Recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device which easily adjusts the adhesion position of ink.SOLUTION: A recording device 1 comprises: a recording head H; a carriage 11 which is mounted with the recording head H and provided with a first measurement area A1 and a second measurement area A4 as a measurement area A; a platen 3 which is arranged so as to oppose the recording head H; a reference part R1 which is arranged at a position that can oppose the recording head H in the platen 3; a distance sensor S which is provided in any one of the carriage 11 and the reference part R1 and measures a distance between the measurement area A and the reference part R1; and a control part 118 which obtains the inclination of the carriage 11 to the platen 3 on the basis of the measurement result of the distance sensor S and controls execution of prescribed processing. The distance sensor S measures the distance for the measurement area A1 and the measurement area A4 when obtaining the inclination of the carriage 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known recording devices that perform recording by depositing ink ejected from a recording head onto a recording medium. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device that measures the distance between the recording medium and the recording head using an acoustic distance sensor. In addition, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a recording device that adjusts the landing position of droplets ejected from the recording head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-88022 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-199280 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the recording devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a problem in that if the carriage carrying the recording head is tilted with respect to the platen, it takes a lot of effort to adjust the tilt. In particular, in a large recording device, it is necessary to adjust the tilt using a jig or the like during installation or maintenance. If there is a discrepancy between the tilt and the initial value of the tilt, it becomes difficult for the ink ejected from the recording head to adhere to the desired position, and the quality of the printed image, etc. may deteriorate. In particular, the above tendency is prominent in a recording device having a large carriage carrying multiple recording heads.

[0005] In contrast, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for reducing the inclination of the carriage relative to the platen even if the inclination increases. Also, in Patent Document 2, when the inclination of the carriage increases, there is a risk that the adjustable range of the landing position of the droplets may be exceeded. In other words, there has been a demand for a recording device that can easily adjust the deviation of the ink deposition position caused by the inclination of the carriage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The recording device comprises a recording head that performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium, a carriage that carries the recording head and has a first measurement area and a second measurement area as measurement areas, an opposing surface that is arranged opposite the recording head, a reference section that is arranged on the opposing surface at a position that can face the recording head, a measurement section that is provided on either the carriage or the reference section and measures the distance between the measurement area and the reference section, and a control section that determines the inclination of the carriage relative to the opposing surface based on the measurement results of the measurement section and controls the execution of a predetermined process for adjusting the application position of the liquid, wherein the measurement section measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area when determining the inclination of the carriage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a recording head. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a recording head. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of a measurement region and a reference portion. [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are schematic plan views showing other forms of the reference portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of a measurement region and a reference portion according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of a measurement region and a reference portion according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] In the embodiment described below, a large format recording device used for printing signage and the like will be illustrated and described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] In each of the following figures, XYZ axes are added as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes as necessary, the direction indicated by each arrow is the + direction, and the direction opposite the + direction is the - direction. The Y axis runs along the front-to-back direction of the recording device, with the +Y direction of the recording device being the front. The X axis runs along the left-to-right direction of the recording device, with the +X direction of the recording device being the right. The +X and -X directions along the X axis are sometimes collectively referred to simply as the X direction. The Z axis is a virtual axis that runs vertically, with the +Z direction of the recording device being the upward direction. Note that for ease of illustration, the sizes of each component are different from the actual size.

[0010] 1. First embodiment 1, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment includes multiple recording heads H, a carriage 11, and a platen 3 as an opposing surface. Although not shown, the recording device 1 also includes a reference unit, a distance sensor as a measurement unit, and a control unit.

[0011] The multiple recording heads H are mounted on a carriage 11. A platen 3 is disposed facing the multiple recording heads H. The multiple recording heads H perform recording by ejecting ink, which is a liquid, onto a recording medium P supported by the platen 3. Note that in the explanation of FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified, a state viewed from the side from the +X direction will be described. Also, for convenience of illustration, FIG. 1 shows only one of the multiple recording heads H. Note that the number of recording heads H mounted on the carriage 11 is not limited to being multiple.

[0012] The multiple recording heads H are mounted facing in the -Z direction on the lower surface, which is the lower surface of the carriage 11. Each recording head H has a nozzle surface F in the -Z direction. Nozzles, which will be described later, are provided on the nozzle surface F. Ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles.

[0013] The carriage 11 includes an adjustment unit (not shown). The adjustment unit is, for example, interposed between the carriage 11 and a support member that supports the carriage 11, and adjusts the distance between a reference unit (described later) and a measurement area of ​​the carriage 11. For the adjustment unit, a mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear motion, such as a ball screw or a stepless eccentric cam, is used. Specifically, in the case of a ball screw, the above distance is adjusted by rotating a screw shaft.

[0014] Each recording head H is connected to a pipe extending from an ink tank (not shown). The ink tanks store color inks of various colors and white ink separately. The ink tanks may also store treatment liquids such as a pretreatment agent and a coating liquid. In this specification, the above-mentioned inks, treatment liquids, and other liquids are collectively referred to as ink.

[0015] When the recording device 1 performs recording, each nozzle surface F of the recording head H is disposed opposite the platen 3 via the recording medium P. The recording head H is an inkjet head that is driven to eject ink by a piezoelectric element. The means for driving the recording head H to eject ink is not limited to the piezoelectric element.

[0016] The carriage 11 is disposed facing the platen 3. The -Y end of the carriage 11 is supported by a guide shaft 20 extending along the width direction X, and is moved back and forth in the X direction relative to the recording medium P by a carriage drive unit (not shown). In other words, the carriage 11 is scanned in the X direction that intersects with the +Y direction, which is the transport direction in which the recording medium P is transported on the platen 3. The carriage drive unit applies a driving force for reciprocating movement to the carriage by a carriage motor (described later). The position of the carriage 11 in the X direction is detected by an encoder provided in the carriage drive unit.

[0017] The recording device 1 includes a sending section 14, support sections 2 and 4, a conveying section 9, a platen 3, and a winding section 15 as a conveying and supporting mechanism for the recording medium P. In the sending section 14, the roll-shaped recording medium P before recording is unwound and conveyed to the platen 3. In the winding section 15, the recording medium P after recording is wound into a roll. That is, a roll-shaped recording medium P is applicable for recording in the recording device 1. The recording medium P is not limited to being in a roll shape, and may be in a single sheet shape. The recording device 1 may also be a flatbed type in which recording is performed without conveying the recording medium P.

[0018] The recording medium P is transported from the delivery unit 14 by the transport unit 9. At this time, the roll-shaped recording medium P is rotated, for example, in the rotation direction C on the platen 3 so that the recording surface 16 faces upward, and is unwound.

[0019] The recording medium P, which has been unwound and transported upward from the delivery section 14, reaches the support section 2. The support section 2 has an area in contact with the recording medium P formed in an arc shape. The recording medium P is transported in the transport direction A while in contact with the area of ​​the support section 2. As a result, the recording medium P reaches the transport section 9.

[0020] The transport unit 9 includes a drive roller 5 and a driven roller 6. The drive roller 5 and the driven roller 6 are disposed between the support unit 2 and the platen 3. The driven roller 6 is located above the drive roller 5. The drive roller 5 and the driven roller 6 are cylindrical, and each of their rotation axes is aligned with the X-axis.

[0021] The driving roller 5 and the driven roller 6 rotate with the recording medium P sandwiched therebetween, thereby transporting the recording medium P in the +Y direction. More specifically, the driving roller 5 and the driven roller 6 unwind and pull out the rolled recording medium P from the delivery unit 14, and transport it to the platen 3 via the support unit 2. The driving roller 5 rotates in a counterclockwise rotation direction C by the drive of a transport motor, which will be described later. The driven roller 6 rotates clockwise in response to the rotation of the driving roller 5. As a result, the recording medium P reaches the platen 3.

[0022] The platen 3 has a flat upper surface. The upper surface of the platen 3 is approximately along the XY plane. On the platen 3, ink droplets are deposited from the multiple recording heads H onto the recording medium P. At this time, the recording medium P is transported in the +Y direction while being supported on the upper surface of the platen 3. The multiple recording heads H are also scanned in a direction along the X axis. Therefore, the multiple recording heads H can scan in a direction along the X axis relative to the recording medium P, and can move in a direction along the Y axis relative to the recording medium P. As a result, an image, text, pattern, or the like is formed and recorded on the recording medium P. The recording medium P then reaches the support unit 4 from the platen 3.

[0023] The support part 4 is disposed in the +Y direction of the platen 3. The +Y direction of the support part 4 is inclined downward. Due to the inclination of the support part 4, the support part 4 guides the transport direction of the recording medium P from the +Y direction to the transport direction B. A winding part 15 is provided at the end of the inclination of the support part 4.

[0024] The winding unit 15 is driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate, for example, in a rotation direction C, and winds up the recording medium P in a roll.

[0025] 2A and 2B, in plan view from the -Z direction, the recording head H is substantially rectangular, and a substantially rectangular nozzle surface F is provided in the center of the recording head H. The nozzle surface F is aligned substantially along the XY plane. The nozzle surface F protrudes in the -Z direction from the main body of the recording head H in side view from the +X direction.

[0026] On the nozzle surface F, four nozzle rows 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d are arranged in this order toward the +X direction. Each of the nozzle rows 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d extends along the Y axis. Each of the nozzle rows 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d is composed of a plurality of nozzles 201. Droplets of the corresponding type of ink are ejected from each of the nozzles 201 in the nozzle rows 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d. The nozzle rows arranged on the nozzle surface F are not limited to the above configuration.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the platen 3 includes platens 3A and 3B adjacent to each other. In Fig. 3, the carriage 11 and other components are indicated by dashed lines, and the vicinity of the boundary between the platens 3A and 3B in the +X direction within the range scanned by the carriage 11 is illustrated in an enlarged manner. In the following explanation of Fig. 3, unless otherwise specified, a plan view from above will be described.

[0028] The platen 3A is a transport path along which a recording medium P (not shown) is transported. In other words, the range of the platen 3A in the direction along the X-axis is also the scanning range in which the carriage 11 scans when the recording apparatus 1 records.

[0029] Platen 3B is provided on the outside in the +X direction with respect to platen 3A, which is the transport path for recording medium P. The boundary between platen 3A and platen 3B extends along the Y axis. A reference portion R1 is provided on platen 3B. Platen 3B is not limited to being disposed in the +X direction with respect to platen 3A, and may be disposed in the -X direction.

[0030] The reference part R1 is a measurement part on the platen 3 side when measuring the distance between the carriage 11 and the platen 3. The reference part R1 is a generally rectangular shape elongated in the direction along the Y axis. The reference part R1 is disposed at a position where it can face a plurality of recording heads H. More specifically, the reference part R1 is provided on the platen 3B, for example, between the platen 3A and a maintenance position of the carriage 11 in the recording device 1. That is, the carriage 11 faces the reference part R1 during scanning in the +X direction other than during recording of the recording device 1. The reference part R1 is provided outside the conveying path of the recording medium P. Therefore, the reference part R1 is less likely to come into contact with the recording medium P, and the adhesion of dust and the like originating from the recording medium P can be suppressed, thereby keeping the reference part R1 clean.

[0031] The carriage 11 is substantially rectangular. Eight recording heads H1, ..., H8 are mounted on the underside of the carriage 11 as the multiple recording heads H. Therefore, if the underside is inclined with respect to the platen 3, there is a possibility that the deposition position of the ink ejected from each recording head H may deviate from the desired position. Therefore, in the recording device 1 of this embodiment, the deposition position of the ink is adjusted according to the inclination of the carriage 11 with respect to the platen 3 by a predetermined process performed by a control unit, which will be described later. Note that the number and arrangement of the recording heads H are not limited to the above configuration.

[0032] In the following description, the inclination of the carriage 11 with respect to the platen 3 will also be simply referred to as the inclination of the carriage 11. The inclination of the carriage 11 refers to the inclination of the bottom surface of the carriage 11 with respect to the top surface of the platen 3.

[0033] Four measurement areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 are provided at the four vertices of the lower surface of the carriage 11. In detail, on the lower surface of the carriage 11, the measurement area A1 is arranged corresponding to the right and rear corner, the measurement area A2 is arranged corresponding to the left and rear corner, the measurement area A3 is arranged corresponding to the right and front corner, and the measurement area A4 is arranged corresponding to the left and front corner. Any two of the four measurement areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 correspond to the first measurement area and the second measurement area of ​​the present invention. Specifically, for example, the first measurement area is the measurement area A1, the second measurement area is the measurement area A4, and the second measurement area is the measurement area A2.

[0034] A third measurement area may be further provided as the measurement area A. The third area is, for example, the measurement area A2. When the carriage 11 is viewed from above, the measurement area A1 which is the first measurement area, the measurement area A4 which is the second measurement area, and the measurement area A2 which is the third measurement area are not arranged in a straight line.

[0035] The distance along the Z axis between each of the measurement areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 and the reference part R1 is measured to detect the inclination of the carriage 11. In the following description, the measurement areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 may be collectively referred to simply as the measurement area A.

[0036] In each of the measurement areas A, a distance sensor S, which is a measurement unit, is provided facing downward. That is, multiple distance sensors S are provided on the carriage 11. Since the distance sensor S is provided facing downward like the nozzle surface F of the recording head H, foreign matter such as dust is unlikely to adhere to the distance sensor S, and the performance of the distance sensor S can be maintained. The distance sensor S measures the distance along the Z axis between each measurement area A of the carriage 11 and the reference part R1 of the platen 3.

[0037] The multiple distance sensors S include distance sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 corresponding to each measurement area A. Distance sensor S1 corresponds to measurement area A1, distance sensor S2 corresponds to measurement area A2, distance sensor S3 corresponds to measurement area A3, and distance sensor S4 corresponds to measurement area A4.

[0038] The measurement areas A1, A2 and the distance sensors S1, S2 are arranged on a virtual line L1 along the X-axis. The measurement areas A3, A4 and the distance sensors S3, S4 are arranged on a virtual line L2 along the X-axis. The distance sensors S1, S3 and the distance sensors S2, S4 are each arranged along the Y-axis. With the above arrangement, when the carriage 11 passes over the platen 3A and is scanned toward the platen 3B in the +X direction, the distance sensors S1, S3 face the reference portion R1, and then the distance sensors S2, S4 face it. Therefore, as the carriage 11 is scanned, the reference portion R1 faces the measurement areas A1, A3 and then the measurement areas A2, A4 in sequence.

[0039] The distance sensor S is not limited to being provided on the carriage 11, and may be provided on either the carriage 11 or the reference portion R1 of the platen 3. For example, distance sensors S11 and S13 may be provided on the reference portion R1 instead of the distance sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4. In this case, in the reference portion R1, the distance sensor S11 is disposed on an imaginary straight line L1, and the distance sensor S13 is disposed on an imaginary straight line L2.

[0040] As a result, when the carriage 11 scans the platen 3B, the measurement area A1 faces the distance sensor S11, and the measurement area A3 faces the distance sensor S13. Next, the measurement area A2 faces the distance sensor S11, and the measurement area A4 faces the distance sensor S13.

[0041] By arranging the distance sensors S11 and S13 at the reference portion R1, the platen 3 does not move, thereby improving the measurement accuracy of the distance sensors S. Furthermore, the distance sensors S11 and S13 are provided outside the transport path of the recording medium P and are less likely to come into contact with the recording medium P. This prevents dust and other particles from adhering to the distance sensors S11 and S13 from the recording medium P, allowing the distance sensors S11 and S13 to be kept clean. Furthermore, the distance sensor S can be shared by multiple measurement areas A, reducing the number of distance sensors S.

[0042] The distance between each measurement area A and the reference part R1 is measured by facing them in the direction along the Z axis. As the carriage 11 is scanned in the X direction, the reference part R1 sequentially faces each measurement area A. At this time, the distance between each measurement area A and the reference part R1 is measured sequentially.

[0043] The distance sensor S is a non-contact distance measuring device. Examples of the distance sensor S include an optical type, a sonic type, and an ultrasonic type. In this embodiment, an ultrasonic sensor including a thin film piezoelectric element described below is used as the distance sensor S.

[0044] The ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate having an opening penetrating through the substrate in the thickness direction, a diaphragm that covers the opening, a thin-film piezoelectric element provided on the rear surface of the diaphragm at a position corresponding to the opening, and an elastic layer that is located inside the opening and faces the thin-film piezoelectric element via the diaphragm. The vibration area of ​​the diaphragm and the thin-film piezoelectric element form one ultrasonic transducer.

[0045] In the ultrasonic sensor, a pulse voltage of a predetermined frequency is applied between two electrodes of the thin-film piezoelectric element, causing the thin-film piezoelectric element to bend and vibrate the vibration area, transmitting ultrasonic waves from the opening. When ultrasonic waves propagating toward the ultrasonic sensor vibrate the vibration area of ​​the diaphragm, a potential difference is generated between the two electrodes of the thin-film piezoelectric element. By detecting this potential difference, it is possible to detect the timing of ultrasonic oscillation and reception. Furthermore, the distance sensor S includes a temperature and humidity sensor, and calculates the speed of sound from the measured temperature and humidity. The temperature and humidity sensor does not need to be located in the same position as the distance sensor S.

[0046] With the above configuration, it is possible to measure the distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the measurement object by transmitting ultrasonic waves to the measurement object and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected by the measurement object. Note that the ultrasonic sensor of this embodiment is a small ultrasonic sensor specialized for use when the object is located at a short distance.

[0047] An ultrasonic sensor including a thin-film piezoelectric element can improve the spatial resolution in distance measurement compared to an ultrasonic sensor that does not use a thin-film piezoelectric element. Also, it is easier to miniaturize compared to optical and sonic sensors. Therefore, the distance sensor S is small and lightweight, and can be easily mounted on the carriage 11. Furthermore, an ultrasonic sensor has the advantage that it is less affected by the color and surface reflectance of the measurement target compared to optical sensors.

[0048] The distance sensor S measures the distance along the Z axis between each measurement area A and the reference part R1. That is, when determining the inclination of the carriage 11, the distance sensor S measures the distance at least for the measurement area A1 and the measurement area A4. The distance, which is the measurement result, is converted into information on the inclination of the carriage 11 by the control unit 118, which will be described later. As long as the inclination information can be obtained, the number and arrangement of the measurement areas A are not limited to the above configuration.

[0049] Specifically, when the carriage 11 is viewed from below, in other words, when the lower surface of the carriage 11 is viewed from the -Z direction, the three measurement areas A should be arranged at the vertices of a triangle. In other words, when the carriage 11 is viewed from below, the three measurement areas A should not be arranged on the same straight line. For example, any one of the four measurement areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 may be omitted to obtain information on the inclination of the carriage 11 with the three measurement areas A. In a configuration having three measurement areas A, the inclination in two directions can be detected. Note that the number of measurement areas A is not limited to three or four, and may be two or more. Even in a configuration having two measurement areas A, the inclination in at least one direction can be detected.

[0050] 4, the reference portion R1 may be divided into a reference portion R1a corresponding to the distance sensors S1 and S2, and a reference portion R1b corresponding to the distance sensors S3 and S4. In this case, the reference portion R1a is disposed on an imaginary straight line L1, and the reference portion R1b is disposed on an imaginary straight line L2. Furthermore, the distance sensor S11 may be provided on the reference portion R1a, and the distance sensor S13 may be provided on the reference portion R1b.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 118 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 119, a system bus 120, a read only memory (ROM) 121, a random access memory (RAM) 122, a head driving unit 123, a motor driving unit 124, and an input / output unit 130.

[0052] The CPU 119 is responsible for the overall control of the recording device 1. The CPU 119 is electrically connected to a ROM 121, a RAM 122, and a head driving unit 123 via a system bus 120. The ROM 121 stores various control programs and maintenance sequences executed by the CPU 119. The RAM 122 temporarily stores data. The head driving unit 123 drives the multiple recording heads H, namely, recording heads H1, H2, ..., H8.

[0053] The CPU 119 is electrically connected to a motor driving unit 124 via a system bus 120. The motor driving unit 124 is electrically connected to the carriage motor 65, the transport motor 88, and the lift drive motor 99.

[0054] The carriage motor 65 is included in the carriage drive unit described above. The carriage motor 65 moves the carriage 11 back and forth in the X direction. The transport motor 88 drives the drive roller 5 described above to transport the recording medium P. The lift drive motor 99 is connected to the support member of the carriage 11 described above, and moves the support member in the direction along the Z axis. This causes the distances between the carriage 11 and the multiple recording heads H and the platen 3 and recording medium P to be changed uniformly.

[0055] The CPU 119 is electrically connected to an input / output unit 130 via a system bus 120. The input / output unit 130 is electrically connected to distance sensors S1, S2, ..., S8, which are measurement units, and a PC (Personal Computer) 129. The PC 129 is an information device that inputs recording data and the like to the recording device 1.

[0056] At least three of the distance sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 measure the distance between each measurement area A and the reference part R1 for at least three corresponding measurement areas A. Note that the distance sensors S11 and S13 described above may be used instead of the distance sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4. Also, the reference parts R1a and R1b may be used as the reference part R1.

[0057] The control unit 118 determines the inclination of the carriage 11 with respect to the platen 3 based on information on the distance between each measurement area A and the reference part R1, which is the measurement result of the distance sensor S. In the recording device 1, the distance between each measurement area A and the reference part R1 is measured in a state in which the arrangement of each member is adjusted before shipping. The measurement result obtained here is stored in the RAM 122 as initial information on the inclination of the carriage 11 adjusted in advance. In addition, the above distance is also measured at any time after shipping, after the recording device 1 is transported, after installation, after a certain period of use, and after the recording head H is replaced. These measurements are also stored in the RAM 122 as information on the above inclination at each time point.

[0058] The control unit 118 controls the execution of a predetermined process for adjusting the ink deposition position based on information about the inclination of the carriage 11 based on the measurement results of the distance sensor S. The predetermined process of the control unit 118 adjusts the deposition position of the ink ejected from each of the recording heads H1, H2, ..., H8. Note that the information about the distance between the measurement area A and the platen 3 by the distance sensor S does not include the thickness of the recording medium P. The adjustment for the thickness of the recording medium P may be performed by raising and lowering the carriage 11 using the lift drive motor 99.

[0059] The control unit 118 prestores information about the inclination of the carriage 11 with respect to the platen 3 when the carriage 11 is adjusted to the correct position, and executes a predetermined process based on the measurement results and the inclination information. This makes it possible to easily adjust the ink deposition position by referencing the inclination information of the carriage 11 when it is adjusted to the correct position and executing a correction to reduce the difference as a predetermined process.

[0060] The predetermined processing by the control unit 118 includes, as a software adjustment, correcting at least one of the ejection timing and the ejection speed of ink droplets in each recording head H. The predetermined processing also includes adjustment by the above-mentioned adjustment unit, which is a mechanical adjustment, and support when the adjustment is performed manually.

[0061] First, the software adjustment of the above-mentioned predetermined processing will be described. For example, the ROM 121 stores in advance a plurality of ejection conditions, such as the ejection timing and ejection speed of ink droplets, corresponding to the inclination of the carriage 11. The control unit 118 reads out the above-mentioned ejection conditions, corresponding to the inclination of the carriage 11 obtained from the measurement results, from the ROM 121. Next, the control unit 118 corrects the ejection timing and ejection speed of ink droplets based on the above-mentioned ejection conditions, and controls the head driving unit 123 via the system bus 120.

[0062] The adjustment of the ejection timing includes correction of the ejection timing of ink droplets from each print head H that is scanned together with the carriage 11 during printing. This corrects the microscopic positions at which ink droplets adhere to the printing medium P. The adjustment of the ejection speed includes correction of the ejection speed of ink droplets from each print head H that is scanned during printing. This corrects the microscopic positions at which ink droplets adhere to the printing medium P.

[0063] As described above, the ejection timing and ejection speed of ink droplets are corrected as software adjustments, and the deposition positions of ink droplets can be easily adjusted.

[0064] Next, the mechanical adjustment of the above-mentioned predetermined process will be described. For example, the difference between the initial information stored in the RAM 122 and the measurement result at any time is mechanically eliminated via the adjustment unit. That is, as the above-mentioned predetermined process, the adjustment unit is controlled to automatically adjust the distance between the reference part R1 and each measurement area A to return it to the initial state.

[0065] When a ball screw or an eccentric cam is used as the adjustment unit, it is rotated by a motor (not shown) controlled by the control unit 118. The above adjustment may also be performed in combination with adjustment of the height of the carriage 11 by the lift drive motor 99. This makes it possible to easily adjust the ink deposition position on the recording medium P. The adjustment unit may be provided in multiple locations. When performing automatic adjustment, both software adjustment and mechanical adjustment may be performed. For example, adjustment up to a predetermined range may be corrected by software adjustment, and adjustment beyond the predetermined range may be performed by mechanical adjustment.

[0066] The above mechanical adjustment may be performed manually. Specifically, the control unit 118 may notify adjustment information for adjusting the distance between the reference portion R1 and each recording head H by the adjustment unit in the manual adjustment via the adjustment unit.

[0067] The adjustment information may include information on the difference between the initial information on the inclination of the carriage 11 stored in the RAM 122 and the measurement result at any time, guidance information on the appropriate adjustment amount in the adjustment unit, and information indicating that the appropriate adjustment has been completed. Examples of the notification means include a display on a display panel (not shown) or PC 129 provided in the recording device 1, a notification sound, a voice, and an indicator light. This eliminates the need for a tool or the like for correcting the inclination of the carriage 11, and makes it possible to easily adjust the ink deposition position on the recording medium P.

[0068] It is preferable that the adjustment information is updated sequentially at a predetermined time interval. That is, when performing manual adjustment, it is possible to proceed with the adjustment while checking the updated adjustment information. Therefore, the adjustment work can be performed more easily.

[0069] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The deviation of the ink deposition position caused by the inclination of the carriage 11 can be easily adjusted. More specifically, for at least three measurement areas A in the carriage 11, the distance between each measurement area A and the reference part R1 is measured. Since the three measurement areas A are respectively arranged at the vertices of a triangle, the inclination of the carriage 11 in two directions relative to the platen 3 can be obtained from the measurement results. As a result, the ink deposition position on the recording medium P is adjusted by a predetermined process by the control unit 118. In other words, it is possible to provide a recording device 1 that easily adjusts the deviation of the ink deposition position caused by the inclination of the carriage 11.

[0070] In this embodiment, at least three of the distance sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 were used to measure the distance between the measurement area A and the reference part R1 for at least three corresponding measurement areas A. However, the number of distance sensors S and measurement areas A is not limited to three. In a configuration in which the end side of the carriage 11 in the -Y direction is supported by the guide shaft 20, the end side of the carriage in the +Y direction is likely to tilt downward due to the weight of the carriage 11. In such a configuration, by measuring the distance between at least two measurement areas A and the reference part R1 along the Y direction, it is possible to detect the tilt in the Y direction where tilt is likely to occur.

[0071] 2. Second embodiment In the recording device according to this embodiment, the arrangement of the reference portion R1 is changed from that of the recording device 1 of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0072] 6, in the recording device of this embodiment, a reference portion R2 is provided on a platen 3A. As described above, the platen 3A is located inside the scanning range scanned by the carriage 11 during recording. In other words, the reference portion R2 is provided at a position facing each measurement area A when the carriage 11 scans within the scanning range during recording. The reference portion R2 is a generally rectangular shape that is elongated in the direction along the Y axis when viewed in a plan view from above.

[0073] In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the distance sensor S is provided on either the carriage 11 or the reference portion R2.

[0074] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0075] 3. Third embodiment In the recording device according to this embodiment, the arrangement and form of the reference portion R2 are changed from the recording device according to the second embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 7, in the recording apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of reference portions R31, R32, R33, and R34 are provided on a platen 3A. Here, for convenience of illustration, Fig. 7 shows a state in which each measurement area A and the reference portions R31, R32, R33, and R34 are slightly shifted in the X direction.

[0077] The reference parts R31, R32, R33, and R34 are not integral like the second embodiment, but are divided into four parts corresponding to the arrangement of each measurement area A. Each of the reference parts R31, R32, R33, and R34 is substantially rectangular in a plan view from above, and has an area that overlaps with each measurement area A. Here, any two of the four reference parts R31, R32, R33, and R34 correspond to the first reference part and the second reference part of the present invention. For example, when the first measurement area is the measurement area A1, the first reference part is R31, and when the second measurement area is the measurement area A4, the second reference part is the reference part R34.

[0078] When the carriage 11 is scanned during recording, the reference portions R31, R32, R33, and R34 simultaneously face all of the measurement areas A of the carriage 11. Specifically, the measurement area A1 and the reference portion R31, the measurement area A2 and the reference portion R32, the measurement area A3 and the reference portion R33, and the measurement area A4 and the reference portion R34 each simultaneously face each other.

[0079] As the distance sensor S, distance sensors S31, S32, S33, and S34 may be provided on the platen 3A instead of the distance sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4. The distance sensor S31 may be disposed on the reference portion R31, the distance sensor S32 on the reference portion R32, the distance sensor S33 on the reference portion R33, and the distance sensor S34 on the reference portion R34. In this case, the distance sensors S31 and S32 are provided on the imaginary straight line L1, and the distance sensors S33 and S34 are provided on the imaginary straight line L2.

[0080] According to the above, it is possible to simultaneously measure the distance between each measurement area A and the corresponding reference portions R31, R32, R33, and R34, and the above measurements can be performed in a short time.

[0081] Furthermore, the arrangement of the reference portions R31, R32, R33, and R34 is not limited to all of them facing each measurement area A at the same time. For example, if there is a slight undulation or tilt in the X direction of the platen 3A, the reference portions R31, R32, R33, and R34 may be provided in any area where the influence of the undulation or tilt is reduced. This makes it possible to suppress the influence of the undulation or tilt of the upper surface of the platen 3 and improve the quality of the recorded image, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...recording device, 3...platen as opposing surface, 11...carriage, 118...control unit, A, A1, A2, A3, A4...measurement area, H, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8...recording head, P...recording medium, R1, R1a, R1b, R2, R31, R32, R33, R34...reference unit, S, S1, S2, S3, S4, S11, S13, S31, S32, S33, S34...distance sensors as measurement units.

Claims

1. A recording head that performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which is provided with a first measurement area, a second measurement area, and a third measurement area as measurement areas; a facing surface disposed opposite the recording head; a reference portion disposed on the facing surface at a position capable of facing the recording head; a measurement unit provided on either the carriage or the reference unit, the measurement unit measuring a distance between the measurement area and the reference unit; a control unit that determines an inclination of the carriage with respect to the facing surface based on a measurement result of the measurement unit and controls execution of a predetermined process for adjusting an application position of the liquid, When the carriage is viewed from above, the first measurement area, the second measurement area, and the third measurement area are not arranged in a straight line, The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area when determining the inclination of the carriage.

2. The recording device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit pre-stores information on the inclination of the carriage relative to the opposing surface when the carriage is adjusted to a correct position, and executes the specified processing based on the measurement results and the inclination information.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process corrects at least one of a discharge timing and a discharge speed of the liquid.

4. the carriage includes an adjustment unit that adjusts a distance between the carriage and the reference unit in accordance with the measurement area; 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process controls the adjustment unit to automatically adjust the distance.

5. the carriage includes an adjustment unit that adjusts a distance between the carriage and the reference unit in accordance with the measurement area; The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined process includes a process of correcting at least one of the ejection timing and the ejection speed, and a process of automatically adjusting the distance by controlling the adjustment unit.

6. the carriage includes an adjustment unit that adjusts a distance between the carriage and the reference unit in accordance with the measurement area; The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined process notifies adjustment information for adjusting the distance by the adjustment unit.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the adjustment information is updated successively at predetermined time intervals.

8. the carriage is scanned in a direction intersecting a transport direction in which the recording medium is transported, 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference portion is provided inside a scanning range in which the carriage is scanned and at a position facing the measurement area when the carriage is scanned.

9. 9. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein the reference portion is provided with a first reference portion capable of facing the first measurement area and a second reference portion capable of facing the second measurement area, and when the carriage is scanned, the first measurement area and the first reference portion, and the second measurement area and the second reference portion simultaneously face each other.

10. 9. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein the reference portion is provided outside a transport path along which the recording medium is transported, and faces the first measurement area and the second measurement area successively as the carriage is scanned.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the measurement units are provided on the carriage corresponding to the measurement areas.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the measurement sections are provided in the reference section corresponding to the measurement areas.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the measurement section has an ultrasonic sensor including a thin-film piezoelectric element.

14. A recording head that performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which has a first measurement area and a second measurement area as measurement areas; a facing surface disposed opposite the recording head; a reference portion disposed on the facing surface at a position capable of facing the recording head; a measurement unit provided on either the carriage or the reference unit, the measurement unit measuring a distance between the measurement area and the reference unit; a control unit that determines an inclination of the carriage with respect to the facing surface based on a measurement result of the measurement unit and controls execution of a predetermined process for adjusting an application position of the liquid, the measurement unit measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area when determining the inclination of the carriage; The control unit pre-stores information on the inclination of the carriage relative to the opposing surface when the carriage is adjusted to the correct position, and executes the specified processing based on the measurement results and the inclination information.

15. A recording head for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which has a first measurement area and a second measurement area as measurement areas; a facing surface disposed opposite the recording head; a reference portion disposed on the facing surface at a position capable of facing the recording head; a measurement unit provided on either the carriage or the reference unit, the measurement unit measuring a distance between the measurement area and the reference unit; a control unit that determines an inclination of the carriage with respect to the facing surface based on a measurement result of the measurement unit and controls execution of a predetermined process for adjusting an application position of the liquid, the measurement unit measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area when determining the inclination of the carriage; the carriage includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the distance between the carriage and the reference unit in accordance with the measurement area; The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a process of controlling the adjustment unit to automatically adjust the distance.

16. A recording head for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which has a first measurement area and a second measurement area as measurement areas; a facing surface disposed opposite the recording head; a reference portion disposed on the facing surface at a position capable of facing the recording head; a measurement unit provided on either the carriage or the reference unit, the measurement unit measuring a distance between the measurement area and the reference unit; a control unit that determines an inclination of the carriage with respect to the facing surface based on a measurement result of the measurement unit and controls execution of a predetermined process for adjusting an application position of the liquid, the measurement unit measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area when determining the inclination of the carriage; the carriage includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the distance between the carriage and the reference unit in accordance with the measurement area; The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a process of notifying adjustment information for adjusting the distance by the adjustment unit.

17. A recording head for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which has a first measurement area and a second measurement area as measurement areas; a facing surface disposed opposite the recording head; a reference portion disposed on the facing surface at a position capable of facing the recording head; a measurement unit provided on either the carriage or the reference unit, the measurement unit measuring a distance between the measurement area and the reference unit; a control unit that determines an inclination of the carriage with respect to the facing surface based on a measurement result of the measurement unit and controls execution of a predetermined process for adjusting an application position of the liquid, A recording device characterized in that the measurement unit is provided in a plurality of positions on the reference unit corresponding to the measurement areas, and when determining the inclination of the carriage, the measurement unit measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area.

18. A recording head for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which has a first measurement area and a second measurement area as measurement areas; a facing surface disposed opposite the recording head; a reference portion disposed on the facing surface at a position capable of facing the recording head; a measurement unit provided on either the carriage or the reference unit, the measurement unit measuring a distance between the measurement area and the reference unit; a control unit that determines an inclination of the carriage with respect to the facing surface based on a measurement result of the measurement unit and controls execution of a predetermined process for adjusting an application position of the liquid, A recording apparatus characterized in that the measurement unit has an ultrasonic sensor including a thin-film piezoelectric element, and measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area when determining the inclination of the carriage.

19. A recording head for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium to perform recording; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which has a first measurement area and a second measurement area as measurement areas; a facing surface disposed opposite the recording head and supporting the recording medium; a reference portion disposed on the facing surface at a position capable of facing the recording head; a measurement unit provided on either the carriage or the reference unit, the measurement unit measuring a distance between the measurement area and the reference unit; a control unit that determines an inclination of the carriage with respect to the facing surface based on a measurement result of the measurement unit and controls execution of a predetermined process for adjusting an application position of the liquid, The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit measures the distance for the first measurement area and the second measurement area when determining the inclination of the carriage.

20. A recording device as described in Claim 19, wherein the reference portion is provided outside the transport path of the recording medium on the opposing surface.

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