Printer, adjustment method, and position adjustment device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure JP2026002082_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Printing device, adjustment method, and position adjustment device
[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, an adjustment method, and a position adjustment device.
[0002] In recent years, inkjet printers, which are printing devices that perform printing by an inkjet method, have been widely used. Regarding the configuration of inkjet printers, conventionally, a configuration for preventing the drying of nozzles by covering the nozzle surface of an inkjet head with a cap member is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document \n1 also discloses a configuration for raising and lowering a cap member to enable sealing of the nozzle surface.
[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-152,682
[0004] In an inkjet printer, there may be a case where a carriage holding an inkjet is raised and lowered to change the positions of the carriage and the inkjet head in the height direction. It is conceivable to adjust the position of the inkjet head in the height direction according to the thickness of the medium (media) to be printed. And usually, it is also necessary to change the position of a member that contacts the inkjet head, such as a cap member, in accordance with the position of the inkjet head in the height direction. However, due to the influence of the configuration for performing such position adjustment, it is conceivable that the cost of the printing device increases and the adjustment procedure becomes complicated. Therefore, regarding the adjustment of a printing device provided with an inkjet head, it is desired to perform it more simply, more easily, and more appropriately with a simpler configuration. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing device, an adjustment method, and a position adjustment device that can solve the above problems.
[0005] The inventors of this invention have diligently researched a method for adjusting the position of a cap member, etc., in accordance with the position of the carriage that holds the inkjet head, in relation to a printing apparatus that allows the position of the inkjet head to be changed in the height direction and uses a member that comes into contact with the inkjet head, such as a cap member. They focused on the fact that if the station section, which is the part containing the cap member, etc., is made movable up and down, and potentiometers of the same resolution are attached to both the carriage and the station section, the positional relationship between the two can be detected with high accuracy. More specifically, they focused on the fact that the current carriage height (amount of movement) can be detected by acquiring the potentiometer value on the carriage side, and the amount of drive of the motor that moves the station section in accordance with the carriage position (motor movement amount) can be determined simply by converting the unit to the difference between the potentiometers of the carriage and the station section.
[0006] However, depending on the configuration of the printing apparatus, it may be difficult to adjust the position of the station in this manner. For example, when using a configuration that performs stepped adjustment to align the carriage to one of several pre-set positions, the potentiometer on the carriage side may be omitted to reduce costs. In such cases, it becomes difficult to adjust the position of the station in the manner described above. In response to this, the inventors of the present invention have found that, when performing stepped adjustment for carriage position adjustment, by performing a process (teaching) to register the parameters used for adjusting the position of the station, it is possible to easily and appropriately adjust the position of the station to match the position of the carriage.
[0007] Furthermore, the inventors of this application, through further diligent research, have discovered the features necessary to obtain such effects, leading to the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a printing apparatus for printing, comprising: an inkjet head for ejecting ink; a carriage for holding the inkjet head; a carriage position adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the carriage in a predetermined height direction; a station section having a contact member which is a member that contacts the inkjet head; a station position adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the station section in the height direction; a parameter storage section for storing parameters used to adjust the position of the station section; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the station position adjustment mechanism, wherein the carriage position adjustment mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the position of the carriage to one of a plurality of preset positions, and the station position adjustment mechanism has a position detection means for detecting the position of the station section in the height direction, and a motor that generates a driving force to move the station section in the height direction, and the control The unit stores the parameters in the parameter storage unit by performing a registration process to register the parameters, moves the carriage to at least one of the plurality of positions at the time of execution of the registration process, and based on the detected position which is the position of the station unit detected by the position detection means when the station unit is moved to a position corresponding to the position of the carriage, the control unit stores the parameters corresponding to the detected position in the parameter storage unit, and when the station unit is moved to a position where the contact member of the station unit is in contact with the inkjet head after the registration process, the control unit controls the operation of the motor based on the position of the station unit detected by the position detection means and the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit, thereby changing the position of the station unit in accordance with the position of the carriage in the height direction.
[0008] With this configuration, the parameters used to adjust the position of the station can be appropriately acquired through the registration process. Furthermore, by referring to the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit during the registration process, the position of the station can be appropriately changed in accordance with the carriage's position in the height direction when the station is moved to change its position. In addition, by moving the carriage in a multi-stage configuration in which the carriage's position is selected from one of several pre-set positions, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the printing device and reduce its cost. For example, even when using a low-cost configuration such as a photosensor as a means of acquiring the carriage's position, the position of the station can be appropriately changed in accordance with the carriage's position. Also, even if there is no means of detecting the carriage's position, such as by user specification, the position of the station can be appropriately changed in accordance with the carriage's position. Furthermore, with this configuration, it is possible to adjust the position of the station in a short time with simple operations without using tools. Therefore, even users without special adjustment skills can easily and appropriately adjust the printing device.
[0009] In this configuration, it is preferable that the printing device further includes an operation reception unit that receives user input. The operation reception unit receives input from the user to move the station unit in the height direction. Preferably, the operation reception unit can be configured to have a jog key (JOG function) operated by the user. In this case, during the execution of the registration process, the control unit moves the station unit to a position corresponding to the carriage position by controlling the motor operation based on the user input received by the operation reception unit. The control unit then stores the parameters corresponding to the detected position after the station unit has moved in the parameter storage unit. With this configuration, parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit can be obtained more appropriately during the registration process.
[0010] Furthermore, during the registration process, it is preferable that the control unit moves the station unit to a position corresponding to the carriage's position, at least for the lowest point (the lowest position) and the highest point (the highest position) among the multiple positions of the carriage, based on the user's operation received by the operation reception unit. In this case, the control unit stores the parameters corresponding to the detection position after the station unit has moved in the parameter storage unit, thereby storing the parameters corresponding to the lowest point and the parameters corresponding to the highest point in the parameter storage unit. During the registration process, the control unit may also move the station unit to a position corresponding to the carriage's position based on the user's operation, for only the lowest point and the highest point among the multiple positions of the carriage. This configuration reduces the effort and time required to execute the registration process. In this case, the control unit calculates parameters corresponding to positions other than the lowest point and the highest point based on the parameters corresponding to the lowest point and the highest point. This allows the station unit to be moved appropriately in accordance with the carriage's position even when the carriage is moved to a position other than the lowest point and the highest point. Furthermore, during the registration process, the control unit may move the station unit to a position corresponding to the carriage position based on user input, even for positions other than the lowest and highest points, and store the parameters corresponding to that position in the parameter storage unit. With this configuration, parameters corresponding to positions other than the lowest and highest points can be acquired with higher accuracy.
[0011] Furthermore, during the execution of the registration process, it is preferable for the control unit to further store parameters corresponding to the movable range, which is the range of movement of the station unit in the height direction, in the parameter storage unit. In this case, when moving the station unit 20, the control unit moves the station unit within the range of movement. With this configuration, even if an unintended error occurs when moving the station unit, the movement range of the station unit can be limited to a safe range. In this configuration, the carriage position adjustment mechanism may move the carriage in the height direction according to the force applied by the user. With this configuration, the carriage can be moved with a simple configuration, for example. As such a carriage position adjustment mechanism, for example, a mechanism having a lever that the user moves on one end can be suitably used. Furthermore, as a configuration of the present invention, it is also possible to consider an adjustment method and a position adjustment device configuration having the same features as described above. In these cases as well, the same effects as described above can be obtained.
[0012] According to the present invention, adjustments to a printing apparatus equipped with an inkjet head can be easily and appropriately performed.
[0013] This figure illustrates a printing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the main parts of the printing apparatus 10. Figure 1(b) is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the station position adjustment mechanism 26. This figure shows an example of the movable range of the carriage 12 and the station unit 20. This flowchart shows an example of the operation of moving the station unit 20. Figure 3(a) shows a simplified relationship between the teaching operation and subsequent operations. Figure 3(b) shows an example of the teaching operation. This figure shows an example of the state in which the position of the station unit 20 is adjusted to match the position of the carriage 12 during the teaching operation.
[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the main parts of the printing apparatus 10. Figure 1(b) is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the station position adjustment mechanism 26 in the printing apparatus 10. Except for the points described below, the printing apparatus 10 and each part of the printing apparatus 10 may have the same or similar characteristics as known printing apparatuses and each part thereof. The printing apparatus 10 in this example is an inkjet printer that prints on a printing medium (media) 50 using an inkjet method, and comprises a carriage 12, a plurality of inkjet heads 14, a Y-bar section 16, a platen 18, a station section 20, a scanning drive section 22, a carriage position adjustment mechanism 24, a station position adjustment mechanism 26, an operation reception section 28, a parameter storage section 30, and a control section 32.
[0015] The carriage 12 is a holding member that holds a plurality of inkjet heads 14. In this example, the carriage 12 is attached to the Y-bar section 16 so as to be movable along the Y-bar section 16 in a predetermined main scanning direction, and holds a plurality of inkjet heads 14 so that the inkjet heads 14 face the medium 50 when printing is performed. The plurality of inkjet heads 14 are print heads that eject ink toward the medium 50. In this example, the inkjet heads 14 have a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged at different positions in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and ink is ejected from the nozzles in the nozzle row. In addition, the plurality of inkjet heads 14 eject ink of different colors from each other.
[0016] The Y-bar section 16 is a member that guides the movement of the carriage 12 in the main scanning direction while holding the carriage 12 in a position facing the medium 50. The Y-bar section 16 has a guide rail or the like that guides the movement of the carriage 12, and moves the carriage 12 and its inkjet head 14 in the main scanning direction along the guide rail while facing the platen 18. In this example, the Y-bar section 16 extends beyond the position facing the platen 18 to a position facing the station section 20, and moves the carriage 12 and the multiple inkjet heads 14 to a position facing the station section 20 as needed. The platen 18 is a table-shaped member that supports the medium 50 in a position facing the carriage 12 when printing is performed.
[0017] The station unit 20 is configured to perform maintenance on the inkjet head 14 at a position outside the main scanning direction relative to the platen 18. In this example, the station unit 20 has a capping unit 102 and a wiping unit 104. The capping unit 102 is a part having a cap member that covers the nozzle surface, which is the surface on which the nozzles are formed on the inkjet head 14. The cap member is an example of a contact member that comes into contact with the inkjet head 14. For example, when the printing device 10 is not performing printing, it comes into contact with the inkjet head 14 and covers the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 14, thereby suppressing the drying of the nozzles. The wiping unit 104 is a part having a wiper for wiping the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 14. During maintenance of the inkjet head 14, the wiper is brought into contact with the inkjet head 14, and the wiper is moved relative to the inkjet head 14 to perform wiping. In this example, the wiper in the wiping unit 104 is also an example of a contact member.
[0018] The scanning drive unit 22 is a drive unit that causes multiple inkjet heads 14 to perform main scanning and sub-scanning operations. The main scanning operation is an operation (scanning operation) in which ink is ejected while moving in the main scanning direction relative to the medium 50. In this example, the scanning drive unit 22 moves the carriage 12 along the Y-bar section 16, thereby moving the multiple inkjet heads 14 together with the carriage 12 during the main scanning operation. The sub-scanning operation is an operation in the sub-scanning direction relative to the medium 50. The scanning drive unit 22 causes the multiple inkjet heads 14 to perform sub-scanning operations in between main scanning operations, thereby changing the portion of the medium 50 that faces the multiple inkjet heads 14 in each main scanning operation. The sub-scanning operation can also be thought of as a feeding operation (feed operation) that sends the medium 50 to the multiple inkjet heads 14. The scanning drive unit 22 causes the multiple inkjet heads 14 to perform sub-scanning operations by transporting the medium 50 in a transport direction parallel to the sub-scanning direction.
[0019] The carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 is configured to change the gap, which is the distance between the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 14 and the media 50, by changing the carriage height, which is the position of the carriage 12 in the height direction. In this case, the height direction is the direction perpendicular to the surface of the media 50 held by the platen 18. The printing apparatus 10 changes the gap according to the thickness and type of media 50. Furthermore, the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 in this example changes the gap by manual operation by the user without using an electrical drive means such as a motor. The carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 moves the position of the carriage 12 in the height direction according to the force applied by the user. As the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24, for example, a mechanism having a lever that the user moves on one end can be suitably used. Furthermore, the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 in this example is a mechanism that changes the position of the carriage 12 in steps, including a plurality of predetermined steps, and adjusts the position of the carriage 12 to one of a plurality of positions that are set in advance to correspond to these plurality of steps. It is preferable to have about five stages (for example, about three to eight stages). Furthermore, the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 in this example further includes a detection means for detecting the position of the carriage 12. As this detection means, for example, multiple photosensors installed at multiple positions corresponding to the above-mentioned stages can be suitably used. With this configuration, the position of the carriage 12 can be appropriately detected with a low-cost configuration.
[0020] The station position adjustment mechanism 26 is configured to change the position of the station unit 20 in the height direction. The station position adjustment mechanism 26 in this example is an example of a position adjustment device that performs a position adjustment method. The station position adjustment mechanism 26 moves the station unit 20 in accordance with the position of the carriage 12 in the height direction so that contact members such as the cap member and wiper of the station position adjustment mechanism 26 make appropriate contact with the inkjet head 14. The station position adjustment mechanism 26 moves the station unit 20 by an electric mechanism in accordance with the control of the control unit 32. The station position adjustment mechanism 26 in this example has a motor 112, a power transmission mechanism 114, and a position detection means 116, as shown in Figure 1(b), for example. The motor 112 is a drive source that generates a driving force to move the station unit 20 in the height direction. A known stepping motor or the like can be suitably used as the motor 112. The power transmission mechanism 114 is a mechanism that converts the rotational driving force generated by the motor 112 into a force in the height direction and transmits it to the station unit 20. As the power transmission mechanism 114, a known gear mechanism or the like that which converts rotational motion into linear motion can be suitably used. Furthermore, the position detection means 116 is a sensor that detects the position of the station section 20 in the height direction. A known potentiometer or the like can be suitably used as the position detection means 116.
[0021] The operation reception unit 28 is configured to receive user operations on the printing device 10. In this example, the operation reception unit 28 has an input means for receiving user operations, and receives user instructions based on the user's operations on this input means. For example, a jog key (JOG function) operated by the user can be suitably used as this input means. Furthermore, it is preferable that the operation reception unit 28 further includes a display unit for displaying information to the user. The operation reception unit 28 receives user instructions via the input means while displaying information on the display unit. In addition, in this example, the operation reception unit 28 receives instructions from the user to move the station unit 20 when performing teaching to set the position adjustment of the station unit 20.
[0022] The parameter storage unit 30 is configured to store parameters used to control the operation of the printing device 10. In this example, the parameter storage unit 30 stores at least parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit 20. The parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit 20 are acquired during the teaching operation described above. The control unit 32 is configured to include, for example, the CPU of the printing device 10 and controls the operation of each part of the printing device 10. The control unit 32 also controls the operation of the station position adjustment mechanism 26 based on the parameter values in the parameter storage unit 30. Furthermore, during the teaching operation described above, the control unit 32 causes the parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit 20 to be stored in the parameter storage unit 30. This teaching operation is an example of a registration process for registering the parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit 20.
[0023] Next, we will explain in more detail the operation of moving the station unit 20 in accordance with the carriage height, and the operation of teaching the position of the station unit 20. Figure 2 shows an example of the range of motion of the carriage 12 and the station unit 20 (see Figure 1). As described above, the carriage 12 in this example changes its carriage height in steps in response to the user's operation of the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 (see Figure 1). In the example shown in Figure 2, the carriage 12 changes its carriage height in five steps, thereby changing the carriage height between the minimum carriage height and the maximum carriage height shown in the figure. In this example, the minimum carriage height is the carriage height corresponding to the gap for a medium with a thickness of 2 mm. The maximum carriage height is the carriage height corresponding to the gap for a medium with a thickness of 6 mm. Carriage heights other than the minimum and maximum carriage heights are carriage heights corresponding to the gap for a medium that is thicker than 2 mm and thinner than 6 mm. Furthermore, as described above, the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 in this example detects which of the five positions the carriage 12 is in using a detection means such as a photosensor.
[0024] Furthermore, the station unit 20 in this example moves in the height direction within the range of the upper and lower mechanical stoppers, whose movement is restricted by a mechanical structure. In the example shown in Figure 2, the station unit 20 moves up and down between the position of the lower mechanical stopper, indicated as the station movable range MIN in the figure, and the position of the upper mechanical stopper, indicated as the station movable range MAX. Also, as described above, the station unit 20 in this example moves by the driving force of the motor 112 (see Figure 1) of the station position adjustment mechanism 26. The control unit 32 (see Figure 1) controls the operation of the motor 112 based on the position of the station unit 20 detected by the position detection means 116 (see Figure 1) of the station position adjustment mechanism 26. This allows the station unit 20 to be moved to an appropriate position to match the carriage height when performing capping, which covers the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 14 with a cap member, or when performing wiping with a wiper. In this way, the station unit 20 in this example automatically follows the carriage 12 by moving electrically.
[0025] As described above, the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 in this example detects the position of the carriage 12 using a detection means such as a photosensor. The station position adjustment mechanism 26 then detects the position of the station unit 20 using a position detection means 116 such as a potentiometer. In order to move the station unit 20 appropriately in accordance with the carriage height, it is necessary to perform a coordinate transformation or other processing to associate the position of the carriage 12 (carriage height) detected by the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 with the position of the station unit 20 detected by the station position adjustment mechanism 26. As described above, the control unit 32 in this example stores the parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit 20 in the parameter storage unit 30 (see Figure 1) by performing a teaching process to set the position adjustment of the station unit 20. When teaching is performed, the control unit 32 adjusts the carriage height to at least one of a plurality of stepped positions, and based on the detected position, which is the position of the station unit 20 detected by the position detection means 116 of the station position adjustment mechanism 26, it stores the parameters corresponding to the detected position in the parameter storage unit 30.
[0026] During the execution of teaching in this example, the operation reception unit 28 (see Figure 1) receives instructions from the user to move the station unit 20, for example, through user operation on a jog key. The control unit 32 controls the operation of the motor 112 of the station position adjustment mechanism 26 based on the user operation received by the operation reception unit 28, and moves the station unit 20 to a position corresponding to the carriage height. The control unit 32 then stores the parameters corresponding to the detected position after the station unit 20 has moved in the parameter storage unit 30. The position of the station unit 20 corresponding to the carriage height is the position in which the contact members of the station unit 20, such as the cap member and wiper, can make appropriate contact with the inkjet head 14 (see Figure 1) held in the carriage 12.
[0027] Furthermore, during teaching, the control unit 32 moves the station unit 20 to at least the lowest point and the highest point among the multiple positions of the carriage 12. That is, with the carriage 12 positioned at the lowest point, the control unit 32 moves the station unit 20 to a position aligned with the lowest point, and with the carriage 12 positioned at the highest point, the control unit 32 moves the station unit 20 to a position aligned with the highest point. In this example, the lowest point corresponds to the minimum height of the carriage in the figure. In this example, the highest point corresponds to the maximum height of the carriage in the figure. The control unit 32 stores the parameters corresponding to the detection position after the station unit 20 has moved in the parameter storage unit 30, thereby storing the parameters corresponding to the lowest point and the parameters corresponding to the highest point in the parameter storage unit 30. The parameter corresponding to the lowest point is a parameter that indicates the position of the station unit 20 when the position of the station unit 20 is aligned with the carriage 12 at the minimum height of the carriage, as shown as coordinate a in the figure. The parameter corresponding to the highest point is the parameter that indicates the position of the station unit 20 when the position of the station unit 20 is aligned with the carriage 12 at its maximum height, as shown as coordinate b in the figure.
[0028] Furthermore, during this teaching operation, the control unit 32 may move the station unit 20 to a position corresponding to the carriage height based on user input, but only for the lowest and highest points among the multiple positions of the carriage 12. In this case, the control unit 32 calculates parameters corresponding to carriage heights other than the lowest and highest points based on parameters corresponding to the lowest and highest points. For example, it is conceivable to know the positional relationships of each position in multiple stages in advance and calculate parameters corresponding to intermediate positions other than the lowest and highest points based on the parameters corresponding to the lowest and highest points and their positional relationships. With this configuration, even when moving the carriage 12 to a position other than the lowest and highest points, the station unit 20 can be moved in accordance with the carriage height. Also, during the teaching operation, the control unit 32 may move the station unit 20 to positions other than the lowest and highest points based on user input and store the parameters corresponding to those positions in the parameter storage unit 30. With this configuration, for example, parameters corresponding to positions other than the lowest and highest points can be acquired with higher accuracy.
[0029] Next, we will explain the operation of moving the station unit 20 after teaching. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printing device 10 moving the station unit 20. Figure 3(a) shows a simplified relationship between the teaching operation and subsequent operations. Figure 3(b) shows an example of the teaching operation. Figure 4 shows the procedure for adjusting the position of the station unit 20 to match the position of the carriage 12 during the teaching operation.
[0030] As described above, the control unit 32 of the printing apparatus 10 in this example acquires parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit 20 through a teaching operation and stores them in the parameter storage unit 30 (S102). The operation in step S102 of this example is an example of the operation in the registration stage. In step S102, as shown in Figure 3(b), the control unit 32 first registers the movable range of the station unit 20 by storing parameters corresponding to the movable range of the station unit 20 in the height direction in the parameter storage unit 30 (S112). The parameters corresponding to the movable range may be parameters corresponding to the position (coordinates) of the station unit 20 placed at station movable range MAX and station movable range MIN. More specifically, these parameters may be the output values of the position detection means 116 (for example, the value of the potentiometer) when the station unit 20 is moved to station movable range MAX and station movable range MIN. The control unit 32 moves the station unit 20 within the range of the movable range registered in step S112.
[0031] Following the operation in step S112, the control unit 32 adjusts the position of the station unit 20 to match the carriage height, with the carriage 12 positioned at at least some of the multiple positions of the carriage 12, as shown in Figure 4 (S114). In step S114 of this example, based on the user's operation to the operation reception unit 28, the station unit 20 is moved to a position corresponding to the lowest and minimum points of the carriage height. With the position of the station unit 20 aligned with the carriage height, the control unit 32 acquires parameters used to adjust the position of the station unit 20 and stores them in the parameter storage unit 30. More specifically, with the position of the station unit 20 aligned with the maximum and minimum carriage heights, the control unit 32 acquires parameters corresponding to the coordinates of the station unit 20 and stores them in the parameter storage unit 30. As parameters corresponding to the coordinates of the station unit 20, it is conceivable to use the output value of the position detection means 116 at that position (for example, the value of the potentiometer). By storing the parameters obtained in the manner described above in the parameter storage unit 30, the appropriate position of the station unit 20, which is matched to the carriage height, can be registered.
[0032] After performing the teaching operation, when the control unit 32 moves the station unit 20 in accordance with the change in carriage height, it controls the position of the station unit 20 based on the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 30. For example, as shown in Figure 3(a), the control unit 32 automatically moves the station unit 20 in accordance with the carriage height (S104). The operation in step S104 of this example is an example of the operation in the movement stage in which the position of the station unit 20 is changed after teaching. Automatically moving the station unit 20 means that, without receiving position specification from the user, the control unit 32, through the functions of the printing device 10, controls the station unit 20 to a position that matches the carriage height using the driving force of the motor 112. After teaching, the control unit 32 controls the operation of the station position adjustment mechanism 26 and moves the station unit 20 to a position where the contact members such as the cap member and wiper of the station unit 20 can be brought into contact with the inkjet head 14. The position where the contact members can be brought into contact with the inkjet head 14 is a position in which the contact members can be properly brought into contact with the inkjet head 14 when the contact members are used. During this movement, the control unit 32 controls the operation of the motor 112 based on the position of the station unit 20 detected by the position detection means 116 of the station position adjustment mechanism 26 and the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 30.
[0033] Next, we will provide supplementary explanations regarding each of the components described so far, as well as examples of modified versions.
[0034] As described above, a potentiometer or the like can be suitably used as the position detection means 116 of the station position adjustment mechanism 26. By using a potentiometer, the position of the station unit 20 can be detected with high accuracy. It is preferable to use a potentiometer that can detect the position with a resolution of about 0.1 mm. In contrast, the carriage height in this example is stepped. Therefore, it can be detected without using a high-performance detection means such as a potentiometer. For this reason, in this example, the position of the carriage 12 is detected using a photosensor or the like. On the other hand, in order to move the station unit 20 appropriately in accordance with the carriage height, it is necessary to perform a teaching operation in advance, as described above. In other words, the teaching operation in this example is an operation that is necessary when the carriage height is stepped and a high-performance detection means is used only for the station unit 20 of the carriage 12 and station unit 20.
[0035] Furthermore, it is conceivable that materials with a certain degree of elasticity are used for the capping member and wiper of the station unit 20. Therefore, there is a certain tolerance range for the position of the station unit 20 relative to the carriage height. In other words, the position of the station unit 20 can be adjusted with sufficient precision by the teaching operation described above. The teaching operation is conceivable to be performed during adjustments when the printing device 10 is manufactured, or during various adjustments after the printing device 10 has been shipped. It is also conceivable that the teaching operation be performed when replacing the station unit 20 during maintenance after the printing device 10 has started to be used. In this example, the teaching operation corresponds to the operation of registering the coordinates of the station unit 20 with respect to the printing device 10.
[0036] In the teaching operation of this example, the control unit 32 further acquires parameters corresponding to the movable range of the station unit 20 determined by the upper and lower mechanical units, and stores them in the parameter storage unit 30. In this regard, if we only consider moving the station unit 20 in accordance with the carriage height, in principle, it is possible to move the station unit 20 appropriately without using parameters corresponding to the movable range. However, unintended errors may occur when moving the station unit 20. For example, user error may occur when acquiring parameters corresponding to the position of the station unit 20 in accordance with the carriage height. In contrast, according to this example, even in these cases, the movement range of the station unit 20 can be limited so that the amount of movement of the station unit 20 does not exceed the movable range.
[0037] Furthermore, the medium 50 in this example may be a cloth medium or the like. In this case, the carriage height may be changed according to the thickness of the cloth, the height of the nap, etc. The medium 50 may also be a medium other than cloth, such as film or paper. In that case as well, the carriage height may be changed according to the thickness of the medium 50.
[0038] In this example, the station position adjustment mechanism 26 detects the position of the station unit 20 using a position detection means 116 such as a potentiometer. In this case, the position detection means 116 is separate from the motor 112. Therefore, even when using an inexpensive motor such as a known stepping motor as the motor 112, the position of the station unit 20 can be detected with high accuracy. In contrast, in a modified configuration of the station position adjustment mechanism 26, it is conceivable to use a motor that can position with higher accuracy as the motor 112. For example, it is conceivable to use a known servo motor with a built-in encoder as the motor 112. In this case, the station position adjustment mechanism 26 can omit the position detection means 116, which is separate from the motor 112. In this case, the encoder of the motor 112 can be considered to function as the position detection means 116. Alternatively, the motor 112 can also be considered to serve as the position detection means 116. In this case, the output of the encoder corresponds to the coordinates indicating the position of the station unit 20. Even with this configuration, teaching operations can be performed in the same or similar manner as described above.
[0039] As described above, the carriage position adjustment mechanism 24 has a photosensor or the like as a detection means for detecting the carriage height. In contrast, in a modified configuration of the printing device 10, it is conceivable to omit the detection means for detecting the carriage height. In this case, for example, the user can be asked to specify which position they have selected as the carriage height by inputting it to the operation reception unit 28. Even with this configuration, the carriage height can still be determined. In this case as well, by performing the teaching operation in the same or similar manner as described above, the position of the station unit 20 can be appropriately changed to follow the carriage height.
[0040] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in printing devices and the like.
[0041] 10...Printing device, 102...Capping unit, 104...Wiping unit, 112...Motor, 114...Power transmission mechanism, 116...Position detection means, 12...Carriage, 14...Inkjet head, 16...Y-bar unit, 18...Platen, 20...Station unit, 22...Scanning drive unit, 24...Carriage position adjustment mechanism, 26...Station position adjustment mechanism, 28...Operation reception unit, 30...Parameter storage unit, 32...Control unit, 50...Medium
Claims
1. A printing apparatus for performing printing, comprising: an inkjet head for ejecting ink; a carriage for holding the inkjet head; a carriage position adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the carriage in a predetermined height direction; a station section having a contact member which is a member that contacts the inkjet head; a station position adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the station section in the height direction; a parameter storage section for storing parameters used to adjust the position of the station section; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the station position adjustment mechanism, wherein the carriage position adjustment mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the position of the carriage to one of a plurality of preset positions; the station position adjustment mechanism has a position detection means for detecting the position of the station section in the height direction; and a motor for generating a driving force to move the station section in the height direction; and the control unit stores the parameters in the parameter storage section by executing a registration process for registering the parameters. A printing apparatus characterized in that, when the registration process is executed, the carriage is moved to at least one of the plurality of positions, and the station unit is moved to a position corresponding to that position of the carriage, the control unit stores the parameter corresponding to the detected position in the parameter storage unit based on the detected position which is the position of the station unit detected by the position detection means, and when the station unit is moved to a position in which the contact member of the station unit is brought into contact with the inkjet head after the registration process is performed, the control unit controls the operation of the motor based on the position of the station unit detected by the position detection means and the parameter stored in the parameter storage unit, thereby changing the position of the station unit in accordance with the position of the carriage in the height direction.
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation receiving unit that receives an operation from a user to move the station unit in the height direction, wherein, when the registration process is executed, the control unit controls the operation of the motor based on the user operation received by the operation receiving unit to move the station unit to a position corresponding to the position of the carriage, and stores the parameter corresponding to the detection position after the station unit has been moved in the parameter storage unit.
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, during the execution of the registration process, the control unit moves the station unit to a position corresponding to the carriage position based on the user operation received by the operation reception unit, with respect to at least the lowest point, which is the lowest position among the plurality of positions of the carriage, and the highest point, which is the uppermost position, and stores the parameter corresponding to the detection position after the station unit has moved in the parameter storage unit, thereby storing the parameter corresponding to the lowest point and the parameter corresponding to the uppermost point in the parameter storage unit.
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the registration process is executed, the control unit further stores the parameters corresponding to the movable range, which is the movable range of the station unit in the height direction, in the parameter storage unit, and when moving, the control unit moves the station unit within the range of the movable range.
5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the carriage position adjustment mechanism moves the carriage in the height direction in accordance with the force applied by the user.
6. An adjustment method for adjusting the position of a station section having a contact member that contacts an inkjet head that ejects ink in a printing apparatus, comprising: a registration step of registering parameters by storing them in a parameter storage section that stores parameters used for adjusting the position of the station section; and a movement step of changing the position of the station section after the registration step, wherein the printing apparatus comprises: the inkjet head; a carriage that holds the inkjet head; a carriage position adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the carriage in a predetermined height direction and the station section; a station position adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the station section in the height direction and the parameter storage section, wherein the carriage position adjustment mechanism is a mechanism that adjusts the position of the carriage to one of a plurality of preset positions; the station position adjustment mechanism has a position detection means for detecting the position of the station section in the height direction and a motor that generates a driving force to move the station section in the height direction. An adjustment method characterized by the following: in the registration step, the carriage is placed at least one of the plurality of positions, and when the station unit is moved to a position corresponding to the position of the carriage, the position detection means detects the position of the station unit and stores the parameter corresponding to the detected position in the parameter storage unit; and in the movement step, the operation of the motor is controlled based on the position of the station unit detected by the position detection means and the parameter stored in the parameter storage unit, thereby changing the position of the station unit to match the position of the carriage in the height direction.
7. A position adjustment device for adjusting the position of a station section having a contact member that contacts an inkjet head that ejects ink in a printing apparatus, comprising: a position detection means for detecting the position of the station section in a predetermined height direction; and a motor that generates a driving force to move the station section in the height direction, wherein the position of the station section in the height direction is changed according to the position of the carriage that holds the inkjet head in the height direction based on a parameter used to adjust the position of the station section, the position of the carriage in the height direction is changed by a carriage position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the carriage to one of a plurality of preset positions, the parameter is stored in a parameter storage unit by executing a registration process for registering the parameter, and when the carriage is placed in at least one of the plurality of positions and the station section is moved to a position corresponding to that position of the carriage, the parameter corresponding to the detected position is stored in the parameter storage unit based on the detected position, which is the position of the station section detected by the position detection means. A position adjustment device characterized in that, after performing the registration process, when moving the station unit to a position where the contact member of the station unit contacts the inkjet head, the operation of the motor is controlled based on the position of the station unit detected by the position detection means and the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit, thereby changing the position of the station unit to match the position of the carriage in the height direction.