WO2018159097A1 - Inkjet recording device and inkjet recording device control method - Google Patents

Inkjet recording device and inkjet recording device control method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018159097A1
WO2018159097A1 PCT/JP2018/000076 JP2018000076W WO2018159097A1 WO 2018159097 A1 WO2018159097 A1 WO 2018159097A1 JP 2018000076 W JP2018000076 W JP 2018000076W WO 2018159097 A1 WO2018159097 A1 WO 2018159097A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
control unit
unit
paper
image
recording apparatus
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Application number
PCT/JP2018/000076
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
裕貴 富田
Original Assignee
コニカミノルタ株式会社
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Publication date
Application filed by コニカミノルタ株式会社 filed Critical コニカミノルタ株式会社
Priority to JP2019502479A priority Critical patent/JP7017160B2/en
Publication of WO2018159097A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018159097A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that detects defective nozzles of an ink jet head and a method for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus forms (records) an image on a recording medium such as paper by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles provided in the ink jet head.
  • a recording medium such as paper
  • the ink jet recording apparatus there is a possibility that defective ejection of the nozzle may occur due to air mixing into the nozzle of the ink jet head or adhesion of foreign matters such as paper dust near the nozzle.
  • Patent Document 1 In order to detect such a discharge failure of a nozzle, for example, a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is disclosed.
  • a test pattern is formed on a part of a sheet, and this test pattern is read by a scanner unit to detect nozzle ejection defects.
  • Patent Document 1 has a problem that when there is no margin for printing a test chart on a sheet, it is impossible to detect a defect of the inkjet head. Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the region where the test pattern is formed is narrow, it is possible to detect ejection failure of the entire inkjet head, but ejection failure occurs in any nozzle in the inkjet head. It was difficult to accurately detect whether or not.
  • the present invention provides an inkjet head recording apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus control method capable of accurately detecting which nozzle has an ejection failure in the inkjet head.
  • the purpose is to provide.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes an ink jet head, an image reading unit, and a control unit.
  • the ink jet head has a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium, and forms an image on the recording medium.
  • the image reading unit has a resolution that is coarser than the resolution of the inkjet head, and reads an image formed on the recording medium by the inkjet head.
  • the control unit controls the inkjet head and the image reading unit.
  • the control unit controls the ink jet head to form a test chart for detecting ejection failure of a plurality of nozzles on a single recording medium after performing a prescribed number of normal image formations.
  • the method for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes the following steps (1) to (2).
  • (1) A step in which the control unit controls the ink jet head to form an image by ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles toward a recording medium.
  • (2) A step in which the control unit controls the ink jet head after normal image formation is performed to form a test chart for detecting ejection failure of a plurality of nozzles on one recording medium.
  • the inkjet head recording apparatus and the inkjet recording apparatus control method configured as described above, it is possible to accurately detect which nozzle has an ejection failure in the inkjet head.
  • FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which the head unit in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the recording medium side.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the example of embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 5A shows an example of a test chart in an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the entire test chart
  • FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged part of the test chart.
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first operation example of a discharge failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of ejection failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the case of the 1st operation example of discharge defect detection operation
  • movement. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of an ejection failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a fourth operation example of the ejection failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the case of the 4th operation example of discharge failure detection operation
  • Embodiment 1-1 Configuration Example of Inkjet Recording Apparatus
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus.
  • An ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 forms (records) an image on paper by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in an ink jet head.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a color ink jet recording apparatus that superimposes four color inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk).
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a paper feed unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a paper discharge unit 30, and a control unit 40. Then, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 forms the image data input from the external apparatus 2 (see FIG. 3) on the paper P.
  • the paper feed unit 10 includes a paper feed tray 11 and a paper supply unit 12.
  • the paper feed tray 11 is a plate-like member provided so that a paper P showing an example of a recording medium can be placed thereon.
  • the paper feed tray 11 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction according to the number of sheets P placed thereon. The uppermost sheet P in the vertical direction among the plurality of sheets P placed on the sheet feeding tray 11 is held at a position where the sheet is supplied by the sheet supply unit 12.
  • the paper supply unit 12 includes a plurality of (in this example, two) rollers 121 and 122 and a conveyance belt 123.
  • the conveyor belt 123 is formed in an endless shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are connected.
  • the conveyor belt 123 is stretched around the rollers 121 and 122.
  • the conveyor belt 123 circulates between the two rollers 121 and 122. Thereby, the paper P placed on the transport belt 123 is transported.
  • the paper supply unit 12 includes a drive unit (not shown) that rotates and drives the rollers 121 and 122 and a supply device that delivers the uppermost paper P placed on the paper feed tray 11 to the transport belt 123. Yes.
  • the paper supply unit 12 conveys the paper P placed on the conveyance belt 123 toward the image forming unit 20 and feeds the paper P to the image forming unit 20.
  • the image forming unit 20 includes an image forming drum 21, a delivery unit 22, a heating unit 23, a head unit 24, a fixing unit 25, an image reading unit 26, a paper discharge unit 27, and a paper reversing unit 28. Have.
  • the image forming drum 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape.
  • the image forming drum 21 is rotated counterclockwise by a drive motor (not shown).
  • the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 10 is carried on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21.
  • the image forming drum 21 is rotated to convey the paper P toward the paper discharge unit 30.
  • a heating unit 23, a head unit 24, a fixing unit 25, and an image reading unit 26 are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 so as to face each other.
  • the delivery unit 22 is provided at a position interposed between the paper supply unit 12 of the paper supply unit 10 and the image forming drum 21.
  • the delivery unit 22 includes a claw portion 221 and a cylindrical delivery drum 222.
  • the claw portion 221 carries one end of the paper P conveyed by the paper supply unit 12.
  • the transfer drum 222 guides the paper P carried on the claw portion 221 toward the image forming drum 21. As a result, the paper P is delivered from the paper supply unit 12 to the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 via the delivery unit 22.
  • the heating unit 23 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer drum 222 in the conveyance direction of the paper P.
  • the heating unit 23 includes, for example, a heating wire and generates heat in response to energization. Under the control of the control unit 40, the heating unit 23 generates heat so that the paper P carried on the image forming drum 21 and passing through the vicinity of the heating unit 23 has a predetermined temperature.
  • a temperature sensor (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the heating unit 23.
  • the temperature sensor detects the temperature near the heating unit 23.
  • the control part 40 controls the temperature of the heating part 23 based on the temperature information which the temperature sensor detected.
  • a head unit 24 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P in the heating unit 23.
  • Four head units 24 are provided for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk).
  • the four head units 24 are arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P.
  • the head unit 24 is set to a length (width) that covers the entire sheet P in a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet P. That is, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a one-pass line head type ink jet recording apparatus.
  • the four head units 24 have the same configuration, except that the colors of the ejected inks are different.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the head unit 24 as viewed from the paper side.
  • the head unit 24 has a plurality (16 in this example) of inkjet heads 242.
  • the two inkjet heads 242 constitute a set and constitute one inkjet module 243. Therefore, eight ink jet modules 243 are provided in the head unit 24 of this example.
  • the eight inkjet modules 243 are arranged in two rows along the transport direction of the paper P.
  • Four rows of inkjet modules 243 are arranged side by side along a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P.
  • the eight inkjet modules 243 have two rows of inkjet modules 243 arranged in a staggered pattern along the conveyance direction of the paper P.
  • positioning of the inkjet module 243 are not limited to what was mentioned above, You may arrange
  • the inkjet head 242 has a plurality of nozzles 244. Then, the inkjet head 242 ejects ink from the nozzle 244 toward the paper P. As a result, an image is formed on the paper P carried on the image forming drum 21.
  • the fixing unit 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the four head units 24 in the transport direction.
  • a fluorescent tube that radiates ultraviolet rays such as a low-pressure mercury lamp is applied.
  • the fixing unit 25 irradiates the paper P conveyed by the image forming drum 21 with ultraviolet rays, and cures the ink ejected in the form of the paper P.
  • the fixing unit 25 fixes the image formed on the paper P.
  • Fluorescent tubes emitting ultraviolet rays include low-pressure mercury lamps, mercury lamps having an operating pressure of several hundred Pa to 1 MPa, light sources that can be used as germicidal lamps, cold cathode tubes, ultraviolet laser light sources, metal halide lamps, light emitting diodes, etc. Is mentioned.
  • a light source for example, a light emitting diode that can irradiate ultraviolet rays with higher illuminance and consumes less power is more desirable.
  • the fixing unit 25 is not limited to the one that irradiates ultraviolet rays, but may be any one that irradiates energy rays having a property of curing the ink according to the properties of the ink, and the light source also has the wavelength of the energy rays. It is replaced depending on Further, the fixing unit 25 is not limited to the unit that irradiates light such as ultraviolet rays. As the fixing unit, for example, various methods such as a method in which the ink is dried by applying heat to the paper or a liquid that causes a chemical change in the ink is applied can be applied.
  • an image reading unit 26 is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing unit 25 in the transport direction.
  • the image reading unit 26 includes an inline sensor in which a plurality of detection elements are arranged along a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P, and is formed on the paper P by the head unit 24 and the fixing unit 25. Scanned images.
  • the read image data is sent to the control unit 40. Note that the interval between the detection elements constituting the image reading unit 26 is set wider than the interval between the nozzles 244 of the inkjet head 242. That is, the resolution of the image reading unit 26 is set to be coarser than the resolution of the head unit 24.
  • a paper discharge unit 27 and a paper reversing unit 28 are provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the image reading unit 26.
  • the paper discharge unit 27 conveys the paper P conveyed by the image forming drum 21 toward the paper discharge unit 30.
  • the paper discharge unit 27 includes a cylindrical separation drum 271 and a discharge belt 272.
  • the separation drum 271 separates the paper P carried on the image forming drum 21 from the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21.
  • the separation drum 271 guides the paper P to the discharge belt 272 or the paper reversing unit 28.
  • the separation drum 271 guides the paper P to the discharge belt 272 when performing face-up discharge in single-sided image formation.
  • the separation drum 271 guides the paper P to the paper reversing unit 28 when performing face-down paper discharge and double-sided image formation in single-sided image formation.
  • the discharge belt 272 is formed in an endless manner like the transport belt 123 of the paper supply unit 12.
  • the discharge belt 272 is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers.
  • the discharge belt 272 sends the paper P delivered by the separation drum 271 to the paper discharge unit 30.
  • the paper reversing unit 28 includes a plurality of reversing rollers 281 and 282 and a reversing belt 283.
  • the paper reversing unit 28 reverses the front and back of the paper P guided by the separation drum 271 and conveys the paper P to the paper discharge unit 27.
  • the paper P is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 30 with the surface on which the image is formed by the paper discharge unit 27 facing downward in the vertical direction.
  • the paper reversing unit 28 reverses the front and back of the paper P guided by the separation drum 271 and conveys it again to the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21.
  • the paper P is conveyed by the image forming drum 21 and again passes through the heating unit 23, the head unit 24, the fixing unit 25, and the image reading unit 26.
  • the paper discharge unit 30 stores the paper P sent out from the image forming unit 20 by the paper discharge unit 27.
  • the paper discharge unit 30 includes a flat paper discharge tray 31. Then, the paper discharge unit 30 places the paper P on which an image is formed on the paper discharge tray 31.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a control unit 40.
  • the control unit 40 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 42 used as a work area of the CPU 41, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 43 for storing programs executed by the CPU 41 and the like. And having. Further, the control unit 40 includes a storage unit 44 including a hard disk drive (HDD) as a mass storage device.
  • the storage unit 44 stores image data read by the image reading unit 26, a test chart 80 (see FIG. 5A) for detecting ejection failure of the nozzle 244, and information for performing ejection failure detection operation of the nozzle 244. Stored.
  • HDD hard disk drive
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 1 also includes a transport driving unit 51 that drives a transport system such as the image forming drum 21, the paper discharge unit 27, and the paper reversing unit 28, an operation display unit 52, and an input / output interface 53. ing.
  • a transport driving unit 51 that drives a transport system such as the image forming drum 21, the paper discharge unit 27, and the paper reversing unit 28, an operation display unit 52, and an input / output interface 53.
  • the CPU 41 of the control unit 40 is connected to the heating unit 23, the head unit 24, the fixing unit 25, the image reading unit 26, the RAM 42, the ROM 43, and the storage unit 44 through the system bus 54, respectively, and controls the entire apparatus. Further, the CPU 41 is connected to the transport drive unit 51, the operation display unit 52, and the input / output interface 53 via the system bus 54.
  • the operation display unit 52 is a touch panel formed of a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display).
  • the operation display unit 52 displays an instruction menu for the user, information on the discharge detection operation of the nozzle 244, information on the acquired image data, and the like.
  • the operation display unit 52 includes a plurality of keys, and has a role as an input unit that receives input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user key operations.
  • the input / output interface 53 is connected to an external device 2 such as a PC (personal computer) or a facsimile machine.
  • the input / output interface 53 receives image data from the external device 2.
  • the input / output interface 53 outputs the received image data to the control unit 40.
  • the control unit 40 performs image processing on the image data received from the input / output interface 53.
  • the control unit 40 performs image processing such as shading correction, image density adjustment, and image compression on the received image data as necessary.
  • the head unit 24 receives the image data image-processed by the control unit 40 and forms a predetermined image on the paper P based on the image data. Specifically, the head unit 24 drives the head driving unit 241 to discharge ink from the inkjet head 242 to a predetermined position.
  • the image formed on the paper P by the head unit 24 is read by the image reading unit 26, and the image data is sent to the control unit 40. Further, when performing the ejection failure operation of the nozzle 244, the control unit 40 determines the nozzle 244 in which ejection failure has occurred based on the image data sent from the image reading unit 26. Then, the control unit 40 performs the correction process of the head unit 24 by increasing the amount of ink discharged from the nozzle 244 adjacent to the nozzle 244 in which the discharge failure has occurred, for example.
  • FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example displayed on the operation display unit 52.
  • FIG. 4 shows a display example displayed when the ejection failure detection operation of the nozzle 244 is performed.
  • a test chart insertion menu 522 for inputting whether or not to insert a printing (formation) operation of the test chart 80 (FIG. 5A) and an ejection failure (nozzle of the nozzle 244) are displayed on the operation display unit 52.
  • a nozzle missing menu 523 for inputting an operation when the missing) is detected is displayed.
  • test chart insertion menu 522 an off button 522a for not inserting, a radio button including an interval button 522b for performing insertion and an automatic button 522d, and a pull-down menu 522c are displayed as a graphical user interface.
  • the pull-down menu 522c a number for selecting an interval (specified number) for inserting the test chart 80 is displayed.
  • the pull-down menu 522c is input when the interval button 522b is selected.
  • the interval for inserting the test chart 80 can be automatically set by the control unit 40 or arbitrarily set by the user.
  • radio buttons including a pause button 523a and a continuation button 523b are displayed.
  • the control unit 40 stops the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
  • the continuation button 523b is selected, the control unit 40 continues the image forming operation in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 even when the ejection failure of the nozzle 244 is detected.
  • the display example displayed on the operation display unit 52 displayed when performing the discharge failure detection operation of the nozzle 244 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
  • Examples of the display displayed on the operation display unit 52 include, for example, numbers from 0 to 9 for the user to arbitrarily input the interval (specified number) for inserting the test chart 80, and the nozzle 244 in which ejection failure has occurred. It is possible to apply various other display examples such as information indicating the position of the.
  • the display example shown in FIG. 4 may be displayed on the display unit of the external apparatus 2 in addition to the operation display unit 52.
  • FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the test chart 80
  • FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged range S shown in FIG. 5A.
  • the test chart 80 is formed on the entire sheet of paper P.
  • the test chart 80 includes a first chart group 81Y, a second chart group 81M, a third chart group 81C, and a fourth chart group 81Bk from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P.
  • the first chart group 81Y is formed by the head units 24 that discharge yellow (Y) ink among the four head units 24.
  • the second chart group 81 ⁇ / b> M is formed by the head unit 24 that ejects magenta (M) ink among the four head units 24.
  • the third chart group 81 ⁇ / b> C is formed by the head unit 24 that discharges cyan (C) ink among the four head units 24.
  • the fourth chart group 81Bk is formed by the head units 24 that discharge black (Bk) ink among the four head units 24.
  • the first chart group 81Y, the second chart group 81M, the third chart group 81C, and the fourth chart group 81Bk each include a plurality (eight in this example) of test patterns 81. That is, the same number of test patterns 81 as the ink jet modules 243 provided in the head unit 24 are formed.
  • the eight test patterns 81 are formed corresponding to the positions arranged in the head unit 24 in the eight inkjet modules 243. That is, the eight test patterns 81 are arranged in a staggered pattern in which two rows of test patterns 81 are staggered along the conveyance direction of the paper P.
  • the front end side of the paper P in the test pattern 81 corresponds to the ink jet head 242 arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P among the two ink jet heads 242 constituting the ink jet module 243.
  • the rear end side of the paper P in the test pattern 81 corresponds to the ink jet head 242 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P among the two ink jet heads 242 constituting the ink jet module 243.
  • test chart 80 By forming the test chart 80 on the entire sheet of paper P, it is possible to easily detect the inkjet head 242 having the nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred. Further, even when the image reading unit 26 having a resolution coarser than the resolution of the head unit 24 is used, the ejection failure of the nozzle 244 can be accurately detected. This eliminates the need to improve the resolution of the image reading unit 26.
  • the test pattern 81 is formed by a plurality of pattern lines 81a.
  • the positions of the plurality of pattern lines 81a correspond to the positions where the plurality of nozzles 244 provided in the inkjet head 242 are provided. Therefore, when a missing T1 occurs in the pattern line 81a, it can be determined that a discharge failure has occurred in the nozzle 244 at the position corresponding to the missing T1. As a result, the position of the nozzle 244 where the ejection failure has occurred can be accurately detected.
  • nozzle omission was cited as an example of ejection failure
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • ejection failure include, for example, ejection bend in which landing in the width direction deviates from an ideal landing position of ink, For example, there is a discharge delay in which the discharge timing is delayed due to the fact that a normal signal is not transmitted normally or the nozzle 244 of the inkjet head 242 wants to react as expected to the control signal.
  • the ejection failure may include a plurality of phenomena in which ink cannot be ejected normally.
  • FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a first operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing nozzle discharge failure detection. The example of a display displayed on the operation display part 52 in the example of 1 operation
  • a normal number of images are formed (20 in the example shown in FIG. 6), and then a test chart 80 is printed on one sheet.
  • the test chart 80 is formed at regular intervals (20 sheets).
  • the image forming process is continued until the predetermined job is completed or a job end instruction is input from the user.
  • the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S11). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the user inputs an interval button 522 b of the test chart insertion menu 522 in the operation display unit 52. In addition, the user sets an interval for inserting the test chart 80 by operating the pull-down menu 522c. In the first operation example, “20” is selected as the interval (specified number) for inserting the test chart 80. Thus, the test chart 80 is formed after 20 normal image forming processes are performed. Further, the user selects the continuation button 523b of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523. The defect detection setting input by the user is stored in the storage unit 44.
  • the defect detection setting in step S11 may be input using the input unit of the external device 2.
  • the control unit 40 starts the operation of forming a predetermined image on the paper P based on the image formation processing information (job information) input in advance.
  • the control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus and forms a normal image on the paper P (step S12).
  • the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S13).
  • the control unit 40 counts the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed and stores it in the storage unit 44.
  • the storage unit 44 is provided with a test chart insertion counter that counts the number of test charts to be inserted and a job number counter that counts a preset number of jobs. That is, the control unit 40 increases the values of both the test chart insertion counter and the job number counter by “1”.
  • control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached the specified number set in step S11 (step S14). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the value of the test chart insertion counter among the counters stored in the storage unit 44 has reached a specified number.
  • step S14 If it is determined in step S14 that the specified number has been reached (YES in step S14), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form the test chart 80 on the entire sheet P (step S14). S15). Further, the control unit 40 sets the value of the test chart insertion counter to “0”.
  • test chart insertion counter may be set in the test chart insertion counter, and the test chart insertion counter may be subtracted each time a normal image is formed.
  • the image reading unit 26 reads the test chart 80 formed on the paper P. Then, the image reading unit 26 outputs the image data to the control unit 40.
  • the control unit 40 detects an ejection failure of the nozzle 244 based on the image data sent from the image reading unit 26. When the ejection failure is detected, the control unit 40 performs a correction process for the head unit 24 by increasing the ejection amount of ink from the nozzle 244 adjacent to the nozzle 244 where the ejection failure has occurred (step S16).
  • the control unit 40 may cause the operation display unit 52 to display information regarding ejection failure, for example, the nozzle 244, the inkjet head 242, the head unit 24, and the like in which ejection failure has occurred.
  • the precision of the correction process in step S16 can be improved.
  • the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S17). Thereby, the user can confirm the presence or absence of ejection failure of the nozzle 244 by visually recognizing the test chart 80.
  • a test is performed on the paper P placed on the paper discharge tray 31 of the paper discharge unit 30. It is also possible to make a pass / fail judgment by judging the state of the image of the paper P before and after the paper P on which the chart 80 is formed.
  • the user can instruct the control unit 40 via the operation display unit 52 or the external device 2 whether to continue the job by determining the state of the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed. it can.
  • job processing in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 that is, image formation processing is continuously performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a reduction in job processing speed in the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
  • step S14 If it is determined in step S14 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S14), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S18.
  • control unit 40 determines whether or not the job is finished (step S18). Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the job number counter value has reached the number of pre-input image formation processing information (job information), or a job end instruction is issued from the user after step S17. Determine whether it was entered.
  • job information pre-input image formation processing information
  • job end instruction is issued from the user after step S17. Determine whether it was entered.
  • step S18 If it is determined in step S18 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S18), the control unit 40 returns to step S12 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S18 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S18), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. By performing such a process, the first operation for detecting defective ejection of nozzles in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a display example displayed on the operation display unit 52 in the second operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection.
  • the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S21). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the user inputs the interval button 522b of the test chart insertion menu 522 and operates the pull-down menu 522c to display the test chart 80 as in the first operation example. Set the insertion interval. Then, the user selects the pause button 523a of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523. This defect detection setting is stored in the storage unit 44.
  • control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus and forms a normal image on the paper P (step S22). Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S23).
  • control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached a specified number (step S24). If it is determined in step S24 that the specified number has been reached (YES in step S24), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form a test chart 80 (step S25).
  • test chart 80 is read by the image reading unit 26, and when correction is necessary, correction processing is performed (step S26). Then, the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed is discharged (step S27).
  • the control unit 40 temporarily stops the job processing in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and causes the operation display unit 52 to display a processing selection screen (step S28). Then, the user determines the state of the test chart 80 formed on the paper P. For example, the ejection failure state of the nozzle 244 is confirmed based on the size and number of missing T1 (see FIG. 5B) generated in the test chart 80. If the user determines that the correction process in step S26 is insufficient based on the state of the test chart 80 formed on the paper P, the user inputs a job end instruction via the operation display unit 52 or the external device 2. .
  • step S24 If it is determined in step S24 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S24), the control unit 40 shifts the process to step S29.
  • step S29 determines whether or not the job is completed. If it is determined in step S29 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S29), the control unit 40 returns to step S22 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S29 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S29), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Thereby, the second operation for detecting ejection failure of the nozzle 244 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
  • the process of displaying the apparatus suspension and process selection screen in step S28 is not limited to that performed every time the test chart 80 is formed.
  • a process of displaying a pause and process selection screen in step S28 is performed. It may be. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the job processing speed in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 from being lowered.
  • FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a third operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing nozzle discharge failure detection. The example of a display displayed on the operation display part 52 in the operation example of 3 is shown.
  • test chart 80 is formed at a constant interval.
  • present invention is not limited to this. You may change it inside.
  • a deaeration device for removing bubbles contained in the ink is provided in the flow path through which the ink flows from the tank in which the ink is stored to the nozzle 244.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 1 circulates ink between the ink jet head 242 and the tank, thereby removing bubbles contained in the ink using a deaeration device.
  • the interval (10 sheets) for forming the test chart 80 first is shortened, and the intervals (20 sheets, 40 sheets) for forming the test chart 80 thereafter are shortened. It is preferable. Thereby, the number of sheets P on which the test chart 80 is formed can be reduced. Further, the interval for forming the test chart 80 may be increased as the number of normal images increases (from 20 to 40).
  • the change of the interval for forming the test chart 80 may be performed by the user or the control unit 40.
  • the third operation example an example will be described in which the user changes the interval at which the user forms the test chart 80, that is, the specified number of normal images formed between the test charts 80. Note that description of the same processing as in the first operation example and the second operation example is omitted.
  • the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S31). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the user selects an automatic button 522d of the test chart insertion menu 522. Further, as in the second operation example, the user selects the pause button 523a of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523. This defect detection setting is stored in the storage unit 44.
  • control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus to form a normal image on the paper P (step S32). Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S33).
  • control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached a specified number (step S34). If it is determined in step S34 that the specified number has been reached (YES determination in step S34), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form a test chart 80 (step S35).
  • test chart 80 is read by the image reading unit 26, and when correction is necessary, correction processing is performed (step S36). Then, the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed is discharged (step S37).
  • control unit 40 temporarily stops the job processing in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and causes the operation display unit 52 to display a processing selection screen (step S38).
  • a processing selection screen displayed in the process of step S38, information on whether or not to change the specified number of sheets is displayed to the user.
  • the user determines the state of the test chart 80 and inputs information such as a change in the specified number of sheets into which the test chart 80 is inserted, a job end instruction or a continuation instruction.
  • the user determines the state of the test chart 80, and when the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred is small and the degree is small, the prescribed number of normal images until the test chart 80 is formed is increased. The interval for forming 80 is increased. Alternatively, when the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred is large and the degree is large, the prescribed number of normal images until the test chart 80 is formed is reduced, and the interval at which the test chart 80 is formed is shortened.
  • control unit 40 determines whether or not the specified number has been updated (step S39). The control unit 40 determines whether or not the user has input to change the specified number of sheets, which is the interval at which the test chart 80 is inserted. If it is determined in step S39 that the specified number has been updated (YES in step S39), the control unit 40 updates the specified number (step S41). Then, the control unit 40 returns to the process of step S32 and continues the job.
  • step S39 If it is determined in step S39 that the specified number has not been updated (NO determination in step S39), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S42.
  • step S34 If it is determined in step S34 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S34), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S42.
  • the control unit 40 determines whether the job is finished (step S42). If it is determined in step S42 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S42), the control unit 40 returns to step S32 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S42 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S42), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Thereby, the third operation for detecting defective ejection of the nozzle 244 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
  • FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection
  • FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a third operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection
  • FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing nozzle discharge failure detection. The example of a display displayed on the operation display part 52 in the operation example of 3 is shown.
  • the deaeration device that removes the bubbles of ink flowing in the flow path can always exhibit the same effect by reducing the capacity of the pump due to deterioration over time or clogging the path for discharging bubbles. Is not limited. Furthermore, the amount of bubbles that can be removed by the deaeration device changes due to a change in the air content contained in the ink in the flow path. As a result, the frequency of occurrence of ejection failure changes, so it is preferable to change the interval for forming the test chart 80 according to the state of ejection failure.
  • the interval for forming the test chart 80 may be increased (for example, 10 to 50).
  • control unit 40 changes the interval at which the test chart 80 is formed, that is, the change in the specified number of normal images formed between the test charts 80 based on the state of the test chart 80 will be described. To do.
  • the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S51). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the user selects an automatic button 522d of the test chart insertion menu 522. Further, the user selects the continuation button 523b of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523 as in the first operation example. This defect detection setting is stored in the storage unit 44.
  • the control unit 40 stores a threshold value for determining the change of the specified number in the storage unit 44.
  • the threshold value is a first threshold value that is a threshold value for the number of times that no defect is detected in the detection result of the defect detection for the nozzle 244, and a threshold value that is a threshold value for the number of times that a defect is detected in the detection result for the defect detection of the nozzle 244.
  • the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be the same number, and the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be set to different numbers.
  • control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus and forms a normal image on the paper P (step S52). Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S53).
  • control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached a specified number (step S54). When it is determined in step S54 that the specified number has been reached (YES determination in step S54), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form the test chart 80 (step S55).
  • the test chart 80 is read by the image reading unit 26, and if correction is necessary, correction processing is performed (step S56). Further, the control unit 40 determines the presence / absence of the nozzle 244 in which ejection failure has occurred based on the image data sent from the image reading unit 26. When the ejection failure is detected, the control unit 40 performs the correction process of the head unit 24 by increasing the ejection amount of ink from the nozzle 244 adjacent to the nozzle 244 where the ejection failure has occurred. Further, the control unit 40 stores information related to failure detection in the storage unit 44, for example, the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred, the degree of ejection failure, the time at which ejection failure was detected, and the like.
  • control unit 40 determines whether or not the history (number of times) of no ejection failure is equal to or longer than a certain period (first threshold) based on the information related to failure detection stored in the storage unit 44 (step S58). .
  • the control unit 40 increases the specified number of sheets and stores the increased specified number in the storage unit ( Step S59). Then, the control unit 40 returns to the process of step S52 and continues the job.
  • step S58 when it is determined that the history of no defect is less than a certain period (NO determination of step S58), the control unit 40 performs ejection based on the information regarding the defect detection stored in the storage unit 44. It is determined whether or not the defect history (number of times) is longer than a certain period (second threshold) (step S61). In the process of step S61, when it is determined that there is a history of defects for a certain period (YES determination in step S61), the control unit 40 decreases the specified number of sheets and stores the current specified number of sheets in the storage unit ( Step S61). Then, the control unit 40 returns to the process of step S52 and continues the job.
  • step S61 If it is determined in step S61 that the history of defects is less than a certain period (NO determination in step S61), the control unit 40 does not change the interval for forming the test chart 80, that is, the specified number of sheets. Then, the process proceeds to step S63.
  • step S54 If it is determined in step S54 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S54), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S63.
  • the control unit 40 determines whether or not the job is finished (step S63). If it is determined in step S63 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S63), the control unit 40 returns to step S52 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S63 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S63), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. As a result, the fourth operation for detecting ejection failure of the nozzle 244 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
  • step S58 and S59 when the number of ejection failures does not exceed the threshold, the process of increasing the specified number (steps S58 and S59), and the number of ejection failures exceeds the threshold.
  • step S61 and step S62 the example which performs both the process which reduces a regulation number in the case was demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
  • step S62 may be performed.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and examples of the recording medium include various other materials such as fabrics, plastic films, and glass plates. A recording medium can be applied.
  • first chart group 81M ... second chart group
  • 81C Third chart group
  • 81Bk Fourth chart group
  • 81a Pattern line
  • 242 Ink Ttoheddo
  • 243 ... ink jet module
  • 244 ... nozzle
  • P paper (recording medium)

Abstract

Provided is an inkjet recording device comprising an inkjet head, an image reading unit, and a control unit. The image reading unit has a lower resolution than the resolution of the inkjet head, and reads an image formed on a recording medium by the inkjet head. The control unit controls the inkjet head, and after normal image formation is carried out on a specified number of sheets, the control unit causes a test chart to be formed on one sheet of recording media, such chart for detecting discharge malfunctions in a plurality of nozzles.

Description

インクジェット記録装置及びインクジェット記録装置の制御方法Ink jet recording apparatus and control method of ink jet recording apparatus
　本発明は、インクジェットヘッドのノズルの不良検出を行うインクジェット記録装置及びインクジェット記録装置の制御方法に関する。 The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that detects defective nozzles of an ink jet head and a method for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus.
　インクジェット記録装置は、インクジェットヘッドに設けたノズルからインク滴を吐出することで用紙等の記録媒体に画像を形成（記録）している。しかしながら、インクジェット記録装置は、インクジェットヘッドのノズル内への空気混入やノズル付近への紙粉等の異物が付着等により、ノズルの吐出不良が発生するおそれがあった。 The ink jet recording apparatus forms (records) an image on a recording medium such as paper by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles provided in the ink jet head. However, in the ink jet recording apparatus, there is a possibility that defective ejection of the nozzle may occur due to air mixing into the nozzle of the ink jet head or adhesion of foreign matters such as paper dust near the nozzle.
　このようなノズルの吐出不良を検出するために、例えば、特許文献１に記載されたような技術が開示されている。この特許文献１に記載された技術では、用紙の一部分にテストパターンを形成し、このテストパターンをスキャナ部で読み取ることで、ノズルの吐出不良を検出している。 In order to detect such a discharge failure of a nozzle, for example, a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is disclosed. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a test pattern is formed on a part of a sheet, and this test pattern is read by a scanner unit to detect nozzle ejection defects.
特開２００４－９４７４号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-9474
　しかしながら、特許文献１に記載された技術では、用紙にテストチャートを印字する余白がない場合、インクジェットヘッドの不良検出を行うことができない、という問題を有していた。さらに、特許文献１に記載された技術では、テストパターンを形成する領域が狭いため、インクジェットヘッド全体の吐出不良を検出することはできるが、インクジェットヘッド内のどのノズルに吐出不良が発生しているのかを正確に検出することが困難である、という問題を有していた。 However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that when there is no margin for printing a test chart on a sheet, it is impossible to detect a defect of the inkjet head. Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the region where the test pattern is formed is narrow, it is possible to detect ejection failure of the entire inkjet head, but ejection failure occurs in any nozzle in the inkjet head. It was difficult to accurately detect whether or not.
　本発明は、上述のような従来の問題点に鑑み、インクジェットヘッド内にどのノズルに吐出不良が発生しているのかを正確に検出することができるインクジェットヘッド記録装置及びインクジェット記録装置の制御方法を提供することを目的とする。 In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides an inkjet head recording apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus control method capable of accurately detecting which nozzle has an ejection failure in the inkjet head. The purpose is to provide.
　上記課題を解決し、本発明の目的を達成するため、本発明のインクジェット記録装置は、インクジェットヘッドと、画像読取部と、制御部と、を備えている。インクジェットヘッドは、記録媒体にインクを吐出する複数のノズルを有し、記録媒体に画像を形成する。画像読取部は、インクジェットヘッドの解像度よりも粗い分解能を有し、インクジェットヘッドによって記録媒体に形成された画像を読み取る。制御部は、インクジェットヘッド及び画像読取部の制御を行う。また、制御部は、インクジェットヘッドを制御し、通常の画像形成を規定枚数行った後に、複数のノズルの吐出不良を検出するためのテストチャートを１枚の記録媒体に形成させる。 In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes an ink jet head, an image reading unit, and a control unit. The ink jet head has a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium, and forms an image on the recording medium. The image reading unit has a resolution that is coarser than the resolution of the inkjet head, and reads an image formed on the recording medium by the inkjet head. The control unit controls the inkjet head and the image reading unit. In addition, the control unit controls the ink jet head to form a test chart for detecting ejection failure of a plurality of nozzles on a single recording medium after performing a prescribed number of normal image formations.
　また、本発明のインクジェット記録装置の制御方法は、以下（１）から（２）に示す工程を含んでいる。
（１）制御部がインクジェットヘッドを制御し、複数のノズルからインクを記録媒体に向けて吐出させて画像を形成する工程。
（２）通常の画像形成を規定枚数行った後に、制御部がインクジェットヘッドを制御し、複数のノズルの吐出不良を検出するためのテストチャートを１枚の記録媒体に形成する工程。 In addition, the method for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes the following steps (1) to (2).
(1) A step in which the control unit controls the ink jet head to form an image by ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles toward a recording medium.
(2) A step in which the control unit controls the ink jet head after normal image formation is performed to form a test chart for detecting ejection failure of a plurality of nozzles on one recording medium.
　上記構成のインクジェットヘッド記録装置及びインクジェット記録装置の制御方法によれば、インクジェットヘッド内にどのノズルに吐出不良が発生しているのかを正確に検出することができる。 According to the inkjet head recording apparatus and the inkjet recording apparatus control method configured as described above, it is possible to accurately detect which nozzle has an ejection failure in the inkjet head.
本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置を示す全体構成図である。1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置におけるヘッドユニットを記録媒体側から見た状態を示す平面図である。FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which the head unit in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the recording medium side. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における操作表示部に表示される表示例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the example of embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置におけるテストチャートの一例を示すもので、図５Ａはテストチャート全体を示す説明図、図５Ｂはテストチャートの一部を拡大して示す説明図である。FIG. 5A shows an example of a test chart in an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the entire test chart, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged part of the test chart. . 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における吐出不良検出動作の第１の動作例を示す説明図である。FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first operation example of a discharge failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における吐出不良検出動作の第１の動作例を示すフローチャートである。6 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of ejection failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 吐出不良検出動作の第１の動作例の際に操作表示部に表示される表示例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the case of the 1st operation example of discharge defect detection operation | movement. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における吐出不良検出動作の第２の動作例を示すフローチャートである。6 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of an ejection failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 吐出不良検出動作の第２の動作例の際に操作表示部に表示される表示例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the case of the 2nd operation example of discharge failure detection operation. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における吐出不良検出動作の第３の動作例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd operation example of the discharge defect detection operation | movement in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における吐出不良検出動作の第３の動作例を示すフローチャートである。10 is a flowchart showing a third operation example of the ejection failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 吐出不良検出動作の第３の動作例の際に操作表示部に表示される表示例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the case of the 3rd operation example of discharge defect detection operation | movement. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における吐出不良検出動作の第４の動作例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the 4th operation example of the discharge defect detection operation | movement in the inkjet recording device which concerns on the embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態例に係るインクジェット記録装置における吐出不良検出動作の第４の動作例を示すフローチャートである。10 is a flowchart showing a fourth operation example of the ejection failure detection operation in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 吐出不良検出動作の第４の動作例の際に操作表示部に表示される表示例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display displayed on the operation display part in the case of the 4th operation example of discharge failure detection operation | movement.
　以下、本発明の実施の形態例について、図１～図１６を参照して説明する。なお、各図において共通する部材には、同一の符号を付している。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which is common in each figure.
１．実施の形態例
１－１．インクジェット記録装置の構成例
　まず、本発明の実施の形態例（以下、「本例」という。）にかかるインクジェット記録装置の構成例について図１を参照して説明する。
　図１は、インクジェット記録装置の全体構成を示す概略構成図である。 1. Embodiment 1-1. Configuration Example of Inkjet Recording Apparatus First, a configuration example of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “this example”) will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus.
　図１に示すインクジェット記録装置１は、インクジェットヘッドに設けたノズルからインクを吐出することで用紙に画像を形成（記録）するものである。このインクジェット記録装置１は、イエロー（Ｙ）、マゼンダ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）及びブラック（Ｂｋ）の４色のインクを重ね合わせるカラーインクジェット記録装置である。 An ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 forms (records) an image on paper by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in an ink jet head. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a color ink jet recording apparatus that superimposes four color inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk).
　インクジェット記録装置１は、給紙部１０と、画像形成部２０と、排紙部３０と、制御部４０とを有している。そして、インクジェット記録装置１は、外部装置２（図３参照）から入力された画像データを用紙Ｐに形成する。 The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a paper feed unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a paper discharge unit 30, and a control unit 40. Then, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 forms the image data input from the external apparatus 2 (see FIG. 3) on the paper P.
　給紙部１０は、給紙トレー１１と、用紙供給部１２とを有している。給紙トレー１１は、記録媒体の一例を示す用紙Ｐを載置可能に設けられた板状の部材である。給紙トレー１１は、載置された用紙Ｐの枚数に応じて上下方向に移動可能に設けられている。そして、給紙トレー１１に載置された複数の用紙Ｐのうち上下方向の最上部の用紙Ｐは、用紙供給部１２により搬送される位置で保持される。 The paper feed unit 10 includes a paper feed tray 11 and a paper supply unit 12. The paper feed tray 11 is a plate-like member provided so that a paper P showing an example of a recording medium can be placed thereon. The paper feed tray 11 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction according to the number of sheets P placed thereon. The uppermost sheet P in the vertical direction among the plurality of sheets P placed on the sheet feeding tray 11 is held at a position where the sheet is supplied by the sheet supply unit 12.
　用紙供給部１２は、複数（本例では、２つ）のローラ１２１、１２２と、搬送ベルト１２３とを有している。搬送ベルト１２３は、長手方向の両端が接続された無端状に形成されている。搬送ベルト１２３は、ローラ１２１、１２２に張架されている。そして、ローラ１２１、１２２のうち一方のローラが回転駆動することで、搬送ベルト１２３は、２つのローラ１２１、１２２の間を循環移動する。これにより、搬送ベルト１２３に載置された用紙Ｐが搬送される。 The paper supply unit 12 includes a plurality of (in this example, two) rollers 121 and 122 and a conveyance belt 123. The conveyor belt 123 is formed in an endless shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are connected. The conveyor belt 123 is stretched around the rollers 121 and 122. When one of the rollers 121 and 122 is rotationally driven, the conveyor belt 123 circulates between the two rollers 121 and 122. Thereby, the paper P placed on the transport belt 123 is transported.
　また、用紙供給部１２は、ローラ１２１、１２２を回転駆動する不図示の駆動部や、給紙トレー１１に載置された最上部の用紙Ｐを搬送ベルト１２３に受け渡す供給装置を有している。そして、用紙供給部１２は、搬送ベルト１２３に載置された用紙Ｐを画像形成部２０に向けて搬送し、画像形成部２０に給紙する。 The paper supply unit 12 includes a drive unit (not shown) that rotates and drives the rollers 121 and 122 and a supply device that delivers the uppermost paper P placed on the paper feed tray 11 to the transport belt 123. Yes. The paper supply unit 12 conveys the paper P placed on the conveyance belt 123 toward the image forming unit 20 and feeds the paper P to the image forming unit 20.
　画像形成部２０は、画像形成ドラム２１と、受け渡しユニット２２と、加熱部２３と、ヘッドユニット２４と、定着部２５と、画像読取部２６と、用紙排出部２７と、用紙反転部２８とを有している。 The image forming unit 20 includes an image forming drum 21, a delivery unit 22, a heating unit 23, a head unit 24, a fixing unit 25, an image reading unit 26, a paper discharge unit 27, and a paper reversing unit 28. Have.
　画像形成ドラム２１は、円筒状に形成されている。画像形成ドラム２１は、不図示の駆動モータにより反時計回りに回転する。画像形成ドラム２１の外周面には、給紙部１０から供給された用紙Ｐが担持される。そして、画像形成ドラム２１は、回転駆動することで用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に向けて搬送する。また、画像形成ドラム２１の外周面には、加熱部２３、ヘッドユニット２４、定着部２５及び画像読取部２６が対向して配置されている。 The image forming drum 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The image forming drum 21 is rotated counterclockwise by a drive motor (not shown). The paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 10 is carried on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21. The image forming drum 21 is rotated to convey the paper P toward the paper discharge unit 30. A heating unit 23, a head unit 24, a fixing unit 25, and an image reading unit 26 are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 so as to face each other.
　受け渡しユニット２２は、給紙部１０の用紙供給部１２と画像形成ドラム２１との間に介在する位置に設けられている。受け渡しユニット２２は、爪部２２１と、円筒状の受け渡しドラム２２２等を有している。爪部２２１は、用紙供給部１２により搬送された用紙Ｐの一端を担持する。受け渡しドラム２２２は、爪部２２１に担持された用紙Ｐを画像形成ドラム２１に向けて誘導する。これにより、用紙Ｐは、受け渡しユニット２２を介して用紙供給部１２から画像形成ドラム２１の外周面に受け渡される。 The delivery unit 22 is provided at a position interposed between the paper supply unit 12 of the paper supply unit 10 and the image forming drum 21. The delivery unit 22 includes a claw portion 221 and a cylindrical delivery drum 222. The claw portion 221 carries one end of the paper P conveyed by the paper supply unit 12. The transfer drum 222 guides the paper P carried on the claw portion 221 toward the image forming drum 21. As a result, the paper P is delivered from the paper supply unit 12 to the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 via the delivery unit 22.
　受け渡しドラム２２２における用紙Ｐの搬送方向の下流側には、加熱部２３が配置されている。加熱部２３は、例えば電熱線等を有し、通電に応じて発熱する。加熱部２３は、制御部４０による制御により、画像形成ドラム２１に担持されて加熱部２３の近傍を通過する用紙Ｐが所定の温度となるように発熱を行う。 The heating unit 23 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer drum 222 in the conveyance direction of the paper P. The heating unit 23 includes, for example, a heating wire and generates heat in response to energization. Under the control of the control unit 40, the heating unit 23 generates heat so that the paper P carried on the image forming drum 21 and passing through the vicinity of the heating unit 23 has a predetermined temperature.
　また、加熱部２３の近傍には、不図示の温度センサーが設けられている。温度センサーは、加熱部２３付近の温度を検知する。そして、制御部４０は、温度センサーが検知した温度情報に基づいて、加熱部２３の温度を制御する。 Further, a temperature sensor (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the heating unit 23. The temperature sensor detects the temperature near the heating unit 23. And the control part 40 controls the temperature of the heating part 23 based on the temperature information which the temperature sensor detected.
　加熱部２３における用紙Ｐの搬送方向の下流側には、ヘッドユニット２４が設けられている。ヘッドユニット２４は、イエロー（Ｙ）、マゼンダ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、ブラック（Ｂｋ）に応じて４つ設けられている。４つのヘッドユニット２４は、用紙Ｐの搬送方向に対して上流側から、イエロー、マゼンダ、シアン、ブラックの順に配置されている。 A head unit 24 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P in the heating unit 23. Four head units 24 are provided for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). The four head units 24 are arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P.
　ヘッドユニット２４は、用紙Ｐの搬送方向と直交する方向（幅方向）において用紙Ｐの全体を覆う長さ（幅）に設定されている。すなわち、インクジェット記録装置１は、ワンパス方式のラインヘッド型インクジェット記録装置である。４つのヘッドユニット２４は、それぞれ吐出するインクの色が異なるのみで、互いに同一の構成を有している。 The head unit 24 is set to a length (width) that covers the entire sheet P in a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet P. That is, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a one-pass line head type ink jet recording apparatus. The four head units 24 have the same configuration, except that the colors of the ejected inks are different.
　図２は、ヘッドユニット２４を用紙側から見た状態を示す平面図である。
　図２に示すように、ヘッドユニット２４は、複数（本例では、１６個）のインクジェットヘッド２４２を有している。そして、２つのインクジェットヘッド２４２が１組となって、１つのインクジェットモジュール２４３を構成している。そのため、本例のヘッドユニット２４には、８つのインクジェットモジュール２４３が設けられている。 FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the head unit 24 as viewed from the paper side.
As shown in FIG. 2, the head unit 24 has a plurality (16 in this example) of inkjet heads 242. The two inkjet heads 242 constitute a set and constitute one inkjet module 243. Therefore, eight ink jet modules 243 are provided in the head unit 24 of this example.
　８つのインクジェットモジュール２４３は、用紙Ｐの搬送方向に沿って２列並べられている。そして、一列のインクジェットモジュール２４３は、用紙Ｐの搬送方向と直交する方向（幅方向）に沿って４つ並べて配置されている。また、８つのインクジェットモジュール２４３は、２列のインクジェットモジュール２４３が用紙Ｐの搬送方向に沿って互い違いの千鳥状に配置されている。 The eight inkjet modules 243 are arranged in two rows along the transport direction of the paper P. Four rows of inkjet modules 243 are arranged side by side along a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. In addition, the eight inkjet modules 243 have two rows of inkjet modules 243 arranged in a staggered pattern along the conveyance direction of the paper P.
　なお、インクジェットモジュール２４３の数及び配置は、上述したものに限定されるものではなく、６つ又は１０つ以上のインクジェットモジュール２４３を配置してもよい。 In addition, the number and arrangement | positioning of the inkjet module 243 are not limited to what was mentioned above, You may arrange | position six or ten or more inkjet modules 243. FIG.
　また、インクジェットヘッド２４２は、複数のノズル２４４を有している。そして、インクジェットヘッド２４２は、ノズル２４４からインクを用紙Ｐに向けて吐出する。これにより、画像形成ドラム２１に担持された用紙Ｐに画像が形成される。 Further, the inkjet head 242 has a plurality of nozzles 244. Then, the inkjet head 242 ejects ink from the nozzle 244 toward the paper P. As a result, an image is formed on the paper P carried on the image forming drum 21.
　４つのヘッドユニット２４における搬送方向の下流側には、定着部２５が配置されている。定着部２５としては、例えば、低圧水銀ランプ等の紫外線を照射する蛍光管が適用される。そして、定着部２５は、紫外線を画像形成ドラム２１により搬送された用紙Ｐに向けて照射し、用紙Ｐ状に吐出されたインクを硬化させる。これにより、定着部２５は、用紙Ｐに形成された画像を定着させる。 The fixing unit 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the four head units 24 in the transport direction. As the fixing unit 25, for example, a fluorescent tube that radiates ultraviolet rays such as a low-pressure mercury lamp is applied. Then, the fixing unit 25 irradiates the paper P conveyed by the image forming drum 21 with ultraviolet rays, and cures the ink ejected in the form of the paper P. As a result, the fixing unit 25 fixes the image formed on the paper P.
　紫外線を発する蛍光管としては、低圧水銀ランプの他、数百Ｐａ～１ＭＰａ程度の動作圧力を有する水銀ランプ、殺菌灯として利用可能な光源、冷陰極管、紫外線レーザー光源、メタルハライドランプ、発光ダイオードなどが挙げられる。これらの中で、紫外線をより高照度で照射可能であって消費電力の少ない光源（例えば発光ダイオード等）がより望ましい。 Fluorescent tubes emitting ultraviolet rays include low-pressure mercury lamps, mercury lamps having an operating pressure of several hundred Pa to 1 MPa, light sources that can be used as germicidal lamps, cold cathode tubes, ultraviolet laser light sources, metal halide lamps, light emitting diodes, etc. Is mentioned. Among these, a light source (for example, a light emitting diode) that can irradiate ultraviolet rays with higher illuminance and consumes less power is more desirable.
　なお、定着部２５としては紫外線を照射するものに限定されるものではなく、インクの性質に応じてインクを硬化させる性質を有するエネルギー線を照射するものであればよく、光源もエネルギー線の波長などに応じて置換される。また、定着部２５としては、紫外線等の光を照射するものに限定されるものではない。定着部としては、例えば、用紙に熱を与えることでインクを乾燥されたり、インクに化学的な変化を起こさせる液体を付与させたりするもの等その他各種の方法を適用できるものである。 The fixing unit 25 is not limited to the one that irradiates ultraviolet rays, but may be any one that irradiates energy rays having a property of curing the ink according to the properties of the ink, and the light source also has the wavelength of the energy rays. It is replaced depending on Further, the fixing unit 25 is not limited to the unit that irradiates light such as ultraviolet rays. As the fixing unit, for example, various methods such as a method in which the ink is dried by applying heat to the paper or a liquid that causes a chemical change in the ink is applied can be applied.
　また、定着部２５における搬送方向の下流側には、画像読取部２６が配置されている。画像読取部２６は、複数の検出素子が用紙Ｐの搬送方向と直交する方向（幅方向）に沿って並べられたインラインセンサで構成されており、ヘッドユニット２４及び定着部２５により用紙Ｐに形成された画像を読み取る。読み取った画像のデータは、制御部４０に送られる。なお、画像読取部２６を構成する検出素子の間隔は、インクジェットヘッド２４２のノズル２４４の間隔よりも広く設定されている。すなわち、画像読取部２６の分解能は、ヘッドユニット２４の解像度よりも粗く設定されている。 Further, an image reading unit 26 is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing unit 25 in the transport direction. The image reading unit 26 includes an inline sensor in which a plurality of detection elements are arranged along a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P, and is formed on the paper P by the head unit 24 and the fixing unit 25. Scanned images. The read image data is sent to the control unit 40. Note that the interval between the detection elements constituting the image reading unit 26 is set wider than the interval between the nozzles 244 of the inkjet head 242. That is, the resolution of the image reading unit 26 is set to be coarser than the resolution of the head unit 24.
　また、画像読取部２６の搬送方向の下流側には、用紙排出部２７と、用紙反転部２８が設けられている。用紙排出部２７は、画像形成ドラム２１により搬送された用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に向けて搬送する。 Further, a paper discharge unit 27 and a paper reversing unit 28 are provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the image reading unit 26. The paper discharge unit 27 conveys the paper P conveyed by the image forming drum 21 toward the paper discharge unit 30.
　用紙排出部２７は、円筒状の分離ドラム２７１と、排出ベルト２７２とを有している。分離ドラム２７１は、画像形成ドラム２１に担持された用紙Ｐを画像形成ドラム２１の外周面から分離させる。そして、分離ドラム２７１は、用紙Ｐを排出ベルト２７２又は用紙反転部２８に用紙Ｐを誘導する。 The paper discharge unit 27 includes a cylindrical separation drum 271 and a discharge belt 272. The separation drum 271 separates the paper P carried on the image forming drum 21 from the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21. The separation drum 271 guides the paper P to the discharge belt 272 or the paper reversing unit 28.
　分離ドラム２７１は、片面画像形成におけるフェースアップ排紙を行う場合に、用紙Ｐを排出ベルト２７２に誘導する。また、分離ドラム２７１は、片面画像形成におけるフェースダウン排紙及び両面画像形成を行う場合に、用紙Ｐを用紙反転部２８に誘導する。 The separation drum 271 guides the paper P to the discharge belt 272 when performing face-up discharge in single-sided image formation. The separation drum 271 guides the paper P to the paper reversing unit 28 when performing face-down paper discharge and double-sided image formation in single-sided image formation.
　排出ベルト２７２は、用紙供給部１２の搬送ベルト１２３と同様に、無端状に形成されている。排出ベルト２７２は、複数のローラにより回転可能に支持されている。排出ベルト２７２は、分離ドラム２７１による受け渡された用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に送り出す。 The discharge belt 272 is formed in an endless manner like the transport belt 123 of the paper supply unit 12. The discharge belt 272 is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers. The discharge belt 272 sends the paper P delivered by the separation drum 271 to the paper discharge unit 30.
　用紙反転部２８は、複数の反転ローラ２８１、２８２と、反転ベルト２８３とを有している。フェースダウン排紙を行う場合、用紙反転部２８は、分離ドラム２７１により誘導された用紙Ｐの表裏を反転し、用紙排出部２７に搬送する。これにより、用紙Ｐは、用紙排出部２７による画像が形成された面が上下方向の下方を向いた状態で排紙部３０に搬送される。 The paper reversing unit 28 includes a plurality of reversing rollers 281 and 282 and a reversing belt 283. When face-down paper discharge is performed, the paper reversing unit 28 reverses the front and back of the paper P guided by the separation drum 271 and conveys the paper P to the paper discharge unit 27. As a result, the paper P is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 30 with the surface on which the image is formed by the paper discharge unit 27 facing downward in the vertical direction.
　また、両面画像形成を行う場合、用紙反転部２８は、分離ドラム２７１により誘導された用紙Ｐの表裏を反転し、再び画像形成ドラム２１の外周面に搬送する。これにより、用紙Ｐは、画像形成ドラム２１により搬送され、再び加熱部２３、ヘッドユニット２４、定着部２５及び画像読取部２６を通過する。 In addition, when performing double-sided image formation, the paper reversing unit 28 reverses the front and back of the paper P guided by the separation drum 271 and conveys it again to the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21. As a result, the paper P is conveyed by the image forming drum 21 and again passes through the heating unit 23, the head unit 24, the fixing unit 25, and the image reading unit 26.
　排紙部３０は、用紙排出部２７により画像形成部２０から送り出された用紙Ｐを格納する。排紙部３０は、平板状の排紙トレー３１を有している。そして、排紙部３０は、排紙トレー３１上に画像が形成された用紙Ｐを載置する。 The paper discharge unit 30 stores the paper P sent out from the image forming unit 20 by the paper discharge unit 27. The paper discharge unit 30 includes a flat paper discharge tray 31. Then, the paper discharge unit 30 places the paper P on which an image is formed on the paper discharge tray 31.
１－２．制御系の構成例
　次に、インクジェット記録装置１の制御系の構成について図３を参照して説明する。
　図３は、インクジェット記録装置１の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。 1-2. Configuration Example of Control System Next, the configuration of the control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
　図３に示すように、インクジェット記録装置１は、制御部４０を備えている。制御部４０は、例えばＣＰＵ（Central Processing Unit）４１と、ＣＰＵ４１の作業領域として使用されるＲＡＭ（Random Access Memory）４２と、ＣＰＵ４１が実行するプログラム等を記憶するためのＲＯＭ（Read Only Memory）４３と、を有する。さらに、制御部４０は、大容量記憶装置としてのハードディスクドライブ（ＨＤＤ）等からなる記憶部４４を有している。記憶部４４には、画像読取部２６が読み取った画像のデータ、ノズル２４４の吐出不良を検出するためのテストチャート８０（図５Ａ参照）や、ノズル２４４の吐出不良検出動作を行うための情報が格納される。 As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a control unit 40. The control unit 40 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 42 used as a work area of the CPU 41, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 43 for storing programs executed by the CPU 41 and the like. And having. Further, the control unit 40 includes a storage unit 44 including a hard disk drive (HDD) as a mass storage device. The storage unit 44 stores image data read by the image reading unit 26, a test chart 80 (see FIG. 5A) for detecting ejection failure of the nozzle 244, and information for performing ejection failure detection operation of the nozzle 244. Stored.
　また、インクジェット記録装置１は、画像形成ドラム２１、用紙排出部２７や用紙反転部２８等の搬送系の駆動を行う搬送駆動部５１と、操作表示部５２と、入出力インターフェース５３とを有している。 The ink jet recording apparatus 1 also includes a transport driving unit 51 that drives a transport system such as the image forming drum 21, the paper discharge unit 27, and the paper reversing unit 28, an operation display unit 52, and an input / output interface 53. ing.
　制御部４０のＣＰＵ４１は、加熱部２３、ヘッドユニット２４、定着部２５、画像読取部２６、ＲＡＭ４２、ＲＯＭ４３、記憶部４４にそれぞれシステムバス５４を介して接続され、装置全体を制御する。また、ＣＰＵ４１は、搬送駆動部５１、操作表示部５２、入出力インターフェース５３にそれぞれシステムバス５４を介して接続されている。 The CPU 41 of the control unit 40 is connected to the heating unit 23, the head unit 24, the fixing unit 25, the image reading unit 26, the RAM 42, the ROM 43, and the storage unit 44 through the system bus 54, respectively, and controls the entire apparatus. Further, the CPU 41 is connected to the transport drive unit 51, the operation display unit 52, and the input / output interface 53 via the system bus 54.
　操作表示部５２は、液晶表示装置（ＬＣＤ）又は有機ＥＬＤ（Electro Luminescence Display）等のディスプレイからなるタッチパネルである。この操作表示部５２は、ユーザに対する指示メニュー、ノズル２４４の吐出検出動作に関する情報や取得した画像データに関する情報等を表示する。さらに、操作表示部５２は、複数のキーを備え、ユーザのキー操作による各種の指示、文字、数字などのデータの入力を受け付ける入力部としての役割を持つ。 The operation display unit 52 is a touch panel formed of a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display). The operation display unit 52 displays an instruction menu for the user, information on the discharge detection operation of the nozzle 244, information on the acquired image data, and the like. Further, the operation display unit 52 includes a plurality of keys, and has a role as an input unit that receives input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user key operations.
　入出力インターフェース５３は、ＰＣ（パーソナルコンピュータ）や、ファクシミリ装置等の外部装置２に接続されている。そして、入出力インターフェース５３は、外部装置２から画像データを受信する。入出力インターフェース５３は、受信した画像データを制御部４０に出力する。そして、制御部４０は、入出力インターフェース５３から受信した画像データを画像処理する。また、制御部４０は、受信した画像データに対し、必要に応じて、シェーディング補正、画像濃度調整、画像圧縮等の画像処理を行う。 The input / output interface 53 is connected to an external device 2 such as a PC (personal computer) or a facsimile machine. The input / output interface 53 receives image data from the external device 2. The input / output interface 53 outputs the received image data to the control unit 40. Then, the control unit 40 performs image processing on the image data received from the input / output interface 53. The control unit 40 performs image processing such as shading correction, image density adjustment, and image compression on the received image data as necessary.
　また、ヘッドユニット２４は、制御部４０によって画像処理された画像データを受け取り、画像データに基づいて用紙Ｐ上に所定の画像を形成する。具体的には、ヘッドユニット２４は、ヘッド駆動部２４１を駆動することで、インクジェットヘッド２４２からインクを所定の位置に吐出させる。 Further, the head unit 24 receives the image data image-processed by the control unit 40 and forms a predetermined image on the paper P based on the image data. Specifically, the head unit 24 drives the head driving unit 241 to discharge ink from the inkjet head 242 to a predetermined position.
　ヘッドユニット２４により用紙Ｐに形成された画像は、画像読取部２６によって読み取られ、その画像データが制御部４０に送られる。また、ノズル２４４の吐出不良動作を行う際、制御部４０は、画像読取部２６から送られた画像データに基づいて吐出不良が生じているノズル２４４を判別する。そして、制御部４０は、例えば、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４に隣接するノズル２４４からのインクの吐出量を増やすことで、ヘッドユニット２４の補正処理を行う。 The image formed on the paper P by the head unit 24 is read by the image reading unit 26, and the image data is sent to the control unit 40. Further, when performing the ejection failure operation of the nozzle 244, the control unit 40 determines the nozzle 244 in which ejection failure has occurred based on the image data sent from the image reading unit 26. Then, the control unit 40 performs the correction process of the head unit 24 by increasing the amount of ink discharged from the nozzle 244 adjacent to the nozzle 244 in which the discharge failure has occurred, for example.
１－３．操作表示部に表示される表示例
　次に、操作表示部５２に表示される表示例について図４を参照して説明する。
　図４は、操作表示部５２に表示される表示例を示す説明図である。なお、図４には、ノズル２４４の吐出不良検出動作を行う際に表示される表示例を示す。 1-3. Display Example Displayed on Operation Display Unit Next, a display example displayed on the operation display unit 52 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example displayed on the operation display unit 52. FIG. 4 shows a display example displayed when the ejection failure detection operation of the nozzle 244 is performed.
　図４に示すように、操作表示部５２には、テストチャート８０（図５Ａ）の印刷（形成）動作を挿入するか否かを入力するテストチャート挿入メニュー５２２と、ノズル２４４の吐出不良（ノズル欠）を検知した際の動作を入力するノズル欠対応メニュー５２３が表示される。 As shown in FIG. 4, a test chart insertion menu 522 for inputting whether or not to insert a printing (formation) operation of the test chart 80 (FIG. 5A) and an ejection failure (nozzle of the nozzle 244) are displayed on the operation display unit 52. A nozzle missing menu 523 for inputting an operation when the missing) is detected is displayed.
　テストチャート挿入メニュー５２２には、挿入を行わないオフボタン５２２ａと、挿入を行う間隔ボタン５２２ｂ及び自動ボタン５２２ｄからなるラジオボタンと、プルダウンメニュー５２２ｃがグラフィカルユーザインターフェースとして表示される。 In the test chart insertion menu 522, an off button 522a for not inserting, a radio button including an interval button 522b for performing insertion and an automatic button 522d, and a pull-down menu 522c are displayed as a graphical user interface.
　プルダウンメニュー５２２ｃには、テストチャート８０を挿入する間隔（規定枚数）を選択するための数字が表示される。プルダウンメニュー５２２ｃは、間隔ボタン５２２ｂが選択された際に入力される。自動ボタン５２２ｄが選択された場合、テストチャート８０を挿入する間隔が制御部４０によって自動で設定又はユーザが任意に設定することができる。 In the pull-down menu 522c, a number for selecting an interval (specified number) for inserting the test chart 80 is displayed. The pull-down menu 522c is input when the interval button 522b is selected. When the automatic button 522d is selected, the interval for inserting the test chart 80 can be automatically set by the control unit 40 or arbitrarily set by the user.
　ノズル欠対応メニュー５２３には、一時停止ボタン５２３ａと、継続ボタン５２３ｂからなるラジオボタンが表示される。一時停止ボタン５２３ａが選択された場合、ノズル２４４の吐出不良を検知した場合、制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１の動作を停止させる。また、継続ボタン５２３ｂが選択された場合、制御部４０は、ノズル２４４の吐出不良を検知した場合でも、インクジェット記録装置１における画像形成動作を継続させる。 In the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523, radio buttons including a pause button 523a and a continuation button 523b are displayed. When the pause button 523a is selected and the ejection failure of the nozzle 244 is detected, the control unit 40 stops the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. When the continuation button 523b is selected, the control unit 40 continues the image forming operation in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 even when the ejection failure of the nozzle 244 is detected.
　ノズル２４４の吐出不良検出動作を行う際に表示される操作表示部５２に表示される表示例は、図４に示すものに限定されるものではない。操作表示部５２に表示される表示例としては、例えば、テストチャート８０を挿入する間隔（規定枚数）をユーザが任意に入力するための０～９までの数字や、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の位置を示す情報等その他各種の表示例を適用できるものである。 The display example displayed on the operation display unit 52 displayed when performing the discharge failure detection operation of the nozzle 244 is not limited to that shown in FIG. Examples of the display displayed on the operation display unit 52 include, for example, numbers from 0 to 9 for the user to arbitrarily input the interval (specified number) for inserting the test chart 80, and the nozzle 244 in which ejection failure has occurred. It is possible to apply various other display examples such as information indicating the position of the.
　また、図４に示す表示例は、操作表示部５２以外に外部装置２の表示部に表示させてもよい。 Further, the display example shown in FIG. 4 may be displayed on the display unit of the external apparatus 2 in addition to the operation display unit 52.
１－４．テストチャート
　次に、ノズルの吐出不良動作の際に形成されるテストチャート８０を図５Ａ及び図５Ｂを参照して説明する。
　図５Ａは、テストチャート８０を示す説明図、図５Ｂは図５Ａに示す範囲Ｓを拡大して示す説明図である。 1-4. Test Chart Next, a test chart 80 formed during the defective ejection operation of the nozzle will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the test chart 80, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged range S shown in FIG. 5A.
　図５Ａに示すように、テストチャート８０は、１枚の用紙Ｐ全体に形成される。テストチャート８０は、用紙Ｐの搬送方向の上流側から第１チャート群８１Ｙと、第２チャート群８１Ｍと、第３チャート群８１Ｃと、第４チャート群８１Ｂｋとを有している。 As shown in FIG. 5A, the test chart 80 is formed on the entire sheet of paper P. The test chart 80 includes a first chart group 81Y, a second chart group 81M, a third chart group 81C, and a fourth chart group 81Bk from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P.
　第１チャート群８１Ｙは、４つのヘッドユニット２４のうちイエロー（Ｙ）のインクを吐出するヘッドユニット２４によって形成される。また、第２チャート群８１Ｍは、４つのヘッドユニット２４のうちマゼンダ（Ｍ）のインクを吐出するヘッドユニット２４によって形成される。第３チャート群８１Ｃは、４つのヘッドユニット２４のうちシアン（Ｃ）のインクを吐出するヘッドユニット２４によって形成される。第４チャート群８１Ｂｋは、４つのヘッドユニット２４のうちブラック（Ｂｋ）のインクを吐出するヘッドユニット２４によって形成される。 The first chart group 81Y is formed by the head units 24 that discharge yellow (Y) ink among the four head units 24. The second chart group 81 </ b> M is formed by the head unit 24 that ejects magenta (M) ink among the four head units 24. The third chart group 81 </ b> C is formed by the head unit 24 that discharges cyan (C) ink among the four head units 24. The fourth chart group 81Bk is formed by the head units 24 that discharge black (Bk) ink among the four head units 24.
　第１チャート群８１Ｙ、第２チャート群８１Ｍ、第３チャート群８１Ｃ、第４チャート群８１Ｂｋは、それぞれ複数（本例では８つ）のテストパターン８１を有している。すなわち、テストパターン８１は、ヘッドユニット２４に設けられたインクジェットモジュール２４３と同じ数だけ形成される。８つのテストパターン８１は、８つのインクジェットモジュール２４３におけるヘッドユニット２４に配置された位置と対応して形成されている。すなわち、８つのテストパターン８１は、２列のテストパターン８１が用紙Ｐの搬送方向に沿って互い違い千鳥状に配置されている。 The first chart group 81Y, the second chart group 81M, the third chart group 81C, and the fourth chart group 81Bk each include a plurality (eight in this example) of test patterns 81. That is, the same number of test patterns 81 as the ink jet modules 243 provided in the head unit 24 are formed. The eight test patterns 81 are formed corresponding to the positions arranged in the head unit 24 in the eight inkjet modules 243. That is, the eight test patterns 81 are arranged in a staggered pattern in which two rows of test patterns 81 are staggered along the conveyance direction of the paper P.
　また、テストパターン８１における用紙Ｐの先端側が、インクジェットモジュール２４３を構成する２つのインクジェットヘッド２４２のうち用紙Ｐの搬送方向の上流側に配置されたインクジェットヘッド２４２が対応している。そして、テストパターン８１における用紙Ｐの後端側が、インクジェットモジュール２４３を構成する２つのインクジェットヘッド２４２のうち用紙Ｐの搬送方向の下流側に配置されたインクジェットヘッド２４２が対応している。 Further, the front end side of the paper P in the test pattern 81 corresponds to the ink jet head 242 arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P among the two ink jet heads 242 constituting the ink jet module 243. The rear end side of the paper P in the test pattern 81 corresponds to the ink jet head 242 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P among the two ink jet heads 242 constituting the ink jet module 243.
　このように、１枚の用紙Ｐ全体にテストチャート８０を形成することで、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４を有するインクジェットヘッド２４２を容易に検出することができる。さらに、ヘッドユニット２４の解像度よりも粗い分解能を有する画像読取部２６を用いてもノズル２４４の吐出不良を正確に検出することができる。これにより、画像読取部２６の分解能を向上させる必要がなくなる。 Thus, by forming the test chart 80 on the entire sheet of paper P, it is possible to easily detect the inkjet head 242 having the nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred. Further, even when the image reading unit 26 having a resolution coarser than the resolution of the head unit 24 is used, the ejection failure of the nozzle 244 can be accurately detected. This eliminates the need to improve the resolution of the image reading unit 26.
　また、図５Ｂに示すように、テストパターン８１は、複数のパターン線８１ａにより形成されている。複数のパターン線８１ａの位置は、インクジェットヘッド２４２に設けた複数のノズル２４４を設けた位置に対応している。そのため、パターン線８１ａに抜けＴ１が発生した場合、この抜けＴ１に対応する位置のノズル２４４に吐出不良が発生していると判断することができる。これにより、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の位置を正確に検出することができる。 Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the test pattern 81 is formed by a plurality of pattern lines 81a. The positions of the plurality of pattern lines 81a correspond to the positions where the plurality of nozzles 244 provided in the inkjet head 242 are provided. Therefore, when a missing T1 occurs in the pattern line 81a, it can be determined that a discharge failure has occurred in the nozzle 244 at the position corresponding to the missing T1. As a result, the position of the nozzle 244 where the ejection failure has occurred can be accurately detected.
　ここで、吐出不良の例としてノズル抜けを挙げたが、これに限定されるものではない、吐出不良としては、例えば、インクの理想的な着弾位置から幅方向に着弾がずれる吐出曲がりや、電気的な信号が正常に伝わらなかったり、インクジェットヘッド２４２のノズル２４４が制御信号に対して想定通りに反応したかったりすることによる吐出タイミングが遅れる吐出遅延等が挙げられる。さらに、吐出不良としては、これらの正常にインクが吐出できていない複数の現象を含めてもよい。 Here, although nozzle omission was cited as an example of ejection failure, the present invention is not limited to this. Examples of ejection failure include, for example, ejection bend in which landing in the width direction deviates from an ideal landing position of ink, For example, there is a discharge delay in which the discharge timing is delayed due to the fact that a normal signal is not transmitted normally or the nozzle 244 of the inkjet head 242 wants to react as expected to the control signal. Further, the ejection failure may include a plurality of phenomena in which ink cannot be ejected normally.
２．吐出不良検出動作
２－１．第１の動作例
　次に、上述した構成を有するインクジェット記録装置１におけるノズルの吐出不良検出の第１の動作例について図６～図８を参照して説明する。
　図６は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第１の動作例を示す説明図、図７は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第１の動作例を示すフローチャート、図８は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第１の動作例における操作表示部５２に表示される表示例を示している。 2. Discharge failure detection operation 2-1. First Operation Example Next, a first operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a first operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing nozzle discharge failure detection. The example of a display displayed on the operation display part 52 in the example of 1 operation | movement is shown.
　図６に示すように、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第１の動作例は、通常の画像形成を規定枚数（図６に示す例では、２０枚）行った後に、テストチャート８０を１枚の用紙Ｐに形成する動作である。また、この第１の動作例では、テストチャート８０の形成動作を一定の間隔（２０枚）で行っている。そして、第１の動作例では、ノズル２４４の吐出不良を検出しても、所定のジョブが終了又はユーザからジョブの終了指示が入力されるまで画像形成処理を継続するものである。 As shown in FIG. 6, in the first operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection, a normal number of images are formed (20 in the example shown in FIG. 6), and then a test chart 80 is printed on one sheet. This is an operation for forming P. In the first operation example, the test chart 80 is formed at regular intervals (20 sheets). In the first operation example, even if ejection failure of the nozzle 244 is detected, the image forming process is continued until the predetermined job is completed or a job end instruction is input from the user.
　まず、図７に示すように、ユーザは、操作表示部５２を介して不良検出設定を行う（ステップＳ１１）。具体的には、図８に示すように、ユーザは、操作表示部５２におけるテストチャート挿入メニュー５２２の間隔ボタン５２２ｂを入力する。また、ユーザは、プルダウンメニュー５２２ｃを操作することで、テストチャート８０を挿入する間隔を設定する。この第１の動作例では、テストチャート８０を挿入する間隔（規定枚数）として、「２０」が選択されている。これにより、通常の画像形成処理を２０枚行った後に、テストチャート８０の形成処理が行われる。また、ユーザは、ノズル欠対応メニュー５２３の継続ボタン５２３ｂを選択する。そして、ユーザが入力した不良検出設定は、記憶部４４に格納される。 First, as shown in FIG. 7, the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S11). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the user inputs an interval button 522 b of the test chart insertion menu 522 in the operation display unit 52. In addition, the user sets an interval for inserting the test chart 80 by operating the pull-down menu 522c. In the first operation example, “20” is selected as the interval (specified number) for inserting the test chart 80. Thus, the test chart 80 is formed after 20 normal image forming processes are performed. Further, the user selects the continuation button 523b of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523. The defect detection setting input by the user is stored in the storage unit 44.
　なお、ステップＳ１１における不良検出設定は、外部装置２の入力部を用いて入力してもよい。 The defect detection setting in step S11 may be input using the input unit of the external device 2.
　不良検出設定動作が完了すると、ユーザは、操作表示部５２又は外部装置２に設けたスタートボタンを押下する。これにより、制御部４０は、制御部４０は、予め入力された画像形成処理情報（ジョブ情報）に基づいて、所定の画像を用紙Ｐに形成する動作を開始する。まず、制御部４０は、装置全体を制御し、通常の画像を用紙Ｐに形成する（ステップＳ１２）。そして、制御部４０は、搬送駆動部５１を制御し、画像が形成された用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に排出する（ステップＳ１３）。 When the defect detection setting operation is completed, the user presses a start button provided on the operation display unit 52 or the external device 2. Thereby, the control unit 40 starts the operation of forming a predetermined image on the paper P based on the image formation processing information (job information) input in advance. First, the control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus and forms a normal image on the paper P (step S12). Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S13).
　このとき、制御部４０は、通常画像を形成した用紙Ｐの枚数をカウントし、記憶部４４に格納する。また、記憶部４４には、テストチャートを挿入する枚数をカウントするテストチャート挿入カウンタと、予め設定されたジョブの枚数をカウントするジョブ枚数カウンタが設けられている。すなわち、制御部４０は、テストチャート挿入カウンタとジョブ枚数カウンタの両方の値を「１」増やす。 At this time, the control unit 40 counts the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed and stores it in the storage unit 44. The storage unit 44 is provided with a test chart insertion counter that counts the number of test charts to be inserted and a job number counter that counts a preset number of jobs. That is, the control unit 40 increases the values of both the test chart insertion counter and the job number counter by “1”.
　次に、制御部４０は、通常画像を形成した用紙Ｐの枚数がステップＳ１１で設定した規定枚数に達したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ１４）。すなわち、制御部４０は、記憶部４４に格納したカウンタのうち、テストチャート挿入カウンタの値が、規定枚数に達したか否かを判断する。 Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached the specified number set in step S11 (step S14). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the value of the test chart insertion counter among the counters stored in the storage unit 44 has reached a specified number.
　ステップＳ１４の処理において、規定枚数に達したと判断した場合（ステップＳ１４のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、ヘッドユニット２４を制御し、テストチャート８０を１枚の用紙Ｐ全体に形成する（ステップＳ１５）。また、制御部４０は、テストチャート挿入カウンタの値を「０」にする。 If it is determined in step S14 that the specified number has been reached (YES in step S14), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form the test chart 80 on the entire sheet P (step S14). S15). Further, the control unit 40 sets the value of the test chart insertion counter to “0”.
　なお、テストチャート挿入カウンタを加算処理する例を説明したが、これに限定されるものではない。例えば、ステップＳ１１で設定された規定枚数をテストチャート挿入カウンタに設定し、通常画像が形成される度に、テストチャート挿入カウンタを減算処理してもよい。 In addition, although the example which adds a test chart insertion counter was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, the specified number set in step S11 may be set in the test chart insertion counter, and the test chart insertion counter may be subtracted each time a normal image is formed.
　次に、用紙Ｐに形成されたテストチャート８０を画像読取部２６が読み取る。そして、画像読取部２６は、画像データを制御部４０に出力する。制御部４０は、画像読取部２６から送られた画像データに基づいてノズル２４４の吐出不良を検出する。制御部４０は、吐出不良を検出した場合、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４に隣接するノズル２４４からのインクの吐出量を増やすことで、ヘッドユニット２４の補正処理を行う（ステップＳ１６）。また、制御部４０は、操作表示部５２に吐出不良に関する情報、例えば、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４、インクジェットヘッド２４２やヘッドユニット２４等を表示させてもよい。 Next, the image reading unit 26 reads the test chart 80 formed on the paper P. Then, the image reading unit 26 outputs the image data to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 detects an ejection failure of the nozzle 244 based on the image data sent from the image reading unit 26. When the ejection failure is detected, the control unit 40 performs a correction process for the head unit 24 by increasing the ejection amount of ink from the nozzle 244 adjacent to the nozzle 244 where the ejection failure has occurred (step S16). In addition, the control unit 40 may cause the operation display unit 52 to display information regarding ejection failure, for example, the nozzle 244, the inkjet head 242, the head unit 24, and the like in which ejection failure has occurred.
　上述したように、テストチャート８０を１枚の用紙Ｐ全体に形成することで、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の位置や吐出不良の度合（図５Ｂに示す抜けＴ１の大きさ）を正確に検出することができる。これにより、ステップＳ１６における補正処理の精度を向上させることができる。 As described above, by forming the test chart 80 on the entire sheet P, the position of the nozzle 244 where the ejection failure has occurred and the degree of ejection failure (the size of the missing T1 shown in FIG. 5B) are accurately detected. can do. Thereby, the precision of the correction process in step S16 can be improved.
　そして、制御部４０は、搬送駆動部５１を制御し、テストチャート８０が形成された用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に排出する（ステップＳ１７）。これにより、ユーザは、テストチャート８０を視認することで、ノズル２４４の吐出不良の有無を確認することができる。そして、ユーザは、テストチャート８０に抜けＴ１（図５Ｂ参照）や画像不良が発生していると判断した場合、例えば、排紙部３０の排紙トレー３１に載置された用紙Ｐのうちテストチャート８０が形成された用紙Ｐの前後の用紙Ｐの画像の状態を判断して良否判定を行うこともできる。 Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S17). Thereby, the user can confirm the presence or absence of ejection failure of the nozzle 244 by visually recognizing the test chart 80. When the user determines that a missing T1 (see FIG. 5B) or an image defect has occurred in the test chart 80, for example, a test is performed on the paper P placed on the paper discharge tray 31 of the paper discharge unit 30. It is also possible to make a pass / fail judgment by judging the state of the image of the paper P before and after the paper P on which the chart 80 is formed.
　さらに、ユーザは、テストチャート８０が形成された用紙Ｐの状態を判断することで、ジョブを継続させるか否かを操作表示部５２又は外部装置２を介して制御部４０に指示を行うことができる。なお、第１の動作例では、ユーザがテストチャート８０の状態を確認している間も、インクジェット記録装置１におけるジョブの処理、すなわち画像形成処理が継続して行われている。そのため、インクジェット記録装置１におけるジョブの処理速度が低下することを防ぐことができる。 Furthermore, the user can instruct the control unit 40 via the operation display unit 52 or the external device 2 whether to continue the job by determining the state of the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed. it can. In the first operation example, while the user confirms the state of the test chart 80, job processing in the inkjet recording apparatus 1, that is, image formation processing is continuously performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a reduction in job processing speed in the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
　また、ステップＳ１４の処理において、規定枚数に達していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ１４のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、処理をステップＳ１８に移行させる。 If it is determined in step S14 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S14), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S18.
　次に、制御部４０は、ジョブが終了したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ１８）。具体的には、制御部４０は、ジョブ枚数カウンタの値が予め入力された画像形成処理情報（ジョブ情報）の枚数に達したか、又はステップＳ１７の処理の後にユーザから、ジョブの終了指示が入力されたかを判断する。 Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the job is finished (step S18). Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the job number counter value has reached the number of pre-input image formation processing information (job information), or a job end instruction is issued from the user after step S17. Determine whether it was entered.
　ステップＳ１８の処理において、ジョブが終了していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ１８のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、ステップＳ１２の処理に戻り、ジョブを継続させる。また、ステップＳ１８の処理において、ジョブが終了したと判断した場合（ステップＳ１８のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１における画像形成処理を終了させる。このような工程を行うことにより、インクジェット記録装置１におけるノズルの吐出不良検出の第１の動作が完了する。 If it is determined in step S18 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S18), the control unit 40 returns to step S12 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S18 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S18), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. By performing such a process, the first operation for detecting defective ejection of nozzles in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
２－２．第２の動作例
　次に、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第２の動作例について図９及び図１０を参照して説明する。
　図９は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第２の動作例を示すフローチャート、図１０は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第２の動作例における操作表示部５２に表示される表示例を示している。 2-2. Second Operation Example Next, a second operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection, and FIG. 10 illustrates a display example displayed on the operation display unit 52 in the second operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection.
　この第２の動作例は、テストチャート８０を形成した際に、インクジェット記録装置１の動作を一時停止するものである。そのため、第１の動作例と同一の処理については、説明を省略する。 In the second operation example, when the test chart 80 is formed, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is temporarily stopped. Therefore, description of the same processing as that in the first operation example is omitted.
　まず、図９に示すように、ユーザは、操作表示部５２を介して不良検出設定を行う（ステップＳ２１）。具体的には、図１０に示すように、ユーザは、第１の動作例と同様に、テストチャート挿入メニュー５２２の間隔ボタン５２２ｂを入力すると共に、プルダウンメニュー５２２ｃを操作して、テストチャート８０を挿入する間隔を設定する。そして、ユーザは、ノズル欠対応メニュー５２３の一時停止ボタン５２３ａを選択する。この不良検出設定は、記憶部４４に格納される。 First, as shown in FIG. 9, the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S21). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the user inputs the interval button 522b of the test chart insertion menu 522 and operates the pull-down menu 522c to display the test chart 80 as in the first operation example. Set the insertion interval. Then, the user selects the pause button 523a of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523. This defect detection setting is stored in the storage unit 44.
　次に、制御部４０は、装置全体を制御し、通常の画像を用紙Ｐに形成する（ステップＳ２２）。そして、制御部４０は、搬送駆動部５１を制御し、画像が形成された用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に排出する（ステップＳ２３）。 Next, the control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus and forms a normal image on the paper P (step S22). Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S23).
　次に、制御部４０は、通常画像を形成した用紙Ｐの枚数が規定枚数に達したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ２４）。ステップＳ２４の処理において、規定枚数に達したと判断した場合（ステップＳ２４のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、ヘッドユニット２４を制御し、テストチャート８０を形成する（ステップＳ２５）。 Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached a specified number (step S24). If it is determined in step S24 that the specified number has been reached (YES in step S24), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form a test chart 80 (step S25).
　次に、テストチャート８０を画像読取部２６で読み取り、補正が必要な場合は補正処理を行う（ステップＳ２６）。そして、テストチャート８０が形成された用紙Ｐを排出する（ステップＳ２７）。 Next, the test chart 80 is read by the image reading unit 26, and when correction is necessary, correction processing is performed (step S26). Then, the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed is discharged (step S27).
　次に、制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１におけるジョブの処理を一時停止し、操作表示部５２に処理選択画面を表示させる（ステップＳ２８）。そして、ユーザは、用紙Ｐに形成されたテストチャート８０の状態を判断する。例えば、テストチャート８０に生じた抜けＴ１（図５Ｂ参照）の大きさや数等によりノズル２４４の吐出不良状態を確認する。ユーザは、用紙Ｐに形成されたテストチャート８０の状態に基づいてステップＳ２６の補正処理では不十分であると判断した場合、ジョブの終了指示を操作表示部５２又は外部装置２を介して入力する。 Next, the control unit 40 temporarily stops the job processing in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and causes the operation display unit 52 to display a processing selection screen (step S28). Then, the user determines the state of the test chart 80 formed on the paper P. For example, the ejection failure state of the nozzle 244 is confirmed based on the size and number of missing T1 (see FIG. 5B) generated in the test chart 80. If the user determines that the correction process in step S26 is insufficient based on the state of the test chart 80 formed on the paper P, the user inputs a job end instruction via the operation display unit 52 or the external device 2. .
　また、ステップＳ２４の処理において、規定枚数に達していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ２４のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、処理をステップＳ２９に移行させる。 If it is determined in step S24 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S24), the control unit 40 shifts the process to step S29.
　ステップＳ２８の処理においてユーザから指示が入力されると、制御部４０は、ジョブが終了したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ２９）。ステップＳ２９の処理において、ジョブが終了していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ２９のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、ステップＳ２２の処理に戻り、ジョブを継続させる。また、ステップＳ２９の処理において、ジョブが終了したと判断した場合（ステップＳ２９のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１における画像形成処理を終了させる。これにより、インクジェット記録装置１におけるノズル２４４の吐出不良検出の第２の動作が完了する。 When an instruction is input from the user in the process of step S28, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the job is completed (step S29). If it is determined in step S29 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S29), the control unit 40 returns to step S22 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S29 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S29), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Thereby, the second operation for detecting ejection failure of the nozzle 244 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
　なお、ステップＳ２８における装置の一時停止及び処理選択画面を表示させる処理は、テストチャート８０を形成する毎に行うものに限定されるものではない。例えば、吐出不良のノズル２４４の数や、吐出不良の度合（図５Ｂに示す抜けＴ１の大きさ）が閾値を超えた際に、ステップＳ２８における一時停止及び処理選択画面を表示させる処理を行うようにしてもよい。これにより、インクジェット記録装置１におけるジョブの処理速度が低下することを防ぐことができる。 Note that the process of displaying the apparatus suspension and process selection screen in step S28 is not limited to that performed every time the test chart 80 is formed. For example, when the number of ejection failure nozzles 244 and the degree of ejection failure (the size of the missing T1 shown in FIG. 5B) exceed a threshold value, a process of displaying a pause and process selection screen in step S28 is performed. It may be. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the job processing speed in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 from being lowered.
２－３．第３の動作例
　次に、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第３の動作例について図１１～図１３を参照して説明する。
　図１１は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第３の動作例を示す説明図、図１２は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第３の動作例を示すフローチャート、図１３は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第３の動作例における操作表示部５２に表示される表示例を示している。 2-3. Third Operation Example Next, a third operation example of nozzle ejection failure detection will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a third operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing nozzle discharge failure detection. The example of a display displayed on the operation display part 52 in the operation example of 3 is shown.
　上述した第１の動作例及び第２の動作例では、テストチャート８０を一定の間隔で形成する例を説明したが、これに限定されるものではなく、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔をジョブの中で変えてもよい。 In the first operation example and the second operation example described above, the example in which the test chart 80 is formed at a constant interval has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may change it inside.
　ここで、吐出不良の原因の一つは、インクに含まれる気泡が大きくなることで発生する。そのため、インクが貯留されたタンクからノズル２４４までのインクが流れる流路には、インクに含まれる気泡を除去する脱気装置が設けられている。また、インクジェット記録装置１は、インクジェットヘッド２４２とタンクの間でインクを循環させることで、インクに含まれる気泡を、脱気装置を用いて除去している。 Here, one of the causes of ejection failure is caused by the increase of bubbles contained in the ink. For this reason, a deaeration device for removing bubbles contained in the ink is provided in the flow path through which the ink flows from the tank in which the ink is stored to the nozzle 244. In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 circulates ink between the ink jet head 242 and the tank, thereby removing bubbles contained in the ink using a deaeration device.
　しかしながら、インクの循環動作が一定時間行われないと、インクに含まれる気泡が大きくなり、ノズル２４４の吐出不良が発生し易くなる。そのため、図１１に示すように、ジョブを開始する際、最初にテストチャート８０を形成する間隔（１０枚）を、それ以降にテストチャート８０を形成する間隔（２０枚、４０枚）を短くすることが好ましい。これにより、テストチャート８０が形成される用紙Ｐの枚数を減らすことができる。また、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔は、通常画像の枚数の増加に伴って長くしてもよい（２０枚から４０枚）。 However, if the ink circulation operation is not performed for a certain period of time, bubbles contained in the ink become large and ejection failure of the nozzle 244 is likely to occur. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when starting a job, the interval (10 sheets) for forming the test chart 80 first is shortened, and the intervals (20 sheets, 40 sheets) for forming the test chart 80 thereafter are shortened. It is preferable. Thereby, the number of sheets P on which the test chart 80 is formed can be reduced. Further, the interval for forming the test chart 80 may be increased as the number of normal images increases (from 20 to 40).
　テストチャート８０を形成する間隔の変更は、ユーザが行ってもよく、あるいは制御部４０が行ってもよい。なお、第３の動作例では、ユーザがテストチャート８０を形成する間隔、すなわちテストチャート８０の間に形成される通常画像の規定枚数の変更をユーザが行う例について説明する。なお、第１の動作例及び第２の動作例と同一の処理については、説明を省略する。 The change of the interval for forming the test chart 80 may be performed by the user or the control unit 40. In the third operation example, an example will be described in which the user changes the interval at which the user forms the test chart 80, that is, the specified number of normal images formed between the test charts 80. Note that description of the same processing as in the first operation example and the second operation example is omitted.
　まず、図１２に示すように、ユーザは、操作表示部５２を介して不良検出設定を行う（ステップＳ３１）。具体的には、図１３に示すように、ユーザは、テストチャート挿入メニュー５２２の自動ボタン５２２ｄを選択する。また、ユーザは、第２の動作例と同様に、ノズル欠対応メニュー５２３の一時停止ボタン５２３ａを選択する。この不良検出設定は、記憶部４４に格納される。 First, as shown in FIG. 12, the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S31). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the user selects an automatic button 522d of the test chart insertion menu 522. Further, as in the second operation example, the user selects the pause button 523a of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523. This defect detection setting is stored in the storage unit 44.
　次に、制御部４０は、装置全体を制御し、通常の画像を用紙Ｐに形成する（ステップＳ３２）。そして、制御部４０は、搬送駆動部５１を制御し、画像が形成された用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に排出する（ステップＳ３３）。 Next, the control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus to form a normal image on the paper P (step S32). Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S33).
　次に、制御部４０は、通常画像を形成した用紙Ｐの枚数が規定枚数に達したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ３４）。ステップＳ３４の処理において、規定枚数に達したと判断した場合（ステップＳ３４のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、ヘッドユニット２４を制御し、テストチャート８０を形成する（ステップＳ３５）。 Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached a specified number (step S34). If it is determined in step S34 that the specified number has been reached (YES determination in step S34), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form a test chart 80 (step S35).
　次に、テストチャート８０を画像読取部２６で読み取り、補正が必要な場合は補正処理を行う（ステップＳ３６）。そして、テストチャート８０が形成された用紙Ｐを排出する（ステップＳ３７）。 Next, the test chart 80 is read by the image reading unit 26, and when correction is necessary, correction processing is performed (step S36). Then, the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed is discharged (step S37).
　次に、制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１におけるジョブの処理を一時停止し、操作表示部５２に処理選択画面を表示させる（ステップＳ３８）。ステップＳ３８の処理で表示される処理選択画面には、ユーザに規定枚数を変更するか否かの情報が表示される。そして、ユーザは、テストチャート８０の状態を判断し、テストチャート８０を挿入する規定枚数の変更や、ジョブの終了指示又は継続指示等の情報を入力する。 Next, the control unit 40 temporarily stops the job processing in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and causes the operation display unit 52 to display a processing selection screen (step S38). On the process selection screen displayed in the process of step S38, information on whether or not to change the specified number of sheets is displayed to the user. Then, the user determines the state of the test chart 80 and inputs information such as a change in the specified number of sheets into which the test chart 80 is inserted, a job end instruction or a continuation instruction.
　ユーザは、例えば、テストチャート８０の状態を判断し、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の数が少なく、度合が小さい場合、テストチャート８０を形成するまでの通常画像の規定枚数を多くし、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔を長くする。または、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の数が多く、度合が大きい場合、テストチャート８０を形成するまでの通常画像の規定枚数を少なくし、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔を短くする。 For example, the user determines the state of the test chart 80, and when the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred is small and the degree is small, the prescribed number of normal images until the test chart 80 is formed is increased. The interval for forming 80 is increased. Alternatively, when the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred is large and the degree is large, the prescribed number of normal images until the test chart 80 is formed is reduced, and the interval at which the test chart 80 is formed is shortened.
　次に、制御部４０は、規定枚数が更新されたか否かを判断する（ステップＳ３９）。制御部４０は、ユーザがテストチャート８０を挿入する間隔である規定枚数の変更することを入力したか否かを判断する。ステップＳ３９の処理において、規定枚数が更新されたと判断した場合（ステップＳ３９のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、規定枚数を更新する（ステップＳ４１）。そして、制御部４０は、ステップＳ３２の処理に戻り、ジョブを継続させる。 Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the specified number has been updated (step S39). The control unit 40 determines whether or not the user has input to change the specified number of sheets, which is the interval at which the test chart 80 is inserted. If it is determined in step S39 that the specified number has been updated (YES in step S39), the control unit 40 updates the specified number (step S41). Then, the control unit 40 returns to the process of step S32 and continues the job.
　また、ステップＳ３９の処理において、規定枚数が更新されていないと判断した場合（ステップＳ３９のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、処理をステップＳ４２に移行させる。 If it is determined in step S39 that the specified number has not been updated (NO determination in step S39), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S42.
　なお、ステップＳ３４の処理において、規定枚数に達していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ３４のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、処理をステップＳ４２に移行させる。 If it is determined in step S34 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S34), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S42.
　制御部４０は、ジョブが終了したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ４２）。ステップＳ４２の処理において、ジョブが終了していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ４２のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、ステップＳ３２の処理に戻り、ジョブを継続させる。また、ステップＳ４２の処理において、ジョブが終了したと判断した場合（ステップＳ４２のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１における画像形成処理を終了させる。これにより、インクジェット記録装置１におけるノズル２４４の吐出不良検出の第３の動作が完了する。 The control unit 40 determines whether the job is finished (step S42). If it is determined in step S42 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S42), the control unit 40 returns to step S32 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S42 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S42), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Thereby, the third operation for detecting defective ejection of the nozzle 244 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
２－４．第４の動作例
　次に、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第４の動作例について図１４～図１６を参照して説明する。
　図１４は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第４の動作例を示す説明図、図１５は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第３の動作例を示すフローチャート、図１６は、ノズルの吐出不良検出の第３の動作例における操作表示部５２に表示される表示例を示している。 2-4. Fourth Example of Operation Next, a fourth example of operation for detecting ejection failure of nozzles will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a third operation example of nozzle discharge failure detection, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing nozzle discharge failure detection. The example of a display displayed on the operation display part 52 in the operation example of 3 is shown.
　ここで、流路を流れるインクの気泡を除去する脱気装置は、経年劣化によるポンプの能力が低下したり、気泡を排出するための経路が詰まったりすることで、常に同じ効果を発揮できるとは限らない。さらに、流路のインクに含まれる空気含有量の変化により、脱気装置で除去できる気泡の量が変化する。これらにより、吐出不良の発生頻度が変化するため、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔の変更は、吐出不良の状態に応じて変更することが好ましい。 Here, the deaeration device that removes the bubbles of ink flowing in the flow path can always exhibit the same effect by reducing the capacity of the pump due to deterioration over time or clogging the path for discharging bubbles. Is not limited. Furthermore, the amount of bubbles that can be removed by the deaeration device changes due to a change in the air content contained in the ink in the flow path. As a result, the frequency of occurrence of ejection failure changes, so it is preferable to change the interval for forming the test chart 80 according to the state of ejection failure.
　例えば、テストチャート８０の状態に基づいて、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の数が、一定期間無かった場合、脱気装置の脱気動作が十分に行われていると判断することができる。そのため、図１４に示すように、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の数の増加が、一定期間無かった場合、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔を長くしてもよい（例えば、１０枚から５０枚）。 For example, based on the state of the test chart 80, it can be determined that the deaeration operation of the deaeration device is sufficiently performed when the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred has not occurred for a certain period. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred does not increase for a certain period, the interval for forming the test chart 80 may be increased (for example, 10 to 50). .
　また、テストチャート８０の状態に基づいて、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の数の増加がする傾向の場合、脱気装置の脱気動作が十分に行われていないと判断することができる。この場合には、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔を短くすることが好ましい。 Also, on the basis of the state of the test chart 80, when the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred tends to increase, it can be determined that the deaeration operation of the deaeration device is not sufficiently performed. In this case, it is preferable to shorten the interval at which the test chart 80 is formed.
　第４の動作例では、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔、すなわちテストチャート８０の間に形成される通常画像の規定枚数の変更をテストチャート８０の状態に基づいて、制御部４０が行う例について説明する。なお、第１の動作例、第２の動作例及び第３の動作例と同一の処理については、説明を省略する。 In the fourth operation example, an example in which the control unit 40 changes the interval at which the test chart 80 is formed, that is, the change in the specified number of normal images formed between the test charts 80 based on the state of the test chart 80 will be described. To do. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the process same as a 1st operation example, a 2nd operation example, and a 3rd operation example.
　まず、図１５に示すように、ユーザは、操作表示部５２を介して不良検出設定を行う（ステップＳ５１）。具体的には、図１６に示すように、ユーザは、テストチャート挿入メニュー５２２の自動ボタン５２２ｄを選択する。また、ユーザは、第１の動作例と同様に、ノズル欠対応メニュー５２３の継続ボタン５２３ｂを選択する。この不良検出設定は、記憶部４４に格納される。 First, as shown in FIG. 15, the user performs defect detection setting via the operation display unit 52 (step S51). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the user selects an automatic button 522d of the test chart insertion menu 522. Further, the user selects the continuation button 523b of the nozzle shortage correspondence menu 523 as in the first operation example. This defect detection setting is stored in the storage unit 44.
　また、制御部４０は、記憶部４４に規定枚数の変更を判定する閾値を格納している。なお、閾値としては、ノズル２４４の不良検出の検出結果において不良なしとなった回数の閾値となる第１閾値と、ノズル２４４の不良検出の検出結果において不良ありとなった回数の閾値となる第２閾値がある。なお、第１閾値と第２閾値は、同じ回数でもよく、第１閾値と第２閾値を異なる回数に設定してもよい。 Further, the control unit 40 stores a threshold value for determining the change of the specified number in the storage unit 44. The threshold value is a first threshold value that is a threshold value for the number of times that no defect is detected in the detection result of the defect detection for the nozzle 244, and a threshold value that is a threshold value for the number of times that a defect is detected in the detection result for the defect detection of the nozzle 244. There are two thresholds. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be the same number, and the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be set to different numbers.
　次に、制御部４０は、装置全体を制御し、通常の画像を用紙Ｐに形成する（ステップＳ５２）。そして、制御部４０は、搬送駆動部５１を制御し、画像が形成された用紙Ｐを排紙部３０に排出する（ステップＳ５３）。 Next, the control unit 40 controls the entire apparatus and forms a normal image on the paper P (step S52). Then, the control unit 40 controls the transport driving unit 51 to discharge the paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge unit 30 (step S53).
　次に、制御部４０は、通常画像を形成した用紙Ｐの枚数が規定枚数に達したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ５４）。ステップＳ５４の処理において、規定枚数に達したと判断した場合（ステップＳ５４のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、ヘッドユニット２４を制御し、テストチャート８０を形成する（ステップＳ５５）。 Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the number of sheets P on which the normal image is formed has reached a specified number (step S54). When it is determined in step S54 that the specified number has been reached (YES determination in step S54), the control unit 40 controls the head unit 24 to form the test chart 80 (step S55).
　次に、テストチャート８０を画像読取部２６で読み取り、補正が必要な場合は補正処理を行う（ステップＳ５６）。また、制御部４０は、画像読取部２６から送られた画像データに基づいて吐出不良が生じているノズル２４４の有無を判別する。制御部４０は、吐出不良を検出した場合、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４に隣接するノズル２４４からのインクの吐出量を増やすことで、ヘッドユニット２４の補正処理を行う。さらに、制御部４０は、記憶部４４に不良検出に関する情報、例えば、吐出不良が発生したノズル２４４の数、吐出不良の度合、吐出不良を検出した時間等を格納する。 Next, the test chart 80 is read by the image reading unit 26, and if correction is necessary, correction processing is performed (step S56). Further, the control unit 40 determines the presence / absence of the nozzle 244 in which ejection failure has occurred based on the image data sent from the image reading unit 26. When the ejection failure is detected, the control unit 40 performs the correction process of the head unit 24 by increasing the ejection amount of ink from the nozzle 244 adjacent to the nozzle 244 where the ejection failure has occurred. Further, the control unit 40 stores information related to failure detection in the storage unit 44, for example, the number of nozzles 244 in which ejection failure has occurred, the degree of ejection failure, the time at which ejection failure was detected, and the like.
　そして、テストチャート８０が形成された用紙Ｐを排出する（ステップＳ５７）。 Then, the paper P on which the test chart 80 is formed is discharged (step S57).
　次に、制御部４０は、記憶部４４に格納した不良検出に関する情報に基づいて、吐出不良なしの履歴（回数）が一定期間（第１閾値）以上あるか否かを判断する（ステップＳ５８）。ステップＳ５８の処理において、不良なしの履歴が一定期間以上あると判断した場合（ステップＳ５８のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、規定枚数を増加させ、増加させた規定枚数を記憶部に格納する（ステップＳ５９）。そして、制御部４０は、ステップＳ５２の処理に戻り、ジョブを継続させる。 Next, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the history (number of times) of no ejection failure is equal to or longer than a certain period (first threshold) based on the information related to failure detection stored in the storage unit 44 (step S58). . In the process of step S58, when it is determined that there is a history of no defects for a certain period (YES determination in step S58), the control unit 40 increases the specified number of sheets and stores the increased specified number in the storage unit ( Step S59). Then, the control unit 40 returns to the process of step S52 and continues the job.
　また、ステップＳ５８の処理において、不良なしの履歴が一定期間未満であると判断した場合（ステップＳ５８のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、記憶部４４に格納した不良検出に関する情報に基づいて、吐出不良ありの履歴（回数）が一定期間（第２閾値）以上あるか否かを判断する（ステップＳ６１）。ステップＳ６１の処理において、不良ありの履歴が一定期間以上あると判断した場合（ステップＳ６１のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、規定枚数を減少させ、現状させた規定枚数を記憶部に格納する（ステップＳ６１）。そして、制御部４０は、ステップＳ５２の処理に戻り、ジョブを継続させる。 Further, in the process of step S58, when it is determined that the history of no defect is less than a certain period (NO determination of step S58), the control unit 40 performs ejection based on the information regarding the defect detection stored in the storage unit 44. It is determined whether or not the defect history (number of times) is longer than a certain period (second threshold) (step S61). In the process of step S61, when it is determined that there is a history of defects for a certain period (YES determination in step S61), the control unit 40 decreases the specified number of sheets and stores the current specified number of sheets in the storage unit ( Step S61). Then, the control unit 40 returns to the process of step S52 and continues the job.
　また、ステップＳ６１処理において、不良ありの履歴が一定期間未満であると判断した場合（ステップＳ６１のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、テストチャート８０を形成する間隔、すなわち規定枚数の変更を行わず、処理をステップＳ６３に移行させる。 If it is determined in step S61 that the history of defects is less than a certain period (NO determination in step S61), the control unit 40 does not change the interval for forming the test chart 80, that is, the specified number of sheets. Then, the process proceeds to step S63.
　なお、ステップＳ５４の処理において、規定枚数に達していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ５４のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、処理をステップＳ６３に移行させる。 If it is determined in step S54 that the specified number has not been reached (NO determination in step S54), the control unit 40 moves the process to step S63.
　制御部４０は、ジョブが終了したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ６３）。ステップＳ６３の処理において、ジョブが終了していないと判断した場合（ステップＳ６３のＮＯ判定）、制御部４０は、ステップＳ５２の処理に戻り、ジョブを継続させる。また、ステップＳ６３の処理において、ジョブが終了したと判断した場合（ステップＳ６３のＹＥＳ判定）、制御部４０は、インクジェット記録装置１における画像形成処理を終了させる。これにより、インクジェット記録装置１におけるノズル２４４の吐出不良検出の第４の動作が完了する。 The control unit 40 determines whether or not the job is finished (step S63). If it is determined in step S63 that the job has not ended (NO determination in step S63), the control unit 40 returns to step S52 and continues the job. If it is determined in step S63 that the job has ended (YES determination in step S63), the control unit 40 ends the image forming process in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. As a result, the fourth operation for detecting ejection failure of the nozzle 244 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is completed.
　また、図１５に示す第４の動作例では、吐出不良なしの回数が閾値を超えた場合に規定枚数を増加させる処理（ステップＳ５８とステップＳ５９）と、吐出不良ありの回数が閾値を超えた場合に規定枚数を減少させる処理（ステップＳ６１とステップＳ６２）の両方を行う例を説明したが、これに限定されるものではない。例えば、吐出不良なしの回数が閾値を超えた場合に規定枚数を増加させる処理（ステップＳ５８とステップＳ５９）と、吐出不良ありの回数が閾値を超えた場合に規定枚数を減少させる処理（ステップＳ６１とステップＳ６２）のうちいずれか一方の処理だけを行ってもよい。 Further, in the fourth operation example shown in FIG. 15, when the number of ejection failures does not exceed the threshold, the process of increasing the specified number (steps S58 and S59), and the number of ejection failures exceeds the threshold. Although the example which performs both the process (step S61 and step S62) which reduces a regulation number in the case was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, a process for increasing the specified number when the number of ejection failures does not exceed the threshold (steps S58 and S59), and a process for decreasing the specified number when the number of ejection failures exceeds the threshold (step S61). Or only step S62) may be performed.
　なお、本発明は上述しかつ図面に示した実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、請求の範囲に記載した発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々の変形実施が可能である。 The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention described in the claims.
　また、上述した実施の形態例では、記録媒体として用紙を用いた例を説明したが、これに限定されるものではなく、記録媒体としては、例えば、布帛、プラスチックフィルム、ガラス板等その他各種の記録媒体を適用できるものである。 In the above-described embodiment, an example in which paper is used as the recording medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and examples of the recording medium include various other materials such as fabrics, plastic films, and glass plates. A recording medium can be applied.
　１…インクジェット記録装置、　２…外部装置、　１０…給紙部、　１１…給紙トレー、　１２…用紙供給部、　２０…画像形成部、　２１…画像形成ドラム、　２３…加熱部、　２４…ヘッドユニット、　２５…定着部、　２６…画像読取部、　２７…用紙排出部、　２８…用紙反転部、　３０…排紙部、　３１…排紙トレー、　４０…制御部、　４１…ＣＰＵ、　４２…ＲＡＭ、　４３…ＲＯＭ、　４４…記憶部、　５１…搬送駆動部、　５２…操作表示部、　５３…入出力インターフェース、　５４…システムバス、　８０…テストチャート、　８１Ｙ…第１チャート群、　８１Ｍ…第２チャート群、　８１Ｃ…第３チャート群、　８１Ｂｋ…第４チャート群、　８１…テストパターン、　８１ａ…パターン線、　２４２…インクジェットヘッド、　２４３…インクジェットモジュール、　２４４…ノズル、　Ｐ…用紙（記録媒体） DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet recording device, 2 ... External device, 10 ... Paper feed part, 11 ... Paper feed tray, 12 ... Paper supply part, 20 ... Image formation part, 21 ... Image formation drum, 23 ... Heating part, 24 ... Head unit , 25 ... fixing unit, 26 ... image reading unit, 27 ... paper discharge unit, 28 ... paper reversing unit, 30 ... paper discharge unit, 31 ... paper discharge tray, 40 ... control unit, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... RAM, 43 ... ROM, 44 ... storage unit, 51 ... conveyance drive unit, 52 ... operation display unit, 53 ... input / output interface, 54 ... system bus, 80 ... test chart, 81Y ... first chart group, 81M ... second chart group, 81C: Third chart group, 81Bk: Fourth chart group, 81: Test pattern, 81a: Pattern line, 242: Ink Ttoheddo, 243 ... ink jet module, 244 ... nozzle, P ... paper (recording medium)

Claims (9)

  1. 　記録媒体にインクを吐出する複数のノズルを有し、前記記録媒体に画像を形成するインクジェットヘッドと、
    　前記インクジェットヘッドの解像度よりも粗い分解能を有し、前記インクジェットヘッドによって前記記録媒体に形成された画像を読み取る画像読取部と、
    　前記インクジェットヘッド及び前記画像読取部の制御を行う制御部と、を備え、
    　前記制御部は、前記インクジェットヘッドを制御し、通常の画像形成を規定枚数行った後に、前記複数のノズルの吐出不良を検出するためのテストチャートを１枚の前記記録媒体に形成させる
    　インクジェット記録装置。     An inkjet head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink on a recording medium, and forming an image on the recording medium;
    An image reading unit that has a resolution that is coarser than the resolution of the inkjet head, and that reads an image formed on the recording medium by the inkjet head;
    A control unit that controls the inkjet head and the image reading unit,
    The control unit controls the ink-jet head to form a test chart for detecting ejection failure of the plurality of nozzles on one recording medium after performing a prescribed number of normal image formations. .
  2. 　前記規定枚数は、変更可能に構成されている
    　請求項１記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed number is configured to be changeable.
  3. 　前記制御部は、画像形成処理を開始する際、最初に前記テストチャートが形成されるまでの規定枚数を、それ以降に前記テストチャートが形成されるまでの規定枚数よりも少なく設定する
    　請求項２記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The control unit, when starting an image forming process, sets a prescribed number of sheets until the test chart is first formed to be smaller than a prescribed number of sheets until the test chart is formed thereafter. The ink jet recording apparatus described.
  4. 　前記制御部は、前記画像読取部が読み取った前記テストチャートの画像データに基づいて、前記複数のノズルの吐出不良を検出する
    　請求項１～３のいずれか１項に記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit detects ejection defects of the plurality of nozzles based on image data of the test chart read by the image reading unit.
  5. 　前記制御部は、前記複数のノズルの吐出不良の検出結果に基づいて、前記インクジェットヘッドの補正処理を行う
    　請求項４記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit performs a correction process of the inkjet head based on a detection result of ejection failure of the plurality of nozzles.
  6. 　前記制御部は、前記複数のノズルの吐出不良の検出結果に基づいて、前記規定枚数の変更を行う
    　請求項４又は５記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit changes the prescribed number based on a detection result of ejection failure of the plurality of nozzles.
  7. 　前記制御部は、前記規定枚数の変更を判定する閾値を有し、
    　前記複数のノズルの吐出不良の検出結果において吐出不良なしと判定した回数が前記閾値以上である場合に前記規定枚数を増加させる処理と、前記複数のノズルの吐出不良の検出結果において吐出不良ありと判定した回数が前記閾値以上である場合に前記規定枚数を減少させる処理とのいずれか一方の処理を行う、または両方の処理を行う
    　請求項６記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The control unit has a threshold value for determining change of the specified number of sheets,
    A process of increasing the specified number when the number of times that it is determined that there is no ejection failure in the detection result of the ejection failure of the plurality of nozzles is equal to or greater than the threshold, and that there is an ejection failure in the detection result of the ejection failure of the plurality of nozzles The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the determined number of times is equal to or greater than the threshold value, either one or both of the processes for reducing the specified number of sheets is performed.
  8. 　前記複数のノズルの吐出不良を検出した際に、前記インクジェットヘッドによる画像形成動作を停止させる
    　請求項４～７のいずれか１項に記載のインクジェット記録装置。     The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein an image forming operation by the inkjet head is stopped when an ejection failure of the plurality of nozzles is detected.
  9. 　制御部がインクジェットヘッドを制御し、複数のノズルからインクを記録媒体に向けて吐出させて画像を形成する工程と、
    　通常の画像形成を規定枚数行った後に、前記制御部が前記インクジェットヘッドを制御し、前記複数のノズルの吐出不良を検出するためのテストチャートを１枚の前記記録媒体に形成する工程と、
    　を含むインクジェット記録装置の制御方法。
          A step of controlling the ink jet head by the control unit and ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles toward a recording medium to form an image;
    A step of forming a test chart on one sheet of the recording medium for the control unit to control the inkjet head after detecting a predetermined number of normal image formations to detect ejection defects of the plurality of nozzles;
    A method for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus including:
PCT/JP2018/000076 2017-02-28 2018-01-05 Inkjet recording device and inkjet recording device control method WO2018159097A1 (en)

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