JP2021187046A - Ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To heat an ink head faster.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises: an enclosure 12 in which an inner space 12S is formed; an ink head 30 which is provided in the inner space 12S, and injects photosetting ink to a recording medium 5 placed on a table 35; ultraviolet irradiation devices 41, 42 which are provided in the inner space 12S, and can irradiate the photosetting ink discharged onto the recording medium 5 with light; a first temperature measuring device 51 which measures a head temperature Th as a temperature of the ink head 30; and a controller 70 which controls the ink head 30 and ultraviolet irradiation devices 41, 42. The controller 70 comprises: a first determination part 74 which determines whether the head temperature Th is equal to or higher than a printable temperature Tp; and a light irradiation part 77 which irradiates, when the head temperature Th is lower than the printable temperature Tp, the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41, 42 with light to raise an inner temperature Ts as a temperature in the inner space 12S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet printer.

For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, an inkjet printer using a photocurable ink (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a “photocurable printer”) is known. The photocurable printer ejects a photocurable ink (for example, ultraviolet curable ink) from an ink head, and irradiates the ejected photocurable ink with light (for example, ultraviolet rays) from a light irradiator. As a result, the photocurable ink is quickly cured on the recording medium to form an ink layer, and a desired image can be printed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-246051

By the way, the characteristics of the photocurable ink ejected from the ink head change depending on the temperature. Therefore, when the temperature of the ink head is lower than a predetermined temperature, the photocurable ink cannot be properly ejected from the ink head. That is, the quality of the printed matter deteriorates. Therefore, when the temperature of the ink head is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control is performed so that the photocurable ink cannot be ejected from the ink head until the ink head reaches a predetermined temperature or higher. Here, conventionally, the temperature of the ink head arranged inside the printer is increased by increasing the temperature around the area where the photocurable printer is arranged. However, there is a problem that it takes time to raise the temperature of the ink head.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer capable of warming an ink head faster.

The ink jet printer according to the present invention is provided in a housing in which an internal space is formed, a mounting table provided in the internal space on which a recording medium is placed, and a mounting table provided in the internal space and mounted on the above-mentioned table. An ink head that ejects photocurable ink to the recording medium, a light irradiation device provided in the internal space and capable of irradiating light toward the photocurable ink ejected to the recording medium, and the inside. A carriage provided in a space, on which the ink head and the light irradiation device are mounted and movable in a first direction, a first temperature measuring device for measuring the head temperature which is the temperature of the ink head, and the ink head. It includes the light irradiation device and a control device for controlling the carriage. The control device includes a first determination unit that determines whether the head temperature measured by the first temperature measuring device is equal to or higher than the printable temperature, and the head temperature is lower than the printable temperature by the first determination unit. When it is determined that the temperature is determined to be, the light irradiation unit is provided with a light irradiation unit that irradiates light from the light irradiation device to raise the internal temperature, which is the temperature of the internal space.

According to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the light irradiation unit irradiates light from the light irradiation device to raise the internal temperature, which is the temperature of the internal space. The inventor of the present application has noticed that the internal temperature can be raised by irradiating light from a light irradiating device. As a result, the head temperature can be raised faster than the printable temperature. In the past, the temperature of the ink head was raised by raising the temperature outside the housing, which required a relatively large amount of time. However, in the inkjet printer of the present invention, the temperature is directly inside by the light irradiation device. Since the temperature of the space can be raised, the ink head provided in the internal space can be heated in a shorter time.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet printer capable of heating an ink head faster.

It is a perspective view of the printer which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a front view of the printer in the state which the front cover which concerns on one Embodiment is open. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the surface of the carriage which concerns on the recording medium of one Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the printer which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed the procedure until the printing is started by the printer which concerns on one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described here are, of course, not intended to particularly limit the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to members / parts having the same action, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment. The printer 10 prints on the recording medium 5 (see FIG. 2). In the following description, when the printer 10 is viewed from the front, the side away from the printer 10 is referred to as the front, and the side closer to the printer 10 is referred to as the rear. The terms left, right, top, and bottom mean left, right, top, and bottom when the printer 10 is viewed from the front. Further, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawing mean front, back, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. Further, the reference numeral Y in the drawing indicates the main scanning direction. Here, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The main scanning direction Y is an example of the first direction. Reference numeral X indicates a sub-scanning direction. Here, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-back direction and is orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. Reference numeral Z indicates a vertical direction. The vertical direction Z is orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y in the front view. However, the above-mentioned direction is merely a direction determined for convenience of explanation, and does not limit the installation mode of the printer 10 at all, and does not limit the present invention at all.

The recording medium 5 used in the present embodiment may be, for example, a flat sheet such as a recording paper or a transfer paper, various cases such as a mobile phone case, a small electronic device such as an electronic cigarette, a key holder, a photo frame, or the like. It may be a small part such as a pen, a daily necessities, a three-dimensional object such as an accessory. The material forming the recording medium 5 is not only paper such as plain paper and printing paper for inkjet, but also resin such as polyvinyl chloride, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene (ABS) copolymer. It may be a kind, a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, carbon, pottery, ceramic, glass, rubber, leather, wood or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a box-shaped housing 12. An internal space 12S is formed in the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a case 15, a front cover 23, and an operation panel 25. An opening 28 (see FIG. 2) is formed in the front portion of the case 15. The front cover 23 is provided so that the opening 28 of the case 15 can be opened and closed. Here, the front cover 23 is supported by the case 15 so as to be rotatable about the rear end. By rotating the front cover 23 upward, the internal space 12S of the housing 12 and the external space are communicated with each other. The internal space 12S is a space in which printing is performed on the recording medium 5 by the ink head 30 (see FIG. 2) described later. As described above, since the internal space 12S on which printing is performed is formed by being surrounded by the case 15 and the front cover 23, dust and dirt in the external space are difficult to enter into the internal space 12S during printing, and will be described later. The light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 (see FIG. 2) is unlikely to leak into the external space.

As shown in FIG. 1, windows 23A are provided on the front portion and the upper portion of the front cover 23. The window 23A is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic plate. The window 23A is treated so that light in the external space (for example, ultraviolet rays) does not reach the internal space 12S. The user can visually recognize the inside of the housing 12 from the window 23A.

The operation panel 25 is provided on the case 15. The operation panel 25 is provided on the upper right side of the case 15. The operation panel 25 is a panel on which the user performs an operation related to printing an image. The operation panel 25 has a display screen 25A for displaying information related to printing such as print type such as glossiness, resolution, and printing status, and an input button for setting information related to printing and recording medium 5. It is equipped with 25B and the like.

Next, the internal configuration of the printer 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a guide rail 18, a carriage 20, an ink head 30, ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42, and a control device 70. The guide rail 18, the carriage 20, the ink head 30, and the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 are provided in the internal space 12S. The guide rail 18 is arranged in the case 15. The guide rail 18 is fixed to the support wall 15A of the case 15 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. A carriage 20 is slidably provided on the guide rail 18. The carriage 20 reciprocates along the guide rail 18 in the main scanning direction Y by the carriage moving mechanism 21 (see FIG. 4). The carriage moving mechanism 21 is controlled by the control device 70. As the carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction Y, the ink head 30 and the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 mounted on the carriage 20 move in the main scanning direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of ink heads 30 are mounted on the carriage 20. The ink head 30 is arranged above the table 35 described later. The ink head 30 ejects photocurable ink (photocurable ink) onto the recording medium 5 placed on the table 35. Each of the ink heads 30 communicates with the ink cartridge 34 housed in the case 15 by a flexible ink tube (not shown). Photocurable ink is stored in each of the ink cartridges 34.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink head 30 is formed in a shape in which the length of the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length of the main scanning direction Y. The ink head 30 is formed to have the same shape and the same size. The ink head 30 includes a plurality of first nozzles 31 arranged in the sub-scanning direction X, a plurality of second nozzles 32 arranged in the sub-scanning direction X, and a nozzle surface 33 on which the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 are formed. It is equipped with. Negative pressure (pressure lower than atmospheric pressure) is set in the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32. Since the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 are minute, the plurality of first nozzles 31 and the plurality of second nozzles 32 are represented by straight lines in FIG. The first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 of the ink head 30 eject the photocurable ink to the recording medium 5. In the present embodiment, the printer 10 includes three ink heads 30, but the number of ink heads 30 is not limited to three. Further, although the ink head 30 includes two types of nozzles, a first nozzle 31 and a second nozzle 32, one type of nozzle or three or more types of nozzles may be provided.

The photocurable ink has a property of being cured when irradiated with light (for example, ultraviolet rays). The photocurable ink (for example, ultraviolet curable ink) contains a colorant such as a pigment, a photopolymerizable monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator system, and if necessary, various other additives such as a photosensitizer and a polymerization agent. It may contain inhibitors, scavengers, antioxidants, UV absorbers, plasticizers, surfactants, leveling agents, thickeners, dispersants, defoaming agents, preservatives, solvents and the like. The photocurable ink is, for example, a process color ink, a white ink, a gloss ink, or a metallic ink. Examples of the process color ink include cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink.

The ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 irradiate light (typically ultraviolet rays). The ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 are configured to be capable of irradiating light (here, ultraviolet rays) toward the photocurable ink (here, ultraviolet curable ink) ejected to the recording medium 5. When the photocurable ink is irradiated with light, the photocurable ink is cured and an ink layer is formed on the recording medium 5. The ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 are examples of light irradiation devices. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 are mounted on the carriage 20. The ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 are arranged above the table 35 described later. As shown in FIG. 3, the ultraviolet irradiation device 41 is arranged to the left of the ink head 30. The ultraviolet irradiation device 42 is arranged to the right of the ink head 30. The ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 and the ink head 30 are arranged at aligned positions with respect to the sub-scanning direction X.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 is a so-called flatbed type printer. The printer 10 includes a table 35 arranged below the carriage 20, a first table moving mechanism 36, and a second table moving mechanism 37. The table 35, the first table moving mechanism 36, and the second table moving mechanism 37 are provided in the internal space 12S. The table 35 is an example of a mounting table. The recording medium 5 is placed on the table 35. The table 35 is a table that supports the recording medium 5. The table 35 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X by the first table moving mechanism 36. The table 35 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z by the second table moving mechanism 37.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first table moving mechanism 36 includes slide rails 36a and 36b, a transport member 36c, and a first motor 39A (see FIG. 4). The slide rails 36a and 36b extend in the sub-scanning direction X. The transport member 36c is slidably provided with respect to the slide rails 36a and 36b. A table 35 is supported above the transport member 36c via another member. The first motor 39A is electrically connected to the control device 70 and is controlled by the control device 70. When the first motor 39A is driven, the transport member 36c moves along the slide rails 36a and 36b. As a result, the table 35 moves in the sub-scanning direction X.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second table moving mechanism 37 includes a height adjusting member 37a and a second motor 39B (see FIG. 4). The height adjusting member 37a is provided on the lower surface of the table 35. The height adjusting member 37a is connected to the second motor 39B. The second motor 39B is electrically connected to the control device 70 and is controlled by the control device 70. When the second motor 39B is driven, the height of the height adjusting member 37a changes, and the height of the table 35 is adjusted. That is, the table 35 moves in the vertical direction Z.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a maintenance device 90. The maintenance device 90 includes a wiping device (not shown) that wipes the nozzle surface 33 of the ink head 30, and a cleaning device (not shown) that forcibly sucks ink from the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 of the ink head 30. It is equipped with. The maintenance device 90 is arranged on the side (here, the right side) of the table 35. The maintenance device 90 is arranged at the home position HP located at the right end of the guide rail 18. Here, the home position HP is a position where the carriage 20 (that is, the ink head 30 and the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42) stands by during printing standby, that is, when printing is not performed. However, the position of the home position HP is not particularly limited, and may be the left end portion of the guide rail 18.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 10 includes a first temperature measuring device 51. The first temperature measuring device 51 is, for example, a temperature sensor (thermistor). The first temperature measuring device 51 measures the head temperature Th, which is the temperature of the ink head 30. The first temperature measuring device 51 is mounted on the carriage 20. The first temperature measuring device 51 is fixed to, for example, the ink head 30. The head temperature Th measured by the first temperature measuring device 51 is transmitted to the control device 70. The fixing place of the first temperature measuring device 51 is not limited to the ink head 30. That is, the first temperature measuring device 51 may be fixed to the ink head 30 to directly measure the head temperature Th, or the first temperature measuring device 51 may be fixed to the carriage 20 to indirectly measure the head temperature Th. It may be measured.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 10 includes a second temperature measuring device 52. The second temperature measuring device 52 is, for example, a temperature sensor (thermistor). The second temperature measuring device 52 measures the internal temperature Ts, which is the temperature of the internal space 12S of the housing 12. The second temperature measuring device 52 is provided in the internal space 12S. The second temperature measuring device 52 is provided, for example, on the support wall 15A (see FIG. 2) of the case 15. The fixing place of the second temperature measuring device 52 is not limited to the support wall 15A of the case 15. The second temperature measuring device 52 may be provided on the table 35. That is, since it is sufficient that the internal temperature Ts, which is the temperature of the internal space 12S of the housing 12, can be measured, the detection unit of the second temperature measuring device 52 may be provided in the internal space 12S of the housing 12. .. The internal temperature Ts measured by the second temperature measuring device 52 is transmitted to the control device 70.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 10 includes a third temperature measuring device 53. The third temperature measuring device 53 is, for example, a temperature sensor (thermistor). The third temperature measuring device 53 measures the external temperature Ta, which is the temperature outside the housing 12. The third temperature measuring device 53 is provided so that at least a part thereof is exposed to the outside of the housing 12. The third temperature measuring device 53 is provided on the outer surface of the case 15, for example. The external temperature Ta measured by the third temperature measuring device 53 is transmitted to the control device 70.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 is a device that controls printing on the recording medium 5. The configuration of the control device 70 is not particularly limited. The control device 70 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, an interface (I / F) for receiving print data or the like from an external device such as a host computer, and a central processing unit (CPU: CPU:) for executing control program instructions. Central processing unit), ROM (read only memory) that stores programs executed by the CPU, RAM (random access memory) that is used as a working area for developing programs, memory that stores programs and various data, etc. It is equipped with a storage device. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 70 is provided inside the case 15. However, the control device 70 may not be provided inside the case 15. For example, the control device 70 may be a computer installed outside the case 15. In this case, the control device 70 is communicably connected to the printer 10 via wire or wireless.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 includes an operation panel 25, a carriage moving mechanism 21, an ink head 30, an ultraviolet irradiation device 41, 42, and a first table moving mechanism 36 (see FIG. 2). The motor 39A, the second motor 39B of the second table moving mechanism 37 (see FIG. 2), the first temperature measuring device 51, the second temperature measuring device 52, and the third temperature measuring device 53 are communicably connected to each other. ing. The control device 70 controls the carriage moving mechanism 21, the ink head 30, the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42, the first motor 39A, and the second motor 39B.

The control device 70 controls the timing at which the ink head 30 ejects the photocurable ink, the ejection amount of the photocurable ink, and the like. The control device 70 controls the timing of irradiating ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. The control device 70 controls the movement of the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 includes a storage unit 71, a receiving unit 72, a temperature acquisition unit 73, a first determination unit 74, a calculation unit 75, a second determination unit 76, and a light irradiation unit. 77, a print stop unit 78, and a notification unit 79 are provided. The functions of each part of the control device 70 are realized by a program. This program is read from a recording medium such as a CD or DVD. This program may be downloaded via the Internet. Further, the functions of each part of the control device 70 may be realized by a processor and / or a circuit or the like. The specific functions of each of these parts will be described later.

The storage unit 71 stores the printable temperature Tp. Here, the printable temperature Tp is a temperature at which the photocurable ink can be appropriately ejected from the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 of the ink head 30. The printable temperature Tp is determined, for example, based on the configuration of the ink head 30 and the properties of the photocurable ink. The printable temperature Tp is, for example, about 15 ° C to 25 ° C. Further, the storage unit 71 stores the maximum heating temperature Tm that can raise the internal temperature Ts of the internal space 12S of the housing 12 by irradiating the light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. The maximum heating temperature Tm is determined based on, for example, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. The maximum heating temperature Tm is, for example, about 8 ° C. to 10 ° C.

Next, the procedure until printing is started by the printer 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether printing by the printer 10 is possible before starting printing. Here, "before the start of printing" means before starting printing based on the print data transmitted from the outside of the printer 10.

First, in step S10, the receiving unit 72 receives the print data transmitted from the computer outside the printer 10. The print data is, for example, raster format data. The print data is created, for example, by using software installed in a computer provided separately from the printer 10.

In step S20, the temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the head temperature Th. The temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the head temperature Th measured by the first temperature measuring device 51. The acquired head temperature Th is stored in the storage unit 71.

In step S30, the first determination unit 74 determines whether the head temperature Th is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp. If the head temperature Th is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp, the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the head temperature Th is lower than the printable temperature Tp, the process proceeds to step S40.

In step S40, the temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the internal temperature Ts. The temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the internal temperature Ts measured by the second temperature measuring device 52. The acquired internal temperature Ts is stored in the storage unit 71.

In step S50, the temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the external temperature Ta. The temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the external temperature Ta measured by the third temperature measuring device 53. The acquired external temperature Ta is stored in the storage unit 71.

In step S60, the calculation unit 75 acquires the internal heatable temperature Tf. The internal heatable temperature Tf depends on the external temperature Ta. That is, when the internal temperature Ts and the external temperature Ta are the same, the internal temperature Ts can be increased by the same degree as the maximum heating temperature Tm by irradiating light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. However, when the external temperature Ta is lower than the internal temperature Ts, a part of the heat generated by irradiating the light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 is released to the outside of the printer 10, so that the maximum heating temperature is reached. Only a temperature lower than Tm can raise the internal temperature Ts. Therefore, the internal heatable temperature Tf can be calculated by the following equation (1). The acquired internal heatable temperature Tf is stored in the storage unit 71.
Tf = Tm- (Ts-Ta) ... (1)

In step S70, the second determination unit 76 determines whether the head temperature Th can be raised to the printable temperature Tp or higher by irradiating light (here, ultraviolet rays) from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. At that time, it is also possible to make a determination by referring to the internal temperature Ts acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 73 in step S40 and the external temperature Ta acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 73 in step S50. More specifically, the second determination unit 76 determines whether the sum of the internal heatable temperature Tf and the head temperature Th obtained by referring to the internal temperature Ts and the external temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp. do. If the sum of the internal heatable temperature Tf and the head temperature Th is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp, the process proceeds to step S80. On the other hand, if the sum of the internal heatable temperature Tf and the head temperature Th is less than the printable temperature Tp, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S80, the light irradiation unit 77 irradiates light (here, ultraviolet rays) from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 to raise the internal temperature Ts. That is, when the head temperature Th is lower than the printable temperature Tp, the light irradiation unit 77 irradiates light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 to raise the internal temperature Ts. The light irradiation unit 77 irradiates light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 while moving the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y. At this time, the light irradiation unit 77 does not irradiate the maintenance device 90 with light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42, and irradiates the table 35 with light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. The light irradiation unit 77 is not moved in the main scanning direction Y, and the light irradiation unit 77 is used from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 in a state where the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 are fixed at predetermined positions (for example, above the table 35). You may irradiate with light. The time for irradiating light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 is determined based on the heatable temperature Tf. In step S80, the photocurable ink is not ejected from the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 of the ink head 30.

In step S90, the temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the head temperature Th again. The temperature acquisition unit 73 acquires the head temperature Th measured by the first temperature measuring device 51. The acquired head temperature Th is stored in the storage unit 71.

In step S100, the first determination unit 74 determines whether the re-acquired head temperature Th is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp. If the head temperature Th is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp, the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the head temperature Th is lower than the printable temperature Tp, the process proceeds to step S120.

Since it is determined in step S110 that the head temperature Th is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp, the printing operation is started based on the print data received by the receiving unit 72. Here, the printing operation is an operation of ejecting the photocurable ink from the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 of the ink head 30 onto the recording medium 5 to form an image.

In step S120, when it is determined that the head temperature Th cannot be raised above the printable temperature Tp, or when it is determined that the head temperature Th is lower than the printable temperature Tp. , Stops the start of printing operation.

In step S130, the notification unit 79 notifies to raise the external temperature Ta. The notification unit 79 notifies the user to raise the external temperature Ta, for example, via the display screen 25A of the operation panel 25. The method of notification processing is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a notification by voice (warning sound) or the like.

In step S140, the control device 70 waits for a predetermined time. That is, it waits until the external temperature Ta rises to some extent. The waiting time is not particularly limited. For example, it takes about 5 to 10 minutes. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the process returns to step S40.

In step S70 of the above-mentioned flowchart, in the second determination unit 76, the sum of the head temperature Th and the maximum heating temperature Tm is the printable temperature Tp or more (head temperature Th + maximum heating temperature Tm ≧ printable temperature Tp). You may judge whether or not. In this case, the maximum heating temperature Tm is synonymous with the maximum temperature at which the head temperature Th can be increased. Further, steps S40 to S60 are unnecessary. When the second determination unit 76 determines that the sum of the head temperature Th and the maximum heating temperature Tm is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp, in step S80, the light irradiation unit 77 receives light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. (Here, ultraviolet rays) are irradiated to raise the internal temperature Ts. That is, the head temperature Th is raised to the printable temperature Tp or higher.

As described above, according to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 77 irradiates light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 to raise the internal temperature Ts, which is the temperature of the internal space 12S. The inventor of the present application has noticed that the internal temperature Ts can be increased by irradiating light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. As a result, the head temperature Th can be raised faster than the printable temperature Tp. Conventionally, it takes a relatively long time because the head temperature Th of the ink head 30 is raised by raising the external temperature Ta, which is the temperature outside the housing 12, but the printer 10 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Since the temperature of the internal space 12S can be directly raised by the devices 41 and 42, the ink head 30 provided in the internal space 12S can be heated in a shorter time.

In the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 77 irradiates light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 while moving the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y. As a result, the temperature of the internal space 12S of the housing 12 can be uniformly raised. That is, since there is no temperature unevenness in the internal space 12S, the temperature of the ink head 30 can be raised more reliably.

In the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 77 does not irradiate the maintenance device 90 with light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42, and irradiates the table 35 with light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. Let me. Photocurable ink may be attached to the maintenance device 90. Therefore, when the maintenance device 90 is irradiated with light, the photocurable ink may be cured and the performance of the maintenance device 90 (for example, wiping performance and capping performance) may be deteriorated. However, since the light irradiation unit 77 irradiates the table 35 with light but does not irradiate the maintenance device 90 with light, it suppresses the curing of the photocurable ink in the maintenance device 90 while increasing the internal temperature Ts. be able to.

In the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the control device 70 raises the head temperature Th to the printable temperature Tp or higher by irradiating light from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42 based on the difference between the external temperature Ta and the internal temperature Ts. The second determination unit 76 for determining whether the temperature can be increased, and when it is determined that the head temperature Th cannot be increased above the printable temperature Tp, the photocurable ink is transferred from the ink head 30 to the recording medium 5. A print stop unit 78 for stopping the start of the printing operation for ejecting is provided. When the external temperature Ta is too low, it may not be possible to sufficiently raise the internal temperature Ts even if light is irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 41 and 42. At this time, the print stop unit 78 can suppress the deterioration of the quality of the printed matter by stopping the printing operation until the internal temperature Ts rises to the printable temperature Tp or higher.

In the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the control device 70 includes a notification unit 79 for notifying the external temperature Ta to be increased when it is determined that the head temperature Th cannot be increased above the printable temperature Tp. There is. This allows the user to recognize that it is necessary to raise the external temperature Ta.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, each of the above embodiments is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various other embodiments.

In the above-described embodiment, the head temperature Th is measured by the first temperature measuring device 51, and the internal temperature Ts is measured by the second temperature measuring device 52. However, depending on the configuration of the printer, the head temperature Th and the internal temperature Ts are measured. In some cases, it can be equated with. In this case, either one of the first temperature measuring device 51 and the second temperature measuring device 52 may be provided. That is, in step S30 of the above-mentioned flowchart, the first determination unit 74 determines whether the head temperature Th is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp, but determines whether the internal temperature Ts is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp. You may. Further, in step S70, the second determination unit 76 determines whether the sum of the head temperature Th and the internal heatable temperature Tf is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp, but the internal temperature Ts and the internal heatable temperature Tf are determined. It may be determined whether the sum of and is equal to or higher than the printable temperature Tp.

Further, when the internal temperature Ts acquired in step S40 of the above flowchart or the external temperature Ta acquired in step S50 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the start of the printing operation is stopped without earning the internal heatable temperature Tf. You can also. When the outside air temperature becomes low, such as in the middle of winter, the second determination unit 76 can print the sum of the head temperature Th and the internal heatable temperature Tf in step S70 in relation to the maximum heating temperature Tm acquired in advance. This is because it is predictable that the printing operation will be stopped without determining whether the temperature is Tp or higher.

The techniques disclosed herein can be applied to various types of printers. In addition to the flatbed type printer 10 shown in the above-described embodiment, the same applies to, for example, a so-called Roll-to-Roll type printer 10 that conveys a roll-shaped recording medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X. be able to.

10 Printer (inkjet printer)
12 Housing 12S Internal space 20 Carriage 30 Ink head 35 Table (mounting table)
41, 42 Ultraviolet irradiation device (light irradiation device)
51 1st temperature measuring device 52 2nd temperature measuring device 53 3rd temperature measuring device 70 Control device 74 1st judgment unit 76 2nd judgment unit 77 Light irradiation unit 78 Printing stop unit 79 Notification unit

Claims (6)

The housing in which the internal space is formed and
A mounting table provided in the internal space and on which a recording medium is mounted,
An ink head provided in the internal space and ejecting photocurable ink to the recording medium placed on the above-mentioned table,
A light irradiation device provided in the internal space and capable of irradiating light toward the photocurable ink ejected to the recording medium.
A carriage provided in the internal space, equipped with the ink head and the light irradiation device, and movable in the first direction,
A first temperature measuring device for measuring the head temperature, which is the temperature of the ink head, and
The ink head, the light irradiation device, and the control device for controlling the carriage are provided.
The control device is
A first determination unit for determining whether the head temperature measured by the first temperature measuring device is equal to or higher than a printable temperature, and a first determination unit.
When the head temperature is determined to be lower than the printable temperature by the first determination unit, a light irradiation unit that irradiates light from the light irradiation device to raise the internal temperature which is the temperature of the internal space. Equipped with an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation unit irradiates light from the light irradiation device while moving the carriage in the first direction. It is arranged on the side of the above-mentioned stand and is equipped with a maintenance device for maintaining the ink head.
When the light irradiating unit irradiates light from the light irradiating device, the light irradiating unit does not irradiate the light from the light irradiating device toward the maintenance device, and emits light from the light irradiating device toward the above-mentioned table. The inkjet printer according to claim 1 or 2, which is to be irradiated. A second temperature measuring device for measuring the internal temperature, and
A third temperature measuring device for measuring an external temperature, which is the temperature outside the housing, is provided.
The control device is
A second determination unit for determining whether the head temperature can be raised to the printable temperature or higher by irradiating light from the light irradiation device based on the difference between the external temperature and the internal temperature.
When it is determined that the head temperature cannot be raised above the printable temperature, a print stop unit for stopping the start of the printing operation of ejecting the photocurable ink from the ink head to the recording medium is provided. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is provided. The control device is
A storage unit that stores the maximum heating temperature that can raise the head temperature by irradiating light from the light irradiation device, and
Is it possible to raise the head temperature to the printable temperature or higher by irradiating light from the light irradiation device based on the head temperature and the maximum heating temperature measured by the first temperature measuring device? The second judgment unit that judges
When it is determined that the head temperature cannot be raised above the printable temperature, a print stop unit for stopping the start of the printing operation of ejecting the photocurable ink from the ink head to the recording medium is provided. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is provided. The control device is
The fourth aspect of claim 4 is provided with a notification unit for notifying the external temperature to be increased when the second determination unit determines that the head temperature cannot be increased above the printable temperature. Inkjet printer.

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