JP2013059868A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet printer that can selectively perform mat printing and glossy printing using one irradiation device, and that enables the entire sub-scanning direction length of an inkjet head and the irradiation device to be made shorter.SOLUTION: A head unit 120 includes: the inkjet head 10 which ejects UV curable ink; the irradiation device 20 which irradiates the UV curable ink with UV light; and a motor 25 which rotates the irradiation device 20 about a vertical axis 26. Upon mat-printing, the motor 25 is driven to arrange the irradiation device 20 in parallel to a sub-scanning direction X, and then, the ink is ejected from the nozzles 12 of first and second nozzle groups 13a and 13b. Upon glossy printing, the motor 25 is driven to arrange the irradiation device 20 in parallel to the main scanning direction Y, then, the ink is ejected only from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer using a photocurable ink that is cured when irradiated with predetermined light.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a photocurable ink, for example, an ink jet printer using an ink that is cured when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, that is, a UV curable ink is known. This type of inkjet printer includes an inkjet head that ejects UV curable ink and an irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays. UV curable ink (hereinafter simply referred to as ink) discharged from the inkjet head is irradiated on the recording paper and then irradiated with ultraviolet rays by an irradiation device. As a result, the ink is cured.

  By the way, the ink immediately after landing on the recording paper is granular, and the entire surface of the ink has irregularities, but the surface of the ink becomes smooth as time passes thereafter. If the time from when the ink lands on the recording paper to when the ultraviolet rays are irradiated is short, the ink is cured before the surface becomes smooth. As a result, the surface of the cured ink is not glossy. Such printing, that is, printing with no gloss on the surface, is called mat printing. On the other hand, if the time from when the ink lands on the recording paper to when the ultraviolet rays are irradiated is long, the ink is cured after the surface becomes smooth. As a result, the surface of the ink after curing becomes glossy. Such printing, that is, printing with gloss on the surface, is called gloss printing.

  An ink jet printer that can selectively execute mat printing and gloss printing by controlling the arrangement and irradiation operation of the irradiation device is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an inkjet printer that can selectively execute mat printing and gloss printing. The ink jet printer includes an ink jet head 200, a first irradiation device 201, and a second irradiation device 202. The ink jet head 200, the first irradiation device 201, and the second irradiation device 202 constitute a head unit 210, and move to the left L and right R together. The recording paper is fed forward F.

  The left and right are directions in which the head unit 210 moves, and the front and rear are directions in which the recording paper moves. Hereinafter, the direction in which the head unit 210 moves (that is, the left-right direction) may be referred to as the main scanning direction, and the direction in which the recording paper moves (that is, the front-rear direction) may be referred to as the sub-scanning direction.

  During mat printing, the head unit 210 is moved leftward with the first irradiation device 201 turned on, and ink is ejected from the inkjet head 200. The ink ejected from the inkjet head 200 is cured by the first irradiation device 201 immediately after landing on the recording paper. Therefore, the surface of the ink becomes dull.

  At the time of gloss printing, the first irradiation device 201 is turned off, and the head unit 210 is moved leftward or rightward with the second irradiation device 202 turned on. The ink ejected from the ink jet head 200 lands on the recording paper, and is then forwarded by the second irradiation device 202 after the recording paper is sent forward. Therefore, since there is a certain amount of time between landing and curing, the surface of the ink is in a glossy state.

Japanese Patent No. 4531405 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-313558

  However, in the inkjet printer as shown in FIG. 7, two irradiation devices 201 and 202 are required. In addition, since the second irradiation device 202 must be disposed in front of the inkjet head 200, the length of the head unit 210 in the front-rear direction is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to selectively execute mat printing and gloss printing with one irradiation device, and to perform sub-scanning of the entire inkjet head and irradiation device. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printer capable of keeping the direction length short.

  An inkjet printer according to the present invention includes an inkjet head that ejects ink that is cured when irradiated with predetermined light while moving relative to a recording medium in a first direction, and the first to the inkjet head. The irradiation device is arranged in a direction opposite to the first direction and is configured to move relative to the recording medium in the first direction together with the inkjet head, and to the irradiation device that irradiates the light, the inkjet head, and the irradiation device. On the other hand, a recording medium moving device that relatively moves the recording medium in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a control device that controls the inkjet head and the irradiation device are provided. The inkjet head includes a first nozzle group composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in the second direction and a plurality of nozzles arranged in the second direction, and is positioned on the second direction side of the first nozzle group. A second nozzle group. The control device ejects ink from at least the nozzles of the first nozzle group, and turns on the inkjet head and the irradiation device so as to light at least a portion of the irradiation device located on the side of the first nozzle group. The inkjet head and the irradiation device are controlled or discharged at least from the nozzles of the second nozzle group, and at least a portion of the irradiation device located on the side of the second nozzle group is lit. And controlling the inkjet head so that ink is ejected from the nozzles of the first nozzle group and ink is not ejected from the nozzles of the second nozzle group, and the second of the irradiation device is controlled. A second control unit that controls the irradiation device to light a portion located on a side of the nozzle group; It is configured to perform printing and, selectively.

  According to the present invention, mat printing and gloss printing can be selectively performed by one irradiation device, and the length of the entire inkjet head and irradiation device in the second direction (sub-scanning direction) can be kept short. An inkjet printer that can be provided can be provided.

1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control system of an inkjet printer. It is a block diagram of the head unit at the time of mat printing according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram of the head unit at the time of gloss printing which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the head unit which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment, (a) represents the state at the time of mat | matte printing, (b) represents the state at the time of gloss printing. It is a block diagram of the head unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (a) represents the state at the time of mat printing, (b) represents the state at the time of gloss printing. It is a block diagram showing an example of the head unit of the inkjet printer which can selectively perform mat | matte printing and gloss printing.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, embodiments of an ink jet printer according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) 100 according to this embodiment performs printing on the surface of a recording paper 5. The recording paper 5 is an example of a recording medium according to the present invention, but the recording medium according to the present invention is not limited to the recording paper 5. The recording medium may be another sheet-like recording medium, such as a resin sheet. The recording medium is not limited to a flexible sheet, and may be a hard recording medium such as a glass substrate.

  In FIG. 1 and the like, symbols F, Rr, L, and R represent front, rear, left, and right, respectively. A head unit 120 described later moves in the left-right direction, and the recording paper 5 is conveyed in the front-rear direction. The moving direction of the head unit 120 is the main scanning direction, and the conveying direction of the recording paper 5 is the sub-scanning direction. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction corresponds to the left-right direction, and the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the front-rear direction. However, the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are not particularly limited, and are appropriately set according to the form of the printer 100 and the like.

  The printer 100 includes a platen 101 that supports the recording paper 5. The platen 101 extends in the left-right direction. The platen 101 is provided with a cylindrical grid roller 102. The grid roller 102 is embedded in the platen 101 with its upper surface exposed. The grid roller 102 is driven by a feed motor 103 (see FIG. 2).

  A guide rail 104 is provided above the platen 101. The guide rail 104 is disposed in parallel with the platen 101 and extends in the left-right direction. Below the guide rail 104, a plurality of pinch rollers 105 are provided at substantially equal intervals. The pinch roller 105 is opposed to the grid roller 102. The pinch roller 105 can swing up and down, and the recording paper 5 is sandwiched between the pinch roller 105 and the grid roller 102. The grid roller 102 and the pinch roller 105 are configured to be transportable in the front-rear direction while sandwiching the recording paper 5.

  The guide rail 104 has an engaging portion 106 protruding forward. A block 107 is fixed to the back surface of the case 121 of the head unit 120. On the rear side of the block 107, a concave portion that is recessed forward is formed. The engaging portion 106 of the guide rail 104 is engaged with the recess. The block 107 is slidable along the guide rail 104. The head unit 120 is guided in the left-right direction by the guide rail 104.

  A part of the drive belt 108 extending in the left-right direction is fixed to the upper back of the case 121. The drive belt 108 is connected to a scan motor 109 (see FIG. 2). The drive belt 108 is driven by a scan motor 109. The head unit 120 is driven by a scan motor 109 via a drive belt 108.

  An upper cover 110 is provided above the head unit 120. The upper cover 110 constitutes an upper casing of the printer 100. Side covers 111 </ b> L and 111 </ b> R are provided on both sides of the platen 101 and the upper cover 110. An operation panel 112 is provided on the front surface of the side cover 111R. The operation panel 112 is provided with input devices such as buttons and switches.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the head unit 120 includes an inkjet head 10 that ejects ink that is cured when receiving ultraviolet rays (UV curable ink; hereinafter simply referred to as ink), and an irradiation device 20 that emits ultraviolet rays. Yes. The inkjet head 10 and the irradiation device 20 are configured to move together in the left-right direction. For example, the inkjet head 10 and the irradiation device 20 may be directly fixed, or may be indirectly fixed via a connector or the like.

  The inkjet head 10 has a plurality of recording heads 11a to 11f. Here, the inkjet head 10 includes a recording head 11a that ejects yellow (Y) ink, a recording head 11b that ejects magenta (M) ink, a recording head 11c that ejects cyan (C) ink, and a black It has a recording head 11d that ejects (K) ink, a recording head 11e that ejects light magenta (LM) ink, and a recording head 11f that ejects light cyan (LC) ink. However, the number of recording heads included in the inkjet head 10 is not limited to six. Further, the color of the ink ejected from the recording heads 11a to 11f is not limited at all.

  Each of the recording heads 11a to 11f has a plurality of nozzles 12 arranged in the sub-scanning direction (in other words, the front-rear direction). In FIG. 3 and the like, the number of nozzles 12 is shown to be small, but in reality, each of the recording heads 11a to 11f has a large number of nozzles 12. Further, in FIG. 3 and the like, the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f are arranged in one row, but the number of nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f is not limited to one, and is two or more. Also good. The arrangement pattern of these nozzles 12 is not limited at all, and may be arranged in a staggered manner, for example. Each nozzle 12 is configured to appropriately eject ink. That is, each nozzle 12 can operate independently of the other nozzles 12 and can eject ink at an arbitrary timing.

  For convenience, the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f can be roughly divided into a first nozzle group 13a and a second nozzle group 13b. Each of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b is composed of a plurality of nozzles 12 arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The second nozzle group 13b is disposed in front of the first nozzle group 13a. The nozzles 12 are arranged for every fixed nozzle pitch P. The nozzle pitch is the distance between the centers of adjacent nozzles 12. The nozzle pitch P of the first nozzle group 13a and the nozzle pitch P of the second nozzle group 13b are the same. The nozzle pitch P between the nozzle located closest to the second nozzle group 13b in the first nozzle group 13a and the nozzle located closest to the first nozzle group 13a in the second nozzle group 13b is also the first nozzle group 13a. And the same nozzle pitch P as the second nozzle group 13b. The position of the boundary between the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b is not particularly limited. The number of nozzles 12 belonging to the first nozzle group 13a and the number of nozzles 12 belonging to the second nozzle group 13b are not particularly limited.

  The irradiation device 20 is disposed on the left side of the inkjet head 10. However, the position of the irradiation device 20 is not limited to the left side of the inkjet head 10 and may be the right side of the inkjet head 10. In the present embodiment, the head unit 120 includes a single irradiation device 20, and no irradiation device other than the irradiation device 20 is provided. The kind of irradiation apparatus 20 is not specifically limited, For example, LED which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray, a lamp | ramp, or those combination etc. may be sufficient. Although illustration is omitted, in the present embodiment, the irradiation device 20 includes a plurality of LED elements that irradiate ultraviolet rays, and the LED elements gather to form an irradiation unit 21.

  The head unit 120 is provided with a motor 25 that rotates the irradiation device 20 around the vertical axis 26. The vertical axis 26 is located on the front side of the center position before and after the irradiation device 20. The irradiation device 20 can rotate about 90 degrees around the vertical axis 26. The driving device that rotates the irradiation device 20 is not limited to the motor 25, and may be another type of driving device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 100 is provided with a control device 30. The control device 30 controls the inkjet head 10, the irradiation device 20, and the motor 25 in addition to the feed motor 103 and the scan motor 109. Specifically, the control device 30 controls the ejection operation of each nozzle 12 of the inkjet head 10. As described above, each nozzle 12 can perform a discharge operation independently of the other nozzles 12. Each nozzle 12 is provided with an actuator made of, for example, a piezoelectric element. The control device 30 controls the actuator of each nozzle 12 so as to eject ink at a predetermined timing. Further, the control device 30 appropriately switches on and off the irradiation device 20.

  The specific configuration of the control device 30 is not limited at all. For example, the control device 30 may be configured by an electronic circuit provided on the back side of the operation panel 112 of the printer 100, and may be an external device capable of wired or wireless communication with the printer 100. A computer (for example, a personal computer) may be used.

  The printer 100 can selectively execute printing with no gloss on the surface (matte printing) and printing with gloss on the surface (gloss printing). Next, mat printing and gloss printing performed by the printer 100 will be described.

  First, mat printing will be described. At the time of mat printing, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 30 appropriately drives the motor 25, and the irradiation device 20 is set so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the sub-scanning direction X. Thereby, the irradiation part 21 of the irradiation apparatus 20 is arrange | positioned to the left of the 1st nozzle group 13a and the 2nd nozzle group 13b of the recording heads 11a-11f. Here, “the irradiation unit 21 is arranged on the left side of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b” means that the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b are discharged. It means that the irradiation unit 21 is arranged at a position where the ink is irradiated with the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the irradiation unit 21. Not only when the irradiation unit 21 is positioned to the left of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b, but as long as the ejected ink is immediately irradiated, some of the nozzles of the first nozzle group 13a 12 may be located behind the irradiation unit 21, and some of the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13 b may be located forward of the irradiation unit 21.

  The control device 30 controls the feed motor 103 so that the recording sheets 5 are sequentially fed forward. In addition, the control device 30 controls the scan motor 109 so that the head unit 120 moves to the left and right (in other words, the main scanning direction Y). For example, the control device 30 reciprocates the head unit 120 once or a plurality of times each time the recording paper 5 is fed forward once.

  In this mat printing, when the head unit 120 moves to the left, ink is appropriately discharged from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b of the recording heads 11a to 11f. That is, both the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a and the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b become the nozzles 12 that eject ink. In other words, all the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f are nozzles 12 that eject ink.

  The irradiation device 20 is turned on when the head unit 120 moves to the left. In other words, the irradiation device 20 is controlled to irradiate ultraviolet rays immediately after ink is ejected from the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f.

  The ink ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b lands on the recording paper 5, and then receives and cures the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the irradiation device 20. Since the ink that has landed on the recording paper 5 is immediately irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the ink is cured before the surface becomes smooth. Therefore, a dull printed matter can be obtained. The above is mat printing.

  Next, gloss printing will be described. At the time of gloss printing, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 30 appropriately drives the motor 25, and the irradiation device 20 is set so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the main scanning direction Y. Thereby, the irradiation part 21 of the irradiation apparatus 20 is arrange | positioned to the left of the 2nd nozzle group 13b of the recording heads 11a-11f. The irradiation unit 21 of the irradiation apparatus 20 is not disposed on the left side of the first nozzle group 13a of the recording heads 11a to 11f. Here, “the irradiation unit 21 is arranged on the left side of the second nozzle group 13b” means that when the ink is ejected from the nozzle 12 of the second nozzle group 13b, the irradiation unit 21 applies the ink to the ink. It means that it is in a position where it can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays immediately. Further, “the irradiation unit 21 is not arranged on the left side of the first nozzle group 13a” means that when the ink is ejected from the nozzle 12 of the first nozzle group 13a, the irradiation unit 21 immediately irradiates the ink with ultraviolet rays. It means that it is in a position where it cannot be done.

  Similar to the mat printing, the control device 30 controls the feed motor 103 so that the recording sheets 5 are sequentially fed forward, and controls the scan motor 109 so that the head unit 120 moves to the left and right. For example, the control device 30 reciprocates the head unit 120 once or a plurality of times each time the recording paper 5 is fed forward once.

  In this gloss printing, when the head unit 120 moves to the left or right, ink is not ejected from the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b of the recording heads 11a to 11f, and the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a. Ink is appropriately discharged from the nozzle. That is, the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a are nozzles 12 that eject ink, while the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b are nozzles 12 that do not eject ink. In other words, the nozzle 12 positioned behind the irradiation unit 21 of the irradiation device 20 becomes the nozzle 12 that discharges ink, and the nozzle 12 positioned to the right of the irradiation unit 21 of the irradiation device 20 does not discharge ink. It becomes.

  The irradiation device 20 is turned on when the head unit 120 moves leftward or rightward.

  The ink ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a of the recording heads 11a to 11f is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays until the recording paper 5 is fed forward and the irradiation device 20 passes upward. The ink is irradiated by the irradiation device 20 after the recording paper 5 is fed forward. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording paper 5 is cured after the surface becomes smooth. Therefore, a glossy printed matter can be obtained. The above is gloss printing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, during mat printing, the irradiation device 20 is positioned on the side of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b, and the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b The ink ejected from the nozzle 12 was immediately cured by the irradiation device 20. In the gloss printing, the irradiation device 20 is positioned on the side of the second nozzle group 13b, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a, while ink is ejected from the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b. It was made not to discharge. Therefore, mat printing and gloss printing can be selectively performed by the single irradiation device 20. In addition, since it is not necessary to arrange the irradiation device 20 in front of the inkjet head 10, it is possible to reduce the length of the head unit 120 in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction).

  In the present embodiment, ink is appropriately ejected from all the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f during mat printing. However, mat printing can also be performed using some of the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f. For example, the ink may be appropriately discharged from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a, and the ink may not be discharged from the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b. In this case, only the part located on the side of the first nozzle group 13a of the irradiation device 20 may be turned on and the other parts may be turned off. In addition, ink may be appropriately discharged from the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b without discharging ink from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a. In this case, only the part located on the side of the second nozzle group 13b of the irradiation device 20 may be turned on and the other part may be turned off.

  However, if all the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f are used at the time of mat printing as in this embodiment, ink can be ejected to a larger area when the head unit 120 is scanned once. it can. Therefore, the printing speed of mat printing can be improved.

  According to the present embodiment, at least a part of the irradiation device 20 is located at a position on the side of the first nozzle group 13a (see FIG. 3) and a position on the side of the second nozzle group 13b (see FIG. 4). It is configured to be movable with respect to the inkjet head 10 so that the position can be changed. According to the present embodiment, both mat printing and gloss printing can be selectively performed without increasing the size of the irradiation device 20.

  As shown to Fig.5 (a) and (b), you may comprise the irradiation apparatus 20 so that a slide is possible back and forth. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the irradiation device 20 is positioned on the side of the first nozzle group 13a, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a, while the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b. By preventing the ink from being discharged from the ink, mat printing can be performed. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the irradiation device 20 is positioned on the side of the second nozzle group 13b, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a, while the second nozzle group 13b By preventing ink from being ejected from the nozzles 12, gloss printing can be performed.

  However, according to the present embodiment including the rotary irradiation device 20, it is possible to use all the nozzles 12 of the recording heads 11a to 11f at the time of mat printing. Even if the length of the irradiation device 20 in the longitudinal direction is substantially equal to the length of the inkjet head 10 in the front-rear direction, the irradiation device 20 is more forward or backward than the inkjet head 10 in both mat printing and gloss printing. Can be avoided. In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure a large irradiation amount of the irradiation device 20.

Second Embodiment
The inkjet printer 100 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the irradiation device 20 is movable, and selectively executes mat printing and gloss printing by changing the position of the irradiation device 20. The inkjet printer 100 according to the second embodiment configures the irradiation device 20 so that it can be partially turned on and off, and selectively switches between the irradiation portion of the irradiation device 20 to selectively perform mat printing and gloss printing. To be executed.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment includes an irradiation device 20 having an irradiation unit 21 composed of a plurality of LED elements, as in the first embodiment. The irradiation unit 21 can be partially turned on and off. Here, the part located on the left side of the first nozzle group 13a of the recording heads 11a to 11f is referred to as a first irradiation part 21a, and the part located on the left side of the second nozzle group 13b is referred to as a second irradiation part 21b.

  As in the first embodiment, during mat printing, the control device 30 controls the feed motor 103 so that the recording paper 5 is sequentially fed forward so that the head unit 120 moves leftward and rightward. The scan motor 109 is controlled.

  When the head unit 120 moves to the left, the control device 30 appropriately discharges ink from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b of the recording heads 11a to 11f, so that the first of the irradiation device 20 The irradiation unit 21a and the second irradiation unit 21b are turned on.

  As a result, after the ink ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b has landed on the recording paper 5, it is immediately applied by the first irradiation unit 21a and the second irradiation unit 21b of the irradiation device 20. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated. As a result, the ink is cured before the surface becomes smooth, and a glossy printed matter is obtained.

  Also in the case of gloss printing, the control device 30 controls the feed motor 103 so that the recording paper 5 is sequentially fed forward, and controls the scan motor 109 so that the head unit 120 moves to the left and right. .

  When the head unit 120 moves left or right, the control device 30 appropriately discharges ink from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a of the recording heads 11a to 11f, while the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b. Does not eject ink. The control device 30 turns off the first irradiation unit 21a of the irradiation device 20 and turns on the second irradiation unit 21b. In addition, the hatching of FIG.6 (b) represents the state which the 1st irradiation part 21a is light-extinguished.

  Thus, after the ink ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a has landed on the recording paper 5, the recording paper 5 is sent forward, and the second irradiation unit 21b of the irradiation device 20 passes upward. , Not irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording paper 5 is cured after the surface becomes smooth. As a result, a glossy printed matter is obtained.

  Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the mat printing and the gloss printing can be selectively executed by the single irradiation device 20. In addition, since it is not necessary to arrange the irradiation device 20 in front of the inkjet head 10, the length of the head unit 120 in the front-rear direction can be reduced. Further, according to the present embodiment, a mechanism for moving the irradiation device 20 is not necessary.

  In this embodiment, during mat printing, ink is ejected from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a and the second nozzle group 13b, and the first irradiation unit 21a and the second irradiation unit 21b of the irradiation device 20 are turned on. I decided to let them. However, ink may be ejected only from the nozzles 12 of the first nozzle group 13a, and only the first irradiation unit 21a of the irradiation device 20 may be turned on. Alternatively, ink may be ejected only from the nozzles 12 of the second nozzle group 13b, and only the second irradiation unit 21b of the irradiation device 20 may be turned on. Even in such a case, mat printing is possible.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

  The inkjet printer according to the present invention is not limited to being used alone as an independent printer, but may be combined with other devices. The ink jet printer according to the present invention may be a recording device built in another device.

  In the above embodiment, only the head unit 120 is moved in the main scanning direction and only the recording paper 5 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. However, the movement of the head unit 120 and the recording paper 5 is relative. Any one of them may move in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. For example, the recording paper 5 may be disposed so as not to move, and the head unit 120 may be movable in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Both the head unit 120 and the recording paper 5 may be movable.

5 Recording paper (recording medium)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet head 12 Nozzle 13a 1st nozzle group 13b 2nd nozzle group 20 Irradiation device 21 Irradiation part 21a 1st irradiation part 21b 2nd irradiation part 30 Control apparatus 100 Inkjet printer 103 Feed motor (recording medium moving apparatus)
X Sub-scanning direction (second direction)
Y Main scanning direction (first direction)

Claims (8)

An inkjet head that ejects ink that cures when irradiated with predetermined light while moving relative to the recording medium in a first direction;
An irradiation device disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the inkjet head, configured to move relative to the recording medium in the first direction together with the inkjet head, and irradiating the light; ,
A recording medium moving device that relatively moves the recording medium in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with respect to the inkjet head and the irradiation device;
A control device for controlling the inkjet head and the irradiation device,
The inkjet head includes a first nozzle group composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in the second direction and a plurality of nozzles arranged in the second direction, and is positioned on the second direction side of the first nozzle group. A second nozzle group,
The controller is
Controlling the inkjet head and the irradiation device to discharge ink from at least the nozzles of the first nozzle group and lighting at least a portion of the irradiation device located on the side of the first nozzle group; or First controlling the inkjet head and the irradiation device to discharge ink from at least the nozzles of the second nozzle group and turn on at least a portion of the irradiation device located on the side of the second nozzle group. Printing,
The inkjet head is controlled so that ink is ejected from the nozzles of the first nozzle group and ink is not ejected from the nozzles of the second nozzle group, and the ink jet apparatus is positioned on the side of the second nozzle group of the irradiation device. An ink jet printer configured to selectively execute second printing for controlling the irradiation device to light a portion.   The control device controls the inkjet head so that ink is ejected from the nozzles of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group during the first printing, and the first of the irradiation device. 2. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation device is controlled to light a portion located on a side of the nozzle group and a portion located on a side of the second nozzle group.   The irradiation device is arranged so that at least a part of the irradiation device can be changed in position to a side position of the first nozzle group and a side position of the second nozzle group. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet printer is configured to be movable.   The irradiation device is configured to be rotatable so that the longitudinal direction can be changed between a state in which the longitudinal direction is parallel to the second direction and a state in which the longitudinal direction is parallel to the first direction. Item 4. The inkjet printer according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The irradiation device is configured to be rotatable so as to be changeable between a state located on the side of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group and a state located on the side of the second nozzle group. The inkjet printer according to claim 2. The irradiation device includes a first irradiation unit located on the side of the first nozzle group and a second irradiation unit located on the side of the second nozzle group,
The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the first irradiation unit and the second irradiation unit are configured to be turned on and off independently of each other. The first nozzle group and the second nozzle group are provided for each of a plurality of colors of ink,
The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first nozzle groups and the second nozzle group are arranged along a first direction. The nozzle pitch of the first nozzle group and the nozzle pitch of the second nozzle group are the same,
The nozzle pitch between the nozzle of the first nozzle group closest to the second nozzle group and the nozzle of the second nozzle group closest to the nozzle of the first nozzle group is the first nozzle group. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the nozzle pitch is the same as a nozzle pitch of a group and the second nozzle group.

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