JP5509695B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording equipment.

There is an ink jet recording apparatus as a recording apparatus capable of printing on various recording media such as plain paper and plastic thin plate.
The ink jet recording apparatus can print on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the nozzle holes of the recording head toward the recording medium. In addition to the ink that forms an image on the recording medium, the recording head discharges various processing liquids for penetrating and fixing the ink to the recording medium and for giving gloss. This treatment liquid is colorless and transparent so as not to impair the color developed by the ink.
In printing by the ink jet recording apparatus, adjustment of the mounting position of the recording head is performed and test recording is performed to check whether ink and processing liquid are discharged from each nozzle hole before printing on the recording medium. Here, since the treatment liquid is colorless and transparent, it is difficult to visually check whether or not good discharge is being performed from the recording head.
In view of this, for example, an invention in which the processing liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating the ink and the ink on the recording medium is printed so as to partially overlap, and the discharge state of the processing liquid is determined by observing the density and blurring of the overlapping portion. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Further, an invention is disclosed in which a treatment liquid for insolubilizing or aggregating ink on a recording medium is ejected, and then ink is ejected on the recording medium, and the ink that has not become insoluble or agglomerated is removed to determine the ejection state of the treatment liquid. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
Further, an invention is disclosed in which ink is printed on a recording medium so that the processing liquid for fixing the ink partially overlaps, and the discharge state of the processing liquid is determined based on the difference in light reflectance between the ink only portion and the overlapping portion. (For example, see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent No. 3029786 Japanese Patent No. 3472027 JP 2001-63031 A

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to visually determine the density and the degree of bleeding. In addition, in a recording medium having a rough surface, the ink and the processing liquid become familiar with the recording medium, and thus the determination becomes more difficult. In addition, since the position detection accuracy is low, even if the presence or absence of ejection of the processing liquid can be confirmed, highly accurate position adjustment such as landing position alignment with ink cannot be performed.
In the invention described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to remove the ink after discharging the ink and the processing liquid, which increases the number of work steps, increases the size of the inkjet recording apparatus, and increases the cost.
In the invention described in Patent Document 3, in the case of a recording medium that hardly reflects light, the reflected light cannot be detected, and the discharge state of the processing liquid cannot be known. In addition, since the position detection accuracy is low, even if the presence or absence of ejection of the processing liquid can be confirmed, highly accurate position adjustment such as landing position alignment with ink cannot be performed.
As a method for solving these problems, it is possible to test the treatment liquid recording head by supplying ink to the treatment liquid recording head during test recording and observing the ejection state of the ink.
However, it is necessary to provide a processing liquid supply channel and an ink supply channel in the processing liquid recording head, which complicates the apparatus and increases the cost due to an increase in parts. Further, since the processing liquid is supplied after the test recording, it is necessary to completely remove the ink in the recording head, and it is necessary to take a great deal of time for cleaning.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to clearly see the discharge state of the processing liquid and to detect the discharge position with high accuracy without incurring a cost increase with a simple configuration. and to provide an ink jet recording equipment which may.

The invention according to claim 1 is an inkjet recording apparatus,
An ink recording head having a nozzle for discharging the colored ink to a recording medium;
A processing liquid recording head having a nozzle for discharging a colorless and transparent processing liquid having a predetermined function to a recording medium;
Ink adhesion that has a cap portion that covers the nozzle of the ink recording head, and has a suction mechanism that sucks ink from the nozzle in a state where the nozzle is covered with the cap portion, and causes the ink to adhere to the nozzle of the recording head of the treatment liquid Means,
Control means for discharging the ink from the ink recording head, discharging the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head, and controlling the ink adhering means;
Input means for performing an instruction to instruct test recording before printing,
Wherein when an instruction for test recording from the input means is input, after the nozzle or leprosy linked recording head of the ink sucked by the suction mechanism of the inking unit, with the cap portion wherein the nozzles of the recording head of the processing liquid treatment liquid was aspirated by mixing the ink and the treatment liquid in the cap, after being attached to the nozzle of the recording head of the processing liquid Te, the processing from the recording head of the processing solution The test recording is performed by discharging the liquid.

The invention according to claim 2 is an inkjet recording apparatus,
An ink recording head having a nozzle for discharging the colored ink to a recording medium;
A processing liquid recording head having a nozzle for discharging a colorless and transparent processing liquid having a predetermined function to a recording medium;
Ink adhesion that has a cap portion that covers the nozzle of the ink recording head, and has a suction mechanism that sucks ink from the nozzle in a state where the nozzle is covered with the cap portion, and causes the ink to adhere to the nozzle of the recording head of the treatment liquid Means,
Control means for discharging the ink from the ink recording head, discharging the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head, and controlling the ink adhering means;
Input means for performing an instruction to instruct test recording before printing,
When the test recording instruction is input from the input unit, the control unit discharges ink from the nozzle of the ink recording head to the cap unit of the ink adhering unit, and then uses the cap unit to The processing liquid is sucked from the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head, the ink and the processing liquid are mixed in the cap portion, and after adhering to the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head, the processing liquid is discharged from the processing liquid recording head. And performing test recording .

The invention according to claim 3 is an inkjet recording apparatus,
A recording head having an ink nozzle for discharging colored ink to a recording medium and a processing liquid nozzle for discharging a colorless and transparent processing liquid having a predetermined function to the recording medium;
A cap unit that covers each nozzle of the recording head, and a suction mechanism that sucks ink and processing liquid from the nozzle in a state where the nozzle is covered by the cap unit, and opens and closes a flow path of the ink supplied to the recording head An ink flow path opening / closing means, and a treatment liquid flow path opening / closing means for opening / closing a flow path of the treatment liquid supplied to the recording head, and an ink attachment means for attaching the ink to the nozzle of the treatment liquid;
Control means for discharging the ink from the nozzle of the ink, discharging the processing liquid from the nozzle of the processing liquid, and controlling the ink adhering means;
Input means for performing an instruction to instruct test recording before printing,
Wherein when an instruction for test recording from the input means is input, after the ink has been discharged into the cap portion of the front Symbol inking means from the nozzles of the ink, ink flow through the ink flow path shutter means In a state where the path is closed and the processing liquid channel is opened by the processing liquid channel opening / closing means, the processing liquid is sucked from the nozzle of the processing liquid using the cap portion, and the ink and the processing liquid are mixed in the cap. Then, after ink is attached to the nozzle of the processing liquid, the processing liquid is discharged from the nozzle of the processing liquid, and test recording is performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The ink is discharged together with the processing liquid from the nozzle from which the processing liquid is discharged after the test recording is completed.

The invention according to claim 5 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
Ink is ejected at the time of printing using a nozzle from which the processing liquid is discharged after the test recording is completed.

The invention according to claim 6 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 ,
A test end input means for inputting that the test recording has ended,
The ink is discharged from the nozzle from which the processing liquid is discharged only when there is an input from the test end input means.

The invention according to claim 7 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
It has a specifying means to specify the nozzle to be used for test recording,
When the nozzle for discharging the processing liquid is specified by the specifying means, the ink is attached to the nozzle for discharging the processing liquid by the ink attaching means.

The invention according to claim 8 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
When ink is attached to the nozzle for discharging the processing liquid by the ink attaching means, the pressure applied to the nozzle for discharging the processing liquid is set to a negative pressure.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the test recording instruction is input from the input unit, the control unit causes the ink discharged from the nozzle of the ink recording head to discharge the treatment liquid by the ink adhering unit. After the ink and the processing liquid are mixed with each other, the processing liquid is discharged from the processing liquid recording head to perform test recording.
Thereby, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the discharging state of the processing liquid from the recording head is good.
Further, since it is only necessary to attach ink to the nozzles of the recording head of the treatment liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink is sucked from the nozzle of the ink recording head by the suction mechanism, and then the processing liquid is sucked from the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head by using the cap portion. The ink and the processing liquid are mixed inside, and the ink is adhered to the nozzle of the recording head of the processing liquid.
Thereby, ink can be made to adhere to the nozzle of the recording liquid recording head using the existing cap. Therefore, ink can be attached to the nozzles of the recording liquid recording head with a simple configuration without increasing the number of components.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the test recording instruction is input from the input unit , the control unit causes the ink discharged from the nozzle of the ink recording head to discharge the treatment liquid by the ink adhering unit. After the ink and the processing liquid are mixed with each other, the processing liquid is discharged from the processing liquid recording head to perform test recording.
Thereby, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the discharging state of the processing liquid from the recording head is good.
Further, since it is only necessary to attach ink to the nozzles of the recording head of the treatment liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, after discharging ink from the nozzle of the ink recording head to the cap portion, the processing liquid is sucked from the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head using the cap portion to cap the cap. The ink and the processing liquid are mixed inside, and the ink is adhered to the nozzle of the recording head of the processing liquid.
Thereby, ink can be made to adhere to the nozzle of the recording liquid recording head using the existing cap. Therefore, ink can be attached to the nozzles of the recording liquid recording head with a simple configuration without increasing the number of components.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the test recording instruction is input from the input unit, the control unit causes the ink discharged from the ink nozzle to adhere to the processing liquid nozzle by the ink adhering unit. After mixing the ink and the treatment liquid, the treatment liquid is discharged from the treatment liquid nozzle, and test recording is performed.
Thereby, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the discharging state of the processing liquid from the nozzle is good.
Further, since it is only necessary to attach ink to the nozzle of the treatment liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.
According to the invention described in claim 3, after the ink is discharged from the ink nozzle to the cap portion, the ink flow path is closed by the ink flow path opening / closing means, and the treatment liquid flow path is closed by the processing liquid flow path opening / closing means. In the opened state, the processing liquid is sucked from the nozzle of the processing liquid using the cap portion, the ink and the processing liquid are mixed in the cap, and the ink is attached to the nozzle of the processing liquid.
Thereby, ink can be made to adhere to the nozzle of a process liquid using the existing cap. Therefore, ink can be adhered to the nozzle of the processing liquid with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the recording head can be returned to the normal state at the time of printing by discharging the mixed liquid of the processing liquid and the ink from the recording head after the test recording is completed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, after the test recording is completed, the recording head can be returned to the normal state by discharging the mixed liquid of the processing liquid and the ink as in the normal printing.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the mixed liquid of the ink and the processing liquid is discharged after the test recording is completed, a wasteful operation of discharging the mixed liquid in the middle when the test recording is repeated many times is omitted. And the work process can be simplified.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the ink is attached to the nozzle of the processing liquid only when it is specified that the test recording of the nozzle that discharges the processing liquid is performed by the specifying means, the efficiency of the test recording is improved. be able to.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the ink of the nozzle from which the processing liquid is discharged is adhered, the ink can easily enter the recording head by setting the nozzle to a negative pressure. It becomes easy to mix.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus. The front view of an inkjet recording head. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of a scanning drive mechanism. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state when the recording head is in a maintenance area. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a part of a recording head in cross section, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an ink supply unit is provided. The schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of an ink adhesion means. The perspective view of a recording head and a suction mechanism. The block diagram which shows the element connected to a control apparatus and a control apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing start-up processing of the ink jet recording apparatus. The flowchart which shows the process of test recording. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure of test recording in the first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a test chart. The flowchart which shows the process after completion of test recording. The schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure after completion of test recording. The schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure of the test recording in 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing explaining a mode that ink approachs into the recording head of a process liquid. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure of test recording in the third embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure of the test recording in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure for test recording in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure for test recording in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure of test recording in the seventh embodiment.

Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus and a test recording method will be described.
[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of inkjet recording apparatus>
(Transport section)
As shown in FIG. 1, the transport unit 2 includes a drive roller 21 and a driven roller (not shown), a drive motor 22, and a transport belt 23.
The driving roller 21 and the driven roller are rotatably supported, and the driving roller 21 is disposed so as to extend in the main scanning direction X. The drive motor 22 is a drive source for rotationally driving the drive roller 21, and is attached to one end side of the drive roller 21.

The conveyor belt 23 is formed in an endless shape, and is stretched between the driving roller 21 and the driven roller. When the driving roller 21 rotates, the conveying belt 23 circulates between the driving roller 21 and the driven roller, conveys the recording medium S placed on the upper surface thereof in the conveying direction A, and when the driving roller 21 stops rotating. The rotation between both rollers is stopped, and the conveyance of the recording medium S is stopped.
When the recording head 6 completes one scan in the main scanning direction X under the control of the control device 8, the driving motor 22 rotates the driving roller 21 by a predetermined amount to move the recording medium S in the transport direction A by a predetermined distance. When the recording head 6 starts scanning in the direction opposite to the main scanning direction X and ends, the driving roller 21 is rotated again by a predetermined amount to move the recording medium S in the transport direction A by a predetermined distance. The recording medium S is intermittently conveyed by repeatedly conveying and stopping.

  The conveyance direction A of the recording medium S is set to be parallel to the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the main scanning direction X. Further, it is not necessary to configure the recording medium S to be transported by the transport belt 23. For example, the recording medium S may be configured to move in a transport direction A (sub-scanning direction Y) on a flat platen. Is possible. As described above, as the recording medium S, in addition to paper and fabric, a resin film, metals, and the like can be used.

(Main scanning unit, carriage rail, carriage)
As shown in FIG. 1, the main scanning unit 3 is provided above the conveyance belt 23 of the conveyance unit 2. A bar-shaped carriage rail 5 is arranged inside the main scanning unit 3 so as to extend in the main scanning direction X. The carriage rail 5 is provided with a substantially housing-like carriage 4 that can reciprocate in the main scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 4 moves in the main scanning direction X along the carriage rail 5 by driving of the scanning drive mechanism 15. The scanning drive mechanism 15 is connected to a main driving roller 15a and a driven roller 15b that are spaced apart from each other in the main scanning direction X, a belt 15c spanned between both rollers, and the main driving roller 15a. A rotating motor 15d. The carriage 4 is attached to the belt 15c, and the carriage 4 also moves in the main scanning direction X along with the rotation of the belt 15c by driving the motor 15d.

  An encoder 15e that detects each time the output shaft of the motor 15d rotates by a predetermined angle is attached to the motor 15d. The encoder 15 e is connected to the control device 8 and transmits a detection signal to the control device 8. Therefore, if the initial position of the carriage 4 and the amount of movement of the carriage 4 when the output shaft of the motor 15d rotates by a predetermined angle are known in advance, the encoder 15e detects how many times the motor 15d has rotated, The position of the carriage 4 can be known.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 4 has a plurality of ink recording heads 6 for discharging ink of each color such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) during image recording. And a predetermined function (for example, mixing the ink with the ink so that the ink penetrates into the recording medium, curing the ink with ultraviolet rays, etc., and then applying it on the ink to give a gloss, fixing the ink to the recording medium) And a recording head 11 for processing liquid that discharges a colorless and transparent processing liquid.
Also, the carriage 4 has an ink tube 62 (see FIG. 6) for supplying ink from the ink tank 91 to each recording head 6, and wiring for transmitting an electrical signal and power for driving the recording head 6 and the like (not shown). ) And the like are connected.

(Recording head)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, four recording heads 6 for ink are mounted on the carriage 4, and one recording head 11 for processing liquid is mounted on the carriage 4. For example, the recording heads 6 and 11 are provided side by side along the main scanning direction X of the carriage 4 such that each of the recording heads 6 and 11 is substantially equally spaced.
As shown in FIG. 5, the recording heads 6 and 11 have the same configuration and different liquids are stored therein. In the following, one of the recording heads 6 will be described as an example, but the recording head 11 of the treatment liquid has the same configuration, and therefore will be described with the same reference numerals.
The recording head 6 includes a nozzle plate 61 that discharges ink droplets of each color onto the recording medium S on the transport belt 23, an ink (or processing liquid) tube 62, a cover plate 65, and an ink supply port 66. A substrate 67, a partition wall 68, and a pressure chamber 69 are provided.
The pressure chamber 69 is formed by a cover plate 65, a substrate 67, and a partition wall 68. One end of the pressure chamber 69 communicates with a nozzle hole 61 a formed in the nozzle plate 61, and the other end passes through an ink supply port 66 and is supplied to an ink (or processing liquid) tank 91 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) by an ink tube 62. It is communicated. Electrodes (not shown) connected from above the partition walls 68 to the bottom surface of the substrate 67 are formed in close contact with the surfaces of the partition walls 68 in each pressure chamber 69, and each electrode is connected to a drive pulse generator (not shown). It is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the middle of the ink tube 62, a supply pump 92 that supplies ink (or processing liquid) in the ink tank 91 to the recording head 6 is provided. The supply pump 92 can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions, and can send the ink in the ink tank 91 toward the recording head 6, and can return the excessively fed ink to the ink tank 91. An intermediate tank 93 is provided between the supply pump 92 and the recording head 6 in the ink tube 92. The intermediate tank 93 is provided with a float sensor 94, and the intermediate tank 93 is configured to store a certain amount of ink. That is, until the water level of the ink in the intermediate tank 93 reaches a predetermined value, the supply pump 92 rotates forward and continues to send ink to the intermediate tank 93. When the float sensor 94 detects ink, the supply pump 92 is stopped. .

The intermediate tank 93 is provided with an air pipe 95 communicating with the outside air at its upper end, and a valve 96 for opening and closing the air pipe 95 is provided at the tip of the air pipe 95. The air pressure in the intermediate tank 93 can be adjusted by opening and closing the valve 96 and supplying or discharging ink to the intermediate tank 93 by the supply pump 92.
Here, the liquid level of the intermediate tank 93 is disposed at a position lower than the nozzle holes 61 a of the nozzle plate 61 of the recording head 6. This is a measure for making the nozzle hole 61a have a negative pressure, and the difference in the liquid level between the nozzle hole 61a and the intermediate tank 93 becomes the negative pressure applied to the nozzle hole 61a.

(Maintenance section, nozzle moisturizing section)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the maintenance unit 7 performs maintenance of the recording head 6. The maintenance unit 7 is provided at a position on the moving path of the recording head 6 and out of the transport path of the recording medium S printed by the recording head 6. That is, the maintenance unit 7 is provided at one end of the main scanning unit 3 in the main scanning direction X.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the maintenance unit 7 cleans a nozzle plate 61 that is an ink discharge unit of the recording head 6, thereby preventing ink discharge failure due to ink solidification. The maintenance unit 7 includes a cleaning roller 71 and a blade 72 that clean the nozzle plate 61 of the recording head 6. Cleaning is performed by the carriage 4 entering the maintenance unit 7 along the carriage rail 5, so that the nozzle plate 61 comes into contact with the cleaning roller 71 and the blade 72, and adheres to the nozzle plate 61 by the driving of the cleaning roller 71 and the blade 72. Remove ink.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the blade 72 is erected along the vertical direction. The blade 72 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and the upper portion of the blade 72 is elastically deformed by contacting the nozzle plate 61 to remove ink attached to the nozzle plate 61. That is, the blade 72 functions as a removing unit constituting the ink adhering unit.
The blade 72 is erected on the upper surface of the base 73. On the upper surface of the base 73, a suction cap 74 is provided as a cap portion that covers the nozzle hole 61 a of the nozzle plate 61. Here, one blade 72 and one suction cap 74 are provided for each of the recording heads 6 and 11.
The base 73 can be reciprocated in the Y direction (horizontal direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction X of the carriage 4) by the blade motor 75, and can be reciprocated in the Z direction (vertical direction) by the cap motor 76. Yes.
On the moving path of the blade 72, a wiping member 70 is provided that contacts the blade 72 and wipes off ink adhering to the blade 72. The wiping member 70 is formed of a sponge-like material that absorbs ink attached to the blade 72.

The suction cap 74 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 73 so as to be aligned with the blade 72 in the Y direction. The suction cap 74 is provided so as to correspond to each recording head 6 and is formed so as to cover the nozzle plate 61. The suction cap 74 is formed in an annular shape by an elastic member such as rubber, and an ink reservoir is formed inside thereof. A through hole for discharging the ink accumulated in the ink reservoir is formed inside the suction cap 74 of the base 73, and a suction tube 77 communicating with the ink reservoir is provided. In the middle of the suction pipe 77, a suction pump 78 for sucking ink accumulated in the ink reservoir is provided. A waste liquid tank 79 is provided at the end of the suction pipe 77, and the ink sucked by the suction pump 78 is guided to the waste liquid tank 79 through the suction pipe 77.
Accordingly, the suction mechanism 7A as an ink discharging means is configured by including the suction cap 74, the cap motor 76, the suction pipe 77, and the suction pump 78.
Further, an ink adhering means 7B for adhering ink to the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 is configured by including the suction mechanism 7A, the blade 72 as a removing means, and the blade motor 75.
The ink discharge means is not limited to the suction mechanism 7A, and may be configured by a positive pressure mechanism that makes the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 have a positive pressure so as to discharge the ink. The positive pressure mechanism may be configured such that ink is overflowed from the nozzles of the recording head 6 by supplying ink to the supply pump 92 intermediate tank 93 with the valve 96 closed. The liquid level may be moved upward from the ink recording head 6. The point is that the ink may be pushed out from the ink recording head 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the nozzle plate 61 is not dried at the other end in the main scanning direction X of the main scanning unit 3 during the non-recording operation so that there is no problem in the ejection of ink from the nozzle holes 61 a. A nozzle moisturizing unit 10 is provided for capping and moisturizing the nozzle surface 61b of the nozzle plate 61 during the non-recording operation.

(Control device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 8 is provided below the main scanning unit 3. The control device 8 converts image data of an image to be recorded on the recording medium S input from the external device P (for example, a personal computer or the like, see FIG. 8) into data corresponding to each nozzle hole 61 a of the recording head 6.
Here, the external device P functions as an input unit for performing an input for instructing test recording before printing. The external device P functions as test end input means for inputting that test recording has ended. The external device P functions as a designation unit that designates a nozzle to be used for test recording.
As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 8 is configured by a general-purpose computer in which a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like are connected to a bus.
The control device 8 includes the external device P, a motor 15d of the scanning drive mechanism 15, a head drive circuit 6a for causing the recording head 6 to perform ink ejection, a valve 96, a float sensor 94, and a supply. The pump 92, the blade motor 75, the cap motor 76, the suction pump 78, and the drive motor 22 of the transport unit 2 are electrically connected.

The control device 8 discharges the ink from the recording head 6 and discharges the processing liquid from the recording head 11. The control device 8 controls driving of the ink adhering means (suction mechanism 7A, blade motor 75, blade 72) 7B.
In the ROM, when the test recording instruction is input from the external device P by being executed by the CPU, the ink discharged from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 is discharged by the ink adhering means 7B to the processing liquid recording head. 11, a program that realizes a function of performing test recording by discharging the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head 11 after mixing the ink and the processing liquid on the nozzle 11.
The ROM is executed by the CPU so that the ink is discharged from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 to the suction cap 74 and then the processing liquid is sucked from the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 using the suction cap 74. Then, the ink and the processing liquid are mixed in the suction cap 74, and the ink attaching means (suction mechanism 7A, blade motor 75, blade 72) 7B is operated so that the ink is attached to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the processing liquid. A program for realizing the function is stored.
The control device 8 functions as control means by executing these programs.

<Activation of inkjet recording apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 9, when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is turned on so that test recording can be performed after the power is turned on, the control device 8 opens the valve 96 so that the inside of the intermediate tank 93 communicates with the atmosphere. (Step S1).
Next, the control device 8 determines ON / OFF of the float sensor 94 (step S2).

  In step S2, when the control device 8 determines that the float sensor 94 is OFF, the control device 8 rotates the supply pump 92 in the normal direction to send ink to the intermediate tank 93 (step S3). The control device 8 determines ON / OFF of the float sensor 94 while sending ink (step S4). In step S4, when the control device 8 determines that the float sensor 94 is ON, the control device 8 stops the supply pump 92 and stops supplying ink (step S5). On the other hand, when the control device 8 determines that the float sensor 94 is OFF, the control device 8 repeats the determination in step S4 until the float sensor 94 is turned ON.

  When the control device 8 determines in step S2 that the float sensor 94 is ON, the control device 8 reverses the supply pump 92 to return the ink in the intermediate tank 93 to the ink tank 91 (step S6). The control device 8 determines ON / OFF of the float sensor 94 while returning ink (step S7). In step S7, when the control device 8 determines that the float sensor 94 is OFF, the control device 8 stops the supply pump 92, stops the ink supply (step S8), and goes to the process of step S3. On the other hand, when the control device 8 determines that the float sensor 94 is ON, the control device 8 repeats the determination in step S7 until the float sensor 94 is turned OFF.

In step S5, the control device 8 stops the supply pump 92 and then releases the capping of the recording heads 6 and 11 (step S9). That is, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 detects the origin of the recording heads 6 and 11 (step S10), and moves the carriage (head unit) including the recording heads 6 and 11 to the detected origin position (step S11).
Next, the control device 8 performs capping of the recording heads 6 and 11 (step S12). That is, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction cap 74 and performs capping of the nozzles of the recording heads 6 and 11.

<Test record>
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the start of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed and test recording is performed, first, the control apparatus 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74 (step). S21).
Here, the user can designate a recording head to be used for test recording from the external device P. In this case, the control device 8 controls the movement amount of the carriage 4 so as to perform test recording with the designated recording head. In this case, when test recording is not performed by the processing liquid recording head 11, it is not necessary to attach ink to the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15 d to move the carriage 4 (head unit) including the recording heads 6 and 11 to the maintenance unit 7, so that one of the ink recording heads 6 (any color) may be used. The processing liquid is moved above the suction cap 74b (step S22).

Next, the control device 8 controls the head driving circuit 6a to eject ink from the recording head 6 located above the suction cap 74b (step S23, FIG. 11A: ink discharging step). Here, the discharge of ink is to discharge ink in the same manner as in normal printing.
The ink ejected from the recording head 6 accumulates in the ink reservoir inside the suction cap 74b.

Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15d to further move the head unit, and to move the processing liquid recording head 11 above the suction cap 74b (step S24).
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction cap 74b (step S25, FIG. 11B). As a result, the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 are covered with the suction cap 74 b in which the ink is accumulated.
Next, the control device 8 drives the suction pump 78 to suck the processing liquid from the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 (step S26: ink attachment step). As a result, the mixed liquid obtained by mixing the ink and the processing liquid is accumulated in the suction cap 74b of the recording head 11 for the processing liquid. At this time, it is preferable that the pressure applied to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the processing liquid is a negative pressure. This is because the ink easily enters the recording head 11.
For example, after suctioning for about 2 seconds, the control device 8 stops the suction pump 78 and leaves it for about 5 seconds until the ink discharge from the recording head 11 stops (step S27).

Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74b (step S28, FIG. 11 (c)). When the suction cap 74b is separated, the ink adhering to the nozzle surface is sucked into the recording head 11 maintained at a negative pressure.
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to slide the blade 72b on the nozzle of the recording head 11 of the processing liquid (step S29, FIG. 11 (d)).

Next, the control device 8 drives the head drive circuit 6a, the motor 15d, and the like to perform test recording on the recording medium (step S30: recording step).
An example of a test record is shown in FIG. Since ink is also mixed in the processing liquid, the processing liquid is also ejected onto the recording medium in a colored state and is in a visible state.
When the test recording is completed, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to return the blade 72b and the suction cap 74b to their original positions (step S31).
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction caps 74a and 74b (step S32, FIG. 11 (e)).
With the above, the test recording process is completed, and each unit is in a standby state.

<After test recording is completed>
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, after the test recording is completed and the standby state is entered, when the user inputs from the external device P to end the test recording, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76. Then, the suction caps 74a and 74b are lowered (step S41, FIG. 14A).
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to move the blade 72b to a position where the blade 72b comes into contact with the wiping member 70, and the wiping member 70 wipes the ink and the processing liquid of the blade 72b (step S42). FIG. 14 (b)).
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to return the blade 72b to the original position, and the control device 8 further drives the suction pump 78 (step S43).
Next, the control device 8 controls the head drive circuit 6a to eject the ink mixed with the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head 11 together with the processing liquid toward the suction cap 74b (step S44, FIG. 14C). ). The ink and the processing liquid may be discharged by a printing operation or may be discharged by the supply pump 92.
Note that the discharge timing of the ink and the processing liquid may be executed only when the user inputs that the test recording is finished by the external device P, or every time one test recording is finished. You can go.
Further, the operation of moving the blade 72b to a position where it comes into contact with the wiping member 70 and wiping the ink and the processing liquid of the blade 72b by the wiping member 70 indicates that the user has finished test recording by the external device P. It may be executed only when input is made, or may be performed every time one test recording is completed.
After sucking ink by the suction pump 78 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), the control device 8 stops driving the suction pump 78 (step S45).
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise all the suction caps 74a and 74b (step S46, FIG. 14 (d)).

<Effect>
As described above, according to the inkjet recording device 1 and the test recording method, the control device 8 removes the ink discharged from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 when a test recording instruction is input from the external device P. The ink adhering means 7B adheres to the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head 11 to mix the ink and the processing liquid, and then discharges the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head 11 to perform test recording.
Thereby, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the discharging state of the processing liquid from the recording head 11 is good.
Further, since ink only needs to be attached to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the treatment liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.

The ink adhering means 7B discharges ink from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 to the suction cap 74b, and then sucks the processing liquid from the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 using the suction cap 74b. The ink and the processing liquid are mixed in 74b, and the ink is adhered to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the processing liquid.
Thereby, ink can be made to adhere to the nozzle of the recording head 11 of a process liquid using the existing suction cap 74b. Therefore, it is possible to adhere ink to the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus and the test recording method will be described. Note that since the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus is the same, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are assigned and the description thereof is omitted, and the test recording method will be described in detail. Further, since the method for starting the ink jet recording apparatus and the operation after the completion of the test recording are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

<Test record>
As shown in FIG. 15, when the start of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is completed and test recording is performed, first, the control apparatus 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction caps 74a and 74b.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15 d to move the carriage 4 (head unit) including the recording heads 6 and 11 to the maintenance unit 7, so that one of the ink recording heads 6 (any color) may be used. The ink is moved above the suction cap 74a.

Next, the control device 8 controls the head driving circuit 6a to discharge ink from the recording head 6 located above the suction cap 74a (FIG. 15A: ink discharging step). Here, in discharging the ink, the ink is overflowed by setting the nozzle of the ink recording head 6 to a positive pressure. As described in the first embodiment, the mechanism for making the nozzle of the ink recording head 6 positive pressure causes the supply pump 92 to rotate forward with the valve 96 closed, and the ink in the intermediate tank 93 is transferred to the recording head. You can send it to 6. As another method, the intermediate tank 93 may be moved upward so that the liquid level in the intermediate tank 93 is positioned above the nozzles of the ink recording head 6. In the second embodiment, ink is pushed out, but ink may be sucked using the suction mechanism 7A.
The ink ejected from the recording head 6 accumulates in the ink reservoir inside the suction cap 74.

Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to slide the blade 72a on the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 (FIG. 15B). As a result, the ink is removed from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6, and the ink adheres to the blade 72a.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15d to retract the head unit from above the suction caps 74a and 74b, and then drives the blade motor 75 to return the blade 72a to the original position (FIG. 15 (c). )).
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15d to move the head unit, and moves the processing liquid recording head 11 above the base 73 provided with the blade 72a from which ink has been removed (FIG. 15D). )).
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to slide the blade 72a on the nozzles of the recording liquid 11 of the processing liquid that has moved upward (FIG. 15E: ink attachment step). Thus, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), before the sliding contact with the blade 72, there is only the processing liquid in the recording head 11, but as shown in FIGS. 16 (b), (c) and (d), the blade 72 is in sliding contact with the nozzle plate 61, and the ink adhering to the blade 72 enters the recording head 11 from the nozzle hole 61a, whereby the processing liquid and the ink are mixed, the processing liquid is colored by the ink, and the recording of the processing liquid is performed. The nozzles of the head 11 are in a state where a mixed liquid in which the ink and the processing liquid are mixed is accumulated. At this time, it is preferable that the pressure applied to the processing liquid in the recording head 11 is maintained at a negative pressure (less than atmospheric pressure) because ink easily enters from the nozzle holes.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15d to return the head unit to the original position.
Next, the control device 8 drives the head drive circuit 6a, the motor 15d, etc. to perform test recording (recording step).
With the above, the test recording process is completed, and each unit is in a standby state.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the inkjet recording device 1 and the test recording method, the control device 8 removes the ink discharged from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 when a test recording instruction is input from the external device P. The ink adhering means 7B adheres to the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head 11 to mix the ink and the processing liquid, and then discharges the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head 11 to perform test recording.
Thereby, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the discharging state of the processing liquid from the recording head 11 is good.
Further, since ink only needs to be attached to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the treatment liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.
Further, after the ink is discharged from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6, the ink attached to the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 is removed by the blade 72 a, and the blades 72 a having the ink attached are used as the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11. Ink is attached to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the processing liquid.
Thereby, ink can be made to adhere to the nozzle of the recording liquid recording head 11 with a simple configuration.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus and the test recording method will be described. Note that since the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus is the same, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are assigned and the description thereof is omitted, and the test recording method will be described in detail. Further, since the method for starting the ink jet recording apparatus and the operation after the completion of the test recording are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

<Test record>
As shown in FIG. 17, when the start of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed and test recording is performed, first, the control apparatus 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction caps 74a and 74b.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15 d to move the carriage 4 (head unit) including the recording heads 6 and 11 to the maintenance unit 7, so that one of the ink recording heads 6 (any color) may be used. Move to above the suction cap 74b.

Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction cap 74b (FIG. 17A). As a result, the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 are covered with the suction cap 74b.
Next, the control device 8 drives the suction pump 78 to suck ink from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 (ink discharge step).
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74b.
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to slide the blade 72b on the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 (FIG. 17B). Thus, ink is accumulated in the suction cap 74b.

Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15d to further move the head unit and move the processing liquid recording head 11 to above the suction cap 74b (FIG. 17C).
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction cap 74b (FIG. 17 (d)). As a result, the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 are covered with the suction cap 74 b in which the ink is accumulated.
Next, the control device 8 drives the suction pump 78 to suck the processing liquid from the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 (ink attachment step). As a result, the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the processing liquid are in a state where a mixed liquid in which the ink and the processing liquid are mixed is accumulated.

Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74b. When the suction cap 74b is separated, the ink adhering to the nozzle surface is sucked into the recording head 11 maintained at a negative pressure.
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to slide the blade 72b on the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 (FIG. 17E).

Next, the control device 8 drives the head drive circuit 6a, the motor 15d, and the like to perform test recording on the recording medium (recording step).
With the above, the test recording process is completed, and each unit is in a standby state.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the inkjet recording device 1 and the test recording method, the control device 8 removes the ink discharged from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 when a test recording instruction is input from the external device P. The ink adhering means 7B adheres to the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head 11 to mix the ink and the processing liquid, and then discharges the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head 11 to perform test recording.
Thereby, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the discharging state of the processing liquid from the recording head 11 is good.
Further, since ink only needs to be attached to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the treatment liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.

Further, after the ink is sucked from the nozzles of the ink recording head 6 by the suction mechanism 7A, the processing liquid is sucked from the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 by using the suction cap 74b, and the ink and the processing liquid are sucked in the suction cap 74b. Then, the ink is adhered to the nozzles of the recording head 11 of the processing liquid.
Thereby, ink can be made to adhere to the nozzle of the recording head 11 of a process liquid using the existing suction cap 74b. Therefore, it is possible to adhere ink to the nozzles of the processing liquid recording head 11 with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus and the test recording method will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Configuration of recording head>
As shown in FIG. 18A, the recording head 13 includes a plurality of ink nozzles 13a for discharging colored ink to the recording medium S, and a predetermined function (for example, mixing the ink with the ink so that the ink is stored in the recording medium S). A plurality of treatments for discharging a colorless and transparent treatment liquid to the recording medium S, which penetrates to the inside, hardens the ink with ultraviolet rays, etc., and then applies gloss on the ink to make it glossy, and fixes the ink to the recording medium) And a liquid nozzle 13b. The recording head 13 is divided into an ink reservoir and a treatment liquid reservoir. The ink nozzle 13a is connected to the ink tank 14c via the tube 14a, and the treatment liquid nozzle 13b is connected to the tube 14b. To the processing liquid tank 14d.
In the middle of the tube 14a, an open / close valve 14f is provided as an ink flow path opening / closing means for opening and closing the flow path. In the middle of the tube 14b, an opening / closing valve 14g is provided as a processing liquid channel opening / closing means for opening and closing the channel. The open / close valves 14 f and 14 g are connected to the control device 8 and can be opened and closed by a user input from the external device P. In addition, a supply pump and an intermediate tank are also provided, but since they are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Test record>
As shown in FIG. 18, when the start of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed and test recording is performed, first, the control apparatus 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15 d to move the carriage 4 (head unit) including the recording head 13 to the maintenance unit 7 and move it above the suction cap 74.

Next, the control device 8 controls the head driving circuit 6a to discharge ink from the recording head 13 located above the suction cap 74 (FIG. 18B: ink discharging step). Here, the ink discharge means that the ink is discharged from the recording head 13 by setting the nozzle 13a of the ink recording head 13 to a positive pressure.
The ink ejected from the recording head 13 accumulates in the ink reservoir inside the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to slide the blade 72 on the nozzles of the ink recording head 13 (FIG. 18C: ink attachment step). As a result, the ink also adheres to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid. At this time, it is preferable that the pressure applied to the processing liquid in the recording head 13 is maintained at a negative pressure (less than atmospheric pressure) because ink easily enters from the nozzle holes.

Next, the control device 8 drives the head drive circuit 6a, the motor 15d, and the like to perform test recording on the recording medium (recording step).
With the above, the test recording process is completed, and each unit is in a standby state.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and the test recording method, when the test recording instruction is input from the external apparatus P, the control apparatus 8 removes the ink discharged from the ink nozzles 13a from the processing liquid. After adhering to the nozzle 13b and mixing the ink and the processing liquid, the processing liquid is discharged from the processing liquid nozzle 13b to perform test recording.
Thereby, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the discharging state of the processing liquid from the nozzle 13b is good.
Further, since it is only necessary to attach ink to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.

Further, after the ink is discharged from the ink nozzle 13a, the ink attached to the ink nozzle 13a is removed by the blade 72, and the blade 72 having the ink attached is brought into contact with the processing liquid nozzle 13b, whereby the processing liquid nozzle 13b. Adhere ink to the surface.
Thereby, ink can be made to adhere to the nozzle 13b of a process liquid with a simple structure.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus and the test recording method will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 4th Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Test record>
As shown in FIG. 19, when the start of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is completed and test recording is performed, first, the control apparatus 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15 d to move the carriage 4 (head unit) including the recording head 13 to the maintenance unit 7 and move it above the suction cap 74.

Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 drives the suction pump 78 to suck the ink and the processing liquid from the ink nozzle 13a and the processing liquid nozzle 13b of the recording head 13 (FIG. 19A: ink discharging step).
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74. Ink adhering to the nozzle surface when the suction cap 74 is separated is sucked into the recording head 13 maintained at a negative pressure.
Next, the control device 8 drives the blade motor 75 to slide the blade 72 on both the nozzles 13a and 13b (FIG. 19B: ink attachment step). As a result, the ink also adheres to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid. At this time, it is preferable that the pressure applied to the processing liquid in the recording head 13 is maintained at a negative pressure (less than atmospheric pressure) because ink easily enters from the nozzle holes.

Next, the control device 8 drives the head drive circuit 6a, the motor 15d, and the like to perform test recording on the recording medium (recording step). Here, before the test recording is performed, the ink and the processing liquid mixed in the recording head 13 are discharged by ejecting the ink from the ink recording head 13, and the mixed liquid is discharged from both the nozzles 13a and 13b. This is preferable because it is not printed.
After the test recording is completed, the control device 8 controls the head drive circuit 6a to discharge ink and processing liquid from the nozzles 13a and 13b of the recording head 13, and from the ink and processing liquid in the recording head 13. The resulting mixed liquid is discharged (FIG. 19 (c)).

<Effect>
As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 and the test recording method, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is determined whether or not the discharge state of the processing liquid from the nozzle 13b is good. It can be easily visually recognized.
Further, since it is only necessary to attach ink to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.

Further, the suction mechanism 7A sucks both the ink and the processing liquid from the ink nozzle 13a and the processing liquid nozzle 13b, mixes the ink and the processing liquid in the suction cap 74, and attaches the ink to the processing liquid nozzle 13b.
Thus, the ink and the processing liquid are mixed just by discharging the ink and the processing liquid to the suction cap 74, and the ink adheres to the processing liquid nozzle 13b. Therefore, the ink is attached to the processing liquid nozzle 13b with a simple configuration. be able to.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus and the test recording method will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 4th Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Test record>
As shown in FIG. 20, when the start of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed and test recording is performed, first, the control apparatus 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74 (FIG. 20 ( a)).
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15 d to move the carriage 4 (head unit) including the recording head 13 to the maintenance unit 7 and move it above the suction cap 74.

Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 opens the ink opening / closing valve 14f and closes the processing liquid opening / closing valve 14g.
Next, the control device 8 drives the suction pump 78 to suck ink and processing liquid from the ink nozzles 13a of the recording head 13 (FIG. 20B: ink discharge step, ink attachment step). As a result, ink accumulates in the suction cap 74, and the accumulated ink adheres to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid.
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74. Ink adhering to the nozzle surface when the suction cap 74 is separated is sucked into the recording head 13 maintained at a negative pressure.

Next, the control device 8 drives the head drive circuit 6a, the motor 15d, and the like to perform test recording on the recording medium (recording step).
After the test recording is completed, the control device 8 controls the head drive circuit 6a to discharge ink and processing liquid from the nozzles 13a and 13b of the recording head 13, and from the ink and processing liquid in the recording head 13. Drain the mixed solution.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 and the test recording method, since the processing liquid is discharged in a state colored with ink, it is determined whether or not the discharge state of the processing liquid from the nozzle 13b is good. It can be easily visually recognized.
Further, since it is only necessary to attach ink to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid, no ink flow path is provided.
Further, since it is not necessary to remove only the ink components, the test recording work is not complicated.
In addition, since the colored processing liquid is discharged, the detection of the discharge position is easy as in the case of ink.
Therefore, the discharge state of the processing liquid can be clearly recognized and the discharge position can be detected with high accuracy without causing an increase in cost with a simple configuration.

Further, the ink flow path is opened by the ink opening / closing valve 14f and the processing liquid flow path is closed by the processing liquid opening / closing valve 14g, and the suction mechanism 7A sucks the ink to remove the ink in the suction cap 74 from the processing liquid. It adheres to the nozzle 13b.
Accordingly, the ink can be attached to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid using the existing suction cap 74. Therefore, the ink can be attached to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus and the test recording method will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 4th Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Test record>
As shown in FIG. 21, when the start-up of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed and test recording is performed, first, the control apparatus 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 15 d to move the carriage 4 (head unit) including the recording head 13 to the maintenance unit 7 and move it above the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 controls the head drive circuit 6a to discharge ink from the ink nozzle 13a toward the suction cap 74 (FIG. 21A: ink discharge step).

Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to raise the suction cap 74.
Next, the control device 8 closes the ink opening / closing valve 14f and opens the processing liquid opening / closing valve 14g.
Next, the control device 8 drives the suction pump 78 to suck the processing liquid from the processing liquid nozzle 13b of the recording head 13 (FIG. 21B: ink attachment step). As a result, the ink and the processing liquid accumulate in the suction cap 74, and the mixed liquid of the ink and the processing liquid adheres to the processing liquid nozzle 13b.
Next, the control device 8 drives the cap motor 76 to lower the suction cap 74. Ink adhering to the nozzle surface when the suction cap 74 is separated is sucked into the recording head 13 maintained at a negative pressure.

Next, the control device 8 drives the head drive circuit 6a, the motor 15d, and the like to perform test recording on the recording medium (recording step).
After the test recording is completed, the control device 8 controls the head drive circuit 6a to discharge ink and processing liquid from the nozzles 13a and 13b of the recording head 13, and from the ink and processing liquid in the recording head 13. Drain the mixed solution. The ink and the processing liquid may be discharged by the supply pump 92, or the ink and the processing liquid may be ejected from the recording head 13 by performing printing.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 and the test recording method, after discharging ink from the ink nozzle 13a to the suction cap 74, the ink flow path is closed by the ink opening / closing valve 14f, and the processing liquid opening / closing valve 14g. With the processing liquid flow path open, the processing liquid is sucked from the processing liquid nozzle 13b using the suction cap 74, and the ink and the processing liquid are mixed in the suction cap 74, and the ink is supplied to the processing liquid nozzle 13b. Adhere.
Accordingly, the ink can be attached to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid using the existing suction cap 74. Therefore, the ink can be attached to the nozzle 13b of the processing liquid with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.

<Others>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and design changes can be freely made without changing the essential part of the invention. For example, the ink in the nozzles of the recording head is not limited to the blade, and the cleaning roller 71 (see FIG. 4) of the maintenance unit may be used.
The ink mixed with the treatment liquid is preferably black, cyan, or magenta in order to improve visibility. Of these, black is particularly preferable.
Further, the treatment liquid is not limited to those having the above penetration, gloss and fixing functions, and may have functions such as light resistance improvement and scratch resistance improvement.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 6 Ink recording head 7 Maintenance part 7A Suction mechanism (ink discharge means)
7B Ink adhesion means 8 Control device (control means)
11 Processing Liquid Recording Head 13 Recording Head 13a Ink Nozzle 13b Processing Liquid Nozzle 70 Wiping Member 71 Cleaning Roller (Removal Unit)
72 blade (removal means)
74 Suction cap (cap part)
P External device (input means, test end input means, designation means)

Claims (8)

An ink recording head having a nozzle for discharging the colored ink to a recording medium;
A processing liquid recording head having a nozzle for discharging a colorless and transparent processing liquid having a predetermined function to a recording medium;
Ink adhesion that has a cap portion that covers the nozzle of the ink recording head, and has a suction mechanism that sucks ink from the nozzle in a state where the nozzle is covered with the cap portion, and causes the ink to adhere to the nozzle of the recording head of the treatment liquid Means,
Control means for discharging the ink from the ink recording head, discharging the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head, and controlling the ink adhering means;
Input means for performing an instruction to instruct test recording before printing,
Wherein when an instruction for test recording from the input means is input, after the nozzle or leprosy linked recording head of the ink sucked by the suction mechanism of the inking unit, with the cap portion wherein the nozzles of the recording head of the processing liquid treatment liquid was aspirated by mixing the ink and the treatment liquid in the cap, after being attached to the nozzle of the recording head of the processing liquid Te, the processing from the recording head of the processing solution An ink jet recording apparatus for discharging a liquid and performing test recording.   An ink recording head having a nozzle for discharging the colored ink to a recording medium;
  A processing liquid recording head having a nozzle for discharging a colorless and transparent processing liquid having a predetermined function to a recording medium;
  Ink adhesion that has a cap portion that covers the nozzle of the ink recording head, and has a suction mechanism that sucks ink from the nozzle in a state where the nozzle is covered with the cap portion, and causes the ink to adhere to the nozzle of the recording head of the treatment liquid Means,
  Control means for discharging the ink from the ink recording head, discharging the processing liquid from the processing liquid recording head, and controlling the ink adhering means;
  Input means for performing an instruction to instruct test recording before printing,
  When the test recording instruction is input from the input unit, the control unit discharges ink from the nozzle of the ink recording head to the cap unit of the ink adhering unit, and then uses the cap unit to The processing liquid is sucked from the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head, the ink and the processing liquid are mixed in the cap portion, and after adhering to the nozzle of the processing liquid recording head, the processing liquid is discharged from the processing liquid recording head. And an ink jet recording apparatus for performing test recording. A recording head having an ink nozzle for discharging colored ink to a recording medium and a processing liquid nozzle for discharging a colorless and transparent processing liquid having a predetermined function to the recording medium;
A cap unit that covers each nozzle of the recording head, and a suction mechanism that sucks ink and processing liquid from the nozzle in a state where the nozzle is covered by the cap unit, and opens and closes a flow path of the ink supplied to the recording head An ink flow path opening / closing means, and a treatment liquid flow path opening / closing means for opening / closing a flow path of the treatment liquid supplied to the recording head, and an ink attachment means for attaching the ink to the nozzle of the treatment liquid;
Control means for discharging the ink from the nozzle of the ink, discharging the processing liquid from the nozzle of the processing liquid, and controlling the ink adhering means;
Input means for performing an instruction to instruct test recording before printing,
Wherein when an instruction for test recording from the input means is input, after the ink has been discharged into the cap portion of the front Symbol inking means from the nozzles of the ink, ink flow through the ink flow path shutter means In a state where the path is closed and the processing liquid channel is opened by the processing liquid channel opening / closing means, the processing liquid is sucked from the nozzle of the processing liquid using the cap portion, and the ink and the processing liquid are mixed in the cap. Then, after the ink is attached to the nozzle of the processing liquid, the processing liquid is discharged from the nozzle of the processing liquid and test recording is performed. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to process liquid after the test recording end is characterized in that discharging the ink with the treatment liquid from the nozzle to be discharged 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein ink is ejected at the time of printing using a nozzle from which the processing liquid is discharged after the test recording is completed. A test end input means for inputting that the test recording has ended,
6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the ink is discharged from the nozzle from which the processing liquid is discharged only when there is an input from the test end input unit. It has a specifying means to specify the nozzle to be used for test recording,
By the specifying means, by the ink adhering means when the nozzle for discharging the treatment liquid has been specified, the claim 1, characterized in that the deposition of ink to the nozzle for discharging the processing liquid in any one of 3 The ink jet recording apparatus described. Upon deposition of ink to the nozzle for discharging the treatment liquid by the ink adhesion means, in any one of the pressure applied to the nozzle for discharging the treatment liquid from claim 1, characterized in that a negative pressure 3 The ink jet recording apparatus described.

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