JP2014121835A - Image recording device and image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording device and an image recording method.SOLUTION: An image recording device includes: a recording head for recording an image on a recording medium intermittently transported along a transport path and stopped on a support member that supports the recording medium by jetting liquid to the recording medium; a surface modification machine executing a surface modification process for modifying a surface of the recording medium at a processing position upstream of the support member on the transport path while generating heat; a moving mechanism executing a separation operation for separating the recording medium including a portion that is being processed proximate to the surface modification machine at the processing position from the surface modification machine when transport of the recording medium at the processing position stops after predetermined time, and executing an approach operation for moving the recording medium so that the portion that is being processed can approach again the surface modification machine when image recording resumes; and a control unit controlling the recording medium to move upstream on the transport path relatively to the processing position after executing the approach operation and before resuming the surface modification process at the processing position.

Description

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

  Patent Document 1 describes an image recording apparatus in which a recording head ejects ink onto a recording medium supported on a platen to print an image on the recording medium. In particular, in this image recording apparatus, the recording medium is intermittently conveyed on the platen, and the recording head records an image on the recording medium stopped on the platen. Thus, the recording head ejects ink onto the recording medium that is sequentially conveyed onto the platen to record an image.

JP 2011-194797 A

  By the way, in the above apparatus for recording an image by ejecting a liquid such as ink onto a recording medium, it is important to firmly fix the liquid on the recording medium. Therefore, it is conceivable to perform the surface modification treatment on the recording medium using a surface modification machine such as a corona treatment machine. Specifically, a surface reformer is disposed on the upstream side of the recording head in the recording medium conveyance path, and the surface modification is performed on the recording medium that passes in front of the surface reformer as the recording medium is conveyed. What is necessary is just to perform a process. Thereby, the recording medium subjected to the surface modification treatment can be supplied to the recording head, and the fixability of the liquid ejected by the recording head to the recording medium can be improved.

  However, in adopting such a configuration, there is a possibility that the deterioration of the recording medium due to the heat generated by the surface reformer becomes a problem. That is, the surface reformer generates heat as the surface modification process is performed. At this time, if the heat of the surface reformer is conducted to the recording medium, the recording medium may be deteriorated. In particular, in the configuration in which the recording medium is intermittently conveyed as described above, the recording medium is stopped between the repeated conveyance. Also, in the process of recording an image, there is a conveyance stop state in which the recording medium stops when the image recording apparatus recognizes some abnormality, when the recording medium is replaced, or when maintenance is required. Arise. When the surface reformer comes close to the stopped recording medium for a long time, the thermal deterioration of the recording medium becomes remarkable, which may affect the quality of the image recorded on the recording medium.

  In addition, when the conveyance stop state of the recording medium in the surface modification unit is released and the conveyance is resumed, there is a possibility that a portion where the surface modification is not sufficiently performed may occur. That is, when resuming the conveyance and resuming the surface modification process by the surface reformer are started at the same time, after the conveyance of the recording medium resumes at the surface modification process position, the surface reformer performs the surface modification process. This is because there is a time difference until the state is stably performed, so that the surface is not transported sufficiently. As described above, when an image is recorded on a recording medium having a distribution in the surface modification treatment, there is a possibility that image unevenness occurs.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and is a technology that enables high-quality image recording by suppressing deterioration of a recording medium due to heat of a surface reformer. For the purpose of provision.

  Application Example 1 In an image recording apparatus according to this application example, a support member that supports a recording medium that is transported along a transport path, and a liquid is ejected onto the recording medium that is stopped on the support member. A surface modification process for modifying the surface of the recording medium that passes through the processing position is performed in a passing period in which the recording head that records an image and the processing position on the upstream side of the support member in the transport path passes. And a surface reformer that generates heat as the surface reforming process is performed, and intermittently transports the recording medium from the upstream side of the transport path to the support member, and the processing position from the upstream side of the transport path. The conveyance unit that intermittently conveys the recording medium to the processing position by intermittently conveying the recording medium to the processing position, and the recording medium that passes the processing position and the surface treatment machine close to each other during the passage period. On the other hand, when the conveyance of the recording medium at the processing position is stopped after a predetermined time, the recording includes a processing in-process portion that is close to the surface reformer at the processing position. A separation operation for separating the medium from the surface reformer is performed, and when the conveyance stop state is released and image recording is resumed, the in-process portion is brought close to the surface reformer again. A moving mechanism for performing a proximity operation for moving the recording medium, and after the execution of the proximity operation, before restarting the surface modification process at the processing position, the processing mechanism of the recording medium with respect to the processing position. A control for moving the surface portion relative to the upstream side of the transport path, and a control for bringing the surface reformer into a state in which the surface reforming process can be performed before the recording medium starts to pass through the processing position. The fruit A control unit for, characterized by comprising a.

According to this application example, the moving mechanism that moves the surface reformer and the recording medium closer to and away from each other, and when the image recording is resumed, the processing in-process portion of the recording medium is located upstream of the conveyance path with respect to the processing position. And a control unit that executes control for resuming transport of the recording medium at the processing position and surface modification processing after the surface modification machine is ready to perform surface modification processing. ing. As a result, when the conveyance of the recording medium at the processing position is stopped after a predetermined time, heat conduction from the surface reformer that has generated heat due to the execution of the surface modification process to the recording medium can be suppressed, and Since the surface modification process and image recording can be resumed after returning the in-process part to the upstream side of the conveyance path by a predetermined amount, the surface of the recording medium before image formation is not sufficiently subjected to surface modification. It can be suppressed from occurring.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording medium due to the heat of the surface reformer, and to apply a uniform surface modification process to the recording medium before image recording. As a result, high quality and stable image recording can be realized. An image recording apparatus can be provided.

  Application Example 2 In the image recording apparatus according to the application example, the moving mechanism includes a winding roller that winds the recording medium from the opposite side of the surface reformer with the recording medium interposed therebetween, In the passing period, the recording medium is brought close to the surface modifying machine by making the winding roller face the surface modifying machine at the processing position, and when the passing period ends, the winding roller is moved to the surface modifying machine. The separating operation is performed by separating the material from the material machine.

  According to this application example, the recording medium can be moved closer to and away from the surface reformer by moving the winding roller, so that it is easy to suppress deterioration of the recording medium due to the heat of the surface reformer. It becomes possible to execute.

  Application Example 3 In the image recording apparatus according to the application example described above, the transport unit includes an operation of intermittently transporting the recording medium to the support member, and an operation of intermittently passing the recording medium to the processing position. Are executed at different timings.

  According to this application example, the operation of intermittently transporting the recording medium to the support member and the operation of intermittently passing the recording medium to the processing position can be executed at appropriate timings.

  Application Example 4 In the image recording method according to this application example, liquid is ejected from the recording head onto the recording medium that is stopped on the support member that supports the recording medium while conveying the recording medium along the conveyance path. An image recording method for recording an image, wherein the recording medium is intermittently transported to the support member along the transport path, and the recording medium is moved to a processing position upstream of the support path from the support member. Along with the execution of the surface modification process in the step of intermittently passing the recording medium through the processing position by intermittently transporting along the transport path and the passing period in which the recording medium passes through the processing position Performing the surface modification process on the recording medium passing through the processing position using a heat generating surface reformer; and the recording medium and the surface reformer passing through the processing position during the passage period. The proximity On the other hand, when the conveyance of the recording medium at the processing position is stopped after a predetermined time, the processing position includes an in-process portion close to the surface reformer at the processing position. A step of performing a separating operation for separating the recording medium and the surface reformer, and a step of restarting the recording of the image after the conveyance stop state, and restarting the recording of the image In the process, after executing the proximity operation to move the recording medium so that the in-process portion is again brought close to the surface reformer, before resuming the surface modification process at the processing position, Relatively moving the in-process portion of the recording medium to the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the processing position; and before the recording medium starts passing the processing position, Surface modification treatment A step of ready to run, and having a.

According to this application example, when the conveyance of the recording medium of the surface modification unit stops after a predetermined time, the step of separating the surface modification machine and the recording medium, the step of restarting image recording, And the step of restarting image recording includes a step of relatively moving the in-process portion of the recording medium to the upstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the processing position. As a result, when the conveyance of the recording medium at the processing position is stopped after a predetermined time, heat conduction from the surface reformer that has generated heat due to the execution of the surface modification process to the recording medium can be suppressed, and Since the in-process portion is returned to the upstream side of the conveyance path by a predetermined amount, the surface modification process and the image formation are resumed, so that the surface modification process is prevented from being uneven on the surface of the recording medium before the image formation. be able to.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the recording medium due to the heat of the surface reformer and to perform the surface modification process on the recording medium sufficiently evenly, thereby realizing high-quality and stable image recording. It is possible to provide an image recording method capable of performing the above.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied. The top view which shows the structure of a recording unit partially. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration included in the printing system of FIG. 1. The side view which showed typically operation | movement of the corona treatment unit. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a printing operation. The side view which showed typically operation | movement of the corona treatment unit which concerns on a modification.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1 and the following drawings, XYZ orthogonal coordinates with the Z axis as the vertical axis are also shown as necessary in order to clarify the arrangement relationship of each part of the apparatus. In the following explanation, the direction in which each coordinate axis (the arrow) faces is a positive direction, the opposite direction is a negative direction, the positive side of the Z axis is the upper side, and the negative side of the Z axis is the lower side.

  The printing system 100 includes a host device 200 that generates print data based on image data received from an external device such as a personal computer, and a printer 300 that prints an image based on print data received from the host device 200. The printer 300 prints an image on the sheet S using an ink jet method while conveying a long sheet S (web) wound at both ends in a roll shape by a roll-to-roll method. (Form an image).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 300 includes a main body case 1 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Inside the main body case 1, a feeding unit 2 that feeds out the sheet S from a roll R <b> 1 around which the sheet S is wound, a printing chamber 3 that performs printing by ejecting ink onto the fed sheet S, and a sheet S to which the ink is attached. A drying unit 4 for drying and a winding unit 5 for winding the dried sheet S as a roll R2 are arranged.

  More specifically, the inside of the main body case 1 is partitioned vertically in the Z-axis direction by a flat base 6 arranged in parallel (that is, horizontally) to the XY plane, and the upper side of the base 6 is the printing chamber 3. It has become. A platen 30 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 6 at a substantially central portion in the printing chamber 3. The platen 30 has a rectangular shape, and supports the sheet S from below by its upper surface parallel to the XY plane. Then, the recording unit 31 performs printing on the sheet S supported on the platen 30.

  On the other hand, the feeding unit 2, the drying unit 4, and the winding unit 5 are disposed below the base 6. The feeding unit 2 is disposed below the platen 30 in the negative direction of the X axis (left obliquely lower in FIG. 1) and includes a rotatable feeding shaft 21. The sheet S is wound around the feeding shaft 21 in a roll shape, and the roll R1 is supported. On the other hand, the winding unit 5 is disposed below the platen 30 in the positive X-axis direction (downwardly to the right in FIG. 1), and includes a rotatable winding shaft 51. And the sheet | seat S is wound up by this winding shaft 51 in roll shape, and roll R2 is supported. Further, the drying unit 4 is disposed directly below the platen 30 between the feeding unit 2 and the winding unit 5 in the X-axis direction. The drying unit 4 is slightly above the feeding unit 2 and the winding unit 5.

  Then, the sheet S is transported along the transport path Pc from the feeding unit 2 to the winding unit 5 and sequentially passes through the printing chamber 3 and the drying unit 4. Specifically, the sheet S fed from the feeding shaft 21 provided in the feeding unit 2 is guided to the printing chamber 3 via a corona treatment unit 8 described later. Inside the printing chamber 3, two rollers 72 and 73 are arranged in this order in the positive X-axis direction of the sheet S. Then, the sheet S guided into the printing chamber 3 is wound around these two rollers 72 and 73. The rollers 72 and 73 are arranged in a straight line (that is, horizontally) in the X-axis direction so as to sandwich the platen 30, and the tops thereof are the same height as the upper surface of the platen 30 (surface that supports the sheet S). So that the position is adjusted. Accordingly, the sheet S wound around the roller 72 moves horizontally (in the X-axis direction) while being in sliding contact with the upper surface of the platen 30 until reaching the roller 73. Then, the sheet S wound around the roller 73 is guided downward.

  Below the roller 73 (below the base 6), two rollers 74 and 75 are arranged in this order in the negative X-axis direction. The sheet S wound around the rollers 74 and 75 is guided between the rollers 74 and 75 in parallel (that is, horizontally) in the X-axis direction. A drying unit 4 is disposed between the rollers 74 and 75. Accordingly, the sheet S wound around the roller 74 changes its direction in the negative X-axis direction and passes through the inside of the drying unit 4 until reaching the roller 75. Below the roller 75, the two rollers 76 and 77 are arranged in this order in the positive direction of the X axis. Then, the sheet S wound around the roller 76 changes its direction in the X axis positive direction and reaches the roller 77. Further, the sheet S wound around the roller 77 is wound around the winding shaft 51 of the winding unit 5 arranged in the positive X-axis direction of the roller 77.

  In this way, the sheet S fed out from the feeding unit 2 passes through the printing chamber 3 and the drying unit 4 and is taken up by the winding unit 5. The sheet S is subjected to various processes such as a printing process in the printing chamber 3 and a drying process in the drying unit 4.

  The printing process in the printing chamber 3 is executed by the recording unit 31 arranged on the upper side of the platen 30. The recording unit 31 uses an ink jet system to supply ink supplied by an ink supply mechanism (not shown) from an ink cartridge CR disposed at the end in the negative X-axis direction (the left end in FIG. 1) in the printing chamber 3 using a sheet S. To be printed. Specifically, the recording unit 31 includes a carriage 32, a flat support plate 33 attached to the lower surface of the carriage 32, and a plurality of recording heads 34 attached to the lower surface of the support plate 33.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view partially showing the configuration of the recording unit. As shown in FIG. 2, on the lower surface of the support plate 33, fifteen recording heads 34 are arranged in two rows in a staggered manner at an equal pitch in the Y-axis direction. These recording heads 34 eject ink from nozzles 35 and have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, the details of the configuration will be described on behalf of one recording head 34.

  On the lower surface of the recording head 34, a plurality of (for example, 180) nozzles 35 are linearly arranged at equal pitches in the Y-axis direction to form one nozzle row 35L, and the plurality of nozzle rows 35L are arranged in the X-axis direction. They are lined up at equal pitches. The plurality of nozzle rows 35L arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 34 correspond to mutually different ink colors. For example, when eight colors of ink are used, eight nozzle rows 35L are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 34. The nozzles 35 belonging to the same nozzle row 35L eject the same color ink, while the nozzles 35 belonging to different nozzle rows 35L eject different color inks. The nozzle 35 is of a piezo type that ejects ink out of the tube by applying a voltage to a piezo element attached to a fine tube filled with ink and deforming it.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. The carriage 32 of the recording unit 31 configured as described above is movable together with the support plate 33 and the recording head 34. Specifically, a first guide rail 36 extending in the X-axis direction is provided in the printing chamber 3, and the carriage 32 receives the driving force of the first CR motor Mx (FIG. 3) and receives the first guide. It moves along the rail 36 in the X-axis direction. Further, a second guide rail (not shown) extending in the Y-axis direction is provided in the printing chamber 3, and the carriage 32 receives the driving force of the second CR motor My (FIG. 3) and receives the second guide. Move along the rail in the Y-axis direction.

  Then, printing is executed by moving the carriage 32 of the recording unit 31 two-dimensionally within the XY plane with respect to the sheet S stopped on the upper surface of the platen 30. Specifically, the recording unit 31 performs an operation (main scanning) of ejecting ink from each nozzle 35 of the recording head 34 to the sheet S while moving the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction (main scanning direction). In this main scanning, a two-dimensional image is printed by arranging a plurality of one-line images (line images) extending in the X-axis direction and spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, formed by ink ejected from one nozzle. Is done. Then, the main scanning and the sub scanning for moving the carriage 32 in the Y-axis direction (sub scanning direction) are alternately performed, and a plurality of main scannings are performed (lateral scanning method).

  That is, when the recording unit 31 completes one main scan, the recording unit 31 performs sub-scanning to move the carriage 32 in the Y-axis direction. Subsequently, the recording unit 31 moves the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction (opposite to the previous main scanning) from the position moved by the sub-scanning. As a result, a new main scan line image is formed between each of the plurality of line images already formed by the previous main scan. Then, these main scanning and sub-scanning are executed alternately. That is, in the printer 300, the operation (main scanning) in which an intermediate generation image including a plurality of line images is formed by ejecting ink from the nozzles 35 while moving the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction is performed in the Y-axis direction. By changing the position (sub-scanning) and executing a plurality of times, an image in which the intermediate generation images are superimposed is formed.

  In this way, one printing is executed by executing a plurality of main scans. Here, one main scan is referred to as “pass”, and one printing executed by a plurality of passes is referred to as “frame”. Further, an intermediate generated image formed on the sheet S in one pass is referred to as “one pass image”.

  The reason why the main scanning and the sub scanning are alternately repeated is to improve the resolution. That is, by executing M passes and superimposing M one-pass images, it is possible to obtain an image for one frame having a resolution M times that of the one-pass image. Therefore, the recording unit 31 executes printing of one frame by executing the number of passes corresponding to the resolution of the image to be printed. Incidentally, the carriage 32 can reciprocate in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the recording unit 31 efficiently executes a plurality of passes by executing passes on each of the forward path and the return path of the carriage 32.

  The printing of one frame as described above is repeatedly executed while the sheet S is moved intermittently in the X-axis direction. Specifically, a predetermined range over almost the entire upper surface of the platen 30 is a printing area. Then, the sheet S is intermittently conveyed in the X-axis direction in units of a distance (intermittent conveyance distance) corresponding to the length in the X-axis direction of the printing area, and stopped on the upper surface of the platen 30 during the intermittent conveyance. One frame is printed on the sheet S to be printed. Specifically, when printing of one frame is completed on the sheet S stopped on the platen 30, the sheet S is transported in the X-axis direction by the intermittent transport distance, and the unprinted surface of the sheet S stops on the platen 30. . Subsequently, printing of one frame is newly performed on this unprinted surface, and when this is completed, the sheet S is conveyed again in the X-axis direction by the intermittent conveyance distance. These series of operations are repeatedly executed.

  In order to keep the sheet S stopped on the upper surface of the platen 30 flat during intermittent conveyance, the platen 30 includes a mechanism for sucking the stopped sheet S on the upper surface thereof. Specifically, a large number of suction holes (not shown) are opened on the upper surface of the platen 30, and a suction portion 37 is attached to the lower surface of the platen 30. When the suction unit 37 operates, a negative pressure is generated in the suction hole on the upper surface of the platen 30, and the sheet S is sucked on the upper surface of the platen 30. The suction unit 37 sucks the sheet S while the sheet S is stopped on the platen 30 for printing, thereby keeping the sheet S flat. And the sheet S can be smoothly conveyed.

  Further, a heater 38 is attached to the lower surface of the platen 30. The heater 38 heats the platen 30 to a predetermined temperature (for example, 45 degrees). Accordingly, the sheet S is primarily dried by the heat of the platen 30 in parallel with receiving the printing process from the recording head 34. And the drying of the ink which landed on the sheet | seat S is accelerated | stimulated by this primary drying.

  In this way, on the upper surface of the platen 30, the sheet S that has received one frame of printing and is primarily dried moves along with the intermittent conveyance of the sheet S and reaches the drying unit 4. The drying unit 4 executes a drying process in which the ink landed on the sheet S is completely dried by air heated for drying. And the sheet | seat S which received this drying process reaches the winding part 5 with the intermittent conveyance of the sheet | seat S, and is wound up as roll R2.

  As described above, the printing / drying process is performed on the sheet S by the recording unit 31 and the drying unit 4. In addition to the recording unit 31 and the drying unit 4 described above, the printer 300 includes functional units such as a corona treatment unit 8 and a maintenance unit 9. Next, details of these configurations and operations will be described.

  The corona treatment unit 8 is disposed between the roll R1 of the feeding shaft 21 and the roller 72 (platen 30) in the transport path Pc, and has a corona treatment machine 80. The corona treatment machine 80 includes a corona discharge electrode 801 that faces the surface of the sheet S, and an electrode cover 802 that covers the corona discharge electrode 801. In addition to the corona treatment unit 80, the corona treatment unit 8 wraps the sheet S from the back side and wraps the sheet on the upstream and downstream sides of the ground roller 841 as a wrapping roller facing the corona treatment unit 80. And rollers 842 and 843 around which the surface of S is wound. As will be described later, the earth roller 841 is configured to be movable by an earth roller moving mechanism M841 (FIG. 3).

  The corona discharge electrode 801 is connected to the discharge bias generator 84 (FIG. 3), while the earth roller 841 is grounded. Therefore, when a discharge bias is applied from the discharge bias generator 84 to the corona discharge electrode 801, corona discharge is generated between the corona discharge electrode 801 and the earth roller 841. As a result, the sheet S is subjected to corona treatment (surface modification treatment) at the treatment position Ap facing the corona treatment machine 80 (in other words, the position wound around the earth roller 841). Thereby, energy by corona discharge is given to the surface of the sheet S, the surface of the sheet S is modified, and the wettability of the sheet S to the ink is improved. Then, the sheet S that has been subjected to the corona treatment is supplied to the platen 30 and is subjected to a printing process by the recording unit 31. Incidentally, the corona treatment machine 80 having such a configuration has a property of generating heat as the corona treatment is performed.

  The maintenance unit 9 is provided at a position deviating from the platen 30 in the negative X-axis direction, and performs maintenance on the recording head 34 that retreats to the home position (position directly above the maintenance unit) during non-printing. The maintenance unit 9 includes 15 caps 91 provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the 15 recording heads 34, and an elevating unit 93 that moves the cap 91 up and down.

  Maintenance performed by the maintenance unit 9 includes capping, cleaning, and wiping. Capping is a process in which the cap 91 is raised by the elevating part 93 and the recording head 34 in the home position is covered with the cap 91. By this capping, it is possible to suppress an increase in the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles 35 of the recording head 34. The cleaning is a process for forcibly discharging ink from the nozzles 35 by generating a negative pressure in the cap 91 with the recording head 34 capped. By this cleaning, ink with increased viscosity, bubbles in the ink, and the like can be removed from the nozzle 35. Wiping is a process of wiping a surface (nozzle opening forming surface) in which the openings of the nozzles 35 are arranged in the recording head 34 with a wiper (not shown). By this wiping, the ink can be wiped off from the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head 34.

  The above is the outline of the apparatus configuration included in the printing system 100. Subsequently, FIG. 3 is added to FIG. 1 described above, and the electrical configuration of the printing system of FIG. 1 will be described in detail. Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the printing system of FIG.

  As described above, the printing system 100 includes the printer 300 and the host device 200 that controls the printer 300. The host device 200 is configured by, for example, a personal computer, and includes a printer driver 210 that controls the operation of the printer 300 and a transfer control unit 220 that manages a communication function with the printer 300. The printer driver 210 is constructed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the host device 200 executing a program for the printer driver 210.

  In addition, the host device 200 includes a media drive unit 240 that accesses a medium 230 that stores a printer driver program and reads the program. As this medium 230, various media such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory can be used.

  Furthermore, the host device 200 includes a monitor 250 configured with a liquid crystal display or the like and an operation unit 260 configured with a keyboard, a mouse, or the like as an interface with the worker. Note that a touch panel display may be used as the monitor 250, and the operation unit 260 may be configured by the touch panel of the monitor 250. In addition to the image to be printed, a menu screen is displayed on the monitor 250. Therefore, the operator operates the operation unit 260 while confirming the monitor 250 to open the print setting screen from the menu screen, and various types such as the type of the print medium, the size of the print medium, the print quality, and the plate number are displayed. Printing conditions can be set.

  The type of print medium (that is, sheet S) is broadly classified into paper and film. Specific examples include high-quality paper, cast paper, art paper, coated paper, and the like for paper, and synthetic paper, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), and the like for film systems. As the size of the print medium, the width of the sheet S (width in the Y-axis direction) is set. The print quality can be set by selecting one print mode from a plurality of print modes prepared according to the printing resolution. An example is as follows. That is, in the printer 300, the resolution can be changed by changing the number of passes executed in one frame. Therefore, a plurality of print modes having different numbers of passes executed in one frame may be prepared, and a print mode having the number of passes corresponding to the printing resolution may be selected. Thus, printing can be executed with a resolution corresponding to the number of passes of the selected print mode. Note that the print quality may be set by directly inputting the resolution instead of the print mode. The number of plates is set when a plurality of plates (images) are printed in the same area of the print medium. Specifically, the number of plates to be printed is set. Incidentally, when a plurality of versions are set, an image for each version can be displayed on the monitor 250.

  The printer driver 210 includes a host control unit 211 that controls display on the monitor 250 and input processing from the operation unit 260 as described above. That is, the host control unit 211 displays various screens such as a menu screen and a print setting screen on the monitor 250 and performs processing according to the contents input from the operation unit 260 on the various screens. Accordingly, the host control unit 211 generates a control signal necessary for controlling the printer 300 in accordance with an input from the worker.

  Further, the printer driver 210 includes an image processing unit 213 that performs image processing on image data received from an external device and generates print data. Specifically, image processing such as resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, and halftone processing is executed.

  The control signal generated by the host control unit 211 and the print data generated by the image processing unit 213 are transferred to the printer control unit 400 provided in the main body case 1 of the printer 300 via the transfer control unit 220. Is done. The transfer control unit 220 can perform bi-directional serial communication with the printer control unit 400. The transfer control unit 220 transfers control signals and print data to the printer control unit 400, and sends response signals to the printer control unit 400. Are transmitted to the host control unit 211.

  The printer control unit 400 includes a head controller 410 and a mechanical controller 420. The head controller 410 controls the recording head 34 based on the print data transmitted from the printer driver 210. Specifically, the head controller 410 controls ink ejection from the nozzles 35 of the recording head 34 based on print data. At this time, the timing of ejecting ink from the nozzles 35 is controlled based on the movement of the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction. That is, a linear encoder E32 that detects the position of the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction is provided in the printing chamber 3. Then, the head controller 410 refers to the output of the linear encoder E32 to eject ink from the nozzles 35 at a timing according to the movement of the carriage 32 in the X-axis direction.

  On the other hand, the mechanical controller 420 mainly controls a function of controlling the intermittent conveyance of the sheet S and the driving of the carriage 32. Specifically, the mechanical controller 420 outputs the conveyance motor Ms that drives the sheet conveyance system including the feeding unit 2, the rollers 71 to 77, and the winding unit 5, and the output of the encoder Emc that detects the rotation of the conveyance motor Ms. Based on the control, the sheet S is intermittently conveyed. The mechanical controller 420 controls the first CR motor Mx to cause the carriage 32 to perform movement in the X-axis direction for main scanning, and controls the second CR motor My to perform sub-scanning. Is moved in the Y-axis direction by the carriage 32.

  Then, the head controller 410 and the mechanical controller 420 perform these controls as appropriate while synchronizing them, so that the number of passes corresponding to the resolution is executed for the sheet S that is intermittently conveyed, and 1 frame Minutes of printing. As a result, an image for one frame having a desired resolution is printed on the sheet S.

The mechanical controller 420 can execute various controls in addition to the above-described control for the printing process. Specifically, the mechanical controller 420 detects the on / off state of the power switch SW, and executes the activation process of each unit of the printer 300 when the power switch SW is turned on. Further, the mechanical controller 420 based on the basis of the output of the temperature sensor S30 for detecting the temperature of the platen 30 upper surface, or the feedback control of the heater 38, the output of the temperature sensor S ₄ for detecting the internal temperature of the drying section 4 Thus, temperature control such as feedback control of the drying unit 4 is executed. Further, the mechanical controller 420 can perform various operations such as adjusting the negative pressure generated in the suction hole of the platen 30 by controlling the suction unit 37 and performing predetermined maintenance by controlling the maintenance unit 9. is there. In particular, as will be described later, the mechanical controller 420 of this embodiment includes a feeding shaft negative direction rotating mechanism M21 that rotates the feeding shaft 21 in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the sheet S (a “negative direction” to be described later), It also controls the earth roller moving mechanism M841 that moves the earth roller 841 in the X-axis direction.

  The above is the outline of the electrical configuration of the printing system of FIG. Next, details of the printing operation executed in this embodiment will be described. As described above, the printer 300 is provided with the corona treatment unit 8 that performs the surface modification process (corona treatment) on the sheet S. In the printing operation executed by the printer 300, the surface modification process for the sheet S is appropriately executed. Therefore, in the following, the operation of the corona processing unit (FIG. 4) will be described, and then the printing operation (FIG. 5) executed by the printer 300 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the operation of the corona treatment unit. In the following description, the expression “positive direction” or “negative direction” is used to indicate the rotation direction of the roller 72 and the feeding shaft 21. In this case, the “positive direction” indicates a rotation direction in which the sheet S is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path Pc, and the “negative direction” indicates that the sheet S is upstream from the downstream side of the transport path Pc. The direction of rotation for conveying toward the side shall be indicated. In this embodiment, an earth roller 841 as a winding roller that winds the sheet S from the opposite side of the corona processor 80 with the sheet S interposed therebetween is configured to be movable in the X-axis direction. Is moved between a positive position X (+) and a negative position X (−) in the X axis direction by an earth roller moving guide 844 that allows the rotation axis of the earth roller 841 to move in the X axis direction. (In other words, the above-described earth roller moving mechanism M841 is driven to move the earth roller 841 with respect to the X-axis direction using the earth roller 841, the earth roller moving guide 844, and the earth roller moving guide 844 as a guide. Part). And the corona treatment unit 8 can take the states 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 4 as required. In the state 1, the earth roller 841 is present at the position X (+) on the positive side of the earth roller moving guide 844, and forms a treatment position Ap in the vicinity of the corona treatment machine 80. In the state 2, the earth roller 841 exists at the position X (−) on the negative side of the earth roller moving guide 844. In this state, the sheet S is separated from the corona processor 80 in the X-axis negative direction, and the processing position Ap is not formed. In the state 3, as in the state 1, the ground roller 841 exists at the position X (+) on the positive side of the ground roller moving guide 844, and forms the processing position Ap in the vicinity of the corona processing machine 80. At this time, the sheet S is moved upstream by rotating the feeding shaft 21 in the negative direction. Thus, in this embodiment, since the surface reformer and the recording medium can be separated from the state 1 by making the transition from the state 1 to the state 2, when the conveyance of the recording medium in the surface modifying unit is stopped, Heat conduction from the generated surface reformer to the recording medium is suppressed. Further, since the recording medium can be moved from the state 2 to the state 3 and moved relative to the processing position on the upstream side of the conveyance path, when the conveyance of the recording medium of the surface modification unit is resumed, A portion where surface modification is not performed can be suppressed (processing position movement processing).

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the printing operation.

  As described above, in the printer 300, printing is performed on the surface of the sheet S that is stopped on the upper surface of the platen 30 while the sheet S is intermittently conveyed to the upper surface of the platen 30. Therefore, in the printing operation, a conveyance command for controlling the intermittent conveyance of the sheet S is output from the mechanical controller 420. Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the conveyance command is output between time t1 and t2 and between time t3 and t4, while the conveyance command is not output between time t2 and t3 (FIG. 5). (5) “Conveyance command” graph).

  While the conveyance command is output, the roller 72 (drive roller) rotates in the forward direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 1), and conveys the sheet S from the upstream side of the conveyance path Pc to the platen 30. Further, according to the rotation of the roller 72, the feeding shaft 21 also rotates in the forward direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 1), and the sheet S is fed to the roller 72 from the upstream side of the conveyance path Pc via the corona treatment unit 8. Transport. As a result, the sheet S conveyed to the platen 30 is fed from the roll R1 of the feeding shaft 21 and supplied to the roller 72. On the other hand, while the conveyance command is not output, the roller 72 and the feeding shaft 21 stop rotating and stop the conveyance of the sheet S to the platen 30.

  Further, the sheet S intermittently conveyed in this way intermittently passes the processing position Ap of the corona processing unit 8 (graph of “sheet passing state” in FIG. 5). Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the sheet S passes the processing position Ap between time t1 and t2 and between time t3 and t4, while the sheet S is processed between time t2 and t3. It stops at the position Ap. That is, during the passage period Tp (between times t1 and t2 and between times t3 and t4), the sheet S passes through the processing position Ap toward the downstream side of the transport path Pc, while the stop period Ts (times t2 to t3). In the meantime, the sheet S stops at the processing position Ap (conveying step).

  Then, the mechanical controller 420 gives a discharge command for controlling on / off of the corona processor 80 to the discharge bias generator 84 according to the timing when the sheet S passes the processing position Ap. Specifically, the mechanical controller 420 outputs a discharge command to the discharge bias generating unit 84 during the passage period Tp of the sheet S, but does not output a discharge command during the stop period Ts of the sheet S. The discharge bias generator 84 receives the discharge bias output in response to the discharge command, and the corona treatment machine 80 executes corona discharge.

  5, the corona discharge of the corona treatment machine 80 starts discharging after a certain delay time d from the start of the passage period Tp of the sheet S. It ends with the end of the passage period Tp. Thus, a time difference d occurs from the start of the passage period Tp of the sheet S to the rise of the corona discharge. Accordingly, the surface modification process is not performed on the sheet S that has passed the processing position Ap during the delay time d from the start of the passage period Tp of the sheet S. Then, the surface modification process (corona process) is performed only on the sheet S that has passed the processing position Ap from the rise of the corona discharge to the end of the passage period Tp of the sheet S.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress the region where the surface modification process is insufficient regardless of the delay of the rise of the corona discharge, the mechanical controller 420 sets the feeding shaft negative direction rotating mechanism M21 and the earth roller moving mechanism M841. The processing position movement process is executed as appropriate. Specifically, it is as follows.

  At the start time of the stop period Ts (that is, the end time of the passage period Tp), all the earth rollers 841 exist at the position X (+), and the corona treatment unit 8 is in the state 1. Then, during the stop period Ts of the sheet S, the corona treatment unit 8 transitions from the state 1 to the state 3 via the state 2. That is, the ground roller 841 is moved from the position X (+) to the position X (−) over a predetermined time Tb1 (in the example of FIG. 5, the predetermined time Tb1 from the start of the stop period Ts) in the stop period Ts of the sheet S. Move to. Thus, the corona treatment unit 8 transitions to the state 2 where the distance between the sheet S and the corona treatment machine 80 is farther than the state 1 (separation operation). Further, in the stop period Ts of the sheet S, when the transition to the state 2 is completed and the time Tc has elapsed, a predetermined time Tb2 (predetermined time Tb2 before the end of the stop period Ts in the example of FIG. 5) is taken. The feeding shaft 21 rotates in the negative direction (state 3), and the earth roller 841 moves from the position X (−) to the position X (+). Thus, during the stop period Ts, the sheet S moves upstream by ΔS.

  As a result, prior to the surface modification process for the sheet S executed in the passage period Tp (t3 to t4) subsequent to the stop period Ts (t2 to t3), the sheet S is placed on the upstream side of the conveyance path Pc. It is moved by the movement amount ΔS. Therefore, in the subsequent passing period Tp (t3 to t4), the sheet S that has already undergone the surface modification process passes through the processing position Ap for a predetermined time ΔT from the start of the passing period Tp. Therefore, even if the rise of the corona discharge is delayed by the delay time d from the passage period Tp, the amount of the sheet S for which the surface modification process becomes insufficient can be suppressed. Also in this embodiment, if the movement amount ΔS in the processing position movement process is set so that the time ΔT is longer than the delay time d, the generation of the sheet S in which the surface modification process becomes insufficient. Can be suppressed almost completely.

As described above, in this embodiment, while the sheet S passes the processing position Ap intermittently, the corona processor 80 passes the processing position Ap during the passage period Tp in which the sheet S passes the processing position Ap. A surface modification process is performed on the sheet S to be processed. Moreover, in this embodiment, the structure which makes a corona treatment machine and the sheet | seat S adjoin and separate mutually is provided. Specifically, during the passage period Tp, the sheet S that passes through the processing position Ap and the corona treatment machine 80 are brought close to each other so that the surface modification process for the sheet S that passes through the processing position Ap can be performed. On the other hand, when the passage period Tp ends, a separating operation for separating the sheet S and the corona processor 80 is performed.
That is, when the passage period Tp ends and the intermittent conveyance of the sheet S to the processing position Ap stops, the sheet S and the corona processor 80 are separated from each other. Therefore, heat conduction from the corona treatment machine 80 that generates heat with the execution of the surface modification treatment to the sheet S is suppressed. As a result, deterioration of the sheet S due to the heat of the corona processor 80 can be suppressed, and high-quality image recording can be realized.

  Particularly in this embodiment, the sheet S is separated from the corona processor 80 for a predetermined time Tc. Therefore, the corona treatment machine 80 can be cooled firmly over a predetermined time Tc at a location away from the sheet S to some extent. Then, after the corona treatment machine 80 is cooled in this manner, the earth roller 841 is moved to a position facing the corona treatment machine 80 and is brought close to the sheet S. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably suppress deterioration of the sheet S due to heat from the corona treatment machine 80.

(Modification)
FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the operation of the corona treatment unit according to the modification. In the above-described embodiment, the earth roller 841 as a winding roller as a moving mechanism for moving the sheet S close to and away from the corona processor 80 is movable in the X-axis direction using the earth roller moving guide 844 as a guide. Although the provided structure (refer FIG. 4) was demonstrated, it is not limited to this structure. Hereinafter, the corona treatment unit 8 ′ according to this modification will be described. In addition, about the same component as FIG. 4, the same number is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
In FIG. 6, in the corona treatment unit 8 ′ of the present modification, a corona treatment unit conveyance unit 850 that includes the earth roller 841 and forms a part of the conveyance path of the sheet S with respect to the fixed corona treatment machine 80. The rotation shaft 820 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the rotation direction. When the corona treatment unit transport unit 850 rotates about the rotation shaft 820 as the rotation shaft, the position of the earth roller 841 with respect to the corona treatment machine 80 is changed to a positive position X (+) and a negative position X (X axis direction). It can move between-).
Specifically, the corona treatment unit 8 ′ can take the states 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 6 as necessary. In state 1, the earth roller 841 and the corona treatment machine 80 come close to each other to form the treatment position Ap. In the state 2, the sheet S is separated from the corona processor 80 by the rotation of the corona processing unit conveyance unit 850 with the rotation shaft 820 as the rotation axis, and the processing position Ap is not formed. In the state 3, the earth roller 841 and the corona treatment machine 80 are brought close to each other by the rotation of the corona treatment unit transport unit 850 around the rotation shaft 820 (rotation in the direction opposite to the rotation in the state 2). Form. At this time, the sheet S is moved upstream by rotating the feeding shaft 21 in the negative direction. Thus, in this embodiment, since the surface reformer and the recording medium can be separated from the state 1 by making the transition from the state 1 to the state 2, when the conveyance of the recording medium in the surface modifying unit is stopped, Heat conduction from the generated surface reformer to the recording medium is suppressed. Further, since the recording medium can be moved from the state 2 to the state 3 and moved relative to the processing position on the upstream side of the conveyance path, when the conveyance of the recording medium of the surface modification unit is resumed, A portion where surface modification is not performed can be suppressed.

  As described above, the printer 300 corresponds to the “image recording apparatus” of the present invention, the sheet S corresponds to the “recording medium” of the present invention, the transport path Pc corresponds to the “transport path” of the present invention, and the ink Corresponds to the “liquid” of the present invention, the platen 30 corresponds to the “supporting member” of the present invention, the recording head 34 corresponds to the “recording head” of the present invention, and the feeding unit 2, the rollers 71 to 77 and the winding. The sheet conveying system constituted by the taking unit 5 corresponds to the “conveying unit” of the present invention, and the corona treatment device 80 and the discharge bias generating unit 84 cooperate to function as a “surface reformer”, and the processing position Ap. Corresponds to the “processing position” of the present invention, and the earth roller 841, the earth roller moving guide 844, the earth roller moving mechanism M841, and the corona processing section transport unit 850 having the rotating shaft 820 cooperate with each other. Move Functions as a structure ".

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the above-described one without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the separation operation of separating the corona treatment device 80 and the sheet S is performed by moving the earth roller 841 from the position X (+) to the position X (−). However, as shown in FIG. 6, the separation operation may be performed by rotating the corona treatment unit conveyance unit 850.

  In the above-described embodiment, the separation operation is performed in the processing position movement process in which the processing position Ap is moved relative to the sheet S. However, it is not always necessary to execute such processing position movement processing, and it is possible to simply perform the separation operation. Therefore, while the earth roller 841 is fixedly provided, the corona treatment machine 80 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the earth roller 841, and the corona treatment machine 80 is separated from the earth roller 841 to execute the separation operation. Also good.

  Also, various modifications can be made to the configuration of the conveyance system for conveying the sheet S. Therefore, for example, an elevating roller as disclosed in JP 2009-292129 A is provided between the corona treatment unit 8 and the roller 72, and the amount of sheets S that the roller 72 supplies to the platen 30 in one transport is provided. The corona treatment unit 8 and the roller 72 may be previously drawn out and stored (buffered). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, it is not always necessary to match the output timing of the conveyance command and the timing at which the sheet S passes the processing position Ap. Therefore, the supply of the sheet S to the platen 30 in accordance with the conveyance command and the passage of the sheet S to the processing position Ap can be executed at different timings and speeds. Accordingly, the operation of intermittently conveying the sheet S to the platen 30 and the operation of intermittently passing the sheet S to the processing position Ap can be executed at appropriate timings.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the surface modification process was performed by the corona treatment. However, you may comprise so that surface modification processing may be performed by methods other than corona processing, for example, plasma processing.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an inkjet printer using a piezo method has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to an ink jet printer using a thermal method.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body case, 2 ... Feeding part, 3 ... Printing chamber, 4 ... Drying part, 5 ... Winding part, 6 ... Base, 8 ... Corona treatment unit, 9 ... Maintenance unit, 21 ... Feeding shaft, 30 ... Support Platen as member, 31... Recording unit, 32... Carriage, 33 .. support plate, 34... Recording head, 35 .. nozzle, 35 L .... nozzle row, 36 .. first guide rail, 37. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Winding axis | shaft, 71-77, 842,843 ... Roller, 80 ... Corona treatment machine as a surface modifier, 84 ... Discharge bias generation part, 91 ... Cap, 93 ... Lifting part, 100 ... Printing system, 200 ... Host device 210 ... Printer driver 211 ... Host control unit 213 ... Image processing unit 220 ... Transfer control unit 230 ... Media 240 ... Media drive unit 250 ... Monitor DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 60 ... Operation part, 300 ... Printer as image recording device, 400 ... Printer control part, 410 ... Head controller, 420 ... Mechanical controller, 801 ... Corona discharge electrode, 802 ... Electrode cover, 820 ... Rotating shaft, 841 ... Earth roller M841 ... Earth roller moving mechanism, 844 ... Earth roller moving guide, 850 ... Corona treatment unit transport unit.

Claims (4)

A support member for supporting the recording medium conveyed along the conveyance path;
A recording head for recording an image by ejecting liquid onto the recording medium that is stopped on the support member;
A surface modification process for modifying the surface of the recording medium that passes through the processing position is performed during a passage period that passes through the processing position upstream of the support member in the transport path, and the surface modification process is performed. A surface reformer that generates heat during execution;
The recording medium is intermittently transported from the upstream side of the transport path to the support member, and the recording medium is intermittently transported to the processing position from the upstream side of the transport path to the processing position. A transport section to pass through,
While the passing period brings the recording medium that passes through the processing position close to the surface treatment machine, the conveyance of the recording medium at the processing position is stopped after a predetermined time, A separation operation is performed to separate the recording medium including the in-process portion close to the surface reformer at the processing position from the surface reformer, and the conveyance stop state is released to record an image. A moving mechanism for moving the recording medium so as to move the processing in-progress part again closer to the surface reformer when resuming;
Control to move the in-process portion of the recording medium relative to the processing position to the upstream side of the transport path before the surface modification processing is restarted at the processing position after the proximity operation is performed. And a control unit that executes control to bring the surface modifying machine into a state where the surface modifying process can be performed before the recording medium starts to pass through the processing position. Image recording device.   The moving mechanism has a winding roller that winds the recording medium from the opposite side of the surface reformer across the recording medium, and the surface modification is performed at the processing position by the winding roller during the passage period. The recording medium is brought close to the surface reforming machine by facing the machine, and the separating operation is executed by separating the winding roller from the surface modifying machine when the passing period ends. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.   The said conveyance part performs the operation | movement which intermittently conveys the said recording medium to the said support member, and the operation | movement which passes the said recording medium intermittently to the said process position at different timings, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The image recording apparatus described in 1. An image recording method for recording an image by ejecting liquid from a recording head onto the recording medium that is stopped on a support member that supports the recording medium while conveying the recording medium along a conveyance path,
The recording medium is intermittently transported along the transport path to the support member, and the recording medium is intermittently transported along the transport path from the support member to a processing position upstream of the transport path. Intermittently passing a medium through the processing position;
The surface modification process is performed on the recording medium that passes through the processing position using a surface reformer that generates heat in accordance with the execution of the surface modification process during the passage period in which the recording medium passes through the processing position. Process,
When the recording medium passing through the processing position and the surface reformer are brought close to each other during the passage period, the conveyance of the recording medium at the processing position is stopped after a predetermined time. Performing a separating operation for separating the recording medium including the processing in-progress part in proximity to the surface reformer at the processing position and the surface reformer;
Resuming the recording of the image after the conveyance stop state,
In the step of restarting the recording of the image, the surface modification at the processing position is performed after performing a proximity operation of moving the recording medium so that the in-process portion is again brought close to the surface reformer. Before resuming the processing, relatively moving the in-process portion of the recording medium to the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the processing position; and before the recording medium starts to pass the processing position. And a step of bringing the surface modifying machine into a state where the surface modifying process can be performed.

Images