Inkjet printer

Abstract

To allow a user to visually recognize an internal space of a printer more clearly.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises: a case 15 which includes an internal space 15S housing a table 35 and has an opening 28 formed thereon; a front cover 23 which can open and close the opening 28; an ink head 30 including a plurality of first and second nozzles 31, 32 for discharging photo-curable ink onto a recording medium 5 and a nozzle plane 33, the ink head being provided in the internal space 15S; light radiation devices 41, 42 capable of emitting light toward the photo-curable ink discharged on the recording medium 5; and a light source 50 which is provided in the internal space 15S so as to lie above the table 35, and is capable of emitting light of a wavelength at which the photo-curable ink dose not cure toward the table 35. The front cover 23 has a transparent window part 23A, and the recording medium 5 mounted on the table 35 can be visually recognized through the window part 23A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to inkjet printers. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, inkjet printers using photocurable ink (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "photocurable printers") have been known for some time. Photocurable printers eject photocurable ink (e.g., ultraviolet-curable ink) from an ink head onto a recording medium placed on a mounting table, and irradiate the ejected photocurable ink with light (e.g., ultraviolet light) from a light irradiation device. This causes the photocurable ink to quickly cure on the recording medium to form an ink layer, allowing the desired image to be printed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-142374 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, photocuring printers have an internal space that is closed off from the outside so that light from the outside (e.g., ultraviolet light) does not reach the recording medium placed on the placement table. In the printer shown in Patent Document 1, a window formed of a transparent acrylic plate is provided on the front cover, and the internal space can be recognized through the window. However, the window is treated so that ultraviolet light and part of visible light are not transmitted (e.g., an ultraviolet-blocking film is attached), and there is a problem that it is difficult to clearly see the internal space.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that allows the interior space of the printer to be more clearly viewed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The inventors of the present application have considered providing a light source capable of irradiating light toward the mounting table in the internal space of the printer. However, they have found that simply providing a light source may cause the light emitted to harden the photocurable ink ejected from the ink head, affecting the formation of image quality, or that light reflected from the nozzle surface of the ink head may reach the nozzle and cause clogging. Therefore, by providing a light source capable of irradiating light of a wavelength that does not harden the photocurable ink as a light source provided in the internal space, they have come to be able to clearly view the internal space without hardening the photocurable ink.

[0007] The inkjet printer according to the present invention includes a platform on which a recording medium is placed, a case having an internal space for accommodating the platform and an opening formed therein, a front cover provided on the case and configured to be able to open and close the opening, an ink head provided in the internal space and having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting photocurable ink onto the recording medium placed on the platform and a nozzle surface on which the plurality of nozzles are formed, a light irradiation device provided in the internal space and capable of irradiating light toward the photocurable ink ejected onto the recording medium, and a light source provided in the internal space so as to be positioned above the platform and capable of irradiating light of a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink toward the platform. The front cover has a transparent window. The recording medium placed on the platform can be seen through the window.

[0008] According to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the front cover has a transparent window through which the recording medium placed on the mounting table can be seen. Furthermore, a light source is disposed in the internal space above the mounting table, and the light source is configured to be able to irradiate light of a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink toward the mounting table. Therefore, by irradiating light of a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink from the light source, the curing of the ejected photocurable ink does not progress, and the internal space can be more clearly seen. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet printer that allows the interior space of the printer to be more clearly viewed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a front view of a printer with a front cover open according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a printer with a front cover and a case removed according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a surface of a carriage facing a recording medium according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the peripheral configuration of a capping device according to an embodiment, and is a front view showing a state in which a cap is attached to an ink head. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting light to be emitted from a light source. [Figure 9] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which light is irradiated from a first light source and a second light source toward ink. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same function, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 10 according to the present embodiment. The printer 10 prints on a recording medium 5 (see FIG. 2). In the following description, when the printer 10 is viewed from the front, the side away from the printer 10 is the front, and the side approaching the printer 10 is the rear. The terms left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10 when viewed from the front. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings refer to the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction. Here, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X indicates the sub-scanning direction. Here, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-rear direction, and is perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. The rear corresponds to the upstream side of the sub-scanning direction X, and the front corresponds to the downstream side of the sub-scanning direction X. The symbol Z indicates the up-down direction. The up-down direction Z is perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y when viewed from the front. However, the above directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10 or the present invention in any way.

[0013] The recording medium 5 used in this embodiment may be, for example, a flat sheet such as recording paper or transfer paper, or may be a three-dimensional object such as various cases such as mobile phone cases, small electronic devices, small parts such as key holders, photo frames, and pens, daily necessities, accessories, etc. The material forming the recording medium 5 may be not only paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper, but also resins such as polyvinyl chloride, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer, metals such as aluminum and stainless steel, carbon, pottery, ceramic, glass, rubber, leather, wood, etc.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a housing 12 formed in a box shape. The housing 12 includes a base member 13, a case 15, a front cover 23, and an operation panel 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the base member 13 includes a bottom wall 13A, a left side wall 13L, a right side wall 13R, and a support wall 13T. The bottom wall 13A extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The left side wall 13L extends in the up-down direction Z and the sub-scanning direction X. The right side wall 13R extends in the up-down direction Z and the sub-scanning direction X. The right side wall 13R is disposed to the right of the left side wall 13L. The left side wall 13L and the right side wall 13R are provided on the bottom wall 13A. The support wall 13T extends in the main scanning direction Y. The support wall 13T is supported by the left side wall 13L and the right side wall 13R. The case 15 is attached to the base member 13. The case 15 has an internal space 15S. An opening 28 is formed in the case 15. More specifically, the opening 28 is formed in the front part of the case 15.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 23 is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening 28 of the case 15. Here, the front cover 23 is provided on the case 15 so as to be able to rotate around the rear end as an axis. By rotating the front cover 23 upward, the internal space 15S of the case 15 is communicated with the external space. The internal space 15S is a space where printing is performed on the recording medium 5 by the ink head 30 described later. The front cover 23 includes a transparent window portion 23A and a frame portion 23B that supports the window portion 23A. The window portion 23A is provided in the front and upper portion of the front cover 23. The window portion 23A is formed, for example, from a transparent acrylic plate. The window portion 23A is treated so as to prevent light from the external space (for example, ultraviolet light) from reaching the internal space 15S. When the printer 10 is in use (e.g., when printing), the front cover 23 is closed, so that dust and dirt from the external space are unlikely to enter the internal space 15S, and light from the external space is prevented from reaching the internal space 15S. The user can view the inside of the housing 12 (i.e., the internal space 15S) through the window 23A. That is, the user can view the recording medium 5 placed on a table 35 (described later) through the window 23A.

[0016] 1, operation panel 25 is provided on case 15. Operation panel 25 is provided on the right side of the top surface of case 15. Operation panel 25 is a panel on which a user performs operations related to printing of images. Operation panel 25 is provided with display screen 25A on which information related to printing, such as the type of printing (e.g., whether or not there is a glossy finish), resolution, printing status, etc., and input buttons 25B for setting information related to printing and recording medium 5.

[0017] Next, the internal configuration of the printer 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a guide rail 18, a carriage 20, an ink head 30, a light irradiation device 41 (see FIG. 3), a light irradiation device 42, a pointer 45, a light source 50, and a control device 70. The guide rail 18, the carriage 20, the ink head 30, the light irradiation devices 41 and 42, the pointer 45, and the light source 50 are provided in an internal space 15S. The guide rail 18 is disposed in the case 15. The guide rail 18 is fixed to a support wall 13T of the base member 13 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 20 is slidably provided on the guide rail 18. The carriage 20 reciprocates in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 18 by a carriage movement mechanism 21 (see FIG. 7). The carriage movement mechanism 21 is controlled by the control device 70. As the carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction Y, the ink head 30, the light irradiation devices 41, 42, and the pointer 45 mounted on the carriage 20 also move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of ink heads 30 are mounted on the carriage 20. The ink heads 30 are disposed above a table 35, which will be described later. The ink heads 30 eject photocurable ink (photocurable ink) onto the recording medium 5 placed on the table 35. Each ink head 30 is in communication with an ink cartridge 34 housed in the case 15 by a flexible ink tube (not shown). Each ink cartridge 34 stores photocurable ink.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the ink head 30 is formed in a shape in which the length in the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length in the main scanning direction Y. The ink heads 30 are formed in the same shape and the same size. The ink head 30 includes a plurality of first nozzles 31 aligned in the sub-scanning direction X, a plurality of second nozzles 32 aligned in the sub-scanning direction X, and a nozzle surface 33 in which the first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32 are formed. The first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32 are examples of nozzles. A negative pressure (a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure) is set inside the first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32. Since the first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32 are very small, the first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32 are represented by straight lines in FIG. 4. The first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32 of the ink head 30 eject photocurable ink onto the recording medium 5. In this embodiment, the printer 10 includes three ink heads 30, but the number of ink heads 30 is not limited to three. Furthermore, the ink head 30 is provided with two types of nozzles, the first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32, but may be provided with one type of nozzle or three or more types of nozzles.

[0020] Photocurable ink has a property of being cured when irradiated with light (e.g., ultraviolet light). Photocurable ink (e.g., ultraviolet curable ink) contains a colorant such as a pigment, a photopolymerizable monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator system, and may contain various other additives as necessary, such as a photosensitizer, a polymerization inhibitor, a scavenger, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, a plasticizer, a surfactant, a leveling agent, a thickener, a dispersant, an antifoaming agent, a preservative, a solvent, and the like. Examples of photocurable inks include process color inks, white inks, gloss inks, and metallic inks. Examples of process color inks include cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink. Gloss ink is an example of a transparent ink.

[0021] The light irradiation devices 41 and 42 irradiate light with a wavelength at which the photocurable ink is cured. The light irradiation devices 41 and 42 are configured to be able to irradiate light (e.g., ultraviolet light) toward the photocurable ink (e.g., ultraviolet curable ink) ejected onto the recording medium 5. The photocurable ink is cured by being irradiated with light, and an ink layer is formed on the recording medium 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the light irradiation devices 41 and 42 are mounted on the carriage 20. The light irradiation devices 41 and 42 are disposed above a table 35, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the light irradiation device 41 is disposed to the left of the ink head 30. The light irradiation device 42 is disposed to the right of the ink head 30. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the light irradiation device 42 is not illustrated.

[0022] The pointer 45 irradiates a spot light toward the table 35. The pointer 45 is used to set a print origin before starting printing on the recording medium 5 placed on the table 35. The pointer 45 includes, for example, an LED element capable of irradiating red light. As shown in FIG. 4, the pointer 45 is mounted on the carriage 20. The pointer 45 is provided to the left of the ink head 30. The pointer 45 is provided in front of the light irradiation device 41.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 is a so-called flatbed type printer. The printer 10 includes a table 35 disposed below the carriage 20, a first table moving mechanism 37, and a second table moving mechanism 38. The table 35, the first table moving mechanism 37, and the second table moving mechanism 38 are housed in the internal space 15S. The table 35 is an example of a mounting table. The recording medium 5 is placed on the table 35. The table 35 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z by the first table moving mechanism 37. The table 35 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X by the second table moving mechanism 38. The table 35 is disposed below the ink head 30. The table 35 is disposed to the right of the left side wall 13L and to the left of the right side wall 13R.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the first table moving mechanism 37 includes a height adjustment member 37a and a first motor 39A (see FIG. 7). The height adjustment member 37a is provided on the lower surface of the table 35. The height adjustment member 37a is connected to the first motor 39A. The first motor 39A is electrically connected to the control device 70 and controlled by the control device 70. When the first motor 39A is driven, the height of the height adjustment member 37a changes, and the height of the table 35 is adjusted. That is, the first table moving mechanism 37 moves the table 35 in the up-down direction Z.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the second table moving mechanism 38 includes slide rails 38a and 38b, a conveying member 38c, and a second motor 39B (see FIG. 7). The slide rails 38a and 38b extend in the sub-scanning direction X. The conveying member 38c is provided so as to be slidable relative to the slide rails 38a and 38b. Above the conveying member 38c, the table 35 is supported via a height adjustment member 37a (see FIG. 2). The second motor 39B is electrically connected to the control device 70 and is controlled by the control device 70. When the second motor 39B is driven, the conveying member 38c moves along the slide rails 38a and 38b. This causes the table 35 to move in the sub-scanning direction X. That is, the second table moving mechanism 38 moves the table 35 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a capping device 90. The capping device 90 is provided in the housing 12. The capping device 90 is disposed to the right of the table 35. As shown in FIG. 6, the capping device 90 includes three caps 91, a cap moving mechanism 92, and a suction pump 94. The caps 91 and the cap moving mechanism 92 are disposed at a home position HP (see FIG. 2) located at the right end of the guide rail 18 (see FIG. 2). Here, the home position HP is a position where the ink head 30 waits during print standby, i.e., when printing is not being performed. However, the position of the home position HP is not particularly limited, and may be the left end of the guide rail 18.

[0027] The cap 91 is a member that prevents ink adhering to the first nozzles 31 and second nozzles 32 and the nozzle surface 33 of the ink head 30 from hardening and clogging the nozzles. The caps 91 are lined up in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 6 , the cap 91 is attached to the ink head 30 when the ink head 30 is located at the home position HP (e.g., when waiting to print), and covers the nozzle surface 33. When the cap 91 is attached to the ink head 30, an enclosed space 93 is formed between the cap 91 and the nozzle surface 33.

[0028] The cap moving mechanism 92 supports the cap 91. The cap moving mechanism 92 is a mechanism that moves the cap 91 so that the cap 91 can be attached to and detached from the ink head 30. In this embodiment, the cap moving mechanism 92 moves the cap 91 in the vertical direction. The configuration of the cap moving mechanism 92 is not particularly limited, but for example, the cap moving mechanism 92 includes a drive motor 92A. By driving the drive motor 92A, the cap moving mechanism 92 moves the cap 91 in the vertical direction. When the ink head 30 moves to the home position HP, the cap moving mechanism 92 attaches the cap 91 to the ink head 30 by moving the cap 91 upward. In addition, the cap moving mechanism 92 removes the cap 91 from the ink head 30 by moving the cap 91 downward, for example, when starting printing.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, when the cap 91 is attached to the ink head 30, the suction pump 94 performs a cleaning operation of sucking a fluid (e.g., ink) in the sealed space 93 and discharging the ink from the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32. The suction port of the suction pump 94 is connected to the cap 91 via a flexible tube 95. The discharge port of the suction pump 94 is connected to a waste liquid tank 99. The fluid in the sealed space 93 sucked by the suction pump 94 is stored in the waste liquid tank 99. The cleaning operation is an operation to eliminate nozzle discharge failure and prevent clogging of the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 of the ink head 30. The suction pump 94 is controlled by the control device 70 (see FIG. 2).

[0030] The light source 50 is configured to be able to irradiate light with a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink (for example, light with a wavelength of 450 nm or more. Note that the wavelength at which the photocurable ink does not cure may vary depending on the composition of the photocurable ink) toward the table 35. Note that the light source 50 can also irradiate light with a wavelength at which the photocurable ink cures (for example, light with a wavelength of less than 450 nm). As shown in FIG. 5, the light source 50 is provided in the internal space 15S of the case 15. Here, the light source 50 is provided on the inner wall of the case 15. The light source 50 is disposed above the table 35. The light source 50 is disposed above the ink head 30. The light source 50 includes a first light source 51 and a second light source 52. The first light source 51 and the second light source 52 are aligned in the sub-scanning direction X. The first light source 51 is located behind the second light source 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the first light source 51 and the second light source 52 extend in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the length of the first light source 51 and the second light source 52 in the main scanning direction Y is longer than the length of the table 35 in the main scanning direction Y, but may be the same or shorter. At least a part of the first light source 51 overlaps with the movement trajectory of the ink head 30 in a plan view. The first light source 51 is located behind the front end 20F of the carriage 20. The second light source 52 is located forward of the front end 20F of the carriage 20. The first light source 51 is turned on, for example, to check the state of the ink immediately after the ink is discharged onto the recording medium 5. The second light source 52 is turned on to check the state of the ink after curing (printing). The first light source 51 and the second light source 52 are, for example, members in which a plurality of full-color LEDs are unitized (modularized). The first light source 51 and the second light source 52 can irradiate light of various colors (for example, yellow, white, red, green, blue, cyan, etc.). The first light source 51 and the second light source 52 are controlled by the control device 70.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 70 is a device that controls printing on the recording medium 5. The configuration of the control device 70 is not particularly limited. The control device 70 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, an interface (I / F) that receives print data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a ROM that stores a program executed by the CPU, a RAM used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores programs and various data. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 70 is provided inside the case 15. However, the control device 70 does not have to be provided inside the case 15. For example, the control device 70 may be a computer or the like installed outside the case 15. In this case, the control device 70 is connected to the printer 10 so as to be able to communicate with it via wire or wirelessly.

[0032] 7, the control device 70 is communicatively connected to the operation panel 25, the carriage moving mechanism 21, the ink head 30, the light irradiation devices 41 and 42, the first motor 39A of the first table moving mechanism 37 (see FIG. 2), the second motor 39B of the second table moving mechanism 38 (see FIG. 2), the first light source 51, the second light source 52, the drive motor 92A of the cap moving mechanism 92, and the suction pump 94. The control device 70 controls the carriage moving mechanism 21, the ink head 30, the light irradiation devices 41 and 42, the first motor 39A, the second motor 39B, the first light source 51, the second light source 52, the drive motor 92A, and the suction pump 94.

[0033] The control device 70 controls the timing at which the ink head 30 ejects the photocurable ink, the amount of photocurable ink ejected, etc. The control device 70 controls the timing at which ultraviolet light is emitted from the light irradiation devices 41, 42, etc. The control device 70 controls the timing at which light is emitted from the first light source 51 and the second light source 52, the color of the light, etc. The control device 70 controls the movement of the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y. The control device 70 controls the movement of the table 35 in the up-down direction Z and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 70 includes a storage unit 71, a determination unit 72, a mode confirmation unit 73, and a light source control unit 74. The functions of each unit of the control device 70 are realized by a program. This program is read from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD. The program may be downloaded via the Internet. The functions of each unit of the control device 70 may be realized by a processor and / or a circuit. The specific functions of each unit will be described later.

[0035] The storage unit 71 stores the relationship between the operation mode of the printer 10 and the light emitted from the light source 50. Examples of the operation mode include printing, cleaning, media setting, printing completion, standby, setting the print origin, and checking the test pattern. Here, the test pattern is printed on the recording medium 5 and is used to check the ejection state of the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 of the ink head 30. For example, during printing and cleaning, the nozzle surface 33 of the ink head 30 is exposed, so that the light source 50 emits light of a wavelength that does not cure the light curable ink in order not to cure the light curable ink. For example, during media setting, printing completion, standby, setting the print origin, and checking the test pattern, the light source 50 may emit light including a wavelength at which the light curable ink cures in order to increase the visibility of the internal space 15S. Note that even when not printing or cleaning, the light source 50 may emit light of a wavelength at which the light curable ink does not cure. During printing and cleaning, for example, yellow light is emitted from the light source 50. During media setting, printing completion, and standby, for example, white light is emitted from the light source 50. During setting of the print origin, for example, if the light emitted from the pointer 45 is red, cyan light is emitted from the light source 50. During confirmation of the test pattern, a color complementary to the test pattern is emitted from the light source 50. Note that when the test pattern is printed with transparent ink or when it is printed with ink of the same color as the recording medium 5, the color of the light emitted from the light source 50 is not particularly limited.

[0036] Next, a procedure for setting the light emitted from the light source 50 will be described.

[0037] First, in step S10, the user issues an instruction to turn on the light source 50 of the printer 10, for example, by operating the operation panel 25. The instruction to turn on the light source 50 is received by the control device .

[0038] In step S20, the determination unit 72 determines whether the ink head 30 is located at the home position HP. That is, the determination unit 72 determines whether the cap 91 is attached to the ink head 30. Here, it is determined whether the nozzle surface 33 of the ink head 30 is exposed to the outside. If the ink head 30 is located at the home position HP, the process proceeds to step S30. On the other hand, if the ink head 30 is not located at the home position HP, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0039] In step S30, the mode confirmation unit 73 confirms the operation mode of the printer 10.

[0040] In step S40, the light source control unit 74 causes the light source 50 to emit light according to the operation mode. When the cap 91 is attached to the ink head 30, the light source control unit 74 causes the light source 50 to emit light of a second wavelength (for example, white, cyan, red, green, and blue). When the operation mode is during the confirmation of the test pattern, the light source control unit 74 may set the color of the light emitted from the light source 50 to be a complementary color of the color of the test pattern. Note that, when a plurality of colors are printed on the test pattern, the complementary colors of each color may be turned on in order, or the user may be allowed to manually change the color selectively. In addition, when the operation mode is during the confirmation of the test pattern and the test pattern is printed with transparent ink, the light source control unit 74 may cause the light source farther from the test pattern in the sub-scanning direction X out of the first light source 51 and the second light source 52 to emit light. Furthermore, when the operation mode is during confirmation of the test pattern and the test pattern is printed with ink of the same color as the recording medium 5, the light source control unit 74 may irradiate light from one of the first light source 51 and the second light source 52, whichever is farther from the test pattern in the sub-scanning direction X. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the light E1 irradiated from the first light source 51 to the ink 8 of the test pattern printed on the recording medium 5 is at an angle larger than the light E2 irradiated from the second light source 52, so that a larger shadow is cast on the ink 8. In this case, the light source control unit 74 irradiates light from the first light source 51. Transparent ink and ink of the same color as the recording medium 5 are difficult to visually confirm, but by checking the shadow, it is possible to confirm whether the ink is being ejected appropriately.

[0041] In step S50, the light source control unit 74 causes the light source 50 to irradiate light of a wavelength at which the photocurable ink does not cure. That is, when the cap 91 is not attached to the ink head 30, the light source control unit 74 causes the light source 50 to irradiate light of a wavelength at which the photocurable ink does not cure. When the cap 91 is not attached to the ink head 30, the light source control unit 74 causes the light source 50 to irradiate light of a first wavelength (e.g., yellow).

[0042] As described above, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the front cover 23 has a transparent window portion 23A, and the recording medium 5 placed on the table 35 can be seen through the window portion 23A. Furthermore, the light source 50 is disposed in the internal space 15S above the table 35, and the light source 50 is configured to be able to irradiate light of a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink toward the table 35. For this reason, by irradiating light of a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink from the light source 50, the curing of the ejected photocurable ink does not progress, and the internal space 15S can be seen more clearly (distinctly).

[0043] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the light source 50 includes a first light source 51 provided on one side (here, rear) in the sub-scanning direction X, and a second light source 52 provided on the other side (here, front) in the sub-scanning direction X. This allows light to be irradiated over a wider range of the internal space 15S, making it possible to more clearly view the internal space 15S.

[0044] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the first light source 51 overlaps with the movement trajectory of the ink head 30 in a plan view. This makes it possible to more clearly confirm the state of the photocurable ink immediately after it is ejected onto the recording medium 5, and makes it easy to check, for example, the progress of an image being printed on the recording medium 5.

[0045] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, when a test pattern that allows confirmation of the ejection state of the first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32 is printed on the recording medium 5 with transparent ink, or when a test pattern is printed on the recording medium 5 with ink of the same color as the recording medium 5, the light source control unit 74 of the control device 70 causes the light source (the first light source 51 in the example shown in FIG. 9) that is farther from the test pattern in the sub-scanning direction X to emit light out of the first light source 51 and the second light source 52. In this way, by increasing the angle of the light irradiated onto the test pattern, the shadow of the photocurable ink of the test pattern becomes larger. Therefore, even if the test pattern is a transparent ink or an ink of the same color as the recording medium 5, which is normally difficult to see, the test pattern can be clearly seen by checking the shadow.

[0046] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the light source control unit 74 irradiates light from the light source 50 with a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink when the cap 91 is not attached to the ink head 30. When the cap 91 is not attached to the ink head 30, the nozzle surface 33 is exposed, and therefore, when light with a wavelength that cures the photocurable ink reaches the nozzle surface 33, clogging of the first nozzles 31 and the second nozzles 32 occurs. For this reason, when the cap 91 is not attached to the ink head 30, the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems can be suppressed by irradiating light from the light source 50 with a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink.

[0047] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the light source control unit 74 causes the light source 50 to irradiate light of a first wavelength when the cap 91 is not attached to the ink head 30, and causes the light source 50 to irradiate light of a second wavelength when the cap 91 is attached to the ink head 30. Since the nozzle surface 33 is not exposed when the cap 91 is attached to the ink head 30, clogging of the first nozzle 31 and the second nozzle 32 does not occur even if light of a second wavelength including, for example, ultraviolet light is irradiated from the light source 50. Therefore, it is possible to select a color that allows the internal space 15S to be more clearly visible.

[0048] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, when a test pattern that allows checking the ejection state of the multiple first nozzles 31 and second nozzles is printed on the recording medium 5, the light source control unit 74 sets the color of the light emitted from the light source 50 to the complementary color of the test pattern. This makes it possible to visually recognize the test pattern more clearly.

[0049] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in various other forms.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the light source 50 is provided on the inner wall of the case 15, but it may be provided on the inner wall of the front cover .

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the light source 50 includes the first light source 51 and the second light source 52, but the number of light sources may be one, or three or more. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Printer (inkjet printer) 15 cases 15S interior space 23 Front cover 23A Window 28 Aperture 30 Ink head 35 Table (Placement stand) 41, 42 Light irradiation device 50 light source 51 1st light source 52 Second light source 70 Control device 74 Light source control unit 91 Cap

Claims

1. a mounting table on which a recording medium is mounted; a case having an internal space for accommodating the mounting table and having an opening; a front cover provided on the case and configured to be able to open and close the opening; an ink head provided in the internal space, the ink head having a plurality of nozzles that eject photocurable ink onto the recording medium placed on the placement table and a nozzle surface on which the plurality of nozzles are formed; a light irradiation device provided in the internal space and capable of irradiating light toward the photocurable ink ejected onto the recording medium; a light source that is provided in the internal space so as to be positioned above the placement table and that is capable of irradiating the placement table with light of a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink; A control device for controlling the light source, The front cover has a transparent window. the recording medium placed on the placement table is visible through the window portion, The ink head is provided so as to be movable in a main scanning direction, the mounting table is provided so as to be movable in a sub-scanning direction that is a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, the light source includes a first light source provided on one side in the sub-scanning direction and a second light source provided on the other side in the sub-scanning direction, The control device is an inkjet printer that is provided with a light source control unit that irradiates light from one of the first light source and the second light source, which is farther from the test pattern in the sub-scanning direction, when a test pattern that allows the ejection status of the multiple nozzles to be confirmed is printed on the recording medium using transparent ink, or when the test pattern is printed on the recording medium using ink of the same color as the recording medium.

2. The inkjet printer according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first light source overlaps with a movement path of the ink head in a plan view.

3. An inkjet printer as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source control unit, when a test pattern capable of checking the ejection status of multiple nozzles is printed on the recording medium, sets the color of light emitted from the light source to the complementary color of the test pattern.

4. A mounting table on which a recording medium is placed; a case having an internal space for accommodating the mounting table and having an opening; a front cover provided on the case and configured to be able to open and close the opening; an ink head provided in the internal space, the ink head having a plurality of nozzles that eject photocurable ink onto the recording medium placed on the placement table and a nozzle surface on which the plurality of nozzles are formed; a light irradiation device provided in the internal space and capable of irradiating light toward the photocurable ink ejected onto the recording medium; a light source that is provided in the internal space so as to be positioned above the placement table and that is capable of irradiating the placement table with light of a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink; a cap that is detachably attached to the ink head and covers the nozzle surface when attached to the ink head and forms an enclosed space between the nozzle surface and the cap; A control device for controlling the light source, The front cover has a transparent window. the recording medium placed on the placement table is visible through the window portion, The control device of the inkjet printer includes a light source control unit that irradiates light from the light source with a wavelength that does not cure the photocurable ink when the cap is not attached to the ink head.

5. 5. The inkjet printer according to claim 4, wherein the light source control unit causes the light source to irradiate light of a first wavelength when the cap is not attached to the ink head, and causes the light source to irradiate light of a second wavelength when the cap is attached to the ink head.

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