Printing apparatus and

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of suppressing a decrease in printing speed.SOLUTION: The printing apparatus includes a head that performs printing by discharging a liquid onto a medium, a carriage on which the head is mounted, a medium detection unit that is mounted on the carriage and detects the medium, and a control unit. In a case where the first size medium is designated, the control unit causes the medium detection unit to be disposed at a reference position between one end portion of the first size medium in the first intersecting direction and one end portion of a second size medium having a width shorter than that of the first size medium in the first intersecting direction. The control unit moves the carriage in the intersecting direction and causes the head to discharge the liquid onto the medium based on a result of detecting the medium in a state where the medium detection unit is disposed at the reference position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that prints by ejecting liquid from a head onto a medium transported in a transport direction. In such a printing device, printing is performed by moving a carriage carrying the head in a direction intersecting the transport direction. A medium detection unit that detects the medium is mounted on the carriage. Based on the detection results of the medium detection unit, it can be determined whether a medium of a specified size is being transported normally. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-121705 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such a printing device, in order to detect both ends of the transported medium, the carriage equipped with the medium detection unit had to be moved in the cross direction, which took a long time to detect the medium and could result in a reduction in printing speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A printing device that solves the above problem includes a transport unit that transports a medium in a transport direction, a head that faces the medium transported by the transport unit and performs printing by ejecting liquid onto the medium, a carriage that carries the head and moves in a cross direction that crosses the transport direction, a medium detection unit that is carried on the carriage and detects the medium transported by the transport unit, and a control unit that controls the transport unit, the head, and the carriage, wherein the transport unit is capable of transporting media of a plurality of sizes that differ in width in the cross direction, and the plurality of sizes of media include a first size and a second size that is shorter in width in the cross direction than the first size. When the control unit specifies the first size medium as the printing target, the control unit performs a reference position movement process that controls the carriage so that the medium detection unit is positioned at a reference position between one end of the first size medium in the first intersecting direction and one end of the second size medium in the first intersecting direction, and a printing process that moves the carriage in the intersecting direction and ejects liquid from the head onto the medium based on the result of detecting the medium when the medium detection unit is positioned at the reference position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the medium of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the carriage and the medium detection unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the carriage and the medium detection unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the carriage and the medium detection unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the carriage and the medium detection unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the print control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the reference position control process of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] [First embodiment] An embodiment of a printing device will be described below. In the following description, the direction intersecting the vertical direction Z is referred to as the intersecting direction X, and the direction intersecting both the vertical direction Z and the intersecting direction X is referred to as the front-to-rear direction Y. One of the intersecting directions X is referred to as the first intersecting direction X1, and the other of the intersecting directions X is referred to as the second intersecting direction X2. One of the intersecting directions Y is referred to as the front Y1, and the other of the intersecting directions Y is referred to as the rear Y2. The upper side of the vertical direction Z is referred to as the upper side Z1, and the lower side of the vertical direction Z is referred to as the lower side Z2. When viewing the printing device from the front Y1 toward the rear Y2, the first intersecting direction X1 is referred to as the right direction, and the second intersecting direction X2 is referred to as the left direction.

[0008] <Configuration of Printer 11> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 11 is configured to perform printing by ejecting a liquid onto a medium 90. The liquid may include, for example, ink. The medium 90 may be, for example, paper. The printing device 11 includes a transport unit 12, a medium support unit 13, a printing unit 14, a maintenance unit 15, and a control circuit 16.

[0009] The transport unit 12 is configured to transport the medium 90 in a transport direction D on a transport path 20. The transport path 20 is a path that passes through a printing area 80. The printing area 80 is an area where the printing unit 14 prints on the medium 90. The transport direction D is forward Y1 in the printing area 80. In other words, the cross direction X is a direction that intersects with the transport direction D.

[0010] When the medium 90 placed on a feed tray (not shown) is fed one by one, the conveying unit 12 conveys the fed medium 90 to the printing area 80. The conveying unit 12 discharges the medium 90 that has been printed in the printing area 80 from a discharge port (not shown).

[0011] The transport unit 12 is capable of transporting a plurality of types of media 90 with different sizes. In particular, the transport unit 12 is capable of transporting media 90 with different widths in the cross direction X. In this embodiment, the transport unit 12 is capable of transporting the media 90 with center alignment in the cross direction X, regardless of the size of the media 90. In other words, the transport unit 12 is capable of transporting the media 90 with center alignment in the cross direction X for each of a plurality of types of media 90 with different widths.

[0012] The transport unit 12 includes a plurality of rollers. The transport unit 12 may include a transport roller pair 21 and a discharge roller pair 22. The transport roller pair 21 is provided upstream of the medium support unit 13 in the transport direction D. The transport roller pair 21 includes a transport drive roller 21A and a transport driven roller 21B. The discharge roller pair 22 is provided downstream of the medium support unit 13 in the transport direction D. The discharge roller pair 22 includes a discharge drive roller 22A and a discharge driven roller 22B.

[0013] The transport unit 12 may include a transport drive unit 23. The transport drive unit 23 is a drive source that rotates the transport drive roller 21A and the discharge drive roller 22A. The transport drive unit 23 may be a motor. As a result, the transport drive unit 23 transports the medium 90 in the transport direction D while the medium 90 is sandwiched between the transport roller pair 21 and the discharge roller pair 22.

[0014] The medium support unit 13 is configured to support the medium 90 from below Z2. The medium support unit 13 is provided in the printing region 80. The medium support unit 13 is provided along the transport path 20. The medium support unit 13 is provided to extend in the cross direction X. In this way, the medium support unit 13 is configured to support the medium 90 transported by the transport unit 12 from below Z2.

[0015] The printing unit 14 is configured to print on the medium 90. The printing unit 14 is configured to print by ejecting liquid onto the medium 90. The printing unit 14 is a serial type.

[0016] The printing unit 14 includes a head 30, a carriage 31, a guide shaft 32, a carriage drive unit 33, and a carriage detection unit 34. In other words, the printing device 11 includes the head 30, a carriage 31, a carriage drive unit 33, and a carriage detection unit 34.

[0017] The head 30 includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown). The head 30 is configured to be able to eject the liquid contained in the liquid container 35 from the plurality of nozzles onto the medium 90. In this manner, the head 30 is configured to perform printing by ejecting the liquid onto the medium 90.

[0018] The head 30 is provided below the carriage 31. The head 30 is configured to face the medium support unit 13. The head 30 is configured to face the medium 90 being transported in the transport path 20.

[0019] The carriage 31 is configured to carry the head 30. The carriage 31 carries the head 30 so that the head 30 faces the medium support unit 13. The carriage 31 moves in the transverse direction X. The carriage 31 is guided by a guide shaft 32 and is capable of reciprocating in the transverse direction X. The guide shaft 32 is provided to extend in the transverse direction X.

[0020] In this embodiment, the carriage 31 waits at a standby position 81 before printing. The standby position 81 is located further in the first intersecting direction X1 than the printing area 80, but may be located further in the second intersecting direction X2 than the printing area 80. The carriage 31 moves back and forth in the intersecting direction X during printing in response to a print instruction from the user.

[0021] The carriage 31 may be equipped with at least one liquid container 35. The liquid container 35 may be of a cartridge type or a tank type. In the cartridge type, the liquid container 35 is provided so as to be attachable to the carriage 31. In the tank type, the liquid container 35 is provided so as to be fixed to the carriage 31, and liquid is replenished from a tank that contains liquid. The liquid container 35 does not have to be equipped on the carriage 31.

[0022] The carriage drive unit 33 is configured to drive the carriage 31. The carriage drive unit 33 may include a pair of pulleys 36, a timing belt 37, and a carriage motor 38. One of the pair of pulleys 36 is connected to the drive shaft of the carriage motor 38. The timing belt 37 is an endless belt. The timing belt 37 is wound around the pair of pulleys 36. The timing belt 37 is fixed to the carriage 31. The carriage motor 38 is driven forward and backward to reciprocate the carriage 31 in the transverse direction X via the timing belt 37. In this way, the carriage motor 38 is an example of a power source for the carriage 31.

[0023] The carriage detection unit 34 is configured to detect the position of the carriage 31. The carriage detection unit 34 is provided to extend along the movement path of the carriage 31. The carriage detection unit 34 outputs a number of pulses proportional to the amount of movement of the carriage 31. The carriage detection unit 34 may be a linear encoder.

[0024] The printing device 11 includes a medium detection unit 39. The medium detection unit 39 is mounted on the carriage 31. The medium detection unit 39 is provided below the carriage 31. The medium detection unit 39 may be provided further in the first intersecting direction X1 than the head 30 in a plan view from above Z1. The medium detection unit 39 may be provided further in the second intersecting direction X2 than the head 30 in a plan view from above Z1. The medium detection unit 39 may be provided downstream in the transport direction D than the head 30 in a plan view from above Z1. The medium detection unit 39 may be provided upstream in the transport direction D than the head 30 in a plan view from above Z1. The medium detection unit 39 is configured to detect the medium 90 transported on the transport path 20. For example, a photosensor or the like can be used as the medium detection unit 39.

[0025] The maintenance unit 15 is provided further in the first intersecting direction X1 than the printing area 80. The maintenance unit 15 is provided so as to be located below the carriage 31 in a direction Z2 when the carriage 31 is located at the standby position 81. The maintenance unit 15 is configured to perform maintenance on the head 30. The maintenance unit 15 may include a cap 15A. The cap 15A is configured to cap the head 30 at the standby position 81.

[0026] The control circuit 16 controls the transport unit 12, the printing unit 14, and the maintenance unit 15. In other words, the control circuit 16 controls the head 30 and the carriage 31. The control circuit 16 receives detection signals from the carriage detection unit 34 and the medium detection unit 39.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit 16 comprehensively controls the printing device 11. The control circuit 16 may control various operations executed by the printing device 11. The control circuit 16 includes a control unit 60 and a memory 70. The control circuit 16 is a controller that controls the printing device 11. The control unit 60 corresponds to an example of a control unit. The control unit 60 is, for example, a processor having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[0028] The memory 70 may be composed of RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM functions as a work area for the control unit 60. The RAM is used to temporarily store various data such as various control programs 71. The ROM stores various setting data such as the control programs 71 for controlling the operation of the printing device 11. In other words, the memory 70 stores the control programs 71.

[0029] The memory 70 stores range setting data 72. The range setting data 72 is data that specifies a predetermined range 83. The memory 70 includes a data storage unit 73. The data storage unit 73 stores data that indicates the positions of both ends of the medium 90 detected by the medium detection unit 39.

[0030] The control unit 60 executes a control program 71 stored in the memory 70 to comprehensively control the operation of the printing device 11. The control unit 60 executes the control program 71 stored in the memory 70 to function as various functional units.

[0031] The control unit 60 includes, as functional units, a transport control unit 61, a carriage drive control unit 62, a medium size determination unit 63, a head control unit 64, a display control unit 65, and a range update unit 66. The control unit 60 functions as the transport control unit 61, the carriage drive control unit 62, the medium size determination unit 63, the head control unit 64, the display control unit 65, and the range update unit 66 by executing a control program 71.

[0032] The transport control unit 61 controls the driving of the transport drive unit 23. The carriage drive control unit 62 controls the driving of the carriage drive unit 33. The medium size determination unit 63 determines that the medium 90 has been transported normally based on the detection of the leading edge 90B of the medium 90 by the medium detection unit 39. The head control unit 64 controls the driving of the head 30. The display control unit 65 controls the driving of the display unit 41. The range update unit 66 updates the data indicating the specified range 83 based on data indicating the positions of both ends of the medium 90 stored in the data storage unit 73.

[0033] The printing device 11 may include an input unit 42. Instructions from a user are input to the input unit 42. The input unit 42 may be an operation unit that can be operated by a user. Instructions from a user may be input to the input unit 42 from a terminal device (not shown) that can communicate with the printing device 11.

[0034] The printing device 11 may include a display unit 41 that displays information related to the printing device 11. The display unit 41 displays images. The printing device 11 may include a speaker that outputs sound. The printing device 11 may include a light-emitting unit. In this way, the printing device 11 may include a notification unit.

[0035] <Method for detecting medium 90> Here, a method for detecting the medium 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the medium detection unit 39 is configured to detect the medium 90 being transported to the printing area 80. The printing device 11 can detect a transport error of the medium 90 based on the detection result of the medium detection unit 39.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple types of media 90 transported by the transport unit 12 include a first size medium 91 and a second size medium 92. FIG. 3 shows an area where the first size medium 91 is transported and an area where the second size medium 92 is transported. The first size medium 91 has a leading end 91B, an end 91C on the first intersecting direction X1 side, and an end 91D on the second intersecting direction X2 side. The second size medium 92 has a leading end 92B, an end 92C on the first intersecting direction X1 side, and an end 92D on the second intersecting direction X2 side.

[0037] The first size medium 91 has a width in the cross direction X of a first width W1. The second size medium 92 has a width in the cross direction X of a second width W2. The second width W2 is shorter than the first width W1. Thus, the second size medium 92 has a shorter width in the cross direction X than the first size medium 91. The sizes of the first size medium 91 and the second size medium 92 may be determined by a standard.

[0038] In this way, the first size medium 91 and the second size medium 92 are transported in different areas in the cross direction X. In other words, the first size medium 91 and the second size medium 92 are transported along different trajectories in the cross direction X.

[0039] 4, before a print command is input from the user, the carriage 31 is waiting at a waiting position 81. Therefore, the medium detection unit 39 is disposed further toward the printing area 80 in the first intersecting direction X1.

[0040] 5, when a print command is input from the user, the carriage 31 moves in the second intersecting direction X2. As a result, the carriage 31 moves from the standby position 81 to the printing area 80. In this case, the medium detection unit 39 is positioned at the reference position 82 shown in FIG.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, when the medium 90 is transported to the printing area 80, the medium detection unit 39, while positioned at the reference position 82, detects the leading end 90B of the medium 90 transported to the printing area 80.

[0042] The reference position 82 is a position corresponding to the size of the medium 90 designated by the user as the printing target. The reference position 82 is a position within a predetermined range 83 in the second intersecting direction X2 from one end 90C of the medium 90 designated by the user as the printing target. Therefore, the medium detection unit 39 detects the leading end 90B of the medium 90 while positioned at the reference position 82.

[0043] This allows the printing device 11 to detect that the medium 90 is being transported normally to the printing area 80. In particular, the printing device 11 can detect that the medium 90 is not being transported at an excessive inclination relative to the forward direction Y1. In this way, the head 30 ejects liquid onto the medium 90, assuming that the medium 90 is being transported normally. This makes it possible to prevent liquid from being ejected onto the medium support unit 13 instead of the medium 90. This makes it less likely that problems will occur, such as liquid ejected onto the medium support unit 13 adhering to the medium 90 that is transported next or thereafter.

[0044] 7, when it is detected that the medium 90 is being transported normally to the printing area 80, the carriage 31 moves in the second intersecting direction X2 and starts printing without returning to the standby position 81. During printing, the printing device 11 registers the positions of both end portions 90C, 90D of the medium 90 in the intersecting direction X as history.

[0045] 2, when a first-size medium 91 is designated as the printing target, the reference position 82 is located between one end 91C of the first-size medium 91 and one end 92C of the second-size medium 92. The one end 91C is the end of the first-size medium 91 in the first intersecting direction X1. The one end 92C is the end of the second-size medium 92 in the first intersecting direction X1.

[0046] Specifically, the reference position 82 is located within a predetermined range 83. The reference position 82 may be a central position of the predetermined range 83 in the cross direction X. The predetermined range 83 may be a range that is a predetermined distance away from the one end 91C in the second cross direction X2. The predetermined range 83 may be a range that is set in advance. The reference position 82 may be a position that is half the predetermined distance away from the one end 91C in the second cross direction X2.

[0047] The predetermined range 83 is based on the error in the size of the medium 90 designated as the printing target and the error in the transport of the medium 90 by the transport unit 12. The predetermined range 83 may be a range that includes the size error and the transport error of the medium 90. The error in the size of the medium 90 may differ for each size of the medium 90. The error in the size of the medium 90 may be a numerical value defined by a standard for each size of the medium 90.

[0048] The transport error may differ depending on the model of the printing device 11. In particular, the transport error differs for each model of the printing device 11 depending on the transport unit 12 installed in the printing device 11. The transport error may be calculated based on the positions of both end portions 90C, 90D that are registered as history.

[0049] <Print control process> Next, the print control process will be described with reference to Figure 8. The print control process is executed by the control unit 60 when a print instruction is input from the user. The print instruction includes image data to be printed. The print instruction includes the type of medium 90 to be printed on and the number of media 90. Before the print instruction is input, i.e., before printing, the carriage 31 waits in the standby position 81.

[0050] 8, in step S10, the control unit 60 executes a medium size acquisition process. In this process, the control unit 60 acquires the size of the medium 90 based on the type of medium 90 included in the print command. In particular, the control unit 60 acquires the size of the medium 90 in the cross direction X based on the type of medium 90 included in the print command.

[0051] In step S11, the control unit 60 executes a reference position acquisition process. In this process, the control unit 60 reads the reference position 82 corresponding to the size of the medium 90 from the memory 70. In this way, the control unit 60 acquires the reference position 82 corresponding to the size of the medium 90.

[0052] In step S12, the control unit 60 executes a reference position movement process. In this process, the control unit 60 controls the carriage drive unit 33 to move the carriage 31 from the standby position 81 in the second intersecting direction X2 and position the medium detection unit 39 at the reference position 82. As a result, the carriage 31 moves so that the medium detection unit 39 is positioned at the reference position 82.

[0053] In this way, the control unit 60 controls the carriage 31 so that the medium detection unit 39 is positioned at the reference position 82. More specifically, the control unit 60 moves the carriage 31 in the second intersecting direction X2 in response to a print instruction from the user so that the medium detection unit 39 is positioned at the reference position 82.

[0054] In step S13, the control unit 60 executes a medium transport control process. In this process, the control unit 60 controls the transport unit 12 to transport the medium 90 along the transport path 20.

[0055] In step S14, the control unit 60 determines whether or not it has detected the medium 90. In this process, the control unit 60 determines whether or not it has detected the medium 90 based on the detection signal from the medium detection unit 39, with the medium detection unit 39 being placed in the reference position 82.

[0056] If the control unit 60 determines that the medium 90 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S17. If the control unit 60 determines that the medium 90 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0057] In step S15, the control unit 60 determines whether the time limit has elapsed. The time limit is predetermined and stored in the memory 70. The time limit may be based on the start of transport of the medium 90. The time limit is a sufficient time for the medium 90 to be transported to the printing area 80.

[0058] If the control unit 60 determines that the time limit has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S16. If the control unit 60 determines that the time limit has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S14 again. This allows the control unit 60 to determine whether the medium detection unit 39 will detect the medium 90 before the time limit elapses.

[0059] In step S16, the control unit 60 executes an error notification process. In this process, the control unit 60 notifies the error by displaying an error image on the display unit 41. The error notification relates to a transport error of the medium 90. In this case, the control unit 60 may notify the error by displaying an error image on the display unit 41 based on the determination that the medium 90 transported is a size different from the size of the medium 90 specified in the print command. The control unit 60 executing step S16 corresponds to an example of the display control unit 65.

[0060] In step S17, the control unit 60 executes the printing process. In this process, the control unit 60 ejects liquid from the head 30 onto the medium 90 while moving the carriage 31 in the cross direction X. The control unit 60 determines that the medium 90 of the size specified in the print command has been conveyed based on the medium detection unit 39 detecting the medium 90 in step S14. The control unit 60 that executes step S17 corresponds to an example of the medium size determination unit 63.

[0061] In particular, the control unit 60 moves the carriage 31 in the second intersecting direction X2 without moving it in the first intersecting direction X1, based on the result of detecting the medium 90 when the medium detection unit 39 is positioned at the reference position 82, and causes the head 30 to eject liquid onto the medium 90. For example, the control unit 60 may estimate both end portions 90C, 90D of the medium 90 based on the distance from the reference position 82. For example, the control unit 60 may eject liquid onto the medium 90 based on the estimation result.

[0062] In this way, when printing begins on the medium 90 detected by the medium detection unit 39, the carriage 31 moves in the second intersecting direction X2 from a state in which the medium detection unit 39 is disposed at the reference position 82 without returning to the standby position 81. As a result, the carriage 31 moves in the intersecting direction X during printing based on the result of the medium detection unit 39 detecting the medium 90.

[0063] The control unit 60 ejects liquid from the head 30 while moving the carriage 31 in the second intersecting direction X2, and then controls the conveying unit 12 to move the carriage 31 in the first intersecting direction X1 and convey the medium 90 in the conveying direction D. The control unit 60 prints one sheet of the medium 90 by repeatedly performing this process.

[0064] In step S18, the control unit 60 executes edge detection processing. In this processing, the control unit 60 detects the edge of the medium 90 based on the detection signal from the medium detection unit 39. The control unit 60 detects the edge of the medium 90 in the first intersecting direction X1 when the state changes from a state in which the medium 90 is detected to a state in which the medium 90 is not detected based on the detection signal from the medium detection unit 39. The control unit 60 detects the edge of the medium 90 in the second intersecting direction X2 when the state in which the medium 90 is not detected changes to a state in which the medium 90 is detected based on the detection signal from the medium detection unit 39.

[0065] In step S19, the control unit 60 determines whether or not an end has been detected. In this process, if the control unit 60 determines that an end has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S22. If the control unit 60 determines that an end has been detected, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0066] In step S20, the control unit 60 executes edge acquisition processing. In this processing, the control unit 60 acquires the current position of the carriage 31 based on a signal from the carriage detection unit 34. The positional relationship between the carriage 31 and the medium detection unit 39 is constant. Therefore, the control unit 60 reads data indicating the positional relationship between the carriage 31 and the medium detection unit 39 from the memory 70. The control unit 60 acquires the position of the medium detection unit 39 by calculating the current position of the carriage 31 and the data indicating the positional relationship between the carriage 31 and the medium detection unit 39. This allows the control unit 60 to acquire the position of the edge of the medium 90.

[0067] In this way, the control unit 60 moves the carriage 31 in the cross direction X during printing, and obtains the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 of the size specified as the printing target based on the results of the medium detection unit 39 detecting the medium 90.

[0068] In step S21, the control unit 60 executes a history registration process. In this process, the control unit 60 registers the positions of the ends of the medium 90 acquired in step S20 in the memory 70 as history. As a result, the control unit 60 registers the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 acquired in step S20 in the memory 70 as history. The control unit 60 saves data indicating the acquired positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 in the data storage unit 73.

[0069] For example, the control unit 60 may associate the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 with the size of the medium 90 and register this as history in the memory 70. For example, the control unit 60 may associate the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 with date and time data and register this as history in the memory 70. For example, the control unit 60 may associate the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 with model data of the printing device 11 and register this as history in the memory 70.

[0070] In step S22, the control unit 60 determines whether printing on one sheet of medium 90 to be printed on has finished. If the control unit 60 determines that printing on one sheet of medium 90 to be printed on has not finished, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S17. If the control unit 60 determines that printing on one sheet of medium 90 to be printed on has finished, the control unit 60 proceeds to step S23. In this way, the control unit 60 repeatedly executes steps S17 to S21 until printing on one sheet of medium 90 to be printed on has finished.

[0071] In step S23, the control unit 60 determines whether there is a next medium 90 to be printed on. In this process, the control unit 60 determines whether there is a next medium 90 to be printed on based on the number of media 90 included in the print command. The control unit 60 may also determine whether there is a next medium 90 to be printed on based on whether there is a medium 90 placed on the feed tray.

[0072] If the control unit 60 determines that there is a next medium 90 to be printed on, it proceeds to step S12. If the control unit 60 determines that there is no next medium 90 to be printed on, it ends the print control process. In this way, the control unit 60 repeatedly executes steps S12 to S22 until there is no next medium 90 to be printed on based on the print instruction.

[0073] <Reference position control process> Next, the reference position control process will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The reference position control process is executed when a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition may be met, for example, every time a predetermined number of sheets of media 90 are printed. The predetermined condition may be met, for example, every time a predetermined usage period has elapsed. The predetermined condition may be met, for example, when a predetermined date and time has arrived. The predetermined condition may be met when printing based on a print instruction has ended. The control unit 60 that executes the reference position control process corresponds to an example of the range update unit 66.

[0074] 9, in step S30, the control unit 60 executes a history acquisition process. In this process, the control unit 60 reads the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 that are registered as history from the memory 70. In this way, the control unit 60 acquires the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 that are registered as history.

[0075] In step S31, the control unit 60 executes a reference position correction process. In this process, the control unit 60 calculates the transport error and size error of the medium 90 based on the positions of both end portions 90C, 90D of the medium 90 registered as history for each size of the medium 90. The size error of the medium 90 is an error in the width dimension of the medium 90.

[0076] For example, the control unit 60 may estimate that the medium 90 tends to be transported in the first intersecting direction X1 based on the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 registered as history in the data storage unit 73. In such a case, the control unit 60 calculates a transport error of the medium 90 that will cause the medium 90 to be transported in the first intersecting direction X1. For example, the control unit 60 may estimate that the medium 90 tends to be transported in the second intersecting direction X2 based on the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 registered as history in the data storage unit 73. In such a case, the control unit 60 calculates a transport error of the medium 90 that will cause the medium 90 to be transported in the second intersecting direction X2. The control unit 60 updates the data indicating the predetermined range 83 based on the calculated transport error of the medium 90, and then saves the updated data in the range setting data 72 in the memory 70.

[0077] The control unit 60 may calculate the transport error of the medium 90 based on the positions of both end portions 90C, 90D of the medium 90 that are registered as the most recent history of date and time data. The control unit 60 may calculate the transport error of the medium 90 based on the positions of both end portions 90C, 90D of the medium 90 that match the model data of the printing device 11.

[0078] The control unit 60 calculates the size error of the medium 90 based on the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 registered as history in the data storage unit 73. The control unit 60 updates the data indicating the predetermined range 83 based on the calculated size error of the medium 90, and then saves the updated data in the range setting data 72 in the memory 70. The control unit 60 may also update the data indicating the predetermined range 83 based on the calculated transport error of the medium 90 and the size error of the medium 90, and then save the updated data in the range setting data 72 in the memory 70.

[0079] The control unit 60 may update the predetermined range 83 by adding a value obtained by multiplying the transport error of the medium 90 by a coefficient to the size error of the medium 90. The control unit 60 may update the predetermined range 83 by adding the average value of the transport error of the medium 90 to the size error of the medium 90. The control unit 60 may calculate the transport error of the medium 90 based on the standard deviation of the transport error of the medium 90 and the standard deviation of the size error of the medium 90, which are registered as history. The control unit 60 may update the predetermined range 83 by adding the transport error of the medium 90 to a value obtained by multiplying the size error of the medium 90 by a coefficient. The control unit 60 stores position data indicating the updated predetermined range 83 in the memory 70.

[0080] The control unit 60 calculates the reference position 82 within the updated predetermined range 83. The control unit 60 may calculate the center position in the cross direction X within the updated predetermined range 83 as the reference position 82. In this way, the control unit 60 updates the reference position 82 based on the positions of both end portions 90C, 90D of the medium 90 registered in the data accumulation unit 73 as history.

[0081] In step S32, the control unit 60 executes a reference position update process. In this process, the control unit 60 registers the calculated reference position 82 in the memory 70. As a result, the control unit 60 updates the reference position 82 to the one calculated based on the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 acquired as history.

[0082] <Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment> The operation and effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1) When a first-size medium 91 is designated as the printing target, the control unit 60 controls the carriage 31 so that the medium detection unit 39 is positioned at the reference position 82, which is between one end 91C of the first-size medium 91 and one end 92C of the second-size medium 92. This reduces the number of times that the carriage 31 carrying the medium detection unit 39 is moved in the cross direction X. This prevents a decrease in printing speed.

[0083] (2) The reference position 82 is within a predetermined range 83 from one end 91C of the first-size medium 91 in the second intersecting direction X2. This allows the predetermined range 83 in which the reference position 82 is located to be a range close to the one end 91C of the first-size medium 91 in the first intersecting direction X1. This improves the detection accuracy of the medium 90.

[0084] (3) Of the two end portions 90C, 90D of the medium 90, the reference position 82 can be brought closer to the end portion 90C that is closest to the position where printing by the head 30 starts. Therefore, after the medium detection unit 39 detects the medium 90, the carriage 31 can be moved the shortest distance from the reference position 82 to the print start position, which makes it easier to shorten the time required for printing.

[0085] (4) The predetermined range 83 is a range based on the error in the size of the medium 90 designated as the printing target and the error in the transport of the medium 90 by the transport unit 12. This allows the medium 90 to be detected at the reference position 82 that takes into account the error in the size of the medium 90 and the error in the transport of the medium 90 by the transport unit 12. This improves the accuracy of detecting the medium 90.

[0086] (5) The transport unit 12 can transport the medium 90 with the center aligned in the transverse direction X for each of a plurality of sizes of the medium 90. This allows the reference position 82 to be set either on the one end 91C side in the first transverse direction X1 or on the one end 92D side in the second transverse direction X2. This allows for a variety of reference positions 82.

[0087] (6) During printing, the control unit 60 moves the carriage 31 in the cross direction X, and based on the results of the medium 90 being detected by the medium detection unit 39, acquires the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 designated as the printing target and registers them as history. The control unit 60 updates the reference position 82 based on the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 registered as history. This allows the reference position 82 to be updated by registering the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 during printing as history. This therefore improves the accuracy of detecting the medium 90.

[0088] (7) Before printing, the carriage 31 waits at a standby position 81 in the first intersecting direction X1, which is closer to the printing area 80. In response to a print instruction from the user, the carriage 31 moves in the second intersecting direction X2 so that the medium detection unit 39 is positioned at the reference position 82, and then moves in the second intersecting direction X2 during printing based on the results of the medium detection unit 39 detecting the medium 90. This positions the reference position 82 close to the standby position 81, and allows printing to begin based on the detection results of the medium 90 without returning from the reference position 82 to the standby position 81. This prevents a reduction in printing speed.

[0089] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0090] The control unit 60 may obtain the size of the medium 90 based on the position of the edge guide of the feed tray. The control unit 60 may obtain the size of the medium 90 based on the position of the edge guide of the manual feed tray.

[0091] The control unit 60 may determine a position other than the center position in the cross direction X within the predetermined range 83 as the reference position 82. The control unit 60 may determine an end position in the second cross direction X2 within the predetermined range 83 as the reference position 82.

[0092] The predetermined range 83 is a range that is a predetermined distance away from one end 90C of the medium 90 in the second intersecting direction X2, but may also include a range that is a predetermined distance away from one end 90C of the medium 90 in the first intersecting direction X1 upon updating.

[0093] The transport unit 12 may transport the media 90 by aligning the edges of the media 90 in the second intersecting direction X2 for each of a plurality of sizes. In this case, the reference position 82 may be located between one end 91C of the first-size medium 91 and one end 92C of the second-size medium 92 in the first intersecting direction X1.

[0094] The transport unit 12 may transport the media 90 with the edges aligned in the first intersecting direction X1 for each of a plurality of sizes of media. In this case, the reference position 82 may be located between one end 91D of the first-size medium 91 and one end 92D of the second-size medium 92 in the second intersecting direction X2.

[0095] The control unit 60 may cause the head 30 to eject liquid while reciprocating the carriage 31 in the cross direction X. In other words, the head 30 may eject liquid while the carriage 31 is moving back and forth.

[0096] The medium detection unit 39 may be provided further in the second intersecting direction X2 than the head 30 in a plan view from above Z1. The medium detection unit 39 may overlap part or all of the head 30 in the intersecting direction X.

[0097] The medium detection unit 39 may be provided upstream of the head 30 in the transport direction D when viewed from above Z1. The medium detection unit 39 may overlap part or all of the head 30 in the front-rear direction Y.

[0098] The control unit 60 may cause the medium detection unit 39 to detect the medium 90 for some of the media 90. The control unit 60 may compare the previous print instruction with the current print instruction, and if the type of the medium 90 to be printed is different, cause the medium detection unit 39 to detect the medium 90. The control unit 60 may cause the medium detection unit 39 to detect the medium 90 in response to an instruction from the user. The control unit 60 may cause the medium detection unit 39 to detect the medium 90 in response to a setting by the user.

[0099] The control unit 60 may execute control such that the medium detection unit 39 detects the leading end 90B and both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90. For example, when a predetermined condition is met, the control unit 60 may execute control such that the medium detection unit 39 detects the medium 90 while positioned at the reference position 82. When the predetermined condition is not met, the control unit 60 may execute control such that the medium detection unit 39 detects the leading end 90B and both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90.

[0100] The control unit 60 may register, as history, the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 obtained during printing for some of the media 90. The control unit 60 may compare the previous print instruction with the current print instruction, and if the type of medium 90 to be printed is different, may register, as history, the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 obtained during printing. The control unit 60 may register, as history, the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 when a predetermined period has elapsed since the positions of both ends 90C, 90D of the medium 90 were registered as history.

[0101] In this embodiment, when the printing device 11 is viewed from above Z1 downward Z2, the end of the medium 90 in the first intersecting direction X1 (i.e., the rightward direction) is designated as end 90C, and the end in the second intersecting direction X2 (i.e., the leftward direction) is designated as end 90D. However, the left-right positions of end 90C and end 90D may be such that end 90C is positioned on the left and end 90D is positioned on the right. The orientations of the first intersecting direction X1 and the second intersecting direction X2 may be interchanged accordingly.

[0102] The medium 90 may be paper, a resin film or sheet, a resin-metal composite film, a laminate film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a metal foil, a metal film, a ceramic sheet, clothing, or the like.

[0103] The liquid can be any liquid that can be applied to the medium 90 to record on the medium 90. For example, ink includes particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent, and includes various compositions such as water-based ink, oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

[0104] The printing device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer, but may be a dot impact printer. A lateral printer may be used as the printing device 11. A lateral printer is a printer in which the carriage 31 can move in two directions: the cross direction X and the front-rear direction Y.

[0105] The phrase "at least any" used herein means one or more of the desired options. As an example, when the number of options is two, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or both options. As another example, when the number of options is three or more, the phrase "at least any" used herein means only one option or any combination of two or more options.

[0106] [Note] The technical concepts and their effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. The technical concepts and their effects can be combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent.

[0107] [1] A printing device includes a transport unit that transports a medium in a transport direction, a head that faces the medium transported by the transport unit and prints by ejecting liquid onto the medium, a carriage that carries the head and moves in a cross direction that crosses the transport direction, a medium detection unit that is carried on the carriage and detects the medium transported by the transport unit, and a control unit that controls the transport unit, the head, and the carriage, wherein the transport unit is capable of transporting media of a plurality of sizes that differ in width in the cross direction, and the plurality of sizes of media include a first size and a second size that is shorter in width in the cross direction than the first size. and a medium of a different size, one of the intersecting directions being a first intersecting direction and the direction opposite to the first intersecting direction being a second intersecting direction, when the control unit designates the medium of the first size as the printing target, the control unit executes a reference position movement process that controls the carriage so that the medium detection unit is positioned at a reference position between one end of the medium of the first size in the first intersecting direction and one end of the medium of the second size in the first intersecting direction, and a printing process that moves the carriage in the intersecting direction and ejects liquid from the head onto the medium based on the result of detection of the medium with the medium detection unit positioned at the reference position.

[0108] With this configuration, when a first-size medium is designated as the printing target, the medium detection unit is positioned at a reference position between one end of the first-size medium in the first intersecting direction and one end of the second-size medium in the first intersecting direction. This reduces the need to move the carriage carrying the medium detection unit in the intersecting direction, thereby preventing a decrease in printing speed.

[0109] [2] In the printing device, the reference position may be within a predetermined range from one end of the medium of the first size in the first intersecting direction toward the second intersecting direction. With this configuration, the predetermined range in which the reference position is located can be set to a range close to one end of the first size medium in the first intersecting direction, thereby improving the accuracy of medium detection.

[0110] [3] In the printing device, the one end may be one of both end portions of the medium in the cross direction that is closest to a position where printing by the head starts. With this configuration, the reference position can be moved closer to the end of the medium in the cross direction that is closest to the position where printing by the head starts. As a result, after the medium detection unit detects the medium, the carriage can be moved the shortest distance from the reference position to the print start position, which makes it easier to shorten the time it takes to print.

[0111] [4] In the printing device, the predetermined range may be a range based on an error in the size of the medium designated as the printing target and an error in the medium transport by the transport unit. This configuration allows the medium to be detected at a reference position that takes into account errors in the size of the medium and errors in the transport of the medium by the transport unit, thereby improving the accuracy of medium detection.

[0112] [5] In the printing device, the transport unit may be capable of transporting the media of the plurality of sizes while aligning them at the center in the intersecting direction. According to this configuration, the reference position can be set at either one end in the first intersecting direction or one end in the second intersecting direction, thereby providing a variety of reference positions.

[0113] [6] In the above-described printing device, the control unit may perform an edge acquisition process to acquire the positions of both end portions in the intersecting direction of the medium of the first size designated as the printing target based on the result of detection of the medium by the medium detection unit by moving the carriage in the intersecting direction during printing; a history registration process to register the positions of both end portions of the medium acquired in the edge acquisition process as history; and a reference position update process to update the reference position based on the positions of both end portions of the medium registered as history in the history registration process.

[0114] According to this configuration, the reference position can be updated by registering the positions of both ends of the medium during printing as history, thereby improving the accuracy of medium detection.

[0115] [7] In the above printing device, before printing, the carriage may wait in a waiting position in the first intersecting direction further than the printing area of ​​the head, and in response to a printing instruction from a user, move in the second intersecting direction so that the medium detection unit is positioned at the reference position, and then move in the intersecting direction during printing based on the results of the medium detection by the medium detection unit.

[0116] With this configuration, the reference position is close to the standby position, and printing can be started based on the medium detection result without returning from the reference position to the standby position, thereby preventing a decrease in printing speed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 11...printing device, 12...transport unit, 13...medium support unit, 14...printing unit, 15...maintenance unit, 15A...cap, 16...control circuit, 20...transport path, 21...transport roller pair, 21A...transport drive roller, 21B...transport driven roller, 22...discharge roller pair, 22A...discharge drive roller, 22B...discharge driven roller, 23...transport drive unit, 30...head, 31...carriage, 32...guide shaft, 33...carriage drive unit, 34...carriage detection unit, 35...liquid container, 36...pulley, 37...timing belt, 38...carriage motor, 39...medium detection unit, 41...display unit, 42...input unit, 60...control unit, 61... Conveyance control unit, 62...carriage drive control unit, 63...medium size determination unit, 64...head control unit, 65...display control unit, 66...range update unit, 70...memory, 71...control program, 72...range setting data, 73...data storage unit, 80...printing area, 81...standby position, 82...reference position, 83...predetermined range, 90...medium, 90B...leading edge, 90C...one end, 90D...one end, 91...medium, 91C...one end, 92...medium, 92C...one end, D...conveyance direction, W1...first width, W2...second width, X...intersecting direction, X1...first intersecting direction, X2...second intersecting direction, Y...front-to-back direction, Y1...forward, Y2...backward, Z...vertical direction, Z1...upward, Z2...downward.

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys the medium in a conveying direction; a head that faces the medium transported by the transport unit and performs printing by ejecting liquid onto the medium; a carriage on which the head is mounted and which moves in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; a medium detection unit that is mounted on the carriage and detects a medium being transported by the transport unit; a control unit that controls the transport unit, the head, and the carriage, the transport unit is capable of transporting media of a plurality of sizes having different widths in the cross direction, the plurality of sizes of media include a first size and a second size of media that is narrower in width in the transverse direction than the first size, When one of the intersecting directions is defined as a first intersecting direction and the opposite direction to the first intersecting direction is defined as a second intersecting direction, The control unit a reference position movement process that controls the carriage so that, when the first size medium is designated as the printing target, the medium detection unit is positioned at a reference position between one end of the first size medium in the first intersecting direction and one end of the second size medium in the first intersecting direction; and executing a printing process in which the carriage is moved in the intersecting direction and liquid is ejected from the head onto the medium based on the result of detection of the medium when the medium detection unit is disposed at the reference position. A printing device characterized by:

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the reference position is within a predetermined range from one end of the medium of the first size in the first intersecting direction toward the second intersecting direction; A printing device characterized by:

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, the one end is one of both end portions of the medium in the cross direction that is closest to a position where printing by the head starts; A printing device characterized by:

4. 4. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: the predetermined range is a range based on an error in the size of the medium designated as the printing target and an error in the medium transport by the transport unit. A printing device characterized by:

5. 4. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: the conveying unit is capable of conveying the media of the plurality of sizes while aligning them at their centers in the intersecting direction. A printing device characterized by:

6. 4. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit an edge acquisition process for acquiring the positions of both edge portions in the intersecting direction of the medium of the first size designated as the printing target based on the result of the medium detection by the medium detection unit by moving the carriage in the intersecting direction during printing; a history registration process for registering the positions of both ends of the medium acquired in the edge acquisition process as history; and executing a reference position update process for updating the reference position based on the positions of both ends of the medium registered as history in the history registration process. A printing device characterized by:

Images