JP4892846B2 - Ink jet recording apparatus and recording head position adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder which can obtain high-definition images while the ease of use is improved by facilitating work on a carriage and reducing a working time also in the case that a plurality of recording heads for discharging the same color inks are set on the carriage to increase the number of recording heads for discharging the same color inks, and to provide a recording head position adjustment method. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder comprises a plurality of the recording heads 10 which discharge inks of a plurality of colors and arranged by a plurality of the number for each of the colors of ink, module units 5 which carry the plurality of recording heads 10 that discharge the inks of the same colors, and the carriage 4 which carries the module units 5. The module units 5 are attachable and detachable to the carriage 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus and a recording head position adjusting method, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus and a recording head position adjusting method in which ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays is used.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many image printers using an ink jet method have been used as image recording means capable of recording an image simply and inexpensively. An image printer using an ink jet system (hereinafter referred to as “inkjet recording apparatus”) uses, for example, a piezoelectric element such as a piezo element, a heater, or the like, as a minute droplet of ink from a nozzle of a recording head. An image is recorded on the recording medium by discharging toward the recording medium and moving the recording head on the recording medium while penetrating or fixing the ink to the recording medium.

  Further, in recent years, an ultraviolet curable ink jet recording apparatus has been known as a means capable of forming an image even on a recording medium having poor ink absorbability such as a resin film (for example, see Patent Document 1). This is because ultraviolet curable ink containing a photoinitiator having a predetermined sensitivity to ultraviolet rays is used, and the ink that has landed on the recording medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays so that the ink is cured and fixed on the recording medium. It is possible to print easily even on transparent or opaque packaging materials.

  In particular, an inkjet recording apparatus such as an LF printer, which has a large recording medium for recording and is required to improve recording speed, needs to increase the number of nozzles of the recording head. However, unnecessarily increasing the number of nozzles per recording head requires advanced production technology and control technology, and is difficult to produce. Therefore, generally, a plurality of recording heads are arranged in a staggered manner to increase the number of nozzles used per scan, thereby improving the recording speed.

For example, in Patent Document 2, an adjustment process is performed in which a carriage includes a plurality of recording heads, and the positions of the recording heads are adjusted in advance with the recording heads mounted on the carriage. The problem did not arise when the number of was small.
JP 2001-310454 A JP 2003-211638 A

  However, when the number of recording heads mounted on the carriage increases, the number of recording heads mounted on the carriage increases. For this reason, the number of adjustment members including adjustment members such as wiring boards mounted on the carriage and adjustment of the position of the recording head after mounting on the carriage has increased. It took time to attach and detach the recording head and to adjust the recording head. In addition, these operations are forced to be performed in a narrow space, making the operation more difficult and taking time.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when a plurality of recording heads that eject the same color ink are provided on the carriage and the number of recording heads that eject the same color ink is increased, the present invention has been made. An ink jet recording apparatus and a recording head position adjusting method capable of obtaining a high-definition image while facilitating attachment / detachment work on a carriage and adjustment work accompanying attachment / detachment, reducing work time and improving usability It is intended to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1 includes:
A plurality of recording heads each ejecting a plurality of colors of ink toward a recording medium and provided for each of the ink colors;
A plurality of module units each mounting a plurality of the recording heads that discharge the same color ink for each color of the ink;
A carriage that carries the plurality of module units and reciprocates along a main scanning direction that is a width direction of the recording medium ,
The plurality of module units can be individually attached to and detached from the carriage, and a module base on which the plurality of recording heads are mounted, and positions of the recording heads on the module base are determined in the main scanning direction and the main scanning. Each having a head position adjusting mechanism for adjusting in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the direction ,
The carriage includes a module position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the positions of the plurality of module units on the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of recording heads each ejecting a plurality of colors of ink and provided for each color of the ink and a plurality of the recording heads ejecting the same color inks are mounted. A unit and a carriage on which the module unit is mounted, and the module unit is detachable from the carriage. Therefore, a plurality of recording heads that discharge ink of the same color can be mounted on the carriage for each module unit. By mounting one module unit, a plurality of recording heads that eject ink of the same color can be mounted on the carriage.

Further , since the module unit has a head position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of each recording head, the module unit can adjust the position of each recording head by the head position adjusting mechanism, and the same color ink can be adjusted for each module unit. It is possible to adjust the position of a plurality of recording heads that discharge ink.

The module unit includes a module base on which the plurality of recording heads are mounted, and the head position adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of each recording head on the module base. The position adjustment of a plurality of recording heads on the module base can be performed by the head position adjustment mechanism.
Further, since the carriage has a module position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the module unit on the carriage, the position between the module units can be adjusted on the carriage.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 2
In claim 1 ,
The head position adjusting mechanism includes a tip reference pin standing on the module base, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion,
The tapered portion is in contact with the end face of the recording head, and moves the position of the recording head according to the contact position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the head position adjustment mechanism includes a tip reference pin standing on the module base, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion, and the tapered portion. Makes contact with the end face of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head according to the contact position. Therefore, the head position adjusting mechanism has a leading end reference pin standing on the module base for recording via the taper portion. The position of the recording head can be moved according to the contact position by contacting the end face of the head.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 3 is:
In claim 2 ,
An end surface of the recording head includes an engaging portion that engages with the tapered portion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the end surface of the recording head is provided with the engaging portion that engages with the tapered portion, the recording head has a tapered portion at a position in contact with the tip reference pin. It is possible to engage with the tapered portion of the tip reference pin via the engaging portion.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 4
In claim 1 ,
The head position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the module base,
The eccentric pin is in contact with the end face of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head according to the rotational position.
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 5 is:
In claim 2 or claim 3,
The head position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the module base,
The eccentric pin is in contact with the end face of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head according to the rotational position.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the head position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the module base, and the eccentric pin is in contact with the end face of the recording head, depending on the rotational position. Since the position of the recording head is moved, the head position adjusting mechanism moves the position of the recording head in accordance with the rotational position of the eccentric pin when the eccentric pin disposed on the module base comes into contact with the end surface of the recording head. be able to.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 6 is:
In claim 5,
The eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction,
The leading end reference pin is characterized by moving the position of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction in which the carriage moves, and the tip reference pin is in the sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Therefore, the eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head along the main scanning direction in which the carriage moves, and the tip reference pin records along the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The position of the head can be moved.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 7 is:
In claim 5 or claim 6 ,
The head position adjusting mechanism includes a pressing and fixing member that presses the recording head against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the head position adjusting mechanism includes the pressing fixing member that presses the recording head against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin, the head position adjusting mechanism performs recording by the pressing fixing member. The head can be pressed against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 8 is:
In claim 7 ,
The pressing fixing member presses the recording head orthogonally through a contact surface of 45 degrees with respect to the recording head.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the pressing fixing member presses the recording head orthogonally through a contact surface of 45 degrees with respect to the recording head. The pressing and fixing member can be uniformly pressed against the surface, and the pressing and fixing member can be pressed uniformly against the recording head.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 9 is:
In any one of Claims 1-8 ,
The module position adjusting mechanism includes a tip reference pin standing on the carriage, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion,
The tapered portion is in contact with an end surface of the module unit, and the position of the module unit is moved according to the contact position.

According to the invention described in claim 9 , the module position adjusting mechanism includes a tip reference pin standing on the carriage, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion, and the tapered portion is Since the module unit is in contact with the end surface of the module unit and moves the position of the module unit in accordance with the contact position, the module position adjustment mechanism has a tip reference pin erected on the carriage via the taper portion. The end face can be contacted and the position of the module unit can be moved according to the contact position.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 10 is:
In claim 9 ,
An end surface of the module unit is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the tapered portion.

According to the invention described in claim 10 , since the end surface of the module unit is provided with the engaging portion that engages with the tapered portion, the module unit has a tapered portion at a position in contact with the tip reference pin. It is possible to engage with the tapered portion of the tip reference pin via the engaging portion.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to an invention described in claim 11 is:
In any one of Claims 1-8 ,
The module position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the carriage,
The eccentric pin is in contact with an end surface of the module unit, and moves the position of the module unit according to the rotational position.
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 12
In claim 9 or claim 10,
The module position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the carriage,
The eccentric pin is in contact with an end surface of the module unit, and moves the position of the module unit according to the rotational position.

According to invention of Claim 11 and Claim 12 , the said module position adjustment mechanism is equipped with the eccentric pin on the said carriage, and the said eccentric pin contacts the end surface of the said module unit, and the said according to a rotation position WHEREIN: Since the position of the module unit is moved, the module position adjusting mechanism can move the position of the module unit in accordance with the rotational position of the eccentric pin when the eccentric pin disposed on the carriage comes into contact with the end surface of the module unit. it can.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 13
In Claim 12 , The said module position adjustment mechanism is provided with the pressing fixing member which presses the said module unit to the said front-end | tip reference | standard pin and the said eccentric pin.

According to the invention described in claim 13 , since the module position adjusting mechanism includes a pressing fixing member that presses the module unit against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin, the module position adjusting mechanism is configured by the pressing fixing member. The unit can be pressed against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 14
In claim 13 ,
The pressing and fixing member presses the module unit orthogonally through a contact surface of 45 degrees with respect to the module unit.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the pressing fixing member presses the module unit orthogonally through a contact surface of 45 degrees against the module unit. The pressing and fixing member can be uniformly pressed against the surface, and the pressing and fixing member can be pressed uniformly against the module unit.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 15
In any one of claims 14 to claim 1,
The head position adjustment mechanism is a position adjustment jig that can be attached to and detached from the module base.
The position adjustment jig includes a tip reference pin erected on the position adjustment jig, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion,
The tapered portion is in contact with the end face of the recording head, and moves the position of the recording head according to the contact position.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the head position adjustment mechanism is a position adjustment jig that can be attached to and detached from the module base, and the position adjustment jig is erected on the position adjustment jig. The tip reference pin has a tapered portion, and the tapered portion contacts the end surface of the recording head, and moves the position of the recording head according to the contact position. In the adjustment jig, the tip reference pin standing on the position adjustment jig comes into contact with the end surface of the recording head via the taper portion, and the position of the recording head can be moved according to the contact position.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 16 provides:
In claim 15 ,
The position adjustment jig includes an eccentric pin on the position adjustment jig,
The eccentric pin is in contact with the end face of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head according to the rotational position.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the position adjusting jig includes an eccentric pin on the position adjusting jig, and the eccentric pin is in contact with an end surface of the recording head, and the recording is performed according to a rotational position. Since the position of the head is moved, the position adjusting jig moves the position of the recording head according to the rotational position of the eccentric pin, with the eccentric pin arranged on the position adjusting jig contacting the end surface of the recording head. be able to.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 17
The eccentric pin according to claim 16, it moves the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction,
The leading end reference pin is characterized by moving the position of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction in which the carriage moves, and the tip reference pin is in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head along the main scanning direction in which the carriage moves, and the tip reference pin records along the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The position of the head can be moved.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 18
In claim 16 or claim 17 ,
The position adjustment jig is formed with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of recording heads can be inserted,
The tip reference pin and the eccentric pin are provided for each hole.

According to the invention described in claim 18 , the position adjusting jig is formed with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of recording heads can be inserted, and the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin are provided for each of the holes. Therefore, the position adjustment jig is mounted with the recording head on the module base protruding from the hole, and the position reference jig and the eccentric pin arranged for each hole on the module base. The position of the recording head can be moved.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 19
In any one of claims 1 to 18 ,
In the module unit, the recording heads are arranged in a staggered manner.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, since the recording heads are arranged in a staggered manner in the module unit, even when three or more recording heads are mounted on the module unit, two recording heads are provided. It is possible to arrange the recording units with a width corresponding to the number of units, and to mount a plurality of recording heads without increasing the width of the module unit.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 20
In any one of claims 1 to 19 ,
The ink has a viscosity at 25 ° C. of 10 to 50 mPa · s and a surface tension of 20 to 40 mN / m.

According to the invention described in claim 20 , the ink is an ink having a viscosity at 25 ° C. of 10 to 50 mPa · s, a surface tension of 20 to 40 mN / m, high viscosity, and poor wettability. .

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 21
In any one of Claims 1-20 ,
The ink contains an activation energy ray-curable compound, and the activation energy is ultraviolet light.

According to the invention of claim 21 , since the ink contains an activation energy ray-curable compound and the activation energy is ultraviolet light, the ink is efficiently cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light. Can do.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head position adjusting method.
A plurality of recording heads that discharge ink of the same color toward the recording medium are mounted on the module base, and the position of the recording head is adjusted in the main scanning direction that is the width direction of the recording medium and in the sub-scanning direction that is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A first step of forming a module unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from a carriage in which the plurality of recording heads reciprocally move along the main scanning direction ;
A second step in which the first step is performed for each ink color, and the plurality of recording heads for ejecting the same color ink form a plurality of module units respectively mounted for each ink color;
By comprising a third step of said plurality of module units mounted detachably individually on the carriage performs the main scanning direction and the position adjustment of the sub-scanning direction on the carriage for each of the module unit Features.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, after mounting a plurality of recording heads that eject ink of the same color on a module base and adjusting the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the plurality of recording heads A first step of forming a module unit in which the head can be integrally attached to and detached from the carriage; and the plurality of recording heads that discharge the same color ink by performing the first step for each ink color. A second step of forming a plurality of the module units respectively mounted on the carriage, and the plurality of module units are individually detachably mounted on the carriage, and each module unit on the carriage has a main scanning direction and A third step of adjusting the position in the sub-scanning direction, so that a plurality of recording heads that discharge the same color ink in the first step are integrally carried. In the second step, a plurality of module units are formed for each ink color, and in the third step, a plurality of module units are mounted on the carriage, and each module unit has a carriage. By adjusting the position in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction above, it is possible to adjust the position of the recording head that ejects a plurality of colors of ink.

The invention according to claim 23 is
In claim 22 ,
A head position adjustment mechanism is provided on the module base,
The recording head position adjustment is performed by the head position adjustment mechanism.

According to the twenty- third aspect, the head position adjusting mechanism is provided on the module base, and the position adjustment of the recording head is performed by the head position adjusting mechanism.

The invention according to claim 24 is
In claim 22 ,
A position adjustment jig is detachably disposed on the module base,
The position adjustment of the recording head is performed by the position adjustment jig.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention , the position adjustment jig is detachably disposed on the module base, and the position adjustment of the recording head is performed by the position adjustment jig.

The invention according to the invention of claim 25 is
In any one of Claims 22 to 24 ,
When the recording head is replaced, the recording head is replaced with the module unit.

According to the invention of claim 25 , since the recording head is replaced for each module unit when the recording head is replaced, recording on the carriage is performed as compared with the case where the recording head is replaced for each recording head. It is possible to reduce the number of work steps when removing and attaching the head, and to omit the work step of adjusting the position of each recording head on the carriage after attachment.

A plurality of recording heads that discharge ink of the same color can be mounted on the carriage for each module unit. By mounting one module unit, a plurality of recording heads that discharge ink of the same color can be mounted on the carriage. Therefore, even when the number of recording heads that eject ink of the same color mounted on the carriage increases, the adjustment mechanism mounted on the carriage and the position of each recording head on the carriage at the time of shipment or failure are adjusted. This eliminates the adjustment step and facilitates the attachment / detachment of the recording head on the carriage and the adjustment work associated with the attachment / detachment, and shortens the operation time, improving the usability and obtaining a high-definition image.

In addition , the module unit can adjust the position of each print head by the head position adjustment mechanism, and the position of a plurality of print heads that discharge the same color ink can be adjusted in units of module units. The module unit mounted with the positions of a plurality of recording heads adjusted can be attached to the carriage, and when the recording heads are attached to the carriage, the positions of the plurality of recording heads that eject ink of the same color on the carriage are adjusted. It is possible to omit the adjustment process of performing the above.

In addition , the module unit includes a module base, and the head position adjustment mechanism can adjust the position of a plurality of recording heads on the module base. Therefore, by mounting one module unit on which the position adjustment has been performed, A plurality of recording heads that eject the same color ink can be mounted on the carriage.
In addition, since the position between the module units can be adjusted on the carriage, when mounting the module unit on the carriage, a plurality of recording heads that eject different inks by adjusting the position of the module unit and mounting the module unit. It is possible to omit the adjustment process for adjusting the position.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the head position adjusting mechanism, the tip reference pin erected on the module base comes into contact with the end surface of the recording head via the taper portion, and the recording head according to the contact position. Therefore, the module unit can adjust the position of the recording head by moving the position of the recording head according to the contact position between the tip reference pin and the recording head by the head position adjusting mechanism. it can.

According to the invention of claim 3 , since the recording head can be engaged with the tapered portion of the tip reference pin via the engaging portion even if the position in contact with the tip reference pin is a tapered portion, The recording head can be fixed at a position in contact with the tip reference pin via the engaging portion, and the position of the recording head can be adjusted.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the invention, the head position adjusting mechanism is configured such that the eccentric pin disposed on the module base contacts the end surface of the recording head, and the recording head corresponds to the rotational position of the eccentric pin. Therefore, the head position adjusting mechanism can adjust the position of the recording head by moving the position of the recording head in accordance with the rotational position of the eccentric pin.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head along the main scanning direction in which the carriage moves, and the tip reference pin records along the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Since the position of the head is moved, the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction can be adjusted by moving the eccentric pin, and the position of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction can be adjusted by moving the tip reference pin. Can do.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the head position adjusting mechanism can press the recording head against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin by the pressing and fixing member, so that the recording head is pressed by the pressing and fixing member. The position of the recording head can be adjusted by pressing the eccentric pin and moving the position of the recording head.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the head position adjusting mechanism can uniformly press the pressing and fixing member against the contact surface of the recording head, and can press the pressing and fixing member uniformly to the recording head. The member can move the recording head uniformly in two orthogonal directions.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the module position adjusting mechanism, the tip reference pin erected on the carriage comes into contact with the end surface of the module unit via the taper portion, and the module unit adjustment mechanism has a module position adjusting mechanism. Since the position can be moved, the carriage can adjust the position of the module unit by moving the position of the module unit according to the contact position between the tip reference pin and the module unit by the module position adjusting mechanism.

According to the invention of claim 10 , the module unit can be engaged with the tapered portion of the tip reference pin via the engaging portion even if the position in contact with the tip reference pin is the tapered portion. The module unit can be fixed at a position in contact with the tip reference pin via the engaging portion, and the position of the module unit can be adjusted.

According to the eleventh and twelfth aspects of the present invention, in the module position adjusting mechanism, the eccentric pin disposed on the carriage comes into contact with the end surface of the module unit, and the module unit is adjusted according to the rotational position of the eccentric pin. Since the position can be moved, the carriage can adjust the position of the module unit by moving the position of the module unit according to the rotational position of the eccentric pin by the module position adjusting mechanism.

According to the invention of claim 13 , since the module position adjusting mechanism can press the module unit against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin by the pressing and fixing member, the module unit is fixed to the tip reference pin and the eccentric by the pressing and fixing member. The position of the module unit can be adjusted by pressing the pin and moving the position of the module unit.

According to the invention described in claim 14 , since the module position adjusting mechanism can uniformly press the pressing and fixing member against the contact surface of the module unit, and can press the pressing and fixing member uniformly to the module unit. The member can move the module unit uniformly in two orthogonal directions.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the position adjustment jig, the tip reference pin standing on the position adjustment jig comes into contact with the end surface of the recording head via the taper portion, and the position adjustment jig corresponds to the contact position. Since the position of the recording head can be moved, the position adjusting jig moves the position of the recording head in accordance with the contact position between the tip reference pin arranged on the position adjusting jig and the recording head. The head position can be adjusted.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the position adjusting jig is configured such that the eccentric pin disposed on the position adjusting jig contacts the end face of the recording head, and the position of the recording head is determined according to the rotational position of the eccentric pin. The position adjustment jig can adjust the position of the recording head by moving the position of the recording head according to the rotational position of the eccentric pin disposed on the position adjustment jig. Can do.

According to the seventeenth aspect , the eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head along the main scanning direction in which the carriage moves, and the tip reference pin records along the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Since the position of the head can be moved, the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction can be adjusted by moving the eccentric pin, and the position of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction can be adjusted by moving the tip reference pin. It can be performed.

According to the invention described in claim 18 , the position adjusting jig is mounted by projecting the recording head on the module base from the hole, and by the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin of the position adjusting jig arranged for each hole. Since the position of the recording head on the module base can be moved, the position adjustment jig is mounted on the module base, and the position of the recording head is moved by the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin on the position adjustment jig. The position of the recording head can be adjusted.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, even when three or more recording heads are mounted on the module unit, they can be arranged with a width corresponding to two recording heads, and a plurality of modules can be arranged without increasing the width of the module unit. Therefore, by mounting this module unit on the carriage, a plurality of recording heads can be mounted without increasing the width of the carriage, and space saving of the recording heads on the carriage can be achieved. be able to.

According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, since the ink is high in viscosity and poor in wettability, the ink droplets are not inadvertently spread or blotted after the ink is landed on the recording medium. Therefore, a high-definition image can be obtained on any recording medium.

According to the invention of claim 21 , since the ink can be efficiently cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays, the invention is also claimed for a recording medium having poor ink absorption such as a resin film regardless of the recording medium. A high-definition image can be obtained by combining with the means described in 1 to 21.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of recording heads that eject the same color ink in the first step form a module unit that can be attached to and detached from the carriage, and in the second step, for each ink color. By forming a plurality of module units, mounting the plurality of module units on the carriage in the third step, and adjusting the positions of the module units in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction on the carriage, a plurality of color inks Even when the number of recording heads that eject the same color ink is provided on the carriage and the number of recording heads that eject the same color is increased, the module unit can be adjusted. By adjusting the position each time, the attachment / detachment work on the carriage and the adjustment work associated with the attachment / detachment are facilitated, and the work time is shortened for ease of use. While achieving the above can also obtain a high-definition image.

According to the twenty- third aspect, when the head position adjusting mechanism is provided on the module base, the position adjustment of the recording head can be performed by the head position adjusting mechanism.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect , the position adjustment of the recording head can be performed by the position adjustment jig when the position adjustment jig is detachably disposed on the module base.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the number of work steps when removing and attaching the recording head on the carriage can be reduced and the carriage after attachment can be reduced as compared with the case where the recording head is replaced for each recording head. Since the work process for adjusting the position of each recording head can be omitted, the work at the time of replacement can be facilitated, and the time required for the work can be greatly shortened.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is a serial head type ink jet recording apparatus, and supports a printer main body 1 and the printer main body 1. The support stand 2 is provided.

  A bar-shaped guide rail 3 is provided inside the printer main body 1, and a carriage 4 is supported on the guide rail 3. The carriage 4 reciprocates along the guide rail 3 in the main scanning direction A, which is the width direction of the recording medium, by a carriage driving device (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of detachable module units 5 are attached to the carriage 4 along the main scanning direction A in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black ( K) are mounted in order for each color, and are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the module unit 5 is along the sub-scanning direction B orthogonal to the main scanning direction A (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  The module unit 5 includes a thin plate-like module base 6. A convex portion 7 (see FIG. 2) is formed on one side surface of the module base 6 in the sub-scanning direction B, and a concave portion 8 (see FIG. 3) is formed on the other side surface in the sub-scanning direction B and facing the convex portion 7. Has been. A V-shaped recess 9 is formed at the upstream edge in the sub-scanning direction B of the side surface parallel to the main scanning direction A of the module base 6, and the sub-scan at the edge opposite to the recess 9. Concave portions 27 are formed at the corners in the direction B. A part of the side surface parallel to the main scanning direction A forming the concave portion 27 is formed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the length of the module base 6.

  Each module base 6 is provided with a plurality of recording heads 10 that eject ink of the same color in a staggered manner along the sub-scanning direction B. The recording head 10 includes a plurality of nozzles (see FIG. (Not shown) is formed along the sub-scanning direction B. In this embodiment, three recording heads 10 are mounted on one module base 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a positioning member 11 having a V-shaped concave portion 28 is attached to the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction B of one side surface parallel to the sub-scanning direction B of the recording head 10. .

  A tip reference pin 12 is erected on the module base 6 at a position facing the V-shaped recess 28, and the tip reference pin 12 and the V-shaped recess 28 are engaged with each other. . The tip reference pin 12 is a so-called taper pin, has a taper shape whose diameter becomes narrower upward, and is configured to be movable up and down with respect to the upper surface of the module base 6. When the tip reference pin 12 is raised in a state where the tapered portion (tapered portion) of the tip reference pin 12 is engaged with the positioning member 11 integrated with the recording head 10, the sub-scanning direction B is increased. Thus, the recording head 10 can be moved slightly, and when the tip reference pin 12 is lowered, the recording head 10 can be moved slightly in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction B. That is, the V-shaped concave portion 28 functions as an engaging portion that engages with the tapered portion. Thus, by adjusting the vertical position of the contact position of the tip reference pin 12 with respect to the module base 6, By determining the position of the recording head 10 in the scanning direction B, the position of the recording head 10 in the sub-scanning direction B can be finely adjusted.

  An eccentric pin 13 is provided on the module base 6 on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction B of one side surface parallel to the sub-scanning direction B of the recording head 10. The eccentric pin 13 is a pin whose central axis is offset, and is attached to the upper surface of the module base 6 so as to be rotatable. By rotating the eccentric pin with the eccentric pin 13 in contact with the side surface of the recording head 10, the recording head 10 can be moved slightly in the main scanning direction A according to the rotational position that is the amount of eccentricity. It has become. Thus, the position of the recording head 10 in the main scanning direction A can be finely adjusted by adjusting the distance between the axis of the eccentric pin 13 and the recording head 10. A groove (not shown) is formed on the side surface of the eccentric pin 13. An eccentric amount of the eccentric pin 13 can be held by inserting a leaf spring or the like (not shown) into the groove and pressing it.

  A flat fixture 14 is attached integrally with the recording head 10 on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction B of the other side surface parallel to the sub-scanning direction B of the recording head 10. Of the side surfaces of the fixture 14, the side surface on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction B is formed to form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the side surface of the recording head 10.

Further, as a pressing member formed on the module base 6 so as to correspond to the downstream side surface of the fixture 14 in the sub-scanning direction B at a position facing the downstream side surface of the fixture 14 in the sub-scanning direction B. A pressing and fixing member 15 is provided, and the pressing and fixing member 15 is fixed while pressing the fixing tool 14. That is, the side surface of the fixture 14 on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction B is a contact surface between the pressing fixture 15 and the fixture 14.
In addition, the pressing and fixing member 15 presses the pressing and fixing member 15 against the fixing tool 14 against the recording head 10 in which the position is finely adjusted by the tip reference pin 12 and the eccentric pin 13, whereby the recording head 10. The recording head 10 can be positioned and fixed to the module base 6 by being pressed while dispersing the force in a uniform direction.

  Each recording head 10 is fixed to the module base 6 with its position adjusted with respect to the arrangement direction of each nozzle row and the nozzle pitch for each recording head 10. The module base 6 on which the recording head 10 is mounted can function as one recording head.

  Further, the recording head 10 whose position has been adjusted is fixed to the module base 6 by a plurality of fixing screws (not shown).

  Then, the module base 6, the recording head 10 mounted on the module base 6, the positioning member 11 for finely adjusting the position of the recording head 10, the tip reference pin 12, the eccentric pin 13, and the fixture 14 are pressed against each other. The module unit 5 is formed by the fixing member 15.

  As shown in FIG. 5, on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction B of the carriage 4, four tip reference pins 16, 16, 16, 16 similar to the tip reference pin 12 provided on the side surface of the module base 6 stand. The module unit 5 is engaged with the concave portion 9 formed in the module base 6 and the same mechanism as the positioning member 11 and the V-shaped concave portion 28 mounted on the module base 6 in the sub-scanning direction B of the module unit 5. The position is finely adjusted. That is, the concave portion 9 functions as an engaging portion that engages with the tip reference pin 16.

  Further, on the downstream side of the carriage 4 in the sub-scanning direction B, four eccentric pins 17, 17, 17 that engage with part of the side surface parallel to the sub-scanning direction B forming the recess 27 of the module unit 5. , 17 are provided. The eccentric pin 17 is the same as the eccentric pin 13 provided on the module base 6. When the module unit 5 is mounted on the carriage 4, the eccentric pin 17 is engaged with the concave portion 27 of the module base 6 and is connected to the module by the tip reference pin 16. With the unit 5 positioned in the sub-scanning direction B, the position of the downstream end of the module unit 5 in the sub-scanning direction B is moved in the main scanning direction A, so that the position of the module unit 5 in the main scanning direction A is fine. Adjustments are made. As in the case of the eccentric pin 13, the eccentric amount of the eccentric pin 13 can be held by inserting and pressing a leaf spring (not shown) in a groove formed on the side surface of the eccentric pin 17.

  Of the side surface that is downstream of the carriage 4 in the sub-scanning direction B and that is parallel to the main scanning direction A forming the recess 27 of the module unit 5, an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the length of the module unit 5. A pressing and fixing member 18 formed so as to correspond to the side surface is provided at a position opposite to the portion formed so as to be, and the pressing and fixing member 18 fixes the module unit 5 while pressing it. It has become. That is, of the side surface parallel to the main scanning direction A forming the concave portion 27 of the module unit 5, the portion formed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the length of the module unit 5 is the pressing and fixing member 18. And a contact surface of the module unit 5. This pressing and fixing member 18 is the same as the pressing and fixing member 15 provided on the module base 6, and the pressing and fixing member 18 is pressed against the module unit 5 whose position is adjusted by the tip reference pin 16 and the eccentric pin 17. Can be pressed against the module unit 5 while dispersing the force in a uniform direction, so that the module unit 5 can be positioned and fixed to the carriage 4.

  Further, the module unit 5 is fixed to the carriage 4 by a plurality of fixing screws 19, 19, 19.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as the position adjustment mechanism, a module position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the module unit 5 on the carriage 4 and a head position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the recording head 10 on the module unit 5 are provided. Will be provided.

  In addition, on both sides of the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction A, there are provided ultraviolet irradiation devices 20 that irradiate the ink ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium P and cure the ink. An ultraviolet light source (not shown) and a reflecting member (not shown) for reflecting the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device are provided in the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 along the sub-scanning direction B. The ultraviolet light source in the present embodiment is a high-pressure mercury lamp, but may be any one that irradiates ultraviolet rays. Depending on the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus, the low-pressure mercury lamp, metal halide lamp, hot cathode tube, cold cathode tube Any of the LEDs may be used.

  In addition, an optical trap 21 is provided between the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 and the module unit 5 to prevent the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 from being reflected by a recording medium or the like and entering the vicinity of the recording head 10. Yes. The optical trap 21 is formed in a box shape extending along the sub-scanning direction B and opening toward the recording medium, and the inner surface of the optical trap 21 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device 20. This is the ultraviolet light receiving surface of the optical trap 21 that receives the reflected light reflected by.

  On the other hand, the central area of the movable range of the carriage 4 is a recording area for recording on the recording medium P. Below the carriage 4 in the recording area, a plate-like member is used to cover the recording medium. A platen 22 that is supported from the recording surface is disposed.

  In addition, an ink tank 23 that supplies ink of each color to the carriage 4 via an ink supply path (not shown) is provided at an outer end of the recording area, which is a movable range of the carriage 4.

  Here, the ink used in this embodiment will be described. When the ink is cured, the polymerizable compound contained in the ink undergoes a polymerization reaction. However, the ink according to the present embodiment includes an activated energy ray curable compound as the polymerizable compound and activates the polymerization reaction. It is an ultraviolet curable ink using ultraviolet rays as energy.

  The ultraviolet curable ink is roughly classified into a radical curable ink containing a radical polymerizable compound and a cation curable ink containing a cationic polymerizable compound as a polymerizable compound. It can be applied as an ink to be used, and a hybrid ink in which a radical curable ink and a cationic curable ink are combined may be applied as an ink used in this embodiment.

  However, since a cationic curable ink that has little or no inhibition of polymerization reaction by oxygen is superior in functionality and versatility, a cationic curable ink is particularly used in the present embodiment. The cation curable ink used in the present embodiment is specifically a mixture containing at least a cation polymerizable compound such as an oxetane compound, an epoxy compound, and a vinyl ether compound, a photo cation initiator, and a coloring material. It has the property of being cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays.

  In addition, the viscosity of the ink in the present embodiment is 10 to 50 mPa · s at 25 ° C. and the surface tension is 20 to 40 mN / m, so-called high viscosity and poor wettability.

  The recording medium P used in the present embodiment includes various papers such as plain paper, recycled paper, and glossy paper, various fabrics, various non-woven fabrics, resins, metals, glass, and the like that are applied to ordinary inkjet recording apparatuses. What consists of material is applicable. Moreover, as a form of the recording medium P, a roll shape, a cut sheet shape, a plate shape, or the like is applicable.

  Further, as the recording medium P used in the present embodiment, various known papers whose surfaces are covered with a resin, a film containing a pigment, an opaque known recording medium such as a foamed film can be applied.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  Before using the ink jet recording apparatus, the module unit 5 is attached to the carriage 4 in which the recording head is not mounted.

  First, the position of the plurality of recording heads 10 that discharge the same color ink mounted on the module base 6 in the sub-scanning direction B is finely adjusted by the positioning member 11 and the leading end reference pin 12. Thereafter, the position of the recording head 10 in the main scanning direction A is finely adjusted by the eccentric pin 13. In this state, the pressing and fixing member 15 is pressed against the fixing tool 14, and the recording head 10 is pressed and fixed to the tip reference pin 12 and the eccentric pin 13. Then, the pressing and fixing member 15 is pressed and fixed to the recording head 10 while dispersing the force in a uniform direction, whereby the module unit 5 is assembled.

  After the module unit 5 thus adjusted in position is assembled for each ink color, it is mounted on the carriage 4 as shown in FIG. 6, and the module unit 5 in the sub-scanning direction B is formed by the recess 9 and the tip reference pin 16. Make fine adjustments to the position. Thereafter, the position of the module unit 5 in the main scanning direction A is finely adjusted by the eccentric pin 17 in a state where the position of the module unit 5 in the sub-scanning direction B of the module unit 5 is determined. In this state, the pressing and fixing member 18 is pressed against the contact surface of the module unit 5, and the module unit 5 is pressed and fixed to the tip reference pin 16 and the eccentric pin 17. Then, the pressing and fixing member 18 is pressed and fixed to the module unit 5 while dispersing the force in a uniform direction. The remaining module units 5 are similarly fixed to the carriage 4, and all the module units 5 are attached to the carriage 4 (see FIG. 5).

  When predetermined image information is sent to the ink jet recording apparatus and the recording medium P is conveyed to a predetermined position of the carriage 4 in the recording area according to the image information, the carriage 4 moves to the recording area along the guide rail 3. Then, it starts to reciprocate immediately above the recording medium.

  During the movement of the carriage 4, the recording head 10 is operated based on the image information, ink is ejected from each nozzle toward the recording medium, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 toward the recording medium P. To cure the ink. At this time, the ink ejected from the recording head 10 is quickly cured and fixed on the recording medium by the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 on the downstream side of the recording head 10 in the moving direction of the carriage 4. .

  Thereafter, the ink jet recording apparatus repeats the operations described above, whereby an image is formed on the recording medium.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment, a plurality of recording heads 10 that eject ink of the same color are mounted on the carriage 4 for each module unit 5, and a plurality of recording heads 10 that eject ink of the same color are mounted on the carriage 4 at a time. Therefore, even when the number of recording heads 10 that eject ink of the same color mounted on the carriage 4 increases, adjustment members mounted on the carriage 4 or on the carriage 4 at the time of shipment or failure. The adjustment process can be omitted.

  Further, since the positions of the plurality of recording heads 10 that discharge the same color ink in units of the module unit 5 are adjusted in advance and the module unit 5 thus adjusted is attached to the carriage 4, the carriage 4 can be used at the time of shipment or replacement. When the recording head 10 is attached, an adjustment process for adjusting the positions of the plurality of recording heads 10 that eject the same color ink on the carriage 4 can be omitted.

  Further, since the position of the recording head 10 for discharging ink of different colors is adjusted by adjusting the position of the module unit 5 and attaching it to the carriage 4, the recording head is attached to the carriage 4 at the time of shipment or replacement. When mounting 10, it is possible to omit the step of adjusting the position of the recording head 10 that ejects ink of different colors on the carriage 4.

  In addition, since the recording heads 10 are arranged in a staggered manner in the module units 5, a plurality of recording heads 10 can be arranged in the module unit 5 with a width corresponding to two recording heads 10. A plurality of recording heads 10 can be mounted on the carriage 4 by mounting the module unit 5 on the carriage 4 so that the plurality of recording heads 10 can be mounted without increasing the width of the carriage 4. Space saving of the recording head 10 can be achieved.

  In addition, since the module unit 5 is replaced when the recording head 10 is replaced, the number of work steps when removing and attaching the recording head 10 can be reduced as compared with the case where the recording head 10 is replaced. Since the adjustment process for adjusting the position of the individual recording heads 10 on the carriage 4 after the mounting can be omitted, the operation at the time of replacement can be facilitated, and the time required for the operation can be greatly shortened.

  As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of recording heads 10 that eject the same color ink on the carriage 4, and the number of recording heads 10 that eject the same color ink is increased. In addition, since the adjustment process for adjusting the position of the recording head 10 on the carriage 4 and the adjustment member such as a wiring board mounted on the carriage 4 can be reduced, it can be performed on the carriage 4 at the time of shipment or failure. The attachment / detachment work and the adjustment work accompanying the attachment / detachment can be facilitated, the work time can be shortened, and a high-definition image can be obtained while improving usability.

In this embodiment, the module unit 5 is assembled and the position of the recording head 10 in the module unit 5 is adjusted before being attached to the carriage 4. However, as a commercially available product, the module unit 5 is already installed in the module unit 5. The module unit 5 in which the position of the recording head 10 has been adjusted may be attached to the carriage 4. In this case, the work time for attaching the recording head 10 to the carriage 4 can be further shortened.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, in 2nd embodiment, the structure of the module unit 5 in 1st embodiment differs, and the other structure is the same as that of 1st embodiment. In the second embodiment, the description is focused on the module unit 25, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the module unit 25 includes a module base 6. The module base 6 is provided with three recording heads 10, a positioning member 11 integrated with the recording head 10, and a fixture 14 in the same manner as the module unit 5, and forms a module unit 25. Above the module unit 25, an adjustment jig 24 that can be attached to and detached from the module base 6 is provided as a position adjustment jig for adjusting the position of the recording head 10 mounted on the module base 6.

  The adjustment jig 24 is formed with three holes 26, 26, and 26 through which the recording head 10, the positioning member 11, and the fixture 14 mounted on the module base 6 can be inserted. By mounting the adjustment jig 24 on the upper surface of the module base 6, the recording head 10, the positioning member 11, and the fixture 14, which are protruding portions of the module unit 25, can be protruded from the holes 26. Yes. The hole 26 is formed to be slightly larger than the protruding portion of the actual module unit 25, and has a space so that the position of the recording head 10 can be finely adjusted by the adjusting jig 24.

  Further, a tip reference pin 12 that engages with the positioning member 11 is erected on the adjustment jig 24 at a position facing the positioning member 11 mounted on the module base 6 when the adjustment jig 24 is mounted. The tip reference pin 12 and the V-shaped recess 28 are engaged with each other. The tip reference pin 12 has a taper shape with a diameter that decreases downward, and is configured to be movable up and down with respect to the upper surface of the adjustment jig 24. When the tip reference pin 12 is raised in a state where the tapered portion (tapered portion) of the tip reference pin 12 is engaged with the positioning member 11 integrated with the recording head 10, the sub-scanning direction B is increased. The recording head 10 can be moved slightly in the opposite direction, and when the tip reference pin 12 is lowered, the recording head 10 can be moved slightly in the sub-scanning direction B. Thus, the position of the recording head 10 in the sub-scanning direction B is determined by adjusting the vertical position of the tip reference pin 12 with respect to the adjustment jig 24 as in the first embodiment, and the recording head in the sub-scanning direction B is determined. The position of 10 can be finely adjusted.

  An eccentric pin 13 is provided on the adjustment jig 24 on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction B of one side surface parallel to the sub-scanning direction B of the recording head 10 when the adjustment jig 24 is mounted. As in the first embodiment, the recording head in the main scanning direction A is determined by determining the distance between the eccentric pin 13 and the recording head 10 with the eccentric pin 13 in contact with the side surface of the recording head 10. Fine adjustment of the position of 10 can be performed.

  Further, on the adjustment jig 24, when the adjustment jig 24 is mounted, the fixing tool 14 mounted on the module base 6 is positioned at a position facing the side surface on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction B as in the first embodiment. Similarly, a pressing and fixing member 15 is provided so as to correspond to the side surface of the fixing tool 14 on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction B. The pressing and fixing member 15 is positioned by the tip reference pin 12 and the eccentric pin 13. By pressing the pressing and fixing member 15 against the fixing head 14 against the recording head 10 that has been finely adjusted, it is possible to press the recording head 10 while dispersing the force in a uniform direction. 10 can be positioned and fixed to the module base 6. In other words, on the adjustment jig 24, the tip reference pin 12, the eccentric pin 13, and the pressing and fixing member 15 are provided for each hole 26 into which the recording head 10 is inserted.

  As in the first embodiment, each recording head 10 is fixed to the module base 6 with its position adjusted with respect to the arrangement direction of each nozzle row, the nozzle pitch of each recording head 10, and the like. As a result, the module base 6 on which the plurality of recording heads 10 are mounted can function as one recording head.

  Further, the recording head 10 whose position has been adjusted is fixed to the module base 6 by a plurality of fixing screws (not shown).

  As described above, the module unit 25 itself is not provided with a member for finely adjusting the position of the recording head 10, and the adjustment jig 24 is provided with a member for finely adjusting the position of the recording head 10. The position is finely adjusted, and the module unit 25 that has been adjusted is attached to the carriage 4 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  First, the adjustment jig 24 is mounted on the upper surface of the module base 6, and the plurality of recording heads 10 ejecting the same color ink mounted on the module base 6 are positioned in the sub-scanning direction B by the positioning members 11 and the leading end reference pins 12. Make fine adjustments. Thereafter, the position of the recording head 10 in the main scanning direction A is finely adjusted by the eccentric pin 13. In this state, the pressing and fixing member 15 is pressed against the fixture 14, and the recording head 10 is pressed and fixed to the tip reference pin 12 and the eccentric pin 13. Then, the pressing and fixing member 15 is pressed and fixed to the recording head 10 while dispersing the force in a uniform direction, whereby the module unit 25 is assembled.

  Next, the module unit 25 whose position has been adjusted in this way is assembled for each ink color and then mounted on the carriage 4. At this time, the adjustment jig 24 mounted on the module unit 25 is removed and mounted on the carriage 4, and the position of the module unit 5 in the sub-scanning direction B is finely adjusted by the recess 9 and the tip reference pin 16. Thereafter, the position of the module unit 25 in the main scanning direction A is finely adjusted by the eccentric pin 17 in a state where the position of the module unit 25 in the sub-scanning direction B of the module unit 25 is determined. In this state, the pressing and fixing member 18 is pressed against the contact surface of the module unit 25, and the module unit 25 is pressed and fixed to the tip reference pin 16 and the eccentric pin 17. Then, the pressing and fixing member 18 is pressed and fixed to the module unit 25 while dispersing the force in a uniform direction. The remaining module units 25 are similarly fixed to the carriage 4, and all the module units 25 are attached to the carriage 4.

  As in the first embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus operates to form an image on the recording medium.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment, a plurality of recording heads 10 that discharge ink of the same color are mounted on the carriage 4 for each module unit 25, and a plurality of recording heads 10 that discharge ink of the same color are mounted on the carriage 4 at a time. Therefore, even when the number of recording heads 10 that eject ink of the same color mounted on the carriage 4 is increased, adjustment members mounted on the carriage 4 or on the carriage 4 at the time of shipment or replacement Thus, the attaching / detaching operation of the recording head 10 with the carriage 4 can be facilitated.

  Further, the adjustment jig 24 is attached to the module unit 25, and the positions of the plurality of recording heads 10 that discharge the same color ink in units of the module unit 5 are adjusted by the adjustment jig 24. 25 is attached to the carriage 4. Therefore, when the recording head 10 is attached to the carriage 4 at the time of shipment or replacement, an adjustment process for adjusting the positions of the plurality of recording heads 10 that eject ink of the same color on the carriage 4 is performed. It can be omitted.

  Further, by attaching the adjustment jig 24 to the module unit 25, adjusting the position of the module unit 5 with the adjustment jig 24 and attaching the adjustment unit 24 to the carriage 4, the position adjustment of the recording head 10 that discharges ink of different colors can be performed. Therefore, when the recording head 10 is attached to the carriage 4 at the time of shipment or replacement, an adjustment process of the position of the recording head 10 that ejects ink of different colors on the carriage 4 can be omitted.

  Further, since the recording heads 10 are arranged in a zigzag pattern on the module units 25, a plurality of recording heads 10 can be arranged in the module unit 25 with a width corresponding to two recording heads 10. A plurality of recording heads 10 can be mounted without increasing the number of the recording heads. By mounting the module unit 25 on the carriage 4, the plurality of recording heads 10 can be mounted without increasing the width of the carriage 4. Space saving of the recording head 10 can be achieved.

  In addition, since the entire module unit 25 is replaced when the recording head 10 is replaced, the number of work steps when removing and attaching the recording head 10 can be reduced as compared with the case where the recording head 10 is replaced. Since the adjustment process for adjusting the position of the individual recording heads 10 on the carriage 4 after the mounting can be omitted, the operation at the time of replacement can be facilitated, and the time required for the operation can be greatly shortened.

  As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of recording heads 10 that eject the same color ink on the carriage 4, and the number of recording heads 10 that eject the same color ink is increased. In addition, since the adjustment member mounted on the carriage 4 and the adjustment process of the position adjustment of the recording head 10 on the carriage 4 can be reduced, the attachment and detachment work on the carriage 4 and the adjustment accompanying the attachment and detachment at the time of shipment or failure, etc. Work can be facilitated, work time can be shortened, and high-definition images can be obtained while improving usability.

  At this time, the adjustment jig 24 can finely adjust the position of the recording head 10 of the module unit 25 not provided with the position adjusting mechanism of the recording head 10, and in addition, the module unit 25. Since it is not necessary to provide a member for finely adjusting the position of the recording head 10 in itself, the module unit 25 can be mass-produced while reducing costs.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a module unit mounted on a carriage in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a module unit mounted on a carriage in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entire carriage. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the entire carriage when the module unit is attached. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the entire carriage when one module unit is attached. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a module unit and an adjustment jig that are not provided with an adjustment mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

4 Carriage 5, 25 Module unit 6 Module base 10 Recording head 12, 16 Tip reference pin 13, 17 Eccentric pin 14 Fixing tool 15, 18 Press fixing member

Claims (25)

A plurality of recording heads each ejecting a plurality of colors of ink toward a recording medium and provided for each of the ink colors;
A plurality of module units each mounting a plurality of the recording heads that discharge the same color ink for each color of the ink;
A carriage that carries the plurality of module units and reciprocates along a main scanning direction that is a width direction of the recording medium ,
The plurality of module units can be individually attached to and detached from the carriage, and a module base on which the plurality of recording heads are mounted, and positions of the recording heads on the module base are determined in the main scanning direction and the main scanning. Each having a head position adjusting mechanism for adjusting in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the direction ,
The inkjet recording apparatus, wherein the carriage includes a module position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the positions of the plurality of module units on the carriage in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction . The head position adjusting mechanism includes a tip reference pin standing on the module base, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tapered portion contacts an end surface of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head in accordance with the contact position.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of the recording head includes an engaging portion that engages with the tapered portion. The head position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the module base,
2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric pin is in contact with an end face of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head according to a rotational position. The head position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the module base,
4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the eccentric pin contacts an end surface of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head in accordance with a rotational position. The eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction,
The leading end reference pin, an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the moving the position of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the head position adjusting mechanism includes a pressing and fixing member that presses the recording head against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin.   8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressing and fixing member presses the recording head orthogonally through a contact surface of 45 degrees with respect to the recording head. The module position adjusting mechanism includes a tip reference pin standing on the carriage, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion,
9. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tapered portion is in contact with an end surface of the module unit and moves the position of the module unit according to a contact position.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein an engagement portion that engages with the tapered portion is provided on an end surface of the module unit. The module position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the carriage,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the eccentric pin contacts an end surface of the module unit and moves the position of the module unit according to a rotation position. The module position adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric pin on the carriage,
11. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the eccentric pin is in contact with an end surface of the module unit and moves the position of the module unit according to a rotation position.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the module position adjusting mechanism includes a pressing fixing member that presses the module unit against the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin.   14. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pressing fixing member presses the recording head orthogonally through a contact surface of 45 degrees with respect to the recording head. The head position adjustment mechanism is a position adjustment jig that can be attached to and detached from the module base.
The position adjustment jig includes a tip reference pin erected on the position adjustment jig, and the tip reference pin has a tapered portion,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tapered portion contacts an end surface of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head according to the contact position. The position adjustment jig includes an eccentric pin on the position adjustment jig,
16. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the eccentric pin contacts an end face of the recording head and moves the position of the recording head according to a rotational position. The eccentric pin moves the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction,
The leading end reference pin, an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the moving the position of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction.   The position adjusting jig is formed with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of recording heads can be inserted, and the tip reference pin and the eccentric pin are provided for each of the holes. Alternatively, the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 17.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording heads are arranged in a staggered pattern in the module unit.   20. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink has a viscosity at 25 ° C. of 10 to 50 mPa · s and a surface tension of 20 to 40 mN / m. .   21. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink contains an activation energy ray-curable compound, and the activation energy is ultraviolet light. A plurality of recording heads that discharge ink of the same color toward the recording medium are mounted on the module base, and the position of the recording head is adjusted in the main scanning direction that is the width direction of the recording medium and in the sub-scanning direction that is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A first step of forming a module unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from a carriage in which the plurality of recording heads reciprocally move along the main scanning direction ;
A second step in which the first step is performed for each ink color, and the plurality of recording heads for ejecting the same color ink form a plurality of module units respectively mounted for each ink color;
By comprising a third step of said plurality of module units mounted detachably individually on the carriage performs the main scanning direction and the position adjustment of the sub-scanning direction on the carriage for each of the module unit A method for adjusting the position of a recording head. A head position adjustment mechanism is provided on the module base,
23. The recording head position adjusting method according to claim 22, wherein the position adjustment of the recording head is performed by the head position adjusting mechanism. A position adjustment jig is detachably disposed on the module base,
23. The recording head position adjusting method according to claim 22, wherein the position adjustment of the recording head is performed by the position adjusting jig.   The recording head position adjusting method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein when the recording head is replaced, the recording head is replaced for each module unit.

Images