Image formation device and adjustment method

Abstract

To provide an image formation device that can suppress adhesion of an ink to an adjustment sheet used for adjustment of an image reading part, and an adjustment method.SOLUTION: An image formation device 100 comprises: an image formation part 2 which forms an ink image on a sheet conveyed along a conveyance route; an image reading part 5 which reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image formation part 2; a first conveyance processing part 61 which executes first conveyance processing for conveying the sheet along the conveyance route; a second conveyance processing part 62 which executes second conveyance processing for conveying an adjustment sheet along the conveyance route after execution of first conveyance processing; a reading part 63 which reads an image on the adjustment sheet conveyed by second conveyance processing by using the image reading part 5; and an adjustment processing part 64 which adjusts the image reading part 5 on the basis of the reading result by the reading part 63.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an adjustment method. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming device is known that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet transported along a predetermined transport path, and an image reading unit that reads the image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit along the transport path (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-200436 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus including the image reading unit, it is conceivable that an adjustment sheet on which an adjustment image for adjusting the image reading unit is formed in advance is conveyed along the conveying path, and the image reading unit is adjusted based on the result of reading the adjustment image by the image reading unit. However, in an inkjet image forming apparatus, if the conveying path is contaminated with ink, it is conceivable that ink will adhere to the adjustment sheet when the adjustment sheet is conveyed along the conveying path.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an adjustment method that can prevent ink from adhering to an adjustment sheet used to adjust an image reading unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an image reading unit, a first conveying processing unit, a second conveying processing unit, a reading processing unit, and an adjustment processing unit. The image forming unit forms an ink image on a sheet conveyed along a predetermined conveying path. The image reading unit reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit along the conveying path. The first conveying processing unit executes a first conveying process in which the sheet is conveyed along the conveying path without forming the ink image. The second conveying processing unit executes a second conveying process in which, after starting execution of the first conveying process, an adjustment sheet on which a predetermined adjustment image has been formed is conveyed along the conveying path without forming the ink image. The reading processing unit uses the image reading unit to read the adjustment image on the adjustment sheet conveyed by the second conveying process. The adjustment processing unit adjusts the image reading unit based on the reading result by the reading processing unit.

[0007] An adjustment method according to another aspect of the present invention is performed by an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an ink image on a sheet transported along a predetermined transport path and an image reading unit that reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit along the transport path, and includes a first transport step, a second transport step, a reading step, and an adjustment step. In the first transport step, a first transport process is performed in which the sheet is transported along the transport path without forming the ink image. In the second transport step, after the first transport process starts, a second transport process is performed in which an adjustment sheet on which a predetermined adjustment image has been formed is transported along the transport path without forming the ink image. In the reading step, the image reading unit is used to read the adjustment image on the adjustment sheet transported by the second transport process. In the adjustment step, the image reading unit is adjusted based on the reading result in the reading step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent ink from adhering to the adjustment sheet used for adjusting the image reading unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of adjustment processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 100] First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In Figure 2, the first sheet transport path 13 and the second sheet transport path 14 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. Also in Figure 2, the cap unit 3 arranged at the cap position P3 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0012] Image forming apparatus 100 is a printer capable of forming an image on a sheet by inkjet printing. Note that the present invention may also be applied to image forming apparatuses such as fax machines, copy machines, and multifunction peripherals that are capable of forming an image on a sheet by inkjet printing.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a sheet conveying unit 1, an image forming unit 2, a cap unit 3, a heating unit 4, an image reading unit 5, an operation display unit 6, a control unit 7, and a housing 8.

[0014] The housing 8 houses each component of the image forming apparatus 100. A plurality of paper feed cassettes 11 shown in FIG. 2 are removably provided in the housing 8. Sheets on which images are formed are placed in each of the paper feed cassettes 11. As shown in FIG. 2, three paper feed cassettes 11 (11A, 11B, 11C) are provided in the housing 8. Each paper feed cassette 11 is pre-assigned to a sheet size for the sheets placed therein. A paper output tray 12 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 8. Sheets on which images have been formed by the image forming unit 2 are discharged to the paper output tray 12. The number of paper feed cassettes 11 provided in the housing 8 does not have to be limited to three.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, a first sheet transport path 13 and a second sheet transport path 14 are provided inside the housing 8 to guide sheets transported by the sheet transport unit 1. The first sheet transport path 13 is a path along which sheets travel from the vicinity of the three paper feed cassettes 11 to the paper discharge tray 12 via the image forming unit 2 and the heating unit 4. In the first sheet transport path 13, sheets are transported in a first transport direction D1 (see FIG. 2) toward the paper discharge tray 12. The second sheet transport path 14 is used to reverse sheets on which an image has been formed on a first side (an example of a specific side according to the present invention) by the image forming unit 2. The first side is the side of the sheet placed in the paper feed cassette 11 that faces upward. The second sheet transport path 14 branches off from the first sheet transport path 13 at a branching position P1 (see FIG. 2) downstream of the heating unit 4 in the first transport direction D1, and merges with the first sheet transport path 13 at a merging position P2 (see FIG. 2) upstream of the image forming unit 2 in the first transport direction D1. In the second sheet transport path 14, the sheet is transported in the second transport direction D2 (see FIG. 2) toward the merging position P2. The second sheet transport path 14 is an example of a reversing transport path of the present invention.

[0016] The sheet conveying section 1 conveys a sheet inside the housing 8. As shown in Fig. 2, the sheet conveying section 1 includes a plurality of pickup rollers 21, a plurality of first conveying roller pairs 22, and a plurality of second conveying roller pairs 23.

[0017] The plurality of pickup rollers 21 are provided corresponding to the plurality of paper feed cassettes 11. Each pickup roller 21 picks up one sheet from the corresponding paper feed cassette 11 and sends the picked sheet to the first sheet transport path 13. The plurality of first transport roller pairs 22 are provided side by side along the first sheet transport path 13. Each of the first transport roller pairs 22 transports the sheet in a first transport direction D1 (see FIG. 2). Of the plurality of first transport roller pairs 22, the first transport roller pair 22A (see FIG. 2) provided at the most downstream side in the first transport direction D1 rotates in the reverse direction after the trailing edge of the transported sheet passes through the branch position P1, thereby sending the sheet to the second sheet transport path 14. The plurality of second transport roller pairs 23 are provided side by side along the second sheet transport path 14. Each of the second transport roller pairs 23 transports the sheet in the second transport direction D2 (see FIG. 2).

[0018] In the image forming apparatus 100, when a single-sided image forming process is performed to form an image on one side (the first side) of a sheet placed in the sheet cassette 11, the sheet is transported along a first transport path leading to the sheet discharge tray 12 without passing through the second sheet transport path 14. The first transport path is a path leading to the sheet discharge tray 12 via the first sheet transport path 13. In addition, in the image forming apparatus 100, when a double-sided image forming process is performed to form images on both sides (the first side and a second side behind the first side) of a sheet stored in the sheet cassette 11, the sheet is transported along a second transport path leading to the sheet discharge tray 12 via the second sheet transport path 14. The second transport path is a path leading to the sheet discharge tray 12 via the first sheet transport path 13 and the second sheet transport path 14, and then via the first sheet transport path 13 again. The first transport roller pair 22A discharges the sheet transported along the first transport path or the second transport path to the sheet discharge tray 12. The plurality of paper feed cassettes 11 are an example of a plurality of sheet stacking sections of the present invention. The second transport path is an example of a specific transport path of the present invention. The first transport roller pair 22A is an example of a sheet discharge section of the present invention.

[0019] The image forming unit 2 forms an ink image on a sheet transported along the first transport path or the second transport path. As shown in Fig. 3, the image forming unit 2 includes line heads 31 to 34 corresponding to the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and a head frame 35 that supports the line heads. The head frame 35 is supported by a housing 8. The number of line heads provided in the image forming unit 2 does not have to be limited to four.

[0020] 3, the line heads 31 to 34 are elongated in a width direction D3 perpendicular to the first transport direction D1. Specifically, each of the line heads 31 to 34 has a length in the width direction D3 that corresponds to the width of the largest sheet that can be accommodated in the paper feed cassette 11. The line heads 31 to 34 are fixed to a head frame 35 at predetermined intervals along the first transport direction D1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the line heads 31 to 34 has a plurality of recording heads 30. Each recording head 30 ejects ink toward a sheet being transported by the sheet transport unit 1. Specifically, a plurality of nozzles 30A (see FIG. 3) having openings for ejecting ink are provided on the surface of each recording head 30 facing the transported sheet. Each recording head 30 also has a pressure chamber (not shown) corresponding to each nozzle 30A, a piezoelectric element (not shown) provided corresponding to each of the pressure chambers, and a communication flow path (not shown) communicating with each of the pressure chambers. The piezoelectric element ejects ink from the nozzle 30A in response to application of a predetermined drive voltage. Specifically, the piezoelectric element pressurizes the ink contained in the pressure chamber, thereby ejecting ink from the nozzle 30A.

[0022] 3, in the line head 31, three recording heads 30 are arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction D3. Similarly to the line head 31, each of the line heads 32 to 34 also has three recording heads 30 arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction D3. Each of the line heads 31 to 34 is supplied with ink of the same color as the color corresponding to that line head from an ink container (not shown).

[0023] The capping unit 3 is provided so as to be movable between a capping position P3 (see FIG. 2) where it caps all of the nozzles 30A (see FIG. 3) included in the image forming unit 2, and a retracted position P4 (see FIG. 2) where it is retracted from the capping position P3. The capping position P3 is a position below the image forming unit 2. The retracted position P4 is a position downstream of the capping position P3 in the first transport direction D1. For example, the capping unit 3 is formed in the shape of a tray having opposing surfaces that face the lower surfaces of the line heads 31 to 34.

[0024] The heating unit 4 heats the sheet on which an ink image has been formed by the image forming unit 2 in the first sheet transport path 13. The heating unit 4 heats the sheet on which the ink image has been formed, thereby drying the ink attached to the sheet. As shown in FIG. 2 , the heating unit 4 is provided downstream of the image forming unit 2 in the first sheet transport path 13 in the first transport direction D1. The heating unit 4 is also provided above the sheet transported along the first sheet transport path 13.

[0025] For example, the heating unit 4 includes a heat source that emits infrared rays in response to power supply, a reflector above the heat source that reflects the infrared rays emitted from the heat source downward, and a hot air fan above the reflector that blows air downward. The heating unit 4 heats the sheet by blowing hot air onto the sheet from above as the sheet is conveyed along the first sheet conveying path 13. Note that the configuration of the heating unit 4 is not limited to the above, and it may be any configuration that can heat the sheet conveyed along the first sheet conveying path 13.

[0026] The image reading unit 5 reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 2 in the second sheet transport path 14. The reading result by the image reading unit 5 is used for adjusting the image forming conditions by the image forming unit 2, etc.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading unit 5 includes a line sensor 41 and an AFE (analog front end) circuit .

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the line sensor 41 is provided in the second sheet transport path 14. The line sensor 41 is provided above the sheet transported along the second sheet transport path 14. In other words, the line sensor 41 faces the first surface of the sheet transported along the second sheet transport path 14. The line sensor 41 can read an image of one line along the main scanning direction, which is the same direction as the width direction D3 (see FIG. 3), from a sheet passing through the position of the line sensor 41 in the second sheet transport path 14. For example, the line sensor 41 is a CIS (contact image sensor). The line sensor 41 includes multiple image sensors arranged side by side in the width direction D3. Each of the image sensors includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The light-emitting unit emits light toward the sheet transported along the second sheet transport path 14. The light-receiving unit is configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting unit and reflected by the sheet transported along the second sheet transport path 14, and outputs an analog electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light received. The line sensor 41 outputs an analog electrical signal corresponding to an image of one line along the main scanning direction at predetermined intervals in response to a control signal input from the control unit 7.

[0029] The AFE circuit 42 is an electronic circuit that performs predetermined processing on the analog electrical signal output from the line sensor 41. Specifically, the AFE circuit 42 includes a signal conversion unit that converts the analog electrical signal output from the line sensor 41 into a digital electrical signal (image data). The AFE circuit 42 also includes an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing, such as shading correction, on the image data output from the signal conversion unit. The AFE circuit 42 outputs the image data output from the image processing unit after the image processing has been performed to the control unit 7.

[0030] The operation display unit 6 has a display unit such as an LCD display that displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 7, and an operation unit such as operation keys or a touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit 7 in response to user operations.

[0031] The control unit 7 includes control devices such as a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53. The CPU 51 is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM 52 is a non-volatile storage device that stores information such as control programs for causing the CPU 51 to execute various types of processing. The RAM 53 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device that is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various types of processing executed by the CPU 51. The CPU 51 executes the various control programs stored in the ROM 52 in advance. In this way, the CPU 51 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 7 may be configured with an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 7 may also be provided separately from a main control unit that comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100.

[0032] Incidentally, in an image forming apparatus equipped with an image reading unit 5, it is conceivable to transport an adjustment sheet on which an adjustment image for adjusting the image reading unit 5 has been formed in advance along the second transport path, and adjust the image reading unit 5 based on the result of reading the adjustment image by the image reading unit 5. However, in an inkjet image forming apparatus, if the second transport path is soiled with ink, it is conceivable that ink will adhere to the adjustment sheet when the adjustment sheet is transported along the second transport path.

[0033] In contrast to this, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent ink from adhering to the adjustment sheet used for adjusting the image reading unit 5, as will be described below.

[0034] Specifically, an adjustment program for causing the CPU 51 to function as the first conveyance processing unit 61, the second conveyance processing unit 62, the reading processing unit 63, the adjustment processing unit 64, and the output processing unit 65 shown in FIG. 1 is pre-stored in the ROM 52 of the control unit 7. The CPU 51 functions as each of the above-mentioned processing units by executing the adjustment program. The adjustment program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and stored in a non-volatile storage device provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The adjustment program may also be a program for causing multiple processors to function as each of the processing units shown in FIG. 1. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 7 may be configured with electronic circuits.

[0035] The first conveying processing unit 61 performs a first conveying process to convey the sheet along the second conveying path without forming an ink image on it. Hereinafter, the sheet conveyed by the first conveying process will be referred to as a "cleaning sheet."

[0036] Here, in the first transport process, the cleaning sheet is transported from the paper feed cassette 11 (an example of the specific sheet placing section of the present invention) that has the largest size in the width direction D3 (see FIG. 3) for the corresponding sheet size among the paper feed cassettes 11 attached to the housing 8. This makes it possible to maximize the cleaning range of the second transport path (the range over which ink adhering to the second transport path can be wiped away) by the cleaning sheet transported in the first transport process.

[0037] In the first transport process, the cleaning sheet is transported with the cap unit 3 positioned at the cap position P3 (see FIG. 2), which makes it possible to prevent the second transport path from being soiled by ink dripping from the nozzles 30A.

[0038] After the first conveying process starts, the second conveying processing unit 62 executes a second conveying process in which the adjustment sheet, on which the predetermined adjustment image has been formed, is conveyed along the second conveying path without forming an ink image. The adjustment sheet is a sheet on which the adjustment image has been formed on the first surface. For example, the adjustment image includes a strip-shaped monochromatic image that is elongated in the width direction D3.

[0039] Here, in the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed in a state where the driving of the heating unit 4 is stopped. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the adjustment sheet compared to a configuration in which the adjustment sheet is conveyed in a state where the heating unit 4 is driven.

[0040] Furthermore, in the second transport process, the adjustment sheet is transported from the paper feed cassette 11 (an example of the specific sheet loading unit of the present invention) that has the highest priority, which is preset for each paper feed cassette 11, among the paper feed cassettes 11 attached to the housing 8. For example, the priority is set to be higher the smaller the total value of the bending angles of the curves included in the sheet transport path from the paper feed cassette 11 to the image forming unit 2. In other words, the priority is set to be higher for a paper feed cassette 11 that causes a smaller amount of bending of the sheet before transporting it to the image forming unit 2. This makes it possible to prevent curling of the adjustment sheet. Note that the priority may also be set to be higher the shorter the sheet transport distance from the paper feed cassette 11 to the image forming unit 2.

[0041] In the second transport process, the adjustment sheet is transported with the cap unit 3 positioned at the cap position P3 (see FIG. 2), which makes it possible to prevent the adjustment sheet from being soiled (deteriorated) by ink dripping from the nozzles 30A.

[0042] Furthermore, in the second transport process, the adjustment sheet is transported at a specific transport speed that is slower than the sheet transport speed in the image formation process in which an ink image is formed on a sheet using the image forming unit 2. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the adjustment sheet caused by contact between the adjustment sheet transported along the second transport path and a member disposed on the second transport path. For example, in the image formation process, the sheet is transported at a predetermined first speed. Furthermore, in the transport process, the sheet is transported at a second speed that is half the first speed. Note that, when there are multiple sheet transport speeds in the image formation process, the specific transport speed may be slower than the slowest transport speed among the multiple transport speeds in the image formation process.

[0043] For example, the first conveyance processing unit 61 displays a predetermined guidance screen on the operation display unit 6 in response to a predetermined user operation on the operation display unit 6. For example, the guidance screen includes a message guiding the user to place the adjustment sheet in the paper feed cassette 11 determined as the paper feed source of the adjustment sheet with the adjustment image facing upward, and then operate an execution key included on the guidance screen.

[0044] When the first conveyance processing unit 61 receives a user operation on the execution key, it stops the driving of the heating unit 4 and moves the cap unit 3 to the cap position P3 (see FIG. 2). Then, after the cap unit 3 moves to the cap position P3 and a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the driving of the heating unit 4 stopped, the first conveyance processing unit 61 executes the first conveyance processing. For example, the first conveyance processing is realized by executing a print job that prints blank images on both sides of the cleaning sheet (i.e., no image is printed). Here, if the cap unit 3 is located at the cap position P3 when the first conveyance processing unit 61 receives a user operation on the execution key, the first conveyance processing unit 61 does not need to move the cap unit 3. Furthermore, if the heating unit 4 is stopped when the first conveyance processing unit 61 receives a user operation on the execution key, the first conveyance processing unit 61 may execute the first conveyance processing immediately after the cap unit 3 moves to the cap position P3.

[0045] Furthermore, the second conveying processing unit 62 executes the second conveying process after starting the execution of the first conveying process. For example, the second conveying process is realized by executing a print job that prints blank images on both sides of the adjustment sheet (i.e., does not print any images).

[0046] In addition, when the paper feed source of the cleaning sheet and the paper feed source of the adjustment sheet are the same paper feed cassette 11, the first conveying processing unit 61 may display the guidance screen including a message instructing the user to place the cleaning sheet on top of the adjustment sheet.

[0047] In addition, when the size in the width direction D3 of the sheet size corresponding to the paper feed source of the cleaning sheet is smaller than the size in the width direction D3 of the size of the adjustment sheet stored in advance in ROM 52, the first conveying processing unit 61 may display the guidance screen including a message instructing the user to change the sheet size corresponding to the paper feed source of the cleaning sheet to be larger than the size of the adjustment sheet.

[0048] Furthermore, when the first conveyance processing unit 61 receives a user operation on the execution key and there are no sheets loaded in either or both of the cleaning sheet feed source and the adjustment sheet feed source, it may cause a first error screen including a message indicating this to be displayed on the operation display unit 6. The presence or absence of sheets in each paper feed cassette 11 may be determined by a well-known method.

[0049] Furthermore, when the first conveyance processing unit 61 receives a user operation on the execution key and the size of the sheet placed in the cleaning sheet feed source does not match the sheet size corresponding to the cleaning sheet feed source, it may cause a second error screen including a message indicating that the size of the sheet placed in the cleaning sheet feed source is inappropriate to be displayed on the operation display unit 6. The size of the sheet placed in the paper feed cassette 11 may be determined by a well-known method.

[0050] Furthermore, when the first conveying processing unit 61 receives a user operation on the execution key and the size of the sheet placed at the paper feed source for the adjustment sheet does not match the size of the adjustment sheet previously stored in ROM 52, it may cause the operation display unit 6 to display a third error screen including a message indicating that the adjustment sheet is not placed at the paper feed source for the adjustment sheet.

[0051] In addition, when the first conveying processing unit 61 receives a user operation on the execution key and the paper output tray 12 is not attached to the housing 8, it simply displays a fourth error screen on the operation display unit 6, which includes a message indicating that the paper output tray 12 is not attached to the housing 8.

[0052] Furthermore, if a paper jam occurs during the execution of the first conveyance process, the first conveyance processing unit 61 may execute the first conveyance process again after clearing the paper jam. Furthermore, if a paper jam occurs during the execution of the second conveyance process, the second conveyance processing unit 62 may display the guidance screen on the operation display unit 6 again after clearing the paper jam.

[0053] The reading processing unit 63 uses the image reading unit 5 to read the adjustment image on the adjustment sheet conveyed by the second conveying process.

[0054] The adjustment processing unit 64 adjusts the image reading unit 5 based on the reading result by the reading processing unit 63 .

[0055] For example, the adjustment processing unit 64 adjusts the amount of light emitted by each of the image pickup elements included in the line sensor 41 based on the reading result by the reading processing unit 63. Furthermore, the adjustment processing unit 64 may adjust the execution conditions of the image processing executed by the image processing unit of the AFE circuit 42 based on the reading result by the reading processing unit 63.

[0056] When the adjustment sheet is discharged by the first transport roller pair 22A, the output processing unit 65 outputs a message urging the user to collect the adjustment sheet.

[0057] For example, the output processing unit 65 displays a message urging the user to collect the adjustment sheet on the operation display unit 6. This prevents the adjustment sheet discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 from being left for a long period of time, which can cause the adjustment sheet to fade due to sunlight or the like.

[0058] In order to cover the adjustment sheet discharged onto the discharge tray 12, the control unit 7 may execute the first conveying process again after executing the second conveying process.

[0059] [Adjustment Processing] 4, an example of the procedure of the adjustment process executed by the control unit 7 in the image forming apparatus 100, as well as the procedure of the adjustment method of the present invention, will be described. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 7. The adjustment process is executed when a user operation to instruct execution of the adjustment process is accepted on the operation display unit 6.

[0060] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 7 determines the paper feed source of the adjustment sheet. The process of step S11 is executed by the second conveyance processing unit 62 of the control unit 7.

[0061] Specifically, the control unit 7 determines the paper feed cassette 11 with the highest priority as the paper feed source for the adjustment sheet among the paper feed cassettes 11 attached to the housing 8. When the sheet size corresponding to the paper feed cassette 11 determined as the paper feed source for the adjustment sheet differs from the size of the adjustment sheet, the control unit 7 may change the sheet size corresponding to the paper feed source for the adjustment sheet so that it matches the size of the adjustment sheet.

[0062] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 7 determines the source of the cleaning sheet. The process of step S12 is executed by the first conveyance processing unit 61 of the control unit 7.

[0063] Specifically, the control unit 7 determines the paper feed cassette 11 that has the largest size in the width direction D3 (see Figure 3) for the corresponding sheet size among the paper feed cassettes 11 installed in the housing 8 as the paper feed source for the cleaning sheet.

[0064] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 7 causes the guide screen to be displayed on the operation display unit 6. The process of step S13 is executed by the first transfer processing unit 61 of the control unit 7.

[0065] In addition, when the paper feed source of the cleaning sheet and the paper feed source of the adjustment sheet are the same paper feed cassette 11, the control unit 7 may display the guidance screen including a message instructing the user to place the cleaning sheet on top of the adjustment sheet.

[0066] Furthermore, when the size in the width direction D3 of the sheet size corresponding to the paper feed source of the cleaning sheet is smaller than the size in the width direction D3 of the size of the adjustment sheet, the control unit 7 may display the guidance screen including a message instructing the user to change the sheet size corresponding to the paper feed source of the cleaning sheet to be larger than the size of the adjustment sheet.

[0067] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the user's operation on the execution key included in the guidance screen has been accepted.

[0068] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the user's operation on the execution key has been accepted (Yes in S14), it shifts the process to step S15. On the other hand, if the user's operation on the execution key has not been accepted (No in S14), the control unit 7 waits for the user's operation on the execution key in step S14.

[0069] In addition, when the control unit 7 receives a user operation on the execution key and there is no sheet placed in either or both of the cleaning sheet feed source and the adjustment sheet feed source, it may display the first error screen including a message indicating this on the operation display unit 6 instead of executing the subsequent process.

[0070] Furthermore, when the control unit 7 receives a user operation on the execution key and the size of the sheet placed in the cleaning sheet feed source does not match the sheet size corresponding to the cleaning sheet feed source, it may cause the operation display unit 6 to display the second error screen including a message indicating that the size of the sheet placed in the cleaning sheet feed source is inappropriate, instead of executing the subsequent process.

[0071] Furthermore, when the control unit 7 receives a user operation on the execution key and the size of the sheet placed in the paper feed source of the adjustment sheet does not match the size of the adjustment sheet, instead of executing the subsequent process, it may cause the operation display unit 6 to display the third error screen including a message indicating that the adjustment sheet is not placed in the paper feed source of the adjustment sheet.

[0072] Furthermore, when the control unit 7 receives a user operation on the execution key and the output tray 12 is not attached to the housing 8, instead of executing the subsequent process, it may cause the operation display unit 6 to display the fourth error screen including a message indicating that the output tray 12 is not attached to the housing 8.

[0073] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 7 stops driving the heating unit 4.

[0074] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 7 moves the cap unit 3 to the cap position P3 (see FIG. 2).

[0075] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the standby time has elapsed since the driving of the heating unit 4 was stopped. The processes of steps S15 to S17 are executed by the first transfer processing unit 61 of the control unit 7.

[0076] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the waiting time has elapsed (Yes in S17), it shifts the process to step S18. On the other hand, if the waiting time has not elapsed (No in S17), the control unit 7 waits for the waiting time to elapse in step S17.

[0077] <Step S18> In step S18, the control unit 7 executes the first transfer process. The process of step S18 is an example of the first transfer step of the present invention, and is executed by the first transfer process unit 61 of the control unit 7.

[0078] <Step S19> In step S19, the control unit 7 executes the second transfer process. The process of step S19 is an example of the second transfer step of the present invention, and is executed by the second transfer process unit 62 of the control unit 7.

[0079] For example, the control unit 7 starts the second transfer process while the first transfer process is being performed. Note that the control unit 7 may start the second transfer process after the first transfer process has ended.

[0080] <Step S20> In step S20, the control unit 7 reads an image of the sheet conveyed by the second conveying process (the adjustment image of the adjustment sheet) using the image reading unit 5. The process of step S20 is an example of a reading step of the present invention, and is executed by the reading processing unit 63 of the control unit 7.

[0081] <Step S21> In step S21, the control unit 7 adjusts the image reading unit 5 based on the reading result in the processing of step S20. The processing of step S21 is an example of an adjustment step of the present invention, and is executed by the adjustment processing unit 64 of the control unit 7.

[0082] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 7 causes a message prompting the user to collect the adjustment sheet to be displayed on the operation display unit 6. The process of step S22 is executed by the output processing unit 65 of the control unit 7.

[0083] Specifically, when a sensor (not shown) detects that the adjustment sheet has been discharged to the discharge tray 12, the control unit 7 causes the operation display unit 6 to display a message urging the user to collect the adjustment sheet.

[0084] In this way, in the image forming apparatus 100, the first transport process is performed before the second transport process is performed. As a result, ink adhering to the second transport path is wiped off by the cleaning sheet transported along the second transport path. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink from adhering to the adjustment sheet used for adjusting the image reading unit 5.

[0085] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the adjustment sheet is transported along the second transport path. As a result, the adjustment sheet is discharged onto the paper output tray 12 with the adjustment image facing downward. Therefore, fading due to sunlight or the like can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the adjustment sheet is discharged onto the paper output tray 12 with the adjustment image facing upward.

[0086] The first conveying process and the second conveying process may be processes for conveying the adjustment sheet regardless of the position of the cap unit 3.

[0087] The second transport process may be a process of transporting the adjustment sheet while the heating unit 4 is in operation.

[0088] The second conveying process may be a process of conveying the adjustment sheet at the same speed as the sheet conveying speed in the image forming process.

[0089] The first transport process may be a process of transporting the cleaning sheet from any of the paper feed cassettes 11.

[0090] The second transport process may be a process of transporting the adjustment sheet from any of the paper feed cassettes 11.

[0091] The image reading unit 5 may also be disposed in the first sheet transport path 13. For example, the image reading unit 5 may be disposed downstream of the heating unit 4 in the first sheet transport path 13 in the first transport direction D1. In this case, the second transport process may be a process of transporting the adjustment sheet along the first transport path. The image forming apparatus 100 may not be provided with the second sheet transport path 14.

[0092] [Notes on the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0093] <Appendix 1> an image forming unit that forms an ink image on a sheet transported along a predetermined transport path; an image reading unit that reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit on the transport path; a first transport processing unit that performs a first transport process to transport the sheet along the transport path without forming the ink image; a second transport processing unit that performs a second transport process to transport an adjustment sheet, on which a predetermined adjustment image has been formed, along the transport path after execution of the first transport process begins, without forming the ink image; a reading processing unit that uses the image reading unit to read the adjustment image on the adjustment sheet transported by the second transport process; and an adjustment processing unit that adjusts the image reading unit based on the reading result by the reading processing unit.

[0094] <Appendix 2> An image forming apparatus as described in Appendix 1, comprising a plurality of sheet placing sections that are detachably attached to the apparatus and on which the sheets transported along the transport path are placed, each of the sheet placing sections being pre-assigned the sheet size of the sheets to be placed thereon, and in the first transport process, the sheets are transported from a specific sheet placing section among the sheet placing sections attached to the apparatus that has the largest width dimension perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheets for the corresponding sheet size.

[0095] <Appendix 3> An image forming apparatus as described in Appendix 1 or 2, which is provided with a plurality of sheet placing sections that are detachably attached to the apparatus and on which the sheets to be transported along the transport path are placed, and in the second transport process, the adjustment sheet is transported from a specific sheet placing section that has the highest priority, which is pre-set for each sheet placing section, among the sheet placing sections attached to the apparatus.

[0096] <Appendix 4> 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sheet discharge unit that discharges the sheet transported along the transport path; and an output processing unit that outputs a message urging the user to collect the adjustment sheet when the adjustment sheet is discharged by the sheet discharge unit.

[0097] <Appendix 5> 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heating unit that heats the sheet on which the ink image has been formed by the image forming unit in the transport path, and in the second transport process, the adjustment sheet is transported with the driving of the heating unit stopped.

[0098] <Appendix 6> The image forming device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the image forming unit has nozzles that eject ink onto the sheet, and the image forming device is provided with a cap unit that is movable between a cap position that caps the nozzles and a retracted position retracted from the cap position, and in the first conveying process, the sheet is conveyed with the cap unit positioned at the cap position, and in the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed with the cap unit positioned at the cap position.

[0099] <Appendix 7> 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed at a specific conveying speed that is slower than a conveying speed of the sheet in an image forming process in which the ink image is formed on the sheet using the image forming unit.

[0100] <Appendix 8> An image forming apparatus as described in any one of appendices 1 to 7, further comprising a reversing conveying path used to reverse the sheet on which the ink image has been formed on a specific side by the image forming unit, the conveying path including a specific conveying path that passes through the reversing conveying path, the adjustment sheet being the sheet on which the adjustment image has been formed on the specific side, wherein in the first conveying process, the sheet is conveyed along the specific conveying path, and in the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed along the specific conveying path.

[0101] <Appendix 9> An adjustment method performed in an image forming device equipped with an image forming unit that forms an ink image on a sheet transported along a predetermined transport path, and an image reading unit that reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit on the transport path, the adjustment method including: a first transport step that performs a first transport process that transports the sheet along the transport path without forming the ink image; a second transport step that performs a second transport process that transports an adjustment sheet, on which a predetermined adjustment image has been formed, along the transport path after starting execution of the first transport process without forming the ink image; a reading step that reads the adjustment image on the adjustment sheet transported by the second transport process using the image reading unit; and an adjustment step that adjusts the image reading unit based on the reading result of the reading step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 Sheet transport section 2 Image forming unit 3 Cap part 4 Heating section 5 Image reading unit 6 Operation display section 7 Control Unit 8. Housing 11 Paper cassette 12 Paper output tray 13 First sheet transport path 14 Second sheet transport path 21 Pickup roller 22 First conveying roller pair 22A First conveyor roller pair 23 Second conveying roller pair 30 Recording head 30A nozzle 31 Line Head 32 Line Head 33 Line Head 34 Line Head 35 Head Frame 41 Line Sensor 42 AFE circuit 61 First conveyance processing section 62 Second transport processing section 63 Reading processing section 64 Adjustment processing section 65 Output Processing Section 100 Image forming device

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an ink image on a sheet that is conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path; an image reading unit that reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit in the conveying path; a first conveying processing unit that performs a first conveying process of conveying the sheet along the conveying path without forming the ink image; a second conveying processing unit that, after starting the execution of the first conveying process, executes a second conveying process of conveying an adjustment sheet, on which a predetermined adjustment image has been formed, along the conveying path without forming the ink image; and a reading processing unit that reads the adjustment image on the adjustment sheet conveyed by the second conveying process using the image reading unit; an adjustment processing unit that adjusts the image reading unit based on a reading result by the reading processing unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. a plurality of sheet placement sections detachably provided on the device, on which the sheets conveyed along the conveyance path are placed; Each of the sheet placement sections is assigned in advance to a sheet size of the sheets to be placed thereon, In the first conveying process, the sheet is conveyed from a specific sheet placing unit that has the largest size in a width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the sheet for the corresponding sheet size among the sheet placing units attached to the device itself. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. a plurality of sheet placement sections detachably provided on the device, on which the sheets conveyed along the conveyance path are placed; In the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed from a specific sheet placing unit having the highest priority, which is set in advance for each sheet placing unit, among the sheet placing units attached to the apparatus itself.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. a sheet discharge section that discharges the sheet transported along the transport path; an output processing unit that outputs a message urging the user to collect the adjustment sheet when the adjustment sheet is discharged by the sheet discharge unit; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

5. a heating unit that heats the sheet on which the ink image has been formed by the image forming unit in the conveyance path, In the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed in a state where the driving of the heating unit is stopped.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. the image forming unit has nozzles that eject ink onto the sheet, the image forming apparatus, a cap portion provided to be movable between a cap position where the nozzle is capped and a retracted position retracted from the cap position, In the first conveying process, the sheet is conveyed with the cap portion disposed at the cap position, In the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed with the cap portion disposed at the cap position.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

7. In the second transport process, the adjustment sheet is transported at a specific transport speed that is slower than a transport speed of the sheet in an image forming process in which the ink image is formed on the sheet using the image forming unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

8. a reversing conveyance path used to reverse the sheet on which the ink image has been formed by the image forming unit, the conveying path includes a specific conveying path that passes through the reverse conveying path, The adjustment sheet is a sheet having the adjustment image formed on the specific surface, In the first conveying process, the sheet is conveyed along the specific conveying path, In the second conveying process, the adjustment sheet is conveyed along the specific conveying path.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

9. An adjustment method executed in an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an ink image on a sheet transported along a predetermined transport path, and an image reading unit that reads the ink image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit along the transport path, a first conveying step of performing a first conveying process of conveying the sheet along the conveying path without forming the ink image; a second conveying step of executing a second conveying process after starting the execution of the first conveying process, in which an adjustment sheet on which a predetermined adjustment image has been formed is conveyed along the conveying path without forming the ink image; a reading step of reading the adjustment image on the adjustment sheet conveyed by the second conveying process using the image reading unit; an adjusting step of adjusting the image reading unit based on the reading result of the reading step; Adjustment methods including:

Images