JP5430173B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium.

  Recording apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles are configured to record an image composed of a dot pattern on a recording medium such as paper or a plastic thin plate based on image information. Such a recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, and the like according to a recording method. Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) is configured to perform recording by ejecting ink (recording liquid) droplets from the ejection port of the recording head and attaching them to a recording medium. In recent years, many recording apparatuses have been used, and these recording apparatuses are required to have high-speed recording, high resolution, high image quality, low noise, and the like. As a recording apparatus that meets such a requirement, the above-described ink jet recording apparatus can be exemplified. In this ink jet recording apparatus, non-contact recording in which ink is ejected from a recording head is possible, so that images can be stably recorded on a wide range of recording media.

  Such medium inkjet recording apparatuses are widely used not only for home use but also for business and business use, and further speeding up of recording is desired. Generally, a color ink jet recording apparatus records a color image using three color inks of cyan, magenta, and yellow, or four color inks obtained by adding black to these inks. Many color ink jet recording apparatuses perform recording using ink made of an aqueous liquid. Therefore, when continuous recording or double-side recording is performed, a fixing time for drying the ink is required.

  8A and 8B are diagrams showing the results of recording with a conventional recording apparatus. FIG. 8A shows the results of recording without smear control, and FIG. ) Is the result of recording with smear control. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the time required for recording in a pie chart. The inventor compares the case where the single-sided recording of the image having the density at which smear occurs as shown in FIG. 8B and the case of single-sided recording of the image at which the smear does not occur shown in FIG. went. Comparing the time for continuous recording of 10 sheets in each case, as can be seen from FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the smear control is nearly twice as long as the smear prevention weight enters during recording. It can be seen that it takes a long recording time.

  Further, when comparing the recording time of the case of 10-sided recording of 10 sheets in FIG. 8A and the case of double-sided recording, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the case of double-sided recording is better. It becomes longer by the double-sided weight and the reversing operation, and is about four times as long.

  That is, it can be seen that the fixing time such as the smear weight or the double-sided weight hinders the speeding up of recording.

  As a conventional means for solving this problem, a means for drying a recording surface of a recording medium using a drying means is known. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, there is a method in which the recording surface side of a recording medium is forcibly dried using non-contact ink drying means using means such as warm air. In addition, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, there is also one that performs forced drying using a contact-type ink drying means.

JP-A-10-138526 JP 2005-169869 A JP-A-10-230589

  However, such drying means have advantages and disadvantages. In the non-contact type drying means using warm air or the like in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 3, heat is exchanged through air having low thermal conductivity, so a high-temperature heat source is required to raise the temperature in a short time. Become. However, power consumption increases when the heat source is heated to a high temperature.

  In addition, it is conceivable that the user mistakenly puts a hand in the high temperature part of the recording apparatus, so that care must be taken in handling. Moreover, the apparatus itself becomes a large-scale structure for taking the safety measures. This is the same in Patent Document 1 and is a system in which a recording medium is wound around a drum, so that the configuration of the main body is greatly complicated.

  In order to reduce the power consumption, it is necessary to lower the temperature of the heat source. In this case, however, the time required for drying becomes longer, which may cause the cockling of the recording medium to grow. Similarly, Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which the time from recording to drying and fixing becomes long. When plain paper is used, cockling may grow over time.

  Therefore, it is considered that drying / fixing is preferably performed using a contact-type drying means while performing intermittent recording to suppress cockling. However, the present inventor has discovered that color irregularity and cockling occur when contact-type thermocompression bonding is performed while performing intermittent recording.

  This is because the recording medium is stopped during recording, and heat is applied to the recording medium for a long time. When transporting, the heat is applied only for a short time, so cockling occurs. End up. In addition, if the conveyance amounts of the fixing roller and the recording medium conveying means are not synchronized, the recording medium will sag and pull, and the conveyance accuracy becomes important. Therefore, it is very difficult to dry and fix with a contact-type ink drying means while performing intermittent recording.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method capable of suppressing the occurrence of uneven color and cockling with a simple configuration without increasing power consumption.

Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention performs ink jet recording in which ink is ejected from the recording head to the recording medium while scanning the recording head in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the intermittently conveyed recording medium. The apparatus includes a heating roller that performs a fixing process for drying and fixing the ejected ink by heating the recording medium on which the recording has been performed, and the heating roller is in a conveyance direction during recording. is provided on the upstream side of the recording head Te, when performing the fixing process while said recording medium on which recording is performed by the recording head is above the conveying direction is conveyed in the opposite direction, the heating are those passing through the rollers is and discharged, spacing in the conveying path of the recording medium and the heating roller and the recording head, the top of the recording medium Characterized in that less than the length.

  According to the present invention, an ink jet recording apparatus heats a recording medium on which recording has been performed, a heating roller that performs a fixing process on the ejected ink, and a recording medium that performs the fixing process on the heating roller. Conveying means for conveying in a direction opposite to the conveying direction during recording is provided. Further, the distance in the recording medium conveyance path between the recording head and the heating roller is made shorter than the maximum length of the recording medium. As a result, an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method capable of suppressing the occurrence of uneven color and cockling with a simple configuration without increasing power consumption can be realized.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an overall configuration of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing the overall configuration of the recording apparatus as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a driving unit that drives the entire recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording head and its periphery in the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording head and its periphery in a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a recording process with thermal fixing when taking measures against rubbing during single-sided recording according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process with thermal fixing when taking measures against rubbing during double-sided recording according to the second embodiment. (A), (b) is the figure which showed the result of having recorded on the conventional recording device. (A), (b) is the figure which showed the time required for recording with the pie chart. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device that realizes a SURF fixing method.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Basic configuration)
First, the basic configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing the overall configuration of the recording apparatus as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. The chassis 10 supports the structure of the recording unit main body 1, and the recording head 11 performs recording by ejecting ink onto the recording medium. The ink tank 12 stores ink to be supplied to the recording head, and the carriage 13 holds the recording head 11 and the ink tank 12 and scans in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The guide shaft 14 supports the carriage 13, and the guide rail 15 supports the carriage 13 in parallel with the guide shaft 14. The carriage belt 16 is a belt for driving the carriage 13 and is driven by a carriage motor 17 via a pulley. The code strip 18 detects the position of the carriage 13. The idler pulley 20 stretches the carriage belt 16 facing the pulley of the carriage motor 17. The roller 21 is a paper feed roller that intermittently conveys the recording medium, and the pinch roller 22 is pressed by the paper feed roller 21 and driven. The pinch roller holder 23 holds the pinch roller 22 rotatably, and the pinch roller spring 24 presses the pinch roller 22 against the paper feed roller. The paper feed roller pulley 25 is fixed to the paper feed roller, and the LF motor 26 drives the paper feed roller 21. The code wheel 27 detects the rotation angle of the paper feed roller 21. The platen 29 faces the recording head 11 and supports a recording medium during recording. The first paper discharge roller 30 is provided on the upstream side of the second paper discharge roller 31 and conveys the recording medium in cooperation with the paper feed roller 21. The first spur train 32 holds the recording medium facing the first paper discharge roller 30, and the second spur train 33 holds the recording medium facing the second paper discharge roller 30. The spur base 34 rotatably holds the first spur train 32 and the second spur train 33. The maintenance unit 36 is used when preventing the nozzle clogging of the recording head 11 or replacing the ink tank 12. The ASF base 38 is the base of the main ASF 37. The main ASF 37 loads the recording media and supplies the recording media one by one into the apparatus during the recording operation. The paper feed roller 39 abuts on the stacked recording medium and carries it. The separation roller separates a plurality of recording media one by one when they are conveyed simultaneously. The pressure plate 41 is loaded with a recording medium and biased in the direction of the paper feed roller 39. The side guide 42 is provided on the pressure plate 41 and can fix the recording medium with an arbitrary recording medium width. The return claw returns the leading end of the recording medium that has advanced beyond the nip portion between the paper supply roller 39 and the separation roller to a predetermined position during the paper supply operation. The ASF flap 44 regulates the recording medium feeding direction from the main ASF 37 to a fixed direction. The lift input gear 50 is engaged with the ASF planetary gear, and the lift reduction gear 51 transmits the power from the lift input gear 50 while decelerating. The guide shaft spring 55 urges the guide shaft 14 to be offset. The cam of the guide shaft gear 53 slides on the guide slope 56. The lift cam shaft 58 is directly connected to the lift cam gear 52 and lifts the pinch roller holder 23 and the like. The paper passing guide 70 guides the leading end of the recording medium to the nip portion between the paper feeding roller 21 and the pinch roller 22. The base 72 supports the entire recording unit main body 1. And the control board 301 puts together the control part.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing driving means for driving the entire recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. A CR encoder sensor 19 is mounted on the carriage 13 to read the code strip 18, and an LF encoder sensor 28 is attached to the chassis 10 to read the code wheel 27. The ASF motor 46 drives the main ASF 37, and the PE sensor 67 detects the operation of the PE sensor lever. The lift cam sensor 69 detects the operation of the lift cam shaft 58, and the duplex unit sensor 130 detects the attachment / detachment of the automatic duplex unit 2 (see FIG. 1). The PG motor 302 drives the maintenance unit 36, and the PG sensor 303 detects the operation of the maintenance unit 36. The ASF sensor 305 detects the operation of the main ASF 37. The head driver 307 drives the recording head 11, and the host device 308 sends recording data to the recording device. The I / F 309 mediates the electrical connection between the host device 308 and the recording device. The CPU 310 controls the recording apparatus and issues a control command. The ROM 311 is written with control data and the like, and the RAM 312 is an area for developing recording data and the like.

  The outline of the recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and then the operation of each unit will be described. First, an outline of the configuration of a general serial scanning recording apparatus will be described.

  The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a sheet feeding unit, a sheet conveying unit, a recording unit, and a recording head maintenance unit. When recording data is sent from the host device 308 and stored in the RAM 312 via the I / F 309, the CPU 310 issues a recording operation start command to start the recording operation. When the recording operation starts, a paper feeding operation is first performed.

  Next, the paper feeding unit will be described. A sheet feeding unit that supplies the recording medium into the recording apparatus is a main ASF (Automatic Sheet Feeder) 37, and the recording medium is pulled out from the recording medium stacked on the pressure plate 41 one by one for each recording operation. Has the role of sending to the transport section. At the start of the paper feeding operation, the ASF motor 46 rotates in the forward direction, and the power rotates the cam holding the pressure plate 41 via the gear train. When the cam is removed by rotation, the pressure plate 41 is urged toward the paper feed roller 39 by the action of a pressure plate spring (not shown). At the same time, the paper feed roller 39 rotates in the direction in which the paper is transported, so that transport of the uppermost recording medium loaded is started. At that time, a plurality of recording media may be simultaneously conveyed depending on the conditions of the frictional force between the paper feed roller 39 and the recording medium and the frictional force between the recording media. In this case, a separation roller that is in pressure contact with the paper feed roller 39 and has a predetermined return rotational torque in the direction opposite to the recording medium conveyance direction acts, and other than the recording medium closest to the paper feed roller 39, the original pressure plate It works to push back up. At the end of the ASF paper feeding operation, the cam is operated to release the separation roller from the pressure contact state with the paper feeding roller 39, and the separation roller is separated by a predetermined distance. At that time, the recording medium is surely moved to a predetermined position on the pressure plate. In order to push back, the return claw rotates and plays its role. By the operation as described above, only one recording medium is conveyed to the sheet conveying unit. When one recording medium is transported from the main ASF 37, the leading edge of the recording medium comes into contact with the ASF flap 44 that is urged by the ASF flap spring in a direction that obstructs the sheet passing path. Push away and pass. When the recording operation on the recording medium is completed and the rear end of the recording medium passes through the ASF flap 44, the ASF flap 44 returns to the original biased state and the paper passing path is closed, so that the recording medium is conveyed in the reverse direction. However, it does not return to the main ASF 37 side.

  Next, the paper transport unit will be described. The recording medium conveyed from the paper supply unit is conveyed toward the nip portion between the paper feed roller 21 and the pinch roller 22 which are paper conveyance units. Since the center of the pinch roller 22 is attached with a slight offset in the direction approaching the first paper discharge roller 30 with respect to the center of the paper feed roller 21, the tangential angle at which the recording medium is inserted is slightly higher than the horizontal. Tilted. Accordingly, the sheet is conveyed at an angle in the sheet passing path formed by the pinch roller holder 23 and the sheet passing guide 70 so that the leading end of the sheet is accurately guided to the nip portion.

  The paper conveyed by the ASF 37 is abutted against the nip portion of the paper feed roller 21 in the stopped state. At this time, a paper loop is formed between the paper feed roller 39 and the paper feed roller 21 by transporting the main ASF 37 for a distance slightly longer than the predetermined paper passage length. When the leading edge of the paper is pressed against the nip of the paper feed roller 21 by the force of the loop returning straight, the leading edge of the paper becomes parallel to the paper feed roller 21 and the so-called registration removing operation is completed.

  After completing the registration removing operation, the LF motor 26 starts to rotate in the direction in which the recording medium moves in the forward direction (the direction in which the recording medium advances toward the first paper discharge roller 30). After that, the driving force of the paper feed roller 39 is cut, and the paper feed roller 39 rotates with the recording medium. At this time, the recording medium is conveyed only by the paper feed roller 21 and the pinch roller 22. The paper advances in the positive direction every predetermined line feed amount, and advances along the rib provided on the platen 29. The leading edge of the paper gradually hangs on the first paper discharge roller 30 and the first spur train 32, and the second paper discharge roller 31 and the second spur train 33, but the peripheral speed of the first paper discharge roller 30 and the second paper discharge roller 31 Is set substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the paper feed roller 21. Further, since the paper feed roller 21, the first paper discharge roller 30, and the second paper discharge roller 32 are connected by a gear train and rotate synchronously, the paper is conveyed without being loosened or pulled. The

  Next, the recording unit will be described. The recording unit mainly includes a recording head 11 and a carriage 13 that mounts the recording head 11 and scans in a direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction. The carriage 13 is supported by a guide shaft 14 and a guide rail 15 which is a part of the chassis 10, and transmits the driving force of the carriage motor 17 via a carriage belt 16 stretched by a carriage motor 17 and an idler pulley 20. By doing so, reciprocal scanning is performed. The recording head 11 has a plurality of ink flow paths connected to the ink tank 12, and the ink flow paths are connected to a discharge nozzle array disposed on a surface facing the platen 29. In the vicinity of the ejection nozzle row, an ink ejection actuator provided for each ejection nozzle is arranged. As the ejection actuator, an actuator that utilizes a liquid film boiling pressure by an electrothermal transducer, an electrical pressure transducer such as a piezo element, or the like is used.

  By transmitting the signal of the head driver 307 to the recording head 11 via the flexible flat cable 73, it is possible to eject ink droplets according to the recording data. Further, by reading the code strip 18 stretched on the chassis 10 by the CR encoder sensor 19 mounted on the carriage 13, ink droplets can be ejected toward the recording medium at an appropriate timing. In this way, when the recording for one line is completed, the recording medium is conveyed by a necessary amount by the sheet conveying unit. By repeating the above operation, the recording operation over the entire surface of the recording medium can be performed.

  Next, the recording head maintenance unit will be described. The recording head maintenance section plays a role of preventing ink clogging of the ink discharge nozzles of the recording head 11 and eliminating dirt due to paper dust or for sucking ink when the ink tank 12 is replaced. Therefore, the maintenance unit 36 installed so as to face the recording head 11 at the standby position of the carriage 13 includes a cap (not shown) that contacts the ink discharge nozzle surface of the recording head 11 and protects the ink discharge nozzle. . Further, the maintenance unit 36 includes a wiper (not shown) that wipes the ink discharge nozzle surface, a pump (not shown) that is connected to the cap and generates a negative pressure in the cap. When the ink in the discharge nozzle of the recording head 11 is sucked out, the cap is pressed against the discharge nozzle surface of the recording head 11, and the pump is driven to make the inside of the cap have a negative pressure, thereby sucking the ink. In addition, if ink adheres to the discharge nozzle surface after ink suction or if foreign matter such as paper dust adheres to the discharge nozzle surface, the wiper is brought into contact with the discharge nozzle surface and moved in parallel. It also has a mechanism.

Next, the drying unit will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the recording head 11 and its periphery in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. A contact-type fixing unit 100 is used in the drying unit of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. The fixing unit 100 includes a fixing roller 101 having a built-in fixing heater 102 and a pressure roller 103 that presses the recording medium against the fixing roller 101 (heating roller). The pressure roller 103 is connected to the paper feed roller 21 by an intermediate gear (not shown), and is linked to the paper feed roller 21. The recorded recording medium is fed to the paper feed roller 21 and enters the fixing unit 100 from the direction of the arrow b shown in FIG. A mechanism that passes between the fixing heater 102 and the pressure roller 103 that have been heated to a predetermined temperature in advance and is heated while being pressurized to evaporate the moisture on the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as heat fixing or simply fixing). Say). By providing the fixing unit 100 at a position close to the recording head 11, moisture on the recording medium can be evaporated immediately after recording. In the present embodiment, the interval in the conveyance path of the recording medium between the fixing unit 100 and the recording head 11 is arranged at a position shorter than the maximum length of the usable recording medium.

  Although FIG. 4 shows a general contact type fixing unit 100, it is desirable to adopt the SURF fixing method in consideration of power consumption.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device that realizes the SURF fixing method. The fixing device includes a heating device 400 and a pressure roller 406 provided to face the heating device 400. The heating device 400 is a polyimide heat-resistant cylindrical heat-resistant film 401 coated with a fluororesin or the like, a ceramic heater 403 as a heating element, and a heater in contact with the heater to adjust the temperature. And a temperature detection element 402 such as a thermistor. A pressure roller (pressure member) 406 includes an aluminum alloy cored bar 405 and a rubber roller 404 whose outer peripheral surface is coated with a resin composition having excellent releasability and heat resistance, such as silicone resin and fluorine resin. Have

  The pressure roller 406 is urged toward the heating surface of the ceramic heater (heating means) 403 by an urging means such as a spring (not shown). The heat resistant film 401 is movably provided on an endless track (circular track in the illustrated embodiment) passing through the heating surface of the ceramic heater 403. The heat resistant film 401 is sandwiched between the ceramic heater 403 and the pressure roller 406, and forms a nip portion between the pressure roller 406. By introducing an undried recording medium into this nip portion, moisture in the recording medium evaporates, and the recording medium is dried and fixed.

(Characteristic configuration)
The characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described below. The present embodiment includes a step of evaporating moisture of the recording medium by heat fixing after recording on the recording medium and before discharging the recording medium.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a recording process with thermal fixing when taking measures against rubbing during single-sided recording according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, each step will be described along this flowchart. When recording is started, one recording medium is fed from the ASF 37 in step S1, and then the process proceeds to step S2 to perform recording. Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the recording medium requires fixing from recording control information (not shown) of the recording data. If the result of the determination is that the recording medium does not require fixing, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the recording medium is discharged to the first discharge port, and the recording ends. If it is determined in step S3 that the medium needs fixing, the process proceeds to step S4, and the paper discharge operation is not performed, and the first paper discharge roller 30, the first spur train 32, the second paper discharge roller 31, and the second paper discharge operation. Hold in spur train 33 and wait. In step S5, the fixing heater is turned on and heating of the fixing roller 101 is started. In step S6, the recording medium is transported in the horizontal path provided below the main ASF 37 in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 2 (the direction opposite to the transport direction) and pulled into the fixing unit. In step S7, the recording medium is passed between the fixing roller 101 and the pressure roller 103, the recording medium is continuously conveyed, and the moisture of the recording medium is evaporated by simultaneously heating and pressing. The recording medium that has been heat-fixed is discharged to the second discharge port 200 in step S8, and the recording is completed.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the best embodiment, a mode in which a plurality of (two places) discharge ports for recorded recording media are provided has been described. However, even in a system having only one paper discharge port, once the paper feed is reversely rotated, the paper feed is pulled back in the direction of arrow b in FIG. Alternatively, a method may be used in which the paper is fed in the direction of arrow a in FIG. However, in this case, the recording speed decreases.

  In this way, after recording is completed, the entire surface of the recording medium is heat-fixed in a continuous operation, and ink jet recording that can suppress the occurrence of uneven color and cockling with a simple configuration without increasing power consumption. An apparatus and an ink jet recording method could be realized.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Although the case of single-sided recording has been described in the first embodiment, the case of double-sided recording will be described in this embodiment. Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the characteristic configuration will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the recording head 11 and its periphery in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. The recording apparatus of the present embodiment is an ink jet recording apparatus provided with an automatic duplex unit, and performs thermal fixing processing when taking measures against rubbing during duplex recording.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a recording process involving thermal fixing when taking measures against rubbing during double-sided recording according to the present embodiment. When recording is started, one recording medium is fed from the ASF 37 in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S12 to record the first surface (front surface). Next, the process proceeds to step S13, where it is determined from the recording control information (not shown) of the recording data whether or not the recording medium requires fixing. If the recording medium does not require fixing, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the recording medium is discharged to the first discharge port, and the recording ends. If it is determined in step S13 that the recording medium needs to be fixed, the process proceeds to step S14, the paper discharge operation is not performed, and the first paper discharge roller 30, the first spur train 32, the second paper discharge roller 31, and the first paper discharge operation are performed. The recording medium is held in the two-spur train 33 and waits. In step S15, the fixing heater is turned on and heating is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S16, where it is determined from the recording control information of the recording data whether single-sided recording or double-sided recording. If it is single-sided recording, the process proceeds to step S28. 2 in the direction of arrow b and pulled into the fixing unit. Next, the process proceeds to step S29, where the first surface of the recording medium is passed between the fixing roller 101 and the pressure roller 103, the entire surface of the recording medium is continuously conveyed, and heating and pressurization are performed at the same time. Evaporate. Next, the process proceeds to step S30, the sheet is discharged to the second sheet discharge port, and the process ends. If double-sided recording, the process advances to step S17, and the recording medium is conveyed in the horizontal path provided below the main ASF 37 in the direction of arrow b in FIG. In step S18, the first surface of the recording medium is passed between the fixing roller 101 and the pressure roller 103, the entire surface of the recording medium is continuously conveyed, and heating and pressurization are performed at the same time. Evaporate. In step S19, the recording medium is conveyed to the reversing unit, and the reversing unit performs reversal. In step S20, the fixing heater switch is turned off in order to reduce power consumption. In step S21, the second surface (back surface) is recorded. After the recording is completed, the process proceeds to step S22, and the sheet discharge operation is not performed. The recording medium is held by the first sheet discharge roller 30 and the first spur train 32, and the second sheet discharge roller 31 and the second spur train 33 to stand by. In step S23, the fixing heater is turned on again to start heating. Next, proceeding to step S24, the recording medium is conveyed in a horizontal path provided below the main ASF 37 in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 2, and drawn into the fixing unit. In step S25, the first surface of the recording medium is passed between the fixing roller 101 and the pressure roller 103, the entire surface of the recording medium is continuously conveyed, and heating and pressurization are performed at the same time. Evaporate. Next, the process proceeds to step S26, the sheet is discharged to the second sheet discharge port, and the process ends. The recording medium that has been heat-fixed is discharged to the second discharge port 200, and the recording ends.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the best embodiment, a form having two discharge ports for a recorded recording medium has been described. However, even in a system having only one paper discharge port, once the paper feed is reversely rotated, the paper feed is pulled back in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. It is also possible to use a method of feeding in the direction of arrow a and discharging to a first discharge port (not shown). However, in this case, the recording speed decreases.

  As described above, even in the case of double-sided recording, inkjet recording that can suppress the occurrence of uneven color and cockling with a simple configuration without increasing power consumption by performing thermal fixing on the entire surface of the recording medium in a continuous operation after the recording is completed. An apparatus and an ink jet recording method could be realized.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The fixing processing in the first embodiment and the second embodiment does not require time for smear weight or double-sided weight when considering a single sheet recording that is not continuous recording. For users who may take a little time, fixing is not necessary from the viewpoint of power consumption. On the other hand, the user may be configured to be able to select whether or not to perform fixing from the driver.

  Even in a recording apparatus having such a configuration, an inkjet that can suppress color unevenness and cockling with a simple configuration without increasing power consumption by performing thermal fixing on the entire surface of the recording medium in a continuous operation after recording is completed. A recording apparatus and an ink jet recording method could be realized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Recording head 13 Carriage 15 Guide rail 21 Paper feed roller 22 Pinch roller 29 Platen roller 30 1st discharge roller 31 2nd discharge roller 37 ASF
39 Feed roller 44 ASF flap 100 Fixing unit 101 Fixing roller (heating roller)
103 Pressure roller 308 Host device 310 CPU
400 Heating device 403 Ceramic heater

Claims (6)

An inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from the recording head to the recording medium while scanning the recording head in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the recording medium that is intermittently conveyed,
A heating roller that performs a fixing process for drying and fixing the ejected ink by heating the recording medium on which recording has been performed is provided, and the heating roller is provided on the recording head with respect to the conveyance direction during recording. Provided on the upstream side,
When performing the fixing process, the recording medium on which recording is performed by the recording head passes through the heating roller and is discharged while being transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction,
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein an interval between the recording head and the heating roller in a conveyance path of the recording medium is shorter than a maximum length of the recording medium. The recording medium to be used is provided with means for determining whether or not the fixing process is necessary. When it is determined that the recording medium is necessary , the recording medium on which recording is performed is transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction. 2. When the recording medium is guided to the fixing roller and determined not to be necessary , the recording medium on which recording has been performed is transported in the transport direction and discharged without passing through the fixing roller. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1. A plurality of paper discharge ports through which the recording medium on which recording has been performed are discharged, and the recording medium on which the fixing process has been performed differs from the recording medium on which the fixing process has not been performed The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is discharged into a mouth. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a user can select whether or not to perform the fixing process. The reversing unit for performing double-sided recording on the recording medium, the reversing unit being provided further upstream of the heating roller. Inkjet recording apparatus. The recording medium for recording is fed to the transport path from between the recording head and the heating roller toward the recording head. Inkjet recording device.