JP2012045763A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress influence of heat of a liquid droplet ejection head received from a drying part.SOLUTION: An image recording apparatus includes: a recording head 78 for ejecting ink; a table moving mechanism 14 for conveying printing paper P to an ejection region of the recording head 78 in a lateral direction; the drying part 24 arranged at an upper part of the recording head 78, which dries a recording surface of the printing paper P on which the ink landed; and a switchback conveying mechanism 20 for conveying the printing paper P conveyed from the table moving mechanism 14 with a rear end as a tip and with the recording surface upward to the drying part 24.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

  In general, an image recording apparatus including a droplet discharge head that discharges droplets of ink or the like moves a recording medium according to a discharge pattern included in input print information while conveying a recording medium to a discharge region of the droplet discharge head. An image is recorded on the recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the droplet ejection head toward the recording medium.

  Such an image recording apparatus is excellent in low noise, low in running cost, can be recorded on a wide variety of recording media, and is widely used in various fields. High-speed recording is progressing. However, when the recording speed is increased, the droplets on the recording medium are undried easily, and it is necessary to quickly dry the ink using a drying unit such as a heater.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image recording apparatus provided with a drying unit that is provided adjacent to the droplet discharge head in the lateral direction and that blows hot air toward the recording medium to dry the ink on the recording medium. .

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image recording apparatus provided with a suction fan that is provided below a droplet discharge head and blows air to a recording medium being conveyed by a switchback conveying unit.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an image recording apparatus provided with a drying unit that is provided adjacent to the droplet discharge head in the lateral direction and dries the ink on the recording medium.

JP 2009-279900 A JP 2010-83036 A JP 2001-301151 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the drying unit is arranged adjacent to the lateral direction of the droplet discharge head, it is necessary to secure a wide space for providing the drying unit in consideration of downsizing the image recording apparatus in the lateral direction. It is difficult. Furthermore, since the heat of the drying unit is transmitted in the lateral direction so as to avoid the drying unit and then transmitted upward, the heat is easily transmitted to the droplet discharge head located in the lateral direction of the drying unit.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, since the suction fan is provided below the droplet discharge head, it is possible to secure a wide space for providing the drying unit without increasing the size of the image recording apparatus in the lateral direction. Since the heat of the drying unit is transmitted upward from the drying unit, the heat is easily transmitted to the droplet discharge head located above the drying unit.

  In Patent Document 3, the drying unit is disposed in a box provided in the horizontal direction of the droplet discharge head, and the image recording apparatus cannot be downsized in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, since the heat of the drying unit is transmitted in the lateral direction so as to avoid the drying unit and then transmitted upward, the heat is easily transmitted to the droplet discharge head located in the lateral direction of the drying unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that suppresses the influence of heat that a droplet discharge head receives from a drying unit.

  An image recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a droplet discharge head that discharges droplets, a first transfer unit that horizontally transfers a recording medium to an discharge region of the droplet discharge head, and the droplet A drying unit that is provided above the discharge head and dries the recording surface of the recording medium on which the liquid droplets have landed; and a recording medium conveyed from the first conveying means has a trailing edge as a leading edge. Second conveying means for conveying upward to the drying unit.

According to this configuration, since the heat of the drying unit is generally easily transmitted upward from the drying unit, it is difficult for the heat to be transmitted to the droplet discharge head below the drying unit.
Further, since the second transport unit transports the recording surface of the recording medium facing upward, and the drying unit dries the recording surface, the second transport unit is positioned between the drying unit and the droplet discharge head. In other words, heat from the drying unit toward the droplet discharge head can be blocked by the recording medium conveyed by the second conveying unit.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of the heat that the droplet discharge head receives from the drying unit.
In addition, since there is no droplet discharge head, there is more drying space above the second transport unit than in the first transport unit with the droplet discharge head while reducing the size of the image recording apparatus in the lateral direction. Can be secured.

  In the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a fixing unit that presses the recording surface is provided on the downstream side of the drying unit in the recording medium conveyance direction, and passes through the fixing unit. The recording medium is conveyed to the ejection area of the droplet ejection head by the first conveying means, and the droplets are ejected to the back side of the recording surface.

  According to this configuration, the recording medium is conveyed by the first conveying unit after the recording surface is pressed by the fixing unit to increase the film surface strength of the droplet on the recording surface. At this time, it is possible to prevent the droplets on the recording surface from bleeding.

  In the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, a transport path switching member is provided between the first transport means and the second transport means, and the transport By switching the path switching member, the recording medium is transported to the second transporting unit or a discharge unit from which the recording medium is discharged.

  According to this configuration, for example, the recording medium is transported laterally to the ejection area of the droplet ejection head by the first transportation means, and after the droplets are ejected onto the recording surface by the droplet ejection head, the transportation path is switched. The recording surface can be transported to the second transport means by the member, and the recording surface can be dried by the drying section, then transported by the first transport means, and transported to the discharge section by the feed path switching member.

  The image recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein a discharge portion for discharging the recording medium is provided downstream of the fixing portion in the recording medium conveyance direction, and the first portion is provided below the discharge portion. A paper feeding unit for feeding the recording medium to the conveying means is provided.

  According to this configuration, for example, after the recording medium is transported laterally to the ejection region of the droplet ejection head by the first transport unit and the droplets are ejected onto the recording surface by the droplet ejection head. The recording surface can be transported by the second transporting means, and the recording surface can be dried by the drying unit and then transported to the discharge unit. For this reason, compared with the case where the discharge unit is provided on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction of the first conveyance unit, after the recording surface is dried by the drying unit, the conveyance unit does not convey the first conveyance unit. The conveyance distance can be shortened.

  In the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a heat insulating material is provided between the droplet discharge head and the drying unit.

  According to this configuration, heat transmitted from the drying unit to the droplet discharge head can be blocked, and the influence of heat can be minimized.

  In the image recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the drying unit is provided on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction with respect to the heater and the heater. An air blower that blows wind on the recording surface.

  According to this configuration, the recording surface can be sufficiently dried by evaporating the moisture of the droplet on the recording surface by the heat of the heater and blowing off the evaporated water on the recording surface by the blower.

  In the image recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit is input by the second conveyance unit. Speed control means for changing the print information based on the print information.

In the first aspect, since the first transport unit and the second transport unit are independent transport units, the transport speed of the second transport unit can be set to a transport speed different from that of the first transport unit.
Therefore, according to the configuration of the seventh aspect, the speed control means changes the transport speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit by the second transport means without changing the transport speed of the first transport means. Can be changed based on. As described above, by changing the conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit based on the print information, the drying time of the recording medium can be freely controlled depending on, for example, the type of the recording medium.

  The image recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the speed control unit is configured to allow the recording medium to pass through the drying unit depending on a discharge pattern included in the print information and a type of the recording medium. Change the transport speed.

  According to this configuration, since the conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit is changed from two pieces of information included in the print information, the recording is performed more appropriately than when the conveyance speed is changed from one piece of information. The drying time of the medium can be controlled.

  The image recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the speed control means is configured to switch the drying unit when the ejection pattern is a solid image and the type of the recording medium is thick. The conveyance speed of the recording medium that passes is slower than the conveyance speed of the recording medium in the first conveyance means, the discharge pattern is a line image, and the type of the recording medium is thinner than the thick In this case, the conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit is made faster than the conveyance speed of the recording medium in the first conveyance means.

According to this configuration, when the ejection pattern included in the print information is a solid image and the type of the recording medium is thick, the solid image has a large amount of droplets deposited on the recording medium, It takes time to dry because of poor heat conduction. Therefore, in such a case, the drying time can be extended by making the conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying section slower than the conveyance speed of the recording medium in the first conveyance means.
In addition, when the ejection pattern included in the print information is a line image and the type of the recording medium is thin rather than thick, the line image has a smaller amount of droplets deposited on the recording medium than the solid image. Also, since the thin is better in heat conduction than the thick, it takes less time to dry. Therefore, in such a case, the drying time can be shortened by making the conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying section faster than the conveyance speed of the recording medium in the first conveyance means.

  In any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the image recording apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention includes a drying control unit that changes the drying strength of the drying unit based on the print information.

  According to this configuration, for example, when it is necessary to sufficiently dry, the drying strength can be increased, and when it is not necessary to sufficiently dry (dry immediately), the drying strength can be decreased. At this time, since the drying unit is provided above the droplet discharge head, the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head faces downward without facing the drying unit. Therefore, since the heat of the drying unit is first transmitted to the housing of the droplet discharge head facing the drying unit, it is difficult to transmit to the nozzle surface, and an efficient heat insulating structure is taken. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately increase the drying strength as compared with the case where the drying unit is provided in the lateral direction or the lower direction of the droplet discharge head.

  The image recording apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the tenth aspect, wherein the drying control means changes the drying strength of the drying unit according to the ejection pattern included in the print information and the type of the recording medium.

  According to this configuration, since the drying strength of the drying unit is changed from two pieces of information included in the print information, the recording medium can be dried more appropriately than when the drying strength is changed from one piece of information. it can.

  An image recording apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, is a mode selection unit that allows a user to select one mode from a plurality of modes indicating the conveyance speed of the recording medium. The speed control means changes the conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit based on the mode selected by the mode selection unit.

  According to this configuration, the drying time can be controlled in accordance with the convenience of the user. For example, when a recording medium is desired to be acquired quickly, one mode in which the conveyance speed of the recording medium is fast is selected from a plurality of modes, When it is desired to dry the recording surface of the recording medium, one mode in which the recording medium conveyance speed is slow can be selected from a plurality of modes.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus that suppresses the influence of heat that the droplet discharge head receives from the drying unit.

1 is a side view showing an outline of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image recording unit of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the upper part of the image recording unit removed. It is a side view which shows the outline of the image recording device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of the image recording apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the whole control part performed when printing information is input into a printing information input part.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, members (components) having the same or corresponding functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

-Configuration of image recording device-
FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an image recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view of the image recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 with the image recording unit 18 and the upper part of the image recording unit 18 removed.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, for convenience of illustration and description, the Z-axis direction is defined as the vertical direction and the XY plane is defined as the horizontal plane, but these are defined for convenience in order to grasp the positional relationship. However, each direction described below is not limited. The same applies to the following drawings. Moreover, in FIG. 2, the cover member 25 is shown with the broken line for convenience of explanation.

  The image recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to move a plurality of (here, ten) tables 12 having a planar main surface (surface) along a circular path while providing a predetermined interval. A table moving mechanism 14 as one conveying means, a paper feeding unit 16 for supplying the printing paper P to the table 12, an image recording unit 18 for recording an image on the printing paper P held on the surface of the moving table 12, A switchback transport mechanism 20 serving as a second transport unit that re-feeds the print sheet P on which the image has been recorded transported from the table moving mechanism 14 to the table moving mechanism 14 with the trailing end of the print sheet P as a leading edge, and a print sheet on which an image is recorded The discharge unit 22 for discharging P and the image-recorded printing paper P conveyed from the table moving mechanism 14 are separated from the table 12, and the destination is switched to the switchback conveying mechanism 20 or the discharge unit. A separation switching mechanism 23 for switching the section 22, a drying unit 24 according to the first embodiment of the present invention to be described later, mainly consists. Further, a cover member 25 is connected between the tables 12 so as to cover the entire gap range formed by the tables 12.

  In the image recording apparatus 10 having such a configuration, first, the printing paper P sent out from the paper supply unit 16 is supplied onto the table 12. The table 12 at the stage where the printing paper P is supplied is moved by the driving force of the endless transport mechanism 26 included in the table moving mechanism 14. A specific section for image recording (also referred to as “image recording section” or “ejection area”) is set in the travel route of the table 12 on which the printing paper P is mounted (the forward path of the circular trajectory). .

  When the table 12 enters the image recording section, the engagement between the endless transport mechanism 26 and the table 12 is released, and the drive by the endless transport mechanism 26 is switched to the drive by the linear motor mechanism 28. . In this image recording section, the image recording unit 18 records an image on the printing paper P on the table 12 while the table 12 is driven using the linear motor mechanism 28. When the table 12 further travels and leaves the image recording section, the conveyance of the table 12 is switched from driving by the linear motor mechanism 28 to driving by the endless conveyance mechanism 26, and then the printing paper P on the table 12 is transferred. It is separated by the separation switching mechanism 23 and discharged to the discharge unit 22.

  That is, in this apparatus, the endless transport mechanism 26 and the table 12 can be disconnected, and the linear motor mechanism 28 accurately transports the table 12 in the image recording section. 26 is configured to be executed substantially independently of the driving of the other table 12 by 26. In this manner, the image recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can perform high-speed image recording with high accuracy.

-Table moving mechanism 14-
The table moving mechanism 14 moves a plurality (here, ten) of the tables 12 at a high speed along the circular trajectory by the endless transport mechanism 26. This orbit is a trajectory in which the straight portions of the upper outward path and the lower return path are connected by substantially circular arc portions at both ends. Further, at the time of image recording, these tables 12 are separated from the endless transport mechanism 26 and are moved in one direction with high accuracy by the linear motor mechanism 28. The table 12 is guided by a rail 30 having an endless shape, and can move along a predetermined orbit.

  The endless transport mechanism 26 includes a pair of rotatable sprockets 32. The pair of sprockets 32 constitutes a roller member in the endless transport mechanism 26. A chain 34 is wound around the sprocket 32.

  The chain 34 constitutes a rope body of the endless transport mechanism 26 and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the rail 30. Further, the height position of the chain 34 is changed midway by the action of the two pairs of sprockets 36 and 38. That is, the position of the chain 34 is relatively low at the position where the table 12 faces the image recording unit 18, and the position of the chain 34 is relatively high at both ends (+ X side and −X side). ing.

  Further, a sprocket 40 is attached to the side of one sprocket 32 (+ X side in FIG. 1). The sprocket 40, a drive sprocket 42 that is rotated by driving a motor, and a driven sprocket 44 are chained. 46 are connected. That is, the chain 34 is rotated while being wound around the pair of sprockets 32 by the drive of the drive sprocket 42.

-Linear motor mechanism 28-
The linear motor mechanism 28 is disposed below the image recording apparatus 10. In the linear motor mechanism 28, a linear motor movable member (not shown) that can be connected to the table 12 is changed by changing the magnetic poles of a stator (not shown) arranged in the moving direction of the table 12. It can be moved at a desired speed in the moving direction and the opposite direction (X-axis direction).

  The chain 34 and the table 12 are lowered in the position of the chain 34 before the image is recorded, and the connection state is once released. After the image is recorded, the position of the chain 34 is increased and becomes the connection state again. On the other hand, the mover of the linear motor mechanism 28 and the table 12 are changed from the open state to the connected state before image recording, and are changed from the connected state to the open state after image recording.

  A suction fan 48 is attached below the travel route of the table 12. Although not shown, the table 12 has a hollow structure, and as shown in FIG. 2, suction holes 60 communicating with the hollow portions of the table 12 are formed on the surface of the table 12. ing. Then, by exhausting air from the suction fan 48 through the suction holes 60, the printing paper P supplied to the surface of the table 12 can be sucked and held on the table 12.

-Cover member 25-
The cover member 25 is arrange | positioned in the position between each table 12 of the some table 12, and connects between each table 12 and covers. The cover member 25 is composed of a plurality of plate-like members made of a liquid-tight material such as stainless steel.

  In the image recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the distance between the tables 12 is substantially constant while the table 12 moves in the horizontal direction. However, while the table 12 changes direction (while moving in the vertical direction), the distance temporarily increases or decreases. The cover member 25 is configured so that the length width in the moving direction can be changed (stretched) more than twice according to the changing distance between the tables 12.

-Paper feed section 16-
The paper feeding unit 16 mainly includes a stocker unit 70 and a supply unit 72. The stocker unit 70 has a function of stocking the printing paper P, and transports the printing paper P stocked by a predetermined paper feeding mechanism onto the conveyor 74 of the supply unit 72 one by one.

  The supply unit 72 supplies the printing paper P supplied from the stocker unit 70 one by one onto the table 12 that is sequentially fed and conveyed in the -X direction in FIG. Although not described in detail, the supply unit 72 conveys the printing paper P by the conveyor 74, and when the printing paper P reaches a table claw (not shown) provided at the front end in the moving direction of the table 12, a predetermined cam. The table claw is closed by the mechanism and fixed to the table 12.

  When the table 12 is further moved in the −X direction by driving the linear motor mechanism 28, the printing paper P on the table 12 is pressed against the table 12 by a squeegee roller (not shown), and the suction provided below the table 12 is sucked. It is adsorbed by the action of the fan 48. In this state, the printing paper P is conveyed to the area of the image recording unit 18.

-Image recording unit 18-
The image recording unit 18 mainly includes a pretreatment agent application head 76, four recording heads 78, and a scanner 80. The image recording unit 18 records an image by the inkjet method on the printing paper P sucked and held on the upper surface of the table 12 that travels in one direction by the table moving mechanism 14.

  The pretreatment agent application head 76 applies a predetermined transparent pretreatment agent to the printing paper P in advance before recording an image by the recording head 78.

  The recording head 78 includes a recording head 78K that discharges black (K) ink, a recording head 78C that discharges cyan (C) ink, a recording head 78M that discharges magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. And a recording head 78Y for discharging. These recording heads 78 are respectively disposed above the table 12 that moves in the lateral direction. The recording head 78 includes a large number of inkjet nozzles arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the table 12 (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1), and ejects ink onto the printing paper P from these inkjet nozzles. And record an image.

  The scanner 80 includes a linear CCD camera and captures the entire recorded image (or a part thereof). Image data obtained by imaging is sent to a control unit such as a computer (not shown), and patch density measurement and the like are executed.

-Separation switching mechanism 23-
The separation switching mechanism 23 is provided on the downstream side of the image recording unit 18 in the paper conveyance direction. The separation switching mechanism 23 discharges the printing paper P that is nipped and conveyed by a predetermined nipping mechanism around the outer periphery of the printing paper P and separated from the table 12. A body 82 is provided.

  The paper discharge cylinder 82 is formed of a part of a cylindrical shape and rotates around a shaft 84. When the front end of the table 12 moves to a position below the paper discharge cylinder 82, the table pawl is opened by a cam mechanism (not shown). Further, the paper discharge drum 82 rotates in synchronization with the movement of the table 12, and the printing paper P is held by the pinch mechanism of the paper discharge drum 82 by a link mechanism (not shown). As a result, the printing paper P is wound around the paper discharge cylinder 82 and the printing paper P is separated from the table 12.

  The exhaust amount by the suction fan 48 is set to be small when the table 12 is arranged in the vicinity of the discharge unit 22. For this reason, when the leading edge of the printing paper P is peeled from the table 12, the suction holding force of the printing paper P by the suction holes 60 is appropriately weakened.

  Further, the separation switching mechanism 23 includes a first conveyor 86 that receives and transports the printing paper P on which an image has been recorded from the paper discharge cylinder 82. The first conveyor 86 includes a plurality of belts wound around a pair of shafts. In the first conveyor 86, the printing paper P conveyed from the paper discharge cylinder 82 is placed on the belt and conveyed. A fan (not shown) that blows air toward the printing paper P conveyed by the first conveyor 86 is disposed at a position facing the inclined portion of the belt in the first conveyor 86, and the printing paper P is transferred to the first conveyor 86. The belt can be reliably conveyed.

  Further, the separation switching mechanism 23 includes a transport path switching member 88 that switches the destination of the printing paper P transported by the belt of the first conveyor 86 to the switchback transport mechanism 20 or the discharge unit 22. The switching member 88 includes a guide plate 92 that swings about a shaft 90. When the guide plate 92 is disposed at the upper position, the printing paper P conveyed by the belt of the first conveyor 86 is discharged. It is conveyed to the part 22. On the other hand, when the guide plate 92 is disposed at the lower position, the printing paper P transported by the belt of the first conveyor 86 is transported to the switchback transport mechanism 20.

−Discharge unit 22−
The discharge unit 22 includes a second conveyor 94 that receives and conveys the printing paper P placed and conveyed on the belt of the first conveyor 86.

  The second conveyor 94 includes a plurality of belts wound around a pair of shafts. In the second conveyor 94, the printing paper P placed and transported on the belt of the second conveyor 94 is placed and transported on the belt. A fan (not shown) that blows air toward the printing paper P conveyed by the second conveyor 94 is disposed at an upper position facing the belt in the second conveyor 94, and the printing paper P is sent to the second conveyor 94. The belt can be reliably conveyed.

  The discharge unit 22 includes a discharge table 96 on which the printing paper P conveyed from the second conveyor 94 is placed.

-Switchback transport mechanism 20-
The switchback transport mechanism 20 as the second transport means is configured such that the guide plate 92 of the switching member 88 is disposed at the lower position and the printing paper P transported from the belt of the first conveyor 86 is passed through the branch path 100. The transport roller pair 102 transports above the recording head 78 (in the + Z-axis direction in FIG. 1).
Further, the switchback transport mechanism 20 sends the printing paper P transported by the transport roller pair 102 to the placement unit 104 by rotating in the same direction as the transport roller pair 102, and then the previous direction. Is rotated in the opposite direction to switch the transport direction to the reverse direction with the trailing edge of the printing paper P as the leading edge, and transports it to the switchback transport path 106 with its recording surface facing upward. And a plurality of transport roller pairs 110 that transport the printing paper P on the switchback transport path 106 through the drying unit 24 and then re-supply the table transport mechanism 14 as the first transport means. .

-Drying section 24-
The drying unit 24 is provided above the droplet discharge head, and dries the recording surface of the printing paper P that is being transported through the switchback transport path 106.

  Specifically, the drying unit 24 includes three heaters 112 for warming the drying unit 24 and evaporating water in the ink deposited on the recording surface of the printing paper P, and at least the top of the three (paper Two fans 114 are provided on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction with respect to the heater 112 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction, and blown away the evaporated water by blowing air on the recording surface.

  A fixing roller pair 116 that presses the recording surface of the printing paper P is provided on the downstream side in the paper transport direction of the drying unit 24, and droplets are deposited on the recording surface of the printing paper P by the pressing of the fixing roller pair 116. The film surface strength of the ink is increased.

-Action-
In the image recording apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration, for example, when performing single-sided printing, the printing paper P is fed from the paper feeding unit 16 to the table moving mechanism 14 and then recorded by the table moving mechanism 14. It is conveyed in the lateral direction (−X axis direction) to the image recording section (ejection region) of the head 78. When the printing paper P passes through the image recording section (ejection area), the recording head 78 ejects ink onto the upper surface (recording surface) to record an image. The recorded printing paper P on which ink has been deposited is separated from the table moving mechanism 14 by the separation switching mechanism 23 and conveyed to the first conveyor 86, and the destination is switched to the branch path 100 of the switchback conveying mechanism 20.

  Next, the printing paper P transported to the branch path 100 is transported by the transport roller pair 102 and the switchback roller pair 108 to the placement unit 104 via the branch path 100, and then the trailing edge by the switchback roller pair 108. The transport direction is switched to the reverse direction with the head as the leading edge, and the recording surface is transported to the switchback transport path 106 while facing upward.

  The printing paper P transported to the switchback transport path 106 is transported in the direction of the drying unit 24 by a plurality of transport roller pairs 110. After the recording surface is dried by the drying unit 24, the recording surface is It is reversed and supplied again to the table moving mechanism 14. The printing paper P re-supplied to the table moving mechanism 14 is conveyed by the recording head 78 onto the upper surface (reversing surface or recording surface) of the ink without being ejected, and separated from the table moving mechanism 14 by the separation switching mechanism 23 to be the first. It is conveyed to one conveyor 86.

  Finally, the recorded and dried printing paper P is switched to the discharge unit 22 by the separation switching mechanism 23, transported from the first conveyor 86 to the second conveyor 94, and discharged from the second conveyor 94. The paper is discharged onto the paper table 96.

  In the case of double-sided printing, when the printing paper P is reversed and re-supplied to the table moving mechanism 14 in the single-sided printing process, ink is ejected by the recording head 78 on the reversed surface. An image is recorded. The recorded printing paper P is transported by the switchback transport mechanism 20 and dried by the drying unit 24 and then supplied again to the table moving mechanism 14 as in the single-side printing process. The printing paper P supplied again to the table moving mechanism 14 is conveyed by the recording head 78 without ejecting ink onto the upper surface thereof, and separated from the table moving mechanism 14 by the separation switching mechanism 23 to be separated from the first conveyor 86 and the second conveyor. The sheet is discharged to a discharge table 96 through 94.

As described above, according to the image recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the drying unit 24 that dries the recording surface of the printing paper P on which ink has been deposited is located above the recording head 78 (in the + Z-axis direction in FIG. 1). Therefore, the heat of the drying unit 24 that is generally easily transmitted upward from the drying unit 24 is difficult to be transmitted to the recording head 78 below (in the −Z axis direction in FIG. 1) the drying unit 24. .
Further, since the switchback transport path 106 of the switchback transport mechanism 20 is positioned between the heater 112 and the fan 114 of the drying unit 24 and the recording head 78, the heat from the drying unit 24 toward the recording head 78 is It can be blocked by the recording medium in the switchback conveyance path 106.
Therefore, the influence of the heat that the recording head 78 receives from the drying unit 24 can be suppressed.
Further, there is no image recording unit 18 above the switchback transport mechanism 20, and the image recording apparatus 10 is downsized in the lateral direction, and more than the table moving mechanism 14 with the image recording unit 18. A drying space can be secured.

  Further, since the recording surface of the printing paper P after the recording surface is dried by the drying unit 24 is pressed by the fixing roller pair 116, the strength of the ink film surface is increased, and then the table moving mechanism 14 Be transported. Therefore, the ink on the recording surface can be prevented from bleeding during the conveyance.

  In the drying unit 24, the heater 112 and the fan 114 are combined, and the moisture of the ink on the recording surface of the printing paper P is first evaporated by the heat of the heater 112, and then the air on the recording surface is evaporated by the wind of the fan 114. Since the moisture is blown away, the recording surface can be sufficiently dried.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing an outline of the image recording apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

−Configuration−
In the image recording apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the location of the discharge unit is different from that in the first embodiment.

Specifically, the discharge unit 152 according to the second embodiment is provided on the downstream side (+ X axis direction) of the fixing roller pair 116 in the paper conveyance direction and above the paper supply unit 16.
In addition, a switching member 154 is provided in the switchback conveyance path 106, and the switching member 154 switches the destination of the printing paper P passing through the switchback conveyance path 106 to the discharge unit 152 or the table moving mechanism 14.
Further, in the paper discharge path 156 between the switchback conveyance path 106 and the discharge section 152, a discharge roller that discharges the printing paper P that is directed to the discharge section 152 via the paper discharge path 156 by the switching member 154. A pair 158 is provided.

-Action-
As described above, in the image recording apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, for example, when performing single-sided printing, the printing paper P is fed from the paper supply unit 16 to the table moving mechanism 14 by the image recording section (discharge region) of the recording head 78. ) In the horizontal direction (−X-axis direction), and the recording head 78 discharges ink onto the recording surface. The recorded printing paper P is transported by the switchback transport mechanism 20, and after the recording surface is dried by the drying unit 24, the destination is switched to the discharge unit 152 by the switching member 154. Is discharged. Therefore, as compared with the case where the discharge unit 152 is provided on the downstream side (−X-axis direction) in the sheet transport direction of the table moving mechanism 14, after the recording surface is dried by the drying unit 24, the table moving mechanism 14 The conveyance distance to the discharge unit 152 can be shortened by the amount not conveyed.
Similarly, in the case of double-sided printing, the conveyance of the table moving mechanism 14 can be omitted once.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the image recording apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

−Configuration−
The image recording apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the image recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above.

  The image recording apparatus 200 includes an overall control unit 202, a print information input unit 204, the table moving mechanism 14, the paper feeding unit 16, the image recording unit 18, the switchback transport mechanism 20, the discharge, and the like. The unit 22, the separation switching mechanism 23, and the drying unit 24 are provided. Note that these components are connected by a bus BUS such as a data bus so that data can be exchanged.

  The overall control unit 202 controls the entire image recording apparatus 10, and includes a CPU 206, a ROM 208, a RAM 210, and an HDD 212. In the CPU 206, processing for controlling the transport speed of the switchback transport mechanism 20, which will be described in detail later, is executed. The ROM 208 stores various programs, parameters, and the like, and the RAM 210 is used as a work area when the CPU 20 executes various programs.

The print information input unit 204 is for inputting print information for forming (printing) an image.
The “print information” includes a print command, print data, and the like. The print information includes not only the image data but also the type of thickness of the print paper P to be printed (thin or thick). Etc.), and paper size setting information and the like. Such information may be included in the header information of the print data or may be included in the image data.

Here, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the table moving mechanism 14 (particularly, the linear motor mechanism 28 that transports the image recording section) as the first transport unit and the switchback transport mechanism 20 as the second transport unit are provided. Since the respective transport mechanisms are independent, the transport speed of the switchback transport mechanism 20 can be set to a transport speed different from that of the table moving mechanism 14.
Therefore, in the image recording apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when print information is input to the print information input unit 204, the overall control unit 202 performs the following processing.

    FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the overall control unit 202 when print information is input to the print information input unit 204. In the following, the step identification codes in the figure are shown in parentheses.

(S1000) Refer to the input print information.
(S1002) An image pattern and paper type included in the print information are acquired.
Note that the image pattern to be acquired is information such as “full solid”, “side solid”, “general image”, or “line image” actually determined based on the image data included in the print information.
The “line image” is an image composed only of lines such as characters and figures, and is generally an image with a small amount of ink used. The “side solid” is an image in which about half of the recording surface uses a larger amount of ink than a line image. Furthermore, the above-mentioned “full surface” is an image in which about the entire recording surface uses a larger amount of ink than a line image. Furthermore, the “general image” is an image excluding “entire solid”, “side solid”, and “line image”, and is an image composed of a combination of characters and photographs.
(S1004) The control table as shown in Table 1 below is referred to. This target table is stored in the ROM 208.
The “slow” and “fast” transport speeds in Table 1 are based on, for example, the transport speed of the table moving mechanism 14 (particularly the linear motor mechanism 28) as a reference (normal). Further, “low” and “high” drying temperatures are temperatures when compared with “normal” when “normal” is set to about 50 ° C., for example, “high” is about 80 ° C. Yes, “low” is around 30 ° C. to 40 ° C.

  (S1006) The transport speed setting information and the drying temperature setting information corresponding to the previously acquired image pattern and paper type are acquired from the comparison table.

  (S1008) Various controls of the table moving mechanism 14 and the image recording unit 18 are performed, and printing on the printing paper P is started.

(S1010) When the image-recorded printing paper P is conveyed to the switchback conveyance mechanism 20, the conveyance speed of the switchback conveyance mechanism 20 (the rotation speed of the plurality of conveyance roller pairs 110, in particular, passes through the drying unit 24). The conveyance speed of the printing paper P) is set (changed) based on the previously acquired conveyance speed setting information, and the switchback conveyance mechanism 20 conveys the printing paper P at the set conveyance speed. Start.
At this time, since the switchback transport mechanism 20 and the table moving mechanism 14 are independent mechanisms, it is not necessary to change the transport speed of the table moving mechanism 14.

(S1012) The heating temperature of the heater 112 in the drying unit 24 is set (changed) based on the previously acquired drying temperature setting information, and heating by the heater 112 is started at the set heating temperature.
In addition, after controlling the fan 114, the fixing roller pair 116, the table moving mechanism 14, etc., the recorded and dried printing paper P is discharged to the discharge unit 96.

-Action-
As described above, according to the image recording apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the overall control unit 202 performs printing that passes through the drying unit 24 by the switchback transport mechanism 20 without changing the transport speed of the table moving mechanism 14. The conveyance speed of the paper P can be changed based on the input print information (such as the type of the print paper P). Thus, the drying time of the printing paper P can be freely controlled by changing the transport speed of the printing paper P passing through the drying unit 24 based on the printing information.

  Further, in the image recording apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the overall control unit 202 uses the two information of the image pattern and the type of the printing paper P included in the printing information to print the printing paper P that passes through the drying unit 24. Since the heating speed of the heater 112 of the drying unit 24 and the heating speed of the drying unit 24 are changed, drying can be performed more appropriately than when the feeding speed and the heating temperature are changed from one piece of information.

  Further, the overall control unit 202 performs the above-described processing, for example, as shown in Table 1, when the image pattern is a solid image and the type of the printing paper P is thick, the printing paper P that passes through the drying unit 24 is displayed. When the printing pattern P is slower than the conveyance speed of the printing paper P in the table moving mechanism 14, the image pattern is a line image, and the type of the printing paper P is thin and thinner, the drying unit 24 is The conveying speed of the passing printing paper P is made faster than the conveying speed of the printing paper P in the table moving mechanism 14.

Here, when the image pattern included in the print information is a solid image and the type of the printing paper P is thick, the solid image has a large amount of ink deposited on the printing paper P, and the thick image has heat conduction. However, it takes time to dry. Therefore, in such a case, the drying time can be extended by making the conveyance speed of the printing paper P passing through the drying unit 24 slower than the conveyance speed of the printing paper P in the table moving mechanism 14.
Further, when the image pattern included in the print information is a line image and the type of the print paper P is thin rather than thick, the line image has a smaller amount of droplets deposited on the print paper P than the solid image. In addition, since the thin is better in heat conduction than the thick, it takes less time to dry. Therefore, in such a case, the drying time can be shortened by making the conveyance speed of the printing paper P passing through the drying unit 24 faster than the conveyance speed of the printing paper P in the table moving mechanism 14.

  Further, since the drying temperature can be changed based on the image pattern of the printing information and the type of the printing paper P, for example, as shown in Table 1, when it is necessary to sufficiently dry, the drying temperature is increased, When there is no need for sufficient drying (drying immediately), the drying temperature can be lowered. At this time, since the drying unit 24 is provided above the recording head 78, the nozzle surface of the recording head 78 does not face the drying unit 24 and faces downward (−Z axis direction). Therefore, since the heat of the drying unit 24 is first transmitted to the housing of the recording head 78 facing the drying unit 24, it is difficult to transmit to the nozzle surface, and an efficient heat insulating structure is taken. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately increase the drying strength as compared with the case where the drying unit 24 is provided in the horizontal direction or the lower direction of the recording head 78.

(Modification)
Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the plurality of embodiments described above can be implemented in combination as appropriate. Further, the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

  For example, in the first embodiment, a heat insulating material may be provided between the recording head 78 and the drying unit 24. This is because according to this configuration, the heat transmitted from the drying unit 24 to the recording head 78 can be blocked, and the influence of the heat can be minimized.

  In the second embodiment, the switchback conveyance path 106 is provided with a switching member 154, and the destination of the printing paper P passing through the switchback conveyance path 106 by this switching member 154 is the discharge unit 152 or table movement. Although the case of switching to the mechanism 14 has been described, the switching member 154 is not provided, and the destination of the printing paper P passing through the switchback conveyance path 106 may be the discharge unit 152 without fail. That is, the image recording apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment may be an image recording apparatus that can perform only single-sided printing.

The third embodiment further includes a mode selection unit that allows the user to select one mode from a plurality of modes indicating the conveyance speed of the printing paper P, and the overall control unit 202 selects the mode selected by the mode selection unit. Based on the above, the conveyance speed of the printing paper P passing through the drying unit 24 may be changed. The “mode” includes a “slow” mode, a “normal” mode, a “fast” mode, and the like. Further, the “mode selection unit” includes a touch panel and the like.
According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to control the drying time in accordance with the convenience of the user. When the user selects and wants to dry the recording surface of the printing paper P firmly, one mode in which the conveyance speed of the printing paper P is slow can be selected from a plurality of modes.

  In the third embodiment, the case in which the conveyance speed and the drying temperature of the printing paper P are changed using two types of information, that is, the image pattern included in the printing information and the thickness type of the printing paper P has been described. One piece of information may be used to change the conveyance speed or drying temperature of the printing paper P. Furthermore, the conveyance speed and drying temperature of the printing paper P may be changed based on other information (paper size and the like) included in the printing information.

Moreover, although the heating means of the drying part 24 demonstrated the case where it was the heater 112, the equal heating method including an infrared device, a heat transfer method are not this limitation, a heat transfer method is conductive heat transfer, convection heat transfer, Any of radiant heat transfer may be used, and the heating method may be any of microwave heating, electromagnetic induction heating, radiant heating, resistance heating, and the like.
Further, although the case where the drying temperature (drying intensity) is changed by changing the set temperature of the heater 112 according to the image pattern or the like has been described, the drying intensity may be changed by increasing the number of turning on the infrared device according to the image pattern or the like. .

  Moreover, although the drying part 24 demonstrated the case where it comprised with the combination of the heater 112 and the fan 114, the fan 114 can also be abbreviate | omitted.

  The switchback transport mechanism 20 as the second transport unit has been described as transporting the printing paper P by the plurality of transport roller pairs 110, but may be a belt transport. Similarly, the table moving mechanism 14 as the first conveying means can be replaced with a roller conveying mechanism or a belt conveying mechanism.

  In the above embodiment, the linear motor mechanism 28 records the image on the printing paper P while the table 12 is conveyed. Instead of the linear motor mechanism 28, a linear motion mechanism using a ball screw is used. It is good also as a structure which conveys the table 12 by providing.

In the present application, “image recording apparatus” means an apparatus for forming an image by discharging liquid onto a medium such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc. "Image recording" means not only the application of images with meanings such as characters and figures to the medium, but also the addition of images having no meaning such as patterns to the medium (simply applying droplets to the medium). Also means landing). The “droplet” is not limited to what is referred to as ink, and is not particularly limited as long as it becomes a liquid when ejected. For example, a DNA sample, a resist, a pattern material Etc. are also included.

  The “recording medium” is not limited to the printing paper P, and includes OHP and the like to which ink droplets and other liquids can adhere.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image recording apparatus 14 Table moving mechanism (1st conveyance means)
16 Paper Feeder 20 Switchback Transport Mechanism (Second Transport Unit)
22 Discharge unit 24 Drying unit 78 Recording head (droplet ejection head)
88 Switching member 96 Discharge part 114 Fan (blower part)
116 Fixing roller pair (fixing part)
150 Image recording device 152 Discharge unit 154 Switching member 200 Image recording device 202 Overall control unit (part of first transport unit, second transport unit, etc.)
P Printing paper (recording medium)

Claims (12)

A droplet discharge head for discharging droplets;
First transport means for transporting the recording medium in the lateral direction to the ejection area of the droplet ejection head;
A drying unit which is provided above the droplet discharge head and which dries the recording surface of the recording medium on which the droplets have landed;
Second conveying means for conveying the recording surface to the drying unit with the rear end of the recording medium conveyed from the first conveying means as the leading edge;
An image recording apparatus comprising: On the downstream side of the drying unit in the recording medium conveyance direction, a fixing unit that presses the recording surface is provided,
The recording medium that has passed through the fixing unit is transported to the ejection region of the droplet ejection head by the first transport unit, and the droplets are ejected to the back side of the recording surface.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. A transport path switching member is provided between the first transport means and the second transport means, and the recording medium is switched to the second transport means or the recording medium by switching the transport path switching member. Is transported to the discharge section where
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A discharge unit for discharging the recording medium is provided downstream of the fixing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction, and a paper supply unit for supplying the recording medium to the first conveying unit is provided below the discharge unit;
The image recording apparatus according to claim 2. A heat insulating material is provided between the droplet discharge head and the drying unit.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The drying unit
A heater,
A blower unit that is provided downstream of the heater in the recording medium conveyance direction and blows air on the recording surface;
An image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: Speed control means for changing the transport speed of the recording medium passing through the drying section by the second transport means based on the input print information;
An image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The speed control unit changes a conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit depending on a discharge pattern included in the print information and a type of the recording medium.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 7. The speed control means is
When it is determined that the ejection pattern is a solid image and the type of the recording medium is thick, the conveyance speed of the recording medium that passes through the drying unit is determined by the conveyance of the recording medium by the first conveyance unit. Slower than the speed,
When it is determined that the ejection pattern is a line image and the type of the recording medium is thinner than the thicker, the conveyance speed of the recording medium that passes through the drying unit is determined by the first conveying unit. Faster than the conveyance speed of the recording medium,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 8. A drying control means for changing the drying strength of the drying section based on the print information;
An image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9. The drying control unit changes the drying strength of the drying unit according to the discharge pattern included in the print information and the type of the recording medium.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 10. A mode selection unit that allows the user to select one mode from a plurality of modes indicating the conveyance speed of the recording medium;
The speed control unit changes a conveyance speed of the recording medium passing through the drying unit based on the mode selected by the mode selection unit.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11.