JP2005342899A - Inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder which can obtain high-definition recording images by always detecting a state of ink droplets discharged by recording of a test pattern while recording and detection of the test pattern are carried out without using a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: Both a recording head 8 with a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink onto the recording medium P, and a transfer mechanism with a transfer belt 2 for transferring the recording medium P are set. The recording head 8 makes the test pattern 15 recorded by making the ink discharged to a part of the transfer belt 2 where the recording medium P is not supported. The recording head 8 is equipped with a detector 9 for detecting the test pattern 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs a test pattern.

  In recent years, an image recording method using an inkjet image recording apparatus has been performed as an image recording method capable of recording an image simply and inexpensively. In an image recording method using an inkjet method, for example, a piezo element or a heater is used to eject ink from a nozzle of a recording head as a fine droplet toward a recording medium such as paper, and the ink penetrates the recording medium. An image is recorded on a recording medium by fixing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such an ink jet type image recording apparatus, when the recording operation is continuously performed, the ink that is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head adheres to and accumulates in the vicinity of the nozzles to cause clogging. There is. When the image recording operation is continued in such a state, even if the nozzle performs a normal ejection operation due to the action of the piezo element or the like, a so-called nozzle lack where ink droplets are not ejected, or ink droplets in the correct direction. This causes a so-called discharge bend that is not discharged. Also, when ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles of the recording head, the temperature of the recording head is not adjusted properly, and the ink density is changed by ejecting ink whose viscosity changes with temperature under inappropriate ejection conditions. May cause a so-called color shift of ink. Such a discharge failure indicates that the ink droplet cannot be landed at a correct position on the recording medium as a result, and as a result, high-definition image recording cannot be performed. Also, in order to always land ink droplets at the correct position, the position of the recording head is detected from the landing position of the ink droplets ejected from each recording head, and each recording head is driven appropriately to eject ink from the nozzles. It is necessary to let

Therefore, in order to always perform high-definition image recording, it is necessary to accurately detect the state of the ink droplets ejected on the recording medium, such as the presence or absence of ejection failure and the landing position of the ink droplets ejected from each recording head. Generally, as a test print before or during recording, ink is ejected onto a recording medium for image recording to record a test pattern, and based on this, the state of the ejected ink droplets is detected. (See Patent Documents 2 and 3). For detecting a test pattern, there is known a method for quantitatively detecting the state of an ink droplet ejected on a recording medium using a detection device such as a CCD having an optical reading function (patent). Reference 2). Further, there is known one that automatically corrects an image recording operation based on a detected test pattern (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).
JP-A-60-132767 Japanese Patent No. 2708439 Japanese Patent No. 2705170

  However, in any case, the detection of the state of the ejected ink droplet by recording the test pattern is not always performed while recording an image, but is performed only at a predetermined period such as before recording or during recording, and thus is always ejected. The state of the ink droplets could not be detected. That is, when a discharge failure occurs during image recording, the discharge failure could not be noticed until the next test pattern was recorded and the state of the discharged ink droplets was detected. As a result, there is a time lag between the occurrence of a discharge failure and the detection of a discharge failure, and the image recording is continued in a state where the quality of the recorded image is deteriorated. The medium was wasted.

  Also, test pattern recording is often performed on the same recording medium as image recording, and in addition to the amount of recording medium necessary for image recording, it is necessary to secure the amount of recording medium necessary for test pattern recording. In addition to recording images, the recording medium was consumed.

  In order to solve this problem, a test pattern is usually recorded on both ends of a recording medium, which is an area where an image is not recorded. However, post-processing such as cutting out a portion where a test pattern is recorded after image recording has been newly generated. Also, when there is no area where no image is recorded because the image is recorded on the entire surface of the recording medium, such as due to the size of the recording medium, it is not possible to record a test pattern that actually ejects ink from the nozzles. In some cases, ejection failure cannot be detected.

In order to solve this problem, the test pattern recording and the image recording are not performed on the same recording medium. In Patent Document 2, the test pattern recording is performed using a recording medium dedicated to the test pattern different from the recording medium on which the image is recorded. Had gone.
However, in any case, an extra recording medium is required to record the test pattern, and there is no change in that an extra recording medium is consumed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and can perform test pattern recording and image recording simultaneously, and always detect the state of the ejected ink droplets while recording an image. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of obtaining a high-definition recorded image.

  It is also possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can record and detect a test pattern without using a recording medium, and can obtain a high-definition recorded image while eliminating the consumption of the recording medium accompanying the recording of the test pattern. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1 includes:
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium; and a transport belt that transports the recording medium,
The recording head includes a detection device that discharges ink to a part of the conveyance belt to record a test pattern and detects the test pattern.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head including a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium, and a conveyance belt that conveys the recording medium.
Since the recording head includes a detection device for ejecting ink onto a part of the conveyance belt to record a test pattern and detecting the test pattern, recording on a portion where the recording medium is supported is performed by the conveyance belt. The conveyance of the medium and the recording of the test pattern onto the conveyance belt in the portion where the recording medium is not supported can be performed simultaneously, and the recorded test pattern can be detected by the detection device.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 2
In claim 1,
The transport belt is formed of a material that does not soak the ink.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, since the transport belt is formed of a material that does not soak the ink, even if ink adheres by recording a test pattern on the transport belt, the ink soaks into the transport belt. There is nothing.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 3 is:
In claim 1 or 2,
The test pattern is one of a nozzle missing pattern for detecting nozzle missing of the nozzle, a color misregistration pattern for detecting color misregistration of the ink, and a head position adjusting pattern for adjusting the position of the recording head, or these It is the pattern which combined.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the test pattern includes a nozzle missing pattern for detecting nozzle missing of the nozzle, a color misregistration pattern for detecting color misregistration of the ink, and a head for adjusting the position of the recording head. Since any one of the position adjustment patterns or a combination thereof, the nozzle missing pattern for detecting the nozzle missing of the nozzle, the color misregistration pattern for detecting the color misregistration of the ink, and the head for adjusting the position of the recording head By detecting any one of the position adjustment patterns or a combination of these patterns, the state of the ejected ink can be confirmed.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 4
In any one of Claim 1 to 3,
A transport belt cleaning mechanism for removing the ink adhering to the transport belt is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the transport belt.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt is provided with a conveyor belt cleaning mechanism for removing the ink adhered to the conveyor belt, so that it adheres to the conveyor belt by recording a test pattern. The removed ink can be removed.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 5 is:
In any one of Claims 1-4,
The detection device is constituted by a CCD.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the detection device is constituted by a CCD, the test pattern recorded on the conveyance belt can be detected by using the CCD.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the conveyance of the recording medium by the conveyance belt at the portion where the recording medium is supported and the recording of the test pattern onto the conveyance belt at the portion where the recording medium is not supported are performed simultaneously. Since the recorded test pattern can be detected by the detection device, the test pattern is simultaneously recorded on the conveyance belt of the portion where the recording medium is not supported and the recording medium is supported. The recording of the image can be performed following the recording of the ink, and the state of the ejected ink droplets, such as the presence or absence of ejection failure and the landing position of the ink droplet ejected from each recording head, can always be detected. A fine recorded image can be obtained.
At the same time, by not using a recording medium for recording the test pattern, the recording and detection of the test pattern can be performed without the recording medium, and the consumption of the recording medium due to the recording of the test pattern is eliminated, and a high-definition recorded image Can be obtained.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if ink adheres by recording a test pattern on the conveyance belt, the ink does not soak into the conveyance belt. Can be removed.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, any one of the nozzle missing pattern for detecting the nozzle missing of the nozzle, the color misregistration pattern for detecting the color misregistration of the ink, and the head position adjusting pattern for adjusting the position of the recording head. Alternatively, by detecting a combination of these patterns, the state of the ejected ink can be confirmed, so that the positions of the nozzles and the recording heads can be adjusted according to the state of the ejected ink, High-definition images can be recorded.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the ink attached to the conveyance belt can be removed by recording the test pattern. Therefore, after removing the ink attached to the conveyance belt, a new test pattern is recorded on the conveyance belt. This can be performed on a portion where the ink is not adhered, and the test pattern can be repeatedly recorded on the conveyance belt.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the test pattern recorded on the conveyor belt can be detected using the CCD, it is possible to confirm the ink ejection state based on the detection result of the detected test pattern. And high-definition images can be recorded.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, FIGS. 1 to 8 show an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example. Accordingly, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an external input device 1 such as a personal computer (see FIG. 3) is connected to the outside of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, and a recording medium P is conveyed inside the ink jet recording apparatus. A belt-like transport belt 2 is provided. The conveyance belt 2 is formed of a material that does not soak ink, and at the same time, the width of the conveyance belt 2 is larger than that of the recording medium P.
Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 2, two conveyor rollers 3a and 3b and one drive roller 5 having a stepping motor 4 (see FIG. 3) for applying a rotational driving force are arranged at a predetermined interval. It is installed. One conveyance roller 3b is disposed below the conveyance roller 3a and the driving roller 5 so as to stretch the conveyance belt 2, and the conveyance belt 2 is horizontally disposed between the conveyance roller 3a and the drive roller 5. It comes to support. Therefore, the conveying belt 2 moves as the driving roller 5 rotates, and conveys the recording medium P from the conveying roller 3a, which is the conveying direction A, to the driving roller 5, such a conveying belt. 2, the transport rollers 3 a and 3 b, the drive roller 5, and the stepping motor 4 constitute a transport mechanism.

  A carriage 6 is provided between the conveyance roller 3 a and the driving roller 5 and above the conveyance belt 2.

  The carriage 6 is configured to be capable of reciprocating in a recording direction B, which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A, directly above the recording medium P by a carriage motor 7 (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 6 has light yellow (LY), light magenta (LM), light cyan (LC), light black (LK), yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), A recording head 8 for discharging each color ink of black (K) is provided, and a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for discharging ink are provided on the surface of each recording head 8 facing the recording surface of the recording medium P. They are arranged along the transport direction A.

  Further, at both ends of the carriage 6 in the recording direction B, detection devices 9 that can detect the state of the ink ejected by the recording head 8 are provided.

  The detection device 9 is oriented in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal region of the conveyor belt 2, and is configured by, for example, an optical lens made of glass or plastic combined with an optical sensor such as a CCD or CMOS. Specifically, a CCD camera corresponds to this.

On the other hand, a cleaning region for removing ink adhering to the conveyance belt 2 is formed below the carriage 6 with the conveyance belt 2 interposed therebetween. A sponge roller 10 is provided on the outer peripheral surface.
Further, below the sponge roller 10, a water storage container 11 to which water is supplied by a water supply pipe (not shown) is provided. The water storage container 11 can supply water to the sponge roller 10 by always immersing a part of the sponge roller 10 in the water storage container 11.

  Further, a wiping roller 12 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 2 between the conveyor roller 3a and the driving roller 5.

  Since the transport belt 2 is formed of a material that does not soak ink, the transport belt 2 fed out by the transport rollers 3a and 3b and the driving roller 5 is in sliding contact with the wiping roller 12 after being in sliding contact with the sponge roller 10. As a result, the ink adhering to the conveyance belt 2 is removed, and the conveyance belt cleaning mechanism is constituted by the sponge roller 10, the water storage container 11, the wiping roller 12, and the water supply pipe.

  In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a recording head cleaning mechanism (not shown). In the recording head cleaning mechanism, the ink is sucked and discharged in the nozzles to clean the nozzles. .

Here, the ink used in this embodiment will be described.
The ink is water-soluble, and quickly dissolves in water contained in the sponge roller 10 when the ink adhering to the conveyance belt 2 comes into sliding contact with the sponge roller 10. However, it is also possible to use a non-water-soluble one. When the ink is not water-soluble, the water storage container 11 stores a solvent that can dissolve the ink adhering to the transport belt 2 instead of water, and the sponge roller 10 containing the solvent transports the water. The ink adhering to the conveying belt 2 by being brought into sliding contact with the belt 2 is dissolved and removed.

Next, the control configuration in the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a control unit 13 including an arithmetic device including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 13 includes an external input device 1 and a stepping motor. 4, a carriage motor 7, a recording head 8, and a detection device 9 are connected, and operation control is performed on these according to a predetermined program.

  The control unit 13 includes an image forming operation control unit 14. The image forming operation control unit 14 controls the stepping motor 4, the carriage motor 7, and the recording head 8 based on image information from the external input device 1, and the external input device 1 is driven when the stepping motor 4 is driven. An image is recorded by ejecting ink from the recording head 8 based on the image information input from, and the carriage 6 is moved in the recording direction B when the stepping motor 4 is stopped. The recording of the test pattern 15 is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head 8 based on the set test pattern 15. By repeating the image recording operation and the recording operation of the test pattern 15, a planar image is recorded on the conveyance belt 2 and the conveyance belt 2 on which the recording medium P is not supported. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the test pattern 15 is on the horizontal region of the conveyor belt 2, and is located on both sides in the recording direction B of the recording medium P among the portions where the recording medium P is not supported. Is to be recorded.

  In the present embodiment, the test pattern 15 to be recorded includes a nozzle missing pattern for detecting a nozzle missing that causes ejection failure, a color misregistration pattern for detecting ink color misregistration, and individual recording on the carriage 6. It is a head position adjustment pattern for adjusting the position of the head 8.

  FIG. 5 is an example of imaging data of a nozzle missing pattern and a color misregistration pattern in the test pattern 15. In FIG. 5, while the recording head 8 performs one scan in the recording direction B, the operation of ejecting ink continuously from one nozzle is sequentially performed for each nozzle to record the test pattern 15. Therefore, the ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle draw one line along the recording direction B, and the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle next are shifted in the transport direction A in order. Further, while the recording head 8 scans in the recording direction B a plurality of times, the ink is drawn from the nozzles of the same recording head 8 along the conveying direction A so as to draw one solid line and a solid ink that is a thick band of ink. The test pattern 15 is recorded by sequentially performing the ejection operation for each color recording head 8.

  6 (a), 6 (b), and 6 (c) are enlarged views of a part of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 (a) shows that ink droplets are normally ejected and ink is in a normal position. This is an example of a drop landing.

  FIG. 6B shows an example in which ink is not ejected normally and nozzles are missing. In FIG. 6B, a part of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle is missing along the recording direction B by one line. This means that there is one nozzle that cannot eject ink, and the imaging data processing unit 16, which will be described later, can determine a missing nozzle. Note that the nozzle missing as shown in FIG. 6B may occur when ink is clogged in the nozzle.

  FIG. 6C shows an example in which color misregistration occurs because ink is not ejected normally. In FIG. 6 (c), an ink solid consisting of two solid lines and a dark band of ink and a light band of ink drawn on both ends thereof is depicted. This is because when the recording head 8 reciprocates, the landing positions of the ink droplets ejected from the same recording head 8 are shifted in the forward movement and the backward movement, and two solid lines originally drawn in one are drawn. This means that solid ink with different shades is drawn, and the imaging data processing unit 16 described later determines the deviation of the reciprocating landing positions of the ink droplets ejected from the same recording head 8. Can be done.

  Note that the deviation of the reciprocal landing position of the ink droplets ejected from the same recording head 8 as shown in FIG. 6C is that the temperature adjustment of the same recording head 8 is appropriately performed when the recording head 8 performs reciprocal scanning. In a state where the viscosity of the ink has changed in forward and backward movements, for example, the temperature of the ink in the same recording head 8 has risen, that is, in a state in which the ejection amount and discharge speed of ink droplets have changed in the forward and backward movements. As a result, it is considered that a deviation occurs between the landing amount of the ink droplet and the reciprocating landing position. Since the deviation of the landing amount of the ink droplet is a deviation of the density of the ink that changes the color of the ink, the deviation of the ink density is determined by determining the deviation of the reciprocating landing position of the ink droplet ejected from the same recording head. Can be determined simultaneously.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are examples of imaging data of the head position adjustment pattern in the test pattern 15, and the test pattern 15 is magenta (M) in the transport direction A and the recording direction B. The position of the recording head 8 that discharges ink and black (K) ink is adjusted, that is, the position of the recording head 8 that discharges other colors with respect to the recording head 8 that discharges the reference color is adjusted. Hereinafter, an example in which the position of the recording head that ejects magenta (M) ink is adjusted with respect to the recording head that ejects black (K) ink using black (K) ink as a reference color will be described.

  In FIG. 8A, the test pattern 15 has a magenta (M) ink and a black (K) ink ink with respect to a black (K) ink column formed at a predetermined interval along the recording direction B. The ink is ejected between the rows and recorded.

  In FIG. 8A, reference numeral 05 is an example in which magenta (M) ink has landed at a normal position in the transport direction A, and reference numerals 03, 04, 06, 07, 08, and 09 indicate transport direction A. In FIG. 2, the ink droplet landing positions of magenta (M) ink are shifted.

On the other hand, in FIG. 8B, the test pattern 15 is a pattern in which magenta (M) ink is ejected onto the black (K) ink column formed along the transport direction A for recording.
In FIG. 8B, reference numeral 15 denotes an example in which the magenta (M) ink has landed at a normal position in the recording direction B. Reference numerals 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, and 19 denote the recording direction B. In FIG. 2, the ink droplet landing positions of magenta (M) ink are shifted.

  It should be noted that misalignment as shown by reference numerals 03, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09 in FIG. 8A and reference numerals 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 in FIG. This means that the ink is ejected from the nozzle in a state in which the timing for driving the recording head 8 that ejects magenta (M) ink is shifted from the black (K) ink. As a result, black (K) It is considered that the landing positions of the ink droplets of the magenta (M) ink are shifted between the ink and the magenta (M) ink.

  Based on these, the imaging data processing unit 16, which will be described later, determines whether or not the black (K) ink and magenta (M) ink rows are in a straight line in the transport direction A and the recording direction B. ) If the ink row of ink and magenta (M) ink is in a straight line in the transport direction A and the recording direction B, it is determined that the ink droplet has landed at a normal position in the transport direction A. If it is not in a straight line, it is determined that the landing positions of the ink droplets of the magenta (M) ink have shifted in the transport direction A and the recording direction B, and the magenta (M) ink ink with respect to the black (K) ink is determined. The deviation of the landing positions of the droplets, that is, the deviation of the landing positions of the ink droplets of the other colors with respect to the reference color can be determined.

  Further, the control unit 13 includes an imaging data processing unit 16. The imaging data processing unit 16 performs operation control for causing the detection device 9 to image the test pattern 15 recorded on the transport belt 2, and after imaging. The image data based on each test pattern 15 is acquired from the detection device 9 and the displacement of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle missing and the same recording head 8 is displaced, and the displacement of the landing position of the ink droplets of other colors with respect to the reference color is detected. It comes to judge. The detection device 9 generates image data by photoelectrically converting the image data of the test pattern 15 recorded on the conveyor belt 2 input via the optical lens, using an optical sensor, and the image data is converted into an image data processing unit. 16 is output.

Further, the imaging data processing unit 16 makes a predetermined notification to the image formation control unit 14 and the correction operation control unit 17 based on the determination result of each test pattern 15.
When the imaging data processing unit 16 acquires the imaging data shown in FIG. 6 (a), it is normal and does not notify the correction operation control unit 17, but it is shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c). When the imaging data is acquired, the correction operation control unit 17 is notified.

  In addition, when the imaging data processing unit 16 acquires the imaging data indicated by the reference numeral 05 in FIG. 8A and the reference numeral 15 in FIG. 8B, it is normal and thus the correction operation control unit 17 is not notified. 8, correction is made when one of the imaging data indicated by reference numerals 03, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09 in FIG. 8A and reference numerals 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 in FIG. 8B is acquired. The operation control unit 17 is notified.

  Further, when the imaging data processing unit 16 acquires a plurality of imaging data shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the imaging operation processing unit 17 is notified of the plurality of imaging data. ing.

The control unit 13 includes a correction operation control unit 17 that performs a predetermined correction operation according to the determination result of the imaging data processing unit 16. Note that the predetermined correction operation in the present embodiment refers to recording the carriage 6 by driving the carriage motor 4 and the recording head 8 when receiving a notification from the imaging data processing unit 16 based on FIG. The nozzle is cleaned by moving it to a head cleaning mechanism.
Further, when the notification from the imaging data processing unit 16 based on FIG. 6C is received, the recording head 8 is adjusted so that the ink has an appropriate viscosity by a heater or the like for heating the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 8. The temperature is adjusted.
In addition, notifications from the imaging data processing unit 16 based on reference numerals 03, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09 in FIG. 8A and reference numerals 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 in FIG. In the case of receiving one image data in the transport direction A or the recording direction B, the timing for driving the recording head 8 is varied back and forth, and the test pattern for shifting the timing for driving the recording head 8 is shifted. The carriage and the recording head 8 are driven so that 15 is recorded several times.

  When the correction operation control unit 17 receives the notification from the imaging data processing unit 16 and acquires a plurality of imaging data as shown in FIGS. ) A test pattern 15 for acquiring imaging data in which an ink row of ink and magenta (M) ink is in a straight line in the transport direction A and the recording direction B is selected, and the timing for driving the recording head 8 is selected The setting is changed to the setting when 15 is recorded, and the recording head 8 that discharges magenta (M) ink is driven at an appropriate timing.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  When the ink jet recording apparatus is activated and predetermined image information is sent to the ink jet recording apparatus, the image forming operation control unit 14 transports the recording medium P in the transport direction A and drives the carriage motor 7 to drive the carriage 6. Is moved back and forth in the recording direction A, and the recording head 8 is operated while the recording medium P is not supported on the conveying belt 2 to move each nozzle. Then, ink is ejected toward the recording medium P, and the test pattern 15 is recorded on the transport belt 2.

  Thereafter, the detection device 9 outputs image data created based on the imaging data obtained by imaging the test pattern 15 to the imaging data processing unit 16, and the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle missing and the same recording head 8 to the imaging data processing unit 16. The deviation of the reciprocating landing position of the ink and the landing position of the ink droplets of other colors with respect to the reference color are determined.

  As a result, when the image data based on the imaging data indicated by reference numeral 05 in FIGS. 6A and 8A and reference numeral 15 in FIG. Based on the information, the recording head 8 is operated, ink is ejected from each nozzle toward the recording medium P, and an image is recorded on the recording medium P.

  When image data based on the imaging data shown in FIG. 6B is acquired, the correction operation control unit 17 is notified, and the carriage motor 4 and the recording head 8 are driven to move the carriage 6 to the recording head. The ink is moved to the cleaning mechanism, and the nozzles are cleaned to eliminate clogging of ink. Thereafter, the recording head 8 is operated based on the image information, ink is ejected from each nozzle toward the recording medium P, and an image is recorded on the recording medium P.

  When the image data shown in FIG. 6C is acquired, the correction operation control unit 17 is notified, and the ink in the nozzles of the recording head 8 is warmed by the heater, so that the ink has an appropriate viscosity. Thus, the temperature of the recording head 8 is adjusted. Thereafter, the image forming operation control unit 14 starts image recording on the recording medium P.

  In addition, when the imaging data indicated by reference numerals 03, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09 in FIG. 8A and reference numerals 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 in FIG. The correction operation control unit 17 notifies the correction operation control unit 17, and the correction operation control unit 17 drives the carriage and the recording head 8 to record the test pattern 15 on the conveying belt 2 several times at different timings for driving the recording head 8. Then, the detection device 9 outputs imaging data created based on the recorded test pattern 15 to the imaging data processing unit 16, and the imaging data processing unit 16 acquires a plurality of imaging data and corrects the plurality of imaging data. The operation control unit 17 is notified. Then, the correction operation control unit 18 selects and selects the test pattern 15 for acquiring imaging data in which the ink rows of black (K) ink and magenta (M) ink are in a straight line in the transport direction A and the recording direction B. The timing is changed to drive the recording head 8 when the recorded test pattern 15 is recorded. Thereafter, the image forming operation control unit 14 starts image recording on the recording medium P.

  Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the image is recorded is conveyed to the outside of the ink jet recording apparatus as the conveying rollers 3a and 3b and the driving roller 5 rotate, and the conveying belt 2 on which the test pattern 15 is recorded moves. And reaches the conveyor belt cleaning mechanism. Then, the conveyance belt 2 on which the test pattern 15 is recorded is slidably contacted with the sponge roller 10, and the ink attached to the conveyance belt 2 is slidably contacted with the sponge roller 10 while being quickly dissolved in water contained in the sponge roller 10. Removed. Thereafter, the conveyor belt 2 is brought into sliding contact with the wiping roller 12 to remove water adhering to the conveyor belt 2. Then, the conveyance belt 2 is in a state where the conveyance of the recording medium P and the above operations can be repeated again.

  Thereafter, the ink jet recording apparatus repeats each of the above operations, thereby recording the test pattern 15 on the transport belt 2, and performing an appropriate correction operation based on the recorded test pattern 15, while the image is recorded on the recording medium P. Record it.

  As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, the test pattern 15 is always recorded and detected by recording the test pattern 15 on the conveyance belt 2 in the portion where the recording medium P is not supported. The image can be recorded on the recording medium P while performing the correction operation according to the above. In this case, it is possible to record an image while checking the state of the nozzle without causing a time lag from the occurrence of the nozzle missing until the nozzle missing is detected. A high-definition recorded image can always be obtained.

  Further, it is possible to record an image while confirming the state of the nozzle without causing a time lag from the occurrence of the deviation of the reciprocating landing positions of the ink droplets ejected from the same recording head 8 until the deviation is detected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a discharge failure due to ink color shift and always obtain a high-definition recorded image.

  In addition, it is possible to record an image while checking the state of the nozzle without causing a time lag from the occurrence of a deviation in the landing position of the ink droplets of other colors with respect to the reference color until the deviation is detected. The position of the recording head that discharges other colors can be adjusted with respect to the recording head that discharges the reference color, and thereby the position of each recording head 8 can be adjusted to always obtain a high-definition recorded image.

  Further, since it is possible to prevent the recording from being continued in a state where the quality of the image is deteriorated, it is possible to prevent the recording medium P from being consumed wastefully.

  Further, since the test pattern 15 is recorded on the transport belt 2, the recording medium P is not required for recording the test pattern 15, and the test pattern 15 can be recorded and detected without the recording medium P.

  Further, since the recording medium P is not used for recording the test pattern 15, it is not necessary to prepare an extra recording medium P, and it is possible to prevent the extra recording medium P from being consumed.

  Further, it is possible to eliminate the post-processing that has occurred when the test pattern 15 and the image are recorded on the same recording medium P.

  Further, even when an image is recorded on the entire surface of the recording medium, such as due to the size of the recording medium P, and there is no area where no image is recorded, the test pattern 15 for actually ejecting ink from the nozzles can be recorded. And ejection failure can be detected.

  The transport belt 2 is formed of a material that does not soak ink, but may be processed so that the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt 2 to which the ink adheres does not soak ink.

  In addition, the test pattern 15 is recorded on both sides in the recording direction B of the recording medium P in the portion where the recording medium P is not in contact with the recording belt P as shown in FIG. When the recording medium P is not conveyed, such as before recording, the test pattern 15 may be recorded on almost the entire surface of the horizontal region of the conveying belt 2.

  In the present embodiment, a CCD camera is used as the detection device 9. However, a multi-beam method is used in which a plurality of beams are output from a semiconductor laser array having a plurality of light sources and a plurality of scanning lines are simultaneously scanned to perform writing. It may be configured by an optical scanning device. In this case, the optical scanning device includes a semiconductor laser array, a plurality of lenses that deflect and reflect a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser array, a polygon mirror that forms a latent image on the conveyance belt via the lens, and a conveyance A photo sensor for taking a timing for writing image data in the recording direction on the belt and a mirror for reflecting the laser beam emitted from the lens may be provided.

  Although the detection device 9 is mounted on the carriage 6, the detection device 9 may be provided on the recording head 6 instead of the carriage 6, and may be anywhere as long as the test pattern 15 on the conveyance belt 2 can be detected. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied not only to a serial type ink jet recording apparatus but also to a line type ink jet recording apparatus.

  In addition, the nozzle missing pattern, the color misregistration pattern, and the head position adjustment pattern are detected as the test pattern 15 to be detected by the detection device 9, but the test pattern can be detected based on the state of the ink droplets ejected onto the transport belt 2. Anything is fine. For example, not only nozzle missing and ink color misregistration but other causes of ejection failure may be detected.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the inkjet recording device to which this invention is applied. It is a top view of the carriage which concerns on this invention. It is a control block diagram concerning the present invention. It is a top view at the time of recording the test pattern which concerns on this invention. It is imaging data of the test pattern concerning the present invention. FIG. 6A is a normal example, FIG. 6B is an example in which a nozzle shortage occurs, and FIG. 6C is an example in which color misregistration occurs. It is a top view at the time of recording the test pattern which concerns on this invention. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a change in the landing position of ink droplets of other colors with respect to the reference color in the transport direction in the head position adjustment pattern, and FIG. 8B is a diagram in the recording direction in the head position adjustment pattern. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the landing position of the ink drop of other colors with respect to a reference color.

Explanation of symbols

2 Conveying belt 8 Recording head 9 Detection device 15 Test pattern

Claims (5)

An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium; and a transport belt that transports the recording medium,
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the recording head includes a detection device that discharges ink to a part of the conveyance belt to record a test pattern and detects the test pattern.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance belt is formed of a material that does not soak the ink.   The test pattern is one of a nozzle missing pattern for detecting nozzle missing of the nozzle, a color misregistration pattern for detecting color misregistration of the ink, and a head position adjusting pattern for adjusting the position of the recording head, or these The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pattern is a combination of the two.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transport belt cleaning mechanism that removes the ink attached to the transport belt is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the transport belt. 5. .   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is configured by a CCD.

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