JP2011201208A - Recorder and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder which smoothly executes a recording.SOLUTION: The recorder has a medium conveying surface 24a for sucking and holding the rear surface of a recording medium R for conveyance. The recorder includes: holding members 31A and 31B for holding the recording medium in the side edges R1 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium; and a measurement device 50 for measuring the relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding members.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method.

  Conventionally, as a countermeasure when a curl occurs in the recording medium for some reason, a pressing member made of a thin resin sheet is provided on both sides of the recording medium, and formed between the pressing member and the medium support surface of the platen. There is provided a technique for avoiding a problem caused by curling by inserting a recording medium into the gap (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-197799

However, the following problems exist in the conventional technology as described above.
When the pressing member is not installed at a predetermined position, when the pressing member runs on the recording medium, enters the printing area, or is installed at a position away from the recording medium, the recording medium The curl cannot be removed, and in any case, the problem arises that the predetermined recording process is hindered.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method capable of smoothly executing a recording process.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configuration.
The recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus having a medium conveyance surface that conveys the recording medium by sucking and holding the back surface thereof, and the recording medium is recorded at a side edge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A holding member that holds a medium, and a measuring device that measures a relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member are provided.

  Therefore, in the recording apparatus of the present invention, by measuring the relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member, the holding member holds the side edge at a predetermined position with respect to the recording medium, thereby suppressing the occurrence of curling. Whether it is possible to detect in advance. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to avoid in advance the trouble in the recording process due to the holding member not being in a predetermined position with respect to the recording medium, and the smooth recording process is executed. can do.

In the measurement apparatus, it is preferable to measure the relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member in the substantially orthogonal direction and the relative positional relationship in the direction around the axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveyance surface.
As a result, in the present invention, there is a problem in the recording process that occurs when the relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member is shifted in the substantially orthogonal direction or when the holding member is inclined with respect to the recording medium. This can be avoided in advance.

  The holding member in the recording apparatus includes a base portion extending in a predetermined length in the transport direction and a length shorter than the base portion and extending from the base portion onto the medium transport surface. A configuration having a holding portion that forms a holding space for the recording medium with the medium conveyance surface can be suitably employed.

In addition, as the base portion in the recording apparatus, the measurement region extends relative to the holding portion in the transport direction, and the relative positional relationship in the direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium is measured by the measurement device. A configuration having the above can be suitably employed.
Accordingly, in the present invention, it is possible to measure the relative positional relationship between the exposed base portion and the recording medium with high accuracy.

The holding unit in the recording apparatus includes a pair of index marks extending in parallel with the transport direction with a gap therebetween, and a gap between the pair of index marks by the measuring apparatus. A configuration having a second measurement region in which a relative positional relationship in a direction around an axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveyance surface with the recording medium is measured can also be suitably employed.
Thus, in the present invention, when the recording medium measured through the second measurement region intersects the index mark, the holding member is installed at a position within a predetermined range with respect to the direction around the axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveyance surface. It can be detected.

In the recording apparatus, a configuration including a control unit that determines whether the relative positional relationship is good or not based on a measurement result of the measurement device and a transmission device that transmits information about the good or bad can be suitably employed. .
Thereby, in the present invention, when it is detected from the measurement result of the measuring device that the holding member is not installed at a position within a predetermined range, for example, the amount of misalignment can be transmitted as information on the quality. The position of the holding member can be corrected quickly and easily based on the information on the quality.

Further, the recording apparatus includes a recording head that performs recording by moving in the transport direction with respect to the recording medium and ejecting a fluid, and the control unit determines whether the relative positional relationship is good or bad. A configuration for controlling the movement of the recording head can be suitably employed.
Accordingly, in the present invention, when it is detected from the measurement result of the measuring device that the holding member is not installed in a predetermined range, inconveniences such as the recording head moving and contacting the holding member are avoided. be able to.

Furthermore, in the recording apparatus described above, the control device can preferably employ a configuration that predicts the quality of the relative positional relationship based on the measurement result of the measurement device.
Accordingly, in the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time required for measuring the relative positional relationship by predicting that an error has occurred before actually detecting the error in the relative positional relationship.

  The recording method of the present invention is a recording method comprising a step of sucking and holding the back surface of the recording medium on the medium carrying surface, and a step of ejecting fluid to the sucked and held recording medium, Prior to fluid ejection, a holding step of holding the recording medium at a side edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium and a relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member are measured. And a measuring step.

  Therefore, in the recording method of the present invention, by measuring the relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member, the holding member holds the side edge at a predetermined position with respect to the recording medium to suppress the occurrence of curling. Whether it is possible to detect in advance. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to avoid in advance the trouble in the recording process due to the holding member not being in a predetermined position with respect to the recording medium, and the smooth recording process is executed. can do.

In the measuring step, it is preferable to measure a relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium and a relative positional relationship in a direction around an axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveyance surface.
As a result, in the present invention, there is a problem in the recording process that occurs when the relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member is shifted in the substantially orthogonal direction or when the holding member is inclined with respect to the recording medium. This can be avoided in advance.

In the recording method, a base portion extending in a predetermined length in the transport direction, a length shorter than the base portion, and extending from the base portion onto the medium transport surface, A side edge of the recording medium is held by a holding member having a holding portion that forms a holding space for the recording medium with a medium conveyance surface. A procedure for measuring the relative positional relationship between the base portion extending in the above-described direction and the recording medium in the substantially orthogonal direction can also be suitably employed.
Accordingly, in the present invention, it is possible to measure the relative positional relationship between the exposed base portion and the recording medium with high accuracy.

In the recording method, a base portion extending in a predetermined length in the transport direction, a length shorter than the base portion, and extending from the base portion onto the medium transport surface, A side edge of the recording medium is held by a holding member having a holding portion that forms a holding space for the recording medium with a medium conveyance surface, and in the measurement step, the conveyance direction provided in the holding portion A procedure for measuring the relative positional relationship between the holding member and the recording medium in the direction around the axis substantially perpendicular to the medium conveyance surface is preferably also adopted through a gap between a pair of index marks extending in parallel. it can.
Thus, in the present invention, when the recording medium measured through the second measurement region intersects the index mark, the holding member is installed at a position within a predetermined range with respect to the direction around the axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveyance surface. It can be detected.

Further, in the above recording method, based on the relative positional relationship in the direction around the axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveying surface measured in the measuring step, the step of determining the quality of the relative positional relationship; Measuring the relative positional relationship of the recording medium and the holding member in the direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction when it is determined that the relative positional relationship in the direction around the axis substantially orthogonal to the error is an error. Can also be suitably employed.
Accordingly, in the present invention, it is possible to detect in which direction the holding member is displaced in the direction around the axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveyance surface, and the position of the holding member can be quickly corrected. .

In the recording method, preferably, a procedure including a step of determining whether the relative positional relationship is good or not based on the relative positional relationship measured in the measuring step and a step of transmitting information on the good or bad is preferable. Can be adopted.
Thereby, in the present invention, when it is detected from the measurement result in the measurement step that the holding member is not installed at a position within a predetermined range, for example, a positional deviation amount can be transmitted as information on the quality. The position of the holding member can be corrected quickly and easily based on the information on the quality.

Further, in the above recording method, a procedure including a step of controlling movement of a recording head that performs recording by moving in the transport direction and ejecting a fluid with respect to the recording medium based on the information on the quality. Can also be suitably employed.
As a result, in the present invention, when it is detected from the measurement result in the measurement step that the holding member is not installed at a position within a predetermined range, inconveniences such as the recording head moving and contacting the holding member are avoided. be able to.

Furthermore, in the recording method described above, a procedure including a step of predicting the quality of the relative positional relationship based on the relative positional relationship measured in the measuring step can be suitably employed.
Accordingly, in the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time required for measuring the relative positional relationship by predicting that an error has occurred before actually detecting the error in the relative positional relationship.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the outline of the entire printer according to the invention. The top view which shows the outline of the curl pressing means based on this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure which measures a relative positional relationship. It is a figure which shows the procedure which measures a relative positional relationship. (A) (B) is front sectional drawing which shows the effect | action of the curl pressing means of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a recording apparatus and a recording method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The following embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Moreover, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the actual structure is different from the scale and number of each structure.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of an entire inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 1 as a “liquid ejecting apparatus” shown as an example of a “recording apparatus” according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the curl pressing means according to the present invention.

  Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet ejecting apparatus that performs recording on a recording material by ejecting ink from a recording head as a liquid ejecting head to a recording material such as recording paper, a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like. In this recording apparatus, a liquid corresponding to a specific application is ejected from the liquid ejecting head corresponding to the recording head to the ejected material corresponding to the recording material instead of the ink, and the liquid is ejected. It is included in a recording apparatus for recording by attaching to the recording medium.

  Further, as the liquid ejecting head, in addition to the recording head described above, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or a surface emitting display (FED). (Conductive paste) A jet head, a bio-organic matter jet head used for biochip manufacturing, a sample jet head for jetting a sample as a precision pipette, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 1 includes a feeding unit 10, a recording unit 20, and a discharge unit 40. Among these, the feeding unit 10 is provided so as to be able to feed the ejection medium and the roll paper R which is an example of the recording medium to the recording unit 20.
Specifically, the roll medium holder 11 is provided, and the roll medium holder 11 holds the roll-shaped roll paper R. Then, by rotating the roll-shaped roll paper R, the roll paper in a state in which the roll state is released via the first roller 12 to the recording unit 20 on the downstream side in the feeding direction (conveying direction; arrow direction of the Y axis). It is configured so that R can be fed.
In the present embodiment, the roll paper R will be described as an example of the recording medium, but it is needless to say that a cut sheet or a film material may be used.

Further, the recording unit 20 is provided so as to perform recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid (fluid), to the roll paper R sent from the feeding unit 10.
Specifically, it includes a platen 24 that is a medium support portion, a carriage 21, a recording head 22, and a curl pressing unit 30. Among these, the platen 24 is provided so that the roll paper R can be supported from the back surface on the support surface (medium transport surface) 24a.

The carriage 21 faces the platen 24 and is provided so as to be moved in the feed direction Y of the roll paper R by the power of a carriage motor (not shown) while being guided by a first guide shaft (not shown). .
FIG. 1 shows a state where the platen 24 is retracted to the upstream side in the feed direction. The carriage 21 is provided so as to be movable upstream of the platen 24 so that the operator can easily attach and remove the curl pressing member 31 and move it in the width direction X, which will be described later. is there.

  The recording head 22 is provided on the carriage 21 so as to be able to move integrally with the carriage 21 in the feed direction Y. Further, the recording head 22 is configured to be able to move relative to the carriage 21 in the X direction, which is the width direction of the roll paper R. Specifically, it is provided so that it can be moved in the width direction X by the power of a recording head motor (not shown) while being guided by a second guide shaft (not shown). That is, the recording head 22 is configured to be able to move two-dimensionally in the feed direction Y and the width direction X within a range facing the platen 24. Then, by ejecting ink from the nozzle row 23 provided on the surface of the recording head 22 facing the platen 24, the recording process for the roll paper R can be executed.

  The carriage 21 is provided with a measuring device 50 that moves in the Y direction and the X direction integrally with the recording head 22 and measures the relative positional relationship between the roll paper R and the curl pressing means 30. The measuring device 50 is constituted by, for example, a fiber sensor or the like, and projects the detection light L (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the −Z direction toward the roll paper R or the curl pressing unit 30, and depends on the light reception state of the reflected light. The relative positional relationship is detected (described later). As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of (in this case, three) measuring devices 50 are provided at intervals in the X direction in order to correspond to a plurality of types of roll paper R having a width. The measurement result by the measuring device 50 is output to a control device (not shown).

  Further, the platen 24 is provided with a suction means 28, a pressure chamber 27, a plurality of suction holes 26, 26... And a heating means 25. Among these, the suction means 28 is provided so that the air inside the pressure chamber 27 can be sucked into a negative pressure. Specifically, an axial flow fan 29 is provided as an example, and the axial flow fan 29 is configured to suck air inside the pressure chamber 27.

Further, the pressure chamber 27 is connected to a plurality of suction holes 26, 26... Provided vertically above (the Z-axis arrow direction), which is the side of the platen 24 that supports the roll paper R. Accordingly, the air above the platen 24 can be sucked by the suction of the suction means 28 through the plurality of suction holes 26, 26.
In this embodiment, the suction holes 26, 26... Are provided in the entire area of the platen 24. However, at least in the range facing the opposite side ends R1, R1 of the roll paper R and the pair of curl pressing members 31A, 31B. What is necessary is just to provide.

  The heating means 25 is provided so that the roll paper R on the platen 24 can be heated. This is for accelerating the drying of the ink that has landed on the surface of the roll paper R as the recording is performed. Specifically, it has a nichrome wire 25a as an example. The nichrome wire 25a is arranged inside the entire area of the platen 24 so as to be a certain distance from the upper surface of the platen 24. When energized, the nichrome wire 25 a itself generates heat, and heat can be conducted to the back surface of the roll paper R on the platen 24 that is in contact with the platen 24.

  Here, since the nichrome wire 25 a is provided in the entire region of the platen 24, heat can be generated in the entire region of the platen 24. Since the platen 24 is a smooth surface without unevenness, the upper surface of the platen 24 can be in uniform contact with the roll paper R. Further, the distance from the nichrome wire 25a to the upper surface of the platen 24 is constant. Therefore, heat can be uniformly conducted to the roll paper R on the platen 24. That is, the roll paper R can be warmed uniformly.

  As a result, there is no possibility that the ink may become cloudy or bleed even if so-called overstrike is performed in which the ink is ejected in the same location on the roll paper R. In other words, since the previously ejected ink can be dried by the time when the ink is ejected in layers, there is no possibility that the ink will become cloudy or bleed even if the overstrike is executed. Further, since the ink that has landed on the roll paper R at the time of recording can be dried immediately, the ink on the surface of the roll paper R adheres to the back surface of the preceding roll paper R even if it is taken up by the discharge unit 40 described later. There is no fear of doing it.

  The curl pressing means 30 counters a so-called lifting force, which is a force that curls the side edge R1 of the roll paper R and separates it from the platen 24 by pressing and holding the side edge R1 in the width direction of the roll paper R. To do. And it is comprised so that the floating of the side edge R1 of the roll paper R may be prevented. Specifically, the curl pressing means 30 includes a platen 24, a pair of curl pressing members (holding members) 31A and 31B formed of a flexible material as an example, and a plurality of suction holes 26, 26. And suction means 28.

Specifically, as will be described later, in the side edge portion R1 of the roll paper R, the sealed space A (see FIG. 5A) is configured by the platen 24, the curl pressing members 31A and 31B, and the roll paper R. Then, the suction means 28 sucks the air inside the sealed space A through the suction holes 26, 26... So that the curl pressing members 31A and 31B press the side edge R1 of the roll paper R from above. Act on.
In this embodiment, the curl pressing members 31A and 31B are formed in a strip-like thin film shape having flexibility and flexibility. The Young's modulus is 10,000 MPa (megapascal) or less, and the thickness is 0.5 mm or less. Examples of the material include “polyimide”.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
As shown in this figure, each of the curl pressing members 31A and 31B includes a base portion 51 disposed on the platen 24, and is provided on the base portion 51 and extends from the base portion 51 onto the support surface 24a. And a holding portion 52 that forms a holding space for the roll paper R therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 51 extends in the Y direction and is longer than the platen 24. The holding part 52 extends in the Y direction and has a length shorter than that of the base part 51.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
On the support surface 24a of the platen 24, the base portion 51 extending in the Y direction from the holding portion 52 is a measurement region MA when the measurement device 50 measures the relative positional relationship in the X direction with the roll paper R. Has been.

In the present embodiment, the curl pressing member 31A is used in a fixed state and holds one side edge of the roll paper R. The curl holding member 31B is moved in the X direction according to the roll paper R having a plurality of types of widths, and the other side edge portion of the roll paper R is held.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the curl pressing member 31B is formed with a pair of index marks M facing the + Z side. The index mark M is formed to extend in parallel in the Y direction with a gap in the X direction, and is formed of a material (for example, chromium) that blocks (non-reflects) the detection light L of the measuring device 50. (Or covered). The support surface 24a of the platen 24 is also formed (or covered) with a material that blocks the detection light L (makes it non-reflective).

For example, the gap width between the index marks M and M is an allowable value of the amount by which the holding portion 52 is inclined in the direction around the axis perpendicular to the support surface 24a (the direction around the Z axis) with respect to the length of the holding portion 52. It has become. That is, when the allowable amount of inclination around the Z axis in the holding unit 52 is θ,
θ = W / N (W: width of gap between index marks M, M, N: length of holding portion 52)
Thus, the gap width W is set to a length of θ × N.

  A first curl pressing attachment portion 35 is disposed upstream of the platen 24 in the feeding direction (conveying direction). On the other hand, a second curl pressing attachment portion 36 is disposed downstream of the platen 24 in the feed direction.

  One end of the pair of curl pressing members 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B is attached to the first curl pressing mounting portion 35 by a fixing pin 37 and a fixing auxiliary member 38. Specifically, one end of the curl pressing members 31A and 31B is fixed by fitting the fixing pin 37 into the first elongated hole portion 35a extending in the width direction X in the first curl pressing mounting portion 35. Is done.

  On the other hand, the other ends of the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B are attached to the second curl pressing attaching portion 36 by the fixing pin 37 and the fixing auxiliary member 38 in the same manner as the one end. Specifically, the other end of the curl pressing member 31 is fixed by fitting the fixing pins 37... Into the second elongated hole portion 36 a extending in the width direction X in the second curl pressing mounting portion 36. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one end and the other end of the pair of curl pressing members 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B are fixed at a position slightly lower than the upper surface (support surface 24 a) of the platen 24 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B can lightly press the side end R1 of the roll paper R from above by its own weight. As a result, as will be described later, the outline of the sealed space A (see FIG. 5A) can be configured without a gap. That is, the space can be closed without a gap.

Further, the one end of the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B is pulled upstream in the feed direction by a pulling means (not shown).
Here, the one end and the other end of the pair of curl pressing members 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B are positions slightly lower than the upper surface of the platen 24 as described above.
Therefore, a downward pressing force can be applied to the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B. Then, the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B can more strongly press the side end R1 of the roll paper R from above.
Of course, the other end of the pair of curl pressing members 31A, 31B may be pulled downstream in the feed direction.

  As a result, as will be described later, the contour of the sealed space A can be more reliably configured without a gap. Further, there is no possibility that the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B is loosened. Therefore, there is almost no possibility that the intermediate portion in the extending direction Y of the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B is displaced upward. As a result, the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B can be almost free from contact with the moving recording head 22. In addition, there is almost no possibility that the recording head 22 is damaged by the contact. Here, since the curl pressing members 31A and 31B are formed of a flexible material as described above, even if the curl pressing members 31A and 31B come into contact with the recording head 22, there is little possibility that the recording head 22 is damaged.

The roll paper R recorded in the recording unit 20 is sent to the discharge unit 40 via the second roller 13 provided downstream from the platen 24 in the feeding direction.
The discharge unit 40 has a take-up roller 41 and is configured to take up the roll paper R sent from the recording unit 20. The rolled roll paper R is provided such that it can be discharged from the printer 1.

  The control device comprehensively controls the driving of the carriage 21 and the recording head 22, the conveyance of the roll paper R, the driving of the suction unit 28, the heating unit 25, and the like. The control device is configured to control the movement of the carriage 21, the recording head 22, and the measurement device 50 based on the measurement result of the measurement device 50 described above. Further, the control device is connected to an information transmission device including a notification means including a buzzer and a sound generation device and a display means, and is configured to transmit various types of information.

Next, the operation of the curl pressing unit 30 will be described.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic front sectional views showing the operation of the curl pressing means of the present invention. Among these, FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a state in which a sealed space is formed when the curl pressing member is placed on the side edge of the roll paper. On the other hand, FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which the sealed space is substantially eliminated by the suction means and the side edges of the roll paper are not lifted.

As shown in FIG. 5A, in the state in which the roll paper R is fed onto the platen 24, the operator positions the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B in the width direction X on the side edge portion of the roll paper R. Set to the position facing R1. Specifically, the fixing pins 37 are loosened and moved in the width direction X in the first elongated hole portion 35a of the first curl pressing attachment portion 35 and in the second elongated hole portion 36a of the second curl pressing attachment portion 36. Let Then, the curl pressing member 31B is disposed on the side end R1 of the roll paper R.
In the present embodiment, as described above, since the reference curl pressing member 31A is used in a fixed state, only the curl pressing member 31B is adjusted in the X direction.

  At this time, in the curl pressing members 31A and 31B, the base portion 51 is separated from the roll paper R, and the holding portion 52 is disposed so as to cover the side edge portion R1 of the roll paper R. Thereafter, the fixing pins 37 are fastened and fixed.

At this time, the side edge R1 of the roll paper R is heated by the heating means 25 and tends to curl. Therefore, the side end R1 curls so as to float upward.
Therefore, the holding portions 52 of the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B are placed on the side edge portion R1 of the roll paper R, and the platen 24, the vicinity of the side edge R1 of the roll paper R and the holding portion 52 as viewed from the feeding direction Y are triangular. The closed space A is configured.

That is, it is a closed triangular sealed space A with the platen 24 as the bottom, the vicinity of the side edge R1 of the roll paper R as one oblique side, and the holding portion 52 as the other oblique side.
Here, as described above, since the downward pressing force acts on the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B, one side end E1 of the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B is connected to the platen 24. At least in line contact. Similarly, the other side end E2 side surface of the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B can be at least line-contacted with the side edge portion R1 of the roll paper R.

Further, the plurality of suction holes 26, 26... Are provided in the region on the platen 24 at least in the region facing the side edge portions R1, R1 of the roll paper R and the curl pressing members 31A, 31B. Therefore, the suction means 28 can suck the air in the sealed space A through the suction holes 26, 26.
As shown in FIG. 5B, when the air in the sealed space A is sucked through the suction holes 26, 26,..., The inside of the sealed space A becomes negative pressure. Therefore, both side edges R1 and R1 of the roll paper R and the pair of curl pressing members 31A and 31B are in close contact with the support surface 24a of the platen 24. That is, the roll paper R is sucked and held on the support surface 24a of the platen 24 including the side edge portion R1 (holding step).

At this time, the “force to press down” the roll paper R is a product of “suction force” and “space surface area”. Here, “suction force” refers to the pressure that the suction means 28 sucks through the suction holes 26, 26. The “space surface area” refers to an area where the air in the sealed space A contacts the curl pressing member 31 and the vicinity of the side edge R1 of the roll paper R.
Accordingly, the side edge R1 of the roll paper R can be pressed with a large force as compared with the configuration without the curl pressing member 31. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently counter the lifting force of the roll paper R, and the side edges R1 and R1 of the roll paper R can be brought into close contact with the platen 24. That is, as a result, the floating can be prevented.

  Here, if the lifting force of the side edges R1, R1 of the roll paper R gradually increases and acts to push up the pair of curl pressing members 31A, 31B upward, the sealed space A becomes large again. Although it is about to form, negative pressure acts very strongly. Therefore, once the sealed space A disappears as shown in FIG. 5B, there is almost no possibility that the side edges R1 and R1 of the roll paper R will float unless the suction means 28 is turned off.

  On the other hand, when the curl pressing members 31A and 31B are arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the roll paper R, the side edge R1 of the roll paper R is sucked and held by the support surface 24a of the platen 24. About the curl pressing member 31B to be adjusted, an unexpected situation may occur, and the curl pressing member 31B may be disposed out of a predetermined position. For example, when the curl pressing member 31B comes closer to the roll paper R than the predetermined position and the base unit 51 rides on the roll paper R, the holding unit 52 and the recording head 22 may come into contact with each other. On the other hand, when the curl pressing member 31 </ b> B is arranged away from the predetermined position with respect to the roll paper R, the side edge R <b> 1 of the roll paper R is lifted without being held by the holding portion 52 and contacts the recording head 22. There is a risk of it.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the curl pressing members 31A and 31B are arranged on the platen 24 (after the holding process is finished), a measurement process for measuring the relative positional relationship between the curl pressing member 31B and the roll paper R is provided. Yes.
Hereinafter, the measurement process will be described in detail.

  First, the measurement device 50 is moved to the + Y side from a position separated from the roll paper R in a state where the detection light L is emitted, and the −Y side edge of the roll paper R is detected. The edge of the roll paper R is detected when the measuring device 50 does not receive the reflected light while the detection light L irradiates the support surface 24a of the platen 24, and the detection light L irradiates the roll paper R. This is done by the measurement device 50 receiving the reflected light. In the following description, the detection of the position of the roll paper R or the like according to whether the reflected light is received or not is simply referred to as detection.

  When the roll paper R is detected by a plurality of measurement devices 50 among the three measurement devices 50, in the following measurement, the measurement device positioned closest to the −X side corresponding to the width of the roll paper R 50 shall be used.

  When the −Y side edge, which is upstream of the roll paper R in the conveyance direction, is detected, the measurement device 50 is moved above the roll paper R in the range where the measurement device 50 is positioned in the measurement area MA in the Y direction. .

Next, the measuring device 50 is moved to the −X side.
As shown in FIG. 4, the position where the detection of the roll paper R by the measuring device 50 is interrupted is the position of the −X side edge of the roll paper R, and the + X side edge of the roll paper R is at the reference position. For this reason, the width of the roll paper R is measured at this point. The side edge position on the −X side of the roll paper R is stored by the control device.

  When the measuring device 50 further moves toward the −X side, the detection light L irradiates the base portion 51 of the curl pressing member 31B after the detection light L is removed from the roll paper R and the reflected light is not received. Thus, the reflected light is received, and the position of the + X side edge of the base portion 51 is measured. The control device calculates the distance (gap amount) in the X direction between the roll paper R and the base portion 51 from the distance in which the reflected light is not received, and compares it with a preset allowable value. If the gap amount is within the allowable range, the process proceeds to the next measurement process. If the gap amount is outside the allowable range, the error transmission information regarding the relative positional relationship in the X direction is Then, error content information (gap amount) is transmitted, the measuring device 50 is retracted to, for example, a position where the capping device is disposed, and the completion of position correction of the curl pressing member 31B is awaited.

On the other hand, if the gap amount between the roll paper R and the base portion 51 is within the allowable range, the control device irradiates the side edge R1 of the roll paper R with the detection light L as shown in FIG. The measuring device 50 is moved to a position (scan position).
Then, the control device causes the measurement device 50 to move to the + Y side, thereby continuously scanning the side edge R1 with the detection light L to the + Y side. At this time, when the scanning toward the + Y side proceeds, the detection light L enters the holding portion 52 between the index marks M and M as shown in FIG. 3, and the measuring device 50 reflects through the holding portion 52. It will receive light.

  Here, when the inclination of the curl pressing member 31B around the Z axis is within the allowable range, the detection light L irradiates the holding unit 52 over the entire length of the side edge R1 of the roll paper R. The measuring device 50 continuously receives the reflected light. However, when the inclination of the curl holding member 31B around the Z axis exceeds the allowable range, the detection light L is blocked by the index mark M during the scanning to the + Y side by the detection light L, and the reflected light is reflected. An error is detected in the non-light-receiving state.

  When an error is detected, the control device immediately stops the movement of the measuring device 50 (and the carriage 21) in the Y direction, and the holding unit 52, the measuring device 50 and the recording head 22 which are inclined more than a predetermined amount. To avoid contact. Further, the control device moves the measuring device 50 to the + X side and continues scanning with the detection light L.

  When the irradiation position of the detection light L deviates from any of the marks M by scanning to the + X side, the light receiving state of the reflected light is resumed, and the light receiving state of the reflected light is maintained even if the gap amount between the index marks M and M is exceeded. In the case of continuing, it means that the mark mark M on the + X side has been irradiated, and it is determined that the holding portion 52 (curl pressing member 31B) is greatly inclined clockwise when the −Y side is the center. be able to.

  On the other hand, when the irradiation position of the detection light L deviates from any of the marks M by scanning toward the + X side, the light receiving state of the reflected light is resumed, and after the gap between the index marks M and M is exceeded, the reflected light is again emitted. Is in the non-light-receiving state, it means that the mark mark M on the -X side has been irradiated, and when the holding portion 52 (curl pressing member 31B) is centered on the -Y side, it is counterclockwise. It can be judged that it is greatly inclined.

  Therefore, the control device transmits the error occurrence information about the relative positional relationship around the Z axis and the error content information (inclined direction, etc.) to the information transmission device, and the measurement device 50 is disposed, for example, by a capping device. The position is retracted to wait for completion of position correction of the curl pressing member 31B.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the relative positional relationship between the curl pressing member 31B and the roll paper R is measured after the curl pressing member 31B is installed on the platen 24, the curl pressing member 31B is moved from a predetermined position. Even when the recording head 22 is installed at a position that is out of position, it is possible to prevent the recording head 22 from coming into contact with the curl pressing member 31B or the roll paper R in a later process, and an error occurs during scanning in the Y direction. If detected, the scanning in the Y direction is immediately stopped, so that it is possible to prevent the recording head 22 from coming into contact with the curl pressing member 31B or the roll paper R when measuring the relative positional relationship. In particular, in this embodiment, since the relative positional relationship between the curl pressing member 31B and the roll paper R is measured in both the X direction and the Z axis direction, error information can be detected more reliably. is there.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since information relating to pass / fail, such as error occurrence information and error content information, is transmitted by the information transmission device, error recovery can be performed more quickly. In particular, in the present embodiment, even if an error occurs due to a tilt around the Z axis, information such as the tilting direction is transmitted, so that a quick error correction can be performed.

When measuring the relative positional relationship between the curl pressing member 31B and the roll paper R about the Z axis, the occurrence of an error is predicted before the detection light L is blocked by the index mark M and an error is detected. It is good also as composition to do. For example, the reflected light of the detection light L becomes a non-light-receiving state when it is completely shielded, and an error can be detected. However, when the amount of reflected light gradually decreases, Therefore, if it is predicted that the reflected light of the detection light L is completely shielded and an error will occur, the scanning in the + Y direction is immediately stopped and the scanning to the + X side is performed as described above. Go to measure the direction of the error. Then, the error occurrence information and the error content information are transmitted to the information transmission device.
Thus, by predicting the occurrence of an error before an error is actually detected, contact between the recording head 22, the holding unit 52, and the roll paper R can be further avoided, and until the error correction is completed. It is possible to speed up the time.

In the above embodiment, the holding portion 52 is formed of the same white member as the recording medium, and the index mark M and the platen 24 are formed of black. It is assumed that the user is instructed to set the roll paper R so that the end portion on the recording medium side is located between the two index marks.
(First Stage) The measuring device 50 first measures the distance between the recording medium side edge and the base 51 by moving in the X-axis direction. The width of the base portion 51 is narrower than the maximum width of the curl pressing member, and the side end of the base portion 51 is disposed at a position separated from the recording medium side edge. As a result, the platen 24 is exposed between the recording medium side edge portion and the base portion 51. The measuring device 50 outputs signals corresponding to the amount of reflected light from the recording medium side edge and the platen 24, and the platen 24 and the base portion 51, and the control device outputs the recording medium side edge and the base portion according to the signal level. recognize. The control device determines that the position of the curl pressing member is not appropriate when the distance between the recording medium side edge portion and the base portion 51 is not within a preset allowable range.
(Second Step) When the distance between the recording medium side edge and the base 51 is within the allowable range, the measuring device 50 next increases the predetermined offset value α from the position recognized as the recording medium side edge. It moves in the direction opposite to the movement direction in the X-axis direction in one stage and stops. Here, the offset value α will be described. For example, when an edge of a pattern that changes from white to black is detected by an optical sensor, the detection range becomes a spot shape, and the edge is detected based on the ratio of black and white included in the spot. In this case, it may be detected that there is an edge from the front side of the actual edge between white and black. When the edge position is used as an absolute position, the detected edge position and the actual edge position are not detected. It is necessary to make corrections in between. The offset value α is a correction value for performing such correction. If the pattern further changes from black to white on the same device, it is detected that there is an edge behind the actual edge position. Therefore, when detecting the black range with the same device, both edges are detected. Each position is offset and does not need to be corrected.
(Third stage) The measuring apparatus 50 stops at a position where the position recognized as the recording medium side edge is corrected by the offset value α, and the detection center of the measuring apparatus 50 is substantially coincident with the recording medium side edge. Start scanning in the + Y-axis direction. At this time, the control device determines that the curl pressing member is not tilted if only white between the index markers is detected, but if the black mark mark is detected, the control device determines that the curl pressing member is tilted. It has become.
In the above embodiment, the imaginary line at the recording medium side edge when the side end of the holding unit 52 is at an appropriate position is marked on the holding unit 52 as a white line between the index marks M, and the white line as the imaginary line Is measured, it is indirectly determined whether or not the position of the holding unit 52 with respect to the recording medium side edge is appropriate.
However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the holding unit 52 may be formed of a transparent member and the platen may be formed of black, and the recording medium side edge that has passed through the holding unit 52 may be directly detected. Further, in the first step, it may be determined whether the distance between the marking position applied to the base portion 51 and the recording medium side edge portion is appropriate instead of the base portion side end. That is, in the first stage, the distance between the recording medium side edge and a predetermined position of the curl pressing member (in the above-mentioned range, the side end or the marking) is measured. An allowable range value centered on the distance that would be measured if the curl pressing member was set at an appropriate position is stored, and the control device stores the measurement value by the measuring device 50. When the value range is exceeded, the curl pressing member is urged to be reset, and when it is within the stored value range, the process proceeds to the second stage.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the holding | maintenance part 52 was the same white member as a recording medium, what reflects the detection light of a measuring device like a reflective film should just be used. In particular, since the sensor light depends on the color but also on the surface state, even if it is a transparent member, the sensor light can be reflected if the surface state is a smooth member like a film. Therefore, when such a transparent member is used, the operator can set the curl pressing member at an appropriate position while checking the side edge of the recording medium, and can detect the inclination of the curl pressing member thereafter. . Similarly, although the index mark M and the platen 24 are black members, they may be any members that do not reflect detection light. Further, the platen 24 may be configured not to reflect sensor light by a large number of suction holes provided on the platen.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described examples are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the curl pressing member 31B and the roll paper R is measured. However, the relative positional relationship between the curl pressing members 31A and 31B and the roll paper R is measured. It is good.

  In the above embodiment, the curl pressing members 31A and 31B have been described as being installed by the operator. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the curl pressing members 31A and 31B are in the X direction and Z axis direction. Each of the actuators to be driven is provided, and the control device controls the driving of each actuator based on the measurement processing result described above, so that the curl pressing members 31A and 31B can be automatically installed and adjusted in position. It can contribute to the improvement of sex.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer (recording apparatus), 24 ... Platen (medium support part), 24a ... Support surface (medium conveyance surface), 31A, 31B ... Curl presser member (holding member), 50 ... Measurement apparatus, MA ... Measurement area | region, R ... roll paper (recording medium), R1 ... side edge

Claims (6)

A recording apparatus having a medium conveying surface for conveying the recording medium by sucking and holding the back surface of the recording medium,
A holding member for holding the recording medium at a side edge portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium;
A measuring device for measuring a relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member;
A recording apparatus comprising: The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The measuring apparatus measures a relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium and a relative positional relationship in a direction around an axis substantially orthogonal to the medium conveyance surface. apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The holding member includes a base portion extending in a predetermined length in the transport direction;
A holding portion that has a shorter length than the base portion, extends from the base portion onto the medium conveyance surface, and forms a holding space for the recording medium with the medium conveyance surface. A recording device. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The base portion has a measurement region that extends with respect to the holding portion in the transport direction and in which a relative positional relationship in the direction substantially perpendicular to the recording medium is measured by the measurement device. Recording device. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The holding unit includes a pair of index marks extending in parallel with the transport direction with a gap therebetween, and the medium transport surface with the recording medium via the gap between the pair of index marks by the measuring device. And a second measurement region in which the relative positional relationship in the direction around the axis substantially orthogonal to the second measurement region is measured. A recording method comprising a step of sucking and holding the back surface of a recording medium on a medium carrying surface and a step of ejecting a fluid onto the sucked and held recording medium,
A holding step of holding the recording medium at a side edge portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording medium before the fluid is ejected;
A measuring step for measuring a relative positional relationship between the recording medium and the holding member;
A recording method comprising:

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