WO2006054533A1 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Inkjet recording device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006054533A1
WO2006054533A1 PCT/JP2005/020908 JP2005020908W WO2006054533A1 WO 2006054533 A1 WO2006054533 A1 WO 2006054533A1 JP 2005020908 W JP2005020908 W JP 2005020908W WO 2006054533 A1 WO2006054533 A1 WO 2006054533A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
illuminance
temperature
ink
ultraviolet
light source
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2005/020908
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Takeshi Yokoyama
Original Assignee
Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc. filed Critical Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
Publication of WO2006054533A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006054533A1/en

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
    • C09D11/00—Inks
    • C09D11/02—Printing inks
    • C09D11/10—Printing inks based on artificial resins
    • C09D11/101—Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
    • B41J11/00214—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation using UV radiation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus, and more particularly to an inkjet recording apparatus that records an image using a photocurable ink that is cured by irradiation with light.
  • inkjet recording apparatuses are often used because images can be formed easily and inexpensively compared to methods that require plate making, such as gravure printing methods and flexographic printing methods. It is becoming.
  • the conventional inkjet recording apparatus is provided with the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus close to the recording head.
  • the ultraviolet irradiation device covers the light source in order to prevent the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source from reaching the nozzle formation surface of the recording head and curing the ink adhering to the nozzle formation surface.
  • a cover member is provided.
  • an ultraviolet irradiation device in which a plurality of light sources are arranged in the relative movement direction with respect to the recording medium, By arranging a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices in the direction of relative movement with the recording medium, it has been proposed to obtain a predetermined amount of light by irradiating the ink landed on the recording medium a plurality of times even at low illuminance. .
  • Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-310454
  • Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-145725
  • an inkjet recording apparatus including a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices and a plurality of low output type light sources that also have low output type light source power
  • the time required for curing each dot differs depending on the location, there is a problem that the dot diameter may be different in one printed matter and the image quality may be deteriorated.
  • the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an inkjet capable of performing high-quality image recording by making the light amounts of a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices and a plurality of low-output ultraviolet light sources uniform.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus.
  • the present invention includes configurations of the following items.
  • a recording head for discharging ultraviolet curable ink onto a recording medium
  • a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices including, as a light source, a low-pressure mercury lamp that irradiates the discharged ink with ultraviolet rays;
  • Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base portion of the light source
  • a base temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the base part
  • Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the ultraviolet irradiation device; And a control unit that controls the temperature of the base part so that the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from the plurality of ultraviolet ray irradiation devices is substantially uniform based on the detection results of the temperature detection unit and the illuminance detection unit.
  • An ink jet recording apparatus for detecting the illuminance of the ultraviolet irradiation device.
  • the control unit sets the light source of each light source so that the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays of the plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices is substantially uniform based on the detection results of the temperature detection means and the illuminance detection means. Since the die temperature can be controlled, it is possible to make the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from each ultraviolet irradiation device substantially uniform.
  • a recording head for discharging ultraviolet curable ink onto a recording medium
  • An ultraviolet irradiation device comprising a plurality of low-pressure mercury lamps that irradiate the discharged ink with ultraviolet rays as light sources;
  • Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base portion of the light source
  • a base temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the base part
  • Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the light source
  • An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control a temperature of the base unit so that illuminance is substantially uniform.
  • the base temperature of the light source is controlled so that the illuminance of the ultraviolet light from each light source is substantially uniform based on the illuminance distribution of the ultraviolet light from each light source with respect to the base temperature. Therefore, it is possible to make the illuminance of ultraviolet rays having almost the same light source power substantially uniform.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is a cation polymerization type ink including a cation polymerizable compound as a main component.
  • the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from each ultraviolet irradiation device can be made substantially uniform, the time required for the ink that has landed on the recording medium to be cured is independent of the landing position. Since they are substantially equal, the ink can be cured uniformly and a good image can be obtained.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carriage and an ultraviolet irradiation device in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature of the base of a low-pressure mercury lamp and the illuminance of the irradiated ultraviolet light.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a peripheral structure of the cooling device in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet irradiation device according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment is a serial head type ink jet recording apparatus, and includes a recording apparatus main body 1 and a support base 2 that supports the recording apparatus main body 1.
  • a rod-shaped guide rail 3 is provided inside the recording apparatus main body 1, and a carriage 4 is supported on the guide rail 3.
  • the carriage 4 is reciprocated in the scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording medium, along the guide rail 3 by a carriage driving device (not shown).
  • the carriage 4 is equipped with a recording head 5 that ejects ink of a predetermined color.
  • Each of the recording heads 5 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is arranged so that the longitudinal directions thereof are parallel to each other.
  • a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink onto the recording medium are provided on the surface of each recording head 5 facing the recording medium along the transport direction.
  • the carriage 4 is provided with an intermediate tank 6 for storing ink and supplying ink to the recording head 5.
  • the recording head 5 is communicated with the intermediate tank 6 through an ink supply pipe 51.
  • ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are provided on both sides of the carriage 4 in the scanning direction of the recording head 5 to irradiate the ink discharged from the nozzles onto the recording medium and cure the ink. It has been.
  • Each of the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B is provided with a box-shaped light source cover 8 that opens toward the recording medium.
  • one low pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B are provided as light sources for radiating ultraviolet rays radially.
  • the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B are composed of a rod-like arc tube 11 and cylindrical cap portions 12 attached to both ends thereof.
  • the arc tube 11 is formed to have a length equal to or longer than the length of the recording head 5 in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of bent portions 10 are provided at predetermined positions.
  • the arc tube 11 emits light when the base portion 12 is energized.
  • the shape of the arc tube 11 of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B is not limited to that shown in the figure.
  • the arc tube is formed in a U shape by providing only one bent portion, and both ends of the arc tube are formed. Use a structure that has a base attached to the base.
  • a temperature sensor 13 as a temperature detecting means is installed in the base part 12 of each low-pressure mercury lamp 9A, 9B, and the temperature of each base part 12 is detected.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the base temperature and the illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B.
  • the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B may have different illuminances of the irradiated ultraviolet rays even if the base temperature is the same.
  • the reference illuminance to be irradiated is determined and the ultraviolet rays having the reference illuminance are irradiated.
  • the temperature of the base is adjusted. Specifically, when the reference illuminance is set to X, the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 9A provided in the ultraviolet irradiation device 7A is set to a ° C, and the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 9B provided in the ultraviolet irradiation device 7B. By adjusting the temperature to b ° C, the illuminance from the UV irradiation devices 7A and 7B becomes substantially uniform.
  • an air cooling type cooling device 14 is provided as a base temperature control means.
  • the cooling device 14 includes an air cooling fan 15, a drive motor for the air cooling fan 15 (not shown), and a housing 16 for storing the air cooling fan 15.
  • a slit-like outside air intake port 17 is provided on one surface of the light source cover 8 so as to face the base portions 12 of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B. Therefore, the outside air taken in from the outside air intake port 17 immediately hits each of the base parts 12, and the base part 12 can be cooled well. It is.
  • the casing 16 is provided with an exhaust port 18 opened in a direction not facing the recording medium.
  • the exhaust port 18 has no influence on the image formation in which the exhaust of the internal force of the light source cover 8 is not blown out to the recording medium side! That is, the outside air is taken into the light source cover 8 from the outside air intake port 17 by the rotational drive of the air cooling fan 15 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 18 through the inside of the light source cover 8 and the housing 16.
  • One area of the movable range of the carriage 4 is a recording area for recording on a recording medium.
  • a platen 19 made of a flat plate-like member that supports the recording surface force of the recording medium is disposed below the carriage 4 in the recording area.
  • a transport mechanism (not shown) for transporting the recording medium in the transport direction is provided upstream or downstream of the platen 19.
  • the transport mechanism is provided with, for example, a transport motor and a transport roller (not shown).
  • the recording medium is transported in the transport direction by rotating the transport roller by driving the transport motor. Further, the conveyance mechanism repeats conveyance and stop of the recording medium in accordance with the operation of the carriage 4 during image recording, and conveys the recording medium intermittently.
  • An ink tank 20 that supplies ink to the intermediate tank 6 of the recording head 5 is provided at one end outside the recording area in the movement range of the carriage 4.
  • the ink tank 20 is communicated with the intermediate tank 6 by an ink supply path V, not shown.
  • an illuminance sensor 21 as illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B is disposed at the other outer end of the recording area in the movement range of the carriage 4. ing. Further, a maintenance unit 22 that performs maintenance work of the recording head 5 is disposed on the side of the illuminance sensor 21.
  • the control unit 23 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown), and the processing program recorded in the ROM is expanded in the RAM and the processing program is executed by the CPU.
  • a transport mechanism, a carriage 4, a recording head 5, an ultraviolet irradiation device 7A, 7B, a cooling device 14, and the like are connected to the control unit 23.
  • the control unit 23 is an operation state of various connected members. The operation of each component is controlled based on the status.
  • the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13 are also connected to the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 determines whether the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are based on the detection results of the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13.
  • the relationship between the illuminance and the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B is stored in RAM.
  • the control unit 23 is configured to be able to change the illuminance of ultraviolet rays applied to the ink ejected to the recording medium and landed on the recording medium, based on the storage means.
  • the illuminance is a force determined by the base temperatures of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B.
  • the control unit 23 The base temperature is adjusted by controlling the cooling device 14.
  • the ink used in this embodiment when the ink is cured, the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable compound contained in the ink
  • the ink contains an active energy ray-curable compound as the polymerizable compound. It is an ultraviolet curable ink that uses ultraviolet rays as the active energy for initiating the polymerization reaction.
  • the ultraviolet curable ink containing a polymerizable compound is roughly classified into a radical curable ink containing a radical polymerizable compound and a cation curable ink containing a cationic polymerizable compound. Both inks are applicable as inks used in the present embodiment.
  • the cationic curable ink has little or no polymerization inhibition due to oxygen, so it has high sensitivity to ultraviolet rays, and the active species acid has the property of accumulating light energy. Therefore, it has excellent functionality and versatility.
  • the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B are turned on, and the carriage 4 is operated to reciprocate directly above the recording medium along the scanning direction. Then, the recording head 5 and the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are caused to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage 4, and the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are moved above the illuminance sensor 21.
  • the illuminance sensor 21 detects each illuminance when it is opposed to the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B.
  • the temperature sensor 13 is made to detect the temperature of each cap at the time of detecting illuminance. The detection result is sent to the control unit 23, and the ultraviolet irradiation device 7
  • the relationship between the illuminance of A and 7B and the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B is stored.
  • the control unit 23 calculates the average value of the detected illuminance as the reference illuminance, and controls the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B to irradiate the ultraviolet rays with the reference illuminance. That is, the control unit 23 calculates the base temperatures for irradiating the ultraviolet rays having the standard illuminance, and adjusts the base temperatures of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B to a predetermined temperature range. Therefore, the control unit 23 controls the rotational speed of the drive motor of the air cooling fan 15 of the cooling device 14 to adjust the base temperature.
  • the number of rotations of the drive motor is increased, and the number of rotations increases until the detected temperature falls within a predetermined temperature range. Control to continue. If the die temperature is too low, the rotational speed of the drive motor is decreased, and control is performed to keep the rotational speed decreasing until the detected temperature rises and falls within a predetermined temperature range.
  • the control unit 23 adjusts the base temperature for each of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B, the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B irradiate ultraviolet rays substantially equal to the reference illuminance.
  • the reference illuminance may be an average value of the detected illuminances, and the minimum value of each of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B may be a reference illuminance or more than a value necessary for ink curing.
  • the reference illuminance is set in advance and can be appropriately changed by a panel operation or the like by the operator.
  • the set specified illuminance is stored in the control unit 23.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus starts the image recording operation after the illuminances of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatuses 7A and 7B are made substantially uniform.
  • the transport mechanism is operated to transport the recording medium along the transport direction.
  • the carriage 4 continues to reciprocate along the scanning direction.
  • ink is ejected from each recording head 5 by directing force toward the recording surface of the recording medium, and the recording surface of the recording medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B.
  • the ultraviolet rays applied to the recording medium are uniform regardless of the position. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording medium has the same time for curing regardless of the landing position, so that the ink can be cured uniformly and a good image can be obtained.
  • the cooling device 14 is used as the die temperature control means, but the die temperature control means is not limited to this.
  • a Peltier module in which a plurality of Peltier elements, which are thermoelectric cooling elements, are electrically connected in series is provided via a heat conduction part made of a material having high thermal conductivity and covering the periphery of the base part 12. May be.
  • the Peltier module is designed to absorb heat from one side of the Peltier element by passing a direct current from the power supply to the Peltier element, and to dissipate the other side. The heating surface may be switched.
  • the heat conduction part abutment surface is a cooling surface on the surface facing the heat conduction part abutment surface that abuts the heat conduction part of the Peltier module
  • the heat absorbed and transmitted from the cooling surface is transferred.
  • a heat sink that dissipates heat may be provided, and a cooling fan that dissipates the radiated heat may also be provided above the heat sink.
  • the power supply unit When the power supply unit is controlled so that a direct current flows through the Peltier element and the cooling fan is driven to rotate, when the temperature of the base unit 12 is low, the heat conduction unit contact surface becomes the heating surface.
  • the power supply may be controlled so that direct current flows through the BERCH device.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light source provided in the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus. Describe the differences from the form.
  • the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 of the present embodiment includes a light source cover 8 provided with a cooling device 14 as a base temperature control means that is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.
  • a plurality of bar-shaped low-pressure mercury lamps 90 are provided inside the light source cover 8, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of bar-shaped low-pressure mercury lamps 90 are provided.
  • Each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is arranged along the conveying direction, and is formed so as to have a length equal to or longer than the longitudinal dimension of the recording head 5.
  • the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 has a structure in which both ends of a rod-like arc tube 110 are formed into a cylindrical base 12, and the base 12 is energized. As a result, the arc tube 110 emits light.
  • Each base part 12 is provided with a temperature sensor 13 as a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the base part 12.
  • an illuminance sensor 21 serving as an illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of ultraviolet rays of each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is disposed in the moving range of the carriage 4 and at the other outer end of the recording area.
  • the illuminance sensor 21 detects the illuminance of each of the low-pressure mercury lamps 90 that it faces.
  • control unit 23 in the present embodiment will be described.
  • the control unit 23 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown).
  • the processing program recorded in the ROM is expanded in the RAM, and the CPU executes the processing program. It has become.
  • a transport mechanism, a carriage 4, a recording head 5, an ultraviolet irradiation device 70, a cooling device 14, and the like are connected to the control unit 23.
  • the control unit 23 is a status such as operating statuses of various connected members. Based on the above, the operation of each component is controlled.
  • the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13 are also connected to the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 is based on the detection results of the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13, and is a low-pressure mercury lamp for the base temperature.
  • Each of the 90 illuminances is generated as an illuminance profile.
  • the control unit 23 is configured to be able to change the illuminance of ultraviolet rays irradiated to the ink ejected to the recording medium and landed on the recording medium.
  • the illuminance is determined by the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90.
  • the average value of the illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is calculated based on the illuminance profile.
  • the illuminance is set as the standard illuminance.
  • the control unit 23 calculates the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 that irradiates the standard illuminance, and controls the cooling device 14 so as to adjust the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 so that the ultraviolet light of the standard illuminance is irradiated. It is like that.
  • the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is turned on and the carriage 4 is operated to reciprocate directly above the recording medium in the scanning direction.
  • the recording head 5 and the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 Is caused to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage 4, and the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 is moved above the illuminance sensor 21.
  • the illuminance sensor 21 detects the illuminance of each when facing the low-pressure mercury lamp 90.
  • the temperature sensor 13 detects the base temperature at the time of detecting illuminance. The detection result is sent to the control unit 23, and each illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 with respect to the base temperature is generated as an illuminance profile.
  • the control unit 23 calculates the reference illuminance based on the generated illuminance profile, and controls the ultraviolet irradiating device 70 so as to irradiate the ultraviolet light having the reference illuminance. That is, the control unit 23 calculates the base temperature for irradiating the ultraviolet rays having the reference illuminance, and adjusts the base temperature of each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 to a predetermined temperature range. Therefore, the control unit 23 controls the rotational speed of the drive motor of the air cooling fan 15 of the cooling device 14 to adjust the base temperature.
  • each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays substantially equal to the reference illuminance.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus starts the image recording operation after the illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is made substantially uniform.
  • the illuminance of the ultraviolet line from the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is substantially equal to the reference illuminance, so that the ultraviolet rays applied to the recording medium are uniform regardless of the position. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording medium has the same time for curing regardless of its landing position, so that the ink can be cured uniformly and a good image can be obtained.
  • the reference illuminance is an average value of the detected illuminance
  • the minimum value of illuminance from each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 may be used as the reference illuminance as in the first embodiment, and the ink is cured. If it is more than the value necessary for the above, it can be changed as appropriate.
  • the force described for controlling the illuminance of the plurality of low-pressure mercury lamps 90 provided in the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 includes a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices 70 provided on the carriage 4. It is a good idea to control the illuminance of all the low-pressure mercury lamps 90 in the UV irradiator 70 in order to ensure uniform UV illuminance.

Abstract

An inkjet recording device is characterized in that the device is provided with a recording head for jetting an ultraviolet curing ink on a recording medium; ultraviolet irradiation equipment having a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp as a light source for irradiating the jetted ink with ultraviolet rays; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a cap part of the light source; a cooling device for controlling the cap temperature; an illuminance sensor for detecting illuminance of the ultraviolet irradiation equipment; and a control section for controlling the cap temperature to have illuminance of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation equipment to be substantially uniform, based on the detection results from the temperature sensor and the illuminance sensor.

Description

明 細 書  Specification
インクジェット記録装置  Inkjet recording device
技術分野  Technical field
[0001] 本発明は、インクジェット記録装置に係り、特に、光を照射することによって硬化す る光硬化型インクを用いて画像の記録を行うインクジェット記録装置に関する。  TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus, and more particularly to an inkjet recording apparatus that records an image using a photocurable ink that is cured by irradiation with light.
背景技術  Background art
[0002] 近年、グラビア印刷方式やフレキソ印刷方式などの製版を必要とする方式に比較し て、簡便にかつ安価に画像を形成することができるという理由から、インクジェット記 録装置が多く用いられるようになってきて 、る。  [0002] In recent years, inkjet recording apparatuses are often used because images can be formed easily and inexpensively compared to methods that require plate making, such as gravure printing methods and flexographic printing methods. It is becoming.
[0003] インクジェット記録装置を用いて商品や商品の包装に画像記録を行う分野では、商 品や商品の包装に、榭脂ゃ金属などのインク吸収性のな 、材料を用いることが多 ヽ 。そして、このようなインク吸収性のない材料を記録媒体として用い、この記録媒体に 対してインクを定着させるために、例えば紫外線等の光を照射することによって硬化 するインクを吐出するノズルが設けられた記録ヘッドと、インクを硬化させる紫外線を 発生する光源が設けられた紫外線照射装置とを有し、ノズルカゝら吐出したインクを記 録媒体に着弾させた後、この記録媒体に紫外線照射装置により紫外線を照射するこ とでインクを硬化させて、画像を形成するインクジェット記録装置が知られている（例 えば、特許文献 1、 2参照)。  [0003] In the field of image recording on products and product packaging using an ink jet recording apparatus, materials that are not ink-absorbing, such as resin, are often used for products and product packaging. In order to fix the ink to the recording medium using such a material having no ink absorbability as a recording medium, a nozzle for discharging ink that is cured by irradiating light such as ultraviolet rays is provided. A recording head and an ultraviolet irradiation device provided with a light source that generates ultraviolet rays for curing the ink. After the ink ejected from the nozzle cover is landed on the recording medium, the ultraviolet irradiation device is applied to the recording medium. 2. Related Art Inkjet recording apparatuses that form an image by curing ink by irradiating ultraviolet rays are known (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0004] ここで、インクが記録媒体に着弾して力 紫外線を照射するまでの時間が長いと、 記録媒体に着弾したインクのドット径が拡大して、にじみや色混じりが生じる等して、 画質が低下する。そこで、インクが記録媒体に着弾してから紫外線を照射するまでの 時間を短縮するため、従来のインクジェット記録装置においては、紫外線照射装置を 記録ヘッドに近接して設けている。このため、光源から発せられた紫外線が記録へッ ドのノズル形成面に到達してノズル形成面に付着しているインクが硬化してしまうこと を防止するため、紫外線照射装置は、光源を覆うカバー部材を備えている。  [0004] Here, if the time until the ink lands on the recording medium and the ultraviolet light is irradiated is long, the dot diameter of the ink that has landed on the recording medium increases, causing blurring or color mixing. The image quality is degraded. Therefore, in order to shorten the time from the ink landing on the recording medium to the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, the conventional inkjet recording apparatus is provided with the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus close to the recording head. For this reason, the ultraviolet irradiation device covers the light source in order to prevent the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source from reaching the nozzle formation surface of the recording head and curing the ink adhering to the nozzle formation surface. A cover member is provided.
[0005] ところで、近年では、低照度の紫外線でも長時間照射することで硬化できるエネル ギー蓄積型のカチオン硬化型のインクが提案されており、このカチオン硬化型インク を硬化させるためには、低圧水銀ランプ、冷陰極管等の低電力'低出力の紫外線光 源を使用することができる。 [0005] By the way, in recent years, an energy storage type cation curable ink that can be cured by irradiating with low-illuminance ultraviolet rays for a long time has been proposed. In order to cure, a low-power, low-output ultraviolet light source such as a low-pressure mercury lamp or a cold cathode tube can be used.
[0006] この低出力タイプの光源を使用する場合、インクの硬化に必要な所定の光量を得る ためには、記録媒体との相対移動方向に複数の光源を配列した紫外線照射装置を 用いたり、記録媒体との相対移動方向に複数の紫外線照射装置を配置させることに より、低照度でも記録媒体に着弾したインクに複数回紫外線を照射させて所定の光 量を得ることが提案されて 、る。  [0006] When using this low output type light source, in order to obtain a predetermined light amount necessary for curing the ink, an ultraviolet irradiation device in which a plurality of light sources are arranged in the relative movement direction with respect to the recording medium, By arranging a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices in the direction of relative movement with the recording medium, it has been proposed to obtain a predetermined amount of light by irradiating the ink landed on the recording medium a plurality of times even at low illuminance. .
特許文献 1：特開 2001— 310454号公報  Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-310454
特許文献 2 :特開 2003— 145725号公報  Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-145725
発明の開示  Disclosure of the invention
発明が解決しょうとする課題  Problems to be solved by the invention
[0007] し力しながら、低出力タイプの光源力もなる複数の紫外線照射装置及び複数の低 出力タイプの光源を備えるインクジェット記録装置において、各紫外線照射装置又は 各光源からの光量にばらつきがある場合、各ドットの硬化に要する時間が場所により 異なるので，一つの印刷物においてドット径が異なる場合が発生してしまい、画質が 低下するおそれがあるという問題があった。  [0007] In an inkjet recording apparatus including a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices and a plurality of low output type light sources that also have low output type light source power, there is a variation in the amount of light from each ultraviolet irradiation device or each light source. In addition, since the time required for curing each dot differs depending on the location, there is a problem that the dot diameter may be different in one printed matter and the image quality may be deteriorated.
[0008] 本発明はこのような事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、複数の紫外線照射装置及び 複数の低出力紫外線光源の光量を均等にして、高画質の画像記録を行うことができ るインクジェット記録装置を提供することを目的とするものである。  [0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an inkjet capable of performing high-quality image recording by making the light amounts of a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices and a plurality of low-output ultraviolet light sources uniform. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus.
課題を解決するための手段  Means for solving the problem
[0009] 上記課題を解決するため本発明は以下の各項の構成を含む。 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes configurations of the following items.
項 1  Term 1
紫外線硬化型インクを記録媒体上に吐出する記録ヘッドと、  A recording head for discharging ultraviolet curable ink onto a recording medium;
吐出された前記インクに紫外線を照射する低圧水銀ランプを光源として備える複数 の紫外線照射装置と、  A plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices including, as a light source, a low-pressure mercury lamp that irradiates the discharged ink with ultraviolet rays;
前記光源の口金部の温度を検出する温度検出手段と、  Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base portion of the light source;
前記口金部の温度を制御する口金温度制御手段と、  A base temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the base part;
前記紫外線照射装置の照度を検出する照度検出手段と、 前記温度検出手段及び前記照度検出手段の検出結果に基づき、複数の前記紫 外線照射装置からの紫外線の照度が略均一になるように前記口金部の温度を制御 する制御部と、を備えることを特徴とするインクジェット記録装置。 Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the ultraviolet irradiation device; And a control unit that controls the temperature of the base part so that the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from the plurality of ultraviolet ray irradiation devices is substantially uniform based on the detection results of the temperature detection unit and the illuminance detection unit. An ink jet recording apparatus.
[0010] 項 1に記載の構成によれば、制御部は、温度検出手段及び照度検出手段の検出 結果に基づき、複数の紫外線照射装置力もの紫外線の照度が略均一になるように各 光源の口金温度を制御することができるので、各紫外線照射装置からの紫外線の照 度を略均一にすることができる。  [0010] According to the configuration described in Item 1, the control unit sets the light source of each light source so that the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays of the plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices is substantially uniform based on the detection results of the temperature detection means and the illuminance detection means. Since the die temperature can be controlled, it is possible to make the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from each ultraviolet irradiation device substantially uniform.
項 2  Term 2
紫外線硬化型インクを記録媒体上に吐出する記録ヘッドと、  A recording head for discharging ultraviolet curable ink onto a recording medium;
吐出された前記インクに紫外線を照射する複数の低圧水銀ランプを光源として備え る紫外線照射装置と、  An ultraviolet irradiation device comprising a plurality of low-pressure mercury lamps that irradiate the discharged ink with ultraviolet rays as light sources;
前記光源の口金部の温度を検出する温度検出手段と、  Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base portion of the light source;
前記口金部の温度を制御する口金温度制御手段と、  A base temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the base part;
前記光源の照度を検出する照度検出手段と、  Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the light source;
前記温度検出手段及び前記照度検出手段の検出照度に基づき、前記口金部の 温度に対する前記光源からの紫外線の照度分布を生成し、生成した前記照度分布 に基づいて、複数の前記光源からの紫外線の照度が略均一になるように前記口金 部の温度を制御する制御部と、を備えることを特徴とするインクジェット記録装置。  Based on the detected illuminance of the temperature detecting means and the illuminance detecting means, an illuminance distribution of ultraviolet rays from the light source with respect to the temperature of the base part is generated, and based on the generated illuminance distribution, the ultraviolet light from a plurality of the light sources is generated. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control a temperature of the base unit so that illuminance is substantially uniform.
[0011] 項 2に記載の構成によれば、口金温度に対する各光源からの紫外線の照度分布に 基づいて、各光源からの紫外線の照度が略均一になるように光源の口金温度を制御 することができるので、各光源力もの紫外線の照度を略均一にすることができる。 項 3 [0011] According to the configuration described in Item 2, the base temperature of the light source is controlled so that the illuminance of the ultraviolet light from each light source is substantially uniform based on the illuminance distribution of the ultraviolet light from each light source with respect to the base temperature. Therefore, it is possible to make the illuminance of ultraviolet rays having almost the same light source power substantially uniform. Item 3
項 1又は 2に記載のインクジェット記録装置において、  In the ink jet recording apparatus according to Item 1 or 2,
前記インクは、一主成分としてカチオン重合性ィ匕合物を含むカチオン重合系のイン クであることを特徴とするインクジェット記録装置。  The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is a cation polymerization type ink including a cation polymerizable compound as a main component.
[0012] 項 3に記載の構成によれば、インクがカチオン重合系のインクであっても、紫外線の 照度が略均一になるよう調整されるため、記録媒体に着弾したインクに対してその着 弾位置に関わらず、紫外線を略均一に照射させることができる。 発明の効果 [0012] According to the configuration described in Item 3, since the illuminance of ultraviolet rays is adjusted to be substantially uniform even when the ink is a cationic polymerization type ink, the ink is applied to the ink that has landed on the recording medium. Irrespective of the bullet position, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated substantially uniformly. The invention's effect
[0013] 項 1に記載の構成によれば、各紫外線照射装置からの紫外線の照度を略均一に することができるので、記録媒体に着弾したインクはその着弾位置に関わらず硬化に 要する時間が略等しくなるため、インクを均等に硬化させることができ、良好な画像を 得ることができる。  [0013] According to the configuration described in item 1, since the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from each ultraviolet irradiation device can be made substantially uniform, the time required for the ink that has landed on the recording medium to be cured is independent of the landing position. Since they are substantially equal, the ink can be cured uniformly and a good image can be obtained.
[0014] 項 2に記載の構成によれば、各光源力 の紫外線の照度を略均一にすることができ るので、記録媒体に着弾したインクはその着弾位置に関わらず硬化に要する時間が 略等しくなるため、インクを均等に硬化させることができ、良好な画像を得ることができ る。  [0014] According to the configuration described in item 2, since the illuminance of ultraviolet rays of each light source power can be made substantially uniform, the time required for the ink that has landed on the recording medium to be cured is short regardless of the landing position. As a result, the ink can be cured uniformly and a good image can be obtained.
[0015] 項 3に記載の構成によれば、インクがカチオン重合系のインクであっても、紫外線の 照度が略均一になるよう調整されるため、記録媒体に着弾したインクに対してその着 弾位置に関わらず、紫外線を略均一に照射させることができる。  [0015] According to the configuration described in Item 3, even if the ink is a cationic polymerization type ink, since the illuminance of ultraviolet rays is adjusted to be substantially uniform, the ink landing on the recording medium is adjusted. Irrespective of the bullet position, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated substantially uniformly.
図面の簡単な説明  Brief Description of Drawings
[0016] [図 1]本発明におけるインクジェット記録装置の一実施形態の要部構成を示す斜視 図である。  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
[図 2]第一の実施形態におけるキャリッジ及び紫外線照射装置を示す斜視図である。  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carriage and an ultraviolet irradiation device in the first embodiment.
[図 3]第一の実施形態における紫外線照射装置の底面図である。  FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the first embodiment.
[図 4]低圧水銀ランプの口金部の温度と照射される紫外線の照度との関係を示す線 図である。  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature of the base of a low-pressure mercury lamp and the illuminance of the irradiated ultraviolet light.
[図 5]第一の実施形態における冷却装置の周辺構造を示す拡大斜視図である。  FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a peripheral structure of the cooling device in the first embodiment.
[図 6]第一の実施形態における回路構成を示すブロック図である。  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the first embodiment.
[図 7]第二の実施形態における紫外線照射装置の斜視図である。  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet irradiation device according to a second embodiment.
符号の説明  Explanation of symbols
[0017] 5 記録ヘッド [0017] 5 recording head
7A、 7B、 70 紫外線照射装置  7A, 7B, 70 UV irradiation equipment
9A、 9B、 90 低圧水銀ランプ  9A, 9B, 90 Low pressure mercury lamp
11、 110 発光管  11, 110 arc tube
12 口金部 13 温度センサ 12 Base part 13 Temperature sensor
14 冷却装置  14 Cooling device
21 照度センサ  21 Illuminance sensor
23 制御部  23 Control unit
発明を実施するための最良の形態  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0018] 以下に、本発明のインクジェットプリンタに係る実施の形態について、図面を参照し て説明する。ただし、発明の範囲を図示例に限定するものではない。  [0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the ink jet printer of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.
(第一の実施形態）  (First embodiment)
図 1は本実施形態に係るインクジヱット記録装置を示したものである。本実施形態に 係るインクジェット記録装置はシリアルヘッド方式のインクジェット記録装置であり、記 録装置本体 1と、記録装置本体 1を支持する支持台 2とを備えている。  FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. The ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment is a serial head type ink jet recording apparatus, and includes a recording apparatus main body 1 and a support base 2 that supports the recording apparatus main body 1.
[0019] 記録装置本体 1の内部には、棒状のガイドレール 3が設けられており、このガイドレ ール 3には、キャリッジ 4が支持されている。このキャリッジ 4は、図示しないキャリッジ 駆動装置によってガイドレール 3に沿って記録媒体の幅方向である走査方向に往復 移動するようになっている。  [0019] Inside the recording apparatus main body 1, a rod-shaped guide rail 3 is provided, and a carriage 4 is supported on the guide rail 3. The carriage 4 is reciprocated in the scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording medium, along the guide rail 3 by a carriage driving device (not shown).
[0020] 図 2に示すように、キャリッジ 4には、所定の色のインクを吐出する記録ヘッド 5が搭 載されている。各記録ヘッド 5は外形が略直方体形状に形成されており、長手方向が 互いに平行となるように配置されて 、る。各記録ヘッド 5の記録媒体に対向する面に は、記録媒体にインクを吐出する複数のノズル（図示略）が搬送方向に沿って設けら れている。また、キャリッジ 4には、インクを貯蔵し記録ヘッド 5にインクを供給する中間 タンク 6が備えられている。記録ヘッド 5はインク供給管 51を介してこの中間タンク 6と 連通されている。  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 4 is equipped with a recording head 5 that ejects ink of a predetermined color. Each of the recording heads 5 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is arranged so that the longitudinal directions thereof are parallel to each other. A plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink onto the recording medium are provided on the surface of each recording head 5 facing the recording medium along the transport direction. The carriage 4 is provided with an intermediate tank 6 for storing ink and supplying ink to the recording head 5. The recording head 5 is communicated with the intermediate tank 6 through an ink supply pipe 51.
[0021] また、キャリッジ 4の記録ヘッド 5の走査方向における両側部には、ノズルから記録 媒体に吐出されたインクに対して紫外線を照射してインクを硬化させる紫外線照射装 置 7A、 7Bが設けられている。紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bには、記録媒体に向力つて 開口している箱型の光源カバー 8が備えられている。光源カバー 8の内部には、紫外 線を放射状に照射する光源として低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bがそれぞれ一つずつ備え られている。 [0022] 図 3に示すように、低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bは、棒状の発光管 11とその両端に取り 付けられた円筒状の口金部 12とから構成されている。発光管 11は、記録ヘッド 5の 長手方向の長さ寸法以上の長さとなるように形成されており、所定位置には複数の 屈曲部 10が設けられている。このような構成の低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bは、口金部 1 2に通電させることにより発光管 11が発光するようになっている。なお、低圧水銀ラン プ 9A、 9Bの発光管 11の形状は図に示したものに限定されず、例えば、屈曲部を 1 箇所だけ設けて発光管を U字状に形成し、発光管の両端部に口金部が取り付けられ る構成のものを用いてもょ 、。 In addition, ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are provided on both sides of the carriage 4 in the scanning direction of the recording head 5 to irradiate the ink discharged from the nozzles onto the recording medium and cure the ink. It has been. Each of the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B is provided with a box-shaped light source cover 8 that opens toward the recording medium. Inside the light source cover 8, one low pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B are provided as light sources for radiating ultraviolet rays radially. As shown in FIG. 3, the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B are composed of a rod-like arc tube 11 and cylindrical cap portions 12 attached to both ends thereof. The arc tube 11 is formed to have a length equal to or longer than the length of the recording head 5 in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of bent portions 10 are provided at predetermined positions. In the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B having such a configuration, the arc tube 11 emits light when the base portion 12 is energized. Note that the shape of the arc tube 11 of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B is not limited to that shown in the figure. For example, the arc tube is formed in a U shape by providing only one bent portion, and both ends of the arc tube are formed. Use a structure that has a base attached to the base.
[0023] また、各低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの口金部 12には温度検出手段としての温度セン サ 13がそれぞれ設置されており、各口金部 12の温度検出を行っている。  [0023] Further, a temperature sensor 13 as a temperature detecting means is installed in the base part 12 of each low-pressure mercury lamp 9A, 9B, and the temperature of each base part 12 is detected.
[0024] ここで、低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bからの紫外線の照度は、口金部 12の温度によって 変化するが、その変化の態様は低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの特性によって異なってい る場合がある。例えば、図 4は口金温度と低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの照度との関係を 示す線図である。この図に示すように、低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bは、その口金温度が 同じでも照射する紫外線の照度は異なっている場合がある。そのため、本実施形態 のような複数の紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bを備えるインクジェット記録装置においては 、紫外線の照度を均一にさせるためには、照射する基準照度を定めて、基準照度の 紫外線を照射するような口金温度に調整されるようになっている。具体的には、基準 照度を Xと定めた場合、紫外線照射装置 7Aに備えられた低圧水銀ランプ 9Aの口金 温度を a°Cに、紫外線照射装置 7Bに備えられた低圧水銀ランプ 9Bの口金温度を b °Cに調整すると、紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bからの照度が略均一になるようになつてい る。  Here, the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B varies depending on the temperature of the base part 12, but the mode of the change may vary depending on the characteristics of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B. For example, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the base temperature and the illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B. As shown in this figure, the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B may have different illuminances of the irradiated ultraviolet rays even if the base temperature is the same. Therefore, in an inkjet recording apparatus including a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B as in the present embodiment, in order to make the illuminance of ultraviolet rays uniform, the reference illuminance to be irradiated is determined and the ultraviolet rays having the reference illuminance are irradiated. The temperature of the base is adjusted. Specifically, when the reference illuminance is set to X, the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 9A provided in the ultraviolet irradiation device 7A is set to a ° C, and the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 9B provided in the ultraviolet irradiation device 7B. By adjusting the temperature to b ° C, the illuminance from the UV irradiation devices 7A and 7B becomes substantially uniform.
[0025] 光源カバー 8の上面（開口側と逆の面）には、口金温度制御手段としての空冷式の 冷却装置 14が設けられている。この冷却装置 14は、空冷ファン 15と、図示しない空 冷ファンの 15の駆動モータと、空冷ファン 15を格納する筐体 16とを備えている。図 5 に示すように、光源カバー 8の一面にはスリット状の外気取込口 17が低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの口金部 12に対向するように設けられている。よって、外気取込口 17から取 り込まれた外気が各口金部 12に速やかに当たり、口金部 12が良好に冷却可能とな つている。一方、筐体 16には記録媒体に対向しない方向に開口された排気口 18が 設けられている。よって、排気口 18は、光源カバー 8の内部力もの排気が記録媒体 側に吹き出されることがなぐ画像形成にお!、て影響を及ぼさな ヽようになって!/ヽる。 つまり、空冷ファン 15の回転駆動により外気取込口 17から光源カバー 8内に外気が 取り込まれ、光源カバー 8と筐体 16の内部を通じて排気口 18から排気されるようにな つている。 [0025] On the upper surface of the light source cover 8 (the surface opposite to the opening side), an air cooling type cooling device 14 is provided as a base temperature control means. The cooling device 14 includes an air cooling fan 15, a drive motor for the air cooling fan 15 (not shown), and a housing 16 for storing the air cooling fan 15. As shown in FIG. 5, a slit-like outside air intake port 17 is provided on one surface of the light source cover 8 so as to face the base portions 12 of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B. Therefore, the outside air taken in from the outside air intake port 17 immediately hits each of the base parts 12, and the base part 12 can be cooled well. It is. On the other hand, the casing 16 is provided with an exhaust port 18 opened in a direction not facing the recording medium. Therefore, the exhaust port 18 has no influence on the image formation in which the exhaust of the internal force of the light source cover 8 is not blown out to the recording medium side! That is, the outside air is taken into the light source cover 8 from the outside air intake port 17 by the rotational drive of the air cooling fan 15 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 18 through the inside of the light source cover 8 and the housing 16.
[0026] キャリッジ 4の移動可能範囲の一領域は、記録媒体に記録を行う記録領域とされて いる。この記録領域のキャリッジ 4の下方には、平板状の部材で構成され記録媒体を 被記録面力も支持するプラテン 19が配設されている。プラテン 19の上流又は下流に は、記録媒体を搬送方向に搬送させるための図示しない搬送機構が設けられている 。搬送機構には、例えば、図示しない搬送モータ及び搬送ローラなどが備えられてお り、搬送モータの駆動により搬送ローラを回転させることで記録媒体を搬送方向に搬 送するようになっている。また、搬送機構は、画像記録時において、キャリッジ 4の動 作に合わせて、記録媒体の搬送と停止とを繰り返し、記録媒体を間欠的に搬送する ようになっている。  [0026] One area of the movable range of the carriage 4 is a recording area for recording on a recording medium. Below the carriage 4 in the recording area, a platen 19 made of a flat plate-like member that supports the recording surface force of the recording medium is disposed. A transport mechanism (not shown) for transporting the recording medium in the transport direction is provided upstream or downstream of the platen 19. The transport mechanism is provided with, for example, a transport motor and a transport roller (not shown). The recording medium is transported in the transport direction by rotating the transport roller by driving the transport motor. Further, the conveyance mechanism repeats conveyance and stop of the recording medium in accordance with the operation of the carriage 4 during image recording, and conveys the recording medium intermittently.
[0027] キャリッジ 4の移動範囲であって記録領域の外側一端には、記録ヘッド 5の中間タン ク 6にインクを供給するインクタンク 20が設けられている。インクタンク 20は、図示しな V、インク供給路によって中間タンク 6と連通されて 、る。  An ink tank 20 that supplies ink to the intermediate tank 6 of the recording head 5 is provided at one end outside the recording area in the movement range of the carriage 4. The ink tank 20 is communicated with the intermediate tank 6 by an ink supply path V, not shown.
[0028] また、キャリッジ 4の移動範囲であって記録領域の外側他端には、紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bのそれぞれの紫外線の照度を検出する照度検出手段としての照度センサ 2 1が配設されている。さらに、照度センサ 21の側部には、記録ヘッド 5のメンテナンス 作業を行うメンテナンスユニット 22が配設されている。  [0028] In addition, an illuminance sensor 21 as illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B is disposed at the other outer end of the recording area in the movement range of the carriage 4. ing. Further, a maintenance unit 22 that performs maintenance work of the recording head 5 is disposed on the side of the illuminance sensor 21.
[0029] 次に、図 6を参照しつつ本実施形態における制御部 23について説明する。制御部 23は、 CPU, ROM, RAM (いずれも図示せず）からなり、 ROMに記録された処理 プログラムを RAMに展開して CPUによりこの処理プログラムを実行するようになって いる。  Next, the control unit 23 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 23 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown), and the processing program recorded in the ROM is expanded in the RAM and the processing program is executed by the CPU.
[0030] 制御部 23には搬送機構、キャリッジ 4、記録ヘッド 5、紫外線照射装置 7A、 7B及び 冷却装置 14等が接続されており、制御部 23は、接続されている各種部材の動作状 況等のステータスに基づいて、各構成の動作を制御するようになっている。また、本 実施形態においては、照度センサ 21及び温度センサ 13も制御部 23に接続されて おり、制御部 23が、照度センサ 21及び温度センサ 13の検出結果に基づき、紫外線 照射装置 7A、 7Bの照度と低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの口金温度との関係を RAMなど に記憶するようになって 、る。 [0030] A transport mechanism, a carriage 4, a recording head 5, an ultraviolet irradiation device 7A, 7B, a cooling device 14, and the like are connected to the control unit 23. The control unit 23 is an operation state of various connected members. The operation of each component is controlled based on the status. In the present embodiment, the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13 are also connected to the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 determines whether the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are based on the detection results of the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13. The relationship between the illuminance and the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B is stored in RAM.
[0031] そして、制御部 23は、記憶手段に基づいて、記録媒体に対して吐出され記録媒体 に着弾したインクに照射される紫外線の照度を変更可能に構成されている。ここで、 照度は、低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの口金温度により決定されるものである力 本実施 形態においては紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bにそれぞれ冷却装置 14が設けられている ので、制御部 23は冷却装置 14を制御することで口金温度を調整するようになってい る。 The control unit 23 is configured to be able to change the illuminance of ultraviolet rays applied to the ink ejected to the recording medium and landed on the recording medium, based on the storage means. Here, the illuminance is a force determined by the base temperatures of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B. In the present embodiment, since the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are provided with the cooling devices 14, respectively, the control unit 23 The base temperature is adjusted by controlling the cooling device 14.
[0032] ここで、本実施形態に用いられるインクについて説明する。インクを硬化させる際、 インクに含まれる重合性ィ匕合物を重合反応させる力 本実施形態においては、インク に重合性ィ匕合物として活性ィ匕エネルギー線硬化性ィ匕合物を含んでおり、重合反応 を開始させる活性ィ匕エネルギーとして紫外線を使用した紫外線硬化性インクである。  Here, the ink used in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when the ink is cured, the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable compound contained in the ink In the present embodiment, the ink contains an active energy ray-curable compound as the polymerizable compound. It is an ultraviolet curable ink that uses ultraviolet rays as the active energy for initiating the polymerization reaction.
[0033] 重合性ィ匕合物を含む紫外線硬化性インクとしては、ラジカル重合性ィ匕合物を含む ラジカル硬化性インクとカチオン重合性ィ匕合物を含むカチオン硬化性インクとに大別 され、どちらのインクも本実施形態に用いられるインクとして適用可能である。しかし、 カチオン硬化性インクの方力 酸素による重合阻害を受けることが少ない又は無いの で、紫外線に対する感度が高ぐまた、活性種である酸が光エネルギーを蓄積する性 質を有して 、るため、機能性 ·汎用性に優れて 、る。  [0033] The ultraviolet curable ink containing a polymerizable compound is roughly classified into a radical curable ink containing a radical polymerizable compound and a cation curable ink containing a cationic polymerizable compound. Both inks are applicable as inks used in the present embodiment. However, the cationic curable ink has little or no polymerization inhibition due to oxygen, so it has high sensitivity to ultraviolet rays, and the active species acid has the property of accumulating light energy. Therefore, it has excellent functionality and versatility.
[0034] 次に、本実施形態の作用について説明する。  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0035] まず、低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bを点灯させ、キャリッジ 4を作動させて記録媒体の直 上を走査方向に沿って往復移動させる。そして、記録ヘッド 5及び紫外線照射装置 7 A、 7Bをキャリッジ 4の往復移動に追従させ、紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bには照度セン サ 21の上方を移動させる。照度センサ 21には、低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bに対向させ た際にそれぞれの照度を検出させる。一方、温度センサ 13には照度検出時のそれ ぞれの口金温度を検出させる。検出結果を制御部 23に送らせて、紫外線照射装置 7 A、 7Bの照度と低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの口金温度との関係を記憶させる。 [0035] First, the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B are turned on, and the carriage 4 is operated to reciprocate directly above the recording medium along the scanning direction. Then, the recording head 5 and the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are caused to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage 4, and the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B are moved above the illuminance sensor 21. The illuminance sensor 21 detects each illuminance when it is opposed to the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B. On the other hand, the temperature sensor 13 is made to detect the temperature of each cap at the time of detecting illuminance. The detection result is sent to the control unit 23, and the ultraviolet irradiation device 7 The relationship between the illuminance of A and 7B and the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B is stored.
[0036] 制御部 23は、検出された照度の平均値を基準照度として算出し、基準照度の紫外 線を照射させるように紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bを制御する。つまり、制御部 23は、基 準照度の紫外線を照射させる口金温度をそれぞれ算出し、低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9B の口金温度を所定の温度範囲に調整させる。そのため、制御部 23は、冷却装置 14 の空冷ファン 15の駆動モータの回転速度を制御して、口金温度を調整させる。具体 的には、基準照度を照射させるには口金温度が高すぎる場合には駆動モータの回 転数を増加させ、検出温度が低下して所定の温度範囲内となるまで回転数の増加状 態を継続させる制御を行う。また、口金温度が低すぎる場合には駆動モータの回転 数を減少させ、検出温度が上昇して所定の温度範囲内となるまで回転数の減少状態 を継続させる制御を行う。  [0036] The control unit 23 calculates the average value of the detected illuminance as the reference illuminance, and controls the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B to irradiate the ultraviolet rays with the reference illuminance. That is, the control unit 23 calculates the base temperatures for irradiating the ultraviolet rays having the standard illuminance, and adjusts the base temperatures of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B to a predetermined temperature range. Therefore, the control unit 23 controls the rotational speed of the drive motor of the air cooling fan 15 of the cooling device 14 to adjust the base temperature. Specifically, if the base temperature is too high to irradiate the reference illuminance, the number of rotations of the drive motor is increased, and the number of rotations increases until the detected temperature falls within a predetermined temperature range. Control to continue. If the die temperature is too low, the rotational speed of the drive motor is decreased, and control is performed to keep the rotational speed decreasing until the detected temperature rises and falls within a predetermined temperature range.
[0037] ここで、制御部 23は各低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bごとに口金温度の調整を行わせる ので、紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bからは基準照度と略同等の紫外線が照射される。  Here, since the control unit 23 adjusts the base temperature for each of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B, the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B irradiate ultraviolet rays substantially equal to the reference illuminance.
[0038] なお、基準照度は検出された照度の平均値とした力 各低圧水銀ランプ 9A、 9Bの 最小値を基準照度としてもよぐインクが硬化するのに必要な値以上であればよい。 また、基準照度は、予め設定されるものであって操作者によるパネル操作等により適 宜変更可能であり、その設定された規定照度は制御部 23に格納される。  It should be noted that the reference illuminance may be an average value of the detected illuminances, and the minimum value of each of the low-pressure mercury lamps 9A and 9B may be a reference illuminance or more than a value necessary for ink curing. The reference illuminance is set in advance and can be appropriately changed by a panel operation or the like by the operator. The set specified illuminance is stored in the control unit 23.
[0039] このようにして、インクジェット記録装置は、紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bの照度を略均 一にさせてから、画像記録動作を開始させる。画像記録動作を開始させると、搬送機 構を作動させ、記録媒体を搬送方向に沿って搬送させる。キャリッジ 4には走査方向 に沿って往復移動を続けさせる。  Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus starts the image recording operation after the illuminances of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatuses 7A and 7B are made substantially uniform. When the image recording operation is started, the transport mechanism is operated to transport the recording medium along the transport direction. The carriage 4 continues to reciprocate along the scanning direction.
[0040] そして、各記録ヘッド 5に記録媒体の記録面に向力つてインクを吐出させるとともに 、紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bから記録媒体の記録面に紫外線を照射させる。この際、 紫外線照射装置 7A、 7Bからの紫外線の照度は基準照度と略同等であるので、記録 媒体に照射される紫外線はその位置に関わらず均一となる。よって、記録媒体に着 弾したインクはその着弾位置に関わらず硬化に要する時間が等しくなるため、インク を均等に硬化させることができ、良好な画像を得ることができる。  [0040] Then, ink is ejected from each recording head 5 by directing force toward the recording surface of the recording medium, and the recording surface of the recording medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B. At this time, since the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation devices 7A and 7B is substantially equal to the reference illuminance, the ultraviolet rays applied to the recording medium are uniform regardless of the position. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording medium has the same time for curing regardless of the landing position, so that the ink can be cured uniformly and a good image can be obtained.
[0041] このような走査を繰り返させ、無数のドットからなる所望の画像が記録媒体に良好に 順次記録される。 [0041] By repeating such scanning, a desired image consisting of innumerable dots is satisfactorily applied to the recording medium. Recorded sequentially.
[0042] なお、本実施形態においては、口金温度制御手段として、冷却装置 14を用いるよう にしたが、口金温度制御手段はこれに限定されるものではない。例えば、複数の熱 電冷却素子であるペルチェ素子を電気的に直列に接続したペルチェモジュールを、 熱伝導率の高 、材質から成り口金部 12の周囲を覆う熱伝導部を介して設けるように してもよい。ペルチェモジュールは、電源部よりペルチェ素子に直流電流を流すこと により、ペルチェ素子の一面から吸熱し他面力 放熱するようになっており、ペルチェ 素子に流す電流の向きを変えることにより、冷却面と加熱面とを切変えることができる ようにしてもよい。さらに、ペルチェモジュールの熱伝導部と当接する熱伝導部当接 面と対向する面に、熱伝導部当接面が冷却面となっている際に、冷却面から吸収さ れ伝達された熱を放熱するヒートシンクを設け、ヒートシンクの上部には、ヒートシンク 力も放射された熱を発散させる冷却ファンを設けるようにしてもよい。そして、口金部 1 2の温度が、所定の温度になるように、口金部 12の温度が高い場合には、制御部 23 により、ペルチェモジュールの熱伝導部当接面が冷却面となる方向で、ペルチェ素 子に直流電流を流すように電源部を制御するとともに、冷却ファンを回転駆動させ、 口金部 12の温度が低い場合には、熱伝導部当接面が加熱面となる方向で、ベルチ 素子に直流電流を流すように電源部を制御してもよ ヽ。  In the present embodiment, the cooling device 14 is used as the die temperature control means, but the die temperature control means is not limited to this. For example, a Peltier module in which a plurality of Peltier elements, which are thermoelectric cooling elements, are electrically connected in series is provided via a heat conduction part made of a material having high thermal conductivity and covering the periphery of the base part 12. May be. The Peltier module is designed to absorb heat from one side of the Peltier element by passing a direct current from the power supply to the Peltier element, and to dissipate the other side. The heating surface may be switched. Furthermore, when the heat conduction part abutment surface is a cooling surface on the surface facing the heat conduction part abutment surface that abuts the heat conduction part of the Peltier module, the heat absorbed and transmitted from the cooling surface is transferred. A heat sink that dissipates heat may be provided, and a cooling fan that dissipates the radiated heat may also be provided above the heat sink. When the temperature of the base part 12 is high so that the temperature of the base part 12 becomes a predetermined temperature, the control part 23 causes the heat conduction part contact surface of the Peltier module to become a cooling surface. When the power supply unit is controlled so that a direct current flows through the Peltier element and the cooling fan is driven to rotate, when the temperature of the base unit 12 is low, the heat conduction unit contact surface becomes the heating surface. The power supply may be controlled so that direct current flows through the BERCH device.
(第二の実施形態）  (Second embodiment)
次に、本発明の第二の実施形態について図 7を参照して説明する。  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043] ここで、第二の実施形態におけるインクジェット記録装置は、紫外線照射装置に備 えられた光源の構成を第一の実施形態とは異なるものとしたものであり、以下、第一 の実施形態と異なる点にっ ヽて記載する。  Here, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light source provided in the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus. Describe the differences from the form.
[0044] 本実施形態の紫外線照射装置 70は、第一の実施形態と略同様の口金温度制御 手段としての冷却装置 14が設けられた光源カバー 8を備えて ヽる。光源カバー 8の 内部には、図 7に示すように、棒状の複数の低圧水銀ランプ 90が備えられている。各 低圧水銀ランプ 90は搬送方向に沿って配置されており、記録ヘッド 5の長手方向の 長さ寸法以上の長さとなるように形成されて 、る。低圧水銀ランプ 90は棒状の発光 管 110の両端部が円筒形状の口金部 12となる構成をとつており、口金部 12に通電さ せることにより発光管 110が発光するようになっている。各口金部 12には温度検出手 段としての温度センサ 13が設置されており、口金部 12の温度検出を行って 、る。 The ultraviolet irradiation device 70 of the present embodiment includes a light source cover 8 provided with a cooling device 14 as a base temperature control means that is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. Inside the light source cover 8, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of bar-shaped low-pressure mercury lamps 90 are provided. Each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is arranged along the conveying direction, and is formed so as to have a length equal to or longer than the longitudinal dimension of the recording head 5. The low-pressure mercury lamp 90 has a structure in which both ends of a rod-like arc tube 110 are formed into a cylindrical base 12, and the base 12 is energized. As a result, the arc tube 110 emits light. Each base part 12 is provided with a temperature sensor 13 as a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the base part 12.
[0045] また、キャリッジ 4の移動範囲であって記録領域の外側他端には、各低圧水銀ラン プ 90の紫外線の照度を検知する照度検出手段としての照度センサ 21が配設されて いる。紫外線照射装置 70が照度センサ 21の直上を通過する際、照度センサ 21は対 向する低圧水銀ランプ 90のそれぞれの照度を検出するようになって 、る。  In addition, an illuminance sensor 21 serving as an illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of ultraviolet rays of each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is disposed in the moving range of the carriage 4 and at the other outer end of the recording area. When the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 passes immediately above the illuminance sensor 21, the illuminance sensor 21 detects the illuminance of each of the low-pressure mercury lamps 90 that it faces.
[0046] 次に、本実施形態における制御部 23について説明する。制御部 23は、第一の実 施形態同様、 CPU, ROM, RAM (いずれも図示せず）からなり、 ROMに記録され た処理プログラムを RAMに展開して CPUによりこの処理プログラムを実行するように なっている。  [0046] Next, the control unit 23 in the present embodiment will be described. As in the first embodiment, the control unit 23 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown). The processing program recorded in the ROM is expanded in the RAM, and the CPU executes the processing program. It has become.
[0047] 制御部 23には搬送機構、キャリッジ 4、記録ヘッド 5、紫外線照射装置 70及び冷却 装置 14等が接続されており、制御部 23は、接続されている各種部材の動作状況等 のステータスに基づいて、各構成の動作を制御するようになっている。本実施形態に おいては、照度センサ 21及び温度センサ 13も制御部 23に接続されており、制御部 23が、照度センサ 21及び温度センサ 13の検出結果に基づき、口金温度に対する低 圧水銀ランプ 90のそれぞれの照度を照度プロファイルとして生成するようになって ヽ る。  [0047] A transport mechanism, a carriage 4, a recording head 5, an ultraviolet irradiation device 70, a cooling device 14, and the like are connected to the control unit 23. The control unit 23 is a status such as operating statuses of various connected members. Based on the above, the operation of each component is controlled. In the present embodiment, the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13 are also connected to the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 is based on the detection results of the illuminance sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 13, and is a low-pressure mercury lamp for the base temperature. Each of the 90 illuminances is generated as an illuminance profile.
[0048] そして、制御部 23は、生成した照度プロファイルに基づ 、て、記録媒体に対して吐 出され記録媒体に着弾したインクに照射される紫外線の照度を変更可能に構成され ている。ここで、照度は、低圧水銀ランプ 90の口金温度により決定されるものである 力 本実施形態にぉ 、ては照度プロファイルに基づ 、て低圧水銀ランプ 90の照度 の平均値を算出させ、その照度を基準照度とするようになつている。制御部 23は、基 準照度を照射する低圧水銀ランプ 90の口金温度を算出し、基準照度の紫外線を照 射させるように低圧水銀ランプ 90の口金温度を調整させるように冷却装置 14を制御 するようになっている。  [0048] Based on the generated illuminance profile, the control unit 23 is configured to be able to change the illuminance of ultraviolet rays irradiated to the ink ejected to the recording medium and landed on the recording medium. Here, the illuminance is determined by the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90. According to the present embodiment, the average value of the illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is calculated based on the illuminance profile. The illuminance is set as the standard illuminance. The control unit 23 calculates the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 that irradiates the standard illuminance, and controls the cooling device 14 so as to adjust the base temperature of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 so that the ultraviolet light of the standard illuminance is irradiated. It is like that.
[0049] 次に、本実施形態の作用につ!/、て説明する。  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0050] まず、低圧水銀ランプ 90を点灯させ、キャリッジ 4を作動させて記録媒体の直上を 走査方向に向かって往復移動させる。そして、記録ヘッド 5及び紫外線照射装置 70 をキャリッジ 4の往復移動に追従させ、紫外線照射装置 70には照度センサ 21の上方 を移動させる。照度センサ 21には、低圧水銀ランプ 90に対向させた際にそれぞれの 照度を検出させる。一方、温度センサ 13には照度検出時の口金温度を検出させる。 検出結果を制御部 23に送らせて、口金温度に対する低圧水銀ランプ 90のそれぞれ の照度を照度プロファイルとして生成させる。制御部 23は、生成された照度プロファ ィルに基づいて、基準照度を算出し、基準照度の紫外線を照射させるように紫外線 照射装置 70を制御する。つまり、制御部 23は、基準照度の紫外線を照射させる口金 温度をそれぞれ算出し、各低圧水銀ランプ 90の口金温度を所定の温度範囲に調整 させる。そのため、制御部 23は、冷却装置 14の空冷ファン 15の駆動モータの回転 速度を制御して、口金温度を調整させる。 [0050] First, the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is turned on and the carriage 4 is operated to reciprocate directly above the recording medium in the scanning direction. The recording head 5 and the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 Is caused to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage 4, and the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 is moved above the illuminance sensor 21. The illuminance sensor 21 detects the illuminance of each when facing the low-pressure mercury lamp 90. On the other hand, the temperature sensor 13 detects the base temperature at the time of detecting illuminance. The detection result is sent to the control unit 23, and each illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 with respect to the base temperature is generated as an illuminance profile. The control unit 23 calculates the reference illuminance based on the generated illuminance profile, and controls the ultraviolet irradiating device 70 so as to irradiate the ultraviolet light having the reference illuminance. That is, the control unit 23 calculates the base temperature for irradiating the ultraviolet rays having the reference illuminance, and adjusts the base temperature of each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 to a predetermined temperature range. Therefore, the control unit 23 controls the rotational speed of the drive motor of the air cooling fan 15 of the cooling device 14 to adjust the base temperature.
[0051] ここで、制御部 23は各低圧水銀ランプ 90ごとに口金温度の調整を行わせるので、 各低圧水銀ランプ 90からは基準照度と略同等の紫外線が照射される。  Here, since the control unit 23 adjusts the base temperature for each low-pressure mercury lamp 90, each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays substantially equal to the reference illuminance.
[0052] このようにして、インクジェット記録装置は、低圧水銀ランプ 90の照度を略均一にさ れてから、画像記録動作を開始させる。画像記録の際、低圧水銀ランプ 90からの紫 外線の照度は基準照度と略同等であるので、記録媒体に照射される紫外線はその 位置に関わらず均一となる。よって、記録媒体に着弾したインクはその着弾位置に関 わらず硬化に要する時間が等しくなるため、インクを均等に硬化させることができ、良 好な画像を得ることができる。  In this manner, the ink jet recording apparatus starts the image recording operation after the illuminance of the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is made substantially uniform. At the time of image recording, the illuminance of the ultraviolet line from the low-pressure mercury lamp 90 is substantially equal to the reference illuminance, so that the ultraviolet rays applied to the recording medium are uniform regardless of the position. Therefore, the ink that has landed on the recording medium has the same time for curing regardless of its landing position, so that the ink can be cured uniformly and a good image can be obtained.
[0053] このような走査を繰り返させ、無数のドットからなる所望の画像が記録媒体に良好に 順次記録される。  [0053] By repeating such scanning, a desired image made up of innumerable dots is recorded sequentially and satisfactorily on a recording medium.
[0054] なお、基準照度は検出された照度の平均値としたが、第一の実施形態と同様に、 各低圧水銀ランプ 90から照度の最小値を基準照度としてもよく、インクが硬化するの に必要な値以上であれば、適宜変更可能である。  Although the reference illuminance is an average value of the detected illuminance, the minimum value of illuminance from each low-pressure mercury lamp 90 may be used as the reference illuminance as in the first embodiment, and the ink is cured. If it is more than the value necessary for the above, it can be changed as appropriate.
[0055] なお、本実施形態においては、紫外線照射装置 70に備えられた複数の低圧水銀 ランプ 90の照度の制御について述べた力 キャリッジ 4に複数の紫外線照射装置 70 が設けられているときには、複数の紫外線照射装置 70に備えられた全ての低圧水銀 ランプ 90の照度を制御し、紫外線の照度の均一性をより確実なものにするものとして ちょい。  In the present embodiment, the force described for controlling the illuminance of the plurality of low-pressure mercury lamps 90 provided in the ultraviolet irradiation device 70 includes a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices 70 provided on the carriage 4. It is a good idea to control the illuminance of all the low-pressure mercury lamps 90 in the UV irradiator 70 in order to ensure uniform UV illuminance.

Claims

請求の範囲 The scope of the claims
[1] 紫外線硬化型インクを記録媒体上に吐出する記録ヘッドと、  [1] a recording head for discharging ultraviolet curable ink onto a recording medium;
吐出された前記インクに紫外線を照射する低圧水銀ランプを光源として備える複数 の紫外線照射装置と、  A plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices including, as a light source, a low-pressure mercury lamp that irradiates the discharged ink with ultraviolet rays;
前記光源の口金部の温度を検出する温度検出手段と、  Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base portion of the light source;
前記口金部の温度を制御する口金温度制御手段と、  A base temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the base part;
前記紫外線照射装置の照度を検出する照度検出手段と、  Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the ultraviolet irradiation device;
前記温度検出手段及び前記照度検出手段の検出結果に基づき、複数の前記紫 外線照射装置からの紫外線の照度が略均一になるように前記口金部の温度を制御 する制御部と、を備えることを特徴とするインクジェット記録装置。  A control unit that controls the temperature of the base part so that the illuminance of ultraviolet rays from the plurality of ultraviolet ray irradiation devices is substantially uniform based on the detection results of the temperature detection unit and the illuminance detection unit. An ink jet recording apparatus.
[2] 紫外線硬化型インクを記録媒体上に吐出する記録ヘッドと、  [2] a recording head for discharging ultraviolet curable ink onto a recording medium;
吐出された前記インクに紫外線を照射する複数の低圧水銀ランプを光源として備え る紫外線照射装置と、  An ultraviolet irradiation device comprising a plurality of low-pressure mercury lamps that irradiate the discharged ink with ultraviolet rays as light sources;
前記光源の口金部の温度を検出する温度検出手段と、  Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base portion of the light source;
前記口金部の温度を制御する口金温度制御手段と、  A base temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the base part;
前記光源の照度を検出する照度検出手段と、  Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the light source;
前記温度検出手段及び前記照度検出手段の検出照度に基づき、前記口金部の 温度に対する前記光源からの紫外線の照度分布を生成し、生成した前記照度分布 に基づいて、複数の前記光源からの紫外線の照度が略均一になるように前記口金 部の温度を制御する制御部と、を備えることを特徴とするインクジェット記録装置。  Based on the detected illuminance of the temperature detecting means and the illuminance detecting means, an illuminance distribution of ultraviolet rays from the light source with respect to the temperature of the base part is generated, and based on the generated illuminance distributions, ultraviolet rays from a plurality of the light sources are generated. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control a temperature of the base unit so that illuminance is substantially uniform.
[3] 前記インクは、一主成分としてカチオン重合性ィ匕合物を含むカチオン重合系のイン クであることを特徴とする請求の範囲第 1項又は第 2項に記載のインクジヱット記録装 置。 [3] The ink jet recording apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the ink is a cation polymerization type ink containing a cation polymerizable compound as a main component. .
PCT/JP2005/020908 2004-11-22 2005-11-15 Inkjet recording device WO2006054533A1 (en)

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