WO2010116933A1

WO2010116933A1 - Ink jet recording apparatus, recording method thereof, and platen cover

Info

Publication number: WO2010116933A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/055843
Authority: WO
Inventors: 直樹松屋
Original assignee: 株式会社セイコーアイ・インフォテック
Priority date: 2009-04-09
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2010-10-14
Also published as: JP5409327B2; JP2010260341A

Abstract

Disclosed is an ink jet recording apparatus which has high conveying accuracy and can record appropriately irrespective of the types of recording media. The ink jet recording apparatus comprises suction holes for sucking a recording medium and a flat plate-shaped platen in which grooves are formed in such a manner that the plurality of suction holes are involved therein. The ink jet recording apparatus further comprises a platen cover to cover the platen. The frictional resistance between the platen cover and the recording medium is different from the frictional resistance between the platen and the recording medium. The platen cover comprises holes which are smaller than the openings of the grooves of the platen.

Description

Inkjet recording apparatus, recording method thereof, and platen cover

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus and a recording method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles provided in a recording head is known. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, a recording medium is held on a flat platen, a recording head is mounted on a carriage that moves along the platen, and ink droplets are ejected from nozzles onto the recording medium while the carriage is moved. There is something to be recorded. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, a suction hole is provided in the platen, and the recording medium is sucked and fixed to the platen through the suction hole. Therefore, the recording surface of the recording medium can be kept flat along the platen.

Also, the recording medium is slid on the platen by the transport device while being sucked by the suction holes and is transported. In such a recording operation of the ink jet recording apparatus, the recording medium is transported by a predetermined movement distance and stopped, and ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium while scanning the carriage in the width direction of the recording medium. Record. When one scan is completed, the recording medium is again conveyed by a predetermined distance and stopped, and ink is ejected in the same manner as described above to perform recording. By repeating such an operation, a desired image is formed on the recording medium.

The recording medium needs to slide on the platen. However, the recording medium may not be smoothly moved on the platen due to the frictional resistance between the platen and the recording medium or due to the suction force to the recording medium by the suction holes, and may be conveyed in a distorted state such as a wavy state. The For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed in which a countermeasure such as providing a fluororesin layer is provided on the surface of the platen to reduce the frictional resistance between the platen and the recording medium. . Also, in the cited document 1, an ink jet recording apparatus in which a contact area between the platen and the recording medium is reduced by providing a groove in the platen in order to reduce the frictional resistance between the platen and the recording medium is also disclosed.

JP 2004-122554 A

However, the inkjet recording apparatus uses PVC tarpaulin or cloth as a recording medium, or resin sheets made of various resins such as polyester and PVC. Various recording media have different frictional resistances with respect to the platen. Further, the recording medium is easily bent depending on the thickness and material. Also, in the case of a platen with a heater that promotes drying of ink, if there is a groove in the platen, the temperature of the recording medium in the part corresponding to the groove is higher than the temperature of the part of the recording medium in direct contact with the platen. It will be lower. Due to the temperature difference, a difference in the drying speed of the ink may occur, and a groove pattern may appear in the formed image. Further, in the conventional platen, depending on the type of the recording medium, it may be undulated and conveyed due to frictional resistance, and appropriate recording may not be possible. Further, depending on the type of the recording medium, it may bend along the groove of the platen, and ink may not be ejected to a desired position on the recording medium, so that proper recording may not be performed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. Even when various recording media are used, the recording medium can be appropriately conveyed, appropriately held on the platen, and appropriately recorded on the recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus, a recording method, and a platen cover.

In order to solve the above problems, an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyance device that conveys a recording medium, a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and a concave surface on a surface facing the recording medium. A flat platen having a groove, and a suction hole provided at the bottom of the groove and communicating with a suction means for sucking the recording medium, and transporting the recording medium while adsorbing the platen to the platen An ink jet recording apparatus, further comprising: a flat platen cover having a plurality of communication holes communicating between the front and back; and fixing means for fixing the platen cover to the ink jet recording apparatus. When the platen cover is fixed on the platen, the platen cover faces at least the groove of the platen cover. Wherein the one or more communication hole is provided in the portion that.

Further, another recording method of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium, a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and a surface that faces the recording medium. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a flat platen having a concave groove on the bottom; and a suction hole communicating with a suction unit that sucks the recording medium at a bottom of the groove, and transporting the recording medium while adsorbing the platen to the platen. A recording method, the step of arranging a plate-like platen cover having a plurality of communication holes arranged on the platen so as to cover a part of the opening of the groove on the platen, Conveying the recording medium while operating the suction means; and operating the suction means to discharge the ink onto the recording medium held by the platen cover. Characterized in that it.

Further, another platen cover of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a conveying device that conveys a recording medium, a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and a surface that faces the recording medium. A flat platen having a concave groove on the bottom, and a suction hole communicating with a suction means for sucking the recording medium at the bottom of the groove, and the ink jet recording apparatus for transporting the recording medium while adsorbing the recording medium to the platen A flat platen cover having a plurality of communication holes arranged on the platen, which is opposed to at least the groove of the platen cover when fixed on the platen by a fixing means fixed to the ink jet recording apparatus. It is characterized by having one or more communication holes in the portion.

According to the present invention, even if the type of the recording medium is different, the recording medium is smoothly conveyed on the platen, the recording medium is appropriately held on the platen, and appropriate recording by the recording head on the recording medium is possible. Become.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a platen of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a platen portion of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which expanded and showed the fixing part of the platen and platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the paper pressing part of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 3rd modification of the platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the 1st modification of the fixing means of the platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the 2nd modification of the fixing means of the platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the 3rd modification of the fixing means of the platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the platen cover of the inkjet recording device which concerns on preferable embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 conveys a sheet-like or plate-like recording medium 17 indicated by a broken line, and images, characters, etc. according to image data are formed on the surface of the recording medium 17 by an ink jet method. Record. Examples of the recording medium 17 include paper, PVC tarpaulin, cloth, and a sheet made of synthetic resin such as polyester or PVC. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is roughly configured to include a base 13, a transport device 10 that transports a recording medium 17 provided on the base 13, and a print recording apparatus 2 that records and records on the recording medium 17. ing.

The transport apparatus 10 includes at least a transport roller 9 that rotates by receiving a rotational drive of a motor, and a pressure roller unit 8 that pressurizes the transport roller 9. A recording medium 17 is sandwiched between the transport roller 9 and the pressure roller unit 8 and is transported by the rotation of these rollers. A platen 12 that supports the recording medium 17 is provided at a location adjacent to the transport device 10. A platen cover 20 is placed and fixed on the platen 12. The platen 12 and the platen cover 20 serve as locations for printing and recording on the recording medium 17 by the printing recording apparatus 2. A heater for heating the platen 12 is provided under the platen 12. With this heater, the platen 12 and the platen cover 20 are heated, the recording medium 17 is further heated, and the fixing of the ink discharged to the recording medium 17 is promoted. The platen 12 is provided on the base 13 so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the recording medium 17 is conveyed. Further, 19 pairs of the transport roller 9 and the pressure roller unit 8 are arranged on the same axis line at adjacent portions of the platen 12 at a predetermined interval, for example, 87.65 mm.

The printing recording apparatus 2 roughly includes an inkjet head 3 that performs recording by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium 17, a carriage 4 that houses the inkjet head 3, a transport belt 11 that is connected to the carriage 4, A driving pulley 5 and a driven pulley 6 that move the conveying belt 11, a driving motor 18 that rotationally drives the driving pulley 5, and a guide rail 7 that guides the scanning of the carriage 4 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium 17. It has. Further, like the platen 12, the transport belt 11 and the guide rail 7 are provided on the base 13 so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the recording medium 17 is transported. The carriage 4 slides in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the recording medium 17 is conveyed, that is, in the direction of the bidirectional arrow AB in the drawing.

The ink supplied to the inkjet head 3 is stored in the ink cartridge 14. The ink cartridge 14 is a replaceable cartridge type ink container. Replace when ink runs out.

The pressure roller unit 8 is disposed so as to form a pair for each conveyance roller 9 that conveys the recording medium 17. The roller of the pressure roller unit 8 is driven to rotate while pressing the recording medium 17 toward the conveying roller 9. That is, the lower surface of the recording medium 17 is in contact with the conveying roller 9, and the upper surface is in contact with the roller of the pressure roller unit 8. The pressure roller unit 8 is fixedly attached to the base 13 of the printer 1.

The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is provided with a suction means for adsorbing the recording medium 17 to the platen cover 20 or the platen 12. The suction means roughly includes a groove provided on the surface of the platen 12, a suction hole that penetrates the platen 12, a suction fan 16 that sucks air, and a suction chamber 15 that connects the suction hole and the suction fan 16. A communication hole 19 provided in the platen cover 20 is provided. The platen 12 has a plurality of suction holes communicating with the suction chamber 15. There is a groove on the surface of the platen 12, and an opening of a suction hole is formed on the bottom surface of the groove. The inside of the suction chamber 15 is partitioned into four rooms, and a suction fan 16 is provided for each room. The communication hole 19 of the platen cover 20 passes through the platen cover 20. Details will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The inkjet head 3 ejects ink from the nozzles while scanning over the recording medium 17. Ink is ejected from the nozzles within the recording range 21 where the nozzles are arranged and ink can be ejected. The ink ejection timing of the designated nozzle is designated by a control means (not shown), and the nozzle is further driven to eject ink and perform recording. A concave groove 22 is formed on the surface of the platen 12. The platen 12 is provided with a plurality of suction holes 23 penetrating from the bottom surface of the groove 22 to the back surface. The width of the opening and the bottom of the groove 22 is formed wider than the width of the opening of the suction hole 23. A suction chamber 15 is provided below the platen 12. The suction chamber 15 communicates with the groove 22 through the suction hole 23. The suction chamber 15 is provided with a suction fan 16 and discharges air from the suction chamber 15 to the outside. A heater 24 is provided on the back surface of the platen 12. The heater 24 heats the platen 12. A flat platen cover 20 is placed on the surface of the platen 12.

The both ends of the platen cover 20 in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 17 are bent. The strength of the platen cover 20 is improved by bending. When the platen cover 20 is handled at the time of replacement or the like, it is necessary to have a strength that facilitates handling. In addition, the direction when the platen 12 is placed on the platen 12 can be determined by bending both ends at different angles.

The first bent portion 25 bends the end portion of the platen cover 20 by 90 degrees. The first bent portion 25 comes into contact with the edge 27 of the first recess 26 provided in the platen 12 and is stopped. The edge 27 is provided linearly in the longitudinal direction of the platen 12. By fixing the platen cover 20 by bringing the first bent portion 25 into contact with the edge 27, the platen 12 and the platen cover 20 can be positioned with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 17. The first recess 26 also serves as a guide rail for a paper presser described later.

The second bent portion 28 bends the end portion of the platen cover 20 by 45 degrees. The second bent portion 28 is inserted into a second recess 29 provided in the platen 12. The second bent portion 28 is provided linearly in the longitudinal direction of the platen 12. The second recess 29 is also used as a guide rail for a paper presser described later.

The platen cover 20 is fixed to the platen 12 with screws 30. The recording medium 17 is conveyed while being raised along the screw 30 at the portion of the screw 30, but by arranging at least one suction hole, preferably two or more, between the screw 30 and the recording range 21, The recording medium 17 is attracted to the platen cover 20 so that the recording range 21 is kept flat. Preferably, the head of the screw 30 is configured not to protrude from the surface of the platen cover 20.

The platen cover 20 should be as thin as possible in order to efficiently transfer the heat of the platen 12 heated by the heater 24 to the recording medium 17. However, if it is too thin, the strength to keep it flat will be insufficient. Also, a material with low thermal resistance is good, and a metal plate is preferable, and an aluminum or aluminum alloy plate is more preferable. If such a material is used, it is possible to coat or paint the surface containing a fluororesin. This is because the frictional resistance with the recording medium can be further reduced. In consideration of strength and thermal resistance, the platen cover 20 is preferably a plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm plus or minus 0.2 mm.

The smaller the hole diameter of the communication hole 19, the better. However, if the hole diameter is too small, the area for sucking the recording medium 17 becomes small and the adsorption becomes insufficient. On the other hand, if the size is too large, the recording medium 17 is depressed by suction, and the image quality is affected. Considering these, it is preferable that the communication holes 19 of the platen cover 20 have a diameter of 0.6 mm plus or minus 0.3 mm and a pitch between the communication holes 19 of 1.1 mm plus or minus 0.4 mm. Thereby, the interval between the communication holes is set to a pitch of 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm when the diameter of the communication hole 19 is 0.3 mm, and 1.0 to 1.5 mm when the diameter is 0.9. be able to. Further, it is preferable that the adjacent communication holes 19 are arranged in a staggered manner so that the angles are 60 degrees. Stable conveyance and adsorption are possible.

The material of the platen 12 is preferably made of metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy because of good heat conduction. The platen cover 20 is preferably made of the same material as the platen 12, but may be plastic. In this case, a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion from the platen 12 occurs, so that the fixing means can be configured to absorb the difference in thermal expansion. In the case of plastic, it is preferable to contain a fluorine compound.

The surface of the platen cover 20 is formed in a flat shape, and it is preferable to coat a material containing a fluororesin in order to reduce the frictional resistance with the recording medium 17. Also, the frictional resistance may be reduced by burring or drawing the communication hole 19 and providing a convex portion at the opening.

The platen cover 20 is made of an optimum material for the recording medium, optimized for the communication hole pitch, optimized for the diameter of the opening of the communication holes, surface treatment such as coating, etc. It is desirable to prepare a product with By doing so, it can be exchanged according to the type of the recording medium 17, and printing can be performed by the more preferable platen cover 20. Thereby, the print quality is improved.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the platen of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

There are many suction holes 23 on the surface of the platen 12. The suction hole 23 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the groove 22 or may be disposed on the surface of the platen 12. The surface of the platen 12 is preferably coated with a fluororesin or the like in order to reduce the frictional resistance with the recording medium 17. Further, the surface of the platen 12 can be provided with extremely minute irregularities by painting or coating. The irregularities are minute irregularities that do not affect the recording surface of the recording medium 17. For this reason, a minute space exists over the entire surface between the platen 12 and the platen cover 20. Therefore, the suction hole 23 arranged on the surface of the platen 12 is not completely blocked by the platen cover 20, and the suction capability is reduced but the suction function is maintained. Therefore, the communication holes 19 other than the portion corresponding to the groove 22 of the platen cover 20 can also be sucked over the entire surface, although the suction capability is reduced. The recording medium 17 can be adsorbed and stably conveyed.

As another form, the surface of the platen 12 may be removed so as to be in surface contact. In this case, the suction hole 23 formed on the surface of the platen 12 is closed at a portion where the communication hole 19 of the platen cover 20 is not provided, and the suction function is realized only by the suction hole 23 on the bottom surface of the groove 22. In this case, only the communication hole 19 corresponding to the groove 22 of the platen cover 20 sucks the recording medium 17. The groove 22 is formed in 75% or more of the surface of the platen 12. Since the main part of the recording medium 17 is sucked by the communication hole 19, there is no problem in suction and conveyance.

The suction chamber 15 at the bottom of the platen 12 is divided into four rooms, each having a suction fan 16. The platen cover 20 is divided into two by a dividing portion 31. The dividing unit 31 is linearly divided in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium 17 and is in contact with each other. Further, a gap is formed at the end portion 32 of the dividing portion 31 so that the platen covers 20 do not contact each other. The gap is provided to prevent the first bent portion 25 or the second bent portion 28 of the platen cover 20 from overlapping each other. Further, the

bent portions

25 and 28 of the platen cover 20 and a paper presser described later also serve as the

concave portions

26 and 29 in order to realize respective functions. Therefore, in order not to interfere with each other, a notch 33 is provided at the end of the platen cover 20 in the longitudinal direction, and the

bent portions

25 and 28 and a paper press described later are configured not to contact within the

recesses

26 and 29. is doing. The platen cover 20 may be divided into three or more in addition to dividing into two. Moreover, you may comprise by one, without dividing | segmenting. When one platen cover 20 is configured, it is necessary to make the platen cover 20 thicker than the multi-divided one so as not to have insufficient strength. Further, the platen cover 20 may have a necessary width according to the width of the recording medium 17.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a platen portion of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The communication hole 19 and the suction hole 23 have a circular opening. The diameter of this circle is larger in the suction hole 23 than in the communication hole 19. This is because it is necessary to make the opening as small as possible so that the recording medium 17 is not bent by the communication hole 19. Further, the number of suction holes 23 at the bottom of one groove 22 is configured to be smaller than the number of communication holes 19 communicating with the groove portion in order to balance suction.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view showing a platen and a platen cover fixing portion of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The screw head portion of the screw 30 is formed of a curved surface so that the front end and the back surface are not caught when the recording medium 17 is set or conveyed, and the recording medium 17 is smoothly conveyed. Further, the second bent portion 28 is bent at an angle of about 45 degrees. This is because the bending angle is made obtuse so that the leading edge or the back surface is not caught when the recording medium 17 is set or conveyed. In addition, the recording medium 17 is transported smoothly.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a paper pressing portion of the ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A paper presser 34 is fixed with the first recess 26 and the second recess 29 provided on the platen 12 as guide rails. The paper presser 34 is a restricting portion that restricts lifting of the end of the recording medium 17. By passing the recording medium 17 under the presser 35, the recording medium 17 is prevented from being lifted. The paper presser 34 has no holes and closes the grooves 22 and the suction holes 23 to prevent suction leakage.

Next, the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described. There are a plurality of types of platen covers 20 depending on the type of the recording medium 17. The optimum platen cover 20 is selected according to the type of the recording medium 17 to be used.

The platen cover 20 is placed on the platen 12 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and the platen cover 20 is fixed to the platen 12 by fixing means, for example, screws 30. Thereafter, the transport device 10 is operated while operating the suction fan 16 to transport the recording medium 17. When the recording medium 17 is set in the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the paper presser 34 is fitted into the first concave portion 26 and the second concave portion 29 of the platen 12, and both ends of the recording medium 17 are pressed by the presser portions 35. The recording medium 17 slides on the surface of the platen cover 20 while being attracted to the platen cover 20. The recording medium 17 stops after being conveyed by a predetermined distance, and the print recording apparatus 2 is operated to print a desired image on the recording medium 17. During this printing, the suction fan 16 is operated to attract the recording medium 17 to the platen cover 20. When one printing scan is completed, the recording medium 17 is conveyed again by a predetermined distance, that is, a predetermined printing width, and printing is performed by the printing recording apparatus 2. Control of conveyance and printing are controlled by a control means (not shown).

FIG. 7 is a view showing a first modification of the platen cover of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The recording medium edge position 36 is a position indicating the end of the conveyance path of the recording medium 17. The communication hole 19 becomes a small circular hole as the distance from the recording medium edge position 36 of the platen cover 20 increases. This is because the end portion of the recording medium 17 is easily turned over, so that the portion is stronger and sucked in a wider area. In addition, the shape of the communication hole 19 disposed in the portion corresponding to the recording medium edge position 36 is an ellipse. Since the end of the recording medium 17 is at least in the communication hole 19, it is prevented from being sucked and turned up. Since the communication hole 19 in the outer portion of the recording medium edge position 36 is closed by the paper presser 34, the end of the recording medium 17 can be sucked without leaking air.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a second modification of the platen cover of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The communication hole 19 has an oval shape with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 17. By adopting such a shape and further setting the recording medium edge position 36 to the position that is in contact with the communication hole 19, the suction of the end of the recording medium 17 can be more reliably strengthened, and the ripple can be prevented. In addition, by forming the communication hole 19 in an oval shape, the recording medium 17 is sucked linearly with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 17, so that the suction can be reliably performed.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a third modification of the platen cover of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The communication holes 19 near the recording medium edge position 36 are made denser than other portions. By doing so, the end of the recording medium 17 can be reliably adsorbed.

In order to suck the end of the recording medium in this way, the shape of the communication hole 19 is changed between the central portion and the end portion, that is, the end portion is wider than the central portion so that the suction can be performed more reliably. ing.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a first modification of the platen cover fixing means of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The platen 12 is provided with a thread groove 40. A hole 41 is provided from the front surface to the back surface of the platen cover 20, and a flat step portion 44 is formed at an intermediate portion of the hole 41. The screw 30 is a stepped screw and includes a screw head 37, a step portion 38, and a shaft portion 39. The diameter of each part becomes smaller in the order of the screw head 37, the step part 38, and the shaft part 39. When the screw 30 is tightened, the shaft portion 39 is squeezed while rotating along the screw groove 40. The stepped portion 38 and the surface of the platen 12 abut on the contact surface 42. A gap is formed between the back surface 43 of the screw head 37 and the flat portion 44. The side surface of the screw head 37 is configured not to contact the hole 41.

In this modification, the platen cover 20 is stopped with respect to the platen 12 so as to be movable by the size of the gap between the screw 30 and the platen cover 12. When the platen 12 and the platen cover 20 have different coefficients of thermal expansion, there is a problem that the platen cover 20 is warped and deformed if the platen 12 and the platen cover 20 are firmly connected. The system is stopped so that a gap is formed so as not to warp. In another form, the platen 12 and the platen cover 20 may be fixed more firmly by not providing a gap between the back surface 43 and the flat portion 44. Further, a washer may be provided between the back surface 43 and the flat portion 44.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a second modification of the platen cover fixing means of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The screw head 45 of the screw 30 is configured to be recessed below the surface of the platen cover 20. The platen cover 20 includes a hole 49 with a tapered portion 48. The screw 30 includes a screw head 45 and a shaft portion 46. The platen 12 is provided with a thread groove 47. When the screw 30 is tightened, the platen cover 20 is fixed to the platen 12. The screw head 45 has a shape corresponding to the tapered portion 48, and the upper portion of the screw head 45 is below the surface of the platen cover 20.

In this modified example, since the screw 30 does not come into contact with the recording medium 17, smooth conveyance becomes possible. Further, since the platen 12 and the platen cover 20 are fixed by screws 30, it is desirable that the respective parts are preferably made of materials having the same thermal expansion coefficient. This is to prevent deformation of the platen cover 20 by heating.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a third modification of the platen cover fixing means of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

This is an example where screws are not used as the fixing means. The flange 49 is formed by further bending the tip of the first bent portion 25 of the platen cover 20. The first recess 26 has a narrow opening and a wide inside. The platen cover 20 is fixed to the platen 12 by stopping the system so that the first bent portion 26 and the flange portion 49 are applied to the first concave portion 26. Similarly, the second bent portion 28 is provided with a flange portion and fixed to the second concave portion 29 to be fixed. Since it is not necessary to use parts such as screws, the number of parts can be reduced and the platen cover 20 can be easily replaced. The platen cover 20 is slidable in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 17 along the first recess 26 and the second recess 29. The platen cover 20 can be moved according to the recording position on the recording medium 17.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a modification of the platen cover of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The platen 12 is fixed to the base 13 with fixing screws 50. The second platen cover 51 is configured in a shape corresponding to the shape of the groove 22 of the platen 12. The second platen cover 51 is fixed in the groove 22. The second platen cover 51 has a large number of communication holes 19. The recording medium 17 is attracted to the platen 12 and the platen cover 20 by being sucked by the suction holes 23 other than the grooves 22 of the platen 12 and the communication holes 19 of the second platen cover 51. This modification can be used when a groove pattern is formed during image formation due to the presence of the groove 22 of the platen 12. By covering the groove 22 with the second platen cover 51 as necessary, the unevenness of the platen 12 is eliminated and the groove pattern during image formation is prevented.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The ROM 61 is a storage unit that stores data such as a program for controlling the operation of the entire inkjet recording apparatus and initial setting values. The control unit 60 is a control unit that performs control processing such as comparison, calculation, and control in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 61, and is, for example, a CPU. The RAM 62 is a storage unit used for temporary storage of various data, a work area used for calculation of the control unit 60, and the like. The input unit 63 is an input unit such as a switch for inputting a signal to the control unit 60. The display unit 64 is a display unit such as an LDC panel, and displays numbers and characters under the control of the control unit 60. The operation of the suction fan 16 is controlled by the control means 60. The operation of the print recording apparatus 2 is controlled by the control means 60. The operation of the transport roller 9 is controlled by the control means 60. The heater 65 is a heater for heating the platen, for example, a resistance wire, and the operation is controlled by the control of the control means 60.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. This shows the operation when the platen cover 20 is selected and mounted according to the type of recording medium. When this process is started, first, the type of recording medium to be used is selected. The recording medium to be used is input from the input means 63 (step 70). The ROM 61 stores in advance information that associates the types of recording media to be used with the types of platen covers that are optimal for them. In addition to the optimum platen cover, information on platen covers that should not be used is also stored corresponding to the type of recording medium. The ROM 61 also stores information on the optimum suction force of the suction fan 16 and information on the heater temperature of the heater 65 according to the type of platen cover and the type of recording medium. Based on the type of the input storage medium, optimum platen cover information and platen cover information that should not be used are searched (step 71). Next, the platen cover information as a result of the search is displayed on the display means 64. At this time, the optimum platen cover and the platen cover that should not be used are displayed separately (step 72). At this time, when there are a plurality of pieces of information on the platen cover, it may be displayed from the optimal item to the item that should not be used in order from the optimal item. In this case, it is only necessary to store rank information in the order of use in advance, search for it, and display it for each rank.

に従って Attach the platen cover according to the information on the optimum platen cover displayed. When the mounting is completed, information on the type of the platen cover mounted is input from the input means 63 (step 73). Alternatively, a platen cover that can be mounted is mounted, and information regarding the type of the platen cover is input. At this time, since there is a display of a platen cover that should not be attached, it is possible to prevent the wrong attachment. As another aspect, a convex portion is provided according to the type of the platen cover, a switch is provided at a position corresponding to the convex portion in the recording apparatus, and the input of the switch is input to the control means 60, and By storing the relationship between the switch and the switch, the platen cover that is automatically mounted may be determined according to the input of the switch, and the input from the input unit 63 may be used.

Next, when the installation of the platen cover is completed and information on the installed platen cover is input, the process proceeds. The control means 60 searches for information on the optimum suction force of the suction fan 16 and the optimum heater temperature of the heater 65 based on the input information of the recording medium to be used and the platen cover attached. Then, the suction fan 16 and the heater 65 are controlled by the control means 60 based on the retrieved information (step 74). This is the end of this process.

In this way, the optimum suction force and platen temperature can be obtained by inputting the type of recording medium to be used and the type of platen cover to be actually mounted.

The ink jet recording apparatus and the recording method of the present invention can be used for a general ink jet recording apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 3 Inkjet head 4 Carriage 7 Guide rail 8 Pressure roller unit 9 Conveying roller 11 Conveying belt 12 Platen 15 Suction chamber 16 Suction fan 17 Recording medium 19 Communication hole 20 Platen cover 22 Groove 23 Suction hole 24 Heater

Claims

A conveyance device that conveys a recording medium, a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a flat platen that has a concave groove on a surface facing the recording medium, and a bottom portion of the groove. An ink jet recording apparatus that conveys the recording medium while adsorbing the recording medium to the platen.
A flat platen cover having a plurality of communication holes communicating with the front and back; and a fixing means for fixing the platen cover to the ink jet recording apparatus. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein when fixed, the platen cover is provided with one or more communication holes at least in a portion facing the groove of the platen cover.
The area of the opening of the communication hole when viewed from the ink discharge direction is smaller than the area of the bottom of the groove, and the area of the opening of the communication hole when viewed from the ink discharge direction is the suction hole. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area is smaller than the area of the opening.
A paper presser that regulates lifting of both ends of the recording medium;
Guide grooves for guiding the paper presser are further provided on both sides of the platen in the conveyance direction of the recording medium,
The platen cover has bent portions on both sides in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, the bent portions are inserted and fixed in the guide grooves, and the bent portions are provided outside the movement range of the paper presser. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The at least one communication hole is provided between a recording area on the recording medium when ink is ejected to the recording medium by the recording head and the fixing unit. Inkjet recording apparatus.
The fixing means includes a through hole provided in the platen cover, a screw, and a screw groove corresponding to the screw provided in the platen, and fixing the screw to the screw groove through the through hole. When the platen cover is fixed to the platen, the shaft portion of the screw is narrower than the through hole, and a space portion is formed between the through hole and the shaft portion. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 4.
2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the platen cover and the platen are made of a material having the same coefficient of thermal expansion.
A plurality of the platen covers are provided on the platen, and the adjacent platen covers have end portions in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the side surfaces of the end portions are fixed in contact with each other. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the platen cover in the transport direction of the front recording medium are separated from each other.
A conveying device that conveys a recording medium, a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a flat platen having a concave groove on a surface facing the recording medium, and the recording at the bottom of the groove An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a suction hole that communicates with a suction unit that sucks a medium; and transporting the recording medium while adsorbing the recording medium to the platen,
Arranging a plate-like platen cover having a plurality of communication holes arranged on the platen so as to cover a part of the opening of the groove on the platen;
Conveying the recording medium while operating the suction means;
Operating the suction means to eject the ink onto the recording medium held by the platen cover;
A recording method characterized by comprising:
A conveyance device that conveys a recording medium, a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a flat platen having a concave groove on a surface facing the recording medium, and the recording at the bottom of the groove A flat platen cover having a plurality of communication holes arranged on the platen of an ink jet recording apparatus that conveys the recording medium while adsorbing the recording medium to the platen. When the platen cover is fixed on the platen by a fixing means for fixing to the ink jet recording apparatus, the platen cover has at least one communication hole in a portion facing the groove of the platen cover. .
The inkjet recording apparatus further includes input means and storage means for storing type information of the platen cover corresponding to the type of the recording medium to be conveyed, and the platen cover is disposed on the platen. Acquiring the type information of the platen cover from the storage unit based on the input type of the recording medium and inputting the type of the recording medium used in the inkjet recording apparatus from the input unit. The recording method according to claim 8, further comprising a display step.
The ink jet printer further includes a heater for heating the platen, and the storage means further includes a suction force of the suction means corresponding to the type of the recording medium to be transported and the type of the platen cover placed on the platen. And the step of inputting the type of the platen cover placed on the platen from the input means after the step of placing the platen cover on the platen. Acquiring the suction force information and the heating temperature information based on the input type of the platen cover and the input type of the recording medium, and the acquired information on the suction force And suctioning the suction means based on the information and heating the heater based on the acquired information on the heating temperature. The recording method according to claim 10.