Recording device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a recording device that can accurately detect the position of the edge of a recording medium. [Solution] The recording device comprises a transport unit, a carriage, a recording head having a row of discharge ports, a detection unit, and a control unit. In the transport direction, the detection range of the detection unit and a portion of the discharge range from which liquid is discharged within the range where the row of discharge ports is formed overlap. When the carriage is scanned in order for the detection unit to detect the position of the edge of the recording medium, the control unit controls the discharge so that liquid is not discharged from the discharge ports that are included in the region overlapping with the detection range in the transport direction among the multiple discharge ports forming the row of discharge ports.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In a recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging a liquid from a recording head onto a recording medium, recording is sometimes performed to reduce the amount of margin in the width direction of the recording medium to a visually unobtrusive level (hereinafter referred to as "micro-margin recording").

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a recording apparatus that performs micro-margin recording by detecting an end portion of a recording medium with a sensor attached to a recording head during recording scanning, and changing the recording start position of the next recording scanning according to the detected position. According to the recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, it is possible to perform micro-margin recording while reducing wasteful recording material (ink).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In micro-margin recording, in order to perform accurate recording on a recording medium, it is important to accurately detect the position of the end portion of the recording medium during the recording operation. Generally, when detecting the position of the end portion of a recording medium, light is irradiated toward the end portion of the recording medium, and the reflected light of the light is received.

[0006] However, if the light irradiated toward the end portion of the recording medium hits an image recorded on the recording medium, the intensity of the reflected light is reduced, and it becomes difficult to accurately detect the position of the end portion of the recording medium. As a result, it also becomes difficult to perform accurate recording on the recording medium.

[0007] Therefore, the object of this disclosure is to provide a recording device that can accurately detect the position of the edge of a recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The recording device comprises a transport unit that transports a recording medium in a transport direction, a carriage that scans along a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction, a recording head mounted on the carriage and having a row of discharge ports arranged along the transport direction, which discharges liquid from the discharge ports onto the recording medium transported by the transport unit to perform recording, a detection unit provided on the carriage that detects the position of the end of the recording medium, and a control unit that controls the driving of the recording head when the carriage is scanning in the scanning direction, wherein, in the transport direction, the detection range of the detection unit and a part of the discharge range from which liquid is discharged within the range where the row of discharge ports is formed overlap, and when the carriage is scanned when the detection unit detects the position of the end of the recording medium, the control unit controls the discharge port so that liquid is not discharged from the discharge ports that are included in the region overlapping with the detection range in the transport direction among the row of discharge ports. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The recording device of this disclosure can accurately detect the position of the edge of the recording medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] External perspective view of a recording device applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram illustrating the internal mechanism of a recording device. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the configuration of a carriage that can be applied to one embodiment. [Figure 4] A block diagram of a control unit applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 5]Flowchart of a recording operation applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Diagram showing an example of the subroutine of S502. [Figure 7] Diagram showing an example of the subroutine of S502. [Figure 8] Diagram explaining the content of S700 applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 9] Diagram explaining the effects obtainable by limiting the ejection ports to be used. [Figure 10] Diagram explaining the conveyance amount applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 11] Explanatory diagram of a recording operation applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 12] Diagram for explaining multi-pass recording without intervening conveyance operations. [Figure 13] Diagram explaining multi-pass recording applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 14] Flowchart of a recording operation applicable to one embodiment. [Figure 15] Explanatory diagram of a recording operation applicable to one embodiment. [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0012] [First Embodiment] <Recording Device 1> FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a recording device 1 applicable to the present embodiment as seen from above the front.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is an inkjet recording apparatus that discharges ink as a liquid to perform recording on a recording medium PM. However, the technology of the present disclosure is also applicable to various recording apparatuses other than inkjet recording apparatuses. In FIG. 1, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions that intersect each other in a plane (in the present embodiment, they are orthogonal). Arrow Z indicates the vertical direction (the direction of gravity). The X direction is the width direction (left - right direction) of the recording apparatus 1 and the recording medium PM (see FIG. 2). The Y direction is the depth direction of the recording apparatus 1 and the conveyance direction of the recording medium PM.

[0014] Note that "recording" includes not only the case of forming significant information such as characters and figures, but also the case of widely forming images, patterns, etc. on the recording medium PM regardless of whether they are significant or not, or performing processing on the medium. "Recording" does not depend on whether it is manifested so that it can be perceived visually by humans.

[0015] The recording apparatus 1 has an overall flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The recording apparatus 1 includes a device main body 2 and a main body cover portion 3 where a plurality of covers are present. The main body cover portion 3 is provided so as to cover the device main body 2. The main body cover portion 3 constitutes the top portion of the recording apparatus 1. The main body cover portion 3 is provided with a paper feed cover 8 for setting the recording medium PM, an access cover 5 for performing maintenance work inside the apparatus, and a tank access cover 9 for covering the portion for supplying ink to the tank of the apparatus. Further, a scanner unit 4 for reading an image of a document is provided on the main body cover portion 3. The entire scanner unit 4 can be opened and closed in the same manner as the access cover 5 to perform maintenance work inside the apparatus. At the front portion of the recording apparatus 1, a discharge portion 6 for discharging the recorded recording medium PM is provided. At the front portion of the recording apparatus 1, an operation unit 7 for receiving an operator's operation is provided. The operation unit 7 includes a display portion in the form of a touch panel. The display portion not only receives an input operation from the operator but also displays information to the operator. Further, a notification unit 10 is provided at the front portion of the recording apparatus 1. The notification unit 10 can give a sound notification for operations to each part. Also, a waste liquid tank portion 11 for inserting a waste liquid tank is provided at the front portion of the recording apparatus 1.

[0016] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the internal mechanism of the recording device 1.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the recording device 1 includes a transport unit 21, a transport sensor 23, a feeding unit 20, a recording head 26, and a cutter unit 29. The recording device 1 is configured to perform recording on a recording medium PM. The recording medium PM is housed in the feeding unit 20.

[0018] The feeding unit 20 is configured to accommodate an object selected as a recording medium PM (hereinafter referred to as the recording object). In this embodiment, cut paper of a size conforming to a predetermined standard and roll paper 28, in which a long piece of paper is wound into a roll, are used as the recording object. The feeding unit 20 of this embodiment includes a loading unit 20a configured to load a plurality of cut papers and a mounting unit 20b that rotatably mounts the roll paper 28 at a position different from the loading unit 20a.

[0019] The loading section 20a is positioned downstream of the mounting section 20b in the transport direction (Y direction). An example of the specified standard mentioned above is the JIS standard (Japanese Industrial Standards). The recording operation of the roll paper 28 supplied from the mounting section 20b will now be described.

[0020] The mounting unit 20b includes a holding unit that holds a roll of paper 28, which is made of continuous paper wound into a roll, and a drive unit (not shown) that rotates the paper held in the holding unit. The mounting unit 20b supplies the roll of paper 28 in the paper feeding direction (Y direction) and the unwinding direction (-Y direction) of the roll of paper 28 by rotating the roll of paper 28 held in the holding unit. The spool member 27 is inserted into the paper core of the roll of paper 28 and is pivotally supported by the holding unit of the feeding unit 20. The feeding unit 20 rotates the roll of paper 28 by rotating the spool member 27 with a motor (not shown).

[0021] The transport unit 21 is a transport roller for transporting the recording medium PM. The transport roller in this embodiment includes a pair of drive rollers 21a and driven rollers 21b. The transport unit 21 is equipped with a drive mechanism (not shown) that rotationally drives the drive rollers. The driven rollers are pressed against the drive rollers and rotate in a driven manner. Therefore, the recording medium PM is held between the drive rollers and the driven rollers and transported on the platen 22. As the drive mechanism of the transport unit 21, for example, a gear mechanism driven by a motor can be used. The amount of rotation of the transport unit 21 is detected by a sensor (not shown) (e.g., an encoder), and the amount of transport of the recording medium PM is controlled.

[0022] Hereinafter, the area upstream of the transport unit 21 on the transport path of the recording medium PM will be referred to as the "upstream side." On the other hand, the area downstream of the transport unit 21 will be referred to as the "downstream side."

[0023] As described above, the transport direction of the recording medium PM is the Y direction. The Y direction (transport direction) is also called the sub-scanning direction. The X direction is perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium PM. The X direction is called the main scanning direction or paper width direction. The roll paper 28 and the transport unit 21 are arranged so that their axial directions are parallel to the main scanning direction (X direction).

[0024] In the transport path of the recording medium PM, the transport sensor 23 is positioned upstream of the transport unit 21. An example of the transport sensor 23 is an optical sensor used to determine whether the roll paper 28 has been properly transported to the transport unit 21.

[0025] The recording head 26 is positioned downstream of the transport unit 21. The recording head 26 is capable of recording on the recording medium PM transported by the transport unit 21.

[0026] The recording head 26 of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of ejection ports 53 (see Figure 3) for ejecting ink. The recording head 26 is detachably mounted on the carriage 50. An ink supply tube is attached to the carriage 50 to supply ink to the recording head 26. The carriage 50 is capable of reciprocating in the X direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). As the drive mechanism for the carriage 50, for example, a belt drive mechanism driven by a motor can be used. The position of the carriage 50 is detected by an encoder (not shown), and the movement of the carriage 50 is controlled.

[0027] The detection unit 25 (see Figure 4) is capable of detecting the presence or absence of an image recorded on the recording medium PM, the position of the edge of the recording medium PM, and the thickness of the recording medium PM. The detection unit 25 may also be configured to detect the thickness of the roll paper 28.

[0028] The detection unit 25 is mounted on the carriage 50. The detection unit 25 moves in the X direction together with the carriage 50. The position of the carriage 50 relative to the recording medium PM can be obtained by using the detection results of the detection unit 25 and the amount of recording medium PM transported by the transport unit 21.

[0029] The cutter unit 29 cuts the recording medium PM in the X direction. The cutter unit 29 is reciprocally movable in the X direction by a cutter motor (not shown). The cutter unit 29 is equipped with a cutter. The cutter unit 29 may also have a pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting the pressure applied to the cutter.

[0030] <Carriage 50> Figure 3(a) is a schematic plan view of the carriage 50 applicable to this embodiment. Figure 3(b) is a schematic front view of the carriage 50 applicable to this embodiment. The configuration of the carriage 50 will be described below using Figures 3(a) and 3(b).

[0031] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the carriage 50 is equipped with a recording head 26 and a detection unit 25. The discharge surface of the recording head 26 has a series of discharge ports 54 consisting of multiple discharge ports 53 for discharging liquid. The detection unit 25 includes a first sensor 51 provided on one end in the main scanning direction and a second sensor 52 provided on the other end in the main scanning direction.

[0032] The first sensor 51 includes a first light-emitting element 51A that emits first light LI, and a first light-receiving element 51B that receives reflected light of the first light LI. In the figure, the first light-receiving range 51C indicates the range in which the first light LI irradiated from the first light-emitting element 51A is received on the recording medium PM.

[0033] The second sensor 52 includes a second light-emitting element 52A that emits a second light LII, and a second light-receiving element 52B that receives reflected light from the second light LII. In the figure, the second light-receiving range 52C indicates the range in which the second light LII irradiated from the second light-emitting element 52A is received on the recording medium PM.

[0034] In this embodiment, the discharge port row 54, the first sensor 51, and the second sensor 52 are arranged to overlap in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction). This makes it possible to reduce the size of the carriage 50 in the sub-scanning direction compared to a configuration in which they are arranged not to overlap in the sub-scanning direction.

[0035] For example, when detecting the position of the leading edge of the recording medium PM in the length direction (Y direction), the carriage 50 is stopped directly above the transport path of the recording medium PM, and the recording medium PM is transported in the Y direction, allowing its leading edge to pass the detection unit 25. Then, the recording medium PM is transported in the reverse direction upstream. Due to the difference in reflectivity between the platen 22 and the recording medium PM, the value received by the first light-receiving element 51B changes as the leading edge of the recording medium PM passes. In this case, the position of the leading edge of the recording medium PM can be detected from the detection result of the encoder that detects the amount of rotation of the transport unit 21. Similarly, the position of the image recorded on the recording medium PM can also be detected from the detection result of the amount of rotation of the transport unit 21 at the point of change in the light-receiving result of the first light-receiving element 51B, and from the detection result of the position of the carriage 50.

[0036] In addition, although the above assumes the use of the first sensor 51, the same detection may be performed using the second sensor 52.

[0037] In this embodiment, a relatively inexpensive detection unit 25 is used such that the first light-receiving range 51C and the second light-receiving range 52C are approximately 5.0 mm.

[0038] <Control Unit 30> Figure 4 is a block diagram of the control unit 30 of the recording device 1 that can be applied to this embodiment.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the recording device 1 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes an MPU 31 and a storage device 32. The MPU 31 is a processor that controls the various operations of the recording device 1 and the processing of data. The MPU 31 executes programs stored in the storage device 32 to control the entire recording device 1.

[0040] The memory device 32 includes ROM 32a and RAM 32b. For example, ROM 32a stores various data necessary for processing, such as programs executed by the MPU 31 and data received from the host computer 100.

[0041] The MPU 31 controls the recording head 26 via the recording driver 34a. The MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 40 via the carriage driver 34b. The MPU 31 controls the transport motor 41 via the transport driver 34c. The MPU 31 controls the feed motor 42 via the feed driver 34d.

[0042] The MPU 31 acquires detection results from various sensor groups 35 provided in the recording device 1 and performs control operations. The sensor group 35 includes a detection unit 25. The MPU 31 controls the display on the operation unit 7 and accepts operator input to the operation unit 7.

[0043] Examples of the host computer 100 include personal computers used by operators and mobile terminals. Examples of mobile terminals include smartphones and tablet devices. A printer driver 101 that enables communication between the host computer 100 and the recording device 1 is installed on the host computer 100.

[0044] The recording device 1 includes an interface unit 33. Communication between the host computer 100 and the MPU 31 is performed via the interface unit 33. For example, when an operator inputs a recording operation to the host computer 100, the printer driver 101 gathers the image data to be recorded and settings related to recording (information such as the quality of the recorded image) and instructs the recording device 1 to perform the recording operation.

[0045] <Recording operation> Figure 5 is a flowchart of the recording operation applicable to this embodiment. In Figure 5, the explanation assumes that roll paper 28 is used as the recording medium PM (see Figure 2, etc.). In Figure 5, "S" means step. This flowchart is performed by the MPU 31 loading the program code stored in ROM 32a into RAM 32b (see Figure 4) and executing it. These are the same in the flowcharts of the other figures.

[0046] This flowchart is initiated when the MPU31 receives an instruction to execute a recording operation. For example, when an operator inputs an instruction to execute a recording operation to the host computer 100, the MPU31 receives that instruction.

[0047] In S501, the MPU 31 controls the feed motor 42 (see Figure 4) to feed the recording medium PM.

[0048] In S502, the MPU 31 drives the recording head 26, carriage motor 40, and transport motor 41 to perform recording. In S502, the transport unit 21 transports the recording medium PM and the recording head 26 ejects ink accompanied by carriage movement, and these processes are repeated alternately. The transport of the recording medium PM and the ejection of ink are repeated until recording is completed.

[0049] In S503, the MPU 31 controls the transport motor 41 and the cutter unit 29 to perform a cutting operation to cut the recording medium PM.

[0050] In S504, the MPU31 ejects the cut recording medium PM.

[0051] The above describes the recording operation in this embodiment.

[0052] In this embodiment, the recording device 1 is capable of recording with sufficient margin in the main scanning direction (bordered recording) and recording with a smaller margin in the main scanning direction than bordered recording (micro-margin recording).

[0053] Furthermore, the recording device 1 can also perform borderless recording by discarding liquid outside the recording medium PM during the recording operation. Compared to borderless recording, micro-margin recording can reduce the amount of margin in the width direction (X direction) of the recording medium PM to a visually inconspicuous level without discarding liquid. In this embodiment, the operator can arbitrarily select whether to perform bordered recording, borderless recording, or micro-margin recording as the recording in S502.

[0054] <Record of connections> Figure 6 shows an example of the S502 subroutine applicable to this embodiment. Figure 6 explains the case where bordered recording is performed.

[0055] In S601, the MPU 31 drives the transport motor 41 to transport the recording medium PM to a specified position.

[0056] In S602, the MPU31 drives the carriage motor40 and starts the carriage 50 moving in the forward direction.

[0057] In S603, the MPU 31 controls the recording head 26 and discharges liquid from a predetermined discharge port 53 on the recording head 26 while the carriage 50 is moving in the forward direction. In edged recording, one of the multiple discharge ports 53 forming a row of discharge ports can also be used, specifically the discharge port 53 formed in the area overlapping with the inspection area of ​​the first sensor 51. In edged recording, because there is a margin at the edge of the recording medium, even if there is an overlapping area, the illumination light does not hit the recorded image, and the effect on the accuracy of detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium is small.

[0058] In S604, the MPU31 stops the carriage motor40 from driving and stops the carriage50.

[0059] In S605, the MPU31 determines whether or not the bordered recording has ended using a known method.

[0060] If the bordered recording has finished (YES in S605), the MPU31 terminates this subroutine and proceeds to the process in S503 (see Figure 5). On the other hand, if the bordered recording has not finished (NO in S605), the MPU31 proceeds to the process in S606.

[0061] In S606, the MPU 31 drives the transport motor 41 to transport the recording medium PM to a specified position.

[0062] In S607, the MPU31 drives the carriage motor40 and starts the carriage50 moving in the opposite direction.

[0063] In S608, the MPU 31 controls the recording head 26 and discharges liquid from a predetermined discharge port 53 on the recording head 26 while the carriage 50 is moving in the reverse direction. In edged recording, one of the multiple discharge ports 53 forming a row of discharge ports, specifically the one formed in the area overlapping with the inspection area of ​​the first sensor 51, can also be used. In edged recording, because there is a margin at the edge of the recording medium, even if there is an overlapping area, the illumination light does not hit the recorded image, and the effect on the accuracy of detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium is small.

[0064] In S609, the MPU31 stops the carriage motor40 from driving and stops the carriage50.

[0065] In S610, the MPU31 uses a known method to determine whether recording has finished (i.e., whether there is no data to be recorded in the next scan). If recording has finished (YES in S610), the MPU31 terminates this subroutine and proceeds to the process in S503 (see Figure 5). On the other hand, if recording has not finished (NO in S605), the MPU31 proceeds to the process in S601 again.

[0066] The above explains the case where marginal recording is performed in S502. Next, we will explain the case where micromargin recording is performed in S502.

[0067] <Micromargin Recording> Figure 7 shows an example of the S502 subroutine applicable to this embodiment. Figure 7 explains the case where micromargin recording is performed.

[0068] In S700, the MPU 31 determines which of the multiple discharge ports 53 that make up a row of discharge ports 54 will be used.

[0069] In S701, the MPU 31 drives the transport motor 41 to transport the recording medium PM to a specified position.

[0070] In S702, the MPU31 drives the carriage motor40 and starts the forward movement (forward scanning) of the carriage50.

[0071] In S703, the MPU 31 controls the recording head 26 and discharges liquid from the discharge port 53 determined in S700 while the carriage 50 is moving in the forward direction. Of the multiple discharge ports 53 that form a row of discharge ports, the discharge ports 53 formed in the area overlapping with the inspection area of ​​the first sensor 51 are not used. The area of ​​the recording medium through which the discharge ports 53 that are not used in the current scan pass will be recorded as an image in the next scan after the recording medium has been transported. During recording scanning, the MPU 31 monitors the detection results of the first sensor 51 and obtains the position of one end of the recording medium PM in the width direction (X direction) (for example, the left end of the recording medium PM shown in Figure 8).

[0072] In S704, the MPU31 stops the carriage motor40 from driving and stops the carriage50.

[0073] In S705, the MPU 31 determines the start and end positions of recording by the recording head 26 in the next scan based on the edge position of the recording medium PM acquired in S703. Specifically, in the rescan that follows the forward scan performed immediately before, the timing for starting and ending the ejection operation by the recording head 26 is determined in correspondence with the position of the carriage 50 managed by the encoder.

[0074] In S706, the MPU31 uses a known method to determine whether recording has finished (i.e., whether there is no data to be recorded in the next scan). If recording has finished (YES in S706), the MPU31 terminates this subroutine and proceeds to the process in S503 (see Figure 5). On the other hand, if recording has not finished (NO in S706), the MPU31 proceeds to the process in S711.

[0075] In S711, the MPU 31 drives the transport motor 41 to transport the recording medium PM to a specified position.

[0076] In S712, the MPU31 drives the carriage motor40 and starts the carriage 50 moving in the reverse direction (re-scanning).

[0077] In S713, the MPU 31 controls the recording head 26 and discharges liquid from the discharge port 53 determined in S700 while the carriage 50 is moving in the reverse direction. Of the multiple discharge ports 53 that form a row of discharge ports, the discharge ports 53 formed in the area overlapping with the inspection area of ​​the second sensor 52 are not used. The area of ​​the recording medium through which the discharge ports 53 that are not used in the current scan pass will be recorded as an image in the next scan after the recording medium has been transported. During the recording scan, the MPU 31 monitors the detection results of the second sensor 52 and obtains the position of the other end in the width direction of the recording medium PM (for example, the right end of the recording medium PM shown in Figure 8).

[0078] In S714, the MPU31 stops the carriage motor40 from driving and stops the carriage50.

[0079] In S715, the MPU 31 determines the start and end positions of recording by the recording head 26 in the next scan, based on the edge position of the recording medium PM acquired in S713. Specifically, in the forward scan that follows the immediately preceding reverse scan, the timing for starting and ending the ejection operation by the recording head 26 is determined in correspondence with the position of the carriage 50 managed by the encoder.

[0080] In S716, the MPU31 uses a known method to determine whether recording has finished (i.e., whether there is no data to be recorded in the next scan). If recording has finished (YES in S716), the MPU31 terminates this subroutine and proceeds to the process in S503 (see Figure 5). On the other hand, if recording has not finished (NO in S716), the MPU31 proceeds to the process in S701 again.

[0081] The above is a description of the subroutine S502 when micro-margin recording is performed. Next, the process of determining the discharge port 53 to be used in micro-margin recording (S700) will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0082] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the contents of S700 in this embodiment.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, some of the multiple discharge ports 53 that make up a row of discharge ports 54 overlap with a part of the first sensor 51 in the transport direction (Y direction). Hereinafter, this amount of overlap will be referred to as the overlap amount OL. In the example in Figure 8, an example is shown where the discharge port 53 and the first light-receiving element 51B overlap, but depending on the configuration of the first sensor 51, the discharge port 53 and the first light-emitting element 51A may also overlap. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to apply the technology of this disclosure.

[0084] Furthermore, some of the multiple discharge ports 53 that make up the row of discharge ports 54 overlap with a part of the second sensor 52 in the transport direction (Y direction). In the example shown in Figure 8, the discharge port 53 and the second light-receiving element 52B overlap, but depending on the configuration of the second sensor 52, the discharge port 53 and the second light-emitting element 52A may also overlap. Even with such a configuration, the technology of this disclosure can be applied.

[0085] With this configuration, the entire device can be made smaller in the transport direction compared to a configuration in which the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 do not overlap with one or more discharge ports 53 in the transport direction.

[0086] Figure 9 illustrates the effects that can be obtained by limiting the number of discharge ports 53 used.

[0087] As shown in Figure 9, a recording area 505 is formed on the recording medium PM when liquid is ejected from the recording head 26, indicating that recording has been completed. Upstream of the recording area 505 in the transport direction (Y direction), there is an unrecorded area 504 where recording has not yet been performed.

[0088] When micro-margin recording is performed, the amount of margin from the edge of the recording area 505 to the edge of the recording medium PM in the main scanning direction is controlled to be less than or equal to a predetermined value, which is an amount that is not visible to the naked eye. For example, the amount of margin in the X direction from the edge of the recording area 505 to the edge of the recording medium PM is controlled to be 1.5 mm or less. This margin may also be 1.0 mm or less, or 0.5 mm or less.

[0089] As described above, in this embodiment, in order to miniaturize the recording head 26, the first sensor 51 and the second sensor 52 are arranged to overlap the discharge port row 54 in the transport direction. In this configuration, when liquid is discharged from all the discharge ports 53 forming a row of discharge ports 54 and an attempt is made to detect the edge of the recording medium PM, the light emitted from the detection unit 25 (see Figure 2, etc.) may hit the recording area 505. That is, there is a risk that light may be emitted to areas of the recording medium PM that are not blank.

[0090] For example, consider a scenario where the recording head 26 and the recording medium PM located below the recording head 26 are viewed from above, and the recording head 26 is scanned in the X direction while recording a black image is recorded up to the other end of the recording medium PM (the right end in Figure 9). In this case, if the second light-receiving range 52C (see Figure 3(b)) overlaps with the black image, the second light LII will be absorbed by the black image. Consequently, the amount of reflected light of the second light LII received by the second light-receiving element 52B (see Figure 3(b)) decreases, making it difficult to properly detect the end of the recording medium PM.

[0091] Therefore, in this embodiment, when performing micro-margin recording, only the discharge port 53 formed inside the non-overlapping region 502 of the discharge range 501 of the recording head 26 that does not overlap with the detection range 503 of the detection unit 25 is used. The discharge port 53 formed inside the overlapping region 506 of the discharge range 501 that overlaps with the detection range 503 is not used. With this configuration, when detecting the position of the edge in the width direction (X direction) of the recording medium PM, it is possible to detect the position of the edge in the width direction of the unrecorded region 504 of the recording medium PM that has not yet been recorded.

[0092] Thus, in the micro-margin recording of this embodiment, when detecting the position of the edge in the width direction of the recording medium PM, light is shone onto the unrecorded area 504 (for example, a white plane). Therefore, in this embodiment, compared to when light is shone onto the recording area 505 (for example, the area where black ink is ejected), the shone light is absorbed or diffusely reflected less, and the light is reflected strongly in a straight line.

[0093] Therefore, the recording device of this disclosure can accurately detect the position of the edge of the recording medium PM. Consequently, it also becomes possible to record data onto the recording medium PM with high accuracy.

[0094] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the technology of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The objective of this embodiment is to provide a recording device that can accurately detect the position of the edge of a recording medium PM. In the following description, components that are the same as or corresponding to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, and the differences will be described mainly.

[0095] In this embodiment, we assume that micro-margin recording is performed by multi-pass recording. Here, multi-pass recording is a recording method in which an image is completed step by step in a unit area of ​​the recording medium by multiple recording scans of the recording head 26.

[0096] Figure 10 illustrates the transport volume that can be applied to this embodiment.

[0097] As shown in Figure 10, the amount transported per cycle FD is smaller than the overlap amount OL. In the recording operation of this embodiment, the discharge port 53 is used, which is formed inside the region 602 obtained by adding the amount transported FD to the non-overlap region 502 (see Figure 9) within the discharge range 601 where the liquid is discharged. In other words, in this embodiment, even if the discharge port 53 is formed inside the overlap region 506, the use of a discharge port 53 formed inside the amount transported FD is permitted.

[0098] Figure 11(a) shows how the second sensor 52 in this embodiment detects the position of one end of the recording medium PM.

[0099] As shown in Figure 11(a), during recording by the carriage 50's rescan, the second sensor 52 detects the position of the other end (right end in Figure 11(a)) of the recording medium PM. Here, recording area 605 indicates the area to which ink has been applied by previous recording scans. On the other hand, recording area 606 indicates the area to which ink has been applied for the first time by the current recording scan. When the second sensor 52 detects an end, that end (the other end) is located upstream of recording area 605.

[0100] Figure 11(b) shows the state after the recording scan described in Figure 11(a) has been completed, and the recording medium PM has been transported by the amount of FD.

[0101] Figure 11(c) shows how the first sensor 51 detects the position of the edge of the recording medium PM.

[0102] As shown in Figure 11(c), during recording by the forward scanning of the carriage 50, the position of one end of the recording medium PM (the left end in Figure 11(c)) is detected by the first sensor 51. Here, recording area 605 indicates an area to which ink has been applied by the previous two recording scans. Recording area 606 indicates an area to which ink was applied for the first time by the previous recording scan. Recording area 607 indicates an area to which ink was applied for the first time by the current recording scan. When the first sensor 51 detects an end, that end is located further upstream than recording area 607.

[0103] As described above, in this embodiment, in micro-margin recording employing multi-path recording, the transport amount FD of the recording medium PM is set to be smaller than the overlap amount OL. Therefore, in both forward scanning and reverse scanning, when detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium PM, the first light-receiving range 51C and the second light-receiving range 52C (see Figure 3(a), etc.) for detecting the edge can be reliably contained within the unrecorded area 604.

[0104] Therefore, according to the recording device of this embodiment, the position of the edge of the recording medium PM can be detected with high accuracy in micro-margin recording using multipath recording.

[0105] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the technology of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The objective of this embodiment is to provide a recording device that can accurately detect the position of the edge of a recording medium PM. In the following description, components that are the same as or corresponding to those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, and the differences will be described mainly. In this embodiment, micromargin recording is performed by multipath recording without the intervention of transport operations.

[0106] Figures 12(a) to (e) illustrate multipath recording without the intervention of transport operations. Here, we will explain using two-pass multipath recording as an example.

[0107] In two-pass multi-pass recording, as shown in Figure 12(a), the first recording is performed on the unit area 1201, and then, as shown in Figure 12(b), the second recording is performed on the same unit area 1201. In such multi-pass recording, the image data transmitted from an external source (for example, the host computer 100 (see Figure 4)) is thinned out based on a pre-set recording mask. The recording mask is a mask pattern that defines which pixels are allowed to record dots and which pixels are not allowed to record dots in a single scan.

[0108] Figure 12(c) shows an example of a mask pattern used for the first recording scan for each unit region. The recording tolerance, which is the percentage of pixels that can be recorded, is 50%. Figure 12(d) shows an example of a mask pattern used for the second recording scan for each unit region. The recording tolerance, which is the percentage of pixels that can be recorded, is also 50%. The mask patterns in Figure 12(c) and Figure 12(d) are complementary to each other, and by overlapping them, a mask pattern with a recording tolerance of 100% is obtained, as shown in Figure 12(e).

[0109] In the first recording scan of the unit region 1201 using the mask pattern in Figure 12(c), the second sensor 52 detects the position of the other end of the recording medium PM (the right end in the example of Figure 12(a)), as shown in Figure 12(a). In the second recording scan of the same unit region 1201 using the mask pattern in Figure 12(d), the first sensor 51 detects the position of one end of the recording medium PM (the left end in the example of Figure 12(b)), as shown in Figure 12(b).

[0110] However, when detecting the position of the left edge of the recording medium PM during the second recording scan, the area near that edge has already been recorded during the first recording scan. That is, the first light-receiving area 51C (see Figure 8) already has ink applied to it, which reduces the accuracy of detection. In other words, in the method of this example, when detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium PM during the second recording scan for a unit area, the image has already been formed by the first scan, which reduces the accuracy of detection. Therefore, in this embodiment, the content of the mask pattern used is given a distinctive feature.

[0111] Figures 13(a) to 13(e) illustrate multipath recording that can be applied to this embodiment. Figure 13(c) shows the mask pattern used for the first recording scan for each unit area. In this embodiment, the discharge range 501 is divided into two parts in the transport direction: the upstream side 1301 and the downstream side 1302, with a recording tolerance of 0% on the upstream side and 100% on the downstream side. Figure 13(d) shows the mask pattern used for the second recording scan for each unit area. The recording tolerance of the upstream side is 100%, and the recording tolerance of the downstream side is 0%. The mask pattern in Figure 13(c) and the mask pattern in Figure 13(d) are complementary to each other, and by overlapping them, a mask pattern with a recording tolerance of 100% is obtained, as shown in Figure 13(e).

[0112] When performing micro-margin recording using this mask pattern, in the first recording scan using the mask pattern in Figure 13(c) for a unit area, the second sensor 52 detects the position of the other end of the recording medium PM. That is, in the example in Figure 13(a), the position of the right end of the recording medium PM is detected. Specifically, the second sensor 52 detects the blank area at the right end.

[0113] Furthermore, when a second recording scan is performed on the same unit area using the mask pattern shown in Figure 13(d), the position of one end of the recording medium PM (the left end in the example of Figure 13(b)) is detected using the first sensor 51, as shown in Figure 13(b). At this time, the first sensor 51 detects the blank area at the left end.

[0114] Therefore, by using the mask pattern of this embodiment, it is possible to perform highly accurate micro-margin recording while accurately detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium PM in multipath recording without the need for transport operations.

[0115] [Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the technology of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The objective of this embodiment is to provide a recording device that can accurately detect the position of the edge of a recording medium PM. In the following description, components that are the same as or corresponding to those in the first to third embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, while the differences will be described in detail.

[0116] The first embodiment described bidirectional micromargin recording, in which recording scans are performed in both the forward and return paths. In contrast, this embodiment describes unidirectional micromargin recording, in which recording scans are performed only in the forward path.

[0117] Figure 14 shows an example of the S502 subroutine that can be applied to this embodiment.

[0118] In S1401, the MPU 31 controls the transport motor 41 to transport the recording medium PM to a predetermined position.

[0119] In S1402, the MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 40 and starts the carriage 50 moving in the forward direction.

[0120] In S1403, the MPU 31 controls the recording head 26 while the carriage 50 is moving in the forward direction, and discharges liquid from the recording head 26. As will be described in more detail later, in this embodiment, it is possible to discharge liquid from all of the discharge ports 53 that make up a row of discharge ports 54. During recording scanning, the MPU 31 monitors the detection result of the first sensor 51 and obtains the position of the other end of the recording medium PM.

[0121] In S1404, the MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 40 and stops the carriage 50.

[0122] In S1405, the MPU 31 updates information about the recording area recorded by the recording head 26 (information including the start position and end position of recording) based on the position of the other end obtained in S1403.

[0123] In S1406, the MPU31 determines, using a known method, whether recording has finished (i.e., whether there is any data to be recorded in the next recording scan). If recording has finished, the MPU31 terminates this subroutine and proceeds to the process in S503 (see Figure 5). On the other hand, if recording has not finished, the MPU31 executes the process in S1407.

[0124] In S1407, the MPU 31 transports a predetermined amount of recording medium PM. The amount of recording medium PM transported in S1407 corresponds to the length in the transport direction of the discharge port row 54. This transport amount is greater than the amount by which the detection range of the detection unit 25 and the recording area of ​​the recording medium PM overlap in the transport direction.

[0125] In S1408, the MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 40 to move the carriage 50 in the opposite direction without discharging liquid from the recording head 26. During this movement, the MPU 31 monitors the detection results of the second sensor 52 and obtains the position of the edge of the recording medium PM.

[0126] In S1409, the MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 40 and stops the carriage 50.

[0127] In S1410, the MPU 31 updates information about the recording area recorded by the recording head 26 (including the start and end positions of the recording) based on the position of one end acquired in S1408. That is, the start and end positions of the carriage movement in the next rescan are determined. After the completion of the process in S1410, the MPU 31 repeats the processes from S1402 to S1406.

[0128] The above is a description of the flowchart in this embodiment.

[0129] Figures 15(a) to 15(d) are explanatory diagrams illustrating the recording operation applicable to this embodiment.

[0130] Figure 15(a) shows the process of step S1402.

[0131] As shown in Figure 15(a), the recording medium PM includes a recording area 904 where recording has already been performed and an unrecorded area 903 where recording has not yet been performed. The recording head 26 includes a discharge range 901 for discharging liquid. In this embodiment, the irradiation range where the detection unit 25 irradiates light is shown as the detection range 902. Note that the X1 direction indicates the forward scanning direction.

[0132] Figure 15(b) shows the process of step S1403.

[0133] As shown in Figure 15(b), when the forward scan is completed, the carriage 50 stops at one end of the recording medium PM (in Figure 15(b), the left end when the recording medium PM is viewed from above).

[0134] Figure 15(c) shows the process of step S1407.

[0135] As shown in Figure 15(c), after the forward scan and before the reverse scan, the recording medium PM is transported along the transport direction (Y direction). In this case, the transport amount FD of the recording medium PM is greater than or equal to the overlap amount OL between the ejection range 901 and the detection range 902 (see Figure 15(b)). Note that the X2 direction indicates the reverse scan direction.

[0136] Figure 15(d) shows the process of step S1408.

[0137] As shown in Figure 15(d), no recording is performed during the rescan of this embodiment. That is, a blank scan is performed during the rescan of this embodiment. Therefore, no new recording area 904 is formed on the recording medium PM during the rescan of this embodiment.

[0138] As explained above, in this embodiment, the transport amount FD of the recording medium PM is set to be smaller than the overlap amount OL between the ejection range 901 and the detection range 902. Then, no recording is performed in the rescan that is performed after the transport. Therefore, in both the forward scan where the left end is detected by the first sensor 51 and the rescan where the right end is detected by the second sensor 52, no recording is performed on the ends of the recording medium PM detected by each sensor, and the light from each sensor is shone on the unrecorded area 903.

[0139] Therefore, even with this configuration, the position of the edge of the recording medium PM can be detected with high accuracy.

[0140] For example, if the transport volume FD is the same as the length in the transport direction of the discharge range 901, there is no need to restrict the discharge range 901. In other words, it becomes possible to discharge the liquid using all of the discharge ports that make up a row of discharge ports 54. With such a configuration, controlling the discharge of the liquid becomes easier compared to when the discharge range 901 is restricted.

[0141] [Other embodiments] In the first to fourth embodiments, it was assumed that roll paper was used as the recording medium. However, the recording medium to which the technology of this disclosure can be applied is not limited to roll paper. For example, cut paper may be used as the recording medium. Furthermore, the recording medium to which the technology of this disclosure can be applied is not limited to paper, insofar as it is a medium to which the position of the edge can be detected. For example, cloth, plastic, or film may be used as the recording medium.

[0142] In the first to fourth embodiments, the position of the edge on the recording medium was detected after the first scan and before the second scan. However, the position of the edge on the recording medium may also be detected while the recording operation is stopped.

[0143] In the first to fourth embodiments, there was no performance difference between the first sensor and the second sensor. However, one of the first sensor or the second sensor may be configured to have higher performance than the other. For example, the first sensor may be configured such that the diameter of the first light-receiving area is 1.0 mm or less, and the second sensor may be configured such that the diameter of the second light-receiving area is 5.0 mm or more.

[0144] The first to fourth embodiments primarily assumed the case of micro-margin recording. However, the technology of this disclosure can also be applied to borderless recording. Even in the case of borderless recording, the amount of liquid to be discarded can be reduced by accurately detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium.

[0145] In the third embodiment, a case of two-pass multipath recording was assumed. However, the number of multipaths is not limited to two. Even when the system is set to perform one-pass recording, the technology of the third embodiment can be applied if multipath recording is temporarily performed during that recording operation. For example, even when the system is set to perform one-pass recording, if a high recording tolerance is acceptable for a certain scan, multipath recording may be performed only for that scan in order to reduce power consumption. In such cases, the technology of the third embodiment may be applied.

[0146] Furthermore, even when the number of scans to be divided increases further, such as when multi-pass recording is performed with four or more passes, the technology of the third embodiment can be applied by recording the end opposite to the end where the position is detected first.

[0147] In the third embodiment, the recording medium was not transported after the completion of the first pass for a unit area and before the start of the second pass. However, if the detection range and the recording area overlap, the recording medium PM may be transported after the completion of the first pass and before the start of the second pass so that the detection range and the unrecorded area overlap, taking into consideration the transport amount and the detection range.

[0148] In the third embodiment, an example was shown in which the tolerance for recording was 100% for one of the two divided unit areas and 0% for the other. However, the example of the tolerance is not limited to this example. If it does not affect detection, the tolerance may be set to a few percent to several tens of percent instead of 0%. By setting the tolerance to something other than zero, the effect of airflow generated when liquid is discharged from the discharge port can be mitigated. In this way, the tolerance may be set considering the balance between the effect of reducing streaks and unevenness at the edges in the transport direction and the detection accuracy of the edges of the recording medium PM.

[0149] In the fourth embodiment, recording was performed only when a forward scan was performed. However, recording may also be performed only when a reverse scan is performed. In that case, the first sensor is responsible for illuminating the unrecorded area with light.

[0150] The order in which each process in the flowcharts of the first to fourth embodiments is performed may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, each process in the flowcharts of the first to fourth embodiments may be performed simultaneously.

[0151] The first to fourth embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate. For example, as in the first embodiment, the amount of recording medium transported may be adjusted after selecting which discharge ports to use and which not to use from among a plurality of discharge ports forming a row of discharge ports. Even with this configuration, it is possible to detect the position of the edge by shining light on the blank portion of the recording medium.

[0152] Furthermore, under conditions of multipath recording, the selection of which discharge ports to use and which not to use from among the multiple discharge ports forming a single row of discharge ports may be performed to adjust the amount of recording medium being transported. Even with this configuration, it is possible to detect the position of the edge by shining light on the blank portion of the recording medium.

[0153] Furthermore, there may be multiple variations of bordered recording. For example, before the recording operation starts, a detection unit may be used to acquire positional information (i.e., width information) of the leading edge of the recording medium. In this case, the amount of deviation in the width direction of the recording medium from the normal position can be acquired, and jams can be suppressed by taking this deviation into consideration. Moreover, even with bordered recording, the position of the edge of the recording medium may be detected in both forward and reverse scanning. In this case, it becomes possible to record the image with a more accurate margin width. Also, in bordered recording, if recording speed is prioritized over recording accuracy, it is not necessary to detect the position of the edge of the recording medium.

[0154] This disclosure includes the following configuration and method:

[0155] [Configuration 1] A transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, A carriage that scans along a scanning direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction, A recording head is mounted on the carriage and has a row of discharge ports arranged along the transport direction for discharging liquid, and performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge ports onto a recording medium transported by the transport unit, The carriage is provided with a detection unit for detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium, A control unit controls the driving of the recording head when the carriage is scanning in the scanning direction, Equipped with, In the aforementioned transport direction, the detection range of the detection unit and a portion of the discharge range from which the liquid is discharged within the range in which the discharge port row is formed overlap. When the detection unit detects the position of the end of the recording medium, the control unit controls the carriage so that liquid is not discharged from the discharge ports that make up the row of discharge ports and are included in the region that overlaps with the detection range in the transport direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

[0156] [Configuration 2] The area of ​​the recording medium that is included in the region overlapping with the detection range and corresponds to the discharge port from which liquid is not discharged during the scanning of the carriage is recorded by the recording head during the next scan. A recording device according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a recording device.

[0157] [Configuration 3] If the detection unit does not detect the position of the end of the recording medium, the control unit controls the recording head to discharge liquid from a plurality of discharge ports, including the discharge ports that are included in the region overlapping with the detection range forming the row of discharge ports. A recording device as described in configuration 1 or 2.

[0158] [Structure 4] When the detection unit detects the position of the end of the recording medium, the control unit controls the recording head to discharge liquid from a plurality of discharge ports, including the discharge ports that are included in the region overlapping with the detection range forming the row of discharge ports. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 3 of the configuration.

[0159] [Composition 5] The control unit controls the driving of the recording head so that liquid is discharged from one of the multiple discharge ports forming the row of discharge ports, which is located in a region that does not overlap with the detection range of the detection unit in the transport direction. A recording device as described in any one of items 2 to 4 of the configuration.

[0160] [Composition 6] The detection unit is provided on one side of the carriage in the scanning direction, When the control unit scans the carriage in one direction, it causes the detection unit to detect the end of the recording medium on the side in that direction. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 5 of the configuration.

[0161] [Composition 7] The detection unit is A first detection unit provided on the forward scanning side of the carriage, A second detection unit provided on the rescanning direction side of the carriage, Includes, The control unit, When the carriage is scanned in the forward scanning direction, the position of one end of the recording medium on the forward scanning side is detected by the first detection unit. When the carriage is scanned in the rescanning direction, the position of the other end on the rescanning direction side of the recording medium is detected by the second detection unit. The recording device described in configuration 6.

[0162] [Structure 8] The control unit controls the drive of the transport unit so that the amount of recording medium transported by the transport unit is smaller than the overlap amount between the detection range of the detection unit and the discharge range of the discharge port row in the transport direction. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 7 of the configuration.

[0163] [Composition 9] During the forward or reverse scanning of the carriage, the control unit controls the drive of the recording head so that it records for each of the multiple discharge ports forming the discharge port row, divided in the transport direction. When recording is performed using a region among the plurality of regions that does not overlap with the detection range of the detection unit in the transport direction, the detection unit is controlled to detect the position of the end of the recording medium. A recording device as described in configuration 7 or 8.

[0164] [Configuration 10] The control unit divides the plurality of discharge ports forming the discharge port row into an upstream region and a downstream region in the transport direction, and controls the unit to perform scanning using the upstream region and scanning using the downstream region. A recording device as described in configuration 8 or 9.

[0165] [Composition 11] The control unit, When the carriage is scanned in one direction of the scanning direction, the recording head performs recording while the end of the recording medium on the one direction side is detected by the detection unit. When the carriage is scanned in the other direction of the scanning direction, no recording is performed by the recording head, and the end of the recording medium on the other side is detected by the detection unit. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 10 of the configuration.

[0166] [Composition 12] The margin in the scanning direction from the edge of the recording area on the recording medium to the edge of the recording medium is 1.5 mm or less. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 11 of the configuration.

[0167] [Composition 13] The liquid is ink. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 12 of the configuration.

[0168] [Composition 14] The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light emitted by the light-emitting unit. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 13 of the configuration.

[0169] [Composition 15] The recording head is configured to be detachably attached to the carriage. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 14 of the configuration.

[0170] [Composition 16] The control unit controls the driving of the carriage and the driving of the recording head so that the recording head records on the recording medium without any margins in the scanning direction of the recording medium. A recording device as described in any one of items 1 to 15 of the configuration.

[0171] [Composition 17] A transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, A carriage that scans along a scanning direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction, A recording head is mounted on the carriage and has a row of discharge ports arranged along the transport direction for discharging liquid, and performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge ports onto a recording medium transported by the transport unit, The carriage is provided with a detection unit for detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium, A control unit that controls the drive of the transport unit, Equipped with, The detection range of the detection unit partially overlaps with the discharge range from which the liquid is discharged within the range in which the discharge port row is formed. When the detection unit detects the position of the end of the recording medium and the carriage is scanned, the control unit controls the drive of the transport unit so that the amount of recording medium transported by the transport unit is smaller than the overlap amount between the detection range of the detection unit and the discharge range of the discharge port row in the transport direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

[0172] [Composition 18] The control unit controls the drive of the recording head so that liquid is discharged from all of the discharge ports forming the row of discharge ports. The recording device described in configuration 17.

[0173] [Composition 19] A transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, A carriage that scans along a scanning direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction, A recording head is mounted on the carriage and has a row of discharge ports arranged along the transport direction for discharging liquid, and performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge ports onto a recording medium transported by the transport unit, The carriage is provided with a detection unit for detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium, A control unit that controls the driving of the detection unit and the driving of the carriage, Equipped with, The control unit, The carriage is controlled to record in each of the multiple regions obtained by dividing the multiple discharge ports forming the row of discharge ports in the transport direction, during the forward or reverse scan. When recording is performed using a region among the plurality of regions that does not overlap with the detection range of the detection unit in the transport direction, the detection unit is controlled to detect the position of the end of the recording medium. A recording device characterized by the following features.

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, A carriage that scans along a scanning direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction, A recording head is mounted on the carriage and has a row of discharge ports arranged along the transport direction for discharging liquid, and performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge ports onto a recording medium transported by the transport unit, The carriage is provided with a detection unit for detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium, A control unit controls the driving of the recording head when the carriage is scanning in the scanning direction, Equipped with, In the aforementioned transport direction, the detection range of the detection unit and a portion of the discharge range from which the liquid is discharged within the range in which the discharge port row is formed overlap. When the detection unit detects the position of the end of the recording medium, the control unit controls the carriage so that liquid is not discharged from the discharge ports that make up the row of discharge ports and are included in the region that overlaps with the detection range in the transport direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

2. The area of ​​the recording medium that is included in the region overlapping with the detection range and corresponds to the discharge port from which liquid is not discharged during the scanning of the carriage is recorded by the recording head during the next scan. The recording device according to feature 1.

3. If the detection unit does not detect the position of the end of the recording medium, the control unit controls the recording head to discharge liquid from a plurality of discharge ports, including the discharge ports that are included in the region overlapping with the detection range forming the row of discharge ports. The recording device according to claim 1.

4. When the detection unit detects the position of the end of the recording medium, the control unit controls the recording head to discharge liquid from a plurality of discharge ports, including the discharge ports that are included in the region overlapping with the detection range forming the row of discharge ports. The recording device according to claim 1.

5. The control unit controls the driving of the recording head so that liquid is discharged from one of the multiple discharge ports forming the row of discharge ports, which is located in a region that does not overlap with the detection range of the detection unit in the transport direction. The recording device according to claim 2.

6. The detection unit is provided on one side of the carriage in the scanning direction, When the control unit scans the carriage in one direction, it causes the detection unit to detect the end of the recording medium on the side in that direction. The recording device according to claim 1.

7. The detection unit is A first detection unit provided on the forward scanning side of the carriage, A second detection unit provided on the rescanning direction side of the carriage, Includes, The control unit, When the carriage is scanned in the forward scanning direction, the position of one end of the recording medium on the forward scanning side is detected by the first detection unit. When the carriage is scanned in the rescanning direction, the position of the other end on the rescanning direction side of the recording medium is detected by the second detection unit. The recording device according to claim 6.

8. The control unit controls the drive of the transport unit so that the amount of recording medium transported by the transport unit is smaller than the overlap amount between the detection range of the detection unit and the discharge range of the discharge port row in the transport direction. The recording device according to claim 1.

9. During the forward or reverse scanning of the carriage, the control unit controls the drive of the recording head so that it records for each of the multiple discharge ports forming the discharge port row, divided in the transport direction. When recording is performed using a region among the plurality of regions that does not overlap with the detection range of the detection unit in the transport direction, the detection unit is controlled to detect the position of the edge of the recording medium. The recording device according to claim 7.

10. The control unit divides the plurality of discharge ports forming the discharge port row into an upstream region and a downstream region in the transport direction, and controls the unit to perform scanning using the upstream region and scanning using the downstream region. The recording device according to claim 8.

11. The control unit, When the carriage is scanned in one direction of the scanning direction, the recording head performs recording while the end of the recording medium on the one direction side is detected by the detection unit. When the carriage is scanned in the other direction of the scanning direction, no recording is performed by the recording head, and the end of the recording medium on the other side is detected by the detection unit. The recording device according to claim 1.

12. The margin in the scanning direction from the edge of the recording area on the recording medium to the edge of the recording medium is 1.5 mm or less. The recording device according to claim 1.

13. The liquid is ink. The recording device according to claim 1.

14. The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light emitted by the light-emitting unit. The recording device according to claim 1.

15. The recording head is configured to be detachably attached to the carriage. The recording device according to claim 1.

16. The control unit controls the driving of the carriage and the driving of the recording head so that the recording head records on the recording medium without any margins in the scanning direction of the recording medium. The recording device according to claim 1.

17. A transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, A carriage that scans along a scanning direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction, A recording head is mounted on the carriage and has a row of discharge ports arranged along the transport direction for discharging liquid, and performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge ports onto a recording medium transported by the transport unit, The carriage is provided with a detection unit for detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium, A control unit that controls the drive of the transport unit, Equipped with, The detection range of the detection unit partially overlaps with the discharge range from which the liquid is discharged within the range in which the discharge port row is formed. When the detection unit detects the position of the end of the recording medium and the carriage is scanned, the control unit controls the drive of the transport unit so that the amount of recording medium transported by the transport unit is smaller than the overlap amount between the detection range of the detection unit and the discharge range of the discharge port row in the transport direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

18. The control unit controls the drive of the recording head so that liquid is discharged from all of the discharge ports forming the row of discharge ports. The recording device according to claim 17.

19. A transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, A carriage that scans along a scanning direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction, A recording head is mounted on the carriage and has a row of discharge ports arranged along the transport direction for discharging liquid, and performs recording by discharging liquid from the discharge ports onto a recording medium transported by the transport unit, The carriage is provided with a detection unit for detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium, A control unit that controls the driving of the detection unit and the driving of the carriage, Equipped with, The control unit, The carriage is controlled to record in each of the multiple regions obtained by dividing the multiple discharge ports forming the row of discharge ports in the transport direction, during the forward or reverse scan. When recording is performed using a region among the plurality of regions that does not overlap with the detection range of the detection unit in the transport direction, the detection unit is controlled to detect the position of the end of the recording medium. A recording device characterized by the following features.

Images