JP2007030195A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance user's operability by ensuring a space for replacing a recording head sufficiently in an ink jet recorder having an image reading section to be opened upward when a recording head is replaced. <P>SOLUTION: The ink jet recorder comprises a stay for supporting an image reading section wherein the supporting position of the stay has a first supporting position for replacing a recording head where the opening of the image reading section is frequent, and a second supporting position where the opening is not so frequent as that at the first position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from recording means that is detachably mounted on a carriage that is movable along a recording medium.

  In recent years, with the spread of personal computers and digital cameras, it has become possible to easily handle image information, and the demand for a recording device that is easy to output is increasing. Among the recording systems used in the recording apparatus, there is an inkjet recording system known as a system that enables relatively small, inexpensive, and high-definition recording.

  In a recording apparatus using an ink jet recording system, a carriage (CR) equipped with an ink jet head (cartridge) having several tens to several hundreds of ink discharge ports is a driving belt that transmits the driving force of a carriage driving motor. It is configured to be movable by being connected to the section.

  As a result, the ink jet cartridge can move along the platen disposed so as to face the ejection surface, and during this movement, reciprocating motion (scanning) is performed over the entire width of the recording medium fed onto the platen, and recording is performed. It can be carried out. The recording medium is conveyed by a sheet conveying means for each scanning of the carriage for a distance determined according to the pitch of the ejection ports. By repeating the above scanning and conveyance of the recording medium, recording is performed on the entire surface of the recording medium.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus having recording means (recording head) detachably mounted on a carriage, a new recording head is replaced when the ink in the head cartridge as the recording means is used up or when the recording means fails. In some cases, it is possible to easily return to a recordable state. In addition, in recent years, ink jet printing apparatuses with advanced functions have been developed, and by replacing a permanent print head (such as a head cartridge) with an optional head such as a photo cartridge, output (recording) of photo-like photo images and the like. An ink jet recording apparatus configured to enable the above-mentioned has been widely used.

In addition, in an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit, when replacing the recording head, the image reading unit is opened and closed in order to secure a sufficient replacement space, and the door in front of the recording unit is also opened and closed. The recording head can be replaced.
JP 2005-74659 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, it is necessary to open the image reading means upward, open the door in front of the recording unit, and operate with two actions. Further, there is no clear description of the holding means when the image reading means is opened upward. Therefore, it is necessary to have a configuration in which sufficient opening is obtained by opening the image reading unit upward and a holding unit for the image reading unit is provided.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to have two support positions with different opening of the image reading unit, so that even if the user is not particularly conscious. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus having a configuration that sufficiently opens the image reading means when the recording head is mounted on the carriage and improves the operability when the recording head is attached / detached.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
A detachable recording head for recording by discharging ink;
Image reading means for reading characters and images from an object to be read disposed substantially above the recording head;
In order to obtain the opening of the apparatus when the recording head is attached / detached, the image reading unit is configured to be opened upward so that the recording unit is exposed when opened, and at that time, a stay that supports the image reading unit,
In an ink jet recording apparatus having a middle frame having a convex portion that supports the stay,
The support position of the stay has a first position for obtaining an opening sufficient for attaching and detaching the head and a second position having a smaller opening than the first position.

  According to the present invention, since the image reading unit has two different support positions, the image reading unit can be opened upward when the recording head is mounted on the carriage, even if the user is not particularly conscious. It is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that has a sufficient configuration and improves operability when the recording head is attached and detached.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus provided with an image reading unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the image reading unit is supported at a first position.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus provided with the image reading means according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the image reading means is supported at the second position.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a recording unit A including a sheet conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a case where the recording unit A is an ink jet recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by discharging ink. Show.

  FIG. 15 shows the case where the reading unit B and the operation unit C are rotatably attached above the recording unit A.

  The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is broadly divided into a reading unit B, an operation unit C, a paper feeding unit 37, a recording medium conveying unit (paper conveying unit), a recording unit head 200, and a recording head (recording unit) maintenance unit. 36. Recording data is sent from a reading unit or a host device (not shown), stored in the recording device control unit (not shown) on the control board, and a recording operation start command is issued from the control unit to perform the recording operation. Starts.

  When recording starts, a paper feeding operation is first performed. The sheet feeding unit is a main ASF (Automatic Sheet Feeder), and the sheet feeding unit 37 receives one recording sheet for each recording operation from a plurality of recording media (recording sheets) stacked on the pressure plate 41. The automatic paper feeding unit is pulled out and sent to a recording medium conveyance unit (paper conveyance unit). An ASF motor (not shown) rotates at the start of the paper feeding operation, and the power rotates the cam holding the pressure plate 41 via the gear train. When the cam is removed by the rotation of the ASF motor, 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 recording medium (paper) is conveyed, so that conveyance of the uppermost sheet of the recording medium loaded is started. At that time, a plurality of recording sheets may be sent out at the same time depending on the conditions of the frictional force between the sheet feeding roller 39 and the recording sheet and the frictional force between the recording sheets.

  In that case, a separation roller (not shown) that is pressed against the paper feed roller 39 and has a predetermined return rotational torque in the direction opposite to the recording sheet conveyance direction acts, and this separation roller is the recording sheet closest to the paper feed roller 39. It works to push back the recording sheet other than the original pressure plate. At the end of the ASF sheet feeding operation, the separation roller is released from the pressure contact state with the sheet feeding roller 39 by the operation of the cam and is separated by a predetermined distance. At that time, the recording sheet is surely moved to a predetermined position on the pressure plate. In order to push back, a return claw (not shown) rotates and plays a role. With the operation as described above, only one recording sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveying unit.

  A recording sheet as a recording medium conveyed from the paper supply unit 37 is conveyed toward a nip portion between a conveyance roller (paper feeding roller) 21 and a pinch roller 22 as a paper conveyance unit (recording medium conveyance unit). The center of the pinch roller 22 is attached to the center of the transport roller 21 with a slight offset in a direction approaching a paper discharge roller (not shown), so that the tangential angle at which the recording sheet is inserted is slightly higher than the horizontal. Tilted. Therefore, the sheet is conveyed at an angle through a sheet passing path formed by the pinch roller holder 23 and a guide member (sheet passing guide) (not shown) so that the leading end of the sheet is accurately guided to the nip portion. .

  A sheet (recording sheet) conveyed (feeded or fed) by the sheet feeding unit 37 is abutted against the nip portion of the conveying roller 21 in a stopped state. At this time, a paper loop is formed between the paper feed roller 39 and the transport roller 21 by transporting the distance a little longer than the predetermined paper path length by the ASF 37. When the leading edge of the sheet is pressed against the nip portion of the conveying roller 21 with a force that the loop returns straight, the leading edge of the sheet becomes parallel to the conveying roller 21 and the so-called registration removing operation is completed. After the registration operation is completed, the rotation (forward rotation) of an LF motor (conveyance motor) (not shown) is performed in the direction in which the recording sheet moves in the forward direction (the direction in which the recording sheet advances toward the paper discharge roller). Start.

  Thereafter, the paper feeding roller 39 is cut in driving force and is rotated with the recording sheet. At this time, the recording sheet is conveyed only by the conveying roller 21 and the pinch roller 22. The recording sheet advances in the positive direction for every predetermined line feed amount, and advances along the rib provided on the platen 29.

  The leading edge of the paper is gradually applied to the nip portion of the paper discharge roller and the spur train 32, but the peripheral speed of the paper discharge roller is set to be substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the transport roller 21, and the transport roller 21 and the paper discharge roller are connected by a gear train. Therefore, the paper discharge roller rotates in synchronization with the conveyance roller 21, so that the recording sheet is conveyed without being loosened or pulled.

  The recording unit mainly includes a recording head 200 as recording means, and a carriage 100 that mounts the recording head 200 and scans (moves) in a direction crossing (usually orthogonal) to the recording sheet conveyance direction. The carriage 100 is guided and supported by a guide rail 14 fixed to the chassis 10 and a support rail 15 that is a part of the chassis 10, and a carriage belt 16 that is stretched between a carriage motor 17 and an idler pulley 20. In this way, a driving force of a carriage motor (not shown) is transmitted to reciprocate (scan).

  A plurality of ink flow paths are formed inside the recording head 200, and the ink flow paths communicate with ejection ports arranged on a surface (ejection port surface) facing the platen 29. Ink discharge actuators (energy generating means) are arranged inside each of the plurality of discharge ports forming the discharge port array. As this actuator, for example, an actuator using a liquid film boiling pressure by an electrothermal transducer (heat generating element), an electromechanical transducer (electric-pressure transducer) such as a piezo element, or the like is used.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus using the above recording head 200 as a recording apparatus, a head driver (not shown) signal is transmitted to the recording head 200 via a flexible flat cable 73, so that ink can be used in accordance with recording data. It is possible to eject drops. Further, by reading the code strip 18 stretched on the chassis 10 with a CR (carriage 100) encoder mounted on the carriage 100, ink droplets can be ejected toward the recording sheet at an appropriate timing. In this way, when the recording for one line is completed, the recording sheet is conveyed (paper fed) by a necessary amount by the sheet conveying unit (recording medium conveying unit). By repeating this operation, the recording operation over the entire surface of the recording sheet becomes possible. The above is the outline of the recording apparatus.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 15, the reading unit B provided with the operation unit C in front of the apparatus has a rotation center 5 at the back of the apparatus and is configured to be rotatable. By rotating the reading unit B toward the rear of the apparatus, a space required for replacing the recording head is opened. Reference numeral 2 denotes a reading unit that optically reads a document, and 3 denotes a pressure plate that presses the document or the like placed on the reading unit 2.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording head as recording means. In this embodiment, a replaceable ink jet cartridge (head cartridge) in which the recording means (recording head) and the ink reservoir (ink tank) are integrated is shown. Used. In the case of normal color recording, the recording head is provided with a black cartridge 200A as a recording means in the recording means accommodating portion, and a three-color cartridge 200B (cyan, magenta, yellow) as a recording means in the recording means accommodating portion. ) Is used. It is also possible to use a photo cartridge (not shown) (black, light cyan, light magenta) as an optional head instead of the black cartridge when recording in photographic tone photo color.

  The head cartridges 200A and 200B and the photo cartridge as the optional head have substantially the same shape and size. FIG. 3 shows a typical shape 200A of the recording head according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a positioning groove 202 is formed at the lower part of both side surfaces of the head cartridge main body 200A, and a rough guide projection 203 is formed at a position on the contact surface in front of the positioning groove 202 on both side surfaces. Has been.

  4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the black cartridge head 200A and the color cartridge 200B of FIG. 3 are mounted on the carriage 100 in FIG.

  14 and 4, the carriage 100 is driven by a driving mechanism including a carriage motor, a carriage belt 16 and the like, and reciprocates along the guide rail 14. The carriage 100 includes side walls 103 on both sides and a medium. A wall 104 is provided. An accommodating portion (recording means accommodating portion) of a head cartridge as recording means is formed between the side wall 103L and the middle wall 104 of the carriage 100, and the head is also located between the side wall 103R and the inner wall 104. A cartridge accommodating portion (recording means accommodating portion) is formed.

  1 and 4 show a state in which a black cartridge 200A and a three-color cartridge 200B as a permanent head are mounted on the carriage 100. FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing only the carriage 100 unit.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state at the time of wearing.

  When installing or removing the ink cartridge, the user first opens the image reading unit B upward. The carriage 100 is configured to move to a cartridge replacement position by a sensor 301 that detects opening / closing of the image reading unit B.

  One end of the stay 300 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 304a on the bottom surface of the scanner base 304 of the image reading portion B. In a normal product use state, the stay 304 is stored in the recess 302c of the middle frame. The stay 300 is biased in the direction of arrow F by a spring (not shown). When the image reading unit B is opened upward, the other end of the stay 300 enters the recess 302a of the middle frame 302 and the image reading unit. B is supported at the first position shown in FIG. In this state, the image reading unit B is fully opened and the ink cartridge is attached and detached.

  The middle frame 302 has a convex portion 302b and can support one end of the stay 300 at the second position shown in FIG. In this state, the image reading unit B is less opened than the first position.

  Even if the stay 300 is supported in front of the recess 302a due to an erroneous operation by the user, and the stay 300 is accidentally paid, the image reading unit has a large impact because it is supported at the second position. It will never close together.

  Therefore, the user does not pinch his hand with a large impact, and the damage to the image reading unit is small.

  In FIGS. 1 and 16, a rib 303 is provided in front of the sensor 301 that detects opening and closing of the image reading unit B, and is formed so as to cover the sensor 301.

  Even if the user accidentally touches the sensor 301, it is difficult to touch the sensor 301 directly, so that the sensor is protected from damage due to static electricity or the like.

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus as one embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16, the carriage of the recording head can be used even if the user is not particularly conscious by having two support positions with different opening of the image reading unit. In addition, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus having a structure that sufficiently opens the image reading means upward when the recording head is mounted and improves operability when the recording head is attached / detached. In addition, safety considerations for users and product protection could be implemented at low cost.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, the case where two recording units (recording head and head cartridge) 200 </ b> A and 200 </ b> B are mounted on the carriage 100 has been described as an example. It can be freely implemented regardless of the number, and in addition to an inkjet recording apparatus using one recording head, an inkjet recording apparatus for color recording using a plurality of recording heads using different color inks, or the same color The present invention can be similarly applied to an inkjet recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording heads that use inks of different concentrations, and further, an inkjet recording apparatus that combines these, and achieves the same effect. It is possible.

  Furthermore, the present invention uses a replaceable ink jet cartridge (head cartridge) in which the recording means (recording head 200) and the ink reservoir (ink tank) are integrated, and the recording means and the ink reservoir are separated, The present invention can be similarly applied to any arrangement of the recording means and the ink reservoir, such as a configuration in which the ink is connected by an ink supply tube or the like, and the same effect can be obtained.

  The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus that uses an ink jet recording head 200 that uses an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. In particular, the ink is ejected using thermal energy. In the ink jet recording apparatus using the ink jet recording head 200 of the above method, an excellent effect is brought about. This is because according to such a method, high density and high definition of recording (print) can be achieved.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording head as recording means according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where the recording head of the carriage unit according to the embodiment of the invention is mounted. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state before the recording head is mounted on the carriage unit according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state at the start of mounting of a recording head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state at the start of mounting of a recording head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state during the recording head mounting operation according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state during the recording head mounting operation according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state during the recording head mounting operation according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state during the recording head mounting operation according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the recording head is completely mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a recording head mounting completion state according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the prior art example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1. Recording device body (recording unit body)
2 Reading unit 3 Pressure plate 4 Center of rotation 10 Chassis 13 Head guide member 13a Head guide member guide groove 13b Head guide pocket 13c Head guide notch 14 Guide rail 15 Support rail 16 Carriage belt 17 Carriage motor 21 Conveying roller (LF roller, Paper feed roller)
22 Pinch roller 23 Pinch roller holder 29 Platen 32 Spur train (rotating body)
36 Maintenance unit (Discharge recovery device)
37 Main ASF (automatic paper feeder)
39 Feed roller 41 Pressure plate 100 Carriage 101 Carriage positioning protrusion 103 Carriage outer wall 104 Carriage inner wall 105 Carriage guide groove 110 Headset cam 111 Headset spring 120 Connector 200A Recording head (black cartridge)
200B recording head (color cartridge)
201 Nozzle part 202 Positioning groove 203 Rough guide protrusion 204 Head pressing part 205 Head handle part a
206 Head handle b
300 Stay 301 Sensor 302 Middle frame 302a Concave portion 302b Convex portion 302c Concave portion 303 Rib 304 Scanner base 304a Bearing

Claims (3)

A detachable recording head for recording by discharging ink;
Image reading means for reading characters and images from an object to be read disposed substantially above the recording head;
In order to obtain the opening of the apparatus when the recording head is attached / detached, the image reading unit is configured to be opened upward so that the recording unit is exposed when opened, and at that time, a stay that supports the image reading unit,
In an inkjet recording apparatus having a middle frame having a concavo-convex portion that supports the stay,
The support position of the stay has a first position for obtaining an opening sufficient for attaching and detaching the head, and a second position having a smaller opening than the first position.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stay is housed in a recess of the middle frame when the image reading unit is closed.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stay is biased by a spring or the like and protrudes to the first position when the image reading unit is opened.

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