JP2010052261A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the drying of ink landed in a recording medium while the deterioration of the quality of an image formed on the recording medium is suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 101 includes a recording head 1 and a head moving mechanism 15 for moving the recording head 1. The recording head 1 includes an ink jet head 2, two thermal heads 3 and 4 and a fixing member 5 for fixing these heads 2-4. The heading face 3b of the thermal head 3 is laid upstream of the discharging face 2a of the ink-jet head 2 in regard to the relative moving direction of paper P with respect to the recording head 1 and arranged adjacent to the discharging face 2a. The heading face 3 has a length longer than a discharging region formed on the discharging face 2a in regard to the direction normal to the relative moving direction of the paper P with respect to the recording head 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a recording head that ejects ink.

  Patent Document 1 describes an ink jet recording head having a recording element substrate on which a plurality of ink discharge ports for discharging ink are formed. In this recording element substrate, a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements and four sub-heaters are formed on one surface of a silicon substrate by a film forming technique, and a plurality of ink flow paths and a plurality of ink discharge ports corresponding to the electrothermal conversion elements are formed. Is formed on the silicon substrate by photolithography. The plurality of ink ejection openings are arranged on the other surface of the silicon substrate so as to constitute a nozzle row with a small ejection amount and a nozzle row with a large ejection amount. The four sub-heaters are formed two at each end of the silicon substrate in the scanning direction, and are arranged in the vicinity of the nozzle row with a small discharge amount. In this configuration, by driving the sub-heater, the ink temperature in a plurality of ink flow paths (especially the flow paths communicating with the ink discharge ports constituting the small nozzle row) can be raised, and the ink discharge amount is stabilized. Can be achieved.

JP 2006-224444 A

  In the ink jet recording head described in Patent Document 1, recording is performed from an ejection port in a state where a predetermined gap is formed between an opposing recording medium and an ejection surface (the other surface of the silicon substrate) during printing. Ink is ejected onto the printing surface of the medium. That is, the ejection surface is separated without contacting the printing surface. In this way, if the discharge surface and the recording medium are separated from each other and the vicinity of the region facing the discharge surface of the printing surface is not pressed, the separation distance between the printing surface and the discharge surface is not stable, and the ink discharged from the discharge port As a result, the quality of the image formed is degraded.

  On the other hand, in the ink jet recording head described in Patent Document 1, since the sub-heater only raises the ink temperature in the ink flow path, the ink discharged on the printing surface does not dry quickly. As a result, when the user takes out the recording medium on which the image is formed, there is a problem that the finger and the image are rubbed and the image is distorted or ink is attached to the finger.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that promotes drying of ink that has landed on a recording medium while suppressing deterioration in image quality formed on the recording medium.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention includes a discharge surface in which a discharge region formed by a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink is formed on a recording medium, and protrudes from the discharge surface in a direction in which the ink is discharged and is in contact with the recording medium. And a first heating section provided with a heating surface for heating the recording medium, and a recording head in which an ink flow path communicating with the plurality of ejection ports is formed, and the recording head and the recording medium. And a moving mechanism for relative movement. The heating surface has a length equal to or longer than the ejection region in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction of the recording medium with respect to the recording head, and is longer than the ejection surface with respect to the relative movement direction of the recording medium with respect to the recording head. Is also located upstream and adjacent to the discharge surface.

  According to this, when the recording medium and the ejection surface face each other, the recording medium is in contact with the heating surface of the first heating unit, so that the gap between the recording medium and the ejection surface is kept constant. For this reason, the image quality formed on the recording medium by the ink ejected from the ejection port does not deteriorate. In addition, since the area on the recording medium where ink can land can be preheated by the first heating unit before ink landing, the ink landed on the recording medium can be easily dried. In addition, the ink in the ink flow path can be heated by the heat generated by the first heating unit. Therefore, the ink viscosity can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the heating surface of the first heating unit is formed with a plurality of first heating regions that overlap one or more of the discharge ports with respect to the relative movement direction, depending on the supplied image data. Control means for controlling the recording head and the moving mechanism is further provided. The control unit includes a first heating control unit that controls the first heating unit so that the first heating region that overlaps the ejection port that ejects ink and the relative movement direction individually generates heat. It is preferable. As a result, it is possible to heat the partial area of the recording medium where the ink lands and the partial flow path of the ink flow path communicating with the discharge port for discharging the ink, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, at this time, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the recording head is further provided, and when the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature, the first heating control means The first heating unit may be controlled so that the ink in the path is heated. Thereby, it is possible to suppress ink ejection failure from the ejection port.

  In the present invention, the recording head includes an inkjet head having the ejection surface and the ink flow path, and a fixing member to which the inkjet head and the first heating unit are fixed. The fixed surface to which the inkjet head is fixed is formed with a protruding portion in which a tip protrudes from the discharge surface and the first heating unit is disposed at the tip, and the relative movement direction of the protruding portion It is preferable that the upstream side surface of this is inclined with respect to the discharge surface. As a result, when the recording medium and the ejection surface face each other, even if the downstream end (front end) of the recording medium is curled in the relative movement direction of the recording medium with respect to the recording head, the downstream end is in contact with the upstream side surface of the protrusion. It is in contact with the heated surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress jamming of the recording medium due to curling.

  In the present invention, the recording head includes a second heating unit disposed downstream of the ejection surface with respect to the relative movement direction, and the second heating unit is formed from a recording medium on which ink has landed. It is preferable to heat the recording medium through the gap. Accordingly, the recording medium on which the ink has landed is heated in a non-contact manner, so that the ink can be further dried and the image is not disturbed.

  At this time, the heating surface of the second heating unit may be disposed between the ejection surface and the heating surface of the first heating unit in a direction perpendicular to the ejection surface. Thereby, the ink on the recording medium can be further dried.

  At this time, the heating surface of the second heating unit may have a length equal to or longer than the discharge region in the orthogonal direction. As a result, the second heating unit can heat the area of the recording medium where the ink can land. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording medium becomes easier to dry.

  At this time, the heating surface of the second heating unit may be disposed adjacent to the ejection surface. Thereby, the ink in the ink flow path can be heated by the heating of the second heating unit. Therefore, the ink viscosity can be further reduced.

  Further, at this time, a plurality of first heating regions are formed on the heating surface of the first heating unit so as to overlap one or more of the discharge ports with respect to the relative movement direction, and heating of the second heating unit is performed. A plurality of second heating regions that overlap one or more of the discharge ports are formed on the surface with respect to the relative movement direction, and a control unit that controls the recording head and the moving mechanism according to supplied image data Is further provided. And a first heating control unit that controls the first heating unit so that the first heating region that overlaps the ejection port that ejects ink and the relative movement direction individually generates heat, and an ink There may be provided a second heating control means for controlling the second heating unit so that the second heating region overlapping with the discharge port for discharging the second heating region individually in the relative movement direction generates heat. As a result, it is possible to heat the partial area of the recording medium where the ink lands and the partial flow path of the ink flow path communicating with the discharge port for discharging the ink, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, at this time, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the recording head is further provided, and when the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature, the first heating control means The first heating unit is controlled so that the ink in the path is heated, and the second heating control unit is configured to control the inside of the ink channel when the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature. The second heating unit may be controlled such that the ink is heated. As a result, it is possible to further suppress ink ejection defects from the ejection ports.

  According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, when the recording medium and the ejection surface face each other, the recording medium is in contact with the heating surface of the first heating unit, so that the gap between the recording medium and the ejection surface is kept constant. For this reason, the image quality formed on the recording medium by the ink ejected from the ejection port does not deteriorate. In addition, since the area on the recording medium where ink can land can be preheated by the first heating unit before ink landing, the ink landed on the recording medium can be easily dried. In addition, the ink in the ink flow path can be heated by the heat generated by the first heating unit. Therefore, the ink viscosity can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 101 is provided with a paper storage portion 12 on the left side in the drawing and a paper receiving portion 13 on the right side in the drawing. A platen 14 is disposed between the two. Further, the printer 101 includes a recording head 1 that forms an image on the paper P, a head moving mechanism 15 that reciprocates the recording head 1 in the horizontal direction in the drawing, a paper feed roller 16, a transport mechanism 17, and a paper discharge. A roller pair 18 and a control device 20 for controlling these operations are provided.

  The sheet storage unit 12 has a box shape opened upward, and a plurality of sheets P are stored therein. The paper feed roller 16 sends the uppermost paper P stored in the paper storage unit 12 onto the platen 14 under the control of the control device 20. A guide 12 a is formed in the paper storage unit 12 and guides the paper P sent out by the paper supply roller 16 onto the platen 14.

  The transport mechanism 17 swings the support member 32 around the transport roller 31, the support member 32 that rotatably supports the transport roller 31, the drive shaft 33 that rotatably supports the support member 32, and the drive shaft 33 as a fulcrum. And a cam 34 to be moved.

  The support member 32 incorporates a gear fixed to the drive shaft 33 and two gears (both not shown) that transmit the rotational force of the gear to each other, and the rotational force of the drive shaft 33 is conveyed by these gears. It is transmitted to the roller 31.

  In this configuration, when the drive shaft 33 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1, the transport roller 31 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. At this time, the transport roller 31 contacts the paper P sent out by the paper feed roller 16 and transports the entire paper P to a predetermined position on the platen 14. Further, when the transport roller 31 rotates as described above in a state of being in contact with the paper P after the image is formed on the paper P, the paper P is transported toward the paper discharge roller pair 18. Thus, the transport roller 31 transports the paper P on the platen 14 in the transport direction A. The transport direction A in the present embodiment is the relative movement direction of the paper P with respect to the recording head 1 (from left to right in FIG. 1) when the recording head 1 is moving while ejecting ink onto the paper P. Direction).

  Further, a contact portion 32 a that contacts the outer peripheral side surface of the cam 34 is formed at the end portion of the support member 32 on the drive shaft 33 side. The cam 34 is fixed to a rotating shaft 34a disposed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral side surface of the cam 34, and the cam 34 also rotates as the rotating shaft 34a rotates.

  In this configuration, the conveyance mechanism 17 swings around the drive shaft 33 as a fulcrum in a direction in which the contact portion 32a approaches and separates from the rotation shaft 34a when the cam 34 is rotationally controlled by the control device 20. When the contact portion 32a is closest to the rotation shaft 34a, the conveyance roller 31 is in contact with the sheet P on the platen 14 (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1). On the other hand, when the contact portion 32a is farthest from the rotation shaft 34a, it is a separation position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) where the conveyance roller 31 is separated from the paper P and is a position above the recording head 1. . Thereby, when the recording head 1 moves as will be described later, the transport roller 31 does not hinder the movement of the recording head 1. That is, the recording head 1 and the conveyance roller 31 do not interfere with each other.

  The platen 14 has a rectangular planar shape that is slightly larger than the paper P. The platen 14 has an electrode (not shown) built in, and the platen itself is charged by supplying a DC voltage to the electrode to attract the paper P fed to the upper surface. is there.

  A guide 19 is provided between the platen 14 and the paper discharge roller pair 18. The guide 19 guides the paper P transported by the transport roller 31 to the paper discharge roller pair 18.

  The paper discharge roller pair 18 includes two rollers that rotate while sandwiching the paper P. One roller (the lower roller in FIG. 1) is driven to rotate under the control of the control device 20, and the other roller (the upper roller in FIG. 1) is a driven roller that rotates as one roller rotates. It is. In this configuration, when one of the rollers is driven to rotate under the control of the control device 20, the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller 31 is discharged to the sheet receiving unit 13 while being held between the two rollers.

  Similar to the paper storage unit 12, the paper receiving unit 13 has a box shape opened upward, and receives the paper P discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 18.

  Next, the recording head 1 and the head moving mechanism 15 will be described. FIG. 2 is a plan view when the recording head 1 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from below. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink jet head shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording head 1 includes an inkjet head 2 that ejects ink, two thermal heads 3 and 4, and a fixing member 5 to which the heads 2 to 4 are fixed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inkjet head 2 is fixed to the center of the lower surface 5 a of the fixing member 5 in the transport direction A. Further, the inkjet head 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A. As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet head 2 includes a flow path unit 9 in which an ink flow path including a pressure chamber 110 and the like is formed, and an actuator unit 21 fixed to the upper surface of the flow path unit 9. ing.

  A plurality of discharge ports 2b are formed on the discharge surface 2a, which is the lower surface of the flow path unit 9, as shown in FIG. The plurality of discharge ports 2b are arranged in a staggered manner along the longitudinal direction of the discharge surface 2a, and constitute one long discharge region 2c. The ejection region 2c is formed with a width equal to or greater than the width of the paper P in the transport direction A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, two manifold channels 105 are formed inside the channel unit 9. These manifold channels 105 extend along the longitudinal direction of the channel unit 9. The manifold channel 105 is connected to an ink supply port (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the channel unit 9, and ink is supplied from an ink tank (not shown). Further, the flow path unit 9 is formed with a plurality of pressure chambers 110 arranged in a staggered manner, similarly to the discharge ports 2b. The openings of these pressure chambers 110 are closed by the actuator unit 21 as shown in FIG.

  The flow path unit 9 includes nine plates 122 to 130 made of a metal material such as stainless steel. By laminating these plates 122 to 130 while aligning each other, the through holes formed in the plates 122 to 130 communicate with each other. As a result, two manifold channels 105 and a large number of individual ink channels 132 extending from the outlets of the manifold channels 105 to the discharge ports 2 b through the pressure chambers 110 are formed in the channel unit 9. The ink in the manifold channel 105 flows into each individual ink channel 132 and reaches the ejection port 2b through the aperture 112 and the pressure chamber 110 functioning as a throttle.

  The actuator unit 21 includes a plurality of actuators 21 a formed at positions facing each pressure chamber 110. These actuators 21 a are displaced to the pressure chamber 110 side by supplying an ejection signal under the control of the control device 20, and apply pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber 110. Then, the ink is discharged from the discharge port 2b communicating with the pressure chamber 110 where the pressure is applied to the ink.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing member 5 is a plate-like member that is long in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A. The fixing member 5 is connected to a carriage 41 (described later) via a spring (not shown), and is biased downward. On the lower surface 5a of the fixing member 5, two projecting portions 25 and 26 projecting from the ejection surface 2a in the ink ejection direction (vertically in the vertical direction) from the ejection port 2b are formed. The protrusion 25 is formed at the upstream end of the lower surface 5a in the transport direction A, and the protrusion 26 is formed at the downstream end of the lower surface 5a. These protrusions 25 and 26 have the same length as the lower surface 5a in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of the protrusion 25 is positioned below the protrusion 26, and the thermal head 3 is fixed to the lower end. The thermal head 3 has a plurality of heating elements 3 a that become high temperature when energized by the control device 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, these heating elements 3a are arranged in a line in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction A, and constitute a heating surface 3b on the lower surface of the heating element 3a. In other words, the plurality of heating elements 3a constitute individual heating regions, and the plurality of heating regions constitute one heating surface 3b. The heating surface 3b is longer than the discharge region 2c and has the same length as the discharge surface 2b in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A. Moreover, the heating surface 3b is arrange | positioned adjacent to the discharge surface 2b.

  In addition, among the plurality of heating elements 3a, the heating elements 3a excluding the two outermost heating elements 3a are arranged in positions overlapping with the discharge ports 2b in the transport direction A, respectively. The thermal head 3 is disposed at a position where a predetermined gap is formed between the paper P and the ejection surface 2a when the heating surface 3b and the paper P come into contact with each other.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the thermal head 4 is fixed to the lower end of the protruding portion 26, and the heating surface 4 b is disposed between the ejection surface 2 b and the heating surface 3 b in the vertical direction. By arranging the heating surface 4b in this way, a predetermined gap is always formed on the heating surface 4b with respect to the paper P. In addition, when the heating surface 4b faces the paper P, the heating surface 4b is disposed in a non-contact manner with respect to the paper P and closer to the ejection surface 2b, so that the ink that has landed on the paper P can be effectively dried. it can.

  The thermal head 4 has the same configuration as that of the thermal head 3, and has a plurality of heating elements 4a arranged in a line. The plurality of heating elements 4a are also controlled by the control device 20. Further, the plurality of heating elements 4a constitute the heating surface 4b, and the heating surface 4b is longer than the discharge region 2c and has the same length as the discharge surface 2b in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A. The heating surface 4b is disposed adjacent to the ejection surface 2b. Further, among the plurality of heat generating elements 4a, the heat generating elements 4a excluding the two outermost heat generating elements 4a are arranged at positions overlapping with the discharge ports 2b in the transport direction A, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the upstream side surface 25a of the protruding portion 25 is inclined with respect to the ejection surface 2a. As a result, when printing on the paper P arranged on the platen 14 and when the recording head 1 moves to the left in FIG. 1, the front end (downstream end in the transport direction A) of the paper P is curled. However, the front end contacts the upstream side surface 25a and is smoothly guided to the heating surface 3b side. Therefore, jamming of the paper P due to curling can be suppressed. Further, the projecting portion 26 also has an inclined downstream side surface 26a.

  The head moving mechanism 15 includes a carriage 41, two rails 42 extending in parallel with the transport direction A, and a linear motor 43 provided on each of the rails 42 and moving on the rails 42. Each linear motor 43 is fixed to the side surface of the carriage 41. In this configuration, by controlling the linear motor 43 to move on the rail 42 by the control device 20, the recording head 1 can be moved in parallel with the conveyance direction A together with the carriage 41.

  Next, the control device 20 will be described below. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control device 20 shown in FIG. The control device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is an arithmetic processing device, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program executed by the CPU and data used in the program are stored, and temporary storage of data when the program is executed. A random access memory (RAM) and other logic circuits are included, and these function together to construct a functional unit described below.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 20 includes a print control unit 141, a conveyance control unit 142, a platen control unit 147, and a paper discharge control unit 148. The control device 20 is connected to a temperature sensor 115 that detects the ambient temperature of the recording head 1.

  The print controller 141 includes an inkjet head controller 143, a first thermal head controller 144, a second thermal head controller 145, and a head movement controller 146. The ink jet head control unit 143 controls the head drive circuit 151 based on the image data received by the control device 20 and causes ink to be ejected from the plurality of ejection ports 2 b of the ink jet head 2. The head drive circuit 151 selectively supplies ejection signals to the plurality of actuators 21a based on commands from the inkjet head control unit 143. The actuator 21 a supplied with the ejection signal applies pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber 110.

  The first thermal head control unit 144 controls the head driving circuit 152 to individually generate heat in the heating element 3 a that overlaps the ejection port 2 b that ejects ink and the transport direction A based on the control of the inkjet head control unit 143. The second thermal head control unit 145 controls the head driving circuit 153 to individually generate heat from the discharge ports 2b that discharge ink and the heating direction 4a that overlaps in the transport direction A based on the control of the inkjet head control unit 143. The first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 control the head drive circuits 152 and 153 when the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor 115 is lower than a predetermined temperature when the power is turned on. All the heating elements 3a and 4a are energized for a predetermined time.

  The head movement control unit 146 drives and controls the linear motor 43 of the head moving mechanism 15 and moves the linear motor 43 on the rail 42.

  The conveyance control unit 142 drives and controls a motor 161 that rotates the paper feed roller 16, a motor 162 that rotates the drive shaft 33, and a motor 163 that rotates the rotation shaft 34 a, and the paper P is transferred from the paper storage unit 12 to the platen. 14 is conveyed.

  The platen control unit 147 controls the DC voltage generation circuit 164 that supplies a DC voltage to the internal electrode of the platen 14, holds the paper P conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen 14, and releases the holding of the paper P To do.

  The paper discharge control unit 148 drives and controls the motor 162 that rotates the drive shaft 33, the motor 163 that rotates the rotation shaft 34a, and the motor 165 that rotates one roller of the paper discharge roller pair 18, respectively. Sheet P is discharged to the sheet receiving portion 13.

  Next, the control flow of the printer 101 when printing on the paper P will be described below. FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an operation state diagram when forming an image by ejecting ink onto the paper P. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in step 1 (S1), the printer 101 is turned on. At this time, the first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 determine whether or not the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor 115 is lower than a predetermined temperature. When the ambient temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step 2 (S2), and the first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 control the head driving circuits 152 and 153 to control all the heating elements 3a, Energization of 4a for a predetermined time is started. Thereby, the heat from the heating elements 3a and 4a is transmitted through the protrusions 25 and 26 and the fixing member 5 to warm the flow path unit 9 from above, and the radiant heat from the heating elements 3a and 4a lowers the flow path unit 9 downward. Therefore, the entire ink in the ink flow path of the flow path unit 9 is warmed. Therefore, an increase in ink viscosity accompanying a decrease in ink temperature can be suppressed, and defective ink discharge from the discharge port 2b can be prevented. When the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the heating elements 3a and 4a are not energized and the process proceeds to step 3 (S3).

  Next, in step 3, it is determined whether the control device 20 has received image data. If the control device 20 has not received image data, this process is repeated. Then, when the control device 20 receives the image data, the process proceeds to step 4 (S4). Next, in step 4, the control device 20 determines whether or not the energization of the heating elements 3a and 4a in step 2 has passed a predetermined time. When the energization of the heating elements 3a and 4a has not passed the predetermined time, this process is repeated. And when energization to exothermic bodies 3a and 4a passes for a predetermined period, it will progress to Step 5 (S5).

  Next, in step 5, the transport control unit 142 drives the motor 161 to rotate the paper feed roller 16 to feed the paper P from the paper storage unit 12 toward the platen 14. At this time, the first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 control the head drive circuits 152 and 153 to heat the heating elements 3a and 4a that overlap the ejection port 2b that ejects ink onto the paper P in the transport direction A. Only the energization is started, and the heating elements 3a and 4a are individually heated.

  In this way, only the heating elements 3a and 4a corresponding to the ejection ports 2b that eject ink are individually heated, so that the heat from the heating elements 3a and 4a flows through the protrusions 25 and 26 and the fixing member 5. The path unit 9 is warmed from above, and the radiant heat from the heating elements 3a, 4a warms the flow path unit 9 from below. Specifically, for example, when ink is ejected only from the ejection port 2b located at the center, the central portion of the flow path unit 9 is moved up and down by heat transfer and radiant heat from the corresponding heating elements 3a and 4a. Warmed from. Therefore, it is possible to heat the partial flow path of the ink flow path that communicates with the discharge port 2b that discharges ink. Therefore, even when a certain amount of time has passed since the printer 101 was turned on and the ink temperature has dropped, the ink discharged by this heating is effectively warmed. Further, only the necessary heating elements 3a and 4a generate heat, thereby reducing power consumption. When ink is ejected from all the ejection ports 2b, the entire flow path unit 9 is warmed from both the upper and lower sides by all the heating elements 3a and 4a.

  Next, in step 6 (S6), the conveyance control unit 142 controls the driving of the motor 163, arranges the conveying roller 31 at the contact position, and then stops the driving of the motor 163. Next, in step 7 (S 7), the conveyance control unit 142 drives the motor 162 and rotates the conveyance roller 31 to convey the entire sheet P to a predetermined position on the platen 14. Then, the conveyance control unit 142 stops driving the motors 161 and 162.

  Next, in step 8 (S8), the conveyance control unit 142 controls the driving of the motor 163, arranges the conveying roller 31 at the separation position, and then stops the driving of the motor 163. Next, in step 9 (S9), the platen controller 147 controls the DC voltage generation circuit 164 to charge the platen 14 itself. As a result, the paper P placed at a predetermined position is held on the platen 14.

  Next, in step 10 (S10), the head movement control unit 146 drives the linear motor 43, and in FIG. 1, the position of the recording head 1 facing the guide 19 from the position facing the guide 19 (two in FIG. 1). To the position indicated by the dotted line).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, even if the front end of the sheet P in the transport direction A is curled so as to be lifted from the platen 14, the front end contacts the upstream side surface 25a and is guided to the heating surface 3b side. The Further, since the recording head 1 is biased downward by the carriage 41, the heating surface 3 b and the paper P come into contact with the movement of the recording head 1, and the paper P is pressed by the platen 14. Thereby, the clearance gap between the paper P and the discharge surface 2a is kept constant. In addition, a partial area of the sheet that contacts the heating element 3a that has been heated by energization (a partial area where the ink of the sheet P lands and is a belt-shaped area along the transport direction A) is preheated.

  6B, when the ejection surface 2a and the paper P face each other, the ink jet head control unit 143 controls the ink jet head drive circuit 109 to eject ink onto the paper P to generate an image. Form. At this time, since the partial area on which the ink on the paper P is ejected is preheated by the heating surface 3b, the drying of the ink that has landed on the paper P is promoted. At this time, the heating surface 4b heats the partial area while passing through the partial area where the ink on the paper P has landed in a non-contact manner. Therefore, the drying of the ink that has landed on the paper P is further promoted, and the image formed on the paper P is not disturbed.

  Next, in step 11 (S11), when the recording head 1 reaches a position facing the guide 12a, the head movement control unit 146 stops driving the linear motor 43. At this time, the first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 control the head drive circuits 152 and 153 to stop energization of the heating elements 3a and 4a.

  Next, in step 12 (S12), the platen control unit 147 controls the DC voltage generation circuit 164 to stop charging the platen 14 itself. As a result, the holding of the sheet P on the platen 14 is released.

  Next, in step 13 (S13), the paper discharge control unit 148 controls the drive of the motor 163, places the transport roller 31 at the contact position, and then stops the drive of the motor 163. Then, the paper discharge control unit 148 drives the motors 162 and 165 to rotate the transport roller 31 and one of the pair of paper discharge rollers to discharge the paper P to the paper receiving unit 13. After the paper P is placed in the paper receiving portion 13, the paper discharge control portion 148 stops driving the motors 162 and 165.

  Next, in step 14 (S14), the paper discharge control unit 148 controls the driving of the motor 163, arranges the transport roller 31 at the separation position, and then stops the driving of the motor 163. Then, the head movement control unit 146 drives the linear motor 43, and in FIG. 1, the recording head 1 is opposed to the guide 19 from the original position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1). Position). When the recording head 1 reaches a position facing the guide 19, the head movement control unit 146 stops driving the linear motor 43. Thus, printing on the paper P is completed.

  As described above, according to the printer 101 according to the present embodiment, when the paper P and the ejection surface 2a face each other when forming an image on the paper P, the paper P comes into contact with the heating surface 3b and is pressed. The gap between P and the ejection surface 2a is kept constant. Therefore, the image quality formed on the paper P by the ink ejected from the ejection port 2b does not deteriorate. In addition, since the heating surface 3b has a length equal to or longer than the ejection region 2c in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A, an area where the ink on the paper P can land is formed by the heating surface 3b before the ink is landed. It becomes possible to heat in advance. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the paper P is easily dried. In addition, the ink in the ink flow path can be heated by the heat generated by the heating surface 3b. Therefore, the ink viscosity in the ink flow path can be reduced, and defective ink discharge from the discharge port 2b can be suppressed.

  Further, since the heating surface 4b is also longer than the ejection area 2c, it is possible to heat the area where the ink on the paper P can land. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the paper P becomes easier to dry. Further, since the heating surfaces 3b and 4b are disposed adjacent to the discharge surface 2b, the radiant heat of the heating elements 3a and 4a is effectively transmitted to the flow path unit 9. Therefore, it becomes possible to heat the ink in the ink flow path of the flow path unit 9, and the ink viscosity can be further reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first thermal head controller 144 merely generates heat from the heating element 3a. However, when thermal paper is used as a recording medium, the first thermal head controller controls the image data. Accordingly, the plurality of heating elements 3a may be controlled to form an image on thermal paper. That is, the recording head 1 may serve as both an ink jet and a thermal head.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as long as they are described in the claims. For example, one heating element 3a, 4a may overlap two or more or all of the ejection ports 2b in the transport direction A. Also, the first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 may perform control based on the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor 115 when the printer 101 is turned on and when it is used other than during printing. Good. Further, the first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 may cause the heating elements 3a and 4a to generate heat simultaneously with the start of movement of the recording head 1 when an image is formed on the paper P. By doing so, the energization time is shortened and the power consumption can be reduced. The first and second thermal head controllers 144 and 145 may energize the heating elements 3a and 4a from when the printer 101 is turned on until the power is turned off. Thereby, an increase in ink viscosity due to a decrease in ink temperature can be prevented, and ink ejection defects can be suppressed. Further, the thermal head 4 and the temperature sensor 115 may not be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, an image is formed on the paper P while moving the recording head 1 with respect to the paper P held on the platen 14, but the recording head is fixed and the paper P is transported in the transport direction A. However, an image may be formed on the paper P. Further, an image may be formed on the paper P while moving the recording head in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A while transporting the paper P in the transport direction A. At this time, when an image is formed on the paper P by the recording head, the conveyance of the paper P is stopped.

1 is a schematic side view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view when the recording head shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from below. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the ink jet head shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a control flow diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an operation state diagram when an image is formed by ejecting ink on a sheet.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head 2 Inkjet head 2a Discharge surface 2b Discharge port 2c Discharge area | region 3 Thermal head (1st heating part)
3a Heating element (first heating area)
3b Heating surface 4 Thermal head (second heating part)
4a Heating element (second heating area)
4b Heating surface 5 Fixed member 15 Head moving mechanism (moving mechanism)
20 Control device (control means)
25 Protruding portion 25a Upstream side surface 101 Printer (recording device)
115 Temperature sensor 144 First thermal head control unit (first heating control means)
145 Second thermal head controller (second heating control means)

Claims (10)

A discharge surface in which a discharge region formed by a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink is formed on the recording medium, and heating that heats the recording medium while protruding from the discharge surface in a direction in which the ink is discharged and in contact with the recording medium A recording head having an ink flow path formed therein, the first heating section having a surface, and an ink flow path communicating with the plurality of ejection ports;
A moving mechanism for relatively moving the recording head and the recording medium,
The heating surface has a length equal to or longer than the ejection area in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction of the recording medium with respect to the recording head, and is upstream of the ejection surface with respect to the relative movement direction of the recording medium with respect to the recording head. A recording apparatus, wherein the recording apparatus is disposed adjacent to the ejection surface. The heating surface of the first heating unit is formed with a plurality of first heating regions that overlap one or more of the discharge ports in the relative movement direction,
The apparatus further comprises control means for controlling the recording head and the moving mechanism according to the supplied image data,
The control means includes first heating control means for controlling the first heating unit such that the first heating region overlapping with the ejection port for ejecting ink in the relative movement direction individually generates heat. The recording apparatus according to claim 1. A temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the recording head;
The first heating control unit controls the first heating unit so that the ink in the ink flow path is heated when the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature. The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The recording head includes an inkjet head having the ejection surface and the ink flow path, and a fixing member to which the inkjet head and the first heating unit are fixed.
The fixing surface of the fixing member to which the inkjet head is fixed is formed with a protruding portion in which a tip protrudes from the discharge surface and the first heating unit is disposed at the tip.
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upstream side surface of the protrusion in the relative movement direction is inclined with respect to the ejection surface. The recording head includes a second heating unit disposed downstream of the ejection surface in the relative movement direction;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second heating unit heats the recording medium through a gap from a recording medium on which ink has landed.   The heating surface of the second heating unit is disposed between the ejection surface and the heating surface of the first heating unit with respect to a direction perpendicular to the ejection surface. Recording device.   The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a heating surface of the second heating unit has a length equal to or longer than the ejection region in the orthogonal direction.   The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a heating surface of the second heating unit is disposed adjacent to the ejection surface. The heating surface of the first heating unit is formed with a plurality of first heating regions that overlap one or more of the discharge ports in the relative movement direction,
A plurality of second heating regions that overlap one or more of the discharge ports are formed on the heating surface of the second heating unit with respect to the relative movement direction,
The apparatus further comprises control means for controlling the recording head and the moving mechanism according to the supplied image data,
The control means is
First heating control means for controlling the first heating unit so that the first heating region overlapping the ejection port for ejecting ink and the relative movement direction individually generates heat;
And a second heating control means for controlling the second heating unit so that the second heating area overlapping the ejection port for ejecting ink and the relative movement direction individually generate heat. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8. A temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the recording head;
The first heating control unit controls the first heating unit so that the ink in the ink flow path is heated when the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature;
The second heating control unit controls the second heating unit so that the ink in the ink flow path is heated when the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature. The recording apparatus according to claim 9.

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