Recording device

Abstract

To solve a problem that proper recording on a medium cannot be performed.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit capable of recording by ejecting liquid onto the medium through which ultrasonic waves can pass, a transport unit capable of transporting the medium, an imaging unit capable of imaging the medium, an ultrasonic sensor including a transmitting unit capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the medium and a receiving unit capable of receiving the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitting unit, a control unit capable of controlling an operation of the recording unit based on the imaging result by the imaging unit and the detection result by the ultrasonic sensor, and the transmission unit and the reception unit are positioned so as to sandwich the medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, an apparatus that images a fabric with a camera and performs printing is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can only image the surface of the fabric with a camera, and there is a risk that printing cannot be performed appropriately.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The recording apparatus includes a recording unit capable of recording by discharging a liquid onto a medium through which ultrasonic waves can pass, a conveyance unit capable of conveying the medium, an imaging unit capable of imaging the medium, a transmission unit capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the medium, a reception unit capable of receiving the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmission unit, an ultrasonic sensor including the reception unit, and a control unit capable of controlling the operation of the recording unit based on the imaging result of the imaging unit and the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor. The transmission unit and the reception unit are positioned so as to sandwich the medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The directions in the drawings will be described using a three-dimensional coordinate system in which the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. At this time, the direction along the X-axis is the X direction, the direction along the Y-axis is the Y direction, and the direction along the Z-axis is the Z direction. For convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the Z direction is referred to as the upward direction or simply up, the negative direction is referred to as the downward direction or simply down, the positive direction of the X direction is referred to as the right direction or simply right, the negative direction is referred to as the left direction or simply left, and the positive direction of the Y direction is referred to as the front direction or simply front, and the negative direction is referred to as the rear direction or simply rear for explanation.

[0008] 1. Recording Apparatus According to the First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, an ultrasonic sensor 12, a recording unit 13, a conveyance unit 14, and an imaging unit 15. The configuration of the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as well.

[0009] The control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls each part of the recording device 1, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that manages input / output, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) which are logic circuits, etc. The CPU is also simply called a processor. The storage unit 11 is composed of a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a rewritable non-volatile memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a volatile memory, etc. The CPU of the control unit 10 reads programs such as firmware stored in the non-volatile memory of the storage unit 11 and executes them using the RAM of the storage unit 11 as a working area.

[0010] The medium M shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a long fabric made of natural fibers or synthetic fibers and is capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves. The long fabric is also called a raw fabric. The recording device 1 performs recording on the medium M. Recording on the fabric is also called printing, and the medium M is also called a material to be printed.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance unit 14 is composed of an endless conveyance belt 20, a drive roller 14a which is a first roller, and a driven roller 14b which is a second roller. The conveyance belt 20 is stretched between the drive roller 14a and the driven roller 14b. The conveyance unit 14 rotates the drive roller 14a counterclockwise by a conveyance motor (not shown), and the driven roller 14b also rotates counterclockwise following it. The conveyance belt 20 stretched between the drive roller 14a and the driven roller 14b also circulates counterclockwise which is the circumferential direction. Note that the relationship between the drive roller 14a and the driven roller 14b may be reversed in terms of drive and driven. The media M pulled out from the roll body M1 wound in a roll shape is placed on the conveyor belt 20 of the conveying unit 14 and conveyed under the control of the control unit 10.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the recording apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 15 and a receiving unit 12b of an ultrasonic sensor 12 (to be described later) at a position below the conveyor belt 20 on which the media M is placed. Further, the recording apparatus 1 includes a recording unit 13 and a transmitting unit 12a of the ultrasonic sensor 12 (to be described later) at a position above the conveyor belt 20 on which the media M is placed. Note that the positional relationship between the transmitting unit 12a and the receiving unit 12b of the ultrasonic sensor 12 may be reversed.

[0013] The imaging unit 15, the ultrasonic sensor 12, and the recording unit 13 are located between the driving roller 14a and the driven roller 14b. In the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 20 with reference to the position of the driven roller 14b, the imaging unit 15, the ultrasonic sensor 12, and the recording unit 13 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. The order reverse to this is the order from downstream to upstream in the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 20. Note that the imaging unit 15 and the ultrasonic sensor 12 may be in the reverse order.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the conveyor belt 20 is provided with openings and first openings 20a, which are first opening portions, at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 20 in the vertical direction, which is the thickness direction. The first opening portion 20a allows the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic sensor 12 to pass through. Further, the imaging unit 15 can image the media M from below through the first opening portion 20a. Note that the support portion 20b of the conveyor belt 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a portion where the first opening portion 20a is not provided and is a portion where the media M can be placed and supported.

[0015] Glue, which is an adhesive having adhesiveness, is provided on the surface of the support portion 20b of the conveyor belt 20, and the media M can be adsorbed. The glue is composed of, for example, a silicone resin. Further, a charging device for charging the surface of the support portion 20b of the conveyor belt 20 may be provided. This is what is so-called an electrostatic belt. The surface of the support portion 20b can be charged by the charging device, and the medium M can be adsorbed. Note that the recording device 1 is provided with at least glue on the support portion 20b or is provided with a charging device. With such a configuration, the conveyor belt 20 can adsorb the medium M and can stably convey it. As a result, the accuracy of imaging by the imaging unit 15 and detection by the ultrasonic sensor 12 can be improved.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 13 includes an inkjet head 13a and a carriage 13b. The recording unit 13 is located at a position facing the conveyor belt 20 on which the medium M is placed. The carriage 13b includes a carriage motor. The recording device 1 can be equipped with ink cartridges or ink tanks storing inks of respective colors, for example, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), which are ink colors. The recording unit 13 is provided with a supply mechanism for supplying ink from an ink cartridge or the like to the head. The supply mechanism supplies inks of respective colors from an ink cartridge or the like to the corresponding nozzles of the head 13a.

[0017] The head 13a is mounted on the carriage 13b and, by the carriage motor, reciprocates back and forth in the front-rear direction over the medium M together with the carriage 13b. The head 13a discharges ink droplets, which are liquid, from the nozzles onto the medium M while moving over the medium M under the control based on the recording data by the control unit 10 and can perform recording. The recording data is stored in the storage unit 11. The recording data may be read from a storage medium by a reading unit provided in the storage unit 11 or may be acquired from an external device. Note that the ink colors can be any combination of four or more colors, for example, including light and dark colors of CMYK. Further, the head 13a may be configured to include a nozzle that discharges the penetrant onto the medium M. The penetrant is a liquid that promotes the penetration of the ink droplets adhering to the surface of the medium M to the back surface.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ultrasonic sensor 12 includes a transmitter 12a that transmits a transmission wave S and a receiver 12b that receives a reception wave R. The ultrasonic sensor 12 uses ultrasonic waves of, for example, 30 kHz to 10 MHz. The transmitter 12a and the receiver 12b of the ultrasonic sensor 12 are respectively arranged above and below the conveyor belt 20 so as to sandwich the conveyor belt 20 on which the medium M is placed. The ultrasonic sensor 12 is a so-called transmission type sensor that transmits a transmission wave S toward the medium M by the transmitter 12a and receives a reception wave R that has passed through the medium M by the receiver 12b. The first opening 20a of the conveyor belt 20 allows the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic sensor 12 to pass through. That is, the transmitter 12a and the receiver 12b are positioned so as to sandwich the medium M through the first opening 20a.

[0019] The imaging unit 15 is configured by a camera having a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, for example. Further, the imaging unit 15 may be provided with an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light onto the medium M. The imaging unit 15 can image the medium M from below through the first opening 20a of the conveyor belt 20.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing unit 30 presses the upstream portion of the recording unit 13 in the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 20 toward the conveyor belt 20 among the media M placed and supported on the support portion 20b of the conveyor belt 20. The pressing unit 30 is, for example, a pressure roller. The pressing unit 30 may be capable of reciprocating in the conveyance direction of the medium M and the reverse conveyance direction, which is the direction opposite to the conveyance direction. The support member 31 is provided at a position facing the pressing portion 30 with the conveying belt 20 interposed therebetween. The support member 31 supports the conveying belt 20 by sandwiching the conveying belt 20 together with the pressing portion 30. The support member 31 is a so-called platen for receiving the load from the pressing portion 30.

[0021] The imaging unit 15 can image the medium M that has passed through the position of the pressing portion 30, and the ultrasonic sensor 12 can detect the medium M that has passed through the position of the pressing portion 30. The medium M is sandwiched between the pressing portion 30 and the support member 31, and thus becomes more closely attached to the conveying belt 20 and is conveyed more stably. As a result, the accuracy of imaging by the imaging unit 15 and detection by the ultrasonic sensor 12 with respect to the medium M can be further improved.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support member 31 can accommodate the imaging unit 15 and the receiving unit 12b of the ultrasonic sensor 12 therein. By being accommodated in the support member 31, the imaging unit 15 and the ultrasonic sensor 12 can suppress the influence of the external environment where the recording apparatus 1 is installed, such as ambient light and noise. Further, since the support member 31 also serves to support the conveying belt 20 and accommodate the imaging unit 15 and the ultrasonic sensor 12, the recording apparatus 1 can be made compact.

[0023] The support member 31 is provided with a second opening portion 31a, which is a second opening, facing the conveying belt 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the position of the first opening portion 20a of the conveying belt 20 moves with the movement of the conveying belt 20 and overlaps with the position of the second opening portion 31a of the support member 31, the second opening portion 31a and the first opening portion 20a can communicate with each other in the vertical direction. Note that FIG. 4 shows the state with the medium M removed. Hereinafter, the vertical portion where the second opening 31a and the first opening 20a overlap and communicate with each other is referred to as the opening portion. In the opening portion, there are no components of the recording device 1 that shield ultrasonic waves or light, and ultrasonic waves and light can pass through. It can be assumed that only the media M exists in the opening portion.

[0024] When the media M is placed on the conveyance belt 20 and the first opening 20a and the second opening 31a communicate with each other, the imaging unit 15 can image the media M exposed from the opening portion upward. At the same time, the receiving unit 12b of the ultrasonic sensor 12 can receive, as the received wave R, the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the transmitting unit 12a, passing through the opening portion, and incident from above through the media M. Whether the first opening 20a and the second opening 31a communicate with each other may be determined by the control unit 10 based on the movement amount of the conveyance belt 20, or a sensor (such as an optical sensor) different from the ultrasonic sensor 12 and the imaging unit 15 may be separately arranged, and the control unit 10 may determine based on the detection result of the sensor. The sensor may be, for example, a second receiving unit provided on the same side as the transmitting unit 12a with respect to the media M. The second receiving unit is a receiver different from the receiving unit 12b that receives the received wave R.

[0025] In this way, through the first opening 20a of the conveyance belt 20 and the second opening 31a of the support member 31, for example, the ultrasonic sensor 12 can detect the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the media M, and for example, the imaging unit 15 can photograph the mesh of the media M. In addition, when the imaging unit 15 includes an illumination unit, the pressing unit 30 may be located above the imaging unit 15. In this case, it is preferable that the pressing unit 30 is not located between the transmitting unit 12a and the receiving unit 12b. Thereby, for example, when the transparency of the medium M is high, it is possible to prevent the imaging accuracy of the imaging unit 15 from decreasing due to excessive backlight, and it is difficult to inhibit the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the medium M. Further, when the pressing unit 30 reciprocates in the conveyance direction and the reverse conveyance direction of the medium M, the pressing unit 30 may be located between the transmitting unit 12a and the receiving unit 12b as it reciprocates. In this case, the control unit 10 may control the operation of the recording unit 13 based on the reception result of the receiving unit 12b at the timing when the pressing unit 30 is not located between the transmitting unit 12a and the receiving unit 12b due to the reciprocating movement. In order to perform this control, the recording apparatus 1 may include a detection unit capable of detecting the position of the pressing unit 30 in the conveyance direction. As described later, the control unit 10 can control the operation of the recording unit 13 based on the imaging result by the imaging unit 15 and the detection result by the ultrasonic sensor 12.

[0026] 2. Control Method of Recording Apparatus With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 centered on the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control method of the recording apparatus 1 will be described.

[0027] The control unit 10 pulls out the medium M from the roll body M1 wound in a roll shape by the conveyance unit 14, places it on the conveyance belt 20 of the conveyance unit 14, and conveys it. The medium M is adsorbed to the conveyance belt 20 by glue or the like provided on the surface of the conveyance belt 20. Further, the medium M is conveyed, sandwiched between the pressing unit 30 and the support member 31, and brought into close contact with the conveyance belt 20. As the conveyance belt 20 moves by the conveyance unit 14, when the position of the first opening 20a of the conveyance belt 20 reaches the position of the second opening 31a of the support member 31 and overlaps, the second opening 31a can communicate with the first opening 20a. Only the medium M exists in this opening portion.

[0028] When the first opening 20a and the second opening 31a communicate with each other, the control unit 10 causes the imaging unit 15 to image the medium M through the opening portion and acquires imaging information that is the imaging result. The control unit 10 performs image processing such as edge detection on the acquired imaging information to extract the fiber weave pattern of the medium M. The storage unit 11 stores the weave pattern of the medium M and a plurality of weave information corresponding to the weave pattern. The control unit 10 compares the weave pattern of the medium M extracted by the imaging unit 15 with the plurality of weave patterns stored in the storage unit 11. The control unit 10 identifies the weave pattern in the storage unit 11 that is closest to the extracted weave pattern and acquires the weave information corresponding to the identified weave pattern (S101). The weave information acquired by the control unit 10 includes information on the type of fabric, which is information related to the coarseness and fineness of the weave. As shown in FIG. 6, the information on the type of fabric includes, for example, information indicating, in order from the coarse weave to the fine weave of the fibers of the medium M, for example, siphon, lawn, satin, and the like.

[0029] Also, when the first opening 20a and the second opening 31a communicate with each other, the control unit 10 causes the transmission unit 12a of the ultrasonic sensor 12 to transmit a transmission wave S toward the medium M and causes the reception unit 12b to receive a reception wave R that has passed through the medium M. The voltage of the reception wave R received by the reception unit 12b shown on the vertical axis of FIG. 6 is the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 12 and indicates the ultrasonic transmission information for the medium M. The control unit 10 acquires the ultrasonic transmission information for the medium M by the reception unit 12b (S102).

[0030] The mesh information corresponds to the ultrasonic transmission information for each type of fabric. Specifically, it corresponds to the voltage of the reception wave R received by the reception unit 12b, which is the ultrasonic transmission information for each type of fabric such as siphon, lawn, and satin. And the voltage of the reception wave R received by the reception unit 12b corresponds to the mesh information, which is information related to the so-called cotton count indicating the thickness of the mesh of the medium M. These relationships are shown in Fig. 6. The horizontal axis of Fig. 6 indicates the cotton count. Note that the cotton count indicates a smaller value as the mesh of the medium M is thicker, indicating that the medium M is thick.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 6, the medium M has a tendency that the coarser the weave (such as a siphon) and the finer the mesh and the larger the cotton count, the higher the voltage of the received wave R and the easier it is for ultrasonic waves to penetrate. The points in Fig. 6 indicate the measured values of the voltage of the received wave R with respect to the mesh thickness of the medium M for each type of fabric such as siphon, lawn, and satin. The curves T1, T2, and T3 are approximate curves calculated for each of siphon, lawn, and satin based on these points. The control unit 10 controls the operation of the recording unit 13 using the relationships of these approximate curves. The storage unit 11 stores the relationships of these approximate curves.

[0032] In this way, when the position of the first opening 20a of the conveyor belt 20 overlaps and communicates with the position of the second opening 31a of the support member 31, the control unit 10 acquires fabric texture information including information on the type of fabric based on the imaging information acquired by the imaging unit 15. Further, the control unit 10 acquires mesh information indicating the mesh thickness of the medium M corresponding to the ultrasonic transmission information, which is the voltage of the received wave R by the receiving unit 12b, for each fabric texture information.

[0033] By the way, the degree of ink bleeding varies depending on the type of fabric of the medium M. The coarser the weave, the easier the ink bleeds, so it is better to reduce the ink injection amount by the recording unit 13. Also, the thicker the medium M as the mesh thickness of the medium M is thicker, and it has a tendency to absorb more ink, so it is better to increase the ink injection amount. On the other hand, the thinner the mesh thickness of the medium M, the less ink can be absorbed and it has a tendency to bleed. Since the thinner the mesh thickness of the medium M, the easier the ink bleeds, it is better to reduce the ink injection amount.

[0034] The control unit 10 may refer to the recording unit 13 to obtain the mesh information of the medium M corresponding to the ultrasonic transmission information for each weave pattern information, and obtain the ink injection amount corresponding to the mesh information. The mesh information corresponds to the ultrasonic transmission information. Therefore, the control unit 10 can also obtain the ink injection amount corresponding to the ultrasonic transmission information by directly using the ultrasonic transmission information instead of the mesh information for each weave pattern information. Therefore, the control unit 10 can obtain the ink injection amount based on the weave pattern information and the transmission information (S103).

[0035] For example, in the storage unit 11, the ink injection amount corresponding to the voltage of the received wave R by the receiving unit 12b, which is the ultrasonic transmission information, is stored for each type of fabric such as siphon, lawn, and satin, which are the weave pattern information. These relationships are shown in FIG. 7. The ink injection amount is indicated in pl / dot, which is the ink amount per dot. The ink injection amount shown in FIG. 7 indicates the total ink amount of each ink color for the corresponding dot. Note that the ink injection amount shown in FIG. 7 may also be the ink amount for a specific single color or multiple colors of ink for the corresponding dot.

[0036] The points in FIG. 7 indicate the values obtained by actually measuring the appropriate ink injection amount for the voltage of the received wave R by the receiving unit 12b, which is the ultrasonic transmission information, for each type of fabric such as siphon, lawn, and satin of the media M. In the case of a siphon with a coarse weave, the appropriate ink injection amount is smaller than in the case of other fabrics. Also, as the voltage of the received wave R by the receiving unit 12b increases to d1, d2, d3, the mesh thickness of the media M becomes thinner, so the appropriate ink injection amount becomes smaller to k1, k2, k3. Similarly, in the case of a lawn between siphon and satin, the appropriate ink injection amount is between siphon and satin. Also, as the voltage of the received wave R by the receiving unit 12b increases to d1, d2, d3, the mesh thickness of the media M becomes thinner, so the appropriate ink injection amount becomes smaller to j1, j2, j3. In the case of satin with a dense weave, the appropriate ink injection amount is larger than that in the case of other fabrics. Also, as the voltage of the received wave R by the receiving unit 12b becomes larger, such as d1, d2, d3, the mesh thickness of the medium M becomes thinner, so the appropriate ink injection amount becomes smaller, such as i1, i2, i3.

[0037] The curves U1, U2, U3 shown in FIG. 7 represent approximate curves for each of siphon, lawn, and satin based on these points. The control unit 10 utilizes the relationships of these approximate curves to control the operation of the recording unit 13. The storage unit 11 stores the relationships of these approximate curves. Based on the ink injection amount acquired from the storage unit 11, the control unit 10 performs recording on the medium M by the recording unit 13 (S104). The ink injection amount is an appropriate amount based on the weave information and transmission information of the medium M, and appropriate recording can be performed on the medium M. In this way, the control unit 10 can control the operation of the recording unit 13 based on the imaging information that is the imaging result by the imaging unit 15 and the voltage of the received wave R by the receiving unit 12b that is the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 12.

[0038] Here, specifically, an example will be described in which the control unit 10 controls the head 13a of the recording unit 13 to achieve an appropriate ink injection amount into the medium M. For example, the control unit 10 can increase the power of the drive waveform applied to the head 13a to increase the ink injection amount. Also, when forming dots, the control unit 10 can apply a drive waveform to the head 13a multiple times to eject ink droplets multiple times and increase the ink injection amount. Furthermore, as the weave of the medium M is denser or the mesh thickness is thicker, the control unit 10 can also increase the voltage of the drive waveform applied to the head 13a to increase the speed of the ink droplets. In this case, the control unit 10 may increase the frequency of the drive waveform to increase the injection frequency of the ink droplets. Also, the control unit 10 can slow down the moving speed of the carriage 13b to make it easier for the ink droplets ejected onto the medium M to penetrate. The control unit 10 can set an appropriate ink injection amount for the medium M and perform appropriate recording by executing at least any one of the above-described controls on the head 13a based on the mesh information corresponding to the transmission information of the medium M by the ultrasonic sensor 12 in addition to the texture information of the medium M according to the imaging information by the imaging unit 15.

[0039] 3. Recording apparatus according to the second embodiment As shown in FIG. 8, in the recording apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment, a measurement unit 32 and an adjustment unit 33 are added to the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the positions of the ultrasonic sensor 12 and the imaging unit 15 are changed. Note that the pressing unit 30 is deleted. With reference to FIG. 9 as well, the configuration of the recording apparatus 2 will be described. In the components of the recording apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, those same as the components of the recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the holding unit 34 of the recording apparatus 2 can hold a roll body M1 around which the medium M is wound in a roll shape. For example, the holding unit 34 provides a shaft at the center of the roll body M1 and rotatably holds the roll body M1. The medium M is pulled out from the roll body M1 held by the holding unit 34, and is conveyed so as to reach the position of the conveyor belt 20 spanned over the driven roller 14b of the conveying unit 14 via the positions of the adjustment unit 33, the imaging unit 15, and the ultrasonic sensor 12.

[0041] A portion of the medium M from the position of the holding unit 34 to the position of the conveyor belt 20 is defined as an adjustment portion M2. The adjustment unit 33 includes an adjustment roller 33a and a moving unit 33b. The adjustment roller 33a can contact the adjustment portion M2 while rotating and apply tension. The moving unit 33b includes a motor, and under the control of the control unit 10, the position of the adjustment roller 33a can be moved with respect to the adjustment portion M2 by the motor of the moving unit 33b to adjust the tension of the adjustment portion M2.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, the recording device 2 includes a housing portion 35 having only a housing function with respect to the support member 31 of the recording device 1. The housing portion 35 can house the imaging unit 15 and the receiving unit 12b of the ultrasonic sensor 12 therein. The housing portion 35 is provided between the position of the holding portion 34 and the position up to the conveyor belt 20.

[0043] The housing portion 35 is provided with a third opening 35a facing the adjustment portion M2 of the medium M. The imaging unit 15 can image the adjustment portion M2 through the third opening 35a upward. The transmitting unit 12a and the receiving unit 12b of the ultrasonic sensor 12 are positioned so as to sandwich the adjustment portion M2. The receiving unit 12b of the ultrasonic sensor 12 can receive, as a received wave R, ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitting unit 12a, passing through the third opening 35a, and incident from above through the adjustment portion M2.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 9, the measuring unit 32 is provided upstream of the recording unit 13 in the conveyance direction of the medium M. Let the portion of the conveyor belt 20 on which the medium M is placed and supported be the support portion 20b. The measuring unit 32 can measure the tension of the support portion 20b. The measuring unit 32 includes a measuring roller 32a and a tension measuring unit 32b. The measuring roller 32a can move up and down while rotating on the support portion 20b via the medium M. The tension measuring unit 32b includes a pressure sensor and a position detection sensor, and can measure the tension received from the support portion 20b by detecting the pressure received from the measuring roller 32a and the vertical movement. The tension measuring unit 32b is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the tension of the support portion 20b.

[0045] The control unit 10 acquires the measurement result of measuring the tension of the support portion 20b of the conveyor belt 20 by the measuring unit 32. The control unit 10 controls and adjusts the adjustment unit 33 so that the tension of the adjustment portion M2 of the medium M becomes equal to the tension of the support portion 20b which is the measurement result. The tension of the support portion 20b of the conveyor belt 20 measured by the measuring unit 32 is also the tension of the medium M recorded by the recording unit 13. On the other hand, the tension of the adjustment portion M2 of the medium M is the tension at the position where imaging by the imaging unit 15 and detection by the ultrasonic sensor 12 are performed.

[0046] By controlling the measuring unit 32 and the adjusting unit 33 by the control unit 10, for example, the tension of the medium M recorded by the recording unit 13 and the tension of the medium M at the position where imaging by the imaging unit 15 and detection by the ultrasonic sensor 12 are performed become substantially equal. The medium M at the position of the recording unit 13 is placed on the support portion 20b of the conveyor belt 20. For this reason, the tension measured by the measuring unit 32 may tend to be higher than the tension of only the medium M at the positions of the imaging unit 15 and the ultrasonic sensor 12 due to the rigidity of the support portion 20b. In this case, the control unit 10 may adjust the adjusting unit 33 so that the tension at the positions of the imaging unit 15 and the ultrasonic sensor 12 becomes weaker than the tension measured by the measuring unit 32.

[0047] As a result, the state of the texture, mesh, etc. of the medium M in the adjustment portion M2 can be made substantially the same as the state of the texture, mesh, etc. of the medium M in the support portion 20b. In other words, at the time of imaging by the imaging unit 15 and detection by the ultrasonic sensor 12, the measuring unit 32 and the adjusting unit 33 can make the tension state of the medium M in the adjustment portion M2 correspond to the tension state of the medium M at the position of the recording unit 13. Therefore, even if imaging by the imaging unit 15 and detection by the ultrasonic sensor 12 are performed at a location different from the support portion 20b, i.e., the adjustment portion M2, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of imaging and detection. In particular, the accuracy of the texture information of the medium M acquired by the imaging unit 15 and the mesh information of the medium M acquired by the receiving unit 12b can be improved. Then, in addition to the texture information of the medium M according to the imaging information by the imaging unit 15, the control unit 10 improves the accuracy of the mesh information according to the transmission information of the medium M by the ultrasonic sensor 12, and based on the texture information and the mesh information, can set an appropriate ink injection amount for the medium M and can record appropriately.

[0048] Also, in the recording apparatus 2, imaging by the imaging unit 15 and detection by the ultrasonic sensor 12 are performed on the adjustment portion M2 which is the medium M not placed on the conveyance belt 20. Therefore, the recording apparatus 2 does not need to provide the first opening 20a in the conveyance belt 20 as in the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that the configuration of the recording apparatus 2 other than that described above is the same as that described for the recording apparatus 1, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0049] As described above, the recording apparatuses 1 and 2 can obtain an optimal ink injection amount for the medium M and perform appropriate recording based on the texture information of the medium M according to the imaging information by the imaging unit 15 and the mesh information according to the transmission information of the medium M by the ultrasonic sensor 12.

[0050] As described above, these embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above example, the recording unit 13 of the recording devices 1 and 2 was described as a serial type in which the head 13a is mounted on the carriage 13b and moves. However, it may be a line type in which the carriage 13b is absent and the head 13a is fixed. Also, the type of fabric of the medium M may be other than siphon, lawn, and satin. Further, the transport unit 14 may be provided with a feeding device that pulls out the medium M from the roll body M1 at a position close to the driven roller 14b. Also, the transport unit 14 may be provided with a winding device that winds up the medium M peeled off from the transport belt 20 at a position close to the driving roller 14a. Also, the recording devices 1 and 2 may be provided with a cleaning device that cleans the transport belt 20 after the recorded medium M is peeled off with a cleaning liquid, a wiping device that wipes off the cleaning liquid adhering to the transport belt 20, a drying device that dries the cleaning liquid adhering to the transport belt 20, a coating device that applies glue to the transport belt 20, and the like.

[0051] The following describes the content derived from the above-described embodiment.

[0052] The recording device 1 includes a recording unit 13 capable of recording by discharging a liquid onto a medium M that can transmit ultrasonic waves, a transport unit 14 capable of transporting the medium M, an imaging unit 15 capable of imaging the medium M, a transmission unit 12a capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the medium M, a reception unit 12b capable of receiving the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmission unit 12a, an ultrasonic sensor 12 including the same, and a control unit 10 capable of controlling the operation of the recording unit 13 based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 15 and the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 12. The transmission unit 12a and the reception unit 12b are characterized by being positioned so as to sandwich the medium M.

[0053] When the recording apparatus 1 uses the ultrasonic sensor 12 including the transmission part 12a and the reception part 12b positioned so as to sandwich the medium M, the thickness of the medium M can be detected based on the intensity of the ultrasonic wave reaching the reception part 12b. According to the above configuration, the control part 10 can control the operation of the recording part 13 based on the information acquired by the imaging part 15, that is, the information regarding the state of the surface of the medium M, and the information acquired by the ultrasonic sensor 12, that is, the information regarding the thickness of the medium M. The operation of the recording part 13 is, for example, to increase the drive waveform voltage corresponding to the speed of the ink droplets as the medium M is thick, to increase the frequency of the drive waveform corresponding to the ink injection frequency as the medium M is thick, and to slow down the carriage speed corresponding to the ease of ink penetration as the medium M is thick. By these means, the recording apparatus 1 can control, for example, the discharge amount of the ink droplets and can obtain an appropriate image according to the medium M.

[0054] In the above recording apparatus 1, the conveyance part 14 includes an endless conveyance belt 20, a drive roller 14a and a driven roller 14b over which the conveyance belt 20 is stretched. The recording part 13 faces the conveyance belt 20 stretched between the drive roller 14a and the driven roller 14b. The conveyance belt 20 is provided with a first opening 20a which is an opening through which the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission part 12a can pass. When the part of the conveyance belt 20 where the first opening 20a is not provided and which supports the medium M is defined as the support part 20b, the support part 20b is configured to be able to adsorb the medium M. The ultrasonic sensor 12 and the imaging part 15 are characterized by being positioned between the drive roller 14a and the driven roller 14b.

[0055] According to the above configuration, the recording apparatus 1 can obtain the imaging result of the imaging part 15 and the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 12 under the tension condition close to the tension condition when the medium M is recorded by the recording part 13, and can more accurately control the recording operation.

[0056] The above-described recording apparatus 1 includes a pressing portion 30 that presses a portion of the medium M supported by the support portion 20b upstream of the recording portion 13 in the circumferential direction of the conveyance belt 20 against the conveyance belt 20. The imaging unit 15 can image the medium M that has passed through the pressing portion 30, and the ultrasonic sensor 12 can detect the medium M that has passed through the pressing portion 30.

[0057] According to the above configuration, in the recording apparatus 1, imaging and detection are performed in a state where the medium M is in close contact with the conveyance belt 20, that is, in a more stable state. Therefore, the accuracy of the imaging result of the imaging unit 15 and the imaging and detection results of the ultrasonic sensor 12 are further improved.

[0058] The above-described recording apparatus 1 includes a support member 31 that supports the conveyance belt 20 by sandwiching the conveyance belt 20 together with the pressing portion 30. The support member 31 is provided with a second opening 31a that can communicate with the first opening 20a. The imaging unit 15 and the receiving unit 12b are housed inside the support member 31. The imaging unit 15 can image the medium M that is exposed from the first opening 20a and the second opening 31a, and the receiving unit 12b can receive ultrasonic waves that enter through the first opening 20a and the second opening 31a.

[0059] According to the above configuration, the recording apparatus 1 can suppress the influence of the external environment in which the recording apparatus 1 is installed by housing the imaging unit 15 and the receiving unit 12b inside the support member 31. In addition, by also using the support member 31 as a housing means for the imaging unit 15 and the receiving unit 12b, the recording apparatus 1 can be made more compact.

[0060] A recording device 2, wherein the conveying unit 14 includes an endless conveying belt 20, and when a portion of the medium M from the holding unit 34 capable of holding the roll body M1 around which the medium M is wound to the conveying belt 20 is defined as an adjustment portion M2, an adjustment unit 33 capable of adjusting the tension of the adjustment portion M2, and when a portion of the conveying belt 20 on which the medium M is supported is defined as a support portion 20b, a measurement unit 32 capable of measuring the tension of the support portion 20b are provided. The control unit 10 controls the adjustment unit 33 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 32 such that the tension in the adjustment portion M2 corresponds to the tension in the support portion 20b. The imaging unit 15 is capable of imaging the adjustment portion M2, and the transmitting unit 12a and the receiving unit 12b are positioned so as to sandwich the adjustment portion M2.

[0061] According to the above configuration, the recording device 2 can create a state in which the imaging unit 15 can perform imaging under a tension condition close to the tension condition when the medium M is recorded by the recording unit 13 without performing processing such as providing an opening in the conveying belt 20.

[0062] A recording device 2, characterized in that it includes a housing unit 35 that houses the imaging unit 15 and the receiving unit 12b. According to the above configuration, the recording device 2 can suppress the influence of the external environment in which the recording device 2 is installed.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0063] 1, 2... recording device, 10... control unit, 11... storage unit, 12... ultrasonic sensor, 12a... transmitting unit, 12b... receiving unit, 13... recording unit, 14... conveying unit, 15... imaging unit, 20... conveying belt, 20a... first opening, 20b... support portion, 30... pressing unit, 31... support member, 31a... second opening, 32... measurement unit, 34... holding unit, 35... housing unit, M... medium, M1... roll body, R... received wave, S... transmitted wave.

Claims

1. A recording unit capable of recording by discharging a liquid onto a medium that can transmit ultrasonic waves, a conveying unit capable of conveying the medium, an imaging unit capable of imaging the medium, a transmitting unit capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the medium, and a receiving unit capable of receiving the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitting unit, an ultrasonic sensor including the above, a control unit capable of controlling the operation of the recording unit based on the imaging result of the imaging unit and the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor, comprising: the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are positioned so as to sandwich the medium, the conveying unit includes an endless conveying belt, a first roller and a second roller over which the conveying belt is spanned, wherein: the recording unit faces the conveying belt spanned between the first roller and the second roller, an opening through which ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitting unit can pass is provided in the conveying belt, when a portion of the conveying belt where the opening is not provided and on which the medium is supported is defined as a supporting portion, the supporting portion is configured to be able to adsorb the medium, the ultrasonic sensor and the imaging unit are positioned between the first roller and the second roller. A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing portion that presses a portion of the medium supported by the supporting portion and upstream of the recording unit in the circumferential direction of the conveying belt against the conveying belt, wherein the imaging unit is capable of imaging the medium that has passed through the pressing portion, and the ultrasonic sensor is capable of detecting the medium that has passed through the pressing portion.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a supporting member that supports the conveying belt by sandwiching the conveying belt together with the pressing portion, wherein when the opening is defined as a first opening, a second opening communicable with the first opening is provided in the supporting member, the imaging unit and the receiving unit are housed inside the supporting member, the imaging unit is capable of imaging the medium exposed from the first opening and the second opening, and the receiving unit is characterized by receiving ultrasonic waves incident through the first opening and the second opening.

4. A recording unit capable of recording by discharging a liquid onto a medium that can transmit ultrasonic waves, a conveying unit capable of conveying the medium, an imaging unit capable of imaging the medium, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A transmitter capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the medium, and a receiver capable of receiving the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitter, an ultrasonic sensor including the same, A control unit capable of controlling the operation of the recording unit based on the imaging result of the imaging unit and the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor, and a recording apparatus including the same, The transmitter and the receiver are positioned so as to sandwich the medium, The transport unit includes an endless transport belt, When a portion of the recording medium from a holding unit capable of holding a roll body around which the medium is wound to the transport belt is defined as an adjustment portion, an adjustment unit capable of adjusting the tension of the adjustment portion, When a portion of the transport belt on which the medium is supported is defined as a support portion, a measurement unit capable of measuring the tension of the support portion, and a recording apparatus including the same, The control unit controls the adjustment unit so that the tension in the adjustment portion corresponds to the tension in the support portion based on the measurement result of the measurement unit, The imaging unit is capable of imaging the adjustment portion, The transmitter and the receiver are positioned so as to sandwich the adjustment portion, and a recording apparatus characterized by the same, A recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a housing unit that houses the imaging unit and the receiver.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a housing unit that houses the imaging unit and the receiver. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Images