Recording device and recording device control method

Abstract

This recording device comprises: a recording head that performs a recording operation on a recording medium by discharging ink; a carriage unit on which the recording head is mounted and which can move in a forward direction or a backward direction that is a direction intersecting a feed direction of the recording medium; a first stop means that stops the carriage unit moving in the forward direction or the backward direction on the spot on the basis of a first instruction from a user; and a return means that returns the movement of the carriage unit stopped by the first stop means, on the basis of a second instruction from the user and stops the carriage unit at a standby position.

Description

Recording apparatus, and control method for recording apparatus

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus and a control method for the recording apparatus.

[0002] A recording apparatus such as an inkjet printer ejects ink onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium. An inkjet head for ejecting ink (hereinafter also referred to as a recording head) is mounted on a carriage unit, and a recording operation is performed as the carriage unit reciprocates in the width direction of the recording medium.

[0003] A recording apparatus generally has a configuration for stopping a recording operation midway. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for outputting an instruction to urgently stop a printing apparatus from an external control device.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-001511

[0005] Some recording apparatuses, when a stop instruction is input, do not stop the carriage unit in place, but move it to a standby position separated from the recording medium. When such a recording apparatus is stopped, for example, if a jam (recording medium jam) has occurred, moving the carriage unit to the standby position worsens the jam, and the recording medium and the recording head may come into contact with each other, which may damage the recording head. In order to prevent such damage, a technique for appropriately stopping the recording operation in the recording apparatus is required.

[0006] A recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a recording head that ejects ink to perform a recording operation on a recording medium; a carriage unit on which the recording head is mounted and which is movable in a forward direction or a reverse direction that is a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the recording medium; a first stopping unit that stops the carriage unit, which is moving in the forward direction or the reverse direction, in place based on a first instruction from a user; and a returning unit that restores the movement of the carriage unit stopped by the first stopping unit and stops the carriage unit at a standby position, based on a second instruction from the user.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the recording apparatus during a recording operation can be appropriately stopped.

[0008] Further features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] This is a schematic overall diagram showing an example of an inkjet recording device. This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the recording control system in the recording device. This is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the recording head and ejection port group. This is a plan view showing an example of the detailed configuration of the chip. This is a diagram showing an example of a cross-section of the recording device in the XZ plane. This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a recovery unit. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the recording head. This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ejection ports and flow paths formed in the chip, and the flow of ink. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the bottom surface of the chip. This is a diagram showing an example of a cross-section of the recording device in the YZ plane. This is a flowchart showing an example of the recording operation of the recording device. This is a flowchart showing an example of the end preparation operation of the recording device. This is a flowchart showing an example of the emergency stop operation of the recording device. This is a diagram showing an example of the screen during recording operation on the operation panel. This is a diagram showing an example of the recovery confirmation screen on the operation panel. This is a flowchart showing an example of the recovery operation of the recording head. This is a diagram showing an example of the screen during paper feeding operation on the operation panel. This is a flowchart showing an example of the emergency stop operation of the recording device. This is a diagram showing an example of the fuser selection screen on the operation panel. This is a flowchart showing an example of the fuser operation during emergency stop. This is a diagram showing an example of the screen during recording operation on the operation panel. This is a flowchart showing an example of the normal stop operation of the recording device. This is a flowchart showing an example of the fuser operation during normal stop.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not limiting to the scope of this disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in these embodiments are essential to the solutions of this disclosure. The same reference numerals are used for identical components.

[0011] In this specification, "recording" refers not only to the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also to any information regardless of its significance. Furthermore, "recording" broadly refers to the formation of images, patterns, etc., on a recording medium, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether or not it is manifested in a way that can be perceived visually by humans. "Recording medium" broadly refers not only to paper used in general recording devices, but also to materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather. "Ink" (sometimes referred to as "liquid") should be interpreted broadly, similar to the definition of "recording" above. Therefore, it refers to a liquid that can be applied to a recording medium to form images, patterns, etc., or to process the recording medium, or to process the ink (for example, to solidify or insolubilize the colorants in the ink applied to the recording medium). "Nozzle" refers collectively to the discharge port, the liquid passage communicating with the discharge port, and the element that generates the energy used for ink discharge, unless otherwise specified.

[0012] <<First Embodiment>> <Configuration of Recording Device> Figure 1 is a schematic overall diagram showing an example of an inkjet recording device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a recording device). The recording device 101 of this embodiment is a so-called serial scanning type printer, and records an image by scanning the recording head 110 in the X direction (scanning direction) which is perpendicular to the Y direction (transport direction) in which the recording medium 103 is transported.

[0013] Figure 1 will be used to illustrate the configuration of the recording device 101 and the general operation during recording. First, the recording medium 103 is transported in the Y direction from the spool 106 that holds the recording medium 103 by transport rollers driven by a transport motor 213 (Figure 2) via gears. The transported recording medium 103 is then gripped and transported by a paper feed roller and a pinch roller and guided to the recording position (scanning area of ​​the recording head 110) on the platen 104. Meanwhile, at a predetermined transport position, the carriage motor 214 (Figure 2) causes the carriage unit 102 to reciprocate (reciprocate movement) along a guide shaft 108 that extends in the X direction. The recording head 110 is mounted on the carriage unit 102. During this scanning process, based on the position signal obtained by the encoder 107, the recording head 110 is ejected from its nozzle (discharge port) and a certain bandwidth corresponding to the arrangement range of the discharge ports is recorded. After that, the recording medium 103 is transported, and the next bandwidth is recorded. In this manner, the system is configured to record a desired image on the recording medium 103 by alternately transporting the recording medium 103 and performing a recording scan by the recording head 110.

[0014] Normally, in the idle state, the ejection surface of the recording head 110 is capped by a cap 601 (Figure 6) provided in the recovery unit 500 described later. Therefore, prior to recording, the cap 601 is opened to make the recording head 110 (carriage unit 102) scannable. After that, once data for one scan has been accumulated in the buffer, the carriage motor 214 causes the carriage unit 102 to scan, and the recording operation described above is performed.

[0015] Furthermore, a carriage belt (not shown) can be used to transmit the driving force from the carriage motor 214 to the carriage unit 102. However, instead of a carriage belt, for example, a system can be used that includes a lead screw that is rotationally driven by the carriage motor 214 and extends in the X direction, and an engaging part provided on the carriage unit 102 that engages with the groove of the lead screw. Thus, it is also possible to use other drive systems.

[0016] Furthermore, the ink supplied to the recording head 110 is supplied from an ink tank located inside the main body of the recording device 101 or mounted in an external ink tank unit 503 (Figure 5), via a supply tube 105 and a carriage unit 102. The ink may also be supplied from the ink tank to the recording head 110 using a pressurizing unit. Alternatively, the discharge port surface of the recording head 110 may be capped using the cap 601 of the recovery unit 500, and ink may be supplied by applying negative pressure to the cap 601 using a suction pump 602 (Figure 6) and drawing it in.

[0017] The recording head 110 may consist of multiple recording heads 110 capable of ejecting one or more colors of ink mounted on the carriage unit 102, or it may consist of a single recording head 110 capable of ejecting multiple colors of ink mounted on the carriage unit 102. Alternatively, it may consist of one or more recording heads 110 capable of ejecting a single color of ink mounted on the carriage unit 102.

[0018] The recording device 101 has an openable and closable cover 109 that covers the upper part of the movement area of ​​the carriage unit 102. Since the cover 109 is transparent, the user can see the carriage unit 102, platen 104, etc. even when the cover 109 is closed.

[0019] The recording device 101 has an operation panel 111, which is a display for displaying images and various information. In this embodiment, the operation panel 111 is configured as a touch panel with both display and input functions, and the user inputs instructions to the recording device 101 by operating the operation panel 111. In addition to the operation panel 111, the recording device 101 may also have hard keys for receiving instruction operations. Furthermore, if the recording device 101 has hard keys, the operation panel 111 may be a display with only a display function.

[0020] <Recording Control> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the recording control system in a recording device.

[0021] The recording device 101 is connected to a data supply device such as a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host PC) 207 via an interface 206. Various data or control signals related to recording transmitted from the host PC 207 are input to the recording control unit 201 of the recording device 101. The recording control unit 201 has a memory 203 for storing input image data, multi-level grayscale data of intermediate products, and multi-pass masks, and a CPU 202 (which may be an ASIC) which is a control arithmetic unit. The recording control unit 201 has an image processing unit 204 for performing various image processing and a data processing unit 205 for performing various data processing. The processing in the image processing unit 204 and the data processing unit 205 may be executed by the CPU 202. The recording control unit 201 outputs images and various information to the operation panel 111 and accepts user instructions and operations input to the operation panel 111.

[0022] The recording control unit 201 controls the motor drivers 208, 209, 210, 211 and the head driver 212 according to control signals input via the interface 206. The motor drivers 208 to 211 are drivers that rotate the transport motor 213, carriage motor 214, recovery unit motor 215, and fixing unit motor 216, respectively, and are controlled by the recording control unit 201. The head driver 212 is a driver that drives the recording head 110 and is controlled by the recording control unit 201. If multiple recording heads 110 are installed, multiple head drivers 212 are provided corresponding to the number of heads.

[0023] The transport motor 213 is a motor that rotates the transport rollers for transporting the recording medium 103. The carriage motor 214 is a motor that reciprocates the carriage unit 102 on which the recording head 110 is mounted. The recovery unit motor 215 is a motor mounted on the recovery unit 500, which switches the units driven by the camshaft and operates the suction pump 602 and the wiper guide 606 (Figure 6). The fuser unit motor 216 is a motor that drives the heater fan 1012 of the fuser unit 1010 (Figure 10).

[0024] <Recording Head Configuration> Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the recording head and ejection port group configuration. In this embodiment, the recording head 110 is provided with independent buffer tanks 301 (301C, 301M, 301Y, 301BK) corresponding to four ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In Figure 3, the buffer tanks 301 are shown visible for illustrative purposes, but the buffer tanks 301 are housed inside the recording head 110. On the lower surface (Z direction) of the recording head 110, a chip 302 is arranged, on which rows of ejection ports corresponding to each ink are formed. On the chip 302, 1024 ejection ports 303 are formed in two rows at intervals of 1200 dpi per color, making it possible to eject two colors with one chip 302. By arranging two such chips 302, it is possible to record four colors. Furthermore, the rows of nozzles for each color do not need to be arranged on the same straight line; they may be arranged alternately, with 512 nozzle rows spaced 600 dpi apart, for a total of four rows.

[0025] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of the detailed configuration of the chip. Temperature sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 for detecting the temperature of the chip 302 are provided at the ends of the discharge ports 303 in the direction of arrangement (Y direction) on the chip 302. Temperature sensors S1 to S4 are composed of diodes. Temperature sensors S1 to S4 are located approximately 0.2 mm away from the outermost discharge port position of the discharge port row in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrangement of discharge ports, Y direction), and are positioned midway between the two discharge port rows in the main scanning direction (X direction). Temperature sensors S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9 for detecting the temperature of the central part of the discharge port row are provided in the center of the discharge port 303 in the direction of arrangement. Temperature sensors S5 to S9 are also composed of diodes and are positioned midway between the two discharge port rows.

[0026] The heat-retaining heaters 401 and 402 are provided so as to surround the chip 302. The heat-retaining heaters 401 and 402 are located 1.2 mm outside the outermost discharge port row in the main scanning direction (X direction) and 0.2 mm outside the temperature sensors S1 to S4 in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction). The overall size of the chip 302 is 9.55 mm (width) x 39.0 mm (height).

[0027] Furthermore, a heating element 403 capable of heating the chip 302 is provided on the chip 302. The heating element 403 performs temperature control (also called temperature adjustment control). In this embodiment, the temperature control is a control that heats the ink in the recording head 110 to a predetermined temperature in order to maintain a constant viscosity regardless of the ambient temperature. A driver (drive unit) not shown is connected to each heating element 403, and each driver is configured to control the drive current of the heating element 403 to ON or OFF.

[0028] <Recovery Unit> Next, the configuration of the recovery unit will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-section of the recording device in the XZ plane. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a recovery unit.

[0029] The recording device 101 further includes a recovery unit 500 that maintains and restores the ink ejection performance of the recording head 110. As shown in Figure 5, the recovery unit 500 is positioned outside the recording area in the direction of movement (X direction) of the carriage unit 102. The carriage unit 102 stops at a standby position x1 or standby position x2 outside the recording area as needed before the start of recording and during recording. The recovery unit 500 is positioned in the Z direction opposite to the recording head 110 when the carriage unit 102 stops at standby position x1 or standby position x2. In this embodiment, the recording device 101 has two recovery units 500, as shown in Figure 5. The two recovery units 500 are positioned at standby positions x1 and x2 on either side of the platen 104 in the X direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the recovery unit 500 includes a cap 601 that covers the discharge port surface of the recording head 110, and a suction pump 602 that sucks ink from the recording head 110 when the cap 601 covers the discharge port surface.

[0031] The cap 601 is supported so as to be able to move up and down by a lifting mechanism (not shown), and is movable between a raised position and a lowered position.

[0032] When the recording device 101 is not recording, the cap 601 moves to the raised position and comes into contact with the recording head 110, covering (capping) the ejection port surface of the recording head 110. This suppresses drying of the ejection port 303 of the recording head 110 and evaporation of ink. The cap 601 also drives the suction pump 602 to draw ink from the recording head 110.

[0033] During the recording operation of the recording device 101, the cap 601 is positioned in a lowered position to avoid interference with the recording head 110, which moves together with the carriage unit 102. When the cap 601 is in the lowered position, the recording head 110, which has moved to a position opposite the cap 601, can perform a preliminary discharge to the cap 601.

[0034] An absorbent material is placed inside the cap 601, which can hold a certain amount of ink discharged during pre-discharge and suction recovery, as well as cleaning fluid supplied from the cleaning fluid tank. A flexible tube 501 is connected to the cap 601. The cap 601 is connected to the ink discharge and recovery tank 502 via the tube 501, and the ink and cleaning fluid held inside the cap 601 are discharged to the ink discharge and recovery tank 502 via the tube 501. In the example shown in Figure 5, the recovery unit 500 located at standby position x1 is connected to the ink discharge and recovery tank 502 via the tube 501, and the recovery unit 500 located at standby position x2 is connected to the ink discharge and recovery tank 502 via a tube not shown.

[0035] The suction pump 602 is driven when the cap 601 covers the discharge surface of the recording head 110, creating a nearly sealed space inside. By generating negative pressure inside the cap 601 in this way, a suction operation is performed to draw ink from the recording head 110. The suction operation is performed when filling the recording head 110 with ink from the ink tank mounted on the external ink tank unit 503 (initial filling), or when removing dust, solidified material, or air bubbles from inside the discharge port 303 (suction recovery).

[0036] In this embodiment, a tube pump is used as the suction pump 602. The tube pump has a holding part with a curved surface that holds at least a portion of the tube 501, a roller that can press the held tube 501, and a roller support part that rotatably supports the roller. The tube pump rotates the roller while crushing the tube 501 by rotating the roller support part in a predetermined direction. This generates negative pressure inside the cap 601, drawing ink from the recording head 110. The drawn-in ink is discharged to the ink collection tank 502 via the tube 501. The suction operation is also performed when the recording head 110 performs a preliminary discharge to the cap 601, and the ink received in the cap 601 by the preliminary discharge is discharged. That is, when the amount of ink held in the cap 601 by the preliminary discharge reaches a predetermined amount, the suction pump 602 is driven, allowing the ink held inside the cap 601 to be discharged to the ink collection tank 502 via the tube 501.

[0037] The recovery unit 500 further includes a wiping member for performing a wiping operation to wipe the discharge port surface of the recording head 110. In this embodiment, the wiping member is a first wiper (wiper blade) 603 and a second wiper (wiper blade) 604 that perform wiping of the discharge port surface as a wiping operation. The first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604 are made of an elastic material such as rubber and are fixed to a wiper holder 605. Two wiper guides 606 are inserted through the wiper holder 605. The wiper holder 605 is movable back and forth in the Y direction along the wiper guides 606.

[0038] The first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604 perform a wiping operation to remove foreign matter such as ink residue adhering to the ejection port surface of the chip 302 of the recording head 110. During the wiping operation, the carriage unit 102 is located in standby position x1 or standby position x2. The wiper holder 605 moves in the Y direction from the position shown in Figure 6 to a position facing the recording head 110, and from that state, the carriage unit 102 moves in the Z direction so that it approaches the recovery unit 500. When the first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604 come into contact with the ejection port surface of the chip 302, the wiper holder 605 moves back and forth in the Y direction, and the first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604 wipe the ejection port surface. The first wiper 603 wipes the ejection port surfaces of the two chips 302 separately, and the second wiper 604 wipes the ejection port surfaces of the two chips 302 together. When the wiping operation is complete, the carriage unit 102 separates from the recovery unit 500, and the wiper holder 605 returns to the position shown in Figure 6 (the position before the wiping operation).

[0039] Furthermore, the material of the first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604 may be a porous material that absorbs ink, rather than an elastic material such as rubber.

[0040] In this embodiment, the recovery unit 500 is described using an example in which it has a first wiper 603 and a second wiper 604, but it may also be configured to have only one of them. Alternatively, instead of the first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604, the recovery unit 500 may have a vacuum wiper capable of sucking the discharge port surface, or a sheet member (such as a nonwoven fabric) capable of wiping off ink adhering to the discharge port surface.

[0041] The wiping operation may be performed by moving the wiper holder 605 in one direction, instead of the reciprocating movement as described above. The wiping direction may be the direction (the arrangement direction of the ejection port array, X direction) that intersects (is orthogonal to) the arrangement direction (Y direction) of the ejection ports in the recording head 110, instead of the arrangement direction (Y direction) as described above. Alternatively, the wiping direction may be both the X direction and the Y direction. The wiping operation may be performed by the carriage unit 102 moving in the X direction, and a fixed wiper wiping the ejection port surface. When the recording apparatus 101 has a plurality of recovery units 500, the number and type of wipers, as well as the wiping direction, may be different among the respective recovery units 500.

[0042] As described above, the recovery unit 500 performs a recovery operation for restoring the ejection port surface to a normal state. The recovery operation may also be referred to as a cleaning operation. In addition, the recovery unit 500 may be referred to as a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the ejection port surface.

[0043] <Ink Circulation> FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the recording head. In the present embodiment, the recording head 110 is provided with buffer tanks 301 and ink supply flow paths for four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the buffer tank 301 and the ink supply flow path for one color.

[0044] The supply tube 105 connected to the external ink tank unit 503 passes through the inside of the carriage unit 102, is connected to the joint 701 of the recording head main body 120, and communicates with the buffer tank 301. The supplied ink passes through the filter 702, passes through the flow path in the buffer tank 301, and reaches the first pressure control member 703. The first pressure control member 703 is connected to the second pressure control member 704, which is another pressure control member, via a flow path, and is also connected to the second pressure control member 704 via another flow path through the circulation drive pump 705.

[0045] The inlet of the first pressure control member 703 is provided with a first valve 706 that opens when a predetermined negative pressure is reached. The inlet of the second pressure control member 704 is provided with a second valve 707 that opens when a predetermined negative pressure is reached. The inlet of the first pressure control member 703 is located in the flow path between the first pressure control member 703 and the filter 702. The inlet of the second pressure control member 704 is located in the flow path between the second pressure control member 704 and the first pressure control member 703. The negative pressure at which the second valve 707 opens is configured to be higher than the negative pressure at which the first valve 706 opens.

[0046] Ink is supplied from the first pressure control member 703 to the chip 302 via a common supply channel 708 provided in the recording head body 120. More specifically, ink is supplied from the common supply channel 708 to the supply channels 821 (Figure 8) of one or more rows of discharge ports located in the chip 302. Then, the ink is discharged from the discharge ports 303. Ink that is not discharged is recovered in the buffer tank 301 via the discharge ports 303. That is, the ink that has passed through the discharge ports 303 is recovered in the second pressure control member 704 via a recovery channel 822 (Figure 8) in the chip 302 and a common recovery channel 709 provided in the recording head body 120.

[0047] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of the discharge port and flow path formed within the chip, and the flow of ink. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the bottom surface of the chip. The configuration of the discharge port 303 and flow path formed within the chip 302, and the flow of ink, will be explained below using Figures 8 and 9. Discharge ports 303 are formed in the orifice plate 810 on the surface of the chip 302. Discharge energy generating elements 811 that generate discharge energy for discharging ink are provided at positions (pressure chambers) corresponding to the discharge ports 303 on the substrate 820. That is, a discharge energy generating element 811 is provided corresponding to each of the discharge ports 303. As the discharge energy generating element 811, an electrothermal conversion element (heater) or a piezoelectric element can be used. When a heater is used, the heat generated causes the ink in the discharge port 303 to foam, and the foaming energy is used to discharge the ink from the discharge port 303.

[0048] The chip 302 is maintained at a negative pressure such that a meniscus is formed on the ejection port surface when ink is supplied thereto. Two flow paths, an inflow port 812 and an outflow port 813, are respectively formed on both sides of the ejection port 303. In the present embodiment, the inflow port 812 and the outflow port 813 are arranged so that one corresponds to every two ejection ports 303 as shown in FIG. 9. The number of the inflow ports 812 and the number of the outflow ports 813 may be arranged one for each single ejection port 303, or may be arranged one for each of more than two ejection ports 303. Further, the numbers of the inflow ports 812 and the outflow ports 813 do not need to be the same. As shown in FIG. 8, the inflow port 812 and the outflow port 813 are respectively connected to a supply flow path 821 and a recovery flow path 822 that are each formed along the ejection port array direction (Y direction). The supply flow path 821 and the recovery flow path 822 are covered with a cover plate 830, and are connected to the common supply flow path 708 and the common recovery flow path 709 of the recording head main body 120 via an opening 831 on the cover plate 830. One or more of the openings 831 are provided for each of the supply flow path 821 and the recovery flow path 822. The number of the openings 831 may be the same or different between the supply flow path 821 and the recovery flow path 822.

[0049] Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a method of supplying ink to the recording head 110 and the buffer tank 301 in the present embodiment, and a method of circulating ink in the ejection port 303 will be described. The ink is pressurized from the ink tank in the external ink tank unit 503, reaches the inside of the recording head 110 via the supply tube 105, passes through the filter 702, and flows into the flow path before the first valve 706 disposed at the inflow port of the first pressure control member 703. In a state where the inside of the recording head 110 is filled with ink at an appropriate negative pressure so that the meniscus is held on the ejection port surface, the first valve 706 is in a closed state, and the ink does not flow into the first pressure control member 703. On the other hand, when the negative pressure of the first pressure control member 703 increases, such as when a strong negative pressure is applied to the ejection port 303 by a suction operation using the cap 601 of the recovery unit 500, or when ink is ejected from the ejection port 303, the first valve 706 opens. Then, ink flows into the first pressure control member 703.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the first pressure control member 703 and the second pressure control member 704 are connected to a circulation drive pump 705. When the circulation drive pump 705 is driven, ink is transferred from the second pressure control member 704 to the first pressure control member 703 via the circulation drive pump 705. This increases the negative pressure in the second pressure control member 704, causing the second valve 707 to open and the ink to flow back from the first pressure control member 703 to the second pressure control member 704. At this time, a pressure difference is generated between the first pressure control member 703 and the second pressure control member 704, causing an ink flow to pass through the discharge port 303. That is, the ink passes through the flow paths in the following order from the first pressure control member 703 to the common supply flow path 708, the opening 831 of the cover plate 830, the supply flow paths 821 of each discharge port row, and the inlet 812, and some of the ink flows into the discharge port 303. Then, the ink passes through the flow path in the following order from the discharge port 303, through the outlet 813, the recovery flow path 822, the opening 831 of the cover plate 830, and the common recovery flow path 709, and is recovered by the second pressure control member 704. That is, the flow of ink in the tip 302 flows in the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 7 and 8. The negative pressure and ink flow velocity in the discharge port 303 are adjusted to be within a range that can maintain the meniscus. Specifically, the negative pressure and ink flow velocity in the discharge port 303 are adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the circulation drive pump 705, the pressure loss in the flow path between the first pressure control member 703 and the second pressure control member 704, and the opening and closing forces of the first valve 706 and the second valve 707.

[0051] As described above, by driving the circulating pump 705, a flow is generated that moves the ink near the discharge port 303, which suppresses the increase in ink viscosity due to drying inside the discharge port 303 during recording operation and prevents deterioration of the ink discharge characteristics.

[0052] <Ink Composition> Next, the ink used in this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, "parts" and "%" refer to mass unless otherwise specified.

[0053] (Black Ink) (1) Preparation of Pigment Dispersion First, an anionic polymer P-1 [styrene / butyl acrylate / acrylic acid copolymer (polymerization ratio (weight ratio) = 30 / 40 / 30), acid value 202, weight-average molecular weight 6500] was prepared. This was neutralized with potassium hydroxide aqueous solution and diluted with deionized water to prepare a homogeneous 10% by mass polymer aqueous solution.

[0054] 100 g of the above polymer solution, 100 g of carbon black, and 300 g of deionized water were mixed and mechanically stirred for 0.5 hours. Next, using a microfluidizer, the mixture was treated by passing it through an interaction chamber five times under a liquid pressure of approximately 70 MPa. Furthermore, the dispersion obtained above was subjected to centrifugation (12,000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove undispersed material including coarse particles and obtain a black dispersion. The obtained black dispersion had a pigment concentration of 10% by mass and a dispersant concentration of 6% by mass.

[0055] (2) Preparation of resin fine particle dispersion First, under a nitrogen atmosphere, the mixture was heated to 70°C and the following three additive solutions were added dropwise little by little while stirring with a motor, and polymerization was carried out for 5 hours. Each additive solution is a mixture containing a hydrophobic monomer consisting of 28.5 parts methyl methacrylate, a hydrophilic monomer consisting of 4.3 parts sodium p-styrenesulfonate and 30 parts water, and a polymerization initiator consisting of 0.05 parts potassium persulfate and 30 parts water.

[0056] (3) Preparation of ink The ink is prepared using the above-mentioned black dispersion and the above-mentioned resin fine particle dispersion. The following components are added to these to reach a predetermined concentration, and after thoroughly mixing and stirring these components, the mixture is pressure filtered through a pore size 2.5 μm microfilter (manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation) to prepare a pigment ink with a pigment concentration of 5% by mass and a dispersant concentration of 3% by mass. 50 parts of the above-mentioned black dispersion 10 parts of the above-mentioned resin fine particle dispersion 15 parts of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol 5 parts of 2-pyrrolidone 0.5 parts of acetylene glycol EO adduct (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) Remainder of ion-exchanged water.

[0057] (Cyan Ink) (1) Preparation of Dispersion First, using benzyl acrylate and methacrylic acid as raw materials, an AB-type block polymer with an acid value of 250 and a number average molecular weight of 3000 was prepared by a conventional method. Furthermore, it was neutralized with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution and diluted with deionized water to prepare a homogeneous 50% by mass polymer aqueous solution.

[0058] 180 g of the above polymer solution, 100 g of C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3, and 220 g of deionized water were mixed and mechanically stirred for 0.5 hours.

[0059] Next, using a microfluidizer, the mixture was processed by passing it through an interaction chamber five times under a liquid pressure of approximately 70 MPa.

[0060] Furthermore, the dispersion obtained above was subjected to centrifugation (12,000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove undispersed material containing coarse particles, resulting in a cyanide dispersion. The resulting cyanide dispersion had a pigment concentration of 10% by mass and a dispersant concentration of 10% by mass.

[0061] (2) Preparation of resin microparticle dispersion A resin microparticle dispersion was prepared using the same raw materials and preparation method as described for the black ink.

[0062] (3) Preparation of the ink The ink was prepared using the cyanide dispersion described above, to which the following components were added to reach the desired concentration. After thoroughly mixing and stirring these components, the mixture was pressure filtered through a 2.5 μm pore size microfilter (manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation) to prepare a pigment ink with a pigment concentration of 2% by mass and a dispersant concentration of 2% by mass.

[0063] 20 parts of the above cyanide dispersion, 10 parts of the above resin fine particle dispersion, 15 parts of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 5 parts of 2-pyrrolidone, 0.5 parts of acetylene glycol EO adduct (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.), and the remainder of ion-exchanged water.

[0064] (Magenta Ink) (1) Preparation of Dispersion First, using benzyl acrylate and methacrylic acid as raw materials, an AB-type block polymer with an acid value of 300 and a number average molecular weight of 2500 was prepared by a conventional method. Furthermore, it was neutralized with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution and diluted with deionized water to prepare a homogeneous 50% by mass polymer aqueous solution.

[0065] 100 g of the above polymer solution, 100 g of C.I. Pigment Red 122, and 300 g of deionized water were mixed and mechanically stirred for 0.5 hours.

[0066] Next, using a microfluidizer, the mixture was processed by passing it through an interaction chamber five times under a liquid pressure of approximately 70 MPa.

[0067] Furthermore, the dispersion obtained above was subjected to centrifugation (12,000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove undispersed material containing coarse particles, resulting in a magenta dispersion. The resulting magenta dispersion had a pigment concentration of 10% by mass and a dispersant concentration of 5% by mass.

[0068] (2) Preparation of resin microparticle dispersion A resin microparticle dispersion was prepared using the same raw materials and preparation method as described for cyanide ink.

[0069] (3) Preparation of the ink The ink was prepared using the magenta dispersion described above, to which the following components were added to reach the desired concentration. After thoroughly mixing and stirring these components, the mixture was pressure filtered through a 2.5 μm pore size microfilter (manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation) to prepare a pigment ink with a pigment concentration of 4% by mass and a dispersant concentration of 2% by mass.

[0070] 40 parts of the above magenta dispersion, 10 parts of the above resin fine particle dispersion, 15 parts of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 5 parts of 2-pyrrolidone, 0.5 parts of acetylene glycol EO adduct (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.), and the remainder of ion-exchanged water.

[0071] (Yellow ink) (1) Preparation of dispersion First, the above anionic polymer P-1 was neutralized with potassium hydroxide aqueous solution and diluted with ion-exchanged water to prepare a homogeneous 10% by mass polymer aqueous solution.

[0072] Thirty parts of the above polymer solution, ten parts of C.I. Pigment Yellow 74, and sixty parts of deionized water were mixed and charged into a batch-type vertical sand mill (manufactured by AIMEX). 150 parts of 0.3 mm diameter zirconia beads were then added, and the mixture was dispersed for 12 hours while being cooled with water.

[0073] Furthermore, the dispersion obtained above was subjected to centrifugation to remove non-dispersed material, including coarse particles, to obtain a yellow dispersion. The resulting yellow dispersion had a solid content of approximately 12.5% ​​and a weight-average particle size of 120 nm.

[0074] (2) Preparation of resin microparticle dispersion A resin microparticle dispersion was prepared using the same raw materials and preparation method as described for cyanide ink.

[0075] (3) Preparation of ink The following components were mixed, thoroughly stirred to dissolve and disperse, and then pressure filtered through a pore size 1.0 μm microfilter (manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation) to prepare the ink. 40 parts of the above yellow dispersion 10 parts of the above resin fine particle dispersion 15 parts of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol 5 parts of 2-pyrrolidone 0.5 parts of acetylene glycol EO adduct (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.) The remainder was ion-exchanged water.

[0076] A key feature of the ink used in this embodiment is that it contains "resin microparticles" to fix the ink on an impermeable recording medium. "Resin microparticles" refer to fine particles made of resin with a particle size that can be dispersed in an aqueous medium. The resin microparticles melt when heated and form a film on the surface of the recording medium, thereby fixing the pigment to the surface of the recording medium.

[0077] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin constituting the resin fine particles is greater than 30°C and less than 80°C. If the temperature is 30°C or lower, the difference between the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin and room temperature is small, and the resin fine particles remain in a near-molten state even in the ink. As a result, the viscosity of the ink increases in the print head, which may lead to poor ink ejection and a decrease in image quality (color development, sharpness, etc.). If the temperature is 80°C or higher, a lot of heat is required by the heating and drying means to melt the resin fine particles, and it may become impossible to melt the resin fine particles before the pigment aggregates due to the evaporation of water in the ink, which may lead to a decrease in image quality (color development, etc.).

[0078] The resin constituting the resin nanoparticles is not particularly limited as long as its glass transition temperature Tg satisfies the above range. Specifically, examples include acrylic resins, styrene-acrylic resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, polyurethane resins, styrene-butadiene resins, and fluoroolefin resins. For example, acrylic resins can be synthesized by emulsion polymerization of monomers such as alkyl (meth)acrylate and alkyl (meth)acrylate amide. Styrene-acrylic resins can also be synthesized by emulsion polymerization of alkyl (meth)acrylate or alkyl (meth)acrylate amide with a styrene monomer. By emulsion polymerization, an emulsion can be obtained in which fine particles (resin nanoparticles) made of the above resins are dispersed in a medium.

[0079] In this embodiment, the resin fine particles having sulfonic acid groups can be any resin fine particles composed of any resin component that is insoluble in water and commonly used.

[0080] The resin components constituting the resin microparticles are not particularly limited as long as they contain sulfonic acid groups. Any resin component can be used without restriction, including any commonly used natural or synthetic polymers, or polymers newly developed for this embodiment. In particular, from the viewpoint of being generally usable and allowing for easy functional design of the resin microparticles, polymers or copolymers of monomer components having radically polymerizable unsaturated bonds, such as acrylic resins or styrene / acrylic resins, can be used.

[0081] Generally, surfactants are used as penetrants to improve the penetration of ink into inkjet-specific recording media. In the case of non-permeable recording media, they are used to improve wettability. The more surfactant added, the stronger its property of lowering the surface tension of the ink, improving the wettability and penetration of the ink into the recording media. It is preferable to use acetylene glycol EO adducts or fluorine-based or silicone-based surfactants. Fluorine-based or silicone-based surfactants can lower the surface tension of the ink even in small amounts, thereby improving the wettability of the ink into the recording media. This suppresses the phenomenon of ink being repelled from the surface of the recording media when recording on non-absorbent recording media, further improving image quality. In this embodiment, the surface tension of all inks was set to 30 dyn / cm or less as a preferred surface tension. Surface tension was measured using a fully automatic surface tension meter CBVP-Z (manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.). Note that the measuring instrument is not limited to the example given above, as long as it can measure the surface tension of the ink.

[0082] Furthermore, since all the inks in this embodiment use anionic colorants, the pH of the ink is stable on the alkaline side, with a value of 8.5 to 9.5. From the viewpoint of suppressing the elution of impurities from components in contact with the ink, deterioration of the materials constituting the components, and a decrease in the solubility of the pigment dispersion resin in the ink, it is generally preferable that the pH of the ink be between 7.0 and 10.0. pH measurement was performed using a pH meter model F-52 manufactured by Horiba, Ltd. Note that the measuring instrument is not limited to the example given above, as long as it is capable of measuring the pH of ink.

[0083] <Ink Fixing> Some inkjet recording devices have a configuration that performs heating or other processes to fix the ink recorded on the surface of the recording medium. In the fixing process, which fixes the ink, it is necessary to melt the resin contained in the ink to form a film, and further, to evaporate most of the liquid components such as water-soluble organic solvents and water contained in the ink. As for heating methods, for example, a method of directly contacting the recording medium with a heat source, a method of irradiating with an infrared heater or microwaves without contact, or a method of blowing room temperature gas or heated gas can be used. The heating temperature (fixing temperature) should preferably be above the minimum film-forming temperature of the fine particles in order to form a resin film. In addition, it is desirable that the length of the heating area in the direction of transporting the recording medium be set to a length that ensures a fixing time in which sufficient energy is supplied for the evaporation of most of the liquid components.

[0084] The fixing unit 1010 and the platen air blowing unit 1020, which are responsible for the fixing process described above, will be explained with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-section of the recording device in the YZ plane. The recording device 101 has a fixing unit 1010 that blows warm air onto the recording medium 103 on which ink is recorded, and a platen air blowing unit 1020 that blows air into the scanning area of ​​the recording head 110.

[0085] The fuser unit 1010 is positioned downstream of the scanning area of ​​the recording head 110 in the transport direction (Y direction), and the recording medium 103 on which the ink is recorded is transported to the fuser unit 1010.

[0086] The fixing unit 1010 includes a housing 1011, a heater fan 1012, a heater 1013, and a downflow fan 1014. The open bottom surface 1015 of the housing 1011 faces the ink-recorded surface of the recording medium 103. Air drawn into the housing 1011 by the heater fan 1012 is heated by the heater 1013 and blown as warm air from the bottom surface 1015 onto the recording medium 103. The warm air melts the resin particles contained in the ink on the recording medium 103, forming a film, and the water and solvent in the ink evaporate, fixing the colorant to the recording medium 103. The downflow fan 1014 blows the warm air exhausted from the fixing unit 1010 onto the recording medium 103 to further fix the colorant.

[0087] The platen air blowing unit 1020 is positioned upstream of the scanning area of ​​the recording head 110 in the transport direction (Y direction). The platen air blowing unit 1020 has an air blowing fan 1021. Air drawn into the platen air blowing unit 1020 by the air blowing fan 1021 is blown onto the recording medium 103, thereby promoting the evaporation of water and solvents contained in the ink on the recording medium 103. The platen air blowing unit 1020 may also have a heater for heating the air drawn in by the air blowing fan 1021.

[0088] <Recording Operation> Here, we will summarize the basic recording operation of the recording device 101. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the recording operation of the recording device. The flowchart shown in Figure 11 is controlled by the CPU 202. Some or all of the functions of the steps in Figure 11 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. In addition, the symbol "S" in the following explanation of each process means a step in the flowchart.

[0089] This flowchart is initiated when the user inputs a recording start command to the recording device 101. The recording start command is input, for example, by the user pressing the start button displayed on the operation panel 111. Alternatively, the recording start command may be input by the user pressing a start button provided as a hard key on the housing of the recording device 101. By the time this flowchart is initiated, the power to the recording device 101 has been turned on and the recording medium 103 has been set in a predetermined position on the platen 104. In this embodiment, the recording medium 103 is assumed to be roll paper.

[0090] In S1101, the recording device 101 starts heating the fuser unit 1010. Upon receiving a recording start instruction, the recording device 101 heats the heater 1013 to a temperature that allows the fuser unit 1010 to blow hot air at the fixing temperature. At this time, the recording device 101 starts operating the heater fan 1012, the downflow fan 1014, and the blower fan 1021. In this embodiment, an example is described in which heating of the fuser unit 1010 starts after a print start instruction, but for example, heating may start when the power to the recording device 101 is turned on, and the next S1103 may be executed in response to a recording start instruction.

[0091] In S1103, the recording device 101 determines whether the fixing unit 1010 is sufficiently heated. If YES, proceed to S1105; otherwise, repeat S1103. In S1105, the recording device 101 opens the cap 601 that was covering the discharge port surface of the recording head 110. The cap 601, which was in the raised position as described above, moves to the lowered position, exposing the discharge port surface of the recording head 110. When the cap 601 reaches the lowered position, preliminary discharge is performed from the recording head 110 toward the cap 601. In S1107, the recording device 101 starts transporting the recording medium 103. The recording medium 103 is transported from the spool 106 in the Y direction. In S1109, the recording device 101 moves the carriage unit 102 in the forward or reverse direction along the guide shaft 108 extending in the X direction to record one scan.

[0092] In S1111, the recording device 101 determines whether all recording to the recording medium 103 is complete. If YES, proceed to S1113; otherwise, proceed to S1109.

[0093] In S1113, the recording device 101 performs a termination preparation operation, which is preparation for ending the recording operation. The termination preparation operation will be explained later with reference to Figure 12. This flowchart ends when S1113 is completed.

[0094] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the termination preparation operation. In S1203, the recording device 101 moves the reciprocating carriage unit 102 to standby position x1 or standby position x2 and stops it.

[0095] In S1205, the recording device 101 wipes the recording head 110. The discharge surface of the recording head 110 is wiped by the first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604. In S1207, the recording device 101 caps the recording head 110. The cap 601 moves to the raised position and comes into contact with the recording head 110, covering the discharge surface of the recording head 110.

[0096] In S1209, the recording device 101 stops heating the fixing unit 1010. Heating of the heater 1013 of the fixing unit 1010 is stopped, and the operation of the heater fan 1012, the downflow fan 1014, and the blower fan 1021 is stopped.

[0097] In S1211, the recording device 101 determines whether the fixing unit 1010 has finished cooling. For example, the recording device 101 determines that cooling is complete when a predetermined time has elapsed since heating stopped. Alternatively, the recording device 101 determines that cooling is complete when the temperature of the heater 1013 falls below a predetermined temperature. If cooling is complete (YES in S1211), proceed to S1213; otherwise, repeat S1211. In S1213, the recording device 101 stops transporting the recording medium 103. This concludes this flowchart. With the end of this flowchart, the flowchart of the recording operation shown in Figure 11 also concludes.

[0098] <Emergency Stop Operation> The emergency stop operation of the recording device will now be explained. A typical recording device has a configuration for stopping the recording operation midway. An emergency stop operation is an operation that stops the recording operation midway, and in particular, it is configured to stop the carriage unit in place and prevent it from moving between the time an emergency stop instruction is input and the next instruction is input.

[0099] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an emergency stop operation of the recording device. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on the operation panel during recording operation. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a recovery confirmation screen on the operation panel. The emergency stop operation shown in Figure 13 is controlled by the CPU 202. Some or all of the steps in Figure 13 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit.

[0100] The flowchart shown in Figure 13 is initiated when the user inputs an emergency stop command to the recording device 101. During recording, the recording operation screen 1400 shown in Figure 14 is displayed on the operation panel 111. The recording operation screen 1400 displays the status 1401, the remaining time 1402, and the emergency stop button 1403. The emergency stop button 1403 may be provided as a hard key on the housing of the recording device 101. The status 1401 indicates the status of the recording device 101, and displays a message such as "Printing" to indicate that recording is in progress. The remaining time 1402 indicates an estimate of the time until the recording operation is completed, and displays a message such as "5 minutes remaining." The emergency stop button 1403 is a button that, when pressed by the user, temporarily pauses the recording operation. In other words, this flowchart is initiated when the user presses the emergency stop button 1403 during recording.

[0101] In S1301, the recording device 101 performs an emergency stop on the recording operation. Specifically, this emergency stop on the recording operation involves stopping the carriage unit 102, stopping the ejection of ink from the recording head 110, stopping the transport of the recording medium 103, and stopping the heating of the fuser unit 1010. All of these operations are performed immediately after the emergency stop button 1403 is pressed. When the recording device 101 detects that the emergency stop button 1403 has been pressed, it stops the carriage unit 102, which is moving in the forward or reverse direction, in place. For convenience, the state in which S1301 is performed is referred to as the emergency stop state.

[0102] In S1303, the recording device 101 determines whether to return the carriage unit 102 to its original position. After the emergency stop button 1403 is pressed, the operation panel 111 displays the return confirmation screen 1500 shown in Figure 15. The return confirmation screen 1500 displays a return button 1501 for returning the carriage unit 102 to its original position. Pressing the return button 1501 means releasing the emergency stop state. If the user presses the return button 1501 (YES in S1303), the process proceeds to S1305. If the return button 1501 is not pressed within a predetermined time elapsed from the start of S1303 (NO in S1303), S1303 is executed again.

[0103] Situations requiring an emergency stop include, for example, when the recording medium 103 is bent and in contact with the carriage unit 102 during recording. In such situations, a jam is foreseeable, so the user needs to press the emergency stop button 1403. In the emergency stop state after executing S1301, the user straightens the recording medium 103 by cutting the recorded medium 103, and then presses the restore button 1501.

[0104] In S1305, the recording device 101 moves the carriage unit 102 from the emergency stop position to standby position x1 or standby position x2. The emergency stop state of the carriage unit 102 is released when the reset button 1501 is pressed, and it moves to the standby position and stops. In other words, the carriage unit 102, which has been stopped by the emergency stop button 1403, will not move until the reset button 1501 is pressed.

[0105] In S1307, the recording device 101 performs a recovery operation of the recording head 110. The details of the recovery operation will be explained later using Figure 16. This concludes this flowchart.

[0106] Furthermore, if an irregularity occurs during the emergency stop operation, the recording device 101 may resume this flowchart from S1303. For example, if the power to the recording device 101 is turned off while in an emergency stop state, the recording device 101 may resume this flowchart from S1303 after the power is turned back on.

[0107] Next, the recovery operation of the recording head 110 will be described in detail. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the recovery operation of the recording head.

[0108] In S1601, the recording device 101 determines the time elapsed from when the emergency stop button 1403 is pressed until when the recovery button 1501 is pressed (stop period T1). If the stop period T1 is less than 10 minutes, the process proceeds to S1603; if it is 10 minutes or more but less than 1 hour, the process proceeds to S1609; and if it is 1 hour or more, the process proceeds to S1615. In this way, the recovery operation is performed according to the stop period T1.

[0109] During an emergency stop, the recording head 110 remains separated from the cap 601 for a certain period of time, and no ink is ejected during this time. As a result, there is a risk of evaporation and thickening of the ink inside the recording head 110, and of ink solidification on the ejection port surface of the recording head 110. The longer the stop period T1, the more likely the above-mentioned issues are to occur, so it is desirable to perform a recovery operation with a higher cleaning effect.

[0110] First, the procedure (Cleaning A) when the stop period T1 is less than 10 minutes will be explained. In S1603, the recording device 101 wipes the recording head 110. As described above, the ejection port surface of the recording head 110 is wiped by the first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604. In S1605, the recording device 101 performs a preliminary ejection from the recording head 110. Ink is ejected from the recording head 110 to the cap 601 which is in the lowered position. By performing a preliminary ejection, the mixed ink that has formed near the ejection port 303 due to wiping can be removed. In S1607, the recording device 101 caps the recording head 110. The cap 601 moves to the raised position and comes into contact with the recording head 110, covering the ejection port surface of the recording head 110. When S1607 is completed, this flowchart is finished, and the flowchart shown in Figure 13 is also finished.

[0111] Next, the procedure for when the downtime T1 is 10 minutes or more but less than 1 hour (Cleaning B) will be explained. In S1609, the recording device 101 caps the recording head 110. In S1611, the recording device 101 sucks ink from the recording head 110. The recording device 101 drives the suction pump 602, and the suction pump 602 performs a suction operation in which ink is sucked from the recording head 110. The sucked ink is discharged into the ink recovery tank 502. By sucking the ink, ink that has become thickened due to evaporation, etc., near the discharge port 303 can be discharged. In S1613, the recording device 101 opens the cap 601 that was covering the discharge port surface of the recording head 110. The recording device 101 moves the cap 601, which was in the raised position, to the lowered position. After the completion of S1613, proceed to S1603. The procedure thereafter is the same as Cleaning A.

[0112] Finally, the procedure (cleaning C) for when the stop period T1 is one hour or longer will be explained. In S1615, the recording device 101 caps the recording head 110. S1615 is the same as S1609.

[0113] In S1617, the recording device 101 sucks up ink from the recording head 110. The length of the suction time, which is the period during which the suction operation is performed, is set according to the length of the stop period T1, and the longer the stop period T1, the longer the suction time is set. For example, the suction time in S1611 is 10 seconds, and the suction time in S1617 is 30 seconds. However, the length of the suction time is not limited to the above examples.

[0114] In S1619, the recording device 101 opens the cap 601 that was covering the ejection port surface of the recording head 110. S1619 is the same as S1613. After S1619 is completed, proceed to S1603. From there on, it is the same as cleaning A.

[0115] In this embodiment, the content of the recovery operation differs depending on the stop period T1, but the content of the recovery operation may also differ depending on the temperature of the recording head 110 during the emergency stop. For example, if the temperature of the recording head 110 is low, cleaning A is performed, and if the temperature is high, cleaning B or cleaning C is performed.

[0116] According to this embodiment, the recording device can be safely emergency stopped during recording. Since the carriage unit stops in place during recording, the risk of jamming worsening due to moving the carriage unit to a standby position, or damage to the recording head due to contact between the recording medium and the recording head can be reduced. Furthermore, emergency stopping of the recording operation can be performed with a simple operation, such as pressing an emergency stop button.

[0117] <<Second Embodiment>> The characteristic of the second embodiment is that the emergency stop operation can be selected even during the paper feeding operation. The following description of the configuration, which is the same as that of the first embodiment, will be omitted.

[0118] In this embodiment, the recording medium 103 is a roll of paper, held on a spool 106 and set at the paper feed position of the recording device 101. When a paper feed start instruction is input to the recording device 101, the transport rollers start feeding the recording medium 103. The paper feed start instruction is input, for example, by the user pressing a paper feed button displayed on the operation panel or a paper feed button provided as a hard key. The recording medium 103 is guided from the paper feed position onto the platen 104, and the paper feed operation is completed when the downstream end of the recording medium 103 in the transport direction reaches a predetermined position.

[0119] During the paper feeding operation described above, the carriage unit 102 moves back and forth in the X direction while the recording medium 103 is being transported. The carriage unit 102 is equipped with a paper sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium 103 on the platen 104. As the carriage unit 102 moves back and forth, the paper sensor continuously detects the presence or absence of the recording medium 103 and detects the position of the edge of the recording medium 103 in the X direction. Any improper transport of the recording medium 103, such as skew, during the paper feeding operation is detected by the paper sensor.

[0120] Figure 17 shows an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel during paper feeding. When a paper feeding start command is input to the recording device 101, the recording device 101 displays the paper feeding screen 1700 on the operation panel 111. The paper feeding screen 1700 displays the status 1701 and the emergency stop button 1702. The status 1701 indicates the status of the recording device 101, and displays a message such as "Feeding Paper" to indicate that paper feeding is in progress. The emergency stop button 1702 is a button that, when pressed by the user, stops the scanning of the carriage unit 102 and the transport of the recording medium 103. The emergency stop button 1702 may also be provided as a hard key on the housing of the recording device 101. The emergency stop operation when the emergency stop button 1702 is pressed is the same as the emergency stop operation shown in Figure 13.

[0121] According to this embodiment, the recording device can be safely emergency-stopped during paper feeding. Since the carriage unit, which moves back and forth, stops in place, it is possible to reduce the risk of jamming worsening due to moving the carriage unit to a standby position, or damage to the recording head due to contact between the recording medium and the recording head. Furthermore, emergency stopping of the paper feeding operation can be performed with a simple operation such as pressing an emergency stop button.

[0122] <<Third Embodiment>> The characteristic of the third embodiment is that it is possible to select whether or not to perform ink fixing after pressing the emergency stop button. The following description of the configuration is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

[0123] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of an emergency stop operation of a recording device. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of a fixation selection screen on the operation panel. The emergency stop operation shown in Figure 18 is controlled by the CPU 202. Some or all of the steps in Figure 18 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit.

[0124] The emergency stop operation shown in Figure 18 is initiated by the user pressing the emergency stop button 1403 during recording, similar to Figure 13. S1801 is the same as S1301.

[0125] S1803 determines whether the recording device 101 should return the carriage unit 102 to its original position. After the emergency stop button 1403 is pressed, the operation panel 111 displays a return confirmation screen 1500. If the user presses the return button 1501 on the return confirmation screen 1500 (YES in S1803), the process proceeds to S1805. If the return button 1501 is not pressed within a predetermined time elapsed from the start of S1803 (NO in S1803), S1803 is executed again. However, in this embodiment, pressing the return button 1501 does not mean releasing the emergency stop state. Therefore, even after pressing the return button 1501, the scanning of the carriage unit 102, the ejection of ink from the recording head 110, the transport of the recording medium 103, and the heating of the fuser unit 1010 remain stopped.

[0126] In S1805, the recording device 101 determines whether or not to fix the ink. After pressing the reset button 1501, the fixation selection screen 1900 is displayed on the operation panel 111. The fixation selection screen 1900 displays a fixation and cancel button 1901 and a do not fixation and cancel button 1902. If the user presses the fixation and cancel button 1901 (YES in S1805), the process proceeds to S1807. If the user presses the do not fixation and cancel button 1902 (NO in S1805), the process proceeds to S1809.

[0127] In S1807, the recording device 101 performs a fixing operation in the event of an emergency stop. The fixing operation in the event of an emergency stop will be described later. After the completion of S1807, this flowchart ends.

[0128] If NO is determined in S1805, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed thereafter. That is, in S1809, the recording device 101 moves the carriage unit 102 from the emergency stop position to standby position x1 or standby position x2. S1809 corresponds to S1305. In S1811, the recording device 101 performs a recovery operation of the recording head 110. S1811 corresponds to S1307, and the recovery operation is performed according to the time (stop period T2) that has passed from pressing the emergency stop button 1403 until pressing the cancel button 1901 after fixing or the cancel button 1902 without fixing. This concludes the flowchart.

[0129] Next, the fixing operation during an emergency stop in S1807 of Figure 18 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 20. Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the fixing operation during an emergency stop.

[0130] In S2001, the recording device 101 resumes heating of the fixing unit 1010. The heater 1013 of the fixing unit 1010 is heated, and the heater fan 1012, downflow fan 1014, and blower fan 1021 start operating. In S2003, the recording device 101 moves the carriage unit 102 from the emergency stop position to standby position x1 or standby position x2 and stops it. In this embodiment, the carriage unit 102, which was stopped by the emergency stop button 1403, does not move until it is fixed and the cancel button 1901 is pressed. Note that the execution order of S2001 and S2003 may be reversed, or they may be executed simultaneously.

[0131] In S2005, the recording device 101 performs a recovery operation of the recording head 110 shown in Figure 16. The recovery operation is performed according to the stop period T2.

[0132] S2007 is executed in parallel with S2005. In S2007, the recording device 101 determines whether the fixing unit 1010 has been sufficiently heated. If YES, proceed to S2009; otherwise, repeat S2007.

[0133] In S2009, the recording device 101 resumes transporting the recording medium 103. At this time, ink ejection remains stopped.

[0134] In S2011, the recording device 101 determines whether the ink has been fixed to the recording medium 103. Fixation completion means that the area of ​​the recording medium 103 on which the ink has been recorded has passed through the fixing unit 1010. If YES, proceed to S2015; otherwise, repeat S2011.

[0135] In S2015, the recording device 101 stops heating the fixing unit 1010. Heating of the heater 1013 is stopped, and the operation of the heater fan 1012, the downflow fan 1014, and the blower fan 1021 is stopped.

[0136] In S2017, the recording device 101 determines whether the fixing unit 1010 has finished cooling. For example, the recording device 101 determines that cooling is complete when a predetermined time has elapsed since heating stopped. Alternatively, the recording device 101 determines that cooling is complete when the temperature of the heater 1013 falls below a predetermined temperature. If cooling is complete (YES in S2017), proceed to S2019; otherwise, repeat S2017. In S2019, the recording device 101 stops transporting the recording medium 103. This concludes the flowchart.

[0137] According to this embodiment, by performing fixing after an emergency stop, the portion of the recording medium in which recording is complete can be extracted as a deliverable. In addition, the risk of contamination of the surrounding area when handling the recording medium with ink recorded on it can be reduced.

[0138] <<Fourth Embodiment>> The characteristic of the fourth embodiment is that, in addition to emergency stop, normal stop can also be selected during recording. The following explanation will be omitted for the same configuration as in the first to third embodiments.

[0139] Figure 21 shows an example of the recording operation screen on the operation panel. During recording in this embodiment, the recording operation screen 2100 shown in Figure 21 is displayed on the operation panel 111. The recording operation screen 2100 displays the status 2101, the remaining time 2102, and the normal stop button 2103. The status 2101 indicates the status of the recording device 101, and displays a message such as "Printing" to indicate that recording is in progress. The remaining time 2102 indicates an estimate of the time until the recording operation is completed, and displays a message such as "5 minutes remaining." The normal stop button 2103 is a button that the user can press to start the normal stop operation.

[0140] In this embodiment, the recording device 101 has an emergency stop button 2110 provided on the housing of the recording device 101. The emergency stop button 2110 is provided, for example, near the operation panel 111 on which the recording operation screen 2100 is displayed. Alternatively, a normal stop button 2103 may be provided as a hard key, and the emergency stop button 2110 may be displayed on the recording operation screen 2100. Both the normal stop button 2103 and the emergency stop button 2110 may be provided as hard keys, or both may be displayed on the recording operation screen 2100.

[0141] If the user wishes to stop the recording operation, they press either the normal stop button 2103 or the emergency stop button 2110. If the normal stop button 2103 is pressed, the normal stop operation described below will begin. If the emergency stop button 2110 is pressed, the emergency stop operation described above will begin. The explanation of the emergency stop operation will be omitted.

[0142] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the normal shutdown operation of a recording device. The flowchart shown in Figure 22 is controlled by the CPU 202. Some or all of the steps in Figure 22 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit.

[0143] This flowchart is initiated when the normal stop button 2103 is pressed. However, even when the normal stop button 2103 is pressed, the carriage unit 102 does not stop and continues its reciprocating movement during the recording operation. Similarly, the ejection of ink from the recording head 110, the transport of the recording medium 103, and the heating of the fuser unit 1010 also continue without stopping.

[0144] In S2201, the recording device 101 determines whether or not to fix the ink. After the normal stop button 2103 is pressed, the fixation selection screen 1900 is displayed on the operation panel 111. If the user presses the cancel button 1901 after fixing (YES in S2201), the process proceeds to S2203. If the user presses the cancel button 1902 without fixing (NO in S2201), the process proceeds to S2205.

[0145] In S2203, the recording device 101 performs a fixing operation during normal shutdown. The fixing operation during normal shutdown will be described later. This flowchart ends when S2203 is completed.

[0146] In S2205, the recording device 101 stops ejecting ink from the recording head 110. In S2207, the recording device 101 performs the termination preparation operation shown in Figure 12. This flowchart ends when S2207 is completed.

[0147] Next, the fixing operation during normal stopping in S2203 in Figure 22 will be described in detail using Figure 23. Figure 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the fixing operation during normal stopping.

[0148] In S2301, the recording device 101 stops ejecting ink from the recording head 110. In S2303, the recording device 101 moves the carriage unit 102 to standby position x1 or standby position x2 and stops it. When the fixing and cancel button 1901 is pressed, the reciprocating movement of the carriage unit 102 in the continuous recording operation is stopped.

[0149] In S2305, the recording device 101 wipes the recording head 110. The discharge surface of the recording head 110 is wiped by the first wiper 603 and the second wiper 604. In S2307, the recording device 101 caps the recording head 110. The cap 601 moves to the raised position and comes into contact with the recording head 110, covering the discharge surface of the recording head 110.

[0150] In a normal stop operation, the time from when the carriage unit 102 stops in the standby position until wiping begins is unique, regardless of whether fixing has occurred or not. Therefore, in this embodiment, regardless of whether fixing has occurred or not, the system is configured to perform wiping and capping as recovery operations after the carriage unit 102 stops in the standby position. However, the content of the recovery operation of the recording head 110 in a normal stop operation is not limited to the example of this embodiment.

[0151] S2309 is executed in parallel with S2305. In S2309, the recording device 101 determines whether the ink has been fixed to the recording medium 103. Fixation completion means that the area of ​​the recording medium 103 on which the ink has been recorded has passed through the fixing unit 1010. In this embodiment, the transport of the recording medium 103 continues even after the normal stop button 2103 is pressed. If YES, the process proceeds to S2313; if NO, S2309 is repeated.

[0152] In S2313, the recording device 101 stops heating the fixing unit 1010. Heating of the heater 1013 of the fixing unit 1010 is stopped, and the operation of the heater fan 1012, the downflow fan 1014, and the blower fan 1021 is stopped.

[0153] In S2315, the recording device 101 determines whether the fixing unit 1010 has finished cooling. For example, the recording device 101 determines that cooling is complete when a predetermined time has elapsed since the heating stopped. Alternatively, the recording device 101 determines that cooling is complete when the temperature of the heater 1013 falls below a predetermined temperature. If cooling is complete (YES in S2315), proceed to S2317; otherwise, repeat S2315. In S2317, the recording device 101 stops transporting the recording medium 103. This concludes this flowchart. With the end of this flowchart, the flowchart for the normal stop operation shown in Figure 22 also concludes.

[0154] According to this embodiment, in addition to emergency stop, normal stop can also be selected during recording, allowing for a stop operation appropriate to the situation. For example, in situations where there is no risk of damage to the recording head due to jamming, selecting normal stop allows the carriage unit to quickly move to the standby position, thereby reducing the risk of the recording head's ejection port drying out.

[0155] <<Other Embodiments>> In each of the embodiments described above, the recording medium 103 is a roll of paper and is transported onto the platen 104 without interruption during the recording operation. In other embodiments, the recording medium 103 may be cut paper and be transported onto the platen 104 from the paper feed cassette of the recording device 101.

[0156] In the above-described embodiment, the reset button 1501, the fixate and cancel button 1901, and the non-fixate and cancel button 1902 are displayed on the operation panel 111. In other embodiments, the above-described buttons may be provided as hard keys on the housing of the recording device 101.

[0157] <<Technical Features of This Disclosure>> This disclosure includes configurations represented by the following examples of recording devices and examples of control methods for recording devices.

[0158] <Configuration 1> A recording device comprising: a recording head that ejects ink to perform a recording operation on a recording medium; a carriage unit on which the recording head is mounted and which is movable in a forward or reverse direction that intersects with the transport direction of the recording medium; a first stopping means that stops the carriage unit moving in the forward or reverse direction in place based on a first instruction from the user; and a return means that, based on a second instruction from the user, returns the movement of the carriage unit stopped by the first stopping means and stops it in a standby position.

[0159] <Configuration 2> The recording device according to Configuration 1, further comprising a recovery means that performs a recovery operation of the recording head after the execution of the recovery means.

[0160] <Configuration 3> The recording device according to Configuration 2, wherein the recording head includes an ink ejection port and an ejection port surface on which the ejection port is formed, and the recovery operation includes a wiping operation to wipe the ejection port surface of the recording head.

[0161] <Configuration 4> The recording apparatus according to Configuration 3, wherein the recovery means further includes a cap that covers the discharge port surface of the recording head, and a suction pump that sucks ink from the recording head when the cap covers the discharge port surface, and the recovery operation further includes a suction operation in which ink is sucked from the recording head by the suction pump.

[0162] <Configuration 5> The recording device according to Configuration 4, characterized in that the recovery operation is performed according to the stop period, which is the period from the execution of the first stop means to the execution of the return means.

[0163] <Configuration 6> The recording device according to Configuration 5, characterized in that the recovery operation is performed by performing the wiping operation after the suction operation if the stop period is longer than a predetermined time, and by performing the wiping operation without performing the suction operation if the stop period is shorter than a predetermined time.

[0164] <Configuration 7> The recording device according to configuration 5 or 6, characterized in that the length of the suction time, which is the period during which the suction operation is performed, is set according to the length of the stop period.

[0165] <Configuration 8> The recording device according to Configuration 7, characterized in that the suction time is set to be longer when the stop period is a first period than when the stop period is a second period which is shorter than the first period.

[0166] <Configuration 9> The recording device further comprises an operation panel which is a display for displaying images and various information, and the first stop means is a stop button displayed on the operation panel, as described in any one of Configurations 1 to 8.

[0167] <Configuration 10> The recording device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the first stopping means is a stop button provided as a hard key on the housing of the recording device.

[0168] <Configuration 11> The recording device further comprises a paper feeding means that performs a paper feeding operation to feed the recording medium without recording by the recording head, and the first stopping means is capable of being executed during the paper feeding operation, as described in any one of Configurations 1 to 10.

[0169] <Configuration 12> The recording device further comprises fixing means for performing a fixing operation to fix the ink recorded on the recording medium, and the recording device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the user can select whether or not to perform the fixing means after the execution of the first stopping means.

[0170] <Configuration 13> The recording device according to Configuration 12, characterized in that, after the execution of the first stopping means, if the user gives a third instruction including the execution of the fixing means, the fixing operation is executed, and if the user gives a fourth instruction that does not include the execution of the fixing means, the fixing operation is not executed, and the movement of the carriage unit stopped by the stopping means is restored and stopped at the standby position.

[0171] <Configuration 14> The recording device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 13, further comprising a second stopping means for moving the carriage unit, which is moving in the forward or return direction during the recording operation, to the standby position and stopping it based on a fifth instruction from the user.

[0172] <Configuration 15> A control method for a recording device comprising: a recording head that ejects ink to perform a recording operation on a recording medium; and a carriage unit on which the recording head is mounted and which is capable of moving in a forward or reverse direction in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium, the control method for a recording device comprising: a stop step in which, based on a first instruction from a user, the carriage unit moving in the forward or reverse direction is stopped in place; and a return step in which, based on a second instruction from a user, the movement of the carriage unit that was stopped in the stop step is returned to a standby position.

[0173] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the following claims are attached to make the scope of this disclosure public.

[0174] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-068742, filed on 18 April 2025, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A recording device comprising: a recording head that ejects ink to perform a recording operation on a recording medium; a carriage unit on which the recording head is mounted and which is movable in a forward or reverse direction that intersects with the transport direction of the recording medium; a first stopping means that stops the carriage unit moving in the forward or reverse direction in place based on a first instruction from the user; and a return means that, based on a second instruction from the user, returns the movement of the carriage unit stopped by the first stopping means and stops it in a standby position.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a recovery means for performing a recovery operation of the recording head after the execution of the recovery means.

3. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the recording head includes an ink ejection port and an ejection port surface on which the ejection port is formed, and the recovery operation includes a wiping operation for wiping the ejection port surface of the recording head.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recovery means further includes a cap that covers the discharge port surface of the recording head, and a suction pump that sucks ink from the recording head when the cap covers the discharge port surface, and the recovery operation further includes a suction operation in which ink is sucked from the recording head by the suction pump.

5. The recording device according to claim 4, characterized in that the recovery operation is performed in accordance with the stop period, which is the period from the execution of the first stop means to the execution of the return means.

6. The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that the recovery operation is performed by carrying out the wiping operation after the suction operation if the stop period is longer than a predetermined time, and by carrying out the wiping operation without carrying out the suction operation if the stop period is shorter than a predetermined time.

7. The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that the length of the suction time, which is the period during which the suction operation is performed, is set according to the length of the stop period.

8. The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the suction time is set to be longer when the stop period is a first period than when the stop period is a second period which is shorter than the first period.

9. The recording device further comprises an operation panel which is a display for displaying images and various information, and the first stop means is a stop button displayed on the operation panel, as described in claim 1.

10. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first stopping means is a stop button provided as a hard key on the housing of the recording device.

11. The recording device further comprises a paper feeding means that performs a paper feeding operation for feeding the recording medium without recording by the recording head, and the first stopping means is capable of being executed during the paper feeding operation, as described in claim 1.

12. The recording device further comprises fixing means for performing a fixing operation to fix the ink recorded on the recording medium, and the user can select whether or not to perform the fixing means after the execution of the first stopping means.

13. The recording device according to 12, characterized in that, after the execution of the first stopping means, if the user gives a third instruction including the execution of the fixing means, the fixing operation is executed, and if the user gives a fourth instruction that does not include the execution of the fixing means, the movement of the carriage unit stopped by the first stopping means is restored and stopped at the standby position without executing the fixing operation.

14. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a second stopping means for moving the carriage unit, which is moving in the forward or return direction during the recording operation, to the standby position and stopping it based on a fifth instruction from the user.

15. A control method for a recording device comprising: a recording head that ejects ink to perform a recording operation on a recording medium; and a carriage unit on which the recording head is mounted and which is movable in a forward or reverse direction in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium, the control method for a recording device comprising: a stop step that stops the carriage unit moving in the forward or reverse direction in place based on a first instruction from a user; and a return step that restores the movement of the carriage unit that was stopped in the stop step and stops it in a standby position based on a second instruction from a user.

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