Inkjet printer and correction method of inkjet printer

Abstract

To provide an inkjet printer having a bidirectional printing function, capable of shortening a correction time of when automatically correcting a deviation between an ink landing position on a forward path where a carriage moves to one side in a main scanning direction and an ink landing position on a return path where the carriage moves to the other side in the main scanning direction.SOLUTION: When automatic correction operation for automatically performing reciprocating landing position correction is started, which is correction with respect to a deviation between a landing position of an ink on an outward path and a landing position of the ink on a return path, the inkjet printer of the present invention performs cap-out operation to perform first printing operation, second printing operation, and pattern detection operation. After the start of the automatic correction operation, the inkjet printer performs cap-in operation after calculation of a correction amount necessary for completing the reciprocating landing position correction is completed. Meanwhile, after the start of the automatic correction operation, the inkjet printer does not perform the cap-in operation until the calculation of the correction amount necessary for performing the reciprocating landing position correction is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet printer including an inkjet head. The present invention also relates to a correction method for such an inkjet printer.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an inkjet printer that discharges ink onto a printing medium for printing has been known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The inkjet printers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 include an inkjet head that discharges ink, a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a main scanning drive unit that reciprocates the carriage in the main scanning direction, and a sub-scanning drive unit that conveys the printing medium in the sub-scanning direction.

[0003] The inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1 is an inkjet printer having a so-called bidirectional printing function. In this inkjet printer, the inkjet head discharges ink and performs printing in each of the forward path in which the carriage moves to one side in the main scanning direction and the return path in which the carriage moves to the other side in the main scanning direction. In an inkjet printer that performs bidirectional printing, in order to ensure print quality, it is necessary to correct the deviation between the landing position of the ink discharged from the inkjet head in the forward path and the landing position of the ink discharged from the inkjet head in the return path. Therefore, in this inkjet printer, the deviation between the landing position of the ink in the forward path and the landing position of the ink in the return path is calculated, and the landing position is corrected based on the calculated deviation amount.

[0004] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 2, the control unit that controls the operation of the inkjet printer sets the feed amount (sub-scanning movement amount) of the printing medium during the sub-scanning operation according to the printing conditions. Further, the control unit corrects the feed amount based on parameters stored in the storage unit and parameters input from the input unit in order to improve the print quality on the printing medium.

[0005] Conventionally, an inkjet printer including a recording head and a carriage on which the recording head is mounted has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). The inkjet printer described in Patent Document 3 includes a purge unit for performing a performance maintenance operation of the recording head. The purge unit includes a cap and a wiper. In this inkjet printer, as a performance maintenance operation of the recording head, a wiping operation, a preliminary ejection operation, and a capping operation are performed in this order in the purge unit. Further, in this inkjet printer, before the capping operation, an empty suction operation is performed to recover the ink received by the cap by a purge pump to a waste ink collector.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The inventor of the present application has been developing an inkjet printer having an inkjet head. When the inkjet printer under development is provided with a bidirectional printing function, in order to ensure print quality, similar to the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, the deviation between the ink landing position in the forward path where the carriage moves to one side in the main scanning direction and the ink landing position in the return path where the carriage moves to the other side in the main scanning direction needs to be corrected. It is preferable that this correction of the landing position can be performed in a short time.

[0008] Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer having a bidirectional printing function, which can shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the deviation between the ink landing position in the forward path where the carriage moves to one side in the main scanning direction and the ink landing position in the return path where the carriage moves to the other side in the main scanning direction. Another first object of the present invention is to provide a correction method for an inkjet printer that can shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the deviation between the ink landing position in the forward path and the ink landing position in the return path in an inkjet printer having a bidirectional printing function.

[0009] In addition, the inventor of the present application is considering correcting the conveyance amount (feed amount) of the medium in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined timing such as when the inkjet printer is installed or when the type of the medium to be printed changes in order to improve the print quality on the medium in the inkjet printer under development. It is preferable that the correction of the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction can be performed in a short time.

[0010] Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that can shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction in an inkjet printer that prints on a medium. Another second object of the present invention is to provide a correction method for an inkjet printer that can shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction in an inkjet printer that prints on a medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To solve the above-described first problem, an inkjet printer according to the present invention is an inkjet printer including an inkjet head that discharges ink, and includes a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction, a maintenance unit for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head, and a control unit for controlling the inkjet printer. When one side in the main scanning direction is defined as the first direction side and the other side in the main scanning direction, which is the opposite side of the first direction side, is defined as the second direction side, a first landing position, which is a landing position of ink discharged from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the first direction side, and a second landing position, which is a landing position of ink discharged from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the second direction side, are provided. The inkjet printer includes a detection mechanism for detecting a correction pattern for correcting a deviation therebetween. On the lower surface of the inkjet head, an ink discharge surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed. When a region where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is defined as a printing region, the maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink discharge surface from below and is installed in a maintenance region that is a region outside the printing region in the main scanning direction. The control unit causes the inkjet printer to perform an automatic correction operation for automatically performing a reciprocating landing position correction, which is a correction of the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position. The automatic correction operation includes a first printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage to the first direction side to print a correction pattern on a medium, a second printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage to the second direction side to print a correction pattern on the medium, a pattern detection operation of causing a detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the first printing operation and the correction pattern printed in the second printing operation, a cap-in operation of causing the cap member to cover the ink discharge surface, and a cap-out operation of removing the cap member covering the ink discharge surface from the ink discharge surface. The control unit calculates a correction amount for performing the reciprocating landing position correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink discharge surface. When the automatic correction operation is started, the control unitPerform a cap-out operation, and then perform a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation. After starting the automatic correction operation, perform a cap-in operation after calculating the correction amount necessary to complete the reciprocating landing position correction. After starting the automatic correction operation, do not perform the cap-in operation until the calculation of the correction amount necessary to perform the reciprocating landing position correction is completed.

[0012] Also, to solve the above-described first problem, a correction method for an inkjet printer according to the present invention is a correction method for an inkjet printer including an inkjet head that discharges ink. The inkjet printer includes a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction, and a maintenance unit for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head. When one side in the main scanning direction is defined as the first direction side and the other side in the main scanning direction, which is the opposite side of the first direction side, is defined as the second direction side, a first landing position, which is the landing position of the ink discharged from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the first direction side, and a second landing position, which is the landing position of the ink discharged from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the second direction side. The inkjet printer is provided with a detection mechanism for detecting a correction pattern for correcting the deviation between the two. On the lower surface of the inkjet head, an ink discharge surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed. When the area where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is defined as the printing area, the maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink discharge surface from below and is installed in a maintenance area that is an area outside the printing area in the main scanning direction. In the correction method for the inkjet printer, as an automatic correction operation for automatically performing reciprocal landing position correction, which is the correction of the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position, a first printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage to the first direction side and printing a correction pattern on a medium, a second printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage to the second direction side and printing a correction pattern on the medium, a pattern detection operation of causing the detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the first printing operation and the correction pattern printed in the second printing operation, a cap-in operation of covering the ink discharge surface with the cap member, and a cap-out operation of removing the cap member covering the ink discharge surface from the ink discharge surface are included. The inkjet printer is made to perform the automatic correction operation, and a correction amount for performing reciprocal landing position correction is calculated based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink discharge surface.When the operation for automatic correction is started, a cap-out operation is performed, and then a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation are performed. After the start of the operation for automatic correction, a cap-in operation is performed after the calculation of the correction amount necessary to complete the reciprocating landing position correction is completed. After the start of the operation for automatic correction, the cap-in operation is not performed until the calculation of the correction amount necessary to perform the reciprocating landing position correction is completed.

[0013] In the present invention, when an operation for automatic correction for automatically performing a reciprocating landing position correction, which is a correction of the deviation between a first landing position, which is the landing position of the ink ejected from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to one side in the main scanning direction, and a second landing position, which is the landing position of the ink ejected from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the other side in the main scanning direction, is started, a cap-out operation is performed, and then a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation are performed. After the start of the operation for automatic correction, a cap-in operation is performed after the calculation of the correction amount necessary to complete the reciprocating landing position correction is completed, and the cap-in operation is not performed until the calculation of the correction amount necessary to perform the reciprocating landing position correction is completed after the start of the operation for automatic correction. Therefore, in the present invention, compared with the case where the cap-in operation is performed while the calculation of the correction amount necessary to perform the reciprocating landing position correction is being completed after the start of the operation for automatic correction, it is possible to shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position.

[0014] In the present invention, for example, in reciprocating landing position correction, there are a first accuracy correction for correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position with a predetermined first accuracy, and a second accuracy correction for correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position with a second accuracy higher than the first accuracy after the first accuracy correction is performed. The automatic correction operation includes a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation for automatically performing the first accuracy correction, and also includes a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation for automatically performing the second accuracy correction. When the automatic correction operation is started, the control unit performs a cap-out operation, performs the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the first accuracy correction to calculate a first accuracy correction amount, which is a correction amount for performing the first accuracy correction, and then performs the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the second accuracy correction to calculate a second accuracy correction amount, which is a correction amount for performing the second accuracy correction, and then performs a cap-in operation. After the start of the automatic correction operation and until the calculation of the second accuracy correction amount is completed, the cap-in operation is not performed.

[0015] Also, in order to solve the above-described second problem, an inkjet printer of the present invention is an inkjet printer that performs printing on a medium, and includes an inkjet head that discharges ink, a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction, a medium conveyance mechanism that conveys the medium in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction, a detection mechanism that detects a correction pattern for correcting the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism, a maintenance unit that prevents clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head, and a control unit that controls the inkjet printer. An ink discharge surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed on the lower surface of the inkjet head. When a region where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is defined as a printing region, the maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink discharge surface from below and is installed in a maintenance region that is a region outside the printing region in the main scanning direction. The control unit causes the inkjet printer to perform an automatic correction operation for automatically performing medium conveyance amount correction, which is correction of the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism. The automatic correction operation includes a medium conveyance operation of conveying a medium on which a correction pattern is printed to a predetermined reference position by the medium conveyance mechanism, a printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage in the main scanning direction to print the correction pattern on the medium, a pattern detection operation of causing the detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the printing operation, a cap-in operation of causing the cap member to cover the ink discharge surface, and a cap-out operation of removing the cap member covering the ink discharge surface from the ink discharge surface. The control unit calculates a correction amount for performing medium conveyance amount correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink discharge surface. When the automatic correction operation is started, the control unit performs the cap-out operation, and then performs the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, and the pattern detection operation to calculate the correction amount. The medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount are repeated until the calculated correction amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. When the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value, the control unit performs the cap-in operation.After the start of the operation for automatic correction, the cap-in operation is not performed until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value.

[0016] In addition, to solve the above-mentioned second problem, the method for adjusting an inkjet printer according to the present invention is a correction method for an inkjet printer that performs printing on a medium. The inkjet printer includes an inkjet head that discharges ink, a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction, a medium conveyance mechanism that conveys the medium in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction, a detection mechanism that detects a correction pattern for correcting the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism, and a maintenance unit for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head. On the lower surface of the inkjet head, an ink discharge surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed. When the area where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is defined as a printing area, the maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink discharge surface from below and is installed in a maintenance area that is an area outside the printing area in the main scanning direction. In the correction method of the inkjet printer, as an automatic correction operation for automatically performing medium conveyance amount correction, which is correction of the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism, a medium conveyance operation for conveying the medium on which the correction pattern is printed to a predetermined reference position by the medium conveyance mechanism, a printing operation for discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage in the main scanning direction to print the correction pattern on the medium, a pattern detection operation for causing the detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the printing operation, a cap-in operation for covering the ink discharge surface with the cap member, and a cap-out operation for removing the cap member covering the ink discharge surface from the ink discharge surface are included. The inkjet printer is made to perform the automatic correction operation, and a correction amount for performing medium conveyance amount correction is calculated based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink discharge surface. When the automatic correction operation is started, the cap-out operation is performed. Thereafter, the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, and the pattern detection operation are performed to calculate the correction amount, and the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount are repeated until the calculated correction amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. When the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value, the cap-in operation is performed.After the start of the automatic correction operation, the cap-in operation is not performed until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than a reference value.

[0017] In the present invention, when an automatic correction operation for automatically performing media conveyance amount correction, which is correction of the conveyance amount of the media in the sub-scanning direction by the media conveyance mechanism, is started, a cap-out operation is performed. Thereafter, a media conveyance operation, a printing operation, and a pattern detection operation are performed to calculate a correction amount, and the media conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount are repeated until the calculated correction amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. When the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value, a cap-in operation is performed. After the start of the automatic correction operation, the cap-in operation is not performed until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value. Therefore, in the present invention, compared with the case where the cap-in operation is performed after the start of the automatic correction operation until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value, it is possible to shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the conveyance amount of the media in the sub-scanning direction.

[0018] In the present invention, the maintenance unit includes a cap suction mechanism for sucking ink in the cap member and discharging it from the cap member, and it is preferable that the control unit performs an air suction operation for sucking the ink in the cap member in a state where the cap member is detached from the ink ejection surface by the cap suction mechanism. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the ink in the cap member from overflowing from the cap member and to prevent the ink from solidifying in the cap member. Further, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the ink in the cap member from adhering to the ink ejection surface when the ink ejection surface of the inkjet head is covered by the cap member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] As described above, in the present invention, in an inkjet printer having a bidirectional printing function, it is possible to shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the deviation between the ink landing position in the forward path where the carriage moves to one side in the main scanning direction and the ink landing position in the return path where the carriage moves to the other side in the main scanning direction. Further, in the present invention, in an inkjet printer that prints on a medium, it is possible to shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Schematic Configuration of Inkjet Printer) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of the inkjet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the inkjet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of the maintenance unit 14 shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] The inkjet printer 1 (hereinafter referred to as "printer 1") of this embodiment is an inkjet printer for business use, and performs printing on a medium 2 such as paper, fabric, or a resin film. The medium 2 is formed in a long shape (elongated strip shape). The printer 1 includes an inkjet head 3 (hereinafter referred to as "head 3") that ejects ink toward the medium 2, a carriage 4 on which the head 3 is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism 5 that moves the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction (Y direction in FIG. 1, etc.) orthogonal to the vertical direction (Z direction), a Y bar 6 that movably holds the carriage 4, a medium conveyance mechanism 7 that conveys the medium 2 in the sub-scanning direction (X direction in FIG. 1, etc.) orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction, a platen 8 on which the medium 2 is placed, and a control unit 9 for controlling the printer 1.

[0024] In the following description, the main scanning direction (Y direction) is referred to as the "left-right direction", and the sub-scanning direction (X direction) is referred to as the "front-back direction". Also, the Y1 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is one side in the left-right direction, is referred to as the "left side", the Y2 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is the opposite side of the left side, is referred to as the "right side", the X1 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is one side in the front-back direction, is referred to as the "front" side, and the X2 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is the opposite side of the front side, is referred to as the "rear" side. The left-right direction (Y direction) of this embodiment is the width direction of the medium 2. Also, the vertical direction (Z direction) is the thickness direction of the medium 2 during printing placed on the platen 8, and the front-back direction (X direction) is the conveyance direction of the medium 2 moving on the platen 8.

[0025] Printer 1 is a printer with a bidirectional printing function. In Printer 1, for example, the head 3 ejects ink and performs printing on the medium 2 in each of the forward path where the carriage 4 moves to the left side and the return path where the carriage 4 moves to the right side. Also, in Printer 1, the reciprocating movement of the carriage 4 in the left-right direction by the carriage drive mechanism 5 and the conveyance operation of the medium 2 to the front side by the medium conveyance mechanism 7 are alternately repeated, and printing on the medium 2 is performed.

[0026] For example, one head 3 is mounted on the carriage 4. The head 3 ejects ink downward. An ink ejection surface 3a on which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged is formed on the lower surface of the head 3. A plurality of nozzle rows arranged in the left-right direction (main scanning direction) are formed on the ink ejection surface 3a. The nozzle row is composed of a large number of nozzles arranged in the front-rear direction. The head 3 includes a piezoelectric element (piezo element) for ejecting ink from the nozzles. Note that a plurality of heads 3 may be mounted on the carriage 4.

[0027] The carriage drive mechanism 5 includes, for example, two pulleys, a belt that is stretched between the two pulleys and a part of which is fixed to the carriage 4, and a motor for rotating the pulley. A guide rail 10 for guiding the carriage 4 in the left-right direction is fixed to the front surface of the Y bar 6. The medium conveyance mechanism 7 includes a conveyance roller for conveying the medium 2, a roller drive mechanism for driving the conveyance roller, and a plurality of pinch rollers that are biased toward the conveyance roller and sandwich the medium 2 therebetween. The roller drive mechanism includes a motor as a drive source.

[0028] The platen 8 is disposed below the carriage 4. The medium 2 during printing is placed on the platen 8. In this embodiment, the mounting height of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 is adjustable. For example, the mounting height of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 can be adjusted in two steps. That is, the vertical gap (head gap) between the ink ejection surface 3a of the head 3 and the upper surface of the platen 8 can be adjusted in two steps. The mounting height of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 is adjusted according to the thickness of the medium 2 and the like. The control unit 9 is electrically connected to the head 3, the carriage drive mechanism 5, and the medium conveyance mechanism 7. Specifically, the piezo element of the head 3, the motor of the carriage drive mechanism 5, the motor of the medium conveyance mechanism 7, and the like are electrically connected to the control unit 9.

[0029] As described above, the printer 1 has a bidirectional printing function. In the printer 1, when the printer 1 is installed, when the mounting height of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 is adjusted, and when the thickness of the medium 2 on which printing is performed changes, etc., when the carriage 4 moves to the left, the landing position of the ink ejected from the head 3 (hereinafter, this landing position is referred to as the "first landing position") and the landing position of the ink ejected from the head 3 when the carriage 4 moves to the right (hereinafter, this landing position is referred to as the "second landing position") are corrected. Also, in the printer 1, when the printer 1 is installed and when the type of the medium 2 on which printing is performed changes, etc., the conveyance amount of the medium 2 in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism 7 is corrected. Specifically, the deviation between the designed conveyance amount and the actual conveyance amount of the medium 2 conveyed forward by the medium conveyance mechanism 7 is corrected.

[0030] The printer 1 includes a detection mechanism 12 that detects a correction pattern for correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position, and a correction pattern for correcting the conveyance amount of the medium 2 in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism 7. The correction pattern is a test pattern that is test-printed on the test medium 2 by the printer 1. The detection mechanism 12 is mounted on the carriage 4. The detection mechanism 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 9.

[0031] The detection mechanism 12 is a density detection mechanism for detecting the density of the correction pattern. Further, the detection mechanism 12 is a reflection-type optical sensor including a light-emitting element that emits light toward the medium 2 on which the correction pattern is printed, and a light-receiving element that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting element and reflected by the medium 2. When the density of the correction pattern is high, the reflectance of light on the correction pattern decreases, so the output of the detection mechanism 12 (specifically, the output of the light-receiving element) becomes small. On the other hand, when the density of the correction pattern is low, the reflectance of light on the correction pattern increases, so the output of the detection mechanism 12 becomes large.

[0032] Further, the printer 1 includes a maintenance unit 14 for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the head 3. In the maintenance unit 14, cleaning of the head 3 and the like are performed so that clogging does not occur in the plurality of nozzles of the head 3. For example, in the maintenance unit 14, purging for forcibly sucking the ink in the nozzles of the head 3, flushing for forcibly discharging the ink from the nozzles of the head 3, and wiping for wiping the ink ejection surface 3a with a predetermined wiper member are performed. Further, in the maintenance unit 14, capping for covering the ink ejection surface 3a is performed.

[0033] In the left - right direction (main scanning direction), if the area where printing is performed by the head 3 (i.e., the area where printing is performed on the medium 2) is defined as the printing area PA, the maintenance unit 14 is installed in a maintenance area MA which is an area outside the printing area PA (see Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the right end of the printer 1 is the maintenance area MA, and the maintenance unit 14 is installed at the right end of the printer 1. The maintenance unit 14 includes a cap member 15 for covering the ink ejection surface 3a of the head 3 from below, and a cap suction mechanism 16 for sucking the ink in the cap member 15 and discharging it from the cap member 15. Further, the maintenance unit 14 includes a slide member (not shown) for holding the cap member 15 and slidable in the left - right direction, and a spring member (not shown) for biasing the slide member toward the left side.

[0034] In order to perform maintenance on the head 3, when the head 3 and the carriage 4 arranged in the printing area PA move out of the printing area PA and move to the right, the carriage 4 contacts the slide member that holds the cap member 15. In that state, when the carriage 4 moves further to the right, the cap member 15 rises while moving to the right, and the cap member 15 covers the ink ejection surface 3a from below (see Fig. 4(B)). At this time, the upper end of the cap member 15 is in close contact with the lower surface of the head 3. Also, when the carriage 4 moves to the left from that state, the cap member 15 descends while moving to the left, and the cap member 15 moves away from the ink ejection surface 3a (see Fig. 4(A)). That is, the cap member 15 moves away from the ink ejection surface 3a so as not to contact the ink ejection surface 3a.

[0035] That is, in this embodiment, as the carriage 4 moves, the cap member 15 moves in the left - right direction and moves up and down between a position covering the ink ejection surface 3a from below and a position deviating from the ink ejection surface 3a. Note that the maintenance unit 14 may include a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the cap member 15 between a position where the cap member 15 covers the ink ejection surface 3a from below and a position where the cap member 15 deviates from the ink ejection surface 3a. In this case, the cap member 15 does not move in the left - right direction.

[0036] The cap suction mechanism 16 is, for example, a suction pump. The cap suction mechanism 16 is electrically connected to the control unit 9. When the cap suction mechanism 16 is driven while the cap member 15 covers the ink ejection surface 3a from below, the ink in the nozzles of the head 3 is forcibly sucked. That is, purging is executed. Also, when the cap suction mechanism 16 is driven while the cap member 15 is deviated from the ink ejection surface 3a, air suction is executed in which the ink in the cap member 15 is sucked and discharged. That is, the control unit 9 performs an air suction operation in which the ink in the cap member 15 in a state of being deviated from the ink ejection surface 3a is sucked by the cap suction mechanism 16.

[0037] As described above, in the printer 1, correction of the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position (hereinafter, this correction is referred to as "reciprocating landing position correction (reciprocating dot position correction)"), and correction of the conveyance amount of the medium 2 in the sub - scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism 7 (hereinafter, this correction is referred to as "medium conveyance amount correction (feed correction)") are performed. Hereinafter, the reciprocating landing position correction method, which is a method of reciprocating landing position correction, and the medium conveyance amount correction method, which is a method of medium conveyance amount correction, will be described.

[0038] (Reciprocating landing position correction method) FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the reciprocating landing position correction method executed in the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] The reciprocating landing position correction is performed automatically. The control unit 9 causes the printer 1 to perform an automatic correction operation for automatically performing the reciprocating landing position correction. The automatic correction operation includes a first printing operation of discharging ink from the head 3 while moving the carriage 4 to the left side to print a correction pattern on the medium 2, and a second printing operation of discharging ink from the head 3 while moving the carriage 4 to the right side to print a correction pattern on the medium 2. The medium 2 on which the correction pattern is printed is white printing paper, and the correction pattern is printed with ink having a high density such as black ink.

[0040] Further, the automatic correction operation includes a pattern detection operation of causing the detection mechanism 12 to detect the correction pattern printed in the first printing operation and the correction pattern printed in the second printing operation. In the pattern detection operation, the carriage 4 is moved in the left-right direction, and the correction pattern is detected by the detection mechanism 12 mounted on the carriage 4. Also, in the pattern detection operation, the density of the correction pattern is detected.

[0041] Furthermore, the automatic correction operation includes a cap-in operation of causing the cap member 15 to cover the ink ejection surface 3a, and a cap-out operation of removing the cap member 15 covering the ink ejection surface 3a from the ink ejection surface 3a. That is, the control unit 9 causes the printer 1 to perform an automatic correction operation including the first printing operation, the second printing operation, the pattern detection operation, the cap-in operation, and the cap-out operation as an automatic correction operation for automatically performing the reciprocating landing position correction. Also, the control unit 9 calculates a correction amount for performing the reciprocating landing position correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 12 in the pattern detection operation.

[0042] In addition, for the reciprocating landing position correction, there is a rough adjustment as a first accuracy correction for correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position with a predetermined first accuracy, and a main adjustment (fine adjustment) as a second accuracy correction for correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position with a second accuracy higher than the first accuracy after the rough adjustment is performed. In this embodiment, the reciprocating landing position is corrected in two steps: rough adjustment and main adjustment after rough adjustment. The automatic correction operation for performing the reciprocating landing position correction includes an operation for automatically performing the rough adjustment and an operation for automatically performing the main adjustment. That is, the automatic correction operation includes a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation for automatically performing the rough adjustment, and also includes a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation for automatically performing the main adjustment.

[0043] In the reciprocating landing position correction, the rough adjustment and the main adjustment are performed in this order. Also, in the reciprocating landing position correction, the rough adjustment and the main adjustment are performed continuously. Before the automatic correction operation for performing the reciprocating landing position correction is started, the carriage 4 is arranged in the maintenance area MA, and the cap member 15 covers the ink ejection surface 3a of the head 3. When the automatic correction operation for performing the reciprocating landing position correction is started, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the control unit 9 moves the carriage 4 arranged in the maintenance area MA to the left side and performs a cap out operation (step S1).

[0044] Thereafter, the control unit 9 performs a medium conveyance operation for conveying the medium 2 on which the correction pattern is printed to a predetermined reference position by the medium conveyance mechanism 7 (step S2). Thereafter, the control unit 9 performs a first printing operation and a second printing operation (steps S3, S4), and then performs a pattern detection operation (step S5). Also, the control unit 9 calculates a correction amount for performing the reciprocating landing position correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 12 in step S5 (step S6). In steps S3 and S4, a correction pattern for rough adjustment is printed on the medium 2. In step S6, the control unit 9 calculates a first accuracy correction amount that is a correction amount for performing the rough adjustment. Note that calibration of the detection mechanism 12 may be performed before the pattern detection operation.

[0045] When step S6 ends, the rough adjustment is completed. In the fine adjustment performed after the rough adjustment, the control unit 9 operates the printer 1 based on the first accuracy correction amount. After step S6, the control unit 9 performs a medium conveyance operation of conveying the medium 2 on which the correction pattern is printed to a predetermined reference position by the medium conveyance mechanism 7 (step S7). Then, after the control unit 9 performs the first printing operation and the second printing operation (steps S8 and S9), it performs a pattern detection operation (step S10). In steps S8 and S9, the correction pattern for fine adjustment is printed on the medium 2.

[0046] Also, the control unit 9 calculates a correction amount for performing reciprocating landing position correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 12 in step S10 (step S11). In step S11, the control unit 9 calculates the second accuracy correction amount which is the correction amount for performing the fine adjustment. When step S11 ends, the calculation of the correction amount necessary for performing the reciprocating landing position correction is completed. Then, the control unit 9 performs a cap-in operation (step S12). When step S12 ends, the automatic correction operation for automatically performing the reciprocating landing position correction is completed.

[0047] Thus, in this embodiment, when the automatic correction operation for performing the reciprocating landing position correction is started, the control unit 9 performs a cap-out operation (step S1), calculates the first accuracy correction amount by performing the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the rough adjustment (steps S3 to S6), and then, after calculating the second accuracy correction amount by performing the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the fine adjustment (steps S8 to S11), performs a cap-in operation (step S12). That is, after the start of the automatic correction operation, the control unit 9 does not perform the cap-in operation until the calculation of the second accuracy correction amount is completed.

[0048] That is, when the automatic correction operation of this embodiment starts, the cap-out operation is performed, and then the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation are performed. After the start of the automatic correction operation, the cap-in operation is performed after the calculation of the correction amount (i.e., the second accuracy correction amount) necessary to complete the reciprocating landing position correction is completed. After the start of the automatic correction operation, the cap-in operation is not performed until the calculation of the correction amount necessary to perform the reciprocating landing position correction is completed.

[0049] The reciprocating landing position correction is performed at each of a plurality of resolutions printable by the printer 1. Further, in this embodiment, the reciprocating landing position correction is performed in each of the case of moving the carriage 4 at the standard speed for printing and the case of moving the carriage 4 at double speed (a speed twice the standard speed) for printing. That is, in this embodiment, the reciprocating landing position correction is performed in each of the case of printing at the standard speed and the case of printing at double speed.

[0050] For example, the reciprocating landing position correction is performed in each of the case of printing at double speed with a resolution of 1200 dpi (dots per inch), the case of printing at the standard speed with a resolution of 1200 dpi, the case of printing at double speed with a resolution of 800 dpi, the case of printing at the standard speed with a resolution of 800 dpi, the case of printing at double speed with a resolution of 600 dpi, the case of printing at the standard speed with a resolution of 600 dpi, and the case of printing at the standard speed with a resolution of 300 dpi.

[0051] Note that depending on the resolution and printing speed at which the reciprocating landing position correction is performed, at least one of the first printing operation and the second printing operation may be further performed between step S9 and step S10. In this case, the first printing operation may be performed once or multiple times, or the second printing operation may be performed once or multiple times. Further, flushing for forcibly discharging ink from the nozzles of the head 3 is performed as necessary during the automatic correction operation for performing the reciprocating landing position correction. In flushing, ink is discharged toward the cap member 15. When flushing is performed a predetermined number of times, the control unit 9 performs a suction operation.

[0052] (Method for correcting media conveyance amount) FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a method for correcting the media conveyance amount executed by the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] Similar to the reciprocating landing position correction, the media conveyance amount correction is performed automatically. The control unit 9 causes the printer 1 to perform an automatic correction operation for automatically performing the media conveyance amount correction. The automatic correction operation includes a media conveyance operation for conveying the media 2 on which the correction pattern is printed to a predetermined reference position by the media conveyance mechanism 7, a printing operation for discharging ink from the head 3 while moving the carriage 4 in the left-right direction to print the correction pattern on the media 2, a pattern detection operation for causing the detection mechanism 12 to detect the correction pattern printed in the printing operation, a cap-in operation, and a cap-out operation.

[0054] That is, the control unit 9 causes the printer 1 to perform an automatic correction operation including a media conveyance operation, a printing operation, a pattern detection operation, a cap-in operation, and a cap-out operation as an automatic correction operation for automatically performing the media conveyance amount correction. Further, the control unit 9 calculates a correction amount for performing the media conveyance amount correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 12 in the pattern detection operation. Similar to the reciprocating landing position correction, the media 2 on which the correction pattern for performing the media conveyance amount correction is printed is white printing paper, and the correction pattern is printed with ink having a high density such as black ink.

[0055] Before the automatic correction operation for media conveyance amount correction is started, the carriage 4 is placed in the maintenance area MA, and the cap member 15 covers the ink ejection surface 3a of the head 3. When the automatic correction operation for media conveyance amount correction is started, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the control unit 9 moves the carriage 4 placed in the maintenance area MA to the left side to perform a cap-out operation (step S21). After that, the control unit 9 performs a media conveyance operation (step S22).

[0056] After that, the control unit 9 performs a printing operation (step S23), and then performs a pattern detection operation (step S24). Further, the control unit 9 calculates a correction amount for media conveyance amount correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 12 in step S24 (step S25). In step S23, a correction pattern for media conveyance amount correction is printed on the media 2. After that, the control unit 9 determines whether or not the correction amount calculated in step S25 is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value (step S26).

[0057] In step S26, if the correction amount exceeds the reference value, the process returns to step S22, and the control unit 9 performs the media conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount again. In step S22 after passing through step S26, the media 2 is conveyed to the reference position corrected based on the correction amount calculated in step S25. On the other hand, in step S26, if the correction amount is equal to or less than the reference value, the control unit 9 performs a cap-in operation (step S27). When step S27 ends, the automatic correction operation for automatically performing media conveyance amount correction is completed.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the automatic correction operation for correcting the medium conveyance amount is started, the control unit 9 performs a cap-out operation, and then performs a medium conveyance operation, a printing operation, and a pattern detection operation to calculate a correction amount, and repeats the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount until the calculated correction amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. Further, when the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined reference value, the control unit 9 performs a cap-in operation, and does not perform the cap-in operation until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined reference value after the start of the automatic correction operation for correcting the medium conveyance amount.

[0059] Note that it is rare for the correction amount to become equal to or less than the reference value by performing steps S22 to S25 only once, and steps S22 to S25 are performed about three or four times, for example. That is, the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount are repeated about three or four times until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value. Further, when the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount are repeated a predetermined number of times or more (for example, when repeated about 10 times), the control unit 9 executes predetermined error processing. Further, similar to the reciprocating landing position correction, flushing is performed as necessary during the automatic correction operation for correcting the medium conveyance amount. When a predetermined number of flushing operations are performed, the control unit 9 performs an air suction operation.

[0060] (Main effects of this embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, when the automatic correction operation for reciprocating landing position correction is started, the control unit 9 performs a cap-out operation, and then performs a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation for automatically performing rough adjustment to calculate a first accuracy correction amount. After that, the control unit 9 performs a first printing operation, a second printing operation, and a pattern detection operation for automatically performing fine adjustment to calculate a second accuracy correction amount, and then performs a cap-in operation. After the start of the automatic correction operation for reciprocating landing position correction and until the calculation of the second accuracy correction amount is completed, the cap-in operation is not performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, compared with the case where the cap-in operation is performed between the start of the automatic correction operation for reciprocating landing position correction and the completion of the calculation of the second accuracy correction amount, it is possible to shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position.

[0061] In this embodiment, when the automatic correction operation for medium conveyance amount correction is started, the control unit 9 performs a cap-out operation. Then, the control unit 9 performs a medium conveyance operation, a printing operation, and a pattern detection operation to calculate a correction amount, and repeats the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount until the calculated correction amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. When the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined reference value, the control unit 9 performs a cap-in operation. After the start of the automatic correction operation for medium conveyance amount correction and until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined reference value, the cap-in operation is not performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, compared with the case where the cap-in operation is performed between the start of the automatic correction operation for medium conveyance amount correction and the correction amount becoming equal to or less than the predetermined reference value, it is possible to shorten the correction time when automatically correcting the conveyance amount of the medium 2 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0062] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 may perform only the reciprocating landing position correction, or may perform only the medium conveyance amount correction. Further, in the above-described embodiment, if the reciprocating landing position correction can be performed only by this adjustment, the rough adjustment may not be performed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the medium 2 does not have to be formed in a long shape. In this case, for example, instead of the medium conveyance mechanism 7, the printer 1 includes a table on which the medium 2 is placed and a moving mechanism that moves the table or the Y bar 6 in the front-rear direction. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 may be a 3D printer that forms a three-dimensional object. Even in this case, when the reciprocating landing position correction is performed, the first printing operation and the second printing operation are performed on the test medium 2.

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 1 Printer (Inkjet Printer) 2 Medium 3 Head (Inkjet Head) 3a Ink ejection surface 4 Carriage 5 Carriage drive mechanism 7 Medium conveyance mechanism 9 Control unit 12 Detection mechanism 14 Maintenance unit 15 Cap member 16 Cap suction mechanism MA Maintenance area PA Printing area X Sub-scanning direction Y Main scanning direction Y1 First direction side Y2 Second direction side Z Up and down direction

Claims

1. In an inkjet printer including an inkjet head that discharges ink, a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction, a maintenance unit for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head, and a control unit for controlling the inkjet printer. When one side in the main scanning direction is defined as the first direction side and the other side in the main scanning direction, which is the opposite side of the first direction side, is defined as the second direction side, a detection mechanism for detecting a correction pattern for correcting a deviation between a first landing position, which is a landing position of the ink discharged from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the first direction side, and a second landing position, which is a landing position of the ink discharged from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the second direction side, is provided. An ink discharge surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed on the lower surface of the inkjet head. When a region where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is defined as a printing region, the maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink discharge surface from below and is installed in a maintenance region, which is a region outside the printing region in the main scanning direction. The control unit causes the inkjet printer to perform an automatic correction operation for automatically performing a reciprocating landing position correction, which is a correction of the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position. The automatic correction operation includes a first printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage to the first direction side to print the correction pattern on a medium, a second printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage to the second direction side to print the correction pattern on the medium, a pattern detection operation of causing the detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the first printing operation and the correction pattern printed in the second printing operation, a cap-in operation of causing the cap member to cover the ink discharge surface, and a cap-out operation of removing the cap member covering the ink discharge surface from the ink discharge surface. The control unit calculates a correction amount for performing the reciprocating landing position correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink ejection surface. When the automatic correction operation is started, the control unit performs the cap out operation, and then performs the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation. After the start of the automatic correction operation, the control unit performs the cap in operation after the calculation of the correction amount necessary to complete the reciprocating landing position correction is completed. The inkjet printer is characterized in that the cap in operation is not performed until the calculation of the correction amount necessary to perform the reciprocating landing position correction is completed after the start of the automatic correction operation. Claim 2 The reciprocating landing position correction includes a first accuracy correction for correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position with a predetermined first accuracy, and a second accuracy correction for correcting the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position with a second accuracy higher than the first accuracy after the first accuracy correction is performed. The automatic correction operation includes the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the first accuracy correction, and also includes the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the second accuracy correction. When the automatic correction operation is started, the control unit performs the cap out operation, calculates a first accuracy correction amount, which is the correction amount for performing the first accuracy correction, by performing the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the first accuracy correction, and then calculates a second accuracy correction amount, which is the correction amount for performing the second accuracy correction, by performing the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation for automatically performing the second accuracy correction. After that, the control unit performs the cap in operation. The inkjet printer according to claim 1 is characterized in that the cap in operation is not performed until the calculation of the second accuracy correction amount is completed after the start of the automatic correction operation. Claim 3 In an inkjet printer that prints on a medium An inkjet head that discharges ink, a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction, a medium conveyance mechanism that conveys the medium in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction, a detection mechanism that detects a correction pattern for correcting the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism, a maintenance unit for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head, and a control unit for controlling the inkjet printer. On the lower surface of the inkjet head, an ink discharge surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed. When a region where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is defined as a printing region. The maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink discharge surface from below and is installed in a maintenance region which is a region deviated from the printing region in the main scanning direction. The control unit causes the inkjet printer to perform an automatic correction operation for automatically performing a medium conveyance amount correction which is a correction of the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism. The automatic correction operation includes a medium conveyance operation for conveying the medium on which the correction pattern is printed to a predetermined reference position by the medium conveyance mechanism, a printing operation for discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage in the main scanning direction to print the correction pattern on the medium, a pattern detection operation for causing the detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the printing operation, a cap-in operation for causing the cap member to cover the ink discharge surface, and a cap-out operation for removing the cap member covering the ink discharge surface from the ink discharge surface. The control unit calculates a correction amount for performing the medium conveyance amount correction based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink discharge surface. When the automatic correction operation is started, the control unit performs the cap-out operation, and then performs the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, and the pattern detection operation to calculate the correction amount. The control unit repeats the medium conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount until the calculated correction amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. When the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value, the control unit performs the cap-in operation. After the start of the automatic correction operation and until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value, the control unit does not perform the cap-in operation. An inkjet printer characterized by this.

4. The maintenance unit includes a cap suction mechanism for sucking ink in the cap member and discharging it from the cap member. The control unit performs an air suction operation for causing the cap suction mechanism to suck ink in the cap member in a state where the cap member is separated from the ink ejection surface. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by this.

5. A correction method for an inkjet printer including an inkjet head that ejects ink. The inkjet printer includes a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction, and a maintenance unit for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head. When one side in the main scanning direction is defined as the first direction side and the other side in the main scanning direction, which is the opposite side of the first direction side, is defined as the second direction side, a detection mechanism for detecting a correction pattern for correcting a deviation between a first landing position, which is a landing position of ink ejected from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the first direction side, and a second landing position, which is a landing position of ink ejected from the inkjet head when the carriage moves to the second direction side, is provided. An ink ejection surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed on the lower surface of the inkjet head. When a region where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is defined as a printing region. The maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink ejection surface from below and is installed in a maintenance region that is a region outside the printing region in the main scanning direction. In the correction method of the inkjet printer, as an automatic correction operation for automatically performing reciprocal landing position correction, which is the correction of the deviation between the first landing position and the second landing position, a first printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage in the first direction side to print the correction pattern on the medium, a second printing operation of discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage in the second direction side to print the correction pattern on the medium, a pattern detection operation of causing the detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the first printing operation and the correction pattern printed in the second printing operation, a cap-in operation of covering the ink ejection surface with the cap member, and a cap-out operation of removing the cap member covering the ink ejection surface from the ink ejection surface are included. The inkjet printer is made to perform the automatic correction operation, and a correction amount for performing the reciprocal landing position correction is calculated based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink ejection surface. When the automatic correction operation is started, the cap-out operation is performed, and then the first printing operation, the second printing operation, and the pattern detection operation are performed. After the start of the automatic correction operation, the cap-in operation is performed after the calculation of the correction amount necessary for completing the reciprocal landing position correction is completed. After the start of the automatic correction operation and until the calculation of the correction amount necessary for performing the reciprocal landing position correction is completed, the cap-in operation is not performed. A correction method for an inkjet printer characterized by this.

6. In a correction method for an inkjet printer that prints on a medium, The inkjet printer includes an inkjet head that discharges ink, a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction, a medium conveyance mechanism that conveys the medium in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction, a detection mechanism that detects a correction pattern for correcting the conveyance amount of the medium in the sub-scanning direction by the medium conveyance mechanism, and a maintenance unit for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head. On the lower surface of the inkjet head, an ink ejection surface on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged is formed. Assuming that the area where printing is performed by the inkjet head in the main scanning direction is the printing area, the maintenance unit includes a cap member for covering the ink ejection surface from below and is installed in a maintenance area which is an area outside the printing area in the main scanning direction. In the correction method of the inkjet printer, as an automatic correction operation for automatically performing media conveyance amount correction which is correction of the conveyance amount of the media in the sub-scanning direction by the media conveyance mechanism, a media conveyance operation for conveying the media to a predetermined reference position by the media conveyance mechanism before the correction pattern is printed on the media, a printing operation for discharging ink from the inkjet head while moving the carriage in the main scanning direction to print the correction pattern on the media, a pattern detection operation for causing the detection mechanism to detect the correction pattern printed in the printing operation, a cap-in operation for covering the ink ejection surface with the cap member, and a cap-out operation for removing the cap member covering the ink ejection surface from the ink ejection surface are included in the automatic correction operation to be performed by the inkjet printer. A correction amount for performing the media conveyance amount correction is calculated based on the detection result of the detection mechanism in the pattern detection operation. Before the automatic correction operation is started, the cap member covers the ink ejection surface. When the automatic correction operation is started, the cap-out operation is performed, and then the media conveyance operation, the printing operation, and the pattern detection operation are performed to calculate the correction amount. The media conveyance operation, the printing operation, the pattern detection operation, and the calculation of the correction amount are repeated until the calculated correction amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. When the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value, the cap-in operation is performed. After the start of the automatic correction operation, the cap-in operation is not performed until the correction amount becomes equal to or less than the reference value. A correction method for an inkjet printer, characterized in that.

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