JP2012116099A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that it is difficult to improve print quality in a conventional printing apparatus.SOLUTION: The printing apparatus includes: a discharge head 33 for performing printing on a recording sheet W in a state that it is faced to the recording sheet W conveyed in a Y direction; a first regulation roller 12a arranged at an upstream side of the discharge head 33 in the Y direction, which regulates a gap between the discharge head 33 and the recording sheet W; a second regulation roller 12b arranged at a downstream side of the discharge head 33 in the Y direction, which regulates a gap between the discharge head 33 and the recording sheet W; a table device 7 arranged at a position facing the discharge head 33, the first regulation roller 12a and the second regulation roller 12b at the opposite side of the discharge head 33 side of the recording sheet W, which supports the recording sheet W; and an energizing member 81 for energizing the table device 7 toward the discharge head 33 side.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and the like.

  Conventionally, there is an inkjet printer as one of printing apparatuses. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inkjet printer has a pressing member that regulates the height of a printing surface by pressing the printing surface of a sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-115197

  In the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to print on a sheet in a state where the sheet is floated by applying tension to the sheet with a paper feed roller and a transport roller. In this ink jet printer, a pressing member is provided between the paper feed roller and the transport roller. By this pressing member, the gap between the printing surface of the paper and the head can be kept constant.

By the way, when the moisture content in the paper changes due to, for example, humidity or printing, the paper may be curled or wrinkled. In the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1, printing is performed on a sheet while the sheet is floated in a hollow state. Therefore, curling and wrinkling may occur on the sheet in a region floating in the hollow. As a result, the gap between the printing surface of the paper and the head changes. When the gap between the printing surface of the paper and the head changes, the quality of printing tends to deteriorate.
That is, the conventional printing apparatus has a problem that it is difficult to improve the print quality.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A print head that prints on the print medium in a state of facing the print medium conveyed in the conveyance direction, and the print head side of the print medium upstream of the print head in the conveyance direction A first regulating member that regulates a gap between the print head and the print medium, and provided on the print head side of the print medium on the downstream side in the transport direction from the print head, A second restricting member for restricting a gap between the print head and the print medium; and the print head, the first restricting member, and the second restricting member on a side opposite to the print head side of the print medium. A support device that is provided at an opposing position and supports the print medium from a side opposite to the print head side of the print medium; and a biasing member that biases the support device toward the print head side. To the printing apparatus, characterized in that.

In the printing apparatus of this application example, a support device that supports the print medium is provided. Owing to the support device, it is possible to easily suppress the occurrence of wrinkles of the print medium.
The supporting device is urged toward the head side by the urging member. The print medium supported by the support device is regulated by the first regulating member and the second regulating member. This regulates the gap between the print head and the print medium.
As a result, in this printing apparatus, the gap between the print head and the print medium can be easily maintained, so that the print quality can be easily improved.

  Application Example 2 In the above-described printing apparatus, the first restriction member and the second restriction member are configured by rollers that are rotatable in contact with the print medium. apparatus.

  In this application example, it is possible to easily reduce the frictional force between the first restriction member or the second restriction member and the print medium.

  Application Example 3 In the above-described printing apparatus, the support apparatus includes a belt that can rotate while supporting the print medium.

  In this application example, it is possible to easily reduce the frictional force between the support device and the print medium.

  Application Example 4 In the printing apparatus described above, the support device includes an adsorption device that adsorbs the print medium.

  In this application example, since the print medium can be adsorbed to the support device, the gap between the print head and the print medium can be more easily maintained.

  Application Example 5 In the above-described printing apparatus, the suction apparatus sucks the print medium by suction.

  In this application example, the print medium can be adsorbed by suction.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge device according to the present embodiment. The front view when the carriage in this embodiment is seen in the A viewing direction in FIG. The bottom view of the head unit in this embodiment. Sectional drawing in the BB line in FIG. The side view when the table apparatus in this embodiment is seen in the C viewing direction in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a droplet discharge device in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of printing processing in the present embodiment.

  With reference to the drawings, an embodiment will be described by taking a droplet discharge device as one of printing devices as an example. In addition, in each drawing, in order to make each structure the size which can be recognized, the structure and the scale of a member may differ.

As shown in FIG. 1, the droplet discharge device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a delivery device 3, a winding device 5, a table device 7, a carriage 9, a carriage transport device 11, and a first regulating roller 12a. And a second regulating roller 12b.
The carriage 9 is provided with a head unit 13 and two irradiation devices 15.
In the droplet discharge device 1, the liquid material is ejected as droplets from the head unit 13 while changing the relative position of the head unit 13 and the recording sheet W in plan view. Can be printed. In the drawing, the Y direction indicates the feeding direction of the recording sheet W, and the X direction indicates a direction orthogonal to the Y direction in plan view. A direction orthogonal to the XY plane defined by the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction.

The recording sheet W is set in the droplet discharge device 1 as a roll 19a. The recording sheet W before printing is wound around the roll 19a. The recording sheet W is unwound from the roll 19 a by the delivery device 3 and then sent out toward the winding device 5 along the Y direction while facing the head unit 13.
The recording sheet W on which the printing pattern is printed with the liquid material is wound as a roll 19b by the winding device 5 on the downstream side of the head unit 13 in the Y direction which is the transport direction.
Thus, in the droplet discharge device 1, printing can be performed on the recording sheet W in the form of roll-to-roll.

The delivery device 3 includes a delivery roller 21 and a delivery motor 23.
The winding device 5 includes a winding roller 25 and a winding motor 27.
As shown in FIG. 2, the feed roller 21 and the take-up roller 25 each extend in the X direction. The feed roller 21 and the take-up roller 25 are arranged in a state spaced from each other in the Y direction. Each of the delivery roller 21 and the take-up roller 25 is configured to be rotatable.
The roll 19 a described above is set on the delivery roller 21. The recording sheet W on which the printing pattern is printed is wound up as a roll 19b by a winding roller 25. The recording sheet W (FIG. 1) is sent in the Y direction along the conveyance path 28.
The delivery motor 23 generates power for rotationally driving the delivery roller 21. The power from the delivery motor 23 is transmitted to the delivery roller 21 via the power transmission mechanism 29a.
The winding motor 27 generates power for rotationally driving the winding roller 25. The power from the winding motor 27 is transmitted to the winding roller 25 through the power transmission mechanism 29b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the table device 7 is provided between the feeding roller 21 and the winding roller 25 in a plan view. The table device 7 is provided at a position overlapping the transport path 28 in plan view.
The table device 7 is provided on the side opposite to the head unit 13 side of the transport path 28 (lower side in the present embodiment). The table device 7 has a mounting surface 7a directed to the head unit 13 side.
The table device 7 maintains the flatness of the recording sheet W by supporting the recording sheet W from below with the placement surface 7a.

The head unit 13 has a head plate 31 and an ejection head 33 as shown in FIG. 3 which is a front view when the carriage 9 is viewed in the A viewing direction in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 which is a bottom view, the discharge head 33 has a nozzle surface 35. A plurality of nozzles 37 are formed on the nozzle surface 35. In FIG. 4, the nozzles 37 are exaggerated and the number of the nozzles 37 is reduced in order to easily show the nozzles 37.
In the ejection head 33, the plurality of nozzles 37 constitute twelve nozzle rows 39 arranged along the Y direction. The twelve nozzle rows 39 are arranged in a state where there is a gap in the X direction. In each nozzle row 39, the plurality of nozzles 37 are formed at a predetermined nozzle interval P along the Y direction.

In the following, when each of the 12 nozzle rows 39 is identified, the nozzle row 39a, the nozzle row 39b, the nozzle row 39c, the nozzle row 39d, the nozzle row 39e, the nozzle row 39f, the nozzle row 39g, the nozzle row 39h, The notation of nozzle row 39i, nozzle row 39j, nozzle row 39k, and nozzle row 39m is used.
In the ejection head 33, the nozzle row 39a and the nozzle row 39b are shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction. The nozzle row 39c and the nozzle row 39d are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction. Similarly, the nozzle row 39e and the nozzle row 39f are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction, and the nozzle row 39g and the nozzle row 39h are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction. Similarly, the nozzle row 39i and the nozzle row 39j are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction, and the nozzle row 39k and the nozzle row 39m are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction.

The ejection head 33 includes a nozzle plate 46, a cavity plate 47, a vibration plate 48, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 49, as shown in FIG. is doing.
The nozzle plate 46 has a nozzle surface 35. The plurality of nozzles 37 are provided on the nozzle plate 46.
The cavity plate 47 is provided on the surface opposite to the nozzle surface 35 of the nozzle plate 46. A plurality of cavities 51 are formed in the cavity plate 47. Each cavity 51 is provided corresponding to each nozzle 37 and communicates with each corresponding nozzle 37. The functional liquid 53 is supplied to each cavity 51 from a tank (not shown).

The diaphragm 48 is provided on the surface of the cavity plate 47 opposite to the nozzle plate 46 side. The vibration plate 48 vibrates in the Z direction (longitudinal vibration), thereby enlarging or reducing the volume in the cavity 51.
The plurality of piezoelectric elements 49 are respectively provided on the surface of the diaphragm 48 opposite to the cavity plate 47 side. Each piezoelectric element 49 is provided corresponding to each cavity 51 and faces each cavity 51 with the diaphragm 48 interposed therebetween. Each piezoelectric element 49 expands based on the drive signal. Thereby, the diaphragm 48 reduces the volume in the cavity 51. At this time, pressure is applied to the functional liquid 53 in the cavity 51. As a result, the functional liquid 53 is discharged as droplets 55 from the nozzle 37. The method of discharging the droplet 55 by the discharge head 33 is one of ink jet methods. The ink jet method is one of coating methods.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ejection head 33 having the above configuration is supported by the head plate 31 with the nozzle surface 35 protruding from the head plate 31.
As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 9 supports the head unit 13. Here, the head unit 13 is supported by the carriage 9 with the nozzle surface 35 directed downward in the Z direction.
In the present embodiment, the longitudinal vibration type piezoelectric element 49 is adopted, but the pressurizing means for applying pressure to the functional liquid 53 is not limited to this, and for example, the lower electrode and the piezoelectric layer A flexural deformation type piezoelectric element in which an electrode and an upper electrode are laminated may be employed. Further, as the pressurizing means, a so-called electrostatic actuator that generates static electricity between the diaphragm and the electrode, deforms the diaphragm by electrostatic force, and ejects droplets from the nozzles can be employed. Furthermore, the structure which produces a bubble in a nozzle using a heat generating body, and gives a pressure to the functional liquid 53 with the bubble may be employ | adopted.

In the present embodiment, a functional liquid 53 that is cured by being irradiated with light is used as the functional liquid 53. In the present embodiment, ultraviolet light 57 shown in FIG. 3 is employed as light for promoting the curing of the functional liquid 53.
The functional liquid 53 includes a resin material, a photopolymerization initiator, a solvent, and the like as components. By adding functional materials such as pigments, dyes such as dyes, and surface modifying materials such as lyophilicity and liquid repellency to these components, a functional liquid 53 having a specific function can be generated. . The functional liquid 53 containing a pigment such as a pigment or a dye can be employed as the functional liquid 53 for forming an image to be printed on the recording sheet W, for example. Hereinafter, the functional liquid 53 for forming an image to be printed on the recording sheet W is referred to as image paint.

Further, by adopting a light-transmissive resin material such as an acrylic resin material as the resin material as a component of the functional liquid 53, the light-transmissive functional liquid 53 can be configured. Such a light-transmitting functional liquid 53 may be used as a clear ink, for example. Hereinafter, the functional liquid 53 having light transmittance is referred to as a light-transmitting paint.
As the use of the clear ink, for example, a use as an overcoat layer for covering an image, a use as a base layer before forming an image, and the like can be considered. In the following, the functional liquid 53 applied as a base layer is referred to as a base paint.
As the base paint, not only the translucent paint but also a functional liquid 53 in which various pigments are added to the translucent paint can be employed.
The resin material in the functional liquid 53 is a material that forms a resin film. Such a resin material is not particularly limited as long as it is a liquid material at room temperature and becomes a polymer by being polymerized. The resin material preferably has a low viscosity, and is preferably in the form of an oligomer. Furthermore, the resin material is more preferably in the form of a monomer.
The photopolymerization initiator is an additive that acts on the crosslinkable group of the polymer to advance the crosslinking reaction. As the photopolymerization initiator, for example, benzyldimethyl ketal can be employed. In this embodiment, a radical photopolymerization initiator is employed as the photopolymerization initiator. As the radical type photopolymerization initiator, for example, Irgacure 819 manufactured by Ciba Japan Co., Ltd. may be employed.
The solvent is for adjusting the viscosity of the resin material.

In the present embodiment, as the functional liquid 53, five types of image paints having different colors and one type of translucent paint are employed. In the five types of image paints, mutually different colors are yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), and white (W), respectively.
In the following description, when the five types of functional liquid 53 are identified for each color, the notations of the functional liquid 53Y, the functional liquid 53M, the functional liquid 53C, the functional liquid 53K, and the functional liquid 53W are used. In addition, the functional liquid 53 corresponding to the light-transmitting paint is used as a functional liquid 53T.
In the present embodiment, five different color image paints (functional liquid 53) are employed, so that color display in an image can be realized.
In the ejection head 33, the 12 nozzle rows 39 (FIG. 4) described above are divided for each color of the functional liquid 53. In the present embodiment, the nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39a and the nozzle row 39b discharge the functional liquid 53K as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39c and the nozzle row 39d discharge the functional liquid 53C as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39e and the nozzle row 39f discharge the functional liquid 53M as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39g and the nozzle row 39h discharge the functional liquid 53Y as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39i and the nozzle row 39j discharge the functional liquid 53W as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39k and the nozzle row 39m discharge the functional liquid 53T as droplets 55.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two irradiation devices 15 are provided at positions facing each other across the head unit 13 in the X direction. Hereinafter, when identifying each of the two irradiation devices 15, the notation of the irradiation device 15a and the irradiation device 15b is used.
Each of the irradiation device 15 a and the irradiation device 15 b includes a light source 59 that emits ultraviolet light 57. The ultraviolet light 57 from the light source 59 accelerates the curing of the functional liquid 53 ejected from the ejection head 33. When the functional liquid 53 is irradiated with the ultraviolet light 57, curing is accelerated.
As the light source 59, various light sources 59, such as LED, LD, a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, an excimer lamp, can be employ | adopted, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage transport device 11 includes a gantry 61 and a guide rail 63.
The gantry 61 extends in the X direction, and straddles the table device 7 and the conveyance path 28 in the X direction. The gantry 61 faces the table device 7 with the conveyance path 28 interposed therebetween, and faces the placement surface 7a with the conveyance path 28 interposed therebetween. The gantry 61 is supported by a column 67a and a column 67b. The support 67a and the support 67b are provided at positions facing each other in the X direction across the transport path 28 in plan view. The support column 67 a and the support column 67 b protrude above the mounting surface 7 a of the table device 7 in the Z direction. Thereby, a gap is maintained between the gantry 61 and the table device 7.

The guide rail 63 is provided on the table device 7 side of the gantry 61. The guide rail 63 extends along the X direction, and is provided across the width of the gantry 61 in the X direction.
The carriage 9 described above is supported by the guide rail 63. In a state where the carriage 9 is supported by the guide rail 63, the nozzle surface 35 of the discharge head 33 faces the table device 7 side in the Z direction. The carriage 9 is guided along the X direction by the guide rail 63, and is supported by the guide rail 63 so as to reciprocate in the X direction. In a plan view, in a state where the carriage 9 overlaps the table device 7, the nozzle surface 35 and the mounting surface 7 a of the table device 7 face each other with a gap therebetween.

The carriage 9 is configured to reciprocate in the X direction by a moving mechanism and a power source (not shown). As the moving mechanism, for example, a mechanism combining a ball screw and a ball nut, a linear guide mechanism, or the like may be employed. In the present embodiment, a carriage transport motor described later is employed as a power source for moving the carriage 9 along the X direction. As the carriage conveyance motor, various motors such as a stepping motor, a servo motor, and a linear motor can be employed.
The power from the carriage transport motor is transmitted to the carriage 9 via the moving mechanism. Thus, the carriage 9 can reciprocate along the guide rail 63, that is, along the X direction. That is, the carriage conveyance device 11 can reciprocate the head unit 13 supported by the carriage 9 along the X direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first regulating roller 12 a is provided on the upstream side of the head unit 13 in the Y direction that is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet W.
The second regulating roller 12 b is provided on the downstream side of the head unit 13 in the Y direction, which is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet W. The first restriction roller 12a and the second restriction roller 12b each extend along the X direction.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first regulating roller 12a and the second regulating roller 12b are provided on the opposite side of the recording sheet W from the table device 7 side, that is, on the head unit 13 side of the recording sheet W, as shown in FIG. It has been. The first regulating roller 12a and the second regulating roller 12b are respectively provided at positions facing the table device 7 with the recording sheet W interposed therebetween.
The first regulating roller 12 a and the second regulating roller 12 b are configured to be rotatable with the outer circumference in contact with the recording sheet W. The recording sheet W is conveyed in a state of being sandwiched between the first regulating roller 12 a and the second regulating roller 12 b and the table device 7.

Here, the configuration of the table device 7 will be described in detail.
The table device 7 includes a first roller 71a, a second roller 71b, a suction belt 73, and a suction as shown in FIG. A box 75, a drive motor 77, and a suction device 78 are included.
The first roller 71 a is provided upstream of the ejection head 33 in the Y direction, which is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet W. Further, the second roller 71 b is provided on the downstream side of the ejection head 33 in the Y direction, which is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet W. That is, the first roller 71a and the second roller 71b are provided at positions facing each other across the ejection head 33 in the Y direction in a plan view with respect to the XY plane. Each of the first roller 71a and the second roller 71b extends along the X direction.

The suction belt 73 is configured by an endless belt, and spans between the first roller 71a and the second roller 71b. The suction belt 73 is provided with a plurality of suction holes (not shown) penetrating between the outer periphery and the inner periphery.
The suction box 75 is provided between the first roller 71 a and the second roller 71 b and is housed inside the suction belt 73. The suction box 75 is provided with a top plate portion 75a on the recording sheet W side. The top plate portion 75a is provided with a plurality of suction holes 75b penetrating between the inside and the outside of the suction box 75.

  The pressure state inside the suction box 75 is maintained in a state where the pressure is reduced to a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure (hereinafter referred to as a reduced pressure state) by a suction device 78 such as a suction fan or a suction pump. Thereby, the air outside the suction box 75 is sucked into the suction box 75 from the suction hole 75b. As a result, a suction force to the suction belt 73 acts on the recording sheet W placed on the suction belt 73 through a suction hole (not shown) of the suction belt 73. Thereby, the recording sheet W can be sucked and held on the table device 7.

The table device 7 is configured to be movable up and down in the Z direction, and is biased toward the ejection head 33 by a biasing member 81. The rising position of the table device 7 is regulated by the first regulating roller 12a and the second regulating roller 12b. For this reason, the recording sheet W attracted and held on the table device 7 is sandwiched between the table device 7 and the first regulating roller 12a and the second regulating roller 12b.
The drive motor 77 generates power for rotationally driving the second roller 71b. The power from the drive motor 77 is transmitted to the second roller 71b through the power transmission mechanism 79. Thereby, the recording sheet W sandwiched between the table device 7 and the first regulating roller 12a and the second regulating roller 12b can be conveyed in the Y direction which is the conveying direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the droplet discharge device 1 includes a control unit 111 that controls the operation of each of the above-described configurations. The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 113, a drive control unit 115, and a memory unit 117. The drive control unit 115 and the memory unit 117 are connected to the CPU 113 via the bus 119.
In addition, the droplet discharge device 1 includes a carriage transport motor 121, an input device 129, and a display device 131.
The carriage transport motor 121, the input device 129, and the display device 131 are connected to the control unit 111 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119, respectively.

The carriage transport motor 121 generates power for driving the carriage 9.
The input device 129 is a device for inputting various processing conditions.
The display device 131 is a device that displays processing conditions and work status.
An operator who operates the droplet discharge device 1 can input various information via the input device 129 while confirming information displayed on the display device 131.
The delivery motor 23, the winding motor 27, the drive motor 77, the ejection head 33, the two irradiation devices 15, and the suction device 78 are also connected to the control unit 111 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119, respectively. Has been.

The CPU 113 performs various arithmetic processes as a processor. The drive control unit 115 controls driving of each component. The memory unit 117 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. In the memory unit 117, an area for storing the program software 135 in which the operation control procedure in the droplet discharge device 1 is described, a data development unit 137 that is an area for temporarily developing various data, and the like are set. Yes. Examples of data expanded in the data expansion unit 137 include print data indicating a pattern to be printed, program data such as print processing, and the like.
The drive control unit 115 includes a motor control unit 141, a discharge control unit 145, an irradiation control unit 147, a suction control unit 149, and a display control unit 153.

The motor control unit 141 individually controls driving of the delivery motor 23, driving of the winding motor 27, driving of the driving motor 77, and driving of the carriage transport motor 121 based on a command from the CPU 113.
The discharge controller 145 controls the driving of the discharge head 33 based on a command from the CPU 113.
The irradiation control unit 147 individually controls the light emission state of the light source 59 in each of the irradiation device 15a and the irradiation device 15b based on a command from the CPU 113.
The suction control unit 149 controls driving of the suction device 78 based on a command from the CPU 113.
The display control unit 153 controls driving of the display device 131 based on a command from the CPU 113.

Here, the printing process in the droplet discharge device 1 will be described.
In the droplet discharge device 1, when the control unit 111 receives print data from the input device 129 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119, the CPU 113 starts print processing illustrated in FIG. 8.
Here, the print data indicates a pattern to be printed on the recording sheet W with the functional liquid 53 (liquid material), and the pattern to be printed is expressed in a bitmap form. Pattern printing on the recording sheet W is performed by causing the ejection head 33 to reciprocate relative to the recording sheet W while the ejection head 33 is opposed to the recording sheet W. It is performed by discharging at a predetermined cycle.

  In the printing process, the CPU 113 first outputs a carriage conveyance command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 7) in step S1. At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the carriage transport motor 121 to move the carriage 9 to the forward path start position of the printing area. Here, the print area is an area where the placement surface 7a of the table device 7 shown in FIG. 2 and the locus drawn along the X direction by the ejection head 33 overlap in a plan view. The forward path start position is a position where the forward path when the carriage 9 is reciprocated is started. In the present embodiment, the forward path start position is located on the column 67a side of the table device 7 in the X direction. The forward path start position is located outside the table device 7 in plan view.

  Next, in step S2, the CPU 113 outputs a sheet conveyance command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 7). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the take-up motor 27, the drive of the delivery motor 23, and the drive of the drive motor 77, and moves the area to be printed on the recording sheet W to the print area. At this time, the motor control unit 141 drives the take-up motor 27 and the delivery motor 23 in directions to convey the recording sheet W from the delivery device 3 (FIG. 1) toward the take-up device 5. The motor control unit 141 drives the drive motor 77 in conjunction with the operation of the winding device 5. Thereby, the conveyance of the recording sheet W by the winding device 5 and the conveyance of the recording sheet W by the table device 7 can be linked.

Next, in step S3, the CPU 113 outputs a stationary command for the delivery motor 23 and the drive motor 77 to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 7). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the delivery motor 23 and the drive motor 77 to make the delivery motor 23 and the drive motor 77 stationary.
At this time, the delivery motor 23 is controlled to be in an electrically stationary state, that is, in a braked state. At this time, the power supply to the drive motor 77 is stopped. For this reason, the drive motor 77 is in a state capable of idling.
On the other hand, the winding motor 27 is maintained in a driven state. For this reason, the recording sheet W is pulled in a direction in which the conveyance is stopped and the distance from each other in the Y direction. Thereby, a tension is applied to the recording sheet W along the Y direction.
Next, in step S4, the CPU 113 outputs a suction command to the suction control unit 149 (FIG. 7). At this time, the suction control unit 149 controls the driving of the suction device 78 to operate the suction device 78. Thereby, the recording sheet W is attracted to the table device 7.

Next, in step S5, the CPU 113 outputs a carriage scanning command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 7). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the carriage transport motor 121 to start the reciprocation of the carriage 9.
Here, in the reciprocating movement of the carriage 9, the carriage 9 reciprocates between the above-described forward path start position and the backward path start position. That is, the path that returns from the forward path start position to the forward path start position and returns to the forward path start position is one round trip of the carriage 9. For this reason, in this embodiment, the path from the forward path start position to the return path start position is the forward path of the carriage 9. On the other hand, the path from the return path start position to the forward path start position is the return path of the carriage 9.
The return path start position is a position facing the forward path start position with the table device 7 (FIG. 2) sandwiched in the X direction. The return path start position is located outside the table device 7 in plan view. For this reason, the forward path start position and the backward path start position are opposed to each other with the table device 7 sandwiched in the X direction in plan view.
Next, in step S6, the CPU 113 outputs an irradiation command for the irradiation device 15a to the irradiation control unit 147 (FIG. 7). At this time, the irradiation control unit 147 controls the driving of the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15a to turn on the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15a.

Next, in step S7, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 7). At this time, the discharge control unit 145 controls the drive of the discharge head 33 and discharges the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37 based on the print data. Thereby, printing in the forward path is performed.
Next, in step S8, the CPU 113 determines whether or not the position of the carriage 9 has reached the return path start position. At this time, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 9 has reached the return path start position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 9 has not reached the return path start position (No), the process waits until the position of the carriage 9 reaches the return path start position.

In step S9, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge stop command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 7). At this time, the ejection control unit 145 stops driving the ejection head 33 and stops ejection of the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37. Thereby, the printing in the forward path is completed.
Next, in step S10, the CPU 113 outputs a stop command for the irradiation device 15a to the irradiation control unit 147 (FIG. 7). At this time, the irradiation control unit 147 controls the driving of the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15a to turn off the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15a.
Next, in step S11, the CPU 113 outputs a suction release command to the suction control unit 149 (FIG. 7). At this time, the suction control unit 149 stops the suction device 78. Thereby, the adsorption | suction of the recording sheet W to the table apparatus 7 is cancelled | released.

  Next, in step S12, the CPU 113 outputs a sheet conveyance command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 7). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the take-up motor 27, the drive of the delivery motor 23, and the drive of the drive motor 77, and moves the area to be newly printed on the recording sheet W to the print area. Let At this time, the motor control unit 141 drives the take-up motor 27 and the delivery motor 23 in directions to convey the recording sheet W from the delivery device 3 (FIG. 1) toward the take-up device 5. The motor control unit 141 drives the drive motor 77 in conjunction with the operation of the winding device 5. Thereby, the conveyance of the recording sheet W by the winding device 5 and the conveyance of the recording sheet W by the table device 7 can be linked.

Next, in step S <b> 13, the CPU 113 outputs a stationary command for the delivery motor 23 and the drive motor 77 to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 7). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the delivery motor 23 and the drive motor 77 to make the delivery motor 23 and the drive motor 77 stationary.
At this time, as in step S3, the recording sheet W stops being transported and is pulled away from each other in the Y direction. Thereby, a tension is applied to the recording sheet W along the Y direction.
Next, in step S14, the CPU 113 outputs a suction command to the suction control unit 149 (FIG. 7). At this time, the suction control unit 149 controls the driving of the suction device 78 to operate the suction device 78. Thereby, the recording sheet W is attracted to the table device 7.

Next, in step S15, the CPU 113 outputs an irradiation command for the irradiation device 15b to the irradiation control unit 147 (FIG. 7). At this time, the irradiation control unit 147 controls the driving of the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15b to turn on the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15b.
Next, in step S16, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 7). At this time, the discharge control unit 145 controls the drive of the discharge head 33 and discharges the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37 based on the print data. As a result, printing on the return path is performed.
Next, in step S17, the CPU 113 determines whether or not the position of the carriage 9 has reached the forward path start position. At this time, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 9 has reached the forward path start position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 9 has not reached the forward path start position (No), the process waits until the position of the carriage 9 reaches the forward path start position.

In step S18, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge stop command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 7). At this time, the ejection control unit 145 stops driving the ejection head 33 and stops ejection of the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37. As a result, printing in the return path is completed.
Next, in step S19, the CPU 113 outputs a stop command for the irradiation device 15b to the irradiation control unit 147 (FIG. 7). At this time, the irradiation control unit 147 controls the driving of the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15b to turn off the light source 59 of the irradiation device 15b.
Next, in step S20, the CPU 113 outputs a suction release command to the suction control unit 149 (FIG. 7). At this time, the suction control unit 149 stops the suction device 78. Thereby, the adsorption | suction of the recording sheet W to the table apparatus 7 is cancelled | released.
Next, in step S21, the CPU 113 determines whether or not the print data has been completed. At this time, if it is determined that the print data is finished (Yes), the process is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print data has not ended (No), the process proceeds to step S2.

In the present embodiment, the recording sheet W corresponds to the print medium, the ejection head 33 corresponds to the print head, the first restriction roller 12a corresponds to the first restriction member, and the second restriction roller 12b serves as the second restriction member. Correspondingly, the table device 7 corresponds to the support device, the suction belt 73 corresponds to the belt, and the suction box 75 corresponds to the suction device.
In the present embodiment, the table device 7 is urged toward the ejection head 33 by the urging member 81 with the recording sheet W supported from below in the Z direction. In this state, the height position of the recording sheet W in the Z direction is regulated by the first regulating roller 12a and the second regulating roller 12b. As a result, the gap between the ejection head 33 and the recording sheet W can be easily kept constant regardless of the thickness of the recording sheet W. Thereby, it is possible to easily improve the print quality in the droplet discharge device 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first restriction roller 12a and the second restriction roller 12b are each configured by a roller that can rotate while being in contact with the recording sheet W. For this reason, it is possible to easily reduce the frictional force between the first regulating roller 12a and the second regulating roller 12b and the recording sheet W. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the printing quality in the droplet discharge device 1.
In the present embodiment, the table device 7 includes a suction belt 73 that can rotate while supporting the recording sheet W. For this reason, it is possible to easily reduce the frictional force between the table device 7 and the recording sheet W. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the printing quality in the droplet discharge device 1.
In the present embodiment, the table device 7 has a suction box 75. Thereby, the recording sheet W can be sucked and held on the table device 7. For this reason, the gap between the ejection head 33 and the recording sheet W can be more easily maintained. As a result, it is possible to further improve the printing quality in the droplet discharge device 1.

In the present embodiment, a process for stopping the sending motor 23 is employed in each of the processes of step S3 and step S13 of the printing process. Thereby, a tension along the Y direction is applied to the recording sheet W. However, the method for applying the tension along the Y direction to the recording sheet W is not limited to this. As a method for applying a tension along the Y direction to the recording sheet W, for example, a method of reversing the driving direction of the feeding motor 23 in each of the processes of step S3 and step S13 of the printing process may be employed.
In this embodiment, a compression spring is employed as the urging member 81 (FIG. 6), but the urging member 81 is not limited to this. As the urging member 81, for example, a tension spring may be employed. Even in the case of a tension spring, the urging member 81 is provided in such a manner that the table device 7 is urged toward the ejection head 33 side.

In the present embodiment, as a method of applying the functional liquid 53 to the recording sheet W, an ink jet method which is one of application methods is employed. However, the coating method is not limited to the inkjet method, and a dispensing method or the like can also be employed. However, adopting the ink jet method is preferable in that an arbitrary amount of the functional liquid 53 can be easily applied to an arbitrary portion of the recording sheet W.
In this embodiment, five types of image paints of yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and white are employed. However, the color of the image paint is not limited to these five types. As the color of the image paint, for example, one kind or more of any kind of image paint such as seven kinds obtained by adding light cyan or light magenta to these five kinds may be employed.
In the present embodiment, the liquid material is ejected from the head unit 13 as droplets while changing the relative position of the head unit 13 and the recording sheet W in plan view. The serial head type liquid droplet ejection device that prints the print pattern is a line type head that is fixed with the position adjusted with respect to the recording sheet W, and the recording of the line head It is also possible to take the form of a line head type droplet discharge device including an irradiation device arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path 28 of the sheet W.
According to this embodiment, the functional liquid 53 can be discharged by the line head while the recording sheet W is continuously conveyed without being stopped, and the functional liquid 53 can be subsequently cured by the irradiation device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Droplet discharge apparatus, 3 ... Delivery apparatus, 5 ... Winding apparatus, 7 ... Table apparatus, 7a ... Mounting surface, 12a ... 1st control roller, 12b ... 2nd control roller, 13 ... Head unit, 15a, 15b ... irradiation device, 19a, 19b ... roll, 28 ... conveyance path, 33 ... discharge head, 35 ... nozzle surface, 53 ... functional liquid, 55 ... droplet, 71a ... first roller, 71b ... second roller, 73 ... Suction belt, 75 ... suction box, 75a ... top plate portion, 75b ... suction hole, 77 ... drive motor, 78 ... suction device, 79 ... power transmission mechanism, 81 ... biasing member, W ... recording sheet.

Claims (5)

A print head that prints on the print medium in a state facing the print medium conveyed in the conveyance direction;
A first regulating member that is provided on the print head side of the print medium upstream of the print head in the transport direction and regulates a gap between the print head and the print medium;
A second regulating member provided on the print head side of the print medium downstream of the print head in the transport direction and regulating a gap between the print head and the print medium;
The print medium is provided at a position opposite to the print head side of the print medium and facing the print head, the first restriction member, and the second restriction member, and the print medium is the print head side of the print medium. A support device for supporting from the opposite side;
A biasing member that biases the support device toward the print head.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The first restricting member and the second restricting member are composed of rollers that are rotatable in contact with the print medium.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The support device includes a belt that can rotate while supporting the print medium.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2. The support device includes an adsorption device that adsorbs the print medium.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. The adsorption device adsorbs the print medium by suction;
The printing apparatus according to claim 4.

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