JP2009279856A - Image recorder, control method for image recorder and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder able to avoid occurrence of jamming of a recording medium in a post-processing mechanism which includes a cutting section for cutting the recording medium, even if a curl arises in the recording medium which is a continuous sheet, and to provide a control method for the image recorder, and a program therefor. <P>SOLUTION: A conveying mechanism 40 includes a first image recording section 20 and a second image recording section 30 for performing an image recording process on a recording medium which is a continuous sheet. The conveying mechanism 40 conveys the recording medium. The post-processing mechanism 50 has at least a cutting section 51 which cuts a recording medium subjected to the image recording process into a predetermined length in a conveyance direction. A post-processing mechanism control section 4 determines whether a curl has been arising in the recording medium due to the conveying mechanism 40 or not. If the determination is made that it has been arising, the control section 4 controls the post-processing mechanism 50 to prohibit the cutting section 51 from cutting the curling portion of the recording medium, and makes the cutting section 51 cut the recording medium behind the curling portion thereof in the conveying direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing technique, and more particularly to a technique for cutting a recording medium that is a continuous sheet on which an image is recorded.

  As one of image recording apparatuses that record an image on a recording medium such as paper, for example, an ink jet full-line color printer is known. In an ink jet full-line color printer, a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles for ink ejection are formed in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to a recording medium conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) The ink colors are arranged at predetermined intervals in the scanning direction.

  In such an image recording apparatus, a recording process is performed by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles of a recording head onto a recording medium held and conveyed by a conveyance system. In such an image recording apparatus, a recording medium that is a cut sheet that has been cut into a predetermined size in advance, and a recording medium that is a continuous sheet such as roll paper, which is mainly used for industrial purposes, are used.

  In general, in an image recording apparatus that performs recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, an image recording instruction is received from a host device, and recording processing is performed on a continuous sheet based on the recording data and the number of recording processes included in the received image recording instruction. . In such an image recording apparatus, the continuous sheet subjected to the recording process is cut and stored, for example, into a predetermined length by a generally known post-processing mechanism.

  By the way, in such an image recording apparatus, for example, when the recording operation is stopped by not receiving an image recording instruction for a certain time, for example, a pair of conveying rollers provided in a conveying mechanism that conveys a continuous sheet causes the continuous sheet to be received. There is a case where it is left as it is. When the continuous sheet is sandwiched by such a pair of conveying rollers for a long time, a pressing mark is generated on the surface of the continuous sheet by the pressing of the conveying roller pair. May be reduced.

For example, in Patent Document 1, regarding such a problem, when it is determined that a printing instruction (image recording instruction) has been left without a predetermined time or more, a portion where a pressing mark is generated due to the pressing of the conveyance roller pair is described. Discloses a technique of cutting without performing a recording process (image recording).
JP 2006-95718 A (paragraphs [0033] to [0044], FIGS. 2 to 5)

  In an image recording apparatus that performs recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, for example, when the recording operation is stopped by not receiving an image recording instruction for a certain period of time, the recording medium is curled, and the recording medium resulting from the curling Clogging (so-called jam) may occur. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe anything about a jam of a recording medium caused by curl.

First, a first example of occurrence of a jam in a recording medium due to this curl will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.
7A and 7B schematically show a part of a roll paper conveyance path in the internal configuration of the printer shown in Patent Document 1. FIG. 7A and 7B, some members constituting the printer shown in Patent Document 1 are removed in order to facilitate understanding of the possibility of jamming.

  In FIG. 7A, the roll paper RP sandwiched between the rollers 1025 and 1026 is conveyed upward in FIG. 7A when the roller 1025 is driven to rotate. Thereafter, the roll paper RP passes through the guide plate 108 a, and then the conveyance direction is directed leftward in FIG. 7A by the guide roller 110, and image recording processing is performed by the thermal head 113. The roll paper RP that has been subjected to the image recording process is then cut by a cutting machine 115 to become cut paper.

  In this printer, for example, when the recording operation is stopped by not receiving an image recording instruction for a certain period of time, the roll paper RP has, for example, curl Sk as shown in FIG. When the roll paper RP with Sk is conveyed to the cutting machine 115, the roll paper RP cannot smoothly enter the cutting machine 115, and there is a risk of jamming.

Next, FIGS. 8A and 8B will be described. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show a second example and a third example of the occurrence of a jam in the recording medium due to curling, respectively.
8A and 8B include an image recording apparatus (not shown) that performs image recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, and a configuration example of a post-processing mechanism that performs post-processing on the recording medium after recording processing. Is schematically shown.

  The post-processing mechanism is provided with a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium 61 after the recording process. This cutting unit cuts the recording medium 61 whose conveying direction is directed downward in FIGS. 8A and 8B by the guide roller 45, and includes a cutting origin detecting unit 51a, a cutting driving unit 51b, and a cutting driving roller 51c. And a cutting blade 51d and a cutting driven roller 51e.

  However, if the winding curl Sk occurs in the recording medium 61, the recording medium 61 cannot smoothly enter between the cutting drive roller 51c and the cutting driven roller 51e that are rotating for the cutting operation. As shown in FIG. 2, there is a possibility that a jam may occur at the cut portion.

  8B also shows a configuration of a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium 61 after cutting, in addition to the same cutting unit as FIG. 8A, as a post-processing mechanism. The discharge unit is for discharging the cut recording medium 61 from the image recording apparatus, and includes a discharge path switching unit 52, a recording medium storage unit 55a, a discharge unit supply driving unit 55b, and a discharge unit driving roller. 55c and a discharge portion driven roller 55d. When the discharge unit operates normally, the cut recording medium 61 is directed to the right in FIG. 8B by the discharge path switching unit 52, and then the discharge unit is driven to rotate with the discharge unit driven roller 55d. It is sandwiched between the drive roller 55c and discharged to the recording medium storage 55a.

  However, if the winding curl Sk occurs in the recording medium 61, the recording medium 61 is interposed between the discharging unit driven roller 55d and the rotating discharging unit driving roller 55c that are rotating for the discharging operation to the recording medium storage unit 55a. May not be able to enter smoothly, there is a risk of jamming as shown in FIG. 8B.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a recording medium in a post-processing mechanism including a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium even when curling occurs in the recording medium that is a continuous sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus, a control method for the image recording apparatus, and a program for the image recording apparatus that can avoid the occurrence of clogging.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an image recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has at least one image recording unit that performs image recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, and conveys the recording medium. In an image recording apparatus comprising: a mechanism; and a post-processing mechanism having at least a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium on which the image recording process has been performed into a predetermined length in the transport direction, the recording medium is curled by the transport mechanism. When it is determined whether or not a curl has occurred, the post-processing mechanism is controlled to prevent the recording medium from being cut by the cutting part at the part where the curl occurs, and from the part where the curl occurs And a post-processing mechanism control unit that causes the cutting unit to cut the recording medium at a position rearward in the transport direction.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an image recording apparatus having at least one image recording unit that performs image recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, and a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium. And a post-processing mechanism having at least a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium on which the image recording processing has been performed into a predetermined length in the conveyance direction, and a method for controlling the image recording apparatus, It is determined whether or not the curl has occurred, and when it is determined that the curl has occurred, the post-processing mechanism is controlled to prohibit cutting of the recording medium by the cutting part at the part where the curl has occurred. Cutting the recording medium at the cutting portion at a position behind the wrinkle generation direction.

  In addition, a program according to another aspect of the present invention includes at least one image recording unit that performs image recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium, and the image A program for causing an arithmetic processing unit to control an image recording apparatus comprising: a post-processing mechanism having at least a cutting unit that cuts a recording medium on which a recording process has been performed into a predetermined length in a conveyance direction; A determination process for determining whether or not curling has occurred on the medium, and a post-processing mechanism that controls the post-processing mechanism when it has been determined that curling has occurred, In addition to prohibiting cutting, the arithmetic processing unit is caused to perform a control process of causing the cutting unit to cut the recording medium at a position rearward in the conveyance direction from the portion where the curl occurs.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid occurrence of clogging of a recording medium in a post-processing mechanism including a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium even when curling occurs on the recording medium that is a continuous sheet. A recording apparatus, a control method for an image recording apparatus, and a program thereof can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual block configuration of an image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 schematically shows an arrangement configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The image recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes at least a control unit 2, a first image recording unit 20, a second image recording unit 30, a transport mechanism 40, and a post-processing mechanism 50. Yes.
The control unit 2 includes, for example, a micro processor unit (MPU) in an arithmetic processing device having a control function and an arithmetic function and a read only memory (ROM) that stores a control program, and a random access memory (RAM) that serves as a work memory of the MPU. And a non-insertable memory for storing setting values relating to control of the image recording apparatus 1.

  The control unit 2 includes at least a storage unit 3 and a post-processing mechanism control unit 4. In the control unit 2, the storage unit 3 is constituted by, for example, a nonvolatile memory. Further, the control unit 2 is configured to store a control program in advance in, for example, a ROM, and causes the MPU to read and execute the control program, thereby functioning as the post-processing mechanism control unit 4.

  The host device 60 is connected as an external device of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment via, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN). The host device 60 corresponds to a computer operated by a user who causes the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment to perform image recording, and provides job information and image information to the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. A recording start instruction is notified. When the control unit 2 receives the job information and the image recording start instruction from the higher-level device 60, the control unit 2 stores the recording data for double-sided recording, which is a recording target when performing the image recording process, included in the job information. The data is divided into recording data for recording the first image and recording data for recording the second image, and these recording data are further developed into dot images. The control unit 2 transfers these dot images to a first surface image memory and a second surface image memory (not shown), respectively.

  The first image recording unit 20 reads out the dot image from the first surface image memory, and also drives the first recording head unit 22 to drive the first recording head unit 22 to read out the dot image of the first surface. By performing ink discharge based on the above, image recording on the first surface of the recording medium 61 is performed.

  The second image recording unit 30 reads out the dot image from the second surface image memory and drives the second recording head unit 32 to drive the second recording head unit 32 to read out the dot image of the second surface. By performing the ink discharge based on the above, image recording on the second surface (the back surface of the first surface) of the recording medium 61 is performed.

  The conveyance mechanism 40 is a medium conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium 61 that is a continuous sheet, and includes a first medium carrier 43, a second medium carrier 44, a conveyance information generation unit 41, a conveyance driving unit 42, At least.

The first medium carrier 43 is provided at a position facing the ink ejection port of the first recording head unit 22 in the first image recording unit 20 and carries the recording medium 61.
In addition, a conveyance information generation unit 41 is provided on the rotation shaft of the first medium carrier 43. The conveyance information generation unit 41 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the first medium carrier 43 carrying the recording medium 61, and a detection pulse corresponding to the rotation amount of the first medium carrier 43 is output as conveyance information. Therefore, this detection pulse represents the transport distance of the recording medium 61. This detection pulse is input to the first image recording unit 20 and the second image recording unit 30 via the control unit 2.

Note that the transport information generation unit 41 in the image recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured by a rotary encoder.
The second medium carrier 44 is provided at a position facing the ink ejection port of the second recording head unit 32 in the second image recording unit 30 and carries the recording medium 61. A transport driving unit 42 is provided on the rotation shaft of the second medium carrier 44.

Here, the conveying operation by the conveying mechanism 40 and the image recording operations by the first image recording unit 20 and the second image recording unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
The recording medium supply unit 46 is arranged as an unwinding unit that rotatably holds the recording medium 61 and unwinds the recording medium 61 to the first medium carrier 43. In the present embodiment, the recording medium supply unit 46 holds roll paper as the recording medium 61 that is a continuous sheet.

  Although not shown, the recording medium supply unit 46 is provided with a powder clutch using magnetic powder (powder) for transmitting torque, and recording is performed by applying torque in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 61. It performs the function of giving a constant back tension to the medium 61.

  When the control unit 2 drives the transport driving unit 42 disposed in the transport mechanism 40, the second medium carrier 44 rotates. The recording medium 61 supplied from the recording medium supply unit 46 passes through the guide roller 45-1, and is then wound and held by the first medium carrier 43 so as to face the ink ejection port of the first image recording unit 20. It is conveyed to. The control unit 2 acquires a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the first medium carrier 43 from the conveyance information generation unit 41, and controls the ejection timing by the first image recording unit 20 based on the pulse signal, so that the recording medium Image recording processing on the first surface 61 is performed.

  Next, the recording medium 61 that has finished the image recording process on the first surface by the first image recording unit 20 passes through the guide rollers 45-2, 45-3, and 45-4, and then the second medium carrier. It is wound and held at 44 and conveyed to a position facing the ink discharge port of the second image recording unit 30. The control unit 2 acquires a pulse corresponding to the rotation amount of the first medium carrier 43 from the conveyance information generation unit 41, controls the ejection timing by the second image recording unit 30 based on the pulse signal, and records the recording medium 61. The image recording process is performed on the second surface.

  Next, the recording medium 61 that has finished the image recording process on the second surface by the second image recording unit 30 passes through the guide rollers 45-5, 45-6, 45-7, and 45-8, and then undergoes post-processing. It is conveyed to the mechanism 50.

  The first medium carrier 43 is made of, for example, an aluminum drum, and enables the recording medium 61 to be wound at a predetermined winding angle. A perpendicular force is applied to the recording medium 61 from the outer peripheral surface of the first medium carrier 43 by the tension on the upstream side in the transport direction of the first medium carrier 43 and the tension on the downstream side in the transport direction. Accordingly, the recording medium 61 is held on the first medium carrier 43 by the friction coefficient between the first medium carrier 43 and the recording medium 61.

  The second medium carrier 44 has the same configuration as the first medium carrier 43, and is configured such that the recording medium 61 can be wound at a predetermined winding angle. The recording medium 61 is given a vertical drag from the outer peripheral surface of the second medium carrier 44 by the tension on the upstream side in the transport direction of the second medium carrier 44 and the tension on the downstream side in the transport direction. Accordingly, the recording medium 61 is held on the second medium carrier 44 by the friction coefficient between the second medium carrier 44 and the recording medium 61.

Next, the post-processing mechanism 50 will be described.
The post-processing mechanism 50 includes a cutting unit 51, a discharge path switching unit 52, a first discharge unit 53, and a second discharge unit 54.

  The cutting unit 51 cuts the recording medium 61 that is a continuous sheet into a predetermined conveyance direction length under the control of the control unit 2. The cutting unit 51 includes a cutting origin detecting unit 51a, a cutting driving unit 51b, a cutting driving roller 51c, a cutting blade 51d, and a cutting driven roller 51e.

  The cutting drive roller 51c and the cutting driven roller 51e are a pair of rollers arranged to face each other. Of these, the cutting drive roller 51c has a circumferential length of 420 mm per round, and is configured as a rotary cutter provided with two cutting blades 51d (spiral cutters) on the circumference. Since the two cutting blades 51d are arranged on the circumference of the cutting drive roller 51c at intervals of 210 mm, the cutting driving roller 51c is rotated so that the peripheral speed of the cutting blade 51d is synchronized with the conveyance speed of the recording medium 61. Then, the recording medium 61 is cut every 210 mm in the conveyance direction. Note that the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described on the assumption that continuous paper having a width of 297 mm is used as the recording medium 61, cut into an A4 size (297 mm × 210 mm), and discharged.

  The cutting drive unit 51b is driven by giving a pulse train signal from the control unit 2 to the post-processing mechanism 50 using, for example, a servo motor. Note that the cutting drive unit 51b may be configured using a stepping motor instead of the servo motor.

  The cutting origin detector 51a detects the cutting position of the recording medium 61. The cutting origin detection unit 51a is disposed at a position where the cutting blade 51d of the cutting drive roller 51c cuts the recording medium 61, and detects and controls the cutting position of the recording medium 61 by the cutting blade 51d. Notify part 2.

  The gap at the non-cutting position between the cutting blade 51d provided on the cutting drive roller 51c and the cutting driven roller 51e is set to a distance through which the recording medium 61 can sufficiently pass, and the cutting blade 51d and the cutting driven roller If the cutting drive roller 51c is stopped at a position where it does not contact 51e, that is, a position where the cutting origin detection unit 51a does not detect the cutting position, the recording medium 61 can be passed without being cut.

The discharge path switching unit 52 is disposed below the cutting unit 51, and switches the discharge destination of the recording medium 61 after being cut by the cutting unit 51 between the first discharge unit 53 and the second discharge unit 54. .
Both the first discharge unit 53 and the second discharge unit 54 are discharge destinations of the recording medium 61 after being cut by the cutting unit 51, and store the cut recording medium 61. Here, the first discharge unit 53 includes a first recording medium storage unit 53a, a first discharge unit supply drive unit 53b, a first discharge unit drive roller 53c, and a first discharge unit driven roller 53d. Yes. The second discharge unit 54 includes a second recording medium storage unit 54a, a second discharge unit supply drive unit 54b, a second discharge unit drive roller 54c, and a second discharge unit driven roller 54d. .

  Next, the control processing operation for the post-processing mechanism 50 by the post-processing mechanism control unit 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. This control processing operation is provided by the MPU of the control unit 2 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM.

  First, the control unit 2 reads information representing the medium type (characteristic) of the recording medium 61 set in the image recording apparatus 1 from the storage unit 3. Note that the medium type of the recording medium 61 is designated by the user of the image recording apparatus 1 from the host apparatus 60, for example, and the storage unit 3 stores information indicating the medium type in advance. Shall.

  Next, when the control unit 2 leaves the recording medium 61 having the medium type (characteristic) read from the storage unit 3 while the transport mechanism 40 is left in a transport standby state, curling occurs in the recording medium 61. The time required until the time (curling wrinkle presence / absence determination time) is acquired. For this purpose, the control unit 2 refers to a table showing the relationship between the characteristics of the recording medium 61 and the curl presence / absence determination time, and in this table, the medium of the recording medium 61 read from the storage unit 3 Acquires the curl presence / absence determination time associated with the type. In the present embodiment, this table is prepared in advance, and is stored in advance in the ROM of the control unit 2 together with the control program described above, for example.

  Thereafter, at the start of the image recording process, the control unit 2 first acquires the time from the end of the previous image recording process to the start thereof. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the control unit 2 has a timer function (not shown), and this timer function measures this time and acquires the result. Note that the time acquired in this way represents a leaving time after the recording medium 61 is left in a standby state due to the stop of the operation of the transport mechanism 40 accompanying the end of the previous image recording process. .

  Then, the control unit 2 detects a detection pulse, which is conveyance information, generated by the conveyance information generation unit 41 when the conveyance mechanism 40 conveys a distance corresponding to the conveyance direction length of the portion where the winding curl Sk occurs in the recording medium 61. Get the number of.

  Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the recording medium 61 in the standby state has been curled by the transport mechanism 40. This determination is performed by comparing the length of the above-described leaving time and the above-described curl presence / absence determination time. If the standing time is longer than the curl presence / absence determination time, the recording medium 61 is curled. Judge that it occurred.

  In the arrangement configuration of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, when the recording medium 61 is left in the transport standby state, the recording medium 61 is supported by the second medium carrier 44. It is assumed that curling habits that cause jamming occur in the subsequent portions. In the present embodiment, the portion of the recording medium 61 carried by the first medium carrier 43 is reduced by curl due to being carried by the second medium carrier 44 after the start of the image recording process. It is assumed that no jam occurs. Therefore, here, the length of the recording medium 61 in the conveyance direction of the portion where the curl Skates is generated is determined from the leading edge in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 61 sandwiched between the cutting drive roller 51c and the cutting driven roller 51e. The length to the carrying position of the carrier 44 is assumed.

  Note that the length from the leading end in the transport direction of the recording medium 61 sandwiched between the cutting driving roller 51c and the cutting driven roller 51e to the supporting position of the second medium carrier 44 varies in the image recording apparatus 1. It is a fixed value that never happens. Accordingly, the number of detection pulses generated by the transport information generation unit 41 when the transport mechanism 40 transports a distance corresponding to the transport direction length of the portion where the curl Skelet is generated is also a fixed value. In the present embodiment, the number of detection pulses is also obtained in advance by calculation or actual measurement, and is stored in advance in the ROM of the control unit 2 together with the control program described above, for example. Hereinafter, the number of detection pulses is referred to as “feed pulse amount”.

  Thereafter, upon receiving job information from the host device 60, the control unit 2 is a position where the detection signal of the cutting origin detection unit 51a of the cutting unit 51 is not detected (a position where the cutting blade 51d is not in contact with the cutting driven roller 51e). Then, the cutting drive roller 51c is stopped and the cutting of the recording medium 61 by the cutting unit 51 is prohibited. Then, after a predetermined tension is applied to the recording medium 61, conveyance of the recording medium 61 is started. Further, the discharge path switching unit 52 of the post-processing mechanism 50 is controlled to switch the discharge path switching unit 52 to the carry-out path A (see FIG. 3) so that the recording medium 61 is stored in the first recording medium storage unit 53a. Switching to the carry-out path A is performed when the number of detection pulses, which are conveyance information generated by the conveyance information generation unit 41 after the conveyance of the recording medium 61 is actually started, reaches the above-described feed pulse amount. This is continued until a predetermined timing when the recording medium on which the recording has been performed reaches the cutting portion.

  Subsequently, the control unit 2 counts the number of detection pulses that are conveyance information generated by the conveyance information generation unit 41 after the conveyance of the recording medium 61 is actually started. The count value acquired from the conveyance information represents the conveyance distance of the recording medium 61 after the operation of the conveyance mechanism 40 that has been stopped has been resumed.

  Here, when the count value of the detection pulse exceeds the above-described feed pulse amount, the control unit 2 starts the cutting drive unit 51b and synchronizes the peripheral speed of the cutting blade 51d with the conveyance speed of the recording medium 61. Control is started and cutting is started. By this control, the position behind the portion where the curl ridge Sk is generated in the transport direction in the recording medium 61 is specified. The specified recording medium having the curl is referred to as “recording medium 61a”.

  Thereafter, the control unit 2 obtains the transport distance of the recording medium 61a after being cut by the cutting unit 51 from the count result of the number of detection pulses, which is the transport information generated by the transport information generating unit 41. This transport distance indicates that the cut recording medium 61a has been transported by a distance from the cutting position of the cutting unit 51 to the discharge path switching unit 52, and the transport speed of the print recording medium 61 is predetermined. When the peripheral speed of the cutting blade 51d is synchronized with the conveyance speed of the recording medium 51, the control unit 2 starts image recording based on the conveyance information from the conveyance information generation unit 41, and the first timing at a predetermined timing. When image recording is started by the image recording unit 20 and the second image recording unit 30 respectively, the discharge path switching unit 52 of the post-processing mechanism 50 is controlled. Then, by this control, the recording medium 61 (hereinafter referred to as “recording medium 61b” after being cut at this time) to be cut by the cutting unit 51 is stored in the second recording medium storage unit 54a. The discharge route switching unit 52 is switched to the carry-out route B (see FIG. 4).

  Here, when the image recording is completed, the control unit 2 discharges an unnecessary blank portion generated in the recording medium 61 after the image recording is completed to the first recording medium storage unit 53a. Control is performed to switch the route switching unit 52 to the carry-out route A side. Then, the controller 2 stops the operation of the transport mechanism 40 after discharging the blank portion, and waits until receiving the next image recording start instruction.

Next, FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the post-processing mechanism control process performed by the control unit 2.
The process shown in FIG. 6 is realized by the MPU of the control unit 2 reading and executing the control program stored in advance in the ROM of the control unit 2 as described above. The control unit 2 functions as the post-processing mechanism control unit 4 by the MPU executing this control program.

  The processing in FIG. 6 is started when the control unit 2 receives job information from the higher-level device 60. First, in step S1, the control unit 2 reads the medium type of the recording medium 61 from the storage unit 3, and refers to the above-described table stored in the ROM for the above-described curl presence / absence determination time based on the read medium type. In addition, the processing for reading out and acquiring the above-mentioned feed pulse amount, which is also stored in the ROM, is performed.

  Next, in step S2, the control unit 2 obtains the time measurement result of the leaving time in which the recording medium 61 is left in the transporting state from the timer function described above, and the left time and the processing in step S1. A process for comparing the length with the acquired curl presence / absence determination time is performed. Here, if the control unit 2 determines that the standing time is equal to or longer than the curl presence / absence determination time (there is a curl) (the determination result is Yes), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the controller 2 determines that the standing time is less than the curl presence / absence determination time (no curl), the process proceeds to step S5.

  Next, in step S3, the control unit 2 moves the cutting drive roller 51c to a position where the detection signal of the cutting origin detection unit 51a of the cutting unit 51 is not detected (a position where the cutting blade 51d is not in contact with the cutting driven roller 51e). The cutting unit 51 is stopped and the cutting of the recording medium 61 by the cutting unit 51 is prohibited. Then, after a predetermined tension is applied to the recording medium 61, the conveyance of the recording medium 61 is started, and the process proceeds to Step 4.

  Next, in step S4, the control unit 2 controls the discharge path switching unit 52 of the post-processing mechanism 50 to switch the conveyance path of the recording medium 61 to the unloading path A, so that the recording medium 61 becomes the first recording medium storage unit 53a. The process of making it housed is performed, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  Next, in step S <b> 7, the control unit 2 determines that the number of detection pulses, which are conveyance information generated by the conveyance information generation unit 41 after the conveyance of the recording medium 61 is started, is acquired by the processing in step S <b> 1. By reaching the pulse amount, a process is performed to determine whether or not the conveyance of the recording medium 61 at a distance corresponding to the length of the portion where the curl ridge Sk is generated is completed. Here, when the control unit 2 determines that the conveyance of the recording medium 61 of the distance has been completed (the determination result is Yes), the control unit 2 advances the process to step S8.

  In step S8, the cutting drive unit 51b is started and control is started so that the peripheral speed of the cutting blade 51d is synchronized with the conveyance speed of the recording medium 61. Here, since the recording medium 61 is cut each time the cutting drive roller 51c rotates, the recording medium 61 is first cut when the conveyance of the curl Sk is completed, and each time the cutting drive roller 51c rotates. The recording medium 61 is cut and guided to the conveyance path A. The process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, this step is repeated until the conveyance speed of the recording medium 61 reaches a predetermined speed, and the peripheral speed of the cutting blade 51d is confirmed to be synchronized with the conveyance speed of the recording medium 61. If it is determined (the determination result is Yes), image recording is started and the process proceeds to the next step S10.

In step S10, the recording medium on which the image is recorded is switched to the conveyance path B at a predetermined timing.
The above is the case where it is determined that the recording medium 61 has curl, but if it is determined in step S2 that there is no curl, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, after a predetermined tension is applied to the recording medium 61, conveyance of the recording medium 61 is started, and the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S6, it switches to the conveyance path | route A and advances a process to step S8.

  As described above, according to the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, even when curl is generated by the second medium carrier 44, the occurrence of clogging of the recording medium 61 due to the curl is suppressed and stable. Image recording processing can be performed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, In the implementation stage, it can change variously in the range which does not change the summary.

1 is a diagram illustrating a conceptual block configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is FIG. (1) explaining the control processing operation | movement by the post-processing mechanism control part with respect to a post-processing mechanism. It is FIG. (2) explaining the control processing operation | movement by the post-processing mechanism control part with respect to a post-processing mechanism. FIG. 11 is a diagram (No. 3) for explaining the control processing operation by the post-processing mechanism control unit for the post-processing mechanism. It is the figure which showed the processing content of the post-processing mechanism control process with the flowchart. FIG. 6 is a diagram (No. 1) for explaining a first example of occurrence of a jam in a recording medium caused by curling. FIG. 6 is a second diagram illustrating a first example of occurrence of a jam in a recording medium due to curling. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example of generation | occurrence | production of jam of the recording medium resulting from a curl. It is a figure explaining the 3rd example of generation | occurrence | production of jam of the recording medium resulting from a curl.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording apparatus 2 Control part 3 Memory | storage part 4 Post-processing mechanism control part 20 1st image recording part 21 1st recording head drive part 22 1st recording head part 30 2nd image recording part 31 2nd recording head drive part 32 2nd 2 recording head unit 40 transport mechanism 41 transport information generation unit 42 transport drive unit 43 first medium carrier 44 second medium carrier 45, 45-1 to 45-8 guide roller 46 recording medium supply unit 50 post-processing mechanism 51 cutting Section 51a Cutting origin detection section 51b Cutting drive section 51c Cutting drive roller 51d Cutting blade 51e Cutting driven roller 52 Discharge path switching section 53 First discharge section 53a First recording medium storage section 53b First discharge section supply drive section 53c First discharge Part drive roller 53d first discharge part driven roller 54 second discharge part 54a second recording medium storage part 54b second discharge part supply drive part 4c 2nd discharge part drive roller 54d 2nd discharge part driven roller 55a Recording medium storage part 55b Discharge part supply drive part 55c Discharge part drive roller 55d Discharge part driven roller 60 Host device 61, 61a, 61b Recording medium 108a Guide plate 110 Guide Roller 113 Thermal head 115 Cutting machine 1025, 1026 Roller RP Roll paper Sk Roll roll

Claims (17)

It has at least one image recording unit that performs image recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, and includes a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium, and the recording medium on which the image recording processing has been performed has a predetermined transport direction length. In an image recording apparatus comprising: a post-processing mechanism having at least a cutting unit that cuts into
It is determined whether or not a curl has occurred on the recording medium by the transport mechanism, and when it is determined that the curl has occurred, the post-processing mechanism is controlled so that the cutting unit at the portion where the curl is generated The image recording further comprising a post-processing mechanism control unit that prohibits the cutting of the recording medium and causes the cutting unit to cut the recording medium at a position rearward in the transport direction from a portion where the curl occurs. apparatus.   The post-processing mechanism control unit determines whether or not the recording medium has been curled by determining whether the recording medium is in a transport standby state due to the characteristics of the recording medium specified in advance and the operation of the transport mechanism being stopped. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is performed based on a leaving time after being left as it is.   The post-processing mechanism control unit indicates in advance a relationship between the characteristics of the recording medium and the generation time required until the curl occurs when the recording medium having the characteristics is left in the transport standby state. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a table configured to determine whether or not the recording medium has been wrinkled by referring to the table. The conveyance mechanism further includes a medium carrier that carries the recording medium and generates conveyance information indicating a conveyance distance of the recording medium,
The post-processing mechanism control unit specifies a cutting position of the recording medium to be cut by the cutting unit when it is determined that the curl has occurred, based on the conveyance distance of the recording medium from the conveyance information. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2. The post-processing mechanism includes a switching unit that switches a discharge destination of the recording medium after being cut by the cutting unit, and a plurality of discharges that are the discharge destinations of the recording medium after the cutting and store the recording medium after the cutting And further comprising
The post-processing mechanism control unit further controls the post-processing mechanism when it is determined that the curl has occurred, and the recording medium including the curl generation part is a specific one of the plurality of discharge units. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is switched so as to be housed in the storage unit. A control unit including at least the post-processing mechanism control unit;
The control unit is configured to include at least an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit that stores a control program in advance, and causes the arithmetic processing unit to execute the control program to serve as the post-processing mechanism control unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus functions.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting unit includes a rotary cutter including a pair of rollers arranged to face each other. It has at least one image recording unit that performs image recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, and includes a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium, and the recording medium on which the image recording processing has been performed has a predetermined transport direction length. And a post-processing mechanism having at least a cutting section for cutting the image recording apparatus,
Determining whether or not curling has occurred on the recording medium by the transport mechanism;
When it is determined that the curl has occurred, the post-processing mechanism is controlled to prohibit the cutting of the recording medium by the cutting unit at the curl occurrence portion, and is transported more than the curl occurrence portion. And causing the cutting unit to cut the recording medium at a position rearward in the direction.   It is determined whether or not the recording medium has been wrinkled after the characteristics of the recording medium specified in advance and the operation of the transport mechanism are stopped and the recording medium is left in a transport standby state. 9. The method of controlling an image recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control is performed based on the standing time.   It is necessary to determine whether or not curling has occurred in the recording medium until the curling occurs when the recording medium having the characteristics and the recording medium having the characteristics are left in a state of waiting for conveyance. The method for controlling an image recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a table that indicates a relationship with the occurrence time in advance, and performing the reference by referring to the table. The conveyance mechanism further includes a medium carrier that carries the recording medium and generates conveyance information indicating a conveyance distance of the recording medium,
The cutting position of the recording medium to be cut by the cutting unit when it is determined that the curl has occurred, is specified based on the transport distance of the recording medium from the transport information. Control method of image recording apparatus. The post-processing mechanism includes a switching unit that switches a discharge destination of the recording medium after being cut by the cutting unit, and a plurality of discharges that are the discharge destinations of the recording medium after the cutting and store the recording medium after the cutting And further comprising
The control method further controls the post-processing mechanism when it is determined that the curl has occurred, and the recording medium including the curl generation part is stored in a specific one of the plurality of discharge units. The method of controlling an image recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the switching unit is switched as described above. It has at least one image recording unit that performs image recording processing on a recording medium that is a continuous sheet, and includes a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium, and a length in a predetermined transport direction of the recording medium on which the image recording processing has been performed. A program for causing an arithmetic processing unit to control an image recording apparatus including at least a post-processing mechanism having a cutting unit for cutting,
A determination process for determining whether or not a curl has occurred in the recording medium by the transport mechanism;
When it is determined that the curl has occurred, the post-processing mechanism is controlled to prohibit cutting of the recording medium by the cutting unit at the part where the curl is generated, and is transported more than the part where the curl is generated And a control process for causing the cutting unit to cut the recording medium at a position rearward in the direction.   In the determination process, it is determined whether or not the recording medium is wrinkled. The recording medium remains in a transport standby state due to the characteristics of the recording medium specified in advance and the operation of the transport mechanism stopped. The program according to claim 13, wherein the program is performed based on a leaving time after being left.   In the determination process, the determination as to whether or not the recording medium has been curled is made by determining the characteristics of the recording medium and the curl when the recording medium having the characteristics is left in a standby state. The program according to claim 14, comprising a table that indicates in advance a relationship with an occurrence time required for occurrence, and is performed by referring to the table. The conveyance mechanism further includes a medium carrier that carries the recording medium and generates conveyance information indicating a conveyance distance of the recording medium,
The control process specifies a cutting position of the recording medium to be cut by the cutting unit when it is determined that the curl has occurred, based on the conveyance distance of the recording medium from the conveyance information. Item 15. The program according to Item 14. The post-processing mechanism includes a switching unit that switches a discharge destination of the recording medium after being cut by the cutting unit, and a plurality of discharges that are the discharge destinations of the recording medium after the cutting and store the recording medium after the cutting And further comprising
In the control process, when it is determined that the curl has occurred, the post-processing mechanism is further controlled so that the recording medium including the curl generation part is stored in a specific one of the plurality of discharge units. The program according to claim 13, wherein the switching unit is switched in such a manner.