JP4826263B2 - Droplet ejection device, detection pattern, and detection pattern forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a droplet discharge device that discharges droplets, a detection pattern used in the droplet discharge device, and a detection pattern forming method for forming the detection pattern.

  As a droplet discharge device that discharges droplets, an inkjet recording device that records an image by discharging ink droplets of a plurality of colors from an inkjet recording head to a recording medium is known.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, if the mounting positions of the respective ink jet recording heads are deviated, the positions of the ink droplets ejected onto the recording medium are deviated, and the color misregistration (recording position deviation) of the image recorded on the recording medium. ) Occurs.

A configuration has been proposed in which a detection pattern is recorded on a recording medium by each ink jet recording head, and a positional deviation of an attachment position of each ink jet recording head is detected by confirming a displacement of an image recording position (patent) References 1 and 2).
JP 2000-141624 A JP 2001-138494 A

  Incidentally, in the ink jet recording apparatus, in addition to the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (S), and black (K), a transparent processing liquid is used to prevent bleeding of these four colors. There is an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a treatment liquid discharge head for discharging liquid.

  The pattern formed when detecting the displacement of the mounting position between the processing liquid discharge head and the other color ink jet recording head has poor visibility because the processing liquid is transparent.

  In view of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of a pattern formed on a recording medium in order to detect displacement of each droplet discharge head that discharges droplets.

A droplet discharge device according to a first aspect discharges a first droplet, and forms a solid two-dimensional pattern with a reference portion protruding or recessed in a predetermined direction on a recording medium. A linear line pattern extending along the predetermined direction is superimposed on the two-dimensional pattern so that the head and a second liquid droplet having a color different from that of the first liquid droplet are ejected to overlap the reference portion. And a second droplet discharge head formed in this manner.

  According to this configuration, the first droplet discharge head discharges the first droplet, and forms a two-dimensional pattern including a reference portion protruding or recessed in a predetermined direction on the recording medium. The second droplet discharge head discharges a second droplet having a different color from the first droplet, and superimposes the line pattern extending along the predetermined direction on the two-dimensional pattern so as to overlap the reference portion. Form.

The portion where the two-dimensional pattern formed with the first droplet and the line pattern formed with the second droplet overlap has a density difference from the portion with only the first droplet, so the position of the line pattern can be specified. . In particular, in the configuration of the first aspect , since it is a solid two-dimensional pattern, it is easy to specify the position of the line pattern.

  Then, by determining whether or not the line pattern is shifted with respect to the reference portion, it is determined whether or not a positional shift has occurred between the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head. Can be determined. Further, by viewing the amount of deviation of the line pattern with respect to the reference portion, the amount of misalignment occurring between the first droplet ejection head and the second droplet ejection head can be determined.

In the configuration of the first aspect , since the reference portion protrudes or is recessed, it is easy to determine whether or not there is a shift, and if there is a shift, it is easy to determine the shift amount. The visibility of the pattern formed in order to detect misalignment between the droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head is good. The good visibility of the pattern is particularly effective in accurately determining the amount of displacement.

In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the second aspect , in the configuration of the first aspect , the first liquid droplet ejection head forms a plurality of the two-dimensional patterns, and the second liquid droplet ejection head is predetermined from the reference portion. The line pattern is further formed so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern so as to be displaced dot by dot.

  According to this configuration, the first droplet discharge head forms a plurality of two-dimensional patterns. The second liquid droplet ejection head is formed by further overlapping the line pattern with the two-dimensional pattern so as to be displaced from the reference portion by a predetermined dot.

  In this way, when the line pattern is formed in advance so as to deviate from the reference portion by a predetermined dot at a time, and is generated between the first droplet ejection head and the second droplet ejection head, the line pattern is displaced from the reference portion. When the line pattern formed on the reference portion overlaps the reference portion, there is an instantaneous shift between the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head by a predetermined dot. Can be determined.

In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the third aspect , in the configuration of the first aspect or the second aspect , the reference portion is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first liquid droplet ejection head and the second liquid droplet ejection head. Protruding or recessed.

  According to this configuration, between the reference portion protruding or recessed in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head, and the line pattern extending along the orthogonal direction By seeing the shift, it is possible to determine the shift in the arrangement direction of the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head that occurs between the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head. .

In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the fourth aspect , in the configuration of the first aspect or the second aspect , the reference portion protrudes or dents in an arrangement direction of the first liquid droplet ejection head and the second liquid droplet ejection head. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, by observing the deviation between the reference portion protruding or recessed in the arrangement direction of the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head and the line pattern extending along the arrangement direction. The shift in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head generated between the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head can be determined.

In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the fifth aspect , in the configuration of the third aspect , the first liquid droplet ejection head forms a two-dimensional pattern including a reference portion protruding or recessed in the orthogonal direction along the orthogonal direction. And a plurality of them are formed.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of two-dimensional patterns having reference portions protruding or recessed in the orthogonal direction are formed in the orthogonal direction, and the gap in the arrangement direction of the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head is shifted. By looking at a plurality of positions in the orthogonal direction, it is possible to determine the occurrence of the tilt of the droplet discharge head that occurs between the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head.

A droplet discharge device according to a sixth aspect is the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects , wherein a third droplet having a color different from that of the first droplet is discharged on the first droplet, A third droplet discharge head for forming a two-dimensional pattern is provided.

  According to this configuration, since the two-dimensional pattern is formed by overlapping a plurality of colors, the density of the two-dimensional pattern is increased and the visibility is improved.

In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to a seventh aspect , in any one of the first to sixth aspects , the first liquid droplet ejection head ejects yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, or black ink, and the second The droplet discharge head is characterized by discharging a transparent processing liquid.

The detection pattern according to the eighth aspect is a registration of a first droplet discharge head that discharges a first droplet and a second droplet discharge head that discharges a second droplet having a color different from that of the first droplet. A detection pattern formed on a recording medium for adjustment, a two-dimensional pattern formed of the first droplet and including a reference portion protruding or recessed in a predetermined direction, and a weight on the reference portion The line pattern is formed so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern and extends along the predetermined direction.

A detection pattern forming method according to a ninth aspect includes a first droplet discharge head that discharges a first droplet, a second droplet discharge head that discharges a second droplet having a color different from that of the first droplet, A detection pattern forming method for forming a detection pattern on a recording medium in order to perform registration adjustment, wherein the first liquid droplet is ejected from the first liquid droplet ejection head and protruded or recessed in a predetermined direction. A first step of forming a two-dimensional pattern having a portion, and the second droplet is ejected from the second droplet ejection head and extends along the predetermined direction so as to overlap the reference portion And a second step of superposing and forming a line pattern on the two-dimensional pattern.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to improve the visibility of the pattern formed on the recording medium in order to detect the positional deviation of each droplet discharge head that discharges droplets.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to a droplet discharge device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as a droplet discharge apparatus will be outlined with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes an apparatus housing 13, and a paper feed cassette 12 in which a sheet (recording medium) P is accommodated is provided below the apparatus housing 13. A pick-up roll 14 for taking out the paper P from the inside of the paper feed cassette 12 is arranged at the upper portion of the front end side (left end side in FIG. 1) of the paper feed cassette 12 in pressure contact with the front end side of the upper surface of the paper P.

  Further, a first conveyance path 18 is formed that extends from the leading end of the paper feed cassette 12 and reaches the conveyance belt 32 in the center of the apparatus. A plurality of first conveyance roll pairs 20 for nipping and conveying the paper P to the conveyance belt 32 are provided along the first conveyance path 18.

  The conveyance belt 32 is wound around a driven roller 28 arranged upstream in the paper conveyance direction and a driving roller 30 arranged downstream, and the rotation of the driving roller 30 causes an arrow A direction (clockwise) in FIG. Direction).

  The conveyance belt 32 is a conveyance unit that electrostatically attracts and conveys the paper P. A nip roller 38 disposed above the driven roller 28 presses the paper P against the conveyance belt 32 and conveys the paper P to the conveyance belt 32. Adhere to.

  Disposed above the transport belt 32 is a droplet discharge head 34 that discharges liquid droplets onto the paper P transported on the transport belt 32 to record an image.

  The droplet discharge head 34 includes four inkjet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, and 34Y that discharge ink droplets of four colors of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively. It is possible to record full-color images.

  The inkjet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, and 34Y are arranged in the order of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) from the upstream in the transport direction of the paper P. On the upstream side of the ink jet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, and 34Y in the paper conveyance direction, a coagulation reaction with the ink is caused to promote ink fixing, and a transparent processing liquid is discharged to improve image density and water resistance. A treatment liquid discharge head 34T is disposed.

  The processing liquid discharge head 34T may be arranged on the downstream side in the paper transport direction of the ink jet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, and 34Y.

  The droplet discharge head 34 faces the flat portion 32F of the transport belt 32, and the opposed region is a discharge region where ink droplets and processing liquid are discharged from the droplet discharge head 34. The paper P transported through the first transport path 18 is held by the transport belt 32, reaches this discharge region, and faces the liquid droplet discharge head 34, and ink corresponding to image information from the liquid droplet discharge head 34. Drops and processing liquid are deposited.

  A controller (not shown) is connected to each of the droplet discharge heads 34K, 34C, 34M, 34Y, and 34T as a control unit that drives and controls each of the droplet discharge heads 34K, 34C, 34M, 34Y, and 34T. For example, the controller determines a droplet discharge port (nozzle) to be used according to image information, determines a discharge timing for discharging a droplet, and sends a drive signal to the droplet discharge head 34. Yes.

  Above the droplet discharge head 34, ink tanks 40K, 40C, 40K, 40Y that supply ink to the respective inkjet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, 34Y, and a processing liquid tank that supplies processing liquid to the processing liquid discharge head 34T. 40T is provided.

  A second conveyance path 24 is formed that extends upward from the conveyance belt 32 and reaches the paper discharge tray 22 that stores the paper P on which an image is recorded. A plurality of second transport roll pairs 26 are provided along the second transport path 24 to sandwich and transport the paper P to the paper discharge tray 22. A reverse conveyance path 36 for duplex printing is connected from the second conveyance path 24 to the first conveyance path 18.

  With the above configuration, the paper P taken out from the paper feed cassette 12 by the pickup roll 14 is transported through the first transport path 18 by the plurality of transport roll pairs 20 and sent to the transport belt 32.

  The sheet P sent to the conveyance belt 32 is subjected to image recording by ejecting treatment liquid and ink droplets from the droplet ejection head 34 at the flat portion 32F, and the second conveyance is performed by the plurality of conveyance roll pairs 26. The paper is conveyed through the path 24 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 22.

  When performing double-sided recording, the paper on which single-sided recording has been performed is transported from the second transport path 24 via the reverse transport path 36 to the first transport path 18 and sent again to the transport belt 32, where image recording is performed. Done. As described above, a series of image recording is performed.

  Next, a detection pattern that is formed to detect a relative displacement of the mounting position that occurs between the ink jet recording heads will be described. Here, an example will be described in which the positional deviation of the attachment position between the inkjet recording head 34C (first droplet ejection head) corresponding to cyan and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T (second droplet ejection head) is detected. .

  In the case of detecting the displacement of the mounting position between the inkjet recording heads 34K, 34M, 34Y corresponding to other colors and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T, the inkjet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, Even in the case where the displacement of the attachment position is detected during 34Y, it can be applied by forming a detection pattern in the same manner as described below.

  In the ink jet recording head 34C, as shown in FIG. 2A, a rectangular solid portion 42A, a reference portion 42B protruding from the solid portion 42A in a predetermined direction, and a solid portion 42A protruding in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. A two-dimensional pattern 42 is formed.

  The solid portion 42A has at least a width W1 of 3 dots or more and a length L1 of 2 dots or more. The width WA and the width WB are each 1 dot or more.

  In the solid portion 42A according to the present embodiment, the width W1 is 61 dots and the length L1 is 80 dots. Note that the width WA and the width WB are each 30 dots.

  The reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C have the same shape, at least the width W2 is 1 dot or more, and the length L2 is 1 dot or more. In the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C according to the present embodiment, the width W2 is 1 dot, and the length L2 is 20 dots.

  The reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C are both 20 dots in length, but the lengths may be different. Further, the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C may be configured to form only the reference portion 42B as shown in FIG. 2B, or as shown in FIG. 2C, the reference portion 42C. The structure which forms only.

  In the processing liquid discharge head 34T, as shown in FIG. 2D, a linear line pattern 44 extending along the protruding direction of the reference portion 42B is formed.

  The line pattern 44 has at least a width W3 of 1 dot or more and a length L3 longer than the length L1 of the solid portion 42A and 3 dots or more. In the present embodiment, the width W3 is 1 dot, and the length L3 is 120 dots.

  In the present embodiment, as will be described later, by detecting the overlap between the line pattern 44 and the reference portion 42B, the displacement amount of the attachment positions of the ink jet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T is detected. The width W3 and the width W2 of the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C are related to detection accuracy. That is, the width W3 of the line pattern 44 and the width W2 of the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C are set to one dot as in the present embodiment, so that the ink jet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T can be accurately obtained with one dot. The amount of displacement of the mounting position can be grasped. If the accuracy of 1 dot is not required, the width W3 of the line pattern 44 and the width W2 of the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C may be 2 dots or more.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the two-dimensional pattern 42 is formed on a single sheet P at a predetermined interval (for example, a uniform interval) along a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction of the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C. A plurality (21 in this embodiment) are formed. It may be formed over a plurality of sheets P.

  By forming the line pattern 44 on the two-dimensional pattern 42, 21 identification patterns are formed. In FIG. 3, five identification patterns 498 to 502 are shown. A detection pattern 52 is formed by a group of the individual identification patterns.

  In the identification pattern 500, the line pattern 44 is formed so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern 42 so as to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42.

  In the identification patterns 498, 499, 501, and 502, the line pattern 44 is a two-dimensional pattern that is shifted from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 by predetermined dots (one dot in this embodiment). 42 is formed to overlap.

  That is, in the identification pattern 499, the line pattern 44 is formed so as to be shifted by one dot from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 to the left in FIG. 3, and in the identification pattern 501, the line pattern 44 is The two-dimensional pattern 42 is formed so as to be shifted by one dot from the reference part 42B and the reference part 42C to the right side in FIG.

  Furthermore, in the identification pattern 498, the line pattern 44 is formed so as to be shifted to the left in FIG. 3 by 2 dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42, and in the identification pattern 502, the line pattern 44 is The two-dimensional pattern 42 is formed so as to be shifted by 2 dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C to the right side in FIG.

  Further, the line pattern 44 is formed so as to be shifted from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 by 3 to 10 dots and to the left and right sides.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the line pattern 44 is formed in advance so as to be shifted by one dot from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42. As will be described later, the line pattern 44 and the reference portion formed so as to be shifted from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C when detecting the shift generated between the ink jet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T. By discriminating the portion where 42B and the reference portion 42C overlap, it is immediately determined that a deviation has occurred by a predetermined number of preset dots. Therefore, the predetermined amount of deviation of the predetermined dots is related to the detection accuracy. To do. That is, as in this embodiment, by increasing the shift amount by one dot, it is possible to grasp the shift amounts of the attachment positions of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T with an accuracy of one dot. Therefore, if the accuracy of 1 dot is not required, the shift amount may be increased by 2 dots or more.

  Here, in order to detect a deviation of the interval D1 (see FIG. 4B) in the arrangement direction between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T, which occurs between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T. A detection pattern to be formed and a formation method thereof will be described.

  Coordinates for specifying the positions at which ink droplets for one dot are attached to the paper P are used for a controller (not shown) that determines the ink ejection port (nozzle) used according to the image information and the ejection timing of the ink droplet A value corresponding to the value is stored. This coordinate value is set in advance for control. When an ink droplet is ejected based on this coordinate value, the position of the attachment position is set between the respective droplet ejection heads 34K, 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34T. If there is no deviation, the ink droplets are attached to the positions according to the coordinate values.

  Further, for example, when the paper P is A4 size, when the paper P is converted at a resolution of 600 dpi, the X coordinate is 0 to 4960 and the Y coordinate is 0 to 7015 as shown in FIG. It becomes. The X coordinate is a coordinate along the conveyance direction of the paper P (the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T), and the Y coordinate is a coordinate along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. It is.

  In the detection pattern 53 formed to detect the deviation of the interval D1 in the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T, first, as shown in FIG. A plurality of (21 in the present embodiment) linear line patterns 44 extending in the direction in which the paper P is conveyed are formed.

  The coordinates of the tip of the line pattern 44 (the portion where the two-dot chain line intersects in FIG. 5B) are, for example, (490, 500) (691, 500) (892, 500) (1093, 500) ( 1294, 500) (1495, 500) (1696, 500) (1897, 500) (2098, 500) (2299, 500) (2500, 500) (2701, 500) (2902, 500) (3103, 500) ( 3304, 500) (3505, 500) (3706, 500) (3907, 500) (4108, 500) (4309, 500) (4510, 500) are formed (FIG. 5B). )reference).

  FIG. 5B illustrates a line pattern 44 formed at the center and two line patterns 44 respectively formed at both ends of the plurality of line patterns 44.

  Next, while forming FIG. 5 (B), as shown in FIG. 5 (A), 2 provided with a reference portion 42B and a reference portion 42C that protrude along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. A plurality of (21 in this embodiment) dimension patterns 42 are formed along the transport direction of the paper P.

  The coordinates of the tip of the reference portion 42B (the portion where the two-dot chain line intersects in FIG. 5A) of the two-dimensional pattern 42 are, for example, (500, 500) (700, 500) (900, 500) (1100). , 500) (1300, 500) (1500, 500) (1700, 500) (1900, 500) (2100, 500) (2300, 500) (2500, 500) (2700, 500) (2900, 500) (3100 , 500) (3300, 500) (3500, 500) (3700, 500) (3900, 500) (4100, 500) (4300, 500) (4500, 500) (See FIG. 5A).

  Thereby, among the plurality of line patterns 44, the line pattern 44 formed at the center is formed so as to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 so as to overlap with the reference portion 42B. .

  Furthermore, the line pattern 44 formed on the outer side (both ends in the transport direction) from the center is shifted by one dot from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 toward the outer side (both ends in the transport direction). Overlaid on the two-dimensional pattern 42. That is, the line pattern 44 is formed so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern 42 so that the amount of deviation from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 increases by one dot as it goes outward (both ends in the transport direction). On the outermost side (both ends in the transport direction), the line pattern 44 is formed so as to be displaced by 10 dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42.

  FIG. 5A illustrates a two-dimensional pattern 42 formed at the center and two two-dimensional patterns 42 respectively formed at both ends of the plurality of two-dimensional patterns 42.

  Thus, by forming the line pattern 44 so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern 42, 21 identification patterns 50 are formed, and a detection pattern 53 is formed by a group of individual identification patterns 50 (FIG. 6 ( A) and (B)).

  Next, using the detection pattern 53 formed as described above, the interval D1 in the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T generated between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T. A method for detecting deviation will be described.

  First, the position of the line pattern 44 is specified, and the portion of the plurality of identification patterns 50 where the two-dimensional pattern 42 overlaps the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C is identified.

  In the portion where the two-dimensional pattern 42 and the line pattern 44 overlap with each other, a density difference appears with the portion including only the cyan ink droplet, so that the position of the line pattern 44 can be specified. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the solid two-dimensional pattern 42 is used, the position of the line pattern 44 can be easily specified.

  The overlapping portion may be identified by visual observation, or may be identified by scanning with a detecting means such as a line sensor and detecting a density difference.

  As a result of the above identification, the line pattern 44 formed to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42, that is, the coordinates of the tip of the line pattern 44 and the tip of the two-dimensional pattern 42 are both ( 2500, 500), when the line pattern 44 formed so as to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 as shown in FIG. It can be seen that there is no deviation in the distance D1 in the arrangement direction between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T between the liquid discharge head 34T.

  On the other hand, the line pattern 44 formed so as to deviate from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 is converted into a reference portion 42B and a reference portion of the two-dimensional pattern 42 as shown in FIG. When overlapping with 42C, it can be seen that there is a deviation in the distance D1 between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T in the arrangement direction between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the line pattern 44 formed so as to be shifted by two dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 overlaps with the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42. Therefore, it can be seen that the interval D1 between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T is narrower by two dots than the set value.

  In this embodiment, since the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 protrude, it is easy to determine whether or not a deviation from the line pattern 44 has occurred, and the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge The visibility of the detection pattern formed for detecting the positional deviation from the head 34T is good.

  When the interval D1 between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T is deviated, registration adjustment between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T is performed as follows.

  For example, a mechanism for moving one of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T away from the other is provided in advance, and by this mechanism, one of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T is separated from the other. The distance D1 between the ink jet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is returned to the set value.

  Further, the ejection timing of the ink droplets ejected from the inkjet recording head 34C is relatively delayed from the ejection timing of the processing liquid ejected from the processing liquid ejection head 34T, so that the inkjet recording head 34C and the processing liquid ejection are delayed. Registration adjustment with the head 34T is performed.

  Note that the coordinates shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B indicate the coordinates of the tip of the line pattern 44. Also, in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the numerical values of −10 to +10 described below each identification pattern 50 are the coordinate values and the line pattern 44 is the reference portion 42B and the reference portion of the two-dimensional pattern 42. The shift amount (number of dots) deviating from 42C is shown.

  Next, it is formed to detect a deviation D2 (see FIG. 7) in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T generated between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T. The detection pattern and its formation method will be described.

  In the detection pattern 54 formed to detect the deviation D2 in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the ink jet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T, first, as shown in FIG. A plurality of (21 in this embodiment) linear line patterns 44 extending in the direction of the sheet P are formed along the conveyance direction of the sheet P.

  The coordinates of the tip of the line pattern 44 (the portion where the two-dot chain line intersects in FIG. 8B) are, for example, (500, 490) (700, 491) (900, 492) (1100, 493) ( 1300, 494) (1500, 495) (1700, 496) (1900, 497) (2100, 498) (2300, 499) (2500, 500) (2700, 501) (2900, 502) (3100, 503) ( 3300, 504) (3500, 505) (3700, 506) (3900, 507) (4100, 508) (4300, 509) (4500, 510) (FIG. 8B). )reference).

  FIG. 8B illustrates a line pattern 44 formed at the center and two line patterns 44 respectively formed at both ends of the plurality of line patterns 44.

  Next, while forming FIG. 8B, as shown in FIG. 8A, a two-dimensional pattern 42 provided with a reference portion 42B and a reference portion 42C protruding along the transport direction of the paper P is formed. A plurality (21 in this embodiment) are formed along the conveyance direction of the paper P.

  The coordinates of the tip of the reference portion 42B (the portion where the two-dot chain line intersects in FIG. 8A) of the two-dimensional pattern 42 are, for example, (500, 500) (700, 500) (900, 500) (1100). , 500) (1300, 500) (1500, 500) (1700, 500) (1900, 500) (2100, 500) (2300, 500) (2500, 500) (2700, 500) (2900, 500) (3100 , 500) (3300, 500) (3500, 500) (3700, 500) (3900, 500) (4100, 500) (4300, 500) (4500, 500) (See FIG. 8A).

  Thereby, among the plurality of line patterns 44, the line pattern 44 formed at the center is formed so as to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 so as to overlap with the reference portion 42B. .

  Furthermore, the line pattern 44 formed on the outer side (both ends in the transport direction) from the center is shifted by one dot from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 toward the outer side (both ends in the transport direction). Overlaid on the two-dimensional pattern 42. That is, the line pattern 44 is formed so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern 42 so that the amount of deviation from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 increases by one dot as it goes outward (both ends in the transport direction). On the outermost side (both ends in the transport direction), the line pattern 44 is formed so as to be displaced by 10 dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42.

  FIG. 8A illustrates a two-dimensional pattern 42 formed at the center and two two-dimensional patterns 42 respectively formed at both ends of the plurality of two-dimensional patterns 42.

  Thus, by forming the line pattern 44 so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern 42, 21 identification patterns 50 are formed, and a detection pattern 54 is formed by a group of individual identification patterns 50 (FIG. 9 ( A) and (B)).

  Next, using the detection pattern 54 formed as described above, a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T generated between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T. A method for detecting the deviation D2 will be described.

  First, the position of the line pattern 44 is specified, and the portion of the plurality of identification patterns 50 where the two-dimensional pattern 42 overlaps the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C is identified.

  In the portion where the two-dimensional pattern 42 and the line pattern 44 overlap with each other, a density difference appears with the portion including only the cyan ink droplet, so that the position of the line pattern 44 can be specified. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the solid two-dimensional pattern 42 is used, the position of the line pattern 44 can be easily specified.

  The overlapping portion may be identified by visual observation, or may be identified by scanning with a detecting means such as a line sensor and detecting a density difference.

  As a result of the above identification, the line pattern 44 formed to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42, that is, the coordinates of the tip of the line pattern 44 and the tip of the two-dimensional pattern 42 are both ( 9A, when the line pattern 44 formed to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 as shown in FIG. It can be seen that there is no deviation D2 between the liquid discharge head 34T and the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink jet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T.

  On the other hand, the line pattern 44 formed so as to deviate from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 is converted into a reference portion 42B and a reference portion of the two-dimensional pattern 42 as shown in FIG. When it overlaps with 42C, it can be seen that a deviation D2 in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T occurs between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the line pattern 44 formed so as to be shifted by two dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 overlaps the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42. Therefore, it can be seen that the inkjet recording head 34C is displaced by 2 dots from the set value with respect to the treatment liquid ejection head 34T in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T.

  In this embodiment, since the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 protrude, it is easy to determine whether or not a deviation from the line pattern 44 has occurred, and the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge The visibility of the detection pattern formed for detecting the positional deviation from the head 34T is good.

  When the ink jet recording head 34C and the processing liquid discharge head 34T are displaced in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, the registration adjustment between the ink jet recording head 34C and the processing liquid discharge head 34T is performed as follows. For example, a mechanism for sliding at least one of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is provided in advance, and at least one of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is slid by the mechanism. Then, the deviation D2 between the ink jet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is corrected.

  Also, the ink discharge port (nozzle) of the ink jet recording head 34C that discharges ink droplets is shifted by 2 dots relative to the treatment liquid discharge head 34T in the Y coordinate direction, thereby the ink jet recording head 34C. And the processing liquid discharge head 34T are corrected.

  Alternatively, by shifting the Y coordinate base point of the image data for the recording head 34C by two dots, the print position on the recording head 34C is shifted with respect to the other heads, and deviation can be corrected. Thus, in the case of means for relatively shifting the coordinate base point of the recording data, it is necessary to set the recording coordinate base point as a base point outside the paper edge. When the maximum shift amount is 10 dots, a location shifted by 10 dots outward from the sheet edge is managed as a coordinate base point.

  Note that the coordinates shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B indicate the coordinates of the tip of the line pattern 44. 9A and 9B, the numerical values of −10 to +10 described below each identification pattern 50 are the coordinate values and the line pattern 44 is the reference portion 42B and the reference portion of the two-dimensional pattern 42. The shift amount (number of dots) deviating from 42C is shown.

  Next, a detection pattern formed to detect the relative inclination θ (see FIG. 10) of the treatment liquid ejection head 34T with respect to the inkjet recording head 34C generated between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T. And the formation method is demonstrated.

  In the detection pattern 55 formed to detect the inclination θ of the treatment liquid ejection head 34T with respect to the ink jet recording head 34C, first, as shown in FIG. 11B, a straight line extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P A plurality (21 in this embodiment) of line-shaped line patterns 44 are formed along the conveyance direction of the paper P.

  The coordinates of the tip of this line pattern 44 (portion where the two-dot chain line intersects in FIG. 11B) are, for example, (490, 500) (691, 500) (892, 500) (1093, 500) ( 1294, 500) (1495, 500) (1696, 500) (1897, 500) (2098, 500) (2299, 500) (2500, 500) (2701, 500) (2902, 500) (3103, 500) ( 3304, 500) (3505, 500) (3706, 500) (3907, 500) (4108, 500) (4309, 500) (4510, 500) are formed (FIG. 11B). )reference).

  Further, a plurality (9 in the present embodiment) of line patterns 44 formed in 21 along the conveyance direction of the paper P are formed at predetermined intervals along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. In this embodiment, the Y coordinate is shifted by 500. That is, 21 line patterns 44 are formed along the transport direction (X coordinate direction) of the paper P at Y coordinates of 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, and 4500.

  FIG. 11B illustrates a line pattern 44 formed at the center in the X coordinate direction and two line patterns 44 formed at both ends of the X coordinate direction among the plurality of line patterns 44. Further, a line pattern 44 formed at positions of Y coordinates 500, 1000, 4500 is illustrated.

  Next, while forming FIG. 11B, as shown in FIG. 11A, 2 provided with a reference portion 42B and a reference portion 42C that protrude along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. A plurality of (21 in this embodiment) dimension patterns 42 are formed along the transport direction of the paper P.

  In the two-dimensional pattern 42, the coordinates of the tip of the reference portion 42B (the portion where the two-dot chain line intersects in FIG. 11A) are, for example, (500, 500) (700, 500) (900, 500) (1100). , 500) (1300, 500) (1500, 500) (1700, 500) (1900, 500) (2100, 500) (2300, 500) (2500, 500) (2700, 500) (2900, 500) (3100 , 500) (3300, 500) (3500, 500) (3700, 500) (3900, 500) (4100, 500) (4300, 500) (4500, 500) (See FIG. 11A).

  Further, a plurality (9 in this embodiment) of two-dimensional patterns 42 formed in the 21 direction along the transport direction of the paper P are formed at a predetermined interval along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. In this embodiment, the Y coordinate is shifted by 500. That is, 21 two-dimensional patterns 42 are formed along the conveyance direction (X coordinate direction) of the paper P at Y coordinates of 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, and 4500.

  Thereby, among the plurality of line patterns 44, the line pattern 44 formed at the center is formed so as to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 so as to overlap with the reference portion 42B. .

  Furthermore, the line pattern 44 formed on the outer side (both ends in the transport direction) from the center is shifted by one dot from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 toward the outer side (both ends in the transport direction). Overlaid on the two-dimensional pattern 42. That is, the line pattern 44 is formed so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern 42 so that the amount of deviation from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 increases by one dot as it goes outward (both ends in the transport direction). On the outermost side (both ends in the transport direction), the line pattern 44 is formed so as to be displaced by 10 dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42.

  In FIG. 11A, among the two-dimensional patterns 42, a two-dimensional pattern 42 formed at the center in the X coordinate direction and two two-dimensional patterns 42 formed at both ends of the X coordinate direction are shown. Further, a two-dimensional pattern 42 formed at positions of Y coordinates 500, 1000, and 4500 is illustrated.

  In this manner, by forming the line pattern 44 so as to overlap the two-dimensional pattern 42, 21 × 9 identification patterns 50 are formed, and a detection pattern 55 is formed by a group of individual identification patterns 50 (see FIG. 12, see FIG.

  Next, by using the detection pattern 55 formed as described above, the relative inclination θ of the processing liquid discharge head 34T with respect to the ink jet recording head 34C generated between the ink jet recording head 34C and the processing liquid discharge head 34T is detected. How to do will be described.

  First, the position of the line pattern 44 is specified, and the portion of the plurality of identification patterns 50 where the two-dimensional pattern 42 overlaps the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C is identified.

  In the portion where the two-dimensional pattern 42 and the line pattern 44 overlap with each other, a density difference appears with the portion including only the cyan ink droplet, so that the position of the line pattern 44 can be specified. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the solid two-dimensional pattern 42 is used, the position of the line pattern 44 can be easily specified.

  The overlapping portion may be identified by visual observation, or may be identified by scanning with a detecting means such as a line sensor and detecting a density difference.

  As a result of the above identification, as shown in FIG. 12, the line pattern 44 formed so as to overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 is entirely in the Y-coordinate direction. When the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C overlap, the processing liquid discharge head 34T is not inclined with respect to the ink jet recording head 34C.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the line pattern 44 formed so as to deviate from the reference portion 42 </ b> B and the reference portion 42 </ b> C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 is partially the reference of the two-dimensional pattern 42 in the Y coordinate direction. When overlapping with the portion 42B and the reference portion 42C, it can be seen that the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is inclined with respect to the ink jet recording head 34C.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the line pattern 44 formed so as to be shifted by two dots from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 at the position of the Y coordinate 4500 is the reference portion 42B and the reference portion of the two-dimensional pattern 42. Since it overlaps with the portion 42C, the inclination θ of the treatment liquid discharge head 34T with respect to the ink jet recording head 34C is SIN ⁻¹ (2/4000) = 0.0286 (rad).

  In this embodiment, since the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42 protrude, it is easy to determine whether or not a deviation from the line pattern 44 has occurred, and the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid discharge The visibility of the detection pattern formed for detecting the positional deviation from the head 34T is good.

  When the processing liquid discharge head 34T is tilted with respect to the ink jet recording head 34C, the tilt adjustment between the ink jet recording head 34C and the processing liquid discharge head 34T is performed as follows.

  For example, a mechanism that rotates in the direction A with the support shaft 35 as a fulcrum is provided in advance at the tip of the treatment liquid discharge head 34T, and the rear end portion of the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is moved by this mechanism to the ink jet recording head 34C. The inclination of the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is adjusted. As described above, when the inclination is 0.0286 (rad), the amount of movement of the rear end portion of the processing liquid ejection head 34T is SIN (0.0286) * 6000 = 3 dots (about 0.127 mm). .

  In order to appropriately adjust the position between the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T, first, the inclination θ of the treatment liquid ejection head 34T with respect to the inkjet recording head 34C is detected and adjusted, and then the inkjet is performed. The distance D1 in the arrangement direction of the recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T is detected and adjusted, and further, the deviation D2 in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head 34C and the treatment liquid ejection head 34T is adjusted. Is good.

  12 and 13 show a line pattern 44 that overlaps the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42, and the line pattern 44 that does not overlap the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42. About is omitted.

  In the two-dimensional pattern 42 of the present embodiment, the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C protrude from the solid portion 42A. However, the two-dimensional pattern according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, a rectangular solid solid portion 62A, a reference portion 62B that is recessed from the edge of the solid portion 42A in a predetermined direction, and an edge of the solid portion 42A in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. It may be a two-dimensional pattern 62 composed of a recessed reference portion 62C.

  The solid portion 62A has at least a width W4 of 3 dots or more and a length L4 of 2 dots or more. The width WC and the width WD are each 1 dot or more. The reference portion 62B and the reference portion 62C have at least a width W5 of 1 dot or more and a length L5 of 1 dot or more. The reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C may have different lengths. Further, the reference portion 62B and the reference portion 62C may be configured to form only the reference portion 62B as shown in FIG. 14B, and as shown in FIG. 14C, the reference portion 62C. The structure which forms only.

  In the present embodiment, since the treatment liquid discharge head 34T is disposed on the upstream side of the ink jet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, and 34Y in the paper conveyance direction, the two-dimensional pattern 42 is formed after the line pattern 44 is formed. However, when the processing liquid ejection head 34T is disposed downstream of the ink jet recording heads 34K, 34C, 34M, and 34Y in the paper transport direction, the line pattern 44 is formed after the two-dimensional pattern 42 is formed. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of identification patterns 50 are formed on the same sheet (recording medium) at a time, but may be formed over a plurality of sheets.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of line patterns 44 are formed in advance so as to be shifted one dot from the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42, and the line pattern 44, the reference portion 42B, and the reference portion 42C By discriminating the overlapping portion, not only whether or not the relative displacement of the mounting position between the inkjet recording heads has occurred, but also the amount of deviation can be instantly determined. . When only determining whether or not the relative displacement of the mounting position has occurred between the inkjet recording heads, the line pattern 44 is weighted to the reference portion 42B and the reference portion 42C of the two-dimensional pattern 42. You may form with the single identification pattern 50 formed so that it may become.

  In this embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink droplets and records an image is described as a liquid droplet discharging apparatus that discharges liquid droplets, and ink is discharged as a liquid droplet discharging head that discharges liquid droplets. The ink jet recording head for recording an image has been described. However, the droplet discharge device and the droplet discharge head according to the present invention are not limited to those that record an image on a recording sheet, and the liquid to be discharged is not limited to ink.

  For example, it is used industrially, such as a device that creates a color filter for display by discharging ink onto a polymer film or glass, or a device that forms bumps for component mounting by discharging solder in a welded state onto a substrate. The present invention can be applied to a droplet discharge device and a droplet discharge head in general used in the droplet discharge device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a two-dimensional pattern and a line pattern according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an identification pattern formed by superimposing a two-dimensional pattern and a line pattern according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating coordinate values for specifying a position where an ink droplet for one dot adheres to a sheet. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an interval in the arrangement direction of the ink jet recording head and the treatment liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a two-dimensional pattern formed in order to detect a gap in the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head and the treatment liquid ejection head. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a line pattern formed to detect a deviation in the interval between the inkjet recording head and the treatment liquid ejection head in the arrangement direction. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detection pattern formed to detect a shift in the interval between the inkjet recording head and the treatment liquid ejection head in the arrangement direction. (A) shows a case where no deviation occurs, and (B) shows a case where a deviation occurs. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a deviation in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head and the treatment liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a two-dimensional pattern formed to detect a shift in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head and the treatment liquid ejection head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a line pattern formed to detect a shift in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the inkjet recording head and the treatment liquid ejection head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detection pattern formed to detect a shift in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the ink jet recording head and the processing liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment. (A) shows a case where no deviation occurs, and (B) shows a case where a deviation occurs. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relative inclination of the processing liquid discharge head with respect to the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a two-dimensional pattern formed to detect the relative inclination of the processing liquid ejection head with respect to the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a line pattern formed to detect the relative inclination of the processing liquid ejection head with respect to the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detection pattern formed for detecting the relative inclination of the processing liquid ejection head with respect to the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment, and showing an example in which no inclination occurs. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detection pattern formed for detecting the relative inclination of the processing liquid ejection head with respect to the ink jet recording head according to the present embodiment, and showing an example in which the inclination occurs. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the two-dimensional pattern according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Inkjet recording device (droplet ejection device)
34C Inkjet recording head (first droplet discharge head)
34T treatment liquid discharge head (second droplet discharge head)
42B Reference part 42C Reference part 42 Two-dimensional pattern 44 Line pattern 52 Detection pattern 53 Detection pattern 54 Detection pattern 55 Detection pattern 62B Reference part 62C Reference part 62 Two-dimensional pattern P Paper (recording medium)

Claims (6)

A first droplet discharge head that discharges a first droplet and forms a plurality of two-dimensional patterns on a recording medium, each having a rectangular solid portion and a reference portion that protrudes in a predetermined direction from the solid portion ;
A second droplet having a color different from that of the first droplet is ejected so as to completely overlap the reference portion with respect to one of the two-dimensional patterns , and with respect to the other two-dimensional patterns. A linear line pattern that protrudes from the solid portion in the predetermined direction and extends along the predetermined direction so as to deviate from the reference portion by a reference portion width is formed by overlapping each of the plurality of two-dimensional patterns . A two-droplet discharge head;
With
The reference portion width is a width along an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the reference portion,
The reference portion width and the width along the orthogonal direction in the line pattern are the same, constant along the predetermined direction, and further narrower than the width along the orthogonal direction in the solid portion,
The length along the predetermined direction in the line pattern is a length obtained by combining the length along the predetermined direction in the reference portion and the length along the predetermined direction in the solid portion. Droplet discharge device.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third droplet discharge head that discharges a third droplet having a different color from the first droplet so as to overlap the first droplet and forms the two-dimensional pattern. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus described.   The first droplet discharge head discharges yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink or black ink,
  The droplet discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second droplet discharge head discharges a transparent processing liquid. The predetermined direction is an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first droplet discharge head and the second droplet discharge head;
4. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the first droplet discharge head forms a plurality of the two-dimensional patterns on a recording medium along the orthogonal direction. 5. . In order to perform registration adjustment between a first droplet discharge head that discharges a first droplet and a second droplet discharge head that discharges a second droplet having a color different from that of the first droplet. A detection pattern to be formed,
A two-dimensional pattern including a reference portion, which is formed by a plurality of the first droplets , and has a rectangular solid portion and a reference portion protruding from the solid portion in a predetermined direction ;
By the second droplet so that it completely overlaps the reference part with respect to one of the two-dimensional patterns and is shifted by a reference part width from the reference part with respect to the other two-dimensional pattern. A linear line pattern that is formed to overlap each of the two-dimensional patterns , protrudes in the predetermined direction from the solid portion , and extends along the predetermined direction;
With
The reference portion width is a width along an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the reference portion,
The reference portion width and the width along the orthogonal direction in the line pattern are the same, constant along the predetermined direction, and further narrower than the width along the orthogonal direction in the solid portion,
The length along the predetermined direction in the line pattern is a length obtained by combining the length along the predetermined direction in the reference portion and the length along the predetermined direction in the solid portion. Detection pattern. In order to perform registration adjustment between a first droplet discharge head that discharges a first droplet and a second droplet discharge head that discharges a second droplet having a color different from that of the first droplet. A detection pattern forming method for forming a detection pattern,
A plurality of two-dimensional patterns having a rectangular solid portion and a reference portion protruding in a predetermined direction from the solid portion are formed on the recording medium by discharging the first droplet from the first droplet discharge head. The first step;
The second droplet is ejected from the second droplet ejection head so as to completely overlap the reference portion with respect to one of the two-dimensional patterns , and with respect to the other two-dimensional patterns. A linear line pattern that protrudes from the solid portion in the predetermined direction and extends along the predetermined direction so as to deviate from the reference portion by a reference portion width is formed by overlapping each of the plurality of two-dimensional patterns . Two steps,
With
The reference portion width is a width along an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the reference portion,
The reference portion width and the width along the orthogonal direction in the line pattern are the same, constant along the predetermined direction, and further narrower than the width along the orthogonal direction in the solid portion,
The length along the predetermined direction in the line pattern is a length obtained by combining the length along the predetermined direction in the reference portion and the length along the predetermined direction in the solid portion. Detection pattern forming method.

Images