JP4936572B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by applying ink as a recording agent to a recording medium.

  Recently, OA devices such as personal computers and word processors are widely used, and various recording devices for recording information output from these devices on various recording media are provided. In particular, the ink jet recording apparatus has various advantages such as low noise, low running cost, small size, and relatively easy colorization, and is accepted by a wide range of users. Recently, there has been an increasing demand for recording that does not leave a margin at the edge of the recording medium such as the leading edge or the trailing edge (so-called “marginless recording”). However, at the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording medium, the recording medium conveyance accuracy tends to decrease due to the configuration of the recording apparatus. On the other hand, an ink jet recording apparatus that employs a special recording method at the front end portion or the rear end portion of the recording medium has already been provided. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of “front and rear end recording” will be briefly described.

  In general, when recording the leading end or the trailing end of a recording medium, the image tends to be distorted. This is mainly due to a situation in which the recording medium comes off from some of the plurality of rollers that support and convey the recording medium from the front and back of the recording unit. Hereinafter, such a state will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram schematically illustrating the recording head, the recording medium, and a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium in a state where the central portion of the recording medium is being recorded. In the figure, a transport roller M3060 on the upstream side in the transport direction and two discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 on the downstream side cooperate with a pinch roller M3070 and two spurs M3120 and M3120, respectively. That is, three sets of nip portions are formed and the recording medium P is nipped and conveyed.

  H1000 is a recording head cartridge having a recording head in which a plurality of recording elements for ejecting ink are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a direction parallel to the conveying direction in the figure. The recording head cartridge H1000 discharges ink from each recording element while moving and scanning in a direction orthogonal to the drawing, and the image is applied to the area of the recording medium P located between the transport roller M3060 and the auxiliary roller M3100. Form. Images are sequentially formed on the recording medium P by alternately repeating the recording scanning by the recording head cartridge H1000 and the conveying operation of the recording medium P by the three roller pairs.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a state in which recording further proceeds from the state of FIG. 32 and recording is performed on the vicinity of the rear end portion of the recording medium P. The recording medium P has already been removed from the conveyance roller M3060 and is conveyed only by the rotation of the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110.

  In general, there are many differences between the transport roller M3060 and the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 due to differences in their main roles. The transport roller M3060 has a main role of positioning the recording medium at an appropriate position with respect to the recording head for each recording scan. Therefore, it has a sufficiently large roller diameter, and can perform a conveying operation with a desired accuracy. On the other hand, the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 have a main role of reliably discharging the recording medium after recording. Therefore, the roller diameter is small and the conveyance accuracy of the recording medium is often inferior compared to the conveyance roller M3060. Accordingly, compared to the previous area, the conveyance accuracy is higher for the area from when the trailing edge of the recording medium P is removed from the conveying roller M3060 until the recording of the last edge of the recording medium P is completed. A deteriorating situation will occur. At this time, when the carry amount is insufficient, the image forming portion between adjacent recording scans overlaps so-called “black streaks”. Conversely, when the carry amount is too large, the image forming portion between print scans is The so-called “white streaks” may be confirmed by moving away. Depending on the image to be recorded, this is a bad image effect that cannot be ignored.

  In addition, image defects due to the fact that both ends of the recording medium are not held also occur. When the rear end portion of the recording medium P deviates from the conveyance roller M3060, the distance between the recording head and the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as the inter-paper distance) fluctuates not a little, and then becomes unstable. The recording head cartridge H1000 performs recording scanning while ejecting ink at a timing corresponding to a predetermined inter-paper distance maintained by the front and rear rollers. The ink ejected at an appropriate timing becomes dots on the recording medium, and an image is formed by arranging the ink at an appropriate pitch. Therefore, if the inter-paper distance changes during recording, or if the inter-paper distance variation within the recording width is large, the dot position on the recording medium will also become unstable, and white, black, or rough. Such a bad image occurs.

  Such a problem of the inter-paper distance occurs similarly when recording not only the rear end portion of the recording medium but also the front end portion.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a state in which recording is performed on the vicinity of the front end of the recording medium P. In this state, the recording medium P is held and transported only by the upstream transport roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070. In other words, when the leading end is recorded, the discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 are not involved in transporting the recording medium P. Therefore, it can be said that the conveyance is performed with higher accuracy than the state where the vicinity of the rear end portion described in FIG. 33 is recorded. However, the problem of the inter-paper distance due to the fact that the leading edge of the recording medium P is not held occurs similarly to the state of FIG. That is, the positional accuracy of dots on the recording medium becomes unstable compared to the recording at the center of the recording medium (the state shown in FIG. 32).

  The following countermeasures are taken in the serial type recording apparatus in which the image quality is particularly emphasized against the adverse effects of the image that may occur at the time of recording at the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording medium as described above (for example, Patent Documents). 1). That is, when recording at the front and rear end portions, the recording width of the recording head (that is, the number of recording elements that actually eject ink) is suppressed, and the conveyance amount of the recording medium is reduced accordingly. By narrowing the recording width of the recording head, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the inter-paper distance within the recording width. In this case, if multi-pass printing, which will be described later, is performed, the effect is also exhibited against roughness. Even in a situation where the conveyance accuracy is lowered, the conveyance error can be reduced by reducing the conveyance amount of the recording medium. Further, coupled with the fact that the pitch of the connecting portions of the image forming portions between adjacent recording scans becomes fine, there is also an effect that white stripes and black stripes become inconspicuous.

JP 2002-103584 A

  By performing such control, it is possible to suppress image defects that may occur at the time of recording at the leading end portion and the trailing end portion and contribute to improvement in recording quality. However, the recording width of the recording head is reduced, and the recording medium is reduced. The amount of time required for recording on one recording medium increases as the transport amount of the recording medium decreases. However, in the conventional control, the recording width and the recording head conveyance amount at the time of recording at the leading end portion and the trailing end portion of the recording medium are uniformly set.

  For example, when a user such as a professional cameraman performs quick recording on a small recording medium such as an L version in order to confirm colors, image contents, etc., recording control giving priority to recording speed may be desired. On the other hand, when recording on a large-sized recording medium in order to obtain a work, recording control giving priority to recording quality may be required even if some time is required.

  On the other hand, when a general user uses a recording apparatus to record on a small recording medium such as an L plate, since recording does not take much time, recording control that improves the recording quality as much as possible is desired. Can be done. On the other hand, when recording on a large recording medium such as an A3 size, since recording takes time, recording control that improves the recording speed as much as possible may be desired.

  As described above, in a recording apparatus in which the recording width and the recording head conveyance amount at the time of recording at the front and rear end portions of the recording medium are set uniformly, the user desires to prioritize the recording quality or the desire to prioritize the recording speed. It cannot be reflected in the recording control.

  The present invention has been made to solve these problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to improve the usability of a recording apparatus by assuming a user's request according to the size of a recording medium used for recording and reflecting this in recording control.

For this purpose, the present invention discharges ink from the recording head while scanning a recording medium in which a recording element for discharging ink is arranged in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements. An inkjet recording apparatus capable of executing a recording mode for recording an image on the recording medium by performing recording scanning for recording and transport of the recording medium in a direction crossing the direction of the recording scanning. As the recording mode,
(A) The number of recording elements that can be used for recording with respect to the central portion in the transport direction of the first recording medium is the first number, and the leading end and the trailing end in the transport direction of the first recording medium A first recording mode in which the number of recording elements that can be used for recording on at least one of the sections is a second number smaller than the first number; and (B) a size larger than that of the first recording medium. The number of recording elements that can be used for recording with respect to the central portion in the transport direction of the second recording medium with a small size is the first number, and the leading end and the trailing end in the transport direction of the second recording medium And a second recording mode in which the number of recording elements that can be used for recording on at least one of the units is a third number that is smaller than the first number and larger than the second number. It is characterized by being.

The present invention also relates to recording by ejecting ink from the recording head while scanning the recording head in which the recording elements for ejecting ink are arranged in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of executing a recording mode for recording an image on the recording medium by performing a recording scan for carrying out the recording and conveying the recording medium in a direction intersecting the direction of the recording scanning, As the recording mode,
(A) The amount of conveyance performed between recording scans with respect to the central portion in the conveyance direction of the first recording medium is the first amount, and the leading edge and the trailing edge in the conveyance direction of the first recording medium A first recording mode in which the amount of conveyance executed between recording scans for at least one of the units is a second amount smaller than the first amount; and (B) a size larger than that of the first recording medium. The amount of conveyance performed between recording scans with respect to the central portion in the conveyance direction of the second recording medium having a small size is the first amount, and the leading edge and the trailing edge in the conveyance direction of the second recording medium And a second recording mode in which the amount of conveyance executed between recording scans for at least one of the units is a third amount that is smaller than the first amount and larger than the second amount. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, according to the size of the recording medium, the number of nozzles used for recording at the leading and trailing ends of the recording medium or the recording medium conveyance amount between recording scans is switched. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus with high usability that allows the user to selectively use the case where the user wants to prioritize the image quality or the recording speed depending on the size of the recording medium.

It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the image data process in the recording system applied by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of recording data that is transferred from the printer driver of the host device to the recording apparatus in the recording system of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an output pattern with respect to an input level that is converted by a dot array patterning process by a recording apparatus used in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the multipass printing method which the printing apparatus used by embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the mask pattern applied to the multipass printing method which the printing apparatus used by embodiment performs. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus used in the embodiment, and shows a state viewed from the front when not in use. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus used in the embodiment, and shows a state viewed from the back when not in use. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus used in an embodiment, and shows a state viewed from the front surface during use. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal mechanism of the recording device main body used by embodiment, and is a perspective view from an upper right part. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal mechanism of the recording device main body used by embodiment, and is a perspective view from the upper left part. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view for explaining an internal mechanism of the recording apparatus main body used in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus used in the embodiment, and shows a state viewed from the front surface during flat pass recording. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus used in the embodiment, and shows a state viewed from the back during flat pass recording. It is a typical side sectional view for explaining flat pass recording performed in an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaning unit in the recording apparatus main body used in the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration and operation of the wiper unit in the cleaning unit of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration and operation of a wet liquid transfer unit in the cleaning unit of FIG. 15. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an electrical circuit in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the main board | substrate in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the multi sensor mounted in the carriage board | substrate in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an ink tank is mounted on the head cartridge applied in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining regions of a front end portion, a central portion, and a rear end portion when performing marginless recording on a recording medium with the recording apparatus of the embodiment. 2 is an end view schematically showing a nozzle formation surface of a recording head employed in an embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the recording operation at the time of recording of a recording-medium center part. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the recording operation at the time of the rear end part recording of a small size recording medium. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the recording operation | movement in the rear-end part recording of a large size recording medium. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the recording operation at the time of the front-end | tip part recording of a small size recording medium. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the recording operation at the time of the front-end | tip part recording of a large size recording medium. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the aspect of a scan with respect to a small size recording medium, and nozzle use. Here, (a) shows a state in which the recording near the leading end of the recording medium shifts to recording in the central portion, and (b) shows a state in which the recording transitions from the central portion of the recording medium to recording near the rear end. Yes. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the aspect of a scan with respect to a large size recording medium, and nozzle use. Here, (a) shows a state in which the recording near the leading end of the recording medium shifts to recording in the central portion, and (b) shows a state in which the recording transitions from the central portion of the recording medium to recording near the rear end. Yes. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the recording processing procedure which the recording device of embodiment performs. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a recording head, a recording medium, and a transport mechanism that transports the recording medium in a state where a central portion of the recording medium is recorded. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining that image disturbance occurs in the vicinity of the rear end of the recording medium. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining that image disturbance occurs in the vicinity of the leading end of the recording medium.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1. 1. Basic Configuration 1.1 Overview of Recording System FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the flow of image data processing in a recording system applied in an embodiment of the present invention. The recording system J0011 includes a host device J0012 for generating image data indicating an image to be recorded, setting a UI (user interface) for generating the data, and the like. Further, a recording device J0013 is provided which records on a recording medium based on the image data generated by the host device J0012. The printing apparatus J0013 includes cyan (C), light cyan (Lc), magenta (M), light magenta (Lm), yellow (Y), red (R), green (G), first black (K1), and second. Recording is performed with 10 color inks of black (K2) and gray (Gray). For this purpose, a recording head H1001 that discharges these 10 colors of ink is used. These 10 color inks are pigment inks containing a pigment as a coloring material.

  As programs that operate in the operating system of the host device J0012, there are applications and printer drivers. The application J0001 executes processing for creating image data to be recorded by the recording apparatus. This image data or data before editing or the like can be taken into a PC via various media. The host device according to the present embodiment can first take in, for example, JPEG format image data captured by a digital camera using a CF card. Also, for example, TIFF format image data read by a scanner or image data stored in a CD-ROM can be captured. Furthermore, data on the web can be taken in via the Internet. These captured data are displayed on the monitor of the host device and edited, processed, etc. via the application J0001, for example, image data R, G, B of sRGB standard is created. On the UI screen displayed on the monitor of the host device J0012, the user sets the type of recording medium used for recording, the quality of recording, and issues a recording instruction. In response to this recording instruction, the image data R, G, B are transferred to the printer driver.

  The printer driver includes a pre-stage process J0002, a post-stage process J0003, a γ correction J0004, a halftoning J0005, and a print data creation J0006. Hereinafter, each process J0002 to J0006 performed by the printer driver will be briefly described.

(A) Pre-processing The pre-processing J0002 performs color gamut mapping. In the present embodiment, data conversion is performed to map the color gamut reproduced by the image data R, G, B of the sRGB standard into the color gamut reproduced by the recording device J0013. Specifically, 256-gradation image data R, G, and B each represented by 8 bits are converted into 8-bit data in the color gamut of the recording apparatus J0013 by using a three-dimensional LUT. Convert to R, G, B.

(B) Subsequent processing In the post-processing J0003, based on the 8-bit data R, G, and B on which the color gamut is mapped, 8-bit and 10-color colors corresponding to the combination of inks that reproduce the color represented by this data Find decomposition data. That is, color separation data of Y, M, Lm, C, Lc, K1, K2, R, G, and Gray are obtained. In the present embodiment, this process is performed by using a three-dimensional LUT together with an interpolation operation as in the previous process.

(C) γ Processing The γ correction J0004 performs density value (gradation value) conversion for each color data of the color separation data obtained by the subsequent processing J0003. Specifically, by using a one-dimensional LUT corresponding to the gradation characteristics of each color ink of the printing apparatus J0013, conversion is performed so that the color separation data is linearly associated with the gradation characteristics of the printer.

(D) Halftoning Halftoning J0005 is a quantum that converts 8-bit color-separated data Y, M, Lm, C, Lc, K1, K2, R, G, and Gray that have been γ-corrected into 4-bit data. To do. In the present embodiment, 256-bit 8-bit data is converted to 9-gradation 4-bit data using an error diffusion method. This 4-bit data is data serving as an index for indicating an arrangement pattern in the dot arrangement patterning process in the printing apparatus.

(E) Recording data creation process At the end of the process performed by the printer driver, the recording data creation process J0006 creates recording data in which recording control information is added to the recording image data containing the 4-bit index data. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of such recording data. The recording data is composed of recording control information for controlling recording and recording image data (the above-described 4-bit index data) indicating an image to be recorded. The recording control information includes “recording medium information”, “recording quality information”, and “other control information” such as a paper feed method. The recording medium information describes the size and type of the recording medium to be recorded. The size of the recording medium is L version, A4 version, A3 version, or the like. The recording medium type includes plain paper, glossy paper, and printable disc. The recording quality information describes the quality of the recording, and any one of the quality of “clean (high quality recording)”, “standard”, “fast (high speed recording)”, etc. is defined. . The recording control information is formed based on the content specified by the user on the UI screen on the monitor of the host device J0012. Further, it is assumed that the recorded image data describes the image data generated by the above-described halftone process J0005. The recording data generated as described above is supplied to the recording device J0013.

  The printing apparatus J0013 performs the following dot arrangement patterning process J0007 and mask data conversion process J0008 on the printing data supplied from the host apparatus J0012.

(F) Dot arrangement patterning process In the above-described halftone process J0005, the number of gradation levels is reduced from 256-value multi-value density information (8-bit data) to 9-value gradation value information (4-bit data). . However, data that can be actually recorded by the printing apparatus J0013 is binary data (1 bit data) indicating whether or not ink dots are printed. Therefore, in the dot arrangement patterning process J0007, for each pixel expressed by 4-bit data of gradation levels 0 to 8, which is an output value from the halftone process J0005, the gradation value (level 0 to 8) of that pixel is represented. ) Is assigned to the dot arrangement pattern. This defines whether or not ink dots are recorded (dot on / off) in each of a plurality of areas in one pixel, and 1-bit binary data of “1” or “0” for each area in one pixel. Place. Here, “1” is binary data indicating dot recording, and “0” is binary data indicating non-recording.

  FIG. 3 shows output patterns for input levels 0 to 8 that are converted by the dot arrangement patterning processing of the present embodiment. Each level value shown on the left of the drawing corresponds to level 0 to level 8 which are output values from the halftone processing unit on the host device side. An area composed of 2 vertical areas × 4 horizontal areas arranged on the right side corresponds to an area of one pixel output by halftone processing. Each area in one pixel corresponds to a minimum unit in which dot on / off is defined. In this specification, the “pixel” is a minimum unit that can express gradation, and is a target of image processing of multi-bit multi-value data (processing such as the preceding stage, the latter stage, γ correction, and halftoning). Is the smallest unit.

  In the figure, the area filled with a circle indicates an area where dots are recorded, and the number of dots to be recorded increases by one as the number of levels increases. In the present embodiment, the density information of the original image is finally reflected in such a form.

  (4n) to (4n + 3) indicate pixel positions in the horizontal direction from the left end of the image data to be recorded by substituting an integer of 1 or more for n. Each pattern shown below indicates that a plurality of different patterns are prepared according to pixel positions even at the same input level. That is, even when the same level is input, four types of dot arrangement patterns shown in (4n) to (4n + 3) are cyclically assigned on the recording medium.

  In FIG. 3, the vertical direction is the direction in which the ejection ports of the recording head are arranged, and the horizontal direction is the scanning direction of the recording head. In this way, it is possible to perform recording with a plurality of different dot arrangements for the same level. This is because the number of ejections is distributed between the nozzles located at the upper and lower positions of the dot arrangement pattern, This has the effect of dispersing various noises.

  When the dot arrangement patterning process described above is completed, all dot arrangement patterns for the recording medium are determined.

(G) Mask Data Conversion Process Since the dot arrangement patterning process J0007 described above determines the presence / absence of dots for each area on the recording medium, binary data indicating this dot arrangement is sent to the drive circuit J0009 of the recording head H1001. If input, a desired image can be recorded. In this case, so-called one-pass printing is executed, in which printing for the same scanning area on the printing medium is completed by one scan. However, here, an example of so-called multi-pass printing in which printing on the same scanning area on the printing medium is completed by a plurality of scans will be described.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a recording head and a recording pattern in order to explain the multipass recording method. The recording head H1001 applied to this embodiment actually has 768 nozzles, but here it will be described as having 16 nozzles for simplicity. As shown in the drawing, the nozzles are divided into first to fourth nozzle groups, and each nozzle group includes four nozzles. The mask pattern P0002 includes first to fourth mask patterns P0002 (a) to P0002 (d). The first to fourth mask patterns P0002 (a) to P0002 (d) define areas where the first to fourth nozzle groups can be recorded. The black area in the mask pattern indicates a recording allowable area, and the white area indicates a non-recording area. The first to fourth mask patterns P0002 (a) to P0002 (d) are complementary to each other, and when these four mask patterns are overlapped, recording of a region corresponding to a 4 × 4 area is completed. It has become.

  Each pattern indicated by P0003 to P0006 shows a state in which an image is completed by overlapping recording scans. At the end of each printing scan, the printing medium is conveyed by the width of the nozzle group (four nozzles in this figure) in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Therefore, the same area of the recording medium (area corresponding to the width of each nozzle group) is configured such that an image is completed only after four recording scans. As described above, the formation of each same area of the recording medium by a plurality of nozzle groups by a plurality of scans has an effect of reducing variations peculiar to the nozzles and variations in the conveyance accuracy of the recording medium.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a mask pattern that can be actually applied in this embodiment. The recording head H1001 applied in this embodiment has 768 nozzles, and 192 nozzles belong to each of the four nozzle groups. The mask pattern size is 768 areas in the vertical direction equivalent to the number of nozzles and 256 areas in the horizontal direction, and the four mask patterns corresponding to each of the four nozzle groups maintain a complementary relationship with each other. It has become.

  By the way, it is known that an air flow is generated in the vicinity of a recording unit in an ink jet recording head that discharges a large number of small droplets at a high frequency as applied in the present embodiment. It has been confirmed that this air flow particularly affects the ejection direction of nozzles located at the end of the recording head. Therefore, in the mask pattern of this embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the distribution of the printing allowance is biased depending on the region in each nozzle group or the same nozzle group. As shown in FIG. 5, by applying a mask pattern having a configuration in which the recording allowance of the end nozzles is smaller than the recording allowance of the center, landing position deviation of the ink droplets ejected by the end nozzles This makes it possible to make the harmful effects caused by.

  The recording allowance determined by the mask pattern is as follows. In other words, the ratio of the number of print allowance areas to the total number of print allowance areas (black areas of the mask pattern P0002 in FIG. 4) and non-print allowance areas (white areas of the mask pattern P0002 in FIG. 4) constituting the mask pattern. It is expressed as a percentage. That is, if the mask pattern recording allowable area is M and the non-recording allowable area is N, the mask pattern recording allowable ratio (%) is M ÷ (M + N) × 100.

  In the present embodiment, the mask data shown in FIG. 5 is stored in a memory in the recording apparatus main body. In the mask data conversion process J0008, an AND process is performed between the mask data and the binary data obtained by the above-described dot arrangement patterning process, so that a binary to be recorded in each recording scan is obtained. Data is determined. Then, the binary data is sent to the drive circuit J0009. As a result, the recording head H1001 is driven and ink is ejected according to the binary data.

  In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the pre-processing J0002, the post-processing J0003, the γ processing J0004, the halftoning J0005, and the recording data creation processing J0006 are executed by the host device J0012. The dot arrangement patterning process J0007 and the mask data conversion process J0008 are executed by the printing apparatus J0013. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, a part of the processes J0002 to J0005 executed by the host device J0012 may be executed by the recording device J0013, or all may be executed by the host device J0012. Alternatively, the processing J0002 to J0008 may be executed by the recording device J0013.

1.2 Configuration of Mechanism Unit The configuration of each mechanism unit in the recording apparatus applied in the present embodiment will be described. The recording apparatus main body in the present embodiment can be generally classified into a paper feed unit, a paper transport unit, a paper discharge unit, a carriage unit, a flat path recording unit, a cleaning unit, and the like based on the role of each mechanism unit. Is housed in the exterior.

  6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13 are perspective views showing the external appearance of a recording apparatus applied in this embodiment. 6 is a state seen from the front when the recording apparatus is not used, FIG. 7 is a state seen from the rear when the recording apparatus is not used, and FIG. 8 is a state seen from the front when the recording apparatus is used. Each is shown. FIG. 12 shows a state seen from the front during flat pass recording, and FIG. 13 shows a state seen from the back during flat pass recording. FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIGS. 14 to 16 are diagrams for explaining the internal mechanism of the recording apparatus main body. 9 is a perspective view from the upper right part, FIG. 10 is a perspective view from the upper left part, and FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the recording apparatus main body. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view during flat pass recording. 15 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration and operation of the wiping mechanism in the cleaning unit, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the wet liquid transfer unit in the cleaning unit. is there.

Hereinafter, each part will be sequentially described with reference to these drawings as appropriate.
(A) Exterior part (FIGS. 6 and 7)
The exterior part is attached so as to cover the periphery of the paper feed part, paper transport part, paper discharge part, carriage part, cleaning part, flat path part and wet liquid transfer part. The exterior portion mainly includes a lower case M7080, an upper case M7040, an access cover M7030, a connector cover, and a front cover M7010.

  A lower discharge tray rail (not shown) is provided below the lower case M7080, and the divided discharge tray M3160 can be stored. Further, the front cover M7010 is configured to close the paper discharge port when not in use.

  An access cover M7030 is attached to the upper case M7040 and is configured to be rotatable. A part of the upper surface of the upper case has an opening, and the ink tank H1900 and the recording head H1001 (FIG. 21) can be exchanged at this position. In the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the recording head H1001 is in the form of a unit in which a plurality of discharge units capable of discharging one color of ink are integrally configured. The ink tank H1900 is configured as a recording head cartridge H1000 that can be attached and detached independently for each color. The upper case M7040 is provided with a door switch lever (not shown) for detecting opening and closing of the access cover M7030, an LED guide M7060 for transmitting and displaying the LED light, a power key E0018, a resume key E0019, a flat pass key E3004, and the like. Yes. Further, the multi-stage type paper feed tray M2060 is rotatably attached, and when the paper feed unit is not used, the paper feed tray M2060 is accommodated so that it also serves as a cover for the paper feed unit. Has been.

  The upper case M7040 and the lower case M7080 are attached with elastic fitting claws, and a connector cover (not shown) covers a portion where the connector portion is provided therebetween.

(B) Paper feed unit (FIGS. 8 and 11)
Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, the paper feed unit is configured as follows. That is, a pressure plate M2010 on which recording media are stacked, a paper feed roller M2080 for feeding recording media one by one, a separation roller M2041 for separating the recording media, a return lever M2020 for returning the recording media to the stacking position, and the like are provided on the base M2000. It is configured by being attached.

(C) Paper transport unit (FIGS. 8 to 11)
A conveyance roller M3060 for conveying a recording medium is rotatably attached to a chassis M1010 made of a bent metal sheet. The conveying roller M3060 has a structure in which ceramic fine particles are coated on the surface of a metal shaft, and is attached to the chassis M1010 in a state where the metal portions of both shafts are received by bearings (not shown). The conveyance roller M3060 is provided with a roller tension spring (not shown), and by energizing the conveyance roller M3060, an appropriate amount of load is applied during rotation so that stable conveyance can be performed.

  A plurality of driven pinch rollers M3070 are provided in contact with the transport roller M3060. The pinch roller M3070 is held by the pinch roller holder M3000, but is urged by a pinch roller spring (not shown) to be brought into pressure contact with the conveyance roller M3060, and generates a conveyance force for the recording medium. At this time, the rotation shaft of the pinch roller holder M3000 is attached to the bearing of the chassis M1010 and rotates around this position.

  A paper guide flapper M3030 and a platen M3040 for guiding the recording medium are disposed at the entrance where the recording medium is conveyed. The pinch roller holder M3000 is provided with a PE sensor lever M3021. The PE sensor lever M3021 plays a role of transmitting detection of the leading end and the trailing end of the recording medium to a paper end sensor (hereinafter referred to as a PE sensor) E0007 fixed to the chassis M1010. The platen M3040 is attached to the chassis M1010 and positioned. The paper guide flapper M3030 can rotate around a bearing portion (not shown) and is positioned by contacting the chassis M1010.

  A recording head H1001 (FIG. 21) is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance roller M3060 in the recording medium conveyance direction.

  The conveyance process in the above configuration will be described. The recording medium sent to the paper transport unit is guided by the pinch roller holder M3000 and the paper guide flapper M3030, and is sent to the roller pair of the transport roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070. At this time, the PE sensor lever M3021 detects the leading edge of the recording medium, and thereby the recording position with respect to the recording medium is obtained. A roller pair composed of a conveyance roller M3060 and a pinch roller M3070 is rotated by driving of the LF motor E0002, and the recording medium is conveyed on the platen M3040 by this rotation. The platen M3040 is provided with a rib serving as a conveyance reference surface, and a gap between the recording head H1001 and the recording medium surface is managed by the rib. At the same time, the ribs play a role of suppressing the undulation of the recording medium together with a paper discharge unit described later.

  The driving force for rotating the transport roller M3060 is transmitted, for example, to the pulley M3061 provided on the shaft of the transport roller M3060 via a timing belt (not shown) from the LF motor E0002 made of a DC motor. It is obtained by doing. A code wheel M3062 for detecting the amount of conveyance by the conveyance roller M3060 is provided on the axis of the conveyance roller M3060. The adjacent chassis M1010 is provided with an encode sensor M3090 for reading the marking formed on the code wheel M3062. The markings formed on the code wheel M3062 are formed at a pitch of 150 to 300 lpi (line / inch; reference value).

(D) Paper discharge section (FIGS. 8 to 11)
The paper discharge unit includes a first paper discharge roller M3100, a second paper discharge roller M3110, a plurality of spurs M3120, a gear train, and the like.

  The first paper discharge roller M3100 is configured by providing a plurality of rubber portions on a metal shaft. The first paper discharge roller M3100 is driven by transmitting the driving of the transport roller M3060 to the first paper discharge roller M3100 via an idler gear.

  The second paper discharge roller M3110 has a structure in which a plurality of elastomer elastic bodies M3111 are attached to a resin shaft. The second paper discharge roller M3110 is driven by transmitting the drive of the first paper discharge roller M3100 via an idler gear.

  The spur M3120 is formed by integrating a circular thin plate made of, for example, SUS, which has a plurality of convex shapes around the resin portion, and is attached to the spur holder M3130. This attachment is performed by a spur spring provided with a coil spring in a rod shape. At the same time, the spring force of the spur spring causes the spur M3120 to contact the discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 with a predetermined pressure. With this configuration, the spur M3120 can be rotated following the two discharge rollers M3100 and M3110. Some of the spurs M3120 are provided at the position of the rubber portion of the first paper discharge roller M3100 or the elastic body M3111 of the second paper discharge roller M3110, and mainly play a role of generating the conveyance force of the recording medium. Yes. In addition, some others are provided at positions where the rubber part or the elastic body M3111 is not present, and mainly play a role of suppressing the lifting of the recording medium during recording.

  Further, the gear train plays a role of transmitting the driving of the transport roller M3060 to the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110.

  With the above configuration, the recording medium on which an image has been formed is sandwiched between the nip between the first discharge roller M3110 and the spur M3120, conveyed, and discharged to the discharge tray M3160. The paper discharge tray M3160 is divided into a plurality of parts and can be stored in a lower part of a lower case M7080 described later. When used, pull out. Further, the discharge tray M3160 is designed such that its height increases toward the leading end, and both ends thereof are held at high positions, improving the stackability of the discharged recording medium, rubbing the recording surface, and the like. Is preventing.

(E) Carriage part (FIGS. 9 to 11)
The carriage unit has a carriage M4000 for mounting the recording head H1001, and the carriage M4000 is supported by a guide shaft M4020 and a guide rail M1011. The guide shaft M4020 is attached to the chassis M1010 and guides and supports the carriage M4000 to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction. The guide rail M1011 is formed integrally with the chassis M1010, and holds the rear end of the carriage M4000 and plays a role of maintaining a gap between the recording head H1001 and the recording medium. Further, a sliding sheet M4030 made of a thin plate of stainless steel or the like is stretched on the sliding side of the guide rail M1011 with respect to the carriage M4000 so as to reduce the sliding noise of the recording apparatus.

  The carriage M4000 is driven via a timing belt M4041 by a carriage motor E0001 attached to the chassis M1010. The timing belt M4041 is stretched and supported by an idle pulley M4042. Further, the timing belt M4041 is coupled to the carriage M4000 via a carriage damper made of rubber or the like, and the unevenness of the recorded image is reduced by attenuating the vibration of the carriage motor E0001 or the like.

  An encoder scale E0005 (described later with reference to FIG. 18) for detecting the position of the carriage M4000 is provided in parallel with the timing belt M4041. On the encoder scale E0005, markings are formed at a pitch of 150 lpi to 300 lpi. An encoder sensor E0004 (described later with reference to FIG. 18) for reading the marking is provided on a carriage substrate E0013 (described later with reference to FIG. 18) mounted on the carriage M4000. The carriage substrate E0013 is also provided with a head contact E0101 for electrical connection with the recording head H1001. In addition, a flexible cable E0012 (not shown) for transmitting a drive signal from the electric board E0014 to the recording head H1001 is connected to the carriage M4000.

  The following is provided as a configuration for fixing the recording head H1001 to the carriage M4000. That is, an abutting portion (not shown) for positioning the recording head H1001 while pressing the recording head H1001 and a pressing means (not shown) for fixing the recording head H1001 to a predetermined position are provided on the carriage M4000. The pressing means is mounted on the head set lever M4010, and is configured to act on the recording head H1001 by turning the head set lever M4010 about the rotation fulcrum when setting the recording head H1001.

  Further, the carriage M4000 is provided with a position detection sensor M4090 including a reflection type optical sensor for recording on a special medium such as a CD-R or for detecting the position of a recording result or a sheet edge. . The position detection sensor M4090 can detect the current position of the carriage M4000 by emitting light from the light emitting element and receiving the reflected light.

  When an image is formed on the recording medium in the above configuration, the roller pair including the conveyance roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070 conveys and positions the recording medium with respect to the row position. For the row position, the carriage M4000 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the carriage motor E0001 to place the recording head H1001 at the target image forming position. The positioned recording head H1001 ejects ink to the recording medium in accordance with a signal from the electric substrate E0014. A detailed configuration and recording system for the recording head H1001 will be described later. In the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, recording main scanning in which the carriage M4000 scans in the column direction while recording is performed by the recording head H1001 and sub-scanning in which the recording medium is conveyed in the row direction by the conveyance roller M3060 are alternately repeated. . Thus, an image is formed on the recording medium.

(F) Flat pass recording unit (FIGS. 12 to 14)
Paper feeding from the paper feeding unit is performed in a state where the recording medium is bent because the path through which the recording medium passes is bent until reaching the pinch roller as shown in FIG. Therefore, for example, when a thick recording medium of about 0.5 mm or more is to be fed from the sheet feeding unit, a reaction force of the bent recording medium may be generated, and the sheet feeding resistance may increase to prevent sheet feeding. . Even if paper can be fed, the recording medium after being ejected may remain bent or bend.

  Flat-pass recording is performed on a recording medium that is not desired to be bent, such as a thick recording medium, or a recording medium that cannot be bent, such as a CD-R.

  Here, in flat pass recording, there is a type in which recording is performed by causing a recording medium to be nipped by a pinch roller of the main body from the opening on the slit on the back of the main body (under the paper feeding device) in a manual feed mode. However, the flat-pass recording according to the present embodiment is a mode in which recording is performed after a recording medium is fed from a paper discharge port on the front side of the main body to a recording position and switched back.

  The front cover M7010 is below the paper discharge unit to serve also as a tray for stacking about several tens of normally recorded recording media (FIG. 8). During flat-pass recording, the front tray M7010 is raised to the position of the paper discharge port in order to feed the recording medium horizontally from the paper discharge port in the direction opposite to the normal transport direction (FIG. 12). The front cover M7010 is provided with a hook or the like (not shown), and the front cover M7010 can be fixed at a flat path paper feeding position. It can be detected by the sensor that the front cover M7010 is in the flat path paper feed position, and the flat path recording mode can be determined according to the detection.

  In the flat pass recording mode, the flat pass key E3004 is first operated in order to place the recording medium on the front tray M7010 and insert the recording medium from the paper discharge outlet. Thus, the spur holder M3130 and the pinch roller holder M3000 are lifted by a mechanism (not shown) to a position higher than the assumed thickness of the recording medium. Further, when the carriage M4000 is present in the sheet passing area, the recording medium can be easily inserted by lifting the carriage M4000 by a lift mechanism (not shown). Further, the rear tray M7090 can be opened by pressing the rear tray button M7110, and the rear subtray M7091 can be opened in a V shape (FIG. 13). The rear tray M7090 and the rear sub-tray M7091 are trays for supporting a long recording medium also on the back of the main body, since the rear recording tray protrudes from the back of the main body when a long recording medium is inserted from the front of the main body. If a thick recording medium does not maintain a flat posture during recording, it may rub against the head face surface or the transport load may change, which may affect the recording quality. It is. However, if the recording medium has a length that does not protrude from the back of the main body, the rear tray M7090 or the like need not be opened.

  As described above, the recording medium can be inserted into the main body from the paper discharge port. The rear end of the recording medium (the end on the near side closest to the user) and the right end are aligned with the marker position of the front tray M7010 and placed on the front tray M7010.

  When the flat pass key E3004 is operated again here, the spur holder 3130 descends and the recording medium is nipped by the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 and the spur 3120. Thereafter, the recording medium is pulled into the main body by a predetermined amount by the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 (the direction opposite to the conveying direction during normal recording). When the recording medium is set for the first time, the front end (rear end) of the recording medium is aligned, so the front end of the short recording medium (end farthest from the user's end) is the transport roller M3060. May not reach. Accordingly, the predetermined amount is a distance until the rear end of the assumed shortest recording medium reaches the conveyance roller M3060. Since the recording medium fed by a predetermined amount reaches the conveying roller M3060, the pinch roller holder M3000 is lowered at that position, and the recording medium is nipped by the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070. Then, the recording medium is further fed so that the rear end portion is nipped by the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070. This completes the feeding of the recording medium for flat path recording (recording standby position).

  The nip force between the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110 and the spur M3120 is set to be relatively low so as not to affect the formed image during paper discharge during normal recording. Accordingly, there is a risk that the position of the recording medium may be shifted before recording is performed during flat pass recording. However, in the present embodiment, the recording medium is nipped by the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070 having a relatively high nip force, so that the setting position of the recording medium is secured. Further, when the recording medium is fed into the main body by the predetermined amount, a flat path paper detection sensor lever (hereinafter referred to as an FPPE sensor lever) M3170 shields or forms an optical path of an FPPE sensor E9001 which is an infrared sensor not shown here. . As a result, the rear end position of the recording medium (which becomes the front end position during recording) can be detected. The FPPE sensor lever may be provided between the platen M3040 and the spur holder M3130 so as to be rotatable.

  When the recording medium is set at the recording standby position, a recording command is executed. In other words, the recording medium is transported by the transport roller M3060 to the recording position by the recording head H1001, and thereafter, recording is performed in the same manner as the normal recording operation, and the paper is discharged to the front tray M7010 after recording.

  If further flat pass recording is desired, the recorded recording medium is taken out from the front tray M7010, the next recording medium is set, and then the above-described processing is repeated. Specifically, it starts by pushing the flat pass key E3004 to lift the spur holder M3130 and the pinch roller holder M3000 and set the recording medium.

  On the other hand, when the flat pass recording is ended, the normal recording mode can be restored by returning the front tray M7010 to the normal recording position.

(G) Cleaning unit (FIGS. 15 and 16)
The cleaning unit is a mechanism for cleaning the recording head H1001. This includes a pump M5000, a cap M5010 for suppressing the drying of the recording head H1001, a blade M5020 for cleaning the discharge port forming surface of the recording head H1001, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the main driving force of the cleaning unit is transmitted from an AP motor E3005 (not shown). A pump M5000 is operated by rotation in one direction by a one-way clutch (not shown), and the blade M5020 is moved and the cap M5010 is moved up and down by rotation in the other direction. The AP motor E3005 is also used as a drive source for the recording medium feeding operation, but a dedicated motor for performing the operation of the cleaning unit may be provided.

  The cap M5010 is driven from the motor E0003 so as to be lifted and lowered via a lift mechanism (not shown). Then, at the raised position, capping can be performed for each of the face surfaces of several ejection units provided in the recording head H1500 to protect it during non-recording operation or to perform suction recovery. Further, it is set at a lowered position that avoids interference with the recording head 9 during the recording operation, and it is possible to receive preliminary ejection by facing the face surface. For example, in the example shown in the figure, two caps M5010 are provided so that the recording head H1001 is provided with ten ejection units, and the face surfaces of the five ejection units can be collectively capped. .

  A wiper portion M5020 made of an elastic member such as rubber is fixed to a wiper holder (not shown). The wiper holder is movable in the + Y and -Y directions (arrangement direction of the discharge ports in the discharge unit) in FIG. When the recording head H1001 reaches the home position, the wiper holder moves in the arrow -Y direction, so that wiping is possible. When the wiping operation is completed, the carriage is retracted out of the wiping area and then returned to a position where the wiper does not interfere with the face surface or the like. Note that the wiper unit M5020 of this example is provided with a wiper blade M5020A that wipes the entire surface of the recording head H1001 including the face surfaces of all ejection units. In addition, two wiper blades M5020B and M5020C for wiping in the vicinity of the nozzles are provided for each face surface of the five discharge units.

  Then, after wiping, the wiper portion M5020 abuts against the blade cleaner M5060, so that the ink attached to the wiper blades M5020A to M5020C itself can be removed. Further, a configuration (wet liquid transfer portion) is provided that improves the cleaning performance by wiping by transferring the wet liquid to the wiper blades M5020A to M5020C prior to wiping. The configuration of the wet liquid transfer unit and the wiping operation will be described later.

  The suction pump M5000 can generate a negative pressure in a state where a cap M5010 is joined to the face surface and a sealed space is formed therein. As a result, ink can be filled into the ejection portion from the ink tank H1900, and dust, sticking matter, bubbles, etc. existing in the ejection port or the ink path inside the ejection port can be removed by suction.

  As the suction pump M5000, for example, a tube pump type is used. This includes a member formed with a curved surface that holds at least a part of a flexible tube, a roller that can press the flexible tube toward the member, and a roller that supports the roller. And a rotatable roller support portion. That is, by rotating the roller support portion in a predetermined direction, the roller rolls while crushing the flexible tube on the curved surface forming member. Along with this, a negative pressure is generated in the sealed space formed by the cap M5010, the ink is sucked from the discharge port, and is drawn from the cap M5010 into a tube or a suction pump. The drawn ink is further transferred toward an appropriate member (waste ink absorber) provided in the lower case M7080.

  Note that an absorber M5011 is provided in an inner portion of the cap M5010 in order to reduce ink remaining on the face surface of the recording head H1001 after suction. Further, by sucking the ink remaining in the cap M5010 or the absorber M5011 with the cap M5010 opened, consideration is given to preventing the remaining ink from sticking and the subsequent adverse effects. Here, an air release valve (not shown) is provided in the middle of the ink suction path, and when the cap M5010 is released from the face surface in advance, the negative pressure does not act on the face surface. It is preferable to keep it.

  The suction pump M5000 can be operated not only for suction recovery, but also for discharging ink received in the cap M5010 by a preliminary ejection operation performed with the cap M5010 facing the face surface. That is, by operating the suction pump M5000 when the pre-discharged ink held in the cap M5010 reaches a predetermined amount, the ink held in the cap M5010 is transferred to the waste ink absorber through the tube. can do.

  A series of operations continuously performed such as the operation of the wiper unit M5020, the raising and lowering of the cap M5010, and the opening and closing of the valve are performed by a main cam (not shown) provided on the output shaft of the motor E0003 and a plurality of cams driven by the main cam. It can be controlled by an arm or the like. That is, a predetermined operation can be performed by operating the cam portions, arms, and the like of the respective portions by the rotation of the main cam in accordance with the rotation direction of the motor E0003. The position of the main cam can be detected by a position detection sensor such as a photo interrupter.

(H) Wet liquid transfer part (FIGS. 17 and 16)
Recently, for the purpose of improving the recording density, water resistance, light resistance and the like of recorded matter, an ink containing a pigment component (hereinafter referred to as “pigment ink”) is increasingly used as a coloring material. The pigment ink is obtained by dispersing a solid color material in water by introducing a functional group on the surface of the pigment or the pigment. Therefore, the dried pigment ink dried by evaporation of moisture in the ink on the face surface is more damaging to the face surface than the dry fixed matter of dye-based ink in which the colorant itself is dissolved at the molecular level. . Moreover, the high molecular compound used in order to disperse | distribute a pigment in a solvent has the property that it is easy to be adsorb | sucked with respect to a face surface. This is a problem that occurs other than the pigment ink when a high molecular compound exists in the ink as a result of adding a reaction liquid to the ink for the purpose of adjusting the viscosity of the ink, improving light resistance, or the like.

  In this embodiment, the liquid is transferred to and attached to the blade M5020, and wiping is performed by the wet blade M5020. Thereby, the face surface is prevented from being deteriorated by the pigment ink, the wear of the wiper is reduced, and the accumulated matter is removed by dissolving the ink residue accumulated on the face surface. In the present specification, such a liquid is referred to as a wet liquid, and wiping using the liquid is referred to as wet wiping.

  In the present embodiment, the wet liquid is stored inside the recording apparatus main body. M5090 is a wet liquid tank, which stores a glycerin solution or the like as the wet liquid. M5100 is a wet liquid holding member, which is a fibrous member having an appropriate surface tension so that the wet liquid does not leak from the wet liquid tank M5090, and is impregnated and held with the wet liquid. M5080 is a wet liquid transfer member, which is made of, for example, a porous material having an appropriate capillary force, and has a wet liquid transfer portion M5081 in contact with the wiper blade. The wet liquid transfer member M5080 is also in contact with the wet liquid holding member M5100 soaked with the wet liquid, so that the wet liquid also soaks into the wet liquid transfer member M5080. The wet liquid transfer member M5080 is made of a material having a capillary force that can supply the wet liquid to the wet liquid transfer portion M5081 even when the remaining wet liquid is low.

The operation of the wet liquid transfer unit and the wiper unit will be described.
First, the cap M5010 is set to the lowered position, and the carriage M4000 is retracted to a position where it does not touch the blades M5020A to M5020C. In this state, the wiper portion M5020 is moved in the -Y direction, passes through the portion of the blade cleaner M5060, and is brought into contact with the wet liquid transfer portion M5081 (FIG. 17). By maintaining the contact state for an appropriate time, an appropriate amount of wet liquid is transferred to the blade M5020.

  Next, the wiper part M5020 is moved in the + Y direction. Since the blade touches the blade cleaner M5060 on the surface where the wet liquid is not attached, the wet liquid remains held by the blade.

  After returning the blade to the wiping start position, the carriage M4000 is moved to the wiping position. By moving the wiper unit M5020 in the −Y direction again, the face surface of the recording head H1001 can be wiped with the surface with the wet liquid.

1.3 Electrical Circuit Configuration Next, the configuration of the electrical circuit in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram for schematically explaining the overall configuration of the electrical circuit in the recording apparatus J0013. The recording apparatus applied in the present embodiment is mainly configured by a carriage substrate E0013, a main substrate E0014, a power supply unit E0015, a front panel E0106, and the like.

  Here, the power supply unit E0015 is connected to the main board E0014 and supplies various driving powers.

  The carriage substrate E0013 is a printed circuit board unit mounted on the carriage M4000, and functions as an interface for exchanging signals with the recording head H1001 and supplying head drive power through the head connector E0101. As a portion for controlling the head drive power supply, a head drive voltage modulation circuit E3001 having a plurality of channels for the respective color ejection portions of the recording head H1001 is provided. Then, a head drive power supply voltage is generated according to a specified condition from the main board E0014 through a flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012. Further, a change in the positional relationship between the encoder scale E0005 and the encoder sensor E0004 is detected based on the pulse signal output from the encoder sensor E0004 as the carriage M4000 moves. Further, the output signal is output to the main board E0014 through a flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012.

  As shown in FIG. 20, an optical sensor E3010 composed of two light emitting elements (LEDs) E3011 and a light receiving element E3013 and a thermistor E3020 for detecting the ambient temperature are connected to the carriage substrate E0013. Hereinafter, these sensors are referred to as a multi-sensor E3000. Information obtained by the multi-sensor E3000 is output to the main board E0014 through a flexible flat cable (CRFFC) E0012.

  The main substrate E0014 is a printed circuit board unit that controls driving of each part of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. A host interface (host I / F) E0017 is provided on the board, and a recording operation is controlled based on data received from a host computer (not shown). Further, it is connected to various motors such as a carriage motor E0001, an LF motor E0002, an AP motor E3005, and a PR motor E3006 to control driving of each function. The carriage motor E0001 is a motor serving as a drive source for main-scanning the carriage M4000. The LF motor E0002 is a motor serving as a drive source for transporting the recording medium. The AP motor E3005 is a motor that is a driving source for the recovery operation of the recording head H1001 and the recording medium feeding operation. The PR motor E3006 is a motor serving as a drive source for the flat pass recording operation. Furthermore, it connects to the sensor signal E0104 for transmitting and receiving control signals and detection signals to various sensors that detect the operating state of each part of the printer, such as PE sensors, CR lift sensors, LF encoder sensors, and PG sensors. Is done. The main board E0014 is connected to each of the CRFFC E0012 and the power supply unit E0015, and further has an interface for exchanging information with the front panel E0106 via a panel signal E0107.

  The front panel E0106 is a unit provided in front of the recording apparatus main body for the convenience of user operation. This has a resume key E0019, LED E0020, power key E0018, and flat pass key E3004 (FIG. 6), and also has a device I / F E0100 used for connection with peripheral devices such as a digital camera.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the main board E1004.
In the figure, E1102 is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). This is connected to the ROM E1004 through the control bus E1014, and performs various controls according to the program stored in the ROM E1004. For example, the sensor signal E0104 related to various sensors and the multi-sensor signal E4003 related to the multi-sensor E3000 are transmitted and received. In addition, the output state from the encoder signal E1020, the power key E0018 on the front panel E0106, the resume key E0019 and the flat pass key E3004 is detected. Also, according to the connection and data input state of the host I / F E0017 and the device I / F E0100 on the front panel, various logical operations and condition judgments are performed, each component is controlled, and drive control of the ink jet recording apparatus is performed. I am in charge.

  E1103 is a driver reset circuit. This generates a CR motor drive signal E1037, an LF motor drive signal E1035, an AP motor drive signal E4001 and a PR motor drive signal E4002 in accordance with the motor control signal E1106 from the ASIC E1102, and drives each motor. Further, the driver / reset circuit E1103 has a power supply circuit, and supplies necessary power to each part such as the main board E0014, the carriage board E0013, and the front panel E0106. Further, a drop in the power supply voltage is detected, and the reset signal E1015 is generated and initialized.

  E1010 is a power supply control circuit that controls power supply to each sensor having a light emitting element in accordance with a power supply control signal E1024 from the ASIC E1102.

  The host I / F E0017 transmits a host I / F signal E1028 from the ASIC E1102 to a host I / F cable E1029 connected to the outside, and transmits a signal from the cable E1029 to the ASIC E1102.

  On the other hand, power is supplied from the power supply unit E0015. The supplied power is supplied to each part inside and outside the main board E0014 after voltage conversion as necessary. A power supply unit control signal E4000 from the ASIC E1102 is connected to the power supply unit E0015, and controls a low power consumption mode and the like of the recording apparatus main body.

  The ASIC E1102 is a one-chip semiconductor integrated circuit with an arithmetic processing unit, and outputs the motor control signal E1106, the power supply control signal E1024, the power supply unit control signal E4000, and the like described above. Then, signals are exchanged with the host I / F E0017, and signals are exchanged with the device I / F E0100 on the front panel through the panel signal E0107. Further, the state is detected by each sensor such as a PE sensor and an ASF sensor through a sensor signal E0104. Further, the multi-sensor E3000 is controlled through the multi-sensor signal E4003 and the state is detected. Further, the state of the panel signal E0107 is detected, the driving of the panel signal E0107 is controlled, and the LED E0020 on the front panel blinks.

  Further, the ASIC E1102 detects the state of the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 to generate a timing signal, and controls the recording operation by interfacing with the recording head H1001 using the head control signal E1021. Here, the encoder signal (ENC) E1020 is an output signal of the encoder sensor E0004 inputted through the CRFFC E0012. The head control signal E1021 is connected to the carriage substrate E0013 through the flexible flat cable E0012. Then, the information is supplied to the recording head H1001 via the head drive voltage modulation circuit E3001 and the head connector E0101, and various information from the recording head H1001 is transmitted to the ASIC E1102. Among these, the head temperature information for each ejection unit is amplified by the head temperature detection circuit E3002 on the main substrate, and then input to the ASIC E1102 to be used for various control determinations.

  In the figure, E3007 is a DRAM, which is used as a data buffer for recording, a data buffer received from the host computer, etc., and also as a work area necessary for various control operations.

1.4 Recording Head Configuration The configuration of the head cartridge H1000 applied in this embodiment will be described below. The head cartridge H1000 in this embodiment has a recording head H1001, means for mounting the ink tank H1900, and means for supplying ink from the ink tank H1900 to the recording head. Then, it is detachably mounted on the carriage M4000.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ink tank H1900 is attached to the head cartridge H1000 applied in the present embodiment. The recording apparatus of the present embodiment forms an image with 10 color pigment inks. The ten colors are cyan (C), light cyan (Lc), magenta (M), light magenta (Lm), yellow (Y), first black (K1), second black (K2), red (R), and green. (G) and Gray. Accordingly, the ink tank T0001 is prepared for these 10 colors independently. As shown in the figure, each ink tank is detachable from the head cartridge H1000. The ink tank H1900 can be attached and detached while the head cartridge H1000 is mounted on the carriage M4000.

1.5 Ink Configuration The 10 color inks used in the present invention will be described below.

  The ten colors used in the present invention are cyan (C), light cyan (Lc), magenta (M), light magenta (Lm), yellow (Y), first black (K1), second black (K2), Gray (Gray), Red (R) and Green (G). All of the colorants used for each color are preferably pigments. Here, in order to disperse the pigment, a known general dispersant may be used, or the pigment surface may be modified by a known general method to impart self-dispersibility. In the gist of the present invention, the colorant used for at least some of the colors may be a dye. Further, the colorant used for at least some of the colors may be in the form of toning pigments and dyes, and a plurality of types of pigments may be included. Further, the 10-color ink used in the present invention may contain at least one selected from water-soluble organic solvents, additives, surfactants, binders, and preservatives within the scope of the present invention. .

2. 2. Characteristic Configuration 2.1 Recording at Front and Rear Edges of Recording Medium The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as a recording apparatus that can realize an image having no margin, so-called “marginless recording”.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the areas of the front end, the center, and the rear end when the marginless recording is performed on recording media of various sizes with the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. That is, as described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 34, the area where recording can be performed in a state where the recording medium is held by both the transport roller M3060 and the paper discharge roller M3100 is a central portion. In addition, an area that is recorded before the leading edge of the recording medium is supported by the paper discharge roller is a leading edge, and an area that is recorded after the trailing edge of the recording medium is separated from the conveying roller is a trailing edge.

  In this embodiment, among the nozzle groups arranged in the sub-scanning direction (recording medium conveyance direction), the nozzles included in a partial area located on the more downstream side (discharge roller side) are used for the front end portion and the rear portion. Recording to the edge. Therefore, the area treated as the rear end is slightly wider than the area treated as the front end.

  FIG. 23 schematically shows a state viewed from the nozzle forming surface side of the recording head H1001 employed in this embodiment. The recording head H1001 of this example has two recording element substrates H3700 and a recording element substrate H3701 in which nozzle arrays for each of the ten colors are formed. H2700 to H3600 are nozzle rows corresponding to 10 different colors of ink, respectively.

  One recording element substrate H3700 is provided with nozzle rows H3200, H3300, H3400, H3500, and H3600 that are supplied with gray, light cyan, first black, second black, and light magenta inks and perform ejection operations. . On the other recording element substrate H3701, nozzle rows H2700, H2800, H2900, H3000, and H3100 are formed that perform discharge operations by being supplied with cyan, red, green, magenta, and yellow inks. Each nozzle row is composed of 768 nozzles arranged at an interval of 1200 dpi (dot / inch; reference value) in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and ejects approximately 2 picoliters of ink droplets. The opening area at each nozzle outlet is set to approximately 100 square μm.

  As described above, the present invention assumes the user's request according to the size of the recording medium used for recording, and reflects this in recording control during so-called “marginless recording”, thereby improving usability. It aims to improve.

  For this purpose, the present embodiment reduces the number of recording elements used for recording at the leading and trailing ends of the recording medium and the conveyance amount of the recording medium, and the reduction ratio differs from the size of the recording medium.

  That is, when recording at the central portion of the recording medium shown in FIG. 22, the entire range M of each nozzle row, that is, 768 nozzles, is used regardless of the size of the recording medium. On the other hand, in front and rear end recording, the number of nozzles used in each row is reduced, and the recording width in one scan is reduced to prevent image deterioration. At the same time, the reduction ratio is made different depending on the size of the recording medium. That is, the region Ec including 256 nozzles on the upstream side (conveying roller side) in the recording medium conveyance direction from the center of the row or the 128 nozzles located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction in the region Ec is not used. The area Em including the remaining 128 nozzles can be selected.

  Hereinafter, an example of recording control according to the size of the recording medium in order to meet the user's request will be described.

2.2 First Example First, as a first example, recording control preferable for a user such as a professional cameraman will be described.

  In the process of creating a work, this type of user first performs an immediate print of a photographed image on a relatively small recording medium to check the color and composition of the image, and then records it on a large recording medium. It is said that the work is often made by doing. For this type of user, a confirmation image formed on a relatively small size recording medium is recorded earlier, and a work image formed on a relatively large size recording medium is recorded with higher quality. Needs to do.

  For this reason, in this example, for a relatively small recording medium such as the L plate (hereinafter also referred to as a small recording medium), speed-priority recording using 256 nozzles in the area Em is performed at the time of leading and trailing edge recording. To. Also, for a relatively large recording medium such as the A3 size (hereinafter also referred to as a large recording medium), quality priority recording using 128 nozzles in the area Ec is performed.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the recording operation at the time of recording in the central portion of the recording medium. 25 and 26 are explanatory diagrams of the recording operation at the time of recording the rear end of the small recording medium and at the time of recording the rear end of the large recording medium, respectively. 27 and 28 are explanatory diagrams of the recording operation at the time of recording the leading end of the small recording medium and at the time of recording the leading end of the large recording medium, respectively.

  In these drawings, reference numeral 202 denotes 768 nozzle regions (region M in FIG. 23) of each nozzle row arranged on the recording head H1001 to the recording element substrates H3700 and H3701. Reference numeral 211 denotes a region (region Ec in FIG. 23) corresponding to 256 nozzles used during recording of the rear end portion and the front end portion of the small recording medium. Further, reference numeral 212 denotes an area (area Em in FIG. 23) corresponding to 128 nozzles used at the time of recording the rear end portion and the front end portion of the large recording medium.

  The platen M3040 that supports the recording medium that passes through the recording area has a groove 208, and the groove 208 receives ink ejected from the leading and trailing edges of the recording medium when performing marginless recording. An ink absorber 208A is installed. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 208A is then moved to a waste ink absorber (not shown) provided at the lower part of the recording apparatus main body.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a part of a rib attached to the platen M3040. When printing without margins, ink is ejected from the left and right edges of the recording medium even when recording at the center of the recording medium. Therefore, the interval between the upstream rib portion 209 located on the right side and the downstream rib portion 209 located on the left side in the drawing is the maximum number of nozzles used in recording at the center of the recording medium (in this embodiment, 768 nozzles). ) Larger than the length corresponding to). As a result, the rib portion 209 is prevented from being smudged by ink ejected from the left and right side edges during recording of the left and right end portions. 210 is also a part of the rib attached to the platen. These rib portions 210 are related to the support of the front and rear end portions of the recording medium, and are arranged so as not to be stained by the ejected ink protruding from the front and rear edges and the left and right side edges of the front and rear end portions when recording the front and rear end portions. It is preferable that Therefore, while the recording medium is disposed at a position appropriately deviated from the portion where the left and right side edges are positioned, the interval between the upstream rib portion 210 and the downstream rib portion 210 is set to the maximum nozzle used during the recording of the leading and trailing edges of the recording medium. The length is larger than the length corresponding to the number (256 nozzles in this embodiment).

  FIG. 24 shows a state where the central portion of the recording medium P shown in FIG. 22 is recorded. As shown in this figure, when recording the central portion of the recording medium, all 768 nozzles are used.

  FIG. 25 shows a recording state on the rear end portion of the relatively small size recording medium P. In this case, recording is performed using an area 211 including 256 nozzles located upstream in the recording medium conveyance direction.

  FIG. 26 shows a recording state on the rear end of the relatively large recording medium P. In this case, recording is performed using an area 212 including 128 nozzles located upstream in the recording medium conveyance direction.

  FIG. 27 shows a recording state on the leading end of a relatively small size recording medium P. In this case, recording is performed using an area 211 including 256 nozzles located upstream in the recording medium conveyance direction.

  FIG. 28 shows a recording state on the leading end of a relatively small size recording medium P. In this case, recording is performed using an area 212 including 128 nozzles located upstream in the recording medium conveyance direction.

  The recording medium P is transported only by the transport roller M3060 between the discharge roller M3100 and the spur M3120, or before being sandwiched between the discharge roller M3110 and the spur M3120, and is generally curved as shown in FIGS. It is known. In addition, after the recording medium P is removed from the nipping position by the conveying roller M3060 and the pinch roller M3070, the recording medium P is generally smaller in diameter than the conveying roller M3060, and is conveyed only by the discharge rollers M3100 or M3110, which are inferior in recording medium conveying accuracy. Is done. As with the tip portion, it is generally known that the rear end portion is curved as shown in FIGS.

  The degree of bending is affected by the recording environment, the material of the recording medium, and the recording duty of the image, but more or less bending occurs, and the distance (inter-paper distance) from the nozzle formation surface of the recording head is , It changes abruptly in the front end region and the rearmost end region. Thus, a sudden change in the inter-paper distance affects the image quality. In particular, at the rear end portion, the conveyance is performed only by the paper discharge rollers M3100 and M3110, which are inferior in the conveyance accuracy of the recording medium.

  The image quality at the time of leading and trailing edge recording depends on the length (recording width) in the recording medium conveyance direction of the area recorded by one recording scan (scan) of the recording head H1101. That is, the larger the recording width, the larger the image disturbance, and the smaller the recording width, the smaller the image disturbance. One factor is that the smaller the recording width, the smaller the fluctuation range of the inter-paper distance within the recording width. Therefore, by reducing the number of nozzles involved in recording and reducing the recording width by a single scan, the amount of landing position deviation due to fluctuations in the inter-paper distance can be reduced, and image disturbance can be reduced. it can.

  In other words, the reduction in the number of nozzles involved in recording is a reduction in the conveyance amount of the recording medium between scans. For example, when recording a region on a recording medium by multi-pass recording by reducing the transport amount, the total transport amount required to perform multi-pass recording is small, and the integrated amount of transport amount error is small. I'm sorry.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, basically, when recording on the leading edge and the rearmost edge where image disturbance is likely to occur, the recording width is reduced, that is, the number of used nozzles is reduced, and the conveyance amount of the recording medium is also reduced. This reduces the image distortion.

  In the present embodiment, the ratio of reduction in the number of used nozzles or the conveyance amount of the recording medium differs according to the size of the selected recording medium so as to meet the demand for high-speed recording and the demand for high-quality recording. ing. That is, in this embodiment, when recording the rear end portion or the front end portion with respect to the small recording medium, the recording width corresponds to 256 nozzles (FIGS. 25 and 27). On the other hand, when the rear end portion or the front end portion is recorded on a large recording medium, the recording width corresponds to 128 nozzles (FIGS. 26 and 28).

  FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining a mode of scanning and nozzle use for a small recording medium. Here, FIG. 9A shows a state in which recording from the vicinity of the leading end of the recording medium P shifts to recording at the center, and FIG. 9B shows recording from the central part of the recording medium P to the vicinity of the rear end. It shows a state of transition.

First, in FIG. 29A, n _{f to} n _f +6 are numbers of scans sequentially performed. Until the scan of number n _f +1, it is assumed that the leading edge of the recording medium is not supported by the paper discharge roller and is transported only by the transport roller M3060.

  In this state, scanning using only 256 nozzles in the area 211 shown in FIG. 27 is performed, while 64 nozzles are conveyed between each scan, and image formation is performed on the leading edge of the recording medium P. That is, the image corresponding to the predetermined area N on the recording medium in the drawing is completed by a total of four scans (multipass recording). In this case, a mask pattern similar to that in FIG. 5 can be applied to 256 nozzles.

When the leading edge of the recording medium is completely supported by the paper discharge roller, scanning is performed using all 768 nozzles (area 202 shown in FIG. 24). On the other hand, 192 nozzles are conveyed between each scan, and image formation is performed on the central portion of the recording medium P (after the scan of number n _f +5). That is, an image is completed in a total of four scans (multipass recording) for the area included in the central portion of the recording medium. In this case, the mask pattern shown in FIG. 5 can be applied.

In the process of transition from the recording of the tip to the recording of the central portion (scan number n _f + 2~n _f +4), it relates to the portion where the recording has been performed by the nozzles included in the initial region 211, other contained in the same region Appropriate data setting is performed so that multi-pass printing is performed by the nozzles. At the same time, the use nozzle range is expanded to perform recording in the central portion, while an appropriate amount of conveyance is performed.

Next, in FIG. 29B, n _{r to} n _r +6 are numbers of scans sequentially performed when the recording medium P shifts to recording near the rear end. Similarly to the above, the central portion is scanned using all 768 nozzles, while multi-pass printing is performed so that 192 nozzles are conveyed for each scan (up to the scan of number n _r +1). . Similarly, the rear end of the recording medium that is not supported by the conveying roller is scanned using 256 nozzles in the region 211, while 64 nozzles are conveyed for each scan. Recording is performed (after the scan of number n _r +5). In the transition process (scans of number n _r +2 to number n _r +4), data setting similar to the above and an appropriate amount of conveyance are performed, while the used nozzle range is reduced.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an aspect of scanning and nozzle use for a large recording medium. Here, FIG. 30A shows a state in which the recording from the vicinity of the front end of the recording medium P shifts to the recording at the center, and FIG. 30B shows the recording from the center of the recording medium P to the vicinity of the rear end. It shows a state of transition.

First, in FIG. 30A, until the scan of the number n _f +1, the leading edge of the recording medium is not supported by the paper discharge roller, and is transported only by the transport roller M3060. In this state, a scan using only 128 nozzles in the region 212 shown in FIG. 26 is performed, while 32 nozzles are transported between each scan, and an image is formed on the leading end of the recording medium P. That is, the image corresponding to the predetermined area N on the recording medium in the drawing is completed by a total of four scans (multipass recording). In this case, a mask pattern similar to that in FIG. 5 can be applied to 128 nozzles.

When the leading edge of the recording medium is completely supported by the paper discharge roller, scanning using all 768 nozzles (area 202 shown in FIG. 24) is performed. On the other hand, 192 nozzles are conveyed between each scan, and image formation is performed on the central portion of the recording medium P (after the scan of number n _f +5). That is, an image is completed in a total of four scans (multipass recording) for the area included in the central portion of the recording medium. In this case, the mask pattern shown in FIG. 5 can be applied.

In the process of transition from the recording of the tip to the recording of the central portion (scan number n _f + 2~n _f +4), it relates to the portion where the recording has been performed by the nozzles included in the initial region 212, other contained in the same region Appropriate data setting is performed so that multi-pass printing is performed by the nozzles. At the same time, the use nozzle range is expanded to perform recording in the central portion, while an appropriate amount of conveyance is performed.

Next, in FIG. 30B, the central portion is scanned using all 768 nozzles as described above, while multi-pass printing is performed so that 192 nozzles are conveyed for each scan. (Up to the scan of number n _r +1). Similarly, the rear end of the recording medium that is not supported by the transport roller is scanned using 128 nozzles in the region 212, while the transport of 32 nozzles is performed for each scan. Recording is performed (after the scan of number n _r +5). In the transition process (scans of number n _r +2 to number n _r +4), data setting similar to the above and an appropriate amount of conveyance are performed, while the used nozzle range is reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when recording on the front and rear end portions of the recording medium, the number of used nozzles and the rate of reduction of the conveyance amount are made different depending on the size of the recording medium. As a result, the confirmation image formed on the relatively small size recording medium is recorded earlier, and the work image formed on the relatively large size recording medium is desired to be recorded with higher quality. It becomes possible to respond appropriately to requests.

  Whether the recording medium P is supported by the upstream conveying means (conveying roller) and the downstream conveying means (discharge roller) or only by one of them is determined by the detection of the PE sensor or the like. Based on ASIC E110 can do. That is, based on the distance from the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording medium to the paper discharge roller or the conveyance roller and the conveyance speed by the PE sensor E0007, the leading edge portion, the central portion, the trailing edge portion, or the transition region is detected. Recording execution can be determined.

2.3 Control of the recording apparatus The user can select the size of the recording medium when executing recording. This selection can be performed on a UI screen displayed on the monitor of the host device J0012, for example.

  On the other hand, in the recording apparatus, the following control can be executed accordingly.

FIG. 31 shows an example of a recording processing procedure executed by the recording apparatus J0013.
In this procedure, first, it is recognized whether the recording medium has a relatively small size or a large size (step S1). This can be done by the host device J0012 notifying the recording medium information selected by the user. Alternatively, the size of the recording medium set in the paper feeding unit of the recording apparatus may be recognized.

  Next, according to the recognized size of the recording medium, the setting of the nozzle area used for the recording of the front end portion and the rear end portion and the transport amount are set (step S3). That is, the area 211 shown in FIGS. 25 and 27 is set for the large recording medium, and the carrying operation shown in FIG. 29 is set. In addition, the area 212 shown in FIGS. 26 and 28 is set for the small recording medium, and the conveyance operation shown in FIG. 30 is set.

  Such a setting can be performed as follows, for example. In other words, the ROM E1004 of the recording apparatus includes a table that defines the relationship between the size of the recording medium (for example, A3 size and A4 size) and the number of nozzles used and the conveyance amount at the end and center of the recording medium in advance. Store it. Then, based on the size information of the recording medium designated and selected by the user, the number of used nozzles (the number of used nozzles at the center of the end) and the conveyance amount can be determined by referring to the table.

  Next, data development is performed in accordance with the used nozzles and the transport amount set in this way (step S5), and in the transition area from the leading end portion to the central portion of the recording medium, the data is transferred as shown in FIG. 29 (a) or FIG. The recording operation as described is executed (step S7). Then, after performing the recording operation to the central portion (step S9), the recording operation as described with reference to FIG. 29B or FIG. 30B is performed in the rear end portion of the recording medium and the transition area leading to the recording medium. (Step S11).

2.4 Second Example In the first example described above, it is assumed that a user such as a professional cameraman uses a recording apparatus to realize preferable recording control. In such a user, a confirmation image formed on a relatively small size recording medium is recorded earlier, and a work image formed on a relatively large size recording medium is recorded with higher quality. Since there is a request to do this, we have responded to this.

  On the other hand, in the second example of the characteristic configuration, it is assumed that suitable recording control is performed assuming a recording apparatus used by a general user. When a general user uses a recording apparatus, it is often desired that the recording quality and recording speed be balanced. In addition, it is often desired that a small recording medium such as the L version, which originally has a small recording medium size and does not take a long time to record, be improved in quality even after a little time. On the other hand, since a large recording medium such as the A3 version originally requires a long time for recording, it is often desired to reduce the time as much as possible.

  Therefore, in the second example of the characteristic configuration, when recording the front and rear end portions of the recording medium, settings opposite to those in the first example are performed. That is, when a small recording medium such as the L plate is used, the ratio of reduction in the number of used nozzles and the medium conveyance amount increases, and when a large recording medium such as the A3 plate is used, the number of used nozzles and the medium conveyance amount. Recording control is performed so as to reduce the rate of reduction.

  Specifically, when the rear end or the front end is recorded on a large recording medium, recording control is performed using the nozzle region 211 corresponding to 256 nozzles (region Ec in FIG. 23) (FIG. 25). , FIG. 27). On the other hand, when the rear end portion or the front end portion is recorded on a small recording medium, recording control is performed using the nozzle region 212 corresponding to 128 nozzles (region Em in FIG. 23) (FIG. 26, FIG. 28).

2.5 Others The present invention reduces the number of recording elements used for recording at the leading and trailing ends of the recording medium and the recording medium conveyance amount, and the reduction ratio is set according to the size of the recording medium. Yes. However, the setting mode can be reversed as shown in the first example and the second example. This is based on the assumption of the user's request and reflecting this in the recording control. It can be determined appropriately in view of the purpose of improving the usability of the device.

  In the above description, the number of recording elements used for recording at the front and rear ends of the recording medium and the rate of reduction of the recording medium conveyance amount set according to the size of the recording medium are two levels. It is also possible to increase the number of combinations of the recording medium size and the reduction ratio so as to have more stages. In this way, for example, in the first example, the smaller recording medium can be recorded faster and the larger recording medium can be recorded with higher quality, so that the usability can be further improved. In the second example, it is possible to perform recording with a balance between recording quality and recording speed from a small recording medium to a large recording medium.

  Furthermore, the number of ink colors to be used, the number of nozzles (printing elements), the mode of setting the used nozzle range and the transport amount of the print medium, the number of passes in multi-pass printing, the type of mask pattern to be applied, etc. are merely examples. Needless to say, an appropriate one can be adopted.

  In addition, although the present embodiment has been described as a recording method for realizing marginless recording, the present invention is not limited to marginless recording. Further, the marginless recording may be realized at either the front end or the rear end of the recording medium. The point is that the present invention can be effectively applied regardless of the presence or absence of a margin as long as at least one of the front end portion and the rear end portion is supported by only one roller and the distance between the sheets varies.

H1001 Recording head J0013 Recording device M3060 Transport roller M3100 First paper discharge roller M3110 Second paper discharge roller M4000 Carriage E1021 Head control signal E1102 ASIC
202 Total nozzle array area 211, 212 Used nozzle reduction area

Claims (3)

A recording scan in which recording is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head while scanning the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements with a recording head in which recording elements for ejecting ink are arranged; An inkjet recording apparatus capable of executing a recording mode for recording an image on the recording medium by carrying the recording medium in a direction crossing the direction of the recording scanning,
(A) The number of recording elements that can be used for recording with respect to the central portion in the transport direction of the first recording medium is the first number, and the leading end and the trailing end in the transport direction of the first recording medium A first recording mode in which the number of recording elements that can be used for recording on at least one of the sections is a second number smaller than the first number; and (B) a size larger than that of the first recording medium. The number of recording elements that can be used for recording with respect to the central portion in the transport direction of the second recording medium with a small size is the first number, and the leading end and the trailing end in the transport direction of the second recording medium And a second recording mode in which the number of recording elements that can be used for recording on at least one of the units is a third number that is smaller than the first number and larger than the second number. Inkji characterized by being Tsu door recording device. A recording scan in which recording is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head while scanning the recording medium in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the recording elements with a recording head in which recording elements for ejecting ink are arranged; An inkjet recording apparatus capable of executing a recording mode for recording an image on the recording medium by carrying the recording medium in a direction crossing the direction of the recording scanning,
(A) The amount of conveyance performed between recording scans with respect to the central portion in the conveyance direction of the first recording medium is the first amount, and the leading edge and the trailing edge in the conveyance direction of the first recording medium A first recording mode in which the amount of conveyance executed between recording scans for at least one of the units is a second amount smaller than the first amount; and (B) a size larger than that of the first recording medium. The amount of conveyance performed between recording scans with respect to the central portion in the conveyance direction of the second recording medium having a small size is the first amount, and the leading edge and the trailing edge in the conveyance direction of the second recording medium And a second recording mode in which the amount of conveyance executed between recording scans for at least one of the units is a third amount that is smaller than the first amount and larger than the second amount. Inkji characterized by being Tsu door recording device   3. The recording mode according to claim 1, wherein the first and second recording modes are recording modes for recording an image without providing a margin for at least one of the leading end portion and the trailing end portion. The ink jet recording apparatus described.

Images