BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method configured
to transport a recording medium in a state of being placed on an adhesive belt.
2. Related art
[0002] In the related art, a recording apparatus provided with a transporting mechanism
configured to transport a recording medium in a state of being placed on an adhesive
belt is used. For example,
JP-A-11-192694 discloses a recording apparatus provided with an endless belt configured to transport
the recording medium in a state of being adhered and fixed thereto and a cleaning
unit including a wipe-off roller having a peripheral surface formed of a high-polymeric
porous material is disclosed.
[0003] In the recording apparatus having such an adhesive belt, a press unit such as a press
roller configured to cause the recording medium to be adhered to the adhesive belt
without an adhesion failure such as wrinkles and floating is generally provided. In
contrast, when an adhesion failure of the recording medium occurs in such a recording
apparatus, the recording operation is stopped once to retract a recording head, the
recording medium is transported (passed) without performing printing on the adhesion
failure portions, and then recording is restarted again.
[0004] However, in the recording apparatus of the related art as described above, every
time an adhesion failure occurs in the recording medium, the recording medium is transported
without performing recording on an adhesion failure portion. Therefore, a portion
of the recording medium transported without recording is wastefully consumed.
[0005] In the recording apparatus disclosed in
JP-A-11-192694, there is no description about a case where the adhesion failure of the recording
medium occurs, and hence there is no description about a waste of the recording medium
occurring by transporting the adhesion failure portion of the recording medium without
performing printing thereon.
[0006] When an elongated recording medium is used in the recording apparatus provided with
an adhesive belt of the related art, if the recording medium is moved in a direction
opposite to a direction of transport thereof in order to cause the adhesion failure
portion to re-adhere to the adhesive belt, a portion of the recording medium separated
once from the adhesive belt is adhered again to the adhesion belt. In this case, an
adhesion failure may occur in the portion of the recording medium to be adhered to
the adhesive belt again, and hence the recording medium may become damaged due to
interference between the recording media or interference between the recording medium
and the recording head, so that the recording medium may be wasted.
SUMMARY
[0007] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to reduce a waste of a recording
medium even when an adhesion failure of the recording medium that has adhered to an
adhesive belt occurs.
[0008] A first aspect of the invention is a recording apparatus including: an adhesive belt
configured to transport a recording medium; a drive mechanism configured to drive
the adhesive belt; first and second press units configured to press the recording
medium and adhere the recording medium to the adhesive belt; a recording head configured
to record on the recording medium; a detection unit provided on a downstream side
of the first press unit and on an upstream side of the recording head in a direction
of transport of the recording medium and configured to detect an adhesion failure
of the recording medium with respect to the adhesive belt; and a control unit configured
to perform control of the drive mechanism, wherein the second press unit is provided
on the downstream side of the recording head in the direction of transport and the
control unit controls the drive mechanism in accordance with a result of detection
of the detection unit.
[0009] Here, the term "adhesion failure of the recording medium with respect to the adhesive
belt" generally means a portion which is not adhered to the adhesive belt generally
due to curling up, lifting, and/or wrinkling of the recording medium, which may occur
when the recording medium is adhered to the adhesive belt.
[0010] In the configuration, when the adhesion failure of the recording medium adhered to
the adhesive belt occurs, the adhesive belt may be moved in a direction opposite to
the direction of transport. Therefore, for example, the recording medium may be moved
to the upstream side of the first press unit in the direction of transport to re-adhere
the adhesion failure portion.
[0011] In this configuration, with the provision of the second press unit, the adhesion
failure of the recording medium with respect to the adhesive belt which may occur
when re-adhering the portion separated once from the adhesive belt again to the adhesive
belt is suppressed.
[0012] Therefore, a waste of recording medium may be reduced even when the adhesion failure
occurs in the recording medium adhered to the adhesive belt occurs.
[0013] Preferably, the control unit controls the drive mechanism so that the recording medium
moves in a direction opposite to the direction of transport when the detection unit
detects the adhesion failure.
[0014] In this configuration, the adhesive belt may be moved in the direction opposite to
the direction of transport when the adhesion failure occurs in the recording medium
adhered to the adhesive belt. Therefore, for example, the recording medium may be
moved to the upstream side of the first press unit in the direction of transport for
re-adhesion of the adhesion failure portion.
[0015] Preferably, the second press unit presses the recording medium in a non-contact state.
[0016] In this configuration, the recording medium is pressed in the non-contact state.
Therefore, the recorded image in which fixation of ink is not completed is prevented
from becoming damaged due to the second press unit coming into contact with a portion
of the recording medium where image is recorded.
[0017] Examples of the apparatus configured to press the recording medium in the non-contact
state includes an air knife.
[0018] Preferably, the control unit controls the drive mechanism so that the adhesion failure
portion moves to the upstream side of the first press unit in the direction of transport
when the detection unit detects the adhesion failure.
[0019] In this configuration, the adhesion failure portion moves to the upstream side of
the first press unit in the direction of transport when the detection unit detects
the adhesion failure. In other words, since the recording medium is separated once
from the adhesive belt, the adhesion failure may be resolved by bringing the portion
where the adhesion failure has occurred to be adhered to the adhesive belt.
[0020] In this configuration, when the type of the adhesion failure is lifting, the adhesion
failure may be resolved automatically by bringing the recording medium to be re-adhered
to the adhesive belt. When the type of the adhesion failure is wrinkles, the adhesion
failure may be resolved by a user by pulling this part or the like.
[0021] Preferably, the recording apparatus includes a wrinkle reducing roller of the recording
medium on the upstream side of the first press unit in the direction of transport,
the wrinkle reducing roller is provided with concavo-convex on a surface thereof and
has a configuration in which the concavo-convex moves from the inside to the outside
in the width direction of the recording medium when the recording medium is rotated
in a direction of rotation at the time of transporting the recording medium in the
direction of transport, and the control unit controls the drive mechanism so that
the adhesion failure portion moves to the upstream side of the wrinkle reducing roller
in the direction of transport when the detection unit detects the adhesion failure.
[0022] In this configuration, since the wrinkle reducing roller is provided, the adhesion
failure can hardly occur. Even when the adhesion failure occurs, since the adhesion
failure portion is moved to the upstream side of the wrinkle reducing roller, the
adhesion failure may be resolved automatically by bringing the portion where the adhesion
failure has occurred again to be adhered to the adhesive belt.
[0023] In this configuration, the adhesion failure may be resolved automatically irrespective
of the type of the adhesion failure.
[0024] Preferably, a notifying unit configured to notify the fact that the detection unit
detects the adhesion failure is further provided.
[0025] In this configuration, with the provision of the notifying unit, the fact that the
detection unit detects the adhesion failure may be notified to the user. Therefore,
the user can know the occurrence of the adhesion failure.
[0026] For example, applicable configurations include a configuration in which when the
detection unit detects the adhesion failure, a process of returning the adhesion failure
portion to the upstream side of the wrinkle reducing roller and a process of transporting
this part in the direction of transport are performed by several times, and when the
adhesion failure is not resolved thereby, the detection of the adhesion failure is
notified.
[0027] Preferably, the recording head records on the recording medium by scanning reciprocally
in a scanning direction intersecting the direction of transport, and if there is a
portion in the course of recording along the scanning direction when the detection
unit detects the adhesion failure, the control unit controls the drive mechanism so
that the recording medium moves in a direction opposite to the direction of transport
after the recording of the portion in the course of recording is completed.
[0028] In the recording apparatus having a configuration in which the recording head scans
reciprocally in the scanning direction for recording on the recording medium, if the
recording is stopped in a state in which there is a portion in the course of recording
along the scanning direction, it is difficult to continue the recording from the corresponding
part, and the recording medium of this part is liable to be wasted. When stopping
the recording in the state in which there is the portion in the course of printing
and restarting the printing after this portion, displacement of the recording position
is liable to occur before and after the stop and hence unevenness of the corresponding
part is liable to occur.
[0029] The "portion in the course of printing" in this case occurs when recording is performed
in a recording mode in which the recording is completed by a plurality of times of
recording scan on the same recording area.
[0030] In this configuration, if there is the portion in the course of recording along the
scanning direction when the detection unit detects the adhesion failure, the adhesive
belt is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of transport after the recording
of the portion in the course of recording is completed. Therefore, since the recording
is not stopped in a state in which there is the portion in the course of recording
along the scanning direction, waste of the recording medium may be suppressed.
[0031] Preferably, the second press unit is capable of changing a position with respect
to the recording medium, and when transporting the recording medium in the direction
of transport, the second press unit is in the non-contact state with respect to the
recording medium.
[0032] In this configuration, the second press unit does not come into contact with the
recording medium while the recording medium is transported in the direction of transport.
Therefore, the recorded image in which fixation of the ink is not completed is prevented
from becoming damaged due to the second press unit coming into contact with the portion
of the recording medium where the image is recorded.
[0033] A second aspect of the invention is a recording method configured to perform by using
a recording apparatus, the recording apparatus including: an adhesive belt configured
to transport a recording medium; a drive mechanism configured to drive the adhesive
belt; a first press unit configured to press the recording medium and adhere the recording
medium to the adhesive belt; a recording head configured to record on the recording
medium; and a detection unit provided on a downstream side of the first press unit
and on an upstream side of the recording head in a direction of transport of the recording
medium and configured to detect an adhesion failure of the recording medium with respect
to the adhesive belt, wherein the recording medium is moved in a direction opposite
to the direction of transport when the detection unit detects the adhesion failure.
[0034] According to the mode described above, the adhesive belt may be moved in the direction
opposite to the direction of transport when the adhesion failure occurs in the recording
medium that is adhered to the adhesive belt. Therefore, for example, the recording
medium may be moved to the upstream side of the first press unit in the direction
of transport to bring the adhesion failure portion to be re-adhered.
[0035] According to the mode described above, with the provision of the second press unit,
the adhesion failure which may occur in the recording medium with respect to the adhesive
belt is suppressed when the portion separated once from the adhesive belt is re-adhered
to the adhesive belt.
[0036] Therefore, it is possible to reduce a waste of recording medium even when the adhesion
failure occurs in the recording medium that is adhered to the adhesive belt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference
to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a recording apparatus according to a
first embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating the recording apparatus according to
the first embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating a wrinkle reducing roller of the recording
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating a recording apparatus according to a
second embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating a recording apparatus according to a
third embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a recording method of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment (Fig. 1 to Fig. 4)
[0038] Referring now to attached drawings, a recording apparatus according to embodiments
of the invention will be described in detail.
[0039] First of all, a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention
will be described.
[0040] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a recording apparatus 1 according to the first
embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the recording
apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0041] The recording apparatus 1 of the embodiment includes a set portion 2 configured to
feed a roll R1 of a recording medium P, which is an elongated recording medium for
printing. The recording apparatus 1 also includes a press roller 12, which functions
a first press unit, and a press roller 19, which functions as a second press unit,
both configured to press the recording medium P against an adhesive belt 10 and bring
the same to be adhered thereto, which functions as a movable belt, and a transporting
mechanism 3 configured to transport the recording medium P by the adhesive belt 10
in a direction of transport A. The recording apparatus 1 also includes a recording
mechanism 4 configured to perform recording by causing a recording head 7 to scan
in both directions in a scanning direction B which intersects the direction of transport
A of the recording medium P. The recording apparatus 1 further includes a cleaning
mechanism 15 configured to clean the adhesive belt 10. The recording apparatus 1 still
further includes a winding mechanism 18 having a winding shaft 17 configured to wind
the recording medium P and a cutter 16 configured to cut the wound recording medium
P.
[0042] The set portion 2 includes a rotating shaft 5 which also serves as a set position
of the roll R1 of the recording medium P used for recording, and has a configuration
that feeds the recording medium P to the transporting mechanism 3 set on the rotating
shaft 5 from the roll R1 to a driven roller 6.
[0043] When the recording medium P is fed to the transporting mechanism 3, the rotating
shaft 5 rotates in a direction of rotation C.
[0044] Here, the driven roller 6 has a function of a wrinkle reducing roller configured
to reduce a probability of generation of wrinkles on the recording medium P by rotating
in the direction of rotation C in association with the transport of the recording
medium P in the direction of transport A.
[0045] The transporting mechanism 3 includes the adhesive belt 10 configured to transport
the recording medium P fed continuously from the set portion 2 and placed thereon,
and a transporting roller 8 and a driven roller 9 configured to move the adhesive
belt 10. The recording medium P is placed on the adhesive belt 10 in a state of being
pressed and adhered thereto by the press roller 12. When transporting the recording
medium P, the transporting roller 8 rotates in the direction of rotation C.
[0046] An optical sensor 36 which functions as a detection unit that detects an adhesion
failure of the recording medium P with respect to the adhesive belt 10 is provided
on the downstream side of the press roller 12 and on the upstream side of the recording
head 7 in the direction of transport A. The optical sensor 36 includes a light-emitting
unit 36a and a light-receiving unit 36b, and detects projections caused by the adhesion
failure. However, the detection unit is not limited to the detection unit having the
configuration described a bove.
[0047] The transporting roller 8, which functions as a drive mechanism of the adhesive belt
10, is configured to drive the adhesive belt 10 so as to move the adhesive belt 10
in the direction opposite to the direction of transport A when the optical sensor
36 detects the adhesion failure.
[0048] The press roller 19 is provided on the downstream side of the transporting mechanism
3 in the direction of transport A. The press roller 19 is provided at a position where
the recording medium P is separated from the adhesive belt 10 in the case where the
recording medium P is transported in the direction of transport A, and a position
where the recording medium P is placed on (adhered to) the adhesive belt 10 when moving
the recording medium in the direction opposite to the direction of transport A. With
the provision of the press roller 19 at this position, there is a reduced probability
that the adhesion failure occurs again when moving the recording medium P in the direction
opposite to the direction of transport A, that is, when a portion of the recording
medium P separated from the adhesive belt 10 once is re-adhered to the adhesive belt
10.
[0049] Therefore, there is a reduced probability of occurrence of such an event that the
new adhesion failure occurs again, and hence the recording medium becomes damaged
due to interference between the recording media or interference between the recording
medium and the recording head, and hence the recording medium is wasted.
[0050] In the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, when the optical sensor 36
detects the adhesion failure, the transporting roller 8 drives the adhesive belt 10
so that the adhesion failure portion moves to the upstream side of the driven roller
6, which functions as the wrinkle reducing roller, in the direction of transport A.
Therefore, by using the transporting roller 8 and re-adhering the adhesion failure
portion of the recording medium to the adhesive belt while resolving the adhesion
failure at a portion where the adhesion failure has been occurred, the adhesion failure
is automatically resolved.
[0051] However, the invention is not limited to the configuration described above, and,
for example, a configuration in which the transporting roller 8 drives the adhesive
belt 10 to move the adhesion failure portion to the upstream side of the press roller
12 in the direction of transport A when the optical sensor 36 detects the adhesion
failure is also applicable. In this configuration as well, since the adhesion failure
portion is separated once from the adhesive belt 10 and re-adhered thereto, for example,
the adhesion failure such as lifting may be resolved automatically.
[0052] The recording mechanism 4 includes the recording head 7, a carriage, which is not
illustrated, having the recording head 7 mounted thereon, and a carriage motor 26
(see Fig. 4) configured to move the carriage reciprocally in the scanning direction
B. In Fig. 1, the scanning direction B corresponds to the direction perpendicular
to the plane of the paper.
[0053] Recording is performed by causing the recording head 7 to scan reciprocally. However,
during the recording scan (during the movement of the recording head), the transporting
mechanism 3 stops the transport of the recording medium P. In other words, at the
time of recording, the reciprocal scan of the recording head 7 and the transport of
the recording medium P are performed alternately. In other words, the transporting
mechanism 3 transports the recording medium P intermittently corresponding to the
reciprocal scanning of the recording head 7.
[0054] The recording apparatus 1 in the first embodiment includes the recording mechanism
4 configured as described above. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and,
for example, a configuration in which a recording mechanism has a line head is also
applicable, the line head extending across the width of the recording medium P.
[0055] The cleaning mechanism 15 of the adhesive belt 10 includes a cleaning unit 13 having
a plurality of cleaning rollers coupled in the direction of axes of rotation thereof,
and a tray 14 containing detergent, which functions as a cleaning mechanism, of the
cleaning unit 13.
[0056] The winding mechanism 18 is a mechanism configured to wind the recording medium P
already printed and transported from the transporting mechanism 3 via the driven roller
11, and configured to wind the recording medium P as a roll R2 of the recording medium
P by setting a paper tube or the like for winding the recording medium P on the winding
shaft 17 and winding the recording medium P thereon.
[0057] As illustrated in Fig. 2, in the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, a
length L2 of the press roller 12 in the scanning direction B at a contact portion
with respect to the recording medium P is longer than a length L1 of the recording
medium P in the scanning direction B. Therefore, the entire recording medium P can
be pressed in the scanning direction B. In other words, since the press roller 12
is configured to press the recording medium P with a wide contact surface, an occurrence
of unevenness of the thickness of the recording medium P is reduced and unevenness
of recorded image is reduced.
[0058] A length L3 of the press roller 19 in the scanning direction B at the contact portion
with respect to the recording medium P is longer than the length L1 of the recording
medium P in the scanning direction B. Therefore, when the adhesive belt 10 is driven,
the detection unit 36 detects the adhesion failure of the recording medium P with
respect to the adhesive belt 10 and the transporting roller 8 moves the adhesive belt
10 in the direction opposite to the direction of transport A, the entire part of the
recording medium P in the scanning direction B is pressed. In other words, the probability
of the adhesion failure which may occur in the recording medium P with respect to
the adhesive belt 10 is reduced when re-adhering a portion separated once from the
adhesive belt 10 again to the adhesive belt 10.
[0059] In order to suppress the press roller 19 from causing the recorded image to become
damaged by coming into contact with the recorded image on which ink is not completely
fixed, an ink fixation accelerating mechanism may be provided between the recording
mechanism 4 and the press roller 19 in the direction of transport A. Examples of the
ink fixation accelerating mechanism include a heater, an air knife, and the like.
[0060] Subsequently, a configuration of the wrinkle reducing roller in the recording apparatus
1 of the embodiment will be described.
[0061] Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating the driven roller 6, which functions as
the wrinkle reducing roller in the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
[0062] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the driven roller 6 of the first embodiment is provided
on the upstream side of the press roller 12 in the recording apparatus 1 of the first
embodiment in the direction of transport A, and has a concavo-convex shape on the
surface thereof. When the driven roller 6 is rotated in the direction of rotation
C, which is the direction of rotation at the time of transporting the recording medium
P in the direction of transport A, the concave-convex surface moves from the inside
to the outside in the width direction of the recording medium P (the same direction
as the scanning direction B in the first embodiment).
[0063] In this configuration, the driven roller 6 of the first embodiment stretches the
recording medium P in the width direction to achieve a state in which generation of
wrinkles or the like is prevented. The recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment
places the recording medium P in the state described above on the adhesive belt 10.
[0064] Subsequently, an electrical configuration in the recording apparatus 1 of the first
embodiment will be described.
[0065] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
[0066] The control unit 20 is provided with a CPU 21 configured to control the recording
apparatus 1 as a whole. The CPU 21 is connected via a system bus 22 to a ROM 23 in
which various control programs that the CPU 21 executes are stored and a RAM 24 in
which data can be stored temporarily. The CPU 21 is connected via the system bus 22
to a head drive unit 25 configured to drive the recording head 7.
[0067] The CPU 21 is connected to a motor drive unit 32 configured to drive the carriage
motor 26, a transporting motor 27, a feed motor 28, and a winding motor 29 via the
system bus 22.
[0068] Here, the carriage motor 26 is a motor configured to move a carriage on which the
recording head 7 is mounted. The transporting motor 27 is a motor configured to drive
the transporting roller 8. The feed motor 28 is a rotary mechanism for the rotating
shaft 5, and is a motor configured to drive the rotating shaft 5 for feeding the recording
medium P to the transporting mechanism 3. The winding motor 29 is a drive motor configured
to rotate the winding shaft 17.
[0069] The CPU 21 is connected via the system bus 22 to a cutter drive unit 33 configured
to cause the cutter 16 to be driven to cut the recording medium P.
[0070] Furthermore, the CPU 21 is connected to the optical sensor 36 which functions as
a detection unit configured to detect the adhesion failure of the recording medium
P with respect to the adhesive belt 10, a monitor 34 and a control panel 35 provided
on the recording apparatus 1, and an interface 31 configured to be used for input
of recording data or the like from an external apparatus such as a PC, via an input
and output unit 30 configured to transmit and receive data and signals.
[0071] The monitor 34 also has a role as a notifying unit configured to notify the fact
that the optical sensor 36 detects the adhesion failure of the recording medium P
with respect to the adhesive belt 10. However, the invention is not limited to such
a configuration. For example, a mechanism which generates an alarm sound may be provided
as the notifying unit.
[0072] The control unit 20 of the first embodiment performs control of the respective drive
units of the recording apparatus 1 as a whole. Therefore, when the optical sensor
36 detects the adhesion failure, the transporting roller 8 drives the adhesive belt
10 to move the adhesive belt 10 in the direction opposite to the direction of transport
A under the control of the control unit 20. The control unit 20 also drives the adhesive
belt 10 to move so that the adhesion failure portion moves to the upstream side of
the driven roller 6. In other words, the control unit 20 controls the transporting
roller 8 in accordance with the result of detection of the optical sensor 36. Furthermore,
the control to cause the monitor 34 to display the fact that the optical sensor 36
has detected the adhesion failure of the recording medium P with respect to the adhesive
belt 10 at this time is also performed by the control unit 20.
[0073] In the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, in the case where there is
a portion in the course of recording along the direction of transport A when the optical
sensor 36 detects the adhesion failure, the transporting roller 8 drives the adhesive
belt 10 to be moved in the direction opposite to the direction of transport A after
the completion of the recording of the portion in the course of being recorded on.
Therefore, by stopping the recording in a state in which there is the portion in the
course of printing and restarting the printing after this portion, a problem that
displacement of the recording position occurs before and after the stop and hence
unevenness of the corresponding part occurs is prevented.
[0074] The "portion in the course of printing" in this case occurs when recording is performed
in a recording mode in which the recording is completed by a plurality of times of
recording scan on the same recording area. For example, in the case where there is
a portion where the recording scan has been performed only once in a recording mode
in which the recording on the same recording area is to be completed by two times
of the recording scan, the portion in which the recording scan has been performed
only once corresponds to the portion in the course of recording. In such a case, the
recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment performs the recording scan for the
second time on the portion where the recording scan has been performed only once,
and hence moves the adhesive belt 10 in the direction opposite to the direction of
transport A. The control of the respective drive units relating to the operation of
the recording apparatus 1 is performed by the control unit 20.
[0075] In addition, in the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the control unit
20 performs control to display the fact that the optical sensor 36 detects the adhesion
failure of the recording medium P with respect to the adhesive belt 10 on the monitor
34 every time it occurs. However, the invention is not limited to the method described
above. For example, applicable configurations include a configuration in which, when
the optical sensor 36 detects the adhesion failure, a process of returning the recording
medium P to the upstream side of the driven roller 6 and a process of transporting
the recording medium P in the direction of transport A are performed several times,
and when the adhesion failure is not resolved thereby, the detection of the adhesion
failure is notified.
[0076] In the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the press roller 19 presses
the recording medium P during transportation of the recording medium P in the direction
of transport A. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, applicable
configurations include a configuration in which the control unit 20 controls to move
the press roller 19 to a position away from the recording medium so that pressing
by the press roller 19 is not performed when transporting the recording medium P in
the direction of transport A, and move the press roller to a position where the recording
medium P is pressed to transport the recording medium P in the direction opposite
to the direction of transport A when the optical sensor 36 detects the adhesion failure.
In this configuration, the recorded image in which fixation of the ink is not completed
is prevented from becoming damaged due to the press roller 19 coming into contact
with the portion of the recording medium P where image is recorded.
Second Embodiment (Fig. 5)
[0077] Subsequently, a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention
will be described.
[0078] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating the recording apparatus according to
the second embodiment of the invention. Components common to those of the first embodiment
have the same reference signs and detailed description will be omitted.
[0079] The recording apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is different from the recording
apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in that a press roller 37 which functions as a
second press unit, has a non-contact portion 39 which does not contact with the recording
medium P.
[0080] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the press roller 37 of the second embodiment includes the
non-contact portion 39 having a rod shape extending in a direction along the axis
of rotation (the scanning direction B) and configured not to come into contact with
the recording medium P, and contact portions 38 configured to come into contact with
the recording medium P, provided on both sides of the non-contact portion 39, and
having a column shape extending in the axis of rotation. Therefore, by recording an
image on an inner part of the recording medium P in the width direction (scanning
direction B), contact between the press roller 37 and the image is prevented. In other
words, the recorded image in which fixation of the ink is not completed is prevented
from becoming damaged due to the second press unit coming into contact with the portion
of the recording medium P where the image is recorded.
[0081] In other words, the recording apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is capable of
reducing the probability of the occurrence of the adhesion failure at the portion
separated once from the adhesive belt 10 when being adhered again to the adhesive
belt 10 in comparison with the case where the press roller 37 is not provided while
reducing the probability of causing damage to the recorded image.
Third Embodiment (Fig. 6)
[0082] Subsequently, a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention
will be described.
[0083] Fig. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating the recording apparatus according to
the third embodiment of the invention. Components common to those of the above-described
embodiments have the same reference signs and detailed description will be omitted.
[0084] The recording apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is different from the recording
apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in that an air knife 40 which functions as the
second press unit, is provided.
[0085] The air knife 40 of the third embodiment has a configuration in which air can be
blown toward the recording medium P. Therefore, fixation of the ink recorded on the
recording medium P may be accelerated. Since the air knife 40 does not contact with
the recording medium P, the recorded image in which fixation of the ink is not completed
is prevented from becoming damaged due to the second press unit (the air knife 40)
coming into contact with the portion of the recording medium P where the image is
recorded.
[0086] The recording apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is capable of reducing the probability
of the occurrence of the adhesion failure at the portion separated once from the adhesive
belt 10 when being adhered again to the adhesive belt 10 while reducing the probability
of causing damages on the recorded image. The air knife 40 of the third embodiment
can also be used in conjunction of the press roller 19, 37 of the first or second
embodiments.
Example of Recording Method (Fig. 7)
[0087] Subsequently, a recording method according to an example of the invention will be
described.
[0088] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the recording method according to the example
of the invention.
[0089] The recording method of this example is an example of a method performed by using
the recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
[0090] When the recording medium P is placed on the adhesive belt 10 and the recording data
is input to the recording apparatus 1 as a print-start command, in Step S110, the
recording apparatus 1 transports the recording medium P to a predetermined position,
and detects adhesion of the recording medium P to the adhesive belt 10 with the optical
sensor 36.
[0091] Subsequently, in Step S120, the control unit 20 determines presence or absence of
the adhesion failure from the result of detection of Step S110. When it is determined
that the adhesion failure occurs in Step S120, the procedure goes to Step S130, and
when it is determined that no adhesion failure occurs, the procedure goes to Step
S150.
[0092] In Step S130, the control unit 20 controls the transporting roller 8, and the transporting
roller 8 moves the adhesive belt 10 in the direction opposite to the direction of
transport A. When the adhesive belt 10 moves in the direction opposite to the direction
of transport A, the recording medium P separated from the adhesive belt 10 is pressed
again with the press roller 19 and is re-adhered to the adhesive belt 10.
[0093] When the adhesive belt 10 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of transport
A in Step S140, the recording medium P is pressed again by the press roller 12.
[0094] In the recording method of this example, Step S130 and Step S140 are performed simultaneously.
[0095] When Step S130 and Step S140 are not performed simultaneously, the press roller 12
is moved upward at the time of execution of Step S130. When the adhesive belt 10 moves
in the direction of transport A in Step S140, the recording medium P is pressed again
by the press roller 12 and is adhered to the adhesive belt 10.
[0096] Then, when Step S130 and Step S140 are terminated, the procedure goes back to Step
S110.
[0097] In Step S150, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the recording of the
recording data input to the recording apparatus 1 is terminated. When it is determined
that the recording is not terminated in this step, Step S110 to Step S150 are repeated
until it is determined that the recording is terminated. When it is determined that
the recording is terminated, the recording method in this example is terminated.
[0098] In the recording method of this example, the respective steps from Step S110 to Step
S150 are performed corresponding to each recording scan of the recording head 7.
[0099] The foregoing description has been given by way of example only and it will be appreciated
by a person skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
1. A recording apparatus (1) comprising:
an adhesive belt (10) configured to transport a recording medium (P);
a drive mechanism (8, 27) configured to drive the adhesive belt;
first and second press units (12, 19) configured to press the recording medium and
adhere the recording medium to the adhesive belt;
a recording head (7) configured to record on the recording medium;
a detection unit (36) provided on a downstream side of the first press unit (12) and
on an upstream side of the recording head (7) in a direction of transport (A) of the
recording medium and configured to detect an adhesion failure of the recording medium
with respect to the adhesive belt; and
a control unit (20) configured to perform control of the drive mechanism, wherein
the second press unit (19) is provided on the downstream side of the recording head
(7) in the direction of transport (A) and
the control unit (20) is adapted to control the drive mechanism in accordance with
a result of detection of the detection unit.
2. The recording apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein
the control unit (20) is adapted to control the drive mechanism so that the recording
medium moves in a direction opposite to the direction of transport when the detection
unit detects the adhesion failure.
3. The recording apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein
the second press unit (40) is adapted to press the recording medium in a non-contact
state.
4. The recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the control unit (20) is adapted to control the drive mechanism so that the adhesion
failure portion moves to the upstream side of the first press unit when the detection
unit detects the adhesion failure.
5. The recording apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein
the recording apparatus includes a wrinkle reducing roller (6) for the recording medium
on the upstream side of the first press unit (12) in the direction of transport,
the wrinkle reducing roller is provided with concavo-convex on a surface thereof and
has a configuration in which the concavo-convex moves from the inside to the outside
in the width direction (B) of the recording medium (P) when the recording medium is
rotated in a direction of rotation at the time of transporting the recording medium
in the direction of transport, and
the control unit (20) is adapted to control the drive mechanism so that the adhesion
failure portion moves to the upstream side of the wrinkle reducing roller (6) when
the detection unit detects the adhesion failure.
6. The recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:
a notifying unit (34) configured to notify the fact that the detection unit detects
the adhesion failure.
7. The recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the recording head (7) is adapted to record on the recording medium by scanning reciprocally
in a scanning direction intersecting the direction of transport, and
if there is a portion in the course of recording along the scanning direction when
the detection unit detects the adhesion failure, the control unit (20) is adapted
to control the drive mechanism so that the recording medium moves in a direction opposite
to the direction of transport after the recording of the portion in the course of
recording is completed.
8. The recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the second press unit (19) is capable of changing a position with respect to the recording
medium, and
when transporting the recording medium in the direction of transport, the second press
unit is adapted to be in a non-contact state with respect to the recording medium.
9. A recording method configured to perform by using a recording apparatus (1), the recording
apparatus comprising:
an adhesive belt (10) configured to transport a recording medium (P);
a drive mechanism (8, 27) configured to drive the adhesive belt;
a first press unit (12) configured to press the recording medium and adhere the recording
medium to the adhesive belt;
a recording head (7) configured to record on the recording medium; and
a detection unit (36) provided on a downstream side of the first press unit and on
an upstream side of the recording head in a direction of transport (A) of the recording
medium and configured to detect an adhesion failure of the recording medium with respect
to the adhesive belt, wherein
the recording medium is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of transport
when the detection unit detects the adhesion failure.