JP5063327B2 - Inkjet recording apparatus and adjustment value acquisition method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium while moving a carriage mounted with a recording head for ejecting ink relative to the recording medium. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having a function for correcting a recording position shift of dots that are displaced according to the position of the carriage when the carriage performs recording while scanning a relatively long recording width.

  Inkjet recording devices can be realized with a comparatively simple structure and at a low price compared to other types of recording devices, but can be recorded in a non-contact manner with respect to the recording medium. It has advantages such as being possible.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus, ink droplets ejected from a plurality of nozzles arranged in a recording head form dots on a recording medium, and an image is represented by the recording position and arrangement density of these dots. Therefore, in order to realize a high-quality image, high dot recording position accuracy is required. However, in the recording head and the recording apparatus, a certain amount of error is inevitably included in the manufacturing process, and these errors appear as dot recording position deviations. Examples of the dot recording position deviation include a deviation between the position recorded by the forward scanning and the position recorded by the backward scanning during bidirectional recording, and the deviation of the recording position between different color inks. In the former case, the linearity of fine ruled lines is impaired, or a predetermined density is not expressed in the halftone. In the latter case, color misregistration may occur in characters and objects expressed in mixed colors, or a desired hue may not be expressed. Therefore, in order to correct the recording position deviation having individual differences between these recording heads and recording apparatuses, the ink jet recording apparatus is often provided with a mode for correcting the recording position deviation in advance. Hereinafter, such a mode is referred to as a resist adjustment mode in this specification.

  In general, the registration adjustment mode includes a process of recording a test pattern for measuring a recording position deviation, detecting the test pattern, and acquiring an appropriate correction amount from the detection result. When a general image is recorded, recording is performed while correcting the ejection timing of the recording head and the image data according to the correction amount.

  Conventionally, in the registration adjustment mode, a configuration in which detection of a test pattern and input of a detection result are left to a user has been mainstream. However, in the situation where the resolution of recording apparatuses and the size of liquid droplets are increasing as in recent years, there is a limit in entrusting the user to judge the recording position deviation of various types of various colors in units of several microns. It is coming. Therefore, there is also provided a recording apparatus that prepares an automatic registration adjustment mode in which a recorded test pattern is detected by an optical sensor or the like, and a correction amount is automatically acquired and stored.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic registration adjustment mode in which a test pattern recorded by a recording head is detected by an optical sensor mounted on a carriage together with the recording head. The bidirectional registration adjustment mode disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described below.

  22A to 22C are diagrams showing test patterns in the bidirectional resist adjustment mode of Patent Document 1. FIG. Each of the white circle 41 and the gray circle 42 indicates a dot recorded on the recording medium, the white circle 41 indicates a dot group recorded by the forward scanning of the carriage, and a gray circle 42 indicates a dot group recorded by the backward scanning. ing. FIG. 22A shows a state in which there is no deviation in the print position between the forward scan and the backward scan, and FIG. 22B shows a deviation of 2 to 3 pixels between the forward scan and the backward scan. It shows the state that is occurring. In the test pattern, a plurality of patterns are recorded while changing the ejection timing during the backward scan with respect to the forward scan so that the shift amount is changed by a predetermined amount.

  FIG. 23 shows an example in which a plurality of patterns as described above are arranged as patches. “a” to “i” indicate patches of about 10 mm square in which the amount of shift between the forward scan and the backward scan is varied in nine stages. These patches are recorded on the recording medium 3 by the reciprocating main scanning with the same carriage (recording head). Is done.

  When such a test pattern is recorded, the density of these individual patches is detected by one low-speed scanning of the carriage by an optical sensor mounted on the carriage. By doing so, it is possible to simultaneously perform spatial filtering on each patch while keeping the reading time as short as possible.

  As shown in FIG. 22A, the read density is highest in a patch in which there is no deviation in the printing position between the forward scan and the backward scan. As shown in FIGS. 22B and 22C, as the amount of deviation increases, the blank area of the recording medium increases and the density is detected lower. A recording position in which the relationship between the ejection timing of the forward scanning and the ejection timing of the backward scanning when a patch with the highest density is selected from a plurality of patches and the patch is recorded is not shifted between the two. Is determined to be realized. Then, this timing is stored as a registration adjustment value, and ink ejection is executed in accordance with this timing from the next bidirectional recording.

  Further, the registration adjustment value may be calculated by performing approximation using a function as shown in FIG. 24, for example, from the detected density values of a plurality of patches, not the discharge timing itself of the patch detected with the highest density. It is disclosed.

  Here, the state in which the density is detected to be the highest is described as a state in which there is no recording position shift. You can also

  However, in the conventional method described above, the registration adjustment value corresponding to the entire scanning area is determined by the patch recorded in a part of the carriage in the scanning direction, so that the recording position deviation amount varies in the main scanning direction. Had a problem that it could not cope with this. Here, the case where the recording position deviation amount fluctuates in the main scanning direction includes, for example, a case where floating (cockling) occurs in the recording medium during recording. When ink, which is a liquid, is absorbed, cockling is caused by fiber deformation of the recording medium, and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium during recording (inter-paper distance) is not constant even during the same recording scan.

  Normally, the recording head ejects ink while moving in the main scanning direction at a constant speed. Therefore, the ejected ink droplets have not only the speed component perpendicular to the recording medium but also the speed component in the main scanning direction. Have. Therefore, the ink droplets land at a position shifted in the main scanning direction from the position where the ejection operation is actually performed. The amount of deviation at this time is determined by the time from when the ink droplet is ejected until it lands on the recording medium, that is, the distance between the sheets. Even if there is such a deviation, if the distance between papers during recording is kept constant, the deviation amount is constant for all ejection operations, that is, all ink droplets. The positional relationship of dots is stable. However, when the distance between papers during recording fluctuates due to the influence of cockling, the time from ink droplet ejection to landing on the recording medium varies depending on the individual ejection operations. The positional relationship of all dots formed on the medium also becomes unstable. As a result, even when recording is performed while ejecting ink at the same frequency, the density of dots is generated on the recording medium, and this is confirmed as uneven density.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 2 discloses a recording apparatus that performs carriage scanning while detecting a distance between sheets by a sensor mounted on a carriage. According to this document, a method is described in which the ejection timing of the recording head is adjusted using a delay circuit or the like based on the detected distance information, and the dot position on the recording medium is controlled. By adopting such a method, even when cockling occurs in the recording medium during recording, the recording medium is prevented from being displaced due to the variation in the distance between the sheets, and the density unevenness is not confirmed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-329381 JP-A-11-240146

  However, even if a configuration in which the ejection timing can be adjusted according to the inter-paper distance as in Patent Document 2, if the posture of the carriage itself or the flatness of the platen that supports the recording medium from below is changed, It was not possible to accurately correct the recording position shift during scanning. As described above, the time from when the ink droplet is ejected until it lands on the recording medium is also determined by the distance between the papers. However, strictly speaking, the position of the recording apparatus, such as the posture of the carriage during scanning and the flatness of the platen. It also depends on the body configuration. If the orientation of the recording head and the flatness of the platen are unstable, the ejection angle from the recording head relative to the recording medium surface, that is, the velocity component of the ink droplets will also become unstable, resulting in variations in the recording position on the recording medium. It will be saved. The posture of the recording head and the flatness of the platen do not vary so much with a relatively small recording apparatus, and there are few problems on the image. However, in the case of a relatively large recording apparatus, the scanning distance of the carriage becomes long, so that there is a slight warp on the rail for guiding and supporting the carriage in the main scanning direction and on the platen that supports the recording medium from below. This is inevitably included, and causes a recording position shift.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. Therefore, the purpose is to correct the recording position appropriately at the position of each carriage, even if the recording position deviation varies depending on the position of the carriage, depending on the main body configuration of the recording apparatus. It is to provide a possible ink jet recording apparatus.

Therefore, in the present invention, a carriage that is mounted with a recording head that ejects ink and moves in the main scanning direction, a guide member that guides the movement of the carriage, a plurality of support members that support the guide member, Test patch recording means for recording a test patch on a recording medium with the recording head, and acquiring an adjustment value of a recording position when recording with the recording head based on the test patch recorded on the recording medium The test patch recording means causes the recording head to record the test patch at a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of support members with respect to a recording medium, and the acquisition means includes: Obtaining an adjustment value corresponding to each position where the test patch is recorded from a plurality of the test patches, and The test patches in the main scanning direction based on the adjustment value of the number and calculates the adjustment value of the position other than the recording position.

An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a carriage mounted with a recording head for discharging ink; and a carriage that moves in a main scanning direction; a guide member that guides the movement of the carriage; and a plurality of support members that support the guide member. An adjustment value acquisition method for adjusting a recording position when performing recording with the recording head, wherein test patches are recorded on the recording head at a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of support members with respect to the recording medium. A test patch recording step, an acquisition step of acquiring an adjustment value corresponding to each position where the test patch is recorded from a plurality of the test patches, and the test patch in the main scanning direction based on the plurality of adjustment values And a calculation step of calculating an adjustment value at a position other than the position where the is recorded .

  According to the present invention, since it is possible to store in advance the recording position deviation variation in the main scanning direction, it is possible to expect a stable image with no recording position deviation over a long period of time.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a schematic configuration of a color ink jet recording apparatus employed in this embodiment. The carriage 1 is mounted with a recording head 201 that ejects ink according to the recording data, and can reciprocate in the X direction, which is the main scanning direction, by the power of a carriage motor (not shown). A reflection type optical sensor 30 for detecting a test pattern and the like is attached to the side surface of the carriage 1. The configuration of the optical sensor 30 will be described in detail later.

  The main rail 8 extends in the main scanning direction in the apparatus and plays a role of guiding and supporting the carriage 1 in the main scanning direction. The main rail 8 is supported from below by a plurality of support members 7 so that the deflection is suppressed. The sub rail 6 is installed in parallel to the main rail 8 and plays a role of maintaining the posture of the carriage 1 guided by the main rail 6. The main rail 8, the sub rail 6, a front cover (not shown), and the like are attached to the upper housing 51.

  The platen 4 is a flat plate that supports, from below, a recording medium that is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) and can be recorded by the recording head. Reference numeral 50 denotes a mist suction hole for collecting mist generated when ink droplets are ejected. A transport roller (not shown) that transports the platen 4 and the recording medium is attached to the lower casing 52. By combining the upper casing 51 and the lower casing 52, the main configuration of the recording apparatus is completed.

  The recording medium is conveyed to a recordable area by the carriage 1 by a conveyance roller (not shown). An image is formed stepwise by repeating the recording scan of the carriage 1 in the main scanning direction and the transport operation of a predetermined amount of the recording medium.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. The controller 400 is a main control unit, and includes, for example, a CPU 401 in the form of a microcomputer, a ROM 403 storing programs, necessary tables, and other fixed data, and a RAM 405 provided with an area for developing image data and a work area. The host device 410 is a supply source of image data connected to the outside of the device, and may be in the form of a reader unit for image reading, in addition to a computer that creates and processes image data. Image data, other commands, status signals, and the like are transmitted / received to / from the controller 400 via an interface (I / F) 412.

  The operation unit 420 is a switch group that receives an instruction input from the operator. There is a power switch 422 and a recovery switch 426 for instructing a maintenance operation of the recording head 201. In addition, a registration adjustment activation switch 427 and the like for a user to input a command when executing the registration adjustment mode of the present embodiment are provided.

  The sensor group 430 is a sensor group for detecting the state of the apparatus. The optical sensor 30 mounted on the carriage, the photocoupler 109 for detecting the home position, and an appropriate part for detecting the environmental temperature. A provided temperature sensor 434 and the like are provided.

  The head driver 440 is a driver that drives the recording element 402 in the recording head 201 in accordance with print data or the like. The head driver 440 includes a shift register that aligns print data corresponding to the position of each recording element 402 of the recording head 201, a latch circuit that latches at appropriate timing, and the like. In addition, a logic circuit element that operates the recording element 402 in synchronization with the driving timing signal, a timing setting unit that appropriately sets the driving timing (ejection timing) in order to adjust the recording position, and the like are provided.

  The recording head 201 is provided with a sub heater 442. The sub-heater adjusts the temperature to stabilize the ink ejection characteristics, and can be formed on the substrate of the recording head or attached to the recording head main body or the head cartridge in the same manner as the recording element 402.

  The motor driver 450 is a driver that drives the carriage motor 452, and the motor driver 460 is a driver that drives a transport motor used to transport (sub-scan) the recording medium.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism of the optical sensor 30 mounted on the carriage 1. The optical sensor 30 includes a light emitting unit 11 and a light receiving unit 12, and the light receiving unit 12 detects reflected light emitted from the light emitting unit 11 and reflected by an object. Reflection by the object includes regular reflection and irregular reflection. In order to more accurately detect the density of the object, that is, the image recorded on the recording medium 3, it is desirable to detect the irregularly reflected light. Therefore, the light receiving unit 12 of the optical sensor 30 of the present embodiment is provided at a position that is out of the reflection angle of the incident light 17. A detection signal from the light receiving unit 12 is transmitted to the electric board of the recording apparatus, and the density is determined by the controller 400.

  In this embodiment, the light emitting unit 11 uses a white LED or a three-color LED of red, blue and green. This is for measuring the density of the test pattern recorded in the type of ink color ejected by the recording head of this embodiment, that is, cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and the like. The light receiving unit 12 uses a photodiode having sensitivity in the visible light region. In the present embodiment, it is only necessary to confirm the relative density between the plurality of patches arranged in the main scanning direction. Therefore, the optical sensor 30 may not necessarily be able to acquire an accurate absolute density. However, the optical sensor 30 has sufficient resolution so that the relative density of the patch area can be detected, and detection sensitivity is sufficient while the carriage 1 moves in the width direction of the large-sized recording medium. It is desirable to be stable.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram when the carriage 1 shown in FIG. 1 is observed from the Y direction in order to explain the change in the posture of the carriage that causes the recording position shift, which is a problem of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same members. Reference numeral 9 denotes a recording element group included in the recording head 201 mounted on the carriage 1. The recording element group 9 is configured by arranging, in the X direction, recording element arrays in which a plurality of recording elements that eject ink as droplets are arranged in the Y direction. Here, an example is shown in which two recording element groups 9 each including a plurality of recording element arrays arranged in parallel in the X direction are arranged in parallel in the X direction.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes an encoder sensor provided in the carriage 1 for detecting the current position of the carriage. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an encoder scale is stretched in the main scanning direction in the recording apparatus, and an encoder sensor 10 attached to the carriage 1 detects this, whereby the carriage 1 in the main scanning direction is detected. The current position is acquired.

  By the way, even if the ink droplets from the recording element group 9 are ejected perpendicularly (31) from the ejection port surface, there is a scanning speed component of the carriage 1, so that the recording position of the recording medium performs the ejection operation accordingly. It has already been explained that it is out of position. Also, it has been described that if the ejection port surface and the surface of the recording medium 3 are always parallel and a certain distance between the sheets is maintained, the deviation d is also maintained constant. However, when the main rail 8 is curved as shown in FIG. 4, the posture of the carriage 1, that is, the ejection port surface of the recording element group 9 is inclined with respect to the surface of the recording medium 3 or (A) parallel. (B). Here, in order to simplify the description, the degree of bending in FIG. 4 is increased. That is, the ink ejection direction from the ejection port surface varies with respect to the surface of the recording medium 3, and as a result, the shift amount d also varies according to the position of the carriage 1 in the main scanning direction. In this case, for example, even if an attempt is made to record dots at the same position on the recording medium by two recording element arrays arranged in the X direction of the recording element group 9, the appropriate value of the difference between the ejection timings of the two is the carriage 1 It differs depending on the position in the main scanning direction. In other words, even if the registration adjustment is performed as in the prior art, the print position of the two color dots in the main scanning direction remains constant with the adjustment value, that is, the difference between the ejection timings of the two (two color) printing element rows. A region that matches and a region that does not match are mixed, and color misregistration is invited. Although the relationship between the two recording element arrays arranged in the recording element group 9 has been described above, such a recording position shift similarly occurs even when bidirectional recording is performed using one recording element array.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the result of actual measurement of the movement position of the carriage 1, the posture variation amount (tilt amount) of the carriage 1 with respect to this movement position, and the deviation amount of the recording position in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. According to the figure, it can be seen that there is a correlation between the posture variation amount of the carriage 1 and the recording position deviation. Such a change in the posture of the carriage is often caused by the curvature of the main rail 8, but the curvature of the main rail 8 itself is difficult to change over time. Can be used for a long time.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view when the carriage 1 is observed from the Z direction in FIG. 1 in order to explain the posture change of the carriage caused by the curvature of the main rail 8. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a state in which one support member 7 supports the main rail 8. The curvature of the main rail 8 as described above increases as the distance between the support members 7 that support the main rail 8 increases. Therefore, in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, a large number of support members 7 are arranged at substantially equal intervals to such an extent that the bending can be sufficiently suppressed, that is, the main rail 8 between adjacent support members can be regarded as a substantially straight line. Yes. However, on the other hand, these support members 7 also have some tolerance. Therefore, even if the main rail between the adjacent support members 7 can be regarded as a straight line, the inclination of the main rail 8 varies at the position of each support member 7.

  In this embodiment, the recording position deviation amount around the support member 7 is measured for each of the support members 7, and the information on the recording position deviation amounts at the support members 7 adjacent to each other is used. The recording position deviation between the positions is calculated. As a result, the recording position shift of the entire scanning area of the carriage 1 is obtained, and the ejection timing of the recording element group can be adjusted according to the scanning position of the carriage 1.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the steps in the registration adjustment mode of this embodiment, which is executed by the controller 403. Here, a description will be given of a method for obtaining a relative value of the recording position shift amount between the forward scanning and the backward scanning during bidirectional printing.

  When the user designates the start of the registration adjustment mode using the registration start switch 427, first, the controller 403 feeds a recording medium for recording a test pattern in step S1, and detects the width using the optical sensor 30. . In the area where the recording medium is fed and the area where the platen is exposed, the amount of reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 11 is greatly different. By detecting this, the presence or absence of the recording medium, that is, the width of the recording medium is measured. I can do it. At this time, the sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor 30 may be continuously performed using the blank area of the recording medium. Specifically, the carriage 1 is moved to a position where the optical sensor 30 detects a blank area, and the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit 11 is increased until the detection signal from the light receiving unit 12 reaches a predetermined upper limit value. Alternatively, the detection amplifier of the light receiving unit 12 is adjusted so that the signal value converted from the amount of received light reaches the upper limit value.

  The amount of reflected light incident on the light receiving unit 12 varies depending on the type of recording medium. The amount of received light also changes depending on the distance from the recording medium. Therefore, by performing such sensitivity adjustment using a recording medium that records the test pattern before detecting the actual test pattern, the S / N ratio is improved, and the relative density of each patch is adjusted. It becomes possible to acquire in a more sensitive state. However, such sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor 30 is not always necessary. Further, the width of the recording medium does not necessarily have to be detected using the optical sensor 30, and the user may specify the paper size from the host device 410, the operation unit 420, or the like.

  In addition, in a relatively large recording apparatus such as the present embodiment, it is assumed that recording is performed on a large recording medium. However, in reality, there is a situation in which a narrower roll paper is used. It is possible. In such a case, it is not necessary to prepare a wide recording medium only for the registration adjustment mode. The roll paper is fed and transported in a blank state where no recording operation is performed, and is cut at a position corresponding to the length of the scanning area of the carriage, and the length direction of the cut roll paper is set as the scanning area. At the same time, the sheet may be fed again into the apparatus.

  In the subsequent step S2, a predetermined test pattern is recorded on the fed recording medium.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing test pattern recording states. In this embodiment, the test patch 13 is recorded at each position in the main scanning direction of the support member that supports the main rail 8 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9B, the individual test patches 13 are configured by arranging finer patches 1 to 10 in the main scanning direction, and the individual patches 1 to 10 are respectively shown in FIGS. The pattern corresponds to i). That is, in the patches 1 to 10, a portion where the recording position is not shifted between the forward scan and the backward scan is in a recording state as shown in FIG. 22A, and between the forward scan and the backward scan. When a deviation of 2 to 3 pixels occurs, the recording state is as shown in FIG.

  At this time, each of the test patches 13 is preferably recorded by bidirectional multi-pass recording. This is because the influence of the ejection characteristics of individual print scans and individual print elements is reduced, and the amount of print position deviation is extracted more accurately.

  Refer to FIG. 8 again. When the test pattern recording is completed in step S2, the controller 400 scans the test pattern recorded on the carriage 1 at a low speed and detects the density of each test patch 13 using the optical sensor 30 in step S3. Then, the patch with the highest density is selected from the patches 1 to 10, and the relationship between the forward scanning ejection timing and the backward scanning ejection timing when the patch is recorded is stored as a registration adjustment value. Alternatively, as described with reference to FIG. 24, the registration adjustment value may be calculated by approximation from the detected density values of a plurality of patches. In any case, one registration adjustment value is determined for the test patch 13 of interest. This registration adjustment value is obtained independently for each of the plurality of test patches 13. The registration adjustment value at the position between the individual support members 7 is also linearly calculated as an internal division value based on the registration adjustment values of the two support members 7 sandwiching the position of interest and the distance therebetween, and the main scanning is performed. Registration adjustment values over the entire direction are stored in a memory in the apparatus.

  Thus, the step of obtaining the relative value of the recording position deviation amount corresponding to the carriage position in the main scanning direction shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, when recording an actual image, the registration adjustment value stored in step S3 is used to adjust the recording timing of the forward scanning and the recording timing of the backward scanning in the bidirectional recording according to each position of the main scanning. . In the above flowchart, the registration adjustment values over the entire area in the main scanning direction are stored in the memory in the apparatus in step S3. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. Only the number of registration adjustment values corresponding to the support member 7 may be stored, and the registration adjustment values for the entire main scanning direction may be calculated by linear interpolation during actual recording.

  By the way, the actual recording position shift amount in the forward scanning and the backward scanning varies depending on the replacement of the recording head and the type of the recording medium. On the other hand, the relative relationship of the recording position deviation amount with respect to the scanning position of the carriage 1 hardly changes over time in the entire scanning region of the carriage 1. Therefore, once the registration adjustment mode as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed, the conventional general registration adjustment (hereinafter simply referred to as simple registration adjustment) is required when replacing the recording head or changing the type of the recording medium. It is only necessary to perform adjustment).

  In the simple adjustment mode, only one test patch 13 has to be recorded only at the position of the support member 7A located substantially at the center. Then, the patch having the highest density is selected from the plurality of patches 1 to 10 included in the test patch 13, and the timing (correction amount) when the patch is recorded is set as a new registration adjustment value for the support member 7A. save.

  Thereafter, the relative value of the registration adjustment value corresponding to all the scanning areas already stored in the registration adjustment mode with respect to the adjustment value of the support member 7A is added to the new registration adjustment value. If only the simple adjustment test pattern is used, the adjustment value can be obtained by outputting the test pattern in a relatively short time without scanning the carriage over the entire region in the main scanning direction. On the other hand, since the relative value of the variation in the recording position deviation in the main scanning direction is stored in advance, a stable image with no recording position deviation can be expected over a long period of time.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the patch 13 is recorded only at the positions of the individual support members is based on the assumption that the recording position deviation between the individual support members 7 is linearly determined from the recording position deviations of the support members on both sides. did. However, if the variation in the recording position deviation in the scanning direction is not necessarily linear or if it is desired to correct the recording position deviation more accurately, more test patches 13 can be recorded between the individual support members. .

  FIG. 10 shows a state where seven test patches 13 are recorded between the two support members 7A and 7B. As described above, if the actual measurement values of the recording position deviation at more positions are acquired, it is possible to more accurately cope with the fluctuation of the recording position deviation in the main scanning direction.

  On the contrary, when there are many places where the recording position deviation should be measured and the interval is smaller than the width of the test patch 13, a plurality of test patches are also provided at the positions shifted in the sub-scanning direction. 13 may be arranged. In this way, each test patch can be arranged at an appropriate position without reducing the size of each patch.

  In the above description, the recording position deviation amount between the individual support members has been described linearly, that is, as a linear function from the recording position deviations of the support members on both sides. It is not limited. A form obtained by obtaining an approximate expression using a more complicated function based on data of recording position deviation amounts actually measured at the positions of all the support members may be used.

  Further, the above description has been made with the content of obtaining the adjustment value for correcting the printing position of the forward scanning and the printing position of the backward scanning in the bi-directional printing. However, the adjustment and the test pattern are not limited to other types of printing positions. It can also be applied to adjustment. For example, the present invention can be applied to correct a recording position shift between a plurality of recording element arrays that are provided in a recording head and eject different inks over the entire scanning region. Furthermore, it is also possible to record a plurality of types of test patterns for recording position adjustment on the same recording medium, and independently store the resist adjustment values obtained for each in an appropriate area.

(Example 2)
FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining a schematic configuration of a color ink jet recording apparatus employed in this embodiment. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same members as those in the first embodiment. The platen 40 of the present embodiment is configured by arranging three platens 40a to 40c in parallel in the main scanning direction (X direction). In such a case, even if the individual platens are smooth, the distance between the sheets may fluctuate at the connecting portion.

  FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams for explaining the positions of the carriage support member and the three platens 40a, 40b, and 40c and the relationship between these members and the paper in this embodiment. According to the figure, it can be seen that the inter-paper distance is specifically reduced at the connecting portions of the individual platens. Therefore, in this embodiment, in step S2 of the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 8, in addition to the position of the support member 7, the test patch 13 is also recorded at a location corresponding to the connecting portion of the platen. In this way, even if the recording position deviation amount fluctuates in the main scanning direction due to the tolerance of the support member 7 or the connecting portion of the platen 40, the relative value of the fluctuation amount can be acquired in advance with a certain degree of accuracy. I can do it. Thereafter, in the simple adjustment mode, the registration adjustment value for the entire main scanning region can be obtained by adding the previously stored relative value to the new registration adjustment value obtained at a predetermined location.

(Example 3)
Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used, and the relative value of the fluctuation amount of the recording position deviation in the main scanning direction is measured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, this embodiment is characterized in that a special test pattern is recorded in consideration of cockling of the recording medium during test pattern recording. As already described, cockling is unevenness of the recording medium caused by fiber deformation of the recording medium in which the liquid ink is absorbed, and the inter-paper distance, that is, the recording position deviation amount varies depending on the position of the carriage. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, when a plurality of test patches are recorded and the respective registration adjustment values are obtained, whether the difference between the individual registration adjustment values is caused by cockling or the attitude of the carriage. It will be difficult to determine if it is caused by fluctuation.

  However, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the occurrence of cockling can be specified to some extent. For example, when the platen of the apparatus has a groove or a rib, cockling with a concave groove position or a convex rib position is likely to occur. Further, in the case of a platen provided with a hole for sucking the recording medium from the back, cockling with a concave portion at the suction port is likely to occur. In any case, since the grooves, ribs, or suction ports are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction, irregularities due to cockling also occur at almost fixed positions according to the position in the main scanning direction, and to some extent It is expected to vary with the period.

  Therefore, if a test patch having a length corresponding to the cycle is recorded and the density is detected, the moving average within each patch is taken and the registration adjustment value of the test patch is obtained approximately. Thus, a registration adjustment value can be obtained in which the influence of the above is mitigated. However, when individual test patches are lengthened, there may be a case in which the recording position deviation due to the displacement of the carriage posture also fluctuates within the area of the test patch. In this case, the recording position deviation is within that area. It becomes impossible to adjust. Therefore, in this embodiment, a characteristic test pattern that can solve such a problem is prepared.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the test pattern recorded in step S2 of the present embodiment. In step S2 of the present embodiment, a plurality of test patches 1401 having a width l corresponding to one cycle of cockling are recorded in the main scanning direction in accordance with the position of the support member 7, and one line patch 1402 is recorded. . Further, a plurality of line patches 1402 are recorded in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) while shifting the line patch 1402 in the main scanning direction by an amount smaller than the width l of the test patch 1401, and this is used as a test pattern. .

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of calculating a recording position deviation at an arbitrary position in the main scanning direction from the test pattern recorded in step S2 in step S3. The controller 400 obtains a recording position shift amount corresponding to each test patch 1401 from the density change in each test patch 1401 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. FIG. 14 shows the recording position shift amount corresponding to each test patch 1401.

  In this embodiment, for example, the recording position deviation amount at the position A in the main scanning direction is obtained by averaging the recording position deviation amounts of the test patches 1401 corresponding to the positions A in the four lines. That is, the recording position deviation amount at the position A is (110 + 120 + 130 + 140) / 4 = 125. Further, the recording position shift amount at the position D is (150 + 120 + 130 + 140) / 4 = 135. In step S3, the recording position deviation amounts at a plurality of positions in the main scanning direction are thus obtained. The B position and the C position may follow the A position and the D position as they are. However, as in the above-described embodiment, they are calculated as internal values of the recording position deviation amounts on both sides (A and D). May be.

  By the way, even if the adjustment value is calculated in this way, a plurality of test patches 1401 shifted in the main scanning direction cannot be recorded at both ends of the recording medium. However, both end regions of the recording medium are regions where cockling itself hardly occurs. Therefore, in the both end region D of the present embodiment, not using the wide test patch 1401 having a cockling cycle, but using the patches 1 to 10 arranged in the sub-scanning direction so as to be within the region of the width D, The registration adjustment value of the area is obtained.

  FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing examples of the recording positions of the patches 1 to 10 in the both end regions of the present embodiment. FIG. 15A shows an example of the recording positions of the patches 1 to 10 at the left end, and FIG. In FIG. 15A, the patch 1 is arranged at the left end of the line patch 21 and continues to 2, 3, 4,... In the line patch 22, the patch 3 is arranged at the right end, and continues to 4... 10, and then arranged in order from the patch 1 again. Further, with respect to the line patches 23 to 25, ten types of patches are arranged in order while shifting the patches by two. In this manner, by arranging the five line patches while shifting each other by two patches, the left end region having the width D has 1 to 10 patches. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the registration adjustment value in the left end area is obtained using the ten patches.

  As described above, the patches 1 to 10 are sequentially arranged while being shifted by two patches from each other, so that the line patches 21 to 25 are also formed in one right end region having the width D as shown in FIG. Results in the placement of 1-10 patches. Therefore, also in the right end region, the registration adjustment value in the region can be obtained using 10 patches included in the width D.

  That is, by registering the test patterns as described in the line patches 21 to 25, the registration adjustment is performed for the right end portion and the left end portion by using ten patches included in the width D and arranged in the sub-scanning direction. The value can be obtained. Further, for the entire main scanning area other than both ends, the average value of five line patches arranged in the sub-scanning direction is further obtained using 10 patches arranged in the main scanning direction included in the test patch 1401. Thus, the registration adjustment value of each area can be obtained.

  As described above, in the registration adjustment mode in which the test pattern is recorded over the entire width of the recording medium and the registration adjustment value is calculated for the entire area, the recording medium having the maximum width among the standard sizes is used. Is preferred. By detecting the test pattern recorded on the recording medium with the maximum width, if the registration adjustment value for the entire scanning area is obtained, the actual image can be recorded on any size recording medium. This is because the resist adjustment can be performed based on the adjustment value. However, the resist adjustment mode of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a recording medium having no maximum width is inserted in the registration adjustment mode, only a registration adjustment value of a part of the entire scanning area of the carriage can be actually measured, and then an actual image is recorded on a recording medium of a larger size. However, the registration adjustment value can be interpolated. In this case, for a region beyond the extreme end, for example, a method of calculating a resist adjustment value as an external division value of the actual adjustment value can be employed.

Example 4
In this embodiment, a registration adjustment method for correcting a printing position shift between a plurality of printing element arrays that eject different types of ink will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view of the carriage 1 and the recording head 201 for explaining the principle of causing a shift in the recording position between the recording element arrays. The carriage 1 is movable in the X direction in the figure while being guided and supported by the main rail 8 and the sub rail 6. At this time, the two carriage bearing members 14 connect the carriage 1 and the main rail 8, and the two subrail support members 16 connect the carriage 1 and the subrail 6. However, since most of the weight of the carriage 1 rests on the main rail 8, the main rail 8 tends to bend with the two carriage bearing members 14 as fulcrums, which changes the posture of the carriage 1 and the recording head 201. One cause. The posture variation in this case is different on the left and right with respect to the center between the two fulcrums, and particularly when the two recording element groups 9 are separately arranged on the left and right in the recording head 201 as in this example, the respective recording elements The posture of the group also shows a different tendency.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams for explaining the arrangement of the recording element arrays on the carriage 1 and the recording head 201 used in this embodiment, and the state of the recording position shift of each recording element array. . In the carriage 1 of this embodiment, two recording element groups 9 are arranged in parallel in the main scanning direction as shown in FIG. 17A, and each recording element group further includes six recording element arrays. They are arranged in parallel in the scanning direction. In the drawing, the recording element group on the left side is arranged from the left with recording element arrays that eject ink of Y: yellow, PC: photocyan, C: cyan, PGy: photogray, Gy: gray, and MBk: matte black. Has been. On the other hand, in the recording element group on the right side, recording element arrays for ejecting ink of PM: photo magenta, M: magenta, PBk: photo black, R: red, G: green, and B: blue are arranged from the left. Yes.

  FIG. 17B shows the position of each recording element array with reference to the Y recording element array and the recording position deviation amount. According to the figure, for the 6 columns from Y to MBk, the recording position shift amount shows a similar tendency, whereas for the 6 columns from PM to B, another tendency is shown. I understand.

  When the amount of recording position deviation between the recording element arrays varies depending on the combination of the recording element arrays, for example, it is ideal to perform registration adjustment so that all other recording element arrays coincide with the Y recording positions with reference to Y, for example. It is. That is, a test pattern for matching Y is recorded for each of the eleven recording element arrays other than Y, and a registration adjustment value is calculated for each recording element array and stored. However, this requires a great amount of time and memory for 11 rows for registration adjustment, which is not preferable.

  However, in the carriage 1 used in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, it is known that the recording position deviation amount tends to be constant for each recording element group. Therefore, in the present embodiment, this is used to estimate the recording position shift amount of each printing element array from the position on the carriage of each printing element array and the printing element group including this.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the recording position deviation amounts of the recording element arrays PC, C, PGy, and Gy located between these recording element arrays from the recording position deviation amount of MBk with respect to Y. . It can be considered that there is a linear interval as shown in the figure between the positions of these six recording element arrays and the recording position shift. Therefore, the recording position deviation amount for the four columns can be calculated as an internal value from the MBk recording position deviation amount with respect to Y.

  In the same manner, for the other recording element group, the recording position deviation amounts for the four columns positioned between them can be calculated as internal division values from the B recording position deviation amount with respect to PM. . Further, if the recording position deviation amount between the two recording element groups, specifically the recording position deviation amount between MBk and PM, is actually measured, the recording position deviation amounts for the other 11 columns with respect to Y can be obtained. It will be.

  That is, in this embodiment, a test pattern for measuring the recording position deviation amount of Y and MBk, a test pattern for measuring the recording position deviation amount of PM and B, and the recording position deviation amount of MBk and PM. It is only necessary to record a test pattern for measuring.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a test pattern of the present example configured by arranging the above three test patterns. In the figure, 33 is a test pattern for measuring Y and MBk recording position deviations, 34 is a test pattern for measuring PM and B recording position deviations, and 35 is MBk and PM recording position deviations. This is a test pattern for measurement.

  Each of the three test patterns can be a test pattern that can reduce the influence of cockling as described in the second embodiment. For each patch, it is possible to adopt a dot pattern as described with reference to FIGS. In this case, for example, in the case of the test pattern 33, if the white circle dots 41 are yellow, the gray circle dots 42 are matte black, and printing is performed by multi-pass printing in one direction, printing is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. The resist adjustment value between the element rows can be detected.

  By recording the three test patterns 33 to 35 and detecting and scanning these test patterns by the optical sensor 30, registration adjustment values for all scanning regions in all 12 columns are obtained. In this embodiment, in order to confirm the registration adjustment value obtained in this way, a test pattern 36 for confirmation is recorded using Y and B that are spaced apart from each other.

  In the above description, in each recording element group, the description has been made with the content of actually measuring the recording position deviation between the two recording element arrays located at both ends thereof, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. . Since the recording position deviation amount between the recording element arrays included in the same recording element group is calculated by linear approximation, the recording position deviations of the other four columns can be obtained regardless of the combination of any two columns. Can be calculated. In particular, when the yellow printing element array is arranged at the extreme end as in the present embodiment, the yellow pattern is often difficult to detect even by the optical sensor 30, so that the two inks having higher sensor sensitivity are used. It is often more effective to actually measure in combination.

  Also, the test pattern 35 for measuring the recording position deviation between the recording element groups does not necessarily need to use two recording element arrays located at the center like MBk and PM. If one printing element row is selected from each printing element group and the distance between them is grasped, the effect of this embodiment can be obtained. Further, the confirmation pattern 36 may be recorded by any combination of two rows, and the confirmation pattern itself is not necessarily required.

  According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to stably correct a recording position shift between a large number of printing element arrays over the entire scanning region without spending a great deal of time and memory for registration adjustment. It becomes possible.

(Example 5)
Although the registration adjustment method for correcting the recording position deviation in the main scanning direction has been described above, the actual recording position deviation also occurs in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction), that is, the recording medium conveyance direction. .

  FIGS. 20A to 20C are diagrams illustrating a recording position shift in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) with respect to the main scanning position. Black circles and gray circles indicate recording positions of dots ejected from different recording element arrays. FIG. 20A shows a state of dot recording position deviation before correction. According to the figure, it can be seen that the shift amount of each of the two dots differs depending on the position in the main scanning direction.

  By the way, each recording element constituting the recording element array executes one recording main scan according to one raster data in which dot recording or non-recording information for one scan is stored. In other words, in order to correct the recording position in units of one pixel in the sub-scanning direction, data is moved to another adjacent raster. Therefore, the registration adjustment value in the sub-scanning direction is set according to the position in the main scanning direction. It is difficult to change. Therefore, in practice, only correction corresponding to one registration adjustment value can be performed.

  FIG. 20B shows a recording state in which black dot data is corrected so that the recording positions of two dots at the 37 position in the main scanning direction are matched. As described above, if correction is performed for all the main scanning areas so that the two recording positions are aligned at an arbitrary position, the difference between the recording positions of the two dots is excessive at other positions in the main scanning area. May become large.

  The problem with an actual image is that the difference 32 in the amount of shift varies depending on the position in the main scanning direction, rather than the difference 32 in the amount of shift. If such a variation exists, for example, when ruled lines extending in the main scanning direction are recorded by superimposing two color inks, the ruled lines are separated and overlapped in the sub-scanning direction. When a uniform halftone is recorded with two-color ink, the hue may vary depending on the position in the main scanning direction. Therefore, it is desirable that the difference in printing position deviation in the sub-scanning direction is as stable as possible for each ink color (each printing element array).

  Therefore, in this embodiment, one registration adjustment value is obtained so that the difference in the recording position deviation in the sub-scanning direction is as stable as possible in the two recording element arrays. Specifically, the recording position deviation amount in the sub-scanning direction is obtained for all main scanning areas in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and a correction value corresponding to the average value of the recording position deviation amounts in all areas is obtained for all areas. It is stored as a resist adjustment value.

  FIG. 20C shows a recording state in which the black dot data is corrected based on the registration adjustment value thus obtained. At any main scanning position, there is a difference in the recording position deviation between the two dots, but it can be seen that the amount is stable over the entire area as compared with FIG.

  For example, the dot pattern shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C is rotated by 90 degrees as a test pattern patch for confirming the recording position shift amount in the sub-scanning direction as in this embodiment. Can be used.

(Example 6)
In the above description, the test patch is recorded at a specific position such as the support member 7 or the connecting portion of the platen. When there are many places where such a recording position deviation should be measured and the interval is smaller than the width of the test patch 13, a plurality of positions are also shifted in the sub-scanning direction. It has been described that the test patch 13 may be arranged. However, when such a configuration is actually used, the recording area of the test pattern becomes large, and the time and the amount of ink used for resist adjustment increase. In particular, in the case of a large recording apparatus having a large scanning width of the carriage 1, such a situation is sufficiently concerned.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the recording position deviation amount is actually measured at several positions spaced apart from each other, and among those places, the position where the recording position deviation amount is locally larger than the others is further It is assumed that the recording position deviation amount is actually measured with higher resolution.

  FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams for explaining the recording position deviation amount with respect to each position in the main scanning direction and the position of the test pattern recorded in this embodiment in the recording apparatus of this embodiment.

  In the registration adjustment mode of this embodiment, first, four test patches 13a to 13d having a relatively large width are recorded side by side in the main scanning direction. Subsequently, the four test patches 13a to 13d are scanned by the optical sensor 30, and the recording position deviation amount with respect to each position test patch is measured. The actual measured value of the recording position deviation at this time is the pre-correction curve in FIG. In this example, the recording position shift obtained from the test patch 13c is larger than the other three.

  Subsequently, the recording medium 3 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and second test patches 15a to 15c composed of smaller patch groups are recorded at the position of the test patch 13c in the main scanning direction. Here, three test patches 15a to 15c are recorded for the test patch 13c. Then, the three second test patches 15a to 15c are scanned again by the optical sensor 30, and the recording position deviation amount with respect to each test patch is measured.

  In this way, one registration adjustment value is obtained for each of the test patches 13a, b, and d, and three registration adjustment values that are further divided into three are obtained for the test patch 13c. As a result, registration adjustment values are acquired with high resolution depending on the position in the main scanning direction for locations where the variation of the recording position deviation amount is locally large compared to other regions. Thus, a recording position deviation amount as shown in the corrected curve in FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, even in a printing apparatus having a large carriage scanning width, a stable printing position can be obtained over the entire scanning area without increasing the time required for resist adjustment and the amount of ink. Can be realized.

It is a perspective view for demonstrating schematic structure of the color inkjet recording apparatus employ | adopted by the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of control of the inkjet recording device of the Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism of an optical sensor 30 mounted on a carriage 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a change in the posture of a carriage that causes a recording position shift. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a result of actual measurement of a movement position of the carriage 1, a posture variation amount (tilt amount) of the carriage 1 with respect to the movement position, and a deviation amount of a recording position. 4 is a plan view for explaining a change in the posture of the carriage caused by the curvature of the main rail 8. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a state in which one support member 7 supports a main rail 8. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of a registration adjustment mode executed by a controller 403. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the recording state of a test pattern. It is a figure which shows the state which recorded seven test patches 13 between the two support members 7A and 7B. It is a perspective view for demonstrating schematic structure of the color inkjet recording apparatus employ | adopted in Example 2 of this invention. (A) And (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the position of the carriage support member and three platen in Example 2, and the relationship between the paper with respect to these members. It is a figure which shows typically the test pattern recorded by step S2 of Example 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of calculating a recording position deviation at an arbitrary position in the main scanning direction from the test pattern recorded in step S2 in step S3 of Example 3. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the example of the recording position of the patches 1-10 in the both-ends area | region of Example 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the carriage 1 for explaining the principle of causing a shift in a printing position between printing element arrays. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning of the printing element row | line | column on the carriage 1 used in Example 4, and the state of the printing position shift of each printing element row | line | column. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating a recording position shift amount of recording element arrays PC, C, PGy, and Gy located between these recording element arrays from an MBk recording position shift amount with respect to Y. It is the figure which showed the example of the test pattern of Example 4 comprised by arranging three test patterns. (A)-(c) is a figure which showed the printing position shift to the subscanning direction (Y direction) with respect to the main scanning position. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating the printing position shift amount with respect to each position of the main scanning direction in the printing apparatus of Example 6, and the position of a test pattern. (A)-(c) is the figure which showed the test pattern in the bidirectional | two-way resist adjustment mode of patent document 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example which arranged the some dot pattern as a patch. It is a figure which shows the method of calculating the registration adjustment value by performing the approximation by a function from the value of the detected density of a plurality of patches.

Explanation of symbols

1 Carriage
3 recording media
4 Platen
6 Subrail
7 Support members
8 Main rail
9 Recording element group
10 Encoder sensor
11 Light emitting part
12 Light receiver
13 Test patch
14 Carriage bearing member
15 Second test patch
16 Subrail support member
17 Incident light
30 Optical sensor
50 Mist suction hole
51 Upper housing
52 Lower casing 201 Recording head 400 Controller 1401 Test patch 1402 Line patch

Claims (11)

A carriage mounted with a recording head for ejecting ink and moving in the main scanning direction, a guide member for guiding the movement of the carriage, a plurality of support members for supporting the guide member, and the recording head with respect to the recording medium Inkjet recording comprising: test patch recording means for recording a test patch and acquisition means for acquiring an adjustment value of a recording position when recording with the recording head based on the test patch recorded on the recording medium In the device
  The test patch recording unit causes the recording head to record the test patch at a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of support members with respect to a recording medium,
  The acquisition unit acquires an adjustment value corresponding to each position where the test patch is recorded from a plurality of the test patches, and the test patch in the main scanning direction is recorded based on the plurality of adjustment values. An inkjet recording apparatus that calculates an adjustment value for a position other than a position. A plurality of platens are provided along the main scanning direction, and includes a platen that supports a recording medium at a position facing the recording head.
  The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test patch recording unit records the test patch at a position corresponding to a connecting portion of the plurality of platens. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the test patch is configured with a dot pattern such that an adjustment value can be obtained from a density measured by using an optical sensor. The adjustment value is an adjustment value for matching a dot position recorded when the carriage moves in the forward direction and a dot position recorded when the carriage moves in the backward direction. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The ink jet recording according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment value is an adjustment value for making the positions of dots recorded by a plurality of recording element arrays arranged in the recording head coincide with each other. apparatus. The acquisition unit calculates an adjustment value corresponding to a recording element array different from the part from an adjustment value obtained for a part of the plurality of recording element arrays arranged in the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The test patch recording means, the recording head, the sub-scan shifting a plurality of said test patches by a distance shorter than the main scanning width of the test patches in the main scanning direction, and perpendicular to the main scanning direction To record in a direction,
Said acquisition means, wherein, characterized in that the adjustment value of the average value of the adjustment values obtained from each of the plurality of test patches arranged in the sub-scanning direction, corresponding to the position of the main scanning direction Item 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6 . The inkjet according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the adjustment value is a value for adjusting a timing at which the recording head ejects ink in order to correct a dot position in the main scanning direction. Recording device. The adjustment value is any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the recording elements included in the recording head in order to correct the positions of dots in the sub-scanning direction is a value for adjusting the raster data to be recorded 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1. From among the plurality of adjustment values obtained by the obtaining unit, in a position where locally larger adjustment value is acquired, the the recording head, the second test patches with a smaller width than said test patch main A second test patch recording means for recording a plurality of images in the scanning direction ;
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second acquisition unit that acquires an adjustment value corresponding to each of the second test patches. The recording in an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a carriage mounted with a recording head for ejecting ink and moving in the main scanning direction; a guide member for guiding the movement of the carriage; and a plurality of support members for supporting the guide member. An adjustment value acquisition method for adjusting a recording position when recording with a head,
  A test patch recording step for causing the recording head to record test patches at a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of support members with respect to a recording medium;
  An acquisition step of acquiring an adjustment value corresponding to each position where the test patch is recorded from a plurality of the test patches;
  A calculation step of calculating an adjustment value at a position other than the position at which the test patch is recorded in the main scanning direction based on the plurality of adjustment values.

Images