JP2012111081A - Image recording apparatus and image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the deterioration of image quality.SOLUTION: An image recording apparatus includes: a medium supporting part that supports a medium in an image recording area; a heating part that heats the medium supported in the medium supporting part; a control part that executes conveyance operation and recording operation; and a humidification part that humidifies a part of the medium that is not supplied to the image recording area and equivalent to a length of the medium conveyed by at least one conveyance operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method.

  As an image recording apparatus, there is a printer that prints an image by ejecting ink from a head onto a medium such as paper. Among printers, there is a printer that heats a platen that supports a medium from the back surface and evaporates water in ink landed on the medium (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-125830 A

  However, if the water in the medium supported by the heated platen evaporates too much, the medium contracts. As a result, the position of the medium with respect to the platen is shifted even during printing, and the landing position of the ink on the medium is shifted. As a result, the image quality of the printed image is degraded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress image quality deterioration of an image.

A main invention for solving the above-described problems includes a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path, a recording unit that records an image on the medium located in an image recording area, and the medium that supports the medium in the image recording area. Control unit that repeatedly executes the medium support unit, the heating unit that heats the medium supported by the medium support unit, the medium transport operation by the transport unit, and the image recording operation by the recording unit A humidifying unit for humidifying a part of the medium before being supplied to the image recording area, the part of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium conveyed by at least one conveyance operation. And an image recording apparatus.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is an overall configuration block diagram of a printer. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of a printer. It is a figure explaining a mode that roll paper contracts. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a humidification method according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a modification of the humidification position of the roll paper. It is a figure explaining the structure which shares the heater for heating water, and the heater of a drying furnace. 6A and 6B are views for explaining a humidification method in the first example of the second embodiment. It is a figure explaining the humidification method in the 2nd example of 2nd Embodiment. 8A and 8B are views for explaining a humidifying method in the third example of the second embodiment. 9A is a diagram for explaining a medium used in the fourth example, FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a peeling phenomenon, and FIG. 9C is a diagram for explaining a humidification method in the fourth example of the second embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a humidification method in the fifth example of the second embodiment.

  At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

That is, a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path, a recording unit that records an image on the medium located in an image recording region, a medium support unit that supports the medium in the image recording region, and the medium support A heating unit that heats the medium supported by the unit, a control unit that repeatedly executes the medium conveying operation by the conveying unit, and an image recording operation by the recording unit, and the image recording area. A humidifying unit that humidifies a portion of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium that is transported in at least one transporting operation. An image recording apparatus.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the medium from contracting at the medium support portion, and it is possible to suppress deterioration in image quality of the image.

In this image recording apparatus, the humidifying unit humidifies a portion of the medium facing the humidifying unit during the transport operation.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to humidify a portion of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium conveyed by at least one conveyance operation.

In this image recording apparatus, the image recording apparatus includes a partition wall that surrounds a portion of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium that is transported by at least one transport operation, and the humidifying unit has the medium stopped. Humidifying a portion of the medium located within the partition during a period of time;
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to humidify a portion of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium conveyed by at least one conveyance operation.

In this image recording apparatus, at least one of a position for supplying the medium into the partition and a position for discharging the medium from the partition is fixed to the partition.
According to such an image recording apparatus, the medium supply port and the discharge port can be reduced, and the inside of the partition wall can be reliably humidified.

In this image recording apparatus, the medium is a medium having a recording base material in which one surface is an image recording layer and the other surface is an adhesive layer, and a release base material that covers the adhesive layer. The transport unit transports the medium by a plurality of transport rollers, and the partition walls are the plurality of transport rollers provided continuously on the transport path, and the surfaces of the media in contact with each other are alternately different. Enclosing a portion of the medium wound around the transport roller.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the peeling phenomenon between the recording base material and the peeling base material.

In this image recording apparatus, the humidifying unit humidifies a part of the medium including at least a part of the part of the medium located in the image recording area during the next recording operation.
According to such an image recording apparatus, the time from when the medium is humidified until it is supplied to the image recording area can be shortened, and the medium is supplied to the image recording area while the medium is sufficiently humidified. can do.

In this image recording apparatus, the humidifying unit humidifies the portion of the medium supplied to the image recording area in the same transport operation in the same period.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the medium from contracting in the medium support portion, and it is easy to adjust the humidification degree of the medium.

A conveyance unit configured to convey a medium along a conveyance path; a recording unit configured to record an image on the medium located in an image recording area; a medium support unit configured to support the medium in the image recording area; A heating unit that heats the medium supported by the unit, a control unit that repeatedly executes the medium conveying operation by the conveying unit, and an image recording operation by the recording unit, and the image recording area. An image recording apparatus comprising: a humidifying unit that humidifies a portion of the medium before the recording, which corresponds to a length of the medium conveyed in at least one conveyance operation. An image recording method characterized by recording an image on the medium.
According to such an image recording method, it is possible to prevent the medium from contracting in the medium support portion, and it is possible to suppress deterioration in image quality of the image.

=== About the printer ===
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described by taking an inkjet printer (hereinafter, a printer) as an example of the “image recording apparatus”.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of the printer 1. The printer 1 of the present embodiment prints an image on roll paper R (continuous paper) as a medium. The printer 1 is communicably connected to the computer 2, and the computer 2 creates print data for causing the printer 1 to print an image. The function of the computer 2 may be built in the printer 1.

  The controller 10 is a control unit for controlling the printer 1. The interface unit 11 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 2 and the printer 1. The CPU 12 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer 1. The memory 13 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 12, a work area, and the like. The CPU 12 controls each unit according to the unit control circuit 14. The detector group 80 monitors the situation in the printer 1, and the controller 10 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  The feeding unit 20 feeds the roll paper R to the transport unit 30. The feeding unit 20 includes a winding shaft 21 around which the roll paper R is wound and rotatably supported, and a relay roller 22 for winding the roll paper R fed from the winding shaft 21 and guiding it to the transport unit 30. is doing. The feeding unit 20 is located outside the main body 1 ′ of the printer 1.

  The transport unit 30 (corresponding to a transport unit) transports the roll paper R along a preset transport path by a plurality of transport rollers. The transport unit 30 includes a plurality of relay rollers 31 a to 31 j, a movable roller 32, a fixed roller 33, a supply roller 34, and a discharge roller 35. A movable roller 32 and a fixed roller 33 are provided between the feeding unit 20 and the printing area, a supply roller 34 is provided immediately upstream of the printing area, and a discharge roller 35 is provided downstream of the printing area. As the roll paper R moves sequentially through these transport rollers, a transport path for transporting the roll paper R is formed.

  The supply roller 34 and the discharge roller 35 are each composed of a pair of rollers. One roller is a drive roller (34a, 35a) that is rotated by a motor (not shown), and the other roller rotates in conjunction with the drive roller. It is a driven roller (34b * 35b). When the printing of the image on the roll paper R located in the print area is completed, the part of the roll paper R on which the image is printed is discharged from the print area by the rotation of the supply roller 34 and the discharge roller 35, and the image is still printed. A new part of the unrolled roll R is supplied to the printing area. That is, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the controller 10 (corresponding to the control unit) alternately repeats the roll paper R transport operation by the transport unit 30 and the image print operation (recording operation) by the recording unit 40. Let it run.

  The movable roller 32 includes a first movable roller 32a and a second movable roller 32b. And both ends of each rotating shaft of the 1st movable roller 32a and the 2nd movable roller 32b are attached to a pair of arms 36 so that a roller can rotate. The arm 36 moves in the vertical direction of the printer 1. Accordingly, as the arm 36 moves, the first movable roller 32a and the second movable roller 32b also move in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the fixed roller 33 is fixed at a predetermined position in the vertical direction of the printer 1.

  By one transport operation, the roll paper R corresponding to the length of the print area in the X direction is transported at a predetermined speed. However, for example, the roll paper R may be heavy immediately after the roll paper R is exchanged, and the roll paper R from the feeding unit 20 (winding shaft 21) may not catch up. Therefore, the roll paper R to be transported by one transport operation is wound around the movable roller 32 and the fixed roller 33 and slackened. By doing so, when the feeding of the roll paper R from the feeding unit 20 is delayed during the carrying operation, the movable roller 32 and the arm 36 are lifted, and the loose roll paper R is carried. As a result, the roll paper R having a predetermined length can be supplied to the printing area in a predetermined conveyance time.

  The recording unit 40 (corresponding to a recording unit) prints (records) an image on the roll paper R located in the printing area, and includes a carriage 41 and a head 42. The carriage 41 moves the head 42 in the X direction (the direction in which the roll paper R is conveyed) and the Y direction (the width direction of the roll paper R) while being guided by a guide shaft (not shown). The head 42 is for ejecting ink onto the roll paper R, and a plurality of nozzles serving as ink ejection portions are provided on the lower surface of the head 42. A two-dimensional image is printed on the roll paper R by ejecting ink while the head 42 moves together with the carriage 41 in the X and Y directions.

  In the printing region, the platen 51 (corresponding to the medium support unit) supports the roll paper R from the back side. Also, the ink ejection method from the nozzle may be a piezo method in which voltage is applied to the drive element (piezo element) to expand and contract the pressure chamber to eject ink, or bubbles are generated in the nozzle using a heating element. Alternatively, a thermal method in which ink is ejected by the bubbles may be used.

  The drying unit 50 is for fixing the image printed on the roll paper R. That is, the drying unit 50 is for drying ink landed on the roll paper R, and includes a platen 51 and a drying furnace 52.

  Inside the platen 51, a plurality of heaters 511 (e.g., corresponding to a nichrome wire / heating unit) are disposed. When the heater 511 is energized, the platen 51 is heated, and the roll paper R supported by the platen 51 is heated. As a result, it is possible to promote drying of the ink that has landed on the roll paper R on the platen 51, and it is possible to suppress bleeding of the ink in the printed image. A heater 511 is provided over the entire area of the platen 51 so that heat is uniformly conducted to the roll paper R on the platen 51.

  Further, the platen 51 is provided with a suction hole 513, and a pressure chamber 512 and a fan 514 (axial fan) are provided below the platen 51. When the air in the pressure chamber 512 is sucked by the fan 514, the pressure chamber 512 is in a negative pressure state, and the roll paper R on the platen 51 is sucked from the suction hole 513. As a result, the roll paper R on the platen 51 is sucked and adsorbed on the upper surface of the platen 51. By doing so, the roll paper R on the platen 51 is held at a predetermined position, and ink droplets can be landed at the correct position. Further, even if the roll paper R is swollen by the moisture of the ink droplets, the roll paper R can be held in a flat state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the roll paper R may be electrostatically adsorbed. The platen 51 and the pressure chamber 512 are placed on a base b that divides the main body 1 ′ into two spaces in the vertical direction.

  The drying furnace 52 is provided on the downstream side of the transport path from the printing region, and the air in the drying furnace 52 is at a high temperature. Therefore, the image printed on the roll paper R supplied into the drying furnace 52 can be fixed on the roll paper R. As a result, even if the printed roll paper R is wound up, the back surface of the roll paper R can be prevented from being stained with ink, and a high-quality printed matter can be provided.

  The winding unit 60 is for winding the roll paper R (printed roll paper R) sent by the transport unit 30. The winding unit 60 includes a relay roller 61 that winds and conveys the roll paper R sent from the relay roller 31j, and a winding drive shaft 62 that winds the roll paper R. Note that the winding unit 60 is located outside the main body 1 ′ of the printer 1.

  The humidifying unit 70 (corresponding to the humidifying unit) is a portion of the roll paper R before being supplied to the printing area (image recording area), and has a length of the roll paper R conveyed by at least one conveyance operation. This is for humidifying the corresponding portion of the roll paper R. That is, the humidifying unit 70 is for increasing the water content of the roll paper R before being supplied to the platen 51. In addition, in FIG. 2, the humidification pipe | tube 71 in 1st Embodiment is shown as an example (it mentions later for details).

=== Shrinkage of roll paper R ===
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how the roll paper R contracts. In the main body 1 ′ of the printer 1, a high temperature platen 51 (for example, 45 degrees) and a drying furnace 52 (for example, 75 degrees) are provided in order to fix the image printed on the roll paper R. Under the influence of the platen 51 and the drying furnace 52, the inside of the main body 1 'of the printer 1 is relatively hot and dry (for example, temperature: 40 degrees, humidity: 30%). Therefore, the moisture in the roll paper R evaporates until the roll paper R supplied into the main body 1 ′ is supplied to the printing region, and the moisture content of the roll paper R decreases.

  Suppose that roll paper R with a low water content is supplied to the printing area. Then, the roll paper R is heated by the high temperature platen 51, and the water is further evaporated from the roll paper R having a low water content. When the moisture content in the roll paper R is too low (when the roll paper R is dried), the roll paper R shrinks toward the center of the platen 51, and the roll paper R is wrinkled or curled. Will occur.

  When the roll paper R on the platen 51 contracts, the position of the roll paper R with respect to the platen 51 is shifted despite the printing operation. In other words, the position of the roll paper R with respect to the head 42 is shifted. If it does so, the ink landing position from the head 42 in the roll paper R will shift | deviate, and the image quality of a printed image will deteriorate.

  Therefore, an object of the present embodiment is to prevent the roll paper R from contracting on the heated platen 51 and to suppress deterioration in image quality of the printed image.

  Note that not only the roll paper R on the platen 51 but also the roll paper R in the drying furnace 52 may shrink toward the center of the drying furnace 52. If it does so, the roll paper R on the platen 51 will be pulled to the drying furnace 52 side (downstream side of a conveyance path | route) by the part shrink | contracted with the drying furnace 52. FIG. Even in this case, the position of the roll paper R with respect to the platen 51 is shifted. If it does so, the ink landing position from the head 42 in the roll paper R will shift | deviate, and the image quality of a printed image will deteriorate.

=== First Embodiment ===
4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a humidification method according to the first embodiment. In order to prevent the shrinkage of the roll paper R on the heated platen 51 and suppress the deterioration of the image quality of the printed image, the humidifying unit 70 is provided in the printer 1 of the present embodiment. The humidifying unit 70 humidifies a portion of the roll paper R before being supplied to the printing area, which corresponds to the length of the roll paper R conveyed by at least one conveyance operation.

  By doing so, the site | part of the roll paper R supplied to a printing area | region (on the platen 51) by conveyance operation is humidified. Further, the length of the roll paper R that is transported in one transport operation is usually the length of the platen 51 in the X direction (“length L” shown in FIG. 4A). Therefore, the portion of the roll paper R that is supplied to the printing region (on the platen 51) by the transport operation is humidified over the length of the platen 51 in the X direction. In other words, the entire area of the roll paper R located on the platen 51 is humidified. Therefore, even if water is evaporated from the roll paper R on the heated platen 51, it is possible to prevent the water content in the roll paper R from being lowered to the extent that the roll paper R contracts. In other words, the humidifying unit 70 can prevent the roll paper R from contracting on the heated platen 51 and suppress deterioration in the image quality of the printed image.

  Further, since the humidified roll paper R is supplied to the platen 51, the roll paper R is relatively humidified when the roll paper R is supplied to the drying furnace 52 thereafter. Therefore, shrinkage of the roll paper R in the drying furnace 52 can be suppressed, and the roll paper R on the platen 51 can be prevented from being pulled to the drying furnace 52 side. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration in image quality of the printed image.

  In the first embodiment, as the humidifying unit 70, a humidifying pipe 71 that blows out water vapor is provided between the upstream end of the platen 51 and the supply roller 34. The humidifying tube 71 is provided so that the steam outlet and the back surface of the roll paper R face each other. That is, the humidification unit 70 humidifies the roll paper R by spraying water vapor on the back surface of the roll paper R. Although not shown in FIG. 4A, the humidification unit 70 has a tank and a heater provided with water, and generates water vapor by heating the water in the tank with the heater.

  And in 1st Embodiment, the humidification unit 70 humidifies the site | part of the roll paper R facing the humidification unit 70 (here humidification pipe | tube 71) during the period of conveyance operation. By doing so, the water vapor | steam from the humidification pipe | tube 71 can be sprayed with respect to the site | part of the roll paper R corresponded to the length of the roll paper R conveyed by one conveyance operation. That is, the portion of the roll paper R corresponding to the length of the roll paper R conveyed in one conveyance operation can be humidified. For this reason, the entire area of the roll paper R positioned on the platen 51 is humidified, and the shrinkage of the roll paper R on the platen 51 can be prevented.

  It is assumed that the humidifying unit 70 humidifies the portion of the roll paper R that faces the humidifying tube 71 only for a half period of the conveying operation. In this case, only the portion of the roll paper R corresponding to the half length (L / 2) shorter than the length (L) of the roll paper R conveyed in one conveyance operation is humidified. Then, half of the roll paper R positioned on the platen 51 is humidified, but the other half is not humidified, and the roll paper R contracts on the platen 51. End up.

  Also, suppose that the humidifying unit 70 humidifies the portion of the roll paper R that faces the humidifying tube 71 only during the printing operation. In this case, only the portion of the roll paper R facing the humidifying tube 71 is humidified during the printing operation. Then, only a part of the roll paper R positioned on the platen 51 is humidified, and the roll paper R contracts on the platen 51.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the humidifying unit 70 humidifies the portion of the roll paper R that faces the humidifying tube 71 throughout the conveyance operation. Note that during the printing operation (that is, during the period when the roll paper R is stopped), it is preferable to stop the water vapor from the humidifying tube 71 as shown in FIG. 4B. For example, when recording paper that absorbs water-based ink is used, there is a paper that has a small moisture absorption capacity depending on the type of recording paper. For this reason, if the recording paper is excessively humidified, ink may be ejected exceeding the recording paper's absorption capacity, and the printed image may be blurred. Therefore, stopping the humidification during the printing operation can prevent a part of the roll paper R from being excessively humidified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and steam may be constantly blown out from the humidifying tube 71.

  Next, a specific humidification flow will be described. As shown in FIG. 4B, first, the portions of the roll paper R at the points a and b are supplied to the printing region while being humidified by the water vapor from the humidifying tube 71 by the first transport operation. By doing so, as shown to FIG. 4A, in the state where the site | part (point ab) of the roll paper R corresponded to the length (L) of the roll paper R conveyed by one conveyance operation was humidified. Supplied to the platen 51. Therefore, the entire area of the roll paper R (points a and b) located on the platen 51 is humidified, and the roll paper R on the platen 51 contracts during the first printing operation. Can be prevented.

  Next, by the second transport operation, the portions b to c of the roll paper R are supplied to the printing region while being humidified by the water vapor from the humidifying tube 71. Therefore, the entire area of the roll paper R (points b to c) positioned on the platen 51 is humidified, and the roll paper R on the platen 51 is prevented from shrinking during the second printing operation. it can.

  As described above, in the printer 1 in which the conveyance operation and the printing operation are alternately repeated, the humidifying unit 70 is supplied to the printing area every period (that is, every predetermined period) that combines the conveyance operation and the printing operation. It can also be said that the portion of the roll paper R corresponding to the length of the roll paper R conveyed by at least one conveyance operation is humidified.

  Further, since the inside of the main body 1 ′ is at a high temperature, if the time from the humidification by the humidification unit 70 to the supply to the printing area is long, the moisture evaporates from the roll paper R during that time. Then, when supplied onto the platen 51, the roll paper R may not be sufficiently humidified to prevent the roll paper R from contracting.

  Therefore, the humidifying unit 70 humidifies the part of the roll paper R including at least a part of the part of the roll paper R located in the printing region during the next printing operation. In FIG. 4A, since the humidifying tube 71 is provided immediately upstream of the printing area, the humidifying unit 70 humidifies the portion of the roll paper R positioned in the printing area during the next printing operation during the immediately preceding transport operation. be able to.

  By doing so, the time from the humidification by the humidification unit 70 to the supply to the printing area can be shortened. Therefore, the roll paper R sufficiently humidified to prevent the roll paper R from shrinking can be supplied to the printing region, and the roll paper R can be prevented from shrinking more reliably.

  Further, the humidifying unit 70 may humidify the portion of the roll paper R supplied to the printing area with the same transport operation during the same period. The humidifying unit 70 of the first embodiment humidifies the portion of the roll paper R that faces the humidifying tube 71 during the transport operation. Therefore, it is preferable that the portion of the roll paper R supplied to the printing area with the same transport operation is humidified during the same transport operation. In the humidifying unit 70 of FIG. 4A, since the humidifying tube 71 is provided immediately upstream of the printing area, the length of the roll paper R conveyed by one conveying operation is the length L of the platen 51 in the X direction. In this case, the portion of the roll paper R that is supplied to the printing area in a certain transport operation can be humidified during the transport operation.

  By doing so, the part of the roll paper R humidified to the same degree can be supplied to the platen 51, and shrinkage can be prevented in the entire region of the roll paper R located on the platen 51. Further, in the roll paper R that is supplied to the printing area by the same transport operation, the time from the humidification to the supply to the printing area can be made the same, so that it is easy to adjust the humidification degree of the roll paper R. Become. That is, the roll paper R can be humidified to such an extent that the roll paper R does not shrink on the platen 51 according to the time from humidification to supply to the printing area. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper R from being excessively humidified or less humidified.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a modification of the humidification position of roll paper R (installation position of humidification pipe 71). Due to the problem of the structure of the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 4A, the humidifying tube 71 may not be installed immediately upstream of the platen 51. In this case, it is assumed that the portion of the roll paper R that is supplied to the printing area by the same transport operation is desired to be humidified during the same transport operation. It is assumed that the length of the roll paper R conveyed in one conveyance operation is fixed to the length L of the platen 51 in the X direction.

  In that case, as shown in FIG. 4C, it is preferable to provide a humidifying tube 71 so as to face the roll paper R at a point c shifted by a length L from the upstream end of the platen 51 to the upstream side of the conveyance path. By doing so, for example, the parts of the roll paper R at the points c to d can be humidified by a certain conveying operation and supplied to the printing area by the next conveying operation.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a heater 73 for heating water and a heater 73 for increasing the temperature of the air in the drying furnace 52 are shared. The humidification unit 70 of the first embodiment humidifies the roll paper R by blowing water vapor from the humidification pipe 71. Therefore, the humidification unit 70 heats the water in the tank 72 by the heater 73 shown in FIG. 5, generates water vapor, and blows out the water vapor from the humidification pipe 71.

  A plurality of air outlets arranged in the Y direction may be provided in the humidifying pipe 71 so that the roll paper R is humidified over the entire width direction (Y direction). Although not shown, a fan may be provided so that water vapor is blown out from the humidifying tube 71. In order to prevent water vapor from being liquefied (condensed) in the humidifying tube 71, the humidifying tube 71 may be covered with a heat insulating material. Moreover, the water in the tank 72 may be replenished periodically by the user, or may be automatically supplied.

  A heater 73 (heat source) for heating the water in the tank 72 is provided in the housing 54. The air in the housing 54 is heated by the heater 73 and becomes high temperature. Therefore, the fan 53 in the drying furnace 52 sucks the heated air in the casing 54 into the drying furnace 52 through the air passage 55 that communicates the drying furnace 52 and the casing 54. By doing so, the air in the drying furnace 52 can be raised in temperature, and the image printed on the roll paper R supplied to the drying furnace 52 can be fixed on the roll paper R.

  In this way, the humidification unit 70 heats water to generate water vapor, and the heat source of the drying furnace 52 that fixes the image to the roll paper R, thereby reducing the number of parts of the printer 1 and reducing the cost. Down can be achieved, and power saving can be achieved.

  Moreover, in FIG. 4A, although the water vapor | steam from the humidification pipe | tube 71 is sprayed with respect to the back surface of the roll paper R, it is not restricted to this. For example, the humidification tube 71 may be installed on the upper side of the roll paper R so that water vapor is sprayed on the surface of the roll paper R, or the water vapor may be sprayed on both surfaces of the roll paper R.

  4A, the portion of the roll paper R that is humidified by the water vapor from the humidifying tube 71 is exposed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the portion of the roll paper R that is humidified may be surrounded by a partition wall. . There are many metal parts and electrical parts in the main body 1 ′ of the printer 1. Therefore, by providing the partition wall, it is possible to prevent the water vapor blown from the humidifying tube 71 from diffusing into the main body 1 '. By doing so, it is possible to prevent rusting of metal parts and to prevent water droplets from being mixed into electrical parts.

  In FIG. 4A, the steam is blown out from the humidifying tube 71, but this is not restrictive. For example, the roll paper R may be humidified by spraying mist-like water from the humidifying tube 71. Alternatively, the roller or brush may be soaked with moisture and the roll paper R may be directly coated with water to humidify the portion of the roll paper facing the roller or brush.

  Further, so far, the length of the roll paper R transported by one transport operation is fixed to the length L of the platen 51 in the X direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the length of the roll paper R that is transported in a single transport operation may be varied according to the size of the image. When the length of the roll paper R transported in one transport operation is shorter than the length of the platen 15 in the X direction, a portion of the roll paper R positioned on the platen 51 is generated over two print operations. Therefore, the humidification degree of the roll paper R may be strengthened.

=== Second Embodiment ===
<< First Example >>
6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a humidification method in the first example of the second embodiment. The humidifying unit 70 according to the second embodiment is a portion of the roll paper R before being supplied to the printing area, and is the length of the roll paper R corresponding to the length of the roll paper R conveyed in at least one conveyance operation. It has a partition wall 74 (a chain line portion in FIG. 6A) surrounding the part. The humidifying unit 70 humidifies the portion of the roll paper R located in the partition wall 74 during the period when the roll paper R is stopped (for example, during a printing operation). That is, the humidifying unit 70 humidifies the portion of the roll paper R located in the partition wall 74 every period (every predetermined period) in which the conveyance operation and the printing operation are combined.

  By doing so, the humidification unit 70 can humidify the part of the roll paper R corresponding to the length of the roll paper R conveyed in at least one conveyance operation in the partition wall 74. Therefore, the entire area of the roll paper R positioned on the platen 51 is humidified, so that the shrinkage of the roll paper R on the platen 51 can be prevented and image quality deterioration of the printed image can be suppressed.

  Suppose that the partition wall 74 surrounds only a portion of the roll paper R that is shorter than the length of the roll paper R that is transported in a single transport operation. In this case, the portion of the roll paper R that is located in the partition 74 and is sufficiently humidified during the period when the roll paper R is stopped, and the humidification is insufficient just by passing through the partition 74 during the transport operation. The portion of the roll paper R is supplied to the platen 51. As a result, the roll paper R shrinks on the heated platen 51. Therefore, the partition wall 74 surrounds a portion of the roll paper R corresponding to the length of the roll paper R that is conveyed by at least one conveyance operation.

  In the humidifying unit 70 of the second embodiment, the humidity of the air in the partition wall 74 is the humidity of the air in the main body 1 ′ (the partition wall 74) in order to humidify the portion of the roll paper R located in the partition wall 74. (Humidity of outside air) For this purpose, for example, water vapor may be blown out from a humidifying tube (not shown) into the partition wall 74. In this case, the humidifying unit 70 of the second embodiment includes a partition wall 74, a humidifying pipe, a tank provided with water, a heater, and the like (not shown). The humidifying unit 70 generates water vapor by heating the water in the tank with a heater, and diffuses the water vapor from the humidification pipe into the partition wall 74. Similarly to FIG. 5 described above, the heat source in which the humidifying unit 70 heats water to generate water vapor and the heat source in the drying furnace 52 that fixes the image on the roll paper R may be used in common. Further, the water vapor is not limited to be blown out from the humidifying pipe into the partition wall 74, and for example, mist-like water may be blown out.

  As described above, in the humidifying unit 70 of the second embodiment, only the air in the partition wall 74 is humidified, so that the humidity of the air in the main body 1 ′ can be suppressed from increasing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rusting of metal parts and mixing of water droplets into electric parts.

  In the first example (FIG. 6A), the humidifying wall 74 is provided at a position relatively close to the printing area, and the humidifying unit 70 is a part of the portion of the roll paper R located in the printing area during the next printing operation. The portion of the roll paper R containing at least is humidified. For example, in the state of FIG. 6A, the humidification unit 70 is configured so that the portion of the roll paper R (points 1 to 2) including at least a part of the portion of the roll paper R (points b to c) located in the printing region during the next printing operation. ) Is humidified.

  By doing so, the time from the humidification by the humidification unit 70 to the supply to the printing area can be shortened. Therefore, the roll paper R sufficiently humidified to prevent the roll paper R from shrinking can be supplied to the printing region, and the roll paper R can be prevented from shrinking more reliably.

  Hereinafter, a specific flow of humidification will be described. As shown in FIG. 6B, at the time of the first printing operation, the points a and b of the roll paper R are located on the platen 51, and the points 1 and 2 of the roll paper R are humidified in the partition wall 74. (State of FIG. 6A). Note that the length of the roll paper R conveyed in one conveyance operation is fixed to the length L in the X direction of the platen 51, and points 1 to 2 of the roll paper R located in the partition wall 74. It is assumed that the length of the part is the length L of the platen 51 in the X direction.

  By the next second transport operation, the points b to c of the roll paper R are supplied onto the platen 51 and the points 2 to 3 of the roll paper R are supplied into the partition wall 74. Among the parts (points b to c) of the roll paper R positioned on the platen 51 during the second printing operation, the parts at the points b to 1 are humidified in the partition 74 during the printing operation before the first printing operation. 1 to c are humidified in the partition wall 74 during the first printing operation. Therefore, during the second printing operation, the entire area of the roll paper R located on the platen 51 is humidified, and the roll paper R on the platen 51 can be prevented from shrinking.

  Then, by the next third transport operation, the portions of the roll paper R at the points c to d are supplied onto the platen 51, and the portions of the roll paper R at the points 3 to 4 are supplied into the partition wall 74. Among the parts (points cd) of the roll paper R located on the platen 51 during the third printing operation, the parts at the points c to 2 are humidified in the partition wall 74 during the first printing operation, and the points 2 to d are the first. During the printing operation, the inside of the partition wall 74 is humidified. Therefore, during the third printing operation, the entire area of the roll paper located on the platen 51 is humidified, and the roll paper R on the platen 51 can be prevented from shrinking.

<< Second Example >>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a humidification method in the second example of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 1 ′ of the printer 1 of the present embodiment is partitioned into two spaces in the vertical direction by a base b. Therefore, the portion of the roll paper R that is shifted to the upstream side by the length L of the roll paper R that is transported in one transport operation from the portion (point b) of the roll paper R that is located immediately upstream of the platen 51 ( It is difficult to surround the point c) with the partition wall 74. Therefore, as in the first example (FIG. 6A), when the partition 74 surrounds a part of the roll paper R positioned in the printing area at the time of the next printing operation, the roll paper R supplied to the printing area by the same transport operation. Can not be humidified in the same period.

  Therefore, in the second example, as shown in FIG. 7, the point shifted from the upstream end (point b) of the platen 51 by the length L to the upstream side, and further shifted by the length L from the upstream side. The part of the roll paper R up to d is surrounded by a partition wall 74. That is, the partition 74 surrounds the portion (points cd) of the roll paper R supplied to the platen 51 during the next transport operation. By doing so, the humidification unit 70 can humidify the site | part of the roll paper R supplied to a printing area by the same conveyance operation | movement in the same period (at the same printing operation). It is assumed that the length of the roll paper R conveyed in one conveyance operation is fixed to the length L of the platen 51 in the X direction.

  In this case, the part of the roll paper R (the part of the roll paper R in which the humidification degree is uniform) having the same time from being humidified to being supplied to the printing region can be supplied to the platen 51. . Therefore, the shrinkage can be prevented in the entire area of the roll paper R positioned on the platen 51, and the humidity adjustment of the roll paper R can be easily adjusted.

<< Third Example >>
8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining a humidification method in the third example of the second embodiment. In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, in order to delay the feeding of the roll paper R from the feeding unit 20, some of the transport rollers are movable rollers 32a and 32b that move in the vertical direction. Therefore, the position (point 2) at which the roll paper R is supplied into the partition wall 74 of the first example (FIG. 6A) varies depending on the movement of the movable rollers 32a and 32b and the arm 36. For example, when the second movable roller 32b is lifted up, the position where the roll paper R is supplied into the partition wall 74 is also changed to a position above the point 2 in FIG. 6A.

  Therefore, in the partition wall 74 (FIG. 6A) of the first example, it is necessary to extend the supply port (gap) of the roll paper R in the vertical direction according to the movable range of the roll paper R due to the movement of the second movable roller 32b. . Similarly, even when the position where the roll paper R is discharged from the partition wall 74 varies due to the movement of the movable roller (not shown), it is necessary to extend the discharge port (gap) of the roll paper R provided in the partition wall 74 in the vertical direction. . As described above, when the position where the roll paper R is supplied to the partition 74 and the position where the roll paper R is discharged from the partition 74 vary, a large gap is provided in the partition 74. Further, in the partition wall 74 (FIG. 6A) of the first example, since a part of the arm 36 is located in the partition wall 74, a clearance for moving the arm 36 needs to be provided in the partition wall 74.

  If the gap provided in the partition wall 74 is large, water vapor (moist air) leaks into the main body 1 ′ and the air in the partition wall 74 cannot be reliably humidified. Then, the roll paper R cannot be sufficiently humidified so that the roll paper R does not shrink on the platen 51. Further, when water vapor leaks into the main body 1 ', metal parts in the main body 1' are rusted or water droplets enter the electric parts.

  Therefore, in the humidifying unit 70 of the third example, at least one of the position for supplying the roll paper R into the partition wall 74 and the position for discharging the roll paper R from the partition wall 74 is fixed to the partition wall 74. To do.

  For that purpose, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, it is preferable to provide fixed transport rollers 37a and 37b between the second movable roller 32b and the relay roller 31b. By doing so, the position of the roll paper R supplied into the partition 74 after being wound around the fixed conveyance roller 37b can be fixed with respect to the partition 74, and the supply port of the roll paper R in the partition 74 Can be reduced.

  Further, the roll paper R is wound around the two movable rollers 32a and 32b so as to be loosened so far, but as shown in FIG. 8B, one movable roller may be used. That is, the second movable roller 32b may be a fixed transport roller 37c. By doing so, the position of the roll paper R supplied into the partition 74 after being wound around the fixed transport roller 37c can be fixed to the partition 74, and the supply port of the roll paper R in the partition 74 can be Can be small.

  In this way, by fixing the position for supplying the roll paper R into the partition wall 74 and the position for discharging the roll paper R from the partition wall 74 to the partition wall 74, the supply port and the discharge port for the roll paper R can be provided. Can be small. By doing so, leakage of water vapor from the partition 74 can be suppressed, and the air in the partition 74 can be reliably humidified. As a result, the roll paper R can be sufficiently humidified so that the roll paper R does not shrink on the platen 51. Further, it is possible to prevent the metal parts in the main body 1 'from being rusted and water droplets from entering the electric parts.

<< Fourth Example >>
FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a medium used in the fourth example, FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a peeling phenomenon, and FIG. 9C is a diagram for explaining a humidification method in the fourth example of the second embodiment. is there. In the fourth example, as a medium for recording an image (roll paper R), a recording sheet (corresponding to a recording substrate) in which one side is an image recording layer and the other side is an adhesive layer; A seal paper having a separator (corresponding to a peeling substrate) covering the adhesive layer is used. The recording paper and the separator can be peeled off. The recording paper is not limited to paper, but may be a film, for example. In the printer 1 shown in FIG. 2, the sticker paper is set so that the recording paper (recording layer) faces the head 42 and the separator contacts the platen 51.

  The inside of the main body 1 ′ of the printer 1 is heated and dried by the heated platen 51 and the drying furnace 52. Therefore, if the sealing paper is not transported for a long time due to a printing operation, a maintenance operation, or the like, moisture evaporates from the sealing paper in a state where the same portion of the sealing paper is wound around the transport roller.

  Normally, when moisture evaporates from the recording paper or separator, the recording paper or separator hardens, and when moisture evaporates from the adhesive constituting the adhesive layer, the adhesive strength of the adhesive decreases. For this reason, when moisture evaporates from the seal paper in a state where the same portion of the seal paper is wound around the transport roller, the seal paper is wrapped around the transport roller, and the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer is reduced.

  For example, if the sticker paper continues to be wound around the transport roller r as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 9B for a long time, the sticker that curls with the separator as the inside is attached to the sticker paper, and the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer decreases. Resulting in. Then, it is assumed that the seal paper is wound around the transport roller r in the reverse direction so that the transport roller r and the recording paper are in contact with each other as shown in the central view of FIG. 9B. Then, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 9B, the recording paper and the separator peel off at a part of the sticker paper, and an air layer is generated between the recording paper and the separator (hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as “peeling phenomenon”). ).

  That is, a peeling phenomenon is likely to occur in a portion of the seal paper that is continuously provided on the conveyance path and is wound around a plurality of conveyance rollers having different contact surfaces. If the peeling phenomenon occurs on the sticker paper, the product becomes a defective product. Further, when the peeling phenomenon occurs in the sticker paper located in the printing area, the sticker paper and the head 42 come into contact with each other. If it does so, a sticker paper will become dirty with the nozzle face of head 42, head 42 may break down, or ink discharged from head 42 may not land at the right position.

  Therefore, in the humidifying unit 70 of the fourth example, the partition wall 74 is a plurality of conveyance rollers provided continuously on the conveyance path, and the seal paper wound around a plurality of conveyance rollers whose contact surfaces are alternately different. Enclose the area.

  However, in order to prevent the shrinkage of the sealing paper R on the heated platen 51, the part of the sealing paper R surrounded by the partition wall 74 is the sealing paper before being supplied to the printing region, and is conveyed at least once. It is assumed that it is equal to or longer than the length of the sticker sheet R conveyed by the operation.

  In the printer 1 shown in FIG. 2, the first movable roller 32a is in contact with the recording paper, the next fixed roller 33 is in contact with the separator, and the next second movable roller 32b is in contact with the recording paper. Therefore, if the moisture of the sealing paper R evaporates and dries at the two movable rollers 32 and the fixed roller 33, a peeling phenomenon is likely to occur.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the partition wall 74 surrounds and includes the part of the seal paper R wound around the first movable roller 32a to the part of the seal paper R wrapped around the second movable roller 32b. To do. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a winding wrinkle or a decrease in the adhesive strength of the adhesive at the site of the sticker paper R wound around the movable rollers 32a and 32b and the fixed roller 33. Therefore, the occurrence of the peeling phenomenon can be prevented.

<< Fifth Example >>
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams for explaining a humidification method in the fifth example of the second embodiment. Up to this point, the example in which the partition wall 74 is provided in the main body portion 1 ′ has been described. In the fifth example, the partition wall 74 is provided outside the main body portion 1 ′, and the roll paper R before being supplied to the main body portion 1 ′ is humidified. To do.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a partition wall 74 extending in the X direction may be provided between the relay roller 22 around which the roll paper R fed from the winding shaft 21 is wound and the next relay roller 31a. The length of the partition wall 74 in the X direction is set to be equal to or longer than the length of the roll paper R conveyed in at least one conveyance operation (here, the length L in the X direction of the platen 51). By doing so, the roll paper R is supplied into the main body 1 'in a humidified state, and then supplied to the printing region, so that the shrinkage of the roll paper R on the heated platen 51 is prevented. And deterioration of the image quality of the printed image can be suppressed.

  The conveyance path of the roll paper R is not complicated outside the main body 1 'compared to inside the main body 1'. Therefore, the structure of the partition wall 74 can be simplified by providing the partition wall 74 outside the main body 1 '. However, when the partition wall 74 is provided outside the main body portion 1 ′, the time until the roll paper R is humidified and supplied to the printing region is longer than when the partition wall 74 is provided inside the main body portion 1 ′. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently humidify the roll paper R so that the roll paper R does not contract on the platen 51.

  In addition, when the partition wall 74 extending along the X direction is provided as shown in FIG. 10A, the entire length of the printer 1 in the X direction is increased, and the printer 1 is increased in size. Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, a conveyance roller 38 is provided between the two relay rollers 22 and 31 a and at a lower position, and the roll paper R is wound around the conveyance roller 38 after the relay roller 22. . By doing so, the length of the partition 74 and the printer 1 in the X direction can be shortened.

=== Other Embodiments ===
Although the present embodiment is mainly described with respect to an image recording apparatus, disclosure of an image recording method and the like is also included. Further, the present embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

<About the printer>
In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 that prints an image while moving the head 42 in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the roll paper positioned in the printing area is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a printer that prints an image when roll paper passes under a fixed head may be used. The medium for recording an image is not limited to roll paper but may be cut sheet paper, or an image recording apparatus that records an image on a medium by ejecting fluid other than ink from nozzles.
Further, the image recording apparatus is not limited to a printer. For example, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, a staining apparatus, a fine processing apparatus, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a surface processing apparatus, a three-dimensional modeling machine, a gas vaporization apparatus, an organic EL manufacturing apparatus (particularly a polymer The same technology as that of the above-described embodiment may be applied to various devices to which inkjet technology is applied such as an EL manufacturing device, a display manufacturing device, a film forming device, and a DNA chip manufacturing device. These methods and manufacturing methods are also within the scope of application.

1 printer, 2 computers,
10 controller, 11 interface unit, 12 CPU,
13 memory, 14 unit control circuit, 20 feeding unit,
21 roll axis, 22 relay roller, 30 transport unit, 31 relay roller,
32 movable rollers, 33 fixed rollers, 34 supply rollers,
35 discharge roller, 36 arm, 37 fixed transport roller,
38 transport roller, 40 recording unit, 41 carriage, 42 head,
50 drying units, 51 platens, 511 heaters,
512 pressure chamber, 513 suction hole, 514 fan, 52 drying furnace,
53 fans, 54 housings, 55 air passages,
60 winding unit, 61 relay roller, 62 winding drive shaft,
70 Humidification unit, 71 Humidification pipe, 72 Tank, 73 Heater,
74 bulkheads, 80 detector groups

Claims (8)

A transport unit for transporting the medium along the transport path;
A recording unit for recording an image on the medium located in an image recording area;
A medium support unit for supporting the medium in the image recording area;
A heating unit for heating the medium supported by the medium support unit;
A control unit that repeatedly executes the medium transport operation by the transport unit and the image recording operation by the recording unit;
A humidifying unit for humidifying the part of the medium before being supplied to the image recording area, the part of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium conveyed in at least one conveyance operation;
An image recording apparatus comprising: The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The humidifying unit humidifies a portion of the medium facing the humidifying unit during the transport operation;
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
A partition wall that surrounds a portion of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium conveyed in at least one conveyance operation;
The humidifying unit humidifies a portion of the medium located in the partition during a period when the medium is stopped.
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3,
At least one of a position for supplying the medium into the partition and a position for discharging the medium from the partition is fixed to the partition;
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:
The medium is a medium having a recording base material, one side of which is an image recording layer and the other side is an adhesive layer, and a release base material that covers the adhesive layer,
The transport unit transports the medium by a plurality of transport rollers,
The partition wall is a plurality of the transport rollers provided continuously on the transport path, and surrounds a portion of the medium wound around the plurality of transport rollers, the surfaces of the medium contacting with each other being alternately different.
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:
The humidifying unit humidifies a part of the medium including at least a part of the part of the medium located in the image recording area during the next recording operation;
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The humidifying unit humidifies a portion of the medium supplied to the image recording area in the same transport operation in the same period;
Image recording device. A transport unit for transporting the medium along the transport path;
A recording unit for recording an image on the medium located in an image recording area;
A medium support unit for supporting the medium in the image recording area;
A heating unit for heating the medium supported by the medium support unit;
A control unit that repeatedly executes the medium transport operation by the transport unit and the image recording operation by the recording unit;
A humidifying unit for humidifying the part of the medium before being supplied to the image recording area, the part of the medium corresponding to the length of the medium conveyed in at least one conveyance operation;
An image recording method comprising: recording an image on the medium using an image recording apparatus comprising:

Images