JP5880291B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium.

  In a recording apparatus, a technique is known in which image forming processing is temporarily stopped for each unit such as a job unit, a copy unit, or a predetermined number unit (see Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, when it is detected that the sheet is removed from the paper discharge unit after the image forming process is temporarily stopped, the image forming process is resumed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

JP 2009-300913 A

  While the image forming process is temporarily stopped, the user can perform operations such as collecting sheets (recording media) stacked on the paper discharge unit (stack unit) and attaching a cover. However, in Patent Document 1, since the pause time is constant regardless of the alignment of the recording medium in the stacking unit, the following problems may occur. For example, when the alignment property of the recording medium in the stacking unit is poor, it takes a longer time for the user to align the recording medium than when the alignment property is good. However, if the pause time is constant, the user's work may not be in time. On the other hand, when the alignment of the recording medium in the stacking unit is good, the time is shorter than when the alignment is poor. However, if the suspension time is constant, the time is excessive and the processing efficiency of the apparatus is deteriorated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of ensuring a user's working time while suppressing deterioration in processing efficiency of the apparatus when the recording operation is temporarily stopped.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, a recording unit for performing a recording operation for recording an image on a recording medium, a stacking unit on which a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording unit, A transport unit for performing a transport operation for transporting a recording medium from a recording position where an image is recorded by the recording unit toward the stacking unit, and information indicating a unit for temporarily stopping the recording operation and the transport operation are stored. A first storage unit that stores, a second storage unit that stores values of one or more parameters that affect the alignment of the recording medium in the stacking unit, and all the parameters stored in the second storage unit An evaluation value obtained on the basis of the value of a determination unit that determines whether or not it exceeds a predetermined reference value, and a control unit that controls the recording unit and the transport unit, the control unit, By the judgment unit When it is determined that the evaluation value exceeds the reference value, the information stored in the first storage unit is longer than when the determination unit determines that the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value. A recording apparatus is provided, wherein the recording unit and the transport unit are controlled so as to temporarily stop the recording operation and the transport operation for each unit shown.

  According to the above aspect, the pause time is changed according to whether the alignment of the recording media in the stacking unit is good or bad, and the evaluation values obtained based on the values of all parameters exceed the reference value (the alignment is In the case of (poor), the pause time is made longer than in the case where the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value (alignment is good). Thereby, when the recording operation is temporarily stopped, it is possible to secure the work time of the user while suppressing the deterioration of the processing efficiency of the apparatus.

  In addition, in the above viewpoint, the units for temporarily stopping the recording operation and the conveying operation are the job unit when performing the recording operation of a plurality of jobs, the unit of unit when performing the recording operation of a plurality of copies, and recording on a plurality of recording media The user can arbitrarily specify a predetermined number of units when performing the operation.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a recording medium, and the parameter is a recording medium until the recording medium transported from the storage unit toward the recording position is stacked on the stacking unit. It may be at least one of a conveyance distance, a size of the recording medium, a type of the recording medium, a conveyance speed by the conveyance unit, and a liquid discharge amount to the recording medium by the recording unit. The conveyance distance, the size of the recording medium, the type of the recording medium, the conveyance speed, and the liquid discharge amount are factors that can greatly affect the quality of alignment. Therefore, by using at least one of these elements as a parameter as described above, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether alignment is good or bad.

  The determination unit determines that the conveyance speed is predetermined when the conveyance distance is longer than a predetermined distance, when the size of the recording medium is smaller than a predetermined size, when the basis weight of the recording medium is smaller than a predetermined basis weight. It may be determined that the evaluation value exceeds the reference value in at least one of the case where the liquid discharge amount is greater than a predetermined amount.

  The determination unit determines whether the transport distance is longer than the predetermined distance, whether the size of the recording medium is smaller than the predetermined size, and the basis weight of the recording medium is smaller than the predetermined basis weight. A set value is set according to at least one of whether the transport speed is greater than the predetermined speed, and whether the liquid ejection amount is greater than the predetermined amount, The evaluation values may be derived based on the setting values for all the parameters.

  The conveyance unit includes a first conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium toward the recording position so that a first surface of the recording medium faces the recording unit, and a recording medium on which an image is recorded on the first surface Including a second transport unit that transports the recording medium toward the recording position such that a second surface opposite to the first surface of the recording medium faces the recording unit. When the recording medium is transported by the second transport unit and stacked on the stacking unit, it may be determined that the transport distance is longer than the predetermined distance.

  In the recording apparatus according to the present invention, at least one of a detachable accommodating portion that accommodates a recording medium and a detachable stacking portion on which a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording portion is detachable is attachable and detachable. The transport distance is determined to be longer than the predetermined distance in at least one of a case where a recording medium is transported from the detachable housing section and a case where a recording medium is stacked on the detachable stacking section. You can do it.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention further includes a maintenance unit that performs a maintenance operation of the recording unit, and the control unit performs the maintenance operation while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped. The maintenance unit may be controlled. According to the above configuration, the pause time can be used effectively.

  The control unit selects one maintenance operation from a plurality of maintenance operations whose required times are different from each other according to the time when the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped, and the one maintenance operation is performed. Thus, the maintenance unit may be controlled. If a maintenance operation that takes a long time is performed even though the pause time is short, the restart of the operation is delayed due to maintenance. On the other hand, if a maintenance operation that requires only a short time despite a long pause time is performed, appropriate maintenance may not be performed, and recording performance may not be sufficiently maintained or recovered. Therefore, by selecting the maintenance operation according to the pause time as described above, the above-described problem can be reduced.

  The recording unit includes an ejection port that ejects liquid, and the maintenance unit includes the recording unit and a forced ejection unit that forcibly ejects liquid from the ejection port, and the maintenance operation includes the ejection port. Including flushing that discharges liquid that does not contribute to image recording from an outlet, and purge that forcibly discharges liquid from the discharge port, and the control unit does not exceed the reference value by the determination unit The recording unit is controlled such that the flushing is performed while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped when it is determined that the evaluation value exceeds the reference value by the determination unit. When the determination is made, the forcible discharge unit may be controlled so that the purge is performed while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention may further include a third storage unit that stores the reference value.

  According to the present invention, the pause time is changed according to whether the alignment of the recording medium in the stacking unit is good or bad, and the evaluation values obtained based on the values of all the parameters exceed the reference value (the alignment is poor). ), The pause time is made longer than in the case where the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value (alignment is good). Thereby, when the recording operation is temporarily stopped, it is possible to secure the work time of the user while suppressing the deterioration of the processing efficiency of the apparatus.

1 is a schematic side view showing an internal structure of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A and 4B are enlarged views of the vicinity of the main body stacking portion, where FIG. 5A shows a state in which no paper is stacked on the main body stacking portion, and FIG. It is a top view which shows the flow path unit and actuator unit of an inkjet head. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a region IV surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing along the VV line of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the control content which a main controller performs. It is an example of the table used when judging whether an evaluation value exceeds a reference value.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, an overall configuration of an ink jet printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printer 100 includes a main body 101, three additional paper supply units 80, and two additional paper discharge units 90. The three additional paper feed units 80 have the same configuration, and the two additional paper discharge units 90 have the same configuration. Each unit 80, 90 is detachable from the main body 101. The extension sheet feeding unit 80 is arranged in series in the vertical direction below the main body 101. The additional paper discharge unit 90 is arranged in series in the vertical direction at the top of the main body 101.

  The main body 101 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 101a. The main body stacking unit 4 is provided on the top of the casing 101a. The main controller 150, the inkjet head 1, the platen 6, the transport unit 40, the sensors 7, 8 and the main body paper feed tray 2 are accommodated in the internal space of the housing 101a. In the internal space of the housing 101a, a transport path for transporting the paper P is formed from the main body paper feed tray 2 toward the main body stacking section 4 along the thick arrow shown in FIG. The housing 101a is detachably provided with a cartridge (not shown) that stores black ink supplied to the head 1. The cartridge is connected to the head 1 via a tube or the like and supplies ink to the head 1.

  The head 1 is a line head having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). A plurality of discharge ports 14a are opened on the lower surface (discharge surface) 1a of the head 1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The head 1 is supported by the housing 101 a via the holder 5. The holder 5 supports the head 1 so that a predetermined gap suitable for recording is formed between the ejection surface 1 a and the surface of the platen 6.

  The platen 6 is a flat plate member and is disposed at a position facing the discharge surface 1a.

  The transport unit 40 includes an upstream transport unit 40a, a downstream transport unit 40b, and a re-transport unit 40c. The conveyance units 40 a and 40 b are arranged with the platen 6 interposed therebetween. The upstream conveyance unit 40 a is upstream of the platen 6 in the conveyance direction (the conveyance direction of the paper P by the conveyance unit 40), and the downstream conveyance unit 40 b is the platen 6. It is arrange | positioned rather than the conveyance direction downstream. The upstream transport unit 40a transports the paper P toward the recording position so that the surface of the paper P (the surface facing downward in the main body paper feed tray 2 or the additional paper feed tray 82) faces the ejection surface 1a. The downstream transport unit 40b and the re-transport unit 40c transport the paper P on which the image is recorded toward the recording position such that the back surface opposite to the front surface of the paper P faces the ejection surface 1a. The recording position is a position where an image is recorded by the head 1, that is, a position facing the ejection surface 1 a on the platen 6.

  The upstream transport unit 40a includes a paper feed roller 21, roller pairs 22, 23, and guides 31a to 31c. The downstream transport unit 40b includes roller pairs 24 to 26, guides 32a to 32c, and a switching mechanism 20 (see FIG. 2). The re-conveying unit 40c includes a re-conveying cassette 30, roller pairs 27 and 28, and guides 33a to 33c.

  Under the control of the main controller 150, the paper feed roller 21 is rotated by driving a paper feed motor 21 </ b> M (see FIG. 6), and sends out the uppermost paper P in the main body paper feed tray 2.

  The roller pairs 22 to 28 are arranged at appropriate intervals in the transport path. One roller of each of the roller pairs 22 to 28 is a driving roller that is rotated by driving of the transport motor 40M (see FIG. 6) under the control of the main controller 150. The other roller of each of the roller pairs 22 to 28 is a driven roller that rotates as the one roller rotates. In each of the roller pairs 22 to 28, one roller and the other roller rotate in opposite directions while sandwiching the paper P. As a result, the paper P is transported in the transport direction.

  The guide 31 a extends from the paper feed port 106 to the roller pair 22. The guide 31 b extends from the paper feed roller 21 to the roller pair 22. The guide 31 c extends from the roller pair 22 to the roller pair 23. The guide 32 a extends from the roller pair 24 to the roller pair 25. The guide 32 b extends from the roller pair 25 to the paper discharge port 107. The guide 32c extends from the middle part of the guide 32b to the roller pair 26. The guide 33a extends from the middle part of the guide 32a to the roller pair 27. The guide 33b extends from the roller pair 27 to the re-conveying cassette 30. The guide 33c extends from the roller pair 28 to an intermediate portion of the guide 31c. Each guide 31a-31c, 32a-32c, 33a-33c consists of a pair of board mutually spaced apart by the surface direction. The paper feed port 106 is open on the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the housing 101a, and the paper discharge port 107 is open on the top surface of the top plate of the housing 101a.

  The switching mechanism 20 is disposed at a connection portion between the guides 32b and 32c. The switching mechanism 20 includes a swing member 20a that can swing between a first position shown in FIG. 2A and a second position shown in FIG. 2B, and a drive unit that drives the swing member 20a. 20b (see FIG. 6). Under the control of the main controller 150, the driving unit 20b drives the swinging member 20a, so that the swinging member 20a places the paper P in the first position when the paper P is stacked on the main body stacking unit 4, and the additional paper is discharged. When loading on the additional stacking unit 94 of the unit 90, the unit 90 is disposed at the second position. Thereby, the transport path of the paper P is switched.

  The re-conveying cassette 30 is disposed above the main body sheet feeding tray 2 and below the platen 6.

  A support plate 4 a that supports the paper P is provided at the bottom of the main body stacking unit 4. The support plate 4a is connected to the top plate of the housing 101a via the shaft 4b, and the shaft 4b is centered between the upper limit position shown in FIG. 2 (a) and the lower limit position shown in FIG. 2 (b). Can be rotated as The upper limit position is a position where the upstream end of the support plate 4a in the transport direction is located at the uppermost position. The lower limit position is a position where the upstream end portion of the support plate 4a in the transport direction is located at the lowest position. As for the angle which the support plate 4a makes with a horizontal surface, the lower limit position is smaller than the upper limit position. A spring 4c is disposed between the support plate 4a and the top plate of the housing 101a. The spring 4c biases the support plate 4a upward. As the weight of the paper P supported by the support plate 4a increases, the spring 4c contracts and the support plate 4a moves to the lower limit position. The spring 4c is most compressed at the lower limit position.

  The sensor 8 is fixed to the top plate of the housing 101a. When the support plate 4 a is at the lower limit position, the sensor 8 detects the upstream end of the support plate 4 a in the transport direction and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 150. Based on the detection signal from the sensor 8, the main controller 150 determines whether or not the sheets P stacked on the main body stacking unit 4 have reached a predetermined amount.

  The main body sheet feed tray 2 can accommodate a plurality of sheets P and is detachable from the housing 101a.

  The sensor 7 is fixed to the upper part of the main body paper feed tray 2 and detects the height of the paper P stored in the main body paper feed tray 2. The main controller 150 determines the number of sheets P in the main body sheet feed tray 2 based on the detection signal from the sensor 7.

  A connector 103 is provided on the top plate of the housing 101a. By connecting the connector 103 and the connector 98 of the additional paper discharge unit 90, the main controller 150 can communicate with the paper discharge controller 180 of the additional paper discharge unit 90.

  A connector 105 and a hole 104 are provided on the bottom plate of the housing 101a. A mounting sensor 78 (see FIG. 6) is provided in the hole 104. The mounting sensor 78 detects the protrusion 195 when the protrusion 195 of the stabilizer 190 enters the hole 104, and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 150. By connecting the connector 105 and the connector 87 of the additional paper feed unit 80, the main controller 150 can communicate with the additional paper feed unit 80 paper feed controller 170.

  The extension paper feeding unit 80 has a rectangular parallelepiped casing 81. A paper feed controller 170, a transport unit 84, a sensor 85, and an additional paper feed tray 82 are accommodated in the internal space of the housing 81.

  The conveyance unit 84 includes a paper feed roller 83, a roller pair 89, and guides 88a and 88b. The paper feed roller 83 is rotated by the drive of a paper feed motor 83M (see FIG. 6) under the control of the paper feed controller 170, and feeds the uppermost paper P in the additional paper feed tray 82. The roller pair 89 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 81a. One roller of the roller pair 89 is a drive roller that is rotated by the drive of the transport motor 89M (see FIG. 6) under the control of the paper feed controller 170. The other roller of the roller pair 89 is a driven roller that rotates as the one roller rotates. In the roller pair 89, one roller and the other roller rotate in opposite directions while sandwiching the paper P. As a result, the paper P is transported in the transport direction. The guide 88a extends from the paper feed port 81b to the roller pair 89. The guide 88b extends from the additional paper feed tray 82 to the middle portion of the guide 88a. Each guide 88a, 88b consists of a pair of plates spaced apart from each other in the surface direction. The paper feed port 81 b is opened on the lower surface of the bottom plate of the housing 81, and the paper discharge port 81 a is opened on the upper surface of the top plate of the housing 81.

  The paper feed controller 170 controls the paper feed motor 83M and the transport motor 89M based on a command from the main controller 150.

  The additional paper feed tray 82 can accommodate a plurality of papers P and is detachable from the housing 81.

  The sensor 85 is fixed to the upper part of the additional paper feed tray 82 and detects the height of the paper P stored in the additional paper feed tray 82. The main controller 150 receives the detection signal from the sensor 85 via the paper feed controller 170 and determines the quantity of paper P in the additional paper feed tray 82 based on the detection signal.

  A connector 86 is provided on the bottom plate of the housing 81. A connector 87 is provided on the top plate of the housing 81. The connectors 86 and 87 are arranged at positions that coincide with the connector 105 when viewed from the vertical direction. The connector 86 can be connected to a connector 87 of another extension paper feeding unit 80. The connector 87 can be connected to either the connector 105 or the connector 86 of another extension paper feeding unit 80. By connecting the connector 87 and the connector 86 of another additional paper feeding unit 80, the main controller 150 can communicate with the paper feeding controller 170 of the other additional paper feeding unit 80.

  A hole 81 c is provided in the bottom plate of the housing 81. The hole 81c is disposed at a position that coincides with the hole 104 when viewed from the vertical direction. A mounting sensor 79 (see FIG. 6) is provided in the hole 81c. The mounting sensor 79 detects the protrusion 195 when the protrusion 195 enters the hole 81 c, and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 150 via the paper feed controller 170.

  The stabilizer 190 can be attached to the lower part of the main body 101 or the lower part of the additional paper feeding unit 80. The stabilizer 190 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 191. A recess 192 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 191. The protrusion 195 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 192 at a position that coincides with the holes 104 and 81c when viewed from the vertical direction. When the lower part of the main body 101 or the lower part of the additional paper feeding unit 80 is disposed in the recess 192, the protrusion 195 enters the hole 104 or the hole 81c.

  The additional paper discharge unit 90 has a housing 91. The housing 91 includes a main body portion 91a and a protruding portion 91b. The main body 91a is a part that is attached to the top plate of the housing 101a, and houses the transport unit 92 and the paper discharge controller 180. The protruding portion 91b is a portion protruding to the left in FIG. 1 from the main body portion 91a, and is provided with an additional stacking portion 94 and a sensor 93.

  The transport unit 92 includes roller pairs 95 and 96, guides 99 a to 99 c, and a switching mechanism 120. The roller pairs 95 and 96 are arranged at appropriate intervals in the transport direction. One roller of each of the roller pairs 95 and 96 is a driving roller that is rotated by driving of the transport motor 92M (see FIG. 6) under the control of the paper discharge controller 180. The other roller of each roller pair 95, 96 is a driven roller that rotates as the one roller rotates. In each of the roller pairs 95 and 96, one roller and the other roller rotate in opposite directions while sandwiching the paper P. As a result, the paper P is transported in the transport direction. The guide 99a extends from the paper feed port 91c to the roller pair 95. The guide 99b extends from the roller pair 95 to the paper discharge port 91e. The guide 99c extends from the middle part of the guide 99b to the roller pair 96. Each of the guides 99a to 99c includes a pair of plates that are spaced apart from each other in the surface direction. The paper feed port 91c is opened on the lower surface of the bottom plate of the main body 91a, and the paper discharge port 91e is opened on the upper surface of the top plate of the main body 91a.

  The switching mechanism 120 is disposed at a connection portion between the guides 99b and 99c. The switching mechanism 120 has the same configuration as the switching mechanism 20, and includes a swing member 20a and a drive unit 120b (see FIG. 6) that drives the swing member 20a. Under the control of the paper discharge controller 180, the driving unit 120b drives the swinging member 20a, so that the swinging member 20a places the paper P in the first position when the paper P is stacked on the additional stacking unit 94. When stacked on the additional paper discharge unit 90, it is arranged at the second position. Thereby, the transport path of the paper P is switched.

  The paper discharge controller 180 controls the transport motor 92M and the drive unit 120b based on a command from the main controller 150.

  The extension stacking unit 94 has the same configuration as the main body stacking unit 4. That is, a support plate 94 a that supports the paper P is provided at the bottom of the additional stacking unit 94. The support plate 94a is connected to the top plate of the projecting portion 91b via a shaft 94b, and is rotatable about the shaft 94b between an upper limit position and a lower limit position. A spring 94c is disposed between the support plate 94a and the top plate of the protruding portion 91b.

  The sensor 93 is fixed to the top plate of the protrusion 91b. The sensor 93 detects the upstream end of the support plate 94a in the transport direction when the support plate 94a is at the lower limit position, and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 150 via the paper discharge controller 180. Based on the detection signal from the sensor 93, the main controller 150 determines whether or not the sheets P stacked on the additional stacking unit 94 have reached a predetermined amount.

  A connector 97 is provided on the top plate of the main body 91a. A connector 98 is provided on the bottom plate of the main body portion 91a. The connectors 97 and 98 are disposed at positions that coincide with the connector 103 when viewed from the vertical direction. The connector 97 can be connected to a connector 98 of another extension paper discharge unit 90. The connector 98 can be connected to either the connector 103 or the connector 97 of another extension paper discharge unit 90. By connecting the connector 97 and the connector 98 of another additional paper supply unit 80, the main controller 150 can communicate with the paper discharge controller 180 of the other additional paper discharge unit 90.

  Each of the controllers 150, 170, and 180 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory: including a nonvolatile RAM), an I / F (Interface), and an I / O (Input / Output). Port) etc. The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU, various fixed data, and the like. The RAM temporarily stores data (image data and the like) necessary for executing the program. The I / F performs data transmission / reception with an external device. The I / F of the main controller 150 performs data transmission / reception with an external device (such as a PC connected to the printer 100), and the I / Fs of the paper feed controller 170 and paper discharge controller 180 perform data transmission / reception with the main controller 150. I / O inputs / outputs detection signals of various sensors. The main controller 150 further includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In the ASIC, image data is rewritten and rearranged (for example, signal processing and image processing). Note that the main controller 150 may not include an ASIC, and image data rewriting and rearrangement may be processed by a program executed by the CPU.

  Next, the configuration of the head 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, the pressure chamber 16 and the aperture 15 that are to be indicated by dotted lines below the actuator unit 17 are indicated by solid lines.

  The head 1 includes a flow path unit 12, a reservoir unit, eight actuator units 17, eight FPCs (flat flexible substrates) 19, a circuit board, and the like.

  The channel unit 12 is a laminated body in which nine rectangular metal plates 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, 12h, and 12i having substantially the same size are stacked, and a channel is formed therein. ing. The flow path includes a manifold flow path 13, a sub-manifold flow path 13 a, and an individual flow path 14. An opening 12 y is formed on the upper surface 12 x of the flow path unit 12. The manifold channel 13 is a channel having an opening 12y at one end. The sub manifold channel 13 a is a channel branched from the manifold channel 13. The individual flow path 14 is provided for each discharge port 14a, and reaches from the outlet of the sub-manifold flow path 13a to the discharge port 14a via the aperture 15 and the pressure chamber 16 that are flow-path resistance restrictors. It is a flow path. The lower surface of the flow path unit 12 opposite to the upper surface 12x is the discharge surface 1a.

  The pressure chamber 16 is provided for each discharge port 14a, and one pressure chamber 16 is connected to one discharge port 14a. The openings of the pressure chambers 16 have a substantially rhombus shape and are arranged in a matrix in the fixed region of each actuator unit 17 on the upper surface 12x (see FIG. 4). In the area facing the fixed area of each actuator unit 17 on the lower surface (discharge surface 1a), the discharge ports 14a are arranged in a matrix with the same arrangement pattern as the pressure chambers 16.

  A flow path including a reservoir is formed inside the reservoir unit. The reservoir temporarily stores the ink supplied from the cartridge. One end of the flow path is connected to the cartridge via a tube or the like, and the other end is connected to the flow path of the flow path unit 12. Irregularities are provided on the lower surface of the reservoir unit. The convex portion is fixed to a region on the upper surface 12x that does not overlap with the actuator unit 17 (a region surrounded by a two-dot chain line including the opening 12y shown in FIG. 3). The end of the flow path is open at the tip end surface of the convex portion (the surface fixed to the upper surface 12x). The recess faces the upper surface 12x, the surface of the actuator unit 17, and the surface of the FPC 19 with a slight gap therebetween.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the eight actuator units 17 are arranged in a zigzag pattern in two rows along the main scanning direction, and are fixed to the upper surface 12x. Each actuator unit 17 has a trapezoidal outer shape and covers openings of a plurality of pressure chambers 16 formed in a fixed region of the actuator unit 17. Each actuator unit 17 includes a piezoelectric layer, a common electrode, and an individual electrode. Among the members described above, the piezoelectric layer and the common electrode have a trapezoidal shape having a size that defines the outer shape of the actuator unit 17. The individual electrode is provided for each pressure chamber 16 and is disposed at a position overlapping with each pressure chamber 16 in the vertical direction on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer. A portion corresponding to each individual electrode of the actuator unit 17 functions as one piezoelectric actuator. Each actuator can be deformed independently by application of a voltage via the FPC 19 and changes the volume of the corresponding pressure chamber 16 to apply energy to the ink in the pressure chamber 16. Thereby, ink is discharged from the discharge port 14a.

  The eight FPCs 19 are connected to each of the eight actuator units 17. Each FPC 19 has one end fixed to the actuator unit 17 and the other end fixed to the circuit board. Each FPC 19 has wiring and terminals corresponding to each electrode of the actuator unit 17, and a driver IC is mounted in the middle thereof. Each wiring is connected to the output terminal of the driver IC. The circuit board adjusts the signal input from the controller 1p, and outputs the adjusted signal to the driver IC via the wiring of the FPC 19. The driver IC converts a signal input from the circuit board into a drive signal, and transmits the drive signal to each electrode of the actuator unit 17 through the wiring of the FPC 19.

  Next, the control contents executed by the main controller 150 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the main controller 150 determines whether or not a recording command has been received from an external device (S1). When the recording command has not been received (S1: NO), the main controller 150 returns the process to S1. When the recording command is received (S1: YES), the main controller 150 controls the head 1 and the transport unit 40 so that an image is recorded on the paper P based on the recording command, and the paper P by the transport unit 40 is recorded. And the ink ejection operation (recording operation) by the head 1 synchronized with the conveyance of the paper P are started (S2).

  When the recording command is received (S1: YES), the main controller 150 stores the information included in the recording command in the RAM of the main controller 150. The recording command includes information on parameters that affect the quality of the alignment of the sheets P in the main body stacking unit 4 or the additional stacking unit 94 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “alignment”). The RAM of the main controller 150 is an example of a second storage unit according to the present invention.

  The information relating to the parameters includes information indicating whether the recording is duplex recording or single-sided recording, information indicating which of the main body sheet feeding tray 2 and the three additional sheet feeding trays 82 is conveyed, and the body stacking units 4 and 2. Information indicating on which of the two additional stacking sections 94 the paper P is stacked, information on the transport speed of the paper P by the transport section 40, information on the size of the paper P, information on the type of the paper P, information on the image data, etc. It is. The parameters include the transport distance of the paper P, the size of the paper P, the type of the paper P, the transport speed of the paper P, the ink discharge amount with respect to the paper P, and the like (see FIG. 8). Here, the transport distance is a distance until the paper P transported from the main body paper feed tray 2 or the additional paper feed tray 82 toward the recording position is stacked on the main body stacking unit 4 or the additional stacking unit 94. The size is a total value of the width and length of the paper P. The type is the basis weight of the paper P.

  Further, when a recording command is received (S1: YES), the main controller 150 calculates actual values A to E as follows and stores the actual values A to E in the RAM.

  The actual value A is a value indicating the transport distance of the paper P when the paper P is actually transported. The main controller 150 includes information indicating whether double-sided recording or single-sided recording is included in the recording command, information indicating which of the main body paper supply tray 2 and the three additional paper supply trays 82 is to be transported, and Based on the information indicating which of the main body stacking section 4 and the two additional stacking sections 94 the paper P is stacked on, the actual value A is calculated. The transport distance is the largest when the sheet P is transported from the main body paper feed tray 2 in single-sided recording and is stacked on the main body stacking unit 4, and is the largest in double-sided recording. Of these, the smallest is the case where the paper P is conveyed from the lowermost additional paper feed tray 82 and the paper P is stacked on the uppermost additional stacker 94 of the two additional stackers 94.

  The actual value B is a value indicating the size of the paper P that is actually conveyed. The main controller 150 calculates the actual value B based on information regarding the size of the paper P included in the recording command (information regarding size designation such as A4 and B5). Alternatively, the main controller 150 may calculate the actual value B based on a detection signal from a sensor that detects the size of the paper P.

  The actual value C is a value indicating the basis weight of the paper P that is actually conveyed. The main controller 150 associates information on the type of paper P included in the recording command (information on designation of the type of paper P such as plain paper, thick paper, etc.) with the type of paper P stored in the ROM and the basis weight. Based on the obtained information, the actual value C is calculated. Alternatively, the main controller 150 may calculate the actual value C based on a detection signal from a sensor that detects the basis weight of the paper P.

The actual value D is a value indicating the transport speed of the paper P when the paper P is actually transported.
The main controller 150 calculates the actual value D based on information on the conveyance speed included in the recording command (information on speed designation such as the high speed mode and the low speed mode). Alternatively, the main controller 150 may calculate the actual value D based on a detection signal from a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the transport motor 40M.

  The actual value E is a value indicating the amount of ink ejected onto one sheet P when recording is performed on one sheet P based on one recording command, and is based on one recording command. When recording is performed on a plurality of sheets P, the value indicates the average ink ejection amount for one sheet P. The main controller 150 calculates the actual value E based on the image data included in the recording command.

  In S <b> 2, when the main controller 150 receives a single-side recording command, the paper P is transported along the black arrows in FIG. 1 by the transport units 40 a and 40 b so that an image is recorded on the surface of the paper P. The head 1 and the conveyance unit 40 are controlled. On the other hand, when the main controller 150 receives a double-sided recording command, the paper P is transported along the black arrows in FIG. 1 by the transporting units 40a and 40b and an image is recorded on the surface. By reversing the rotation direction of the roller pair 25 while being held between the pair 25, the paper P is fed into the re-conveying unit 40c. Then, the paper P is conveyed by the re-conveying unit 40c along the white arrow in FIG. 1, and is conveyed again from the middle part of the guide 31c by the conveying units 40a and 40b along the black arrow in FIG. The head 1 and the conveyance unit 40 are controlled so that an image is recorded on the back surface.

  In S <b> 2, the main controller 150 determines the main body feed trays 2 and 3 based on the information included in the recording command and the number of sheets P in the main body feed tray 2 and the three additional feed trays 82. One of the additional paper feed trays 82 is selected, and the transport units 40 and 84 are controlled so that the paper P is transported from the tray. Specifically, the main controller 150 is instructed if the recording command includes information indicating which of the main body paper feed tray 2 and the three additional paper feed trays 82 the paper P is conveyed from. The transport units 40 and 84 are controlled so that the paper P is transported from the tray. Further, the main controller 150 controls the transport units 40 and 84 so that the paper P is transported from a tray other than the designated tray when the number of the papers P in the designated tray is zero. When the paper P conveyed from the main body paper feed tray 2 or the additional paper feed tray 82 passes directly under the head 1 while being supported by the surface of the platen 6, the paper P is directed to the paper P from the discharge port 14 a (see FIG. 4). Thus, the image is recorded by ejecting the ink.

  Furthermore, in S2, the main controller 150 determines the main body stacking unit based on the information included in the recording command and whether or not a predetermined amount of paper P is stacked on each of the main body stacking unit 4 and the two additional stacking units 94. One of the four and two additional stacking units 94 is selected, and the transport units 40 and 84 are controlled so that the paper P is stacked on the stacking unit. Specifically, if the recording command includes information indicating which of the main body stacking unit 4 and the two additional stacking units 94 is loaded with the paper P, the main controller 150 designates the specified stacking unit. The conveyance units 40 and 84 are controlled so that the paper P is stacked on the paper. Further, the main controller 150 sets the transport units 40 and 84 so that the paper P is stacked on a stacking unit other than the specified stacking unit when a predetermined amount of the paper P is stacked on the specified stacking unit. Control.

  After S2, the main controller 150 determines whether or not a temporary stop command has been received (S3). The temporary stop command is received via an external device, an input unit of the printer 100 (for example, a touch panel provided on the housing 101a), or the like. The temporary stop command includes information indicating a unit of temporary stop. The unit is arbitrarily set by the user, such as a job unit when performing a recording operation of a plurality of jobs, a unit of a unit when performing a recording operation of a plurality of copies, a predetermined number of units when performing a recording operation on a plurality of sheets P, etc. Can be specified. The temporary stop command may be included in the recording command.

  When the temporary stop command is not received (S3: NO), the main controller 150 determines whether or not the recording is completed (S31). When the recording is completed (S31: YES), the main controller 150 ends the routine. When the recording is not completed (S31: NO), the main controller 150 returns the process to S3.

  When the temporary stop command is received (S3: YES), the main controller 150 stores information indicating the unit of temporary stop in the RAM of the controller 150 (S4). The RAM of the main controller 150 is an example of a first storage unit according to the present invention. After S4, the main controller 150 determines whether or not the evaluation values obtained based on the values of all parameters exceed a predetermined reference value (S5). Step S5 is an example of determination by the determination unit according to the present invention.

  The ROM shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the ROM of the main controller 150. In S5, first, the main controller 150 applies the actual values A to E stored in the RAM to the table, and sets a set value of ± 0 or +1 for each parameter. In the table, for each parameter, when the actual value belongs to the side on which alignment is worse than a predetermined threshold (At, Bt, Ct, Dt, Et), the set value of +1, the actual value is more aligned than the threshold. When not belonging to the bad side, a set value of ± 0 is set.

  For example, when the actual value A is equal to or less than a predetermined distance At which is a threshold value, the alignment is good, and when the actual value A exceeds At, it is determined that the alignment is bad. The main controller 150 sets the setting value = ± 0 when the actual value A is equal to or smaller than At, and sets the setting value = + 1 when the actual value A exceeds At. It is presumed that the longer the transport distance, the easier the paper P skews in the transport path and the poor alignment. At is single-sided recording, and is larger than the transport distance when the paper P is transported from the main body paper feed tray 2 and the paper P is stacked on the main body stacking unit 4, and is the transport distance in the case of double-sided recording. The transport distance when the paper P is transported from any one of the additional paper feed trays 82 and the transport distance when the paper P is stacked on one of the two additional stacking units 94 are smaller. ,It is determined. Accordingly, when the sheet P is transported from the main body paper feed tray 2 and the sheet P is stacked on the main body stacking unit 4 in single-sided recording, the set value = ± 0 is set. When the paper P is transported from one of the additional paper feed trays 82 or when the paper P is stacked on one of the two additional stacking units 94, the setting value = + 1 is set.

  When the actual value B is equal to or larger than a predetermined size Bt which is a threshold value, the alignment is good, and when the actual value B is less than Bt, it is determined that the alignment is bad. The main controller 150 sets the setting value = ± 0 when the actual value B is greater than or equal to Bt, and sets the setting value = + 1 when the actual value B is less than Bt. It is presumed that the smaller the size of the paper P, the worse the alignment because the paper P is more likely not to come into contact with the guide in the transport path or stacking section.

  When the actual value C is equal to or greater than the predetermined basis weight Ct that is the threshold value, the alignment is good, and when the actual value C is less than Ct, it is determined that the alignment is poor. The main controller 150 sets the setting value = ± 0 when the actual value C is greater than or equal to Ct, and sets the setting value = + 1 when the actual value C is less than Ct. It is presumed that the smaller the basis weight of the paper P, the more easily wrinkles and curls occur on the paper P, resulting in poor alignment.

  When the actual value D is equal to or less than a predetermined speed Dt that is a threshold value, the alignment is good, and when the actual value D exceeds Dt, it is determined that the alignment is poor. The main controller 150 sets the setting value = ± 0 when the actual value D is equal to or less than Dt, and sets the setting value = + 1 when the actual value D exceeds Dt. It is presumed that the higher the transport speed, the easier the paper P skews in the transport path, and the paper P moves at a high speed toward the stacking portion, so that the alignment becomes worse.

  When the actual value E is equal to or less than a predetermined amount Et that is a threshold value, the alignment is good, and when the actual value E exceeds Et, it is determined that the alignment is poor. The main controller 150 sets the setting value = ± 0 when the actual value E is equal to or smaller than Et, and sets the setting value = + 1 when the actual value E exceeds Et. It is presumed that the larger the discharge amount, the more easily wrinkles and curls occur on the paper P, resulting in poor alignment.

  At to Et are determined by experiments. At, Dt, and Et are determined to be values that may cause poor alignment when the actual values of the corresponding parameters exceed At, Dt, and Et, respectively, and the user's work time may not be within the first time T1. Is done. Bt and Ct are determined to be values that may cause poor alignment when the actual values of the corresponding parameters are less than Bt and Ct, respectively, and the user's work time may not be within the first time T1.

  The reference value is determined by experiment. When the evaluation value exceeds the reference value, the reference value is determined as a value that may cause poor alignment and may not allow the user's work time to be within the first time T1. For example, the value when the sheet P is actually stacked on the main body stacking unit 4 or the additional stacking unit 94 in a plurality of situations with different evaluation values, and the user's work time on the stacked sheet P does not fall within the first time T1. May be used as a reference value. The reference value is stored in the ROM of the main controller 150. That is, the ROM of the main controller 150 is an example of a third storage unit according to the present invention.

  In S5, the main controller 150 sets a set value of ± 0 or +1 for each parameter as described above, and then adds the set value set for each parameter to obtain an evaluation value. For example, when setting value = ± 0 regarding the transport distance, setting value = + 1 regarding the size, setting value = ± 0 regarding the basis weight, setting value = + 1 regarding the conveyance speed, and setting value = ± 0 regarding the discharge amount are evaluated. Value = 2.

  When the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value (S5: NO), the main controller 150 sets the temporary stop time as the first time T1, and stores the data in the RAM. Then, the main controller 150 pauses the recording operation and the conveyance operation for each unit indicated by the information stored in the RAM in S4 during the temporary stop time (first time T1) stored in the RAM. The head 1 and the conveyance unit 40 are controlled.

  Specifically, the main controller 150 first determines whether or not a temporary stop unit has been reached (S6). For example, when the unit is designated as 10 sheets, when the recording on 10 sheets of paper P is completed, it is determined that the unit has been reached. When the temporary stop unit is reached (S6: YES), the main controller 150 controls the head 1 and the transport unit 40 so as to temporarily stop the recording operation and the transport operation (S7). After S7, the main controller 150 controls the actuator unit 17 of the head 1 so as to perform flushing for discharging ink that does not contribute to image recording from the discharge port 14a (S8). The main controller 150 performs control so that flushing is completed within the first time T1. After S8, the main controller 150 determines whether or not the first time T1 has elapsed since the suspension was started in S7 (S9). When the first time T1 has elapsed (S9: YES), the main controller 150 controls the head 1 and the transport unit 40 so that the recording operation and the transport operation are resumed (S10). After S10, the main controller 150 returns the process to S6. If it is determined in S6 that the unit of suspension is not reached (S6: NO), the main controller 150 determines whether or not the recording is completed (S11). When the recording is completed (S11: YES), the main controller 150 ends the routine. When the recording is not completed (S11: NO), the main controller 150 returns the process to S6.

  When the evaluation value exceeds the reference value (S5: YES), the main controller 150 sets the temporary stop time as the second time T2 (> T1) and stores the data in the RAM. Then, the main controller 150 pauses the recording operation and the conveying operation for each unit indicated by the information stored in the RAM in S4 during the temporary stop time (second time T2) stored in the RAM. The head 1 and the conveyance unit 40 are controlled.

  Specifically, the main controller 150 first determines whether or not a temporary stop unit has been reached (S16). When the temporary stop unit is reached (S16: YES), the main controller 150 controls the head 1 and the transport unit 40 so as to temporarily stop the recording operation and the transport operation (S17). After S17, the main controller 150 controls the pump 1P (see FIG. 6) so that a purge for forcibly discharging the ink from the ejection port 14a is performed (S18). The pump 1P is disposed between the head 1 and the cartridge. By driving the pump 1P, the ink in the cartridge is sent into the flow path of the head 1, and the ink is forcibly discharged from the discharge port 14a. Thereafter, the ink adhering to the ejection surface 1a is wiped off by a wiper (not shown). The main controller 150 performs control so that the operation related to purging (operation from when ink is forcibly discharged until the ejection surface 1a is wiped off) is completed within the second time T2. After S18, the main controller 150 determines whether or not the second time T2 has elapsed since the start of the pause in S17 (S19). When the second time T2 has elapsed (S19: YES), the main controller 150 controls the head 1 and the transport unit 40 so that the recording operation and the transport operation are resumed (S20). After S20, the main controller 150 returns the process to S16. If it is determined in S16 that the temporary stop unit is not reached (S16: NO), the main controller 150 determines whether or not the recording is completed (S21). When the recording is completed (S21: YES), the main controller 150 ends the routine. When the recording is not completed (S21: NO), the main controller 150 returns the process to S16.

  When the evaluation value exceeds the reference value (S5: YES), the main controller 150 adjusts the pause time (second time T2) according to the number of sheets P in each unit (for example, in each unit). The larger the number of sheets P, the longer the second time T2). This is because the greater the number of sheets P in each unit, the longer the work time that the user spends for aligning the sheets P and the like. For example, when the number of sheets P in each unit is 200 or less, the second time T2 ± 0 is set. When the number of sheets P in each unit is more than 200 and equal to or less than 400, 10 seconds is added to the second time T2. When the number of sheets P in the unit exceeds 400, 20 seconds may be added to the second time T2. Thereby, the work time of the user can be secured more reliably while suppressing the deterioration of the processing efficiency of the printer 100.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pause time is changed according to the alignment of the sheets P in the stacking unit, and the evaluation value obtained based on all the parameters exceeds the reference value. When (alignment is poor) (S5: YES), the pause time is set longer than when the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value (alignment is good) (S5: NO). As a result, when the recording operation is temporarily stopped, it is possible to secure the work time of the user while suppressing the deterioration of the processing efficiency of the printer 100.

  The transport distance of the paper P, the size of the paper P, the type of the paper P, the transport speed of the paper P, and the ink discharge amount with respect to the paper P are factors that can greatly affect the quality of alignment. Therefore, by using at least one of these elements as a parameter, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether the alignment is good or bad.

  The main controller 150 controls the actuator unit 17 or the pump 1P so that the maintenance operation (flushing or purging) is performed while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped (S8, S18). According to this configuration, the pause time can be used effectively.

  The main controller 150 selects one maintenance operation from a plurality of maintenance operations (flushing and purge) having different required times according to the time when the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped, and the one maintenance operation The actuator unit 17 or the pump 1P is controlled so as to be performed. More specifically, the main controller 150 sets the actuator unit 17 so that the flushing is performed while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped when the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value (S5: NO). When the evaluation value exceeds the reference value (S5: YES), the pump 1P is controlled so that the purge is performed while the recording operation and the conveyance operation are temporarily stopped (S18).

  In general, flushing takes less time than purging. Here, when the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value (S5: NO), the restart of the operation is delayed if a long-time purge is performed even though the pause time is short as the first time T1 (<T2). End up. On the other hand, when the evaluation value exceeds the reference value (S5: YES), appropriate flushing is performed when the flushing is performed in a short time even though the pause time is long as the second time T2 (> T1). In other words, the recording performance may not be sufficiently maintained or restored. Therefore, by selecting the maintenance operation according to the pause time as described above, the above-described problem can be reduced.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. The features of the above embodiments may be arbitrarily combined.

  Information about the parameters is not limited to being included in the recording command. For example, the user may specify information regarding parameters separately from the recording command.

  As the parameters, at least one of these elements may be used instead of all of the conveyance distance of the recording medium, the size of the recording medium, the type of the recording medium, the conveyance speed, and the liquid discharge amount to the recording medium. Further, as the parameter, any element other than the above elements (such as the presence or absence of surface processing on the recording medium) may be used. It is presumed that a recording medium (photographic paper, glossy paper, etc.) subjected to surface processing has a higher surface friction coefficient and poor alignment than a recording medium not subjected to surface processing. Therefore, a threshold value may be provided for the friction coefficient, and set value = ± 0 when the actual friction coefficient is equal to or less than the threshold value, and set value = + 1 when the actual friction coefficient exceeds the threshold value.

  In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of parameters are used, but one parameter may be used. For example, when one parameter is used, if the actual value of the one parameter belongs to the side with poor alignment than a predetermined threshold, the set value of +1, the actual value does not belong to the side with poor alignment than the threshold. In this case, a set value of ± 0 is set. The main controller 150 determines that the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value when the setting value = ± 0, and determines that the evaluation value exceeds the reference value when the setting value = + 1. That is, when one parameter is used, the setting value is equal to the evaluation value, and it is not necessary to derive the evaluation value by adding the setting values of the respective parameters. Specifically, when only the transport distance is used as a parameter, the main controller 150 determines whether or not the actual value A exceeds At in S5. When the actual value A exceeds At, it is determined that the evaluation value exceeds the reference value. When the actual value A is equal to or less than At, it is determined that the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value. The same applies to the case where the paper size, paper type, transport speed, or discharge amount is used as the first parameter.

  The threshold for each parameter is not limited to being determined by the method as in the above-described embodiment, and may be determined by any other method. For example, At is single-sided recording, the sheet P is conveyed from the lowermost additional paper supply tray 82 among the three additional paper supply trays 82, and the uppermost additional stacker 94 among the two additional stackers 94. The sheet P is transported from the lowermost additional sheet feeding tray 82 out of the three additional sheet feeding trays 82 by double-sided recording, and the two additional stacking units It may be determined so as to be smaller than the transport distance when the paper P is stacked on the uppermost additional stacking unit 94 among the 94.

  Three or more different setting values may be provided as the setting values related to each parameter. For example, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the actual value A exceeds the threshold value At of 1. However, two threshold values At1 and At2 (At1 <At2) are provided, and whether or not the actual value A is less than At1. It may be determined whether it is greater than or equal to At1 and less than At2, or is greater than or equal to At2. In this case, when the actual value A is less than At1, set value = ± 0, when the actual value A is greater than or equal to At1 and less than At2, set value = + 1, and when the actual value A is greater than At2, set value = + 2. You can do it.

  The reference value is not limited to being determined by the method as in the above-described embodiment, and may be determined by any other method. In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the evaluation value exceeds the reference value of 1. However, two or more reference values may be provided. For example, when two reference values F and G (F <G) are provided and the evaluation value is equal to or less than the reference value F, the temporary stop time is set to the first time T1, and the evaluation value exceeds the reference value F and is equal to or less than the reference value G. In this case, the pause time may be the second time T2, and if the evaluation value exceeds the reference value G, the pause time may be the third time T3 (T1 <T2 <T3).

  The stacking unit is not limited to being provided on the top plate of the casing of the recording apparatus, and may be provided on the side of the casing, for example. Moreover, the support surface of the recording medium in the stacking unit may extend in an arbitrary direction, for example, in the horizontal direction.

  The transport unit may include only the first transport unit without including the second transport unit. Moreover, a conveyance part is not limited to the roller conveyance system like the above-mentioned embodiment, For example, a belt conveyance system may be sufficient.

  In the recording apparatus according to the present invention, one or both of the detachable housing portion and the detachable stacking portion may not be detachable.

  Regardless of the time during which the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped, the control unit selects one maintenance operation or selects an arbitrary maintenance operation from a plurality of maintenance operations having different required times. Also good. Further, the control unit does not have to perform control so that the maintenance operation is performed while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped.

  The number of recording units included in the recording apparatus may be an arbitrary number of 1 or more. The recording unit may eject any liquid other than ink. In addition, the recording unit is not limited to a unit that ejects liquid (an ink jet system as in the above-described embodiment), and for example, the charged photosensitive member is electrically irradiated on the photosensitive member by irradiating laser light or the like. A latent image may be formed and the latent image transferred to a recording medium (laser method), or an ink applied to a tape may be transferred to a recording medium by heat (thermal transfer method).

  The recording medium is not limited to the paper P and may be any recordable medium.

  The present invention is not limited to a printer, but can be applied to a facsimile, a copier, and the like.

1 Inkjet head (recording part)
1P pump (maintenance section, forced discharge section)
2 Main unit paper feed tray (container)
4 Main unit loading part (loading part)
14a Discharge port 17 Actuator unit (Maintenance part)
40 Conveying unit 40a Upstream conveying unit (first conveying unit)
40b Downstream transport unit (second transport unit)
40c Re-conveying part (second conveying part)
82 Additional paper feed tray (storage unit, removable storage unit)
94 Additional loading section (loading section, removable loading section)
150 Main controller (first storage unit, second storage unit, third storage unit, determination unit, control unit)
100 Inkjet printer (recording device)
P paper (recording medium)

Claims (10)

A recording unit for performing a recording operation for recording an image on a recording medium;
A stacking unit on which a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording unit;
A transport unit for performing a transport operation of transporting a recording medium from a recording position where an image is recorded by the recording unit toward the stacking unit;
A first storage unit for storing information indicating a unit for temporarily stopping the recording operation and the conveying operation;
A second storage unit that stores values of one or more parameters that affect the alignment of the recording medium in the stacking unit;
A determination unit that determines whether or not evaluation values obtained based on the values of all the parameters stored in the second storage unit exceed a predetermined reference value;
A controller for controlling the recording unit and the transport unit,
When the determination unit determines that the evaluation value exceeds the reference value, the control unit has a longer time than when the evaluation unit determines that the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value. The recording apparatus, wherein the recording unit and the transport unit are controlled so as to temporarily stop the recording operation and the transport operation for each unit indicated by information stored in one storage unit. A storage unit for storing the recording medium;
The parameters include a recording medium conveyance distance, a recording medium size, a recording medium type, and a conveyance by the conveyance unit until the recording medium conveyed from the storage unit toward the recording position is stacked on the stacking unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is at least one of a speed and a liquid ejection amount onto a recording medium by the recording unit.   The determination unit determines that the conveyance speed is predetermined when the conveyance distance is longer than a predetermined distance, when the size of the recording medium is smaller than a predetermined size, when the basis weight of the recording medium is smaller than a predetermined basis weight. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the evaluation value is determined to exceed the reference value in at least one of a case where the evaluation value is greater than a predetermined speed and a case where the liquid discharge amount is greater than a predetermined amount. Recording device.   The determination unit determines whether the transport distance is longer than the predetermined distance, whether the size of the recording medium is smaller than the predetermined size, and the basis weight of the recording medium is smaller than the predetermined basis weight. A set value is set according to at least one of whether the transport speed is greater than the predetermined speed, and whether the liquid ejection amount is greater than the predetermined amount, The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the evaluation value is derived based on the setting values in all the parameters. The conveyance unit includes a first conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium toward the recording position so that a first surface of the recording medium faces the recording unit, and a recording medium on which an image is recorded on the first surface A second transport unit that transports the recording medium toward the recording position such that a second surface opposite to the first surface of the recording medium faces the recording unit,
The determination unit determines that the conveyance distance is longer than the predetermined distance when a recording medium is conveyed by the first and second conveyance units and stacked on the stacking unit. Item 5. A recording apparatus according to Item 3 or 4. At least one of a detachable accommodating portion for accommodating a recording medium and a detachable stacking portion on which a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording portion is detachable, is detachable.
In the case where the recording medium is transported from the detachable housing section and the recording medium is stacked on the detachable stacking section, the determination section is configured so that the transport distance is greater than the predetermined distance. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording apparatus is determined to be longer. A maintenance unit for performing a maintenance operation of the recording unit;
The said control part controls the said maintenance part so that the said maintenance operation | movement may be performed while the said recording operation and the said conveyance operation are suspended, The any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. The recording device according to item.   The control unit selects one maintenance operation from a plurality of maintenance operations whose required times are different from each other according to the time when the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped, and the one maintenance operation is performed. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the maintenance unit is controlled as described above. The recording unit has an ejection port for ejecting liquid,
The maintenance unit includes a forced discharge unit that forcibly discharges the liquid from the recording unit and the discharge port,
The maintenance operation includes flushing for discharging liquid that does not contribute to image recording from the discharge port, and purge for forcibly discharging liquid from the discharge port,
The control unit performs the recording so that the flushing is performed while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped when the evaluation unit determines that the evaluation value does not exceed the reference value. The forced discharge so that the purge is performed while the recording operation and the transport operation are temporarily stopped when the evaluation unit determines that the evaluation value exceeds the reference value. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording unit is controlled.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third storage unit that stores the reference value.

Images