printer

Abstract

Determine whether there are any winding abnormalities when winding the media. [Solution] The printer 10 includes a support base 16 for supporting the medium 5, a winding device 70 for winding up the medium 5 that has been transported downstream of the support base 16 in the transport direction X, and a control device 80. The winding device 70 includes a winding bar 71 on which the medium 5 is wound, a winding motor 75 for rotating the winding bar 71, and an encoder 78 for detecting the rotation of the winding bar 71. The control device 80 includes a winding instruction unit 82 for issuing a winding instruction IN1 to wind the medium 5 onto the winding bar 71, a rotation detection unit 84 for detecting whether or not the winding bar 71 is rotating, a detection unit 86 for detecting the medium tension TE1 of the medium 5, and an abnormality determination unit 88 for determining whether or not there is a winding abnormality when winding the medium 5. The abnormality determination unit 88 determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality based on the presence or absence of the winding instruction IN1, the presence or absence of rotation of the winding bar 71, and the magnitude of the medium tension TE1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that determines the slip state of a print medium. The printing apparatus includes a delivery unit that has a roll support shaft around which the print medium is wound and delivers the print medium, a transport unit that has a guide roller for transporting the print medium delivered by the delivery unit, and a winding unit that has a winding shaft for winding the print medium transported by the transport unit.

[0003] The roll support shaft is provided with a first encoder. The guide roller is provided with a second encoder. Here, it is determined whether or not slippage has occurred in the print medium from the pulse signal output from the first encoder and the pulse signal output from the second encoder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in the above-described printing apparatus, an abnormality may occur in the winding unit. The above-described printing apparatus cannot detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the winding unit, and when an abnormality occurs in the winding unit, there is a risk that the print medium transported by the transport unit cannot be wound around the winding shaft of the winding unit.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a printer capable of determining the presence or absence of a winding abnormality when winding a medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The printer according to the present invention comprises a support stand for supporting a medium, a transport mechanism for transporting the medium supported on the support stand in the transport direction, a winding device for winding up the medium transported downstream of the support stand in the transport direction, and a control device. The winding device comprises a winding bar on which the medium is wound around its circumferential surface, a winding motor for rotating the winding bar about the central axis of the winding bar, and an encoder for detecting the rotation of the winding bar. The control device comprises a winding instruction unit, a rotation detection unit, a detection unit, and an abnormality determination unit. The winding instruction unit gives a winding instruction to rotate the winding bar and wind the medium onto the winding bar. The rotation detection unit detects whether or not the winding bar is rotating using the encoder. The detection unit detects the medium tension of the medium between the support stand and the winding device. The abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality when winding the medium onto the winding bar. The abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality based on whether or not there is a winding instruction from the winding instruction unit, whether or not there is rotation of the winding bar detected by the rotation detection unit, and the magnitude of the media tension detected by the detection unit.

[0008] According to the aforementioned printer, for example, when the winding device is functioning normally, if a winding command is issued, the winding bar rotates, gradually increasing the tension of the media. After that, the rotation of the winding bar stops. For example, if the winding device is functioning normally but no winding command is issued, the winding bar does not rotate. Therefore, depending on whether or not a winding command is issued, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a winding abnormality based on whether or not the winding bar rotates and the magnitude of the media tension. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that can determine whether or not there is a winding abnormality when winding a medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This is a front view showing a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the printer along section II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic bottom view showing the configuration of the carriage and ink head bottom. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This table shows the relationship between the presence or absence of a winding instruction, the presence or absence of winding bar rotation detection, the magnitude of the media tension, and the presence or absence of winding abnormalities. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the procedure for determining whether there are any winding abnormalities during media transport. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same function, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] Figure 1 is a front view showing the printer 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 10 along the II-II section of Figure 1. In the following description of the printer 10, left, right, up, and down refer to the left, right, up, and down directions as seen from the perspective of a user standing in front of the printer 10. The direction from the printer 10 towards the user is considered the front, and the direction from the user towards the printer 10 is considered the rear. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings indicate the front, rear, left, right, up, and down of the printer 10, respectively. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X in the drawings indicates the sub-scanning direction X. The sub-scanning direction X is the direction that intersects (in this case is orthogonal to) the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-back direction in a plan view. On the support base 16 (see Figure 2), which will be described later, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-back direction. The sub-scanning direction X is an example of the transport direction. Here, the rear side of the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as the upstream side, and the front side of the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as the downstream side. However, these directions are merely defined for the sake of explanation and do not limit the installation configuration of the printer 10 in any way, nor do they limit the present invention in any way.

[0013] Printer 10 is an inkjet printer, a so-called inkjet printer. However, the printing method of printer 10 is not limited to inkjet; for example, it may be a thermal printer or a laser printer. In this embodiment, printer 10 is a roll-to-roll type printer that unfolds the medium 5 on a support base 16 (see Figure 2) and moves it in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0014] In this embodiment, the printer 10 prints on a roll-shaped medium 5. Here, printing on the medium 5 means printing on the unfolded portion of the roll-shaped medium 5 when it is unfolded. The medium 5 is wound in a roll shape around a rotation axis A1 (see Figure 2) that extends in the main scanning direction Y when the medium 5 is placed in the printer 10. The medium 5 has a shape that allows it to be wound onto the winding bar 71 (see Figure 2) of the winding device 70, which will be described later. The medium 5 is printed on by the printer 10 when it is unfolded, i.e., in its unrolled state.

[0015] In this embodiment, the medium 5 is a heat-activated bulging medium that bulges when heated. Here, the medium 5 bulges when heated to a predetermined temperature. The medium 5 has a base portion made of, for example, a film, and a heat-activated foamed layer formed by heat-expandable microcapsules coated on the base portion. When the heated portion of the heat-activated foamed layer of the medium 5 bulges, the heated portion of the medium 5 bulges. This makes it possible to create printed materials with uneven surfaces.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 comprises a printer body 10a and legs 11. As shown in Figure 1, the printer body 10a has a casing that extends in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in Figure 2, the legs 11 support the printer body 10a. The legs 11 are provided on the lower surface of the printer body 10a and extend downward from the printer body 10a.

[0017] The printer 10 includes a support base 16 and a support roller 14. The support base 16 and the support roller 14 support the medium 5. Here, the support base 16 and the support roller 14 support the rolled medium 5 in a developed state. In the following description, the medium 5 is assumed to include the state where the rolled medium 5 is developed. The medium 5 is placed on the support base 16 in a developed state. Printing on the medium 5 is performed on the support base 16. The support base 16 is a so-called platen. In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the support base 16 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The upstream portion (here, the rear portion) of the support base 16 is formed in an arcuate cross-section, and curves downward toward the rear.

[0018] The support roller 14 is a roller extending in the main scanning direction Y. Although not illustrated here, the support roller 14 is rotatably supported by the printer main body 10a relative to the printer main body 10a. The support roller 14 is disposed downstream of the support base 16 in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the support roller 14 is disposed in front of the support base 16. The medium 5 is conveyed from the support base 16 toward the peripheral surface of the support roller 14. Then, as the medium 5 is conveyed, the support roller 14 rotates. As the support roller 14 rotates, the portion of the medium 5 supported by the support roller 14 is conveyed downstream in the sub-scanning direction X. Note that the illustration of the support roller 14 is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0019] The printer 10 includes a guide rail 17, a carriage 20, and an ink head 22 (see FIG. 2). The guide rail 17 is disposed above the support base 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 17 is arranged parallel to the upper surface of the support base 16 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 20 is engaged with the guide rail 17. The carriage 20 is slidably provided on the guide rail 17 and is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the ink head 22 ejects ink. The ink head 22 is provided on the carriage 20. The ink head 22 is supported by the carriage 20 such that its bottom surface is exposed downward. The number of the ink heads 22 is not particularly limited. Figure 3 is a bottom view schematically illustrating the configuration of the bottom surfaces of the carriage 20 and the ink heads 22. In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the number of the ink heads 22 is two. The two ink heads 22 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Each ink head 22 has a nozzle surface 25. The nozzle surface 25 constitutes the bottom surface of the ink head 22. Each nozzle surface 25 is formed with nozzles 26 that eject ink. A plurality of the nozzles 26 are formed side by side in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, a row in which the plurality of nozzles 26 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction X is referred to as a nozzle row 28. The number of the nozzle rows 28 for one ink head 22 is four. However, the number of the nozzle rows 28 for one ink head 22 is not particularly limited, and may be any of 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

[0021] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, one of the two ink heads 22 is a foam suppression ink head 22A, and the other of the two ink heads 22 is a color ink head 22B. The ink head 22 includes the foam suppression ink head 22A and the color ink head 22B. Here, the foam suppression ink head 22A and the color ink head 22B are different in position in the sub-scanning direction X, and are in a so-called staggered arrangement. In the present embodiment, the foam suppression ink head 22A is disposed so as to protrude forward relative to the color ink head 22B.

[0022] The foam-suppressing ink head 22A (more specifically, the nozzle 26 of the foam-suppressing ink head 22A) ejects foam-suppressing ink that suppresses foaming even when the medium 5 (more specifically, the heated foaming layer of the medium 5) is heated. This foam-suppressing ink is ejected to the parts of the medium 5 that should not foam or bulge even when heated. Then, the parts of the medium 5 other than the parts to which the foam-suppressing ink has been ejected are heated, and foaming is promoted. As a result, the parts of the medium 5 to which the foam-suppressing ink has not been ejected are heated, causing foaming and bulging. Here, the foam-suppressing ink is transparent (in other words, colorless), but it may also be a colored ink.

[0023] The color ink head 22B (more specifically, the nozzle 26 of the color ink head 22B) ejects color ink. An image can be formed on the medium 5 by the color ink ejected from the color ink head 22B. The color ink ejected from the color ink head 22B is, for example, one of the following: process color ink and spot color ink. Here, process color ink includes, for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, etc. Spot color ink is a color ink of a color other than the process color ink. Spot color ink includes, for example, white ink, clear ink, gloss ink, primer ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink, orange ink, red ink, violet ink, blue ink, green ink, etc. Here, one color of color ink is ejected from one nozzle row 28 of the color ink head 22B. There are no limitations on the material of the color ink, and various materials that have been conventionally used as ink materials for inkjet printers and the like can be used. The color ink may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or a water-based pigment ink. Unlike the foam-suppressing inks mentioned above, the color ink is not an ink that suppresses foaming even when the portion of the ejected medium 5 is heated.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a sheet cutter 32. The sheet cutter 32 cuts the unfolded medium 5, which is supported on the support base 16. Here, the sheet cutter 32 is used to cut the medium 5 in a straight line along the main scanning direction Y. The medium 5 cut by the sheet cutter 32 is divided into two parts: an upstream (rear) portion in the sub-scanning direction X and a downstream (front) portion in the sub-scanning direction X. Note that the sheet cutter 32 is not shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the sheet cutter 32 is provided on the carriage 20. The sheet cutter 32 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the carriage 20.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a cutter groove 16A extending in the main scanning direction Y is formed on the upper surface of the support base 16. In a plan view, the sheet cutter 32 is positioned so as to overlap with the cutter groove 16A in the sub-scanning direction X. When the sheet cutter 32 cuts the medium 5, the sheet cutter 32 is configured to penetrate the medium 5 and enter the cutter groove 16A.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes a head moving mechanism 40 and a transport mechanism 50. The head moving mechanism 40 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 20, ink head 22, and sheet cutter 32 relative to the medium 5 supported on the support base 16 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the head moving mechanism 40 moves the carriage 20, ink head 22, and sheet cutter 32 in the main scanning direction Y. Note that the configuration of the head moving mechanism 40 is not particularly limited.

[0027] In this embodiment, the head movement mechanism 40 includes a pulley 41, a pulley 42, an endless belt 43, and a scan motor 44. The pulley 41 is provided around the left end of the guide rail 17. The pulley 42 is provided around the right end of the guide rail 17. The belt 43 is wrapped around the pulleys 41 and 42. As shown in Figure 2, the belt 43 is fixed to the upper rear of the carriage 20. As shown in Figure 1, the scan motor 44 is connected to the right pulley 42. However, the scan motor 44 may also be connected to the left pulley 41. Here, the scan motor 44 is driven, causing the pulley 42 to rotate, which in turn causes the belt 43 to travel between the pulleys 41 and 42. As a result, the carriage 20, the ink head 22, and the sheet cutter 32 move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0028] The transport mechanism 50 is a mechanism that transports the medium 5 relative to the ink head 22 in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the transport mechanism 50 transports the unfolded portion of the roll-shaped medium 5 supported on the support base 16 in the sub-scanning direction X. The configuration of the transport mechanism 50 is not particularly limited.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the conveying mechanism 50 includes a grid roller 51, a pinch roller 52, and a feed motor 53. The grid roller 51 is provided on a support base 16. Here, the grid roller 51 is embedded in the support base 16 such that at least a portion of the grid roller 51 is exposed above the support base 16. The grid roller 51 contacts the medium 5 when conveying the medium 5. The pinch roller 52 presses down on the unfolded portion of the roll-shaped medium 5 from above and is positioned above the grid roller 51. The pinch roller 52, together with the grid roller 51, sandwiches the medium 5. The pinch roller 52 faces the grid roller 51. The pinch roller 52 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. The installation positions and number of the grid roller 51 and pinch roller 52 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, seven grid rollers 51 and seven pinch rollers 52 are provided. Multiple grid rollers 51 are arranged in the main scanning direction Y, and multiple pinch rollers 52 are also arranged in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a feed motor 53 is connected to the grid rollers 51. The feed motor 53 rotates the grid rollers 51. When the feed motor 53 is driven and the grid rollers 51 rotate with the medium 5 sandwiched between the grid rollers 51 and the pinch rollers 52, the unfolded portion of the roll-shaped medium 5 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction X (for example, downstream of the sub-scanning direction X).

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a feeder 60 having a feeder bar 61. The feeder 60 is detachably provided with a medium 5 wound in a roll. The feeder 60 is a device that supplies the unfolded roll of medium 5 to the support base 16. The feeder bar 61 is positioned behind and below the support base 16. As shown in Figure 1, the feeder bar 61 is formed in a cylindrical or cylindrical shape extending in the main scanning direction Y. The medium 5 before printing is wound around the circumferential surface of the feeder bar 61. The left end of the feeder bar 61 is rotatably supported by the left guide plate 62L, and the right end of the feeder bar 61 is rotatably supported by the right guide plate 62R. The transport mechanism 50 transports the unfolded medium 5 downstream in the sub-scanning direction X, so that the unfolded portion of the roll of medium 5 is fed from the feeder bar 61 toward the support base 16. In this embodiment, the printer 10 does not have a motor to rotate the supply bar 61, but it may have such a motor.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a winding device 70 that winds the unfolded medium 5 into a roll, which is supported on a support base 16. The winding device 70 winds up the medium 5 that has been transported downstream of the support base 16 in the sub-scanning direction X. The winding device 70 comprises a winding bar 71, a winding motor 75 (see Figure 1), and an encoder 78.

[0032] The winding bar 71 winds up the unfolded medium 5. As shown in Figure 1, the winding bar 71 is formed in a cylindrical or cylindrical shape extending in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in Figure 2, the winding bar 71 is located below the support base 16 and below the supply bar 61. The winding bar 71 is also located below the support roller 14. The winding bar 71 is rotatable about a central axis A2 extending in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes a first left side wall 76L and a first right side wall 76R that rotatably support the winding bar 71. The winding bar 71 includes a support portion 71a supported by the first left side wall 76L and the first right side wall 76R, and a cylindrical portion 71b with a larger diameter than the support portion 71a. The rolled medium 5 is wound onto the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 71b. The support portion 71a and the cylindrical portion 71b may be formed integrally or separately. The left end of the winding bar 71 is rotatably supported by the first left wall 76L. The right end of the winding bar 71 is rotatably supported by the first right wall 76R. The printer 10 includes a rail 74 that supports the first left wall 76L and the first right wall 76R. The rail 74 extends in the main scanning direction Y.

[0033] The winding motor 75 is connected to the winding bar 71 and rotates the winding bar 71 around its central axis A2. The winding motor 75 is indirectly connected to the winding bar 71 via a reduction gear (not shown) or the like. The winding bar 71 rotates in response to the driving force of the winding motor 75. In this embodiment, when the winding motor 75 is driven, the portion of the medium 5 supported by the support base 16 is conveyed downstream in the sub-scanning direction X toward the support roller 14. The medium 5 is then conveyed from the support roller 14 toward the winding bar 71 and wound onto the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 71b of the winding bar 71.

[0034] The encoder 78 detects the rotation of the winding bar 71. The encoder 78 detects whether or not the winding bar 71 is rotating by detecting the number of rotations or the rotation angle of the winding bar 71. For example, the encoder 78 detects that the winding bar 71 rotates when the driving force is transmitted to the winding bar 71 when the winding motor 75 of the winding device 70 is driven. Here, by the encoder 78 detecting the rotation of the winding bar 71, it is possible to detect that the medium 5 has been wound onto the circumferential surface of the winding bar 71. The detection method of the encoder 78 is not particularly limited and may be an optical encoder or a magnetic encoder.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the medium 5 is transported from the supply device 60 toward the support base 16, the sub-scanning direction X is inclined upward as it moves from rear to front. When the medium 5 is transported from the support roller 14 toward the winding bar 71, the sub-scanning direction X is inclined downward as it moves from rear to front.

[0036] In this embodiment, the printer 10 is equipped with an operation panel 55 located at the right end of the printer body 10a, as shown in Figure 1. The operation panel 55 is equipped with a display screen 56 that displays the status of the printer 10, and operation keys 57 that are operated by the user.

[0037] In this embodiment, in order to partially raise the medium 5, more specifically, to raise and foam the portion of the medium 5 where the foam-suppressing ink has not been dispensed, the medium 5 is heated. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a heating device 110 for heating the medium 5. The heating device 110 is a device that heats the portion of the medium 5 that has been transported downstream in the sub-scanning direction X from the support base 16 and the support roller 14. The heating device 110 is located downstream in the sub-scanning direction X from the support base 16 and the support roller 14. Here, the heating device 110 is located in front of the support base 16. Also, the heating device 110 is located below the support roller 14 and above the winding device 70. In this embodiment, the heating device 110 is located in the transport path 105, which is the path through which the medium 5 is transported from the support roller 14 toward the winding device 70.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the heating device 110 comprises a heating device body 111 and a heater 120. The heating device body 111 is a case-shaped structure with an internal space. As shown in Figure 1, the heating device body 111 extends in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in Figure 2, the heating device body 111 is positioned in the middle of the transport path 105.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the heating device 110 includes a left fixing member 119L and a right fixing member 119R that fix the heating device body 111 to the printer body 10a. The left fixing member 119L and the right fixing member 119R are plate-shaped members fixed to the printer body 10a. The left fixing member 119L and the right fixing member 119R are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y and face each other. Here, the left end of the heating device body 111 is provided on the left fixing member 119L. The right end of the heating device body 111 is provided on the right fixing member 119R. The heating device body 111 is fixed to the printer body 10a via the left fixing member 119L and the right fixing member 119R.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the heating device body 111 has a medium inlet 112 and a medium outlet 114. Here, the medium 5 is heated inside the heating device body 111 of the heating device 110. The medium inlet 112 and the medium outlet 114 are the parts through which the medium 5 passes. The portion of the medium 5 conveyed from the support roller 14 is conveyed into the heating device body 111 by passing through the medium inlet 112. The portion of the medium 5 inside the heating device body 111 is conveyed to the outside of the heating device body 111 by passing through the medium outlet 114. In this embodiment, the medium inlet 112 is formed on the upper surface of the heating device body 111 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. The medium outlet 114 is formed on the lower surface of the heating device body 111 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. The medium outlet 114 is located below the medium inlet 112.

[0041] In this embodiment, a heating support surface 116 is provided inside the heating device body 111. The heating support surface 116 connects the medium inlet 112 and the medium outlet 114. Here, the heating support surface 116 extends in the main scanning direction Y and in the vertical direction. More specifically, the heating support surface 116 extends diagonally from the medium inlet 112 toward the medium outlet 114. Here, the portion of the medium 5 that has passed through the medium inlet 112 is supported by the heating support surface 116 inside the heating device body 111. The portion of the medium 5 supported by the heating support surface 116 passes through the medium outlet 114 and is transported downwards to the heating device 110.

[0042] The heater 120 is located inside the heating device body 111 and is fixed to the heating device body 111. In this embodiment, the heater 120 is attached to a mounting member 118 provided inside the heating device body 111. The heater 120 is configured to heat a portion of the medium 5 transported inside the heating device body 111 by heating the inside of the heating device body 111. Here, the heater 120 heats a portion of the medium 5 supported by a heating support surface 116 located inside the heating device body 111. As shown in Figure 1, the heater 120 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The type of heater 120 is not particularly limited. For example, the heater 120 is a ceramic heater.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 is equipped with a control device 80. The control device 80 is a device that performs control related to printing. The configuration of the control device 80 is not particularly limited. The control device 80 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, it includes an I / F, a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a storage device. The control device 80 is located inside the printer body 10a. However, the control device 80 does not have to be located inside the printer body 10a. For example, the control device 80 may be a computer installed outside the printer body 10a. In this case, the control device 80 is connected to the control board (not shown) of the printer 10 via wired or wireless means so as to be able to communicate.

[0044] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the printer 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the control device 80 is communicatively connected to the ink head 22, the head movement mechanism 40 (specifically the scan motor 44), the transport mechanism 50 (specifically the feed motor 53), the operation panel 55, the winding device 70 (specifically the winding motor 75 and encoder 78), and the heating device 110 (specifically the heater 120). The control device 80 controls the ink head 22, the head movement mechanism 40, the transport mechanism 50, the operation panel 55, the winding device 70, and the heating device 110.

[0045] The configuration of the printer 10 according to this embodiment has been described above. In this embodiment, the winding operation, which is the operation of winding the medium 5 onto the winding bar 71 by the winding device 70, is as follows. When the medium 5 supported on the support base 16 is transported downstream in the sub-scanning direction X by the transport mechanism 50, the medium 5 becomes sagging in the transport path 105 between the support base 16 and the winding device 70. At this time, in the winding operation, with the transport mechanism 50 stopped, that is, with the drive of the feed motor 53 stopped and the rotation of the grid roller 51 stopped, the winding device 70 drives the winding motor 75 to rotate the winding bar 71 when the medium 5 becomes sagging in the transport path 105, thereby winding the medium 5 onto the winding bar 71. When the medium 5 is wound up, tension is applied to the medium 5 in the transport path 105, and the medium 5 becomes taut. When the medium 5 in the transport path 105 becomes taut, the winding of the medium 5 by the winding device 70 stops, the drive of the transport mechanism 50 is restarted, and the medium 5 is transported to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0046] However, an abnormality may occur in which the medium 5 is not properly wound onto the winding bar 71 even though it is the timing for the winding device 70 to wind the medium 5. Also, an abnormality may occur in which the medium 5 is wound onto the winding bar 71 even though it is not the timing for the winding device 70 to wind the medium 5. Such abnormalities when winding the medium 5 onto the winding bar 71 are called winding abnormalities. Winding abnormalities include abnormalities of the winding device 70 itself. For example, winding abnormalities include abnormalities that occur when the winding bar 71 does not rotate even though it is the timing for the medium 5 to be wound, or abnormalities that occur when the winding bar 71 rotates even though it is not the timing for the medium 5 to be wound.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, winding abnormalities include transport failures. A transport failure means that the medium 5 is not transported properly. When a transport failure occurs, even if the winding device 70 itself is functioning normally, the medium 5 may not be properly wound onto the winding bar 71. Transport failures here include conditions in which the medium 5 is not properly transported in the sub-scanning direction X due to reasons such as the medium 5 not being attached to the supply device 60 or the medium 5 not being properly supported on the support base 16. When a transport failure occurs, a winding abnormality may occur because the winding bar 71 rotates without winding the medium 5.

[0048] In this embodiment, the control device 80 of the printer 10 automatically determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the control device 80 includes a storage unit 81, a winding instruction unit 82, a rotation detection unit 84, a detection unit 86, an abnormality determination unit 88, a standby unit 89, and a notification unit 90. Note that each part of the control device 80 may be implemented by one or more processors or by circuits.

[0049] Figure 5 is a table showing the relationship between the presence or absence of winding instruction IN1, the presence or absence of winding bar rotation detection D1, the magnitude of the media tension TE1, and the presence or absence of winding abnormalities. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the presence or absence of winding abnormalities can be determined based on the presence or absence of winding instruction IN1, the presence or absence of winding bar rotation detection D1, and the magnitude of the media tension TE1 applied to the media 5.

[0050] Winding instruction IN1 means that the control device 80 instructs the winding device 70 to perform a winding operation. The winding operation here refers to the operation of rotating the winding bar 71 by driving the winding motor 75 of the winding device 70 and winding the medium 5 onto the winding bar 71. In this embodiment, the winding instruction unit 82 in Figure 4 gives winding instruction IN1 to the winding device 70. Here, the winding instruction unit 82 gives winding instruction IN1 by transmitting a drive signal to the winding motor 75 of the winding device 70. In the winding device 70, the winding motor 75 is driven when the drive signal is received, and the winding bar 71 rotates.

[0051] The timing at which the winding instruction unit 82 issues the winding instruction IN1 is not particularly limited. The winding instruction unit 82 issues the winding instruction IN1 when the control device 80 automatically determines that it is time to issue the winding instruction IN1. For example, during printing, when the transport mechanism 50 has transported the medium 5 downstream in the sub-scanning direction X by a predetermined transport distance, the control device 80 determines that it is time to issue the winding instruction IN1, and the winding instruction unit 82 issues the winding instruction IN1 to the winding device 70.

[0052] Furthermore, the timing of issuing the winding instruction IN1 may be determined manually by the user. For example, the printer 10 is configured to allow setting a manual winding mode. When the manual winding mode is set, for example, a winding button (not shown) is displayed on the display screen 56 of the operation panel 55. The user operates the operation key 57 to press the winding button. When the winding button is pressed, the winding instruction unit 82 issues a winding instruction IN1 to the winding device 70. However, the winding device 70 itself may be provided with an operation button or lever for manually instructing the user to rotate the winding bar 71. In this case, the winding instruction unit 82 issues the winding instruction IN1 at the timing when the user operates the operation button or lever provided on the winding device 70. Note that in Figure 5, a manual winding instruction IN1 is indicated by "○ (manual)".

[0053] In this embodiment, the presence or absence of the winding bar 71 rotation detection D1 refers to whether or not it has been detected that the winding bar 71 is actually rotating. Here, the winding bar 71 rotation detection D1 is performed by the rotation detection unit 84 in Figure 4. The rotation detection unit 84 detects the presence or absence of the winding bar 71 rotation using the encoder 78. As described above, the encoder 78 detects the presence or absence of the winding bar 71 rotation by detecting the number of rotations or the rotation angle of the winding bar 71. In this embodiment, for example, the rotation detection unit 84 transmits a detection signal to the encoder 78. Upon receiving the detection signal, the encoder 78 detects the presence or absence of the winding bar 71 rotation and transmits the result to the control device 80. The rotation detection unit 84 acquires the result regarding the presence or absence of the winding bar 71 rotation transmitted from the encoder 78.

[0054] In this embodiment, the magnitude of the media tension TE1 acting on the medium 5 refers to the magnitude of the media tension TE1 acting on the medium 5 in the transport path 105 between the support base 16 and the winding device 70. Here, as the medium 5 is wound onto the winding bar 71, the media tension TE1 gradually increases. The magnitude of the media tension TE1 is detected by the detection unit 86 in Figure 4. The detection unit 86 detects the media tension TE1 of the medium 5 in the transport path 105 between the support base 16 and the winding device 70. For example, in this embodiment, when the rotation of the grid roller 51 of the transport mechanism 50 is stopped, if the media tension TE1 of the medium 5 increases, the load on the grid roller 51 increases. Therefore, the detection unit 86 can estimate the media tension TE1 based on the load on the grid roller 51 when the grid roller 51 is stopped.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the grid roller 51 is stopped, if the load on the grid roller 51 becomes large, the grid roller 51 will attempt to rotate in one direction. At this time, in order to stop the one-way rotation of the grid roller 51, the feed motor 53 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the grid roller 51. Current is supplied to the feed motor 53 in order to drive this feed motor 53. Here, when the load on the grid roller 51 becomes large, the value of the current supplied to the feed motor 53 also increases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the detection unit 86 acquires the value of the current supplied to the feed motor 53 and estimates the load on the grid roller 51 based on the acquired value of the current. Then, the detection unit 86 estimates the media tension TE1 based on the estimated load.

[0056] In this embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 88 in Figure 4 determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality. The abnormality determination unit 88 determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality based on the presence or absence of a winding instruction IN1, the presence or absence of a detection D1 of the rotation of the winding bar 71, and the magnitude of the media tension TE1 (in other words, the magnitude of the load on the grid roller 51, or the magnitude of the current value supplied to the feed motor 53).

[0057] Next, we will explain, following the flowchart in Figure 6, how the printer 10 determines whether there is a winding abnormality when it automatically winds up the medium 5 when the transport of the medium 5 begins, that is, during the transport of the medium 5.

[0058] For example, at the start of printing, the transport of the medium 5 begins. However, immediately after the transport of the medium 5 begins, the state of flexion of the medium 5 in the transport path 105 varies. That is, immediately after the transport of the medium 5 begins, the medium 5 may be flexed, or it may be taut. When determining whether there is a winding abnormality while the state of flexion of the medium 5 varies in this way, there is a possibility of making an incorrect judgment regarding the presence or absence of a winding abnormality.

[0059] Therefore, in this embodiment, in step S101 of Figure 6, the standby unit 89 of Figure 4 waits from the start of transport of the medium 5 supported on the support stand 16 until a predetermined judgment start time T1 has elapsed. That is, even after the transport of the medium 5 has started, the judgment on whether or not there is a winding abnormality is started only after the judgment start time T1 has elapsed from the start. Even before the judgment start time T1 has elapsed, the winding operation is performed as appropriate once the transport of the medium 5 has started. Here, the judgment start time T1 is the time it takes for the deflection state of the medium 5 in the transport path 105 to stabilize within a predetermined range. The specific time of the judgment start time T1 is not particularly limited and may be set according to the model of the printer 10. The judgment start time T1 is stored in advance in the storage unit 81 of Figure 4.

[0060] The standby unit 89 may remain in standby mode from the start of the winding operation of the medium 5 by the winding device 70 until a predetermined decision start time T1 has elapsed. Preferably, the decision start time T1 is the time required for the deflection state of the medium 5 in the transport path 105 to stabilize within a predetermined range due to either or both of the transport operation of the medium 5 by the transport mechanism 50 and the winding operation of the medium 5 by the winding device 70.

[0061] In this manner, the standby unit 89 waits from the start of transport of the medium 5 until the judgment start time T1 has elapsed, after which the abnormality judgment unit 88 performs a judgment on whether or not there is a winding abnormality at predetermined reference intervals. That is, after the judgment start time T1 has elapsed, the processes in steps S103 to S113 of Figure 6 are performed at predetermined reference intervals.

[0062] In this embodiment, when determining whether or not there is a winding abnormality, in step S103 of Figure 6, the abnormality determination unit 88 of Figure 4 acquires winding instruction information regarding whether or not a winding instruction IN1 has been issued by the winding instruction unit 82. For example, winding instruction information can be obtained from the winding instruction unit 82. Next, in step S105 of Figure 6, the abnormality determination unit 88 of Figure 4 acquires rotation information regarding whether or not rotation D1 of the winding bar 71 has been detected by the rotation detection unit 84. Rotation information can be obtained, for example, from the rotation detection unit 84. Furthermore, in step S107 of Figure 6, the abnormality determination unit 88 acquires tension information regarding the media tension TE1 detected (or estimated) by the detection unit 86. Tension information can be obtained, for example, from the detection unit 86. This tension information may include information regarding the load on the grid roller 51, or information regarding the current value supplied to the feed motor 53. Note that the order in which steps S103, S105, and S107 of Figure 6 are executed is not particularly limited.

[0063] As described above, after acquiring winding instruction information, rotation information, and tension information, in step S109 of Figure 6, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality. In this embodiment, for example, when a winding instruction IN1 is given during a winding operation, the winding bar 71 of the winding device 70 rotates. Therefore, if the winding operation is normal, the rotation of the winding bar 71 is detected. In this embodiment, a winding operation is performed when the media tension TE1 in the transport path 105 is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value N1 (see Figure 5), and the media 5 is sagging. This reference value N1 is stored in advance in the storage unit 81 of Figure 4.

[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines that the winding operation is normal and not abnormal when a winding instruction IN1 is given, rotation of the winding bar 71 is detected, and the media tension TE1 is less than or equal to the reference value N1. Here, when the winding operation is normal, the media 5 is wound onto the winding bar 71, so the media tension TE1 gradually increases and becomes greater than the reference value N1. For example, when the media tension TE1 is greater than the reference value N1, the media 5 is taut, so even if the winding motor 75 is driven, the winding bar 71 does not rotate and the media 5 is not wound onto the winding bar 71. From this, as shown in Figure 5, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines that the winding operation is normal when a winding instruction IN1 is given, rotation of the winding bar 71 is not detected, and the media tension TE1 is greater than the reference value N1, because the media 5 is taut and not in a state to be wound.

[0065] If the winding operation is normal, for example, the medium 5 will be wound onto the winding bar 71 within at least a predetermined judgment time T2 (see Figure 5), causing the medium tension TE1 to exceed the reference value N1. On the other hand, even if the judgment time T2 has elapsed, if the medium tension TE1 is below the reference value N1, it is presumed that there is a defect in the transport of the medium 5, and that even if the winding bar 71 is rotating, the medium 5 is not properly wound onto the winding bar 71. The judgment time T2 is set to be longer than the winding operation time required for the medium tension TE1 of the medium 5 to exceed the reference value N1. The judgment time T2 is set appropriately according to the model of the printer 10 and the amount of rotation of the winding bar 71 per unit time, and is stored in advance in the storage unit 81 in Figure 4. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines that there is a transport failure when a winding instruction IN1 is given, rotation of the winding bar 71 is detected, and the media tension TE1 remains below the reference value N1 for a determination time T2.

[0066] For example, when winding instruction IN1 is given, the winding motor 75 is in a driving state. However, if there is a malfunction in the winding device 70 (for example, the winding motor 75 or encoder 78), even though winding instruction IN1 is given, the winding bar 71 may not rotate and the medium 5 may not be wound onto the winding bar 71. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the malfunction detection unit 88 determines that there is a winding malfunction when winding instruction IN1 is given, rotation of the winding bar 71 is not detected, and the medium tension TE1 is less than or equal to the reference value N1. If it is determined in step S109 in Figure 6 that there is a winding malfunction including a transport failure, the process proceeds to step S111 in Figure 6, and the malfunction detection unit 88 determines that there is a winding malfunction including a transport failure. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no winding malfunction in step S109 in Figure 6, the process proceeds to step S113 in Figure 6, and the malfunction detection unit 88 determines that the winding operation is normal.

[0067] Next, we will explain how to determine whether there is a winding abnormality when the transport of the medium 5 has stopped and the winding operation is not being performed. When the transport of the medium 5 has stopped, the deflection state of the medium 5 does not change over time. Therefore, in this case, the control to wait until the determination start time T1 in step S101 of Figure 6 has elapsed is not performed, and the determination of whether there is a winding abnormality is started immediately. Here, as shown in steps S103, S105, and S107 of Figure 6, the abnormality determination unit 88 acquires winding instruction information, rotation information, and tension information.

[0068] In this embodiment, when the winding operation is not performed, the winding instruction IN1 is not issued to the winding device 70. Therefore, if the winding device 70 is functioning correctly, the winding bar 71 will not rotate. As shown in Figure 5, the abnormality detection unit 88 determines that the winding operation is normal when the winding instruction IN1 is not issued and the rotation of the winding bar 71 is not detected. On the other hand, if the winding bar 71 is rotating despite the winding instruction IN1 not being issued, it is presumed that an abnormality has occurred in the winding device 70 (for example, the winding motor 75 or encoder 78). Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the abnormality detection unit 88 determines that there is a winding abnormality when the winding instruction IN1 is not issued and the rotation of the winding bar 71 is detected.

[0069] Furthermore, when the winding operation is stopped, the media tension TE1 varies. Therefore, when determining whether there is a winding abnormality when the winding instruction IN1 has not been issued and the winding operation is stopped, the media tension TE1 does not need to be considered. Thus, when determining whether there is a winding abnormality when the winding operation is stopped, the acquisition of tension information may be omitted.

[0070] Next, we will explain how to determine whether there is a winding abnormality when the winding operation is performed by the user manually issuing a winding instruction IN1. In this case, since the transport of the medium 5 has stopped, the state of the flexure of the medium 5 does not change over time. Therefore, in this case, the control to wait until the judgment start time T1 in step S101 of Figure 6 has elapsed is not performed, and the judgment of whether there is a winding abnormality is started immediately. Here, as shown in steps S103, S105, and S107 of Figure 6, the abnormality determination unit 88 acquires winding instruction information, rotation information, and tension information.

[0071] When a manual winding instruction IN1 is given and the winding operation starts, the winding bar 71 of the winding device 70 rotates. Therefore, if the winding operation is normal, the rotation of the winding bar 71 is detected. In this embodiment, the winding operation is performed when the media tension TE1 in the transport path 105 is less than or equal to the reference value N1 and the media 5 is sagging. From this, when a manual winding instruction IN1 is given, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines, as shown in Figure 5, that when a manual winding instruction IN1 is given, the rotation of the winding bar 71 is detected, and the media tension TE1 is less than or equal to the reference value N1, there is no winding abnormality and the winding operation is normal.

[0072] Furthermore, as described above, if the media tension TE1 is greater than the reference value N1, the media 5 will be taut in the transport path 105, and therefore the winding bar 71 will not rotate even if the winding motor 75 is being driven. Thus, when a winding instruction IN1 is given manually, the abnormality determination unit 88, as shown in Figure 5, determines that the winding operation is normal because, when a winding instruction IN1 is given manually, no rotation of the winding bar 71 is detected, and the media tension TE1 is greater than the reference value N1, the media 5 is taut and not in a state to be wound up.

[0073] On the other hand, when there is a malfunction in the winding device 70 (for example, the winding motor 75 or encoder 78), the winding bar 71 does not rotate and the medium 5 is not wound onto the winding bar 71, even though the winding instruction IN1 is given manually. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the malfunction detection unit 88 determines that there is a winding malfunction when the winding instruction IN1 is given manually, the rotation of the winding bar 71 is not detected, and the medium tension TE1 is less than or equal to the reference value N1.

[0074] As described above, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a winding abnormality. The result of the determination of whether or not there is a winding abnormality may be notified to the user. In this embodiment, the notification unit 90 in Figure 4 may notify the user if the abnormality determination unit 88 determines that there is a winding abnormality. The method of notifying the user of a winding abnormality is not particularly limited. For example, the notification unit 90 notifies the user of a winding abnormality by displaying a message indicating a winding abnormality on the display screen 56 (see Figure 1) of the operation panel 55. The recipient of the notification of a winding abnormality is not limited to the display screen 56, but may be, for example, an operation terminal connected to the printer 10 that issues print commands to the printer 10. This operation terminal may be, for example, a personal computer with a driver installed for issuing print commands to the printer 10.

[0075] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 includes a support base 16 for supporting the medium 5, a transport mechanism 50 for transporting the medium 5 supported on the support base 16 in the sub-scanning direction X, a winding device 70 for winding up the medium 5 transported downstream of the support base 16 in the sub-scanning direction X, and a control device 80 (see Figure 1). The winding device 70 includes a winding bar 71 on which the medium 5 is wound, a winding motor 75 for rotating the winding bar 71 about its central axis A2, and an encoder 78 for detecting the rotation of the winding bar 71. As shown in Figure 4, the control device 80 includes a winding instruction unit 82, a rotation detection unit 84, a detection unit 86, and an abnormality determination unit 88. The winding instruction unit 82 issues a winding instruction IN1 to rotate the winding bar 71 and wind up the medium 5 onto the winding bar 71. The rotation detection unit 84 detects whether or not the winding bar 71 is rotating using the encoder 78. The detection unit 86 detects the media tension TE1 of the media 5 between the support base 16 and the winding device 70. The abnormality determination unit 88 determines whether there is a winding abnormality when winding the media 5 onto the winding bar 71. The abnormality determination unit 88 determines whether there is a winding abnormality based on the presence or absence of a winding instruction IN1 by the winding instruction unit 82, the presence or absence of rotation of the winding bar 71 detected by the rotation detection unit 84, and the magnitude of the media tension TE1 detected by the detection unit 86. For example, when the winding device 70 is functioning normally, if a winding instruction IN1 is given, the winding bar 71 rotates, and the media tension TE1 gradually increases. After that, the rotation of the winding bar 71 stops. For example, when the winding device 70 is functioning normally, if a winding instruction IN1 is not given, the winding bar 71 does not rotate. Therefore, depending on the presence or absence of a winding instruction IN1, the presence or absence of a winding abnormality can be determined from the presence or absence of rotation of the winding bar 71 and the magnitude of the media tension TE1.

[0076] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines that there is a winding abnormality when the winding instruction unit 82 issues a winding instruction IN1, the rotation detection unit 84 does not detect rotation of the winding bar 71, and the media tension TE1 detected by the detection unit 86 is less than or equal to the reference value N1. For example, when the winding device 70 is functioning normally, the winding instruction IN1 is issued and the winding bar 71 rotates when the media tension TE1 is less than or equal to the reference value N1 and the media 5 is in a sagging state. As the winding bar 71 rotates, the media 5 is wound onto the winding bar 71. However, if a winding abnormality occurs, the winding bar 71 does not rotate even though the winding instruction IN1 is issued. As a result, even if the media tension TE1 is less than or equal to the reference value N1 and the media 5 is in a sagging state, the media 5 will not be wound onto the winding bar 71. Based on the above, if winding instruction IN1 is given, rotation of the winding bar 71 is not detected, and the media tension TE1 is less than or equal to the reference value N1, then it can be determined that there is a winding abnormality because the media 5 is not wound up despite winding instruction IN1 being given.

[0077] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines that there is a winding abnormality when the winding instruction unit 82 has not issued a winding instruction IN1 and the rotation detection unit 84 has detected the rotation of the winding bar 71. For example, when the winding device 70 is functioning normally, the winding motor 75 does not drive when the winding instruction IN1 is not issued, and therefore the winding bar 71 does not rotate. However, if a winding abnormality occurs, the winding bar 71 may rotate even though the winding instruction IN1 has not been issued. Therefore, by detecting whether or not the winding bar 71 rotation is detected D1 when the winding instruction IN1 is not issued, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a winding abnormality.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the control device 80 includes a standby unit 89. The standby unit 89 waits from the time the transport of the medium 5 supported on the support base 16, or the winding of the medium 5 transported downstream of the support base 16 in the sub-scanning direction X, begins in step S101 of Figure 6 until a predetermined judgment start time T1 has elapsed. The abnormality determination unit 88 waits until the judgment start time T1 has elapsed, as determined by the standby unit 89, and then begins to determine whether or not there is a winding abnormality. For example, immediately after the transport or winding of the medium 5 begins, the deflection state of the medium 5 varies. If the determination of whether or not there is a winding abnormality is made while the deflection of the medium 5 varies, there is a possibility of misjudgment. Therefore, in this embodiment, by starting the determination of whether or not there is a winding abnormality after the judgment start time T1 has elapsed since the transport or winding of the medium 5 began, it is possible to make misjudgment less likely to occur.

[0079] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the abnormality determination unit 88 determines that there is a transport failure of the medium 5 when the state in which the transport instruction IN1 is given by the transport instruction unit 82, the rotation detection unit 84 detects the rotation of the transport bar 71, and the state in which the medium tension TE1 detected by the detection unit 86 is less than or equal to the reference value N1 continues for a predetermined determination time T2. For example, when the transport failure occurs and the transport 5 is transported, the transport tension TE1 gradually increases and becomes greater than the reference value N1 before the determination time T2 has elapsed. On the other hand, if a transport failure occurs, for example, the transport failure will not occur even though the transport bar 71 is rotating, and the transport tension TE1 will not become greater than the reference value N1. Therefore, by determining whether the state in which the transport tension TE1 remained less than or equal to the reference value N1 continued for a determination time T2 when the transport instruction IN1 was given, it is possible to determine whether a transport failure, which is a type of transport abnormality, has occurred.

[0080] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the transport mechanism 50 includes a grid roller 51 that contacts the medium 5 and a feed motor 53 that rotates the grid roller 51. The detection unit 86 in Figure 4 estimates the medium tension TE1 based on the load on the grid roller 51 when it is stopped. For example, when the medium tension TE1 increases, the grid roller 51 is pulled by the medium 5, so the load on the grid roller 51 increases. Therefore, it can be said that the medium tension TE1 and the load on the grid roller 51 are proportional. Thus, by detecting the load on the grid roller 51, the medium tension TE1 can be estimated from that load.

[0081] In this embodiment, the detection unit 86 estimates the load on the grid roller 51 based on the current value supplied to the feed motor 53. Here, as the media tension TE1 increases, the load on the grid roller 51 increases, causing the grid roller 51 to attempt to rotate in one direction. At this time, in order to stop the one-way rotation of the grid roller 51, the feed motor 53 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the grid roller 51. Current is supplied to the feed motor 53 for this drive. Here, as the load on the grid roller 51 increases, the current value supplied to the feed motor 53 increases. Therefore, it can be said that the magnitude of the load on the grid roller 51 and the magnitude of the current value supplied to the feed motor 53 are proportional. Accordingly, by obtaining the current value supplied to the feed motor 53, the load on the grid roller 51 can be estimated from the current value. Then, the media tension TE1 can be estimated from the estimated load.

[0082] In this embodiment, the media tension TE1 is estimated based on the current value supplied to the feed motor 53, but the system may be configured to directly detect the media tension TE1. In this case, for example, the printer 10 may be equipped with a tension sensor that detects the media tension TE1 of the media 5 in the transport path 105. In this case, the detection unit 86 can obtain the media tension TE1 from the tension sensor.

[0083] Alternatively, the system may be configured to directly detect the load on the grid roller 51 and estimate the media tension TE1 from the detected load. In this case, for example, the printer 10 may be equipped with a load sensor to detect the load on the grid roller 51. In this case, the detection unit 86 may obtain the magnitude of the load on the grid roller 51 from the load sensor and estimate the media tension TE1 from the load.

[0084] In this embodiment, the medium 5 was a heat-activated bulging medium that bulges when heated. However, the medium 5 is not limited to a heat-activated bulging medium. The medium 5 may be paper such as rolled plain paper or inkjet printing paper, or it may be a resin sheet or film such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, or a fabric such as woven or nonwoven fabric. In this way, if the medium 5 is a medium other than a heat-activated bulging medium, the foam-suppressing ink head 22A and the heating device 110 may be omitted in the printer 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 5 Medium 10 Printers 16 Support stand 50 Conveying mechanism 51 Grit Roller 53 Feed motor 70 Winding device 71 Reel bar 75 Rewinding motor 78 encoders 80 Control device 82 Winding indicator section 84 Rotation detection unit 86 Detection unit 88 Abnormality judgment section 89 Waiting section IN1 Winding instruction N1 Reference Value T1 Judgment start time T2 Decision Time TE1 Media tension X Sub-scanning direction (conveying direction)

Claims

1. A support stand for the media, A transport mechanism for transporting the medium supported on the support base in the transport direction, A winding device for winding up the medium that has been transported downstream of the support base in the transport direction, Control device and Equipped with, The aforementioned winding device, A winding bar on which the medium is wound around its circumferential surface, A winding motor that rotates the winding bar around its central axis, An encoder for detecting the rotation of the winding bar, Equipped with, The control device is A winding instruction unit rotates the winding bar and issues a winding instruction to wind the medium onto the winding bar, The encoder includes a rotation detection unit that detects whether or not the winding bar is rotating, A detection unit for detecting the media tension of the medium between the support base and the winding device, An abnormality determination unit for determining whether or not there is a winding abnormality when winding the medium onto the winding bar, Equipped with, The abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is a winding abnormality based on whether or not there is a winding instruction from the winding instruction unit, whether or not there is rotation of the winding bar detected by the rotation detection unit, and the magnitude of the media tension detected by the detection unit, in a printer.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality determination unit determines that there is a winding abnormality when the winding instruction is given by the winding instruction unit, the rotation detection unit does not detect rotation of the winding bar, and the media tension detected by the detection unit is below a reference value.

3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality determination unit determines that there is a winding abnormality when the winding instruction unit has not issued the winding instruction and the rotation detection unit has detected the rotation of the winding bar.

4. The control device includes a standby unit that waits from the start of transporting the medium supported on the support base, or winding up the medium transported downstream of the support base in the transport direction, until a predetermined decision start time has elapsed. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality determination unit waits by the standby unit until the determination start time has elapsed, and then starts determining whether or not there is a winding abnormality.

5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality determination unit determines that there is a medium transport failure when the winding instruction is given by the winding instruction unit, the rotation of the winding bar is detected by the rotation detection unit, and the medium tension detected by the detection unit remains below a reference value for a predetermined determination time.

6. The aforementioned transport mechanism is A grid roller that comes into contact with the aforementioned medium, A feed motor for rotating the grid roller, Equipped with, The printer according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit estimates the media tension based on the load applied to the grid roller when the grid roller is stopped.

7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit estimates the load on the grid roller based on the current value supplied to the feed motor.

Images