KR101164481B1 - Inkjet printer having moveable scale and Printing method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An inkjet printer with a movable scale according to the present invention includes a stage on which at least one print object is fixed on an upper portion, a head support installed on the stage so as to be movable in the Y axis direction, and a movable head support on the head support in the X axis direction. A print head unit provided with a print nozzle to perform a print job on the print object, and a scale mechanism that is movable on an upper portion of the stage to set a reference position of the print object. In addition to diversifying the setting range and method of the printing target of the object, it provides an effect that can improve the convenience of the print job.

Head supports, scales, stages, points, marks

Description

Inkjet printer with movable scale and printing method using the same {Inkjet printer having moveable scale and Printing method using the same}

The present invention relates to a (ultra) large inkjet printer device for printing an image in a state where a printing object is set on an upper stage.

Inkjet printers can be classified into small and medium sized printers and large sized printers according to their sizes. Small and medium sized printers are usually used for home, office, etc., and large sized printers are mainly used for industrial purposes.

Among the large printers, there are a roll providing method and a plane fixing method according to a method of supplying a printing object. In the flat fixing method, the print head unit is moved to the printing surface of the printing object while the printing object is set on the upper part of the stage. Configured to effect printing.

The large-size inkjet printer of the planar fixing method is configured to print a large advertisement board, a banner or the like. As a printing target of such a printer, various materials can be printed from general papers, sheet-like structures such as vinyl, PVC, and silk, and plate-like structures such as wood, glass, stone, and metal.

1 and 2 are a schematic perspective view and a plan view showing an example of a conventional large-size inkjet printer, the head support (5) and the head support (5) in a state in which the printing object (3) is fixed on the upper side of the stage (1) ) Is made to print while moving the print head unit (7) provided.

Of course, the print head unit 7 is provided with a plurality of printing nozzles for ejecting ink. Usually, printing is performed by selectively spraying inks of colors C (Cyan: blue), M (Magenta: red), Y (Yellow: yellow), and K (black: black).

In Fig. 2, reference numeral 9 denotes a reference point for setting the position of the print object.

However, in the conventional inkjet printer as described above, since the reference point 9 is provided only on one side of the stage 1, it is not easy to set the setting position in a state in which the print object 3 is moved to another place, and in particular, a plurality of The task of setting the print object is more difficult and complicated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, by using a mobile scale moving in the upper part of the stage to freely set the position of the print object, as well as to enable the simultaneous setting of a plurality of print objects, An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer equipped with a mobile scale and a printing method using the same, which can diversify a setting range and a method of the present invention and improve convenience of a print job.

An inkjet printer with a movable scale according to the present invention for realizing the above object includes a stage on which at least one print object is fixed; A head support mounted on the stage to be movable in the Y axis direction; A print head unit installed on the head support so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and having a print nozzle to perform a print job on the print object; It is characterized in that it comprises a scale mechanism which is provided on the upper part of the stage to be movable to set the reference position of the print object.

In the above-described scale mechanism, the scale mechanism includes a moving scale provided to be elongated in at least one of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the stage, and a scale guide device for supporting both ends of the moving scale on the stage. It is desirable to.

In this case, the scale mechanism may be provided with a linear driving mechanism on the scale guide device to enable automatic movement.

In addition, the said scale mechanism can also be comprised directly attached to the said head support stand.

In the printing method of the inkjet printer equipped with a mobile scale according to the present invention for realizing the above object, one or a plurality of printing objects are arranged on the upper part of the stage, but one or more using the movable scale moving the upper part of the stage. A first step of determining and fixing the exact arrangement position of the object to be printed; And a second step of printing on the printing surface of the print object by moving the print head unit to a position where one or a plurality of print objects are arranged in the first step.

Here, in the second step, when a plurality of print objects are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction, when printing the first line of the entire image to be printed on each print object, the X-axis to the print head unit Printing a plurality of print objects sequentially from the first print object while continuously moving in the direction or Y-axis direction, and when the first line printing of all the print objects is completed in this way, the printing of the next lines of the first line is printed on the first line. It is preferable to proceed in order by the same method as the printing method.

The main problem solving means of the present invention as described above, will be described in more detail and clearly through examples such as 'details for the implementation of the invention', or the accompanying 'drawings' to be described below, wherein In addition to the main problem solving means as described above, various problem solving means according to the present invention will be further presented and described.

An inkjet printer equipped with a mobile scale and a printing method using the same according to the present invention may freely set a position of a print object by using a mobile scale moving on an upper portion of the stage, and may simultaneously set a plurality of print objects. Since it is configured, the setting range and method of the printing object are diversified, and the convenience of printing can be improved.

In addition, the present invention, the movement scale is provided in the X-axis or Y-axis direction, it is possible to set the print object in a state where the perpendicularity with respect to each axis is maintained, there is an effect that can increase the accuracy of the setting position.

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

3 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printer of one embodiment according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a plan view showing an inkjet printer of an embodiment according to the present invention, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the AA line direction of Figure 4, moved 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the guide structure of the scale, FIG. 6.

As illustrated in these figures, the inkjet printer of one embodiment according to the present invention includes a stage 10 in which at least one or more print objects can be fixed on the top, and a Y-axis direction to the stage 10. A print head unit (30) which is installed to be movable, a print head unit (30) which is installed on the head support (20) to be movable in the X-axis direction, and is provided with a printing nozzle to perform a printing operation on a print object; It is comprised so that it may be provided in the upper part of the stage 10, and the scale mechanism 40 which sets the reference position of the said printing object.

The main components of the inkjet printer according to the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the stage 10 may be formed to have a quadrangular plane as a whole so that the print object 15 may be placed on the upper surface, and may fix the position by absorbing the print object 15. It is desirable to have a suction function so as to form a negative pressure.

In addition, the stage 10 may be configured with a Y-axis guide 12 for guiding the movement of the head support 20 in the Y-axis direction and a scale guide device 45 for guiding the movement of the scale mechanism 40. have.

The configuration of the stage 10 can be variously configured by using or combining the configuration of a well-known planar fixed type industrial printer according to the implementation conditions.

Next, the head support 20 is coupled to both sides of the stage 10 is configured to be able to move linearly in the Y-axis direction, it is formed as a gantry structure as a whole. That is, the head support 20 is connected to the both side support 21, which is movably coupled to the Y-axis guide 12 formed on both sides of the stage 10, and connects the upper portion of the both support 21 to the print head unit It consists of a horizontal support 23 for supporting 30 to be moved in the X-axis direction.

Here, the both side support 21 or the stage 10 is provided with a drive unit to move the head support 20 in the Y-axis direction with respect to the stage. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 25 denotes a nozzle cleaning unit provided on both support members 21 to clean the print nozzles 31 while the print head unit 30 is moved.

The horizontal support 23 is provided with a linear motion (LM) guide to move the print head unit 30 in the X-axis direction, the LM guide can be appropriately configured using a known configuration so that the detailed description Omit. In Fig. 3, reference numeral 27 denotes an X-axis guide.

Next, the print head unit 30 includes a head support portion 33 which is moved in the X-axis direction in a state of being supported by the horizontal support 23 of the head support 20, and in front of the head support part 33. And a head main body 35 to which a print nozzle 31 or the like is mounted to perform a print job on the print object 15 fixed to the upper part of the stage 10.

The head body 35 is provided with a plurality of print nozzles 31, the print nozzles 31 are at least four colors, that is, C (Cyan: blue), M (Magenta: red), Y (Yellow: yellow) , K (black: black) or the like is preferably arranged and configured to be ejected.

Next, the scale mechanism 40 not only sets the position of the print object 15 and the spacing between the print objects, but also the right angle in the state where the print object is kept perpendicular to the X-axis or Y-axis direction on the stage 10. It is configured to be set to be maintained.

The scale mechanism 40 includes a moving scale 41 that is installed in a longitudinal (X-axis) direction of the stage 10 and a scale guide that supports both ends of the moving scale 41 on the stage 10 to be movable. Device 45.

Here, the moving scale 41 may be formed in a ginza structure so that the scales may be formed in a predetermined numerical unit to determine the setting position of the print object. It is also possible to be configured in such a way that a graduation mark is not formed and setting marks are formed at regular intervals.

The moving scale 41 is preferably composed of a metal material or a hard synthetic resin material to have sufficient rigidity, and has a rolling member such as a wheel at the lower part thereof so as to move smoothly and easily on the stage 10 (reference numeral 48 in FIG. 5). Can be installed). At this time, it is preferable that a plurality of rolling members are provided at regular intervals around the central portion of the moving scale 41 or the central portion thereof.

On both ends of the moving scale 41, a scale guide device 45 is provided to be movable on the stage 10. The scale guide device 45 is Y on both sides of the stage 10, as shown in FIG. It may be formed long in the axial direction.

The scale guide device 45 may include a guide hole 46 formed in the stage 10 and a guide bracket 47 extending from both ends of the moving scale 41 and inserted into the guide hole 46.

At this time, the guide bracket 47 is preferably formed with an inner support portion 47a so as not to be easily separated in the state inserted into the guide hole 46, the bearing or the rolling movement of the movement scale 41 as shown by reference numeral 48 or The roller structure may be installed and configured.

6 is a view showing another embodiment of the scale guide device 45, unlike the scale guide device 45 is configured from the top of the stage 10 in FIG. 5, it is configured on the side of the stage 10. Shows. Reference numeral 46 'is a guide hole, reference numeral 47' is a guide bracket extending from both ends of the moving scale 41, reference numeral 47a 'denotes an inner support, reference numeral 48' denotes a bearing or roller structure.

In addition, in the above description, the structure for manually moving the moving scale 41 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be configured to enable automatic movement. In this case, a linear drive mechanism may be provided in the scale guide device 45, but a linear motion mechanism (LM Guide) widely used in the art may be adopted.

That is, when the linear motor is configured, a mover is formed in the guide bracket 47, and a stator is formed along the guide hole 46 on the corresponding stage 10 to automatically move the moving scale 41. Can be configured.

In addition, a pinion is provided on the moving scale 41 or the guide bracket 47, and a rack gear formed along the guide hole 46 on the stage 10 is formed so that the pinion is engaged with the rack and rotated. In this way, the movement scale 41 can be configured to enable automatic movement.

In addition, the movement scale 41 is provided by installing a motor on one side of the stage 10 and connecting the guide bracket 47 with a wire (or belt) to move the wire (or belt) in accordance with the rotation of the motor. It is also possible to configure to automatically move.

As such, the automatic movement of the movement scale 41 can be implemented in various ways by adopting one of known linear movement mechanisms.

On the other hand, the setting of the printing object using the inkjet printer according to the present invention as described above can be made in various ways.

As shown in FIG. 7A, one print object may be set using the moving scale 41, which is a point (mark) formed on only one side of the conventional stage 10 to form a portion where the mark P is formed. Unlike the setting (dotted portion) of the printing object 15A as the center, the printing object 15B in the state where the reference position is set by moving the moving scale 41 to the desired position in the entire portion of the stage 10. Can be set (solid line).

As shown in FIG. 7A, when one print object 15B is set on the stage 10 using the moving scale 41, the head support 20 is moved in the Y-axis direction to print head unit 30. Is placed on top of the printing object 15B, the ink is ejected from the printing nozzle 31 while the print head unit 30 is moved, and printing is performed on the printing surface of the printing object 15B.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, the plurality of print objects 15a, 15b, and 15c may be set using the moving scale 41. In this case, after the moving scale 41 is moved to a predetermined position, the plurality of prints may be set. The object 15 can be arranged and set at regular intervals.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the plurality of print objects 15a, 15b, 15c are accurately set at regular intervals on the upper portion of the stage 10 using the moving scale 41, the head support 20 moves in the Y-axis direction. After placing the print head unit 30 on the printing object 15, the ink is sprayed from the printing nozzle 31 while the print head unit 30 is moved to print the print objects 15a, 15b, and 15c. Print

At this time, when the three print objects (15a, 15b, 15c) are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction as shown in Figure 7b, of the entire image to be printed on each print object while moving the print head unit 30 in the X-axis direction When printing the first line (first pass of the print nozzle), the first print object 15a, the second print object 15b, and the third print object 15c are continuously printed.

In this way, when the first line (first pass) printing of all the print objects 15a, 15b, and 15c is completed, the head support 20 is finely moved in the Y-axis direction, and then the same direction as the first line printing direction or The second line (second pass) printing is sequentially performed on all the print objects 15a, 15b, and 15c while moving the print head unit 30 in the reverse direction.

In this manner, all three print objects 15a, 15b, and 15c can be printed at the same time. Such simultaneous printing can be efficiently used when printing the same image on several sheets at the same time.

On the other hand, when the moving scale 41 sets one or a plurality of print objects 15 on the stage 10 as described above, the print objects 15 are directed to the Y direction at the top of the stage 10. It can help to set the right angle is maintained.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the print object 15 is set above the stage 10, in a state in which the print object 15 is positioned parallel to the X-axis moving direction of the print head unit 30 including the print nozzle 31. Since the reference position of the print object 15 is held, the print object 15 is not twisted while maintaining a right angle with respect to the Y-axis direction, thereby helping to enable accurate printing.

8 to 10 are views showing other embodiments of the present invention. For reference, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar constituent parts, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the moving scale 41 ′ may be installed in the Y-axis direction, unlike the moving scale 41 ′ in the X-axis direction.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the moving scales 41 and 41 'are provided in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In this case, it is preferable that the two moving scales 41 and 41 'are provided with a height difference so that interference does not occur.

On the other hand, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the scale mechanism 40 has been described with reference to the embodiments that are configured separately from the head support 20, but if necessary directly installed on the head support 20 It is also possible to configure.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, a scale is formed at a portion of the head support 20 proximate to the stage 10 to form a scale mechanism 400, or a member having a scale is formed on the head support 20. A method of configuring the scale mechanism 400 is possible. At this time, the head support 20 is moved to set the position of the print object 15.

As described above, the technical ideas described in the embodiments of the present invention can be performed independently of each other, and can be implemented in combination with each other. While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is possible. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet printer of the prior art,

2 is a schematic plan view showing an inkjet printer of the prior art;

3 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printer of one embodiment according to the present invention;

4 is a plan view showing an inkjet printer of one embodiment according to the present invention;

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 4, showing a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a guide structure of a moving scale;

6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a guide structure of a moving scale according to the present invention;

7A is a plan view showing a state in which one print object is set using a moving scale in an embodiment according to the present invention;

7B is a plan view illustrating a state in which a plurality of print objects are set using a moving scale in an embodiment according to the present invention;

8 is a plan view showing an inkjet printer of another embodiment according to the present invention;

9 is a plan view showing an inkjet printer of yet another embodiment according to the present invention.

10 is a perspective view showing a structure in which the scale mechanism is installed in the head support in the present invention.

Claims (6)

A stage on which at least one print object is fixed on an upper portion thereof; A head support mounted on the stage to be movable in the Y axis direction; A print head unit installed on the head support so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and having a print nozzle to perform a print job on the print object; An inkjet printer having a movable scale, the scale mechanism being movable on an upper portion of the stage to set a reference position of the print object. The method according to claim 1, The scale mechanism includes a moving scale provided to be elongated in at least one of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the stage, and a scale guide device for supporting both ends of the moving scale on the stage. An inkjet printer equipped with a movable scale. The method according to claim 2, The scale mechanism is an inkjet printer with a movable scale, characterized in that the linear guide mechanism is provided in the scale guide device to enable automatic movement. The method according to claim 1, And the scale mechanism is installed on the head support. A first step of arranging one or a plurality of print objects on an upper part of the stage, and determining and fixing an exact arrangement position of the one or a plurality of print objects by using a movable scale moving the upper part of the stage; And a second step of printing on the printing surface of the print object by moving the print head unit to a position where one or a plurality of print objects are arranged in the first step. Way. The method of claim 5, In the second step, when the plurality of print objects are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, when printing the first line of the entire image to be printed on each print object, the print head unit or the X-axis direction or A plurality of print objects are sequentially printed from the first print object while continuously moving in the Y-axis direction. When the first line printing of all the print objects is completed in this way, the printing of the next lines of the first line is performed. The printing method of the ink-jet printer with a mobile scale, characterized in that proceeding in the same manner as in the order.

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