JP2007230012A - Detector, recorder and detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique enabling the gap between a recording head and a platen to be inspected easily and appropriately without contacting the recorder. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder comprises a carriage 161 wherein a recording head 162 is mounted, a light projecting part 171 provided at the carriage 161 for projecting a light to the side of the platen 163 and a light receiving part 172 for generating a voltage which responds to the light received from the side of the platen 163. Based on the value of the voltage generated by the light receiving part 172, the detector is equipped with a gap detection part 21b for detecting the gap value concerning the platen 163 and the recorder 162 and a regulation-amount detection part 21c for detecting the regulation-amount of the gap based on the gap value detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a detection apparatus, a recording apparatus, and a detection device for detecting an adjustment amount of a gap between a recording head and a platen in a recording apparatus having a recording head that discharges a recording liquid and a platen that supports a recording medium during recording. Regarding the method.

In an ink jet printer that is an example of a recording apparatus, a gap between a recording head that ejects ink as an example of a recording liquid and a platen that supports a recording medium that performs recording with ink is maintained within a predetermined range. Thus, the image can be recorded in more detail on the recording medium.
For this reason, when an ink jet printer is manufactured, before shipping it is inspected at the factory or the like to determine whether the gap between the recording head and the platen is appropriate, and the gap is adjusted according to the inspection result. Etc. are done.
As a method for inspecting the gap between the recording head and the platen, for example, a gap gauge having the same thickness as the appropriate gap between the recording head and the platen is placed on the platen, and the carriage on which the recording head is mounted is moved. A method is known in which an inspector checks whether or not the gap is appropriate based on the movement state of the gap gauge at that time, the sound generated, and the like.
An invention is also known in which an image sensor is used to measure a gap between a print head and a print medium in a non-contact manner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-149721

As described above, according to the method of inspecting the gap between the recording head and the platen using the gap gauge, the gap gauge and the recording head may come into contact with each other, and the recording head may be damaged. . As described above, if the recording head is damaged, there is a possibility that a problem may occur in the recording itself or an adverse effect may be caused when the recording head is cleaned.
On the other hand, according to the invention according to Patent Document 1, it is possible to measure the gap without contact with the print head, and to prevent the recording head from being damaged.

However, there is a problem that it is necessary to provide an image sensor, which is expensive. Further, there is a problem that it is necessary to provide an edge member, a condensing means for forming an image on the image sensor, and a large space is required for installation.
In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to adjust the position of the edge member, the light condensing means and the like because it is necessary to make the position highly accurate.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of easily and appropriately inspecting a gap between a recording head and a platen without contacting the recording head. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a recording head that ejects a recording liquid and a platen that supports a recording medium during recording. A detection device that detects an adjustment amount of a gap, and a recording device receives a light from a platen side, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a light projection unit that is provided on the carriage, and projects light to the platen side A light receiving unit that generates a voltage corresponding to the light, and a gap detection unit that detects a gap value related to the platen and the recording head based on the value of the voltage generated by the light receiving unit; Adjustment amount detecting means for detecting an adjustment amount of the gap based on the gap value.

  According to this configuration, the gap value related to the platen and the recording head is detected based on the voltage value generated by the light receiving unit, and the gap adjustment amount is detected based on the detected gap value. Thereby, the adjustment amount of the gap between the platen and the recording head can be detected without contacting the recording head. Moreover, it is not necessary to provide an edge member, a condensing means, or the like, and the gap adjustment amount can be appropriately detected even in a limited space.

The detection apparatus further includes correspondence storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between a gap value relating to the platen and the recording head and a voltage value generated by the light receiving unit, and the gap detection unit is configured to receive the light receiving unit from the correspondence storage unit. The gap value corresponding to the voltage value generated by step (b) may be detected, and the adjustment amount detection means may detect the gap adjustment amount based on the gap value.
With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately detect the gap value between the platen and the recording head based on the voltage value generated by the light receiving unit.

The detection apparatus may further include an adjustment amount display unit that displays an adjustment amount of the gap. According to this configuration, a person such as an inspector can confirm the gap adjustment amount, and the gap between the platen and the recording head can be easily and appropriately adjusted according to the adjustment amount.
In the detection device, the correspondence relationship may be a correspondence relationship between a gap value and an actual measurement value of a voltage output by the light receiving unit in the gap. According to this configuration, the gap value can be detected according to the actual characteristics of the light receiving unit, and the accuracy of the detected gap value can be improved.

Further, in the above detection device, the carriage of the recording apparatus is configured to be movable in a predetermined direction, the gap detection means detects gap values at at least two locations in the predetermined direction, and the adjustment amount detection means includes: The gap adjustment amount may be detected based on the two detected gap values.
According to this configuration, the gap between the recording head and the platen can be adjusted more appropriately over the moving range of the carriage.

In the detection device, the recording apparatus can adjust the gap between the recording head and the platen at two locations in the carriage movement direction, and the adjustment amount detection means detects the adjustment amount of the gap at these two locations. You may do it.
With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately detect the gap adjustment amount at the adjustable position.

In the above detection apparatus, a dummy cartridge having a predetermined weight can be mounted on the carriage of the recording apparatus, and the gap detection means is generated by the light receiving unit when the dummy cartridge is mounted on the carriage. The gap value between the platen and the recording head may be detected based on the voltage value.
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the gap adjustment amount assuming a state where a cartridge containing a recording liquid is mounted. Therefore, an appropriate gap can be maintained during actual recording.

  To achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a recording head that discharges a recording liquid, a platen that supports a recording medium during recording, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, and a carriage. A light projecting unit that projects light on the platen side, a light receiving unit that receives light from the platen side and generates a voltage corresponding to the light, and a platen and a recording based on the value of the voltage generated by the light receiving unit Gap detection means for detecting a gap value related to the head and adjustment amount detection means for detecting an adjustment amount of the gap based on the detected gap value.

  According to this configuration, the gap value related to the platen and the recording head is detected based on the voltage value generated by the light receiving unit, and the gap adjustment amount is detected based on the detected gap value. Thereby, the adjustment amount of the gap between the platen and the recording head can be detected without contacting the recording head. Moreover, it is not necessary to provide an edge member, a condensing means, or the like, and the gap adjustment amount can be appropriately detected even in a limited space.

  In order to achieve the above object, a detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a recording head that discharges a recording liquid and a platen that supports a recording medium during recording. A detection method for detecting an adjustment amount of a gap, wherein a recording apparatus receives a light from a platen side, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a light projecting portion that is provided on the carriage, and projects light on the platen side. A light receiving unit that generates a voltage corresponding to the light; a light projecting step for projecting light to the platen side by the light projecting unit; and a light receiving unit that receives light from the platen side and responds to the received light. A light receiving step for generating a detected voltage, a gap detecting step for detecting a gap value between the platen and the recording head based on the generated voltage value, and based on the detected gap value And a adjustment amount detecting step of detecting an adjustment amount of cap.

  According to this method, the gap value relating to the platen and the recording head is detected based on the voltage value generated by the light receiving unit, and the gap adjustment amount is detected based on the detected gap value. Thereby, the adjustment amount of the gap between the platen and the recording head can be detected without contacting the recording head. Moreover, it is not necessary to provide an edge member, a condensing means, or the like, and the gap adjustment amount can be appropriately detected even in a limited space.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. Absent.

First, an ink jet printer that is an example of a recording apparatus in which a detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure, and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure. . The ink jet printer 100 is, for example, a business card, card, L / 2L size, postcard, six cuts, JIS standard A6 size to A4 size cut paper, CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), DVD- It has a function capable of recording on the label surface of an optical disk such as R (Digital Versatile Disk-Recordable).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 100 is entirely covered with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 101. An operation unit 110 is disposed on the front side of the upper surface of the housing 101, a memory card slot 120 is disposed on the right side of the front surface of the housing 101, and a paper feeding unit 130 is disposed on the rear side of the upper surface. A paper discharge unit 140 is disposed on the front side. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a paper transport unit 150, a recording unit 160, and a disk transport unit 200 platen 163 are disposed inside the ink jet printer 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 110 includes a substantially rectangular operation panel 111, and a liquid crystal panel 112 that displays an operation state or the like is disposed at a substantially central portion of the operation panel 111. Buttons 113 such as a power system for turning on / off the power, an operation system for operating the cueing of paper or operating ink flushing, a processing system for performing image processing, and the like are disposed on both sides. Since the user can operate the button 113 while checking the liquid crystal panel 112 for confirmation, an erroneous operation can be prevented.
As shown in FIG. 1, the memory card slot 120 is covered with a cover 121 that can be opened and closed in the direction of the arrow a. The memory card slot section 120 includes a slot section (not shown) in which, for example, three slots are formed, and is configured to be compatible with three types of memory cards (attachments). Even if the user does not connect the ink jet printer 100 to a personal computer, the user can record an image or the like stored in the memory card only by inserting the memory card into the slot of the slot portion with the ink jet printer 100 alone. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper supply unit 130 has a function of opening and closing a paper supply port 131 that opens upward in a rectangular shape and a function of supporting one or a plurality of papers to be supplied. 132 is provided. The paper support 132 is attached so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow b shown in the figure around the rotation axis at the rear end. Since the user can open and close the paper support 132 by holding the left side of the paper support 132 by inserting a finger into the hole 133 provided in the housing 101 on the left side of the paper support 132 in the drawing, the inkjet printer 100 is used. When the ink jet printer 100 is not used, the paper support 132 can be closed to prevent dust from entering the paper feed slot 131. Can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper support 132 includes a first support 31 and a second support 32 that support the back side of the paper, a fixed edge guide 33 that guides both side edges of the paper, a movable edge guide 34, and the like. Yes. The first support 31 is formed in a flat plate shape and is attached so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow b shown in the drawing with the rotation axis at the rear end as a center. The second support 32 is formed in a flat plate shape and is disposed in the first support 31 so as to be retractable and retractable. As a result, various sizes of paper can be reliably supported during use, and when not in use, the second support 32 is stored in the first support 31, and the first support 31 is placed over the paper feed slot 131. It can be stored compactly.

  The fixed edge guide 33 is formed integrally with the hopper 51 in a shape along the right side wall in the figure, and the movable edge guide 34 is formed in a shape along the left side wall in the figure, and the rear wall is substantially between the left side wall and the right side wall. It is attached so that it can move in parallel. Since the fixed edge guide 33 and the movable edge guide 34 can reliably guide both side edges of the paper even if the paper sizes are different, the feeding can be performed with high accuracy.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper discharge unit 140 is a stacker that has a function of opening and closing a paper discharge port 141 that opens in a rectangular shape toward the front, and a function of stacking one or a plurality of paper to be discharged. 142. The stacker 142 is attached so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow c in the figure around the rotation axis at the lower end. Since the user can open and close the stacker 142 by placing a finger on the handle 143 provided on the top of the stacker 142, when using the ink jet printer 100, the setting can be easily performed by opening the stacker 142. When the ink jet printer 100 is not used, dust can be prevented from entering the paper discharge outlet 141 by closing the stacker 142. Further, since the recorded paper is always discharged from the front side, the user can easily take out the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stacker 142 includes a first stacker 41 and a second stacker 42. The first stacker 41 is formed in a flat plate shape, and is attached so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow c in the figure around the rotation shaft at the rear end. The second stacker 42 is formed in a flat plate shape and is disposed in the first stacker 41 so as to be retractable and retractable. As a result, sheets of paper of various sizes can be stacked and placed reliably when in use, and the second stacker 42 is stored in the first stacker 41 and the first stacker 41 is discharged when not in use. Since it covers the paper mouth 141, it can be stored compactly.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the paper transport unit 150 is disposed from the paper feed unit 130 to the paper discharge unit 140, and includes an automatic paper feed mechanism 151, a transport mechanism 152, and a paper discharge mechanism 153. The automatic paper feed mechanism 151 is a hopper 51 that lifts up the paper supported by the paper support 132, a paper feed roller 52 that picks up the paper lifted by the hopper 51, and multi-feed by the paper feed roller 52. A retard roller 53 that separates the separated paper into only one sheet, a paper return lever 54 that returns the remaining paper separated by the retard roller 53 to the hopper 51, and the like.

The hopper 51 is formed in a flat plate shape on which paper can be placed, and is disposed substantially parallel to the rear wall. The lower end is located near the paper feed roller 52 and the upper end is located near the top of the rear wall. It is arranged to do. The hopper 51 is attached such that the other end of a compression spring (not shown) having one end attached to the rear wall is attached to the back surface on the lower end side, and the lower end side turns around the upper end side by expansion and contraction of the compression spring. It is installed.
The paper feed roller 52 is formed in a D shape with a part of the cross-section cut away, and is disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the hopper 51. The paper feed roller 52 rotates intermittently and frictionally feeds the paper lifted by the hopper 51. It is supposed to send. The retard roller 53 is disposed so as to come into contact with the paper feed roller 52, and when the paper is fed by the paper feed roller 52, only the uppermost paper is frictionally separated from the lower paper. Yes. The paper return lever 54 is formed in a claw shape and is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 52, and the lower layer paper separated by the retard roller 53 is placed on the claw and returned to the hopper 51.

The transport mechanism 152 is provided with a paper feed roller 55 that feeds paper in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with the recording operation, a driven roller 56, and the like. The paper feed roller 55 is arranged on the upstream side of the transport of the platen 163, and sandwiches the paper fed by the paper feed roller 52 together with the driven roller 56 and feeds it to the platen 163.
The paper discharge mechanism 153 includes a paper discharge roller 57, a first jagged roller 58a, a second jagged roller 58b, and the like. The first knurled roller 58a is disposed on the downstream side of the platen 163 in conveyance, and the second jagged roller 58b and the paper discharge roller 57 are disposed on the conveyance downstream side of the first jagged roller 58a, and pass through the platen 163. The incoming paper is first discharged by the first jagged roller 58a, and then is nipped by the second jagged roller 58b and the paper discharge roller 57 and discharged onto the stacker 142. Note that the first and second serrated rollers 58a and 58b are held by the same holding member (not shown).

  The recording unit 160 includes a carriage 161 that moves in the main scanning direction in synchronization with the recording operation, a recording head 162 that ejects ink, which is an example of a recording liquid, in synchronization with the recording operation, and a flat sheet for recording. A holding platen 163 and the like are disposed. The carriage 161 is passed through the carriage guide shaft 164 and connected to the carriage belt 165 above the platen 163. When the carriage belt 165 is actuated by a carriage motor (not shown), the carriage 161 is entrained in the movement of the carriage belt 165. The guide shaft 164 is guided to reciprocate. The carriage 161 is formed with a cartridge housing portion 61 into which a plurality of ink cartridges can be inserted and removed.

  The recording head 162 is mounted on the carriage 161. For example, a black ink recording head that discharges black ink and a plurality of color inks that respectively discharge yellow, cyan, light cyan, magenta, and light magenta inks. And a recording head. The recording head 162 is provided with a pressure generation chamber and a nozzle opening connected to the pressure generation chamber, and is controlled from the nozzle opening toward the sheet by storing ink in the pressure generation chamber and pressurizing it with a predetermined pressure. Ink droplets of different sizes are ejected.

  The left and right ends of the carriage guide shaft 164 can be adjusted with respect to the platen 163 in the vertical direction by adjusting the guide shaft adjusting section 166, respectively. Therefore, by adjusting the guide shaft adjusting unit 166, the gap (interval) between the recording head 162 mounted on the carriage 161 and the platen 163 can be adjusted. In addition, since the ink jet printer 100 according to the present embodiment is adjusted for the gap before shipment, it is adjusted to an appropriate interval at the time of shipment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a part of the ink jet printer 100 taken out.
The platen 163 is formed with a plurality of rail-like ribs 64 having a substantially trapezoidal cross section in the main scanning direction and extending in the paper transport direction (the front side in the drawing). The ribs 64 are configured to support the sheet conveyed on the platen 163 from below.
The carriage 161 is equipped with a recording head 162 and is provided with a light projecting unit 171 that irradiates light toward the platen 163 side and a light receiving unit 172 that receives light from the platen 163 side. . The light receiving unit 172 includes, for example, a photodiode, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the received light. In the case where the optical axis of the light projecting unit 171 and the central axis of the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 172 are adjusted in advance so as to be at a predetermined angle, and a predetermined reference plane parallel to the plane PP is irradiated with light The voltage output by the light receiving unit 172 is maximized, and the voltage output by the light receiving unit 172 decreases as light is irradiated onto the surface in front of the reference surface.

The carriage guide shaft 164 is connected to the guide shaft adjustment unit 166 at the left and right ends, and adjustment in the direction d perpendicular to the platen 163 is possible at each end.
In the ink jet printer 100 according to the present embodiment, the plane PP including the upper surface of the rib 64 of the platen 163, the nozzle plate surface 162a of the recording head 162, and the carriage 161 are moved to any position in the main scanning direction. The gap PG is adjusted so as to be maintained at a constant interval.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the voltage output by the light receiving unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a state of a voltage output from the light receiving unit 172 when the carriage 161 is moved on the carriage guide shaft 164 in the main scanning direction while performing the light projection by the light projecting unit 171. 5 (1) shows the platen 163 irradiated with light by the light projecting unit 171, and FIG. 5 (2) shows the voltage output by the light receiving unit 172 at each position of the platen 163 shown in FIG. 5 (1). Is shown.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the rib 64 portion of the platen 163 is irradiated with light from the light projecting unit 171, a lower voltage is output by the light receiving unit 172 than when light is irradiated to a portion other than the rib 64. Is done.

  In this way, the voltage detected by the light receiving unit 172 is affected by the positional relationship between the carriage guide shaft 164 and the platen 163. For example, when the carriage guide shaft 164 is parallel to the platen 163, the voltage output at the leftmost rib 64 of the platen 163 and the voltage output at the rightmost rib have the same voltage value. Become. In addition, when the distance between the left end of the carriage guide shaft 164 and the portion other than the rib 64 of the platen 163 is longer than the distance between the right end and the portion other than the rib 64 of the platen 163, the voltage of the portion other than the left rib 64. Is higher than the voltage of the portion other than the right rib 64, and vice versa, the voltage of the portion other than the right rib 64 is higher than the voltage of the portion other than the left rib 64. The positional relationship between the carriage guide shaft 164 and the platen 163 corresponds to the gap between the recording head 162 and the platen 163. In other words, the longer the distance between the carriage guide shaft 164 and the platen 163, the longer the gap between the recording head 162 and the platen 163, and the shorter the distance between the carriage guide shaft 164 and the platen 163, the smaller the distance between the recording head 162 and the platen 163. It means that the gap is short.

Next, a printer control unit 20 that is an example of a detection device and controls the operation of each functional unit of the ink jet printer 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the printer control unit of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the printer control unit 20, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 22, a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) 23 as an example of a correspondence storage unit, a RAM (Random) Access Memory) 24 and a peripheral input / output unit 25 are connected via a bus 26.
The communication I / F unit 22 can be connected to an external device via, for example, a USB cable, and mediates information exchange with the external device. For example, image data of an image to be recorded by the inkjet printer 100 transmitted from a PC (personal computer) is mediated.

The PROM 23 is a program such as a boot program, information on the correspondence between the voltage output from the light receiving unit 172 and the gap distance (gap value) between the recording head 162 and the platen 163, adjustment amount detection processing described later, and the like. Memorize the program.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the gap relating to the recording head and the platen and the output voltage of the light receiving unit. In FIG. 7, a gap between the nozzle plate surface 162 a of the recording head 162 and a plane including the upper surface of the rib 64 of the platen 163 is used as the gap related to the recording head 162 and the platen 163.

As shown in the figure, the voltage output from the light receiving unit 172 increases as the gap distance between the nozzle plate surface 162a of the recording head 162 and the plane including the upper surface of the rib 64 of the platen 163 increases. ing.
In the present embodiment, the correspondence relationship between the output voltage and the gap distance shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the PROM 23 as a table in which, for example, a plurality of voltage values and a gap distance corresponding to each voltage value are associated with each other. Yes. Note that the voltage value and the gap distance corresponding to the voltage value may be variables, and a function indicating the corresponding relationship may be stored in the PROM 23 as the corresponding relationship.

Returning to FIG. 6, the RAM 24 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the CPU 21. In the present embodiment, the RAM 24 stores voltage value data output from the light receiving unit 172.
The peripheral input / output unit 25 exchanges signals with each unit of the printer such as the light projecting unit 171, the light receiving unit 172, the recording head 162, the operation panel 111, a paper feed motor, a carriage motor (not shown), and the like.

CPU21 controls operation | movement of each part 22-25. Further, the CPU 21 reads the program stored in the PROM 23 into the RAM 24 and executes it, thereby adjusting the measurement controller 21a, the gap detector 21b as an example of the gap detector, and the adjustment as an example of the adjustment amount detector. The amount detection unit 21c and a display control unit 21d as an example of an adjustment amount display unit are configured to execute various processes.
The measurement control unit 21a controls the carriage motor via the peripheral input / output unit 25, thereby moving the carriage 161 in the main scanning direction and irradiating light from the light projecting unit 171 to the platen 163 side. The voltage value of the voltage generated by 172 is acquired, and the voltage value is stored in the RAM 24.
The gap detection unit 21b acquires a voltage value at a predetermined position from the voltage value stored in the RAM 24, and corresponds to the voltage value based on the correspondence between the voltage value stored in the PROM 23 and the gap distance. The gap distance to be detected is detected, and the detection result is notified to the adjustment amount detection unit 21c. In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the position of the leftmost rib 64 of the platen 163 (position B) and the position of the rightmost rib 64 of the platen 163 (position C) are two positions. Each voltage value is acquired from the RAM 24, and the gap distance at each position is detected.

  The adjustment amount detection unit 21c detects the gap adjustment amount based on the gap distance detected by the gap detection unit 21b, and notifies the display control unit 21d of the detected result. In the present embodiment, the adjustment amount detection unit 21 detects the adjustment amount of the gap to be adjusted by each of the left and right guide shaft adjustment units 166 based on the gap distance at the two positions.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gap distance and the gap adjustment amount.
Here, the position A indicates the position on the plane PP immediately below the left guide shaft adjusting portion 166, the position B indicates the position of the leftmost rib 64 of the platen 163, and the position C indicates the rightmost rib of the platen 163. 64, the position D indicates the position on the plane PP immediately below the right guide shaft adjusting portion 166.
The length L1 indicates the length between the position A and the position B, the length L2 indicates the length between the position B and the position C, and the length L3 indicates the position C and the position D. Indicates the length between. The lengths L1, L2, and L3 are lengths determined by the configuration of the ink jet printer 100, and values for these lengths are stored in the PROM 23 in advance.
The length L5 indicates the gap distance at the position B and is detected by the gap detector 21b. The length L6 indicates the gap distance at the position C, and is detected by the gap detection unit 21b.
Here, the gap distance at each position on the platen 163 can be represented by a line GL connecting a point separated by a length L5 above the position B and a point separated by a length L6 above the position C.
Therefore, the gap distance L4 at the position A can be calculated by L5- (L6-L5) / L2 × L1. In addition, the gap distance L7 at the position D can be calculated by L6 + (L6-L5) / L2 × L3.

Here, assuming that the ideal gap to be adjusted is the ideal gap IG, the adjustment amount L8 to be adjusted by the left guide shaft adjustment unit 166 can be calculated by IG-L4 and should be adjusted by the right guide shaft adjustment unit 166. It can be seen that the adjustment amount L9 can be calculated by L7-IG.
The adjustment amount detection unit 21c performs the above calculation to adjust the gap distance L5 at the position B detected by the gap detection unit 21b and the gap distance L6 at the position C by the left and right guide shaft adjustment units 166, respectively. The adjustment amounts L8 and L9 of the power gap are detected.

  The display control unit 21 d displays the gap adjustment amount detected by the adjustment amount detection unit 21 c on the liquid crystal panel 112 of the operation panel 111 via the peripheral input / output unit 25.

Next, adjustment amount detection processing by the ink jet printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of adjustment amount detection processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, the measurement control unit 21a controls the carriage motor via the peripheral input / output unit 25 to start the movement of the carriage 161 in the main scanning direction (for example, from the leftmost end to the rightmost end) (step S1). ). Further, the measurement control unit 21a starts light irradiation from the light projecting unit 171 to the platen 163 side via the peripheral input / output unit 25 (step S2), and the voltage value of the voltage generated by the light receiving unit 172 Is acquired (step S3), and the acquired voltage value is stored in the RAM 24 (step S4). It should be noted that a dummy cartridge having a predetermined weight may be mounted on the carriage 161 and steps S1 to S4 may be executed in the same manner as in the actual recording state.

Next, the measurement control unit 21a detects whether or not the scanning of the carriage 161 has been completed (step S5). If the measurement has been completed, the measurement control unit 21a notifies the gap detection unit 21b to that effect and executes the next step. On the other hand, if it is not finished, the step S5 is repeatedly executed.
When receiving the notification from the measurement control unit 21 a, the gap detection unit 21 b acquires the voltage value at a predetermined position from the voltage value stored in the RAM 24, and the voltage value stored in the PROM 23 and the gap Based on the correspondence with the distance, the gap distance corresponding to the voltage value is detected and notified to the adjustment amount detection unit 21c (step S6).

The adjustment amount detection unit 21c detects the adjustment amount of the gap to be adjusted by each of the left and right guide shaft adjustment units 166 based on the gap distances at the two positions, and notifies the display control unit 21d of the detection result (Step S21). S7).
The display control unit 21d displays the gap adjustment amount detected by the adjustment amount detection unit 21c on the liquid crystal panel 112 of the operation panel 111 via the peripheral input / output unit 25 (step S8).
Thus, the gap adjuster can grasp the gap adjustment amount. Therefore, the gap between the recording head 162 and the platen 163 can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the guide shaft adjusting unit 166 based on this adjustment amount. That is, the recording head 162 and the platen 163 can be parallel with a predetermined gap.

Next, an example of a method for measuring the correspondence between the gap between the recording head 162 and the platen 163 and the output voltage of the light receiving unit 172 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a measuring apparatus that measures the correspondence between the gap and the voltage output by the light receiving unit.
The measuring device 201 includes a jig base 202, two shafts 203 protruding from the jig base 202, and a head unit fixing jig 204 that can be adjusted in the vertical direction along the shaft 203. . Note that the reflectance of the upper surface of the jig base 202 is preferably substantially the same as the reflectance of the platen 163.

The head unit fixing jig 204 includes a part (head unit) of the carriage 161 including the recording head 162, the light projecting unit 171, and the light receiving unit 172, and the nozzle plate surface 162 a of the recording head 162 is parallel to the upper surface of the jig table 202. It can be mounted so as to be in a state.
In the measuring apparatus 201, the length L10 can be adjusted to an arbitrary length by adjusting the head unit fixing jig 204 along the axis 203.

Next, processing for measuring the correspondence between the gap and the output voltage of the light receiving unit 172 by the measuring apparatus 201 will be described.
First, the head unit is mounted on the head unit fixing jig 204, and the height of the head unit fixing jig 204 is adjusted so that the length L10 becomes a predetermined length.
Then, light is emitted from the light projecting unit 171, the value of the voltage output from the light receiving unit 172 is acquired, and the value obtained by subtracting the length L 11 from the length L 10 to the nozzle plate surface 162 a is recorded in association with each other. Keep it. A value obtained by subtracting the length L11 from the length L10 corresponds to a gap between the nozzle plate surface 162a of the recording head 162 and a plane including the upper surface of the rib 64 of the platen 163. Since the length L11 is a length determined by the configuration of the head unit, it can be grasped in advance.
By performing such processing while changing the length L10, the correspondence between the gap distance and the output voltage value can be measured. In the present embodiment, information based on the correspondence obtained by such measurement is stored in the PROM 23.

Next, a modified example in the present embodiment will be described.
This modification is a modification in consideration of the influence of the inclination (so-called bow) of the carriage 161 that may occur when the ink cartridge is stored in the carriage 161.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the inclination of the carriage in the printer.
FIG. 11A shows a state of the carriage 161 that does not store the ink cartridge, and FIG. 11B shows a state where the ink cartridge 173 is mounted on the carriage 161.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the carriage 161 is supported at its upper part by a carriage support frame 167 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction (the front side in the drawing), whereby the nozzle plate surface 162a is moved to the platen. 163 is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the rib 64.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the ink cartridge 173 is stored in the carriage 161, the carriage support frame 167 is bent by the weight of the ink cartridge 173, the carriage 161 is inclined, and the nozzle plate The surface 162a and the upper surface of the rib 64 of the platen 163 are not parallel, and the state shown in FIG. 11A is different from the gap between the recording nozzle 162 and the platen 163.
Here, such a situation does not occur in the ink jet printer 100 with sufficient rigidity of the carriage support frame 167, but in this modification, a case where such an inclination occurs will be described.
In the case where an inclination occurs in this way, it is not preferable to use the correspondence between the gap distance and the output voltage value of the light receiving unit in a state where no inclination occurs, as measured by the measuring apparatus shown in FIG.

  Therefore, in this example, for example, when a dummy cartridge assuming an ink cartridge 173 containing a predetermined amount of ink is stored in the carriage 161, the positions of the light projecting unit 171 and the light receiving unit 172, and the nozzle plate surface A length L12 with a predetermined position (for example, the lowest part of the nozzle plate 162a or the central part of the nozzle plate surface 162a) is calculated in advance based on the rigidity value of the carriage support frame 167, etc. The detection unit 21b performs correction using the difference between the lengths L12 and L11. That is, the gap detector 21b calculates the gap distance considering the inclination by subtracting the difference between L12 and L11 from the gap distance corresponding to the output voltage. As a result, an appropriate gap distance that assumes the actual state of the carriage 161 can be calculated.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.
For example, in the above embodiment, the detection device is configured by the printer control unit 20 of the ink jet printer 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection device may be provided separately. You may isolate | separate the function of a part into another apparatus. In this case, for example, a processing device such as a PC can be used as the other device.

Further, in the above embodiment, when measuring the correspondence between the gap relating to the recording head 162 and the platen 163 and the output voltage of the light receiving unit 172, it is assumed that the nozzle plate 162a and the platen 163 are parallel. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, a state in which the carriage 161 is tilted is formed, and the gap and the light receiving unit in this state are output. The correspondence relationship with the voltage to be measured may be measured. In this way, by using the correspondence obtained by this measurement, an appropriate gap distance assuming an actual state can be detected, and an appropriate gap adjustment amount can be detected.
In the above embodiment, the actual length is detected as the gap adjustment amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a member that adjusts the gap, such as the guide shaft adjustment unit 166, is provided in stages. In particular, if the predetermined length can be adjusted, the number of steps to be adjusted corresponding to the actual length may be detected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detection apparatus that detects the adjustment amount of the gap in the recording apparatus that ejects ink has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a color used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display. In a recording apparatus for ejecting a material, a recording apparatus for ejecting an electrode material (conductive paste) used for electrode formation, such as an organic EL display or a surface emitting display (FED), and a recording apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic material used in biochip manufacturing The present invention can also be applied to a detection device that detects a gap adjustment amount.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall appearance configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view showing an internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the voltage output by the light-receiving part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the printer control part of the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the relationship between a gap and the output voltage of a light-receiving part. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a gap value and the adjustment amount of a gap. It is a flowchart of the adjustment amount detection process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the measuring device which measures the correspondence of a gap and output voltage. It is a figure explaining the inclination of the carriage in a printer.

Explanation of symbols

  10 inspection system, 21 CPU, 21a measurement control unit, 21b gap detection unit, 21c adjustment amount detection unit, 21d display control unit, 100 inkjet printer, 110 operation unit, 120 memory card slot unit, 130 paper feed unit, 140 Paper part, 150 Paper conveying part, 160 Recording part, 161 Carriage, 162 Recording head, 162a Nozzle plate surface, 163 Platen, 171 Light projecting part, 172 Light receiving part

Claims (9)

A detection apparatus for detecting an adjustment amount of a gap between the recording head and the platen in a recording apparatus having a recording head that discharges a recording liquid and a platen that supports a recording medium during recording,
The recording device comprises:
A carriage on which the recording head is mounted;
A light projecting unit provided on the carriage and projecting light to the platen side;
A light receiving unit that receives light from the platen side and generates a voltage corresponding to the light;
Gap detecting means for detecting a gap value related to the platen and the recording head based on a voltage value generated by the light receiving unit;
A detection apparatus comprising: an adjustment amount detection unit that detects an adjustment amount of the gap based on the detected gap value. A correspondence relationship storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between a gap value related to the platen and the recording head and a voltage value generated by the light receiving unit;
The gap detecting means detects the gap value corresponding to the voltage value generated by the light receiving unit from the correspondence storage means;
The detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment amount detection unit detects an adjustment amount of the gap based on the gap value.   The detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising adjustment amount display means for displaying the adjustment amount of the gap.   The detection device according to claim 2, wherein the correspondence relationship is a correspondence relationship between a gap value and an actual measurement value of a voltage output by the light receiving unit in the gap. The carriage of the recording apparatus is configured to be movable in a predetermined direction,
The gap detecting means detects gap values in at least two locations in the predetermined direction;
5. The detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment amount detection unit detects a gap adjustment amount based on the detected gap values at two locations. The recording apparatus is capable of adjusting a gap between the recording head and the platen at two locations in the movement direction of the carriage,
The detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adjustment amount detection unit detects an adjustment amount of a gap at the two locations. A dummy cartridge having a predetermined weight can be mounted on the carriage of the recording apparatus,
The gap detecting means detects a gap value between the platen and the recording head based on a voltage value generated by the light receiving unit when the dummy cartridge is mounted on a carriage. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A recording head for discharging a recording liquid;
A platen that supports the recording medium during recording;
A carriage on which the recording head is mounted;
A light projecting unit provided on the carriage and projecting light to the platen side;
A light receiving unit that receives light from the platen side and generates a voltage corresponding to the light;
Gap detecting means for detecting a gap value related to the platen and the recording head based on a voltage value generated by the light receiving unit;
A recording apparatus comprising: an adjustment amount detection unit that detects an adjustment amount of the gap based on the detected gap value. A detection method for detecting an adjustment amount of a gap between the recording head and the platen in a recording apparatus having a recording head that discharges a recording liquid and a platen that supports a recording medium during recording,
The recording device comprises:
A carriage on which the recording head is mounted;
A light projecting unit provided on the carriage and projecting light to the platen side;
A light receiving unit that receives light from the platen side and generates a voltage corresponding to the light;
A light projecting step of projecting light to the platen side by the light projecting unit;
A light receiving step for receiving light from the platen side by the light receiving unit and generating a voltage according to the received light;
A gap detecting step of detecting a gap value related to the platen and the recording head based on the generated voltage value;
An adjustment amount detecting step of detecting an adjustment amount of the gap based on the detected gap value.

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