JP2010006008A - Recording unit, ink-jet recording device, control program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording unit that can miniaturize a recording device by dividing a function of recording an image by an ink-jet recording system, into different units, and to provide an ink-jet recording device, a control program and a storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: The ink-jet recording device is composed of a combination of the recording unit Y1 and a plurality of conveying units Y2 different in conveying conditions of a label W. The conveying unit Y2 conveys the label W along a conveying line L at least partially exposed to the outside. A recording part 20 of the recording unit Y1 records an image on the label W on the conveying line L using a recording head 2 facing the exposed part of the conveying line L. A control part of the recording unit Y1 drives the recording head 2 based on driving conditions corresponding to the conveying conditions of the label W in the conveying unit Y2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording unit, an ink jet recording apparatus, a control program, and a storage medium for recording an image on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head capable of ejecting ink.

  In a general ink jet recording apparatus, a recording unit including an ink jet recording head, a transport unit for transporting a recording medium, and the like are incorporated in one housing.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique for configuring a recording apparatus by combining a plurality of units, and examples of image forming units that can be combined include various recording systems such as an ink jet recording system and a thermal transfer system. ing. The image forming unit includes a transport mechanism for transporting a recording medium supplied from another unit within the image forming unit, and a recording unit for recording an image on the recording medium transported by the transport mechanism. , Is provided.

  In recent years, development of these recording apparatuses for industrial printing has been demanded, and in particular, an increasing number of users have requested on-demand printing by an ink jet recording method. In the industrial printing industry, it is almost the case that the conveying device is designed and procured by itself. For example, various printing methods such as a rotary press, gravure printing, offset printing, intaglio, letterpress, and flat plate are selected as the printing section (recording section) at the appropriate time, and the printing section and its own transport device are combined and customized. .

Japanese Patent No. 2960764

  Since the image forming unit in Patent Document 1 includes not only an image recording unit but also a recording medium transport mechanism, the downsizing of the recording apparatus and the downsizing of the entire recording apparatus are restricted. In the above-described industrial printing, the printing unit (recording unit) must correspond to each of the existing different transport mechanisms.

  An object of the present invention is to divide a function for recording an image by an inkjet recording method into different units, to reduce the size of the recording apparatus, and to easily correspond to a transport mechanism having different specifications in industrial printing, To provide an ink jet recording apparatus, a control program, and a storage medium.

  The recording unit of the present invention is a recording unit that constitutes an ink jet recording apparatus by being combined with any of a plurality of transport units having different transport conditions for a recording medium, and the plurality of transport units are at least partially external. A recording unit that conveys the recording medium along a conveyance line exposed to the recording line, and the recording unit includes a recording head that faces the exposed part of the conveyance line when combined with any of the plurality of conveyance units. And a recording unit that records an image by discharging ink from the recording head to the recording medium on the conveyance line, and a driving condition according to the conveyance condition of the conveyance unit combined with the recording unit. And a controller for driving the recording head.

  The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus configured by a combination of one of a plurality of transport units having different transport conditions of a recording medium and a recording unit, and the plurality of transport units are at least partially Includes a transport unit that transports the recording medium along a transport line exposed to the outside, and the recording unit is a recording that faces the exposed portion of the transport line when combined with any of the plurality of transport units. A recording unit that records an image by ejecting ink from the recording head to the recording medium on the conveyance line using the head, and a driving condition corresponding to the conveyance condition of the conveyance unit combined with the recording unit And a controller for driving the recording head.

  The control program of the present invention is a control program for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus configured by a combination of one of a plurality of transport units having different transport conditions of a recording medium and a recording unit, A step of causing a computer to execute a step of setting a driving condition of the recording head in accordance with the transport condition of the transport unit to be combined.

  A storage medium storing a program code readable by a computer of the present invention is characterized in that the control program is stored.

  According to the present invention, by standardizing the configuration of the recording unit and combining the recording unit with any one of a plurality of transport units having different transport conditions for the recording medium, the ink jet recording apparatus is configured. It is possible to efficiently produce many kinds of small quantities. The recording unit records an image by ejecting ink onto the recording medium on the transport line using a recording head facing the exposed portion of the transport line of the recording medium in the transport unit. It is not necessary to provide a transport function. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size of the recording unit and thus the size of the entire recording apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment is an application example as a label printer capable of recording a color image on a label.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus (label printer) 100 according to the present embodiment, and includes a recording unit Y1 including a control unit 10, a recording unit 20, and the like, and a conveyance including a recording medium conveyance unit 80 and the like. Unit Y2 is combined. 2 is an external perspective view of the recording apparatus 100, FIG. 3 is a perspective view when a part of the exterior of the recording apparatus 100 is removed, and FIG. 4 is a view taken along the arrow IV in FIG. Are combined up and down.

  First, the configuration of the recording apparatus 100 will be described by dividing it into (1) a recording unit Y1 and (2) a transport unit Y2.

(1) Configuration of recording unit Y1 (1-1) Control unit 10
The control unit 10 is configured on a control board provided in the recording unit Y1, and controls the entire recording apparatus 100. The CPU 11 executes control processing of the operation of the recording apparatus 100, data processing, and the like, and the ROM 12 stores programs such as those processing procedures. The RAM 13 is used as a work area for executing these processes. The control unit 10 is connected to a host device 110 in the form of a personal computer or the like via the interface 1, exchanges control signals with the host device 110, and also records image data to be recorded from the host device 110. Receive.

  As will be described later, the control unit 10 drives the recording head 2 based on a driving condition corresponding to the transport condition of the label (recording medium) W in the transport unit Y2. The control unit 10 drives and controls the transport unit Y2 according to the transport condition of the label W in the transport unit Y2, and drives the recording head 2 in synchronization with the transport operation of the label W by the transport unit Y2.

(1-2) Recording unit 20
The recording unit 20 includes an inkjet recording head capable of ejecting ink in order to record an image on a recording medium. The recording unit 20 of this example includes four recording heads 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) for ejecting yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) inks. The image is recorded on the recording surface of the continuous label (recording medium) W. The label W is continuously transported in the direction of arrow A on the transport line L by a transport unit Y1 described later. The recording head 2 is positioned above the transport line L, and continuously ejects the ink on the label W by ejecting ink toward the recording surface (the upper surface in FIG. 4) of the label W that is continuously transported. Record an image.

  The recording head 2 is formed with a plurality of ejection openings arranged in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction A (in this example, a direction orthogonal), and using the energy generated by the ejection energy generating element, Ink is ejected from each ejection port. As the ejection energy generating element, an electrothermal conversion element (heater) that generates heat when a driving pulse is applied, a piezoelectric element, or the like can be used. When the electrothermal conversion element is used, the ink can be foamed by the thermal energy generated when a voltage is applied thereto, and the ink can be ejected from the ejection port using the foaming energy. A discharge nozzle and a discharge energy generating element are also referred to as a “nozzle”.

  The recording heads 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) are positioned and mounted in the X, Y, and Z axis directions on the corresponding head holders 21 (21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K). . Further, these head holders 21 are positioned and attached to the carriage 22 in the three-axis directions of X, Y, and Z. The carriage 22 is lifted and lowered along the Z axis by a lifting mechanism 30 described later. Therefore, the position of the recording head 2 in the X and Y axis directions is fixedly determined with respect to the main body of the recording unit Y1, and the position of the recording head 2 in the Z axis direction is adjusted according to the lift position of the carriage 22. Is done. In addition, an ink tank (not shown) for supplying ink to the recording head 2 is detachably attached to the head holder 21.

  5 and 6 are views of the recording unit Y1 with the transport unit Y1 removed as viewed from below. 2Yn, 2Mn, 2Cn, and 2Kn are ejection port arrays (nozzle arrays) in the recording heads 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively, and the lengths (recording widths) of these nozzle arrays are W1. In the case of this example, those nozzle rows are closed in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of arrow A as described above. In FIG. 5, the position of the recording head 2 in the X and Y axis directions is set so that the nozzle arrays of the recording heads 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are positioned within the range of the recording width W1. In FIG. 6, the positions of the recording heads 2 in the X and Y axis directions are such that the nozzle arrays of the recording heads 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are staggered in the range of the recording width W2 (> W1). Is set.

(1-3) Elevating mechanism 30
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an elevating mechanism 30 for elevating the carriage 22. The recording head 2 is positioned and mounted on the carriage 22 via the head holder 21 as described above. In FIG. 7, the illustration of the head holder 21 is omitted.

  A guide shaft 31 extending in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 (vertical direction) along the Z axis is attached to a fixed position of the main body of the recording unit Y1, and the carriage 22 is supported by the arrows B1 and B2 by the guide shaft 31. Guided in a slidable direction. Five rollers 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, and 32E around which the timing belt 33 is stretched are provided at a fixed position of the main body of the recording unit Y1, and the rollers 32A are driven forward or reversely by a lifting motor 34. The The carriage 22 is fixed to the timing belt 33 by belt fixing portions 35A and 45B. The belt fixing portion 35A connects the carriage 22 and the portion of the timing belt 33 that is located between the rollers 32A and 32B and extends in the vertical direction. The belt fixing portion 35B connects the carriage 22 and the portion of the timing belt 33 that is located between the rollers 32C and 32D and extends in the vertical direction.

  When the roller 32A is rotated in one direction by the elevating motor 34, the timing belt 33 moves in the arrow C1 direction, and the carriage 22 rises in the arrow B1 direction. On the other hand, when the roller 32A is rotated in the other direction by the lifting motor 34, the timing belt 33 moves in the arrow C2 direction, and the carriage 22 descends in the arrow B2 direction.

(1-4) Capping mechanism 40
FIGS. 8A to 8D are schematic configuration diagrams of a capping mechanism 40 that can cap the nozzles of the recording head 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) by the cap 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K). is there. For convenience of explanation, the cap 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K) in the figure is hatched.

  A cap holder 42 that is movable in the direction of arrows D1 and D2 along the X axis is provided at a fixed position of the main body of the recording unit Y1, and a cap 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K) is attached to the cap holder 42. It has been. During the recording operation, as shown in FIG. 8A, the recording head 2 is lowered to the position P0 together with the carriage 22, and the cap holder 42 is positioned in the direction of the arrow D1, so that the cap 41 is in an uncapped state. . When capping the nozzles of the recording head 2 during the non-recording operation, the recording head 2 is first raised to a position P1 above the cap 41 together with the carriage 22, as shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8C, the cap holder 42 is moved in the direction of arrow D2, and the cap 41 is positioned below the nozzle. Then, as shown in FIG. 8D, the recording head 2 is lowered together with the carriage 22 to a position P <b> 2 where the nozzle is capped by the cap 41.

  By capping the nozzles in this way, it is possible to prevent ink from evaporating from the ejection ports, protect the nozzles, and perform a recovery process, which will be described later, during a non-recording operation.

  When starting the recording operation, it is possible to shift from the standby state of FIG. 8D to the recording operation state of FIG.

(1-5) Recovery mechanism 50
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recovery mechanism 50 that performs a recovery process for maintaining a good ink ejection state in the recording head. In FIG. 9, a recovery processing system for the recording head 2Y is shown as a representative. 3Y is an ink tank for supplying yellow (Y) ink to the recording head 2Y, and is detachably attached to the head holder 21Y as described above. Corresponding ink tanks are similarly connected to the other recording heads 2M, 2C, and 2K.

  The inside of the cap 41Y communicates with the suction path 52 through the opening / closing valve 51Y. A negative pressure is introduced into the suction path 52 by driving a suction pump 54 by a motor 53. Similarly, the other caps 41M, 41C, 41K communicate with the suction passage 52 through corresponding opening / closing valves. The suction path 52 can be released to the outside air through the atmosphere release valve 55. Further, the outlet of the suction pump 54 communicates with a detachable waste liquid tank 56.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the recording head 2Y is capped by the cap 41Y, the negative pressure in the suction path 52 can be introduced into the cap 41Y by opening the opening / closing valve 51Y. Accordingly, ink that does not contribute to image recording can be sucked and discharged (suction recovery process) from the ejection port of the recording head 2Y into the cap 41Y. By such a suction recovery process, it is possible to discharge the thickened ink and the like in the nozzles of the recording head 2Y, and to maintain the ink ejection state satisfactorily. The ink sucked into the cap 41Y is discharged into the waste liquid tank 56. Similarly, the suction recovery process can be performed on the other recording heads 2M, 2C, and 2K. The negative pressure in the suction path 52 is released by opening the air release valve 55.

  In addition, an ink absorber is provided inside the cap 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K). The cap holder 42 is provided with blades corresponding to the respective recording heads 2, and the ejection port surface (formation of ejection ports) of the recording head 2 corresponding to the blades by relative movement between the cap holder 42 and the recording head 2. Surface) can be wiped.

  Further, by ejecting ink that does not contribute to image recording into the cap from the ejection port of the recording head (preliminary ejection), the ink ejection state can be maintained well.

(1-6) Operation unit 60
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 60 is provided on the front surface of the main body of the recording unit Y1, and various key switches including a power switch, a display, and the like are attached.

(1-7) Power supply unit 70
The power supply unit 70 is provided inside the main body of the recording unit Y1, and supplies power to each unit of the recording unit Y1 and a later-described transport unit Y2.

(1-8) Others The recording unit Y1 includes various sensors such as a sheet sensor and a photoelectric sensor, which will be described later, and an opening / closing mechanism operated during maintenance.

(2) Configuration of transport unit Y2 (2-1) Transport unit 80
The transport unit 80 is provided at a fixed position of the main body of the transport unit Y2, and transports the label W in the direction of arrow A along the transport line L as shown in FIG.

  The conveyance unit 80 of this example is of a roller conveyance type, includes six conveyance rollers 81A to 81F arranged on the conveyance line L, and a configuration in which these conveyance rollers are synchronously rotated in the same direction by a driving belt 82. It has become. The drive belt 82 is stretched between the drive pulley 83 and the eight guide pulleys 84A to 84I. When the drive pulley 83 is rotated in the direction of arrow D by the transport motor 85, the transport rollers 81A to 81F rotate in the direction of arrow E and transport the label W on the transport line L in the direction of arrow A. On the transport line L, a guide (not shown) is provided.

(2-2) Recording medium supply mechanism 90
A continuous label W as a recording medium is supplied from the recording medium supply mechanism 90 to the transport unit 80.

  The recording medium supply mechanism 90 of this example is configured to continuously feed the label W from the roll body W0 and supply it to the transport unit 80 while rotating the roll body W0 on which the label W is wound. Yes. The roll body W0 is set on the shaft 91 so as to rotate about the shaft 91 extending in the vertical direction. The label W fed out from the roll body W0 is rotated 90 degrees and then guided by the guide roller 92 and the guide body 93 and guided onto the transport line L.

  The recording medium supply mechanism 90 can basically be provided on the transport unit Y2 side. However, in this example, the recording medium supply mechanism 90 is provided on the recording unit Y1 side in order to reduce the installation space of the recording apparatus and to reduce the size of the recording apparatus. That is, the shaft 91, the guide roller 92, and the guide body 93 are provided in the recording unit Y1.

(3) Relationship between the recording unit Y1 and the transport unit Y2 The recording unit Y1 has a function corresponding to each of a plurality of types of transport units Y2. In other words, it is not necessary to configure the recording unit Y1 as a dedicated unit corresponding to each of the plurality of types of transport units Y2, and it can be configured as a common unit corresponding to each of the plurality of types of transport units Y2. Therefore, by combining the recording unit Y1 and the arbitrary transport unit Y2 according to the type of recording medium to be used and the required recording speed, the recording apparatus 100 that meets the user's request can be configured. . The recording unit Y1 and the transport unit Y2 are combined with each other so that the positional relationship in the X, Y, and Z axis directions is determined.

  The recording unit Y1 sets recording conditions (including the driving conditions of the recording head 2) based on information related to the conveyance speed of the conveyance unit Y2 combined therewith.

  Hereinafter, a method for setting the recording condition will be described.

(4) Setting Method of Recording Conditions (4-1) Prerequisite Configuration of Recording Unit Y1 The recording head 2 provided in the recording unit Y1 in this example has a nozzle interval (nozzle pitch) of 42 arranged in the width direction of the label W. The recording density in the width direction of the label W is approximately 600 dpi. The frequency of the drive pulse of the recording head 2 (drive frequency) is 10 kHz at the maximum, and the plurality of nozzles are divided into 16 blocks and driven separately. Within 100 μsec of one cycle of the maximum drive frequency, the drive pulse width of the recording head 2 is 6.25 μsec (= 100 μsec / 16) at maximum as shown in FIG. Usually, in order to record a high-quality image, the recording density in the width direction of the label W and the recording density in the length direction of the label W are set to the same value. If the recording frequency in the length direction of the label W is approximately 600 dpi when the driving frequency is 10 kHz, which is the maximum, the transport speed (maximum transport speed) of the label W is 425 mm / mm. sec (= 42.5 μm / 100 μsec).

  As described above, the recording unit Y1 of this example has a maximum driving frequency of the recording head 2 of 10 kHz, and the transport unit Y2 that can be combined with the recording head 2 is premised on the transport speed of the label W up to 425 mm / sec. .

(4-2) Configuration for Condition Setting As shown in FIG. 12, a paper sensor 4 and a photoelectric sensor 5 are provided at fixed positions of the carriage 22 of the recording unit Y1.

  The paper sensor 4 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a label W passing thereunder, and various optical or mechanical sensors can be adopted. PA is the detection position of the paper sensor 4 in the transport direction of the label W, and PB is the position of the nozzle (also referred to as “first nozzle”) of the most upstream recording head 2K in the transport direction of the label W. In this example, the distance between the positions PA and PB is set to 69 mm.

  The photoelectric sensor 5 is a sensor for optically detecting the distance between the nozzles of the recording head 2 and the surface of the label W (also referred to as “ink reach distance”). When the ink reach distance is increased, the ink ejected from the recording head 2 does not land on the recording surface of the label W accurately, and the recording quality of the image may be impaired. For example, the ink reach distance may be increased when the label W is relatively thin and when the transport line L in the transport unit Y2 is formed at a relatively low position. Even when the recording unit Y1 and the transport unit Y2 are coupled so that the transport line L is positioned relatively far downward from the lowered position P0 of the recording head 2 (see FIG. 8A), the ink arrives. The distance may increase. Further, by adjusting the raising / lowering position of the carriage 22, it is possible to keep the ink reach distance within a predetermined allowable range. In the case of this example, when the ink reach distance exceeds 8 mm, it is difficult to land the ink accurately on the recording surface of the label W.

  The transport unit Y2 in FIG. 12 is a belt transport system in which the label W is transported by a transport belt 87 that is stretched between rollers 86A and 86B. As the transport unit Y2, various transport systems such as a roller transport system and a belt transport system can be used. If the control unit 10 can grasp the positional relationship between the deployment position of the paper sensor 4 and the photoelectric sensor 5 and the deployment position of the recording head 2 in the recording unit Y1, the sensors 4 and 5 are deployed on the transport unit Y2 side. It is also possible to do.

(4-3) Recording Condition Setting Processing FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining processing for setting recording conditions in accordance with the type of transport unit Y2 combined with the recording unit Y1.

  First, the conveyance speed of the conveyance unit Y2 combined with the recording unit Y1 is input from the host device 110 (step S1). As an input unit for inputting the conveyance speed, the operation unit 60 of the recording unit Y1 can be used in addition to the input unit of the host device. Further, the control unit 10 may directly input information related to the conveyance speed from the conveyance unit Y2.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the input conveyance speed is equal to or higher than the allowable conveyance speed of the recording unit Y1 (425 mm / sec in this example) (step S2). If the input transport speed is greater than or equal to the allowable range, an error is displayed on the display screen of the host device 110 (step S3), and then the process returns to step S1 to re-input the transport speed. That is, the conveyance speed of the conveyance unit Y2 is changed and re-inputted, or the conveyance unit Y2 combined with the recording unit Y1 is changed to a different conveyance speed, and the conveyance speed is re-input.

  When the input transport speed is within the allowable transport speed range of the recording unit Y1, the error may be displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 60.

  When the input conveyance speed is within the allowable range, the reference drive timing of the first nozzle is calculated (step S4). For example, when the transport speed is 150 mm / sec, the drive timing of the first nozzle is calculated based on the transport speed and the distance 69 mm between the positions PA and PB. That is, the time after 0.46 sec (= 69 (mm) / 150 (mm / sec)) after the paper sensor 4 detects the leading edge of the label is calculated as the drive timing of the first nozzle. As will be described later, when the driving frequency of the recording head 2 is set to 3.5 kHz, 0.46 sec is a time for forming approximately 1611 ink dots (≈0.46 sec / (1 sec / 3.5 kHz)). Equivalent to.

  If the conveyance speed is 500 mm / sec, the time after 0.138 sec (= 69 (mm) / 500 (mm / sec)) after the paper sensor 4 detects the leading edge of the label is the first nozzle. It is calculated as the drive timing. As will be described later, when the driving frequency of the recording head 2 is 11.76 kHz, 0.46 sec corresponds to the time for forming about 1623 ink dots (≈0.138 sec / (1 sec / 11.76 kHz)).

  The first nozzle can record an image from the leading end of the label W by starting the ejection of ink from this drive timing. When an image is recorded from a position shifted backward from the leading end of the label W, the timing for starting driving the first nozzle may be shifted in accordance with the amount of shift. For example, when an image is recorded from a position 1 mm backward from the front end of the label W when the conveyance speed is 150 mm / sec, the timing for starting driving the first nozzle is 0.067 sec (= (10 mm / 150 mm ) × 1 sec). The drive timings of the nozzles (second, third, and fourth nozzles) in the recording heads 2C, 2M, and 2Y are determined from the drive timing of the first nozzle by a time corresponding to the distance between the nozzles and the first nozzle. The timing is shifted.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the test chart T is recorded on the label W (step S5). This test chart T is for adjusting the recording position in the width direction of the label W, and performs recording by ejecting ink from nozzles located at the end of the nozzle row in the recording head 2. In the case of FIG. 14, the distance LA between the end of the test chart T and the end of the label W is 3 mm, the end of the image when a desired image is recorded, the end of the label W, The desired distance LB between and was 5 mm. The distance LA is measured by the user or automatically measured by an optical sensor provided in the recording apparatus, and then input in step S9 described later. The desired distance LB is input in step S10 described later.

  Next, using the optical sensor 5, the ink reach distance is measured as described above (step S6). This ink reach distance can be automatically measured simply by transporting the label along the transport line L. When the ink reach distance is 8 mm or more, an error is displayed (step S3), and then the process returns to the previous step S1.

  When the ink reach distance is less than 8 mm, the drive frequency of the recording head 2 is determined according to the transport speed, and the pulse width of the drive pulse is determined according to the ink reach distance (step S8).

  For example, when the conveyance speed is 150 mm / sec, in order to set the recording density in the length direction of the label W to approximately 600 dpi, it is necessary to set the dot interval in the length direction of the label W to 42.5 μm as described above. There is. For this purpose, the drive frequency of the recording head 2 is set to 3.5 kHz (≈ (150 mm / 42.5 μm)).

  If the dot spacing in the length direction of the label W is set to 42.5 μm when the transport speed is 500 mm / sec, the drive frequency of the recording head 2 is 11.76 kHz (≈ (500 mm / 42 .5 μm)). Both the conveyance speed of 500 mm / sec and the driving frequency of 11.76 kHz exceed the allowable range of the recording unit Y1.

  In addition, as the ink reach distance increases, the straightness of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 2 decreases. Therefore, the straightness of the ink droplet can be improved by setting the pulse width of the drive pulse to be larger as the ink reach distance is larger and increasing the ink droplet to be ejected. As described above, when the driving frequency is 10 kHz, the maximum pulse width of the driving pulse is 6.25 μsec.

  On the other hand, when the ink reach distance is small, the pulse width of the drive pulse is set to be small so that the ejected ink droplet is small.

  Next, the distances LA and LB described above are input from the host device 110. You may make it input them from the operation part 60 of the recording unit Y1.

  Next, the image recording position in the width direction of the label W is adjusted based on the input information regarding the distances LA and LB. In the case of FIG. 14, 2 mm (= 5 mm−2 mm) is calculated as a correction value, and the image recording position by the recording head 2 is shifted downward by 2 mm in FIG. In this example, since the nozzle interval of the recording head 2 is 42.5 μm, 2 mm corresponds to about 48 dots (≈2 mm / 42.5 μm). That is, the use range of the nozzles is shifted by 48 nozzles.

(Other embodiments)
The recording unit of the present invention only needs to constitute an ink jet recording apparatus by being combined with any of a plurality of transport units having different transport conditions for the recording medium. The plurality of transport units may include a transport unit that transports the recording medium along a transport line that is at least partially exposed to the outside. The recording unit provided in the recording unit uses a recording head that faces the exposed portion of the transport line when combined with any of the plurality of transport units, and discharges ink from the recording head to a recording medium on the transport line. What is necessary is just to be able to record an image.

  The control unit provided in the recording unit only needs to be able to drive the recording head based on a driving condition corresponding to the conveying condition of the conveying unit combined with the recording unit. For example, the recording head can be driven at a driving frequency corresponding to the recording medium conveyance speed in the conveyance unit combined with the recording unit.

  The function for setting the drive condition of the recording head in the recording unit in accordance with the recording medium transport condition in the transport unit can be provided to the control unit of the recording unit, and a part or all of the function can be provided to the host device. Can do. Therefore, a program for realizing such a function and a storage medium storing the program code also constitute the present invention.

1 is a block configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state where a part of the exterior of the recording apparatus of FIG. 2 is removed. It is IV arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view of a recording unit as viewed from below for explaining an example of mounting of a recording head in the recording apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a view of a recording unit as viewed from below for explaining another example of mounting of the recording head in the recording apparatus of FIG. 2. It is a schematic block diagram of the raising / lowering mechanism with which the recording unit of FIG. 2 is equipped. (A) to (d) are explanatory views of the operation of the capping mechanism provided in the recording unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recovery mechanism provided in the recording unit of FIG. 2. It is a schematic block diagram of the conveyance part with which the conveyance unit of FIG. 2 is equipped. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a maximum pulse width when the recording head drive frequency is 10 kHz. It is explanatory drawing of the sensor with which the recording unit of FIG. 2 is equipped. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a recording condition setting process in the recording apparatus of FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing of the correction process of the recording position in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) Recording head 10 Control unit 20 Recording unit 30 Lifting mechanism 40 Capping mechanism 50 Recovery mechanism 80 Conveying unit Y1 Recording unit Y2 Recording head L Conveying line W Label (recording medium)

Claims (12)

A recording unit constituting an ink jet recording apparatus by being combined with any of a plurality of transport units having different transport conditions for a recording medium,
The plurality of transport units include a transport unit that transports the recording medium along a transport line that is at least partially exposed to the outside.
The recording unit is
An image is recorded by ejecting ink from the recording head to the recording medium on the transport line using a recording head that faces the exposed portion of the transport line when combined with any of the plurality of transport units. A recording unit,
A controller that drives the recording head based on a driving condition according to the conveying condition of the conveying unit combined with the recording unit;
A recording unit comprising:   The recording unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the recording head at a driving frequency corresponding to a conveyance speed of the recording medium in the conveyance unit combined with the recording unit. A detection unit for detecting a position of the recording medium in the conveyance direction on the conveyance line;
The recording unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the drive timing of the recording head based on a detection position of the detection unit. An input unit for inputting information related to the position in the width direction of the recording medium on the transport line;
The recording head includes a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink,
The plurality of nozzles are arranged in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the recording medium on the conveyance line,
The recording unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit sets a use range of the plurality of nozzles in the recording head based on input information from the input unit. A measuring unit for measuring a distance between the recording medium on the transport line and the recording head;
The recording unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit controls the recording head so that a large ink droplet is ejected from the recording head as the distance increases. The recording head is capable of ejecting ink using the thermal energy of an electrothermal transducer that generates heat when a drive pulse is applied;
The recording unit according to claim 5, wherein the control unit increases a pulse width of the drive pulse as the distance increases. A capping mechanism capable of capping the recording head with a cap;
A recovery mechanism for maintaining a good ink discharge state in the recording head;
The recording unit according to claim 1, further comprising:   The recovery mechanism introduces negative pressure into the cap to at least recover the ink that does not contribute to image recording from the recording head into the cap and discharge the ink that does not contribute to image recording. The recording unit according to claim 7, wherein any one of recovery processes of discharging from the recording head into the cap is performed.   The recording unit according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records an image using a plurality of recording heads arranged along the transport line. An inkjet recording apparatus configured by a combination of a recording unit and any of a plurality of conveyance units with different recording medium conveyance conditions,
The plurality of transport units include a transport unit that transports the recording medium along a transport line that is at least partially exposed to the outside.
The recording unit is
An image is recorded by ejecting ink from the recording head to the recording medium on the transport line using a recording head that faces the exposed portion of the transport line when combined with any of the plurality of transport units. A recording unit,
A controller that drives the recording head based on a driving condition according to the conveying condition of the conveying unit combined with the recording unit;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: A control program for controlling an ink jet recording apparatus configured by a combination of a recording unit and any of a plurality of transport units having different transport conditions for a recording medium,
A control program for causing a computer to execute a step of setting a driving condition of the recording head in accordance with the conveying condition of the conveying unit combined with the recording unit.   A storage medium storing a computer-readable program code, wherein the control program according to claim 11 is stored.

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