JP2008012770A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a printing apparatus which performs printing of a good image quality to a printing medium by maintaining the printing medium at a proper humidity. <P>SOLUTION: A humidifier X is installed outside a case 10 of the printing apparatus. A humidity sensor Sh and a temperature sensor St are set inside the case 10. A controller 50 is equipped which controls the humidifier X on the basis of these measured results and controls a quantity of humidification air supplied to the case 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a housing that houses a medium supply mechanism that supplies a print medium to a print unit and an ink jet print head that prints an image by spraying ink onto the print medium supplied to the print unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for improving print quality by managing humidity.

  As printing apparatuses that improve print quality by controlling humidity, there are apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

  In Patent Document 1, in a transfer-type printing apparatus using a photosensitive drum (a copying machine in the literature), a device necessary for image formation such as a photosensitive drum, a charging charger, and a cleaning unit, a registration roller, a paper feeding device, and the like. A humidity control unit is provided on the back side of the main body that houses the container. An air outlet and an air inlet are formed in the main body, and both ends of the humidity control unit are connected to the air outlet and the air inlet, and a fan is provided at the connecting portion.

  An air flow path is formed in the upper space of the central part of this humidity control unit, a water storage tank for storing purified water is formed in the lower part, a heater for dehumidification is provided in the air flow path, and a humidifying tank is provided at the bottom of the water storage tank A heater is provided, and a humidity sensor is provided inside the humidity control unit.

  The humidity detected by the humidity sensor is compared with a predetermined optimum humidity in the machine. If the difference from the optimum humidity in the machine is large, the fan speed is increased. The control mode is set so that the humidifying heater is turned on when humidifying is performed. By performing this control, the influence from the external environment where the apparatus is installed is minimized, and the occurrence of a partial abnormal image is prevented and good image formation is maintained.

  In Patent Document 2, in a printing apparatus (in the document, a color thermal printer), humidity control paper as a humidity control material is provided inside a magazine that accommodates long thermal paper in a roll shape. The humidity control paper has a function of absorbing moisture when the humidity is high and releasing moisture when the humidity is low, and maintains the humidity in the magazine at the standard humidity. As a result, it is possible to record an image with good density and color balance.

JP-A-9-81018 JP-A-10-29355

  There are two types of print media used in a printing apparatus having an ink jet type print head: a swollen type and a porous type, and a porous type paper is used in order to obtain the same gloss as a print using photosensitive paper. There are many things. Although this paper forms a layer of resin etc. on the surface to create a glossy surface, it has a structure in which many fine holes are formed to absorb the ink sprayed from the print head from the surface, so the surface is Somewhat hard.

  As described above, since this type of paper has a hard surface, the surface may be finely cracked in a low humidity environment. Such a phenomenon that causes cracking often occurs when the paper surface is bent in a direction in which tension is applied. Therefore, when this type of paper is wound in a roll shape with the surface on which the ink is sprayed facing outward, when the paper is bent in a direction in which the bending direction of the roll is further bent, the surface tends to crack. It will be a thing. When cracks are generated on the surface in this way, not only the gloss of the surface is impaired, but also the ink that has been sprayed blurs and the image quality is degraded.

  Since roll-shaped printing paper is transported to the print head in a form that is wound around a roller, cracks may occur on the surface during transportation. When printing is performed, it is desired to increase the humidity of the printing paper to an appropriate level.

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, in the case of evaporating water at the time of humidification, it takes time to replenish water inside the apparatus during the season when the air dries, Like a thing described in patent documents 2, it is thought that humidification cannot fully be performed in the season when air dries, and there is room for improvement.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a printing apparatus that maintains a print medium at an appropriate humidity and forms a print with good image quality on the print medium.

A feature of the present invention is that a housing includes a medium supply mechanism that supplies a print medium to a print unit and an ink jet print head that prints an image by spraying ink onto the print medium supplied to the print unit. Printing device
A humidifier that creates humidified air is installed outside the housing, and an introduction opening is formed in the housing to guide humidified air from the humidifier to the inside of the housing, and humidity is measured inside the housing. And a humidity control means for controlling the supply of humidified air from the humidifier based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor.

  With this configuration, based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor inside the housing, the control means controls the supply of humidified air sent from the humidifier installed outside the housing to the inside of the housing through the introduction opening. The humidity of the print medium inside the housing can be increased to an appropriate value. As a result, by adopting a configuration equipped with a humidifier outside the printing device, the structure of the conventional printing device is not fundamentally changed and improvements for humidification are made, so that printing can be performed in a low humidity environment. Even in the case of performing printing, a printing apparatus that performs printing with good image quality by maintaining the print medium at an appropriate humidity and eliminating scratches on the surface thereof has been rationally configured.

  The present invention includes a suction fan that sucks humidified air from the humidifier into the housing in the introduction opening, and the humidity control means sets a humidity value measured by the humidity sensor in advance. The control mode may be set so that the humidifier and the suction fan are actuated when the value is lower than the specified value.

  With this configuration, when the humidity value measured by the humidity sensor is lower than a preset value, the humidifier and the suction fan are operated to suck humidified air into the housing, The humidity can be positively increased to maintain the humidity appropriately.

  In the present invention, a humidification path that guides humidified air from the humidifier to the introduction portion may be formed by a duct-shaped member provided between the humidifier and the introduction opening.

  With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently introduce humidified air from a humidifier installed outside the casing into the casing through a humidifying path made of a duct-shaped member, and waste energy from the humidifier. There is no consumption.

  According to the present invention, a supply pipe for supplying humidified air from the humidifier to the print medium supplied to the print unit by the medium supply mechanism may be provided inside the casing.

  According to this configuration, since the humidified air from the humidifier is supplied to the print unit through the supply line, the humidified air from the humidifier is not directly diffused inside the housing, but directly to the print medium existing in the print unit. Thus, even when the humidity of the print medium is low, the humidity can be increased in a short time.

  In the present invention, a magazine for accommodating the long print medium in a roll shape is provided in the casing, and a supply pipe for supplying humidified air to the magazine is formed in the casing. Also good.

  According to this configuration, since humidified air from the humidifier is supplied to the magazine through the supply pipe, the humidified air from the humidifier is not diffused inside the housing, but is fed into the magazine to form a roll-shaped print medium. It is possible to increase the humidity by contact.

  The present invention includes the humidity sensor in the magazine, a valve body that controls the amount of humidified air supplied through the supply pipe, and the humidity adjusting means is based on a measurement result of the humidity sensor. The control mode may be set so as to set the opening degree of the valve body.

  With this configuration, it is possible to finely control the amount of humidified air supplied to the inside of the housing by the supply pipe by adjusting the opening of the valve body based on the humidity value measured by the humidity sensor Thus, for example, the control for maintaining the target humidity can be performed with higher accuracy than that in which the humidifier is ON / OFF controlled.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two magazine accommodating portions A and A are arranged at the lower portion of the housing 10, and an ink jet type printing portion B that performs printing by spraying ink is arranged at the upper portion of the housing 10. A sorting unit 12 that arranges an ink storage unit C on the side of the housing 10 and further feeds a paper P (an example of a print medium) having a relatively small size to the upper surface of the housing 10 by the laterally feeding belt 11; A rack plate 13 for receiving a large size paper P is disposed, and a humidifier X is installed outside the housing 10 to constitute an ink jet printing apparatus.

  In this printing apparatus, the paper P (an example of a print medium) is formed on the surface by forming a porous ink receiving layer having a large number of fine holes on the surface side of the base on which the resin coat film is formed on the front and back sides. A porous type with gloss is used. This paper P may be used in an environment with a proper humidity when a force is applied in a direction in which the porous ink receiving layer is pulled in a dry state of the porous ink receiving layer. It is hoped to do. For these reasons, the humidifier X is provided for maintaining the paper P at an appropriate humidity when used in an air-dried environment (the control mode of the humidifier X will be described later).

  The two magazine housing portions A, A are arranged in a vertically positioned relationship, and each magazine housing portion A includes a drawer 15 that can be opened and closed by a slide operation integrated with the front wall body 10A. 15 is configured so that the magazine M can be set. The magazine M includes a case 1 in which a space for accommodating a roll-shaped paper P serving as a print medium is formed, a pair of support rollers 2 that support the paper P in the case, and a pressure bonding that conveys the paper P by pressure. A die-shaped feed roller 3 is provided, and the paper P can be discharged and rewound from a slit-shaped opening 1A formed at the upper end of the case 1.

  The printing unit B is configured to print an image on the paper P supplied from the magazine housing unit A by spraying ink with the print head H (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The front wall portion is provided with an upper wall body 10B in which a window portion W made of a transparent resin plate is formed so as to be freely opened and closed.

  In the ink reservoir C, a plurality of ink cartridges 16 of different hues are exchangeably disposed inside a side wall 10C that can swing and open around an axial center in a vertically oriented posture. Each ink cartridge 16 encloses black (BK), light black (LK), cyan (C), magenta (M), light cyan (LC), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) ink. Seven colors are used. Although not shown in the drawing, the ink jet type printing apparatus feeds the ink enclosed in the ink cartridge 16 by air pressure, temporarily stores it in a sub tank (not shown), and then supplies it to the print head H. An ink supply system is provided.

[Conveyance system configuration]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the printing apparatus supplies the paper P from the magazine M to the printing unit B by a supply unit U1 (an example of a medium supply mechanism). A printing process is performed while transporting at U2, and after this printing, the paper P is cut into a print size by the cutter unit U3, and then a transport system is transported from the switchback unit U4 by the discharge unit U5 and sent out. I have.

  The supply unit U1 includes a guide body 18 provided in the upper magazine housing portion A and a paper P sent out from the upper magazine M so as to guide the paper P sent out from the lower magazine M upward. And a guide body 19 for guiding the upper side of the upper side. The supply unit U1 includes a first motor D1 that drives the support roller 2 and the feed roller 3 to feed the paper P from the magazine M and rewind the magazine M.

  The print transport unit U2 includes a pressure-bonded first transport roller 21 disposed on the upstream side of the print head H, and a pressure-bonded second transport roller 22 disposed on the downstream side of the print head H. A guide plate 23 is provided for guiding the back side of the paper P at an intermediate position between the first and second transport rollers 21 and 22. Below the guide plate 23, a negative pressure case 24 that applies a negative pressure to the paper P through a number of through holes formed in the guide plate 23, and air inside the negative pressure case 24 is discharged. And a fan 25 for generating negative pressure.

  The first conveyance roller 21 includes a driven roller 21A for pressure-conveying the paper P, and the second conveyance roller 22 includes a driven roller 22A for pressure-conveying the paper P. A belt drive interlock 26 that synchronously drives the second transport roller 22 is provided. The print transport unit U2 includes a second motor D2 that drives the first transport roller 21 and the second transport roller 22 in synchronization.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a carriage 29 is supported by a slider 28 guided by a guide rail 27 arranged in a posture along the main scanning direction (the width direction of the paper P), and the print head is placed on the lower surface side of the carriage 29. Supports H.

  A timing belt type driving belt 31 is wound around a pair of pulleys 30 arranged in the vicinity of both ends of the guide rail 27, and a scanning motor DS for main scanning that drives one pulley 30 is provided. By fixing the carriage 29, the pulley 30 is driven and rotated by the driving force of the scanning motor DS, and the print head H is reciprocated integrally with the carriage 29.

  With such a configuration, when printing an image on the paper P, the paper P is supplied to the printing position by the first and second transport rollers 21 and 22, and a negative pressure is applied from the guide plate 23 to guide the paper P. The carriage 29 is operated in one direction along the main scanning direction in a state where the paper P is attracted to the plate 23 and the planar accuracy of the paper P is increased (in association with the operation in the main scanning direction), and this operation is linked. Then, an image is printed with a print width set by spraying ink from the print head H onto the paper P.

  By starting printing in this way, when the carriage 29 reaches the operating end, the second motor D2 drives the first and second transport rollers 21 and 22 to thereby correspond to the print width. The paper P is transported by the transport amount, and after that, while the carriage 29 is operated in the other direction (reverse direction) along the main scanning direction, printing with the print width is performed in conjunction with this operation. Thus, every time the carriage 29 is reciprocated, an image is printed on the paper P.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cutter unit U3 includes a fixed blade 35 fixed to a frame (not shown), a movable blade 36 that is operably supported, and a cutter that drives the movable blade 36. A DC type discharge mechanism that includes a motor DC and a crank-type drive mechanism 37 that converts a rotational driving force from the cutter motor DC into a reciprocating operating force, and that transports the paper P that has passed the cutting position of the cutter unit U3. A roller 38 is provided, and a third motor D3 for driving the discharge roller 38 is provided.

  The switchback unit U4 includes a driving roller 40, an idle-type reversing roller 41 disposed at a position where it is crimped to the driving roller 40, a driving motor that rotationally drives the driving roller 40, although not shown, and a reversing function. And a reversing mechanism that operates the roller 41 around the axis of the driving roller 40 in both forward and reverse directions by 90 degrees. In this switchback unit U4, after being conveyed by the discharge roller 38, the paper P fed from the leading end side is further conveyed in a state where it is pressure-bonded by the driving roller 40 and the reverse roller 41, and is shown by an arrow in FIG. As described above, after the reversing roller 41 is rotated 90 degrees around the axis of the driving roller 40, the driving roller 40 is reversed to feed the paper P from the rear end side to the discharge unit U5. The front and back are configured to be reversed.

  The switchback unit U4 includes a fourth motor D4 that drives the drive roller 40 and a reverse motor DR that reversely operates the reverse roller 41.

  The discharge unit U5 includes a plurality of pressure rollers 45 for transporting the paper P, and a path for feeding the paper P transported by the pressure rollers 45 to either the lateral feed belt 11 or the rack plate 13 at the top of the housing. A switching mechanism (not shown) is provided. The discharge unit U5 includes a fifth motor D5 that drives the pressure roller 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the humidifier X includes a case 5, a tank 6 for storing water, a transpiration mechanism 7, and an air flow generated by the exhaust fan 8 from humidified air from the transpiration mechanism 7. It is configured to be sent upward and sent out from the discharge unit 5A. The transpiration mechanism 7 has a structure in which the water stored in the tank 6 is brought into contact with the heater to send it out as water vapor, or the water stored in the tank 6 is sucked into a mat or the like and vaporized by contacting with air from a fan or the like. The humidifier X is controlled by a control device 50 provided in the printing apparatus main body, or a structure in which water stored in the tank 6 is sent in the form of a mist by bringing it into contact with an ultrasonic vibrator. Is done.

[Configuration for humidification]
Below the sorting section 12 of the casing 10 of the printing apparatus, an introduction space 14 that protrudes to the side and communicates with the internal space of the casing 10 is formed integrally with the casing 10. The humidifier X is disposed below the space 14. An introduction opening 14 </ b> A is formed in the lower surface of the introduction space 14, and a suction fan 51 that sucks humidified air from the humidifier X into the inside of the housing 10 is provided at an upper position of the introduction opening 14 </ b> A. A side surface of the housing 10 located below the introduction space 14 is provided with a plurality of shutters 52 that can be freely opened and closed, and a humidity sensor Sh and a temperature sensor St are provided in the internal space of the housing 10.

  The suction fan 51 is configured to be switchable between a state driven by an electric motor (not shown) and a state stopped. As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of shutters 52 are supported by the housing 10 so as to be swingable around a support shaft 53 in a lateral orientation. A rod 54 is linked to an arm 52 </ b> A that swings integrally with each shutter 52, and an operating force from an electric motor 55 is applied to the rod 54. From this configuration, by operating the electric motor 55, it becomes possible to swing the plurality of shutters 52 equally. By setting the swinging ends of the plurality of shutters 52 to the downward direction, the shutters are closed. And the air flow between the internal space of the housing 10 and the external space of the housing 10 is blocked, and the opening of the shutter 52 is increased by moving the oscillating end of the shutter 52 laterally. Increase the amount of air sent to the interior space.

  The control device 50 pulls out the paper P stored in the magazine M by the supply unit U1 and supplies it to the printing unit B. In this printing unit B, printing on the paper P in conjunction with the conveyance by the print conveyance unit U2. The paper P printed in this way is cut by the cutter unit U3, and after this cutting, the control to send the paper back from the switchback unit U4 to the discharge unit U5 for discharge is realized, and at the same time the humidity inside the housing 10 is reduced. Achieve control to maintain. In order to maintain this humidity, the control device 50 is provided with humidity control means HC made of software.

[Control system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 6, a signal system for inputting measurement results from the humidity sensor Sh and the temperature sensor St to the control device 50 is formed, and the control device 50 passes the power control unit PS through the power control unit PS. An output system is formed for controlling the humidifier X, controlling the suction fan 51 via the power control unit PS, and controlling the electric motor 55 via the power control unit PS.

  In this printing apparatus, the power control unit PS for supplying electric power to the humidifier X cuts off the electric power from the commercial power source and the electric power so that the commercially available humidifier X can be used. Thus, the one using a relay or a power control element is assumed. The power control unit PS may be configured to supply power to the humidifier X from the housing 10 to the printing apparatus, or may be configured to control each part of the humidifier X independently.

  The control mode of the humidity control means HC of the control device 50 can be shown as in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the measured value of the humidity sensor Sh is acquired and the measured humidity is less than the set value (lower than the set value), the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 are operated, and the plurality of shutters 52 are operated. Is closed (steps # 101 to # 103).

  In this control, when the humidity inside the housing 10 is less than a set value (for example, 10%), the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 are operated, so that the humidified air from the humidifier X is changed. The suction fan 51 sucks the inside of the housing 10 and maintains the shutter 52 in a closed state to suppress the phenomenon that humid air flows out of the housing 10 to increase the humidity inside the housing 10. Let

  Next, when the measured values of the humidity sensor Sh and the temperature sensor St are acquired and it is determined that the measured humidity does not exceed the control region, the shutter 52 is closed (if already closed) When the measured humidity is determined to exceed the control region, the opening of the shutter 52 is increased to permit the outflow of air inside the housing 10 (# 104- # 107 steps).

  The control area is set based on a target humidity value. When the target humidity value is, for example, 50%, the humidity value exceeds 40%. Is set in the control region, and in this region between 40% and 50%, the control mode is set so that the opening degree of the shutter 52 is set larger as the humidity approaches 50%.

  When performing this control, the temperature inside the housing 10 is measured by the temperature sensor St, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor St exceeds a set value (for example, 20 ° C.), and the humidity sensor Sh Unless the measured humidity exceeds a set value (for example, 60%), the humidified air from the humidifier X is continuously supplied to the inside of the housing 10 as described above, and the temperature sensor If the temperature measured by St exceeds the set value and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor Sh exceeds the set value, the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 are stopped (# 108). , # 109 step).

  That is, when the temperature inside the housing 10 rises, the amount of saturated water vapor inside the housing 10 increases, and the humidity inside the housing 10 stabilizes in a high state, so the humidity and temperature rise. When this occurs, humidification by the humidifier X is stopped.

[Another embodiment corresponding to the first embodiment]
In this other embodiment, the same functions and functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as those in the first embodiment.

(A) In the control of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, whether or not the humidity control is possible is determined based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor Sh and the measurement result of the temperature sensor St. It is also possible to set the control mode so as to determine whether or not humidity control is possible based only on the measurement result.

(B) As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 10 does not include the shutter 52 shown in the first embodiment, and the lower surface of the introduction space 14 formed below the sorting unit 12 of the housing 10. A suction fan 51 that forms an introduction opening 14A and introduces humidified air into the housing 10 through the introduction opening 14A is provided, and a humidifier X is disposed below the introduction space 14 to constitute a printing apparatus. To do.

(C) As shown in FIG. 9, the casing 10 does not include the shutter 52 shown in the first embodiment, and is introduced into the side surface of the casing 10 below the sorting unit 12 of the casing 10. An opening 10S is formed, and a suction fan 51 that introduces humidified air into the housing 10 through the introduction opening 10S is provided, and a humidifier X is disposed below the sorting unit 12 to constitute a printing apparatus.

(D) As shown in the other embodiments (b) and (c) described above, the housing 10 is provided with the suction fan 51 and the humidifier X is disposed in the vicinity thereof, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the control mode of the control device 50 may be set so that the suction fan 51 and the humidifier X are controlled independently. Note that this control only applies to the printing apparatus shown in the first embodiment because the shutter 52 shown in the first embodiment is not the target of control.

  That is, the measured value of the humidity sensor Sh is acquired, and when the measured humidity is less than the set value, the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 are operated (steps # 201 to # 203), and then the humidity sensor When the measured values of Sh and the temperature sensor St are acquired and it is determined that the measured humidity exceeds the upper limit of the target area, the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 are stopped, and the measured humidity is If it is determined that the target area has been reached, the suction fan 51 is stopped, and if the measured humidity has not reached the target area, the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 are activated (already activated). If it is, the operation is continued) (Steps # 204 to # 209).

  In this control, as in the first embodiment, the target area is set to an area including 50% humidity, and when the humidity value measured by the humidity sensor Sh reaches the target area, Since there is no need to actively suck humidified air, the suction fan 51 is stopped, and when the measured humidity value exceeds the target area, the humidifier X is used to suppress excessive humidification. Is stopped.

  Further, when this control is performed, the temperature inside the housing 10 is measured by the temperature sensor St, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor St exceeds a set value (for example, 20 ° C.). As long as the humidity measured by Sh does not exceed a set value (for example, 60%), the control by the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 is continued as described above, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor St is set. If the humidity measured by the humidity sensor Sh exceeds the set value at the same time, the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 are stopped (steps # 210 and # 211).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, a configuration in which the humidifier X is installed outside the casing 10 that performs the printing process, and the control mode is such that the humidifier X is activated and stopped even when the control is performed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to use a commercially available humidifier X without remodeling. Compared to a case in which the humidifier X is built in the casing 10 that performs print processing, The structure is simple and maintenance is easy.

  Further, when controlling, the humidifier X, the suction fan 51, and the shutter 52 are controlled based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor Sh. Maintain the humidity of P at an appropriate value to achieve good printing. In particular, even in the case of controlling the humidifier X and the suction fan 51 (without using the shutter 52) based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor Sh, the inside of the housing 10 is controlled by the control of the suction fan 51 and the humidifier X. The humidity is controlled well, and the humidity of the paper P is maintained at an appropriate value to realize good printing.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (in this second embodiment, the same functions as those in the first embodiment have the same numbers as those in the first embodiment. ).

〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIG. 11, two magazine accommodating portions A and A are arranged at the lower part of the casing 10, and an ink jet type printing section B that performs printing by spraying ink is arranged at the upper part of the casing 10. In addition, an ink storage portion C is disposed on the side portion of 10, and a sorting portion 12 that feeds a relatively small size paper P (an example of a print medium) to the upper surface portion of the housing 10 by the lateral feed belt 11, and a large size A rack plate 13 that receives the paper P is disposed, and a humidifier X is installed outside the housing 10 to constitute an ink jet printing apparatus.

[Configuration for humidification / Configuration for control]
In the printing apparatus, the humidifier X is disposed at a position below an introduction space 14 formed integrally with the housing 10 as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, an introduction opening 14A is formed on the lower surface side of the introduction space 14, and a duct 60 (an example of a humidification path) is provided between the introduction opening 14A and the discharge portion 5A of the humidifier X. . The duct 60 functions as a humidification path that guides humidified air from the humidifier X to the housing 10.

  The introduction opening 14A is provided with a suction fan 51, and the housing 10 is provided with a humidity sensor Sh and a temperature sensor St. Although not shown in the drawing, a signal system for inputting the measurement results from the humidity sensor Sh and the temperature sensor St to the control device 50 is formed, and the humidifier X and the suction are controlled by the control device 50. An output system for controlling the fan 51 is formed.

  In this control device, the control according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed as in the first embodiment, so that the humidity inside the housing 10 is maintained at the target humidity. Specifically, based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor Sh, the humidity inside the housing 10 is controlled well by controlling the humidifier X and the suction fan 51, so that the humidity of the paper P is an appropriate value. To achieve good printing.

[Another embodiment corresponding to the second embodiment]
In this other embodiment, the same functions and functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as those in the first embodiment.

(A) In the second embodiment, the suction fan 51 is provided to guide the humidified air from the humidifier X to the inside of the housing 10 by the duct 60. However, instead of this, the suction fan 51 is not provided. May be adopted.

(B) In this other embodiment, although not shown in the drawing, a humidity sensor Sh and a temperature sensor St are provided as in the second embodiment, and the humidifier X is controlled based on these measured values. It is possible to show the control form as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, when the measured value of the humidity sensor Sh is acquired and the measured humidity is less than the set value (lower than the set value), the humidifier X is activated (steps # 301 to # 303), and then When the measured values of the humidity sensor Sh and the temperature sensor St are acquired and it is determined that the measured humidity is in the target area, the humidifier X is stopped, and the measured humidity does not reach the target area In this case, the humidifier X is operated (the operation is continued if it is already operated) (steps # 304 to # 307).

  Then, the temperature inside the housing 10 measured by the temperature sensor St exceeds a set value (for example, 20 ° C.), and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor Sh is set to a value (for example, 60%). As long as it does not exceed, the control by the humidifier X is continued as described above, and at the same time the temperature measured by the temperature sensor St exceeds the set value, the humidity measured by the humidity sensor Sh exceeds the set value. If this happens, the humidifier X is stopped (steps # 308 and # 309).

  In the second embodiment, since the humidified air from the humidifier X is guided to the inside of the housing 10 by the duct 60, the humidified air is efficiently lost and the humidity of the paper P is set appropriately without losing the humidified air. A good print is achieved by maintaining a low value. In particular, in the case where the suction fan 51 is provided, more efficient humidification is realized by actively introducing humidified air into the housing 10.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (in this third embodiment, those having the same functions as those in the first embodiment have the same numbers as those in the first embodiment) ).

〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIG. 14, two magazine accommodating portions A and A are arranged at the lower part of the housing 10, and an ink jet type printing unit B that performs printing by spraying ink is arranged at the upper portion of the housing 10. In addition, an ink storage portion C is disposed on the side portion of 10, and a sorting portion 12 that feeds a relatively small size paper P (an example of a print medium) to the upper surface portion of the housing 10 by the lateral feed belt 11, and a large size A rack plate 13 that receives the paper P is disposed, and a humidifier X is installed outside the housing 10 to constitute an ink jet printing apparatus.

[Configuration for humidification / Configuration for control]
In the printing apparatus, the humidifier X is disposed at a position below an introduction space 14 formed integrally with the housing 10 as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, an introduction opening 14A is formed on the lower surface side of the introduction space 14, and a duct 60 (an example of a humidification path) is provided between the introduction opening 14A and the discharge portion 5A of the humidifier X. The air supply pipe 65 (an example of a supply pipe line) that guides humidified air from the introduction opening 14 </ b> A to the side position of the print unit B is provided, and the suction fan 51 is provided at the inner end position of the air supply pipe 65.

  The duct 60 functions as a humidification path that guides humidified air from the humidifier X to the housing 10, and the air supply pipe 65 is directly humidified with respect to the paper P conveyed by the print conveying unit U2. To function. Further, the print unit B includes a humidity sensor Sh and a temperature sensor St.

  In this control device, the control according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed as in the first embodiment, so that the humidity inside the housing 10 is maintained at the target humidity. Specifically, based on the measurement results of the humidity sensor Sh and the temperature sensor St, the humidity of the print unit B is controlled well by controlling the humidifier X and the suction fan 51, and the humidity of the paper P is controlled. Maintain good values to achieve good prints.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (in the fourth embodiment, those having the same functions as those in the first embodiment have the same numbers as those in the first embodiment) ).

〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIG. 16, two magazine accommodating portions A and A are arranged at the lower portion of the housing 10, and an ink jet type printing portion B that performs printing by spraying ink is arranged at the upper portion of the housing 10. In addition, an ink storage portion C is disposed on the side portion of 10, and a sorting portion 12 that feeds a relatively small size paper P (an example of a print medium) to the upper surface portion of the housing 10 by the lateral feed belt 11, and a large size A rack plate 13 that receives the paper P is disposed, and a humidifier X is installed outside the housing 10 to constitute an ink jet printing apparatus.

[Configuration for humidification / Configuration for control]
In the printing apparatus, the humidifier X is disposed at a position below an introduction space 14 formed integrally with the housing 10 as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, an introduction opening 14A is formed on the lower surface side of the introduction space 14, and a duct 60 (an example of a humidification path) is provided between the introduction opening 14A and the discharge portion 5A of the humidifier X. A supply pipe 70 (an example of a supply pipe) that guides humidified air from the introduction opening 14A to the magazine housing part A from the upper side to the lower side is provided, and a slide-actuated valve body is provided at an intermediate position of the supply pipe 70. 71 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the valve body 71 is urged in the closing direction by a spring 72 and includes an operation mechanism 73 that applies a force in the opening direction against the urging force of the spring 72. The operating mechanism 73 includes an arm 73B that swings by the driving force of the operating motor 73A, and a roller 73C provided at the tip of the arm 73B. The roller 73C is a bent portion 71A at the end of the valve body 71. It is comprised so that the operating force to an open direction may act by contacting.

  The magazine M is provided with a humidity sensor Sh. As shown in FIG. 18, a signal system for inputting a measurement result from the humidity sensor Sh to the control device 50 is formed. An output system for controlling the humidifier X from 50 via the power control unit PS and controlling the operation motor 73A of the operation mechanism 73 via the power control unit PS is formed.

  The control mode of the humidity control means HC of the control device 50 can be shown as a flowchart in FIG. That is, the measured value of the humidity sensor Sh is acquired, and when the measured humidity is less than the set value, the humidifier X is operated to operate the valve element 71 to the open position (Steps # 401 to # 403).

  In this control, when the humidity inside the magazine M is less than a set value (for example, 10%), humidification air is supplied from the humidifier X via the supply pipe 70 by performing humidity control. The humidity inside the magazine M is raised by being guided to the magazine M and introduced into the magazine M through the opening 1A at the upper end of the magazine M.

  Next, when the measured value of the humidity sensor Sh is acquired and it is determined that the measured humidity exceeds the upper limit of the target area, the valve body 71 is operated to the closed position, and the measured humidity is the target. When it is determined that the air pressure has reached the range, the amount of humidified air guided to the magazine M is controlled by setting the opening of the valve body 71 to a value corresponding to the humidity (steps # 404 to # 408). ).

  That is, when the opening degree of the valve body 71 is set, the opening degree of the valve body 71 is increased and guided to the magazine M as the humidity is lower in a state where the humidity measured by the humidity sensor Sh is in the target range. On the contrary, the control mode is set so that the opening degree of the valve body 71 is decreased as the humidity measured by the humidity sensor Sh is increased.

  Thereafter, this control is continued until it is reset. When the control is reset, the humidifier X is stopped and the control is finished (steps # 409 and # 410).

  As described above, the fourth embodiment includes a structure for guiding humidified air from the humidifier X installed outside the housing 10 to the position near the magazine M through the duct 60 and the supply pipe 70. A humidity sensor Sh is provided inside, and humidified air from the humidifier X is sent from the opening 1A of the magazine M into contact with the paper P so that the humidity of the paper P can be increased. Further, at the time of control, by adjusting the opening degree of the valve body 71 provided in the supply pipe 70 based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor Sh, an optimal amount of humidified air is supplied into the magazine M, and the paper P is supplied. It maintains an optimal humidity and produces good prints.

1 is a perspective view showing the entirety of a photographic printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the photo printing apparatus of the first embodiment is opened. The figure which shows typically the conveyance system of the paper of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the conveyance structure of the paper of the printing part of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the side part of the housing | casing of 1st Embodiment, and arrangement | positioning of a humidifier. Block diagram of the control system of the first embodiment Flow chart of humidity control in the first embodiment The figure which shows the housing | casing and humidifier of another embodiment (a) of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the housing | casing and humidifier of another embodiment (b) of 1st Embodiment. Flow chart of another embodiment (c) of the first embodiment The perspective view which shows the whole photo printing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the side part of the housing | casing of 2nd Embodiment, and arrangement | positioning of a humidifier. Flow chart of humidity control in another embodiment (b) of the second embodiment The perspective view which shows the whole photograph printing apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the side part of the housing | casing of 3rd Embodiment, and arrangement | positioning of a humidifier. The perspective view which shows the whole photo printing apparatus of 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the side part of the housing | casing of 4th Embodiment, and arrangement | positioning of a humidifier. Block diagram of control system of fourth embodiment Flow chart of humidity control in the fourth embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Housing | casing 10S Introduction opening 14A Introduction opening 51 Suction fan 60 Humidification path (duct)
65 Supply pipe (supply pipe)
70 Supply pipe (supply pipe)
71 Valve body B Print section H Print head HC Humidity control means M Magazine P Print medium (paper)
Sh Humidity sensor U1 Medium supply mechanism (supply unit)
X humidifier

Claims (6)

A printing apparatus in which a housing includes a medium supply mechanism that supplies a print medium to a print unit and an ink jet print head that prints an image by spraying ink onto the print medium supplied to the print unit. And
A humidifier that creates humidified air is installed outside the housing, and an introduction opening is formed in the housing to guide humidified air from the humidifier to the inside of the housing, and humidity is measured inside the housing. And a humidity control unit that controls supply of humidified air from the humidifier based on a measurement result of the humidity sensor.   A suction fan that sucks humidified air from the humidifier into the housing is provided in the introduction opening, and the humidity control means is configured such that the humidity value measured by the humidity sensor is a preset value. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control mode is set so that the humidifier and the suction fan are operated when the temperature is lower.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a humidification path that guides humidified air from the humidifier to the introduction portion is formed by a duct-shaped member provided between the humidifier and the introduction opening.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supply pipe for supplying humidified air from the humidifier to the print medium supplied to the print unit by the medium supply mechanism. A printing apparatus according to claim 1.   2. A magazine for storing the long print medium in a roll shape is provided inside the casing, and a supply pipe for supplying humidified air to the magazine is formed inside the casing. The printing apparatus according to any one of?   The humidity sensor is provided inside the magazine, and includes a valve body that controls the amount of humidified air supplied through the supply pipe, and the humidity adjusting means is configured to control the valve body based on the measurement result of the humidity sensor. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control form is set so as to set the opening degree.

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