JP2012223960A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit recording maintaining recording quality to be carried on even when LEDs and the like fail during the recording and a user to choose between recording giving priority to the maintenance of the recording quality and recording giving priority to the recording speed over the recording quality.SOLUTION: The recorder includes a recording execution section executing recording by discharging a photoreactive liquid from the rows of nozzles of a recording head, a light irradiation section having a plurality of rows of light-emitting elements which are made by lining up the light-emitting elements causing the photoreactive liquid to chemically change by irradiating with light the photoreactive liquid in the same direction as the rows of nozzles, a failure detection section detecting failure of the light-emitting elements and a control section controlling the actions of the recording execution section and the actions of the light irradiation section, respectively. The control section has a first recording mode giving priority to the maintenance of recording quality and a second recording mode giving priority to the setting of recoding finishing time before and after the failure as action modes into which it moves when the failure detection section detects the failure of the light-emitting elements. The first or the second recording mode is chosen by the user's choosing operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording execution unit configured to perform recording by ejecting liquid from a recording head to a recording material, and to control a recording execution operation of the recording execution unit. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus comprising a unit.

  Conventionally, recording having a nozzle row in which a large number of nozzle openings for discharging photocurable ink (for example, ultraviolet (UV) curable ink) is arranged on a recording surface of a recording material (hereinafter also referred to as “paper”). A light irradiating unit having a head, and a light emitting element array in which a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, LEDs: Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged to irradiate the discharged photocurable ink with light to cure the photocurable ink Are developed as shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below.

  In the case of a recording apparatus of the type in which the recording head is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in a direction crossing the paper conveyance direction, the recording head is converted into a photocurable ink during both the forward movement and the backward movement of the recording head. In order to irradiate light, as shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below, the light emitting element arrays are arranged one by one on the left and right sides of the nozzle arrays of the respective colors.

  Further, the recording apparatus uses a heat-setting ink different from the photo-curable ink, and the recording execution unit includes a heater unit that heat-solidifies the heat-setting ink discharged to the recording material. There is also a device.

JP 2005-104108 A JP 2004-314304 A

However, a conventional recording apparatus such as a recording apparatus using the photocurable ink or a recording apparatus using the heat-setting ink has a single recording quality, for example, “normal quality” for one type of recording material. When recording, the recording speed corresponds to one. In other words, the recording quality changes as the recording speed is changed.
Therefore, if the recording speed is changed during recording, recording is performed with different recording qualities before and after the change of the recording speed, and there is a problem that the recording quality is not kept constant.

More specifically, for example, in a recording apparatus that uses photocurable ink, a failure occurs in a light emitting element such as an LED that constitutes the light emitting element array, and the light emitting element array to which the failed light emitting element belongs is used. When recording is continued by irradiating light only with the remaining light emitting element rows, the total light irradiation amount decreases due to the failure at the recording speed before the failure occurs, and there is a risk of insufficient curing of the photocurable ink. As a result, the recording quality may be degraded.
In this case, if the relative movement speed of the light irradiation portion with respect to the recording material is decreased to reduce the recording speed, that is, the light irradiation time is lengthened, the problem of insufficient curing of the photocurable ink can be suppressed. it can. However, since the recording quality is changed by changing the recording speed as described above, there arises a problem that the recording is continued with a recording quality different from the recording quality before the occurrence of the failure, that is, the recording quality is not maintained.

Further, in a recording apparatus that uses heat-setting ink, when a part of the heater unit fails and the power is reduced, there is a risk of ink solidification failure, and as a result, the recording quality may be reduced.
In this case, the problem of ink solidification failure can be suppressed by reducing the recording speed in order to compensate for the reduced power, that is, by increasing the heat solidification time. However, since the recording quality changes as the recording speed changes as described above, there arises a problem that the recording is continued with a recording quality different from the recording quality before the failure occurs, that is, the recording quality is not maintained.

  For example, if it is possible to execute recording with one recording quality such as “normal quality” even if the recording speed is changed, that is, with different recording speeds, the above problem can be reduced. It wasn't.

  Further, priorities required when a user obtains a recorded matter using a recording apparatus are not uniform. Depending on the use of the recorded material, the current priority may be to obtain the recorded material in a short time rather than the recording quality. In this case, it is not in accordance with the user's request that the failure occurs during recording and the recording speed is reduced to compensate for the failure.

  The object of the present invention is that even if a failure occurs in a part of a light emitting element such as an LED or a heater part during recording, it is possible to continue recording while maintaining the recording quality before and after the failure, and the recording quality. It is intended to allow the user to select recording that prioritizes maintenance of recording and recording that prioritizes recording speed (recording end time) over recording quality.

  According to a first aspect of the recording apparatus of the present invention, a recording execution unit configured to perform recording by discharging a photoreaction liquid from a nozzle row of a recording head onto a recording material, and a recording execution speed is variable, A light irradiating section having a plurality of light emitting element rows in which light emitting elements that irradiate light to the discharged photoreaction liquid to chemically change the photoreaction liquid are arranged in the same direction as the nozzle rows; and each light emitting element A failure detection unit that detects a failure of each light-emitting element forming a row, and a control unit that controls each operation of the recording execution unit and the light irradiation unit, the control unit, the failure detection unit The first recording mode that prioritizes the maintenance of recording quality before and after the failure and the second recording mode that prioritizes the setting of the recording end time are provided as operation modes to be shifted when a failure of the light emitting element is detected. Recording mode and second recording mode are user And it is characterized in that it is configured as determined by the user's selecting operation from the work unit.

Here, “light” used in this specification means visible light generally having a short wavelength side of 360 nm to 400 nm and a long wavelength side of 760 nm to 830 nm, and a wavelength of about 1 nm to 380 nm which is shorter than the visible light. In addition to the range including ultraviolet rays and infrared rays having a wavelength longer than that of visible light of about 780 nm to 1 mm, it is used in a broad sense including electromagnetic waves having wavelengths shorter than those of ultraviolet rays and electromagnetic waves having wavelengths longer than those of infrared rays. To do. This is to simplify the explanation.
Therefore, in the case of “photoreaction liquid”, in order to simplify the explanation, in addition to the range of visible light, ultraviolet rays, and infrared rays, which are generally regarded as light ranges, short wavelengths or out of these ranges are used. It shall mean various liquids that chemically change in response to long-wave electromagnetic waves.

The recording quality in the recording apparatus refers to, for example, ultra-high quality (hereinafter also referred to as “ultra high image quality”) or high quality (hereinafter referred to as “high image quality”) prepared in advance in the recording apparatus for one type of recording material. Also called normal quality (hereinafter also referred to as “normal image quality”). In actual operation, it is generally distinguished by “image quality priority”, “recording speed priority”, and the like, and is generally executed by allowing the user to select them. For example, when the user selects “Image quality priority”, “Super high quality (Ultra high image quality)” or “High quality (High image quality)” is recorded, and when “Recording speed priority” is selected, “Normal quality (Normal image quality)” is executed. ) "Is recorded.
That is, “image quality priority” is to execute recording with a high recording quality but a low recording speed, that is, a long recording time, while “recording speed priority” is normal recording quality. The recording speed is high, that is, the recording time is short.

  In this embodiment, “prioritizing maintenance of recording quality before and after failure” means that the quality such as ultra-high quality, high quality, and normal quality prepared in advance is maintained even before and after the failure. The identity of each level of quality does not require strict identity. A range in which the user will visually recognize the same quality is preset.

According to this aspect, the control unit, as the operation mode to be shifted when the failure detection unit detects a failure of the light emitting element, the first recording mode prioritizing the maintenance of the recording quality before and after the failure and the recording end A second recording mode that prioritizes time setting is provided. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in a part of a light emitting element such as an LED or a heater part during recording, it is possible to continue recording with recording quality maintained before and after the failure by the first recording mode.
Furthermore, since the first recording mode and the second recording mode are configured to be determined by the user's selection operation from the user operation unit, it is possible to continue recording that meets the user's request even after a failure. is there.

  According to a second aspect of the recording apparatus of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first recording mode is configured to execute recording with at least one recording quality at different recording speeds. It is what.

Here, “execute recording at one recording quality at different recording speeds” means, for example, a “normal quality” recording operation not only at one recording speed V1, but also at a recording speed V2 different from the speed V1. It means that it is configured to be executable. This can be realized by changing the recording head drive waveform (also referred to as “liquid ejection waveform”) and the liquid ejection timing in accordance with the recording speed V2.
It should be noted that the identities of the quality of the recording results of “one recording quality (for example,“ normal quality ”) recorded at different recording speeds, for example, the speeds V1 and V2, do not require strict identity. A range in which the user will visually recognize the same quality is set in advance, and the “different recording speed” is set in accordance with the set range.

  According to this aspect, for example, recording with one recording quality such as “normal quality” can be performed even when the recording speed is changed. Therefore, the problem that the recording quality caused by changing the recording speed is not maintained can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the recording apparatus of the present invention, in the second aspect, the first recording mode includes a maintenance level 1, a maintenance level 2,... And a plurality of modes of maintenance level N, and the maintenance level is determined by the selection operation of the user.

  According to this aspect, since the user can select the degree of maintaining the recording quality before and after the failure, it is possible to continue recording that further meets the user's request.

  A fourth aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the second recording mode is configured such that the recording execution speed is increased in order from the higher recording execution speed. A plurality of modes of level 1, speed level 2,..., Speed level N are provided, and the speed level is determined by the user's selection operation.

  According to this aspect, the user can select the priority of the recording speed before and after the failure, so that it is possible to continue recording that further meets the user's request.

  According to a fifth aspect of the recording apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, each light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements connected in series. The number of columns N1 of the light emitting element columns used by the light irradiation unit and the recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the number of columns N1, and the number N1 of the light emitting element columns used by the light irradiation unit. The recording is executed while maintaining the recording quality in the first recording mode by switching the recording execution corresponding to the small number of columns N2 and the recording execution speed V2 lower than the recording execution speed V1. It is comprised by these.

According to this aspect, the light irradiation unit is provided with a plurality of light emitting element rows.
Therefore, when all of the light emitting element rows in a plurality of rows are turned on and used, it is sufficient that the total light irradiation amount due to the total lighting satisfies the necessary amount for chemically changing the photoreaction liquid. The amount of light emitted from the light emitting element can be set to a lower level than in the case of the conventional single-row structure. Thereby, the load accompanying light emission of each issuing element is reduced, and the possibility of failure of the light emitting element can be reduced.

In addition, it is possible to light a part of the light emitting element rows instead of lighting them.
In this case, the irradiation amount per light emitting element is larger than in the case of full lighting, but it can be set to a lower level than in the case of the conventional single-row structure, and lighting is performed for each irradiation. It is possible to use the combination of light emitting element rows to be recombined and changed in all rows. This usage reduces the usage frequency (lighting frequency) of each light-emitting element, so that the load associated with light emission is reduced from this point as well, and the risk of failure of the light-emitting element can be reduced.

Further, according to this aspect, the control unit performs the recording execution at the recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the number N1 of the light emitting element columns used by the light irradiation unit and the number N1, and the light irradiation unit uses. Recording in the first recording mode is performed by switching the recording execution speed V2 corresponding to the number N2 of the light emitting element arrays N1 and the number N2 of the light emitting elements, and lower than the recording execution speed V1. It is configured to perform recording while maintaining quality.
Accordingly, in a recording apparatus using a photoreactive liquid such as a photocurable ink and having a plurality of issuing element arrays, a failure occurs in a light emitting element such as an LED constituting the light emitting element array, and the light emitting element in which the failure has occurred Recording is performed by irradiating light with only the remaining light-emitting element rows (the number of light-emitting element rows to be used is reduced from N1 to N2) without using the light-emitting element row to which it belongs, and reducing the recording speed (decreasing from speed V1 to V2) Even when the recording is continued, the recording quality can be kept unchanged. Thereby, even if the recording speed is changed based on a failure of a light emitting element such as an LED, the problem that the recording quality is not maintained can be reduced.
In particular, it can be said that the effect of maintaining the recording quality before and after the occurrence of a failure in the continuation of recording when a failure occurs in a light emitting element such as an LED during the recording is great.

  According to a sixth aspect of the recording apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the recording execution unit includes a heater unit that heats and solidifies the discharged liquid. The control unit executes the recording at the first power W1 of the heater unit and the recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the first power W1, the second power W2 lower than the first power W1, and the second power. It is configured to perform recording while maintaining the recording quality in the first recording mode by switching between recording execution corresponding to W2 and recording execution speed V2 lower than the recording execution speed V1. It is what.

According to this aspect, the control unit executes the recording at the first power W1 of the heater unit and the recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the first power W1, and the second power W2 lower than the first power W1. And recording corresponding to the second power W2 and switching the recording execution at the recording execution speed V2 lower than the recording execution speed V1 so as to execute the recording maintaining the recording quality in the first recording mode. Yes.
Therefore, in a recording apparatus using a heat-solidifying ink and having a heater unit, when a part of the heater unit fails and the power is reduced, the recording is continued at a lower recording speed to compensate for the reduced power. Even in this case, the recording quality can be kept unchanged. This can reduce the problem that the recording quality is not maintained even when the recording speed is changed based on a partial failure of the heater section.

1 is a front view of a main part illustrating a schematic configuration of an internal structure of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part illustrating a schematic configuration of an internal structure of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is a front view of a main part illustrating a schematic configuration of an internal structure of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation at the time of executing a normal mode of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of the entire operation when the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention executes a failure mode. 3 is a flowchart showing details of an operation when executing a failure mode of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. 2 is a block diagram showing different internal structures (A) and (B) of the control unit of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view of a main part showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the recording apparatus 1 of the present invention and the recording according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 7, the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, and the third embodiment shown in FIG. The operation mode of the device 1 will be specifically described.
In the following description, first, the basic configuration of the recording apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2, and then each of the first to third embodiments described above regarding the characteristic configuration of the present invention. Will be described in turn.

[Example 1] (See FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 7)
The illustrated recording apparatus 1 is an ink jet printer 1 capable of band-feed printing (using the same reference numeral as “recording apparatus”). The ink jet printer 1 irradiates a recording execution unit 22 including a recording head 2 having a nozzle array 13 for discharging a photoreactive liquid C onto a recording material P, and light E to the discharged photoreactive liquid C. A light emitting section 11 having a light emitting element row 3 in which LEDs (light emitting diodes) 15 as chemical light emitting elements that chemically change the photoreaction liquid C are arranged in the same direction as the nozzle row 13; and each light emitting element row 3 The failure detection unit 12 that detects a failure of each LED 15 that forms the LED 15 and the control unit 10 that controls the recording execution operation of the recording execution unit 22 and the operation of the light irradiation unit 11 are provided.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 11 includes a plurality of light emitting element rows 3 arranged, and each light emitting element row 3 is connected in series with LEDs 15 which are a plurality of light emitting elements.
Further, the control unit 10 uses a first recording mode (hereinafter referred to as “recording quality maintenance mode”) that prioritizes maintenance of recording quality before and after the failure as an operation mode to be shifted when the failure detection unit 12 detects a failure of the LED 15. And the second recording mode (hereinafter also referred to as “recording speed priority mode”), and the first recording mode and the second recording mode are controlled from the user operation unit 42 of the operation panel. It is configured to be determined by the user's selection operation.

  The control unit 10 is configured to be able to execute recording with at least one recording quality at different recording speeds. The control unit 10 performs the recording execution at the number N1 of the light emitting element columns 3 used by the light irradiation unit 11 and the recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the number of columns N1, and the light emitting elements used by the light irradiation unit 11. The number of columns N2 smaller than the number of columns N1 of column 3 and the number of columns N2 and the recording execution speed V2 (V2 <V1) lower than the recording execution speed V1 are switched to switch the first The recording quality in the recording mode is maintained, that is, the recording with the one recording quality can be executed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first recording mode includes a plurality of modes of maintenance level 1, maintenance level 2,..., Maintenance level N in order from the higher recording quality maintenance level to the user's level. The maintenance level is determined by the selection operation.

  In the present embodiment, the second recording mode also includes a plurality of modes of speed level 1, speed level 2,..., Speed level N in order from the higher recording execution speed to the lower recording execution speed. The speed level is determined.

  Specifically, when the failure detection unit 12 detects a failure of the LED 15, the control unit 10 uses the remaining light emitting element rows 3 excluding the light emitting element row 3 to which the failed LED 15 belongs (the number of columns N 2 ( N2 <N1)) It is configured to shift to a failure mode for executing recording. As the first recording mode of the failure mode, the relative movement speed V2 when the recording head 2 and the light irradiation unit 11 perform the recording with respect to the recording material P is set to the relative movement in the normal mode without the occurrence of the failure. It can be set slower than the speed V1.

  Further, the first recording mode is configured such that the photoreactive liquid C is discharged from the recording head 2 onto the paper P in a recording mode in which the recording quality does not change even when the recording speed is lowered (V1 → V2). The recording mode in which the recording quality does not change even when the recording speed decreases (V1 → V2) is a recording waveform of the recording head 2 in the piezo type head driving circuit (also referred to as “ejection waveform” of the photoreaction liquid C) and light. This is realized by changing the discharge timing of the reaction liquid C in accordance with the slower recording speed V2. The drive waveform of the recording head 2 corresponds to the amount of ink ejected from a nozzle port 14 (to be described later) of the recording head 2, and the amount of ink changes by changing the drive waveform, thereby adjusting the recording quality. Can do.

Hereinafter, each component will be specifically described.
The ink jet printer 1 includes a transport device 4 that can intermittently transport the paper P by a predetermined band feed amount in the transport direction A, and a nozzle array 13 in which a plurality of nozzle openings 14 are arranged in the same direction as the transport direction A. It has. A plurality of the nozzle rows 13 are arranged in a direction B intersecting the transport direction A (reference numerals 13W, 13C, 13M, 13Y, and 13K in the figure). Then, the recording surface of the paper P is applied to the recording surface of the paper P by ultraviolet (UV) curable ink (using the same symbol C), which is an example of the photoreaction liquid C discharged from the plurality of nozzle openings 14 forming the nozzle row 13. A recording head 2 for forming a desired background or image is provided.

In the present specification, the “band” means a recording execution area or a recording executed having a width corresponding to the nozzle row length of the nozzle row 13 arranged in the carrying direction A of the paper P in the carrying direction. Means.
The “band feed amount” means a feed amount for actually transporting the paper P when performing the recording for each band.

  Further, the inkjet printer 1 includes the carriage 5 mounted with the recording head 2 and reciprocatingly moved in the intersecting direction B, and the carriage so as to be arranged side by side on the intersecting direction B side of the recording head 2. 5, the UV curable ink C, which is an example of the light E, is applied to the UV curable ink C discharged from the nozzle ports 14 to irradiate the ultraviolet (UV) curable ink. And a light irradiation unit 11 including a light emitting element array 3 formed by a plurality of LEDs 15 that chemically change (for example, cure) C.

The light emitting element rows 3 are arranged in a plurality of rows in the direction B intersecting the transport direction A of the paper P. Details of this point will be described later.
Further, the ultraviolet ray E irradiated from one LED 15 forming the light emitting element array 3 is cured by the ultraviolet curable ink C discharged separately from the plurality of nozzle openings 14 forming the nozzle array 13. Is used.
In the present embodiment, the ultraviolet curable ink C discharged from about 36 nozzle openings 14 can be cured at once by ultraviolet rays E emitted from one LED 15.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the transport device 4 is provided at a transport roller 7 constituted by a pair of nip rollers provided at an upstream position of the recording execution area 6 and at a downstream position of the recording execution area 6. It is comprised as an example by providing the discharge roller 8 comprised similarly by a pair of nip roller.
The motor 9 that drives the transport roller 7 and the discharge roller 8 receives a signal 31 for instructing transport of the band feed amount from the control unit 10 to be described later, so that the paper P is fed by the band feed amount. It is configured to be sent intermittently.

In this embodiment, the recording head 2 is provided with two types, ie, a first recording head 2A that ejects the base ink C1 and a second recording head 2B that ejects the image forming ink C2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first recording head 2A is disposed on the left side, and a second recording head 2B is disposed on the right side in FIGS.
Of these, the first recording head 2A is provided with a nozzle row 13W that discharges the base ink C1, such as white (W), gold (G), and silver (S). Further, as an example, four nozzle arrays that individually eject four colors of image forming ink C2 of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are applied to the second recording head 2B. 13C, 13M, 13Y, and 13K are arranged in parallel in the intersecting direction B with a predetermined interval.

These nozzle rows 13W, 13C, 13M, 13Y, and 13K are transmitted with signals 32 and 33 for instructing the ink discharge amount and the ink discharge timing corresponding to the position of each nozzle port 14 from the control unit 10 described later. Thus, the recording quality is adjusted.
Further, in the illustrated inkjet printer 1, the ink C discharged from the nozzle openings 14 of the nozzle rows 13W, 13C, 13M, 13Y, and 13K is irradiated with the ultraviolet ray E as described above, and is cured by ultraviolet rays. Ink.

“Ultraviolet curable ink” is an ink with excellent fast-curing property that is cured and fixed by irradiating with ultraviolet (UV light) E. Compared to conventional pigment ink that is cured and fixed by evaporating the solvent by heating the heater. It has a feature that the volume shrinkage after curing is remarkably small.
The “ultraviolet curable ink” is environmentally friendly because it does not contain a solvent component, and is an ink suitable for a film-based recording material P having low ink absorbency because it is instantaneously cured by irradiating with ultraviolet E. .

The carriage 5 is a reciprocating conveyance device of the recording head 2 that reciprocates in the direction B along the carriage guide shaft 18 extending in the intersecting direction B.
The power for reciprocating the carriage 5 is received from a motor 16 capable of forward and reverse rotation and capable of precise feed control for each unit step. The rotation of the motor 16 is applied to the carriage 5 via a toothed belt (not shown). It is to be transmitted.

The light irradiation unit 11 includes, as an example, the first light irradiation unit 11A that cures the base ink C1 disposed on the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first recording head 2A, and the second recording head 2A. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of the recording head 2B, two types of second light irradiating portions 11B for curing the image forming ink C2 arranged on the right side are provided as an example.
In the illustrated inkjet printer 1, the two types of light irradiators 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B irradiate the ultraviolet curable ink C ejected onto the recording surface of the paper P with ultraviolet rays E having a predetermined irradiation amount, thereby curing the ultraviolet rays. Curing / fixing of ink C is executed.

In addition, the two types of light irradiation unit 11A and light irradiation unit 11B have five light emitting element rows 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and light emitting element rows 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J, respectively, in this embodiment. It is constituted by. The light emitting element arrays 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element arrays 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J include the nozzle arrays 13W, 13C, and 13M in the two types of recording heads 2A and 2B. , 13Y, and 13K are provided with a plurality of LEDs 15 in an array corresponding to the array of nozzle ports 14. In this embodiment, each of the light emitting element rows 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element rows 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J is connected in series in each row.
Then, signals 34 and 35 for instructing the irradiation amount of ultraviolet E corresponding to the position of each LED 15 and the presence / absence of irradiation are transmitted to each of these LEDs 15 to adjust the irradiation amount of ultraviolet E. Switching between irradiation and non-irradiation is performed.

In the inkjet printer 1 according to Example 1, in addition to the basic configuration, the light emitting element rows 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element rows 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J are formed. The operation of the two types of recording heads 2A and 2B and the two types of light based on the failure detection units 12A and 12B for detecting the failure of each LED 15 and the failure detection information 36 and 37 from the failure detection units 12A and 12B. A control unit 10 is provided that can execute the operations of the irradiation units 11A and 11B by switching between the “normal mode” and the “failure mode”.
Further, a failure reporting unit 17 is connected to the control unit 10, and the failure reporting unit 17 informs the user of failure information.

In the present embodiment, the failure detection unit 12 includes a first failure detection unit 12A and a second failure detection unit 12B provided on both sides of the recording head 2 in the reciprocating direction. The first failure detection unit 12 </ b> A and the second failure detection unit 12 </ b> B include each light receiving unit 20 provided at a position facing each LED 15 of the light irradiation unit 11. Each light receiving unit 20 detects the irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays individually irradiated from the LED 15, and diagnoses that the LED is “failure” when it is equal to or less than the predetermined irradiation amount. Then, failure diagnosis signals 36 and 37 which are the diagnosis results are transmitted to the control unit 10.
Note that the specific structure of the failure detection unit 12 is not limited to the structure of the light receiving unit 20, and for example, the “failure” is detected by detecting the voltage and / or current value variation of each component of the light irradiation unit 11. The presence or absence of can also be diagnosed.

  On the other hand, the control unit 10 switches the recording heads 2A and 2B to be operated according to the moving direction of the carriage 5 and the light irradiation units 11A and 11B as appropriate. The two types of operation modes of “normal mode” and “failure mode” are selectively executed.

  In the “normal mode”, the light emitting element arrays 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element arrays 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J provided by the user are used. “All use mode” and “partial use mode” using a part of the five light emitting element rows 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element rows 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J. It can be used by switching to

  In the “all use mode”, the two types of light irradiators 11A and 11B are switched between the forward movement and the backward movement of the carriage 5 and used when the light irradiators 11A and 11B are used. All the LEDs 15 forming the light emitting element arrays 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element arrays 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J are turned on to perform irradiation with ultraviolet rays E.

  On the other hand, in the “partial use mode”, the two types of light irradiation units 11A and 11B are used by switching between the forward movement and the backward movement of the carriage 5, and the light irradiation units 111 and 19B are used when the light irradiation units 111 and 19B are used. Select one or two or more light emitting element rows 3 of the five light emitting element rows 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element rows 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J, and the selection target ( The combination in the case of two or more) is exchanged among the five light emitting element arrays 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element arrays 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J for each irradiation or at regular intervals. Thus, the LED 15 of only the selected light emitting element row 3 is turned on to perform irradiation of the ultraviolet ray E, and the LEDs 15 of other light emitting element rows 3 are turned off.

  When selecting one or two or more light emitting element rows 3 to be used, the regularly used light emitting element rows 3 may be switched in order based on the number of lighting times and the lighting time up to the present time. Alternatively, the light emitting element array 3 to be used can be switched randomly.

In the “failure mode”, the control unit 10 includes the remaining light emitting element arrays 3 (for example, 3A, 3C, 3E, 3I, and 3B) excluding the light emitting element array 3 (for example, 3G) to which the failed LED 15 belongs. 3D, 3F, 3H, 3J) to shift to the “failure mode”.
As the “failure mode”, the relative movement speed V2 at the time of recording with respect to the recording material P of the recording heads 2A and 2B and the light irradiation units 11A and 11B is set to the “normal mode” without the occurrence of the failure. Is set to be slower than the relative movement speed V1.
Furthermore, the photoreactive liquid C is ejected from the recording head 2 onto the paper P in a recording mode (head drive waveform and ink ejection timing) in which the recording quality does not change even when the recording speed decreases (V1 → V2). Yes.

  In this embodiment, the relative moving speeds V1 and V2 are the moving speeds of the carriage 5 with respect to the recording material P in the stopped state. In the case of a line printer, the moving speed of the recording material P conveyed to the recording head in a fixed position is obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the relative movement speed V2 in both the forward direction and the backward direction in the reciprocating movement of the recording heads 2A and 2B and the light irradiation units 11A and 11B is set to be slower than the speed V1 in a state where there is no failure. It is configured. Accordingly, since the moving speeds of the forward path (forward direction) and the backward path (reverse direction) are the same, the recording conditions from the speed viewpoint in the reciprocating operation are the same.

  In this case, when the light irradiation unit 11 to which the failed LED 15 belongs is only used in one direction (for example, the forward path) in the reciprocating movement (for example, the light irradiation unit 11A), the other direction (for example, the return path). Since the light irradiating part (for example, 11B) used for the movement does not have the failed LED 15, the light irradiating side without the failed LED 15 tends to be slightly excessive due to the decrease in the moving speed. Therefore, the light irradiation unit (for example, 11B) emits light from the light irradiation unit (for example, 11B) so that the light irradiation amount is equal in both directions in the reciprocating movement of the light irradiation units 11A and 11B even if the LED 15 has no failure. Any one of the element arrays 3 may be set to be in an OFF state.

  Further, the relative movement speed V2 can be set to be slower than the speed V1 only when the light irradiation section (for example, the light irradiation section 11A) on the side to which the failed LED 15 belongs is in the moving direction in which light is irradiated. In this case, the recording mode (head drive waveform and ink ejection timing) in which the recording quality does not change is also controlled so as to switch according to the respective speeds V1 and V2. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the recording execution throughput by half.

  As described above, even if one of the LEDs 15 fails during recording, the remaining light emitting element arrays 3 (for example, 3A, 3C, 3E, and 3I) excluding the light emitting element array 3 (for example, 3G) to which the failed LED 15 belongs. Thus, the recording can be continued using the remaining light emitting element array 3 (for example, 3A, 3C, 3E, 3I). At that time, the total amount of light irradiated to the ultraviolet curable ink C decreases, but the relative movement speed V2 when the recording heads 2A and 2B execute recording is set in the “normal mode” in which the failure does not occur. By setting it slower than the relative movement speed V1, that is, by increasing the light irradiation time per unit area, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in the total light irradiation amount.

  Furthermore, the photoreactive liquid C is ejected from the recording head 2 onto the paper P in a recording mode (head drive waveform and ink ejection timing) in which the recording quality does not change even when the recording speed decreases (V1 → V2). Yes.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting element rows 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, and 3I and the light emitting element rows 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J are arranged on the sheet P. The positions of the LEDs 15 arranged in the transport direction A at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction A of the paper P are the light emitting element arrays 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, 3I and the light emitting element arrays 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, 3J is aligned and aligned.

Therefore, when there is a failure in the LED 15 in one light emitting element row 3, the LED 15 at the same position in the transport direction A of the other light emitting element row 3 acts to compensate for the shortage of the light irradiation amount of the failed LED 15. To do.
Along with this, the shortage of the light irradiation amount of the failed LED 15 is caused by the fact that one or two LEDs 15 at the same position in the transport direction A of the other light emitting element rows 3 are all responsible for the shortage of the light irradiation amount. In addition, a desired ultraviolet curable ink C can be cured.

  Next, based on the flowcharts and block diagrams shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the operation of the inkjet printer 1A according to the present embodiment is divided into (1) normal mode execution and (2) failure mode execution. The flow will be specifically described.

(1) During normal mode execution (see Fig. 4)
In the present embodiment, when the failure of the LED 15 has not occurred, the “normal mode” shown in FIG. First, in step S1, it is determined whether “all use mode” or “partial use mode” is selected. If “all use mode” is selected, the process proceeds to step S2. Recording is executed in the “all use mode” described above.

  In the “all use mode”, the total light irradiation amount by lighting all the light emitting element rows 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, 3I and the light emitting element rows 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, 3J is the photoreaction liquid C. The amount of light emitted from one row of light emitting elements can be set to a lower level than in the case of a conventional single row structure. Thereby, the load accompanying light emission of each LED 15 is reduced, and the risk of failure of the LED 15 can be reduced.

Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether the movement direction (scanning direction) of the carriage 5 is the forward path side or the backward path side, and when the movement direction of the carriage 5 is determined to be the forward path side. In step S4, the second recording head 2B and the second light irradiation unit 11B are turned on, and the first recording head 2A and the first light irradiation unit 11A are turned off to execute recording.
Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where it is determined whether or not there is a remaining background or image to be printed. If it is determined that there is no remaining background or image to be printed, the execution of recording ends. To do.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that there are remaining backgrounds or images to be printed, the process returns to step S3, and the determinations and operations in steps S3 to S5 are repeated.
If it is determined in step S3 that the moving direction of the carriage 5 is the return path side, the process proceeds to step S6, where the first recording head 2A and the first irradiation unit 11A are turned on, and the second recording head. Recording is executed with 2B and the second light irradiation unit 11B in the OFF state.

Next, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether or not there are remaining backgrounds or images to be printed. If it is determined that there are no remaining backgrounds or images to be printed, execution of recording ends. .
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that there is a remaining background or image to be printed, the process returns to step S3 to determine and operate in steps S3, S6, and S7, and to determine and operate in steps S3 to S5. And are executed repeatedly.

When “partial use mode” is selected in step S1, the process proceeds to step S8 and the light emitting element arrays 3A, 3C, 3E, 3G, 3I to be used are set according to the setting information 41 set in advance. Recording is executed while appropriately switching the light emitting element arrays 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, and 3J.
In this case, the irradiation amount per LED 15 is larger than in the case of full lighting, but it can be set to a lower level than in the case of the conventional single-row structure, and lights up for each irradiation. The combination of the light emitting element rows 3 is recombined and changed in all five rows. Thereby, since the use frequency (lighting frequency) of each LED15 falls, the load accompanying light emission is reduced also from this point, and the possibility of failure of LED15 can be reduced.

  At this time, in this embodiment, the positions of the LEDs 15 in the direction of the nozzle row 13 are arranged so as to coincide with each other, so that all the combinations of the light emitting element rows 3 that are turned on for each irradiation are provided. Recombining and changing in the row does not change the total amount of light received by the irradiated reaction solution. Therefore, it is possible to prevent occurrence of variations in recording quality.

  Thereafter, Steps S9 to S13 similar to Steps S3 to S7 described above are executed, and when it is determined in Steps S11 to S13 that there is no remaining background or image to be printed, the execution of recording is terminated.

(2) During failure mode execution (see FIGS. 5 to 7)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a different internal structure of the control unit 10 of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.
The control unit 10 includes a first recording mode 26 and a second recording mode 27. The first recording mode 26 includes a plurality of modes 28 of a maintenance level 1, a maintenance level 2,..., A maintenance level N in order from the higher recording quality maintenance level. The maintenance level is determined by the user's selection operation.

  The second recording mode 27 includes a plurality of modes 29 of a speed level 1, a speed level 2,..., A speed level N in order from the higher recording execution speed to the lower recording execution speed. The speed level is determined by the user's selection operation.

Returning to FIG. 5, first, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the failure detection information 37 transmitted from the failure detection unit 12 is transmitted. If it is determined that the failure of the LED 15 is detected, “ The process proceeds to “Record in failure mode”, and the remaining light emitting element rows 3 (for example, 3A, 3C, 3E, 3I and 3B) except for the light emitting element row 3 (for example, 3G) where the LED 15 in which the failure is detected exist. 3D, 3F, 3H, 3J) and recording is performed in a corresponding recording mode in which the recording quality does not change even when the recording speed decreases (V1 → V2). Details of step 15 will be described later with reference to FIG.
Next, the process proceeds to step S16, and it is determined again whether or not the failure detection information 37 transmitted from the failure detection unit 12 is transmitted.

If it is determined in step S16 that a failure of the LED 15 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S17, where the number of light emitting element arrays 3 to be used is further reduced and the remaining light emitting element arrays 3 (for example, 3A, 3C, 3E and 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, 3J). The content of step 17 is basically the same as that of step 15, but the relative movement speed Vt is further slower than the state of step 15. Accordingly, the recording mode corresponding to the corresponding recording mode in which the recording quality does not change even when the recording speed is lowered is switched to a mode different from step 15 and recording is executed.
Next, the process proceeds to step S18, where the presence / absence of transmission of the failure detection information 37 transmitted from the failure detection unit 12 is determined three times, and when it is determined that the failure of the LED 15 is detected, the recording is performed as it is. Even if it becomes a defective product, the execution of recording is terminated.

If no failure of the LED 15 is detected in step S16 and step S18, the process proceeds to step S19, and steps S19 to S23 similar to steps S3 to S7 in FIG. 4 are executed, and step S21 is executed. If it is determined in step S23 that there is no remaining background or image to be printed, the recording is terminated.
If no failure of the LED 15 is detected in step S14, the process proceeds to step S1 in FIG. 4 and recording in the normal mode is executed.

[Details of operation during failure mode execution] (See Fig. 6)
Next, the contents of the failure mode in steps 15 and 17 will be described in detail.
When the failure detection unit 12 detects a failure of the LED 15 (step S30), the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is no spare light-emitting element array 3 that can use the spare LED 15 (step S31). In a state where there is a spare light emitting element array 3, the process proceeds to step 35, and recording is continued by switching to the spare light emitting element array 3.

  If it is determined in step 31 that there is no spare LED 15, the process proceeds to step 32. In step 32, it is determined whether or not the recording is continued even in the state where the failure has occurred. This determination is to determine which one of the selections has been made by the user at the recording start preparation stage and which is the selection. If “Do not continue” is selected, the recording is terminated. On the other hand, if “continue” is selected, the process proceeds to step 33.

In step 33, it is determined which one of “recording quality maintenance mode (first recording mode)” and “recording speed priority mode (second recording mode)” is selected by the user.
When the “recording quality maintenance mode” is selected, recording with recording quality maintained before and after the failure is continued. In this embodiment, it is further determined that any one of maintenance level 1, maintenance level 2,..., Maintenance level N is selected by the user, and recording of the selected maintenance level is continued. It has become.

  If the “recording speed priority mode” is selected in step 33, the recording speed priority recording is continued before and after the failure. In this embodiment, it is further judged that any one of speed level 1, speed level 2,..., Speed level N is selected by the user, and recording of the selected speed level is continued. It has become.

  Note that the failure in the light emitting element array 3 can be caused in an open mode and in a short mode. Since each of the light emitting element rows 3 has a plurality of LEDs 15 connected in series, when a failure occurs in the open mode, all the LEDs 15 in the row are turned off. Continues to emit light. For this reason, the amount of light irradiation at the location corresponding to the failed LED 15 is smaller than at other locations, which tends to cause unevenness.

  In the eighth embodiment, even if the LED 15 fails in any of the open mode and the short mode, the light emitting element array 3 is turned off, and the recording is performed by shifting to the failure mode. Thereby, recording can be continued by the remaining light emitting element rows 3 without the problem of the occurrence of unevenness.

[Example 2] (See FIG. 8)
Example 2 is a case where the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus using a heat-solidifying ink and having a heater unit.
In the second embodiment, the recording execution unit 22 includes a heater unit 26 for heating and solidifying the heat-solidifying ink C discharged onto the paper P on the downstream side of the recording head 2. The control unit 10 performs the recording execution at the first power W1 (for example, 1000 watts) of the heater unit 26 and the recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the first power W1, and the first power W1 lower than the first power W1. The second recording mode (the one recording quality) corresponding to the second power W2 (for example, 800 watts) and the second power W2 and switching to the recording execution at the recording execution speed V2 lower than the recording execution speed V1. It is configured to be able to perform recording in Further, the recording in the recording speed priority mode (second recording mode) can be similarly executed. Which of the two modes is executed is determined by the user's selection as described above.

  According to the second embodiment, in a recording apparatus using the heat solidifying ink C and including the heater unit 26, when a part of the heater unit 26 breaks down and the power is reduced (reduced to 800 watts), the power is reduced. Even in the case where the recording speed is lowered (V1 → V2) and the recording is continued in order to compensate for this, the recording quality does not change as in the first embodiment. Thereby, even if the recording speed is changed based on a failure of a part of the heater section 26, the problem that the recording quality is not maintained can be reduced. If the recording speed priority mode (second recording mode) is selected, recording that prioritizes recording end time over recording quality is continued.

[Other Examples] (See FIG. 3)
The recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention is basically configured to have the above-described configuration, but it is needless to say that the partial configuration may be changed or omitted without departing from the gist of the present invention. Is possible.
For example, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the recording head 2 may be constituted only by the second recording head 2B that discharges the image forming UV ink C2. In the case of this structure, it is possible to cope with the case where the base recording (base formation) cannot be performed as in the above embodiment, but the recording material does not require base recording.

  Further, the number of the light emitting element rows 3 is not limited to the five rows employed in the first and second embodiments, but may be two to four rows, or six or more rows may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the serial printer having the configuration in which the recording head reciprocates has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a line printer using a line head in which the recording head does not move.

  Further, the photoreaction liquid C discharged from the recording head 15 is not limited to ultraviolet (UV) curable ink. Therefore, various photoreaction liquids C that are chemically changed by light E having a wavelength other than ultraviolet (UV light) can be used, and the light emitting element 15 is not limited to the LED. Specifically, the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer or the like that forms an image on a recording surface of a recording material P using a photoreaction liquid C that changes color by being irradiated with light E having a certain wavelength. It is also possible to apply.

1 ink jet printer (recording device), 2 recording head, 3 light emitting element array,
4 transport device, 5 carriage, 6 recording execution area, 7 transport roller,
8 discharge roller, 9 motor, 10 control unit, 11 light irradiation unit,
12 failure detection unit, 13 nozzle row, 14 nozzles, 15 LED,
16 motor, 17 failure report section, 18 carriage guide shaft, 19 support member,
20 light receiving unit, 22 recording execution unit, 26 heater unit, 31-39 signal,
41 Setting information, 42 User operation section, P paper (recording material), A transport direction,
B crossing direction, C ultraviolet (UV) curable ink (ink) (photoreaction liquid),
E Ultraviolet light (UV light) (light)

Claims (6)

A recording execution unit configured to discharge the photoreaction liquid from the nozzle row of the recording head to a recording material to execute recording, and the recording execution speed is variable;
A light irradiation unit having a plurality of light emitting element rows in which light emitting elements that irradiate light to the discharged photoreaction liquid to chemically change the photoreaction liquid are arranged in the same direction as the nozzle row;
A failure detection unit for detecting a failure of each light emitting element forming each light emitting element row;
A control unit for controlling each operation of the recording execution unit and the light irradiation unit,
The control unit prioritizes the setting of the first recording mode and the recording end time that prioritize maintenance of recording quality before and after the failure as an operation mode to be shifted when the failure detection unit detects a failure of the light emitting element. A recording apparatus comprising a second recording mode, wherein the first recording mode and the second recording mode are determined by a user's selection operation from a user operation unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
In the recording apparatus, the first recording mode is configured to execute recording with at least one recording quality at different recording speeds. The recording apparatus according to claim 2,
The first recording mode includes a plurality of modes of maintenance level 1, maintenance level 2,..., Maintenance level N in order from the highest recording quality maintenance level, and the maintenance level is set by the user's selection operation. A recording apparatus configured to be determined. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The second recording mode includes a plurality of modes of speed level 1, speed level 2,..., Speed level N in order from the higher recording execution speed to the lower recording execution speed, and the speed level is determined by the user's selection operation. A recording apparatus characterized by being configured. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each light emitting element row is formed by connecting a plurality of light emitting elements in series,
The control unit performs the recording execution at the recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the number N1 of the light emitting element columns used by the light irradiation unit and the number of columns N1, and the number N1 of the light emitting element columns used by the light irradiation unit. The number of columns N2 and the number of columns N2 are reduced, and the recording execution at the recording execution speed V2 that is lower than the recording execution speed V1 is switched to perform recording while maintaining the recording quality in the first recording mode. A recording apparatus characterized by being configured to do so. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
In place of the light irradiation unit, a heater unit for heating and solidifying the liquid ejected from the nozzle row of the recording head is provided.
The control unit includes a first power W1 of the heater unit and a recording execution at a recording execution speed V1 corresponding to the first power W1, a second power W2 lower than the first power W1, and the second power W2. And performing recording while maintaining recording quality in the first recording mode by switching between recording execution at a recording execution speed V2 lower than the recording execution speed V1. Recording device.

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