JP3029515B2 - INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING INK JET RECORDINGS - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus using a liquid jet recording head for jetting a liquid such as ink, and a method for manufacturing a recorded matter using the ink jet recording apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs continuous recording on a long recording medium having a large recording width, such as cloth, for a long time, and a method for manufacturing a recorded matter using the recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a serial type image forming apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) using an ink jet recording method has been commercialized. These have multiple outlets (nozzles)
And an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets from each of them. While the recording head is serially scanned in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium (sub-scanning direction), that is, in the main scanning direction, the recording head responds to a recording signal. The recording is performed by discharging ink onto a recording medium. During non-printing, the print medium is intermittently conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by a feed amount equal to the print width. As the recording medium, paper, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, OHP (overhead projector) film, and the like are used. Further, by using a recording head having a large number of ejection ports formed linearly in a direction perpendicular to the relative movement direction (main scanning direction) between the recording medium and the recording head, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, the recording head and the recording head are formed. Since printing can be performed over an area having a width corresponding to the number of ejection ports by simply scanning (scanning) the medium once in the main scanning direction, printing can be performed relatively easily at high speed. .

In recent years, three to four colors (for example, three
A recording device which has a recording head corresponding to each of the primary colors and black as needed) has been put to practical use so that an image can be formed in full color. Such a full-color recording apparatus can be easily formed in a large format (for example, JIS A
A1 color image forming apparatus (color copier) for copying an original in combination with an image reader that reads an image is also commercially available because it is capable of recording (1st version). By the way, as a method of forming an image on a cloth, a printing method has been conventionally known. As a typical printing method, there is a silk-screen printing method of directly printing on a cloth or the like using a silk-screen printing plate. The silk-screen printing method is used for an original image to be printed. This is a method in which a screen plate is prepared for each color, and the ink is directly transferred to a fabric through a silk screen to perform dyeing.
However, such a silk screen printing method requires a great deal of man-hours and days to produce a screen plate, and also requires operations such as preparation of inks of each color required for printing and alignment of the screen plate. Furthermore, the size of the device is large, the size is increased in proportion to the number of colors used, and an installation space is required, and a space for storing a screen version is also required.

If an image can be directly formed on a cloth or the like by applying an ink jet recording method instead of such a conventional printing method, the above-described problems unique to the conventional printing method can be solved. It is expected that an image can be formed directly from digital data.

[0005]

The ink jet recording method has been put to practical use mainly when paper is used as a recording medium. When this inkjet recording method is applied to fabrics, particularly those having a large recording width and a long length, some problems remain to be solved as compared with the case where recording is performed on conventional paper. I have. That is, when recording on a fabric, for example, a recording width of 1 m or more and a length of several hundred m or more are targeted, and the apparatus is operated under conditions such as continuous 24 hours. Further, it is desired that the recording speed, that is, the recordable area per unit time is sufficiently large. In such an ink jet recording apparatus that is operated continuously at a high recording speed for a long time, it is important to maintain the recording head at a predetermined temperature in order to keep the viscosity of the ink constant. For this reason, it is conceivable that a heat generating means for heating the print head portion and a cooling means for cooling the print head portion are provided for each print head. Examples of the cooling means include a blower and a fan. Then, in order to achieve full color, the recording heads corresponding to the respective colors are arranged in the main scanning direction and mounted on the head holder. In the case where the recording heads are arranged in this manner, the interval between the recording heads is generally small, so that it is difficult to provide a large-diameter fan or blower for each recording head in a normal arrangement.

Further, in order to enlarge the printable width in one main scanning, the above-mentioned head holders may be stacked in two or more layers in the sub-scanning direction, and recording may be performed simultaneously from these head holders. Can be When the head holders are stacked in this manner, there is a problem that it is difficult to provide a cooling means such as a blower or a fan between the head holders. In addition, there is a problem that the cooling unit and the recording head interfere with each other, making it difficult to remove and replace the recording head from the head holder. The purpose of the present invention is
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which solves each of the above problems and efficiently cools a recording head, and a method for manufacturing a recorded matter using the ink jet recording apparatus.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ink jet recording apparatus uses a recording head which forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink, and a relative position of the recording head with the recording head facing the recording medium. In the ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image on the recording medium by changing the
A head holder for mounting the plurality of recording heads, an air flow generating means for generating a cooling air flow for each recording head, and directing an air flow from the air flow generating means to the corresponding recording head Air flow directing means, wherein each air flow generating means is attached to the head holder in a staggered arrangement. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an ink jet recorded matter, wherein a recording head is used to form an image on a recording medium by discharging ink, and the relative position is changed while the recording head is opposed to the recording medium. In a method for manufacturing an ink jet recorded matter for forming an image on a medium, a plurality of the recording heads are mounted on a head holder,
Air flow generating means for generating a cooling air flow for each recording head is attached to the head holder in a staggered grid arrangement,
During recording, the recording head is cooled by the air flow.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus.
Multiple exchanges that eject ink to form images on recording media
The possible recording head is disposed in parallel using an ink jet recording apparatus which forms an image on the recording medium the plurality of <br/> recording head while facing changing the relative position on the recording medium, a head holder for mounting a plurality of said recording head, said Heddohoru da, for each recording head, the air flow generating means for generating an air flow for cooling, the air flow from the air flow generating means A guide path leading to the corresponding recording head is provided inside, and airflow is
And a column-shaped airflow guiding means provided with a nozzle for discharging air.
Between adjacent printheads of multiple printheads arranged in
Of the nozzle to be cooled corresponding to the relevant nozzle.
It opens to the recording head side . According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an inkjet recorded matter, wherein a plurality of exchangeable recording heads for forming an image on a recording medium by discharging ink are arranged in parallel.
In a method of manufacturing an ink-jet recorded material in which an image is formed on the recording medium by changing the relative position of the plurality of recording heads while facing the recording medium, cooling is performed for each recording head. and air flow generating means for generating an air flow of use, the air flow from the air flow generating means
A guide path for guiding to the corresponding recording head is provided inside.
Columnar air with nozzles at the end for releasing airflow
Flow guiding means , wherein the nozzles are arranged in parallel with each other.
In the gap between adjacent print heads
Position and cool the nozzle opening correspondingly
Is opposed to the recording head side to be, at the time of recording, the air flow from the air flow generation means through said air flow inducing means to induce to the recording head side pairs from an opening of the nozzle
The recording head is cooled by discharging the recording head toward the opposite recording head .

[0009]

[0010]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the arrangement of the air flow generating means such as the cooling fan for each of the plurality of recording heads mounted on the head holder is formed in a staggered pattern, so that each of the head holders has Even when the arrangement interval of the recording heads is narrow, it is possible to provide a cooling fan having a diameter larger than the arrangement interval. For this reason, it is possible to use a large-diameter cooling fan, so that the recording head can be efficiently cooled even when recording is performed at high speed or for a long time, and the reliability of recording can be improved. become able to. In the third and fourth inventions, since the air flow generating means and the air flow directing means are connected by a duct and the air flow is sent to the recording head side by the duct, the head holders are stacked in multiple stages. Even with this configuration, the recording head can be effectively cooled. Even when printing is performed at high speed or for a long time, the print head can be efficiently cooled, and the reliability of printing can be improved.

[0011] Examples of recording media used in these inventions, mention may be made of fabric, in particular woven fabric. Here, the fabric refers to any woven fabric, non-woven fabric and other fabrics regardless of the material, weaving method or knitting method. The recording head is a recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and is an inkjet recording head that includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink, and in particular, the thermal energy converter. A recording head that causes a state change in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the above and causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port based on the state change is preferably used.

[0012]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This ink jet recording apparatus uses, for example, a long cloth having a width of 1 m or more as a recording material (recording medium) 130, and discharges ink droplets onto the recording material 130 in response to a recording signal to thereby form a recording medium. This is for forming an image on the recording material 130 and continuously producing a large-sized recorded matter. The printing apparatus main body 101 is provided with four scanning rails 190 parallel to the width direction of the recording material 130. The head carriage 10 reciprocates (scans) in the illustrated arrow P direction, that is, in the horizontal width direction of the recording material, by a driving unit (not shown).
2. Similarly, an ink supply carriage 103 that reciprocates in the direction of arrow P in the figure is provided. Head carriage 1
Numeral 02 is for holding a plurality of ink jet recording heads as will be described later.
The recording head and the recording material 130 are placed on two scanning rails of the recording medium 90 on the recording material 130 side so as to be close to each other. On the other hand, the ink supply carriage 103
Is for supplying ink to the ink jet recording heads held by the head carriage 102. Inside the sub ink tanks (not shown) are provided corresponding to the respective ink jet recording heads. I have. The head carriage 102 and the ink supply carriage 103 are connected by a coupling member (not shown), and an ink conduit (not shown) for connecting these carriages is provided. To the ink supply carriage 102
Is to move with it.

At the end of the scanning range of the head carriage 102, a recording head recovery device 104 is provided.
The recovery device 104 includes a cap unit 105 for capping the recording head to prevent evaporation of the ink solvent from the recording head during non-recording, a cap driving unit that is a driving source for the capping unit 105 to perform a capping operation, and a recording device. Head wiping unit 1 for wiping the surface of the head
07. The recording material 130 holds a platen 131, and the platen 131 is
By driving in the direction (longitudinal direction of the recording material 130), the recording material 130 is also conveyed in the R direction in the figure. In FIG. 1, the shaded portions indicate the areas where printing has already been performed. In this embodiment, since the recording head has a two-tiered configuration as described later, in the middle of printing, a band-shaped area corresponding to each of the recording heads is a printed area.

Next, the configuration of the recording head will be described. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the head carriage 102, FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the head holder, FIG. 4 is a top view of the head holder, FIG. 5 is a front view of the head carriage, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining opening and closing of the upper cover of the head holder. The recording head 201 by the inkjet recording method has four head holders 2 each.
02, and the head holder 202 is
It is stored in the head carriage 102 so as to be detachable in stages. Each of the recording heads 201 has a large number of fine ejection ports 240 which are linearly arranged in the vertical direction.
1 and a common liquid chamber (not shown) provided in
This is a configuration in which a liquid path (not shown) that communicates with is provided. Each liquid path is provided with an electrothermal converter for applying thermal energy to the ink in accordance with the recording signal. When the electrothermal transducer is energized, the ink in the corresponding liquid path foams, and the ink droplets are ejected and fly from the corresponding ejection port 240 by the energy of the foaming.

The four print heads 201 provided on each head holder 202 are for discharging inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, respectively, and these four inks are used as print signals. Accordingly, a full-color image is formed on the recording material 130 by discharging the recording material 130 onto the recording material 130. Here, the head holder 2
02 will be described in detail. Head holder 20
2 is provided with a positioning shaft 205 on each side surface thereof.
It is designed to be able to engage with engagement members 191 and 192 with spring on the 02 side. With this configuration,
The head holder 202 can be attached to and detached from the head carriage 102 as needed from the side other than the recording material 130 side.

Each recording head 201 has a head holder 20
2 is attached to the front side. An ink circulation pipe 210 for supplying ink to the recording head 201 and collecting ink from the recording head 201 is provided, and a pair of connectors 211 and 2 are provided in the middle of the ink circulation pipe 210.
12 are attached. A printed board 213 for exchanging electric signals with the printing apparatus main body is provided.
Is connected via a connector 215. Further, a thermistor 220 for heating the entire print head 201 and the ink in the print head 201 to a predetermined temperature is provided by the print head 201.
It is attached to the side of. The wiring 221 to the thermistor 220 is connected to the printer board 21 via the connector 222.
3 is connected. The pair of connectors 21
Holder 216 for holding 1,212 in an engaged state
, And two levers 217 and 218 for operating the presser fitting 216. Recording head 201
Are a pair of connectors 211 and 212 and a printed circuit board 2
By detaching the connectors 215 and 216 on the head 13, the connectors 215 and 216 can be removed from the head holder 202.

The upper cover 230 of the head holder 202 is rotated by the pin member 231 attached to the upper part of the side surface of the head holder 202 and in the vicinity of the back side (the side where the recording head 201 is not provided). Mounted freely. Therefore, this upper lid 23
Reference numeral 0 indicates that the head holder 202 is opened upward in the arrow X direction from the front side with the back side of the head holder 202 as a central axis. By opening the upper lid 230, the recording head 201 can be easily replaced. Four cooling fans 232 corresponding to each of the recording heads 201 are attached to the upper lid 230. The mounting position of the cooling fan 232 on the upper cover 230 is on the rear side of the head holder 202, that is, on a portion other than the recording head 201 side, and the four cooling fans 232 are arranged in a staggered pattern. That is, each cooling fan 232 is arranged on a plane substantially parallel to the back surface of the head holder 202 with the upper lid 230 closed. At this time, the intake side of each cooling fan 232 faces the outside of the head holder 202.

The upper lid 230 is provided with four ducts 233 for connecting the respective cooling fans 232 to the corresponding recording heads 201, respectively. This duct 233 is
The nozzles 234 that are parallel to each other and are directed toward the corresponding print head 201 are provided at the tips on the print head 201 side.
Is attached. This nozzle is connected to the cooling fan 23
This is for supplying the airflow from the nozzle 3 in a concentrated manner to the recording head 201, in particular, in the vicinity of the thermistor 220, which is a heating unit. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the recording head 201 is obtained by measuring the resistance value of the thermistor 220. Then, the recording head 201
So that the temperature of the recording head 20 is maintained at a predetermined temperature.
The amount of power supply to the thermistor 220 and the cooling fan 23
2 is controlled.

In this embodiment, since the cooling fans are arranged in a staggered lattice pattern, even if the spacing between the recording heads in each head holder is narrow, the cooling fans having a diameter larger than the spacing are provided. Can be provided.
For this reason, it is possible to use a large-diameter cooling fan, so that the recording head can be efficiently cooled even when recording is performed at high speed or for a long time, and the reliability of recording can be improved. it can. Since a cooling fan is provided on the back side of the head holder and air is sent to the recording head side by a duct, the head holder is stacked in multiple stages, that is, when the recording head is stacked in the transport direction of the recording material. Even if it does, the cooling of the recording head can be performed effectively. Further, since the cooling fan is provided on the back side, warm air around the recording head is not sucked into the cooling fan, and it is possible to blow external fresh air onto the recording head. Since the cooling fan and the duct are attached to the upper lid of the head holder so that the upper lid can be opened and closed, the recording head can be replaced from the head holder without being disturbed by the cooling fan and the duct.

Next, a method for producing a recorded matter by the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described. First, one end of the long recording material 130 is held on the platen 131, and a predetermined recording start position on the recording material 130 is set to a position facing the recording head 201. Then, the head carriage 102 is scanned once in the direction of arrow P in the figure, and while scanning, ink is ejected from each of the recording heads 201 in accordance with a recording signal to form an image on a band-shaped area on the recording material 130. Then, the head carriage 102 is returned to a position facing the recovery device 104 to perform the recovery operation of each recording head 201, and the recording material 130 is moved one step in the R direction in the drawing by the platen 131 (the recording head 201).
(The length corresponding to one recording width) is scanned by the head carriage 102 as described above. By repeating this, an image is formed on the entire long recording material. At this time, each recording head 201
The airflow from the cooling fan 232 and the heat generated by the thermistor 220 are individually controlled to maintain a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, the recording head 201 and the ink inside the recording head 201 are maintained at an optimum temperature, and a high-quality image can be formed on the recording material 130. here,
Performing temperature control for each print head 201 is because the amount of ink ejected from each print head 201 differs according to the content of the image to be formed, and the amount of heat generated due to ink ejection differs, so that control is performed collectively. This is because the temperature variation among the recording heads 210 increases when the process is performed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the case where the number of recording heads per stage is four. When recording an image on fabric or the like, in order to further improve the image quality, in addition to the three primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow) + black ink, it is possible to use inks of other colors called special colors in combination. Done. When special color ink is used, the number of recording heads per stage exceeds four, for example, eight. One object of the present invention is to secure a space for disposing cooling means such as a cooling fan. Therefore, the present invention is particularly effective when the number of recording heads per stage is four or more, for example, eight. . The present invention forms flying droplets by using thermal energy, particularly in an ink jet recording system,
The present invention brings about an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus of an ink jet recording system for performing recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
No. 796, and the present invention is preferably performed using these basic principles. This recording method can be applied to both on-demand type and continuous type. The recording method will be briefly described. A nucleate boiling phenomenon occurs in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the recording information in the electrothermal transducer disposed in correspondence with the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal for providing a rapid temperature rise that causes a film boiling phenomenon, heat energy is generated, and film boiling is caused on the heat-acting surface of the recording head. As described above, since bubbles corresponding to the drive signal applied to the electrothermal converter from the liquid (ink) can be formed one-to-one, it is particularly effective for an on-demand type recording method. Due to the growth and contraction of this bubble, the liquid (ink)
To form at least one droplet. When this drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be obtained.
Discharge can be achieved, which is more preferable. US Pat. No. 4,463,359 discloses a driving signal in the form of a pulse.
The one described in the specification of US Pat. No. 4,345,262 is suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head is a combination of a discharge hole, a liquid flow path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. In addition, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, those having a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bent region are also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge hole of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective in a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which is adapted to a discharge unit. Further, as a recording head in which the present invention is effectively used, there is a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. The full line head may be a full line configuration by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification, or may be a single full line recording head formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a chip type which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided in a fixed manner is used. Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the recording apparatus of the present invention because the recording apparatus of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, a capping unit, a cleaning unit,
It is also possible to add a pressurizing or sucking unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination thereof, and a unit that performs a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection different from recording. It is effective to do.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a mode for recording only the mainstream color such as black, and may be a mode in which a recording head is integrally formed or a plurality of recording heads are combined. However, the present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of multiple colors of different colors or full color by mixing colors. In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the description is made using the liquid ink. However, in the present invention, it is possible to use an ink that is solid at room temperature or an ink that is in a softened state at room temperature. it can. In general, in the above-described ink jet device, 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. It is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state.

In addition, it is possible to positively prevent excessive temperature rise of the head or the ink due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink. For example, an ink that solidifies in a standing state may be used. In any case, the ink is liquefied for the first time by the application of heat energy, such as one in which the ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal, or one which already starts to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The use of an ink having the following properties is also applicable to the present invention. Such an ink, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, is held as a liquid or solid in a concave portion or through hole of a porous sheet, It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer.

In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method. Next, the fabric for inkjet printing will be described. (1) The ink can be colored to a sufficient concentration, (2) the ink dyeing rate is high, (3) the ink dries quickly on the cloth, (4) Performances such as low occurrence of irregular ink bleeding on the cloth and (5) excellent transportability in the apparatus are required. In order to satisfy these required performances, the cloth can be pre-treated beforehand as necessary. For example, JP-A-62-53492
Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-46589 discloses a fabric having an ink receiving layer, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-46589 proposes a fabric containing a reduction inhibitor or an alkaline substance. As an example of such a pretreatment, there can be mentioned a treatment in which a cloth contains a substance selected from an alkaline substance, a water-soluble polymer, a synthetic polymer, a water-soluble metal salt, urea and thiourea.

Examples of the alkaline substance include alkali metals such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; amines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine; and carbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate. Alternatively, alkali metal hydrogencarbonate and the like can be mentioned. Further, there are organic acid metal salts such as calcium acetate and barium acetate, and ammonia and ammonia compounds. Also, sodium trichloroacetate which becomes an alkaline substance under steaming and dry heat may be used. Particularly preferred alkaline substances include sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate used for dyeing reactive dyes. Examples of the water-soluble polymer include starch substances such as corn and wheat; cellulose substances such as carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose; sodium alginate; gum arabic; locust bean gum; Examples include polysaccharides such as tragacanth gum, guar gum, and tamarind seeds, protein substances such as gelatin and casein, and natural water-soluble polymers such as tannin substances and lignin substances. Examples of the synthetic polymer include a polyvinyl alcohol-based compound, a polyethylene oxide-based compound,
Acrylic acid-based water-soluble polymers, maleic anhydride-based water-soluble polymers, and the like are included. Among them, polysaccharide polymers and cellulose polymers are preferred.

Examples of the water-soluble metal salt include compounds which form typical ionic crystals, such as halides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, wherein the aqueous solution has a hydrogen ion concentration of pH 4 to 10. Is mentioned. Representative examples of such compounds include, for example, NaCl, Na ₂ SO ₄ , KCl and CH ₃ C as alkali metal salts.
OHNa and the like, and salts of the alkaline earth metal include CaCl ₂ and MgCl ₂ . Among them, salts of Na, K and Ca are preferred. The method for incorporating the above substances and the like into the fabric in the pretreatment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a commonly used dipping method, a pad method, a coating method, and a spray method. Furthermore, since the printing ink applied to the fabric for ink-jet printing simply adheres when applied to the fabric, the process of dye-fixing the fibers to the fibers (the dyeing process) is continued.
Is preferably applied. Such a reaction fixing step may be carried out by a conventionally known method, for example, a steaming method, an HT steaming method, a thermofix method, or an alkali pad steaming method when a fabric which has been previously alkali-treated is not used. Law,
Examples thereof include an alkaline blotting method, an alkaline shock method, and an alkaline cold fix method.

Further, the removal of unreacted dye and the substance used in the pretreatment can be carried out by washing after the above-mentioned reaction fixing step according to a conventionally known method. In addition, it is preferable to use a conventional fixing process in combination with this cleaning.

[0031]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the arrangement of the air flow generating means is in a staggered lattice, so that the arrangement intervals of the recording heads in each head holder are narrow. Therefore, it is possible to use a large-diameter cooling fan, so that the recording head can be efficiently cooled even when recording is performed at high speed or for a long time, and the reliability of recording is improved. There is an effect that it becomes possible. In the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the airflow generating means and the airflow directing means are connected by a duct, and the airflow is sent to the recording head side by the duct, so that the head holders are stacked in multiple stages. With this configuration, the printhead can be effectively cooled, and even when printing is performed at high speed or for a long time, the printhead can be efficiently cooled, thereby improving the reliability of printing. There is an effect that it becomes possible.

[0032]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a head carriage.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a head holder.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the head holder.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the head carriage.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the head carriage.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating opening and closing of an upper cover of a head holder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Recording device main body 102 Head carriage 102 Ink supply carriage 104 Recovery device 105 Capping part 107 Head wiping part 130 Recording material 131 Platen 190 Scan rail 201 Recording head 202 Head holder 210 Ink circulation pipe 220 Thermistor 230 Top cover 232 Cooling fan 233 Duct 234 Nozzle 240 outlet

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-43057 (JP, A) JP-A-3-175050 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/01 B41J 29/377 B41M 5/00 D06P 5/00 111

Claims (28)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet apparatus that uses a recording head that forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink, and forms an image on the recording medium by changing the relative position of the recording head while facing the recording head. In the recording apparatus, a head holder for mounting a plurality of the recording heads, an air flow generating means for generating a cooling air flow for each recording head, and an air flow from the air flow generating means correspond to each other. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: air flow directing means for directing a recording head; wherein each air flow generating means is attached to the head holder in a staggered lattice arrangement. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head holder is mounted on a carriage and performs recording while moving in the main scanning direction on the recording medium. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a cloth. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said recording medium is a woven cloth. 5. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink using thermal energy, and is an ink jet recording head including a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 1
5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 4. 6. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein a state change is caused in the ink by thermal energy applied by the thermal energy converter, and the ink is ejected from an ejection port based on the state change. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 7. 7. An ink jet apparatus that uses a recording head that forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink, and forms an image on the recording medium by changing the relative position of the recording head while facing the recording medium. In the method for manufacturing a recorded matter, a plurality of the recording heads are mounted on a head holder, and air flow generating means for generating a cooling air flow for each recording head is attached to the head holder in a staggered lattice arrangement, and the recording time is reduced. Wherein the recording head is cooled by the air flow. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the flow rate of the air amount is controlled for each recording head. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the recording medium is a fabric. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the recording medium is a woven fabric. 11. The recording head for ejecting ink using thermal energy, wherein the recording head is an ink jet recording head including a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 11. The method for producing an ink jet recorded matter according to any one of Items 7 to 10. 12. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein a state change is caused in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the thermal energy converter, and the ink is ejected from an ejection port based on the state change. 12. The method for producing an ink jet recorded matter according to item 11. 13. A recorded matter recorded by the manufacturing method according to claim 7. Description: 14. A plurality of exchangeable recording heads for ejecting ink to form an image on a recording medium are arranged and used in parallel, and the plurality of recording heads are opposed to the recording medium. An ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image on the recording medium while changing the relative position while changing the relative position, wherein a head holder for mounting a plurality of the recording heads is provided.
Wherein the Heddohoru Da, for each recording head, comprising an air flow generating means for generating an air flow for cooling, a guide path guiding the air flow from the air flow generating means to the corresponding recording heads inside Emit airflow to the tip
Yes a columnar airflow guiding means having a nozzle of order, the
And the nozzles of the air flow guiding means are arranged in parallel.
In the gap between adjacent print heads of multiple print heads,
And place it on the print head side to be cooled corresponding to the nozzle.
An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that it is open to the outside. 15. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the air flow generating means is attached to a side of the head holder where the recording head is not provided. 16. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the head holder is mounted on a carriage and performs recording while moving in the main scanning direction on the recording medium. 17. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of said head holders are mounted on a carriage. 18. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the recording medium is a cloth.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the recording medium is a woven fabric.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 20. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink using thermal energy, and is an ink jet recording head including a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 20. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of items 14 to 19. 21. The recording head according to claim 21, wherein a state change is caused in the ink by thermal energy applied by the thermal energy converter, and the ink is ejected from an ejection port based on the state change. 20. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 20. 22. A plurality of exchangeable recording heads for ejecting ink to form an image on a recording medium are arranged and used in parallel, and the plurality of recording heads are opposed to the recording medium. A method for manufacturing an ink-jet recorded material that forms an image on the recording medium while changing the relative position while changing the relative position, wherein, for each recording head, an air flow generating means for generating an air flow for cooling; and Air flow
The guide path guiding the recording head provided therein that, empty tip
Columnar airflow guidance with nozzles to discharge airflow
Means , the nozzles of the plurality of recording heads arranged in parallel
While being located in the gap between adjacent recording heads,
Place the nozzle opening on the corresponding print head side to be cooled.
It is opposed, at the time of recording, before the air flow from the air flow generating means
Before via the serial air flow inducing means to induce to the recording head side
From the nozzle opening to the opposite recording head
In Rukoto, method for manufacturing an ink jet recording material which comprises carrying out the cooling of the recording head. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the flow rate of the air amount is controlled for each recording head. 24. The recording medium according to claim 22, wherein the recording medium is a cloth.
3. The method for producing an ink jet recorded matter according to item 1. 25. The recording medium according to claim 24, wherein the recording medium is a woven fabric.
3. The method for producing an ink jet recorded matter according to item 1. 26. A recording head for discharging ink using thermal energy, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head including a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 29. The method for producing an ink jet recorded matter according to any one of Items 22 to 25. 27. The recording head according to claim 27, wherein a state change is caused in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the thermal energy converter, and the ink is ejected from an ejection port based on the state change. 27. The method for producing an ink jet recorded matter according to item 26. 28. A recorded matter recorded by the production method according to claim 22.