JP2000301710A - Ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the reliability of a recording apparatus by constituting a maintenance and recovery mechanism without requiring the scaling-up of the apparatus and the complication of a structure by supporting a recording means so as to make the same rotationally movable in parallel to the feed surface of a material to be recorded around the center of rotation crossing the emitting orifice row, which is provided to the outside of the emitting orifice row of the recording means, at a right angle. SOLUTION: Maintenance and recovery mechanisms 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2A are provided corresponding to recording heads 1Y, 1M, 1C emitting inks of yellow, magenta and cyan and a recording head 1A emitting a recording grade enhancing liquid and a maintenance and recovery mechanism is also provided corresponding to a recording head 1K emitting black ink. The recording heads 1Y, 1M, 1C not used when only monochromatic recording is performed are pref. held to maintenance and recovery operation positions from an aspect of the ink drying prevention of emitting orfices. The recording heads 1K, 1A and 1Y, 1M, 1C present at the maintenance and recovery operation positions are rotationally moved in X- and Y-directions to be collectively transferred to recording operation positions shown by broken lines.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like, or a recording apparatus used as an output apparatus such as a composite electronic apparatus including a computer or a word processor, or a workstation is provided with image information (recording information). The image (including characters, symbols, etc.) is recorded on a recording material (recording medium) such as paper, cloth, plastic sheet, OHP sheet, etc. The 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.

In a serial type recording apparatus that performs recording while performing main scanning in a direction intersecting the transport direction (paper feeding direction and sub-scanning direction) of the recording material, a carriage that moves in the main scanning direction along the recording material. An image is formed (recorded) by the recording means (recording head) mounted thereon, and after one line of image formation is completed, a predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch conveyance as sub-scanning) is performed, and then the operation is stopped again. By repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the recording material, the recording of the entire recording material is performed.
On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that performs recording only in the sub-scanning direction of a recording material (recording paper or the like) in the transport direction, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and recording for one line is performed collectively. After that, a predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch feed) is performed, and further, the operation of collectively recording the next line is repeated, thereby recording the entire recording material.

Among them, an ink jet type recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head (recording means) to a recording material, and it is easy to make the recording head compact. It can record high-definition images at high speed, can record on plain paper without requiring special processing, has low running costs, is non-impact, has low noise, and has many types of It has the advantage that it is easy to form a color image using ink (for example, color ink).

As an energy generating element for generating energy used for discharging ink from a discharge port of an ink jet recording head, an element using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, or heating by irradiating an electromagnetic wave such as a laser. Then, an ink droplet is ejected by the heat generation function, or a liquid is heated by an electrothermal converter having a heat generating resistor. Among them, an ink jet type recording head that discharges ink as droplets by using thermal energy can perform high-resolution recording because discharge ports can be arranged at high density. In particular, among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer element as an energy generating element can be easily miniaturized, and IC technology and micro-machining technology, which are remarkable in recent advances in technology in the field of semiconductors and remarkable improvement in reliability. This is advantageous because the advantages of the above can be fully utilized, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

There are various requirements for the material of the recording material (recording medium). In recent years, developments in response to these requirements have been advanced, and paper (including thin paper and processed paper) which is a general recording material has been developed. And resin thin plate (OHP etc.), cloth,
Recording devices using leather, nonwoven fabric, metal, or the like as a recording material have also been used.

In the ink jet recording apparatus,
Since printing is performed by discharging ink droplets from the discharge ports of the recording means, the state of the discharge ports greatly affects the recording quality (image quality). For example, when a discharge failure (including non-discharge) occurs due to bubbles or the like generated in the discharge ports during printing, a maintenance recovery method is used in which ink is filled in the print head by a pressurizing means or the like to refresh (recover) the discharge ports. Is being done. In addition, it is necessary to cover (capping) the discharge port with a highly airtight cap member in preparation for thickening and fixing of ink in the discharge port due to spontaneous evaporation of the ink during long-term storage or transportation. Accordingly, in recent years, the density of ejection ports of recording means has been rapidly increasing in response to a market demand for higher definition of recording, and maintenance recovery for recovering the ejection ports with such higher density of ejection ports. There is a growing demand for mechanisms.

Particularly, in an ink jet recording apparatus using a so-called long line type recording head capable of recording at one time over the width of the recording material in the conveying direction, the length of the maintenance / recovery mechanism of the recording head needs to be approximately the same as the recording head length. As a result, the size becomes large, and how to incorporate it into a recording apparatus has been a problem. FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic side views showing a conventional example of this type of ink jet recording apparatus. In FIG. 8, a plurality of recording heads 1Y,
Multiple (same number) corresponding to each of 1M, 1C, 1K
Maintenance recovery mechanisms 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K. In addition, as for these plural recording heads and plural maintenance / recovery mechanisms, when referring to an arbitrary or entirety,
The recording head 1 and the maintenance / recovery mechanism 2 are simply referred to. Then, in the configuration of FIG. 8, during the recording operation,
The maintenance / recovery mechanism 2 can be retracted so as not to hinder the recording operation.

FIG. 8A shows a configuration in which the recording head 1 is brought into a maintenance recovery state by a parallel movement. In FIG. 8A, 1 is a recording head, 2 is a maintenance / recovery mechanism, 10 is a transport belt that holds and transports a recording material (recording paper or the like),
11 is a belt driving roller for driving the conveyor belt 10;
Reference numeral 2 denotes a belt driven roller disposed opposite to the belt driving roller 11. At the time of the maintenance recovery operation, the recording head 1 moves the arrow A against the transport belt 10 supported at the fixed position.
By moving in the direction, a sufficient gap is formed between the recording head and the transport belt 10, and then the maintenance / recovery mechanism 2 moves in the direction of the arrow B (moves to the right after lowering once). The maintenance recovery operation is executed facing the ejection port surface of the recording head 1.

FIG. 8B shows a configuration in which the recording head 1 is turned into a maintenance recovery state by rotation. In FIG. 8B, each recording head 1 is rotated by an arrow C about the center of rotation.
, And move it to the position shown by the broken line (only shown for the recording head 1K). With this movement, the ejection port surface of each recording head 1 faces the respective maintenance recovery mechanism 2, and the maintenance recovery operation is executed in that state.

[0011]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there are some restrictions when executing the maintenance recovery operation. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 8A, it is necessary to make the maintenance and recovery mechanism 2 to which the pipes and the like for moving the collected ink move can be moved.
There is a problem that the configuration of the maintenance and recovery mechanism 2 is complicated.
In the embodiment of FIG. 8B, the maintenance / recovery mechanism is fixedly installed. However, since the recording head 1 rotates, an extra space is required and the recording apparatus becomes large. is there.

Further, when a recording material (recording paper or the like) is jammed between the recording head 1 and the transport belt 10 during recording operation (when a so-called paper jam occurs), jamming is performed to eliminate the jam. 8A and 8B, the recording head 1 and the maintenance / recovery mechanism 2 are installed on the transport belt 10 in both cases. For this reason, there is another problem to be solved in that a processing operation for eliminating the jam becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a maintenance / recovery mechanism of a recording unit without complicating the maintenance / recovery mechanism or increasing the size of a recording apparatus. It is possible to improve the reliability of the recording apparatus by maintaining unnecessary recording means in the maintenance recovery state, and to easily perform the recording material removing operation when a paper jam occurs. Maintenance of conveyor belt,
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can easily perform cleaning and the like.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention (claim 1) provides:
In order to achieve the above object, in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from a recording unit to a recording material, a rotation center orthogonal to the discharge port array is provided outside a discharge port array of the recording means, The recording means is supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation center in parallel with the conveyance surface of the recording material. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a plurality of the recording units are provided, and two or more recording units can be rotated and moved collectively, thereby further improving the efficiency. The above object is achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material in order to achieve the above object. A rotation center axis inclined by a predetermined angle from an axis orthogonal to the row is provided, and the recording means is rotatable about the rotation center axis in substantially parallel with vertical movement with respect to the conveyance surface of the recording material. It is characterized by supporting. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect, a plurality of the recording units are provided, and two or more recording units can be rotated and moved collectively, thereby further improving the efficiency. The above object is achieved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the recording means is supported so as to be vertically movable with respect to the transport surface simultaneously with the rotational movement. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the vertical movement of the recording means is performed by an end face cam of a member supporting the recording means. In addition to the configuration of claim 2 or 4, the collective rotational movement of the plurality of recording means is performed by a mechanical connection such as a gear, a belt, or a link, so that each of the recording means is more efficiently. The purpose is achieved.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a recording section of a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The printing apparatus shown in this embodiment is a so-called line type ink jet printing apparatus.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head (recording unit) for selectively discharging ink from a plurality of fine discharge ports to perform recording. In the illustrated recording apparatus capable of color recording, ink of different colors is used. A plurality of recording heads for ejecting are provided independently of each other, and a recording head 1Y for ejecting yellow ink, a recording head 1M for ejecting magenta ink, and a recording head 1 for ejecting cyan ink
C, a print head 1A that discharges a print quality improving liquid, and a print head 1K that discharges black ink.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a maintenance and recovery mechanism for preventing drying of the discharge ports when the recording head 1 is not used, and performing a maintenance and recovery operation for eliminating the clogging of the discharge ports. The maintenance and recovery mechanism 2 includes maintenance and recovery mechanisms 2Y and 2 which are provided independently for each of the plurality of recording heads 1.
M, 2C, 2A and 2K. The plurality of recording heads 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K and the plurality of maintenance and recovery mechanisms 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are simply referred to as the recording head 1 and the maintenance and recovery mechanism 2 when indicating any or all. I will.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a head positioning unit for positioning and holding the recording head 1 at a recording operation position during a recording operation. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a conveyor belt that holds and conveys a recording material (recording paper or the like) by electrostatic force when a high voltage is applied, and 11 is disposed at one end of the conveyor belt 10 and rotationally driven by a driving source (not shown). The belt driving roller 12 is disposed at a position facing the belt driving roller 11, and is a belt driven roller that stretches the conveyor belt 10 while applying an appropriate tension to the belt.
Denotes a recording material (recording paper) which is held and conveyed by the conveyance belt 10 and receives and records the ejected ink.

The recording apparatus as a whole is provided with a recording material supply unit, which is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyor belt 10 and stacks and holds the recording paper 13 and supplies the recording paper 13 one by one when necessary, A recording material discharge unit disposed downstream of the transport belt 10 to peel off the recording paper 13 from the transport belt 10 and sequentially stack the recording paper 13; an ink supply unit for supplying ink to the recording head 1; And a waste ink holding unit for holding ink discharged from the printer. further,
The recording apparatus receives data from the host computer and transfers the data to the recording head 1, controls power applied to the recording head 1, and controls a driving source of the belt driving roller 11. And other parts.

Each recording means (recording head) 1 is an ink jet recording head for selectively discharging ink from a plurality of discharge ports to perform recording by applying energy according to a recording signal. The recording head 1 is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the ink jet recording means 1 performs recording by discharging ink from discharge ports by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. Things. The electrothermal transducer is provided corresponding to each of the ejection ports, and discharges ink from the corresponding ejection port by applying a pulse voltage to the corresponding electrothermal transducer in accordance with a recording signal.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of the recording head 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a plurality of electrothermal transducers 82 are formed on a substrate (base plate) 81 of the recording head 1 by a manufacturing process (thin film forming method or the like) similar to that of a semiconductor with a layer of a thin film 83 interposed therebetween.
And wirings corresponding thereto. As shown, the electrothermal transducers 82 are arranged at positions corresponding to the respective discharge ports 89 and liquid paths 86. On the substrate (base plate) 81 (the thin film 83 on the substrate 81)
A liquid path forming member 84 having a plurality of liquid path walls 84A formed in parallel on a lower surface at predetermined intervals is joined to (upper part). Further, a top plate 8 is provided on the upper surface of the liquid path forming member 84.
5 are joined.

A liquid passage 86 is formed between the liquid passage walls 84A. The liquid passage forming member 84 has the electrothermal transducers 82 arranged at predetermined positions inside the liquid passages 86. It is positioned and joined in such a positional relationship. Each liquid passage wall 8
4A has a predetermined length, and the rear end of each liquid path 86 communicates with a common liquid chamber 87 formed between the liquid path forming member 84 and the substrate (base plate) 81 (or thin film 83). are doing. On the other hand, the other end (front end) of each liquid path 86 is a discharge port surface of the recording head 1 (a front surface on which a plurality of discharge ports 89 are arranged).
An opening is formed at 88, and a discharge port 89 is formed by each opening.

Thus, the electrothermal converter 8 such as a heating resistor is provided.
An ink jet recording head 1 is constructed in which the ink in the liquid passage 86 is film-boiling by energizing (applying a pulse voltage) to generate heat by applying a current to the ink 2 and ejecting ink droplets from the ejection port 89 at that time. ing. During the recording operation, the recording head 1 is held in a posture in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of discharge ports 89 crosses (substantially perpendicularly) the transport direction of the recording material (recording paper or the like) 13, and the discharge port surface 88 and the recording port are recorded. The distance from the material 13 (paper distance) is, for example, about 0.3 to 2.
It is set to about 0 mm.

Next, the recording operation of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described. When recording data is sent from the host computer or a recording operation start is instructed by a paper feed key or the like provided in the recording apparatus, a recording material (recording paper) 13 is supplied from a recording material supply unit (not shown). Is performed. Recording paper 13
Is supplied onto the conveyor belt 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and is held by the electrostatic force of the conveyor belt 10. Next, when the belt driving roller 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow D by a drive source (not shown), the transport belt 10 starts moving (running), and the recording material 13 moves in the direction of arrow E. During the recording operation, the recording head 1 is positioned and held at a position shown by a broken line in FIG. 1 (a position traversing the recording material 13), and the ejection port array of each recording head 1 intersects with the moving direction of the recording paper 13. (Orthogonal) directions.

Ink is ejected from the recording head 1 at a predetermined timing as the recording paper 13 moves, and recording is sequentially performed from the upstream recording head (the recording head 1K in FIG. 1). As the recording paper 13 moves, ink is sequentially ejected from each recording head 1 to complete recording. The recording paper 13 on which the recording has been performed is thereafter conveyed by the conveyance belt 10 and fed to a recording material discharge unit (not shown) to be stacked. When recording a plurality of sheets, a plurality of sheets of recording paper are sequentially supplied onto the transport belt 10, and the above-described recording operation is continuously performed. The above is the outline of the recording operation.

Next, the maintenance recovery operation of the recording head 1 will be described. For example, if the ejection port 89 of the recording head 1 is in contact with the atmosphere when the recording apparatus is not used, the ink may dry and cause clogging. In the maintenance and recovery operation, the ejection port 89 is covered with a cap. The recording head 1 during the recording operation, or when the ejection port 89 is clogged during the recording operation, or when paper dust or the like adheres to the ejection port surface 88 of the recording head 1 and needs to be cleaned. This refers to the operation to be performed. At the time of the maintenance recovery operation, the recording head 1 has moved from the recording operation position shown by the broken line in FIG. 1 to the maintenance recovery operation position shown by the solid line. FIG. 1 shows a state in which all the recording heads 1 are at the maintenance recovery operation position. When the recording head 1 is at the maintenance / recovery operation position, it faces the maintenance / recovery mechanism 2 fixedly installed in the recording apparatus, and the maintenance / recovery operation of the recording head 1 is performed in this state.

Next, the state in which the recording head 1 moves from the maintenance recovery operation position to the recording operation position will be described. FIG. 3 is FIG.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic side views of the recording apparatus viewed from the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3A, in which FIG. 3A shows a case where each recording head 1 is at a recording operation position, and FIG. Is in the maintenance recovery operation position. The movement of each recording head 1 is performed by a rotational movement about an axis in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying surface of the recording paper 13 at one end in the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the ejection openings 89 are arranged) of the recording head. It is. In this case, when moving from the maintenance / recovery operation position in FIG. 3B to the recording operation position in FIG. 3A, the distance between the discharge port surface 88 of the recording head 1 and the conveyance belt 10 (the sheet distance) ) Is changed from L2 to L1. Here, L1 <L2. The reason for this is that, when the recording operation is performed, it is better to make the sheet distance as small as possible, because the landing position error on the recording sheet due to the deviation of the ink ejection direction is reduced, and the recording quality is improved.

However, if the recording head 1 is rotationally moved while keeping the sheet distance L1 during recording, the backlash between the rotating shaft and the bearing and the installation angle error between the recording head 1 and the transport belt 10 are increased. For example, there is a possibility that the discharge port surface 88 of the recording head 1 touches the transport belt 10 and rubs. If the discharge port surface 88 is rubbed, the discharge port 89 itself may be damaged, and the damaged discharge port 8 may be damaged.
In the case of No. 9, the ink ejection direction becomes unstable, and the recording quality deteriorates. It is required to prevent this reliably. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the recording head 1 is configured to move vertically in parallel with the rotational movement of the recording head 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a mechanism in which the recording head moves up and down in parallel with the rotation. 4, reference numeral 4 denotes a head support shaft provided at one end of the recording head 1; 4A, a head support shaft end face cam formed on the shaft end surface (lower end surface) of the head support shaft 4; The provided head support 5A is a head support end cam formed on the end surface (upper end surface) of the head support 5. The head support shaft 4 is rotatably supported by fitting an extension (shaft) protruding from the lower end thereof into a bearing (shaft support hole) formed at the upper end of the head support base 5. ing.

The recording head 1 is urged downward by gravity, and the head support shaft end surface cam 4A and the head support base end surface cam 5A are always in contact with each other and are slid during the rotational movement of the recording head 1. In such a state, for example, the recording head 1
4 is rotated in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 4, the recording head 1 is raised in the direction of arrow H with respect to the fixed-side recording head support 5 by the action of both end cams 4A and 5A. When the recording head 1 moves from the maintenance recovery operation position to the recording operation position, the operation reverse to that described above is performed. By rotating the recording head 1 in the direction opposite to the arrow G, the recording head 1 It moves in the direction opposite to H (downward direction). By the above operation, each recording head 1 rotates while maintaining the distance between the discharge port surface 88 and the conveyor belt 10 at a value between L1 and L2.

Next, the interlocking operation of the plurality of recording heads 1 will be described. In a color printing apparatus using a plurality of printheads, it may be more convenient to operate several printheads collectively. That is, when performing only monochrome recording, only the black recording head 1K and the recording quality improving liquid recording head 1A are used, and the yellow recording head 1Y, the magenta recording head 1M, and the cyan recording head are used. The head 1C does not need to be used. It is desirable that the recording head that does not need to be used be held at the maintenance / recovery operation position in order to prevent the ink from drying at the discharge port.

Therefore, in the present embodiment using the five recording heads as described above, the first group of the recording heads 1K and 1A, and the second group of the recording heads 1Y, 1M and 1C. , And those in each group can be operated collectively. For example, in FIG. 1, assuming that each recording head 1 is in the maintenance recovery operation position as shown by the solid line, the recording heads 1K and 1A of the first group are rotated in the direction of arrow X to the recording operation position shown by the broken line. The recording heads 1Y, 1M, and 1C of the second group are configured to move collectively to a recording operation position indicated by a broken line by rotating in the direction of arrow Y.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing an interlocking mechanism for operating (interlocking) the recording heads in the group all at once (as viewed from above the recording apparatus in FIG. 1). In FIG. 5, reference numeral 6 denotes a first connecting gear for interlocking the recording head 1Y and the recording head 1M, 7 denotes a second connecting gear for interlocking the recording head 1M and the recording head 1C, and 8 denotes a recording head 1A and the recording head. This is a third connection gear for interlocking 1K. On the outer peripheral portion of the head support shaft 4 of each recording head 1, a gear that meshes with a corresponding connection gear is provided.

According to such an interlocking mechanism, when each recording head 1 is at the maintenance / recovery operation position, for example, the first connecting gear 6 is driven in the direction of the arrow J by the driving means (not shown), so that the recording head 1 is driven. 1Y can be collectively rotated in the direction of arrow K, the recording head 1M can be rotated in the direction of arrow L, and the recording head 1C can be collectively rotated in the direction of arrow M. Thereby, the recording heads of the second group can be collectively moved from the maintenance / recovery operation position to the recording operation position.

Similarly, by driving, for example, the third connecting gear 8 in the direction of arrow N by a driving means (not shown), the recording head 1A is rotated in the direction of arrow P and the recording head 1K is rotated in the direction of arrow Q at once. Can be moved. Thus, the recording heads of the first group can be collectively moved from the maintenance / recovery operation position to the recording operation position. A head positioning section 3 having positioning pins corresponding to the respective recording heads 1 is disposed on the side opposite to the head support shaft 4 with respect to the transport belt 10.

At the final stage of moving to the recording operation position, each recording head 1 has a head support shaft 4 of each recording head.
When the long hole provided on the opposite side of the head positioning portion 3 engages with the corresponding positioning pin of the head positioning portion 3, the head is accurately positioned in the height direction so as to perform an appropriate recording operation. In this way, each recording head 1 is configured to be always positioned at a correct position (recording operation position and maintenance recovery operation position) even when the rotational movement operation is repeatedly performed.

Next, when the recording paper (recording material) 13 is jammed for some reason between the transport belt 10 and the recording head 1, that is, when a so-called jam occurs, a recovery method (jam processing). Method) will be described. In the recording operation state, the recording head 1 is at the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 1. If the recording paper 13 is jammed between the recording head 1 and the transport belt 10 as it is, it is necessary to remove the recording paper 13 (jam clearing operation). Have difficulty. However, according to the present embodiment, each recording head 1 is
The jam clearing operation can be easily performed by moving to a maintenance recovery state that is out of the range from zero.

That is, when a paper jam occurs,
By driving the first connection gear 6 and the third connection gear 8 in FIG. 5, the recording heads 1Y, 1M, 1C of the second group are driven.
Then, the recording heads 1K and 1A of the first group are shifted from the recording operation position to the maintenance recovery operation position. As a result, each recording head 1 is brought into a state shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, and the upper portion of the conveyor belt 10 is opened and there is nothing, so that the jammed recording material (recording paper) can be easily removed. Can be.

After the jammed recording paper is removed, the recording operation can be resumed by returning each recording head 1 to the recording operation position again. The transport belt 10
Even when it is necessary to clean the recording head, the necessary work (processing operation) can be easily performed by retracting the recording head 1 to the maintenance recovery operation position in the same manner as when clearing the jam (when clearing the jam). In this embodiment, the case where the recording head 1 is a line type head has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to a so-called serial type ink jet recording apparatus. Thus, the same operation and effect can be achieved.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus (embodiment) described above, the maintenance and recovery mechanism of the recording head 1 can be configured without complicating the configuration of the maintenance and recovery mechanism of the recording apparatus or increasing the size of the recording apparatus. In addition, since only a necessary group of recording heads can be set as a recording operation state and an unnecessary group of recording heads can be maintained in a maintenance recovery state, the reliability of the recording apparatus can be improved. Since the head can be easily retracted and the upper part of the conveyor bell can be opened, operations such as paper removal operation (jam clearing operation) when a paper jam (jam) occurs and maintenance and cleaning of the conveyor belt 10 can be easily performed. It is also possible to improve the performance.

In the first embodiment described above, the end face cam 4A is used as a mechanism for rotating and moving the recording head 1 up and down.
Although the configuration using 5A is adopted, this may be another configuration. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment (second embodiment) of a mechanism for causing rotation of the recording head 1 to move up and down. FIG. 6 shows a state where the recording head 1 is at the recording operation position. In FIG. 6, the head support 5 is provided perpendicular to the recording apparatus, but the head support shaft 4 of the recording head 1 is attached to the head support 5 at an angle of θ1. The support shaft 4 rotates about this inclined axis.

Although the head support shaft 4 is inclined, the portion of the recording head 1 where the discharge port array is formed (discharge port surface 88) is mounted in a direction to correct the inclination of the head support shaft 4. In the recording operation position shown in FIG.
The angle θ2 formed by the discharge port surface 88 and the discharge port surface 88 is a right angle, so that the discharge port surface 88 faces the recording paper 13 on the transport belt 10 in parallel. When the recording head 1 is shifted from the recording operation position to the maintenance recovery operation position, the recording head 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow W in FIG. And rotate to move away. According to such a configuration (second embodiment), as in the case of the first embodiment using the end surface cams 4A and 5A, the recording head 1 has its discharge port surface 88 rubbing with the transport belt 10. It is possible to move without any change, and the same operation and effect as in the case of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the first embodiment described above, the connecting gears 6, 7, 8 (FIG. 5) are used as the interlocking mechanism for rotating the plurality of recording heads 1 at a time. May be used. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing another embodiment of the interlocking mechanism of the recording head (similar to FIG. 5, as viewed from above the recording apparatus in FIG. 1). In FIG. 7, reference numeral 14 denotes a second interlocking link for interlocking the recording heads 1Y, 1M, and 1C constituting the second group, and 15 interlocks the recording heads 1A and 1K constituting the first group. This is the first link to be linked.

These interlocking links 14 and 15 are connected to the respective recording heads via rotary joints.
Other configurations such as the recording head 1 and the head support shaft 4 are shown in FIG.
Are substantially the same as in the case of, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to the configuration of FIG. 7, the interlocking link 14 is
Are moved in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 7, the recording head 1Y can be collectively rotated in the direction of arrow K, the recording head 1M can be rotated in the direction of arrow L, and the recording head 1C can be collectively rotated in the direction of arrow M. . Thereby, the recording heads 1Y, 1M, and 1C of the second group can be collectively moved from the maintenance recovery operation position to the recording operation position.

Similarly, by moving the interlocking link 15 in the direction of arrow S in FIG.
The recording head 1A can be collectively rotated in the direction of arrow P and the recording head 1K can be collectively rotated in the direction of arrow Q. Thereby, the recording heads 1A and 1K of the first group can be collectively moved from the maintenance recovery operation position to the recording operation position. The interlocking mechanism may have another configuration, for example, a mechanism using a rack and a pinion, or a mechanism using a belt and a pulley.
With the configuration described above, a plurality of recording heads can be rotated and moved for each group as in the case of the first embodiment.

Furthermore, if it is not necessary to move the recording heads in groups, and if it is desired to move all the recording heads at once, such a configuration is possible. For example, FIG. In one embodiment, by adding (inserting) a two-stage connecting gear between the print head 1C and the print head 1A, one of the print heads is moved to collectively print all the print heads. It is also possible to configure to move.

In the above embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus of a line recording system for recording only by sub-scanning using a line type recording means having a length covering the entire width or a part of the recording material is exemplified. Although the present invention has been described,
The present invention can be similarly applied to a serial recording type ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording while moving the recording means relative to the recording material, and can achieve the same effect.

The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus for recording with a single recording means, a color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording means for recording with inks of different colors, or a plurality of recording means for recording the same color at different densities. A tone recording device using
Furthermore, in the case of a recording device combining these,
It can be applied similarly and can achieve the same effect.

Further, the present invention provides a configuration using a replaceable head cartridge in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are separated, and the space between them is connected by an ink supply tube or the like. The present invention can be similarly applied to any arrangement of the recording head and the ink tank, and the same effect can be obtained.

In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention can be applied to, for example, an apparatus using a recording means using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means of a discharge type. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

[0052]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material, the ejection port array of the recording means is provided. A rotation center orthogonal to the discharge port array is provided on the outside, and the recording unit is supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation center in parallel with the conveyance surface of the recording material, so that the maintenance and recovery mechanism is complicated. It is possible to configure the maintenance and recovery mechanism of the recording means without reducing the size of the recording device or increasing the size of the recording device. The recording device can be easily retracted and the upper part of the conveyor bell can be opened to remove the recording material when a paper jam occurs. And maintenance such as cleaning of the conveyor belt can also be easily performed, an ink jet recording apparatus which improves operability is provided. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a plurality of the recording units are provided, and two or more recording units are configured to be able to rotate and move collectively, thereby further improving the efficiency. The above effect can be achieved well.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording material, an orthogonal axis to the discharge port row is provided outside the discharge port row of the recording means. And a rotation center axis inclined by a predetermined angle from is provided, and the recording means is supported so as to be rotatable substantially parallel to the conveyance surface of the recording material with vertical movement about the rotation center axis. Therefore, without complicating the maintenance and recovery mechanism and increasing the size of the recording device,
A maintenance and recovery mechanism of the recording means can be configured;
Since only necessary recording means can be set to the recording state and unnecessary recording means can be maintained in the maintenance recovery state, the reliability of the recording apparatus can be improved. Since the upper portion can be opened, the recording material can be easily removed when a paper jam occurs, maintenance and cleaning of the transport belt can be easily performed, and an ink jet recording apparatus with improved operability is provided. Claim 4
According to the invention of the third aspect, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect, a plurality of the recording units are provided, and two or more recording units are configured to be able to rotate and move collectively, so that the above-described effect is more efficiently achieved. Can be achieved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the recording means is supported so as to be vertically movable with respect to the transport surface simultaneously with the rotational movement. Therefore, the above effects can be more efficiently achieved. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the vertical movement of the recording means is performed by the end face cam of the member supporting the recording means. Can be achieved. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second or fourth aspect, the collective rotational movement of the plurality of recording means is performed by mechanical coupling such as a gear, a belt, or a link. The above effect can be achieved more efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a recording unit of a first embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an ink ejection unit of a recording unit in FIG.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic side views as viewed from the direction of arrow F in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A shows a case where each recording unit is in a recording operation position, and FIG. Is shown.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a mechanism in which a recording unit in FIG. 1 performs a vertical parallel movement with a rotational movement.

5 is a plan view schematically showing an interlocking mechanism for collectively operating recording means in each group of a plurality of recording means in FIG. 1 as viewed from above in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of the mechanism in which the recording means in FIG. 1 performs a vertical parallel movement with a rotational movement.

FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing another embodiment of the interlocking mechanism for collectively operating the recording means in each group of the plurality of recording means in FIG. 1 as viewed from above in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing two examples of a maintenance recovery mechanism of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording means (recording head) 2 Maintenance recovery mechanism 3 Head positioning part 4 Head support shaft 4A Head support shaft end surface cam 5 Head support base 5A Head support base end surface cam 6 First connection gear 7 Second connection gear 8 Third connection gear DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Conveying belt 11 Belt drive roller 12 Belt driven roller 13 Recording material (recording paper) 14 Interlocking link 15 Interlocking link 82 Electrothermal converter 86 Liquid path 88 Discharge port surface 89 Discharge port

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material, wherein a rotation center orthogonal to the discharge port array is provided outside a discharge port array of the recording means. Wherein the recording medium is supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation center in parallel with the conveyance surface of the recording material. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said recording means are provided, and two or more recording means are rotatable collectively. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, wherein a rotation center inclined at a predetermined angle from an orthogonal axis to the ejection port array outside the ejection port array of the recording means. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a shaft is provided, and the recording means is supported so as to be rotatable substantially parallel to the conveying surface of the recording material with vertical movement about the rotation center axis. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of said recording means are provided, and two or more recording means are rotatable collectively. 5. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is supported so as to be vertically movable with respect to said transport surface simultaneously with said rotational movement. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the vertical movement of the recording means is performed by an end face cam of a member supporting the recording means. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the collective rotational movement of the plurality of recording means is performed by a mechanical connection such as a gear, a belt, or a link. 8. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. Recording device. 9. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. .