JP2021066045A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that is able to obtain an image formation object of good quality even if, after an occurrence of a situation in which an operating state is changed during image formation, the operating state is returned to a normal operating state.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: image forming means that forms an image on a recording medium; moving means that moves the image forming means relative to the recording medium; detecting means that detects whether a to-be-detected object is present in a predetermined area formed in an area within a predetermined distance from the image forming means; and control means that controls the moving speed of the image forming means relative to the recording medium according to a detection state of the to-be-detected object; wherein the control means reduces the moving speed when the to-be-detected object is detected in the predetermined area, stores an operating state of the image forming means in a temporary storage area before the image forming means stops, and exerts control so that when the stopped image forming means resumes the image forming operation, the image forming operation is based on the stored operating state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method and an image forming program.

A safety mechanism is known for the purpose of ensuring safety when a worker or the like approaches an operating industrial device. The safety mechanism suddenly stops the movement of a moving structure when an operator or the like approaches a predetermined distance or less. The conditions that determine how far the safety mechanism should operate are standards such as "Safety of machinery-Safety distance to prevent upper and lower limbs from reaching dangerous areas" (ISO13857, JIS9718: 2013). ) Is also specified.

Further, as a kind of large-scale industrial equipment, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a large-format recording medium is also known. The image forming apparatus includes moving means for moving an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium relative to the recording medium. The image forming apparatus also needs to be provided with the above-mentioned safety mechanism from the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of the operator. In the case of the image forming apparatus, the operation of the image forming means is stopped when the worker enters the moving range of the image forming means.

A pyroelectric sensor (human sensor) or a proximity sensor is used as a detection means for detecting the entry of an operator or the like into the movable range of the image forming means. Each sensor can detect whether or not the sensor exists within a predetermined range without contacting the operator or the like to be detected.

As a safety mechanism applicable to an image forming apparatus, regarding a head moving device provided with a cutting head for cutting a work material, the movement of the cutting head without cutting is decelerated when an operator approaches the cutting head. The technology is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 urgently stops the operation of the cutting head when the moving speed of the cutting head is slower than the normal speed and the distance between the operator and the cutting head is further reduced. , Is controlled. When this technique is applied to an image forming apparatus, the operating speed of the mechanism related to image forming is changed during the image forming operation. In the image forming operation, the movement timing of the image forming means and the timing of the operation of attaching the image forming material are sequentially matched so that the image forming material is attached to the recording medium while moving the image forming means with respect to the recording medium. Is controlled to do. Therefore, if the moving speed of the image forming means is changed (decelerated or stopped) in the middle of the image forming operation, then even if the image forming operation is restarted from the middle, the deviation from the image forming state before the stop is generated. The resulting and formed image is distorted. That is, even if the image forming operation is returned to the normal state after decelerating or stopping in the middle of the image forming operation, the formed image will be disturbed. Therefore, the recording medium is discarded and the process is restarted from the beginning. Become.

As described above, in a device such as an image forming apparatus that executes an operation processed by sequential timing control, if deceleration or stop is performed during the operation, the quality of the result deteriorates and the processing needs to be redone. There is a problem of becoming.

It should be noted that this problem is the same not only in an image forming apparatus that forms an image two-dimensionally but also in an image forming apparatus that includes an apparatus that forms an image three-dimensionally.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a high quality image forming product even if the operating condition is changed at the time of image forming and then returned to the normal operating condition.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is from an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, a moving means for moving the image forming means with respect to the recording medium, and the image forming means. A detection means for detecting whether or not an object to be detected is present in a predetermined area formed within a predetermined distance, and an image forming means for the recording medium according to the detection status of the object to be detected. A control means for controlling the movement speed is provided, and the control means reduces the movement speed when the object to be detected is detected in the predetermined region, and the image is formed before the image forming means is stopped. It is characterized in that the operating state of the forming means is stored in a temporary storage area, and when the stopped image forming means resumes the image forming operation, it is controlled so as to be based on the stored operating state.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image-forming product even if the operating state is changed to the normal operating state after the situation of changing the operating state at the time of image formation occurs.

The perspective view of the printer which is embodiment of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. The plan view which shows the detection area of the sensor provided in the said printer. The hardware configuration diagram of the above printer. Functional configuration diagram of the above printer. The figure which shows the comparative example of the stop operation in the said printer. The figure which shows the example of the stop operation in the said printer. The flowchart which shows the processing flow of the said printer. A perspective perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer according to another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The plan view which shows the schematic structure of the image forming part which concerns on the said inkjet printer. The block diagram which illustrates the functional structure of the said inkjet printer.

[Overall configuration image of the image forming device]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes a plane that fixes and holds a recording medium, and an image that forms an image on the recording medium by scanning the fixed recording medium with an image forming means. This is an example of a forming device. The printer 100 includes a gantry 110, a carriage 120, a sensor 130, a bed 140, a control unit 150, a braking unit 160, and a notification unit 170.

The gantry 110 is a gate-shaped mechanism installed so as to straddle the bed 140, and is a mechanism that linearly moves along the outer shape of the bed 140. The gantry 110 includes a recording head 111, which will be described later, a carriage 120 on which the recording head is mounted and slid, and a hatch portion 119 which is a cover for protecting the recording head 111 and the carriage 120. Inside the gantry 110, a sub-scanning motor 115 that serves as a drive source for moving in the Y direction is also provided. The sub-scanning motor 115 will be described later.

The carriage 120 is equipped with a recording head 111 that constitutes an image forming means, and is configured to slide in the X direction (main scanning direction). The image forming material emitted from the recording head 111 adheres to the recording medium according to the sliding state (position) of the carriage 120, and an image is formed. Therefore, the recording head 111 corresponds to an image forming means for forming an image while sliding. The sliding of the recording head 111 is driven by the main scanning motor 114 for moving the carriage 120 in the X direction. The main scanning motor 114 will also be described later.

Generally, the carriage 120 drives the recording head 111 in the X direction (main scan) by the drive force of the main scan motor 114, rather than the moving speed at which the gantry 110 moves in the Y direction (sub scan direction) by the drive force of the sub scan motor 115. The moving speed to move in the direction) is faster. The moving speed in the main scanning direction is, for example, 2 m / sec. Therefore, when the printer 100 is executing the image forming operation, the carriage 120 slides at a high speed, and the gantry 110 moves at a lower speed than the carriage 120.

The sensor 130 is for detecting an object (target to be detected) approaching the recording head 111, the carriage 120, and the gantry 110 during the image forming operation, and the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132 are used. Including. The first sensor 131 is installed in, for example, the gantry 110. The second sensor 132 is installed on the carriage 120, for example. Details of the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132 will be described later.

The bed 140 has a flat surface portion (mounting surface) having a rectangular outer shape. The recording medium is fixed to the mounting surface, and while the carriage 120 slides in the main scanning direction on the fixed recording medium, it also moves in the sub-scanning direction by the movement of the gantry 110. A rail-like structure for moving the gantry 110 is provided on the longitudinal side surface of the bed 140. Therefore, the gantry 110 is configured to move along the side surface of the bed 140 in the length direction of the mounting surface.

The control unit 150 is a control means provided inside the printer 100. The control unit 150 is a controller that controls the operating speeds of the main scanning motor 114 and the sub-scanning motor 115 according to the detection result of the sensor 130, and controls the moving speeds of the gantry 110 and the carriage 120. Further, the control unit 150 also controls the timing of the operation of the recording head 111 to attach the image forming material to the recording medium based on the change state of the moving speeds of the gantry 110 and the carriage 120. Details of the control unit 150 will be described later.

The braking unit 160 constitutes a braking means that functions as a brake for stopping the sliding of the carriage 120 and the movement of the gantry 110. The braking unit 160 stops the movement of the gantry 110 and the carriage 120 according to the detection status of the object to be detected by the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132. The braking unit 160 is provided inside the gantry 110.

When the first sensor 131 detects an object to be detected, the notification unit 170 is a notification means that outputs the detection status as a notification signal that can be visually or audibly recognized. The notification unit 170 includes, for example, an audio speaker that outputs a notification sound, a flashlight that emits a notification light, and the like. When the printer 100 in the image forming operation has an object to be detected that is closer than a predetermined distance by the notification unit 170, the notification sound or the notification light can notify the detection target of the approaching state. it can. As a result, it is possible to urge the object to be detected to stop approaching the printer 100.

[Detectable area of first sensor 131 and second sensor 132]
Here, the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132 will be described. The first sensor 131, which is the first detection means, is a so-called motion sensor such as a pyroelectric sensor, and detects that the object to be detected (for example, a person) is closer than a predetermined distance to the gantry 110. It is installed in a possible position. Further, the second sensor 132, which is the second detection means, is, for example, a proximity sensor, and is installed at a position where it can detect that the detection target has approached the carriage 120 sliding inside the hatch portion 119. There is.

The detectable region of the detection target by the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a virtual detectable region superimposed on a plan view of the printer 100. In FIG. 2, the region indicated by reference numeral 1331 is a “gantry movable range” indicating a range in which the gantry 110 moves.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first detection region 1311, which is the detectable region of the first sensor 131, is set wider than the gantry movable range. If the object to be detected (such as a person) does not enter the first detection area 1311, the object to be detected does not come into contact with the operating printer 100, and it is not necessary to stop the operation of the printer 100. Therefore, the first detection area 1311 corresponds to the "exclusion zone" during the operation of the printer 100.

In other words, the first sensor 131 has a predetermined region (first) defined by a predetermined distance from the gantry 110 in the so-called "image forming operation" in which the image forming unit moves in the main scanning direction due to the movement of the gantry 110. It detects whether or not the object to be detected exists in the detection area 1311). The first sensor 131 detects the presence of the detection target when the detection target enters the inside from the outside of the first detection region 1311. Further, the first sensor 131 continues to detect the detection target while the detection target continues to exist in the first detection region 1311.

Generally, a safety fence, a protective fence, or the like is installed at a position corresponding to the boundary of the first detection area 1311, and a display for urging an object to be detected such as a worker not to enter the first detection area 1311. May also be installed. However, in the case of the printer 100 or the like during the image forming operation, it may be necessary for the operator to confirm the image forming state. In this case, the worker may have to enter the first detection area 1311.

The second detection area 1321, which is a detectable area of the second sensor 132, is set inside the gantry movable range. The second detection area 1321 is a virtual area set to detect whether or not the object to be detected exists within the second distance from the carriage 120 sliding inside the hatch portion 119. .. When the object to be detected exists in the second detection area 1321, there is a very high possibility that the sliding carriage 120 and the object to be detected come into contact with each other, and if they come into contact with each other, there is a risk of developing an accident. Therefore, when it is detected that the object to be detected exists in the second detection area 1321, the braking unit 160 stops the carriage 120. The second detection area 1321 can also be said to be a “collision monitoring area”.

In other words, the second sensor 132 determines whether or not the object to be detected exists in a predetermined region (second detection region 1321) defined by a predetermined distance from the hatch portion 119 and the carriage 120 during the image forming operation. Is detected. The second sensor 132 detects the presence of the detection target when the detection target enters the inside from the outside of the second detection region 1321. Further, the second sensor 132 continues to detect the detection target while the detection target continues to exist in the second detection region 1321.

As described above, the first detection region 1311 is a region wider than the second detection region 1321. That is, the first distance at which the first sensor 131 can detect the object to be detected is longer than the second distance at which the second sensor 132 can detect the object to be detected. In other words, the second distance at which the second sensor 132 can detect the object to be detected is shorter than the first distance at which the first sensor 131 can detect the object to be detected. Therefore, when there is an object to be detected that approaches the operating printer 100, the first sensor 131 detects the object to be detected even if the object is to be detected at a certain distance, so that the printer 100 in operation collides with the object to be detected. It provides a function to notify the possibility in advance. That is, the first sensor 131 functions as a trigger for notifying in advance the possibility of an unexpected situation such as a collision with an operating printer 100.

Further, the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected in a situation where the printer 100 in operation collides with the object to be detected. Therefore, when the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected, the sequence for stopping the operation of the printer 100 is activated, and the movement of the carriage 120 is stopped by the operation of the braking unit 160. The stop control in the braking unit 160 is not based on software control, but is executed by hardware control.

As described above, the printer 100 has two detection areas, a first detection area 1311 and a second detection area 1321, and operates differently when the detection mode is detected in each detection area. Here, an outline of the operation of the printer 100 will be described. When the object to be detected is detected in the first detection area 1311, if the object to be detected approaches the printer 100 as it is, it is assumed that the object to be detected may enter the inside of the second detection area 1321. Therefore, first, when the object to be detected is detected in the first detection region 1311, the moving speed and the sliding speed of the carriage 120 are reduced to the gantry 110 to the extent that the image (image) being formed is not adversely affected. Based on these decelerations, the operation timing (for example, the timing of ejecting the liquid ink) for adhering the image forming material to the recording medium is adjusted.

When not only the first sensor 131 but also the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected, the object to be detected exists within a range in which it can come into contact with the sliding carriage 120. At this time, the sliding of the carriage 120 is stopped, and the movement of the gantry 110 is also stopped. Since the moving speeds of the carriage 120 and the gantry 110 are decelerated before this stop sequence is executed, the braking distance when the stop sequence is activated is shortened, and a collision with the detected target can be avoided. There is.

[Hardware configuration of printer 100]
Next, the control mechanism of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The printer 100 is controlled by a control unit 150 that realizes a calculation function, a liquid discharge control function, a sensor signal detection function, and a motor drive control function. The control unit 150 includes a CPU 151, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) 220, a motor driver 153, and a storage memory 154 that functions as a data buffer during an image forming operation.

The calculation function, the liquid discharge control function, the sensor signal determination function, and the motor drive control function mounted on the printer 100 are realized by the cooperation of the CPU 151 and the FPGA 152. Further, the CPU 151 controls the operation of each motor mounted on the printer 100 by using the motor driver 153 corresponding to each motor.

The output value of the linear encoder 122 for detecting the carriage 120 is input to the control unit 150. The control unit 150 detects the position and speed of the carriage 120 based on this value. Then, the control unit 150 controls the main scanning motor 114 based on the detected position and speed of the carriage 120. The main scanning motor 114 is provided in the gantry 110 and functions as a drive source for sliding the carriage 120.

Further, the output value of the sub-scanning sensor 116 for detecting the position of the gantry 110 is input to the control unit 150. The control unit 150 detects the position and speed of the gantry 110 based on this value. Then, the control unit 150 controls the sub-scanning motor 115 based on the detected position and speed of the gantry 110. The sub-scanning motor 115 is provided in the gantry 110 and functions as a drive source for moving the recording head 121 in the sub-scanning direction.

A signal indicating whether or not the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132 have detected the object to be detected is input to the control unit 150. The control unit 150 adjusts the driving force of the main scanning motor 114 and the sub-scanning motor 115 in response to the signals from the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132, and adjusts the moving speed of the carriage 120 and the moving speed of the gantry 110. To do. Further, the control unit 150 adjusts the operation timing of the recording head 121 according to the degree of adjustment between the moving speed of the carriage 120 and the moving speed of the gantry 110. The control unit 150, and the main scanning motor 114 and the sub-scanning motor 115 controlled by the control unit 150 form a moving means.

Information indicating the detection status of the second sensor 132 is also notified to the braking unit 160. The braking unit 160 stops the movement of the carriage 120 when the second sensor 132 receives a signal indicating that the detection target has been detected.

[Functional configuration of printer 100]
Next, a functional configuration, which is one of the control mechanisms of the printer 100, will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 100 includes a detection status determination unit 1511, a movement speed setting unit 1512, an operation status update unit 1513, and a control program executed by using the hardware resources of the control unit 150. It has an operation status storage unit 1514 and.

Based on the detection results of the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132, the detection status determination unit 1511 determines whether or not the detection target exists in the first detection area 1311 and the second detection area 1321, and the detection target is the first. It is determined whether or not it exists in the first detection area 1311 and whether or not it exists in the second detection area 1321. The detection status determination unit 1511 notifies the movement speed setting unit 1512 and the operation status update unit 1513 of the determination result based on the detection results of the first sensor 131 and the second sensor 132.

When the detection status determination unit 1511 notifies that the first sensor 131 has detected the object to be detected, the moving speed setting unit 1512 gradually decelerates the rotation speeds of the main scanning motor 114 and the sub-scanning motor 115. , Set to the first movement speed. As a result, the moving speed of the carriage 120 and the gantry 110 becomes the first moving speed lower than the normal speed. During this low-speed movement, when the detection status determination unit 1511 notifies that the second sensor 132 has detected the object to be detected, the stop sequence is executed, the braking unit 160 operates, and the gantry 110 and the carriage 120 are operated. Braking is applied. By moving the carriage 120 and the gantry 110 at a low speed, the braking distance during the stop sequence is shortened, and the movement can be stopped safely.

Further, the movement speed setting unit 1512 accelerates the rotation speeds of the main scanning motor 114 and the sub-scanning motor 115 when the first sensor 131 does not detect the object to be detected while the gantry 110 and the carriage 120 are moving at a low speed. Let me. As a result, the moving speed of the carriage 120 and the gantry 110 returns to the normal speed.

Based on the notification from the detection status determination unit 1511, the operation status update unit 1513 stores information indicating the current state of data for the image forming operation stored in the storage memory 154, that is, the so-called “operation status”. , Notify the operation status storage unit 1514. As a result, the operating status is updated and stored.

The operation status storage unit 1514 stores the image formation data stored in the storage memory 154 in the non-volatile storage medium in response to the notification from the operation status update unit 1513.

When the printer 100 executes the image forming operation, the image data that is the source of the formed image is input from an external device (PC200). The PC 200 operates a RIP 210 that generates image data and inputs it to the printer 100. The RIP210 executes predetermined image processing and outputs data distinguished by four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).

In the storage memory 154 of the printer 100, each of the above-mentioned CMYK color data is temporarily stored in the FIFO memory. After that, the FIFO memory corresponding to each color corresponds to each color to the recording head controller 123 (123C, 123M, 123Y, 123K) that controls the operation of the recording head 121 (121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K) corresponding to each color. Data is input sequentially.

The recording head controller 123 requests data from the FIFO memories corresponding to the respective colors, and each FIFO memory sequentially transfers data in response to the request from the recording head controller 123. Then, when the data to be transferred from the FIFO memory is completed, the recording head controller 123 requests the control unit 150 to perform the next data transfer. By repeating this, the image forming operation is executed.

The printer 100 according to the present embodiment operates so that the operation status update unit 1513 updates the operation status record when the moving speed of the carriage 120 or the like is decelerated according to the detection result from the first sensor 131. Instruct the storage unit 1514. The operation status storage unit 1514 records the status of the data stored in the storage memory 154 in response to an instruction from the operation status update unit 1513. The storage memory 154 constitutes a temporary storage area for temporarily storing the operating status.

The "data status" recorded here is, for example, the count value in each FIFO memory (data indicating how many data have been transferred to the recording head controller 123) and the position of the carriage 120 (image formation position). ) Is included. By recording this, even if the movement of the carriage 120 or the gantry 110 is stopped based on the detection status of the second sensor 132, the position at the time of the stop and the status of the unformed image data can be obtained. By restarting image formation based on the situation at the time of this stop, a high-quality image can be formed.

[Explanation of the effect of this embodiment]
Here, the effect of the above operation on the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is an image of a stop sequence shown as a conventional example. The stop sequence shown in FIG. 5 is a situation change when a conventional image forming apparatus having a configuration such as a printer 100 includes a proximity sensor and executes the stop sequence in hardware when the proximity sensor detects an operator. Is shown. FIG. 6 is an image diagram illustrating a stop sequence when the second sensor 132, which is a proximity sensor, detects an operator to be detected in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the conventional example, when the proximity sensor detects an operator, the moving configuration (driving unit) is braked by hardware control instead of software control. In FIG. 5, the period from when the proximity sensor detects an object (worker) to when the brake is applied is expressed as “period A”. The drive unit does not stop completely until a certain amount of time has passed from the time when the brake is applied (the start of the brake and the end of the period A). This is because the moving configuration (for example, the carriage 120 or the gantry 110) has a large inertia because it is heavy, and it continues to move simply by turning off the power of the drive unit. Therefore, the drive unit continues to move in the "period B" corresponding to the period from the start of the brake to the stop of the drive unit by the brake. When the end of the period B is reached, the drive unit is stopped, and when the stop is detected, the power supply of the drive unit is turned off after the period C. As a result, the drive unit is completely stopped (in a non-operating state). As described above, the cause of the time lag from the detection of the operator by the proximity sensor to the "power off" in which the drive unit is completely stopped is the inertia of the drive unit. This is because even if the power is turned off immediately after the brake of the drive unit is started, if the weight of the drive unit (carriage 120 or the like) is large, the drive unit generally continues to move by inertia.

When the configuration corresponding to the recording head 121 of the image forming unit executes the image forming operation after the braking of the driving unit is started, the operating speed of the driving unit changes from the speed for performing the image forming operation at the original timing. doing. If the image forming operation continues in this state, the formed image will be disturbed.

Further, in the conventional example, unlike the control unit 150 according to the present embodiment, the stop sequence and the image forming operation cannot be synchronized, so it is possible to know the operation status such as to what data the image forming operation is completed. However, the restart point is unknown even if the operation is restarted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment, when the first sensor 131, which is a motion sensor, detects an operator inside the first detection area 1311, the main scanning speed of the carriage 120 is reduced. Gradually slow down. The period during which the main scanning speed of the carriage 120 is gradually reduced is expressed as "period D".

Here, the moving speed of the carriage 120 is controlled by the moving speed setting unit 1512. The recording head controller 123 controls the operation of the recording head 121 so as to perform the image forming operation according to the control situation by the moving speed setting unit 1512, that is, according to the moving speed of the carriage 120. In this case, the recording head controller 123 corresponding to each color according to the moving speed of the carriage 120 may read data from the FIFO memory corresponding to each. Further, if the timing of the image forming operation is determined by the data transfer timing from the RIP 210 to the buffer memory configured by the storage memory 154, the data transfer timing is changed according to the control by the movement speed setting unit 1512. You just have to control it.

It is assumed that the moving speed of the carriage 120 is gradually reduced to reach a speed V2 which is sufficiently slower than the normal speed V1 (the end of the period D). After that, the period until the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected is expressed as "period E". The period E continues from the time when the first sensor 131 detects the worker to the time when the second sensor 132 (proximity sensor) detects the worker.

When the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected (the end of the period E), the braking unit 160 brakes the carriage 120. This period is expressed as "period A'". After the period A', the sequence is basically the same as that of the conventional example, but in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment, the detection of the first sensor 131 is performed before the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected. Based on the result, the moving speed of the carriage 120 is reduced. That is, the braking distance of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment (the distance that the carriage 120 moves due to inertia from the period A'to the end of the period C) is shorter than that of the conventional example. In other words, if the time from when the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected and the brake is applied to when the carriage 120 stops is the same time, from the detection of the second sensor 132 to when the brake is applied. (Period A') can be longer than the conventional period A.

During this period A', the control unit 150 stops the transfer of image data to the recording head controller 123, and the operation status storage unit 1514 stores the status of the FIFO memory (FIFO group number, transfer FIFO number). At the same time, the position information indicating the position of the carriage 120 is stored. After that, the carriage 120 is braked by the braking unit 160 to stop the movement, and then when the second sensor 132 and the first sensor 131 no longer detect the object to be detected, the image forming operation may be restarted. Since the position of the carriage 120 when stopped and the state of the FIFO are held by the operation status storage unit 1514, the image formation can be restarted from the correct state.

[Embodiment of image formation method]
Next, the operation flow of the image forming program executed by the printer 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. The image forming method according to the present invention is executed by this image forming program.

First, the first sensor 131, which is a motion sensor, continuously executes a monitoring process for monitoring whether or not a detection target exists in the first detection area 1311 (S701). In the monitoring process, when the first sensor 131 detects the object to be detected (S701 / YES), the movement speed setting unit 1512 decelerates the movement speed of the carriage 120, and the operation of the recording head 121 in the recording head controller 123. The adjustment process for adjusting the timing and the adjustment process are executed (S702). The adjustment process forms synchronization of the timing of the image orientation operation of the carriage 120 and the recording head 121.

Next, the moving speed setting unit 1512 determines whether or not the moving speed of the carriage 120 has reached the avoidance speed V2 from the normal speed V1 by the adjustment process (S703). If the moving speed has not reached the speed V2 (S703 / NO) and the second sensor 132 has not detected the object to be detected (S704 / NO), the processes of S702 and S703 are looped.

When the moving speed reaches the speed V2 (S703 / YES) and the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected (S705 / YES), the control unit 150 instructs the recording head controller 123 to generate data from the FIFO. Stop the transfer (S706). Subsequently, the operation status update unit 1513 instructs the operation status storage unit 1514 to execute the operation status avoidance process for storing the operation status (S707).

Subsequently, the control unit 150 operates the braking unit 160 to brake the carriage 120 (S708).

The brake is continuously applied until the carriage 120 stops (S709 / NO), and when the moving speed becomes zero (S709 / YES), the process ends.

When the moving speed is decelerating (S702), while the moving speed does not reach the speed V2 (S703 / NO), and when the second sensor 132 detects the object to be detected (S704 / YES), the process is changed to S706. After that, the data transfer from the FIFO is stopped (S706).

After the moving speed becomes the speed V2 (S703 / YES), the first sensor 131 does not detect the detection target until the second sensor 132 detects the detection target (S705 / NO). When (S710 / NO), the movement speed setting unit 1512 adjusts the operation timing in the recording head controller 123 while accelerating the movement speed of the carriage 120, and synchronizes the timing of the image posture operation of the carriage 120 and the recording head 121. (S711).

Subsequently, the movement speed setting unit 1512 determines whether or not the movement speed of the carriage 120 has reached the normal speed V1 from the avoidance speed V2 (S712). If the moving speed does not reach the speed V1 (S712 / NO), the process is looped in S711 and S712. When the moving speed reaches the speed V1 (S712 / YES), the process ends.

[Another Embodiment of an image forming apparatus]
Next, another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer 100a, which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, partially seen through from an obliquely upward direction. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of the main part of the image forming unit 180 included in the inkjet printer 100a through a partial view. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control mechanism of the inkjet printer 100a.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inkjet printer 100a includes an apparatus main body 191, a feeding apparatus 192, and a winding apparatus 193. The transported object, which is a medium, is in the form of a sheet that can be wound in a roll shape, is supplied from the feeding device 192, and is configured to be collected by the winding device 193. Therefore, the transport unit of the inkjet printer 100a includes a feeding device 192 and a winding device 193.

Applicable materials to this transported object include, for example, paper, coated paper, cardboard, OHP, plastic film, prepreg, silver foil and the like. In the present embodiment, roll paper 194, which is a roll of paper, is used as an example.

The feeding device 192 holds a roll body 112 in which paper is wound around the hollow shaft portion 195. The winding device 193 is provided with a hollow shaft portion 196 for winding the paper, and the roll body 112 is wound around the hollow shaft portion 196. The feeding device 192 and the winding device 193 may be integrally configured with the device main body 191 instead of being separate.

The feeding device 192 supplies the roll paper 194 to the inside of the device main body 191. An image forming unit 180 that forms an image on the roll paper 194 supplied in the transport direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1 is arranged inside the apparatus main body 191.

In the image forming unit 180, guide rods 181 and guide stays 182, which are guide members, are hung on both side plates, and the carriage 120 is mainly indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1 on these guide rods 181 and guide stays 182. It is supported so as to be movable in the scanning direction. The take-up device 193 winds up the roll paper 194 on which the image is formed.

A main scanning motor 114, which is a drive source for reciprocating the carriage 120, is arranged on one side in the main scanning direction. A timing belt 11 is hung between the drive pulley 9 rotationally driven by the main scanning motor 114 and the driven pulley 10 arranged on the other side in the main scanning direction. The belt holding portion of the carriage 120 is fixed to the timing belt 11, and the carriage 120 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by driving the main scanning motor 114.

The carriage 120 is equipped with a plurality of recording heads 121 (121a to 121d) in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank for supplying liquid to the head are integrated. Further, the carriage 120 is equipped with a media detection sensor 121s that detects whether or not there is a recording medium such as roll paper 194 at a position where the liquid is discharged from the recording head 121. In the present embodiment, four recording heads 121 are mounted on the carriage 120, but the number of recording heads 121 is not limited to this. The configuration including the carriage 120, the recording head 121, and the like corresponds to the liquid discharge portion.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the mounting positions of the recording heads 121a and the recording heads 121b to 121d on the carriage 120 are set by one head (one nozzle row) in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. ) The position is shifted. The recording heads 121 (121a to 121d) are mounted with nozzle rows composed of a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid arranged in the sub-scanning direction and with the droplet discharging direction facing downward.

Further, each of the recording heads 121 has a plurality of nozzle rows (for example, two rows). Then, with respect to the recording heads 121a and 121b, a black liquid having the same color is discharged from any nozzle row. The recording head 121c discharges cyan liquid from one nozzle row, and the other nozzle row is an unused nozzle row. Further, the recording head 121d discharges the yellow liquid from one nozzle row and the magenta liquid from the other nozzle row.

As a result, for monochrome images, the recording heads 121a and 121b can be used to form an image having a width of two heads in the main scanning direction of one scan, and for color images, for example, recording heads 121b to 121d are used. Image formation can be performed. The head configuration is not limited to this, and a plurality of recording heads may be arranged side by side in the main scanning direction.

Further, the encoder sheet 124 is arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 120, and the carriage 120 is provided with an encoder sensor 125 that reads the encoder sheet 124. The linear encoder 122 is composed of the encoder sheet 124 and the encoder sensor 125, and the position and speed of the carriage 120 are detected from the output of the linear encoder 122.

Of the main scanning area of the carriage 120, the roll paper 194 is fed from the feeding device 192 in the recording area. After that, the roll paper 194 is intermittently conveyed by the conveying means 110a in the sub-scanning direction (paper conveying direction) orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the carriage 120.

The head tanks of the recording heads 121 (121a to 121d) are supplied with ink of each color from an ink cartridge 70, which is a main tank that is replaceably mounted on the main body 191 of the apparatus, via a supply tube. Further, on one side of the carriage 120 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 80 for maintaining / recovering the recording head 121 is arranged on the side of the transport guide member 197.

The roll body 112 of the feeding device 192 is formed by winding a long sheet-shaped roll paper 194 around a hollow shaft portion 195 such as a paper tube which is a core member. The roll body 112 here is one in which the end of the roll paper 194 is fixed to the hollow shaft portion 195 by adhesion such as gluing, or the non-fixed one in which the end of the roll paper 194 is not adhered to the hollow shaft portion 195. Can also be installed.

The feeding device 192 includes a feeding sensor 102a and a feeding roller 102b for detecting the feeding amount of the roll paper 194 by the feeding device 192, and the feeding roller 102b is a feeding motor 102c (see FIG. 10). It rotates by driving. The take-up device 193 includes a take-up sensor 103a and a take-up roller 103b for detecting the take-up amount of the roll paper 194 by the take-up device 193, and the take-up roller 103b is a take-up motor 103c (see FIG. 10). It rotates by driving.

The control unit 150a (FIG. 10), which will be described later, controls the transport of the roll paper 194 so that a constant tension is applied to the roll paper 194 by driving and controlling the feed motor 102c and the take-up motor 103c. At this time, since a constant torque is applied to the roll paper 194 being conveyed, the roll paper 194 can be conveyed without slack.

The inkjet printer 100a moves the carriage 120 in the main scanning direction at the time of image formation, and intermittently conveys the roll paper 194 that is pulled out from the roll body 112 of the feeding device 192 and guided along the conveying guide member 197.

Then, the recording heads 121 (121a to 121d) are driven according to the image information (printing information) to discharge the liquid, so that a required image is formed on the roll paper 194. The image-formed roll paper 194 is guided by the transport guide member 197 and wound around the hollow shaft portion 196 in the winding device 193. The roll paper 194 on the transfer roller 113 is conveyed while tension is applied from each of the feeding device 192 side and the winding device 193 side.

In the above description, the inkjet printer 100a provided with the feeding device 192 holding the roll body 112 is an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid discharge device according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be an image forming apparatus provided with a feeding device 192 that holds the roll body 112.

The liquid discharge device according to the present invention is a device including a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit, which drives the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The device for discharging the liquid includes not only a device capable of discharging the liquid to a device to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device for discharging the liquid toward the air or the liquid.

In addition, the liquid discharge device according to the present invention may include means related to feeding, transporting, and discharging paper to which a liquid can adhere, as well as a pretreatment device, a posttreatment device, and the like. Examples of the liquid ejection device include an image forming apparatus that ejects ink to form an image on paper, and a powder in which powder is formed in layers in order to form a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model). There is a three-dimensional modeling device (three-dimensional modeling device) that discharges the modeling liquid to the body layer.

Further, the liquid discharge device according to the present invention is not limited to the one in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the discharged liquid. For example, those that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves and those that form a three-dimensional image are also included.

The thing to which the liquid can adhere means the thing to which the liquid can adhere at least temporarily, and the thing which adheres and sticks, the thing which adheres and permeates, and the like. Specific examples include paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, cloth and other recording media, electronic substrates, piezoelectric elements and other electronic components, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, inspection cells and other media. Yes, including anything to which the liquid adheres, unless otherwise specified.

The materials to which the above-mentioned liquid can adhere are paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, building materials such as wallpaper and flooring, and liquids such as textiles for clothing, even if they are temporary. It suffices if it can be attached. The liquid also includes an ink, a treatment liquid, a DNA sample, a resist, a pattern material, a binder, a modeling liquid, a solution containing amino acids, proteins, and calcium, and a dispersion liquid.

Further, the liquid discharge device according to the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a device in which the liquid discharge head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

Further, as the liquid discharge device according to the present invention, there is also a treatment liquid coating device that discharges the treatment liquid to the paper in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper. .. In addition, there is also an injection granulation device that granulates fine particles of the raw material by injecting a composition liquid in which the raw material is dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

The liquid discharge unit described above is a liquid discharge head integrated with functional parts and a mechanism, and is an assembly of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, the liquid discharge unit includes a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism in which at least one of the configurations is combined with a liquid discharge head, and the like.

Here, the integration includes, for example, a liquid discharge head, a functional component, a mechanism fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, etc., and one in which one is movably held with respect to the other. Further, the liquid discharge head, functional parts, and mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

For example, as a liquid discharge unit, there is one in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. Further, there is a case in which the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like.

Here, a unit including a filter can be added between the head tank of these liquid discharge units and the liquid discharge head. Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge head in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge head in which the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated by holding the liquid discharge head movably by a guide member forming a part of the scanning movement mechanism. Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge head, a carriage, and a main scanning movement mechanism integrated. Incidentally, the main scanning movement mechanism shall include the guide member alone.

In addition, some liquid discharge units have a cap member, which is a part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism, fixed to a carriage to which a liquid discharge head is attached, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance / recovery mechanism are integrated. ..

In addition, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a head tank or a liquid discharge head to which a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and a supply mechanism are integrated. Incidentally, the supply mechanism includes a tube unit and a loading unit unit.

Further, the pressure generating means used for the liquid discharge head is not limited. For example, a piezoelectric actuator (laminated piezoelectric element) may be used. In addition to this, a thermal actuator using an electric heat conversion element such as a heat generating resistor, an electrostatic actuator composed of a diaphragm and a counter electrode, or the like may be used. In addition, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, modeling, etc. in the terms in the specification are all synonymous.

[Control mechanism of inkjet printer 100a]
Next, the control mechanism of the inkjet printer 100a will be described with reference to FIG. The configurations described in the above description will be shown with the same reference numerals in FIG. 10, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The inkjet printer 100a is controlled by a control unit 150a that realizes a calculation function, a liquid discharge control function, a sensor signal detection function, and a motor drive control function. The control unit 150a includes a CPU 151, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) 220, and a motor driver 153, similarly to the control unit 150 described above.

The arithmetic function, the liquid discharge control function, the sensor signal detection function, and the motor drive control function mounted on the inkjet printer 100a are realized by the cooperation of the CPU 151 and the FPGA 152. Further, the CPU 151 controls the operation of each motor mounted on the inkjet printer 100a by using a motor driver 153 corresponding to each motor.

The output values of the linear encoder 122 and the media detection sensor 121s are input to the control unit 150a, and the control unit 150a detects the position and speed of the carriage 120 based on these values. Then, the control unit 150a controls the main scanning motor 114 based on the detected position and speed of the carriage 120.

Further, the amount of the roll paper 194 detected by the sub-scanning sensor 116 is input to the control unit 150a. The control unit 150a controls the sub-scanning motor 115 based on the input amount of the roll paper 194 conveyed.

Further, the winding amount of the roll paper 194 detected by the winding sensor 103a is input to the control unit 150a. The control unit 150a controls the take-up motor 103c based on the input take-up amount of the roll paper 194.

Further, the feed amount of the roll paper 194 detected by the feed sensor 102a is input to the control unit 150a. The control unit 150a controls the feed motor 102c based on the input feed amount of the roll paper 194.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist thereof, and the technical concept included in the claims is included in the technical concept. All of the matters are the subject of the present invention. Although the above embodiment shows a suitable example, those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

9: Drive pulley 10: Driven pulley 11: Timing belt 70: Ink cartridge 80: Maintenance / recovery mechanism 100: Printer 100a: Inkjet printer 102a: Feeding sensor 102b: Feeding roller 102c: Feeding motor 103a: Winding sensor 103b: Winding roller 103c: Winding motor 110: Gantley 110a: Conveying means 111: Recording head 112: Roll body 113: Conveying roller 114: Main scanning motor 115: Sub-scanning motor 116: Sub-scanning sensor 119: Hatch portion 120: Carriage 121 : Recording head 121s: Media detection sensor 122: Linear encoder 123: Recording head controller 124: Encoder sheet 125: Encoder sensor 130: Sensor 131: First sensor 132: Second sensor 140: Bed 150: Control unit 150a: Control unit 151 : CPU
152: FPGA
153: Motor driver 154: Storage memory 160: Braking unit 170: Notification unit 180: Image forming unit 181: Guide rod 182: Guide stay 191: Device main body 192: Feeding device 193: Winding device 194: Roll paper 195: Hollow Shaft 196: Hollow shaft 197: Transport guide member 1311: First detection area 1321: Second detection area 1511: Detection status determination unit 1512: Movement speed setting unit 1513: Operation status update unit 1514: Operation status storage unit

Japanese Patent No. 4900667

Claims (9)

Image-forming means for forming an image on a recording medium,
A moving means for moving the image forming means with respect to the recording medium, and
A detection means for detecting whether or not an object to be detected exists in a predetermined region formed within a predetermined distance from the image forming means.
A control means for controlling the moving speed of the image forming means with respect to the recording medium according to the detection status of the object to be detected, and a control means.
With
The control means reduces the moving speed when the object to be detected is detected in the predetermined area, and stores the operating status of the image forming means in the temporary storage area before the image forming means stops. When the stopped image forming means resumes the image forming operation, it is controlled so as to be based on the stored operation state.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that. The detection means includes a first detection means and a second detection means.
The first detecting means detects whether or not the distance between the object to be detected and the image forming means is closer than the first distance.
The second detecting means detects whether or not the distance between the object to be detected and the image forming means is closer than the second distance, which is closer than the first distance.
The control means controls the moving speed of the image forming means according to the detection status of the object to be detected by the first detection means and the second detection means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A braking means for stopping the movement of the image forming means is provided.
The control means
When neither the first detection means nor the second detection means has detected the object to be detected, the moving means is controlled so as to move the image forming means at a normal speed.
When the detecting means detects the object to be detected closer than the first distance and farther than the second distance, the moving means is controlled so as to move at a first moving speed slower than the normal speed. ,
The braking means stops the movement of the image forming means when the first detecting means detects the object to be detected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The control means
When the first detecting means stops detecting the object to be detected while the moving means has stopped the image forming means, the moving speed of the image forming means becomes the first moving speed. Control the means of transportation,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The control means
When the second detecting means no longer detects the object to be detected while the image forming means is moving at the first moving speed, the moving means is moved so as to move the image forming means at the normal speed. To control,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. A notification means for outputting a notification signal that can be visually or audibly recognized according to the detection status of the object to be detected by the detection means is provided.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The object to be detected is the human body,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Detection for detecting whether or not an object to be detected exists at a predetermined distance between an image forming means that forms an image on a recording medium, a moving means that moves the image forming means with respect to the recording medium, and the moving means. An image forming method in an image forming apparatus including means and a control means for controlling the moving speed of the image forming means by the moving means according to the detection status of the object to be detected by the detecting means.
The moving speed of the image forming means is changed stepwise according to the detection situation.
When the movement of the image forming means is stopped, the operating state of the image forming means is stored in the storage medium.
When the movement of the image forming means is restarted, the image forming operation is restarted based on the stored operating state.
An image forming method characterized by this. Detection for detecting whether or not an object to be detected exists at a predetermined distance between an image forming means that forms an image on a recording medium, a moving means that moves the image forming means with respect to the recording medium, and the moving means. An image forming program executed in an image forming apparatus comprising means and means.
A control unit that controls the moving speed of the image forming means by the moving means according to the detection status of the object to be detected by the detecting means is included.
The control unit
A step of changing the moving speed of the image forming means according to the detection situation, and
When the image forming means is stopped, a step of storing the operating state of the image forming means in the storage medium and
When the movement of the image forming means is restarted, the step of reading the stored operating status and
A step of restarting the image forming operation of the image forming means based on the read operation state, and
An image formation program characterized by executing.

Images