JPS63303781A - Recording medium carrier and recording using said carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove occurrence of slippage between a recording medium and a carrier roller or occurrence of elongation of the recording medium, by a method wherein suction force against a keeping means which keeps the recording medium by suction is regulated by a regulation means, and is kept by suction with suction force suitable for material of the recording medium to be used. CONSTITUTION:Whether a pair of supply rollers 5a, 5b and a pair of drive rollers 6a, 6b have been rotated by a fixed rotational frequency is confirmed. After confirming that they have been rotated by the fixed rotational frequency, the supply rollers 5a, 5b and the drive rollers 6a, 6b are stopped. Then, optical reflectance of a recording medium 3 is detected with a sensor 4, and the kind of the recording medium 3, i.e. magnitude of gas permeability is judged. When the gas permeability is judged to be large as the result, a blower 10 is driven and the recording medium 3 is kept by suction to a platen 8. Further, when the gas permeability is judged to be small, a solenoid 14 of a value 11 is driven to drive a blower 10, and the recording medium 3 is kept by suction to the platen 8. Then, image recording is formed on the recording medium 3 by main scanning of a recording head 1. When recording of one line content is ended, subsidiary scanning is performed with the drive rollers 6a, 6b and the recording medium 3 is carried in the arrow (y) direction to perform successively recording.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Field of Application> The present invention provides a recording medium holding device that sucks and holds a recording medium, and uses the holding device! It also relates to a recording device.

<Prior Art> Formation of a recorded image in an inkjet recording apparatus that has been commonly used is performed by relatively moving a recording medium and a recording head. When performing this recording, the recording medium is attracted to the platen in order to maintain a constant distance from the recording head. A schematic explanatory diagram of the recording apparatus described above is shown in FIG. 8 and will be described below.

The recording head 1 forms a recorded image on the recording medium 3 while moving in the direction of the arrow X.

The recording medium 3 is fed to the platen 8 by a pair of supply rollers 5a and 5b.
The paper is further conveyed in the direction of the arrow y while being held between a pair of drive rollers 6a and 6b.

The platen 8 has a plurality of suction holes 8a formed on its surface, and a chamber 8b formed inside.

Further, the chamber 8b and the blower 1 that generates suction negative pressure as suction force
0 and is electrically connected by a pipe 9.

When performing recording, the recording medium 3 is supplied in the direction of the arrow y by the pair of supply rollers 5a and 5b, the recording medium 3 is held between the pair of drive rollers 6a and 6b, and the recording medium 3 is sucked and held by the platen 8. A recorded image is formed on a recording medium 3 while moving the head 1 in the direction of arrow X.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In the recording apparatus described above, the recording medium 3 is sucked and adsorbed through the suction hole 8a provided in the platen 8. As shown in FIG. 9, when the recording medium 3 is attracted to the platen 8, suction force is generated in the direction of the arrow p, and acts as a resistance force F when the recording medium 3 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow y by the driving roller pair 6a, 6b. do.

The suction force applied to the recording medium 3 by the platen 8 is set to be strong within a range that does not hinder the conveyance of the recording medium 3 in the direction of the arrow y. The reason for this is that when recording is performed on the recording medium 3 using a large amount of ink, the recording medium 3 swells and unevenness occurs on its surface. Therefore, the flatness of the surface of the recording medium 3 is forcibly maintained by increasing the suction force.

When trying to hold an object by applying suction force, the suction force that acts on the object is determined by the suction force and the outside air acting on the object, and the suction force on the surface of the object on which the suction force acts or the suction force The suction force varies depending on the amount of leakage on the suction side. The air permeability of an object corresponds to the above-mentioned leakage, and therefore the air permeability of an object has a great influence on suction retention.

The recording medium 3 is constructed by applying an ink absorbing layer 3b to a base layer 3a having a thickness of approximately 80 mm. The base layer 3a is generally made of plain paper,
It has some breathability. However, there is also a resin film such as polyethylene terephthalate that is used as the base layer 3a, and in this case, it has almost no air permeability, and furthermore, the ink absorbing layer 3b has minute racks, etc. This also provides breathability.

As mentioned above, the recording medium 3 has different air permeability depending on the material of the base material that constitutes it. Therefore, when the recording medium 3 with different air permeability is sucked with a constant suction force by the platen 8, the adsorption force will be different. When a recording medium 3 with high air permeability is used, a predetermined suction force cannot be obtained, and when a recording medium 3 with low air permeability is used, the suction force becomes excessive and the drive roller pair 6a, When conveying the recording medium 3 in the direction of the arrow y by the 6b, a slip occurs between the two, or an excessive tension on the recording medium 3 causes the recording medium 3 to elongate, making it impossible to obtain a predetermined conveyance distance. There is a possibility that a problem may occur.

Furthermore, the recording medium 3 in which the base layer 3a is made of a resin film has almost no swelling when absorbing ink, compared to the recording medium 3 in which the base layer 3a is made of plain paper, and therefore has less suction power to maintain flatness. However, if such a recording medium 3 is used in a recording device that has been adjusted to the suction force used when using a plain paper-based recording medium 3, the suction force will be excessive and the rollers may The driving force of 6a and 6b is insufficient,
There is also the possibility that the temperature of the drive motor or suction blower may rise.

Means for solving the above problems〉 A recording medium transport device for solving the above problems is as follows.
The apparatus includes a holding means for sucking and holding a recording medium, a conveyance means for transporting the recording medium, a detection means for detecting the type of the recording medium, and a generating means for generating suction force and transmitting the suction force to the holding means. The device is characterized by having a suction force generating means and an adjusting means for adjusting the suction force.

Further, the recording apparatus includes a recording head that forms a recorded image according to an image pattern on a recording medium, a holding means that sucks and holds the recording medium, and a conveying means that conveys the recording medium, and a conveyance means that conveys the recording medium. The device is characterized by comprising a detection means for detecting the type of the suction force, a suction force generation means for generating a suction force and transmitting the suction force to the holding means, and an adjustment means for adjusting the suction force.

In the recording medium transport device configured as described above, the adjustment means adjusts the suction force for the holding means that suctions and holds the recording medium, and suctions and holds the recording medium with a suction force suitable for the material of the recording medium used. This makes the adsorption force of the recording medium to the holding means appropriate.

Furthermore, in the recording apparatus configured as described above, the recording medium is suctioned and held by a conveying means having a holding means by a suction force adjusted to suit the material of the recording medium, and the recording head is placed on the held recording medium. By forming a recorded image according to an image pattern, and conveying the recording medium by the conveying means, it is possible to sequentially perform recording on the recording medium.

<Embodiment> An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a serial type recording device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an embodiment, FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial sectional views thereof, FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram. Further, FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram thereof. FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram of still another embodiment, FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view thereof, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram thereof. Moreover, FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of negative pressure measurement inside the platen.

In each of the embodiments described below, it is assumed that two types of recording media are used: one with high air permeability and one with low air permeability.

In FIGS. 1 and 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an inkjet recording head, which is driven by an image signal from a control section 16, which will be described later, to form an image record on the recording medium 3.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a carriage, which is configured to carry a recording head 1 and scan a guide (not shown) provided along the platen 8 with the arrow X direction as the main scanning direction, so that the recording head 1 can record one line. The drive is performed by a main drive means (not shown) controlled by the control section 16.

3 is a recording medium, which is composed of a base layer 3a made of plain paper or a resin film, coated with an ink absorbing layer 3b suitable for absorbing or fixing ink sprayed in a recording pattern during recording. There is.

4 is a sensor that detects the optical reflectance of the recording medium 3 and determines the type of recording medium 3 based on the reflectance, that is, whether it is a recording medium with a plain paper haze layer or a recording medium with a resin film base layer. It generates a signal for the control unit 16 to determine whether there is a recording medium 3, and is provided at a predetermined position in the main body of the recording apparatus (not shown), facing the conveyance path of the recording medium 3.

Here, the optical reflectance of a recording medium having a plain paper base layer and a recording medium using polyethylene terephthalate as a resin film base layer was measured using a Macbethfi meter RD 91.
8 (using SP I filter): 0.05 for the plain paper base layer and 0.05 for the polyethylene terephthalate base layer. I
It was O. In this way, the two types of recording media described above can be sufficiently distinguished by the sensor 4.

Supply rollers 5a and 5b are rotatably supported on the main body of the recording apparatus and are driven by a motor (not shown) to grip and convey the recording medium 3 in the direction of the arrow y.

Conveyance rollers 6a and 6b are rotatably supported by the main body of the recording apparatus, and are driven by a motor 7 controlled by a control section 16. The conveying roller pair 6a, 6b holds the recording medium 3, and when one line is recorded on the recording medium 3 by the gutter 1, the pair of conveying rollers 6a and 6b are driven by a motor 7 in the direction of the arrow y, which is the sub-scanning direction. This constitutes a sub-driving means for conveying the distance corresponding to the recording of a line.

8 is a platen with a plurality of suction holes 8a on its surface.
is bored, and a chamber 8b is formed inside.

In the platen 8, a negative pressure of about 1100 aq to -1000 aq is generated in the chamber 8b as the blower (described later) rotates 100 times.
The negative pressure suctions and holds the recording medium 3 through the suction hole 8a, and constitutes a holding means for the recording medium 3. Further, the platen 8 is located between the pair of supply rollers 5a, 5b and the pair of transport rollers 6a, 6b, and is fixed to the main body of the recording apparatus. These supply roller pairs 5a, 5
b, the platen 8, and the pair of transport rollers 6a, 6b are provided close to each other.

In this embodiment, the conveying roller pair 6a, 6b and the platen 8 constitute a conveying means.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a tube, which connects the suction blower 10 and the chamber 8b formed in the platen 8 through the pulp 11. In FIG. 6, the tube 9 is fixed to the side surface of the platen 8.
This fixing position is not limited to the position shown in the embodiment as long as it is a position that can make the negative pressure distribution state in the chamber 8b uniform.

The blower lO is fixed to the main body of the recording apparatus, and is controlled and driven by the control section 16 as the recording medium 3 is supplied to the platen 8. When the blower lO is driven, negative pressure is generated on its suction side.

Therefore, by connecting the suction side of the blower 10 and the chamber 8b of the platen 8 through the pipe 9, a negative suction pressure as a suction force is generated in the chamber 8b, and the blower IO constitutes a suction force generating means. It is.

The pulp 11 is interposed in the path of the tube 9, is fixed to the main body of the recording apparatus, and is driven by the control unit 16 to adjust the suction negative pressure generated by the blower IO. constitutes a means.

A cross-sectional view of the pulp 11 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

12 is a pulp body, and a through hole 12a is provided at a predetermined position on its surface. 13 is a valve, and the through hole 12a
The through hole 12a is configured to be driven by a solenoid 14 to open and close the through hole 12a. A compression spring 15 is interposed between the solenoid 14 and the valve 13, and constantly biases the valve 13 in a direction to close the through hole L2a.

The solenoid 14 is controlled by a control unit 16, and is driven by the control unit 16 determined by the detection signal of the sensor 4 to close or open the through hole 12a. Specifically, the sensor 4 closes or opens the through hole 12a. The target reflectance is detected and the signal is transmitted to the control unit 16. If the control unit 16 determines that the recording medium has high air permeability, it opens the solenoid 14 and closes the through hole 12a. , all of the suction negative pressure of the blower 10 is conducted to the chamber 8a of the platen 80, and if it is determined that the recording medium has low air permeability, the solenoid 14 is driven to open the through hole 12a, and the chamber 8b is The suction force to the chamber 8b is adjusted by controlling a part of the suction negative pressure to be conducted.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a control section, which is composed of a CPU (not shown), a RAM for storing recording information, a ROM for storing programs, etc., and is a main drive device for the recording head 1, the carriage, the main drive unit 2, the supply roller pair 5a, 5b, Drive roller pair 6a, 6
It controls the sub-drive devices such as b, the determination of the type of recording medium based on the detection signal from the sensor 4, the drive of the blower IO, the drive of the solenoid 14, etc.

The case where recording is performed by the recording apparatus configured as described above will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First of all, write it down! When the apparatus is started, the feeding of the recording medium 3 is started in step S1, the supply roller pair 5a, 5b is driven in step S2, and the driving of the drive roller pair 6a, 6b is started in step S3. .

In step S4, it is checked whether the pair of supply rollers 5a, 5b and the pair of drive rollers 6a, 6b have rotated a predetermined number of rotations, and after confirming that they have rotated a predetermined number of rotations, the process proceeds to step S5. The supply roller pair 5a, 5b and the drive roller pair 5a, 5b are stopped, and the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the sensor 4 detects the optical reflectance of the recording medium 3, and based on the signal, the control unit 16 determines the type of recording medium 3, that is, the degree of air permeability. As a result, if it is determined that the air permeability is high, the process proceeds to step S8, and if it is determined that the air permeability is small, the solenoid 14 of the pulp 11 is driven in step S7, and the process proceeds to step S8. .

In step S8, the blower 10 is driven to remove the recording medium 3.
is suctioned and held on the platen 8.

In step S9, an image record is formed on the recording medium 3 by the main scanning of the recording head 1, and when recording for one line is completed, a sub-scanning is performed by the drive roller pair 5a, 5b, and the recording medium 3 is
are conveyed in the direction of the arrow y and sequentially recorded.

In step 310, it is checked whether the predetermined recording has been completed, and if it has been completed, the recording is completed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram thereof. In this embodiment, the suction force adjustment means is directly attached to the platen 8.

In the drawings, parts having the same functions as those in the embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be particularly described.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a through hole provided in the side surface of the platen 8, which communicates with the chamber 8b. A valve 13 is provided opposite the through hole 12, and is driven by a solenoid 14 via a compression spring 15. The solenoid 14 is fixed to the recording apparatus main body via a bracket (not shown), and is controlled and driven by a control unit 16, and the driving is based on the detection of the optical reflectance of the recording medium 3 by the sensor 4. It is something.

Therefore, when the control unit 16 determines that the recording medium 30 has high air permeability based on the detection signal of the sensor 4, the solenoid 14 is opened and the through hole 12 is closed, and the suction generated by the blower 10 is inserted into the chamber 8b. All of the force acts as a suction force on the recording medium 3, and if it is determined that the air permeability is low, the solenoid 14 is driven to open the through hole 12 and the chamber 8 is closed.
A part of the suction force in b adjusts the suction force on the recording medium 3 by sucking outside air through the through hole 12.

8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams of still another embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram thereof.
The suction force is adjusted by opening and closing a predetermined suction hole 8a among the plurality of suction holes 8a provided in the suction hole 8a.

In the figures, parts having the same functions as those in the embodiments already described are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be particularly described.

A shutter 17 is provided inside the platen 8 along a central row of suction holes 8a among the plurality of rows of suction holes 8a provided in the platen 8, and has through holes 17a corresponding to the suction holes 8a forming the center row. is formed. The shutter 17
One end of the solenoid 14 is attached to a bracket 14b provided on the stem 14a of the solenoid 14 by a pin 17b. A compression spring 15 is interposed between the bracket 14b and the solenoid 14, and the shutter 17 is moved in the direction of arrow S.
Therefore, the suction hole 8a is biased in the direction of closing.

The solenoid 14 is controlled and driven by the control unit 16, and the sensor 4 detects the optical reflectance of the recording medium 3, and based on the detection signal, the control unit 16 determines the type of medium 3. That is, it is determined whether the recording medium 3 has high air permeability or low air permeability, and if it is determined that the air permeability is high, the solenoid 14 is driven and the shutter 17 is activated. is forced in the direction of arrow 0 to open the suction hole 8.
a is engaged with the through hole 17a of the shutter 17 to open it, and if it is determined that the ventilation is low, the solenoid 14 is opened and the shutter 17 is urged in the direction of arrow S by the compression spring 15 to attract suction. This is to close the hole 8a.

When the suction hole 8a is closed as described above, the suction hole 8a
As the number of suction holes 8a decreases, the suction force acting on the recording medium 3 becomes smaller, and when the suction holes 8a are opened, the number of suction holes 8a increases and the suction force acting on the recording medium 3 increases, so the suction force can be adjusted.

Here, the results of an experiment to measure the suction negative pressure inside the platen 8 will be explained.

FIG. 13(a) is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the platen 8. FIG.

The platen 8 is formed with dimensions of 40 m in height and 25 m in width, and has a cross-sectional area of 1000 ta''.
．． 420 suction holes 8a of No. 5 are formed.

FIG. 13(b) is an explanatory diagram showing measurement position 1 of suction negative pressure. Measurements were taken at three points: ends A and C of the suction hole 8a formed in a length of 1300 m, and B, which is approximately in the middle.

The result is A;-472mmaqB;472waqC;-473a
q, and almost no difference is observed.

For example, when a plain paper-based recording medium 3 is used, the negative pressure value inside the platen 8 is -47 owaq, and good conveyance is achieved, and when a resin film-based recording medium 3 is used, the conventional apparatus The negative pressure value would be 495 Wmaq, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 6, it could be reduced to -470 mmaq, making it possible to carry out good conveyance.

In each of the embodiments described above, in order to adjust the suction force, opening and closing of the through hole 12a provided in the pulp 11, opening and closing of the through hole 12 provided in the platen 8, or opening and closing of the suction hole 8a provided in the platen 8 is performed. However, if the characteristics of the blower lO are such that the generated negative pressure can be changed, the current, voltage,
It is also possible to adjust the negative pressure value by controlling the force value or drive characteristics.

Furthermore, in each embodiment, the case where two types of recording media, large and small, with air permeability, are used has been described, but when more types of recording media are used, it is necessary to add more pulp 11, or to use more types of recording media.
Alternatively, a large number of negative pressure adjustment values for the blower 10 may be set.

Incidentally, in each of the embodiments described above, the conveying means is composed of a pair of conveying rollers 6a, 6b and a platen 8, but the platen 8 is configured to move in the direction of the arrow y while sucking and holding the recording medium 3. In this way, the platen 8 alone may form the conveying means.

In each of the embodiments described above, the present invention was applied to a serial type recording device, but it is also possible to apply it to a full line type recording device. The carriage 2, which carries the recording head l and moves in the direction of the arrow X, is not necessary in each embodiment.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained in detail above, by providing the holding means for suctioning and holding the recording medium with an adjusting means for adjusting the suction force according to the type of recording medium, the optimal suction for the recording medium can be achieved. The holding means can be suctioned and held by force, and the recording device can transport the recording medium without applying excessive tension to the recording medium, thus preventing slippage between the recording medium and the conveyance roller. Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of the first embodiment, Figs. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the pulp, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pulp. 5 is a block diagram thereof, FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of another embodiment, FIG. 7 is a block diagram thereof, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of yet another embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the platen, FIG. 1θ is its block diagram, FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional recording device, FIG. It is an explanatory view of suction negative pressure measurement.

1 is a recording head, 2 is a carriage, 3 is a recording medium, 3a
is a base layer, 3b is an ink absorbing layer, 4 is a sensor, 5a
, 5b is a supply roller, 6a and 6b are drive rollers, 7 is a motor, 8 is a platen, 83 is a suction hole, IO is a blower,
11 is pulp, 12a, 12 are through holes, 13 is a valve, 14 is a solenoid, 16 is a control unit, 17 is a shutter, ITa
is a through hole.

Applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Agent: Patent attorney Shukichi Nakagawa Figure 6 Figure 10 centre

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A conveyance means that includes a holding means for sucking and holding a recording medium and conveying the recording medium, a detection means for detecting the type of the recording medium, and a holding means that generates a suction force and transfers the suction force to the holding means. A recording medium conveyance device comprising: a suction force generating means for transmitting the suction force to the suction force; and an adjustment means for adjusting the suction force. (2) A recording head that forms a recorded image according to an image pattern on a recording medium, a holding means that sucks and holds the recording medium, and a conveyance means that conveys the recording medium, and a type of the recording medium. A recording device comprising: a detection means for detecting; a suction force generation means for generating a suction force and transmitting the suction force to the holding means; and an adjustment means for adjusting the suction force.