JPH079734A - Ink jet printing device, printed matter, method and its processed article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an ink jet printing device, with which efficient printing process is possible, and its method by a method wherein printing mechanism and the conveying mechanism of printing medium are provided independently and both the mechanisms are synchronized with each other. CONSTITUTION:The ink jet printing device concerned prints by scanning printing medium to the predetermined direction with a plurality of printing heads and has a fabric feeder 3002 having conveying mechanism for conveying printing medium and an ink jet recording section 3001, which is independent of the fabric feeder 3002 and performs recording onto the printing medium conveyed with the fabric feeder 3002 by ink jetting method. Further, the ink jet recording section 3001 and the fabric feeder 3002 respectively communicate with each other by means of the predetermined communication protocols.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printing apparatus for printing a color image on a print medium by supplying image data, a method thereof, a printed matter printed by the ink jet printing apparatus and a processed product thereof. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus for printing a color image on a large print medium such as a cloth by an inkjet method has been developed. By using such an apparatus,
You can print your favorite image on wallpaper or woven fabric.

[0003]

If a transport mechanism for transporting such a large print medium is provided and both the transport mechanism and the print mechanism are controlled by a single controller, it takes a long time to transport the large print medium. Therefore, there is a problem that the printing efficiency is reduced. For example, it is conceivable to drive a carriage equipped with a print head while accurately stepping the print medium.
A high-speed CPU or the like is required to control such operations simultaneously in parallel, and the control becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and a printing mechanism and a print medium transport mechanism are separately provided, and the transport mechanism and the print mechanism are synchronized with each other.
An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printing apparatus and a method therefor capable of efficiently performing printing processing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed matter printed by the above-mentioned ink jet printing apparatus and a processed product thereof.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention has the following constitution. That is, an inkjet printing apparatus that prints by scanning a plurality of print heads on a print medium in a predetermined direction, the transport apparatus having a transport mechanism that transports the print medium, and the transport apparatus, which is a separate body, A recording device that performs recording on a print medium that is conveyed by the conveying device by an inkjet method, and a communication unit that communicates according to a predetermined communication protocol with each of the recording device and the conveying device.

[0007]

With the above-mentioned structure, the recording apparatus operates so as to instruct the conveying apparatus to convey the print medium, wait for the end of the conveyance of the print medium, and shift to the next operation.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a textile printing system as a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following order.

(1) Overall system (FIGS. 1-2) (2) Control unit (FIGS. 3-12) (2.1) Configuration (2.2) Operation (3) Inkjet recording unit (FIGS. 13-) 45) (3.1) Description of printing mechanism (3.2) Description of device configuration (3.3) Print pattern of basic image (3.4) Download of conversion data and parameters (4) Other configuration example ( 46 to 60) (5) Description of the operation of the entire apparatus (FIGS. 61 to 68) (1) Overall system FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a textile printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as a designer. A reading unit 1001 that reads the original image created by the user, an image processing unit 1002 that processes the original image data read by the reading unit 1001, and an image processing unit 100.
A binarization processing unit 1003 that binarizes the image data created in 2 and an image printing unit 1004 that prints an image on the cloth based on the binarized image data.

In the reading unit 1001, the original image is read by the CCD image sensor and output as an electric signal to the image processing unit 1002. The image processing unit 1002 creates print data for driving the inkjet printing unit 1005 that ejects four color inks of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black, which will be described later, from the input original image data. When the print data is created, image processing for reproducing the original image with ink dots, color arrangement for determining the color tone, layout change, enlargement, reduction, etc. are selected.

In the image printing unit 1004, a pretreatment unit 1010 for pretreating a fabric to be printed and an ink jet recording unit 10 for ejecting ink according to recording data.
05, a cloth feeding unit 1006 that feeds the cloth to the ink jet recording unit 1005, a recording conveyance unit 1007 that is provided to face the ink jet recording unit 1005 and precisely conveys the cloth, and a printed fabric. The post-processing section 1008 performs post-processing on the printed fabric and stores the printed fabric. The configuration of the image printing unit 1004 will be described later in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of a textile printing processing procedure which can be carried out using the present system. The processing contents carried out at the respective steps are as follows, for example. Original image creating step MS1 is a step in which the designer uses an appropriate means to create an original image, that is, a basic image which is a basic unit of a repeated image on a cloth as a print medium. In the creation, it is also possible to use each part of the data source for supplying the image data to the present system, for example, the input means and the display means, which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Original image input step MS3 The original image created in the original preparation step MS1 is read by the reading unit 1
This is a step of reading using 001, a step of reading the original image data stored in the external storage device (see FIG. 3), or a step of receiving the original image data from the LAN 16. Original image correction step MS5 The textile printing system in this example allows selection of various repeating patterns for the basic image, but depending on the selected repeating pattern, undesired positional deviation of the image or discontinuity of color tone at the boundary portion. Sex can occur. This step is a step of receiving the selection of the repeating pattern and correcting the discontinuity at the boundary portion of the repeating pattern according to the selection. As a mode of the correction, the designer or the operator may use a mouse or other input means while referring to the screen of a display (not shown) connected to the control unit 1009, and the image processing unit 1002.
Alternatively, the automatic correction may be performed. Special color designation step MS7 In the image printing unit 1004 according to this example, basically, printing is performed using yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C), or further black (BK) ink. In some cases, it may be desired to use colors other than these, for example, metallic colors such as gold and silver, and vivid red (R), green (G) and blue (B). Therefore, in the printer P of this example, printing using inks of these special colors (hereinafter referred to as special colors) is possible, and the special colors are specified in this step. Color palette data creation step In MS9 design, the designer creates an original image while selecting a color from standard color patches. The reproducibility of the color when printing the selected color greatly affects the productivity of the printing system. Therefore, in this step, data for determining the mixing ratio of Y, M, C, or the special color for favorably reproducing the selected standard color is generated. Logo input step MS11 In many cases, a logo mark of a designer, a brand of a manufacturer, or the like is printed on the end of a piece of cloth. In this step, such a logo mark is designated and its color, size and position are designated. Cloth size designation step MS13 The width, length, etc. of the fabric to be printed are designated. As a result, the scanning amount of the print head in the printer P in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, the number of repetitions of the original image pattern, etc. are determined. Original image magnification designation step MS15 Variable magnification at the time of printing with respect to the original image (for example, 100%, 2
00%, 400%, etc.) is set. Cloth type designation step MS17 cloth has various types such as natural fibers such as cotton, silk and wool and synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester and acrylic, and has different characteristics related to printing. It is considered that this is due to the elasticity of the cloth, but when the feed amounts at the time of printing are made equal, the appearance of streaks occurring at the boundary portion for each main scan differs. Therefore, in this step, the type of cloth to be printed is input and used for setting an appropriate feed amount in the image printing unit 1004. Maximum ink ejection amount setting step MS19 Even if the same amount of ink is ejected onto the cloth, the image density reproduced on the cloth differs depending on the cloth type. In addition, the image printing unit 100
The amount of ink that can be ejected differs depending on the configuration of the fixing system in No. 4 and the like. Therefore, in this step, the maximum ink ejection amount is designated according to the type of cloth and the configuration of the fixing system of the image printing unit 1004. Print mode designation step MS21 Image printing unit 1004 performs high-speed printing or normal printing, or 1 for each dot.
Specify whether to perform single ink ejection or multiple ink ejection. Furthermore, when printing is interrupted, control is performed so that the patterns continue before and after the interruption, or whether new printing is started regardless of the pattern continuity. You can also Head shading mode designation step MS23 When a print head having a plurality of ejection ports is used in the image printing unit 1004, the ink ejection amount or the ejection direction varies for each ejection port of the head due to variations in manufacturing, subsequent usage conditions, and the like. May occur. Therefore, in order to correct this, a process (head shading) for correcting the drive signal for each ejection port to make the ejection amount constant may be performed. In this step, the timing of such head shading can be designated. Printing is executed by the image printing unit 1004 based on the designations in the printing step MS25 and above.

If it is not necessary to specify in each of the above steps, that step may be deleted or skipped. Moreover, you may add the step which performs other designation | designated etc. as needed. (2) Reading unit 1001, image processing unit 1002, binarization processing unit 1003, and control unit 1009 (2.1) Configuration FIG. 3 shows the entire system centering on the control unit 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram.

In the figure, reference numeral 1011 is a CPU that executes control of the entire information processing system, and 1013 is a CPU 101.
1 stores a program to be executed by 1 and is used as a work area at the time of execution. A main memory 1014 transfers data between the main memory 1013 and various devices constituting the system without the CPU 1011. It is a DMA controller (hereinafter referred to as DMAC). 1
015 is a LAN interface between the LAN 1016 and this system, and 1017 is ROM, SRAM, RS2.
It is an input / output device (hereinafter referred to as I / O) having a 32C system interface and the like. Various external devices can be connected to the I / O 1017. 1018 and 1
Reference numeral 019 denotes a hard disk device and a floppy disk device as external storage devices, and 1020 denotes a hard disk device 1018 and a floppy disk device 101.
9 is a disk interface for making a signal connection between the system 9 and this system. 1022 is the image printing unit 100
4 and the reading unit 1001, which is a scanner / printer interface for making a signal connection.
It can be of specification. Reference numeral 1023 denotes a keyboard for inputting various character information, control information, and the like.
4 is a mouse as a pointing device, 1025
Is a key interface for connecting signals between the keyboard 1023 and the mouse 1024 and this system. Reference numeral 1026 denotes a display device such as a CRT whose display is controlled by the interface 1027. 101
Reference numeral 2 is a system bus composed of a data bus, a control bus, and an address bus for signal connection between the above-mentioned devices.

(2.2) Operation In the system in which the various devices described above are connected, the designer or the operator operates while corresponding to various information displayed on the display screen of the CRT 26. That is, external devices connected to the LAN 1016 and I / O 1017, a hard disk 1018, a floppy disk 1019, a reading unit 1001, a keyboard 1023, characters and image information supplied from the mouse 1024, and the like.
Operation information related to system operation stored in the main memory 1013 is displayed on the display screen of the CRT 1026,
The designer or operator, while looking at this display, designates various information and performs an instruction operation for the system.

Among the steps shown in FIG. 2,
Some details of the processing according to the main part of this embodiment performed using the system shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the spot color designation processing procedure in FIG. In this procedure, the control unit 1009 sets the image printing unit 10
Image printing unit 10 for the palette data sent to 04
04 palette conversion table (Y, M, C, B
K) and a palette conversion table as a table indicating the mixture ratio of the special colors). When this procedure is started, it is first determined in step SS7-1 whether or not the use of the special colors is instructed. To do. If a negative determination is made here, the present procedure is immediately terminated, but if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step SS7-3, and information about the current special color in the image printing unit 1004 is displayed on the CRT 1026. In this process, for example, the applicant of the present invention proposes that the print head of the printer has means (pattern cutting) for presenting its own information, and the printer main body side can recognize the information from the means. The invention disclosed in JP-A-2-187343 and the like can be used. EPR is a means for presenting the information.
It is also possible to use an OM or DIP switch. To apply to this example, the information may be the ink color used by the print head, the image printing unit 1004 may read the information, and notify the CPU 1011 of the control unit 1009. The operator looks at the information displayed on the CRT 1026 to know whether or not the print head for the special color is currently used and the special color currently used, and whether the desired special color is included in step SS-5. It is possible to perform a key operation or the like (that is, is the current situation acceptable). Then, if a negative determination is made, step SS7-
The process proceeds to step 9 to display such as prompting the mounting of the print head of the desired color, and according to the mounting, the process returns to step SS7-3.

In step SS7-5, the image printing unit 100
When an instruction to the effect that the currently used print head is good is given in step 4, a palette command defining color combinations is specified in step SS7-51. This is because, for example, when three colors of C, M and Y are used for printing, and when BK is further used, in addition to the three colors of C, M and Y, the special color S1,
When S2 is used and when the spot colors S3 and S4 are further used, for example, “3”, “4”, “6”,
It can be specified using a numerical value of "8".

In response to this, in step SS7-53, for example, the palette conversion table stored in advance in the storage device (main memory 1013, external storage devices 1018, 1019, etc.) is read, and the operator makes appropriate corrections if necessary. And set the mixing amount of each color (step S
S7-55), and sends the table data together with the palette command to the image printing unit 1004 (step SS).
7-57). The palette conversion table may be, for example, one shown in FIGS.

The image printing unit 1004 for this procedure
As the processing circuit on the side, those described later with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19 can be used.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a detailed processing procedure of the color palette data generating step MS9 in FIG.

In this procedure, first, in step SS9-1, the standard color patch of the color selected by the designer is read. For this purpose, the reading unit 1001 can be used, or the reading unit provided in the image printing unit 1004 described later can be used. Next, step SS
In 9-3, based on the code corresponding to the standard color patch, first, palette conversion data including a spot color is calculated by a palette conversion table set in advance so as to be compatible with the image printing unit 1004, and the calculated spot color is included. Image formation is performed according to the data, and this is printed in step SS9-5 in the form of color patches.

Next, in step SS9-7, the color patch printed by the image printing unit 1004 is read, and the color data is compared with the color data obtained in step SS9-1. If the difference between the two is less than the predetermined value, the color palette conversion data at that time is adopted and set in the image printing unit 1004 in step SS9-11. On the other hand, if it is more than the predetermined value, step SS9-1.
In step 3, the pallet data is corrected based on the above difference, the process returns to step SS9-5, and the process is repeated until a positive determination is made in step SS9-9. The case where the spot colors S1, S2, S3 and S4 are used in the spot color processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 has been described.
For each case of 4, the palette conversion table created by the operator can be corrected based on the data obtained in this procedure. According to this embodiment, a color patch, that is, a combination of a plurality of inks including a spot color corresponding to the color code selected by the designer can be appropriately selected.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the detailed processing procedure of the color palette data generating step.

Also in this procedure, the standard color patch is first read in step SS9-21 similar to step SS9-1. Next, in this procedure, a plurality of types of color palette conversion data are prepared in step SS9-23, and a plurality of color patches are printed for them. Next, in step SS9-25, the plurality of color patches are read, and in step SS9-27, the color data obtained from these are compared with the color data obtained in step SS9-21. Then, in step SS9-29, the one closest to the color data obtained in step SS9-21, that is, the one having the best color reproducibility, is selected, and the color palette conversion data is adopted and set in the image printing unit 1004.

The plurality of color palette conversion data prepared in step SS9-23 may be such that the ink mixing amount is changed by a predetermined amount for all color print heads, or the data obtained in step SS9-21 is used. It is also possible to select a predetermined range centered on the data, or centered on the data set by the operator in the procedure of FIG. 4, and gradually change the ink mixing amount within that range. In this procedure, as compared with the procedure of FIG. 9, the process of performing correction and reprinting can be omitted, so that the process of generating color palette conversion data can be performed at high speed.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the logo input processing procedure in FIG.

In this procedure, first in step SS11-1, the operator is inquired whether or not to put a logo on the cloth, and if a positive determination is made, the designation of the color of the logo to be printed is accepted in step SS11-3. . The designation of this color can be made by selecting from eight colors of C, M, Y, BK and special colors S1, S2, S3 or S4.

Next, in step SS11-5, a selection designation from a plurality of types of logos prepared in advance in the image printing unit 1004 described later is accepted. This can be a designation to select one of four types, for example.

At step SS11-7, the size designation of the logo to be printed is accepted in the main scanning direction (X direction) and the sub scanning direction (Y direction) of printing. This is, for example, a maximum of 512 per pixel in the X direction.
Up to 8 pixels can be specified up to the pixel in the Y direction in units of the recording width (band) of one main scan of the recording head.

In step SS11-9, the main scanning direction (X
Accept the specification of the logo print start position in the direction). For this, for example, up to 512 pixels can be designated in units of one pixel.

At step SS11-11, an input for designating the logo start position in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) by designating the pitch (repetition interval) between the logos is accepted. This is, for example, a maximum of 25 per band.
Up to 6 bands can be specified. In addition,
Information may be presented to the operator so that the designated value does not become less than the size in the Y direction designated in step SS11-7.

For each of the above designations, step SS11-
In 13, the control unit 1009 sets the logo information in the image printing unit 1004. As a data format for this, for example, "<WLOGO>, <color>, <pattern
, <X0>, <Y0>, <L0>, <L1> ”, where <WLOGO> causes the image printing unit 1004 to recognize that the data that follows is logo information. The identification code <color> is data for color setting, and 1 bit is assigned to each of the above 8 colors, and it is a 1-byte signal that can output / mask the color by turning it on / off. <Pattern> is data for setting a logo pattern, and can be a 2-bit signal for selecting one from four types.
>, <Y0>, <L0>, and <L1> are data for setting the X direction logo size, Y direction logo size, X direction logo start position, and Y direction logo repeat interval, respectively. An example of correspondence with the logo output format is shown in FIG. (3) Image Printing Unit (3.1) Description of Printing Mechanism With reference to FIG. 13, the operation of the serial type ink jet recording apparatus as the image printing unit 1004 of this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 13, a carriage 1 is a print head 2 for colors corresponding to four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (BK).
a, 2b, 2c and 2d are mounted, and the guide shaft 3 supports the carriage 1 for movement guide. Although illustration is omitted for simplification, in this example, the carriage 1
Can be equipped with up to 4 special color heads,
A mechanism associated therewith is also provided. Each head separately,
Alternatively, it may be detachable from the carriage 1 in units of several lines.

A belt 4, which is an endless belt, has a part thereof fixedly connected to the carriage 1 and a carriage drive motor 5 (motor driver 2) which is a pulse motor.
(Driven by 3) is attached to a gear attached to the drive shaft of (3). Therefore, this carriage drive motor 23
The belt 4 stretched around the drive shaft is fed by driving the carriage 1. As a result, the carriage 1 scans the print surface of the print medium along the guide shaft 3. Further, a conveyance roller 7 for conveying the print medium 6 (recording paper, cloth, etc.), guide rollers 8A, 8B for guiding the print medium 6, and a print medium conveyance motor 9 are provided.

Further, each print head 2a, 2b, 2
The c, 2d and special color print heads have, for example, 40 ejection ports for ejecting ink droplets toward the print medium 6.
256 pieces are provided with a density of 0 DPI (dots / inch). Each print head 2a, 2b, 2c,
2d (and a spot color head), the corresponding ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d (and a spot color ink tank) to the supply tube 12.
Ink is supplied via a, 12b, 12c, and 12d (and further, a special color supply tube). Then, for the energy generating means (not shown) provided in the liquid path communicating with each ejection port, each head driver 24a, 24 is provided.
Flexible cables 13a, 13b, 13c, 13 from b, 24c, 24d (and driver for special color)
An ink ejection signal is selectively supplied via d (and further the special color flexible cable).

Further, each print head 2a, 2b, 2
The head heaters 14a, 14b, 14 are provided on c, 2d, etc.
c, 14d (14b. 14c, 14d etc. are not shown) and temperature detecting means 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d (15
b, 15c, 15d, etc. are provided,
Detection signals from the temperature detecting means 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and the like are input to the control circuit 16 having a CPU. The control circuit 16 determines the driver 1 based on this signal.
7 and the power source 18 through the head heaters 14a, 14
Control heating at b, 14c, 14d, etc.

The capping means 20 comes into contact with the ejection opening surfaces of the print heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d during non-recording, and suppresses the drying and mixing of foreign matters, or removes them. Specifically, at the time of non-recording, the print heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d move to positions facing the capping means 20. Then, the capping means 20 is driven forward by the cap driver 25 to bring the elastic member 44 into pressure contact with the ejection port surface for capping. Of course, capping means for the spot color head, which is omitted in the figure, is also provided.

The clogging preventing means 31 receives the ejected ink when the print heads 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d perform the idle ejection operation. This clogging prevention means 31
Is provided with a liquid receiving member 2 that faces the print heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, etc., and absorbs and receives the ink that has been ejected idly, and is disposed between the capping means 20 and the recording start position. There is. As a material for the liquid receiving member 32 and the liquid holding member 45, a sponge-like porous member, a plastic sintered body, or the like is effective.

A solenoid valve 61 for discharging water and an air pump driver 62 are connected to the capping means 20,
Under the control of the control circuit 16, the cleaning water discharge nozzle and the air injection nozzle, which are arranged in the capping means 20, are driven. FIG. 14 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the print head of this embodiment.
The same elements as those shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Also in this figure, the configuration related to the special color heads 2S1 to 2S4 is omitted.

In FIG. 14, the recording start detection sensor 34
The capping means detection sensor 36 is for detecting the position of each print head 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. The blank discharge position detection sensor 35 detects the reference position of the blank discharge operation performed by the print heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d while moving in the scanning direction.

Numeral 108 is a head characteristic measuring means which can be used not only for head shading (step MS23 in FIG. 2) but also for color palette data creation (step MS9). The head shading test pattern and color recorded by the head. It has a conveying means for conveying a print medium on which the patch is printed, and a reading means for reading the information. As the head characteristic measuring means, for example, an application filed by the present applicant is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 18358/1992.
The one shown in FIG. 31 of the publication can be used.

Next, the ink jet printing operation will be described.

First, while in a standby state, in this case, the print heads 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are capped by the capping means 20. When a print signal is input to the control circuit 16, the motor driver 23 drives the motor 5 and the carriage 1 starts moving. Along with this movement, when each print head is detected by the blank discharge position detection sensor 35, blank ink is discharged to the clogging prevention means 31 for a predetermined time. Then, after that, the carriage 1 again moves in the direction of the arrow D, and when it is detected by the recording start detection sensor 34, the ejection ports of the print heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d etc. are selectively driven. As a result, ink droplets are ejected, and an image is printed on the print width portion p of the print medium 103 in a dot matrix pattern. Thus, the predetermined width (determined by the nozzle spacing in the vertical direction of the print head and its number)
When the printing is performed, the carriage 1 moves to the position on the right end side in the drawing (which can be detected by counting the number of pulses applied to the motor 5). A pulse is applied so that the print head 2a at the rear end of the carriage 1 crosses the print medium. After that, the carriage 1 is reversed, driven in the direction of the arrow E to return to the idle ejection position, and the print medium 1
03 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow F by the width of the print width portion p or more, and the above-described operation is repeated again.

(3.2) Description of Device Configuration FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ink jet printer which is the image printing unit 104 of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the essential portions thereof. The image printing unit (printer) of this example is roughly divided into a cloth feeding unit 1006 that feeds cloth on a roll that has been subjected to pretreatment for printing, and an inkjet head that precisely feeds the cloth that has been fed. And a post-processing section 1008 for drying and winding the printed cloth. Then, the main body section A further includes a recording / conveying section 1007 for precisely feeding cloth including the platen.
And an inkjet recording unit 1005.

The pre-processed roll-shaped cloth 103 is sent out to the cloth supplying section 1006 and stepwise sent to the main body section A. The cloth 103 that has been step fed is the first
In the printing unit 111, the printing surface is regulated to be flat by the platen 112, and printing is performed by the inkjet head 2 from the front side. After each line of printing is finished, a predetermined amount of step feed is carried out, followed by heating by the heating plate 114 and drying by the hot air from the surface supplied / exhausted by the hot air duct 115. Then, in the second printing unit 111 ′, the first printing unit 1
Overprinting is performed in the same manner as 11.

The cloth 103 printed in this way is composed of a heating plate and a heater (or warm air), and the post-drying section 11 is provided.
6 is again dried, and is guided to the guide roll 117 and wound on the winding roll 118. And the wound cloth 1
No. 03 is removed from this device, and the product is colored, washed and dried by batch processing.

In FIG. 16, a cloth 1 which is a print medium is used.
03 is step-fed upward in the figure. Y, M, C, and
Inkjet heads for BK and special colors S1 to S4 can be mounted, that is, a total of eight inkjet heads 2
There is a first carriage 124 (on which Y, M, C, BK and S1 to S4 heads are mounted). The ink jet head (print head) 2 in this example uses an ink jet head (print head) having an element that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling of the ink as the energy used to eject the ink.
An array in which 256 ejection ports are arranged at a density of 0 DPI (dots / inch) is used.

On the downstream side of the first printing section 111, there is provided a drying section 125 consisting of a heating plate 114 for heating from the back side and a warm air duct 115 for drying from the front side. The heat transfer surface of the heating plate 114 is strongly heated from the back surface by the high-temperature and high-pressure steam passing through the hollow inside. The inside of the heating plate surface is provided with fins 114 'for collecting heat, so that the cloth 1 can be efficiently collected.
I can concentrate on the back of 03. The side opposite to the cloth 103 is covered with a heat insulating material 126 to prevent loss due to heat dissipation.

On the front side, the cloth 1 is being dried by blowing dry hot air from the supply duct 127 on the downstream side.
The air with lower humidity is applied to 03 to enhance the drying effect. The air that flows in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction of the cloth 103 and contains a sufficient amount of water is the suction duct 1 on the upstream side.
From 28, a much larger amount of suction than the amount of spraying is applied to prevent evaporated water from leaking and forming condensation on surrounding mechanical devices. The source of warm air is on the back side of FIG. 16, and suction is performed from the front side.
The pressure difference between the blowout port 129 and the suction port 130 facing 03 is uniform over the entire longitudinal direction. The air blower / sucker is offset downstream with respect to the center of the rear heating plate so that the air hits the fully heated location. By these, the first printing unit 111 strongly dries a large amount of water in the ink including the thinning liquid received by the cloth 103.

The second printing unit 1 is provided downstream (upper) thereof.
11 ', and the second print portion 111' is formed by the second carriage 124 'having the same structure as the first carriage 124. The first carriage 124 and the second carriage 124 'may be integrated in advance or may be integrated via an appropriate connecting member, and a drive source for driving them and a transmission mechanism may be shared.

Although not shown in FIG. 16, an ink supply device for storing ink and supplying a required amount of ink to the head is provided, and has an ink tank and an ink pump. The main body and the heads 2 and 2'are connected by an ink supply tube or the like, and normally, the amount of ink ejected from the head by capillary action is automatically supplied to the head. Further, during the head recovery operation, ink is forcibly supplied to the head by using the ink pump. And
The head and the ink supply device are mounted on separate carriages, and are configured to reciprocate in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 16 by a drive device (not shown).

Although not shown in FIG. 16, a head recovery device is provided at a position that can face the head at the home position (standby position) of the head in order to maintain the ink ejection stability of the head. The following operation is performed. That is, first, the head is capped at the home position to prevent evaporation of ink from the nozzles of the head 2 when not in operation (capping operation). Alternatively, an operation of pressurizing the ink flow path in the head by using an ink pump to forcibly eject ink from the nozzle in order to eject air bubbles and dust in the nozzle before starting image printing (pressurization recovery operation) Or operation to forcibly suck and discharge ink from the nozzle (suction recovery operation)
Performs functions such as collecting the ink discharged when performing. Next, the configuration of the control system of this device will be described. FIG. 17
18 and FIG. 18 show the configuration of the image printing unit 1004 of the embodiment and the configuration example of the operation unit thereof, and FIGS.
7 conceptually shows an example of the internal configuration of the control board 142 of No. 7 along the flow of data.

The control circuit 16 in FIG. 13 is controlled by the control unit 1009 via an interface (here, GPIB).
The image data for printing is sent to the control board 142 including the above. The device for sending the image data is not particularly limited, and the transfer form may be transfer via a network or offline via a magnetic tape or the like. The control board 142 includes a CPU 142A, a ROM 142B storing various programs, a RAM 14C having various register areas and work areas, and each unit shown in FIGS. An operation / display unit 143 has an operation unit for the operator to give a desired instruction to the image printing unit 1004 and a display for displaying a message to the operator.
Reference numeral 144 denotes a cloth conveying machine including a motor and the like for conveying a print medium such as cloth to be printed. Reference numeral 145 is a driver unit input / output unit (I / O) for driving the various motors (shown with "M" at the end) and various solenoids (indicated by "SOL") shown in FIG. 1
Reference numeral 47 is a relay board for supplying a drive signal to each head, and for receiving information (information about presence / absence of mounting and color presented by the head) of each head and supplying the information to the control board 142. The information is the control unit 1009.
Is used to request the transfer of color palette data of the colors transferred and used for the carriages 124 and 12.
It is used for recognizing the mounting range of the head in 4'or setting the scanning range. Further, 151 is the carriage 12
It is a drive unit such as a motor for scanning 4,124 '.

Now, when the information of the image data to be printed is received from the control unit 1009, the image data is transferred to the GPIB interface 501 and the frame memory controller 50.
4 and is stored in the image memory 505 (see FIG. 19). The image memory 505 of the embodiment has a capacity of 124 Mbytes, and has an A1 size of 8-bit palette data. That is, 8 bits are assigned to each pixel. Reference numeral 503 is a DMA controller for speeding up memory transfer. When the data transfer from the control unit 1009 is completed, printing can be started after a predetermined process.

The image printing section 1 of the embodiment will be described before and after.
The control unit 1009 connected to 004 transfers the image data as a raster image. Each print head 2
Has multiple ink ejection nozzles lined up in the vertical direction,
The sequence of image data must be converted to match the printhead. This data conversion is performed by the raster @BJ conversion controller 506. And this raster @B
The data converted by the J conversion controller 506 is supplied to the palette conversion controller 508 through the enlargement function of the next enlargement controller 507 for scaling the image data. The data up to the expansion controller 507 is the data sent from the control unit 1009, and is an 8-bit palette signal in this embodiment. Then, this palette data (8 bits) is commonly passed to and processed by a processing unit (described below) for each print head.

19 to 21, it is assumed that a head for printing the special colors S1 to S4 in addition to yellow, magenta, cyan and black is provided.

The palette conversion controller 508 converts the palette data input from the control unit 1009 and the conversion table of the corresponding color into the conversion table memory 50.
Supply to 9. In the case of an 8-bit palette, the number of reproducible color types is 256 from 0 to 255, and an appropriate table is developed in the table memory 509 corresponding to each color. For example, if 0 is input Light gray print 1 is input Special color 1 solid print 2 is input Special color 2 solid print 3 is input Cyan and magenta mixed colors are blue colors When printing 4 is input When cyan is solid printing When 5 is input When red is printed with a mixture of magenta and yellow (Omission) When 254 is input When solid printing of yellow 255 is input What Is also not printed.

As a concrete circuit configuration, the palette conversion table memory 509 fulfills its function by writing the conversion data in the address position for the palette data. That is, when the palette data is actually supplied as an address, the memory is accessed in the read mode. The palette conversion controller 508 manages the palette conversion table memory 509 and interfaces the control board 142 and the palette conversion table memory 509. Regarding the spot color, a circuit for setting the spot color mixture amount (a circuit for multiplying the output by 0 to 1) is inserted between the HS system including the HS controller 510 and the HS conversion table memory 511 at the next stage, and the set amount is set. Can be variable.

The HS conversion controller 510 and the HS conversion table memory 511, based on the data measured by the head characteristic measuring machine 148 including an appropriate density unevenness correction unit, show variations in the print density corresponding to each ejection port of each head. Make a correction. For example, data with a low density (low ejection rate) is converted to darker data, and a port with high density (high ejection rate) is converted to lighter data, and a medium density ejection port is converted. In that case, the process of flowing it as it is is performed. This process will be described later.

The following γ conversion controller 512 and γ conversion table memory 513 are table conversions for increasing or decreasing the overall density for each color. For example, when nothing is done, it is a linear table, that is, 0 output for 0 input, 100 output for 100 input, 210 output for 210 input, and 255 output for 255 output.

The binary controller 514 in the next stage has a pseudo gradation function, inputs 8-bit gradation data, and outputs binarized 1-bit pseudo gradation data. is there. Although there are a dither matrix, an error diffusion method, and the like for converting multi-valued data into binary data, these are adopted also in the embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted, but in any case, the unit What is necessary is just to express gradation by the number of dots per area.

The binarized data is stored in the connection memory 515 and then used for driving each print head. Then, the binary data output from each connection memory is output as C, M, Y, BK, S1 to S4. Since the same processing is performed on the binarized signal of each color, the binary data C will be focused and described here with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the drawing shows the configuration for the print color cyan, and has the same configuration for each color. It should be noted that FIG. 21 is a connection memory 515 shown in FIGS.
3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a stage subsequent to that of FIG.

The signal C binarized by the binarization controller 514 is output to the sequential multi-scan generator (hereinafter, SMS generator) 522. When the pattern generators 517 and 518 perform test printing of the apparatus alone. Since there is also, the data is supplied to the selector 519. Of course, this switching is controlled by the CPU of the control board 142, and when the operator performs a predetermined operation on the operation display unit 143 (see FIG. 17), the binary pattern controller is used to perform test printing. Select the data from 517. Therefore, normally, the data from the binary controller 514 (connecting memory 516) is selected. 520 is a selector 520 and an SMS generator 52
It is a logo input section inserted between the two and, and in the case of textile printing, a logo mark of a manufacturer, a designer, or the like is often put on the end of the cloth, which is compatible with this. The configuration can be composed of, for example, a memory that stores logo data, a controller that manages a print position, and the like.

The SMS generator 522 prevents unevenness in image density due to changes in the discharge amount of each nozzle. Multi-scan is, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 4-79858.
It has been proposed as an issue. Whether to give priority to image quality by performing multi-scan, that is, ejecting ink from a plurality of ejection ports for one pixel, or giving priority to high speed without performing such multi-scan, is appropriate. Input means, such as the operation display unit 103 or the host computer H.

The connection memory 524 is a buffer memory for correcting the physical position of the head, that is, the position between the upper and lower print units in FIG. 16 and the position between the heads, and the image data is once input here. , Output at a timing according to the physical position of the head. Therefore, the connection memory 524 has a different capacity for each print color.
After performing the data processing as described above, the data is sent to the head via the head relay board 147.

By the way, conventionally, data for palette conversion, HS conversion, and γ conversion has been fixedly held in a memory provided in the main body of the apparatus. Therefore, it may not match the image data to be output, and an image of sufficient quality may not be obtained. Therefore, in the present embodiment, these conversion data can be input from the outside and are stored in each conversion table memory. For example, palette conversion data as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is downloaded to the conversion table memory 509. That is, the conversion table memories 509, 511, and 513 of the embodiment are all composed of RAM. The data for palette conversion and γ conversion is sent from the control unit 1009, for example. Further, the data for HS conversion is inputted from an external head characteristic measuring machine 148 (see FIG. 17) so that the data always matched to the state of the head can be obtained. In order to obtain the head characteristic of each recording color by the head characteristic measuring machine 148, test printing (printing with a uniform predetermined halftone density) is performed with each print head. Then, the density distribution corresponding to the print width is measured.
The state of the head is a variation in the ejection state of a plurality of nozzles included in the head, or how different the density of the image printed by the head is from the desired density.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the abnormal output from being prevented until the conversion parameter is input, even if data is input, the output is set to "0" and the data is printed as shown in FIG. I was not allowed to. The same applies to γ conversion and the like.

FIG. 23 shows the logo input section 520 shown in FIG.
The configuration example of FIG. 11 is shown, and the control unit 1009 is configured corresponding to the processing procedure of FIG.

According to the above procedure, <color>, <pattern>, <X0>, <Y0>, <L0 transmitted from the control unit 1009.
>, <L1> data are set in the register 520A by the CPU 142A provided in the control board 142 of the image printing unit 1004. Controller 52
0B is configured by using a counter or the like, receives a signal (for example, an address signal) for controlling the main scanning direction (X direction) feeding of the print head and the sub scanning direction (Y direction) feeding of the cloth 103, and outputs L0, The logo is formed at the position defined by L1 (see FIG. 12). In addition, X0 stored in the register 520A from that position,
A blanking processing circuit 5 for binarized image data 516 to blank the range determined by Y0, that is, the logo printing range.
Control 20C. The blanking processing circuit 520C receives the control signal and deactivates the image data in the range.

The controller 520B has a register 520A.
The logo memory 520D storing the logo to be printed is specified on the basis of the pattern stored in. In this example, there are four types of logo patterns, that is, four logo memories are provided. Each logo memory 520D is 4M in this example.
It is configured by using two bit ROMs, and the maximum value of X0 (512 pixels) and the maximum value of Y0 that can be specified (the number of ejection openings of the print head 256 × 8 bands = 20)
It corresponds to the maximum size determined by 48 pixels).

24 (A) and 24 (B), two ROMs (ROMs) of a logo image output range and a logo memory are shown.
A, ROMB) space is shown, and the hatched area is a portion which is not output because it exceeds the designated X0, Y0.

Further, as shown in FIG. 25, one pixel in the ROM is composed of 8 bits, and on / off data of one color of the pixel is assigned to each bit.

The data read from the logo memory 520D designated by the controller 520B is supplied to the logo sending circuit 520E. The logo sending circuit is composed of a selector or the like, and only the data of the color specified by the logo color specifying data (color) stored in the register 520A is valid for the pixel data shown in FIG.
Supply to 20F. The data sending circuit 520F, which can be configured using an OR circuit, sends the data for printing the logo of the specified pattern in the specified color to the blanked area, and the image data in the other areas. 516 is passed as it is and supplied to the SMS generator of the next stage.

In this example, since the logo data is managed independently of the basic image data, the repetition cycle of the basic image and that shown in FIG.
Regardless of the type of repeating pattern as shown in 6, desired logo data can be inserted at a repeating cycle desired by the operator. Also, immediately before sending the basic image data to the head,
That is, since the specified range is blanked after the binarization and the logo is inserted therein, the logo mark can be printed as desired (for example, sharply) without being affected by various conversions. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, a space of 1 byte (8 bits) for one pixel is configured by allocating each color to each bit, so that the memory usage efficiency is improved.

The contents of the logo memory are controlled by the control unit 1009.
Alternatively, the CPU of the image printing unit 1004 reads and the control unit 1
The CRT 1026 of 009 or the operation / display unit 143 of the image printing unit 1004 can be displayed.

Further, although the logo memory is the ROM in this example, it is constituted by a memory such as RAM or EPROM, and the control unit 1
The content may be rewritable according to 009. In this case, the control unit 1009 can also make the logo data into a file, store it in the external storage with a management number, and access it appropriately. Further, when the RAM is used, the stored contents may be backed up by a battery or the like even when the power is turned off, or the logo data may be transferred from the control unit 1009 and expanded in the storage area as needed. You may

Further, the number of logo memories, that is, the types of patterns of logo data is not limited to the above four.

In addition, in the image printing unit 1004 according to this example, a mode in which the discharge operation is performed more than once for one pixel such as multi-scan can be selected, but if high image quality is not required for the logo, For the logo, for example, second
It is also possible to control so that the discharge operation after the first time is not performed. In this case, for example, the data transmission circuit 52 of FIG.
A gate circuit or the like for deactivating the logo data may be added to 0F so that the second and subsequent ejection operations are not performed depending on the mode.

(3.3) Print Pattern of Basic Image When inputting image data of the basic image, the CPU 1010 of the control unit 1009 sends the input image size (X _in , Y _in ) to the image printing unit 1004 as a command and a parameter. Send in format. As a result, the CPU 142A of the image printing unit 1004
Secures an input area in the image memory 505, and the RAM 142
The input image size is stored in a predetermined parameter storage unit of C. Next, when the control unit 1009 sequentially transmits the image data to the image printing unit 1004, the image printing unit 1004 receives the image data and stores it in the image memory 505 via the FM controller 504. On the other hand, the control unit 1009
Sends the output format of the image data to the image printing unit 1004. As a result, the image printing unit 1004 stores the image output format in the parameter storage unit of the RAM 142C. Here, an output type as shown in FIG. 26 will be handled as the image output format.

FIGS. 26A to 26E are diagrams showing the image output format in this embodiment.

FIG. 26A shows a format in which the basic image 300 is printed out so as to be periodically repeated in the X direction (feeding direction of the carriage 1) and the Y direction (feeding direction of the print medium) as shown in FIG. Type 1) is shown. FIG. 26B shows the basic image 300 when the basic image 300 is repeatedly printed.
Predetermined offset amount every other in the X direction (shift amount)
The format (type 2) is shown in which the printout is made by shifting by Δy in the Y direction. FIG. 26C shows the above-mentioned type 2
Similar to (FIG. 26B), a format (type 3) in which every other basic image 300 is shifted in the Y direction by a predetermined offset amount Δx and printed out is shown. 26D, the basic image 300 is rotated (9 in FIG. 26D).
After 0 °), a format (type 4) is shown in which, like type 2 (FIG. 26B), the print amount is shifted in the Y direction by the offset amount (offset “0” in FIG. 26D). . Finally, in (E) of FIG. 26, after rotating the basic image 300 (90 degrees in FIG. 26E), the offset amount in the X direction (FIG. 26 (E) is the same as type 3 in FIG. 26C). )
Represents a format (type 5) in which the print output is performed by shifting by "0").

The output format output from the control unit 1009 is
As the parameters to specify, in addition to those mentioned above,
Output type such as Ip1-5, basic image size (X
_b , Y _b ), The total output image size (X_OUT , Y_OUT ), X
Direction offset amount Δx, Y direction offset amount Δy, rotation
There is a quantity (here, in 90 degree units) and the like. These pas
The parameters are set under the following conditions.

X _in × Y _in ≦ capacity of the memory 505, X _b ≦
X _in , Y _b ≦ Y _in , X _OUT ≧ X _b , Y _OUT ≧ Y _b , Δ
x ≦ X _b , Δy ≦ Y _b , and so on.

The control unit 1009 controls the step MS2 of FIG.
5, the image data print command is sent to the image printing unit 1004.
The image printing unit 1004 starts the printing operation.

More specifically, the CPU 142A controls the read timing of the memory 505 of the address control section provided in the FM controller 504, the activation timing of the motor driver 23, and the activation timing of the head driver 24, so that the print medium is used. The print timing on a certain cloth 103 is controlled. The address control unit sequentially reads the image data from the memory 505 according to the parameters set in the parameter storage unit and outputs the image data to the head driver 24. As a result, the head driver 24 forms a drive signal for the print heads 2a to 2d or the spot color head according to the image data and outputs the drive signal to each print head. In this way, each print head is driven by the drive signal and ejects ink droplets onto the cloth 103 to print an image corresponding to the image data.

On the other hand, the motor driver 23 drives the carry motor 9 to feed the cloth 103 to a printable position, and rotates the carriage motor 5 in a predetermined direction to move the carriage 1 in the D direction for printing. (See FIG. 13). When the printing for one scan is completed in this way, the carriage motor 5 is then rotated in the reverse direction to move the carriage 1 in the E direction to return to the home position, and the cloth 103 is printed.
The carriage motor 9 is rotated to move in the Y direction by the width of the scan in the Y direction, or in the amount of less than that in the multi-scan. In the above timing, one reciprocation of the carriage 1 is a basic cycle, and the print operation speed of the print head serves as a reference for the print timing.

As described above, the image printing unit 1004 repeatedly executes the above-described operation to finish printing the image of the size designated by the total output image size (X _OUT , Y _OUT ). The operation of the driver, the FM controller 504 and the like is stopped to end the print mode, and the control unit 1009 and the operation display unit 143 wait for input again.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the parameter storage section and address control section of this embodiment.

In FIG. 27, that of 830 to 836
Each is a storage unit such as a register in the parameter storage unit.
And the register 830 stores the total output image size (X
_OUT , Y _OUT ), The register 831 has a basic image size
(X_b , Y_b ), The basic image is repeated in the register 832.
Output in X and Y directions (N_x , N_y ),
Output type for register 833 and X for register 834
Offset amount Δx in the Y direction,
The offset amount Δy and the rotation amount R are recorded in the register 836.
It is remembered.

Note that N _x = INT (X _OUT / X B), N
_y = INT (Y _OUT / Y _b ). However, INT
(A) indicates that when the number a is a decimal, the first decimal place of the number a is rounded up to an integer. For example, IN
T (1.2) = 2.

These registers are connected to each section of the address control section according to the output format of the input image data (specifically, they are used as reference values for the comparator described below).

In FIG. 27, 837 is an X address generator A, which is an address (XADR) of the basic image 300 in the X direction.
A) is counting. 838 is a Y address generator A
Address of the basic image 300 in the Y direction (YADRA)
Is counting. Reference numerals 839 and 840 denote an X address generator B and a Y address generator B, respectively, as in the image output types 2 and 3 (FIGS. 26B and 26C) described above.
The X-direction address (XADRB) of the basic image 300 shifted in the X- or Y-direction and the Y-direction address (YADR
B) is counting. These address generators 837
Each of .about.840 mainly comprises a counter for actually outputting an address and a comparator for comparing whether or not the address exceeds the size of the basic image or the size of the entire image.

Reference numeral 841 denotes the X direction and Y of the basic image 300.
A block counter that counts the number of repetitions in each direction.
It mainly consists of a counter and a comparator. A selector 842 selects either one of the X-direction address (XADRA) and the X-address shifted in the X direction (XADRB). Similarly, the address in the Y direction (YADR
A) and the Y address shifted in the Y direction (YADRB)
Is a selector for selecting. Reference numeral 844 denotes a timing generator, which is an address (XAD
R) and (YADR) based on various read signals (CS, ADR, RAS, CAS, WE, etc.) and various timing signals (IN, OUT, VE, PE, etc.) of the memory unit.
Is output.

In this case, the memory 505 is constructed by using one or more commercially available D-RAM (dynamic RAM) modules. In the read signal of the memory section, CS is a chip select signal for selecting a module, ADR is a signal in which a row address (YADR) and a column address (XADR) are temporally assigned, RAS is a row address strobe signal, and CAS is The column address strobe signal WE is a write enable (write enable) signal, and the timing of these signals is shown in FIG.

In the above various timing signals, IN is a latch timing signal of a latch circuit that temporarily holds image input data, OUT is a latch timing signal of a latch circuit that temporarily holds image output data, and VE is 1
A video enable signal indicating valid image data for each raster, and PE is a page enable signal indicating a valid raster in one page (see FIGS. 28 and 29).

Next, the operation of each section of the address control section in the case of the type 1 image output shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

Control unit 1009 or operation / display unit 143
When the print start is instructed by the CPU 142A, the CPU 142A
The RT signal is output to the address control unit to clear both the X address generator A837 and the Y address generator A838 ((XADRA) and (YADRA) are both set to "0"), and these address generators 837, 838 And the timing generator 844 and the block counter 841 are also operable.

Output reference timing signal (image output clock CLK, raster synchronizing signal HSYNC, start signal S
28), the START signal becomes high level (enable) and the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC rises, as shown in FIG.
Both high level (enable) both VE and PE signals
To Further, while both the VE signal and the HSYNC signal are at the high level, the RA is synchronized with the CLK as shown in FIG.
The signals of S, CAS, ADR, WE, and OUT are stored in the memory 5
Image data is read out from the memory 505. Further, while the VE signal and the PE signal are both at the high level, the read position and the output position of the image data are determined by controlling the address read from the memory 505.

Next, address control in the address controller will be described.

The output of the X address generator A837 is cleared to "0" when the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC goes high, and its output (XADR is synchronized with the rising edge of CLK.
A) is incremented by 1 and the count value becomes "X
_{When b} "(the length of the basic image size in the X direction) is reached, a ripple carry signal (XARC) is output to the block counter 41 and its output address (XADRA) is cleared to" 0 "(timing T1 in FIG. 28). T3), that is,
This carry signal (XARC) is the basic image size “X _b ” stored in the basic image size register 831.
It is the result of comparison with the output value of the counter counting CLK by a comparator (not shown).

During this operation, the block counter 841
The selector 842 selects the address signal (XADRA) from the X address generator A837, and the selector 843 selects Y.
Address signal from address generator A838 (YADR
The selection signals XSEL and YSEL are both output at a high level so as to select A). Then, the X address generator 8
When the carry signal (XARC) from 37 is received, the block count X in the X direction is incremented by 1, and when it becomes equal to the number of repetitions N _{x in} the X direction (timing T3), the Y address generator A838 is incremented by 1. YC
The NT signal is output, and the XEND signal indicating that the output of the image data for one raster in the X direction is completed is set to 1 (enable).

During this period, the timing generator 844 receives the address signal (XADR) from the selector 842 and the address signal (YADR) from the selector 843.
An address signal ADR of the memory 505 and a chip select signal CS are created, and signals such as RAS, CAS, WE, ADR, CS, and OUT are output to the memory 505 in synchronization with the output reference timing signal 500 to read image data. It is carried out. Then, when the XEND signal input from the block counter 841 becomes "1", the VE signal is set to low level (disenable) (timing T3), and each signal is output to temporarily stop the reading of the image data from the memory section. To stop. Here, when the VE signal becomes low level, counting of the X address generator 837, the Y address generator 838, and the block counter 841 is also stopped.

Next, when the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC, which is the head of the next raster, rises, the above operation is repeated and the Y address generator A838 is successively counted up. In this way, the printing process of each raster is performed, and the Y address generator A83
When the value of the Y address (YADRA) output from 8 coincides with the basic image size in the Y direction length "Y _b" (timing T5 to T7), the Y-address generator 838, carry signal a (YARC) block counter It is output to 841 and the signal (YADRA) is cleared to "0".

Upon receiving the carry signal (YARC) from the Y address generator 838, the block counter 841
The block count Y in the Y direction is incremented by 1, and it is checked whether or not this value is equal to the number of repetitions N _y, and when it is equal, YEN is informed that the reading in the Y direction is completed.
The D signal is set to high level (enable) (timing T7). When the YEND signal becomes 1, the timing generator 844 sets both the VE and PE signals to the low level (disenable), stops the output of each signal, and completes the image reading for one unit of cloth. When the PE signal goes low, the counting operations of the X address generator A837, Y address generator A838 and block counter 841 are also stopped.

The number of repetitions N _y may be sent from the control unit 1009 together with a command, or the step MS
13 (FIG. 2), or may be set by the operation / display unit 143.

Next, type 2 shown in FIG.
The operation of the address control unit in the case of image output of FIG. 29 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

The basic operation of this timing diagram is shown in FIG.
8 is the same as the case of the type 1 image output, except that the operation of the Y address generator B840 is enabled and the selector 843 performs the selection process.

Specifically, the block counter 841 is
By switching the selector 843 to the high level / low level in synchronization with the block count of the block counter 841 in the X direction by the selection signal YSEL, the signal (YADRA) from the Y address generator A838 and the signal (YADRA) from the Y address generator B840 ( The difference is that the YADRB) is switched and the Y address YADR is switched for each block.

Further, the Y address generator B840 is not cleared to "0" at the rising edge of the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC, but at this timing, the offset amount Δy in the Y direction.
Is loaded. Further, the Y address generator B840 is
The length "Y _b " of the basic image size in the Y direction is compared with the output (YADRB) of the Y address generator B840, and (YA
When DRB) becomes equal to "Y _b ", it is cleared to "0". At this time, the carry signal YBRC is not output, and the block counter 41 is operated by the X address generator A837.
Block counter Y with carry signal (YARC) from
Is incremented.

This timing is shown in detail in FIG. 29. For example, when printing the first one scan of the basic image 300 portion in FIG.
For the Y address (YADR) input to 4, the output (YADRA) of the Y address generator A838 is selected to be "0".
And then the right image area (offset part)
When printing the first one scan of, the output (YADRB) of the Y address generator B840 is selected and set to "Δy". Similarly, in the third image area (there is no offset), the Y address (YADR) returns to “0”, and in the next offset area, “Δy” again.
Becomes

Next, in the second scan for printing these image areas, the output (YADRA) of the Y address generator A838 is selected to be "1" in the image area where the Y address (YADR) is not offset, In the offset area, the output (YADRB) of the Y address generator B840 is selected and becomes “Δy + 1”.

After the line 301 of FIG. 26B is output, the output of the Y address generator B840 (YADR
Since B) is equal to the basic image size “Y _b ”,
It is cleared to "0".

In addition, the type 3 shown in FIG.
In the case of, the difference is that the offset is in the Y direction in the case of type 2, whereas the offset is in the X direction in type 3. Therefore, in the type 2 described above, the selector 843 selects the output of the Y address generator A 838 and the output of the Y address generator B 840 to generate the Y address (YADR).
Was devised to form the selector, but in this type 3, the selector 84
2 is an X address generator A 837 and an X address generator B
Select any of the 839 outputs to select the X address (XAD
Control to output as R) is required.

Specifically, the block counter 841 switches the selection signal XSEL of the selector 842 between high level and low level in synchronization with the Y count value of the block counter 841 to output the address (XADRA) output from the X address generator A837. ) And the X address generator B8
The address (XADRB) output by 39 is switched for each block and output as (XADR) to the timing generation unit 44. Further, the X address generator B839 is
The offset amount “Δx” in the X direction is loaded at this timing instead of being cleared to “0” at the rising edge of NC. Further, the X address generator B839 compares the width " _Xb " of the basic image size in the X direction with the output (XADRB), and when (XADRB) exceeds " _Xb ", the ripple carry (XBRC) is obtained. The X address generator B839 is cleared to "0" without outputting. The block counter 841 increments the value of the block counter X with a carry (XARC) from the X address generator A 837.

The types 4 and 5 are geometrically beautiful and useful when the ratio of the horizontal "X _b " to the vertical "Y _b " of the basic image size is an integer. Especially when X _b = Y _b (basic image is a square), it is possible to arrange them in a grid pattern neatly, and it is relatively easy in terms of configuration, and when XADR and YADR are exchanged,
The count direction (down / up count) of the address generators 837 to 840 can be realized according to the rotation amount R.

When rotating the basic image, not only the address control but also the rotation processing unit can be inserted in a pipeline manner. Further, by the address control, before the image data is actually output, for example, the basic image is set to 90
By creating and storing the rotated images for each basic image in the image memory, the image data including these rotated images can be output more easily and at high speed.

Also, the block counter 841 is
Image blocks are counted and the total output image size (X
_OUT , Y_OUT ) Was output, but as long as this is
Absent. Especially X_OUT , Y_OUT Are each X_b , Y_b In multiples of
When there is no X_OUT , Y_OUT 
Cannot be specified. Therefore, the remaining pixels Xr = X_OUT −
N_x × X_b , However, N_x = INT (X_OUT / X_b ) -1
Is introduced and the number of repetitions N _x And the remaining pixel Xr
X by comparing_OUT To determine if
Can be done. This also applies to the Y direction.

Further, when the printing speed of the print head is slow and the image output clock is slow, the above-mentioned address formation can be realized by software processing of the CPU or the like. In particular, by software, a part of the memory can be used as a counter and a part of the configuration of FIG. 27 can be replaced with software.

In this embodiment, the arrangement of the image data to be output to the print head is performed in a raster format, and the image data array depending on the print head is changed by raster @BJ.
Although the conversion controller 506 (FIG. 19) is used, the present invention is not limited to this.
The arrangement of the image data stored in 05 and the arrangement of the image data output to the print head may be the same, or if they are different, they may be matched with the head arrangement of the print head at the time of outputting to the head driver. Good.

In the mechanical structure of the image printing unit 1004 according to this example, as shown in FIG. 28, a print head having a recording range of width H _y in the Y direction is actually scanned in the X direction. I am trying to output an image.

In such a case, the FM controller 50
A counter (and a comparator) that counts the Y address generator 838 and the Y address generator B840 in the Y direction of the address control unit of 4 by H _y and a counter (and a comparator) that counts its ripple carry. It is also possible to realize it in a stage configuration.

Also, the width of H _{y in} the Y direction and X in the X direction
It is also possible to read out and print an image in _OUT units (called band units). At this time, Y in the above Y direction
Without requiring higher counter of the address generator 838, Y address generator B 840, can be configured with only the lower counter (counter for H _y). Specifically, every time an image is output in band units, the CPU 142
A may load the specified address in the Y direction (Y address of the first image data of the band unit to be printed next time) into the counter for H _y , and count up from there.

(3.4) Download of conversion data and parameters Various parameters set in the control unit 1009 or the operation / display unit 143 for downloading each conversion data described above to the conversion table via each conversion controller are explained. Is stored in the corresponding predetermined register, the apparatus of the present embodiment processes according to the flowchart of FIG. The operation will be described below. A program for performing the same process is stored in the ROM 142B provided in the control board 142 and is executed by the CPU 142A.

First, when the system is powered on,
The image printing unit 1004 is initialized in step SP1. This initialization process includes conversion table 50 for each recording color.
The initialization processing of 9, 511 and 513 is also included.

Then, in the next step SP2, the control unit 1
009 or the operation / display unit 143 determines whether or not a test print instruction has been received. If it is determined that the instruction has been received, the test print is performed in step SP3. In this case, as described above, the selector 51 for each recording color
9 outputs an instruction signal to select data from the binary PG controller, and print processing is performed.

Now, the control unit 1009 and the operation / display unit 14
If there is no instruction from 3, the process proceeds to step SP4, it is determined whether or not the data is received via the GPIB interface 501, and the reception is awaited. When the data is received, the process proceeds to step SP4, and it is determined whether the received data is image data or each conversion table data or parameter. Incidentally, the judgment as to whether or not the image data is made is made by interpreting the control command located at the head of the received data. In particular, in the case of conversion table data or parameters, identification data indicating which recording color of which conversion data the data to be sent subsequently is for, or which control parameter is used is added. It

If it is determined that the received data is image data, the process proceeds to step SP6 and print processing based on the image quality is executed.

If it is determined that the data is the conversion table data and parameters, the process proceeds to step SP7.
By interpreting the control command, it is determined which recording color is which conversion table or which parameter is a parameter. In step SP8, the received data is converted through the corresponding conversion controller or CPU based on the determination result. Or register.

The control unit 1009 and the operation / display unit 14
The information set in 3 and others can be displayed on the display of the operation / display unit 143. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a display example thereof. Although the printed length of the cloth 103, the total length of the cloth, the feed amount of the cloth, and the like are displayed on the display unit 143D in the figure, they are set by using the control unit 1009 and the operation buttons of the main operation / display unit. Of course, various parameters and modes can also be displayed. In FIG. 32, 143E is various error lamps. Reference numerals 143A and 143B respectively denote a stop button and an emergency stop button, which can be used to enable selection between a stop mode that protects continuity of print output and an unprotected stop mode, respectively. (4) Other Configuration Examples In the above embodiment, the control unit 1009 is the image printing unit 100.
4 is supplied with image data converted into color palette data, and the image printing unit 1004 converts the image data into C, M, Y, BK and spot colors S1 to S1 based on the color palette conversion table.
Although it is assumed that printing is performed using S4, an example in which the control unit 1009 supplies image data as R, G, B brightness data to the image printing unit 1004 will be described below.

In this example, a configuration similar to that of the above-described system can be adopted, but the image memory 505 in FIG. 19 is represented by R, G, B luminance data instead of palette data image data. The stored image data is stored, and the configuration of FIG. 21 is replaced with that shown in FIG.

In FIG. 33, R, G, B signals, etc. are converted into C, M,
An example of an image processing unit for converting signals of Y and BK or generating special color signals of S1 to S4 will be shown.

In this example, the control unit 1009 sends color image data R, G, B to the image printing unit 1004, the image printing unit 1004 receives the image data R, G, B via the interface, The CPU 142A takes timings of the image data processing unit, the recording head driver 24, the motor driver 23, etc. arranged on the control board 142, and controls them to control the cloth 1
Cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black B on 03
A color image is printed by applying the ink of K or the special colors S1 to S4.

In FIG. 33, the input correction unit 6 is applied to the image data (luminance data) R, G, B supplied from the controllers 504, 506 and 507 from the memory 505.
A reference numeral 32 performs conversion into standard luminance data R ′, G ′, B ′ (for example, NTSC system R, G, B of a color television) in consideration of the spectral characteristics and dynamic range of the input image, The density conversion unit 633 converts the standard brightness data R ′, G ′, B ′ into density data C, M, Y by using a non-linear conversion such as logarithmic conversion. The undercolor removal unit 634 and the black generation unit 635 perform undercolor removal and black generation from the density data C, M, Y, the UCR amount β, and the smear amount σ as in the following calculation example.

[0135]

## EQU1 ## C (1) = C−β × MIN (C, M, Y) M (1) = M−β × MIN (C, M, Y) Y (1) = Y−β × MIN (C , M, Y) K (1) = σ × MIN (C, M, Y) Next, the masking unit 636 removes the undercolor C (1),
The unnecessary absorption characteristics of ink are corrected for M (1) and Y (1) by the following calculation example.

[0136]

[Equation 2] C (2) = A11 × C (1) + A12 × M
(1) + A13 × Y (1) M (2) = A21 × C (1) + A22 × M (1) + A2
3 × Y (1) Y (2) = A31 × C (1) + A32 × M (1) + A3
3 × Y (1) However, Aij (ij = 1 to 3) is a masking coefficient.

Next, the γ conversion unit 641 uses C (2), M
C (3), M (3), Y (3), K (3) in which the output gamma is adjusted for (2), Y (2), and BK (1), respectively.
(C (3), M (3), Y (3), BK
(3) Correction is performed so that it becomes linear with the image density output with ink corresponding to each signal).

Since the print head is a binary recording means that has only two states, that is, whether or not ink is ejected, the binarization processing unit 642 is a multi-valued data C.
(3), M (3), Y (3), and K (3) are converted into C ', M', Y ', and BK' so that pseudo gradation formation can be obtained.
The binarization conversion process is performed and the value is output to the circuit unit shown in FIG.

Further, in this example, in accordance with the spot color instruction given from the CPU 142A, a predetermined range of R, G, B on the chromaticity diagram (R ', G', given by the input correction unit 632,
A color detection unit 631 for generating an instruction to print by replacing B ′) with the spot colors S1 to S4 is provided. The instruction is signal S
Is supplied to the γ conversion unit 637, and the γ conversion unit 631 outputs appropriate spot color signals S1 (3) to S4 (3), which are further binarized by the binarization processing unit 638 to obtain the signal S1 ′. ~
S4 'is generated.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram of the control unit 10 for the configuration of FIG.
An example of the spot color designation processing procedure performed by 09 will be described. As a general rule, this procedure is a process of designating a desired chromaticity range of three colors of R, G, and B to determine a desired range in the chromaticity diagram, and replacing a color included in the range with a desired spot color.

In this procedure as well, the processing of steps SS7-1 to SS7-7 similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is preceded, and if the print head of the desired color is mounted, then in step SS7-11. , CRT1026 determines whether or not to directly specify the color in the original image data. If an affirmative determination is made here, the designation is prompted in step SS7-13, and if it is determined in step SS7-15 that the designation is input, step SS7-1.
At step 7, the designation of the conversion width for each R, G, B color to the special color is waited for. In the designation, the minimum value (min) and the maximum value (max) of the conversion width are designated for each color of R, G and B. Next, in step SS7-19, a desired spot color is selected. For example, if there are four special colors S1 to S4, it can be designated by the numerical value assigned to each color.

When the conversion range and the spot color are designated in this way, the designation is made to the image printing unit 1004 in step SS7-21. As the format of the command used for this instruction, for example, following the identification code <WCOLOR>,
"<Rmin>, <Rmax>, <Gmin>, <Gmax>, <Bmin
>, <Bmax>, <byte> ”. This means that Rmin ≤ R ≤ Rmax, Gmin <G <Gmax, Bmin <B <Bmax For data, "<byte
> ”Is an instruction to use a special color.

If a negative decision is made in step SS7-11, the operation proceeds to step SS7-23, and the CRT adopted in the computer having the color graphic function.
It is determined whether or not the color for conversion is specified in the color sample table on the screen. If a positive determination is made here, step SS7-2
In step 5, the designation is urged, and then the process proceeds to step SS7-15 to perform the same process as described above.

On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step SS7-23, the operation proceeds to step SS7-27, it is decided whether or not color information related to conversion is designated by a key, and if a positive decision is made. To that effect, step SS7-15
Move to. Further, when a negative determination is made in step SS7-27, the spot color currently used in the image printing unit 1004 is used as it is, and the process ends.

The circuit shown in FIG. 35 can be adopted as the circuit of the color detecting section 631 of the image printing section 1004 for the above-mentioned designation processing on the control section 1009 side.

In FIG. 35, the above-mentioned data sent from the control unit 1009 is set by the CPU 142A in the comparison circuit 641 which can be constructed by using a register, a comparator and the like. The comparison circuit 641 receives the R ′,
When the G'and B'signals are input, they are compared with the set values, and a signal α which is "0" if within the specified range and "1" otherwise is generated. To do. The signal α is supplied to the density conversion unit 633 and the spot color signal generation circuit 643. If α = 0, the density conversion unit 633 does not generate C, M, Y signals for the R ′, G ′, B ′.

The R ', G', and B'signals are also supplied to the luminance signal generation circuit 645. The luminance signal generation circuit 645 calculates (R '+ G' + B ') / 3, for example, and supplies it to the spot color signal generation circuit 643 so that the density is reproduced well even in the range where the spot color is replaced. Also, the selector 64
7 is a CPU according to the data designated by the above <byte>
It is switched by 142A and instructs the spot color signal generation circuit 643 to use the spot color. Therefore, when the α output from the comparison circuit 641 is “0”, the spot color signal generation circuit 643 has the density corresponding to the luminance signal supplied from the luminance signal generation circuit 645 and is designated by the selector 647. Data S is generated.

When it is desired to mix the special color with C, M, Y, etc., the data of the above <byte> is increased in this example, and the comparison circuit 641 instructs only the use of the special color. = 0 and α using only C, M, Y, etc.
It is only necessary to generate data that determines the respective mixing ratios between = 1 and = 1.

FIG. 36 shows still another example of the spot color designation processing procedure performed by the control unit 1009. This process is a process for designating a specific area on the original image data and printing the range with a desired spot color.

Also in this procedure, the above-mentioned step SS7 is executed.
-1 to SS7-9 are placed in front. When the special color recording head to be used is mounted, step S
In S7-41, input of coordinate data indicating a desired area on the original image is prompted. When the input is determined in step SS7-43, the spot color is selected in step SS7-45, and the area data and the spot color designation data are notified to the image printing unit 1004 in step SS7-47. To do. The format of the command at that time is, for example, <WAREA>, followed by “<X1>, <by the X and Y coordinates if the area is a triangular area.
Y1>, <X2>, <Y2>, <X3>, <Y3>, <byte> ”, where“ <byte> ”is the designation data of the spot color as described above.

The image printing unit 1004 for this procedure
As the processing circuit on the side, the color detection unit 631 in FIG. 33 is used as an area detection unit, and the color detection unit 631 shown in FIG.
7 can be used.

In FIG. 37, the data relating to the above-mentioned area sent out by the control unit 1009 can be constituted by the CPU 142A using a register, a comparator and the like.
Set to 51. When the image address is input from the CPU bus, the comparison circuit 651 compares the image address with the set values, and outputs a signal α which is “0” within the specified range and “1” otherwise. And the density conversion unit 63
3 and the spot color signal generation circuit 643. The density conversion unit 633 does not generate C, M, and Y signals when α = 0. The comparison circuit 651 can also be configured to generate data that determines the ratio of the mixture of C, M, Y, etc. and the spot color.

The configurations of the spot color signal generation circuit 653, the luminance signal generation circuit 655 and the selector 657 are similar to those of the respective units 643, 645 and 647 in FIG. 35, and the comparison circuit 651 outputs the spot color signal generation circuit 653. When α is “0”, the luminance signal generation circuit 65
The special color data S designated by the selector 657 is generated at the density corresponding to the luminance signal supplied from the No. 5.

The spot color designation procedure described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 4, 34 and 36 is performed by the image printing unit 100.
It is possible to activate either one in accordance with the configuration of the four side, that is, for example, based on the information presented by the image printing unit 1004, or the image printing unit 1004 side has a circuit capable of supporting any procedure. If so, it is possible to activate either one according to the operator's desire.

In each of the above embodiments, the "feature"
And Y, M, which are usually used in color printers.
C is a metal color that cannot be reproduced or is difficult to reproduce, and vivid colors such as R, G, B, violet, and orange are used, and these colors are expressed by a dedicated head.
In addition to these, the special colors referred to in the present invention mean that even if reproducible or easy to reproduce by mixing Y, M, C, etc., since the frequency of use is high, the amount of the recording agent of the color used for mixing is limited. In the case of a large amount, it may be a color used for the purpose of suppressing the amount used. Further, it may be a color represented by a mixture of Y, M or C and a spot color, or a mixture of spot color recording agents.

Regarding the processing for faithfully reproducing the color selected by the designer, the procedure of generating color palette data has been described in the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10, but as in the embodiments of FIG. 33 and thereafter. The control unit 1009 uses R,
If the G and B luminance signals are to be transmitted to the image printing unit 1004, the correction as shown in FIG.
The R, G, B signals for performing good color reproduction may be transmitted by the selection as shown in FIG. (5) Others The image output apparatus (printer) according to the present invention can employ various recording methods other than the inkjet recording method. When the inkjet recording method is adopted, ink ejection is performed among them. An excellent effect in a recording head and a recording device of a system that includes means for generating heat energy as energy used to generate the ink (for example, an electrothermal converter, laser light, etc.) and causes a change in the ink state by the heat energy. Will bring about. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

The main part of the image printing unit 1004 of the present embodiment based on the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 to 41.

FIG. 38 schematically shows so-called recovery means for performing processing for improving the ejection state of the ink jet head shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The capping member 51 of the capping means 20 has a function of preventing the ejection surface of the head from drying, and caps the ejection surface of the head during non-printing or standby. The thickened ink discharge destination inside the discharge port of the head is the empty discharge box 53, and the carriage 124 or 124 'moves along the shaft 3 to the empty discharge box 53 from the S4 head to the C head one after another. Ink is ejected. The wiping member 57 of the clogging prevention means 31 is an elastic member or a porous member for removing foreign matter adhering to the ejection surface of the head, and in the course of the movement of the carriage 124 or 124 ', the S4 head sequentially moves to the C head. Up to the respective ejection surfaces and wipe them.

In the case of printing, cyan, which is the basic color of printing,
In addition to the four primary colors of magenta, yellow, and black, a color that is difficult to express by mixing these colors will be added in the form of a special color. For example, bright cobalt blue, gold, silver or the like. Since which color is added as a spot color depends on the original design image, it can be said that the spot color changes each time depending on the print pattern. However, in consideration of the fact that it is possible to support almost all designs if the maximum used special colors are four colors, in this example, four areas for securing the special color heads are secured.

In FIG. 39, in addition to the basic color for printing, four heads for special colors are mounted, and in the case of (i) the discharge operation for the empty discharge box 53, the carriage movement range required and the cyan head is not used. When individual heads are installed (i
It is explanatory drawing which shows the movement range of the carriage of i). As is apparent from this figure, it is preferable to improve the printing speed by recognizing the number of mounted heads or the mounting range and switching the moving distance of the carriage, that is,
It can be seen that the moving distance L1 required when eight are mounted is L2 when five are mounted.

It goes without saying that this is applicable not only to the idle discharge operation but also to the wiping operation and the printing operation.

In printing for swimwear, ski wear, etc.,
Very dark printing may be required. In such a case, scan the same print surface multiple times to perform overprinting,
It is conceivable to improve the density, but this inevitably reduces the printing speed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 39, a plurality of heads corresponding to the color to be darkly printed are mounted by using the special color head mounting area on the carriage.

In this case, the image processing system shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 may be handled as follows. That is, regarding the palette conversion table of FIG. 20, the C conversion table is left unchanged, the M conversion table is the C conversion table, the Y conversion table is the M conversion table, the K conversion table is the Y conversion table, and the S1 conversion table is the K conversion table. Each table is replaced with special color S2 to S4
"00" may be set in the conversion table so that no output occurs. In addition, the HS conversion table of the next and subsequent stages,
The γ conversion table may be similarly replaced.

By performing the above-mentioned processing, 2 in FIG.
The value output 516 becomes C, C, M, Y, K. here,
Since only cyan is printed twice, the density is doubled. If you want to lower the density a little, you can use γ of cyan.
It suffices to make the inclination of the conversion table as small as possible to obtain a desired reduction in density.

By thus disposing the head for which the density is desired to be increased in the special color area, the density of the color can be increased. In the case of this example, the order of the print heads, that is, the order at the time of color mixing is not changed, so that the hue does not change. FIG. 40 shows an example in which two magenta heads are mounted on the upper carriage 124 'and two spot color heads S1 are mounted on the lower carriage 124. Even when the heads mounted on the upper and lower carriages are different, the table of the image processing system may be appropriately switched.

FIG. 41 shows an example of a processing procedure for setting the contents of the conversion table and the scanning range according to the heads mounted on the carriages 124, 124 '.

First, in step S1, the carriage 12
The heads mounted on 4,124 'are recognized, that is, the color, the number, and the mounting range of the heads are recognized. For example, as a means for recognizing the number or range of mounted heads, the CPU 142A makes a judgment by measuring the impedance between the lines with the heads from the signal line between the relay board 147 and the heads in FIG. Alternatively, the determination can be made by turning on / off a switch arranged at the head mounting position on the carriage. Further, the print head of the inkjet recording unit 1005 has means (pattern cutting) for presenting its own information,
A proposal made by the applicant of the present application that enables the image printing unit 1004 to recognize the information by the means.
The invention disclosed in No. 7343 and the like can also be used. As means for presenting the information, EPROM or D
It may be one using an IP switch or the like. To apply to this example, the information may be the ink color used by the print head, and by reading the information with a printer, the number and range other than the color can be recognized.
Further, the operator may input such information using the operation display unit 143 or the like.

Based on the recognition result, the control board 142 notifies the control unit 1009 of a required notification, and the conversion data transmitted in response to the notification is expanded in the conversion tables 509, 511, 513. The process is performed (step S3), and the process of setting the blank discharge, the wiping, and the scanning range in the print area is performed according to the number or range of the mounted heads (step S5).

In the present invention, all or some of the print heads may be detachable on the carriage, or all of them may be fixed, which is not premised on easy attachment and detachment. In order to be able to set the scanning range only with information on the number of heads when detachable,
It may be arranged side by side so as not to create a space in the head mounting portion on the carriage. When all of the heads are fixed or when only a part of the mounted heads is used for printing, the information of the head to be used is input, or the control unit 1004 analyzes the color of the original image. It is also possible to recognize the information of the head to be used and set the scanning range according to the information. (Second Embodiment) Next, an embodiment focusing on the improvement of the print density will be described. In this embodiment as well, the same apparatus configuration, processing procedure, and the like as in the above-described first embodiment can be adopted, but this embodiment is particularly suitable for ensuring a desired print density when printing on a fabric. Is.

FIG. 42 shows the relationship between the amount of ink applied to the cloth 103 and the dyeing density. In this figure, the horizontal axis represents the ink ejection amount, and the maximum ejection amount per unit area is "100". The vertical axis is a function of the reflectance R of the dyed product after the coloring process and the washing process are finished after printing on the cloth,

[0171]

[Expression 3] K / S = (1-R) ² / 2R, which is a quantification of a visual staining density called a K / S (Keber S) value represented by.

In the figure, the maximum value of cyan is set to "100" and the other values are normalized and expressed. It can be said that the larger the value, the darker. The figure shows the characteristics of a total of five colors, which are the standard colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the special color blue.

As is clear from this figure, even with the same amount of ink, the density of black and blue, which is a special color, is about half that of yellow, magenta, and cyan.

However, in printing for swimwear, ski wear, etc., very dark printing may be required. In such a case, if it is required to use a special color such as black or blue for which it is difficult to secure the density in the design, increase the dye density of such color or control the size of the ink droplet as described above. Or by scanning the same printing surface multiple times and performing overprinting,
Although it is conceivable to improve the density, this may impair the ejection, or deteriorate the print quality due to the generation of streaks, or decrease the printing speed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 43, a plurality of heads corresponding to the color to be printed dark, that is, two black and two blue, respectively, are mounted in the head mounting area on the carriage.

In this case, the image processing system shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 may be handled as follows. That is, regarding the palette conversion table 508 of FIG.
The C, M, Y, and K conversion tables are left unchanged, the S1 conversion table is replaced with the K conversion table, the conversion tables of S2 and S3 are replaced with the BL (blue) conversion table, and the S4 conversion table is replaced with "00". Set so that no output occurs. Also, the HS after the next stage
The conversion table and the γ conversion table may be similarly replaced.

By performing the above processing, the process shown in FIG.
The value output 516 becomes C, M, Y, K, K, BL, BL. Here, if only black and blue have double densities and it is desired to further reduce the densities, the inclination of the γ conversion table for black and blue may be made small enough to obtain the desired density reduction.

FIG. 44 shows the density when two black heads and two blue heads are mounted in contrast to FIG. It is clear that black and blue can express the same level of density as the other three colors.

By thus arranging the head for which the density is desired to be increased in the special color area, the density of the color can be improved. In the case of this example, the order of the print heads, that is, the order at the time of color mixing is not changed, so that the hue does not change.

Also in this example, similarly to the first example, the contents of the conversion table or the like can be set according to the head mounted on the carriage by using the processing procedure as shown in FIG. .

That is, first, in step S1, the head mounted on the carriage is recognized, that is, the color, the number, or the mounting range of the head is recognized, and based on the recognition result, the control unit 1004 in the control board 142. To the conversion table 509, 511, 51.
The process of expanding to 3 may be performed (step S3). Further, depending on the number of mounted heads or the range, FIG. 39, FIG.
As described above, in the case of performing the processing for setting the blank discharge, the wiping, and the scanning range in the printing area, step S
The process 5 is executed, and if it is not executed, it may be deleted or skipped.

In this embodiment, the case where two print heads for black and blue are mounted in order to obtain a desired density has been described. However, depending on the design,
Further, it is needless to say that an appropriate number of heads of an appropriate color can be mounted according to the density, and the image processing system can be appropriately set accordingly. (Ink Example) Next, Example 1 and Example 2 described above.
An ink suitable for use in the printing apparatus as described in 1 above will be described.

As a typical conventional printing apparatus, there is a screen printing method in which a silk screen plate is used to directly print on a cloth or the like. The screen printing method is a method in which an original image to be printed is made into a screen plate for each color used in the original image, and the ink is directly dyed on the cloth through the eyes of silk.

However, in such a screen printing method, in addition to requiring a great number of steps and days for producing the screen plate, work such as preparation of ink of each color required for printing and alignment of the screen plate is required. Further, the apparatus is large, and the size is increased in proportion to the number of colors to be used, and the installation space is required, and the storage space for the screen plate is also required.

Therefore, an ink jet type recording apparatus is used as a recording apparatus having a function of a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like, or a recording apparatus used as a decoding type electronic device including a computer, a word processor or the like or an output device of a workstation. An apparatus has been put into practical use, and a system in which such an ink jet recording apparatus is used for printing and ink is directly discharged onto a cloth for recording, that is, a system as described in Examples 1 and 2 above is available. It is valid. That is, according to such a system, a plate used for screen printing is not required, the process and the number of days until printing can be significantly reduced, and the apparatus can be downsized. Also, as a matter of course, image information for printing can be stored in a medium such as a tape, a floppy disk, an optical disk, etc.
It has excellent storability. Further, it is possible to easily perform processing such as changing the color arrangement, changing the layout, and enlarging / reducing the original image.

Particularly, the ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., the electrothermal converter, electrode, formed on the substrate
By forming the liquid passage wall, the top plate, etc., it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge device having a high-density liquid passage arrangement (ejection port arrangement), and further downsizing can be achieved. It is also promising as an inkjet printing method because it can achieve high speed and high definition of image quality.

The ink used in such an ink jet printing method is, as compared with the ink used in the conventional ink jet recording on a recording material such as paper, to give a sufficient density for coloring, Do not cause clogging of the discharge ports and ink passages, -There are few irregular bleeds on the fabric-There is no change in discharge characteristics even with long-term durability, especially when using heat energy to use ink In the case of the discharge method, there is no deposition of foreign matter on the heater that gives heat energy, and the heater is not destroyed by cavitation when defoaming, so as to satisfy the requirements.
Strict conditions are required, and inks such as JP-B-62-57750 and JP-A-61-179269 are proposed.

However, although these techniques can satisfy the individual performances to some extent, the ink jet printing method capable of simultaneously satisfying the performances is not known so far.

Further, in attempting to put the ink jet printing method into practical use, new problems as described below have arisen.

As an apparatus used for ink jet recording, there is a serial type recording apparatus which adopts a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a recording material conveying direction (sub scanning direction). In this apparatus, an image is recorded by a recording device mounted on a carriage that moves in the main scanning direction along a recording material, and after one line of recording is completed, a predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch The entire recording material is recorded by repeating the operation of recording the image of the next row on the recording material that has been conveyed and then stopped again.

In order to put this ink jet recording apparatus into practical use as an apparatus used for textile printing, the ink jet recording apparatus which is usually used in a printer or the like is required in comparison with the production speed and the demands of the final product form such as clothes. ,
The continuous print length (scan length) must be very long (about 0.5 m or more). Therefore, in the ink jet recording method in which the head ejects ink by the thermal energy generated in the heating element of the head by the application of the drive signal, the temperature of the head is greatly increased because one scan is long, which causes Since the viscosity changes greatly, it is difficult to maintain stable ejection during one main scan. As a result, ejection failure is likely to occur.

Furthermore, the amount of ink mist deposited on the head orifice surface during ink ejection is very large because one scan is long, and the nozzle orifice surface is blocked, resulting in no ejection (non-wetting). Vomiting).
Further, even the ink mist accumulated near the nozzle is dragged to the nozzle opening due to contact with fibers such as fluff and yarn waste existing on the surface of the cloth, and the nozzle opening of the head is blocked, resulting in non-ejection of ink. In addition, the yarn waste itself,
There are new problems such as increasing the chances of contacting and adhering to the nozzle opening, blocking the nozzle opening and causing non-ejection of ink. This is a significant problem in a recording apparatus having a long print length in which at least one nozzle of the head ejects ink by applying a drive signal 5 × 10 ⁻³ times or more during one scan.

Therefore, in ink jet printing recording having a long print length, stable ejection can be performed without causing ejection failure, and an excellent printed material having no image defects can be obtained. Suitable for satisfying the above-mentioned problems of inkjet printing, that is, it is possible to obtain a high-concentration printed product without bleeding, head clogging does not occur, and durability and ejection characteristics are improved over a long period of time. It is important to use different inks.

Such a problem is solved by the following configuration.

That is, in the ink-jet printing in which the recording head ejects ink onto the cloth for printing by the thermal energy generated in the heating element of the recording head by the application of the drive signal, the recording head covers the cloth. The nozzles are relatively scanned with respect to each other, at least one of the nozzles included in the recording head ejects the ink by applying a drive signal 5 × 10 ⁻³ times or more during one scanning, and Dye is contained in the total weight of the ink in an amount of 2% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less and a viscosity of 1.5 cp or more and 4 cp
Below, the surface tension is 35 dyn / cm or more and 65 dyn / c
It is to be m or less.

Further, at least black, magenta, cyan, and yellow inks, or inks of a required special color are used to cause the recording head to generate ink by the thermal energy generated in the heating element of the recording head by the application of the drive signal. In a color inkjet printing for discharging by printing on a cloth, the recording head scans relative to the cloth, and at least one of the nozzles included in the recording head makes one scan, 5 x 1
The ink is ejected by applying a drive signal 0 to ³ times or more, and each of the inks contains a dye in an amount of 2% by weight to 30% by weight in the total weight of the ink and has a viscosity of 1.5.
cp or more and 4 cp or less, and the surface tension is 35 dyn / cm or more and 65 dyn / cm or less.

The inventors of the present invention have conducted a study on a printing method that simultaneously satisfies the above-mentioned various problems when performing inkjet printing recording using the above-mentioned inkjet printing apparatus, and as a result, the ink used is a dye. 2 wt% to 30 wt% in the total weight of the ink, the viscosity is 1.5 cp to 4 cp, and the surface tension is 35 dyn.
It has been found that when it is not less than 65 cm / cm and not more than 65 dyn / cm, stable ejection can be performed without causing non-ejection and the like, and a high-concentration printed material without bleeding can be obtained.

Next, the ink which can be used in the ink jet recording apparatus as described in Examples 1 and 2 will be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments.

The ink used in this example is a dye,
Consists of water, organic solvent, additives, etc. As the coloring matter, a dye is preferable, as long as it can dye a cloth. Acid dyes, cationic dyes, reactive dyes, disperse dyes, vat dyes, etc. can be used. These dyes have 1
It is also possible to use in combination with one containing more than one kind and having different hues. The amount used is generally 2% by weight in total with respect to the total amount of ink in order to obtain sufficient color development on the cloth.
Or more and 30% by weight or less, preferably 4% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less, and particularly black ink is preferably 6% by weight or more and 20% by weight or less.

The preferred water content as the main component of the ink is 10 to 93% by weight, preferably 25 to 87% by weight, more preferably 30 to 80% by weight, based on the total amount of the ink.

As the organic solvent, for example, acetone,
Ketones or keto alcohols such as diacetone alcohol; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
Tetraethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol,
Tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol,
Oxyethylene or oxypropylene addition polymers such as polypropylene glycol; ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, hexylene glycol and other alkylene groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkylene glycols containing; thiodiglycol; glycerin; lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether; Lower dials of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol dimethyl (or ethyl) ether and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl (or ethyl) ether Ethers; sulfolane, N-
Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolinodine and the like can be mentioned.

The content of the water-soluble organic solvent is generally in the range of 5 to 60% by weight, preferably 5 to 50%, based on the total weight of the ink.

When the above mediums are used in combination, they can be used alone or as a mixture, but the most preferable liquid medium composition is one in which the solvent contains at least one polyhydric alcohol. Of these, thiodiglycol alone or a mixture of diethylene glycol and thiodiglycol is particularly good.

The main components of the ink used are as described above, but various other known dispersants, surfactants, viscosity modifiers, surface tension modifiers, optical brighteners, etc. are added as necessary. be able to.

For example, viscosity adjusting agents such as polyvinyl alcohol, celluloses and water-soluble resins; various cationic or nonionic surface active agents; surface tension adjusting agents such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine;
Examples thereof include H regulators and antifungal agents.

Particularly important in the ink jet printing method as in this example is that the ink has a viscosity of 1.5 cp to 4 cp, preferably 2.0 cp to 3.8 cp, and a surface tension of 35 dyn / cm to 65 dyn / cm. It is to adjust within the following range. By setting the content in such a range, good inkjet printing can be realized.

That is, like the ink jet printing method of the above example, in order to carry out ink jet printing recording with a long print length, it is necessary to use inks used in conventional printing,
Ink physical properties must be controlled under more strict conditions.

When the viscosity of the ink is 4 cp or more, the non-ejection during scanning rapidly increases. This is because the ejection force is weak, and the force for performing stable ejection is insufficient due to ink thread waste accumulated in the vicinity of the ejection port (wet ejection failure or the like). If it is 1.5 cp or less, image bleeding is likely to occur and ejection becomes unstable (generation of satellites due to splash).

Even if only the viscosity of the ink is within the above range, if the surface tension is 35 dyn / cm or less, the non-ejection length (the length of white spots formed on the cloth) when the non-ejection is performed becomes several tens cm. I will crawl. That is, recovery after non-ejection does not go smoothly. If there is at least one such non-ejection over several tens of cm, the fabric cannot be used, which is not preferable.

On the other hand, when the surface tension is 65 dyn / cm or more, the frequency response is lowered and the ejection becomes unstable.

Therefore, the effect of ink-jet printing recording having a long print length can be obtained by setting both the viscosity and the surface tension within the range of the present invention. Can't get

Adjustment of the viscosity and surface tension of the ink used is as follows.
Those skilled in the art can easily carry out the method by appropriately selecting and combining the type and amount of the dye and the organic solvent to be used and adding various additives.

Examples of materials constituting the cloth used in ink-jet printing include natural fibers such as cotton, silk, nylon and polyester, regenerated fibers, semi-synthetic fibers and synthetic fibers. Among them, natural fibers such as cotton and silk. Is preferred.
The above fibers can be used in any form such as woven fabric, knitted fabric and non-woven fabric.

In order to obtain a better printed product, it is preferable to subject the cloth to a conventional pretreatment. In particular, a cloth containing 0.01 to 5% by weight of an alkaline substance or a substance selected from the group of water-soluble metal salts, water-soluble polymers, urea, and thiourea is used in an amount of 0.01 to 20. It is more preferable that it is contained in a weight percentage.

Examples of the alkaline substance include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, amines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine, carbonic acid or carbonic acid such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate. Examples thereof include alkali metal hydrogen. Examples include organic acid metal salts such as calcium acetate and barium acetate, ammonia, and ammonia compounds. Also, sodium trichloroacetate, which becomes an alkaline substance under steaming and dry heat, can be used. Particularly preferred alkaline substances are sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate used for dyeing reactive dyes.

Examples of the water-soluble polymer include starch substances such as corn and wheat, cellulosic substances such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, arabic gum, locustite bean gum, tragacanth gum,
Examples include polysaccharides such as guar gum and tamarind seeds, protein substances such as gelatin and casein, and natural water-soluble polymers such as tannin-based substances and lignin-based substances.

Examples of synthetic polymers include polyvinyl alcohol compounds, polyethylene oxide compounds, acrylic acid water-soluble polymers, maleic anhydride water-soluble polymers, and the like. Among these, polysaccharide polymers and cellulose polymers are preferable.

Examples of the water-soluble metal salts include compounds having a pH of 4 to 10 which produce typical ionic crystals such as halides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. As a typical example of such a compound, for example, in the case of an alkali metal, NaCl, Na ₂ S
O ₄ , KCL, CH ₃ COONa, etc. are mentioned, and
Examples of the alkaline earth metal include CaCl ₂ and MgCl ₂ . Of these, salts of Na, K and Ca are preferable.

Next, a more specific description will be given with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples of ink. In the text, “part” and “%” are based on weight. 1. Ink preparation Each of the following components was mixed, the mixed solution was adjusted to pH 8.4 with sodium hydroxide, stirred for 2 hours, and then filtered with Fluoropore Filter FP-100 (trade name, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) to prepare an aqueous ink. A to H were obtained.

The viscosity and surface tension of each ink are shown below.

Ink A: C.I. I. Reactive Black 39 15.0 parts Thiodiglycol 15.0 parts Diethylene glycol 10.0 parts Water 60 parts Ink B: C.I. I. Reactive Red 24 11.0 parts Thiodiglycol 10.0 parts Diethylene glycol 20.0 parts Water 59.0 parts Ink C: C.I. I. Reactive Blue 72 8.0 parts Thiodiglycol 20.0 parts Diethylene glycol 10.0 parts Water 62.0 parts Ink D: C.I. I. Reactive Yellow95 11.0 parts Thiodiglycol 25.0 parts Diethylene glycol 10.0 parts Water 54.0 parts Ink E: C.I. I. Reactive Black 39 15.0 parts Thiodiglycol 15.0 parts Diethylene glycol 15.0 parts Water 55.0 parts Ink F: C.I. I. Reactive Black 39 15.0 parts Thiodiglycol 10.0 parts Water 75.0 parts Ink G: C.I. I. Reactive Red 24 11.0 parts Isopropyl alcohol 10.0 parts Thiodiglycol 10.0 parts Diethylene glycol 20.0 parts Water 49.0 parts Ink H: C.I. I. Reactive Red 24 11.0 parts Glycerin 10.0 parts Water 79.0 parts The following components are mixed, the pH of the mixture is adjusted to 4.8 with acetic acid, and the mixture is stirred for 2 hours, and then Fluoropore Filter FP-10.
0 (trade name, manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Co., Ltd.) to obtain water-based ink I,
I got J.

Ink I: C.I. I. Acid Blue 40 4.0 parts Diethylene glycol 36.0 parts Water 60.0 parts Ink J: C.I. I. Acid Black 26 6.0 parts Diethylene glycol 36.0 parts Water 58.0 parts 2. Inkjet Printing Device The device shown in FIG. 15 or 16 was used under the following printing conditions (printing device a).

Print head: 400 dpi, 256
Nozzle, orifice (22 μm × 33 μm) -Drive voltage: 24.0 V-Head temperature: 25-60 ° C-Drive pulse width: 10 μs-Drive frequency: 1.5 KHz-4.0 KHz-Distance between nozzle and cloth: 1 mm-Ink Discharge amount: 20 pl to 50 pl / dot-Print length (length of one scan): 1.6 m Furthermore, a printing apparatus b was used under the above conditions except that the print length was as short as 310 mm. 3. Fabrics The following two types of fabrics were used, a was immersed in a 10% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution and b was a 15% urea aqueous solution, and then dried.

A. Flat cloth (100% cotton) b. Habutae 8 with straw (100% silk) 4. Operation Apply each of the above inks A to J to the above cloth and the above ink jet
Printing with a continuous printing machine for 30 scans.
Printing (when the printing device is solid printing, 1
1.8 × 10 in scan^Four Pulse / nozzle, printing device b
Is 4.0 × 10 ³ Pulse / nozzle), frequent occurrence of ejection failure
The degree and the average length of ejection failure were examined. In addition, print
Fix objects by steaming (104 ° C, 10 minutes) treatment
Bleeding of the printed material after washing with a neutral detergent and drying
Was evaluated. Also, the head orientation after printing
The surface was also observed. These results are shown in FIG. The figure
45, inks with different viscosities
The components are shown in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4.

* 1 Average length of non-ejection: Σl / n (c
m) l: length of non-ejection n: number of non-ejection * 2 The irregular disorder of the straight line portion of the edge of the solid portion was visually observed and judged.

◯: No turbulence Δ: Some turbulence ×: Many turbulence * 3 Dischargeability and head orifice surface were observed.

X: A large number of ink droplets are attached and ejection is difficult.

Δ: Ink droplets are attached, but there is no problem in ejection.

◯: No ink droplet is attached.

When full-color printing was carried out using the above inks A to D, a printed material having stable coloration and no bleeding and good color development was obtained.

As described above, by using the ink of this example, it is possible to carry out stable ejection without causing ejection failure or the like in an inkjet printing having a long print length, and it is possible to obtain a high-concentration printed material without bleeding. . (Others) The present invention is not limited to the inkjet printing method, and various printing methods can be adopted.
In the case of adopting the inkjet printing method, among them, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) that generates thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink is provided, and the ink is generated by the thermal energy. The present invention brings about excellent effects in a print head and a printing apparatus of the type which cause the change of state. This is because such a method can achieve high density and high definition printing.

Next, the ink jet recording section 1 of this embodiment.
The configuration of the recording unit 005 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 46 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the ink jet recording section 1005 of this embodiment.

The ink jet recording section 1005 includes a main body, a head carriage 334, and a head carriage base 3.
35 and two head carriage slide rails 3,
3, a head carriage drive system, an ink tank carriage 330, an ink tank carriage base 331, and 2
Slide rail 333 for ink tank carriage of book
333, an ink tank carriage drive system, and a recovery system device 20, and the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are moved in the main scanning direction (arrow P direction) along separate slide rails. Is characterized by.

Next, each component of the ink jet recording section 1005 will be described.

(1) Head Carriage 334, Head Carriage Base 335, Head Carriage Slide Rails 3, 3, and Head Carriage Drive System The head carriage 334 has a recording head for ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of ejection ports as described above. However, about eight for cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and other special four colors are installed. The head carriage 334 is placed on the head carriage base 335. The head carriage base 335 is slidably supported by two head carriage slide rails 3, 3. The head carriage drive system has an endless head carriage main scanning belt 4 and a head carriage main scanning motor 5 for rotating the head carriage main scanning belt 4.

Therefore, the head carriage base 335 is fixed to the head carriage main scanning belt 4, and
The head carriage main scanning belt 4 is rotated by the head carriage main scanning motor 5, whereby the head carriage 334 is moved in the main scanning direction.

(2) Ink Tank Carriage 330, Ink Tank Carriage Base 331, Ink Tank Carriage Slide Rails 333, 333, and Ink Tank Carriage Drive System The ink tank carriage 330 is supplied with predetermined ink to each recording head. Eight ink tanks for each are installed. The ink tank carriage 330 is mounted on the ink tank carriage base 331. The ink tank carriage base 331 has two ink tank carriage slide rails 333 and 333.
It is slidably supported by. The ink tank carriage drive system has an endless ink tank carriage main scanning belt (not shown) and an ink tank carriage main scanning motor (not shown) for rotating the ink tank carriage main scanning belt.

Therefore, the ink tank carriage base 331.
Is fixed to the main scanning belt for the ink tank carriage, and the main scanning belt for the ink tank carriage is rotated by the main scanning motor for the ink tank carriage, whereby the ink tank carriage 330 is moved in the main scanning direction. During recording, the ink tank carriage 330 is moved in the main scanning direction in synchronization with the head carriage 334.

Next, regarding the advantage of moving the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 along the separate slide rails in the main scanning direction, which is a characteristic point of the ink jet recording section 1005, FIG.
7 (A), (B), and (C), respectively.

The inventors of the present invention used the ink jet recording section 10
When designing 05, as shown in FIG. 47A, the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are
It was studied to move and in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow in the figure) along the same two slide rails 340 and 341. However, since the weight of the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 is several kilograms to several tens of kilograms in order to realize an ink jet recording apparatus that continuously records a printed matter having a recording width of 1 m or more for a long time, It turns out that there are the following problems.

(1) Head carriage 334, ink tank carriage 330 and slide rails 340, 3
Depending on the weight of 41 itself, each slide rail 340,34
If the diameter of 1 is small, the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are slid on the slide rails 340, 3.
When the slide rail 340 is moved to the vicinity of the center in the main scanning direction, the slide rails 340 and 341 are bent. As a result, as shown in FIG. 47B, the pixel 342 shifts for each scanning (line) from the center to the end in the main scanning direction of the printed matter, and the image quality deteriorates.
In order to prevent this deterioration in image quality, for example, one pixel 3
When the width of 42 in the main scanning direction is 60 μm, in order to suppress the maximum shift amount of the pixel 342 for each scanning to 30 μm or less, in one design example, each slide rail 34 of 100φ is used.
0,341 is required, and each slide rail 340,3
The weight of 41 is also about 240 kg.

(2) The ink tank carriage 3 is caused by the fluctuation of the ink surface due to the consumption of the ink in each ink tank.
30 vibrates. As a result, the ink tank carriage 3
The vibration of 30 is transmitted to the head carriage 334 via the slide rails 340 and 341, and the recording quality is degraded.

(3) The head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are connected to the slide rails 340, 3 respectively.
47 in order to move in the main scanning direction along 41.
As shown in (A), the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are arranged side by side. As a result, as the width of the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus in the main scanning direction, the ink tank carriage 33
An extra width of 0 in the main scanning direction is required.

On the other hand, like the ink jet recording unit 1005 of this embodiment, by moving the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 along separate slide rails in the main scanning direction,
The following advantages arise.

(1) Slide rails 3 and 3 for each head carriage and slide rail 33 for each ink tank
Since the weight applied to each of the slide rails 3,333 can be reduced, the diameter of each slide rail 3,3,333,333 can be reduced, and each slide rail 3,3,33 can be reduced.
The weight of 3,333 (70 kg in one design example) can be reduced.

(2) The ink tank carriage 3 is caused by the fluctuation of the ink surface due to the consumption of the ink in each ink tank.
It is possible to prevent the vibration of the ink tank carriage 330 from being transmitted to the head carriage 334 even if the vibration of 30 occurs.

(3) As shown in FIG. 47 (C), the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are vertically arranged, and the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are moved in the main scanning direction. The width of the main body of the inkjet recording unit 1005 in the main scanning direction can be minimized.

In the above description, the ink jet recording section 1
Although 005 has the ink tank carriage drive system, the ink tank carriage drive system may not be provided, and the ink tank carriage base 331 may be fixed to the head carriage base 335 and moved together with the head carriage base 335. However, by having the ink tank carriage drive system, for example, as shown in FIG. 47C, the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are arranged vertically so that the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are arranged. When the head carriage 334 is moved in the main scanning direction, when the head carriage 334 is replaced, only the ink tank carriage 330 is automatically moved by the ink tank carriage drive system, so that the head carriage 334 is moved.
Since it can be removed from the side as well, workability can be improved.

B. Regarding Inkjet Recording Device of Second Embodiment and Manufacturing Method of Second Inkjet Recorded Product FIG. 48 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the second inkjet recording device of the present embodiment.

The ink jet recording apparatus 1005 'includes a main body, a head carriage 334, two head carriage slide rails 122 ₁ and 122 ₂ , a head carriage drive system (not shown), and an ink tank carriage 330.
And two slide rails for ink tank carriage 13
2 ₁ , 132 ₂ and ink tank carriage drive system (not shown)
46 and a recovery system device (not shown), and the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are moved in the main scanning direction along different slide rails, respectively. Part 1
The same as 005.

However, the first I steels 129 ₁ and 129 _{2 to} which the first support bases 128 ₁ and 128 ₂ are fixed respectively, and the first I steels 129 ₁ and 129 _{2 to} which the second support bases 138 ₁ and 138 ₂ are fixed, respectively. 2 of I steel 139 _1, 13
9 ₂ and the head carriage 334 is 4
Slide bushings pieces of the head carriage 125 _1-125
4 (2 head carriage slide bushes 125 ₁ , 1
The ink tank carriage 330 is slidably supported by the slide rails 122 ₁ and 122 ₂ for each head carriage via only _{2 5 2} ), and the ink tank carriage 330 has four ink tank carriage slide bushes 135 _{1 to} 135 ₄ ( Inkjet shown in FIG. 46 in that it is slidably supported on the respective ink tank carriage slide rails 132 ₁ and 132 ₂ via _two ink tank carriage slide bushes 135 ₁ and 135 ₂ . Different from the recording unit 1005.
Here, the first I steels 128 ₁ , 128 ₂ and the second I steels 138 ₁ ,
Each 138 ₂ at both ends, the support attached to the window 151 _{1-151 4} provided on both sides of the main body, 152 _{1 to} 152 ₄ (only window 151 _{1-151 4} provided on one side) It is fixed to a member (not shown).

Although not shown in FIG. 46, an ink tube bundle 160 and an electric cable bundle 161 are provided between the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330.
And are provided.

Inkjet recording apparatus 100 of this embodiment
As shown in FIG. 49 (A), the reference numeral 5 ′ includes slide rails 122 ₁ and 122 ₂ for the head carriages and first support bases 128 ₁ and 128 ₁ .
The slide rails 132 ₁ and 132 ₂ for the ink tank carriages are fixed to the respective 128 ₂ and the second support bases.
138 _1, 138 by respective fixing ₂ has the advantage described below.

As shown in FIG. 49 (B), similar to the ink jet recording section 1005 shown in FIG. 46, the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 are provided on separate slide rails 172 ₁ , 172 ₂ , 182 ₁ , 182 by ₂ be slidably supported by the vibration of the head of the head carriage 334 and the ink tank carriage 330 and lighter and each slide rail than is slidably supported on the same slide rail ink tank carriage 330 Transmission to the carriage 334 can be prevented. However, as each of the slide rails 172 _1, 172 _2, 182 _1, 182 _2, the slide rail 172 ₁ by weight of the weight or the ink tank carriage 330 of the head carriage 334,
172 _2, 182 _1, 182 ₂ of the deflection amount is required to have a sufficient diameter to a degree that does not cause a deterioration of image quality.
Furthermore, four slide bushes 175 _{1 to} 175 ₄ (two slide bushes 17 provided on the head carriage 334)
5 ₁ , 175 ₂ only) and ink tank carriage 33
4 slide bushes 185 _{1 to} 185 ₄ (2
(Only the slide bushes 185 ₁ and 185 ₂ are shown)
Each slide rail 172 _1, 172 _2, 182 _1, of a size is required in accordance with the 182 _second diameter. For example, in one design example, the maximum deflection amount of a slide rail having a length of 3500 mm is set to 0.
To make it 3 mm or less, a 100φ slide rail is required, and the weight of the slide bush becomes 10 kg.

On the other hand, in the ink jet recording apparatus 1005 'of this embodiment, the weight of the head carriage 334 can be supported by the _first I steels 129 ₁ and 129 ₂ , and the weight of the ink tank carriage 330 can be increased. Each second I
It is possible to support steel 139 _1, 139 _2, it is possible to slide rails 122 ₁ for each head carriage, 122 ₂ of diameter and the ink tank carriage slide rails 132 _1, 132 ₂ of the diameter smaller. As a result, the weight of each slide rail 122 ₁ , 122 ₂ , 132 ₁ , 132 ₂ can be reduced. In addition, along with this, the slide bush 12 for each head carriage
5 ₁ , 125 ₂ and the slide bushes 135 ₁ , 135 ₂ for each ink tank carriage can be downsized. For example, in one design example, each slide rail 122 ₁ , 122 ₂ , 132 ₁ , 132 ₂ can be configured with 20 to 30φ, and each slide bush 125 ₁ , 125 ₂ , 135 ₁ , 135 ₂ can be configured. Weight is 300g ~
It can be 800 g.

FIG. 50 is a main part configurational view showing a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

Inkjet recording apparatus 1210 of this embodiment
The inkjet printer according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 48 is provided with an alignment mechanism for the head carriage slide rails 222 ₁ and 222 _{2 and} an alignment mechanism for the ink tank carriage slide rails 232 ₁ and 232 ₂ . Recorder 10
Different from 05. Since the two alignment mechanisms are those having the same structure, below, the alignment mechanism of Figure 50 illustrated right end of the ink tank carriage slide rails 232 ₂ will be described the configuration and operation as an example.

Slide rail for ink tank carriage
232 ₂ alignment mechanism comprises a rail base 1310, a first adjusting member 1320, the second adjusting member 1330 (refer to FIG. 51). Here, the rail base 1310 includes a mounting surface 1311 on which the _second I steel 2392 is mounted and fixed, and a window on the side surface of the main body 1211.
252 and the first slide hole 1312 in which the first dowel 1291 provided upward in the drawing of ₄ is fitted, a second dowel 1292 provided downward in the drawing of the window 252 ₄ side of the body 1211 is fitted Done second
And a slide hole 1313 thereof. In addition, the first adjustment member 13
20 is a disk-shaped first handle 1321 and the center of the shaft is the first
A first shaft portion 1322 whose one end is attached to the first handle 1321 so as to coincide with the center of the handle 1321, and the center of the shaft is offset from the center of the first shaft portion 1322 and one end of which is the first The first fitting shaft 1323 is attached to the other end of the shaft portion 1322. In addition, the first fitting shaft 1323 is a first fitting hole provided below the second dowel 1292 on the side surface of the main body 1211 in the figure.
It is fitted to 1293. Further, as shown in FIG. 51, the second adjusting member 1330 has a disc-shaped second handle 1331 and a second handle at one end so that the center of the shaft coincides with the center of the second handle 1331. Second mating shaft mounted on 1331
1332 and the second center with the center of the shaft displaced from the center of the second fitting shaft 1332 and one end attached to the other end of the second fitting shaft 1332.
And a shaft portion 1333 thereof. It should be noted that the second fitting shaft 1332 has a second fitting hole 1319 formed in the mounting surface 1311 of the rail base 1310.
And the second shank 1333 is fitted to the second I-steel 239 ₂
It is fitted in the long hole 1350 provided in the.

Slide rail for ink tank carriage
₂ 32 2 is aligned in the left-right direction in the drawing by using the second fitting shaft 1333.
Is fitted into the second fitting hole 1319 and the second shaft portion 13
33 After fitted to the elongated hole 1350, the second handle 1331 is rotated, carried out by moving the second I steel 239 ₂ in shown the left-right direction. In this manner, when the alignment of the illustrated left and right directions is completed, is fixed by two fixing screws a second I steel 239 ₂ on the placement surface 1311 of the rail base 1310. The ink tank slide rails 232 ₂ shown vertical alignment carriage, the first engaging shaft 1323 first fitting hole 1293
, And then rotate the first handle 1321 to
Push-up surface 1351 of the rail base 1310 that contacts the first shaft portion 1322
By moving up and down. When the vertical alignment in the figure is completed in this way, the rail base 13
The 10 is fixed to the side surface of the body 1211 with four fixing screws. Incidentally, the alignment mechanism of the ink tank carriage slide rail ₂₃₂₂ is also provided on the other side of the body 1211.

In the same manner as the alignment of the ink tank carriage slide rail 232 ₂ described above, the alignment of the two head carriage slide rails 222 ₁ and 222 ₂ and the other ink tank carriage slide rail 232 ₁ is performed. By doing each, each slide rail 22
The parallelism and horizontality of 2 ₁ , 222 ₂ , 232 ₁ , 232 ₂ can be secured.

C. Regarding Third Inkjet Recording Apparatus of the Present Invention and Manufacturing Method of Third Inkjet Recorded Article FIG. 52 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the third inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

The ink jet recording apparatus 410 includes a main body 411.
A head carriage 420, two head carriage slide rails 422 ₁ , 422 ₂ , a head carriage drive system (not shown), an ink tank carriage 430, and two ink tank carriage slide rails 432 ₁ , 432 ₂
And an ink tank carriage drive system (not shown) and a recovery system device (not shown), and the head carriage 420 and the ink tank carriage 430 are moved in the main scanning direction along different slide rails. Point, the first I-steel 42 to which the respective _first supporting bases 428 ₁ and 428 ₂ are fixed respectively
9 ₁ , 429 ₂ and second I-steels 439 ₁ , 439 ₂ to which the respective _second supporting bases 438 ₁ , 438 ₂ are fixed, respectively, and
The head carriage 420 slides on each of the head carriage slide rails 422 ₁ , 422 ₂ via four head carriage slide bushes 425 _{1 to} 4254 (only two head carriage slide bushes 425 ₁ , 425 ₂ are shown). Ink tank carriage 430 is freely supported and has four ink tank carriage slide bushes 435 ₁
~ 435 ₄ (only two ink tank carriage slide bushes 435 ₁ , 435 ₂ are shown) are slidably supported on the respective ink tank carriage slide rails 432 ₁ , 432 ₂ , as shown in the figure. This is the same as the inkjet recording apparatus 1005 ′ shown in FIG.

However, the ink jet recording apparatus 410 is
The recess 411b provided on the bottom plate 411a of the main body 411 and the recess 411b
A float sensor 1510 is provided inside, and electrical components such as a head drive unit 1501 for driving the recording head, a head carriage drive system, an ink tank carriage drive system, and a power source (not shown) are provided in the main body 411. It is different from the inkjet recording apparatus 1005 ′ shown in FIG. 48 in that it is provided outside. Note that, for example, the head carriage
Recording head and head drive means 1501 built into the 420
Electrical connection with the electric cable bundle 461 is made via the first electric bundled wire 1502, the second electric bundled wire 1503, and the electric cable bundle 461.

The ink jet recording apparatus 410 thus constructed has the following advantages.

(1) In the ink jet recording apparatus 410,
When the ink in the ink tank mounted on the ink tank carriage 430 runs out, the ink is supplied from the external main tank, but at this time, the ink leaks into the main body 411 for some reason. May occur. At this time, if various electrical components are provided inside the main body 411, there is a risk that electrical shorts will occur due to the leaked ink and various electrical components will be destroyed. It is necessary to provide a mechanism for doing so. However, unlike the word processor or the like, it is not always necessary to provide various electric components inside the main body 411 in the ink jet recording apparatus 410 that continuously records on a recording medium having a recording width of 1 m or more for a long time. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem can be easily solved by providing various electric components outside the main body 411 as much as possible.

(2) When ink leaks into the main body 411 without the operator's knowledge, the inside of the main body 411 is contaminated and the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 410 is stopped during the cleaning of the inside of the main body 411. I have to let you.
This causes a problem of reduced productivity when the inkjet recording device 411 is continuously operated for a long time for commercial use. Therefore, by providing the recess 411b in the bottom plate 411a of the main body 411 and providing the float sensor 1510 in the recess 411b, it is possible to detect ink leakage early and minimize the contamination inside the main body 411. It is possible to prevent deterioration of sex.

D. Regarding Fourth Inkjet Recording Apparatus of the Present Invention and Manufacturing Method of Fourth Inkjet Recorded Article FIG. 53 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a two-stage head configuration in an embodiment of the fourth inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

The ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment is characterized by having a two-stage head structure. That is, as one of the problems of the inkjet recording apparatus that continuously records on a recording medium having a recording width of 1 m or more for a long time, as described above, improvement of the image forming speed can be mentioned. Therefore, the two-stage head configuration is more advantageous than the one-stage head configuration in that the image forming speed is improved. Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, a two-stage head structure is realized as shown below.

Up and down the inner space of the head carriage 1000
Head spaces 1100 and 1200 each having a built-in recording head are mounted in each internal space.
At this time, mounting and positioning of the head holders 1100 and 1200 are performed as follows.

The head holder 1100 serves as a positioning member.
Two front fixing members 1111₁ ， 1111 ₂ (Front fixing member
1111₁ (Only shown) and two rear fixing members 1115₁ ， 1115
₂ (Rear fixing member 1115₁ (Only shown) and two positioning
Axis 1120₁ ， 1120₂ (Positioning axis 1120₁ Only shown)
Get

[0272] Here, the front fixing member ₁₁₁₁₁ is attached to the recording head side of the side surface of the head holder frame 1101 of the head holder 1100 (the left side). Front fixing member 1111
_A click mountain 11121 is attached to the upper surface of ₁ . Further, as shown in FIG. 54, the surface of the recording head side of the front fixing member _11111, two-stage recess and the through hole of are formed. The recess of the first-stage front fixing member _11111, the nut member 1113 _1, as shown in FIG. 56, detent is made, and is fitted with a front fixing member ₁₁₁₁₁ and the predetermined backlash. As a result, the nut member 11
Eliminating the influence of eccentricity of the adjusting screw 1121 ₁ (described later) that occurs when 13 ₁ is fixed to the front fixing member 1111 ₁ , and always aligning the center of the screw of the nut member 1113 ₁ with the center of the positioning shaft 1120 _1. Therefore, the positioning accuracy can be improved. The same applies to the rest of the front fixing member 1111 _2.

The rear fixing member 1115 ₁ is the head holder frame 11
It is attached to the side of 01 which is opposite to the recording head (right side in the figure). The rear fixing member 1115 _1, as shown in FIG. 54, a through hole is drilled, the set screw 11
30 ₁ is provided. The same applies to the rest of the rear fixing member 1115 _2.

Positioning axis 1110₁ On the opposite side of the recording head
The end face has a driver fitting hole 1125₁ Are formed. Rank
Positioning axis 1110₁ Near the end of the recording head side of the
Slotted hole 1122₁ The nut member 1113 formed with₁ When
Adjustment screw to be screwed 1121₁ Is attached. Also,
Positioning axis 1110₁ Recording head end and adjusting screw 1121 ₁ 
Between the parallel pin 1123₁ Is provided. Positioning
Female shaft 1110₁ Is the front fixing member at the end opposite the recording head.
1111₁ Through hole and rear fixing member 1115₁ Through holes
After being penetrated, adjust screw 1121₁ Is the nut member 1113₁ When
The front fixing member 1111 is rotated by being screwed.
₁ And rear fixing member 1115₁ To be attached to. Remaining positioning
Female shaft 1110₂ Is also the same.

As shown in FIG. 53, the head carriage 1000 is provided with two Z stages 1211 ₁ ,
1211 ₂ (only Z stage 1211 ₁ shown) and two front support members 1212 ₁ and 1212 ₂ (only front support member 1212 ₁ shown)
And two front pressing members 1220 ₁ and 1220 ₂ (only the front pressing member 1220 ₁ is shown) and two rear supporting members 1231 ₁ and 1
231 ₂ (only rear supporting member 1231 ₁ is shown) and two rear pressing members 1240 ₁ and 1240 ₂ (only rear pressing member 1240 ₁ is shown).

Here, each Z stage 1211 ₁ and 1211 ₂ is
The head carriage 1000 is provided on the recording surface side (left side in the drawing) of the internal space in the lower stage of the drawing in parallel with the recording surface. In addition, the front support members 1212 ₁ and 12122 are respectively
It is fixed to each Z stage 1211 ₁ and 1211 ₂ with a fixing screw, and a through hole is formed.

[0277] front pressing member 1220 _1, the front supporting member 12
It is provided above 12 _{1 in} the figure. The front pressing member 1220 ₁ includes a shaft 1221 ₁ supported near a recording surface side by a fulcrum 12221, and a click roller 1224 ₁ provided at the other end of the shaft 1221 ₁ via a roller shaft 1223 ₁ . A pressure spring 1225 ₁ for urging the other end of the shaft 1221 ₁ downward in the drawing is provided.
The same applies to the rest of the front pressing member 1220 _2.

The respective rear support members 1231 ₁ and 1240 ₂ are provided on the side opposite to the recording surface (right side in the drawing) of the internal space of the lower part of the head carriage 1000 in parallel with the recording surface. In addition, on the upper surface of each rear support member 1231 ₁ and 1240 ₂ ,
Recesses are formed respectively.

The rear pressing member 1240 ₁ is the rear supporting member 12
It is provided above 31 _{1 in} the figure. Further, the rear pressing member 1240 ₁ includes a shaft 1241 ₁ supported by a fulcrum 1242 ₁ on the recording surface side from the center, and a pressure spring 1243 ₁ for urging one end of the shaft 1241 ₁ on the opposite side to the recording surface downward in the drawing. Equipped with. In addition,
The other end of the rear pressing member 1240 ₁ is restricted from moving upward in the drawing. The same applies to the rest of the rear pressing member 1240 _2.

Head carriage 1000 of head holder 1100
Mounting on each positioning axis 1120₁ ， 1120₂ On the recording side
One end is each front support member 1212₁ ， 1212₂ To the through hole of
Each positioning axis 1120₁ ， 1120₂ The other end of
Near each rear support member 1231₁， 1231₂ In the recesses of
It is done by being placed. The head holder 11
When 00 is mounted on the head carriage 1000, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
20₁ Click Colo 1224₁ Push diagonally downward to the left
Attached and rear fixing member 1115₁ The upper surface of is
Pressing member 1240 ₁ The axis 1241₁ Press down on the
As a result, the head holder 1100
Fixed to the 1000.

As for positioning the head holder 1100 in the horizontal direction in FIG. 53, as shown in FIG. 55, the tip of the driver 1300 is fitted into the driver fitting hole 1125 ₁ of the positioning shaft 1120 ₁ and the positioning shaft 1120 is moved by the driver 1300. ₁ is rotated, carried out by rotating the adjusting screw 1121 _1. When the positioning shaft 1120 ₁ is rotated in the direction of increasing the distance between the front fixing member 1111 ₁ and the front supporting member 1212 ₁ ,
The tip surface of the adjusting screw 1121 _{1 on} the long hole side is the front support member 1212 ₁
Head holder 1100, the front fixing member 1111
₁ , with the rear fixing member 1115 ₁ and the positioning shaft 1120 ₁ away from the front supporting member 1212 ₁ (right direction in the figure)
Move to. On the other hand, the positioning axis 1120
When rotating in the opposite direction to push the _1, in the same manner, the head holder 1100 is front fixing member _11111, a direction approaching the front supporting member 1212 ₁ with rear fixing member 1115 ₁ and the positioning shaft 1120 ₁ (shown Move to the left).
In this way, the head holder 1100 is positioned in the horizontal direction in FIG. 53, and then the set screw 1130 ₁ is tightened so that the positioning shaft 1120 ₁ does not rotate.

The head holder 1100 is vertically positioned in FIG. 53 by rotating the adjustment knob 1310 ₁ of the Z stage 1211 ₁ to move the front support member 1212 ₁ in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 57. Do it. Then, the long holes 13301 ₁ and 1331 formed in the main body of the head carriage 1000.
Front support member by fixing screws 13201 ₁ and 1321 ₁ via ₁
Fix 1212 ₁ .

In the above description, the head having a two-stage head structure is taken as an example, but the number of head stages is not limited to two and may be multiple.

E. About the 5th inkjet recording device of this invention, and the method of exchanging a head holder of an inkjet recording device FIG. 58: is a schematic block diagram which shows one Example of the 5th inkjet recording device of this invention.

Inkjet recording apparatus 2000 of this embodiment
47C, the head carriage and the ink tank carriage as shown in FIG. 47C are vertically aligned and moved in the main scanning direction, and the head holder having the recording head as shown in FIG. 53 mounted on the head carriage. In an inkjet recording apparatus that mounts and prints, by mounting the head holder from the ink tank carriage side, the work efficiency of the replacement work of the head holder is improved.

The ink jet recording apparatus 2010 is shown in FIG.
As shown, the main body 2011 and the head holder 2050 (see FIG. 59).
Head carriage 2020 equipped with a
Slide rail for drive 2022₁ ， 2022₂ And
Drive system (not shown) and ink tank carrier
2030 and two slides for the ink tank carriage
Rail 2032₁ ， 2032₂ And drive the ink tank carriage
System (not shown) and recovery system device 2040 (see FIG. 59)
Head carriage 2020 and ink tank carriage
2030 and main scan along separate slide rails
Is moved in the direction. Here, the head carriage 2020 is
Slide bush 2025 for 4 head carriages₁ ~ 20
twenty five_Four (2 slide bushes for head carriage 2025
₁ ， 2025 ₂ (Only shown) for each head carriage
Ride rail 2022₁ ， 2022₂ Slidably supported on
It In addition, the ink tank carriage 2030 has four ink tanks.
Slide bush for tandem carriage 2035₁ ~ 2035_Four 
(Three ink tank carriage slide bushes 20
35₁ ， 2035₂ ， 2035_Four (Only shown) through each ink tank
Slide rail for kucarri 2032₁ ， 2032₂ Sliding on itself
Currently supported.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 2010 is for holding the ink tube bundle 2060 and the electric cable bundle 2061 provided between the head carriage 2020 and the ink tank carriage 2030, and the ink tube bundle 2060 and the electric cable bundle 2061. , Bundle pressing member 20 with one end openable
62 and. Here, the ink tube bundle 2060 and the electric cable bundle 2061 have a length longer than the width of the head carriage 2020 and the ink tank carriage 2030 in the main scanning direction.

In the ink jet recording apparatus 2010,
As shown in FIG. 58, while the ink tube bundle 2060 and the electric cable bundle 2061 are pressed by the bundle pressing member 2062, the head carriage 2020 and the ink tank carriage 2030 are vertically aligned and moved in the main scanning direction, thereby recording. Is done. Therefore, when recording, the ink tube bundle 20
60 and the electric cable bundle 2061 in the head carriage 2020
Further, it is possible to prevent the movement of the ink tank carriage 2030 from being hindered.

On the other hand, when replacing the head holder 2050, as shown in FIG. 59, one end of the bundle pressing member 2062 is opened to free the ink tube bundle 2060 and the electric cable bundle 2061. , Only the ink tank carriage 2030 is moved in the main scanning direction to shift the head carriage 2020 and the ink tank carriage 2030. After that, the ink tank carriage of the head carriage 2020
After taking out the head holder 2050 from the 2030 side, a new head holder 2050 is attached from the ink tank carriage 2030 side of the head carriage 2020. The configurations of the head carriage 2020 and the head holder 2050 are the same as those shown in FIG.

Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus 2010
Since the head holder 2050 can be mounted from the ink tank carriage 2030 side, particularly in the case of mounting a large number of head holders 2050 on the head carriage 2020 as shown in FIG. Work efficiency can be dramatically improved.

If the amount of movement of the ink tank carriage 2030 in the main scanning direction is too large when the head holder 2050 is replaced, an excessive load may be applied to the ink tube bundle 2060 and the electric cable bundle 2061. .
However, as shown in FIG.
Stopper 209 on 2020 and ink tank carriage 2030
As shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), since the movement amount of the ink tank carriage 2030 can be limited within the width of the head carriage 2020 and the ink tank carriage 2030 in the main scanning direction, the ink tube bundle 2060 and the electric cable bundle 2061.
It is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to.

The movement of the ink tank carriage 2030 when replacing the head holder 2050 may be performed by using the ink tank carriage drive system or manually. Further, the ink tank carriage drive system is not always necessary.

Although the first to fifth ink jet recording apparatuses and the first to fifth ink jet recorded matter manufacturing methods of the present invention have been individually described above, the inventions can be used in combination. [Description of Operation of Printing System (FIGS. 61 to 68)] Next, the operation of the printing system of this embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 61 is a block diagram showing the construction of the textile printing system of this embodiment. Compared with FIG. 1 described above, the reading section 1001, image processing section 1002 and binarization processing section 10 of FIG.
03 and the control unit 1009 are host computers 3000.
The inkjet recording unit 1005 corresponds to the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 of FIG.
Reference numeral 02 denotes the cloth feeding unit 1006 and the recording / conveying unit 1007 of FIG.
And a pre-processing unit 1010 and a post-processing unit 1008.
In this embodiment, the host computer 3000 and the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 are connected by GPIB, and the cloth feeder 3002 and the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 are connected by a dedicated interface.

The cloth feeder 3002 of this embodiment is a device for conveying a printed material such as a cloth which is the same as the cloth feeder 144 of FIG. 17, and is an input / output for controlling an interface with the recording device 3001. It has a port 3010, an operation panel 3015 equipped with various switches and a display operated by an operator, a motor 3014 which is a drive source for conveying the cloth, a joint sensor 3013 for detecting the joint of the cloth, and the like. . Reference numeral 3011 is a CPU for controlling the entire cloth feeder 3002, and reference numeral 3012 is a ROM storing a control program of the CPU 3011 and various data. In addition, on the operation panel 3015,
A start key 3016 for instructing to start printing, a stop key 3017 for instructing to stop printing operation, a temporary stop key 3018 for instructing temporary stop of printing operation, and an emergency stop key 3019 for instructing emergency stop are provided.

FIG. 62 is a diagram for explaining the exchange of signals between the host computer 3000 and the ink jet recording apparatus 3001.

The host computer 300, such as a personal computer, first sets the ink jet recording apparatus 3001.
A REMOTE command is transmitted to the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 to set it to the remote state. Next, an initialization command (INIT) is output to the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 to initialize the recording apparatus 3001. Then, next, a color setting command (WPALETTE) is output, each color is set according to the arrangement of the inkjet heads, and palette data is transmitted and set in the recording device 3001. Next, the image data to be printed is transferred from the host computer 3000 to the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 and registered as a basic image (SAVE command).

Next, the magnification (DMODE) for printing the image data is output to the ink jet recording apparatus 3001, and the input / output state setting command (WAREA) is used to set the print width, print length, and basic image repeat mode ( FIG. 26
(Refer to FIG. 3), and further instruct whether printing is to be performed once or twice. If you want to print the logo again,
The command (WLOGO) for setting the logo output is output to specify the logo to be printed, its print color, the logo size to print, the logo print position, etc. from the host computer 3000 to the inkjet recording device 3001.
Instruct. Thus, the inkjet recording apparatus 3001
When the setting of various data to the printer is completed, the REMOTE command sets the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 to the local state, and the host computer 3000 and the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 are disconnected. Thereafter, as will be described later, the start key 3016 of the cloth feeder 3002 is pressed to start the actual printing operation.

FIG. 63 is a flow chart showing a printing process in the ink jet recording apparatus 3001 of this embodiment. This process is, for example, the control board 1 of FIG.
It is controlled by the instruction of the CPU 142A of 42.

When the start of the printing operation is instructed, the process proceeds to step S21, the recovery means 20 is driven by the air pump driver 62 (FIG. 13), and the ink pressurization circulation is performed with the ink jet heads 2 and 2'capped. Then, the carriages 124 and 124 'are moved in the scanning direction to wipe the inkjet head (cleaning) (step S22). Next, in step S23, the carriage 12 is used to start the printing operation for one scan.
When the movement of 4,124 'is started and the printing process for one scan is completed, the process proceeds to step S24, and the carriage is returned to the home position. Next, in step S25, preliminary ejection for ejecting ink from the inkjet head is performed.

Next, in step S26, it is determined whether or not the wiping has been executed before the previous scan. If the wiping has not been executed in the previous time, the process advances to step S27 to perform the wiping, but the wiping is not executed. If nothing is done, the process proceeds to step S28. As a result, the wiping of the inkjet head is performed every other scan. In step S28, print processing for the next one scan is executed,
Next, in step S29, it is checked whether or not all print processing is completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step S30, where 100
Check if the print processing for the line has been performed. 10
When the 0 line has not been reached, the process returns to step S24,
Although the above-described processing is executed, when 100 lines have been reached, the process returns to step S21, the ink jet head is capped, and ink pressure circulation is performed. As described above, in the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 of the present embodiment, preliminary ejection is performed for each scan, wiping is performed for every other scan, and ink pressurization circulation processing (head recovery processing) is performed for every 100 scannings. is doing.

When all the printing is completed in step S29, the process proceeds to step S31 to check whether or not the wiping has been performed in the last line, and when the wiping is not performed in the last line, the process proceeds to step S32 and the wiping is performed. As a result, wiping is always executed when the printing operation is completed.

Next, the operation of the cloth feeding device 3002 and the ink jet recording apparatus 3001 during actual printing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S41, the cloth feeder 3002
When the start key 3016 of the
From 02, a (START) signal for instructing the start of the printing operation is output to the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 (step S42). Then, in step S43, the process shifts to a state of waiting for the cloth feed request signal (REQ SEND) from the inkjet recording apparatus 3001.

On the other hand, the ink jet recording apparatus 3001
In response to this (START) signal, the print sequence starts in step S51. In step S52, it is determined whether the inkjet head is on the cloth 103, and the cloth 1
If it is not above 03, the head is moved to above the cloth 103, and in step S53, the cloth feeder 3002 is notified that the head is above the cloth 103 (CR ENB is set to a high level). Next, in Step S54, the cloth feeder 300
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the cloth is being conveyed. If the cloth is not being fed (ACK SEND is at a low level), the process proceeds to step S55 to start the printing operation. This printing operation is shown in the flow chart of FIG. In this way, when the printing process for one scan is completed in step S56, the process proceeds to step S57 to check whether or not the cloth feeder 3002 is ready. Request signal (REQ S
END) is sent. The cloth feed amount at this time is the cloth feed machine 3
Feed amount specified on the operation panel 3015 of 002,
Alternatively, the amount can be specified as 1/2, 1/4, or 2 times that amount.

In response to this cloth feed request, the cloth feeder 300
The operation of No. 2 exits the loop of step S43 and proceeds to step S44 to execute cloth feeding according to the feed amount instructed by the inkjet recording apparatus 3001. When the cloth feeding is completed in step S45 in this way, the process proceeds to step S46, and the ink jet recording apparatus 3001 is notified of the completion of the cloth feeding (setting ACK SEND to the low level), and step S4
Return to 3.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus 3001, after the cloth feeding request is output to the cloth feeding device 3002 in step S58, it is checked in step S59 whether the cloth feeding is started based on the signal (ACK SEND), and the cloth feeding is in progress. Then, in step S60, the cloth feed request is turned off (REQ SEND is set to high level). Since the carriage return is being executed at the same time as the output of the cloth feed request, step S61 is performed.
Waits for the carriage return to end, and when the carriage return ends, the process advances to step S62 to check whether all print processing has ended. If not, step S5.
Returning to step 4, the next printing operation starts. By thus configuring the inkjet recording device 3001 and the cloth feeder 3002 separately, and exchanging various signals between them, cloth feeding and print control can be performed independently.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 65, the print processing at the joints, which is necessary when printing the cloth, will be described.

When the ink jet recording apparatus 3001 issues a cloth feed command to the cloth feeder 3002 during printing or due to a cloth feed instruction or the like (step S83), the process proceeds to the cloth feed request acceptance processing in step S71. Step S
At 71, it is judged whether or not it is a joint, and when it is not a joint, normal processing is executed, but at the joint, step S
Proceed to 72 to determine if the inkjet head is on the cloth. This is an inkjet recording device 300
In step 1, after the cloth feed request (REQ SEND) is output in step S83, it is determined whether or not the cloth feed is actually started depending on whether the signal ACK SEND becomes high level. When the cloth feeding device 3002 does not start the cloth feeding, it is determined in step S85 whether or not the inkjet head is positioned on the cloth. When the cloth feeding device 3002 is not positioned on the cloth, the process returns to step S84. If so, the process proceeds to step S86, the carriage is returned to the home position direction,
When the head comes off the cloth, a signal (CR ENB goes low) indicating that the head is not on the cloth is output.

Accordingly, the cloth feeder 3002 detects in step S72 that the ink-jet head is displaced from the cloth position, and in step S73, the motor 3014 is rotationally driven to start the conveyance of the cloth 103. This is because when the cloth is conveyed while the inkjet head is positioned on the cloth, the cloth may come into contact with the nozzle tip of the inkjet head due to the vibration of the cloth, and the cloth may be soiled.

When the cloth feeding operation is started by the cloth feeding device 3002, the process of the ink jet recording apparatus 3001 proceeds to step S88 to turn off the cloth feeding request (REQ).
SEND is set to a high level), and the completion of the cloth feeding process is awaited in step S89.

On the other hand, in the cloth feeder 3002, step S
When the cloth feeding process is performed at 74 and the cloth feeding process is completed after passing through the joint portion of the cloth 103, the process proceeds to step S75.
The end of cloth feeding is notified to the inkjet recording apparatus 3002 (ACK SEND is set to low level). As a result, when the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 detects the end of cloth feeding in step S89, the process advances to step S90 to start processing for the next printing operation.

As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 300
In step 1, if there is a joint portion of the cloth 103, step S8
At 9, the print process can be executed without any consideration of the joint portion of the cloth by merely waiting until the joint portion is sent.

FIG. 66 is a flow chart showing the processing when the stop key 3017 of the cloth feeder 3002 is pressed.

First, in step S101, the stop key 3017
If is not pressed, other processing is executed, but stop key 3
When 017 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S103, and a stop signal (STOP) is output to the inkjet recording device 3001. As a result, the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 executes the processing from step S107. Step S10
When printing is being performed in step 7, the process proceeds to step S108, the print process for one scan currently being printed is continued, and when the print process for one scan is completed, the process proceeds to step S109 to perform a carriage return.

Here, the ink jet recording apparatus 3001
15, printing is performed by the upper head and the lower head, and the cloth 103 to be printed is conveyed from the bottom to the top. Further, in this printing process, after thinning printing is performed by the lower head 2, printing is performed by the upper head 2 ′ so as to complement it, so that the portion already printed by the lower head 2 is printed. A process of printing using the upper head (rear end process) is required.

This process will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 67A shows the positional relationship between the upper ink jet head 2'and the lower ink jet head 2. The distance between these heads is 10.
It is set to 5 times (170.688 mm). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 67 (B), the portion printed by the upper head 2'should be displaced from the portion printed by the lower head 2 by half the recording width (band width) thereof. become. Therefore, the portion shown by the diagonal line 6701 is printed by using the lower half nozzles of the upper head 2 ′, and the portion indicated by 6702 is printed by the upper half nozzles of the upper head 2 ′. . As described above, by printing a normal image up to the rear end portion of the image printed on the cloth 103, and pressing the stop key 3017 of the operation panel 3015, even if the printing operation is finished at an arbitrary position. There is an effect that a normal print image can be obtained.

Such trailing edge processing is executed in steps S110 to S111 of the flowchart of FIG. That is, the printed area between the upper and lower heads 2 and 2'is sequentially printed by the upper head 2 ', and in the final scan line, the printing is performed using the nozzles of the lower half or the upper half of the upper head 2'. To be executed.

Next, referring to the flowchart in FIG. 68,
The process when the pause key 3018 of the operation panel 3015 is pressed will be described.

In step S121, the pause key 3018
When is pressed, the process proceeds to step S122, and the cloth feeder 30
02 is busy (NUNO RDY is high level). As a result, the ink jet recording apparatus 3001 shown in FIG.
In step S57, since the cloth feeder 3002 remains in the busy state, the next print operation cannot be performed and the cloth feeder 3002 enters the waiting state. Then, again in step S12 of FIG.
Returning to step 3, when the temporary stop key 3018 is turned off and the temporary stop state is released, the process proceeds to step S124, the busy state becomes low level (NUNO RDY is low level), and the cloth feeder 3002 becomes ready, and the processing in FIG. Advances from step S57 to step S58, and cloth feeding for the next print is carried out. Thus, the cloth feeder 30
From 02, it is possible to instruct to start or pause the printing operation.

Although not shown in the figure, the operation panel 3
When the emergency stop key 3019 of 015 is pressed, the cloth feeder 3002 can send an emergency stop signal (EM STOP) to the inkjet recording apparatus 3001 and immediately stop the printing operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 3001. In this case, it goes without saying that the above-mentioned trailing edge processing is not executed.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the heating plate 114 and the warm air duct 115 are provided between the lower first print section 111 and the upper second print section 111 '. The cloth 103 printed by the lower inkjet head 2 is dried before being printed by the upper inkjet head 2 ', but as shown in FIG. 69, this drying unit can be omitted.

Next, as the ink-jet printing cloth, (1) the ink can be developed to a sufficient density,
(2) Ink dyeing rate is high, (3) Ink dries quickly on the cloth, (4) Irregular ink bleeding on the cloth is small, (5) In-apparatus It is required to have excellent performance such as excellent transportability. In order to satisfy these required performances, the fabric can be pre-treated in advance if necessary. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-53492 discloses fabrics having an ink receiving layer, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-46.
In Japanese Patent No. 589, a fabric containing a reduction inhibitor and an alkaline substance is proposed. Examples of such pretreatment include a treatment in which the cloth is made to contain a substance selected from alkaline substances, water-soluble polymers, synthetic polymers, water-soluble metal salts, urea and thiourea.

Examples of the alkaline substance include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide,
Examples thereof include amines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine, carbonic acid such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, and alkali metal bicarbonates. Furthermore, there are organic acid metal salts such as calcium acetate and barium acetate, and ammonia and ammonia compounds. Further, sodium trichloroacetate which becomes an alkaline substance under steaming and dry heat can be used. Particularly preferred alkaline substances are sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate used for dyeing reactive dyes. As the water-soluble polymer, corn, starch substances such as wheat, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose-based substances such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium alginate,
Gum arabic, locusite bean gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, polysaccharides such as tamarind seeds, gelatin,
Examples include natural water-soluble polymers such as protein substances such as casein, tannin-based substances and lignin-based substances.

Examples of synthetic polymers include polyvinyl alcohol compounds, polyethylene oxide compounds, acrylic acid water-soluble polymers, maleic anhydride water-soluble polymers and the like. Among these, polysaccharide polymers and cellulose polymers are preferable.

Examples of the water-soluble metal salt include compounds having a pH of 4 to 10 which produce typical ionic crystals such as halides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Representative examples of such compounds include, for example, in the case of alkali metals, NaCl, Na2S
O4, KCl, CH3 COONa and the like are mentioned, and as the alkaline earth metal, CaCl2 and MgC.
12 and the like can be mentioned. Of these, salts of Na, K and Ca are preferable.

The method of incorporating the above substances and the like into the cloth in the pretreatment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a dipping method, a pad method, a coating method and a spraying method which are usually carried out.

Further, since the printing ink applied to the ink-jet printing cloth is merely attached to the cloth when it is applied to the cloth, the reaction fixing step (dyeing) of the dye in the ink such as dye to the fiber is continued. It is preferable to apply a dressing step). Such a reaction fixing step may be a conventionally known method, for example, a steaming method, an HT steaming method,
The thermofix method, and when the cloth which has been subjected to alkali treatment in advance is not used, the alkali pad steam method, the alkali blotch steam method, the alkali shock method, the alkali cold fix method and the like can be mentioned. Further, the fixing step may or may not include a reaction step depending on the dye, and an example of the latter is one in which fibers are impregnated and are not physically separated. Any appropriate ink can be used as long as it has a required coloring matter, and it is not limited to a dye and may include a pigment.

Further, the unreacted dye and the substance used in the pretreatment can be removed by washing after the above reaction fixing step according to a conventionally known method. In addition, it is preferable to use a conventional fixing treatment together with this cleaning. The printed matter that has been subjected to the post-treatment steps described above is then cut into a desired size, and the cut pieces are subjected to steps such as sewing, bonding, and welding to obtain a final processed product. Then, clothes such as dresses, drays, ties, swimwear, duvet covers, sofa covers, handkerchiefs, curtains, etc. can be obtained. For the method of processing cloth by sewing etc. to make clothes and other daily necessities, please refer to known books such as "Latest Knit Sewing Manual" (published by Senyi Journal) and monthly magazine "Soen" (published by Bunka Publishing Bureau). Many are listed.

Examples of the print medium include cloth, wall cloth, threads used for embroidery, wallpaper, paper, OHP film, etc. As the cloth, any rug, regardless of material, weave, or knit, Includes woven and other fabrics.

The present invention provides excellent effects particularly in an ink jet recording head and recording apparatus for recording by forming flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording systems.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. , It is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter and causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis. Is. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and pressure waves of thermal energy are absorbed. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge portion.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording It is also effective to perform stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for a device provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens at room temperature, or a liquid, or the above-mentioned liquid. In the inkjet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. Any material that is in liquid form may be used.

In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in the standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. In some cases, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to a recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or one that has already started to solidify when it reaches a recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-71260, a mode in which it is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet. Also good. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The present invention may be applied to either a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, the present invention can of course be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to this embodiment, there is an effect that printing on the joint of the print medium can be prevented.

Further, even when the printing operation is stopped, there is an effect that the stopped portion can be printed as a complete print image.

Further, there is an effect that the cloth conveying mechanism and the ink jet printing mechanism are synchronized with each other so that the printing process can be performed efficiently.

[0345]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the print medium conveying mechanism and the printing mechanism are synchronized with each other, and the printing process can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a textile printing system of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a printing processing procedure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system focusing on the configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a spot color designation processing procedure in FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a palette conversion table (only CMY) created by the procedure of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a palette conversion table (CMYK).

[FIG. 7] Similarly, a palette conversion table (CMYS ₁ S
₂ ] An explanatory view showing an example.

[FIG. 8] Similarly, a palette conversion table (CMYS ₁ S ₂
Is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the S ₃ S _4).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a color palette data generation procedure in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of a color palette data generation procedure.

11 is a flowchart showing an example of a logo input processing procedure in FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of correspondence between data designated in FIG. 11 and a logo print format.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a mechanical schematic configuration of an inkjet recording unit applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the ink jet recording unit.

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view showing the outline of the mechanical configurations of the inkjet recording unit and the fabric feeding unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a configuration example around the print head.

17 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the ink jet recording unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the inkjet recording unit shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a part of the internal configuration of the control board in FIG. 17 focusing on the flow of data.

20 is a block diagram showing a part of the internal configuration of the control board in FIG. 17 focusing on the flow of data.

21 is a block diagram showing a part of the internal configuration of the control board in FIG. 17 focusing on the data flow.

22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data set in each memory shown in FIG. 20 in order to prevent abnormal output until a conversion parameter is input.

23 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a logo input unit in FIG.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the correspondence between the image output range of a logo and the space of the logo memory.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure for one pixel in the logo memory.

26A to 26E are explanatory diagrams showing various examples of formation patterns of a basic image on a recording medium.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a parameter storage unit and an address control unit.

FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing the output timing of each signal of the memory control unit when outputting the image output (type 1) by the printer of the present embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing the output timing of each signal of the memory control unit when outputting the image output (type 2) by the printer of this embodiment.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an actual image output by the inkjet recording unit of the present example.

31 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for setting conversion data and parameters in each memory and each unit register shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 32 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a main part of an operation / display unit in the inkjet recording unit.

33 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the main part of the control board in FIG. 17, focusing on the flow of data.

34 is a flowchart showing an example of a spot color designation processing procedure that can be adopted by the host computer for the configuration of FIG. 33.

35 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a color detection unit in FIG. 33 for the processing.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing another example of the spot color designation processing procedure.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an area detection unit arranged in place of the color detection unit in FIG. 33 for the processing.

38 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a recovery means for the head shown in FIG.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a moving range of the carriage in the case where all the special color heads are mounted on the carriage in addition to the basic color for printing, and the case where only one special color head is mounted. Is.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the mounting heads are different for the upper and lower carriages.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an example of various setting processing procedures according to the mounting head.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the densities when the respective color inks are printed.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a plurality of heads of a color whose density is desired to be increased are mounted on the carriage in addition to the basic color for printing.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram of the densities when the respective color inks are printed under the head mounting conditions as in FIG.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a comparative example of print results in the textile printing system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first inkjet recording unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a diagram for explaining the advantage of the inkjet recording unit shown in FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second inkjet recording unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a diagram for explaining the advantages of the inkjet recording unit shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is a main-part configuration diagram showing a second inkjet recording unit of the present embodiment.

51 is a diagram for explaining the positional alignment of the slide rail for the ink tank carriage shown in FIG. 50 in the horizontal direction in the drawing.

FIG. 52 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third inkjet recording unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a two-stage head configuration in the fourth inkjet recording section of the present embodiment.

FIG. 54 is a diagram for explaining mounting and positioning of the head holder shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 55 is a diagram for explaining mounting and positioning of the head holder shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 56 is a diagram for explaining mounting and positioning of the head holder shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 57 is a diagram for explaining mounting and positioning of the head holder shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 58 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fifth inkjet recording unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 59 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the ink holder of the inkjet recording unit shown in FIG. 58 is replaced.

FIG. 60 is a diagram for explaining one means for limiting the movement amount of the ink tank carriage when replacing the ink holder of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 58.

FIG. 61 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the textile printing system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a diagram showing signal exchange between the host computer and the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing a printing process in the inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing the operation of linking the cloth feeder and the inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing joint processing in the textile printing system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing stop processing in the textile printing system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 67 is a diagram for explaining the trailing edge processing in the textile printing system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing a temporary stop process in the textile printing system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 69 is a side sectional view showing the outline of the mechanical configurations of the ink jet recording unit and the fabric feeding unit of the other example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1001 reading unit 1002 image processing unit 1003 binarization processing unit 1005 inkjet recording unit 1006 cloth feeding unit 1007 recording conveyance unit 1008 post-processing unit 3000 host computer 3001 inkjet recording device 3002 cloth feeder 3013 joint sensor 3015 operation panel

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Eiichi Takagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshiaki Mabuchi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kiya Non-Incorporated (72) Inventor Hiroshi Endo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An inkjet printing apparatus that prints by scanning a plurality of print heads on a print medium in a predetermined direction, the transport apparatus having a transport mechanism that transports the print medium; and a separate apparatus from the transport apparatus. And a recording device that performs recording on a print medium conveyed by the conveying device by an inkjet method, and each of the recording device and the conveying device has a communication unit that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol, and the recording device is An ink jet printing apparatus, wherein after the conveyance of the print medium in the conveying apparatus is completed, the next operation is performed. 2. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print head is an ink jet print head that uses ink as a recording agent and ejects the ink. 3. The inkjet printhead comprises:
The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an element that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling in the ink as energy used to eject the ink. 4. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cloth is used as the print medium. 5. An inkjet printing method for scanning a plurality of print heads on a print medium in a predetermined direction for printing, which is separate from a transport device having a transport mechanism for transporting the print medium, the transport device comprising: Each of the recording device that performs recording on the print medium conveyed by the inkjet method and the conveying device performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol, and the recording device waits until the conveyance of the print medium in the conveying device is completed. An inkjet printing method characterized by shifting to operation. 6. A printed matter printed by the method of claim 5. 7. A processed product obtained by further processing the printed matter according to claim 6.