JP2001213531A - Container containing recording liquid and sheet, sheet feeding device and recording device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience and handleability and to enable optimized and stable sheet feeding according to surface characteristics of various sheets. SOLUTION: An ink case 218 as a cover member is separated from a front opening part 215 of a medium case 212 and opened in case that an ink medium pack 20 is mounted on a base 102.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording liquid / sheet built-in container for accommodating a sheet and a recording liquid, a sheet feeding apparatus for sequentially supplying the sheets in the recording liquid / sheet built-in container, and a sheet feeding apparatus. It relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink-jet recording is a method for recording images, characters, and the like by causing fine droplets of ink to fly on various recording media and adhere to a recording medium such as paper. It has the advantages that recording is possible, that multicolor printing is easy, and that the pattern that can be recorded is large and that development and fixing are not required. From such a point, the recording apparatus of this system is rapidly spreading in various fields such as information processing as an apparatus capable of responding to various images or recording media.

Further, an image formed by a multicolor ink jet recording system can be obtained as compared with multicolor printing by a plate making system or printing by a color photographic system, and particularly, the number of copies is small. In this case, since it can be produced at a lower cost than ordinary multicolor printing or photographic printing, it is widely used in the field of full-color image recording.

A recording apparatus or a recording method has been improved in order to cope with a wider application of such an ink jet recording method and to improve recording characteristics such as high-speed recording, high definition and full color in recent years. Is being done. Characteristics required for wider application and improvement of recording characteristics of the ink jet recording method include, for example, a high density of ink dots to be recorded, a bright and vivid color tone,
Ink absorption is fast, and even when ink dots overlap, ink does not flow out or be miserable, and ink dots are spread by moderate misery.

By the way, it is known that these characteristics can be realized not only by the recording apparatus or the recording method but also by improving the ink used for the recording and the recording medium itself.

For example, it is known that coated paper is used as a recording medium from the viewpoint of ink absorbency or fixability. This is, for example, a silicon pigment such as silica or
Absorbing polymers such as resins such as colloidal silica, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide-isocyanate crosslinked product and acrylic polymer having a carboxyl group, or alumina-based pigments such as alumina hydrate and aluminum oxide, water-based binders It is also applied to paper, film, cloth and the like. On the other hand, for ink, for example, the permeability of the ink is adjusted by a surfactant or the like contained therein.

However, in order to cope with the improvement of the recording characteristics, a recording medium or an ink which can realize the above characteristics in an optimal combination of the recording medium and the ink is used instead of individually selecting the recording medium or the ink according to each characteristic. It is more preferable to select. This is because the ink and the recording medium exhibit their respective characteristics in a mutual relationship.

In this case, in order to specifically realize the optimum combination of the recording medium and the ink in the ink jet recording apparatus, it is necessary to exchange or mount the recording medium or the ink according to the combination of the recording medium and the ink. Configuration and work are required. Further, it is also necessary to set a recording condition, for example, on a host computer, such as setting a recording mode according to a combination of these. That is, it is complicated to perform these operations and setting operations every time the combination is switched, and there is a problem that it is not easy for the user to obtain an optimal combination.

In this respect, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-2
JP-A-54700 discloses a media cartridge as a portable container in which a combination of a cassette portion for loading sheets as a recording medium and a waste ink tank for storing waste ink of ink is integrated. Has been proposed to be detachably mounted on a recording apparatus. Then, by recognizing the media cartridge that is detachable from the recording device on the recording device side, the recording mode corresponding to the recording medium and the ink is automatically set, and the combination of the recording medium and the ink is easily performed. It is possible to perform appropriate recording control according to the information.

[0010] In such a recording apparatus in which the media cartridge is mounted, each sheet such as paper or cloth in the media cartridge performs a recording operation sequentially by a sheet supply device provided in the recording apparatus main body. The ink is discharged to the outside of the ink jet recording head.

The sheet feeding device includes a roller which comes into contact with the surface of the sheet at a predetermined pressure and feeds out each sheet by a frictional force between them. The outer peripheral portion of the roller is made of a material having a relatively large coefficient of friction and high abrasion resistance, for example, natural rubber, silicon rubber, artificial leather, or the like.

[0012]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, (a)
When the media cartridge is of the type that can be attached to and detached from the recording device, when the media cartridge is not installed from the viewpoints of convenience and ease of handling of the media cartridge, recording is performed even on sheets other than those stored in the media cartridge. It is desired to be done.

(B) It is desired that the inside of the media cartridge can be a closed space in order to prevent deterioration of the sheets stored in the media cartridge.

(C) Considering that the rigidity of various sheets accommodated in the media cartridge is different from each other, the sheets are reliably separated one by one in the sheet feeding device according to the rigidity of the sheets. Since it is difficult to appropriately change the separating means, the separating means is fixed to a single type. Therefore, there is a limit in reliably separating various sheets and feeding them one by one.

In view of the above points, the present invention provides a recording liquid / sheet built-in container for accommodating a sheet and a recording liquid, a sheet feeding apparatus for sequentially feeding the sheets in the recording liquid / sheet built-in container, and A recording device comprising the same, wherein the convenience and ease of handling can be enhanced, and furthermore, a recording liquid / sheet capable of performing optimal and stable sheet separation in accordance with the rigidity of various sheets. It is an object to provide a built-in container, a sheet supply device, and a recording device including the same.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording liquid / sheet built-in container according to the present invention is provided for a recording unit which performs a recording operation on a recording surface of a sheet with a recording liquid. A case main body detachably disposed in a conveyance mechanism forming section for conveying the sheet, a sheet storage section formed in the case main body for storing the sheet, and a liquid storage section for storing a liquid; The sheet to be discharged is discharged by applying a conveying force output from the conveying mechanism forming section to the sheet through a sheet discharge opening formed in the case main body.

Further, the sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention is detachably provided in a transport mechanism forming section for transporting the sheet to a recording section which performs a recording operation on a recording surface of the sheet with a recording liquid. A transportable container having a storage section for storing the liquid, a sheet discharge opening through which the sheet is discharged from the storage section, and a delivery roller disposed in the transport mechanism forming section to take out and discharge the sheet through the sheet discharge opening. ,
When the portable container is mounted on the transport mechanism forming section, the transport container is provided with driving means for driving the delivery roller.

Further, a recording apparatus provided with a sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention is a recording apparatus comprising the above-mentioned sheet supply apparatus and a sheet which is detachably provided with a portable container and which records a sheet discharged from the portable container on a recording surface of the sheet. A transport mechanism forming unit for transporting to the recording unit performing the operation, a sheet feeding device, a transport mechanism forming unit,
And a control unit for controlling the operation of the recording unit.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an ink jet printer which is an embodiment of a recording apparatus provided with an example of a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is similar to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the printer shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment attaches and detaches a pack 20 (hereinafter also referred to as an “ink media pack”) in which an ink storage section and a storage section for a recording medium such as paper are integrated. It can be freely mounted and used. That is, the ink media pack 20 is detachably attached to an automatic paper feeder (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “ASF”) 1 attached to the printer main body. The recording medium storage unit 210 follows the ASF1 posture,
The ink storage unit 211 is separated from the recording medium storage unit 210 in accordance with the mounting operation and maintains a substantially horizontal posture as described later.
The recording medium stored in the ink media pack 20 includes:
As described above, it is a recording medium selected for the pore size of the ink receiving layer or a cloth used for printing, and has a relatively special use. Accordingly, the ink stored in the ink media pack 20 is also an ink that can appropriately dye the above-mentioned pore diameter and the material of the fiber constituting the fabric. As described above, the ink media pack 20 is used for optimally combining the recording medium and the ink. When recording on ordinary plain paper, the printer main body is attached to plain paper attached to the ASF. Recording is performed with the plain paper ink stored in the printer.

FIG. 2 shows the mounting of the plain paper 4 on the ASF 1 at this time. The ink media pack 20 is removed, and the plain paper 4 is directly mounted on the ASF 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink is previously mounted on the printer main body, and when the ink media pack 20 is mounted, the plain paper ink replenishing unit 30 is arranged in parallel with the printer.
, From which ink for plain paper is supplied.

The carriage 2 is provided so as to be movable along a guide shaft 3 (see FIG. 2) provided substantially across the printer body. At the lower part of the carriage 2, four recording heads (not shown) for discharging ink are mounted according to the kind of ink that can be supplied at the same time, whereby the recording head is moved to the recording area 8 (see FIG. 2). The scanning for ejecting ink according to the recording information can be performed while moving in the paper width direction of the recording medium conveyed in the step ()).

As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 2 of this embodiment is provided with an ink supply port 2A at an upper portion thereof. That is, the ink supply ports 2A correspond to the four ink supply ports (2ABk, 2AC, 2AC) corresponding to the four recording heads.
AM, 2AY), and each ink supply port communicates with a sub-tank (not shown) formed adjacent to the corresponding recording head via an ink / air introduction port described later. Then, the carriage 2 moves at a predetermined timing as described later, and moves the above-described ink supply port to a position corresponding to the supply section 21a of the ink media pack 20 or the supply section 30a of the plain paper ink replenishment unit 30. . Further, the corresponding position is such that the ink ejection port of the recording head is the cap 41 or the plain paper 4.
Is also a position corresponding to the cap 40 corresponding to. As a result, as described later, it is possible to perform the ink supply, the ink replacement, and the ejection recovery operation to the sub tank of each recording head. At the time of ink supply and ink replacement, a pressing mechanism including a cam, a pressing pin, and the like provided on the printer main body and engaged with the pressing portion 221a of the ink media pack 20 or the pressing portion 301a of the plain paper ink replenishing unit 30. (Not shown) can perform a predetermined operation to perform ink supply and ink exchange. A recovery mechanism 42 is provided substantially below the cap 40 and the cap 41. This recovery mechanism 42
The apparatus has a suction pump and the like used in the above-described ink supply, ink replacement, and ejection recovery operation.

In the above configuration, at the time of recording, first,
Paper feed roller unit 5 provided in ASF 1 (see FIG. 2)
From the ink media pack 20 or ASF
1, the recording medium is supplied to the recording area 8 directly. As shown in FIG. 2, each time the recording head mounted on the carriage 2 scans, the recording medium is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure by the cooperation of the paper feed roller 7 and the pressing roller 6. The paper is fed, recording is sequentially performed on the recording surface of the recording medium, and the recording medium is discharged as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the ASF 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ASF 1 includes a base 102 having opposite base left side plates 102b and base right side plates 102a at both ends, a feed roller unit 5 disposed in the base 102, and a feed roller unit. 5, a pressure plate 103 disposed in two recesses 102g formed in the base 102, and a movable side guide 105 disposed slidably on a flat portion of the base 102.
Etc. are provided.

The base 102 is attached to the printer main body 3
It is provided in a posture inclined from 0 ° to 60 °, and as shown in FIG. 5, directly supports the plain paper 4 when it is used,
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the recording medium 200 stored in the ink media pack 20 is used, the storage portion of the base 102 supports the pack itself to be mounted.

The base 102 has a base left side plate 102.
The fixing portions 108 provided on one end surface of the b and the base right side plate 102a are fixed to the printer main body by being supported by the printer main body. Fixed part 10
Numeral 8 forms the periphery of the opening through which the recording medium 200 or the plain paper 4 passes. Therefore, the base left side plate 102b, the base right side plate 102a and the fixing portion 108
Is open to the front and upward.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a guide groove 102c and a guide groove 102c with which a guide boss 218b of the ink media pack 20, which will be described later, is engaged are formed on the inner side surfaces of the left base plate 102b and the right base plate 102a, respectively. 102d are formed. The guide grooves 102c and 102d, whose upper ends are opened, extend toward the fixing portion 108 by a predetermined length in parallel with each other along the upper surfaces of the left base plate 102b and the right base plate 102a. Also, the ink media pack 20 is provided at a portion where the flat surface of the base 102 and the inner side surfaces of the left base plate 102b and the right base plate 102a intersect.
Guide 102e for guiding the media case 212
Are provided respectively. A stopper 102f for regulating the position of the media case 212 at a predetermined position is provided on the lower end side of each introduction guide 102e.

Below the flat surface of the base 102,
A position regulating member LM having a separation surface 107 is rotatably provided. As shown in FIG. 11, both ends of the position regulating member LM are rotatably supported by the left base plate 102b and the right base plate 102a via the rotation shaft 107a. The position regulating member LM is urged in a direction indicated by an arrow S in FIG. 3 by a spring (not shown). Thereby, as shown in FIG.
The position regulating member LM can maintain a predetermined posture for supporting the plain paper 4 described above.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the plain paper 4 is directly mounted on the ASF 1, the separating surface 107 has a predetermined position on the leading end of the plain paper 4 sent out by the paper feed roller unit 5, as shown in FIG. Which gives
It has a function of regulating the leading end of the plain paper 4 and separating it one by one. The separation surface 107 also has a function of supporting the lower end portions of the plurality of plain papers 4 stacked and mounted on the same surface.

On the other hand, if the ink media pack 20 is ASF
12, the separation surface 107 is rotated against the urging force of the spring by being pressed by the lower end of the ink media pack 20 in accordance with the mounting operation, as shown in FIG. , Are retracted in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow S.

The side guide 105 is provided so as to be slidable in the paper width direction of the plain paper 4 mounted on the flat surface portion of the base 102, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. , The position of the plain paper 4 in the paper width direction can be regulated according to the size. That is, the base right side plate 102 is used as a reference surface when the plain paper 4 is set in the ASF 1.
The plain paper 4 can be set by abutting one side end of the plain paper 4 on a and a side guide 105 on the other side end to regulate the position of the plain paper 4 in the paper width direction. .

On the flat surface of the base 102, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 12, two concave portions 102g in which the pressure plates 103 are respectively provided are formed to be adjacent to the above-mentioned position regulating member LM at a predetermined distance and apart from each other.

As shown in FIG. 4, the two pressure plates 103 are connected to each other by fixing the shaft portions of the pressure plate release lever 113 to the pair of notches 103a, respectively. The notch 103a in the pressure plate 103
An arm provided on the shaft is connected to the pair of through holes 103b provided in the vicinity. At both ends of the shaft portion, cam surface portions 113CA are integrally formed perpendicular to the axis.

Therefore, the cam surface portion 113CA and the shaft portion are fixed at a predetermined angular position with respect to the pressure plate 103.

At this time, the cam surfaces 113CA at both ends of the pressure plate release lever 113 are respectively brought into contact with a pressure plate cam R109a and a pressure plate cam L109b provided in the sheet feeding roller unit 5 described later by the urging force of the pressure plate spring 114. I have. Further, the cam surface portions 11 at both ends of the shaft portion are provided.
The inner portion of the 3CA is movably supported by bearings Be formed on the left base plate 102b and the right base plate 102a, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, a pressure plate spring 114 for urging the pressure plate 103 toward the paper feed roller unit 5 is provided between the inside of each pressure plate 103 and the bottom of the concave portion 102g. ing. The pressure plate 103 and the pressure plate spring 114 are provided on the back side of the pressure plate 103 at a position substantially corresponding to the roller portion 104 a of the sheet feeding roller unit 5.

Accordingly, the outer periphery of the pressure plate 103 is guided by the wall surface forming the concave portion 102g while the base plate 102 is being guided.
Is slidable as a whole in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface portion.

As a result, when the cam surfaces 113CA at both ends of the pressure plate release lever 113 are pressed by the rotation of the pressure plate cams R109a and L109b to a predetermined rotation angle, as shown in FIG.
Is pressed against the urging force of the pressure plate spring 114 and retracted and stored in the recess 102g. Then, the pressure plate cam R109
When the pressure plate 103a and the pressure plate cam L109b are further rotated beyond a predetermined rotation angle, the upper portion of the pressure plate 103
The urging force of 14 causes the projection to protrude from the recess 102 g and come into contact with the plain paper 4 or the ink media pack 20. 3 and 4 show a state in which the pressure plate 103 is completely pushed into the recess 102g.

The recording medium 200 stored in the plain paper 4 or the ink media pack 20 is urged against the paper feed roller unit 5 by the urging force of the pressure plate spring 114. A separation pad 106 made of a material having a relatively large coefficient of friction, such as artificial leather, is provided on the upper surface of each pressure plate 103 opposed to each roller portion 104a of the paper feed roller unit 5, thereby providing a normal This prevents double feed when the number of sheets of paper 4 to be placed is small.

The paper feed roller unit 5 has a shaft portion 104 rotatably supported by a right side plate 102a and a left side plate 102b provided integrally at both ends of the base 102.
And two roller portions 104a fixed at a predetermined interval on the shaft portion 104.

Both ends of a shaft portion 104 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction indicated by arrow F in FIG. 5 are respectively connected to a left base plate 102b and a right base plate 102a.
Is rotatably supported. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of the shaft portion 104 has a cam surface portion 1.
13CA is provided with a pressure plate cam L109b which is slidably contacted with 13CA. The center of rotation of the pressure plate cam L109b, which is an eccentric cam, coincides with the axis of the shaft portion 104 of the sheet feeding roller unit 5, which will be described later, and the profile of the pressure plate cam L109b is one of which is eccentric by a predetermined distance from the rotation center. It is formed to have the maximum displacement at the end. At the other end of the shaft portion 104, a paper feed roller gear A110 and a pressure plate cam R109a attached to the outside thereof are provided. The center of rotation of the pressure plate cam L109a coincides with the axis of the shaft portion 104 of the feed roller unit 5, and the contour of the pressure plate cam L109a is
It is formed so as to have the maximum displacement at one end eccentric from the center of rotation by a predetermined distance in synchronization with the pressure plate cam L109b. Press plate cam R109a and press plate cam L109b
Are always in contact with the cam surface portion 113CA urged by the urging force of the above-described pressure plate spring 114 without being separated.

The feed roller gear A110 is meshed with a feed roller gear B111 rotatably supported on the outer surface of the right base plate 102a. Paper feed roller gear B1
Reference numeral 11 is meshed with a paper feed roller gear C112 rotatably supported on the same plane. Paper feed roller gear C
Reference numeral 112 is connected to a predetermined drive source provided on the apparatus main body side via a connection shaft CS.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, when the clockwise rotating force T is transmitted to the sheet feeding roller gear C112 via the connection shaft CS, the pressure plate cam R109a and the pressure plate cam L109b move the roller portions 104a and Shaft 1
04 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow F via the sheet feeding roller gear B111.

At this time, when the plain paper 4 or the ink media pack 20 is set, the phase of the press plate cams R109a and L109b is the same as that shown in FIG. By rotation, the pressure plate cam R109a and the pressure plate cam L
109b when the displacement of the contour is the maximum, that is, the pressure plate 1
03 is completely pushed into the concave portion 102g, the flat surface portion serving as the chord of the cross-sectional shape of the roller portion 104a is
3 is set with respect to the rotation angle of the shaft portion 104. Thereby, the sheet feed roller unit 5 and the pressure plate 1
A fixed space is formed between the paper and the ink media pack 20 (initial state).

Further, a roller rubber for generating a larger conveying force when feeding the recording medium including the plain paper 4 is attached to an outer peripheral surface which forms a circumferential portion of each roller portion 104a. In detail, the outer peripheral surface of the roller portion 104a has a substantially D-shaped cross section (or a half-moon cross section). This enables the stacked recording media to be properly fed one by one. Further, the two provided roller portions 104a are arranged on the shaft portion 104, for example, at positions of about 40 mm and about 170 mm from the reference position of the plain paper 4 on the base right side plate 102a (the inner surface of the base right side plate 102a). .

Therefore, when a recording medium having a relatively large paper width such as A4 size is used, paper is fed by the two roller portions 104a. For example, when a recording medium having a paper width such as a postcard is used. , Base right side plate 102a
The sheet feeding operation is performed by one roller unit 104a on the side closer to.

The paper feed roller unit 5 is provided with a roller sensor (not shown), and the roller sensor 10 of the paper feed roller unit 5 is provided by the roller sensor.
4a and the slide position of the pressure plate 103 that is synchronized with the phase of the paper feed roller unit 5 and can be detected, and the control timing in the paper feed sequence of the plain paper 4 or the recording medium 200 in the ink media pack 20 can be detected. You can know.

For example, as shown in FIG.
When the sheet is fed, the above-described pressure plate cam R109a and the pressure plate cam L
Due to the predetermined later rotation of 109 b, the pressure plate 103 performs an operation of approaching the sheet feeding roller unit 5 by the urging force of the pressure plate spring 114.

As a result, the arc of the roller portion 104a of the paper feed roller unit 5 comes into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost plain paper 4.

With the further rotation of the arc portion of the roller portion 104a, the plain paper 4 is fed in the paper feeding direction (arrow F in the figure).
(In the direction indicated by) acts. At this time, since only a relatively weak frictional force generated between the plain papers 4 acts on the second and subsequent plain papers 4 from the top, these plain papers 4 are provided below the base 102. Separation surface 10
The movement in the sheet feeding direction is prevented by the resistance caused by.
As a result, only the uppermost plain paper 4 is separated by the separation surface 107.
And the paper is fed over the separation surface 107 as shown by the two-dot chain line.

Subsequently, the separated and fed plain paper 4 is fed to the recording medium feeding section. Paper feed roller unit 5
Is rotated until the entire plain paper 4 is fed into the recording medium feeding section, and the pressure plate 103 is brought into the above-mentioned initial state with respect to the paper feed roller unit 5. At that time, the rotational driving force of the roller portion 104a of the paper feed roller unit 5 with respect to the plain paper 4 is interrupted, and this state is maintained.

Thus, the plain paper 4 made of paper, synthetic resin, or the like placed on the pressure plate 103 of the ASF 1 is
After the paper is fed by the paper feed roller unit 5, the paper is conveyed by a paper feed roller 7 (see FIG. 2) for printing at a print position facing the print head.

Next, the configuration of the ink media pack 20 which is used by being detachably attached to the ASF 1 described above will be described.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show the ink media pack 20.
6 is a perspective view of the ink media pack 20 as viewed from the front side, FIG. 7 is a perspective view as viewed from the back side, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the inside of the ink storage unit. FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views showing a state in which the ink storage unit on the front side is separated from the main body and opened.

As described above, the ink media pack 20 accommodates the optimum combination of the recording medium and the ink corresponding to the various recording characteristics, and automatically performs the recording by mounting the pack. The mode can be set. In other words, in the present embodiment, basically, even if the recording medium is apparently the same for the user, if the material or composition is different, the type of ink that is optimal in terms of recording characteristics is also different, and the recording medium is not In order to prevent mistakes in the combination with the ink, and when the user mounts the selected ink media pack on the printer and use it, the recording mode suitable for the combination of the recording medium and the ink loaded is automatically set. It is what is performed.

For example, in the case of recording characteristics in which a high-density image is recorded, if the recording medium has a different ink permeability, the type of the optimal ink is also different. It is difficult to select an optimal ink combination for the recording medium.
Further, when a cloth is used as the recording medium, even if the cloths seem to be the same, the optimum inks for the dyeing properties differ depending on the types of the fibers constituting the cloths. For example, as a combination of the recording medium and the ink combined in the ink media pack, a cloth dyed by a covalent bond with the reactive dye is combined with the ink containing the reactive dye. Further, a fabric dyed by hydrogen bonding or ionic bonding to an ink containing an acid dye or a direct dye is combined.

6, 7 and 8, the ink media pack 20 is generally constituted by a recording medium storage section 210 and an ink storage section 211. These recording medium storage section 210 and ink storage section 211 are provided. The recording medium and the ink according to the optimal combination as described above are respectively stored. A plurality of such ink media packs 20 are prepared for each of various combinations, and are used by being mounted on the ASF 1 of the printer according to a user's selection.

The ink storage section 211 has a structure in which the whole is sealed by an ink case 218. As described later with reference to FIG. 8, an ink chamber 218a for each of a plurality of stored inks is formed in the inside, and an ink tube storing the ink is stored in each of the chambers. Further, the ink storage section 211 as a lid member is provided so as to be able to open and close with respect to the recording medium storage section 210.
(See FIG. 9). That is, the ink case 2 as a lid member
18 is rotatably supported by rotating shafts 212e provided on both sides of the recording medium storage unit 210, respectively.
Accordingly, when the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the printer, the ink media pack 20 rotates in accordance with the mounting operation and rotates at a predetermined position.
(See FIG. 1).

The ink case 218 is provided with a pressing portion 221a (see FIG. 6) at a corner on the rectangular upper surface, and a joint portion 220 on the lower surface facing the pressing portion 221a.
(See FIG. 9). These are used at the time of ink exchange and ink supply as described later.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the recording medium storage section 210 is formed by a medium case 212 forming the front side and a rear cover 213 on the rear side. Most of the 200 are covered. The recording medium storage unit 210 has an opening at a part below the recording medium storage unit 210. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a front opening 215 is provided below the front side of the recording medium storage section 210. This is mainly because when the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the ASF 1, the roller portion 104a of the paper feed roller unit 5
12 (see FIG. 3) is brought into contact with the surface of the recording medium 200 to be stored via the front opening 215.
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, a protective sheet 214 to be described later is
A back opening 216 covered by the back cover 213 is provided adjacent to the back cover 213. The rear opening 216 mainly serves as the pressure plate 103 of the ASF 1 via the protection sheet 214 when the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the ASF 1.
And the recording medium 200.

The plurality of recording media 200 stacked and stored in the recording medium storage section 210 are stored via a protective sheet 214 on the back side. At least one side (preferably the long side) of the protective sheet 214 is fixed inside the recording medium storage unit 210, and the protective sheet 214
The portion corresponding to the back opening 216 in the above is movable toward the inside of the ink storage unit 211 so that the back opening 216 is changed from the closed state to the substantially open state.

Thus, the stored recording medium 200
Are successively discharged, the uppermost recording medium 200 remaining in the recording medium 200 is selectively pressed by the pressure plate 103 via the protective sheet 214 to the ink storage unit 211 side (the paper feed roller unit 5). Side).

The protective sheet 214 is made of the same material as the recording medium to be stored, for example, and has an appropriate coefficient of friction in relation to the recording medium 200, whereby the lowermost sheet stacked and stored is formed. The phenomenon that the recording medium 200, that is, the recording medium 200 that is in direct contact with the protection sheet 104, cannot be satisfactorily fed, or the phenomenon that the recording medium 200 stacked thereon is fed along with the feeding (double feeding). )
Can be suppressed.

The values of the coefficient of friction RF of the outer peripheral portion of the roller portion 104a, the coefficient of friction PF of the surface (contact surface) of the protective sheet 214, and the coefficient of friction SF of the surface of the recording medium 200 are, for example, It is set in the relationship between the members. Among these members, the friction coefficient RF of the outer peripheral portion of the roller portion 104a is set to be the largest, the friction coefficient SF of the surface of the recording medium 200 is set to be the smallest, and the surface (contact surface) of the protection sheet 214 is set. The friction coefficient PF is set between the friction coefficient RF of the outer peripheral portion of the roller portion 104a and the friction coefficient SF of the surface of the recording medium 200 (SF ≦ PF <RF).

In the case of this example, for example, the protective sheet 2
The friction coefficient PF of No. 14 and the friction coefficient SF of the surface of the recording medium 200 are the same value.

At substantially the center of the periphery of the back opening 214, a stopper 212b is integrally provided. The recording medium 200 accommodated by the protective sheet 214 and the stopper 212b can be prevented from slipping out to the back side, and the back opening 216 is provided in the accommodating portion.
It is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering through.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a connector 310 (see FIGS. 3 and 10) provided at the introduction opening end of the ASF 1 is provided at a part of the lower end surface of the recording medium storage section 210. Connector 40 for electrical connection
0 is provided, so that various information stored in a predetermined memory of the ink media pack 20 can be read from the printer main body side, as described later.
The connector 400 is mounted on a printed circuit board 401 (see FIG. 7). Further, a lock hole 210a described later is formed on the upper surface of the media case 212.

As shown in FIG. 12, a pack separating surface 212a is formed on one side of the front side opening 215 of the recording medium storage unit 210. As in the case of the plain paper 4 described above with reference to FIG. 5, the pack separation surface 212a separates and feeds the recording media 200 one by one when feeding the recording media 200 stored in the ink media pack 20. It is for paper. Specifically, the pack separation surface 212a is formed as a surface on which the lower end of the recording medium 200 near the uppermost end loaded and stored in the recording medium storage unit 210 abuts by the paper feeding operation.
It has an optimal abutment angle (contact angle α) for separation.

The contact angle α, which is the angle formed by the inner surface of the peripheral edge of the front opening 215 with which the lower end of the recording medium 200 contacts and the separation surface 212a, is shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.
Is set according to the rigidity of the recording medium 200, for example.

For example, the recording medium 2 having relatively large rigidity
In the case of 00A, as shown in FIG. 13A, the contact angle α is set to be relatively large. Also,
In the case of the recording medium 200B having relatively small rigidity, FIG.
(B), the contact angle α is set to be relatively small.

In this embodiment, the separating surface 107 and the above-mentioned separating surface 212a shown in FIG. 3 are used as separating means. A method of retracting the claws is required. In this case, another separation claw may be provided on the recording medium storage unit side, or completely different separation means may be provided. In both the ASF 1 and the ink recording medium pack, the separating means is not limited to the above-described separating surface, and an optimal combination of separating means can be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, arcuate portions, which are respectively in contact with the stoppers 102f when the ink media pack 20 is mounted, are connected to portions of the peripheral edge of the front opening 215 which are connected to both side walls. Abutment rib 212d is formed.

A plurality of rubber caps 222 described later are provided in a row adjacent to one side of the two butting ribs 212d. Guide ribs 212c, which will be described later, are formed along the side wall portions further outward than the respective abutment ribs 212d.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the ink storage section 211. FIG. 8 shows the ink case cover 219 (FIG. 9) of the ink case 218 forming the ink storage section 211.
It is a figure which shows in the state which removed (refer.).

Inside the ink case 218, four ink chambers 218a are formed according to the color of ink used for recording and the like. In the four ink chambers 218a, for example,
Yellow, cyan, magenta, and black inks are stored. Of course, it is only necessary to store an appropriate ink according to the circumstances of recording, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described ink. Then, the ink bag 21 is stored in each ink chamber 218a.
8d are arranged. The ink bag is formed of a flexible material, and a part thereof is fixed to the ink chamber by being adhered to the bottom surface of the ink chamber. Note that the ink supply from each ink bag 218d is
This is made possible by connecting the ink supply pipes 218c attached to one ends of the respective joint valves 221 to the corresponding joint valves 221 respectively. And this joint valve 2
Numerals 21 each communicate with the joint 220 shown in FIG. 9, and as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the ink supply port is arranged at a position facing the joint by the movement of the carriage. As a result, ink can be supplied to the recording head.

As described above, in the ink media pack 20 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, when the ink media pack 20 is not mounted on the printer, the ink storage section 211 of the ink media pack 20 is closed with respect to the recording medium storage section 210. Yes,
As a result, the ink storage unit 211 becomes the recording medium storage unit 2.
It functions as a lid for 10. That is, the ink storage section 211 prevents the recording medium 200 stored through the front opening 215 of the recording medium storage section 210 from being exposed to the outside air.

Further, a plurality of rubber caps 222 are provided at positions corresponding to the joints 220 of the ink storage section 211, adjacent to the front opening 215 of the recording medium storage section 210. Thereby, the ink storage unit 2
11 is closed with respect to the recording medium storage unit 210, the rubber cap 222 is
To prevent ink from leaking from the ink bag of each ink chamber 218a.

On the other hand, when the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the ASF 1 of the printer,
Reference numeral 1 denotes an open state with respect to the recording medium storage unit 210
(See FIG. 10). That is, the ink storage unit 211 is rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 212e, so that the ink storage unit 211 is automatically opened with respect to the recording medium storage unit 210 in accordance with the mounting operation. Ink can be supplied to the above-described recording head.

Accordingly, since the ink media pack 20 can be mounted at a predetermined position without the operator having to forcibly open the ink storage unit 211, the handling of the ink media pack 20 at the time of mounting is facilitated.

In the present embodiment, the ink storing section stores the optimal combination of inks for the recording medium. However, when the ink is exchanged, the ink for the recording head and the recording head is replaced. Cleaning ink for cleaning the inside of the supply path may be stored. Further, in the case where the ejection energy generating element of the recording head is an electrothermal transducer, if the ink that is optimal for the recording medium uses ink that may generate kogation on the electrothermal transducer, the electrothermal transducer may be used. A kogation removing liquid for removing kogation on the body may be stored.

Next, an operation of mounting the ink media pack 20 on the ASF 1 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

The ink media pack 20 is configured to be attachable and detachable to and from the ASF 1 of the ink jet printer. The necessary components for this attachment and detachment are provided in the ASF 1 and the ink media pack 20.

In the ASF 1 shown in FIG. 3, when the ink media pack 20 is mounted, the introduction guide 102e engages with guide ribs 212c provided on both sides of the recording medium storage portion of the ink media pack 20,
Thereby, the mounting operation of the ink media pack 20 can be guided. That is, the guide rib 212c of the ink media pack 20 mainly guides the insertion of the recording medium storage unit 210 into the ASF1. When the guide rib 212c engages with and slides along the introduction guide 102e, the recording medium storage unit 21
0 can be guided. The sliding of the guide rib 212c is caused by abutting ribs 212d formed on both sides of the recording medium storage unit 210 (FIGS. 10 and 1).
2) are provided on stoppers 102f (FIG. 1) provided on the right base plate 102a and the left base plate 102b, respectively.
0 and 12). Thus, the relative position of the recording medium storage unit 210 relative to the base 102 is determined.

When the recording medium storage unit 210 is mounted, the printer-side connector 310 provided in the ASF 1 is provided.
(See FIG. 10) and the connector 400 provided on the lower end surface of the recording medium storage unit 210 are connected to each other, whereby the printer can recognize that the ink media pack 20 has been mounted. After this mounting, as shown in FIG. 10, the lock lever 150 provided on the left side plate 102b of the ASF 1 and rotatably supported by the lever shaft 150a is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, and the protrusion of the lever 150 is formed. The part 150b is the ink media pack 210
The ink media pack 20 can be fixed to the ASF 1 by being inserted into the lock hole 210a formed in the. And by this fixation, the connection between the above-mentioned connectors can be secured.

When the plain paper 4 is directly mounted on the ASF 1, the loading and feeding operation is not hindered when the plain paper 4 is directly mounted on the ASF 1. There is a gap. Also,
When the side guide 105 is moved to the leftmost position in FIG.
b is stored in a side guide storage part (not shown) provided in b.

On the other hand, the mounting operation of the ink storage section 211 in the ink media pack 20 is performed by providing the guide grooves 102d provided in the base both side plates 102a and 102b of the ASF 1 and the both sides of the ink case 218 of the ink storage section. Guided by engagement with the guide boss 218b. That is, the recording medium storage unit 21 described above
0, the two guide bosses 218b of the ink storage unit 211 are simultaneously moved to AS as shown in FIG.
F1 is slid after engaging with the open ends of two corresponding guide grooves 102d. As a result, the ink storage unit 211 follows the insertion operation of the recording medium storage unit 210 described above.
The guide boss 218b starts to be opened by being guided, and automatically rotates about its rotation shaft 212e. At the end of the insertion operation, the substantially horizontal predetermined position shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 11 and FIG. Attachment is completed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state where the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the ASF 1 by the above mounting operation.

As shown in the drawing, in the mounted state, the ink storage section 211 is opened with respect to the recording medium storage section 210, and the front opening 215 of the recording medium storage section 210 is opened.
Faces the roller portion 104a of the paper feed roller unit 5. At this time, the rear opening 216 faces the pressure plate 103. That is, since the opening area of the rear opening 216 is larger than that of the pressure plate 103, when the pressure plate 103 is pressed, the recording medium 20 in which the pressure plate 103 is stored is stored.
0 is pressed via the protective sheet 214, thereby displacing the ink media pack 20 without displacing the surface of the stored recording medium 200 with the roller portion 104.
a.

The ink storage section 211 is guided substantially as described above and is held substantially horizontally.
The distal end of the ink storage section 211 including the pressing section 221a can be positioned so as to enter the ink jet printer main body. That is, this tip can be located above the moving range of the carriage 2. Further, as described later, when the pressing portion 221a is pressed by a cam mechanism (not shown) provided in the printer main body, the joint portion 220 is operated, and the ink supply through the ink supply port 2A on the carriage 2 is performed. And so on.

Note that the ink media pack 20 is
To deviate from 1, the above operations are performed in reverse order.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram mainly showing a control configuration of a system composed of an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink media pack provided with an example of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention.

In the ink jet printer, a microprocessor (MPU 301) controls the entire ink jet printer according to a control program stored in a ROM 302. The RAM 303 is a host device 300
And the like, and is used as a work area in the processing execution of the MPU 301.

The MPU 301 executes command data and recording data transferred from a host computer (host device) 300 via a transmission / reception means 304 comprising a known Centronics interface or the like in accordance with the procedure of a program stored in a ROM 302. Based on
A carriage motor via the input / output port 305 and the motor drive circuit 306;
In addition to controlling the rotation of the transport motor that supplies rotational power, the print data is output to the print head 501 via the head control unit 307 and the head drive unit 308 to control the print operation. In addition, a timer 3 is provided for generating the drive pulse width of the recording head and controlling the rotation speed of each motor.
09 is provided.

On the other hand, in the system of the ink media pack 20, which functions by being connected to the above-mentioned ink jet printer, the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the printed board 401 (see FIG. 5). EEPROM4 that can hold data even when no data is applied
02 is implemented. EEPROM 40 of the present embodiment
Reference numeral 2 denotes a general serial type, which becomes operable when the CS signal 311 is "H". That is, when the CS signal is “H”, the CLK signal 312 rises, a command (write, read, erase, etc.) or write data on the DI input signal 313 is written into the EEPROM 402, and read data is written on the DO output signal 314. It is output and becomes readable. Each signal line 311 to 31
4 is connected to the input / output port 305 on the main body side via the connector 310 on the main body side, and can be read and written under the control of the MPU 301. Serial EEPROM 40
The capacity of the EEPROM 402 is about several Kbits.
The rewritable number is about 10 to the seventh power, and is suitable as a rewritable storage element for storing information relating to the printer of the present embodiment.

Further, on the ink jet printer side,
Switch 315 for detecting attachment of ink media pack 20
And the switch 315 is turned ON when the ink media pack 20 is mounted.
The output signal 316 of the switch 315 is output to the input / output port 30
5 is input. The MPU 301 can detect the detachment of the ink media pack 20 by reading this signal.

When detecting the mounting of the pack 20, the MPU 301 supplies power to the EEPROM 402 in the pack 20 by the output signal 317 of the input / output port 305, and makes the EEPROM 402 readable / writable.

EEPRO in the ink media pack 20
The information to be stored in the M402 is roughly classified into information that is written at the factory at the time of manufacturing the pack and then read only from the inkjet printer side, and information that is rewritten from the inkjet printer side while being attached to the inkjet printer. Typical examples of the former information include information that stores the type of recording medium and the type of ink set in the pack.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the printer when the above-described ink media pack 20 is mounted. FIG. 15 shows a case where the ink media pack is mounted while the printer is turned on. FIGS. 16A and 16B show a processing procedure when the ink media pack 20 is mounted while the power is off. This process is performed on the ink media pack 20
The connector 400 provided on the printer side is the connector 3 on the printer side.
This is made possible by being electrically connected to.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the ink media pack 20 is mounted while the power is on, this is performed as part of the recording standby process (step S101) of the printer. That is, this process is started at a predetermined time interval during recording standby, and first, it is determined whether or not the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the printer (S10).
2). This determination process is performed based on the mounting / non-mounting data written in the predetermined memory of the printer together with data such as the ID of the ink media pack 20, the ink, and the type of the recording medium. If it is determined that this data is different from the previous data, the current state is written into the above memory including the ID of the installed ink media pack 20 (if mounted) (S103).
Then, it is determined whether or not the ink media pack 20 is currently mounted with reference to the above-mentioned memory (S1).
04). It should be noted that whether or not the ink media pack 20 is mounted may be determined based on the state of the mounting detection switch 315. .

Here, if it is determined that the ink media pack 20 is mounted,
Is determined to be in the mounted state from the state in which is not mounted, the processing (a) described below is executed, and the standby processing in step S101 is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the ink media pack 20 has been removed,
Since there are two cases in the middle of the replacement operation for the other type of ink media pack 20 in which the plain paper 4 is mounted, the processing after step S106 is performed.

That is, in order to distinguish the above or the above case, first, the presence or absence of the ink media pack 20 and the presence or absence of the recording data are monitored (S106, S1).
09). Ink media pack 20 in step S106
If it is determined that the state is the same as the previous state, that is, the state where the ink media pack 20 has been removed, and if it is further determined that the recording data has been sent from the host (S109), the plain paper 4 is loaded. Then, the processing (b) described below is executed.

If it is detected in step S106 that the ink media pack 20 is present before the recording data is sent, it is determined that the ink media pack 20 has been mounted. It is determined whether the type of ink in the media pack 20 is the same as the type of ink in the ink media pack 20 that was previously mounted. Then, the process (a) is executed only when the types of ink are different. If the type of ink has not changed, the standby process is continued because there is no need to replace the ink in the print head.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a description will be given of a process in a case where the ink media pack 20 is attached or detached when the power of the printer is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 16A, when the power supply is turned off, the mounting state of the ink media pack 20 at that time is written in the above-mentioned memory (S111), and then the power supply is cut off. And during this power off,
The ink media pack 20 may be attached or detached.

Next, when the power-on operation is performed, FIG.
The processing shown in FIG. 6 (B) is started, and first, in step S112
Then, the current installation state of the ink media pack 20 is compared with the state written in step S111. Here, when the mounting state of the ink media pack 20 is the same,
It is not necessary to replace the ink in the head, and
The processing is shifted to the standby processing shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the mounting state of the ink media pack 20 is different,
Is determined (S113). Here, when the absence of the ink media pack 20 is detected, the plain paper 4
In the middle of the replacement operation with another type of pack in which is mounted, there are two cases. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S106 shown in FIG. 15 as described with reference to FIG.

When the presence of the ink media pack 20 is detected, the type of the ink in the ink media pack 20 is compared with the type information of the ink written in step S111 (S114). Here, when the types of ink are the same, it is not necessary to replace the ink in the print head, and the process shifts to the standby process and ends.

On the other hand, if the type of ink is different, the process (a) described below is executed to replace the ink in the print head, and then the process proceeds to the standby process.

Next, the processes (a) and (b) will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

[0115]Processing (a)  In this process, replace the ink media pack with a different one.
It is performed when it is done. First, carriage 2
Is a media pack cap 41 and a recovery system 42
And the carriage 2 moves to the position
While moving for each ink color,
Ink inside the recording head and sub tank
After emptying each color at the same ink supply position
The ink is supplied every time. Supply of ink for each color ends
Then, the carriage 2 moves to the home position, and
Performs a recording command waiting process.

In the standby process of step S101, when a recording command is issued, the ink media pack 20
, The recording medium 200 is fed and recording is performed, and after recording is completed, the recording medium 200 is discharged. If ink supply to the sub-tank is required during this recording, the carriage moves to the ink supply position as described above, and supplies ink for each color.

[0117]Processing (b)  In this process, the plain paper 4 is directly mounted on the ASF 1,
This is executed when recording is performed on the. Ma
The carriage 2 includes a cap 40 for plain paper and a
Moves to the position of the return system 42, and carries
The print head 2 moves while moving for each ink color.
By sucking ink from the side, the recording head and sub
After emptying the tank, the same ink supply position
Then, ink is supplied for each color. Supply of ink for each color is completed
Upon completion, the carriage 2 moves to the home position,
The above-described waiting process for the recording command is performed.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an outline of a recording process in the ink jet printer of this embodiment, and showing a control procedure executed by the MPU 301.
The processing shown in the figure mainly relates to the setting of a recording mode before recording and the like, and is executed substantially in parallel with the processing at the time of recording standby described above with reference to FIGS.

After the power of the ink jet printer is turned on, M
The PU 301 performs an initial setting of the device in step S301. Next, in step S302, the state of the mounting detection switch 315 of the ink media pack 20 is read via the input / output port 305. When the switch 315 is ON, it is determined that the ink media pack 20 is mounted, and in step S303, power is supplied to the EEPROM 402, and the type of the recording medium and the ink The type ID is read (step S304). This read data is transferred to the host device 300 via the transmission / reception means 304 such as the Centronics interface in step S305. Based on this information, the printer driver of the host device automatically performs optimal image processing, ink ejection amount, and printing for the combination of the recording medium and the ink in the attached ink media pack 20 without user selection. Create print data in consideration of the number of passes and transfer it to the printer.
When the recording data is received in step S306, a recording operation is performed in step S307. When the recording of one page is completed, the power of the EEPROM 402 is turned off in step S308, and the process proceeds to step S302, where the attachment detection switch 315 of the ink media pack 20 is again detected.
Is read via the input / output port 305. In step S302, when the attachment detection switch 315 of the ink media pack 20 is off, it is determined that the ink media pack 20 is attached, and the print data created at the print quality and print speed specified by the user with the printer driver is output. Receive the ink on the inkjet printer side,
Then, a recording operation is performed using the recording medium set in ASF1 (step S309).

By performing the above control, the ink jet printer can print with the print data optimized for the combination of the ink set in the ink media pack 20 and the recording medium without user's instruction. It is possible to perform recording with high quality image quality. In step S310, based on the data of the type of the recording medium and the type of the ink read by the MPU 301,
Parameters relating to printing on the ink jet printer side stored in the ROM 302, that is, the drive pulse width of the print head, the number of dots to be pre-discharged to prevent head non-ejection (pre-discharge dot number), the pre-discharge time interval, the print head It is also possible to set a recovery time and a suction time interval for keeping the discharge state of the printer normal, so that further optimal control can be performed together with optimization by the printer driver.

In the above embodiment, the type of recording medium and the type of ink (ID) stored in the ink media pack 20 are read, and the parameters related to the recording control stored in the ROM 302 are set based on the ID. However, E of the ink media pack 20
The above parameters may be stored in the EPROM 402 in advance, and the parameters may be read directly from the EEPROM and set in the recording control circuit of the ink jet printer. By this method, for example, even if an additional pack of a recording medium and an ink combination that was not expected before the inkjet printer was released is additionally released, recording can be performed by optimal recording control for the recording medium and the ink combination. Become.

In addition to the above, as another embodiment, the information to be rewritten from the ink jet printer while the ink media pack 20 is mounted on the ink jet printer includes the number of recording media in the pack, the remaining amount of ink in the pack. There is.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another control example by the MPU 301.

In FIG. 18, after the power supply of the ink jet printer is turned on, the MPU 301 performs an initial setting of the apparatus in step S401. Next, in step S402, the state of the mounting detection switch 315 of the ink media pack 20 is read via the input / output port 305. When the switch 315 is on, it is determined that the ink media pack 20 is mounted, and in step S403 the EEPROM is determined.
Power is supplied to the 402, and the remaining number of recording media stored in the EEPROM 402 is read (step S40).
4). This read data is transmitted to the transmission / reception means 30 such as the above-mentioned Centronics interface in step S405.
4 to the host device 300.

The status monitor of the host device displays the current number of recording media remaining in the ink media pack 20 on the monitor. Next, step S406
When it is determined that the recording data has been received from the host device,
In step S407, the recording medium in the ink media pack 20 is fed. At this time, in step S408,
The value obtained by subtracting −1 from the current number of remaining recording media is EEP.
The data is written to the ROM 402, transferred to the host device 300, and the remaining number of recording media displayed on the monitor is changed (S409), and the recording operation is performed in step S410.
When the recording of one sheet is completed, in step S411, the EE
The remaining ink value of each color is read from the PROM 402, and the ink amount and the preliminary ejection amount ejected in one recording and the suction amount when a suction operation is performed are subtracted from the read values and written to the EEPROM 402. Thereafter, in step S412, assuming that the ink media pack 20 is removed, the process proceeds to step S402, and the above process is repeated. Note that the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage unit is calculated strictly based on the amount supplied from the ink storage unit to the sub-tank in the carriage.
Since the ink storage amount of the sub-tank is small and ink is supplied from the ink storage unit to the sub-tank at a relatively high frequency, the amount of ink discharged in the above recording and the preliminary discharge amount are directly used as the remaining ink amount in the ink storage unit. Is used for the calculation of .

By performing the above processing, it is possible to know the current number of recording media in the ink media pack 20, and by transmitting this data to the host device 300, the CRT of the host device 300 is displayed. This can be displayed, which has the effect of improving the user interface. Further, the latest state in the ink media pack 20 can always be known, and by reading out this information, it is possible to use the information for processing for determining the ink injection amount at the time of recycling.

Next, an ink exchange system and an ink supply method provided in the present embodiment will be described.

The ink exchange system according to the present embodiment supplies ink from each ink tank storage section of the above-described ink media pack, which is an ink supply source, to a sub-tank mounted on a carriage of the printer main body. A sub tank, a recording head, an ink air introduction mechanism, and the like are provided.

FIGS. 19 to 24 are explanatory vertical sectional side views showing the sub-tank, recording head and ink air supply mechanism of the ink exchange system. FIG. 19 shows a state during the recording operation, and FIG. Fig. 2
1 shows a state at the time of air introduction, FIG. 22 shows a state at the time of ink air discharge operation, FIG. 23 shows a state at the time when the sub tank is depressurized again, and FIG. 24 shows a state at the time of ink introduction.

In each of the figures, reference numeral 501 denotes a recording head in which a large number of electrothermal transducers or electrostrictive elements (not shown) as ink discharge pressure generating sources and nozzles having discharge ports 502 for discharging ink are arranged. A head drive circuit (not shown) for supplying a recording signal and electricity is connected to each ink ejection pressure generation source in each nozzle unit.

Reference numeral 520 denotes a sub-tank for storing ink supplied from an ink storage unit 211 as an ink supply source formed in the ink media pack. The recording head 501 is integrally fixed to the bottom of the sub-tank. I have.

In the sub-tank 520, reference numeral 521 denotes a sub-tank main body forming an outer shell of the sub-tank 520.
The sub-tank main body 521 is provided with the same number of decompression chambers 505 as the number of types of ink to be applied (here, four types). Each decompression chamber 505 is provided with the sub tank main body 521.
Is connected to an intake passage 505c that communicates with a pressure reduction adjustment port 506 formed at the bottom of the air conditioner.

As shown in FIG. 20, four openings H are formed on the upper surface of each of the sub-tank main bodies 521 in correspondence with the respective decompression chambers 505 in the vertical direction including the introduction port 508a (perpendicular to the main scanning direction). (In the direction in which the sub-tanks are formed), and 16 openings H are formed in a matrix in the entire sub-tank. Of these, each decompression chamber 505
Are arranged on a straight line that intersects the main scanning direction which is the moving direction of the carriage. On the other hand, the opening H other than the introduction port 508a is an opening of a concave portion 508c through which an introduction needle 553 described later is inserted, and an elastic ink prevention member (not shown) having elasticity is fixed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 508c. Have been.

In addition, a sealing mechanism 509 is provided in the introduction path 508 for sealing the opening 508a formed at the upper end thereof so as to be openable and closable. This sealing mechanism 509
Is a valve storage chamber 5 formed upstream of the introduction path 508.
08b, and a spring 509b for biasing the ball valve 509a.
The introduction port 508a is always sealed by a ball valve 509a by the urging force of b. Reference numeral 510 denotes an ink leakage prevention member which is made of an elastic member and is fixed outside the introduction port 508a. Also, 5
Reference numeral 05b denotes an outlet valve provided at the outlet 505a of the introduction path 508 so that ink and air can be led out to the introduction path 508 while preventing reverse flow of ink and air from the introduction path 508. Has become.

Reference numeral 507 denotes a decompression adjusting mechanism inserted into the intake passage 505c. This pressure reduction adjusting mechanism 507 includes a valve storage chamber 507a formed in the intake passage 505c.
And the pressure-reducing regulating valve 5 inserted into the valve storage chamber 507a.
07b, and a spring 50 for urging the pressure reducing valve 507b.
7c.

The pressure reducing valve 507b is connected to the spring 507c.
The communication between the intake passage 505c and the pressure-reducing adjusting port 506 is always kept in a cut-off state by the biasing force of
When a predetermined pressing member (not shown) is inserted through an insertion hole 521a formed on the side surface of the pressure-receiving member 21 and the pressure-reducing regulating valve 507b is moved against the spring 507c, the pressure-reducing regulating valve 5
07b communicates with the decompression adjusting port 506 and the intake passage 505c through an air passage (not shown) formed in the decompression chamber 50b.
The inside of 5 is decompressed.

Therefore, the pressure reducing valve 507b is in a state in which the pressure reducing port 506 is closed except when the degree of pressure reduction is adjusted, and is shut off from the outside air to maintain the reduced pressure state. As described above, by forming the decompressed state, the ink in the sub tank 505 is depressurized and the ink drops from the ejection port 502 and
2 can be prevented from being drawn into the discharge port 50.
In No. 2, an appropriate ink meniscus is formed, and the ink ejection can be stabilized. Adjustment of the degree of pressure reduction can be managed by providing a pressure sensor as pressure reduction measurement means in the intake passage 505c.

Reference numeral 503 denotes an ink liquid chamber serving as an ink storage section housed in the decompression chamber 505. The ink liquid chamber 503 is formed in a bag shape by a flexible member having a lower end fixed to the bottom of the decompression chamber 505.
The volume changes due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside. In the present embodiment, the flexible member has a lower half 503b formed thick and an upper half 503a thinned, and the lower half 503b has a relatively high rigidity and maintains a constant shape. However, the upper half 503a has low rigidity and changes in volume in response to a change in pressure inside and outside caused by the decompression chamber. This is to reduce the internal volume and reduce the remaining amount of ink in the ink discharging operation. However, changing the thickness of the ink liquid chamber is not an essential requirement in the present invention.

The ink liquid chamber 503 is provided in the decompression chamber 5.
The ink supply path 50 communicates with the recording head 501 via an ink supply path 504 formed at the bottom of the ink supply path 50.
4, the ink from the ink liquid chamber 503 is supplied to the recording head 501.

Reference numeral 530 is a pressure reducing mechanism (pressure reducing means) provided in the recovery mechanism 42. This decompression mechanism 5
Reference numeral 30 denotes the pair of caps 40, 41, a suction pump (not shown) provided as a pressure reduction source provided for each of the caps 40, 41, and two sets of pressure reduction paths 531 connecting the suction pump and the cap. , 532 and the recording head 5
A switching mechanism 530 for switching the reduced pressure application state is provided for the discharge port 502 and the reduced pressure adjusting port 506 of No. 01. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 20, the two caps 40 and 41 both have a discharge port side sealing portion 541 that covers the discharge port 532 in a sealed state, and a state in which the pressure reduction adjustment port 506 is sealed. And a pressure-reducing-port-side sealing portion 542 which covers the suction port, and suction holes 541a and 542a are formed in the sealing portions 541 and 542, respectively.

Further, the two pressure reduction paths 531 and 532
Are suction holes 541a, 5a of the sealing portions 541, 542.
It is constituted by two tubes 531 and 532 connected to 42a, and one tube 531 is formed by a flexible member. Also, the pressure reduction switching mechanism 530
Are connected to the tubes 531 and 533 by a predetermined driving source.
2 and a pressure roller 536 pivotally mounted on one end of the rotation arm 535. The rotation arm 53
By selecting the position of the pressure contact roller 536 by 5, communication and cutoff of the tube 531 can be switched.

That is, as shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 22, and FIG. 24, by pressing the pressing roller 536 against the tube 531, the tube 531 is crushed and its communication state is cut off, and the discharge port side sealing portion 541 is connected to the suction pump. Be cut off from. Further, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, by separating the pressing roller 536 from the tube 531, the tube 531 returns to the original shape, and the close contact portion 541 communicates with the suction pump.

Reference numeral 570 denotes an ink air introduction mechanism. The ink air introduction mechanism 570 is for selectively introducing ink and outside air into the ink liquid chamber 503 of the sub tank 521, and functions as an ink introduction mechanism and a gas introduction mechanism. The ink air introduction mechanism includes an ink air introduction mechanism on the plain paper side for introducing ink and air from the plain paper ink replenishment unit 30, and an ink media pack for introducing ink and air in the ink media pack 20. Two types of ink air introduction mechanisms are provided. Both ink air introduction mechanisms have the same structure, and both of them have a pressing mechanism 560 and an introduction switching mechanism 5.
50.

The pressing mechanism 560 of the plain paper side ink air introducing mechanism is installed with reference to the arrangement position of the plain paper ink replenishing cap 40. The pressing mechanism 560 of the pack side ink air introducing mechanism is The special paper ink replenishment cap 41 accommodated in the ink media pack 20 is installed with reference to the arrangement position. The pressing pins 561 of each pressing mechanism 560 are arranged in a line in a direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 2.

One of the introduction switching mechanisms 550 is provided in the supply section 30 a of the plain paper ink replenishment unit 30, and the other is provided in the supply section 21 a of the ink media pack 20.

The pressing mechanism 560 includes a plurality of (four in this example) pressing pins 561 inserted through a predetermined support P1 on the printer main body so as to be able to move up and down.
A spring 563 that is elastically mounted between the first head 562 and the supporting body P1 and constantly urges the lower end of each pressing pin 561 to enter the supporting body P1, and is rotated by a predetermined driving source. A single eccentric cam 564 that rotates about the moving center Co. The eccentric cam 564 is connected to each of the pressing pins 56.
All the pressing pins 5 are provided at a position where the pressing pins 5 are always in pressure contact with the first head 562, and are rotated around a rotation center Co.
61 can be moved up and down.

That is, the point a on the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 564
When the point (the point at which the distance from the rotation center C0 is the smallest) contacts the head 562 of the pressing pin 561, the pressing pin 5
The lower end of 61 is set at an initial position where it is immersed in the support P1, and a point c (a point where the distance interval from the rotation center C0 is the largest) on the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 564 is attached to the head 562. The lower end of the pressing pin 561 is set at the maximum protruding position which protrudes most from the lower surface of the support P1 when it comes into contact, and the lower end of the pressing pin 561 when the point b on the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 564 contacts the head 562 Is set at a predetermined intermediate position between the initial position and the maximum projecting position.

On the other hand, the introduction switching mechanism 550 includes a housing 556 having a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) storage chambers 556R defined in correspondence with the pressing pins 561.
A switching block 551 accommodated in each storage chamber 556R of the housing 556 so as to be able to move up and down, an introduction needle 553 fixed to the lower end of each switching block 551 and having an introduction path 553a formed in the center; A spring 554 is provided between the switching block 551 and the bottom of the housing 556.

Of these, an insertion hole 5 through which the pressing pin 561 of the pressing mechanism can be inserted and removed is provided on the upper surface of the housing 556.
A plurality of pressing pins 56a (four in this embodiment) are formed corresponding to the respective pressing pins, and a plurality of insertion holes 556b for allowing the insertion and removal of the introduction needle 553 are formed on the bottom surface in correspondence with the respective introduction needles 553. (In the present embodiment, four). Further, an air introduction port 558 and an ink introduction port 559 communicating with the outside air are formed on a side surface of each storage chamber 556R in the housing 556. Each of the air introduction ports 558 communicates with the outside air, and the ink introduction port 559 is connected to the outside. It is connected to a plain paper ink replenishing unit 30 as an ink supply source or an ink storage unit 211 of the ink media pack 20 via a predetermined communication path.

Each of the switching blocks 551 is connected to an enclosure 556 by an O-ring 552 fixed to its peripheral surface.
Of each of the storage chambers 556R can be moved up and down while maintaining an airtight state with the inner surface thereof. This switching block 551
Is formed with an introduction path 551a bent in an L shape from a side opening formed on one side surface to a bottom opening formed in the center of the bottom, and this is formed as an introduction path 55 for the introduction needle 553.
3a.

Further, each of the introduction needles 553 is arranged along the sub-scanning direction similarly to the pressing pins 561 of each of the pressing mechanisms 560. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, the introduction port 508a is arranged in the arrangement direction of each introduction needle 553,
They are arranged along the direction crossing the arrangement direction of the introduction needles 553 in the housing 556. However, each inlet 508
The arrangement pitch in the sub-scanning direction of the a
As shown in FIG. 25, the carriage 2 is moved in the main scanning direction to sequentially move the four introduction needles 553 one by one to the corresponding introduction ports 508a. And can be matched. The introduction switching mechanism constitutes ink introduction switching means and gas introduction switching means.

Next, the ink replacement operation and the ink supply operation in this embodiment will be described.

As described above, in this embodiment, switching between the recording operation using special paper such as the ink media pack 20 and the recording operation using plain paper, and the type of the media pack 20 to be used are described. Changes, etc., the type of ink to be applied also needs to be changed in accordance with the change of the recording medium, and the ink stored so far and the ink to be used for the next printing operation must be changed. Replacement is required.

This ink exchange is performed as shown in FIGS. Here, an operation at the time of ink replacement accompanying a change in the type of the ink media pack 20 will be described as an example.

When a replacement command is input when replacing the ink media pack, first, the carriage 2 on which the sub-tank 520 is mounted is moved to a side retreat position where interference with the ink media pack 20 can be avoided (see FIG. 1). Then, the ink media pack 20 used in that state is removed.

Thereafter, a new ink media pack 20
When the pressing mechanism 560 is moved from the retracted position to the lateral mounting position, the bottom of the housing 556 in the introduction switching mechanism 550 approaches the upper surface of the sub tank main body 521 and is formed on the upper surface of the housing 556. Insertion hole 556a
The pressing pin 561 of the pressing mechanism 560 is opposed to.

Here, information on the ink stored in each ink liquid chamber 503 is read out from the memory 400 of the newly mounted ink media pack 20, and when an ink exchange command is input, the current ink information and , Based on the information of the ink used immediately before, the MPU 30
1 determines the ink that needs to be replaced.

Based on this judgment, the carriage 2 moves,
The decompression adjusting port 506 formed on the bottom surface of the decompression chamber 505 containing the ink to be replaced and the ejection port 502 of the recording head 501 are opposed to the close contact portions 541 and 542 provided on the cap 40 or 41, respectively. . Thereafter, the cap 40 or 41 is raised, and the close portions 541 and 542 are in close contact with the periphery of the discharge port 502 and the pressure reduction control port 506 (see FIG. 20).

Thereafter, the rotation arm 535 of the pressure reduction switching mechanism 530 rotates, and the pressure contact roller 536 presses against the tube 531 to cut off the communication between the discharge port 502 and the suction pump, while the pressure reduction switching valve 507b is not shown. Of the spring 507c against the urging force of the spring 507c,
Reference numeral 5 communicates with the suction pump via the pressure reducing valve 507b and the like. At this time, an introduction path 508 that can communicate with the decompression chamber 505
Is shut off from the outside air by the sealing mechanism 509, so that the pressure in the decompression chamber 505 is reduced by the air suction operation of the suction pump. Also, the ink liquid chamber 503 housed in the decompression chamber 505 has an upper half 503a.
Is formed of a flexible member, the decompression chamber 50
5 is depressurized from the atmosphere, the ink chamber 5
03 undergoes a volume change and is in a reduced pressure state.

Here, when the decompression chamber 505 reaches a certain degree of decompression, a pushing member (not shown) releases the pressing on the decompression regulating valve 507b, and the decompression regulating valve 507b is moved by the spring 507c.
Returns to the initial position according to the urging force of the intake passage 505c.
The communication between the pressure chamber 505 and the suction pump is interrupted to maintain the reduced pressure in the reduced pressure chamber 505 and the ink liquid chamber 503 (see FIG. 20).

Next, the eccentric cam 564 is rotated about the rotation center Co by the driving means (not shown), and stops at the position where the point b on the peripheral surface contacts the head 562. As a result, the pressing pin 561 protrudes from the lower surface of the support P1, and the insertion hole 556
a, the switching block 551 is pushed down, and the air introduction port (gas introduction port) 558 and the introduction path 551a are communicated (see FIG. 21). As a result, outside air is introduced into the ink liquid chamber 503 in a reduced pressure state from the air introduction port 558 through the introduction paths 551a, 553a, 508 and the introduction valve 505b. Since the ink is swung and agitated in the ink liquid chamber 503 by the reduced pressure and the introduction of air, the fluidity of the ink can be increased.

Next, by operating the suction pump as the suction source, the ink remaining in the ink liquid chamber 503 and used for the previous printing operation is discharged from the discharge port 502 of the print head 501 through the tube 531. It is discharged (see FIG. 22). By this discharge step, the ink in the ink liquid chamber 503 can be completely discharged. However, when the discharge of the ink is to be performed more reliably, the above-described pressure reduction,
It is also effective to repeatedly execute the respective steps of introducing and discharging air, or to swing the ink inside by reciprocating the carriage 2 a predetermined distance.

After the ink is completely discharged, the eccentric cam 564 is rotated as shown in FIG. 23, and the point a on the peripheral surface is brought into contact with the head 562. As a result, the pressing pin 561 returns to the upper initial position according to the biasing force of the spring 563,
Withdraws from the housing 556 of the introduction switching mechanism 550. As a result, the introduction needle 553 together with the switching block 551 is
It rises by the urging force of 54 and withdraws from the inlet 508a. As a result, the ball valve 509a is
The introduction port 508a of the introduction path 508 is closed by the biasing force of b, and the communication with the outside air is cut off.

At the same time, the pressure reducing valve 507b of the pressure reducing mechanism 507 is pressed against the spring 507c to connect the intake passage 505c and the tube 532 to connect the pressure reducing chamber 505 to the suction pump. Switching mechanism 5
The communication between the discharge port 502 and the suction pump is interrupted by the 30 pressing rollers 536, and the suction pump is driven in this state. As a result, the pressure in the ink liquid chamber 503 is reduced again.

Next, the pressing mechanism 560 is driven to rotate the eccentric cam 564 to press the point c on the peripheral surface to the head 562 (see FIG. 24). As a result, the pressing pin 561 projects downward to move the switching block 551 to the maximum projecting position, so that the ink introduction port 559 communicates with the introduction path 551a. As a result, a path from the ink media pack 20, which is an ink supply source, to the ink liquid chamber 503, that is, a path from the ink media pack 20 to the ink supply pipe 21 is formed.
8c, ink introduction port 559, introduction paths 551a, 553
a, 508 and the path leading to the ink liquid chamber 503 are in communication.

At this time, since the ink liquid chamber 503 is in a decompressed state together with the decompression chamber 505 in the decompression step shown in FIG. 23, the ink stored in the ink media pack 20 is transferred to the ink liquid chamber 503 via the above path. Introduced,
Then, when the ink is filled in the ink liquid chamber 503, the eccentric cam 564 is rotated to remove the pressing pin 561 from the housing 556, and the introduction needle 553 is removed from the introduction port 508a. Is completed, thereby completing the ink replacement process for one ink storage chamber. The operation in the ink introduction step is as follows.
This is the same as the operation executed when replenishing the ink consumed by the recording operation and the recovery operation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 23, after the introduction needle 553 is withdrawn after filling with ink, the degree of pressure reduction may be further adjusted in order to make the pressure in the sub tank 520 suitable for the recording operation.

As described above, after supplying ink to the ink liquid chamber 503 in one of the decompression chambers 505 in the sub-tank 520, if it is necessary to supply ink to the other ink liquid chamber 503, First, the cap 40 or 41 descends and separates from the lower surface of the sub-tank 505, and then the carriage 2 descends with the sub-tank and separates from the housing 556 by the above-described elevating mechanism. Thereafter, the carriage 2 moves in the main scanning direction, and the pressure reduction adjusting port 506 and the discharge port 502 of another pressure reducing chamber 505 requiring ink replacement or ink replenishment are opposed to the cap 40 or 41. Then, the caps 40 and 41 are raised again to seal the pressure reduction adjusting port 506 and the discharge port 502,
After that, as before, decompression, air introduction, discharge, decompression,
Steps such as ink introduction are sequentially performed. The above operation is repeatedly performed for each of the decompression chambers 505 requiring ink replacement.

The four pressing mechanisms 560 provided in this embodiment have a structure in which a single eccentric cam 564 raises and lowers all the pressing pins 561 simultaneously by the same amount. Therefore, all of the switching block 551 and the introduction needle 553 of the introduction switching mechanism 550 are simultaneously pressed with the pressing operation of the pressing pin 561.

However, as described above, each of the introduction needles 55
3, only one introduction needle 553 is inserted into the introduction port 508a, and the other introduction needles 553 are in the same row among the twelve introduction needle insertion recesses 508c formed on the upper surface of the sub tank main body 521a. Are inserted into three of them. An ink leakage prevention member having appropriate elasticity is provided on the bottom surface of the concave portion 508c, and the lower end of the introduction needle 553 inserted into the concave portion 508c is pressed against the ink leakage prevention member. Therefore, unnecessary leakage of the ink can be prevented without damaging the tip of the introduction needle 553.
In addition, since the introduction port 508a of the introduction path 508 into which the introduction needle 553 is not inserted is kept closed by the ball valve 509, there is no possibility that dust or the like enters the introduction path 508.

Note that the introduction path 551 in the present embodiment is used.
Although a, 553a, and 508 are common flow paths through which both ink and air flow, the introduction paths for ink and air may be independent flow paths.

In this embodiment, the ink is discharged from the ink chamber by discharging the ink from the discharge port of the recording head 501. However, the ink discharge channel having a relatively large flow area is used. It is also possible to provide the ink separately from the ejection port of the recording head 501 and to discharge the ink from the ejection port. According to this, it is possible to discharge the ink more quickly, and to discharge the ink. It is also possible to prevent the life of the discharge port from being shortened.

[0173]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the recording liquid / sheet built-in container, the sheet feeding apparatus and the recording apparatus having the same according to the present invention, the sheet taken out from the sheet accommodating section is transported by the transport mechanism. The sheet is discharged in a state where the recording liquid / sheet built-in container is mounted, because the conveying force output from the forming unit is applied to the sheet through the sheet discharge opening formed in the case body, and the sheet is discharged. It will be. Therefore, the convenience is improved, and the sheet is further provided with a lid member which is disposed in the case body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet discharge opening, and selectively covers the sheet discharge opening. And the cover member is engaged with an engagement portion provided at a position separated from a portion of the case main body portion where the sheet accommodating portion is arranged in the transport mechanism forming portion in accordance with the mounting operation of the case main body portion. A guide member which is guided while being fitted, and wherein the lid member is automatically changed from the closed state to the open state with respect to the sheet discharge opening by cooperation of the guide member and the engaging portion, so that the handling thereof is easy. Improvement will be achieved.

Further, a sheet separating means is provided at the end of the sheet discharging section in the sheet storing section, and separates and sequentially discharges the sheets discharged from the sheet storing section one by one. Since the separation surface is set according to the stiffness of the sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion, it is possible to perform optimal and stable sheet separation according to the stiffness of various sheets.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an ink jet printer to which an example of a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention and a recording apparatus including the sheet feeding apparatus are applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a paper transport unit of the printer illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an automatic sheet feeder (AS) in the example shown in FIG. 1;
It is a perspective view of F).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a drive mechanism provided in the automatic sheet feeder shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which plain paper is loaded in the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an ink media pack used in an example of a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention and a recording apparatus including the sheet feeding apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the back side of the ink media pack shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an ink storage unit of the ink media pack shown in FIG.

9 is a perspective view showing a state where the ink storage unit of the ink media pack shown in FIG. 6 is opened with respect to the recording medium storage unit.

FIG. 10 shows the ink media pack shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of being attached to the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a side view in the state shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view as viewed from the side in the state shown in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views each provided for explaining the operation of the separation surface in the ink media pack shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a recording system provided in the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a program to be executed when the control unit shown in FIG. 14 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a program to be executed when the control unit shown in FIG. 14 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart provided to explain a program to be executed when the control unit shown in FIG. 14 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer.

18 is a flowchart provided to explain a program to be executed when the control unit shown in FIG. 14 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a subtank, a recording head, and an ink air supply mechanism in the ink exchange system of the printer, showing a state during a recording operation.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a sub-tank, a recording head, and an ink air supply mechanism of the ink exchange system of the printer, showing a state where the sub-tank is depressurized.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a sub-tank, a recording head, and an ink air supply mechanism of the ink exchange system of the printer, showing a state when air is introduced.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a sub-tank, a recording head, and an ink air supply mechanism of the ink exchange system of the printer, showing a state at the time of an ink air discharging operation.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a sub-tank, a recording head, and an ink air supply mechanism of the ink exchange system of the printer, showing a state where the sub-tank is depressurized again.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory vertical sectional side view showing a sub-tank, a recording head, and an ink air supply mechanism of the ink exchange system of the printer, showing a state when ink is introduced.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory plan view showing ink introduction holes and the like of the sub tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Recording paper discharge direction 1 Automatic paper feeder (ASF) 2 Carriage 2A Ink introduction unit 4 Plain paper 5 Feed roller unit 6 Press roller 7 Paper feed roller 8 Recording area 20 Ink media packs 21a, 30a Supply unit 30 Plain paper ink Replenishment unit 40 Plain paper ink suction cap 41 Special paper ink suction cap 42 Recovery system 102 Base 102a Base right side plate 102b Base left side plate 102d Guide groove 102e Introduction guide 102f Stopper 103 Pressure plate 104 Roller part 105 Side guide 106 Separation pad 107 Separation surface 150 Lock lever 150b Protrusion 210 Recording medium storage section 210a Lock hole 211 Ink storage section 212 Recording medium case 212b Retaining member 212c Guide rib 213 Back cover 214 Protection sheet G 215 Front opening 217 Recording medium 218 Ink case 218a Ink chamber 218b Guide boss 218d Ink bag 219 Ink case cover 220 Joint part 221 Joint valve 221a Pressing part 300 Host device 301 MPU 302 ROM 304 Transmission / reception means 305 Input / output port 306 Motor Drive circuit 310 Connector (printer side) 315 Switch 400 Connector (ink media pack side) 401 Printed circuit board 501 Recording head 502 Discharge port 503 Ink liquid chamber (ink storage section) 503a Upper half 503b Lower half 504 Ink supply path 505 Pressure reduction Room 505a Outlet 505b Outlet valve 505c Intake passage 506 Depressurization adjusting port 507 Depressurization adjusting mechanism 507a Valve storage chamber 507b Depressurization adjusting valve 507c Spring 508 Inlet 508a Inlet 508b Valve storage chamber 508c Concave part 509 Sealing mechanism 509a Ball valve 509b Spring 510 Ink leakage prevention member 520 Subtank 521 Subtank body 521a Insertion hole 530 Pressure reduction switching mechanism 531 Tube 532 Tube 535 Rotating arm 536 Pressure reduction mechanism Pressing roller 541 Depressurizing port side close contact portion 541a Suction hole 542 Discharge port side close contact portion 542a Suction hole 550 Introduction switching mechanism 551 Switching block 551a Introduction path 552 O-ring 553 Introduction needle 553a Introduction path 554 Spring 556 Housing 556a Insertion hole 556 556R Storage chamber 558 Air inlet 559 Ink inlet 560 Pressing mechanism 561 Press pin 562 Head 563 Spring 564 Eccentric cam 570 Ink air inlet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Kuribayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Mariko Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Tadayoshi Inamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yoshino 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Ako Takemura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 3F343 FA02 FB04 GA02 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA07 HB03 HC02 HC22 JA03 KB03 KB13 LC04

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A case body detachably provided in a conveyance mechanism forming section for conveying a sheet to a recording section which performs a recording operation on a recording surface of a sheet with a recording liquid; A sheet accommodating section for accommodating the sheet and a liquid accommodating section for accommodating the liquid, wherein the sheet taken out from the sheet accommodating section has a conveying force output from the conveying mechanism forming section applied to the case body. A recording liquid that is discharged by acting on the sheet through a formed sheet discharge opening;
Container with built-in seat. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lid member disposed on the case body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet discharge opening, and selectively covering the sheet discharge opening. Container for liquid and sheet. 3. The cover member according to a mounting operation of the case body in an engagement portion provided at a position separated from a portion of the case body in which the sheet accommodating portion is arranged in the transport mechanism forming portion. Further comprising a guide member guided while being engaged with the cover member, wherein the lid member is automatically changed from the closed state to the open state with respect to the sheet discharge opening by cooperation of the guide member and the engaging portion. The recording liquid / sheet built-in container according to claim 2, characterized in that: 4. The cover member is provided with an engagement portion provided at a position separated from a portion of the case body portion in which the sheet accommodating portion is arranged in the transport mechanism forming portion, for disengaging the case body portion. A guide member that is guided while being engaged in response to the guide member, wherein the lid member automatically moves with respect to the sheet discharge opening when the guide member is disengaged with the engagement portion. The recording liquid / sheet built-in container according to claim 2, wherein the container is changed from an open state to a closed state. 5. A case main body removably disposed on a conveyance mechanism forming unit for conveying a sheet to a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording surface of a sheet with a recording liquid; A sheet accommodating portion for accommodating the sheet and a liquid accommodating portion for accommodating the liquid; and a sheet accommodating portion formed in the sheet accommodating portion of the case main body and a pressing force of a sheet pressing means provided in the transport mechanism forming portion. A recording liquid / sheet built-in container comprising: a sheet pressing means for communicating between the sheet pressing means and the inside of the sheet accommodating portion so as to directly or indirectly act on a sheet in the portion. . 6. A sheet protection member disposed in a sheet accommodating portion of the case body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet pressing opening, and further comprising a sheet protection member for covering the sheet pressing opening. The recording liquid / sheet-containing container described in the above. 7. The sheet protecting member is supported by a sheet accommodating portion of the case main body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet pressing opening, and is automatically closed according to a mounting operation of the case main body. 6. The recording liquid / sheet built-in container according to claim 5, wherein the container is substantially opened from the opening. 8. The sheet protecting member is supported by a sheet accommodating portion of the case main body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet pressing opening, and is substantially opened automatically in response to a detachment operation of the case main body. 6. The recording liquid / sheet built-in container according to claim 5, wherein the container is closed from the state. 9. A case body detachably provided in a conveyance mechanism forming section for conveying a sheet with respect to a recording section which performs a recording operation on a recording surface of a sheet with a recording liquid; A sheet accommodating portion for accommodating the sheet and a liquid accommodating portion for accommodating the liquid; and a sheet ejecting portion provided at an end of a sheet ejecting portion of the sheet accommodating portion, for separating sheets ejected from the sheet accommodating portion one by one. And a sheet separating means for sequentially discharging the recording liquid and the sheet. 10. The sheet separating device according to claim 9, wherein the sheet separating means is formed by a separating surface facing the sheet discharge portion and forming a predetermined angle with respect to a wall surface with which an end of the sheet is abutted. Container with built-in recording liquid and sheet. 11. The recording liquid / sheet built-in container according to claim 10, wherein the separation surface is set according to the rigidity of the sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion. 12. A storage unit for detachably disposed in a transport mechanism forming unit for transporting the sheet with respect to a recording unit for performing a recording operation on a recording surface of the sheet with a recording liquid, and for storing the sheet and the liquid. A portable container having a sheet discharge opening through which the sheet is discharged from the storage unit; a delivery roller disposed in the transport mechanism forming unit to take out and discharge the sheet through the sheet discharge opening; And a driving unit for driving the delivery roller when the portable container is mounted on the conveyance mechanism forming unit. 13. A cover member which is disposed on the portable container so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet discharge opening, and covers the sheet discharge opening, wherein a sheet accommodating portion of the portable container in the transport mechanism forming portion is provided. An engaging portion provided at a position separated from the portion to be disposed further includes a guide member that is guided while being engaged in accordance with the mounting operation of the portable container, wherein the lid member includes the guide member and the engaging member. 13. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sheet discharge opening is automatically changed from a closed state to an open state by cooperation of the joining portion. 14. A cover member that is disposed on the portable container so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet discharge opening, and covers the sheet discharge opening, wherein a sheet accommodating portion of the portable container in the transport mechanism forming portion is provided. An engaging portion provided at a position separated from the portion to be disposed further includes a guide member that is guided while being engaged in accordance with the detaching operation of the portable container, wherein the lid member includes the guide member. 13. The sheet discharge opening is automatically changed from an open state to a closed state when the engagement section is disengaged from the engagement section.
The sheet feeding device according to the above. 15. The transport mechanism forming section is configured to take out and transport a sheet in a storage section of the mounted portable container, or take out and transport a sheet in a sheet storage section provided in the transport mechanism forming section. The sheet feeding device according to claim 12, wherein 16. A storage section for detachably mounting a sheet and the liquid in a transport mechanism forming section for transporting the sheet with respect to a recording section for performing a recording operation on a recording surface of the sheet with a recording liquid. And a delivery roller disposed in the transport mechanism forming section for taking out and discharging the sheet from the storage section; and a sheet press provided in the transport mechanism forming section and pressing the sheet toward the delivery roller. Means for driving the delivery roller and the sheet pressing means when the portable container is mounted on a transport mechanism forming section, and communicating between the sheet pressing means and the inside of the sheet accommodating section. A sheet feeding device wherein a pressing force of the sheet pressing means is directly or indirectly applied to a sheet in the sheet storage unit through a sheet pressing opening; 17. The sheet container according to claim 16, further comprising a sheet protection member disposed in the accommodating portion of the portable container so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet pressing opening, and covering the sheet pressing opening. Recording liquid sheet supply device. 18. The sheet protection member is supported to be openable and closable with respect to a storage part of the portable container, and is automatically changed from a closed state to a substantially open state in accordance with a mounting operation of the portable container. The recording liquid / sheet built-in container according to claim 17, wherein: 19. The sheet protecting member is supported by the accommodating portion of the portable container so as to be openable and closable with respect to the sheet pressing opening, and is automatically substantially opened according to the detaching operation of the portable container. 2. A closed state from the state
8. The sheet feeding device according to 7. 20. The transport mechanism forming section is configured to take out and transport a sheet in a storage section of the mounted portable container, or take out and transport a sheet in a sheet storage section provided in the transport mechanism forming section. 17. The sheet feeding device according to claim 16, wherein: 21. A storage section that is detachably provided in a transport mechanism forming section that transports the sheet with respect to a recording section that performs a recording operation on a recording surface of the sheet with a recording liquid, and that stores the sheet and the liquid. A transportable container having a sheet discharge unit from which sheets from the storage unit are discharged; a delivery roller disposed in the transport mechanism forming unit to take out and discharge the sheet through the sheet discharge unit; and the portable container. A sheet separating unit provided at an end of a sheet discharging unit in the storing unit for separating sheets discharged from the storing unit one by one and sequentially discharging the sheets, and the portable container is mounted on a transport mechanism forming unit. In the case, a sheet feeding device configured to include: a driving unit that drives the delivery roller. 22. The sheet separating device according to claim 21, wherein the sheet separating unit is formed by a separating surface facing the sheet discharge unit and forming a predetermined angle with respect to a wall surface with which an end of the sheet is in contact. Sheet feeding device. 23. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the separation surface is set according to the rigidity of the sheet stored in the storage section. 24. The transport mechanism forming section takes out and conveys a sheet in a storage section of the mounted portable container or takes out and conveys a sheet in a sheet storage section provided in the transport mechanism forming section. 22. The sheet feeding device according to claim 21, wherein 25. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the transport mechanism forming section has sheet separating means for separating sheets in a sheet storage section provided in the transport mechanism forming section one by one and sequentially discharging the sheets. Sheet feeding device. 26. When the portable container is mounted on the transport mechanism forming section, sheets are separated one by one by a sheet separating means provided in the accommodating section of the portable container and sequentially discharged to form the transport mechanism forming section. 26. The sheet according to claim 25, wherein when a sheet is loaded in a sheet storage unit provided in the unit, one sheet is separated and sequentially discharged by sheet separating means provided in the transport mechanism forming unit. Feeding device. 27. The sheet supply device according to claim 12, wherein the portable container is detachably disposed, and the sheet discharged from the portable container is transported to a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording surface of the sheet. And a controller configured to control the operation of the sheet supply device, the transport mechanism forming unit, and the recording unit. 28. The sheet supply device according to claim 16, wherein the portable container is detachably disposed, and the sheet discharged from the portable container is transported to a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording surface of the sheet. And a controller configured to control the operation of the sheet supply device, the transport mechanism forming unit, and the recording unit. 29. The sheet supply apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the portable container is removably arranged, and the sheet discharged from the portable container is transported to a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording surface of the sheet. And a controller configured to control the operation of the sheet supply device, the transport mechanism forming unit, and the recording unit.