JP4780294B2 - Recording device, recording control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording material transport unit capable of transporting a recording material in a predetermined transport direction, and a dot forming unit capable of forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material in the transport path of the recording material transport unit The dot forming unit executes the control for forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material based on the recording data and the recording material conveying unit performs the control for conveying the recording material in the conveying direction by a predetermined conveying amount. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including recording control means for executing recording on a recording surface of a recording material.

  Recording material conveying means capable of conveying the recording material in a predetermined conveying direction, dot forming means capable of forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material in the conveying path of the recording material conveying means, and dot formation The recording material is recorded by executing the control for forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material by the means and the control for conveying the recording material by a predetermined conveying amount in the conveying direction by the recording material conveying means. In a recording apparatus including a recording control unit that performs recording on a surface, the inclination of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction becomes a problem. When the recording material is inclined with respect to the transport direction, so-called “skew”, depending on the degree of the skew, the margin widths of the four sides of the recording material after recording are formed obliquely and may not be constant. There is a possibility that the recording is performed on the outside of the recording surface of the material and the inside of the recording apparatus gets dirty.

  As an example of the prior art for solving such a problem due to skew, a sensor capable of detecting the end of the recording material is placed in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the conveyance direction on the conveyance path of the recording material. 2. Description of the Related Art There are known sheet transport apparatuses that are configured to be fixedly arranged in two or more and have a configuration capable of detecting a skew of a recording material from a detection state of the sensor (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

For example, the prior art disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is based on the skew direction and skew angle of the recording material detected by two sensors arranged in a fixed manner on the transport path in parallel with the transport direction. Thus, the skew of the recording material can be corrected by adjusting the difference in rotational speed between the two transport rollers arranged in parallel with the transport direction.
For example, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 3 is based on the skew direction and skew angle of the recording material detected by two sensors arranged in a fixed manner on the transport path in parallel with the transport direction. The skew of the recording material can be corrected by tilting the conveyance path itself.
For example, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 4 is based on the skew direction and skew angle of the recording material detected by two sensors arranged in a fixed manner on the transport path in parallel with the transport direction. The skew of the recording material can be corrected by adjusting the angle of the conveying roller disposed in parallel with the conveying direction with respect to the conveying direction.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-28611 JP-A-7-171165 JP-A-6-40610 JP-A-9-175694

  However, the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above all directly or indirectly place the recording material so that the recording material skewed with respect to the conveyance direction is parallel to the conveyance direction. It is rotated to physically correct the skew. If such a large skew correction mechanism is provided in the conveyance path or the like, there is a risk that the recording apparatus may be increased in size or greatly increased in cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the problem is that it is possible to perform recording with high accuracy even when a skew occurs in the recording material during feeding or conveyance of the recording material. Is to realize a simple recording apparatus at low cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording material transport unit capable of transporting a recording material in a predetermined transport direction, and a recording material on a transport path of the recording material transport unit. Dot forming means capable of forming dots on the recording surface; and recording material inclination detecting means capable of specifying an inclination direction and an inclination angle of the recording material in the conveyance path of the recording material conveyance means with respect to the conveyance direction; The dot forming means performs control to form dots on the recording surface of the recording material based on recording data, and the recording material conveying means performs control to convey the recording material in the conveying direction by a predetermined conveying amount. And a recording control unit that performs recording on the recording surface of the recording material, wherein the recording control unit includes dots formed on the recording surface of the recording material based on the recording data, The recording material inclination detecting means Corresponding to the inclination direction and inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction detected in this way, the recording material is formed on the recording surface with an array of substantially the same inclination direction and substantially the same inclination angle with respect to the conveyance direction. In this way, the recording apparatus is characterized in that the dot forming means is controlled based on the recording data and recording on the recording material is executed.

  That is, the invention described in the first aspect of the present invention rotates the recording material in which the skew (inclination of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction) is caused to be parallel to the conveyance direction, as in the past. Thus, based on a new technical idea that is completely opposite to physically correcting the skew, as described above, the tilt direction and tilt angle are the same as the tilt direction and tilt angle of the recording material with respect to the transport direction. In this way, the skew is logically corrected by forming a dot array on the recording surface of the recording material. In other words, conventionally, the skew of the recording material has been corrected in accordance with the absolute reference of the recording material conveyance direction, whereas the recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is capable of recording. Dots are formed on the recording surface with a dot arrangement that matches the skew direction and skew angle of the recording material with respect to the recording material that remains skewed so that the skew is relatively corrected according to the skew of the material. Recording. In order to form a dot array that matches the skew of the recording material, for example, the dot array of the recording data itself may be changed according to the skew of the recording material, or the recording data dot array may remain unchanged The control procedure for forming dots on the recording surface of the material may be changed according to the skew of the recording material.

  In this way, a technical concept completely different from the existing concept in the conventional recording apparatus that it is natural to perform recording by arranging dots in the transport direction and in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction with respect to the recording surface of the recording material. According to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide the recording apparatus with a large mechanism for physically rotating the recording material, and the skew of the recording material is relatively corrected even if the recording material has a skew. Since the recording execution result can be obtained, it is possible to realize a recording apparatus that can perform recording with high accuracy at low cost even when the recording material is skewed during feeding or conveyance of the recording material. The effect that it can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, the dot forming unit has a dot forming element array in which a plurality of dot forming elements are arranged at regular intervals in the transport direction on the head surface. A carriage mounted with a recording head is capable of reciprocating in a direction parallel to the recording surface of the recording head and perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to the recording surface of the recording material in the conveying path of the recording material conveying means. A carriage movement detection unit that outputs a detection signal capable of specifying a movement direction and a movement amount of the carriage to the recording control unit in accordance with a reciprocating movement of the carriage. The means is configured such that the dots formed on the recording surface of the recording material based on the recording data are the inclination direction and inclination of the recording material with respect to the transport direction detected by the recording material inclination detection unit. Corresponding to the detection signal output by the carriage movement detection means so as to be formed on the recording surface of the recording material in an array having substantially the same inclination direction and substantially the same inclination angle with respect to the transport direction, corresponding to the angle. The dot forming timing is shifted and the dot forming element to be used is controlled to be changed to another dot forming element in the same dot forming element array, and recording on the recording material is executed. Recording device.

  Thus, by shifting the dot formation timing linked to the detection signal output by the carriage movement detection means, the dot formation position in the direction orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction can be shifted. Further, in a dot formation element array in which a plurality of dot formation elements are arranged in the transport direction, the dot formation element to be used is changed to another dot formation element that is different from the dot formation element to be originally used. The dot formation position in the recording material conveyance direction can be shifted.

  Therefore, according to the recording apparatus described in the second aspect of the present invention, it is interlocked with the detection signal output from the carriage movement detecting means according to the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording material in which the skew is generated. By shifting the dot formation timing and changing the dot formation element to be used to another dot formation element in the same dot formation element array and executing recording on the recording material, the skew of the recording material is relatively Since the corrected recording execution result can be obtained, a recording apparatus capable of performing recording with high accuracy even when a skew occurs in the recording material at the time of feeding or conveying the recording material is realized at low cost. The effect that it can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect described above, the recording control unit is responsive to an inclination direction and an inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction detected by the recording material inclination detection unit. The dot forming element in the dot forming element array is divided into a plurality of logical dot forming element groups, and a dot forming timing is set for each dot forming element group.
As described above, the dot forming elements in the dot forming element array are divided into a plurality of dot forming element groups according to the tilt direction and tilt angle of the recording material with respect to the transport direction, and dot formation is performed for each divided dot forming element group. By setting the timing, it is possible to shift the dot formation position in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording material in accordance with the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect or the third aspect described above, the carriage is recorded on a portion facing the recording surface of the recording material conveyed by the recording material conveying means. First recording material detection means and second recording material detection means capable of detecting the end of the material in a non-contact manner are disposed at an interval α in the transport direction, and the recording control means is From the state in which the first recording material detection unit and the second recording material detection unit detect the recording surface of the recording material before execution of recording, the carriage is moved in the carriage reciprocation direction of the recording material. The recording material is moved to one end side, and the one end of the recording material in the carriage reciprocating direction is detected by either the first recording material detection means or the second recording material detection means. First recording material detection means or the second recording material The amount of carriage movement up to the point of time detected by the other of the detection means is acquired from the carriage movement detection means, and the inclination direction and inclination of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction are determined from the relationship between the carriage movement amount and the interval α. The recording apparatus is characterized by specifying an angle.

  The first recording material detection unit and the second recording material detection unit are disposed with an interval α in the recording material conveyance direction. For this reason, when the first recording material detection unit and the second recording material detection unit detect the recording surface of the recording material before execution of recording, the carriage is moved to one end side of the recording material. If the recording material is skewed, the first recording material detection means detects the one end of the recording material, and the second recording material detection means detects the one end of the recording material. There should be a deviation in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction according to the skew angle of the recording material at the carriage position to be recorded. Further, the skew direction of the recording material is specified by the moving direction of the carriage and which of the first recording material detection unit and the second recording material detection unit detects one end of the recording material first. Can do.

  Therefore, the one end of the recording material in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is detected from the first recording material detection means or the second recording material detection means when the one end is the first recording material detection means. The carriage movement amount (distance in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction) up to the time point detected by the other of the recording material detection means or the second recording material detection means, the first recording material detection means, and the second recording material detection means The inclination state of the recording material with respect to the recording material conveyance direction, that is, the skew direction and skew angle of the recording material is specified from the relationship with the physical distance α (distance in the conveyance direction) with the recording material detection means. can do.

  In addition, since the first recording material detection unit and the second recording material detection unit are disposed on the carriage that reciprocates in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, the conveyance is performed regardless of the conveyance position of the recording material. If the carriage is moved with respect to the recording material on the path, the end of the recording material in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is detected by the first recording material detection means and the second recording material detection means. be able to. Therefore, when recording is performed by forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material by the recording head mounted on the carriage, the first disposed on the carriage from the start of recording to the end of recording. With the recording material detection means and the second recording material detection means, it is possible to continue to accurately detect the skew direction and skew angle of the recording material on the transport path by the procedure described above.

  Since the first recording material detection means and the second recording material detection means are arranged on the carriage that reciprocates in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, the carriage is relative to the recording material on the conveyance path. Is moved by the first recording material detection unit and the second recording material detection unit regardless of the size of the recording material, that is, regardless of the width in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording material. It is possible to detect an end portion in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording material on the conveyance path. Therefore, only the two detection means (first recording material detection means and second recording material detection means) arranged on the carriage can be used for any size of recording material on the conveyance path. It is possible to continue to accurately detect the skew direction and the skew angle of the recording material.

  Thereby, according to the recording apparatus as described in the 4th aspect of this invention, in addition to the effect by the invention as described in the 2nd aspect or 3rd aspect mentioned above, two detections arrange | positioned at the carriage are carried out. With only the means (first recording material detection means and second recording material detection means), the skew direction and skew angle of the recording material on the transport path can be recorded corresponding to the recording material of any size. Since accurate detection can be continued from the start to the end of recording, the skew direction and skew angle of the skew generated during the conveyance of the recording material can be accurately detected from the start to the end of recording on the recording material. A recording apparatus that can continue can be realized at low cost.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording material transport unit capable of transporting a recording material in a predetermined transport direction, and dots on the recording surface of the recording material in the transport path of the recording material transport unit. In a recording apparatus comprising: a dot forming unit capable of forming; and a recording material inclination detecting unit capable of specifying an inclination direction and an inclination angle of the recording material in a conveyance path of the recording material conveyance unit with respect to the conveyance direction; A control for forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material by the dot forming means based on recording data and a control for transporting the recording material by a predetermined transport amount in the transport direction by the recording material transporting means are executed. A recording control program for causing a computer to execute control for recording on a recording surface of a recording material, wherein dots formed on the recording surface of the recording material based on recording data are recorded on the recording material detection Corresponding to the inclination direction and inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction detected at the stage, the recording surface of the recording material is formed with an array of substantially the same inclination direction and the same inclination angle with respect to the conveyance direction. As described above, the recording control program includes a procedure for performing the recording on the recording material by controlling the dot forming unit based on the recording data.
According to the recording control program described in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as the invention described in the first aspect of the present invention are brought to any recording apparatus capable of executing the recording control program. Can do.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of a “recording apparatus” according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an essential part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
The ink jet recording apparatus 50 includes a recording head 62 that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording paper P as a “recording material”, and a carriage that can reciprocate in the main scanning direction X with respect to the recording paper P. A carriage 61 supported by the guide shaft 51 is provided. The carriage 61 is equipped with a recording head 62 and first PW sensor 341 and second PW sensor 342, which will be described later, and the rotational driving force of the CR motor 63 (FIG. 3) is driven by a belt transmission mechanism using an endless belt (not shown). It is transmitted and reciprocates in the main scanning direction X. At a position facing the head surface of the recording head 62, the recording paper P conveyed by a conveyance driving roller 53 and a conveyance driven roller 54, which will be described later as “recording material conveying means”, is slidably supported and supported on the recording paper P. A platen 52 is provided that defines a predetermined distance between the recording surface and the head surface of the recording head 62.

  A known capping device 59 is provided outside the one end side of the reciprocating region of the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X. In a standby state in which recording is not performed, the carriage 61 moves over the capping device 59 and stops, and the head surface of the recording head 62 is sealed by the cap CP provided in the capping device 59. The stop position of the carriage 61 is defined as a home position HP.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is provided with a transport driving roller 53 and a transport driven roller 54 as “recording material transport means” capable of transporting the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y. The conveyance driving roller 53 rotates when the rotation driving force of the PF motor 58 (FIG. 3) is transmitted to the gear, and the recording paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller 53. A plurality of transport driven rollers 54 are provided and are individually urged by the transport driving roller 53, and the recording paper P is in contact with the recording paper P when the recording paper P is transported by the rotation of the transport driving roller 53. Rotates following the transport of A coating having a high frictional resistance is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the transport driving roller 53. The recording paper P pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the transport driven roller 54 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the frictional resistance of the outer peripheral surface, and rotates in the sub scanning direction by the transport driving roller 53. It is conveyed to Y.

  On the upstream side of the conveyance drive roller 53 in the sub-scanning direction Y, a paper feed tray 57 as a “recording material stacking unit” capable of stacking a large number of recording sheets P is disposed. The paper feed tray 57 is configured to feed (feed) recording paper P such as plain paper or photo paper. In the vicinity of the paper feed tray 57, as the “automatic feeding means” for automatically feeding the uppermost recording paper P of the recording paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 57 to the “recording material conveying means”. An ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) is provided. The ASF is a known automatic paper feed mechanism having a paper feed roller 57b provided on the paper feed tray 57 and a separation pad (not shown). The paper feed roller 57 b is disposed on one side of the paper feed tray 57. The recording paper guide 57a is provided on the paper feed tray 57 so as to be slidable in the width direction in accordance with the width of the recording paper P.

  Then, the recording paper P placed on the paper feed tray 57 is fed by the rotational driving force of the paper feed roller 57b that rotates by transmission of the rotational driving force of the PF motor 58 (FIG. 3). At that time, due to the frictional resistance of the separation pad, a plurality of recording papers P are not fed at a time, but only the uppermost recording paper P is accurately separated and automatically fed one by one. A paper detector 33 according to a known technique is disposed between the paper feed roller 57b and the conveyance drive roller 53.

On the other hand, a discharge driving roller 55 and a discharge driven roller 56 are provided as means for discharging the recording paper P after execution of recording. The paper discharge driving roller 55 is rotated by transmission of the rotational driving force of the PF motor 58 (FIG. 3), and the recording paper P after recording is discharged in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. Is done. The paper discharge driven roller 56 has a plurality of teeth around it, and is a toothed roller sharply sharpened so that the tip of each tooth makes point contact with the recording surface of the recording paper P. The plurality of paper discharge driven rollers 56 are individually urged by the paper discharge driving roller 55, and come into contact with the recording paper P when the recording paper P is discharged by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. The paper rotates as the paper is discharged.
A PF motor 58 (FIG. 3) that rotationally drives the paper feed roller 57b, the conveyance drive roller 53, and the paper discharge drive roller 55, and a CR motor 63 (FIG. 3) that drives the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X are recorded. The drive is controlled by the control unit 100. Similarly, the recording head 62 is driven and controlled by the recording control unit 100 to eject ink onto the surface of the recording paper P. The recording control unit 100 forms dots by ejecting ink from the recording head 62 to the recording paper P based on the recording data while reciprocating the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X, and the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction. Control of recording on the recording paper P is executed while alternately repeating the operation of transporting to Y at a predetermined transport amount.

The recording control unit 100 as “recording control means” will be described with reference to FIGS.
The recording control unit 100 includes a ROM 101, a RAM 102, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) 103, an MPU 104, a nonvolatile memory 105 as a “nonvolatile storage medium”, a PF motor driver 106, a CR motor driver 107, and a head driver 108. ing. The MPU 104 includes a rotary encoder 31 as a “rotation amount detection unit” that detects the rotation amount of the transport driving roller 53 via the ASIC 103, and a linear encoder 32 as a “carriage movement amount detection unit” that detects the movement amount of the carriage 61. A paper detector 33 for detecting the leading and trailing edges of the conveyed recording paper P, a first PW sensor 341, a second PW sensor 342, and a power switch 35 for turning on / off the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50, which will be described later. An output signal is input.

A known rotary encoder 31 includes a rotary scale 311 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyance drive roller 53, and a rotary scale sensor 312 that detects slits formed at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the rotary scale 311. (FIG. 2). An output signal of the rotary scale sensor 312 that changes with the rotation of the transport driving roller 53 is output to the MPU 104 via the ASIC 103.
A linear encoder 32 known as “carriage movement detection means” that outputs a detection signal that can specify the movement direction and the movement amount of the carriage 61 is a linear scale 321 that is arranged in the vicinity of the carriage 61 and substantially parallel to the main scanning direction X. And a linear scale sensor 322 mounted on a carriage 61 for detecting slits formed at equal intervals in the linear scale 321 (FIG. 2). An output signal of the linear scale sensor 322 in which the period of the pulse corresponding to the amount of movement of the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X changes with the moving speed is output to the MPU 104 via the ASIC 103.

The known paper detector 33 is given a self-returning behavior to a standing posture and protrudes into the conveyance path of the recording paper P so as to be able to rotate only in the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction Y) of the recording paper P. This detector has a lever that is pivotally supported in the state, and the lever rotates when the tip of the lever is pushed by the recording paper P, whereby the recording paper P is detected (FIG. 2). . The paper detector 33 detects the start position of the recording paper P fed from the paper feed roller 57 b and the end position of the recording paper P being conveyed, and the detection signal is output to the MPU 104 via the ASIC 103.
A ROM 101, a RAM 102, an ASIC 103, an MPU 104, and a nonvolatile memory 105 are connected to the system bus of the recording control unit 100. The MPU 104 performs arithmetic processing for executing recording control of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 and other necessary arithmetic processing. The ROM 101 stores a recording control program (firmware) necessary for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus 50 by the MPU 104, and various data necessary for processing the recording control program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 105. . The RAM 102 is used as a work area for the MPU 104 and a storage area for recording data.

  The ASIC 103 has a control circuit for performing speed control of the PF motor 58 and the CR motor 63 which are DC motors and driving control of the recording head 62. Based on the control command sent from the MPU 104, the output signal of the rotary encoder 31 and the output signal of the linear encoder 32, various calculations for controlling the speed of the PF motor 58 and the CR motor 63 are performed, and based on the calculation results. A motor control signal is sent to the PF motor driver 106 and the CR motor driver 107. Further, based on the recording data sent from the MPU 104, a control signal for the recording head 62 is calculated and generated and sent to the head driver 108 to drive-control the recording head 62. The ASIC 103 has a host IF 112 as “information transmission means” for realizing information transmission with the personal computer 301 or the like as an “information processing apparatus”.

Subsequently, the first PW sensor 341 as the “first recording material detection unit”, the second PW sensor 342 as the “second recording material detection unit”, and the recording control unit 100 according to the present invention. The skew detection control will be described.
4 to 6 schematically illustrate a process in which the carriage 61 is moved in the main scanning direction X with respect to the skewed recording paper P, and the left end of the recording paper P is scanned by the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the relationship between the left end detection position of the recording paper P by the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 and the skew direction and skew angle of the recording paper P.

  Combined with detection control by the recording control unit 100 described below, a “recording material inclination detecting unit” that can specify the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording paper P on the platen 52 with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y is configured. The 1PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 are arranged at a constant interval α in the sub-scanning direction Y at a portion facing the recording surface of the recording paper P of the carriage 61. The first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 detect the edge of the recording paper P on the platen 52 from the difference between the light reflectance of the recording paper sliding surface of the platen 52 and the light reflectance of the recording surface of the recording paper P. An optical sensor that can be detected in a non-contact manner is provided, and the detection signal is output to the MPU 104 via the ASIC 103. The recording control unit 100 detects the skew direction and skew angle of the recording paper P on the platen 52 based on the output signals of the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342.

  From the state in which the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 detect the recording surface of the recording paper P before execution of recording, the recording control unit 100 moves the carriage 61 to one end (left end) of the recording paper P in the main scanning direction X. ) Move to the side. From the time when one end (left end) of the recording paper P in the main scanning direction X is detected by either the first PW sensor 341 or the second PW sensor 342, the one end (left end) is the first PW sensor 341 or the second PW sensor 342. The movement amount W of the carriage 61 up to the time point detected by the other is obtained from the output signal of the linear encoder 32 (FIGS. 1 and 3) as “carriage movement amount detection means”. Then, the skew direction and skew angle θ of the recording paper P with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y are specified from the relationship between the movement amount W of the carriage 61 and the interval α.

  For example, since the skew direction of the recording paper P shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 is downwardly inclined, when the carriage 61 is moved from the vicinity of the center of the recording paper P to the left end (FIG. 4), the first PW is firstly displayed. The left side edge of the recording paper P is detected by the sensor 341 (FIG. 5), and then the left side edge of the recording paper P is detected by the second PW sensor 342 (FIG. 6). Of course, if the skew direction of the recording paper P is lowered to the left, the left edge of the recording paper P is detected first by the second PW sensor 342, and then the left edge of the recording paper P is detected by the first PW sensor 341. become. That is, the skew direction of the recording paper P can be specified by which of the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 detects the left end of the recording paper P first.

Then, the movement amount W of the carriage 61 from the detection of the left edge of the recording paper P by the first PW sensor 341 to the detection of the left edge of the recording paper P by the second PW sensor 342 and the physical sub-scanning direction Y between the sensors. From the relationship with the interval α, the skew angle θ of the recording sheet P with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y can be specified (FIG. 7).
θ = tan ⁻¹ (α / W) (1)
This movement amount W changes according to the skew angle θ of the recording paper P, and the interval α between the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 is not changed. Therefore, from the relationship between the movement amount W and the interval α, for example, The skew angle θ of the recording paper P can be specified from the above calculation formula (1).
In this embodiment, an example in which the left end of the recording paper P is detected by the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 is described as an example. However, the right end of the recording paper P is detected by the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342. Needless to say, the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the recording paper P can be specified even when detected by the 2PW sensor 342.

  Next, recording control for executing recording by forming dots based on the recording data in accordance with the skew direction and the skew angle on the skewed recording paper P will be described.

FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing the head surface of the recording head 62.
The carriage 61 on which the recording head 62 is mounted is disposed so that the head surface of the recording head 62 is parallel to the recording surface of the recording paper P on the platen 52 and can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction X. On the head surface of the recording head 62, “dot formation” in which M nozzles N <b> 1 to NM as “dot formation elements” are arranged at a constant nozzle distribution density (dot formation element distribution density) D in the sub-scanning direction Y. Nozzle rows 62K, 62C, 62LC, 62M, 62LM, and 62Y as “element arrays” are arranged substantially parallel to the main scanning direction X as shown in the figure. Black ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62K, cyan ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62C, and light cyan ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62LC. The magenta ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the 62M, the light magenta ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62LM, and the yellow ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to NM of the nozzle array 62Y. Is formed. By forming dots of different colors on the same dot formation position, recording with various color expressions is realized.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a state when recording is performed on the skewed recording paper P while ignoring the skew.
While the recording paper P is skewed by the skew angle θ, the carriage 61 on which the recording head 62 is mounted always reciprocates in the main scanning direction X, and the recording paper P always moves in the sub-scanning direction Y. It is conveyed to. For this reason, if recording is performed on the skewed recording paper P while ignoring the skew, a recording area PA tilted with respect to the recording surface of the recording paper P is formed as shown in the figure. As a result, the margins of the four sides are slanted, and depending on the skew angle, the ink is ejected onto the platen 52 outside the recording paper P.
Note that the width in the sub-scanning direction Y indicated by the symbol NA is the maximum width in the sub-scanning direction Y of an area where ink can be ejected in one main scanning operation to form dots. Corresponds to the interval from the nozzle N1 on the most downstream side in the sub-scanning direction of each nozzle row to the nozzle NM on the most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction, which is hereinafter referred to as a nozzle width NA.

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a state when recording is executed by forming dots in the skew direction in accordance with the skew angle θ on the recording paper P skewed to the right. .
FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which dots are formed in the skew direction in accordance with the skew angle θ and recording is performed on the recording paper P skewed downward to the left. .
The recording control unit 100 detects one end (left end) in the main scanning direction X of the recording paper P by the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 by the dots formed on the recording surface of the recording paper P based on the recording data. Corresponding to the skew direction and skew angle θ of the recording paper P with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y (conveyance direction) specified in this way, the arrangement of the tilt direction and the tilt angle θ is substantially the same as the sub-scanning direction Y (conveyance direction) Recording control is performed so as to be formed on the recording surface of the recording paper P, and recording on the recording paper P is executed.

  In this way, by forming dots on the recording surface with a dot arrangement that matches the skew direction and skew angle θ of the recording paper P, as shown in FIGS. Thus, it is possible to obtain a recording execution result in which the skew is relatively corrected. Therefore, the recording paper P can be fed at the time of feeding (feeding) or at the time of transport without providing a large mechanism that physically corrects the skew of the recording paper P by rotating the recording paper P. Ink jet recording apparatus 50 that can execute recording with high accuracy even if skew occurs can be realized at low cost.

  Next, a procedure for forming dots on the recording surface with a dot arrangement that matches the skew direction and skew angle θ of the recording paper P will be described in detail.

  The recording control unit 100 has dots formed on the recording surface of the recording paper P based on the recording data corresponding to the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the recording paper P with respect to the specified sub-scanning direction Y (conveyance direction). Dots that are linked to the detection signal output by the linear encoder 32 so as to be formed on the recording surface of the recording paper P in an array having substantially the same inclination direction and inclination angle θ with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y (conveyance direction). Recording on the recording paper P is executed by shifting the formation timing and changing the nozzles used in each nozzle row.

  For convenience of explanation, the nozzle row 62Y of the nozzle rows of the recording head 62 will be described as an example, and the number of nozzles in each nozzle row will be assumed to be 16 from N1 to N16.

FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing a procedure for shifting the dot formation timing linked to the detection signal output from the linear encoder 32 in the main scanning direction X. FIG.
The linear encoder 32 has a linear scale sensor 322 mounted on a carriage 61 that detects slits S formed at equal intervals in the linear scale 321 (FIG. 2). The linear encoder 32 outputs a pulse signal of the number and period of the slits S passing through the linear scale sensor 322 according to the movement of the carriage 61. Normally, as shown in FIG. 12A, ink is ejected from the nozzles N1 to N16 in the same nozzle row onto the recording surface of the recording paper P at the same slit S detection timing, and dots d are formed. A plurality of dots d are formed in a state of being formed and aligned in parallel with the sub-scanning direction Y, and recording is executed.

  On the other hand, the recording control unit 100 of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 according to the present invention records on the recording paper P with the arrangement of the inclination direction and the inclination angle θ substantially the same as the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the specified recording paper P. Printing is performed while shifting the formation position of the dot d in the main scanning direction X by shifting the ink ejection timing (dot formation timing) of each nozzle to the detection timing of a different slit S so that the dot d is formed on the surface. To do. More specifically, the recording control unit 100 divides a plurality of nozzles in the same nozzle row into a plurality of logical nozzle groups according to the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the recording paper P with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y. The ink ejection timing is set for each nozzle group.

  For example, for a certain skew direction and skew angle θ, the 16 nozzles of the nozzle row 62Y are divided into logical four nozzle groups. At the detection timing of the slits S that eject ink from all the nozzles (nozzles N1 to N16) of the nozzle row, ink is ejected only from the nozzles N1 to N4 to form four dots d, and the next slit S In this detection timing, ink is ejected from only the nozzles N5 to N8 to form four dots d. Similarly, the four dots d are ejected in sequence while ejecting ink in order of four nozzles at different slit S detection timings. Is formed (FIG. 12B).

  For example, for a certain skew direction and skew angle θ, the 16 nozzles in the nozzle row 62Y are divided into logical two nozzle groups. At the detection timing of the slits S that eject ink from all the nozzles (nozzles N1 to N16) of the nozzle row, ink is ejected only from the nozzles N1 and N2 to form two dots d, and the next slit S In the detection timing, ink is ejected from only the nozzles N3 and N4 to form two dots d. Similarly, two dots d are ejected in sequence while ejecting ink in order of two nozzles at different slit S detection timings. Is formed (FIG. 12C).

  As described above, the nozzles N1 to N16 in the nozzle row 62Y are divided into a plurality of nozzle groups according to the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the recording paper P with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y, and the ink ejection timing for each divided nozzle group. , The dot d formation position in the main scanning direction X can be shifted in accordance with the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the recording paper P with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y.

13 and 14 are plan views schematically showing a procedure for shifting the dot formation position in the sub-scanning direction Y by changing the nozzle used in each nozzle row to another nozzle in the same nozzle row.
The recording control unit 100 of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 according to the present invention has dots d on the recording surface of the recording paper P in an array having an inclination direction and an inclination angle θ substantially the same as the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the specified recording paper P. In the nozzle row 62Y in which the 16 nozzles N1 to N16 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction Y, the nozzle to be used is shifted to another nozzle that is different from the nozzle that should be used. By doing so, the formation position of the dot d in the sub-scanning direction Y is changed.
Here, in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the numbers given in the dots d are the nozzle numbers (N1 to N16) of the nozzles originally used for forming the dots d if no skew occurs. is there.

  When the dot d formation position is shifted in the main scanning direction X in the procedure shown in FIG. 12, for example, the dots d can be formed obliquely with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y as shown in FIG. . Then, according to the specified skew direction and skew angle θ of the recording paper P, the used nozzles of the nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction Y are further shifted, for example, as shown in FIG. 13B. Furthermore, the dots d can be formed obliquely with respect to the main scanning direction X.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, by increasing the shift amount of the ink ejection timing in the main scanning direction X and the number of shifts of the used nozzles according to the skew angle θ, Dots d can be formed with an array of large inclination angles θ, and conversely, if the shift amount of the ink ejection timing in the main scanning direction X and the number of shifts of the used nozzles are reduced, the array of smaller inclination angles θ can be obtained. Dots d can be formed. Further, if the shift direction of the ink ejection timing in the main scanning direction X and the shift direction of the used nozzles are set according to the skew direction (downward or leftward) of the recording paper P, the same inclination direction as the skew direction is set. Dots d can be formed in an array.
In order to shift the nozzles to be used, it is necessary to develop a recording data area DA having a width wider than the nozzle width NA as shown in the figure. For example, the dots d indicated by black circles in FIGS. 13 and 14 indicate that the dot data developed in the recording data area outside the nozzle width NA that is not a target of ink ejection in the main scanning operation unless skew occurs. This is the dot d formed by the main scanning operation as a result of shifting within the nozzle width NA by shifting the nozzle used.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting the skew direction and skew angle of the recording paper P.
First, when the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 detect the recording surface of the recording paper P before execution of recording, the carriage 61 starts to move toward one end in the main scanning direction X of the recording paper P. (Step S1). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the first PW sensor 341 disposed on the moving carriage 61 detects the absence of recording paper from the state of recording paper (step S2). That is, it is determined whether or not the first PW sensor 341 has detected the edge of the recording paper P.

  If the first PW sensor 341 does not detect the absence of recording paper (No in step S2), then the second PW sensor 342 disposed on the moving carriage 61 starts from the state where there is recording paper. It is determined whether or not none is detected (step S3). That is, it is determined whether or not the second PW sensor 342 has detected the edge of the recording paper P. If no recording paper is detected (No in step S3), the process returns to step S2, and the first PW sensor 341 is returned. Alternatively, step S2 and step S3 are alternately repeated until any of the second PW sensors 342 detects the absence of recording paper.

  If the first PW sensor 341 first detects the absence of recording paper (Yes in step S2), it is then determined whether the second PW sensor 342 detects the absence of recording paper from the state of recording paper ( In step S4), when no recording paper is detected (No in step S4), step S4 is repeatedly executed until the second PW sensor 342 detects no recording paper. On the other hand, if the second PW sensor 342 first detects the absence of recording paper (Yes in step S3), it is then determined whether or not the first PW sensor 341 detects the absence of recording paper from the state of recording paper. However, if no recording paper is detected (No in step S5), step S5 is repeatedly executed until the first PW sensor 341 detects no recording paper. When both the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 detect the absence of recording paper (Yes in step S4 or Yes in step S5), the movement of the carriage 61 is stopped (step S6).

  Subsequently, the difference between the position of the carriage 61 when the first PW sensor 341 detects the absence of recording paper and the position of the carriage 61 when the second PW sensor 342 detects the absence of recording paper (between detection points in the main scanning direction X). The skew angle θ of the recording paper P is calculated from the distance (W) and the interval α (physical distance in the sub-scanning direction Y) between the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 (step S7).

  In this way, the recording is started and finished on the recording paper P with an extremely low cost configuration in which only two detection means (the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342) are provided on the carriage 61 of an existing ink jet printer or the like. Until then, the skew direction and skew angle of the skew generated when the recording paper P is conveyed can be continuously detected. That is, in addition to being able to detect the skew direction and the skew angle of the skew generated during paper feeding (skew of the recording paper P at the recording start position), it occurs in the process of being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y during recording execution. The skew direction and the skew angle can be accurately detected when the skew is generated.

  The first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 are more transported than the first PW sensor 341 and the second PW sensor 342 (sub-scanning direction Y) when the recording paper P is transported to the predetermined recording start position in the sub-scanning direction Y. It is preferable that the recording paper P is disposed on the carriage 61 so that the leading end in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P reaches the downstream side. As a result, the skew direction and skew angle of the recording paper P can be detected immediately when the recording paper P is conveyed to the recording start position. Therefore, the skew direction and skew angle of the recording paper P are detected at the start of recording. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a decrease in throughput at the time of recording execution.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing recording corresponding to the skew of the recording paper P.
First, the recording paper P is fed by the aforementioned ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) (step S11). Next, in the process of transporting the fed recording paper P to the recording start position, the skew direction and skew angle of the recording paper P are detected by the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. S12). If there is no skew of the recording paper P (No in step S12), recording control as usual is performed without shifting the ink ejection timing or shifting the nozzles used in each nozzle row to other nozzles. Is executed (step S13).

  On the other hand, if a skew has occurred (Yes in step S12), the skew angle θ is acquired (step S14), and it is determined whether or not the acquired skew angle θ is an angle within a specified range (step S14). Step S15). Here, from the viewpoint of whether the skew angle θ within the specified range is a skew angle that can be transported along the transport path or whether it is a skew angle that can maintain a desired recording image quality, an ink jet recording apparatus. The maximum allowable skew angle of the recording paper P determined according to the configuration and performance of 50 is set.

  If the acquired skew angle θ is not within the specified range (No in step S15), the recording paper P is discharged without starting recording (step S16), and the paper feeding operation is performed again (step S11). . If the acquired skew angle θ is within the specified range (Yes in step S15), the recording data is changed according to the acquired skew angle θ and recording is executed (step S16). That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14, the ink ejection timing linked to the detection signal output from the linear encoder 32 is shifted according to the skew direction and the skew angle θ of the recording paper P, and Recording is executed by shifting the nozzles used in the nozzle row to other nozzles in the same nozzle row, and the recording paper P is arranged with the same inclination direction and inclination angle array as the skew direction and skew angle θ of the recording paper P. Recording is performed by forming dots on the recording surface.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 50 according to the present invention, the ink interlocked with the detection signal output from the linear encoder 32 according to the skew direction and the skew angle of the recording paper P in which the skew is generated. Since the recording is executed by shifting the ejection timing and the nozzle used in each nozzle row to another nozzle in the same nozzle row, the skew of the recording paper P is skewed without being physically corrected As it is, a recording execution result in which the skew of the recording paper P is relatively corrected can be obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an ink jet recording apparatus 50 that can perform recording with high accuracy even when a skew occurs in the recording paper P when the recording paper P is fed or conveyed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in a recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile in addition to a printer such as an ink jet recording apparatus. It goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is a schematic plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a process of scanning the left end of the recording paper. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a process of scanning the left end of the recording paper. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a process of scanning the left end of the recording paper. It is the top view which showed typically the relationship between a skew direction and a skew angle. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a head surface of a recording head. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which recording is executed ignoring skew. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a recording execution state in accordance with a right skew. It is the top view which showed typically the recording execution state matched with the left skew. It is the top view which showed typically the procedure which shifts a dot position to the main scanning direction. It is the top view which showed typically the procedure which shifts a dot position to a subscanning direction. It is the top view which showed typically the procedure which shifts a dot position to a subscanning direction. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for detecting skew of a recording sheet. It is the flowchart which showed the recording execution procedure corresponding to the skew.

Explanation of symbols

341 First PW sensor, 342 Second PW sensor, 50 Inkjet recording apparatus, 51 Carriage guide shaft, 52 Platen, 53 Conveyance driving roller, 54 Conveyance driven roller, 55 Discharged driving roller, 56 Discharged driven roller, 57 Paper feed tray 57b Paper feeding roller, 58 PF motor, 59 Capping device, 61 Carriage, 62 Recording head, 63 CR motor, 100 Recording control unit, 101 ROM, 102 RAM, 103 ASIC, 104 MPU, 105 Non-volatile memory, 106 PF motor Driver, 107 CR motor driver, 108 Head driver, P recording paper, X main scanning direction, Y sub-scanning direction

Claims (3)

A recording material conveying means capable of conveying the recording material in a predetermined conveying direction;
Dot forming means capable of forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material in the conveying path of the recording material conveying means;
A recording material inclination detection means capable of specifying the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording material in the conveyance path of the recording material conveyance means with respect to the conveyance direction;
A control for forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material by the dot forming means based on recording data and a control for transporting the recording material by a predetermined transport amount in the transport direction by the recording material transporting means are executed. A recording apparatus comprising recording control means for executing recording on a recording surface of a recording material,
In the recording control unit, dots formed on the recording surface of the recording material based on the recording data correspond to the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the transport direction detected by the recording material inclination detection unit. Then, the dot forming means is controlled based on the recording data so as to be formed on the recording surface of the recording material in an array having substantially the same inclination direction and substantially the same inclination angle with respect to the transport direction,
The dot forming unit includes a carriage on which a recording head having a dot forming element array in which a plurality of dot forming elements are arranged at regular intervals in the transport direction is mounted on a head surface, and a transport path of the recording material transport unit The recording surface of the recording material is arranged so that the head surface of the recording head is reciprocally movable in a direction parallel to and perpendicular to the transport direction,
A carriage movement detection means for outputting a detection signal capable of specifying the movement direction and movement amount of the carriage to the recording control means in accordance with the reciprocation of the carriage;
In the recording control unit, dots formed on the recording surface of the recording material based on the recording data correspond to the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the transport direction detected by the recording material inclination detection unit. Then, it is interlocked with the detection signal output by the carriage movement detecting means so as to be formed on the recording surface of the recording material with substantially the same inclination direction and the same inclination angle with respect to the transport direction. There line control for changing to the other dot-forming elements of the same dot forming element array dot forming elements for use with shifted dot formation timing, further, the relative said conveying direction detected by said recording medium inclination detection means Depending on the tilt direction and tilt angle of the recording material, the dot forming elements in the dot forming element array are divided into a plurality of logical dot forming element groups. In which a dot formation timing, executes the recording on the recording medium, recording apparatus characterized. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the carriage can detect an end portion of the recording material in a non-contact manner at a portion facing the recording surface of the recording material conveyed by the recording material conveyance means. The first recording material detection means and the second recording material detection means are arranged with an interval α in the transport direction,
The recording control means moves the carriage to the recording material from a state where the first recording material detection means and the second recording material detection means detect the recording surface of the recording material before execution of recording. To one end in the carriage reciprocating direction,
The one end of the recording material in the carriage reciprocating direction is detected by either the first recording material detection means or the second recording material detection means, and the one end is the first recording material. A carriage movement amount up to a time point detected by the other of the detection means or the second recording material detection means is acquired from the carriage movement detection means;
A recording apparatus, wherein a tilt direction and a tilt angle of the recording material with respect to the transport direction are specified from a relationship between the carriage movement amount and the interval α. A recording material conveying means capable of conveying the recording material in a predetermined conveying direction; a dot forming means capable of forming dots on the recording surface of the recording material in a conveying path of the recording material conveying means; In a recording apparatus comprising a recording material inclination detecting means capable of specifying an inclination direction and an inclination angle of the recording material in a conveyance path of the recording material conveying means with respect to the conveying direction, the dot forming means Recording on the recording surface of the recording material is performed by executing control for forming dots on the recording surface based on the recording data and control for conveying the recording material by a predetermined conveying amount in the conveying direction by the recording material conveying means. A recording control program for causing a computer to execute control for executing
In the recording control program, the dots formed on the recording surface of the recording material based on the recording data correspond to the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction detected by the recording material inclination detection unit. Then, the dot forming means is controlled based on the recording data so as to be formed on the recording surface of the recording material in an array having substantially the same inclination direction and substantially the same inclination angle with respect to the transport direction,
The dot forming unit includes a carriage on which a recording head having a dot forming element array in which a plurality of dot forming elements are arranged at regular intervals in the transport direction is mounted on a head surface, and a transport path of the recording material transport unit The recording surface of the recording material is arranged so that the head surface of the recording head is reciprocally movable in a direction parallel to and perpendicular to the transport direction,
A carriage movement detection means for outputting a detection signal capable of specifying the movement direction and movement amount of the carriage to the recording control means in accordance with the reciprocation of the carriage;
In the recording control program, the dots formed on the recording surface of the recording material based on the recording data correspond to the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the recording material with respect to the conveyance direction detected by the recording material inclination detection unit. Then, it is interlocked with the detection signal output by the carriage movement detecting means so as to be formed on the recording surface of the recording material with substantially the same inclination direction and the same inclination angle with respect to the transport direction. There line control for changing to the other dot-forming elements of the same dot forming element array dot forming elements for use with shifted dot formation timing, further, the relative said conveying direction detected by said recording medium inclination detection means According to the tilt direction and tilt angle of the recording material, the dot forming elements in the dot forming element array are divided into a plurality of logical dot forming element groups, and dot forming In which a dot formation timing for each group, the recording control program, characterized in that has a procedure for performing the recording on the recording medium.

Images