JP2007313717A - Ink-jet recording method and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet recording method that can execute image recording onto a plurality of recording regions set on a cloth corresponding to a degree of expansion/contraction of the cloth, and a device therefor. <P>SOLUTION: An identification-mark position detection sensor 15 is arranged close to an ink-jet recording head 1 in a carriage 11. The identification-mark position detection sensor 15 is moved on the cloth T together with the ink-jet recording head 1 so as to detect a position of each identification mark F woven into the cloth T as described later. Each identification mark F is respectively arranged outside each recording region corresponding to a plurality of the recording regions set in a main scanning direction X. A recording start position of each recording region is determined on the basis of a detection signal from the identification-mark position detection sensor 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method and apparatus for recording an image on a plurality of recording areas set on at least a part of a stretchable fabric.

  The ink jet recording method is a method for performing printing or image recording by ejecting minute ink to a recording medium from an ink ejection port of an ink recording head, and can perform a recording operation in a state separated from the recording medium. It can be recorded on recording media and articles of various materials and has been used for a wide range of purposes.

In addition, when printing an image such as a pattern or a pattern on a fabric, the inkjet recording method can cope with various images at a lower cost than other printing methods. For example, in Patent Document 1, when performing ink jet recording in a main scanning direction on a recording medium such as a fabric, the recording start position of the next scanning line is adjusted by detecting the end position of the recording medium in the main scanning direction. The point to do is described. In Patent Document 2, when forming an image on a recording medium having elasticity, a recording medium on which a dividing line is formed is used, and the distortion of the conveyed recording medium is detected by the dividing line. Further, it is described that the image data is corrected based on the determination result, and image formation is performed according to the corrected image data. Further, in Patent Document 3, a position adjustment mark is printed on a conveyance belt for conveying a fabric or the fabric itself, and the printed position adjustment mark is detected by a position confirmation sensor to adjust the position of the inkjet head. The point which was done is indicated. Moreover, in patent document 4, when printing the image which attached | subjected the mark to the cloth by methods other than the inkjet method, and printing the image with an inkjet corresponding to the printed image, the printed mark is detected with a line sensor. In addition, it is described that an image is printed based on the detected position.
JP 2005-305820 A JP-A-11-300949 Japanese Patent No. 3218274 (see paragraph 0049) JP-A-6-320705

  When ink jet recording is performed on a fabric, it is necessary to consider that the fabric has a stretch property like a woven fabric or a knitted fabric together with the fabric fiber material. However, the stretch property of the fabric is not uniform and one end of the fabric. Even when a tensile force is applied to the recording medium, it does not stretch uniformly as a whole, so it must be handled differently from a recording medium such as paper.

  For example, in the field of innerwear and sportswear with high adhesion between clothes and the body, a fabric knitted in a knitted structure that is not easily frayed in advance is used as a part of the garment with its edges uncleaved and unsewn. It has become like this. When the fabric is used without sewing, the sewing work can be further simplified without causing defects caused by sewing, for example, a sense of incongruity given at the time of wearing or a reduction in fashionability.

  However, since the width of the fabric knitted for such a purpose depends on the form of the final product, it may be set to about 30 cm. Usually, the mass production equipment for the processing step of the fabric requiring a fabric width of 1 m or more. It is very difficult and inefficient to use as it is. It is also possible to use a single piece of fabric by connecting multiple narrow fabrics in the width direction, but in that case, the expansion and contraction of each fabric differs depending on the width of each fabric to be connected, the knitting configuration, or the use of yarn, It is difficult to form an image with high accuracy at once on a fabric having such variation in expansion and contraction.

  In addition, when using the end of the fabric without cutting or sewing, the print position shift of the pattern at the end is reflected in the product as it is, so the height at the end of the fabric is higher than when cutting and using the fabric. Accurate print position control is required.

  In the above-mentioned prior art documents, although it is described that image recording is performed in consideration of the stretchability of the fabric, sufficient examination has not been made regarding the handling of the fabric. For example, in Patent Document 1, the end position in the main scanning direction of the fabric is detected. However, as described above, since the degree of expansion and contraction of the entire fabric is not uniform, only detection of the end position is necessary. It cannot cope with the expansion and contraction of the fabric. Further, the end portion of the fabric may be provided with an ear portion that is finally cut, and image recording cannot be performed accurately unless the accuracy of the ear portion to be cut is sufficient. From the viewpoint of cost, it is not practical to accurately form the ears to be cut.

  In Patent Document 2, the dividing line is formed. However, when the dividing line is formed with the special dye on the entire cloth, the permeation of the ink is different in the dividing line at the time of ink jet recording. Will deteriorate greatly. In addition, since the final product also includes a parting line, a reduction in various fastnesses caused by the special dye used is a serious problem. In addition, although it is described that the dividing line is knitted, knitting the yarn in an oblique direction requires special equipment and is not common. Further, the image correction is performed on the dividing line, and no improvement in the pattern position accuracy at the end of the fabric is assumed.

  Further, as described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, when image recording is performed by detecting a mark printed in advance on the fabric, as in Patent Document 1, the degree of expansion and contraction of the entire fabric is as follows. Since it is not uniform, the detection of the printed mark alone cannot sufficiently cope with the expansion and contraction of the fabric.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording method and apparatus capable of recording an image corresponding to the degree of expansion and contraction of a plurality of recording areas set on the fabric. .

  In the ink jet recording method according to the present invention, at least a part of a stretchable fabric is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and the ink jet recording head is moved in the main scanning direction so that an image is recorded in a plurality of recording areas set in the main scanning direction. An ink jet recording method for recording, wherein the position of an identification mark knitted in a cloth corresponding to each recording area is detected, and an image of the recording area is recorded by an ink jet recording head. Further, the identification mark is knitted outside the recording area of the fabric. Further, the identification mark is knitted in a divided region of the fabric. Further, the present invention is characterized in that at least one of an image recording start position and an image size at which a plurality of identification marks are detected and recorded in the recording area is adjusted. Further, the position of the identification mark is detected within a predetermined detection range in the main scanning direction. Further, the abnormality of the identification mark is determined based on the detection result of the position of the identification mark within the detection range.

  The fabric according to the present invention records an image in a plurality of recording areas set in the main scanning direction by conveying a stretchable fabric at least partially in the sub scanning direction and moving the ink jet recording head in the main scanning direction. A fabric used in an ink jet recording method, wherein at least one of yarns knitted as an identification mark corresponding to each recording region is knitted in a divided region of the fabric.

  An inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys at least a stretchable fabric in the sub-scanning direction, a recording unit that moves an inkjet recording head in the main scanning direction, and a main scanning unit. Position detection means for detecting the position of the identification mark knitted outside the recording area of the cloth corresponding to the plurality of recording areas set in the direction, and each recording area based on the detection signal from the position detection means And recording control means for controlling the recording means so as to record an image. Further, the identification mark is knitted outside the recording area of the fabric. Further, the identification mark is knitted in a divided region of the fabric. Further, the recording control means includes position detection processing means for determining a recording start position of an image to be recorded in each recording area based on a detection signal from the position detection means. Further, the position detection processing means determines the recording start position based on a plurality of detection signals from the position detection means. Further, the position detection processing means determines the recording start position based on a detection signal of the position detection means within a predetermined detection range in the main scanning direction. Further, the recording control means includes a determination means for determining an abnormality of the identification mark based on a detection signal of the position detection means within the detection range. Further, the recording control means includes image adjusting means for adjusting the size of an image to be recorded in each recording area based on a plurality of detection signals from the position detecting means.

  With the above configuration, the position of the identification mark knitted on the fabric corresponding to the plurality of recording areas set in the main scanning direction is detected, and the image of the recording area is recorded by the ink jet recording head. Thus, images can be recorded in a plurality of recording areas in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the fabric. In other words, since the identification marks knitted on the fabric are displaced according to the expansion and contraction of the fabric, if the position of the identification mark is detected and an image is recorded, a plurality of recording areas can be recorded accurately according to the expansion and contraction of the fabric. Can do. Further, if an identification mark is knitted outside the recording area, the identification mark does not affect the image quality in the recording area. It should be noted that a recorded image that is not used as a final product, various manufacturing information, sewing information, and the like may be recorded outside the recording area.

  In particular, when an image is recorded on a fabric that is a product connected to a fabric that is a product, the degree of expansion and contraction of the fabric that is the product varies, but the identification marks knitted correspondingly are almost the same. Therefore, it is possible to record an image with good image quality on the fabric as a product.

  And, by weaving the identification mark into the divided area of the fabric, the cloth is divided after the image is recorded, so that the identification mark does not remain on the final fabric, and the design pattern is inferior to the conventional fabric. A pattern can be created freely.

  Further, since identification marks are knitted corresponding to a plurality of recording areas, the degree of expansion / contraction of each recording area in the main scanning direction can be calculated based on the detection of the position of each identification mark. By adjusting at least one of the image recording start position and the image size to be detected and recorded in the recording area, it is possible to record an image with better image quality according to the degree of expansion / contraction of each recording area.

  Further, if the identification mark is set outside the area of each recording area along the cloth feeding direction, the detection range of the position of the identification mark can be set in advance, and within the predetermined detection range in the main scanning direction. If the recording control in each recording area is performed based on the detection signal of the position detection means, the signal detected outside the predetermined detection range is not used for the recording control, and the dirt and wrinkles of the fabric, the knitting structure It is less likely to detect the irregularities caused by If the detection range of the next main scanning line is set using the detection data of the previous main scanning line, the detection range can be further narrowed, and erroneous detection of the identification mark can be suppressed. .

  Then, if the abnormality of the identification mark is determined based on the detection signal of the position detection means within the detection range, if the detection signal is not obtained within the detection range or the difference in detection data from the previous detection result is constant. Judging abnormalities such as exceeding the range or when multiple detection signals are obtained, stop the recording operation, or continue the recording operation by diverting the detection data from the previous main scan line Thus, it is possible to suppress the image recording position shift as much as possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferable specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and thus various technical limitations are made. However, the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram relating to an embodiment of the present invention. An inkjet recording apparatus A that records an image on a long fabric T having a predetermined width includes a transport mechanism for the fabric T and a scanning mechanism for the inkjet recording head 1.

  The fabric T is continuously fed from the supply roller 8 by the transport roller, wound around the centering roller 2, and position adjustment in the width direction is performed. An end position detection sensor 7 in the width direction of the fabric T is disposed in the vicinity of the centering roller 2, and the end of the conveyed fabric T is positioned at a predetermined position based on a detection signal from the end position detection sensor 7. Be monitored for.

  The fabric T whose position has been adjusted by the centering roller 2 is carried onto an endless conveying belt 3 stretched around a pair of belt rollers 4. An adhesive tape is fixed to the surface of the endless conveyance belt 3. When the fabric T is pressed against the endless conveyance belt 3 by the pressing roller 5, the adhesive T is stuck to the adhesive tape, and the fabric T is placed on the endless conveyance belt 3. Positioned.

  The fabric T positioned on the endless transport belt 3 is transported together with the endless transport belt 3 and an image is recorded by the ink jet recording head 1, and the fabric T after the image recording is finished from the endless transport belt 3 by the transport roller. It is conveyed upward, peeled off from the adhesive tape, and taken up sequentially by the take-up roller 6.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view relating to a mechanism for recording an image. The fabric T is transported in the sub-scanning direction Y by the endless transport belt 3. The inkjet recording head 1 is positioned and fixed on a carriage 11 supported by a guide rail 10, and the carriage 11 is driven by a carriage motor 12 on a fabric T via a timing belt 13 in the main scanning direction (crossing direction X 1, X2) is reciprocated.

  In response to the image signal, the carriage 11 is moved in the main scanning directions X1 and X2, and a drive signal is input to the ink jet recording head 1 via the flexible cable 14 and ink is ejected toward the surface of the fabric T. .

  In the ink jet recording head 1, four recording head portions 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are sequentially arranged in the main scanning direction, and discharge different colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. A full color image can be recorded by appropriately superimposing and recording the four colors.

  An identification mark position detection sensor 15 is disposed in the carriage 11 in the vicinity of the ink jet recording head 1. The identification mark position detection sensor 15 moves on the fabric T together with the ink jet recording head 1 and will be described later. The position of the identification mark F knitted on the fabric T is detected. As the identification mark position detection sensor 15, a sensor element capable of optically or electrically detecting the identification mark can be used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the surface of the fabric T. As shown in FIG. The fabric T is made of a stretchable knitted fabric, and yarns serving as identification marks F1 to F4 are knitted in the sub-scanning direction Y. On the fabric T, a plurality of recording areas S _{11 to} S ₁₄ are set in the main scanning direction X, and images such as patterns and patterns are recorded in the respective recording areas. A plurality of such recording areas S _{n1 to} S _n4 (n = 1, 2,...) _Are arranged and set in the sub-scanning direction Y.

The identification mark F1 is arranged at a position outside these recording areas corresponding to the recording areas S ₁₁ , S ₂₁ ... Arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Similarly, the identification mark F2 is arranged at a position outside these recording areas corresponding to the recording areas S ₁₂ , S ₂₂ ... Arranged in the sub-scanning direction. .. Corresponding to the recording areas S ₁₃ , S ₂₃ ... Arranged in the scanning direction, and are arranged at positions outside these recording areas, and the identification mark F 4 is the recording area S arranged in the sub-scanning direction. ₁₄ , S ₂₄ ... Are arranged at positions outside these recording areas.

Since the fabric T has elasticity, when the fabric T is pressed and positioned by the adhesive tape of the endless transport belt 3, the fabric T is stuck in a state in which the degree of expansion / contraction of the entire fabric varies and is uniformly expanded / contracted. It does not become a state. In FIG. 3, the degree of expansion / contraction varies between the recording areas S _{11 to} S ₁₄ and the recording areas S _{21 to} S ₂₄ , but the identification marks F 1 to F 4 are displaced according to the expansion / contraction degree. It is supposed to be.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the surface of another fabric T. As shown in FIG. In this example, a yarn that becomes an identification mark similar to the identification marks F1 to F4 shown in FIG. 3 is knitted, but recording areas S ₁₁ , S ₂₁ ... Are set between the identification marks F 1 and F 2. cage, recorded between identification marks F3 and F4 region _{S 12 ~S 14, S 22 ~S} 24, ··· are set. Thus, the identification mark can be set as appropriate in accordance with the set recording area.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the surface of yet another fabric T. FIG. In this example, a yarn that becomes an identification mark similar to the identification marks F1 to F4 shown in FIG. 3 is knitted, but recording areas S ₁₁ , S ₂₁ ... Are set between the identification marks F 1 and F 2. The recording areas S ₁₂ , S ₂₂ ... Are set between the identification marks F 2 and F 4. The identification mark F3 is set at the center of the recording areas S ₁₂ , S ₂₂ . In this way, the identification mark can be used as an index indicating the center position of the recording area.

  As the fabric T, recycled fibers represented by rayon, natural fibers represented by cotton, semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate, polyester-based synthetic fibers represented by polyethylene terephthalate, and aliphatic polyamide-based synthetic fibers represented by nylon Alternatively, a thin or thick knitted fabric using these mixed fibers can be employed.

  The yarn used as the identification mark is not particularly limited as long as it can be clearly distinguished from the ground structure. For example, in the case of optical detection, the reflectance difference at the light source wavelength used for detection may be set to be 30% or more, more preferably 50% or more, with respect to the ground color of the ground tissue. Is good. If the difference in reflectance between the ground color and the identification mark becomes large, it becomes difficult to be affected by unevenness and wrinkles on the fabric surface when detecting the identification mark. Moreover, when detecting electrically, the thread | yarn which has the electrical conductivity greatly different from the electrical conductivity of ground structure should just be used.

  The identification mark exposed on the surface of the fabric can be set to various identifiable shapes such as an intermittent line shape, a dot shape, or a cross shape.

  In addition, when optically detecting the yarn of the identification mark, in order to improve the detection accuracy, a yarn of a color having a different reflectance may be arranged adjacent to both sides of the yarn to be the identification mark. Good. For example, when the yarn serving as the identification mark is black, a white yarn may be arranged on both sides, and conversely, when the yarn serving as the identification mark is white, the black yarn may be arranged on both sides. Since the identification mark is arranged outside the area of the recording area, such a color arrangement of the yarn does not affect the recording area.

  The thickness of the yarn used as the identification mark may be in the range of 44 to 200 dtex. If it is less than 44 dtex, it is difficult to detect, and if it exceeds 200 dtex, the balance with the thickness of the yarn used for the fabric T may be poor and wrinkles may occur.

  In the case where the fabric T is made of a fabric connected to a fabric as a product, it is preferable to provide a divided region that can be separated using a thread after completion of a necessary processing step, and knitting an identification mark in the divided region. For example, in the case of a warp knitted fabric, the drawn yarn is knitted so that it can be pulled out independently in the warp direction. Note that the fabric can be easily separated by using a weak yarn or a yarn solubilized by heat or the like instead of the drawn yarn.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of warp knitted fabrics T1 to T3 are connected in the width direction to form a single fabric. The divided region in this example is constituted by the drawn yarns N1 and N2 of a chain stitch structure that can be drawn alone in the warp direction, and elastic yarns (not shown) that connect the drawn yarns N1 and N2 and the fabrics T1 to T3. The After the necessary processing steps are completed, the drawn yarns N1 and N2 are pulled out to release the coupling between the drawn yarn and the elastic yarn so that the left and right fabrics of the drawn yarn can be separated from each other.・ No need for sewing work. In addition, since the part which protruded to the pulling yarn side by the elastic restoring force of the elastic yarn constituting the divided region is drawn to the shrinking fabric side by its own elastic restoring force, an end portion without unevenness can be obtained. .

  Further, by arbitrarily selecting the color of the thread to be different from the ground color of the warp knitted fabric, it is possible to use both the thread and the identification mark. In this example, it is possible to collectively record an image at an arbitrary position with reference to the thread for the three fabrics that are connected in the width direction, and it is possible to improve productivity. Note that the fabric can be easily separated by using a low-strength yarn or a yarn solubilized by heat or the like instead of the drawn yarn. In addition, the binding force of the cloth by the divided regions needs to be strong enough not to be separated from the tensile in the weft direction in the front-rear treatment process.

  In FIG. 7, narrow fabrics t1 and t2 in which identification marks F1 and F2 are knitted are arranged between three fabrics T1 to T3 to be products, and each fabric is connected to weakly connected yarns N3 to N6. It is a mimetic diagram showing one piece of cloth constituted by connecting by. For the connecting yarns N3 to N6 that connect the fabrics T1 to T3 and the narrow fabrics t1 and t2 in the width direction, yarns that have lower tensile strength and are easier to cut than the yarns that constitute the ends of the fabrics T1 to T3 are used. Therefore, when the narrow fabrics t1 and t2 are pulled, the connecting yarns N3 to N6 are easily cut, and the fabrics T1 to T3 can be separated without damaging the fabrics T1 to T3. Further, if the connecting yarns N3 to N6 are knitted so as to be strongly connected to the narrow fabrics t1 and t2, the connecting yarns N3 to N6 after cutting are separated without remaining on the fabric T1 to T3 side. be able to.

  In this example, since the recording area for the fabrics T1 to T3 can be partially enlarged to the fabrics t1 and t2, which are the divided areas, it is possible to record images without borders on the fabrics T1 to T3 that are products. It becomes. Moreover, since the color of the thread | yarn used for the fabrics of the fabrics t1 and t2 can be arbitrarily selected without depending on the yarns used for the fabrics of the fabrics T1 to T3, the identification marks are used as the yarns used for the fabrics t1 and t2. If a yarn having a color that is significantly different from the yarn used for F1 and F2 is used, the identification marks F1 and F2 can be easily detected optically, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus A. As shown in FIG. The ink jet recording apparatus A includes a recording control unit 20 that controls a recording operation, an I / O interface unit 21 for exchanging data with the external device 100, and a memory unit that stores programs and image data necessary for the recording operation. 22, a head drive circuit 23 that receives a head drive control signal from the recording control unit 20 and outputs a drive signal to each of the recording head units 1Y to 1K; a carriage motor drive control signal from the recording control unit 20; A carriage motor control circuit 24 that controls the rotation of the motor 12, a conveyance motor control circuit 25 that receives a conveyance motor drive control signal from the recording control unit 20 and controls the rotation of the conveyance motor 16 that rotationally drives the belt roller 4, and an identification mark position A position detection circuit 26 that receives a detection signal from the detection sensor 15 and transmits it to the recording control unit 20 is provided. There.

  The recording control unit 20 includes a position detection processing unit 20a, an image adjustment unit 20b, and a determination unit 20c. The position detection processing unit 20a generates position data of the identification marks F1 to F4 based on the output signal from the position detection circuit 26, and determines the recording start position of each recording area. In addition, the color detected by the position detection circuit 26 is set in accordance with the color of the yarn that becomes the identification mark. The position detection processing unit 20a can set a predetermined range for detecting the positions of the identification marks F1 to F4, acquire a detection signal from the position detection circuit 26 within the range, and determine the recording start position. . When setting the detection range, the next detection range may be set based on the position data of the identification mark obtained at the time of the previous recording. For obtaining the detection signal, either a method for performing position detection only within a predetermined setting range or a method for obtaining only a signal corresponding to the predetermined setting range among detection signals obtained for the entire scanning range may be used. Good. In addition, by making it possible to set the color detected by the position detection circuit 26 in accordance with the color of the yarn serving as the identification mark, it is also possible to apply to pre-dyed fabrics such as dressing / discharge printing.

  When determining the recording start position, the position may be determined at a predetermined interval from the position data of the identification mark, or the position determination is performed based on the average value using the position data of the plurality of identification marks, for example. You may make it do. Further, the print start position of each recorded image may be adjusted according to the expansion / contraction ratio calculated from at least two identification mark interval data corresponding to each recording area.

The image adjustment unit 20b adjusts the size of the image to be recorded in each recording area based on the position data of the identification marks F1 to F4 obtained from the position detection processing unit 20a. For example, recorded in the case of the area S _11, to calculate the length between the position data of the identification marks F1 and F2, the recording area from the ratio of the initial value when expansion does not occur (set in advance) the degree of expansion is obtained in S _11, to adjust the main scanning direction size of the image in accordance with the ratio.

  The determination unit 20c determines a case of false detection such as when there is no detection signal acquired in a predetermined detection range in the position detection processing unit 20a or when there are a plurality of detection signals, and performs a recording operation stop process or an abnormality notification process. In addition, when the width of the detection signal corresponding to the width of the identification mark is abnormally large, it is assumed that wrinkles or dirt is detected, so whether the width of the detection signal with respect to the reference value is also abnormal is determined. You may make it do. In addition, when a plurality of detection signals are acquired, the position data closest to the previous detection result is determined as normal position data, or the position shift is based on the position data of the preceding and subsequent identification marks. You may make it determine so that normal position data may be selected from quantity. Alternatively, the identification mark may be detected and determined again at a location different from the position where the abnormality is detected.

  FIG. 9 shows a processing flow for performing image recording. Prior to image recording, the range of the recording area in the main scanning direction and position data relating to the identification mark are set as initial values in advance (S100). These position data are set as distance data from a reference position, for example, a side end position of the endless conveyance belt 3.

  Other initial values include position data serving as a reference for image recording, such as an image size, an interval data reference value from an identification mark to a recording area, and interval data of an identification mark.

  When the initial value is set, the detection range of the identification mark is set correspondingly (S101). For example, the detection range may be set to about ± 20 mm of the initial value of the position data of the identification mark. Next, the carriage 11 is moved to the initial position and moved over the fabric T in the main scanning direction over the entire width (S102). Based on the set detection range, the identification mark position detection sensor 15 detects the identification marks F1 to F4 within the range (S103). Whether or not the detection data is abnormal is checked by the determination unit 20c (S104). If it is determined that the detection data is abnormal, for example, if it is not detected within the detection range, an error is displayed and the recording process is stopped.

  If it is determined that the detection data is normal, it is stored as position data of each identification mark, and the interval between the identification marks is calculated using the stored position data of the identification mark (S105). Then, a ratio between the initial value of the identification mark interval and the calculated interval between the identification marks is obtained, and it is determined whether or not to adjust the size of the image in each recording area in the main scanning direction based on the obtained ratio (S106). ). For example, when the interval based on the detected position data is larger than the initial value, since the fabric is expanded in the main scanning direction, the image data is expanded in the main scanning direction and the size is adjusted ( S107). The recording start position of each recording area is determined based on the identification mark position data corresponding to each recording area, the image size, the distance data from the identification mark to each recording area, and the fabric expansion / contraction rate (S108).

3, a recording start reference position at the left end portion of the recording areas, distance between the recording area S ₁₁ left end and the identification mark F1, the interval between the identification mark F2 recording area S ₁₂ the right end, and the identification mark F3 recording distance between region S ₁₃ the left end, the case of determining to adjust the recording start position and the interval between the recording area S ₁₄ the right end and the identification mark F4 is specified spacing d _00.

Recording start position of the recording area S ₁₁ determines the recording start position by adding the distance data d ₁₁ to the position data of the identification mark F1. Recording start position of the recording area S ₁₂ determines the recording start position by subtracting the distance data d ₁₂ to the position data of the identification mark F2. Recording start position of the recording area S ₁₃ determines the recording start position by adding the distance data d ₁₃ to the position data of the identification mark F3. Recording start position of the recording area S ₁₄ determines the recording start position by subtracting the distance data d ₁₄ to the position data of the identification mark F4.

If expansion and contraction of the fabric are completely absent, the distance data d ₁₁ and d ₁₃ to the recording region S ₁₁ and S ₁₃ are
d ₁₁ = d ₁₃ = d ₀₀
It becomes.

When the fabric is stretched, the stretch rate α ₁₂ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F1 and F2 and the stretch rate α ₃₄ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F3 and F4 are used.
d ₁₁ = d ₀₀ × α ₁₂
d ₁₃ = d ₀₀ × α ₃₄
It becomes. The expansion / contraction rate may be calculated as a ratio of the interval between the identification marks obtained from the position data of two initially set identification marks and the interval obtained from the position detection data of the identification marks.

The distance data d ₁₂ and d ₁₄ of the recording area S ₁₂ and S _14, when expansion and contraction of the fabric does not occur, using a defined image size W ₁₂ and W ₁₄ and defined distance d ₀₀ of the recording area width direction And
d ₁₂ = W ₁₂ + d ₀₀
d ₁₄ = W ₁₄ + d ₀₀
It becomes. If the fabric stretches, use the stretch rate α ₁₂ and α ₃₄ above,
d ₁₂ = (W ₁₂ + d ₀₀ ) × α ₁₂
d ₁₄ = (W ₁₄ + d ₀₀ ) × α ₃₄
It becomes.

  Note that the identification mark used as a reference for the recording start position and the identification mark used for calculating the fabric expansion / contraction rate should be selected as close as possible to the recording area whose position is to be adjusted, or one located on both sides of the recording area. Is preferred.

Next, in FIG. 4, in the center of the recording area S ₁₁ identification marks F1 and F2, to a position where the recording area S ₁₂ is adjacent to the identification mark F3, in the center of the right end identification mark F3 and F4 of the recording area S ₁₃ A case will be described in which the recording start position is adjusted so as to be positioned. Note that the recording start reference position of each recording area is the left end of each recording area, as in FIG.

The recording start position of the recording area S ₁₁ is determined by subtracting the distance data d ₁₁ from the intermediate position data of the identification marks F 1 and F 2. Recording area S ₁₂ determines the recording start position only the position data of the identification mark F3. Recording start position of the recording area S ₁₃ determines the recording start position by subtracting the distance data d ₁₃ from the intermediate position data of the identification marks F3 and F4.

If expansion and contraction of the fabric are completely absent, the distance data d ₁₁ from the widthwise center position to the recording area S ₁₁ the left end of the recording area S ₁₁ is half the size in the width direction specified image size W ₁₁ of the recording area S ₁₁ in equal, the distance data d ₁₃ of the recording area S ₁₃ is equal to the width direction specified image size W ₁₃ of the recording area S _13,
d ₁₁ = W _11/2
d ₁₃ = W ₁₃
It becomes.

When the fabric is stretched, the stretch rate α ₁₂ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F1 and F2 and the stretch rate α ₃₄ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F3 and F4 are used.
_{d 11 = W 11 × α 12} /2
d ₁₃ = W ₁₃ × α ₃₄
It becomes. For the recording areas S ₁₂ and S ₁₄ , the recording start position is determined using the position data of the identification marks F 3 and F 4 as in FIG.

  Thus, the correspondence between the recording area and the identification mark does not have to be one-to-one, and the recording start positions of a plurality of recording areas may be determined based on the position data of one identification mark.

5, the center of the recording area S ₁₁ identification marks F1 and F2, the center in the width direction of the recording area S ₁₂ will be described a case of determining to adjust the recording start position so as to coincide with the identification mark F3. Note that the recording start reference position of each recording area is the left end of each recording area, as in FIG.

The recording start position of the recording area S ₁₁ is determined by subtracting the distance data d ₁₁ from the intermediate position data of the identification marks F 1 and F 2. Recording start position of the recording area S ₁₂ determines the recording start position by subtracting the distance data d ₁₂ from the position data of the identification mark F3.

If expansion and contraction of the fabric are completely absent, the distance data d ₁₁ and d ₁₂ from the widthwise center position of each recording area to the recording area left end, of each of the recording area width direction of the prescribed image size W ₁₁ and W ₁₂ Since it is equal to half the size,
d ₁₁ = W _11/2
d ₁₂ = W _12/2
It becomes.

When the fabric is stretched, the stretch rate α ₁₂ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F1 and F2 and the stretch rate α ₂₃ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F2 and F3 are used.
_{d 11 = W 11 × α 12} /2
d ₁₂ = W ₁₂ × α _23/2
It becomes.

Incidentally, fabric stretch ratio for recording region S ₁₂ is divided into two regions sandwiched between the region between the identification mark F2 and F3 identifying marks F3 and F4, are calculated from the position data of the identification mark F2 and F3 stretch rate alpha ₂₃ and using the scaling factor alpha ₃₄ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F3 and F4, may adjust the image size of the recording area S _12.

Further, by using the expansion / contraction rate α ₂₄ calculated from the position data of the identification marks F2 and F4,
d ₁₂ = W ₁₂ × α _24/2
It is good.

  Thus, the correspondence between the recording area and the identification mark does not have to be one-to-one, and one identification mark can be used for determining the recording start position and the image size of a plurality of recording areas as in this example. Good. Further, the identification mark used for determining the recording start position and the identification mark used for calculating the fabric expansion / contraction rate do not need to be the same, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose of position adjustment.

Based on the determined recording start position and the image size performs recording processing of the recording area S ₁₁ to S ₁₄ in the main scanning direction (S108). After the carriage 11 is moved in the main scanning direction and recorded on one scanning line by the ink jet recording head 1, the endless transport belt 3 is transported by one scanning line in the sub scanning direction. The conveyance in the scanning direction is repeated to record in the recording area.

When the recording processing of the recording area S ₁₁ to S ₁₄ is completed, check whether there is a next recording region (S110), if there is a next record area, the process returns to step S101, detection of the next recording region Set the range. When setting the detection range, the previously set detection range may be used as it is. However, if the detection range is set based on the position data of the identification mark detected last time, the detection range can be further narrowed down. Can be reduced. The inspection range may be changed such that it is wide at the start of printing when the expansion and contraction of the fabric is not stable or after the joint line where the position of the identification line is likely to change, and is narrowed otherwise.

  In the above-described example, the identification mark is detected only at the start of recording in each recording area. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The identification mark is detected for each scan and the recording start position is detected. A series of processes up to the determination may be repeated.

  Thereafter, as described above, the same processing as the previous time is performed, and the recording operation for the next recording area is performed. Then, when there is no next recording area, the image recording process is terminated.

  The fabric image-recorded by the method described above is divided into a plurality of fabrics having a specified width as a product by the above-described divided areas. In addition, since the image is recorded with reference to the position of the identification mark in the divided area formed along the fabric end portion as the final product, the recording position at the fabric end portion can be positioned with high accuracy. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a fabric in which an image is recorded with high accuracy up to the end portion, and there is no need to cut and remove the end portion of the fabric as in the prior art.

  In the present embodiment, the identification mark position detection sensor 15 is mounted on the carriage together with the ink jet recording head 1. However, the identification mark position detection sensor 15 performs scanning separately from the carriage. The method for installing the detection sensor is not particularly limited.

It is a schematic block diagram regarding embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic perspective view regarding the mechanism which performs image recording. It is a schematic diagram which shows the surface of a fabric. It is a schematic diagram which shows the surface of another fabric. It is a schematic diagram which shows the surface of another fabric. It is the schematic regarding the fabric using the thread. It is the schematic regarding the fabric which has a division part. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of an inkjet recording device. It is a processing flow which performs image recording.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording head 2 Supply roller 3 Endless conveyance belt 4 Belt roller 5 Pressing roller 6 Winding roller 7 End position detection sensor
10 Guide rail
11 Carriage
12 Carriage motor
13 Timing belt
14 Flexible cable
15 Identification mark position detection sensor

Claims (15)

  An inkjet recording method for recording an image in a plurality of recording areas set in the main scanning direction by transporting at least a part of stretchable fabric in the sub scanning direction and moving the inkjet recording head in the main scanning direction, An ink jet recording method comprising: detecting the position of an identification mark knitted on a fabric corresponding to each recording region, and recording an image of the recording region with an ink jet recording head.   2. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the identification mark is knitted outside the recording area of the fabric.   The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the identification mark is knitted in a divided region of the fabric.   4. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the position of a plurality of identification marks is detected and at least one of an image recording start position and an image size recorded in the recording area is adjusted.   5. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the position of the identification mark is detected within a predetermined detection range in the main scanning direction.   6. The ink jet recording method according to claim 5, wherein abnormality of the identification mark is determined based on a position detection result of the identification mark within the detection range.   A fabric used in an inkjet recording method for recording an image in a plurality of recording areas set in the main scanning direction by transporting at least a part of a stretchable fabric in the sub scanning direction and moving the inkjet recording head in the main scanning direction. A fabric in which at least one yarn knitted as an identification mark corresponding to each recording region is knitted in a divided region of the fabric.   Conveying means for conveying at least a part of stretchable fabric in the sub-scanning direction, recording means for recording an image by moving the ink jet recording head in the main scanning direction, and a plurality of recording areas set in the main scanning direction Corresponding to the position detection means for detecting the position of the identification mark knitted outside the recording area of the fabric, and the recording means for recording an image in each recording area based on a detection signal from the position detection means An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording control means for controlling   9. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the identification mark is knitted outside the recording area of the fabric.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the identification mark is knitted in a divided region of the fabric.   11. The recording control means comprises position detection processing means for determining a recording start position of an image to be recorded in each recording area based on a detection signal from the position detection means. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the above.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the position detection processing unit determines the recording start position based on a plurality of detection signals from the position detection unit.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the position detection processing unit determines the recording start position based on a detection signal of the position detection unit within a predetermined detection range in the main scanning direction. .   14. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the recording control unit includes a determination unit that determines an abnormality of the identification mark based on a detection signal of the position detection unit within the detection range.   15. The recording control unit according to claim 8, further comprising an image adjustment unit that adjusts a size of an image to be recorded in each recording area based on a plurality of detection signals from the position detection unit. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1.

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