JP4844110B2 - PRINT RECORDING LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE, PRINTING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD FOR PRINT RECORDING LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing recording liquid ejection apparatus, a printing apparatus, a control method for a printing recording liquid ejection apparatus, and a program thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet type ink ejection apparatus includes a nozzle plate on which nozzles are formed and a head cover provided with a grounding conductive piece for fixing the nozzle plate to the print head and grounding the nozzle plate. Has been proposed to prevent the print head (nozzle plate) from being damaged by, for example, static electricity of the recording paper, for example, by setting the voltage to the ground potential (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-190513 A

  Here, for example, when a nozzle test is performed to determine whether or not ink can be normally ejected from the nozzle when the print head and the ink receiving area that receives the ink ejected from the print head are at a predetermined test distance In addition, in the case of borderless printing, when the ink ejected to the area deviated from the edge of the paper is attracted to the ink absorber, the print head itself (nozzle plate or the like) may be desired to have a predetermined potential. However, in the ink ejection device described in Patent Document 1, since the print head is always connected to the ground, the print head cannot be freely set to a predetermined potential.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus capable of freely setting a printing head to a predetermined potential when the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area are at a predetermined distance, It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method and program for a printing recording liquid ejection apparatus.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The printing recording liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention is
A print head having a plurality of nozzles that are supported in a movable manner and that discharge the print recording liquid;
A printing recording liquid receiving area capable of receiving the printing recording liquid discharged from the nozzle;
Distance changing means capable of changing a relative distance between the print head and the printing recording liquid receiving area;
When the relative distance changed by the distance changing unit is a predetermined distance, the print head is disconnected from the ground potential. When the relative distance changed by the distance changing unit is other than the predetermined distance, the print head is set to the ground potential. Potential switching means for switching so that
It is equipped with.

  In this printing recording liquid ejection apparatus, when the relative distance between the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area is a predetermined distance, the printing head is disconnected from the ground potential. When the relative distance is other than the predetermined distance, the printing head is grounded. Switch to Thus, the print head is disconnected from the ground potential according to the distance between the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area. Therefore, the print head can be freely set to a predetermined potential when the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area are at a predetermined distance. Here, one “predetermined distance” may be determined, or two or more may be determined.

  In the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, the potential switching unit is connected to a conductive member electrically connected to the print head and a ground, and the relative distance changed by the distance changing unit is the predetermined distance. The connection switching member is formed so as to disconnect the electrical connection with the conductive member when it is, and to electrically connect with the conductive member when the relative distance changed by the distance changing means is other than the predetermined distance. It is good also as a means provided with these. In this way, when the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area are at a predetermined distance, the print head can be separated from the ground potential relatively easily using the connection switching member.

  Alternatively, in the printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the potential switching means includes a conductive member electrically connected to the print head, and a connecting member connected to a ground and electrically connectable to the conductive member. It is good also as a means provided with the separation member which spaces apart the said electrically-conductive member and the said connection member when the said relative distance changed by the said distance change means is the said predetermined distance. In this way, the print head can be separated from the ground potential relatively easily using the separating member. At this time, the connection member is a flexible member urged toward the conductive member, and the separation member is bent with the conductive member by bending the connection member in a direction away from the conductive member. The connecting member may be separated. In this way, the connecting member and the conductive member can be connected and separated relatively easily.

  In the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, the conductive member may be a carriage shaft that supports the print head and guides it in the main scanning direction. In this case, since the print head can be connected to the ground using the carriage shaft, there is no need to newly provide a conductive member.

  In the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, the distance changing unit may be a unit that moves the printing head closer to and away from the printing recording liquid receiving area. Generally, there is a case where the height of the print head is configured to be variable in order to print print media having different thicknesses. Therefore, it is necessary to newly provide a distance changing unit by using the configuration as the distance changing unit of the present invention. Absent. Alternatively, the distance changing unit may be a unit that moves the print recording liquid receiving area closer to and away from the print head. In general, for example, the capping member is configured so as to be close to and away from the print head, so that it is not necessary to newly provide a distance changing means by utilizing the configuration as the distance changing means of the present invention.

  In the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, the distance changing means is means capable of changing the distance between the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area in multiple stages, and the potential switching means is the distance changing means. When the relative distance is changed to the shortest distance as the predetermined distance among the relative distances that can be changed in multiple stages, the print head may be disconnected from the ground potential. In this way, the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area can be changed in multiple stages, and the print head can be separated from the ground potential at a distance according to the application. In addition, since the print head can be separated from the ground potential at the shortest distance that can be changed in multiple stages, when a potential difference is generated between the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area, the print head and the print recording A large electric field can be generated between the liquid receiving region.

  The printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention has a printing head driving means that can move the printing head in a predetermined main scanning direction and discharges the printing recording liquid from the nozzle, and sets the printing head side to a predetermined potential. The potential difference generating means for generating a predetermined potential difference between the printing recording liquid in the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area, and the distance changing means changing the relative distance, and the potential switching means When the head is separated from the ground potential, the potential difference generating means causes the potential difference generating means to generate the potential difference between the printing recording liquid in the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area from the nozzle. Control means for driving the print head to drive the print head so as to discharge to the print recording liquid receiving area may be provided. In this way, the print head is separated from the ground potential when the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area are at a predetermined distance. Therefore, the print recording liquid charged by setting the print head to the predetermined potential is transferred to the print recording liquid receiving area. It can be discharged. Here, the “printing recording liquid receiving area” may be connected to the ground potential.

  The printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention comprises an electrical change detecting means for detecting an electrical change in the printing recording liquid receiving area or the print head, and the potential switching means is the predetermined change by the distance changing means. When the relative distance is changed to an inspection distance for performing a nozzle inspection as to whether or not printing recording liquid can be discharged from each nozzle as a distance, the print head is disconnected from the ground potential, and the control means is configured such that the potential switching means When the print head is separated from the ground potential, the potential difference generating means causes the potential difference between the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area to be printed sequentially from each nozzle. The print head drive means drives the print head to discharge liquid to the printing recording liquid receiving area, and the electrical change detection means detects It may perform the nozzle inspection based on the gas-change. In this way, the print head is disconnected from the ground potential when the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area are at the inspection distance, and a potential difference is generated between the print recording liquid and the print recording liquid receiving area in the print head. Since the nozzle inspection is performed, the nozzle inspection can be surely performed. At this time, the printing recording liquid discharge device includes a capping member that covers the nozzle when the printing head comes into contact, and the printing recording liquid receiving area is provided inside the capping member, and the control unit The nozzle inspection may be performed after controlling the distance changing means so that the distance between the print head and the capping member is shortened. In this way, since the nozzle inspection is performed by shortening the relative distance between the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area provided on the capping member, it is easy to ensure the inspection accuracy. Further, since the print recording liquid receiving area is provided inside the capping member, it is easy to process the print recording liquid discharged in the nozzle inspection.

  In the printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the printing recording liquid receiving area is connected to a ground and formed from one end to the other end of the printable area on the platen, and the potential difference generating means is the printing recording on the platen. The potential difference can be generated between substantially the entire liquid receiving area and the print head, and the potential difference switching means is configured to change the relative distance to the borderless printing distance as the predetermined distance by the distance changing means. The print head is disconnected from the ground potential, and the control means is configured to perform print recording in the print head in the potential difference generating means when the potential switching means disconnects the print head from the ground potential when performing borderless printing. The print recording liquid from the nozzle in a state where the potential difference is generated between the liquid and the print recording liquid receiving area. The print head may be driven to the print head driving means to eject the receiving area. In this way, the print recording liquid in the print head can be set at a predetermined potential over almost the entire printable area. Therefore, the print recording liquid that has jumped out of the edge area of the print medium during borderless printing can be used. The print recording liquid receiving area can be drawn.

  In the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit may cause the potential difference generation unit between the printing recording liquid in the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area only when the relative distance is the predetermined distance. The potential difference may be generated. By doing so, it is possible to shorten the time for which the print recording liquid in the print head is set to the predetermined potential, so that it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print recording liquid in the print head caused by holding the print recording liquid at the predetermined potential.

  In the printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the relative distance is the predetermined distance, the control unit causes the potential difference generating unit to move between the printing recording liquid in the print head and the printing recording liquid receiving area. When the device cover that covers the device is opened while the potential difference is being generated, the distance changing means may change the relative distance to be a distance other than the predetermined distance. In this way, even if the device cover is opened when a predetermined potential difference is generated between the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area, the relative distance is other than the predetermined distance, that is, the ground potential. Since the print head is moved to the region to be, safety can be ensured.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described printing recording liquid ejection apparatuses and a transport unit that transports a printing medium to the recording liquid ejection apparatus. Since the printing apparatus can freely set the printing head to a predetermined potential when the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area are at a predetermined distance as described above, the printing apparatus including the printing apparatus is also the same. The effect is obtained.

The control method of the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention is
A print head that is movably supported and includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge print recording liquid, a print recording liquid receiving area that can receive the print recording liquid discharged from the nozzles, the print head, and the print recording A distance changing means capable of changing a relative distance to the liquid receiving area; and when the relative distance changed by the distance changing means is a predetermined distance, the print head is separated from a ground potential and changed by the distance changing means. A potential switching means for switching the print head to a ground potential when the relative distance is other than a predetermined distance; and a print head capable of moving the print head in a predetermined main scanning direction and discharging the print recording liquid from the nozzle. A predetermined potential difference is generated between the driving means and the printing recording liquid in the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area. And potential difference generating means, a control method of the print recording liquid ejection device provided with,
When the distance changing means changes the relative distance, and the potential switching means disconnects the print head from the ground potential, the potential difference generating means causes the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area to Driving the print head to the print head drive means to discharge the print recording liquid from the nozzles to the print recording liquid receiving area in a state where the potential difference is generated between the print head and the print head.
Is included.

  In the control method of the printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus, when the relative distance between the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area is a predetermined distance, the printing head is disconnected from the ground potential, and when the relative distance is other than the predetermined distance, the printing head is separated. Is switched to the ground potential. Thus, the print head is disconnected from the ground potential according to the distance between the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area. Therefore, the print head can be freely set to a predetermined potential when the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area are at a predetermined distance. Also, in order to separate the print head from the ground potential when the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area are at a predetermined distance, the print recording liquid charged by setting the print head side to the predetermined potential is discharged to the print recording liquid receiving area. can do. In the control method of the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus, various aspects of the above-described printing recording liquid ejection apparatus may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above printing recording liquid ejection apparatus May be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the above-described control method of the printing recording liquid ejection apparatus. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or if each computer is assigned to each step and executed, each step of the above-described control method of the printing recording liquid discharging apparatus is executed. The same effect as the control method of the apparatus can be obtained.

  Next, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an inkjet printer 20 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a broken sectional view of a left side surface of a carriage 22, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing electrical connection of a print head 24, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the ink receiving area 68 formed on the platen 44 (the lower figure is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the ink receiving area 68), and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the potential switching mechanism 60. FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views of the height switching of the carriage 22, and FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory views of the capping member lifting mechanism 90. FIG. 8A shows the case where the print head 24 and the capping member 41 are not opposed to each other. 8B is a view when the print head 24 and the capping member 41 are opposed to each other and separated from each other, and FIG. 8C is a view when the print head 24 and the capping member 41 are in contact with each other. Figure 9 shows the nozzle detection. It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the apparatus 50.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 20 of the present embodiment ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 23 (see FIG. 2) of the nozzle plate 27 onto the recording paper S conveyed on the platen 44 from the back to the front in the drawing. A printer mechanism 21 that performs printing, a potential switching mechanism 60 that switches the potential of the print head 24 (see FIG. 6), a paper feed mechanism 31 that includes a paper feed roller 35 driven by a drive motor 33, and a recording paper S. A platen 44 as a support member, a capping member elevating mechanism 90 (see FIG. 8) for elevating and lowering the capping member 41 formed in the vicinity of the right end of the platen 44, and an ink droplet formed from the print head 24 inside the capping member 41. Nozzle inspection device 50 for inspecting whether or not the ink is normally discharged, and provided at the left end in the figure outside the printable area of the platen 44 A lashing region 49, and a controller 70 that controls the entire inkjet printer 20. The flushing region 49 performs a so-called flushing operation in which ink droplets are ejected periodically or at a predetermined timing regardless of print data in order to prevent the ink from drying and solidifying at the tip of the nozzle 23. Used for

  The printer mechanism 21 includes a carriage 22 that reciprocates left and right along a carriage shaft 28 by a carriage belt 32, and mounted on the carriage 22 in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). An ink cartridge 26 that individually stores ink of each color and a print head 24 that applies pressure to each ink supplied from the ink cartridge 26 are provided. As the carriage 22 is driven by the carriage motor 34a, the carriage belt 32 laid between the carriage motor 34a attached to the right side of the mechanical frame 80 and the driven roller 34b attached to the left side of the mechanical frame 80 is driven. Move. As shown in FIG. 2, a carriage substrate 65 to which a linear encoder 25 is connected is attached to the rear surface of the carriage 22 at the center of the rear surface. The linear encoder 25 is a controller on a main board 85 (see FIG. 1) attached to the back surface of the mechanical frame 80 via a flat cable 69 inserted into a connector portion 67 in which wirings on the carriage board 65 are bundled. Exchanges signals with 70. The linear encoder 25 detects the position of the carriage 22, and the position of the carriage 22 can be managed using the linear encoder 25. Although not shown, the ink cartridge 26 is used for printing of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), etc. containing dye or pigment as a colorant in water as a solvent. Each container is configured as a container for storing ink as a liquid, and is detachably mounted on the carriage 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 26 has an ink supply port 26a for each ink, and an ink supply needle 22a provided on the carriage 22 is formed on the lower surface of the carriage 22 by being inserted into the ink supply port 26a. Ink can be supplied to the printed head 24.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 24 includes a nozzle plate 27 in which a plurality of nozzles 23 are formed. The nozzle plate 27 is fixed to the print head 24 by a frame-like cover head 29 (see FIG. 9). The nozzle plate 27 and the cover head 29 are formed of a conductive member (SUS or the like). A contact plate 61 is fixed to the nozzle plate 27 on the back side of the carriage 22. The contact plate 61 is a member formed in a plate shape by a conductive and flexible member (SUS or the like), and is provided between the back surface of the print head 24 and the carriage shaft 28. The contact plate 61 is fixed in a state in which a fixing portion 61 a, which is one end thereof, is connected to the nozzle plate 27 disposed at the lowermost portion of the print head 24 and is always biased toward the carriage shaft 28. The other end of the contact plate 61 is a free end, and is provided with a contact portion 61 b that contacts the carriage shaft 28 when the carriage 22 moves along the carriage shaft 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle plate 27 includes a nozzle array 43 in which a plurality of nozzles 23 that eject inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are arranged. Is provided. Here, all nozzles are collectively referred to as nozzles 23, all nozzle rows are collectively referred to as nozzle rows 43, cyan nozzles and nozzle rows are nozzles 23C and 43C, magenta nozzles and nozzle rows are nozzles 23M. The nozzle row 43M, the yellow nozzle and the nozzle row are referred to as a nozzle 23Y and a nozzle row 43Y, and the black nozzle and the nozzle row are referred to as a nozzle 23K and a nozzle row 43K. Hereinafter, description will be given using the nozzle 23K. In the print head 24, 180 nozzles 23 </ b> K are arranged along the transport direction of the recording paper S to form a nozzle row 43 </ b> K. Each nozzle 23K is provided with a piezoelectric element 48 as a drive element for ejecting ink droplets. By applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element 48, the piezoelectric element 48 is deformed to pressurize the ink and press the nozzle 23K. Discharge.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print head 24 includes a plurality of mask circuits 47 provided corresponding to the plurality of piezoelectric elements 48 that respectively drive the nozzles 23K. The original signal ODRV and the print signal PRTn generated by the controller 70 are input to the mask circuit 47. Note that n at the end of the print signal PRTn is a number for specifying the nozzles included in the nozzle row. In this embodiment, since the nozzle row is composed of 180 nozzles, n is any number from 1 to 180. It becomes a numerical value. This original signal ODRV has a first pulse P1, a second pulse P2, a third pulse P3, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 3, within a period of one pixel (within a time during which the carriage 22 crosses the interval of one pixel). It consists of three drive waveforms. In the present embodiment, the original signal ODRV having these three drive waveforms as a repeating unit is referred to as one segment. When the original signal ODRV and the print signal PRTn are input, the mask circuit 47 transmits a necessary pulse among the first pulse P1, the second pulse P2, and the third pulse P3 based on these signals to the drive signal DRVn (n Is the same as n of the print signal PRTn) and is output toward the piezoelectric element 48 of the nozzle 23K. Specifically, when only the first pulse P1 is output from the mask circuit 47 to the piezoelectric element 48, one shot of ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 23K, and a small size dot (small dot) is formed on the recording paper S. It is formed. When the first pulse P1 and the second pulse P2 are output to the piezoelectric element 48, two shots of ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 23K, and medium-sized dots (medium dots) are formed on the recording paper S. The When the first pulse P1, the second pulse P2, and the third pulse P3 are output to the piezoelectric element 48, three shots of ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 23K, and a large size dot (large size) is formed on the recording paper S. Dot) is formed. Thus, in the inkjet printer 20, it is possible to form dots of three types of sizes by adjusting the amount of ink ejected in one pixel section. The other color nozzles 23C, 23M, and 23Y and the nozzle rows 43C, 43M, and 43Y are the same as the nozzle 23K and the nozzle row 43K. Here, the print head 24 employs a method in which the piezoelectric element 48 is deformed to pressurize the ink, but the ink is generated by bubbles generated by heating the ink by applying a voltage to a heating resistor (for example, a heater). You may employ | adopt the system which pressurizes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feed mechanism 31 includes a recording paper insertion port 39 for inserting the recording paper S placed on the paper feed tray 38 and a recording paper S placed on the paper feed tray 38 as a print head. A paper feed roller 36 for feeding the recording paper S and roll paper to the print head 24, and a paper discharge roller 37 for discharging the recording paper S after printing. The paper feed roller 36, paper feed roller 35, and paper discharge roller 37 are driven by a drive motor 33 (see FIG. 1) via a gear mechanism (not shown). The paper feed mechanism 31 prevents a plurality of recording papers S from being fed at a time by the rotational driving force of the paper feed roller 36 and the frictional resistance of a separation pad (not shown). In FIG. 1, the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S is a direction from the back side toward the front side, and the movement direction of the carriage 22 that moves together with the print head 24 is a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the platen 44 has an ink receiving area 68 that absorbs ink that protrudes from the end of each size of recording paper during borderless printing, and a recording paper that passes through the ink receiving area 68 from the back side. A plurality of support pillars 44a to be supported are formed. The ink receiving area 68 is configured by members similar to the upper ink absorber 55, the lower ink absorber 56, and the electrode member 57 of the nozzle inspection device 50 described later, and the electrode member 57 is grounded via the mechanical frame 80. As a result, the ground potential is obtained. The ink receiving area 68 includes first to fourth side edge ink absorbing areas 68a to 68d for absorbing ink protruding from the side edge of each size of recording paper, and the leading edge of the recording paper during borderless printing. In addition, a front and rear end ink absorbing region 68e for absorbing ink protruding from the rear end portion is provided. The first side end ink absorbing area 68a is arranged such that when the right end portion of the recording paper of each size is arranged along the reference guide provided in the vicinity of the capping member 41, the right end portion passes above. Is formed. The second to fourth side edge ink absorbing regions 68b to 68d are formed so that the left edge of the postcard size, B5 size, and A4 size recording paper passes above the ink absorption regions 68b to 68d, respectively. The lengths in the transport direction of these first to fourth side end ink absorbing regions 68 a to 68 d are designed to be longer than the nozzle row 43. In addition, the front and rear end ink absorbing area 68e is designed to exceed the largest A4 size width of the recording paper, and the support pillar 44a receives the ink so as not to prevent the ink from reaching the side end. The region 68 is provided in a region other than the first to fourth side end ink absorbing regions 68a to 68d.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the potential switching mechanism 60 adjusts the distance between the carriage shaft 28 that supports the carriage 22 and guides it in the main scanning direction, and the print head 24 and the platen 44 (hereinafter also referred to as a platen gap). An adjustment mechanism 64 and a connection switching member 62 electrically connected to the carriage shaft 28 are provided. The carriage shaft 28 is made of a conductive material (SUS or the like), and is formed in an arc shape around the axis of the second gear 64c on both sides of the mechanical frame 80 so that the movement is allowed only in the vertical direction. It is fitted so as to be movable along the shape of the moving groove 80a (see FIG. 1). The shaft moving groove 80a is coated with an insulating material (for example, a silicon oxide film such as a TEOS film (tetraethylorthosilicate film)) so that the carriage shaft 28 and the mechanical frame 80 are not electrically connected. The carriage shaft 28 is inserted into a bearing portion 22 b fixed to the back surface of the carriage 22. The platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 includes cams 64a (shown only on one side in FIG. 6) attached to both ends of the carriage shaft 28, and cylindrical support pins that are respectively arranged below the cam 64a and support the outer peripheral surface of the cam 64a. 82 (shown only on one side in FIG. 6), an adjustment motor 58, and a second gear 64c that decelerates the rotation of the adjustment motor 58 and transmits it to the first gear 64b fixed to the cam 64a. The carriage shaft 28 is always urged in the direction of the support pin 82 (downward in the drawing) by a tension spring (not shown). When the cam 64a is rotated by the drive of the adjusting motor 58, the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 changes the distance between the carriage shaft 28 and the support pin 82 according to the rotational position, thereby causing the carriage shaft 28 to move along the shaft moving groove 80a. Moves up and down to adjust the platen gap. Here, a label printing distance for printing a CD label surface by transporting a resin tray on which a CD is placed, a normal distance for printing plain paper, and potential separation when performing nozzle inspection and borderless printing described below. The adjustment motor 58 is determined to rotate forward and backward so that the four platen gaps are shortened in the order of the distance and the high-quality distance when printing glossy paper. The connection switching member 62 is a member formed in a plate shape by a conductive and flexible member (SUS or the like). The connection switching member 62 is fixed to the mechanical frame 80 by a fixing portion 62b which is one end thereof and connected to the ground. Yes. The other end of the connection switching member 62 is a free end and can swing around the fixed portion 62b. At the approximate center of the connection switching member 62, an oxidation material such as an insulating material (eg, TEOS film (tetraethylorthosilicate film)) is provided at a position where it contacts the carriage shaft 28 when the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 is fixed at the potential separation distance. An insulating portion 62a coated with a silicon film is formed. In the potential switching mechanism 60, as shown in FIG. 7, when the carriage shaft 28 is fixed in contact with the insulating portion 62a of the connection switching member 62 by the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 (see the solid line in the figure), the carriage shaft 28 is disconnected from the ground potential, and the nozzle plate 27 is disconnected from the ground potential. On the other hand, when the carriage shaft 28 is fixed by the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 without being in contact with the insulating portion 62a of the connection switching member 62 (dashed line), the carriage shaft 28 becomes the ground potential and the nozzle plate 27 becomes the ground potential. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the print head 24 and the platen 44 is set so that the potential separation distance (solid line) is shorter than the normal distance (dashed line).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the capping member elevating mechanism 90 includes a cap part frame 81 fixed to the lower right side in the drawing inside the mechanical frame 80, and a capping member 41 connected to the lower part of the carriage 22 and the upper part of the cap part frame 81. The base member 91 movably supported, the link arm 92 movably supporting the base member 91, and the cap member frame 81 and the base member 91 connected to the base member 91 are always urged in the lower left direction in the figure. And a tension spring 96. In FIG. 8, the base member 91 is shaded for easy understanding. In addition, the cap frame 81 is erected on the front side and the back side of the base member 91 in the drawing, but only the front side is shown in FIG. The base member 91 is provided at one end thereof with a columnar body 93 extending upward so as to be able to contact the contact portion 84 formed at the right end of the carriage 22, and at the upper end of the other end, the contact portion 84 and the columnar body 93. A capping member 41 is provided at a position facing the nozzle plate 27 when the two come into contact with each other. In addition, a rod-like body 91a protruding to the front side in the figure is fixed to the lower end of the columnar body 93. One end of a link arm 92 is swingably connected to the lower center of the base member 91 via a support shaft 92b. At the other end of the link arm 92, a rotation shaft 92a fixed at the approximate center of the cap frame 81 is inserted. Therefore, the link arm 92 is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 92 a while supporting the base member 91. The cap frame 81 is formed with arc grooves 81a on both side surfaces, and a rod-shaped body 91a is fitted into the arc grooves 81a so as to be movable along the shape of the grooves. In the capping member elevating mechanism 90, when the carriage 22 moves to the right in the drawing in a state where the platen gap is the potential separation distance and the contact portion 84 is in contact with the columnar body 93, the nozzle plate 27 of the print head 24 is moved. The capping member 41 rises toward the print head 24 while moving in the right direction with the surface and the surface of the inspection region 52 in the capping member 41 facing each other (FIGS. 8A and 8B). ) When the rod-shaped body 91a reaches the right end of the arc groove 81a in the drawing, the capping member 41 is strongly pressed against the nozzle plate 27 (FIG. 8C). Further, in the capping member elevating mechanism 90, when the carriage 22 moves leftward with the contact portion 84 in contact with the columnar body 93, the surface of the nozzle plate 27 and the surface of the inspection region 52 are horizontally opposed to each other. Then, the capping member 41 descends away from the print head 24 while moving to the left.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the nozzle inspection device 50 includes a capping member 41 having an inspection area 52 on which ink droplets flying from the nozzles 23 of the print head 24 can land, and a predetermined gap between the inspection area 52 and the print head 24. Are provided with a voltage application circuit 53 for generating a potential difference between them and a voltage detection circuit 54 for detecting a voltage change in the print head 24.

  The capping member 41 is provided at a position off the printable area of the platen 44 on the right side in FIG. 1 and is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing having an upper opening, and a sealing member made of an insulator such as silicon rubber at the opening edge. 41a is formed. The capping member 41 is used when inspecting the presence or absence of nozzle clogging, and is also used when sealing the nozzle 23 in order to prevent the nozzle 23 from being dried during a printing pause or the like. Further, the suction pump 45 and the opening / closing valve 46 are separately connected to the capping member 41, and a negative pressure is generated in the internal space of the capping member 41 when the suction pump 45 is operated when the opening / closing valve 46 is closed. By generating this negative pressure when the capping member 41 seals the nozzle 23, the ink in the nozzle 23 is forcibly sucked out. Note that a stretchable tube is connected to the suction pump 45 and the opening / closing valve 46.

  The inspection area 52 includes an upper ink absorber 55 on which ink droplets directly land, a lower ink absorber 56 that absorbs ink droplets that have passed through the upper ink absorber 55, and an upper ink absorber. 55 and a mesh-like electrode member 57 disposed between the lower ink absorber 56. The upper ink absorber 55 is formed of a conductive sponge so as to have the same potential as the electrode member 57, and the surface thereof serves as an inspection region 52. This sponge is highly permeable so that the landed ink droplets can move down quickly, and here, an ester urethane sponge (trade name: Everlite SK-E, manufactured by Bridgestone Corporation) is used. Yes. The lower ink absorber 56 has higher ink retention than the upper ink absorber 55 and is made of a nonwoven fabric such as felt. Here, the nonwoven fabric (trade names: Kinocloth, Oji Kinocross Co., Ltd.) Made). The electrode member 57 is formed as a grid-like mesh made of a metal made of stainless steel (for example, SUS). For this reason, the ink once absorbed by the upper ink absorber 55 is absorbed and held by the lower ink absorber 56 through the gap between the grid-like electrode members 57. The electrode member 57 is grounded via a mechanical frame 80 (see FIG. 1) and has a ground potential. Here, since the electrode member 57 is in contact with the conductive upper ink absorber 55, the surface of the upper ink absorber 55, that is, the inspection region 52 is also at the ground potential, like the electrode member 57.

  The voltage application circuit 53 is connected to the cover head 29 and boosts the voltage of the electrical wiring of several volts drawn inside the inkjet printer 20 to several tens to several hundreds volts through a booster circuit (not shown). This is a circuit for applying the subsequent voltage to the nozzle plate 27 via the cover head 29. This voltage application circuit 53 sets the ink in the print head 24 to a predetermined potential by setting the nozzle plate 27 to a predetermined potential via the cover head 29. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the voltage detection circuit 54 is juxtaposed with the linear encoder 25 on a carriage substrate 65 attached to the carriage 22. This voltage detection circuit 54 is connected to the cover head 29 and detects a voltage change in the nozzle plate 27 that occurs when ink is ejected. The integration circuit 54a integrates and outputs the voltage signal of the print head 24. And an inverting amplifier circuit 54b that inverts and amplifies the signal output from the integrating circuit 54a, and A / D conversion that outputs the signal output from the inverting amplifier circuit 54b to the controller 70 after A / D conversion. Circuit 54c. Since the integration circuit 54a has a weak voltage change due to the flight / landing of one ink droplet, the integration circuit 54a integrates the voltage change due to the flight / landing of a plurality of ink droplets ejected from the same nozzle 23 to produce a large voltage change. Output. The inverting amplifier circuit 54b inverts the sign of the voltage change and amplifies and outputs the signal output from the integrating circuit at a predetermined amplification factor determined by the circuit configuration. The A / D conversion circuit 54 c converts the analog signal output from the inverting amplification circuit 54 b into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the controller 70.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 70 is provided on a main board 85 attached to the back surface of the mechanical frame 80, and is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 72. The ROM 73 stores various processing programs; A RAM 74 that temporarily stores and saves data, a flash memory 75 that can write and erase data, an interface (I / F) 79 that exchanges information with external devices, and an input / output (not shown) And a port. The ROM 73 stores processing programs such as a main routine, a nozzle inspection routine, a cleaning processing routine, and a printing processing routine which will be described later. The RAM 74 is provided with a print buffer area, and print data sent from the user PC 99 via the I / F 79 is stored in the print buffer area. A voltage signal output from the voltage detection circuit 54 of the nozzle inspection device 50 and a position signal of the carriage 22 from the linear encoder 25 are input to the controller 70 via an input port (not shown), and from the user PC 99. The output print job or the like is input via the I / F 79. Further, from the controller 70, a control signal to the print head 24 (including the mask circuit 47 and the piezoelectric element 48), a control signal to the drive motor 33, a drive signal to the carriage motor 34a, a drive signal to the adjustment motor 58, Control signals to the nozzle inspection device 50 (including the voltage application circuit 53, the suction pump 45, and the opening / closing valve 46) are output via an output port (not shown), and print status information to the user PC 99 is also I / F 79. Is output via.

  Next, the operation of the ink jet printer 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the operation of the main routine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU 72 of the controller 70. This routine is repeatedly executed by the CPU 72 every predetermined timing (for example, several milliseconds) after the power of the inkjet printer 20 is turned on. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 first determines whether there is a print job waiting to be printed (step S100). Since the print job received from the user PC 99 is stored in the print buffer area formed in the RAM 74 and becomes a print job waiting to be printed, when the print job is received, it can be printed immediately as well as during printing. Even so, the print job is temporarily in a print waiting state. If there is no print job waiting for printing in step S100, the main routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is a print job waiting for printing in step S100, a nozzle inspection routine for inspecting whether ink is normally ejected from each nozzle 23 is executed (step S110). FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart of this nozzle inspection routine. When the nozzle inspection routine is started, the CPU 72 first drives the adjustment motor 58 so that the platen gap is at the potential separation distance at which the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential (step S200). FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the potential switching mechanism 60 when the platen gap is switched to the potential separation distance. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram when the platen gap is a distance other than the potential separation distance. 12 (b) is an explanatory diagram when the platen gap is the potential separation distance. As shown in FIG. 12A, when the platen gap is a distance other than the potential separation distance (for example, a label printing distance), the carriage shaft 28 is connected to the ground via the connection switching member 62. When the adjustment motor 58 is driven in a predetermined direction from this state, the cam 64a rotates via the first gear 64b and the second gear 64c. At this time, the carriage shaft 28 moves downward along the shaft movement groove 80a as the cam 64a rotates. Then, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the carriage shaft 28 is fixed at a position where the platen gap becomes the potential separation distance, the insulating portion 62a of the connection switching member 62 comes into contact with the carriage shaft 28. The carriage shaft 28 is disconnected from the ground potential. For this reason, the nozzle plate 27 electrically connected to the carriage shaft 28 via the contact plate 61 is disconnected from the ground potential. As described above, when the distance between the print head 24 and the platen 44 is the potential separation distance, the nozzle plate 27 is disconnected from the ground potential, and the nozzle plate 27 can be set to a predetermined potential by the voltage application circuit 53. .

  Next, the CPU 72 drives the carriage motor 34a to move the carriage 22 to the inspection position so that the distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 becomes the inspection distance (step S205). The inspection position is set to a home position (see FIG. 8C) where the carriage 22 is located at the rightmost end of the carriage shaft 28 in FIG. The inspection distance is set to the distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 when the nozzle plate 27 is in close contact with the capping member 41. Subsequently, the CPU 72 turns on the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 to generate a predetermined potential difference between the nozzle plate 27 of the print head 24 and the inspection region 52 (step S210), and discharges the inspection target, that is, ink. A charged ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 23 via the mask circuit 47 and the piezoelectric element 48 (see FIG. 3) of one nozzle 23 in the target nozzle row 43 (step S220). Here, the nozzle inspection will be described. An experiment in which ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles 23 in a state where a potential difference is generated between the nozzle plate 27 and the inspection region 52 is actually performed by grounding the inspection region 52 to obtain a ground potential. The output signal waveform appeared as a sine curve. Although the principle of obtaining such an output signal waveform is not clear, it is considered that the induced current flows due to electrostatic induction as the charged ink droplet approaches the inspection region 52. The amplitude of the output signal waveform from the print head 24 depends not only on the distance from the print head 24 to the upper ink absorber 55 (inspection region 52) but also on the presence and size of flying ink droplets. . For this reason, when the nozzle 23 is clogged and the ink droplet does not fly or the ink droplet is smaller than a predetermined size, the amplitude of the output signal waveform is smaller than that at the normal time or becomes almost zero, so the output signal waveform Based on the amplitude, the presence or absence of clogging of the nozzle 23 can be determined. In the present embodiment, even if the ink droplet has a predetermined size, the amplitude of the output signal waveform due to the ink droplet for one shot is weak, so one segment first to third pulses P1, P2 representing the drive waveform , P3 is output eight times to discharge 24 shots of ink droplets. As a result, the output signal becomes an integrated value of ink droplets for 24 shots, and thus a sufficiently large output signal waveform is obtained from the voltage detection circuit 54. The number of ink ejections can be arbitrarily set so as to be the number of ejections that can ensure inspection accuracy. The inspection target nozzles are set in the order of the nozzle numbers from the nozzle 23Y (n = 1).

  When ink is ejected from the inspection target nozzle, the CPU 72 determines whether the amplitude of the signal waveform detected by the voltage detection circuit 54, that is, the output voltage Vop is greater than or equal to the threshold value Vthr (step S230). This threshold value Vthr exceeds the output voltage Vop (peak value) of the output signal waveform when ink for 24 shots is normally ejected, and noise or the like when ink for 24 shots is not ejected normally. The value is determined empirically so as not to be exceeded by. If the output voltage Vop is less than the threshold value Vthr in step S230, it is considered that an abnormality such as clogging has occurred in the current nozzle 23, and information for identifying the nozzle 23 (for example, indicating which nozzle in which nozzle row is located) Information) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 74 (step S240).

  After step S240 or when the output voltage Vop is greater than or equal to the threshold value Vthr in step S220 (that is, when the current nozzle 23 is normal), the CPU 72 inspects all the nozzles 23 included in the nozzle row 43 currently being inspected. If there is an uninspected nozzle 23 in the nozzle row 43 currently being inspected (step S250), the nozzle 23 to be inspected is updated to an uninspected nozzle (step S260), and then step again The process after S220 is performed. On the other hand, when all the nozzles 23 included in the nozzle row 43 currently being inspected have been inspected in step S250, it is determined whether or not all the nozzle rows 43 included in the print head 24 have been inspected (step S270). ) When there is an uninspected nozzle row 43, the nozzle row 43 to be inspected is updated to the uninspected nozzle row 43 (step S280), and then the processing after step S220 is performed again. On the other hand, when all the nozzle arrays 43 included in the print head 24 have been inspected in step S270, the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 is turned off (step S290), and this nozzle inspection routine ends. By executing this routine, if there is a nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred among all the nozzles 23 arranged in the print head 24, information for specifying the nozzle 23 is stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 74. If there is no nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred, nothing is stored.

  Now, returning to the main routine of FIG. 10 and executing the above-described nozzle inspection routine (step S110), the CPU 72 determines whether there is an abnormal nozzle 23 among all the nozzles 23 arranged in the print head 24. Is determined based on the stored contents of the predetermined area of the RAM 74 (step S120), and when there is a nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred, the print head 24 is cleaned in consideration of clogging. However, it is determined whether or not the number of cleanings performed to eliminate the abnormality before that time has reached a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 3 times) (step S130). When the number of cleanings is less than the upper limit, the print head 24 is cleaned (step S140). Specifically, the opening / closing valve 46 is closed, and the suction pump 45 is driven so that the inside of the capping member 41 has a negative pressure and the clogged ink is sucked and discharged from the nozzle 23. By executing this cleaning process, it is possible to remove ink accumulated in the nozzle 23 (for example, ink whose viscosity has been increased by being left for a long period of time).

  After executing the cleaning process in step S140, the process returns to the nozzle inspection routine in step S110 again to check whether the abnormality of the nozzle 23 has been eliminated. In this step S110, only the nozzles 23 in which an abnormality has occurred may be re-inspected, but the nozzles 23 that were normal at the time of cleaning may be clogged for some reason. Re-inspection is performed for all the nozzles 23 of the head 24. On the other hand, when the number of cleanings performed in step S130 has reached the upper limit, it is considered that the nozzle 23 in which an abnormality has occurred is not normalized even if cleaning is performed, and an error message is displayed on an operation panel (not shown) (step S130). S150), the main routine is terminated. On the other hand, when there is no abnormal nozzle 23 in step S120, the print processing routine is executed (step S160), and then the main routine is terminated.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of this print processing routine. When the print processing routine is started, the CPU 72 first inputs the type of the recording sheet S to be printed based on the information included in the print data (step S300). The types of recording paper S include paper types such as resin trays and glossy paper during CD label printing, and paper sizes such as A4 size and postcard size. Next, the CPU 72 determines whether the print data is for borderless printing based on the information included in the print data (step S310). When the borderless printing is selected by the user, the user PC 99 enlarges the image data for which printing has been instructed into image data larger than the size of the recording paper S so as not to cause a border on the recording paper S. Print data including image data and information which is data for borderless printing is transmitted to the inkjet printer 20. If it is determined in step S310 that the print data is not for borderless printing, the adjustment motor 58 is driven so that the platen gap becomes a distance corresponding to the paper type input in step S300 (step S320). The paper feed roller 36 (see FIG. 4) is driven to rotate, and the paper feed process for carrying the recording paper S placed on the paper feed tray 38 to the paper feed roller 35 is executed (step S330).

  Subsequently, the CPU 72 moves the carriage 22 to the ink ejection position by driving the carriage motor 34a (step S340), and ejects ink from the nozzles 23 based on the information included in the print data (step S350). Here, since the carriage shaft 28 moves along the arc of the shaft movement groove 80a, it is set so that ink is ejected in consideration of a deviation in the conveyance direction of the carriage 22 for each platen gap. Subsequently, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the current path has ended (step S360). Here, “pass” means an operation in which the print head 24 moves once from one end to the other end of the recording paper S in FIG. When the current path has not ended, the CPU 72 executes the processes of steps S340 to S360 described above. On the other hand, when the current pass is completed in step S360, the CPU 72 determines whether there is print data for the next pass (step S370), and when there is print data for the next pass, the paper feed roller 35 is driven to rotate. Then, a transport process for transporting the recording paper S by a predetermined amount is executed (step S380), and the processes of steps S340 to S380 described above are executed. On the other hand, when there is no print data for the next pass in step S370, the CPU 72 executes a paper discharge process for rotating the paper discharge roller 37 to discharge the recording paper S to the paper discharge tray (step S390), and printing the next page. It is determined whether or not there is data (step S400). If there is print data for the next page, the processing from step S310 is performed again. If there is no print data for the next page, this print processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S310 that the print data is for borderless printing, the adjustment motor 58 is driven so that the platen gap becomes the potential separation distance (step S410). Here, similarly to the nozzle inspection routine described above, the CPU 72 drives the adjustment motor 58 to fix the carriage shaft 28 at a position where the platen gap becomes the potential separation distance and to disconnect the carriage shaft 28 from the ground potential (see FIG. 12 (b)). Then, the nozzle plate 27 electrically connected to the carriage shaft 28 via the contact plate 61 is disconnected from the ground potential, and a predetermined potential difference is generated between the nozzle plate 27 and the ink receiving area 68 by the voltage application circuit 53. Can be generated. Note that the potential separation distance of the platen gap during borderless printing corresponds to the borderless printing distance between the print head 24 and the ink receiving area 68. Subsequently, the CPU 72 executes a paper feed process for rotationally driving the paper feed roller 36 (step S420), moves the carriage 22 to the ink discharge position by driving the carriage motor 34a (step S430), and the current print head 24. Is determined to be in the borderless printing area (step S440). Here, the determination as to whether or not the position of the print head 24 is a borderless printing region is performed in order to determine whether or not the nozzle plate 27 has a predetermined potential. In this borderless printing area, the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential to bring the nozzle plate 27 to a predetermined potential in order to draw the ink ejected to the area off the edge of the recording paper S during borderless printing to the ink receiving area 68. The recording sheet S in an end portion of the recording sheet S and an area deviating from the end portion (for example, an area between the end portion of the recording sheet S and a position 1 mm away from the end portion). It is set according to the size of each. The position of the print head 24 is grasped by the value of the linear encoder 25 corresponding to the position of the nozzle row 43K for the position in the main scanning direction, and based on the rotation amount of the paper feed roller 35 for the position in the transport direction. It was supposed to grasp.

  When it is determined in step S440 that the current position of the print head 24 is not a borderless print region, the CPU 72 turns off the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 (step S450), and based on the information included in the print data. Ink is ejected from the nozzles 23 (step S470). On the other hand, when it is determined that the current position of the print head 24 is the borderless print area, the CPU 72 turns on the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 and connects between the nozzle plate 27 of the print head 24 and the ink receiving area 68. A predetermined potential difference is generated (step S460), and ink is ejected from the nozzles 23 based on information included in the print data (step S470). As described above, when the print head 24 is in the borderless printing area, the end of the recording sheet S is detached from the nozzle 23 in a state where a predetermined potential difference is generated between the nozzle plate 27 and the ink receiving area 68. In order to eject ink to the area, charged ink droplets are attracted to the ink receiving area 68. Subsequently, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the current path has ended (step S480). If the current path has not ended, the CPU 72 executes the processes of steps S430 to S480 described above. On the other hand, when the current pass is completed in step S480, the CPU 72 determines whether there is print data for the next pass (step S490). The conveying process of rotationally driving only is executed (step S500), and the processes of steps S430 to S500 described above are executed. On the other hand, when there is no next-pass print data in step S490, the CPU 72 executes a paper discharge process for rotationally driving the paper discharge roller 37 (step S510), and determines whether there is print data for the next page (step S510). In step S520), if there is print data for the next page, the processes in and after step S420 are performed again. If there is no print data for the next page, this print processing routine is terminated. As described above, in printing processing other than borderless printing, ink can be ejected from the nozzle 23 with the nozzle plate 27 as the ground potential, and during borderless printing, the nozzle plate 27 can be separated from the ground potential to have a predetermined potential. The ink is ejected from the nozzle 23 while drawing the ink to the ink receiving area 68 at a predetermined potential in the borderless printing area.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The potential switching mechanism 60 of this embodiment corresponds to a potential switching unit, the platen gap adjustment mechanism 64 and the capping member lifting mechanism 90 correspond to a distance changing unit, the carriage shaft 28 corresponds to a conductive member, and the connection switching member 62 includes Corresponding to the connection switching member, the inspection area 52 and the ink receiving area 68 correspond to the print recording liquid receiving area, the carriage belt 32, the carriage motor 34a, the mask circuit 47 and the piezoelectric element 48 correspond to the print head driving means, and the voltage The application circuit 53 corresponds to a potential difference generation unit, the voltage detection circuit 54 corresponds to an electrical change detection unit, the paper feed mechanism 31 corresponds to a conveyance unit, and the CPU 72 corresponds to a control unit. Further, the ink corresponds to the printing recording liquid of the present invention, and the potential separation distance and the inspection distance correspond to a predetermined distance. In the present embodiment, an example of the method for controlling the printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the ink jet printer 20.

  According to the inkjet printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the print head 24 is disconnected from the ground potential when the platen gap is the potential separation distance, and the print head 24 is separated when the platen gap is other than the potential separation distance. Switch to the ground potential. Thus, the print head 24 is disconnected from the ground potential according to the distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 and the ink receiving area 68. Accordingly, the print head 24 can be freely set to a predetermined potential when the platen gap is at the potential separation distance. Here, when the distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 is the inspection distance, or when the distance between the print head 24 and the ink receiving area 68 is the borderless printing distance, the platen gap is separated from the potential. Distance.

  Further, since the connection switching member 62 in which the insulating portion 62a is formed at a position in contact with the carriage shaft 28 when the platen gap is at the potential separation distance, the print head 24 is separated from the ground potential relatively easily. be able to. In addition, since the print head 24 can be connected to the ground using the carriage shaft 28, there is no need to newly provide a conductive member.

  Further, a platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 that can change the height of the print head 24 in order to print the recording sheets S having different thicknesses may be provided. There is no need to newly provide distance changing means. In general, since the capping member 41 includes the capping member elevating mechanism 90 so as to approach and separate from the print head 24, it is not necessary to newly provide a distance changing means by using the configuration as the distance changing means of the present invention. .

  Furthermore, in order to isolate the print head 24 from the ground potential when the platen gap is the potential separation distance, the charged ink is set to the inspection area 52 or the ink receiving area by setting the print head 24 to a predetermined potential by the voltage application circuit 53. 68 can be discharged. Further, when the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 are at the inspection distance, the print head 24 is disconnected from the ground potential by disconnecting the electrical connection with the carriage shaft 28 by the insulating portion 62a of the connection switching member 62, and the nozzle plate 27. Since the nozzle inspection is executed by generating a potential difference between the ink receiving area 68 and the ink receiving area 68, the nozzle inspection can be executed reliably. Further, since the nozzle inspection is performed by shortening the relative distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 provided in the capping member 41, it is easy to ensure the inspection accuracy, and the inspection area 52 is provided inside the capping member 41. Therefore, it is easy to process ink ejected by nozzle inspection. Furthermore, since a predetermined potential difference can be generated between the nozzle plate 27 and the inspection area 52 in almost the entire printable area on the platen 44, the edge area of the recording paper S is out of the edge area during borderless printing. The flying ink can be drawn to the ink receiving area 68.

  Only when the platen gap is the potential separation distance, the voltage application circuit 53 generates a potential difference between the print head 24 and the ink receiving area 68 or the inspection area 52. The ink can be shortened, and ink deterioration caused by holding a predetermined potential can be suppressed. Further, when the print head 24 is grounded and the inspection area 52 and the ink receiving area 68 are set to a predetermined potential, the current is passed through the platen 44 or the like due to ink accumulated in the inspection area 52 or the ink receiving area 68. There is a possibility that the potential difference between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 and the ink receiving area 68 may not occur due to leakage, whereas the inspection area 52 and the ink receiving area 68 are grounded to the ground and the print head 24 is The predetermined potential is preferable because there is no risk of such leakage.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same components as those of the above-described inkjet printer 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the nozzle inspection is performed by the nozzle inspection device 50 in which the inspection region 52 is arranged inside the capping member 41. However, as shown in FIG. By doing so, the nozzle inspection apparatus 150 that performs the nozzle inspection may be used. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the nozzle inspection device 150. In this way, the configuration can be simplified. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, the potential switching mechanism 160 separates the print head 24 from the ground potential using the shortest distance for ejecting ink onto the recording paper S in the multi-stage platen gap as an inspection distance. Also good. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the potential switching mechanism 160. The potential switching mechanism 160 sets the distance for bringing the print head 24 and the ink receiving area 68 as close as possible to the inspection distance. In this way, a large electric field can be generated between the print head 24 and the ink receiving area 68. Thereby, since the big output voltage Vop is obtained by the voltage detection circuit 54, the precision of a nozzle test | inspection can be improved.

  In the embodiment described above, the potential switching mechanism 60 includes the connection switching member 62 that disconnects the electrical connection with the carriage shaft 28 by the insulating portion 62a when the platen gap is the potential separation distance. As shown in FIG. 16, the platen gap is formed so as to be in contact with the carriage shaft 28 when the platen gap is a distance other than the potential separation distance, and not to contact the carriage shaft 28 when the platen gap is the potential separation distance. A potential switching mechanism 260 including the connection switching member 262 may be used. 16A and 16B are explanatory diagrams of the potential switching mechanism 260. FIG. 16A is a diagram when the nozzle plate 27 is at the ground potential, and FIG. 16B is a diagram when the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential. It is. At this time, the potential separation distance is preferably the shortest distance among the platen gaps that can be changed by the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64. In this case, since it is not necessary to form the insulating portion 62a, the configuration of the connection switching member 62 can be simplified.

  In the embodiment described above, the conductive carriage shaft 28 that connects the nozzle plate 27 to the ground via the contact plate 61 and the carriage shaft 28 are electrically connected to each other by the insulating portion 62a when the platen gap is the potential separation distance. The potential switching mechanism 60 includes the connection switching member 62 connected to the ground to be disconnected and the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 that switches the platen gap. However, as shown in FIG. The conductive carriage shaft 28 that connects the nozzle plate 27 to the ground, the connection member 83 that is connected to the ground and can be electrically connected to the carriage shaft 28, and the platen gap that has been changed by the platen gap adjustment mechanism 64 are separated from each other. A separation member 66 that separates the carriage shaft 28 and the connection member 83 when the distance is a distance is provided. It may be used as the potential switching mechanism 360. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the potential switching mechanism 360. FIG. 17A is a diagram when the nozzle plate 27 is connected to the ground potential, and FIG. 17B is a diagram when the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential. FIG. Specifically, the connection member 83 is formed of a conductive and flexible member (for example, SUS), one end of which is a swingable free end, and the other end is fixed to the mechanical frame 80. This biases the carriage shaft 28 toward the carriage shaft 28. The connecting member 83 is connected to the ground by being fixed to the mechanical frame 80. A projection 83a is provided at a substantially center of the connection member 83 at a position where the platen gap contacts the carriage shaft 28 when the platen gap is set to the potential separation distance. The separation member 66 is formed of an insulating member (for example, insulating resin) and moves up and down integrally with the carriage shaft 28 and the carriage 22. The spacing member 66 is formed with a protruding portion 66a at a position where it contacts the protruding portion 83a when the platen gap is defined as the potential separation distance. Accordingly, as the carriage shaft 28 is moved up and down by the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64, the spacing member 66 is brought into contact with the projection 83 a to bend the connecting member 83 in a direction away from the carriage shaft 28. The carriage shaft 28 and the connection member 83 are separated (see FIG. 17B). In this way, the print head 24 can be separated from the ground potential relatively easily using the separation member 66. Further, the connection member 83 and the carriage shaft 28 can be connected and separated relatively easily by utilizing the flexibility of the connection member 83.

  In the above-described embodiment, the platen gap when the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential is one of the potential separation distances. However, a plurality of platen gaps when the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential are provided depending on the process to be executed. May be. In the above-described embodiment, the distance when separating the nozzle plate 27 from the ground potential (predetermined distance of the present invention) is the inspection distance between the print head 24 and the inspection region 52 (potential separation distance in the platen gap), or The borderless printing distance between the print head 24 and the ink receiving area 68 (the potential separation distance in the case of a platen gap) is two, but one distance may be set, or three or more distances may be set. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle plate 27 and the ink receiving area are controlled by controlling the switch SW of the voltage application circuit 53 only when the print head 24 is at the edge of the recording paper S and the position deviated from the edge during borderless printing. 68, the predetermined potential difference is generated between the switch 68 and the switch SW control. In this way, it is possible to simplify the control of the printing process.

  In the above-described embodiment, the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 is controlled so as to fix the platen gap to the potential separation distance during borderless printing. For example, during borderless printing, the platen gap adjustment mechanism 64 is applied to a region other than the end region of the recording paper S. When the print head 24 is positioned, the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 is controlled so that the platen gap becomes a distance suitable for print data. When the print head 24 is positioned in the end region of the recording paper S, the platen gap is set to the potential separation distance. The platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 may be controlled so as to be. In this way, the nozzle plate 27 is at the ground potential via the connection switching member 62, the carriage shaft 28, and the contact plate 61 during printing of the area of the recording paper S, so that the print head is generated due to static electricity of the recording paper S or the like. 24 (nozzle plate 27) can be prevented from being damaged.

  In the embodiment described above, the inspection area 52 of the nozzle inspection apparatus 50 and the ink receiving area 68 that absorbs ink during borderless printing are connected to the ground, and the nozzle inspection by the nozzle inspection apparatus 50 and the edge by the ink receiving area 68 are connected. At the time of non-printing, the platen gap is set as the potential separation distance and the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential. However, the nozzle inspection apparatus 50 may be omitted and the nozzle inspection may not be performed. In this case, the print head 24 can be freely set to a predetermined potential in borderless printing in the ink receiving area 68. Further, the ink receiving area 68 that absorbs ink during borderless printing may be omitted so that borderless printing is not performed. In this case, the print head 24 can be freely set to a predetermined potential in the nozzle inspection by the nozzle inspection apparatus 50.

  In the embodiment described above, the inspection distance is the distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 when the nozzle plate 27 is in close contact with the capping member 41, but the inspection distance is a predetermined distance away from the capping member 41. It may be the distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 at the time (for example, the state of FIG. 8B). By doing so, it is possible to prevent current leakage caused by ink or the like being interposed between the capping member 41 and the nozzle plate 27, so that the nozzle plate 27 can be reliably set to a predetermined potential. At this time, when the capping member 41 and the nozzle plate 27 are in close contact (see FIG. 8C), the nozzle plate 27 may be at the ground potential. In this way, it is possible to prevent damage to the print head 24 caused by static electricity or the like when the capping member 41 is in close contact with the nozzle plate 27 in order to prevent the nozzle plate 27 from being dried while printing is stopped.

  In the above-described embodiment, the capping member elevating mechanism 90 that approaches and separates from the print head 24 while moving the capping member 41 in the left-right direction as the carriage 22 moves in the left-right direction has been described, but the capping member 41 is moved up and down. The mechanism is not particularly limited as long as the mechanism is movable. For example, a capping member raising / lowering mechanism in which the capping member 41 is disposed at the home position and the capping member 41 is raised and lowered only in the vertical direction by a slider that slides the linear guide up and down by a ball screw may be employed. Even in this case, the inspection region 52 can be moved closer to and away from the nozzle plate 27.

  In the above-described embodiment, the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64 that moves the carriage shaft 28 up and down using the cam 64a and the support pin 82 has been described. However, the mechanism is not particularly limited as long as the carriage shaft 28 can be moved up and down. . For example, a platen gap adjustment mechanism may be employed in which the carriage shaft 28 (carriage 22) is moved up and down by a slider that slides up and down a linear guide to which a bearing for supporting the carriage shaft 28 so as to be rotatable is supported by a ball screw. Alternatively, a platen gap adjusting mechanism that moves the bearing of the carriage shaft 28 up and down by a linear motor may be employed. Even in this case, the platen gap can be made the potential separation distance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle inspection apparatus 50 in which the inspection region 52 is disposed inside the capping member 41 has been described. However, the inspection region 52 is not inside the capping member 41 (for example, inside or near the flushing region 49). It is good also as a nozzle test | inspection apparatus arrange | positioned in this place. At this time, as an inspection area raising / lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the inspection area 52, the same mechanism as that of the above-described embodiment may be adopted, or a mechanism for raising and lowering the inspection area 52 only in the vertical direction may be adopted. . Even in this case, when the distance between the print head 24 and the inspection area 52 is the inspection distance, the print head 24 can be freely set to the predetermined potential. Further, the capping member elevating mechanism 90 may be omitted regardless of whether or not the inspection region 52 is provided outside the capping member 41 as described above. This is because the print head 24 and the capping member 41 can be in close contact with each other by the platen gap adjusting mechanism 64.

  In the above-described embodiment, the carriage shaft 28 is grounded and the nozzle plate 27 is grounded using the carriage shaft 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a shaft or guide member other than the carriage shaft 28 is used. Or the like may be grounded and the nozzle plate 27 may be grounded using this. Even in this case, a new member may be required, but the print head 24 can be freely set to a predetermined potential when the platen gap is at the potential separation distance. In the above-described embodiment, the leaf spring type connection switching member 62 has been described. However, the connection switching member 62 is preferably flexible, and may be, for example, a coil-shaped connection switching member 62. In addition, a non-flexible material may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, at the time of borderless printing or nozzle inspection, the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground potential, and the nozzle plate 27 is set to a predetermined potential by the voltage application circuit 53. A predetermined potential difference is generated between the region 68 and the nozzle plate 27 when the flushing region 49 is grounded and the flushing process is performed in the flashing region 49 instead of or in addition to this. It may be separated from the ground potential and set to a predetermined potential by the voltage application circuit 53. In this way, the ink droplets ejected to the flushing area 49 during the flushing process can be reliably absorbed by the ink absorber in the flushing area 49. For this reason, the stain | pollution | contamination inside the inkjet printer 20 by an ink mist can be reduced. Note that the process of executing the platen gap as the potential separation distance is not particularly limited to the borderless printing process and the nozzle inspection process, and may be other processes.

  Although not specifically described in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, when the nozzle plate 27 is separated from the ground, particularly when the nozzle plate 27 is set to a predetermined potential by the voltage application circuit 53. When the contact or optical opening sensor 88 detects that the printer cover 87 formed so as to cover the printer mechanism 21 has been opened by the user or the like, the platen gap becomes a distance other than the potential separation distance. The adjustment motor 58 of the platen gap adjustment mechanism 64 may be driven to change the height of the print head 24 so that the nozzle plate 27 becomes the ground potential. In this way, even if the printer cover 87 is opened when a predetermined potential difference is generated between the inspection area 52 and the ink receiving area 68 and the print head 24, the nozzle plate 27 is brought into an area where the ground potential is reached. Since the print head 24 is moved, safety can be ensured.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink in the print head 24 is set to the predetermined potential by setting the nozzle plate 27 to the predetermined potential. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink chamber of the print head 24 is not illustrated. The ink in contact with the cavity plate may be set to a predetermined potential by setting the cavity plate to a predetermined potential, or the ink in the print head 24 may be directly set to the predetermined potential.

  In the above-described embodiment, the potential switching mechanism 60 is switched by the controller 70 as to whether or not the nozzle plate 27 is disconnected from the ground potential. However, the potential switching mechanism 60 determines whether or not the nozzle plate 27 is disconnected from the ground potential. It is good also as what switches manually. Even in this case, the voltage can be freely applied to the print head 24 when the print head 24 is positioned in the potential separation region.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that unidirectional printing is performed in which ink is ejected onto the recording paper S when the print head 24 moves in one direction. However, when the print head 24 reciprocates, the ink is applied to the recording paper S. It is also possible to perform bi-directional printing that discharges the ink.

  In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle inspection routine is executed in step S110 when there is print data waiting for printing in step S100 of the main routine. However, in the nozzle inspection routine, for example, the number of movements of the carriage 22 is set to a predetermined number. It may be executed every time it reaches (for example, every 100 passes), may be executed every predetermined interval (for example, every day, every week, etc.), or from the user by operating an operation panel (not shown). It may be executed in response to an execution instruction. The nozzle inspection routine may be executed when the inkjet printer 20 is inspected before shipment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle plate 27 is covered with the capping member 41 and sucked by the suction pump 45 during the cleaning process, but the nozzle plate 27 is covered with the capping member 41 during a printing pause or the like other than the cleaning process. You may do. In that case, the suction pump 45 may not be sucked, and the lid may be simply covered to prevent drying.

  In the above-described embodiment, the output signal waveform of the nozzle plate 27 is detected by the voltage detection circuit 54. However, instead of or in addition to the voltage detection circuit 54, a similar voltage detection circuit is provided for the electrode member 57 and the ground. And the output signal waveform of the inspection region 52 may be detected.

  In the embodiment described above, the upper ink absorber 55 and the lower ink absorber 56 are provided in the capping member 41 or in the ink receiving area 68, but one or both of them may be omitted. For example, only the electrode member 57 may be disposed inside the capping member 41 and ink may be directly ejected to the electrode member 57. Alternatively, only the electrode member 57 may be disposed in the ink receiving region 68 and the electrode member 57 may be disposed on the electrode member 57. A configuration in which ink is directly ejected may be employed. Further, since a predetermined potential difference is generated between the ink in the nozzle plate 27 and the electrode member 57, the upper ink absorber 55 does not necessarily have conductivity. For example, the upper ink absorber 55 is insulative. It may be made of a material.

  In the above-described embodiment, the full-color ink jet printer 20 adopting the ink jet method is used. However, a multifunction printer equipped with a scanner may be used, or a complex printing apparatus such as a FAX machine or a copier may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the embodiment has been described in the form of the ink jet printer 20, but the embodiment may be in the form of the printer mechanism 21 including the potential switching mechanism 60.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an inkjet printer 20. It is a fractured sectional view of the left side surface of the carriage. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a print head 24. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a paper feeding mechanism 31. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an ink receiving area 68 formed on the platen 44. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a potential switching mechanism 60. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for switching the height of a carriage 22. It is explanatory drawing of the capping member raising / lowering mechanism 90. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a nozzle inspection device 50. FIG. It is a flowchart of a main routine. It is a flowchart of a nozzle test routine. It is explanatory drawing of the electric potential switching mechanism 60 when switching to an electric potential separation distance. It is a flowchart of a printing process routine. It is explanatory drawing of another nozzle test | inspection apparatus 150. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of another electric potential switching mechanism. It is explanatory drawing of another electric potential switching mechanism 260. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of another electric potential switching mechanism 360. FIG. 1 is an external view of an inkjet printer 20. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  20 Inkjet printer, 21 Printer mechanism, 22 Carriage, 22a Ink supply needle, 22b Bearing part, 23, 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23K Nozzle, 24 Print head, 25 Linear encoder, 26 Ink cartridge, 26a Ink supply port, 27 Nozzle plate, 28 Carriage shaft, 29 Cover head, 31 Paper feed mechanism, 32 Carriage belt, 33 Drive motor, 34a Carriage motor, 34b Driven roller, 35 Paper feed roller, 36 Paper feed roller, 37 Paper discharge roller, 38 Paper feed Tray, 39 Recording paper insertion port, 41 Capping member, 41a Sealing member, 43, 43Y, 43M, 43C, 43K Nozzle row, 44 Platen, 44a Support column, 45 Suction pump, 46 Open / close valve, 47 Mask times , 48 Piezoelectric element, 49 Flushing area, 50, 150 Nozzle inspection device, 52 Inspection area, 53 Voltage application circuit, 54 Voltage detection circuit, 54a Integration circuit, 54b Inversion amplification circuit, 54c A / D conversion circuit, 55 Upper ink absorption Body, 56 lower ink absorber, 57 electrode member, 58 adjustment motor, 60, 160, 260, 360 potential switching mechanism, 61 contact plate, 61a fixing part, 61b contact part, 62, 262 connection switching member, 62a insulation part , 62b fixing portion, 64 platen gap adjusting mechanism, 64a cam, 64b first gear, 64c second gear, 65 carriage substrate, 66 separating member, 66a projecting portion, 67 connector portion, 68 ink receiving area, 68a to 68d Ink absorption area for side edge, 68e Ink absorption area for front and rear edge, 69 hula Cable, 70 controller, 72 CPU, 73 ROM, 74 RAM, 75 flash memory, 79 interface (I / F), 80 mechanical frame, 80a axial movement groove, 81 cap part frame, 81a arc groove, 82 support pin, 83 Connecting member, 83a Protruding part, 84 Abutting part, 85 Main board, 87 Printer cover, 88 Open sensor, 90 Capping member lifting mechanism, 91 Base member, 91a Rod body, 92 Link arm, 92a Rotating shaft, 92b Support shaft , 93 Columnar body, 96 Tensile spring, 99 User PC.

Claims (17)

A print head having a plurality of nozzles that are supported in a movable manner and that discharge the print recording liquid;
A printing recording liquid receiving area capable of receiving the printing recording liquid discharged from the nozzle;
Distance changing means capable of changing a relative distance between the print head and the printing recording liquid receiving area;
When the relative distance changed by the distance changing unit is a predetermined distance, the print head is disconnected from the ground potential. When the relative distance changed by the distance changing unit is other than the predetermined distance, the print head is set to the ground potential. Potential switching means for switching so that
A printing recording liquid ejection apparatus comprising: The potential switching means includes
A conductive member electrically connected to the print head;
When the relative distance connected to the ground and changed by the distance changing means is the predetermined distance, the electrical connection with the conductive member is disconnected, and the relative distance changed by the distance changing means is the predetermined distance. A connection switching member formed so as to be electrically connected to the conductive member,
Is a means comprising
The printing recording liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1. The potential switching means includes
A conductive member electrically connected to the print head;
A connection member connected to the ground and electrically connectable to the conductive member;
A separation member that separates the conductive member and the connection member when the relative distance changed by the distance changing means is the predetermined distance;
Is a means comprising
The printing recording liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1. The connection member is a flexible member biased toward the conductive member,
The spacing member separates the conductive member and the connecting member by bending the connecting member in a direction away from the conductive member.
The printing recording liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 3. The conductive member is a carriage shaft that supports the print head and guides it in the main scanning direction.
The printing recording liquid discharge apparatus in any one of Claims 2-4. The distance changing means is means for moving the print head closer to and away from the printing recording liquid receiving area.
The printing recording liquid discharge apparatus in any one of Claims 1-5. The distance changing means is means for moving the print recording liquid receiving area closer to and away from the print head.
The printing recording liquid discharge apparatus in any one of Claims 1-6. The distance changing means is a means capable of changing the distance between the print head and the printing recording liquid receiving area in multiple stages,
The potential switching means disconnects the print head from a ground potential when the relative distance is changed to the shortest distance as the predetermined distance among the relative distances that can be changed in multiple stages by the distance changing means.
The printing recording liquid discharge apparatus in any one of Claims 1-7. A printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
A print head driving means capable of moving the print head in a predetermined main scanning direction and discharging the print recording liquid from the nozzle;
A potential difference generating means for generating a predetermined potential difference between the printing recording liquid in the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area by setting the printing head side to a predetermined potential;
When the distance changing means changes the relative distance, and the potential switching means disconnects the print head from the ground potential, the potential difference generating means causes the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area to Control means for driving the print head to cause the print head drive means to discharge the print recording liquid from the nozzles to the print recording liquid receiving area in a state where the potential difference is generated between the print head and the print head.
A printing recording liquid ejection apparatus comprising: The printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 9,
An electrical change detecting means for detecting an electrical change in the print recording liquid receiving area or the print head,
The potential switching means moves the print head from the ground potential when the relative distance is changed to an inspection distance for performing a nozzle inspection as to whether or not printing recording liquid can be discharged from each nozzle as the predetermined distance by the distance changing means. Detach,
The control means generates the potential difference between the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area in the potential difference generating means when the potential switching means disconnects the print head from the ground potential. Based on the electrical change detected by the electrical change detection means, the print head drive means drives the print head to sequentially discharge the print recording liquid from each nozzle to the print recording liquid receiving area. To perform the nozzle inspection,
Printing recording liquid discharge device. The printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 10,
A capping member that covers the nozzle by contacting the print head,
The printing recording liquid receiving area is provided inside the capping member,
The control means executes the nozzle inspection after controlling the distance changing means so that the distance between the print head and the capping member is shortened.
Printing recording liquid discharge device. The printing recording liquid receiving area is connected to the ground and formed from one end to the other end of the printable area on the platen,
The potential difference generating means can generate the potential difference between the print head and a substantially entire area of the printing recording liquid receiving area on the platen,
The potential difference switching means disconnects the print head from the ground potential when the relative distance is changed to the borderless printing distance as the predetermined distance by the distance changing means,
The control means, when executing borderless printing, when the potential switching means disconnects the print head from the ground potential, the control means generates a print recording liquid in the print head and a print recording liquid receiving area in the potential difference generating means. The print head driving means drives the print head to discharge the print recording liquid from the nozzles to the print recording liquid receiving area in a state where the potential difference is generated between the print head and the print head.
The printing recording liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 9. The control means causes the potential difference generating means to generate the potential difference between the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area only when the relative distance is the predetermined distance.
The printing recording liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 9. The control means is configured such that when the relative distance is the predetermined distance, the potential difference generating means generates the potential difference between the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area. When the device cover covering the device is opened, the distance changing means is changed so that the relative distance becomes a distance other than the predetermined distance.
The printing recording liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 9. A printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
Conveying means for conveying a print medium to the recording liquid ejection device;
Printing device with A print head that is movably supported and includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge print recording liquid, a print recording liquid receiving area that can receive the print recording liquid discharged from the nozzles, the print head, and the print recording A distance changing means capable of changing a relative distance to the liquid receiving area; and when the relative distance changed by the distance changing means is a predetermined distance, the print head is separated from a ground potential and changed by the distance changing means. A potential switching means for switching the print head to a ground potential when the relative distance is other than a predetermined distance; and a print head capable of moving the print head in a predetermined main scanning direction and discharging the print recording liquid from the nozzle. A predetermined potential difference is generated between the driving means and the printing recording liquid in the printing head and the printing recording liquid receiving area. And potential difference generating means, a control method of the print recording liquid ejection device provided with,
When the distance changing means changes the relative distance, and the potential switching means disconnects the print head from the ground potential, the potential difference generating means causes the print recording liquid in the print head and the print recording liquid receiving area to Driving the print head to the print head drive means to discharge the print recording liquid from the nozzles to the print recording liquid receiving area in a state where the potential difference is generated between the print head and the print head.
A control method for a printing recording liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:   The program for making one or more computers perform each step of the control method of the printing recording liquid discharge apparatus of Claim 16.

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