JPH11321003A - Serial recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance throughput by locating a print starting position adjusting region closer to the nonprinting side than an accelerating/decelerating region thereby eliminating useless moving region of carriage at the time of printing. SOLUTION: A print control means executes printing of one line by delivering a data to first and second recording heads 8, 9 mounted side by side in the moving direction of carriage. When the carriage passes through a final dot printing position L after finishing printing of one line, a carriage control means decelerates a carriage drive motor in an accelerating/decelerating region and stops the motor at a position shifted to the left from the final dot printing position L by an amount corresponding to the acceleration/deceleration stroke Sa and the maximum gap adjusting length. Consequently, the moving stroke can be shortened by ΔS1 as compared with the carriage moving region S0 at the time of printing a serial printer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a serial recording apparatus in which a recording head that forms dots in accordance with a print signal is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates at a constant speed, and more specifically, a print start position of the recording head. Related to adjustment technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a serial recording apparatus, a recording head provided with dot forming means such as an ink jet recording head is mounted on a reciprocatingly driven carriage, and dots are formed on a recording medium while moving the carriage at a constant speed. It is configured as follows. Then, in order to shorten the moving distance of the carriage as much as possible, to reduce the size of the main body and improve the throughput, as shown in FIG. Acceleration / deceleration distance S
In addition to setting a, a launch position adjustment area and a Bi-d adjustment area are provided for adjusting an instrumental error and an error due to backlash between the forward path and the return path.

[0003]

Therefore, during the printing operation, in addition to the distance Sa required for acceleration / deceleration, the entire distance S0 including the launch adjustment area and the bid adjustment area is moved. Since the position adjustment area and the Bi-d adjustment area are usually about several millimeters, it is necessary to travel an extra distance of about several millimeters, and there is a problem that the throughput is reduced. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a serial recording apparatus that can improve throughput by eliminating an unnecessary moving area of a carriage during printing. is there.

[0004]

According to the present invention, to solve such a problem, a recording head is mounted on a carriage, and a printing start position adjustment area, an acceleration / deceleration area, and a bi-d are provided outside a non-printing area. In a serial recording apparatus in which an adjustment area is provided and the carriage reaches a constant speed at a predetermined position on a recording medium and the carriage moves the carriage by the recording head to form dots in a return step or a return step, the print start position adjustment area Is provided on the non-printing side of the acceleration / deceleration area.

[0005]

Since the print start position adjustment area is set closer to the end than the acceleration area, it is not necessary to move the print start adjustment area during acceleration / deceleration, thereby improving the throughput.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention,
The carriage 1 is connected to a carriage drive motor 3 by a timing belt 2, and is configured to be guided by a guide member 4 and move parallel to a platen 5.
A carriage position detecting means 7 such as an encoder for detecting the position of the carriage 1 is connected to the idler 6 supporting the timing belt 2.

On the surface of the carriage 1 facing the recording paper, a first recording head 8 and a second recording head 9 are mounted side by side in the moving direction of the carriage 1, and ink cartridges 10 and 11 are provided on the upper surface. It is placed. The recording heads 8 and 9 are configured to receive a drive signal from a control device 13 described later via a flexible cable 12 and to receive a paper feed by a paper feed motor 14.

In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes recording heads 8, 9
A capping device provided in a non-printing area on a moving path of the printer and a suction pump 16 for supplying a negative pressure to the capping device 15 are shown.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the above-mentioned control device 13, in which a reception buffer 2 connected to a host is connected.
Of the data of 0, the print data is developed into image data in the print buffer 22 by the image developing means 21, and the recording heads 8 and 9 are driven by the recording head driving means 23 based on the image data.

The print control means 24 controls a carriage drive means 25 and a paper feed drive means 26 by means of a carriage control means 27 to be described later, and causes the recording heads 8 and 9 to form dots in accordance with the image data.

The carriage control means 27 determines whether the printing mode is a unidirectional printing mode or a bidirectional printing mode, detects the position of the carriage 1 based on a signal from the carriage position detecting means 7, and stores the position in the RAM 28. The carriage driving means 25 drives the carriage 1 at a speed suitable for printing while accelerating and decelerating the carriage motor 3 based on the position adjustment value, thereby defining an acceleration start position.

The data transfer means 30 includes a power switch 31
When the power switch 31 is turned on, the data in the adjustment value storage means 33, which is a read-only memory that can be electrically rewritten when the power switch 31 is turned on, is stored in the RAM 30, When the connection 31 is disconnected, the contents of the RAM 28 are stored in the adjustment value storage unit 3.
3 to be stored. Reference numeral 34 in the figure denotes a power relay that cuts off power supply to the apparatus main body after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power switch 31 was operated in a power-on state.

The adjustment value storage means 33 stores the carriage 1 for each recording apparatus in association with the bidirectional printing mode and the unidirectional printing mode as shown in FIGS. Home position adjustment value H,
A launch position adjustment value A, a Bi-d adjustment value B, a gap adjustment value G, and the like are set in a predetermined unit, for example, dot / 360D.
Stored in PI.

Next, the operation of the above-configured apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
When the power switch 31 is operated and the power is turned on (step a in FIG. 5), the data transfer means 30 adjusts the home position adjustment value H, the launch position adjustment values A and Bi- stored in the adjustment value storage means 33. The d adjustment value B and the gap adjustment value G are transferred to the RAM (FIG. 5 Step
B). When the print data is input from the host (step c in FIG. 5), the print control means 24 feeds the recording medium from a paper feeding means (not shown) and sets it at a predetermined position (step d in FIG. 5). 21 develops the print data in the print buffer 22 as bitmap data (FIG. 5, step (e)).

The carriage control means 27 transmits the ejection position adjustment value A read out to the RAM 28 to the carriage 1.
Is divided by the driving step resolution D to calculate the integer value A0 and the remainder Ai (f in FIG. 5).

When the bidirectional printing mode in which the printing speed is prioritized such as character printing is selected, that is, Bi-d
When the mode is selected (step 5 in FIG. 5),
The carriage control unit 27 determines that the acceleration start position CRa1 of the carriage 1 is CRa1 = (home position adjustment value H
+ Integer value A) (FIG. 5, step T).
Then, the first dot printing position F is set to (acceleration start position CRa
1 + Acceleration process length Sa + Bid-maximum adjustment value + Maximum gap adjustment value) is calculated (FIG. 5).

At the stage where all the calculations are completed, the carriage control means 27 moves the carriage 1 from the home position to the carriage start position CRa just calculated.
1 (if there is a surplus Ai, this surplus is taken in as an acceleration area) (FIG. 5, step n).

The carriage driving motor 3 is accelerated to accelerate the carriage 1 toward the printing speed (step 5 in FIG. 5). When the first dot printing position is reached by accelerating the acceleration / deceleration area (step e in FIG. 5), the carriage 1
The printing speed reaches the printing speed, and printing is enabled, and the print control unit 24 causes the recording heads 8 and 9 to output data to execute one-line printing (step w in FIG. 5).

When the printing of the first line is completed, the carriage 1
Is passed through the final dot printing position L (step (f) in FIG. 5), the carriage control means 27 drives the carriage drive motor 3 to decelerate the acceleration / deceleration area, and moves from the specified position, that is, the final dot printing position L (accelerating / decelerating process). It stops at the position displaced to the left end by the length Sa + the maximum value of the gap adjustment) (step Y in FIG. 5).

If the print data for the second line exists (step ST in FIG. 5), the print control unit 27 executes the paper feed for one line by the paper feed drive unit 26, and then executes the printing for the first line. Accelerates the carriage 1 in the opposite direction (step S in FIG. 5), and reaches the final dot printing position L (step S in FIG. 5). When the carriage 1 reaches a speed suitable for printing, it develops in the opposite direction. The printed data is printed (steps in FIG. 5).

When the carriage 1 has passed the first dot printing position F after the printing of the second line has been completed (step n in FIG. 5), the carriage control means 27 decelerates the carriage driving motor 3 to set the first dot printing position. The carriage 1 is stopped at a position displaced rightward from F by (acceleration / deceleration process length Sa + acceleration start position CRa1) (step na in FIG. 5).

Further, when print data of the third line exists (step 5 in FIG. 5), the carriage 1 is accelerated from the stop position of the carriage 1 at the end of the second line (step 5 in FIG. 5). Similarly, the moving area S1 is moved and the subsequent lines are printed.

By setting the launch position adjustment area on the non-printing area side of the acceleration / deceleration area as described above, it is not necessary to move the distance for the launch adjustment area during printing.
ΔS1, for example, 3.10 mm (360 dp), is larger than the moving area S0 of the carriage at the time of printing of the conventional serial printer.
(equivalent to 44 dots in i)) The moving process is shortened, and the throughput is improved.

On the other hand, when a print mode requiring high-precision printing such as image data, that is, a so-called Uni-d mode is selected (Step in FIG. 5), the carriage 1
Of the acceleration start position CRa2 of (adjustment value H + integer value A + B
(the maximum value of the id adjustment value) (FIG. 6, step a). Then, the first dot print start position F is calculated as (acceleration start position CRa2 + acceleration process length + maximum gap adjustment value) (step B in FIG. 6).

At the stage where all the calculations have been completed, the carriage control means 27 moves the carriage 1 from the home position to the carriage start position CRa just calculated.
2 (if there is a surplus Ai, this surplus is taken in as an acceleration area) (step c in FIG. 6).

The carriage control means 27 accelerates the carriage drive motor 3 to accelerate the acceleration / deceleration area so as to move the carriage 1 to the printing speed. When the carriage control means 27 reaches the first dot printing position F (step E in FIG. 6), the carriage control means 27 1 reaches the printing speed and printing becomes possible, and the first line is printed (step f in FIG. 6).

When the printing of one line is completed and passes the final dot printing position L (step G in FIG. 6), the carriage control means 27 drives the carriage motor 3 to decelerate and stop it (step C in FIG. 6). The drive motor 3 is driven in the reverse direction to decelerate when the carriage 1 has passed the first dot printing position F. At a position displaced from the first dot printing position to the right end by the acceleration / deceleration process length Sa + the gap adjustment area maximum value. Stop the carriage (Step 6 in FIG. 6).

If the print data of the second line exists (step (6) in FIG. 6), the carriage 1 for one line is fed by the paper feed driving means 26, and then the stopped carriage 1 is moved to the first position. It accelerates in the same way as when printing a line (Fig. 6
Step d), printing is started when the first dot printing position is reached.

Since the launch adjustment area and the Bi-d adjustment area are set closer to the non-printing area than the acceleration / deceleration area, it is necessary to move the distance of (the launch adjustment area + Bid-adjustment area) during printing. Is eliminated, and the moving distance of ΔS2, for example, 5.36 mm (corresponding to 76 dots in 360 dpi) is reduced as compared with the moving area S0 of the carriage at the time of printing by the conventional serial printer, thereby improving the throughput.

Thereafter, printing is continued in this manner, and when printing for one page is completed (steps in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).
(Step 5), and discharge paper (Step No. in FIG. 5, Step E in FIG. 6).

When printing of all the print data is completed and the power switch 31 is operated, the adjustment values of the RAM 28 are stored in the adjustment value storage means 33, and the operation is shut down.

In the above-described embodiment, the position of the carriage is detected by the carriage position detecting means such as an encoder.
The same effect can be obtained even if detection is performed based on the number of drive pulses supplied to the carriage drive motor from here.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording apparatus in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage has been described as an example. However, an ink tank is provided on the box side and ink is supplied to the recording head of the carriage by an ink supply tube. A similar effect can be obtained when the present invention is applied to a serial recording device of the type described above.

Further, the description has been given by taking an example in which an ink jet recording head is used as a recording head, but the invention is applied to a serial recording apparatus equipped with a thermal transfer recording head such as a wire impact recording head or a sublimation recording head. Obviously, the same effect is obtained even when the above-mentioned operation is performed.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording head is mounted on the carriage, and the print start position adjustment area, the acceleration / deceleration area, and the Bi-d adjustment area are provided outside the non-printing area. In a serial recording device in which the carriage reaches a constant speed at the specified position and the recording head forms dots in the forward and backward steps of the carriage, the print start position adjustment area is provided on the non-print side relative to the acceleration / deceleration area. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the printing start adjustment area at the time of acceleration / deceleration, so that the moving distance of the carriage during printing can be shortened as much as possible, and the throughput can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a serial recording device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a print control device of the serial recording device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing various adjustment areas of a carriage at the time of printing in a Bi-d mode by the same apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing various adjustment areas of the carriage during Uni-d mode printing of the above device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process from the initial processing to the bidirectional printing in the operation of the above apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a unidirectional printing process in the operation of the above apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing various adjustment areas of a conventional carriage.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage 3 Carriage drive motor 7 Carriage position detection means 8, 9 Recording head 10, 11 Ink cartridge 13 Control device 14 Paper feed motor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printing head mounted on a carriage, a print start position adjustment area, an acceleration / deceleration area, and a B
In a serial recording apparatus in which an id adjustment area is provided and the carriage reaches a constant speed at a predetermined position on a recording medium, and the carriage moves the carriage by the recording head to form dots in a forward step or a backward step, A serial recording device in which a position adjustment area is provided on a non-print side with respect to the acceleration / deceleration area. 2. In a unidirectional printing mode in which the recording head is moved in one direction to form dots, the print start position adjustment area and the Bi-d adjustment area are both on the non-print side relative to the acceleration / deceleration area. The serial recording device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The setting area of the Bi-d adjustment area is selected according to the bidirectional printing mode in which the recording head is moved in both directions to form dots and the unidirectional printing mode. The serial recording device according to claim 2. 4. The printing start position adjustment area, wherein an integral multiple of the driving resolution of the carriage is provided on the non-printing area side.
3. The serial recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surplus is set in the print moving area. 5. The printing start position adjustment area, and
The d-adjustment area is stored in a rewritable read-only storage means, is read out to a work area when power is turned on, and is stored in the read-only storage means from a work area at shutdown. A serial recording device as described.