JP7065672B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device.

Techniques related to inkjet recording devices have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a color inkjet printer. This inkjet printer is a line printer. In an inkjet printer, a conveyor belt is hung between two belt rollers. The transport belt is sandwiched between the two transport rollers and between the two guide rollers. The transport belt is in a stretched state between the transport roller and the guide roller. In an inkjet printer, a supply unit, an image sensor, a position sensor, a head mounting frame, a liquid discharge head, and a collection unit are arranged between the transfer roller and the guide roller in order from the guide roller side along the transfer belt. .. The image sensor is a camera. From the image captured by the image sensor, the position and rotation angle of the medium on the transport belt in the main scanning direction are measured. The position sensor measures the position of the medium in the transport direction. Along with this, the state of the number, position and rotation angle of the medium existing under the liquid discharge head is specified. In the inkjet printer, the control unit controls the liquid ejection head according to each of the above-mentioned specified states to perform printing.

Patent Document 2 discloses a printing apparatus. This printing device has a supply conveyor. A plurality of workpieces to be printed are randomly supplied to the supply conveyor. The supply conveyor has a drive roller and a driven roller. A motor is driven and connected to the drive roller. A CCD camera is provided above the supply conveyor. The CCD camera is preferably equipped with a lighting function. On the downstream side in the transport direction of the supply conveyor, an inkjet printer is provided above the supply conveyor. Inkjet printers include inkjet printer heads. In the control unit of the printing device, a CCD camera is connected to the input port, and an image processing device is connected to the output port. A controller is connected to the image processing device. The image processing device detects the work information in the next area based on the image captured by the CCD camera. The above-mentioned area is the image pickup range of the CCD camera. The work information includes the position and posture of each work. The image processing device creates a print pattern to be printed on each work based on the work information and transfers it to the controller. The controller drives and controls the inkjet printer head based on the print pattern. The inkjet printer head executes a printing process on each workpiece.

Patent Document 3 discloses a printing apparatus. This printing device includes a supply mechanism, a linear transfer mechanism, a rotary transfer mechanism, a position detection mechanism, an angle detection mechanism, a printing mechanism, a recovery mechanism, and a control device. The angle detection mechanism includes a first image pickup camera, a second image pickup camera, and an angle detection unit. The first image pickup camera captures the surface of the object being conveyed by the linear transfer mechanism. The second imaging camera captures the surface of the object being conveyed by the rotary transfer mechanism. The angle detection unit is included in the control device, and is composed of an angle calculation unit and an angle storage unit. The angle calculation unit receives image data from the first and second imaging cameras. The angle calculation unit calculates the angle in the transport surface of the object based on the image data, and the angle storage unit stores the calculated angle. The printing mechanism is composed of a first printer head, a second printer head, and a printing unit. The first printer head is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the first image pickup camera. The second printer head is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the second image pickup camera. The first printer head and the second printer head include a plurality of ink ejection nozzles. The plurality of ink ejection nozzles are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the object. The rotation print pattern generation unit of the printing unit generates a rotation print pattern corresponding to the next angle. The above-mentioned angle is detected based on the image data of the image captured by the first imaging camera. The rotation print pattern data is output to the print control unit of the print unit. The print control unit controls the operation of the first printer head. Along with this, printing is applied to one side of the object. The rotation print pattern generation unit generates a rotation print pattern corresponding to the next angle. The above-mentioned angle is detected based on the image data of the image captured by the second imaging camera. The rotation print pattern data is output to the print control unit. The print control unit controls the operation of the second printer head. Along with this, printing is applied to the other side of the object.

In addition, the applicant discloses an inkjet printer control system in Patent Document 4. This control system drives and controls the inkjet printer device. The inkjet printer device is a line printer. The inkjet printer device performs a printing process while transporting a film. The film has a pattern and alignment marks. In the control system, the amount of misalignment of the alignment mark is detected from the image captured by the image pickup camera. The image pickup camera is provided on the upstream side of the printing unit. The printing unit includes an inkjet unit. The inkjet unit includes a plurality of print heads. In the control system, the deviation amount in the transport direction is calculated from the position deviation amount, and the correction amount is calculated. The correction amount adjusts the operation timing of the print head. In calculating the correction amount, the film movement amount for the data processing time in the control system is taken into consideration. In the control system, the amount of deviation in the width direction is calculated, and the optimum print pattern is selected. The control system performs printing processing while correcting the amount of misalignment based on the calculated correction amount and the selected print pattern.

JP-A-2017-177454 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-20325 JP-A-2015-166133 JP-A-2017-87645

In order to decorate the recording medium, an inkjet recording device may be used to record a predetermined pattern on the recording medium. According to the inkjet recording apparatus, a high-definition pattern can be recorded on a recording medium. Various recording media are adopted as the recording medium to be decorated. For example, a recording medium having a design on the surface on which a predetermined pattern is recorded is adopted. Examples of the design applied to the surface of the recording medium include an uneven pattern or a hole pattern formed on the recording medium itself. The inventor considered that when the recording medium has an uneven pattern or a hole pattern, it is preferable that the decoration of the recording medium is performed in the following state. The above-mentioned state is a state in which a specific area of the pattern is aligned with respect to the uneven pattern or the hole pattern.

In the inkjet recording apparatus, when recording a pattern, the recording medium is placed on the transport surface of the conveyor. The recording medium may have low rigidity. In this case, the recording medium having low rigidity may be wrinkled or twisted while the recording medium is placed on the transport surface. Therefore, in the inkjet recording apparatus, a tensile force may be applied to the recording medium placed on the transport surface. For example, when a recording medium having low rigidity and elongation has a design property, it is assumed that the elongation generated in the recording medium due to tension is not uniform. For example, in a recording medium on which an uneven pattern is formed, a concave portion having a thin thickness is more likely to extend than a convex portion having a large thickness. Similarly, in a recording medium in which a hole pattern is formed, the periphery of the hole is more likely to extend than the portion separated from the hole. That is, when a tensile force is applied to the recording medium while the recording medium is placed on the transport surface, the next position on the recording medium may be displaced from the assumed position. The above-mentioned position is the position of a specific part in the design applied to the recording medium. It is assumed that the above-mentioned misalignment amount differs depending on each part of the recording medium. Therefore, the inventor detects the state of the recording medium before recording the pattern in order to make it possible to record a specific area of the decorative pattern on a specific design portion of the surface of the recording medium having a design property. We examined the possible configurations.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of detecting the state of a recording medium on which a decorative pattern is recorded.

One aspect of the present invention is a transporter for transporting a recording medium, an inkjet head including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink of the same color to the recording medium conveyed by the transporter, and the transporter from the inkjet head. A detector is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction in which the recording medium is conveyed, and a detector for detecting the surface state of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyor is provided. In the inkjet head, the plurality of nozzles are provided. Is provided in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction to form a nozzle row, the inkjet head includes a plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction, and the detector detects the surface state of the recording medium. The detection range in each detection operation is equal to or greater than the width direction dimension of the transport surface on which the recording medium is placed in the conveyor, and the first of the plurality of nozzles in the width direction. The first side end in the width direction of the first nozzle provided on the side, and the second side end in the width direction of the second nozzle provided on the second side in the width direction among the plurality of nozzles. The range that is equal to or greater than the width dimension between the two is defined as the detection range in the width direction, and the downstream end of the detector in the transport direction and the most upstream side of the plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction. The dimension of the transport direction between the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction is the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the plurality of nozzle rows. Provided at a position that is equal to or greater than the dimension in the transport direction between the first nozzle row and the upstream end of the second nozzle row adjacent to the first nozzle row in the transport direction on the downstream side in the transport direction. The range that is equal to or greater than the dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the upstream end of the second nozzle row in the transport direction is the range in the transport direction. It is an inkjet recording device that has a detection range .

Other aspects of the present invention include a conveyor that conveys a recording medium, an inkjet head that includes a plurality of nozzles that eject ink of the same color to the recording medium conveyed by the conveyor, and the transfer from the inkjet head. The inkjet head includes a detector provided on the upstream side in the transport direction in which the recording medium is transported by the machine and detects the surface state of the recording medium transported by the transport machine. The nozzles are provided in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction to form a nozzle row, the inkjet head includes a plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction, and the detector captures the surface state of the recording medium. The detection range in each detection operation to be detected is equal to or larger than the width direction dimension of the transport surface on which the recording medium is placed in the conveyor, and is the most widthwise thirst among the plurality of nozzles. The first side end in the width direction of the first nozzle provided on one side, and the second side end in the width direction of the second nozzle provided on the second side in the width direction among the plurality of nozzles. The range that is equal to or greater than the dimension in the width direction between The dimensions of the first nozzle row between the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction are the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the plurality of nozzle rows. Among them, the inkjet recording device is provided at a position that is equal to or larger than the dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end of the second nozzle row provided on the downstream side in the transport direction and the upstream end in the transport direction.

The detector covers a range that is equal to or larger than the dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the upstream end of the second nozzle row in the transport direction. It may be set to the detection range in the direction.

Still another aspect of the present invention is an inkjet head including a transporter for transporting a recording medium, a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink of the same color to the recording medium conveyed by the transporter, and the inkjet head. The inkjet head includes a detector provided on the upstream side in the transport direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport machine and detects the surface state of the recording medium transported by the transport machine. Nozzles are provided in the transport direction to form a nozzle row, and the detector uses the transport machine as the recording medium as a detection range in each detection operation for detecting the surface state of the recording medium. The range that is equal to or greater than the dimension in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport surface on which the ink is placed is defined as the detection range in the width direction, and the third nozzle provided on the upstream side of the plurality of nozzles in the transport direction. More than the dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end of the nozzle in the transport direction and the upstream end of the fourth nozzle provided on the downstream side of the plurality of nozzles in the transport direction in the transport direction. This is an inkjet recording device whose detection range is the detection range in the transport direction.

According to the inkjet recording apparatus described above, it is possible to detect the surface state of the recording medium on which the pattern is recorded before recording the pattern.

The inkjet recording apparatus includes an illuminator that irradiates a predetermined light and illuminates the detection range with the light, and the detector is a recording medium as the detection operation in a state where the detection range is illuminated by the light. The illuminator includes an image sensor that captures an image of the surface of the light, and the illuminator is equal to or larger than the width direction dimension of the transport surface and equal to or larger than the transport direction dimension of the detection range that is the range imaged by the image sensor. The range may be the illumination range. Further, the illuminator may have a range including the entire detection range as the illuminating range. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the surface of the recording medium on which the pattern is recorded can be imaged before the pattern is recorded. At that time, the detection range (imaging range) of the image sensor can be illuminated by a predetermined light.

The inkjet recording device is a first adjuster that adjusts the position of the detector in the height direction orthogonal to both the transport direction and the width direction with respect to the transport surface and perpendicular to the transport surface, and the transport surface. It may be provided with a second adjuster for adjusting the position of the illuminator in the height direction. According to this configuration, the detection range and the illumination range can be adjusted according to the dimensions in the width direction of the recording medium.

In the inkjet recording device, the detector is provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head in the transport direction with the first virtual straight line along the image pickup direction by the image sensor along the height direction, and the illumination is provided. The vessel is in a state where the second virtual straight line along the irradiation direction of the light by the illuminator is inclined with respect to the first virtual straight line and with respect to the height direction, and the transport direction is from the detector. The second adjuster may further rotate the illuminator to adjust the angle between the first virtual straight line and the second virtual straight line. According to this configuration, the irradiation angle of the light from the illuminator can be adjusted according to the surface condition of the recording medium. The detection range (imaging range) of the image sensor can be illuminated in a state suitable for imaging.

The inkjet recording apparatus comprises a first adjuster that adjusts the position of the detector in the height direction orthogonal to both the transport direction and the width direction with respect to the transport surface and perpendicular to the transport surface. May be good. According to this configuration, the detection range can be adjusted according to the dimension in the width direction of the recording medium.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an inkjet recording apparatus capable of detecting the state of a recording medium on which a decorative pattern is recorded.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus. Indicates a state in which a pattern is being recorded by an inkjet recording device. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus. Indicates a state in which a cleaning operation is being performed on the inkjet recording device. It is a figure which shows the dimension of each part of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the positional relationship of each part. A part of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. The state where the inkjet head, the ink tray, and the detector are viewed from the fourth side to the third side in the height direction is shown. It is an enlarged perspective view of the 1st adjuster and the 2nd adjuster. It corresponds to the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the schematic structure of the 2nd adjuster. The illustrated range corresponds to FIG. It is a figure which shows the dimension of each part of the serial type inkjet recording apparatus, and the positional relationship of each part. A part of the serial type inkjet recording device is omitted. The state where the inkjet head, the ink tray, and the detector are viewed from the fourth side to the third side in the height direction is shown. Corresponds to the state where the carriage is passing over the endless belt of the carrier.

An embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the configurations described below, and various configurations can be adopted in the same technical idea. For example, a part of the configuration shown below may be omitted or replaced with another configuration or the like. Other configurations may be included. Each figure of the embodiment schematically shows a predetermined configuration. Therefore, each figure of the embodiment may not correspond accurately with other figures. In each figure of the embodiment, the broken line is a hidden line, the alternate long and short dash line is the center line, and the alternate long and short dash line is an imaginary line. Further, in each figure of the embodiment, the hatching indicates a cut surface.

<Inkjet recording device>
The inkjet recording apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The inkjet recording device 10 conveys the recording medium 15 and records a predetermined pattern on the recording medium 15. As the recording medium 15, a recording medium having low rigidity and easy to stretch may be adopted. An example of such a recording medium is a cloth. An uneven pattern is formed on the surface of the recording medium 15. This uneven pattern includes rectangular convex portions and concave portions. The surface of the recording medium 15 is the surface of the recording medium 15 on which the pattern is recorded.

In the embodiment, on the surface of the recording medium 15, a plurality of marks 16 are formed on the first side and the second side in the width direction at regular intervals in the transport direction. When the recording medium 15 is a cloth, the plurality of marks 16 may be formed by the woven or knitted structure constituting the recording medium 15. If the mark 16 is formed by a woven or knitted structure, the mark 16 may have a three-dimensional shape. In embodiments, the mark 16 has a diamond-shaped (square) shape. However, the position, forming method or shape of the mark 16 may be different from the above-mentioned configuration. The position, forming method or shape of the mark 16 is appropriately determined in consideration of various conditions. For example, the method of forming the mark 16 may be determined according to the material of the recording medium 15. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 and FIG. 5, which will be described later, the mark 16 is shown with the inside painted black. This is to make it easier to distinguish the mark 16 from the other parts illustrated in each of the above figures. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 described later, the illustration of the mark 16 is omitted. The transport direction and width direction will be described later.

A specific color of ink is used to record the pattern. In the embodiment, the ink colors used for recording the pattern are four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The ink color may be a color other than these. The number of ink colors may be 3 or less or 5 or more. The inkjet recording device 10 includes a conveyor 20, an inkjet head 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K, a carriage 37, a mobile device 40, an ink tray 50, a detector 60, an illuminator 65, and a first adjuster. A 70, a second regulator 80, and a control device 95 are provided.

The transfer machine 20 conveys the recording medium 15. In the embodiment, the direction in which the recording medium 15 is conveyed by the conveying machine 20 is referred to as a “transporting direction”. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the conveyor 20 continuously conveys the recording medium 15. The conveyor 20 is a belt conveyor. The transport machine 20 includes a pair of transport rollers 21 and 22, an endless belt 23, and a first drive machine 25. The transport roller 21 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the carriage 37. The transport roller 22 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the carriage 37. The endless belt 23 is an annular belt. The endless belt 23 is bridged to the transport rollers 21 and 22 in a state where tension is applied. With the endless belt 23 spanned over the transport rollers 21 and 22, the transport surface 24 is in a horizontal state between the transport rollers 21 and 22. The transport surface 24 is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 23. The recording medium 15 is placed on the transport surface 24.

The first drive machine 25 is connected to the transfer roller 21. As the first drive machine 25, a servomotor including an encoder is exemplified. The first drive machine 25 rotates the transport roller 21 in a direction corresponding to the transport direction. The endless belt 23 rotates in a direction corresponding to the transport direction as the transport roller 21 rotates. The transport roller 22 is driven by the rotation of the endless belt 23 and rotates in the direction corresponding to the transport direction. In FIG. 1, the arrow shown inside the transport roller 21 indicates the rotation direction of the transport roller 21.

In the embodiment, the direction opposite to the transport direction is referred to as "anti-transport direction". The counter-transporting direction is a direction from the downstream side to the upstream side of the transporting direction. The direction orthogonal to the transport direction is referred to as the "width direction" according to the width direction of the transport surface 24. One side in the width direction is called the "first side", and the other side in the width direction is called the "second side". The direction orthogonal to both the transport direction and the width direction and perpendicular to the transport surface 24 is referred to as a "height direction". One side in the height direction is called the "third side", and the other side in the height direction is called the "fourth side". In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, both the transport direction and the width direction are parallel to the horizontal plane (horizontal direction), and the height direction is the vertical direction. The third side in the height direction is the upper side in the vertical direction, and the fourth side in the height direction is the lower side in the vertical direction.

Like a known inkjet recording device, the inkjet recording device 10 may include an adhesive portion, a pressing portion, and a peeling portion. For example, when the recording medium 15 is a cloth, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 includes the above-mentioned parts. The adhesive portion is provided on the transport surface 24 over the entire circumference. The pressing portion is provided at an end portion on the upstream side of the transporting machine 20 in the transporting direction. The pressing portion presses the recording medium 15 supplied to the conveyor 20 against the transport surface 24 provided with the adhesive portion. The transport machine 20 transports the recording medium 15 in the transport direction in a state where the recording medium 15 is fixed to the transport surface 24 by the adhesive portion. The peeling portion is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the carriage 37. The peeling portion peels the recording medium 15 from the transport surface 24. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the adhesive portion, the pressing portion, and the peeling portion are not shown. In the inkjet recording device 10, the same adhesive portion, pressing portion, and peeling portion as those of a known inkjet recording device can be adopted. Therefore, other description of the adhesive portion, the pressing portion, and the peeling portion will be omitted.

The inkjet head 30Y is an inkjet head that ejects yellow ink. The inkjet head 30M is an inkjet head that ejects magenta ink. The inkjet head 30C is an inkjet head that ejects cyan ink. The inkjet head 30K is an inkjet head that ejects black ink. The inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K include a plurality of nozzles 31 that eject inks of corresponding colors (see FIGS. 1 to 3). In the embodiment, the surface of each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K provided with a plurality of nozzles 31 is referred to as a “discharge surface 36”. In the inkjet recording device 10, the ejection surface 36 faces the transport surface 24. According to the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, a full-color pattern can be recorded on the surface of the recording medium 15. The surface of the recording medium 15 is decorated with this pattern.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the pattern attached to the next portion of the recording medium 15 corresponds to the decorative pattern recorded on the surface of the recording medium 15. The above-mentioned portion is a portion of the recording medium 15 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. The ink of each color is stored in the ink tank for each color, flows through the ink flow path for each color, and is supplied to the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, respectively. In FIG. 1, the illustration of the ink tank and the ink flow path for each color is omitted.

The inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K have a similar configuration. In the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, the plurality of nozzles 31 are provided in the width direction (see FIGS. 1 to 3). In embodiments, "provided in the width direction" is broadly interpreted. For example, "provided in the width direction" includes "arranged in the width direction" and "provided along the width direction". It can be said that "provided along the width direction" is "arranged on a virtual straight line along the width direction". In addition, "provided in the width direction" includes the following first and second aspects. The first aspect is "arranged in the next direction" and the second aspect is "provided along the next direction". The above-mentioned direction is an arbitrary direction that intersects both the transport direction and the width direction in the same plane. In the first aspect and the second aspect, the position (coordinate value) in the width direction of each nozzle 31 changes linearly. On the other hand, "provided in the width direction" does not include the following third and fourth aspects. The third aspect is "arranged in the transport direction" and the fourth aspect is "provided along the transport direction". In the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the position (coordinate value) in the width direction of each nozzle 31 is constant. In the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, the plurality of nozzles 31 are arranged in the width direction or provided along the width direction.

In the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, half of the plurality of nozzles 31 are arranged in the width direction to form one row of nozzles, and the ejection surface is provided with two rows of these nozzle rows in the transport direction. Arranged at 36. In this case, the two nozzle rows are provided adjacent to each other in the transport direction in a state of being displaced by a predetermined amount in the width direction. That is, the plurality of nozzles 31 are arranged in a staggered manner. However, such an arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 31 is an example. Therefore, the arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 31 may be different from such an arrangement.

In the embodiment, the two nozzle rows are referred to as "first nozzle row N1" and "second nozzle row N2" (see FIG. 3). The first nozzle row N1 is a nozzle row located on the upstream side in the transport direction in each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. The second nozzle row N2 is a nozzle row of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K adjacent to the first nozzle row N1 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first nozzle row N1. Further, the second nozzle row N2 is a nozzle row located on the most downstream side in the transport direction in each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. Unlike the embodiment, when each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K has three or more nozzle rows, the two nozzle rows defined as the second nozzle row N2 described above have different nozzles. Become a column. In the embodiment, "adjacent in the transport direction" has the same meaning as "adjacent in the direction along the transport direction". The direction along the transport direction includes both the transport direction and the anti-transport direction.

Inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are mounted on the carriage 37 in a state of being adjacent to each other in the transport direction. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are provided in the order of the inkjet head 30Y, the inkjet head 30M, the inkjet head 30C, and the inkjet head 30K in the transport direction. However, the arrangement order of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K in the transport direction may be different from the above-mentioned order. The order of these sequences is appropriately determined in consideration of various conditions. In the inkjet recording device 10, the arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 31 in the width direction is such that the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are mounted on the carriage 37, and the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are arranged. It will be the same.

The moving machine 40 reciprocates the ink tray 50 in the transport direction and the counter-transport direction. In the embodiment, the position where the ink tray 50 is arranged at the time of pattern recording is referred to as "first position P1", and the position where the ink tray 50 is arranged after movement is referred to as "second position P2" (see FIG. 1). In FIG. 1, the ink tray 50 arranged at the second position P2 is shown by a two-dot chain line. As the mobile device 40, a known linear motion mechanism can be adopted. In the embodiment, the following linear motion mechanism is adopted as the mobile device 40. That is, the moving machine 40 includes a ball screw 41, linear guides 44 and 45, a moving body 48, and a second driving machine 49 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In the mobile machine 40, the ball screw 41 is provided on the first side in the width direction of the conveyor 20, the linear guide 44 is provided on the first side in the width direction of the ball screw 41, and the linear guide 45 is provided on the first side in the width direction. It is provided on the second side in the width direction of 20. The ball screw 41 is provided with the screw shaft 42 along the transport direction. In the ball screw 41, the nut 43 moves in the transport direction and the counter-transport direction according to the rotation of the screw shaft 42. The linear guides 44 and 45 are provided with the guide rails 46 along the transport direction. In the linear guides 44 and 45, the block 47 moves on the guide rail 46 in the transport direction and the anti-transport direction. The ball screw 41 and the linear guides 44 and 45 are known mechanical parts. Therefore, the description of the structure of the ball screw 41 and the linear guides 44 and 45 will be omitted. An ink tray 50 is attached to the moving body 48. The moving body 48 is attached to the nut 43 of the ball screw 41. Further, the moving body 48 is attached to each block 47 of the linear guides 44 and 45.

The second drive machine 49 is connected to the screw shaft 42. As the second drive machine 49, a servomotor including an encoder is exemplified. The second drive machine 49 rotates the screw shaft 42. When the screw shaft 42 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the second drive machine 49, the nut 43 moves in the transport direction. The moving body 48 moves in the transport direction by the same amount as the nut 43 as the nut 43 moves in the transport direction. In other words, the ink tray 50 attached to the moving body 48 moves in the transport direction by the same amount as the nut 43 as the nut 43 moves in the transport direction. The second drive machine 49 rotates the screw shaft 42 by the next rotation amount. The above-mentioned rotation amount is an amount that causes the nut 43 to move by the dimension D0 in the transport direction. The dimension D0 is a dimension in the transport direction between the first position P1 and the second position P2 (see FIG. 1). Along with this, the ink tray 50 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (see FIG. 1 → FIG. 2). In FIGS. 1 and 2, the arcuate arrow shown in the vicinity of the second drive machine 49 indicates the rotation direction of the screw shaft 42 by the second drive machine 49. In the embodiment, the "dimension in the transport direction" has the same meaning as the dimension in the direction along the transport direction.

When the screw shaft 42 is rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction described above by the second drive machine 49, the nut 43 moves in the counter-conveying direction. The moving body 48 moves in the counter-transporting direction by the same amount as the nut 43 as the nut 43 moves in the counter-transporting direction. In other words, the ink tray 50 attached to the moving body 48 moves in the counter-transporting direction by the same amount as the nut 43 as the nut 43 moves in the counter-transporting direction. The second drive machine 49 rotates the screw shaft 42 by the amount of rotation at which the nut 43 moves by the dimension D0 in the counter-conveying direction. Along with this, the ink tray 50 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1 (see FIG. 2 → FIG. 1). That is, in the inkjet recording device 10, the ink tray 50 reciprocates between the second position P2 and the first position P1 as the moving device 40 is driven. The movement of the ink tray 50 is guided by the linear guides 44 and 45.

The ink tray 50 includes a receiving chamber 51 inside. The ink tray 50 receives the ink discharged by the cleaning operation at the second position P2 in the receiving chamber 51. The ink tray 50 may be in contact with the fourth surface of the carriage 37 in the height direction at the second position P2 (see FIG. 2). The cleaning operation is performed on each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K in order to prevent ink clogging at a plurality of nozzles 31. In the cleaning operation, ink is forcibly discharged from the nozzles 31 of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. The cleaning operation may be performed in a state where the ink tray 50 is in contact with the fourth surface of the carriage 37 in the height direction and the receiving chamber 51 is depressurized. In this case, in the inkjet recording device 10, the decompression device is connected to the ink tray 50. The decompression device leads to the receiving chamber 51. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the decompression device is not shown.

In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, a cleaning operation is executed at a predetermined timing. For example, the cleaning operation is executed at predetermined time intervals when the handle is recorded. When the cleaning operation is executed, the mobile device 40 is driven. Along with this, the ink tray 50 moves from the first position P1 in the transport direction and reaches the second position P2. When the cleaning operation is executed, the transfer of the recording medium 15 by the transfer machine 20, the detection operation by the detector 60, and the irradiation of light by the illuminator 65 may be stopped (see FIG. 2).

The detector 60 detects the surface state of the recording medium 15 conveyed by the transfer machine 20 from above the transfer surface 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The detector 60 includes an image sensor 61. Therefore, in the embodiment, the detection operation by the detector 60 is an image pickup by the image sensor 61. The image sensor 61 is provided above the transport surface 24. In the embodiment, the image sensor 61 faces the transport surface 24. Therefore, in the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the image pickup direction by the image sensor 61 is from the third side to the fourth side in the height direction (see FIG. 4). The image sensor 61 takes an image of the surface of the recording medium 15 conveyed by the transfer machine 20 in the above-mentioned state. Examples of the image sensor 61 include a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. That is, in the inkjet recording device 10, a known image sensor is adopted as the image sensor 61. Therefore, other description of the image sensor 61 will be omitted.

In the embodiment, the range detected by each detection operation of detecting the surface state of the recording medium 15 by the detector 60 is referred to as "detection range R1" (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). Regarding the detection range R1, the range in the width direction (dimension D1) and the range in the transport direction (dimension D2) are set as follows. That is, the dimension D1 is larger than the dimensions D5 and D6 (see FIG. 3). The dimension D5 is a dimension in the width direction of the transport surface 24. In the conveyor 20, the dimension D5 can also be said to be the dimension in the width direction of the endless belt 23. The dimension D6 is a dimension in the width direction between the first side end in the width direction of the first nozzle 32 and the second side end in the width direction of the second nozzle 33. The first nozzle 32 is an inkjet head 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K, and is a nozzle 31 provided on the first side in the width direction among the plurality of nozzles 31. The second nozzle 33 is an inkjet head 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K, and is a nozzle 31 provided on the second side in the width direction among the plurality of nozzles 31.

The dimension D2 is larger than the dimension D7 (see FIG. 3). The dimension D7 is a dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end in the transport direction of the first nozzle row N1 and the upstream end in the transport direction of the second nozzle row N2. Since the nozzle 31 has a circular opening shape on the discharge surface 36, the dimension D7 corresponds to the distance between the centers of the first nozzle row N1 and the second nozzle row N2 in the transport direction. Further, in the embodiment, the dimension D2 is larger than the dimension D8 (see FIG. 3). The dimension D8 is a dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end in the transport direction of the first nozzle row N1 and the downstream end in the transport direction of the second nozzle row N2. In FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the detection range R1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, for convenience, the illustrated portion showing the relationship between the detector 60 (image sensor 61) and the detection range R1 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

The illuminator 65 irradiates a predetermined light. The illuminator 65 illuminates the detection range R1 with a predetermined light from above the transport surface 24. The light from the illuminator 65 has a predetermined wavelength. For example, the above-mentioned light is visible light. However, the light from the illuminator 65 may be infrared rays. When the light from the illuminator 65 is infrared, the image sensor 61 has sensitivity to infrared. In the embodiment, the range illuminated by the illuminator 65 is referred to as "illumination range R2". With respect to the illumination range R2, the range in the width direction (dimension D3) and the range in the transport direction (dimension D4) are set as follows. The dimension D3 is larger than the dimensions D5 and D1 (see FIG. 3). The dimension D4 is larger than the dimension D2 (see FIG. 3). In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the illumination range R2 includes the entire detection range R1. In FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the illumination range R2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIGS. 1 and 4, for convenience, the illustrated portion showing the relationship between the illuminator 65 and the illumination range R2 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

The first adjuster 70 adjusts the position of the detector 60 with respect to the transport surface 24 in the height direction. The second adjuster 80 adjusts the position of the illuminator 65 with respect to the transport surface 24 in the height direction. Further, the second adjuster 80 rotates the illuminator 65 to adjust the angle θ formed by the first virtual straight line L1 and the second virtual straight line L2 (see FIG. 4). The first virtual straight line L1 is a virtual straight line along the image pickup direction of the image sensor 61. The second virtual straight line L2 is a virtual straight line along the irradiation direction of light by the illuminator 65. In the embodiment, the first virtual straight line L1 is a virtual straight line perpendicular to the transport surface 24. The second virtual straight line L2 is a virtual straight line inclined with respect to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The second virtual straight line L2 is inclined with respect to the first virtual straight line L1 and is inclined with respect to the transport surface 24. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the first adjuster 70 and the second adjuster 80 are provided side by side in the transport direction on the first side in the width direction of the conveyor 20. The second adjuster 80 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the first adjuster 70. Other descriptions of the first adjuster 70 and the second adjuster 80 will be described later. In the embodiment, "line up in the transport direction" has the same meaning as "line up in the direction along the transport direction".

In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the positional relationship between the inkjet head 30Y, the detector 60, and the illuminator 65 in the transport direction is as follows. That is, in the inkjet recording device 10, the detector 60 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the inkjet head 30Y, and the illuminator 65 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the detector 60 (FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2). In this case, the detector 60 is provided at a position where the dimension D9 is larger than the dimensions D7 and D8 (see FIG. 3). The dimension D9 is a dimension in the transport direction between the downstream end of the detector 60 in the transport direction and the upstream end of the first nozzle row N1 of the inkjet head 30Y in the transport direction. The inkjet head 30Y is an inkjet head provided on the upstream side in the transport direction among the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. In the embodiment, the inkjet head 30Y serves as a reference inkjet head for specifying the positional relationship between the detector 60 and the illuminator 65 in the transport direction. The first nozzle row N1 of the inkjet head 30Y is a nozzle row provided on the upstream side of the inkjet recording device 10 in the transport direction. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the dimension D10 is larger than the dimension D9 (see FIG. 3). The dimension D10 is a dimension in the transport direction between the downstream end of the image sensor 61 in the transport direction and the upstream end of the first nozzle row N1 of the inkjet head 30Y in the transport direction. Therefore, the dimension D10 is larger than the dimensions D7 and D8.

In the inkjet recording device 10, the detector 60 and the illuminator 65 are provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the ink tray 50 arranged at the first position P1. In this case, the illuminator 65 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction, which is opposite to the ink tray 50, with the detector 60 as a reference. The illuminator 65 irradiates light obliquely from above the transport surface 24 to the transport surface 24 side and from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction at the position described above. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the light from the illuminator 65 is blocked by the ink tray 50.

The control device 95 includes a connection interface 96 and a controller 97. In the embodiment, the connection interface 96 is referred to as "connection I / F96". The first drive 25, the second drive 49, the detector 60 and the illuminator 65 are connected to the connection I / F 96. The detection signal output from the encoder of the first drive 25 is input to the control device 95 via the connection I / F 96. The detection signal output from the encoder of the second drive 49 is input to the control device 95 via the connection I / F 96. In the control device 95, the connection I / F 96 outputs the detection signals from the encoders of the first drive machine 25 and the second drive machine 49 to the controller 97. The image pickup signal corresponding to the image captured image captured by the image sensor 61 is output from the detector 60 and input to the control device 95 via the connection I / F 96. In the control device 95, the connection I / F 96 outputs an image pickup signal from the detector 60 to the controller 97. In the control device 95, the controller 97 outputs various command signals to the detector 60 and the illuminator 65 via the connection I / F 96. In FIG. 1, the illustration of the electrical wiring connecting the first drive 25, the second drive 49, the detector 60, the illuminator 65, and the connection I / F 96 is omitted. The controller 97 controls various operations performed by the inkjet recording device 10. The controller 97 controls, for example, the recording of the pattern on the recording medium 15.

When the pattern is recorded on the recording medium 15 by the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the transfer machine 20 continuously conveys the recording medium 15 in the transfer direction. The inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K eject ink of the corresponding color from each nozzle 31 toward the recording medium 15 at a predetermined timing. The ink of each color ejected from the nozzles 31 of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K lands on the surface of the recording medium 15. A pattern is recorded on the surface of the recording medium 15 by the ink of each color that has landed.

The detector 60 repeats imaging of the detection range R1 in response to a command signal from the controller 97. At that time, the illuminator 65 starts irradiating light in response to the command signal from the controller 97 to illuminate the illumination range R2. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the detector 60 detects the surface state of the recording medium 15 included in the detection range R1. That is, in the detector 60, the image sensor 61 images the surface of the recording medium 15 included in the detection range R1. Along with this, imaging data corresponding to this detection range R1 is generated.

The controller 97 executes image processing. This image processing is an image processing targeting the following image pickup data and pattern data. The above-mentioned image pickup data is image data generated by the image pickup signal from the above-mentioned detector 60. The above-mentioned pattern data is image data corresponding to the pattern recorded on the recording medium 15. The pattern data is generated in advance by using a predetermined application program. In this image processing, the controller 97 detects a plurality of marks 16 included in the captured image from the captured image corresponding to the captured data. Subsequently, the controller 97 identifies the position information indicating each position of the detected plurality of marks 16. For example, the position information is indicated by two-dimensional coordinate values with respect to the transport direction and the width direction. The storage of the controller 97 stores the next position information. The above-mentioned position information is position information indicating each position of a plurality of marks 16 for a state in which the recording medium 15 is not deformed. In other words, the above-mentioned position information is design (theoretical) position information indicating each position of the plurality of marks 16 on the recording medium 15. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the origin position, which is the reference of the position information, is set in advance.

Next, the controller 97 transforms the pattern data according to the position information of the specified plurality of marks 16 and the design position information of the plurality of marks 16 corresponding to the specified plurality of marks 16. For example, it is assumed that the recording medium 15 is extended by the first amount along the transport direction from each position information of the specified plurality of marks 16 and each position information in the design. In this case, the controller 97 extends the data portion corresponding to the image pickup data in the pattern data generated by using the predetermined application program by the amount corresponding to the first quantity along the transport direction. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the controller 97 controls the ejection of ink to the area of the recording medium 15 corresponding to the image pickup data to be processed according to the data portion of the modified pattern data.

<First adjuster>
The first regulator 70 will be described with reference to FIG. The first adjuster 70 includes a first stay 71 and a first base 72. A detector 60 is attached to the first stay 71. The first stay 71 is attached to the first base 72. The first base 72 includes a first elongated hole 74 in the first portion 73. The first portion 73 is a portion of the first base 72 along the height direction. The first elongated hole 74 is an elongated hole along the height direction and penetrates the first portion 73 in the width direction. The first side in the width direction of the first stay 71 includes a screw hole. In the first adjuster 70, the first screw 75 is passed through the first elongated hole 74 from the first side in the width direction. In the first screw 75, the tip portion that has passed through the first elongated hole 74 on the second side in the width direction is screwed into the screw hole of the first stay 71. Along with this, the first stay 71 to which the detector 60 is attached is fixed to the first base 72 at a predetermined position in the height direction. By appropriately changing the position of the first screw 75 in the height direction with respect to the first elongated hole 74, the position of the first stay 71 in the height direction can be adjusted. That is, according to the first adjuster 70, the position of the detector 60 in the height direction with respect to the transport surface 24 can be adjusted as described above.

<Second adjuster>
The second adjuster 80 will be described with reference to FIG. The second adjuster 80 includes a second stay 81, a holder 82, a shaft 85, and a rotating body 86. An illuminator 65 is attached to the second stay 81. A shaft 85 is attached to the holder 82. The shaft 85 is attached to the holder 82 with the first end in the width direction inserted into the first through hole 83 formed in the holder 82. The rotating body 86 is fixed to the second end of the shaft 85 in the width direction. An illuminator 65 is attached to the rotating body 86 at an end opposite to the side of the shaft 85 via a second stay 81. In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, the rotating body 86 is shown by a two-dot chain line. This will clarify the overall configuration of the holder 82.

In the second adjuster 80, the shaft 85 inserted in the first through hole 83 can be rotated by loosening the second screw 84 screwed into the holder 82. As the shaft 85 rotates, the rotating body 86 fixed to the shaft 85 rotates. Along with this, the illuminator 65 connected to the rotating body 86 via the second stay 81 rotates on the circumference centered on the center line L3 (see "rotation direction" shown in FIG. 4). The center line L3 is a straight line that coincides with the center line (center axis) of the shaft 85. In the inkjet recording device 10, the position of the illuminator 65 in the height direction changes as the illuminator 65 rotates. In the second adjuster 80, the second screw 84 is tightened in a state where the illuminator 65 is rotated and arranged at a predetermined position. By tightening the second screw 84, the shaft 85 is fixed to the holder 82. That is, according to the second adjuster 80, as described above, the position of the illuminator 65 with respect to the transport surface 24 in the height direction and the angle θ can be adjusted.

The second regulator 80 includes the first mechanism. The first mechanism is a mechanism for rotating the illuminator 65 around the center line L4. The center line L4 is a straight line that coincides with the center line (center axis) of the second stay 81 and is a straight line parallel to the center line L3. The first mechanism has, for example, a structure in which the second stay 81 is inserted into the second through hole 87 formed in the rotating body 86. A screw hole leading to the second through hole 87 is provided on the side surface of the rotating body 86. A third screw 88 is screwed into this screw hole. In the embodiment, the screw holes described above are formed on the top surface of the rotating body 86. The top surface of the rotating body 86 is a surface of the side surface of the rotating body 86 that is on the outer peripheral side in the radial direction. The radial direction is a direction corresponding to the radial direction of the shaft 85 centered on the center line L3. The rotation of the illuminator 65 accompanying the rotation of the second stay 81 is constrained by bringing the tip of the third screw 88 into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second stay 81. The arrow shown on the outer circumference of the center line L4 in FIG. 4 indicates the rotation direction of the illuminator 65 by the first mechanism.

In addition, the second regulator 80 may include a second mechanism. The second mechanism is provided on the rotating body 86, for example. The second mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the position of the illuminator 65 in the radial direction. However, in FIG. 4, the illustration of the second mechanism is omitted. This also applies to FIGS. 1 and 2.

<Effect of embodiment>
According to the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the detector 60 detects the surface state of the recording medium 15 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 4). The detector 60 includes an image sensor 61 (see FIGS. 1 to 4). The detector 60 takes an image of the surface of the recording medium 15 by the image sensor 61 as a detection operation. The detector 60 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the inkjet head 30Y provided on the upstream side in the transport direction among the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The detector 60 is provided at a position where the dimension D9 is larger than the dimensions D7 and D8 (see FIG. 3). The detector 60 is a detection operation for each detection of the surface state of the recording medium 15, and the range of the dimension D1 larger than the dimensions D5 and D6 is defined as the detection range R1 in the width direction. The detector 60 is a detection operation for each detection of the surface state of the recording medium 15, and the range of the dimension D2 larger than the dimensions D7 and D8 is defined as the detection range R1 in the transport direction. When the detector 60 detects the surface state of the recording medium 15, the illuminator 65 illuminates the detection range R1. The illumination range R2 by the illuminator 65 is a range larger than the dimensions D5 and D1 in the width direction and larger than the dimensions D2 in the transport direction.

Therefore, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 can detect the surface state of the recording medium 15 on which the pattern is recorded before recording the pattern. That is, before recording the pattern, the surface of the recording medium 15 can be imaged while illuminating the detection range R1 as the image pickup range with light. By making the dimension D9 larger than the dimension D7 with respect to the position of the detector 60 in the transport direction, the dimension D2 corresponding to the above-mentioned image processing can be set as the range of the detection range R1 in the transport direction. By making the dimension D2 larger than the dimension D7 in the range of the detection range R1 in the transport direction, the controller 97 performs the above-mentioned image processing on the data portion of the pattern data in the next range in the transport direction as the processing target. Can be repeated. The above-mentioned range is a range in the transport direction required for ejecting ink by a plurality of nozzles 31 forming one row of nozzle rows in the pattern data. In the image processing associated with one detection operation, the capacity of the data portion of the pattern data to be processed can be reduced, and the time required for this image processing can be shortened. The area for temporarily storing the data portion of the pattern data deformed by the image processing can be reduced. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 31 forming the first nozzle row N1 and a plurality of ink jet heads forming the second nozzle row N2. Ink ejection from the nozzle 31 can be controlled at the same timing. In the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, inks of corresponding colors can be sequentially ejected from a plurality of nozzles 31 forming the first nozzle row N1 and the second nozzle row N2, respectively.

(2) In the inkjet recording device 10, the detector 60 is supported by the first regulator 70, and the illuminator 65 is supported by the second regulator 80 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4). The first adjuster 70 adjusts the position of the detector 60 with respect to the transport surface 24 in the height direction. The second adjuster 80 adjusts the position of the illuminator 65 with respect to the transport surface 24 in the height direction. Further, the second adjuster 80 rotates the illuminator 65 to adjust the angle θ formed by the first virtual straight line L1 and the second virtual straight line L2 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, in the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the detection range R1 and the illumination range R2 can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the recording medium 15 in the width direction. The irradiation angle of the light from the illuminator 65 can be adjusted according to the surface condition of the recording medium 15. The detection range R1 by the image sensor 61 can be illuminated in a state suitable for imaging.

<Modification example>
The embodiment can also be as follows. Some of the configurations shown in the following modifications can be adopted in combination as appropriate. In the following, points different from the above will be described, and description of the same points will be omitted as appropriate.

(1) In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the detector 60 is provided at a position where the dimension D9 is larger than the dimensions D7 and D8 (see FIG. 3). The detector 60 may be provided at a position where the dimension D11 is larger than the dimensions D7 and D8 (see FIG. 3). The dimension D11 is a dimension in the transport direction between the downstream end in the transport direction of the detection range R1 and the upstream end in the transport direction of the first nozzle row N1 of the inkjet head 30Y.

(2) The second adjuster 80 rotates the illuminator 65 to adjust the angle θ formed by the first virtual straight line L1 and the second virtual straight line L2 (see FIG. 4). In the inkjet recording device 10, the position of the illuminator 65 in the height direction changes as the illuminator 65 rotates. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the second adjuster 80 may have the same configuration as the first adjuster 70. The second adjuster 80 shown in FIG. 5 includes a third stay 89 and a second base 90. The third stay 89 corresponds to the first stay 71 of the first adjuster 70, and the second base 90 corresponds to the first base 72 of the first adjuster 70. An illuminator 65 is attached to the third stay 89. The third stay 89 is attached to the second base 90. The second base 90 includes a second elongated hole 92 in the second portion 91. The second portion 91 corresponds to the first portion 73 of the first base 72, and the second elongated hole 92 corresponds to the first elongated hole 74 of the first base 72. That is, the second portion 91 is a portion of the second base 90 along the height direction. The second elongated hole 92 is an elongated hole along the height direction and penetrates the second portion 91 in the width direction. The first side in the width direction of the third stay 89 includes a screw hole. In the second adjuster 80 shown in FIG. 5, the fourth screw 93 is passed through the second elongated hole 92 from the first side in the width direction. In the fourth screw 93, the tip portion that has passed through the second elongated hole 92 on the second side in the width direction is screwed into the screw hole of the third stay 89. Along with this, the third stay 89 to which the illuminator 65 is attached is fixed to the second base 90 at a predetermined position in the height direction.

In the second adjusting machine 80 shown in FIG. 5, the position of the third stay 89 in the height direction can be adjusted by appropriately changing the position of the fourth screw 93 in the height direction with respect to the second elongated hole 92. .. That is, according to the second adjuster 80 shown in FIG. 5, the position of the illuminator 65 in the height direction with respect to the transport surface 24 can be adjusted. The third stay 89 is fixed to the second base 90 by the fourth screw 93 in a state where the orientation of the illuminator 65 with respect to the transport surface 24 is adjusted. Along with this, the second adjuster 80 shown in FIG. 5 can also adjust the angle θ formed by the first virtual straight line L1 and the second virtual straight line L2. That is, the second adjuster 80 shown in FIG. 5 can also adjust the irradiation angle of light. This also applies to the first adjuster 70. That is, according to the first adjuster 70, the state different from the state in which the image sensor 61 faces the transport surface 24 can be set. However, in the inkjet recording apparatus 10, the image sensor 61 may be in a state of facing the transport surface 24. The captured image can be an image in which the surface of the recording medium 15 is viewed straight.

(3) The detector 60 includes an image sensor 61. The detector 60 takes an image of the surface of the recording medium 15 by the image sensor 61 as a detection operation. In the inkjet recording device, a detector different from the detector 60 can be adopted as the detector. That is, in the inkjet recording apparatus, various detectors capable of detecting the surface state of the recording medium 15 can be adopted. For example, a known detector capable of three-dimensionally detecting the surface of the recording medium 15 can be adopted. Such a detector three-dimensionally detects the surface of the recording medium 15 by using a technique called an optical cutting method. When such a detector is adopted, the illuminator 65 and the second adjuster 80 may be omitted.

(4) In the inkjet recording apparatus 10, regarding the relationship between the dimensions D1 to D10, “dimension D1> dimension D5, D6”, “dimension D2> dimension D7, D8”, “dimension D3> dimension D5, D1”, “dimension D4”. > Dimension D2 "," Dimension D9> Dimension D7, D8 "and" Dimension D10> Dimension D7, D8 ". The relationship between the dimensions D1 and D5 may be "dimension D1 ≥ dimension D5". The relationship between the dimensions D1 and D6 may be "dimension D1 ≥ dimension D6". The relationship between the dimensions D2 and D7 may be "dimension D2 ≥ dimension D7". The relationship between the dimensions D2 and D8 may be "dimension D2 ≥ dimension D8". The relationship between the dimensions D3 and D5 may be "dimension D3 ≥ dimension D5". The relationship between the dimensions D3 and D1 may be "dimension D3 ≥ dimension D1". The relationship between the dimensions D4 and D2 may be "dimension D4 ≥ dimension D2". The relationship between the dimensions D9 and D7 may be "dimension D9 ≥ dimension D7". The relationship between the dimensions D9 and D8 may be "dimension D9 ≥ dimension D8". The relationship between the dimensions D10 and D7 may be "dimension D10 ≥ dimension D7". The relationship between the dimensions D10 and D8 may be "dimension D10 ≥ dimension D8". In addition, the above-mentioned dimension D11 described as a modification may be "dimension D11 ≥ dimension D7" or "dimension D11 ≥ dimension D8".

(5) The inkjet recording device was an inkjet recording device 10 provided with line-type inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (see FIGS. 1 to 3). As the inkjet recording device, a device of a type different from that of the inkjet recording device 10 has been put into practical use. In this different type of inkjet recording device, pattern recording is performed by reciprocating a carriage on which an inkjet head is mounted in the width direction. The width direction is orthogonal to the transport direction as described above. In this description, the inkjet recording device described above is referred to as a "serial type". A case where the inkjet recording device is a serial type will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. In the description based on FIG. 6, in order to clarify the correspondence with the above-described embodiment based on FIGS. 1 to 4, the reference numerals for each part are the same as described above.

The inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K shown in FIG. 6 have a similar configuration. In the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of nozzles 31 are provided in the transport direction. "Provided in the transport direction" is broadly interpreted in the same manner as "provided in the width direction" described above. For example, "provided in the transport direction" includes "arranged in the transport direction" and "provided along the transport direction". It can be said that "provided along the transport direction" is "arranged on a virtual straight line along the transport direction". In addition, "provided in the transport direction" includes the following fifth and sixth aspects. The fifth aspect is "arranged in the next direction" and the sixth aspect is "provided along the next direction". The above-mentioned direction is an arbitrary direction that intersects both the transport direction and the width direction in the same plane. In the fifth aspect and the sixth aspect, the position (coordinate value) of each nozzle 31 in the transport direction changes linearly. On the other hand, "provided in the transport direction" does not include the following seventh and eighth aspects. The seventh aspect is "arranged in the width direction", and the eighth aspect is "provided along the width direction". In the seventh aspect and the eighth aspect, the position (coordinate value) of each nozzle 31 in the transport direction is constant.

In the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K shown in FIG. 6, half of the plurality of nozzles 31 are arranged in the transport direction to form one row of nozzles, and the plurality of nozzle rows are provided in two rows in the width direction. It is arranged on the discharge surface 36 in the state. In this case, the two nozzle rows are provided adjacent to each other in the width direction in a state of being displaced by a predetermined amount in the transport direction. That is, the plurality of nozzles 31 are arranged in a staggered manner. However, such an arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 31 is an example. Therefore, the arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 31 may be different from such an arrangement.

The inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K shown in FIG. 6 are mounted on the carriage 37 in a state of being adjacent to each other in the width direction. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 6, the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K have the inkjet head 30Y, the inkjet head 30M, the inkjet head 30C, and the inkjet head 30K from the first side to the second side in the width direction. It is provided in the order of. However, the arrangement order of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K in the width direction may be different from the above-mentioned order. The order of these sequences is appropriately determined in consideration of various conditions. In the inkjet recording device 10 shown in FIG. 6, the arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 31 in the transport direction is such that the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K are arranged on the carriage 37 with the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K. It will be the same for each inkjet head.

In the detector 60 shown in FIG. 6, the dimension D2 is larger than the dimension D12 and larger than the dimension D13 in the range of the detection range R1 in the transport direction. The dimension D12 is a dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end in the transport direction of the third nozzle 34 and the upstream end in the transport direction of the fourth nozzle 35. The third nozzle 34 is each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K shown in FIG. 6, and is the nozzle 31 provided on the upstream side of the plurality of nozzles 31 in the transport direction. The fourth nozzle 35 is each of the inkjet heads 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K shown in FIG. 6, and is the nozzle 31 provided on the most downstream side in the transport direction among the plurality of nozzles 31. The dimension D13 is a dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end in the transport direction of the third nozzle 34 and the downstream end in the transport direction of the fourth nozzle 35.

The detector 60 shown in FIG. 6 is provided at a position where the dimension D14 is larger than the dimensions D12 and D13. The dimension D14 is a dimension in the transport direction between the downstream end in the transport direction of the detector 60 and the upstream end in the transport direction of the third nozzle 34. In the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 6, the dimension D15 is larger than the dimension D14. The dimension D15 is a dimension in the transport direction between the downstream end in the transport direction of the image sensor 61 and the upstream end in the transport direction of the third nozzle 34. Therefore, the dimension D15 is larger than the dimensions D12 and D13. Further, the detector 60 may be provided at a position where the dimension D16 is larger than the dimensions D12 and D13. The dimension D16 is a dimension in the transport direction between the downstream end in the transport direction of the detection range R1 and the upstream end in the transport direction of the third nozzle 34.

However, the relationship between the dimensions D2 and D12 may be "dimension D2 ≥ dimension D12". The relationship between the dimensions D2 and D13 may be "dimension D2 ≥ dimension D13". The relationship between the dimensions D14 and D12 may be "dimension D14 ≥ dimension D12". The relationship between the dimensions D14 and D13 may be "dimension D14 ≥ dimension D13". The relationship between the dimensions D15 and D12 may be "dimension D15 ≥ dimension D12". The relationship between the dimensions D15 and D13 may be "dimension D15 ≥ dimension D13". The relationship between the dimensions D16 and D12 may be "dimension D16 ≥ dimension D12". The relationship between the dimensions D16 and D13 may be "dimension D16 ≥ dimension D13".

In addition to the above, the inkjet recording device 10 shown in FIG. 6 includes each part included in a known serial type inkjet recording device. For example, the inkjet recording device 10 shown in FIG. 6 includes a second mobile device different from the mobile device 40 (first mobile device). The second moving machine reciprocates the carriage 37 in the width direction. In FIG. 6, the illustration of the above-mentioned second mobile device is omitted. Other description of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 6 will be omitted.

10 Inkjet recording device, 15 Recording medium, 16 mark, 20 Conveyor 21, 22 Conveyor roller, 23 Endless belt, 24 Conveyance surface, 25 First drive machine 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K Inkjet head, 31 Nozzle 32 First nozzle , 33 2nd Nozzle, 34 3rd Nozzle, 35 4th Nozzle 36 Discharge Surface, 37 Carriage, 40 Mobile Machine, 41 Ball Screw 42 Screw Shaft, 43 Nut, 44, 45 Linear Guide, 46 Guide Rail 47 Block, 48 Move Body, 49 Second drive, 50 Ink tray 51 Receptacle, 60 Detector, 61 Image sensor, 65 Illuminator 70 First regulator, 71 First stay, 72 First base, 73 First part 74 First slot , 75 1st screw, 80 2nd adjuster, 81 2nd stay 82 holder, 83 1st through hole, 84 2nd screw, 85 shaft 86 rotating body, 87 2nd through hole, 88 3rd screw, 89 3rd Stay 90 2nd base, 91 2nd part, 92 2nd slot, 93 4th screw 95 Control device, 96 Connection interface (connection I / F), 97 Controller D0 to D16 dimensions, L1 1st virtual straight line, L2 Second virtual straight line L3, L4 center line, N1 first nozzle row, N2 second nozzle row P1 first position, P2 second position, R1 detection range, R2 illumination range θ angle

Claims (9)

A carrier that transports recording media and
An inkjet head including a plurality of nozzles that eject ink of the same color to the recording medium conveyed by the transfer machine, and
A detector provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head in the transport direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport machine and detects the surface state of the recording medium transported by the transport machine is provided.
In the inkjet head, the plurality of nozzles are provided in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction to form a nozzle row.
The inkjet head includes a plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction.
The detector is
The detection range in each detection operation for detecting the surface state of the recording medium is equal to or larger than the dimension in the width direction of the transport surface on which the recording medium is placed by the conveyor, and among the plurality of nozzles. , The width of the first side end of the first nozzle provided on the first side in the width direction and the width of the second nozzle provided on the second side of the plurality of nozzles in the width direction. The range that is equal to or greater than the width direction dimension between the second side end in the direction and the width direction is defined as the detection range in the width direction.
The transport between the downstream end of the detector in the transport direction and the upstream end of the first nozzle row provided on the upstream side of the plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction. The dimension in the direction is adjacent to the first nozzle row on the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and on the downstream side of the first nozzle row in the transport direction among the plurality of nozzle rows. It is provided at a position between the two nozzle rows and the upstream end in the transport direction, which is equal to or larger than the dimension in the transport direction.
The detection range in the transport direction is a range equal to or larger than the dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the upstream end of the second nozzle row in the transport direction. Inkjet recording device . A carrier that transports recording media and
An inkjet head including a plurality of nozzles that eject ink of the same color to the recording medium conveyed by the transfer machine, and
A detector provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head in the transport direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport machine and detects the surface state of the recording medium transported by the transport machine is provided.
In the inkjet head, the plurality of nozzles are provided in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction to form a nozzle row.
The inkjet head includes a plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction.
The detector is
The detection range in each detection operation for detecting the surface state of the recording medium is equal to or larger than the dimension in the width direction of the transport surface on which the recording medium is placed by the conveyor, and among the plurality of nozzles. , The width of the first side end of the first nozzle provided on the first side in the width direction and the width of the second nozzle provided on the second side of the plurality of nozzles in the width direction. The range that is equal to or greater than the width direction dimension between the second side end in the direction and the width direction is defined as the detection range in the width direction.
The transport between the downstream end of the detector in the transport direction and the upstream end of the first nozzle row provided on the upstream side of the plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction. The dimensions in the direction are the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the upstream end of the second nozzle row provided on the downstream side of the plurality of nozzle rows in the transport direction. An inkjet recording device provided at a position between and above the dimension in the transport direction. The detector covers a range that is equal to or greater than the dimension in the transport direction between the upstream end of the first nozzle row in the transport direction and the upstream end of the second nozzle row in the transport direction. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection range is the direction. A carrier that transports recording media and
An inkjet head including a plurality of nozzles that eject ink of the same color to the recording medium conveyed by the transfer machine, and
A detector provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head in the transport direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport machine and detects the surface state of the recording medium transported by the transport machine is provided.
In the inkjet head, the plurality of nozzles are provided in the transport direction to form a nozzle row.
The detector has a width direction dimension orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport surface on which the recording medium is placed in the transport machine as a detection range in each detection operation for detecting the surface state of the recording medium. The above range is defined as the detection range in the width direction, and among the plurality of nozzles, the upstream end of the third nozzle provided on the upstream side in the transport direction and the plurality of nozzles in the transport direction. , The detection range in the transport direction is a range that is equal to or greater than the dimension in the transport direction between the fourth nozzle provided on the downstream side in the transport direction and the upstream end in the transport direction. .. A illuminator that irradiates a predetermined light and illuminates the detection range with the light is provided.
The detector includes an image sensor that images the surface of the recording medium as the detection operation while the detection range is illuminated by the light.
Claim 1 claims that the illuminator has a range that is equal to or greater than the width direction dimension of the transport surface and is equal to or greater than the transport direction dimension of the detection range that is the range imaged by the image sensor. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the illuminator has a range including the entire detection range as the illumination range. A first adjuster that adjusts the position of the detector in the height direction orthogonal to the transport surface in both the transport direction and the width direction and perpendicular to the transport surface.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a second adjuster for adjusting the position of the illuminator in the height direction with respect to the transport surface. The detector is provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head in the transport direction with the first virtual straight line along the image pickup direction of the image sensor along the height direction.
The illuminator is described by the detector in a state where the second virtual straight line along the irradiation direction of the light by the illuminator is inclined with respect to the first virtual straight line and the height direction. Installed on the upstream side in the transport direction
The inkjet recording device according to claim 7, wherein the second adjuster further rotates the illuminator to adjust the angle formed by the first virtual straight line and the second virtual straight line. Claims 1 to 6 include a first adjuster that adjusts the position of the detector in the height direction orthogonal to the transport surface and perpendicular to the transport surface in both the transport direction and the width direction. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the following items.

Images