Recording apparatus and recording method

Abstract

The present application relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method, which suppresses radicals generated along with corona irradiation from becoming a cause of ejection failure. A recording apparatus (1) includes: a feeding section (2) that supports a recording medium (M) in a roll shape and feeds the recording medium (M); a head (5) that ejects ink toward a surface of the recording medium (M) fed from the feeding section (2) to form an image; a corona irradiation section (6) that is disposed between the feeding section (2) and the head (5) in a conveyance path of the recording medium (M) and modifies the surface by performing corona irradiation; and a conveyance path length changing section (20) that is disposed between the corona irradiation section (6) and the head (5) in the conveyance path and is capable of changing a length of the conveyance path.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, various kinds of recording apparatuses have been used. Among them, a recording apparatus is disclosed, which performs corona irradiation to a surface of a recorded medium to perform surface modification in order to improve recording quality, and forms an image on the recorded medium on which the surface modification has been performed. For example, a printer is disclosed in Patent Literature 1, which is provided with a corona discharger, and ejects ink from a recording head to a surface of a recorded medium on which the corona discharge has been performed to perform recording.

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-184665 SUMMARY

[0004] As the printer described in Patent Literature 1, the corona irradiation is performed to modify the surface of the recorded medium before the ink is ejected from the recording head to form an image, whereby the recording quality can be improved. However, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies, and as a result, have found the following. If the corona irradiation is performed, sometimes, radicals are attached to the surface of the recorded medium along with the corona irradiation. Also, when the portion on which the radicals are attached is transported to a region opposite to the recording head, sometimes, the following occurs. The radicals are attracted to a nozzle forming surface of the recording head due to static electricity, and similarly, ink components such as ink mist are attracted to the nozzle forming surface due to static electricity, the radicals and the ink components are polymerized in the nozzle forming surface to generate a polymerization foreign matter, and the attachment of the foreign matter is formed on the nozzle forming surface. In particular, in the case where PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like is used as the recorded medium, such a phenomenon easily occurs. Also, if the attachment of the foreign matter is formed on the recording head, there is a case where this becomes a cause of ejection failure in which the ejection direction of the ink deviates from the desired direction. Therefore, it is required to suppress the radicals generated along with the corona irradiation from becoming a cause of the ejection failure.

[0005] The recording apparatus of the present application for solving the above-described technical problem is characterized by comprising: a feeding section that supports a recorded medium in a roll shape and feeds the recorded medium; a recording head that ejects ink to a surface of the recorded medium fed from the feeding section to form an image; a corona irradiation section that is arranged between the feeding section and the recording head in a transport path of the recorded medium, and modifies the surface by performing corona irradiation; and a transport path length changing section that is arranged between the corona irradiation section and the recording head in the transport path, and is capable of changing a length of the transport path.

[0006] Further, the recording method of the present application for solving the above-described technical problem is a recording method of a recording apparatus characterized by comprising: a feeding section that supports a recording medium in a roll shape and feeds the recording medium; a head that ejects ink toward a surface of the recording medium fed from the feeding section to form an image; and a corona irradiation section that is disposed between the feeding section and the head in a conveyance path of the recording medium and modifies the surface by performing corona irradiation, wherein the recording medium is conveyed to form an image by the head after a length of the conveyance path between the corona irradiation section and the head is changed according to a change in output of the corona irradiation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 Outline side view of the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0008] Figure 2 Block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0009] Figure 3 Perspective view of the vicinity of the conveyance path length changing section of the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0010] Figure 4 Diagram showing a state in which the conveyance path length is set to the maximum in the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0011] Figure 5 Diagram showing a state in which the conveyance path length is set to the minimum in the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0012] Figure 6 Diagram showing a state in which the conveyance path length is set to an intermediate level in the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0013] Figure 7 Perspective view of the main part of the conveyance path length changing section of the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 2 of the present application.

[0014] Figure 8 Perspective view of the main part of the conveyance path length changing section of the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0015] Figure 9 Diagram showing a state in which the conveyance path length is set to the maximum in the recording apparatus relating to Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0016] Figure 10A schematic view showing a state in which the length of the conveyance path is made minimum in the recording apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0017] Figure 11 A schematic view showing a state in which the length of the conveyance path is made intermediate in the recording apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0018] Reference Signs

[0019] 1: recording apparatus; 2: feeding section; 3: conveyance drum; 4: take-up section; 5: head; 5a: head; 5b: head; 5c: head; 5d: head; 6: corona irradiation section; 7: pre-irradiation unit; 7a: pre-irradiation unit; 7b: pre-irradiation unit; 7c: pre-irradiation unit; 7d: pre-irradiation unit; 8: main irradiation unit; 9: first conveyance roller pair; 10: intermediate roller; 11: tension roller; 12: second conveyance roller pair; 20: conveyance path length changing section; 21: head unit; 21a: head unit; 21b: head unit; 21c: head unit; 21d: head unit; 22: roller; 22A: first roller; 22B: second roller; 22C: third roller; 22D: fourth roller; 22E: fifth roller; 22F: sixth roller; 22G: seventh roller; 23: roller moving motor (roller moving section); 24A: pinion (roller moving section); 24B: pinion (roller moving section); 25A: rack (roller moving section); 25B: rack (roller moving section); 26A: upper side support section; 26B: upper side support section; 26C: upper side support section (roller fixing section); 26D: lower side support section (roller fixing section); 27: lower side fixed support section; 30: control section; 31: CPU; 32: system bus; 33: storage section; 34: head driving section; 35: motor driving section; 36: feeding motor; 37: first conveyance motor; 39: second conveyance motor; 40: take-up motor; 41: corona irradiation section driving section; 42: pre-irradiation unit driving section; 43: main irradiation unit driving section; 44: input / output section; 45: operation panel; 46: PC; M: recording medium; PI: uppermost position; P2: lowermost position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] First, the present application will be briefly described.

[0021] The recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present application is characterized by comprising: a feeding section that supports a recording medium in a roll shape and feeds the recording medium; a head that ejects ink toward a surface of the recording medium fed from the feeding section to form an image; a corona irradiation section that is disposed between the feeding section and the head in a conveyance path of the recording medium and modifies the surface by performing corona irradiation; and a conveyance path length changing section that is disposed between the corona irradiation section and the head in the conveyance path and is capable of changing a length of the conveyance path.

[0022] The radicals generated along with the corona irradiation are deactivated if a predetermined time elapses, but according to the present aspect, the conveyance path length changing section capable of changing the length of the conveyance path is provided between the corona irradiation section and the head in the conveyance path. Therefore, the length of the conveyance path is changed, and adjusted to the length of the conveyance path in which the radicals generated along with the corona irradiation are deactivated, so that the foreign matter generated by the aggregation of the radicals and ink components attached to the nozzle formation surface due to static electricity can be suppressed from being attached to the nozzle formation surface. That is, the radicals generated along with the corona irradiation can be suppressed from being a cause of ejection failure.

[0023] The recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the first aspect, a control section is provided, the corona irradiation section is capable of changing an output of the corona irradiation, the conveyance path length changing section has: a roller capable of winding the recording medium; and a roller moving section capable of changing the length of the conveyance path by moving the roller, and the control section controls the roller moving section to move the roller in accordance with the output.

[0024] The deactivation time of the radicals generated along with the corona irradiation varies in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation, but according to the present aspect, the roller is automatically moved in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation by the control of the control section. Therefore, by the simple configuration of moving the roller, even if the deactivation time of the radicals varies in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation, the foreign matter generated by the aggregation of the radicals and ink components attached to the nozzle formation surface due to static electricity can be appropriately suppressed from being attached to the nozzle formation surface in correspondence with the variation.

[0025] The recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the control section controls the configuration of the roller by controlling the roller moving section in accordance with the deactivation time of the radicals corresponding to the output, so that the radicals attached to the surface by the corona irradiation are deactivated before the conveyance of the recording medium reaches a position opposite to the head.

[0026] According to the present aspect, the roller is configured in accordance with the inactivation time of the radical corresponding to the output. Therefore, for example, in a case where the output of the corona irradiation is increased in order to perform recording with high recording quality, the roller is moved by control of the control section to automatically lengthen the length of the transport path, so that even if the inactivation time of the radical becomes longer, the radical can be appropriately inactivated before reaching the nozzle head. On the other hand, in a case where the productivity is increased, the output of the corona irradiation is reduced, and the roller is moved by control of the control section to automatically shorten the length of the transport path, so that the productivity can be effectively increased.

[0027] The recording apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the control section calculates the inactivation time in accordance with the output, and controls the configuration of the roller on the basis of the result of the calculation and a transport time from the corona irradiation section to the nozzle head based on the transport speed of the recorded medium.

[0028] According to the present aspect, the roller can be configured on the basis of the result of calculation of the inactivation time corresponding to the output and the transport time from the corona irradiation section to the nozzle head based on the transport speed of the recorded medium. Therefore, even with a configuration in which only a storage section with a small storage capacity is provided, it is possible to appropriately suppress discharge failure due to radicals adhering to the nozzle formation surface due to static electricity.

[0029] The recording apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the recording apparatus is provided with a storage section that stores data related to the inactivation time based on the output and the transport time from the corona irradiation section to the nozzle head based on the transport speed of the recorded medium, and the control section controls the configuration of the roller on the basis of the data.

[0030] According to the present aspect, the roller can be configured on the basis of data related to the inactivation time of radicals based on the output of the corona irradiation section and the transport time from the corona irradiation section to the nozzle head based on the transport speed of the recorded medium. Therefore, without imposing a large computational load and the like on the control section, on the basis of the data, it is possible to appropriately suppress discharge failure due to radicals adhering to the nozzle formation surface due to static electricity.

[0031] The recording apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the transport path length changing section has a roller that can wind the recorded medium, and a roller fixing section that can fix the roller at a plurality of positions, and the length of the transport path is changed by being able to change the positions at which the roller is fixed.

[0032] According to the present aspect, the conveyance path length changing section has a roller fixing section capable of fixing a roller at a plurality of positions. Therefore, it is possible to change the conveyance path to a plurality of lengths while keeping the number of rollers small.

[0033] The recording device of the seventh aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the conveyance path length changing section has a plurality of rollers capable of winding the recorded medium, and the length of the conveyance path is capable of being changed by changing the roller that winds the recorded medium.

[0034] According to the present aspect, the conveyance path length changing section has a plurality of rollers capable of winding the recorded medium, and the length of the conveyance path is capable of being changed by changing the roller that winds the recorded medium. Therefore, it is possible to change the conveyance path to a plurality of lengths without the user having to change the position of the roller.

[0035] The recording method of the eighth aspect of the present application is a recording method of a recording device, characterized in that the recording device has: a feeding section that supports a recorded medium in a roll shape and feeds the recorded medium; a head that ejects ink onto a surface of the recorded medium fed from the feeding section to form an image; and a corona irradiation section that is disposed between the feeding section and the head in a conveyance path of the recorded medium, and that modifies the surface by performing corona irradiation, the recording method being such that, after the length of the conveyance path between the corona irradiation section and the head is changed in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation, the recorded medium is conveyed to form an image by the head.

[0036] According to the present aspect, after the length of the conveyance path between the corona irradiation section and the head is changed, the recorded medium is conveyed to form an image by the head. Therefore, the length of the conveyance path is changed so as to adjust the length of the conveyance path in which radicals generated in association with the corona irradiation are deactivated, and thus it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the nozzle formation surface in association with recording, which foreign matter is generated by the polymerization of the radicals and ink components adhering to the nozzle formation surface. That is, it is possible to suppress the radicals generated in association with the corona irradiation from becoming a cause of ejection failure.

[0037] Embodiments relating to the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] Hereinafter, the recording device 1 relating to Example 1 of the present application will be described. Figures 1 to 6 The recording device 1 relating to Example 1 of the present application will be described. First, the configuration of the recording device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Figure 1 The recording device 1 of the present embodiment is a recording device that records an image on a recorded medium M such as paper, cloth, or a film, and is a recording device that forms an image by ejecting ink onto the recorded medium M.

[0040] The recording device 1 of the present embodiment is a recording device that records an image on a recorded medium M such as paper, cloth, or a film, and is a recording device that forms an image by ejecting ink onto the recorded medium M.Figure 2 The computer of the external device represented by the PC 46 is communicably connected. Note that, as Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of performing recording on the recorded medium M wound in a roll shape.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of performing recording on the recorded medium M wound in a roll shape. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of performing recording on the recorded medium M wound in a roll shape.

[0042] The recorded medium M conveyed by the first conveyance roller pair 9 reaches the conveyance drum 3, which is a support for the recorded medium M, via the corona irradiation section 6, which modifies the surface of the recorded medium M by irradiating a corona to the recorded medium M, the conveyance path length changing section 20, which is capable of changing the length of the conveyance path of the recorded medium M, and the intermediate roller 10. Then, the recorded medium M is conveyed in a state of being in close contact with the conveyance drum 3 rotating in the rotation direction C.

[0043] Here, the corona irradiation section 6 is capable of changing the output according to the user's instruction through the operation panel 45, the PC 46, and the like as shown in FIG. 2. By changing the output, the degree of modification of the surface of the recorded medium M can be changed. By increasing the output, the degree of modification of the surface of the recorded medium M becomes higher, and by decreasing the output, the degree of modification of the surface of the recorded medium M becomes lower. Note that, the details of the conveyance path length changing section 20 will be described later. Figure 2

[0044] ​Four head units 21 are formed at positions opposite the conveyance drum 3, and the head units 21 have heads 5 that eject ultraviolet-curable ink, and pre-irradiation units 7 that have ultraviolet irradiation sections that irradiate ultraviolet rays for pre-curing. In detail, as the head units 21, head unit 21a, head unit 21b, head unit 21c, and head unit 21d are formed, wherein the head unit 21a is composed of a head 5a corresponding to cyan ink and a pre-irradiation unit 7a, the head unit 21b is composed of a head 5b corresponding to magenta ink and a pre-irradiation unit 7b, the head unit 21c is composed of a head 5c corresponding to yellow ink and a pre-irradiation unit 7c, and the head unit 21d is composed of a head 5d corresponding to black ink and a pre-irradiation unit 7d. In addition, at a position opposite the conveyance drum 3 and further downstream in the conveyance direction A than the four head units 21, a main irradiation unit 8 is formed as an ultraviolet irradiation section that main-cures the ultraviolet-curable ink. Note that the head unit 21a, the head unit 21b, the head unit 21c, and the head unit 21d are all the same shape.

[0045] Note that the surface is modified by the corona irradiation section 6, and thus the quality of the image formed on the recording medium M by the head units 21 is improved. In general, the more the degree of modification of the surface of the recording medium M is increased, the more the recording quality is improved. Also, as described above, the corona irradiation section 6 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to modify the surface state of the recording medium M to a plurality of modification states by changing the output, and is able to modify the surface state of the recording medium M to a plurality of modification states according to the recording quality required by the user.

[0046] The image is formed on the recording medium M that is conveyed in a state in close contact with the conveyance drum 3 by the four head units 21. Also, the ink that forms the image is main-cured by the main irradiation unit 8, and thus the image formed on the recording medium M by the four head units 21 is fixed to the recording medium M. Note that in the recording device 1 of the present embodiment, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the main irradiation unit 8 is stronger than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the pre-irradiation units 7. In other words, in the recording device 1 of the present embodiment, the ink ejected to the recording medium M is pre-cured by irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the pre-irradiation units 7 to suppress excessive spreading of the ink, and the ink is cured by irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the main irradiation unit 8 to be fixed to the recording medium M.

[0047] Furthermore, a tension roller 11 is provided downstream of the formal irradiation unit 8 in the transport direction A, and the recording medium M is transported from the transport drum 3 to the second transport roller pair 12 via the tension roller 11. Then, the recording medium M transported by the second transport roller pair 12 is wound into a roll by rotating the take-up unit 4 in the rotation direction C.

[0048] In this embodiment, the printheads 5 in the recording apparatus 1 are all row printheads in which the nozzles are formed in a row along the width direction B of the recording medium M on the nozzle forming surface. That is, the recording apparatus 1 in this embodiment is a so-called row printer that continuously records while continuously conveying the recording medium M. However, it may also be a printer equipped with a printhead that ejects ink while reciprocating in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction A.

[0049] Next, use Figure 2 The electrical configuration of the recording device 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0050] The control unit 30 is equipped with a CPU 31 responsible for the overall control of the recording device 1. The CPU 31 is connected to the storage unit 33 via a system bus 32. The storage unit 33 has a ROM storing various control programs executed by the CPU 31, a RAM capable of temporarily storing data, and an EEPROM. Here, the storage unit 33 stores data representing the relationship between the deactivation time of free radicals and the transport time, corresponding to the transport path length from the corona irradiation unit 6 to the nozzle 5 (specifically, the nozzle 5a that constitutes the shortest distance). The deactivation time of the free radicals is the deactivation time based on the output of the corona irradiation unit 6, and the transport time is an appropriate transport time from the corona irradiation unit 6 to the nozzle 5 based on the transport speed of the recorded medium M.

[0051] In addition, the CPU31 is connected to the printhead drive unit 34, which drives the printhead 5 to eject ink, via the system bus 32.

[0052] Furthermore, the CPU 31 is connected to the motor drive unit 35 via the system bus 32. The motor drive unit 35 is connected to the feed motor 36, the first conveyor motor 37, the second conveyor motor 39, the take-up motor 40, and the roller movement motor 23. Here, the feed motor 36 is the rotation mechanism of the rotating shaft of the feed unit 2, and is the motor that drives the feed unit 2 to feed the recording medium M to the first conveyor motor 37. The first conveyor motor 37 is the motor that drives the first conveyor roller pair 9. The second conveyor motor 39 is the motor that drives the second conveyor roller pair 12. The take-up motor 40 is the motor that drives the take-up unit 4 to wind the recording medium M into a roll. And the roller movement motor 23 is the motor that changes the arrangement of the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D provided in the transport path length changing unit 20.

[0053] Furthermore, the CPU 31 is connected via the system bus 32 to a corona irradiation unit drive unit 41 for driving the corona irradiation unit 6 to modify the surface of the recording medium M. Additionally, the CPU 31 is connected via the system bus 32 to a pre-irradiation unit drive unit 42 for driving the pre-irradiation unit 7 to irradiate the recording medium M with ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the CPU 31 is connected via the system bus 32 to a formal irradiation unit drive unit 43 for driving the formal irradiation unit 8 to irradiate the recording medium M with ultraviolet light.

[0054] Furthermore, the CPU 31 is connected to the operation panel 45, PC 46, etc. via the system bus 32 and the input / output unit 44. The operation panel 45 can receive user instructions such as data input by the user, and the PC 46 is used to send and receive data and signals such as image data.

[0055] Next, use Figures 3 to 6 The details of the transport path length changing unit 20, which is a main part of the recording apparatus 1 in this embodiment, will be described here. Figure 3 The diagram shows the portion of the component of the transport path length change section 20 in the transport path of the recorded medium M to the portion of the component of the second transport roller pair 12. For ease of understanding of the internal structure, some components such as the nozzle unit 21 and the formal irradiation unit 8 are omitted.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a transport path length changing section 20 in the region between the corona irradiation section 6 and the transport drum 3 in the transport path of the recorded medium M. Furthermore, as... Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the conveyor path length changing unit 20 includes multiple rollers 22, specifically, a first roller 22A, a second roller 22B, a third roller 22C, a fourth roller 22D, and a fifth roller 22E. The recording medium M, delivered from the feed unit 2 to the conveyor drum 3, is conveyed inside the conveyor path length changing unit 20 as follows: Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 6 As shown, it is wound sequentially on the first roller 22A, the second roller 22B, the third roller 22C, the fourth roller 22D and the fifth roller 22E.

[0057] Here, as Figure 3As shown, of the first roller 22A, the second roller 22B, the third roller 22C, the fourth roller 22D, and the fifth roller 22E, the second roller 22B is attached to the upper side support portion 26A, the fourth roller 22D is attached to the upper side support portion 26B, and the first roller 22A, the third roller 22C, and the fifth roller 22E are attached to the lower side fixed support portion 27. The lower side fixed support portion 27 is fixed to the base portion 13. On the other hand, the upper side support portion 26A is configured so that a pinion gear 24A that transmits the driving force of the roller moving motor 23 is provided, and engages with a rack gear 25A formed on a columnar portion 13a of the base portion 13, and is able to move in a moving direction D corresponding to the up and down direction with respect to the columnar portion 13a. Similarly, the upper side support portion 26B is also configured so that a pinion gear 24B that transmits the driving force of the roller moving motor 23 is provided, and engages with a rack gear 25B formed on the columnar portion 13a of the base portion 13, and is able to move in the moving direction D with respect to the columnar portion 13a.

[0058] That is, the recording device 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are individually movable in the moving direction D. By being configured in this way, the distance of the second roller 22B with respect to the first roller 22A and the third roller 22C, and the distance of the fourth roller 22D with respect to the third roller 22C and the fifth roller 22E are each changed, and thus the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M in the conveyance path length changing portion 20 is able to be changed.

[0059] In the recording device 1 of the present embodiment, the upper side support portion 26A and the upper side support portion 26B, that is, the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D, are each individually freely movable in the range from the uppermost position PI to the lowermost position P2. Figure 4 A state in which the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are each located at the uppermost position PI and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M is the greatest is shown. Further, Figure 5 A state in which the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are each located at the lowermost position P2 and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M is the smallest is shown. Also, Figure 6 A state in which the second roller 22B is located at the uppermost position PI and the fourth roller 22D is located at the lowermost position P2, and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M is Figure 4 The state shown is the same as Figure 5 the state shown. Note that the recording device 1 of the present embodiment is able to be in a state other than the state shown, and is able to independently arrange each of the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D at a position between the uppermost position PI and the lowermost position P2. Figures 4 to 6 The state shown is the same as Figure 5 the state shown. Note that the recording device 1 of the present embodiment is able to be in a state other than the state shown, and is able to independently arrange each of the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D at a position between the uppermost position PI and the lowermost position P2.

[0060] Here, to summarize for the time being, the recording device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, is configured so that the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are each individually movable in the moving direction D. Figure 1As shown, the recording device 1 is provided with: a feeding section 2 that supports a recording medium M in a roll shape and feeds the recording medium M; a head 5 that ejects ink toward a surface of the recording medium M fed from the feeding section 2 to form an image; and a corona irradiation section 6 that is disposed between the feeding section 2 and the head 5 in a conveyance path of the recording medium M and modifies the surface of the recording medium M by performing corona irradiation. Further, between the corona irradiation section 6 and the head 5 in the conveyance path of the recording medium M, there is provided a conveyance path length changing section 20 that is configured to be able to change the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M.

[0061] While radicals occur from the corona irradiation section 6 irradiating corona, the radicals that occur by the corona irradiation deactivate over a predetermined time. As described above, the recording device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the conveyance path length changing section 20 that is able to change the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M between the corona irradiation section 6 and the head 5 in the conveyance path of the recording medium M. Therefore, the recording device 1 of the present embodiment is able to suppress the foreign matter generated by the radicals that occur in conjunction with the corona irradiation and the ink components polymerizing on the nozzle formation surface from adhering to the nozzle formation surface by changing the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M to adjust the length of the conveyance path in which the radicals that occur in conjunction with the corona irradiation deactivate. That is, the recording device 1 of the present embodiment is able to suppress the radicals that occur in conjunction with the corona irradiation from becoming a cause of ejection failure. Note that the ejection failure caused by the radicals is proportional to the output of the corona irradiation and is inversely proportional to the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M.

[0062] Further, as described above, the recording device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the control section 30. Further, the corona irradiation section 6 is able to change the output of the corona irradiation. Furthermore, the conveyance path length changing section 20 has a plurality of rollers 22 that are able to wind the recording medium M, a roller moving motor 23 that is a roller moving section that is able to change the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M by moving the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D among the rollers 22, a pinion 24A, a rack 25A, a pinion 24B, and a rack 25B. Here, the control section 30 is able to control the roller moving section to move the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D to a desired position in a manner such that the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M becomes a desired length in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation.

[0063] The inactivation time of the radicals occurring with the corona irradiation varies depending on the output of the corona irradiation, and the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is capable of automatically moving the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D to the desired positions in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation by the control of the control section 30. Thus, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is capable of appropriately suppressing the adhesion of the foreign matter generated by the polymerization of the radicals adhering to the nozzle forming surface due to static electricity and the ink components to the nozzle forming surface in correspondence with the variation of the inactivation time of the radicals occurring with the corona irradiation by the simple configuration of moving the rollers 22 even if the inactivation time of the radicals varies depending on the output of the corona irradiation.

[0064] If the above-described situation is described from the viewpoint of a recording method, the following recording method can be executed using the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, that is, after changing the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M between the corona irradiation section 6 and the nozzle head 5 in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation, the recording medium M is conveyed to form an image by the nozzle head 5, wherein the recording apparatus 1 includes: a feeding section 2 that supports and feeds out the recording medium M in a roll shape; a nozzle head 5 that ejects ink to the surface of the recording medium M fed out from the feeding section 2 to form an image; and a corona irradiation section 6 that is disposed between the feeding section 2 and the nozzle head 5 in the conveyance path of the recording medium M and modifies the surface of the recording medium M by performing corona irradiation. The recording method conveys the recording medium M to form an image by the nozzle head 5 after changing the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M between the corona irradiation section 6 and the nozzle head 5. By executing the recording method, that is, changing the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M, the length of the conveyance path of the inactivation of the radicals occurring with the corona irradiation is adjusted, and the adhesion of the foreign matter generated by the polymerization of the radicals adhering to the nozzle forming surface due to static electricity and the ink components to the nozzle forming surface is suppressed. That is, by executing the recording method, the radicals occurring with the corona irradiation are suppressed from becoming a cause of ejection failure.

[0065] In this embodiment of the recording apparatus 1, the control unit 30 controls the roller movement unit to control the configuration of the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D based on the deactivation time of the free radicals corresponding to the output of the corona irradiation. This ensures that the free radicals adhering to the surface of the recording medium M by the corona irradiation unit 6 are deactivated before reaching the position opposite the nozzle 5 (specifically, the nozzle 5a forming the shortest distance) during the transport of the recording medium M. In other words, the recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment configures the rollers 22 according to the deactivation time of the free radicals corresponding to the output of the corona irradiation. Therefore, for example, when the output of the corona irradiation is increased to achieve high recording quality, the control unit 30 moves the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D, automatically increasing the length of the transport path of the recording medium M. This ensures that even if the deactivation time of the free radicals increases, they are properly deactivated before reaching the nozzle 5. On the other hand, when shortening the recording time from the start to the end of recording to improve productivity, the recording time is effectively shortened by reducing the output of corona irradiation and by moving the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D under the control of the control unit 30, so that the length of the transport path of the recorded medium M is automatically shortened.

[0066] In further detail, the recording device 1 of this embodiment stores data related to the deactivation time of free radicals output based on corona irradiation and the transport time from the corona irradiation unit 6 to the nozzle 5 based on the transport speed of the recorded medium M in the storage unit 33. Furthermore, the control unit 30 controls the configuration of the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D based on this data stored in the storage unit 33. With this configuration, the recording device 1 of this embodiment can appropriately suppress poor ejection caused by free radicals based on this data without imposing a large computational load on the control unit 30.

[0067] However, this configuration is not limited to. The control unit 30 can also be configured to calculate the deactivation time of free radicals based on the output of corona irradiation, and control the configuration of the roller 22 based on the calculation result and the transport time from the corona irradiation unit 6 to the nozzle 5 based on the transport speed of the recorded medium M. If this configuration is used, even a recording device 1 with a storage unit having only a small storage capacity, for example, does not need to pre-store the configuration data of the roller 22 corresponding to the deactivation time of free radicals in the storage unit 33, and can appropriately suppress poor ejection caused by free radicals.

[0068] Example 2 ( Figure 7 )

[0069] Next, use Figure 7 The recording device 1 of Embodiment 2 will be described here. Figure 7is a perspective view showing the periphery of the conveyance path length changing section 20 of the recording device 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present application, and is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of Embodiment 1. Note that the components common to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The recording device 1 of the present Embodiment is configured in the same manner as the recording device 1 of Embodiment 1 except for the configuration of the conveyance path length changing section 20 and the control unit thereof. Figure 3

[0070] As described above, the recording device 1 of Embodiment 1 is configured to automatically move the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D to desired positions in accordance with the output of the corona irradiation by the control of the control section 30. On the other hand, the conveyance path length changing section 20 of the recording device 1 of the present Embodiment is more simplified and less costly than the recording device 1 of Embodiment 1, and is configured to manually change the positions of the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D by the user.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 2, the recording device 1 of the present Embodiment has the upper side support section 26C capable of mounting the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D at the uppermost position PI and the lower side support section 26D capable of mounting the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D at the lowermost position P2 in the conveyance path length changing section 20. The upper side support section 26C and the lower side support section 26D are both fixed to the columnar section 13a of the base section 13. The user can adjust the conveyance path length of the recording medium M in the conveyance path length changing section 20 by mounting the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D in one of the upper side support section 26C and the lower side support section 26D. Note that the mounting positions of the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D are not limited to the upper side support section 26C and the lower side support section 26D, but can be configured to be capable of being mounted at any position between the upper side support section 26C and the lower side support section 26D. Figure 7 That is, the conveyance path length changing section 20 of the recording device 1 of the present Embodiment has the rollers 22 capable of winding the recording medium M, and the upper side support section 26C and the lower side support section 26D as roller fixing sections capable of fixing the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D among the rollers 22 at a plurality of positions. Further, the upper side support section 26C and the lower side support section 26D are capable of changing the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M by changing the fixing positions of the second and fourth rollers 22B and 22D. Therefore, the recording device 1 of the present Embodiment can keep the number of the rollers 22 small with a simple configuration, and can change the conveyance path of the recording medium M to a plurality of lengths. Note that the fixing of the rollers 22 by the roller fixing sections means that the rollers 22 are supported in a rotatable state and fixed in such a manner that the rollers 22 do not move.

[0072]

[0073] ​​Note that even in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as with the recording apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1, it is possible to show a state in which both the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are located at the uppermost position PI and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M becomes the maximum as in Figure 4 , and it is possible to show a state in which both the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are located at the lowermost position P2 and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M becomes the minimum as in Figure 5 . Also, it is possible to become a state in which the second roller 22B is located at the uppermost position PI and the fourth roller 22D is located at the lowermost position P2, and it is possible to show a state in which the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M becomes the state shown in Figure 6 , and the state shown in Figure 4 , and the state shown in Figure 5 .

[0074] Embodiment 3 Figures 8 to 11

[0075] Next, the recording apparatus 1 of Embodiment 3 will be described using Figures 8 to 11 . Here, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the conveyance path length changing portion 20 of the recording apparatus 1 to which Embodiment 3 of the present application pertains, and is a view corresponding to Figure 3 of Embodiment 1. Also, Figures 9 to 11 is a view corresponding to Figures 4 to 6 of Embodiment 1. Note that components common to Embodiments 1 and 2 described above are shown using the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is the same configuration as the recording apparatus 1 of Embodiment 2 except that the rollers 22 are provided on both the upper side support portion 26C provided at the uppermost position PI and the lower side support portion 26D provided at the lowermost position P2.

[0076] The recording apparatus 1 of Embodiment 2 is configured so that the conveyance path length of the recording medium M can be changed by mounting either the second roller 22B or the fourth roller 22D on either the upper side support portion 26C provided at the uppermost position PI or the lower side support portion 26D provided at the lowermost position P2. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8 , in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are mounted on the upper side support portion 26C provided at the uppermost position PI, and the sixth roller 22F and the seventh roller 22G are mounted on the lower side support portion 26D provided at the lowermost position P2.

[0077] ​That is, the conveyance path length changing section 20 of the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to have a plurality of rollers 22 that can wind the recording medium M, and can change the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M by changing the rollers 22 that wind the recording medium M. Therefore, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can change the conveyance path of the recording medium M to a plurality of lengths without the user changing the positions of the rollers 22.

[0078] Specifically, for example, a state in which both the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are located at the uppermost position PI and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M becomes the maximum can be shown as in Figure 9 In addition, a state in which both the second roller 22B and the fourth roller 22D are located at the lowermost position P2 and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M becomes the minimum can be shown as in Figure 10 Further, a state in which the second roller 22B is located at the uppermost position PI and the fourth roller 22D is located at the lowermost position P2, and the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M becomes Figure 11 Figure 9 the state shown in Figure 10 the state shown in

[0079] Note that the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the application recited in the claims, and they are of course included in the scope of the present application. For example, the configuration of the conveyance path length changing section 20 is not limited to the above-described content, and the number of rollers 22, the moving direction, and the like can be changed from the above-described embodiments, and a configuration in which the length of the conveyance path of the recording medium M is changed without using the rollers 22, and the like can be used.​

Claims

1. A recording device, characterized in that, have: The delivery section supports the roll-shaped recording medium and delivers the recording medium. The printhead ejects ink onto the surface of the recording medium being fed from the delivery section to form an image; A corona irradiation unit is disposed between the delivery unit and the nozzle in the transport path of the recorded medium, and modifies the surface by corona irradiation. as well as A conveying path length changing unit is disposed between the corona irradiation unit and the nozzle in the conveying path, and is capable of changing the length of the conveying path. The length of the delivery path is varied according to the inactivation time of the free radicals generated by corona irradiation.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying path length changing unit includes: a roller capable of winding the recorded medium; and a roller fixing unit capable of fixing the roller in multiple positions. The length of the conveying path can be changed by altering the fixed position of the roller.

3. A recording device, characterized in that, have: The delivery section supports the roll-shaped recording medium and delivers the recording medium. The printhead ejects ink onto the surface of the recording medium being fed from the delivery section to form an image; A corona irradiation unit is disposed between the delivery unit and the nozzle in the transport path of the recorded medium, and modifies the surface by corona irradiation. A conveying path length changing unit is disposed between the corona irradiation unit and the nozzle in the conveying path, and is capable of changing the length of the conveying path; as well as Control Department The corona irradiation unit can change the output of the corona irradiation. The conveying path length changing unit has a roller capable of winding the recorded medium; And a roller moving part, which can change the length of the conveying path by moving the roller. The control unit controls the roller movement unit to move the roller based on the output.

4. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control unit controls the roller movement unit according to the deactivation time of the free radicals corresponding to the output, and controls the configuration of the rollers so that the free radicals attached to the surface by the corona irradiation are deactivated before reaching the position opposite the nozzle as the recorded medium is transported.

5. The recording device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control unit calculates the deactivation time based on the output, and controls the configuration of the roller based on the calculation result and the conveying time, wherein the conveying time is the conveying time from the corona irradiation unit to the nozzle based on the conveying speed of the recorded medium.

6. The recording device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The recording device includes a storage unit that stores data related to the transport time and the deactivation time based on the output, wherein the transport time is the time from the corona irradiation unit to the nozzle based on the transport speed of the recorded medium. The control unit controls the configuration of the rollers based on the data.

7. A recording device, characterized in that, have: The delivery section supports the roll-shaped recording medium and delivers the recording medium. The printhead ejects ink onto the surface of the recording medium being fed from the delivery section to form an image; A corona irradiation unit is disposed between the delivery unit and the nozzle in the transport path of the recorded medium, and modifies the surface by corona irradiation. as well as A conveying path length changing unit is disposed between the corona irradiation unit and the nozzle in the conveying path, and is capable of changing the length of the conveying path. The conveying path length changing section has multiple rollers capable of winding the recorded medium. The length of the transport path can be changed by altering the roller wound around the recorded medium.

8. A recording method of a recording device, characterized in that, The recording device includes: The delivery section supports the roll of recording medium and delivers the recording medium; the printhead ejects ink onto the surface of the recording medium delivered from the delivery section to form an image. And a corona irradiation unit is disposed between the delivery unit and the nozzle in the transport path of the recorded medium, and modifies the surface by corona irradiation. In the recording method of the recording device, after changing the length of the transport path between the corona irradiation section and the nozzle according to the output of the corona irradiation, the recording medium is transported to form an image through the nozzle. The length of the delivery path is varied according to the inactivation time of the free radicals generated by corona irradiation.

Images