JP2016097534A - Media reformation device, image formation device, image formation system, media reformation method, and media reformation program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a media reformation device capable of suppressing unevenness in reformation processing in a necessary area of an object medium for the processing using a plurality of discharge electrodes.SOLUTION: A media reformation device in an image formation system comprises: a plurality of discharge electrodes 14a, which are disposed in a conveyance direction of a processing object medium when the conveyed processing object medium is reformed by discharge, and in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and which have a plurality of connection positions 14c disposed in the orthogonal direction different from the associated positions in the conveyance direction; and a counter electrode 12, which is disposed at a position facing the respective discharge electrodes 14a across the processing object medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium reforming apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a medium reforming method, and a medium reforming program, and in particular, a medium reforming apparatus that modifies the properties of a medium using discharge, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a medium modifying method, and a medium modifying program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that discharges recording material droplets such as ink onto a recording medium and forms an image on the recording medium, such as an ink jet recording apparatus, the recording material droplets are discharged. An image is formed by reciprocating the recording head on which the nozzles are formed in the main scanning direction. As the recording medium, various recording media such as paper, film, and cloth are used.

  Such a droplet discharge type image forming apparatus forms an image by moving the recording head in the main scanning direction, and thus has a limit in improving the recording speed.

  Therefore, conventionally, a recording head in which nozzles are formed over the maximum recording width is arranged in the main scanning direction, and an image of one line to a plurality of lines is formed in a short time without moving the recording head. There is a pass-type image forming apparatus.

  However, in the one-pass type liquid droplet ejection type image forming apparatus, since the time interval of droplet ejection at adjacent dots on the recording medium is short, the liquid droplets previously ejected onto the recording medium are applied to the storage medium. Prior to penetration, adjacent droplets are ejected onto the recording medium. In this case, adjacent droplets ejected on the recording medium are coalesced between the droplets (hereinafter referred to as droplet interference as appropriate), and the image quality deteriorates. In particular, when the recording medium is a non-permeable recording medium such as a film or coated paper, or a slowly permeable recording medium, adjacent droplets flow and droplet interference is likely to occur, resulting in a significant deterioration in image quality.

  In order to suppress the image quality due to the droplet interference between the adjacent droplets, it has been proposed to modify the surface of the recording medium by irradiating the recording medium with plasma (see Patent Document 1). ).

  In this prior art, plasma is irradiated over the entire maximum recording size width.

  However, according to the above prior art, the discharge has occurred to the area where there is no recording medium depending on the size of the recording medium, and there is a need for improvement in order to prevent the deterioration of peripheral parts and to reduce the discharge cost.

  In this case, a plurality of discharge electrodes are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium in a state of facing the ground electrode across the recording medium, and a discharge electrode that discharges according to the width of the recording medium is provided. By making the selection, the above problem can be solved.

  However, simply disposing a plurality of discharge electrodes in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium causes processing unevenness with respect to the recording medium between adjacent discharge electrodes.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to suppress unevenness of the reforming process to a necessary area of a processing target medium using a plurality of discharging means.

  In order to achieve the above object, a medium reforming apparatus according to claim 1 is a medium reforming apparatus for modifying a medium to be processed by discharge, wherein the medium to be processed is transported in the transport direction and the transport. A plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the direction, and connected at different positions in the orthogonal direction in the transport direction; and the discharge electrode sandwiching the processing target medium And a counter electrode disposed at a position facing each other.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress unevenness of the reforming process to a necessary region of the processing target medium using a plurality of discharging means.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The schematic block diagram of a medium reforming apparatus. The block diagram of a discharge electrode part and a ground electrode. The other block diagram of a discharge electrode part and a ground electrode. The principal part block diagram of a medium reforming apparatus. The schematic block diagram of the medium reforming apparatus provided with two or more discharge electrode parts and earth electrodes. The flowchart which shows a discharge electrode control process. The figure which shows the relationship between a process target medium, a discharge electrode, and a process width. Explanatory drawing of the connection position of a discharge electrode and the modification process effect. Explanatory drawing of the problem at the time of arrange | positioning the conventional several discharge electrode to the width direction simply. The figure which shows an example of the image on the process target medium of a non-modification process. The figure which shows an example of the image on the to-be-processed medium which carried out the modification process. The figure which shows the relationship between plasma energy, wettability, beading, pH value, and permeability. The figure which shows the relationship between plasma energy and a dot diameter. The figure which shows the relationship between plasma energy and roundness. The figure which shows an example of the dot density non-uniformity of unmodified. The figure which shows an example of the dot density nonuniformity at the time of performing modification | reformation.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 17 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a medium reforming apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a medium reforming method, and a medium reforming program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system 1 to which an embodiment of a reforming apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a medium modifying method, and a medium modifying program are applied.

  1, the image forming system 1 includes a carry-in unit 2, a transport unit 3, a medium reforming device 4, a transport unit 5, an image forming device 6, a drying device 7, a transport unit 8, a carry-out unit 9, and the like. The image forming system 1 is connected to a network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and print jobs such as image data and print settings sent from a host device such as a computer connected to the network. An image is formed based on the above.

  The carry-in unit 2 accommodates a processing target medium P and a carry-in mechanism without reference numerals, and the carry-in mechanism carries the processing target medium P into the transport unit 3. The processing target medium P is a recording medium that is an object of image formation by the image forming apparatus 6 to be described later. In this embodiment, normal roll paper wound in a roll shape is used. The processing target medium P is not limited to roll paper. For example, cut medium, OHP sheet, synthetic resin film, metal thin film, and any other medium that is an image target with ink droplets on the surface can be used. Can be used. Further, in the case where the processing target medium P is paper, various types of paper such as plain paper, high-quality paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, and coated paper can be used. Note that if the processing target medium P is non-penetrating or slow-penetrating paper such as coated paper, the effect of the reforming process performed by the medium reforming apparatus 4 is large as a pre-process for image formation by the image forming apparatus 6 described later. Works. Further, the processing target medium P, which is roll paper, may be roll paper (continuous form paper, continuous form) in which cuttable perforations are formed at predetermined intervals. In this case, the page (page) in the processing target medium P is an area sandwiched between perforations at a predetermined interval.

  In FIG. 1, the carry-in unit 2 stores one roll-shaped processing target medium P and manually replaces it. Further, when the processing target medium P is a cut processing target medium P such as a cut sheet, the carry-in unit 2 stores a plurality of types of processing target media P having different width sizes, medium qualities, etc. The selected and designated processing target medium P may be carried into the transport unit 3.

  The transport unit 3 transports the processing target medium P carried in from the carry-in unit 2 to the medium reforming device 4.

  The medium reforming device 4 modifies the processing target medium P as a pre-processing with respect to the processing target medium P transported from the transporting unit 3, and transfers the modified processing target medium P to the transporting unit 5. Carry out.

  The transport unit 5 transports the processing target medium P transported from the medium reforming apparatus 4 to the image forming apparatus 6.

  The image forming apparatus 6 includes an image forming unit 6a and a reading unit 6b. The image forming unit 6a records and outputs an image on the processing target medium P by an ink ejection type (inkjet type) image forming method, and sends the image to the reading unit 6b. The image forming unit 6a has, for example, four colors of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) disposed over the maximum width of the processing target medium P in the main scanning direction. The recording head 6aa (see FIG. 2) having the nozzles is provided. The image forming unit 6a is provided with a medium conveyance unit 6ab facing the recording head 6aa. The medium conveyance unit 6ab includes, for example, a conveyance roller and a conveyance belt, and the processing target medium P in the conveyance direction. Transport. The image forming unit 6a transports the processing target medium P by the medium transporting unit 6ab, and ejects ink droplets (recording material droplets) from the nozzles of the recording head 6aa toward the processing target medium P according to the image data. Thus, an image is formed on the processing target medium P. In the image forming unit 6a, the nozzles formed in the recording head 6aa are not limited to the above four colors of CMYK. For example, green (G), red (R), white (W), transparent and You may provide the nozzle for other inks.

  The reading unit 6b reads an image on the processing target medium P that has been image-formed by the image forming unit 6a. The image read by the reading unit 6b may be a test pattern image for dot analysis. The image forming system 1 calculates dot roundness, dot diameter, density variation, and the like from the reading result of the reading unit 6b. Based on the calculation result, the image forming system 1 performs feedback control or feedforward control on the reforming process in the medium reforming apparatus 4 and the image forming process in the image forming unit 6a.

  The drying device 7 dries the image-formed processing target medium P sent from the transport unit 5, in particular, a recording material droplet such as ink on the processing target medium P, and sends it to the transport unit 8. Note that the reading unit 6b may be disposed on the downstream side of the drying device 7 in the conveyance direction of the processing target medium P.

  The transport unit 8 transports the processing target medium P dried by the drying device 7 to the unloading unit 9, and the unloading unit 9 winds the transported processing target medium P in a roll shape so that the processing target medium P can be unloaded.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medium reforming apparatus 4 includes a roll-shaped ground electrode (counter electrode) 12, a ground electrode cooling unit 13, a discharge electrode unit 14, a discharge cover 15, a discharge cover in a discharge case 11. A part cover 16, a roller cover 17, a conveyance roller 18, and the like are accommodated. Further, the medium reforming device 4 includes an ozone processing unit 19.

  In the medium reforming device 4, the ground electrode 12 and the transport roller 18 are rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown), and the processing target medium P transported from the transport unit 3 is sequentially transported by the ground electrode 12 and the transport roller 18. It is discharged to the transport unit 5.

  In the medium reforming device 4, the discharge electrode portion 14 is disposed in a state corresponding to the curved surface of the ground electrode 12 at a position facing the ground electrode 12 across the processing target medium P.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge electrode portion 14 includes a plurality of discharge electrodes 14 a. For example, the discharge electrode unit 14 includes a plurality of (five in FIG. 3) discharge electrodes 14a in the orthogonal direction (width direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the processing target medium P (see FIG. 3). The discharge electrode rows 14b are arranged in a row over the maximum width). The discharge electrode array 14b is arranged in a state where the connection positions 14c with the discharge electrodes 14a adjacent to each other have a predetermined connection interval. Further, in the discharge electrode section 14, a plurality of (four in FIG. 3) discharge electrode rows 14b are arranged in the transport direction of the processing target medium P with a predetermined electrode row interval.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge electrode unit 14 has four discharge electrodes 14 a at the same width direction position in the width direction and provided in the transport direction as discharge electrode units 14 d. Five discharge electrode units 14d are arranged in the width direction. The discharge electrode unit 14d is arranged in a state in which the discharge electrode 14a constituting it is gradually shifted in the width direction, and the connecting position 14c with the adjacent discharge electrode unit 14d is shifted diagonally in the transport direction. It has a shape. That is, the discharge electrode portion 14 is arranged in a state where the connection position 14c of each discharge electrode array 14b is different from the connection position 14c of the other discharge electrode array 14b in the transport direction. And the discharge electrode part 14 of FIG. 3 is arrange | positioned in the state which the discharge electrode unit 14 opposes on the inclined surface in the width direction.

  The discharge electrode unit 14 is not limited to the inclined arrangement shown in FIG. 3 as long as the connection positions 14c of the plurality of discharge electrode rows 14b are arranged in different positions in the transport direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the inclination direction of the connection position 14c of the discharge electrodes 14a adjacent to the four discharge electrode arrays 14b arranged in the transport direction is inclined in different directions for each connection position 14c. It may be in a state.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, the discharge electrode portion 14 has a dischargeable position (dischargeable state) where the tip of the discharge electrode 14 a, in particular, the ground electrode 12 side can discharge with the ground electrode 12, and cannot be discharged. Each discharge electrode 14a is individually movable (transitionable) at a position where discharge is not possible (discharge is impossible). The movement (transition) of the discharge electrode 14a will be described later.

  The discharge electrode portion 14 is covered with a discharge cover 15 on the side opposite to the ground electrode 12, and the ground electrode 12 is covered with a roller cover 17 at a predetermined interval on the side opposite to the discharge electrode 14. In the medium reforming device 4, a discharge unit cover 16 is disposed on the outer side of the discharge cover 15 at a predetermined interval so as to cover the discharge electrode 14 and the ground electrode 12, and is surrounded by the discharge unit cover 16. The ozone treatment unit 19 is connected in a state of being connected to the space.

  The medium reformer 4 generates a discharge (plasma discharge) between the discharge electrode 14a and the earth electrode 12, and the surface of the processing target medium P conveyed along the surface of the earth electrode 12 by the discharge plasma. To reform. The modification of the surface of the processing target medium P by the discharge plasma is a modification of reducing the water contact angle of the surface of the processing target medium P by the discharge plasma. The processing target medium P is modified so that when ink droplets are ejected by the image forming unit 6a, adjacent dots are prevented from being connected, and irregular gaps, density increases, and the like occur. Degradation of image quality such as beading is suppressed.

  The discharge cover 15 confines active species (oxygen radicals, etc.) of discharge plasma generated by the discharge of the discharge electrode 14a and the earth electrode 12 between the discharge electrode 14a and the earth electrode 12, thereby modifying the processing target medium P. Increase efficiency.

  The discharge part cover 16 shields electromagnetic waves generated from the discharge plasma, and prevents outflow of ozone or the like generated by the discharge plasma to the outside.

  The ozone processing unit 19 sucks and processes ozone in the space covered by the discharge unit cover 16.

  The ground electrode 12 is provided with a ground electrode cooling section 13 at its axial center. The ground electrode cooling unit 13, the roller cooling unit 20 constructed in the space between the roller cover 17 and the ground electrode 12, and the device cooling unit 21 constructed in the space inside the discharge case 11 are heated by the discharge plasma. An increase in temperature of the processing target medium P due to accumulation on the ground electrode 12 or the like is suppressed. That is, the medium reforming device 4 performs reforming to reduce the water contact angle of the processing target medium P by electric discharge, but when the temperature of the processing target medium P rises, the water contact angle may return. Therefore, the ground electrode cooling unit 13, the roller cooling unit 20, and the apparatus cooling unit 21 suppress the temperature increase of the processing target medium P.

  In this embodiment, the roller cooling unit 20 is air-cooled, but water cooling, oil cooling, or the like can be used, and an appropriate method is used alone or in combination in consideration of the heat generated by the discharge plasma. May be. Further, if necessary, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the roller cooling unit 20 or the apparatus cooling unit 21 may be provided, and the flow of the cooling medium may be controlled according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. As this temperature sensor, a thermistor, a thermometer, or the like can be used.

  The ground electrode 12 may be a roller having a surface layer coated with silicon, an alumina roller, or the like.

  The discharge electrode 14a uses an electrode blade made of stainless steel (SUS). The discharge electrode 14a is not limited to the blade shape, and may have a wire shape or the like, for example, according to the conveyance speed of the processing target medium P.

  The main part of the medium reforming device 4 is configured as a block as shown in FIG. That is, the medium reforming apparatus 4 includes a control unit 31, motor control units 32 a to 32 n corresponding to the number of discharge electrodes 14 a, motor drivers 33 a to 33 n, motors 34 a to 34 n, a medium width detection sensor 35, and operation display control. A unit 36, an operation display unit 37, a discharge control unit 38, a high-voltage power supply unit 39, and the like. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the medium reforming device 4 includes a drive unit that drives the rotation of the ground electrode 12 and the transport roller 18.

  The control unit 31 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a nonvolatile memory. The control unit 31 stores a basic program as the medium reforming device 4, the medium reforming program and system data of the present invention, data necessary for executing the medium reforming program, and the like in a ROM or a nonvolatile memory. In the control unit 31, the CPU controls each unit of the medium reforming device 4 using the RAM as a work memory based on a program in the ROM or non-volatile memory, and performs basic processing as the medium reforming device 4. And the medium reforming method of the present invention is executed. The control unit 31 may be a main control unit that controls not only the medium reforming apparatus 4 but also the entire image forming system 1. Further, the operation display unit 37 may be a main operation display unit that inputs and outputs information to the entire image forming system 1 as well as information input and output to the medium reforming device 4. In this embodiment, the control unit 31 and the operation display unit 37 perform control and input / output processing of the entire medium reforming device 4 and the image forming system 1.

  The motors 34a to 34n are rotationally driven to move the discharge electrodes 14a to the dischargeable position and the discharge impossible position. For example, the rotation axes of the motors 34a to 34n are connected to a moving mechanism, such as a screw, that moves the discharge electrode 14a to a dischargeable position and a non-dischargeable position. By driving, the discharge electrode 14a is moved to a dischargeable position and a discharge impossible position.

  The motor drivers 33a to 33n are connected to the corresponding motor control units 32a to 32n and the motors 34a to 34n, and rotate the motors 34a to 34n according to drive signals from the motor control units 32a to 32n.

  The motor control units 32a to 32n are connected to the control unit 31 and the corresponding motor drivers 33a to 33n, and output drive signals to the motor drivers 33a to 33n according to control signals from the control unit 31.

  The motor control units 32a to 32n, the motor drivers 33a to 33n, and the motors 34a to 34n as a whole are in a dischargeable state (dischargeable position) in which the discharge electrode 14a can be discharged individually and in a discharge impossible state (incapable of discharging) It functions as a discharge transition section (discharge transition means) 40 that transitions (moves) to a position where discharge is not possible.

  The control unit 31 functions as transition control means for controlling the driving of the discharge transition unit 40 to transition the discharge electrode 14a between a dischargeable state and a discharge impossible state.

  The medium width detection sensor 35 detects the width size of the processing target medium P that is a recording target and a modification processing target, and outputs the detected medium width to the control unit 31. As the medium width detection sensor 35, for example, a reflection type optical sensor or the like is used. The medium width detection sensor 35 emits detection light from the light emitting element toward the processing target medium P, and a plurality of reflected lights from the processing target medium P are arranged in the width direction. Width detection is performed depending on which light receiving element receives the received light.

  The operation display control unit 36 is connected to the control unit 36 and the operation display unit 37, and the operation display unit 37 includes an input device such as operation keys and an output device such as a display unit. The operation display control unit 36 outputs input information performed by the input device of the operation display unit 37 to the control unit 36, and outputs output information such as display information from the control unit 36 to the output device of the operation display unit 37. .

  The discharge control unit 38 is connected to the control unit 36 and the high voltage power supply unit 39, and the high voltage power supply unit 39 supplies all the discharge electrodes 4a with a dischargeable high voltage power source when located at a dischargeable position. . Based on the discharge control signal from the control unit 31, the discharge control unit 38 controls the high-voltage power supply start and supply stop of the high-voltage power supply unit 39.

  In the present embodiment, as a method of shifting the state of the discharge electrode 14a and the ground electrode 12 to a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state, the discharge electrode 14a is in a dischargeable position with respect to the ground electrode 12 and cannot be discharged. A method of moving the position to the position is used. The method of shifting the state of the discharge electrode 14a and the ground electrode 12 to a dischargeable state and a discharge impossible state is not limited to the above method.

  For example, in this case, the medium reforming apparatus 4 uses the high-voltage power supply unit 39 that can individually supply / stop supply to each discharge electrode 14a as the high-voltage power supply unit 39, for example, the high-voltage power supply unit 39 for each discharge electrode 14a. The control unit 31 controls the driving of the high-voltage power supply unit 39 via the discharge control unit 38. In this case, the discharge control units 38 may be provided as many as the number of discharge electrodes 14a to control the supply / stop of the high-voltage power supply to the high-voltage power supply unit 39, or one discharge control unit 38 may control each discharge. The drive control signal for the electrode 14a may be output to the high voltage power supply unit 39 for control. Further, the method of individually moving the discharge electrode 14a to the dischargeable position and the discharge impossible position is not limited to the one using the motors 34a to 34n. For example, the discharge electrode 14a can be individually set to the dischargeable position and the discharge non-dischargeable position. A solenoid or the like that moves to a possible position may be used.

  Further, in the above description, the case where the discharge electrode portion 14 and the ground electrode 12 are provided in a pair has been described. However, the discharge electrode portion 14 and the ground electrode 12 having the same configuration convey the processing target medium P. A plurality of pairs (a plurality of stages) may be arranged in the direction.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a plurality of stages of discharge electrode portions 14 and the ground electrode 12 are arranged in a state in which the processing target medium P is folded and conveyed, as shown in FIG. 6B. As described above, the rear surface and the front surface of the processing target medium P may be alternately modified. Even in this case, the discharge electrode portions 14 are arranged such that the connection positions 14c between the discharge electrodes 14a of the discharge electrode portions 14 are different in all the discharge electrodes 14a. In FIG. 17, for the sake of clarity, each discharge electrode portion 14 is shown to be composed of only one row of discharge electrodes 14 a, but the discharge electrode portion 14 of FIG. The same configuration may be used. Also in this case, the discharge electrode part 14 is installed in a state where the connection positions 14c of all the discharge electrodes 14a are different as much as possible.

  The image forming system 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), and a DVD. The medium modification method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, SD (Secure Digital) card, MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), etc. A medium that suppresses unevenness of modification processing to a necessary region of a processing target medium P using a plurality of discharge electrodes 14a to be described later by reading a medium modification program to be executed and introducing it into a ROM or the like of the control unit 31. It is constructed as an image forming system including a medium reforming device 4 that executes the reforming method. This medium modification program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. Can be distributed.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image forming system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment uniformly performs reforming for suppressing coalescence of ink droplets in the medium reforming device 4 before forming an image on the processing target medium P.

  That is, the image forming system 1 forms an image on the processing target medium P in the image forming unit 6a of the image forming apparatus 6 based on a print job sent from a host device on the network. In this case, the image forming system 1 transfers the processing target medium P designated by the print job or the processing target medium P selected and designated by the operation display unit 37 from the carry-in unit 2 to the medium reforming device via the transport unit 3. Transport to 4.

  The medium reforming apparatus 4 determines the discharge electrode 14a to be discharged among the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a under the control of the control unit 31, and discharges only the determined discharge electrode 14a, so that the processing target medium P is necessary. Only the critical areas are modified. In the initial state, the medium reforming apparatus 4 assumes that all the discharge electrodes 14a are in a dischargeable state (dischargeable position).

  For example, the control unit 31 executes the discharge power control process shown in FIG. 7 to determine the discharge electrode 14a to be discharged and prevent discharge to a useless area, thereby preventing component deterioration and cost reduction. .

  The control unit 31 detects the width of the processing target medium P (hereinafter referred to as “medium width” as appropriate) based on the detection signal from the medium width detection sensor 35, and sets the medium width A (step S101).

The control unit 31 sets “1” to the variable n that determines the processing width Bn for performing the reforming process by discharging (step S102), and checks whether the processing width Bn exceeds the medium width A (step S103). ).
In step S103, if the processing width Bn does not exceed the medium width A (NO in step S103), the control unit 31 refers to the discharge electrode 14a corresponding to the processing width Bn (hereinafter referred to as discharge electrode n as appropriate). ) Is released (step S104).

  That is, in the medium reformer 4, the discharge electrodes 14a of the discharge electrode section 14 are arranged as a plurality of discharge electrode rows 14b in the width direction as shown in FIG. A plurality of rows are arranged in the transport direction. Further, the discharge electrodes 14a are arranged in a state where the connecting positions 14c between the discharge electrodes 14a adjacent to each other in each discharge electrode array 14b of the plurality of discharge electrode arrays 14b are different positions in the transport direction.

  For example, in the discharge electrode array 14b illustrated in FIG. 8, the control unit 31 sets the left end as the base end position in the width direction of the processing target medium P and covers the medium width A of the processing target medium P from the base end position. Bn is sequentially checked from the processing width B1, which is the maximum processing width.

  When the discharge is canceled in step S104, the control unit 31 increments the variable n by “1” (step S105), and whether the processing width Bn corresponding to the incremented variable n exceeds the medium width A. Check (step S103).

  When the processing width Bn does not exceed the medium width A in step S103, the control unit 31 executes the same processing until the processing width Bn exceeds the medium width A in step S103 (steps S104 and S105).

  When the processing width Bn exceeds the medium width A in step S103 (when YES in step S103), the control unit 31 removes the discharge electrode 14a up to the variable n without releasing the discharge electrode 14a of the variable n. The discharge electrode control process is terminated as a dischargeable state.

  For example, in the case of FIG. 8, the control unit 31 sets the discharge electrode 14 a whose medium width A is up to the processing width B3 to be in a dischargeable state.

  When the control unit 31 determines the discharge electrode 14a in the dischargeable state and the discharge electrode 14a in the non-dischargeable state among the discharge electrodes 14a of the discharge electrode unit 14, the control signal is sent to the motor control unit 32a according to the determination. To 32b. The motor control units 32a to 32b output drive signals to the motor drivers 33a to 33n according to the control signals from the control unit 31, and the motor drivers 33a to 33n discharge the discharge electrodes 14a according to the drive signals. Move to a possible position and a non-dischargeable position.

  Further, the control unit 31 controls the supply of the high-voltage power to the discharge electrode 14 a by the high-voltage power supply unit 39 via the discharge control unit 38 according to the transport position of the processing target medium P.

  When the high-voltage power supply is supplied from the high-voltage power supply unit 39 in a state where the discharge electrode 14a is located at a dischargeable position, the discharge electrode 14a discharges between the ground electrode 12 and the discharge plasma due to the discharge causes a ground. The surface of the processing target medium P conveyed along the surface of the electrode 12 is modified.

  The discharge electrode 14a is arranged in a state where the connection position with the discharge electrode 14a adjacent in the width direction (column direction) is different in the transport direction of the processing target medium P.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the connecting position 14c of the discharge electrode 14a is shifted so as to be a different position in the transport direction of the processing target medium P, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the modification effect of the processing target medium P can be made uniform.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, two discharge electrodes 101a and 101b are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium (the direction indicated by the arrow), and the same Four discharge electrodes 101a and 101b are arranged side by side in the transport direction. A roll-shaped earth electrode (counter electrode) 102 is disposed at a position facing these discharge electrodes 101a and 101b. For example, the earth electrode 102 is rotationally driven to convey the recording medium fed between the earth electrode 102 and the discharge electrodes 101a and 101b in the conveying direction.

  The discharge of the discharge electrodes 101a and 101b is individually controlled.

  However, as described above, the discharge electrode 101a and the discharge electrode 101a and the discharge electrode 101b are simply arranged in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction) with the connecting positions 101c coincident with each other. Discharge unevenness occurs with respect to 101b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, there arises a problem that unevenness occurs in the modification processing effect on the recording medium.

  However, in the medium reforming apparatus 4 of the present embodiment, the connecting positions 14c of the discharge electrodes 14a are arranged so as to be different positions in the transport direction of the processing target medium P. As a result, the discharge unevenness between the discharge electrodes 14a can be suppressed, and the modification effect on the processing target medium P can be made uniform.

  The image forming system 1 transports the processing target medium P whose surface has been modified by the medium reforming device 4 to the image forming device 6 by the transport unit 5, and the ink forming method is performed by the image forming unit 6 a of the image forming device 6. Thus, an image is formed on the processing target medium P.

  In the image forming unit 6a, since the surface of the processing target medium P is modified by the medium modifying device 4 in image formation, coalescence of ink droplets is suppressed and image quality is improved.

  In the image forming system 1, the processing target medium P image-formed by the image forming unit 6 a is dried by the drying device 7, then transported to the unloading unit 9 by the transporting unit 8, and rolled out by the unloading unit 9 and unloaded. Make it possible.

  In the above description, the transition of the discharge electrode 14a to the dischargeable state and the non-dischargeable state is controlled by individually moving the discharge electrode 14a to the dischargeable position and the nondischargeable position. The control of the discharge state of the electrode 14a is not limited to the above method.

  For example, the high voltage power supply voltage supplied to each discharge electrode 14a may be individually turned ON / OFF to control transition between the discharge enabled state and the discharge impossible state of the discharge electrode 14a.

  In this case, the motor control units 32a to 32n, the motor drivers 33a to 33n, and the motors 34a to 34n are not necessary, and can be dealt with by providing the high-voltage power supply unit 39 and the discharge control unit 38 for each discharge electrode 14a.

  In the above description, the transition (movement) of the discharge electrode 14a from the dischargeable state (dischargeable position) to the discharge impossible state (dischargeable position) is controlled based on the width of the processing target medium P. However, the present invention is not limited to the control based on the width of the processing target medium P. For example, the medium reformer 4 has an image forming position on the processing target medium P in the image forming system 1, a conveyance speed of the processing target medium P, a type of the processing target medium P, and an image to be recorded on the processing target medium P. Of these, the transition of the discharge electrode 14a may be individually controlled based on at least one of them.

  The image forming system 1 modifies the processing target medium P by the medium reforming device 4 to improve the image forming quality on the processing target medium P by the ink ejection method in the image forming unit 6a. However, the medium reforming in the medium reforming apparatus 4 will be described below.

  The medium reforming device 4 acidifies the surface of the processing target medium P in order to agglomerate the pigment while preventing the dispersion of the ink pigment immediately after the ink ejected to the processing target medium P is landed by the image forming unit 6a. Let The medium reformer 4 uses plasma discharge as a method for acidifying the surface of the processing target medium P. Further, the medium reforming device 4 controls ink wettability of the surface of the processing target medium P that has been plasma-treated and the cohesiveness and penetrability of the ink pigment due to a decrease in pH value, thereby making ink dots (hereinafter simply referred to as dots). ) And the dot sharpness and color gamut are expanded by preventing dot coalescence. In this way, it is possible to improve image quality of the formed image by suppressing image defects due to beading or bleeding of ink droplets ejected on the processing target medium P by the image forming unit 6a. In addition, by making the aggregation thickness of the pigment on the processing target medium P thin and uniform, the amount of ink droplets can be reduced, and the energy of ink drying in the drying device 7 and the printing cost can be reduced.

  Then, the medium reformer 4 performs plasma discharge between the discharge electrode 14a and the earth electrode 12, and irradiates the processing target medium P with plasma in the atmosphere, so that the polymer on the surface of the processing target medium P is polymerized. To form a hydrophilic functional group. In plasma discharge, electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 14a are accelerated in an electric field to excite and ionize atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, and electrons are also emitted from the ionized atoms and molecules, resulting in high-energy electrons. Will increase. As a result, streamer discharge (plasma) is generated. In the plasma discharge, the polymer bonds on the surface of the processing target medium P are cut by high-energy electrons generated by the streamer discharge. For example, when the processing target medium P is a coated paper, the coated layer of the coated paper is hardened with calcium carbonate and starch as a binder, and the starch has a polymer structure. Cut by plasma discharge. In the plasma discharge, when the polymer bond of the processing target medium P is broken, it recombines with oxygen radicals and ozone in the gas phase to form polar functional groups such as hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups on the surface of the processing target medium P. As a result, the processing target medium P is imparted hydrophilicity and acidification to the surface.

  When the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles adjacent to the recording head 6aa are ejected adjacently onto the processing target medium P, the processing target medium P (hereinafter also referred to as dots as appropriate). However, there is a risk that the hydrophilicity of the surface of the processing target medium P will increase and wet and spread. In order to prevent this unification and prevent color mixing between dots, the colorant (for example, pigment or dye) of the ink is aggregated in the dots, and the vehicle is moved faster than the vehicle spreads out. It is important to dry and to penetrate into the processing target medium P.

  In view of this, the image forming system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment performs image formation by an ink ejection method in the image forming unit 6a in order to improve the cohesiveness of the colorant and improve the permeability of the vehicle into the processing target medium P. As the pretreatment, the medium reforming device 4 executes an acidification treatment (discharge treatment) for acidifying the surface of the treatment target medium P.

Here, acidification means lowering the pH value of the surface of the processing target medium P to a pH value at which the pigment contained in the ink aggregates. Lowering the pH value means increasing the hydrogen ion H ⁺ concentration in the object. The pigment in the ink is negatively charged before it touches the surface of the processing target medium P, and the pigment is dispersed in the vehicle. The viscosity of the ink increases as the pH value decreases. As the acidity of the ink increases, the negatively charged pigment in the ink vehicle is electrically neutralized, and as a result, the pigments aggregate. Accordingly, the ink viscosity can be increased by lowering the pH value of the surface of the print medium so that the pH value of the ink becomes a value corresponding to the required viscosity. In other words, when the ink adheres to the surface of the treatment target medium P, which is acidic, the pigment is electrically neutralized by the hydrogen ions H ^{+ on} the surface of the treatment target medium P, and the pigments aggregate to each other, resulting in a viscosity. To rise. The ink can prevent color mixing between adjacent dots by increasing the viscosity, and can prevent the pigment from penetrating deeply into the processing target medium P (and further to the back surface). However, in order to lower the pH value of the ink so as to have a pH value corresponding to the required viscosity, the pH value of the surface of the processing target medium P needs to be lower than the pH value of the ink corresponding to the required viscosity. There is.

  Further, the pH value of the surface of the processing target medium P for making the ink have a required viscosity varies depending on the characteristics of the ink. That is, there are inks that increase in viscosity due to aggregation of the pigment at a pH value relatively close to neutrality, and there are inks that require a lower pH value for aggregation of the pigment.

  The behavior of the colorant agglomerating within the dots, the drying speed of the vehicle, and the penetration speed into the processing target medium P depend on the amount of droplets and the processing target medium that vary depending on the size of the dots (small droplets, medium droplets, large droplets). It depends on the type of P.

  Therefore, in the medium reforming apparatus 4 of this embodiment, the control unit 31 controls the plasma energy in the plasma processing to an optimal value according to the type of the processing target medium P, the printing mode (droplet amount), and the like.

  Then, when the reforming process is not performed in the medium reforming apparatus 4 and the reforming process is performed, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an image state of the surface of the processing target medium P when the modification is not performed, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an image state of the surface of the processing target medium P when the modification is performed. is there. 11 and 12 show a case where a general coated paper is used as the processing target medium P.

  In FIG. 11, the target medium P (coated paper) that has not been subjected to the modification treatment has poor wettability of the coated layer Pc21 on the surface of the coated paper. Therefore, when an ink droplet is ejected onto the processing target medium P by the ink ejection type image forming unit 6a on the coated paper that has not been subjected to the modification process, the image is as shown in FIG. become. That is, the shape of the dot (the shape of the vehicle CT1) attached to the surface of the coated paper when the dot is landed becomes distorted. In addition, when the wettability of the surface of the processing target medium P is poor, the vehicle CT1 has a height shape due to surface tension, and it takes a relatively long time to dry the dots. When the proximity dots are formed in a state where the dots are not sufficiently dried, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the proximity dots land on the processing target medium P, the adjacent vehicles CT1, CT2 are united, Movement (mixed color) of the pigments P1 and P2 occurs between the dots, resulting in density unevenness due to beading or the like.

  On the other hand, the processing target medium P, for example, coated paper, subjected to the reforming process by the discharge (plasma discharge) in the medium reforming apparatus 4 has improved wettability of the coating layer Pc on the surface of the processing target medium P. . As a result, with respect to the processing target medium P subjected to the reforming process by the medium reforming device 4 by discharge (plasma discharge), ink droplets are processed by the ink discharge type image forming unit 6a. When the image is formed by discharging the ink, the image is as shown in FIG. That is, the dot shape (the shape of the vehicle CT1) adhering to the surface of the coated paper at the time of dot landing spreads in a relatively flat perfect circle shape on the surface of the coated paper, and the dot becomes a flat shape. In addition, since the surface of the coated paper becomes acidic due to the formed polar functional group in the modification treatment, the ink pigment is electrically neutralized, and the pigment P1 aggregates to increase the viscosity of the ink. Accordingly, even when the vehicle CT1 and the vehicle CT2 are united, the movement (color mixing) of the pigment P1 and the pigment P2 between the dots is suppressed. Furthermore, since polar functional groups are also generated inside the coating layer Pc, the permeability of the vehicle CT1 is increased, and the vehicle penetrates into the processing target medium P and is dried in a relatively short time. Since the wettability of the processing target medium P is improved, the dots spread in a perfect circle form agglomerate while penetrating into the processing target medium P, and the pigment P1 is evenly aggregated in the height direction, and beading or the like. Occurrence of density unevenness due to is suppressed. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams. In actuality, in the case of FIG. 12, the pigments are aggregated in layers.

  As described above, the medium reforming apparatus 4 performs the reforming process on the processing target medium P by discharging, thereby forming the polar functional group on the surface of the processing target medium P and making the surface acidic. When a negatively charged pigment is discharged to the modified processing target medium P by the image forming unit 6a, the negative pigment is neutralized on the surface of the acidic processing target medium P, and the pigment aggregates and becomes viscous. As a result, even if the dots are united, the movement of the pigment can be suppressed. Further, the processing target medium P is modified so that polar functional groups are also generated inside the surface coating layer Pc, and the vehicle quickly penetrates into the processing target medium P, thereby shortening the drying time. be able to.

  That is, the modified processing target medium P has a wettability that causes the ink droplets that have been ejected to spread in a perfect circle, and penetrates in a state where the movement of the pigment is suppressed by aggregation, A shape close to a perfect circle can be maintained.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the plasma energy and the wettability, beading, pH value, and permeability of the surface of the medium P to be processed in the medium reforming apparatus 4. In FIG. 13, how the surface characteristics (wetting, beading, pH value, permeability (liquid absorption characteristics)) when printed on the coated paper as the processing target medium P change depending on the plasma energy. It is shown. In order to obtain the evaluation shown in FIG. 13, an aqueous pigment ink (an alkaline ink in which a negatively charged pigment is dispersed) having a characteristic that the pigment aggregates with an acid was used as the ink.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the wettability of the coated paper surface is rapidly improved when the plasma energy is low (for example, about 0.2 J / cm 2 or less), and does not improve much even if the energy is increased further. On the other hand, the pH value of the coated paper surface decreases to a certain extent by increasing the plasma energy, but becomes saturated when the plasma energy exceeds a certain value (for example, about 4 J / cm 2). Further, the permeability (liquid absorption characteristic) is rapidly improved from the point where the decrease in pH is saturated (for example, about 4 J / cm 2). However, this phenomenon differs depending on the polymer component contained in the ink.

  As a result, the value of beading (granularity) is in a very good state since the permeability (liquid absorption characteristic) starts to improve (for example, about 4 J / cm 2). The beading (granularity) here is a numerical value representing the roughness of the image, and is a standard deviation of the average density. In FIG. 13, the density of a solid image of a color composed of two or more dots is sampled, and the standard deviation of the density is expressed as beading (granularity). As described above, when the medium modification apparatus 4 performs the modification process on the processing target medium P by plasma discharge, the ink droplets discharged onto the processing target medium P spread on a perfect circle and penetrate while being aggregated. Therefore, image beading (granularity) can be improved.

  As described above, in the relationship between the surface characteristics of the processing target medium P and the image quality, the roundness of the dots is improved by improving the wettability of the surface. This is because the wettability of the surface of the medium P to be treated is improved by the hydrophilic polar functional group generated by the plasma treatment. Furthermore, the wettability is uniformized on the surface of the medium P to be treated, and water repellent factors such as dust, oil and calcium carbonate have been excluded by plasma discharge. Furthermore, the improvement of the wettability on the surface of the processing target medium P causes the ink droplets to spread evenly in the circumferential direction and improves the roundness of the dots.

  Further, when the surface of the medium P to be treated is acidified (decrease in pH value), the cohesion of the ink pigment is improved, the permeability is improved, and the permeability of the vehicle coat layer is improved. Arise. Therefore, even if the pigment concentration on the surface of the processing target medium P increases and the dots merge, the movement of the pigment can be suppressed. As a result, the turbidity of the pigment is suppressed, and the pigment can be uniformly precipitated and aggregated on the surface of the processing target medium P. However, the effect of suppressing the pigment turbidity varies depending on the ink components and the ink droplet amount. For example, when the appropriate amount of ink is small droplets, pigment turbidity due to coalescence of dots is less likely to occur than when large droplets are used. This is because when the amount of the vehicle is small droplets, the vehicle dries and penetrates faster, and the pigment can be aggregated with a slight pH reaction. Note that the effect of the plasma treatment varies depending on the type and environment (humidity, etc.) of the processing target medium P. Therefore, the medium reforming apparatus 4 can improve the surface reforming efficiency of the medium P to be processed and further reduce the energy consumption by setting the plasma energy at the time of plasma processing to an optimum value.

  Here, the relationship between the plasma energy and the roundness of the dots will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between plasma energy and dot diameter, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between plasma energy and dot roundness.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the plasma energy is increased, the dot diameter tends to decrease for any of the CMYK pigments. As a result of the modification treatment with plasma, the pigment aggregation effect (increased viscosity due to aggregation) and the penetration effect (penetration of the vehicle into the coating layer) are improved. This is thought to be due to penetration.

  Therefore, the medium reformer 4 can control the dot diameter by controlling the plasma energy.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the roundness of the dots is greatly improved even when the plasma energy is a low value (for example, about 0.2 J / cm 2 or less). This is presumably because, as described above, by subjecting the processing target medium P to plasma processing, the viscosity of the dots (vehicle) increases and the permeability of the vehicle increases, thereby causing the pigments to uniformly aggregate.

  Next, the dot pigment concentration when the plasma treatment is performed and the dot pigment concentration when the plasma treatment is not performed will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the pigment concentration of dots formed on the target medium P that has not been subjected to the plasma modification process in the medium modification apparatus 4. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the pigment concentration of dots formed on the target medium P that has been subjected to the modification process using plasma in the medium modification apparatus 4. 16 and 17 each show the density on the line segment ab in the dot image at the lower right in the drawing.

  In the measurement of FIGS. 16 and 17, the formed dot image was read, the density unevenness in the image was measured, and the density variation was calculated. As is clear from comparison between FIGS. 16 and 17, the density variation (density difference) is smaller when the plasma modification process (FIG. 17) is performed than when the modification process is not performed (FIG. 16). .

  Therefore, in the medium reforming device 4, the control unit 31 calculates the plasma energy that minimizes the variation (concentration difference) based on the concentration variation, and sets the plasma energy in the discharge treatment (plasma treatment). You may do it. In this way, a clearer image can be formed.

  The variation in density is not limited to the calculation method described above, and may be calculated by measuring the thickness of the pigment with a light interference film thickness measuring instrument. In that case, an optimum value of the plasma energy may be selected so as to minimize the deviation of the pigment thickness.

  As described above, in the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the medium reforming device 4 is a medium reforming device that modifies the conveyed processing target medium P by discharging, and the processing target medium P A plurality of discharge electrodes 14a arranged in a conveyance direction and orthogonal directions orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and connecting positions 14c in the conveyance direction being arranged at different positions in the orthogonal direction; And an earth electrode (counter electrode) 12 disposed at a position facing the discharge electrode 14a with P interposed therebetween.

  Therefore, the discharge between the discharge electrode 14a and the ground electrode 12 can be made uniform, and the unevenness of the modification process to the necessary region of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a can be suppressed. it can.

  Further, the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment ejects ink droplets (recording material droplets) from the image forming unit (image forming unit) 6a onto a processing target medium (recording medium) P such as a sheet to be conveyed. An image forming system for forming an image, wherein a plurality of images are arranged in the transport direction of the processing target medium P before the image forming unit 6a and in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the processing target medium P. The discharge electrode 14a is disposed at a position where the connecting position 14c in the transport direction is different in the orthogonal direction, and is disposed at a position facing the discharge electrode 14a across the processing target medium P. Discharge in which the ground electrode (counter electrode) 12 and the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a are individually shifted to a discharge state capable of discharging and a non-dischargeable state impossible to discharge with respect to the ground electrode 12. Transfer section (discharge transition means) 40, a control unit (transfer control section) 31 for individually controlling the transition of the discharge electrode 14a by the discharge transition portion 40, and a.

  Therefore, when the processing target medium P to be recorded such as paper is modified by discharge, the discharge between the discharge electrode 14a and the ground electrode 12 can be made uniform, and a plurality of discharge electrodes 14a are used. Unevenness of the modification process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P can be suppressed.

  In this case, the control unit 31 serving as the transition control unit includes an image forming position on the processing target medium P that is the recording medium, a conveyance speed of the processing target medium P, a type of the processing target medium P, and the processing target medium. The transition of the discharge electrode 14a by the discharge transition section 40 may be individually controlled based on at least one of the images recorded on P.

  Accordingly, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the unevenness of the reforming process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a.

  Further, the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment is a medium modification method for modifying the processing target medium P to be transported by discharge, and is orthogonal to the transport direction of the processing target medium P and the transport direction. A plurality of discharge electrodes 14a are arranged in the direction and the connecting positions in the transport direction are arranged at different positions in the orthogonal direction, and the discharge electrodes 14a are opposed to each other with the processing target medium P interposed therebetween. A discharge treatment step for discharging between the ground electrode (counter electrode) 12 disposed at a position, and a dischargeable state and discharge capable of discharging the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a to the ground electrode 12. A discharge transition processing step for individually transitioning to an impossible discharge impossible state, and a transition control processing step for individually controlling the transition of the discharge electrode 14a in the discharge transition processing step; It has.

  Therefore, when the processing target medium P to be recorded such as paper is modified by discharge, the discharge between the discharge electrode 14a and the ground electrode 12 can be made uniform, and a plurality of discharge electrodes 14a are used. Unevenness of the modification process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P can be suppressed.

  The image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment is a medium modification program for modifying a conveyed processing target medium by discharging, and a control processor such as a CPU sends a processing direction of the processing target medium P and the processing target medium P to the control processor. A plurality of discharge electrodes 14a are disposed in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the connection positions 14c in the transport direction are disposed at different positions in the orthogonal direction, and the processing target medium P is sandwiched between Discharge treatment between the discharge electrode 14a and a ground electrode (counter electrode) 12 disposed at a position facing the discharge electrode 14a, and discharge of the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a to the ground electrode 12 are possible. Discharge transition process for individually transitioning to a non-dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state, and a transition control process for individually controlling the transition of the discharge electrode 14a in the discharge transition process , To the execution.

  Therefore, when the processing target medium P to be recorded such as paper is modified by discharge, the discharge between the discharge electrode 14a and the ground electrode 12 can be made uniform, and a plurality of discharge electrodes 14a are used. Unevenness of the modification process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P can be suppressed.

  Further, the medium reforming device 4 of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment sets the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a to a discharge state in which discharge is possible with respect to the ground electrode 12 and a discharge impossible state in which discharge is impossible. Further, a discharge transition part (discharge transition means) 40 for individually transitioning is further provided.

  Accordingly, the discharge electrode 14a can be appropriately transitioned between a dischargeable state and a discharge impossible state, so that only the necessary region of the processing target medium P can be appropriately discharged. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the unevenness of the modification process to the necessary region of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a while reducing the cost.

  Further, in the medium reforming device 4 of the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the discharge electrodes 14a are unitized into discharge electrode units (electrode units) 14d every predetermined number in the transport direction.

  Accordingly, the discharge electrode 14a can be appropriately transitioned between a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state, and discharge can be performed easily and appropriately only in a necessary region of the processing target medium P. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the unevenness of the modification process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a while further reducing the cost.

  Further, the discharge transition section 40 of the medium reforming apparatus 4 of the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment causes the discharge electrodes 14a to transition individually and also to each discharge electrode unit 14d.

  Accordingly, the discharge electrode 14a can be appropriately transitioned between a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state, and discharge can be performed easily and appropriately only in a necessary region of the processing target medium P. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the unevenness of the modification process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a while further reducing the cost.

  The medium reforming device 4 of the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment further includes a control unit (transition control unit) 31 that individually controls the transition of the discharge electrode 14a by the discharge transition unit 40. .

  Accordingly, the discharge electrode 14a can be appropriately transitioned between a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state, and discharge can be performed easily and appropriately only in a necessary region of the processing target medium P. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the unevenness of the modification process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a while further reducing the cost.

  Further, in the medium reforming device 4 of the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 31 as the transition control unit has a reforming-necessary position in the processing target medium P, and a conveyance speed of the processing target medium P. The transition of the discharge electrode 14a by the discharge transition unit 40 is controlled based on at least one of the modification levels required for the processing target medium P.

  Therefore, the unevenness of the modification process to the necessary region of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a can be more appropriately suppressed while further reducing the cost.

  Further, in the medium reforming device 4 of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the discharge transition portion 40 is capable of discharging the discharge electrode 14a with respect to the ground electrode 12 and the discharge position. Individually to a position where discharge is impossible.

  Therefore, by moving the discharge electrode 14a, the discharge electrode 14a can be appropriately transitioned between a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state, and a simple and appropriate discharge is performed only in a necessary region of the processing target medium P. be able to. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the unevenness of the modification process to the necessary area of the processing target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a while further reducing the cost.

  Further, in the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the medium reformer 4 includes the ground electrode 12 and a dielectric layer on the surface of the discharge electrode 14a. The discharge electrode 14a and the ground electrode 12, barrier discharge is performed to modify the target medium P.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress unevenness of the modification process to the necessary region of the target medium P using the plurality of discharge electrodes 14a by the barrier discharge.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Carry-in part 3 Conveying part 4 Medium reformer 5 Conveying part 6 Image forming apparatus 6a Image forming part 6aa Recording head 6ab Medium conveying part 6b Reading part 7 Drying apparatus 8 Conveying part 9 Unloading part P Processing target medium 11 Discharge case 12 Ground electrode 13 Ground electrode cooling section 14 Discharge electrode section 14a Discharge electrode 14b Discharge electrode array 14c Connection position 14d Discharge electrode unit 15 Discharge cover 16 Discharge section cover 17 Roller cover 18 Transport roller 19 Ozone treatment section 20 Roller cooling section 21 Device cooling unit 31 Control unit 32a to 32n Motor control unit 33a to 33n Motor driver 34a to 34n Motor 35 Medium width detection sensor 36 Operation display control unit 37 Operation display unit 38 Discharge control unit 39 High voltage power supply unit

US-A1-20140078212 publication

Claims (13)

A medium reforming device for modifying a medium to be conveyed by electric discharge,
A plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in the conveyance direction of the processing target medium and in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and connecting positions in the conveyance direction are arranged at different positions in the orthogonal direction; and
A counter electrode disposed at a position facing the discharge electrode across the processing target medium;
A medium reforming apparatus comprising: The medium reformer is
Discharge transition means for individually transitioning the plurality of discharge electrodes to a dischargeable state and a nondischargeable discharge state with respect to the counter electrode;
The medium reforming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The discharge electrode is
The medium reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium reformer is unitized into an electrode unit for each predetermined number in the transport direction. The discharge transition means includes
The medium reforming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the discharge electrodes are individually changed and are changed for each of the electrode units. The medium reformer is
5. The medium reforming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising transition control means for individually controlling transitions of the discharge electrodes by the discharge transition means. The transition control means includes
Based on at least one of the modification required position in the processing target medium, the transport speed of the processing target medium, and the degree of modification required for the processing target medium, the discharge electrode by the discharge transition means 6. The medium reforming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transition is controlled. The discharge transition means includes
7. The discharge electrode according to claim 2, wherein the discharge electrode is individually moved to a discharge position where discharge is possible and a discharge impossible position where discharge is impossible with respect to the counter electrode. Medium reformer. The medium reformer is
The counter electrode includes a dielectric layer on a surface on the discharge electrode side, and a barrier discharge is performed between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode to modify the target medium. The medium reforming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An image forming unit that forms an image by discharging recording material droplets onto a recording medium to be transported, and the recording medium that is disposed upstream of the image forming unit in the transport direction of the recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: a medium modifying unit that modifies a processing target medium by discharging;
An image forming apparatus comprising the medium reforming apparatus according to claim 1 as the medium reforming section. An image forming system for forming an image by ejecting recording material droplets from an image forming unit onto a transported recording medium,
A plurality of the recording medium is disposed in the transport direction of the recording medium and in the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the transport direction before the image forming unit, and the connecting positions in the transport direction are Discharge electrodes disposed at different positions in the orthogonal direction;
A counter electrode disposed at a position facing the discharge electrode across the recording medium;
A plurality of the discharge electrodes, with respect to the counter electrode, a discharge transition means for individually transitioning between a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable discharge state;
Transition control means for individually controlling the transition of the discharge electrode by the discharge transition means;
An image forming system comprising: The transition control means includes
Based on at least one of the image formation position on the recording medium, the conveyance speed of the recording medium, the type of the recording medium, and the image to be recorded on the recording medium, the transition of the discharge electrode by the discharge transition means is performed. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the image forming system is individually controlled. A medium modification method for modifying a processing target medium to be conveyed by electric discharge,
A plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in a transport direction of the medium to be treated and a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and connected at different positions in the orthogonal direction; A discharge treatment step of discharging between a counter electrode disposed at a position facing the discharge electrode across the processing target medium;
A discharge transition processing step of individually transitioning the plurality of discharge electrodes to a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state in which the counter electrode can be discharged; and
A transition control processing step for individually controlling the transition of the discharge electrode in the discharge transition processing step;
A medium modification method characterized by comprising: A medium modification program for modifying a processing target medium to be conveyed by electric discharge,
To the control processor,
A plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in a transport direction of the medium to be treated and a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and connected at different positions in the orthogonal direction; A discharge treatment for discharging between a counter electrode disposed at a position facing the discharge electrode across the medium to be processed;
A discharge transition process for individually transitioning the plurality of discharge electrodes to a dischargeable state and a non-dischargeable state that are dischargeable with respect to the counter electrode;
A transition control process for individually controlling the transition of the discharge electrode in the discharge transition process;
The medium reforming program characterized by performing this.