JP2019162719A - Liquid discharge device, control method, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform static elimination at proper timing.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head, an ion generating part, a measuring part and a generation control part. The liquid discharge head discharges liquid. The ion generating part generates ions. The measuring part measures a feature amount that increases in accordance with liquid discharge. The generation control part controls the ion generating part to generate ions in accordance with the measured feature amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus, a control method, and a control program.

  Conventionally, a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid such as ink can relatively easily realize a high-density multi-nozzle, and can form a high-definition image on a medium. A liquid discharge apparatus having a liquid discharge head may include means for driving a carriage on which the liquid discharge head is mounted in the main scanning direction and means for driving the carriage itself in the sub-scanning direction. When the medium is placed on the liquid ejection apparatus, the medium may be charged by being rubbed against an installation surface (stage). When at least one of the medium and the installation surface is charged, mist generated when ink or the like is ejected may adhere to the medium and deteriorate the quality.

  In addition, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, there is a technique of irradiating the liquid application surface with UV light and curing the UV ink when the liquid application surface is formed by ejecting UV (Ultra Violet) ink from the liquid ejection head. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-182251), wind is sent to an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that cures an electromagnetic wave curable ink ejected on a medium by irradiating light, and ions are emitted downstream in the blowing direction. A recording apparatus provided with an ion generating unit for generating is disclosed.

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that the charge removal process cannot be performed at an appropriate timing. For example, in a liquid ejection device that uses UV ink that cures when irradiated with UV light, the UV ink undergoes a chemical reaction, changes its state, generates static electricity, and the medium is charged during the formation of the liquid application surface. There are things to do. In this regard, the conventional technique cannot expect the effect of the charge removal process on the medium charged during the formation of the liquid application surface. As a result, it is difficult to say that the conventional technology can carry out the charge removal process at an appropriate timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to carry out a charge removal process at an appropriate timing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a liquid discharge apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid, an ion generation unit that generates ions, and a feature that increases in accordance with the discharge of the liquid. A measuring unit that measures the amount; and a generation control unit that controls generation of the ions by the ion generating unit in accordance with the measured feature amount.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that the charge removal process can be performed at an appropriate timing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the discharge amount of the UV curable ink and the surface potential of the medium according to the related art. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the discharge amount of the UV curable ink according to Embodiment 1 and the surface potential of the medium. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting a threshold when emphasizing quality according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the charge removal process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the liquid ejection apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the integrated amount of UV light and the surface potential of the medium according to the related art. FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the integrated amount of UV light and the surface potential of the medium according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting a threshold when emphasizing quality according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the charge removal process according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid ejection apparatus, a control method, and a control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Moreover, each embodiment can be combined suitably as long as the contents do not contradict each other.

(Embodiment 1)
The hardware configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101. Further, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 that controls the entire apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a nonvolatile memory (NVRAM: Non-Volatile RAM) 105, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 106 is connected. Further, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 connects an operation unit 112 to the CPU 102.

  The ROM 103 stores programs executed by the CPU 102 and other fixed data. The RAM 104 temporarily stores image data and the like. The nonvolatile memory 105 is a rewritable memory for holding data even when the power of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 is shut off. The ASIC 106 processes input / output signals for controlling various types of signal processing, rearrangement processing, and the like for image data, and other overall devices. The operation unit 112 includes an input device and an output device for inputting and displaying various information.

  Further, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 includes an I / F 107, a print control unit 108, a main scanning motor driving unit 109, a sub scanning motor driving unit 110, and an I / O 111.

  The I / F 107 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the host side. Specifically, the I / F 107 transmits print data generated by a host printer driver such as an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner, an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, a cable, a network, or the like. Receive via. That is, the print data generation output for the control unit 101 may be performed by a host-side printer driver. The CPU 102 reads and analyzes the print data in the reception buffer included in the I / F 107. The ASIC 106 performs image processing, data rearrangement processing, and the like, and the image data is transferred to the print control unit 108 and the head driver 114.

  The print control unit 108 generates a drive waveform for driving the liquid discharge head 119, and image data for selectively driving a pressure generation unit that generates a pressure for the liquid discharge head 119 to discharge the liquid, and various accompanying image data. Data is output to the head driver 114.

  The print control unit 108 may have a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The print control unit 108 exhibits a desired function when the CPU executes a program stored in a ROM or the like.

  The program executed by the CPU of the print control unit 108 is an installable or executable file and can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The recording medium may be recorded and provided.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU of the print control unit 108 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the CPU of the print control unit 108 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The main scanning motor driving unit 109 drives the main scanning motor 115. The main scanning motor 115 moves the carriage 118 in the main scanning direction by driving. The sub-scanning motor driving unit 110 drives the sub-scanning motor 116. The sub-scanning motor 116 moves the carriage support 117 in the sub-scanning direction by driving. The I / O 111 acquires information from the environment sensor 113 and extracts information necessary for controlling each part of the liquid ejection apparatus 100. For example, the environmental sensor 113 detects environmental temperature, environmental humidity, and the like. The I / O 111 also receives detection signals from various sensors other than the environmental sensor 113.

  Further, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 includes a carriage support portion 117. The carriage support 117 includes a carriage 118 having a liquid ejection head 119 and an ionizer 120 that generates ions. As will be described later, a UV lamp 122 is also mounted on the carriage 118.

  Here, an outline of the print control process in the liquid ejection apparatus 100 will be described.

  The CPU 102 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 reads and analyzes the print data in the reception buffer of the I / F 107, performs necessary image processing, data rearrangement processing, and the like in the ASIC 106 and transfers them to the print control unit 108.

  The print control unit 108 outputs image data and a drive waveform to the head driver 114 at a required timing. More specifically, the print control unit 108 performs D / A conversion and amplification of the drive pulse pattern data stored in the ROM 103 and read by the CPU 102, thereby driving the drive pulse configured by one drive pulse or a plurality of drive pulses. Generate a waveform.

  Note that the generation of image data (dot pattern data) for image output may be performed by storing font data in the ROM 103, for example, or the image data is developed into a bitmap by a printer driver on the host side, and liquid ejection is performed. You may make it transfer to the apparatus 100. FIG.

  The head driver 114 selectively applies a driving pulse constituting a driving waveform supplied from the print control unit 108 to the pressure generating unit of the liquid ejection head 119 based on the input image data (dot pattern data). By doing so, the liquid discharge head 119 is driven.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 includes a stage 121 on which a medium is placed, a carriage 118 on which a liquid ejection head 119 is mounted, and a carriage support portion 117 that supports the carriage 118. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 drives the liquid ejecting head 119 while moving the carriage 118 in the main scanning direction, thereby ejecting liquid onto the stopped medium to form a liquid application surface for one row. Next, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 moves the carriage support 117 by a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction, and then forms the liquid application surface of the next row. By repeating these, a liquid application surface is formed on the entire medium.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid discharge head 119 mounted inside the carriage 118 has Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black), W (white), and CL (clear). And a nozzle that ejects UV curable ink (an example of electromagnetic wave curable ink). Each head includes a piezo. When a drive signal is applied to the piezo, the piezo causes a contraction motion, and a pressure change due to the contraction motion causes the UV curable ink to be ejected onto the medium. Thereby, an image which is a liquid application surface is formed on the medium. The number of heads and the color combinations of the liquid discharge head 119 are not limited to the above.

  A UV lamp 122 (an example of an irradiation unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves such as UV light) is mounted on a side surface of the carriage 118 in the main scanning direction. The UV lamp 122 cures and dries the UV curable ink on the medium by irradiating the liquid application surface formed on the medium by discharging the UV curable ink from the liquid discharge head 119 with UV light. .

  The ionizer 120 (an example of an ion generation unit) generates ions. The generation of ions by the ionizer 120 is performed when the carriage 118 is waiting at the position of the maintenance mechanism 123 in accordance with the control of the generation control unit 12 described later. The ionizer 120 is disposed on a carriage support portion 117 that supports a carriage 118 provided with a liquid discharge head 119. The ionizer 120 moves in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction in which the carriage 118 moves for discharging the UV curable ink by the liquid discharge head 119 in accordance with the movement of the carriage support portion 117.

  The medium is charged with a negative or positive charge due to the curing of the UV curable ink. When the medium is in a charged state, mist generated by the ejection of the UV curable ink may be attracted, and the quality of the liquid application surface may be deteriorated. For this reason, the ionizer 120 performs the static elimination process which eliminates the charged state of the medium by generating ions. In addition, the implementation timing of the static elimination process by the ionizer 120 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 includes a measuring unit 11, a generation control unit 12, and an irradiation control unit 13.

  The irradiation control unit 13 controls the irradiation of UV light by the UV lamp 122. More specifically, the irradiation control unit 13 applies the liquid application formed on the medium to the UV lamp 122 while the carriage 118 moves in the main scanning direction while discharging the UV curable ink from the liquid discharge head 119. Control is performed to irradiate the surface with UV light. As described above, when the UV curable ink on the medium is cured by irradiation with UV light, the state change from the liquid to the solid of the UV curable ink may cause static electricity, and the medium may be charged. .

  The measuring unit 11 measures a feature amount that increases in accordance with the discharge of a liquid such as UV curable ink. More specifically, the measuring unit 11 measures the ejection amount of the UV curable ink ejected by the liquid ejection head 119 in accordance with the movement of the carriage 118 in the main scanning direction.

  The generation control unit 12 controls the generation of ions by the ionizer 120 according to the measured feature amount. More specifically, the generation control unit 12 determines whether the discharge amount of the UV curable ink measured by the measurement unit 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold corresponds to a discharge amount that allows an amount of mist adsorbed on the medium to be acceptable. That is, when the discharge amount of the UV curable ink is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value, the image quality is deteriorated due to the mist adsorbing to the medium, and the image quality may be unacceptable.

  And the production | generation control part 12 controls the production | generation of the ion by the ionizer 120, when the discharge amount of UV curable ink is more than a predetermined threshold value. As a result, ions are generated by the ionizer 120, and the carriage support portion 117 moves in the sub-scanning direction, so that the charge removal process is performed. Here, the generation of ions by the ionizer 120 is performed when the carriage 118 reaches the maintenance mechanism 123, not during the movement of the carriage 118 in the main scanning direction. That is, the control of the ionizer 120 by the generation control unit 12 is performed during the standby after the formation of a liquid application surface for one row and before the formation of the liquid application surface of the next row.

  Here, the relationship between the discharge amount of the UV curable ink and the surface potential of the medium will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the discharge amount of the UV curable ink and the surface potential of the medium according to the related art. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the discharge amount of the UV curable ink according to Embodiment 1 and the surface potential of the medium. 5A and 5B, the vertical axis represents “surface potential of the medium”, and the horizontal axis represents “discharge amount (cured amount) of UV curable ink”. In the prior art, a case where the neutralization process is not performed during standby before the liquid application surface of the next row is formed will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the liquid ejection device according to the related art, since the charge removal process is not performed during the standby before the formation of the liquid application surface of the next row, the medium increases with the increase in the ejection amount of the UV curable ink. Also increases the surface potential. When the surface potential exceeds a certain amount, the medium is in a state where more mist is adsorbed. The discharge amount of the UV curable ink is, specifically, the amount of the cured UV curable ink because the UV light is irradiated to the discharged UV curable ink.

  In the liquid ejection device 100 according to the present embodiment, when the discharge amount of the UV curable ink becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the charge removal process is performed during standby before the liquid application surface of the next row is formed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the surface potential of the medium does not exceed a certain amount, and it is difficult for more mist to be adsorbed.

  By the way, the predetermined threshold value may be set according to the quality (image quality) of the liquid application surface, not a value set corresponding to the discharge amount that allows the amount of mist adsorbed to the medium to be acceptable. For example, when priority is given to image quality, the predetermined threshold value may be set to a lower value in order to further reduce the adsorption of mist to the medium.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting a threshold when emphasizing quality according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when emphasizing the quality of the liquid application surface, the predetermined threshold is set so that the surface potential of the medium becomes smaller. In FIG. 6, the threshold value when quality is not important is indicated by a broken line, and the threshold value when quality is important is indicated by a solid line. That is, in the situation where the discharge amount of the UV curable ink is smaller than the discharge amount described in FIG. 5B (at a timing earlier than that in FIG. 5B), the charge removal process is repeatedly performed. Specifically, the generation control unit 12 performs ionization by the ionizer 120 according to a threshold value (predetermined threshold value) set according to the quality of the liquid application surface formed on the medium and the discharge amount of the UV curable ink. Control the generation of. For example, when importance is attached to quality, the generation control unit 12 uses a predetermined threshold set so that the surface potential of the medium becomes smaller, and when the discharge amount of the UV curable ink becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, The generation of ions by the ionizer 120 is controlled.

  Next, the flow of the charge removal process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the charge removal process according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid ejection device 100 starts ejection of UV curable ink from the liquid ejection head 119 as the carriage 118 moves in the main scanning direction (step S <b> 101: Yes). The discharge amount of the UV curable ink is measured (step S102). On the other hand, when the discharge of the UV curable ink from the liquid discharge head 119 is not started (step S101: No), the liquid discharge apparatus 100 enters a discharge start waiting state.

  Then, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 determines whether the ejection amount of the UV curable ink is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (Step S103). At this time, when the discharge amount of the UV curable ink is less than the predetermined threshold (step S103: No), the liquid discharge device 100 executes the process of step S102 and continues measuring the discharge amount. On the other hand, the liquid ejection device 100 causes the ionizer 120 to generate ions when the carriage 118 reaches the maintenance mechanism 123 when the ejection amount of the UV curable ink is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S103: Yes). Then, the charge removal process is performed (step S104).

  After carrying out the charge removal process, the liquid ejection device 100 resets the ejection amount, moves to ejection of the next row, and starts measurement again. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 continuously performs such processing until ejection for all the rows is completed.

  As described above, the liquid discharge apparatus 100 measures the discharge amount according to the discharge of the UV curable ink from the liquid discharge head 119, and generates ions when the measured discharge amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Since it controls, static elimination processing can be implemented at an appropriate timing. In addition, when the discharge amount of the UV curable ink exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the liquid ejection device 100 causes the ionizer 120 to generate ions when the carriage 118 is standing by at the position of the maintenance mechanism 123, thereby eliminating static electricity. Perform the process. As a result, the liquid ejection device 100 performs the charge removal process while waiting for the formation of the liquid application surface with respect to the charging of the medium due to the ejection of the UV curable ink. It is possible to suppress the mist from adsorbing to the medium. In addition, the liquid ejection device 100 performs threshold determination of the measured ejection amount by using a smaller predetermined threshold when importance is placed on the quality of the liquid application surface, thereby further reducing mist adsorption on the medium. be able to.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the case has been described in which ions are generated according to the discharge amount of the UV curable ink and the charge removal process is performed on the charging of the medium. Such charge removal processing is not limited to being performed based on the discharge amount of the UV curable ink. For example, the charge removal process may be performed based on the integrated amount of UV light applied to the liquid application surface. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the charge removal process is performed based on the integrated amount of UV light irradiated on the liquid application surface. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the liquid ejection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted. For example, the hardware configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the liquid ejection apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid ejection apparatus 100a includes a measuring unit 11a, a generation control unit 12, and an irradiation control unit 13.

  The irradiation control unit 13 controls the irradiation of the UV light by the UV lamp 122 as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the irradiation control unit 13 notifies the weighing unit 11a of the situation in which the UV lamp 122 is irradiated with UV light.

  The measuring unit 11a measures the integrated amount of UV light that increases in accordance with the discharge of a liquid such as UV curable ink. More specifically, the measuring unit 11a measures the integrated amount of the UV light irradiated by the UV lamp 122 according to the movement of the carriage 118 in the main scanning direction. Specifically, the weighing unit 11a accepts that the UV lamp 122 is irradiated with the UV light by the irradiation control unit 13, and thereby derives the irradiation time of the UV light. Then, the measuring unit 11a multiplies the irradiation time of the UV light and the preset illuminance of the UV lamp 122 to obtain an integrated amount. That is, when the UV curable ink is ejected from the liquid ejection head 119, the measuring unit 11a is irradiated with UV light for curing the UV curable ink formed on the medium. Obtain the integrated amount of UV light.

  The production | generation control part 12 controls the production | generation of the ion by the ionizer 120 according to the integrated amount of the measured UV light. More specifically, the generation control unit 12 determines whether the integrated amount of UV light measured by the measuring unit 11a is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold value according to the second embodiment corresponds to the integrated amount of UV light that allows the amount of mist adsorbed to the medium to be acceptable. That is, the situation where the UV light is irradiated is a situation where the UV curable ink may be ejected from the liquid ejection head 119. For this reason, when the integrated amount of UV light is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the image quality may be degraded due to the mist adsorbing to the medium, which may result in an unacceptable image quality.

  Therefore, the generation control unit 12 controls the generation of ions by the ionizer 120 when the integrated amount of UV light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. As a result, ions are generated by the ionizer 120, and the carriage support portion 117 moves in the sub-scanning direction, so that the charge removal process is performed. The generation of ions by the ionizer 120 is performed when the carriage 118 reaches the maintenance mechanism 123 instead of moving the carriage 118 in the main scanning direction as in the first embodiment.

  Here, the relationship between the integrated amount of UV light and the surface potential of the medium will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the integrated amount of UV light and the surface potential of the medium according to the related art. FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the integrated amount of UV light and the surface potential of the medium according to Embodiment 2. 9A and 9B, the vertical axis represents “surface potential of the medium”, and the horizontal axis represents “integrated amount of UV light”. In the prior art, a case where the neutralization process is not performed during standby before the liquid application surface of the next row is formed will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the liquid ejection device according to the related art, since the charge removal process is not performed during the standby before the formation of the liquid application surface of the next row, the surface of the medium is increased along with the increase in the integrated amount of UV light. The potential also increases. When the surface potential exceeds a certain amount, the medium is in a state where more mist is adsorbed.

  In the liquid ejection device 100a according to the present embodiment, when the integrated amount of UV light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the charge removal process is performed during standby before the liquid application surface of the next row is formed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the surface potential of the medium does not exceed a certain amount, and it is difficult for more mist to be adsorbed.

  By the way, the predetermined threshold is not a value set corresponding to the integrated amount of UV light that allows the amount of mist adsorbed to the medium, but is set according to the quality (image quality) of the liquid application surface. Also good. For example, when priority is given to image quality, the predetermined threshold value may be set to a lower value in order to further reduce the adsorption of mist to the medium.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting a threshold when emphasizing quality according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, when emphasizing the quality of the liquid application surface, the predetermined threshold is set so that the surface potential of the medium becomes smaller. In FIG. 10, the threshold value when quality is not emphasized is indicated by a broken line, and the threshold value when quality is important is indicated by a solid line. That is, the neutralization process is repeatedly performed in a situation where the integrated amount of UV light is smaller than the integrated amount described in FIG. 9B (at a timing earlier than that in FIG. 9B). Specifically, the generation control unit 12 generates ions by the ionizer 120 according to a threshold value (predetermined threshold value) set according to the quality of the liquid application surface formed on the medium and the integrated amount of UV light. To control. For example, when importance is attached to quality, the generation control unit 12 uses a predetermined threshold that is set so that the surface potential of the medium becomes smaller, and when the integrated amount of UV light becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the ionizer 120 Controls the production of ions.

  Next, the flow of the charge removal process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the charge removal process according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the liquid ejection device 100a integrates the UV light when irradiation of the UV light from the UV lamp 122 is started as the carriage 118 moves in the main scanning direction (step S201: Yes). The amount is weighed (step S202). On the other hand, when the irradiation of the UV light from the UV lamp 122 is not started (step S201: No), the liquid ejection device 100a enters a state of waiting for the irradiation of the UV light.

  Then, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a determines whether the integrated amount of UV light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S203). At this time, when the integrated amount of UV light is less than the predetermined threshold (step S203: No), the liquid ejection device 100a executes the process of step S202 and continues measuring the integrated amount of UV light. On the other hand, when the accumulated amount of UV light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S203: Yes), the liquid ejection device 100a causes the ionizer 120 to generate ions when the carriage 118 reaches the maintenance mechanism 123, thereby eliminating static electricity. Processing is performed (step S204).

  After carrying out the charge removal process, the liquid ejection device 100a resets the integrated amount of UV light, then proceeds to ejection of the next row, and starts measurement again. The liquid ejection apparatus 100a continues such processing until ejection for all rows is completed.

  As described above, the liquid ejection device 100a measures the integrated amount of UV light by irradiation from the UV lamp 122, and controls the generation of ions when the measured integrated amount of UV light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Therefore, the charge removal process can be performed at an appropriate timing. Further, the liquid ejection device 100a causes the ionizer 120 to generate ions when the integrated amount of UV light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and the carriage 118 is standing by at the position of the maintenance mechanism 123, and performs charge removal processing. carry out. As a result, the liquid ejection apparatus 100a performs the charge removal process while the liquid application surface is waiting for the charging of the medium due to the ejection of the UV curable ink, so in the formation of the liquid application surface of the next row, It is possible to suppress the mist from adsorbing to the medium. In addition, when the liquid ejection device 100a places importance on the quality of the liquid application surface, the liquid discharge device 100a performs threshold determination of the integrated amount of the measured UV light using a smaller predetermined threshold value, and therefore adsorbs mist on the medium. It can be reduced more.

  Information including processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, various data, parameters, and the like shown in the document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. Each component of the illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the specific form of the distribution or integration of the devices is not limited to the illustrated one, and all or a part of the distribution or integration is functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily in any unit according to various burdens or usage conditions. Can be integrated.

  Further, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be appropriately combined within a range in which the contents do not contradict each other. For example, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 sequentially performs threshold determination for the discharge amount of UV curable ink and threshold determination for the integrated amount of UV light, and when the charge removal process is performed by either threshold determination, The feature amount is reset, and the threshold determination process is continued again. Thereby, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 can perform the charge removal process at a more appropriate timing.

  In addition, the control program executed by the liquid ejection apparatus 100 may be a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in one installable or executable file. And the like recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. In addition, the control program executed by the liquid ejection apparatus 100 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The control program executed by the liquid ejection apparatus 100 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The control program may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The control program executed by the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 has a module configuration including the above-described units (the weighing unit 11, the generation control unit 12, and the irradiation control unit 13), and a CPU (processor) is used as actual hardware. By reading the control program from the storage medium and executing it, the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the weighing unit 11, the generation control unit 12, and the irradiation control unit 13 are generated on the main storage device. Yes.

  In addition, the liquid discharge apparatus 100 described in the above embodiment is an apparatus that includes a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and drives the liquid discharge head to discharge liquid. The apparatus for ejecting liquid includes not only an apparatus capable of ejecting liquid to an object to which liquid can adhere, but also an apparatus for ejecting liquid toward the air or liquid.

  Such a liquid ejecting apparatus 100 can also include means for feeding, transporting, and ejecting a liquid to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  For example, as the liquid ejecting apparatus 100, an image forming apparatus that is an apparatus that ejects ink to form an image on a sheet, or a powder layer in which powder is formed in a layered manner to form a three-dimensional structure (three-dimensional structure). There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid.

  Further, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is not limited to an apparatus in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the ejected liquid. For example, what forms a pattern etc. which does not have a meaning in itself, and what forms a three-dimensional image are also included.

  The above-mentioned “applicable liquid” means that the liquid can be attached at least temporarily and adheres and adheres, or adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film and cloth, electronic parts such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, examination cells, and other media. Unless otherwise specified, everything to which liquid adheres is included.

  The material of the above-mentioned “adherable liquid” may be paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as the liquid can be adhered even temporarily.

  The “liquid” is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head. However, the “liquid” has a viscosity of 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. Preferably there is. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , Edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc., which include, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic elements and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns It can be used in applications such as a liquid for use, a material liquid for three-dimensional modeling.

  In addition, the liquid ejection apparatus 100 includes an apparatus in which the liquid ejection head and the apparatus to which the liquid can adhere move relatively, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type apparatus that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

  In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 includes a processing liquid applying apparatus that discharges a processing liquid onto a sheet in order to apply the processing liquid to the surface of the sheet for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet, and the raw materials in the solution. There is an injection granulator for spraying the composition liquid dispersed in the above through a nozzle to granulate fine particles of raw materials.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Weighing part 12 Generation | occurrence | production control part 13 Irradiation control part 100 Liquid discharge apparatus 117 Carriage support part 118 Carriage 119 Liquid discharge head 120 Ionizer 121 Stage 122 UV lamp 123 Maintenance mechanism

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-182251

Claims (7)

A liquid discharge head for discharging liquid;
An ion generator that generates ions;
A measuring unit that measures a feature amount that increases in accordance with the ejection of the liquid;
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a generation control unit that controls generation of the ions by the ion generation unit in accordance with the measured feature amount. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures the feature amount that is a discharge amount of the discharged liquid. An irradiation unit for irradiating the liquid application surface formed by discharging the liquid with electromagnetic waves;
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures the feature amount that is an integrated amount of the irradiated electromagnetic wave. The generation control unit controls generation of the ions by the ion generation unit according to a threshold set according to a quality of a liquid application surface formed by discharging the liquid and the feature amount. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus. The ion generation unit is disposed in a carriage support unit that supports a carriage including the liquid discharge head, and is arranged in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction in which the carriage moves for discharging liquid by the liquid discharge head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus moves according to the movement of the carriage support portion. A control method executed in a liquid ejection device,
Measuring a feature amount that increases in accordance with the discharge of the liquid by the liquid discharge head;
Controlling the production of ions in accordance with the measured feature quantity. On the computer,
Measuring a feature amount that increases in accordance with the discharge of the liquid by the liquid discharge head;
A control program for executing the step of controlling the generation of ions according to the measured feature quantity.