JP2714346B2 - Ink jet recording device and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for outputting information such as characters and images onto a recording medium in an information processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, a word processor, and a personal computer. An information processing apparatus including the apparatus as an output unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, paper, cloth, plastic sheet, O
2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium (hereinafter, also simply referred to as recording paper) such as an HP sheet can be equipped with a recording head using various recording methods, for example, a wire dot method, a thermal method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method. It has been proposed as a simple form.

However, among such recording apparatus, a low noise of Non'i down compact recording, the recording of the ink jet system to perform recording on a recording sheet by discharging ink from a discharge port disposed on the recording elements (nozzles) Recording device with head (hereinafter also referred to as inkjet recording device)
Is capable of high-density and high-speed recording,
Output means of the information processing apparatus , for example, a printer as an output terminal such as a copying machine, a facsimile, an electronic typewriter, a word processor, a workstation, or a handy or portable printer provided in a personal computer, a host computer, an optical disk device, a video device, etc. Used and commercialized.
In this case, the inkjet recording apparatus has a configuration corresponding to the functions, usage patterns, and the like specific to these apparatuses. Generally, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which a recording unit (recording head) and an ink tank are mounted, a conveying unit for conveying a recording sheet, and a control unit for controlling these. Then, the recording head for ejecting ink droplets from the plurality of ejection ports is serially scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction), while the recording paper is set to the recording width when not recording. The intermittent conveyance is performed by an equal amount. In this recording method, recording is performed by discharging ink on recording paper in accordance with a recording signal, and is widely used as a quiet recording method with low running cost. In addition, by using a recording head in which a number of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged in a straight line in the sub-scanning direction, the recording head scans once on the recording paper to record a width corresponding to the number of nozzles. You. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a high-speed recording operation.

As the recording element, that is, an energy generating means for generating energy for discharging ink, one using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, or irradiating an electromagnetic wave such as a laser to generate heat. And a method in which the liquid is heated by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor.

[0005] Among them, a recording head of a method of discharging liquid using thermal energy (so-called bubble jet method) can perform high-resolution recording because the liquid discharge ports can be arranged at high density. It is possible. Among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means can easily be made compact, and has the advantages of IC technology and microfabrication technology, which have made remarkable advances in technology in recent semiconductor fields and markedly improved reliability. This is advantageous because it can be used for two reasons, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

Further, in the case of a color-compatible ink jet recording apparatus, a color image is formed by overlapping ink droplets ejected by recording heads of a plurality of colors. Generally, when performing color recording, yellow (Y),
Four types of recording heads and ink cartridges corresponding to three primary colors of magenta (M) and cyan (C) or four colors including black (B) among these three primary colors are required. In recent years, apparatuses equipped with such recording heads of three or four colors and capable of forming images in full color have been put to practical use.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus can also adopt a configuration which enables relatively large-size recording such as A1. That is, a recording apparatus compatible with A1 color recording for copying a document by connecting a reader for reading an image, for example, a plotter such as a CAD output printer has also been commercialized. On the other hand, various uses are required, and the demand for recording on OHP films that can be projected for presentations at conferences, lectures, etc. is increasing. In order to meet such demands, attempts have been made to develop and commercialize a recording apparatus capable of performing the best recording regardless of the type of the recording medium when a recording medium having a different ink absorption characteristic is selected as necessary. .

As described above, the demand for an ink jet recording apparatus has been increasing in a wide range of industrial fields (such as the apparel industry) as an excellent recording means, and on the other hand, there is also a demand for providing higher quality images. One of the basic measures for providing high-quality images is stabilization of ink ejection and ink ejection amount, and as a means for this, a conventional ink jet recording apparatus generally includes a head recovery device and a wiping device. ing.

First, the head recovery device will be described.

The head recovery device is disposed at one end of the movement path of the recording head, for example, at a position facing the home position. The head recovery device is operated by the driving force of the motor via the transmission mechanism, and the recording head is capped. In connection with the capping of the recording head by the cap portion of the head recovery device, ink absorption (suction recovery) is performed by an appropriate suction means (for example, a suction pump) provided in the head recovery device, thereby discharging ink. Discharge recovery processing such as removal of thickened ink in the discharge port by forcibly discharging the ink from the outlet is performed. Also, by performing capping at the end of recording or the like, the recording head is protected. Such an ejection recovery process is performed when the power is turned on, when the print head is replaced, or when the printing operation is not performed for a certain period of time or the like.

Next, the wiping device will be described.

The wiping device is provided on a side surface of the head recovery device, and has a blade as a wiping member formed of silicone rubber. The blade is held in a cantilever form by a blade holding member, and is operated by a motor and a transmission mechanism, like the head recovery device, so that engagement with the ejection surface of the recording head becomes possible. Thus, at an appropriate timing in the recording operation of the recording head, or after the ejection recovery processing using the head recovery device, the blade is projected into the moving path of the recording head, and the ejection surface of the head is moved with the moving operation of the head. To remove dew, wet or dust.

As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus stabilizes the ink ejection by the head recovery device and the wiping device.

Here, the preliminary ejection will be described in more detail.

First, the purpose and effect of the preliminary ejection will be described. The recording device using the inkjet method
Image information such as characters is recorded by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto the recording medium from ink ejection ports of the recording head. However, since ink is a viscous liquid, it is affected by the environment in which the device is used. In particular, under a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, ink evaporation from the ink discharge ports and an increase in ink viscosity occur. For this reason, it is difficult to eject ink droplets, and a lump or highly viscous ink made of dry ink adheres to the ink ejection port to hinder ink ejection. Further, such troubles occur unevenly in a plurality of ink ejection ports. As a result, if a printing operation is performed while maintaining such a state, there is a very high possibility that a printing defect such as missing or distorted characters will occur from the start of printing. Therefore, immediately before performing the printing operation, by discharging a predetermined amount of ink to a predetermined place (inside of the printing apparatus) other than the recording medium, highly viscous ink or a dry mass near the ink discharge port is formed. By removing such factors, the viscosity of the ink ejected during the recording operation is kept constant, and the clogging of the ink ejection port is eliminated.

Next, how the preliminary ejection is performed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A recording head at a predetermined position is driven to start discharging ink from an ink discharge port (preliminary discharge start, step 1201). The control unit counts the number of ink ejections, and determines whether or not the number has reached a predetermined number (N shots) (step 1202). If the number of shots has not reached N, ink ejection is further performed. When N shots are reached, the ejection of ink stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 1203). At the same time, the carriage drive motor is turned on and the printing operation is started (step 120).
4 and step 1025). The printing operation is as described above. When predetermined printing is performed, the recording head stops at a predetermined position, the carriage drive motor is turned off, and the recording operation ends.

[0018]

However, in the preliminary ejection operation performed by the above-described conventional recording apparatus, the preliminary ejection can be performed only when the recording head is placed at a predetermined position. Until the printing is started, it takes time to move the distance between the position where the preliminary ejection is performed and the position where the actual printing is started, and the time required for the preliminary ejection. Therefore, the need for such time is contrary to the user's demand for achieving high-speed and high-quality image recording. In particular, when a relatively large amount of ink needs to be ejected at the time of preliminary ejection, the above-mentioned time loss is enormous.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to minimize the time loss caused by the preliminary ejection, and to achieve an ink jet recording apparatus capable of achieving high-speed and high-quality recording, and the apparatus. Is to provide an information processing system provided with an output unit.

[0020]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a recording operation for recording input image information by discharging ink to a recording area on a recording medium, and a recording operation for recording the input image information. A carriage capable of mounting at least one printing unit for performing a preliminary ejection operation for performing a preliminary ejection of ink at a preliminary ejection position set outside the recording area of the recording medium, and controlling the recording operation and the preliminary ejection operation. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes the recording unit to execute a preliminary ejection operation of ink while moving the recording unit mounted on the carriage toward a recording start position on the recording medium. The control is performed. Preferably, the recording unit is an ink jet recording head using a thermal energy generator that generates thermal energy for discharging ink.

Next, information processing based on the present inventionapparatus
Has such a recording device as output means.
And features.

[0022]

[Action] In performing preliminary discharge operation for performing preliminary discharge of ink to the receiving discharge reserve is set at a predetermined position other than the recording medium position (preliminary ejection ink for receiving position),
By ejecting ink while moving the recording head, it is possible to minimize the time loss due to preliminary ejection compared to the conventional method, and when multiple recording heads are mounted, the print head during preliminary ejection Is moved, the number of preliminary ejection receiving positions can be halved, the above-mentioned loss of time can be prevented, the cost can be reduced, and high-speed and high-quality printing can be achieved.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an example of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, a serial type ink jet recording apparatus having two detachable recording heads (disposable type) will be described below.

<Embodiment 1> FIGS. 1 to 4 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the recording apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an arrow A in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1, and FIG.
2 is a diagram viewed from the direction of arrow C in FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body. Recording heads 7 and 8 are removably mounted on a carriage 6 provided in the apparatus main body 1.

(Drive System) First, a drive source and components related thereto will be described.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a recording medium (hereinafter, also referred to as recording paper) for moving the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction.
Is a DC motor serving as a driving source for transporting in the sub-scanning direction. A motor worm gear 12 is coaxially press-fitted and fixed to the shaft of the motor 2.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a screw wheel gear. The gear 3 is in mesh with the motor worm gear 12.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a paper feed wheel gear. The gear 4 is rotatably supported by a shaft provided on the main body 1 and includes a large-diameter gear 4a and a small-diameter gear 4b. The gear 4a is in mesh with the motor worm gear 12. On the other hand, the gear 4b rotates integrally with the gear portion 4a, and is in mesh with the gear portion 27a at the left end of the paper feed intermediate gear 27. Gear portion 27b at the right end of the paper feed intermediate gear
Is a toothless gear, which is rotatably supported by a shaft attached to the main body 1 so as to rotate integrally with the gear 27a.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a feed roller. A gear 10a is provided at the left end of the roller 10, and meshes with the toothless gear 27b at a constant cycle. The feed roller 10 is inserted into a hole provided in the apparatus main body 1 and is in a rotatable state. Further, an annular feed member 23 made of an elastic material (for example, a rubber material) is provided at a central portion of the feed roller 10, and a pinch roller 20 is provided at a position facing the feed member 23.

The pinch roller 20 is a pinch roller shaft 2
It is supported by one. The shaft 21 is supported by the main body 1 so as to be rotatable and movable (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 4). The pinch roller 20 is pressed in the direction of the feed roller 10 by a pinch roller shaft 21.

As a result, when the feed roller 10 rotates, the recording paper is conveyed in cooperation with the pinch roller 20.

Reference numeral 5 is a bidirectional lead screw. The screw 5 is rotatable by being inserted into a hole formed in the apparatus main body 1. The gear 3 is coaxially fixed to one end of the screw 5 to be integrally rotatable. The bidirectional lead screw 5 has two screw grooves 5 180 ° out of phase on its peripheral surface.
a and 5b are formed (see FIG. 1). These two
The two screw grooves 5a and 5b join and continue at both ends 5c and 5d of the bidirectional lead screw 5.

(Recording System) Next, the recording means and its related components will be described.

1 to 4, two recording means (recording heads) 7 and 8 are arranged in parallel on the carriage 6 along the main scanning direction (coinciding with the directions of arrows H and I). Recording head 7, 8 of this embodiment is a recording head of a method of discharging liquid using thermal energy (so-called bubble jet <br/> preparative method). The recording head has a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined density.
Each nozzle is provided with a heater (heating element) as an energy generator for generating energy for discharging ink in a flow path communicating with the nozzle. Heater generates heat in response to electric pulses applied, thereby causing film boiling in the ink, bubbles due to the film boiling (Bab
The ink is ejected from the above nozzles with the growth of (1).

The carriage 6 reciprocates along the guide shaft 9 in directions indicated by arrows H and I shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a screw pin 18 is provided on the carriage 6 so as to protrude therefrom. The screw pin 18 is provided with a screw groove 5 a formed on the peripheral surface of the bidirectional lead screw 5.
Or 5b. Further, a substantially L-shaped projection 6a is provided at the rear end of the carriage 6. Therefore,
Not only the reciprocating movement guide in the directions of the arrows H and I by the guide shaft 9 but also the protrusion 6a and the rail 1 formed at one end of the frame (for example, the hatched portion in FIG. 3) of the main body 1 are engaged. By doing so, the reciprocating movement is guided and becomes stable.

As shown in FIG. 3, an insertion slot 19 into which recording paper (not shown) is inserted and a discharge slot 22 through which recording paper is discharged after recording are formed in the upper portion of the frame of the apparatus main body 1, respectively. . The platen 24 is detachably mounted on a frame near the outlet 22. The recording paper inserted from the direction of the arrow IN (FIG. 4), after the input image information has been recorded on the platen 24,
It is discharged in the UT direction. The recording operation and its control will be described later.

The carriage 6 has two flexible circuit boards 26. These substrates 26 provide image signals and electric power to the recording heads 7 and 8, respectively, and electrically connect the recording heads 7 and 8 and the carriage 6 via the two set levers 11. Further, the flexible circuit board 26 is connected to a control circuit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1 via the circuit board 17.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a transmission type photo detector provided as a home position detector (recording start position detector) provided below the carriage 6. The detector 16 has a concave shape and is connected to a control circuit of the apparatus main body 1 via a circuit board 17. With the reciprocating movement of the carriage, ribs (convex portions) 1c, 1 formed and localized on the frame of the main body 1 are formed in the concavely opened portions.
d enters. When the convex portion is inserted into the concave portion, light transmission between the wall surfaces on which the concave portion stands is interrupted. Therefore, it is configured such that it can be determined whether or not the carriage 6 is located at the home position based on whether or not such interruption occurs.

(Recording Operation) The recording operation of the recording means having such a configuration and the components related thereto will be described below.

[0041] When the drive signal from the control circuit Ru sent to DC motor 2, the shaft the motor 2 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction (FIG. 2, arrow G). This rotation is transmitted to the bidirectional lead screw 5 via the transmission wheel gear 3. As the bidirectional lead screw 5 rotates (in the direction of arrow F), the pin 18 engaged with the screw groove 5a slides along the axis of the bidirectional lead screw 5 and moves the carriage 6 in the direction of arrow H.

Further, the carriage 6 moves in the direction of arrow H, and the screw pin 18 reaches the screw groove 5C. When passing through this portion, the screw pin 18 engages with the screw groove 5b that is continuously connected to the screw groove 5a. Thereby, the moving direction changes in the I direction. The carriage 6 moves in the direction of arrow I by the rotation of the bidirectional lead screw 5, and the screw pin 18 reaches the screw groove 5d soon. When passing through this part, the screw pin 18 is
B engages with the screw groove 5a which is continuously connected. Thereby, the moving direction changes to the H direction again. The carriage 6 reciprocates in the I direction and the H direction by such a repetitive operation.

The printing start position is the rib 1C in the I direction movement.
On the other hand, in the H direction movement, it is on the rib 1d. When the carriage is located above the printing start position, the home position detector 16 attached to the carriage detects the position, and generates a recording start position detection signal.

The motor worm gear 12 is integrally formed with a disk-shaped encoder slit 12a at the root thereof, and enters the recess of the discharge signal detector 25.

(Recording Paper Conveyance) Next, recording paper conveyance will be briefly described.

The recording paper is conveyed by a feed roller gear 10a which intermittently rotates while meshing with the toothless gear 27b which is rotated by the driving of the DC motor 2. That is, when the gear 10a rotates, the member 23 provided on the peripheral surface of the feed roller 10 coaxially coupled to the gear 10a rotates. As a result, the recording paper nipped between the member 23 and the transport roller 20 is transported.

(Recording Operation Control) The recording operation control of the recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

First, the control unit provided in the apparatus main body 1 will be briefly described. The control unit includes a controller that performs main control of the entire apparatus, a CPU in the form of, for example, a microcomputer that executes information processing procedures, a RAM that includes a work area in the above processing, and a ROM that stores a program corresponding to the above processing procedures. And a timer for generating necessary timing for the recording operation. A signal from such a control unit is sent to the circuits 17 and 26 via an interface unit and a driver. In addition, signals from the detector 16 and the like are sent to the CPU of the control unit along the reverse route.

FIG. 5 shows the CPU 50 of the control unit and the CP
FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a relationship with a recording apparatus main body 56 (reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 4) controlled by U.

The recording apparatus main body 56 is provided with the ejection signal detector 25.
The ejection position detection signal output from the recording start signal detector 16 and the ejection position detection signal
It can be sent to PU50.

The printing operation is started by applying the voltage supplied from the voltage unit 53 to the DC motor of the printing apparatus main body 56 (step 101). When the DC motor is driven, a discharge position detection signal is generated by an encoder slit disk 12a formed integrally with the motor worm gear 12. The generation of this signal is set so as to occur in one-to-one correspondence with each dot row in the dot matrix. The rotation of the motor worm gear 12 causes the carriage to start moving in, for example, the direction of arrow H in FIG. 2 (moving from the arrow C side of the apparatus main body to the arrow B side). FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of a recording operation accompanying the movement in the H direction.

When the discharge start position detector 16 fixed to the carriage 6 passes through the rib 1d (see FIG. 1), a discharge start position signal is generated. The CPU 50 receives the ejection start position signal and, at the same time, selectively outputs a recording signal to the recording head 7 or 8 in synchronization with the signal. as a result,
Recording in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 2 is performed on the recording paper. In this embodiment, each recording head is in charge of printing in only one direction, either the forward pass or the return pass. That is, for example, in the direction of arrow H, the recording head 7 performs recording, while in the direction of arrow I, the recording head 8 performs recording.

When the recording in the H direction is completed, the recording paper is conveyed. The CPU 50 counts the number of pulses of the ejection detection signal, and stops energizing the motor 2 when a preset number of pulses is counted. At this time, the carriage 6 stops at the end on the arrow B side of the apparatus main body in FIG.

When the motor 2 is driven again in this state,
The carriage 6 starts moving from the end on the arrow B side to the end on the arrow C side (movement in the direction of the arrow I). FIG. 7 shows a timing chart of a recording operation accompanying the movement in the H direction.

When the discharge start position detector 16 fixed to the carriage 6 passes through the rib 1c (see FIG. 1), a discharge start position signal is generated. The CPU 50 receives the ejection start position signal and, at the same time, selectively outputs a recording signal to the recording head 7 or 8 in synchronization with the signal. as a result,
Recording in the direction of arrow I in FIG. 2 is performed on the recording paper.

When the recording in the I direction is completed, the recording paper is conveyed. The CPU 50 counts the number of pulses of the ejection detection signal, and stops energizing the motor 2 when a preset number of pulses is counted. At this time, the carriage 6 stops at the end on the arrow C side of the apparatus main body in FIG.

The CPU 50 needs to determine in advance whether the carriage 6 is located at the end on the arrow B side or the end on the arrow C side in FIG. As a determination method, for example, when the power is turned on to the apparatus main body 56 or when a specific key of the keyboard 51 is pressed, the DC motor 2 is driven. Be different in direction. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ribs 1c and 1c are set so that signals (X and Y) having different pulse widths are generated.
Change the length of d. Thus, for example, when the pulse width changes from X to Y, it can be determined that the movement is in the I direction, and when the pulse width changes from Y to X, it can be determined that the movement is in the H direction.

Further, the difference between the pulse signals X and Y is accurately determined by counting the number of pulses of the ejection position detection signal generated during the generation of the X and Y pulse signals, even if the rotation speed of the motor 2 is different. It is possible to determine the moving direction and position of the carriage.

(Preliminary Discharge) Preliminary discharge and its control in the printing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, preliminary ejection receiving positions 28, 29, 30, and 31 are set near both ends of the recording apparatus main body 1 on the arrows B and C sides.

First, the DC motor 2 is driven, and the movement of the carriage 6 starts. Here, the movement is in the I direction (step 801). With this movement, the recording head is driven to start ink ejection from the ink ejection port (preliminary ejection start, step 802). At this time, the print head 8 discharges a predetermined amount of ink to the preliminary discharge receiving position 31, and the print head 7 discharges a predetermined amount of ink to the preliminary discharge receiving position 29. In the control unit, the number of times of ink ejection is counted,
It is determined whether or not a predetermined number (N shots) has been reached (step 803). If the number of shots has not reached N, ink ejection is further performed. When the number of shots reaches N, the ejection of ink stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 804). Thereafter, a printing operation is started (step 805). On the other hand, when moving in the H direction, the print head 8 discharges a predetermined amount of ink to the preliminary discharge receiving position 28, and the print head 7 discharges a predetermined amount of ink to the preliminary discharge receiving position 30.

The recording operation is as described above. When predetermined printing is performed, the recording head stops at a predetermined position and the recording operation ends.

<Embodiment 2> The recording apparatus of this embodiment (FIG. 9)
) Has the same general configuration as the apparatus of the first embodiment, but in the first embodiment, four preliminary discharge receiving positions are set, whereas in this embodiment, two preliminary discharge receiving positions are set. Therefore, the preliminary ejection control is also different from that of the first embodiment as follows (see FIG. 10). The positions are indicated by reference numerals 28 and 2 in FIG.
This is the position indicated by 9.

First, the DC motor 2 is driven to start the movement of the carriage 6 (step 101).

In the case of movement in the I direction, the process proceeds from step 102 to step 103. Recording head in accordance with this movement is driven to start the ink ejection from the ink ejection ports (preliminary ejection out start, step 103). On this occasion,
The print head 7 performs preliminary ejection to the preliminary ejection receiving position 29. In the control unit, the number of times of ink ejection is counted,
It is determined whether a predetermined number of times (M shots) has been reached (step 104). If the number of shots has not been reached, further ink ejection is performed. When the number of shots reaches M, the ejection of ink from the recording head 7 stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 105). Thereafter, the carriage is moved a specified amount to the I direction, the ejection position detection signal Z pulse print head 8 reaches the ink receiving position location 29 is generated (Step 10
6). The preliminary ejection of the print head 8 is started by this signal (step 107). The control unit counts the number of ink ejections, and determines whether or not the number has reached a predetermined number (N) (step 108). If the number of shots has not reached N, ink ejection is further performed. When N shots are reached, the ejection of ink from the recording head 7 stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 109). Then, the printing operation is started (step 110).

On the other hand, in the carriage movement in the H direction, the process proceeds from step 102 to step 111. First, after the print head 8 performs preliminary ejection at the preliminary ejection receiving position 28 (steps 111 to 113), the carriage moves again and the print head 7 reaches the preliminary ejection upper position 28 (step 11).
3). Then, the recording head 7 performs a predetermined amount of preliminary ejection (steps 115 to 117), and then proceeds to a recording operation (step 110).

The recording operation is as described above. When predetermined printing is performed, the recording head stops at a predetermined position and the recording operation ends.

<Embodiment 3> In the printing apparatuses of Embodiments 1 and 2, the preliminary ejection of the two print heads 7 and 8 is performed in the process of moving the print head to only one of the outward path and the return path. Is set so that only the print head used when the carriage performs one scan, that is, only one of the print heads 7 and 8 performs the preliminary ejection.

Preliminary ejection in the printing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
The preliminary ejection receiving position of the printing apparatus is the same as that of the second embodiment.

First, the DC motor 2 is driven to start moving the carriage 6 (step 1101). Subsequently, the carriage moving direction is checked (step 1).
102). In the case of movement in the I direction, it is checked whether or not the recording head for printing is the recording head 7 (step 1103). When the recording head in charge of printing is the recording head 8, first, in order to perform preliminary ejection of the recording head 8, the carriage moves again in the I direction until the ejection position detection pulse signal Z is detected (step 1104). When the recording head 8 reaches the preliminary ejection receiving position, the recording head 8
Is driven to start ink ejection (preliminary ejection start,
Step 1105). The control unit counts the number of ink ejections and determines whether or not the number has reached a predetermined number (N shots) (step 1106). If the number of shots has not reached N, ink ejection is further performed. When N shots are reached, the ejection of ink from the recording head 8 stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 1107). Thereafter, predetermined recording is performed by the recording head 8 (step 1108).

[0071] On the other hand, if the printing charge recording head in step 1103 is determined to be the recording head 7, the recording head 7 starts to be driven ink discharge (preliminary discharge out <br/> start, step 1109) . Subsequently, the control unit counts the number of times of ink ejection, and a predetermined number of times (M
(Departure) is determined (step 111).
0). If the number of shots has not been reached, further ink ejection is performed. When M shots are reached, the ejection of ink from the recording head 7 stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 111).
1). Thereafter, predetermined recording is performed by the recording head 7 (step 1108).

If it is determined in step 1102 that the moving direction of the carriage is the H direction, then in step 1112, it is checked whether the recording head for performing printing is the recording head 8. If the recording head in charge of printing is the recording head 8, the recording head 8 is driven to start ink ejection (preliminary ejection start, step 1113). Subsequently, the control section counts the number of ink ejections, and determines whether or not the number has reached a predetermined number (N shots) (step 1114). If the number of shots has not reached N, ink ejection is further performed. When N shots are reached, the ejection of ink from the recording head 8 stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 1115). Thereafter, predetermined recording is performed by the recording head 7 (step 1108).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1112 that the print head in charge of printing is the print head 7,
In order to perform the preliminary ejection, the carriage moves again in the I direction until the ejection position detection pulse signal Z is detected (step 1116). When the recording head 7 reaches the preliminary ejection receiving position, the recording head 7 is driven to start ink ejection (preliminary ejection start, step 1117). The control unit counts the number of ink ejections, and determines whether the number of ink ejections reaches a predetermined number (M shots) (step 111).
8). If the number of shots has not been reached, further ink ejection is performed. When M shots are reached, the ejection of ink from the recording head 7 stops (preliminary ejection ends, step 111).
9). Thereafter, predetermined recording is performed by the recording head 8 (step 1108).

<Embodiment 4> Embodiments 1 to 3 relate to a recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads.
This embodiment relates to a recording apparatus equipped with one recording head.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a schematic configuration of the recording apparatus of this embodiment.

The recording head 34 of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.
As in the cases 3 to 3, the recording head is of a type (so-called bubble jet type) in which a liquid is discharged using thermal energy.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a stepping motor as a driving source, which is connected to a control circuit (not shown).

Reference numeral 36 denotes a motor gear which is press-fitted and fixed to a motor shaft 35a of a step motor 35.

Reference numeral 39 denotes a (one-way) lead screw, and a gear 39a is provided at the left end thereof.
The gear is engaged with the motor gear 36, and a paper feed transmission gear 39b is provided at the right end.
4 and is in mesh with the paper feed clutch gear 46.

An end 45 a of a clutch spring 45 is engaged with the groove 46 a of the clutch gear 46, and the clutch spring 45 is wound around an end 48 a of the feed roller 48. When the clutch gear 46 rotates in the direction of the arrow J, the clutch spring 45 is loosened and power is transmitted.

On the other hand, in the case of rotation in the K direction, the clutch spring 45 is tightened, and a rotational force in the K direction is applied to the feed roller 48, so that the carrying operation is performed.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a carriage on which the print head 34 is mounted. The pin 42 protruding from the carriage 47 enters the groove 39C of the lead screw.

The carriage 47 and the print head 34
The motor 35 moves in the directions of arrows H and I by the forward / reverse rotation, and performs the recording operation while moving in the I direction. Then, the carriage 47 and the print head 34 move in the H direction by the reverse rotation of the motor. Turn, and at the same time, feed a specified amount of paper. Thereafter, it stops at a prescribed position (home position) on the arrow C side (left end) in FIG.

The preliminary discharge operation is performed before the printing operation.
While the print head 7 and the print head 34 move in the I direction, a predetermined amount of ink is ejected to the preliminary ejection receiving section 32.

(Others) The present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, or the like) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head is not limited to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or an electric connection with the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body is mounted on the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

The type and number of the recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, for example, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the ink jet recording of the present invention,
Applying the recording device , the inkjet recording device of the present invention
Computer having an output unit, a copying apparatus combined with rie Da or the like, can be an information processing apparatus of facsimile machine having information sending and receiving functions.

And, without being limited to the above fields,
The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention may take a form used as an apparatus for printing a cloth made of cotton, silk, rayon, acetate, nylon, polyester fiber and the like, and a mixed spun cloth thereof.

[0094]

As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention performs a recording operation for recording input image information by ejecting ink to a recording area on a recording medium and a recording medium for recording the input image information as necessary. A carriage capable of mounting at least one printing unit for performing a preliminary ejection operation for performing a preliminary ejection of ink at a preliminary ejection position set outside the recording area, and a control unit for controlling the recording operation and the preliminary ejection operation. An inkjet recording apparatus provided, wherein the control unit performs control to execute a preliminary ejection operation of ink by the recording unit while moving the recording unit mounted on the carriage toward the recording start position on the recording medium. Characterized in that the recording means preferably uses a thermal energy generator that generates thermal energy for discharging ink. Therefore, when performing the above-described preliminary ejection, by discharging the ink while moving the recording head, it is possible to minimize the time loss due to the preliminary ejection as compared with the conventional method, and to reduce the recording head. When multiple printers are mounted, the print head moves at the time of preliminary ejection, so that the number of preliminary ejection positions can be halved, the above time loss can be reduced and cost can be reduced, and high-speed and high-quality recording is achieved. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an example (Example 1) of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining control of the ink jet recording apparatus based on the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a recording operation in an arrow H direction in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining a recording operation in the direction of arrow I in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a preliminary ejection operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of an example (Example 2) of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a preliminary ejection operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a preliminary ejection operation according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of an example (Example 4) of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a preliminary ejection operation in a conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 DC motor 5 Bidirectional lead screw 6 Carriage 7 Recording head 8 Recording head 28 Pre-discharge receiving position 29 Pre-discharge receiving position 30 Pre-discharge receiving position 31 Pre-discharge receiving position 32 Pre-discharge receiving position

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-235058 (JP, A) JP-A-4-65250 (JP, A) JP-A-4-197757 (JP, A)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording operation for recording input image information by ejecting ink to a recording area on a recording medium and, if necessary, an ink ejection to a preliminary ejection position set outside the recording area of the recording medium. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a carriage on which at least one recording unit that performs a preliminary ejection operation for performing a preliminary ejection is mounted; and a control unit that controls the recording operation and the preliminary ejection operation. And performing a control to execute a preliminary ejection operation of the ink by the recording unit while moving the recording unit mounted on the carriage toward a recording start position on the recording medium. apparatus. 2. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an inkjet recording head using a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy for discharging said ink. apparatus. 3. An information processing apparatus comprising the recording device according to claim 1 as output means.