | inspection. The figure explaining the example of arrangement | sequence of another nozzle row. The figure explaining an example of the test | inspection procedure in the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle row of FIG. The figure explaining an example of the test | inspection procedure in the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle row of FIG. The figure explaining other embodiment of the liquid discharge inspection apparatus which concerns on this invention. The figure explaining other embodiment of the liquid discharge inspection apparatus which concerns on this invention. The perspective view explaining other embodiments of a detection member. The side view explaining other embodiments of a detection member. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink recovery unit. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of an example of a liquid discharge system. The block block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of an example of a liquid discharge system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inkjet printer, 2 operation panel, 3 paper discharge unit, 4 paper supply unit,
5 operation buttons, 6 indicator lamps, 7 paper discharge tray, 8 paper feed tray,
13 paper feed roller, 14 platen, 15 transport motor, 17A transport roller,
17B paper discharge roller, 18A free roller, 18B free roller, 21 heads,
31 pump device, 35 capping device, 41 carriage,
42 Carriage motor, 44 pulley, 45 timing belt,
46 guide rail, 48 ink cartridge, 49 cartridge mounting part,
51 linear encoder, 53 paper detection sensor, 60 liquid ejection inspection device,
70 detection member, 70A detection member, 70B detection member, 70C detection member,
72 substrate, 74 opening, 75 common line, 76 fixing part, 77 discharge inspection unit,
80 detectors, 81 circuit elements, 82 circuit elements,
83 circuit elements, 84 circuit elements, 88 A / D converter,
90 ink collection unit, 92 first inspection unit, 94 second inspection unit,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Liquid discharge inspection apparatus, 102 Detection part, 110 Liquid discharge inspection apparatus,
112 electrode unit, 114 detection unit, 122 buffer memory,
124 image buffer, 126 controller, 127 main memory,
128 Carriage motor control unit, 129 communication interface,
130 transport control unit, 132 head drive unit, 134 rotary encoder,
140 computers, 211Y yellow nozzle row, 211M magenta nozzle row,
211C cyan nozzle row, 211K black nozzle row,
211DY dark yellow nozzle row, 211LM light magenta nozzle row,
211LC light cyan nozzle row, 211LK light black nozzle row,
220 drive circuit, 221 original drive signal generator, 222 mask circuit,
300 liquid ejection system, 304 display device,
306 input device, 308 keyboard, 310 mouse, 312 reader,
314 FD drive device, 316 CD-ROM drive device,
318 CPU, 320 memory, 322 hard disk drive,
Ap printing area, An non-printing area, S medium, Ip ink drop,
R1 protection resistance, R2 input resistance, R3 feedback resistance, C capacitor,
Amp operational amplifier

Claims (16)

(A) Any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units to be inspected provided on the head movable along the predetermined direction and spaced from each other along the predetermined direction. Oppositely, a first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid ejection is normally performed with respect to the opposed liquid ejection unit,
(B) A second for inspecting whether any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting sections faces the liquid ejecting section and the liquid ejecting section facing the liquid ejecting section is normally performed. An inspection unit, which is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit, and the interval corresponds to an interval between predetermined two liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. A second inspection unit,
A liquid discharge inspection apparatus comprising (C).   The liquid ejection inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit perform an inspection when the head stops at a predetermined position.   The liquid ejection inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of the predetermined positions, and the head moves along the predetermined direction in order to change the predetermined positions.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit. The liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to item.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not the liquid ejection direction is normal for the liquid ejection unit. The liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to item 1.   The liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of liquid discharge units includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge the liquid.   The inspection target nozzle is different between when the first inspection unit performs an inspection on a certain liquid discharge unit and when the second inspection unit performs an inspection on the certain liquid discharge unit. Item 7. A liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to Item 6.   One or a plurality of third inspections that are opposed to any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units and inspect whether or not the liquid ejection units facing each other are normally ejected. The liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit.   The third inspection unit is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit or the second inspection unit, and the interval is determined between predetermined two of the plurality of liquid ejection units. The liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the liquid discharge inspection apparatus corresponds to an interval between the liquid discharge portions.   The liquid discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of liquid discharge units is ink. (A) Any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units to be inspected provided on the head movable along the predetermined direction and spaced from each other along the predetermined direction. Oppositely, a first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid ejection is normally performed with respect to the opposed liquid ejection unit,
(B) A second for inspecting whether any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting sections faces the liquid ejecting section and the liquid ejecting section facing the liquid ejecting section is normally performed. An inspection unit, which is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit, and the interval corresponds to an interval between predetermined two liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. A second inspection unit,
(C)
(D) The first inspection unit and the second inspection unit perform an inspection when the head stops at a predetermined position;
(E) there are a plurality of the predetermined positions, and the head moves along the predetermined direction to change the predetermined positions;
(F) At least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit;
(G) At least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit inspects whether or not the liquid ejection direction is normal for the liquid ejection unit,
(H) Each of the plurality of liquid ejection units includes a plurality of nozzles that eject the liquid,
(I) The nozzle to be inspected is different between the case where the first inspection unit performs an inspection on a liquid ejection unit and the case where the second inspection unit performs the inspection on the certain liquid ejection unit,
(J) One or more inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed for the liquid discharge unit opposed to any one of the plurality of liquid discharge units. A third inspection unit,
(K) The third inspection unit is installed with an interval in the predetermined direction with respect to the first inspection unit or the second inspection unit, and the interval is a predetermined one of the plurality of liquid ejection units. Corresponding to the interval between the two liquid ejection parts,
(L) The liquid ejected from each of the plurality of liquid ejection units is ink.
A liquid discharge inspection apparatus. With respect to a plurality of liquid ejection units provided on a head movable along a predetermined direction and spaced apart from each other along the predetermined direction, the liquid is moved while moving the head along the predetermined direction. When checking whether or not the discharge is performed normally,
A first inspection unit that is opposed to any one of the plurality of liquid ejection units and inspects the opposed liquid ejection unit;
The liquid ejecting unit that is opposed to any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting units is inspected with respect to the facing liquid ejecting unit, and is spaced from the first inspecting unit in the predetermined direction. The liquid ejection is characterized in that the liquid ejection is performed by a second inspection unit that is installed and whose interval corresponds to the interval between two predetermined liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. Inspection method. (A) a head movable along a predetermined direction;
(B) a plurality of liquid ejection portions provided on the head at intervals along the predetermined direction;
(C) A first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed on the liquid discharge unit facing any one of the plurality of liquid discharge units. When,
(D) A second inspecting unit for inspecting whether or not the liquid ejecting unit is normally ejected in opposition to any one of the plurality of liquid ejecting units. And it installs in the said predetermined direction at intervals with respect to the said 1st test | inspection part, and the space | interval respond | corresponds to the space | interval of two predetermined liquid discharge parts among these liquid discharge parts. A second inspection unit;
A liquid discharge apparatus comprising (E). (A) a head movable along a predetermined direction;
(B) a plurality of ink ejection units provided on the head at intervals from each other along the predetermined direction;
(C) A first inspecting unit for inspecting whether or not ink is normally ejected from the ink ejecting unit opposite to any one of the plurality of ink ejecting units. When,
(D) A second inspection unit for inspecting whether any one of the plurality of ink discharge units is opposed to any one of the plurality of ink discharge units and whether or not ink is normally discharged from the ink discharge unit. In the first inspection unit, the first inspection unit is installed at an interval in the predetermined direction, and the interval corresponds to an interval between two predetermined ink ejection units among the plurality of ink ejection units. A second inspection unit;
A printing apparatus comprising (E). When a head movable along a predetermined direction stops at a predetermined position, one of a plurality of liquid ejection units provided on the head at intervals from each other along the predetermined direction A step of inspecting whether or not the liquid ejection is normal for the one liquid ejection unit by a first inspection unit facing the liquid ejection unit;
When the head stops at the predetermined position, whether or not the liquid ejection is normal for the other liquid ejection unit by the second inspection unit facing the other liquid ejection unit among the plurality of liquid ejection units. A step of checking
A program characterized by executing A liquid ejection system comprising a computer and a liquid ejection device communicable with the computer,
The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head movable along a predetermined direction;
A plurality of liquid ejection portions provided on the head at intervals along the predetermined direction;
A first inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed on the liquid discharge unit opposite to any one of the plurality of liquid discharge units;
A second inspection unit for inspecting whether or not liquid discharge is normally performed for the liquid discharge unit facing one liquid discharge unit of the plurality of liquid discharge units. The second inspection in which the first inspection unit is installed with an interval in the predetermined direction, and the interval corresponds to the interval between two predetermined liquid ejection units among the plurality of liquid ejection units. And
A liquid ejection system comprising: