JP2007144646A - Recording device, and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device and a recording method which can use a power source capacity to a maximum by controlling a period of time required for the recording depending on when image data is small and when image data is large. <P>SOLUTION: This recording device performs recording by using a recording head for which a plurality of recording elements are arranged while scanning a carriage carrying the recording head to a recording medium in a direction being different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements. The recording device has a detecting means which detects the number of printing dots for one scanning portion, and a control means which controls a paper feeding starting timing at the time of the starting of a new line, and the motion timing of the carriage carrying the recording head in response to the detection result by the detecting means. Also, the number of printing dots for one scanning portion is detected at the time of recording under a high speed mode, and when the number of printing dots exceeds a specified value, the motion of the paper feeding at the time of the starting of a new line, and the motion of the carrier carrying the recording head are changed so that they may not be duplicated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method, and more particularly to a recording apparatus and a recording method having a configuration that efficiently uses the power capacity of the apparatus.

  As one of image forming (recording) devices for outputting information such as characters and images processed by information processing devices such as copying machines, word processors, computers, etc., those that perform digital images by an ink jet printer method are widely used. is doing. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, a recording head in which a plurality of ink discharge ports and liquid paths are integrated is generally used as a plurality of recording elements in order to improve recording speed.

  Furthermore, in recent years, higher speeds have been demanded, and the time required for recording has been shortened by overlapping the paper feeding operation performed during recording with part of the operation of the carriage equipped with the recording head. Yes. In addition, during recording on the recording medium, the next recording medium is fed from the recording medium storage means within a range in which a predetermined distance from the recording medium can be maintained, thereby reducing the time required for continuous recording. Yes.

These inkjet recording devices vary greatly in the amount of information depending on the content of image data sent from the host computer, or the recording dot density is unevenly distributed according to the recording location in a predetermined area, such as one page of recording paper There is a case. There is a case where the power and recording amount required for driving the head fluctuate due to such uneven distribution of recording dot density. Further, in order to increase the speed, there are cases where the paper feeding operation performed at the time of recording and a part of the operation of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted are performed simultaneously (see Patent Document 1). Alternatively, the recording medium may be fed from the recording medium storage unit by the sheet feeding unit during recording on the recording medium. If the recording operation and the feeding of the recording medium are performed at the same time, the paper feeding operation, the carriage operation and the paper feeding operation are overlapped. As a result, the power required for driving the actuator is increased by overlapping the actuator operations. May vary.
JP 2001-071603 A

  Regardless of such fluctuations in power, in order to always enable uniform recording and increase the speed, a printer with a relatively large capacity and a circuit that can withstand the input and output of this large capacity power Can be expensive.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and by controlling the time required for recording when the image data is small and when the image data is large, the power supply capacity is maximized. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method that can be used for the above.

  Therefore, the present invention uses a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged, and performs recording while scanning a carriage on which the recording head is mounted on a recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements. The detection means for detecting the number of print dots for one scan, and the control for controlling the paper feed start timing at the time of line feed and the operation timing of the carriage equipped with the recording head according to the detection result of the detection means. And means.

  The present invention also relates to a recording method that uses a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged, and performs recording while scanning a carrier on which the recording head is mounted in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements. When printing in high-speed mode, the number of print dots for one scan is detected. If the number of print dots exceeds the specified value, the paper feed at the time of line feed and the operation of the carrier equipped with the print head are changed so as not to overlap. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the above configuration, when it is determined that the detection result of the detection means for detecting the number of print dots for one scan exceeds a predetermined amount and the amount of image data is large, the paper feeding operation performed at the time of recording is performed. Is necessary to drive the head due to the increase in image data by stopping the operation of feeding the next recording medium during recording on the recording medium. The power increment can be offset by reducing the power required to drive the actuator by eliminating the overlap of the actuators, thereby making it possible to maximize the power capacity.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer which is an example of a recording apparatus including a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an ink jet printer, and 1A denotes an ink jet printer main body (hereinafter referred to as a main body). Reference numeral 3A denotes an image recording unit. The image recording unit 3A includes a recording head 3 and a carrier 2 on which the recording head 3 is placed.

  Here, the recording head 3 has a plurality of nozzle (recording element) rows (not shown) in the sub-scanning direction of the surface of the recording paper P that is a recording medium, and ejects ink of different colors for each nozzle row. It has become. The recording head 3 is supplied with ink of each color from the ink tank 4 through the recording liquid supply tubes 5 to the nozzles of the color. Both ends of the carrier 2 are fixed to the frame 6 of the main body 1A, and are supported so as to be slidable along the guide shaft 7 and the guide rail 8 that are arranged in parallel to each other.

  An image is recorded on the recording paper by ejecting ink toward the recording paper P from the recording head 3 while reciprocating the carrier 2. The carrier 2 is reciprocated by a belt driving device (not shown) and a motor.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer 1, in which 1B is a recording paper supply device (hereinafter referred to as a paper supply device), and this paper supply device 1B is detachable from the main body 1A. Includes a recording paper storage cassette (hereinafter referred to as a paper feed cassette) 10 that is a recording paper storage means mounted on the paper supply, and a paper feed roller 15 that is a paper feed means for feeding out the recording paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 10. Yes.

  Here, the paper feed cassette 10 is a separating plate 19 that is a slope member for separating the recording paper P by coming into contact with the recording paper P sent out by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 15 at the downstream end in the recording paper feeding direction. Is provided. The paper feed roller 15 is provided above the paper feed cassette 10, and is rotatable on an arm 14 that is rotatably supported by a fulcrum 14 a positioned upstream of the paper feed roller 15. The recording paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 10 is held so as to be able to contact and separate.

  When the image is recorded, the paper feed roller contacts the uppermost recording paper P1 of the recording paper P loaded on the paper feeding cassette 10 by its own weight and the downward rotation of the arm 14, as shown in FIG. It rotates by the drive from the drive source not shown transmitted via the pulley 16, the belt 17, and the gear 18 which are shown.

  In FIG. 2, 9 is a first transport roller as transport means, 21 is a second transport roller, 20 is a roller guide provided at a position facing the second transport roller 21, and 22 is a second transport roller. A pressing roller 23 for pressing the peripheral surface of the recording paper 23 is a link for moving the second transport roller so that the recording paper P1 fed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 15 is transferred to the second transport roller. The recording paper transport path R that reverses the recording paper formed between the roller 21, the pressing roller 22, and the roller guide 20 passes through the recording paper transport path R and heads toward the transport roller 9.

  Next, an image recording operation of the ink jet printer having such a configuration will be described. When the image recording operation is started, first, the arm 14 is rotated downward and the paper feed roller 15 comes into contact with the uppermost recording paper P of the recording paper P loaded in the paper feed cassette 10 by its own weight. When the paper feeding roller 15 rotates in this state, the recording paper P is sent out, and thereafter, only the uppermost recording paper P1 enters the recording paper conveyance path R due to resistance by the separation plate 19.

  At this time, because of the stability of the separation performance, the outer peripheral speed of the paper feed roller is such that only the uppermost recording paper P1 enters the recording paper conveyance path R due to the resistance force from the separation plate 19 from the time of starting the paper feed roller. It is desirable that the speed is 3 inches / second to 6 inches / second until immediately before. When entering the recording paper conveyance path, the second conveyance roller 21 is rotated to be guided between the first conveyance roller 9 and the pinch roller 12 and thereafter sandwiched between the first conveyance roller 9 and the pinch roller 12. In this state, the sheet is conveyed to a platen 24 provided at a recording position facing the recording head 3. Next, a printing (image recording) operation by the recording head 3 mounted on the carrier 2 is started on the recording paper P <b> 1 conveyed to the platen 24.

  Here, the normal mode will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, after printing for one scan by the recording head 3 is completed, the carrier 2 on which the recording head 3 is mounted is decelerated. After the carrier 2 is stopped, the recording paper P1 positioned on the platen 24 is line-feeded (paper fed) by a predetermined amount by the first conveying roller 9, and the acceleration of the carrier 2 is started again. After the carrier 2 reaches the steady speed and reaches the recording start position, printing for the next one scan is started.

  Next, the high speed mode will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a line feed (paper feed) operation is started at the timing when printing for one scan by the recording head 3 is completed. Carrier 2 is decelerated and accelerated during line feed operation. Here, almost at the same time as the line feed operation is completed, the line feed timing is adjusted so that the acceleration of the carrier 2 ends and reaches the steady speed. After the carrier 2 reaches the steady speed and reaches the recording start position, printing for the next one scan is started. By overlapping the deceleration and acceleration times of the carrier 2 and the line feed time, the recording time can be shortened by the time of the line feed.

  Next, the high speed mode at the time of preceding paper feeding will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the recording operation is the same as in the high-speed mode, but at the timing when the paper edge detection B (see FIG. 2) detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P1 during recording on the recording paper. The driving of the paper feeding roller 15 is started, the feeding of the recording paper P stored in the storage cassette 10 is started, and the apparatus waits when the leading edge of the recording paper P reaches the paper end detection A. Since the standby position of the next recording paper P is closer to the recording head, the recording time is shortened.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining control by the control means. In step S1, the number of printed dots per line is checked by the detecting means. If it is larger than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S3, and if smaller than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S2. When it is determined that the number of print dots is large and the process proceeds to step S3, it is determined that the power for driving the head is increased due to the large number of print dots, and line feed (paper) is performed so that the power for driving the actuator is decreased. (Feeding) start timing and the acceleration start timing of the carrier 2 are changed so as not to overlap with other actuator driving as shown in FIG. Proceeding directly to step S4, the paper feeding operation during printing, which has been performed for speeding up as shown in FIG. 6, is stopped. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of print dots is small and the process proceeds to step 2, it is determined that the power for driving the head is small due to the small number of print dots, and the power for driving the actuator may be large. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the recording time is shortened by overlapping the line feed (paper feeding) operation and the deceleration / acceleration time of the carrier 2 or by repeating the paper feeding operation during printing.

  In this way, the sum of the power for driving the head and the power for driving the actuator should be stopped when the number of printing dots is small, and the recording time is increased when there are many printing dots. Thus, in accordance with almost the same, it is possible to make maximum use of the power capacity.

  After the printing by the recording head 3 is sequentially performed on the platen 24 in this way, the recording paper is discharged to the cassette cover 13 by the recording paper discharge roller (discharge roller) 25 and the discharge spur 26. It has become. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes head recovery means. The head recovery means 11 is located at a position where the carrier 2 can face the recording head 3 when the carrier 2 moves to a home position provided near one end of the moving range. Is provided. Then, the head recovery means 11 is operated before and after the recording operation or between recordings for each row during standby, and the recording head 3 is operated such as capping, suction, wiping, etc. The performance of the recording head 3 is maintained by preventing clogging and the like.

1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer that is an example of a recording apparatus including a paper feeding device of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the said inkjet printer. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the said paper feeding apparatus. It is a figure explaining the time chart of the actuator in the high-speed mode of this invention. It is a figure explaining the time chart of the actuator in a normal mode of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the time chart of the actuator in the high-speed mode at the time of preceding paper feeding of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the control flowchart of the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer 1A Inkjet printer main body 1B Paper feeder 3 Recording head 3A Image recording part 4 Ink tank 5 Recording liquid supply tube 7 Guide shaft 6 Frame 8 Guide rail 9 First conveyance roller 10 Paper feed cassette 11 Recovery means 12 Pinch roller 13 Cassette cover 14 Arm 15 Paper feed roller 16 Pulley 17 Belt 18 Gear 19 Separating plate 20 Roller guide 21 Second transport roller 22 Paper end detection A
23 Paper edge detection B
24 Platen 25 Recording paper discharge roller 26 Spur

Claims (6)

  A recording apparatus that performs recording while using a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged, and scanning a recording medium with a carrier on which the recording head is mounted, and detecting means that detects the number of print dots for one scan; A recording apparatus comprising: control means for controlling paper feed start timing at the time of line feed of the transport means and operation timing of the carrier on which the recording head is mounted according to the detection result of the detection means.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that a carrier scan and a paper feed for a line feed are not performed simultaneously when the number of print dots for one scan is a predetermined number or more.   The recording element is a nozzle for ejecting ink, and the control means controls so that the acceleration of the carrier and the paper feed for a line feed are not performed simultaneously when the number of printing dots for one scan is a predetermined number or more. Item 2. The recording device according to Item 1.   In a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium using a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink, the recording apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium so as to pass a position facing the recording head, and a recording A recording medium storing means for storing a medium, a paper feeding means for feeding the recording medium stored in the recording medium storing means to the conveying means, a detecting means for detecting the number of print dots for one scan, and the detecting means A recording apparatus that controls so that ink ejection of the recording head and paper feeding by the paper feeding means are not performed simultaneously when the number of detected printing dots is a predetermined number or more.   In a recording method that uses a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged and scans a carrier carrying the recording head in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements with respect to the recording medium, The number of print dots for one scan is detected, and when the number of print dots exceeds a predetermined value, the paper feed at the time of line feed and the operation of the carrier equipped with the recording head are changed so as not to overlap. Recording method.   6. The recording method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of stopping the preceding sheet feeding when the number of print dots exceeds a predetermined value in the high speed mode of the preceding sheet feeding.