JP3948307B2 - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inkjet printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some ink jet printers form an image by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a long (continuous form) recording medium (for example, roll paper) wound and accommodated in a roll shape. Some inkjet printers using a long recording medium as described above can arrange a plurality of recording media and simultaneously form images on the plurality of recording media.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when printing is performed as usual in the joint portion of the long recording medium as described above, there is a problem that the image is interrupted at the joint. Also, since the recording medium may overlap or turn up at the seam, if you try to print normally, the recording medium may touch the recording head and disturb the normal meniscus of the head. Further, there is a possibility that the recording head is damaged, which is a problem.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printer capable of simultaneously forming images on a plurality of recording media and capable of performing printing efficiently and protecting the head. is there.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention described in claim 1
An inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a continuous recording medium,
A control means for controlling the inkjet printer;
With the recording head that moves within a predetermined range by the recording head moving means controlled by the control means, it is possible to simultaneously form images on a plurality of the recording media,
The control means includes
In any one of the plurality of recording media, when the specific range including the joint between the recording media reaches the moving range of the recording head, the recording medium in which the specific range including the joint reaches the moving range of the recording head Control is performed so that an image is formed only on a recording medium in the range by moving the recording head in a range that does not pass above, and for a recording medium in which a specific range including the joint reaches the moving range of the recording head Thus, it is possible to control to form an image on another recording medium for the amount of image formation planned .
[0006]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in any one of the plurality of recording media included in the ink jet printer, when it is detected that the specific range including the seam between the recording media has reached the moving range of the recording head, Even if printing is performed, control is performed so that the recording head is moved within a range where the specific range including the joint does not pass on the recording medium that has reached the moving range of the recording head, and an image is formed only on the recording medium in the range. It is possible to perform printing efficiently by forming an image on another recording medium without forming an image on a recording medium at a joint portion between useless recording media. In addition, since the recording medium may overlap or turn up at the joint portion between the recording media, when the recording head passes through such a range, the recording medium touches the recording head and the head is normal. Although the meniscus may be disturbed or the recording head may be damaged, it is possible to prevent the above-described problems from occurring by preventing the recording head from passing through such a range. .
[0008]
Further , in any one of the plurality of recording media, when it is detected that the specific range including the seam between the recording media has reached the moving range of the recording head, the specific range including the seam is the moving range of the recording head. Since it is possible to control to form an image on another recording medium for the amount of the image that is scheduled to be formed on the recording medium that has reached the top, printing can be performed more efficiently.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
An ink jet printer 100 exemplified in this embodiment forms an image by ejecting ink from a recording head 31 onto a long (continuous) recording medium (for example, roll paper) P, and the like. It is possible to simultaneously form images on a plurality (here, two) of recording media.
[0010]
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inkjet printer 100 supplies a recording medium P (hereinafter, generically referred to as Pa and Pb) to the image forming unit 3 or the like in the case 1 during printing. A recording medium supply unit 2 that performs image formation by ejecting and landing ink on the recording medium P, a cutting unit 4 that cuts the recording medium P on which the image has been formed, and a cut recording medium P Is continuously configured to include a continuous conveyance unit 5 that continuously conveys the ink to the ink fixing unit at a constant speed, and an ink fixing unit (fixing unit) 6 that fixes the ink to the recording medium P.
[0011]
The recording medium P in this embodiment includes, for example, an ink receiving layer containing thermoplastic resin particles constituting a surface layer (image forming surface side) and a pigment ink solvent absorbing layer provided below the ink receiving layer. It has a layered structure. The recording medium P having such a configuration gives a gloss to the surface of the recording medium P by performing a fixing process after an image is formed using a pigment ink containing a dispersant, and the printed image and moisture In addition to preventing bleeding due to contact with the surface, it is possible to improve scratch resistance.
[0012]
In this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously print on a plurality of recording media, and here, there are two recording media Pa and Pb arranged in parallel. As described above, when a plurality of prints can be performed simultaneously, the print time can be shortened and the print efficiency can be increased.
[0013]
The recording medium supply unit 2 stores a long (continuous form) recording medium P (Pa, Pb) in a rolled form, and forms an image of the recording medium P via the intermittent conveyance unit 21. It supplies to the part 3, the cutting part 4, and the continuous conveyance part 5 one by one.
Here, the intermittent conveyance unit 21 includes an intermittent conveyance roller 211 connected to the intermittent conveyance motor 213, and a driven roller 212 (212a, 212) disposed opposite to the intermittent conveyance roller 211 so as to sandwich the recording medium P (Pa, Pb). 212b) and the like. The intermittent conveyance motor is driven in synchronism with the progress of image formation in the image forming unit 3 to convey the recording medium P intermittently.
Here, the recording medium supply unit 2 can arrange two roll-shaped recording media Pa and Pb on the same axis, and the intermittent conveyance unit 21 intermittently connects the two recording media Pa and Pb. It is designed to be conveyed.
[0014]
The image forming unit 3 includes a recording head 31 that ejects ink toward the recording medium P, and a plurality of recording heads 31 corresponding to the number of colors used for image formation, and the ink ejection ports (not shown) on the lower side. And a platen 33 for sucking and supporting the lower surface of the recording medium P in a predetermined range on the upper surface by driving suction means (not shown).
Among these, the carriage 32 is driven by a carriage moving means (recording head moving means) 34 controlled by a control unit (control means) 800 described later, and a predetermined range (movement range) in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the recording medium P. ) Can be reciprocated along the carriage rail 35, and the recording head 31 is scanned by repeating this reciprocation.
Here, as the ink, a pigment ink containing a dispersant is used.
Further, the platen 33 is disposed substantially horizontally, for example, and a carriage 32 is provided above the platen 33.
In this embodiment, the two storage media Pa and Pb are transported on the platen 33 by the intermittent transport section 21, and the two recording media Pa and Pb disposed on the platen by the recording head 31. Printing in parallel.
[0015]
The cutting unit 4 includes, for example, a main body 41 that is long in the width direction of the recording medium P (left-right direction in FIG. 2), a cutter unit 42 for cutting the recording medium P on which image formation has been completed, and the cutter unit 42. Is provided with a cutter drive motor (not shown) for reciprocating the main body 41 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 41.
[0016]
A fan 7 for drying the inside of the inkjet printer 100 is provided above the cutting unit 4.
The fan 7 is rotated by driving a fan driving unit (not shown) when printing an image on the recording medium P, and the inside of the ink jet printer 100 is dried to improve the fixability of the image by the ink fixing unit 6. be able to.
[0017]
The continuous conveyance unit 5 includes, for example, a carry-in port 51 for carrying in the recording medium P carried out from the cutting unit 4, and a downward conveyance route from the carry-in port 51 to a conveyance route switching unit (described later) 55. The first transport path 52, the second transport path 53, which is the upward transport path of the recording medium P from the transport path switching unit 55 to the ink fixing unit 6, and the transport of the recording medium P along each transport path. Recording medium transport unit 54.
[0018]
The ink fixing unit 6 fixes the image on the recording medium P by heating and pressurizing the recording medium P carried in via the carry-in port 611, and glosses like a photograph on the surface of the recording medium P. Fixing processing is performed to give
The ink fixing unit 6 is provided above (higher position) than the cutting unit 4. Specifically, a transport port 611 for transporting the recording medium P from the continuous transport unit 5 is provided at the lowermost end of the ink fixing unit 6, and the transport port 611 is a rotary cutter and a fixed blade of the cutting unit 4. Is provided above the portion where the recording medium P comes into contact, that is, the portion where the recording medium P is cut.
[0019]
Specifically, the ink fixing unit 6 is covered with, for example, a case 61, a carry-in port 611 provided at the lowermost end of the case 61, and an inside of the case 61, for example, a loaded recording medium P. A heating unit 62 for heating and a pressurizing unit 63 for pressurizing the recording medium P are provided.
At the uppermost end of the case 61, a carry-out port 612 for carrying out the recording medium P on which the fixing process has been performed from the ink fixing unit 6 is provided.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit (control means) 800 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, an interface 804, and the like. It is comprised and controls each component of the inkjet printer 100. FIG.
[0021]
Next, an operation for printing an image on the recording medium P (Pa, Pb) by the inkjet printer 100 will be described.
[0022]
When printing is started, first, the recording medium P (here, two recording media Pa and Pb) stored in a roll shape in the recording medium supply unit 2 is conveyed to the image forming unit 3 via the intermittent conveyance unit 21.
The image forming unit 3 forms an image on the recording medium P by ejecting ink onto the recording medium P based on image data under the control of the control unit 800 (here, two recording media Pa, An image is formed simultaneously on Pb). The recording medium P (Pa, Pb) is conveyed by an appropriate length (intermittently) by the intermittent conveyance unit 21 every time an image is formed in the certain area, and is synchronized with the progress of image formation. Then, the sheet is sequentially conveyed to the cutting unit 4 and the continuous conveyance unit 5.
Then, when the image forming portion of the recording medium P on which image formation has been completed has passed under the rotary cutter here, the cutting unit 4 is operated by the control means 800 as the recording medium P on which the image has been formed. Cut from the long recording medium P.
When the cutting of the recording medium P is completed, the control unit controls the continuous conveyance unit 5 to continuously convey the recording medium P to the ink fixing unit 6.
The ink fixing unit 6 heats and pressurizes the loaded recording medium P to melt and smooth the thermoplastic resin of the ink receiving layer to fix the image on the recording medium P, and to fix the image on the surface of the recording medium P. It is continuously conveyed so as not to cause unevenness such as gloss.
Then, the recording medium P on which the fixing process has been performed is unloaded from the ink fixing unit 6 and accumulated on the tray 11 on the upper surface of the case 1.
[0023]
Next, the control when the specific range including the seam between the recording media in any one of the two recording media Pa and Pb reaches the moving range of the recording head will be described.
[0024]
For example, when a specific range in which the recording medium Pb includes the seam T (for example, a range of a predetermined length before the seam) reaches the moving range of the recording head 31, a mark M is attached near the seam T. The mark M is detected by an appropriate seam detection sensor 90 to notify the control unit 800 that the specific range including the seam T has reached the moving range of the recording head. In this embodiment, a hole is formed at a predetermined position near the joint T, and this is a mark M. And when it becomes near the joint T, the said hole M is detected by the joint detection sensor 90, and the control demonstrated below is performed.
[0025]
In this control, as shown in FIG. 3, first, when the signal of the joint detection sensor 90 is detected by one of the two recording media Pa and Pb (here, it is detected that the recording medium Pb is a joint), the control is performed. The unit 800 issues a command to the carriage 32 and controls the movement range of the carriage 32 so as not to move the carriage 32 to the range of the recording medium Pb (controls the carriage moving means (recording head moving means) 34). . At the same time, a command is issued to the recording head 31, and the recording head 31 is controlled so that only the ink for the recording medium Pa is fired, and the ink for the recording medium Pb is not fired. . Further, the intermittent conveyance of the recording medium Pb is stopped by a command to the intermittent conveyance unit 21. The state continues until an image currently being printed is formed on the recording medium Pa, or until the predetermined image formation is completed (for example, until the printing data currently held in the control unit is printed). Then, the joint portion of the recording medium Pb is cut by the cutting portion 4, and the state returns to the state of forming an image on both of the two recording media.
[0026]
In this embodiment, the image data scheduled to be printed on the recording medium Pb is put on hold as it is, and when the recording medium Pb becomes printable, an image corresponding to the hold is formed. However, it is not limited to this. For example, at a point where it is found that the specific range including the joint of the recording medium Pb has reached the moving range of the recording head, the order of printing is reconstructed by the control unit, and an image is to be formed on the recording medium Pb. It may be possible to perform distribution so as to form an image on the recording medium Pa.
[0027]
As described above, according to the inkjet printer 100 of this embodiment, in any of the plurality of recording media included in the inkjet printer, the specific range including the seam between the recording media has reached the moving range of the recording head. When this is detected, control is performed so that the recording head is moved so that the specific range including the seam does not pass over the recording medium that has reached the moving range of the recording head, and an image is formed only on the recording medium in the range. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing efficiently by forming an image on another recording medium without forming an image on the recording medium at the joint portion between the recording media that is wasted even if printing is performed. In addition, since the recording medium may overlap or turn up at the joint portion between the recording media, when the recording head passes through such a range, the recording medium touches the recording head and the head is normal. Although the meniscus may be disturbed or the recording head may be damaged, it is possible to prevent the above-described problems from occurring by preventing the recording head from passing through such a range. .
[0028]
Further, in any one of the plurality of recording media, when it is detected that the specific range including the seam between the recording media has reached the moving range of the recording head, the specific range including the seam is the moving range of the recording head. If it is possible to control the amount of the image that was scheduled to be formed on the recording medium that has reached the top so that an image is formed on another recording medium, printing can be performed more efficiently.
[0029]
In this embodiment, it is possible to print on two recording media at the same time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and printing is performed on three or more recording media, for example, three roll papers at the same time. An ink jet printer having a configuration that can be used may be used. In this case, when the roll paper at the right end or the left end of the three roll papers becomes a joint, control is performed so that the carriage moves in the range of the remaining two roll papers (left end and center, or right end and center). Is done. Further, when the central roll paper becomes a seam, the carriage is controlled so as to move within the range of one of the right end and the left end of the roll paper. Similar control is performed when the number of recording media is four or more.
[0030]
In addition, the ink jet printer of this embodiment is configured to use pigment ink that fixes the ink in the fixing unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is no fixing unit or the like, for example, dye ink is used. The present invention may be applied to a conventional inkjet printer.
[0031]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in any one of the plurality of recording media included in the ink jet printer, when it is detected that the specific range including the seam between the recording media has reached the moving range of the recording head, Even if printing is performed, control is performed so that the recording head is moved within a range where the specific range including the joint does not pass on the recording medium that has reached the moving range of the recording head, and an image is formed only on the recording medium in the range. It is possible to perform printing efficiently by forming an image on another recording medium without forming an image on a recording medium at a joint portion between useless recording media. In addition, since the recording medium may overlap or turn up at the joint portion between the recording media, when the recording head passes through such a range, the recording medium touches the recording head and the head is normal. Although the meniscus may be disturbed or the recording head may be damaged, it is possible to prevent the above-described problems from occurring by preventing the recording head from passing through such a range. .
[0033]
Further , in any one of the plurality of recording media, when it is detected that the specific range including the seam between the recording media has reached the moving range of the recording head, the specific range including the seam is the moving range of the recording head. Since it is possible to control to form an image on another recording medium for the amount of the image that is scheduled to be formed on the recording medium that has reached the top, printing can be performed more efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment to which the invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the ink jet printer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Inkjet printer 31 Recording head 34 Carriage moving means (recording head moving means)
800 Control means P, Pa, Pb Recording medium T Joint between recording media

Claims (1)

An inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a continuous recording medium,
A control means for controlling the inkjet printer;
With the recording head that moves within a predetermined range by the recording head moving means controlled by the control means, it is possible to simultaneously form images on a plurality of the recording media,
The control means includes
In any one of the plurality of recording media, when the specific range including the joint between the recording media reaches the moving range of the recording head, the recording medium in which the specific range including the joint reaches the moving range of the recording head Control is performed so that an image is formed only on a recording medium in the range by moving the recording head in a range that does not pass above, and for a recording medium in which a specific range including the joint reaches the moving range of the recording head An ink jet printer characterized in that an image can be controlled to form an image on another recording medium in accordance with the scheduled image formation .

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