JP3014232B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by recording means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like, or a recording apparatus used as an output device of a multifunction machine or a workstation including a computer, a word processor, etc. An image (including characters and symbols) is recorded on a recording material (recording medium) such as an OHP (such as an OHP). The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, a laser beam type, and the like according to a recording method of a recording unit to be used.

In a serial type recording apparatus employing a recording method in which a main scanning is performed in a direction crossing a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and then the recording material is set. An image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording means (recording head) mounted on a carriage moving along the line, and after a recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (sub-scanning). By repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the row, image recording of the entire recording material is performed. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that performs recording only by sub-scanning in which a recording material is transported in the transport direction, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and recording for one line is continuously performed collectively. By feeding a predetermined amount of paper (pitch feed), an image is recorded on the entire recording material.

Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) to a recording material, so that the recording means can be easily made compact and high definition. Images can be recorded at a high speed, recording can be performed on plain paper without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise and uses multicolor inks. This makes it easy to record a color image.

[0005] In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
Through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., an electrothermal converter, an electrode,
By forming the liquid path wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a device having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. Further, by utilizing the advantages of the IC technology and the micromachining technology, it is easy to make the recording means longer and planar (two-dimensional), and it is also easy to make the recording means full multi-layer and high-density mounting. is there.

In the above printing apparatus, when performing color printing or gradation printing, a plurality of printing heads are used in accordance with the printing color or printing density.
In a serial type recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads, a plurality of recording heads are mounted on a moving body (carriage), and while moving the moving body, a predetermined number of recording heads are sequentially arranged from a recording head upstream in a moving direction. A method of recording on a recording material by driving each recording head based on an image signal is employed.

In a serial type recording apparatus, it is necessary to provide a predetermined approach width from the start of movement of the moving body to the start of recording by the recording head. That is, the moving body is moved from a stationary state to a predetermined speed between the recording main scanning portion (the ink discharge portion in the case of an ink jet recording head) of the recording head and the same side edge of the recording material at the movement start point of the moving body. It is necessary to provide a rising section (run-around width) before reaching.

The recording head is provided with a recording main scanning section such as an ejection port arrangement section in an ink jet system, a heating element arrangement section in a thermal system, and a dot wire arrangement section in a wire dot system. In addition, as the form of the print head, there is a form which is symmetrical with respect to the print main scanning section and a form which is asymmetrical with respect to the print main scan section. The left and right asymmetric print heads have different left and right required space sizes with respect to the print main scanning portion.

[0009]

However, in the conventional serial type recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads, since all the recording heads are sequentially driven to perform recording, the approach width becomes large. However, there is a problem in that the moving range of the moving body is increased by that amount, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the recording apparatus. In addition, since the recording is performed by all the recording heads while the moving body moves to one side, the power supply for driving these recording heads has a large capacity, so that not only the power supply becomes large but also the cost increases. Was.

Further, in a recording apparatus which uses a plurality of recording heads including a recording head having a shape in which a required space with respect to the main scanning direction is asymmetrical in the left and right direction and performs recording during reciprocation by the main scanning section, a conventional moving apparatus is used. In the arrangement of the recording heads on the body (carriage), for example, the arrangement in which a large part of the required space is unified on the same side, the approach width of the moving body is further increased, and it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the recording apparatus. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of recording means including a recording means whose required space with respect to the main scanning direction is asymmetric. When recording is performed during reciprocating movement, the device can be reduced in size and weight by reducing the approach width at the time of movement and the moving range, and furthermore, the power supply capacity for driving the recording means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus capable of reducing the size of the power supply and achieving the miniaturization and cost reduction of the power supply.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main scanning section for reciprocating a recording means in a main scanning direction, wherein a required space with respect to the main scanning direction is left and right. In a printing apparatus that performs printing during reciprocating movement by the main scanning unit using four or more printing units including an asymmetrically shaped printing unit, the printing unit divides the plurality of printing units into two groups. The two recording means adjacent to each other are arranged so that their large-capacity portions are adjacent to each other, and the left and right outermost recording means apart from the divided portion are arranged such that their large-capacity portions are outside. Are arranged in such a manner that, at the time of forward movement by the main scanning unit, recording is performed using a group of recording units on the downstream side in the forward movement direction, and at the time of backward movement by the main scanning unit, a group of recording units on the downstream side in the backward movement direction are used. And wherein the recording.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main scanning section for reciprocating the recording means in the main scanning direction, and a required space with respect to the main scanning direction is left and right. In a recording apparatus that performs recording during reciprocation by the main scanning unit using three recording units including recording units having an asymmetric shape, the three recording units are divided into two groups, and the three recording units are adjacent to each other at the division unit. The two recording means are arranged such that their large required space is adjacent to each other, and one recording means distant from the divided part is arranged such that the large required space is located outside. In the forward movement by the main scanning unit, recording is performed using a group of recording units on the downstream side in the forward movement direction, and when the main scanning unit is moved backward, recording is performed using a group of recording units on the downstream side in the backward movement direction. Features To.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main scanning section for reciprocating the recording means in the main scanning direction to achieve the above object. In a recording apparatus that uses two recording units having asymmetric shapes and performs recording during reciprocation by the main scanning unit, the two recording units are divided into two groups one by one, and the division unit Are arranged in such a manner that portions having a large required space are adjacent to each other, and the recording is performed by the recording unit on the downstream side in the forward direction when the main scanning unit moves forward, and the recording on the downstream side in the backward direction is performed when the main scanning unit moves backward. It is characterized by recording by means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, the recording means used in the forward movement and the recording means used in the backward movement are driven by the same power supply. The above object is achieved more efficiently.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the recording means is an ink jet recording means for performing recording by discharging ink. Has a configuration provided with an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for discharging ink, or the recording means has an ejection port, and the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter generates ink. The above object is achieved more efficiently by employing a structure in which ink is ejected from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the above.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows the example of a structure typically. The following reference
In the examples and the embodiments of the present invention, a case where the recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus will be described as an example. In FIG. 1, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) recording heads (recording means) 11 are detachably mounted on a moving body (carriage) 10. The plurality of recording heads 11 are for recording in different colors or densities, respectively.
The moving body 10 is supported so as to be movable along two guide rails 12, 12, and is driven by a main scanning motor (eg, a stepping motor) 13 via a timing belt 14 or a lead screw (not shown). And are reciprocally driven in the directions of arrows A and B.

A sheet-like recording material 15 made of paper, a plastic thin plate or the like is fed by a transport motor (paper feed motor).
The sheet is conveyed (paper feed) in a direction indicated by an arrow F at a predetermined timing and a predetermined pitch along a predetermined path by a pair of conveying rollers 17 and a pair of holding rollers 18 cooperating therewith. While the recording material 15 is held flat at a recording position facing each recording head (recording means) 11, a predetermined recording head is Recording is performed by driving (energizing) 11 based on an image signal. 1
When the recording for the row is completed, the recording material 15 is pitch-fed in the direction of arrow F by the recording width to record the next recording width. Each recording head 11 is usually mounted on the moving body 10 in a replaceable manner, but may be integrally formed with the moving body 10 in some cases.

In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, a plurality of ejection ports are formed in a predetermined arrangement on the ejection port forming surface of each recording head 11, and a predetermined arrangement of each recording head 11 is determined based on an image signal. An image is formed on the recording material 15 by discharging ink from the discharge ports of the recording medium 15. In the case of color printing, for example, four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are selected as the colors of ink used by the four print heads 11. An ink tank 21 for supplying a predetermined ink to each recording head 11 is mounted on the moving body 10. Then, by driving the corresponding recording head 11 based on the image signal for each color, ink is ejected, and color recording is performed.

At a predetermined position (for example, a home position) within the moving range of the moving body 10 and outside the recording area, the discharge port of each recording head 11 is sealed (capping).
And a recovery device 20 connected to the cap 19 are provided. The cap 19
Is for sealing (capping) the ejection port of each recording head 11 during non-recording to prevent the ink from thickening or sticking due to ink drying. The recovery device 20 seals the discharge port with the cap 19 when the discharge port is clogged or at a predetermined timing, and then operates the suction pump (not shown) to discharge the ink from the discharge port. Is suctioned to remove fixed ink, dust such as paper dust, air bubbles, and the like in the discharge port to recover defective discharge.

Each of the recording heads (recording means) 11 is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, each recording head 11
According to the method, recording is performed by ejecting ink from an ejection port using a pressure change caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by heat energy applied by the electrothermal transducer.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of each recording head 11. In FIG. 2, a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to
A plurality of discharge ports 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the discharge port forming surface 51 facing at a distance of about 2.0 mm, and each of the liquid paths 54 communicating the common liquid chamber 53 and each discharge port 52 is formed. An electrothermal converter (heating resistor or the like) 55 for generating energy for ink ejection is provided along the wall surface.
In the present example, the recording heads 11 are mounted on the moving body 10 in such a manner that the respective ejection ports 52 are arranged in a direction intersecting with the moving (main scanning) direction of the moving body 10. Thus, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal, and the
The recording head 11 is configured to cause the ink in the ink to boil, and discharge the ink from the discharge port 52 by the pressure generated at that time.

Therefore, in the above recording apparatus, different recording heads (recording means) are used when the moving body 10 moves forward (moves in the direction of arrow A) and moves backward (moves in the direction of arrow B). It is configured to perform recording using. Further, a plurality of (four in the example of FIG. 1) recording heads 11 are divided into two groups in the moving direction, and the recording head on the downstream side in the forward direction is used during the forward movement, and the downstream side in the backward direction is used during the backward movement. It is configured to record using a recording head. Further, the recording head used at the time of forward movement and the recording head used at the time of backward movement are configured to be ejected and driven by the same power supply.

FIG. 3 shows different recording heads between the forward movement and the backward movement .
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a first reference example of a recording apparatus that records using a recording medium . Referring to FIG.
The four recording heads 11 mounted on the printer are arranged in this order from the left side: a cyan recording head [2], a black recording head [1], a magenta recording head [3], and a yellow recording head [4]. ing. When recording on the recording material 15, first, the main scanning motor 13 (FIG. 1) composed of a stepping motor or the like is driven to rotate forward to move the moving body (carriage) 10 from the left end position shown by the solid line in the direction of arrow A. (Rightward), and at the same time, by driving the two recording heads [1] and [2] on the downstream side in the forward direction according to a desired image signal, black and cyan inks are ejected. The recording for one row is performed on the recording material 15.

Next, by moving the main scanning motor 13 in the reverse direction, the moving body 10 is moved from the right end position shown by the dashed line in the direction of arrow B (left direction) along the same row as the direction of arrow A. At the same time, the remaining two recording heads [3] and [4] on the downstream side in the reverse direction are driven in accordance with a desired image signal, thereby ejecting magenta and yellow inks to perform recording. Recording is performed on the material 15. Through the above process, recording of a color image in which inks are superimposed in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, that is, recording of one line of a color image corresponding to an image signal of each color is completed.

Next, by driving the conveying motor 16 (FIG. 1) to rotate the conveying roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 by a predetermined amount, the recording material 15 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 10. Paper feed by a specified amount (sub-scan)
Then, by repeating the same process as the previous one,
Record the color image of the column. Hereinafter, similarly, the above-described process is repeated to perform the recording on the entire area of the recording material 15.

According to the first embodiment described above, the plurality (four) of the recording heads 11 are divided into two groups in the moving direction, and when the moving head moves in the direction of arrow A, the recording head on the downstream side in the moving direction. Since the recording is performed in [1] and [2] and the recording is performed by the recording heads [3] and [4] on the downstream side in the backward direction at the time of the backward movement in the arrow B direction, the moving body shown in FIG. The approach widths X and Y of 10, ie, the distance between the upstream recording head [1] or [3] in the movement direction before the start of movement and the downstream edge of the recording material 15 in the movement direction can be set small. Therefore, the moving range of the moving body 10 can be reduced accordingly, and the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced. Further, at the time of color recording, since each color is always recorded in the same order, it is possible to stabilize and improve the image quality.

When printing is performed while moving the moving body 10 in the directions of arrows A and B, only two of the four print heads 11 are driven to perform printing. Only one power supply having a capacity for two recording heads is used as a power supply for driving the recording head 11, and recording is performed by switching between the direction of arrow A and the direction of arrow B. This makes it possible to reduce the size and cost of the power supply for driving the recording head 11 as compared with the conventional configuration in which all four recording heads are simultaneously driven to perform recording.

In the reference example shown in FIG. 3, printing was performed in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. However, it is possible to freely combine other ink colors or inks having different densities or change the printing order. Can be. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and can be similarly implemented in a recording apparatus of another recording method.

FIG. 4 shows different recording heads between the forward movement and the backward movement .
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a second reference example of a recording apparatus that performs recording using a key. Referring to FIG.
The four print heads 11 mounted on the printer are arranged in the order of a magenta print head [3], a cyan print head [2], a black print head [1], and a yellow print head [4] from the left. ing. When performing recording on the recording material 15, first, the moving body (carriage) 10 is moved from the left end position shown by the solid line in the direction of arrow A (rightward), and at the same time, it moves forward in accordance with a desired image signal. By driving the three recording heads [3], [1], and [2] on the downstream side in the direction, black, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected, and one line of recording is performed on the recording material 15.

Next, the moving body 10 is moved from the right end position shown by the one-dot chain line in the direction of arrow B (left direction) along the same column as the direction of arrow A, and at the same time, the backward movement of the remaining recording head is performed. By driving one recording head [4] on the downstream side in the direction according to a desired image signal, yellow ink is ejected and recording is performed on the recording material 15. According to the above-described process, a color image in which inks are superimposed in the order of black, cyan, magenta at the time of forward movement and yellow at the time of backward movement, that is, one of color images corresponding to image signals of respective colors.
The recording for the row ends.

Next, by driving the conveying motor 16 (FIG. 1) to rotate the conveying roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 by a predetermined amount, the recording material 15 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 10. Paper feed by a specified amount (sub-scan)
Then, by repeating the same process as the previous one,
Record the color image of the column. Hereinafter, similarly, the above-described process is repeated to perform the recording on the entire area of the recording material 15.

[0033] Also by the reference example described in FIG. 4 above, by dividing the recording head 11 a plurality (four) into two groups in the moving direction (three groups and one group of), the arrow A direction forward When moving, recording is performed by the recording heads [1], [2], [3] on the downstream side in the forward direction, and when moving in the direction of arrow B, recording is performed by the recording head [4] on the downstream side in the reverse direction. Fig. 4
The moving width X ₁ , Y _{1 of the} moving body 10 shown in the figure, that is, the recording head [1] on the upstream side in the moving direction before starting the forward movement or the recording head [4] on the upstream side in the moving direction before starting the backward movement. It is possible to set a small distance (running width) from the edge of the recording material 15 to the downstream side in the moving direction, so that the moving range of the moving body 10 can be reduced accordingly, and the recording apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. It became possible to aim at.

When recording is performed while moving the moving body 10 in the direction of arrow A, only three of the four recording heads 11 are driven to perform recording, so that these recording heads 11 are driven. Only one power supply having a capacity of three recording heads is used.
The recording is performed by switching between the directions. This makes it possible to reduce the size and cost of the power supply for driving the recording head 11 as compared with the conventional configuration in which all four recording heads are simultaneously driven to perform recording.

In the reference example shown in FIG. 4, recording is performed in the order of black, cyan, magenta and yellow at the time of forward movement, and other ink colors or inks having different densities are combined. Can be freely changed. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and can be similarly implemented in a recording apparatus of another recording method.

FIG. 5 shows different recording heads between the forward movement and the backward movement .
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a third reference example of a recording apparatus that records using a key. The reference example of FIG.
0, four recording heads 11 are arranged from the left side in the order of a black recording head [1], a cyan recording head [2], a magenta recording head [3], and a yellow recording head [4]. At the time of forward movement in the direction A, one print head downstream of the forward movement direction, that is, a black print head [1]
In the backward movement in the direction of arrow B, the recording is performed only by the three recording heads downstream in the backward movement direction, namely, the cyan recording head [2], the magenta recording head [3], and the yellow recording head [4]. The recording is performed, and one row of recording (color image recording) is performed by reciprocating movement of the moving body 10.

[0037] Also by the third reference example shown in FIG. 5,
4, the approach width X of the moving body 10 shown in FIG.
₂ , Y ₂ , that is, the recording head [1] on the upstream side in the movement direction before the start of the forward movement or the recording head [2] on the upstream side in the movement direction before the start of the backward movement, and the end on the downstream side in the movement direction of the recording material 15 The distance to the edge (run-around range) can be set small, so that the range of movement of the moving body 10 can be reduced accordingly, and the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

Also, in the reference example of FIG. 5, when printing is performed, only a maximum of three of the four print heads 11 are driven. Therefore, the power source for driving these print heads 11 is three print heads. The recording head 11 is driven only in the direction indicated by the arrow A and the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the recording head 11 is driven in the same manner as in the reference example of FIG. It is possible to reduce the size and cost of the power supply.

FIG. 6 shows different recording heads between the forward movement and the backward movement .
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a fourth reference example of a recording apparatus that performs recording using a key. In the reference example of FIG. 6 , two recording heads 11 are mounted on a moving body 10. The two recording heads 11 are, for example, a black recording head [1] and a red recording head [2]. When performing recording on the recording material 15, first, the moving body (carriage) 10 is moved from the left end position shown by the solid line in the direction of arrow A (rightward), and at the same time, it moves forward in accordance with a desired image signal. By driving one print head [1] on the downstream side in the direction, for example, black ink is ejected, and printing for one row is performed on the recording material 15.

Next, the moving body 10 is moved from the right end position shown by the dashed line in the direction of arrow B (left direction) along the same column as the direction of arrow A, and at the same time, the other recording head, ie, the backward direction. By driving one downstream recording head [2] according to a desired image signal, for example, red ink is ejected to perform recording on the recording material 15. With the above process, recording of one line of a color image in which inks are superimposed in the order of black and red is completed.

Next, by driving the conveying motor 16 (FIG. 1) to rotate the conveying roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 by a predetermined amount, the recording material 15 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 10. Paper feed by a specified amount (sub-scan)
Then, by repeating the same process as the previous one,
Record the color image of the column. Hereinafter, similarly, the above-described process is repeated to perform the recording on the entire area of the recording material 15.

[0042] by reference example of FIG. 6, a plurality of (two)
The recording head 11 is divided into two groups in the moving direction, and the recording is performed by the recording head [1] on the downstream side in the forward direction during the forward movement.
Since the recording is performed by the recording head [2] on the downstream side in the backward direction at the time of the backward movement, the approach widths X ₃ and Y ₃ of the moving body 10 shown in FIG. 6 can be set to be small. The moving range of the moving body 10 can be reduced correspondingly, and the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

Also, in the reference example of FIG.
During recording by moving 0 forward and backward, recording is performed by driving only one recording head, so that one power supply for driving the recording head 11 having a capacity of one recording head is required. The recording head 1 is compared with the conventional configuration in which two recording heads are simultaneously driven to perform recording by switching between the forward movement and the backward movement for recording.
It has become possible to reduce the size and cost of the power supply for one drive.

FIG. 7 shows different recording heads between the forward movement and the backward movement .
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a fifth reference example of a recording apparatus that records using a key. Referring to FIG.
Has three recording heads 11 mounted thereon. These three
The recording heads are arranged, for example, in the order of a magenta recording head [2], a cyan recording head [1], and a yellow recording head [3] from the left side. Recording material 15
First, the moving body (carriage)
At the time of forward movement in which 10 is moved in the direction of arrow A (rightward) from the left end position indicated by the solid line, the two recording heads [1] and [2] on the downstream side in the forward movement direction are driven according to a desired image signal. ,
The recording material 1 is discharged by discharging cyan and magenta inks.
5 is recorded for one line.

Next, the moving body 10 is moved (returned) from the right end position shown by the dashed line in the direction of arrow B (leftward) along the same row as the direction of arrow A, and at the same time, the remaining recording heads are moved. One recording head [3] on the downstream side in the backward direction
Is driven in accordance with a desired image signal, thereby discharging yellow ink to perform recording on the recording material 15.
By the above process, recording of a color image in which ink is superimposed in the order of cyan at the time of forward movement, magenta and yellow at the time of backward movement, that is, recording of one column of a color image corresponding to an image signal of each color is completed.

Next, the conveying roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 are rotated by a predetermined amount to feed a predetermined amount of paper (sub-scanning), and the same process as the previous one is repeated, so that the next one column of color is obtained. Record the image. Hereinafter, by repeating the above-described process similarly, the recording material 1
5 Record all areas.

[0047] more than the reference example described in FIG. 7, by dividing the recording head 11 a plurality of (three) into two groups in the moving direction (two groups and one group of), at the time of forward movement forward Since the recording is performed by the recording heads [1] and [2] on the downstream side in the direction, and the recording is performed by the recording head [3] on the downstream side in the reversing direction at the time of the backward movement, the moving body 10 shown in FIG. Approach width X ₄ ,
It is possible to set small Y _4, therefore,
By reducing the moving range of the moving body 10 by that amount, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the recording apparatus. Further, the three recording heads 11 are moved two at the time of forward movement and one at the time of backward movement.
Since the recording is performed separately, the capacity of the power supply for driving the recording head 11 can be reduced to two recording heads and the recording can be switched, and the power supply for driving the recording head 11 can be made smaller than the conventional configuration. And cost reduction.

In the reference example of FIG. 7, in addition to printing in the order of cyan, magenta and yellow, other ink colors or inks of different densities can be combined, and the printing order can be changed. The same can be applied to a recording apparatus of another type different from the ink jet, as in the above-described respective reference examples .

FIG. 8 shows different recording heads between the forward movement and the backward movement .
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a sixth reference example of a recording apparatus that records using a key. In FIG. 8, the moving body 10
Has six recording heads 11 mounted thereon. These recording heads 11 are, from the left side of the figure, a light cyan recording head [3], a dark cyan recording head [2], a black recording head [1], a dark magenta recording head [4], and a light magenta recording head. The head [5] and the yellow recording head [6] are arranged in this order. When the moving body 10 moves forward (moves to the right), recording is performed by the three left recording heads, and when it moves backward (moves to the left), the three recording heads move to the right. It is configured to record in. In other words, the plurality of (six) recording heads 11 are divided into two groups each of the same number (three each), recording is performed by the left recording head group at the time of forward movement, and backward recording is performed by the right recording head group. It is configured to record time.

In FIG. 8, when recording is to be performed on the recording material 15, first, the main scanning motor 13 (FIG. 1) such as a stepping motor is driven to rotate forward to show the moving body (carriage) 10 by a solid line. It is moved in the direction of arrow A (rightward) from the left end position, and at the same time, three recording heads [1] on the downstream side in the forward movement direction according to a desired image signal,
By driving [2] and [3], black, dark cyan, and pale cyan inks are ejected to form the recording material 15.
Is recorded for one line.

Next, by moving the main scanning motor 13 in the reverse direction, the moving body 10 is moved from the right end position shown by the dashed line in the direction of arrow B (left direction) along the same row as the direction of arrow A. At the same time, the remaining three recording heads [4], [5], and [6] on the downstream side in the backward movement direction.
Is driven in accordance with a desired image signal, thereby discharging dark magenta, light magenta, and yellow inks to perform recording on the recording material 15. Through the above process,
Printing of a color image in which ink is superimposed in the order of black, dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, and yellow, that is, one line of a color image corresponding to an image signal of each color is completed.

Next, by driving the transport motor 16 (FIG. 1) to rotate the transport roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 by a predetermined amount, the recording material 15 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving body 10. Paper feed by a specified amount (sub-scan)
Then, by repeating the same process as the previous one,
Record the color image of the column. Hereinafter, similarly, the above-described process is repeated to perform the recording on the entire area of the recording material 15.

According to the sixth embodiment described above, the same number (three) of the plurality (six) of recording heads 11 are provided.
In the forward movement in the direction of arrow A, printing is performed by three recording heads [1], [2], and [3] on the downstream side in the forward movement direction. Since the recording is performed by the three recording heads [4], [5], and [6] on the downstream side in the moving direction, the approach width X of the moving body 10 shown in FIG.
₅ , Y ₅ , that is, the distance between the recording head [1] or [4] on the upstream side in the movement direction before the start of movement and the edge on the downstream side in the movement direction of the recording material 15 can be set small. Therefore, the moving range of the moving body 10 can be reduced correspondingly, and the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

When recording is performed by reciprocating the movable body 10, half of the six recording heads 11 (3
Since the recording is performed by the recording heads, only one power supply for driving these recording heads 11 having a capacity of three recording heads is used, and is switched between forward movement and backward movement. It is configured to record. by this,
Compared with the conventional configuration in which all six recording heads are simultaneously driven to perform recording, the power source for driving the recording head 11 can be reduced in size and cost can be reduced.

In the sixth reference example shown in FIG. 8, recording was performed in the order of black, dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, and yellow. However, other ink colors or inks having different densities were combined. The recording order can be freely changed. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and can be similarly implemented in a recording apparatus of another recording method.

FIG. 9 shows different recording heads between the forward movement and the backward movement .
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a seventh reference example of the recording apparatus that performs recording by using a key. In the seventh reference example of FIG. 9 , eight recording heads 11 are mounted on a moving body 10. These recording heads 11 include a light cyan recording head [4], a dark cyan recording head [3], a light black recording head [2], a dark black recording head [1], and a dark magenta recording head from the left side in the figure. The print head [5], the light magenta print head [6], the dark yellow print head [7], and the light yellow print head [8] are arranged in this order. When the moving body 10 moves forward (moves rightward), recording is performed by the four left recording heads. When the moving body 10 moves backward (moves leftward), the four right-hand recording heads move.
It is configured to perform recording with the individual recording heads. That is, the plurality of (eight) recording heads 11 are divided into two groups each of the same number (four each), recording is performed by the left recording head group at the time of forward movement, and backward recording is performed by the right recording head group. It is configured to record time.

In FIG. 9, when recording is to be performed on the recording material 15, first, the main scanning motor 13 (FIG. 1) is driven to rotate forward to move the moving body 10 in the direction of arrow A. Four recording heads [1], [2], [3], [4] on the downstream side in the forward movement direction according to a desired image signal
By driving dark black, light black,
One line of recording is performed on the recording material 15 with dark cyan and light cyan ink.

Next, by driving the main scanning motor 13 in the reverse direction, the moving body 1 is moved along the same row as the arrow A direction.
0 in the direction of arrow B (reverse direction),
By driving the remaining four recording heads [5], [6], [7], [8] on the downstream side in the backward direction in accordance with a desired image signal, dark magenta and light magenta are obtained. The recording is performed on the recording material 15 by discharging dark yellow and light yellow inks. According to the above process, a color image in which inks are superposed in the order of dark black, light black, dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, dark yellow, and light yellow, that is, one of the color images corresponding to the image signals of each color The recording for the row ends.

Next, the recording material 15 is fed by a predetermined amount (sub-scan) by rotating the conveying roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 in FIG. 1 by a predetermined amount, and the same process as the previous time is repeated. Thereby, a color image for the next one row is recorded. Hereinafter, a color image is recorded on the entire area of the recording material 15 by repeating the above-described process.

[0060] Figure 9 by the reference example described, the recording head 11 a plurality of (eight) is divided into the same number (four) second group of increments, recording four forward movement direction downstream side at the time of forward movement Recording is performed by heads [1], [2], [3], and [4], and at the time of backward movement, four recording heads [5] on the downstream side in the backward movement direction.
Since the same column is recorded in [6], [7], and [8], the approach widths X ₆ and Y ₆ of the moving body 10 can be set small, and the moving distance of the moving body 10 is correspondingly reduced. By reducing the range, the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

Further, also in the reference example of FIG. 9, since the eight recording heads 11 are driven with a time difference of four by four, the power source for driving the recording heads 11 has a capacity for four recording heads. A single power supply is used, and recording is performed by switching between forward movement and backward movement. With such a structure, the power source for driving the recording head 11 can be reduced in size and cost can be reduced. Is possible.

In the seventh reference example shown in FIG. 9, recording was performed in the order of dark black, light black, dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, dark yellow, and light yellow. Alternatively, it is possible to freely combine inks of different densities and change the recording order. Further, the reference example of FIG. 9 can be similarly implemented in a recording apparatus other than the ink jet recording method, and the same operation and effect can be obtained.

According to each of the reference examples described above, the moving body 1
A plurality of recording heads 11 mounted on the moving body 10 are divided into two groups in the moving direction, and these two groups of recording heads are divided into a recording head for recording when the moving body 10 moves forward and a recording head for recording when moving backward. Since recording is performed for one row, the distance between the recording head located at the movement start point and the edge of the recording material 15 (the approach width of the moving body 10) can be reduced, and the movement of the moving body 10 is correspondingly reduced. By reducing the range, the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced. In particular, when the reciprocating recording is performed by dividing the plurality of recording heads 11 into the same number of recording head groups as in each of the reference examples of FIGS. It is possible to reduce the width and reduce the size and weight of the recording apparatus.

Further, since the same power supply is used as a drive source for driving the recording head 11 and the drive source can be switched between forward movement and backward movement for recording, the capacity of the power supply can be reduced. The value can be reduced to a value corresponding to the number of recording heads to be driven at the time of or at the time of return, so that the power supply can be reduced in capacity, size, price, and effective use. In particular, by employing a configuration in which a plurality of recording heads 11 are divided into two groups each having the same number to perform reciprocal recording, it is possible to achieve the most effective miniaturization, miniaturization, cost reduction, and effective utilization of the power supply. did it. Furthermore, since each color is always recorded in the same order at the time of color recording, it is possible to stabilize and improve the image quality.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are schematic perspective views illustrating a case where the recording head 11 has an asymmetrical structure. That is, these recording heads 11 have a shape in which the required space is asymmetrical with respect to the recording main scanning section (the ejection port array in the case of an ink jet recording head). FIG. 10 shows a cartridge type recording head integrated with an ink tank, FIG. 11 shows a recording head connected to an ink tank mounted on the moving body 10, and FIG. 12 shows an ink tank installed in the apparatus main body. And a recording head connected to the recording head.

In FIG. 10, a recording main scanning section (ink ejection section in the case of an ink jet recording head) 75 is formed on the front surface of the recording head 11 (the surface facing the recording material 15). This recording main scanning section 75 is
And a plurality of dot elements (ejection ports 52 in the case of an ink jet recording head) arranged in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the ink jet recording head. . Therefore, the recording head 11
Has a portion 76 having a large required space on one side and a portion 77 having a small required space on the other side with respect to the recording main scanning portion 75. That is, the recording head 1
1 indicates that the required space based on the main scanning direction is
It has a nominal shape.

The recording head 11 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12
The same applies to the case of (1), wherein the recording main scanning section 75 formed on the front surface of the recording head 11 is provided at a position deviated in the left-right direction, and a large space is required on both sides of the recording main scanning section 75 with respect to the recording main scanning section 75 76 and a small portion 77 of a necessary space exist. That is, the description of FIG. 11 and FIG.
The recording head 11 also has a required space based on the main scanning direction.
Has an asymmetric shape. In FIG. 11, the ink tank 21 mounted on the moving body 10 (FIG. 1) is shown.
Ink is supplied to the recording head 11 through an ink supply tube 78 which is relatively short, and in FIG. 12, a recording head is supplied through a relatively long flexible ink supply tube 79 from an ink tank (not shown) installed in the apparatus main body. 11 is supplied with ink. In FIG. 12,
The recording head 11 and a circuit board 81 for driving the recording head are attached via a base member 80 attached to the moving body 10 (FIG. 1).

[0068] Figure 13 is a first recording apparatus according to the present invention
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in the embodiment. In FIG. 13, four recording heads 11 are mounted on a moving body 10, and the order of ink colors used by these recording heads 11 is as follows: cyan recording head [2], black recording head [1], a magenta recording head [3], and a yellow recording head [4] are arranged in this order. The moving body 10 includes a guide rail 12
A main scanning motor 13 (FIG. 1), which is guided and supported so as to be able to reciprocate along (FIG. 1), and includes a stepping motor and the like.
, And reciprocate via a transmission mechanism such as a timing belt 14 or a lead screw (not shown).

When recording on the recording material 15, first, while the moving body (carriage) 10 is moved in the direction of arrow A from the left end position (solid line) by the forward rotation of the main scanning motor 13 (FIG. 1). Next, black and cyan are recorded by the two recording heads [1] and [2] on the downstream side in the forward movement direction. Next, the main scanning motor 13 is driven in reverse to move the moving body 1.
0 in the direction of arrow B from the right end position (dashed line)
In the meantime, the magenta and yellow inks are printed by the remaining two print heads [3] and [4] on the downstream side in the backward direction. With the above process, color printing for one row (one line) in which inks are superposed in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow is completed.

Next, the recording material 15 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving body 10 by rotating the conveying roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 by a predetermined amount by the conveying motor 16 (FIG. 1). Paper feed (sub-scanning), and a color image for the next one row is printed by the same process as the previous one. Hereinafter, by repeating the same process, color printing is performed in a desired range (for example, the entire area) of the recording material 15. As a power supply for driving the four recording heads 11, one power supply having a capacity of two recording heads is used, and recording necessary for performing forward recording and performing reverse recording is performed. It is switched to drive the head 11.

Therefore, in the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, the required space 7
A recording head (recording means) having asymmetrical shapes 6 and 77
When performing reciprocal printing using a plurality of recording heads 11, a plurality of recording heads 11 are divided into two groups in the moving direction,
The two recording heads adjacent to each other in the divided portion are arranged so that their large space portions 76 are adjacent to each other, and the two outermost left and right recording heads separated from the divided portion are separated from each other by the required space. The large portion 76 is arranged so as to be on the outside, and recording is performed in one group downstream in the forward direction during forward movement, and recording is performed in one group downstream in the backward direction during backward movement. Further, in the embodiment, as described above, a plurality of (four in FIG.
1 is divided into two groups of the same number, and a recording head used in the forward movement (two in the forward direction in FIG. 13) and a recording head used in the backward movement (two in the backward direction in FIG. 13) ) Are driven by the same power supply.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the first example described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mounting state of a plurality of recording heads in the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. In FIG. 14, four recording heads 11 are mounted on the moving body 10 (FIG. 13). These recording heads 11 have required spaces 76, 77 on the left and right with respect to the recording main scanning unit 75.
Are used (FIGS. 10 to 12). Further, the four recording heads 11 are divided into two groups of two in the moving direction (the divided portion is indicated by 85), and in the forward movement, the recording is performed by the two recording heads on the downstream side in the forward movement direction, and the backward movement is performed. Sometimes, recording is performed by two recording heads on the downstream side in the backward direction. The arrangement of the recording heads 11 on the moving body 10 is such that the two recording heads 11 adjacent to each other in the dividing section 85 are arranged such that their large spaces 76 and 76 are adjacent to each other. The two left and right outermost recording heads 11 distant from the section 85 are arranged so that the portions 76 and 76 having a large required space thereof are located outside.

According to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14, the four recording heads 11 are divided into two groups of two in the moving direction, The recording is performed by a group of recording heads [1] and [2] on the left side, and the recording is performed by a group of recording heads [3] and [4] on the downstream side in the reversing direction at the time of the backward movement in the arrow B direction. As shown in FIG. 14, the approach widths X and Y of the moving body 10 (the distance between the position of the recording head used at the time of the movement before the movement and the edge of the recording material 15 on the movement start side) are reduced, and The moving range W of the moving body 10 can be reduced,
It has become possible to reduce the size and weight of the recording device. Note that P in FIG. 14 indicates a recording width.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing, as comparative examples, various arrangement examples in which four left-right asymmetric recording heads 11 are mounted by a method other than the present invention (by a method other than the embodiment of FIG. 14). The symbol W in FIG. 15 indicates the moving range of the moving body 10 in the embodiment of FIG. It is clear from FIG. 15 that the moving range of the moving object 10 can be effectively reduced by applying the present invention.

According to the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, only two of the four recording heads 11 are driven at the time of forward movement and backward movement of the moving body 10 to perform recording. The capacity of the power supply for driving the head can be reduced to two recording heads, and the number of power supplies for driving the recording head can be reduced to one by switching the power supply according to the moving direction of the moving body 10. It became. Therefore, only one small-capacity power supply can be used, and it is possible to reduce the size, cost, and effective use of the power supply for driving the recording head. Furthermore, since the recording order of each color at the time of color recording is always the same, it is possible to perform recording with stable and good image quality.

In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, printing is performed in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. However, other ink colors or inks having different densities may be combined or the printing order may be changed. Can be done freely. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and can be similarly implemented in a recording apparatus of another recording method.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the mounting state of a plurality of print heads in a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 16 shows a case where two recording heads 11 are used. In FIG. 16, the moving body 10 (FIG. 13)
On the upper side, two recording heads 11 are mounted, and these recording heads 11 have different shapes in required left and right spaces 76 and 77 with reference to the recording main scanning section 75 (FIGS. 10 to 12). Is used. Further, the two recording heads 11 are divided into two groups one by one in the moving direction (the divided portion is indicated by 85), and the recording is performed by the recording head on the downstream side in the forward direction in the forward movement, and the reverse movement is performed in the backward movement. Recording is performed by the recording head on the downstream side in the direction. The arrangement of the two recording heads 11 on the moving body 10 is set such that the large portions 76 of the recording heads 11 are adjacent to each other.

As described above, when recording is performed on the recording material 15, recording is performed by the recording head (left side in the drawing) on the downstream side in the forward movement direction when the moving body 10 moves forward, and reverse movement is performed when moving backward. The recording is performed by a recording head (right side in the figure) on the downstream side in the direction. Further, a power supply having a capacity of one print head is used as a power supply for driving the print head, and is configured to switch between forward movement and backward movement.

According to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the two recording heads 11 are divided into two groups one by one in the moving direction, and during reciprocal recording, recording is performed by the recording heads on the downstream side in the moving direction. 13 and 14, the approach widths X and Y of the moving body 10 can be reduced, and the moving range W of the moving body 10 can be reduced. It has become possible to achieve. Note that P in FIG. 9 indicates the recording width.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing, as comparative examples, various arrangements in which two left-right asymmetric recording heads 11 are mounted by a method other than the present invention (by a method other than the embodiment of FIG. 16). The symbol W in FIG. 17 indicates the moving range of the moving body 10 in the embodiment of FIG. It is clear from FIG. 17 that the moving range of the moving body 10 can be effectively reduced by applying the present invention. Also, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, since only one drive is driven at the time of forward movement and backward movement to perform recording, the capacity of the power supply for driving the print head can be reduced to one print head. , Moving object 10
By switching the power supply according to the moving direction of the recording head, it is possible to use only one small-capacity power supply, and it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the power supply for driving the recording head.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the ink colors and the ink densities used in the recording heads 11 and the combinations thereof can be freely selected, and the recording order of the inks can be freely set. it can. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and can be similarly implemented in a recording apparatus of another recording method.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a third example of the state of mounting a plurality of recording heads in a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
It is a schematic diagram which shows an Example. FIGS. 18 and 19 show a case where six recording heads 11 are mounted on the moving body 10.
The ink colors used in these recording heads 11 include, from the left side in the figure, a light cyan recording head, a dark cyan recording head, a black recording head, a dark magenta recording head, a light magenta recording head, and a yellow recording head. They are arranged in order. The moving body 10 is guided and supported so as to be able to reciprocate along a guide rail 12 (FIG. 1), and a timing belt 14 or a lead screw (not shown) or the like is driven by a main scanning motor 13 (FIG. 1) including a stepping motor or the like. It is reciprocated via the transmission mechanism.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, each recording head 11 has portions 76 and 77 having different required space sizes on both sides with respect to the recording main scanning section 75.
The plurality (four or more, six in the illustrated example) of the recording heads 11 are divided into two groups (three each) of the same number (three) of recording heads, and are adjacent to each other by the division part 85. The two recording heads are arranged so that their large space portions 76 and 76 are adjacent to each other, and the two left and right outermost recording heads apart from the split portion 85 are large and large space portions 76 and 76 respectively. 76 are arranged outside.

When recording on the recording material 15, first, the moving body (carriage) 10 is moved in the direction of arrow A (rightward) from the left end position by forward rotation of the main scanning motor 13 (FIG. 1). In the meantime, one line (one column) of black, dark cyan, and light cyan ink is printed by three print heads on the downstream side in the moving direction. Next, while the main scanning motor 13 is driven in the reverse direction to move the moving body 10 from the right end position in the direction of arrow B (left direction) along the same row as the direction of arrow A, the remaining recording head, the backward movement, is moved. Using the three print heads on the downstream side in the direction, printing is performed in the same row (line) as above using dark magenta, light magenta, and yellow. With the above process, recording of a color image superimposed in the order of black, dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, and yellow, that is, one line of a color image corresponding to an image signal of each color is completed.

Next, the conveying motor 16 (FIG. 1) is driven to rotate the conveying roller pair 17 and the holding roller pair 18 by a predetermined amount, thereby feeding the recording material 15 by a predetermined amount (sub-scan). Then, the next one column of color image is recorded in the same process as the previous one. By repeating the above-described process in the same manner, color printing is performed in a desired range (for example, the entire area) of the recording material 15. A single power supply having a capacity of three recording heads is used as a power supply for driving the recording head 11, and the recording head 11 required for forward recording and reverse recording is required. The power supply is switched to drive the power supply.

According to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the recording head 1 having portions 76 and 77 having different required space sizes on both sides with respect to the recording main scanning portion 75.
4 are used (six in the example shown), and these recording heads 11 are divided into two groups of the same number (three in the example shown) in the moving direction. The recording heads 76, 7
6 are arranged adjacent to each other, and two left and right outermost recording heads separated from the dividing portion 85 are arranged such that their large portions 76 and 76 are located outside.
At the time of recording, recording is performed by a group of recording heads on the downstream side in the forward direction in the forward movement in the direction of arrow A, and recording is performed by a group of recording heads on the downstream side in the backward direction in the backward movement in the direction of arrow B. ing.

According to such a configuration, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG.
(The distance between the position of the recording head used at the time of the movement before the movement is started and the edge of the recording material 15 on the movement start side) can be reduced, and the movement range W of the moving body 10 can be reduced. It has become possible to reduce the size and weight of the device. Further, since the recording of each color is always performed in the same order at the time of color recording, it was possible to perform recording with stable and good image quality. Note that P in FIGS. 18 and 19 indicates a recording width.

FIG. 20 compares various arrangement examples in which six (four or more) asymmetrical recording heads 11 are mounted by a method other than the present invention (by a method other than the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19). It is a schematic diagram shown as an example. Reference symbol W in FIG. 20 indicates the moving range of the moving body 10 in the embodiment of FIGS. It is clear from FIG. 20 that the moving range of the moving body 10 can be effectively reduced by applying the present invention.

Also, in this embodiment, only three (half) of the six (plural) recording heads 11 are driven during the forward movement and the backward movement to perform recording. The capacity of the power supply can be reduced to three printheads (half the number), and the number of power supplies for driving the printhead can be reduced to one by switching the power supply according to the moving direction of the moving body 10. It has become possible. Therefore, only one small-capacity power supply can be used, and it is possible to reduce the size, cost, and effective use of the power supply for driving the recording head.

In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, recording was performed in the order of black, dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, and yellow.
It is possible to freely combine other ink colors or inks of different densities and change the recording order. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and can be similarly implemented in a recording apparatus of another recording method.

Further, in the case of a recording apparatus which performs reciprocal recording using three recording heads 11 whose required space is asymmetrical with respect to the recording main scanning section 75, the number of recording heads is reduced to one. Dividing into two groups, the dividing unit 85
The two recording heads adjacent to each other are arranged such that their large space portions 76 are adjacent to each other. Further, one recording head far from the dividing portion 85 is arranged such that the large space portion 76 is located outside. The recording is performed by a recording head downstream of the dividing section 85 in the forward direction during the forward movement, and is recorded by a recording head downstream of the dividing section 85 in the backward direction during the backward movement. The present invention also includes such a configuration, and the same effects as in the above-described embodiments can be obtained by such a configuration.

In each of the embodiments described above, the case where the recording head group is constituted by a plurality of independent recording heads 11 has been described. However, it is sufficient that the recording head group is present, for example, one orifice plate. Alternatively, a recording head group in a form in which all the recording head portions or a plurality of recording head portions are formed and integrated.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 21, image data 61 composed of R, G, and B is converted into Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
(Cyan) and B (black) image information of each color, and the separated information of each color is temporarily stored in each memory 63.
Y, 63M, 63C, 63B. The control circuit 64 controls these memories 63Y, 63M, 63C, 6
The two head drivers 65A and 65B are controlled based on the color information taken into 3B. In the illustrated example, the head driver 65A has black [1] and cyan [2].
And the head driver 65B drives the magenta [3] and yellow [4].
Is configured to drive the recording operation at the time of the backward movement by the recording head.

The control circuit 64 is provided with a forward movement detecting device for detecting the rotation direction of a moving body (carriage) drive motor (not shown).
Based on the reciprocating motion information from the rebound detection sensor 66, the head driver 65A switches between the recording operation at the time of the forward motion and the head driver 65B to control the recording operation at the time of the reciprocation. Further, the control circuit 64 determines whether image recording (multi-color recording) or character recording (monochromatic recording) is to be performed by the mode conversion switch, and controls the necessary operation of the recording head based on this. Has become. In this way, when the recording heads 11 move forward and backward, the recording is performed on the recording material 15 by a predetermined recording head in a dot pattern based on the information of the corresponding color.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a wire dot recording apparatus, a laser beam recording apparatus, a thermal transfer recording apparatus, and a thermosensitive recording apparatus. The present invention can be applied to various printing apparatuses irrespective of the printing method of a printing unit (print head) such as a type printing apparatus, and can achieve the same operation and effect.

The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus using two or more recording means, a recording apparatus for color recording for recording in different colors, and a gradation recording for recording in the same color with different densities. The present invention can be applied to various recording apparatuses such as a recording apparatus for recording or a recording apparatus in which these are combined, and can achieve the same function and effect. Further, as the recording means, besides a cartridge type in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, a recording means and an ink in which the recording head and the ink tank are separated and connected by an ink supply tube, and the like. Regardless of the configuration of the tank, the same can be applied and the same effect can be achieved.

When the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, it can be applied to, for example, an apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means of a method of discharging ink using energy.
According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, this is done using the basic principles disclosed in US Pat. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which Then, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head). As a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the driving signal. It is effective.

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, US Pat.
Those described in 463359 and 4345262 are suitable. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,431,131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head is not limited to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above specification. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, the 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 material (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 with the serial type printer as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the main unit or attached to the main unit enables electrical connection with the main unit and supply of ink from the main unit. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type print head or a cartridge type print head having an ink tank provided integrally with the print head itself is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
For the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a discharge other than recording. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for performing stable printing.

The types and the number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only one provided for a single color ink but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. May be provided in plurality. That is, for example, as the recording mode of the recording apparatus, not only the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black,
The recording head may be formed integrally or by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of multiple colors of different colors or full color by mixing colors.

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, or an ink jet ink is used. In general, in the method, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted 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. What is necessary is just to be liquid. in addition,
Whether 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 use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy, such as one that starts to solidify when it reaches a recording medium, is used.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a form in which the liquid sheet or the solid sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It may be. 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, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader and the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0107]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main scanning section for reciprocating the recording means in the main scanning direction, and the recording means is provided with reference to the main scanning direction. In a recording apparatus that performs recording during reciprocating movement by the main scanning unit, using a plurality of recording units including four or more recording units including a recording unit whose required space is asymmetrical, the plurality of recording units are divided into two groups. At the same time, the two recording means adjacent to each other in the divided portion are arranged so that the portions having a large required space thereof are adjacent to each other. The main scanning unit is arranged so that the portion is located outside, and is recorded using a group of recording means on the downstream side in the forward direction during the forward movement by the main scanning unit. of When recording is performed during reciprocating movement using a plurality of recording means including a recording means having a shape in which the required space with respect to the main scanning direction is asymmetric, the recording is performed using the recording means. By reducing the approach width and moving range, the size and weight of the apparatus can be reduced, and the capacity of the power supply for driving the recording means can be reduced, and the power supply can be reduced in size and cost. A recording device that can be achieved is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main scanning section for reciprocating the recording means in the main scanning direction.
In a printing apparatus for performing printing during reciprocating movement by the main scanning unit, the printing apparatus uses three printing units including a printing unit having a shape in which a required space with respect to the main scanning direction is asymmetrical in the left-right direction. Is divided into two groups, and two recording means adjacent to each other in the dividing part are arranged so that their large space is adjacent to each other, and one recording means apart from the dividing part is required. The main scanning unit is arranged so that a large portion of the space is on the outside, and is recorded by using a group of recording means on the downstream side in the forward direction in the forward movement by the main scanning unit, and is downstream in the backward direction in the backward movement by the main scanning unit. Since the recording is performed using a group of recording means on the side, recording is performed during reciprocating movement using a plurality of recording means including a recording means having a shape in which the required space with respect to the main scanning direction is asymmetrical in the left-right direction. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus by reducing the approach width at the time of movement and reducing the movement range, and furthermore, the power supply capacity for driving the recording means can be reduced, and the power supply can be reduced in size. A recording device capable of achieving the cost reduction and cost reduction is provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main scanning section for reciprocating the recording means in the main scanning direction.
In a printing apparatus that performs printing during reciprocation by the main scanning unit, the printing apparatus uses two printing units each having a left-right asymmetric shape in a required space with respect to the main scanning direction. And arranging them in such a way that their large spaces are adjacent to each other in the dividing section, and recording by the recording means on the downstream side in the forward direction in the forward movement by the main scanning section, Since the recording is performed by the recording means on the downstream side in the reversing direction at the time of the backward movement by the unit, the reciprocating movement is performed by using a plurality of recording means including a recording means having a shape in which the required space with respect to the main scanning direction is asymmetrical left and right When performing recording, the approach width at the time of movement is reduced and the moving range is reduced, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, the power capacity for driving the recording means is reduced. Can fence, the power source size and cost can be recording apparatus that achieved is provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, the recording means used in the forward movement and the recording means used in the backward movement are driven by the same power supply. Therefore, when performing recording during reciprocating movement using a plurality of recording means including a recording means with an asymmetrical shape of the required space based on the main scanning direction, the approach width during movement is reduced and the movement range is reduced. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus, and furthermore, it is possible to reduce the power supply capacity for driving the recording means more efficiently, and to achieve the downsizing and cost reduction of the power supply. A recording device is provided.

According to the invention of claims 5 to 7, in addition to the constitution of any one of claims 1 to 4, the recording means is an ink jet recording means for performing recording by discharging ink. The recording means includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink, or the recording means has a discharge port, and the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter is provided. Since the ink is ejected from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink, the required space based on the main scanning direction has a required space. When recording during reciprocating movement,
The device can be made smaller and lighter by reducing the approach width and the range of movement when moving, and the power supply capacity for driving the recording means can be reduced. A recording device capable of achieving cost reduction is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration of a recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an example typically.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an ink ejection unit of a recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a case where different recording means are used for forward movement and backward movement .
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a recording operation in a first reference example of a recording device for recording .

FIG. 4 uses different recording heads for forward movement and backward movement .
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a second reference example of the recording apparatus for recording .

FIG. 5 uses different recording heads for forward movement and backward movement .
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a third reference example of the recording apparatus for recording .

FIG. 6 shows a case where different recording heads are used for forward movement and backward movement .
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a fourth reference example of the recording apparatus for recording .

FIG. 7 uses different recording heads for forward movement and backward movement .
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a fifth reference example of the recording apparatus for recording .

FIG. 8 uses different recording heads for forward movement and backward movement .
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a sixth reference example of the recording apparatus for recording .

FIG. 9 uses different recording heads for forward movement and backward movement .
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording operation in a seventh reference example of the recording apparatus for recording .

FIG. 10 shows that the required space is left and right with respect to the main scanning direction .
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a recording unit having an asymmetric shape .

FIG. 11 shows that the required space is left and right with respect to the main scanning direction .
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the recording unit having an asymmetric shape .

FIG. 12 shows that the required space is left and right with respect to the main scanning direction .
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing still another example of the configuration of the recording unit having an asymmetric shape .

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a recording operation in the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an attached state and operation of four recording units in the first embodiment of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the mounting state and operation of a plurality of recording means in a recording apparatus to which the present invention is not applied, in comparison with the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an attachment state and operation of two recording units in a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an attached state and operation of two recording units in a recording apparatus to which the present invention is not applied, in comparison with the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the mounting state and operation of a plurality of recording means in a third embodiment of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing another attachment state and operation of a plurality of recording means in a third embodiment of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

20 and FIG. 1 show the mounting state and operation of a plurality of recording means in a recording apparatus to which the present invention is not applied.
It is a schematic diagram shown in comparison with the Example of Example 9.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system in an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Moving body 11 Recording means (recording head) 12 Guide rail 13 Main scanning motor 14 Timing belt 15 Recording material 16 Transport motor 17 Transport roller 18 Holding roller 21 Ink tank 51 Discharge port formation surface 52 Discharge port 55 Electrothermal converter 75 Recording main scanning section 76 Large space required area 77 Small space required area 78 Ink supply tube 79 Ink supply tube 85 Dividing section A Arrow indicating moving direction of moving body B Arrow indicating moving direction of moving body W Moving body Movement range of X Moving width of moving body (at forward movement) Y Moving width of moving body (at backward movement)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Fukui 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masafumi Watani 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Shigeru Yoshimura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-63-303772 (JP, A) JP-A-3-227677 (JP) , A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 19/18 B41J 3/54

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording apparatus comprising: a main scanning unit for reciprocating a recording unit in a main scanning direction; and four or more recording units including a recording unit whose required space based on the main scanning direction is asymmetrical in the left-right direction. In a printing apparatus that performs printing during reciprocating movement by the main scanning unit using a plurality of printing units, the printing unit divides the plurality of printing units into two groups, and separates two printing units adjacent to each other in the division unit into necessary groups. The large-space portions are arranged adjacent to each other, and the left and right outermost recording means separated from the divided portion are arranged so that those large-space portions are located outside, and the main scanning unit moves forward and backward. A recording apparatus, wherein the recording is sometimes performed using a group of recording units on the downstream side in the forward movement direction, and is also performed using the group of recording units on the downstream side in the backward movement direction when the main scanning unit moves backward. 2. A recording apparatus comprising: a main scanning unit for reciprocating a recording unit in a main scanning direction; and three recording units each including a recording unit having a required asymmetric space with respect to the main scanning direction. Means for performing recording during reciprocation by the main scanning unit, wherein the three recording units are divided into two groups, and two adjacent recording units are divided into two groups by a dividing unit. A large recording area is arranged so as to be adjacent, and one recording unit distant from the division section is arranged such that a large area of the required space is outside, and the main scanning section moves in the forward direction. A recording apparatus which performs recording using a group of recording units on the downstream side, and performs recording using a group of recording units on the downstream side in the reversing direction when the main scanning unit moves backward. 3. A printing apparatus, comprising: a main scanning unit for reciprocating a recording unit in a main scanning direction; and two recording units having a shape in which a required space with respect to the main scanning direction is bilaterally asymmetric. In a printing apparatus for performing printing during a reciprocating movement by the main scanning unit, the two printing units are divided into two groups one by one, and the divided portions are arranged so that portions having a large required space are adjacent to each other. A recording apparatus, wherein the recording is performed by the recording means on the downstream side in the forward direction in the forward movement by the main scanning unit, and is recorded by the recording means on the downstream side in the backward direction in the backward movement by the main scanning unit. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means used in the forward movement and the recording means used in the backward movement are driven by the same power supply. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit that performs recording by discharging ink. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said recording means includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means has a discharge port, and discharges the ink from the discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. Item 7. The recording device according to Item 6.