Printing apparatus and printing method

Abstract

To measure a temperature while suppressing an ink head from becoming dry, and adjust the output of a dryer based on a measured temperature.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a printing carriage having an ink head; a sub-carriage movable to the printing carriage; a placing surface for placing media; and a dryer for drying ink discharge from the ink head to the media. The sub-carriage has a temperature sensor. A temperature on the placing surface is measured with the temperature sensor by moving the sub-carriage to the printing carriage, and the dryer is adjusted so as to make the measured temperature close to a prescribed temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that moves a carriage equipped with a temperature sensor and an ink head to measure the temperature of the surface (printing target surface) of a medium, and adjusts the temperature of a drying device (printing heater) based on the measured temperature.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the carriage is moved to measure the temperature, the ink head also moves together with the carriage, so the nozzles of the ink head may dry out, which may cause poor ink ejection.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to be able to measure the temperature while suppressing drying of the ink head, and to adjust the output of the drying device based on the measured temperature.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is a printing carriage having an ink head, a sub-carriage movable with respect to the printing carriage, a placement surface for placing a medium, and a drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the medium. and not having the aforementioned ink head The sub-carriage has a temperature sensor. A printing device 、前記サブキャリッジは、温度センサを有し、 The aforementioned printing apparatus,This printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage, measures the temperature on the surface using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature.

[0007] Other features of the present invention will be revealed by the description herein. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to measure the temperature while suppressing the drying of the ink head, and to adjust the output of the drying device based on the measured temperature. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figures 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the basic configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the printing procedure using printing device 1. [Figure 3] Figures 3A to 3D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the carriage 29 in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figures 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the comparative example carriage 60. [Figure 5] Figures 5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the carriage 89 in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the printing procedure using the printing apparatus 2 of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7A is an explanatory diagram of the first modified printing apparatus 3, and Figure 7B is an explanatory diagram of the second modified printing apparatus 4. [Figure 8] Figures 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the third modified printing apparatus 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, etc. shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] ===First Embodiment=== <Basic configuration> Figures 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the basic configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1. Figure 1B is a block diagram of the printing apparatus 1.

[0012] In the following explanation, as shown in Figure 1A, the direction of movement of the carriage 29 is referred to as the "scanning direction," the right side as viewed from the operator (user) of the printing device 1 is referred to as the "right direction," and the left side is referred to as the "left direction." Furthermore, the direction of movement of the media M is referred to as the "conveying direction," the supply side of the media M is referred to as the "upstream side," and the discharge side of the media M is referred to as the "downstream side." Note that the "scanning direction" includes both the "right direction" and the "left direction." The "conveying direction" is a fixed direction, meaning a unidirectional direction from upstream to downstream.

[0013] Printing device 1 is a device that prints an image onto media M (printing paper, printing film, etc.). Specifically, printing device 1 is an inkjet printer. Printing device 1 prints onto media M based on a command code created by a computer (not shown). The computer that issues commands to printing device 1 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, equipped with a CPU, memory, storage device, communication unit, etc., and may also be connected to a display (display device) and a keyboard / mouse (input device). Printing device 1 includes a drying device 10, a notification unit 17, a carriage unit 20, a bed 19, a transport unit 30, a head unit 40, a cap unit 43, and a controller 50.

[0014] The drying device 10 is a device for drying the ink discharged from an ink head 41 (described later) of the head unit 40 onto the medium M. In the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, the drying device 10 promotes the drying of the ink discharged onto the medium M by blowing air toward the bed 19 that supports the medium M. In the following description, "toward the bed 19 that supports the medium M" may be simply referred to as "toward the medium M".

[0015] The notification unit 17 is, for example, a device that notifies the user of a warning when the temperature of the air blown onto the medium M by the drying device 10 is high. The user who receives the warning can suppress impairing the print quality of the medium M by taking measures such as temporarily stopping the operation of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. 1A, the notification unit 17 has a warning display unit 17A for displaying a warning to the user. However, the warning display unit 17A may be a part of an operation panel where the user performs operations related to printing. In this case, the operation panel may further have a display unit that displays information related to printing such as resolution, ink density, etc., the status of the printing device 1 during printing, and an input unit for inputting information related to printing. Further, the notification unit 17 may not have the warning display unit 17A and may notify the user of a warning by, for example, the blinking of a light or a voice. Furthermore, the printing device 1 may not have the notification unit 17.

[0016] The carriage unit 20 is a unit that moves the carriage 29 in the scanning direction. The carriage unit 20 includes a carriage 29, a carriage motor 24, and a connection drive unit 25. The carriage 29 is a member that reciprocates in the scanning direction and includes a print carriage 21, a sub-carriage 22, and a connection part 23.

[0017] The printing carriage 21 is a carriage on which one or more ink heads 41 are mounted. When a plurality of ink heads 41 are mounted on the printing carriage 21, the plurality of ink heads 41 may be mounted side by side in the scanning direction. Further, when the plurality of ink heads 41 are mounted side by side in the scanning direction, the plurality of ink heads 41 may be mounted side by side at positions shifted in the conveyance direction. The sub-carriage 22 is a carriage movable with respect to the printing carriage 21. In other words, the carriage 29 is separable into the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22, and the separated printing carriage 21 and sub-carriage 22 are relatively movable. In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as will be described later, when the printing carriage 21 is located at a fixed position with respect to the bed 19, only the sub-carriage 22 can move to a predetermined position of the bed 19. Further, the sub-carriage 22 is, for example, a cutting carriage having a cutter blade for cutting the medium M. However, the sub-carriage 22 may be a carriage other than the cutting carriage as long as it is a carriage movable with respect to the printing carriage 21.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1B, the sub-carriage 22 has a sensor 26. The sensor 26 is a temperature sensor that measures temperature. However, the sensor 26 may be an environmental sensor that further measures humidity in addition to temperature. In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the sensor 26 is a thermometer for measuring the temperature of air in the vicinity of the area where ink is ejected on the surface of the medium M. However, the sensor 26 may be a radiation thermometer (non-contact type temperature sensor) capable of measuring the temperature of the surface of the medium M by measuring the intensity (infrared energy) of infrared rays radiated from the surface of the medium M. Further, the sensor 26 may be a contact type temperature sensor capable of directly measuring the temperature of the surface of the medium M. In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the sensor 26 is mounted on the sub-carriage 22 and is movable with respect to the printing carriage 21 along with the sub-carriage 22. The sensor 26 that has measured the temperature outputs the measurement result (at least temperature data) to the controller 50.

[0019] The connecting portion 23 is a member that enables the connection between the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22. The connecting portion 23 has two states: a connected state and a separated state. Here, the "connected state" is the state in which the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 are connected, and the "separated state" is the state in which the connection between the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 is released. In the connected state, the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 cannot move relative to each other and move integrally in the scanning direction. In the separated state, the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 can move relative to each other in the scanning direction. The detailed configuration of the connecting portion 23 will be described later.

[0020] The carriage motor 24 is a motor (drive unit) for moving at least the sub-carriage 22 in the scanning direction. When the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 are connected, the carriage motor 24 moves both the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 in the scanning direction. When the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 are disconnected, the carriage motor 24 moves only the sub-carriage 22 in the scanning direction. In other words, when the carriage motor 24 is disconnected, it moves the sub-carriage 22 relative to the printing carriage 21. However, the carriage motor 24 may consist of separate motors: one for moving the sub-carriage 22 in the scanning direction and another for moving the printing carriage 21 in the scanning direction. The coupling drive unit 25 is a drive unit that allows switching between the connected state and the disconnected state of the coupling unit 23.

[0021] The bed 19 is a component having a mounting surface on which the media M is placed. Hereinafter, the bed 19 may be simply referred to as the "mounting surface". The bed 19 faces the nozzle surface of the ink head 41. The length of the bed 19 in the scanning direction is shorter than the range over which the carriage 29 can move in the scanning direction. However, the length of the bed 19 in the scanning direction may be greater than or equal to the range over which the carriage 29 can move in the scanning direction.

[0022] The transport unit 30 is a unit that transports media M in the transport direction. The media M to be transported may be a long-form printing medium such as roll paper, or a single sheet of paper. Furthermore, media M is not limited to paper, but may also be film, cloth, etc. As shown in Figure 1B, the transport unit 30 has a transport roller 31 and a transport motor 32. The transport roller 31 is a component that transports media M in the transport direction by rotating. The transport motor 32 is a motor (drive unit) for rotating the transport roller 31. Note that the transport unit 30 is not limited to a configuration using transport roller 31. For example, the transport unit 30 may have a transport table (flatbed), and the media M may be transported in the transport direction by moving this transport table.

[0023] The head unit 40 is a unit for ejecting ink onto the media M. As shown in Figure 1B, the head unit 40 has an ink head 41 and a head drive unit 42. The ink head 41 is a head having a nozzle for ejecting ink. In addition to the ink head 41, the head unit 40 may also have a processing liquid head for ejecting processing liquid. The head drive unit 42 is a drive unit that can switch between ejecting ink from the nozzle of the ink head 41 and not ejecting ink. The head drive unit 42 is, for example, a piezoelectric element if the head is of the piezoelectric type.

[0024] The cap unit 43 is a unit for covering the nozzle surface of the ink head 41. The cap unit 43 is positioned in the home position shown in Figure 1A. The cap unit 43 has a cap 18 (see Figure 3A, etc.) that covers the nozzle surface of the ink head 41, and a cap movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the cap 18 vertically. When the printing carriage 21 moves to the home position, the cap movement mechanism (not shown) moves the cap 18 closer to the ink head 41, so that the cap 18 covers the nozzle surface of the ink head 41.

[0025] The controller 50 is a control unit that is responsible for controlling the printing device 1. Based on command codes from an external computer, the controller 50 controls the drive units of the printing device 1 (carriage motor 24, coupling drive unit 25, transport motor 32, head drive unit 42, etc.). Furthermore, as will be described later, the controller 50 controls the drying device 10 and the notification unit 17 based on the measurement results of the sensor 26.

[0026] <Printing Procedure and Operation> Figure 2 is a flowchart of the printing procedure by the printing device 1. Figures 3A to 3D are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the carriage 29 in the first embodiment. Figure 3A shows an overview of the front of the printing device 1 immediately after power-on, Figure 3B shows an overview of the side of the printing device 1 immediately after power-on, Figure 3C shows an overview of the front of the printing device 1 after the sub-carriage 22 has moved, and Figure 3D shows an overview of the side of the printing device 1 after the sub-carriage 22 has moved.

[0027] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the drying apparatus 10 blows air toward the media M in order to dry the ink ejected onto the media M. The drying apparatus 10 has an air blowing unit 11, as shown in Figures 3B and 3D. The air blowing unit 11 is a component that blows air. Specifically, the air blowing unit 11 is a fan or the like. In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the drying of the ink ejected onto the media M can be accelerated by the air blowing unit 11 blowing air toward the media M.

[0028] Furthermore, the air blower 11 has an air heating unit 12. The air heating unit 12 is a component that heats the air blown by the air blower 11. Specifically, the air heating unit 12 is a nichrome wire heater or the like. In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the air blower 11 is heated by the air heating unit 12, so that the air blower 11 can blow warm air toward the media M. This further promotes the drying of the ink ejected onto the media M. However, the air blower 11 does not have to have an air heating unit 12. If the air blower 11 does not have an air heating unit 12, the air blower 11 will blow air at room temperature.

[0029] Furthermore, as described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the connecting portion 23 is a member that enables the connection between the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22. The connecting portion 23 has a printing carriage side connecting portion 23A and a sub-carriage side connecting portion 23B. The printing carriage side connecting portion 23A is the part of the connecting portion 23 that is on the printing carriage 21 side. The sub-carriage side connecting portion 23B is the part of the connecting portion 23 that is on the sub-carriage 22 side.

[0030] The printing carriage-side connecting section 23A and the sub-carriage-side connecting section 23B are, for example, each having an electromagnet on one side and a magnetic material such as a paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material on the other. By supplying current to the electromagnet, a magnetic field is generated, and the printing carriage-side connecting section 23A (printing carriage 21) and the sub-carriage-side connecting section 23B (sub-carriage 22) are connected to each other by magnetic force (i.e., they become connected). Furthermore, by stopping or reducing the supply of current to the electromagnet, the attractive force between the electromagnet and the magnetic material can be reduced. At this time, with the printing carriage 21 fixed to the side wall of the printing device 1, an external force is applied to the sub-carriage 22 using the driving force of the carriage motor 24 to counteract the attractive force between the electromagnet and the magnetic material. This external force can separate the sub-carriage 22 from the printing carriage 21 (i.e., it becomes separated).

[0031] Therefore, as shown in Figure 1B, the coupling drive unit 25 can control the current flowing through the electromagnet based on a control command from the controller 50, and switch between the coupled state and the disconnected state of the coupling unit 23. However, the coupling unit 23 does not have to be a mechanism using an electromagnet and a magnetic material. The printing carriage side coupling unit 23A and the subcarriage side coupling unit 23B may, for example, have a structure that engages with each other (i.e., becomes coupled), and the coupling unit 23 may have a mechanism that mechanically releases the engaged state (i.e., becomes disconnected).

[0032] Immediately after powering on the printing device 1, at least the printing carriage 21 of the carriage 29 is located on the right side of the printing device 1, as shown in Figure 3A, and does not face the bed 19. A cap 18 (cap unit 43) that covers the nozzle surface of the ink head 41 mounted on the printing carriage 21 is positioned at this location. The cap 18 is located to the right of the bed 19 in the scanning direction. However, the cap 18 may also be located to the left of the bed 19 in the scanning direction, or it may be on top of the bed 19. Immediately after powering on the printing device 1, the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 are connected, and the nozzle surface of the ink head 41 mounted on the printing carriage 21 is covered by the cap 18. In the following description, the position of the printing carriage 21 where the nozzle surface of the ink head 41 is covered by the cap 18 may be referred to as the "capping position".

[0033] In the printing procedure using the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, first, with the printing carriage 21 in the capping position, the sub-carriage 22 is moved relative to the printing carriage 21 (S001 in Figure 2). That is, the coupling drive unit 25 switches the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 from a coupled state to a separated state. Then, with the printing carriage 21 fixed in the capping position, the driving force of the carriage motor 24 moves only the sub-carriage 22 to the left, as shown in Figure 3C. At this time, for example, the sub-carriage 22 is moved to near the center of the bed 19. However, the sub-carriage 22 may also be moved to a location other than the center, such as near the left edge of the bed 19.

[0034] Next, the blower unit 11 starts blowing air (S002 in Figure 2). In this embodiment, the blower unit 11 starts blowing air after the subcarriage 22 has been moved relative to the printing carriage 21. However, the blower unit 11 may start blowing air before the subcarriage 22 is moved relative to the printing carriage 21, or it may start blowing air while the subcarriage 22 is moving.

[0035] Next, after moving the subcarriage 22 relative to the printing carriage 21, the temperature of the air blown by the blower 11 is measured (S003 in Figure 2). At this time, the subcarriage 22 on which the sensor 26 is mounted can move left and right within the area on the bed 19 where air is blown by the blower 11 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "blowing area"). Therefore, even if a temperature distribution occurs in the blowing area, the sensor 26 can measure the temperature distribution over almost the entire area of ​​the blowing area. However, the temperature of the air blown by the blower 11 may be measured while moving the subcarriage 22 on the bed 19.

[0036] If the position of the sensor 26 is fixed relative to the bed 19, then multiple sensors 26 would be necessary to measure the temperature distribution over substantially the entire airflow area. In contrast, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can measure the temperature distribution over substantially the entire airflow area with a single sensor 26. However, multiple sensors 26 may be provided on the subcarriage 22.

[0037] Next, the drying apparatus 10 is adjusted so that the temperature measured by the sensor 26 approaches a predetermined temperature (S004 in Figure 2). Specifically, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the output of the blower unit 11 is adjusted. That is, the controller 50, which receives the measurement result from the sensor 26, sends a control command to the drying apparatus 10 to adjust the heating temperature of the air heating unit 12. In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the blower temperature of the blower unit 11 can be adjusted by adjusting the heating temperature of the air heating unit 12. However, for example, if the blower unit 11 does not have an air heating unit 12 (when the blower unit 11 blows air at room temperature), or if the blower unit 11 has an air heating unit 12 but blows air without using the air heating unit 12 (in blower mode), the amount of air blown by the blower unit 11 or the blowing time may be adjusted. Finally, after adjusting the drying apparatus 10, printing is started (S005 in Figure 2). In other words, the coupling drive unit 25 switches the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 from a separated state to a coupled state. Then, the driving force of the carriage motor 24 moves the printing carriage 21 and the sub-carriage 22 together in the scanning direction, and printing is performed.

[0038] The steps S001 to S004 in Figure 2 described above may be performed even before the media M is placed on the bed 19. The output of the drying device 10 can be adjusted in advance before placing the media M on the bed 19 and preparing for printing.

[0039] <Comparative Example> In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment described above, when the temperature is measured by the sensor 26, the sub-carriage 22 is moved relative to the printing carriage 21 while the printing carriage 21 is in the capping position. This makes it possible to measure the temperature while suppressing the drying of the ink head 41. This point will be explained by comparing it with the carriage 60 in the comparative example printing apparatus 9.

[0040] Figures 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the comparative example carriage 60. Figure 4A shows an overview of the front of the printing device 9 immediately after power-on, and Figure 4B shows an overview of the side of the printing device 9 immediately after power-on. Figure 4C shows an overview of the front of the printing device 9 after the carriage 60 has moved, and Figure 4D shows an overview of the side of the printing device 9 after the carriage 60 has moved.

[0041] Unlike the carriage 29 of this embodiment, the comparative example carriage 60, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, is not configured as a separate printing carriage and sub-carriage. Therefore, the sensor 26 and the ink head 41 are mounted on a single integrated carriage 60. As a result, when the carriage 60, on which the sensor 26 is mounted for temperature measurement, moves, the ink head 41 also moves simultaneously, as shown in Figure 4C. In other words, when the carriage 60 moves, the ink head 41 moves from its capping position and is removed from the state covered by the cap 18. Consequently, as shown in Figures 4C and 4D, there is a risk that the ink head 41 may dry out when measuring temperature. In particular, the nozzle surface of the ink head 41 will be exposed to airflow from the air blower 11, which may cause significant damage to the ink head 41.

[0042] In contrast, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment described above, the subcarriage 22 on which the sensor 26 is mounted is moved relative to the printing carriage 21 on which the ink head 41 is mounted, and the temperature on the bed 19 is measured by the sensor 26. This makes it possible to measure the temperature while suppressing the drying of the ink head 41. Then, the output of the drying apparatus 10 can be adjusted based on the measured temperature.

[0043] ===Second Embodiment=== Figures 5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the carriage 89 in the second embodiment. Figure 5A shows an overview of the front view of the printing device 2 immediately after power-on, and Figure 5B shows an overview of the side view of the printing device 2 immediately after power-on. Figure 5C shows an overview of the front view of the printing device 2 after the sub-carriage 82 has moved, and Figure 5D shows an overview of the side view of the printing device 2 after the sub-carriage 82 has moved. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the printing procedure using the printing device 2 in the second embodiment.

[0044] The printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above had a drying apparatus 10 for drying the ink ejected onto the media M, which included a blower unit 11 that blows hot air or room temperature air onto the bed 19. However, the drying apparatus is not limited to having a blower unit, and may also have a media heating unit 13 for heating the media M, as in the printing apparatus 2 of this embodiment. Furthermore, the sensor 26 may measure the surface temperature of the media M.

[0045] In the printing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, the drying apparatus 70 has a media heating unit 13, as shown in Figures 5A to 5D. The media heating unit 13 is a device that heats the media M. The media heating unit 13 is located below the bed 19 and heats the media M through the bed 19. The sensor 26 measures the surface temperature of the media M from above.

[0046] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, the subcarriage 82 has a lifting mechanism 27 for raising and lowering the sensor 26, as shown in Figures 5C and 5D. However, it is not necessary to have a lifting mechanism 27 for raising and lowering the sensor 26. Specifically, the lifting mechanism 27 is a solenoid or the like. By moving the sensor 26 downward with the lifting mechanism 27, the temperature can be measured at a position closer to the media M. In other words, when measuring the temperature of the media M, the distance between the sensor 26 and the media M to be measured can be reduced, and the temperature of the media M can be measured accurately. Moreover, in the printing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, the temperature can be measured by bringing the sensor 26 into contact with the media M. This allows the surface temperature of the media M to be measured directly, and the temperature of the media M can be measured more accurately.

[0047] Furthermore, other features of the printing apparatus 2 of this embodiment are the same as those of the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above. That is, in the printing apparatus 2 of this embodiment as well, when the temperature is measured by the sensor 26, the sub-carriage 82 is moved relative to the printing carriage 81 while the printing carriage 81 is in the capping position. This makes it possible to measure the temperature while suppressing the drying of the ink head 41.

[0048] In the printing procedure using the printing device 2, first, as described above, the sub-carriage 82 is moved relative to the printing carriage 81 (S101 in Figure 6). That is, the coupling drive unit 25 switches the printing carriage 81 and the sub-carriage 82 from a coupled state to a separated state. Then, with the printing carriage 81 fixed in the capping position, the driving force of the carriage motor 24 moves only the sub-carriage 82 to the left, as shown in Figure 5C. At this time, for example, the sub-carriage 82 is moved to near the center of the bed 19. However, the sub-carriage 82 may also be moved to a location other than the center, such as near the left edge of the bed 19.

[0049] Next, heating by the media heating unit 13 is started (S102 in Figure 6). In this embodiment, heating by the media heating unit 13 is started after the subcarriage 82 has been moved relative to the printing carriage 81. However, heating by the media heating unit 13 may be started before the subcarriage 82 is moved relative to the printing carriage 81, or it may be started while the subcarriage 82 is moving.

[0050] Next, the lifting mechanism 27 moves the sensor 26 toward the media M and brings it into contact with the media M (S103 in Figure 6). This allows the surface temperature of the media M to be measured directly after the subcarriage 22 has been moved relative to the printing carriage 21 (S104 in Figure 6). However, the lifting mechanism 27 does not need to move the sensor 26 toward the media M to a position where it is in contact with the media M. The subcarriage 82 on which the sensor 26 is mounted can move left and right on the area of ​​the bed 19 heated by the media heating unit 13 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "heating area"). Therefore, even if there is a temperature distribution in the heating area, the sensor 26 can measure the temperature distribution over almost the entire heating area. If the lifting mechanism 27 is not available, the temperature near the surface of the media M may be measured while the subcarriage 22 is moved on the bed 19.

[0051] Next, the drying device 70 is adjusted so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature (S105 in Figure 6). Specifically, in the printing device 2 of this embodiment, the heating temperature of the media heating unit 13 is adjusted. That is, the controller 50, which receives the measurement result from the sensor 26, sends a control command to the drying device 70 to adjust the heating temperature of the media heating unit 13. Finally, after adjusting the drying device 10, printing is started (S106 in Figure 6). That is, the coupling drive unit 25 switches the printing carriage 81 and the sub-carriage 82 from a separated state to a coupled state. Then, the driving force of the carriage motor 24 moves the printing carriage 81 and the sub-carriage 82 together in the scanning direction, and printing is performed.

[0052] The steps from S101 to S105 in Figure 6 described above may be performed without the media M being placed on the bed 19. That is, the sensor 26 may be in contact with the surface of the bed 19. The output of the drying device 10 can be adjusted in advance before placing the media M on the bed 19 and preparing for printing.

[0053] ===Unique Text=== Figure 7A is an explanatory diagram of the first modified printing apparatus 3, and Figure 7B is an explanatory diagram of the second modified printing apparatus 4. Figures 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the third modified printing apparatus 5. Figure 8A shows a plan view of the printing apparatus 5, and Figure 8B shows a side view of the printing apparatus 5 (particularly the subcarriage 92).

[0054] <First variation> In the printing apparatus 2 of the second embodiment described above, printing was performed across the entire area of ​​the media M. However, as shown in Figure 7A, there are cases where only a portion of the printable area is used for printing, such as when printing is performed only on a portion of the area P of the media M.

[0055] Therefore, in the first modified printing apparatus 3, as shown in Figure 7A, the range in which the temperature is measured by the sensor 26 can be changed according to the area on the surface of the media M where ink is ejected. In other words, the range in which the temperature is measured by the sensor 26 can be changed according to the area of ​​the media M used for printing. In the printing apparatus 3, the sensor 26 can move left and right on the heating area of ​​the media heating unit 13, making it easy to change the range in which the temperature is measured by the sensor 26. This allows, for example, when only a portion of the printable area of ​​the media M is used for printing, the temperature can be measured only in the area P that is printed. This further improves the print quality of the media M.

[0056] <Second variation> In the printing apparatus 2 of the second embodiment described above, the media heating unit 13 had an undivided, integrated heating region. However, the media heating unit may be divided in the scanning direction, for example, and the heating temperature of the media heating unit may be adjusted for each divided heating region.

[0057] In the second modified printing apparatus 4, the media heating section 14 of the drying apparatus 71 has a first region 16A and a second region 16B, which are divided in the scanning direction, as shown in Figure 7B. The first region 16A and the second region 16B are different regions of the media heating section 14. The sensor 26 can measure the temperature of the region corresponding to the first region 16A on the surface of the media M (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first measured temperature") and the temperature of the region corresponding to the second region 16B (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second measured temperature"). In the printing apparatus 4, since the sensor 26 can move left and right on the heating area of ​​the media heating section 14, it is easy to measure the temperature of each divided heating region with the sensor 26.

[0058] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 4 can adjust the heating temperature of the first region 16A and the heating temperature of the second region 16B based on the first and second measured temperatures. This allows the heating temperature to be adjusted for each divided region when the media heating section 14 is configured in sections. Here, an example has been described in which the media heating section 14 is divided into two regions in the scanning direction, but the number of divisions in the media heating section 14 may be more than two.

[0059] <Third variation> In the second modified printing apparatus 4 described above, the media heating unit 14 is divided in the scanning direction, and the heating temperature of the media heating unit 14 is adjusted for each divided heating region. However, the media heating unit may also be divided in the media transport direction, and the heating temperature of the media heating unit may be adjusted for each divided heating region. In this case, the sensor 26 may be movable in the media transport direction, for example, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

[0060] In the third modified printing apparatus 5, the media heating section 15 of the drying apparatus 72 has a third region 16C and a fourth region 16D, which are divided in the transport direction, as shown in Figure 8A. The third region 16C and the fourth region 16D are different regions of the media heating section 15. The subcarriage 92 has a moving mechanism 28, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B. The moving mechanism 28 is a mechanism that moves the sensor 26 in a direction parallel to the surface of the media M and intersecting the direction of movement of the subcarriage 92. Specifically, the moving mechanism 28 is a screw mechanism or a belt mechanism. This makes it possible to measure the temperature distribution of the media M in the transport direction. Furthermore, when the media heating section 15 is configured to be divided, the heating temperature can be adjusted for each divided configuration. Here, an example in which the media heating section 15 is divided into two regions in the transport direction has been described, but the number of divisions in the media heating section 15 may be more than two.

[0061] In the third modified printing apparatus 5, the multiple ink heads 41 may be arranged offset in the transport direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8A, the first ink head 44 and the second ink head 45 are arranged offset in the transport direction. Note that the arrangement of the first ink head 44 and the second ink head 45 is not limited to the case shown in Figure 8A. The first ink head 44 and the second ink head 45 may be arranged with a gap between them in the transport direction, or they may be arranged partially overlapping. In this case, in the transport direction, the areas of the media heating unit 15 corresponding to each ink head (first ink head 44 and second ink head 45) may be divided into a third area 16C and a fourth area 16D, respectively. This makes it possible to adjust the heating temperature of the media heating unit 15 for each area ejected from each ink head 41.

[0062] ===Summary=== As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the above-described printing apparatus 1 comprises a printing carriage 21 having an ink head 41, a sub-carriage 22 movable relative to the printing carriage 21, a bed 19 on which media M is placed, and a drying apparatus 10 for drying the ink ejected from the ink head 41 onto the media M. The sub-carriage 22 also has a temperature sensor (sensor 26). As shown in Figures 3C and 3D, the sub-carriage 22 is moved relative to the printing carriage 21 to measure the temperature on the bed 19 using the sensor 26 (i.e., the temperature of the bed surface 19, the area above the bed surface 19, and the media M placed on the bed 19), and the drying apparatus 10 is adjusted so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. This makes it possible to measure the temperature while suppressing the drying of the ink head 41, and to adjust the output of the drying apparatus 10 based on the measured temperature.

[0063] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 described above, it is desirable that the drying apparatus 10 has a blower unit 11 that blows air toward the media M, as shown in Figures 3B and 3D, and that the sensor 26 measures the temperature of the air blown by the blower unit 11. This allows the output of the blower unit 11 to be adjusted when the drying apparatus 10 has a blower unit 11 that blows air toward the media M.

[0064] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 described above, the air blowing unit 11 has an air heating unit 12 that heats the air, as shown in Figures 3B and 3D, and it is desirable to adjust the air heating unit 12 so that the temperature measured by the sensor 26 approaches a predetermined temperature. This makes it possible to adjust the air blowing temperature of the air blowing unit 11 when the drying apparatus 10 has an air blowing unit 11 that blows warm air onto the media M.

[0065] Furthermore, it is desirable that the above-described printing apparatus 1 includes a notification unit 17 that notifies the user of a warning when the temperature measured by the sensor 26 is higher than a predetermined temperature, i.e., a warning temperature, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B. This allows the user to be notified if the temperature of the air blown to the media M is high.

[0066] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 2 described above, it is desirable that the drying apparatus 70 has a media heating unit 13 for heating the media M, as shown in Figures 5A to 5D, and that the sensor 26 measures the surface temperature of the media M. This allows the output of the media heating unit 13 to be adjusted when the drying apparatus 70 has a media heating unit 13 for heating the media M.

[0067] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 2 described above, as shown in Figures 5C and 5D, it is desirable that the subcarriage 22 has a lifting mechanism 27 for raising and lowering the sensor 26, and that the sensor 26 be lowered to come into contact with the media M to measure the surface temperature of the media M. This allows for direct measurement of the surface temperature of the media M.

[0068] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 4 described above, the media heating unit 14 has a first region 16A and a second region 16B which is a different region from the first region 16A, as shown in Figure 7B. The sensor 26 measures the first measured temperature of the region corresponding to the first region 16A and the second measured temperature of the region corresponding to the second region 16B on the surface of the media M. It is desirable to adjust the heating temperature of the first region 16A and the heating temperature of the second region 16B, respectively, so that the first measured temperature approaches a first predetermined temperature and the second measured temperature approaches a second predetermined temperature. This allows the heating temperature to be adjusted for each divided configuration when the media heating unit 14 is configured in sections.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described printing apparatus 1, it is desirable that the printing carriage 21 has a cap 18 that covers the nozzle surface of the ink head 41, as shown in Figure 3C, and that the sub-carriage 22 is moved relative to the printing carriage 21 while the sub-carriage 22 is in a capping position where the nozzle surface of the ink head 41 is covered. This makes it possible to measure the temperature while suppressing the drying of the ink head 41.

[0070] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 2 described above, it is desirable that the subcarriage 82 has a lifting mechanism 27 for raising and lowering the sensor 26, as shown in Figures 5C and 5D. This allows the temperature to be measured at a position closer to the media M.

[0071] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 5 described above, it is desirable that the subcarriage 92 has a moving mechanism 28 that moves the sensor 26 in a direction parallel to the surface of the media M and intersecting the direction of movement of the subcarriage 92, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B. This makes it possible to measure the temperature distribution in the transport direction of the media M.

[0072] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 3 described above, it is desirable that the subcarriage 82 changes the range over which the temperature is measured by the sensor 26, according to the area P on the surface of the media M where ink is ejected, as shown in Figure 7A. This allows the temperature to be measured in the area being printed, even when only a portion of the printable area is used for printing.

[0073] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the above-described printing apparatus 1 comprises a printing carriage 21 having an ink head 41, a sub-carriage 22 movable relative to the printing carriage 21 and having a temperature sensor (sensor 26), a bed 19 on which media M is placed, and a drying device 10 for drying the ink ejected from the ink head 41 onto the media M. The printing method using the above-described printing apparatus 1 includes the steps of moving the sub-carriage 22 relative to the printing carriage 21, measuring the temperature on the bed 19 using the sensor 26, and adjusting the drying device 10 so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. This makes it possible to measure the temperature while suppressing the drying of the ink head 41, and to adjust the output of the drying device 10 based on the measured temperature.

[0074] ===Other Embodiments=== In the first embodiment, a drying apparatus for the printing apparatus described above was described that had a blowing unit 11 for blowing air toward the media M, and in the second embodiment, a drying apparatus had a media heating unit 13 for heating the media M. However, the drying apparatus is not limited to just the blowing unit or the media heating unit, and both may be combined. For example, the drying apparatus may have both the blowing unit and the media heating unit.

[0075] In the printing apparatus 2 of the second embodiment described above, the subcarriage 82 is described as having a lifting mechanism 27 for raising and lowering the sensor 26. However, the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment may also have a lifting mechanism 27 in the subcarriage 22. This allows the temperature to be measured at a position closer to the media M.

[0076] In the third modified printing apparatus 5 described above, the subcarriage 92 has a moving mechanism 28 that moves the sensor 26 in a direction parallel to the surface of the media M and intersecting the direction of movement of the subcarriage 92. However, the subcarriage may have both a lifting mechanism 27 and a moving mechanism 28. This allows the temperature to be measured at a position closer to the media M, and also allows the temperature distribution in the direction of media M transport to be measured.

[0077] The above embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be combined as appropriate, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1~5,9 Printing device, 10,70,71,72 Drying equipment, 11 Air blower, 12 Air heating unit, 13, 14, 15 Media heating section, 16A 1st area, 16B 2nd area, 16C 3rd area, 16D 4th area, 17 Notification section, 17A warning display section, 18 caps, 19 beds (mounting surfaces), 20 carriage units, 21, 81, 91 print carriages, 22, 82, 92 Subcarriage, 23 Connecting section, 23A Printing carriage side coupling section, 23B Sub-carriage side coupling section, 24 Carriage motor, 25 Coupling drive unit, 26 Sensor, 27 Lifting mechanism, 28 Moving mechanism, 29,60,89,99 carriages, 30 Conveyor unit, 31 Conveyor roller, 32 transport motors, 40 head units, 41 Ink head, 42 Head drive unit, 43 cap units, 44 First ink head, 45 Second ink head, 50 controllers, M Media

Claims

1. A printing carriage having an ink head, A subcarriage that is movable relative to the print carriage and does not have the ink head, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The subcarriage has a temperature sensor, The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage to measure the temperature on the aforementioned surface using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. Printing device.

2. A printing carriage having an ink head, A sub-carriage that is movable relative to the printing carriage, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The subcarriage has a temperature sensor, The drying apparatus has a blower that blows air toward the media, The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage and measures the temperature of the air blown by the air blower using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. Printing device.

3. A printing apparatus according to claim 2, The blowing unit has an air heating unit that heats the air, The air heating unit is adjusted so that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor approaches the predetermined temperature. Printing device.

4. A printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, The system includes a notification unit that notifies the user of a warning when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined temperature, i.e., a warning temperature. Printing device.

5. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, The drying apparatus has a media heating section for heating the media, The temperature sensor measures the surface temperature of the media. Printing device.

6. A printing carriage having an ink head, A sub-carriage that is movable relative to the printing carriage, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The subcarriage includes a temperature sensor and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the temperature sensor. The drying apparatus has a media heating section for heating the media, The temperature sensor measures the surface temperature of the media, The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage and lowers the temperature sensor to bring it into contact with the media, measures the temperature of the surface of the media using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. Printing device.

7. A printing carriage having an ink head, A sub-carriage that is movable relative to the printing carriage, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The subcarriage has a temperature sensor, The drying apparatus has a media heating section for heating the media, The media heating unit has a first region and a second region which is a region different from the first region. The temperature sensor measures a first measured temperature in the region corresponding to the first region and a second measured temperature in the region corresponding to the second region on the surface of the media. The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage to measure the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the heating temperature of the first region and the heating temperature of the second region, respectively, so that the first measured temperature approaches the first predetermined temperature and the second measured temperature approaches the second predetermined temperature. Printing device.

8. A printing carriage having an ink head, A sub-carriage that is movable relative to the printing carriage, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The ink head has a cap that covers the nozzle surface, The subcarriage has a temperature sensor, The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage while the printing carriage is in a capping position where the nozzle surface of the ink head is covered by the cap, measures the temperature on the aforementioned surface using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. Printing device.

9. A printing carriage having an ink head, A sub-carriage that is movable relative to the printing carriage, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The subcarriage includes a temperature sensor and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the temperature sensor. The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage to measure the temperature on the aforementioned surface using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. Printing device.

10. A printing carriage having an ink head, A sub-carriage that is movable relative to the printing carriage, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The subcarriage includes a temperature sensor and a moving mechanism that moves the temperature sensor in a direction parallel to the surface of the media and intersecting the direction of movement of the subcarriage. The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage to measure the temperature on the aforementioned surface using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. Printing device.

11. A printing carriage having an ink head, A sub-carriage that is movable relative to the printing carriage, A mounting surface on which media is placed, A drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A printing apparatus equipped with, The subcarriage has a temperature sensor, The printing apparatus moves the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage to measure the temperature on the aforementioned surface using the temperature sensor, and adjusts the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature. Depending on the area on the surface of the media where the ink is ejected, the range in which the temperature is measured by the temperature sensor is changed. Printing device.

12. A printing carriage having an ink head, A subcarriage that is movable relative to the print carriage, has a temperature sensor, and does not have the ink head, and a mounting surface on which media is placed, A printing method using a printing apparatus comprising a drying device for drying the ink ejected from the ink head onto the media, A step of moving the subcarriage relative to the printing carriage, The process involves measuring the temperature on the aforementioned surface using the temperature sensor, A step of adjusting the drying apparatus so that the measured temperature approaches a predetermined temperature, including, Printing method.

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