JP4300398B2 - Bidirectional liquid jet control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head scanning unit that reciprocally scans a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto an ejected material in a predetermined scanning direction relative to the ejected surface of the ejected material. During the reciprocating scan of the liquid ejecting head in the scanning direction by the liquid ejecting head scanning means, both the liquid ejecting head ejects liquid from the liquid ejecting head and performs liquid ejecting on the material to be ejected during both forward scanning and backward scanning. The present invention relates to a directional liquid ejection control device, a liquid ejection device including the bidirectional liquid ejection control device, and a bidirectional liquid ejection control program.
[0002]
Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile that ejects ink from a recording head to a recording material such as a recording material to execute recording on the recording material. And a device for ejecting a liquid corresponding to a specific application instead of the ink from a liquid ejecting head corresponding to the above-described recording head to an ejecting material corresponding to the recording material and attaching the liquid to the ejecting material. Used in meaning. In addition to the recording head described above, the liquid ejecting head includes a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display and a surface emitting display (FED) ( Examples thereof include a conductive paste) ejection head, a bio-organic matter ejection head used for biochip manufacturing, and a sample ejection head that ejects a sample as a precision pipette.
[0003]
[Prior art]
As an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto an ejected material, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from the recording head onto an ejected material such as the recorded material is known. . An ink jet recording apparatus generally includes a carriage for reciprocally scanning a recording head as a liquid ejecting head with respect to a recording surface of a recording material in a main scanning direction. A carriage mounted with a recording head is supported by a guide member such as a carriage guide shaft so as to be reciprocable in the main scanning direction, and is driven by a rotational driving force source such as a DC motor or a stepping motor. When ink is ejected from the recording head that reciprocally scans the recording surface of the recording material by the reciprocating movement of the carriage, the ink is ejected only during the forward scanning of the reciprocating scanning, whereas the recording is executed. That is, there is a merit that the recording execution speed can be doubled when the recording is performed by ejecting ink onto the recording material in both the forward scanning and the backward scanning.
[0004]
However, when performing bidirectional recording in which ink is ejected during both forward scanning and backward scanning, even if ink is ejected at the same ink ejection position, the recording surface of the recording material is recorded during forward scanning and during backward scanning. There arises a problem that the positions of the formed ink dots are different. In other words, even when ink is ejected when the position where the ink dot is to be formed coincides with the position of the ink ejection hole of the recording head, the recording head ejects ink while moving in the scanning direction. The position where the ink dot is formed is slightly shifted in the scanning direction from the position where the ink dot is to be formed. This is the same even when reciprocating scanning is performed by moving the recording material side without moving the recording head.
[0005]
Therefore, the ink ejection timings during forward scanning and backward scanning are set so that ink dots to be formed at the same point are formed at the same point during forward scanning and backward scanning of the recording head. Specifically, it is shifted by a certain time or a certain number of dots earlier than the original ink ejection timing, that is, shifted in a direction opposite to the scanning direction by a certain time or a certain number of dots from the original ink ejection timing. By correcting the ink ejection timing by ejecting ink at the same timing, it is possible to prevent the ink dot displacement described above from occurring.
[0006]
The correction amount of the ink ejection timing varies depending on the distance from the head surface of the recording head to the recording surface of the recording material, the scanning speed of the recording head (carriage moving speed), and the ink ejection speed. Therefore, for example, a change in ink ejection speed due to a change in ink viscosity due to temperature, a deterioration of a platen that supports the recording material and defines the interval between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording material, If these change slightly due to deterioration of the carriage guide shaft that supports the carriage so as to reciprocate, ink dots may be displaced.
[0007]
Therefore, for example, a bidirectional recording control apparatus that changes the correction amount in accordance with a change in ink ejection speed due to a change in ink viscosity is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, the distance from the head surface of the recording head to the recording surface of the recording material changes slightly due to the recording material floating or the like, or a drive mechanism (carriage) in the main scanning direction with respect to the reference correction amount as a reference A technique for correcting a reference correction amount by a relative correction amount for correcting a deviation of ink dots caused by a change in the scanning speed of the recording head due to a backlash or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). ).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-96733 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-296609 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, for example, the recording head scanning speed (carriage speed) is set to a different speed depending on a recording execution mode such as a high-speed recording mode that emphasizes recording execution speed or a high-quality recording mode that emphasizes image quality. May be. The scanning speed of the recording head in such a recording execution mode includes a number of different recording modes of three types and four types depending on the apparatus, and different scanning speeds may be set for each mode. Also known is an ink jet recording apparatus having a configuration in which the distance from the head surface of the recording head to the recording surface of the recording material can be changed according to the type of the recording material in order to perform higher quality recording. It has become.
[0010]
Therefore, it is necessary to set the above-described correction amount for each scanning speed of the recording head that is set and changed depending on the recording execution mode and the type of recording material, and further, recording is performed from the head surface of the recording head for each scanning speed of the recording head. It is necessary to set a correction amount for each distance to the recording surface of the material. Also, if the ink properties are different for each ink color, the actual ink ejection speed may differ for each ink color due to, for example, a difference in viscosity, and it is necessary to set a correction amount for each ink type. Arise. These correction amounts are stored in advance in a storage medium (memory) in advance as in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example, depending on the recording execution mode and the type of recording material. By reading the corresponding correction amount data from the storage medium, correcting the ink ejection timing from the recording head with the correction amount, and executing bidirectional recording control, it corresponds to the recording execution mode and the type of recording material Thus, it is possible to execute recording so that ink dot deviation does not occur.
[0011]
However, if a large amount of correction amount data is stored in the storage medium in advance for each recording execution mode or recording paper type, a large-capacity storage medium is required, which increases the cost of the apparatus. There is a fear. In addition, since the ink ejection timing can be corrected only with the correction amount data stored in advance in the storage medium, for example, the scanning speed of the recording head is changed by an element other than the recording mode and the type of recording material. There is a problem that the control cannot be flexibly handled, and accurate bidirectional recording control can be executed only within a limited range.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the problem is that a large-capacity storage medium for storing a large amount of correction amount data is not required, and flexible liquid ejection timing correction is possible. It is to realize possible bidirectional liquid ejection control.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a material to be ejected is reciprocated in a predetermined scanning direction relative to a surface to be ejected of the material to be ejected. In the liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head scanning unit, the liquid ejecting head scans the liquid ejecting head while the liquid ejecting head reciprocates in the scanning direction. A bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus that ejects liquid from a head and performs liquid ejection on a material to be ejected, wherein liquid dots to be formed at the same point are the same during forward scanning and backward scanning of the liquid ejecting head. A correction amount calculating means for calculating a correction amount of the liquid ejection timing in accordance with the scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head, and a correction amount calculated by the correction amount calculating means. And a liquid injection timing correcting means for correcting the liquid ejection timing from the liquid ejection head, it is two-way liquid injection control apparatus characterized by.
[0014]
Thus, the liquid ejection timing correction amount is calculated according to the scanning speed of the liquid ejection head, and the liquid ejection timing from the liquid ejection head is corrected by the calculated correction amount. There is an effect that the liquid ejection timing can be corrected flexibly corresponding to the scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head without requiring a large-capacity storage medium for storing a large number of correction amount data every time.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, the storage medium stores in advance a specified correction amount as a correction amount of the liquid ejection timing at the specified scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head scanning unit. The correction amount calculation means calculates a correction amount difference of the liquid ejection timing from a speed difference between the specified scanning speed and the scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head during the bidirectional liquid ejection, and the correction amount difference is calculated as the specified amount of correction. The bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus is characterized in that a value added to a correction amount is set as the correction amount.
[0016]
First, only the specified correction amount at the specified scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head is stored in advance in the storage medium. Then, the correction amount difference of the liquid ejection timing is calculated from the specified scanning speed and the scanning speed and speed difference of the liquid ejecting head at the time of recording, and a value obtained by adding the correction amount difference to the specified correction amount is used as the correction amount. Accordingly, since the correction amount stored in the storage medium in advance can be reduced, a large-capacity storage medium for storing a large number of correction amount data for each settable scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head is not required. In addition, since the correction amount is calculated by calculating the correction amount difference from the speed difference with respect to the specified scanning speed and adding it to the specified correction amount, it is possible to correct the liquid ejection timing flexibly corresponding to the scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head. The effect is obtained.
[0017]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect described above, a difference in scanning speed with respect to the prescribed scanning speed is defined as a scanning speed difference, and a distance from the head surface of the liquid ejecting head to the ejection surface of the ejected material. The liquid ejecting distance and the liquid ejecting speed from the liquid ejecting head are defined as the liquid ejecting speed, and the correction amount calculating means multiplies the value obtained by dividing the liquid ejecting distance by the liquid ejecting speed by the scanning speed difference. A bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus that calculates a correction amount difference.
[0018]
By dividing the liquid ejection distance by the liquid ejection speed, the arrival time until the liquid droplet ejected from the liquid ejection head reaches the ejection surface of the ejection target material is obtained. Further, by multiplying the arrival time of the liquid droplet by the scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head, a deviation amount of the arrival position of the liquid droplet in the scanning direction, that is, a correction amount is obtained. Therefore, the deviation of the arrival position of the liquid droplet corresponding to the scanning speed difference is obtained by multiplying the value (arrival time) obtained by dividing the liquid ejection distance by the liquid ejection speed by the scanning speed difference (difference in scanning speed with respect to the specified scanning speed). The amount difference, that is, the correction amount difference can be obtained.
[0019]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect described above, the resolution in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head is set as the liquid ejecting resolution, and the correction amount calculating means sets the correction amount difference to the liquid ejecting resolution. The bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus is characterized in that the number of dots in the scanning direction corresponding to the correction amount difference is calculated by division.
[0020]
A liquid ejecting apparatus is a collection of dots (points) formed on an ejected surface of a material to be ejected by liquid droplets ejected from a liquid ejecting head, and constitutes a printed matter such as an image in an ink jet recording apparatus. The resolution represents the dot density of the dots, and is a standard representing the liquid ejection performance of the liquid ejecting apparatus. It is used as a unit representing the accuracy of the dot assembly and is expressed in units such as dpi (dot, per, inch). It is. For example, in the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, it represents how many dots can be recorded on the size of 1 inch of recording paper. If the resolution in the scanning direction of the recording head for ejecting ink is 1440 dpi, the maximum scanning width is 1 inch. 1440 ink dots can be formed. That is, the resolution in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head is the maximum number of dots per inch in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head.
[0021]
Here, 1 inch is divided by the resolution (dpi), the resolution (dpi) is converted into the dot interval (mm), and the correction amount difference (mm) is divided by the dot interval (mm). The number of dots can be obtained. Accordingly, the number of dots of the correction amount difference is obtained, and the liquid by the correction amount obtained by adding the correction amount difference to the specified correction amount of the liquid ejection timing by simply shifting the liquid ejection timing in the direction opposite to the scanning direction by the number of dots. The effect that injection can be performed easily is acquired.
[0022]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourth aspects described above, a large number of liquid ejection holes are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction on the head surface of the liquid ejection head. A plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles are arranged, and each specified correction amount corresponding to each liquid ejecting nozzle is stored in the storage medium, and the correction amount calculating means corresponds to each specified correction amount corresponding to each liquid ejecting nozzle. The liquid ejection timing correction means calculates the liquid ejection timing from the liquid ejection head for each liquid ejection nozzle with the correction amount computed for each liquid ejection nozzle. The bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus is characterized by correcting.
[0023]
As described above, the correction amount is calculated for each of the plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles arranged on the head surface of the liquid ejecting head, so that a different correction amount can be set for each liquid ejecting nozzle. Therefore, for example, even when liquids having different properties are ejected for each liquid ejecting nozzle and the liquid ejecting speed is different due to the different properties of the liquid, a different correction amount is set for each liquid ejecting nozzle and appropriate liquid ejecting is performed. The effect of correcting the timing is obtained.
[0024]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fifth aspects described above, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting distance changing unit that changes the liquid ejecting distance stepwise. Each prescribed correction amount corresponding to each liquid ejection distance that can be set by the liquid ejection distance changing means is stored in the storage medium, and the correction amount calculating means is the liquid changed by the liquid ejection distance changing means. The bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus is characterized in that the predetermined correction amount corresponding to the ejection distance is selected and the correction amount is calculated.
[0025]
As described above, the prescribed correction amount data corresponding to the liquid ejection distance that can be set by the liquid ejection distance changing means is stored in the storage medium in advance, and when the liquid ejection distance is changed by the liquid ejection distance changing means, Since the correction amount is calculated by selecting the specified correction amount data corresponding to the changed liquid ejection distance, an effect of being able to correct the liquid ejection timing appropriately according to the liquid ejection distance at the time of liquid ejection execution Is obtained.
[0026]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects described above, the liquid ejecting head scanning unit is mounted with the liquid ejecting head and is in the scanning direction with respect to the guide member. A bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus comprising: a carriage that is slidably supported by a shaft; and a carriage driving force source that drives the carriage in the scanning direction.
[0027]
As described above, the liquid ejecting head is mounted on the ejection surface of the ejected material by reciprocating in the scanning direction the carriage that is supported by the guide member so as to be slidable in the scanning direction. In the liquid ejecting apparatus configured to perform reciprocating scanning, the operational effects of the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects described above can be obtained.
[0028]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect described above, a carriage speed control device that controls the carriage driving force source to control the sliding speed of the carriage to a predetermined speed is provided. The apparatus includes a load detection unit that detects a load of the carriage driving force source due to the sliding resistance of the carriage, and when the load of the carriage driving force source detected by the load detection unit exceeds a certain load, The bidirectional liquid ejection control device includes a deceleration control unit that controls a sliding speed of the carriage to a speed lower than a predetermined speed.
[0029]
When a carriage pivotally supported by a guide member such as a carriage guide shaft reciprocates by the driving force of the carriage driving force source, sliding resistance, that is, a sliding contact portion between the carriage and the guide member is applied. The generated frictional resistance places a load on the carriage driving force source. If the sliding resistance is large, it is difficult to smoothly reciprocate the carriage, but the limit value of the sliding resistance varies depending on the reciprocating speed of the carriage. In other words, since the torque performance of the carriage driving force source is limited, the limit speed of the carriage speed at which the carriage can be smoothly reciprocated becomes higher as the carriage sliding resistance becomes smaller. The slower the resistance, the slower. Therefore, when the load of the carriage driving force source due to the sliding resistance of the carriage is detected while the carriage is reciprocating at a certain speed, and the load exceeds the certain load, In other words, if the sliding load becomes large due to factors such as the ink mist mentioned above, it becomes difficult to smoothly reciprocate the carriage, and there is a possibility that the liquid ejection accuracy may be greatly reduced. By making the reciprocating speed of the carriage reciprocating at a low speed low, it becomes possible to smoothly reciprocate the carriage.
[0030]
As described above, when the sliding load between the carriage and the guide member becomes large and it becomes difficult to smoothly reciprocate the carriage, and there is a possibility that the liquid ejecting accuracy is greatly reduced, the carriage is By performing liquid ejection by controlling the reciprocation speed of the carriage that has been reciprocating at a constant speed without forcibly stopping it to low speed, the liquid can be smoothly reciprocated to perform liquid ejection. Therefore, in a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing high-accuracy and high-speed liquid ejecting, it is possible to prevent a decrease in liquid ejecting accuracy due to an increase in sliding resistance of the carriage due to ink mist or secular change. In addition, the service life of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be extended without increasing the size of the carriage driving force source. Effect can be obtained.
[0031]
The increase in the sliding resistance of the carriage due to ink mist and aging changes gradually, so the carriage speed when the carriage is decelerated is smoothly reciprocated with the load detected by the load detection means. It is preferable to set the speed as fast as possible within the range that can be moved, thereby minimizing the decrease in the throughput of the liquid ejection execution due to the deceleration control, and the carriage that is felt when the deceleration control is performed The decrease in speed can be reduced to an inconspicuous level.
[0032]
A ninth aspect of the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus including the bidirectional liquid ejecting control apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.
[0033]
According to the liquid ejecting apparatus described in the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to obtain the effects of the invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.
[0034]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carriage mounted with a recording head for ejecting ink on a recording material, and supported by a guide member so as to be slidable in a predetermined scanning direction. A carriage driving force source for driving in the direction, and while the carriage reciprocates in the scanning direction by the driving force of the carriage driving force source, the ink from the recording head during both forward scanning and backward scanning of the recording head An ink jet recording apparatus including a bidirectional recording control apparatus that performs recording on a recording material by ejecting the recording head, wherein the bidirectional recording control apparatus is configured to perform the forward scanning and the backward scanning of the recording head. Correction amount calculation means for calculating a correction amount of ink ejection timing according to the scanning speed of the carriage so that ink dots to be formed at the same point are formed at the same point; And an ink ejection timing correction means for correcting the ink ejection timing from the recording head by the correction amount calculated by the correction amount calculation means, it is an ink jet recording apparatus characterized by.
[0035]
According to the ink jet recording apparatus described in the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the invention described in the first aspect described above.
[0036]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting head scanning unit that reciprocates a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto the ejected material in a predetermined scanning direction relative to the ejected surface of the ejected material. In the liquid ejecting apparatus, while the liquid ejecting head reciprocates in the scanning direction by the liquid ejecting head scanning means, the liquid ejecting head ejects liquid during both forward scanning and backward scanning of the liquid ejecting head. A bidirectional liquid ejection control program for causing a computer to execute a control for performing liquid ejection on a material to be ejected, wherein liquid dots to be formed at the same point during forward scanning and backward scanning of the liquid ejecting head A correction amount calculation procedure for calculating a correction amount of the liquid ejection timing in accordance with the scanning speed of the liquid ejection head so as to be formed at the same point; And a liquid injection timing correction procedure for correcting the liquid ejection timing from the liquid ejecting head with the calculated correction amount, it is two-way liquid injection control program characterized.
[0037]
According to the bidirectional liquid ejection control program described in the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the same effect as the invention described in the first aspect described above can be obtained. The effect similar to that of the invention described in the first aspect described above can be brought to any liquid ejecting apparatus that can be executed.
[0038]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect described above, the correction amount calculation procedure is based on a difference between the prescribed scanning speed and a speed difference between the scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head during the bidirectional liquid ejection. A timing correction amount difference is calculated, and a value obtained by adding the correction amount difference to a predetermined correction amount as a liquid ejection timing correction amount at the predetermined scanning speed stored in advance in a storage medium is used as the correction amount. Is a bidirectional liquid ejection control program.
[0039]
According to the bidirectional liquid ejection control program described in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as the invention described in the second aspect described above can be obtained. An effect similar to that of the invention described in the second aspect described above can be provided to any liquid ejecting apparatus that can be executed.
[0040]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect described above, a difference in scanning speed with respect to the prescribed scanning speed is defined as a scanning speed difference, and a distance from the head surface of the liquid ejecting head to the ejection surface of the ejected material. The liquid ejection distance and the liquid ejection speed from the liquid ejection head are set as the liquid ejection speed, and the correction amount calculation procedure is performed by multiplying the value obtained by dividing the liquid ejection distance by the liquid ejection speed by the scanning speed difference. A bidirectional liquid ejection control program characterized by calculating a correction amount difference.
[0041]
According to the bidirectional liquid ejection control program described in the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as that of the invention described in the third aspect described above can be obtained, and this bidirectional liquid ejection control program is The effect similar to that of the invention described in the third aspect described above can be provided to any liquid ejecting apparatus that can be executed.
[0042]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect described above, the resolution in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head is set as a liquid ejecting resolution, and the correction amount calculation procedure is performed by calculating the correction amount difference as the liquid ejecting resolution. A bidirectional liquid ejection control program characterized by dividing and calculating the number of dots in the scanning direction corresponding to the correction amount difference.
[0043]
According to the bidirectional liquid ejection control program described in the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as the invention described in the fourth aspect described above, and to execute this bidirectional liquid ejection control program. The effect similar to the invention described in the fourth aspect described above can be brought to any liquid ejecting apparatus that can be executed.
[0044]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects described above, a large number of liquid ejecting holes are arranged on the head surface of the liquid ejecting head in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. A plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles are provided, and the correction amount calculating procedure calculates the correction amount for each liquid ejecting nozzle from each specified correction amount corresponding to each liquid ejecting nozzle stored in advance in the storage medium. The liquid jet timing correction procedure corrects the liquid jet timing from the liquid jet head for each liquid jet nozzle with the correction amount calculated for each liquid jet nozzle. It is a control program.
[0045]
According to the bidirectional liquid ejection control program described in the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as that of the invention described in the fifth aspect described above can be obtained. The effect similar to that of the invention described in the fifth aspect described above can be brought to any liquid ejecting apparatus that can be executed.
[0046]
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects described above, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting distance changing unit that changes the liquid ejecting distance in stages. The correction amount calculation procedure includes the prescribed correction amount corresponding to the liquid ejection distance set by the liquid ejection distance changing means from the prescribed correction amounts for each liquid ejection distance stored in advance in the storage medium. The bidirectional liquid ejection control program is characterized in that the correction amount is selected and the correction amount is calculated.
[0047]
According to the bidirectional liquid ejection control program described in the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the same operational effects as the invention described in the sixth aspect described above can be obtained. The effect similar to that of the invention described in the sixth aspect described above can be brought to any liquid ejecting apparatus that can be executed.
[0048]
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eleventh to sixteenth aspects described above, the liquid ejecting head scanning unit includes the liquid ejecting head, and the guide member is disposed in the scanning direction. And a carriage driving force source for driving the carriage in the scanning direction. The bidirectional liquid ejection control program controls the carriage driving force source to control the carriage driving force source. A carriage speed control procedure for controlling the carriage sliding speed to a predetermined speed, the carriage speed control procedure comprising: a load detection procedure for detecting a load of the carriage driving force source due to the sliding resistance of the carriage; When the load of the carriage driving force source detected by the load detection means exceeds a certain load, the carriage sliding speed is made lower than a predetermined speed. And a Gosuru deceleration control procedure, it is two-way liquid injection control program characterized.
[0049]
According to the bidirectional liquid ejection control program described in the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as the invention described in the eighth aspect described above can be obtained. The effect similar to that of the invention described in the eighth aspect described above can be provided to any liquid ejecting apparatus that can be executed.
[0050]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as a “liquid ejecting apparatus” according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus as a “liquid ejecting apparatus” according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part.
[0051]
In the ink jet recording apparatus 50, a carriage 61 is pivotally supported by a bearing portion 611 on a carriage guide shaft 51 supported by the main body frame 1 as a means for executing recording on a recording paper P as an “ejecting material”. In this state, it is arranged so as to be able to reciprocate in the main scanning direction X. The carriage 61 has a recording head as a “liquid ejecting head” that performs recording by ejecting ink as “liquid” filled in the ink cartridge 61 a onto the recording paper P at a predetermined ink ejecting speed (liquid ejecting speed). 62 is mounted. A platen 52 that defines the gap (liquid ejection distance) between the head surface of the recording head 62 and the recording paper P is provided opposite to the recording head 62. Then, the recording paper P is transported between the carriage 61 and the platen 52 in the sub-scanning direction Y by a predetermined transport amount, and the ink is applied from the recording head 62 to the recording paper P while the carriage 61 is moved in the main scanning direction X. The recording is performed on the recording paper P by alternately repeating the operation of jetting.
[0052]
The ink jet recording apparatus 50 includes an ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) 10 that automatically feeds the recording paper P. The ASF 10 is an automatic paper feed mechanism that includes a paper feed roller 57 and a paper feed tray 58 and has a configuration that can handle recording paper P of all paper widths with a single paper feed roller 57. The sheet feeding roller 57 has a substantially D-shaped cross-sectional shape in which the length from the rotation center to the peripheral surface is partly shortened, and rotation of a rotational driving force source such as a stepping motor (not shown). The shaft is integrally supported by a sheet feeding roller rotating shaft 571 that is rotated by a driving force. The paper feed tray 58 is configured to feed recording paper P such as plain paper or photo paper, for example, and pushes up the recording paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 58 from the bottom side to feed paper feed rollers 57. A hopper 581 serving as an “urging means” for urging the peripheral surface of the recording paper and a slidable arrangement in the direction indicated by the symbol A according to the paper width of the recording paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 58. The guide part 582 is provided. A member having a high frictional resistance is provided around the peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 57, and the recording paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 58 is urged against the peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 57 by the hopper 581. The uppermost recording sheet P is fed in the rotation direction (reference numeral B) of the sheet feeding roller 57 in a state of being in close contact with the peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller 57.
[0053]
A transport driving roller 53 and a transport driven roller 54 that transport the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y are provided. The transport driving roller 53 is rotated by a rotational driving force source such as a stepping motor (not shown), and the recording paper P is transported in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation (symbol D) of the transport driving roller 53. A plurality of transport driven rollers 54 are provided, and are individually urged by the transport driving roller 53 in a state of being supported by the transport driven roller holder 541, and the recording paper P is transported by the rotation of the transport driving roller 53. When the recording paper P is in contact with the recording paper P, it rotates following the conveyance of the recording paper P. A film having a high frictional resistance is applied to the surface of the transport driving roller 53. The recording paper P pressed against the surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the transport driven roller 54 comes into close contact with the surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the frictional resistance of the surface, and is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation of the transport driving roller 53. The Further, a paper detector 63 according to a known technique is disposed between the paper feed roller 57 and the conveyance drive roller 53. The paper detector 63 includes a lever 631 that is pivotally supported with a shaft 63a as a rocking shaft, and a lever detector 632 for detecting the rocking position of the lever 631. The leading end of the recording paper P fed from the tray 58 by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 57 pushes the lever 631 and swings in the direction indicated by the symbol C, whereby the fed recording paper P is detected. is doing.
[0054]
On the other hand, a discharge driving roller 55 and a discharge driven roller 56 are provided as means for discharging the recorded recording paper P. The paper discharge driving roller 55 is rotationally controlled by a rotational driving force such as a stepping motor, and the recording paper P is discharged in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation (reference E) of the paper discharge driving roller 55. The paper discharge driven roller 56 is a toothed roller having a plurality of teeth around it and sharply sharpened so that the tip of each tooth makes point contact with the recording surface of the recording paper P. Each of the plurality of paper discharge driven rollers 56 is urged by the paper discharge driving roller 55 in a state where it is pivotally supported by a paper discharge driven roller holder 561 disposed in the paper discharge frame 2 individually. Is ejected by the rotation of the ejection drive roller 55, contacts the recording sheet P and rotates following the ejection of the recording sheet P.
[0055]
FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the main part of an ink jet recording apparatus 50 as a “liquid ejecting apparatus” according to the present invention.
[0056]
In the ink jet recording apparatus 50, a linear scale 67 is disposed in parallel with a carriage guide shaft 51 that supports a carriage 61 so as to be reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction X. The linear scale 67 has a large number of slits that can be detected by a sensor 66 mounted on the carriage 61 at regular intervals. The detection signal of the sensor 66 is input to the encoder circuit 11, and the encoder circuit 11 detects the absolute position of the carriage 61 and the movement direction of the carriage 61 from the encoder signal generated when the sensor 66 detects the slit of the linear scale 67. And the moving speed is calculated. The rotational driving force of the carriage driving motor 64 is transmitted to the carriage 61 via the endless belt 65. Between a drive pulley 641 arranged to be able to transmit rotation to the rotation shaft of the carriage drive motor 64 and a driven pulley 642 supported so as to be driven to rotate, the belt is stretched substantially parallel to the main scanning direction X. A part of the endless belt 65 is connected to the connecting portion 612 of the carriage 61, and the endless belt 65 is bi-directionally rotated in the direction indicated by the symbol F by the bi-directional rotational driving force of the carriage driving motor 64, thereby The carriage 61 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X.
[0057]
The carriage guide shaft 51 is a distance (so-called paper gap, hereinafter referred to as PG) between the head surface of the recording head 62 and the recording surface of the recording paper P by, for example, translating the carriage guide shaft 51 by an eccentric mechanism or the like. That is, a PG switching unit 511 is provided as a “liquid ejection distance changing unit” that changes the ink ejection distance (liquid ejection distance). The PG switching means 511 has means for outputting information on the set PG to the control unit 1, for example, by outputting a switching position of the PG switching mechanism as a contact. In addition, the encoder circuit 11 outputs information on the calculated absolute position, moving direction, and moving speed of the carriage 61 to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 performs a control to execute recording by ejecting ink from the nozzle row during the forward scanning and the backward scanning while the recording head 62 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X. Ink corresponding to the PG input from the PG switching unit 511 and the moving direction and moving speed of the carriage 61 input from the encoder circuit 11, that is, the scanning direction and scanning speed of the recording head 62 are provided. The head drive circuit 12 is controlled while correcting the ejection timing.
[0058]
Here, the ink ejection speed (liquid ejection speed) of the ink ejected from the recording head 62 reciprocating in the main scanning direction X, the ink ejection distance (liquid ejection distance), and the moving speed of the carriage 61 (the liquid ejection head) The relationship with the scanning speed will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0059]
4 is a plan view schematically showing the carriage 61 and the recording paper P during forward scanning in the main scanning direction X. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the carriage 61 and the recording paper P during backward scanning in the main scanning direction X. FIG.
[0060]
When ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 62 onto the recording surface of the recording paper P while moving the carriage 61 in the forward scanning direction XF at a specified speed Vcr1 (245 cps), the ejected ink droplets are caused to flow in the forward scanning direction XF. However, it reaches the recording surface of the recording paper P and reaches a position shifted in the forward scanning direction XF from the nozzle position at the time of ink ejection by the length indicated by L1. Further, while the ink ejection distance PG and the ink ejection speed Vm remain unchanged, the recording paper P is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 62 while moving the carriage 61 at a specified speed Vcr2 (190 cps) slower than the specified speed 1 in the forward scanning direction XF. When the ink is ejected onto the recording surface, the ejected ink droplets reach the recording surface of the recording paper P while being flown in the forward scanning direction XF, and travel the forward path by the length indicated by reference numeral L2 from the nozzle position at the time of ink ejection. A position shifted in the scanning direction XF is reached.
[0061]
On the other hand, when ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 62 onto the recording surface of the recording paper P while moving the carriage 61 in the backward scanning direction XR at the specified speed Vcr1 (245 cps), the ejected ink droplets are ejected in the backward scanning direction XR. The ink reaches the recording surface of the recording paper P while flowing, and reaches a position shifted in the backward scanning direction XR from the nozzle position at the time of ink ejection by the length indicated by reference numeral L1. Further, while the ink ejection distance PG and the ink ejection speed Vm remain unchanged, the recording paper P is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 62 while moving the carriage 61 at a specified speed Vcr2 (190 cps) slower than the specified speed 1 in the backward scanning direction XR. When the ink is ejected onto the recording surface, the ejected ink droplets reach the recording surface of the recording paper P while flowing in the backward scanning direction XR, and return from the nozzle position at the time of ink ejection by the length indicated by the symbol L2. A position shifted in the scanning direction XR is reached.
[0062]
Therefore, when the carriage speed is the specified speed Vcr1, the ink arrival position is shifted by the length of L1, so the correction amount for correcting the shift is L1, and the ink ejection distance PG and the ink ejection speed Vm remain unchanged. When only the carriage speed is decelerated from the specified speed Vcr1 to the specified speed Vcr2, the ink arrival position is shifted by the length of L2. Therefore, the correction amount for correcting the shift is L2. Here, when the ink ejection speed (liquid ejection speed) is Vm and the ink ejection distance (liquid ejection distance) is PG, the correction amount L1 is obtained by dividing the ink ejection distance PG by the ink ejection speed Vm to the specified speed Vcr1. It is obtained by multiplication.
[0063]
Specified correction amount L1 = Vcr1 · PG / Vm (1)
Similarly, the correction amount L2 is obtained by multiplying the value obtained by dividing the ink ejection distance PG by the ink ejection speed Vm by the specified speed Vcr2.
[0064]
Correction amount L2 = Vcr2 · PG / Vm (2)
When the speed difference (scanning speed difference) between the specified speed Vcr1 and the specified speed Vcr2 is ΔVcr, the difference between the correction amount L1 and the correction amount L2, that is, when the carriage speed is decelerated from the specified speed Vcr1 to the specified speed Vcr2. Is obtained by multiplying a value obtained by dividing the ink ejection distance PG by the ink ejection speed Vm by the scanning speed difference ΔVcr.
[0065]
Correction amount difference α = ΔVcr · PG / Vm (3)
For example, when the ink ejection distance PG is 1.55 [mm] and the ink ejection speed Vm is 5.5 [m / s], Vcr1 = 245 cps = 0.6223 [m / s] and Vcr2 = 190 cps = 0.4826. Since it is [m / s], the correction amount difference α is (0.6223−0.4826) × 1.55 ÷ 5.5 = 0.03937 [mm].
[0066]
FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the carriage 61 and the recording paper P during reciprocating scanning in the main scanning direction X.
[0067]
Here, when the correction amount L1 at the specified speed Vcr1 before deceleration is the specified correction amount L1, and the correction amount L2 at the specified speed Vcr2 after deceleration is the corrected amount L after deceleration, the moving speed of the carriage 61 is set to the specified speed Vcr1. When the recording head 62 scans in the forward scanning direction XF, the ink ejection position is shifted in the opposite direction to the forward scanning direction XF by the specified correction amount L1 when the recording head 62 scans in the forward scanning direction XF. When 62 scans in the backward scanning direction XR, the ink ejection position is shifted in the opposite direction to the backward scanning direction XR by the specified correction amount L1, thereby correcting the deviation of the ink dots due to the difference in the scanning direction of the recording head 62. Thus, the ink dots formed during forward scanning and the ink dots formed during backward scanning can be formed at the same position (symbol H). If the scanning speed of the carriage 61 is decelerated from the specified speed Vcr1 to the specified speed Vcr2 with the ink ejection distance PG and the ink ejection speed Vm unchanged, the ink ejection timing is corrected with the specified correction amount L1 as it is. In the forward scan, the ink dots are formed at the position indicated by the symbol H1, and during the backward scan, the ink dots are formed at the position indicated by the symbol H2, and are formed at the same position in the forward scan and the backward scan as shown in the figure. The positions of the ink dots to be formed are shifted from each other.
[0068]
Therefore, when the moving speed of the carriage 61 is decelerated from the specified speed Vcr1 to the specified speed Vcr2, the correction amount difference α is calculated from the speed difference (Vcr1−Vcr2) by the equation (3), and the specified correction amount L1. Then, the correction amount difference α is added to obtain the correction amount L, the ink ejection timing is corrected with the obtained correction amount L, and bi-directional printing is executed. Accordingly, when only the moving speed of the carriage 61 is decelerated while keeping the ink ejecting distance PG and the ink ejecting speed Vm, the ink ejection timing is corrected by an appropriate correction amount L corresponding to the deceleration of the moving speed of the carriage 61. Bidirectional recording can be performed. As described above, the correction of the ink ejection timing by the correction amount L1 may be performed by correcting the ink ejection timing by the correction amount L1 in the direction opposite to the scanning direction during forward scanning and backward scanning. The ink ejection timing may be corrected by twice the correction amount L1 in the reverse direction of the scanning direction only during the backward scanning with reference to the forward scanning, and in such an aspect, the moving speed of the carriage 61 is reduced. In this case, the ink ejection timing is corrected during the backward scanning by the amount obtained by subtracting the value obtained by doubling the correction amount difference α from the value obtained by doubling the correction amount L1. Accordingly, there is a merit that it is possible to omit the calculation of the correction amount difference α when the ink is ejected only during the forward scanning and the recording is executed.
[0069]
In the embodiment, the control unit 1 is a control unit that is realized when a microcomputer control device configured by an MPU (micro processing unit) or the like executes a software program. Next, the control procedure by the “bidirectional liquid ejection control program” according to the present invention will be described.
[0070]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the “bidirectional liquid ejection control program” according to the present invention.
[0071]
First, a correction amount corresponding to the printing mode and printing speed of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is extracted from the data table to correct the bidirectional printing timing (ink ejection timing) (step S1). In other words, the prescribed correction amounts corresponding to the printing (recording) mode, the specified speed Vcr of the carriage 61 corresponding to the printing (recording) speed, the ink ejection distance PG, and the ink ejection speed Vm are stored in advance in a storage medium (not shown). The ink ejection timing is corrected by selecting from the specified correction amount data table. This data table will be described later. Next, it is determined whether or not there is a change (request) in the moving speed of the carriage 61, that is, the scanning speed of the recording head 62 due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage 61 (step S2). Whether or not there is a change (request) in the carriage speed in step S2 is determined by printing (recording) in which the specified speed Vcr, ink ejection distance PG, and ink ejection speed Vm of the carriage 61 are set according to the type of the recording paper P. It is a procedure for determining whether or not a control request for changing only the moving speed of the carriage 61 is generated without changing the moving speed of the carriage 61 by changing the mode, but in the printing (recording) mode. However, the moving speed of the carriage 61 is not changed yet. In response to the change of the printing (recording) mode, the specified correction amount is changed by determining in step S1.
[0072]
If no change (request) of the moving speed of the carriage 61 has occurred (No in step S2), printing (recording) is executed as it is (step S3). On the other hand, if a change (request) in the movement speed of the carriage 61 has occurred (Yes in step S2), it is determined whether printing is in progress (recording is being executed) (step S4). If printing (recording is being executed) (Yes in step S4), printing (recording) is continued at the moving speed of the carriage 61 as it is (step S3), and if printing is not being performed (recording is being executed) (step S3). No in S4), the moving speed of the carriage 61 is changed by changing (requesting) the moving speed of the carriage 61 (step S5).
[0073]
Then, after changing the moving speed of the carriage 61, the correction amount of the bidirectional printing timing is obtained. In other words, the correction amount difference α of the ink ejection timing is calculated from the speed difference between the moving speed of the carriage 61 before the change and the moving speed of the carriage 61 after the change (correction amount calculation procedure), and the correction amount difference α is defined. After adding the correction amount (liquid ejection timing correction procedure) to correct the ink ejection timing (step S6), printing (recording) is executed (step S3). In the “correction amount calculation procedure” in the embodiment, first, the speed before the change of the carriage 61 is changed to a value obtained by dividing the distance between the head nozzle and the paper (ink ejection distance PG) by the ink droplet speed (ink ejection speed Vm). The correction amount difference α is calculated by multiplying the speed difference (scanning speed difference ΔVcr) with the rear speed. In this embodiment, the calculated correction amount difference α is further divided by the resolution (resolution) in the main scanning direction X, and the correction amount difference α is converted into the number of dots in the main scanning direction X corresponding to the correction amount difference α. Convert.
[0074]
In this embodiment, if the resolution in the main scanning direction X is 1440 dpi (dots per inch), a maximum of 1440 ink dots per inch are formed in the main scanning direction X. The minimum dot interval of X is 1/1440 [inch]. Therefore, when the correction amount difference α is divided by the resolution of 1440 dpi, the correction amount difference α can be converted into the number of dots in the main scanning direction X corresponding to the correction amount difference α. Since the unit of the correction amount difference α is mm, the calculation is performed after the resolution is converted to mm. Since 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1/1440 [inch] = 25.4 / 1440 = 0.01764 [mm]. For example, the ink ejection distance PG is 1.55 [mm], and the ink ejection speed Vm is 5. If 5 [m / s], Vcr1 = 245 cps = 0.6223 [m / s] and Vcr2 = 190 cps = 0.4826 [m / s], the correction amount difference α is (0.6223-0.4826). ) × 1.55 ÷ 5.5 = 0.03937 [mm]. When the correction amount difference α is divided by the resolution, the correction amount difference α = 0.03937 [mm] ÷ 0.01764 [mm] = 2.232 = 2 approximately 2 [dots], and the ink ejection timing of the specified correction amount is calculated. In addition to the correction, the ink ejection timing can be corrected by a correction amount obtained by adding the correction amount difference α to the specified correction amount by simply shifting the ink ejection timing by 2 dots in the direction opposite to the main scanning direction X. .
[0075]
In this way, by converting the correction amount difference α into the number of dots in the main scanning direction X, the ink ejection timing is defined by simply shifting the liquid ejection timing in the opposite direction to the main scanning direction X by the number of dots. A procedure (liquid ejection timing correction procedure) for correcting with a correction amount obtained by adding the correction amount difference α to the correction amount can be facilitated.
[0076]
Next, a correction amount data table stored in advance in a storage medium (not shown) will be described.
FIG. 9 is a table showing a data configuration of a correction amount data table in the “bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus” according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a table showing the data configuration of the correction amount data table, and shows a case where the data table is configured with all the correction amounts when the moving speed of the carriage 61 is reduced to a low speed. is there.
[0077]
The head surface of the recording head 62 is provided with a plurality of ink nozzles in which a large number of ink ejection holes are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction X, and each specified correction amount corresponding to each ink nozzle is stored in a storage medium. Has been. The prescribed correction amounts corresponding to the five types of head drive modes (recording modes) that differ depending on the combination of the setting of the prescribed speed Vcr, the ink ejection distance PG, and the ink ejection speed Vm of the carriage 61 are set as bidirectional correction values. Assigned to. Since the actual ink ejection speed Vm differs slightly depending on the characteristics (viscosity, etc.) of the ink ejected from the recording head 62, the prescribed correction amounts L1 to L5 for Bk (black) ink are used for each head drive mode. And specified correction amounts L6 to L10 for Color ink. In this way, since different correction amounts are set for each ink nozzle, even when the ink ejection speed and the like differ due to different ink properties, a different correction amount is set for each ink nozzle to correct the appropriate ink ejection timing. It can be performed.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 11, when the data table is configured with all the correction amounts when only the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 is reduced to a low speed (190 cps) without changing the head drive mode, the correction amount data The number of 18 is required, and the capacity of the storage medium for storing the correction amount data table becomes large. When the head drive mode is VSD3, the original carriage 61 has a moving speed of 190 cps, so the bidirectional correction value at low speed does not change (L3, L8). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the correction amount when only the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 is reduced to a low speed (190 cps) without changing the head drive mode is obtained by adding the correction amount difference α to the specified correction amount. When the value is set, the number of correction amount data can be reduced to ten, which is about half, so that the capacity of the storage medium for storing the correction amount data table can be reduced. Further, since the correction amount can be calculated by calculating the correction amount difference α according to the speed difference of the carriage 61 at the time of deceleration, the speed at the time of deceleration is not limited to a specific speed. The ink ejection timing can be corrected flexibly corresponding to the moving speed (scanning speed of the recording head 62).
[0079]
In this manner, bidirectional ink (liquid) ejection control is realized that does not require a large-capacity storage medium for storing a large amount of correction amount data and can perform flexible ink (liquid) ejection timing correction. be able to.
[0080]
Further, as another embodiment, in addition to the above-described embodiment, there is an ink jet recording apparatus 50 provided with a “carriage speed control device” for controlling the moving speed of the carriage.
In this embodiment, the control unit 1 also has control means as a “carriage speed control device” for controlling the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61, and the absolute position and movement direction of the carriage 61 output from the encoder circuit 11. Based on the movement speed information, the motor drive circuit 13 that drives the carriage drive motor 64 is controlled to control the drive of the carriage 61 so as to move the carriage 61 at a desired movement direction, movement amount, and movement speed. I do. The carriage drive motor 64 is a DC motor (direct current motor), and the control unit 1 serves as a control means of the “carriage speed control device” and the current value of the carriage drive motor 64 and the movement of the carriage 61 by the motor drive circuit 13. From the speed, “load detection means” for detecting the load of the carriage drive motor 64 due to the sliding load between the carriage guide shaft 51 and the bearing portion 611 of the carriage 61, and the carriage drive detected by the load detection means “Deceleration control means” that controls the moving speed of the carriage 61 to be lower than a predetermined speed when the load of the motor 64 exceeds a certain load.
[0081]
Since the DC motor has a proportional relationship between the generated torque and the current value, the carriage 61 is driven in a state in which the carriage 61 is driven at a predetermined speed by controlling the rotation of the carriage driving motor 64 at a constant speed. As the sliding load between the carriage 61 and the carriage guide shaft 51 as the “guide member” of the carriage 61 increases, a large generated torque is required to drive the carriage 61 at a constant speed. The value of the current flowing through the motor 64 increases. On the other hand, as described above, the DC motor has a limit in the generated torque at a fixed rotational speed because the relationship between the generated torque and the rotational speed is inversely proportional. Therefore, as long as the drive voltage is constant, the greater the generated torque, that is, the greater the sliding load between the carriage 61 and the carriage guide shaft 51, the greater the drive rotation of the carriage drive motor 64. The possible number of rotations will decrease, and the limit speed of the controllable carriage 61 will decrease. Therefore, if the sliding load between the carriage 61 and the carriage guide shaft 51 exceeds a certain magnitude with respect to a constant moving speed of the carriage 61, the carriage 61 is smoothly reciprocated at the moving speed. It becomes difficult.
[0082]
Therefore, the load detection means detects the generated torque of the carriage drive motor 64 from the current value flowing through the carriage drive motor 64, that is, detects the load of the carriage drive motor 64, and detects the detected load of the carriage drive motor 64. Is over a certain load, the deceleration control means controls the moving speed of the carriage 61 to a speed lower than a predetermined speed to execute recording. As a result, even if the sliding load between the carriage 61 and the carriage guide shaft 51 increases due to ink mist or rattling due to the secular change of the bearing portion 611 of the carriage 61, the carriage driving motor 64 is driven by the driving voltage. Before exceeding the limit of the generated torque, the moving speed of the carriage 61 can be appropriately decelerated according to the increase in the load of the carriage driving motor 64 due to the sliding resistance. Therefore, even if the sliding resistance of the carriage 61 increases due to ink mist or secular change, the carriage 61 is not forcibly stopped, and the carriage 61 is appropriately decelerated to smoothly reciprocate the recording. Since the recording accuracy can be prevented from being lowered by executing this, the service life of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 can be extended without increasing the size of the carriage driving motor 64.
[0083]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the control procedure by the “bidirectional liquid ejection control program” according to the present invention.
[0084]
First, instead of printing (recording) operation on the recording paper P, the carriage 61 simply travels (reciprocates) at a constant speed (at a constant speed) (step S11), and the current value of the carriage drive motor 64 at that time is determined. Obtained (step S12). Then, it is determined whether the generated torque of the carriage drive motor 64 obtained from the current value, that is, the sliding load of the carriage 61 exceeds a limit value that can be controlled at a constant speed (step S13). As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the carriage 61 can be controlled at a constant speed before executing recording on the recording paper P (load detection procedure). If the load of the carriage drive motor 64 is detected by the load detection procedure every time the carriage 61 is reciprocated, it is quickly detected that the magnitude of the sliding load exceeds the limit value that can be controlled at a constant speed. can do.
[0085]
If the magnitude of the sliding load of the carriage 61 does not exceed the limit value that can be controlled at a constant speed, that is, if the carriage 61 can reciprocate at a constant speed control (No in step S13), a printing (recording) command is issued. (Step S14), the carriage 61 is controlled at a constant speed, and recording on the recording paper P is executed (step S15). After executing the recording, it is determined whether or not the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is turned off (step S16). If the power is not turned off (No in step S16), the process returns to step S12 again. On the other hand, if the magnitude of the sliding load of the carriage 61 exceeds the limit value that can be controlled at a constant speed, that is, if the carriage 61 cannot be reciprocated by constant speed control (Yes in step S13), printing is in progress ( It is determined whether or not recording is in progress (step S17). If recording is in progress (Yes in step S17), recording is continued (step S14), and if recording is not in progress (in step S17). No), the traveling speed of the carriage 61 is changed (decelerated) (step S18). Then, the bidirectional correction value (correction amount) is changed in the same procedure as step S6 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 (step S19).
[0086]
Specifically, for example, during constant speed control, the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 of 225 cps is reduced to 190 cps (deceleration control procedure), and a correction amount difference α corresponding to the moving speed of the decelerated carriage 61 is calculated to calculate the correction amount. The ink ejection timing from the recording head 62 is corrected by calculation. Then, a printing (recording) command is executed (step S14), and the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 is controlled to be decelerated to perform recording on the recording paper P (step S15). In this way, by not performing the deceleration control during the execution of recording, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of a local decrease in the recording image quality due to the change in the carriage speed during the execution of recording. Then, after the recording is executed, it is determined whether or not the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is turned off (step S16). If the power is not turned off (No in step S16), the process returns to step S12 again.
[0087]
When the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is turned off (Yes in step S16), the deceleration control of the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 is reset (step S20). Therefore, after the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 cannot be controlled at a constant speed, and the deceleration control of the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 is executed, the carriage 61 is reciprocated until the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is turned off. The speed reduction control is continuously performed. Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 1 has four constant speed control speeds of 295 cps, 245 cps, 225 cps, and 190 cps as the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 in each printing mode (recording execution mode) of the ink jet recording apparatus 50. There are various carriage speed control modes. During the deceleration control of the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 according to the deceleration control procedure, the deceleration control is uniformly performed to the slowest speed of 190 cps. However, although the control procedure becomes more complicated if the reciprocating speed is controlled stepwise, the throughput decreases due to the deceleration control. Can be said to be preferable. In the present embodiment, the control unit 1 does not perform the deceleration control procedure during the execution of recording, but is executing the recording when the load detection procedure detects a load of the carriage drive motor 64 that exceeds a certain load. Alternatively, the deceleration control procedure may be executed.
[0088]
In this way, when the sliding load between the carriage 61 and the carriage guide shaft 51 becomes large and it becomes difficult to smoothly reciprocate the carriage 61, there is a possibility that the recording accuracy may be greatly reduced. By performing the recording by decelerating the reciprocating speed of the carriage 61 to a low speed without forcibly stopping the carriage 61, the recording can be performed by smoothly reciprocating the carriage 61.
[0089]
Furthermore, as another embodiment, in each of the above-described embodiments, acceleration / deceleration control can be performed so that the moving speed of the carriage 61 can be set to a settable speed without changing the recording mode.
FIG. 10 is a table showing another embodiment of the data structure of the correction amount data table in the “bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus” according to the present invention.
[0090]
The prescribed correction amounts corresponding to the five types of head drive modes (recording modes) that differ depending on the combination of the setting of the prescribed speed Vcr, the ink ejection distance PG, and the ink ejection speed Vm of the carriage 61 are set as bidirectional correction values. Assigned to. Since the actual ink ejection speed Vm differs slightly depending on the characteristics (viscosity, etc.) of the ink ejected from the recording head 62, the prescribed correction amounts L1 to L5 for Bk (black) ink are used for each head drive mode. And specified correction amounts L6 to L10 for Color ink. The control unit 1 calculates the correction amount difference α from the speed difference (scanning speed difference ΔVcr) between the specified speed Vcr of the carriage 61 and the moving speed of the carriage 61 after acceleration / deceleration in each head drive mode (recording mode). A correction amount difference α is added to the correction amount at the speed Vcr to obtain a correction amount after acceleration / deceleration. For example, when the head drive mode (recording mode) is VSD1, the specified speed Vcr is 245 cps, the correction amount difference α after the speed change of the carriage 61 is calculated, and the correction amount difference α corresponds to the specified speed Vcr. The correction amount is calculated by adding to the specified correction amount L1 (Bk ink) and the specified correction amount L6 (Color ink).
[0091]
As described above, when correction amount data corresponding to four settable moving speeds of the carriage 61 for each of the five head driving modes (recording modes) is stored in advance in the storage medium for each ink type, 40 correction amount data are stored. However, one specified correction amount data for each head drive mode (recording mode) may be stored in advance for each ink type. Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 in which the acceleration / deceleration control can be performed to a settable speed without changing the recording mode, the correction amount data stored in the storage medium in advance is 10 pieces. Only the correction amount data (specified correction amounts L1 to L10) is required, and the necessary data capacity of the storage medium can be reduced to ¼. In addition, when acceleration / deceleration control of the moving speed of the carriage 61 (scanning speed of the recording head 62) is performed in fine steps, the ink ejection timing can be corrected flexibly in response to changes in the moving speed of the carriage 61. .
[0092]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of an essential part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an essential part of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a carriage and recording paper during forward scanning.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a carriage and recording paper during backward scanning.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a carriage and recording paper during reciprocating scanning.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a bidirectional liquid ejection control program.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a bidirectional liquid ejection control program.
FIG. 9 is a table showing a data configuration of a correction amount data table;
FIG. 10 is a table showing a data configuration of a correction amount data table;
FIG. 11 is a table showing a data configuration of a correction amount data table;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part, 10 ASF (auto sheet feeder), 11 encoder circuit, 12 head drive circuit, 13 motor drive circuit, 50 inkjet recording device, 51 carriage guide shaft, 52 platen, 53 transport drive roller, 54 transport driven Roller, 55 Paper discharge drive roller, 56 Paper discharge driven roller, 57 Paper feed roller, 58 Paper feed tray, 61 Carriage, 62 Recording head, 63 Paper detector, 64 Carriage drive motor, 67 Linear scale, X Main scanning direction , Y Sub-scanning direction

Claims (1)

A carriage having a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid on a material to be ejected and supported by a guide member so as to be slidable in a predetermined scanning direction, and a carriage drive for driving the carriage in the scanning direction A force source, and a carriage speed control device that controls the carriage driving force source to control the carriage sliding speed to a predetermined speed, and the liquid ejecting head with respect to the ejection surface of the ejected material In the liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head scanning unit that reciprocally scans in the scanning direction relative to the liquid ejecting head, the liquid ejecting head scans the liquid ejecting head while the liquid ejecting head reciprocates in the scanning direction. A bidirectional liquid ejection control device that ejects liquid from the liquid ejection head during forward scanning and backward scanning to execute liquid ejection on a material to be ejected,
The correction amount of the liquid ejection timing is calculated according to the scanning speed of the liquid ejecting head so that the liquid dots to be formed at the same point are formed at the same point during forward scanning and backward scanning of the liquid ejecting head. Correction amount calculation means;
Liquid ejection timing correction means for correcting the liquid ejection timing from the liquid ejection head with the correction amount calculated by the correction amount calculation means;
The carriage speed control device includes:
Load detecting means for detecting a load of the carriage driving force source due to sliding resistance of the carriage;
When the load of the carriage driving force source detected by the load detection unit exceeds a certain load, after the liquid ejection to the material to be ejected during the liquid ejection is finished, the liquid according to the next liquid ejection command The sliding speed of the carriage is controlled to a speed lower than a predetermined speed from the time of ejection execution, and even if the load of the carriage driving force source detected by the load detection means becomes below a certain load, the liquid ejecting apparatus A bidirectional liquid ejection control apparatus comprising: a deceleration control unit that continues deceleration control until the power is turned off.

Images