Printing apparatus and printing method

Abstract

To provide a printer and a printing method, which improve productivity.SOLUTION: A printer 11 includes: a conveyance section 22 which intermittently conveys a medium 99; a support section 17 which supports the medium; a head 27 which performs printing by discharging liquid to the medium supported by the support section while the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance section is stopped; a carriage 26 on which the head is mounted and the carriage which moves with respect to the medium; and a control section 28. The control section starts moving of the carriage before the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance section is completed and starts discharge of liquid by the head after the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance section is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printing apparatus including a head that discharges liquid onto a medium, a carriage on which the head is mounted, and a conveyance unit that conveys the medium. The head discharges liquid onto the medium while moving together with the carriage while the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance unit is stopped. The conveyance unit conveys the medium while the carriage is stopped.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a printing apparatus, an improvement in productivity is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A printing apparatus for solving the above problems includes a conveyance unit that intermittently conveys a medium, a support unit that supports the medium, a head that prints by discharging liquid onto the medium supported by the support unit while the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance unit is stopped, a carriage on which the head is mounted, the carriage moving with respect to the medium, and a control unit. The control unit starts the movement of the carriage before the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance unit is completed, and starts the discharge of the liquid by the head after the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance unit is completed.

[0006] A printing method that solves the above problem includes starting the movement of the carriage before the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed, and starting the discharge of liquid by the head mounted on the carriage after the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing one embodiment of a printing apparatus. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the support structure as seen from above. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the carriage waiting in the first position during unidirectional printing, where printing is done on the outbound path. [Figure 4] This is a side view during printing in a unidirectional printing process where printing is performed on the outbound path. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the printed product in a unidirectional printing process where printing is performed on the outbound path. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the carriage in the second position during unidirectional printing, where printing is done on the forward pass. [Figure 7] This is a side view of the carriage as it begins to move from the second position during unidirectional printing, which prints on the forward path. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the carriage returning from the second position to the first position during unidirectional printing, where printing is done on the outbound path. [Figure 9] This is a side view of the carriage waiting in the second position during unidirectional printing on the return journey. [Figure 10] This is a side view during printing in a unidirectional printing process that prints on the return journey. [Figure 11] This is a side view of the printed product in a unidirectional printing process that prints on the return journey. [Figure 12] This is a side view of the carriage in the first position during unidirectional printing, which prints on the return path. [Figure 13] This is a side view of the carriage as it begins to move from the first position during unidirectional printing, which is performed on the return journey. [Figure 14] This is a side view of the carriage returning from the first position to the second position during unidirectional printing, which is performed on the return journey. [Figure 15] This is a plan view showing an example of a modified printing device. [Figure 16] This is a plan view showing a different modification example from Figure 15. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes one embodiment of a printing device with reference to the figures. The printing device is an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper or fabric. Another example of a printing device is a label printer.

[0009] [Printing device configuration] As shown in Figure 1, the printing device 11 includes a housing 12. The printing apparatus 11 includes a feeding unit 13 for feeding out the medium 99. The feeding unit 13 is configured to feed out the medium 99. The feeding unit 13 is housed, for example, in a casing 12. The feeding unit 13 has a feeding shaft 14. The feeding shaft 14 rotatably holds a roll body 100 on which the medium 99 is wound. The feeding shaft 14 holds the medium 99 before printing. As the feeding shaft 14 rotates, the medium 99 is fed out from the feeding unit 13. The feeding shaft 14 may be driven by a motor or may rotate in response to the pulling of the medium 99.

[0010] The printing apparatus 11 includes a winding unit 15. The winding unit 15 is configured to wind up the medium 99. The winding unit 15 is housed, for example, in a housing 12. The winding unit 15 has a winding shaft 16. The winding shaft 16, like the feed shaft 14, rotatably holds the roll body 100. The winding shaft 16 holds the printed medium 99. As the winding shaft 16 rotates, the winding unit 15 winds up the medium 99. The winding shaft 16 is driven to rotate, for example, by a motor.

[0011] The printing device 11 includes a support portion 17. The support portion 17 supports the medium 99. The support portion 17 is, for example, housed in the housing 12. The support portion 17 supports the medium 99 from below, for example. The support portion 17 supports the medium 99 in the process from when the medium 99 is fed out from the feeding portion 13 until it is wound up by the winding portion 15.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the support portion 17 has a support surface 18. The support surface 18 is the surface that comes into contact with the medium 99 in the support portion 17. The support surface 18 faces upward in the support portion 17, for example. When the support portion 17 is viewed from a position facing the support surface 18, that is, when the support portion 17 is viewed from above, the support surface 18 overlaps with the medium 99.

[0013] The area of the medium 99 supported by the support portion 17 is the printing area PA. In the printing device 11, printing is performed on the area of the medium 99 corresponding to the printing area PA. The printing area PA is the area of the medium 99 that overlaps with the support portion 17 when the support portion 17 is viewed from a position facing the support surface 18. That is, the printing area PA overlaps with the support surface 18 when the support portion 17 is viewed in plan view. The printing area PA is, for example, the entire area of the medium 99 supported by the support portion 17. The printing area PA is not limited to the entire area of the medium 99 supported by the support portion 17 and may be a part of the area supported by the support portion 17. The printing area PA refers to the maximum area in which the printing device 11 can perform printing within the area supported by the support portion 17.

[0014] The support portion 17 has one or more through holes 19. The through holes 19 open to the support surface 18. The through holes 19 are blocked by the medium 99 located on the support surface 18, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 11 includes a suction unit 21. The suction unit 21 is configured to adsorb the medium 99 to the support unit 17. For example, the suction unit 21 adsorbs the medium 99 to the support unit 17 by sucking the medium 99 through the support unit 17. The suction unit 21 includes, for example, a suction pump. The suction unit 21 sucks the medium 99 through the through-hole 19. Thereby, the medium 99 is adsorbed to the support surface 18. The suction unit 21 may adsorb the medium 99 to the support unit 17 by generating static electricity, for example.

[0015] For example, the suction unit 21 can change the adsorption force by controlling the suction force. For example, the suction unit 21 changes the adsorption force in accordance with the conveyance of the medium 99. For example, when the medium 99 is being conveyed, the suction unit 21 reduces the adsorption force compared to when the conveyance of the medium 99 is stopped. When the medium 99 is being conveyed, the suction unit 21 relatively reduces the adsorption force. When the adsorption force of the suction unit 21 is relatively reduced when the medium 99 is being conveyed, the medium 99 can easily move on the support unit 17. When printing is performed on the medium 99, that is, when the conveyance of the medium 99 is stopped, the suction unit 21 relatively increases the adsorption force. When the adsorption force of the suction unit 21 is relatively increased when the conveyance of the medium 99 is stopped, the position of the medium 99 on the support unit 17 is less likely to shift.

[0016] The printing apparatus 11 includes a conveyance unit 22. The conveyance unit 22 is configured to convey the medium 99. For example, the conveyance unit 22 is housed in the housing 12. The conveyance unit 22 conveys the medium 99 from the feeding unit 13 toward the winding unit 15. The conveyance unit 22 conveys the medium 99 in the conveyance direction A1 on the support unit 17. The conveyance direction A1 indicates the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the support unit 17.

[0017] The conveyance unit 22 conveys the portion of the medium 99 that has passed on the support unit 17 downward from the support unit 17. That is, the printed medium 99 is conveyed by the conveyance unit 22 downward from the support unit 17.

[0018] The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 intermittently. That is, the transport unit 22 repeatedly starts and stops transporting the medium. The transport unit 22 stops transporting the medium 99 when printing is being performed on the medium 99. The transport unit 22 starts transporting the medium 99 when printing is not being performed on the medium 99, for example, when printing on the medium 99 is completed. In the printing device 11, printing on the medium 99 and transporting the medium 99 are repeated alternately. Note that when printing on the medium 99 is said to be completed, it means that printing on the area that the printing unit 25 (described later) is scheduled to print on is completed during the period when the medium 99 is stopped between transports in intermittent transport.

[0019] The conveying unit 22 has one or more conveying rollers 23. The conveying rollers 23 are located, for example, inside the housing 12. The conveying rollers 23 convey the medium 99 by rotating. The medium 99 is wrapped around the conveying rollers 23. The conveying rollers 23 may also grip the medium 99. The medium 99 is conveyed by the rotation of the conveying rollers 23. The conveying rollers 23 include, for example, rollers that are driven to rotate by a motor. The conveying rollers 23 are located, for example, below the support surface 18.

[0020] The printing apparatus 11 includes a drying unit 24. The drying unit 24 is configured to dry the printed medium 99. The drying unit 24 dries the medium 99 as it is being transported from the support unit 17 to the winding unit 15. The drying unit 24 is located, for example, inside the housing 12. The drying unit 24 is located, for example, directly below the support unit 17. The drying unit 24 includes, for example, a heater for heating the medium 99. The drying unit 24 may also include a fan for blowing gas onto the medium 99. In this way, the drying unit 24 dries the medium 99.

[0021] The printing apparatus 11 includes a printing unit 25. The printing unit 25 is configured to print on a medium 99. The printing unit 25 prints on the medium 99 by discharging a liquid onto the medium 99. The printing unit 25 prints on a printing area PA. The printing unit 25 is housed, for example, in a housing 12. The printing unit 25 has a carriage 26 and a head 27. The carriage 26 and the head 27 are located, for example, above a support unit 17.

[0022] The carriage 26 mounts the head 27. The carriage 26 is configured to move relative to the medium 99. The carriage 26 moves relative to the printing area PA. The carriage 26 moves in the area opposite to the support 17. When the support 17 is viewed from above, the carriage 26 moves so as to pass through the printing area PA. The carriage 26 moves, for example, in the area above the support 17.

[0023] The carriage 26 is configured to move, for example, in the transport direction A1. More specifically, the carriage 26 moves back and forth in the transport direction A1. That is, the carriage 26 moves in the transport direction A1 and the opposite direction. Therefore, the carriage 26 moves in the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the support 17. Conversely, the transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 on the support 17 in the direction in which the carriage 26 moves.

[0024] The carriage 26 may be configured to move in an intersecting direction B1. The intersecting direction B1 is a direction different from the conveying direction A1. More specifically, the intersecting direction B1 is a direction that intersects the conveying direction A1 in the plane along the support surface 18. The intersecting direction B1 indicates the width direction of the conveyed medium 99.

[0025] The carriage 26 may be configured to move only in the transport direction A1, or it may be configured to move in both the transport direction A1 and the intersecting direction B1. In other words, the printing device 11 is a so-called lateral printer. The carriage 26 may also be configured to move only in the intersecting direction B1. In this case, the printing device 11 is a so-called serial printer.

[0026] In this example, the carriage 26 moves at least in the transport direction A1. Therefore, in this example, the intersecting direction B1 indicates the direction in which the carriage 26 moves relative to the direction in which it moves relative to the medium 99. That is, the intersecting direction B1 indicates the direction in which the carriage 26 or head 27 moves relative to the direction in which the head 27 moves while discharging liquid into the medium 99. The carriage 26 or head 27 may move in both forward and reverse directions in the intersecting direction B1. That is, the carriage 26 or head 27 may move, for example, in one direction and the other direction opposite to it in the intersecting direction B1.

[0027] The carriage 26 is displaced to multiple positions by moving. For example, by moving in the transport direction A1, the carriage 26 is displaced to a first position P1, a second position P2, and a home position P3.

[0028] The first position P1 and the second position P2 are positions that the carriage 26 passes through during printing. The first position P1 is upstream of the support section 17 in the transport direction A1. The second position P2 is downstream of the support section 17 in the transport direction A1. The carriage 26 reciprocates between the first position P1 and the second position P2 during printing, for example. The carriage 26 passes over the support section 17 during the process of displacing from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and during the process of displacing from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0029] Of the first position P1 and the second position P2, one is the start position, which is the starting position for printing. Of the first position P1 and the second position P2, the other is the return position, which is the turning point for printing. Before printing starts, the carriage 26 waits at the start position. When printing starts, the carriage 26 moves from the start position to the return position. When the carriage 26 reaches the return position, it turns back from the return position to the start position. In the carriage 26, the movement from the start position to the return position is sometimes called the outward movement, and the movement from the return position to the start position is sometimes called the return movement.

[0030] The home position P3 is the position where the carriage 26 waits. The carriage 26 normally waits at the home position P3. The carriage 26 is positioned at the home position P3, for example, when the printing unit 25 is not printing on the medium 99. The home position P3 is, for example, upstream of the support unit 17 in the transport direction A1. More specifically, the home position P3 is upstream of the first position P1 in the transport direction A1. Before printing starts, the carriage 26 moves from the home position P3 to the start position.

[0031] The head 27 has one or more nozzles. The head 27 discharges liquid from the nozzles. The head 27 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 supported by the support unit 17. More specifically, the head 27 discharges liquid onto the printing area PA. The head 27 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 while the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 is stopped. As a result, an image is printed on the medium 99.

[0032] The head 27 moves with the carriage 26 relative to the support 17. The head 27 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 while moving with the carriage 26. More specifically, the head 27 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 while moving in one direction with the carriage 26. For example, the head 27 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 while moving with the carriage 26 in the transport direction A1 or the opposite direction. If the printing device 11 is a serial printer, the head 27 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 while moving with the carriage 26 in the intersecting direction B1 or the opposite direction.

[0033] The width of the head 27 is, for example, the same as or longer than the width of the medium 99. In other words, the head 27 is a line head capable of simultaneously dispensing liquid across the entire width of the medium 99. As a result, the head 27 can dispense liquid over the entire printing area PA by moving only once with the carriage 26 in the transport direction A1 or the opposite direction. That is, the head 27 can print over the entire printing area PA without the carriage 26 moving in the intersecting direction B1.

[0034] The width of the head 27 may be shorter than the width of the medium 99. In this case, the head 27 can discharge liquid across the entire width of the medium 99 by moving in both the transport direction A1 and the intersecting direction B1. The head 27 prints across the entire width of the medium 99 by repeatedly moving with liquid discharge and then moving a line, that is, by alternately moving in the transport direction A1 and moving in the intersecting direction B1. Therefore, in this case, the head 27 prints across the entire printing area PA by having the carriage 26 move back and forth in the transport direction A1 and move a line in the intersecting direction B1.

[0035] The printing unit 25 prints in a predetermined number of passes. The number of passes refers to the number of times the head 27 moves to complete printing in a predetermined area. The number of passes is, for example, the number of times the carriage 26, which involves liquid ejection by the head 27, moves to the printing area PA. The printing unit 25 may, for example, print in a single pass to the printing area PA. In this case, printing by the head 27 is completed by the carriage 26 passing over the printing area PA once. The printing unit 25 may also print in multiple passes to the printing area PA. In this case, printing by the head 27 is completed by the carriage 26 passing over the printing area PA multiple times.

[0036] The printing unit 25 performs, for example, unidirectional printing on the medium 99. Unidirectional printing is a printing method in which the carriage 26, which discharges liquid onto the medium 99, moves in a single direction. In unidirectional printing, the printing unit 25 discharges liquid onto the medium 99 as it moves, for example, in the transport direction A1 or in the opposite direction. In other words, unidirectional printing is a printing method in which the carriage 26 moves back and forth over the medium 99, and the head 27 discharges liquid on either the forward or return path.

[0037] The printing unit 25 may perform bidirectional printing on the medium 99. Bidirectional printing is a printing method in which the carriage 26, which is involved in the discharge of liquid onto the medium 99, has multiple directions of movement. In bidirectional printing, the printing unit 25 discharges liquid as it moves, for example, in the transport direction A1 and the opposite direction. In other words, bidirectional printing is a printing method in which the carriage 26 moves back and forth on the medium 99, and the head 27 discharges liquid on both the forward and return paths.

[0038] The printing apparatus 11 includes a control unit 28. The control unit 28 comprehensively controls the printing apparatus 11. For example, the control unit 28 controls the suction unit 21, the transport unit 22, the printing unit 25, etc. The control unit 28 controls the transport of the medium 99 and the printing on the medium 99. The control unit 28 alternately performs the transport of the medium 99 and the printing on the medium 99.

[0039] The control unit 28 may consist of one or more processors that perform various processes according to a computer program. The control unit 28 may consist of one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits, that perform at least some of the various processes. The control unit 28 may consist of a circuit that includes a combination of processors and hardware circuits. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processes. Memory, i.e., computer-readable media, includes any readable media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0040] [Conveying and printing control] The control unit 28 controls the start and stop of transport by controlling the transport unit 22. In this way, the transport unit 22 controls the transport timing of the medium 99. The control unit 28 controls the start and stop of movement by the carriage 26 by controlling the printing unit 25. The control unit 28 controls the discharge of liquid by the head 27 in accordance with the movement of the carriage 26 by controlling the printing unit 25. In other words, the control unit 28 controls the movement timing of the carriage 26 and the discharge timing of the head 27.

[0041] Next, we will explain the cases of printing on the forward path and printing on the return path in unidirectional printing. The control unit 28 performs unidirectional printing on the medium 99 by controlling the transport unit 22, the carriage 26, and the head 27. First, we will explain the case of printing on the forward path. Here, the control unit 28 causes the head 27 to discharge liquid when the carriage 26 moves along the forward path.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, before printing starts, the control unit 28 has the carriage 26 wait in the start position, for example, the first position P1. Then, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from the start position to the return position. That is, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. As a result, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move along the forward path. At this time, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 with the medium 99 stopped.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 28 causes the head 27 to dispense liquid as the carriage 26 moves over the printing area PA. This prints an image onto the printing area PA. The control unit 28 causes the head 27 to dispense liquid while moving the carriage 26 over the printing area PA.

[0044] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the liquid discharge by the head 27 is complete and before the carriage 26 stops. For example, the control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the liquid discharge by the head 27 is complete and before the carriage 26 reaches the second position P2. That is, the control unit 28 performs the movement of the carriage 26 and the transport of the medium 99 in parallel. At this time, the carriage 26 moves in the transport direction A1 while the medium 99 moves in the transport direction A1. This improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 compared to the case where the transport of the medium 99 is started after the carriage 26 has stopped. The control unit 28 improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 by overlapping the carriage movement period and the medium transport period.

[0045] The control unit 28 may, for example, start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped. More specifically, the control unit 28 may start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 no longer overlaps with the printing area PA when viewed from above the support unit 17 and before the carriage 26 reaches the second position P2.

[0046] If the transport of the medium 99 is started immediately after printing is completed, the medium 99 may be transported with the head 27 positioned on the support unit 17. In other words, the medium 99 may be transported with the head 27 overlapping the printing area PA. In this case, there is a risk that the head 27 may come into contact with the medium 99. In particular, when the medium 99 is transported, the suction force of the suction unit 21 decreases, making it easier for the medium 99 to lift off the support unit 17. Also, the part of the medium 99 from which liquid has been discharged swells. Therefore, if the transport of the medium 99 is started with the head 27 overlapping the printing area PA, the printed portion of the medium 99 is likely to come into contact with the head 27. In contrast, by starting the transport after the head 27 has passed the support unit 17, the risk of the printed medium 99 coming into contact with the head 27 is reduced.

[0047] The control unit 28 may, for example, start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the last liquid ejected by the head 27 has landed on the medium 99 and before the carriage 26 has stopped. The control unit 28 detects that the liquid has landed on the medium 99 by, for example, counting the time that has elapsed since the head 27 ejected the liquid. Therefore, the control unit 28 may start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the head 27 last ejected the liquid and before the carriage 26 has stopped. If the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 is started before the liquid ejected from the head 27 lands on the medium 99, the landing position of the liquid may be shifted. In contrast, by starting the transport of the medium 99 after the last liquid ejected by the head 27 has landed on the medium 99, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved while suppressing a decrease in print quality. Furthermore, after the last liquid discharged by the head 27 has landed on the medium 99, and after the head 27 has passed the position where the last liquid discharged by the head 27 landed on the medium 99, and before the carriage 26 stops, the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 may be started. In addition to the above effects, this reduces the risk of the printed medium 99 coming into contact with the head 27.

[0048] The last liquid ejected by the head 27 refers to the liquid ejected by the head 27 immediately before the transport of the media 99 begins. In the printing apparatus 11, the transport of the media 99 and printing on the media 99 are performed alternately. Therefore, the liquid ejection performed immediately before the transport of the media 99 begins is the last liquid ejection in a single printing cycle.

[0049] The control unit 28 may, for example, start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed the image printed on the medium 99 and before the carriage 26 has stopped. More specifically, the control unit 28 may start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 no longer overlaps with the image printed on the medium 99 when viewed from above with the support unit 17, and before the carriage 26 has stopped. This allows the timing of starting transport of the medium 99 to be earlier, for example, when printing only on a part of the printing area PA, compared to when transport by the transport unit 22 starts after the head 27 has passed the printing area PA. Therefore, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 28 stops the carriage 26 in the return position. More specifically, the control unit 28 stops the carriage 26 when it reaches the second position P2. At this time, the transport of the medium 99 continues. Since the medium 99 is transported downward from the support unit 17, there is little risk of it coming into contact with the head 27 as it passes through the printing area PA.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26, which is in the return position, for example, the second position P2. More specifically, the control unit 28 returns the carriage 26 from the return position to the start position. That is, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from the second position P2 to the first position P1. As a result, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move on the return path.

[0052] The control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 before the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. That is, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 while the medium 99 is being transported. The control unit 28 performs the movement of the carriage 26 and the transport of the medium 99 in parallel. At this time, the medium 99 moves in the transport direction A1 while the carriage 26 moves in the opposite direction to the transport direction A1. This improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 compared to when the movement of the carriage 26 is started after the transport of the medium 99 is completed. The control unit 28 improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 by overlapping the movement period of the carriage 26 and the transport period of the medium 99.

[0053] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 such that, when the support unit 17 is viewed from above, the image printed on the medium 99 and the head 27 do not overlap on the support unit 17. The control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 such that by the time the head 27 reaches the support unit 17, the printed portion of the medium 99 has passed the support unit 17. The control unit 28 controls the timing of starting the movement of the carriage 26 based, for example, on the time elapsed since the start of transporting the medium 99, or on the amount of rotation of the transport rollers 23. For example, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transporting the medium 99, or after a predetermined amount of the medium 99 has been transported.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8, the control unit 28 stops transporting the medium 99 after the printed portion of the medium 99 has passed over the support unit 17. At this time, the carriage 26 continues to move. The control unit 28 starts printing in the next printing area PA after the carriage 26 has reached the start position. That is, the control unit 28 starts discharging the liquid from the head 27 after the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 is complete. In bidirectional printing, the control unit 28 prints in the next printing area PA as the carriage 26 returns from the return position to the start position.

[0055] Next, we will explain the case of printing on the return journey. In this case, the control unit 28 causes the head 27 to dispense liquid when the carriage 26 moves on the return journey. As shown in Figure 9, the control unit 28 waits the carriage 26 in the start position, for example, the second position P2, before printing starts. Then, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from the start position to the return position. That is, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from the second position P2 to the first position P1. As a result, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move along the return path. At this time, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 with the medium 99 stopped.

[0056] As shown in Figure 10, the control unit 28 causes the head 27 to dispense liquid as the carriage 26 moves over the printing area PA. This prints an image onto the printing area PA. The control unit 28 causes the head 27 to dispense liquid while moving the carriage 26 over the printing area PA.

[0057] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the liquid discharge by the head 27 is complete and before the carriage 26 stops. For example, the control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the liquid discharge by the head 27 is complete and before the carriage 26 reaches the first position P1. That is, the control unit 28 performs the movement of the carriage 26 and the transport of the medium 99 in parallel. At this time, the carriage 26 moves in the opposite direction to the transport direction A1 while the medium 99 moves in the transport direction A1. This improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 compared to the case where the transport of the medium 99 is started after the carriage 26 has stopped. The control unit 28 improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 by overlapping the movement period of the carriage 26 and the transport period of the medium 99.

[0058] The control unit 28 may, for example, start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped. More specifically, the control unit 28 may start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 no longer overlaps with the printing area PA when the support unit 17 is viewed from above and before the carriage 26 reaches the first position P1. By starting transport after the head 27 has passed the support unit 17, the risk of the printed medium 99 coming into contact with the head 27 is reduced.

[0059] The control unit 28 may, for example, start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the last liquid discharged by the head 27 has landed on the medium 99 and before the carriage 26 has stopped. By starting the transport of the medium 99 after the last liquid discharged by the head 27 has landed on the medium 99, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved while suppressing a decrease in print quality.

[0060] The control unit 28 may, for example, start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed the image printed on the medium 99 and before the carriage 26 has stopped. More specifically, the control unit 28 may start transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 no longer overlaps with the image printed on the medium 99 when viewed from above with the support unit 17, and before the carriage 26 has stopped. This allows the timing of starting transport of the medium 99 to be earlier, for example, when printing only on a part of the printing area PA, compared to when transport by the transport unit 22 starts after the head 27 has passed the printing area PA. Therefore, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved.

[0061] As shown in Figure 12, the control unit 28 stops the carriage 26 in the return position. More specifically, the control unit 28 stops the carriage 26 when it reaches the first position P1. At this time, the transport of the medium 99 continues. Since the medium 99 is transported from below the support unit 17 toward the support unit 17, there is little risk of it coming into contact with the head 27 as it passes through the printing area PA.

[0062] As shown in Figure 13, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26, which is in the return position, for example, the first position P1. More specifically, the control unit 28 returns the carriage 26 from the return position to the start position. That is, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. As a result, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move along the forward path.

[0063] The control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 before the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. That is, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 while the medium 99 is being transported. The control unit 28 performs the movement of the carriage 26 and the transport of the medium 99 in parallel. At this time, the carriage 26 moves in the transport direction A1 while the medium 99 moves in the transport direction A1. This improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 compared to when the movement of the carriage 26 is started after the transport of the medium 99 is completed. The control unit 28 improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 by overlapping the movement period of the carriage 26 and the transport period of the medium 99.

[0064] The control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 so that, when the support unit 17 is viewed from above, the image printed on the medium 99 and the head 27 do not overlap on the support unit 17. The control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 so that the head 27 does not catch up to the printed portion of the medium 99. This is because if the head 27 catches up to the printed portion of the medium 99, there is a risk that the head 27 will come into contact with the printed portion. The control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 on the support unit 17 so that the printed portion of the medium 99 and the head 27 do not overlap, for example, by controlling the timing of when to start moving the carriage 26 or the speed at which the carriage 26 moves.

[0065] As shown in Figure 14, the control unit 28 stops transporting the medium 99 after the printed portion of the medium 99 has passed over the support unit 17. At this time, the carriage 26 continues to move. The control unit 28 starts printing in the next printing area PA after the carriage 26 has reached the start position. That is, the control unit 28 starts discharging the liquid from the head 27 after the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 is complete. In bidirectional printing, the control unit 28 prints in the next printing area PA while the carriage 26 is returning from the return position to the start position.

[0066] [Operation and Effects of Printing Equipment] Next, the operation and effects of the above embodiment will be described. (1) The control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 with respect to the printing area PA and discharges liquid to the head 27. After the discharge of liquid by the head 27 is completed, and before the carriage 26 stops, the control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22. With the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved compared to the case where the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 starts after the carriage 26 has stopped.

[0067] (2) The control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 before the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. The control unit 28 starts discharging the liquid from the head 27 after the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. With the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved compared to the case where the carriage 26 starts moving after the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99.

[0068] (3) The control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 such that, when the support unit 17 is viewed from a position opposite to the support unit 17, the image printed on the medium 99 and the head 27 do not overlap on the support unit 17.

[0069] The medium 99 may swell when liquid is discharged. This swelling of the medium 99 makes it easier for the medium 99 to come into contact with the head 27. With the above configuration, the carriage 26 moves so that the image printed on the medium 99 and the head 27 do not overlap on the support portion 17, thus reducing the risk of the head 27 coming into contact with the medium 99.

[0070] (4) The control unit 28 performs unidirectional printing on the medium 99 by controlling the head 27 and the carriage 26. The control unit 28 causes the head 27 to discharge liquid when the carriage 26 is moving forward. With the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved when the head 27 discharges liquid on the forward path during unidirectional printing.

[0071] (5) The control unit 28 performs unidirectional printing on the medium 99 by controlling the head 27 and the carriage 26. The control unit 28 causes the head 27 to discharge liquid when the carriage 26 is moving on the return path. With the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved when the head 27 discharges liquid on the return path during unidirectional printing.

[0072] (6) The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 on the support unit 17 in the direction in which the carriage 26 moves. The transport unit 22 transports the portion of the medium 99 that has passed over the support unit 17 downward from the support unit 17.

[0073] According to the above configuration, the printed portion of the medium 99 is transported below the support unit 17. This reduces the risk of the image printed on the medium 99 coming into contact with the head 27.

[0074] (7) The head 27 is a line head capable of simultaneously discharging liquid across the entire width of the medium 99, and prints in a single pass across the printing area PA. With the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved compared to when the head 27 prints in multiple passes.

[0075] (8) The control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed through the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped. With the above configuration, since the transport unit 22 starts transporting the medium 99 after the head 27 has passed through the printing area PA, the risk of the image printed on the medium 99 coming into contact with the head 27 is reduced.

[0076] (9) The control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the liquid last discharged by the head 27 has landed on the medium 99 and before the carriage 26 has stopped. If the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 begins before the liquid discharged from the head 27 lands on the medium 99, the print quality may deteriorate. In this respect, the above configuration improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 while suppressing a deterioration in print quality.

[0077] (10) The control unit 28 starts transporting the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has finished discharging the liquid, after the head 27 has passed the image printed on the medium 99, and before the carriage 26 stops.

[0078] According to the above configuration, for example, when printing only on a portion of the printing area PA, the timing at which the transport unit 22 starts transporting the medium 99 can be advanced compared to when the head 27 has passed through the printing area PA before the transport unit 22 starts transporting the medium 99. This improves the productivity of the printing apparatus 11.

[0079] [Example of changes] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0080] As shown in Figure 15, the printing unit 25 may print in the printing area PA by moving in the transport direction A1 and the intersecting direction B1. In this modified example, the width of the head 27 is shorter than the width of the medium 99. The printing unit 25 prints in the printing area PA by repeatedly moving in the transport direction A1 and moving in the intersecting direction B1, for example.

[0081] The carriage 26 moves multiple times in the transport direction A1 relative to the medium 99 during a single print run. The carriage 26 moves from the starting position, the first position P1, to the end position, the second position P2, by repeatedly moving in the transport direction A1 and in the intersecting direction B1. The end position is the final position where the carriage 26 is located when a single print run is completed. For example, the end position is located upstream of the support section 17 in the transport direction A1. The end position is a different position from the start position in the intersecting direction B1.

[0082] The head 27 discharges liquid when it moves with the carriage 26 in the transport direction A1 or the opposite direction. The head 27 prints on the medium 99 by moving multiple times in the transport direction A1 while shifting its position in the intersecting direction B1. In the example shown in Figure 15, the printing device 11 prints an area equivalent to one raster on the medium 99 in unidirectional printing and in a single pass. Here, an area equivalent to one raster is the area where the head 27 and the medium 99 overlap when the head 27 moves once in the transport direction A1. When printing an area equivalent to one raster in multiple passes, the amount of movement of the carriage 26 in the intersecting direction B1 decreases, and the number of movements of the carriage 26 increases. The carriage 26 may move to the intersecting direction B1 after completing its forward path in the transport direction A1, or it may move to the intersecting direction B1 after completing its return path. The printing device 11 may also perform bidirectional printing on the medium 99.

[0083] The control unit 28 initiates the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has completed printing and before the carriage 26 reaches the end position. In this modified example, when the head 27 completes printing, the carriage 26 is performing its final movement in a direction parallel to the transport direction A1. Therefore, the control unit 28 initiates the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27, which is moving with the carriage 26 in its final movement, has passed through the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 reaches the end position.

[0084] The control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 before the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. The control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from its end position before the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. For example, after the carriage 26 has reached its end position, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 in the opposite direction of the crossing direction B1 while the medium 99 is still being transported. This returns the carriage 26 to its start position.

[0085] As shown in Figure 16, the printing device 11 may be a serial printer. In this modified example, the printing unit 25 prints in the printing area PA by moving in the intersecting direction B1. More specifically, the printing unit 25 prints in the printing area PA by moving back and forth in the intersecting direction B1.

[0086] The carriage 26 moves from the starting position, the first position P1, to the return position, the second position P2, for example, by moving from one side to the other in the intersecting direction B1. The head 27 discharges liquid when it moves with the carriage 26 to one side in the intersecting direction B1, or to the other side in the opposite direction. In the example shown in Figure 16, the printing device 11 prints on the medium 99 in one pass and in one direction. When printing in multiple passes, the amount of medium 99 transported by the transport unit 22 per pass becomes smaller, and the number of times the transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 increases. As a result, the number of times the carriage 26 moves increases. The printing device 11 may also perform bidirectional printing on the medium 99.

[0087] The control unit 28 initiates the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has finished printing and before the carriage 26 has stopped. For example, the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 is initiated after the head 27, which is moving in the crossing direction B1 together with the carriage 26, has passed through the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped.

[0088] The control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 before the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. The control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 from the return position before the transport unit 22 has finished transporting the medium 99. At this time, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 so that the head 27 does not overlap the image printed on the medium 99 on the support unit 17. For example, after the carriage 26 has reached the return position, the control unit 28 moves the carriage 26 to the other side in the crossing direction B1 while the medium 99 is being transported. At this time, the control unit 28 starts moving the carriage 26 so that by the time the head 27 reaches the support unit 17, the medium 99 has been transported by the length of the head 27 in the transport direction A1. As a result, the head 27, which moves with the carriage 26 to the other side in the crossing direction B1, does not overlap the printed portion of the medium 99 on the support unit 17.

[0089] • If the control unit 28 transports the medium 99 before starting printing, it may move the carriage 26 before the transport of the medium 99 is complete. For example, after the transport of the medium 99 is complete, the control unit 28 may start dispensing the liquid from the head 27 while continuing to move the carriage 26. This shortens the time until printing can be started compared to when the carriage 26 is moved after the transport of the medium 99 is complete. Therefore, the productivity of the printing apparatus 11 is improved.

[0090] The liquid ejected by the head 27 is not limited to ink; for example, it may be a liquid in which particles of a functional material are dispersed or mixed in a liquid. For example, the head 27 may eject a liquid containing, in the form of dispersion or dissolution, materials such as electrode materials or pixel materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent displays, and surface-emitting displays.

[0091] [Technical thought] The technical concepts and their effects that can be understood from the embodiments and modifications described above are described below.

[0092] (A) The printing apparatus comprises a transport unit that intermittently transports a medium, a support unit that supports the medium, a print head that prints by discharging liquid onto the medium supported by the support unit while the transport of the medium by the transport unit is stopped, a carriage on which the print head is mounted and which moves relative to the medium, and a control unit, wherein the control unit causes the print head to discharge liquid onto the print area, which is the area of ​​the medium supported by the support unit, while moving the carriage, and after the discharge of liquid by the print head is completed and before the carriage stops, the transport of the medium by the transport unit is started.

[0093] With the above configuration, the printing speed is improved compared to the case where the transport unit starts transporting the medium after the liquid discharge by the head is complete and the carriage has stopped. Therefore, the productivity of the printing device is improved.

[0094] (B) In the above printing apparatus, the control unit may start moving the carriage before the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed, and start discharging the liquid by the head after the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed. With the above configuration, the printing speed is improved compared to when the carriage movement is started after the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed. Therefore, the productivity of the printing apparatus is improved.

[0095] (C) In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may move the carriage such that, when the support unit is viewed from a position opposite to the support unit, the image printed on the medium and the head do not overlap on the support unit.

[0096] The medium may swell when liquid is dispensed. This swelling of the medium makes it easier for the medium and the print head to come into contact. With the above configuration, the carriage moves so that the image printed on the medium and the print head do not overlap on the support part, thus reducing the risk of the print head coming into contact with the medium.

[0097] (D) In ​​the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may perform unidirectional printing on the medium by controlling the head and the carriage, and may cause the head to discharge liquid when the carriage is moving forward. According to the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus is improved when the head discharges liquid in the forward path during unidirectional printing.

[0098] (E) In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may perform unidirectional printing on the medium by controlling the head and the carriage, and may cause the head to discharge liquid when the carriage moves back. According to the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus is improved when the head discharges liquid on the return path during unidirectional printing.

[0099] (F) In the above printing apparatus, the head and the carriage are located above the support unit, and the transport unit transports the medium on the support unit in the direction in which the carriage moves, and the portion of the medium that has passed over the support unit may be transported below the support unit. With the above configuration, the printed portion of the medium is transported below the support unit. This reduces the risk of the printed portion of the medium coming into contact with the head.

[0100] (G) In the above-described printing apparatus, the head is a line head capable of simultaneously discharging liquid across the entire width of the medium, and printing may be performed in a single pass over the printing area. With the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus is improved compared to when the head prints in multiple passes.

[0101] (H) In the above printing apparatus, the control unit may start transporting the medium by the transport unit after the discharge of liquid by the head is completed, after the head has passed the printing area, and before the carriage stops. With the above configuration, since the transport of the medium by the transport unit starts after the head has passed the printing area, the risk of the printed portion of the medium coming into contact with the head is reduced.

[0102] (I) In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may start transporting the medium by the transport unit after the dispensing of the liquid by the head is completed, after the last liquid dispensed by the head has landed on the medium, and before the carriage has stopped.

[0103] If the transport of the media by the transport unit begins before the liquid ejected from the print head lands on the media, the print quality may deteriorate. In this respect, the above configuration improves the productivity of the printing device while suppressing the deterioration of print quality.

[0104] (J) In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may start transporting the medium by the transport unit after the dispensing of the liquid by the head is complete, after the head has passed the image printed on the medium, and before the carriage stops.

[0105] According to the above configuration, for example, when printing only on a portion of the printing area, the timing at which the transport unit starts transporting the media can be advanced compared to when the transport unit starts transporting the media after the head has passed through the printing area. This improves the productivity of the printing device.

[0106] (K) The printing method includes discharging liquid from the head while moving the carriage over the printing area, which is the area of ​​the medium supported by the support section, and starting the transport of the medium by the transport section after the discharging of liquid by the head is complete and before the carriage stops. With the above configuration, the same effects as the printing apparatus described above can be obtained.

[0107] (L) The printing apparatus comprises a transport unit that intermittently transports a medium, a support unit that supports the medium, a head that prints by discharging liquid onto the medium supported by the support unit while the transport of the medium by the transport unit is stopped, a carriage on which the head is mounted and which moves relative to the medium, and a control unit, wherein the control unit starts moving the carriage before the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed, and starts discharging liquid by the head after the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed. With the above configuration, the printing speed is improved compared to when the carriage starts moving after the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed. Therefore, the productivity of the printing apparatus is improved.

[0108] (M) In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may move the carriage such that, when the support unit is viewed from a position opposite to the support unit, the image printed on the medium and the head do not overlap on the support unit.

[0109] The medium may swell when liquid is dispensed. This swelling of the medium makes it easier for the medium and the print head to come into contact. With the above configuration, the carriage moves so that the image printed on the medium and the print head do not overlap on the support part, thus reducing the risk of the print head coming into contact with the medium.

[0110] (N) In the above printing apparatus, the control unit may perform unidirectional printing on the medium by controlling the head and the carriage, and may cause the head to discharge liquid when the carriage is moving forward. According to the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus is improved when the head discharges liquid in the forward path during unidirectional printing.

[0111] (O) In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may perform unidirectional printing on the medium by controlling the head and the carriage, and may cause the head to discharge liquid when the carriage moves back. According to the above configuration, the productivity of the printing apparatus is improved when the head discharges liquid on the return path during unidirectional printing.

[0112] (P) In the above printing apparatus, the head and the carriage are located above the support unit, and the transport unit transports the medium on the support unit in the direction in which the carriage moves, and the portion of the medium that has passed over the support unit may be transported below the support unit. With the above configuration, the printed portion of the medium is transported below the support unit. This reduces the risk of the printed portion of the medium coming into contact with the head.

[0113] (Q) In the above-described printing apparatus, the head is a line head capable of simultaneously discharging liquid across the entire width of the medium, and printing may be performed in a single pass on the printing area, which is the area of ​​the medium supported by the support section.

[0114] With the above configuration, the productivity of the printing device is improved compared to when the print head prints in a multi-pass manner. (R) The printing method includes starting the movement of the carriage before the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed, and starting the discharge of liquid by the head mounted on the carriage after the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed. The above method provides the same effects as the printing apparatus described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0115] 11...Printing device, 12...Housing, 13...Feeding unit, 14...Feeding shaft, 15...Winding unit, 16...Winding shaft, 17...Support unit, 18...Support surface, 19...Through hole, 21...Suction unit, 22...Conveying unit, 23...Conveying roller, 24...Drying unit, 25...Printing unit, 26...Carriage, 27...Head, 28...Control unit, 99...Media, 100...Roll body, A1...Conveying direction, B1...Intersection direction, P1...First position, P2...Second position, P3...Home position, PA...Printing area.

Claims

1. A transport unit that intermittently transports the medium, A support part that supports the medium, A print head that prints by discharging liquid onto a medium supported by the support unit while the transport of the medium by the transport unit is stopped, A carriage on which the head is mounted, the carriage moving relative to the medium, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, Before the transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed, the carriage starts moving. When viewing the support from a position opposite the support, the carriage is moved such that the image printed on the medium and the head do not overlap on the support. A printing apparatus characterized in that the liquid is dispensed by the head after the transport unit has completed transporting the medium.

2. The control unit, By controlling the head and carriage, unidirectional printing is performed on the medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the carriage moves along the forward path, it discharges liquid to the head.

3. The control unit, By controlling the head and carriage, unidirectional printing is performed on the medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the carriage moves on its return journey, it discharges liquid to the head.

4. The head and the carriage are located above the support portion. The aforementioned transport unit is On the support portion, the medium is transported in the direction in which the carriage moves. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the portion of the medium that has passed over the support portion is transported downward from the support portion.

5. The head is This line head is capable of simultaneously dispensing liquid across the entire width of the medium. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it prints in a single pass over a printing area which is a region of the medium supported by the support portion.

6. The carriage must begin moving before the transport unit has completed transporting the media. The carriage is moved such that, when the support portion is viewed from a position opposite the support portion, the image printed on the medium and the head mounted on the carriage do not overlap on the support portion. A printing method characterized by comprising: starting the discharge of liquid by the head after the transport of the medium by the transport unit has completed.

Images