JPH11268254A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus by means of which an image without fluctuation of concn. and with high quality can be recorded at high speed in a multi-scan type recording. SOLUTION: Burden per one recording head is distributed in such a way that recording data on cyan color and mazenta color which are originally recorded by one scanning are distributed into two recording heads in the transferring direction of the recording medium and two recording heads in the moving direction of a carriage, totally four recording heads and while transferring of the recording data to four recording heads performing recording motions is controlled so as to delay it in considering relative positions of four recording heads each other, recording is performed on the recording medium by means of four recording heads.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly to a recording apparatus that uses a plurality of recording heads according to an ink-jet system to perform recording on a recording medium such as a cloth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements has been known.
2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus using a recording head having a plurality of ink ejection ports for performing recording by ejecting ink according to an ink jet system is known.

In such a recording apparatus, the size and position of dots formed by ink droplets on a recording medium vary due to variations in the diameter of the ink discharge ports and variations in the ink discharge direction, etc. May cause density unevenness. In particular, in a serial type printing apparatus that performs printing by scanning the print head in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the ink discharge ports provided in the print head, the density unevenness due to the above-described variation in the discharge port diameter and the like is reduced. Since streaky irregularities appear in the printed image, the quality of the recorded image may be significantly reduced.

[0004] In order to correct such density unevenness, when an image is formed using a recording head according to an ink-jet system, ink ejected from a plurality of different ink ejection ports corresponds to one pixel or one scanning of the recording head. A so-called multi-scan method, which forms an image of pixels composed of lines to be printed, disperses density unevenness caused by characteristics unique to the ink discharge ports on a print medium and relatively reduces density unevenness, that is, a so-called multi-scan method. It has been proposed by the same applicant as the present patent application.

Further, as a recording method to which this multi-scan method is applied, a so-called sequential multi-scan (SM) is used, in which the ink discharge ports are used in a fixed order mainly for the purpose of making the use frequency of each ink discharge port uniform.
The S) method has also been proposed.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, in order to execute such a multi-scan system or a sequential multi-scan system, for example, a plurality of ink discharge ports which can be used for each pixel to be recorded are used. Image data (“1 (ink ejection)” or “0
(No ink ejection) ") was obtained in advance and stored in a predetermined memory.

Accordingly, in the conventional multi-scan system,
In order to hold not only image data to be recorded but also information (ejection data) on whether or not to eject ink for each of a plurality of ink ejection ports for each image generated based on the image data, a relatively large capacity Memory was needed. For this reason, in particular, in an ink-jet printing apparatus in which the scanning range of the print head is several meters, the amount of information to be recorded is large, so that the memory capacity is enormous, which has been a factor that increases the cost of the apparatus. .

In order to solve such a problem, a sequential multi-scan (SMS) method with a small memory capacity has been conventionally performed by controlling the ink ejection from a plurality of ink ejection ports of each of a plurality of recording heads. An executable recording apparatus is described in, for example, JP-A-5-3187.
No. 72 has been proposed.

However, when the above-described conventional printing apparatus is used to carry out the above-described division control while performing the above-described division control while transporting a recording medium such as cloth having a total length of several hundred meters, the division is performed. There was a problem that the printing speed was lowered by the control, and the productivity of printing was lowered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and has as its object to provide a recording apparatus capable of recording a high-quality image without density unevenness at a high speed in multi-scan recording. I do.

[0011]

To achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium using a plurality of recording heads each having a plurality of recording elements, wherein a scanning means for reciprocating the plurality of recording heads in a first direction. Conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; and distributing means for distributing recording data, which is originally recorded by one scan by the scanning means, to the plurality of recording heads. Delay means for delaying transfer of print data to the plurality of print heads performing a printing operation in consideration of the relative positions of the plurality of print heads; distribution of print data by the distribution means; Control means for performing printing while controlling the transfer delay of print data by the scanning means, scanning of the plurality of print heads by the scanning means, and conveyance of the recording medium by the conveyance means. A recording apparatus characterized by.

The plurality of recording heads are arranged in a scanning direction by a scanning unit, a conveying direction by a conveying unit, or
It is desirable to provide in both directions of the scanning direction by the scanning means and the transport direction by the transport means.

The plurality of recording heads are recording heads that discharge ink of a plurality of colors, and some of the plurality of recording heads are recording heads that discharge ink of the same color. It is desirable that In particular, it is desirable that the plurality of recording heads that eject the same color ink be provided in the scanning direction by the scanning unit, the conveying direction by the conveying unit, or both the scanning direction by the scanning unit and the conveying direction by the conveying unit.

Further, it is preferable that the distribution means determines a method of distributing recording data to a plurality of recording heads which eject ink of the same color before the plurality of recording heads are scanned by the scanning means.

In particular, a plurality of recording heads for ejecting magenta and cyan inks are provided in both the scanning direction by the scanning means and the transport direction by the transporting means, and are provided in the same area of the recording medium. On the other hand, it is desirable to complete a recorded image by discharging ink of the same color from some of the recording elements of each of the plurality of recording heads.

The recording medium includes a cloth made of cotton, silk, nylon, polyester or the like.

Further, the plurality of recording heads are recording heads that perform recording in accordance with an ink jet system, and the recording elements provided in the recording heads preferably have ink ejection ports for ejecting ink. In order to eject ink using thermal energy, it is desirable to have an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy.

With the above arrangement, the present invention distributes print data originally recorded by one scan to a plurality of print heads and transfers the print data to a plurality of print heads performing a printing operation by a plurality of print heads. An operation is performed to perform recording on a recording medium while controlling the delay in consideration of the relative positions of the heads.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus for performing full-color printing by a printing head according to an ink jet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a recording medium such as a cloth made of cotton, silk, nylon, polyester, or the like;
Reference numeral 02 denotes a feeding roller for winding and mounting the recording medium 101 in a roll shape, reference numeral 103 denotes a take-up roller for winding the printed recording medium 101, and reference numeral 104 denotes a carriage on which a recording head is mounted and reciprocates. Carriage 104
Are two parallel extending guide members 104A, 104
It is configured to be able to reciprocate along B.

Reference numerals 105 to 120 denote recording heads, of which 105 to 112 denote recording heads located on the upstream side of the conveyance path of the recording medium 101, and 113 to 120.
Is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path of the recording medium 101, and is provided at a position shifted from the width (band width) by which the upstream recording heads 105 to 112 perform recording in one scan by 0.5 band width. Recording head.

In the recording heads 105 to 112, 10
Reference numeral 5 denotes a first magenta multi-nozzle head that discharges magenta ink (hereinafter, first magenta head), 106 denotes a first yellow multi-nozzle head that discharges yellow ink (hereinafter, first yellow head), and 107 denotes orange ink. The first orange multi-nozzle head that discharges
A first magenta multi-nozzle head (hereinafter, a second magenta head) 108 for ejecting magenta ink, and a first 109 for ejecting cyan ink,
A second cyan multi-nozzle head (hereinafter, referred to as a second cyan head) 111 for discharging cyan ink;
Denotes a first blue multi-nozzle head that discharges blue ink (hereinafter, first blue head), and 112 denotes a first black multi-nozzle head that discharges black ink (hereinafter, first black head).

In the recording heads 113 to 120, reference numeral 113 denotes a third magenta multi-nozzle head for ejecting magenta ink (hereinafter, referred to as a third magenta head);
Reference numeral 14 denotes a second yellow multi-nozzle head (hereinafter, a second yellow head) that discharges yellow ink, 115 denotes a second orange multi-nozzle head (hereinafter, a second orange head) that discharges orange ink, and 116 denotes a magenta ink. A fourth magenta multi-nozzle head (hereinafter, referred to as a fourth magenta head) for ejecting cyan ink, a third cyan multi-nozzle head for ejecting cyan ink (hereinafter, third cyan head), and a 118 for ejecting cyan ink No. 4 cyan multi-nozzle head (hereinafter, referred to as fourth cyan head), 119 is a second blue multi-nozzle head (hereinafter, referred to as second blue head) for discharging blue ink, 120
Denotes a second black multi-nozzle head that discharges black ink (hereinafter, referred to as a second black head).

Therefore, in this embodiment, eight sets of recording heads for ejecting eight different colors of ink are provided, and two recording heads of each group are provided with a small distance (only a half band width) in the conveying direction of the recording medium 101. ).

Reference numeral 121 denotes a transport belt for transporting the recording medium 101. An adhesive is applied to the outside of the conveyor belt 121, and is stretched by a plurality of rollers 121A and 121B, and moves in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. The recording medium 101 is transported in the direction of arrow B by the adhesive force. In this manner, the transport belt 121 forms a flat surface facing the scanning area of the carriage 104, so that the recording medium 101
It functions as a platen that regulates the recording surface.

Further, reference numeral 123 denotes a stocker for accommodating a feeding roller in which the recording medium 101 is wound in a roll shape and mounted, 124 a pressure / suction pump for performing suction recovery on the recording heads 105 to 120, and 125 a recording Head 1
A cleaning liquid tank 126 for storing cleaning liquid for cleaning the ink ejection surfaces of the print heads 05 to 120;
A capping / cleaning unit 127 used when performing a suction recovery on 05 to 120 is a dryer for drying the ink ejected to the recording medium 101. Each of the recording heads 1 is provided in the capping / cleaning unit 126.
And a sponge-like blade for wiping the discharge port surfaces of the cleaning liquid tank
It can be cleaned with 25 cleaning liquids.

Further, the recording heads 105 to 120 can perform recording by discharging ink (bidirectional recording) both in the forward movement and the backward movement in the reciprocating movement of the carriage 104.

Hereinafter, of the recording heads 105 to 120, the recording heads 105 to 112 are referred to as a first row head group, and the recording heads 113 to 120 are referred to as a second row head group.

FIG. 2 shows the recording heads 105 to 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a main scanning direction 20.
Here, the main scanning direction is a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction, that is, a direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 104 'denotes a recording head 10;
Moving carriages 104, 15 loaded with 5-120
Reference numeral 2 denotes a control unit for performing image processing of image data to be recorded on a recording medium and controlling the apparatus.
4 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction.
2 is a caterpillar movable section having a built-in flexible cable 19 for transmitting image data and a synchronization control signal from the second to the recording heads 105 to 120.

The position where the carriage 104 is shown is the home position of the carriage. Also,
The carriage 104 has a built-in head controller 48 for controlling the printing operation of the print heads 105 to 120. Therefore, the flexible cable 1
Reference numeral 9 is connected to the head controller 48, and the recording heads 105 to 120 are controlled via the head controller 48.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the printer shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 152 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus and executing image processing.
52, a CPU 25, a ROM 26 storing a control program executed by the CPU 25 and various data;
A RAM 25 is used as a work area when executing various processes and a RAM for temporarily storing various data.
27, a clock 29, and a data distribution circuit (SMS) 24 for distributing print data to a plurality of print heads in accordance with a sequential multi-scan (SMS) method.

As shown in FIG.
20 is connected to the controller 152 via the head controller 48 and the flexible cable 19, and the flexible cable 19 is connected to the controller 202 by the head controller 48.
And control signal lines and image signal lines for the print heads 105 to 120 via the control signal lines. The recording head 10
Outputs of the photo sensor 8 for detecting the ink ejection state from 5 to 120 are transferred to the control unit 152, and can be analyzed by the CPU 25. The carriage motor 30 is a motor that can rotate according to the number of pulse steps by the motor drive circuit 32. Further, the control unit 152 controls the carriage motor 30 via the motor drive circuit 33 and the transport motor 31 via the motor drive circuit 32, and inputs an output from the carriage home sensor 21.

Further, the control section 152 includes a printer interface 54 for receiving a recording command and recording data from an external computer 56. Furthermore, the control unit 152 is connected to an operation panel 58 on which the device user performs various operations and instructions. The operation panel 58 is provided with an LCD 59 for displaying a message.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a recording operation by the recording apparatus shown in FIG. Here, the positional relationship among the first cyan head 109, the second cyan head 110, the third cyan head 117, and the fourth cyan head 118 will be described, but the first magenta head 105, the second magenta head 108, Third magenta head 113, fourth
The same applies to the magenta head 116.

The first cyan head 109 and the second cyan head 110 are, as shown in FIG.
17, is located upstream of the fourth cyan head 118 in the transport direction of the recording medium 101, and performs the first recording on the area 201 a of the recording medium 101.

The recording at this time is performed according to the recording data distributed to the four heads according to the sequential multi-scan (SMS) method.

When the area 201a is recorded by scanning in the forward direction using all the ink ejection ports of the first cyan head 109 and the second cyan head 110, the recording medium 10
1 is transported by the bandwidth of the recording head. Then, the upper half of the area occupied by the area 201b becomes an area recordable by the third cyan head 117 and the fourth cyan head 118 by the scan in the backward direction of the print head.

In this area, recording is performed by the third cyan head 117 and the fourth cyan head 118 based on the remaining recording data distributed according to the multi-scan system. As described above, the first and second cyan heads are used. Head 1
09 and 110 and the third and fourth cyan heads 11
Since the positions of the recording heads 7 and 118 are shifted by half of the band width of the recording head, the third cyan head 117 and the fourth cyan head 118 use the first half of the ink discharge port of the head to form the first cyan head. Recording is performed when the recording head scans in the backward direction in an area 202a corresponding to the downstream half of the area 201b already recorded by the head 109 or the second cyan head 110.

Next, the recording medium 101 is transported by an amount corresponding to the bandwidth of the recording head, and the area 201 of the recording medium 101 is conveyed.
When b moves to the area 201c, the third cyan head 1
17, the fourth cyan head 118 uses a first cyan head 109 and a second cyan head 110 by using the upper half of the ink ejection port when the recording head scans in the forward direction.
The recording is performed in the area corresponding to the lower half area of the area 201a recorded in (1) (that is, the area 201b).

In this way, the same area (shown as areas 201a, 202b, 201c in the figure)
Are the first cyan head 109, the second cyan head 110,
Third cyan head 117 and fourth cyan head 118
The recording is performed using the four recording heads. In FIG. 4, among the areas recorded in this way, the first
The area recorded by the cyan head 109 and the second cyan head 110 is denoted by reference numeral 202 and the third cyan head 11
7. The area recorded by the fourth cyan head 118 is indicated by reference numeral 203.

As described above, the lines of the regions 202 and 203 are respectively formed from the different ejection ports of the first cyan head 109, the second cyan head 110, the third cyan head 117 and the fourth cyan head 118 by the multi-scan method. It is formed by the ink to be ejected.
That is, when print data is distributed to these four heads and printed, the first cyan head 109 and the second
Since the portion to be recorded by the cyan head 110 and the portion to be recorded by the third and fourth cyan heads 117 and 117 are different from each other in the upper half and the lower half of the ink discharge ports of the recording head, the recording is performed. It is possible to disperse density unevenness, streaks, and the like caused by variations in the ink ejection aperture and ejection direction of the head.

In particular, in this embodiment, for cyan ink and magenta ink in which density unevenness is conspicuous, recording heads for discharging these inks are arranged at different positions in the transport direction of the recording medium, and recording is performed on four recording heads. By dispersing, it is possible to more effectively disperse the above-mentioned uneven density, streaks, and the like.

FIG. 5 shows a data distribution circuit 24 for distributing and supplying print data in accordance with the multi-scan method shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a circuit that distributes print data to a cyan head 110, a third cyan head 117, and a fourth cyan head 118. FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the circuit shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, a unit 301 is a 4-bit ring counter composed of four flip-flop circuits and one NOR circuit and performing a counting operation every time "record data = 1" is input. In the unit 301, outputs Q1 to Q4 are cleared to "0" prior to scanning of the print head.

Now, as shown in FIG.
Output Q1 = "1", output Q2 = "0", output Q3 =
"0" and output Q4 = "0" are output. Output Q1-Q
Reference numeral 4 denotes an inverted signal φ * which is an output from an inverter for inverting the basic clock φ.
And output to the four buffers 306 to 309. The output is specifically as follows.

The buffer 30 for the first cyan head 109
6 = “1” Output to the buffer 307 for the second cyan head 110 =
“0” Output to the buffer 308 for the third cyan head 117 =
“0” Output to the buffer 309 for the fourth cyan head 118 =
“0” Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the unit 301 receives the recording data (n2) “1” in synchronization with the basic clock φ.
Performs a count operation, and outputs Q1 = "0" and output Q2 =
When “1”, output Q3 = “0”, and output Q4 = “0”, outputs Q1 to Q4 are similarly connected to four buffers 306 to 306-3.
09 is output. The output is specifically as follows.

Buffer 30 for first cyan head 109
6 = “0” Output to buffer 307 for second cyan head 110 =
“1” Output to the buffer 308 for the third cyan head 117 =
“0” Output to the buffer 309 for the fourth cyan head 118 =
After "0", if the recording data n3, n4, n5, n6, and n7 are input, similarly, outputs to four buffers 306 to 309 as shown in FIG. 6 are generated.

However, even if "record data = 0" is input to the unit 301 (between the record data n4 and n5 in the example of FIG. 6), the counting operation does not occur, and
Since the inputs of the flip-flops 302 to 305 are also “0”, the outputs to the buffers 306 to 309 are also “0”.

As described above, the first cyan head 10
9. The print data output to the second cyan head 110 is temporarily stored in buffers 306 and 307 having a data capacity equal to the print area for one band provided for bidirectional printing. Then, the data is read out in synchronization with the movement of the recording head, and recording on the recording medium 101 is performed.

The recording data output to the third cyan head 117 and the fourth cyan head 118 is the same as the first cyan head 109 or the second cyan head 1 shown in FIG.
Taking into account the relative position (1.5 bands) from the upstream tip of 2.5, 2.5 is provided to further support bidirectional recording.
The data is stored in buffers 308 and 309 having the same data capacity as the recording area for the band. Then, the data is read out in a timely manner in synchronization with the movement of the recording head, and the recording medium 1 is read.
01 is recorded.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, print data continuous in the scanning direction of the print head is automatically alternately sent to, for example, four print heads (first / second / third / fourth cyan head). This eliminates the need for a memory for storing each printhead and print data in association with each other in advance.In addition, by arranging a plurality of printheads also in the scanning direction of the carriage, it is generated continuously in that scanning direction. It is possible to effectively reduce density unevenness inherent to the ink discharge nozzles of the recording head, which is easy to perform.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a relatively long (that is, a long band width) recording is performed by forming and ejecting flying droplets using thermal energy even in an ink jet recording system. 3.) Local temperature rise that occurs when printing is performed using a multi-nozzle print head is distributed to, for example, four print heads (first / second / third / fourth cyan heads). The instability of ink ejection due to the temperature rise is eliminated, and stable ink droplet ejection is ensured, so that high-quality printing with less unevenness in ink ejection amount for each ink ejection nozzle can be performed.

In this embodiment, the recording head 10
A first-row head group consisting of 5 to 112;
Printing is performed by arranging two rows of printing heads of a second row head group consisting of 3 to 120 by being shifted by a half of the printing width (band width) of these printing heads, and for cyan and magenta inks. Recording was performed using two recording heads that eject ink of the same color in the scanning direction of the recording head, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when more recording heads (for example, n) are sequentially arranged in the scanning direction of the carriage (scanning direction of the recording head) for one color of ink, the unit 301 is replaced by an n × 2 bit ring counter. The same can be realized by substituting.

[0058]

Another embodiment Here, another configuration of the data distribution circuit shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to another embodiment of the data distribution circuit. Note that, similarly to FIG. 5, a circuit for distributing recording data to the first cyan head 109, the second cyan head 110, the third cyan head 117, and the fourth cyan head 118 among the recording heads 105 to 120, similarly to FIG. 1 shows the configuration.

In FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the unit 501 reads the distribution pattern code stored in the register 510 before each print head scans, and outputs data distribution according to this as outputs Q1 to Q4. Also, the unit 501
Creates a distribution pattern on the basis of the recording data when the recording of one band by the recording head is completed.
Write to 0.

In this manner, density unevenness such as a stripe pattern which tends to occur when performing so-called solid printing in which ink ejection is continuous is reduced.

Further, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 8 (a), it is determined that part of recording is performed by another recording head so that continuous ink ejection does not occur on the same recording head by the distribution pattern. By doing so, it is possible for the print head that performs ink discharge using thermal energy to suppress a rise in temperature of the print head due to continuous discharge of ink that occurs for so-called solid printing.

As a result, according to the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 8B, the frequency of the basic clock φ (indicated by φ * in which the clock is inverted in the figure) is doubled. Thus, even if the scanning speed is doubled, continuous ink ejection can be performed while maintaining high-quality printing quality.
Thereby, the printing speed is increased, and the productivity can be improved.

Next, the overall printing process performed by the printing apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described.

After passing through the ink-jet printing process using the recording apparatus according to the above-described ink-jet method, the non-woven fabric is dried (including natural drying). Subsequently, a step of diffusing the dye on the non-woven fabric and reacting and fixing the dye on the non-woven fabric is performed. By this step, it is possible to obtain a sufficient color developing property and fastness due to fixing of the dye.

This diffusion and reactive fixing step may be a conventionally known method, for example, a steaming method. In this case, the nonwoven fabric may be subjected to an alkali treatment before the printing step.

Thereafter, in a post-treatment step, the unreacted dye is removed and the substances used in the pre-treatment are removed. Finally, the record is completed through a finishing process such as defect correction and ironing.

In particular, the non-woven fabric for ink-jet printing is as follows: (1) The ink can be colored to a sufficient concentration.

(2) The ink dyeing rate is high.

(3) The ink is quickly dried and baked on the non-woven fabric.

(4) The occurrence of irregular ink bleeding on the non-woven fabric is small.

(5) Excellent transportability in the apparatus. Performance is required. In order to satisfy these required performances, in the present invention, non-woven fabrics can be subjected to pretreatment beforehand as required. For example, JP
JP-A-2-53492 discloses non-woven fabrics having an ink-receiving layer, and JP-A-3-46589 proposes non-woven fabrics containing a reducing inhibitor or an alkaline substance. . As an example of such a pretreatment, there can be mentioned a treatment in which a nonwoven fabric contains a substance selected from an alkaline substance, a water-soluble polymer, a synthetic polymer, a water-soluble metal salt, urea and thiourea.

Examples of the alkaline substance include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide;
Examples include amines such as mono, di, and triethanolamine, and alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. Further, 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 may be used. Particularly preferred alkaline substances include sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate used for dyeing reactive dyes.

Examples of the water-soluble polymer include starch substances such as corn and wheat, carboxymethyl cellulose,
Cellulose-based substances such as methylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium alginate, gum arabic, polysaccharides such as locust bean gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, and coumarind seeds; protein substances such as gelatin and casein; natural substances such as tannin-based substances and lignin-based substances Water-soluble polymers.

Examples of the synthetic polymer include a polyvinyl alcohol-based compound, a polyethylene oxide-based compound, an acrylic acid-based water-soluble polymer, and a maleic anhydride-based water-soluble polymer. Among them, polysaccharide polymers and cellulose polymers are preferable.

Examples of the water-soluble metal salt include compounds which form typical ionic crystals, such as halides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and have a Ph of 4 to 10. Representative examples of such compounds include, for example, NaCl, Na ₂ S
O ₄ , KCl, CH ₃ COONa and the like, and examples of the alkaline earth metal include CaCL ₂ and Mg
Such as CL _2, and the like. Among them, Na, K and Ca
Are desirable.

In the pre-treatment, the method for incorporating the above-mentioned substance into the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a immersion method, a pad method, a coating method, and a spray method which are usually performed. Furthermore, since the printing ink applied to the non-woven fabric for ink-jet printing simply adheres when applied to the non-woven fabric, it is necessary to carry out a fixing step of the dye in the ink, such as printing on fibers. Is desirable. Such a fixing step may be performed by a conventionally known method, for example, a steaming method, an HT steaming method, a thermofix method, or an alkaline pad steam method or an alkaline blotch steam method when a non-treated fabric is not used. , Alkali shock method, alkali cold fix method and the like. Further, the fixing step includes a step including a reaction step depending on the dye and a step not including the reaction step. In the latter example, the fiber is impregnated into the fiber and does not physically separate. As the ink, any suitable ink can be used as long as it has a required pigment, and the ink is not limited to a dye, but may include a pigment.

Further, the removal of the unreacted dye and the substance used in the pretreatment can be carried out after the above-mentioned reaction fixing step by washing according to a conventionally known method. In addition, it is preferable to use a conventional fixing process in combination with this cleaning.

The printed material which has been subjected to the post-processing steps described above is then cut into a desired size, and the cut pieces are subjected to a process for obtaining a final processed product such as welding, bonding, welding and the like. , Dresses, dresses, ties, swimwear and other clothing and duvet covers, sofa covers, handkerchiefs,
A curtain or the like is obtained. A method of processing non-woven fabric by sewing or the like to produce clothing or other daily necessities is a conventionally known technique.

The printing medium includes non-woven fabric, wall cloth, thread used for embroidery, wallpaper, paper, OHP film,
Examples include plate-like materials such as alumite and other various materials capable of applying a predetermined liquid by using an ink-jet technique. Examples of non-woven fabrics include any woven fabric, non-woven fabric, and other fabrics, regardless of the material, weaving method, or knitting method. including.

The present invention can employ not only the above-described ink jet recording method but also various recording methods. In the case where the ink jet method is employed, among them, thermal energy is used as the energy used for discharging ink. And a means for generating a state change of the ink by the thermal energy, that is, a bubble jet type printing head and printing apparatus proposed by Canon Inc., which provides excellent effects. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

Other typical configurations and principles are as follows.
For example, U.S. Pat.
40796 It is desirable to use the basic principle disclosed in the same specification. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling to the electric heat transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which This is effective because it generates heat energy in the electric heat converter, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, it is possible to form bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal one-to-one. It is. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed.
When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, the heat acting portion is bent. A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration disposed in a region where the image is arranged, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 5 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge section of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-123670 discloses a structure in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge portion.
The effect of the present invention is effective even in a configuration based on JP-A-9-138461. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

In addition, it goes without saying that the recording head can be configured in accordance with the type of the recording apparatus, and in the case of the so-called line printer type, the ejection openings are arranged in a range corresponding to the width of the recording medium. What should be done. Further, as a serial type recording head as in the above example, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body, or an ink supply from the apparatus main body or supply of ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be used or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the constitution of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the recording operation can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means,
Preheating means for heating by using a pressurizing or suctioning means, an electrothermal transducer, a heating element different from this, or a combination thereof, and preliminary discharging means for performing discharging different from recording can be used.

In addition, in this embodiment described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature is used. Alternatively, in the case of an ink jet system, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink in a liquid state may be used. In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as the energy of the state change from the solid state of the ink to the liquid state, or to prevent the ink from evaporating, the ink solidifies in the standing state. An ink that liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application according to the recording signal of the thermal energy, and the application of the thermal energy, such as the one in which the liquid ink is ejected or the one that already starts to solidify when reaching the recording medium, is performed. The present invention can be applied to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260.
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-205, a mode may be adopted in which the liquid sheet is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, the present invention may be applied to a case where a copying machine combined with a reader or the like is searched for.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but it can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and CD.
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided on the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, print data originally printed by one scan is distributed to a plurality of print heads, and the print data is transferred to a plurality of print heads performing a printing operation. While controlling to delay the transfer in consideration of the relative positions of the plurality of recording heads, the recording head operates to perform recording on the recording medium.For example, when performing recording by sequential multi-scan. Then, the load per recording head is distributed to a plurality of recording heads.

Therefore, the frequency of occurrence of uneven recording density due to the variation of the recording elements unique to one recording head is reduced, and as a result, high-quality image recording is achieved.

In the case of a recording head having a heating element or the like in the recording element, local temperature rise due to concentration of current application to a specific recording element of one recording head can be suppressed. Even if sufficient time is not given for the heat radiation, in other words, even if the recording element is driven in a short cycle, a local temperature rise can be suppressed. Therefore, it becomes possible to drive the recording head at high speed to perform recording. Thereby, for example, the productivity of printing on a recording medium such as cotton, silk, nylon, and polyester can be improved.

[0097]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus that performs full-color printing using a printing head according to an inkjet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the recording heads 105 to 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 in a main scanning direction.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a recording operation by the recording device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a data distribution circuit 24;

FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to another embodiment of a data distribution circuit.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a change in data distribution and a high-speed recording operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 19 Flexible Cable 24 Data Distribution Circuit (SMS) 25 CPU 26 ROM 27 RAM 29 Clock 30 Carriage Motor 32 Motor Drive Circuit 33 Motor Drive Circuit 48 Head Controller 54 Printer Interface 56 External Computer 58 Operation Panel 59 LCD 101 Recording Medium 102 Feeding Roller 103 Take-up roller 104 Carriage 104A, 104B Guide member 105-120 Recording head 105 First magenta head 106 First yellow head 107 First orange head 108 Second magenta head 109 First cyan head 110 Second cyan head 111 First blue head 112 1st black head 113 3rd magenta head 114 2nd yellow head 115 2nd orange head 116th Magenta head 117 Third cyan head 118 Fourth cyan head 119 Second blue head 120 Second black head 121 Conveying belt 121A, 121B Roller 123 Stocker 124 Pressure / suction pump 125 Cleaning liquid tank 126 Capping / cleaning unit 127 Dryer 152 Control Unit 153 caterpillar movable unit 301, 501 unit 302-305 flip-flop 306-309 buffer 510 register

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium using a plurality of recording heads each having a plurality of recording elements, wherein said scanning means reciprocates said plurality of recording heads in a first direction. Conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; and distributing means for distributing recording data, which is originally recorded by one scan by the scanning means, to the plurality of recording heads. Delay means for delaying transfer of print data to the plurality of print heads performing a printing operation in consideration of the relative positions of the plurality of print heads; distribution of print data by the distribution means; and the delay means And control means for performing printing while controlling the transfer delay of print data by the scanning means, scanning of the plurality of print heads by the scanning means, and conveyance of the recording medium by the conveyance means. Recording apparatus characterized and. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recording heads include a scanning direction by the scanning unit, a transporting direction by the transporting unit,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is provided in both directions of a scanning direction by the scanning unit and a transport direction by the transport unit. 3. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recording heads are configured to discharge inks of a plurality of colors, and some of the plurality of recording heads are configured to discharge inks of the same color. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a head. 4. The printing head according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recording heads ejecting the same color ink are arranged in a scanning direction by the scanning unit, a conveying direction by the conveying unit, or a scanning direction by the scanning unit and a conveying direction by the conveying unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording apparatus is provided in both directions. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit determines a method of distributing print data to a plurality of print heads that eject the same color ink before the plurality of print heads are scanned by the scanning unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 6. A plurality of recording heads for ejecting magenta and cyan inks are provided in each of a scanning direction by the scanning unit and a transporting direction by the transporting unit. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a recording image is completed by discharging ink of the same color from a part of recording elements of each of the plurality of recording heads to an area. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium includes a cloth made of cotton, silk, nylon, polyester, or the like. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print heads are print heads that perform printing according to an ink-jet method, and a print element provided on the print head has an ink discharge port that discharges ink. The recording device according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording head includes an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy in order to discharge the ink using thermal energy. apparatus.