Recording device and recording method for recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device and a recording method for a recording device that suppress contamination of use environment of a user.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a medium support section which supports a medium; a recording section which records an image on the medium with ultraviolet curable ink; an irradiation section which irradiates the medium with an ultraviolet ray; a detection section which detects a height of the medium; and a control section which executes first control for stopping recording of an image by the recording section when a height of a threshold or greater is detected by the detection section during recording of an image by the recording section, second control for increasing a distance between the medium support section and the recording section compared to that before the detection section detects the height of the threshold or greater, and third control for irradiating the medium with an ultraviolet ray at the irradiation section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method of the recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an adjustment device for adjusting the positional relationship between a medium for printing and a recording unit is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 includes a detection mechanism for detecting the height of the upper end of a printing medium in order to adjust the vertical distance between the printing medium and an inkjet head.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, if a jig for fixing the medium during printing is damaged, or a pasting tool peels off, etc., the detection mechanism detects an abnormality in height and interrupts the printing in the middle. When the user immediately removes the medium from the recording apparatus in a state where the printing is interrupted, there is a problem that ink drips from the medium due to insufficient ultraviolet irradiation, soiling the user's usage environment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus including: a medium support unit that supports a medium; a recording unit that records an image on the medium with ultraviolet-curable ink; an irradiation unit that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet light; a detection unit that detects the height of the medium; a first control that stops the recording of an image by the recording unit when the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than a threshold value during the recording of the image by the recording unit; a second control that widens the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit more than before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value; and a third control that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet light by the irradiation unit, and a control unit that executes the above controls.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a recording method for causing a processor mounted on a recording apparatus including a medium support unit that supports a medium, a recording unit that records an image on the medium with ultraviolet-curable ink, an irradiation unit that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet light, and a detection unit that detects the height of the medium, to execute: stopping the recording of an image by the recording unit when the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than a threshold value during the recording of the image by the recording unit; widening the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit more than before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value; and irradiating the medium with ultraviolet light by the irradiation unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [1. Overall Configuration of the Recording Apparatus] Hereinafter, the recording apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the recording apparatus 1.

[0010] The recording device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that performs recording on the medium M by discharging a liquid onto the medium M with the recording head 89a. The medium M is a sheet, cloth, or three-dimensional object. The sheet may be paper or a synthetic resin sheet. The cloth may be any of non-woven fabric, knit, or fabric. The three-dimensional object includes ornaments such as clothes and shoes, daily necessities, machine parts, and other various objects. There is no limitation on the type of liquid that the recording device 1 discharges onto the medium M, as long as it has fluidity. For example, the recording device 1 is a printer that jets ink of one or more colors toward the surface of the medium M with the recording head 89a to form an image on the medium M. In this case, the medium M corresponds to a printing medium.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. The Z-axis is an axis extending in the vertical direction and can also be said to be an axis extending in the plumb direction. The X-axis and Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal plane. In the following description, the direction along the X-axis is the left-right direction, and the direction along the Y-axis is the front-back direction. The left-right direction along the X-axis corresponds to the first direction, and the front-back direction along the Y-axis corresponds to the second direction. Specifically, the positive direction along the Z-axis is the upward direction, the positive direction along the X-axis is the right direction, and the positive direction along the Y-axis is the forward direction. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis in Fig. 1 indicate the same directions in each of the figures described later. The X-axis corresponds to the second axis, and the Y-axis corresponds to the first axis.

[0012] The recording device 1 has a table 31 that supports the medium M. The table 31 is a base that does not move in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The upper surface of the table 31 is defined as the medium support portion 31m. The medium support portion 31m is a plane on which the medium M can be placed. The shape and size of the medium M are not limited within the range that does not protrude from the medium support portion 31m. Also, the edge of the medium M may protrude from the medium support portion 31m. The height of the medium M corresponds to the size of the medium M in the +Z-axis direction. The height of the medium M can be set to any size within the range in which the table 31 can move up and down, as described later. The recording device 1 supports the medium M so as not to move it by the medium support part 31m, scans the recording head 89a above the medium M supported by the medium support part 31m, and discharges liquid from the recording head 89a to the medium M.

[0013] The recording device 1 includes a main body part 10 and a moving part 70. The main body part 10 is a pedestal fixed to the installation surface on which the recording device 1 is installed. The moving part 70 moves along the Y-axis with respect to the main body part 10.

[0014] The main body part 10 includes a base part 11, a medium support mechanism 30, and a drive mechanism 50. The base part 11 is fixed to the installation surface of the recording device 1 and supports each part of the recording device 1. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a pair of bar-shaped base parts 11 are arranged side by side along the X-axis.

[0015] The medium support mechanism 30 includes a table 31 and a height movement mechanism 32. The table 31 has a rectangular flat plate and four table legs 31n arranged at the four corners of the flat plate, and the upper surface of the flat plate is the above-mentioned medium support part 31m.

[0016] The height movement mechanism 32 includes a lifting motor 33, a lifting belt 37, and a lifting mechanism 39, and moves the medium support part 31m in the direction along the Z-axis. The lifting motor 33, the lifting belt 37, and the lifting mechanism 39 correspond to the second drive part.

[0017] The lifting mechanism 39 is provided on each of the four table legs 31n. The lifting mechanism 39 has a ball screw arranged along the Z-axis, a nut screwed onto the ball screw, and a pulley. The ball screw of the lifting mechanism 39 is rotatably supported by the base part 11. The nut of the lifting mechanism 39 is fixed to the table leg 31n. The pulley of the lifting mechanism 39 is fixed to the upper part of the ball screw. When the pulley of the lifting mechanism 39 rotates, the ball screw rotates, and along with the rotation of the ball screw, the table leg 31n moves along the Z-axis together with the nut.

[0018] The lifting motor 33 is a motor that rotates according to the control of a control unit 100 described later. The control unit 100 controls the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the lifting motor 33. The lifting belt 37 is an annular belt that is wound around the output shaft of the lifting motor 33 and the pulleys of the four lifting mechanisms 39. When the lifting motor 33 rotates, the lifting belt 37 is driven to circulate. The lifting belt 37 transmits the rotation of the lifting motor 33 to the pulleys of the four lifting mechanisms 39. As a result, the ball screw of the lifting mechanism 39 rotates to move the table 31 along the Z-axis.

[0019] The rotation direction of the lifting motor 33 can be switched between the positive direction in which the table 31 is moved upward and the reverse direction in which the table 31 is moved downward. The recording apparatus 1 raises and lowers the table 31 by operating the lifting motor 33.

[0020] The drive mechanism 50 includes a first guide shaft 51a, a second guide shaft 51b, and a frame drive unit 60. The first guide shaft 51a and the second guide shaft 51b are shaft-like members that are wound around a pair of base portions 11 and arranged along the Y-axis. The first guide shaft 51a is fixed to the left end of the base portion 11, and the second guide shaft 51b is fixed to the right end of the base portion 11. Note that the first guide shaft 51a is located on the left side of the medium support portion 31m. The second guide shaft 51b is located on the right side of the medium support portion 31m.

[0021] The moving unit 70 includes a main frame 71, a first leg portion 73a, a second leg portion 73b, and a recording unit 80.

[0022] The main frame 71 is a plate-like member that is long in the direction along the X-axis. The size of the main frame 71 in the left-right direction is larger than that of the base portion 11. The first leg portion 73a is fitted to the first guide shaft 51a and is movable along the first guide shaft 51a. The second leg portion 73b is fitted to the second guide shaft 51b and is movable along the second guide shaft 51b. The main frame 71 is fixed on the first leg portion 73a and the second leg portion 73b and is supported from below by the first leg portion 73a and the second leg portion 73b. The first leg portion 73a is located at the left end of the main frame 71, and the second leg portion 73b is located at the right end of the main frame 71. The main frame 71, together with the first leg portion 73a and the second leg portion 73b, is guided by the first guide shaft 51a and the second guide shaft 51b and moves along the Y-axis.

[0023] The frame drive unit 60 includes a frame movement motor 61, a transmission belt 63, a speed change mechanism 65, and a transmission belt 67.

[0024] The frame movement motor 61 is a motor that rotates according to the control of a control unit 100 described later. The transmission belt 63 is an annular belt stretched between the output shaft of the frame movement motor 61 and the speed change mechanism 65, and transmits the driving force of the frame movement motor 61 to the speed change mechanism 65. The speed change mechanism 65 has a first pulley and a second pulley. The transmission belt 63 is wound around the first pulley, and the transmission belt 67 is wound around the second pulley. The speed change mechanism 65 drives the transmission belt 67 by rotating the second pulley by the driving force transmitted from the transmission belt 63 to the first pulley. The speed change mechanism 65 transmits the driving force of the frame movement motor 61 to the transmission belt 67 at a reduction ratio corresponding to the ratio of the diameters of the first pulley and the second pulley.

[0025] The transmission belt 67 is an annular belt that is looped around the transmission mechanism 65 and a pulley 13 disposed at the -Y-axis direction end of the base portion 11. The pulley 13 is rotatably installed with respect to the base portion 11. The transmission belt 67 is disposed along the first guide shaft 51a. The first leg portion 73a is fixed to the transmission belt 67 via the belt connection portion 79a. Therefore, when the transmission belt 67 is driven in a circulating manner, a power that moves the first leg portion 73a along the Y-axis acts on the first leg portion 73a. As a result, the moving portion 70 moves along the Y-axis.

[0026] The rotation direction of the frame movement motor 61 can be switched between the forward direction that moves the main frame 71 in the +Y-axis direction and the reverse direction that moves the main frame 71 in the -Y-axis direction. The recording apparatus 1 moves the main frame 71 forward and backward by operating the frame movement motor 61.

[0027] The second leg portion 73b of the moving portion 70 is guided by the second guide shaft 51b. Therefore, the main frame 71 translates in the +Y-axis direction and the -Y-axis direction along the first guide shaft 51a and the second guide shaft 51b.

[0028] A carriage support frame 81, a transmission mechanism 82, a carriage guide shaft 83, and a carriage drive motor 87 are installed on the main frame 71. The recording unit 80 includes a carriage 88. The carriage 88 includes a recording head 89a and an irradiation unit 89b.

[0029] The carriage support frame 81 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the direction along the X-axis. A carriage guide shaft 83 is fixed to the carriage support frame 81 along the X-axis. The carriage 88 is supported by the carriage support frame 81 and the carriage guide shaft 83 and is movable along the carriage guide shaft 83. In the range where the carriage 88 moves along the X-axis, the leftmost position is set as the home position. In the home position, a mechanism for performing maintenance such as flushing and cleaning of the recording head 89a is arranged. In FIG. 1, the home position of the carriage 88 is indicated by a dashed line. Note that when the carriage 88 is positioned at the home position, the carriage 88 does not overlap with the medium support portion 31m in the X-axis direction.

[0030] The carriage drive belt 85 is an annular belt that is stretched between a transmission mechanism 82 arranged at the left end portion of the carriage support frame 81 and a pulley (not shown) arranged at the right end portion of the carriage support frame 81. The carriage drive belt 85 is arranged along the carriage guide shaft 83. The carriage drive motor 87 is a motor that rotates according to the control of a control unit 100 described later.

[0031] The transmission mechanism 82 includes a pulley 82a, a two-stage pulley 82b, and a belt 82c. The pulley 82a is fixed to the output shaft of the carriage drive motor 87. The belt 82c is an annular belt that is stretched between the pulley 82a and the two-stage pulley 82b. The two-stage pulley 82b has a small pulley and a large pulley with a diameter larger than that of the small pulley. The belt 82c is wound around the large pulley, and the carriage drive belt 85 is wound around the small pulley. The belt 82c is driven in a circulating manner as the carriage drive motor 87 rotates, rotating the large pulley of the two-stage pulley 82b. The small pulley of the two-stage pulley 82b rotates together with the large pulley and drives the carriage drive belt 85 in a circulating manner. In this way, the rotation of the carriage drive motor 87 is transmitted to the carriage drive belt 85 at a reduction ratio corresponding to the ratio of the diameters of the large pulley and the small pulley in the two-stage pulley 82b.

[0032] The carriage 88 is connected to the carriage drive belt 85. Therefore, when the carriage drive belt 85 is driven in a circulation manner, the carriage 88 moves along the X-axis. The carriage 88 mounts the recording head 89a. As the carriage 88 moves along the X-axis, the recording head 89a moves in the left-right direction, that is, in the +X-axis direction and the -X-axis direction. Further, as the main frame 71 moves along the Y-axis, the recording head 89a moves in the front-back direction, that is, in the +Y-axis direction and the -Y-axis direction. Therefore, the recording apparatus 1 can move the recording head 89a in the front-back direction and the left-right direction with respect to the table 31. Thus, a liquid such as ink can be discharged onto the entire medium M supported by the table 31.

[0033] The recording head 89a has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for discharging a liquid. These nozzles open at the lower end surface of the recording head 89a. When the recording head 89a discharges a liquid from the nozzles, the discharged liquid flies between the lower end surface of the recording head 89a and the medium M placed on the table 31 and lands on the medium M. The distance between the lower end of the recording head 89a and the medium M is called the recording gap. In order to perform high-quality recording on the medium M, the recording apparatus 1 has a function of adjusting the size of the recording gap. Specifically, the recording apparatus 1 operates the lifting motor 33 to raise or lower the table 31, thereby adjusting the recording gap to an appropriate size.

[0034] The irradiation unit 89b includes an irradiation window (not shown) that faces downward from the lower end surface of the carriage 88. The irradiation window is constituted by a plate made of a light-transmissive material. The irradiation unit 89b emits irradiation light from a light source unit (not shown) through the irradiation window. The irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 89b passes between the irradiation window and the medium M placed on the table 31 and irradiates the medium M recorded by the recording head 89a. In the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 89b includes a UV-LED (Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode) that emits ultraviolet rays, and the irradiation light is ultraviolet rays. That is, in the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 89b irradiates ultraviolet rays on the ink that is cured by the ultraviolet rays landing on the medium M, and fixes the ink to the medium M.

[0035] The recording apparatus 1 includes a height detection unit 20. The height detection unit 20 detects the height of the medium M placed on the table 31. The height of the medium M refers to the position of the upper end of the medium M in the direction along the Z axis. The height detection unit 20 corresponds to the detection unit.

[0036] The height detection unit 20 has a contact plate 24 that protrudes downward from the lower end of the main frame 71. The contact plate 24 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the direction along the X axis. The contact plate 24 is rotatably attached to the main frame 71 around the X axis. When the contact plate 24 contacts the medium M or the medium support portion 31m, it rotates and displaces. An arm is formed on the contact plate 24, and the arm displaces as the contact plate 24 displaces. The displacement of the arm is detected by the displacement sensor 27 shown in FIG. 2. The displacement sensor 27 is provided in the height detection unit 20. The displacement sensor 27 is, for example, a magnetic sensor, a reflection type optical sensor, or a transmission type optical sensor. By the displacement sensor 27 detecting the displacement of the arm, the height detection unit 20 detects the displacement of the contact plate 24.

[0037] When the recording device 1 detects that the contact plate 24 has come into contact with and displaced while the moving unit 70 is moving forward or backward, it determines that the relative position of the medium support portion 31m with respect to the main frame 71 is high on the Z-axis. In this case, the recording device 1 lowers the medium support portion 31m by the height adjustment mechanism 32. Thereby, the relative position of the medium M with respect to the recording head 89a on the Z-axis can be adjusted, and the recording gap can be adjusted to an appropriate size. Note that the lower end of the contact plate 24 is positioned downward by a distance approximately equal to the appropriate-size recording gap from the lower end of the recording head 89a.

[0038] On the X-axis, the position of the contact plate 24 overlaps with the medium support portion 31m. That is, the range W where the medium support portion 31m is located on the X-axis and the contact plate 24 overlap. For this reason, by using the contact plate 24, the relative position with respect to the entire medium M placed on the medium support portion 31m can be detected for the recording head 89a.

[0039] [2. Configuration of the Control System of the Recording Device] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control system of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a processor 110 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage unit 120.

[0040] The storage unit 120 has a volatile storage unit and a non-volatile storage unit. The volatile storage unit is constituted by, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile storage unit is constituted by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like. The control unit 100 controls each part of the recording device 1 by executing a program stored in the storage unit.

[0041] The control unit 100 is connected to an interface (I / F) 101. The interface 101 is a communication device that performs wired communication using a cable or wireless communication using a wireless communication line. The interface 101 communicates with a host computer (not shown) to receive recording data. The recording data includes image and character data to be recorded by the recording device 1 on the medium M, commands for instructing the recording execution of the recording device 1, and other data.

[0042] The control unit 100 is connected to a lifting motor 33, a frame movement motor 61, a carriage drive motor 87, and a recording head 89a. Further, the control unit 100 is connected to a frame position sensor 92, a table position sensor 93, a carriage position sensor 94, and a displacement sensor 27.

[0043] The frame position sensor 92 is a sensor that detects the position of the main frame 71 on the Y-axis. For example, the frame position sensor 92 is a linear encoder arranged along the first guide shaft 51a. The table position sensor 93 is a sensor that detects the position of the table 31 on the Z-axis. The table position sensor 93 is, for example, a rotary encoder that detects the rotation amount of the lifting motor 33 or a rotary encoder that detects the rotation amount of the ball screw of the lifting mechanism 39. The carriage position sensor 94 is a sensor that detects the position of the carriage 88 on the X-axis. For example, the carriage position sensor 94 is a linear encoder arranged along the carriage guide shaft 83. The control unit 100 specifies the position of the main frame 71, the position of the table 31, and the position of the carriage 88 based on the detection values of the frame position sensor 92, the table position sensor 93, and the carriage position sensor 94.

[0044] The control unit 100 is connected to a display unit 95 and an operation unit 97. The display unit 95 includes, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, and displays an image on the display panel according to the control of the control unit 100. The operation unit 97 includes an input device such as a keyboard, etc., and receives the operations of the user. The operation unit 97 corresponds to the reception unit.

[0045] Based on the recording data received by the interface 101, the control unit 100 operates each motor. Specifically, the control unit 100 moves the moving unit 70 along the Y-axis by controlling the switching of the rotation direction of the frame movement motor 61 and the start and stop of the rotation of the frame movement motor 61. The control unit 100 moves the table 31 along the Z-axis by controlling the switching of the rotation direction of the lifting motor 33 and the start and stop of the rotation of the lifting motor 33. The control unit 100 moves the carriage 88 along the X-axis by controlling the switching of the carriage drive motor 87 and the start and stop of the rotation of the carriage drive motor 87. In these controls, the control unit 100 utilizes the detection values of the frame position sensor 92, the table position sensor 93, and the carriage position sensor 94.

[0046] Based on the recording data received by the interface 101, the control unit 100 operates the recording head 89a to discharge the liquid.

[0047] When the medium M is placed on the table 31, the control unit 100 adjusts the recording gap. The control unit 100 operates the frame movement motor 61 to move the main frame 71 forward or backward. The control unit 100 determines whether the contact plate 24 has contacted the medium M or the table 31 by determining whether the arm has been displaced based on the detection value of the displacement sensor 27. When the control unit 100 determines that the contact plate 24 has contacted the medium M or the table 31, the control unit 100 operates the lifting motor 33 to lower the table 31.

[0048] [3. Operation of the Recording Device]

[0049] When the control unit 100 of the recording apparatus 1 receives recording data via the interface 101, it operates the carriage drive motor 87 to move the carriage 88 to the home position. Further, the control unit 100 operates the frame moving motor 61 to move the moving unit 70 to the front end in the Y-axis direction.

[0050] When the control unit 100 moves the moving unit 70 in the Y-axis direction, it causes the height detection unit 20 to perform height detection. When moving the moving unit 70 in the Y-axis direction, before starting the recording of an image, it includes the case of moving the moving unit 70 located at the rear in the Y-axis direction to the front end in the +Y-axis direction. Also, when moving the moving unit 70 in the Y-axis direction, it includes the case where the recording of an image in the left-right direction, which is the direction along the X-axis, is completed and the moving unit 70 is moved to the rear in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the -Y-axis direction.

[0051] When the control unit 100 moves the moving unit 70 to the front end in the +Y-axis direction, it causes the height detection unit 20 to perform height detection. The height detection unit 20 has a contact plate 24 disposed to protrude downward from the lower end of the main frame 71 and moves along with the movement of the moving unit 70. Further, the height detection unit 20 performs height detection by detecting the displacement of the arm with a displacement sensor 27.

[0052] When the height detection unit 20 detects a height equal to or higher than a preset threshold while the moving unit 70 is moving to the front end in the +Y-axis direction, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 95 to display a guidance display indicating that an abnormality has been detected. Since the abnormality detected here is before the recording of an image by the recording head 89a and before the irradiation of irradiation light by the irradiation unit 89b, it includes the peeling of the fixture that fixes the medium M to the medium support unit 31m, misconfiguration, etc. Misconfiguration includes, for example, the height setting of the table 31, etc.

[0053] When the control unit 100 moves the moving unit 70 to the front end in the +Y axis direction, it operates the carriage drive motor 87 to move the carriage 88 to the right from the home position. At this time, the carriage 88 is moved to the right until the position of the recording head 89a on the X axis reaches the recording position, which is the position where recording is executed on the medium M on the X axis. The control unit 100 reads the position where recording is to be executed on the medium M on the X axis from the recording data. The control unit 100 grasps the position of the recording head 89a on the X axis by reading the detection value of the carriage position sensor 94.

[0054] When the control unit 100 moves the carriage 88 until the position of the recording head 89a on the X axis reaches the recording position, it operates the recording head 89a to execute recording on the medium M. The recording head 89a injects ink onto the medium M, and the ink adhering to the medium M forms characters, images, etc. included in the recording data. When the control unit 100 causes the recording head 89a to inject ink onto the medium M, it causes the irradiation unit 89b to emit irradiation light to solidify the ink adhering to the medium M.

[0055] When the control unit 100 completes the recording of an image in the left-right direction, which is the direction along the X axis, it rotates the frame moving motor 61 by a predetermined amount to move the moving unit 70 in the -Y axis direction, which is the rear in the Y axis direction. When the control unit 100 moves the moving unit 70 in the -Y axis direction, which is the rear in the Y axis direction, it executes height detection by the height detection unit 20.

[0056] When the height detection unit 20 detects a height equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, the control unit 100 executes first control, second control, and third control. The control unit 100 executes control in the order of first control, second control, and third control.

[0057] The first control is control to stop the recording of an image by the recording head 89a of the recording unit 80. The second control is control to widen the distance between the medium support unit 31m and the recording unit 80 compared to before the height detection unit 20 detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value. The third control is control for irradiating the medium M with irradiation light by the irradiation unit 89b.

[0058] The second control is executed to prevent the recording head 89a from malfunctioning when an obstacle collides with the recording head 89a. The obstacles include, for example, members such as jigs for fixing the medium M to the medium support portion 31m and tapes for attaching the medium M to the medium support portion 31m.

[0059] In the present embodiment, as the second control, the control unit 100 operates the lifting motor 33 to move the medium support portion 31m downward in the Z-axis direction, and executes control to increase the distance between the medium support portion 31m and the recording unit 80. The control for increasing the distance between the medium support portion 31m and the recording unit 80 may be, for example, control for lowering the medium support portion 31m by a preset fixed value. Even if the medium support portion 31m is lowered by a preset fixed value, when the height detection unit 20 detects a height equal to or higher than the threshold value, the medium support portion 31m may be further lowered by a preset fixed value. Also, the medium support portion 31m may be lowered until the height detected by the height detection unit 20 becomes smaller than the threshold value.

[0060] The timing for executing the second control will be described. After the control unit 100 executes the first control to stop the recording of the image by the recording head 89a, the control unit 100 decelerates the rotation of the frame moving motor 61 to decelerate the moving speed of the moving unit 70 that moves in the second direction. After the control unit 100 decelerates the rotation of the frame moving motor 61, or after the rotation of the frame moving motor 61 stops and the movement of the moving unit 70 in the second direction stops, the control unit 100 executes the second control.

[0061] In addition, although the height detection unit 20 is configured to detect the displacement of the arm caused by contact of the arm with an obstacle by the displacement sensor 27, it may be configured to include a sensor that non - contactly detects the height of the obstacle. In this case, based on the height of the obstacle detected by the height detection unit 20, the distance by which the medium support unit 31m is lowered may be determined.

[0062] Further, the display unit 95 may display that a height equal to or greater than the threshold value has been detected by the height detection unit 20, and a guidance display as to whether or not to execute the second control. When the operation unit 97 receives an instruction to execute the second control, the control unit 100 executes the second control and, after the execution of the second control, executes the third control.

[0063] Further, when the operation unit 97 receives an instruction not to execute the second control, the control unit 100 does not execute the second control. Also, when the control unit 100 does not execute the second control, it may not execute the third control either, or it may execute the first control and the third control. When the user inputs an instruction not to execute the second control, it is determined that the user has no intention of immediately removing the medium M from the medium support unit 31m and that the user's use environment will not be contaminated by ink dripping, and the third control is not executed either.

[0064] The third control is implemented to prevent the user's use environment from being contaminated by non - solidified ink. When the recording of an image is interrupted and the medium M is removed from the medium support unit 31m, if non - solidified ink is included, the user's use environment may be contaminated. Therefore, the third control needs to be implemented before the user removes the medium M from the medium support unit 31m.

[0065] In the third control, the intensity of the irradiation light to be irradiated to the irradiation unit 89b is irradiated at the maximum intensity that the irradiation unit 89b can irradiate. That is, the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated by the irradiation unit 89b by the third control is stronger than the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated after the image is recorded on the medium M by the recording head 89a. The irradiation of the irradiation light in the third control is for the purpose of solidifying the ink and does not consider the recording state of the image, so the irradiation light is irradiated at the maximum intensity that the irradiation unit 89b can irradiate.

[0066] When executing the third control, the control unit 100 irradiates the irradiation light on the portion of the medium M where the ink has been ejected. In particular, the control unit 100 irradiates the irradiation light on the portion of the medium M where the ink has been ejected and the irradiation light has not been irradiated.

[0067] When recording an image on the medium M, the control unit 100 stores information in the storage unit 120. This information is information in which the detection values of the frame position sensor 92, the table position sensor 93, and the carriage position sensor 94 are associated with the first information indicating whether the ink has been ejected and the second information indicating whether the irradiation light has been irradiated.

[0068] When the control unit 100 detects a height equal to or higher than the threshold by the height detection unit 20, the control unit 100 refers to the first information, the second information, and the detection value stored in the storage unit 120, and determines the portion of the medium M where the ink has been ejected and the irradiation light has not been irradiated. Based on the determination result, the control unit 100 irradiates the irradiation light on the portion of the medium M where the ink has been ejected and the irradiation light has not been irradiated.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows the recording apparatus 1 provided with the frame driving unit 60 including the frame moving motor 61, the transmission belt 63, the speed change mechanism 65, and the transmission belt 67 in the moving unit 70. However, the frame driving unit 60 may be provided on the medium support unit 31m so that the medium support unit 31m can move in the Y direction. In this case, after solidifying the ink irradiated on the medium M by the third control, the control unit 100 moves the table 31 including the medium support unit 31m in the +Y-axis direction, which is the second direction, so that the medium M set on the medium support unit 31m can be taken out.

[0070] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recording apparatus 1. The operation of the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 3.

[0071] The control unit 100 acquires recording data via the interface 101 (step S1). The control unit 100 reads a command for instructing the recording execution of the recording apparatus 1 from the recording data.

[0072] Next, the control unit 100 drives the carriage drive motor 87 to move the carriage 88 to the home position (step S2).

[0073] Next, the control unit 100 starts height detection by the height detection unit 20 (step S3). The frame movement motor 61 is operated to move the moving unit 70 from the rear to the front end in the +Y axis direction (step S4). The height detection unit 20 detects the displacement of the contact plate 24 by detecting the displacement of the arm by the displacement sensor 27.

[0074] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the height detection unit 20 has detected a height equal to or higher than the threshold value during the forward movement of the moving unit 70 (step S5). When the height detection unit 20 has detected a height equal to or higher than the threshold value (step S5 / YES), the control unit 100 causes the display unit 95 to display that an abnormal state has been detected and notifies the user (step S19).

[0075] When the height detection unit 20 has not detected a height equal to or higher than the threshold value (step S5 / NO), the control unit 100 determines whether the movement of the moving unit 70 to the front end in the +Y axis direction has been completed (step S6). When the movement to the front end has not been completed (step S6 / NO), the control unit 100 returns to step S5 and continues the movement of the moving unit 70 to the front end.

[0076] When the movement to the front end of the moving part 70 is completed (step S6 / YES), the control unit 100 drives the carriage drive motor 87 to move the carriage 88 rightward from the home position and move the recording head 89a to the recording position (step S7).

[0077] When the recording head 89a is moved to the recording position, the control unit 100 operates the recording head 89a to record an image on the medium M (step S8). The recording device 1 injects ink onto the medium M by the recording head 89a and forms characters, images, etc. included in the recording data with the ink injected onto the medium M.

[0078] Next, the control unit 100 irradiates the medium M with irradiation light by the irradiation unit 89b (step S9) to solidify the ink.

[0079] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the recording in the left - right direction corresponding to the direction along the X - axis is completed at the position of the recording head 89a on the Y - axis (step S10). That is, the control unit 100 determines whether there is no position for executing recording in the right direction from the position of the recording head 89a on the X - axis when the recording is executed in step S8.

[0080] When the control unit 100 determines that the recording corresponding to the direction along the X - axis is not completed at the position of the recording head 89a on the Y - axis (step S10 / NO), it drives the carriage drive motor 87 to move the carriage 88 rightward (step S11). Then, the control unit 100 returns to the process of step S8 to record an image on the medium M.

[0081] Also, in step S10, when the control unit 100 determines that the recording corresponding to the direction along the X - axis is completed at the position of the recording head 89a on the Y - axis (step S10 / YES), it operates the carriage drive motor 87 to move the carriage 88 leftward to the home position (step S12).

[0082] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the recording of characters and images on the medium M has been completed (step S13). That is, the control unit 100 determines whether there is no position for executing recording on the medium M in the -Y-axis direction relative to the position of the recording head 89a on the Y-axis.

[0083] When the control unit 100 determines that the recording of characters and images on the medium M has been completed (step S13 / YES), the recording device 1 ends a series of operations.

[0084] Also, when the control unit 100 determines that the recording of characters and images on the medium M has not been completed (step S13 / NO), it operates the frame moving motor 61 to move the moving unit 70 backward in the -Y-axis direction by a predetermined amount (step S14). Then, the control unit 100 determines whether the height detection unit 20 has detected a height equal to or greater than a threshold value during the backward movement of the moving unit 70 (step S15).

[0085] When the height detection unit 20 has not detected a height equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S15 / NO), the control unit 100 returns to step S8 and resumes recording on the medium M.

[0086] Also, when, in the determination of step S15, the height detection unit 20 has detected a height equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S15 / YES), the control unit 100 executes first control to stop the recording by the recording head 89a (step S16). Then, the control unit 100 executes second control to increase the distance between the medium support unit 31m and the recording unit 80 (step S17). The control unit 100 drives the lifting motor 33 to move the table 31 downward in the Z-axis direction.

[0087] Next, the control unit 100 causes the irradiation unit 89b to irradiate the medium M with irradiation light (step S18). At this time, the control unit 100 controls the irradiation unit 89b so that the amount of irradiation light irradiated by the irradiation unit 89b is greater than the amount of irradiation light irradiated in step S9.

[0088] After that, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 95 to display the detection of the abnormal state and notifies the user (step S19).

[0089] [4. Other Embodiments] The above embodiments merely show one specific example to which the present invention is applied. The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0090] For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the height moving mechanism 32 is provided in the medium support portion 31m and the medium support portion 31m is moved in the direction along the Z-axis has been described. In addition to this, a height moving mechanism may be provided in the moving portion 70 or the recording portion 80 to move the moving portion 70 or the recording portion 80 upward in the Z-axis direction. By moving the moving portion 70 or the recording portion 80 upward in the Z-axis direction, the distance between the medium support portion 31m and the moving portion 70 or the recording portion 80 is changed. The height moving mechanism provided in the moving portion 70 or the recording portion 80 corresponds to the first driving portion.

[0091] Also, in the above embodiment, the moving portion 70 is configured to be movable forward or backward in the Y-axis direction. However, a driving portion such as a motor or a mechanism for moving the medium support portion 31m may be provided so that the medium support portion 31m can be moved forward or backward in the Y-axis direction. Also in this case, when the control unit 100 moves the medium support portion 31m in the Y-axis direction, the height detection unit 20 is caused to detect the height of the medium M.

[0092] Also, although the height detection unit 20 is configured by the contact plate 24 formed with the arm and the displacement sensor 27 that detects the displacement of the arm, a sensor that detects an obstacle non-contact may be used.

[0093] The configuration of the recording apparatus 1 including the frame position sensor 92, the table position sensor 93, and the carriage position sensor 94 shown in FIG. 2 is an example. For example, the recording apparatus 1 may be configured to identify the position of the main frame 71 by detecting the rotation amount of the frame movement motor 61. Similarly, the recording apparatus 1 may be configured to identify the position of the table 31 by detecting the rotation amount of the lifting motor 33, or may be configured to identify the position of the carriage 88 by detecting the rotation amount of the carriage drive motor 87.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the recording head 89a included in the recording unit 80 is a serial head has been described, but the recording head 89a may be a line head.

[0095] At least a part of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 may be realized by hardware, or may be configured to be realized by the cooperation of hardware and software. The processing units in the flowchart of FIG. 3 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operation of the recording apparatus 1, and the embodiments are not limited by the illustrated ways of dividing the processing units and the names.

[0096] [5. Summary of the Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, a summary of the present disclosure will be appended.

[0097] (Appended Note 1) A recording apparatus including: a medium support unit that supports a medium; a recording unit that records an image on the medium with ultraviolet curable ink; an irradiation unit that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet rays; a detection unit that detects the height of the medium; a first control that stops the recording of the image by the recording unit when a height equal to or greater than a threshold value is detected by the detection unit during the recording of the image by the recording unit; a second control that widens the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value; and a third control that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet rays by the irradiation unit, and a control unit that executes the above controls.

[0098] According to this configuration, when the detection unit detects a height equal to or higher than the threshold, the recording of the image by the recording unit is stopped, the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit is widened compared to before the detection unit detects a height equal to or higher than the threshold, and the irradiation unit irradiates the medium with ultraviolet light. For example, during the recording of an image, if a height equal to or higher than the threshold is detected due to damage to the jig for fixing the medium or peeling of the member for attaching the medium to the medium support unit, etc., the medium is irradiated with ultraviolet light by the irradiation unit, so that the ink can be solidified. Therefore, when taking out the medium from the medium support unit, it is possible to suppress the contamination of the user's usage environment by the ink.

[0099] (Appendix 2) The recording device supports the recording unit so as to be movable in a first direction, and includes a moving unit movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction. When moving the moving unit in the second direction, the control unit causes the detection unit to detect the height of the medium. The recording device according to Appendix 1.

[0100] According to this configuration, when moving the moving unit in the second direction, the detection unit can detect the height of the medium.

[0101] (Appendix 3) After executing control to reduce the speed of the moving unit moving in the second direction, or after the movement of the moving unit in the second direction stops, the control unit executes the second control. The recording device according to Appendix 2.

[0102] According to this configuration, after executing control to reduce the speed of the moving unit moving in the second direction, or after the movement of the moving unit in the second direction stops, the second control is executed. Therefore, the second operation can be surely executed.

[0103] (Appendix 4) The medium support unit is movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction, which is the moving direction of the recording unit. When moving the medium support unit in the second direction, the control unit causes the detection unit to detect the height of the medium. The recording device according to Appendix 1.

[0104] According to this configuration, when moving the medium support portion in the second direction, the detection portion can detect the height of the medium.

[0105] (Appendix 5) The recording apparatus according to Appendix 4, wherein the control unit moves the medium support portion in the second direction after executing the third control.

[0106] According to this configuration, after executing the third control to solidify the ink, the medium support portion can be moved in the second direction to take out the medium from the medium support portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user's usage environment from being soiled by the ink.

[0107] (Appendix 6) The recording apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, further comprising a reception unit that receives an operation, wherein the control unit executes the second control when receiving an operation that instructs the execution of the second control by the reception unit.

[0108] According to this configuration, when receiving an operation that instructs the execution of the second control, the second control is executed. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the user executes the second control, and prevent control not intended by the user from being performed.

[0109] (Appendix 7) The recording apparatus according to Appendix 2 or 3, further comprising a first drive unit that drives the moving unit or the recording unit, wherein the control unit drives the first drive unit to widen the space between the moving unit or the recording unit and the medium support portion beyond before the detection portion detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value when executing the second control.

[0110] According to this configuration, by driving the moving unit or the recording unit by the first drive unit, the space between the moving unit or the recording unit and the medium support portion can be widened beyond before the detection portion detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0111] (Appendix 8) The recording device includes a second driving unit that drives the medium support unit. When the control unit executes the second control, the control unit drives the second driving unit to widen the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value. The recording device according to Supplementary Note 4.

[0112] According to this configuration, by driving the medium support unit with the second driving unit, the space between the recording unit and the medium support unit can be changed to be wider than before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0113] (Supplementary Note 9) When the control unit does not execute the second control, the control unit does not execute the third control. The recording device according to Supplementary Note 6.

[0114] According to this configuration, when the second control is not executed, the third control is not executed. When the medium is not moved from the medium support unit, since there is no risk of the user's usage environment being soiled by the ink ejected onto the medium, it is possible to prevent the recording device from performing unnecessary operations.

[0115] (Supplementary Note 10) The control unit controls the irradiation unit such that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated on the irradiation unit by the third control is stronger than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the irradiation unit after the recording of the image on the medium by the recording unit. The recording device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9.

[0116] According to this configuration, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the third control is stronger than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated after the recording of the image on the medium. Therefore, the ink ejected onto the medium can be dried in a short time, and it is possible to suppress the soiling of the user's usage environment by the ink.

[0117] (Supplementary Note 11) The control unit irradiates the ultraviolet light on the portion of the medium on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit and on which the ultraviolet light has not been irradiated by the irradiation unit. The recording device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10.

[0118] According to this configuration, an image is formed by ink, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the portion of the medium that has not been irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently solidify the toner that has not been irradiated with ultraviolet rays and has not solidified.

[0119] (Appendix 12) A recording method for causing a processor mounted on a recording apparatus including a medium support unit that supports a medium, a recording unit that records an image on the medium with ultraviolet-curable ink, an irradiation unit that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet rays, and a detection unit that detects the height of the medium. When a height equal to or greater than a threshold value is detected by the detection unit during the recording of an image by the recording unit, the recording of the image by the recording unit is stopped, the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit is widened compared to before the detection unit detected a height equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the irradiation unit irradiates the medium with ultraviolet rays.

[0120] According to this configuration, when a height equal to or greater than a threshold value is detected by the detection unit, the recording of the image by the recording unit is stopped, the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit is widened compared to before the detection unit detected a height equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the irradiation unit irradiates the medium with ultraviolet rays. For example, if a height equal to or greater than a threshold value is detected during the recording of an image due to damage to the jig for fixing the medium or peeling of the member for attaching the medium to the medium support unit, the medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the irradiation unit, so that the ink can be solidified. Therefore, when removing the medium from the medium support unit, it is possible to suppress the contamination of the user's usage environment by the ink.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0121] 1…Recording device, 10…Main body, 11…Base part, 13…Pulley, 20…Height detection part, 24…Contact plate, 27…Displacement sensor, 30…Media support mechanism, 31…Table, 31m…Media support part, 31n…Table leg part, 32…Height movement mechanism, 33…Lifting motor, 37…Lifting belt, 39…Lifting mechanism, 50…Drive mechanism, 51a…First guide shaft, 51b…Second guide shaft, 60…Frame drive part, 61…Frame movement motor, 63…Transmission belt, 65…Speed change mechanism, 67…Transmission belt, 70…Moving part, 71…Main frame, 73a…First leg part, 73b…Second leg part, 75a…First drive side bearing, 75b…First driven side bearing, 77a…Second drive side bearing, 77b…Second driven side bearing, 79a…Belt connection part, 80…Recording part, 81…Carriage support frame, 82…Transmission mechanism, 82a…Pulley, 82b…Two-stage pulley, 82c…Belt, 83…Carriage guide shaft, 85…Carriage drive belt, 87…Carriage drive motor, 88…Carriage, 89a…Recording head, 89b…Irradiation part, 92…Frame position sensor, 93…Table position sensor, 94…Carriage position sensor, 97…Operation part, 100…Control part, 101…Interface, 110…Processor, 120…Memory part, M…Media.

Claims

1. A medium support unit that supports a medium; A recording unit that records an image on the medium with an ultraviolet curable ink; An irradiation unit that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet light; A detection unit that detects the height of the medium; When a height equal to or greater than a threshold value is detected by the detection unit during image recording by the recording unit, A first control for stopping the image recording by the recording unit; A second control for widening the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit compared to before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value; A third control for irradiating the medium with ultraviolet light by the irradiation unit; A control unit that executes the above; A recording apparatus comprising the above.

2. The recording apparatus, Comprises a moving unit that supports the recording unit so as to be movable in a first direction and is movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The control unit causes the detection unit to detect the height of the medium when moving the moving unit in the second direction. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit executes the second control after executing control to reduce the speed of the moving unit moving in the second direction or after the movement of the moving unit in the second direction stops. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The medium support unit is movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction which is the moving direction of the recording unit, The control unit causes the detection unit to detect the height of the medium when moving the medium support unit in the second direction. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The control unit moves the medium support unit in the second direction after executing the third control. The recording apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Comprises a reception unit that receives an operation, The control unit executes the second control when receiving an operation that instructs the execution of the second control by the reception unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The recording apparatus, Comprises a first drive unit that drives the moving unit or the recording unit, When executing the second control, the control unit drives the first drive unit to widen the space between the moving unit or the recording unit and the medium support unit compared to before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

8. The recording apparatus, Comprises a second drive unit that drives the medium support unit. When executing the second control, the control unit drives the second drive unit to widen the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit compared to before the detection unit detects a height equal to or greater than the threshold value. The recording apparatus according to claim 4.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the control unit does not execute the second control, the control unit does not execute the third control.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the irradiation unit such that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated on the irradiation unit by the third control is stronger than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated by the irradiation unit after the image is recorded on the medium by the recording unit.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit irradiates the portion of the medium on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit and the ultraviolet ray has not been irradiated with the ultraviolet ray by the irradiation unit.

12. A medium support unit that supports a medium, A recording unit that records an image on the medium with an ultraviolet curable ink, An irradiation unit that irradiates the medium with ultraviolet rays, A detection unit that detects the height of the medium, A recording method for causing a processor mounted on a recording apparatus including the above to execute, When the detection unit detects a height equal to or higher than a threshold value during the recording of an image by the recording unit, Stop the recording of the image by the recording unit, Widen the space between the medium support unit and the recording unit more than before the detection unit detects a height equal to or higher than the threshold value, Irradiate the medium with ultraviolet rays by the irradiation unit, A recording method of a recording apparatus.

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