JP2023120664A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To downsize an inkjet recording device.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device comprises: a conveyance passage R1 through which recording material 55 is conveyed; a conveyance passage R10 through which transfer material 5 is conveyed; a supply roller 32 that supplies the transfer material 5 to the conveyance passage R10; a recording head 70 which is arranged at a position upper than the conveyance passage R1, ejects ink to the transfer material 5 supplied by the supply roller 32 to thereby record an image on the transfer material 5; a transfer unit 2 that transfers the image, from the transfer material 5 having the image recorded thereon to recording material 55 conveyed through the conveyance passage R1; a winding-up roller 31 that winds up the transfer material 5 passing through the recording head 70 and the transfer unit 2; and an ejection unit 4 that supports the recording material 55 ejected after the image is transferred thereto by the transfer unit 2. The supply roller 32, the winding-up roller 31, the conveyance passage R10 for the transfer material 5 and the ejection unit 4 are arranged at positions lower than the conveyance passage R1 for the recording material 55.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus for transferring an image from a transfer material having an image recorded on its surface by an inkjet recording method to a recording material.

As a method of forming an image on a recording material, for example, an image is recorded on a transfer material such as a transfer film by an inkjet recording method, and the transfer material and the recording material are superimposed and heated to form an image on the recording material. An inkjet recording apparatus that transfers a receiving layer is known (see Patent Document 1). In this inkjet recording apparatus, structural members including a transfer material, a supply roller for feeding the transfer material to the transfer portion, and a take-up roller for winding the transfer material from the transfer portion are arranged above the conveying path of the recording material. there is

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-202800

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-100001, the transfer material supply roller, take-up roller, and the like are arranged above the recording material conveying path, so recording is performed at a position lower than the height of the apparatus. It is a configuration in which there is no choice but to arrange the material conveying route. For this reason, in order to secure the number of stackable sheets of printed materials in the discharge section for stacking the printed materials discharged from the recording material conveying path, it is necessary to raise the main body of the apparatus, resulting in an unnecessary space at the bottom of the apparatus. This has resulted in an increase in the size of the inkjet recording apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of reducing the size of the apparatus.

The inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a recording material transport path for transporting a recording material, a transfer material transport path for transporting the transfer material, a transfer material supply section for supplying the transfer material to the transfer material transport path, and the recording material. a recording head disposed above a conveying path for recording an image by ejecting ink onto a transfer material supplied by the transfer material supply unit and conveyed on the transfer material conveying path; and a transfer unit for transferring the image from a transfer material onto a recording material conveyed on the recording material conveying path; and a transfer material take-up for winding the transfer material that has passed the recording head and the transfer unit on the transfer material conveying path. and a discharge section for supporting the recording material discharged after the image is transferred by the transfer section, wherein the transfer material supply section, the transfer material winding section, the transfer material conveying path, and the discharge section. is arranged below the recording material conveying path.

According to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment; FIG. (a) is a cross-sectional view of a transfer material without a transparent protective layer, (b) is a cross-sectional view of a laminated structure, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of a recorded matter. (a) is a cross-sectional view of a transfer material having a transparent protective layer, (b) is a cross-sectional view of a laminated structure, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of a recorded matter. 2 is a control block diagram showing the control system of the inkjet printing apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of print processing of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in a pre-transfer preparation process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in a transfer process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment; 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment immediately after the transfer process; FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in a peeling process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment in a discharge process; 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure of print processing of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment;

<First embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. In this specification, "recording" (also referred to as image formation) means not only the formation of significant information such as characters and graphics, but also the formation of images, patterns, and patterns on a recording material in a wide range of ways, whether significant or not. It also represents the case of forming a medium, etc., or processing a medium. "Recording material" means not only paper used in general recording devices, but also a wide range of materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. do. The term “ink” should be broadly interpreted in the same way as the definition of “recording” above, and is used to form an image, pattern, pattern, etc., to process the recording material, or to process the ink by being applied to the recording material. It represents a liquid that can be used for (for example, solidification or insolubilization of a coloring agent in ink applied to a recording material).

[Manufacturing method of recorded matter]
First, a method for manufacturing a printed matter will be described. 2(a) to (c) and 3(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views at each stage from the transfer material used in manufacturing the recorded matter in the present embodiment to the manufacturing of the recorded matter. showing. FIG. 2(a) shows the basic cross-sectional structure of the transfer material 5. As shown in FIG. In the transfer material 5 shown here, an ink receiving layer 53 is laminated on the back surface (upper surface in the figure) of the base material 50 . The ink receiving layer 53 is a layer that permeates and holds the ink ejected from the recording head 70 of the recording section 7 . After applying ink to the ink receiving layer 53 to form an image, as shown in FIG. middle and top). After that, the substrate 50 is separated from the ink receiving layer 53 . As a result, a basic recorded matter 10 is formed as shown in FIG. 2(c).

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional structure of another transfer material 5A. In this transfer material 5A, a transparent protective layer 52 (transparent support) is laminated on the back surface (upper surface in the figure) of a base material 50, and an ink receiving layer 53 is laminated on the back surface (upper surface in the figure) of the transparent protective layer 52. has a layered structure. In FIG. 3B, ink is applied to the back surface (upper surface in the figure) of the ink receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5A shown in FIG. It shows a state of bonding to the surface (lower surface in the drawing) of the recording material 55 . After transferring the transfer material 5A to the recording material 55 in this manner, the base material 50 is separated from the transfer material 5A, thereby forming the recorded matter 10A shown in FIG. 3(c). In this recorded matter 10A, since the image formed on the ink receiving layer 53 is covered with the transparent protective layer 52, excellent weather resistance is obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, transfer of the transfer materials 5 and 5A onto the recording material 55 is performed by superimposing the transfer materials 5 and 5A on the recording material 55 and heating them while pressing them against each other. It is performed by a thermocompression bonding process. In the following explanation, the case where the transfer material 5 is used will be explained, but the same applies to the case where the transfer material 5A is used.

[Configuration of Inkjet Recording Apparatus]
Next, the overall configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 records an image on an ink receiving layer 53 of a transfer material 5 by an inkjet recording method, and superimposes the transfer material 5 on a recording material 55 such as a card and heats the recording material. Ink receiving layer 53 is transferred to 55 . For this purpose, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a supply section 3 , a transport section 60 , a recording section 7 , a transfer material transport section 30 , a transfer section 2 and a discharge section 4 .

[Supply Department]
The configuration of the supply section 3 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The supply section 3 has a storage section 12 . The storage unit 12 has a storage space suitable for the dimensions of the recording materials 55 in which a plurality of recording materials 55 can be aligned and stored. The accommodating portion 12 is configured in such a shape that the recording material 55 is vertically aligned and accommodated in a horizontal posture from one end (lower end in the drawing) to the other end (upper end in the drawing). A separation opening (not shown) is provided at the tip of the accommodating portion 12 (lower portion on the apparatus main body side), and the recording material 55 in the lowest row is supplied into the apparatus by a pickup roller 66 .

[Conveyor]
The configuration of the transport section 60 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. A pair of cleaning rollers 61 and 62 nip and convey the recording material 55 fed from the supply unit 3 to remove dust and the like adhering to the surface of the recording material 55 . The recording material 55 is sent to the rotating section 20 by a pair of cleaning rollers 61 and 62 . The rotating portion 20 has a frame 21 pivotally supported by the device frame 11 and a pair or a plurality of roller pairs supported by the frame 21 .

In this embodiment, as a plurality of roller pairs, two conveying roller pairs 22 and 23 and conveying roller pairs 24 and 25 arranged in front and behind with a distance therebetween are rotatably axially supported by the frame 21 . The frame 21 is turned in a predetermined angular direction by a turning motor (such as a pulse motor), and the pair of conveying rollers 22 and 23 and the pair of conveying rollers 24 and 25 attached to the frame 21 are rotated in forward and reverse directions by the conveying motor. is configured as Although not shown, this driving mechanism is constructed such that, for example, one pulse motor switches the rotation of the frame 21 and the rotation of the transport roller pairs 22 and 23 and the transport roller pairs 24 and 25 by a clutch. The transport unit 60 is an example of a reversing unit capable of reversing the first surface (front surface) and the second surface (back surface) of the supplied recording material 55 and supplying the recording material 55 to the transport path R1.

[Recording unit, transfer material conveying unit, transfer unit]
The configurations of the recording unit 7, the transfer material conveying unit 30, and the transfer unit 2 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The transfer material conveying unit 30 includes a supply roller 32 and a transfer material conveying roller 36 that feed the rolled transfer material 5 to the conveying path R10, and a laminated structure 155 in which the transfer material 5 is adhered to the recording material 55. A peeling unit 34 that is a roller that peels off the base material 50 and a winding roller 31 that winds up the base material 50 peeled from the laminated structure 155 are provided. In this embodiment, the transfer material transport path for transporting the transfer material 5 is referred to as a transport path R10, and the recording material transport path for transporting the recording material 55 parallel to and above the transport path R10 is referred to as a transport path R1. However, since the transport route R1 and the transport route R10 are substantially the same, they are collectively referred to as the transport route R1 in the following description. Further, the conveying route R1 indicates a linear route from the transfer material conveying roller 36 to the peeling section 34. As shown in FIG.

The recording unit 7 records a reverse image by directly ejecting water-based ink containing a coloring material, water, a non-volatile organic solvent, etc. onto the transfer material 5 . The recording unit 7 is provided with a recording head 70 that ejects droplets of ink. That is, the recording head 70 is arranged above the transport path R1, and ejects ink onto the transfer material 5 that is supplied by the supply roller 32 and transported along the transport path R1 to record an image. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is provided with recording heads 70 (70C, 70M, 70Y, 70K) corresponding to inks of different colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. It is possible to form

The transfer unit 2 transfers the transfer material 5 onto the recording material 55 . The transfer section 2 is composed of a heat roller 33 and a platen roller 63 arranged to face the heat roller 33 . The heat roller 33 is provided with an elevating mechanism (not shown) so that the heat roller 33 is pressed against and separated from the platen roller 63 arranged on the transport path R1 with the transfer material 5 interposed therebetween. The heat roller 33 is composed of a heating roller, and heat is applied by a heating means arranged inside the roller. In the transfer section 2 , the recording material 55 and the transfer material 5 overlapping the recording material 55 pass between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 . It is thermocompression-bonded with the heat applied from. That is, the transfer unit 2 transfers the image from the transfer material 5 on which the image is recorded to the recording material 55 conveyed along the conveying path R1.

The supply roller 32 is an example of a transfer material supply unit that supplies the transfer material 5 to the transport path R1. The take-up roller 31 is an example of a transfer material take-up unit that takes up the transfer material that has passed the recording head 70 and the transfer unit 2 on the transport path R1. The supply roller 32 and the take-up roller 31 are arranged below the transport route R1. Further, in the present embodiment, the supply roller 32 , the take-up roller 31 , the transport path R<b>10 for the transfer material 5 , and the discharge section 4 are all arranged below the transport path R<b>1 for the recording material 55 . In the transport path R1, the transfer material 5 is transported with the ink receiving layer 53 facing upward, and an image is recorded on the ink receiving layer 53 by the recording unit 7 arranged above the transfer material 5 .

The transfer material conveying roller 36 is provided between the supply roller 32 and the recording head 70 in the conveying path R1, and is an example of a conveying section that conveys the transfer material 5 while winding it thereon. The peeling unit 34 is provided between the transfer unit 2 and the take-up roller 31 in the transport path R1, winds the transfer material 5, and separates the recording material 55 onto which the image has been transferred by the transfer unit 2 from the transfer material 5. . The transfer material conveying roller 36 and the peeling section 34 are arranged so that the transfer material 5 between the transfer material conveying roller 36 and the peeling section 34 is linear.

[Discharge part]
The configuration of the discharge section 4 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The discharge section 4 has a storage section 13 . The storage unit 13 is configured to be able to store a plurality of recorded materials 10 in line. The storage unit 13 is configured to store the recorded materials 10 vertically aligned from one end (lower end in the figure) to the other end (upper end in the figure) in a horizontal posture, and the recorded materials 10 conveyed by the rotating unit 20 are sequentially stacked. configured as possible. That is, the discharge section 4 stacks and supports the recording material 55 onto which the image is transferred by the transfer section 2 and discharged.

As described above, by arranging the components of the transfer material transport section 30 below the transport path R1 for the recording material 55, it is possible to construct the transport path R1 at a high position in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. It is possible to secure the number of stackable printed materials 10 that can be discharged to the discharge section 4 without forming an unnecessary space below the route R1.

[Overview of operation of inkjet recording apparatus]
Next, an outline of a series of operations for image formation by the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The supply roller 32 and the transfer material conveying roller 36 convey the transfer material 5 wound in a roll with the ink receiving layer 53 facing outward, and feed the transfer material 5 to the recording section 7 . At this time, the transfer material 5 is nipped between the transfer material conveying roller 36 and the nip roller 37, and the base material 50 positioned on the back side of the transfer material 5 is guided by the platen guide 35 and conveyed to the recording section 7 in a flat state. be done. When the transfer material 5 is started to be conveyed by the supply roller 32 and the transfer material conveying roller 36, the recording section 7 records a reverse image on the ink receiving layer 53 (see FIG. 2A) of the transfer material 5. FIG. At this time, marking printing is also performed. The transfer material 5 on which recording has been performed is conveyed toward the peeling section 34 along the conveying route R1.

On the other hand, from the supply unit 3, the recording material 55 is fed one by one to the transport path R2 according to the recording operation of the recording unit 7 (see FIG. 6). Immediately before entering between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63, the recording material 55 sent out to the transport path R2 overlaps the surface of the ink receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5, and is between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63. Invade (see Figure 7). A laminated structure 155 (see FIG. 2B) composed of the transfer material 5 and the recording material 55 is heat-pressed between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 .

In the layered structure 155 in which the recording material 55 and the transfer material 5 are thermocompressed, the base material 50 and the peeling layer (not shown) constituting the transfer material 5 are peeled off at the peeling portion 34, and the base material 50 and the peeling layer are separated. is taken up by the take-up roller 31 (see FIG. 9). By separating the base material 50 from the laminated structure 155, the recorded matter 10 is formed, and the recorded matter 10 is delivered to the rotating section 20 along the transport path R2. By rotating the rotary unit 20 by a predetermined angle, the printed material 10 is conveyed along the conveying route R3 and discharged to the discharge unit 4 (see FIG. 10).

[Control configuration]
Next, the control configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be explained using FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system that controls the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is provided with a control section 100 . The control unit 100 is provided with a CPU 101 that executes processing such as calculation, judgment, and control according to control programs stored in the program ROM 104 .

The control unit 100 is provided with an interface controller 102 for controlling transmission and reception of signals between the host device 120 and the CPU 101, an image memory 106, a RAM 108, and the like. The image memory 106 stores print data transmitted from the host device 120 or the like as bitmap data. The RAM 108 stores various data in a readable manner and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 executes processing.

The CPU 101 includes an operation panel 110 for inputting data, a recording unit 7 for performing a recording operation by an inkjet recording method, a transfer material conveying unit 30 for conveying the transfer material 5 , and a transfer unit for transferring the transfer material 5 to the recording material 55 . 2. A supply unit 3 for supplying the recording material 55, a rotating unit 20 for switching the transport path of the recording material 55, a transport unit 60 for transporting the recording material 55, and the like are connected. In addition, the transfer material 5, the recording material 55, the sensor unit 8 including various sensors Se1 to Se8 for detecting the position of the rotating unit 20, etc. are also connected. The recording unit 7 is provided with a plurality of recording heads 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K corresponding to a plurality of colors of ink, and an electric heating element provided in each nozzle of each of the recording heads 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K. A driving circuit and the like for driving the conversion element are provided. That is, the control section 100 controls the recording head 70 and the transfer section 2 .

In the control system configured as described above, print data and commands transmitted from the host device 120 are received by the CPU 101 via the interface controller 102 . The CPU 101 receives recording data from the recording unit 7 , performs a recording operation, drives the transfer material conveying unit 30 , heats the heat roller 33 in the transfer unit 2 , feeds the recording material 55 from the feeding unit 3 , feeds the recording material 55 from the conveying unit 60 . General control such as transport of 55.

After analyzing the received command, the CPU 101 develops the image data of each color component of the print data into a bitmap in the image memory 106 . After that, the CPU 101 conveys the transfer material 5, and in synchronism with the conveying operation, sequentially reads the print data of the corresponding color from the image memory 106, and based on the read data, each of the print heads 70C, 70M, 70Y, 70Y, 70Y The ejection energy generating element provided for each nozzle of 70K is driven. By driving the ejection energy generating element, droplets of ink are ejected from each nozzle. The ejected ink lands on the ink receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5 at a position facing the recording head 70 to form dots. A desired image is formed on the ink-receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5 by the set of dots.

[Control Flow of Inkjet Recording Apparatus]
Next, the control operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 executed by the control section 100 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 101 determines whether the print data transmitted from the host device 120 has been received (step S101). When the CPU 101 determines that the recording data has been received (YES in step S101), the CPU 101 stores the recording data in the image memory 106 (step S102), and starts heating the heat roller 33 provided in the transfer section 2 ( step S103). CPU 101 determines whether the temperature of heat roller 33 has reached a predetermined temperature (step S104). When the CPU 101 determines that the temperature of the heat roller 33 has reached the predetermined temperature (YES in step S104), it drives the transfer material conveying section 30 to start conveying the transfer material 5 (step S105). The CPU 101 drives the supply unit 3 and the conveying unit 60 at a predetermined timing according to the conveying operation of the transfer material 5 to start feeding and conveying the recording material 55 (step S106).

When the recording position of the transfer material 5 reaches the recording portion 7 , the CPU 101 controls the driving circuit of the recording head 70 based on the recording data read out from the image memory 106 to eject ink from the recording head 70 . As a result, an image is recorded on the ink receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5 (step S107). The transfer material 5 and the recording material 55 on which the image has been recorded are temporarily stopped at a predetermined position, so that their respective positions are aligned (step S108). By this alignment, the ink receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5 is superimposed on the recording material 55 and fed between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 . While passing between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 , the recording material 55 and the transfer material 5 are heat-pressed to form a laminated structure 155 . After that, the laminated structure 155 is conveyed to the peeling unit 34, where the base material 50 is peeled off to form the recorded matter 10 (final recorded matter), which is stacked on the discharge unit 4 (step S109).

The CPU 101 determines whether or not the number of printed matter 10 produced as described above has reached a predetermined number (step S110). When the CPU 101 determines that the number of printed materials 10 has not reached the predetermined number (NO in step S110), the operations from steps S107 to S110 are repeated. When the CPU 101 determines that the number of printed materials 10 has reached the predetermined number (YES in step S110), the CPU 101 stops heating the heat roller 33 (step S111). And the driving of the conveying unit 60 is stopped (step S112). Thus, the production of the recorded matter 10 is completed.

[Processing Executed by Inkjet Recording Apparatus]
Next, processing executed by the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. FIG. Here, each step of pre-transfer preparation, thermocompression bonding, peeling, and ejection will be described.

[Preparation before transfer]
First, the pre-transfer preparation process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a pre-stage in which the transfer material 5 and the recording material 55 are heat-pressed by the transfer unit 2. As shown in FIG. A transfer material position sensor Se6 detects the position of the transfer material 5 in order to synchronize with the operation of the recording section 7, and the CPU 101 controls each section based on the detection result. The transfer material position sensor Se6 is composed of, for example, a reflective or transmissive optical sensor, and detects markings recorded on the transfer material 5 . Other position sensors have the same configuration. The transfer material 5 is conveyed from the supply roller 32 and the transfer material conveying roller 36 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 (step S106 in FIG. 5). 5 has reached the recording position, and the image is recorded by the recording unit 7 (step S107 in FIG. 5).

A transfer material position sensor Se<b>5 detects the position of the transfer material 5 in order to synchronize with the operation of the conveying section 60 . The transfer material 5 on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit 7 is further conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and when the marking recorded on the transfer material 5 is detected by the transfer material position sensor Se5, the transfer material 5 reaches the pre-transfer position. Then, the driving of the transfer material conveying unit 30 is stopped to stop the conveyance of the transfer material 5 (step S108 in FIG. 5). During this time, the heat roller 33 is at a position separated from the platen roller 63, so that the transfer material 5 is not heat-pressed.

On the other hand, the recording material 55 is fed one by one to the transport path R2 by the pickup roller 66 and the pair of cleaning rollers 61 and 62 . The recording material position sensor Se<b>1 detects whether or not the recording material 55 has been sent out from the supply unit 3 . When the recording material position sensor Se1 detects the leading edge of the recording material 55, the conveying roller pairs 22 and 23 and the conveying roller pairs 24 and 25 of the rotating unit 20 are driven to further convey the recording material 55, and the pickup roller 66 is driven. to stop. At this time, a clutch (not shown) is incorporated in the pickup roller 66 so that the pick-up roller 66 rotates along with the direction in which the recording material 55 is pulled out.

A recording material position sensor Se<b>2 detects the position of the recording material 55 in order to synchronize the operations of the transfer material conveying unit 30 and the transfer unit 2 . When the recording material position sensor Se2 detects the leading edge of the recording material 55, driving of the cleaning roller pair 61, 62, the transport roller pair 22, 23, and the transport roller pair 24, 25 is stopped (step S108 in FIG. 5). However, the conveying roller pairs 22 and 23 and the conveying roller pairs 24 and 25 do not necessarily need to stop driving, and the sheet can be conveyed to the transfer section 2 as it is.

[Thermal compression bonding]
Next, the process of thermocompression bonding the transfer material 5 and the recording material 55 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. The transfer material 5 is stopped at the position where the marking is detected by the transfer material position sensor Se5, and the leading edge position of the recording material 55 is detected by the recording material position sensor Se2. . Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat roller 33 is moved to a position where the heat roller 33 contacts the platen roller 63 with the transfer material 5 therebetween. When the transfer material 5 is conveyed by the transfer material conveying roller 36 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The recording material 55 that has entered the transport path R1 overlaps the surface of the ink receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5 and enters between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 . The laminated structure 155 composed of the transfer material 5 and the recording material 55 is heat-pressed between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 (step S109 in FIG. 5).

When the recording material position sensor Se2 detects the trailing edge of the recording material 55, the transport roller pairs 22 and 23 and the transport roller pairs 24 and 25 stop driving. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, after the transfer material 5 and the recording material 55 are conveyed by a predetermined amount until the rear end of the recording material 55 passes between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63, the transfer material conveying unit 30 is stopped, and the heat roller 33 is moved to a position separated from the platen roller 63 .

[Peeling off]
Next, the step of peeling off the base material 50 constituting the transfer material 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The transfer material 5 is conveyed by driving the supply roller 32, the transfer material conveying roller 36, and the take-up roller 31 in the arrow direction in FIG. At this time, the recording material 55 is conveyed together with the transfer material 5 while being adhered to the transfer material 5 . When the leading end of the laminated structure 155 in which the recording material 55 and the transfer material 5 are heat-pressed together passes through the peeling portion 34, the base material 50 and the peeling layer (not shown) constituting the transfer material 5 are peeled off, and the base material 50 and the release layer are taken up by the take-up roller 31 (step S109 in FIG. 5). By separating the base material 50 from the laminated structure 155, the recorded matter 10 is formed. When the leading edge of the recorded matter 10 is detected by the recorded matter position sensor Se2, the pair of conveying rollers 22 and 23 and the pair of conveying rollers 24 and 25 are driven, and the rotary unit 20 receives the recorded matter 10. FIG. On the other hand, the transfer material 5 wound up by the winding roller 31 stops being conveyed when the marking position is detected by the transfer material position sensor Se5.

Up to this point, the recording process has been performed on one side of the recording material 55, but the recording process can also be performed on the other side. In this case, after rotating the rotary unit 20 by 180° to turn the recording material 55 upside down, the pair of conveying rollers 22 and 23 and the pair of conveying rollers 24 and 25 are driven, and the recording material position sensor Se2 detects the leading edge of the recording material 55. stop at the position On the other hand, the image on the second side is recorded on the transfer material 5 by the same operation as the image on the first side is recorded on the transfer material 5, and the same processing such as heat pressing and peeling is performed in synchronization with the recording material 55. , recording processing can be performed on both sides of the recording material 55 .

[Discharge]
Next, the process of ejecting the printed matter 10 to the ejecting section 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the recorded matter 10 is in a state of being transferred to the rotating section 20 . The rotating part 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10, and stops when the detected part (not shown) of the rotating part 20 is detected by the rotational position sensor Se8. The position of the rotational position sensor Se8 is set so as to coincide with the conveying route R3 through which the printed material 10 can be discharged to the discharge section 4. FIG. After that, the conveying roller pairs 22 and 23 and the conveying roller pairs 24 and 25 are driven to convey the recorded matter 10 toward the discharge section 4 . When the ejection position sensor Se4 detects the trailing edge of the printed matter 10, the printed matter 10 is ejected to the ejection section 4, and the driving of the transport roller pairs 22 and 23 and the transport roller pairs 24 and 25 is stopped (see FIG. 5). step S109). The rotating part 20 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 10, and stops when the detected part is detected by the rotational position sensor Se7 to prepare for the next operation. The position of the rotational position sensor Se7 is set so that the transport path of the recording material 55 coincides with the transport path R2 and the transport path R1.

As described above, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the supply roller 32, the take-up roller 31, the transport path R10 for the transfer material 5, and the discharge section 4 are arranged below the transport path R1 for the recording material 55. It is Therefore, the recording material transport path is arranged at a position lower than the height of the apparatus compared to the case where the transfer material supply roller, take-up roller, etc. are arranged above the recording material transport path. There is no need to provide an unnecessary space at the bottom of the device. As a result, the size of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be reduced. In addition, the number of stackable sheets of printed matter 10 in the discharge section 4 can be ensured.

Further, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the transfer material conveying roller 36 and the peeling section 34 are arranged so that the transfer material 5 between the transfer material conveying roller 36 and the peeling section 34 is linear. It is Therefore, compared to the case where the path of the transfer material 5 between the transfer material conveying roller 36 and the peeling section 34 is provided with a step, the vertical dimension can be reduced, and the size of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be reduced. can be achieved.

In addition, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the case where the discharge section 4 is arranged below the supply section 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the discharge section 4 may be provided below the supply section 3 on the opposite side of the transport path R1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, a conveying roller pair 64, 65 and a sensor Se3 are provided on the left side of the conveying path R1, and the recording material 10 after transfer is conveyed through the apparatus using the conveying roller pair 64, 65. It is also possible to discharge to the left side in the figure and load it on the discharge section 4 provided below. Also in this case, since the discharge section 4 is arranged below the transport path R1 of the recording material 55, the size of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be reduced.

<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that double-sided printing is easily performed by printing directly on the back surface of the recording material 55 with the recording head 70 . However, since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Since the inkjet recording apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment uses a method of transferring an image from the transfer material 5 to the recording material 55, there are few restrictions on the recording material 55, and it can be used from thin materials such as paper to plastic. Images can be formed on a variety of objects, even thick objects such as cards. In general, most driver's licenses and security cards display images such as photographs on the front side, and only text such as names and addresses are partially written on the back side. In many cases, the image quality is not required to be as high as that of the surface. Therefore, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has two modes, a normal double-sided printing mode and a simple double-sided printing mode for simple printing on the back side. Here, the operation of the simple double-sided printing mode, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described.

When printing in the simple double-sided printing mode, a recording material 55 having an ink receiving layer 56 provided on the back side is used. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, an ink receiving layer 56 is provided on the surface of the recording material 55 opposite to the transfer material 5, 5A. By directly applying ink from the recording head 51 to the receiving layer 56, it is possible to perform simple double-sided printing. Further, the recording head 70 is held by a carriage (not shown) and supported so as to be vertically movable. With this carriage, the distance between the recording head 70 and the transfer material 5 when printing on the transfer material 5 and the distance between the recording head 70 and the recording material 55 when directly printing on the recording material 55 can be changed. I have to.

The image transfer operation for the first surface of the recording material 55 is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment until the heat press bonding operation. In the simple double-sided printing mode, the leading edge of the recording material 55 is detected by the recording material position sensor Se2 during the heat-pressing operation, and the recording material 55 is stopped. 6). At this time, based on the detection result of the recording material position sensor Se2, the recording unit 7 prepares for printing on the back side, which is the second side. Specifically, the recording head 70 is moved up and down by an elevation mechanism of a carriage (not shown), and is moved to the printing position where the back surface of the recording material 55 is directly printed. This printing position is determined by the thickness of the recording material 55 , and the height of the head is normally set so that it is positioned 1.0 to 1.2 mm above the printing surface of the recording material 55 . For example, the CPU 101 instructs based on the information of the recording material 55 input by the user. After moving the recording head 70 to a predetermined height, printing is performed on the back surface of the recording material 55 based on the detection result of the recording material position sensor Se2.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that only black is printed in accordance with the type of printed matter 10 to be printed. Here, when using the four-color recording heads 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K as shown in FIG. Since there is a possibility of being different, there is a risk that a load will be applied to the image processing. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the first surface is color and the second surface is single color, the conveying direction of the transfer material 5 during image formation on the first surface and the conveying direction of the recording material 55 during image formation on the second surface. Even if it is reversed, the color of the color image will not be different. Alternatively, recording heads 70C, 70M, and 70Y and three more recording heads 70Y, 70M, and 70C are provided symmetrically with respect to the recording head 70K, and four heads are used for the first surface and the second surface, respectively. There is also a method of performing double-sided printing without imposing a load on image processing by dividing into two. Further, by providing two image processing tables for the first and second sides, color printing on both sides becomes possible without adding a head.

As indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 8, when the recording head 70 completes printing of the back side, the supply roller 32 and the transfer material transport roller 36 are stopped to stop transporting the transfer material 5 . Thereafter, the heat roller 33 is moved to a position spaced apart from the platen roller 63, and the peeling operation of peeling the recording material 55 from the transfer material 5 and the subsequent ejection operation are performed in the same manner as described above, thereby completing simple double-sided printing. becomes. As described above, in the simple double-sided printing mode, the recording material 55 moves along the same path as in single-sided image formation, so double-sided printing can be performed without reversing operation, and high productivity can be achieved.

[Control flow of simple duplex printing mode]
Next, the processing procedure in the simple double-sided printing mode will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Even in the simple double-sided printing mode, steps S101 to S108 immediately before the heat-pressing process and steps S110 to S112 after printing one sheet are the same as in the first embodiment. Detailed description is omitted.

The transfer material 5 and the recording material 55 on which the image has been recorded are temporarily stopped at a predetermined position, so that their respective positions are aligned (step S108). By this alignment, the ink receiving layer 53 of the transfer material 5 is superimposed on the recording material 55 and fed between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 . While the recording material 55 and the transfer material 5 pass between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 63 , the recording material 55 and the transfer material 5 are heat-pressed to form a laminated structure 155 . At this time, an image is recorded on the ink receiving layer 56 on the back surface of the recording material 55 by the recording head 70 (step 113). After the printing of the back surface of the recording material 55 is completed, the conveyance of the transfer material 5 is stopped (step S114). The transfer material 5 is turned over and transported, and the laminated structure 155 is transported to the peeling section 34 (step S115). (step S116). In this series of operations, the path along which the recording material 55 is conveyed in the apparatus is the same when forming images on one side and when performing simple double-sided printing, and high productivity can be achieved even in simple double-sided printing. can.

In this embodiment, the control unit 100 can selectively execute the simple double-sided printing mode and the normal double-sided printing mode. In the simple double-sided printing mode, ink is ejected from the recording head 70 onto the transfer material 5 to form an image, and the image is transferred by the transfer unit 2 to the first surface of the recording material 55 supplied to the transport path R1. This is an example of a first double-sided printing mode in which an image is formed by ejecting ink from the recording head 70 onto the second surface of the material. In the normal double-sided printing mode, the recording head 70 ejects ink onto the transfer material 5 to form a first image, and the transfer unit 2 transfers the first image onto the first surface of the recording material 55 supplied to the transport path R1. After the first image is transferred to the first surface, the recording material 55 is reversed by the conveying section 60, ink is ejected from the recording head 70 onto the transfer material 5 to form the second image, and the second image is formed on the conveying path R1. This is an example of a second double-sided printing mode in which the transfer unit 2 transfers the second image onto the second surface of the supplied recording material 55 .

As described above, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and achieve high productivity even in simple double-sided printing with a simple method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Inkjet recording apparatus 2... Transfer part 4... Discharge part 5... Transfer material 31... Take-up roller (transfer material take-up part) 32... Supply roller (transfer material supply part) 34... Peeling part 36 Transfer material conveying roller (conveying unit) 55 Recording material 60 Conveying unit (reversing unit) 70, 70C, 70K, 70M, 70Y Recording head 100 Control unit R1 Conveying path (recording material transport path), R10... transport path (transfer material transport path)

Claims (4)

a recording material transport path for transporting the recording material;
a transfer material transport path for transporting the transfer material;
a transfer material supply unit that supplies the transfer material to the transfer material conveying path;
a recording head that is disposed above the recording material transport path and ejects ink onto a transfer material supplied by the transfer material supply unit and transported on the transfer material transport path to record an image;
a transfer unit that transfers the image from a transfer material on which the image is recorded to a recording material conveyed on the recording material conveying path;
a transfer material winding unit that winds the transfer material that has passed through the recording head and the transfer unit in the transfer material conveying path;
a discharge unit for supporting the recording material discharged after the image is transferred by the transfer unit;
The transfer material supply unit, the transfer material take-up unit, the transfer material transport path, and the discharge unit are arranged below the recording material transport path,
An inkjet recording apparatus characterized by: a conveying unit provided between the transfer material supply unit and the recording head in the transfer material conveying path, for conveying the transfer material while winding the transfer material thereon;
a peeling unit provided between the transfer unit and the transfer material take-up unit in the transfer material conveying path, around which the transfer material is wound, and separating the recording material onto which the image has been transferred by the transfer unit from the transfer material; , and
The conveying unit and the peeling unit are arranged such that the transfer material between the conveying unit and the peeling unit is linear.
2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a control unit that controls the recording head and the transfer unit;
The control unit ejects ink from the recording head onto a transfer material to form an image, transfers the image to a first surface of the recording material supplied to the recording material conveying path by the transfer unit, and records the image. capable of executing a first double-sided printing mode in which an image is formed by ejecting ink from the recording head onto the second surface of the material;
3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a reversing unit capable of reversing the first surface and the second surface of the supplied recording material and supplying the supplied recording material to the recording material conveying path;
The control unit
ejecting ink from the recording head onto a transfer material to form a first image, and transferring the first image to the first surface of the recording material supplied to the recording material conveying path by the transfer unit;
After transferring the first image onto the first surface, the recording material is reversed by the reversing unit;
a second surface for forming a second image by ejecting ink from the recording head onto a transfer material, and transferring the second image to the second surface of the recording material supplied to the recording material conveying path by the transfer unit; print mode is enabled,
4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that:

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