JP2008023913A - Manufacturing method for inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease a manufacturing cost of an inkjet printer. <P>SOLUTION: When all color inks are judged to be ejected normally, the recording head is used as an inkjet printer which enables color printing, and when a black ink is judged to be ejected normally but not all the other color inks, the recording head is used as an inkjet printer for monochrome printing, so that the recording head is shared for color printing and monochrome printing therefore to enable a decrease in development cost of the inkjet printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an inkjet printer.

In addition to a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles that eject black ink, a color other than black (for example, cyan, yellow, magenta, etc.) is ejected to a recording head of an inkjet printer capable of color printing. A nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-90795

  By the way, in a recording head dedicated to monochrome (monochrome) printing, only black ink is ejected, so only a nozzle row for black ink is provided in the recording head, and a nozzle row for ejecting colors other than black is provided. Not. For this reason, recording heads capable of color printing, that is, recording heads capable of printing in a plurality of colors, and recording heads dedicated to monochrome printing have been designed and developed independently of each other.

  However, if the inkjet printer dedicated to monochrome printing and the inkjet printer capable of color printing are designed and developed independently, it is difficult to reduce the development cost and the manufacturing cost of the inkjet printer. Was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to reduce the manufacturing cost of an ink jet printer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an ink jet printer comprising a recording head having a plurality of nozzle rows for ejecting ink, wherein each nozzle row of the recording head is provided. And determining whether or not the ink is normally ejected from the printing head, and in the determining step, if it is determined that the ink is normally ejected from all the nozzle rows, the print head is printed in a plurality of colors. When the ink is properly ejected from at least one nozzle row but is not ejected normally from another nozzle row, the print head is selected. And a sorting step that sorts the printer for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a single color.

  Accordingly, in the invention described in claim 1, since the recording head capable of printing in a plurality of colors and the recording head capable of printing in a single color can be shared, the manufacturing cost of the ink jet printer is reduced. be able to.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an ink jet printer including a nozzle array for ejecting black ink and a recording head having a nozzle array for ejecting ink of a color other than black. In the determination step for determining whether or not ink is normally ejected from the nozzle row, and in the determination step, if it is determined that the ink is normally ejected from all the nozzle rows, the recording head is displayed in a plurality of colors. Ink is normally ejected from a nozzle array that ejects black ink, and ink is ejected from at least one nozzle array that ejects ink of a color other than black ink. Assuming that the recording head is used in an ink jet printer capable of printing in a single color when it is determined that the ink is not ejected normally. And another, when the ink from the nozzle row for ejecting black ink is determined not to be normally ejected, characterized in that it comprises a sorting step of sorting the recording head as defective.

  Accordingly, the invention according to claim 2 can also share the recording head capable of printing with a plurality of colors and the recording head capable of printing with a single color, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the ink jet printer. be able to.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an ink jet printer including a recording head having a plurality of nozzle rows each composed of a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, wherein ink is supplied from each nozzle included in the nozzle row to a predetermined level. In the determination step for determining whether or not the ink is ejected to the landing position, and in the determination step, if it is determined that the ink is ejected from each nozzle to the predetermined landing position, the recording head is printed in a plurality of colors. When it is determined that ink is not ejected from each nozzle to a predetermined landing position, the recording head is selected for use with an ink jet printer capable of printing in a single color. And a sorting step.

  Thus, even in the invention described in claim 3, since the recording head capable of printing in a plurality of colors and the recording head capable of printing in a single color can be shared, the manufacturing cost of the ink jet printer can be reduced. be able to.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the nozzle row includes a nozzle row for ejecting black ink and a nozzle row for ejecting ink of a color other than black. In the determination step, each nozzle is applied to the recording medium. Is determined based on whether or not the ink ejected toward the recording medium has landed at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and in the sorting step, all of the ink that has landed on the recording medium is determined. When it is determined that the color ink has landed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in multiple colors and landed on the recording medium Black ink landed at a predetermined interval in the transport direction, and ink other than black ink landed at a predetermined interval in the transport direction. The recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a single color, and the black ink is determined not to land at a predetermined interval in the transport direction. The recording head is selected as a defective product.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the nozzle row includes a nozzle row for ejecting black ink and a nozzle row for ejecting ink of a color other than black. In the determination step, each nozzle is applied to the recording medium. Is determined based on whether or not the ink ejected toward the recording head has been landed at a predetermined interval in the scanning direction of the recording head. When it is determined that the color ink has landed at predetermined intervals in the scanning direction, the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in multiple colors and landed on the recording medium Black ink landed at a predetermined interval in the scanning direction, and ink other than black ink landed at a predetermined interval in the scanning direction. If it is determined that the recording head is used for an inkjet printer capable of printing in a single color, and it is determined that the black ink has not landed at a predetermined interval in the scanning direction In addition, the recording head is selected as a defective product.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function device) 1 in which a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner (image reading) function are integrated. A form is demonstrated with drawing.

1. 1 is an external perspective view of the multi-function device 1, FIG. 2 is a side view of the multi-function device 1, and FIG. 3 is a view of the recording head 110 viewed from the nozzle array 111 side. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an inkjet recording type printer unit 100 for forming an image on a recording medium such as recording paper is provided on the lower rear side of the multi-function device 1, while an image of a document is provided on the upper front side. Is provided.

  Note that the scanner unit 200 of the multi-function device 1 according to the present embodiment is of a type that reads an image written on a document while automatically conveying the document placed on the document tray 201. The document read in 200 is discharged to a discharge tray 203 provided on the front side of the multi-function device 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 3 is provided on the upper inclined surface on the front side of the multi-function device 1 to set the operation of the printer unit 100 and the scanner unit 200. On the lower side, an insertion port 5 for inserting and mounting the paper feed tray 121 is provided.

  The handset 7 is a telephone handset for call in which a speaker for reproducing a voice signal transmitted via a telephone line and a microphone for picking up a voice uttered by a caller are integrated. You can make a call.

2. Printer section (see Fig. 2)
The printer unit 100 is an image forming unit configured by a known inkjet printer that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting minute ink droplets toward the recording medium.

  Specifically, a recording head 110 that incorporates pressing means (piezo element in the present embodiment) that utilizes deformation of a piezoelectric element, volume change of a bubble by a heating resistor, and the like, and ejects ink toward a recording medium, The recording head 110 includes a carriage including a sub tank in which ink is stored, a scanning mechanism that reciprocates (scans) the carriage in the main scanning direction, a main tank that supplies ink to the sub tank, and the like.

  The sub tank and the main tank are connected via a flexible tube, and ink is supplied from the main tank when the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank falls below a predetermined amount.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a nozzle array 111 including a plurality of nozzles that eject ink as fine droplets toward the recording medium is provided on the surface of the recording head 110 that faces the recording medium. The nozzle row 111 at the right end of the drawing is a nozzle row that ejects black ink.

  The nozzle row 111 at the left end of the paper is a nozzle row that ejects cyan ink, the nozzle row 111 at the second row from the left end of the paper is a nozzle row that ejects magenta ink, and the nozzle row 111 at the third row from the left end of the paper. Is a nozzle row for ejecting yellow tin ink.

  Hereinafter, the nozzle row that ejects black ink is referred to as a first nozzle row 111A, and the nozzle row that ejects color ink (ink other than black ink) from the left end of the drawing to the third row is referred to as a second nozzle row 111B.

  When performing monochrome printing, printing is performed using only the first nozzle array 111A that ejects black ink, and when performing color printing, only the second nozzle array 111B (yellow, cyan, magenta) is used. Printing. Note that black at the time of color printing is formed by overprinting yellow, cyan, and magenta at an appropriate ratio.

3. FIG. 4 is a manufacturing process chart showing an outline of the manufacturing procedure of the multi-function apparatus 1, and FIG. 5 is an inspection process chart showing details of the inspection process of the recording head 110. . That is, the process charts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 show the assembly work (including the inspection process) performed by the worker according to the work procedure, and the worker shows the process chart shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The multi-function device 1 is manufactured according to the above.

3.1. Outline of manufacturing method of multi-function device 1 (see FIG. 4)
After the recording head 110 is manufactured (S10), it is inspected whether the recording head 110 is defective in the state of the recording head 110 alone (S20). The recording head inspection process is performed with the recording head 110 mounted on an inspection jig.

  Next, after the printer unit 100 is assembled by assembling the components of the printer unit 100 to the housing of the multi-function device 1 (S30), is the printer unit 100 operating normally with the printer unit 100 assembled? It is inspected whether or not the recording head 110 is scanned while the recording medium is normally conveyed and can be normally printed on the recording medium (S40).

  When the inspection of the printer unit 100 is completed, after the parts other than the printer unit 10 such as the scanner unit 200 are assembled (S50), whether other functions including the scanner unit 200 operate normally, or Inspection is performed as a final finished product, such as whether or not scratches or damage are on the appearance (S60).

3.2. Recording head inspection (sorting) process (see FIG. 5)
First, a water jet inspection is performed (S100). In this water jet inspection, whether or not water is appropriately jetted from the nozzle array 111 by applying a predetermined water pressure to the print head 110 in a state where the print head 110 is mounted on the water jet test jig. Is inspected by the visual inspection of the operator.

  Specifically, whether there is a nozzle to which water is not ejected (whether the nozzle is clogged), and any of the scanning direction of the recording head 110 (CR direction) and the conveyance direction of the recording medium (LF direction). Even if observed from the above, it is determined based on whether or not water is jetted perpendicularly to the nozzle surface 110A (see FIG. 3) of the recording head 110 (whether the nozzle is bent).

  If it is determined that there is no abnormality in any of the nozzle rows 111 as a result of the water jet inspection (S110: no abnormality), it is inspected whether or not an electrical element such as a piezo element operates normally ( S120). In the electrical inspection, the recording head 110 is mounted on an inspection jig, and when the insulation resistance value or capacitance is out of the predetermined value range, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the insulation resistance value and capacitance are When it is within the predetermined value range, it is determined to be normal.

  As a result of the electrical inspection, if it is determined to be abnormal (S130: Abnormal), the recording head 110 that is the inspection target is discarded (S200), while it is determined to be normal. (S130: No abnormality), the test color image is test-printed (S140).

  Next, the operator visually inspects the test-printed recording medium using a magnifying glass, a microscope, or the like, and inspects whether the test print result is abnormal (S150). Specifically, when two colors of ink are ejected at the same time, whether ejection of one ink has an adverse effect on the ejection of the other ink, and ink is ejected normally in all nozzle rows 111. The inspection is determined based on whether or not it is performed.

  If it is determined that there is an abnormality in the black ink (first nozzle row 111A) (S150: black portion is abnormal), the recording head 110 that is the inspection target is discarded (S200), When it is determined that the ink is normally ejected in the nozzle row 111 (S150: no abnormality), or when it is determined that there is an abnormality only in the color ink (second nozzle row 111B) (S150: Only the color portion is abnormal), it is determined whether or not ink is ejected from each nozzle row 111 to a predetermined landing position (S160, S180).

  That is, when it is determined that the ink is normally ejected from all the nozzle arrays 111 (S150: No abnormality), the ink ejected from each nozzle 111 toward the recording medium is the recording medium conveyance direction. In the (LF direction), whether or not the ink has landed while maintaining a predetermined interval (± 30 μm in this embodiment), and the ink ejected from each nozzle 111 toward the recording medium In the scanning direction (CR direction), it is determined whether or not the landing is made while maintaining a predetermined interval (± 30 μm in the present embodiment) (S160).

  When it is determined that the landing intervals of all inks are within a predetermined interval in both the transport direction and the scanning direction (S160: within ± 30 μm), recording capable of color printing is performed. A head, that is, a recording head capable of printing in a plurality of colors, is selected, and a label or check indicating that is set in the recording head 110 (S170).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the landing interval is larger than the predetermined interval in either the transport direction or the scanning direction (S160: deviation greater than ± 30 μm), the first nozzle 111A is directed to the recording medium. Whether or not the ink ejected in this way, that is, the black ink, has landed at a predetermined interval (± 50 μm in the present embodiment) in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the black ink in the scanning direction, It is determined whether or not the landing is made while maintaining a predetermined interval (± 50 μm in the present embodiment) (S180).

  When it is determined that the landing interval of the black ink is within a predetermined interval in both the transport direction and the scanning direction (S160: within ± 50 μm), monochrome (single color) printing is possible. The recording head 110 is selected, and the recording head 110 is labeled or inspected to that effect (S190).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the landing interval of the black ink is larger than a predetermined interval in any one of the transport direction and the scanning direction (S160: greater than ± 50 μm), it is an inspection target. The recording head 110 is discarded (S200).

  If it is determined in S150 that there is an abnormality only in the color ink (second nozzle row 111B) (S150: only the color part is abnormal), the black ink is predetermined in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Whether or not the ink has landed with an interval (± 50 μm in this embodiment), and whether or not the black ink has landed with a predetermined interval (± 50 μm in this embodiment) in the scanning direction. Is determined (S180).

  When it is determined that the landing interval of the black ink is within a predetermined interval in both the transport direction and the scanning direction (S160: within ± 50 μm), monochrome (single color) printing is possible. The recording head 110 is selected, and the recording head 110 is labeled or inspected to that effect (S190).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the landing interval of the black ink is larger than a predetermined interval in any one of the transport direction and the scanning direction (S160: greater than ± 50 μm), it is an inspection target. The recording head 110 is discarded (S200).

  If it is determined in S110 that only the nozzle row 111 (second nozzle row 111B) that ejects color ink is abnormal (S110: only the color portion is abnormal), the same method as in S120 and S130 is used. An electrical inspection is performed on the two-nozzle row 111B (S210, S210).

  If it is determined as abnormal as a result of the electrical inspection (S220: Abnormal), the recording head 110 to be inspected is discarded (S200), while it is determined as normal. If it is detected (S220: No abnormality), test printing of the inspection monochrome image is performed (S230).

  Next, whether or not there is an abnormality in the test print result is inspected by the same method as in S150 (S240). If it is determined that there is an abnormality (S240: Abnormal), it is the inspection object. The recording head 110 is discarded (S200). On the other hand, when it is determined that the recording head 110 is normal (S240: no abnormality), the black ink is preliminarily applied in the recording medium transport direction in the same manner as in S180. Whether or not the ink has landed with a predetermined interval (± 50 μm in this embodiment), and the black ink has landed with a predetermined interval (± 50 μm in this embodiment) in the scanning direction. It is determined whether or not (S250).

  When it is determined that the landing interval of the black ink is within a predetermined interval in both the transport direction and the scanning direction (S250: within ± 50 μm), monochrome (single color) printing is possible. The recording head 110 is selected, and the recording head 110 is labeled or inspected to that effect (S190).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the landing interval of the black ink is larger than a predetermined interval in any one of the transport direction and the scanning direction (S250: greater than ± 50 μm), it is an inspection target. The recording head 110 is discarded (S200).

  When it is determined in S110 that the nozzle row 111 (first nozzle row 111) to which black ink is ejected is abnormal (S110: black portion is abnormal), the recording head 110 that is the inspection target. Is discarded (S200).

4). Features of Multi-Function Device 1 (Printer Unit 100) According to the Present Embodiment In the method for manufacturing the multi-function device 1 according to this embodiment, printing with a plurality of colors is possible, as is apparent from the flowchart shown in FIG. Since the recording head 110 for color printing and the recording head 110 capable of monochrome (single color) printing can be shared, the manufacturing cost of the ink jet printer can be reduced.

  In general, inks of all colors that are not ejected normally or ink landing intervals that are large (greater than 30 μm in this embodiment) are discarded as defective products, whereas In the embodiment, black ink is normally ejected even if all color inks are not ejected normally or the ink landing interval is large (in this embodiment, greater than 30 μm), and If it is determined that the landing interval of the black ink is within a predetermined value (in this embodiment, 50 μm), the recording head 110 is used as a printer unit for monochrome printing, so the manufacturing yield of the recording head 110 is reduced. Can be improved.

  Further, a component connected to the recording head 110 such as a tube for supplying ink to the recording head 110 and a flat cable for transmitting a control signal for controlling the operation of the recording head 110 (piezo element or the like) is used as a recording head for color printing. 110 and the recording head 110 capable of monochrome printing can be used in common, so that the color printing inkjet printer manufacturing equipment and the monochrome printing inkjet printer manufacturing equipment can be shared, and capital investment can be made. The forehead can be suppressed.

  Since the printer unit 100 on which the monochrome recording head 110 is mounted cannot perform color printing, in this embodiment, control is performed so that a signal for performing color printing is not transmitted to the recording head 110. For this reason, if the data to be printed is color data, the printer unit 100 performs printing by converting the color data into monochrome data.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiments, two types of images for color printing and monochrome printing are used as the images for inspection. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and color inspection that can also be used for monochrome printing inspection. An image for use may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording head 110 is selected by the recording head 110 alone. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording head 110 may be selected with the recording head 110 assembled to a printer. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the method for manufacturing the multi-function device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a method for manufacturing a printer having only an inkjet printer function. it can.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as it matches the gist of the invention described in the claims.

1 is an external perspective view of a multi-function device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a multi-function device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the recording head 110 viewed from the nozzle array side. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process table | surface which shows the outline | summary of the manufacturing procedure of the multi-function apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the inspection process table | surface which shows the detail of the inspection process of the printer part 100 which concerns on embodiment of invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunctional device, 3 ... Operation panel, 5 ... Insert port, 7 ... Handset,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printer part, 110 ... Recording head, 111 ... Nozzle row, 121 ... Paper feed tray,
200... Scanner unit, 201... Document tray, 203.

Claims (5)

A method of manufacturing an ink jet printer comprising a recording head having a plurality of nozzle rows for ejecting ink,
A determination step of determining whether ink is normally ejected from each nozzle row of the recording head;
In the determination step, when it is determined that the ink is normally ejected from all the nozzle rows, the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a plurality of colors, and at least one The ink is normally ejected from the nozzle row, but when it is determined that the ink is not ejected normally from the other nozzle row, the recording head is used for an ink jet printer capable of printing in a single color. A method for producing an ink jet printer, comprising: a sorting step of sorting as a product. A method for manufacturing an ink jet printer comprising a recording head having a nozzle row for ejecting black ink and a nozzle row for ejecting ink of a color other than black,
A determination step of determining whether ink is normally ejected from each nozzle row of the recording head;
In the determination step, when it is determined that the ink is normally ejected from all the nozzle rows, the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a plurality of colors, and black ink is selected. When it is determined that ink is normally ejected from the nozzle row to be ejected and ink is not normally ejected from at least one nozzle row of the nozzle row that ejects ink of a color other than black ink, When the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a single color and it is determined that the ink is not normally ejected from the nozzle row ejecting black ink, the recording head is defective. A method for producing an ink jet printer, comprising: a sorting step for sorting if there is. A method of manufacturing an ink jet printer comprising a recording head having a plurality of nozzle rows each composed of a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink,
A determination step of determining whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzles included in the nozzle row to a predetermined landing position;
In the determination step, when it is determined that the ink is ejected from each nozzle row to a predetermined landing position, the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a plurality of colors, And a sorting step of sorting the recording head for use in an ink jet printer capable of printing in a single color when it is determined that the ink is not ejected from each nozzle to a predetermined landing position. A method for manufacturing an inkjet printer. The nozzle row includes a nozzle row that ejects black ink and a nozzle row that ejects ink of a color other than black,
In the determination step, it is determined based on whether or not the ink ejected from each nozzle toward the recording medium has landed at a predetermined interval in the recording medium conveyance direction,
Further, in the sorting step, when it is determined that all the color inks that have landed on the recording medium have landed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, the recording head is printed in a plurality of colors. Of the ink that has been selected and used for an inkjet printer capable of printing and landed on a recording medium, and landed at a predetermined interval in the transport direction, and ink other than the black ink is predetermined in the transport direction. When the recording head is determined not to land with a predetermined interval, the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a single color, and the black ink has a predetermined interval in the transport direction. The recording head is selected as a defective product when it is determined that the recording head has not landed. The manufacturing method of the inkjet printer of description. The nozzle row includes a nozzle row that ejects black ink and a nozzle row that ejects ink of a color other than black,
In the determination step, it is determined based on whether or not the ink ejected from each nozzle toward the recording medium has landed at a predetermined interval in the scanning direction of the recording head,
Further, in the selecting step, when it is determined that all the color inks that have landed on the recording medium have landed at predetermined intervals in the scanning direction, the recording head is printed in a plurality of colors. Of the ink landed on the recording medium, with the black ink landing at a predetermined interval in the scanning direction, and the ink other than the black ink is predetermined in the scanning direction. If it is determined that the recording head has not landed at a predetermined interval, the recording head is selected for use in an inkjet printer capable of printing in a single color, and the black ink has a predetermined interval in the scanning direction. The recording head is selected as a defective product when it is determined that the recording head has not landed. The manufacturing method of the inkjet printer of description.

Images